“This is so weird,” she says. “I mean…It’s still expensive, and I wouldn’t do it all the time, but to think it’s possible now that we don’t have the mortgage anymore...I guess what I’m saying is that I feel bad about being suspicious of Carter. I thought accepting something like that meant I was selling you out—but you are so happy.”
“I am—and you don’t have to feel bad about anything. I understand all of this must have seemed weird to you. In fact, it was weird.”
There’s one thing I do regret, having to tell half-truths to my friends. At least, then they’re only half-lies? It’s true that I am happy, profoundly so, and it doesn’t matter anymore how it happened in the first place. I understand that Haley has some adjustment to do as well, by proxy being elevated into an almost sorrow-free life.
“It just didn’t seem like you, disappear for a year. I guess when you meet that person, it changes everything.”
No kidding.
“It’s different for you. You always wanted to get married, have kids, and it turned out exactly that way.”
“True. Okay, how about a little more shopping before it’s cocktail hour? Carter said she would be done around five?”
That would give us some time to drop by a famous lingerie store and still get tipsy before dinner.
“That’s a great idea.”
Chapter Six
Carter
I started the day with a lot more optimism. I tell the driver the address of the restaurant in Little Italy where we’re going to meet for dinner, then lean back, trying to shake the feeling that everything is slipping away from me. I don’t have any conclusive news on Penelope’s signature on the transactions yet. I’m clinging to the idea that the missing piece of the puzzle might be there, a simple credit card hack. It’s hard to hold on to that when there are pictures of Penelope at the bank, in friendly conversation with Catherine Laurier at a café and in a store in Paris, and calls to her cell phone. Was she tricked into all those interactions? Penelope told me, and repeated it in her statement to the police later, that the fake FBI agent had a gun—she was scared, and this was why she went with him.
Maybe part of it was the lack of trust in me, because I had her abducted in the first place. Penelope isn’t a career criminal like Laurier, and if she ever felt like she needed to teach me a lesson, she wouldn’t do it with people associated with Laydon, the man who had a horrific future planned for her.
“Either way, your time is almost up,” I told Nick earlier on the phone. “This weekend, I’m going to talk to her.”
“That’s not a good idea. I need more time.”
“More time for what?”
“Look, the bank is not aware of any security breaches, so in all likelihood this is her signature on the transactions. Money that’s somehow going through your business and gets lost in the system somewhere before it reappears in the hands of someone like Laurier. I hate to say it, Carter, but maybe your judgment was clouded to begin with.”
“You’re out of line,” I snapped and hung up on him. He called back a moment later.
“I’m sorry, but this is important. Have your family dinner, and next week, we all sit down together and see what we can do about this? Now that the bank is informed, they will pay extra attention to Penny’s financial movements, and they’re going to keep us in the loop. Linda is on Laurier’s trail. We’ll figure this out, but you have to keep quiet a little while longer.”
“Sure. Not a problem,” I said and hung up again. This time, he didn’t call back.
I wish I’d hear something from Colette Grady. We have our differences, but I think she’s the only one of the inner circle who isn’t sold on the idea that Penelope has done something wrong.
And I? What do I believe?
If there’s a shadow of a doubt, it only stems from my own lingering guilt, because I wanted her and I made it happen, gentle persuasion instead of asking her if she wanted any of this. Penelope has come around. I can’t afford to open my mind to any other possibility. Let Nick and Colette dig a bit more and hopefully bring down Laurier.
In the meantime, we’ll go on with our lives.
Penelope and Haley seemed to have enjoyed their day. I find them in the restaurant’s bar area, both with a half-empty cocktail glass in front of them.
“You had a good day?” I kiss Penelope in greeting, and as always, she turns to me eagerly. There is no difference from those first days, when she realized I wasn’t the bad person in the story, to the beginning of our married life, to now. She is all mine. I have to remember that.
“Oh yes, it’s been great.”
“You got something?”
Penelope smiles affectionately. “You know, it’s really hard to come up with anything, because I have this crazy closet at home—but yes, there’s a little surprise in here. I’ll show you later.”
Haley takes this moment to take a sip of her drink, her cheeks slightly flushed. Exactly what kind of shops have those two been visiting? I flag the bartender and ask for a Martini.
“I can’t wait. You like New York so far?”
They both confirm. I’m beginning to like it a little more with each sip. After all, the evidence is circumstantial. When we sit down to discuss it, like Nick has suggested, the truth will come out. I’ll have to make it up to Penelope for waiting twelve days approximately, but she will understand. With a business this size and so many people depending on it, you have to know your enemies—which, in this case, is Laurier, and I will make sure my marriage and the woman I love won’t get caught in the crossfire.
We have an excellent dinner with too much wine. While we’re waiting for cappuccino and dessert, Penelope goes to the restroom. Haley stays seated, and an awkward silence ensues. She and I already had the talk, about how she doesn’t need to feel like accepting a gift means to let Penelope down. Did she believe me the last time?
“I believe this is a good moment, so, I’d like to apologize.”
“There’s no need, Haley. I know you only wanted to protect Penelope. I want to do the same.”
