by Shel Stone
“Haven’t seen Barensteen yet,” Cheyenne said as they greeted each other in turn. “You sure she knows where to come?”
“I told her the name of the place. She has a driver, I think.”
“I hear they’re all staying on in town.”
“There are legal issues,” Samara said.
“Oh,” Viola said as if that made perfect sense. “I guess there’s too much money for there not to be.”
It might be betraying a confidence to divulge how intended that was, so she didn’t mention it. Gossip wasn’t something she felt obliged to do. Besides, if you talked about the things you heard, people stopped telling you things.
“You mean down here?” Persephone’s voice was heard before she came into view. Dutifully wearing white, with matching sweatbands around her wrists. A brand new tennis racquet was in her hand. In fact, it might have just been purchased in the small store attached to the reception. “Oh, there you are. This is lovely, isn’t it? I like the misters.”
It was a nice tennis court, surrounded by sculptured gardens and a few shaded seating areas. It felt good to be back. This was her domain. “Hello, darling,” she said as she walked up and kissed Persephone on the cheek. “Welcome to our weekly tennis session. Reconstituted to be better than ever.”
“I haven’t played in ages.”
“We’ll be merciful,” Voila said.
“No need. I was trained by the best in the world for years.”
“Then we won’t be,” Cheyenne added.
“I think we’ve met,” Persephone said.
“I’m not sure we have, but I believe I have met your brother.”
“In that case, I would have invited him along, if not for the fact that I don’t feel like it. Siblings never cease being annoying.”
“He’s not being bothersome, is he?” Samara asked.
“Not perhaps more than he should be. We’ve actually come to an arrangement.”
“Oh?” Samara asked, too curious not to. Even as Cheyenne and Viola didn’t know what was going on, and the looks on their faces showed it. Samara hoped Persephone noted.
“The legal wrangle around the estate is exceedingly boring, but we’ve made some agreements to hurry it all up. It’s all very amicable.”
“That sounds encouraging.”
“Revenge is sometimes best executed not doing what people expect you to.”
“Here, here,” Viola said. “Shall we?” she said, walking out on the court.
This sounded like a nice development for Persephone. The last time they’d talked, it had sounded like she was in for an ugly and protracted affair, all done by design by their loving father. Must have been a charming man, she thought wryly. Hassan probably would have liked him. They’d probably known and respected each other. Men of the same ilk tended to.
Persephone joined her on one side and they played against Cheyenne and Viola. True to her word, Persephone was good and competitive, so it made for an intense match. Another upside for getting rid of the treacherous Julia, who threw her lot in with Hassan, and paid the price for it. One always pays a price with him.
“You should come around for dinner one night,” Persephone said as they waited for Viola to get a wayward ball. “You should meet my brother.”
“Of course. I’d love to,” Samara said.
“Don’t judge me by the house. It’s my father’s taste, and what he perceived as good taste wasn’t something we shared.”
“You should refurbish it,” Samara suggested. “I know you would do a wonderful job.”
“It really could use it, but I’m not sure I’ll have the time. And once we get everything sorted, I don’t know if I’ll come back. We’ll sell the house, of course. It will appeal to some the way it is. If you’re into that kind of style,” she said dismissively. “Although my brother could use it. He really does need to slow down a little. Too focused on work. Consequentially, he’s achieved considerable things, and I think our father’s ire stemmed a little from the fear that Tristan would surpass him. Saying that, I think he does need to bring some balance into his life.”
It was touching how much she cared about her brother. In a family like that, toxicity could run into all relationships, and it showed their good character that it hadn’t, considering the degree of adversity.
“I’ll plan something. We should invite the present company in entirely.”
“I’m sure it will be a lovely evening.”
Chapter 18
ESME HAD MORE ENERGY, she had more life in her. It was amazing what some exertion of energy could do for building energy. Ricky was just what she needed. There were no complications, no head-fucking, or requirements. It was just easy. He was chilled with everything, and he had an amazing body.
