“Because I’m tired; that’s why.”
“Very nonspecific.” He took the bottle of whiskey and poured me half a shot. “Somehow, I have a feeling you need to slow down.” He pushed my glass over and raised his to his lips.
I followed suit, and we swallowed the burning alcohol down together.
“Spill,” he demanded, setting the whiskey bottle on his other side.
“There’s not much to say,” I admitted. “I went out. Found a girl.”
“That sounds pretty good.”
“She was perfect.” I didn’t want to get into exactly why she’d been so damn perfect because David didn’t need to know about any of that. As good of a friend as he was, I’d been burned too many times by those I trusted most with my secrets.
“And then?”
“And then it wasn’t.”
“She wasn’t? Or it wasn’t?” His brows drew together, confused. “You mean, the sex was bad? Or the girl was bad? I thought you were laying low. No scandals for the press. Please tell me you didn’t hook up with some chick at a club.” He poured more whiskey. “You know better than that.”
I’d broken all my rules about the women I chose to bring into my bed. Gah! Images of that blonde bobbing up and down on my cock while that damn driver opened the car door flooded my mind. It had been nothing but one pulsating flash from hundreds of cameras. Thank God nobody had actually gotten a shot of my dick. Because, sure as shit, some tramp mag would’ve printed it or circulated it online. That poor girl had had her reputation ruined. Or maybe not. I’d been instructed to sever all contact. Correction, Her Majesty the Queen had made it a royal command.
Why the hell had I dragged the girl to the top of Club Infinity for a shag? Not any shag either. I’d brought her there to explore a fantasy.
Was I that blinded by her beauty?
Maybe.
She had been a looker and had the most adorable Southern accent. Her crystalline-blue eyes had entranced me, but I knew what had pushed me over the cliff. It had been that promise for something, a union of souls more pronounced than simple pleasures of the flesh. I’d sensed a longing in her, which stirred an answering response in me. We’d been fated to meet and then ripped apart, and I didn’t know why.
David and Evelyn had mentioned Infidelity. According to them, that company had an uncanny knack for pairing kindred souls. Well, the fire of dominance burned inside me. There was no question if I would explore it, only when, and of course, I needed to do so without inciting yet another scandal. A woman who could meet my needs, be bound by an ironclad nondisclosure agreement, and come with no long-term strings was exactly what I needed.
Easy in and easy out.
“Tell me again about Infidelity.”
David swirled his glass on the burnished wood countertop. “You’ve decided to give it a go?”
“I’m tired of the threat of scandals if something goes wrong on a date. Frankly, I’m tired of it all. Just set me up, and keep things quiet. Is that too much to ask?”
That bouncer had nearly ripped my head off, thinking I’d raped that girl. That kind of shit didn’t belong in my life. Paying for a compliant partner seemed to be the safest bet. As long as she suited my needs, kept her mouth shut, and walked away at the end, I didn’t care who the hell Infidelity paired me up with.
“I’ll call in the morning and get you an appointment,” David said. “You’re going to be surprised with what Infidelity can do for you.”
For twenty thousand a month, I’d bloody well better be one satisfied customer.
“Call them now,” I demanded. Now that my mind had been made up, there was no room for further delay.
“You do realize, it’s nearly one in the morning.”
“So?”
“Don’t you think this can wait until the morning?”
“You’re paying them twenty thousand a month, David. I think that warrants an all-access pass.”
He stared at me, eyes bugging, and then laughed and laughed and laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
With his palm slapping the countertop, he poured another round. Bastard started wheezing, he was laughing so hard.
“Ah, Richard,” he said, “now, this is funny. You thought I was the client?” He gripped his midsection and put his forehead on the top of the bar where he heaved with laughter. Wiping his eyes, he glanced up. “Oh, brother, I thought you knew.”
“Knew what?”
“I’m an Infidelity employee. Evelyn is the client.”
“What?”
Chapter 12: Employee
Rowan
Five months later, and I’d heard nothing from Infidelity. My funds held an expiration date, leaving me precious little time to figure out the next step. There really was only one next step. Henry, bless his ever-lovin’ heart, had my best interests in mind, but he didn’t understand the cost to my soul if I accepted the proposal brokered through him. He’d asked again about Freddy’s guardianship, but I wasn’t ready to take that step.
Savannah, Georgia, wasn’t anything if not an intricate web of familial connections. My family was one of the very few unofficial blue-blooded royalty of the South. My father had embezzled hundreds of millions, yet my family name still carried the weight of history. Henry had been approached by Brent Parker, a wealthy individual who was eager to capitalize on the connections my family’s name might bring him as he explored new business ventures in Savannah.
Henry—by the grace of his Southern, Baptist heart—would secure my future if I chose to accept Brent Parker’s proposal. Henry knew the depths of my desperation.
He wanted nothing but the best for me and my brother, but I wanted nothing to do with brokered marriages and unions devoid of love. My best interests were on his mind, yet to me, those interests represented death. Whatever it took to keep Freddy in his happy cocoon was what I would do, but I hadn’t yet reached the end of my rope. I was close though, seriously close.
One month.
