“Nothing will happen to me,” she said confidently. “Not with you around.” Grant snapped his head up at her and stared at her. “Wow, I guess I finally know how to make you speechless!” she joked.
“Here, have some more food, you’re getting too skinny!” He laughed and tossed a fry at her head.
She laughed as she opened her mouth and caught the flying fry.
***
True to his word, Grant let Alynna wrap things up with her remaining clients. In two days, she met with her last two clients and finished surveillance on the third (with Miller shadowing her and even helping her out by posing as her dinner companion). She typed up her last report and then printed them for her meeting the next day. She also called back a couple of people who left messages on her machine and emailed her. Since she didn’t know what was going to happen the next couple of months, she had to turn down the offers, she couldn’t in good conscience accept new clients when she couldn’t give them her full attention.
While it hurt to turn away any business since they paid her bills, she didn’t need to worry about those either. The apartment was hers in full after Gus passed away, but she still had her normal bills, including those that piled up from when her mom and Gus got sick. However, when she checked her mailbox, she didn’t find them waiting for her this month. She thought there was something wrong, but when she called the bank, the only thing they would tell her that all accounts were paid in full and closed. She didn’t need to know more though – who else would pay for those bills? She stormed into Grant’s office, demanding to let her pay him back. However, he said that she didn’t have to – the money came from her personal trust from their dad. As executor, Grant’s last act was to pay off all her bills (in case she tried to return the money or get rid of it). Alynna was speechless, especially after seeing all those zeroes in the bank statement Grant handed to her.
“Is this…are you sure?” she asked, her eyes widening. “There has to be some mistake…and you’ve already paid off mom and Uncle’s Gus’ hospital bills with this?”
He nodded, his face serious. “Plus taxes on your apartment for the year.”
“But what do I do with…all this?”
Grant shrugged and looked down at the papers in his hands. “It’s your money Alynna, you can do what you want. Spend it. Give it away. The choice is yours.”
She was shaking, her mind still reeling. “I don’t know…”
“Why don’t you consult with one of my financial advisers?” he suggested. “Most of the money is invested, and I wouldn’t suggest liquidating everything. The interest alone can keep you comfortable.”
“I don’t want…I mean, this is too much!” she protested.
He laughed. “Then talk to Cady. I’m sure she knows some charities that can help you get rid of your burden. But really,” he said, coming over to her and putting her hands in his. “Dad wanted you to have it, so you don’t have to worry about anything. I’m only sorry it was too late to help you and your mom.”
Unshed tears shone in Alynna’s eyes. “It’s not that…mom…it was stage 4 when they found it. No amount of money could have helped her and as you can see from those bills, they were a lot.” She straightened her shoulders. “Thank you Grant…and I guess…dad too. I promise, I won’t blow it on hookers and blow!”
He laughed. “It’d be a hell of a lot of hookers and blow!”
Alynna left Grant’s office in a daze. The last week was an emotional roller coaster ride and she just needed some time alone. She asked Miller to take her back to the hotel, where she spent the night watching movies and ordering food from room service (Miller could hardly keep a straight face when the poor waiter nearly tripped carrying the trays into her room.) She also contemplated what she wanted to do next. She enjoyed her job, somehow it made her feel close to her roots on her mom’s side, but it seemed almost impossible to go back to the way things were. She put down a few ideas on paper and maybe running them by Grant and Cady when she had a chance.
The next day, Alynna prepared for (possibly her last) client meeting with Tom Garson. She put on her nicest suit and her sensible heels, then cursed when she realized she was running late. “Ugh,” she said aloud. She was looking forward to this one, and didn’t want to keep him waiting. She jerked the door to her suite open, hoping whoever was on her guard duty wasn’t going to make her even later.
“You,” she said in a breathless voice when those familiar amber locked with hers. Alex’s scent once again enveloped her. All this time, she avoided thoughts of him, and she was a little startled to find him waiting for her. She didn’t make any decision about him, but she did decide she wasn’t going to be a pushover. They could talk things over, act like adults. But that could wait. She straightened her jacket. “Good morning, Alex,” she greeted.
