Cunning

  “Of course, sir.”

  As one of the biggest employers for the area and beyond, Montague Corporation’s reputation was something the Savannah police would do all they could to maintain.

  “If that is all,” my mother said, “I believe my daughter needs some time. I’ll be happy to show you to the door.”

  Detective Michelson nodded. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Olivia, please close the door.”

  My eyes looked nervously toward my father’s as the door closed and silence prevailed. Listening to the police detective give gruesome details of my husband’s death should turn my stomach, and it did. But not as much as being left alone with Charles’s judgmental stare.

  Willing my neck to straighten, I took a deep breath and tried to ignore that the trembling I’d experienced when I first entered his office had resumed.

  Father stood and moved to the chair beside me, the one where my mother had been. “Don’t worry.”

  It wasn’t what I expected to hear.

  “But if they…”

  “They won’t find anything out of the ordinary. Russell went for a joy ride. He lost control. Montague will make a public statement and ask for time—time for grieving.”

  For the first time in years, my lungs filled as I inhaled. My chest rose and fell in rhythm as each breath delivered essential oxygen to my deprived bloodstream. Like water to the Georgia clay, it brought a seedling of hope where before hopelessness reigned.

  Charles’s words registered. His low monotone tenor infiltrated my new sense of freedom. “…a respectable time before you remarry.”

  My face spun toward his. “Why? I don’t want to remarry.”

  “That’s nonsense. Of course you’ll remarry. I believe someone older than Russell. He couldn’t control you the way you need.”

  I stood, my head shaking from side to side. “I can’t bear children. There is no reason for me to remarry.”

  “Adelaide, sit down and lower your voice.”

  Slowly, I did as he said.

  “I won’t live forever. I need to know that Montague Corporation is in capable hands.”

  “What about me? What about Alexandria?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You had a mission—correction, two missions. You failed at both. The husband you chose was incapable. Maybe that was your real failure. Him. Russell Collins couldn’t produce a son, failed as a husband, and was a disappointment as a businessman.

  “The position of your husband is too important to allow for you to fail again. I’ll find an acceptable man to oversee my empire.”

  “You’re crazy.” It was the first time I’d ever stood up to him.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your empire? Heavens, who are you, the king of Savannah?”

  “Adelaide.” His tone threatened to still my unusual outburst.

  Nevertheless, I continued, “You point fingers, yet you seem to forget. You only produced a daughter yourself.”

  “No.” The one word came out as a growl. “I haven’t forgotten. I’m reminded of that fact every day. That is why I’ll be the one who oversees this next husband. Your job, your duty is to give me a son-in-law capable of the tasks before me. I won’t risk your poor decision-making ability again.

  “You said you married for love. Well, Daughter, how did that work for you? Montague Corporation, my empire, is too important to let emotion be a deciding factor.”

  No longer able to breathe, I sat mute as he went on and on about my future and that of Alexandria’s.

  “I could leave. I don’t need to do this.”

  Father laughed. “Be my guest. Oh, that’s right. You have been for twenty-nine years. The door isn’t locked, but you’re not taking Alexandria.”

  What the hell?

  “You can’t take my daughter away from me.”

  “They don’t allow children in prison. That’s what happens to women who kill their husbands.”

  I wasn’t the one who commissioned his death. Charles knew that.

  “I didn’t! I didn’t have anything to do with it. You just said that they won’t find anything.”

  “They won’t, unless I want them to.”

  Just like everything else, my opinion didn’t matter. It was my duty. I’d been told that since the day I was born. Arguing would prove futile. After all, this was his empire. King Charles II, supreme ruler of Montague Manor and beyond.

  “When do you plan for me to marry? What’s an acceptable amount of time?”

  His cold hand patted mine. “Don’t worry about that. Daddy will take care of everything. You mourn. But when you do…” He waved his hand up and down. “…remember to keep yourself… appealing. Russell may have grown tired of you, but you won’t let that happen again. You’re a Montague. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,” the captain’s announcement bellowed through the speakers. “We apologize for any inconvenience; however, the tower has informed us that there is a backup on the runway, and our departure from the gate will be delayed.”

  I looked at my watch. It was time to take off and yet the cabin door was still open. I might be paranoid, but the longer I was unable to reach Nox, the more my mind created ridiculous scenarios. It wasn’t difficult for me to do. In first class I saw everything. I saw the string of unfamiliar faces that passed by after I boarded. I noticed when the passengers ceased boarding. I watched as the flight attendant began to close the cabin door and saw the attendant on the sky bridge, the one who does whatever happens outside the plane, whisper to the inside attendant. I noticed that they left the door open.

  Now, with the recent announcement, I wasn’t sure what to think.

  Surely, a plane of two hundred passengers wasn’t being delayed because of me. That idea was ridiculous. No one had that kind of power.

  I looked again at the phone in my hands. It should be turned off, but then again, we should be in the air. Since I was seated, I’d tried twice to call Nox. Each attempt went to voicemail. I hadn’t left a message. I didn’t know what to say. After all, I’d left a note. It wasn’t like leaving him in Del Mar. With our agreement, I knew I’d see him again, and I had the uncomfortable feeling that it would be similar to yesterday.

