Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

*Adrian*

We set up surveillance all around Harvey's mansion, as well as Ivan's apartment. Knowing they're planning something, we'll just have to wait and see. Harvey's related to the Chief of Police, there's no way we can start the attack. If that's how it's going to pan out, we need them to come to us, because it will be evidence against a conspiracy crime.

When we returned home, Calista had an indescribable expression. I knew she was wondering where I was going, but I didn't want her to worry any more than she already does. There's no point in saying anything right now, not unless I know she's in severe danger, which right now she isn't. Her ex-boyfriend is just stalking her and breaking into my house. However, I know it's not going to end there, and Harvey knows that too. It's only a matter of time.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Christian, Cooper, and Teo leave for the basement again. Quinn disappeared, along with Dallas, and that left just me and Calista. She wasn't nervous around me, but I could tell she felt apprehensive about something. Call it intuition.

"Where did you go, Adrian?" She whispered, staring at me in such a way, I didn't have the heart to lie to her.

"I visited Harvey's and Ivan's residence, but didn't have any encounters." I briefly stated, not lying but not confessing the whole truth.

"For what purpose?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Surveillance." I grunted through clenched teeth, unable to lie to her.

"You're watching them?" She asked, shocked, maybe even bothered.

"I have to..." I said, noticing how she pulled away from me a tad.

"You're no better than Ivan!" Calista growled, before storming upstairs.

I winced, knowing I had hurt her to some degree, but I didn't regret my actions. I had to watch those two men to ensure Calista's safety. I know if I told her the truth of what I know it would answer a lot of her questions, but it would also terrify her, and I don't have the heart to do that. I don't think she has the slightest clue as to how evil her ex and his family truly are, and I'd like to keep it that way.

I found myself walking up the flight of stairs and towards Calista's bedroom, where I heard her crying. A sound that nearly brought me to my knees, and suddenly I found myself acting before thinking. I rushed into her bedroom and sat beside her on the bed, pulling her into my arms. She rested her head against my chest, where I felt her tears soaking my shirt, but I didn't care. I held her close and gently caressed her back, soothing her into a relaxed state.

After a few minutes, she pulled away and the look on her face left me breathless. The pain inside her beautiful green eyes was immense, something that struck my gut harder than my own grief. It tugged at my heart strings, and before I knew it, I could feel everywhere our skin touched. Her hand against my chest, my hand wrapped around her waist and the other on her back. I slid my hand up her arm and neck, resting my palm against her cheek.

The electric current that surged through our connected touch was remarkable, and I couldn't help but reach in for a kiss. It was nothing more than a peck, but felt more intimate than any other kiss I've experienced. She took a deep breath, biting her lower lip, looking at me with worried eyes.

"Adrian... I don't want you involved with Ivan and his family... they're-- bad news." She stuttered, breathlessly.

"I know who they are, babe, it's okay. I'm not going to let them hurt you-" I tried to console her, but she pushed me away with the cutest and most angry pout.

"I'm worried about them hurting you, you i***t!" Calista shrieked, her voice echoing throughout the room.

"I already told you," I said with a crooked smirk, "There's nothing to worry about."

"Oh my gosh." She growled, glaring daggers at me, before turning her head the opposite way.

"Calista-" I stroked her arm and she yanked herself free.

"Please, just listen to me." She sighed, her eyes welling up with tears again.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked, feeling my forehead crease with disappointment, she's hiding something.

"I just know his family is dangerous..." She murmured, hiding her face.

"So, what do you propose we do? Give in? Do you want to go back to that life, Calista?" I said, feeling my voice raise in volume.

"No! I don't know!" She cried, and suddenly the door flew open, with Quinn standing on the other side.

Quinn glared at me, pulling Calista out of the room, her eyes never leaving mine. Soon after, Dallas walked in with a brief smirk. His hands were shoved in his pockets, clearly nervous, but what about? What the hell is going on that I'm unaware of? I raised an eyebrow at him, he shrugged, glancing over his shoulder.

"You know how women can be..." He whispered.

"What do you know, Dallas?" I demanded in a firm tone, one everyone knew not to f**k with.

"I... I can't tell you, man, it's not my place!" Dallas wined, throwing his hands up.

"Why is everyone but me privy to this information?!" I roared, finally losing my temper.

I stormed out of the room, retreating to my office and slamming the door behind me. I poured myself a full glass of bourbon and lit up a cigarette, slouching in my chair like a damn fool. What the hell weren't they telling me? Does it have to do with Calista, directly? What am I missing?

Berating myself with questions that I didn't have answers to, I was interrupted by a soft knock at the door, but it wasn't Calista. I knew it was Quinn, and I knew we were going to have quite a conversation. I just didn't know the direction it was going to take. I already knew she was angry with me, because I had made her best friend cry, but not intentionally. I'm only trying to help.

"Come in." I hollered, and the door opened to reveal I was right, it was Quinn.

"We need to talk." She said in a confident voice, but I found her trembling hands.

"Have a seat." I motioned to the chair in front of my desk, "Would you like a drink?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you. Look, Adrian, there's something you need to know. Cali met Harvey once before. He scared the s**t out of her, that's all I know. He said some s**t about her family that only she should know, and it spooked her." Quinn blurted, surprising me.

"She never mentioned what?" I asked, feeling my eyebrows furrow.

"No... All I know is, I've learned not to ask about her past. I think it's too... dark. She doesn't like reliving old memories, I know that much." Quinn informed me, sighing.

"She is full of surprises, that's for sure." I grumbled, rubbing my palms against my face in distress.

"Be patient." Quinn murmured, leaving my office.

I'm not stressed about her past, I'm stressed because I've upset her, and that's the last thing I wanted to do! All I want is to protect her... that's it... right? I know I have feelings for her, but it's starting to feel stronger than that. Maybe it's more? No, there's no way. It's impossible and definitely not my nature! Love at first sight doesn't exist... but if it did, I'd think of Calista and the first time I laid eyes on her. Shit... listen to yourself, Adrian! I've lost it, haven't I? I've lost my wits because I can't stop thinking with the wrong head!

If Calista doesn't want to be involved, that's fine, but I'm not going to abandon my plan. I know Ivan will try again, and who knows what Harvey will do to help? They have both proven to me that they have no limits. That's not something I'm willing to ignore. Does Calista not realize how dangerous the situation is?

Then again, I can't go around killing all of Calista's enemies... what would that make me? She would end up resenting me for it, and I wouldn't be any better than Ivan or his family. I just don't know how to handle the situation right now, and that has never happened to me. I always know what to do. This time is different. This time the dilemma involves Calista, the woman I'm falling in love with. Whether I like it or not... I am falling hard for that girl.