“Christ, old man, you know it’s not,” Tony stated, as he followed along behind Pierre.
“Actually, I can honestly say I do not know. You see; I suspected she took the cash, so I have avoided checking. This way if it ever came up, I could with all honesty say I had no idea.”
“Fucking hell Pierre, I thought you wanted her back here with him?” Tony’s voice was growing angry.
“Oui, I do. However, it is not good for this to be too easy on either of them. They are soul mates Tony and this separation will only increase the intensity of their love once they are reunited.”
Shaking his head, Tony responded to this ridiculous statement, “Playing with fire if you ask me. I just hope no one gets burned in the end.”
“Well I’m sure this giving of unsolicited advice is not the reason you have been following me around instead of working,” Pierre stated as he reached the door leading into the security room.
Tony’s face flushed with color, his anger boiling to the surface again. “As a matter of fact old man, I was looking for you.” His voice cracked, “Gregory Parker, remember the name? Well he showed up at the gate and demanded to be let in to meet you.”
Stopping, his hand resting on the doorknob, Pierre looked back in Tony’s direction. “You sent him on his way I assume?”
“No,” Tony stated flatly. “I do not think he will go away until he gets his fifteen minutes with you. I gave permission for Sophia to let him in. She took him to the bar to wait for us.”
Now it was Pierre’s turn to get angry. “Sacre´, I am surrounded by incompetent children.”
Tony smiled, “It’s too late to send him away now, old man.”
A look of disgust filtered over Pierre’s face as he turned away from the security office door and headed to the bar, Tony close behind.
* * * *
Arriving at his suite, Sam swiped the card in the lock, opened the door, and stepped inside. Walking to the desk, he found his cell phone where he had dropped it before heading to the bar. Hitting speed dial two, the number he had programmed for Club Belle Tori, he listened as the phone rang and waited for the connection to complete.
“Hello.”
“Jason, this is Sam.”
“I’m in a meeting here, can I call you back?”
“No, I have something to tell you.”
“Can’t it wait? I’m in the middle of things. I think DuMonte may have found out where she is getting the cash from.”
“Stop talking and listen to me Jase.” Before he could continue, there was a soft tapping on the door. “Hold on a second, someone is at the door.”
“Sam, I don’t have time for this, call me back later.”
Sam moved to the door, the phone still at his ear, “Hold on damn it, let me see who is knocking.” Opening the door, he stood there staring.
“Hello Sam.”
Caught off guard, Sam’s hand dropped from his ear, taking the phone with it. His finger instinctively went to the disconnect button, ending the conversation with Jason. Trying to collect his wits, Sam moved toward her, “Hello Tori,” he said as he pulled her close, hugging her tightly as if to confirm she was real.
Victoria returned Sam’s embrace and once he let go, she passed through the door. Looking around the room, she moved toward the couch and gracefully lowered herself to the padded cushion. She motioned for Sam to join her.
Sam almost reached the couch when the cell phone in his hand started to ring. He held the phone up, looked at the number displayed in the message window, and hit the off button to disconnect the incoming call. He tossed the now useless phone on the nearby chair.
He saw the laughter light her eyes before he heard it issue forth, she is enjoying this. Her voice full of mirth, she questioned, “You realize Jase is going to be swearing a blue streak right about now?”
Adding his laughter to hers, Sam replied, “If I know him, he is yelling the walls down, but I can’t very well tell him you’re here when you’re standing at the door, now can I?” Sam heard the deep intake of breath, as if she had been holding it, waiting for him to confirm something. Was it possible she believed… no she must have known they were searching for her? Didn’t she?
Looking down at her face, he saw relief written in her eyes. Reaching for Victoria’s hands, he pulled her to a standing position and planted a kiss on her lips. Holding her in a bear hug, he whispered in her ear, “It is wonderful to see you again, beautiful. I hope you know the game is up.”
“It’s good to see you too darling, what game?”
“Hide and seek.”
“I didn’t realize you and I were playing a game.”
“We are not playing the game Victoria, you know what I mean.”
She pushed out of his arms and returned to the couch. Without acknowledging what he'd said, she patted the cushion next to her, inviting him to sit down. “Tell me what has been going on.”
Lowering himself beside her, he looked at her expression, trying to figure out if she was teasing. Not wanting to fall into a trap, he cautiously responded, “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
Desperately, he tried to figure out what conclusions she might have drawn after four months. He knew she wanted to ask about Jase, so why did she hesitate? “Things have been, shall we say, tense?”
“Really. Why?”
“Don’t play with me Tori, you know why.”
“Sam darling, I’ve been away for four months, how on earth do you expect me to know what has been going on at home and why it would be tense.”
“Hell Victoria, you must know he’s been going crazy.”
“Why would Pierre be going crazy? He knows I’m old enough to take care of myself.”
“Damn it, stop being coy, you know I meant Jason.”
Her lips formed an O as she looked at him. “Jason has been going crazy, whatever about?”