Haley laughs at that. “Yeah, isn’t it funny? I’m not sure Penny would like it if she heard us now. It’s not like she can’t take care of herself. Everything happened so fast.”
“When you find something good, you have to hold on, before it slips through your fingers. You started your family, got into your own home—you took some chances as well.”
“You could say that. It’s…curious. I would have expected someone like you to be dating within your own class. I used to think you don’t even notice the normal people, somebody like a waitress. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
I notice her cringe at her own words. I did the same. In a way, it’s equally as offensive to me as it is to Penny. “I accept your apology if that makes you feel better. And for the most part, sadly, you’re right, I don’t engage much. It’s not because I’m such a snob, but because I’m busy.”
“Yeah. You had to leave right after the wedding,” she remembers. “Anyway, there was a moment when I forgot it’s none of my business. Penny made her decision. It’s not like I tell her every single detail that’s going on between me and Ryan. It’s just that I had known Penny for years, and all of a sudden she decides to take a year off, then no, and next thing I know we’re invited to the wedding.”
“That’s an apt summary of the events,” I say dryly, and we both laugh. The restaurant’s most recommended Chianti has been very helpful—I don’t think we ever talked this long. Penelope will be happy with this turn of events.
If only I heard back from Colette.
Penelope doesn’t present any surprises to me that night, in fact, after a quick shower, we fall asleep happily entangled in the king size bed. I have no complaints about the accommodations she booked, not even with Haley in the room next door. We are both tired. Nick has a point about postponing that conversation until after the dinner and the excitement of Penelope’s work achievements—we’ll need a clear head for th
at and make sure without a doubt that those precautions never meant I suspected her of anything.
* * * *
I get up and get dressed while Penelope is still asleep, and knock on Haley’s door. She greats me with a somewhat bleak expression. “I think I’ll skip the champagne this morning. Did we really have two bottles, or did anyone else drink our wine?”
“I’m afraid that was all us. Listen, Haley, I was wondering if you’d mind having dinner by yourself tonight.”
She is amused. “I kind of expected that to happen.”
“You could go see a Broadway show, have a few hours at the spa, have a nice dinner somewhere?”
“Relax, I’m not arguing. I’m a big girl, I can entertain myself for one night. I can come to Penny’s speech though?”
“Yes, of course. I’m not that terrible.”
She yawns. “You know, in fact you’re not terrible at all. I assume you have something special planned?”
“Kind of. Thank you so much.” I return to our suite where Penelope is starting to stir. For a moment, the temptation is almost overwhelming. I love waking her like that, meeting her in the space between sleep and awareness, starting the day with pleasure…as it is, my phone rings. I take the call in the living area. It’s Colette, finally, and she has something that’s close to good news.
“Tell your guys to lay low. We’re close to finding Laurier, and once we do, we’ll make sure to ask her about everyone who might have helped her. Should Penny’s name come up, you’ll be the first to know, but frankly, I doubt it.”
“Thank you. You know I appreciate this.”
“Don’t worry,” she says. “This will be over soon.”
One way or another, remains unspoken between the lines.
I make a visit to another local office where the staff seems surprised, but content to see me. The numbers have been good, great even. A little further away from home, and the news of an FBI investigation dried up fast, especially when the alleged victim of abduction is now my wife. Some of them I haven’t seen since before my wedding. Carrie and Alison, both in management, present me with reassuring numbers after congratulating me. I stay for a quick lunch, then check in with Nick and Linda to find out nothing has changed.
“You know when the FBI brings in the big guns, it’s serious. I want you guys to keep a low profile.”
Nick sounds dubious. “That could give some people time to cover up their tracks.”
“By some people you mean Penelope? Come on, don’t be stupid. She’s here with me in New York and getting ready for her presentation. She’s not covering up anything.”
“I’ll coordinate with Linda.” That’s as much of a concession as he’s willing to make. “Let me know if there’s anything new we should know, and…be careful.”
Once everything is taken care of, it’s almost time to go to the venue and be proud of my wife.
Penelope seems a bit nervous at first, but she catches herself early on. University certainly gave her experience speaking in front of groups, though I doubt they’ve been this big. Listening to her speak, I forget once again about the trouble that has followed us even here.
Traci was right about her being a good choice for the company and this department specifically. No one doubts that she has a right to be here as Penelope lays out a detailed plan as to where Forbes Inc. is supporting humanitarian organizations that put a focus on projects for women and girls. I feel pride indeed for the transformation she has gone through in only a year. I might not be above wanting to take some credit.
“We support this focus. We might still have a long way to go towards equality, but there are people around the world working hard for it, some under most difficult circumstances. The least we can do is further those efforts best we can. Thank you.”
Next to me, Haley looks astonished, and she has reason to be. It’s not just the expensive clothes. I’m sure she never saw Penelope in a context like that—to her friends and family, she was this diligent, always busy person, never time for a break. There’s so much more to her, an intelligent, sexy young woman who is not afraid of the darker side of me. I couldn’t be more grateful for whatever twist of fate brought her to me, and I knew from the start there was no way I could let her go.