It wasn’t as if they did much else, really. Maybe that was what she really liked about him—he wasn’t pushy. The perfect guy for her right now. And fucking Ricky was a lot more fun than thinking about everything that had gone wrong with Darius, or even why Inns was around again, as if to rub salt in her wounds.
In fact, she felt as if she was exorcising the past. A new leaf, and she wasn’t going to be a push over for anyone. Finally she was starting to feel more like herself. And she wasn’t going to mope around the house endlessly, so she took up Shania’s standing invitation to go to lunch. Anytime, she’d said, so no time like the present.
And there was a new place close to the Dunbury Industries’ office that they could try, so she sent a message to Shania asking if she wanted to meet. Throughout this period, she’d been avoiding both Felix and Shania, because both of them had this urge to try to fix things for her, and this wasn’t something they could fix. Apparently Ricky could.
Hopefully this wouldn’t be an issue because Shania had had a brief thing with Ricky before she and Felix got together. The last thing she needed was Shania getting upset because she was trifling with an ex, but then Shania wasn’t really one to get upset about such things. When she left someone behind, she was pretty final, which had upset Felix to no end. As they were both hard-headed, it was surprising they were still going, but perhaps that proved they really were perfect for each other. Shania was a bitch, but that suited Felix perfectly. The thing with Shania was that she was loyal to the full with the people she was loyal to, and it felt right to stop pushing her away.
It took only moments for Shania to agree, and Esme hated how worried she was about her. This catch up was largely to show her that there was nothing to be worried about. Things were fine. She was on the mend, and she had a guy who was helping her immensely to correct the hit she’d taken to her self-esteem.
It was even nice to choose her outfit for the day. In fact, her wardrobe was getting a bit stale. It had been ignored for quite a while now. With Darius, she’d been too on edge, and after, she’d been a wreck. Maybe it was time for a trip to Milan or Paris. It wouldn’t be with Shania because she’d be bored senseless. Shania didn’t do fashion. She did things that looked hot on her, and business suits that also looked hot on her. The label meant nothing to Shania. Maybe Aggie. Actually, Megan might be the one to go with if she was up for it.
Once ready, she walked downstairs and out to the garage to her mean-looking black Audi. It still gave her a subversive kick, because it really didn’t suit her. It felt good driving in the gentle, warm breeze, and she got to the restaurant a little early. This wasn’t a place for the ladies who lunched in Marbella. It had a more masculine tone that worked well for Shania, who arrived shortly after she did.
“You look great,” Shania said. “I’m glad you called.” As always, she looked awesome herself in a tight grey pants suit with a black blouse. It wasn’t a look that would ever work on Esme, but it suited Shania perfectly. Cool and hard, with a heart of gold under a seriously thick exterior.
“I was thinking we should go on holiday somewhere. It’s been a really long time. Just something quick.”
“Sure,” Shania said in her distinct American accent as they w
ere taken to their seat. “Where do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Egypt. Or I hear Oman is lovely if we want to do something more intrepid.”
“I’d be up for it.”
“But here is a question,” Esme said, feeling her nervousness build. “How would you feel about me bringing Ricky?”
“Ricky who?” Shania asked with complete sincerity. When she left someone behind, she left them behind in every sense. Didn’t think about them at all. That was a characteristic Esme needed to develop.
“You know that DJ guy at Shine.”
Shania’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I thought he’d left.”
“He did, but he’s come back. Works at Virtue now.”
“Right,” she said without any discernible care. “And you want to take him on vacation why?”
Esme wrung her fingers together. “I’m kind of seeing him in a light, no strings way. He’s been very...accommodating.”
“Kind of like a booty call?”
“Well, that’s kind of harsh, but we kind of have an... arrangement.”
“You wouldn’t be the first to treat Ricky as a booty call, but then it’s gone the other way too.”
