Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Don't Be Stubborn 

Brianna

Callan shut up the door on the detective's face which made my eyes bug out of its socket. How can he do that with such confidence? I hate how handsome he looks right now but he does especially when he is angry this way because his jaw is cut when he is tense. Just standing a few feet away was enough to set my pulse off. Last time we were alone here, he screamed that he hated me. I don't even know what he will do this time around but I was nervous being here in front of his eyes.

“What did he say to you?” He asked straight out.

He wasn't standing in his casual wide stance, hands in his pocket like I have often seen him. He was bothered by that man's presence just as much as I am, his shoulders are broad and defensive. 

“He just showed up here, he wanted to speak to me again without my lawyer.” I shook my head when I listened to my own words. That man was trying to corner me here, I can't believe it.

“And what did you say?” He took a step closer which set my nerve ending on edge.

My body feels his presence, it always reacts to him. Though my heart isn't beating rapidly with the joy of this man around me. It was the hurting kind of flutter in my chest, I shouldn't look at him for too long. My eyes dropped to my fingers, which were fidgeting in front of me.

“Nothing, I told him I wouldn't talk without a lawyer.” I replied.

I know it was because he doesn't want me talking about Ezekiel even being here. That was the only reason why he cares, he is a mafia Boss and I know he must hate the police.

“Explain, Brianna.” I could hear the aggravation.

We hadn't even made it past the foyer, we just stopped after the front door was shut. I wasn't about to invite the man in to have a seat in my living room either. I huffed and recapped how things had gone almost word for word, since it hadn't been a very long conversation. He nodded along with me.

“Good, you did the right thing.” He finally shoved his hands into his pants pocket and looked me over as if seeing me for the first time and I looked away.

“How did you know he was here?” I asked. It was obvious he came for that sole purpose.

“The front desk alerts me of anything off in the building, per my request. They informed me a detective just showed up and I knew where he would be.” He explained how he got to know that the detective was at my door.

I knew that because of the time I walked into this building and before I could even call for the elevator he was already coming after me. That was last year when I wasn't speaking to him because I found out he was still sleeping with other women. I should have stopped there, I should have never given into him when he broke into my damn apartment and clouded my judgement again. I don't like thinking about that trip, how it all ended. I hated thinking about this, I want him to leave now. I nodded to show him that I understood his explanation, I figured from there he would turn on his heel and go but he didn't. It forced me to look back at him. I hate his damn handsome face, I hate how sexy he can look in a suit. Those tattooed hands, damn him.

“What?” I had to finally ask when he just continued to look at me. He seemed to snap out of something and his stance grew tense again.

“Nothing, I was thinking about the detective.” He cleared his throat and looked away from me. Still he hadn't left though, as I opened my mouth to ask him to leave, his head was already turning back to me and he spoke before I could.

“I know your brother's birthday is this weekend and I know it will be hosted at my club. You can go…to my establishment.” He gave me permission. I wanted to snort in his face but it was such a raw subject, I couldn't even find the humor in it.

“I am not going.” That was all I was going to allow him to hear from me.

“I assumed it was because of how we had last spoken but it is Bryce's birthday. He would want you there.” He said it like he was doing me some big favour.

“Last spoken? You mean when you screamed in my face that you hate me and regret me? Is that what you were referring to?” 

I didn't know where it came from but my anger shot through me and I couldn't keep quiet. Not about this, it has bothered me for so long, he hurt me badly. 

His jaw clenched at the mention of my words, he ran his hand through his hair and opened his mouth to speak but I won't allow him.

“I don't want to hear it, Callan. Whatever it is, just…don't.” I shook my head at him.

“Brianna,” he began again.

“Callan leave.” I got short with the man. If he yelled at me to stay away from him, why would he find it okay to come to me? It isn't fair.

I saw the fire flicker behind his eyes. Instead of taking a step backwards, towards the front door, he took a step in my direction and I couldn't stand it. The air between us used to become thick with lust and attraction, now it becomes thick with a different kind of tension. Something that makes it hard to breathe in the worst way. My heart was beating out of my tight chest.

“Don't be stubborn, just go to your brother's damn birthday.” He brought the topic back around. 

If he won't leave, I will. I didn't respond to his words, I just waited a moment and when  I saw he wasn't turning for the door. I was the one to turn instead. I turned on my heel and went straight for my room. It is not the first time I have hidden in my room because of him, I used to do it all the time. He used to overwhelm me, I guess he still does.

“Fucking hell, Brianna!” I heard his agitated voice behind me but I didn't stop.

I walked into the room and closed the door behind me. When the footsteps got closer to my door rather than farther away, my gut clenched. Why is he walking this way? I paused in anticipation once his footsteps stopped but a knock never came. There was a subtle sound almost like he had dropped his head against the door or something. It wasn't a knock but I heard something go against the door. There was a long silence before I heard the footsteps again. This time retreating the way I hoped he would, why do I feel like crying right now? I hate that I feel such emotions even at this short interaction with him. This fire inside my gut gets so much worse when I see his face, when I hear his voice and when I catch a whiff of his scent.

Only when I heard my front door shut did I release a breath from my right lungs. I hate this, I plopped on my bed and called my best friend. I needed to vent to someone but I also just wanted to disclose that information about detective Nasa. He left me unsettled for some reason and he approached me in private, in the building where I live. It didn't sit right with me.

“Umm, sketch.” That was Jane's reaction and I agree.

“But what is up with my brother? Why would he even talk to you? He is so frustrating.” Shs huffed. If his own sister thinks so, then I can't be wrong with how frustrated he gets me.

“Are you going to do it? Go to the club, I mean.” I scoffed at her words.

“No, I promised myself I would never step foot in his establishments again and I meant it. My brother's birthday or not, I won't go there. He hates me, I don't even know why he would waste his breath giving me this bullshit permission.” I shifted the phone from one ear to the other and I heard her huffing.

“It is because he is full of crap, he doesn't hate you.” She said the words I had been hoping were true but I can't let myself believe that. I should take him at his word, and his words were ‘I hate you'. Regretting me hurts just so bad.

“You always make my drama sound like child's play.” I heard her   chuckle to herself.

“No way, tell me, I am here to listen. It isn't always about me.” I insisted.