“Get the hell out of our home!” Bruce roared. The men and Nefertiti jumped. Janis ran out of her office.
The men rushed into the study. Nefertiti ran up the stairs to Bruce.
“Mr. Maxwell,” Janis said calmly, “that’s the cleaning crew your aunt hired.”
“They weren’t cleaning shit.” He held Nefertiti close. “Fire them!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Maxwell, but your aunt hired them. Only she can fire them.” Janis, apparently used to Bruce’s temperament, returned to the study.
Veil soaked with tears, Nefertiti allowed Bruce to lead her to his room where she lay on his bed. “Thank you, Bruce.”
He lay beside her. “I’m sorry, baby. I was out of line. You have a right to feel sorry for yourself. Who wouldn’t?” Heavy hand resting on her back, he caressed gently. “I’m just afraid you’ll slip into chronic depression. Believe me, it’s hell. I don’t want that for you.”
She propped a pillow under her arms. “I guess I am feeling sorry for myself. I can’t live like this. If I can work from here, I’ll take the job. How long do I have?”
“If things go according to plan, I’ll own the overwhelming majority of the company in one, maybe two weeks. But the resort won’t be ready for a year or two. You have plenty of time to plan things correctly. ” He sighed as he lay beside her. “We have a lot of work to do.”
He went on about his plans to have a spa and restaurant built directly off the present main building, refurbish the present cabins and build a few more, add a ski lift to attract the winter tourism crowd, train the mill workers to run the resort…
Oh lawd. The way he talked shop was sexy, too sexy for Nefertiti. And now he was lying beside her, massaging the small of her back. Focus on business, not tasting his lips.
“If you want to kiss me, I won’t stop you,” he teased.
Horrified she’d been caught oogling him, she said, “You are a complete pig.”
“Umm-hmm, but you still want me.” He moved her hip so she’d be fully facing him, then rested his arm on her waist.
She smiled. “An arrogant pig at that.”
“I’ll bet you’re smiling under that veil.”
“You’d lose. Now back to work. You know, since you don’t want the mill, why don’t you just buy land no one is already using someplace else? There are tons of beautiful places out there.”
“Okay, change of subject. After I saw the mill’s property, I actually investigated the area for other property.” He gazed into her eyes. “The lake’s proximity to the mill, the trails, the cabins… It’s all perfectly laid out. Catherine just wants to run the mill. Well, she can. Only production will have to move to Asia. She can call the shots from anywhere in the world. Hell, how many companies are shipping jobs oversees? There’s a reason. Her desire to keep production in America isn’t feasible. The little profit the mill makes now is because she doesn’t collect a salary, she pinches every penny and she rents out space.”
Though his words had reverted to business, the way his hand kneaded her waist made it impossible for her to concentrate on much else than turning off the lights and making love. Feeling him on her, around her, in her. Pay attention to the conversation at hand. “Wait a sec. Did you say she doesn’t make any money? How can she afford that?”
“Her father. She needs to think globally. To compete globally. She can’t keep paying American wages and full benefits. She may think me a son-of-a-bitch right now, but this move will make her a rich woman. She’ll no longer have to depend on her father, and the factory will be self sufficient.”
Nefertiti pursed her lips. “If she cared about money, she would be collecting a salary.”
He rambled on about business, but she drifted into a fairy tale land where dreams came true and they could be together the way they both wanted. Stop! Some dreams hurt too much to have.
“… Dixon Textiles will fold within the next five years if Catherine does not cut wages and benefits. Do you think she’ll do that?”
“I feel so sorry for her.”
“Catherine’s a fighter, but she’s fighting a losing battle. Even if she cut wages and benefits, the company would fold within ten years. Then where would those hundred and fifty families be?”
“You’re right.” She stretched and yawned. “I’m sorry. I’m usually asleep at this time. So what’s up with the lunch tomorrow?”
“I’ll state my case.”
“What if she doesn’t want to go along?”
