“Penelope,” he smiles. “To what do I owe the great pleasure of your company?”
I scoff. “Talk to your son!” I lean down and kiss Rich on the cheek. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
Rich holds my hand. “Don’t go far.”
“I won’t.” I turn around and return to the seats. I didn’t like the creepy way Rich’s father eyed me. I also think Rich needs time to talk to him alone without my interrupting.
Still, I find a spot where I can listen in on their conversation without straining too hard.
“…never forget that I loved her.” Anthony’s voice.
“Oh? Is that the same type of love you claim to have for your daughter?”
“Mindy means the world to me.”
“Hah! Spare me the bullshit. Min is in the hospital, unconscious, because of you.”
“What?” I can tell his father’s surprise is feigned.
“I know who visited you here this morning,” Rich says quietly.
“Other than you, I’ve seen no one.”
“Don’t. Don’t lie to me about this. I know about her, Anthony. I know about Amanda.”
There’s a long pause. Neither man says anything. Finally, Rich’s father speaks. “You know about her? What do you know, Richard?”
“Everything. I know you’ve been seeing each other for four years. I know about the clandestine meetings, the plane tickets you bought her. I know about the money you’ve given her.”
Rich’s father laughs. “Is that what this is about? Are you jealous that I’m giving money to your former lover instead of… you?”
Rich slams a fist against the glass wall. “Don’t call her that.”
“Why? It’s the truth, isn’t it? Is that what brought you here again?” Rich’s father sneers. “I saw the way you paraded Penny before me. You’re not threatened by your old man, are you?”
“You disgust me,” Rich spits. “Your daughter is in the hospital because of your mistress, and all you can think to do is mock me? You are reprehensible. You are…”
I stop listening when I hear heels clicking down the hall. I turn around, and instantly feel bile rise in my throat.
I know the person walking in. She is the one responsible for everything that has gone wrong. Amanda.
She smiles when she sees me. I have a feeling her presence here is not coincidental.
She takes off her large sunglasses to reveal her flawless, sun-kissed face. Her hair is cropped stylishly around her forehead. At one time, I would have been jealous of her long-limbed, curvy figure. Not anymore. I know the monster that lurks beneath.
I stand up. I know I’m nowhere close to her height, especially when she’s in heels, but damn if I’m going to let her intimidate me. I glance back at Rich. He’s engrossed in a heated argument with his father. Neither man notices the newcomer.
Amanda sits at the far end of the room and motions for me to join her. She does it so casually that there is no way a passerby would guess there’s any animosity between us.
When I get to her, she’s admiring her own reflection in a little hand-held mirror that she found in her purse.
“Hello, Penelope,” she says. “So nice of you to join me.”
“Amanda,” I note. The guard in the room looks at us. There’s no way Amanda would try anything here, not with this much security. That also means I’m unable to do anything to her.
Amanda smiles. Her voice rings as she speaks, “Is that really the proper way to greet an old friend?” She tsks. “What do you think of my new hair? It’s quite a departure from my previous style.”
“What are you doing here?” I hiss at her. I have to grip the hand rests to avoid “accidentally” hitting her. I want nothing more than to plant my fist right in the middle of her perfect face.
“I came to see Tony, of course.” The way she says Rich’s father’s name leaves no doubt in my mind that they’re lovers. “Fancy my surprise when I find you here—” she grimaces, “—with Tony’s son.”
“Don’t play dumb. I know you followed us.”
Amanda laughs, a sound like chiming bells. “Penny, you put too much faith in my abilities. How would little old me know where to find you?”
“I don’t know, Amanda.” I give her a sickly-sweet smile. “Why don’t you tell me?”
“Why don’t we just call it a happy reunion, then?”
“I know what you did,” I tell her. “I have proof. You are not going to get away.”
Amanda touches her lips in faux-surprise. “Oh my, is that a threat?”
“Tell me,” I ask her, “exactly how long you’ve been Anthony’s whore?”
Anger flashes in Amanda’s eyes. Her body trembles, and for a second I think she’s going to break from her placid mask. She takes a deep breath, lets it out—and the mask reappears.
“You know, I do believe I made a small mistake the other night,” Amanda says. “Somehow, it seems I confused you with Min. I hear misunderstandings like that happen all the time.” She smiles at me. “You were supposed to die, not her.”
The first words that come to mind are, ‘Min’s not dead’. I swallow them and hold my tongue. Amanda thinks Rich’s sister died?
Suddenly, a realization dawns on me. What is the best way to prevent someone who’s seeking revenge from harming you? Convince them that you’re dead.
I wonder if that is the extra “protection” Calloway provided. It would make sense. It’s certainly within his power. He’d barely need to lift a finger to do so.
“What’s wrong, Penny?” Amanda mocks. “You’ve gone all quiet. Don’t tell me I’ve upset you!”
“How could you?” I whisper. “How could you be so heartless?”
