The Calamity Falls Box Set

by Erika Kelly

  While his brother locked up, the guys headed down the walkway to the sidewalk.

  Knox responded. No way. But those hors d’oeuvres look tasty.

  “Learned something new about you, brother.” Will clapped Brodie on the back. “Never knew you were a wine-sniffing—”

  “Quiche-eating—” Gray said.

  “Glass house dwelling—” Fin said.

  “Did you just say ‘dwelling’” Will let out a bark of laughter so loud, some tourists up the street turned to look.

  “You guys are assholes,” Brodie said with a grin. “I’m just looking.”

  They turned onto Main Street and walked right into Mrs. Granger and a group of her well-heeled friends.

  “Oh, hey.” Gray touched her shoulder and leaned in for a quick hug, sucking in a cloud of her expensive perfume. “I’m so glad I ran into you.” His brothers had continued across the street to the town green.

  A warm smile lit her face. “Gray. How nice to see you.” She gestured to her companions. “This is my team. We’ve just returned from Milan and have so much discuss. We hold our annual retreat here in Calamity.” She touched his arm. “I know I owe you a call. Can we catch up tomorrow?”

  He’d been trying to get confirmation from her about the show, and since he had her right here and now, he’d just go for it. “I just wanted to thank you for all you’re doing for Knox.”

  “I see it quite the other way. She’s going to bring customers into my store with her fabulous gowns.”

  “True, but I actually meant Bridal Fashion Week. She and Robert are there now.” The moment he said her son’s name her smile faltered. The punch of alarm had him pressing on. “He’s done a great job. Surprised us how he put everything together in three weeks. And it wouldn’t have happened without your support.”

  “I thought you said Knox’s dresses were ruined? That she’d lost her show? Isn’t that why I’m hosting the boutique?”

  Christ. If Granger’s wasn’t funding the week-long event, where was Robert getting the money? Where had he gotten the connections? “We were able to get at least one of each dress made, and Robert took care of everything else. It’s an expensive undertaking, and we appreciate that you believed in her enough to back it.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m confused. I’m not backing anything.”

  His pulse spiked, but he wouldn’t lose it yet. The Granger Collection was a big company. She might not know what the fashion show department—or whatever it was called—did. “No, but Granger’s is. The department that handles fashion shows.”

  “We don’t have a ‘department’ for that.” She gave an irritable smile to her team. “Can you excuse us, please? I’ll just be a moment.” She waited until they were heading into the restaurant. “Gray, dear, Robert doesn’t work for me.”

  “I know. He told us about your arrangement.”

  Confusion turned into annoyance. “What arrangement?”

  “That he’s doing contract work for you until he proves himself.”

  Releasing a weary breath, Mrs. Granger looked unspeakably sad. “I love my son, but he doesn’t work for me or my company. Not in any capacity. I don’t know what he told you, but I know nothing about fashion week, nor are we in any way supporting him. Not with finances or connections. I’m sorry if he misrepresented the situation to you.”

  Fucker. “Well, I guess it’s good I found out before the actual show. Thank you. Have a great retreat, Mrs. Granger.” Hopping off the curb, he had his phone out and the pad of his finger pressing on his pilot’s speed dial. Jogging across the street, he caught up with his brothers, who’d gathered around the truck.

  “Hello?” his pilot answered. “Gray?”

  “Yeah, Sarah, listen, how soon can you get me to New York City?”

  “Whenever you want. You buy my fealty,” she said. “When would you like to go?”

  “It’ll take me twenty minutes to get home and pack a bag. Another twenty to get to the airport.” Fin could handle getting together what he needed for New Zealand.

  “So much for that deep exfoliating mask I just put on. Let me check into it, and I’ll get back to you. But it shouldn’t be a problem to get out tonight.”

  “Great, thanks.” He swung open the door of his truck.

  “What’s going on?” Fin climbed into the passenger seat and reached for the seatbelt.

  “That fucker lied to us. Again. I knew it. I knew when I found him drinking in a bar in Idaho that something was wrong.”

