Honest Betrayal (30 page)

No. She had to keep busy to keep her mind from going crazy. “I do take care of myself.”

“What about Hunter? What does he think?”

Hunter?! Why did everyone care about what he thought? She was married, but she was still an individual who could take care of herself. “He agrees.” She read Pauline’s face and shook her head.   “You may not like him. I respect that, but remember he is my husband.”

“No, he’s not. He’s your business partner. A husband would be there for you no matter what. There are no conditions. It’s not dependant on his career success.”

Brenna’s voice became neutral. “I like helping the company and I have the energy to do it.”

 “You mean to run away from the truth. You’re doing all this because you’re afraid,” she said impatient. “You’re afraid he’ll leave you if he loses his job. So you think if his career is strong he’ll stay no matter what. Right?” She shook her head. “You don’t have to prove yourself to him or anyone.”

Brenna took a deep breath then said quietly, “You don’t understand and I don’t expect you to.”

“If he loved you he would—”

“But he doesn’t,” she snapped. “And I accept that.”

Pauline threw up her hands. “Why do I feel as though I don’t know you anymore? How can this be the Brenna who believed in the importance of good matches? Matches based on compatibility and some affection? Maybe even true love? Where’s the Brenna who used to talk to me? Who are you? Your brother’s suspected of murder and I don’t even know how you feel. Your ex-boyfriend comes back into your life. Do you even care?

“You come to work and pretend that everything is fine. If your husband is so good at his job why does he need you to help him?” She crossed her legs and swung her foot. “You sure are working for the money you married. Fortunately, that doesn’t bother you, nothing does.”

Brenna tapped her pen against her palm, then set the pen down. “All I have to keep me sane is my work. Tell me what good tears will do? They’ve never helped me through anything before. They’ve never fed me, clothed me or comforted me.  All they seem to do is make other people feel better.” She let her gaze fall. “I’m sorry I can’t perform that ritual for you.” She looked up. “I will never perform it. I will never come into this office less than a professional. My personal life is just that—personal. I will continue to help my husband climb the ladder at his company and I will run my life the way I see fit. Now if the way I do business is contrary to your standards perhaps we could come to an arrangement—”

Pauline stood. “It’s been made. I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice.”

Her words fell like a hammer on Brenna’s heart. She’d considered Pauline a friend. She hadn’t realized how far their friendship had disintegrated. She picked up a pen then set it back down. “I’d like you to reconsider that option. You are an asset to the company. I enjoy you and...” She stopped. She would not beg or crumble although she felt her insides doing so. “I was hoping to take time to be with my brother during the trial. I’d appreciate it if you’d stay. With me out of the picture, you could take time to—”

“I can’t,” Pauline said both her tone and eyes flat.

Please don’t leave me now.
She swallowed. “I understand.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone else,” she said with a level of disdain Brenna had never heard before. “Now I’d better return to my desk.”

***

At home, Brenna went to the library and stood in front of the shelves. She ran her hands over the spine of the books. She picked a few up and flipped through, reading old passages that had given her joy. Her old friends. Books could never betray her. She remembered burying herself in their pages, disappearing from her own life. But now, not even her old friends could offer her comfort. And there was no one to talk to. She couldn’t burden Miles. She’d already spoken to him today. Her mother certainly wasn’t an option and she’d hate to discover if Tima shared Pauline’s views. She had to be strong for Stephen. And Hunter...

She turned away from the bookshelf and sat, feeling the weight of resignation. Pauline was right. Hunter was just a partner not a friend. She wished she could imagine her calling him and he saying he’d come home right away to be with her. But he was more practical than that. He’d help her think things through. Come up with a plan. But she didn’t want to think or plan or rationalize. She wanted to scream and tear things and make it all go away.

Suddenly the big house felt so empty; she so alone. And for once she didn’t want to be alone. She picked up the phone and dialed without thinking. Having memorized his number from his business card. His voice came on the line before she could hang up. “Hello, Brenna,” Byron said.

“How did you know it was me?”

He ignored the question. “Did you need something?”

“I just wanted to know how the case was shaping up.”

He paused. “Is that really why you’re calling?”

