“Is steak and eggs not a thing anymore?” I look around at the deserted tables.
“I pay very well for discretion when I come here.” We continue to walk toward the back of the restaurant to a secluded table. Vincent pulls out my chair, and I sit, then he takes the chair opposite me. A simple wave of his hand and waiters are on the move. Two glasses of champagne are placed on our table, along with warm bread and menus.
“And there is never a wrong time to eat steak. Order whatever you want.”
I pick up the menu and pretend to be intrigued—“A hundred dollars for fish!”
Vincent laughs. “It tastes like butter in your mouth. I recommend it.”
My eyes bounce back and forth at the insanely high prices. Who the heck can afford to eat at a place like this? Well, dummy, a notorious kingpin can.
“This notorious kingpin would like you to try the champagne. It’s quite delightful.”
Ugh! “Sorry, bad habit. I speak out loud sometimes—you don’t have to treat me to such an expensive meal. We could have just gotten breakfast sandwiches or something.”
He shakes his head and lifts his champagne glass, waiting for me to do the same. I oblige and pick mine up. “Cheers. To a wonderful relationship. I look forward to having you by my side.” Our glasses clink, and I pray he doesn’t catch on to the nervous lump in my throat. Hopefully, the bubbly will help wash it down.
My taste buds explode, and I moan. “Wow, that’s really good.”
“It’s an aged Dom Perignon Reserve straight from France. I’m glad you like it.”
I take another sip, trying to pass the time. It’s now or never, Addy. Get the dirt. “So—”
“Addy, I must ask, how long have you and Logan been together?”
Gah! Dang it. Also, great question! One we did not discuss. The first question, and I’m already going to blow it. I take another swig to buy myself some time.
“Oh, I don’t know, it’s been so long now, feels like forever. Why do you ask?”
He eyes me, observing, as if I’m under his microscope. There’s no doubt he’s a man who doesn’t miss much. “I’m just curious how attached you are to him.”
Logan’s words ring like sirens in my head. He will violate you until you’re so broken and addicted to the heroin he’ll inject… “Oh, well, super attached. Like glued to him.”
“Hmmm….” is his only response. It doesn’t sit well with me, so my mouth starts doing what it does best.
“Yeah, he’s really great. Loyal. Hard worker. Great in bed. Loves my cooking. Not that I cook. I order lots of pizza. Crustless—how ’bout this bubbly, what year did you say—”
I almost jump out of my chair when Vincent’s hand slides across the table and covers mine. “Relax, Addy. I’m not going to bite.” Somehow, I don’t believe that. “See, you may not know this, but you and I are very much alike. We know how to read people. Like you were able to read Renaldo at our meeting.”
“And did you ever prove your suspicions to be true?”
He takes a sip of his glass. “I did.”
And is he dead? “So, what did you do?”
His laughter is unrestrained and sardonic. “He will learn the consequences of trying to cross a man like myself.”
A chill skates down to my toes. I hate that my mouth has a mind of its own because I certainly do not want to know the answer to the question spewing out. “How so?”
His thumb brushes against the palm of my hand. “How do you think?”
I think he’s swimming with the fish. “That…he realized honesty is the best policy and decided to do business elsewhere? Speaking of business, have you two started your new venture together? Exactly what does that entail?”
There’s triumph in his smile. “You truly do amaze me. Such a delight.” He ignores my rapid-fire questions. A flick of his finger and a waiter immediately appears to refill my champagne. I’m thankful for the distraction and pull my hand out from under his to grab for my glass. Before he can say another word, I blurt out, “I love Logan. So much.”
His brows hitch, not expecting that to tumble out of my mouth, which makes two of us. His lips temporarily thin, showing his disapproval of my confession, but quickly masks into a hard smile. “A loyal companion. Logan should be grateful he has you.”
“He is. He shows me all the time.” I swig my champagne.
The waiter pours me more.
“And if something happens to him?”
I choke on my champagne, spitting the sweet liquid across the table. “Wh—Why would something happen to him?”
