Chapter 12

 

Rebecca

 

“Okay, so let me get this straight; You and Michael used to be in a relationship back when you were kids, but then he grew distant until he finally disappeared without telling you, and the only reason you found out was because you found a spare dog tag with his name on it?” Georgiana said, summarizing everything I told her so far.

“Yep, pretty much.” I told her.

“And that’s the reason why you are so angry at him?”

“Yes,” I said quickly before faltering. “Well, there’s another reason why I hate him…”

“What is it?” she inquired, and I took a deep breath before expelling with a depressed sigh. Remembering this chapter of my life always made my heart ache.

“A few weeks after he left, I didn’t feel so good. I was throwing up a lot, and I was hypersensitive about everything, even with the way everything smelled…,” I described. I heard Georgiana gasp in shock as she recognized the symptoms I was telling her about.

“Oh my God…,” she said softly, a hint of pity already veiled underneath her voice, but I plowed onward with my story, refusing to be affected.

“I took three different pregnancy tests, and when I still couldn’t believe the results, I finally told my parents and had them schedule me an appointment with an OB/GYN.”

I remembered feeling so conflicted that day, as I waited for the nurse to call me for my examination. I was clutching at my skirt so tight then, thinking about how I was going to raise a baby on my own, and feeling the growing animosity from my parents after disappointing them. I knew I couldn’t stay under their roof after the results came, and I was fine with that. I already knew they weren’t going to support me now that their rebellious daughter got pregnant, so I had started to look for cheap places to rent.

The whole time I had envisioned my life back then, though, and in my mind, I pictured Michael with me. Even after a few weeks with no contact whatsoever, I had been holding out hope for Michael to come back.

“Obviously, the results came back positive, and then my life came crashing down.” I continued. “My parents didn’t want me to live with them anymore, saying stuff like I was a disappointment, and that I ruined their plans for me. I moved out and moved into a cheap unit, vowing to myself that I was going to take care of that child for as long as I lived.”

“Oh, Rebecca…,”

“But as it turns out, being seventeen and pregnant while working hard to feed yourself was much harder than I thought it would be.” I said. “One night, when I was going back home from work, a drunk guy that lived in the same apartment saw me as I was climbing up the stairs, and he tried to force himself on me. I fought as hard as I could…and he pushed me down the stairs because of it.”

“I remember lying face down on the floor. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak, and then I felt something sticky dripping down my leg, and I knew then I had lost her,” my voice cracked as I finished my story as the devastation I felt that night came back to me in full force. My heart ached so badly against my ribs that I was clutching my chest in an effort to stop it from hurting.

“What happened to the guy who attacked you?” she asked, and I sighed.

“He disappeared. His apartment was empty by the time I woke up in the hospital and reported him to the cops,” I answered. “I tried to track him down so many times, but I couldn’t. It’s like he was erased from the earth in one fell swoop…just like my baby.”

“I’m so sorry, Rebecca,” she whispered. “Is that why you were…,” she trailed off.

“Yeah,” I said, already knowing what she was going to say. “I guess it reminded me of how I was so young and so unprepared to have a kid, how scared I felt about being responsible for another life that I blew up on you. And I think that deep inside, I was pretty jealous.”

“Hm? What do you mean?” she asked.

“I mean, I think a part of me was sad my baby didn’t survive and yours did. But don’t worry, I’m all over it, and I feel so ashamed I felt that way,” I said.

“It’s okay, Rebecca,” she told me. “I understand. Thank you for telling me something so painful to share.”

“I should’ve already told you about that anyway,” I countered.

“No, you didn’t,” she said firmly. “You shouldn’t feel obligated to tell me anything. The fact that you chose to tell me about it made me feel very warm, though. Thank you for trusting me with such a painful past.”

“Thanks for understanding,” I whispered.

“It’s no problem. That’s what best friends are for,” she said brightly, probably trying to lighten up the conversation. I still felt pretty horrible about reliving that part of my life, but I was ready to talk about something else if that’s what she wanted. Wallowing in despair wasn’t my idea of spending my day off. “What are you going to do about the job though? I mean, I understand why you don’t want to take it, but are you sure that would be wise?”

“Why not?”

“Well, I just think this would be a perfect opportunity to let him know what happened to you,” George said. “He deserves to know. Besides, I think the only way you could heal is for you to face him.”

“I don’t think I can,” I replied with a wince.

“You already have,” she countered, giggling a little. “If that punch of yours didn’t already clue him in that something was wrong with you two, then I don’t know what will.”