He gave her a cool nod. “Ms. Chase.”
“How do I look?” she twirled, showing off her outfit.
Alynna felt his eyes rake over her hungrily. A small part of her celebrated at the thought. “Very…professional,” he said.
“Thanks. Let’s head to the coffee shop by my house, ok?”
“Whatever you want, Ms. Chase.”
***
“So, what you’re trying to say…is that I was wrong?” Tom Garson asked.
Alynna nodded. “Yes Mr. Garson, I’m happy to tell you…you are indeed very wrong.”
A smile lit up his face. “I was just…I was worried!”
“I totally understand. But that man she was ‘seeing’, well, turns out he’s a headhunter for the biggest law firm in town. He wants her to join the firm, and well…sources tell me there’s a big compensation package that comes with the offer and a possibility of moving up to partner in 18 months or so.”
“Wow!” he exclaimed, pride in his eyes. “It’s what Lydia’s always wanted. She had to put a hold on her career when our son came along, but she’s worked hard to get back up there.” He looked at the report again. “Thank you Ms. Chase! I mean…I’m just happy to know.”
She nodded. “No problem Mr. Garson. I rarely get happy endings like this, to tell you the truth.”
Tom Garson stood up. “I should get going Ms. Chase. Thank you again.” They shook hands and he left.
Alynna gathered her things, but before she could even lift her laptop bag, Alex was by her elbow, taking the heavy briefcase from her. “Allow me, please,” he said.
She didn’t protest, handing her bag over to him and picking up her to-go cup in the other hand. “Thank you,” she said as she stood up and waved goodbye to the coffee shop owner. They walked together in silence, leaving the cool climate of the shop.
“I don’t suppose you could let me just walk back to the Hamilton?” she asked. It was such a gorgeous late summer day, and the sun was out, but not stifling.
“I’m afraid not, Ms. Chase,” he said coolly.
The name on his lips irritated Alynna, but she strived to keep her cool. “How about we both take a walk instead? Maybe have someone else pick up the car later?”
Alynna could see the hesitation in his eyes, but she looked him straight in the eyes, as if daring him to say no. “I suppose that’s fine. I can get the car once you’re safe inside.”
“Cool,” she said. “Let’s go.”
They walked downtown, back towards Lexington where the Hamilton was located. The silence between them seemed almost unbearable, heavy and thick and Alynna regretted not taking the car. “So, I suppose you heard everything during my client meeting?” she asked as they crossed Columbus Circle.
“I couldn’t help it,” he said. “I was only a table away. But, I’m well compensated and with the ironclad NDAs I signed, I won’t be blabbing to the tabloids about your clients.”
She laughed. “Not that there’s anything to blab about. ‘Woman Faithful to Her Husband! Will Aliens Land Tomorrow?’” She gestured in the air, as if placing the headline on an invisible newspaper.
“I suppose it’s a surprise, for someon
e in your line of work?” he asked without looking at her.
“My line of work?” she said, her voice rising slightly. She paused. “Yes, actually it is. Human nature is predictable. We all want what we can’t have. And when we do have something good, we want more. ” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Talk about word vomit. “Anyway…all’s well that ends well.”
“It doesn’t bother you?” he asked nonchalantly.
“Doesn’t what bother me? That Mr. Garson is going home to his wife and I’ve saved a marriage, instead of breaking one up?” she retorted.
“That Mr. Garson didn’t trust his wife enough. That he lied to her, had her followed and now lying to her again, pretending everything is ok.”
“Everything is ok. I don’t presume to meddle in what clients do with the information I gather for them,” she said. “Besides, it’s a simple misunderstanding. Sure, he was maybe a little insecure. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Because she’s a high-powered attorney who makes six figures and he’s just a public schoolteacher?”
