by Rosanna Leo
“But there is one thing my fake friends have given me. Because they never get too close either, they’ve pretty much accepted me as I am, which is something I don’t always get from the rest of the world. My reputation doesn’t bother them. They don’t care what the press labels me. If someone calls my past sordid, they embrace it. When Shannon’s family blamed me for what happened…”
“What did happen?”
“That night in Bermuda, Shannon and I had an argument, a bad one. She accused me of flirting with the waitress at dinner. I’d finally had enough. I called her insecure. I called her a lot of things. She said I was cold, unfeeling. And you know what? In that moment, I was. I stopped caring. I stopped trying. I had brought her on that trip to try to fix our relationship but she couldn’t see that. She couldn’t see past her jealousy. We’d both had a bit to drink that night. She took off, saying she wanted to clear her head.” He choked on his words. “And I let her go. I should have chased after her. I should have made her stay in our room, but I was so fed up. So sick of feeling guilty for nothing!”
“But you stayed behind.”
His shoulders slumped. “They figure she must have stumbled in the dark. And like I said, we’d been drinking.” Alex gazed, unseeing, through the waterfall toward the pool deck. “Shannon must have wandered to the pool. She fell and hit her head on a concrete ashtray pillar. A resort employee found her the next morning when he went to clean the pool.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Alex’s face twisted. “She died that night, because of me.”
“Alex, honey, no.” She grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips. “No, no, no. It’s not your fault.”
“It might as well be. That night I met you, at the tiki bar, I had just moved to town and was feeling sorry for myself. I couldn’t stop wondering if things might be different if I’d followed her. Whether any of it even mattered at all.”
“You were there to forget everything. Just like me.”
He nodded. “But my demons won’t let me forget. If I’d been better to Shannon, she might still be here today.”
“Alex, you listen to me. You are a very good man, and even if Shannon was still here today, you might still be having the same arguments. Sure, you might have gotten married, but that wouldn’t have fixed anything. It might only have added to your stress. What happened to Shannon was horrible and sad, and I’m so sorry for her, but you need to stop beating yourself up. You can’t live this way. It’ll kill you.”
“There are people who believe I’m guilty.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, fuck those people! No one asked them.”
He laughed through his tears. “I like you.”
Dana wrapped her arms around him and got as close as she could to him. His pain, and her anger at the people who doubted him, made her shiver.
“You’re cold. Let’s get out of this pool.”
“Good idea. I want to lay in your bed again, but with you.”
“Careful, sweetheart.” Alex whispered into her hair. “I might just have to keep you there.”
Chapter Fifteen
As Gordon checked out of his shit motel, he glanced out the front office window. There was another car parked next to his.
Weird.
So he wasn’t the only one who’d shelled out cash to stay in this dump.
Grabbing his luggage, he headed outside, glad to be breathing fresher air.
A man got out of the car next to his and leaned on it, waiting for him.
Gordon headed to his driver’s side. “Can I help you?”
“You Gordon Dean?”
“Who’s asking?”
The man extended his hand. “Bill Patterson. I’m a reporter.”
Gordon slung his suitcase into the back seat. “No comment.”
Patterson hurried around to his side of the car. “I’m not here to bother you. I just have a few questions about Alex Markov.”
“Everyone always does.”
“And with good reason.”
“I’m not interested in talking about Alex.”
Patterson leaned against Gordon’s door.
“Look, buddy. I have a long drive ahead of me. Do you mind?”
“I’ve spoken to your parents, you know. I know how they feel about Markov. And I just want you to know it’s a crying shame that man is walking the streets. After what he did to your sister, no one would blame you for wanting to get back at him.”
“What the hell? You know nothing about what I want.”
“You sure about that? I’ve been following your case very closely. Your sister was a good woman. I can see the effect her death, her murder, had on everyone around her. Your parents are wrecks. You know this, Gord, my man. They’ve never gotten over the injustice.”
“Shannon wasn’t murdered. It was an accident.”
“Did Markov tell you that? You don’t really believe it, do you? If you did, you never would have gone after him with a crowbar.”
Gordon’s face was on fire. “How would you know that?”
“Like I said, I’ve been sticking very close to your friend Alex. He may have tried to pull one over on you with his ‘woe is me’ act, but I can see him for what he really is. A liar. He’s responsible for your sister’s death and he should pay for it.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“How long do you think it took her to die, out there by that pool? She was all alone in her final moments and the last thing she ever got to hear was Alex, telling her to take a fucking hike. What do you think went through her head as the blood was spilling out of it?”
“Shut the fuck up about my sister.”
Spittle gathered at Patterson’s mouth. His eyes were red. “That’s no way to die!”
“You’re drunk. I can smell it on you.”
“This isn’t about me. This is about justice. Men like Markov get away with everything. Don’t you think it’s about time someone made him pay?”
Gordon shoved the man. “Leave me alone. We’re done here.”
