Falling for a Storm

Chapter 14: Liam

Uncle Aidan, Ronnie, Damien, and I are sitting in my office after work just talking when Aidan gets a call. From the look on his face we all quiet down and listen in.

Lexi is calling him. I don't know how to feel, happy she is reaching out, sad it isn't me she called, shocked she sounds so detached. Aidan mutes the call when she talks about the issue she is having with selling the business. Dammit she is still trying to respect our families wishes. I tell him to have her send the contract. When they hang up Aidan looks at me like he was kicking himself.

The contract comes in right after the phone call and I feel like the biggest piece of shit ever. The only terms included protecting the employees and leaving her out of everything. It wants to protect us from the lie of Sabastian.

Damien speaks up, "Why would she include not expanding here? Why would a tech company care to be here?"

"Because it's what I said to her in the meeting. The family hadn't known the truth about Cara's accident. It's why I tell you not to act out of emotion. You can say or do things you can't take back." Aidan told his son.

"We buy the company, make it run independently and just give support when needed. Let them keep their name." Ronnie states.

"Agreed." Both Aidan and I say.

"Tell the Board." I look at Aidan, "We do it tonight."

When I get home I hear my phone ping from a text, looking at the name 'Lexi's Top' I get hopeful opening the message my hope falls. Maybe she just hasn't been informed we are talking to the Board. I know Aidan didn't call her back before we left the office.

I am sitting in my office staring at her signature when my phone starts ringing,

"This is Liam McHayes." I answer.

"Boy have you not talked to Lexi?" Mr. Williams.

"She hasn't reached out. Well she did last night before she was informed the firm was buying Wolf Enterprise but I haven't heard from her since she signed the contract." I tell him.

"So you don't know she came back today?" He asks me.

"No! She is home?" I question. She is back? When did she get back?

"Yeah I just dropped her off. She doesn't look right. And she isn't herself...I'm worried about her." Mr. Williams trailed off.

"What do you mean she doesn't look right?" I question.

"Pale, like she hasn't had anything to eat since I saw her a month ago."

"I'm leaving the office now. Maybe I can help." I tell him.

I shoot a text to Ronnie telling him I'm leaving for the day to not bother me unless it's life or death. Then I rush to my truck, breaking almost every speed limit to get to her. I'm worried with her here that she will just pack up and disappear. I know she only came for Judge, but she needs to know I care about her. I want a real chance with her.

When I pull up I see the front door is open, as I make my way up the stairs I see through the screen door she is sitting in that hallway with the trunk open reading a piece of paper tears falling down her cheeks that are sunken in. Mr. Williams wasn't exaggerating; she looks so pale, I can see the dark bags under her eyes. My eyes fill with tears seeing her. A month ago when I saw the life in her die I never would have thought she would look so broken now. Even Judge is focused on her, he hasn't alerted her that I'm here. What should I say? Then I hear what one could only explain as a wounded animal screaming out in pain, to know it came from Lexi crumbles me to pieces.

"Lexi?" I whisper.

She snaps her head to me, tears pouring out her eyes that look almost lifeless. I take a sharp breath before saying, "What's wrong Lexi?"