INDISPENSABLE: Part 3: A Billionaire Romance Read online

  “Why didn’t you say you wanted a divorce? Why did you tell Heather you did?” Brock wasn’t sure if he should be angry or hurt. In the end, he was just curious.

  “I never told Heather. She’s a clever girl. She worked out I wasn’t so happy; she asked me at Christmas last year what was wrong.”

  “Why didn’t you just ask me for a divorce then?”

  “Because of the way you are. You’ve stood by me for all this time. I couldn’t just ask for a divorce. I’m not sure what’s brought this change of heart for you, but six months ago, you wouldn’t have taken it so well.”

  “That’s true. It doesn’t matter, I guess, but I hate that I’ve stopped you from loving and being loved.”

  “No. You haven’t.”

  Brock was shocked this time. “You mean, you’ve got a boyfriend?”

  “Are you angry?” Jodie’s smile lit up her eyes. How could he be angry?

  “If he loves you. If he has your best interests at heart, and Heather’s.” Brock was going to say, As long as he doesn’t want you for your money. However, he had no right to think Jodie couldn’t find herself a sincere man to love her. “He’s a very lucky man.”

  “Oh, Brock. Thank you for everything. I’m a very lucky woman to have had you and Heather all these years.”

  “You’ll still have me. Anything you need. If I still get quiche.”

  “I’m sure I can manage that.”

  “I’ll get the paperwork drawn up ASAP.” Brock smiled and took another quiche from the plate.

  “I hope this means you’ve found someone as well.” Jodie looked at him as she spoke.

  Brock thought a minute, as he munched and swallowed. “It means I have the opportunity now, anyway.”

  “Don’t be afraid of love, Brock. It’s wonderful. If we don’t learn to trust and to love someone, all the hard times will have been a waste. In the end, love is the greatest revenge and the greatest cleanser.”

  She was right, of course. Brock craved loved as much as anyone. He knew that now. The problem was, the one he loved needed space. Just don’t let her be lonely. Bella’s words came back to him.

  “Jodie, give me a woman’s point of view. If I had to ‘give someone space’ but ‘not let her be lonely’ what exactly would that mean?”

  “You know how you always gave me my own time, but you always sent me texts or gave a call, first thing in the morning, last thing at night. Flowers for birthday, mother’s day, valentine’s day.”

  He nodded.

  “But still what I did outside of that time was my choice. We’d discuss it sometimes, but you never judged me, and you never said ‘I told you’ so if I failed.”

  “Yeah. That’s a given, I respect you. No one is perfect and mistakes shape you; I should know that.”

  “That is how you give someone space but not let her be lonely. All these years, I’ve never been in love with you. I’ve loved you as the father of my child and as a very good man. For many years I knew you weren’t ‘in love’ with me either, but I never, ever felt lonely because I knew you cared. You cared so much; you always put me and my feelings first. That’s all anyone ever wants. That and a frickin’ good orgasm.”

  Brock choked on his food, but then he laughed. “True. I guess at fifteen, we had no hope of finding out what that was.”

  “We’ve had a good life, Brock. Heather has had a good life. We’re only thirty; it’s not too late. I want Heather to know that a marriage means people are together in every way. I’d like her to see what being ‘in love’ is like.”

  “You’re right. I never want her to settle for anything less.”

  “So, you know the answer to your question. You better get started.” Jodie smiled. Brock could see how relieved and happy she was. He felt just the same. “She’ll be a very lucky woman.”

  “Not half as lucky as I’ll be if I can convince her.” Brock stood up. “Save me some cake and tell Heather to have the rest of the day off. I have some personal work to do.” Brock was going to see Sarah, not to declare his undying love and force her confession of love out of her, but because he wanted to know she was okay.

  He did care about her, and he did love her. Now it was okay to admit that, and slowly do something about it.

  ****

  Brock sat in the legal boardroom, waiting for Rick’s entourage to arrive. He had an hour yet, but he wanted to show Sarah he was ready and committed to her strategy—even though he didn’t trust Rick at all. He’d sent some flowers to Sarah’s apartment, saying he hoped she’d find a perfect place of her own and anything her and Bella wanted from the apartments he’d furnished for them, they could take as housewarming gifts.

