Next to Me

by AnnaLisa Grant

  “No fucking way! This is a 1913 V Nickel!” he says with amazement. “Where did you get this?” he asks me.

  “Where I got it isn’t important. Can you make a replica of it?” I say.

  “This isn’t your average collectable. This is some serious shit here.” Jace inspects the coin, turning it over in his hand several times before pulling over a large magnifying glass with a light around it and examining it there. “Oh, man! This is the real deal.”

  “We need a copy of it. Can you do it?” Landon asks, reiterating my question as Jace keeps his eyes on the coin.

  “Can I do it? That is the most insulting thing you’ve ever said to me. Of course I can do it.” Jace sets the Nickel on the top of the counter and I immediately pick it up. I don’t want any sleight of hand going on. Give me a few hours. I have to make the mold, pour the metal, let it cool, and make sure it looks like it’s 100 years old.”

  “Why don’t we go find a dress for you while Jace works on this?” Landon suggests.

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “No. I’m not letting that coin out of my sight. It’s the only card I have left to play and I don’t trust Jace not to take advantage of the situation and leave us holding a fake…no offense,” I say.

  “None taken. I wouldn’t trust me either,” Jace says. “Stick around while I make the molds and then take the coin with you while I work on the copy.”

  “I can live with that.” I say.

  “Great. Wait until you see how this works,” Jace begins. “Years ago I had some Spanish medallions I was copying and…”

  “We’re short on time here, Jace,” Landon says cutting him off.

  “Right. Come into my work room.” We follow Jace behind the curtain and into an office space. I look at Landon with curiosity, my brow furrowing with confusion. There are no doors to another space, and I don’t see anything in this office that looks like it could be used in any way to create a mold or melt metal. Landon just smirks and nods his head, gesturing at Jace. With a smile of his own, Jace pulls the back of a large bookshelf toward him like a door, revealing a hidden passage.

  “Really?” I say in astonishment.

  “Oh, yeah.” Jace winks at me and Landon pushes him through the entry way. “You’d be hard pressed to find a building or home around here that doesn’t have a least one secret passage. They had some serious wars roll through this part of the world you know.”

  “No need for the history lesson, Jace,” Landon says firmly.

  This is more like it. We enter a room that looks like a cross between a mad scientist’s lab and a great artist’s studio. One side of the room has Bunsen burners, glass jars like the kind from my 11th grade chemistry class, protective glasses, and gloves, among other sciencey-looking tools. The other side has two easels, paints, smocks, and jars full of brushes.

  Jace pulls a box big enough for a pair of shoes out of a supply closet along with a couple of round trays that look like small, shallow cake pans. When he’s removed the contents from the box, and everything seems to be set up, he hold his hand out to me, palm up.

  My heart begins to pound inside my chest. What if this doesn’t work? What if something happens to the coin in the process? I’m worried and I can’t hide it from covering my face.

  “It’s going to be fine, Jenna,” Landon says, trying to comfort me.

  “I promise. The last thing I want to do is ruin such an incredible artifact.” Jace gives me a reassuring, tight lipped smile.

  “I’m trusting you with my life here. You know that, right?” I say to Jace.

  “I know.” Jace’s hand is still held out for me to give him the coin.

  I take a deep breath and place the coin in his hand. He begins to work quickly, using some kind of rubber based compound. He presses the coin into one of the trays with the rubber substance in it along with a straw so as to make a well of sorts, and lets it set for a moment. It doesn’t take long for the rubber to set. He flips the whole mold out of the pan and pulls the coin out. He does the same thing with the other side of the coin in the other pan. When he’s done he removes the coin from the mold and gives it to me. My heart has officially stopped racing now that I have the Nickel back in my possession.

  “So now what? What’s next?” I ask him.

  “Next, I use both sides to pour the nickel and make an exact replica,” Jace says with some vanity. He takes great pride in his abilities. I hope that pride never costs him an important relationship the way my father’s pride has cost him ours.

