Chapter 39
+10 Point
“Why, Adam? Why did you tell me? Especially when you could have just cut and run now that you have nothing holding you here in Halifax?” He seemed perplexed that I asked.
He took a few moments to formulate his thoughts before answering. “Anna. I don’t blame you for questioning my motivation. All I can say is that I have been a complete and total fool. I believed a bunch of lies from people that are the scum of the earth. I have listened to Fiona’s lies since I met her our first year of university. She spins a good story, and I fell for it. I fell under her spell. A spell woven with s*x, a tale of tragedy, and a quest for revenge.”
He gave a wry smirk before continuing. “The fact I believed her is on me, and only me. The longer I was with her the deeper I got involved in their plans. I have no excuse. I should have come to you a long time ago when they first talked about arranging an accident for you. But I didn’t. Again, that’s on me. I was an i***t, a fool, an arsehole.”
“I have to agree with you on that,” Bradley commented. “So what made you to come forward
with this today? What do you hope to gain from it?”
“I don’t expect to gain anything. I know what I’ve done, what I’ve encouraged, is unforgiveable. I am not asking for that. I came forward with this because I realize I care for Anna. It took listening to those three this morning to make me realize I want to protect Anna from them. The only way I can do that is by letting her know what they are planning and their motivation. At least that way she can take moves to protect herself.” Adam was staring into my eyes as
he said he cared for me.
“Are you sure it’s not because you found out she is worth billions?” questioned Jenna. She had
never liked or trusted Adam, therefore the acid in her voice was cutting.
I
“I know Anna is never going to take me back. I may be a fool and an i***t, but I’m smart enough to know that.” Adam’s voice was just as cutting in his response as Jenna’s had been when posing the question. “But the very least I can do to say I’m sorry for my actions, is to let her know the danger she is in. I’ve done that. Now the only thing left is for me to disappear off the radar. I intend to go some place those three can’t find me. That is if you allow me to do
that.”
0
“How can you afford to do that, Adam? No offense, but it’s not like your loaded with money.” I had to ask. After all, the man has made the attempt to protect me. I’m not so heartless that I
won’t show concern for his safety.
Bradley, Victor and Jenna all gave me a funny look, as though they already knew what I was thinking. I raised my eyebrow at them in a silent question, receiving three tiny nods in
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approval.
“I guess I’ll pack up the essentials, get in my car, and start driving west. The farther away I can get the better.” was Adam’s response.
I was silent for a while, questioning my sanity. Maybe I shouldn’t do this, but what the hell. I
couldn’t live with myself if those three vipers managed to kill him and I could have prevented
- it.
“I have a suggestion, Adam. Graystone International has an online publishing company in Singapore. I know you did a BA in Creative Writing along with your Marketing degree. The company is always on the lookout for skilled english language editors. If you are interested,
we can place you in a position there. We’ll even fly you out on the corporate jet so your travel
plans can’t be traced. Pay and benefits would be similar to what you had with Fredericks Design Co.”
Adam was sitting there, staring at me, in complete shock at my offer. When he could speak,
he croaked out, “Why? Why would you do this for me after the horrible way I’ve behaved
towards you? Why?
“Because you came to me with this info when you didn’t have to. Because I would never
forgive myself if they succeeded in killing you and I could have prevented it. Because you
risked your safety to protect me. That’s why.” I answered the questions I knew they were all
thinking. “No matter what you choose to do, I’ll have a security team go with you to your
apartment so you can pack up your clothes and personal papers. At least that way you’ll be
safe.”
Adam contemplated his options, looked at the four of us then accepted my offer of a job. “I’ll gladly take the job in Singapore. How soon can I leave?”
“We leave for Toronto on Monday at one in the afternoon. I’ll have our security team take you
to the airport and we’ll meet you there. Graystone Security will look after terminating your apartment lease, either sell your car or put it in storage for you whichever you want. Also, I suggest that you immediately end your phone contract and destroy your phone. I’ll have a Graystone Security phone issued to you with a new number. That way you can’t be tracked
through your phone.”
The three men were looking at me as if I had grown another head. Jenna, however, was snickering to herself. I responded to the guys, giving them information they didn’t expect to hear. “What? Where do you think I worked to earn money? I worked at Graystone Security off and on for the four years I was in university. Mom and my grandparents felt it was important that I worked for what I wanted rather than being given everything because my family had
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money! Adam isn’t the first person I’ve helped disappear. Lots of people need protection from
deadly situations. Why do you think there ae women’s shelters, transition houses, that sort of
thing?”
“I had no idea,” Adam responded in a hushed voice. “Was Chloe one of the ones you helped disappear?” He asked about one of Fredericks Design’s former employee that disappeared two
years ago without a trace. Her husband was an abusive man that regularly put Chloe in the
hospital. She had endured it all up until her daughter was born. Her protective Momma Bear
instincts kicked in and she fled to the women’s shelter I supported.
She arrived battered, and bleeding, clutching her two month old little girl in her arms. I was
there that day, volunteering. I took one look at Chloe and her baby, and worked out a plan to
save them. She and her little one are now living and thriving in a city far from Halifax.
Her husband had showed up at the company a few weeks after Chloe disappeared, screaming
threats at anyone and everyone, assaulting one of the security guards while he was at it. The police were called and he was arrested for assault causing bodily harm, trespassing, and
destruction of property. He spent six months in the provincial jail, where much to my glee, he
was attacked and beat up on an almost daily basis.
Shortly after his release he was hit by a car and died. Some would call it karma. I called it
justice served. And much as I would have loved to say I was responsible for the accident, I
wasn’t. Though I will admit to arranging a couple of the jail beatings. What can I say, I’m not
all goodness and light. Nobody is.
“Chloe, yes.” I finally answered Adam’s question. “She deserved better than that piece of crap she was married to. She and her daughter are safe, and living their best life.”
“Adam, I’ll have the security team take you back to your apartment now. Do what they say, and you’ll be okay. Sean Cummings is the team leader and he won’t steer you wrong. See you on
Monday,”
Sean was standing outside the vehicle, waiting patiently for Adam to alight. Victor slid out first, followed by Adam who looked back at me with a “thank you, Anna” then he went with Sean, getting into the security company’s car after giving his car keys to another team member. They drove off leaving the four other security team members for protection.
“You’re a better woman than I am,” commented Victor, causing us to burst into laughter.
“I would say that’s because you’re not a woman, you crazy man,” snorted Jenna.
“You’re right about that. I am a man, all man. I could show you, if you like.” Victor responded
with a grin.
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Bradley and I left Victor and Jenna alone in the vehicle as I walked over to the five cleaners now leaving the house. I thanked them all for their hard work, handing them each an envelope containing one thousand dollars. They had all made my life so much easier, they deserved the
thanks.
Callie lingered to chat after the other four left in their own vehicles. “Anna, the HR manager called me already. I start a week from this Monday! I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“I am glad I could do something for you, Callie. Do me, and yourself proud, that’s all I ask.” I gave her a hug and then watched her drive away. Bradley and I did a quick walk through, then left the house, locking the door behind me for the last time.
“Time to go to Tony’s office and sign the papers. Then we have got to get some lunch. I’m
starved!”
