Joelle was out there somewhere. Could she feel him thinking about her? He’d dialed her home number multiple times over the past two days but there was never an answer. He hoped like crazy that nothing had happened to her on the way home. He’d never forgive himself. After not being able to reach her the day before, he’d wanted to drive to Chicago, but Emmett had talked him out of it.
The four had pored over personnel files and guest questionnaires until around one in the morning the night Joelle left, but could find no obvious connection to Betsy Simpson and any of their former guests or staff, other than the fact that both Betsy and Cathy Henderson were from Madison, Wisconsin. Emmett had made the suggestion of finding Scott and hypnotizing him to find out why he’d decided to target the resort, but after a few moments worth of discussion, they all agreed that was too risky.
The obvious solution was to ask Betsy, but none of them could agree on the best way to handle her, and finally they agreed to sleep on it and come up with a solution the next morning. They’d spent hours yesterday discussing it yet again, but no definite decision had been made, other than to watch her closely to see if she tried to contact Scott again.
Zach and Blade wanted to fire her, but Cristian and Emmett both felt they should get some answers from her first. All four men agreed that whatever they did, it would tip their hand and could bring down a firestorm from Scott afterwards.
As for Cathy Henderson, Emmett volunteered to go to Madison and try to find out whether she and Betsy knew each other, but Zach said to wait until they decided on the best way to handle Betsy first.
A knock on the door pulled him from his reverie. When he opened it, Cristian, Zach, and Emmett stood there with wide grins on their faces. Emmett held up a copy of the Tribune. “Looks like we won’t have to do anything after all. Oh, and by the way, Betsy has given her immediate notice and left the building early this morning.”
“Come in.” Blade opened the door and took the newspaper from Emmett to read the front-page story. It featured three photos of Scott and Betsy in compromising positions, with exposed body parts blacked out. So much of each photo was blacked out, in fact, that there wasn’t much left, except for clear shots of both Betsy and Scott’s faces.
Shocking, even for the Trib, but Blade wasn’t thinking about their readership. He was thinking what seeing this would do to Joelle. The article detailed a list of clubs and the dates Scott and Betsy had visited each one, as evidenced by what had been written on the back of each photo, and corroborated by a list the reporter said had been found.
In addition to the photos and list of clubs and dates, Robert Pastor had spoken with the owners of each club who would neither confirm nor deny that Scott Malloy and Betsy Simpson had been patrons, but he and his sources had been able to uncover other members of two of the clubs who were more than happy to spill their guts about the alderman’s clandestine activities, dating back as far as five years earlier.
“Cristian, we have to find Joelle. She’ll be devastated when she sees this.”
“Keep reading. She’s seen it.”
“What?”
“Read.”
Blade scanned the article, which included a mention of neither Betsy nor Scott being available for comment. At the very end, the author acknowledged Joelle by name, saying she had been quoted as saying she was unaware of Scott’s secret life, his obvious long-time affair with Betsy Simpson, and that calling off her engagement six months earlier had nothing to do with either, but she was now very glad she had done so.
Blade glanced at Cristian. “She must be in so much pain. Just because she told a reporter these things doesn’t mean she’s all right.” Blade tossed the paper on the coffee table. “I’m going to Chicago. Are you coming?”
Chapter Nineteen
Joelle had finally slept well the night she and Peggy had found the photos and list in Scott’s townhouse, but Blade and Cristian had still haunted her dreams. The only thing that kept her from going insane with need and pain was the certainty that now Scott wouldn’t be able to use the resort to further his political career.
The following morning, Joelle and Peggy had gone to the offices of the Tribune with Mark and given the items to the reporter who’d written the first story on Scott and Betsy.
She and Peggy had debated with Mark and the reporter about whether Scott would know Joelle had taken the photos and list from his townhouse, but finally the reporter revealed that Robert Pastor had been tipped off by an aide that Scott and Betsy were sneaking into sex clubs throughout Chicago, and he had hired someone to tail Scott. They would let the readers believe this investigator had compiled the list, and the photos could had come from sources inside the various clubs.
She and Peggy had returned to the townhouse, put back the photos and list, locked Scott’s desk drawer, and then hidden the key where Peggy had first found it. Both had been fearful of returning a second time, but they wouldn’t have another chance so it had to be done. Mark’s contact in the mayor’s office confirmed that Scott and the other aldermen would be on their way back to Chicago that afternoon.
