A Collateral Attraction: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Fire and Ice Book 1)

by Liz Durano

  "I know I should have-"

  "If Charlene and Jackson are embezzling money, it was easy for them to have you as the signatory to the accounts. I don't even understand how they intend to get the money from you once you withdrew it unless you’re working with them."

  She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. I couldn't even steal twenty bucks from the shop. But this is crazy. Even if the accounts are mine, I wouldn't be able to withdraw any money from them, not with all the new restrictions for American-held accounts."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Simple," Blythe says, shrugging. "If these accounts are mine, then the IRS is bound to wonder why no taxes are being paid on them, and why I claim I haven't made any money in the past year, because I haven't. I've only just quit my merchandising job four months ago to concentrate on my fashion line. Withdrawing the money from Geneva would just-"

  "-alert the authorities even faster, just in time for the news about Ethan's embezzlement," says a voice behind us and we both turn to see Heath standing behind us.

  "Heath," I whisper angrily, "I thought we agreed-"

  "I know, and I'm sorry for interrupting," he says, turning to look at Blythe, and then back at me, before moving on to address Blythe. "Where's your security?"

  "I...I snuck out," Blythe mutters. "Ethan thinks I'm taking a nap."

  "How'd you get here then?" he asks, horrified.

  "I took a cab," Blythe replies, perplexed. "I mean, how hard is it to walk out of the hotel looking like this? Without my make-up, I'm just plain Jane," she says, pausing to look at me. "Well, we are plain Jane."

  Heath shakes his head angrily. "You never leave without your security detail, Blythe, alright? Never!”

  "But why not? She's not a Kheiron like you," I say, glancing at Wally, who is scowling a few feet away. "What's the big deal?"

  Heath takes Blythe's left hand, her engagement ring glistening in the afternoon sun. "This is the big deal."

  "The ring?" Blythe scoffs. "It's just a ring."

  “While you think you may not be an official Kheiron yet, Blythe, with your engagement to Ethan, you're as good as one," Heath growls as he lets go of her hand. "And that means you don't travel without a security detail. Do you understand?"

  Blythe stares at him before turning to look at me, her eyebrow raised. "Isay ehay alyaywayyay isthay erioussay?" she asks in pig-Latin. Is he always this serious?

  "Ouyay avehay onay ideaway," I reply, nodding. You have no idea.

  "I understood that, Billie," Heath says drily.

  "Illkay oyjay," Blythe mutters, rolling her eyes.

  "And I'm not a killjoy, Blythe,” Heath counters as Blythe and I giggle. Whatever tension that had been in the air between the three of us now gone.

  Suddenly Blythe reaches towards my neck and slides the neckline of my shirt down, revealing Heath's mark on my skin. My face burns with embarrassment as I pull away.

  “Blythe!” I exclaim, pushing her hand away.

  “I knew there was a reason why you were glowing,” she says, staring at me and then at Heath. "You two really are, like, a couple."

  "No, we're not," Heath and I both say at the same time.

  "We're not," I repeat, wishing I'd stop blushing. "Really, we are so not."

  “Look at you two,” Blythe chuckles. “Denial is a river in Egypt, you know—and you guys are swimming laps in it."

  23

  Family Time

  It's difficult to ignore Blythe's security detail arriving at the wharf five minutes later led by an imposing man named Brad. With them is a scowling Ethan whose scowl only turns deeper when he sees who Blythe is with. It's definitely one feature the brothers have in common although, in my humble opinion, Heath wins it hands down.

  Despite the animosity between them, being in public means that the brothers have to be on their best behavior, and they are, even as Ethan's gaze sweeps over to Heath coldly.

  "You could have told me where she was before you got here,” Ethan says. “I thought she was at the hotel.”

  "Does it matter now?" Heath replies. "You're here."

  "Only because I'm about to fire my entire security detail for letting her slip out of the hotel unnoticed. If it weren't for one of your men alerting me to her whereabouts, I don't know what I would have done," Ethan snaps before turning to look at Blythe.