  “We talking about Robert?” Brodie asked from the back.

  “What’d he do?” Will asked.

  “Told us he was a contract worker for his mom’s company. That they were backing the show.” He grimaced. “His mom said he doesn’t work with her in any capacity.”

  “Okay,” Brodie said. “But you and Knox have checked everything out. It’s all legit.”

  True. That brought his temper down a notch. “I have to tell her.”

  “You want me to drive?” Fin asked. “Pull over. You can call her right now.”

  “I’ll call her from the airport. I have to pack.”

  “What?” Fin said. “No. Gray, you can’t go there. We leave for New Zealand in four days.”

  He had no idea what Robert was up to, only that he had to find out for himself. “I know that. Soon as I check things out, I’ll fly there straight from New York.” He turned onto the highway.

  “Do you see why getting involved with Knox right now isn’t the best timing?” Brodie asked quietly.

  “There is no circumstance under which I wouldn’t be with her, do you understand? I’ve wanted Knox Holliday all my life, and there isn’t a damn thing—including a fucking medal—that will ever come before her.”

  The moment the cab turned off Houston onto Broadway, traffic snarled. “This is good right here.” Gray fished four twenties out of his wallet and handed them to the driver. Hauling his duffle bag, he got out onto the street, jogged between idling cars, and hustled over to the row of art galleries.

  Without checking addresses, he knew which one hosted Knox’s show. A string of white lights framed a plate glass window, and passersby peered inside. Well-dressed people gathered outside the door, waiting to get in.

  This is everything she’s ever wanted.

  That fucker better not have screwed anything up.

  Avoiding the crowd, he hitched his bag onto his shoulder and headed down a narrow alleyway between two brick buildings. Knox would be in back, anyway, getting her models ready.

  He’d hoped to get into town before the show, but mechanical issues had grounded his plane for hours, which meant he hadn’t been able to get out of Calamity until morning. While he wouldn’t tell her about Robert’s deception right now—not in the middle of her show—he wanted to be here in case something went wrong.

  Heading for the yellow light at the end of the alley, he heard laughter. Robert. He stopped, peering around the building to size up the situation.

  Christ, this is too familiar. At twenty-five, he was back to checking up on Robert, protecting Knox from him.

  Yep, there he was. With his back to him, Robert talked quietly to some guy with shaggy hair, skinny jeans, and a pork pie hat. Disappointment slammed him—which meant he’d held out some small hope that Robert wasn’t out here buying drugs.

  “Okay, man, cool. I gotta get back in.” Robert pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, fiddled with it a minute. “What the fuck?” He let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Come on.”

  Gray was close enough to see the tremble in Robert’s fingers, his inability to grasp a bill. Anger welled up hard and fast. Fucker’s wasted at Knox’s show? It took every ounce of restraint not to charge out there and confront the asshole. Except he knew from experience not to mess with someone on drugs. He couldn’t do anything that might jeopardize the show. So, he waited while they made the exchange. Immediately after the dealer quickly took off, Robert unscrewed the small cap, tapped the container onto his palm,
and swallowed some pills.

  Jesus Christ. Gray strode right past him and reached for the door handle to get into the building. “Hey, man.”

  Robert spun around. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Forcing a casual stance, Gray said, “Came to support Knox.”

  “You just can’t stay away, can you?” He stepped closer. “Don’t you have a competition to get to?”

  “Sure do. I’ll head out the day after tomorrow.” He gave him a chin nod, biting down on everything he wanted to say. Gray grasped the handle, but the moment he pulled, Robert lunged and yanked on his arm.

  “You’re not going in there. We’re in the middle of a show.” His pupils were blown, his body shook with energy.

  Gray wanted to say, Really? Because it looked like you were in the middle of a drug deal. But it wouldn’t help Knox, so he got his temper under control. “Yeah, I know.”

  “You want to see the show, go around to the front and wait to get in like everyone else.”

