Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (4 page)

“Let me know how those fonts come out with Matt
. I need those to be completed by the end of the day. I’ll be in meetings all day but don’t hesitate to interrupt me if a pressing issue is presented. Tell Brian to transfer and update my files on my laptop I’ll still want to take care of a few things from home. Call the hotel where Rachel will be honeymooning and make sure her and Mark receive the wine basket the day they arrive. Tell Rick I want to hear from him as soon as he sends out the press release. Make sure all my calls go to my office voicemail while I’m in this meeting with Timely. None of the staff should be calling me. The V.P is a real pain in the ass to deal with as it is and I don’t want to hear from anyone other than you. Make sure you help Ginger with the upcoming charity dinner we have this Saturday. Also tell her to set a date for our annual beach event that should be held in mid-September. My clients look forward to that as much as our Holiday celebrations.” He spoke quickly as he entered the elevator. Turning around, he looked at Isabel and flashed his breathtaking grin, “Oh and welcome to the team you’re doing great here.” He winked at her as the elevator doors closed leaving her breathless, dizzy and dumbfounded.

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The rest of Isabel’s
week went by faster than a lightning bolt. By the time she blinked the clock ticked to go home. Every day, for the remainder of the week, passed the same exact way it did since her first day without Rachel. Luke rushing to the elevator doors while throwing requests over his shoulder as she eagerly followed him. He was constantly in and out of the office sending orders to his employees as he left the building. No one seemed to mind the demanding environment they worked in. In fact they all seemed to love it. They consumed in it. They ate it up and savored every bite.  Isabel saw to it Luke’s requests were met and spent a great amount of time working with Ginger on finishing last minute arrangements for the Charity Dinner. Luke and his family were avid donors to multiple charities. But they held their own charity functions for a particular organization that helped domestically abused children. She found it strange and was unable to make a connection as to why this specific group related to him or his family but she did not question it. Ginger gave her a run-down of how the dinner would proceed. Apparently Luke always welcomed his top local clients to his events and none ever declined his invitations.  

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the charity,” Ginger told Isabel on her way out. “I left the address on your desk.”

“Thank you Ginger I’ll see you tomorrow.” Isabel called out after her on late Friday evening. She poked her head inside Luke’s open doors. “Need anything before I head out?” she asked him.

He stood in front of his grand windows peering towards the
dark ocean. The sun had abandoned them leaving a dim shadow behind.  Isabel loved the view of his striking back profile as much as she loved his gorgeous face and beautiful green eyes. He was dressed in black suit pants, charcoal dress shirt and a well fitted black vest as his suit jacket hung by the holder near the door. Once again, hands in his pocket he stared out into the far distance. He turned around and gave her a crooked smile. It had been about two weeks Isabel was working with Luke and she still hadn’t gotten over his appearance.  His smile still made her heart struggle to beat like she was on a lifeline support. She didn’t deny she was attracted to him and found no harm in admiring him from a distance. Besides, a face like that was made to be admired.

“Are we all prepared for tomorrow’s event
?” he asked.

“Yes
Ginger made sure it’s perfection until the last detail.”

“I think you can give yourself some credit as well don’t you think?” he gave her
that
smile again. The one that made her stomach turn inside out.

“I guess I can.” She blushed.

Luke was amused at how easily she became embarrassed and found her innocent glances very endearing. Sometimes he’d catch her staring and pretended he didn’t notice when she’s flush red. Besides he liked knowing he had such an effect on her. Definitely stroked his already confident ego. “None the less I’m pleased you are part of my team. You picked up where Rachel left off with ease and that means a great deal for me considering we are at the peak of our busiest season. We’re lucky to have you and my staff speaks highly of you. I’m pleased you’re here.” He smiled.

His appraisal baffled her.
Isabel wanted to tell him how much these two weeks had meant to her. All those years working in the firm had drained her energy and lowered her self-esteem. Yet Luke and his staff in a matter of two weeks treated her as a prized possession and cherished her. She wanted to blurt out if it wasn’t for him, his company, the new job, and his wonderful staff, she would be at home curled up in a fetal position desperately hating her life. She wanted to say how safe and comfortable she felt. What this place was doing for her and how the change of lifestyle had made the greatest impact. That she was sleeping better, eating more and for the first time in a long time found meaning to her life. That she was beginning to find hope in her future. She wanted to say these things. Wanted someone other than her therapist and mother to know what she had lived through. But the pain was too strong to speak of. 

“Isabel?”
Luke’s brows drew together in confusion. He shuffled through his mind to recall any offensive statement he must have made but drew a blank. “Where did you go?” he saw the distant look in her eyes.

She
stared blankly at his face. “I’m very lucky to be here.” She whispered a hoarsely reply. Yes she was very fortunate indeed.
Fortunate to be alive
. She could feel the tears burning in her eyes and cursed herself for it. Since the beginning of the year she was on a train wreck of emotions crashing through every town of bad anxiety a person could feel and none of the stops had ever reached Happy Ville. But now she was overwhelmed with joy and relief. Stunned by how swiftly her life was changing and she feared that this too would soon come to an end.

Luke was lost for words. He slowly walked towards her, held a hand gently to her elbow and walked her towards his couch.
She looked as though any minute now she’ll break apart and begin crying. He lightly nudged her to sit and she complied. He walked over to his bar and poured her a tall glass of water. When he reached her again he noticed her face was pale and her hands were slightly shaking. He sat on his glass table directly across from her and held the glass to her lips urging her to drink. Once he set the glass down he took her hands inside his.