“I’m still going forward.”
“She’ll fight you.”
“I know. I also know she’ll lose. I always get what I want.” He gently pinched her chin.
Message received, she flushed. “I need a nap. Which room should I use until the cellar airs out?” Nefertiti couldn’t help but smile. She wondered if Victoria was fooling anyone with this sudden need to have the cellar treated—this was Victoria’s way of forcing her out of the “dungeon” as she called it. She also knew that Victoria would not allow her to return to said dungeon.
“You can sleep here for now. I have work to do.”
“I can’t sleep dressed like a water ninja.”
Chapter Four
“You sick, man.”
Butch snarled at his cellmate. “It’s a good thing I sliced that bitch’s eyes,” he whispered. “Now her ass can’t identify me. I can’t believe she lived.”
“Remind me not to get on your bad side. Damn. What the hell were you doin’ there anyway?” Ken prodded.
“You all up in mah business.”
“Shit, man, what the hell else we got to do?”
Butch’s sinister laugh filled the cell and was soon joined by Ken’s. “True dat. True dat.” They calmed. From the corner of his bottom bunk, Butch quickly scanned the area for listeners. “I was supposed to steal them paintin’s out of her place. They worth a boatload of money.” He shrugged. “I had to punish the bitch for coming home early.” He shook his head. “I got carried away. Beating her ass was better than sex.” He grabbed his crotch. “Damn, even the thought has me hard as hell.”
Though disgusted, Ken remained calm and bobbed his head as if he could relate. “That had to be sweet.”
“Oh yeah,” Butch concurred as he stroked himself. His voice took on a dreamy quality. “I’d stripped her and had her all laid out on the flo’.”
Glad Butch had stopped watching him and was staring at the ceiling, Ken turned his head so he wouldn’t see Butch gratifying himself while he talked about how he’d butchered that poor woman.
“My pants were down, and I was ready to handle my erection,” he joked, then became angry. “That’s when that old coot came in.”
Ken returned his attention to Butch. “Aw, man!” he exclaimed, elated Butch hadn’t had the chance to rape her.
“Aw, man, is right! He hit my ass with a lamp. Almost knocked me out. I had to get the hell out of there.”
“What about the paintings?”
“I had to leave ’em behind. That bastard had called the cops, man. I didn’t even make it out of the complex. My ass been here ever since.”
“Now that’s a damn shame.” Ken bounced his fist on his leg. “What happened to citizens mindin’ they own business?”
“That shit ain’t funny.”
Ken laughed. “Oh yeah, it was.”
“Well, I ain’t worried ’bout no witnesses. I’ll bet my left nut his ass won’t testify. I’m gettin’ off.”
“So how much were you gettin’ for them paintings?”
“Two big ones each!” Butch punched his fist into the palm of his hand. “I can’t believe I blew that easy money.”
“Two grand each. Damn! Aw, man, give me a piece of the action. Who was your hookup?”
“Aw, hell naw!” He paced about the small cell. “He’s my bread an’ butta.”
“Look, man. The trial is like three weeks away. I’ll be outta here any day. I can go get them paintings. I’ll even give you a cut so you’ll have a
little somethin’ waitin’ for yo’ crazy ass when you get out.”
Butch ran his thick hands over his filthy hair. “We split fifty-fifty.”
“Sixty-forty. I’m the one taking the risk, and I’m pretty sure I can find out who the connection is once I get out. It’ll just take some extra diggin’. If I have ta dig, then I’m keepin’ it all.”
Butch scratched his scraggly black beard as he leaned against the bars. “The guy’s name is Jay. I don’t know his last name. But I do know he’s into that shark Marco for a few hundred grand. You snoop around Marco, you’ll find Jay.” He described Jay to Ken and told him where to find Marco.
“I’ll take care of everything.”
“Just a second.” The bed creaked as Nefertiti reached across to the dresser for her veil and gloves. “Who is it?”
“Victoria, darling.”
