by Lisa Cardiff
“Trinity. Trinity Jones,” I said, pulling her key out of my pocket and stuffing it in the keyhole.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I bet.”
“It’s true, but do me a favor and tell her to keep her guns at home.”
A laugh burst from my lips. “I’ll do my best.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
Trinity
Knox and I walked into Leslie’s bar. It was pitch black with a few well-placed spotlights and the glowing onyx bar. Music pulsed through the speakers. People laughed a little too loud. Perfume mixed with sweat and alcohol tickled my nose. I was glad I didn’t have to work in a bar any longer. I enjoyed the tips, but I hated the late nights.
We were supposed to meet Knox’s brother and his fiancée in an hour and a half. Meeting Knox’s family seemed premature. He told me he wanted to take things one step at a time and see what happened. I agreed because I had enough complications in my life, but there was something about Knox that made me crave more. Every time he walked into the room or his gaze landed on me, my stomach tightened in wistful longing.
Knox wrapped his arm around my waist, molding me to the side of his body. “Don’t be nervous about meeting my brother or his fiancée. They don’t bite.”
“I’m not.” I laughed lightly, trying to cover the blatant lie.
“Then why were you fidgeting with the clasp on your bracelet the entire drive here?” Knox grinned as he pulled out a stool at a high round table near the bar and gestured to the seat.
I dropped my purse on the table and perched on the edge of the stool, being careful not to flash my panties to the entire bar. If I had more time to get ready, I would’ve insisted Knox stop at my townhome to get a different dress than the one he’d grabbed from my closet.
The red satin dress had a deep V neckline and a razor cut back that exposed the sides of my waist. The bottom flared into an A-line silhouette, but it stopped well above the middle of my thigh. Leslie talked me into buying it a couple of months ago, but I could never bring myself to wear it in public. Its lack of coverage made me decidedly uncomfortable.
“I don’t know.” I glanced over to the bar and raised my hand to catch Leslie’s attention. Her nearly white hair darted back and forth behind the bar as she moved from customer to customer. “Maybe I’m more worried about you meeting my friend.” I tugged on the front of his deep blue dress shirt and lowered my voice. “She might bite.”
One side of his mouth tilted upward in a dazzling grin, then he pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. My heart fluttered violently against my ribcage. Without fail, every time he directed his attention on me, I felt like a flimsy piece of paper caught up in the tornado that was Knox Black. “I trust you to keep me safe.”
“Well, hello,” Leslie said, her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed in disapproval.
“Hey, Leslie,” I said, reluctantly dropping my hand from Knox’s shirt.
Knox held out his hand. “I’m Knox Black. It’s good to finally meet Trinity’s best friend. I’ve heard so much about you.”
He exaggerated, but I didn’t call him on it. I’d mentioned a few things about Leslie on the car ride over, but nothing too revealing.
Leslie flipped her white blonde hair over her shoulder as she eyed Knox’s hand for a suspended second. “It’s nice to meet you, Knox Black.” She shook his offered hand. “Trinity hasn’t breathed a single word about you until an hour ago, but I won’t hold that against you…yet.”
Knox arched one eyebrow. “Good to know.”
“So, how did you two meet?” Leslie probed.
Knox smiled down at me, the front of his thighs brushing against my knees. My stomach clenched. “Why don’t you tell her about our first meeting?”
I rolled my eyes. “Knox is a business associate. We met at a party, and now we’re…” I licked my lower lip. “Hanging out.”
His lips twitched, but he quickly wiped his hand across his lower jaw to hide his amusement. “That sounds about right.”
Leslie planted her hands on her hips, a scowl scrunching up her dainty facial features. “Are you related to Archer Black?”
He folded his arms across his chest, and cocked an eyebrow. “Yes. He’s my brother. Why do you ask?”
“No reason.” She shrugged. “I was just curious.”
“Trinity,” he said, focusing on me again. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Sure. I’d love a vodka on the rocks with two limes.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He brushed his fingertips down my arm. A simple feather-soft touch and warmth bloomed in my chest.
I watched him until he disappeared into the crowd. I shook my head. “We’re going to dinner with his brother and his fiancée tonight. How do you know Archer Black?”
Leslie sat on the stool adjacent to me. “I don’t know him personally, but everyone knows who Archer Black is.” Her brows scrunched together. “Don’t you?”
“The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.” Leslie’s eyebrows scaled her forehead. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to lecture me about something?”
“Archer Black is a self-made millionaire or billionaire. I don’t know which, but he has a shitload of money and connections. His fiancée is Langley Mayer, former stepdaughter to the now imprisoned Senator Wharton and if you read the tabloids—”
“I don’t,” I snapped, shifting in my seat. The long gold chain around my neck swung between my breasts like a pendulum. I didn’t want to know all of this background information. I was nervous enough without feeling socially and financially inferior.
“Well, she’s the next ‘It’ girl in Hollywood.” She lifted and dropped one shoulder nonchalantly. “Which isn’t surprising considering she is the daughter of Rick Mayer.”
