Chapter 41

Chapter 41

“I’m so sorry,” Mandy said. “I had no idea.”

He shrugged. “Now you do. So, don’t ask me to be sympathetic to my family. They are better off without me, and I’m better off without them.” He reached for his glass and pointed the rim in her direction. “It’s similar to your family, in a way. Your sister’s a spoiled little bitch who your mother can’t stop trying to polish and shine. Only difference is that you handle it a lot better than me.”

“Hardly,” said Mandy and traced the wood grains on the table with her finger. “I’ve pretty much been a wet blanket all my life. I tried to bend to my family’s wishes and whim. Heck, I even got fired from my sister’s maid of honor position. Not demoted to bridesmaid, but basically kicked out of the wedding.”

Carl’s head snapped up. “What?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It only happened on Friday, not exactly news to share at a work brunch.”

“Oh shit!” Carl ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Mandy. That’s all my fault.”

“No, it’s not. I didn’t do what they wanted and my sister freaked out. I’m finally getting some backbone. That’s because of my job. I should be thanking you.” She tried to smile, but the disappointment of not meeting her sister’s expectations hurt more than she thought it had.

“I was trying to make things better and instead I screwed it all up again.”

“What do you mean?” Mandy had no idea what Carl was talking about.

“I couldn’t get over how Stephen had assaulted you in the parking lot and I was worried he would do it again. Since he’s marrying your sister, he’ll always be in your life, and the last thing I want is for something like that to happen again when I’m not around to protect you.”

“What did you do?” Mandy whispered. Her heart rate sputtered and belted out a rapid rhythm.

“I threatened Stephen.” Carl looked at her, anger blazing in his eyes from the memory. “I told him that if he didn’t stay away from you, or if he made you uncomfortable in any way, I was going to wreck his father’s company. I could buy it way below its real value and then rip it apart and make sure no one would even know that it had existed. Not only would it destroy his father’s lifework, but it would kick Stephen out of his easy and comfortable lifestyle effectively. I think he told your sister to kick you out of the wedding.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry, Mandy. I was trying to help. I’ll fix it, okay? I’ll explain it all to Claudiaand—”

“No.” Mandy shook her head, smiling suddenly. She couldn’t help but feel proud and oddly excited at the thought of Carl threatening Stephen to protect her. She knew a cold-hearted move like that could ruin his reputation if the press got the right spin on it. But he was willing to do it to protect her? “I didn’t want the maid of honor job anyway. It was exhausting work and I had to deal with Christine’s nagging, and for what? An ugly, size-six mermaid gown? It definitely isn’t worth it.” She chuckled again. “Did you really threaten Stephen?” When he nodded, she continued, “It was really sweet that you did that on my behalf.”

Carl smiled hesitantly. “Really sweet? I was kind of thinking it was barbaric and manly.”

“Yes,” she laughed. “Very barbaric and tough and monster-like. You probably shouldn’t have, but I appreciate you risking your reputation on your assistant.”

Carl grabbed her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckle, which made Mandy’s heart stutter again. “I would follow through, in a heartbeat,” he said. “You matter more to me than just about anything else.”

Mandy swallowed. They were crossing a line she wasn’t sure they should cross, or even sure if they’d already crossed it.

Carl seemed to realize it as well at the same time. He straightened suddenly and dropped her hand. “I mean, I’d be lost without you as my assistant. Nobody can do what you do. I’d never be able to hire someone else because they don’t exist. You’re like part superwoman or something.” He grinned, but it looked forced.

Maybe Mark had been right about his brother’s feelings after all. But thinking about Mark reminded her why they were there. “What’re you planning to do about your family?”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as if he suddenly had a bad headache. “I’ll go to see them,” he said finally.

“You will?” She couldn’t hide the relief in her voice.

“But only if you come with me.” He shocked her with his words. “You’re the only person I trust with this information. We can continue to work and make sure the company runs smoothly.”

He had somehow managed to turn this personal trip into something business related. She understood his reasoning, but was unsure if she could keep her feelings just business. However, he needed her. It terrified and exhilarated her at the same time. She would never understand why he had so much faith in her. “Okay.” Mandy nodded slowly. “I’ll go. Mark said they still were at the same address an—”

“I know the place.” Carl reached for his beer and and took one last gulp of all of it.