Enchant Me

by J. Kenner

  Damien looked sideways at his half-brother. “Remind me to give her a raise.”

  Jackson chuckled. “Seriously, this is perfect.” Damien, Jackson, and about a dozen more friends were kicked back at Jackson’s home in the Palisades, drinking bourbon on the patio, smoking cigars, and soaking up the view.

  “This is exactly what I needed,” Damien admitted. So far, it had been a hell of a week, and he appreciated this moment of calm wherein no one had mentioned the videos or Stone’s strange snub.

  “I did order one thing,” Jackson said. “Not a stripper, but...”

  “Oh?”

  “Pizza.” Jackson shrugged. “Alaine offered to cater, but I didn’t want him to be both a caterer and a guest at two events. And after that, the whole thing slipped my mind. By the time I thought to ask Syl for suggestions, she was out the door to Nikki’s party. They’re still doing the strip club, you know.”

  “I’m completely fine with that,” Damien said, thinking exactly what he’d do to her when they were both home. Or not do, actually, since that’s what she’d be expecting. How much more delicious to wait for their re-wedding night and keep his wife on edge.

  Beside him, Jackson groaned. “You’re thinking very loud,” he said. “And it’s clearly X-rated.”

  “Are you talking about the girls’ party?” Ryan asked, joining them just in time to overhear the last conversation. “You know it’s going to be triple X if Jamie’s organizing. And she is.”

  He settled into one of the chairs facing the outdoor sofa. A moment later, Quincy came over from where he’d been talking with Alaine, Mason, and Liam. He pulled a chair closer, then plunked down with an exhale, like the sound of a man who’d been on his feet all day.

  Preston, Tony and Winston were on the far side of the patio, deep in a discussion of country music, and the rest of the men, most of whom worked for Stark Security, had gone inside to check out the pool table that Jackson had bought not long ago. All in all, it was the perfect party as far as Damien was concerned.

  “This view is incredible,” Quincy said, his British accent still thick, even after living so many years in the US. “The house isn’t bad either.” They all chuckled. The home, designed by Jackson, had won just about every architecture award there was, and it had appeared in all of the architecture magazines during the years since he built the house.

  Quincy leaned forward, his attention on Damien. “Listen, I know that work talk is off the table tonight, but I keep forgetting to bring this up. Can I say just one thing?”

  The other men laughed, and Damien nodded. “Go ahead.”

  “There’s this buddy of mine, Jasper Kent, another former operative in MI6. He’s moving to the States, leaving the service, but he doesn’t want to retire. I think he’d be a good fit. I was wondering if we were looking to bring anybody new on at Stark Security. I don’t know about you two, but from my perspective, I think we could use it. The clients keep coming, and we’re all carrying a heavy assignment load.”

  Damien started to answer, then looked to Ryan, the man he’d put in charge of Stark Security. Ryan caught his eye, his expression making clear that he hadn’t missed a thing. But he grinned, then answered. “Tell him to give me a call. I’ll bring him in for an interview, get a feel for how he’ll fit with our group.”

  “Great. I’ll let him know. I imagine he’ll give you a call in the next week or so.”

  Ryan nodded. “That sounds perfect.”

  At the same time, Mason’s laughter rang out from across the lawn. Damien turned in that direction and smiled. He knew the man still hadn’t recovered all of his memories after his ordeal, but he’d never lost his sense of humor. Now both Alaine and Liam joined the laughter, and Damien assumed they were telling stories of their adventures over the years. He could only wonder how Alaine’s adventures with an oven compared to the other men’s, who all seemed to be rolling at something Alaine was saying.

  Alaine spread his arms, his voice rising, and Damien picked up on the word soufflé. That’s when he decided he had to go see what was going on. He reached the second group right as Alaine reached the punch line, something he could tell because all the men were choking with laughter.

  “I swear,” Alaine said. “You should have seen the Prince’s face.”

