Chapter 59

**Summer's POV**

"Is that what you're worried about?" His dark eyes studied my face with dangerous focus, catching every micro-expression I tried to hide. "Sounds like you've had plenty of experience being her target. And you're so used to playing defense, aren't you, June?"

The observation was casual, but something in his tone made me look up.

"Isn't that obvious? I moved out of the Taylor mansion the moment I could afford my own place. I only go back for things like Grandpa George s birthday, when absence would cause more drama than presence."

His dark eyes studied my face, taking in every subtle tell I couldn't quite hide. My fingers twisted nervously in the hem of my blouse as that penetrating gaze seemed to strip away every defense I'd built over the years.

"She's quite skilled at manipulation," he concluded, his voice carrying an edge that made me shiver. His thumb brushed across my knuckles,stilling my fidgeting hands. "But she's never faced someone like me before."

"Brandon..." I said, "You don't have to get involved in Taylor family drama. Victoria has this way of making everything so much worse than it needs to be."The sales saleswoman approached with perfectly wrapped boxes,her professional demeanor never wavering. The store manager followed close behind,practically radiating deference. "Mr. Stark, the shoes..." The manager's voice carried just the right note of respect.

Brandon's brow furrowed slightly as he accepted the box containing the heels. "And the flats?"

"Right here, Miss Taylor." The saleswoman produced another box with impressive efficiency. "Your size, as requested."

I glanced at Brandon, suddenly uncertain. He nodded once, his expression softening imperceptibly. "Try them on. And wear less heels from now on."A smile played at his lips as he added, "Except at home."

Heat flooded my cheeks as I caught his meaning, understanding dawning as I watched the manager's careful orchestration of the entire scene. The height difference between us was even more pronounced now- my 5'6" to his 6'2"- but something about it felt oddly right.

"Thank you," I said to the saleswoman as she packed up my old shoes.Then, to Brandon: "Shall we go?"

"Thank you for helping me today." I turned to face him once we reached the mall's main corridor. Without those heels digging into my feet, walking felt like floating.

The corner of his mouth lifted in that dangerous half-smile."Is that all?"

"What else do you want?" I couldn't quite hide my own answering smile. "No wonder you're no match for her." He closed the distance between us in two long strides, taking the shopping bag from my hand and naturally intertwining our fingers.My body went rigid, face flaming as I registered the casual intimacy of the gesture. "There are people everywhere!" I tried to pull away, though not very convincingly. My eyes darted around nervously,hyper-aware of potential observers.

"Am I embarrassing you?" The amusement in his voice made my pulse race.

"No!" I forced an awkward laugh. "I just... what if Victoria's still around?If she sees us together..."

"What is there to be afraidof?" He cut me off smoothly, something like disdain coloring his tone. "I didn't expect you to be so wary of your sister.She's all bluster."

The words hit harder than they should have. I bit my lip, memories of twenty-plus years of sisterhood washing over me like acid. "You don't understand. It started with small things - toys, clothes. Then it was friends.Then our parents' affection. Victoria... she doesn't just take things. She makes sure you know they were taken."

"Are you afraid she'll try to take me away too?" Brandon's deep voice carried a hint of amusement, though something darker lurked beneath.

I froze, caught completely off guard by his question. "What? No,why would you think that?" The denial came automatically, but when I caught sight of his slightly darkening expression, I realized I might have given the wrong answer. I let out an awkward laugh, trying to backtrack. "I mean... that's not what I meant. I know Victoria couldn't take you away - I know what kind of person you are." My voice softened as I continued, "But you don't really understand my family. They always find new ways to surprise me with how low they can go. If Victoria finds out about us, about our marriage...well, if she can't have the best, she'll try to destroy everything around it." "You think she can destroy me?" Brandon's low laugh held a dangerous edge, though his mood seemed to lighten at my fumbling explanation."Don't worry. Your husband isn't so easily broken."

"Oh. I know she doesn't have that kind of power," I said quickly,remembering exactly who I was talking to. "But she'll keep pushing and pushing, until it becomes so annoying you'll get sick of dealing with it all.And if my father finds out about our relationship..." I trailed off,remembering how quickly Richard Taylor had been willing to sacrifice his own daughter for business interests.

"I'm serious," I said softly, letting all my fears spill out. "My father was willing to sacrifice me for a two hundred million dollar investment. The Taylor family... I don't want them causing trouble for you."

A low chuckle escaped him. "Silly girl."

"This isn't funny!" I protested, but his gentle squeeze of my fingers made the words lose their edge.

"I'm not mocking you," Brandon said softly. "Since I chose to marry you, I've considered all of this. We're husband and wife now -shouldn't we face everything together, share both the good and bad?" His voice deepened with conviction. "If I were so easily manipulated, I wouldn't be Brandon Stark. Trust me to handle these matters." Seeing my still-uncertain expression, he reached out to stroke my hair again. I ducked away with a pout. "Do you have some kind of compulsive need to pat my head? You're messing up my hair." I leaned against the window, watching the buildings blur past. "Sometimes I just wish life could be simpler, you know?" Brandon's eyebrow arched slightly, a smile tugging at his lips. The sudden buzz of his phone interrupted whatever he'd been about to say."Get that for me?" I picked up his phone, checking the screen. "It's James."

"Put it on speaker."

"Okay." I turned on the speakerphone, and James's crisp voice filled the car. "Sir, we have an update."

I glanced uncertainly at Brandon. "Should I turn off the speaker?" But Brandon just shook his head. "Go ahead, James."

"The investigation is moving forward, but there's something else." James hesitated for a moment. "I just received a video. It's about your wife."

I looked at Brandon in confusion, mouthing "Me?" His expression darkened slightly.

"Continue," Brandon commanded.

James cleared his throat, his usual efficiency tinged with uncertainty.His hesitation made my stomach twist with anxiety. I gripped the phone tighter, and Brandon must have noticed my tension because his eyes narrowed slightly,giving me a reassuring look.

I forced a small smile, trying to show I was fine. "James, it's Summer. You said there's a video about me? Just tell us."

"Yes, ma'am. It's... it's footage from your grandfather's birthday party.What happened upstairs that night." The phone slipped from my suddenly numb fingers, hitting the console with a sharp crack. My hands trembled as I scrambled to pick it up. "What video? I was unconscious upstairs - who could have taken a video?"