“Listening,” Chase says in a bored voice.
“Blaine Montrose. Fucking guy has gone off the deep-end. He’s got a thing for Charlotte and he’s made some threats toward me. He’s dangerous, and I need someone to keep an eye on him since I can’t exactly get close.”
“Dangerous how? And why don’t you get your father’s crew to bust his ass up and bury him? Since when do you need us?”
“Since I don’t want him dead. Yet.” I look around me, just to make sure Blaine hasn’t unexpectedly shown up to grab an early lunch. “I just want to know what he’s up to. I don’t like him hanging around Charlotte. And I don’t like the company he keeps.” I pull out my phone and shove the screen in their faces so they can get a good look at Gio Rossi. “Blaine has been seen with this guy. I caught them together in that club we went to. He’s bad news — big into drugs and pussy. I don’t know what Blaine’s gotten himself into, but I’m afraid for Char.”
“Fuck me, how’d he get that scar?” Asher asks.
I roll my eyes. “I did it, asshat.”
“Get the fuck outta here! You fucking did that? With what — a knife? A machete?” Asher breathes, staring at the phone closely.
“With my fucking mind,” I snort. “I didn’t do it. I’m just fucking with you.”
Chase looks at me. “I’m serious, Xander. Why are you telling us? What do you want?”
“Look, if you guys keep an eye out, Blaine doesn’t think twice. If I do it or my family starts breathing down his neck, I become even more of a target. And the last thing I want is for this shit to come down on Charlotte’s head. She needs to be protected, from both of them. This is serious, guys. You always wanted me to let you in, well, here’s your chance. If you catch these guys together, you let me know.” I look from Asher to Chase. “That’s how this works. You wash my back, I wash yours. You wanted power. Well, now you have it.”
Chapter 19
Charlotte
Sitting in the back of Rolland’s Town Car with Ellie is the best way to end the week I have had. Well, the best period since I got back to Ridgeview.
I hadn’t really noticed it before, but my life has been a little flat since my return. With all of the stupid drama with Xander, Melina, Scarface, my accident, and my recollections from that completely awful, I hadn’t really started living my life here.
It feels like one big jumbled mess after another has put a hold on me actually enjoying myself and being who I am.
I missed being carefree and doing girly things like this. The little things in life are really so important. I needed to start smelling some damn roses for a change and going to Bergdorf’s this afternoon was exactly the flower that I needed to smell today.
“Have a wonderful time, ladies,” Rolland calls from the driver’s seat back to us. “I’ll be just down the road. Let me know when you’re ready for me to collect you.”
“Thanks,” I coo with a smile while following Ellie out of the car.
“I didn’t think it was going to be this incredible,” Ellie remarks, standing on the sidewalk, staring up at the tall building.
“Just wait until we’re inside. This place is about to blow your mind.”
I hook my arm with Ellie’s before walking up to the door.
“Good afternoon, ladies. Do you have an appointment with us?” a kind blonde asks, holding the glass door for us.
“Yes, Charlotte Hawthorne. I am looking for a dress for an upcoming gala. It’s a little short notice. The party is tomorrow night.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” The young woman smiles sweetly at us, checking her iPad quickly. “Oh, yes, there you are. Brett will be right down to greet you. He has already started pulling some of our newer, one-of-a-kind pieces for you. Can I offer you sparkling water? Coffee, maybe?”
I purse my lips. “Champagne?” I ask with a little grin.
She nods. “Of course!”
Ellie squeals a little into my ear. “I can’t believe I am about to sip champagne in Bergdorf’s with you.”
I grab her hand. “Believe it.”
“Miss Hawthorne?” An impeccably dressed young man beams over at us with a tray carrying two champagne flutes.
“Yes?”
Handing us our beverages, he nods his head for us to follow him toward the gown section of the store. “I am so looking forward to playing dress up with you today.” He glances back over his shoulder, pointing to a dressing room off in the corner. “I took the liberty of pulling the file with your measurements to get a jump start for you but we do need to make sure that they are still accurate. I hope that is all right.”
“That’s fantastic,” I elate, looking around to all of the gorgeous dresses hanging all over.
Ellie takes a seat, clapping a little. “Fashion show time!”
After Brett did a quick check on my measurements and made the necessary adjustments to my file, I slip into the first gown, a long navy number with a plunging sweetheart neckline and breathtaking beadwork adorning the bodice. Strutting out into the lounge area, I do a little twirl for Brett and Ellie.
“This one is a little snug in the hips,” I remark, rubbing my hands over my waistline, immediately feeling self-conscious.
Ellie shakes her head violently. “It’s amazing! But we can’t go with the first dress. We need options.”
“I couldn’t agree more, miss.” Brett smiles down at Ellie. “Why don’t we try the blush one next? I think this one has a lot of promise.
Right as I pull the dress up, I feel like a princess, but not in a good way. The dress is poufy in all of the wrong places.
Ellie laughs as I make my way over to her. “You look like a cupcake. Does it come in a red velvet flavor? That’s more my style.”
