Page 46 of Truth

Chapter Fourteen

Stephan

Monday hadn’t gone as planned, and Tuesday wasn’t shaping up to be much better. It seemed every time I turned around something needed my attention. There was also the process of introducing the new CFO to his job and the other employees. After going through all the feedback from the board on Monday morning, I’d called and officially offered him the job with a bonus if he could start immediately. Lucky for me, he accepted.

Michael James spent the morning with Human Resources going through his contract and all the necessary paperwork, while Jamie and I tried to get his office in order. Jamie made sure everything was clean and that Michael had the office supplies he needed, while I organized spreadsheets and reports to make it a little easier for him. The other executives and I had been trying to keep up with the workload, but we’d only been able to deal with the most pressing issues. Michael would have plenty to keep him busy when he finally sat down in his office.

At lunch, I spent some time in the gym before calling Brianna to see how things were going. Hearing her voice always brightened my day, and this time wasn’t any different. She was currently reading a book about a man who’d left his home on a ranch to go in search of a bride in the big city. I’d noticed that as we’d become more intimate, she’d begun to pick up more romance-driven books. Of course, Lily had also brought a stack with her the last time she’d come to visit—something I’d not realized until one night when I’d seen Brianna reading a book I hadn’t recognized as being from my library.

We spoke until Jamie buzzed, letting me know I had a call. Regretfully, I said good-bye and let her get back to her book.

I picked up line one. “Stephan Coleman.”

“Stephan, it’s Oscar,” my lawyer answered.

Taking a seat at my desk, I reached for a pen. “Tell me you have good news.”

“I have good news. I was able to get a judge to approve a restraining order against Jonathan Reeves. They’re planning to serve him with it today at the motel where he’s been staying.”

“Good. The sooner the better.”

“I agree. If what you’ve told me is true, he needs to be kept as far away from his daughter as possible.”

“Are you doubting me, Oscar?” I asked, joking. I knew he wasn’t, but I couldn’t resist commenting on his wording.

Oscar didn’t answer immediately. “No. I’m not doubting you.” He paused again. “I’ve known you for a long time, Stephan. Since you were in diapers. I don’t ever think you’ve joked with me once in all those years. It’s good to hear, and I can only guess it’s because of Miss Reeves.”

I leaned back in my leather chair and smiled. “I love her.”

He sighed. “Stephan, I love hearing you so happy, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t voice my concerns. Hearing you talk about Brianna Reeves, saying you love her... if it were anyone else, I’d be thrilled. But as your lawyer, I have to be upfront and honest with you. This is dangerous. Very dangerous. Especially with you going after Pierce.”

“I know the risks, Oscar.”

“I don’t think you do,” he said, interrupting me. “You are clearly involved with this girl. And considering you’re a healthy twenty-four-year-old man, I’m not going to even pretend to assume it’s platonic. Do you have any idea what a prosecuting attorney could do with that information? I’m a good lawyer, Stephan, but even I can’t work miracles.”

“I won’t walk away from her, Oscar. That’s not up for negotiation.”

“I’m not telling you to. What I am saying is stop putting your sausage into her honeypot.”

His voice was forceful and meant to drive home his point, but his choice of wording made it impossible to take him seriously. I understood what he was saying. I did. But that wouldn’t change anything. As long as it was what Brianna wanted, I wouldn’t change anything. Not even if it meant having to stare down the proverbial barrel of a gun.

“I appreciate the advice.”

He sighed.

“I might as well be talking to a brick wall, right?”

I chuckled. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” I heard some movement on his end. “Just be careful, all right? From what you’ve told me, this girl is vulnerable. The right attorney could work that in their favor. Who knows, Miss Reeves might even turn on you herself given the correct motivation.”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m not saying she would,” he said, defending himself. “I’m just saying I know some crafty lawyers out there who, with a little incentive—like, say, lots of media coverage—could spin this into a front-page story and launch a political career. All I’m saying is be careful. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Oscar.”

He sighed again, and I could almost see him shaking his head at my words.

---