by Liv Morris
“Goddammit, Adam.” Tom stands up and turns his back to me. The symbolism of his stance is significant and one I likely deserve. “I shouldn’t be upset with you, I suppose, but using women like you’ve done for years... it came back to haunt you, didn’t it?”
“I know.” I agree with him. Simon’s face, with the same mocking smile, and the word karma flash through my mind.
Tom turns to me, his face scrunched in anger. “You better learn from this goddamned mistake. Actions have consequences. They set wheels in motion. You’re a genius, so figure your shit out.”
“I think I have.” My voice is nothing more than a whisper, enforcing my guilt.
“I sure as hell hope so. I don’t know Kathryn well but—”
As he speaks, the door opens and Kathryn comes walking in as if on cue, holding two cups of coffee.
She must feel the heaviness in the room between Tom and I because the worry lines deepen between her brows.
“I interrupted something, didn’t I?” Her question is as intuitive as she is.
“We were just finishing up. No problem.” Tom tries to ease the palpable tension but eyes me in a way that tells me this conversation isn’t over, not by a long shot.
Shit. I have a hell of lot to prove to him, Kathryn, and even myself. If I become a truly better man there will be only one reason for my change. Kathryn.
Chapter 3
We’re finally pulling away from the hospital after making a covert escape. Goliath had me exit through an underground staff-parking garage. We’d hoped going out that way would keep the media from getting shots of me.
Tom left quickly after Kathryn came back with coffee. He hardly said a word of good-bye to me. The once jovial Tom couldn’t get past my indiscretions and the effects they had on not just me but Simon.
Kathryn sits by my side in the back of the SUV. She’s been quiet ever since Tom left. Her pensive mood is driving me nuts since I have no clue what’s going on in her mind. Our only connection is our hands as we hold them together.
“Kathryn? What are you thinking?” I’m half-afraid to hear what she will say. Maybe she’s having second thoughts about us. I’ve put this woman through a hell of a lot since we met. I have no frame of reference for being with someone like her, either. I am pathetic and out of my league. It’s a feeling I don’t care for but I can’t seem to shake it. I wipe a little sweat over my brow and silently curse to myself because sweat has always been a sign of weakness to me.
“I don’t know.” She lowers her head and bites her lip. I fear she’s holding back words I don’t want to hear. “I was hoping we weren’t going back to your place.”
“Is that what’s bothering you?” This I can work with. I think. I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Yes, I’m not quite prepared to go back to The Pierre and see where it all happened.” She looks at me, eyes pleading, asking me to keep her from having to relive today’s memories.
Memories of Simon holding a gun to her head, me being shot, and Hayes killing Simon right in front of us. It all makes sense now. After Tom left, I told her we were going back to The Pierre, and she went silent after that. I should have known this would bother her.
“Ah, beautiful.” I place my arm around her shoulders, choosing to ignore the pain below my ribs and focus on her because this usually strong woman needs me. “Let me ask Eddie what entrance of the building we’re taking.”
“Hey, Eddie,” I say over the low music. The partition is already down in the SUV. We didn’t feel it was necessary for privacy today. “Where are you dropping us off at The Pierre?”
“Peters wants us at the building’s entrance on Fifth. It’s a quicker walk to the elevators, and he said the paps are waiting on the sidewalk by the Sixty-First Street entrance, closer to Barney’s.”
“Great,” I answer, both relieved and in agreement with the plan. I nudge Kathryn with my arm. “No worries, babe. We won’t be near where everything happened.”
“Good. I’m not ready to face that place yet.” The relief in her is evident as she snuggles into my side. Again I suppress the pain. She needs me, and damn if I don’t need her even more.
I hold her tightly until we hit Sixty-Third Street. I know we are getting close and need to prepare for a quick exit from the vehicle as the SUV makes the turn onto Fifth Avenue.
“We’re almost there,” I tell her. Kathryn pulls away from my side and looks up at me. “I’ll lead, so stay close to me. There will be no waiting for Eddie or Hayes. Once the wheels stop, we’ll step out onto the sidewalk and hurry toward the door.”
