FRAGMENTED Read online

“Then maybe you shouldn’t be trying to get me alone.”

  His gray eyes narrow with displeasure. “I don’t know what kind of scam you think you’re pulling with my nephew, but it ends here and now.”

  I’m offended but remain calm. “Is that so?” I’m determined to hold onto my composure and handle the situation as peacefully as possible. Once I return to the estate, I have every intention of forgetting this conversation ever happened.

  “You have no place in my nephew’s life,” Mr. Lancaster declares, as if his word is somehow the law. “Your past will prevent you from ever fitting in with the wealthy, because all you’ll be is a cheap joke. Now, you have two options. Face deportation, or take this check and never see my nephew again. Beginning now.” He holds a check out to me, his expression unsmiling.

  The color has drained from my face, and I ignore the slip of paper he’s offering.

  His lips tilt into a sardonic smile. “My, my, that did get your attention, didn’t it?”

  My mouth has completely gone dry as the bottom of the floor feels like it’s giving away. Deportation…

  “All I have to do is make one phone call.” He gives me a chiding look. “I’m not a cruel man, so instead of sending you off to your old ways, I thought I’d give you a little something so that you can start a new life. I suggest you take the check, because the offer expires in a moment,” he warns.

  Instinctively, I take the check and crumple it inside my fist as I stare at him numbly. “Why?” I whisper.

  He looks at me with a hint of pity. “You could single-handedly destroy my nephew and the company that I’ve worked so hard to save for him. I’m not about to let that happen.”

  Sadness fills my gaze. “You can’t even accept him for who he is.”

  His expression turns cold. “I am not discussing my nephew’s mental issues with you. Now, take that check and disappear. You’re not to go back to the estate, is that clear?”

  I automatically nod, feeling hollow and stunned that this is happening.

  “You may leave,” he says dismissively.

  After dazedly exiting the limo and watching it drive off, I stand there in the parking lot, feeling uncertain. I’ve fought for Nathan, and now Knight. I can’t imagine turning my back on them, but I don’t want to face deportation, either.

  Why is it every time I think happiness is at my fingertips, it all falls apart?

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Nathan

  I rub my stiff neck and glance towards the studio’s windows. The sun is beginning to set, and I’m momentarily surprised by how late it is. I’d spent most of the day painting without realizing that I hadn’t taken any breaks. No wonder why my neck and shoulders are stiff.

  My stomach rumbles loudly in the quietness of the studio, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since this morning. Usually, Elena knocks on the door to remind me to take time from my work to eat. Had I somehow tuned her out?

  Shit.

  I stride to the door and open it, peering into the hall. There isn’t a tray waiting for me. That’s unusual, and I immediately wonder if something’s come up that I don’t know about. Something’s cooking in the kitchen, so I head downstairs to check on Elena.

  This morning, we’d left everything on good terms. If we hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been willing to work in the studio all day instead of trying to work things out with her.

  When I enter the kitchen, I’m taken aback when I find Cameron frying burgers at the stove. Elena’s nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Elena?” I ask with confusion.

  Cameron glances at me and shrugs. “I thought she was holed up in the studio with you.”

  That’s odd.

  I leave the kitchen and go in search for her. Soon, I begin to realize that she’s not even on the estate. Hadn’t she come back from running errands?

  With a concerned frown, I hurry up to my room and grab my phone. While I call her cell, I pace the room and rub the back of my neck. I know everything had been fine this morning. When I’d looked into her eyes, she’d been right there with me, willing to see where our relationship could lead. She wouldn’t suddenly avoid me—she has no reason to.

  The line on the other end rings and rings. She rarely uses her phone, but I’d insisted she take it wherever she goes if she isn’t on the premises.

  Her voicemail picks up.

  What the hell?

  I stand there for a long minute until I recall that I can track her phone using GPS.

