Bishops Move

7. Bishop

"Come in" Maisie called and I watched as Cressida entered, her gaze finding me before skittering away to Maisie and focussing there. I knew she was shutting me out and I couldn't blame her but it still made me want to growl at her.

As I watch she steps further into the room, Maisie starts to get up but Cressida rushes forward at her slow progress.

"Mrs Breitmeyer, thank you very much for this opportunity" she rushes out holding her hand out and grasping Maisie's, her voice soft and again I feel my body react to the sound.

"Call me Maisie and your Cressida, or do you prefer Cressy?" Mai smiles at her.

'"Cressy" she agrees.

"I hear you've met Bishop" I groan silently as Mai brings her attention formally to me.

"Yes, we met downstairs" she whispers out, her gaze again finding me before she flushes and looks away.

"Good, good" Maisie laughs, turning to face me "Out Bishop, I will let you know when I'm done, close the door behind you" her eyes narrow at me, warning me not to argue and I incline my head in a slight nod, leaving the room with one last glance back at Cressy.

Emily and Jamison were stood in the hallway just outside, both looking protective and I could understand why. "Can I talk to you?" I ask Emily, looking at her before looking past her at Jamison. he nodded, they had expected I would have questions.

"Please Emily tell me what you know about her" I ask as Jamison guides us into a side office, leaning against the wall, as Emily sat down, raking her hand through her hair.
'It's complicated Bishop, she hasn't had an easy life and really, it's her story" I can see she wants to tell me but knows Cressy may not want me to know.
"Please Emily, just...I saw the report but I need the basics. I will wait for her to tell me the rest, but I just don't want to upset her or scare her away"

Jameson's arm comes round Emily and with a little squeeze Emily started talking, her voice almost monotone as she explains a little about my beauty.
"And her parents?" I finally ask, my gaze straying to the door, knowing she is just two doors down but frustrated she is out of sight.
'"Dead both of them, and a good job too, after what they did to her, it's only what they deserve" Emily bites out, sad satisfaction in her voice.
"So she's alone" I ask softly, my mind racing off about what that means to her and to me.
"No Bishop, she's not alone she has me and Lana, both of us will protect her no matter what"

I lean back in my chair and contemplate everything, she has just told me, my heart aching and wanting to get up and go and find her, but knowing she was still with Maisie and safe made me feel better.
"Do you trust me with her" I ask Emily, recognising I would need her support and watch the complicated emotions across her face
"I don't know Bishop, what do you want from her?" She asks her gaze holding mine.
"Everything" I reply without thinking but knowing it's the truth.

"That's crazy, you don't know her and she doesn't know you" Emily states, turning to glare at Jamison as he huffs at her words.

"Look at us" he reminds her and she shakes her head.

"That's different" she mutters blushing.

"Em, I have to tell you, its not.  I watched Maisie and the boys, it took one look, I have seen others in the family fall the same way. I found you and with just one look you were in my mind" he glances up at me. "I bet its the same for him, she's in his head"

"She is" I admit softly.  "I didn't come to London looking for a woman, in fact the thought of finding someone I would want to share the rest of my life with was the furthest thing in my mind, but I saw her at the airport, she drew my eye and I tried to help without getting involved.  I sent over security, but since then she has flashed through my mind and seeing her here, seeing part of her story in her background check... I want to know more, I want to know everything, but not from a report but from her"

"She may not get the job" Emily points out and its my turn to snort.

"You know she will, Maisie had already made up her mind before she knew I was interested, Mai will offer her the job and her friendship, she will make sure Cressy knows it has nothing to do with me and I know Mai won't let me get close, if its not what Cressy wants" I pause, not knowing if I should tell her what Maisie is going to offer... "Mai is going to ask her to go to Greystones, to catalogue the library as her first job, Mary will look after her and I will be there to help, if she needs it"

I watch the expressions race across Emily's face, Jamison silent at her side as he waits for Emily to speak. "To Scotland?" she whispers out. "She would be there for a while?"

"Yes"

Emily straightens her back "Good, she will be safe there... I need you to make sure her ex boss is charged for hitting her"

"Of course, give me the details and I will make a statement"

"And..." she pauses, her gaze going to the door and I can see she is unsure.

"Emily, I want to help" I reassure her.

"Her landlord is creepy, I think he is borderline stalking her, when she was last at her flat after the airport incident, he was in there and it wasn't the first time.  He also keeps calling her, I know she is declining the calls but its every day, I've see her do it... He needs to stop.  If she takes the job, she will need to go back to the flat to pack it up.  My gut is telling me that would be a bad thing"

I watch as Jamison holds her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "We can deal with that Em, you should have told me" he lightly scolds her and I watch as her eyes narrow on him.

"I can't run to you for everything" she snaps out and he holds her gaze till she starts to fidget under the intense look.  I bit my inner cheek to stop the laugh that wants to come out.

"Bishop and I will deal with the landlord, you can focus on Cressy." he tells her and she nods, her face now fiery red as she whispers out "Thank you"