by Nana Prah
Becca picked up her dropped jaw from the table. “Oh, my goodness. Who knew Clint could be so damn sneaky?”
Tanya sighed. “Once again, I was duped by someone I trusted.”
“Technically, he was playing Broderick. At least he wasn’t stealing from you. Only running your business into the ground. That’s a plus.”
She waved her hands in the air and said, “Yippee,” in the driest tone she could muster.
“Why didn’t Broderick tell you once he filed for divorce?”
“Because my fantastic ex-husband didn’t know how to keep it in his pants when around his true love, so Clint got pictures and threatened to expose him to the world. It would’ve still affected me.” She slapped her hands over her face. “Can you imagine how embarrassing that would’ve been?”
“At least now you know, right?” Becca encouraged. “There’s no reason not to fire his behind. I’d opt for hiring someone to kick it first, though.”
Tanya laughed. “Miguel’s instincts were right on point. I just wish I’d listened sooner. I think Clint knows something’s going down because he took a few days off from work.”
“Girl, you know where he lives. Hunt him down and fire him so you don’t have to deal with his conniving ways a minute longer. I’m sure big bad Miguel would be more than happy to assist you.”
Why hadn’t she taken Miguel up on his offer to do the dirty work for her? It would’ve made things so much easier. Her pride had forced her to stick to her guns. It wasn’t his club, although she’d started thinking about it as a partnership.
Becca waited while the waitress set their food on the table. “You and Miguel did the deed, and you’re head over heels in love with him. Which I warned you to avoid, but you never listen to me.”
Tanya sat speechless. “How the f—” She caught herself just in time from being a horrible example to a five-year-old sitting at the next table. “How did you know?”
“There’s nobody in this world—” Becca waved a fork in her direction “—not even your fine brother who knows you as well as me. I haven’t seen you look this happy in years. Senior year of college to be exact when Mr. Cool hopped into your life.”
“He told me he loved me.”
“What?” Becca coughed and reached for her water.
Although it had been amazing, she wouldn’t count the declaration he’d said right after they’d made love. The one she’d cherish most was the one in the plane even though she’d laughed. Sex had been taken out of the equation, he’d been more than a little pissed at her stubbornness, and yet he’d let her know how much she meant to him. She’d never felt so treasured in her life. “A few times actually.”
Becca’s dark eyes went wide. “And...”
She tipped a spoonful of sugar into her oatmeal. “I couldn’t bring myself to say it back.”
“Even though you do.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s what he gets for messing around the first time.” Becca shook her head. “How can he expect you to lay your heart bare after squishing it to oblivion?”
“It’s not like that. I’ve forgiven him for what he did to me in the past.” She ate her oats, letting the comforting warmth distract her.
“So what stopped you?”
Shrugging, Tanya pushed away the food. “We’re worlds apart.”
“Um, correct me if I’m wrong here, but he hasn’t grown any poorer since college and neither have you. In fact, you’re closer economically than you were back then.” Her friend frowned. “Granted, he’s mega-rich, and you’re, well...not. But what’s changed? This didn’t bother you in college.”
“I was young with a crush. Now, I get the impression things could get serious.” Or had already passed that point, rushing her along with the current. She sighed out her frustration.
Her friend arched a brow. “So you want to maintain a light, sex-only relationship?”
Would it be a bad thing? The sex was phenomenal. The best of her life. They’d made love every night this week. Maintaining the whole friends-with-benefits deal would make life simpler, at least for the time being, but she had a feeling Miguel wouldn’t go for it. He was an all-in kind of man. He’d made it known he wanted her, and by any means necessary he’d have her. “How will his family react? The world?”
“I know you aren’t saying you’d give him up because of what people will think. What happened to the fearless woman I look up to? You shouldn’t give a rat’s tail about anything or anyone. Concentrate on what you feel. What does your gut say?”
Before Tanya could speak, Becca held up a hand. “It’s not for me to hear. It’s for you to ponder. If you want to be with him, then go for it. The opinions of the world be damned. You only have one life. Live it. Don’t let anyone stop you from getting yours.”
She didn’t even need to think about it. As always, Becca was right. She wanted Miguel. She always had and always would. Wasn’t that why she’d married another man? Because she’d known subconsciously she’d never be able to love him like she had Miguel, and he wouldn’t feel badly about never having her true affection?
Okay, maybe she was going over the line and taking the culpability away from Broderick, who’d leaped way beyond deceptive. At least she hadn’t done it intentionally.
Picking up her spoon with renewed interest in her daily fiber source, she ate. With her body feeling lighter as the full truth of Becca’s words sank in, nothing could keep her from what she desired, not even herself. If she and Miguel were meant to be together, then she wouldn’t stand in her own way to happiness.
* * *
The one thing Miguel had tried to prevent by wearing those disguises stared up at him. Not even on the computer, but in black-and-white print. He slammed the base of a fist onto his desk. Not just one tabloid, but every single one his assistant could get his hands on had printed the story as front-page news.