  I shifted in my seat with phantom memories of the sting of that reunion.

  The last thing I’d said to him was that I’d follow his directions and meet him in the bar at seven. I wasn’t trying to disobey him at every turn; however, he’d probably see it that way.

  Since the person in 3F never arrived, I unbuckled my seatbelt and scooted over to get closer to the tiny window. The view was my distraction, a way not to think about Chelsea and her injuries or Nox and his consequences. Instead, I concentrated on the people outside, the people on the ground scurrying about with carts of suitcases. The entire operation fascinated me. I didn’t really care how my checked luggage got from one airport to the next, but the fact that it did was in and of itself a feat. There were times when I’d run full speed through large airports, barely making my connecting flight, and yet my luggage was almost always there upon arrival.

  The vibration of my phone took me from the mundane thoughts of baggage and airports back to reality.

  NOX - PRIVATE NUMBER

  I swallowed and faced the music. “Hello.”

  “Hello? That’s your answer?”

  My heart sank at his cold tone. What did I expect?

  “I’ve tried multiple times to reach you.”

  “As have I. Explain.”

  Okay. At least he is willing to listen.

  “Do you remember Chelsea?”

  “Your sister, who isn’t?” Nox replied.

  “Yes. I told you we lived together. We did, near Stanford in Palo Alto. Today was the day my belongings were supposed to be picked up by the movers and brought to New York.”

  “You don’t need anything from California. I told you to shop today.”

  I closed my eyes and tried to keep my voice low. “Please
listen.” When he didn’t answer, I went on, “I did—need things. I scheduled this move before… before my life imploded. Anyway, today I received a call from the movers. They were there knocking and Chelsea wasn’t opening the door.”

  “You’re flying to California to open a fucking door?”

  “Shut up!” I whispered through clenched jaws. I was tired of his attitude. “Just listen. I love her. She’s more of a sister than I’ve ever had. I called our complex. They opened the door and found her. She was hurt. Nox, someone hurt her. They took her to the hospital and…” I tried unsuccessfully to keep the tears at bay. “…I need to see her. I need to be there. I’m sorry. This isn’t about you or us or anything. I need to be there…” My words trailed away as a newly boarding passenger caught my eye. “Are you kidding me?” I asked as my eyes met Deloris Witt’s.

  “Is that question for me?” he asked. “The last time I spoke you told me to shut up.”

  I looked from Deloris to the seat beside me, stunned that she was there, and silently asking if she was supposed to sit in 3D. Shaking her head, she smiled and silently walked past.

  Well, at least she smiled.

  “Did you…?”

  My words trailed away as the next passenger boarded. The handsome man holding a phone to his ear, the one who had to duck his head as he entered, took my breath away. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that he was there or how incredibly stunning he was in his suit. I wasn’t the only one to notice, apparently, for the flight attendants quickly offered their assistance, taking his suit coat and hanging it in the small closet. Behind him was another man I also knew.

  Smiling at the flight attendants, Nox’s eyes found mine. Removing the phone from his ear, he nodded my direction, hit the disconnect button, and slid his phone into the pocket of his slacks.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, unsure what to do or say. Unable to comprehend, I sat paralyzed, my phone still to my ear. Nox whispered to Isaac, who nodded my direction before following Deloris farther back into the plane.

  Nox’s brow furrowed in question as he eased into the seat beside me. Without speaking, he reached for my phone and hit the disconnect button. A second later he leaned closer, and his warm lips collided with mine as a cloud of woodsy cologne replaced the stagnant cabin air.

  When he pulled away, navy swirled in the pale blue of his eyes. The menacing gaze that I adored bore into me, only inches away, speaking volumes that his lips had yet to utter.

  The dam on my emotions broke. It’d been too much for too long. I fell forward as his arms surrounded me and tears dampened his white shirt.

  “I’m sorry.” My apology came out muffled by his embrace. “I shouldn’t have left, but I’m so worried.”

  “How is she? Have you heard anything?”

  I leaned back and stared at this beautiful man. From his expression, the tenderness in his touch, and the concern in his voice, he wasn’t the man who’d left me this morning. He was the man from Del Mar.

  Before I could answer, I turned toward the attendant closing the main cabin door. The captain’s announcement came over the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the delay. It seems as though the tower is now allowing us to proceed. For those of you having a connecting flight, I believe with current weather conditions, we will make it to San Francisco on schedule.”

  I shook my head. “You delayed a plane?”

  Nox reached for my chin and pulled my eyes to his. “You belong to me. I’m not letting you fly across the country by yourself.”

  “How?”

  “Why?” he asked, without answering my question.

  “I told you, Chelsea.”

  “Charli, she was attacked in your apartment.”

  I nodded.

  “No, you’re not listening. Someone attacked her, in your apartment.”

  “You knew? Before our call?” I asked, astonished.

  “Deloris figured it out. Don’t you see? Don’t you see how dangerous this is? I’m not being a caveman or a dick or any other name you want to call me. I’m being cautious. Today you tried to lose Isaac. You must stay with your security detail.”

