“We’re ordering room service. And not fucking strawberries this time, I’m hungry. This place better have steak,” he growled, glaring at the mess of strawberries and chocolate on the carpet.
Addison stifled a giggle and reached for the phone beside the bed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Hello?” Addison said cautiously as she stepped off the elevator and approached the door of her condo.
She could tell someone was standing there waiting for her by the shuffle of high heels against the floor and the scent of expensive perfume. She also thought she caught the hint of a floral scent, slightly at odds with the perfume. Addison wasn’t particularly in the mood for company, but there wasn’t much she could do if the person was quite literally standing outside her apartment door. She hoped they lived in the building. It would be just her luck to pick up a third stalker.
“Hi Addison, it’s Claudia Cantore,” said the woman as Addison approached and set her cello case down to dig out her key from her knit purse. “I just wanted to come and see how you’re doing after… after the shooting and bring you these.”
Addison pulled the keys from her purse and sniffed the air. “Tulips?” she asked.
“Oh,” Claudia said blankly then laughed at herself. “Yes, they are. They’re quite lovely actually.”
Addison smiled and unlocked her door. “I’m sure they are. Please come in, I’ll find a vase for them.”
“Thank you,” Claudia said, waiting while Addison picked up her instrument and then following the other woman in.
They made polite conversation while Addison found a vase for the tulips, snipped off the ends and filled a crystal container with water. Once she arranged them, Addison put her hands on the counter and asked the question that had been burning in her mind for over a week. The question that she hadn’t dared to ask Daniel. “Were those men after you, Claudia? Did Daniel save you?”
Addison used her other senses to gauge Claudia’s reaction. She heard a small but sharp intake of breath and felt the way she involuntarily wrapped her arms protectively around herself. Claudia didn’t say anything at first. Addison wondered if she shouldn’t have said anything. She’d been worried about Claudia though, since Tyson King’s girlfriend had gone out of her way to save Addison’s life a week ago in the lobby of their apartment building. She had tried asking Daniel, but he’d characteristically shut her out, and of course getting into Tyson King’s circle was harder than penetrating Fort Knox.
Finally, Claudia spoke, her voice soft as she confirmed, “Those men were after me. I took something that belonged to them and ran away from my psycho ex-boyfriend. Daniel tried to save me, but Dante, my ex, got in penthouse.”
“Oh my god…” Addison whispered, gripping the counter.
“I’m okay,” Claudia was quick to reassure her. “Tyson and Daniel were able to reach us before…”
Neither woman said anything. They weren’t friends yet, and some of the details were too private to share. They survived a terrible ordeal together, which bound them. They would become friends though, Addison felt certain. Addison felt the moment Claudia decided to let her melancholy go and allow her natural spirit to shine. The air around her seemed to lift and become lighter.
"Would you play something for me some time? Tyson says you're really amazing,” Claudia asked, her voice sweet and clear.
Addison didn't know what to say at first. She rarely played privately for anyone. Her instrument had become such a commodity that she was used to monetizing every performance. Yet, why shouldn't she? She played for the orchestra and she played an occasional jazz set at Chris' bar. She practiced constantly, why shouldn't she play for a new friend?
She smiled and said, "Of course, if you have time now, I’d love to play for you.”
Waving Claudia toward the sofa, Addison lifted the case and sat opposite in her favourite chair. She opened the case and took her cello out with the ease of someone who had done it thousands of times. "Do you have any requests?"
"No," Claudia said in her slightly husky voice. "I think I'll leave selection up to the musical genius."
Addison smiled, maneuvered a cushion underneath her butt and straightened her back so she could sit comfortably without putting added strain on a back that was already tied up in knots from days with Maestro's relentless rehearsals and nights of Daniel's rough lovemaking. She rested the neck against her left shoulder and placed the body of the instrument between her spread legs. She let her thoughts linger on the other woman, conjuring the fragments of Claudia's personality she'd learned so far.
She seemed kind, determined and thoughtful. She was probably very beautiful to have captured a billionaire's attention. Which wouldn't take away from her other charms, but Addison was pragmatic enough to know how there had to be a first attraction for the man. Claudia also seemed funny and savvy in a down to Earth sort of way.
Addison allowed a smile to curve her lips and decided on a compilation for her audience that would determine if she was correct in some of her assumptions. She reached down and slid her fingers into the cello case until they came into contact with the bow. Settling into a familiar position, she began to play.
After a few seconds Claudia's rich laughter filled the condo and she clapped delightedly as she recognized the first strains of the Mario Brothers video game score, then Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. Addison followed with the Harry Potter theme music, then Ghostbusters and Top Gun. She finished with a rendition of "I Want You to Want Me,” which Claudia sang along to.
Claudia clapped loudly as Addison finished with a flourish.
"Oh my fucking god!" Claudia yelped, leaping off the couch. "That was so amazing. I bet Tyson doesn't even know the half of what you can do! Thank you so much Addie."
Addison laughed at Claudia’s exuberance. “You're welcome, it’s my pleasure. I actually forgot how much I enjoy just playing for someone who isn't invested in me. And no, your boyfriend definitely didn't get that version of the orchestra's First Chair at Mrs. Channing’s soiree.”
