Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2) (24 page)

~Bryer~

I wake with purpose,
one objective in mind—to write my resignation, and present it to Cash in
person. I went back and forth last night if I wanted to do this face-to-face,
and I decided that facing him is necessary to make my point, and make it loud
and clear.

There’s regret in
leaving. I’ve enjoyed my work, I’ve built it up and contributed to its success.
I’ll be walking away under a cloud of sadness.

I’m apprehensive
about seeing Cash under the circumstances, his egotistical arrogance won’t be
able to contain himself as my resignation will be a strike in his winning
column. I won’t breathe a word of the devastation he caused in my personal
life, I won’t give him that.

I’ll let the anger
empower me in every sense of the word, he won’t see weakness, that’s all I’ll
have to hold on to. That and my honor.

I shower and change
into jeans and a sweater, certainly this doesn’t justify anything else.
Scarfing down the last biscuit and a sip of coffee, I immediately regret it
when my stomach protests minutes later. I grab the Pepto from the refrigerator
and take a swig, holding my nose. “Gross.” Shaking my head in disgust. This is
what stress does, manifests itself into something physical.

I reach the entrance,
and with each step, my emotions intensify. I see the painted words Sea Blue on
the entrance wall that have been here since before I started. There’s a white
wash painted over it as if this is the first step in removing it. He’s
obviously changing the name, it bothers me, but after today it shouldn’t
matter, I won’t let it matter.

Retreating to my
office for solitude, I start typing the letter I never envisioned I would be
writing. I get the first line written, I reread it several times, not knowing
exactly what else to say because the truth certainly isn’t an option.

Please
accept this letter as notice of my resignation from Sea Blue Marketing.

I
date it, and sign it,
assuming
he’ll read between the lines.

I wait impatiently
for it to print the one line that says it all, acknowledging this changes the
trajectory of my future. A ping of regret hits me, but I don’t let it change my
course. I abruptly leave my office in search of Cash. We’ve been here in this
exact place before, it never gets easy. My first priority will be to show
Nathan how much he means to me, by walking away. Proving I choose him, but not
with words with actions. And if quitting is the only way, I’ll gladly do it. “I
need to have a word with Cash, Mr. Harrison.”

His secretary meets
me with a warm smile. “He’s currently out of the office Bryer.”

After a long minute.
“I need to leave this in his office.” Waving the paper in my hand.

“Of course, Bryer, do
you want me to unlock it for you? I’m leaving for my lunch break anyway. Would
you like me to bring something back?”

“That’s nice of you,
but I’ve been having some stomach issues, saltines and water will be my lunch.”

She shrugs. “That’s
sounds awful.”

I shake my head in
agreement, distracted by my mission.

“Lock up when you
leave, and leave the key on my desk,” she instructs, as she hands me the key.

I wait ‘til she’s
left, and step In front of the door, knocking, not doubting her word, I just
never willingly walk in on danger unannounced. When no one responds, I unlock
open the door and walk in. I stand, staring at his desk, remembering the
several meetings with Thane, happier times.

I lay my resignation
down in a prominent place and notice Cash’s computer, and push the thought
away. The thought of revenge is beneath me, but the desire to punish him is
winning out. I’m sick and tired of Cash always having the upper hand. A few
words come to mind, sinful, sleazy, shameful, and I let them float by without
another thought. I just put myself on his level.

I take his seat,
turning his computer on, the flashing request for its password appears, Cash
only used one password the entire time I knew him. Could he possibly be that
predictable? I type the words “
I object
” and I’m in. Holy fuck, that was
easy.

The screen comes to
life and there’s a folder on the desktop named Sea Blue Plan, I double click on
it, and it’s as if a hundred files come to life, it’s hypnotic. Maybe I can
teach this bully a lesson.

I just start from the
top and double click it open. The first being the sale contract of this
company, the fact that Nathan’s father’s name is there is not a surprise, but
still disgusts me. Evil playing with evil equals evil.

Maxwell James is the
next file, but when I open it, I only sees tons of legal documents—some I’m
familiar with some I’m not. But it’s clear this entitles Cash to control over many
aspect of Max’s company. Dated only months prior to his death. The thought
sickens me, taking advantage of a dying man. How low of a human do you have to
be to hurt a dying, sick, feeble man.

