“So, now that we’re full, tell me about your two men,” Astrid mused. “If they look anything like the shovel-wielding god, then I’d say forget everyone else and live it up.”
I took a deep breath. “If only things were that easy. Dane loves Angel: even though they have been apart for years, he searched for her. She’s not well now and needs help. He also just found out he has a daughter with her. Name’s Melinda and must deal with custody issues. He is from New York, only moved to Seattle to try to find Angel…”
“Maybe a fresh start at another one of our offices might be good for you,” she said and drank the rest of her wine.
My jaw dropped open, and I playfully clutched my heart. “You want me gone?”
“Of course, I do,” she joked. “I’m thinking about all the good shopping I can do when I visit you in the Big Apple…. I don’t want you gone, but I’d let you go to the East Coast temporarily if it meant bringing happiness to your life. You deserve it.”
Just the thought of not seeing Astrid almost every day hit me hard in the chest. I was almost in tears. “Stop making me emotional,” I said, and that had us both giggling. When we calmed down again, I said, “It’s not just Dane, but Elliott. He’s an FBI agent, but that was the last I expected when I met him at the orgy.”
“Orgy?” Astrid repeated and laughed. Shit. I had forgotten I left that part out, so I told her about The Agency mixer, where I met him, and what happened with Dane.
Astrid fanned herself. “Woah, that’s wild, Gia.”
I covered my face with my hands. “I didn’t join in the sex, and what I’d done there with Dane and Elliott was innocent, really. Well compared to what was going on… I don’t know how to explain it.”
Astrid laughed again. “Relax. I’m just envious as hell. I’m sad The Agency turned out to be corrupt.”
“I’m not so sure the whole Agency is bad,” I said. “The problems may come from some members. Anyway, Elliott’s leaving the FBI. He just started his own private investigation and security outfit. He’s also from New York and will probably want to return, but he likes it here.”
Her lips spread into a cat-that-ate-the-cream grin. “Oh. Your face lights up when you talk about Elliott. So, is he the one you really want?”
I touched my hot cheeks. “I don’t know. He’s just as complicated as Dane…. He doesn’t want to attach himself because of his sexual interests. I agree in a way. They’re unlike what I’m used to, but they are similar when it comes to sex. I’ll admit the sex the three of us had together was amazing.”
“That all?” Astrid teased.
I smiled and lifted my shoulders. “But seriously, I like them both. When I think of not seeing Dane again, I get depressed. When I think of not being with Elliott, I feel like my heart would break. I won’t be able to choose, but really is there any real future for two men and one woman outside of erotic romance books?”
“You have to figure that out,” she replied. “It doesn’t sound like you’re done with either one of them. Why not just date them or will that mean an open relationship and you’ll all date other people too??”
“Maybe,” I said and frowned. “And I’m not sure I wouldn’t want to claw the eyes out of the woman they date besides me,” I half-joked, and that set us off laughing again. It was great to have Astrid around to talk with. She took the possibility of me with Dane and Elliott seriously and gave me more to think about. All and all she was a true friend.
I took a bite of my spring rolls that were now cold. “Yuck. We’ll need to reheat the spring rolls, but really let’s just hang out and have some fun.”
“Sounds good to me,” Astrid concurred.
We finished our food and watched a light-hearted comedy movie before Tim pulled up to pick up Astrid since she had been drinking. As she hugged me goodbye, he waved at me from the car. I was certain he wouldn’t be able to get Astrid to quit her job at Perfetto, but I could see some of the negative press had caused a strain on their relationship. I’d have to find a way to make it right. In the meantime, I brought a cup of coffee to Tove and convinced him to at least come onto the covered porch since the temperature had dropped below freezing outside. Once he was set, I cleaned up and checked my voicemail. The first message was from Patrick:
“You can’t keep dodging me. If you want to avoid a very public lawsuit against you for your sex scandal ruining my chances for re-election, you better call me back with how you plan to make this go away.”
I seethed. Dodging him? I was in the hospital. That call should have been more along the lines of “Hello, Gia. I’m glad you weren’t killed by The Agency members I sent your way when I was trying to sale off your company behind your back.” If one thing positive came out of this, Patrick wouldn’t be able to use me or the connections I had for campaign leverage. Of course, that made him more vulnerable and dangerous. Either way, it was more than I wanted to deal with on my first night back home.
Message deleted. Next message. Liz.
Hi Gia. It’s Liz. I was wondering if we could talk? Please give me a call.
I glared at the phone. You want to talk after you lied about what happened? Deleted. Final voice mail message.
Hello, Gia. It’s Stuart. I received a new offer from The Agency for twenty-two million to settle quietly. Call me.
My doorbell rung, and when I answered, I found Tove standing there holding a floral delivery.
“One of your neighbors told me the delivery was accidentally delivered to their house and only just returned,” Tove said. “He was going to leave it on your porch so as not to disturb you.”
I smiled amicably at the beautiful bouquet. “Dane.” I thanked Tove and went to place them down on the table in the dining room.
Dane had flowers delivered to me every day at the hospital. I smiled and carried them inside, depositing them on my dining room table. I noticed a card in the mix of the blossoms and went to take it when my phone rung; I was quick to answer: “Thank you for the beautiful flowers, but you didn’t have to.”
