‘I bet you have,’ she muttered then fixed him with a cold look. ‘Was it you, in New York? Was it your threats that were the reason for us being exiled from there?’
He shook his head. ‘No, that was not me or in fact, as far as I can tell, was there ever any threat to you in New York. The death sentence may have still been in place then, but as far as I know, no-one acted on it – or were planning too.’
Cosima was confused. ‘I don’t understand. For years, Harpa and I have been shifted from place to place by the FBI because of…’
‘I’m sure you were, but I’m saying, New York wasn’t us.’
Cosima sighed, rubbed her eye. After a beat, she took a deep breath. ‘Naveen…was it you? This time? Did you have me abducted?’
He sat forward, his gaze steady. ‘No, Cosima, that wasn’t me, I swear. While I had come to New Orleans to kill you, had I done so, it would have been quick, not torturous.’
She blanched at his words and he held up his hands. ‘But you should not be concerned about that, about me, I mean what I say: you are safe from me. But, Sima, you should know, neither was it the families – which means you have a new enemy.’
For a moment, Cosima looked away. ‘You haven’t called me ‘Sima’ for years…Nav.’ She gave him a half smile and Naveen’s body relaxed.
‘I’m so sorry, Sima, for everything I put you through. I don’t know what I was thinking, what was wrong with me. Hell, yes I do. Jealousy, pure and simple. When you left India, the pain of you going away…’ He trailed off and sighed. ‘Please, Cosima, forgive me. I have been a fool.’
She nodded but didn’t say anything. Naveen drained his scotch. ‘There is one thing I do know that may help you,’ he said. ‘I know who instigated the attack on you at the market. Sabine Karlsson.’
Cosima rolled her eyes. ‘Well, that’s not the biggest surprise but how do you know?’
Naveen grinned, his face suddenly boyish. ‘Because I’ve been entertaining her.’
Cosima wrinkled her nose. ‘Gross.’
Naveen laughed loudly, and she couldn’t help but join in. ‘I agree, Sabine is not the most pleasant of people,’ he said, ‘Did you know she lost out on a big job to your mother?’
‘Oh, so I’ve screwed her over twice in her reckoning? Well…good,’ Cosima felt satisfied then sobered up. ‘Do you think she had anything to do with my abduction?’
‘Hard to say…she asked me if I was behind it so that could either mean she genuinely isn’t involved or that she’s bluffing.’
Cosima chewed this over for a few moments. ‘For what it’s worth, as much as I dislike the woman, the man who kidnapped me was twisted. Psychopathic. It felt…personal.’
‘I swear again, Sima, it wasn’t me.’
‘I believe you.’
Naveen smiled at her. ‘Thank you.’
‘What’s this?’
They both looked up as Arlo, his face set and grim, his eyes never leaving Naveen, entered the room. Naveen stood and offered Arlo his hand. ‘Naveen Chowdry, good to meet you.’
Arlo ignored the proffered hand and went to Cosima’s side, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders. Naveen let his hand drop but kept the friendly smile on his face. Cosima looked up at Arlo.
‘Arlo, this is Naveen…an old friend.’
Arlo nodded. ‘The old friend who wants to kill you?’
Cosima sighed, but Naveen spoke up. ‘Mr. Forrester, I have just been apologizing to Sima – Cosima – for my previous behavior. I swear to you, I mean neither her nor you any harm.’
‘Naveen was just informing me that the delectable Sabine was behind the attack in the market. Seems she has major beef with me and not just because I’m with you.’
Arlo was taken aback. ‘Sabine?’ His brow creased in annoyance. ‘God damn that woman…’
Cosima put her hand on his chest. ‘Calm down. She’s just a spiteful bitch, not worthy of our intention.’
He ran a hand through his hair in annoyance. ‘A vindictive, violent one. Well, we’ll see how she likes it when I cut her off.’
There was an awkward pause. ‘You’ve been supporting her?’ Cosima’s voice was soft, but there was hurt in her tone. Arlo kissed her forehead.
‘It was only supposed to be temporary until she found her next job. I thought it was the right thing to do.’
‘You’re a better person than I then.’ Cosima looked irked.
Arlo looked at Naveen. ‘You've been fucking Sabine?’