He holds eye contact with me, taking his napkin and dabbing at his shirt. “Not everyone is invincible. This is a risky business we all involve ourselves in. If anything were to ever happen to him, I want you to know I would take care of you—”
I shoot up in my chair, rattling the table. “I forgot to—feed my cat, poor thing, we should probably—”
“Sit down, Addy.” His tone is cool, and without feeling. I slowly sit back in my seat. His eyes shine with malice, but he gathers himself and grabs for his menu. “Now, I suggest the fish, but if you’re into white meat, please do try the veal.”
My skin vibrates as trepidation buzzes inside my chest. How do I continue sitting here after he clearly made threats on Logan’s life? Everything Logan said is panning out, and I hate myself even more for not trusting him. Going against him over a stupid article is going to get me killed.
I order the fish. I poke and prod at it, wondering if its diet was the rotting bad guys Vincent had thrown into the water.
“Is something wrong? Do you not like it?”
“No. Just realized I don’t like fish.” Vincent throws his magical finger up, and a waitress comes running. “No, don’t bother. I’ve lost my appetite.” I drop my fork and stare down at my poor mutilated fish.
“There must be something. How about dessert? They have a wonderful—”
“You know—I just realized I left Logan’s stove on. And if he’s gone. I really need to get back.”
The tick in his jaw is subtle, but I’ve struck a nerve. I’m obviously lying to escape his presence. He takes his napkin and dabs his lips. “That’s a shame to hear. I hope next time I’m able to provide you a more enjoyable experience.”
As the town car comes to a stop, I get out, wish him a lovely rest of his day, and count my steps to Logan’s front door. I turn and wave, then twist the doorknob, thankful to find it unlocked. When I step inside and close it behind me, my bravery evaporates.
Logan is there, and I throw myself into his arms. For the first time since I’ve been pulled into this ugly world, I feel true fear. “Logan,” I barely whisper as the tears begin to fall.
“Fuck, Addy. Did he hurt you? Did he touch—” I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. He lifts me up and carries me to his room. “Addy, you gotta talk to me.”
I shake my head. I can’t do any more talking. “Please, just kiss me. Make it go away.”
He lays me on his bed, and I reach up, claiming his lips as if they’re mine to own. I’m desperate to feel him, his hands, his mouth.
“Addy, slow down.”
“I can’t. Please don’t stop.”
He kisses me deeply, giving me his comfort. His tongue slides into my mouth, tasting, teasing. He tries to pull away, and I fight to keep him close. My fingers dive into his hair, but he squeezes my hips, and I unlatch.
“Fuckin’ relax, baby. I’m not stoppin’.” His hands work on my slacks, which he slides down my legs. “I need you to give me something—anything, so I know you’re okay, and he didn’t hurt you.”
A soft sob breaks from my lips. “He didn’t hurt me. Please don’t stop.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He discards my pants and works off my panties. “What do you need? Baby, tell me what you need.”
I shiver in his hold, desperate to forget. “I need you to make today go away. I need—ahhh…” My back arches off the bed the moment his mouth
covers my sex. His tongue protrudes and licks up my slit, causing my eyes to roll back.
“Logan,” I whisper his name, unable to grasp reality. What’s real? What’s pretend?
“I got you,” he murmurs against my sex, licking and sucking until my vision shorts out. Just when I think I’m completely fogged over with lust, he thrusts a finger inside me. “Feel me. Feel my fingers fucking you. Got it?”
“Yes, yes…” I moan as he pumps another finger in, filling me as his tongue teases me. “Logan, more—I need more.” He slides three fingers inside me, but it still doesn’t satisfy my ache for him. I ride his fingers until I can’t take any more, then grab for his hand. “Please. I need you.” My plea is simple. Honest. Bold. His eyes hold mine, then he stands and rips his clothes off, baring himself to me. He climbs back on the bed, pushes my thighs open for him, and gives me a second to change my mind before he plunges into me.