She quickly donned her sky blue veil and gloves. “Okay, I’m ready, Auntie.” When she was younger and visited her godmother, she’d heard Bruce call Victoria Auntie, so Nefertiti had picked it up.
Victoria cracked open the door, then a few seconds later entered with a food tray. “Hungry?”
“I’m not sick, Auntie. Stop putting yourself out for me.” She flattened the wrinkles on the cream comforter. “Take a seat and rest yourself.” The nightstand clock displayed seven. Where did the time go? She smiled; dreams of making love with Bruce had taken up the time.
“This is no trouble, darling.”
The scent of homemade vegetable soup and cornbread muffins wafted from the food tray. “I wasn’t hungry a second ago, but I’m quickly changing my mind.”
“I was beginning to think you’d never wake.” Victoria tsked as she placed the tray on the dresser. “Are you ready to eat?” she asked testily.
“I think I’ll pass for now.”
She pointed at Nefertiti. “You’re going to stop this foolishness, you hear me, child?” She snatched off the sheet that was draped over the antique bureau mirror. “Cover yourself all you want from the outside world, but not from yourself.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am”
“Don’t ma’am me. Get over here.”
The day of reckoning had finally come, thought Nefertiti. Her loving, kind, no nonsense godmother was about to put her foot down. The placement of said foot was what worried Nefertiti. She stood beside Victoria.
“When I was a teen, I was so jealous of your mother. All the boys wanted to be close to the girl with those pretty eyes.” Victoria laughed lightly. “I don’t even think they knew her real name.”
“Her eyes are incredible.”
“Your mother’s eyes have nothing on yours.” Victoria nodded toward the mirror.
The mirror was too scary for Nefertiti to dare even glance at. “These aren’t my eyes.”
“Why not? They are just as much your God given eyes as before the operation.”
For the first time, Nefertiti really looked into her gift from God and didn’t see what she’d feared, a stranger’s eyes gawking at her. Instead, she saw the warmth of her mother’s brown eyes and the amber flecks of love that floated in them. “I’ve been so ungrateful.”
“You’ve been hurt. You can’t stay in the pain.” She gently tugged Nefertiti’s veil. “If you want others to accept who you are, maybe you should start trying to accept who you are. All of who you are. The inner and outer beauty.”
“I want to. It’s just so hard. I know vanity is a sin, but this… this… I tell myself that looks don’t matter, that what’s on the inside that counts, but…” She trailed off.
“But they do,” Victoria whispered. “This isn’t an overnight process, and it won’t be easy, but you have to start in order to finish.”
Nefertiti walked over to the window. The grounds behind Maxwell Manor were just as spectacular as those in the front. “You really love flowers.” The oriental rock garden was surrounded by a flower garden.
“The sun will be setting soon. Why don’t you go out and enjoy the rest of the evening?”
“I think I may.”
“Good, girl.” Victoria headed for the door. “Oh, one more thing, darling.” She turned toward Nefertiti. “Dr. Herman said he’d stop by tomorrow night around eight for your and Bruce’s appointments.”
“I feel bad about making him come all the way out here. Maybe we can do it by phone.”
“No. And I expect you to go into the office after this initial visit. I won’t allow you to hide.”
There was no use in arguing with Victoria. “Yes, ma’am. Where’s Bruce?”
“My sister called a few hours ago, and he left right after that.” Disappointment tainted her voice and sadness darkened her eyes. “He probably thought she’d come to visit. Or should I say, beg for more money.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Alexis. She’s always been so self-centered, but this is getting out of hand. I’m about ready to tell her not to come around.” A heavy burden seemed to weigh her shoulders down. “Let me get out of here.”
Nefertiti wanted to lighten Victoria’s load, but wasn’t sure how. Though she’d never seen more than a photo of Alexis, Nefertiti had heard more than enough about the woman.
