Drake (Men of Versteck Valley Book 3)

by Erosa Knowles

  Audrey stared at the scones for a few moments. “Interesting. Things have been slow lately. I’ll think about it. Might be fun.”

  Faith took the offered cup and allowed her teabag to seep a few moments while watching Audrey place a large scone on a dainty plate. “Thank you,” she said accepting the dish.

  “You’re welcome. I had a few friends over last week, they seemed to enjoy them so…” she shrugged and took the seat nearby. After releasing a long sigh, she closed her eyes and spoke. “I’m getting tired of this.”

  Faith understood and nodded. “I know.”

  “Claude’s been a lot of fun, I enjoyed his company, our long talks, and affection but no one is worth this kind of a hassle,” Audrey said, her eyes flashed green fire. Her cheeks reddened. “I told him last week I wouldn’t put up with this and we’d go our separate ways if he couldn’t fix it.”

  “Nothing’s changed?” Faith asked although she wouldn’t be here if things had.

  “No. I think it’s worst.” She rubbed her forehead. “Claude and I are done. It was nice for the past six years. I made that clear to him when we talked a couple days ago.”

  “How did he take it?” Faith wondered if she needed to hire security or suggest Audrey take a trip out of town. Just because these men had a lot of money and a lot to lose if word got out about their extra-marital affairs didn’t mean they took rejection or break-ups calmly. In most cases, they handled them worst because some of them believed they either owned the woman or that the woman owed them something. Two of her former clients got caught up in those dilemmas and refused to follow her advice to walk away. The moment they returned to their lovers, the men made them fire Faith and cut off all communication. She could only imagine the state of their relationships now.

  Audrey wrapped her hand around her mug and seemed thoughtful. “I think he’s sad, maybe upset. He offered more money to change my mind, but it’s not worth it.” She looked at Faith. “Claude’s not a violent person if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Faith took a sip of her tea.

  “At least he’s never been before,” Audrey said watching Faith. “Then again, I’ve never gone against his wishes like this before either.”

  They looked at each other for several moments. Faith would suggest around the clock security as a precaution and hoped Audrey agreed. With Francesca missing, Faith didn’t want anything to happen to any of her clients.

  “Tell you what,” Audrey spoke into the silence. “Let’s hear what the attorney has to say, see if we can gauge what’s really on Claude’s mind and afterward, if you think we should, we can hire security.”

  Faith nodded. “Sounds good.” If only more of her clients thought through their dilemmas the way Audrey did, Faith’s job would be a ton simpler.

  The doorbell rang.

  Faith took two more bites and finished her pastry.

  Smiling, Audrey stood holding her cup and handed Faith a napkin. “Ready?” Audrey asked.

  Faith nodded as she took another sip of her tea and followed Audrey into the living room. In the foyer stood an average height man a few inches shorter than Audrey, shoulder length wavy brown hair, a chalky white complexion, and wire-rim glasses. He held his briefcase to the side as he greeted Audrey.

  “Nice to meet you, Ms. Gaines. Ronald Jibbons, attorney for Mr. Sessions.”

  “Which Sessions?” Audrey asked.

  Jibbons, like most attorneys was made of stern stuff and rarely rattled, smiled. “Claude Sessions.”

  Audrey nodded, closed the door behind him and waved him into the room. Faith took the man’s measure, as she was sure he was doing to her.

  “You’re Ms. Gaines’ legal counsel?” he asked Faith as he moved toward her.

  She extended her hand and offered a warm smile. “Yes. Faith Gardner.” She didn’t offer any other information. He waited a beat, nodded and dropped her hand.

  “Pleasure to meet you.” Turning, he looked at Audrey. “Have you looked over the documents I sent two days ago?”

  Faith moved toward the long, cream and teal sofa and sat. She had reviewed the documents and agreed with Audrey there was no reason to sign them. She and Claude both signed Consensual Sexual Acts and Confidentiality Agreements at the beginning of their relationship, and nothing had changed.