  He turned, his smile wide as he clapped Damien on the back. “Congratulations, my friend. I am so happy for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Come,” Alaine added, leading Damien aside. “If you don’t mind. I need to speak with you for a moment.”

  Damien nodded at the other men and let Alaine lead him out of earshot.

  “I wasn’t sure if I should bring this up tonight or not, but I know that it’s important even though it might spoil the celebratory mood.”

  Damien stiffened, dreading what was to come. “What’s happened?”

  “I only bring it up because of that horrible note that you showed me on Saturday.”

  “Go on.”

  Alaine cleared his throat. “Well, someone sent me a video. It’s—well, it’s of you and Sofia, my friend.”

  Damien felt his stomach curdle. “I see. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

  Alaine shook his head. “No. It’s me who’s sorry. Like I said before, I was oblivious to everything that was going on. I wish I hadn’t been. Perhaps I would’ve been able to help. I’d like to help now. I’m guessing that there’s something bigger than just the note taped to your wife’s portrait.”

  “Yes. I’ve received several videos, including one that was never released to the court.”

  “To the court?”

  Damien explained how the court ruled to dismiss the murder charge after receiving the evidence of child abuse at his coach’s hand. “I was given the originals of all of the documents, tapes, and photos that were sent to the court anonymously. There was one video that we’ve seen these past few days that wasn’t included in those.”

  Alaine took a step backward, his brow furrowed. “I don’t know what that means? Does that mean that there’s someone out there who was involved in all this?”

  “I don’t know either.”

  Alaine frowned. “My friend, I’m so sorry that I never knew any of this. I always believed it was the three of us, but really it was just you and Sofia, with me tagging along.”

  Damien shook his head, “No. Not at all. You were a light for both of us. You’re one of the reasons that Sofia and I had good memories of those years, and not only bad ones. We three were the only good memories.”

  “Is it true that she died saving Nikki?”

  Damien nodded. “Sofia had done something extremely foolish, and she got both herself and Nikki into a terrible spot. But in the end she did what was right. And because of that I still have my wife, and I will always be grateful to Sofia for that. I loved her, you know, just not the way she wanted me to.”

  Alaine nodded. “I know,” he said. “I loved her, too.” He sighed, then met Damien’s eyes. “I don’t know how I can help, but I wish you the best, and I will do anything you need. I hope you know that.”

  “Of course,” Damien said. “Maybe I should have told you all of this long ago, but I always thought it was too heavy a burden to put on anyone else.”

  “I understand. And I have forwarded you the video I received. If it’s different from the others you will know. If you need to examine my phone or try to trace it, just let me know. I know your team has skills in that regard.”

  “I will, and thank you.”

  Alaine nodded, looking a bit sad and a bit bewildered, then walked away towards where Liam and Mason were still laughing over their past adventures. Damien turned to go back to the patio, meeting Ryan coming from the opposite direction.

  “Got a sec?” Ryan said.

  “What’s up?” Damien said, hearing the serious tone in his friend’s voice.

  “I caught some of that,” Ryan said. “Just a word, here and there, but enough to pick up on what the topic of c
onversation was.”

  “Go on,” Damien said, understanding that his friend was leading to a point.

  “I don’t know Alaine, so take this with a grain of salt, but he knew your father. He obviously cared about Sofia. And she’s dead now because of Nikki.”

  “Ryan, what are you saying?”

  “I’m not saying anything other than what I just said. As for the conclusions we can draw from that, well, I just want you to keep an open mind.”

  And with that, he patted Damien on the shoulder, then turned and walked away.

  14

  “I can’t believe you did this to me again,” I tell Jamie, as some dude in cowboy chaps and very little else grinds in front of me.

  “Oh, admit it,” Jamie says. “You love it.”

  I lean back, then turn sideways, trying to appear stern though in truth I’m amused. “I’m not sure love is the word I’d jump to….”