Joelle had tossed the key to his townhouse down a storm sewer as she and Peggy left. She’d never need it again. It felt good to be done with Scott forever, but not to know he’d covered up both an affair and a secret life. Especially since certain aspects of that life were among the many things he’d used to belittle and humiliate her.
Why had he done it? Why hadn’t he simply married Betsy? Joelle had asked Mark as they left the offices of the Tribune to explain it to her from a man’s point of view. He’d simply shrugged. “Most men want a wife who is sweet and demure, but not one who is necessarily a wildcat in bed.”
Peggy had punched his arm after he’d said it, and he’d merely smiled. “I said most men, dearest.”
Joelle had hated the jealously she’d felt toward Peggy at that moment. But the guilt she’d felt at taking the photos and list to the Tribune had dissipated by the time she’d returned to her apartment. She’d been exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and had fallen right to sleep.
Now it was morning again, and Peggy was spending the day with Mark. Joelle had the entire day to herself, but she had no idea what she was going to do with it. She stared at the telephone, wondering if her parents had tried to call after seeing the story in the paper two days earlier. They’d probably be knocking on her door when the second story ran this morning.
Joelle put on some coffee, took a quick shower and dressed, then went down to the mailboxes to retrieve their newspaper. She stumbled on the stairs as she stared at the photographs on the front page.
They’d really done it. They’d actually printed them—blacked out in places, of course—but they’d really done what they’d promised to do. She couldn’t believe it. After locking her door, she poured a cup of coffee and sat down to read the article. Her name was at the end, just as she’d been told it would be, but there was nothing that would connect her and Peggy’s breaking and entering adventure with the photos or the exposure of Scott and Betsy’s affair and clandestine activities.
Did they get the Tribune delivered at the resort? Would Blade and Cristian read this? She hoped so. At least then they could stop worrying about Scott. Thinking of Blade and Cristian again put a damper on her elation at seeing the story in print. She’d helped ruin Scott, but at what price? He couldn’t harm the resort now, but it hadn’t changed anything.
Blade and Cristian had asked her to leave. She’d never look into their eyes again or feel their bodies next to hers or hear their voices whispering in the dark. She might as well not have bothered yesterday. It was strange to feel both guilty and happy about the same event. Revenge on Scott wasn’t quite as sweet as she’d always imagined it would be.
She’d learned yesterday that Robert Pastor had been following Scott around for a long time, and more than likely would have come across this information on his own eventually. All she’d really done was speed up the process a bit. But it hadn’t
helped her win the hearts of Blade or Cristian. And if she and Peggy had been caught…
No. She wouldn’t think about that right now. She wouldn’t think about it at all. It was over. Scott had no political future, and the resort was safe from him. The shrill ring of the phone snapped her out of her musings. Thinking it was her parents, she braced herself for the onslaught.
“Hello, Joelle.” She almost dropped the receiver. Blade’s deep voice caressed her ear across the wires like a lover’s touch.
“Blade?”
“Yes, it’s me. Cristian and I are at a pay phone across the street from your apartment building. May we come up? We need to talk to you.”
“What?” Joelle dropped the receiver and ran to the window. Pushing apart the slats she peered across the street then squealed in delight. She ran down the stairs and barely missed getting run over by a car as she sprinted toward the pay phone.
Blade picked her up and twirled her around then embraced her in a bear hug so tight she could hardly breathe.
“What are you doing here?”
“We read the articles in the Tribune.”
“But…”
“Joelle, we owe you a huge apology.” Cristian’s eyes shone with light. He glanced around. “Let’s go inside where we can talk.”
Once they were upstairs, she hung up the phone then upset cups in the kitchen as she tried to pour them each coffee. Cristian’s scent filled her head, and his arms encircled her from behind.
“Forget about that. Come and listen.” He took her hand and led her to the sofa. Joelle swiped at tears as they told her they’d discovered Betsy working for them, and she had now mysteriously left the resort with short notice. They explained how they weren’t sure what prompted her to seek a job there last October, but they suspected it might have had something to do with Cathy Henderson leaving so abruptly after becoming upset at hearing their secret.
“We think they know each other, and that Cathy told Betsy what was going on at the resort,” said Blade. “Betsy saw an opportunity for Scott when we posted the jobs and took it.”