Cosima winced, but Naveen merely nodded, unfazed. ‘Yes. It was a casual thing, nothing heavy.’
‘So, what do you want from Cos and me? Congratulations?’
‘Arlo.’ Cosima’s voice was warning, but he ignored her. Naveen shook his head.
‘I don’t want anything from you, except Cosima’s forgiveness and she has been gracious enough to bestow that on me. I will tell you what I told Sima; you have a new enemy. The man who took her won’t be satisfied until either he or Cosima is dead.’
Arlo cursed, and Cosima sighed, looking at him. ‘Well, not fearing for my life was good while it lasted.’
Arlo pressed his lips to her temple. No-one's getting near you, I swear it.’
Cosima nodded, even if she was unconvinced. Whatever this was, she knew it had to play out to its natural conclusion.
She just hoped that she would be alive at the end of it all.
***
When Naveen had left, Cosima followed Arlo into the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat while he showered. Arlo’s body had been rigid with annoyance while Naveen was there and now, as the hot water hit his tired muscles, he couldn't help but be annoyed with Cosima’s ready acceptance of her former enemy.
‘What possessed you to let him into our home?’
‘Steve and Roger were with me, it was fine.’
‘He could have done anything.’
‘But he didn’t. For what it’s worth, I believe him. He was the Naveen I grew up with, not the angry fundamentalist he was for a while.’
Arlo turned and stared at her. ‘And you think a man can change just like that? I’ve seen the light! I don’t buy it.’
Cosima looked upset. ‘Arlo, for once…can’t I just believe in something good? I’m so sick of being suspicious of everyone and of you being suspicious of every other man in my life.’
Arlo was stung. He cranked off the water. ‘Cosima…that’s not true.’
‘Really? What about Jack?’
Arlo grabbed a towel. ‘Jack and I have sorted out our differences.’
‘Which is why he feels so comfortable coming here,’ she snapped, looking exhausted. ‘Why hasn’t he been here, Arlo? I haven’t seen him since I came home.’
Arlo suddenly felt sorry for her. ‘Sweetheart, I don’t know. He’s been trying to find the man who took you.’ He sat on the edge of the bath and took her hands. ‘I’m serious, I have no problem with Jack, but Naveen Chowdry spent years wanting to kill you. Give me a minute to get used to the fact you want to be his friend now.’
Cosima nodded but didn’t say anything. Arlo cupped her face in his big hands. ‘I love you, Cosima Malhotra. You and me, that’s all we need.’
He brushed her lips gently with his then kissed her properly, his tongue massaging hers, becoming more aroused as they touched. Soon, he stood and led her into their bedroom, his towel falling away, his cock standing proud against his belly as he undressed her while they kissed. Cosima stroked her fingertips down the length of it and groaning, he picked her up, pressing her back against the wall as his cock slid into her welcoming sex. At first tender, their fucking became rougher, intense until they couldn’t stand up any longer and they tumbled to the floor, Arlo driving himself deeper into her with every thrust, pushing her legs as far apart as they would go to sink into her balls deep. Cosima raked her fingernails down her back, moaning blissfully, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Arlo grinned down at her.
‘You have no idea how beautiful you look
when I’m fucking you,’ he growled, his thrusts becoming harder, deeper until she cried out, her skin flushing scarlet as she came. She tightened her legs around him, clenched her vaginal muscles around his cock, and Arlo came with a long groan, his hips spasming as he shot hot cum deep into her.
Afterward, they lay entwined, panting, grinning at each other. ‘Do you think,’ Cosima said, breathlessly, ‘that we’ll ever get tired of doing that?’
Arlo laughed. ‘Not a chance. Not ever.’
Cosima rolled on top of him. ‘Good, because when your cock is inside me, that’s when I feel most alive.’
He grinned. ‘How the hell am I ever going to get any work done when you say things like that?’
Cosima chuckled. ‘That’s my evil plan. Talking of work, I think it’s time I went back to the office – Tal’s been more than patient. Besides, don’t we have a grand opening to arrange?’
Arlo stroked his hands down her smooth back. ‘All done, my love, all set for this Friday. Once that is over, we can talk about our next project.’
