by Dorie Graham
“Latest conquest,” Lillian finished for her as she cast a triumphant glance in Nikki’s direction. “Girlfriend seems so benign and whore so crude, but I believe that’s the gist of it. You do sleep with him, don’t you, dear? I can’t imagine why else he’d be interested. You’ve been with him for how long, and how many functions has he brought you to? At least he brought Kathy around to all the benefits and such, introduced her to his friends and family. Of course, he loved her. Probably still does, from the distress he suffered at her passing. No doubt he hasn’t professed any such emotion in your case. Seems to me he’s been keeping you to himself. He’s relegated you to the bedroom, hasn’t he, dear?”
Nikki stared at her, stunned. As far as she could tell, Dylan had done well to escape any mothering by this woman. The fact that Lillian seemed to be hitting a little too close to the truth only made her more vicious.
With great effort Nikki held her temper in check. She had to keep her head for Dylan’s sake. “The thing is that it doesn’t really matter what I am to your son. What matters is that I care about him very much. I respect and admire him as a human being and his happiness is of the utmost importance to me.”
Evelyn twisted the huge diamond on her finger. “If you’ll excuse me, I think Nick needs me.” She quickly melted into the crowd.
Mitchell straightened, his gaze narrowed on Nikki. “Surely you’re not implying that we have anything but his best interest in mind.”
She glanced through the crowd for Evelyn. She should go after the woman, make sure she wasn’t up to something. But Nikki had to try to get through to Dylan’s father first. She turned to him. “I certainly hope you do, sir. Are you aware that he’s not satisfied practicing law in your firm?”
“Nonsense. He’s just won his first big case. I was sure the media was going to crucify him, but he stuck to his guns and he pulled through.”
“He can’t even bring himself to talk about the case. If it was such a great success, why isn’t he celebrating? Why isn’t he retelling the story to everyone who’ll listen?”
Lillian laughed a short little laugh filled with contempt. “Why, of course he’s celebrating. That’s what tonight is all about. Maybe he’s just not talking to you about it. I’m sure the two of you spend your time in other pursuits that don’t require conversation.”
“You can try to belittle me as much as you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you only see the Dylan you want to. You’re not willing to see him for who he really is.”
“And who would that be?” Mitchell asked.
“He has a creative soul that is stifling in that practice.”
“Hogwash,” Mitchell said. “Listen to me, young lady. You will drop this nonsense once and for all. If you want to remain a part of our son’s life, then you need to learn to play the game. Here are the rules. You will not encourage him to pursue an alternate career. You will not feed him any nonsense about leaving the firm. You will not provide him any advice about anything at all. Is that clear?”
Anger burned through Nikki. She looked at the closed faces around her. Dylan was so much better off without them. And so was she. “Abundantly clear.”
“Good.” Mitchell nodded to Lillian. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. I see someone I need to speak with, then I’d like to toast my son’s decision to follow in the family footsteps.”
DYLAN GRITTED HIS TEETH and counted silently to ten as Baxter Jones belted out another of his embellishments on his latest courtroom success. How a judge and jury could sit through the man’s long monologues was a mystery.
“Anyway, son, you remind me of myself back in the day. I told your father you’d do it. Never had a doubt.” Baxter wound down and blinked at his empty glass.
“Why don’t I find you a fresh one?”
Baxter brightened. “That would be rather good of you. Thanks.”
Dylan took his glass and nodded, a smile plastered across his face. He dropped the glass on the first tray he saw and kept walking. If he had to suffer through another encounter with one of his father’s cronies, he’d have to beat something. He was a moment away from telling them all exactly what he thought of their pretentious little world. Satisfaction filled him at the thought. What would it be like to leave all this behind?
To leave it behind and lose himself in his secret paradise with Nikki? Was there any reason why they couldn’t spend more time with each other—possibly live together?
The thought of waking with her every morning sent a thrill of excitement through him. What would it be like to fall asleep each night with her in his arms, then awaken to her sweet smile?
“You’re looking smart tonight.” A whiff of heavy perfume drifted around him. Evelyn slipped her arm through his. “How does it feel to be the star of the show?”
“You know, I was just thinking that maybe this isn’t quite the show I’d like to star in.”
“That’s a good one. You’ve worked all your life to get to this night.” She gripped his arm and gestured to the clusters of people littering the ballroom of the antebellum mansion. “Look. They’re the cream of the crop. Senators, diplomats, deal makers and deal breakers. And they are all here to celebrate your victory, not just in the courtroom but in your fight to make it into their ranks.”
Her eyes shone as she turned to him. “You’re playing with the big boys now, Dylan. You’ve made it.”
“Right.” So why did he still feel so empty?
“Kathy would be so proud of you.”
“Would she?”
“Of course. This is what she wanted for you. What you both wanted.”
He glanced around, and several people nodded or saluted him with sparkling champagne glasses. Empty people with empty lives. Why had he wanted this so badly?
The clinking of a crystal glass rang over the sound system. “Excuse me, everyone.” His father’s voice boomed across the room.