“You’ve received them finally? Good. I’m glad you like them.” My blood went cold. The voice on the line wasn’t Dane’s. It was garbled, I couldn’t place it.
“Who is this?” I demanded. My voice shrilled.
“The flowers came with a card. Go read it. I’ll wait.”
I pressed my lips together. I wasn’t playing whatever game this was. “No. How about you tell me who you are now, or I hang up the phone?”
“It’s Simon, and I say take the settlement. You’ll need it.”
Before I could hang up, the call ended. I tossed my phone down and called Tove who came running in with Elliott behind him. He took one look at me and rushed to my side.
“What happened?” Elliott asked.
I pointed to the vase of flowers and card sticking out the top. “I had thought the flowers were from Dane, but they are not.”
“The small card at the top says, ‘To Gia From Dane.’ It must have slipped through the vines,” Tove said as our gazes turned to him.
“The first card was so you would accept the flowers,” Elliott replied as he took out gloves and carefully dug through the vines and produced the small card from the floral company that had Dane’s name printed on it. “I assumed the second card was personal, but I’ll go have another talk with the neighbor that brought over the flowers,” said Tove.
“Yeah, you do that, but let’s find out what’s in the card first.” Elliott opened the second card and pulled out the paper that was folded inside the envelope and unfolded it.
He dropped his head forward. “Shit.”
I couldn’t see what it was from where I stood and moved to go around him. He immediately tried to block my view. “No. Tove, please phone the police. I’ll call my team.”
“I need to know what it is,” I insisted and stalked over to see. Even though Elliott continued to try to hide it away, once I saw a part of the image, I recognized what it was instantly: a naked photo of me on th
e boat at their party, sitting on Dane’s lap with his hand between my legs.
My knees buckled in despair, and I went down to the floor. “I can give a statement, but I can’t let you turn in the photo and risk people finding out about it. I’ll be ruined.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Tove looked at the two of us.
“The police are already on their way. What do you want to do?” he asked
“We’ll deal with them when they arrive,” Elliott answered at the same time I told him, “send them away.”
Elliott helped me to my feet, and I turned away from him crossing my arms. It wasn’t his fault, but I was angry all the same: Angry that The Agency had recorded me without my knowledge. Angry that they were trying to blackmail me to drop the charges and take a settlement offer instead. I didn’t know how to deal with it, but what I did know was that I’d have less control if I handed the picture in to the police. “Give it to me. I’ll destroy it now. The image was sent as a threat. It wouldn’t go further than that right now if I get rid of it.”
“Give us a minute,” Elliott said to Tove. He came around to stand in front of me. His lips pressed tightly together. “I know you’re upset, but I can’t let you rip it up. It’s evidence.”
My mouth twisted in disgust. “You call that evidence? It’s revenge porn. Now, I can give a statement. I don’t need to turn in that picture.”
“You do,” he argued. “This could make a stronger case against these assholes. You turn it in now, and if it comes out, we have back up they came for you first… I won’t let you destroy it.”
I snorted. “Let me? This is my house. It’s my property. It was sent to me…” I gulped air and pushed on his chest when he tried to put his arms around me. “No. There is nothing you can say to me that will make what you want to do okay. My life imploding is just a means to an end, right? As long as you get your case?”
“Come on, Gia. You know that’s not true,” Elliott pleaded. “Do you honestly think tearing up this photo will be the end of it? I’ll tell you right now it won’t be. Whoever sent this has the original. You give in, and they have you, and trust me, there will always be a next time. You come out ahead if you stand up to them.”
“Standing up how?” I ran my hands over my arms protectively. “I’ll have no way to defend myself.”
“You have me,” he replied. His voice was a soft caress and burrowed its way right in the center of my chest. I threw my hands up in frustration. “But you’re here. They are still getting to me.”
My heart thudded so hard I could feel it pounding in my ears.
“I’m sorry if it looks like we dropped the ball,” Elliott said rubbing his jaw. “We will find out who sent the photo and charge them with blackmail, sexual harassment, anything we can get that will stick. I’ll make sure the people handling are respectful. You need to understand that this is part of my job as an officer, and I wouldn’t be any good if I let evidence that can put them away get destroyed on my watch.”
I looked down. “How can you? He called himself Simon, it’s probably not even his real name. There is no way anyone will believe my case against The Agency after seeing me like that. I’m of no use to you now. Once they destroy my life, I will need the settlement, which that Simon asshole on the phone told me I had to take.”
“What exactly did he say?” he asked intently. “Tell me everything.”
I told him but wouldn’t look at him anymore.
Deep down I trusted him to handle the image and try to protect my privacy, but things happen. People leak things all the time in ongoing investigations. He couldn’t give me one hundred percent assurance that the image wouldn’t be leaked out. Then again, even if I did what the blackmailer asked, how would I know he’d give me the original in the end? There was no guarantee and giving in could make it harder the next time, should he decide to use the information against me more than once.
