Untamed Devotion

by Danielle Stewart

  “Almost done?” Buckley asked, an arrogant laugh echoing in the bathroom. He’d never smiled as big as the moment he realized Aria was returning to work. Broken. Used. “You missed a spot there.”

  “Thanks,” she hissed as she scrubbed a little harder, pretending it was his face. Buckley had been promoted to his role a few years ago, and ever since he’d been wielding his fake title like a weapon. “Don’t you have someone to write up and dock their already pathetic pay? It’s pitiful you think because they’ve given you a miniscule amount of power, you are somehow better than the rest of us. You’re a dog on a leash; your leash is just the slightest bit longer.”

  “I’d expected you to be bitter,” Buckley said as though her words didn’t wound him. She knew better though. Her words wrapped around him like a thick wool sweater worn under the desert sun. It choked him, and she’d always been too kind to bring it up. But today was not a day for kindness. “I can’t believe you were foolish enough to think a man like that would have any use for you past a couple days.”

  “A man like that is just a man,” Aria said, ignoring the stabbing pain in her chest. “Just like you. Superior doesn’t save you in the end. You feel better knowing you’re one notch above the bottom. But what do you really have? I have the friendship and affection of people I work with. You are feared, not respected. I wouldn’t trade spots with you for all the money in the world.”

  “He left this morning,” Buckley announced, and without turning to see him, she knew his grin was wide and self-important. “I loaded his bags myself. He never uttered a word about you. That car pulled away, and he didn’t look back.”

  She threw her scrubbing brush into the tub and shot to her feet. The look of fear on Buckley’s face was almost enough satisfaction, but she had more to say. “I’m done feeling bad for myself and my situation. You will never change. You’ll let them pin us against each other and believe you are somehow better than the people who work for you. This place won’t change. But I will.”

  Aria hadn’t thought far enough ahead to consider the consequence for this. She walked away from a half cleaned room. Insulted the man who controlled her already miniscule pay. There would be hell to pay tomorrow. But today she only wanted to run.

  Hustling through the lobby, she kept her head low and hoped the cloud of bleach following her wouldn’t make any guests pass out.

  “Aria,” a breathless Libby called to her from the concierge desk. “I’ve been asking for you all morning, and they wouldn’t tell me anything. We need to talk.”

  “I don’t want to be rude,” Aria said, staying rigid as Libby approached, “but you and I don’t have anything to talk about. I’m just leaving.”

  “Going where?” Libby asked, looking ready to follow.

  “To the water,” Aria explained, starting to walk away and hearing Libby’s high heels clicking behind her.

  “Me too,” she replied casually as though there were no tension at all. “We’re leaving soon, and I wanted to see the water one more time. Can I join you?”

  Eyes were on them now. Staff was scrutinizing why a guest like Libby would have anything to say to Aria. “Sure.”

  “I should’ve put my sneakers on.” Libby laughed as they charged out of the lobby and toward the water. “I forgot how fast anger can make someone walk.”

  “I’m not angry with you,” Aria clarified, working hard to soften her voice. Libby had been abundantly kind to her, and Aria wasn’t going to disrespect that connection.

  “Good,” Libby huffed as she doubled her pace to reach Aria’s side. “I’d understand if you were, but I’m glad you aren’t.” They wove their way down a few side roads to the small pier that led to the sea.

  “It’s a very complicated situation,” Aria began as she kicked off her shoes and pulled at her socks. Toes in the sand was sometimes the best way to ground yourself.

  “Remember when you asked me how James and I had met? We kind of laughed it off because it’s also a complicated situation.” They stood shoulder to shoulder staring out at the rolling waves as the wind blew their hair around.

  “There’s a storm coming,” Aria said, not sure if she were talking about the dark clouds rolling in or her own emotions brewing.

  “You can come back from this,” Libby pressed on. “James and I did. My father was killed working for his father. It was handled all wrong, and many years later James and I were thrust together and faced with the painful past. I judged him by the sins of his father. There was no way I thought we could ever find a way forward with all the hurt and mistrust. But we did. And now I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and so is he.”

  “Monroe left,” Aria said angrily. Tears were streaming down her cheeks but the wind dried them quickly. “There is no way to move forward if I’m here alone.”

  “It sounded like you could have gone with him,” Libby pressed.

  “And it sounded like you understood why I didn’t,” Aria snapped. “You called him an idiot.”

  “Yes,” Libby conceded. “I knew what he was asking wouldn’t work for you. I’ve come to understand the situation better now. James showed me the business documents and everything Monroe had written up. I had no idea what you were dealing with, but I can tell with a heart like yours there’s no way you’d just hop on that lifeboat and leave everyone else behind.”

  “If you knew that after meeting me a couple of times, why was it lost on him?” Aria gulped her emotions down.

  “Because men are simple and lost creatures who don’t stand a chance without some help,” Libby said, putting an arm over Aria’s shoulder. She smelled like fresh linens, and Aria felt comfort in her embrace. “I don’t have any specific advice for you because I don’t know Monroe’s true heart. All I can say is do not close the door on him. Even if he’s standing in the doorway looking like a fool who isn’t sure which way to go. Give him some time to figure out if he should walk through.”

