“That’s great.How’re you?”
“What do you mean?I’m fine.I’ve slept in the office before, so—”
“That’s not what I meant.You masked well yesterday, but you were not okay.What happened?”he asks.
I’ve never explained my trauma to Carlos, but I didn’t need to.He knew enough from my reactions.In fact, his quiet support without prying is how we became friends.
He draws his brows together, and by the fury billowing in his eyes, I realize my lack of words lead him to believe the worst.
“Did Mr.Diamond—”
“No,” I interrupt.
He relaxes his stance.
“I didn’t think so after your reaction last night, but I had to ask.”
I swallow, nod, and force myself to speak.
“He was never the one who… he helped me yesterday.I trust him.”
The memory of Donald’s blood on the ornate wallpaper and carpet flashes through my mind.Brennan saved me.I wouldn’t have escaped without him.
I clear my throat but can’t force more words from my mouth.Carlos nods and steps off the elevator.
“That’s all I need to know.Don’t forget, I’m always a call or text away if you need anything.Tell the boss the guys and I are looking forward to lunch with him today.”
The doors close.I shift my grip on the drink carriers and wonder how my overbearing big brother and CEO bosshole snuck past my gay friend’s defenses.
Men really are simple creatures, aren’t they?A few minutes of punching each other and suddenly they’re best buddies.
I sigh and roll my neck but my entire body aches from sleeping in a chair.After yesterday’s panic attacks and disassociating episodes, I fear my bones may snap from brittleness while my muscles burn from a build-up of lactic acid.
Although queasiness plagues my stomach, the overwhelming sense of dread I normally suffer during a setback doesn’t hold me hostage.
Usually it takes me weeks, sometimes months, to recover when my nightmares overtake me.
Brennan pulled me out of my mental spiral, cleared the clouds of depression, and allayed my fears.
He’ll help me protect my mom.
Bit by bit, he slowly chips away at my defenses.Less than four days ago, I hated him with everything fiber of my being.Now I don’t know what I’d do without him.
I’m doomed, but I don’t want to change my fate.I’ll be his eventually.
He’s already mine, though.
No one else will jeopardize his safety or future ever again.
Brennan Diamond is mine.
Only mine.
Chapter 12
Brennan Diamond
After rubbing out a wholly unsatisfyingyet mind-blowingly powerful release in the tiny stand-up shower like the horndog my baby doll turns me into, I hire the female bodyguard who accompanied me to an overseas conference a few years ago and send her to Audrey’s mom’s bedside.
