Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

*Adrian*

The air in my office was thick with cigarette smoke, as I lit one right after the other, staring into the blank screen of my phone. I had Harvey's number dialed, but hadn't placed the call yet. I was waiting, but I'm not exactly sure what for. I knew what I wanted to say, though I didn't know how it would pan out. It all depended on Harvey, maybe that's why I'm reluctant, because I knew the decision wasn't mine to be made. It was his.

"Hello?" Harvey answered, the cavalier tone agitating my already split nerves.

"Harvey Thorne?" I asked, though it sounded more like a growl.

"Speaking." Harvey replied, domineering.

"My name is Adrian, I'm willing to bet your stepson has brought my name up a time or two. We have unfinished business with each other, and I'd like to handle it now." I spoke with tact, but sternness.

"Ah yes, the man who stole the woman of Ivan's dreams. He's told me about you, of course. I suppose the reason you're calling is that Ivan attempted to break into your house?" Harvey was aware, which stumped me a little.

"I warned him not to come near Calista. Your stepson didn't listen. This is his last warning. Next time, he won't leave the premises breathing." I threatened, hearing a heavy sigh on the other end of the phone.

"There won't be a next time, Adrian. Ivan won't come to your house, ever again. That's a promise I can make. However, Calista is a different story. You see, I don't deny my family what they deserve or desire. My stepson desires Calista, so he'll get what he wants... sooner or later." Harvey arrogantly responded.

"It's not up for debate. She's with me now." I boldly stated, knowing it could bite me in the ass later, but right now I didn't care.

"Is that so?" Harvey chuckled, taken back.

"Yeah, and I don't take kindly to other men trying to steal my girl. So, unless your boy wants to leave with permanent brain damage, I suggest you change his mind. Or I'll f*****g do it for him." I hung up, crushing my phone under my balled up fist.

Sighing heavily, I forced my head into my palms and refrained from screaming. Instead, I grunted loudly and rubbed my face. I stomped out my cigarette and left the office, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Just as I was walking out, Calista and Quinn appeared to my left. Quinn, taking the lead, hands me Calista's phone, which's opened to a text message from Ivan, several actually. Threat after threat.

I can't believe you're with a man in his thirties! I'll get you back, Cali, trust me on that! & if I don't, you'll both be six feet under.

You're both f*****g dead! This isn't the last you've seen of me, Cali!

I'll own you, Cali. Just wait and see. You belong to me. It's either me, or nothing. Me, or the end.

I handed the phone back to Quinn, my jaw tightly clenched. They're not backing down without a fight, and that's exactly what I'll give them. I won't let Calista return to that hellhole, so that only leaves one other option. I ushered the girls into the kitchen, where Ida was casually reading her newspaper and sipping her coffee. She was startled when everyone came flooding in, but she could read the room quickly.

I sat the girls at the table and turned to Ida, who looked at me the way she did five years ago, afraid. I'd explain everything later. First, I needed to discuss matters with the guys. Things just took a turn for the worst, but I need to ensure Calista is stable enough for me to leave. Bending down in front of where she sat, keeping myself at eye level with her, I found her lost little green eyes. Emptiness clouded around her irises and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it away, though it would be a lot more difficult than it sounds.

"I'm going to take care of this, okay?" I whispered, pressing a light kiss on her trembling knee.

"It's not for you to handle, Adrian..." Calista whimpered, and it all but broke my heart.

"I'm handling it, babe." I grunted, standing tall and walking away from her.

I noticed Ida eyeballing me with suspicion and I had to explain the situation to her, but not now. Time was of the essence, so I had to prioritize, and Ivan fell first. My conversation with Harvey didn't go the way I intended. I need to remain a step ahead of the Thorne's, and I'm guessing that means I have a lot of work ahead of myself.

"Don't let them out of your sight." I mumbled into Ida's ear, causing her to inhale deeply.

"What is it?" She whispered back, tightly clutching my shoulder with piercing eyes.

"Her ex-boyfriend is bad news." I responded and stepped away from Ida, towards the men that waited in the door frame.

"Be safe..." Ida murmured, worry consuming her face into a twisted frown.

I left the room with my guys following behind me, straight down to the basement. I needed to know who we were dealing with, and I'm sure my guys have found out by now. I reached downstairs and heard Harvey's voice blare from a pair of speakers. I scurried over to listen closely, as did the others.

"Listen, I need a favor." Harvey said, his voice a low mumble.

"Shoot." The other voice spoke, was raspy and garbled.

"Meet me at my place in ten minutes." Harvey replied, and the call ended, just like that.

I exchanged glances with the four men standing around me, each of us wearing the same perplexed expression. Who was he talking to? Why is he acting like he knows we're watching him? Maybe Harvey did some research of his own. My background is public, anyone can look and see my history. He'll learn that I was in the Military for ten years, but he won't know about Delta Force. Not unless he has someone who can cross technological barriers the average person can't.

"I had a conversation with Harvey earlier in my office..." I confessed, turning around to divulge the information.

I admitted everything to the guys, even how I lost my temper and hung up. They nodded, taking it all in, but I know I f****d up making that phone call. I allowed my emotions to drive me there, and that's never a good idea when dealing with people like Harvey. They like to play on emotions. This is something I already know... I guess I just forgot.

"Harvey has obviously got a shady background, because he doesn't have a single occupation to support his infinite wealth. Large bank deposits, written off as personal business deals. I don't understand how he gets away with it." Cooper shook his head.

"He knows the right people, it's all about who you know. I found old news clippings of him shaking hands with several politicians." Christian added, his voice bleak.

"How do you want to handle this, Adrian?" Cooper asked, and the others all stared in my direction.

"I don't know... All I know is, they aren't getting their hands on Calista. I don't intend on making it a dirty fight, but Ivan and Harvey will. So I'm fully expecting s**t to hit the fan." I admitted, wanting my boys to know what they're dealing with.

"We've got your back, bro." Dallas grinned.

"And your girls' backs," Christian added with a firm nod, "They don't know who they're messing with."

"Thank you, all of you." I nodded, glancing back at the screen that displayed Harvey's face.

His brown hair slicked back, exposing his receding hairline in the front. He had a long bulbous nose, beady brown eyes, and a sliver of a smirk that danced across his thin lips. Staring into his picture gave me a chill, which isn't something that happens often. My intuition was telling me something, communicating through my flesh and bones. He's a bad person, an evil man, and I know I have to tread with caution. Especially when Calista was involved. She's the center of everything and I have to determine how to get her out of the spotlight.