Page 2 of Breakaway

He snapped his fingers in quick succession, reaching his hand out the door. I cocked my head curiously. Did he expect someone to respond to that summons? When no one did, he gritted his teeth, barely stopping himself from stomping his foot as he charged out of the office in a grown man tantrum, yelling at people.

A scared intern rushed into the room and handed us back our phones a minute later. I thanked them, holding mine in my palm like it was a bomb about to detonate. Reese didn’t waste time calling Henley and standing as they paced.

“Henley! Hey.” Reese pulled the phone from their ear, grimacing at the sound. “Yeah. I’m okay. Geesh, no need to scream.” They rolled their eyes. “Yes, we’re both okay. Some idiot took our phones and wouldn’t let us call anyone until now. Yeah, okay,” they groaned. “You can have one second, but Hen, be nice. We didn’t have much of a choice, and he’s ensured I’m safe.”

Their concern for me melted my heart, loving that Reese stood up for me to their sister. When Reese held out the phone for me to take, my eyes widened at it like it was a live snake. For some reason, I hadn’t seen this happening. I thought I had more time before I’d have to face the wrath of Henley. Reese nudged me, lifting their eyebrows at me in question.

Okay, the teen was calling me out for being a scaredy-cat. That wouldn’t do. Taking a deep breath, I took the phone and raised it to my ear.

“Hey, Baby Shaw. Have I told you today how much I love you?”

Henley huffed, and I could practically feel her eyes rolling through the phone. Got it. Not a great way to start a conversation with your girlfriend after getting their sibling kidnapped. Suck it, asshole.

“What’s going on, Fletch? Where are you? I’ve seen the news, but it’s not making sense.”

Shit. She knew more than I expected. The only way out was the complete truth.

“Remember that thing I wanted to talk to you about tonight? Well, it was this.” I cringed, knowing how lame it sounded.

“And what is this?” she asked, her voice soft.

I blew out a breath, pacing back and forth in front of the window as I rubbed my beard. “For starters, I’m the CEO of Hat Trick Co. Reluctant and silent, but the CEO nonetheless.”

“As in charge of the leading hockey company, only matched by SnowPoke. That Hat Trick?” she asked with a hysterical laugh.

“Uh, yeah, as well as a couple of hockey teams and stadiums.” I cringed. When I said it out loud, I realized how dumb I’d been keeping this to myself.

“Right. Right. Okay, so you’re like a billionaire who works at Lux for funsies?” Again, I could picture her nodding as she bit her lip, trying to put the puzzle of the pieces of information together. I grimaced.

“More like I hide out at Lux because it’s the one place I feel at home and can just be me. I never wanted HTC, but I’m stuck with it for now.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked, hurt evident in her voice. I sighed, hanging my head against the glass.

“Because I’m an idiot. I was scared you’d look at me differently. My whole life changed when I inherited HTC, and everyone around me wanted something. So, I ran away, pushing that part of my life to the sidelines, and pretended it didn’t exist. But nothing stays hidden forever.” I sucked in a breath, rubbing my temple. “I’m so sorry, baby. I never meant for my past to interfere with our life, our future. Please tell me I haven’t fucked up everything?” I paused, biting the inside of my mouth. “But if I have, just tell me now, and I’ll understand.”

My heart thumped in my chest, the sound reverberating in my ears as I waited for the longest sixty seconds in history. She sighed, the sound heavy in her chest. I’d caused that pain. I had to make this right. Henley was my everything.

“Henley?” I asked after it had been quiet for a minute.

“I’m still here. I’m just trying to think. Honestly, I thought the Society had done something to you, so I’m trying to process everything now that I know you’re okay,” she said, her voice soft with a slight hiccup to her words.

My body shuddered at the realization. Shit. I’d caused her to believe the absolute worst. There was no way she’d ever forgive me.

“Of course, you haven’t fucked up everything, Fletch. I’m confused and a little hurt, but I can understand to some degree why you didn’t. I’m sorry you doubted me, doubted us.”

The air in my lungs inflated at the relief and then immediately deflated at her own turmoil.

“No, don’t say that. This isn’t on you, Henley.”

“It feels a little like it is. If there wasn’t so much going on, you might’ve had more space to share.” She sighed. “I dunno. I just. Yeah.”

“I was in the wrong here, Baby Shaw. I could’ve made time. I used the busyness as an excuse to keep hiding,” pausing, I took a long breath as I gathered myself. “There’s a lot more, but if it’s okay, I’d rather tell you that part in person.”

“If that’s what you need, then, of course. Can I ask what’s happening now? Why did they take you?”

Relaxing, I sat on the edge of the desk, looking out the open door to see who was nearby and perhaps listening. Owen hadn’t returned since his tantrum, but it didn’t mean he hadn’t placed a spy outside to report back. Feeling safe, I turned back to look out the window.

“They took me because I’ve been avoiding their calls. They need me for some decisions, for votes. Once those are done, I’ll have Reese and me back on a plane immediately. Tell Keaton I’m sorry for ruining the shoot, and I’ll make it up to him.”

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