by R. G. Angel
I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’ll think about it.” I looked away feeling stupid. What was I supposed to tell him? That I hope we would last the distance? That after we managed to resolve everything, we might have a future? Was he still set on freeing me from this life and in consequence, from him?
I looked at him. His profile was so serious while he drove. What if I didn’t want to be free of him?
He glanced at me again as if he could feel my eyes on him. “What? Esmeralda, what is it?”
I looked at the back. For once the three behind us were chatting instead of arguing.
“You promised. No secrets, remember?”
“What does it mean for us?”
He was silent for a long time, so long I thought he was not going to answer. “I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I often fool myself, pretending I have all the answers, but I don’t, Esmeralda. I’ve been trying not to think about it, at least not yet. Let’s deal with the case at hand first, okay?”
“Yes, of course.” I nodded. He was right. One problem at a time was the way to go, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the uncertainty of the future.
Once we entered the city, all my worries vanished, at least for now. I couldn’t help but gape in awe at the tall buildings, the busy streets, the yellow cabs. It was just like in the movies.
When we stopped at a red light, I turned toward Caleb, then blushed as I saw he was detailing me with a small smile on my face.
“What?” I asked self-consciously.
“Nothing, it’s just… It’s quite lovely to discover the city for the first time through your eyes. What about going for a walk after check-in?”
“What about me?” Archie piped in, leaning in between the seats.
“What about you?” Caleb asked, tensing up as he resumed his drive.
“I know I'm the third...or fifth wheel on this trip, but still, she's my sister.”
“Don’t you have some meeting with the douches of St. Esperance?”
I looked at my brother for an explanation.
“St. Esperance is an elite private school here in Manhattan. They are our debate team’s rivals and we crushed them. When father was quite reluctant to let me come on this trip, I arranged a meeting with the team he couldn’t refuse.” He turned back to Caleb and added, “And it’s tomorrow, but thank you for the concern.” His voice was laden with sarcasm.
I reached over and patted his cheek. “Don’t worry, Archibald Forbes, you are totally welcome to come with us. You all are,” I added, meeting Taylor’s eyes in the mirror.
“Sorry, best friend, but it’s Fifth Avenue shopping for me. You’re welcome to join, but–”
“I’ll pass. I can go shopping anywhere. I want to visit!
Taylor sighed. “Oh, Esme, no you can’t. Fifth Avenue shopping is a bit like Rodeo Drive shopping – you can’t really do that everywhere.”
I nodded. “Maybe next time.”
“Maybe never,” Archie whispered, making us both chuckle.
“I heard that!” Taylor shouted as my brother grunted. I was sure she’d punched him.
“Finally,” Caleb sighed as he stopped in front of an old-looking building. A man dressed in a red jacket with big brass buttons opened the car door and gestured for me to come out. “Madam, welcome to the Ritz-Carlton.”
I got out, quickly followed by the others as a similarly dressed man opened the trunk of the car to get our luggage.
Caleb gave him the keys of the car along with a fifty-dollar bill.
Who the hell tipped a Grant just to park a car? Forbeses, Astors, and Oppenheimers, that was who.
Caleb took the lead to reception. He had always been the leader of the pack. Even when we’d been enemies, where it was him and the other kings as one, it had been obvious. Not that Archie couldn’t take the crown if he wanted to, I was sure. At the very least, he could have threatened Caleb, but I believed that deep down, Archie hadn’t wanted it.
“Astor, Forbes, St-Vincent, and Oppenheimer,” Caleb announced as he reached the desk.
“Oh, of course,” the woman at the VIP front desk fluttered. I wasn’t sure if it was due to Caleb’s cold command, his striking good looks, or the powers that all of those names put together entailed, but the little jealous voice in me made me stand beside him and reach for his arm.
He looked down at me, his eyes shining with humor. He was not fooled for a second by my reaction, but clearly he was pleased by it.
