“I can’t let you do that, querida. Amy is my problem not yours. I’ll think of something and get the video back.” He kissed her brow and stroked her naked back.
“I won’t let you get involved. Not until we have the video back.” Diane took a deep breath. She was determined to safeguard his reputation. Truthfully she was scared to death. Everything rested on Amy believing her. One mistake and it was all over.
She outlined her plan to Leon. It was simple. Leon would call Amy and pretend he wanted to reconcile. Diane would then set up a meeting with her, saying she was leaving Spain for good and demanding Amy return the video.
Leon listened intently. He made many suggestions and tried his best to persuade her not to take such a risk, but faced with Diane’s unwavering determination, reluctantly agreed. “I’ll take care of the rest,” Leon assured her. “It is better if you don’t know all the details, so that you play your part more naturally.”
***
Diane waited for Amy in a private courtyard of a beautiful hotel. The location surprised her. Some dimly lit back alley would be more appropriate. But Leon insisted on the location. He didn’t explain why.
Amy sauntered in like she owned the place. There was a knowing smile on her lips as she looked around the garden. “You have good taste. This is my favorite place in all of Barcelona. Leon never brought me here. But my lover Juan Miguel did.”
Diane was shocked. “How can you talk about Leon and your lover in the same breath?”
Amy shrugged. “I apologize. You must still be in love with him. But I did warn you that he would come back to me. As soon as he heard I was in town he gave me a call and asked me to go back to him. I knew he would. The divorce was mostly ego.”
Diane’s face was expressionless.
Amy continued to gloat. “Just think...I had two of the best lovers Spain had to offer! But then that idiot Juan Miguel decided to spill the beans after he ran out of cash to fund my whims.”
Diane was horrified. “What are you talking about?”
Amy had a faraway look on her face. “At first it was just sex. Then he started feeling guilty and wanted to break-up. I had pictures of us and threatened to tell his wife.”
“You blackmailed your own lover?”
Amy nodded smugly. “No one walks away from me.”
Diane was beyond shocked. “Did you even think about Leon when all that was happening?”
“I knew Leon loved me and I didn’t think Juan Miguel would spill his guts. That was my one mistake. I was already planning to ditch him. I was going to tell Leon that Juan Miguel was obsessed, and stalking me. He would have believed anything I told him. But the media were all over the sex and blackmail. They never proved it though. My divorce was all about Leon saving face... And now I’m back.”
Diane realized exactly how ruthless Amy was. She would stop at nothing to get her way—even if that meant destroying everything Leon held dear. I have to do this for Leon. Diane summoned all her courage. “I didn’t ask you here because I wanted to hear about your love life. I’m leaving Barcelona tonight. I want the video.”
Amy reached inside her bag. She placed the video on her lap. Diane wanted to snatch away the damned thing but she had to play it cool. Leon assured her that it was encrypted so there was no way a copy could be made so easily. I have to trust him.
Amy snapped her fingers. “I know I said I didn’t need your money. But I changed my mind. Some extra cash never hurt anyone.”
Diane got her checkbook out. “Exactly how much extra cash are we talking about?”
Amy studied her nails nonchalantly. “A million dollars. Consider it payment for having the best fuck of your life. I know Leon blew your mind.”
Diane’s jaws clenched. She signed the check, ripped it from the book, and held it between her fingers, noting how Amy’s eyes glinted at the sight of it. “I’ll have the video now. And hand me your cell phone, please.”
Amy was about to protest but Diane waved the check. “Oh—all right.” Amy handed her the phone.
Diane navigated to the photo gallery and found the incriminating screenshot. It was the only picture in Amy’s phone. She pressed the delete button and handed it back.
Amy passed the video over to Diane and extended her palm out. Diane gave her the check.
Amy stood. “Nice doing business with you. Have a good flight.” Her tone was mocking.
Leon appeared from around the corner. He wasn’t alone. A uniformed official and two policemen accompanied him. “Diane isn’t going anywhere. But you are going to jail.” He motioned to the man beside him. “You remember the Director General of the National Police, I hope, Amy? He will be escorting you to jail.”
Amy stared at the group with shocked eyes. Diane thought she looked like a deflated balloon as she grabbed on to the chair. “Leon! Let me explain.” She waved to Diane. “It’s this crazy woman! She’s deluded with jealousy—she planted a video on me and—”
“Save your explanation for the judge. But I don’t think you will need to explain much.” Leon reached for the flowers on the table, revealing a hidden camera. He held up a recorder in his hand.
Amy’s swag was now incriminating confession. She knew it too. “You can’t send me to jail!” She shrieked. “I’m your wife!”
“Threatening Diane, extorting money from her…That constitutes blackmail. Then there’s Juan Miguel. He might want to press charges too.” Leon stepped back.
