Page 73 of Wrapped in Perfection

I take a deep breath and sit in the chair across from his desk. "Why would you ever think that?"

He crosses his arms. "She's been gone for three days. Her phone only rings to voice mail."

I point to his chair. "Why don't you sit down, and we can discuss the reason it's turned off."

He glares for several moments at me.

"We can do this all day. I have nothing else on my schedule."

He exhales and pulls out his chair. "Why can't I get ahold of my sister?"

"She texted Vivian to call my phone if you wanted to speak with her."

"I shouldn't have to go through you to talk with Anna."

"Instead of assuming I'm a controlling bastard who is hiding your sister from you, why don't you ask me why her phone was off."

He sighs. "Why?"

"He won't stop harassing her."

"I told her to block him."

"Me, too. But she wants her things."

"She can buy new stuff," Chase insists.

"Once again, we think alike. But she has proprietary information on her computer she wants."

"She needs to get over it. Whatever is in New York is staying there."

"She has a right to her things. And she's really talented—"

"I know she is," he defensively barks.

Stay calm. He means well.

I push my fingertips together and let the silence linger for a bit before speaking again. "We both want what is best for Anna."

"I've spoken to my attorneys and police buddies several times. It's not a black-and-white situation. Anna can't go back there, and he's not going to send her things to her."

"No, she isn't stepping foot there. But she deserves her things, and he needs to be dealt with."

"Stay out of this. You're asking for trouble."

"He's threatening to come to Chicago to get her," I bark.

The color drains from Chase's face. "What?"

"You heard me. He's only getting more enraged. Now, I asked you politely for his address several days ago. I understand your concerns, but I will handle this going forward."

His eyes turn to slits. "What are you going to do?"

"It's best if you don't know. Probably better you didn't text it to me." I shove the pad of paper and pen on his desk at him.

He hesitates, writes down the address, but holds it before handing it to me. "My sister has been through a lot."

"I know. She's told me everything."

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