Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

*Adrian*

"Sounds like your girl has a dicey past, my dude." Christian whispered, as I steered them upstairs.

"Shut up, Christian." I grunted.

"Seriously, though, I think Christian might be right... have you looked into her background?" Teo genuinely suggested..

"What do you guys think happened? She clearly doesn't want anyone to know, I don't want to go snooping around and disrespect her wishes..." I argued, guiding them down an unused wing of the house.

"You're starting to sound like a p***y, man." Christian shook his head, chuckling to himself.

"It just gives a little bit of background. Does she have any prior affiliation with these men?" Cooper agreed, shrugging.

"You can all stay here, these four rooms." I pointed, steeling myself away and retreating towards my office.

Maybe they're right? Should I do a background search on Calista? Even the mere thought makes my gut twist, and my heart heavy. I can't betray her trust like that... I'll just have to learn the natural way, through her words. She'll tell me when she's ready, if she ever wants to share that information.

I heard Calista and Quinn giggling, as I walked past the living room and into my office. I poured myself a stiff drink, and fell into my chair with a heavy sigh. What have I gotten myself into? What kind of trouble is Calista going to bring flush with my own, and will we cause a colossal storm of mayhem? The thought had me wondering, is this a good idea? For us to get close, more than just simple co-workers.

I guzzled my drink and buried my face in paperwork, meaningless paperwork. All the while, my mind was still pondering the thought of learning about Calista's past. She is acting like she's hiding something, but what could it be? I know she's as innocent as Bambi when he was a fawn, but there's still guilt hidden beneath her jade green eyes. I know guilt when I see it, because I'm very familiar with the sensation.

A subtle but heavy knock comes from behind the office door, and I holler for them to enter. It's Dallas, wearing an expression I've never seen him with before, bashful. These women are going to turn us into mush. I can already see the writing on the wall! It's already happening to me. A few hours in and Dallas is already following Quinn around like a sick puppy!

"Whatcha doin'?" Dallas asked, closing the door behind him and sitting across from me at my desk.

"Drinking. Want one?" I offered, sliding an empty glass across the desk.

"Yeah." Dallas nodded, sipping the stiff alcohol immediately.

"What's got your goat?" I asked with a light chuckle.

"Your girl's friend, Quinn... She's gorgeous..." Dallas whispered, his eyes glimmering.

"Wow, you are spun!" I chuckled loudly, earning a hard punch in the arm from him.

"f**k you! I could say the same for you, asshole." Dallas grunted, nostrils flaring.

"Yeah, I know." I growled, both of us glancing in opposite directions.

"How old is Quinn, yo? Is she even legal? Is Calista legal?" Dallas asked, fear consuming his voice.

"They're legal, dude, just ridiculously young... low twenties, I think." I said, refraining from laughter.

"Damn... That's a stretch..." Dallas grunted, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You're telling me." I snorted, finishing my glass of whiskey.

"So, everything is set up. You should come take a look." Dallas said, standing back on his feet and heading towards the door of my office.

"Be right there." I said, nodding.

That was just another internal battle that I got to add to the list. I knew Calista would be preoccupied with Quinn staying the night, but the thought still loomed in my head about her past. What did she go through, that she wanted to keep a secret? That question alone stirred a desire to search for the answer, but I knew it would feel wrong. I'll determine that later.

For now, I'd like to see the setup which the boys created in my basement. I exited my office and scurried down to the basement, where I heard the guys casually chatting. I rounded a corner and found several monitors set up, as well as multiple machines that were connected to the monitors. I noticed both Ivan and his stepfather, Harvey, were displayed on the screens with their background information already pulled up.

"We've got their backgrounds opened up, as well as tapping their phone calls. So far it's blank." Cooper informed me, typing on his computer.

"It's late, give it time. All shady transactions take place at odd hours. You can't expect it to be during rush hour." Christian snorted.

"Calm down ladies, we're recording everything anyway." Teo chuckled, casually leaning in his computer chair.

"Thanks guys, I appreciate your help. Calista and I have to return to work tomorrow, so I'll check in periodically with you." I said, turning to leave.

"Where are you headed, chief?" Dallas called and I stopped to face them.