“Great, so I’m going out to dinner with a man who could buy me a million times over and Hollywood royalty.”
She nodded. “Pretty much, but that’s not why I’m pissed at you.”
“What do you mean?”
She propped both of her elbows on the smooth metal tabletop and leaned forward. “Didn’t you learn your lesson with Miles?”
“Apparently not, but I have a feeling you’re about to enlighten me.”
She tapped her fingers on my hand. “Don’t shit where you eat, Trinity.”
I giggled. “I try not to. That sounds unhygienic,” I said, purposely misunderstanding her declaration.
“You know what I mean. Don’t date your boss or business associates. It’s messy.”
My hand fell into my lap with an exasperated sigh. “I know. It’s stupid, but this thing with Knox has a short shelf life. Both the job and the relationship are temporary. I’m using him, and he’s using me. It’s not a secret. We both know how this is going to end.” My insides contorted painfully. I didn’t want there to be any truth in my words.
She eyed me suspiciously. I erased all emotion from my face, hoping she couldn’t read between the lines and realize I was already in too deep with Knox. I shared things with him—real things that I’d never told another living soul. Palpable, newfound intimacy sizzled in the air every time he looked at me.
“Okay.” She lowered her voice. “Just don’t get lost in him and forget who you are.”
I nodded, breaking eye contact with her to look for Knox, but mostly to regroup. “Don’t worry about me. It’s not going to happen.”
Even to my ears, it sounded like a lie. Luckily, she didn’t call me out because I couldn’t defend my actions or my behavior. It didn’t make sense. I should have run away from him instead of toward him.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Knox
I glanced at my wristwatch. Archer and Langley were late. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but Trinity looked like she would come out of her skin if they didn’t show up soon. I rested my arm over her shoulder and slid her body closer to me.
“Hey, don’t worry about Arche
r or Langley. They’ll like you.”
She swallowed, her gaze fixed on the clear glass bubble chandelier near the entrance. “I know I’m over-thinking the whole thing, but once Leslie gave me the lowdown on them, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
She frowned. “That’s not comforting.”
I swiped a hand down my face and exhaled. “Look, I won’t lie, most people are intimidated by Archer. On the surface, he seems hard and calculating, but underneath he’s a softy. And Langley…” I paused, considering my words as I twirled her dark hair around my finger. “She’s one of the genuinely nicest people I’ve ever met. Before she started acting, she was a physical therapist. She cares about people. She’s going to jump through hoops to make sure you feel comfortable.”
She swiped the tips of her fingers along the crisp white tablecloth. “If you say so,” she said, noncommittally.
“I know so.” I glanced at the floor to ceiling glass windows running the entire length of the front of the restaurant. “But you can judge for yourself. They’re here.”
Her leg bounced up and down on the oyster colored cushion. “I can’t believe you talked me into this. You owe me.”
“I’ll think of a way to repay you.”
I stood to greet Archer and Langley. His characteristic grin spread across his face. “Hey, little brother,” he said, wrapping me in a one-armed hug. “Sorry we’re late. We had some stuff to take care of.”
“Yeah, I bet you did,” I said, pulling away. “Langley, good to see you.” I kissed her cheek. As usual, Langley had a big grin on her face. Her golden hair hung in loose waves, nearly reaching the middle of her back.
“Hi, I’m Langley,” she said, holding her hand out to Trinity.
“Trinity,” she responded, shaking Langley’s hand.
“And this is Archer.” Langley elbowed my brother.
“Right. I’m Archer.” He squeezed Trinity’s arm. “Sorry if I’m acting strange. I’m shocked my brother actually showed up with someone.”
Trinity’s gaze flicked to me, then back to Archer. “Oh, really? Why is that?”
He shrugged, then settled into the booth next to Langley. “Let’s just say this is the first time I’ve met anyone he’s dating since high school. He normally keeps them well hidden or he kicks them out of his life so fast they’re not worth mentioning.”
“There’s no need to scare away my date,” I said, laughing humorlessly. For the first time in memory, I wanted a woman to stick around. I liked her. I enjoyed her company. On top of all that, I needed her to unravel Miles’s blackmail scheme. “Let’s move on to another topic.”
“Fine. We’ll talk about something else,” Archer said, his eyes narrowing fractionally as he placed his napkin in his lap. “Trinity,” he said, redirecting the conversation. “Are you from D.C.?”
***
Archer cornered me coming out of the restroom after dinner.
“Hey,” he said, slapping me on the shoulder. “You seem a little stressed.”
I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Like I said on the phone, I have a lot going on right now.”
“Trinity seems a little guarded, but nice. She’s a nice change from your usual type.”
“Yeah.” I glanced at the table and passed the palm of my hand over my face. Langley’s hands swirled in front of her as she explained something to Trinity. “I’m not sure if it’s going to lead to anything serious, but I like her too.”
He leaned his hip against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. “So what’s her real story?”
Stepping back, I shook my head slightly. “I’m not sure. I only know bits and pieces.”