  Aria instantly thought of the psychic reading Gwen had given them. Monroe really was a man of two worlds. Only one could truly sustain him. “I’m happy you found someone who treats you well,” Aria offered. “James seems like one of the good ones.”

  “I take one hundred percent of the credit for that,” Libby explained seriously. “The man didn’t know how to stop being angry long enough to dabble in any other emotion. I think men assume they’ll become successful and everything else will fall into place. Once they make their millions, they can stop being an ass and start being happy. That isn’t how happiness works. It’s not some trail you hike and someday find the end, kick up your feet, and relax. The trail is what it’s all about.”

  “I don’t know if I’m more upset with him or myself for thinking he could be the answer to my problems,” Aria admitted as the sea climbed closer to their feet with every wave.

  “What do you know for sure? When you close your eyes and you hear the gulls and the waves and feel the wind on your cheeks, what do you know to be true?”

  “I’m all right,” she whispered, closing her eyes tightly. “I know I can get back up. I can keep going.”

  “Then everything else will work itself out in the end.”

  Chapter 26

  “Are you still with me?” Mathew Kalling asked as he leaned in to get Monroe’s attention. He was the COO of West Oil and apparently best friends with James. Someone had droned on, telling Monroe the story of their history, but he couldn’t remember it. No more than he could remember what he and Mathew had been talking about.

  “Yeah,” he stuttered out. “I’m listening.” Monroe tapped his fingers on the rich wood of the long conference table and took a long sip of coffee.

  “Listen,” Mathew said, turning toward James, who sat at the head of the table, “we all get it wrong sometimes. I won’t hold it against you. You thought this guy had the golden touch and yet I can’t get him to stay awake in a strategy meeting. Why don’t we call it? Time of death on this partnership, nine thirty a.m.”

  “I’
m listening,” Monroe repeated, this time with a bite in his voice. “This isn’t hard. We found a stellar plot of land at a reasonable price. It has everything we need if we want to build on it, and if we don’t we’ll resell it after the tax changes apply on the island.”

  Mathew huffed and yanked off his glasses. “If you think it’s that simple, you are not what we were promised by Asher Barrington. James, maybe this is a test. Maybe Asher wants to see how we handle this. You know he’s not above a tactic like this.”

  “He has a broken heart.” James leaned back in his large leather chair. “The kid screwed up something good, and now he’s sitting here wondering how it all went wrong.”

  “That’s not it,” Monroe barked. “I’m fine. You’re beating a dead horse here.”

  “You’re a consultant,” Mathew challenged. “We’re paying you to consult on top of the money we’ll pay for our half of the deal. Start consulting. Stop crying in your coffee.”

  “The testosterone levels in this room are off the charts,” Libby said from the doorway. “I’m going to have to turn the hose on you soon.”

  “I’m behaving,” James defended. “It’s these two who can’t seem to get their act together. Save that icy stare for them.”

  “It’s your circus,” Libby said, tossing her hands up. “You’re in charge of the clowns. I came to tell Monroe that company I was talking about came through. They’re interested, and they will follow up.”

  “Good,” Monroe replied, lighting a little with a glimmer of hope. “Have them keep me posted.”

  “So business with Libby you can do.” Mathew chuckled. “But I can’t get you to look at these land survey contracts.”

  “Here,” Monroe said, pointing to the map. “This area is off limits. It butts up to the main road. You’d think that’s a selling point, but not for a resort. If we buy this land and build, we’ll regret being so close to this main strip. All the land on that road will be bought up by smaller companies, and they’ll put T-shirt shops and trinket stores up, and we’ll be lumped in with them. Being a few more miles down the road will give guests a sense of exclusivity.”

  “See, was that so hard?” Mathew asked, sliding the map back to him and making notes.

  “I need some air,” Monroe said, shooting to his feet.

  “Just call her,” James suggested as Monroe headed out of the conference room. “Every day you don’t is a wasted day.”

  “I’m not calling her,” Monroe bit back. “Not until I have something worthy of listening to. And I may never have that. She deserves better.”

  Chapter 27

  “Do you have a moment to speak with me?” A man with fire-red hair and a smattering of freckles stood expectantly in front of Aria. “I’ll only need a few minutes.”

  “Do you need some towels?” Aria asked, a chilling feeling filling her stomach. Today she was covering for the shorthanded pool staff. The resort was completely booked, and the sun was blazing hot. That meant the pool would be overrun with guests who were short on patience. They wanted their frozen drinks a minute after they ordered them. Chairs were in high demand and folks were looking to the staff to help them find prime locations.

  “No, I don’t need any towels. I need to speak with you about your work schedule. My name is Randolph. I’m with the National Fairness Action Group. Some information has been brought to my attention, and you’ve been identified as someone I should talk to.”

  “I . . . ah,” Aria stuttered, “I can’t talk right now. I’m on my shift.”

  “When will you be done?” Randolph asked, his kind eyes made larger by the magnification of his thick glasses.

  “About ten hours from now,” Aria huffed. “I’ll be free to talk then. I’m not looking for any trouble though.”

