Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 17

Business went on as usual.

I sold another property to high prospects, ran errands for Ethan and kept our relationship strictly professional in the face of everyone around us. When it was just us, we'd engage in some secretive acts in his office, the conference room and a quick one in the elevators after closing. I remembered what Donna said about the cameras. I was sure to give her a show each and every time her son wanted to fuck me.

On an early Thursday morning, the rain poured down from the sky. The raindrops were heavy and flooded the pavement. I changed from my heels to flats and entered the building in a rush. I thought I was going to get another scolding from Maudie before heading up to see what more I could do for Ethan, both professionally and personally, but this day was like no other.

My flats tapped on the polished floor, my breathing so rapid I could feel my heart through my throat as I made my way to the front desk where Maudie was glued to her phone.

"Don't get caught," I said to her. "You know how Ethan feels about cell phones on the job."

She looked up at me with bloodshot eyes like she hadn't slept a day. Her face was flushed with pink and her hands shook as she slowly set the phone down.

"Maudie," I said, alarmed. "Is everything okay?"

She turned pale and for a second I thought she was going to faint right in front of me. I couldn't tell if the water from her eyes were oncoming tears or not. I was in denial that Maudie exhibited any other emotion besides happiness. It felt so wrong seeing her in such distress and fear.

"Saffron," she said as her voice cracked with more tears streaming down her puffy cheeks. "Mr. Bradley would like to see you in his office."

"Why?"

"Now," she mouthed as another tear escaped from her eyes.

The agents in the lobby made minimal eye contact and they were huddled in a tight circle, whispering amongst themselves as I made it to the elevator.

Something strange was going on and the walk to Ethan's office seemed even longer than normal. It was like the hallway stretched further back with every step I took forward.

I noticed that the office door was cracked open and I let myself in, closing it behind.

"Ethan," I called out.

Ezra and Bronwyn were there, both looking strangely at me.

"You can go now," Ethan said to his siblings.

Ethan's head hung low and his back was turned to me. He didn't move until I stepped up from behind and put my hand on his shoulder.

The city noise was drowned out by the crackle of morning thunder. The perfect weather for bad news.

I tried to look for answers on his face but I couldn't read him. I just knew that something was wrong just by his body language, so cold and distant.

"Sit down," he said to me.

"I will stand."

"Saffron."

"Ethan, what's going on?"

I was becoming frustrated and Ethan could tell.

"I'm sorry," he started as he spoke of the news. "Something unspeakable has happened."

"Is it Bradley & Sons?" I asked.

Ethan sighed. "I should've called him like I promised you."

My heart sunk and the image of Mr. Humphrey and a fearful Noelle entered my mind.

"Ethan," I said, swallowing back the tears. "Where are the Humphrey's?"

He shook his head, letting out a soft sigh.

"Their house was broken into early this morning," he said. "Mr. Humphrey and Noelle were found deceased."

I nearly dropped to my knees. The sunken feeling in my chest brought the unwanted fear into my heart at the conversation I overheard between Mr. Humphrey and Noelle. Nothing could prepare me for the shock that came with the news. I no longer had control over my body. The emotions had taken over and I was sobbing into Ethan's arms.

He held me tight, rubbing my back and staying strong for the both of us but I could feel his body shaking with mine at the news that seemed unreal to the both of us.

"How could this happen?" I asked with a hoarseness in my throat.

"Listen," he said. "I wasn't exactly being honest with you, Saffron."

I pulled away, wiping a tear from my face and becoming more upset that I had gotten too involved in the life of Ethan Bradley than anything. If I had just focused on getting back my family's estate and nothing more, I wouldn't have endured the pain of losing the Humphrey's but there I was, torn over two people I would consider my close friends instead of acquaintances.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What were you not honest about?"

"The Humphrey's were a target," he explained. "A huge one."

"Why?" I asked. "Why didn't they take it seriously?"

"Mr. Humphrey didn't want Noelle to worry," he continued. "She didn't realize how serious this was until the night of Bronwyn's birthday bash."

"Mr. Humphrey had plans on leaving town," he continued. "Unfortunately, they were too late."

"I can't believe this," I said, finally taking a seat when my legs couldn't hold me up any longer. My entire body felt numb and I couldn't feel anything but pain in my heart.

"Mr. Humphrey feared for his life," Ethan said. "I should've done more for them."

He balled up his fist, his face washed with rage at the thought of not doing enough. He continued to pace the floor, the buildup of anger was ever most present and I had never seen him in that way. It was almost frightening.

"Ethan," I started, hoping the sound of my voice would keep him in a state of calm.

"I should've done something!" he yelled as he flipped over the chess board and its pieces with a pawn rolling across the floor. "I could've protected them, Saffron."

This time, I was the one comforting him. I wrapped my arms around his body, feeling his chest heave up and down as he breathed heavily into my neck.

"Ethan," I said. "All we can do now is to protect ourselves and your business."

We stayed in each other's arms, his eyes lost in mine as he reached up to touch my face like it was the first time. His thumb grazed my bottom lip as I closed my eyes, welcoming the distraction we so badly needed but knew that it wouldn't be the right time.

Ethan pulled away and I let out the breath I was holding.

All of a sudden, it was like he had transformed back to his old self.

"Ms. Hastings," he began as he paced the office floor. "I need you to block out my entire schedule for the next week or two."

I quickly flipped open the planner, getting back into my own role.

"What's the occasion?" I asked.

"Book a suite at the Strawberry Chateau Villa," he said. "Two suites."

"Two?"

"You're coming with me," he said. "I can't leave you here."

I closed the planner.

"And what about your other agents?" I asked. "You can't just leave the rest of them here to fend for themselves."

"I have it under control," he said. "This entire building will be secure even if I have to get the authorities involved."

"What about their homes?" I asked. "And their families?"

"Trust me, Saffron," he said with apologetic eyes. "They'll be fine."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"Because," he started. "They're not after my agents."