Although I had tried my best to finish the article, it was a decision I had hashed out long before I sat on Kean’s lap and listened to him explain his past. His opening up to me just sealed the final verdict in cement.
It was with compassionate awareness that I had taken in every word he’d shared. I knew it hadn’t been easy for him to open up the way he did. It meant he completely trusted me. And I wasn’t about to let him down. I hadn’t known it at first but that time I was buying was for the right moment to appear. And that moment was now.
Sure, Shawna would be disappointed and angry and I was more than likely going to lose my job but I couldn’t care less. The only thing that mattered was that the final articles were due today and it was too late to assign the project to someone else.
Kean would be safe.
Last night, I couldn’t stop looking at him as he slept on the pillow next to mine. I had become intoxicated by the love the man was capable of offering. He took such tender care of me. He checked and cleaned my injuries. Cooked me food and forced me to eat. Pressed ice packs gently to where I needed them. He made it known I was the center of his world and it left me in awe.
Forty-eight hours after the incident with Stuart, we finally heard back from Thad but the news had been grim. Stuart had vanished. A frustrated Thad apologized profusely because he felt terrible he wasn’t able to find my attacker anywhere.
I kept assuring Thad he didn’t need to apologize, that I understood. But it didn’t stop him from tagging along to work with me this morning. Thad was currently parked in my cubicle hogging the tiny space with his huge body, which was fine by me. Brenda wasn’t due to return to work for another couple of days and with Stuart unaccounted for, I was grateful for the company.
My focus back on my intended task, I raised my fist to knock on Shawna’s door just as it flew open. She barreled out but jumped back a foot when she saw me hovering. With a deep frown she recovered and pushed past me, striding down the hallway with purpose.
I jogged to catch up. “Shawna, I was wondering if I could get a minute of your time?”
“I don’t have a minute, Ms. Thompson. Did it slip your mind today is Monday? We have a meeting getting ready to start. Your article better kick ass.”
“That’s actually what I want to talk to you about.”
“Well, you can talk to me once we are in the room.”
“I can’t talk to you in the room. You probably need to hear this now.”
Shawna kept walking. “What is so urgent that it can’t wait till the meeting?”
“I don’t have my article.”
She stopped so suddenly, I bumped into her back. When she spun around, her usually composed face had a crack above her eyebrows.
“I really don’t need this right now. Between Stuart disappearing, complaints about some large, strange man wandering the offices this morning, and Brenda not coming back till tomorrow, I have had about all the stress I can handle. Now you’re telling me you don’t have your assignment. Why the hell not?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t write what you asked. It wasn’t fair to Kean. Please try to understand.”
She rubbed at the line across her forehead. “You called him Kean instead of Dr. Bennett. Ms. Thompson, tell me you didn’t compromise your assignment?”
“I’m sorry, Shawna.” I replied softly.
“You are no longer required at this morning’s meeting. Later this week when things calm down, you and I will discuss this further. For now, you may go home, although I do expect you to report to work tomorrow like normal.”
With a shake of her head Shawna stormed through the door into the conference room.
Head down, I made my way back to my cubicle.
Since I was free to leave, I figured I would swing by Brenda’s and check on her. She had been released from the hospital on Saturday and I was eager to see my friend.
I just needed to collect my purse and Thad first.
……………………..
Brenda’s front door swung open and before I could say hello, I was engulfed by skinny arms and dragged over her threshold.
“I am so happy to see you!” Brenda squealed.
Placing her hands on my shoulders she held me at arm’s length as she looked me over. I knew the minute she took notice of the bruise on my cheek by the way her eyes grew huge. My makeup must have been wearing off.
“Holy fuck, Ciaran, what happened to your cheek?”
Not wanting to worry her or go into details, I laughed. “It’s nothing. I slipped while running and bit the dust. I’m fine.”
Brenda joined my laughter as she led me to the sofa. “Girl, you need to be wrapped in bubble wrap. Sit and talk to me. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’ve missed you.”
It was good to see the light in her eyes match her smile. She looked well rested. A passing stranger wouldn’t have known she had been drugged.
“Brenda, I’m sorry. I had planned on stopping by the hospital to see you but then I tripped and fell. I was sore for a couple of days and didn’t really go anywhere. You look great by the way.”
She waved away my apology with her hand. “No worries. It’s fine. I feel a thousand times better. It’ll be great to get back to work after being out for so many days. I even finished my assignment. I emailed it to Shawna this morning.”
“You’re such an overachiever,” I teased before growing serious as I took in her gorgeous face. “Brenda, I truly am sorry, about what happened. It was my fault. I should have warned you not to open any packages that were dropped off.”
“Stop. It wasn’t your fault. You told me you were getting threats. I was the pig that picked up the candy box from the doorstep and ate the things. I saw the white rose and just figured Kean had sent it to you. I didn’t even give it a second thought. Where you able to find out where they came from?”
“No. Kean had someone run tests but other than finding what they were laced with, nothing else was found. The chocolate truffles are pretty common, available at any of the local drug or grocery stores. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Brenda sighed. “To think I could have died from cheap candy. Ugh. I’m over this subject already. Talk to me about something else. How did your assignment come out?”
I picked at the cuff of my sleeve. “I didn’t turn one in.”
“What? Why? What happened?” Brenda rushed out three questions at once as she grabbed my hands.
“I told Shawna this morning I didn’t think it was fair to expose Kean the way she wanted so I decided not to write it. She asked if I had compromised my assignment. When I apologized, she released me for the day. I’m expected at work tomorrow. Probably so she can fire me.”
“Oh, Ciaran, she would be stupid to fire you. You’re one of the best writers she has on staff. She’ll just pull you from any main features for the time being.”
I winced as I thought of having to assist another writer with their research. Talk about having to swallow my pride. But I would do it to keep Kean safe.
“So, you and Dr. Endowed still going strong?”
Thinking about waking up wrapped in Kean’s arms, I smiled. “Yeah, things are going really, really great.”
“I’m happy for you, my friend. You deserve someone who sets off fireworks, unlike nice-boy Stuart. You know what? Maybe we can get Shawna to let us partner together for next month’s issue. What do you think? We can even get Stuart involved if he is not too bitter over you moving on to someone else.” She laughed.
I forced a smile onto my face hoping to hide the sickening fear I felt at the mention of Stuart’s name. I was in no way prepared to explain to Brenda that he had attacked me. Besides she was bound to find out he was missing soon enough.
“I think you and I would write one kick-ass piece. That stupid magazine won’t know what hit them,” I responded, clutching tightly to my friend’s hands.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ciaran
“You’re awfully quiet.” Kean was watching me from where he stood in his open floor plan kitchen. I took a sip of wine from the glass he had placed in front of me minutes earlier and met his eyes over the rim.
“Sorry.”