  “Face it, Jamie,” Cass says. “She’s got Damien at home, just like you’ve got Ryan. I mean, seriously, what’s the point for you, two? For that matter,” she adds, grinning wickedly, “what’s the point for me?”

  “Poor Cass,” Jamie and I both say in unison, each taking a hand. “Thank you for being a sport.”

  “And the point isn’t for you to enjoy it,” Jamie tells me. “Though that view is a perk,” she adds with a nod to a second dancer who’s joined the first. “The point is for our husbands to know we’re here. That adds that extra spice when you get home.”

  “Trust me, there’s plenty of spice at home. And you, my friend, are a tease.”

  “Yeah, but Ryan loves it. And admit it, so do you.”

  “I’m saying nothing.”

  “How about you, Syl?” she asks. “Having a good time looking at the scenery while Jackson drinks beer back home with his buddies?”

  “Hell, yes,” Sylvia says. “After a few more drinks I’ll start sending him naughty texts.” She’s kicked back with her feet on the empty chair in front of her where my friend Lisa was sitting. But Lisa, Jane, and Emma have wandered off to check out the other stages. I’m not sure where the rest of the girls are. Probably doing the same.

  We’re at Raven, a somewhat seedy strip club where my friends had taken me for my first bachelorette party. I smile at the memory. Maybe it really is fitting to be here.

  I raise my glass and grin at Jamie. “I do love you, James.”

  “Hell yeah, you do.” She lifts her glass and we clink. “To all the good times,” she says.

  My phone chimes, and I pull it out to see a text from Evelyn: you there?

  A wave of worry crashes over me. There’s no reason that Evelyn should be contacting me on the last night of her honeymoon. I tap out a quick yes in reply.

  I’m calling now.

  I shoot Jamie a look, then stand up. “Evelyn’s calling,” I say as I step away. “I’m going to go take this someplace quieter.”

  I answer on the first ring. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Texas, I’m fine. Your father’s fine. We’re having a wonderful time. But this is worth the interruption. I’m about to send you an image. I warn you, you’re not going to like it.”

  I pace as I wait for the familiar ping that signals the incoming text. When it arrives, I open it with some trepidation.

  A Secret Stark!

  Damien Stark’s love child revealed!

  The words are typed in boldface, and Evelyn has texted an image of the paper.

  Another text follows, this one with the familiar handwritten note:

  That’s what the tabloids will be saying, and it will be true. Because he’s an irresponsible, self-centered liar. He kept the truth hidden from the world. Hidden from his wife. What will his children think when they learn? The children who know they belong to him, anyway. How long did he think he could keep this up? This pretense that his life with his wife and his picture perfect family is so good and perfect. There’s another child out there. I have proof. And I will reveal it tomorrow.

  I read the words with a frown, but they don’t scare me in the same way that the note calling me a whore did. That note was in our house. This one is just delusional.

  And it’s not as if Damien and I haven’t faced something like this before. Not that long ago, a woman he once dated insisted that her son was Damien’s child. Ultimately, records showed that Damien was not related to the little boy, but she’d spent plenty of time harassing us and trying to get the media’s attention.

  I’m sure this is the same thing, and I tell Evelyn as much.

  “I imagine you’re right,” Evelyn says. “But you need to keep two things in mind. The first is that we both know Damien had many years with many women before you came along. I’m sure he was careful, but you never know the truth. And you should be prepared.”

  “Of course, I am. But this isn’t about finding someone’s birth father. This is about harassment, maybe even revenge. But for what?”

  “Isn’t that the question of the hour?” Evelyn says. “And I agree. But I also wanted to give you a heads-up about this. I figured you’re weren’t with Damien tonight—I know Jamie, after all. But I need to let him know about this, and I called you first because I knew you’d want to scoot on home to our boy.”

  “No, let me tell him,” I say, though the thought of actually showing him Evelyn’s text makes me ill. “We’ll call you after, but I think it should be me.”

  “Are you sure, Texas?”

