“Please tell Angel I’m sorry, and I love her,” she said. “I hope everything works out for you.”
“It will, but I believe you should tell Angel that yourself. She needs support now more than ever. Thank you for talking to me.”
I went back to the car with Tove, and when we were on the road, I called Elliott to share my conversation with Loren.
“Cash is, of course, hard to trace. We investigated drug connections and came back with nothing, but suspected she met with whoever was involved before she left New York City.”
“So, you got nothing from our talk?” I said glumly.
“Not exactly,” he said. “She showed she’s a member. So now we put the pressure on her to give up more for the case.”
I didn’t want to disrupt her life, but a part of me believed she could do more to help her friend.
“I had hoped it would have given more. Maybe if it had, you might have considered me for a new career at your private investigation company,” I mused.
“Nope, but it’s good to hear you make jokes,” he said. “But jokes aside, you’re good at Perfetto. You’ll have your life back soon enough.”
I wanted that too. I planned to work harder and figure out how I could triumph. For now, I had no control, and that was what hurt me the most. Anyone at any time could bring up the naked video of me. So once again, I wanted to be unknown or, more importantly, unseen. I just didn’t know how.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I stayed an extra day at Elliott’s before leaving for New York. The time gave me a chance to prepare for the trip. Once off the plane, save for a chill to the air, which I felt down to my bones, there was no snow. Also, as Tove, who Elliott insisted on following me to New York, and I made our way through the airport, there was an even more profound difference: I, in a way, vanished. No one noticed me. New York was a stream. The busy locals and visitors moved with the current, and we fell in. No one paid me no peculiar attention nor stop to speak with me. Sure, people looked our way but moved on, and to my joy, we moved too. And in no time, we were at the hired car, then on our way to Dane’s home on the Upper East Side. His place was a stunning five-story neo-Georgian mansion near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of my favorite places on the Upper East Side. I remembered visiting with my father when I was younger on one of our rare trips to the East Coast. I mused thinking I may have passed by his place on one of our walks around the city. Inside was a step back in time, with a few modern necessities, which married well with the classic, refined furnishings pale gold and cream décor. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a housekeeper who informed us of Dane’s whereabouts: “Dane is on a scheduled visit with Melinda. I’ll let him know you’re here, but you can come along with me.” A sweet softness of voice came down the hall, immediately followed by a childish giggle.
“I shouldn’t disturb them,” I said, though I keenly followed his housekeeper down the corridor to what appeared to be a former library with built-in shelves full of leather-bound books that had been transformed into a playroom set. It was a little girl’s dream with dollhouses, picture books, stuffed animals; and plush, musical instruments. From the scatter of all the toys, I was certain Dane and Melinda must have tried them all.
The heaviness I’d been carrying disappeared as I watched the two of them together. There was Dane, in jeans down on the floor, letting Melinda smash a paper crown on his head, which immediately turned into shreds. She had on a crown of her own, tangled in her blonde curls with a little dress over a pink and blue butterfly shirt and pants. They were pinned in by puzzles, dolls, and princess toy castles.
To the side, on a lounge chair, was an older woman, who was quietly observing. She sat silently next to a side table with a tray of untouched snacks and drinks. Her presence didn’t seem to bother Dane and Melinda. They were well absorbed in their play. I, too, was taken by the natural ease and fondness between the two of them.
“Aren’t the two of them sweet?” A female voice said on approach. She had a lovely Southern melody to her tone.
“They are,” I agreed and laughed when Melinda squealed with laughter at Dane tickling her side.
“I’m Nella. Angelica’s aunt,” she said when we introduced ourselves. Even before she pointed out, I’d assumed she was Angel’s aunt because of how much she looked like Angel. Though older with white blonde hair that was pulled back in short, clipped ponytail. She looked comfortable but formal in a pale salmon jersey and grey wool pants. Her neck had a floral scarf, which she let loose, and a brooch.
“Dane mentioned that you were coming,” she said. “It’s great that Angel has friends that will be there for her.”
“I met Angel briefly at the hospital,” I replied quietly. “I wish I had a chance to get to know her…well before.”
“If you want to know Angel, just look at Melinda,” she beamed. “She was uninhibited, sweet, larger than life. She was always up to something, doing something extreme. That was why we didn’t bat an eye when she dropped out of sight. Dane didn’t believe it. He was her conscience in a way. He got her on the straight and narrow for a while and lost her, but now, well now we have her back, it still feels like she’s lost to us. That woman in the hospital wasn’t our Angel. She was raving like a mad woman. She didn’t deserve to live like that. Dane either, but well now he may have a chance to find happiness.” Her voice went up an octave.
“I want that for Angel and Dane too,” I replied and glimpsed Dane with Melinda again at play. “He’s dedicated and caring.”
“Dane deserves better,” she said and exhaled. “He was always good to all of us. Angel had never appreciated him. To think all that time, she was lost…he never gave up and is still fighting for her. I have no idea why she’s putting him through this DNA nonsense. I pray she gets better and comes to her senses before she loses him…I’m sorry, I hope you understand.”
