In Pursuit of Justine

Chapter 14

Justine

I arrived at my old apartment in the Bronx, that I shared with Kim. She was so happy to see me and that I was doing well. "Look at you all dressed up, you don't look like you're from this neighborhood anymore. You even have fancy luggage. You're nuts to come back here." Kim grabbed me in an embrace, as she shook her head.

"Thank you Kim, I can't believe it's me when I look in the mirror. My life has been so different since the day Brandon came looking for me. I went and fell in love with the man—I'm a glutton for punishment." I sat down on the sofa and sighed heavily.

"Your knight in shining armor will come after you again, from what you've told me about him. He'll be here by tonight, if he's not here already." Kim moved the curtain to look out of the window.

"I'm going to work at the Bar and Grill tonight. I called my old boss to get my waitress job back. If Brandon gets here, he may miss me." I looked at my watch.

I left the apartment and went outside to catch a cab to my job. I was working at the restaurant from 6 pm to closing. I hadn't been a waitress in a while.

"Well, look who came back. I've missed you sweetheart." John McKay pulled his car up, parking beside where I stood on the sidewalk. A cold chill went through me.

He followed me in his car, as I quickly picked up my walking pace to almost a slow jog.

"I'm on my way to work, I don't have time to chitchat with you. Just leave me alone. I already told you, I'm not helping with your schemes against the Corwins!" I kept my feet moving forward, and did not turn to face him.

Then I heard the sound of the engine cease.

He got out of the car, and obstructed my path. "Is that any way to talk to your father? I have been searching high and low for you. Imagine my surprise when I heard you were being guarded by the Corwins, and are testifying against me in my lawsuit?"

"We've been down this road before, my dear daughter. Let's not repeat this again." He stared.

I stood courageously. "I'm not afraid of you and I could care less about your lawsuit. I'm tired of running Dad, you can handle this matter on your own. You don't need me."

He let out peels of laughter. "Listen at you—you're not afraid of me? You are a firecracker and now, you really sound like my daughter."

"I will get my money. I suggest that you refuse to testify against your dear father. I won't let you stand in my way this time, Justine." All he talks about is money.

I heard footsteps behind me on the sidewalk. "Is there a problem, Mr. McKay?" Brandon's rich baritone question was music to my ears.

"If it isn't Brandon Corwin, Attorney at Law? There's no problem at all. I was just having a friendly father/daughter conversation." My father motioned innocently.

"Well, your father/daughter conversation is now over. If you would like to speak to my client in the future—you will do so through me. Are we clear Mr. McKay?" Brandon stood between my father and I—blocking any further discussion.

Did he just call me his client? The way he stood so heroically between me and my father, sigh. He exuded strength and masculinity for days—he looked so dashing.

"You Corwins are so bossy. Just tell your brothers to have my check ready—pay to the order of cash." He got in his car and drove away.

I've never been so relieved to see Brandon's stunning face.

"What were you thinking when you left my mother's house, Justine?" Brandon raked his hand through his hair.

"Hello Corwin, I'm fine thank you for asking. How are you? Someone really needs to teach you manners!" I fired back at him.

His eyes grew large. "I came here to pick you up. I find you on the sidewalk talking to John McKay. You are on the run from him . . . remember?" He angled his brow. "And you want to talk about my manners? Please forgive me, Milady." His jaw tightened.

"Honestly Corwin, thank you for your intervention. You have to stop getting so worked up. I see you are back in the private investigation business." My voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I'm on my way to work, I got my old waitress job back. Can you give me a ride to work?" I was really pushing his buttons now, and I loved every single second of it.

Brandon had a burning fury in his eyes. "I'm going to say this one time, so listen carefully. We are going inside of your former apartment building and getting your suitcases. We will say goodbye to your former roommate and put your bags in my car. Next, you will call your former job and quit. I'm taking you back home to my mother's house—there will be no negotiations." He enunciated his little speech very clearly, and my heart began to pitter patter.

"I will agree to all of that on one condition." I held up my pointer finger in his line of sight.

"I just said there are no negotiations! What didn't you—" Now, he was beyond exasperated with me.

"I will stay at your mother's house, if you promise to read bedtime stories to Liliana. She was so upset and disappointed, she went back home." I looked up at him, waiting for his reply. "You can go to her house and invite her to come back." I had to throw that in. I knew that would really get him going.

I probably missed him reading bedtime stories at night, more than Liliana. His voice was like a soothing balm for me, as he read. Something I missed out on as a child. . . .

"Justine, I just sent a text to my brother, Alex . . . Liliana will be back to stay for the rest of August. I will read every night to both of you." He held his anger in check, biting his tongue.

"Have I finally satisfied all of your wishes, my queen? Now can we please get this show on the road?" Poor Brandon spoke with such irritation, as he shoved his cellphone in his suit pocket.

I have to hold back my desire to laugh, hysterically. He is so cute and at the end of his rope with me—but I won, this round.

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