The Director General signaled to the two police officers, slapping handcuffs on Amy’s wrist. She kicked and screamed as both officers hustled her out.
Diane was dazed she barely noticed Leon shake hands with the official who nodded before he left.
He sat besides her, taking her hand. “Are you alright?”
Diane shuddered. “That was one of the ugliest things I ever had to participate in.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, querida.” Leon said gently. “Amy is good at manipulating people. We had to beat her at her own game.”
“Is that why you chose this place for the meeting?”
Leon nodded. “Amy and Juan used to meet here in secret. I knew she would brag about it. I didn’t tell you because I wanted your reaction to be authentic. Amy loves to shock. It makes her talk and I needed to have it on record. Juan Miguel lost not only his money and his marriage, but also his entire career. He never recovered. And it made me sick thinking she thought she could just waltz back into my life like nothing happened.”
Diane’s heart seemed to lift. “You no longer have any feelings for her?”
“None,” Leon replied. “Early into the marriage, I knew something was wrong. Her spending was out of control and we barely spent any time together. She was bored and Juan Miguel was her answer. In a way, I owe that guy my life. During the scandal, I saw my chance to be free and filed for a divorce.”
“Leon, I’m so sorry…”
“I’m just glad I didn’t lose you because of her.” Leon pulled her into his arms.
Diane sighed.
“You look so sad. Never fear.” Leon kissed her cheek. “She will never bother us again.”
She looked at him. “Does Amy really have to go to jail?”
Leon looked at her in confusion. “After how she threatened you?”
“I feel bad for her. I don’t know what kind of life she had before she met you, but it must have been awful for her to turn out the way she did. Couldn’t she stay in prison for a few months and then be sent away? The thought of her stuck in jail makes me sad.”
Leon whistled, pressing his forehead against hers. “You are one classy lady, you know that?”
“Yeah, I know.” Diane smiled. “And you’ll never find someone like me again.”
Leon held her face and kissed her. His kiss told her that she was right.
***
The facility in Torrevieja was ablaze with light. Cars filled the courtyard in front of the main entrance. Famous figures from the government and Spai
n’s society spilled into the square. A covered plaque located in the center of the square was lit with spotlights, ready for the unveiling of the facility.
Diane looked with approval at the scene. Leon had insisted she keep away as the crews were putting on the finishing touches. She gladly obliged, thankful to be away from the chaos and dust. Besides, she needed all her concentration and expertise in coordinating the social side of this grand affair.
In the midst of all the excitement, she saw a familiar figure enter the main lobby with a pregnant woman beside him.
Diane couldn’t believe her eyes. “Wolfe! Miranda!” She hadn’t expected to see them. When she invited her son, he confessed he was unsure about travelling with Miranda so pregnant.
“You thought we wouldn’t come?” Miranda grinned. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She pulled her mother-in-law into a hug.
Wolfe leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Hello, mother.”
Diane wiped tears from her eyes. “I’m so happy you both came.”
She looked up and saw Leon making his way towards them. Her heart lurched. These two were the most important men in her life—and they were about to meet. What will Wolfe think of his mother having an affair with a younger man?
She did not know what to expect; Fireworks, a chilly reception or just an awkward silence. Instead, they greeted each other like long lost comrades.
“You look well, Wolfe. I see the Spanish climate agrees with you.”
Wolfe shook his head, as he slapped Leon on the back. “No, it’s like I told you—the trick is to get into your destination’s time zone early enough so your body can adjust.” He looked around. “So this is what my mother’s been up to. Not bad.”
“Wait till you see all of it. There is scaled model on the mezzanine floor. Come.” Leon beckoned.
Wolfe agreed leaving Miranda and Diane behind. Diane shook her head in confusion. “That went easier than expected.”
Miranda chuckled. “Wolfe knows. We both do.”
Diane clutched her arm. “How?”
“Leon came to New York. They were inside Wolfe’s office for hours. Wolfe never told me what they talked about. He just said you’re happy and that’s all he needed to know.” Miranda’s smile was genuine.
Diane thought she would cry from happiness
Her daughter-in-law put an arm around her. “You are full of surprises, Diane. I felt guilty when you moved to Spain. I had a feeling you were doing it for Wolfe and me. You wanted to give us a chance to make a life for ourselves. Wolfe knows that and he appreciates the thought. I do too.”
Diane nodded. “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by looking over your shoulders. You know how meddling I can be.”
“You were never nosy. You only wanted the best for us. This,” Miranda stroked her belly, “is all we need to make our family perfect.”
Diane placed her hand on Miranda’s swollen belly. “I can’t believe it. I’ll be a grandma soon.”
Miranda nudged her gently. “So…a younger man huh? Who would have thought? He seems to be doing wonders. I’ve never seen you more beautiful.” Her eyes twinkled. “Woman, you are practically glowing.”