“Oh, Mr. Astor, sorry, but I have nothing for Oppenheimer. I can–”
“There is no need,” Antoine stated, wrapping his arm around Taylor’s shoulders. “St. Vincent room for two,” he announced, winking down to Taylor.
Archie scowled, his nostrils flaring, but he looked away.
“Ah,” she nodded. “Perfect. Mr. St-Vincent and Mr. Forbes, your rooms are on the eighteenth floor with a view over the park. Mr. Astor, your suite is ready; it’s on the twenty-second floor.” She extended a gold card toward him. “This card will take you to your floor.” She pointed to the elevators. “Your luggage will follow in the next few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“You went for the suite?” I asked Caleb as we walked toward the elevator. “Don’t you think it’s a bit much for just one night?”
He glanced behind us at the three bickering about something new. “To get away from them and be sure not to be interrupted for what I have planned for you tonight?” He grinned. “Absolutely not.”
I blushed and nudged him playfully. “Wait until you see what I packed.”
His pace faltered as he glanced at me, his eyebrows raised with surprise. It was true that I was not playful with him, but I liked how it felt. Now I almost wanted to stay locked in the room all afternoon.
Archie gagged behind us, killing the mood. “Please keep the sexual banter for your suite, guys.”
Antoine rolled his eyes. “Stop being a sourpuss because of your blue balls, bro. Call the club; they’ll send you a lovely lady. I mean, don’t pretend like you don't know. You two used to be VIP members.”
“Like a prostitute?” I glanced up at Caleb, who was throwing daggers at Antoine, his lips pursed. I could see he was contemplating murder.
“What?” Antoine scoffed. “It’s not like she thought you were virgins or anything. I–”
Taylor put a hand on his mouth. “I really suggest you shut up because I think Astor is about one second away from murdering you in this elevator and blood will be very hard to remove from my dress.”
“Wise advice, Oppenheimer,” Caleb growled, but I couldn’t help but tense at the thought.
I’d known about Aleksandra. Once more, the thought of my nemesis’s death brought back a fresh wave of guilt which I pushed back down. Now was not the moment. Caleb had paid for the funeral. He had sent money to her parents. He'd done everything I’d asked. I looked up at him again. He was looking straight ahead, his murderous glare still on.
The elevator opened on the eighteenth floor, letting the three others out before the doors closed again, leaving us alone.
“Whatever you want to ask, just do,” he said, his voice weary. “But know it was before I met you. Don’t let his stupid mouth ruin it for us.”
“No, it’s just… How many?”
He sighed when the elevator opened onto our floor. He reached for my hand and pulled me out of the elevator and into the plush cream-carpeted corridor which only had two doors. “Does it really matter?”
I twisted my mouth, pondering the thought. “I suppose not really, but I’d only had you and–”
He opened the suite and pulled me in, fusing his lips with mine in a passionate kiss. “And you are the only one that matters, Esmeralda,” he whispered against my lips as we broke the kiss. “Is that not enough?”
“Yes, it is, I– holy shit! Where are we?!” I gasped, stepping out of his embrace and into the room. It had a living room with a giant TV on the wall, a bedroom with a king-size bed, and a
nother giant TV followed by a marble bathroom that I was sure was bigger than my old house. It had an enormous shower, two sinks, and a jacuzzi bathtub facing the gigantic bay window, which gave a full view of Central Park just as it did in the other rooms. “This is…”
“Nice?” Caleb asked, coming behind me and wrapping his arms around me. “I can’t wait to try the bathtub tonight... Bathing suit optional.”
“It’s more than nice. Caleb I feel like a princess.”
“As you should.” He kissed the side of my neck, making me shiver. “Ready to go roam the streets?”
I nodded. “Yes. Text Archie, please. I don't want him to be miserable.”
Caleb sighed. “Fine, let's take him.”
For the next couple of hours, we went around Manhattan. It felt nice. I loved the truce between Caleb and Archie. Even if I was not certain it was permanent, I enjoyed it. It was like a family.
I was still in quite high spirits when we all met downstairs for the limousine to take us to Chinatown.