  “Yes, I have. I told Claude I saw no reason to sign them if the CSACA agreement was still valid,” Audrey said, taking a seat in a matching overstuffed chair. “At any rate, since Claude can’t control his son, we’re done. He understands that. If his son continues harassing me, I’ll file a restraining order and then file charges of harassment. I made that clear to both Claude and his son Harold,” Audrey said in a hard tone.

  Jibbons nodded with a sympathetic look. “Mr. Sessions understands your position. But his son is 35 years old and refuses to listen to counsel. Mr. Sessions should not be held responsible for his son’s actions, nor does he want the exposure a restraining order would undoubtedly provide.”

  Audrey snorted.

  Faith held up her hand to stop her client from responding as she looked at Jibbons. “What exactly does Claude propose to do? My client signed an agreement never to disclose the relationship with Claude, she hasn’t done that and has no desire to do that. She’s kept her end of the bargain. Through no fault of hers, Claude’s adult son discovered the relationship between my client and his father and has asked my client to engage in a similar relationship with him. She said no.”

  “Several times, I told him no. He won’t listen and keeps showing up at my place of business, follows me from the library and grocery store…he’s crazy,” Audrey said with heat.

  Faith understood Audrey’s frustration and Claude’s as well. He couldn’t control his son, and it would cost him in more ways than one. The question on the table for now was would it cost Audrey?

  “Mr. Jibbons, can you answer my question?” Faith pressed.

  Jibbons met her gaze, and she knew the answer. There was no solution. Harold would continue trying to get Audrey to date or have sex with him. For safety’s sake, Audrey would file a restraining order. Harold would violate it, eventually be arrested, and would probably tell the world about his father and Audrey. How would that impact the boutique? Audrey’s personal life? Her family and friends? They would hire a PR firm today to get things started. She’d bet her next paycheck Claude already hired a company to handle the fallout.

  “Mr. Sessions is seeking solutions to keep Harold from Ms. Gaines with the hope that additional legal action won’t be necessary,” he said without releasing her gaze.

  “I see.” Faith nodded and looked at Audrey. “We’ll wait before filing that restraining order.” This evening Faith would contact her soror, an Atlanta attorney, to start the paperwork. Harold would be served before the end of the week.

  Audrey stared at her a few moments and then nodded. “Alright. If you think that’s best. But he’d better not show up at the boutique again, it’s creepy hearing him compare himself to his father.”

  Faith caught the flash of irritation in Jibbons gaze before he looked down at the papers he had brought. Audrey wasn’t the only person who disliked Claude’s offspring.

  “This contract isn’t the same as the CSACA you both signed. This covers more information, things you did, places you went, monies spent or received,” he said to tempt Audrey to sign the one-sided documents.

  “No,” Audrey said. “When Claude and I met, I was modeling and didn’t want anyone to know about our relationship. I insisted he sign the CSACA which included clauses about not discussing anything about us, including the things you just mentioned. Claude knows I won’t discuss our time together, if it was up to him, we’d still be together despite his crazy son.” She shook her head. “He better not break faith and discuss anything we did together or I will sue him.”

  Jibbons looked genuinely shocked.

  “You didn’t know the CSACA was my idea?” Audrey asked with a slight smile.

  �
��No, I wasn’t made aware of that information,” Jibbons said.

  “Claude wasn’t the only man interested in me, still isn’t and that does not include his son, either. He’s smart, we both like high-tech things and could talk shop. I’ll miss that most about him, the long conversations regarding technology.” She inhaled and looked at him. “But not with his son acting as if he has a right to my home and bedroom just because Claude visits occasionally.” She shook her head. “I expect him to remain tight-lipped and honor the agreement. There’s no upside for me to discuss my connection with a man old enough to be my father,” she said bluntly.