Alynna stopped, his words jarring her. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
He stood beside her, never looking at her. “Maybe he shouldn’t have been reaching too far up.”
She was confused at his words. “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
He shrugged. “Forget it.”
Alynna felt anger rise in her, and stepped in front of him. “And what should he do? Should he divorce her instead, leave her and settle down with someone ‘at his level’? What good would that do? What about her and what she wants?”
Alex stared down at her, sensing her fury. “Perhaps we should talk about something else.”
“Oh no, you’re not getting out of this easily, not when you started it.” she huffed. “So you think it was all his fault, for marrying someone so high up? Someone rich and powerful? Forgetting the fact that he supports her and it doesn’t seem to matter to him. That was never the issue in the first place!”
“And what was the issue?” he shouted back. “That he couldn’t trust her and that deep down inside maybe he knew he wasn’t worthy of her!”
“How could you even make such presumptions?” she screamed back. “You know nothing about their relationship!”
“Neither do you!”
“I know more than you!” she threw her coffee cup down in anger, the black liquid staining the pavement and splashing her shoes.
They stared down at each other for a few second before he squared his shoulders. “Why don’t we call a cab?” he said, changing the subject.
“Yes, why don’t we?” she mocked. Alynna crossed her arms and watched him hail a cab on the street. She crawled into the back of a yellow cab, scooting over to the edge so she could be as far away from him as possible. He slammed the door close and gave the cabbie directions.
Alynna fumed silently throughout the short cab ride. God, what a jerk. What did she ever see in him? She thought they could at least act like adults, talk about what was bothering him. It was obvious to her that’s he’d rather behave like a child.
As soon as the cab stopped in front of the hotel, Alynna stepped out and ran towards the elevator, not caring that she left him stuck with the fare or she wasn’t supposed to be out of his sight. He could go to hell, for all she cared.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Alynna was bored. She spent the rest of the afternoon ordering more movies and a massive ice cream sundae from room service. She tried to swig a small bottle of whiskey from the minibar, but the smell made her gag. Well, I wasn’t much of a drinker anyway, she thought.
The sun had set long ago, she was making her way through a violent action flick, as well as a double bacon cheeseburger, and cheese fries. Checking her watch, she saw it was 9pm. “Ugh,” she pushed her plate aside. At least her security detail had changed a couple of hours ago and she didn’t need to see Alex’s stupid face. She buried her hands in her face. She was stuck with him for the near future, at least until they found the psycho stalking her.
She hopped up from her couch. “Pathetic,” she said aloud, looking at the dirty dishes and her pajamas. “Screw this!” She grabbed her phone and checked her messages and contacts. No one except clients, Grant, Nick, and Cady. With her finger hovering the screen, she tapped on that last contact.
“Alynna,” greeted the cheery voice on the other end. “What’s going on? Everything ok?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Listen, are you busy? Can you come over please?” she asked.
“Uhm, I was just wrapping up work. Did you need something? Perhaps Heath could get it for you?” Cady answered with concern in her voice.
“Actually, I’d prefer it if you came over…it’s a girl thing and I’m too embarrassed to ask Grant, Nick or Heath,” she crossed her fingers mentally, telling herself this would be the only time she’d take advantage of the redhead’s sweet nature.
“Oh, of course dear, don’t worry about it!” Cady exclaimed. “Did you want me to pick something up for you…”
“Uhm, just come here and I can explain what it is I need.”
“Ok, I’ll headed down the elevators now, I should be there in 10.”
“Thanks Cady!” she chirped. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Anything for you, sweetie.”
***
“When I said ‘anything for you’, this wasn’t what I meant!” Cady shouted over the din at Blood Moon.
“I needed to get out of that hotel and have a girl’s night! Who else can I bring that won’t get me in trouble with Grant?!” Alynna nodded her thanks to Sean the bartender when he put their drinks in front of her. She took her cola and pushed a glass of vodka tonic towards the redhead. “C’mon Cady, live a little!”