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Elena

  I’ve been pacing the length of the hotel room for hours, and my thumbnails are chewed to their nail beds. I’ve been scouring my mind for an alternative—some way to still be with Nathan and Knight without getting deported.

  Unfortunately, nothing is coming to mind.

  The check Nathan’s uncle had written is laying crumpled on the hotel bed. It’s worth twenty thousand dollars, but the idea of ever cashing it makes me sick to my stomach.

  I don’t want his money, and I’d already made up my mind to tear up the check. If I have to start over, it’ll be on my terms and with my own money.

  My eyes drift to the cell phone laying discarded on the bed beside the check. Everything within me is telling me to call Nathan and tell him the entire sordid ordeal. Maybe he can think of a way to resolve this without his uncle calling ICE. Yet at the same time, I want to avoid revealing what his uncle has done. He’s the only family Nathan has left, and I don’t want to be the reason for them having a falling out.

  I honestly don’t know what to do.

  The moment Mr. Lancaster had driven away, I’d called an Uber to take me to the nearest hotel. This way, it would at least appear I’m doing what he’d wanted by not returning to the estate. What he doesn’t know is that I haven’t caved as easily as he’d thought I would.

  I can’t just up and leave Nathan and Knight. I’m either going to have to face Mr. Lancaster’s threats and let things happen as they may, or I need to tell Nathan the truth. Both options leave an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  A knock on the door startles me out of my gloomy thoughts. Room service must have the wrong room. I walk to the door and open it, only to find Nathan standing there, unsmiling.

  My jaw goes slack. “How…”

  He looks at me grimly. “I tracked your phone.”

  As much as I don’t like the idea of being tracked in such a way, I’m relieved to see him.

  Nathan’s eyes are filled with questions. “What are you doing, Elena?”

  “I have no idea,” I say truthfully, and I open the door wider so he can come in. Once he’s inside, I close it.

  He faces me with bewilderment. “I thought we were good.”

  “We are.”

  His eyebrows lift. “Then why are you here?”

  I reach up and rub my temple, debating how to tell him about his uncle. I’d rather not at all, but I also see no other way out of this.

  Nathan moves closer and touches my arm. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

  My lips flatten, and then I worry my bottom lip before I look up at him and sigh. “I don’t know where to begin,” I whisper.

  His eyes are urging me to trust him. “Start anywhere, I don’t care.”

  I move away from him and sit down on the bed, picking up the crumpled check.

  Nathan sits down beside me. “What is that?”

  Hesitantly, I hold it out to him.

  He accepts it and flattens it so he can read it. Then, he tenses. “What is this, Elena?” he asks in a low, quiet tone.

  “That’s twenty grand to never see you again,” I reply softly, knowing it doesn’t matter how hard I try to soften the blow, it’s still going to hurt him.

  Nathan looks completely dumbfounded, and then hurt forms across his features. “You accepted it?”

  “What? No!” I exclaim emphatically. “I only came to the hotel to brainstorm how to handle the situation. This way your uncle would think he got his way.”
/>   He looks at me with confusion. “Why would he do this?”

  “He knows about my past and thinks I’m going to ruin you.”

  His face twists. “That’s not for him to decide.”

  “I know.”

  His eyes search mine intently. “Why didn’t you just tell him to take his money and shove it?”

  “Because he threatened to call ICE,” I quietly reveal.

  “Are you fucking serious?” he growls.

  I reach for his hand. “I’m sorry.”

  He pulls away and stands, his shoulders tensing as he moves to the window to stare blindly out it. “You’re sorry?” He turns to look at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “He’s my uncle, I’m the one who should be apologizing. What the hell is he thinking?” he asks harshly.

  This is exactly what I’d wanted to avoid. I don’t want Nathan turning his back on the only family he has left. “He’s just trying to protect you and the company,” I say, trying to help him see the situation from a logical point of view.

  He shakes his head. “No, this has nothing to do with protection. This is controlling.”