Cosima’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Our next project? You want to work with me again?’
‘Of course, we’re a team. Besides, I think that will make up for lost time in Tal’s case, yes? He’s a good man.’
‘He is that.’ She sighed happily and laid her head on his chest. ‘There’s only one problem with going back to work that I can see.’
‘What’s that?’
She grinned. ‘I have to move from this spot to do it.’
***
Harpa had been early to work every day since she’d returned to Seattle from New Orleans and today, when her boss, Stan, arrived, he chuckled at her as she scrubbed the worktops clean. ‘Sweetheart, you’re making me feel lazy. You don’t have to keep doing this.’
‘Just trying to make up for lost time, boss.’
Stan reached over and took the wet cloth from her hand. ‘You, sit,’ he ordered. Harpa did as she was told, perching on one of the stools. She watched as Stan flicked the coffee pot on.
‘Now,’ he said a while later as he handed her a steaming cup of coffee. ‘Why are you acting like a toddler on a sugar high?’
She grinned. ‘I am not, I just feel bad about being away for so long. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you canned me.’
‘For taking time off because your sister was missing? What kind of tosser do you think I am?’ Stan rolled his eyes. ‘You ain’t done anything wrong, love, so relax. Look, you’ve done brilliantly since you’ve been here so I’m taking you off pot washing and making you our new sauté-chef. Your palette is exquisite, so there’s no question; Sandy will be leaving us soon to have her baby so she’s agreed to train you. Do well at that for a few months, you’ll be my sous chef.’
Harpa was stunned. Yes, she knew food was her talent, her passion but in her wildest dreams, she’d never expected to progress so quickly. ‘I don’t know what to say….thank you, Stan.’
He smiled. ‘Don’t thank me yet; you won’t believe how much of a bastard I am to my sous-chefs.’
Harpa giggled. ‘Yeah, right.’
‘You’ll be busy; the hours are longer, the pay’s still shite, plus I’ll be on your back about your schoolwork. I expect you to graduate with honors, Harpa.’
She hopped off the stool and threw her arms around his neck. ‘You are the freakin’ best.’
‘Yeah, yeah, gerroff me, you nutter, people will talk.’
That day’s shift was grueling and long and by the time Mikah showed up to pick her up, Harpa was wilting. She smiled at her lover. ‘You look even more delicious this evening.’
He grinned. ‘You drunk?’
‘On you.’
‘Sweet talker. Have you eaten?’
She shook her head. ‘Nope, we haven’t had a minute’s rest.’
‘Come on then, I know a good place open past midnight.’
He took her to a small café in the center of the city, Mexican food, and Harpa fell on a plate of nachos, scooping up gobs of guacamole and sour cream and moaning with delight. Mikah, chuckling at her enjoyment, helped himself to a chip.
‘So, I was thinking…’
‘Does your head hurt?’
‘Oh, burn…I thought maybe you might want to move in with me?’
Harpa swallowed her food and took a slug of coke. ‘Huh.’
Mikah looked amused. ‘That’s all I get? A ‘huh?’
‘Maybe it’s a little soon,’ Harpa said gently. ‘We just got Cos back, you and I are still in the honeymoon period. Don’t get me wrong, I love every moment I spend with you, I do. But after being under…how can I put this…surveillance, for years and years, having my every move scrutinized I need time to experience the adult world for myself, live alone, sometimes be alone.’
Mikah nodded slowly. ‘I think I get it…it just kills me when I wake up alone now, you know? Because, although it is soon, I’m falling…’
Harpa held up her hand, looking panicked. ‘Don’t say it yet, not like this, not when I’ve just turned your offer of co-habitation down. Because, yes, I feel that way too but call me sentimental, I want to say it and hear it at the perfect moment.’
Mikah sighed. ‘You got it.’
She chewed another chip and studied him. ‘I don’t want to hurt you, Mikah, I’m crazy about you. Please understand, I just need…’
‘Space?’
‘Time.’
‘There’s a joke about a continuum in there somewhere, but I don’t feel like making it.’
‘Please don’t be sad.’
‘I’m not sad. I’m disappointed, but, okay, I get it. I have no earthly way of knowing what it must have been like for you.’