The chatter around them settled into murmurs, then faded to silence as the revelers turned their attention to the podium at the front of the spacious ballroom his mother had undoubtedly agonized for days over before renting.
Dylan straightened. What was Nikki doing now? What would she think of him dressed in this monkey suit, rubbing elbows with Miami’s elite crowd?
“You all know why we’re here tonight.” His father puffed out his chest and beamed. “My dear wife, Lillian, and I have asked you here to help us toast our son.”
He raised his glass. People from all around turned toward Dylan, their glasses raised high, their lips curved into gracious smiles. If he wasn’t his father’s son, would any of these people care about him? Would any of them bring him their cases if he weren’t with Cain, Reynolds and Associates?
What a farce. They’d all shown their true colors when his parents had shunned his interest in architecture. What had made him think any of them could see past his name now?
He stood stiffly while his father continued to speak. “We’re here to celebrate a great victory. One of our finest citizens was charged with a grievous offense, but thanks to the efforts of our beloved son, Dylan—the newest partner at Cain, Reynolds, Cain and Associates—justice has again been served.”
His father drank from his glass to a chorus of cheers and accolades. The crowd closed in around Dylan, a sea of nameless faces, each one trying to outdo the other with a brighter smile, more gracious words of praise. Someone slapped him on the back. An elderly matron bent in close to air-kiss his cheek, her ample bosom momentarily engulfing his upper arm.
He nodded back, his smile forced as he tamped down on the rising need to escape, to breathe fresh, clean air.
To see Nikki.
The matron shifted. “You are the spitting image of your father at your age. How I remember those days. What a charmer he was.”
Dylan bobbed his head, focusing on a spot beyond her. A glimpse of rich brown hair flashed across his line of vision. His heart quickened and he strained to see through the crowd. No, of course Nikki wouldn’t be th
ere. This was the last place she’d be. What was he thinking?
“Why, look, there’s Nikki.” Evelyn somehow still hovered near his elbow in spite of the press of bodies around them.
“No.” Nikki didn’t belong here. She’d be like a helpless angelfish among sharks.
“Oh, but it is her.”
He leaned around the bulk of the older woman. The brunette turned. His heart skipped a beat. He’d memorized that same shoulder, kissed a path across its soft skin. He stood rooted in place for one horrified moment.
Nikki was here.
His blood ran cold. She faced his parents. By his mother’s outraged expression, his father’s look of disgust and the straight line of Nikki’s spine, things were not going well.
A confused mix of anger and fear raced through him. He had to get to her. He pushed through the crowd, brushing by one startled face after another. His gaze fixed on Nikki, whose back grew stiffer even as the color in his mother’s face deepened and the bluster in his father’s eyes intensified.
Mitchell Cain’s voice vibrated with outrage as Dylan neared. “We’ve already had this conversation, miss. You’re in over your head. I suggest you take your opinions and walk out of this ballroom and out of our son’s life.”
Nikki lifted her chin high. “Fine, I’ll leave here, but I’ll leave Dylan’s life if, and only if, he wishes it.”
“I wish it.” The words flew from his mouth before he’d formed them in his mind.
Nikki whirled toward him, her eyes round with shock. “Dylan.”
“You shouldn’t have come tonight. You don’t belong here.” Why hadn’t he stayed home with her? None of this would have happened. A sick feeling swirled in his stomach just to see her in the midst of these people.
His people.
“Dylan—” Nikki reached toward him, but he flinched away.
He was poison to her, just like the rest of them. The need to protect her—to send her from this den of lions—rose with a sharp ache. “Just go.”
Pain flickered in her eyes. She lifted herself taller, then walked away. He closed his eyes against the sight of her departure. It was just as well they end things now. How could he have thought he could keep her isolated from the rest of his life?
13
DYLAN’S FATHER CLASPED his hands together in a gesture of thanks while his mother moved to embrace her son. “Thank God you’re seeing things clearly. We set her straight once, but she came back for more. What nerve. That girl was no match for you.”
Dylan held up his hand to stave her off. “You’re wrong. I’m no match for her.”
“Nonsense. She was lucky to have had her shot, but she’s blown it. You’ve done the right thing,” his father said.
“Tell me, what about her bothered you? Her directness? Her honesty—”
“Now, son—”
“Or was it just that she embarrassed you in front of your friends by breaking those fake smiles and drawing out the real you for all to see?”
“Well.” Lillian drew herself up. “She’s not exactly bringing out your best, is she?”
He pulled a breath deep into his lungs. Nikki must have really shaken them up for them to make such a public display. How could he have needed their acceptance—their love—so much? “You have no idea. There was no best in me before her.”
“You’re talking garbage.” His father shook his finger at him.
It was all Dylan could do not to smack the offending digit away. How many times in his life had his father uttered that accusation? Well, he wasn’t listening anymore. “For once, I don’t think so.”
“Then she’s warped your thinking,” his mother said. “If only you’d taken more interest in Evelyn. There’s a girl for you. She understands the plan. She’d never lead you astray.”