  “I can assure you we aren’t looking to cause you any problems. We only want to confirm some information we’ve been provided.”

  “And then what?” Aria asked, dumping the wet towels she’d gathered into the large laundry bin.

  “What do you mean?” Randolph asked, taken aback by her frustrated tone.

  “I mean you get all the information you want. I show you the truth and then what does the National Fairness Action Group do? What happens then?” Aria began pushing the laundry bin toward the employee elevator. The sun beat down on Randolph’s bright red hair and his freckled face was beading with sweat.

  “We’re an NGO,” Randolph said as though that answered the question. “We gather information. We surface it to those who may be able to make an impact. We facilitate legislation. Our network of lawyers investigates any laws that have been broken.”

  “But you don’t have any real authority,” Aria said, turning her back to him as she pressed the button for the elevator.

  “I was told you’d be one of our strongest allies in this endeavor,” Randolph said in a hushed voice as other people passed. “I was led to believe you were the champion of this cause.”

  “I’m sorry,” Aria whispered. “I’m short on faith right now. I’m not giving merit to the idea that anyone can help, no matter what I do or say. You’re another empty hope right now.”

  “We have changed things,” Randolph argued, now his passion showing through. “Our reports shed light on a similar disparity in Dubai’s service industry. Changes are being made. Consumers, now that they are aware, are making choices that impact a business’s bottom line. Nothing drives them to change quicker than hitting their wallets.”

  “I’m just tired,” she muttered as the elevator doors open. “I’m not sure I have the energy to be the champion of any cause.”

  “I understand,” Randolph said, his face softening again. “In ten hours when your shift is over, I’ll find you. I hope you find the energy. You’re the linchpin. We need you.”

  “Who told you I was so important?” Aria asked, sliding a hand in front of the elevator door so it wouldn’t close before she could get the answer.

  “Libby James,” Randolph explained quickly. “She wouldn’t stop until we got involved. She’s persistent. Isn’t she who you thought tipped us off?”

  Aria pulled her arm back and let the elevator doors shut. The idea that Monroe would have been the one fluttered away. “I figured.”

  Chapter 28

  “You’ve done good,” Randolph cheered as he clinked his glass of beer onto her glass of water. “The investigation is strong. I know there’s been great risk to you, and yet you keep going. Thank you for that.”

  “It’s been a long month,” Aria agreed. “But I’m glad you have what you need. What do you think will happen next?”

  “We have more than expected. Everything has been distributed to all our channels. Immigration lawyers, civil liberty teams, media outlets.”

  The idea of the media put a lump in her throat. “But I won’t be mentioned right? I don’t want to have anything to do with the media coverage or any kind of attention.”

  “You may change your mind.” Randolph smirked. “I’ve seen movies made about this stuff, and you’d be a good contender for the heroine in this story. Your people love you, they trust you, and that’s why they spoke out. At a minimum this story will get mass media coverage and the Carle De Blu will be face a trial in the court of public opinion. Pressure on them will be severe. If we are lucky other groups will get involved and offer solutions to employees on an individual basis. True solutions with longevity.”

  “You think they’ll be forced to shut their doors?” Aria asked, moving her food on her plate absentmindedly.

  “In my experience someone will buy it. It’s not easy money, but people like to attach their names to broken things so they can fix them. Then they take all the credit.”

  “I’ve known that in my life,” Aria replied flatly. “Thank you for all your help. I know Libby had to really hound you to get here, but I’m glad you came.”

  “Speaking of which,” Randolph said, bobbing his pointy shoulders up and down as he laughed, “I have a surprise for you.”r />
  Libby was crossing the restaurant’s dining room with a wide grin on her face. “I heard the good news. Things are rolling now.”

  Aria popped to her feet and accepted the affection of bubbly Libby. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well,” she said, her eyes darting away, “the boys had some business down this way, and I insisted they take me.

  “Join us,” Randolph said, pulling out a chair at the table for her. “I’ll get the wine list.”

  “No wine for me,” Libby said, patting her belly. “This island is apparently good for fertility. The last time we were here we made a little present.”

  “You’re pregnant?” Aria asked, lighting joyfully as she took Libby’s hand. “That’s great news.”

  “It’s very early,” Libby cautioned, “but we’re so excited.”

  Randolph’s phone rang, and he groaned. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me. I have to take this call.”

  When he was out of earshot Libby leaned in and whispered, “Good, I was hoping I could get you alone. I’m so excited about the news I’ve been getting from Randolph. It sounds very promising.”

  “It is,” Aria agreed. “I can’t thank you enough for the persistence you showed in getting them to come here. It means a lot to me.”

  “You’re thanking the wrong person,” she said, with glittery mischief in her eyes. “I only did what Monroe asked me to. He was relentless in his pursuit of action here. He’s insisted on being kept up to speed on all progress, and when they hit a snag, whether financial or technical, he stepped in to assist. This was his baby. He just wanted me to be the go-between so you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.”

  “Uncomfortable?” Aria asked, still processing what she was being told.

  “Uncomfortable, furious, homicidal . . . he wasn’t really sure how you would react to the news that he was driving all of this.”