I froze, caught completely off guard by his question. “What? No, why would you think that?” The denial came automatically, but when I caught sight of his slightly darkening expression, I realized might have given the wrong answer.
I let out an awkward laugh, trying to backtrack. I mean… that’s not what I meant. I know Victoria couldn’t take you away I know what kind of person you are. My voice softened as I continued, “But you don’t really understand my family. They always find new ways to surprise me with how low they can go. If Victoria finds out about us, about our marriage… well, if she can’t have the best, she’ll try to destroy everything around it.”
You think she can destroy me?” Brandon’s low laugh held a dangers edge, though his mood seemed to lighten at my fumbling explanation. “Don’t worry. Your husband isn’t so easily broken.”
“Oh, I know she doesn’t have that kind of power,” I said quickly,
emembering exactly who I was talking to. “But she’ll keep pushing and pushing, until it becomes so annoying you’ll get sick of dealing with it all. And if my father finds out about our relationship…” I trailed off, remembering how quickly Richard Taylor had been willing to sacrifice hits own daughter for business interests.
“I’m serious,” I said softly, letting all my fears spill out. “My father was willing to sacrifice me for a two hundred million dollar investment. The Taylor family… I don’t want them causing trouble for you.”
A low chuckle escaped him. “Silly girl.”
“This isn’t funny!” I protested, but his gentle squeeze of my fingers made the words lose their edge.
“I’m not mocking you,” Brandon said softly. “Since I chose to marry you, I’ve considered all of this. We’re husband and wife now – shouldn’t we face everything together, share both the good and bad? His voice deepened with conviction. “If I were so easily manipulated, I wouldn’t be Brandon Stark. Trust me to handle these matters.”
Seeing my still–uncertain expression, he reached out to stroke my hair again. I ducked away with a pout. “Do you have some kind of compulsive need to pat my head? You’re messing up my hair.” I leaned against the window, watching the buildings blur past. “Sometimes I just wish life could be simpler, you know?”
Brandon’s eyebrow arched slightly, a smile tugging at his lips. The sudden buzz of his phone interrupted whatever he’d been about to say. “Get that for me?”
I picked up his phone, checking the screen. “It’s James.”
“Put it on speaker.”
“Okay.” I turned on the speakerphone, and James’s crisp voice filled the car. “Sir, we have an update.”
I glanced uncertainly at Brandon. “Should I turn off the speaker?” But Brandon just shook his head. “Go ahead, James.”
“The investigation is moving forward, but there’s something else.” James hesitated for a moment. “I just received a video. It’s about your wife.”
I looked at Brandon in confusion, mouthing “Me?” His expression darkened slightly.
“Continue, Brandon commanded.
James cleared his throat, his usual efficiency tinged with uncertainty, His hesitation made my stomach twist with anxiety. I gripped the phone tighter, and Brandon must have noticed my tension because his eyes narrowed slightly, giving me a reassuring look.
I forced a small smile, trying to show I was fine. “James, it’s Summer. You said there’s a video about me? Just tell us.”
1/2
“Yes, ma’am. It its footage from your grandfather’s birthday party What happened upstairs that night.”
The phone slipped from my suddenly numb fingers, hitting the consile with a sharp crack. My hands trembled as I scrambled to pick it up. “What video? I was unconscious upstairs who could have taken a video?
