by Mia Knight
“You’re getting remarried?”
She rubbed her temples. “Is that the only dress you have or not?”
“What does it matter? I can make you a custom one.”
“I don’t have time.”
Another pause. “Are you pregnant?”
“No, and don’t you dare spread that rumor.”
“But you are getting married?”
“Do you have more gowns or not?” she snapped.
“That’s the only one that’s complete. How soon are we talking?”
“Weeks.”
“Stop it,” Dai said flatly.
She tapped her fingers on the counter as she debated what to order for lunch.
“Please tell me you’re joking,” Dai said weakly.
“What?”
“You get your ass in here right now.”
She frowned. “But I—”
“Now!”
The line went dead. She stared at the phone for a moment and then sighed. All she wanted to do was write, but now she had to get fitted for a fake wedding dress for fake wedding pictures. Ugh.
She dialed Johan who picked up on the first ring. “I need to get to Black Jade on Madi—”
“I’m on my way up,” he said.
“I can meet you in the lobby.”
“I’ll be up in a minute,” he insisted.
She slipped on black jeans and a top and added Dai’s cherry-colored vinyl trench coat, which made her feel like a badass. When she walked into the living area, Johan was standing in front of the elevator.
“I could have met you downstairs,” she said.
“No need, Ms. Hennessy,” he said as he typed on the keypad.
“Roth didn’t give me the code. What is it?”
The elevator doors opened, and he gestured her inside. “Mo’s bringing the car around, ma’am.”
She stepped in and narrowed her eyes at him. “The code, Johan.”
He stared straight ahead. “What’s the address we’re taking you to?”
When she invaded his space, he stiffened. “You’re seriously not going to tell me the code?”
He eased away from her and kept his face turned away. “Ms. Hennessy, I think this is something you need to speak to Mr. Roth about.”
Oh, she would. He hadn’t given her the code so she couldn’t leave. What an ass. What did he think she was going to do? As the elevator opened into the lobby, she texted Roth.
Me: What’s the code for the elevator?
Johan opened the door to the Bentley, and she slipped into the back. She stared at the two guards in the front seat.
“You’re both assigned to me?” she asked.
“Yes, Ms. Hennessy,” Mo said.
“Who’s with Roth?”
“The others.”
“How many of you are there?”
“As many as he needs.”
She sat back with a shake of her head and checked her messages. Her voicemail was completely full, and she left it that way. She texted Colette who said she was resting and not feeling great. Her social media was out of control, but she did her best to respond to messages and thank the readers who were enjoying her work as Mo pulled up to the curb in front of Black Jade. She took Johan’s hand and stepped onto the sidewalk as she finished her correspondence. She reached for the door handle and pulled. Nothing happened. She looked up from her phone and saw that the store was dark. What the hell? She was about to step back when she saw movement inside. Dai blitzed toward her. Today, she was dressed in black silk overalls and a skintight white long sleeve with five strands of pearls around her neck. Dai threw the door open, grabbed her arm, and towed her through the dark shop.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“What’s going on,” Dai growled as she shoved her onto the pedestal in the dressing area, “is you’re giving me mere weeks to make you bride-ready.”
“But why’s the shop closed?” she asked as Dai’s assistant closed off the dressing room from the rest of the shop and began to undress her.
“The shop’s closed because I don’t want to be distracted,” Dai said curtly. “Now, let’s see if this fits.”
Jasmine stared at the beautiful dress the assistants were holding so she could climb into it. “I wasn’t asking for this dress in particular. I was just wondering—”
“Just shut up and get in,” Dai ordered.
She gave her friend a quelling glance but did as she was told. She braced her hands on the women’s shoulders, stepped into the dress, and sucked in a breath as they pulled it up. Dai stood in front of her, hands pressed together in prayer as she watched. Carefully, Jasmine slipped her arms into the delicate lace sleeves and watched Dai’s face as the assistants did up the back and then backed away.
Dai urged her back onto the pedestal and then walked around her. Jasmine looked at her reflection and felt her stomach ice over. The gown had been breathtaking on the mannequin, but on a living body, the dress came to life. Rhinestones shimmered as she sucked in a breath. The intricate lace pattern on the long sleeves and high neck made her look regal and elegant. The tulle skirt fell around her in soft waves and… it was all wrong.
“This isn’t the right dress,” she said flatly.
“But it’s perfect,” one of the assistants said.
She shook her head and tried to step off the pedestal, but Dai shoved her back onto it.
“This isn’t it, Dai!”
This dress was special. It was made with love and care and so beautiful, she couldn’t bear to look at it. This dress was what little girl’s dreams were made of. It would be disrespectful to steal someone’s dream to promote a business marriage with a time limit on it.
“This dress is too much. I need something simple and—”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Dai snapped her fingers. “You’re a Hennessy, and he’s the guy from the other side of the tracks who made it big in the business world. You give up everything for him, divorce him for some reason I’d like to know, and then you magically get back together? This dress screams fairy tale, and that’s what you’re living, biotch.”
“It’s too small for me.”
Dai pulled a measuring tape out of her pocket. “It’s snug around the bust and can be taken in at the waist. I can fix that.”