Diane blushed. Then they both started laughing.
“Your man is full of surprises, too. I know there is still more to come.” Miranda said mysteriously. “We’d better not miss the unveiling.”
The crowd had gathered around the center of the square. Both Leon and Diane had decided that the Prime Minister would do the honors. He was a long time friend of Leon’s and happy about the opening of the facility. He took to the podium with a huge smile, giving a short speech about how the facility would help the economy of a small town like Torrevieja and be a boost for Barcelona. He ended by asking Leon to join him in unveiling the emblem. The cover was pulled away.
Diane gasped. The spotlights revealed a sculpted bust of William Hawkins. Underneath the bust were the words ‘The William Hawkins Cancer Research Facility.’ Nothing was written about memorializing Leon’s mom. “This is can’t be right!” She moved towards Leon and the Prime Minister.
Wolfe held her back. “It’s alright, mom. There’s no mistake. Leon said this is what he wanted.”
Leon walked towards them. Diane thought her heart would burst from happiness. Despite all the eyes that were focused on them, it felt natural to walk into his arms. “Leon, this was supposed to be for your mom too,” Diane whispered.
He wrapped her in his arms. “Remember what I told you at the airport? Te amo másquenada en elmundo.”
Diane repeated the words in English. “I love you more than anything in the world.”
He bent his head, tilting her face to meet his and kissed her.
The crowd cheered. Cameras flashed.
She heard Wolfe cheer. “Way to go, mom!”
Diane no longer cared who saw them. She was free to show the whole world she was in love with a younger man. Their ages didn’t matter. Age was only a number. She’d never felt more alive, more loved and more confident her entire life. Leon loved her with a love that was true and pure. That was all that mattered.
She was glad she made the decision to move to Spain. It was a gamble. It held no promises, only her desire to honor William and to give Wolfe and Miranda a chance to find their own happiness. Only fate knew that when it brought her and Leon together her own happily ever after was just there, waiting for her to come and stake her claim.
*****
THE END
Book 4 is the story of Diane's secretary Ana Garcia & New York's Entertainment Billionaire Lash Mancini. Flip to read now!
BOOK 4
The Gypsy Dancers
Chapter ONE
The prison door slammed shut. The sound was like a gong hitting a brick wall with her ear pressed against the gong. The girl flinched. She was conscious of the jingling keys in the deputy’s hand as he walked away. Another massive door closed behind him, the sound reverberating within the closed confines. Numb from fear, she tried to still the mad beating in her chest.
Ana Garcia stood in the middle of the 5-by-10 enclosure. Graffiti pocked the surface of the brick walls. Gum wrappers littered the floor. An empty water bottle was strewn against a bench. A suspicious dried-up yellow substance marred one corner of the cell.
She was aware of everything around her even if her brain felt detached from her body. Her knees gave and she dropped to the floor. Shock turned to despair as she began to cry. Her shoulders shook from sobbing. No one knew she was here. She never felt more helpless and vulnerable.
The evening wasn’t supposed to end this way, with her locked up in a seedy jail somewhere in the city of Barcelona. All she wanted was to talk to Lucio, her boyfriend.
“Ex-boyfriend,” she muttered sullenly despite the gnawing possibility that she could be here for a long time. Ana wondered what the penalty was for what she did. She had never been arrested before.
Ana knew she was doing the right thing by asking to see him at the restaurant. It was better than avoiding his calls and ignoring his text messages. Besides, telling him that it was over between them would give her some closure. It was the mature thing to do.
Lucio promised to be there by 6 p.m., but he was an hour late to their appointment. With every passing minute, Ana became more and more agitated as she sat by the bar nursing her drink. She considered leaving when she caught sight of him entering the bar.
Lucio Mendes was one of those men who regarded himself as macho - God’s gift to women. Tight jeans hugged his ass and crotch, even as a tighter shirt revealed the outlines of his abs. He loved displaying the tattoos on his muscular arms by rolling his sleeves as high as they would go. Medium-length black hair was slicked back with Brylcreem. He once admitted he applied wax to tame his bushy brows.
Ana found all of his quirks endearing when they first met, even the lopsided smile he reserved for when he was flirting with her. But seeing him tonight, she wanted to kick herself forever thinking he was her everythin
g. She controlled the urge to puke. How could she have been so blind? She needed to stop the revulsion she directed at herself for being so stupid.
“Ana, my little pussycat…” Lucio greeted in Spanish.
“You’re late,” Ana replied coldly.
Lucio shrugged. “My boss wanted to speak to me after work, sweetheart.”
Ana checked him out and noticed the lipstick mark on the collar of his shirt. The bile rose in her throat. “Hell yeah,” she thought, “he probably screwed one of the secretaries at the construction site before he came to see me.”
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