  “Is that why he’s here?” I asked.

  “For now. He’s here for both of us. I’m going to go with you to visit Chelsea. If you decide to stay with her and I need to return to New York, Mrs. Witt will assure the safety of both of us.”

  I looked down as Nox reached for my hand and our fingers intertwined. The bright red nail polish from last night was gone, replaced with a new nude shade. The warmth of his touch flowed from our connection throughout my body, filling me with support I’d never known.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I was afraid you’d be upset.”

  He kissed my nose. “Upset that you’re worried about your sister?”

  I shook my head. “I told you…”

  “Charli, a sister isn’t just blood. I don’t have any siblings, but there are people whom I’m closer to than my own blood. We’ll go and make sure Chelsea is all right. Then, if you want, we can bring her back to New York and keep her safe. If she means that much to you, she means that much to me.”

  My head continued to move from side to side. “Who the fuck are you?”

  Nox leaned close, his cologne clouding my thoughts. “I’m Batman, princess. Next time you want to fly across the country, tell me. I won’t delay two hundred people’s plans, and we can just fly in the bat plane.”

  He shook his head as the plane began to move and pointed his chin toward my lap.

  “What?”

  “Fasten your seatbelt.”

  Though I didn’t want to let go of his hand, I grinned and did as he said. “Actually,” I said, “I think I’m in your seat. Since this one was empty, I moved over to look out the window.”

  “You can keep the window seat.” He reached again for my hand. This time, he lifted it to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “I prefer my current view.”

  After we were in the air, I leaned back and tried to make sense of everything. “Nox?”

  “Hmm?”

  “How did Deloris figure it out? Did she see the note I left you?”

  “You left me a note?”

  “Yes,” I replied. “In the hotel suite.”

  “No. It was your phone.”

  “My phone?”

  “Even though you tried to lose him, Isaac was watching you today. He said you were upset over a call and rushed back to the hotel.”

  “I wasn’t trying to lose him. I wanted to walk, clear my head.”

  “Then inform him. Don’t just go MIA.”

  Had he seen me at my apartment?

  “Please keep going, but then I need to tell you something.”

  “Deloris checked your calls,” he explained. “Since all of your recent calls, except those to me, her, or Isaac, were to and from California, she did a little more research. I don’t know how she does what she does, but I know she’s invaluable.” He squeezed my hand. “What do you need to tell me?”

  “You probably already know.”

  “Even if I do, I’d rather hear it from you.”

  My stomach twisted with what I was about to confess. I liked the man beside me, the one who was concerned about my safety, the one who listened and held my hand. If I told him I disobeyed his orders again, that I’d signed the lease and agreed to keep my apartment, would he morph into the man from yesterday and last night?

  “I’m scared,” I confessed.

  The flight attendant smiled at Nox as she handed him our drinks. As Nox handed the glass of red wine to me, his cheeks rose. “Let’s toast.”

  “To?”

  “To us, together again in California.” His smile broadened.

  Our glasses touched, and we each took a sip.

  “We could also toast to whatever it is you are about to tell me.”

  I sighed. “I don’t think it’s toast-worthy, but here goes. I didn’t cancel my lease. I signed it today, in person, a
nd have the keys to my apartment.”

  By the way he nodded, I’d been right. He already knew.

  I gave him time to respond, but when he didn’t, I asked, “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking about how fun it will be when I get you alone.”

  The tension I’d felt moments ago in my stomach moved lower.

  “That’s what scares me,” I said, sounding more seductive than scared.

  “Oh, princess,” Nox whispered near my ear, “it should. It should. Your list of offenses never seems to end. If we were on the bat plane, I’d start your punishment now.”

  With each word, my breasts heaved and my breathing labored. His lips teased my neck as his warm breath skirted my cheek.

  The low tone of his whisper rumbled through me. “You’re fucking gorgeous when you’re aroused.”

  “I’m not,” I lied.

  “You are. You’re gorgeous,” he paused for a moment and inhaled. “And you’re so wet I smell it. Princess, you’re not scared; you’re turned on.”

  I took a deep breath and tried to pretend he was mistaken. Lifting my glass of wine, I bravely turned his direction, keenly aware of the friction caused with shifting. Staring into his eyes, I proposed, “Another toast. To knowing last names, Mr. Demetri.”

  He grinned. “Using that name isn’t going to save you.”

  Nox ushered me from the plane, up the causeway. I hadn’t had a chance to change clothes from the casual sundress and sandals I wore to Columbia this morning. It was fine for the flight, but now walking next to Nox in his silk suit and shiny new loafers, I felt woefully underdressed. We waited for Isaac and Deloris before we headed toward the exit.

  While Deloris spoke on her phone, Isaac wheeled my carry-on.

  I’d planned on taking a taxi to Stanford Medical, but as we stepped onto the sidewalk, Deloris nodded to a large black Suburban. As she did, the driver stepped out and opened the rear door. In minutes, Nox and I were settled in the backseat with Isaac in the front beside the driver.

  “Where’s Deloris?” I asked as we eased into traffic.