“Fuck,” he grunts as my world shatters. My legs wrap around him, holding him close as I allow him to take and take and take. Every stroke, thrust, pulls me away from the darkness Vincent Leoni tried to trap me in. I tear into his back, his scalp, then bite down on his bottom lip when my orgasm blasts through me. He works me hard and rough until we’re both flying over the edge of sanity. Our bodies mingle with sweat as our hearts beat in heavy thumps against one another.
“Addy…”
“Please…not yet.”
He grants my wish and tucks us both into bed, snuggling me close to him, allowing me to find peace and solace as I fall asleep in his arms.
I’m drowning. My arms and legs refuse to move as I sink deeper into the abyss. I suck in air, but only water fills my lungs. Each breath robs me, and I choke. My lungs spasm. My chest heaves. I’m suffocating. My body slams against the ocean floor. Tiny black images surround me until they come into focus. Fish. So many fish. I fight them, but my arms don’t move. I’m helpless. They come for me, nipping and biting at my flesh. Nip, nip, nip—
I shoot up, gasping for air and patting at my skin for fish bites.
“What’s wrong?” Logan’s concerned voice pulls me from the lingering memory, and I turn to his worried eyes. “Talk to me. You okay?”
I need the visions of my nightmare to fade. “Shoot, did I fall asleep?”
“Yeah, babe, you’ve been asleep for almost twelve hours.”
Unease settles inside me. “Twelve hours? He—he hasn’t come back for me, has he?” My body begins to tremble, and I try to fight out of his grip. “We can’t stay here. You’re not safe.” I reach for him, my hands cupping his face. “Logan, you’re not safe.”
He cradles me in his arms, lays me down, and blankets his body over mine. “You don’t have to worry. Right now, we’re safe. But I need you to tell me what happened. Can you do that?”
I want to shake my head, and not repeat the horrid things Vincent said to me. But he needs to know. He needs to get out. “Logan, you were right. He said things. Warnings.”
“What kind of warnings?”
“He asked me where we stood. I told him we were good. I told him I loved you.”
I don’t even know how he can laugh at a time like this. “You said you loved me?”
“Yes!” I bang on his chest. “He was telling me in not so many words that if you weren’t around, he would take care of me. How accidents happen. Logan, he’s going to get rid of you. I can’t—please—let’s leave. We need to go to the police. They can help us. Then you and I…you said what we were starting was real. We can go to the police.”
Logan shakes me. “Addy, no.”
“Yes! We have to! He was dead serious. He doesn’t plan on keeping you around much longer. I’m scared. We need to go to the police.”
His lips find mine, and he kisses me hard. I know his intention is to try to sway my mind. But he doesn’t understand. “Stop. I need you to listen. I can’t have him hurting you. If you won’t. I will.”
His hand digs into my hair, tugging almost to the brink of pain, and I wince. “Addy, I need you to listen to me. No. Cops.”
“But you don’t understand—”
“No cops.”
My shoulders tense. My lips thin, and I become angry. “Why not? Is your loyalty to him worth your life? You’re willing to die over a stupid job? You’re the one who warned me, and now I’m warning you. He’s going to kill you to get to me!”
His expression remains cold, and my anger spikes. I take my fists to his bare chest. “Why aren’t you listening to me?” My tears fall in furious waves. “Why are you acting like this is not a big deal? This is your life. What the heck is wrong with you?” My beating fists become weaker and weaker as my emotions take over, and my tears turn to desperate sobs. “I don’t want you to die. Please…please…”
He wraps his arms around me, forcing me close, and I continue to cry in his arms. “Addy, listen to me. I should have never made you stay with me. This is on me, but I’m going to get you out.”
Unease morphs into full-blown panic inside my chest, and I rip out of his hold. “How? He’ll suspect something. And just like you said, he’ll come after me. And he’ll kill you.”
“No, he won’t. I’ll handle it.”
“How? You’re not invincible, Logan.”
“He needs me to oversee the shipment with Renaldo. He’s not going to make any moves before that.”
“Logan, listen to yourself. You’re seriously going to help him traffick girls? Stop being ridiculous.”
He takes too long to answer, which is the only answer I need. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to go through with it?” More silence. I stare back at him, blinking away my disbelief. “I can’t… How can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing what you’re about to do?”
