Chapter 27

-Choices

The investor’s board meeting has gone on for over two hours.  There’s been nothing but arguing over who is going to take the fall for the delays of the mid-town conglomerate.  Hurst Corporation is going to lose a fortune on this deal.  The board members are distressed about their investments.  They blame the Hurst family for not securing the rights to Kara’s property, they trusted Braylin.  He ask them for another delay.  Maybe he can’t have a personal relationship with Kara but he’s willing to do whatever it takes to continue their professional one.  A few of the investors are getting anxious.  Some of the perspective tenants have pulled out.  The whispers from Monroe Industries about taking over Kara’s restaurant and owning her strip of land are getting louder. 

Without Kara around to deny the stories, the Hurst family have been put in a tough situation. 

The meeting comes to an end.  The investors have given the Hurst family until Friday to provide proof that they are new owners of the property housing Santino’s restaurant. 

Its lunch time, the Hurst men sit around Cameron’s office in silence.  They can’t fathom having to permanently shut this project down.   

“Have you heard from Detective Farrow anything Braylin?”  Aaron comments, he’s leaning against Cameron’s desk. 

“Yeah….he told me he talked to her neighbor again.  Sheffield ransacked the placed, he took some things out of her house.”  He tells them. 

“Her neighbor has to know something.  He was the last person to see her.”  Cameron questions. 

Braylin pinches the bridge between his nose and rubs his eyes.  He doesn’t want to rehash her disappearance again.   

“Bray….what is it?  He told you something didn’t he?”  Lester notices his agitated state. 

Clearing his throat Braylin sits up straight in his chair.  “He said the neighbor told him he didn’t want to get involved.  Kara told him about being attacked by Liam.  The guy was scared but he let her spend the night at his house.  She left early the next morning.”  Braylin gets up from his chair walking to the window in Cameron’s office. 

“He let her go, just like that.  There’s got to be more to it than that.”  Aaron says with skepticism.  

Cameron is staring at Braylin’s back.  “You know, I think we should get some lunch.”  Cameron can feel the tension in the room.  They are on edge about Kara and about the mid-town building. 

“Yeah, I agree.  Let’s go to Santino’s.  I don’t believe a word of what Kara’s neighbor told Farrow.”  Lester responds.  

“Amelia, what are you doing here?  I kept my end of our agreement.  I’m done.  Kara’s with Hurst now.  She’s moved on.  It’s time I do the same.”  Logan Spector stands back allowing Amelia to enter his office. 

“I know what we agreed on Logan, I need something else.  I don’t have anyone else to turn to and I think James is having me followed.”  Amelia sits down on the long sofa in his office. 

He deeply regrets allowing this viper to get her claws in him.  He became an investor in the mid-town project shortly after Kara broke off their relationship.   

Out at a well-known hotel bar drinking heavily to celebrate his good fortune in getting in on one of the most lucrative deals, his male ego was flattered when he was approached by a beautiful older woman.  She was seductive seeming to know what she wanted, he thought she wanted him.  She told him her name was Mellie Monroe.  He was drunk by the time they met he didn’t make the connection that her husband was the Hurst rival James Monroe at the time.  He had no idea she was related to the woman who had recently broke up with him. 

He woke up the next morning with a hangover and Mellie Monroe in his bed.  She told him who she was married to.  She was aware that he had lost most of his inherited fortune gambling.  She knew he had borrowed money from some unsavory people to invest in the mid-town project with the Hurst Family.  She wanted to know what the plans were for developing the property.  Anything discussed in the investor’s meetings she wanted to know about.  When the delay in getting permits and other mishaps started to hold up construction of the massive structure, Logan knew the true reason behind all of the delays. 

The Hurst brothers became suspicious.  They closed the circle of people allowed to receive access to the building’s plans.  The unsavory characters Logan was involved with also became suspicious.  They wanted a return on their investment no longer willing to wait they didn’t believe the project would be successfully completed.  

Logan was put in a bind he got angry with Amelia.  He complained about what she was doing, he was scared of the people he owed money.  He told Amelia he wasn’t going to help her anymore.  He needed to find a way to pay off his debt.  He wanted to try to get his girl back.  He had given her time to grieve her father’s death.  He foolishly thought Amelia would leave him alone when he threatened to tell her husband about them. 