It was nice to giggle along with her. I usually did most of my shopping with my mother, who was always more interested in her purchases than mine.
“Next,” Brett sings out.
* * *
After my fifth dress, the perfect choice still eluding me, Ellie pops up from her chair. “I think we need a coffee break. You want anything?”
I shake my head, thumbing a black satin style that I am hoping is going to be lucky number six.
Brett waves his hand over to Ellie. “I’ll show you where the coffee is.” Turning to me, he points around. “You look at the new ones I just brought up and we will be back in a flash.”
“Thank you.”
Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Vera Wang. I was surrounded by all of the greats, lost in the lavish draping of designer fabric and textures.
Instantly the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Whipping around, I find myself inches away from Scarface. My heart starts pounding in my neck as I try to catch my breath.
“Looks like the princess is getting ready for a ball. How sweet,” he snarls, thumbing a Dior gown to his left.
“What do you want?” I hiss, trying to stand my ground on shaking knees.
How the fuck did he find me? Why is he still following me? Wasn’t the accident enough to scare the life out of me? What could he possibly want with a high school kid this badly?
“Tell your father that things aren’t happening fast enough for our liking and if he wants to keep what he has left, he’d better show us that he can deliver. It’s time for him to get his head out of his ass and understand that my boss actually means business.” His voice rakes over my skin as he inches closer to me. “Next time I find you, you won’t just have a banged-up head. You’ll be tucked in nice and close to that beloved brother you miss so much.”
I swallow hard. “I don’t even know what you mean. I have nothing to do with my father’s business.”
Cocking his head to his side, he narrows his eyes at me. “I don’t care if you’re involved. I care about the message you’re going to deliver to Daddy Hawthorne. And believe me, I’ll know if you don’t follow through. Have a nice day, Charlotte.” He nods his head over to the pile of dresses. “Oh, yeah. The Vera Wang one is my favorite.
”
And as quickly as he appeared, Scarface turns and stalks away, masked by racks and racks of designer dresses.
Falling into a chair behind me, my hand flies up to my chest. My heart feels like it is going to explode as his threatening words roll around in my mind.
What in the fuck just happened? I dig my phone out of my handbag, my fingers trembling as they hover over the screen.
“Char?” Ellie asks, pulling on my arm, startling me.
I let out a yelp, fear and panic gripping me. I jump up from the plush couch. “We have to go,” I bark out, grabbing my bag and yanking Ellie behind me. “I’ll take the Prada dress, Brett. The navy one. Can you have it delivered to my address on file by tomorrow morning?”
“Of course.”
“Just put it on my mother’s account. Thank you!”
“Have a nice evening, ladies,” Brett calls after us as I grab Ellie’s wrist, pulling her behind me.
Running down the sidewalk, I dive into the back of Rolland’s Town Car, ignoring Ellie’s questions until we are safely with my bodyguard.
“Drive,” I yell. “We need to get home right away.”
Rolland doesn’t even think to ask me why I’m so frantic, so intent on getting away from the expensive store. Instead, he just pulls out into traffic and starts to make his way back to our side of the bridge. I push the button to slide up the divider partition before sinking into the seat next to my friend.
“Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?” Ellie hisses, her arms crossing over her chest.
And the words just tumble out into the air before I consider the fact that maybe I shouldn’t involve my friend, that somehow it could put her in danger, too. My chest tightens, pulse pounding out of control as I recount the threat.
“Someone is stalking me. He found me in the shop while you were getting coffee with Brett. Threatened me and my family.” I can’t believe the words that are spilling out as I try to catch my breath. If we weren’t sure about Scarface stalking me before, we sure as hell are now. There is no other explanation. He’s made it clear that my dad needs to do something for him and he’s not working fast enough. My fists clench as a gaggle of tears catches in the back of my throat. What in the fuck does my father have to do with scumbags like this?
Questions start erupting in my brain as Ellie’s hand lands on mine.
“If someone is threatening you, we need to go to the cops.” Her eyes search mine as I blink back tears.
Shaking my head violently, I pull in a deep breath. “I need to talk to my father. He’s the one who will know what to do about all of this.”
“Are you going to be all right?” Ellie asks, her voice low and concerned as her eyes drift out the window.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to get home and figure all of this out. I’m sorry that you had to deal with any of this today,” I admit. Ellie was the first friend whom I had made in years and here we were being threatened by some douchebag because of some business bullshit my father has gotten himself into.
“Don’t be sorry. I am just worried about you,” she breathes out as Rolland pulls up to the curb in front of her house.
“I am going to be fine. Promise. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Sounds like a plan. Call me later and let me know how everything is going?”
“I promise.”
* * *
Rushing into the house, I pull open the door to my father’s study without knocking.
Looking up from his computer, my father takes off his reading glasses. “Lottie? What’s wrong?”
My chest is heaving, my knees are shaking, my head is spinning.
Everything...out of control.
“I need to tell you something and I know that you’re not going to believe me, but I don’t know what else to do,” I huff, raking my fingers through my long, loose hair. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck prickle.
