One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One (10 page)

H
is call with Bennett last night wasn’t what he’d hoped to hear. Asher had spoken as though he had everything under control. How that was possible after only a week with a country on the verge of a revolution was beyond him. It looked more likely that their plan B of setting up in New Hampshire was going to be their best option.
This isn’t what I would want in my backyard if something goes wrong at the plant.

The plant wasn’t his only concern at this moment. Bennett mentioned the threat made against Asher and him. Normally he wouldn’t give a damn. But he hinted the threat could impact people around them. “Slim chance for domestic retaliation,” was how he’d put it. Brice wasn’t exactly sure what this rebel group was willing to do in order to gain support, but he didn’t want to find out.
The only world news I want B&H to make is for positive investment opportunities.

He didn’t like the idea of having anyone watching him, but it looked like it was time to make exceptions to his rules. He increased security around the building as well as his personal property. Also gave his brothers the heads-up. Like him, they were used to watching their backs all the time, mostly because their father was always waiting for his moment to break them. Dean, as usual, wouldn’t take what he said seriously. He only laughed and said, “No problem. I’ll hire myself a hot sexy security guard, and we won’t leave my bedroom until this all blows over.”

Zoey wasn’t someone he could call to deliver this message. She was much more fragile than she was ever going to admit. No, it required taking her to lunch and breaking it to her gently. This would in turn mean getting yelled at for his careless behavior.
It wasn’t the first time, and it sure won’t be the last.

Before meeting with Zoey, there was one more person he needed to have a conversation with. He was sure she would think this was some ploy to come between her and Rex, but that wasn’t the case. He didn’t need to make up a threat. He was enough threat himself when it came to them.

Hitting the intercom button he said, “Lena, come into my office.”

She entered, carrying her notepad. “Do you need something?”

I need you.
“Sit. There is something we need to discuss.”

Lena looked at him, hesitating to come closer. He didn’t blame her. The last time she’d approached his desk had been explosive to say the least.

“This is business.” Brice wanted to ease her mind. She was going to have enough to deal with, and if he was going to get her to see the actual issue at hand, she needed to trust him.
And that’s not going to be easy.

Lena took the chair opposite him. “What is it you wish to discuss with me?”

“I know you only have a week left of this assignment. You have filled Nancy’s shoes surprisingly better than expected.”

Smiling, Lena replied, “I am glad I had the opportunity. If it’s not too much to ask, I was hoping you might consider writing me a letter of recommendation for future work.”

He hadn’t really thought about her leaving. Nancy was about to return next week, and he couldn’t have two personal assistants. Lena was good, but brought a level of distraction he wouldn’t want on a daily basis. At least not in the office. “I am sure that can be arranged. But that’s not why I asked you in here. Something has come up with the location of the plant, and our security team feels it would be wise if we took some additional precautions.”

He watched as Lena’s face filled with concern. Rightly so, too. “Are we safe here?”

“You will notice additional security in place. These men can be trusted. I have to ask you not to leave the building during the day. Lunch will be provided for all the staff, and I will give you the contact to make all these arrangements.”

“This is serious, isn’t it?”

“We don’t know yet. Our head of security is working closely with Asher Barrington to see if we can save this plant in Trundaie, or if we need to pull out. Until we know the threat has ceased, we all need to have eyes in the back of our heads. Anything unusual, I want you to call me immediately. Understood?” He didn’t want to panic her, but he’d rather she be scared and safe than to let anything happen to her.
I lost you once. I’m not letting you go a second time.

“I understand. Can you tell me if we should feel concerned outside of the workplace? I mean, at home?”

“I don’t know.” He walked around the desk and sat on the edge, facing her. “Lena, I know this is more than you expected when you took this job. Whether you want to believe it or not, I care about you and won’t let anything happen to you. I have assigned a security team to watch your apartment and will monitor you wherever you are until this settles down.” Her eyes widened and by the quick intake of breath, he could tell she was frightened.

“Why do you think they would come after you and not Asher?” There was a definite tremor in her normally confident voice.

“We are both at risk, but I am the chemist who created this product. They might not want us in their country, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want our technology.”

Lena sat twisting her fingers, obviously nervous. “I need to take the rest of the afternoon off. I am sorry for the short notice, but there is something I need to take care of if you don’t mind.”

