Page 66 of Masked Secrets
“I applaud your bravery. You’re an intelligent, strong woman. I’m proud to have met you. Call me if you need a reference for a new job. I’ll be delighted to tell them what an impressive attorney you are,” Aunt Jen says.
“Thank you. That’s very kind. I think I’m going to need a little time to plot a new career path. I’m not sure what will be next for me.”
“Something tells me it will all work out well. You’ll see,” Aunt Jen says with a smile. Then she turns to me and nods in approval.
I use that as my cue to say, “Brooke, I’ll go with you to your firm. I’d rather you not make that stop alone.”
“Thanks. It will likely be a little awkward.”
I don’t say anything, but it could also be dangerous. Who knows if Mr. Barclay had any other partners in crime. I’m not going to take any chance of putting her life at risk again.
31
BROOKE
I’ll admit to being relieved that Stuart offered to accompany me to meet the managing partner to turn in my resignation.
Fortunately, it goes smoothly. Then I pack up the handful of personal items from my office and arrange for them to be delivered to my apartment. It’s sad to have spent several years in this office, and yet everything that belongs to me fits in a single box. Once I leave, it will be just a sterile attorney’s office that could belong to anyone.
Tears roll down my cheeks at the thought that three years of my life are being erased in an instant. At least, the firm didn’t actually take my life. I shiver at the thought of how close Mr. Barclay and Mr. Broadmoor came to doing just that.
Sensing my sadness and grief, Stuart guides me to the elevator. A pained look settles on his face as he whispers, “It’s going to be okay. I promise. We just need to get you out of here.”
I’m relieved when the elevator that arrives is empty. We step inside, and Stuart cradles my head against his chest as he pushes a button. I don’t pay attention. The tears blur my vision too much to see which floor he selected.
At this point, it doesn’t really matter. My life is effectively destroyed. I don’t have a job. Stuart is leaving for London. I’ll be alone with no plan.
Suddenly, the elevator jerks to a halt. He hugs me tightly, pushing my back against the side wall for support.
“Nooo. Not again. My life is falling apart. You’re leaving. Someone tried to kill me. I don’t have a job. Now, I’m trapped again.”
My sobs grow louder, and my tears wet his shirt. He holds my head against his chest. “I’ve got you. I’m not letting go. I need to share something with you. It may make you feel a little better. Can you take a deep breath and let me say a few things?”
“What . . . is . . . it?” I ask between heavy breaths.
“First, I have something to give you. Close your eyes.”
“What is it?”
“Close your eyes and you’ll find out.”
I do. Then I feel something slip around my neck. I reach to touch it. My eyes pop open. It’s my aunt’s black pearl necklace. More tears flow down my cheeks. This time they’re happy ones.
“How?” I manage to ask.
“The security guard had it. It turns out he posed as the awkward server at the fundraising lunch. When he bumped into you, he stole your necklace. I convinced the police to return it to you since they have more than enough other evidence against everyone involved to lock them up for decades, if not for life.”
“Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me. I felt lost without it.”
“I feel that way about something—actually,someone. It seems that you have become extremely special to me. In fact, I feel lost when we’re not together. I don’t want to imagine life without you in it.”
I swallow hard, processing the words that are like a dream come true. “Oh, Stuart. I’ve been thinking the same thing butdidn’t dare say anything. We’re from different worlds—literally different continents. And your Aunt Jen said your family has someone else picked out for you. I didn’t think it could possibly work for us.”
“We can make it work. Who I spend my life with is my choice, not my parents’. I’m hoping you’ll travel with me back to London to meet my family. I know they’ll love you as much as I do. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, I love you with all my heart. When I thought I’d lost you ... well ... I couldn’t bear it. Then, when I realized you were still alive, I vowed to myself that if you’d give me a chance, I’d prove to you that we belong together. Will you give me that opportunity?”
“Did you say you love me?”
“I did.”