  I look at him sadly from where I’m still sitting on the bed. “I didn’t want to hurt you, so I’ve been trying to figure out a way out of this mess without…”

  “My finding out the truth?” he finishes flatly, his eyes full of disappointment.

  I rise from the bed and walk over to him, eyes contrite. “Maybe it wasn’t the right decision,” I agree, “but we all do stupid things for those we love, especially if we’re trying to prevent them from being hurt.”

  His eyes sharpen. “You love me?”

  It’d naturally slipped out, but it’s the truth. I think I’m in love him. “Yes,” I say softly.

  He gazes at me with astonishment and comes closer. “I’ve never been in love, but I’m pretty damned certain that this is it,” he says in a deep, sincere voice.

  My heart soars as I gaze up at him. “I’m sorry I kept what happened from you. I was just trying to protect you and your relationship with your uncle.”

  “Don’t do it again,” he says simply before he yanks me into his arms.

  His lips angle across mine, and the kiss is deep and intense as we both release the tension from earlier. Kissing Nathan is like coming home. He’s where I belong. As much as we both want to continue things and make use of the bed, we manage to control ourselves. Now isn’t the time to ignore reality.

  I’m still worrying over his uncle’s threats. “What do we do about your uncle?”

  He frames my face with his hands, eyes firmly on mine. “You’re not going anywhere, Elena. I’ve fast tracked you an employer sponsored visa. That’s why I wanted you to get that physical and get you up to date on immunizations. It’s still in the process, but the paperwork is out there. Even if my uncle called ICE, you’re not going anywhere,” he assures.

  My mouth falls open. “You…”

  He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You’ll be here legally,” he assures.

  Tears fill my eyes. “You have no idea how much this means to me,” I say hoarsely, trying not to burst into tears of relief.

  “I think I do,” he says tenderly. “And you’re worth it.”

  “You’re worth it, too. Everything we’ve gone through…I’m glad I’m here with you,” I say as I fling my arms around him, ignoring my cast as I hold him tightly. I never imagined he could help me get a visa.

  “Let’s go home. We have one more problem to take care of,” Nathan says, briefly squeezing me before pulling back.

  I look up at him warily. “You’re uncle.”

  He nods, his expression stony. “We have a lot to discuss, but I don’t want his threat hanging over our heads. It all ends tonight.”

  I don’t have anything to pack, so I grab my phone, and Nathan pockets the check. On our way back to the estate, Nathan calls his uncle and asks him to drop by, that it’s an urgent matter. I don’t ask him how he plans to handle him since he clearly has a plan of action in mind, and I just hope it’s nothing that can’t be fixed at a later date. Nathan has every right to be furious, but I don’t think their relationship should be destroyed because of what happened.

  When we get to the estate, Nathan tells Cameron to escort his uncle to the main room when he arrives. Cameron can evidently sense that something big is happening, but he simply nods.

  Nathan leads me to the main room, and we settle onto the sofa, his hand reaching for mine. “This is your home now, you know,” he informs.

  I say nothing and just gaze at him—still a bit dazed that everything truly is falling into place.

  “The employer sponsored visa is only until you become a legal citizen. That takes longer and can’t be fast tracked,” he explains.

  I immediately frown. “I enjoy working here, I don’t want to quit,” I protest.

  “Because of the employer visa, your job stays intact until your citizenship becomes legal. Once that happens, you’re not working in our home, Elena. That’s when you focus on your aspirations and dreams.” His eyes are firm as he says, “Find what you enjoy and pursue it.”

  He honestly envisions a future with me, and I’m floored.

  The doorbell rings, startling me. “That was fast,” I murmur, trying to hide my sudden nerves.

  Nathan ignores the doorbell and remains focused on me. “I hope you’ll come to New York with me.”

  “You want me to be there?” I ask with surprise.