“I want to try on something else.”
“When it’s right, it’s right. The dress picks the princess, Ms. Jasmine. You ever heard that one?”
She snorted. “No.”
“Well, now you have.”
Her phone rang, and she waved to the assistants. “Can someone please get that? I’ve been waiting for a call.”
Coming to Dai was a mistake. Dai would force her to walk down the aisle in what she saw fit, and nothing would dissuade her.
When the assistant brought the phone to her, she saw Ariana’s name. She answered with, “Ariana, is it an emergency?”
“Um, no, I was just—” Ariana began when the phone was snatched from her.
“Ari,” Dai said in a no-nonsense tone. “It’s Daiyu. Uh-huh. Yeah. Tell me why your sister is here by herself trying on wedding gowns. Of course, it’s my gown! Where are you? At work? You need to take a break. You need to see this, and I want the lowdown on what the heck is going on with Jas and Roth since she’s being stingy and not telling me shit. Okay, see ya.”
When Dai offered the phone, she grabbed it and saw that Ariana had hung up. “She’s coming?”
“Of course, she is. Her sister’s getting married. She won’t want to miss this, especially since the second time’s a charm, right?”
She grit her teeth. “I want to see another dress.”
“You’re not getting one,” Dai said crisply. “Now, tell me everything.”
“About what?”
Dai looked up with three pins in her mouth. “If you don’t start talking, I’m gonna stab you with one of these.”
This was hell. She didn’t want to discuss her and Roth. There was no her and R
oth, and when it was over, she would look like an ass for making the same mistake twice. But she couldn’t let anyone catch on that she was selling her body so…
“We never got over each other.” She grimaced at herself in the mirror and was glad when everyone remained focused on the dress and not her.
“I heard that for myself,” Dai muttered. “So he chases you down yesterday and fucks you in the dressing room and proposes?”
That sounded insane but what else could she say? “Yeah.”
“And now you’re getting married by the end of the month?”
“Yeah.”
“What does your family think?” Dai asked as she measured her bust.
“They’re willing to give him a chance.”
“Times have changed,” Dai said sardonically.
“Yes. This needs to be kept under wraps. We’re keeping everything quiet for now.”
“Sure.”
Dai’s easy agreement was extremely suspicious. “I’m serious, Dai.”
“And I said fine.”
She watched Dai in the mirror as the smaller woman moved around her. “How many people did you call after I left yesterday?”
Dai gave her a salacious smile. “Just a few of my besties.”
Dai’s “besties” could be anyone. She wanted to ask but decided it was best that she didn’t know. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else.”
“I heard you. What do you think I am?”
“One of the biggest gossips on the planet.”
“I’m offended,” Dai said, sounding anything but.
Ariana arrived shortly after. She pushed through the curtains to the dressing room and stopped dead. Jasmine’s heart sank as Ariana raised her hands to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, my gosh. You’re beautiful,” Ariana breathed.
“See?” Dai said snidely.
She did see, and she didn’t like it. “I want something simpler. Roth wants to have it at Tuxedo Park. This is too much.”
“This is exactly what you need,” Dai declared. “Just because you’re having a wedding in the country doesn’t mean you have to be simple. You need to stand out, and in this dress, you shine.”
She didn’t want to fucking shine. “I was thinking…”
“Leave it up to me,” Dai ordered and pushed Ariana onto the satin ottoman. “Isn’t she gorgeous?”
“She is,” Ariana said and gave her a shaky smile. “It’s perfect.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she stayed quiet as Dai and Ariana caught up on life. She endured Dai’s poking and prodding and mentally distanced herself from what was happening by focusing on the book. She jumped when Dai smacked her balled up fist.
“Chill!” Dai ordered.
She unfurled her hand and did her best to ignore the heavy weight on her chest. She was relieved to step out of the dress and put on her regular clothes.
“Come back in two days,” Dai ordered as she air kissed her cheeks.
She grunted as Ariana slipped her arm through hers.
“This coat looks great on you,” Ariana said.
“It’s Dai’s.”
Ariana looked around the shop as they approached the door. “I may need to check this place out.”
They stepped onto the sidewalk.
“You didn’t have to leave work for this,” she said.
“Of course, I did. We’re turning over a new leaf and being there for each other. That gown is perfect for you,” Ariana said.
She nodded as Johan approached. “Can we give you a ride?”
“Sure.”
They slipped back into the Bentley. She was relieved when Ariana got a call that lasted all the way to the business district.
“Everything okay with you and Roth?” Ariana asked.
She blinked. “Yes. Why?”
“Just checking.” Ariana gave her an overly bright smile. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Jasmine watched her sister rush into the building and glanced across the street where she knew Roth’s offices were. Ariana was worried. Fuck. She glanced at the phone and saw Roth hadn’t answered her text. Probably still in the air, she thought.
“Home,” she told Mo and mentally screeched to a halt. 432 Park wasn’t home. It was a place she was staying for a while. She couldn’t forget that.
Chapter 16
“Mr. Roth’s offer is more than generous.”