“Of course.”

He was silent a moment then said, “I’m splitting a pizza between myself. Like to come over?”

An eager delight gripped her. “Yes.”

He gave her the directions then said, “I’ll see you soon.”

Later Brenna stood inside his exclusive condo complex. When she rang the bell, he answered the door dressed in jeans with his worn green shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, displaying his powerful forearms.

She held up a bag of vanilla wafers. “I brought dessert.”

He kicked the door wider. “A woman after my own heart.”

They sat in the living room and shared a veggie pizza. His place was comfortable as always. Instead of a crowded dorm room there was a chrome kitchen and large entertainment center and furniture from an expensive catalog. Everything was exactly how she would have expected it to be.

Brenna rested her head on the couch. “So why didn’t you get married?”

Byron picked up a third slice of pizza. “I don’t think you want to know.”

“Of course I do.” She tapped a finger against her lips. “Let me guess. You found the perfect woman and she turned you down leaving you forever heartbroken.”

He gave a world weary sigh. “No, I found the perfect woman and she asked me to marry her and I said no. I’ve regretted that day for years.”

Brenna shook her head unmoved. “You could have called.”

“I wanted to become a top lawyer first. If I was going to come back on my knees, I wanted some leverage.”

“I don’t see you on your knees.”

“I’m waiting for the right moment.”

“That moment will never come.” She pulled out a card and placed it on his lap. “However, if you ever want to use my services.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He studied the card then tucked it in his back pocket. “So have you spoken to him?”

“Stephen—”

“No, your husband.”

She became irritated. “Why are you so interested in him? What does it matter?”

“You and I both know that it matters. Or do you want to pretend that it doesn’t?”

“If I told you I was unhappy would you feel better?”

“Maybe. Are you unhappy?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Because I want to know what’s going on.”

Brenna stiffened. “Nothing.”

Byron swore under his breath then leaned towards her with sharp, assessing eyes. “You wanted someone tonight. I know you, Brenna. You can fool others, but you can’t fool me. You needed someone and I want to know why it was me. Why did you call me?”

She turned away. “I was lonely.”

“And you couldn’t reach him?”

She poured more cola in her glass then took a long swallow.

“You didn’t call him, did you?”

“No.”

“Doesn’t he know about the case?”

Brenna shook her head frustrated. “I don’t know.”

“You didn’t tell him?” Byron said surprised.

She tapped the side of her glass. “No.”

“Why not?”

She stood. “I’d better go.”

“Why not? Doesn’t he care?”

“Yes, he cares.”

He stood, blocking her path. “Are you afraid of him?”

She moved around him. “No.”

“Then why don’t you call him?”

“I can’t.” She grabbed her handbag and headed for the door.

“Why not? He’s your husband.”

Her patience snapped. She spun around. “In name only! There. I’ve said it. My marriage is a sham. So now you can gloat. Now you can feel relieved I’m not happier than you.”

Byron searched her face confused. “But why? I don’t understand.”

Brenna took a deep breath, hoping to sound casual. “We have an agreement. He helps me with my medical bills and I play his wife. He needed one and I happened to be available. It works for us.” She smiled bitterly. “Poor Byron, now you have another reason to pity me.” She opened the door. He extended a hand and closed it.

“No,” he whispered, his breath warm against her neck. “I envy him.”

She didn’t turn although she could feel him close behind her. Every part of her aware of him. He extended his other hand effectively trapping her. He dropped his head and placed a kiss on her neck.

The touch of his lips made her skin tingle. “Don’t,” she said softly.

Byron kissed her again. “He won’t have to know.”

“I’ll know.”

“How do you know he isn’t somewhere else doing the exact same thing? He’s been gone for awhile, hasn’t he?”

“That’s not the point.”

His hand slid to her waist, he pulled her against him and she felt the evidence of his desire. “I want you Brenna. And don’t deny that you want me. You used to tremble like this so many times before. Do you remember?”

Desire warred with anger. He shouldn’t do this to her and she shouldn’t let him. “Let me go.”

“No.”

She hit him with her cane.

He released her and swore. “You’re being stubborn.”