He’d had Tanya’s number on constant redial with no answer. Hanging up one last time, he cursed. Where could she be so early in the morning? He’d kept her up late last night making love before she’d kicked him out of her bed and into his car. He still couldn’t understand why she refused to let him spend the night.
They’d established a routine since returning from their club-hopping excursion. He’d go to work and daydream about her all day, head to the club in his full mustache costume as Isaac Graham, work on the club to make sure things were going smoothly for their opening and then they’d head to her place. He couldn’t get enough of her. If he could quit his job and spend every moment with her, he would.
He might have to once his father saw the debacle he’d gotten embroiled in. He’d been so close to becoming the new Executive Public Relations Officer. Now he could kiss the job goodbye. Raking his hands through his hair, he reminded himself to deal with one problem at a time. He had to find Tanya and get her to a safe, paparazzi-free zone. Did any such place exist these days?
He’d already dispatched members of the Astacios’ security team to both her home and the club. They had reported she wasn’t at either location. Where could she be? Pacing proved useless in finding her, but his restless legs wouldn’t allow him to sit for more than a few minutes at a time. He blamed himself. He must’ve slipped up somehow. After six months of hiding behind some damn good disguises and only popping up to the press when it suited him, how had they found out?
On the verge of running out of his office to search for his woman, he answered Tanya’s special ringtone on the first ring. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
“I’m fine, but what the hell is going on? There are people with cameras all over the club. I had to sneak in the back way.”
Tension left his shoulders at the sound of her calm voice. Was this what it was to care about someone? To not be able to relax until he knew she was safe? “Good. Stay right where you are and don’t open the door. Is any
one with you?”
“My restaurant staff. They didn’t open for breakfast because they had no idea what was going on. What is this, Miguel?”
Would she leave him once she read all the terrible things they’d written about her? He swiped a hand down his face as anxiety made an uncomfortable reappearance. The truth. She’d always appreciated it. “Someone found out about my disguises.”
Her gasp traveled through the phone, but he continued on with the worst part of the news. “They also figured out who you are and spread malicious information about you to the tabloids.”
He heard the scraping of a chair against the floor. “Oh, my God. How? Who?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out and make the bastard pay. But first, I need to make sure you’re okay, and I can only do that if you’re with me.” He did what came naturally and took charge by texting a quick message to Roland on his other phone to pick her up, resisting the urge to rush to her side. It would only make things worse. “I’m sending my bodyguard over to get you. Will you close the restaurant?”
“No. It’s my only moneymaker right now.” She let out what sounded like a nervous giggle. “Although now that it’s out that we’re associated, the club will take off, even if people are just curious to see me.”
Was she freaking out? He’d never seen her under pressure. No real stress, other than what he’d put her through back in college, and he’d had to turn away from her pain then. “Babe, Roland, my guard, will be at your back door in a minute. Don’t have your staff open the place until he gets you out of there.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to promise me something.” The last thing either of them needed was for her to check the internet and read the viciousness they’d written.
“What?”
His request was likely to make her do the opposite of what he asked, but he had to warn her. “Please stay away from the internet and don’t answer the phone unless it’s from me.”
“Fine.”
Stunned, he sank into his seat. “No argument?”
She laughed. “I’m not always difficult. This is your world and I’m kind of flipping out. I’ve never had people chasing me to take pictures or ask questions. It’s not a fun experience. Much more stressful than watching celebrities go through it.”
“I’ll fix this.” He held a hand to his chest. “I promise.” And he meant it. He’d always sought the spotlight, but she’d lived a quiet, private life. The fact that she wasn’t screaming at him showed how much class and strength she possessed, and his respect for her rose even higher. He looked down at the message that came through on his other phone. “Roland says he’s there. You can trust him. He’ll bring you right to me.”
“Okay. Thanks, Miguel.”
For what? He was the one who had gotten her into this chaos. He’d hoped to ease her into his life, not thrust her into the spotlight on center stage.
Miguel stopped at his assistant’s desk on the way out of his office. “Cancel all my meetings. Not that they’ll be able to get up here, but you have my permission to Taser anyone who even seems like paparazzi.”
Franklin laughed.
He’d instructed Roland to take Tanya to the most secure place Miguel knew. His home. He ducked into the elevator to the garage-floor parking area where security would keep out everyone but employees holding official badges. Slipping into the dark glass–tinted Lincoln he’d had his driver pick up, he ordered, “Take the remote routes and make sure we aren’t followed.”
He swiped the screen of his phone and called his father. The older man picked up on the second ring. “What’s going on, Miguel?”
The note of disappointment in his dad’s voice worsened the knot of tension in his gut. “It’s not my fault this time.” He hated having to defend himself.
“I know, son. You’ve been off their radar for a while now, and I’m proud of you.”
