“Of course.”
“You must be wondering why I’m here?” he asks, removing his peacoat and folding it over the back before he sits.
“I assume it’s not for the tattoo consultation that I have scheduled?” I sigh, narrowing my eyes.
“Maybe another time,” his voice rumbles. Getting right to the point, he says, “I hear you are having trouble with an ex-boyfriend. Braden Mathews. Is that correct?”
Leaning my ass on my tattoo table, I narrow my eyes. “I am. Which one of them is telling stories about me? Ryan? April? Both?” What the fuck? Vaughan is a virtual stranger. I don’t like that he knows anything about my private life.
He holds up a hand. “Please don’t be angry with either of them. April has been concerned about you for months. Ryan has been tight-lipped about what’s going on, so I’m coming directly to you.”
“Okay?” I question, narrowing my eyes and crossing my arms over my chest.
“I may be able to help you with your problem,” he says plainly.
When I raise an eyebrow, he continues. “What is the one thing Braden wants more than anything?”
“Besides driving me crazy?” I huff out a sharp breath. “That’s easy. To move away from Emerley. He hates it here.”
He nods his head as if I gave him the answer he was expecting. “What would you say if I told you I can make that happen?”
“I don’t understand,” I say slowly.
“I own businesses all over the province,” he says. “Hotels, bars, a golf course, a construction company. I’m sure I could find a position for Braden somewhere that would get him far away from Emerley…and out of your life.”
Rubbing my forehead, I watch him. “I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”
He holds my gaze, his expression steady. “Unfortunately, you and I both know Braden’s probably never going to be held accountable for any of this,” he says—putting into words what Mason has only hinted at. “Even if the police find evidence to arrest him, he’ll only get a slap on the wrist. And then he’ll be right back to harassing you.”
My stomach tightens. I know he’s right.
“The system isn’t perfect,” he continues, his voice quieter now. “Too many men get away with things they shouldn’t.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly, biting the corner of my lip. “But…how would this even work? Braden leaving town would fix most of my problems, but this feels a little too good to be true.”
Satisfaction crosses his face.
“My assistant, Finn, will give him an offer he can’t refuse.”
I draw my eyebrows together. “How? I can’t imagine any world where Finn and Braden even travel in the same circles.”
“Leave the details to me,” he says with certainty. “Finn is very good at his job. He’ll do whatever is needed to get this done quickly.”
“That sounds ominous,” I mutter.
Fiddling with the end of my silk scarf, I ask, “Why do you want to help me, Vaughan? Because I am April’s friend? Ryan’s girlfriend?”
“Yes, partially. I care deeply about April. Her concerns are my concerns. And Ryan is one of my best friends. Since you have come into his life, he’s been happier than he has been in quite some time.”
“I’m not sure about that; I’m kind of a pain in his ass.” I push my hair over my shoulder before resting my palms on either side of me on the table.
“Both things can be true.” He smirks at me before his voice turns serious. “My other reason is selfish. My mother was married to an angry, arrogant man—my father. I watched him break her down over the years until she was only a shell of herself. She sent me away to boarding school with Ryan to protect me from him. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
He leans forward slightly. “I couldn’t help her then, but I can help you now. You’ve already been courageous and removed him from your life. Allow me to take care of the next step and send him away. He will be so busy he won’t have time to bother you.”
“Where is your mother now?” I ask, fearful of the answer.
“Thankfully, she was able to divorce my father many years ago. She kept the cottage in Muskoka and now lives there year-round with her new husband. She’s very happy. I would like you to find that happiness as well.”