“I’m a married woman.”

“You just said—”

“I’m still married.”

“And you plan to respect your vows,” he said sarcastic. “You plan to love, honor and obey? We both know you failed the first one. Except if you count loving his money.”

She opened the door; he grabbed her arm. “You’re living a lie, Brenna.”

“Let me go.”

“I’m going to win you back.”

“It will be nice to see you win something.”

Byron gripped her shoulders. “Don’t underestimate me. You don’t know anything about those other cases. But I’ve won before and I’ve won big and when I want something I mean to get it. I admit that my life hasn’t been what I had expected, but that’s all going to change.” His hands slid down and captured her wrists. “I’m not ashamed of how I feel and I don’t want you ashamed of how you feel.”

“You don’t know how I feel.”

He caught her eyes. “Yes, I do.”

Her breathing grew shallow and she turned away. “No.”

“I know you’re good at lying to yourself.”

“Yes, I’d convinced myself once that you truly wanted me, but not again.”

“I did want you. I just couldn’t take the risk—”

“Yes, I know.” Her voice cracked. “I remember.”

“You came to me, Brenna.”

“I made a mistake.”

“No, you took a risk. A risk I should have made years ago. Well look, I’m taking the risk now. I want you. I want to start again.”

She walked into the hall.

“Take your time Brenna. Think things through and remember. If you need me I’m here.”

Yes, he was
here.
Back in her life where she had always wanted him. That was the danger.

***

Byron stood by the window and watched Brenna head to her car. He shouldn’t have let her go. Tonight or those many years ago. He’d never expected regret to be such a bitter pill to swallow. He was seriously beginning to wonder about his judgment and he knew others were too.  Wallace Roberson, the DA, stopped by his office just to share his opinion.

“I heard you took the Garrett case,” he said, settling in a chair.

Byron nodded. “Yep.”

Roberson stared at him a long moment, his keen blue gaze clear with disbelief as though he’d hoped he’d misunderstood. When Byron didn’t say more, he sighed and smoothed down his long silver mustache. “Look if you want to start winning cases you don’t saddle yourself with a dog.”

“The kid is innocent.”

“Evans thinks you have a howler and her heart bleeds for almost every case that comes before her. Now if a PD thinks your client’s guilty, you know you’ve got an ugly case.”

Byron shrugged.

“What do you think your uncle would say?”

Roberson cleverly hit a sore spot. Byron’s uncle had raised him and led him into the law. They’d both considered themselves avenging angels using the power of the law. But his Uncle was gone and he hadn’t recovered as quickly as he’d expected. He hadn’t been able to focus, he’d made mistakes in his last cases, but he wouldn’t make a mistake this time. He couldn’t afford to.

 “You’re not going to get him off.” Roberson leaned forward. “Make life easy for yourself. Convince him to enter a plea.”

Byron continued to stare at him.

 Roberson shrugged and stood. “I guess I’ll see you in court.”

Byron turned from the window and picked up the empty pizza box. He had two fights on his hands. One to get Stephen off and the second to get Brenna back. He knew she had no idea what kind of family she had married into, but he’d dealt with the Randolphs before and knew what damage they could do. She was alone and sad just as she’d been all those years ago when he’d seen her alone in the library. He’d rescued her then and he’d rescue her again. First he was going to find out all he could on Hunter Randolph.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Hunter left the airport parking lot glad the Detroit conference had been a success. At the office he was annoyed to discover that nothing had changed. Unfortunately, he doubted anything would change. But what should he do? Hide in the sand and ignore where the company was headed while he flew here and there to be kept out of trouble? Should he leave? Leave the one thing he’d been groomed to become? He pushed the thought aside as he sorted through the office mail.

He looked at the phone and wondered if he should call Brenna and tell her he was back. The conference had been the first time he’d been away from her. Over a dozen times he’d picked up the phone to call her only to put it back. He didn’t know what to say. She wouldn’t miss him. She’d lived on her own before. And if anything had happened she knew how to reach him. He sat back and read an office memo. There was another discrepancy with inventory. He swore. There was no reason for this. But there was no way they would let him change things.