Addison leaned forward, hair swinging to brush against her face as she replaced her bow and cello back in the case. She stood and did a few stretches and twists to relieve some of the usual pressure that built up in her back and neck when she played.
"I bet you get pretty sore after a while," Claudia said sympathetically.
Addison shrugged and moved toward the kitchen. "I'm used to it and I'm sure its no worse than people who spend a day working in an office at a desk. It's always worse when we're close to a performance and Maestro wants us to put in ten and twelve hour days, which of course our union objects to, but what does a maestro care about unions?"
"Do you have a performance coming up?" Claudia asked curiously, sitting on a stool at the island while Addison poured them each a glass of ice water.
Addison noted that Claudia wasn't the type of person to take over tasks for her because she was blind. She respected Addison's space, which Addison was grateful for.
"In a few weeks. Sort of practice for our big spring performance that’ll happen in a few months,” Addison answered, taking a large drink of water. She smiled fondly. "Maestro is definitely starting to put the pressure on. He has Erica, his assistant, and I working longer hours already. The past few weeks he was separating sections of the orchestra to work on each instrument as well as with individuals so he could get the best sound. This week he's working on placement of the instruments. The next weeks will be fine-tuning and coming together as an orchestra."
Claudia didn't speak for a moment and then she said, "Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing and completely out of my league. I love it."
Addison laughed. It felt good having a female friend to just chat with. She was sociable and she kept busy, but it'd been a while since she had just relaxed and hung out with someone who didn't need or want something from her.
"It's a job, like any other. It's fun, but it can also have its tedious moments."
"Okay, no," Claudia s
aid laughingly, "Your job is not like any job! You're some kind of musical genius that gets paid to go to parties. You call your boss 'Maestro' like he's a classical music god and you get to be a part of something that's just... indescribable. If it's anything like what you just treated me to, it must be a privilege for you to go to work every day and be surrounded by such incredible sounds."
Addison smiled. Claudia had a lovely way of looking at life. "I sit next to Dennis, who may sound lovely when he plays, but after several hours he certainly doesn't smell lovely."
They laughed together. They started discussing a business course that Claudia was interested in taking at the local college. Apparently she’d always been interested in owning a business and Tyson wanted to give her the opportunity of turning a local underground gambling establishment into a legal profitable business. Addison encouraged Claudia to take on the opportunity, but Claudia was hesitant because of her lack of education.
"Then you should definitely take the course," Addison said. "Do both at the same time. That way you can apply what you learn in real time. Your boyfriend owns all kinds of businesses, he can help guide you. You’re a smart, energetic woman, you can handle it. And besides, he’s rich. If you screw it up, I’m sure he has other businesses you can practise on.”
“Thanks, Addie,” Claudia laughed. “I think I just needed to hear someone say that. Tyson believes in me, of course. But he’s also super protective and doesn’t want me to strain myself picking up a bag of apples let alone taking too much business. It feels good talking to a girlfriend again. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to.”
Addison wanted to ask Claudia why she hadn’t been able to confide in friends, but suspected it had to do with the psycho ex-boyfriend. Instead she said, “I know what you mean, I’ve been so focused on work lately that I haven’t had a lot of time for fun.”
She could feel the gears in Claudia’s brain working. “Then we should definitely do something fun. You, me and Anya. I think you’ll really like Anya. She’s my only other friend here and she’s great. But I should warn you, she can be a handful.”
“Aren’t we all?” Addison said with a laugh.
“Tyson would agree with that!” Claudia said with feeling. “It took a lot of arguing for me to convince him and Daniel that I should have a woman for a bodyguard. In fact, after all the failed interviews this week we’re pretty much back to square one on that matter. I feel like I’ve argued myself blue in the face with those two!”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Addison said sympathetically.
She rather agreed that Claudia should be able to have a female bodyguard if she wanted. It made perfect sense, but she understood exactly what it was like to try arguing with Daniel Mercer about anything. Impossible.
“There’s one more interview tomorrow, she’s my last chance. If she doesn’t make it then I’m back to picking one of Daniel’s meatheads for the job. Apparently this one’s from Japan and has only moved here recently. Is it wrong of me to hope she’s like ‘The Bride’ from Kill Bill?”
“Are you going to be there during the interview?” Claudia confirmed that she was, and Addison asked thoughtfully, “Why do the women keep failing?”
Claudia answered in a frustrated voice. “Daniel is a brutal interviewer for guys, let alone for a woman. I’ve seen Navy Seals limp away from him in tears. He insists on a physical test that would be illegal if he weren’t private sector. Most of his guys refuse to test the women in hand-to-hand combat, not wanting to hurt a woman, and no one man or woman is capable of taking on Daniel. So they’re pretty much doomed to fail from the outset.”
“Damn,” Addison breathed, feeling deeply sorry for any woman that tried to beat up Daniel for a job. That just didn’t sound like a good idea.
“You don’t know anyone that would fight a woman besides Daniel? Like a guy that can fight that you could, I don’t know, convince to go a little easy on her?” Addison asked, and then felt compelled to add. “What an asshole Daniel is! I mean, who goes around beating up women?”
