CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Tate

Ifelt like a prisoner in my own home. The reality that Alec was following my every move was a bit scarier than I'd imagined it to be. After Tyler dumped Alec's dating history on me last month, I'd simply chalked it up to couples that didn't get along. Of course, hearing secondhand about the stalking charges against Alec distressed me as well, but back then, I didn't associate Alec with being a problem for me personally. That had changed.

Because of being a recent hire, there were few personal items in my office, so I hadn't gone in to retrieve them. A simple resignation letter addressed and sent in an email to the two principal officers, Alec Browning Sr., and Alec Browning Jr., yesterday, should have done the trick.

Staring at the caller ID on my phone proved it hadn't. The caller was Browning Browning, not Alec's cell or personal office number.

"Hello?"

"Tate, this is Browning Senior," he stated. "I'm hoping you have a moment."

"How can I help you, sir?"

"Call me Senior, Tate. You work for me. Let's not be so impersonal."

"Until yesterday," I corrected.

I dragged a barstool away from the kitchen island and sat down, pushing a cold cup of coffee away. I hadn't even met Alec's father, and I'd worked as one of his senior attorneys for a few months, so a call from him caught my attention.

"How about we talk about that, son? My favorite HR gal just walked out of my office after informing me you resigned," he said.

"I did send you an email, sir," I replied.

He laughed. "Yeah, yeah. I'm sure you did, son, but I don't read mail sent on a damn computer. Now, why don't you tell me personally what I did so wrong to lose such a rising star?"

That was an open invitation. "Well, for starters, sir," I began. "This is the first time I've spoken to you. One might think you would've stopped by my office, and at a minimum, introduced yourself a couple of months ago."

He laughed again, this time less heartily. "You got me there, Tate, and I apologize for that fact. You're absolutely correct. My bad," he admitted. "But just so you know, I followed your career when you were in Seattle. In fact, it was me who suggested we recruit you, son. And now the biggest fish I ever landed wants out? Doesn't sit well with me, to tell you the truth."

"The company just wasn't a good fit, sir. How about we just leave it there, and we can both move on to something more productive?"

"Anyone ever told you that you're a bit of a hard-ass, Tate?"

"Once or twice," I answered. "But they were usually on the losing end of a criminal case."

I heard something on his end of the line that sounded like he'd pounded on something. "Damn!" he exclaimed. "See that? You just proved my case. I can't have someone of your caliber leaving my company."

Ironic that he used the term ‘of your caliber.' His son had just texted me the same thing last week when he claimed to be protecting my reputation from dating Luke. I wasn't sure the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

"I appreciate that, Mr. Browning, but the arrangement isn't working for me. I do appreciate you taking time from your day to reach out personally."

"Can I speak freely, Tate?" he inquired. "A conversation perhaps a bit more on the personal side, if you don't mind, son?"

"You may."

"Are you gay, son?" he asked.

Being surprised by his question would be an understatement of epic proportions. "I'm not sure you're allowed to ask me that, sir."

"Probably not," he replied. "But I'm trying to connect a few dots over here, and my son, who just happens to be gay, is one of those dots."

What was he after? I'd never met the man and here he was asking about my sexuality and for some reason tying his son to it. He couldn't possibly know that I knew a shitload of damaging facts about Alec, could he?

"And how does that involve me?" I asked, trying not to be defensive, but his old-world charm was wearing thin with me. Plus, I wasn't sure I trusted him. Probably the whole tree and apple falling business.

"You and I don't need to speak of this ever again, son, but I have a sneaking suspicion my son is making your life difficult. And if that is the case, well… let's just say that I need to rectify that problem," he specified.

"I think I'll pass on adding anything else to your suspicion, sir."

"I figured as much," he said. "Men of your caliber are like that. That's why I value you so much, Tate."

"I appreciate your kind words, Mr. Browning, and I wish we'd had a chance to know one another."

"One last question, son?" I made a noise indicating I was waiting for the question. "Does Junior intimidate you?" I didn't answer and silence hung like a dark cloud. "Let me ask you this way," he added. "Are you afraid of him?"

"Of course not," I stated. "We just didn't get along."

"How about you do me a favor and come back to work for me?" he asked. "I need your help, and I certainly could use someone that won't put up with his constant bullshit."

"How much do you know, sir?"

"Probably too damn much, son, but I know this for a fact. He won't bother you anymore, and I'm doubling your salary and making you a full partner. Just say yes and let's get back to you working on a bright future with me. Can you do that for an old man?"

"Double my salary, sir? You do realize how much you already pay me?"

"Yeah, there is that, but I'm a good read of character, son, and you have that thing I like to call worth the bet. I'm betting you'll make me a boatload of money in return. So how ‘bout it?"

"I like you, Senior. I think you might just be worth the bet as well," I said. "I suppose you need an answer today?"

"Yeah, that'd make me feel better, son. And could you stop by my office, let's say, tomorrow morning when you get in?"

"I can do that," I agreed, finding myself talked into going back to work.

"Well, good news then," he said. "And Tate? I promise you'll come out on top with this decision."

"Let's hope so, sir."

We disconnected, and I laid my phone on the quartz countertop, still wondering what the fuck I'd just agreed to.