She eyed Roth’s attorney, Mason, an aggressive bulldog who had interjected multiple times during her meeting with her attorney to discuss the terms of the prenup. His slick hair, pinstriped suit, and air of arrogant authority made her hackles rise.
According to her attorney, the prenup was straightforward. Their assets would remain separate and if (when) they divorced, she would receive one hundred million dollars in the settlement. Aside from the exorbitant figures being discussed, there were no surprises.
When she picked up the pen to sign, she hesitated. She had verbally agreed, but this was legally binding, a declaration that she intended to marry him again. One year with Roth…
“What’s the holdup?” Mason asked, his voice tinged with impatience. “Are you holding out for a bigger settlement?”
Henry, her seventy-two-year-old attorney, bristled at her side. “Mr. White, if Ms. Hennessy has any further questions, we’ll contact your office.”
Mason ignored him and kept his gaze fixed on her. He spun his phone on the table and said, “Mr. Roth made it clear he wants this wrapped up today. If you want to renegotiate, I need to know what you want so I can call him and get this taken care of.”
So Roth would pick up his attorney’s call but couldn’t shoot her a text with the elevator code. Typical. She regarded Mason as she tipped the pen from side to side on the prenup, which was clearly getting on his nerves. Apparently, he felt she was wasting his time, and he wasn’t happy about it.
“Considering the fact that Mr. Roth now owns a controlling share of Hennessy & Co, don’t you think it’s wise that you tread carefully?” Mason asked.
Outwardly, she didn’t react, but her stomach clenched.
“That has nothing to do with this,” Henry said with heavy disapproval.
Once again, Mason ignored him. Sensing her discomfiture, he went in for the kill.
“Mr. Roth made it quite clear that he thought this was a fair settlement,” Mason drawled, “considering your past record.”
Henry stiffened, and her pen stopped tapping.
“I was the one who initiated our first divorce, and I took nothing,” she said quietly. “What makes you think I’m holding out for a larger settlement?”
“You have no one to run to anymore now that Maximus is gone,” Mason said bluntly. “And your sisters aren’t doing too well, either.”
“You can—” Henry began hotly but fell silent when she touched his sleeve.
“Roth’s a busy man,” Mason continued, unfazed by Henry’s outburst. “You don’t want to test his patience by asking for more now, do you? My advice is to take what he offers and be grateful for it.”
She dropped the pen on the prenup and got to her feet. She looked at her attorney who was flushed and visibly upset by Mason’s insults. She squeezed his shoulder. “Thanks, Henry. I’ll be in touch.”
Mason shot to his feet. “You’re not going to sign? He told me he wants this taken care of.”
“When he asks why I didn’t sign, tell him it was because I didn’t like being insulted or told I’m not worth a larger settlement by a pushy attorney who doesn’t know his place.”
She had the satisfaction of seeing the blood drain from his face before she walked out of the room. It felt good to make a dramatic exit. She had no intention of asking for a larger settlement or backing out of their deal, but she would let Mason sweat thinking he had screwed up Roth’s plans. Served him right. Who did he think he was talking to? If this was how Roth conducted business, he was going to make a lot of enemies. She was in too
deep to pull back, but she wasn’t going to let anyone talk to her that way. Fuck him. The prenup could wait until her wedding day. If Roth gave Mason orders to intimidate her so she would sign, he was way off base. Mason’s snide insults only made her more determined to give him a hard time.
Mo materialized by her side as she caught the elevator to the ground floor. As she slipped into the Bentley, her phone rang. Roth’s name appeared on the screen. Screw him. She wasn’t in the mood to listen to his threats. Mason had already done an exemplary job of pointing out how little power she had. She put her phone on silent and stared out the window as they headed back to the penthouse.
“Ms. Hennessy.”
Mo was turned in the front seat, holding out his phone. She didn’t take it.
“It’s Mr. Roth,” Mo said, extending it until the phone was inches from her face.
“I’ll call him back,” she said, knowing full well Roth could hear her.
“Ma’am, I don’t think—”
She reached out and pressed the button to end the call. Mo’s eyes bulged.
“I don’t want to talk to him,” she said firmly.
When they pulled up to 432 Park Avenue, Mo accompanied her to the elevator and typed in the code while purposely blocking the keypad so she couldn’t see. Roth made it abundantly clear that he didn’t trust her. She was a temporary asset and wouldn’t be given free rein.
Mo pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at her before he put it away without answering. She walked out of the elevator, tossed her coat on the couch, and headed to her computer so she could erase the bad taste in her mouth. As she pulled up her manuscript, text messages from her phone appeared on the screen.
Roth: How much?
She turned off her messages, put on her earphones, and got to work.
She was trying to enter La-La Land, but real-life crap filled her mind. She had just returned from her final fitting with Dai, which left her completely drained. The dress was sublime. If that wasn’t bad enough, Dai insisted on a veil… and that was when all hell broke loose. She panicked and almost ripped the dress in her haste to get out of it, sending Dai into an epic meltdown caused by days of little sleep to complete the gown that she was convinced was going to launch her into the bridal market. It took two hours to calm the distraught designer. The only thing that would appease Dai was Jasmine’s promise that she would wear the veil. Both items now hung in the guest bedroom closet.