Claudia laughed. “He seems to be an equally opportunity people hater, he doesn't differentiate between the sexes. Tyson told me a little bit about him a few weeks ago. He’s ex-guerilla, basically a hired gun. He specializes in fighting and has done for his entire life, which is why he’s so good at it. The only reason he’s so loyal to Tyson is because he saved his life once.”
Addison desperately wanted to ask more about Daniel, but didn’t want to give away her interest.
“Maybe I do know someone that I can convince to sort of beat up a woman, but go a little easy on her too. He’s built like a fucking house, but he’s got a soft spot for the ladies I think,” Claudia muttered, completely absorbed by her own problem. “Those damn Russians owe me a favour anyway.”
Addison's cell phone interrupted their conversation with the theme song to "Fistful of Dollars.” Addison laughed when she felt Claudia jump and look around for the sudden whistling in Addison's apartment. Addison reached out to the shelf where she always left her phone, picked it up and waved it for Claudia to see. Claudia laughed a little while Addison answered.
"Hello?"
There was no answer at first, which immediately made Addison go cold with apprehension.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
"Addison," the breathy voice whispered.
Addison shuddered, her hand gripping the phone hard. She said nothing. She wanted to hang up, but she felt frozen in place. She also didn't want to make a big deal in front of Claudia. She could already feel the other woman's rising concern. Addison must not be controlling her features very well. She tilted her chin down and let her hair swing forward to cover her face.
"You played beautifully at rehearsal today, Addison. Did you play for me?"
The voice was gruff and whispery. Impossible to tell who it could be. They always gave details about her, but never enough to pinpoint exactly who they could be and what, if any relationship they had to her.
"Why won't you talk to me?" The voice whined. "You know how much I love you Addison. We're meant to be together. I know you feel it too. It's there in your music, it calls to me."
Addison shivered uncontrollably, wrapping her free arm around her waist protectively and leaning against the wall. She felt Claudia come up behind her hesitantly.
"Are you alright?" Claudia asked.
"Is someone there with you?" the voice demanded, angrier, more high-pitched.
Addison's head jerked up.
"Get rid of them!" demanded the voice angrily. "You belong to me!"
This was new. Her stalker had never sounded so... threatening before. Addison didn't have a chance to respond, the caller hung up before she could do anything. She lowered the phone and stood in open mouthed astonishment.
"Please forgive me, I know this isn't polite.” Claudia carefully took Addison's arm, pulled her gently forward toward the couch in the living room and pressed her down. "I looked up how to do that on the internet."
Addison laughed suddenly and shook her head. "You looked up how to lead a blind person around on the internet?"
Claudia giggled and dropped down next to Addison, her leg brushing Addison’s. "Yes. I've never had a visually impaired friend before and I didn't want to make an idiot out of myself on the first date. Apparently it’s rude to grab you, I’m supposed to let you take my arm. But you looked upset.”
Addison leaned against the arm of the couch and shook her head. "You're a little weird."
"Yup," agreed Claudia. "Wait until you meet Anya. Now, I don’t mean to pry, but do you mind telling me what that was? It looked pretty intense and not in a good way."
Addison thought about telling Claudia to mind her own business. She hadn’t told anyone about her stalker except the city police and they had done nothing to help. Addison hadn't realized how much of a burden her stalker had become until recently. She'd stopped going out as much and was hesitant and more suspicious around people she knew. Maybe it wo
uld help to unload.
She was hesitant at first to tell Claudia much, used to keeping her problems private, but once she got started she found herself telling Claudia everything about her stalker situation over the past six months. She found a sympathetic and somewhat horrified listener in her new friend, which she would later come to understand better when Claudia revealed a little of her own terrible past.
“He chased you onto a busy road? Oh my god, I’m so sorry Addison, that's awful!” Claudia exclaimed with feeling. "Shame on the police for telling you they can't do anything. What do they want? For you to have a signed confession from the stalker written in your blood?"
Addison laughed and nodded her head. "Pretty much."
"No wonder so many women in vulnerable situations choose to just tough it out," Claudia muttered. Then, hesitating, she said, "I know you're seeing Daniel, have you thought about going to him for help?"
Addison stiffened a little. "I think 'seeing' is not the term I would apply to our association, and no, I don't particularly want to discuss stalker number two with stalker number one."
Claudia snorted with laughter, holding her side in amusement as she giggled over the image of Daniel creeping around corners. Addison was happy one of them was amused by her less than stellar boyfriend/stalker situation. Finally Claudia sobered and straightened on her seat.
Placing soft fingertips on Addison’s arm she said hesitantly, “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, and maybe you’ll give a little leeway to a woman who had the shit beat out of her a week ago and doesn't want to see something similar happen to a friend.” Claudia paused to let that sink in before continuing. “But you need to do something and you know it. You’re a smart, professional woman, you know this situation can escalate into something seriously dangerous.”
“Like Daniel?” Addison asked sarcastically.
Claudia hesitated, clearly picking her words carefully. “Daniel is difficult to explain…”
Fear in Her Eyes (Fire & Vice Book 5) Page 11