She was shaken more than he had anticipated. “Stay with me at my house. You will not need to worry there. No one is getting in unless I say so.”

Lena shook her head. “It’s not me I’m worried about. He—” She stopped and rose from the seat. “There’s more than just me I need to worry about.”

All he could do was watch as she walked out of the office. His blood began to boil. He offered her the safety of his home, and yet all she could do was think about Rex and his well-being.
Rex should fear me, not the rebels from Trundaie.
She cared about
him
more than her own well-being.
You better be worth it, Rex, because if you hurt her, your ass is all mine.

She had never packed things so quickly in her life. Thankfully it was only Nicholas’s clothes and toys she needed to worry about. Her mother was ecstatic about watching him for a week; she never even asked why. Good thing because it would’ve only meant telling her she couldn’t go back to Boston either.

It was still early in the day when she arrived. March provided hope for spring, and they had nice weather in Plymouth. She had decided to take advantage of what was left of the day and do something she couldn’t do back in Boston. Lena spent the afternoon chasing her son through the park until they were both exhausted.

If Nicholas couldn’t be with her, then the next best thing was him being with her parents, safe and sound. She could take care of herself, but protecting Nicholas was her first priority.
And always will be.

Lena stayed as late as she could to make sure everything was going to be okay. It was the first time she was leaving her son overnight anywhere. But this wasn’t with just anyone. It was with her parents, the same ones who’d protected her and would now do so for her son.

Since no one in Boston knew of Nicholas, there should be no threat here. If she left her job suddenly, it might spark some interest that she had the information they wanted and they’d follow her. Now she would be able to return to Boston and rest easily.
As easy as I can when he’s not with me.
Nicholas was tucked in bed before she left, and her lips lingered on his sweet cheek when she kissed him goodbye. Her parents had put him to bed for her but this wasn’t going to be for only a few hours. He was going to wake up without her too. For the first time since she had him, she was going to be alone.
He’s probably going to handle this much better than I will.

Lena had expected to take the bus back, but somehow Rex had heard she was back in town for a few hours and had managed to get invited to join them at the house for dinner.

“After all that coffee, I’m not going to sleep for hours, so let me drive you back. It will give us some time to talk.”

“Rex, are you sure? It’ll be a long ride back by yourself.” Although she was grateful not to have to ride the bus or enter her home alone, she also didn’t want to worry about another person. Her list was growing too quickly, and she already had enough on her plate.

“I’m going to visit a friend while I’m there and won’t be coming back tonight either.” She looked at him questioningly. “What? Do you think you’re the only one who knows people in Boston?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Even though she didn’t have romantic feelings for Rex, she was glad to have him as a friend. Maybe the trip would give her time to express how she felt about him. The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on and break his heart.
God knows I know how that feels, and it sucks.

W
here the hell
are you, Lena?
For the third time, his call went directly to her voice mail.
Are you in trouble or just avoiding me?
The way he spoke to her the other day, he wouldn’t be surprised if she had blocked his number for good. When he checked with the guard he had placed at her apartment, he had been told she wasn’t there. Lena had asked for the day off to take care of something; he wished he knew what the hell that something was.

A few weeks ago everything had been on target. Not only with the project, but where he wanted to go in life. Ever since he opened his office door and saw her standing there, his life seemed to be put on hold, as though in limbo. Looking back now, he couldn’t remember why he’d never picked up the phone and called her. He had meant to, but somehow time got away from him and before he knew it, months turned into years. The anger she felt toward him was well deserved. If any man treated his baby sister like he had Lena, Brice would probably be up for assault charges. So what right did he have asking her to look toward the future when he never explained what had happened in the past?
Is that what I want? A future . . . with Lena in it?

No one truly knew the level of danger, but something inside him needed to protect her. The threat against her was minimal, so why did he let her believe it was much greater than it was?
Because I want her close to me. And only me.

Since she wasn’t home, he could only guess she was with Rex.
You run to him for the comfort you can’t find with me.
He could feel his pulse pounding in his temple. Knowing they were together wasn’t sitting well with him at all. Brice needed to find out who this Rex was, and maybe then he would understand why Lena seemed willing to risk her life to be with him.
No one is worth that. Not even me.
Brice couldn’t picture Lena being forthcoming with Rex’s last name, so he was going to need to become a bit more creative when it came to obtaining the information he required.