  Holy shit, what he wanted to say to this fucker. But he knew…he knew stirring him up when he was already agitated would have disastrous results. So, for Knox, he’d back off. “Sure.” It came out tersely, but that was the best he could do. “I’ll do that.” But, the moment he turned around, Robert shoved him against the brick wall.

  “Don’t fucking patronize me, you dickhead. I know why you’re here. My mom told me.” He gripped Gray’s shirt in a fist and jerked him forward. “You’re not going to tell Knox. She doesn’t need to know.”

  In one swift move, he could have this asshole on his knees, his arm twisted behind his back. Knox. Instead, he said, “Not here to tell her anything. Like I said, I just came to support her.”

  But if you don’t let go of me, this won’t end well for you.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Robert grew more anxious. “I’m giving her what she’s always wanted.”

  “All she ever wanted from you was sobriety. The career she could handle on her own.”

  “Ah, did I steal your cape? Sorry, Superman, but you couldn’t give her what she really wanted, so I had to step in.”

  Gray’s hands fisted, his chest pumped. But he wouldn’t lose it. He’d save all his words for when the show was over. “We’re on the same side, man. We both just want her happy. There’s no competition here.”

  “You sure about that? Because I’m pretty sure you’re fucking my girlfriend.”

  Gray’s elbow cocked back automatically, but he caught himself before following through. Not fighting a drug addict in the alley outside her show. He sucked in a deep breath and took a step back. “I don’t know why you lied about Granger’s backing you, but it looks like it’s all working out, so we’re cool.” Oh, fuck, his jaw ached; his joints felt raw and brittle.

  Calm down.

  “I didn’t lie. I told you I don’t have a job at Grangers. I told you that.”

  “You said you’re a contract worker for them.”

  “Yeah. And, after I pull off this show, I’ll get a job there. I’ll prove I’m an asset.”

  “The only reason you don’t have a job there now is because you’re not clean. Christ, man, you’re smart, you’re—”

  “Shut the fuck up. You don’t know shit. I can take the edge off and not be an addict. There isn’t just one way to live. We don’t all have to do it the fuckin’ Bowie way. Now get the fuck out of here.”

  The door opened, and a young man peered outside. “Hey, everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine.” Needing to diffuse the situation, Gray hitched his duffle higher and started to head back down the alley.

  But Robert wrenched the strap, knocking Gray off balance. With a feral look in his eyes, he slammed his fist into Gray’s cheek. Out of control, he started raining punches and kicks. Gray jumped into action, bending low and ramming into him with his shoulder.

  The men crashed through the open door and tumbled inside the building. A tower of boxes toppled over. Gray landed on top of his friend and pinned him.

  His features livid, veins protruding from his neck, Robert fought to get free. “Fucker. Get off me.”

  With a brutal grip on his wrists, Gray got right in his face. “Stop it. This is Knox’s show. If you care about her at all, you’ll get a hold of yourself.”

  “What’s going on?” someone said. “Is that Robert?

  “Call nine-one-one. Someone’s assaulting him.”

  “No.” Gray shot them a look. “Don’t call nine-one-one. Don’t ruin her show. I’m Knox’s boyfriend.”

  Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Robert wrested an arm free. He tried to stab his fingers into Gray’s eyes, but Gray head-butted him.

  He gripped Robert’s wrists and slammed them onto the floor. “You will not fuck up her show. Do you hear me? I’ll put us both in jail before I let you ruin this for her.”

  Chapter Sixty-One

  With everything under control in the dressing area, Knox snuck out to take in her show. The florist had done an amazing job of turning a modern, brick-walled space into a verdant, colorful English garden.

  In its elegant simplicity, it had turned out even more beautiful than what Luc’s set designer had created.

  The models worked the room perfectly, as they strutted to Tame Impala’s Elephant—a perfect juxtaposition to the old world gentility of the setting.

  Her dresses…seriously, in this setting, they looked as ‘extravagantly feminine and lushly romantic’ as the Bridal Salon reviewer had once described.

