“I’m going to hold you to that,” Chante said. “Why don’t you head home and get your applications together.”
“All right. I’m finally going to do something that will make a difference. Thank you, Chante.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Just find yourself. And know that I’m in your corner.”
The women embraced again, and Chante felt as if she had found her purpose. Saving Gabby and making her think about her future meant more to her than winning Amanda’s case or anything else she’d been working on.
“If you need anything, I’m here for you,” Chante said.
“Thank you for giving me hope,” Gabby said as she headed for the door.
“You can thank me when you get your degree,” Chante said with a smile.
Zach parked his rental car and watched Natalie get into a black Ford Escape. He would’ve never pegged his ex for driving a compact car, but if she was trying to hide, then this vehicle made sense. Pulling behind her, Zach blocked her exit. Climbing out of his car, he tapped on Natalie’s window.
“I don’t believe this,” she muttered as she rolled her window down. “Stalking me?”
“I think it’s the other way around,” he snapped. “Why are you here?”
Natalie opened the door and got out of the car. She gave Zach a cold stare. “I’m here because I want to start over. New York is no longer my home, thanks to you.”
“Thanks to me? That’s a laugh. I didn’t run a sex ring selling barely legal women selling themselves.”
“You don’t care about those women. You were upset because your little business got brought into my case. I knew it would kill you. And having that witch of a sister of yours arrested was just the icing on the cake.”
“You’re so unhappy with your life that you wanted to ruin my family.”
“Please,” she grunted. “You and your perfect family. None of you ever made me feel welcome or that I was good enough to be a Harrington. I was just your little freak. Behind closed doors I was your world, but when it came to your family, you didn’t put me first.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Zach laughed and shook his head. “When I married you, I tried to include you in everything. You were the one who had other things to do and acted standoffish when Zoe came around. And you were the one who walked out on me.”
“Oh, you want me back?”
“Yeah, I want to be with a lying, conniving snake,” he gritted. “You enjoy ruining people’s lives, don’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “What about me? No one ever thinks about what I need and what I want!”
“You sound like a petulant child. Grow up.”
“Go to hell. When I realized that marrying you was just another mistake, I used you to get what I needed so I could connect with some heavy hitters. I’m glad you left your computer open. And when she figures out who you are, she’s going to leave you too.”
“Chante’s nothing like you. She doesn’t use people because she’s bored.”
“Keep thinking that. We had a great conversation. I taught her some tricks to get what she wants from you.” Natalie winked at him. “With this new law firm, she’s going to need media attention, and you’re just the clown to help her get it.”
“Stay away from me and Chante.”
“I want to disappear as much as you want me to. It’s just going to cost you.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Are you telling me that three hundred thousand dollars isn’t worth peace of mind?”
“Not at all. I wouldn’t give you a dime.”
“Then keep looking over your shoulder wondering when I’m going to show up and ruin your life with Little Miss Perfect.”
“Natalie, you’re an idiot. It won’t be long before you’re in jail again. That’s all I’m going to be looking over my shoulder to see.”
She sneered at him. “I’ve honed my skills. As you can see, I’m not in jail now, am I?”
“That will change if you don’t get off my property,” Chante said as she crossed over to the scene in the parking lot.
Natalie smiled at Chante as if they were best girlfriends. “You don’t have to keep up the act. I told Zachary everything.”
“Really?” Chante asked, slapping her hand on her hip. “You know, I don’t like trespassers. I think you should leave, Natalie.”
She nodded at Chante. “I get it. You don’t want him to know that we’re working on a plan together. My lips are sealed.”
“Your lips are lying. Leave or I will call the police.”
“I make you two uncomfortable? Is that why everyone keeps talking about calling the police? I’ve committed no crime.”
“When did blackmail become legal?” Chante asked.
“I asked you for a donation,” she said.
Chante rolled her eyes. “Extortion is extortion.”
Natalie looked from Zach to Chante and shook her head. “You two want to live a perfect and stress-free life. I want that for you too, but I need some cash. Some money to start over, or I can set up my new life right here. Seriously, Chante, how many sex scandals do you want to be involved in?”
“Bi . . . You know what, you’re not even worth the breath it would take to cuss you out.”
“But how much is your happily ever after worth to you? You want be Cinderella. I can be your fairy godmother or the evil stepmom. The choice is yours.”
“Leave!” Zach exclaimed. “No one is giving you a damned dime, and you will not threaten Chante.”
Natalie threw her hands up. “Touchy, touchy, touchy. You must really be smitten.” She dropped her hands and turned to Chante. “It won’t last long, so take advantage while you can.” Smiling, she started for her car. “And just so you know, I don’t make threats. Ask Zoe. Will you move your car so that I can leave?”
Zach glared at her and then headed for his car. Chante took a step toward Natalie.