“Look. I don’t want to make you feel bad. I want to help you get some real closure. Just consider this for a minute. Whatever happened between Markov and your sister that night, he’s still responsible. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, it was all just a horrible accident. Don’t you think Markov should have been at her side? He let her leave, instead of chasing after her. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“No. Maybe. I don’t know.”
“If you ask me, it’s pure negligence, and he should pay for it.”
“You don’t get it. Alex has suffered too.”
Patterson brought his hands to his cheeks in an expression of mock horror. “Oh, poor Alex! Little rich boy must be having such a hard time.”
“It’s true. He has had a hard time.”
“Not as hard as some people. Not like Shannon. Not like their baby.”
“What baby?”
Patterson’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, didn’t you know about that little detail? I’m not surprised. Very few people do. But I just got off the phone with your parents and they were very forthcoming. The doctors told them Shannon was pregnant at the time of her death.”
“But…they never told me.”
“Nope. Didn’t want to hurt you, I guess.”
Tears flooded Gordon’s eyes. A baby. His sister’s child. Snuffed out, before it even had a chance.
“Sorry to be the one to tell you, Gordo. Your sister was four months along with Alex’s child. And that prick knew it the whole time.”
“He never said.”
“You mean your good buddy Alex didn’t tell you the God’s honest truth? Shocking. Well, I don’t have the same issues. You see, this is just the sort of information the world needs to know, and I’m going to be the one to tell them. Alex Markov caused the death of his own child.”
Gordon’s stomach pitched. As bile shot up his throat, he turned away from his car and vomited onto the asphalt.
Patters
on backed away. “Turns the stomach, doesn’t it? Can I get you anything?”
“Fuck off!”
“You know, you should be thanking me for being up front with you. I’m the only one who has. If you have an issue, you should take it up with Markov.” The man got into his car, took a flask from the glove box and drank the contents, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He then drove away.
Ten minutes later, his head throbbing, Gordon realized he was still standing alone in the parking lot.
All the bitterness Gordon had carried around for the past year resurfaced. Swallowing the last crumb of bile, Gordon got in his car.
Unfortunately, he had no idea where to go.
***
As Dana was on the phone, confirming room numbers with her mystery writers contact, a little instant message speech bubble appeared on her computer screen. The message was from the receptionist.
There’s a special delivery out here for you. You’re going to want to see this!
Dana bit her lip. It had to be from Alex.
Because it had been a busy week for both of them, it had been a few days since she’d seen him. After their time at his Summerlin house, they’d returned to the Strip early Monday morning. He’d had his driver drop her off at her condo in plenty of time for her to freshen up before work. They’d kissed, lingering at her door, like teenagers who couldn’t let each other go.
On Monday night, they’d had dinner together. They’d talked about all the tough topics. Religion, politics, family. She’d been pleased to learn they had a lot of the same thoughts. The evening had ended with a groping session on her couch, but they’d both put a stop to it before it got too far. They were too conscious of letting themselves get carried away. As Alex had said, “I want to show you we’re more than just sex.”
Of course, he’d said that while his hand was on her breast. She’d taken great delight in pointing that out.
She’d suggested they take a timeout for a few days. Her work week was a busy one and she’d promised to take her mom to a couple of appointments. Alex had agreed. His week would be busy too.
Every night away from him tore a hole in her.
Even though he’d never slept in Dana’s bed, the piece of furniture seemed bigger, emptier, without him. It was as if she’d already earmarked a spot for him there, on the left side, next to her alarm clock.
She finished her conversation with her client, checked her lipstick for smudges, and walked to reception.
Dana was greeted by the largest, most colorful bouquet of flowers she’d ever seen. It was so big, the delivery man struggled to look around it. There were lilies, and roses, and so many blooms she didn’t even recognize. With greenery that spilled over the vase, it would make her desk groan under its weight.
“My Lord,” she murmured.
“Someone’s well liked,” said the receptionist, Jane, her eyes twinkling.
“It’s a bit heavy,” said the deliveryman. “How about I bring it to your office for you?”
“That would be helpful. Thanks.” Dana led the way back to her office. She cleared off a corner so the man could set it down.
“I don’t think the desk is a good idea,” said the man, touching the falling greenery. “This stuff will get in your way.”
“You’re right. There’s a little table behind you.”
The man lowered the bouquet onto the table.
Dana reached for a little card that was tucked next to some red roses.
I miss you.
Alex
Warmth spread across her chest. She missed him too. This was moving so quickly, but it didn’t make her want him any less.
The deliveryman cleared his throat.
“Oh.” Dana slipped the card onto her desk. She’d forgotten he was there. “I’m sorry. Do you need me to sign something?”
The man took a step toward her. “Not at all. I just have a question for you.”
“Okay.”
“How does it feel to sleep with a murderer?”
“What?”
“I’m talking about your new boyfriend, Alex Markov. Tell me something. When he’s fucking you, do you ever spare a thought for the woman he killed?”