“Let’s talk about this plan for a minute.” He paused to make sure they were both listening. “From now on, the plan is to figure out what I really want to do with my life.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Lillian’s laugh lacked the conviction she no doubt meant to convey. “You already know what you want. You’ve just made partner. It’s what you were born to do. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“Maybe I’ve decided that I don’t want to keep using technicalities to set criminals loose on our streets.”
Mitchell cringed and glanced around to see who might have heard. “What the hell are you talking about? How much have you had to drink?”
“Not nearly enough.” With a shake of his head Dylan turned to leave.
“Young man, you get back here and explain yourself.” The bark in his father’s voice no longer carried the bite it had in the past, but Dylan stopped and faced the couple.
“Then let me make this abundantly clear. I quit.” His parents’ shocked expressions burned into his memory as he walked away.
DYLAN STARED AT NIKKI AS he reached the wide steps leading up to the mansion. She hadn’t left as he had hoped. His heart pounded with irrational fear. He focused instead on his anger, stoking it with the knowledge that, had he not intervened, she would have been headed for disaster of the monumental kind.
Few people took on his parents directly without suffering some horrendous consequence. How many lives had they destroyed? Nikki had no idea how ruthless they were. She’d never seen them build up people, just to tear them down. She couldn’t possibly comprehend the danger in which she’d just placed herself.
“Look…” She shifted from foot to foot. “I know you’re upset. I may have overstepped my boundaries by coming here.”
He held up his hand for her to stop. Still, it took him a moment to control the tidal wave of emotion crashing down on him before he could speak. “This place, these people—my people—they’re not for you. You had no right to come here tonight.”
“But, Dylan, I care about you and I want to help you.”
“Help me?” He stared at her, incredulous. “How exactly does your showing up here help me?”
She seemed to lose some of her steam. “I needed to look out for you, to meet your people, to learn more about you.”
“You know all you need to know.” He paced a few steps away, then pivoted. “We had a deal. No frills. That means no more personal stuff than I am willing to share.”
The spark lit in her eyes again. “Well, the hell with that deal. It was a stupid deal.” She paused. “I’m sorry if I upset you by showing up, but I’m not sorry I came. I understand now a little more about why you’re the way you are. I thank God for Kathy. I think without her you never would have known love. She taught you how to care about people. You sure didn’t get that from those icebergs you call parents.”
He stood still and let her rave. His own legs seemed barely able to hold him upright. Kathy may have understood, but she had never spoken the brutal truth of his life.
His parents had never loved him.
All these years he’d been chasing a dream with them. It was almost more than he could bear. He stared, un-blinking, as Nikki’s eyes filled with tears.
“They don’t know the meaning of the word love, Dylan. How they could miss all the wonders you have to offer this world is beyond me.” She stepped closer and laid her hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry for all the harm they’ve inflicted on you. I’m so sorry they don’t have it in their little rock hearts to love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
His hands fisted as he shielded himself from the truth. “It isn’t your place to apologize for them.”
She swiped her hand across her cheek. “They’re a lost cause. There’s no pleasing them. If you continue to try, you’ll just keep disappointing them. That—” she gestured toward the house behind them “—gala may seem like pride from the outside, but I’d bet my last dime that’s all for show.”
“You should leave now.”
Her expression crumbled, but she lifted her chin. “If that’s really what you want.”
He filled his gaze with the sight of her. She had discovered the lie of
his life. “It’s what I really want. You were wrong to come here.”
She nodded and for the briefest moment he almost hoped that she might argue, but then, for the final time, she turned and walked away.
NIKKI SLAMMED HER CAR INTO park and swore. How could she have been so stupid? She’d played right into Evelyn’s hands. Nikki had known the risk and she’d gone anyway. She should never have gotten her hopes up that way. Some help she’d been to Dylan.
She dropped her head to the steering wheel and cried. She’d screwed everything up. Ruined her chances with him. Destroyed any last shot at truly healing him.
She shuddered as the memory of her conversations with his parents came back to her. There was so little warmth in either of them. No wonder Dylan was so closed off. They didn’t care what was right for him—for his happiness. All they saw was how they might gain from his work at the firm, how it would look for their star child to abandon the family profession and do something so irresponsible as studying architecture.
Her anger rose and she straightened. Dylan had been mad when he’d broken things off with her, but there had been something else. When he’d approached her and his parents, his fear had hit her in a wave. But what had he feared? Did he fear his own parents? No, that didn’t seem right.
He must have been afraid for her.
Why would that be? Surely they wouldn’t harm her in any way. Yet his alarm had been almost palpable.
Had something happened between Kathy and his parents?
She had to talk to Steven. She pulled his card from her purse, staring at the embossed letters in the faint light from a nearby streetlight. At this point it didn’t matter what Dylan thought about her fraternizing with his friends. He couldn’t get any more upset with her.
But maybe Steven could help her figure out why Dylan had been so disturbed.
“YOU MUST BE NIKKI. COME in.” A petite brunette who could only be Steven’s wife, Rebecca, ushered her into a crowded foyer.