“But that would mean she’d have heard about Lilith’s Playground in the first place.”
The men exchanged a glance. “Ah, Joelle, did you read the articles? They’ve been in the scene for some time now. I’m sure they heard about it at one of the clubs.”
She nodded. “Of course. That would make sense.” She told them about their conversation with the reporter and how he’d told them Robert Pastor had been investigating Scott for some time. Then she told them what she and Peggy had done the day before.
Blade and Cristian stared at her with their mouths open. “This came together so quickly because of your actions?” asked Blade.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Why did you do it?” asked Cristian.
Heat flooded her face. She stared at the carpeting. She and Peggy really needed to get it cleaned. “Well, because I felt terrible at not telling you I knew him and because I couldn’t let him ruin your business.”
Blade caressed her face, and Joelle bit back a moan. Every erotic image and thought she’d been repressing since driving away from the resort two days earlier came rushing back at once. Hope began to build, but she was afraid to allow it to take shape.
“You did this for us?” he asked gently.
She nodded because she didn’t trust her voice.
Cristian moved closer and pulled her into his arms. His scent filled her head, and Joelle’s breath hitched in her throat. To hold him again must be what manna had tasted like to the wanderers in the desert.
“Joelle,” he whispered. “I have a confession as well.” He pulled away and looked into her eyes with total clarity. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but it’s true. I’m in love with you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since you walked out of the library.”
“Oh God…” Joelle put her hand over her mouth and fought to keep breathing. She was barely aware of the tears that coursed down her cheeks until Cristian began to brush them away. The tenderness in his eyes nearly tore her heart in two.
“I love you, too,” said Blade, kneeling in front of her. “I’ve been stupid and stubborn, and I should have listened to your side of the story. Can you ever forgive me? Can you forgive both of us?”
“Of course I can. Oh, Blade…Cristian…I know it’s nuts and impossible, and unconventional, but I don’t care. I love you both, too. It’s true. I’ve been miserable since I drove away. And I did this for you, because even if I couldn’t have you, I was not about to let Scott or anyone ruin your business.”
Blade and Cristian both wrapped their arms around her. Joelle’s body trembled at their touch. She could hardly believe it. This was what true love was supposed to feel like. This crazy, dizzy feeling of falling into perfection.
“Joelle, we have something to ask you.” Blade’s gaze was deep and penetrating. She swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. “We want you to come back and stay with us. Live with us. We want to be human, and even though we’ll have to share you, and I know what we’re asking means no marriage or babies for you, we hope you’ll say yes.”
“You’re sure? You both want this?” She looked from one to the other, hardly able to contain her excitement. She wanted to shout “yes” from the rooftop, but wanted to be absolutely certain this was their choice.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” said Cristian.
“Nor have I,” said Blade.
“Then my answer is yes.” She put her hand over her mouth and giggled. This was insane, and she didn’t even care.
Cristian picked her up and twirled her around the room, and Joelle squealed with glee.
“What will you tell Peggy and your parents?” asked Blade.
“I don’t know. I don’t care. And I don’t even care about my job anymore.” Cristian set her down. “I really like it, but I love you both, and you’re the men I’ve waited for. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Besides, you can use someone with my skills in advertising at your resort, no?”
She fell into Blade’s arms as Cristian’s circled her from behind. “You know,” she said, “since I have this apartment to myself today, why don’t I start making you two happy right now?”
“You’re a wanton woman, Joelle Albright.” Blade’s eyes gleamed with lust.
“Complaining?” she asked, taking his hand to lead him down the hall toward her bedroom.
“Not on your life,” said Cristian.
Joelle giggled with delight. Everything was right again. Her two incredible angels were all hers, to cherish and care for. And she had the rest of her life to do it.
THE END
CAROLYNROSEWOOD.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolyn Rosewood loves to make up stories about badass alpha heroes and the women who love them and keep them guessing. She’s been reading romances for over thirty years and is never without a paperback or her Kindle.
She’s drawn to reading interesting plots and bad-boy sexy heroes, so you’ll find those in the stories she writes as well. Her other interests include playing the cello and collecting antique pottery.
In real life she works at a large US insurance company, but at home she’s either writing, reading, or spending time with her husband—her real life hero. They have a daughter in college and a cat who loves to watch Carolyn type.
For all titles by Carolyn Rosewood, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/carolyn-rosewood
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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