Any heat Dana had been feeling was immediately replaced by icy cold. “Get out of my office.”
“How do you justify it? Is it because Markov’s rich? I bet a lot of women would be willing to forgive him his sins for a chance at all that money.”
Dana moved behind her desk. “I said, get out.”
“I just want you to have all the facts. You seem like a nice lady. Markov, on the other hand, is slime. He hurts people. Badly. And he doesn’t give a shit who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants.”
Dana pressed a button on her phone and buzzed the receptionist. “Jane, call the police. This man is harassing me.”
There was a flurry of exclamations on the other end as Jane assured her she was dialing 9-1-1.
“I won’t stay.” The man twisted one of the rose blooms on her bouquet, breaking it off in his hand. “But there are things you should know about charming Mr. Markov, things I’d be only too happy to tell you. Things the world will know about very soon.”
“The police are on their way.”
He tucked the rose into his shirt pocket, like some sort of creepy boutonniere. “Remember what I said. If you’re smart, you’ll stay far away from Alex Markov. I’d hate to see you on some other pool deck some day, with your brains smashed out.”
With a wink, he hurried out of her office and down the hall.
Dana knew she should be taking note of the man’s appearance, of the finer details, but as she picked up her cellphone to click to the notepad, her fingers could only type out one command. She texted Alex and asked him to come to her office. She didn’t want to alarm him, but when her fingers typed out a hasty message about being threatened, she clicked “send” without even reading it first.
As co-workers began to call her name, flooding into her office to check on her, she tried to breathe.
***
“Drink some water.” As the police officers left Dana’s office, Alex held out the bottle of water on her desk. His hands shook as he held it out for her.
Patterson had come for her.
He would pay.
When the plastic bottle buckled under Alex’s grip, he loosened his grip.
“I’m not thirsty.”
“Maybe you should take the day off.” Dana’s manager, a man named Phil, patted her on the back. “Hell, take the week, if you’d like.”
“No.”
“Dana,” said Alex. “Listen to Phil.”
“No. I have work to do. I’m not going to hide away just because some crackpot reporter decided to take a shot at me.”
When Dana had provided a description of the man to the police, Alex had recognized the similarities between the flower deliveryman and Patterson. The paparazzo had probably bribed the real deliveryman to hand over the flowers so he could get to Dana. The cops were going to follow up with the flower shop.
Alex waited a breath and regulated his voice. “That crackpot knows where you work. He knows where I live. He’s been watching us.”
“The police are on it, Alex, and you’ve already spoken to your security team. What more do you want me to do?”
“I want you to take some time off until they have their hands on Patterson. He’s out there right now. The man is clearly obsessed with hounding me, and now he’s trying to hurt me by intimidating you.”
“Taking some time off is not a problem,” agreed Phil. “I’ll cover your desk, Dana. I’ll handle your customers myself.”
“So I’m supposed to stay at home, twiddling my thumbs?”
“Actually, yes,” said Alex. “That would be great.”
“Alex, I can’t. I just took a week off. In this business, if I don’t look after my clients, they’ll find someone else who will.”
“Your clients are devoted to you.” Phil sat on the
edge of her desk. “You know that as well as I do.”
“And I want them to stay that way.”
“What if you worked from home?” suggested Alex.
“And what if it takes the cops a while to find Patterson?” Dana argued. “I can’t be at home the whole time. I have meetings and business lunches to attend.”
“Then work from my home,” he countered. “I can give you all the space you need.”
Dana glanced at Phil. Alex knew she was uncomfortable about advertising their relationship, but the ship had already sailed on that one.
“No.” She shook her head. “Thank you, but I don’t want to uproot my life and my work.”
This woman was driving him nuts. She’d been pale and jittery when he’d arrived, and had fallen into his arms the moment he’d been shown to her office.
He’d been fighting a major case of the jitters himself. As soon as her text had appeared on his phone, glowing at him in the semidarkness as he viewed a PowerPoint presentation in the Vice offices, his heart had bottomed out. The very idea that someone would harass Dana made his gut turn over. He’d raced out of the meeting, to everyone’s astonishment, stopping only to leave a quick message with his assistant. He hadn’t bothered to page his driver, Pierre, and had run into the executive parking lot, preferring to drive himself. It was amazing he’d arrived in one piece.
Patterson had gone too far. It was one thing to stalk Alex, but if he thought he could stalk Dana, he had another think coming.
So why was she pushing back on this? He’d explained everything that the dirt bag had done so far.
“Okay.” Alex calmed his racing pulse. “How’s this? You work from home. Your home. I’ll keep you company. We’ll keep a couple of my security guys outside your condo, just in case. You’ll have my fleet of drivers at your disposal, to take you to any meetings you need to attend.”
She hesitated, clearly tempted, but when she opened her mouth, Alex knew it was to object.
He turned to Dana’s manager. “Phil, could you give us a minute?”
Phil nodded and left her office.