M&M patents. I
open this file up and notice at least a dozen patents in process, all with Cash
Harrison’s name by M&M Global. It’s mostly medical related and terminology
and I’m not clear how far he’s been able to infiltrate this department. Does
Nathan need this? I pull out the drawer and find a thumb drive and insert it,
downloading as much as it will hold.

M&M foundation.
I’m able to add this file, and the ones I’ve opened to the thumb drive. Before
the space is no longer available. I’m just curious if Cash kept any secrets
that would trip up Nathan trying to regain control.  

Roberts and Kendrick
file. I open it next and the first page is an open-ended contract of the sale
of Sea Blue, also a document that doesn’t look legit handing the company over
in full from Nathan Sr. to Cash Harrison. There’s a new player, he has a buyer
already in mind, and it looks like Kendrick is facilitating the transaction.
This is bullshit, as much as I have distaste for Nathan Sr., these crooks are
just plain scamming him. Maybe this is karma rearing its ugly head, I look for
another thumb drive and start copying everything while I read, there’re too
many illegal things going on here. Obviously, this may not hold up in a court
of law, but that’s not my intention.

Sonja. I hover over
her file hesitating. Questioning if I really want to open this, the one woman
who changed my life in a split second. Destroyed my dreams and my future.
Little did she know she saved me from the biggest mistake of my life. I open
and there are dozens of explicit images, some too graphic, and violent to be seen
as pleasure. Several thoughts run through my head, is Cash holding these as
blackmail, or are they really into this? There are some that are horrific, it’s
obvious she is not enjoying it. Cash is there, he’s seen in several of the
photos. I notice a confidentiality contract she signed, and several other legal
documents. I’ll leave this be, I don’t want anything to do this with this file,
the bastard.

Kahale
.
Squeezing my eyes shut in disbelief, Cash doesn’t know who this person is, only
a handful of people do, I’m terrified when I double click and there it
is—emails, correspondence between the two of them. I copy of a wire transfer of
$50,000 from Cash to Kahale. Gritting my teeth in anger, I start to read, there
was an agreement where Sonja arranged on behalf of Cash to stop the marriage
license from making it to be recorded. Ultimately stopping our marriage to be
finalized. Anger radiating off me, as the realization hits me that Nathan and I
are not legally married. Jesus, how …no, why would Cash do this for God’s sake.
In a split second I went from hopeful to I’m nothing. The room is spinning, and
I’m disoriented, this can’t be real I need more proof than this.

Marriage license. I
click on this, assuming this is Nathan and my license that was never recorded,
but when the realization hits me, it’s worse than I could have ever imagined.
I’ve been hit by a freight train, eyes flashing in disbelief as I see a
marriage license, but it’s not Nathan’s name that’s on it. It’s Cash, Cash and
mine. Sweet Mother of God, Dottie’s stamp is on this, I know she played no part
in this, I realize I signed it in Austin. There’s an unknown Justice of the
Peace who has signed it too. I wanted to curl into a ball and cry, as my
stomach churns. My eyes flooding with tears, unable to hold back the profound
pain of what has happened. What has he done? And once more Kendrick’s names
appears as he has sent the marriage license off to be recorded. Fuck, what is
the date on that? Just yesterday. I need to stop it before it’s recorded.

Then I see the files
on the very bottom, they stand out to me as if a flash of lightning just took
me down. Suspended in time, I gather the strength, the strength I’ll need to
open what I know will be another bomb going off in my heart. Can I survive it?
Be brave.
Mom, are you here? I may need you for this one.

~ ~ ~

Will-Ann Reid
Insurance policy. It’s open, but I’m a coward, I can’t bear to open my eyes. I
feel myself plunging into darkness, until someone catches me, causing my eyes
to flash open and look around to no one in the room, I’m totally alone. Or
maybe I’m not, maybe she’s right over my shoulder. I swallow hard, and I glance
at the first page.

Charles Berman is the
trustee’s name is on top. It’s my mother’s will, she goes into great details
about the provisions of her death. Why didn’t she tell me? Why leave it all in
the lawyer’s hands? I wanted that box, her things, I wanted it all. I knew she
was incoherent during her illness, but I’m confused as to why she planned it
this way.

After digging through
the will, it mentions the life insurance policy.

A whole life
insurance policy issued to me when I was a baby. Paid-up additions, which
reinvest dividends, I recognize companies like Apple, Walmart just to name a
few.

