Cunning

  “It holds memories,” he finally offered.

  “Your mother?” I asked, placing my hand over his.

  He nodded. “Yes. She loved this house. It was one of the few good things he ever did for her. He was hardly here, which made it better. When they divorced the house was hers. She left it to me. Now, whenever he returns, he insists on staying here.” Nox shrugged. “I’m not sure if he stays here out of guilt or what. All I know is that it’s better to have him here than in the city.”

  “Did she remarry?” I asked, trying to avoid the multiple emotional landmines he’d dropped.

  “No. The happiness she found wasn’t with someone; it was on her own. After living with him for so long, she’d forgotten how to be her own person.” Nox turned his gaze from the water to me. “That’s why I want you to go to Columbia.”

  My chest ached as my heart swelled. He’d thought about this. It wasn’t just saving me from Infidelity. He’d actually thought about my goals and dreams. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’re going to kick ass at Columbia like you did at Stanford. Say that when you’re done you won’t settle for anything but the best damn law firm out there. Or…”

  “Or?”

  “Or you could work for Demetri?”

  I lifted my brows as I widened my eyes. “Mr. Demetri, I believe interviewing for a job as a lawyer is a bit premature.”

  Our foreheads came together. “I think I’d like the idea of being your boss.”

  “I thought you were, Mr. Demetri.”

  His kiss was soft, more tender than usual. As our tongues found one another, Nox turned his hand and intertwined our fingers. It made me wonder if this house held other memories, ones of Jocelyn, ones he wasn’t ready to share.

  We sat silently for a few minutes, enjoying the soft lap of the waves against the rocks and shore. Occasionally, a bird would swoop down, diving into the water and back out. It was amazing how peaceful it was. I loved the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean, but it was wild and untamed compared to the serenity of where we sat.

  “Come on…” He stood, offering me his hand. “…let’s get this over with so we can go back to Manhattan.”

  “You don’t want to spend the night?”

  “Not with Oren here. Do you?”

  I lifted my shoulders before jumping to the sand and picking up my shoes. “I wouldn’t mind, but I have a brunch date tomorrow.”

  Nox stopped. “A date?”

  “Not as in date. It’s my mother, and now I feel bad for not telling you. I didn’t know if I was ready for you to meet her or learn about my crazy family. But now that I’m here meeting your father, I’m embarrassed.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be. We wouldn’t be here if I could’ve avoided it.”

  “Why would you have avoided it?”

  “Because I told you I want to keep you safe and away from all things bad. Princess, I’m bad because I had the best teacher. My father is the devil incarnate. If he hadn’t learned about you from the media, I would’ve avoided this for at least a few months, until he was back in the US or we had to be in London.”

  There were so many things in that statement, but the last one took my attention. “London. Nox, I can’t run off to London while I’m in school.”

  “I just told you that my father is the devil, and you’re worried about missing classes. No wonder you graduated with honors.”

  I kissed his cheek. “I know the devil. He isn’t your father. At the worst your father is a minion. I’ve got you beside me and Isaac somewhere in the shadows. I’m not worried.”

  CHARLI WASN’T WORRIED, but I sure as hell was. Oren’s message was odd and unexpected. He’d seen a picture of us and called. I either had my phone off or was busy beating the shit out of a punching bag. Either way, I didn’t catch it. I did hear his message.

  It said that he was leaving Sunday for London, and we needed to talk. He was pissed that I left town with him in New York—until he saw the picture. From one photograph he’d ascertained that I was obviously thinking with my dick instead of my brain. We had things to discuss, and I better not have wasted my trip to California.

  In other words, I better have made progress with Senator Carroll. And lastly, he wanted to meet Alex, or did he say Alexandria? I thought it was Alex. After all, that was the name they used with the picture of the two of us at the San Francisco airport.