  He gives me a dry look. “After everything that’s happened, I don’t want you out of my sight. At least for the next few weeks,” he adds. “I’m sick of waiting for something new to happen that’s going to tear us apart.”

  “Me too.”

  Cameron strolls into the room with Nathan’s uncle on his heels. Mr. Lancaster looks surprised to see me, and then his expression tenses when he realizes his threat had backfired terribly.

  Cameron tactfully exits the room.

  Nathan makes no move to rise from the sofa to greet him. “Have a seat,” he says coolly.

  Mr. Lancaster sits on the opposite sofa, noting our clasped hands as he stiffly waits to see how this is going to play out.

  Nathan pulls out the crumpled check and casually tosses it to him, and he automatically catches it. “She won’t be needing it.” Nathan’s eyes are now cold, reminding me of Brick. “This is Elena’s home too, and if you so much as give her a look that is less than respectful, you will no longer be allowed on the premises.”

  A muscle begins to tic in his uncle’s jaw as he remains silent, waiting for Nathan to finish before he has his say.

  “I understand you’re judging her on her past, but that’s not who she is,” Nathan says, conviction evident in his tone. “She’s important to me, and is everything to me. If you ever try to destroy what we have again, I will no longer consider you family. As for her status here in the United States, I’ve taken care of that, and the paperwork is currently being finalized.”

  I can see visible regret leaking into Nathan’s uncle’s eyes.

  Nathan has gone silent, and I study both men. They’re both proud and stubborn, and I fear that neither one will make the first move to try to make things right.

  Almost reluctantly, Nathan’s uncle focuses his attention on me. “I apologize, Miss Torres. I misread the situation.”

  I pull together a compassionate smile for him, relieved that he’s making the first move. “Apology accepted. I would like to get to know you better, and perhaps you’d be interested in learning more about me. Are you free Friday evening?” I ask him. I might be overstepping since this relationship is still quite new, but I can’t let these two leave things as they are. I know Nathan enough to know that he’s going to send his uncle off with every intention of avoiding him for a while.

  Mr. Lancaster looks taken aback by my invitation, and in the corner of my eye, Nathan’s head swivels my way. He looks at Nathan, and then returns his gaze to me. “I can make the time.”


  “Good. We’ll have dinner together—all three of us. Six, fine?”

  “Yes, I’ll mark it on the calendar.”

  “Great. We look forward to it,” I tell him while Nathan remains silent.

  Nathan’s uncle glances at him, and then he clears his throat. “I postponed my plans to stop by. I should really take my leave now.”

  Still, Nathan says nothing.

  I rise to my feet. “I’ll see you out, Mr. Lancaster.” We both make our way to the foyer.

  At the door, he looks at me and nods. “Miss Torres.” He’s no longer looking at me with disapproval.

  “Enjoy the rest of your evening,” I tell him lightly.

  Once he leaves, I return to the main room and find Nathan standing there, looking bewildered. “Why would you do that?”

  “Forgive him or invite him to dinner?”

  “Both,” he says with exasperation.

  I walk over to him and touch his chest, wanting to be close to him. “Everyone makes mistakes, Nathan.”

  “Christ. He tried to blackmail you into leaving me.”

  I give him a wry smile. “But it didn’t work, and he deserves a second chance. He’s your family.”

  He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What about dinner? What’s that about?”

  “When was the last time you had him over so you could enjoy his company?” I ask curiously.

  He falls silent, scowling.

  “You can’t sustain a relationship if it’s only based on the negative aspects. I think you both need to find a way to reconnect,” I tell him. “And I apologize for overstepping and not asking first.”

  He sighs. “No, you’re right. But I’m still dreading it.”

  I smile as his arms slip around my waist, and he holds me close. “That’s okay,” I tell him. “Just as long as you try, that’s all that matters.”

  His eyes suddenly gleam. “I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a distraction from all the evening’s drama.”

  I grin. “Lead the way.”

  EPILOGUE

  Elena

  Five years later