“What’s up, Tray?”
“Is Carmen with you?”
“Not at the moment, why?”
“Good, we need to talk.” Tray sounded suddenly relaxed that they could talk freely. “I’m worried about what’s going on with Carmen.”
Relief pulsed through him as he walked back to the car. “Then you should call Carmen. She’s a big girl. She knows what she’s doing.”
“I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass.” Tray sounded genuine but Brian was leery. His allegiance was to Carmen. He’d made her promises he wasn’t about to break by oversharing with Tray.
“It’s a job interview. What’s the big deal?”
“She texted today and said the interview went well. She’s considering the job. Carmen should stay here. I don’t know how much she’s shared with you, but Gloria understood there would be challenges for Carmen, and she’d be best here with us.”
“It sounds like all that Gloria wanted was for Carmen to move on from Verde Lago and start her life. She couldn’t stay there, locked away forever. So whatever Carmen decides she wants to do, we should all stay out of it.”
“She told you about Verde Lago?” His shock was grating. Did they all honestly think he couldn’t be trusted with this information?
“Yeah. Of course she told me.” His tone layered with frustration.
“Then you know Carmen’s had an extraordinarily difficult life. She’s been through hell and back. She’s processing things you and I can’t begin to imagine. And not being able to be with her family now that she’s back on the same continent as them must be killing her.”
Brian gulped back all the questions he had. This was not the information he thought was coming. “All that doesn’t change the fact that she can make her own choices. If she wants this job here, or if she wants to move to the other side of the world, it’s up to her. I know you guys all love this tight-knit family thing. We all fight and laugh and eat meals together. It works. But it doesn’t mean it works for everyone.”
“Carmen may still be in danger. Have you thought of that?”
He ground his teeth together. Everyone seemed to know more about this whole situation than he did. And now Brian was fully invested. He’d agreed he wouldn’t spend his time pressing Carmen for answers about her past, but if the danger was still present that could change things. “How could she still be in danger?”
“I don’t know her whole story. But I know enough to understand it was very serious. And I know Gloria would not have taken her to Italy in the first place if it wasn’t dire. Carmen hasn’t opened up to us about all the details, so how can we be sure that the man who had her running to Italy in the first place isn’t still out there? You know damn well if she stayed with us we could keep her safe. All of us could. Don’t you want to keep her safe?”
“She’s not my responsibility or yours.” He ground his teeth together as he considered anyone hurting Carmen.
“I see the way you look at her. I notice when she steps out, when she has that look in her eye, you follow. You’re a smart guy, Brian. You’re worried too.” Tray wasn’t sounding condescending, but genuine. And he wasn’t wrong. “Did she tell you why she ended up in Verde Lago to begin with? We haven’t pried, but I think someone should get ahead of this.”
“I’m not going to push her into telling me something she doesn’t want to. I’m not going to force her to take a job at Kinross. Part of whatever she went through probably included not having control of her life. She doesn’t deserve to go back to that.”
“I don’t want to dig around,” Tray said reluctantly. “But I also don’t want any surprises. It would be easier if she just told one of us what happened and if there’s still a threat.”
“If there’s still a threat, I’m right here.”
“You won’t be if she takes that job. It could be a high profile position that brings her attention. If she’s hiding from anyone, she’d have a hard time doing it there. Just ask her. You two seem close enough.”
“Yeah,” Brian said, turning his head up to the stars that had just emerged in the sky. It was getting late. She’d be leaving soon. Tray was calling about an old threat. A ghost from her past that could potentially be a problem. He had no idea she was out chasing brand new dangers. “I’ll talk to her. Just give her some space this week. She’s not committing to any job or anything. Give her some breathing room.”
“Watch her back,” Tray demanded. “I’m serious. You’re out there with her. Make sure nothing happens.”
“I will. Nothing will happen to Carmen. You have my word.”
Chapter Twelve
Carmen
It had been ages since she’d dressed up like this. Fire engine red lipstick. Long dangling earrings. An off-the-shoulder dress that was snug at her waist. She pushed a few more pins into her hair and sprayed it one last time. The curling iron was unplugged and cooling by the sink. This was like a real date all of a sudden. Minus the excitement and attraction.
She heard the key card swipe and the heavy hotel door open. “I’m back; are you decent?”
“Do you want me to be?”
“Nope.” He was halfway in the room and she could already spot something different. The way he held his shoulders had changed. It unsettled her to see.
“What’s the matter?”
“Damn,” he said through a long breath followed by a whistle. “You look amazing. You always look amazing but you look fancy amazing right now.”
“Thanks.” Instinctively she raised one hand to her pinned-up hair and patted it gently. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve been this dressed up.”
“It suits you.”
She shook off the compliment. “But what’s the matter?”
“What are you talking about?” He tried to look as though everything was the same, but she could see it. It was the way he curled his mouth downward and his brows bunched together.
“You’re different. What happened?”
“You are walking out this door in fifteen minutes. You don’t need to be analyzing me. Trust me, it’ll take a hell of a lot longer than that to figure out what’s wrong with me. Just make sure everything we loaded is working.” He pulled up the app on his phone and tested the live stream the pin on her dress would record.