“I’m not going to let you or anyone else ruin what I have here. So if you’re looking for money or some kind of payoff, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“That’s what you say now. But when you can’t get even the lowest client, you’re going to regret trying to stand with this clown.” Natalie hopped in her car as Zach backed away. Chante squeezed her nose, holding back her scream. This was not what she needed right now. But there was no way in hell that she was going to cave to extortion.
When Zach moved his car and Natalie zoomed out of the parking lot, Chante wondered how Zach knew that Natalie was at her office. Dropping her head in her hand, she wondered if this was a part of a bigger plan. “Damn it,” she muttered as Zach got out of his car.
“How did you know she was here?” Chante asked as he approached her.
“Zoe told me. Why was she here?”
Chante folded her arms across her chest. “Is something going on that I need to know about? Is your sister having me followed and investigated? Zach, I don’t need this stress while I’m trying to start a practice.”
“Stress? I’m causing you stress?”
Chante placed her hands to her temples. “That’s not what I’m saying,” she said with a sigh. “I don’t know how that woman found me, and I want nothing to do with her. But I’m not giving her a damn dime.”
“Neither am I, and I’m not going to let her hurt you.”
“I don’t need your protection,” Chante snapped. “I’m sick and tired of everyone looking at me as if I need a champion. I can take care of myself!”
Zach backed away from her and shook his head. “Did I say that? I want to protect the woman I love—not because I think you can’t!”
She looked down at the pavement. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I just . . . There is so much riding on my success or failure. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially my clients. So many women have been victimized just because they’re women. Sexual harassment claims, work discrimination, and bad divorces.”
Closing the space between them, he took Chante’s face in his hands. “I love how you have taken control of your life. Love how you want to be every woman’s champion. I want that for you, but you aren’t Superwoman, and you’re going to need a shoulder to lean on.”
“And you’re giving me yours?” she asked with a smile.
“Both of them.” Zach brought his mouth down on top of hers and kissed her slow and deep. Soft moans escaped her as Zach cupped her bottom. She pressed her body closer to his, feeling every muscle in his body harden. She wanted him right there. Pulling back, she looked at him and smiled.
“I know we were supposed to have dinner, but I want to skip straight to dessert,” she said.
“Sounds good to me. But I have plans for you,” he said, then scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s get out of here.”
Across the street, a photographer snapped pictures of Chante and Zach’s passionate embrace and the license plate of the car they’d sped off in. “Got them,” the man said into the phone. “I’ll upload the pictures now.”
Chapter 22
Zach nearly broke the sound barrier to get to the Westin. Chante couldn’t help but laugh at him. “Slow down, Zach. We’re not in a Mustang or in Charleston.”
“But I’m in need. I need to be inside you,” he said as he pulled into the parking deck. “And I don’t think I can wait to get into my room.” Leaning over, Zach lowered the back of Chante’s seat. “I want you right now.”
She placed the palm of her hand against his chest. “Slow down, cowboy. There are way too many cameras around. I’m sure the walk to your room is only going to make it better.” She opened the door, and he smirked.
“You’re no fun,” he quipped.
“Umm-huh,” she said as she exited the car. “I’m going to show you fun.”
Zach got out of the car and caught up with Chante as she headed for the elevator. “I know you will, sexy.” Kissing her on the back of her neck, Zach wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you.” She pressed the button for the elevator. When they stepped on, Zach pressed her against the wall and smiled at her. “You’re an amazing woman.”
“Zach.”
“No, listen. When I went to Charleston, all I wanted was a break from the madness going on in my life. And then you walked into the room. You took my breath away, even if you wanted to pretend you didn’t feel that spark. Since I’ve been back in New York, I can’t keep my mind off you.”
“Zach.”
“Chante, I love you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “You don’t have to say that. I know that . . .”
“I know I don’t have to say anything I don’t mean. And I don’t go around telling women I love them if I don’t mean it.”
She wanted to tell him that she loved him too, but fear froze her tongue. She couldn’t take the risk of telling him how she felt. What if she told him and it blew up in her face? “Zach,” she whispered, “your life is in New York. Can we be honest for a minute? Neither one of us has plans to move.”
“What does distance have to do with anything?”
“A lot. Who’s to say that on a lonely night, you won’t reach out to someone else? You’re a man; you have needs.”
“I’m a man who wants to love one woman. You’re right: I have needs. I need you.”
“Now, while I’m standing here in front of you.”
“Baby, your baggage has nothing to do with me. You can’t paint me with the same brush that you used with anyone who hurt you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not doing that,” she said unconvincingly. “I don’t want you to be tied to me when you can find someone in New York.”
“If I was going to find someone in New York, then I would’ve done it already. Not to brag, but I can have any woman I want.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because the only woman I want is you. You just have to believe that.”
The elevator doors opened into the lobby. “I want to,” she whispered. “But I can’t. Maybe I should call a cab and go home. I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m just not ready for this.” Chante dashed to the front desk, and Zach stood there in disbelief.