  “Won’t the nickel be too hot for the mold?” I ask, concerned the heat will melt the rubbery material.

  “This is a special, a little more high-tech, material. You can’t exactly buy it online, if you know what I mean,” Jace answers cryptically.

  “And you have actual nickel?” I question. Jace nods. “How?”

  “Do you really want to know?” he asks, looking at me over his glasses.

  “No, I guess not.” The less I’m privy to here, the better. “Just be careful to make sure the front and back line up just as they do on the original. And there’s a little discoloration near Liberty’s chin. And…” Landon puts his arm around my waist, stopping me mid-sentence.

  “He’s got it, Jenna. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I wasn’t sure he could do this.” Landon’s reassuring words don’t completely take my worry away, but they do help. “You’ve got the coin in your hot little hand, so let’s take care of getting your dress for tonight, ok?”

  “I guess shopping beats hanging around here for the next however many

  hours.”

  “Ok, that one did sting a little.” Jace winces at my comment so I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. “I’m good now.”

  “Good, because that’s the last time my girlfriend’s lips are getting anywhere near you,” Landon tells him as he takes my hand and begins to walk us to the secret passage.

  We get halfway into the shop when Landon asks me to wait for a minute. He goes to the back of the store where Jace is still working and I wander around the small store stuffed with antiques. I scan the shelves and tables displaying some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen and even find a few things that I love. There are some gorgeous pieces of white china with gold embellishments around the rim of the plates and cups, and a porcelain doll that reminds me of one my mother had when I was a little girl. I think she said her mother had given it to her. I wish I knew where it was now.

  I look at pieces of art and what look like Tiffany lamps to me, but I could be wrong. I have no idea what a real Tiffany lamp looks like. I have no idea if those dishes are fine china or not. That’s what would make me the perfect customer for Jace. He could show me any item in this store and give me some convoluted story about its ancestry, telling me about how there are only a few of whatever it is left and that I’d be lucky to have it in my possession. I would be completely unsuspecting.

  But not Dellinger. And not my father.

  I’m not sure how to execute this idea of passing a fake coin to one of them at all. Do I give it to my father for betraying me? Do I give it to Dellinger for swooping in and inviting my father back into the world he tried so hard to leave? Or do I throw them both in a bag and pick one randomly to give to each of them. They’re big boys. Let them duke it out for themselves.

  Chapter 15

  I didn’t want to, but I actually enjoyed shopping with Landon this afternoon. Getting to spend someone else’s money didn’t exactly hinder my fun. And since it was Dellinger’s money, I bought the most expensive dress and shoes I could find. We walked through a shopping area of Versailles that Jace told Landon was a hidden treasure of stores. That must have been what Landon went back to ask him before we left.

  Again, there were moments when we forgot about why we were there in the first place. We laughed and shopped and even stopped for a bite to eat at a little sidewalk café. Perhaps we didn’t forget, but chose not to remember. We also used the time to sort
through a plan of some kind for tonight with my father. It’s a loose plan if anything. There are so many unknown variables that the number of if this happens then we’ll do this ideas is too many to count.

  The only thing that was decided for sure was that I would have to use one of the coins as leverage with Dellinger. I’ll give him what he’s been looking for and strike a deal. It’s the only shot I have at not having to run. I let Landon lay out his plan and agreed with him on as many plot points as possible. It’s as good a plan as any, but I can’t walk confidently in anything until I have complete reassurance that Henry Dellinger is never going to interfere with my life again.

  I’m just out of the shower when I hear the hotel room door close and Landon calling out to me that he’s back. “I didn’t realize you had gone anywhere,” I tell him as I emerge from the bathroom wearing only a robe and my hair twisted on top of my head with a towel.

  “That’s a hot look.” Landon smirks and I roll my eyes.

  “A paper bag would look hot to you,” I tease.