I nodded. I understood what she meant. Dane loved Angel without a doubt. If she had been all right, there was a chance I wouldn’t be here. Even now I wondered, should I be here? Was I making Dane conflicted?
“I’m so glad he has Melinda,” she went on. “She will give him the love and happiness he never had growing up.”
Before I could ask questions, Melinda came rushing over to us. “Hello. Hello. Hello.” Her high-pitched voice sung out, rolling words on her little pink tongue she stuck out the side of her mouth. She took my hand and Nella’s and tried to pull us forward.
Nella eased her hand free. “You can take Gia over to play with you before we go.”
Melinda instantly pulled me forward, and I followed. I glanced over at the older women, who I deduced was the appointed social worker, for approval which she gave with a nod before letting myself be led the rest of the way to Dane. Joy permeated from him and, as I had found before, being around him lifts my dark mood. He wrapped his arm around my back when I sat down and kissed my cheek. That contact alone caused a flutter in my stomach. My pulse sped up as our eyes met and remained on each other.
Melinda climbed to her feet. She took my hand and attention away to take me over to a doll.
“She’s pretty,” I enthused.
She introduced me to each little toy she had in the room, then stopped and gestured for me to bend down next to her ear to tell me a secret: “Mommy’s beautiful like an Angel.”
I beamed at her. “Yes, she is, just like you.”
“You take this one,” Melinda said picking up a piece of puzzle off the floor. She was moving on, and I let her lead me.
“Oh, I take this piece, can I take this one too?” I replied, reaching my hand over to tickle under her chin and grinned when she giggled.
I joined them on the floor, and we all started playing together. I got lost in their world as Melinda led me from toy to toy and with each exchange, her energy and enthusiasm grew. Truly, she was a delight. Dane looked younger and more animated than I had ever seen him. Freer. Happy. I, too, was overjoyed. Though I mourned for Angel not being with them
now. But then if she does return to New York, would she be? Where would that leave my relationship with Dane?
We went along with her until the older woman called over in a gentle tone. “It’s time, Mr. Westbrook.”
“Thank you, Jaclyn,” Dane answered politely and inhaled.
“I’m so sorry Melinda had to leave,” I said to him softly.
He visibly swallowed. “I’m happy you’re here.”
Nella came into the room. “Time to go, Melinda.”
She started to cry. “No. I want to stay.”
Dane picked her up and spun her around a couple of times, and she laughed and giggled. He then kissed her cheeks cuddled her, and she snuggled in. “I’ll see you tomorrow, little one. Now be good with Nella and take your nap too.”
She nodded, then went over to me and gave me a hug before she ran over to Nella. Her expression was tight, and after having spoken with her, I knew what she was thinking.
Angel should be here.
They went out the door with Jaclyn.
I glanced over at Dane who was putting on a brave face. I didn’t want her to go away either. He walked them out, and I started tidying the toys away when a housekeeper came in and took over.
I turned to find Dane staring at me by the archway. The handsome, strong features of his angular face held sensuality. He had an innately captivating powerful presence that was an attractive combination of relaxation and self-command. It was alluring. I was fixated. His stare was just as intense. It took a distraction somewhere else in the house to break the spell. I moved, walking the length of the room, my arms gesturing wide. “This place is a masterpiece. I feel like I should be dressed in a formal gown in here.”
“This house was my mother’s,” he said proudly. “It has been in the Westbrook family for decades. I kept most of the original pieces. I do love the Georgian architecture.” He took me from room to room, pointing out his favorite touches, including the decorative pediments over the double sash windows and explained the restoring of some original and custom-made ornamental furnishings of velvet and satin. It was awe-inspiring.
He walked me into the formal dining room, which had two place settings. “My next assignment will be in Prague next month. I love it there. Have you ever been?”
“Briefly,” I answered, admiring the beautifully woven damask silk curtains. “But wish I could’ve stayed longer. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”
He glanced at me and beamed. “It is. I took some inspiration from there when I was restoring the place. Angel loved this place too. When she comes to New York, maybe she’ll agree to come and stay here in time. I’m sure it will make her feel better.” He shook his head and sighed. “Here I go again. I had told myself I would spend time rediscovering my life.”
“I’ll need to do that too,” I murmured and cleared my throat. “Now that I won’t be at Perfetto every day. I don’t know what to do with myself.”
His hand trailed down the side of my face. “Good time to find out.”
I shrugged. “Maybe after the case.”
“Speaking of the case,” Dane said with a lift to his voice. “Elliott sent word that they have some leads on the leaks. They will be searching the homes and businesses of Vincent and Marco, and The Agency’s offices, some they just discovered. The maid that worked for them had also provided more information. They’re making progress.”
I exhaled long. “That’s great news.”
“They will be including your friend, Liz, in the search,” he added cautiously.
I lifted my chin. “You know, I would’ve helped her, and will still if she needs me, but right now I’m too angry to even speak with her, especially after she sent that video. If she’s continuing to allow herself to be used as a pawn, she might end up in trouble along with The Agency.”
