Page 90 of Organized Chaos
“Are you going to answer my question?” he finally prodded, shoulders tensing under his jacket.
I smiled sadly, hoping to dismiss this topic. “Why are you suddenly so curious about my future?”
“Because I needed to understand how much of what you shared that weekend was true.”
I frowned. “I have already answered your question. Your turn.”
“My turn?”
I waved my hand like it was obvious. “Diabolical plan.”
He opened his mouth but tensed when my phone buzzed, alerting me that a text had come through. My phone was in Brandon’s pocket. I thought he might still hold it hostage, but he fished it out and handed it over.
Bitch Nanny #4: On my way.
I refused to dignify the spies Milo sent as anything more than Bitch Nannies 1 through 5 on my phone. It was beyond frustrating to spend the majority of my time alone yet have invisible strings control my every move.
By far, Claire (Nanny #4) was my least favorite. On the nights she came over to “check on Mom,” she’d snoop through my room and confiscate my weed even though I had a prescription for it.
More than once, I had to sneak into the near-abandoned house on our block and hide my weed. If I wasn’t at home, as listed on my calendar, she’d call Milo to rat me out.
I sprang to my feet. “I have to go.”
It was moments before Brandon reacted to my announcement. He appeared to be biting his tongue, and I half expected him to argue. Instead, he pushed his chair back. Reaching into his wallet, Brandon threw two twenty-dollar bills on the table.
I gathered my things from the back of the chair, though faintly aware that he was rounding the table, his frame steadily gaining distance.
He had gone to extensive lengths to secure a private conversation, the type of investment he generally reserved for his most VIP clients. Obviously, he had brought me here for a purpose. A man of Brandon’s stature wouldn’t have taken such measures otherwise. I had a gut feeling that I wouldn’t be leaving this place without hearing it.
Only when I realized he was much too close for comfort did the clutter-free room suddenly appear claustrophobic. Ignoring his looming presence, I fiddled with the lining of my bag instead.
He nodded at the phone in my hand. “That boy you were speaking to, Chris Allen. Who is he?” he asked with a straightforwardness that turned my blood cold.
I instantly sought to retort that it was none of his business. However, since it was my first impulse, it likely wasn’t a tactful approach.
My eyes raked over Brandon's face to understand the purpose behind his inquiry. “A boy from church.” The whole truth was awfully detail-oriented. And I couldn’t disclose Chris’ truth, especially since he had never explicitly disclosed it himself.
“A boy who’s interested in you?” he alleged in a deceptively even tone.
I closed my eyes and prayed for patience against Brandon’s massive ego. He expected me to become an old cat lady because he found me repulsive? Whatever game he was cooking up, I had no interest in playing.
My eyes flew open when he yanked at my braid. A silent reminder that he wasn’t going anywhere without an answer.
“If Chris were to have any interest in me, he’s entitled to those feelings.”
For a moment, Brandon said nothing else. I would have considered his reaction anti-climactic were it not for the fact that anger was straining through every one of his taut muscles. And he was a little too quiet.
Some said no news was good news. I disagreed. The quietest men in my world were the most ruthless ones. Lack of a knee-jerk reaction was always foreboding to something worse. I could no longer hear anyone else in the café either. All the patrons must have predicted the same ominous threat and cleverly scattered.
“For his own good, I hope that isn’t true.” His strangely soft voice did nothing to fool me. Brandon’s callous threat was very clear. Snippets of dark emotions leaked out of his stoic, blank eyes.
“Chris is just a friend,” I said hurriedly.
Brandon scoffed like he didn’t believe me, and that’s when I realized he already knew the truth. “Then you’re going to tell him it’s a friendship you are no longer able to maintain.”
Fumes bubbled from my insides. It wasn’t enough to berate me and burn my book to scraps. Now he was showing up unannounced and acting like my keeper. Even the newly diplomatic Mia had her limits.
“Go to hell. You don’t get to dictate my life after realizing there’re other men out there. And believe it or not, I don’t even have to trick any of them into sleeping with me.”