  “Yes. What do you think the proof is?”

  “I don’t know. There might be none and it’s a complete bluff. There might be a paternity test. There might be a birth certificate. Who knows? I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. Charles took this to Judge Kaplan an hour ago. I’m afraid the court refused to issue an injunction to prevent the various papers and sites from publishing.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t speak legalese, but what I gather from Charles is that the bottom line is that we don’t yet know who to enjoin. There are hundreds of places that could publish this, but we don’t know whose actually sending the texts. Plus, there’s the First Amendment coupled with the whole thing being speculative. We don’t even know what this person’s going to say or if it’s true. Plus, it’s no secret that Damien’s weathered a lot of scandal. So the court doesn’t want to stifle something that might be true, when a falsehood won’t actually impact Damien’s reputation.”

  I drag my hands through my hair, thinking that this is absurd, but there’s nothing I can do or say that will stop it. “All right. He’s over at Jackson’s house with the guys. I’m going to head there now. Thanks for calling. I’m so sorry that this had to happen during your honeymoon.”

  “Don’t you worry about that, Texas. Your father and I just want what’s best for the two of you. And we have plenty of honeymoon still to come. We’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll be there by ten,” she tells me. “So plenty of time to see those kids before the ceremony starts at noon.”

  “All right. Give Frank a hug for me.”

  “I will.”

  We end the call and I turn to Jamie. “I need to go.”

  “I gathered. But why? What is going on?”

  “Evelyn got another text. They’re going to publish in some news rag tomorrow that Damien has a child running around out there. Other than the ones we have together, obviously.”

  “Oh, no. Nicholas, I’m so sorry.”

  I shake my head. “At this point, I think I’m numb. It feels like just one more thing. But it’s not going to sit well with Damien. I want him to hear it from me.”

  “Okay. No problem. I totally get it.”

  We’d come in one of the Stark limos, but I don’t want to take the time for it to come back, so I’m on my phone looking for an Uber when a text comes in from a number I don’t recognize.

  Baby, it’s me. I broke my damn phone—this is one of those burners Ryan always keeps around. Did you get a text about me? Something that’s going to be publi
shed tomorrow? I need to see you. We need to talk about this.

  I’m going to head your direction. Meet me here. We need to talk. And there are things I need to show you.

  The message ends with a link to a map. I start to tap it, but don’t. My hands, I realize, are shaking and my whole body feels cold.

  “What?” Jamie says.

  I look up at her and meet her eyes. “Does Ryan keep burner phones with him?”

  Jamie looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? You mean so he can contact all his other women?”

  “Ha, ha. No, I mean like for work or something.”

  “I assume he has some scattered around the house. And I know he has some at Stark Security. The operatives use them sometimes.”

  “No, I mean like on him. Would he have them today while he’s at Jackson’s? In his car, maybe?”

  “Okay, that’s a weird question. Why are you asking me that?” I pass her my phone, and her eyes go wide.

  “That’s got to be a hoax.”

  I nod, thankfully she voiced what I already knew but didn’t want to admit. Because this text was trying to lure me somewhere. But why? “I know. Hang on.”

  I dial Ryan’s number, and he answers on the first ring. “Hey, Nikki. Are you calling to tell me my wife’s run off with another man?”

  “I don’t think you’ll get rid of her that easily,” I say, grinning at Jamie and thankful for the moment of levity. “Listen, you didn’t lend Damien a burner phone, did you?” Ryan is silent, but I can practically hear the shift in his tone.

  “What’s going on?”

  I summarize for him, and he mutters a curse.

  “Forward me the text. I’ll send a team to the location. And don’t open the map link. It might actually be spyware.”

  “Done,” I say, sending the vile thing to him. “Can I speak to Damien? No, I take it back. I want to tell him about this in person. This and one other thing, too. Can you not mention it until I get there?”

  “Nikki, what’s going on?”

  “I’m not in any danger, if that’s what you mean.”