Amanda shakes her head. “No, my dear. You don’t know the truth of it. I told Richard once, long ago, that he would live to see the day he regretted breaking up with me.” She flips her hair. “This is me fulfilling a promise.”
“You’re sick.”
“And you’re in imminent danger.” Amanda smiles. “How was it so easy for me to follow you, Penny? I’ve done it time and time again.”
“You’re using Victor,” I spit at her. “For your own vendetta against Rich.”
Amanda laughs again. “Believe me, I don’t think he minds. In fact, he’s proven himself to be quite loyal to me.”
“Does he know you’re here? Seeing Tony?”
“Some things are better left unsaid,” she offers. “I don’t expect you to understand. Men have never fought over you.”
“Bitch!” I know she’s just trying to get a rise out of me. I fell right for it.
“Amanda?” Rich’s voice is surprised and angry.
I look across the room and find him spun around in his chair. His eyes are wide.
Amanda gives a little wave and blows him a kiss. Maybe it’s meant for Anthony. I see Rich’s father leaning back in his chair, triumphant as a king.
Rich crosses the room in quick strides and grabs me by the elbow. He pulls me up and puts his body between mine and Amanda’s. The damn woman watches everything with as much alarm as if she were sunbathing on the beach!
I feel another hand on my shoulder. I turn to find the security guard frowning at me. “Is there a problem here?”
“No problem,” I say quickly.
He grunts and looks at all three of us. “Behave yourselves,” he warns. “Remember where you are.”
“Yes, officer,” Amanda says sweetly, smiling at him with her beautiful tilted eyes and rosebud lips.
“Hmph.” The guard nods and returns to his place at the door.
“Penny, how long have you been talking to her?” Rich demands.
“Oh, grow up,” Amanda says. “Penelope’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”
“I didn’t ask you,” Rich growls. He turns back to me. “How. Long?”
“A few minutes?” I tell him.
“Dammit, why didn’t you say anything? Don’t you know she’s dangerous?”
&nbs
p; Amanda laughs. “Really, Rich? Look around you. Do you see where we are? I’d be an idiot to try something here.” Her voice becomes mocking. “Although it’s oh-so-heartwarming to see how precious little Penny is to you.”
“Shut up, Amanda,” Rich barks. I can tell by his body language that he’s strung tight.
I lay a hand on his arm. “Maybe we should go.”
“You want to leave so quickly?” Amanda pouts. “Why, you’ve only just said hello!”
Rich addresses her. “I’m only going to tell you once, Amanda. Leave. Go home. I don’t want to see or hear about you anymore. This is the only warning you will get from me. Leave. Tonight.”
Amanda laughs again. “Oh my! Is that another threat? You two make a wonderful pair.” She stands up. Rich stiffens and I nearly jump at her as she leans in to add in his ear, “You and I could have been wonderful lovers. But you chose her over me. Now, my darling,” she runs her hand over Rich’s cheek, “you have to face the consequence that I once warned you about.”
She spins off and struts toward Anthony. “Such a shame to hear about that sister of yours,” she says over her shoulder. “From what I understand, she’s had nothing but trouble since you two reunited. I would say I’m sorry about what happened to her, but… I’m not.”
Rich takes a menacing step after her. I grab his arm. I have to use both my hands to hold him back.
“Let her go,” I urge. “She’s trying to provoke you. Don’t let her win!”
Rich’s shoulders tense. Then he takes a deep breath and lets them fall.
“You’re right,” he sighs. He shoots a disgusted look at Amanda and his father. “Let’s get the fuck out of here. I can’t stand seeing her, knowing what she’s done, and feeling so… so useless.”
Chapter Eighteen
Rich storms into our hotel room. He takes his jacket off and hurls it against a wall. He tears open the mini-fridge, and, finding it empty, roars and nearly rips the door off. He walks to the window, then spins into the corner and slams his palm repeatedly against the wall.
He’d kept his rage in check on the drive back, but now that we’re alone, it’s all coming out.
He slams his hand over and over again. It seems like the whole room shakes with every blow. I’m afraid if the wall doesn’t break soon, his hand will.
He doesn’t notice as I weave my way around the furniture and come behind him. I wrap both my arms around his body and lay my cheek against his back. All his muscles are tight.
He stops when he feels me. I breathe in his scent deeply and just hold him. He lets his hands fall. Then, he leans his head dejectedly against the wall.
We stay like that for a long, somber moment. Rich needs my support. I intend to give him all I’ve got.
“Penny…” Rich turns around and stares into my eyes. I see so many emotions stirring beneath their beautiful surface. “Thank you for being there today. Seeing Amanda in person, after seeing my father, was almost more than I could take. I only managed it because of you.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Rich. I’m here for you. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I just can’t believe Amanda showed up there after us.”