  “On you? Yes, a paper bag would be hot. You could also make a potato

  sack look sexy.” Landon tosses a garment bag on the bed before giving me a lip-crushing kiss. I part my lips and lift my hands, lacing my fingers together behind his neck. My short robe rises and Landon’s hands trail down my sides, discovering that I’m not wearing anything else. His fingers skim over my hips with light, feathery touches before he takes me by the waist and pulls me from him.

  “I’m not sure how much longer I can do this, Jenna. I don’t think you realize how difficult it is to say no to you.” Landon steps away and takes a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry,” I say softly.

  “No, no…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m in total agreement with you that, while this is the most perfect setting for us, these aren’t the right circumstances. I guess I’m just…a guy in love.” He smiles sweetly and it’s hard for my heart not to melt. He’s been so understanding about my reasons for not sleeping with him, even though since we got here those reasons have been lies. I can’t tell him that we can’t have sex because then I won’t be able to make a sound decision to leave if I need to leave. I know that once we take that step I’ll be even more bonded to him, more in love with him, that I’ll be too torn. I can’t solidify my relationship with Landon like that until I’m sure Dellinger has taken the deal with the coin and I’m free to move on with my life.

  “Everything will be different when we get back to Chicago. Things will be as they’re supposed to be,” I tell him. It’s just as cryptic and full of mixed signals a message I’ve been sending since he sat next to me on the plane here. I wrap my arms around his waist and let him envelop me with his. It’s a warm and safe place and I’ve decided that I will have and enjoy it as long as possible. “So…where did you go?”

  “I went down to get my tux. Concierge had one sent over for me. I gave them my measurements so hopefully it fits like they promised it would,” he

  tells me.

  “I’m sure you’ll look very handsome. The shower is free,” I tell him.

  Landon strips down to those eternally sexy boxer briefs of his and heads into the bathroom to shower. I take that time and do my make up at the mirror by the bed and then move back into the bathroom when Landon is done so I can finish getting ready. I take everything in there because, along with the dress and shoes I bought today, I also bought a new black lace bra and panty set to go with it. Landon has seen me in my underwear before, but it would just be cruel to let him see me in this set. It’s not just underwear. In any other setting it’s an invitation for crazy hot sex.

  I step out of the bathroom as Landon is adjusting his bow tie in the mirror across the room. I can see his reflection and he looks even more handsome that I had imagined. I smile at the site of him and he catches my eyes in the mirror. A look washes over him, one I haven’t seen before, not even when I modeled the dress for him in the store. He turns slowly and takes me in from head to heel.

  The dress I chose is black, with a halter strap that attaches at the farthest points along the top of the bust, reminding me of those retro bathing suits from the 50s. The whole thing is a bit nostalgic, actually. The skirt comes just above my knees and flares at the waist. The red crinoline peeks out just enough, making my only option for shoes a sexy pair of red, Jimmy Choo stilettos with handcuff hardware around the ankle. I’ve left my hair down and in its natural wavy curl, letting it all fall down my back.

  “Oh, my God, Jenna. You look…you look so beautiful.” Landon kisses me gently on the cheek rather than my lips so he doesn’t smudge my lipstick. It’s one thing for a guy to tell you he thinks you’re hot, but there’s something about being called beautiful that means so much more.

  “Thank you,” I say softly. “You look pretty incredible yourself.”

  “Are you ready?” he asks.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say. I grab the red clutch I bought to complete the outfit and walk through the open door Landon is holding for me.

  The car arrives promptly at 7:00 pm just as we are stepping out of the

  hotel and onto the sidewalk. Landon helps me in and then the door closes behind him as we settle in for the drive to the Ambassador’s home. We’re silent the whole drive as I run through all the possibilities in my head. I’m leaning toward giving my father the real Nickel. He is my father and despite what’s happened, I can’t shake this feeling of loyalty to him. Is it his fault that he got sucked into this life again? If Dellinger hadn’t offered him the money he did, would Dad have sought out this life after working so hard to leave it? I blame Dellinger for inviting my father to betray my mother and the work he had done to live an honest life. But…I blame my father for accepting the invitation. Neither one of them deserves the coin. Maybe I will toss the real one in Lake Michigan after all.