Setting up the logistics and making sure she was ready to go wasn’t the same as making sure they were ready to say goodbye. That felt far more complex than whatever communication system they had.
“Brian, about earlier—”
“Earlier doesn’t matter,” Brian replied, holding open the hotel room door for her to step out.
His answer stung but it wasn’t completely unexpected. What she was asking of him was absurd and there was nothing she could do to make it sound sane. Tossing in any romantic involvement between the two of them would be like handing an anvil to a man on a tightrope.
When she moved past him, completely deflated, he snagged her arm and pulled her in close. “Earlier doesn’t matter,” he repeated. “Because we have later.”
She locked eyes with him for a long, intense moment, electricity pulsing between them. Something inside her screamed. It was yelling for her to scrap this whole thing with Curtis. She could send him a message that she was canceling. That would give her the rest of the night to let Brian slowly undo all the primping and preening she’d done to get ready. He could kiss her until the lipstick was wiped off. Undress her until the snug clothes were in a pile on the floor. Make love to her until the pinned-up hair was a curled mess, falling around her face.
He wanted to ask her to stay. She could see the question dancing at the edge of his smile. It would be the genie that couldn’t be put back in the bottle.
“I’d better get downstairs,” she said hurriedly. “You’re following us?”
He nodded, the moment, the recognition of the missed opportunity, written on his face. “I’ll be right behind you all night.”
“We should walk down separately,” she sa
id, slipping reluctantly out of his grip. “Aren’t you going to give me one last speech about the madness of all of this? Aren’t you going to tell me to be safe?”
“I’m not going to tell you to be safe. I’m going to keep you safe.”
With that, she tucked her clutch bag under her arm and walked down the hallway toward the elevator. “Bye,” she said with a playful wave. Her phone buzzed with a text from Curtis. He was downstairs, waiting.
Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirrored wall of the elevator, she was overcome with emotion. The last time she’d dressed like this, she was at a cocktail party that ended with stitches in her hand. Running her finger over the little scar on her thumb, she tried to center herself. She was a different woman now. Stronger. Eyes wide open to men like Curtis. He was going down, and she would be the one to do it.
The shiny blue Hummer barely fit in the parking spot in front of the hotel. He was out of the driver’s seat and leaning on the passenger side door waiting for her.
This was the kind of trap a good woman could fall head first into. His suit was tailored perfectly for him. The lines in his haircut were neat. His shoes shined as bright as his cufflinks. His teeth were unnaturally white. She half expected to see that cartoonish glint from the toothpaste commercials.
Yes, she could see the allure. But for her, it was just disgusting.
“You look radiant,” he boomed in a deep voice. “I knew red was your color. It’s fire and anticipation. You’re brimming with that. I decided on this ride instead of the Mercedes. I like the extra room.”
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and then opened her door. “I have a really fun night planned for you. I hope it paints the city in a good light.”
“I’m sure it will. Gosh, this truck is amazing. The leather is so soft.” She ran her hand over the seat and cooed. Like a gentleman, he offered his arm, and she climbed in. The smell of too much cologne and faint cigar smoke filled the cabin as he hopped into the driver’s side.
“First is dinner at this amazing tapas bar called Prime Toro. Have you heard of it?”
“I haven’t,” she said, making sure to look a little embarrassed by her ignorance. “I do love tapas though. There’s something so intimate about sharing tiny plates of food.”
“I agree.” He revved the engine and Carmen glanced in the side mirror, hoping to catch a glimpse of Brian and the car. “I have to ask though, are you comfortable with all of this?”
“What do you mean?” The loose curl that framed her face had fallen forward and with large blinking doe eyes, she stared at him.
“The world’s changing. I came up in a different generation.”
“No saying you’re old,” she pretended to scold, pointing her freshly painted fingernail in his direction.
“Right,” he chuckled. “But when I was your age, men were men and it was completely appropriate for someone like me to take someone like you out. You’re new in town and you’re alone. It doesn’t seem right to have you either sit in your hotel room or venture out into the streets by yourself.”
“Absolutely. I’d considered a few places, but not knowing the area I didn’t want to end up somewhere I shouldn’t be.” She hated herself for how stupid she sounded. But Curtis looked like a dog who’d just been given a giant bowl of kibble.
“Now everything is under the microscope. I mean, I haven’t offered you a job yet and if people knew we were out tonight, it would be this enormous fuss over nothing. I just want to make sure that you and I are on the same page. We’re two adults, and I’m taking you out to see the city. Nothing else.”
“Oh,” she said, darting her eyes away to feign a little disappointment. “Right, nothing else.”
He’d picked up on her subtle motion. “Or at least nothing else they need to be concerned about. I wish we could go back to the days when people’s lives could be private. Back before everyone got completely offended by everything.”
“Trust me,” she said through a breathy laugh, “I’m living it right now. You can’t imagine how women my age act about every little indiscretion or off-color joke. I mean, doesn’t anyone want to have fun anymore?”