“Your hands are freezing.” He whispered. He rubbed his hands over hers to warm up her blood. When that didn’t help he brought them to his lips and blew warm breath to it. He lightly kissed her knuckles and set back to rubbing her hands.

The sweet gesture was what brought Isabel back to reality. Her therapist had told her at times during strong moments of emotion she tended to block herself out of reality to avoid experiencing mental pain. Her mental pain caused her physical torture and her brain involuntarily ordered her body to shut down. Stop her mind from thinking and her lungs from breathing. But Luke’s hands brought her back to consciousness. She quickly gasped forcing herself to breathe afraid if air didn’t hit her lungs soon she’d faint on him. She was alone with a man she barely knew on his territory and not an ounce of fear warned her to get the hell out. She didn’t fear him. In fact what scared her more was she was more drawn to him than ever before. She took desperate quick breaths urging her lungs to cooperate.

“It’s ok.” Luke murmured
and soothed. “Breathe slowly. You’re alright.”

“I’m sorry.”
She choked out. She shut her eyes furiously praying it would help hold back the tears.

“Don’t be.” He whispered back.
He was too puzzled for coherent words.
What the hell did he just witness? A panic attack? Why?
“What happened to you?” he finally asked.

“Bad things.”
She cried out.

Her words shocked him. He
wasn’t prepared for that answer. A thick wave of anger tightened his chest. He wanted to know who had hurt her and how they had done it. He wanted to hunt down the bastard who had inflicted pain upon her and make them suffer. He had never been this livid with frustration and rage. He fought back his own aggression. What she needed right now was help not a violent reaction from him to scare her more. And that’s exactly how Luke felt right now. Vicious towards anything who could have placed her in this position. His swift anger was so intensely deep it surprised and confused him.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as calmly as he could force him
self to. She only shook her head. He wouldn’t pressure her. That’s not what she needed. They sat there quietly for some time while Luke tried to rub some warmth into her lifeless hands until Isabel managed to collect herself. He told her he would take her home but she insisted on driving. She wouldn’t allow embarrassing herself any further. The least he could do was follow her home and he wouldn’t hear any argument about it. They pulled to the back street behind the house of her beach front home. She parked and got out quickly reaching Luke’s door before he could exit his car.

“Are you going to be all right?” he wanted to walk her to her door but could sense her hesitation. She was even avoiding looking into his eyes.
She shakily tugged her hair behind her ear numerous times.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you and I’m really sorry.” She managed to say.

Luke let out a harsh breath. He was the type of man who did not like complications and dark holes. He liked to know the truth right away. But he knew this wasn’t his place to pry. It was killing him to know the truth so he could help her but he wouldn’t push. “Anything you need at any time you let me know okay?” His voice was stern. It became quickly important for Luke to make her understand she could trust him. “Don’t ever hesitate to come to me.”

“I will.” She agreed. “Good night.” She walked inside her house, locked all the doors, turned on all her lights
and was thankful Luke waited until she was safely inside. She saw his headlights pull away and let out a shaky breath. She checked the locks again and went to soak her misery in a long hot bath.

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Luke stood inside the central ballroom of the Grand Hotel. He had greeted his guest
s and spoke to the chairman of the organization. His entire executive staff was present. All but Isabel.
Where the hell was she he thought?
She was supposed to be there half an hour ago. He didn’t care that his assistant was late. He more feared she might not be feeling well again. He shouldn’t have left her alone like that. She seemed unstable. But what other choice did he have? He couldn’t invite himself into her house and pry into the life of a woman he barely knew. He was supposed to keep a platonic business relationship with her. He debated about calling her when Linda passed by and he caught her arm.

             
“Linda have you seen Isabel?” he asked his chief editor.

             
“My my.  Is our prompt new assistant running late to her first B. Pentagon event?” Linda teased and earned a scolding look from Luke. “Relax I’m sure she’s on her way. Give the girl a break she’s probably lost, she’s new to town.”

             
Luke ran a hand through his hair. He was probably worried for no reason. She would call if she couldn’t make it. It wouldn’t be like Isabel to not show up.
Get a grip Brady.

             
“Besides,” Linda continued. “You have bigger issues to worry about.” She pointed her chin to the dark haired vixen who cat-walked her way towards Luke.

             
“Shit I forgot about Magda.” He let out a harsh breath.

             
“She’s a real pain in the ass Luke I really don’t know how you deal with her.” Linda shook her head.

             
“I invited her to this over a month ago. Dammit I completely forgot.”

             
“Well she apparently didn’t.” Linda mused. She couldn’t help but enjoy the annoyed look on Luke’s face. “Good thing you didn’t invite another date.”

             
He wanted to scold her again but couldn’t help and laugh. Last year’s event Rachel had an accidental mix up and sent the same invitation to two different women. He barely escaped the scandal by canceling on one of them last minute.

             
“This one really thinks she’s got you by the throat. Gloats about her dates with you everywhere she goes. She’s so sprung it’s pathetic.”

“Luke baby there you are.” Magda
walked right past Linda with no acknowledgement. She was in a fiery red silk dress pressed so tight against her body it left little to the imagination. She presented her cheek up to Luke and he lightly kissed it.

“You bailed on me last night.” She purred as
she pressed her body against his.

“I had something very important come up that required my full attention.” At least he wasn’t lying. He felt no remorse canceling on Magda to take care of Isabel.

“I was very lonely without you” she continued in a sexy playful voice.