What are you trying to say?
Luther’ POV
Dinner felt heavier than usual tonight. Stanley suddenly looked up from his plate and said, “You haven’t been yourself since I told you about Sophie.”
I pressed my lips tight. How had Mateo not spilled about Charlotte yet? They talked about me all the time.
“What are you trying to say?” I snapped, setting my fork down too hard.
“I’m not trying to say anything bad, Luther. Just stating what I see,” Stanley said calmly.
I tensed, hoping he would drop it. Stanley was a good brother, but strict too.
“So, what is it? You don’t like Sophie? You sounded so happy when you said you found someone to marry.”
He looked at the untouched food on my plate. I didn’t move.
“I don’t have a problem with your wedding, bro. Remember, I was the one who spoke to Charlotte when she refused to accept you and Sophie,” I said, pushing my plate away. My throat felt tight, and I wanted nothing more than a strong drink to dull the pain in my head and chest.
Stanley sighed. “Okay. Then what is it? Talk to me.”
I looked down at my lap. “I can’t,” I admitted. Even as a CEO, I had no idea how to deal with this. The thought of Charlotte spending time with Gavin tore me apart. What hurt most was her not believing Brittany’s story.
“I don’t know exactly what’s wrong, but it involves a woman. You were like this a few days ago. I don’t want it to get worse. You know I will never judge you, right?”
“I know. But right now, I want to handle it alone. It’s not what you think,” I said softly, closing my eyes for a moment.
“I won’t push. When you’re ready, I’m here. I know Mateo knows, so I’ll give you time. I’m sure he’s watching out for you.”
I relaxed back in my chair. “Any news about the break-in?”
Stanley glanced toward the mini-bar behind him.
“I’ve been busy with wedding plans. Not much time to investigate.”
I could see the guilt on his face.
“So nothing yet?”
“The CCTV cameras were off during the break-in,” he said, tapping the table.
“What do you mean, ‘during the break-in’ exactly?”
He stood and came back with two bottles of beer. I had wanted something stronger, but this would do for now.
“Someone switched the cameras off just minutes before the break-in, either remotely or in person,” he explained. I furrowed my brow.
“That sounds like an inside job. Whoever did it must have access to the security system password.”
Talking about the case kept my mind off Charlotte. Better than drinking alone and drowning in questions without answers.
“What security company do they use? Have you contacted them?”
“Hugh Inc.,” Stanley answered with a sorry look. He knew Gavin and I were rivals. He also knew what his father had done to me.
“Great,” I muttered, rubbing my face.
“I asked Sophie to switch to your company’s system, but she refused,” Stanley said quietly.
“That’s alright. But it means the person behind this knows Sophie’s house well.”
“Exactly. Or someone from the security company who can control the system remotely.”
Stanley was a good investigator, running his own firm both inside and outside the city. He was the man to trust for this job.
“Do you think the person who killed Charlotte’s father is the same one who broke in?” I asked, careful not to tell Stanley I already had someone watching over Charlotte.
“It’s possible,” he said. “That’s why Sophie should have told the police.” I still didn’t understand why Charlotte’s mother insisted on hiding everything. She wanted to protect Charlotte’s mind but was putting her in danger at the same time.
“No matter what, I know you’ll figure it out.”
I downed the rest of my beer.
“I will,” Stanley said, checking his watch.
“By the way, don’t forget, we’re picking out our wedding suits tomorrow,” he reminded me. My heart skipped. The thought of Gavin showing up with Charlotte at the wedding churned my stomach. I clenched my fists on the table, the memory of what Gavin called Charlotte sharp in my mind.
“Fuck,” I muttered, making Stanley raise an eyebrow as he watched me.
“Not excited about my wedding?” he asked, tilting his head.
“Gavin will be there,” I blurted before I could stop myself. Now I had to explain how I knew without giving away how I really felt about Charlotte.
“Huh?”
“He’s Charlotte’s date,” I added quickly, biting back the jealousy that burned in my throat. I couldn’t let Stanley see any hint of how I felt about his soon-to-be stepdaughter.
“How do you even know that?” He looked straight at me.
“Kate told me,” I lied smoothly.
“Is that so? Since when did you and Charlotte’s friend get that close, talking about the men in her life?” There was doubt in his voice, and I felt like a kid getting scolded.
“Weren’t you the one who wanted me to get along with her? What’s wrong with knowing her friends?” I forced myself to stay calm.
“Relax. I was just curious. You’re right though; Sophie said Charlotte’s been getting rides home in expensive cars but won’t say who’s driving.” Stanley didn’t realize he was making me worse. I couldn’t picture Charlotte inside Gavin’s car, maybe wearing one of her short skirts, letting him look at her the way I knew he did.
“Oh,” was all I could say, feeling the tightness in my chest grow. It was one thing to hear they were shopping together, but another to know Charlotte had already let that guy into her home. Either she was naive, trying to spite me, or she really liked him.
I finished my beer, letting out a loud belch as I set the bottle down. I had come to Stanley for a break, but the conversation dragged me right back to the people I wanted to avoid.
“I have to go. Just remembered I left some unsigned papers at home,” I lied, standing quickly.
“Come on, I thought we’d play poker all night,” Stanley said, shrugging. We usually hung out for game nights or went clubbing to catch up.
“You know I’d love to stay,” I said.
“But you have work. It’s fine. I just hoped we’d have one last night together before the wedding, just us brothers.” His voice sounded sad but understanding.
“There’s still time, Stanley.” I patted his shoulder and headed for the door.
“And I expect you to bring a date to my wedding. You said Charlotte has Gavin, so pick one of your many women,” he teased as I opened the door. His words cut deep, a reminder Charlotte didn’t trust me anymore and was already hitting me where it hurt most.
If only Stanley knew the only woman I wanted by my side was Charlotte. But for his sake, I had to find someone else. And when the time came, I would make Charlotte jealous, since she wanted to play games, I was ready to show her who was really in control.
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