“Exactly!” he exclaimed and she tried not to jump. “See, I knew you would get it. I could tell right when I met you. We’re going to have a great night.” Taking her words as permission, he rested his hand on her knee for just a moment before pulling it back and smiling.
Carmen knew Brian was listening in and probably streaming the video. She could only imagine his reaction. She was having a silent reaction of rage herself.
Curtis pulled up to the valet and tossed the keys over to the young man in a slightly-too-big blazer. “Do not scratch the paint on this thing. Take up two spots if you have to, but I’ll have your nuts in a vice if anything happens to it.”
She didn’t wince at how crude he sounded. Instead she looped her arm in his and swooned at his great authority.
The doors swung open for them and Curtis leaned down to whisper in her ear. “They know me well here. You’ll see.”
Squeezing his arm tighter to appear giddy was painful on many levels. Feeding this man’s ego was nauseating.
A man in a full tuxedo greeted them by the bar. “Mr. Lewis, I am so glad you are joining us this evening. Would you like your usual table?”
“Actually, we’d like the booth in the back corner. The one in the private room. I don’t want the usual traffic to my table. You know someone is always coming over to chat.”
“Of course, Mr. Lewis. We’ll arrange it now. Follow me.”
Curtis had let her arm go now and his hand fell to the small of her back. She laughed in her mind at how she used to swoon at this kind of move. As if she couldn’t walk on her own, without this little guidance, and follow the man leading them to the table.
Carmen was being cynical and jaded now. If this were Brian with her, she’d be happy to have his hand anywhere on her body. The anger was armor, and she needed to keep it on.
The table was private, tucked in the corner under dim lights. Curtis beamed with pride as though he’d built the damn thing himself. “I told you,” he said smugly. “No one will bother us back here.”
“It’s really great.” She slid into her chair and bumped the table, sending a couple glasses clanking together. “Oh gosh, I’m such a klutz.”
Curtis smiled. “These crystal glasses aren’t cheap. Let’s leave them on the table. This isn’t like anywhere you’ve eaten before, trust me.”
He didn’t know shit about her or where she’d eaten before. Carmen reached her fingertip over to the crystal glass and ran it around the rim. “Beautiful.”
“Yes,” he said, touching her hand gently. “You need to tell me more about yourself. I’m absolutely mesmerized by you. You’re a hard read at first. I couldn’t decide if you were really ready for a night like tonight.”
“Mesmerized?” She brought her hand up to her cheek. “There’s not much to know about me really. I feel like I already told you too much in your office. I’ve been regretting that all afternoon. What kind of person admits she’s barely lived?”
He leaned across the table and rubbed her forearm. “The kind of person who’s finally ready to live.”
The waitress made her way to the table. Her long black hair was pulled into a tight bun and her flawless features drew Carmen’s gaze. She was stunning. One of those women you’d have to twist your mind around to try to understand why she was here instead of on some magazine cover. “Mr. Lewis, would you like your normal bottle of wine?”
“Yes.” Curtis barely spared the woman a glance. “And bring out those crackers with the caviar.”
“Of course,” the waitress said with a little bow. “Ma’am, would you like anything besides the wine?”
“I’ll just have a glass of water.”
“Still, bottled, sparkling?” She waited for a moment for Curtis to answer. When he didn’t, Carmen fumbled.
“Um, sparkling, I guess.”
When the waitress stepped away, Curtis was looking over the top of his menu at her. “Don’t guess.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You need to carry yourself like you know exactly what you want and these people are to bring it to you.”
These people?
“You’re an intimidating guy.” Her tone was complimentary. “I think I’ve been around women in leadership too long. I’m adjusting.”
“I think this is the gap we need to close, and I’m the mentor you need. Every candidate comes into a role with opportunities to improve. You have all the building blocks our company needs, and I can coach you through this area.”
“I’d love any help you can offer with my development.”
The waitress returned with a bottle of wine and a cloth draped over her forearm. She uncorked it with precision and poured a taste for Curtis. He swirled the mouthful in his glass and inspected it closely. When he swigged it back he made an obnoxious sound with his lips and then nodded his approval.
Without a word, the waitress filled his glass and then turned toward Carmen. “Oh, no thank you.”
“Leave the bottle,” Curtis said, a bit of frustration in his voice. “This is a 2016 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a three hundred dollar bottle of wine.”
“I don’t drink.” She’d already considered this hurdle. Alcohol was a tool in the belt of most abusive men. Especially at the beginning of a relationship. It was an equalizer. Remove the last little barrier or inhibition. Quiet the tiny voice in a woman’s mind that might be telling her not to take this bullshit.
The waitress placed the bottle down on the table and stepped away silently as Curtis cleared his throat. “Why don’t you drink?”
“I like to stay in control,” she explained.
“There is more to the story than that. You’re a beautiful, vivacious young woman sitting in front of a very expensive bottle of wine. I’m not suggesting we do body shots and then dance on the bar. If you can’t convince me otherwise, I’m going to pour you some and once I do, you can’t waste it.”
Perfect Homecoming (Barrington Billionaires Book 10) Page 9