The Love Game

CH.20 Information Overload

Chapter 20 Information Overload

Ian P.O.V.

I was about to really kick some serious ass right now. The nerve of that piece of s**t. I warned him. I made a vow to Jonny that I would look after Rachel and his kids, make sure they didn’t get hurt. Now I spent all weekend at Rachels trying to cheer her up. But as we all know. She is strong. It doesn’t take much with her. Her confidence always seems to pull herself out of her slump. Yet at the same time you can see that its just a mask for her kids. The three of us noticed the pain behind her eyes.

It’s dusk and the stars are barley staring to shine as I make my way to his house knowing perfectly well that he was there alone. Garrison is at Rachels with the kids. I was ready to teach this guy a lesson. To my surprise Conner joins me. I did inform him earlier of my plan and he insisted on joining me. He both get to the door and knock really card and ring the doorbell. The door opens with his dumb face and I immediately give him a right hook to the face. He stumbles back a little slowly trying to regain his balance. Conner and I walk into his house and shut the door behind us.

“Did I not warn you!... Did I not warn you from the beginning not to hurt her!” I yell at him. He still is unbalanced as Conner front kicks him to the gut. Zander bends over hugging his abdomen and falls to the floor.

“And worse off, you hurt the kids.” I say as I sigh. Zander is still down. I go and kick him in the face. He groans in pain. But he doesn’t get up, he just stay there taking in our beating.

“What is wrong with you man!... You two were perfect for each other. What the f**k is wrong with you?” I yell at him. Conner goes down on one knee and grabs Zander by the collar and gives him a firm right hook. Zander is spitting out blood as his face starts to show signs of swelling.

He whispers something to Conner and Conner looks suddenly at me. I give him a puzzled. He then grabs Zander and lifts him up and takes him to a study. Conner drops Zander on the couch as he heads of to his desk looking like he pressed some sort of button. I hear snapping around me and look at Zander.

“Ok we are free to talk.” Zander speaks up. “I really was hoping that you two would show up.” Conner and I look at each other confused. Then Zander motions for us to come and sit. We oblige.

“Zander you have five minutes to explain what the f**k is going on!” Conner said to him sternly.

“Ok, do you know Nathan Cavanhall?” he asks and we both nod. “He threatened. My son for Rachel. He had pictures of both of them as if he had been spying on us for almost a year.” He paused to take a deep breath. “You guys need to believe me. I love Rachel with every fiber of my being. But The were going to kill Garrison.” He takes another deep breath and starts shaking his head. “I called my cousin to help be convince Rachel that I was having an affair. I just find a way to bring myself to break up with her, I love her and I know she would ask questions and try to involve herself. She is in grave danger and I am trying to find some way of saving her and Garrison.” He pauses for a moment. “I really was hopping that you could help me.” He looked at us with desperation in his face. You could now tell that he has not slept in days from the dark circles around his eyes, and he reeked of booze.

“So Nathan is behind all this…” I say nodding my head “you know that I am going to have to verify what you say?” I tell him. He just nods. “I just can’t have any direct contact with her. And that’s why I want Garrison at Rachel’s all the time. I know that the safest he will be.”

“f*****g Nathan!” Conner said in rage as he stood up and started to pace the floor. “I know he would give her trouble, but Nooooo she was to nice and have befriend everyone.” Conner speaks to himself still pacing the floor.

“Conner sit back down we need to figure this out. Nathan is smart and we knew that he was always up to something. And Its obvious how he feels about her. A crazed man like that is smart and organized. Not to mention patient in this case.” I say to Conner. Conner takes a few deep breaths and comes back to sit on the floor.

“So why is Nathan so obsessed with Rachel?” Zander askes finally able to sit normally.

“Well Rach and he were friends as children. I think it was in her 6th grade that she had a crush on Nathan. But Nathen kept her in the friend zone and parted ways before high school. When he came back a couple years ago for your relocation, he fell for her.” Conner explained. “When Jonny died he tried to incorporate himself to her life. We didn’t like him from the beginning. Very snobbish and touchy with Rachel. When we told Rach she was fine not merging him into our circle. I haven’t seen him since, but Rach does tell me al about their coffee break conversations.” Conner finished.

“He was definitely jealous at the Masquerade and the Summit.” I say now seeing how this all ties together.