  I waited as Charli stopped halfway up the lawn to slip on her shoes. I wasn’t sure if she went part way barefooted to avoid damaging the grass or if it was to remove the sand from her feet. Whatever the cause, while I paused for her, I looked up at the house and saw him standing on the second-story balcony of the master bedroom watching. Even from a distance, our eyes met. My blue eyes came from him. Sometimes when we would stare at one another, it was eerie how similar they looked. I imagined he was my reflection in another thirty years.

  “Your iced tea is in the living room,” Silvia called as we entered the side door.

  “Thank you,” Charli replied.

  She’d been talking about the house when we both stopped, silenced by his presence. Oren Demetri stood there, his smile too wide, too friendly. For a moment, I had visions of the Joker. That made sense. If I were Batman, my nemesis would be the Joker.

  “Hello.” His voice boomed through the air.

  “Alex, this is my father, Oren.”

  She extended her hand to shake, but when Oren reached for it, he turned hers palm down and gallantly kissed her knuckles. “Alexandria, you are lovely.”

  Charli’s eyes widened at the use of her full name. What the hell?

  “Mr. Demetri, it’s nice to meet you. Nox has told me many nice things about you.”

  “Then it seems as though you two aren’t to the honest stage of your relationship. My son rarely has a nice thing to say about me.” He turned toward me and back to Charli. “And please, call me Oren.”

  “Oren, please call me Alex.”

  “Let’s have a seat, shall we?”

  “Actually, Oren,” I said, “we’ve been traveling. I know you wanted to meet Alex, but why don’t we discuss the progress with the senator privately. I’m sure Silvia can keep Alex occupied. Then we need to get back to Manhattan.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. We have five bedrooms plus the guesthouse. You two will stay here. I’m sure you can each find a room or only one. It’s really none of my business.”

  Asshole.

  “We would, but Alex has a meeting tomorrow, and I have work.”

  “Tomorrow is Sunday. No one has meetings or work.”

  “I do,” Charli volunteered. “I have a luncheon planned with my mother.”

  Oren’s eyes widened as he stared at Charli. The silence lingered a little too long. What the hell was his problem?

  “Silvia!”

  Charli and I both flinched as he yelled for Silvia. God bless that woman. Anyone else would have told him to go to hell. I think it was living here alone all these years. Doing that, she could put up with his occasional visit.

  “Yes, Mr. Demetri?”

  “I think something stronger than iced tea is appropriate.”

  “Dad…” I said as Charli shook her head.

  “What will it be? Mixed drinks? Wine? Beer?”

  He wasn’t taking no for an answer. Sure. What the hell? We had Isaac to drive.

  “Wine,” I finally answered. “We’ll both have a glass of red.”

  Oren smiled. “You like wine, my dear?”

  Charli’s hand found its way into mine. “Yes, I do.”

  “White until six and red after?” He asked.

  Charli’s grip stiffened as Oren looked down at his watch.

  “Yes, it is after six.”

  “Well,” she said, “I find that an acceptable timetable.”

  When Silvia returned, she placed a tray with three glasses of wine on the coffee table. “Miss Collins, may I show you around a little more? Or would you rather stay here?”
/>
  I nodded toward Charli.

  “Thank you, Silvia. If you’ll both excuse me, I’m excited to see more of your lovely house.”

  “It hardly compares to yours, but it’s home,” Oren mumbled as Charli stood.

  What the fuck is he talking about?

  Her complexion suddenly paled. I worried she might be ill as the glass of wine teetered in her grip.

  “Excuse me? What did you say?”

  “I said it’s home, dear.”

  Her golden eyes searched mine. All I could do was furrow my brow. I didn’t have any fucking idea what was happening. Slowly, she turned and Silvia led her away. Once they were gone, I leaned closer, picked up my glass of wine, and asked, “What the hell is going on?”

  Oren dismissively patted my knee. “Let’s talk about Senator Carroll before we discuss your latest conquest.”

  “The fuck? My latest conquest. Alex isn’t a conquest.”

  “I’m well aware of who Alexandria Collins is. I’m curious if you are.”

  I stood. “What the fuck are you talking about.”

