Amelia

 

Amelia smiled to herself as she stepped onto the elevator. Her first week working for Callum was over, and despite her initial concerns, she found she really enjoyed her job.

When Landen dropped her off on that first morning, she had for the briefest moment considered not going in. But she knew Landen had called in a favour for her, so she couldn’t let him down.

She hurried across the modern foyer of the huge glass building that was the headquarters of The Kennedy Group, where a pretty redhead sitting behind the reception desk greeted her with a smile.

“Welcome to The Kennedy Group,” she chirped pleasantly when Amelia reached her desk. “How may I help you today?”

“My name is Amelia Da… Coleman,” Amelia said her face instantly burned with embarrassment because she nearly screwed the whole thing up before she even started. The girl gave her a strange look and Amelia knew she was wondering what kind of an idiot doesn’t know her own name. But then the girl smiled.

“Ms. Coleman,” she said as she set a security access card down on the maple top of the front desk smiling once more. “Welcome to the Kennedy Group. Mr. Murphy is expecting you. Please take the elevator up to the top floor. Mr. Murphy’s assistant, Eloise, will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said as she picked up her security card, turning towards the bank of elevators on the far wall of the foyer.

As she stepped off the elevator on the top floor, she was greeted by another redhead who introduced herself as Eloise James, before she escorted her down along a softly lit corridor, with glass walls on either side, behind which were endless conference rooms and offices. When they reached the bottom of the hallway, they stepped out into an open space where  there were several people sitting behind computer screens, lost in whatever it was they were doing.

Finally, Eloise led Amelia down another small corridor, then through a door to a smaller open plan office with two large maple desks on either side. Behind each of the desks, there was a door. On one door, there was a brass plate with Callum Murphy CEO printed on it in bold, black letters. On the other door, it said Ellen Murphy, Chairman.

“This is you,” Eloise said as she walked to the desk that was in front of Ellen Murphy’s door. “Mrs. Murphy’s last assistant retired about four months ago. I have been covering both Mr. and Mrs. Murphy since then, so it’s nice to finally have a little help around here.”

“I’m working for Mrs. Murphy?” Amelia asked almost stunned by what the girl said. “You do know I have no experience working as an assistant.”

“You’ll be fine,” Eloise said, giving her a warm smile. “I will help you settle in. Besides, Mrs. Murphy rarely comes in. Mr. Murphy is CEO, Mrs. Murphy is more a figurehead, so there really isn’t that much involved in being her assistant. It’s mostly answering whatever calls come in for her, keeping track of her appointments for Company-related things. Her P.A from her other office will email a copy of her schedule every day at the close of business, and you forward on whatever meeting requests, invitation and charity commitments that may come in to Laney. She is very sweet, so she will help you should you need it too.”

“Okay,” Amelia replied, still feeling a little like she was in over her head.

“Don’t look so scared,” Eloise said, giving her another smile. “You’ll be fine.”

Just then, the door behind the other desk opened, and a man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Landen stepped out through the door.

“Eloise, can you get me three copies of these,” he said, but then stopped when he saw Amelia standing there. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were busy. It’s Amelia, right?”

“Yes, Sir,” Amelia said, as once more her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Landen tells me that your Nikki’s cousin,” Callum said as he held out his hand to her. Amelia quickly took his hand and shook it firmly. “Nikki is probably one of my most favourite people in the world, so I am happy to have you here.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said hoping that Callum didn’t ask her too many questions. She and Nikki had gone through Nikki’s background over and over, making sure that Amelia knew everything that a cousin should know, but right at that moment, her mind was completely and utterly blank. “And thank you for this opportunity.”

“My pleasure,” Callum replied. “It’s almost never that my brother asks me for a favour, so I knew it was important when he asked me for this.”

“I’m still very grateful,” Amelia replied, almost embarrassed to be having this conversation in front of his assistant.

“Well, I will leave you in the very capable hands of my amazing assistant,” Callum said as he took a step back toward his office. “Welcome to the team, Amelia.”

“Thank you,” she said again cringing, knowing she sounded like a stupid parrot.

“Come on,” Eloise said with a grin as she pulled out Amelia’s chair. “Let’s get you settled in. Do you know anything about computers?”

And just like that, Amelia was working for The Kennedy Group. The week had flown by so fast, but now she was looking forward to the weekend off

When the elevator stopped, she stepped off, making her way across the foyer to the glass, revolving door that exited the building. She couldn’t wait to get home to call Landen. She knew he would want to check in on her, but she hoped that maybe he would want to drop by her apartment later.

