Giving Her My Baby(10)
“No. I’m staying here to help when his sister comes. To help with the baby.” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“He doesn't have a sister.” She rolls her eyes, bringing the wine glass up to her mouth but stops before she takes a drink. “You had sex with him, didn't you!” she accuses.
I feel heat creep up my neck. “He doesn't have a sister?” I ask, ignoring her other question. I’m not talking about sex with this random woman who may or may not be involved with Brooks. The thought makes my stomach turn. Why else would she be here so late with a bottle of wine? Isn't that a booty call?
“Not that I know of.” She sets the wine glass down with a hard thunk. I’m surprised it doesn't break. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but Brooks is mine.”
I’m not sure what to do or even say. “Maybe you should go. I don’t think Brooks is here right now.” I want her to get out of here. I suddenly don’t feel so good.
“Ella.” I almost jump out of my skin when Brooks's deep voice fills the room. His hand lands on my shoulder and he leans down, putting his mouth next to my ear. “Go to your bedroom.”
I stand there shocked for a moment, not wanting to leave them alone. But I also don’t want to stay. What if he kisses her or something right in front of me?
“Now,” he adds sternly.
With that final word, I race back to my room and shut the door. I flip the lock and then stand there, feeling stupid and heartbroken over someone I don’t even know.
7
Brooks
“What in the fuck are you doing in my kitchen, Tiffany?” I say, narrowing my eyes at her.
I hear the sound of heavy footfalls behind me, and I know it’s my security.
“Mr. Renshaw, I’m so sorry—”
I hold my hand up to signal my head of security, Ben, should stop speaking. He’s out of breath so he must have run across from the other side of the property.
“You guys are so over the top,” Tiffany says as she rolls her eyes.
“Ma’am, you’re coming with me,” Ben says as he walks over to her.
“Jeez, I was just coming over to be nice. It’s the neighborly thing to do,” she huffs out like I’m the one being ridiculous.
“Tiffany,” I say and rub my eyes. “You’re not my neighbor anymore. Not since I bought the property from you and forced you to move. I’m pressing charges this time. I’ve already had to issue a restraining order, and you’re in violation of it.”
I watch as Ben takes out his phone and sends a text message, no doubt alerting security to her presence and to inform the police.
“You’re such an asshole!” she shouts, throwing the glass of wine at my head.
If she had better aim she could have done some serious damage, and to my soon to be pregnant wife. The thought has anger creeping up my neck.
“Get out!” I bark at her, and she pretends to cry. We’ve been through this before.
She moved into the house about a mile down the road from me a couple of years ago and immediately tried to work her way into my life. I was polite, but I never allowed her in the house, and I never tried to lead her into thinking we were ever going to be anything, including friends. I have enough friends, and my work keeps me beyond busy. But when my security found her on several occasions creeping through my flower beds and looking for open windows, it was time to put a stop to it.
The sirens of the cop cars blare in the distance and suddenly her fake crying turns into a scowl as Ben takes her by the upper arm and leads her out of the kitchen.
“So you’ll fuck that whore upstairs but not me? I see how it is,” she yells, and I can’t even figure out what she means.
She has this all built up in her head, and I knew the safest place for my Eleanor was to be as far away from her crazy as possible. But I’m no fool. I saw the hurt in her eyes as she was running from the room. I need to go hold her and make it right. But instead I’ve got to deal with the crazy that barged into my kitchen.
When the cops come, I talk to them for a few minutes before they take her into custody and leave. Ben and I walk back inside and I let him know that some things are going to be changing.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Renshaw, it won’t happen again,” he says, and I nod.
“I need you to make sure it doesn’t,” I say and turn to give him a hard look. “The lady of the house is here to stay, and I want Eleanor to have freedom of the house and the safety that requires. She is to be protected at all times, and I don’t want anything or anyone but me close enough to touch her. Do you understand?”
I make my words very clear and he nods, promising to do as I ask. I trust him with my life, but Tiffany might be crazy, and that’s a dangerous thing to play with.
“Can you make sure she gets some help?” I say and glance back at the cop cars leaving.
“I’ll do it,” Ben says, and then locks up the doors on his way out.
As soon as I know we are alone, I run up the stairs and to our bedroom. When I open the door, the lights are off and the curtains are drawn. The room is pitch black, but I can feel she’s in here. After what I did to her, my body is attuned to hers, and it’s craving more.