Holly, that's when I knew.
This man might have started off doing everything for the wrong reasons, but he's now come out the other side. It gives me hope. And hearing about Kane made me realize just how much this man has been through. He told me his worst fear was people finding out about the real him, that he was so broken. Being so unloved that even your parents don't want you is the worst rejection, but digging deeper, I can see how much he beats himself up about leaving behind the brother he loved so much.
The damage it must do to a child to be ripped apart from the only family he has can be irreparable. Brandon’s past cuts him deep. I feel so much for him; sadness, and hurt, and I am driven by the need to make things better for him as much as I can. Listening to him and letting him talk about the trauma he has kept hidden, seems to help him. It’s not going to be easy, helping this man to heal, but I will.
“Penny’s going back tomorrow,” I tell him, thinking that it might be nice for us to meet up before she leaves.
“Already?”
“She can’t miss too much of her studies. Shall we all go out for dinner?”
“That’s a great idea.”
I’m tempted to ask him if he’s considered looking for his brother. It’s something I try not to touch upon too much just yet, but I will as time goes on. I want Brandon to have his real blood family back.
Him not knowing what’s happened to Kane is the thing that’s weighing heavily on his mind and his wound won’t heal until he makes contact.
He looks at me, as if he knows what I’m thinking. We seem to connect like this more, as if we know one another’s thoughts. “I’m not ready,” he says, turning the page of the newspaper.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“But you thought it.”
I place my hand over his, stopping him from turning the page again, pretending to look busy. He’s not really reading the paper. “You should stop thinking about it, and just do it. Reach out to your brother.”
He breathes out loudly. Talking about his brother helps, but it also leaves him feeling melancholy.
I know how to put a smile on his face. I move my chair out so that I am sitting facing him full on and then I start to undo my blouse.
He glances up, his body sinking as he sees what I’m doing. My clothes slide to the floor and I continue to undress provocatively. He watches in silence. It’s a sure way of taking his mind off the things which plague him. I get down on my knees, place myself between his legs and slide my hands into his sweatpants, then into his boxers. Then I take a hold of him, licking my lips and staring up at him before I bend over and take him in my mouth.
Chapter Fifty-Two
BRANDON
“I would never do anything like that.” Neville glowers at me after I ask him if he had something to do with the fire at the factory.
“I wouldn't put it past you.” I recall him hinting once that burning down the factory would be a last resort should Kyra not leave Greenways.
“You’re the one who suggested burning the place down in the first place,” he throws back.
I snort. “I was joking.”
“That’s rich, coming from you, after the grand plan you were so enthusiastic about.”
A muscle in my jawline twitches. I hate being reminded of that. Kyra hasn't told Fredrich or Simona about what I did, and maybe one day I will summon up the courage to tell them myself.
At least I've told her. That was the most important thing, to tell the woman I love what my bad intentions were.
“I have new plans for Greenways,” I state.
Neville eyes me like a despondent bloodhound, saggy jowls and saggy eyebags. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“You won’t.” I adjust my cuffs as my new PA walks in and leaves me with a wad of paperwork to sign. It's my first day back after a few weeks off. My shoulder is slowly healing, but every now and then a white-hot pain flashes through me. I might have to have skin grafts, or I might choose not to. Having the scars on my shoulder reminds me that I am a ‘new’ me. That I saved someone and valued their life above mine. “No one is moving from Greenways, so