The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(95)

“What?”

I look across at Nina, then drop my hand with a sigh. “I said she’s probably busy.”

“Don’t be an asshole. I still love her more than you.”

“I’m not being an asshole. I’m speaking facts.”

“You’re being an asshole. All week, in fact. Jasmine said you’ve been snappy.”

I give her a look that says fuck off before I tell you to fuck off and get punched in the face.

“Come to dinner tonight, please?”

“No.”

“Elliot!”

“Nina, I’m not in the mood.”

“Right.” She stands and rounds the chair, muttering under her breath. “Damn stubborn, impossible man!” She storms out of my office, and I know I haven’t heard the last of this.

Which is why when my phone chimes not fifteen minutes later with a text, I’m not surprised to find Mason’s name lighting up my screen.

Mase: George is clearing our schedule. We leave for Bora on Friday.

I consider it for a moment, not expecting the message.

It’s been a while since we’ve managed to get away together.

I snigger to myself.

Elliot: If it gets me out of dinner tonight Bora Bora would be a distraction right now. I could get out on the water, maybe even stay out at Mum and Dad’s place….

Elliot: I’m in





27





Elliot





“Breathe Me” by Sia.


It’s Wednesday, and I’m in the middle of a meeting when I feel my phone start to vibrate in my pocket. It’s like clockwork. She calls me every day—morning, at lunch, and at night. I don’t answer, and she doesn’t leave me any voice mails.

I’ll speak to her soon because I know I need to, but I can’t bring myself to listen to what she has to say yet.

She hurt me.

Simple.

I thought we had something, and I was wrong. Speaking to her now will only make me even angrier at her, and it won’t solve the situation.

The call rings out and then starts again seconds later, making me huff. I continue to explain the point on the screen.

“Excuse me for interrupting, Mr Montgomery, but I have an urgent call for you.” My eyes shift to George, who’s stood in the doorway.

He knows not to interrupt my meetings.

“How urgent?”

“I could get Mr Lowell. But I believe you should take this.”

I roll my eyes, knowing George’s beliefs probably don’t match up to my own. “Bear with me, please,” I tell the room, nodding at Jasmine to take over before I walk out into the reception area.

George closes the conference room door and hands me the phone.

“Who is it?” I ask him, but I already know.

“Lucy. She’s having—”

“Fuck’s sake.” Why would she call me at work? If I wanted to talk to her, I would. And I will. But when I’m ready.

“What?” I snap down the line, my jaw cracking as I pull the wire to the phone over the desk.

I hear her take a heaving breath through the line and everything inside of me jars.

I plant my free hand down on the desk and lower my tone, a frown marring my brow. “Lucy?”

She continues to breathe rapidly, and I can tell she can’t catch a full breath. “Elliot.”

“Luce,” I snap.

“Can’t. Breathe.”

“Lucy?” I panic, face distorting as my gaze lifts to George. I run my hand through my hair. “Where are you? Is anyone with you?”

“I think she’s having a panic attack.” George mouths at me.

“No. No. Elliot, my heart.”

I close my eyes and try to ease the adrenaline making my own heart pump. “You’re having a panic attack, Luce. You’re okay. You can breathe. Are you on your own?”

“Yes.”

Fuck. “Where are you?”

She seems to get worse, and I don’t catch her reply.

“Put your back to a wall. Can you do that? Feet flat on the floor, and I want you to listen to me. Luce, can you hear me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to count to five, and you’re going to do it with me. In your head until you can do it out loud, okay?” I pull the phone from my ear and ask George, “What do I do?”

He skirts around the desk and starts typing on his computer.

“One. Two. Three. Four. Five.” I do it slowly, trying to help her but not having a fucking clue where to start. “One. Two. Three. Four. Five.”

I listen as her breathing doesn’t change.

My hand scrubs at my face as an ache grows in my chest, my heart thrashing a million miles a minute now.

“I don’t know what to do,” I mutter to George at a loss.

“Keep talking to her. Tell her something.”

Something for me to fixate on.

“Did you open my note? Do you have it there? Something to fixate on?”

I wait but get nothing.

“Luce!” I bite out.

“No. No, it’s under my bed in a box.”

Fuck.

I can’t speak those truths right now.