Lucky for me.
“That was pretty amazing,” Haley says.
“Yes it was. I’m sorry for kicking you out tonight, but…”
“I understand. You don’t have to say another word, because that might be…TMI.”
“Got it.”
Penelope takes some time talking to guests. She looks comfortable, not at all like someone who’s doing this for the first time. All of a sudden, I can’t wait to have her all to myself. I made a reservation, but I can always push it back some, and I’m not above using privilege in this situation.
When Penelope joins us, she’s practically glowing. “That was okay, I think?”
I pull her into my arms. There might be some hate group protesting outside, but in this context, no one will say anything about a brief public display of affection. I might see it in the papers tomorrow, but I don’t care. At this point in my life, very few people can tell me what to do.
“You were great,” I whisper. “I knew you would be, so I made some preparations to celebrate in style.”
“But Haley…?”
“She has a great night ahead of her, and so do we.” I’m not making any promises for her and the girls coming back sometime soon. It’s not like I’ll be okay being apart from her for more than a day anytime in the near future. I don’t even feel sorry.
“Where are we going?”
“First, to the hotel. There’s a table with a nice view waiting for us later.”
I know that smile of hers. Most of the time it means you don’t have to work so hard to impress me. She has no idea. I have to work a lot harder on that before I’m truly comfortable.
“That’s good. My surprise will work for that.”
I almost say it out loud, maybe it’s not a good idea. The last time she got me a surprise was the day she sat in a café with a woman who is stealing from me. Those words sound crazy even when they’re in my head only.
“Okay, let’s see what you have.”
* * * *
After my shower, I’m still dressed in a robe when Penelope returns from the bathroom wearing lingerie I haven’t seen on her yet, in a soft light turquoise, with a trim of white lace. I watch her walking around the room without any self-consciousness, picking out the dress and shoes for the evening. I feel weak in the knees, wondering if she has any idea—wondering what the hell I’m doing pretending nothing has changed.
“What time did you reserve?” she asks, turning to me.
“Doesn’t matter. They’ll hold the table.”
“Are you sure? Okay, forget I asked. I know you are. Wait,” she says when I move to get up. “I want you to stay there. Just lean back and relax.”
I give her a quizzical look. Penelope is quick to explain.
“I feel like I owe you.” She holds up a hand when I start to protest. “I know you don’t see it that way, but can you do that for me?”
I take a deep breath, think, to hell with Nick and his paranoia. I gave her the authority to access those accounts, and if she wants to buy something and not tell me about, it’s her right to do so. Penelope isn’t going anywhere, she’ll be right here with me.
“What do you want?”
“Get comfortable.”
She straddles my lap, and I remember the day she came back to me, and we were together in a hotel, like this, with the exception that her eyes were covered. The memory comes with a warm liquid jolt, and automatically, I reach up to caress her thighs, trace the fabric of her slip.
“What did I say?”
“Sorry,” I mumble and let my hands fall to my sides. I lean back and she kisses me, hand sliding inside my robe. I can’t help it, this new confidence she gained from laying out her, our shared vision, is turning me on like
nothing else. I am learning, too, that we’re two now, and I don’t have to keep my guard up all the time, at least not in the bedroom. I’m not kidding myself—as far as the business is concerned, one successful internship and business trip is not going to even the scale, but that’s not the point anyway.
A moment later I’m all naked, sliding a bit further down the armchair as Penelope kneels in front of me and carefully positions my body to her liking. She kisses her way up my leg, a brush of tongue over the inside of my left thigh, then the right.
“You did a great job today,” I say, squirming as her hair tickles my skin, anticipation darkening my voice.
“Thanks. I’ll try to do an even better job…now.”
“No, what I mean is…I should be doing something for you.”
“You are,” she says and leans in, her tongue warm and soft against my clit. Sometimes it’s an erotic tug of war with the two of us, and I’ll readily admit that right now, she has all the power. Pleasure erases the shadow of suspicion, streaming into every corner of my mind, my body craving everything she has to offer and more. Even through this hot, messy scene, I can’t help thinking there’s something sweet and innocent about her. I refuse to believe she’s guilty of anything. Penelope is the kind of person who goes out of her way not to hurt anybody. It’s impossible. I make a decision in a split-second. I’m going to tell Nick to figure things out any way he can, but I don’t want her to know that she was at the center of an investigation.
Every thought vanishes with the sudden rush of heat. I know we’ll be okay. I brush my hand gently over her hair. I’m so close, trembling with the need for release. She might be the one on her knees, but I’m absolutely powerless at this moment. Her hands are on my thighs, opening me to her mouth—not so innocent after all—and I can’t stop the sounds spilling over my lips. It’s a slow climb, but I know it will be worth it. I move my hands to the armrests, holding on in a white-knuckled grip as she slides two fingers into me, and sensation explodes deep inside. She isn’t done yet, exploring with tongue and fingertips, making me shake with the ongoing ripples of pleasure.
Surrender Forever (Surrender Trilogy Book 3) Page 4