  “Senator Carroll, Lennox. Does he think we have the votes?”

  “How about Severus Davis? Maybe it’s time you come clean with me.”

  Oren leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. After taking a prolonged sip of wine, he replied, “That girl may be better at her job than I’ve given her credit. What would you like to know?”

  “Why did you meet with him?”

  “Because he’s damn good at what he does.”

  “He works for the other side.”

  “Oh son, if only life were that easy. There aren’t two sides in this or any other dealing. There are so many more. Let’s take the tobacco giants, for example. I mean, look who’s in bed with them. Do you think they’re all against the legalization of marijuana?”

  Who’s in bed with them? Severus Davis, the man you’re courting is the one in bed with them. I didn’t say that. Instead, I said, “Mostly. I thought we were discussing Senator Carroll and the votes needed for the bill to clear the Senate Finance Committee.”

  “We are. Severus is working to get the bill to clear with the current wording. It will benefit the tobacco and alcohol giants.”

  “And cost us millions. Carroll thinks we could guarantee a few more votes if we promise to move a few distribution centers to California.”

  “Which will cost us millions. Where are you planning to pull them? Don’t you think we’ll piss off the voters in those states?”

  Sitting, I sighed. “I was thinking about opening new facilities.”

  “New? Why?”

  “You just said it. Marijuana will be legal for recreational use in California before we know it. Let’s get in on the ground floor. Napa Valley is a great—”

  “You’re jumping ahead, and you didn’t answer my question about tobacco.”

  “I did. Most would be anti-legalization.”

  “What if they wanted to partner with corporations like Demetri Enterprises?”

  “Why?”

  “What if they learned we were getting in on the ground floor?”

  “How would they know that, unless you told Davis?”

  “I didn’t tell Davis. I was feeling him out.”

  “Go back to London, Dad. You’re seeing conspiracies where they don’t exist. I’m going to go find Char… Alex. We need to go.”

  “She called you Nox.”

  “So?” I answered defensively.

  Oren tilted his head to the side. “I haven’t heard that name in many years.”

  “Stop. Don’t go there.”

  I lifted my eyes from my glass in time to see Charli’s golden stare. By the shadows running through it, I knew she now saw what I’d warned her about. Oren Demetri was the devil.

  “Excuse me,” she said. “Is it a bad time for me to return?”

  I finished the glass of wine, placed it on the table and stood. “No. Your timing is perfect. We’re going.”

  Oren stood. “I would so enjoy getting to know you better. It seems that Lennox has other plans.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Demetri. I’m exhausted from traveling and have the brunch date tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “I understand. Perhaps the next time I’m in the States we can visit. Please give Adelaide my love, and tell her that her daughter is as beautiful as she.”

  Adelaide?

  Before I could question aloud, I reached for Charli. She looked as though she might fall as she stumbled backward.

  “Y-You know my mother?”

  “Of course. For many years. I had no idea her little girl had grown into such a beautiful woman. I’m sure she’s proud.”

  “What the fuck is going on?”

  Oren patted my shoulder. “Son, language. You’re in front of a lady, a true blue-blooded American heiress. I’m sure you already knew that.”

  I didn’t speak as I looked from Oren to Charli. What the hell was he saying? She wasn’t an heiress. She was penniless. She’d signed her life away at Infidelity. He was wrong. This was just Oren Demetri being evil, doing what he did best.

  “Silvia,” he called. “Let Lennox’s driver know they’re ready to leave.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I didn’t tell my father goodbye or wish him a safe journey. I wasn’t thinking about pleasantries as I snatched Charli’s hand in mine and marched us both out the front door. I still didn’t know what was happening, but by the way her hand trembled in my grasp, I knew it was something big.

  When I looked down, her cheeks were damp and her eyes closed.