As she hurried down the steps in front of the building, she looked up and was surprised to see Landen leaning against his car.

“What are you doing here?” She asked unable to keep the smile from her face.

“I was passing by, so I thought I would see if you wanted a ride home,” Landen said with a grin as Amelia closed the distance between them. When she was close enough, Landen stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “I was also missing you, and I was thinking how much I really wanted to kiss you.”

He leaned down and softly kissed her on the lips.

“Hello,” he whispered as he looked down into her eyes as he pulled his lips from her.

“Hi,” Amelia replied as she slipped her arms up Landen’s broad chest and allowed herself to melt into his embrace.

“How was your day?” Landen asked as he watched her closely, giving her a smile.

“It was really good,” Amelia replied. “Thank you for getting me this job. I really am very grateful.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me, but I am happy you like your job,” Landen said as he softly kissed her once more. “Would you care to join me for dinner tonight? You know, to celebrate finishing the first week of your new job.”

“I would love to,” Amelia replied. “But I promise Nikki I would …”

Before she could even finish the sentence, Landen reached for the handle of the door, opening it. Amelia looked into the car, surprised to find Nikki sitting in the back seat of the car.

“You didn’t think I would get away with not bringing Nik did you,” Landen asked with a laugh. “I have a table booked for us at the Four Seasons.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said with a grateful smile, as she leaned up, kissing him on the cheek before she climbed into the back seat next to Nikki. Landen slammed the door, before he climbed into the front, next to Mike.

Thirty minutes later, the three friends were sitting at a table in one of the most exclusive restaurants in San Francisco.

Landen ordered some champagne. Once they all had a glass, he raised his and smiled at Amelia and Nikki.

“To new beginnings,” he said before he took a sip from his glass.

“To new beginnings,” both girls echoed, as they too took a sip of their champagne, just as the waitress returned to take their dinner order.

“So now that your first week is finally finished,” Nikki said once they had ordered their meal. “What do you really think of Callum?”

“Well, I didn’t really talk to him that much,” Amelia replied with a smile. “But he seemed really nice.”

“And hot too!” Nikki quickly added with a wicked grin. “I sometimes wonder if I am working for the wrong brother.”

“Well if you want to find yourself available for my brother to employ,” Landen said as he smiled. “That can be easily arranged.”

“Relax, Boss Man,” Nikki shot back with a laugh. “I’m kidding.”

Then she looked at Amelia and winked, then gave her another grin.

As they ate dinner, they chatted about anything and everything. Nikki told Amelia some funny stories about Landen when he still worked in the district attorney’s office, and Amelia talked about when she was a little girl, working in her father’s pharmacy after school.

Amelia noticed that neither Landen nor Nikki talked about Nikki’s past, and she was curious what the story was with her. She knew better than anyone, what it was like to have to hide who you were, she just wondered why Nikki had never told her about her story, especially as she knew all about Amelia’s.

They were just starting dessert when Nikki looked up and froze.

“Nikki,” Amelia said as she watched her friend, recognising the fear that was in her eyes. It was the same look Amelia had seen in her own eyes far too many times. “Are you okay?”

Landen looked up from his dessert, the moment he heard Amelia’s question.

“Nik?” Landen said, giving her a questioning look.

“We need to go!” Nikki said in a tiny voice, the normal confident, cocky demeanour Nikki normally had, seemed to have disappeared completely. Amelia almost didn’t recognise the person that was sitting there in front of her.

Without even questioning why Landen waved at the waitress signalling that he wanted the check, it was almost like he knew exactly what had upset Nikki, without her even telling him.

But it was too late.

“Oh God!” She exclaimed as she twisted her napkin between her fingers. “He’s coming this way.”

Amelia followed Nikki’s gaze spotting an attractive older gentleman walking through the restaurant, with a smug smile on his face.

“Nicole!” The man exclaimed as he reached the table. Nikki looked almost like a rabbit caught in headlights. “How lovely to see you.”

“Hello, Charles,” Nikki replied, in a soft, timid voice.

“I have asked you repeatedly to call me dad,” Charles replied with a grin that told Amelia he was getting a great deal of pleasure from seeing his daughter squirm in sheer terror.

“And I have asked you to stay the hell away from her,” Landen said as he stood up, looking down at the man who was possibly half a foot shorter than him. “She has nothing to say to you, now go back to where you came from.”