A twinge of guilt was spearing through her, because in a way, she was using him. Obviously, she liked him, but there were no thoughts of a serious relationship with him. As lovely as he was, when it came down to it, he just wasn’t her type. “Do you mind?”
“Why would I mind?” Shania asked with confusion.
“It’s just that if I bring him on a trip with us, would it be awkward?”
“The possibilities for torturing Felix are unfolding in my mind’s eye.”
Rolling her eyes, Esme shook her head. The dynamic between Shania and her brother was something she stayed out of. “Well, as long as it doesn’t cause any trouble, I’ll invite him along,” she said tartly.
“Don’t restrain yourself on my account,” Shania said with a smile. “You and Ricky, huh? I can’t really imagine.”
The statement made Esme smile and blush. “I don’t know. It’s just easy, you know?”
“I can imagine. Good for you. Everyone needs a Ricky after a breakup.”
“Let’s not be cruel. He’s a sweet guy.”
“No, he’s not. You do know he’s a total manwhore?”
“I’m not really seeing it, I have to admit, but don’t worry, I’m not overthinking anything here.”
“In that case, have fun,” she said with a shrug. “No better way of cleaning out crap.”
Esme had to agree there. It had done wonders for her. In the past, she’d never understood why girls would get into a relationship that would never go anywhere, but she saw the appeal, and they were a damn sight better that relationships that dragged you down and ate away at your very core.
Chapter 19
IT HADN’T BEEN A DATE with Solraya exactly, but he’d been nervous as if it had been. Not that he’d ever really done dates, but it wasn’t usual he felt nervous around a girl in any capacity—except perhaps Esme because she was so fragile.
The thing with Esme felt complicated. It was something he’d just been roped into and he didn’t know what to do about it. She was a stellar girl, but he didn’t want to be in a relationship with her, and every time they were together, he was wary regarding their interactions to see if she saw them that way. Mostly not, but it was hard to tell. It wasn’t exactly as though they were sharing their feelings, and he didn’t really know her well enough to tell what that meant.
As he’d mentioned to Solraya, the best thing would be that it ran its course, because breaking up with a girl was a skill he wasn’t terribly good at. Usually he just acted like a dick until she broke up with him, but then Esme was fragile and would probably fall to pieces. This was why he’d wanted to stay clear of her in the first place. He had no idea what to do.
With a sigh, he sat down on one of the weight lifting benches at the Athletics Club and took a swig of his water bottle. The coldness was jarring for a moment.
Guys were working out around him, some older guys trying to maintain their dwindling muscle mass. Maybe that would be him one day. The future wasn’t something he ever thought about. In fact, he wasn’t sure he’d ever thought about it before. Being old had to suck, but some of the old boys were happy enough, he conceded. Perhaps that was worth keeping an eye on those guys and seeing how they were doing it.
It felt as if a chapter of his life was coming to an end, but he couldn’t exactly describe how or why, or what it was he was looking for exactly. It had drawn him back here. Ibiza wasn’t the place for him. Maybe because it reflected the old him, the values he’d used to live by—watch out for number one, do what felt good, take every opportunity presented, and let nothing stand in your way. It had gotten him everything he’d achieved, and it wasn’t as if he regretted anything. Maybe he could have handled things better with Megan, but he didn’t doubt his need to get out of that relationship.
Movement caught his eye and he saw Felix Dunbury marching up to the club entrance, his mouth drawn tight.
“For fuck’s sake,” Ricky said, drawing sharp looks from some of the old boys. Not again. Felix appeared in the weights room. “Look, mate,” he said, standing up. “It’s not--” He didn’t even get to finish the sentence before Felix threw his punch. Pain flared in his cheek. Luckily, Felix wasn’t the most cut guy, so there wasn’t enough power in his punch to break bones. It still hurt like hell. “Fuck!” he yelled, soothing his cheek. “Can you fucking stop hitting me every fucking minute?”