My mother put in two stipulations—I
had to be of age, over twenty-five and married. I scroll down to the last page.
5.2 million. The value is worth 5.2 million dollars.

The trustee has died,
leaving no trace of it then I recall Dottie’s words. Cash was on his team, he
knew about this, hid it and played it ruthlessly. Everything is disintegrating
around me. An acid taste in my mouth, I feel the bile rise as I run towards the
bathroom, it’s lodging itself in my throat, inhaling a deep breath and blowing
it out slowly, buying time to make it down the hallway.

I’m hugging the
toilet as my stomach lurches in revulsion, all the while sobs consuming me. The
last of the dry-heaves subside, and I will myself off the floor. I stagger
over, cupping my hands to rinse my mouth out repeatedly. My eyes meet the
mirror, I’m losing my grip on reality.

Out of breath, I make
it back to Cash’s office, confirming everything on Cash’s computer has been
copied then I shut it down, and leave, locking the door behind me. Now I know
every dirty secret, and most importantly, why.

I have one more stop
before I head back to Gen’s place. Once I’m in the drug store, I grab two
pregnancy tests, and drive straight to her condo, crying every step of the way.
If my instincts are right, this will change everything.

I’ll be married to
the wrong man carrying the right man’s baby.

~Nathan~

“You look like
sewer-shit,” Clayton says as he enters the office.

“Aren’t you clever,
you’re a brave fuck if you’re starting a war of words this morning.” Glaring at
Clayton, as a warning.

“Borderline- crazy
are we, Nathan?”

“I’m heading in that
direction, Sponge-Bob. I haven’t been to sleep yet, and I ‘ve been here since
five am, so do you still want to play?” I watch his head tilt.

“Has anyone ever told
you you’re beautiful when you’re angry, I thought not.” He sits, and starts his
computer. “I’m done now.”

I watch him drink his
coffee, read his emails, and check his phone. I want to ask, I question what’s
holding me back. Frustration mixed with fear perhaps? I feel like a damn fool.

“How is she?”
Regretting the crack in my voice.

Clayton spins around
to meet my words. “She’s with Gen, Nathan. And no, she’s not fine.”

“You’re right, stupid
question.” Brows knitted in a frown.

“You two need to work
your shit out.” His face filled with contempt.

And I don’t blame
him. I’ve dished out enough unwanted advice to him, it’s only fair I receive my
ass-kickin’. “I want that more than anything, we just have to fix a few things
before we can get there,” I say.

“Don’t wait too long,
Nathan, absence does
not
make the heart grow fonder. It points it in a
different direction.”

Now, that felt like a
kick in the ass. My phone rings, and notice it’s still very early, the caller
Id says Augusta Law. “Nathan speaking.” Not knowing which partner I’ll be
getting this early.

“It’s Brett, Nathan.”

“This is early for
you, should I be nervous?”

“Good news and bad.”

His relaxed
casualness gone. I can hear the tension in his voice, and I prepared myself
mentally. “Ok let’s hear it.”

“The patents have
been stopped and transferred to your name, so we have protected each one.”

“That must be the
good.”

“That’s the good, Nathan,
but Cash was there yesterday, ready to apply for the official application. When
told of the new development, he made a scene and had to be escorted out of the
building, it wasn’t pretty from what I heard. He also made some ugly threats
directed at you personally. I wanted to warn you in case he makes good on
them.”

The emotion in his
voice a rare thing to hear, Brett is cool and even keeled at all times. “Did he
threaten Bryer?” I had to know.

“No, this was all
about you, the wheels of justice were on the right side, not Cash’s. I got the
distinct impression he’s not used to losing.”

“Well too fucking
bad,” I say, in a harsh tone.

“I’m quite certain he
is unaware of the foundation, but it won’t be long now.”

“Thanks, Brett, I’ll
keep my guard up.” And we hang up, knowing we still have our work cut out for
us. I don’t even have to fill Clayton in on the conversation.

He heard everything
and leans back in his chair, steepling his hands. “Strike one for the good
guys.”

Several hours pass as
the gym comes to life, I’m buried in tedious paperwork that will soon be given
to Graham, when I hear commotion out on the floor. Clayton’s voice rising, and
a sea of people separate, as I watch the black suit, black tie and blond hair,
making long-legged strides in my direction, heads turning as his pace is
hurried and impatient.