  Now, he had all his paperwork together, and he texted Sarah. Got my A game. See you in an hour.

  He’d get the coffee pot on and make sure there was cream and sugar available. The staff had brought in some fresh cookies and mini-muffins. Once that was done, Brock decided he’d go to the bathroom, come back, and pour himself a coffee. He was nervous.

  Not much made him nervous. It was the thought of Rick anywhere near Sarah. The way he leered and the disgusting things he said. Maybe he should text Sarah not to come, Jason could handle it. No, he couldn’t. He had to let her take the lead and support her on it, no matter the outcome.

  Once back in the boardroom, with his coffee, Brock paced the room. He hadn’t had an answer back from Sarah. Maybe the flowers upset her. He should’ve waited longer. Maybe her phone was on silent, and she was busy packing. Anyway, with only thirty minutes to go she’d be here soon. She was never late. He’d find out soon enough how she felt about the flowers.

  Brock finished the coffee and stacked his notes again. He set his laptop up, ready to bring up any documents he might need. The door opened and Deidre popped her head in. “The other legal team is here, Mr. Devlin.”

  Brock took a deep breath and braced himself to be in the same room as Rick Anderson and not smash him out. “Very good. Send them in.”

  Four suited-lawyers came in, including Darren Kirkland. He was a legal force to be reckoned with, and of course the man Rick would turn to. Not that he had anything on Sarah, as Kirkland was about to find out. Brock waited for Rick to come in. But the last suit shut the door behind him.

  “Where’s Anderson?” Brock got in Kirkland’s face.

  “We don’t need him. I can speak for him.”

  Brock didn’t like this one bit. He grabbed his phone. No text back. He found Sarah’s number and connected a call. Straight to her voice message. His unease grew. He shoved his phone into his pocket and grabbed Kirkland’s lapels, yanking him closer to his face. “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know. He called and asked me to handle it.”

  “When?”

  “Just before lunch, why?”

  “I don’t trust him, that’s why. This meeting is off. If you hear from him, tell him there’s a warrant out for his arrest.” Brock raced out the door and headed straight for Bella’s office. He hoped she was in there.

  He threw open the door, and it slammed against the wall. Bella was at her desk, and she jumped at the disturbance. “Brock? What?”

  “Have you spoke Sarah since you spoke to me this morning?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where is she?”

  “I don’t know. Why? You’re scaring me.”

  “Did she have plans?”

  “She was going to her parents’ place and then back home.”

  “Her parents?” Brock mentally calculated the time.

  “Yes.”

  “Has she texted you or anything since then?” Brock was sure his gut feeling was right.

  “Actually, no. I’ve been busy and time got away. But she was going to call and let me know how it went. Maybe she’s still there.”

  “No way. Not the first visit. She’d have to leave and process that, you know Sarah.”

  “You’re right. Brock, what the fuck is it?”

  “Rick isn’t in our meeting
. I sent Sarah flowers to say good luck finding the perfect home. No reply. I’ve text her about our meeting with Rick. That she set up. No answer. I think he’s got her. If he hurts one hair on her head…”

  “I’ll drive. Come on. I have my key, with any luck she has him in the shared lounge so we can get in.”

  “Do you think?”

  “Come on, Brock! This is Sarah, of course she would. It’ll be half an hour there.”

  “What if they aren’t there?”

  “Then we panic.”

  Brock ran out the door after Bella, and he hoped he was wrong. He really did, because he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in jail for murder when he’d just realized who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, on any terms.

  The traffic was bad, but Bella still got them there in thirty minutes. Brock held onto the dash. “Where the fuck did you learn to drive like that?”

  “Getaway car driver.”

  “I hope you are joking, Come on.” He launched out of the vehicle and headed into the foyer and straight for the elevator. Hitting the button, the doors opened. Bella ran in behind him.