That was all the time I had left. One month of freedom before I shackled myself to a man I didn’t know. Henry had assured me I would be happy, but he didn’t know my soul or the secret desires swirling in the corners of my mind. Those thoughts kept me up night after night. Images of my almost one-night stand flitted through my head, tantalizing me with the possibility of what might have been.
Nothing about my situation was fair, and I was angry. Angry with Infidelity for not calling. Angry with myself for my inability to find a different solution. There was even one moment, one night, when I’d felt my desperation the hardest, where my anger turned toward Freddy. It wasn’t his fault life had dealt him a poor hand, but he was my responsibility. I hated my new apartment—a small studio with a twin bed, couch, and a counter with a hot plate for a kitchen—and that made me even angrier.
What did I do? Well, I didn’t pay attention at school. Top of my class turned quickly to middle tier. My heart wasn’t in my studies. My mind wasn’t on my art. I went through the motions, but I wasn’t invested in the future. Instead, I focused on my imminent doom.
Henry had a solution. All I had to do was pick up the phone and give my consent. I cursed Infidelity. I cursed their promises and the hope Patrick had given me. I cursed the yearning in my blood and the dark dreams that invaded my fantasies every night. I wanted him, Mr. Dark and Delicious, but I had nothing but an empty bed and an even emptier bank account.
Did Infidelity lose my application? Did I fail their tests? Am I undesirable?
With a sour taste in my mouth, I pulled out my phone and dialed.
Henry answered on the first ring. “Rowan, sweetie, how are you doing?”
“Hi,” I answered, “I’ve been better.”
“How is school?”
“Challenging.” No way would I tell him how far I’d fallen behind or how much my grades had slipped. A lump formed in my throat, making the next words nearly impossible to force out. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t say those words.
&nb
sp; “Honey,” he asked, “are you okay?”
“I’m not,” I admitted.
“Can I assume you’ve come to a decision?”
“I don’t see any other choice, but if I do this, what happens next? Will I get to finish Pratt?”
Silence stretched on his end of the line. “Rowan…I’ve never lied to you, hon, but these things come with certain expectations, and you’re not coming from a position of strength.”
“Why does he want to marry the daughter of an embezzler?”
He cleared his throat. “You know the answer to that.”
I did. I would make the perfect trophy wife, and I would give him Southern legitimacy.
“It’s not ideal,” Henry said, “but he’s not a bad man. He’s offered to ensure you and Freddy are taken care of. You know what this can do for you.”
Not a bad man, but Henry hadn’t said Brent Parker had a good heart.
“I know what it does for me. If I say yes, is there a chance of finishing school?”
“I doubt Mr. Parker wants his wife living in New York.”
Especially since he was counting on me to break him into a very closed inner circle of Savannah business elite.
“You need to face reality, Rowan.”
“I know,” I said. “Will I have guarantees that Freddy can stay where he is?”
Everything hinged on keeping Freddy happy.
“I’ve explained your requirements, and Mr. Parker has made assurances that they’ll be met. It will be easiest if you transfer guardianship to me, of course.”
“Do you think less of me for considering such an arrangement?”
“Honey, you’d be surprised how common these things are. Don’t worry; I have the papers drawn up, detailing exactly what is and is not expected of you as well as the financial obligations Mr. Parker must support. All you need to do is tell me this is what you want.”
Brent Parker.
I needed to find out more about the man who would own my life. An entrepreneur, he had his hands in land development, pharmaceuticals, and energy companies. What he intended to start in Georgia remained unclear. Not that I expected a man like him to share the intimate business plans of his companies with a trophy wife, but I needed to know.
“And how soon would he expect the wedding?”
“Mr. Parker offers a six-month engagement. During that time, he will assume all your financial obligations. You would move back home.”
“And is he expecting…” I swallowed against the thick lump in my throat.
“I know this is hard for you, but intimacy will be required, and there is the expectation for children. I’m certain he wouldn’t be opposed to waiting until the wedding, but you need to understand, he intends you to be his wife in every way.”
“I understand.” And I hated every bit of it, but really, how was this any different from signing a contract with Infidelity?
Speaking of Infidelity, I would need to withdraw my application. Karen had been very clear about no dating. Announcing an engagement went far beyond dating. I made a note to call them in the morning.
“Can you send me the papers?”
“I’ll e-mail the draft first thing in the morning. Take a look, and we can discuss any changes.”
“I’m assuming there won’t be much room to negotiate?”
“Not much, but the offer is fair. I made certain your interests were well represented.”
“Thank you. I know you’re looking out for me.”
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.” Except it felt like a life sentence.
My laptop lay on the couch. Not so long ago, I might have said I kept it in another room. My new apartment only had one room. I barely had space to take two steps from my bed before reaching the couch. Flipping open the lid, I drafted a message to Karen Flores at Infidelity.
Ms. Flores,
Thank you very much for your time, but I must withdraw my application from Infidelity. Please let me know if anything further is required.
Yours truly,
Rowan Cartwright
After hitting Send, it occurred to me that I might have to return the five thousand for my interview. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be the case. I had no doubt, first thing in the morning, Henry would have the documents sent over for my approval. He’d likely call Brent Parker and share the wonderful news. My stomach twisted with that thought.