I stand, crossing my
arms, in the doorway. “I don’t think this room is big enough for the two egos
about to go head-to-head.” Sarcasm dripping from my mouth. “Why are you here,
Cash?”

“Really, I have to
spell it out for you?”

“Apparently.”

“You know Bryer was
with me in Austin.” A smug look appears, knowing how deep that cut is.

“Just to clarify,
Cash, is this personal or business?”  Well aware of the audience we’ve
attracted.

“You did this on
purpose. Maxwell James wanted me to handle his business, and you stepped in and
took over, to retaliate for what happened in Austin.”

“I don’t believe you,
Harrison, nothing that comes out of your mouth is the truth.” My fists are
clenched in the attempt to control myself, I want to hit him. I see Clayton
feet behind him, prepared to have my back if needed.

“And why on earth
would I lie about being with your wife?”

I can barely contain
myself. My breathing is becoming erratic, and he senses he’s escalated this to
a whole new level.

“Are you kidding me?
You’ll be on the ground in five seconds,” I threaten.

“Try it, just try it,
Nathan. Nothing would please me more than pressing charges against you for
battery.”

“You’re really
pathetic, Cash, a conniving, deceitful, piece of dirt. I’ve had just about
enough of you I can handle.”

“Listen, you fool,
you’re not going to win. I’ve already won. What’s the problem, Nathan, still
wondering if it’s business or personal? I hate to be the one to tell you but
it’s both.”

I watch as he
straightens his tie and tugs on his expensive fucking jacket. The smirk on his
face, waiting for me to react. “What’s that supposed to mean? More games, Cash,
because you’re good at games, tricking people into thinking you are something different
than who you really are. A lying sack of shit.

“A winning sack of
shit, just remember that.” As he turns feeling victorious.

I, on the other hand,
am left feeling completely confused. We won, he knows we won. The stock is
ours, the foundation is back under my control. What else could he possibly have
under his sleeve?

Clayton rushes in,
physically removing me from the doorway, and forces me to sit, his look says it
all. His own temper rumbling beneath the surface. “Not that I didn’t enjoy
that, but do you really think that was smart trying to make him mad, or madder
than he already was? He’s like Armageddon in a suit, Nathan. It’s in your best
interest to stay clear of him, he’s fucked-up-dangerous.”

I lean over my elbows
on my knees, my fingers threading my hair. Replaying the entire scene in my
head. “I don’t think I could have done it differently, it would be an
indication of weakness.” I look up with determination in my face. “Cash is our
covert mission to personally bring him down. You think this is over? This is
far from over, the game is still in play and there is nothing, I mean not a
fucking thing he can do about it.”

“Let’s get out of
here for a while.”

I nod my head in
agreement, as he grabs his key and pulls me with him. We end up at a dive bar
on the outskirts of town, where no one will find us. Hell, I can’t find us.
“You ever been here before?” I ask, noticing the car in the parking lot, no
tires supported by 4 cinder blocks.

“Yeah, many times,”
he answers.

I quickly turn to him
in surprise. “Nice place.”

“Just walk in feeling
tough,” he advises.

Once again, I swiftly
look at him. “What? Why?” And just then I’m walking into blackness, going from
direct sun to the dim bar lighting is blinding me momentarily. I follow
Clayton’s swagger, trying to look tough, whatever the fuck that means. And we
find two empty stools at the bar, the pleather cracked, torn and stained.
Clayton doesn’t seem to mind so I sit and watch Sasquatch approach.

“What can I get you
two?”

“Two beers, long necks
if you have’em, and two shots of tequila.”

“Who are you?” I lean
into Clayton. Whose tough persona includes licking his hand and pouring salt on
it as I watch the whole ritual unfold. I personally just shoot it straight and
follow it with a pull from the long neck, soothing the burn.

“I met up with Gen,”
he starts.

I think I’m about to
hear the next step in his budding relationship, but to my surprise, I don’t.

“You need to see
Bryer, Nathan, Cash wasn’t lying, there’s more.”

And my stomach hits
the floor, wanting to reject the alcohol I just slammed. “What do you know,
Clayton?”

“Not much I swear.
Gen’s too loyal to spill. Just know there’s more. Swallow your fucking pride or
whatever is holding you back and go to her.”

“It’s not that easy,”
I say, afraid that my actions won’t be forgiven, that I crossed the line.

“Then make it easy,
you have no choice.”

She won’t forgive me…