Paragon

Chapter 12

I'm in better spirits the next morning, pleased to be bringing Stellan into work. I beam over at him, clasping his hand confidently as we walk up the steps towards the glass building. He's dazzling in a blue suit- one of the few he owns. I'm going to have to find a way to get him to go shopping one of these days. That should be something.

I rub his arm encouragingly with my other hand, knowing he's incredibly uncomfortable. There are paparazzi on the east side of the building, snapping photos of us. I try to look at relaxed and happy as I can.

"I'm going to show you the office and the ropes for the morning and Oli will come down for the rest of the day- she knows a lot about the different locations working with the design department. She's been to every location so she'll be a good person to ask questions to."

"Are you going to be here all day?"

"I have a meeting downtown at noon but I'll be back by 1:30. I was thinking we could get lunch?"

He nods, opening the door to the building for me. "Alright-"

"Iris?"

I turn at the sound of my mother's voice, surprised that I didn't even think she'd be here. I gape slightly and look her over. She's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, looking young as ever except she has a blackened eye that's partially concealed by a Yankees baseball cap. Wide-eyed, I look over to an equally shocked Stellan. He lets go of the door and comes by me as I meet her gaze again.

"What happened to you, Vivienne?"

"Someone broke into my hotel room... Knocked me out."

"What? When?"

"The day after I spoke to you- told you about that girl."

I close my eyes tightly. Shit. They know she gave me the information.

Lowering my voice, I whisper, "Do you know who it was?"

"No, they were wearing masks. They knocked me out when I opened the door and rummaged the room- it looked like a fucking storm had blown through."

"Did they take anything?"

"I don't think so. I don't have anything they could have wanted."

Stellan speaks up. "They wouldn't take anything but what they were looking for- to ensure she wouldn't call the police."

I gape at her. "You didn't?"

"What would I have said? That men I can't identify broke into my room and stole nothing? Or that I gave you information about Vance Waters and people are coming after me? They would have laughed in my face."

"You should have called me," I state, pressing my lips together disapprovingly.

"I called your assistant, the one that hates me- she wouldn't tell me anything except that you weren't in the office."

Glancing over at Stellan, I raise my brows and I get a nod back. Moving forward, I lower my voice. "My driver, Eric, is over by that limo on the curb. Go to him and he will take you to my home. I will be by after my meeting at noon."

She smiles, tearfully. "... You're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Thank you... Iris."

"He will be with you the entire time," I warn, nodding. "Go now- they're probably seeing this."

She turns and I pull out my cell, turning. Stellan's hand presses against my back as we turn back around, entering the crowded building.