Personal: The Extended Edition (Private #3)

Chapter 14

Wes

“Why am I here?” I coldly chomp while undoing my black, double breasted suit jacket. “What sort of emergency incident was this?”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Wilcox.” She tips her light chocolate chin at J.T. “Mr. Reese.”

“Mrs. Collins,” my best friend warmly greets in return. “Might I say you look lovely as ever.”

“I appreciate the sentiment; however, you do understand that compliments will not allow you to cut in the waiting list line when the time occurs, right?”

“Worth a shot,” he cheekily chortles, clearly having switched to super douche mode – a mode that is of course fine and even preferred whenever work matters are on the table, however they currently are not.

This is about his nephew.

My son.

“Gentlemen, please,” a gesture is made towards her unoccupied office chairs, “have a seat.”

“I want you to explain to me exactly what happened.”

“I understand.”

“And I expect there to be no details removed from the explanation.”

“I understand.”

“And I expect you to begin right fucking now.”

“ Wes, ” J.T. swiftly chastises.

“ Sit, Mr. Wilcox, ” the woman in charge forcefully encourages in such a way, I can’t resist following the command.

Huh.

I see why she’s capable of running one of the best private early education academies in the country.

She didn’t even bat an eyelash over my tone.

Under normal circumstances, I’d appreciate her iron backbone.

Under these?

I’m considering purchasing this institute just to fire her for effortlessly demanding my obedience.

Once J.T. and I are both settled in our seats, she begins again, “Mr. Wilcox, I would like to start this conversation by expressing my understanding regarding your current agitation. Given the recent situation and speculation involving your family – which is the main reason I reached out to you rather than Wy’s still recovering mother who is listed as the primary point of contact – I do not blame you one little bit for demanding answers and being upset that you have yet to receive them.”

“ Then deliver. ”

“ Wes, ” harshly snips the man at my side.

“I would like to continue by expressing that I take each and every parents’ concerns very seriously , whether it’s in regards to their child’s mental and physical education, health, or safety. I – as well as those I employ – are dedicated to providing the best atmosphere for both parent and child. It’s what I promised when you joined our school – our family so to speak – and a promise that I’ll continue to fulfill until you as well as your child leave us for the next step in their academic adventure.”

My body wants to relax, yet I fight against it.

Fold my fingers tightly together to ensure I stay cautious.

Skeptical.

Alert.

“About an hour ago, an unknown individual tried to check your son out of the building.”

All the air in my lungs is instantly seized.

“The unidentified individual made it through the doors by piggy backing her way inside.”

A woman.

The person after my boy is a woman.

And the fact she came after him a second time verifies this is about him.

Not Bryn.

The warning at the hospital wasn’t in reference to stalking her .

It was a reminder she’s going for our child.

“The intruder – who upon reviewing the footage was wearing oversized sunglasses to conceal her face along with a large sunhat and what was clearly an expensive wig – began a casual conversation at the entrance door with a parent who-”

“Which parent?”

“I cannot disclose that information to you, Mr. Wilcox, for confidentiality reasons.”

“Are you honestly going to have me call my attorneys to get that information?”

“Yes.”

Her lack of hesitation both pleases and enrages me.

“The rights of all of my families are something I have to protect. While I completely understand what it is you have to do, and why you need this information, you’ll have to go through the proper channels so that I do not compromise anyone’s confidentiality clauses. I would expect anyone else in this situation to want the same thing, and I would push for them to take the legal route as well.” She folds her hands politely together on the desk space directly in front of her. “Shall I continue or would prefer for me to wait for your legal counsel to arrive?”

One hand is defeatedly waved in her direction. “Continue.”

An eyebrow is lifted in a silent demanding fashion.

“ Please. ”

“The unidentified female used the conversation as a distraction to piggyback her way in through the front door where the first code is supposed to be put in for entrance. We both know it’s against policy to do what the parent did, and they have been fined and reprimanded accordingly.”

They will pay even more once I have their identity.

“The conversation continued to the front desk, which was momentarily empty because Clemmy, the front desk assistant-”

“Who thinks I look exactly like that guy from Chicago Fire ,” J.T. needlessly interjects.

“-had stepped out to use the facilities. It was there that the parent put in their personal code and went to retrieve their child leaving the individual to do the same. They made three wrongful attempts, and when this happens, an immediate alert is sent to me, along with the child’s teacher, to inform them not to let the child out of their care unless given direct, face-to-face approval by me.”

“Your protocols are impeccable,” I quietly compliment.

