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Lana
I park my car in the garage and sigh, resting my head on the steering wheel.
It’s been three days since Matt barged into my office.
I had been shocked and angry, but I haven’t contacted Fred yet, though a part of me blames him for this. I don’t understand my family or why they keep shoving rich men toward me. What exactly do they think it will achieve?
Huffing, I get out of the car. Wanting some fresh air, I take the elevator to the ground floor and walk out the front doors of the building. The watchman nods in greeting, and I smile before making my way to the small park across from the building.
Sitting on the bench, I let the chilly air tease my hair as I undo the severe bun I’ve had it in the entire day. Running my fingers through the strands, I idly think a shower would be nice right now.
“Lana?”
The familiar voice from behind me makes me freeze. I shift around, spotting the last person I want to see striding toward me. My voice is hollow. “What are you doing here?”
I have very rarely seen Fred this furious, and I wonder what he has to complain about considering I was the one assaulted.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he growls out at me once he reaches me. “Do you know the position you’ve put me in?”
My blood grows colder with every word, my heart tightening at the accusatory tone. I manage to icily say, “I beg your pardon?”
I’m on my feet now, not about to be pushed around by the likes of someone who’s the reason I was harassed. Fred might be taller than me, but my are belly is full of hatred, his face reminding me of the way Matt’s hands felt on my skin as he groped me, the way I had frozen in fear when he had kissed me as if he had every right to.
“You placed charges against Matt? Have you lost your goddamn mind?” Fred roars, and I blink in the wake of his anger.
“He assaulted me,” I grit out. “Did he tell you that?”
“It was just a kiss, Lana. Geez, you didn’t have to overreact so much!”
I widen my eyes as something akin to betrayal and horror creeps inside me. My voice is low, menacing even. “Say that again.”
He gives me an impatient look, as if he’s wasting time here. “I’ve apologized to him on your behalf. He’ll come over tomorrow for dinner at your new place. I want you to apologize to him yourself. Behave and dress appropriately.”
My breaths are coming out in pants, and I’m having a tough time wrapping my head around his words. “W-what?”
Face annoyed as if I’m being particularly unreasonable, he says, “He’s from a rich family. Make sure he likes you.”
I clench my fists. “He put his hands on me, against my will. He grabbed my chest. He would have forced himself on me if Oliver hadn’t walked in. And you want me to apologize for not letting him do it? You want me to cook him a meal, then spread my legs for him if it’s what he wants?”
Fred narrows his eyes. “Don’t be so crude, Lana. And as far as that Oliver is concerned, I’ve talked to Dad. You’re no longer going to work there.”
The anger swirling inside me is filled with frustration. I want nothing more than to hurt the man in front of me. My voice shakes with fury as I hiss, “I’m not some whore, you b
astard! If Matt comes near me, I’m taking a restraining order out on him. And as far as you’re concerned, Fred, I don’t care if you are my brother. I want you to stay away from me.”
I take a step back, suddenly scared, no longer feeling as safe as I should. “You stay the hell away from me.” My voice trembles. I feel the wetness on my cheeks as anger gives way to inexplicable pain. “I’m not even a human in your eyes, am I? If Matt had managed to rape me in my office, you would have still come here, expecting me to apologize to him?”
There’s a trace of uneasiness in my brother’s face now. “He didn’t. Don’t be ridiculous, Lana. He’s not that—”
He’s reaching to grab my wrist. Suddenly frightened beyond belief, I scream, “Don’t touch me!”
He freezes at my shout. Maybe the fear in my voice makes him reassess the situation because he gentles his voice. “Come on, Lana. Don’t be unreasonable.”
I choke, the pain in my chest so sharp it’s getting harder to breathe past it. I want to curl in a corner to cry my heart out.
“I don’t want anything to do with you or the family,” I gasp out, still trying to catch my breath.
Fred’s eyes widen in shock. It seems he’s beginning to realize he might have crossed a line. “Let’s talk about—”