  But if he'd been angry seconds earlier, it's gone when he sees her, and his face softens. "Never sneak out like that again, babe. You had me just about climbing the walls when you weren't answering my calls. God, with Jackson and Charlene gone, I thought—"

  He pulls Blythe towards him, her petite frame swallowed up in his arms. Suddenly, she's no plain Jane. She blossoms right there in front of me, and I feel a stab of jealousy cut through me as I find myself looking away.

  “Wait, what about Jackson and Charlene?” I ask.

  “They’re gone. They just left,” Ethan replies. “And they took all the paperwork with them.”

  “What paperwork?” Heath asks.

  “Practically my whole office. Anything that has to do with the company. Richard is beside himself with worry, because now he thinks I’m going to blame him.”

  “Any compromising information that I need to know about?” Heath asks. He’s all business now, his brow furrowed as he studies his brother.

  “That’s what I need you to help me with,” Ethan says, exhaling. “I hear there’s an emergency meeting for tomorrow, something about me embezzling money from the company. Are they crazy? Did you know about this?”

  “I did.”

  “When the hell were you going to tell me this was going on?”

  "When you'd stop flying halfway around the world just to avoid speaking to me," Heath replies curtly.

  Already, people have taken out their phones and are filming us, though mostly it's Ethan they recognize. Some of them even wish him good luck for tomorrow's tournament, prompting the security detail to form a loose ring around us.

  "Why don't we all head back to the hotel then? My suite," Heath says and within minutes, the men tasked to watch us converge in a loose semi-circle and guiding us back to the parking lot. Minutes later, we’re all in our respective cars and making our way back to the resort hotel.

  “You weren’t kidding about all the security,” I mutter as I Heath hooks his pinkie finger with mine. “He’s like the American version of David Beckham.”

  Heath chuckles. “Because he is, at least when it comes to polo. And right now he’s exactly where he’d be recognized because of the tournament. He’s not as famous in the US as he is in Europe and South America, where polo is more recognized. But there’s also the Kheiron name. When Father died, his inheritance was leaked to the press. His and Jessica’s.”

  “And yours?"

  "Father's will only provided for rightful heirs, so I wasn't included," Heath says, turning his attention to the view outside the window.

  “That’s cold.”

  He shrugs. "He wanted to make a point."

  “What about Ethan and Jessica? Did they object to the exclusion?”

  “Ethan and I were never close, and he knew I didn’t need the money. As for Jess, she'd rather keep away from the family drama as much as she can."

  "So, basically, you’re all estranged."

  "Basically."

  "All because of money—or in this case, too much money."

  He shrugs again. “You could say that, though money isn’t the reason for all our problems. There are other things more important than money to fight over.”

  When we arrive at the hotel, it's a quick walk across the lobby and then into the suite. I notice that Wally and Brad are staying in the suite adjacent to us, and so are two other people, a man and a woman who are also part of the security detail.

  "As soon as Blythe is ready to leave, we'll be on our way to Sacramento,” Heath says.

  There’s a knock on the door, and Ethan and Blythe enter, one of the bodyguards right behind them though Ethan tells h
im to stay outside. She's no longer wearing her prescription glasses, and she's now got some makeup on, eyeliner that enhances her eyes more and pink lipstick. No more plain Jane to my plain Jane.

  After the requisite hellos, we all sit down except for Heath, who stands in front of the balcony windows.

  Ethan starts the conversation. ”So about this embezzlement nonsense, Heath, do Harris and Tyler know that I'm not involved?"

  “Yes, they do.”

  Ethan shakes his head. "I can't believe Harris looked me in the eye yesterday and said everything was fine. And then Jackson and Charlene, the very people who head my damn office. And they have my passwords-"

  "And I hope to God you changed every single one of them, Ethan," Heath snaps. "The fact that you entrusted most, if not all, of your financial matters to Jackson and Charlene is appalling."

