Claimed by my best friend brother

3

CHAPTER THREE

BAMBI -- POINT OF VIEW

My heart stops beating.

I scramble to my feet, the phone pressed against my ear, “W … what? I didn’t take a seventy thousand dollar loan.”

“Are you not Ms Bambi Marshall, living in ….” They call out all my details.

“I am Bambi, but I did not take a seventy thousand dollar loan. The only loan I got recently is a thirty-five-thousand-dollar loan. What are you talking about?” My heart pounds hard.

“You requested a seventy thousand dollar loan and …”

I can barely breathe as they explain how I requested a loan using my SSN, ID and other documents. Apparently, my signature was used too. My identity was forged, and a loan was taken in my name. Now, they’re going to take my house.

“No, no, no, please, I ... I did not do that. My identity was stolen and forged. I … you cannot take my house.” I cry, and Calla takes the phone from my hands.

I fall to the ground, wrap my arm around myself and sob like a baby. The only person who could have done this to me is James. I trusted him with everything. He had access to all I own, and now, he has sunk me into a pit I can’t get out of. They’re going to take my house. My parents’ house. Oh, God.

Calla is sharp and stern. “She did not authorise the loan, so it is your fault that you gave such a sum without confirming the recipient. We’re not paying that money, and you’re not taking her house. You cannot take her house. You do not want to go to war with me.”

Her voice fades in and out.

I break into a million pieces.

She warned me about me. She told me he was up to no good. I never believed her, and now, the only thing I have left will be taken away.

“This isn’t over. Nothing must be done to the house, but as a show of good faith and seriousness, she will leave, and you can lock up. It will not be put for sale or touched. I am ready to follow this up. Yes. Good speaking to you too.” She ends the call, and there’s a note of certainty in the air.

She sits beside me and holds me in her arms.

Sob breaks out of me. My shouldershakese as I cry. She rubs my back and tries to comfort me, but my heart is broken.

“We’ll be fine, Bambi. We always get back up. Do not fret. I promise you, this is just a phase you will pass through. The bankwantst you out of the house, and they need you to pay a percentage. You’re not paying anything, but we need to leave now. They’ll have someone come check the house in twenty minutes, and I want us packed and ready by then. Do not lose your heart, and I need you to be strong for me. Strong heart, Bambi.” She urges.

“W … what am I going to do? James … he did this to me,” I hiccup, vision blurred with tears, “He did this to me, and I have no power to go after him. I cannot lose my parents' house, Calla. I have nowhere to go.”

She lives with her parents in their mansion, but that is at the centre of the Pack. I cannot go there. I’m not royalty. I can’t live with her. I cannot afford a hotel, and there’s no way I’m wasting the money I have on myself.

Where am I going to go? I have no one.

“You always have me. Now, stop crying and let’s think.” She chides, and I nod.

I wipe my tears, but that doesn’t stop my broken heart.

“Jarek is back, and he has a home by the woods. A large house, too big for him. He had it built for privacy. He owes me a favour, and he will let you stay with him. You’ll be removed from the city and have the calmness of the area. So, what do you say?” She frowns.

I am confused. Her brother is a known pig. He flirts with everything that moves. He’s supposed to be abroad.

“He’s back?” I ask.

She nods, “Yes, he is. He doesn’t want the Pack to know yet.”

“I … I don’t think he’ll want me there, Calla,” I whisper.

I remember Jarek. He’s huge, tall, with dark hair and even darker eyes. He tolerated me when we were younger and hated me when he got older. I never knew why. He wanted me gone, so Calla and I started sneaking around.

“It doesn’t matter. He owes me a huge favour, and will do this for me. Now, get packed. You’re going on a vacation.” She pinches my cheeks, and tries to cheer me up.

I don’t feel cheered, but I do as she asks. We leave before the bank worker gets here. Finn is apologetic, and I am grateful as he drives us to the edge of town. This is a bad idea. Jarek doesn’t like me. He can’t even stand my presence. There’s no way in hell that he’ll allow me to stay with him, but I don’t speak out about my fears.

Calla is just trying to help.

I place my head on the window and watch the world drive past.

My thought returns to Lea’s words.

“We’ve always been together, and you were the other woman. Now that he has gotten everything he needs from you, we’re done pretending. I never pretended, of course. I’ve always hated you, and everyone knows. How stupid could you have been to think you deserved James? Look at him, and look at you. You’re nothingness, Bambi. A stupid and dense girl who has no idea what she’s dealing with. James is mine. James has always been mine.”

I’m the other woman.

My thoughts come to a halt as we drive into the property.