Mendacious (18 page)

Picking up the report, I look at the figures and get more annoyed with myself. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t flag this sooner. We could have stopped things before it got this far. And maybe we could’ve weeded you out of our growth plan before you had chance to cause the damage you’ve done. You see, we reward those who deserve it and prove their worth, whereas your little stunt has cost you the lot. ”

“What the hell ever. I’d do it all again without a second thought. You don’t look after your staff. You’re just an egotistical arse and you think the world revolves around you. Newsflash, it doesn’t.”

“Enough. Pack your shit and get out of my building. I’ll call security and ask them to escort you.”

She puts a hand on her hip, her eyes challenging me with utter defiance. “I’ve got a job with Dale anyway.”

“Good luck. You’ll need it with him,” I mutter, turning away. “You can leave now.”

I’m surprised by my own temperament and that I didn’t fly off the handle. I had expected a lot more rage, but I’m actually relieved this saga could be coming to an end. We’ve found the mole in the office, and by getting rid of her, I can only hope things will start to even out.

“Follow her,” I bark at Jack when Ivy turns and walks back to collect her belongings.

He nods and leaves the office.

“Jesus,” Sean mutters, leaning back against the wall with his hand on his forehead. “I hope all of this is over now and we can get back to normality.”

“I hope so,” I reply, stopping in the doorway and looking over to Kelly’s desk. “Can you call security and have Miss. Priest escorted off site?”

“I’ll do it now,” she says, picking up her phone.

It takes a couple of minutes for two uniformed security guards to come through the door. Kelly directs them to the far side of the office where Jack is helping Ivy gather her belongings.

“She left yet?” Sean asks, moving to stand beside me.

We watch the security guards march Ivy across the office and out of the main door. She doesn’t look my way at all which I find mildly irritating, because I want her to see the smug grin on my face. I’m happy as a pig in shit right now. It means that Libby was telling the truth and she wasn’t the one leaking information to her brother. Although, the more I think about it, the more I realise the whole idea was completely idiotic on my part anyway. Libby couldn’t have known the clients to leak to her brother, so it had to be somebody from our office. All this time I’ve been going backwards and forwards when the culprit was right under my nose.

“So what are you gonna do now?” Sean slaps me lightly on the back while we continue looking out at the office.

“I need to speak to her.”

“Libby?”

I nod.

“Well good luck, mate. Am I counting you out for the gym tonight?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow. “You haven’t been in weeks. You’ll need to keep that six pack if you want to impress her.”

“Count me out. Besides, you need to work on your self-defence, because you went down like a bloody fanny the other week.” I mimic his dramatic fall the day he overstepped the mark and I clocked him one. “I was gentle as well.”

Sean scoffs. “Whatever. I let you think you had one up on me. You know I can hold my ground better than you.”

I resist the bait and give him a playful wink. “Right, I’m going back home. You can give me a ring later or catch me by e-mail.”

Sean’s face softens. “No problem. Tell your mum and Alice I said hello.”

~

Kicking my shoes off after walking through the front door, I balance the two pizza boxes I picked up on my way home from the office and head for the living room. Mum and Alice are lounging on the sofa with another film on, but they both turn around at the smell of food filtering through the air.

“You bought pizza?” Alice jumps up and takes the boxes from me. “Thanks!”

Stopping by my office, I deposit my laptop and head back out to grab some food. I sit down on the middle of the sofa between them both and prop my feet on the coffee table with a slice of pepperoni deep crust.

“Anything interesting happen at work?” Alice asks, spraying a mouthful of crumbs at me. I pretend to wipe some from my face, and she laughs. “Shit, sorry.”

“It’s alright. And it was pretty interesting at work, actually. But it’s nothing for me to go into great detail over. I sacked someone who tried to get one over on me.”

Alice pulls her legs up on the sofa. “Ooh! Do tell!”

“You’re awfully nosy,” my mother scolds her, slapping her legs lightly. “And get your feet down.”

“Mum’s right. You’re better off not knowing. Remember all the drama with your friend Holli?” I suggest, taking another bite of pizza.

“Hey, cut me some slack. I didn’t know she worked for your psycho ex-wife.” Alice demolishes the rest of her pizza and then proceeds to cross her arms over her chest with a pout.

“Less of the psycho, please. She is my ex-wife.”

Alice wrinkles her nose. “Why are you so defensive? It’s weird. Is this because she came to the nursing home? You feel some sort of debt that you have to defend her?”