"Back to his sexy little minni." Christian chuckled, licking his lips.

"What the f**k is that supposed to mean, Christian?" I growled, stepping close to him.

"It means you found a gorgeous woman. No disrespect, man, she's a hot little number!" Christian whistled, and I couldn't help my next action. I sent my fist straight into his jaw.

"Whoa! Adrian, chill out, bro!" Cooper squealed, peeling me off Christian.

"Don't talk about her like that, ever." I growled in a menacing tone, one that caused friction in the room.

"Told you, boys." Christian snickered, wiping the trickle of blood off his lip, "Adrian Brockwell is falling for the young Calista Bonetti. I was just f*****g with you bro, we could all tell how you look at her. I wouldn't ever f**k with that."

I stood there staring at them all in disbelief. They tricked me, and there's no undoing my actions. I acted like an animal... all because I thought Christian had the hots for Calista. Fuck... they're right, I've already claimed her as my woman. I just didn't realize it until now.

I don't know how to handle this, I'm a good ten years older than Calista. That's weird, isn't it? Too old? She is young, has just passed her teenage years and here we are. She's living with me, a man who has more darkness to his past than anyone else my age. Am I really what Calista needs in her life? I want to protect her, but I'm not even sure that's possible with who I was and who I am. It's a shot in the dark.

"Just keep to yourselves." I grunted, leaving the room that echoed chuckles behind me.

It was already nine o'clock when I resurfaced from the basement, and the house was quiet. I walked upstairs and towards Calista's bedroom, peeking through the crack of the door, where her and Quinn were already tucked under the covers. Smiling to myself, I left for my own bedroom.

I showered and freshened up, before climbing under the covers. A sigh escaped my lips, as I stared at the empty space next to me on the bed. I couldn't help but wish that Calista was next to me, instead of in another room. When I wasn't around her, I found myself desiring to be. I've never felt this way about a woman before, and though it was foreign to me, I couldn't deny that I adored the sensation. I had to have her close to me, at all times.

I laid my head against the pillow, staring at the ceiling, my mind an empty vessel. The creaks of the house, and singing of crickets, were the only noises to fill my ears. That is, until a light knock sounded at my door. I sat straight up in bed, knowing damn well who was on the other side. Was it a dream?

"Come in." I hollered, watching the door open and finding a tired Calista.

"I'm sorry to bother you so late..." She muttered, and I motioned her into the room, "But Quinn is snoring so loudly!"

"Come here, there's plenty of room." I offered, chuckling, and scooting to one side of my bed.

"In your bed?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"There are no other beds, Calista." I responded with a shrug, smirking, and she wasted no time.

Calista crawled under the covers next to me, lying on her side and looking straight at me. I faced toward her too, unable to take my eyes off of her. I couldn't believe this was happening, she was really lying in bed with me. It was just minutes ago that I had wished for her to be next to me, and my wish came true. How ironic.

"Thanks, Adrian." She hummed, her voice lighter than a whisper.

"Anytime." I said, and meant every word.

I couldn't fight the desire to touch her, so I limited myself to a light caressing of her arm that was exposed over the top of the comforter. The second my skin met with hers, I noticed I left a path of goosebumps in my wake. Calista shivered, and our eyes instantly met with fervor, a hunger to be closer to one another. She gulped, chewing on her bottom lip, which only turned me on. I had to look away, unintentionally sighing.

"Goodnight, Calista." I said, my voice ragged and husky.

"Goodnight..." She purred, and I had to turn to the other side, before I'd lose control and devour her completely.

Laying beside her in the same bed is way too tempting. I doubt I'm ready for this on a nightly basis, unless we're together. As of right now, we're just roommates and co-workers. Although, I want so much more... I think she does too, but we're both reluctant and I don't know why. Other than the fact that I'm her boss, I'm sure there's a way around that. That's the least of my concern, actually. I'm more worried about the war I started with her ex-boyfriend, Ivan.

Soon I was breathing in Calista's scent, half asleep. Without thinking, I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her flush against my body. I felt her rest her hand on top of mine, fastening it to her hip, and we fell asleep. Our bodies intertwined felt like such a perfect fit, I didn't question it at all.