“I am still her father!” Charles exclaimed with a smirk as he looked up into Landen’s eyes.

“On paper only,” Landen replied. “Now, you are done here, so turn and go back to your table.”

“I will be in town for three more days, Nicole,” Charles said, but his focus remained on Landen. Amelia could tell from the expression on his face, that while he tried to act unfazed, he was afraid of Landen, and he disliked him with a passion. Amelia couldn’t help but wonder what he would be like if Landen weren't there. “Maybe I will give you a call; we can have a proper catch-up.”

“I have told you already,” Landen growled without missing a beat. “If you have anything to say to Nikki, you go through me. She has made it clear she doesn’t want any contact with you. Now, move on.”

He stared at Landen for a moment, as was most of the other people that were sitting in the restaurant. There was something familiar about this man, who clearly wasn’t someone very nice, but Amelia had no idea where she had seen him before.

“Goodbye, Nicole,” he finally said as he turned, glaring at Landen. “This isn’t over yet.”

“Bring it on,” Landen replied without even blinking. Charles stared at him for a moment longer, before he turned and walked back to his table and the rest of his party.

Landen pulled his wallet from his pocket, pulling out enough cash to cover dinner, and throwing it down on the table, not waiting for his receipt. He then turned, smiling at Amelia, before he took hold of Nikki’s arm,

“Come on, Nik,” he said in a voice that was so much kinder than it had been moments before.

Nikki looked up at Landen and smiled, even though there were tears glistening in her eyes.

Landen guided Nikki from the restaurant, with one hand on her back, as he reached back to Amelia with his other hand and took hold of her hand in his.

As he stepped out the door, he released Amelia from his grasp, so he could give his ticket to the valet, and the guy turned and spoke into his walkie-talkie.

“You’re okay,” Landen said as he wrapped his arms around Nikki. “It’s done.”

“It will never be done,” she whispered before she pushed back from Landen, staring up at him. “That bastard will never let it be over.”

“You know I can make it, so he never sets foot into San Francisco again,” Landen said, staring at his friend. “You just need to give me the word Nik, and it’s done.”

“It will never be done with him, you know it, and so do I,” Nikki whispered as she gave Landen a sad look before she turned and walked towards the car, which had just pulled up.

She pulled the door open, climbing into the back before Mike was even out of the car.

“I guess we are going home,” Landen said as he gave Amelia a worried smile, before he took hold of her hand once more, leading her to the car.”

Amelia climbed into the car next to Nikki, and Mike closed the door, as Landen climbed into the front passenger seat. Moments later, they were pulling into the late evening traffic, heading across town, to Nikki and Amelia’s apartment.

When they pulled up outside, Mike opened Nikki’s door, while Landen hurried out of his door, to open Amelia’s.

Nikki didn’t even say goodbye to Landen, before she disappeared inside the glass doors of the building, leaving Amelia standing alone with Landen.

“Come home with me,” Landen growled as he quickly wrapped Amelia in his arms, drawing her closer to him. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”

“I would like nothing more,” Amelia replied with a long sigh. “But I think that maybe Nikki needs me tonight a little bit more.”

“Nikki doesn’t need anyone,” Landen insisted as he brushed her face with the back of his fingers.

“Wow!” Amelia exclaimed as she smiled up at him. “Men really are clueless.”

“No, I just know Nikki,” Landen replied with a laugh. “She doesn’t do the girly thing.”

“The girly thing?” Amelia asked feeling somewhat amused by his comment.

“You know,” Landen replied, and Amelia could tell he wished he hadn’t said anything. “Talking about her feelings and stuff.”

“I see,” Amelia grinned, then added. “Well, I guess I should go in and do the girly thing.”

She leaned up, softly kissing Landen, before she stepped back, breaking their embrace.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said as she took another step back, then she turned heading towards the glass door. She had just reached the door when Landen grabbed her from behind, spinning her around, then pressed her against the glass.

Before she could even speak, Landen slammed his mouth against hers, as he pressed his body against Amelia’s.

“Do you know what you do to me, Amelia,” Landen growled when he breathlessly pulled his lips from hers. “You have awoken something deep inside me. I hardly recognise who I am anymore. I have broken all the rules for you, and now you are the risk that I will always take. I need you more than I have ever needed anyone in my life.”

He crashed his mouth down against hers once more, before he pulled back from her, staring down into her eyes.

“Tomorrow night, you are mine,” he told her. Amelia just nodded her reply.

He kissed her again, then stepped back, watching her as she turned and walked into the building.