“Wow, he is a lunatic…” Zander stares at the floor processing what we just told him. The he immediately looks up as if remembering something. “Guys… he did admit to me that he had Jonny killed. That the accident was intended.” He looks between Conner and me. We both were in shock by this information as if overloading our brains.

“Ok he is dead.” Conner says as he stands up again and reaches for his cell.

“Conner you can order a…” I begin to say before I was cut off by his raised hand.

“I am calling our sources, we need to prepare.” He turns to Zander. “keep acting like you have been and we will do the rest. Don’t interfere. We will guarantee Garrisons safety… that is all I am going to say before we walk out of here pretending that we gave you the beating of a lifetime in Rachel’s honor.” He nods at me to leave as he text something on his phone. We look back a Zander on the couch and give him a nod and leave. When we were out the front door heading to our car Conner boasts.

“We sure taught him a lesson.” He says winking for me to play along.

“Yea now he should definitely keep his distance around her. I swear if I see his fame in public I will give him another taste.” I say smugly.

Rachel P.O.V.

A month has passed since the breakup. It’s the night of the Grand opening for this new club that we invested in. It was located on the top floor of a newly build sky scrapper hotel. It had and outside patio area with comfy white lounge chairs, and blaring music with a dance floor and full wall bar indoors. Me and my friends rent some rooms for the night because we wanted to have fun.

Cat, Conner, Ian, and I are at our VIP section in the lounge area outside with our drinks. We were all dressed to impress. The boys in business suits and Cat and I in Cocktail dresses making us look super sexy. I constantly look at my delicate watch on my wrist. I am anticipating a call from my informant so we can meet at my suite.

“Relax Rach, only a couple more minutes.” Conner leans over to tell me. I just nod. I go to take a sip of my drink when I catch the sight of a pair of clear grey eyes. I suck in a breath and try hard to break away from our trance. I curse myself for not having the strength to look away as by body begs to be touched by him. I feel a hand on my should and finally look away towards its owner. Conner just nods at me that its time to go to our meeting. I stand up with him and walk to the elevator. I keep my eyes forward desperately trying to avoid his gaze. With success we make to the safety of the elevator.

Upon arriving to my room there stood Tony, my best informant. I smile at him as I go to open the door to my suite. We all gather around the dinning table as Tony hands some files to me.

“As always its good to see you tony.” I say to him completely grateful for his services.

“Its a pleasure Rach. I will always be indebted to you.” He bows his head. I bow my head and start to glance over the material in the files.

Tony begin to give us a brief overview of his findings.

“So it does look like there is a saboteur in Black enterprise, all for the purpose of gaining full control of the company. There is a huge push to kick the current CEO out of his chair. I also found out that there are people that at hired to sabotage the government contract demonstration. I have included names of such hired people…” He points to the files. “Rach…” He looks at me with a grim face. “Nathan Cavanhall is behind this scheme. He is out to be the one who claims the CEO position…” He takes a deep breath and points to a file. “This is proof of something that I dare not say out loud. I hope it gives you everything you need to come out strong.” He softly smiles and nods at me.

“Thank you Tony. I do appreciate all that you do for me.” I go to hug him.

“Just keep being your angelic self.” He tells me as we pull apart. He salutes and walks out the door. I look to Conner.

“Ok we have work to do… but lets enjoy the rest of this party first.” I collect all the files and put them in my secret hiding spot in my luggage.

Conner and I are back in our VIP section. I sit there as my friends come and go to dance and get more drinks. I just sit there still as if everything is moving in Fast Forward around me. I was deep in thought plotting. This battle may not win me back Zander, but it will give me back my freedom and security.

As If I was not defying the laws of physics already, I look up to see those clear grey eyes. His eyes were drawing me into his soul. I could see the pain, sorrow, guilt… the list goes on. I could not help but grieve. I did not want to see him like that, it pained me to know that he was hurting even though he hurt me first. I keep asking myself why he do it. I broke my gave when a crown blocked our view. I let out a breath that I did not know I was holding. I could not take it anymore. I got up and left to my room. I text my friends that I was not feeling well and I would see them for brunch. In my room and comfortable in my Pjs and bed I force myself to close my eyes and let the darkness of sleep take over.