Sam stood, tossing one of the sofa pillows at the wall as he came up. “Bloody hell Tori, do you think he just went back to his old life after you left. Do you honestly believe he forgot all about you and moved on to the next relationship? He has spent four months searching the world for you, driving everyone insane with his demands to find you. Christ, you cannot sit there and tell me you really believed he would let you go.”
“I didn’t know what to believe Sam.” Her voice was a whisper and he realized she was being sincere.
Dropping back on the sofa, Sam took her hands in his. “God, Victoria, he thought he’d lost you. You have to believe me he has done nothing for weeks except look for you.”
“Is he angry?”
“At first he was. It was childish to run away sweetheart, you have to know that.”
“I do.”
“After the first few weeks, when the detectives couldn’t track you, he stopped being angry and began to worry. The last couple of weeks though it’s become anger again.”
“Will he come?”
“I can’t believe you need to ask. Do you have any idea how much he loves you?”
Before Victoria could reply, the phone on the desk in the corner started ringing. Sam released her hands, stood and walked to the phone. Reaching for the receiver, Sam put it to his ear, “Hello, Jase.”
* * * *
Damn Pierre for not telling him about the cash sooner, did he think this was a fucking game? His anger subsiding a little, Jason once again sat at his desk. Thomas handed him a report just as the phone on his desk started ringing.
Reaching for the receiver, he lifted it to his ear. “Jason, this is Sam.”
“I’m in a meeting here, can I call you back?”
“No, I have something to tell you.”
“Can’t it wait I’m in the middle of things? I think DuMonte may have found out where she is getting the cash from.”
“Stop talking and listen to me Jase.”
Jason did not have time for this, and now he was on hold so Sam could answer the door, damn it. “Sam, I don’t have t
ime for this, call me back later.”
He heard him open the door; the voice in the background was a woman and Jason knew the moment he heard her say hello it was Victoria.
“Sam, what the hell is going on?” The line went dead. “Goddam it, what happened?”
He reached for the phone and pulled it closer to him, cursing under his breath about phone companies in general, and one woman in particular. He quickly redialed Sam’s cell number. It rang twelve times before he gave up, slamming the receiver in its cradle.
He looked across the desk at Tom, “That was Sam. I do believe he’s located my missing lady. I’ll lay a wager on any table in town it was her voice I heard just before the line went dead.”
Tom looked at Jason with a note of confusion on his face. “Found her you say? Where?”
Jason tried to control his mounting anger before he replied, “Sam is on vacation somewhere in the Bahamas. Just after saying hello, he told me to hold because someone was knocking on the door to his room. I heard him open the door and then a very familiar voice said, “Hello Sam.” Seconds later the line went dead. I believe my missing lady is in the Bahamas with my best friend.”
“I don’t see how this is possible Mr. Hunter. We have checked several times with the hotels in the Bahamas, along with those on other islands in the Caribbean. If Victoria Lane is in the Bahamas we would know it.”
“Be that as it may, I know her voice and I’m telling you she is with Sam, at whatever hotel it was Suzette said he was staying at in…I believe she said Nassau.”
“Mr. Hunter… Jason, please do not get your hopes up. I assure you we’ve checked every location in Nassau.”
“Listen Tom, this would be a hotel that caters to swingers. Perhaps they misled your people about her being there. It is, after all, a closed society.”
“Anything is possible now that you mention the closed nature of the society; I’d have to say it’s likely. On the other hand, we showed pictures of Ms. Lane and questioned several people staying at each hotel or club.”
“I have found in the last few months, the people who live this lifestyle tend to be closemouthed about what goes on inside the walls of a club. I believe they would also be reluctant to confirm to an outsider if someone was staying at the hotel.”
“It never occurred to me Mr. Hunter.”
Jason noted the disappointment in Thomas’ voice. “Do not blame yourself Tom, it did not occur to me either until just now.”
“So the question now seems to be, why Sam called only to hang up when Ms. Lane knocked on the door.”
“That is just the first of many questions I want answered,” Jason stated flatly, as he once again reached for the phone and hit the intercom button.
“Yes Jase,” Yvette’s voice came over the line.
“Find out what hotel Sam is staying at in the Bahamas and get me the number as soon as possible.”
“Sure Jase, give me a few minutes to call his secretary in New York and I’ll get him on the line for you.”
“No!” Jason exclaimed.
“What? I’m sorry, you don’t want me to get him on the line, or you don’t want me to call his secretary?”
“I don’t want you to get him on the line, just get me the number, and bring it in.”
“Ok.” He heard the questioning tone of her voice but chose to ignore it. Turning back to Tom, he tried to sound less forceful, “As soon as I have a name I want you to get someone over to the hotel and make sure she does not disappear again?”
“I can make a couple of calls.”
“Good, now all I have to do is decide whether I’m going to kiss her or kill her.”
Thomas chuckled, “I’ll need to get back to my office.”
“Ok Tom and I do apologize for all the frustration today. I realize you have done the best job possible and would most likely have found her yourself if you had been given all the puzzles pieces to begin with. Have Yvette give you the name of the hotel on your way out.”
Tom turned to leave the room as Jason dialed Sam’s cell number. It rang twice before the voice from cellular heaven announced, “I’m sorry, the party you are trying to reach is currently unavailable or is out of the service area. Please try your call again later.”