  She thought she heard a shout—but it could’ve come from outside. Didn’t sound like it, though. She’d better get back. As she slowly made her way through the standing-room only crowd, she pulled out her phone and texted Robert. Everything okay?

  A scream pierced the room. Quickening her pace, she made it to the front row of chairs when a man roared—a sound unlike anything she’d ever heard—pure, unleashed rage.

  “Excuse me.” Knox pushed through the agitated crowd.

  The unmistakable sound of a fist slamming into a gut had chairs scraping back and people getting to their feet.

  “Let’s get out of here,” someone said.

  And then a man crashed through the trompe l’oeil canvas, taking a set of track lights down with him. Sparks flew, and the man rolled onto his back moaning. A moment later, another man—Gray?—came out and dropped to a crouch to pick up—oh, my God, Robert?—as if he were nothing more than a rag doll.

  Why was Gray here?

  Why were they fighting?

  With Robert slung over his shoulder, Gray stood up. He looked horrified, scanning the hundred and fifty faces staring at him. With a look of utter defeat, he swiped the blood trickling at the side of his mouth.

  Oh, my God. What has he done? She could not believe she was watching Gray Bowie carry Robert away in a fireman’s hold.

  “So much for the white-hot wedding dress designer,” the woman in front of her said.

  “More like white trash.”

  Knox closed her eyes, the faint sound of barking echoing in her mind. “Excuse me.” She made her way through the crowded room to the back, where she found Gray carrying a subdued Robert out the door.

  She followed him into the alley. “What have you done?” Crouching, she smoothed the hair out of Robert’s eyes. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” When he groaned, she glanced up at Gray and shook her head in disbelief. She gestured helplessly to the gallery. “How could you do this to me?”

  “Me? I didn’t…Jesus, Knox, he’s high as a kite right now.”

  “He’s not high. Are you kidding me? You ruined my show because you think he’s on drugs? I’ve been with him this whole time. He’s fine. God, Gray.” She covered her eyes with a hand, blinking back scalding tears. “How could you do this to me?”

  “Where to, sir?” the driver asked.

  “Teterboro airport.” Adrenaline rocked his body. Gray held his hand out, watching it shake. Fuck. He’d come out
here to help her…and he’d screwed everything up.

  He felt sick. The look of betrayal in Knox’s eyes gutted him. Took a knife to his insides and slashed, slashed, slashed, leaving him a bloody, gory mess.

  Only now, in this horrible, sickening moment did he fully get it. What that couture designation meant to her. It obliterated the junkyard dog. It liberated her from her past. Enabled her to fully reinvent herself based on her true self.

  Her mom had chosen to work seasonal jobs and live in a trailer and litter the property with chunks of mangled metal. The blowback hit Knox. But, from the time she’d left Calamity until half hour ago, she’d been on a whole new path, one of her own making. She’d been building toward the highest level of art in the fashion world.

  And now he’d destroyed her reputation.

  White trash wedding designer. He’d heard it. Someone had said those actual words.

  Jesus.

  He lowered his head, closing his eyes—and there it was again, that scene he’d replay for the rest of his life. Knox rushing over to Robert.

  Are you okay? Are you hurt?

  And then…shooting Gray that look of utter betrayal.

  She hadn’t believed him, of course.

  What had he expected? Those two had a lifetime of intimacy and secrets, and he would always be shut out from it. He’d wanted to save her from Robert’s bullshit, and instead he’d ruined her reputation.

  He was an asshole to think the dynamics between them would ever change. She owned his heart, but Robert owned hers.

  The cab jolted to a stop. The driver slammed his steering wheel with the palm of his hand, cursing out the bike messenger who’d veered into his lane.

  The jarring motion rattled the broken pieces in Gray’s brain into a clear picture.

  I’m out. Done.

  He was living the definition of insanity, trying to win the heart of a woman who would never get over her first love. And he was done.

  He pulled out his phone and dialed his pilot.

  “I miss you, too, Gray,” Sarah said.

  “How soon can we take off?”

  “Depends on where we’re going.” The humor left her voice.