Free blush (Westbrook Series) by Mitzi Vaughn Page B

roll pillows under her neck and closed her
eyes. 
    When Missy opened her eyes, two hours had gone by. 
She scanned Brandon's office.  He was nowhere to be seen. The building was dark
and silent and all of the staff had already gone home.  She headed straight
toward the conference room to find Brandon.  As she came to the large room with
a massive table and many desk chairs, she saw Brandon and Chloe talking. 
Brandon had his back to the large wall of glass, but she could see Chloe
appeared upset.  What had he told her to have her so disturbed?  She had
never seen the two of them conversing in such a private manor.  Missy opened
the door and they both turned to face her.  Brandon was angry.  She could see
it all over his face.
    "What's going on?"
    The rage on Brandon's face turned to concern as he
walked to her and placed his hand over hers.
    "Missy we need to talk to you."  Brandon
sat her down in one of the chairs, placing himself in the one next to her. 
Chloe was standing behind him, almost in tears. 
    "Chloe, are you okay?" 
    Chloe pulled a couple of tissues out of  a box on a
nearby table, then sat down in the chair on the other side of Missy.
    Brandon held his head in his hand and rubbed his
temples.
    "Okay you guys are really scaring me.  What the
hell is going on?"
    Brandon started speaking, choosing his words
carefully.  "Missy, I received a call while you were asleep.  I don't know
who it was, but he told me about your attack."  Brandon had to look away
knowing if he didn't he might not be able to finish.  "He was there Missy,
he saw the whole thing.  Hell, he probably planned it.  Anyway, he told me if I
didn't come up with some money, it's going to happen again."
    Missy blinked.  She couldn't move, she knew if she
did she would throw up.  She drew in a long breath and sluggishly let it out. 
"How much?"
    Brandon looked up at her somewhat baffled. 
"What?"
    "How much?  How much money does he want?"
    "It doesn't matter Missy!  We are going to give
him the money and that's it."
    Missy spoke in a whisper this time, a whisper filled
with sadness.  "How. Much."
    "Seven hundred and fifty thousand."
    Missy turned her gaze toward Chloe.  Chloe had tears
dropping down her face.  Then Missy turned to Brandon, "We can't pay him. 
I can't ask you to do that, and if we give into him, he will only ask for more
next time."
    Chloe begged, "But Missy."
    "No.  I'm not going to give into this asshole. 
No money."
    Brandon dropped his head and fingered his hair. 
"So what do we do?  He said no cops."
    "I have an idea."

Chapter 21
    Brandon waved when he saw Mark at a table across the
restaurant.  He was hesitant to call.  He hadn't seen Mark since the night at
the bar. 
    "Hey man."  Mark stood and put one arm
around Brandon.  He turned his eyes toward Missy, "I heard about what
happened.  I am glad you are doing better."  Mark studied his feet then
added, "I am also really sorry about what happened before.  I tend to say
stupid shit sometimes."
    Missy hugged him.  "No worries.  I want you to
meet my best friend Chloe."
    Chloe extended a hand.  Mark gave her his most
charming smile and accepted her gesture. 
    Brandon quickly broke in, "Dude focus.  We are
here because Missy is being threatened."
    They sat down at the table.  Mark was surprised when
Chloe sat down next to him and moved her chair a little closer to his.
    Brandon explained the whole story to Mark.  "He
said we couldn't get the police involved, but Missy thought us just hanging out
might look like a double date."
    Chloe and Mark exchanged glances.  It suddenly occurred
to him why she was so enthused about being next to him.  Mark ignore the hit to
his ego and went straight into cop mode.  "Missy do you know anyone that
would want to hurt you?  Any ex-boyfriends or ex-employees you pissed
off?"
    "No.  Before Brandon I hadn't dated in a
while.  I was always too dedicated to my career and we haven't had any
employees