“So how was the shopping?” I asked Taylor as we met in the lobby.
Antoine chuckled.
Taylor threw him a glare. “I got a little carried away.”
“Uh huh. What do you mean?” I teased.
“So how are we dealing with Phang today? How do we make sure he takes the bait?” she asked, clearly done with the shopping subject.
“Well, I can take the lead,” Caleb offered.
I shook my head. “No, I think Archie should deal with him.”
Archie beamed as Caleb frowned. “Esmeralda, I’m sorry, but I think I’m quite a fantastic strategist.”
I nodded. “Yes, I know that, but you’re too subtle. You should have seen Archie when we spoke with White. It was an absolute bloodbath and we need Phang in a panic. Archie is who we need.”
Their expressions switched. Caleb was now smirking, his eyes full of victory, while Archie scowled. It was going to be a long night.
The River Queen was almost full when we got there. I felt like a genius because I’d taken the time to book a table.
“Table for Danvers, please.” It felt weird to use this name. I was not Danvers anymore. I never was.
“Excuse me,” Caleb asked coldly after we’d ordered.
The waitress approached the table warily. She didn’t need to know who we were to be careful. We all breathed money with Rolexes, Prada bags, and huge diamond engagement rings we hated. Caleb's authoritative presence clearly didn't help either.
“I’d like to speak with the owner right now.”
“Sir–”
“I said right now!”
I looked down. I knew it was all an act, but I also felt ashamed because she didn't know that, and somehow I was not sure it was an act for Caleb. I was sure it was who he was most of the time.I tt was something still hard for me to swallow.
“Of course.” She rushed behind the counter before reappearing with a man I recognized as David Phang, although he was older than the image we’d seen.
“How may I help you?” he asked as he reached our table.
“We ordered fifteen minutes ago and we’re still waiting. Do you know who we are?” Caleb asked.
“You’re David Phang, aren’t you?” Archie asked.
The man looked at Archie and his eyes widened in recognition. No matter how much he hated it, Archie was his father’s son.
Archie looked around. “This is quite a restaurant you have. I didn't know being a deputy paid that much. You left the force a few months after my mother’s death to open this place. Just what? A few years in the force and you could afford to buy this in the heart of Chinatown?”
Caleb and Taylor looked at me with incredulity. Oh yeah, that man was as subtle as an elephant in a crystal store.
“I... Yes, indeed.” He chuckled nervously. “I’m sorry for the delay in the order. The meal will be complementary. I– Yes. I will check the kitchen now.”
He left as if his ass was on fire. I was pretty sure we would not see him for the rest of the evening.
As we ate, we talked about our mutual plan for the next day, all silently hoping that our plan had worked. If David didn’t take the bait, it wouldn’t be good. We would be losing our only real lead. And then what?
“Hey, what’s up with you? You’ve been awfully silent since we met Phang,” Caleb said as we exited the limousine, now back at the hotel.
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“It will work,” Archie scoffed, nudging me. “Did you see the man’s face? He almost shit his pants.”
“When will we know?” I asked, turning to look at Antoine who was walking a few steps behind us, hand in hand with Taylor.
“A couple of days?” He shrugged. “Maybe a bit more. I’m tracking his calls, not listening to them. It would have raised questions from my father to do that, but don’t worry, I'm sure it will work. And I agree with Archibald. He looked terrified. He will act.”
I sighed, leaning against Caleb and trying to concentrate on the positives. We had a fantastic room with an amazing view and a killer bathtub. We needed to make the most of it.
“Do you guys want to go grab a drink in the private lounge?” I asked, praying they would say no. But they were taking risks for Archie and I, so I didn’t want them to feel dismissed.
Antoine looked at Taylor, who gave me a little cheeky smile. I hadn’t fooled her. “Nah, have fun with your lover boy. We need to look at our schedules for tomorrow. It's quite a busy day, but thanks.”
I turned to Archie. He glanced at his watch. “I would, but I’ve got a guest coming soon and I want to freshen up.”
