Page 122 of For One Night

I’ve went over the same paper’s multiple times now, there’s no use, I can’t focus knowing she’s in there with him. I want to shove my fist down his throat, but until Lola’s ready to move past him, I can’t do it for her.

A knock on the door and she walks through it, a frown marring her features. “What’s wrong?”

“Not him right now, we’ll deal with that later.” She rounds the desk, laying a stack of papers in front of me. “Tell me what you see.”

My eyes flicker from her to the papers. “It’s the stock and funds discrepancy from the warehouse.”

“Look closer, Lennox.” She sweeps her hand through her hair, her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

I take her hand, holding it to my chest. ‘It’s alright, Lola.”

“No, it’s not Lennox.” She pulls away from me, rounding my desk and making my stomach uneasy.

I pick up the papers, reading over them again. By the time I flip to page three, the issue is glaring and pointing right at me. I read it again, tracing it back. Something is missing, but it doesn’t matter.

“I have to call Lachlan, now.”

My hand flies to her mouth, tears streak her face. “It’s not right, Lennox. I know it’s not but for the life of me, I can’t find where it went off tracks.”

“It’s alright, Lola.” I force a smile, knowing she can tell the difference in them. “I have to call Lachlan.”

She nods, her hands shaking as she rubs them together. I pick up my cell, this isn’t something I want known yet. I could text him, but I’m going to face this head on, even though I understand for well, what this means to me.

“Hey, brother. I’ll be leaving in an hour or so.” Lachlan says as I take a much-needed breath, releasing it slowly. “What is it?”

“I need you to come now, there’s been a development.”

He’s silent. “Lennox, are you okay?”

“No, Lachlan.”

“I’m on way, now.” I end the call, tossing my phone unto my desk.

I go over to Lola, pulling her into my arms. She can no longer hold her tears at bay, as she latches onto me, burying her face in my chest.

“I don’t understand what happened.” She cries.

“I do, I’m just not sure who did it.”

I stand over my game, studying the pieces while Lola paces as we wait for Lachlan. “Why don’t you join me?”

“Why aren’t you joining me?” She frowns. “It’s as though you’re not freaked out or even worried.”

“I am freaking out, I just focused doing it.”

She cocks her brow. “You’re maddening at times the control you have for things like this.”

“There’s no reason, what happens, happens. We’ll regroup.”

“But until we can figure this out…” Her hands knot in her hair.

I walk over to her, pulling her hands from her hair. “I love your hair, I also prefer to be the one pulling it.”

She giggles as I hold her to me. “How can you be alright with this?”

“I’ve lost more times than I’ve ever won, Lola, but this time, if all I win is your love and respect, I win.” Her eyes search mine, looking for what? I don’t have a clue, but I know what she finds; peace, understanding, and an abundance of love.

Lachlan storms through the door without notice. Normally, Lola would move, but she doesn’t let go of me this time. “I apologize, I should’ve knocked.”