***
Saturday mornings brought no motivation to set an alarm, which gave me an excuse to sleep in. I had a flight to catch, my monthly trip to see Freddy, but it was later in the day. I needed the rest because my racing heart and incessant thoughts had kept me awake most of the night.
I awoke, restless and tired. When I flicked on my phone, my notifications flagged an e-mail from Ms. Flores. I’d thought my message would sit in her inbox until Monday, giving me the entire weekend to come to terms with shutting the door to the opportunity Infidelity represented. I should wait until Monday to open her message. If Infidelity demanded their five thousand back, I’d have no recourse but to scrape it together. My finger hovered over the notification, but I couldn’t swipe to open the message.
Instead, I paced the small length of my room. It took exactly ten steps to move the distance from the door to the window. Ten steps for my anxiety to build. Ten steps where I pondered my life. Ten steps of defeat and resignation. Ten steps, and a profound clarity settled over my shoulders. I couldn’t change the past, but I could choose my future. I opened the message, and took in a deep breath before reading.
Miss Cartwright,
Please call my office immediately upon receipt of this message.
Karen
That’s it? No acknowledgment of my intent to terminate my contract? A fluttery feeling beat at my stomach, turning it light and unsettled. They can’t keep me in the contract, right? Not if they haven’t matched me with a client. They probably wanted the five thousand back. Couldn’t she have said a little bit more instead of replying with such a terse message?
I didn’t want to call her, but I didn’t seem to have a choice. Another notification flashed on my screen—an e-mail from Henry. While I wanted to respond to his email with even less enthusiasm than calling Ms. Flores, his held the bonds of my future. Setting the phone down, I pulled open my laptop to better read the conditions of the agreement with Brent Parker.
My phone buzzed, and I picked it up without checking the caller ID.
“Rowan?”
My gut seized. I recognized Ms. Flores’s voice.
“Ms. Flores,” I said, “good morning.”
“Dear, please, call me Karen.”
“Of course. Good morning, Karen.”
“I received your e-mail last night.”
“I’m sorry, but—”
“I need you to come in immediately.”
“I can be there first thing Monday morning.”
“You don’t understand,” she said. “I’m sending a car to pick you up.”
“What?”
“This is important, Rowan. I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Why?” But there was only one of two reasons. One, I’d stirred up a shitstorm in withdrawing my application, and she was in damage-control mode. Or, two, which was a much more concerning option, Infidelity had paired me with a client.
Chapter 13: Compliance
Rowan
Twenty minutes later, after a rushed shower and a quick dig through my clothes, I dressed in blue jeans and a cotton T-shirt. With damp hair and no makeup, I stood at the curb. I missed my doorman, Tom, with his easy smile. I missed our short conversations as he hailed a cab. I missed everything about my previous life.
Outside the dingy apartment complex, there was no doorman, only a sidewalk filled with trash and a decrepit tree clinging to a patch of bare ground—well watered not by rain, but the urine of countless dogs. Once the sun went down, I never stepped foot on the street. It wasn’t safe.
A few minutes later, a dar
k town car pulled up at the curb.
The driver exited. “Miss Cartwright?”
“Yes,” I said.
He opened the back door while my stomach took a nosedive south. I didn’t know if I was in trouble with Infidelity, but it sure felt like I was meeting my doom. I didn’t want to commit to getting inside that car.
“Miss?” He held out a hand, offering to assist me inside.
I took in a breath and let the driver help. Then, I gasped when Ms. Flores shifted to the far side of the backseat.
“Karen,” I said, trying to conceal my shock, “about my message—”
“Miss Cartwright,” she responded, her voice formal and cold, “it’s nice to see you.”
“My circumstances have changed.”
I expected her to hear me out. Instead, she raised a finger, silencing me.
“My dear,” she said, “we are unable to release you from the contract.”
“But—”
“You’ve been matched, and the client is expecting you.”
“You don’t understand.” My stomach tossed and churned. The inside of the town car spun about, making me dizzy. Gripping the armrest, I tried to find my balance. “I’ve—”
“Rowan”—she placed a hand on my arm—“we invest heavily in ensuring the perfect pairing of our employees to our clients. The client was notified yesterday and accepted immediately. It’s not possible to back out now.”
They can’t force me to accept, can they?
“But I—”
“Breathe, Rowan,” she said, alerting me to the fact that I’d been holding my breath.
The skin over the backs of my knuckles showed white. My focus went to my hand, and I forced myself to relax.
“You don’t understand,” I said. “I can’t do this.”
“It’s natural to feel a little uncertainty when a match is made.” Her voice was low and soothing. “I assure you, everything will be okay.”
“It’s not that,” I said, except it was exactly that.
In the space of a day, I’d found myself tied to two men, both strangers, and neither option appealed to me. I had sold my soul and my body to men who would control my fate. Some sense of clarity should come as a result of that, but my entire world reeled while I sat in the back of a town car.
The Fidelity World- Nondisclosure Page 7