Jason hit the receiver down hard and immediately stood to go in search of Yvette. He did not get more than two steps when the door to the office opened and she handed him a slip of paper. “Thank you,” he said softly as he turned to take his seat. Without looking at Yvette, he once again took the phone in hand and dialed several numbers.
Chapter 7
With Tony following close behind, Pierre entered the bar walking to the table where Sophia and a young man sat quietly. He wondered briefly if he should tell Tony and Sophia to get back to work. Thinking better of the idea, Pierre took a seat, waiting while Tony joined them.
Without looking at the man sitting across the table, next to Sophia, Pierre spoke. “Bonjour, I understand you wanted to see me.”
The young man shifted slightly before responding. “Yes, if you are Pierre DuMonte.”
“I am the man you seek. I believe, you were told several times, we are not accepting new members. I do not understand why you think I can help you.”
“Never said I wanted a membership to the club Mr. DuMonte. I believe each time I called I requested to speak with you. A swingers club is the furthest thing from my mind, I assure you.”
Pierre thought for a moment, if he did not want a membership, what the hell was he doing here? An uncomfortable feeling began to edge up his spine. Giving voice to his fears he asked, “What exactly is it you want?”
“I have traveled a great distance Mr. DuMonte, I will not be turned away.”
“Young man, you have pushed your way in here, demanding to see me. I am here. Now tell me what it is you want.” Pierre’s eyes finally adjusted to the faint light of the bar area in which they sat. For the first time, he took a closer look at the young man sitting across the table from him. Noticed the facial features, the coloring, and the way his eyes looked deeply into his without blinking. Understanding hit. Pierre knew what this young man wanted. With realization came a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew if his conclusion was accurate, the next words spoken by this young man would most likely change things forever.
“What I want sir is to meet my father.”
Pierre closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he'd walked into this room, life was easy. Opening his eyes, he looked directly into familiar eyes staring back at him. “And just who do you believe your father is, Mr. Parker?”
“Not believe Mr. DuMonte, I know who my father is!” He glanced at Tony and Sophia before continuing, “I’m not leaving here until I’ve been given an opportunity to speak with him privately.”
Judging from his tone, Pierre knew this to be true.
* * * *
In no mood for further delay, Jason impatiently listened to the soft tone as the phone rang on the opposite end. A male voice answered, “Good evening, Ocean Club, may I be of assistance?”
“Good evening, I’d like to speak with Samuel Grimes.”
“Do you have a room number sir?”
“Do I need a room number?”
“It is hotel policy to require incoming callers to have a room number before a call can be forwarded to a guest.”
“Two thirty-four.”
“Thank you sir, please hold while I connect you to the room.”
Within seconds, Jason heard Sam’s voice, “Hello Jase. What took you so long?”
“Why did you hang up on me, asshole?”
“Calm down Jase, your missing lady is sitting here with me and seems to be fine.”
“Seems to be fine?” Jason’s voice rose again.
“Ok, she is fine, as beautiful as ever. Any other questions you have will need to wait as she’s only been with me for about five minutes.”
This last statement forestalled further questioning by Jason. If Sam only j
ust found her, there was no way he would be able to answer all the questions screaming for attention in Jason’s mind. He took a deep breath, “Put Victoria on the phone.”
Jason heard muted noise in the background and realized Sam must have placed his hand over the mouthpiece. His patience was wearing thin.
“She said she has nothing to say to you.”
“WHAT?”
“Hey, don’t yell at me, I’m just the messenger. Tori said to tell you she has been sitting on this fucking beach for four months waiting for you to come find her, and if you want to talk to her you need to get your ass to Nassau.”
“You tell her I said to get off her goddam high horse and take the phone.”
“First of all, do you really think I’m going to relay those words to her and secondly even if I were willing to do so, do you actually think it would work?”
Jason heard a hint of amusement in Sam’s voice and took several deeps breaths to calm his mounting anger. “Okay, you’re right. Just do me a favor, don’t let her out of your sight until I get there.”
“Happily. What’s your plan?”
“My plan?” Jason could not believe Sam asked the question, “What the fuck do you think my plan is? I will be there as quickly as I can get the jet in the air. Your job is to keep Victoria with you at all times. I do not give a shit if you have to hogtie her to the bed. Do not let her get more than twenty feet from you. Is that clear?”
“Sure Jase, can do. And I’ll take great pleasure in tying her to the bed.”
“Sam, do not fuck with me.” Jason’s tone was harsh. “I’m in no mood to do anything except maybe strangle the lady, so don’t push me.”
“Okay, just kidding. I’ll see you in the morning then?”
“You’ll see me the minute I arrive at the hotel, and Sam, you can tell Victoria something for me.”
“Really? And just what message would you have me deliver?”
“Tell her it was a mistake to refuse to speak to me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Jason chose not to answer the question and simply hung up the phone. Let her worry about his meaning for the next nine hours. Walking from his office, he told Yvette to get the limo moved around front and call the airport to have his plane ready in twenty minutes.
returntobelletori_GEN Page 4