I understood, but there was something really bothering me about Elliott. I had thought he’d feel differently when it came to me. That he’d put me and my feelings first. Now I understood why he said things weren’t simple for him. He’d have to make choices, and he didn’t choose the way I had expected he would if he cared about me.
The local police arrived first, and I numbly gave them a statement. I hadn’t seen the photo again and assumed it had been placed into record. After they left, the federal officers asked their own questions. Their approach was less abrasive than Trish’s. They were kind and made me feel like they were taking my situation much more seriously. It was a solemn change. A new line drawn, Certainly, reporting the photo to the police instead of giving in to their demand was my answer to The Agency. I wasn’t playing the game and I, as sure as my next breath, was certain there were going to be consequences. Knowing that much, I wanted them all gone so I could think; so I could lick my wounds in peace.
My solitude was cut short when Elliott walked back in after they left. He sat down on the couch next to me and broke the silence. “The team handling the image are professional—”
“Don’t bother,” I cut him off. “I don’t want to hear any more promises. I just want you to leave me alone.”
His nostril’s flared. “No. I won’t.”
My eyes widened in shock but then narrowed. “You won’t?”
“No, I won’t,” he repeated clenching his jaw. “You will leave this house with me right now. I’m taking you where I’m sure you’ll be safe.”
My anger faltered a little once I gazed fully at him and saw the slack expression on his face. Still, I told him, “I’ll be fine. Thanks.”
“I’m on your side,” his voice softened. “I know it doesn’t feel like that right now, but I am. I want to rip Vincent apart for recording you.”
A recording? My heart sunk down to my feet. “You think the picture was cut from a recording and not just a photo?”
He blew out. “From experience, I’d bet the image isn’t a photograph. This was an act of desperation on their part. The Agency members know we are all over them and are trying to silence you and the other women, but I swear if you give us time, we’ll stop them.”
“You think so?” I covered my mouth with my hands.
“Yes,” he answered confidently. “I’ve had success in past human trafficking cases, but more come around every day. It’s the dark part of life.”
“I won’t have much of a life now,” I murmured.
I was falling into self-pity, and I hated it. There wasn’t time for that. Once they found out I reported the blackmail attempt, they would act. What I needed was a plan. In the least, one that would save those I cared about.
“Go upstairs and pack a bag for tonight,” he commanded. “You can hate me the whole time and decide what you want to do tomorrow.”
“I’ve got work tomorrow…today,” I peered at my watch. Then pain hit the center of my chest. Would I be able to continue to lead Perfetto if this photo or, God forbid, video, comes out?
“I’ll make sure you get there,” he said breaking the silence we’d fallen into.
I pressed my lips together and crossed my arms. “I’d rather go to a hotel. Alone.”
“You done with me now that I had to do my job?” His voice was barely above a whisper. That, and what he’d asked had me looking at him.
The pain in my chest intensified at seeing his slack facial expression and the dullness in his eyes. Still, I didn’t respond.
He nodded a few times and turned away from me, his head dipped. “I get that. It’s all right you feel that way now, but you’re still coming with me.”
My heart turned over. I didn’t want to continue to argue with Elliott. Even though I was still upset with him, I had to admit to myself that he was right about not staying here or even alone, especially when this person that threatened me knew where I lived. For all I knew, he could be watching me.
“Fine, I’ll come,” I said and walked straight to the stairs.
I had a couple of suit choices
in a garment bag with heels and a few other essentials including my laptop in a carriage bag before I met Elliott downstairs. He took them away from me without a word, and we headed outside.
Tove left when we did to follow us back to Elliott’s to guard me there. The driveway was cleared off from the snow, although the snow was still falling lightly. Elliott’s sports car was the only thing there now, and after he placed my things in the car trunk, we got in and headed away from my home in Bellevue.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked when my head cleared and looked out at the highway heading south.
“My place,” he answered. “If you go to a hotel, I would still be right there to watch over you whether you liked it or not.”
I furrowed my brows. “You can’t be with me all the time.”
“Try me,” he replied, and we went quiet again. I looked out into the night and drifted in its peacefulness. Though it didn’t take long for us to arrive at his place, which was right next to Lake Washington in Kirkland. It was one of the newer builds—an expansive one-story contemporary with large windows along the front and a sloped roof.
“It’s a place I rented when I went to work here,” he told me after pressing the garage opener and driving in.
I shrugged. “It has to be better than mine.”
“Damn straight it is, but that’s not saying much,” he teased, and I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress my giggle.
“Dane and I have impeccable taste in design,” he said confidently. “Speaking of Dane, give him a call. He’d like to know what happened to you.”
I tensed. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“Do it anyway,” he insisted. “He would have some insight as a business owner. I know you’re also worried about your company. He might have some ideas on how to handle it. He had his own controversy when his father had that public trial.”
Elliott was right about Dane’s familiarity with public scandal, though not one directed at him. His father’s embezzlement, fraud, and false filings had made national headlines, as well as the shocking not-guilty ruling and no jail time that followed. It had led Dane to change his last name from Prescott to his mother’s Westbrook. Though I wasn’t sure about what Dane could offer to my scandal, I did agree he could provide business advice.
Dauntless (The Agency Dark Affairs Duet Book 2) Page 5