Brice typed an email with the details about Lena and the only piece of information he knew, his first name: Rex.
Bennett, you’re supposed to be the best, let’s see if you can deliver
.

He knew that wasn’t what Bennett had been hired for, but once he was on the payroll, his job became anything Brice said it was. No different than any other employee.

He wasn’t sure how long it would take to hear back but if he was as good as Asher said, it shouldn’t take him long. Besides, Lena still had another week of employment, and he couldn’t picture her quitting at this point.
And even if you do, that’s not going to stop me from getting what I want.
Running on adrenaline alone for months, his need for a hot, ready woman beneath him was great.
Why won’t any woman do? Why Lena?

He had spent many hours in his father’s silent hospital room fulfilling his obligations as requested by his sister. Left with nothing but his own thoughts, he’d tried to shut down his mind, yet the memories haunted him there. Each time he left with more questions than answers.
Thirty-eight and even in a coma, Dad, you still have a way of making me feel . . . unworthy.

Nothing had come easy in Brice’s life, and he didn’t expect that to change. He was willing to fight for what he wanted just like his father had done before him. The difference was what they wanted and the means they used to get it. His actions lately were not something he was proud of. They reminded him of his father. Lena didn’t want to talk about Rex. He could’ve respected her privacy.
That wasn’t fucking happening. There is something in her eyes when she’s quiet. I know she’s thinking of him. Dammit. What is it about him? I need to know.

Still sitting in his lab, he stared at a blank screen. Normally this would be a place he felt at ease, a place where he could shut out the rest of the world, but he found it impossible tonight. The harder he tried, the more difficulty he had concentrating, which lead to error after error.
Everything I touch turns to shit.
He had long ago given up getting any work done but wasn’t yet ready to go home. There was nothing waiting for him there except a cold, empty bed.
The one I want to warm with Lena.

There was more on his mind than having her again. Her lack of response to his messages worried him. Before he could rest, he needed to know she was okay. If anything happened to her because of this project . . .
Don’t even go there, Brice. Nothing will happen.

He was banking on Bennett and Asher to handle what he couldn’t. It wasn’t easy for Brice to relinquish control to another, but he had no choice. He had to trust they were taking care of what needed to be done in Trundaie. No different than Asher was counting on him to handle everything here.
Even if that means I make some enemies in the process.
There were times that being raised by a man who took no prisoners came in handy when it came to business.
This is going to be one of those times.

His cell phone buzzed with a new text message. “She just arrived at her apartment.”

About fucking time.
Pushing away from his desk, he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. They had some unfinished business to discuss. The only way to ensure no harm would come to her was for her to stay at his home. Brice had offered once, and she’d refused. He couldn’t afford to spend any more time worrying about her safety.

When he arrived at her apartment complex, he was glad he had a guard watching her.
She should have one all the time, living here.
It wasn’t the best part of Boston. Many of the buildings had their first-floor windows boarded up, and the walls and street signs were plastered with graffiti.
Why does she live here?
When they were dating, she lived on the south side. Easy access to everything, and you felt comfortable walking the streets even at night. That was not the case here. He wasn’t afraid, but a beautiful woman like her . . . He could only imagine how she must be harassed during the day, never mind getting home after dark like she did tonight.

How could her boyfriend let her stay here?
He knew one thing for sure. As long as she worked for him, she wasn’t staying here. Whether she liked it or not, she was about to pack some of her belongings and stay with him.
And I’m not taking no for an answer this time.

Lena sat on the couch, her cheeks wet with the tears that were still flowing, because when she arrived home, it hit her. This was the first night she would spend without Nicholas. She was sure he was doing better than she was at this moment.
At least I hope so, baby boy.

How she wished she could FaceTime with him, but once he was asleep, he was usually down for the night. Calling at this late hour would only worry her parents and possibly wake Nicholas. No, she would wait until morning.
It’s going to be a long, rough night.

Sniffing, she got up and started to charge her cell phone. Lena couldn’t believe her battery had died on the trip home. If it weren’t for the fact that Rex dropped her off on her doorstep, she would have been worried walking the streets without any way to call for help.