When Cady arrived at the hotel, Alynna was already dressed to go out. She put on a short, body-fitting dress in black and some makeup. She had convinced Cady to go out with her, and the redhead agreed but only on the condition that they only went to one place – Blood Moon. Alynna didn’t care and agreed, dragging Heath with them. The older man chose to keep a low profile, standing against the wall about 10 feet away from them where he could see all the exits and entrances.
Cady grabbed the drink and took a swig. “I don’t see you drinking! I thought this was a girl’s night!”
“Ugh, no. I must be getting a cold or something, because whiskey, vodka, and beer seem to be making me nauseous!” She grabbed a nacho from their plate and scooped up extra cheese onto the chip before popping it in her mouth.
“You’re certainly not that sick! That’s your second plate,” Cady took another piece of nacho for herself and then took another sip of her vodka as Sean refilled her glass. “Whoah…a little heavy handed there, Sean?”
The handsome bartender winked at her. “Alynna said you needed to loosen up!”
“Alynna!” Cady exclaimed. “That was my third drink!”
Alynna laughed. “C’mon, you needed to loosen up as much as I did. You know, I’ve never thanked you for helping me all those times.”
“You’re very welcome,” Cady crooned. “Wow, it’s getting hot here, isn’t it?”
“Not as hot as you ladies,” a voice said from behind. Cady turned to see a guy standing right behind them at the bar. He gave them a big smile, his eyes lingering on the redhead.
Alynna rolled her eyes. This guy wasn’t the first to approach them, but he was the first non-Lycan to do so. She could (literally) smell them a mile away. Cady had gone to the bathroom and she was sitting there alone. Two Lycans came up to her and asked if they could buy her a drink, but when Cady came back, they seemed to recognize who she was and apologized, practically slinking away from them.
“Hi, I’m Joseph,” he said, putting his hand out. Joseph was handsome, with short, dark hair and a wore a tight-fitting t-shirt that showed off his well-muscled shoulders and arms. Alynna fanned herself mentally.
“Alynna,” she shook his hand. “And my friend here is Cad
y.”
“That’s a pretty name, very unusual,” Joseph remarked. “What are you ladies drinking? Can I buy you another one?”
Cady tried to protest, but Alynna answered for her. “She’s having a vodka tonic and just a coke for me.” Joseph nodded thanks and signaled to Sean.
“So, where you ladies from?” he asked as he paid for the drinks.
For the next hour, Joseph stayed with them, and Alynna was happy to see her friend letting her hair down. Unlike most guys she’d met at bars in Manhattan, Joseph seemed nice. He was from Brooklyn and recently started working as a foreman at a construction site in a major shopping development downtown. He had heard from other people at work that Blood Moon was one of the hottest clubs in New York, so he thought he’d check it out.
“And are you liking it?” Alynna asked.
Joseph gave Cady one of many meaningful glances. “I am so far.”
Alynna stifled a laugh. If he only knew that he was in a Lycan club, he might change his mind. It wasn’t like they were unwelcoming to non-Lycans, but there definitely were very few human regulars at Blood Moon. “Excuse me,” Alynna said. “Gotta go to the ladies!” she said, hoping to give her friend (and her new friend) some time alone.
Alynna took her time taking care of nature’s call and fixing her makeup. She was glad she did as when she began to walk back to the bar, Joseph and Cady were definitely getting very cozy. You go girl, she said to herself, giving Cady a mental high five. Joseph was hot and seemed like a real nice guy. At least someone would be getting some tonight. As she was exiting the bathroom, she nearly fell back as someone bumped into her – a tall, leggy blonde who gave her a slight sneer.
“Excuse me,” Alynna said. The blonde’s scent tickled her nose – strong, flowery perfume on top of a sugary, sickly fragrance that made her stomach roil. The blonde looked down at her and flipped her hair, walking away without another word. Alynna shrugged. Lycan or human, some girls were just born bitches.
Fated Mates: Book 1 of the True Mates Series Page 12