Lost for You (Lost #2)(22)
Author: B.J. Harvey

Day four, it was a photo of our bed and our bathroom. I’d recognize those two things anywhere. I instantly blushed when I realized he was remembering when we made love for the first time. His dedication and memory astound me.

I’ve been spending so much time with doctor’s visits and catching up with school that I haven’t had much time to think about the things he still has to tell me. We need to talk, that’s a given, but I don’t know where we go from here.

What I have done today is make calls to Brightlight board members, asking them whether they would support me calling an extraordinary board meeting. If Harry Brimstone is dead set on buying the company, at any cost, I’m going to beat him to the punch and oust him as CEO. Fortunately, my financial adviser has told me that I’m in a position to buy him out. To be honest, I can’t think of anything my father would have liked more than for me to be the sole owner of his company. I want it to stay in the family. My family.

By day five, I’ve caught on to what Brax is up to with his daily gifts, especially when the flower was accompanied by the photo booth photos from Shay’s party. I blushed instantly remembering the exact moment the photos were taken.

It’s time to see his beautiful face again.

A week is too long to live without him, and I want to hear what he has to say. I know he’s been parked outside the building every night since I sent him away. No wonder Shay used to always ‘work’ weird hours; he was doing surveillance on me. Every night that he hasn’t been here, I’ve made it a point to go to the window to look out for him. Every night we’ve locked eyes, my green globes boring into his baby blues, the eyes I love to lose myself in. He’s not hiding what he is doing anymore, so I figure that it is time to let him back in.

Elle: Can you come over this afternoon? I’m ready to talk.

Brax: Name a time and I’ll be there, sweetheart.

Elle: 2 pm?

Brax: See you then.

Knowing that he’s coming over today, I want to make myself look good for him. The last time he saw me was at my worst, and part of me wonders if that is part of the reason why he has stayed away. Whatever the reason, I want to make damn sure I’m at my best when I see him again. I want him to know that whatever he tells me won’t change the way I feel, now or ever. And that’s how long I want him to stay in my life, forever.

The boys reached LA a few days ago and have been staying in the one of Victor’s apartments. They’ve managed to track down a bodyguard that has recently been let go by Harry Brimstone. He told them he was fired because he asked too many questions about the things Harry was doing and planning. Shay has also been in contact with Victor who told him a couple of days ago that any trace of his involvement in Brightlight had been taken care of. He gave us the go ahead to do whatever is required to bring Brimstone to his knees. I wish I knew what Victor’s beef with Brimstone was because then I’d know what not to do. The boss man is proving yet again that you do not want to get on his bad side. Ever.

My phone starts to ring and when I see Shay’s name flash up, I’m glad he checked the time difference.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” I say, answering the call.

“Hey. All good here. That bodyguard I told you about had some good stuff for us. Felt more forthcoming when he saw the money we were flashing around. What do you make of that?”

“I’m not sure. Interesting that Brimstone would dare use anyone from Brightlight to go against Elle. You’d think that would attract too much attention.”

“You think Elle has made some calls since I told her that Brimstone was a threat?” he ponders.

I think on that. I can’t be sure because I haven’t spoken to her for a whole week but knowing how determined she was to hold on to her father’s legacy, anything is possible. “She might have. I’m going over to see her this afternoon, so I can ask her then if you want.”

“She called?” he asks, not hiding the hope in his voice. I love that he really wants us to work through this.

“She sent me a text actually. Wants to talk. It can’t be a bad thing right?” I ask cautiously.

“Not at all, bro. You talked to Victor today?”

“Not yet. Why’s that?” I’m wondering why Victor didn’t call me first.

“All evidence of his involvement in the company has gone. If anyone was to take a closer look, the only money trail they would find would lead to one person. Take a guess?” he adds with a chuckle.

“Our friend Harry Brimstone?”

“You got it. So, once we’ve found out everything we need, we’re set to call it in.” Shay sounds almost giddy with excitement.

“Finally we’re gaining some ground. I spoke to Evans, and he said he’d get back to me, but I have a feeling any help from him is going to come at a cost far too high for me anyway.” I murmur the last bit because I’m still not sure how far I’m willing to go for his help. If it puts Elle in any danger, he can forget it.

“Well, let me know what he comes back with. Would be good to have some more ammo up our sleeve. Out!” he says before ending the call.

I go to put the phone down and notice that a text has come through while I was on the phone.

Victor: Sylvia Brimstone is heading your way.

Brax: Why?

Victor: Not sure.

Brax: She’s not with Harry anymore. Why are you telling me this?

Victor: Sylvia may be from LA, but she wasn’t born there.

Brax: WHAT?!?

Victor: Hope you’re ready, son.

This is too much, too soon. I was only talking about her earlier this week and now she’s coming here.

Then it comes to me. Elle called her. She’s the closest thing Elle has to a mother now, and she would have been the person she turned to when she found out about all of this. Fuck!

Brax: Elle must’ve called her. Shit!

Victor: Just keep yourself in check. You never know what she might be able to tell us.

I check my phone and see it’s 1.30 p.m. Time to head over to the apartment. My heart has been beating out of my chest all morning. This is make or break time for us. I’ve already decided that I’m going to be an open book and lay it all out for her. I want her to see that this is not just a job for me, it’s now personal. To be honest, it’s always been personal. It’s always been about one person. Elle.

At 1.50 p.m. I hear a knock at the door.

I’ve been pacing for the past ten minutes, my nerves all but frayed. I’ve had an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach all morning caused by the uncertainty of what might happen. This is it; this is when I’ll find out everything, whether I want to know it or not. My only hope is that Brax still wants to try. I know I’ve kept my distance this week, but it’s something I needed to do so I could sort through everything going on in my head. His little gifts and flowers throughout the week have succeeded in reminding me just how sweet he truly is.