His eyebrows jumped up his forehead. “Seriously, Knox, you hired her without running a full background investigation on her? I know she’s attractive, but you’ve never fallen victim to a pretty face before.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Of course I did a background check. It came back pretty clean, which is amazing considering the big ass skeleton in her closet.”
“You. Me. Langley. We all have skeletons in our closets. It’s not always a bad thing.” His voice was soft, gentle even. “Our history doesn’t define us.”
“I get that, Archer. I really do, but I can’t decide what side she’s on.”
He smirked. “That sounds familiar.”
I chuckled. “It does.” Archer hadn’t been sure he could trust Langley, and it blew up in his face. She forgave him, but she made him wallow in misery first. “Listen, I can’t share the details, but I’m investigating a blackmail scheme that involves coercing members of the House of Representatives to change their votes. One of the Representatives being blackmailed is her half-brother, and the secret they’re using to blackmail him with is her.”
Archer whistled as he ran his hand through his almost black hair. “That’s not good.”
I snorted. “I realize that.”
“There’s only one way to stop the whole mess in its tracks.”
“I know,” I said, wary.
Nodding, he shoved away from the wall, one of his hands lingering in the pocket of his pants. “They have to put together a joint press release spilling the details of her identity.”
“Jesus, Archer, I can’t ask her to do that. She doesn’t want the connection revealed and neither does he. It won’t happen.”
“Do you want my advice?”
“Not really,” I lied. I trusted Archer. He was one smart son of a bitch. He never steered me wrong.
“Too bad because I’m going to give it to you anyway.” He followed me down the hall, the soles of his shoes clipping over the tiled floor. “Ask her to do it. See how she responds.”
I yanked on the cuffs of my shirt. “And if she refuses?”
“Then you have your answer.”
I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes. “What answer?”
“You want to know whose side she’s on? Where her loyalties lie? If she doesn’t ask him, she’s on his side, and you can’t trust her.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I agreed, my gut clenching uneasily. I didn’t want to let Trinity go, but I might not have a choice. Benton and I were on different sides. He betrayed the trust of his constituents by folding under the weight of a blackmail scheme instead of coming clean. I was hired to expose him and anyone else involved.
“Don’t look so distressed. She might surprise you.”
I tugged on the collar of my shirt. “We’ll see.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Trinity
“So what did you think of Langley and my brother?” Knox asked as he handed me a glass of wine.
I flopped down onto one of Knox’s tan sofas and tucked my legs underneath me. “I don’t think they hated me. That’s a good sign, right?”
“Yes. I think they liked you a lot.” Knox sat in the sofa directly across from me, bracing his elbows on his thighs, his eyebrows lifted. “I want to talk you about something.”
“Oh.” I twirled my wineglass by the stem, watching the golden liquid swirl in circles. “Is it bad?”
“Not bad.” He shook his head. “The opposite really. I had an idea on how to defuse this situation with Benton.”
I took a sip of the white wine, not even paying attention to the flavor as it rolled down my suddenly dry throat. “What’s your idea?” I said, turning my attention to the window. Clouds hovered near the darkening horizon, cloaking the skyline.
He scrutinized me with a gentle smile on his face. “If Benton acknowledges you as his half-sister publicly, this entire situation will go away. The blackmailer won’t have any power over Benton, and it will keep both you and Faith safe.”
“There has to be another way.” Even as I said it, I didn’t know if it were true. What he said made sense.
He rose and sauntered across the room. He braced one hand against the sliding glass door. “There might be, but it will take c
onsiderably more time than we have given the threat against your sister.”
“I’ll just leave. I’ll move across the country, change my name, and start over. If I disappeared, nobody could prove anything. It’d be unsubstantiated rumors.”
“That won’t help anything and you know it,” he said wearily.
My stomach plummeted, and I nodded even though he wasn’t looking at me. He was right. Even if I disappeared, I’d still exist and that was probably enough to blackmail Derrick. “I know.”
He turned to face me, the murky light shading the lower half of his face. “Nothing good will happen by keeping this secret.” He shrugged as he moved closer to me. “The story will play out in the tabloids and on a few websites, but it will fade quickly enough. Richard Benton died six months ago. Nobody will care and given the type of scandals floating around these days, having an illegitimate child is pretty tame in comparison.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I swallowed. “I should talk to him and see what he thinks.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Am I going to regret this?”
“It’s possible,” he whispered. “But I’ll do everything to make sure you don’t get hurt in the process.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and my heart fluttered inside my chest. “Archer will help, too. He has a lot of sway with the news media, and we’ll hire you your own P.R. team, so someone is looking out for your interests, not just Benton’s.”
Tears burned the back of my eyes and I dropped my gaze. “Thank you. That would be great. I don’t know how I’ll pay for it, but I’ll make it work.”
“I’ll help with the cost.” He cupped my face, cradling it, looking down at me. Everything faded away, the sadness, the loneliness, and the fear of the future. In that instant, only the two of us existed. There was no barrier, no cool suspicion in his clear eyes. Just trust, understanding and acceptance.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
His lips tightened. “What are you doing?”