  Jibbons cheeks reddened as he picked up the contracts and returned them to his briefcase. “You’ve made several good points. I’ll be sure to pass them along.” He closed his case and looked at Faith and then Audrey. “You’re a beautiful, smart, accomplished, talented woman. For the past six years, you made a good man very happy. It’s a shame it’s come to this, but you’re right, Claude understands, and more than anything wishes you the best. You don’t deserve to be hassled, and he plans to do everything within his power to stop it.” He placed his hands on his knees, pushed up and stood with a resolved smile. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you Ms. Gaines.” He extended his hand to Audrey and then to Faith. “Pleasure meeting and talking with you Ms. Gardner.”

  Faith nodded as she shook his hand. “Same here, Mr. Jibbons.” She watched him walk toward the door and after nodding to Audrey, he left the house.

  Audrey closed the door behind him, looked at Faith and shook her head. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

  Faith took the last sip from her mug while pulling her thoughts together. “Give me another one of these, and we’ll talk.”

  Worry clung to Audrey’s face as she walked past Faith on the way to the kitchen.

  “Stay calm, remain in control, think through each step,” Faith said beneath her breath as she followed her client. Lately, it seems she used that mantra every day. With Francesca’s disappearance and now this possible public relations disaster both for her and Audrey. Faith had to gauge how far her company would be pulled into this debacle. How would her other clients react? Confidentiality and remaining a low profile were key to her business success. She had to think outside the box and get ahead of the storm coming Audrey’s way.

  By the time she reached the kitchen, Audrey held another steaming mug in her hand and slid it toward Faith.

  “Okay, tell me who we need to call and what we have to do,” Audrey said, talking fast, wide-eyed, clearly on the brink of panic.

  Faith didn’t think she’d make it back to Gavin’s panel discussion but planned to try. “A good security company and a better PR firm.”

  Audrey flinched. “It’s going to get out, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. I’d say Claude already has a PR team preparing for the fallout. Now that they know the contract was your idea, you’ve stolen their thunder. But not much. Is there a PR company you use? If not, I know a couple of good ones,” Faith said, switching gears.

  Audrey nodded slowly, pulled out her phone and placed a call. She spoke for several moments and then hung up. “Mandy and I go way back. She’s hard-core kick-ass and will be here in an hour to talk strategy. Security wise, I can use the same company I did when I was modeling. I know the owner, Scott, and they’re reasonable.”

  “Call them. You want someone at your shop and someone here 24/7,” Faith said as she sent Gavin a text explaining she wouldn’t make it back in time to see him. She smiled at his reply and promise to contact her as soon as he discovered anything regarding the search for her client.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Audrey who was talking on the phone. “Who was the guy you introduced me to this morning?” She sent Gavin the text.

  “Why? Are you interested or just being nosy?”

  “Could be both.”

  “Nada.”

  She smiled, thought about the handsome hunk and sexy gray eyes. “Interested if he’s single and free.”

  “He’s both. Free but not cheap,” Gavin replied.

  Faith grinned at the play on words. “Who is he?”

  “My good friend, Drake Sanderson.”

  She frowned at the short answer. Usually, Gavin shared more information. Just as she typed a few words of her reply, Audrey spoke.

  “Alright, that’s taken care of. Someone will be here within two hours and the shop as well. Anything else?” Audrey asked looking excited.

  “We’ll go over how much you want your PR agent to know and your legal limits to mitigate the damage Harold’s announcement will cause. Make a list of anyone you need to warn before anything hits the news and we’ll take it from there.”

  Audrey frowned in thought.

  Faith took a moment to send Gavin a smiley face since she couldn’t ask more questions now. But when she had a free moment, she planned to call and learn more about Drake Sanderson.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Francesca’s home sat at the end of a cul-de-sac with tall manicured hedges surrounding the one and a half story brick building. Asher whistled as he scanned for security.

  “This place is loaded with high-tech gear,” Asher said pulling up his long hair into a ponytail. The long, ragged, discolored, scar on his cheek from the time he had been kidnapped and held captive, seemed to glow in the overhead light of the van parked in the driveway of a home situated behind Francesca’s.