She nods, agreeing with me. I look out my window and see Eddie pulling up to the entrance and stop the SUV. The sidewalk’s signature black and white checkered tiles greet me as I exit with Kathryn by my side.
We jog toward the double doors. I’m holding my side like I’m fucking Napoleon. The pain radiates through me with each footstep on the pavement.
“Adam, are you okay?” Kathryn asks once we’re inside. By now I’m doubled over and panting like a damn pussy. She's rubbing her hands over my back.
“I’ll. Be. Okay.” I spout out my words one by one between breaths. “Just. Need. To. Catch. My. Breath.”
Stuffing the pain away, I grab her hand and start for the elevators. I’ll relax once I’m upstairs in my apartment. I hear a commotion behind us and glance over my shoulder long enough to see Goliath with his arms stretched wide. Apparently, the paps have realized I just arrived and tried to follow us inside. Fortunately I listened to Peters and kept Goliath around to keep the paps out of the hotel. Hopefully they didn’t get a view of Kathryn with me and her connection to me is still a secret. I don’t want her drawn into this clusterfuck.
“That was close,” I say, finally able to breathe normally as we near the elevators.
“Does this happen to you a lot or is it just because of the shooting?”
“It’s the shooting and Simon’s death. Other than a few photos at events and the occasional press conference, the media pretty much leaves me alone.”
“Good. I can’t imagine living like this. I’d go crazy. I’m too independent.”
“That you are, beautiful.” I nod to the elevator attendant as we approach him.
I’m thankful he monitors who enters these elevators. Only registered guests and residents are allowed up from here. They must show their keys, and I’ve even seen the guard check their validity by asking for their IDs. It’s great security The Pierre offers.
We stand outside the residents’ elevator. Guests of the hotel aren’t allowed to enter this one. I punch in my code and we wait for the elevator to arrive. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a group heading our way. Something isn’t right about them, though. Before I can react, lights flash and my name echoes around the marbled hallway.
“Jesus,” I utter under my breath and move quickly to stand between them and Kathryn. A protective gesture I hope was in time and keeps them from photographing her.
“Shit, Adam.” She collapses into me as I practically scoop her up and move into the waiting elevator. My side roars in pain as the questions from what must be reporters begin.
“Mr. Kingsley, who is that with you?” yells one reporter.
“Why did Simon Edwards attempt to kill you this morning?” shouts another.
The elevator closes as the last question lingers in the air.
“Rumors are that you had a relationship with his fiancée. Is this true?”
I shake my head in disgust because Kathryn knows about the press leak now. The reporters shouldn’t have found out about Simon’s fiancée, and I can only imagine it was the police who tipped off the press. Those detectives were idiot bastards who hated me. It was apparent in their questioning. They thought I was a cheating, rich asshole, to put it mildly.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I yell while leaning back and hitting my head against the shiny chrome wall in frustration.
Kathryn places her hands on my hips, so I tilt my head
down to see her gazing up at me. Her eyes are soft and show me a depth of understanding and compassion I don’t deserve but need like the air I breathe.
“Adam,” she murmurs to me in a comforting way. I place my hands on her waist to bring her closer to me as the elevator carries us up to my floor. “I’m glad you told me the truth about Simon. You could’ve hidden the reason behind this entire mess from me, but you didn’t. So don’t let them get to you. Simon’s actions weren’t how a normal person would react. He was a sick, sick man.”
“I did set the stage, though. Deep down I want to believe you’re right. But the simple fact is my actions have put us in this whole mess. It’s the kind of gossip that the media thrives on. Salacious and outrageous and I don’t want your name drawn into this. That’s my only worry. It will take a little time, but after a while, the media coverage will die down and move on. Another scandal or disaster will wipe this story off the front page.” I hope my predictions come to pass. I know Wall Street has the memory of an elephant. Traders and analysts never forget.