  “Please let her be home. Alone.” Bella squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her hands into fists.

  The floors seemed to go forever. But finally the elevator stopped, and Brock went to Sarah’s door and put his ear against it. “Can’t hear anything.”

  “Come on. We’ll go through my apartment in case they are in the common lounge, the element of surprise.”

  “Wait. If we hear anything through that door, we call the cops. And please, don’t let me kill him,” Brock whispered to Bella, as he followed her into her apartment.

  She put her ear the door of the shared lounge. She looked at him and shook her head. “Nothing. Not a sound.” Her voice more mouthing the words than whispering.

  He listened at the door. Nothing. Bella held up the door card. Brock nodded. He watched, as she slipped the card through the electronic scanner and clicked the handle down. She peeked in through the gap, then put her head in further and looked around.

  “Nothing. It’s empty.”

  Brock pushed his way past, and sure enough, nothing. His ring tone sounded, and he grabbed his phone from his pocket. It might be her. He looked at the screen. Rick Anderson. He clicked connect.

  “Where the fuck are you?” Brock tried to keep his voice calm. It didn’t work.

  “Where am I? What the fuck? I send in my men to accept any offer because I’m over the drama, didn’t want a scene, and you’re sending a warrant for me?”

  “Accept the offer?”

  “Yes. But instead you assault Kirkland and threaten me with jail. Are you off your goddamn, fucking, rocker Devlin?”

  “So that’s why you weren’t there?”

  “Why the fuck else wouldn’t I be there.”

  “I thought that….never mind. Misunderstanding. There’s no warrant. I’ll come to you and sign off tomorrow.” He disconnected the call and flopped onto the sofa. “She’s not with him. Thank fuck.”

  “Holy batshit, batman. I thought that was going to end badly.”

  “I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Sorry to have not checked properly before I panicked.”

  “You care about Sarah a lot.”

  “I do. But no excuse to go all psychopathic on you.” Brock sat forward and put his head in his hands. He’d lost control. The only time he seemed to have any control of himself was in the warehouse with Sarah.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve dated a few, and they can be quite fun in the right mood.”

  “I’d better go. Sorry to interrupt your work day. Take the rest off. Let Josh know to see me about it.”

  “Go get some rest Brock. Tomorrow is another day. Sarah isn’t going anywhere.”

  Brock smiled. “You’re right. I’m completely overreacting. Sarah needs time, not me ready to murder someone because I thought she was in danger. I think I’ll go home. I’ve an early flight to India in the morning.”

  “Safe travels.”

  “You will let me know when you hear from her.”

  “Of course, and you, if you hear first.”

  “Sure. I sent a note with the flowers, which might be at the front desk, take whatever you want from your apartment as a housewarming gift, if there’s anything you like.”

  “Thanks, Brock. You’re a gem.”

  “If that’s code for idiot, you’re right.”

  “Well, for a billionaire businessman, you are a bit on the stupid side. But you have potential.”

  Brock grinned at Bella. He was used to her hair-brined humor. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to update my CV.”

  Thank God Sarah wasn’t here. He’d have made a major knob of himself. No wonder she needed space. Well, she’d have plenty of that when he left for India. He’d wait until she contacted him before he contacted her. You can do this, Brock, he mentally coached himself. He could while he was in India.

  When he came home he wasn’t so sure. He was almost certain he’d be convincing her in any way possible that they needed to be together, and if that meant giving up being a Dom, he’d have to do it.

  Chapter Ten

  Sarah sat by her Grammy’s rose bush. Her ashes were underneath. Many, many others surrounded it, but she felt like she’d been alone in a room with Grammy the past couple of hours. She’d turned off her phone, and she really should’ve let Bella know about Barry being dead and her coming here, but she just needed to be here. All alone with Grammy.

  In her mind, she was alone anyway. The time had been good. She’d recalled a lot of things Grammy used to say about love, and how it healed all, and how life was worth nothing without loving something, and having it love you back. Sarah didn’t know what was right or wrong when it came to love, and she sure as hell had a lot to learn about forgiveness.

