Page 31 of A Forever Love
“You’re firing me?”
“Not exactly. I’m suggesting you leave.”
“This is because of her, isn’t it? Merida must have said something to you.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? What does Merida have to do with you and me? She never even knew about us.”
Merida’s insecurity has never been a secret from me. Seeing her father wrapped around her dead mother’s memories, to the point where he seemed to forget the world around him, left a lasting impression on her tender heart. Having experienced the feeling myself, I made sure she never saw me with any girl. I wanted her to know that she was and would always be one of the most important people in my life.
“Fuck you, Carter. You think you can control everything and everyone’s lives. Don’t forget, I know all about your daddy issues.”
“I don’t want to see your face again, Jena. Clear out your desk before I’m in the office tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Carter. I didn’t mean—”
I know exactly what she fucking meant.
Storming out of my mother’s room, I head straight for my shower. The cold water helps alleviate the agitation, reminding me that, ultimately, Jena is now out of my life—which is a good freaking thing.
Afterward, I climb into bed, when something suddenly hits me.
What did Jena mean about Merida saying something to me?
I know Mere never liked Jena too much, but what could she have said that would make me fire my receptionist? And then Jena’s words about Merida loving me…
God, what the heck was that?
I ignore my racing pulse as I remember the woman I saw today and not the kid who used to be my best friend. Despite my efforts, I can’t see them both as one.
I shut my eyes in an attempt to divert my thoughts, but my mind conjures up a slow-motion reel of Merida in her red dress, on the stairs, her pink scarf unfurling in my direction. My fists tighten as I will my body to not forget who she is. But the moment my dick jerks, I spring out of the bed, my feet colliding with the book resting on the side, causing it to tumble and land on the floor.
When I pick it up, I remember Merida’s collection in her new apartment. I grab my phone and send a text to Tomas, asking him to buy a new bookshelf and deliver it to Cherrywood.
* * *
“Carter, meet Tony Walker, Hawthorne’s head of security.” Oscar nods as soon as I step inside the Hawthorne estate.
I shake hands with the man in the statement black suit, white shirt, and black tie before we make our way to the security office.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr. King.”
“Please, call me Carter,” I reply, noticing the fine lines on his face and his full white head of hair. He must be close to the age of retirement.
He catches my gaze. “As you might have guessed, I don’t do much of the interesting field work but more management tasks and making sure that the staff is in check.”
“Come on, Tony. You do much more.” Oscar pats the man affectionately. “Tony was hired by my dad. He joined the Hawthorne family when he was in his late teens. Never let this man fool you, Carter. He’s not just staff, but a family friend. He was called my dad’s shadow by the media. Gram told me that whenever Dad was caught in a place he shouldn’t be, Tony was by his side.”
“Now, you’re just making me look bad, Mr. Hawthorne. But your dad, Charles Sr., had a way of making people agree to whatever he wanted.”
I don’t miss the awe and affection in Tony’s voice.
“I didn’t know Charlie was named after your dad,” I state flatly. For some reason, that minor detail stays with me.
Oscar nods in confirmation, but it’s Tony who provides more detail. “I can already see so much of your dad in Master Charles.”
After spending a few more minutes in the office, Oscar leads me to the door. “Come now, I’ll give you a tour of the estate.”
Once we slip out, leaving Tony with his work, I ask, “Are you sure he’s okay with Kings Security taking over Charlie’s protection?”