I finished my call with George, and just lied in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Could I really do this? Could I work with Michael on this case and let go of my pain?

I mulled the thought over and over, weighing the pros and cons until I fell asleep from exhaustion. By the time I woke up, night had fallen, and I panicked that Chase had already called the client and cancelled because of me.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts for Chase’s number so I could tell him. I waited for him to pick up, and when he finally did, I took a deep breath and said my piece in a hurry.

“Hey, I changed my mind. I’ll take the job. Bye.”

 

***

 

Chase sent me and Michael to the Lee Residence the very next day, probably because he thought I was going to get cold feet if he delayed the operation any longer. To be honest, I still wasn’t sure I was ready to work with Michael, but what George said to me last night struck a chord within me. If I didn’t at least try to mend this…whatever this is between us, then that dark cloud would always hover over us, and neither of us will be able to move on.

And George was right. Michael deserved to know.

For his part, Michael took my violent reaction towards his reappearance all in stride. I didn’t apologize, and he didn’t ask me for one, but he didn’t try to distance himself from me, either. Instead, he tried to engage me in light conversation, mostly with regards to our work and how we were going to proceed with it. I told him we’d have to check the place out and see what else we had to prep on to ensure our clients’ maximum security. He didn’t badger me about anything else in the car after that.

We reached our destination, and I was pretty surprised. I thought his place was a huge mansion, but apparently he just lived in an apartment-type condominium. I tried to recall which floor he lives in but came up blank, so I turned to Michael.

“Which floor is he again?” I asked.

“Let me check,” he said, taking a folded piece of paper from his pocket and furrowing his eyebrows as he read what’s inside. “That’s weird. It doesn’t say.”

“Huh,” I spotted an elderly woman coming out of the building, holding a trash bag and walked up to her. “Excuse me, Ma’am, but do you know which floor is Tanner Lee’s residence?” I asked politely.

She looked at me from head to toe suspiciously, and I had to bite my lip from making a sarcastic comment. Michael came up beside me and smiled at the woman, who blinked at him in awe.

“We’re sorry to bother you, Ma’am, but Mr. Mulligan, Mr. Lee’s manager, hired us to be his new security detail. The address he gave us seems to be incomplete. Can you please help us out?” he asked, handing the paper over to the woman while his voice took a slightly seductive undertone that I couldn’t help but give him a weird look for.

The woman babbled incoherently before fixing him with a simpering smile.

“Why, of course, dear! I’d be happy to help!” she cried, and my mouth fell open. That was fucking impressive. “I’m Aggie, Tanner’s on-call housekeeper. I was just about to take the trash out, dear. Would you care to--,”

“Actually, we just need the address, so if you don’t mind,” I interrupted, my patience already wearing thin. She looked up at me with a huff, and I raised my eyebrow at her, taunting her to take a swing.

“There is no other address. This is his place. He owns the building,” she answered.

My eyes widened. I had assumed he just bought one of the units. I didn’t think he’d own the whole building.

Michael thanked the woman, and sent her on her way before looking up at the building with mild distaste.

“I guess rock stars living a modest life is a pipe dream,” he said.

“Let’s just go in,” I muttered.

From the inside, it still looked like a regular apartment, with a singular elevator across the entrance, a grand staircase by the corner, and couches by the window. I walked towards the elevator, and was about to press the button when I saw it required a key to operate it. I gritted my teeth and called Chase.

“Please tell me you’re not quitting again,” Chase answered.

“I will if this fucking idiot doesn’t come down and let us in. Didn’t his manager tell him we were coming?” I asked.

“I’ll contact him right away. The man probably forgot. Just give me two minutes.”

He ended the call, and I relegated myself to one of the couches, crossing my arms and tapping my foot impatiently. Michael chuckled as he watched me.

“You’re still not good at waiting, huh?” he quipped and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Oh, really? Because I’m pretty sure I managed to wait a long time for you before I realized it was a futile effort,” I said.

That shut him up quick, and I had to fight off a smug grin from forming on my face.

“Hey, I’m sorry for the wait!” someone called out, and I turned my head to see someone exit the elevator while simultaneously putting his shirt on. Tanner’s head popped out from one of the holes, and he smiled brightly at me, his hair spiky and wet, indicating he just got out of the shower. “I was in the bathroom and I lost track of time. So, Rebecca Hayes, correct?” he said, addressing me and extending his hand.