Amelia let him know she was holding all the cards.  She threatened to tell the Hurst about his gambling habit and where his investment money came from.  

Logan had never discussed anything about Kara with Amelia.  She agreed to leave him alone if he would tell her everything he knew about Kara Santino.  She wanted to know what type of deal the Hurst were offering Kara for her land as the heir of Santino’s. 

Logan agreed but became suspicious.  He started investigating Amelia (Mellie, Mel, Ellie) Santino Monroe.  He learned of all the names she’s used through the years.  He found out about the affairs she had with some prominent business men in the community.  She had gained a lot of favor with some powerful people.  He also learned that Kara Santino was her daughter. 

He confronted Amelia with his findings he asked her for the money to pay off the people he owed.  She seemed surprised that he was smart enough to check her out.  She told him most men were so stupid, they usually just accept what she says and wants them to do for her.  They made an alliance.  He would get Amelia the information she wanted.  She explained to him that when she was done Kara would not be the owner of Santino’s it would be her name on those contracts.  She will control the Hurst men.  She will be the owner of that land and her daughter will be left penniless. 

She convinced Logan he should wait.  Promising him Kara would turn to him for comfort and marriage after she loses everything.  She told him if he tells anyone of their relationship she will go to Kara herself.  She showed him intimate pictures of their tryst together she said Kara will never turn to the man that is sleeping with her mother.  

Logan believed her.  He did everything she asked him to do.  But his secret was found out.  He and Braylin never got along.  Braylin had him investigated.  He found out about Logan’s loss of his inheritance through gambling.  His bodyguard Conner was able to find out about the people Logan owed money to.  They kicked him out as an investor in the mid-town project threatening to press charges against him if he revealed any of their information to anyone else.  He lost his deposit on the deal. 

Logan again turned to Amelia.  He had no way of paying back the money he had borrowed.  He threatened to tell the Hurst about Amelia’s involvement in it to prevent them from coming after him.  Amelia had no choice, she had to go to her husband.  James paid off Logan’s loans but their alliance remains intact, it’s an uneasy one.  Logan still has hopes of getting Kara back in his life.  He knows he can’t reveal his true relationship with Amelia.   

Amelia has secretly come to his office with another one of her schemes.  She wants to know if Logan is still in touch with the men he borrowed money from.  She needs something done she is acting coy in telling him about it.   

“Amelia what do you want, you can’t just call men like that up to be at your beck and call.  These men are ruthless, they deal in force and money.  They don’t have a problem breaking off some part of your body if you go against them.  You don’t know what you’re getting into asking me to contact them for you.”  Logan isn’t sure if he wants to know what she’s about to get into.  She doesn’t care about consequences when she is miffed wanting to have her way. 

Amelia approaches the chair on the other side of his desk.  She takes off her walking coat then sits down.  She motions for him to do the same.  She is well dressed in a mulberry sheath dress that hits just above the knee, it matches her walking coat laying on the back of her chair.  She always looks so well put together.  For a woman of forty-nine years old she is incredibly youthful.  She crosses one leg over the other swinging it slowly back and forth.  

“I understand what I am asking for Logan.  I need someone to get me a new luxury car.  It can’t be in my name.  I don’t want anything traced back to me.  I also don’t want the breaks to work on this new car.  It can be left for its new owner to pick it up near a cliff, a raven, a body of water, hell I don’t care just as long as the end result is a tragic accident the driver of it doesn’t survive.”   She drawls. 

Logan is gaping at her. His mind is spinning.  Who does she want to get rid of?  Is she serious or just momentarily angry at someone?  Holding his hand to his forehead he doesn’t know what to say to her.  Whatever she’s up to will involve him in it, he wants no part of this. 

“Ah….ah….Amelia.  You can’t be serious.  You want to kill someone.”  Maybe he’s misunderstanding her. 

“Calm your voice down.  I never said such a word.  I was just thinking that the person would have an accident.  If the car rolls over and explodes it would be…..unfortunate.  But that doesn’t mean it would be murder.  The driver might die from speeding or they may be distracted by their cell phone.  You know those things happen to people every day, it’s tragic.  Just make sure the car is burned beyond recognition. 

Logan feels physically ill.  He looks into her gorgeous green eyes unable to fathom what goes on in that cold and detached heart of hers or does she have one, she’s the most evil creature he’s ever known.  

