“Make certain no one knows about Donovan. I don’t give a shit if you need to impose a gag order. If anyone finds out he’s at Rosewood and uses the information, I will sue them. Period.”
I’d never seen the man so angry before and a part of me was grateful while the other was simply numb.
But the rage was winning out, the fuming making the vile thoughts seem reasonable.
“I’ll do my best. What about your father?” Michael asked.
“I’ll handle him.”
“And Carson?” Michael was now trying to lower his voice so I wouldn’t hear.
“If my brother leaked the information, he is dead to me.”
Michael whistled. “Let me do some digging and try and keep you out of a lawsuit from the news station.”
“I don’t give a shit about them. Fuck ‘em.”
“You need to listen to him, Christian. One of the men went to the hospital. They will make a big deal out of this for a million-dollar settlement.” I finally rose to my feet, shaking all over.
“Listen to her,” Michael advised. “I’m going to get on this, but we also need to do some damage control with Lopez. It’s all over the news, as if Elliot Enterprises lost a prized fight. Fuck, man. This isn’t good.”
Christian rubbed his face and glanced toward me. “I don’t care right now.” Before Michael had a chance to interject again, the man I couldn’t help but fall hard for snapped his head toward his friend once again. This time, his voice was more imploring. “Not right now. Okay?”
Michael flitted a quick glance toward me. “Okay. Fair enough.”
At that moment, I hated my father more than ever before. I know it wasn’t a good thing, but the vile thoughts continued to build. He’d done this on purpose to hurt me. Just in case I’d been happy. Oh, he’d tell me he’d done so for my own good, but I knew better. He’d used the opportunity to get what he wanted.
Crushing me in the process had been nothing more than a bonus.
“Don’t worry, Vanessa. I’ll make sure your brother is safe.”
“Thanks, Michael. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He gave Christian a look that I knew meant something between the two of them. At this point, I had no energy to worry about whatever it was. What I knew in my heart was that our dangerous game had backfired. While I wasn’t responsible, I was a part of the ruse by agreeing just like Christian.
However, the rest was disgusting.
I had to do something to help.
After he walked from the room, Christian walked closer. “I’m sorry, Vanessa. It’s likely Carson did this.”
“I don’t think so. From what you told me about your meeting the other day, he’s hurting just as much as you are about your relationship. I can’t imagine he’d do anything else to jeopardize it.”
“Maybe not, but I need to make certain. Whatever the case, I will not allow you to be bothered again, or your brother disturbed during treatment.”
“You can’t handle everything, Christian. You need to concentrate on your business. With the news and from what you’ve told me, it’s entirely possible the other potential clients will pull out. A sham engagement. A fiancée with a supposed nutcase for a brother. That doesn’t seem like solid family values.” I laughed bitterly.
“Do you honestly think I give a shit at this point?”
“Well, if you don’t, you should. We’re talking millions, billions of dollars that were stolen from you.”
He laughed. “Do you hear yourself? I created this mess, Vanessa. Not you. Not your brother. Not my brother. Me. By allowing my father to control my life. I’m almost forty fucking years old, but I didn’t see any real harm in lying to you and the rest of the world.”
“I went along with it because I needed the money. Yes, my brother was part of the reason, but let’s face it, I wanted to bail out my company and didn’t see the harm.” I would fix this.
Somehow.
“We’ll get through this. Nothing’s changed.”