  The car pulls up to the Ambassador’s home. It’s a grand, palatial estate that looks like it was built in the 1700s. Our US tax dollars at work, I think as I consider the upkeep of a home like this.

  We step onto the gravel drive and Landon holds my hand to help me so I don’t fall. I don’t understand why they don’t pave driveways out here. There are two secret service men, or whatever kind of security they are, standing next to the front entry. One of them is holding a clip board, while the other is clearly there in case things get out of hand. I’m nervous because Dellinger only got an invitation to this event for me. I’m not sure what they’ll do with Landon and I know I can’t make it through this night without him.

  “Good evening. May I have your name, please?” the security guy with the clip board asks.

  “Good evening. Yes, my name is Jenna Rockwell,” I begin. I’m about to try and explain Landon’s presence with me when the guy interrupts me.

  “And is this Mr. Scott?” he asks, looking at Landon.

  “Um, yes, it is,” I tell him.

  “Enjoy your evening.” He and the other security guy both nod at us,

  sending us away and into the vestibule of the house.

  “How did they know about you?” I say to Landon with a mix of curiosity

  and worry.

  “Dellinger,” Landon reasons.

  It makes sense. Dad probably laid into Dellinger for sending me and told him about Landon. They would assume that I wouldn’t come tonight without him. Adding him to the list would mean avoiding the scene I would cause in my efforts to make sure he was with me all night.

  The estate is just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. There are antiques and heirlooms everywhere. They must be part of this wing of the house…the area where they entertain and display their wealth and prestige for their visitors. I’m sure it’s how they play the part and point to the master of the house’s important position.

  “Good evening. You must be Miss Rockwell,” an older gentleman greets me. He looks to be in his early 60s, with greying hair and fair skin. He has a nice smile and seems warm. “I’m Amb
assador McKay, but I hope you’ll call me Ronald. Henry sent a picture with his email asking me to include you tonight. I hope you’re enjoying your visit to Paris.”

  “Oh, yes, thank you,” I say nervously. “It’s very kind of you to let us intrude. Please, call me Jenna.”

  “Nonsense! Any friend of Henry’s is a friend of mine…Jenna. You must be Mr. Scott, or shall I call you Landon?” the Ambassador says. He seems so kind. I hate that Dellinger has convince him that they’re anything alike.

  “Yes, of course. Thank you for including me on such short notice,” Landon thanks him as they shake hands.

  “I’m always happy to host fellow Americans. I think it’s wonderful that we get out and explore other countries. You’ll have to meet my wife, Marie,” he says to me. “She’s around here somewhere. She’ll be the beautiful woman in the gold dress,” he says looking around a bit to see if he can spot her. “I have to attend to some other guests, but I do hope you’ll enjoy yourselves this evening. Please feel free to look around the estate. There’s security guarding prohibited areas. Other than that, explore at will. It was lovely meeting you.”

  “I feel bad for him,” I whisper to Landon as the Ambassador disappears into the crowd. “He has no idea what’s happening. He thinks Henry Dellinger is a good man and probably gave my father the same warm welcome as he did us. I have to find my father and stop him. I’ll give him the V Nickel and then he can make whatever deal or get whatever payout he can from Dellinger.”

  “That could be dangerous, Jenna. Your father is a man on a mission here. Who knows how desperate he is or what he’ll do if you try and stop him,” Landon says trying to convince me. I hear what he’s saying, but I just can’t let my father do this. Enough is enough.

  “I have to at least try, Landon. Please.” I take Landon’s hand and look wishfully into his eyes, begging him to help me.

  “Ok. There’s a second floor that overlooks the main area here,” Landon points out. He’s already scoped out the room and determined our best approach. “Let’s make our way around the perimeter of the balcony and see if we can get an aerial view of where he is or might be. If we don’t see him down here, we’ll do a little exploring. The Ambassador did invite us to, after all.” He squeezes my hand and smiles reassuringly at me.