As she headed out the door, Zach followed her. “Chante,” he called out. “I’m confused. What just happened?”
“I gave you an out. I gave you the chance to do you without feeling guilty about it.”
“Or are you trying to ease your conscience?”
“What?”
“Do you want me to walk away so that you can keep up the illusion that you have about men who love you? That every man who walks into your life is somehow trying to take advantage of you? I’m not going to let you do that.”
“Let me? Zach, I’m going to go.”
“Yeah, you’re going upstairs, and we’re going to talk like two rational adults.” He touched her elbow and guided her to the elevator. They rode to his room in silence. This was not the reunion he’d planned.
When they stepped off the elevator and he opened the door to his room, the flickering flames of the candles and the heart-shaped rose petals in the middle of the bed reminded him what this night was supposed to have been.
“Wow,” Chante said. “You did all of this for us?”
“I had other plans for this evening, but right now I think we need to talk.” He flipped the lights on and pointed toward the bed.
“What’s left to say? I’m just not . . .”
“Chante, I think your problem is you’re trying so hard to prove people wrong that you don’t know how to live your life. You’ve tried to cut off the part of your heart that we all have. People need to be loved, and you’re not any different.”
“I’m realistic. At some point this isn’t going to be enough. You’re going to get tired of . . .”
“Now you can read my mind?”
“Zach, I’m scared,” Chante admitted. “I just don’t think I can handle getting disappointed again.”
“Why do you expect the worst?”
Chante rose from the bed and paced back and forth. “Because that’s what I’ve experienced.”
“The past is the past. I’m offering you a future,” he said as he crossed over to her.
“Zach,” she said, then turned around and faced him. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, made her believe that there would be a future for them and that happiness was within reach. But the voice of doubt whispered loudly in her ear. This isn’t going to work. “How are we going to make this work?” she asked.
“Easy. Anything worth having is worth putting in the work, right?”
Chante nodded in agreement, then leaned against his chest. “I guess I screwed up what was supposed to be a beautiful night.” She looked around the room. “When did you have time to do all of this?”
“I had some help. And the night isn’t ruined. We’re here and . . .”
A knock at the door interrupted him.
“Room service.”
“Dinner is here, so the night is saved,” he said as he crossed over to the door. When he opened the door, flashbulbs went off, and a man started barking out questions.
“Mr. Harrington, what is your relationship with Chante Britt now that she’s representing your ex-wife?”
“Get out of here!” Zach exclaimed as he pushed the man back and slammed the door.
“What in the hell!” Chante said. “I am not representing that woman!”
“I know you aren’t. I guess this is Natalie causing trouble.”
Chante’s cell phone rang at the same time that Zach’s did. She looked down and saw it was Liza calling. “What’s up?” Chante said as she walked to one side of the room to take her call and Zach headed for the other side of the room.
“That’s what I want to know. You’re representing Natalie ‘Harlem Madame’ Harrington and sleeping with her ex-husband?”
“I’m not representing her, and how does anyone know ab
out my personal relationship with Zach?”
“I guess you haven’t seen the pictures of you two in front of your office? Hot and heavy. It’s gone viral.”
“Oh. My. God. I can’t believe this.”
“Then don’t watch the news.”
“Why?”
“Trust me. Don’t do it, okay?”
“You can’t say that and expect me not to turn on the television.” Chante walked over to the set and pressed the POWER button. Then she flipped to News Fourteen.
“Coming up,” the anchor said, “a local attorney finds herself in the middle of a sex scandal—again. Next on News Channel Fourteen.”
“Let me guess,” Chante said. “They interviewed Robert.”
“You know it, and you don’t need to see it. What we need to do is make sure none of your real clients are affected by this.”
Chante ran her hand across her forehead. As much as she didn’t want to see the coverage of this latest rumor about her, she hung up so she could watch the report.
“Charlotte attorney Chante Britt isn’t a stranger to sex scandals. She was engaged to North Carolina senate candidate Robert Montgomery, who was allegedly sleeping with a prostitute while running for the seat won by Jackson Franklin. Montgomery attempted to run for mayor of Charlotte but dropped out of the race last week. Britt, who just started her own law firm and is handling the case of former judge Harlan Chavis’s ex-wife, has allegedly taken on another controversial client—the ‘Harlem Madame,’ Natalie Harrington. Harrington was recently cleared of charges of running a call-girl ring in New York, as well as tax evasion. Harrington is trying to rehabilitate her image, and allegedly Britt is helping her. But photos surfaced of Britt and Zachary Harrington, Natalie’s ex-husband, in a very compromising position.”
A photograph of Chante and Zach kissing in the parking lot flashed on the screen. “Shit,” Chante muttered. Zach looked over his shoulder at her, then told whoever he was talking to that he’d call them back.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Now this is a thing,” she said as her phone began ringing. “Chante Britt.”
I Heard A Rumor Page 20