What if he doesn’t agree to do this?  She will find somebody else.  Maybe she will come after him because she has now told him about it.  He shudders at the thought.  His eyes glance up at her cold calculating eyes looking back at him. 

“Do you need some time to think about this Logan?  I can only give you a day.”  She stands up straightening her dress she puts on her coat.  Grabbing her purse that’s hooked on the chair’s arm she walks to the door turning around. 

“Oh yeah, don’t get a red car.  Absolutely nothing red.  They don’t like red……Hmm not that it matters.  She says absently then walks out the door.

“Darla is at the entrance when the four young Hurst men arrive at Santino’s.  She warmly greets them hugging Braylin and rubbing his back.  Aaron is the last one to greet her. 

“Oh come on.  You gave all of them a hug, what about me.”  He feigns hurt feelings. 

“I only hug gentlemen, I’m not sure what you are yet.”  She retorts to his embarrassment. 

“Wow, she’s already got you figured out.”  Cameron laughs at him. 

“It’s cool, I want her to be afraid of how much she likes me.”  Aaron replies. 

“Like?  I think the correct word is “Loathes” you arrogant son of bi….” 

“Darla…. why don’t you show us to our seats and ignore my brother.”  Braylin slides his arm around Darla’s waist moving her away from a flirting Aaron. 

“You like her don’t you?”  Lester taps him on the shoulder. 

“I like to irritate her.”  Aaron cheekily responds.  Cameron rolls his eyes.  “What the hell do they serve in this restaurant?  First Braylin and now you.  Lester maybe you shouldn’t eat anything.”    He drolls. 

Darla shows them to a booth.  They order and are served.  Although they claim not to be hungry each of them eats everything on their plate. 

“You sure Kara’s not here.  The food is unbelievable.”  Aaron says leaning back in his chair feeling full. 

“The dishes are created by Kara and her father.  She’s a wonderful chef and she has a great group of people working for her.  It’s a shame to end all of this.”  Braylin comments thinking about the meals she’s prepared for him while living with him.  

Mica comes out to greet them.  They agree to go to Kara’s office to talk.  Darla and Casey eventually join them.  With each question they are asked they keep a united front claiming not to know where Kara is and they swear to not hearing from her.  It’s noticed that Casey does very little talking.  He also seems anxious to leave the room.  Braylin watches him closely.  Mica and Darla don’t hide there dislike of Liam.  They talk about how they never liked it that Kara was dating him.  Casey was fired from the Sheffield’s for helping Kara yet he’s not saying much about them. 

“Casey, you worked for Liam and his parent’s is that right?”  Braylin cautiously says. 

“Ye….yes.  I worked for them for about two years.”  He stutters out. 

“If you know where she would hide from Liam tell me.  I only want to protect her.  I won’t do anything to hurt her.”  Braylin can see the conflict in his eyes.

Casey holds his head down, he doesn’t speak.   “Casey…..you know where Kara is?”  Darla replies. 

“I…..can’t say….that I do.”  Casey nervously responds looking into Braylin’s eyes he turns away.  Braylin nods his head.

“Alright, I think we better go.”  Braylin answers. 

“But….?”  Aaron starts to say when he’s cut off by Cameron’s arm on his shoulder.  “Come on let’s go.  We’ve got to get back to the office. 

They thank them for the meal and leave.  As soon as they get into their limo Braylin’s phone rings.  It’s Lauren again he ignores it.  

“You know he knows where she is don’t you.  He’s lying.”  Aaron is frustrated.

Braylin makes a call to Conner ordering him to follow Casey.  Lester contacts Detective Farrow, he orders him to follow Kara’s neighbor telling him they need traces on Casey and her neighbor’s phones.  The rest of the day goes by quickly.  Braylin finally goes home. 

As usual he’s alone.  He misses Kara’s being here.  He wants to hear her voice even if she’s mad at him.  He longs to be near her.  Millie left already and it’s Anzio’s day to take his wife to a chemo appointment. 

Braylin showers and changes into a pair of jeans.  His chest and feet are bare as he strolls comfortably through his home to the kitchen to get something to drink and eat.  His doorbell rings.  He checks his watch for the time.  It’s almost seven-thirty. 