“Sit,” my father instructs as he points to the armchair opposite him.
I shake my head. “I can’t sit. I can’t breathe!”
“Charlotte, what in the hell is going on?” my father’s voice booms as his spine stiffens. He pushes back his chair and takes a few steps toward me.
“Dad, someone is following me. I first saw him at the airport right when I got home. He was at the beach the night I left your car there. Then he showed up at the accident scene dressed in a police uniform. And he said…” I swallow hard. “He said next time I’d end up like my brother.” I choke back the sob rising in my chest. “He showed up again today while I was shopping with Ellie. He told me that I had to give you a message.”
“What kind of message?” Charles Hawthorne’s usual stoic face twists into confusion as I burst into tears in the middle of the office.
“He said that his boss doesn’t like how slowly you’re moving, and if you want to keep their business you need to show them what you can offer.” The words rush out of my mouth and I watch the expression on my father’s face morph from one of disgust to pure, unadulterated fear. And that chills me more than the threats spewed by Scarface.
“What does this man look like?” His jaw is tight as his irises flare with deep-seated rage.
“He’s tall, big, and has a huge scar running down the side of his face. I’ll never be able to forget that ugly pink gash of a scar. It haunts my dreams.”
“Lottie, please sit down,” my father says as he reaches out a hand to me. “Why didn’t you say anything to me about this man? How could you have kept this to yourself?”
Lacing my fingers with his, I sink down onto the plush leather couch. Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, trying to hold myself together. “I’ll admit, the first couple of times he appeared were creepy. But it wasn’t until the memories from the accident bubbled up that I realized how dangerous he might be. And I’m sorry for not saying anything sooner,” I whimper, unable to hold back any longer. “It’s just that I didn’t think you’d care. I mean, ever since Andrew died, I’ve felt like a ghost in my own house. For years, you’ve barely acknowledged me, treating me like a stranger instead of the only child you have left. I was always doing the wrong thing, hanging out with the wrong people...never as good as the son you lost.” My shoulders quake and I cover my face with one hand. “And then you sent me away. You tore me from my life with no regard for how much you hurt me. That’s why I didn’t say anything. I didn’t think you’d care. But now you need to know...to hear that we’re all in some kind of danger.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Are you mixed up in something?”
Chewing on his lower lip, my father blinks at me for a few seconds. “Charlotte, my business spans a great deal throughout this city and across many states. Sometimes we have to work with unsavory characters. The real reason why I sent you away in the middle of sophomore year was to keep you away from people like this man with the scar. He works for a very powerful but very lethal man. I love you, Lottie. And in trying to keep you safe, I pushed you away. I didn’t want to lose another child because of bad choices I made. In the end, I realized I’d lost you, anyway. And I didn’t know how to fix it. I still don’t, but I want to try. I am so sorry that this is happening, but I promise I will handle it. That man will never come close to you ever again. Mark my words. He will be out of a job before the day is done and you will have nothing to worry about. These men...they think they can use threats and force to get what they want. They never anticipate how many more weapons I have in my arsenal.”
I let out a forced sigh. “But are you in trouble, Dad?”
For the first time I can ever remember, my father’s gaze softens. The harsh edge has been masked by something more comforting. “I am going to handle all of this because Hawthornes are never in trouble, Lottie. We make trouble for people who try to stand in our way.”
“I don’t know what that means,” I admit, my temples throbbing.
“It means that we protect ourselves long before we ever really need protecting. Everything is goin
g to be fine. I just have to make a couple of calls.”
How can my father be so confident in all of this? Doesn’t he know how dangerous Scarface is? He almost killed me, for fuck’s sake. “Dad, what does this have to do with Andrew? Why does he keep bringing up my brother?”
Dad sighs. “I told you, it’s a scare tactic. One in very poor taste. They’re using your grief against you, making you believe that you’ll suffer the same end. They will pay handsomely for that, for using my dead son against us like this!”
“Does any of this have to do with why you brought me home?” The air thickens as I eye my father’s micromovements. As he shifts on the couch and churns his jaw, my heart sinks.
“I brought you home because I knew that I would be able to protect you better if you were under this roof.” As he admits the reason, I feel the first twinge of fatherly instinct leap from my father’s heart. It almost feels like a hug.
I’ll take it.
“Was I unsafe in London?”
He shrugs. “I wasn’t willing to find out. Remember, we act before there is a threat. I knew that something could happen, and I wasn’t going to risk it.”
“And the whole thing with Xander?”
“My intention was always to keep you away from danger. I thought Xander was too much of a loose cannon, and I didn’t like the idea of you becoming a target for his family’s enemies.” He lets out a dry chuckle. “In the end, I ended up putting you at greater risk because of my own business dealings. I know now that he can keep you safe. He’s really grown up over the past couple of years and is the only person I’d trust with you at this point. I realize I judged him too harshly, and I apologize.” He leans toward me. “Lottie, it’s very important that you stay close to him. He’s the only one who can protect you.”
Except the question still remains…
Protect me from what?
Chapter 20
Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2 Page 14