“Do you think they got a clear view of me?” I hate that she has to even ask me this question.
“I don’t know. I’ll have Peters check the news feeds for me. He said he’d meet me back here. Until now, you haven’t been connected to me. I think the term was ‘innocent bystander’ from the news reports so far.”
“I’m glad I reached my mother before she saw the news about me... and you.”
“I should’ve had you go home instead of coming here with me or at the very least had you come into the building without me. I wasn’t thinking. Truth is I don’t want to be apart from you right now.” My selfish desires for her have put her in the spotlight.
“And there’s no place I’d rather be.” She removes her hands from my hips and cups my chin.
Her fingers glide over my jaw with the lightest of touch and I relax into them. This woman unravels all the knots in me and lays me bare. I tighten my hold around her waist, not wanting to let go as the doors to the elevator open and we exit onto my floor.
“Peters,” I yell as I enter my apartment with Kathryn behind me. I’m livid and he’s going to get an earful. He walks around the corner that leads to the kitchen. He must have been back in the butler’s bedroom.
“Yes, sir.” Peters keeps his distance in the large living room. I can feel tension vibrating off me in angry waves.
“The fucking reporters were downstairs shouting questions at me.” I have my fists wrapped into tight balls at this point. I need answers.
“I was assured the hotel staff was guarding the lobby and only registered guests were being admitted. My apologies, sir.”
“Obviously, they let some of those fuckers slip through. Kathryn and I dodged into the elevator as the reporters screamed questions at me. One being, did I sleep with Simon’s fiancée? I think I know how they found out, too. Those damn detectives. And there will be hell to pay if they leaked it. I’ll have their badges.”
“Nothing is sacred, Mr. Kingsley. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be upset, but in this day and age, there’s no controlling leaks. Even the president has trouble with his own staffers.” Peters’ words grate at me and offer no relief.
“When they come for the interview at three, I want you here and putting their feet to the fire. You’re good at that. If they did leak it, we need to know. I’m not answering one question until we address this with them. Got it?” I run my fingers through my hair in frustration because the control I need in this situation remains out of my grasp.
“Got it.” I can tell he wants to leave the room and escape my wrath as he backs away from me, but I’m not quite finished yet.
“Another thing. Check the news feeds. I want to know if the reporters recognized Kathryn.”
“Will do.” Smartly he flees to the back of the apartment.
Now it’s just me, Kathryn, and my dark mood in the room. I wonder what Kathryn thinks of my ugly tirade. I glance over and see a worried look stretched across her beautiful face. A look that I put there.
Frustrated with myself and needing to calm down, I walk over to the wall of windows overlooking Central Park. The green on the trees is beginning to show the signs of spring. New beginnings. I lean my head against the glass and hope somehow fate or God will give me the same chance because I sure as hell have fucked my life up.
“Adam.” Kathryn moves to my side and rubs her hands down my back. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before facing her. Control is what I need right now, not my abominable temper.
“Sorry, beautiful.” She’s here beside me, understanding, accepting. “Clearly, I’m not the man you deserve. Have I scared you away yet?”
“You’re kidding, right?” She answers back with a smile, and every fear fades away. “Believe it or not, you’re the first man in two years I’ve wanted to be with. I don’t think my feelings are that fleeting. Actually, I rather like you. Besides, I’m known for taking cocky rich boys and turning them into men.”
I bring her in my arms, and she giggles at my sudden move, likely not expecting it with my injury. But I couldn’t care less about the pain. I brush aside the hair that’s fallen in her face and press my lips against hers. Hard. The kiss is backed by a feeling so intense I can’t begin to name its source. It’s beyond my heart, more like the marrow deep in my bones.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I bury my face in her hair. The smell of her perfume intoxicates me. “I’ve learned my lesson and need you to teach me how to be a better man. Before we’ve hardly begun, I fear I’m going to drag you through my muddy reputation. Staining me might be deserved, but marking you is a sin.”