The ride with Rex had been amazing. Her first thought was how she could bring up that she only wanted to be friends. Fortunately on the way, he informed her that his friend in Boston was a woman he had a date with tomorrow night.

Lena wasn’t sure what it was about Rex, maybe she just needed someone to talk to, but she found herself spilling her guts about everything that happened three years ago with Brice, and how she never told him about Nicholas.
Not that I hadn’t intended to.

Rex didn’t judge her; he only listened. And the advice he gave her was something she already knew.
I need to tell Brice.

But she couldn’t do it right now. It’s not like she could say:
Brice, you have a child, but because you put me at risk, he is now with my parents, and you need to stay away so no harm will come to him.

She had one week left with this job, then she could tell him. At least this way if he still didn’t want any part of a family he never had to see either one of them again. But until she was certain Brice wasn’t going to hurt her son emotionally as he had her, she wasn’t going to say a word to him.
Even if it’s the right thing to do. I have to think of Nicholas first.

Lena went to lie on her sleeper sofa. Tonight she didn’t bother to open it. She was exhausted from the stress of the day. Pulling the blanket up to cover her bare legs, she closed her eyes and began to doze off.

Was it her imagination or was someone knocking on her door?
Please go away. I’m not answering. Just go.

Lena didn’t like her living arrangements, but it was all she could afford with her income. That’s why the job at B&H meant so much. She was making in one month what she made in the entire year last year. It brought her one step closer to leaving the rat-infested hellhole she lived in and moving to a safer neighborhood.
One where I don’t need to carry mace.

The knocking continued. Lena looked to make sure she had bolted the door. Lying back down, she pulled the blanket over her head.

“Lena, open the door.”

Brice? What the hell was he doing here? How does he know where I live?
She didn’t want to answer, but obviously, he wasn’t going to leave until she did.

Getting up, she wrapped the blanket around her and opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

He pushed past her, and she watched as he scanned the apartment. “Are you alone?”

Does he know about Nicholas already?
The look on his face was not one of anger but something else. She couldn’t pinpoint it.

When she didn’t answer, he asked, “Is he here? Your boyfriend?”

Lena understood his mood. He was jealous, but why? He didn’t want her, so why did he care if someone else did? She had spent too many nights trying to guess what made Brice Henderson tick. She had no answers then, and she wasn’t about to start searching for them now. “I’m alone. Is that why you’re here?”

He shook his head. “I’m here for you. Pack your clothes, you’re coming with me.”

Her mouth gaped open in shock. Brice had always been demanding but never like this. She had no intention of leaving with him. She might not like where she was staying, but it was her home. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Brice. We discussed that earlier. What makes you think I will change my mind now?”

“Because you want to continue your employment. I am not paying for an entire battalion of security that would be needed to keep you safe here.”

Lena was insulted. “Who do you think you are that you can come into my home and tell me what I need to do?” Brice stepped closer to her. She looked around to see if she had left any of her son’s toys around. Thankfully she had packed them all with Nicholas’s things. There was no sign of anyone living in the apartment but her.
A toy truck would be a sure giveaway.

“Lena, I’m only going to say this once. You can pack your things and come with me willingly, or I can throw you over my shoulder and carry your ass to the car. But know this, you are coming with me.”

His eyes burned into her. She shivered, but not in fear, because she knew he would never hurt her, but his forcefulness was still unnerving. Everything in her wanted to slap his face, tell him to get out, scream for help, but she knew none would come. She didn’t want to go, but she knew there wouldn’t be any place safer for her than with him. “You are such a prick, Brice Henderson.”

She hated being told what to do, but a part of her actually appreciated the fact Brice had truly cared enough to come get her.
Is my life really in danger? How has my life become this roller coaster of crazy?
He was a prick, a gorgeous, sexy, self-absorbed prick. She couldn’t help but feel thankful amidst her anger.
At least he isn’t seeing any evidence of Nicholas.

Lena dropped the blanket, grabbed her jeans that she’d tossed on the chair, and slipped them on. The only suitcase she owned was now at her parents. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a white kitchen trash bag and began to fill it with a few items. She had no idea how long he expected her to stay, but if she needed more, she would have to come back later. Right now there was only one thing on her mind.
Get out of here before he finds out about Nicholas.