  I didn’t let her sorrow register. If I did, I’d go back in the house and confront my father. Instead, I concentrated on the peacefulness of the outside. With the sun almost set, the driveway was illuminated by the indirect lighting that shone toward the house and guesthouse. The sound of nature—waves and insects—filled the air as stars began to pepper the sky. I missed seeing stars. In the city, if they could be seen at all, they weren’t as vibrant as they were out here.

  Her soft body leaned into my arm, clenching my hand with all of her might.

  I’d blown up at Charli yesterday. I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions based on anything that Oren Demetri said. Besides, I had Deloris. She knew more about Charli than I did. She told me about the loss of her trust fund. Maybe she was related to someone, but an heiress didn’t rent out her companionship for a year. It didn’t make sense.

  The almost-blue shine of bright white headlights came from the garages as Isaac pulled a black Mercedes up to the door and stopped. Silently, we both entered the backseat. Leaving the gates, I leaned closer and whispered, “Tell me what in the hell he was talking about.”

  More tears fell as she opened her eyes wide and nodded toward Isaac. “Please, can this wait?”

  Wait?

  I didn’t fucking want to wait. Then again, she was upset. I was the one who exposed her to Oren. It was my fault he upset her. I hated that motherfucker more with each passing day. He could go back to London and stay there for all I cared.

  I took a deep breath and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. She seemed smaller and more fragile, as I hugged her close. Kissing her head, I said, “Yes.”

  Charli nodded against my chest.

  As I stared out the window I thought about Oren’s words. I concentrated on the part about Severus Davis, about the House bill, and about marijuana. It was all connected, but I already knew that. What I didn’t understand was what he meant about sides. Metaphorically I understood.

  Did he intend to side with big tobacco and alcohol on the fight against legalization? Or did he think they were secretly in favor?

  Fuck!

  I needed to do more research, ask more questions.

  The sweet scent of Charli’s hair filled my senses as her head moved with even breaths. I lifted her chin, but her eyes remained closed. Long, damp lashes lay against her cheeks. She was out. She’d fallen asleep against my chest. I gently smoothed a f
ew loose hairs away from her face. In the pale light from the front seat, I saw the pink in her cheeks and soft rosiness of her lips and smiled.

  In the house she’d looked as if she were about to faint. None of it made sense.

  What did she mean when she said she knew the devil?

  Surely now she knew she was mistaken. She’d just met him, and in a matter of minutes he had her stumbling and in tears. That was Oren Demetri. The man knew how to make a first impression.

  “MRS. FITZGERALD. MRS. FITZGERALD.”

  Jane’s voice infiltrated my dreams, pulling me back to reality. Wherever I’d been mentally was better than here, better than the master suite of Montague Manor.

  “Mrs. Fitzgerald, it’s after noon. Alexandria’s been asking about you.”

  I opened my eyes, only to quickly shut them again.

  Why is the room so bright?

  The floral wallpaper was an assault on my eyes. The matching draperies, bed covering, even the velvet sofas were color coordinated. It was all newly remodeled, seemingly seconds after my mother’s funeral. Alton had the designers drawing up proposals to make the master suite ours.

  “Jane,” I moaned as much as spoke. “It’s another migraine. Close the drapes. It’s too bright.”

  The sound of rustling fabric let me know she was doing as I said. Each noise was magnified, making it much louder than it should have been. Every sense was exaggerated. I shifted, trying to sit up, but the intense pressure behind my eyes stilled my movement. I settled back into the soft pillow with a groan.

  A warm hand skirted my arm, the one outside the blankets. The light touch caused me to flinch. My arm was sore, but the movement brought flashing lights behind my eyelids, colors like fireworks or static, and more symptoms of a migraine. “Ma’am, your migraine left a bruise on your arm. Do you need some ice?”

  I barely shook my head. “No. I-It’s not what you think. I fell. It was my heels. They were too high last night.” I reached for the blanket and tucked my arm beneath it. “Go. Let me sleep.”

  “You need some food.”

  Food. Even the thought increased the nausea that my movement incited. Nothing sounded remotely good. I’d been the one to finalize the menu for last night’s function, yet I’d barely eaten.