I grit my teeth. “That’s enough, Alice.”

“No, it isn’t!” She uncurls herself from the sofa and turns to face me. “Why did you bring her with you? Why did she come to the funeral? After everything she did to you, I don’t understand why you’re being so nice about her. Are you forgetting the
plan
you originally made? You wanted to ruin her. So tell me, Alex, what
has
changed in the last few weeks?”

There is no reason for me to answer my sister’s questions. I don’t owe her an explanation at all. Absolutely nothing. If I want to defend Libby then I bloody well will.

“I’m not going to talk to you until you’ve calmed down.” I get up from the sofa and head to my office to escape.

Closing the door behind me, I hear my mother giving Alice a piece of her mind. And so she damn well should. It was alright for her to lean on Libby after our grandmother’s death, but now she doesn’t want anything to do with her. I mean, I get why she’s upset, but it’s ridiculous.

Sitting at my desk, I pull up my e-mails and check for the latest update from Eyes. And there it is, sitting in my mailbox, waiting for me to open it. A collection of new photos. And surprisingly, they are all of Libby:

Arriving at the office.

Leaving with Daniel.

Eating lunch.

It is practically a normal day at the office for her. She’s carrying on like nothing has happened and I didn’t even exist in her life a couple of weeks ago. My calls are still going straight to voicemail, my e-mails remain unanswered, and her assistant refuses to take a message. I’m stuck with no way of getting to her.

“Unless, no.” I shake my head and disperse the idiotic thoughts surfacing. The thought of ambushing her again is ridiculous. “Next idea,” I say with a sigh.

But I know it’s hopeless, and I can’t do anything until she responds. Libby has me by the balls and don’t I fucking know it.

I’ve literally become a man obsessed.

In reality, I should be bringing this game to a close, and focusing on her douchebag of a brother.

But the question is ... do I
want
to stay away from Libby? I already know the answer.

No, I fucking don’t.

There have been fewer and fewer photos from my private investigator over the last week. In fact, I haven’t had anything in almost forty-eight hours.

Not a sausage.

Benedict has assured me that everything is fine and he will contact the man himself, but I’m not convinced. It’s ironic the pictures have stopped after I sacked Ivy. No doubt she has been crying on Dale’s shoulder and telling him about the photos we got of them together. And now that bastard must have found a way to stop my guy from working.

“I need my photos to keep an eye on her. Give this bloke a call and find out what the heck is going on,” I bark down the phone at Benedict.

“I’m on it, I’m on it,” he tries to assure me, but I feel anything but comfortable right now. If Libby drops off my radar then I’m screwed. At least now I can keep an eye on her from afar. It’s not ideal and still makes me feel like a creep, but it’s better than nothing at all. “I’ll call him now.”

“Let me know what he says.” I disconnect the call, throw my Bluetooth headset on the desk, and lean back in my chair with my eyes closed.

I’m grateful of the current silence around me.

My apartment is empty for the first time in three or so weeks now that my mother and sister have moved back home. It’s been nice having them with me, but I’ve found working a real struggle. Each time I tried to get something done, there was always something else happening that they tried to distract me with. It’s partially why I’ve been trying to work through the night for the last three weeks to keep my hand involved in my business. But even that hasn’t helped me keep on top of stuff. I’ve lost my mojo with everything that’s happened.

There are reports piled high on the end of my desk that Kelly has been dropping round every night, and I’ve been trying to get to them as quick as I can as well as firing orders over e-mail.

Hearing my phone buzzing, I open my eyes and lean forward, grabbing my headset once again and slotting it on my ear. “What have you got for me?” I ask Benedict.

He keeps me waiting a good twenty seconds before he takes a breath and says, “Our guy has been slapped with a restraining order. He can’t go anywhere near them.”

“When?”

“The other day.”

“And I’m only just being told?” I snap.

“He was trying to get it overturned. The order is only in place for Dale. It seems Libby hasn’t bothered.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “Oh, really? Well, that’s interesting. So why the lack of updates on her and Daniel?”

“He said he didn’t want to push his luck until the order on Dale had been overturned.”

“Bullshit. That bastard has had it easy for the last few days.” I check my watch and see it’s almost seven in the evening. “Ask him where she is.”

“You got it.” Benedict disconnects and I blow out a heavy breath. If I want a job doing then I may as well do it myself. I’ve been playing around for too long, and I’m in danger of losing her again. How could I handle her walking out of my life again? I don’t think I’d manage ...

