Page 106 of The Forbidden
The silence isn’t just hers either. Its fifty percent of the Lauder family. Harrison hasn’t spoken a word to me since I walked out of his apartment. My best friend is giving me the silent treatment. It’s the longest we’ve gone without speaking since we both learned to talk. I can’t even blame him. His sisterwas off limits. And I crossed the only line he ever drew in the sand.
But Harrison doesn’t get it. Maybe things with Anais started off causally, but that’s not what it is anymore. The woman managed to achieve the impossible. Somehow, she broke through my defenses, crawled her way into my chest and carved a place for herself inside me. Like a determined little thief, she stole my heart and made it hers. With a hint of alarmandresignation, I realize I don’t want it back. It belongs to her now. She can keep the beating organ in my chest. Every single beat belongs to her and always will.
The door swinging open drags me from my turmoil. I don’t need to look up to know it’s my father. He’s the only person in this building that would walk in without knocking.
“Son,” he greets, confirming what I already knew.
Sighing, I drag a hand across my jaw, the usual need to berate him for barging in here nowhere to be seen. “Dad.” When I finally meet his gaze, I pause at the stern expression on his face. He lowers himself into one of my visitor chairs, his brow arched in silent question. “What?” I snap, suddenly feeling like all the air is being sucked out of the room.
“You know damn well what,” he shoots back, his voice is laced with irritation. “What the hell happened between you and Anais?” he demands, and from his tone I know he expects answers. “And don’t you dare give me that, ‘she’s sick’ excuse. Because I’ve seen her and I know it’s bullshit. You look like crap. And so does she.”
I perk up at that information. “You’ve seen her?”
He nods curtly. “Yes. Now tell me what happened.”
Groaning, I lean back in my chair, reaching up and running a hand through my hair. It’s better to get this over with. My father won’t leave this office until he has the answers he’s looking for. I have always been open and honest with mydad, so I’m not sure why it’s so difficult to talk about this. Maybe because of their familial relationship?
“We had a…thing,” I start, but he cuts me off.
“You were sleeping with Anais,” he says flatly, getting straight to the point. He glares at me, running a hand through his own hair. “Jesus.”
Irritated, I glower. My father has always been blunt. And honestly, I wouldn’t want him any other way. I’m the same. Everything I’ve learned, all that I am, is because of this man.
“Yeah,” I admit quietly.
“For someone who was so insistent on the company’s no-fraternization policy, you sure didn’t follow it,” he deadpans, shooting me a sardonic look.
“Don’t I fucking know it,” I grumble, blowing out a breath.
He motions for me to continue. “So, what happened?”
“Harrison happened.” His brows furrow in confusion, so I clarify. “I guess you could say we had a pact. No touching each other’s sisters. I broke that. And to make it worse, I didn’t tell him until he’d worked it out himself.” I groan, feeling like an idiot.
Dad sighs, eyeing me carefully. “The elevator, that was for her?” I nod, confirming what he already knows. “And the necklace, you bought it for Anais, correct?” My jaw flexes but once again, I nod. He exhales, nodding. “You’re in love with her,” he states. His expression is neutral and free of judgment.
Swallowing down the emotion in my throat, I rasp. “Yeah. Yes, I am.” Dad chuckles and I glare, not finding any amusement in the situation. “What’s so fucking funny?” I grit out through clenched teeth.
He smirks. “Because all I’ve ever wanted for my children is for them to find the kind of love I have with your mother. Both your sisters found it, albeit with men they probablyshouldn’t have.” His sigh is loud. “But how can I deny them true love? It would make me a hypocrite.” His eyes drill into mine. “And now my son, the one who, only a couple months ago, swore he’d never fall in love… has fallen in love. With my goddaughter no less.” He chuckles, before his expression sobers. “Son, that girl has been in love with you for years. Anyone with eyes could see it.” I listen intently, suddenly aware that Anais has never been subtle about her feelings for me. “Harrison will come around eventually. He has to. But I’m telling you now,” his gaze hardens. “You fight for her. You fight for that girl every day for the rest of your life if you have to. Once in a lifetime love only comes around once and when it does, you take it in your hands, and you hold onto it with all you are. You hear me?”
Mulling over his words, I let them sink in. He’s right, but there’s one problem… “She won’t talk to me,” I admit.
Dad chuckles, shaking his head. “Come on, Evan. I taught you better than that. You fight for her. Show her she’s worth it.”
“How?” I arch a brow.
He rises out of his chair, smoothing a hand down his tie and pinning me with a look. “We all know that girl is stubborn, and honestly, you could do with both humbling and the challenge, so I hope she doesn’t make it easy for you.” He smirks, and I shoot him a glare. “You have to work for it son. Show her what she means to you.”
“And if it doesn’t work?” I murmur, my chest tightening to the point of pain.
“Well, then you storm her apartment, throw her over your shoulder and lock her away until she forgives you.” He winks. Actually fucking winks.
My eyes widen as my jaw hits the floor. “What the fuck, Dad?”
He barks out a laugh. “I’m just kidding. Mostly.” He clears his throat, pinning me with a serious look. “All jokes aside, Anais loves you, and you love her. If she means that much to you, you’ll do whatever it takes. Beg if you have to. Love humbles you, Evan. Let it.” His eyes soften. “Show her you can be the man she needs.”
After the conversation with my father, I spend the afternoon ignoring calls, emails and meetings, and focus on one thing. A plan to get Anais back. Knowing the brat, it’s not going to be easy. She’s stubborn as hell, but so am I. I will get her back. There is no other way. If it takes me a lifetime, then that’s what it takes. Because she’s worth it.
By the time I leave my office, I’m feeling more hopeful about everything and eager to put my plans in motion. That’s until I get home, to find a Lauder waiting in my lobby. Unfortunately, it’s the wrong Lauder.
