Part 46: Over Her Head-1

Lucy crept silently from her bed in the darkness. The only light in her room was from a tiny crack under the door and she wanted to keep it that way. She didn't want them to know she was up. Quietly, she got her purse and climbed back into bed. She didn't know who to call or what to do. Technically, he hadn't broken any laws — yet. She needed information before she decided on her next move, and she needed it fast. The light from her phone stung her eyes and she quickly switched it to night mode, turning the brightness way down. She also placed it on silent. The first thing she wanted to know was whether the social media team were really on a flight to Lex's villa. With a sinking sensation, she checked Twitter and stifled a gasp. They were most definitely not on a plane; they were drowning their sorrows in a local dive bar. "FIRED!" the caption read, under a photo of her hard-working staff hoisting beers and mugging for the cameras to hide their disappointment. He fired the team. All of them. She couldn't call anyone; it was the middle of the night back in New York and besides, she didn't want to be overheard. If she had any advantage at all in the situation it was finding out what she could and hiding what she knew. Lucy sent a message to the group text to see if anyone was up. She was shocked by the response she got back from Salem. "Thanks a fucking lot, Lucy. You got what you wanted; I hope you're very happy with your new team." "What are you talking about," she texted back. "I'm heading back to Nova Scotia, what's going on?" She resisted the urge to use all caps, fear and rage twisting in her belly. "Sure, we know the truth. Have a great celebration in Italy." Divide and conquer; that was part of Brady's game. She wasn't going to let him. "LB offered the VP job, I didn't take it. You HAVE to believe me." She saw the three little dots indicating that Salem was writing back, but then nothing for what seemed like forever. Despite the chill in her room, she was starting to sweat. Finally, the text arrived. "I believe you. r u with him?" "No. Should I be scared?" "If the rumours r true, yes" Salem texted, confirming Lucy's fears. "Do u want me to call 911?" "Not yet," Lucy texted. "I will get on a plane back to NYC as soon as we land. I'm sorry and thanks." "Be careful, girl. He crazy." Her next emojis were hearts and kisses. "Text if u need me." "I will," she texted. She had a sudden, irrational fear that she was being watched. Grateful for the cover of darkness, she pulled the blankets over her head and began an internet search. It didn't take her long to confirm that she truly was in deep shit. There was only one person who could help her now; he would know what to do. She prayed to God she could reach him. ___________________________ Lucy had never been so tired in all her life. The two of them came up with the plan at about 3 a.m., a time when all rational thought went out the window. It felt like it could work at the time, but in the cold light of day now seemed completely foolish. But law enforcement was involved, she had pulled the trigger on that. There was no going back. "Good morning," she said brightly, shaking like a leaf the whole time she walked down the aisle to her seat. She tried to keep her voice as normal as possible. "Did you sleep? Coffee and breakfast are on the way." Lex was already in a crisp navy suit without a hair out of place, working on his laptop with a folded newspaper on the table in front of him. As she sat down, she noticed him swipe the paper off the table and quickly place it in his computer bag. Don't bother, motherfucker. I'm on to you. She gripped her purse, placing it on the seat beside her. "Great, I'm starved." "So, you slept well then?" "Like a baby," she said with a smile. He gave her a stern look. "Lucy, you can drop the charade." He knew; the whole plan was ruined. She looked around frantically. Guess it was going to be the backup plan of trying to find something to stab him with. "What do you mean, Lex?" She tried her best to sound innocent, grateful that Kurt had arrived with coffee. She accepted a steaming cup, trying to hide the tremor in her hand. "You don't exactly have the best poker face, Lucy. Don't lie to me, you didn't sleep at all last night. I heard you moving around at all hours, I assume you were worried about Quinn?" He smiled.