She pulls away a few inches and tilts her head. There’s a quizzical look in her eyes. “You really think you’re unworthy because you’ve made some mistakes in your life, don’t you?”
“After the last few days, yes. I think it started when I wasn’t there for my mother when she took her life. It did something to me.”
“It’s tormented you.” She does that wonderful thing with her fingers in my hair that I love.
“Yes,” I say and pull her closer, loving how her softness molds into me. We fit perfectly.
As we silently hold one another, I hear footsteps against the wood floor. I look up from our embrace, expecting to see Peters, but it’s Rosa, instead.
“Rosa.” Partially releasing Kathryn, I turn us toward my housekeeper. “I didn’t know you were here, but I’m glad to see you.”
“Oh, Mr. Kingsley.” She practically runs to where we’re standing. Once she’s closer, I can make out the tears brimming in her eyes. “I was so frightened. When I watched the news this morning, I worried that you might be dead, too.”
“Like I told you earlier when we talked, I’m going to be okay. I promise. I was extremely lucky. It could have been much worse.” I smile down at the petite woman whose concern for me, her often-distant employer, surprises me. Rosa eyes between Kathryn and me. It’s time for an introduction.
“I’d like for you meet someone very special to me.” I can’t disguise the pride I feel having Kathryn at my side.
“She’s the lady on the TV.” Rosa’s volume rises with excitement and her eyes become wide as she recognizes Kathryn. “But they say you weren’t with Mr. Kingsley.”
“As you can see, she is very much with me.” I lean down and kiss Kathryn on the top of her head. “Although we’re keeping it hush-hush for a while.”
“Oh, this is very good.” Rosa’s sad expression changes to one of sheer delight as a broad smile graces her face. “Hello, Miss...”
She pauses, needing help with Kathryn’s name. I step in with the introductions. “Rosa, this is Kathryn Delcour. Dr. Kathryn Delcour, in fact.”
“Please, you can call me Kathryn,” she says while giving me a sweet tease with her eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rosa.”
Rosa has taken Kathryn’s hands and raises them in the air, surprising Kathryn as she inspects her from head to toe. K
athryn glances up and gives me a “what’s up with her” look. I shrug my shoulders because I haven’t a clue.
“You’re very beautiful,” Rosa finally says.
“Thank you,” Kathryn responds, and I detect a little relief in her tone.
“And you’re Mr. Kingsley’s girlfriend, right?” Rosa’s signature grin lights up her face.
Kathryn begins to laugh, and I become tense wondering what her response will be. “Yes, I guess you could call me his girlfriend.”
“This is very good.” Rosa takes Kathryn’s arm and leads her toward the kitchen. “So many nights he’s here in this big old apartment all alone.”
“Is that right?” Kathryn glances over her shoulder at me with a wicked smile on her face. She appears to be enjoying Rosa’s rundown of my habits, and it makes me feel like a fucking child.
“Yes, he never has company.” Rosa shakes her head as if my lifestyle is a crying shame, and truthfully she’s dead-on in that view. “You’re the first girlfriend I’ve met.”
“So I’ve heard,” Kathryn says with undeniable sarcasm.
“It’s about time he looked to the future. What good is life unless we have someone to share it with, right?”
“Rosa, those are very true words. Don’t you agree, Adam?”
“Yes, beautiful, I do.” I twist a strand of her long hair between my fingers as I walk behind her.
“I have food for you both in the kitchen. I fixed my meatloaf, your favorite, Mr. Kingsley.”
I swear my stomach growled at the mere mention of Rosa’s cooking. Her meatloaf reigns as my favorite comfort food and reminds me of my childhood. My mother’s was a touch better, but I think the added love for me she put into her recipe made the difference.
“Bring it on!” I can smell the aroma of what awaits us the closer we get to the kitchen. “You’re going love her meatloaf, beautiful.”
“Rosa, can I help you with anything?” Kathryn moves closer to Rosa, who’s pulling the meatloaf out of the oven, I plant myself at the kitchen table since that’s where some of the food is already laid out.