Ping.

An e-mail from Eyes pops into my mailbox unexpectedly. I open it and find a photo which I’m not expecting. It’s a photo of Libby and her brother standing outside a restaurant I recognise instantly in The Quad.

Surrounded by stone steps that lead from the street level up to an open plan courtyard, The Quad is an upmarket, fine dining hot spot near to The Bullring shopping centre. The area is well known to be frequented by lavish shoppers and Birmingham’s business elites who are trying to make an impression or be seen.

It’s right up Libby’s street, so I’m not surprised she’s there. Being in the upper social circle has been a lifelong goal since I’ve known her, and now that she has more money to do it, I see she’s taking full advantage.

“Well, Alex, it looks like you are going to The Quad tonight,” I mutter, pushing back my chair and standing, before I go grab my jacket and head for the parking garage.

~

The engine is silent and there isn’t a single light on in this car. I’m parked up on the other side of the road. Watching. Waiting. My impatience growing.

But this feels so wrong.

I’m acting like some crazy lunatic biding their time before they pounce. It feels as if I’m crossing a whole load of lines by just being here, but my curiosity and demanding conscious won’t leave me be. My mind and body are being driven by the fierce craving I need to satisfy. The demon within me feasts from the adrenaline spiking through my blood as I curl my fingers tightly around the steering wheel.

I’ve been sat outside for about an hour, and I’m resisting the urge to track her down. The key to this mission is stealth, so I can’t get caught in the act. If I do, then I’m sure the shit will start to fly.

“Fuck.” I hiss when I feel my phone vibrating. Reaching for the accept button on my headset, I answer the call blindly with my usual curt and snippy attitude, “Alex Lewis.”

“I heard you’ve gone to track her down,” Sean says with a sigh. “Do you think this is wise?”

I stiffen. “Not really. But what other choice have I got? Sit still while she ignores me? I don’t think so.”

“All I’m saying is—”

“Shit!” I mutter, seeing Libby come into view at the top of the steps. “Sean, I’ve gotta go.” My heart begins to thud and I feel my palms warming after I disconnect my headset and throw it on the dashboard.

My eyes are glued and unmoving. I take in the full sight of her dressed in a pretty cream blouse and black jeans, and feel the instant impact straining against the zip on my trousers.

This woman is fucking perfect in every single way.

But what’s this? Even in the dim evening light I can see that she’s upset. Her arm holding her handbag remains by her side, but the other is flying wildly in the air at somebody.

It can’t be Dale.
Can it?

I lean closer to the window to get a better look, and find that it is in fact her douchebag brother she’s shouting at. Her expression is one of complete and utter fury, and I’m intrigued as hell to know what’s going on between them.

Dale comes into view in all of his cocky-arsed glory. He points at Libby and I hear him hollering even from where I’m sitting, his voice growing louder and more aggressive by the second.

My hand moves to the door handle and I’m poised to pounce if needs be. Libby looks distraught yet they both carry on with this little charade in full view. Thankfully I can’t spot anybody lurking, but it’s enough to piss me off. Dale might not be hurting her physically, but I can see the pain on her face from the emotional hurt he’s inflicting. It’s the same pain I’m gonna punch into his face if I’m ever given the opportunity. I’ll be sure to land a couple on Libby’s behalf and a couple for trying to screw me into the ground.

What am I thinking?

I’m getting far too involved in something that shouldn’t be concerning me as much as it is. I want to be there to protect her ... but I need to remember that she’s my
ex
-wife. She isn’t supposed to mean anything to me in that sense anymore. But I can’t fucking help myself or keep away. She draws me in and I’m powerless.

My attention is drawn back to the argument, and I twitch my hand on the door when their voices grow louder. They continue like this for a good ten minutes until Dale throws up his hands, turns and walks away.

She looks shocked.

I want to go and comfort Libby, but she is still hurling abuse in his direction, clearly upset over their argument.

And then, out of nowhere, a hooded boy runs up to her and makes a snatch for her bag. I’m reaching for the door handle with lightning speed when I see her fighting against the boy. But then, the little fucker jabs an elbow to the side of her face and pushes her down the four or five steps to the pavement.

“My bag!” she screams, before she hits the floor.

Dale doesn’t give it a second thought when the little bastard runs past him with his sister’s bag, but he makes the big mistake of not turning around to see what the little shit has done.

My instincts kick in when I see Libby hit the ground, hard. Throwing the car door wide, I charge across the empty street.