Amelia smiled as she stepped into the elevator. She could see Landen still watching her as the doors closed. She didn’t really know what to think about Landen. She liked him. She liked him a lot, but was she ready for a relationship? Could she allow herself to have feelings for someone again? Part of her wanted to, but part of her was afraid to risk having her heart broken again as it was when Danny walked away.

Still, there was something about Landen; something that she just couldn’t resist. Amelia knew he meant it when he said that he would do what it took to protect her. She wondered if maybe he was the one she could allow herself to believe in.

As she walked into the apartment, Amelia wasn’t sure where Nikki was, more importantly, she didn’t know if she would even want to talk. But Amelia knew in her heart that she had to try at least.

She walked down through the large apartment until she reached Nikki’s bedroom. She softly knocked on the door waiting for a moment before she pushed open the door, stepping inside. When Amelia stepped into the room, she found Nikki sitting on the bed, just staring into space.

“Hey,” Amelia said as she sat down on the bed next to Nikki.

“You must think I’m some kind of idiot,” she said as she wiped her eyes, releasing a long, tired breath.

“I don’t think anything,” Amelia said as she watched her new friend closely. “I mean, I don’t think I’m in any position to judge anyone.”

Nikki laughed, but it wasn’t a real laugh, and she didn’t reply, and Amelia didn’t want to push her. They sat side by side for a while, neither of them said a word.

“My dad is a walking, talking nightmare,” Nikki said finally. “My mom left him when I was six. He refused to let me see her. He controlled every part of my life, but when he got drunk, he got mean.”

“I can’t even imagine what that must have been like,” Amelia said reaching for Nikki’s hand, holding it tightly.

“He is very rich and very powerful,” Nicki continued. “He has a lot of friends in very high places, and it gives him the feeling that he could do whatever the hell he wanted. He was very well connected where we lived in New York. The night of my eighteenth birthday, I sneaked out of the house to see a boy I liked from school. My dad was away, I knew he had forgotten about my birthday. At least, I thought he had. But he came home, and when I wasn’t there, he freaked out. He tracked my phone, which ten years ago wasn’t as simple as it is now, but he did it. He turned up at the house I had gone to with the boy. He dragged me back to the car. His henchmen took care of the boy. And my dad taught me a lesson he was sure I would never forget.”

“Oh, Nikki!” Amelia exclaimed.

“He broke three ribs, also I had a hairline fracture in my jaw,” she continued with a whisper. “He told the hospital I was drunk, and I fell down some stairs, and because of who he was, no one questioned him. I knew that night that if I didn’t leave, he would kill me.”

“How did you meet Landen?” Amelia asked, curious how Landen was able to save her from the monster that was her father.

“It was about five months after my birthday,” Nikki explained with a sigh. “And two days after another lesson. My dad was at a meeting, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I got out of the apartment which wasn’t easy as he had paid the doorman to act like my prison guard, I just kept walking. I didn’t take my phone, my purse, I didn’t even have a coat, which, during November in New York, wasn’t my best idea. I don’t know how long I was walking, but I ended up on the Brooklyn Bridge. I don’t think I was planning on jumping. I was just standing there, staring out at the water, and a voice came from behind me.”

“Landen?” Amelia asked, but she knew the answer already.

“Yep,” Nikki replied with a smile. “He just started talking, about nothing really. The weather, some ball game that was on the night before, just talking. Then he took off his coat and offered it to me. I hadn’t even realised I was cold till he pointed out I was shivering.”

Amelia smiled as she imagined Landen standing there, trying his hardest to help Nikki.

“When he gave me his coat,” Nikki continued. “He wrapped his arms around me and told me that whatever it was that I was running from, he would help me; that I just needed to trust him. I don’t know why, but I did. I mean, he was all of twenty-two and looked like he hadn’t a clue what to do, but I trusted him. He got me into his car and took me back to his apartment, where he called his mom. She arrived in New York later that day, and I never went home again. Landen kept his word.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Amelia said, smiling once more.

“But it’s been ten years,” Nikki sighed, as she looked at Amelia. “Why does he still get to me the way he does?”

“Because he is the one person a girl is supposed to be able to rely on,” Amelia said as she wrapped her arms around Nikki. “He’s your dad, he knows exactly how to get to you. But you cannot let him win. Neither of us can let them win.”

“I don’t know if I’m as brave as you,” Nikki said, looking up into Amelia’s eyes.

“Yes, you are,” Amelia replied. “We both are.”