Going to his front door he looks through the peephole expecting to see Conner or Detective Farrow.  It’s Lauren laying against the doorbell.  

“Come on Braylin I know you’re in there.  You might as well open the damn door, I’ve already been to your office.  That cow of a secretary of yours told me you left a long time ago. 

Braylin stands with his back against the door.  Her voice is getting louder.  He only has one other neighbor across the hall.  He’s not sure if he’s at home maybe he can hear her yelling. 

“Open up Braylin.  You’re avoiding me.”  She kicks at the door, whining that she messed up her pedicure. 

“Shit….”  Braylin bangs his forehead lightly against the door then opens it.    

She stands there her brown eyes are blazing.  Her dress is the skimpiest black bodycon dress he’s seen her ever wear.  She has a great body, she’s on a mission to bed him tonight.  Her black shoes have got to be at least six inch fuck me heels.  The walking coat she’s wearing is thin, more for show than warmth.  It’s falling off of one shoulder exposing her cleavage.   

A slow cat like smile creeps across her face. Licking her lips she ogles him.  His eyes are full of fury, his beautifully sculpted chest muscles heave.  His hand is gripping the door knob.  She rubs her hand down one of his toned and muscular bare arms.  He’s barefoot and wearing an old pair of jeans that have holes at the knees. They hug his muscular hips slouching on his waist with the top button open showing his underwear band.  

Lauren is openly drooling.  She hasn’t seen him like this for years, the thought of getting him naked and between the sheets is making her wet.  She reaches for his neck jumping on him it takes him by surprise.  She kisses him trying to force her tongue in his mouth. 

He stumbles back into the apartment.  Her legs are like a vice around him.  She’s rubbing and grinding against him he tries to pry her off she won’t let go. 

Braylin slams the front door closed.  With both hands he pulls Lauren from his body near the sofa.  She falls onto it laughing. 

“Mm, I knew you would want me once we saw each other again.”  She slips off her heels. 

“What are you doing?  Don’t take your shoes off.  I haven’t invited you in?”  Braylin stands over her. 

She reaches up to grab at his zipper.  “Braylin, it’s alright baby, I saw her with somebody else already.  I knew you two wouldn’t last.”  She has a good grip on him, he jumps back. 

“Saw who Lauren, what the hell are you talking about.   He steps back further out of her reach. 

“Oh baby don’t tease me.  You can’t still be mad at me.”  She gets up from the sofa.  “Braylin let’s go upstairs.  It’s been so long.  I need you.”  She reaches for him trying to pull his head down closer to taste his lips. 

He moves her hands away.  “Stop it Lauren.  Tell me what you’re talking about.  Who did you see?”  He is looking down at her holding her at arm’s length. 

Lauren gets frustrated, she pouts walking back to the sofa she grabs her purse, pulls out her phone, scrolls through her pictures to find the one she wants then shoves it in his face. 

“See this is who she is playing around on you with Braylin.  She’s not coming back.”  She scrolls through to the next picture showing it to him.  

“He’s actually cute.  They were very affectionate when I saw them yesterday.   This was taken in my father’s new hotel.  He made me go with him on one of his boring ass inspections.  This was the high light of my day.  It’s over Braylin, she’s gone.  She would have never fit in anyway.  Come on sexy, let’s go upstairs.  I need you now.”  Lauren rubs on his chest he allows it. 

“Can I see those pictures you took?”  Braylin half-smiles at her, holding his hand out for her phone. 

“Sure.”  She hands it to him while caressing his back and smiling up at him. 

He scrolls through the pictures ignoring she’s touching him.  She’s a beautiful woman he admits to wanting badly years ago. Now he feels annoyed by her but he needs to see those pictures again. 

“You said that these were taken at your father’s new hotel uptown?  Braylin allows her to move around him.  She slides her hands up his chest to his muscular arms.  She’s caressing his abs dropping feathered kisses on his chest. 

“Mm hmm.”  I took them yesterday. 

“What time of the day, was it dusk or the evening?”  He questions.  She slides her hands around his waist to hug him, pressing her cheek against his chest. 

“It was evening.  I believe he was there to spend the night although I’m not sure.  I went by there this morning to ask around about them no-one seems to have seen them.  She must be staying there under an assumed name.”  Lauren tries