I was about to shake it when Michael beat me to it, taking Tanner’s hand and giving it a shake, firm enough to make the latter wince.

“And I’m Michael Gardner. We’re here as your protection, sir,” he said.

I gave Michael a half-glare before turning back to address Tanner, who was massaging his hand. “I’m sorry about him. He just doesn’t know his own strength,” I said, covering for Michael. Tanner smirked at Michael before shrugging.

“It’s okay. I’m sure he had his reasons,” Tanner replied. “Beth is still with her tutor, at the moment, so would you please follow me upstairs for brunch?”

“We already ate,” I said, but he waved it off.

“Nonsense, no one can be too full for bacon,” he said. “Besides, I still need to repay you for saving my daughter,” he added, looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face. He sauntered over to the elevator, and I slapped Michael’s arm as soon as he turned around.

“Ow!” Michael cried, looking at me in surprise.

“What the hell was that about?” I whispered harshly, following after Tanner. Michael shrugged, not responding and I groaned. “Can you just please try to behave?”

He gave me a noncommittal shrug and I rolled my eyes. We got into the elevator, and Tanner pulled out two keys from his pocket, as well as two keycards.

“Here you go, guys,” he said, handing the objects over. “I had contemplated whether or not I should give you a keycard with access to every room, but I realized you’d probably need to so you could do your job properly.”

I took the keycard and elevator key with a nod. “Thank you for understanding that.”

“No problem. We could discuss everything else while we eat.”

 

***

 

After discussing the particulars and Tanner’s work schedule with him, I had Michael case the lower floors and the garage while I checked out the top floors so we could jot down how many cameras we’d need to have full coverage of the place. I was finishing up my sketch of Tanner’s room, when I heard a knock on the door, making me frown as I left the door wide open.

Tanner smiled bashfully, his knuckle against the oak door, while his other hand was in his pocket.

“Am I interrupting anything?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“No, I was just finishing up.” I replied. “Did you need something?”

“I wanted to apologize about how I spoke to you last time we met,” he said softly, his eyes downcast. “I treated you quite poorly, and I shouldn’t have done that.”

I shook my head in understanding.

“It’s okay. I’m sure you were just concerned about your daughter being with a stranger.”

“Yes, but I should’ve realized you didn’t mean any harm after seeing you and my daughter interact,” he insisted, shaking his head again. “I never got to thank you for that.”

“Hey, you already did by serving me brunch. It’s all good, trust me.” I told him. I hesitated on telling him I misjudged him too, but I sucked it up and told him anyway. “Actually, I thought you were just an asshole who didn’t really care about his kid the night I met you, so I guess we’re even.”

Tanner chuckled at my outburst, and I was relieved he wasn’t easily offended.

“It’s alright, I didn’t think I was being a great father that night, too,” he admitted. “I realize this is not an excuse, but I had told my agent to pick Beth up after my neighbor called me that night. I thought I had it all sorted out when I should’ve made sure to pick her up myself, even if it meant delaying the concert by a few minutes.”

He walked up to me and took my hand, brushing his thumb over my knuckles and sending jolts of electricity to run through my body.

“If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t be with my daughter today. Thank you,” he said softly, his half-lidded eyes staring at me tenderly. I shrugged it off and turned my head away so he wouldn’t see me blush.

“It was nothing. I was just at the right place at the right time, is all,” I muttered in embarrassment.

“Well, thank God for that then,” he said, smiling. He let my hand go before speaking again. “It was actually the reason why I hired you guys. I didn’t want the same thing to happen again, and even if I wanted to keep Beth safe on my own, I know my job won’t let me do that, especially now when I’m not sure if the people who attacked her will come again or not.”

“I want the best for my baby. She’s the only one I got. And even though I’m working my ass off show after show so she could have a bright future, it’ll be all for naught if she doesn’t make it here in the present,” he turned toward me again with a determined expression on his face. “This is why I need you to promise me you’ll help me keep Beth safe, no matter what. Do you swear?”

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him, and I was getting more and more conscious about how loud my heartbeat was drumming in my ears, hoping I was the only one who was hearing it.

My heart melted at his determination, at the overwhelming love he had for his daughter, which I honestly hadn’t expected he possessed. I felt like I could relate to this man, because I knew that had my daughter lived, I would probably do the same thing as Tanner is doing, and move heaven and earth to accomplish it.

I nodded at him solemnly, balling my fist, and putting it on the center of my chest, right above my heart as I swore I would definitely protect Beth the way I would have with the daughter I never got to have.