  "Only after it was evident that I couldn't run a company on my own, not after I returned to playing polo again,” Ethan retorts. “You, of all people, Heath, should know how important polo is to me—"

  "Then you shouldn't have tried sitting on the Board in the first place," Heath counters and suddenly both brothers are on their feet, and Blythe squeezes my hand, casting me a worried glance.

  "I was only doing what Father wished for me to do, which was to head the company after he died,” Ethan says. "Everything I've ever done was to please him. It's not like I had a choice.”

  Ethan exhales, runs his fingers through is blonde hair and sits back down. He curses under his breath as he leans back on the couch and looks up at the ceiling. Blythe lets go of my hand as he reaches for her and pulls her next to him.

  "Everyone thinks I'm the lucky brother. Can you believe that? They have no idea just how tough it is being the one Father pinned every one of his hopes on,“ Ethan says as Heath settles back on the armchair.

  “Would you like Billie and I to give you two some privacy?” Blythe asks, making a move to get up but Ethan pulls her back down next to him.

  "What for? To hide from you what my family is really like?" Ethan says. "This is what my family is like, Blythe. We’re fucked up. No wonder Jess was smart enough to get married so young, just to get out of her brothers' way. No wonder she runs the opposite direction the moment she sees us coming. Even her annual holiday party is just to show everyone on both sides that we're all a happy family."

  From the corner of my eyes, I can see Heath watching me, though when I turn to catch his gaze. He turns away, focusing his attention back to Ethan.

  "Sooner or later, we were bound to self-destruct, and that's exactly what's happening right now,” Ethan continues, his voice soft now, his gaze directed at the coffee table in front of him.

  “It doesn’t have to be that way.”

  They all look at me, surprised, and I realize too late that it's me who just spoke up. Blythe's eyes are wide, her mouth an astonished O.

  "Excuse me?" Ethan asks.

  "I mean, just because it's always been that way doesn't mean it has to be that way," I stammer. “But then, I’m not one to talk about moving on because God knows, I haven't moved on from my crap. But maybe it's time we all did. Rich or poor, whoever we are, it's just...just time to step away from the past. Because while we're all so caught up with everything so terrible with our families, whether it’s crappy relationship, sibling rivalries, or whatever, there are people out there just waiting to finish you guys off.”

  I pause, embarrassed by my outburst of amateur wisdom. If only I listen to my advice, maybe I'd be happier, too.

  "But you're right, Billie," Heath says, and there’s a faint smile on his lips. He takes a deep breath and turns towards Ethan. "Now, I'm sure that whether all this is Jackson and Charlene, it doesn't change the fact that it happened through your office. Not only that, but Blythe is the signatory to four million dollars currently deposited in Swiss bank accounts, and your flight plan includes Geneva in two days."

  “That’s because I’m visiting old friends in Geneva. Remember Klaus and Anna?” Ethan says.

  I turned to look at Blythe. “So you are going to Geneva.”

  “I was until Charlene kept bugging me to update my passport because I shouldn’t be flying around the world with yours. After we flew to Auburn yesterday, I’d had it with all the running around.”

  “Wait, you’ve been flying with your sister’s passport all this time?” Ethan looks at both of us. “Come to think of it, do I even have the right twin?”

  “Babe!” Blythe smacks Ethan’s thigh.

  “I sure hope you do,” Heath says, rolling his eyes. “But let’s not change the subject. We still need to address the emergency meeting and Jackson and Charlene’s disappearance, and the fact that we’ve all been set up.”

  “All? You mean Blythe and me,” Ethan says. “You’re going to get out of this scot-free, Heath.”

  “Not when it was my decision to hold off any legal investigation into your questionable activities when we first detected it four months ago.”

  “Why did you do that?” Ethan asks.

  “Because I refused to believe that you’re willing to risk everything for a meager ten percent of your personal net worth,” Heath replies, before turning to look at me. “And until I get all this figured out, Billie and Blythe are heading to Nevada City.”

  "Excuse me?" Blythe asks incredulously as she sits up. "I don't care what happens, but I'm not going anywhere without Ethan."