Harpa squeezed his hand and smiled. ‘Let’s talk about something else. What’s going on with you?’
‘Well, just so happens there're a few pieces up for auction on Friday in New Orleans so I thought we could swing by that before the hotel opening. You’ve still got that night off, right?’
‘Damn straight. I’d love to see what you do, Mikah, I’ve never been to an auction before.’
‘Grady Mallory will be there, so you can meet him, maybe Flori if she’s with him.’
‘We could double-date like grown-ups do.’ She looked excited, and he laughed.
‘Hey, has Cosima got any idea about the surprise Arlo is arranging?’
Harpa grinned. ‘None. God, I am so looking forward to Friday night. Let’s hope nothing spoils it.’
***
Hours later, in San Francisco, Monica Lascelles smiled benevolently at the reporter. ‘Do you think you have everything?’
The young blonde woman smiled nervously. ‘Ms. Lascelles, while your story is certainly…explosive, are you sure that you’re ready for the fallout from it? I mean, your relationship with your daughters…’
‘Has been strained for years. It’s about time they paid attention to the woman who nurtured and shaped them. I had hoped Cosima’s ordeal would soften her heart, but it seems not.’
‘But it’s not Cosima who you’ll hurt the most with this story, is it?’
Monica smiled mockingly. ‘Believe me, when you cut one sister, the other bleeds.’
The reporter, Bree, left the older woman in her hotel suite and headed back to her magazine’s office. God, what a hateful woman Monica Lascelles was but Bree couldn’t deny her story would be manna from heaven for her editor. She went straight to her boss’s office and knocked on the door. Her editor, Lisa, looked up.
‘What did you get from the raddled old witch then?’ Lisa, it turns out, had worked with Monica in the good old days and had despised her even then.
Bree handed her notebook to Lisa. ‘The headlines.’
Lisa read down the notes Bree had taken. As with most of the magazine's interviews, they took minimal notes, just bullet points really, and then built whatever story they could around them – slanting the interview depending on whether Lisa liked the interviewee, or how much groveling they would do
to the magazine. Needless to say, the magazine Bree earned her money from wasn’t one she’d proudly put on her resume but it paid the bills.
Lisa whistled. ‘Wow, she really gave you the goods, huh? Hell, approved, just go with and try to get Simon to squeeze it into the next issue. Front page. It comes out Thursday, which should ruin that fancy hotel opening.’
Bree hesitated. ‘You know, the daughters haven’t actually done anything wrong. This is the ramblings of a bitter middle –aged woman who hates that her daughters are still gorgeous and courting attention when her star is fading. Ridiculous to be jealous rather than proud of your children. Monica Lascelles is still stunning – if only on the outside.’
Lisa was looking at her agog. ‘Bree, are we in the business of wrapping people in cotton wool? It’s a story, a good one. Run it.’
Bree went back to her desk to write up the story, but it bothered her. Surely an anonymous heads-up to the daughters wouldn’t ruin the story? Checking no-one could hear her, she pulled out her cell-phone and called her friend, Vivien.
‘Viv, hi, listen, I can only be a sec…are you still friends with Arlo Forrester’s assistant? I need to get a message to him.’
***
Cosima yanked open the door and threw her arms around Jack. He laughed as he hugged her then, pulling away, she batted him.
‘Jack Hampton, you have been away too long. How dare you put work before me?’ she grinned at him. ‘Come on in, Arlo’s getting the wine ready. Even though you absolutely don’t deserve it, I’ve made you one of my specialties. You like lamb pasanda, yes?’
Jack groaned. ‘God, I dream about it. You’re looking good, Cos.’
Pulling him by the hand into the kitchen, she grinned back at him. ‘If you mean, I’ve put on some weight, then yes. Being a lady of leisure will do that. Thankfully it’s coming off now I’m back at work.’
‘Is she still whining about her non-existent pot-belly? Again, Cos?’ Arlo, grinning, shook Jack’s hand. ‘Hey, Jack, good to see you. Ignore her moaning. Wine or beer?’
‘Beer, please.’
Cosima batted Arlo’s butt as she went to the refrigerator. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this all day. Damn, Jack, it has been too long. What gives?’
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