Dane didn’t respond or maybe he didn’t want to get in the middle of our friendship. I appreciated it and talked about something else.
Running my hand over the intricate woodwork of one of the armchairs, I asked, “Is your mother in New York?”
“No,” he answered. “She left New York and everything behind after my father stole from all their friends. She’s in Cayman Islands and rarely leaves now, but the house is here for her if she ever decides to come back.”
I squeezed his hand. “Well, she has a beautiful place to come back to when she’s ready.”
“At one time I had wanted her to,” he said. “I understand her now. It would have been the end of her to be shunned from society.”
I hunched my shoulders and rubbed over my arms. “I know the feeling.” His housekeeper announced lunch was ready and we walked into the dining room and sat down at the table. I wasn’t hungry but agreed to a tomato bisque and light salad.
“It’s hard right now, but it won’t always be,” Dane assured. “Nothing stops you. You found a way to make things work for Perfetto already. I admire that about you and so much more.”
I smiled. My heart skipped a beat at his praise. “I don’t see it. I gave in.”
“You stepped back,” he corrected. “For things to settle down and for the company and employees. That’s bigger than running and hiding.” His jaw tightened. “I don’t blame my mother; I blame my father. He cheated on her. He never gave her a reason to stay. He was so arrogant about what he had done. He refused to back down and help her.”
“I’m sorry. Is your father still here? I don’t hear much about him now,” I asked gently.
“Never left,” he grumbled, then poured me a half glass of wine. “When he didn’t have to go to jail for stealing from those that invested in his business and not paying contractors, he took revenge on anyone that went against him. Anyone that’s around him now is there more out of fear than genuine friendship. I won’t have anything to do with him.” His pain was still raw. In fact, there was so much pain for Dane in his life that I wanted to make it better.
“You fought and built a life despite him,” I said. “You’re a big success in your own right, and now you have Melinda who is crazy about you.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I never thought I’d wanted a child until Melinda. She pulled me right in. And you—she seems quite taken with you too.”
“I don’t know,” I said shyly. “I’m not usually all that great with kids. My friend Astrid’s son, Jacob used to cry every time I picked him up, but he’s grown on me.”
“Have you ever thought about having children?” he asked.
“I did. Patrick and I had talked about it, but we fought too much,” I said candidly. “I didn’t want to bring a child into our unhappiness.”
“I agree. Angel and I weren’t getting along, but I do care for her and would have supported Melinda had I known. I love her already. She, like you, is easy to love.”
I grinned. He was besotted with her and charming me again. “I agree loving Melinda is easy, as for me, I don’t know. Anyway, she’s lucky to have you. I know you will do anything to fill her life with love and care.”
His eyes bore into mine. “I hope I can.”
We continued to eat lunch and talk, but in the back of my mind I felt let down, more so with myself. I was still too afraid of any feelings. With all that was going on, I had no room to fully explore how I felt about Dane or Elliott. I was sure I liked them both. A lot. Our friendships were cemented. My life had been ripped open, and they never wavered. I cared deeply for them. But Nella was right. Dane and Melinda needed more, and if I wasn’t willing to open myself to be a part of their lives, it would be better if I stood aside and let someone else step in.
“You’re looking ill now,” Dane said frowning. “Was it something you ate?”
I lowered my head to hide my face. “No, probably stress… Do you know when Angel will be returning?”
“Elliott told me sometime in the next two weeks,” he answered. “Once all her old friends heard she was coming back, they have been calling. They want to give her a welcome.”
&n
bsp; I bit my lip. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, Loren said Angel’s friends were mostly the problem.”
“Some of them were,” Dane affirmed. “And I know that and won’t include them, but she did have genuine friends and people that cared about her too. She needs to be reminded of that, and maybe it would help bring her back to herself. We all want her to remember who she was and that we love and care for her.”
I nodded. “I understand. What did you have in mind?”
“A private party,” Dane answered with a lift in his voice. “It will be a private fashion gathering next week at one of the designers that mentored her, Justus, and his show in Bryant Park. He agreed to include some clothing from her rare collections. The dinner already planned there will have a sponsorship added to fight human trafficking.”
My mind started to fill up with ideas. I wanted to help too. “You know Perfetto could be involved. Our makeup can be used, and we can sponsor if you need someone to. Astrid and I can make calls,” I stopped myself. “Sorry. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
“No, keep going,” Dane encouraged. “This is what I hoped you’d say. It would be great to have you involved.”
“No,” I turned my head. “I could before, not now.”
He clasped my hand. “Yes, you can. I insist.”
I blinked at him. “At one time, I would but with the video, I’d be a distraction.”
“Nonsense,” he argued. “The designers here will love it. There’s a different community here. Some of my friends have already called. They want to meet you and help you.”
“I’m not ready for that,” I said and moved out of his grasp. “I need time.”
“I understand that,” Dane empathized. “But you hide now, it’ll make it harder to go out. You’re stronger than that. Angel and all those out there like you need to know they can stand up for themselves against the men.”
“I’m not some symbol or martyr,” I dissented. “The things people are saying about me. No… I just want to be anonymous.”
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