  I touch her hand. "Blythe, the Feds could charge you with accessory-"

  "I don't care what they charge me with, Bee," she says. "I'm not guilty. And if I run, it will only make everyone think that I am guilty.”

  "We know now that you and Ethan are not involved, but that's not why you need to be out of the way,” Heath says. “What if someone intends to harm you?"

  "I'm still not leaving Ethan," she says firmly, sitting closer to him as she addresses Heath this time. "If there's anything Mom and Dad taught Billie and me, it’s that we never abandon the ones we love, no matter what happens.”

  “Jail time?”

  My question earns me a glower as Blythe continues. “And I know it sounds corny and maybe it is, but I'm not bailing from this ship—no way. I don't even care if people think that I'm a gold digger. They can think whatever they want to, but it still doesn’t change the fact that I haven't done anything wrong."

  I get up from my seat. ”Can I talk to you in the other room, Blythe?"

  "And you're not changing my mind either, Bee," she says, folding her arms in front of her.

  "I'm not," I say, relieved to see Blythe relax. I may not be able to talk Blythe out of her decision to stay, but Heath and Ethan have a few things to talk about, things that should remain, between brothers, just like Blythe and I have our secrets, pig-Latin or not.

  "We'll be in the bedroom if you need us," I say as I take Blythe's hand and lead her into the bedroom.

  “Thank you, Billie,” Heath murmurs as I give him a sheepish grin for it’s all I can do, not when Blythe isn’t too happy being pulled away from her fiancee and Ethan doesn’t look as thrilled with the prospect of spending time with his half-brother.

  But just as I thought, it doesn't take long before the brothers start talking—really talking—and the things that had long been simmering beneath the surface boil over. Blythe and I can hear them through the door, though we don't make a move to interrupt them, the words held back for so long finally spilling out between them.

  24

  Walls

  It takes the brothers an hour to straighten personal differences between them as best as they can while the next two hours are spent with Heath’s legal and accounting team who arrive from Los Angeles. Though they don't finish by the time we all have to head to the airport, it’s a good enough start to secure what could have been lost due to Ethan's carelessness.

  By the time they all walk out of Heath’s suite and make their way to the lobby, I'm all packed and ready to go—and wishing that Blythe is coming home with me. />
  "I wish you'd change your mind. We still have one week of vacation left, Blythe. Why not come home with me?” I say, holding her hand and refusing to let go as we stand in the lobby while Heath and Ethan talk with the hotel management.

  “Because this is where we would have gone, Bee, right here in Santa Barbara for Ethan's match, and we would have hung out at the pool or the beach, and gone shopping. I figured maybe coming here, where we came once with Mom and Dad when we were kids, would have been a perfect way to spend the last week together. Sure Ethan would have been working but-" she pauses, then sighs. “Look, I wish I could go home with you, Bee, but I hope you understand why I can't."

  “I’m trying.”

  "I don't want to look like I'm guilty by hiding away in the boonies," Blythe continues. “When the news hits about this embezzlement I’m supposed to have done, I want to be next to Ethan, like, you know, those wives standing next to their husbands who've cheated on them. Sure, I’m not a wife yet but just like Heath said, I’m good as one with this.”

  She holds up her left hand to show me her ring, and I pull her to me, hugging her as tightly as I can. “It’s okay, Blythe. I understand. I'd probably do the same thing if I were in your shoes.”

  Her face brightens as she pulls away. ”With Heath?"

  "No."

  "Oh, please Billie, stop with the denial,” Blythe says, her voice lowering. "Ever since Andrew, you've been blaming yourself for what happened. And knowing you, after everything I said back in Saint Lucia about what really happened, you’re probably going to blame yourself even more.”

  This time I don’t say anything, because I know she’s right. For years, I blamed her for seducing Andrew when all this time, it had been the other way around. And even if she’s not exactly telling the truth, it doesn’t change the fact that I believed Andrew and gave no one else a chance to say a word edge-wise.

  “I’m going to file charges against him.”

  Her words take me by surprise, and I stare at her. “Wait! What charges?”