“Thank you. They are one of the many things that makes my early academic academy so sought after.” She politely smiles and precedes, “When the unidentified female saw Clemmy heading back to the desk, she immediately fled. There wasn’t time for Clemmy to lock the doors or even call the on-site security guard for detainment.”

And Wy’s personal security detail isn’t allowed in the building.

Each individual is granted permission to wait in the parking lot – as long as their clean background checks have been provided to the school – where they’re allowed to watch and observe and report any suspicious activity throughout the day. They’re there to also ensure that no one else leaves with him that isn’t on his approved list, meaning even if this woman had somehow managed to get to Wy out of the building, she wouldn’t have made it past them .

Part of me wishes that that was how this scenario played out because at least then this shit would be over.

I could handle this person.

Find out what they want.

Why they’re targeting my fucking toddler.

Discover if this is a ransom scheme or something more sinister.

I could be informed of where their grudge was built.

Why.

What I did to them or didn’t do for them that has caused them to disrupt my entire existence.

Attempt to ruin it.

The reasons for their choices that gave my wife her second concussion, amnesia, and stole our unborn child from us.

The latter haunts me more than it does Bryn.

It’s one of the few memories I find myself thankful that she’s lost.

“I did alert HPD to the situation, and I will, gladly , hand over a copy of the digital evidence to your team – or teams – to scour both visually as well as digitally along with the parent’s name who was an accidental accessory to the attempted abduction the instant your attorney – or attorneys – provide the correct legal documentation for me. ” She leans slightly back in her seat. “I understand if you would like to pursue legal actions regarding the academy; however, I do hope you choose otherwise as I feel we fulfilled our duty to protect your child and communicate thoroughly.”

Presenting her with a slightly softer expression is immediately done. “We will not be pursuing any legal actions regarding you or the academy, Mrs. Collins. You have been…” it’s difficult to find the appropriate phrasing, “incredible and rather reassuring during what can only be described as an… unfortunate time.”

“I will be here – however long you or the authorities need me to be – in order to get this matter settled to the best of my ability.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Wilcox?”

“Can you inform me if there’s a cost I can pay if I choose to temporarily unenroll him while getting this matter settled?”

“You can’t unenroll Wy,” my best friend swiftly argues. “He needs to be in school.”

“He needs to be safe. ”

“He is safe here, Wes.” His body angles itself more so in my direction. “If anything, she just fucking-”

“ Language ,” reprimands Mrs. Collins.

“-proved that she as well as this school are more than capable of keeping Wyland safe. ”

“Thank you, Mr. Reese.”

“Idontknow a lot about kids, but from what I do know, and what I’ve read, and what I’ve learned helping raise the little dude is kids need stability. And routines. And consistency. ”

“Very true,” the owner promptly agrees.

“It’s one of the reasons why after the first incident we were all so adamant about returning him to the structure he’s more accustomed too. Sure, a bonus day off here or there is fine. Or a long weekend. Or a mini vacation. But ripping Little Fins out of his world simply to make yourself feel better…to make yourself feel more in control …is fuc-”

“ Language. ”

“Er…um… messed up. ”

“You don’t understand. You’re not a parent.”

Shock furrows his forehead.

“And he’s not your son,” leaves my mouth without consideration. “It isn’t your decision.”

Hurt instantly flashes in his stare prompting him to nod. “You’re right.” Rising to his feet is followed by him buttoning his jacket. “I’m not a parent.” J.T.’s stare locks with the female on the other side of the desk. “If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. Collins. I need to return to the office as I clearly have nothing to offer since I’m not a parent or legal guardian.”

My mouth twitches in regret yet nothing comes out.

Despite the fact it should.

Needs to.

“Thank you for joining us, Mr. Reese,” she politely states. “Wyland is very fortunate to have you in his life.”

“It’s nice to hear that someone believes that.”

Without another word or looking in my direction, my best friend exits, leaving me on my own.

“ Mr. Wilcox ,” is spoken in an equally professional and criticizing nature, “while your feelings are valid, your invalidation of others is cause for concern.” One pants covered leg is swung over the other. “To answer your question, no. Once you unenroll Wyland, if you would like to re-enroll him, you have to rejoin the waitlist. If you would like to continue to have us hold his spot, you will have to continue to pay tuition as you do now regardless of his lack of presence. However,” the hand folding now occurs in her lap, “from an objective third party who truly only has your son’s best interest at heart, unenrolling or completely disrupting what it is he knows and loves and relies on – whether that be school or time with family – can do detrimental damage. I am encouraging you to consider the effects of your choices on more than just your son’s safety and to discuss this with your wife before making any decisions.”

There is nothing here to discuss.

I will do whatever it takes to protect him.

Them.

Even if the world labels me a monster for doing so.