I crinkled my nose at the idea of my brother with a prostitute, but it was not my place to comment. “Okay, you guys have fun. See you tomorrow.”
“Three o’clock in the lobby. Don’t be late!” Caleb called as they exited the lift. “We’ll leave without you if you’re not back.”
“We wouldn’t!” I shouted just as the doors closed.
“He is a grown man, you know,” Caleb added as we resumed our ride up. “He knows what he is doing.”
I shook my head. “I’d rather not think about that. I’d much rather focus on tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” A slow smile spread on his face. “Talk to me.”
I blushed. I was not usually forward. I was not really used to engaging sex. It felt strange, yet good, to be taking the lead. “Why don’t you go get the tub ready and I’ll show you what I brought?”
“You don’t need to tell me twice.” He swatted my butt. “I’ll be waiting.”
He disappeared into the kitchenette area. I heard the clink of glasses and the fridge open and close as I walked into the bedroom. Then I disappeared into the walk-in closet with what had to be the smallest, most suggestive bikini ever invented.
Smiling, I wrinkled my nose as I held the barely existing pieces of fabric in front of me. It was something to be reckoned with. It was made of very small white crochet triangles held together with pieces of string. I put it on and let my hair down, which flowed nicely to the middle of my back. Then I turned toward the mirror.
My cheeks reddened. It was almost more indecent than being completely naked. I would have considered bailing if I hadn’t recalled Caleb’s worshipping eyes every time he had looked at me in any state of undress.
I met him in the bathroom and was awed by how quickly he’d been to set the mood. There was some soft music, rose-scented candles, an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne, and two glasses on the side of the tub. Some chocolate-covered strawberries and the man himself was sitting in the bubbling tub. I suspected he was completely naked and ready for me.
“Just let me look at you for a minute…” he growled, his voice full of desire. “You are– Fuck! I feel like I’m going to come like a stupid schoolboy.”
“That would be a shame, wouldn’t it?” I smiled, taking a step closer, motioning to my bikini-clad self. “I stole it from the swimming cabin. I hope you don’t mind.”
His eyes raked over my breasts before trailing down slowly and stopping on the triangle covering my core. “God bless my father's taste in women swimsuits.”
“Can we not talk about your father? It’s bound to make my skin crawl in all the wrong ways.”
He shook his head. “That would be a crime. Why don’t you come join me?”
I joined him in the tub and straddled his waist. His erection pressed against my core, the fabric of my bikini the only barrier between us.
“Am I close enough?”
He rested his hands on my ass, squeezing and pulling me closer. “You’re never close enough, my angel,” he whispered in my ear before licking it.
Whimpering, I rocked my hips against him. Angel. I loved that nickname. I hoped he would call me that forever.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I think I will get a tattoo too tomorrow.”
He moved his head, trailing his nose down my jawline. Continuing down the column of my neck, he stopped at my collarbone where he licked the shallow dip.
“And where would this tattoo be?” He asked as he undid the knot between my breasts, instantly freeing them.
He trailed his fingers over my hardened nipples before softly rolling them between his fingers, making me rock against him again.
I took his hand and trailed it down to the hem of the bikini bottom where I slid his fingers in about half an inch.
“Just here, “I whispered as my heart stammered in my chest.
“Ummmm, here?” He ran his fingers back and forth on my skin. “I can’t wait to see it. But we’ll need to find a woman to do it.” He nipped at my bottom lip. “Because there’s no way I’ll let a man near any part of your body that is for my eyes only.”
I shivered at his words. They should annoy me. I was my own person. Yet, his possessiveness made me even hotter for him.
He kept his eyes locked with mine as his hand lowered into the bikini. His eyes didn’t waver when he slid one finger inside me.
I hissed. Throwing my head back, I started to rock on his finger as he thrust it rhythmically inside of me.
“No, look at me,” he commanded.
When I looked back down, he slid a second finger in me. I had to bite my bottom lip to stop the shameless sounds that were building in my throat.