Miguel sprang up. Had he heard correctly? “Thanks, Dad. So I’m still in the running for the job?”
Whenever his father used the tactic of elongated silence, Miguel knew he’d better confess all his sins. “I wasn’t seen at those clubs because I was partying. Well, I was, but I was helping out a friend.”
The other side of the line remained quiet.
“I’m helping to rebrand her club and she needed to see what successful clubs looked like. I was respecting your mandate by leaving my face out of the cameras. That’s why I was wearing the disguise.” He finished with his voice low. Would his father believe him or think he’d been trying to put one over on them.
The man’s deep chuckle made Miguel wonder if he was still speaking to his father. “I believe you, son. I’ve witnessed your maturity and I’m proud of you.”
Miguel’s mouth dropped, dumbfounded that his father had believed him so readily. “Thank you, sir.”
“Tell me more about the young woman you were with? Tanya Carrington.”
He may as well share the good news. “She’s the woman I’m going to marry.” Now he had to convince Tanya.
Silence prevailed for a moment. “One of the articles said you met in college. Is this the same young woman you spoke so highly about when you transferred to Ohio State?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I wish you the best. That year was the calmest you’d ever been in your life. She seems to be a good influence on you.”
Miguel laughed. “She definitely is.”
“Keep me posted.”
Pride filled Miguel as he hung up the phone. A couple of years ago, his father would’ve read him the riot act. His dad had acknowledged the effort he’d been making to improve his life, to make himself a better man. He just hoped Tanya would be able to recognize the truth, too.
His phone chimed. “Who do I need to sue?” His older brother’s voice cut off Miguel’s hello.
“I don’t know yet, Nardo, but when I do, you’ll be the first person I contact,” Miguel said, using the much-hated nickname.
Leonardo snorted. “Things are so serious that you’re making jokes. I see. Is the woman with you the same one you had Lanelle slaving over financial paperwork for?”
“You know our sister finds it a pleasure to do anything for me. And, yeah, it was business.”
Leonardo grunted. “Is this lady still business? That’s not what it looked like as I scrolled through the pics of you two. Damn, she used to be one big mama.”
Leave it to Leonardo to be crude. And then his brother surprised him. “I remember you telling me stories about her. Even then I could see you really liked and respected her. Way to see into who she really was. I’ve gotta go.” As abruptly as the conversation began, Leonardo hung up.
Only a few more minutes until he’d be able to hold Tanya again. How could he miss her so much when they were apart? As if half of him disappeared until they got back together. It had been the same in college, but his priorities had been messed up back then. He had his head on straight now. Finally.
Josh. He had to call and let his best friend know before he found out through the media. Face-to-face was the manly way to go about it so he FaceTimed his friend and waited for him to pick up. When there was no answer he relaxed. He’d only have to deal with one pissed-off Carrington at a time. Way more than enough.
Chapter 22
Not even an ulcer could make Tanya’s stomach feel this torn up inside. What was taking Miguel so long? She’d arrived at his spectacular home about ten minutes ago, but it may as well have been two hours. Desperate to Google herself to see what the hell was going on, she found it more difficult by the second to keep her promise to him. What didn’t he want her to see? Unable to sit, she paced the marble hallway.
Thoughts of a sex video from their night in the hotel kept creeping up on her. Neither of them had recorded the encounter, but what if a hotel worker had? Or maybe the articles h
ad mentioned how inappropriate they were for each other, calling her a gold digger, out to get his money.
What could be so bad that he didn’t want her to read about it alone? The worst thought imaginable hit and her heart took a deep tumble. What if she’d been the other woman because she wasn’t worthy of being his main one? She tried to shake the idea from her head, but it stuck. What could be worse than losing Miguel because he was someone else’s man? She could weather through anything. Anything but losing him.
She rotated on her heel as the door swung open and Miguel rushed through. Dropping his briefcase, he ran to her and came to a halt as his large hands touched her face, shoulders, down her arms and then her hips, as if examining her for broken bones before slamming her against his body in the tightest hug she’d ever received.
“If they had hurt you, I would’ve eradicated all of them.”
She used the little air left in her lungs to laugh. “You’re a powerful man, but you may be going overboard.”
He pulled back and kissed her with an intimate sweetness. She groaned as she forgot the reason for the emergency exodus and returned the erotic circling of his tongue as she tasted Miguel and breathed in the freshness of his cologne.
“I can’t believe how much I love you,” he said with a last nip of her bottom lip as he moved away. “Remember that.”
Was what he had to show her so bad? Her whole body grew cold. “I can’t take it anymore. What did they say?”
Tugging at her hand, he went back to the door to pick up his briefcase before leading her into the comfortable book-lined living room. Her belly quaked with trepidation as she watched him pull tabloids from the leather case. She closed her eyes to forestall the inevitable. “It’s not just on the net?”