How could I have been so blind? So stupid to think I was making a difference in his life? That he felt my words when I told him he deserved better. “You make me sick.”
“Addy—”
He reaches for me, but I slap his hand away. “No! Don’t touch me.” I climb out of his bed, needing space between us. “And to think I saw you as someone I could be with—whatever. I refuse to be associated with anyone who can be part of something so disgusting.”
He opens his mouth to argue, but his phone goes off. Saved by the bell. “I gotta take this.”
“Now?” I look at the time. “It’s close to one in the morning. Who in the heck is calling right now?”
He turns his back to me. “Go back to bed, Addy.” And he walks out. How dare he just dismiss me? I follow him out, ready for a fight, but he’s already in the backyard having what looks like a heated conversation.
I tiptoe into the kitchen to eavesdrop. Holding my breath, I try to be sly, but I knock into the corner of the table. A glass tips off and shatters at my feet. Logan’s eyes whip up at the distraction. Shoot! He quickly ends his call and storms inside.
“What are you doing?”
“I…uh…I was getting something to drink. Who were you talking to?”
“No one.”
“Oh, so you were just yelling at no one?”
He thrusts his hand through his hair. “Leave it be, Addy. For once.”
“For once? How about, for once, you trust me and not leave me in the dark?”
“This isn’t about not trusting you. It’s about keeping you safe.”
I throw my hands up in frustration. “Then tell me what’s happening? Who were you talking to?” Shoving past me, he disappears back into his bedroom. I’m hot on his tail. He’s not getting out of this. “Stop blowing me off. If I’m in this ’til the end, I get to know what’s happening. Stop treating me like a child.”
He whips around, and I almost fall backwards at the fury rolling off him. “Then stop fucking acting like one. All your fucking questions! Just let it fucking be.”
“How am I supposed to do that? This affects me too. You’re leaving me in the dark.”
“Where you should be. You’re a journalist. You collect fake stories.
Three fucking days and all of a sudden, you think you know all about the world of drugs and trafficking? You think you’re going to save the day and rescue all those girls? Stop the war on drugs? Jesus. Stay in your own lane right now, Addy. This shit is way above you—”
My open palm raises and slaps across his face. A loud gasp falls from my lips at my assault. I’ve never in my life slapped anyone. Logan lifts his hand to touch the growing welt. “Real nice.”
“I—”
“You’re right. I didn’t have to pull you into my shit. And every day since, I wish I hadn’t. It’s been a headache I don’t need.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss as my lower lip begins to quiver.
“Oh, she swears now? Using her big girl words.”
“Why are you doing this?”
His hands fly upward, grabbing at his hair. “Doing what! Trying to keep you alive while you continue to stir shit up?”
“How am I stirring up anything?”
“I told you not to get on Vincent’s radar. And what did you do?”
I take a step toward him. “I told you it was a mistake—”
“Too fucking late, sweetheart.” He scoffs and turns away from me. “Get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow. I’ll take the couch.” He brushes past me without another word, and I bite on my bottom lip, fighting back my tears.
“I regret ever meeting you.”
“Good. You should.”
I toss and turn all night, or what’s left of it. When the sun begins to peek through the windows, my legs are so tightly wound around the bed sheets, I worry I’ll have to cut myself out of them. My brain is working overtime attempting to break down exactly where we went wrong with one another last night. The way he spoke to me was uncalled for. It was harsh and cold. He just dismissed all my concerns and treated me as if my feelings meant nothing. He had no right to belittle me. I’ll give him a pass on calling me childish. From the start, my mouth has gotten us both in trouble. But it still doesn’t justify the way he spoke down to me.
I can’t believe I actually thought once the dust settled, we would find something real together. “How stupid can I be?” I huff. Because living happily ever after with a mob thug was going to happen. “So realistic, Addy.” And I don’t care what he says, I’m not sitting back and allowing hundreds of innocent girls to be trafficked. Dangerous or not, this is something I refuse to stay quiet about.
Celebrity Dirt: A Fake Relationship Romantic Suspense Standalone Page 12