“What the fuck’s wrong with you?” Felix roared. “You’re fucking my sister now? I’m starting to take this fucking personally.”
Okay, from his perspective, it did look bad. First his girl, although technically, she hadn’t been his girl then, at least not in her mind, and now his sister. “It’s not what it looks like.”
“Fuck, mate, the lamest excuse ever,” Felix said, going in for another punch.
The shocked old guys had no idea what to do. “What’s going on?” Corey said, appearing in the door, which was good in case Felix didn’t calm down.
What he wanted to say right then would only irritate Felix further, so he shut up. “Just...”
“Well, take it outside, you fucking monkeys.”
It really was up to Felix right now. Ricky had no issues—he even understood why he was here. If he had a damaged sister like Esme, he’d probably lose the plot if someone like him was sniffing around her. It was really more than sniffing around, but no point going into details. “Look,” he said to Felix, but had no idea how to finish the statement. “I’m not exactly happy about how things are either.”
Confusion was clear on Felix’s face. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Outside!” Corey ordered.
Grabbing his water bottle, Ricky walked out. His car keys were in his locker, but he didn’t want to flee, so in the lobby, he turned around and waited for Felix. The guy was still looking foul when he emerged, clearly not happy.
“I don’t really know how I got into it, and I have no idea how to get out of it,” he admitted honestly. “I just kind of let her take what she wants.”
It looked for a moment like Felix would lose the plot again. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
The thing about Felix was that he blew up, and then when it blew over, he tended to be reasonable.
“She wanted a rebound guy and she picked me, and I had no idea how to say no.”
“It’s fucking easy to say no.”
“To a girl in that state?”
Felix was silent for a moment, clearly thinking.
“And if it makes you feel better,” Ricky continued, “she isn’t treating it with any more seriousness.”
“Yeah, because she’s just about to invite you on vacation.”
A sinking feeling flooded him. That seemed a step towards coupledom, which was the last thing he wanted. “Oh,” he said with la
ck of enthusiasm. Now what was he supposed to do? This was not the direction he wanted. “Fuck,” he said quietly. “Honestly, I don’t know how to deal with her. I just do whatever she wants me to. I don’t know what else to do.”
“So you don’t want to be with her?”
“I mean, she’s a cool girl, but I have no intentions of being in a relationship with her.”
“You can’t fucking break her heart.”
“I’m not completely oblivious to the state she’s in. Some guy messed her up. I’m not exactly blind.”
“Yeah, a fucking toe-rag.”
“So what am I supposed to do?” Ricky asked with a shrug, because being her brother, perhaps Felix knew the best thing to do right now.
Dragging his hand over his face, Felix looked defeated and confused. Well, that wasn’t encouraging. “Well, you’re probably going to have to marry her.”
“What?!”
Felix smiled and Ricky finally understood he was taking the piss. “Brother,” Felix said, throwing his arms open.
“Fuck off, you dick,” Ricky replied. “I’m serious. I have no fucking idea how to get out of this.”
Felix chewed on the inside of his cheek for a while. “Talking shit about you will only make her more obstinate. So perhaps we should do the opposite. I should get Shania’s opinion.”
On one level, Ricky wanted to roll his eyes over how whipped he was, but on the other, it was kind of cool he had a strong relationship. That was one way he’d changed. Deferring to a girl’s opinion used to be a major weakness in his view of the world, but somewhere along the way, he’d come to accept that girls brought good points to the conversation. Maybe he should have talked to Aggie about this. “I’m open to listening.”
“Alright, let us think up a plan,” Felix said, then pointed at him. “In the meantime, don’t be a dick, or I’ll fucking smash you.”
Felix did have a habit of not seeing he wasn’t in the same weight class, but then such things didn’t matter to Felix. If he wanted something, he threw himself into it, damning the consequences. Perhaps how a brother should be with his sister. Basically, he’d never despised Felix. The guy had found his girl and he didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought about him—provided you didn’t mess with her, or his sister.