Greg had not only tried to take Belle Elle away from me, but he also had the power to take away Penn.
The fermenting anger inside threatened to boil over. Nothing was simple all because of him. All because Greg thought he deserved something for nothing.
He can’t get away with it.
I wished I had more knowledge on how to argue cases that weren’t just black and white. But I was sheltered in that respect. I just had to hope Larry knew what he was doing—which drove me nuts, as I needed to do something to help.
Another kernel of loathing layered on top of my anger as I Googled Arnold Twig: chief of police, part-time volunteer at the soup kitchen, father to one son, and all-a-round good citizen. The scarce photos of him online depicted an older gentleman who preferred crisp ironed clothes and sensible shoes.
I couldn’t see why he would be such a threat to Penn.
A knock raised my head.
I glanced at the door, yanked from my scattered thoughts. “Come in.”
I expected Fleur. I smiled with kindness and welcome—grateful to see my helpful assistant and friend before she left for the night.
The true visitor turned my smile to marble. I hid my grimace behind it. “Steve...what a surprise.”
I had no desire to see him. He’d done nothing wrong, he’d showered me in apologies, but I couldn’t separate my fondness of him against the dislike of his son.
Steve lingered on the threshold. “Elle, I wondered...can I have a minute?”
My heart raced, noticing for the first time the similarities between Steve and Greg. Matching jawline, the way their mouth formed certain words, even their nose shared the same genetics.
It had never bothered me before, but that was before Greg punched me and drove me across the state to try to do what exactly? Rape me into falling in love with him? Arranging someone to marry us under duress and believing the marriage certificate would’ve held up against the lawyers I would’ve hired to bury Greg under litigation?
Idiot.
I stood, planting my hands on my desk. “I think you’ll need more than just a minute to explain what the hell Greg was thinking, Steve.” Nothing but swift authority was in my voice. No gratitude for his guidance over the years or friendship toward a father figure I’d grown up with.
I was his boss.
He was my employee.
He was also the father of the man I never wanted to see again.
He tugged on the bottom of his blue blazer, striding into my office. Wisely, he didn’t close the door. Already I felt trapped, and the sounds of departing staff echoed in the hallway, inviting me to run with them.
“You have a point there.” He stopped in front of my desk.
Sage, picking up on my vibes but not sure why, did what she always did and jumped to the carpet to wrap herself around his ankles in welcome.
He smiled sadly, his eyes welling with tears and more apologies. “Shit, Noelle. I’m so goddamn sorry.” His gaze trailed over my bruises—the black eye of pain and memories of the short hostage situation I’d endured. “I never thought he’d do something so terrible. He’s Greg.” He shrugged. “He’s never been violent. Greedy and spoiled, yes, but...” He spread his hands. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell me where he is.”
“Still at the hospital. I think he’s being discharged tomorrow.” He looked at the floor. “Then he’ll be transferred to the police station, I guess.”
Tomorrow.
On the one hand, I was glad he would be dealt with so soon. On the other, it didn’t give me much time to threaten him to drop the charges against Penn.
Whoa...you’re going to do what?
The plan had come from nowhere, but...it made sense.
It’s ridiculous.
But so what?
I had no other skill or way of helping Penn.
I have to do something.
Even something moronic.
Who better to help Penn than the woman who had power over the man accusing him? If I wanted to use that power, I had to be quick.
Steve didn’t notice my hastily forming, crazily stupid plan, or the rush of heat over my skin at the thought of kicking Greg where it hurt and making him suffer for a change.
“I’ve arranged with human resources to create the necessary severance packets. He won’t be coming back to Belle Elle.” He ducked to pet Sage before she wandered off with her tail high.
“Thank you.”
I was glad he’d taken care of it but annoyed that we had to tiptoe around contract clauses and fulfill our end of the bargain with vacation pay and remaining sick leave.
I didn’t want to give him a penny more than he’d already squeezed out of me. But I wouldn’t give Greg any reason to come after me again—suing me for incorrect dismissal or otherwise.
“Do you know what time he’ll be collected by the police tomorrow?” I delivered my question void of emotion. However, it held two sides. One innocent. One plotting.
I wanted Greg behind bars.
But not before I had a few moments alone with him.
Don’t do this...
It could backfire royally.
I told myself to hush up.
For three years, I’d done nothing to help Penn. There was no way I could do that again. I could never live with myself.
I kept my body stiff; my secrets hidden. Ever since I’d found Gio’s driver’s license in Penn’s box, a seed had been planted. I didn’t know what that seed had been or what actions it would have me take, but now it had sprouts, straining for truth like a flower strains for sunlight, giving me a blueprint of a plan.
I knew what I had to do.
Penn was Nameless.
Nameless was Penn.
That put me in an uncomfortable situation.
Nameless, I owed a debt. That debt was still unfulfilled and never paid. Penn, I owed thanks for repeating history and saving me, but it didn’t wipe his behavior clean. If we were to have any chance at fixing this, I had to know the real him...not the many faces he hid behind.
Nameless—I’d fallen for him in a lightning strike of adolescent stupidity. Penn—I’d fallen out of love with every lie he’d told.
It looked as though the same had happened to him with me.
We both had grudges.
Perhaps, a third chance would fix everything that went wrong.
“No idea. Probably early afternoon?” Steve said. “I think he has a final check up in the morning.”
It’s now or never.
I picked up my turquoise fountain pen, tapping it against my palm. “I want to see him.”
“What?” Steve gripped the back of his neck. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Too bad. I want to.”
His face scrunched up. “Uh, okay. I’ll come with you and act as a mediator to ensure you’re safe.”
“No. I want to be on my own.”
“But—” His skin turned a sick pallor. “Elle, you have every right to hate him. I know you gave your statement this morning, which you have every right to do. But please...you’re better than he is. You’ve always been so much gentler and smarter than all of us.”