  “How much time do you need?” Drake asked looking up and down the quiet road. At three in the morning, he didn’t expect problems, especially with the prominently displayed for sale sign near the curb and no signs of life inside. They could move deeper into the shadows if necessary but would remain here for the moment.

  “Not sure. The place is connected to a third-party system. I’d hate to have visitors while we’re inside.” Asher continued punching in keys. After 30 minutes, he wiped the sweat from his brow and shook his head. “Who’s she dating? The president or something? I’m still not through, there are quite a few levels.”

  Drake glanced at Asher and realized the man was enjoying himself in his private version of geek heaven. Rather than respond, Drake flipped through his address book looking for someone to spend some time with. His balls ached. It had been too long since he bedded a woman. He should’ve broken the drought while in Atlanta. Women had been in the hotel in abundance. He’d been approached a couple of times and would’ve taken them up on their offers if Gavin hadn’t dropped that seed of doubt regarding the women attending the conference. Those words of warning had flourished without Drake’s permission or knowledge. He’d been surprised to hear the lame excuses of “I’m tired and not hanging tonight,” or “can’t go there right now,” coming from his mouth. He wasn’t sure if he should thank or curse the man.

  Horny, he decided cursing would work just fine.

  “Got it,” Asher yelled with satisfaction and a huge smile. “Let’s go.” He opened the door and waited for Drake. Dressed in dark cargo pants, a long-sleeved top, and hoodie, they grabbed their equipment, locked the van and ran through the back yard toward Francesca’s home. Asher held one scanner high while Drake held a back-up scanner near his waist. There were no heat signatures in Francesca’s home. Drake hoped that meant the house was vacant.

  Using hand motions to coordinate their actions, they climbed the fence and dropped into the hedges surrounding her house. They kept near the perimeter as they passed the enclosed pool and lanai and headed to a side door that led to the garage.

  Within moments, they were in the garage. A late model S-Class Mercedes and a BMW convertible were parked inside. Nice.

  Asher looked at the cars and waved to Drake to start the camera rolling. It took a little longer to disable the lock and security system leading inside, but Asher pulled it off. He pointed to the security panel.

  Drake recorded the panel and then the chef grade kitchen. Moving slowly, he spent time recording all the photos on the walls, mostly family and friends. No one who cou
ld be considered a lover or boyfriend. Room by room, he recorded the first floor while Asher cleared the upstairs and verified the place was empty.

  Asher spent most of his time in her office going through papers and taking pictures of anything that would help in discovering her whereabouts. If Francesca was involved in an illicit affair of the heart, there was nothing in her home to prove it. Drake wondered if the woman had been truthful or projecting what she wished was happening in her life to her attorney.

  Wearing gloves, they were careful to leave things as they found them. After three hours of careful searching, they discovered another bank and phone account but nothing that gave a hint where Francesca had disappeared or the identity of her lover.

  Asher re-armed the security, and they returned to the van. On the ride to the jetport, Asher searched for information on her additional phone account and couldn’t access any data.

  “Well this is interesting,” he murmured looking at his screen.

  Drake glanced at him but returned to watching the road as he drove. The city was waking, and people were driving to work. “What?”

  “I can’t get into her account. I need the big guns in the Mecca to break through. Begs the question why the secrecy and who the hell is her man?” Asher said grinning.

  “You’re enjoying this?” Drake accused.

  “Yep. Been a while since we’ve gotten anything this interesting and challenging,” he said.

  “Didn’t you work that job with Taylor, her brother, and Moses last month?” Drake asked, still pissed he missed the action, but he’d been meeting with an important client Laura wanted to sign. Fortunately, they won the contract, or he’d be more pissed.

  Asher waved him down. “Intel work in Venezuela? Are you kidding? Taylor and her brother spoke the language like natives. When she let her hair down, you’d think she’d been living there her entire life. They didn’t really need me.”