  But, as Gram said, it’s never too late to learn. So, here she was, learning how memories weren’t always bad. She had some beautiful times with Gram and Peter. That was what she needed to focus on. Maybe her mother would never be her best friend, but Sarah would see she never died alone. Not like Peter did. Hopefully, she’d stay clean too.

  Then, there was Brock. A man she’d like to love with all her heart. Why couldn’t she just do that? Just talk to him and do that. It wasn’t just the BDSM thing. What if she gave everything and got hurt? She couldn’t bear to love someone completely and then lose them. She looked at the plaque beneath the rose and read the line her Gram had requested be put on there.

  To Thine Own Self Be True.

  She switched her phone back on and stood up. The tones came through altogether, Sarah looked at the text from Brock. Holy fuck! She’d forgotten the meeting with Rick Anderson. What the hell had she been thinking? How could she forget something so important?

  Brock would be livid with her. Her father’s death had shaken her up more than she cared to admit. But she shouldn’t hold it in. That was what she used to do.

  She hoped he controlled himself in the same room as Rick. She typed quick text and then reread it. Sorry. Bad morning. Can I come see Romeo and Juliet? I’ll bring chicken.

  The poor man would be so confused. First she’d asked him for space, and now she was inviting herself to his place. She deleted the part about her coming over. She needed to get through this on her own. She hit send on the shortened version.

  Sarah headed for her car. Maybe spending the evening looking for housing with Bella would be a cool way to end this day. Her phone notification went off, and she looked at Brock’s answer.

  No problem. Shit happens. Rick signed off on the offer, no arguments. He never even turned up.

  That was a relief.

  Nice. I’m in the office tomorrow.

  I’m in India.

  India? She wracked her brain. Oh, yes. The plantation workers’ rights. Had that come around already? It seemed just last week he’d briefed them all on it. He wasn’t bringing legal in unless he really had to.

  Good luck. See
you when you get back.

  I’ll call. You take care. I’ll be thinking of you.

  Sarah didn’t answer back. What could she say, I’ll be thinking of you too? She just simplified things and that would just complicate things again. She needed to get back to herself and give herself a chance to get through her family crap.

  She’d miss Brock being around. Hypocrite City, that’s where she’d find a new home.

  ****

  When Sarah arrive home, Bella was in their shared lounge. “Hi. You’re home early.”

  “Thanks to you going MIA on us.” Bella grinned up at her.

  “What the actual fuck are you talking about?”

  “When you didn’t show for the meeting and Rick didn’t either, Brock was certain Rick had taken you captive or something. Gotta tell ya, I was shit scared too.”

  “What?” Sarah plonked down beside Bella on the sofa.

  “No shit. He was ready to murder him.”

  “I doubt Rick would be stupid enough to hold me hostage in my own apartment.”

  “Maybe not, but you’re missing the point.”

  “Enlighten me then.”

  “Brock dropped everything and ran out of the meeting to come rescue you. Regular Disney prince, that one.”

  “I can’t imagine anyone not trying to help if that situation had occurred.” Sarah’s heart thumped. He’d been worried? He’d left that meeting and dragged Bella here looking for her. Wow.

  “Don’t try and hide it. I know you’re all swoony now.”

  “It was a lovely gesture.”

  “Gesture? Mission more like it. Whatever you did to him, that man ain’t gonna forget in a hurry. He’s head over heels.” Bella winked at her.

  The heat rushed straight to Sarah’s face. Damn it. “Don’t be stupid.”

  “You’re welcome. How were your parents?” Bella’s voice had taken a more serious tone.

  “Barry’s dead.”

  “Oh. My. God. Sarah, I’m so sorry. Here I am teasing you about Brock and your father is dead. Kill me now.” Bella put her arms around Sarah and hugged tight.

  Almost too tight. Last night’s session had her muscles feeling like she’d run a marathon. “I’m okay, Bella. I mean, I may never have known. It was liver cancer. Evie says they’d both been clean when they found out. Poetic justice I guess.”