Filthy Rich Alpha - Virna DePaul Page 0,78

drew in a breath.

“Don’t,” she whispered.

His dark eyes searched hers. Then he took a step back. “As I said, I agree that taking some time off is for the best. But things aren’t over between us, Cara. Not by a long shot.”

She swallowed hard, walked around him, and reached for the doorknob.

“You’ve been in here much too long. Doesn’t look good. So…”

She opened it.

“Hello, Cara.” Apparently, Deena Raj had been about to walk through the door. She smiled at Cara. And then at Branden. “There you are. I was looking for you. Do you have time to talk?”

“Yes,” he bit out. He turned to Cara. “I’m looking forward to the complete report on those collateralized debt obligations, Cara.” He walked past her but glanced back and stopped. “Your preliminary calculations look rock solid. I know how many hours went into them. It’s definitely time for you to take some vacation time. Enjoy yourself and I’ll see you soon.”

Deena’s finely arched eyebrows went up but she didn’t ask any questions. Instead, she simply slid her arm through Branden’s and walked away with him down the hall.

Cara did the best she could to concentrate on work the rest of the day. She got a call from HR around three p.m. telling her Branden had approved her vacation request even though she hadn’t even put in for it yet. That was fine; she needed to get out of there, and the sooner the better. She left immediately, heading to Branden’s penthouse to get her things. When she got there, the doorman gave her an envelope. After slipping into the elevator, she read Branden’s message.

I asked the housekeeper to gather and pack your things for you. I’ll be staying at the mansion tonight if you need anything. You are welcome to stay at the penthouse tonight and I’ll have my driver take you and your things to your place in the morning.

—Branden

Cara had to wonder if she really was losing her mind. Reading that note made her feel like someone had kicked her in the stomach. It looked like his promise to see her later had been quickly forgotten.

She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks and couldn’t figure out why she was so upset. This was what she’d wanted. She’d needed to end things between them and get her life back to normal, whatever that meant, given she’d soon be unemployed. But to her amazement, it wasn’t her impending joblessness that had her so upset as much as the fact that she would no longer be seeing Branden.

She chastised herself as she got off the elevator. She was not staying at the penthouse one more night. She was going home.

She had a vacation to plan.

Chapter 22

“Dad, can I come home yet?”

Branden had Alex on speakerphone and Lee was in the room, as well.

“Dread’s still not talking?” Branden asked, ignoring Alex’s joke. Branden’s friend Ernest in Interpol had discovered the bonds in the picture had indeed been stolen. Dread and Surfer were in custody. Davies was still at large.

“No, and I doubt that Davies is stupid enough to still be hanging around.”

“He’s been untouchable for as long as I’ve known him, but his luck can’t possibly hold out forever. He’ll slip up enough to get caught eventually.”

“So that’s a yes, I can come home? I’ll be good, I promise. I miss my mother…”

Lee laughed and said, “Mom told me she was relieved that you were finally gone. She’s getting tired of taking care of a twenty-six-year-old infant.”

“That sounds more like she was talking about you,” Alex snapped back.

“Okay, I hate to break up this love fest between brothers,” Branden said, keeping his laughter to himself, “but I have a lot to get done today. Come home, Alex. Lee will have a list of things for you to do when you get back.”

“Thanks, boss. Hey, Lee, guess which finger I’m holding up.”

Branden disconnected the call with a shake of his head. He looked back at Lee and said, “Tell me what you found out about the latest emails and that video Cara received.”

After Cara had shown him the emails and videos, then told him she was going on vacation before handing in her resignation, it had taken everything Branden had to walk out of her office instead of doing what he really wanted to do—throw her over his shoulder and lock her in his apartment. Chain her to his bed. Chain her to him.

The only thing that had stopped him was how thoroughly freaked out