Her sudden cries fill my ears.

I’m there in an instant and find her lying in a tangled mess. It’s all arms and legs everywhere. She really hit the ground with a pretty hefty thump.

“Somebody, please help me.” A strangled cry rips from the back of her throat when she sweeps her hair off her face and spots blood coating her hand.

“Libby, it’s me,” I whisper, kneeling down to reassure her. “I’m going to call an ambulance.” My voice cracks but I try and keep calm for her sake. Her head looks an absolute mess, and I’m afraid to move her in case she’s done any damage. I didn’t see if she hit her head off the floor or if it was that little bastard that caused the cut.

“Don’t go anywhere,” Libby pleads when I try and fish my phone out of my pocket.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I murmur, dialling for the emergency services. It takes barely a couple of seconds for me to be connected through to an operator.

“Sir, can you tell me the patient’s condition?” a lady on the phone asks me. “There has been an ambulance dispatched to your location, but I’m trying to assist you in the meantime.”

Looking down at Libby’s body, I cringe. Her jeans are ripped from her fall and there is blood oozing from the wound on her head. The cream blouse she’s wearing is also now splattered with blood.

“She fell down some concrete steps after being mugged. I don’t know if her body is injured or not, but she has a wound to her head,” I say, reaching across and taking her hand in mine. “She is in shock, I think. Her body is shivering.”

“Sir, can you keep her still until the paramedics arrive? Do you have anything you could put over her to make her comfortable?”

“My jacket,” I reply, immediately shrugging my arms out and laying it over Libby’s bloodied body. She reaches out for me again following the loss of contact, and I notice the tears streaming down her cheeks. Moving her hair out of the way, I tuck it behind her ear, and reveal how large the gash to the side of her head actually is. There is blood pooling on the side of her face. It trickles into her ear before splashing against the ground.

“A-Alex.” Libby’s voice sounds quieter, weaker even.

“The ambulance is on its way,” I repeat, squeezing her hand.

But honestly, I’m absolutely fucking terrified. My heart rate feels as if it’s trebled in speed and like it is about to force its way out from between my ribs.

Her eyes seem dopey, like she is almost in a dream world. They turn glassy and her eyelids grow heavier as if she is struggling to stay awake.

“Hey!” I shout, releasing her hand, so I can lightly tap her on the face. “Stay with me, Libby. For God’s sake, you had better stay awake with me.”

“Sir, is the patient unconscious?”

Sirens fill the immediate area when Libby’s eyes fully close. I get up off the pavement and dash into the middle of the road and flag down the flashing blue lights that have come to help us.

“Over here. Please, you have to help her.” I’m practically begging the paramedics who rush over and immediately start working on Libby’s limp body.

“Sir, have the paramedics arrived?”

“Yes. Thanks for your help,” I say, disconnecting the call from the operator and stuffing my phone away.

I stand slightly off to the side to allow the paramedics room. They ask me question after question which I try and answer while they fix Libby’s head into a brace and slide her onto a trolley.

She’s still unconscious when they load her into the back of the ambulance and hook her up to various monitors. I haven’t gotten in yet; I’m loitering just outside the doors at the back, my eyes switching between Libby’s lifeless body and the top of the steps she fell from.

“What is your relation to the patient?” the paramedic sticks his head out of the door and eyes me up.

“H-Husband,” I reply sharply without a second thought.

I’m just leaving out the ‘Ex’ part.

“Are you coming with us to the hospital?” I’m asked.

I turn back to the steps and I don’t see Dale anywhere in sight. “Yes, I’m coming,” I murmur, briskly stepping over to my car, slamming the door shut, and then hopping into the back of the ambulance.

The paramedic pulls the doors closed behind us as the other slides into the driver’s seat and pulls us off at a rapid speed.

There are machines beeping continuously as I clutch Libby’s hand in my own, my thumb softly rubbing over her knuckles. I haven’t wished for much in my life, but right now I’m wishing with every inch of my body that she’ll be alright.

“She didn’t have any possessions at the scene. Do you know what happened?” the paramedic asks, studying the readings on the monitor.

“She was mugged.”

The paramedic turns to me with surprise. “Mugged?”

“Yes.” I grit my teeth. “Her brother went after the thief, but he didn’t realise what had happened to her.”

“Okay. Can you tell me if your wife is pregnant at all, Mr. Lewis?” the paramedic asks and catches me off guard.