“Those were the two longest months of my life!” Ken, a private investigator, sat across the table from his boss. They had already eaten their dinner and were still discussing Ken’s findings. He was to get close to Butch and find out what had really happened. Thanks to Bruce’s money and connections, a few months ago Bruce had arranged for Ken and Butch to share a cell.
“I’ll bet.” Bruce took a business envelope out of his inner suit pocket. “Here’s a little bonus for you.”
There was no way Ken would have taken this job if he had known how psycho Butch was. “I’m just glad to be out of there.” He placed the envelope in his back jeans pocket. Bruce never did anything small, and the news from the prison was good; thus, he knew the bonus would be some ridiculous amount.
“I want you to find this Jay.”
Glad the dangerous part was over, he nodded. “I’m on it, boss.”
It feels good to be outside. Nefertiti reached forward, cupped a red rose, and inhaled deeply. Mmmm, glorious. She sighed. Why have I denied myself this pleasure? She tried to feel the petals of the rose between her fingers. These dang blasted gloves are working my last nerve. She snatched off the gloves and put them in her pocket, then touched the softness of the rose.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Nefertiti just about jumped clean out of her skin. A thorn from the rosebush snagged her finger and drew blood. She turned to stare Bruce down. “You scared me half to death.” She shook her hand as if the pain would fall off. “How can someone your size sneak up on people?”
“Let me see.” Before she could object or even remember her palms and forearms were scarred from trying to fend off her attacker, he grabbed her hurt hand. “It’s just a little prick.” He kissed the ouchie on her index finger.
This small yet potent gesture wrecked havoc on her emotions and libido.
“All better?” He intertwined his fingers with hers. “So what have you been up to today besides sleeping?”
Palm to palm, she would swear she felt a jolt between them. A jolt that told her to take notice of this man; he loves you for who you are—all of who you are. I’ve read one too many romance novels. She glanced up at his made-for-nibbling lips. His neatly manicured mustache and goatee framed them perfectly. I need to focus on something else. She’d always had a healthy sexual appetite. Being so close to the only man she ever truly wanted to make love with and not be able to follow through was torture.
He stroked her palm with his thumb as they walked. She glanced at the strong fingers interwoven with hers, and her heart warmed. He hadn’t reacted to her scars at all. There was no way he could know how significant this small step was to her.
“What are you up to?”
“Why must I always be up to something, water ninja?” Hands still intertwined, he led her
onto the walking path.
“Because you are, fire ninja,” she teased. He was as handsome as ever in his usual dark business suit and a white Egyptian cotton dress shirt, but he’d always be her fire ninja. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they strolled along the brick path.
The soft oranges and magentas of the setting sun begged her to paint their likeness. “I will paint again someday,” she whispered.
“Yes, you will.”
She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I said that out loud.”
“I can’t believe you’re covering your veiled face.”
She bobbed her fist at him. “I’ll get you, Red Baron!”
The jolt she’d felt before returned with his hearty laugh. He slipped out of his suit coat and set it on the grass. “Have a seat.”
“I’m not sitting on that thing. It probably cost more than the national debt. I need to teach you how to shop.”
“Sit.” He nudged her down.
“Bossy, bossy, bossy,” she teased as she settled on his suit coat.
“While I was out today, I saw something that reminded me of you.” He lowered himself to the ground beside her.
“Oh lawd, whatever could it be?” she said with her best southern drawl.
He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small square velvet covered box. “I’m hoping to get lucky on the size.” He opened the box.
“Oh my God!” She touched the petals of the amber and diamond floral ring. “I can’t accept this.”
“Amber reminds me of your eyes.” He took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her right ring finger. “It fits perfectly. Now you have to keep it.”
“This is too much, Bruce. I can’t.” She began to pull off the ring, but he placed his hands over hers.
“Don’t.”
She glanced at the ring again. “Thank you. I love it.”
“And don’t ever wear gloves again when we’re at home.”
“I’m getting tired of you bossing me around.”
Beauty and the Beast Page 6