“I think she was trying to ambush you,” I say. “She knew you could not do anything to her in there. She wanted to show herself as unafraid, maybe even gloat about what she’s done.”
Rich looks down at me. “You’re brilliant, you know that?” He picks up my hand and lays it against his cheek. I feel the warmth of his skin beneath his thin layer of stubble. He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my palm. Tingles shoot down the length of my arm. “I don’t know what we’re going to do next,” he says into my hand. “I wanted to meet Amanda to give her an out. After today, I know she’s not going to take it.” Rich holds my shoulders, and then lets his hands drop to rest on the small of my back. “She is dangerous. To us, but also to herself. I don’t know what she’s capable of. The best place for her is probably a mental institution. But it’s not like she’s just going to check herself in.”
I stare up at Rich. He looks so conflicted, so pained over this. I know, on the inside, he’s got a heart of gold. He might have trouble showing it sometimes, but it’s the reason he is struggling so much over what to do.
He does not want to hurt anyone. Not even Amanda. That’s the internal conflict he’s dealing with. I know he wants to keep Min and me safe. But if that means he needs to harm Amanda in the process, things become difficult for him.
“She’s not just going to go away,” I tell him. “And I don’t want to feel like I have to look over my shoulder every time I walk down the street.”
“I promise you that you will not have to do that,” Rich says.
“As long as Amanda is free, I will. You know it, Rich. The same goes for you.”
“Yes.” He sighs. His breath feels hot on my face.
“She needs to be put away. Behind bars. Together with Victor. It’s the only way we can be safe.”
“I wish it were that easy, Penny. You know as well as I do that we don’t have enough evidence to go to the cops.”
“So make some!” I suggest. “You told me about all the connections and resources Calloway has when we were still in Oregon. You said he has people in the police force, informants in all levels of government. It should be easy for him to frame her on some trumped-up charges.”
Rich grits his teeth. “I can’t do that. God knows she deserves it. But, it’s not right.”
I can’t press him on the topic. I know it will be of no use. What’s more, I know it will upset him.
But I also know now what I have to do.
I take both of Rich’s hands and lead him to the bed. His eyes betray his true wishes. I sit down gently and pull him down with me. He smiles as his fingers brush my jaw, my neck. He puts one hand between my shoulder blades and eases me back, mindful of my ribs.
He lies down beside me and looks me over as his hands explore the soft curves of my body. I tilt my head toward him, lips parted. Rich takes notice. He kisses my mouth lightly. The touch of his lips against mine awakens my desire.
I edge forward, pressing my mouth to his. Our kiss deepens. He curls his fingers in my hair at the nape of my neck. I breathe him in as our tongues link together. I savor every moment of this slow, hot kiss.
When my hands sneak down his body, he pulls away slightly. He knows where I’m going with this.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
“Yes,” I answer in a heady breath as my fingers find his belt buckle. Rich watches me as I bring him out of his briefs. Blood quickly fills his appendage as I start to excite him with my hand.
Rich kisses me again and I feel his erection become thick and hard in my palm. He slowly unbuttons my blouse and bares my body. He looks down at the cast wrapped around my torso, just beneath my breasts. His fingers trail over it gently.
I give a little gasp when I twist the wrong way and pain shoots through me.
Rich instantly pulls his hand away. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I say. I close my eyes as I feel my chest swell. “I just moved wrong.”
Rich looks at me. Concern is painted in his eyes. “I don’t want to do anything if it’s going to hurt you.”
“A little pain will be worth it,” I breathe, “if it means I get to be with you.”
That is all the confirmation Rich needs. He removes my pants together with my panties. As I reach to unclasp my bra, he takes off his own clothes. He stands before me glorious in his nudity. His hungry eyes devour my body. That gaze alone is enough to incite the most sensual of my desires.
He leans over me. His chest brushes lightly against my sensitive nipples. He’s careful not to put his weight on me.
“I’ll go slow,” he promises.
Need is coursing through me and I don’t even care about the injury anymore. “Rich, just… go!” I beg.
He grins and positions his tip right at my entrance. His hard cock b
rushes against my folds, sending waves of unbridled ecstasy through my body. Whether it’s more from the anticipation than his actual touch, I don’t know. My breaths are as deep as my crack ribcage will allow.
Rich pushes into me. The air leaves my lungs in a rush.
He looks deep into my eyes. “Are you still okay?”
I smile at him like a drunk. His concern is touching. A part of me wants him to go wild, forcing me to endure all the discomfort for the sake of pleasure. Another part tells me to just satiate in the slow, sensual lovemaking the Rich promises me.
“Rich, I know you would never hurt me.” I swing my arms around his neck and pull his ear close to my lips. “Now fuck me, and don’t you dare hold back.”
Rich gives a short, knowing chuckle before turning his head to kiss me deep and hard. His hips ebb into me. He pushes in, then slowly pulls out, again and again.
Somehow, it seems like in the midst of all the uncertainty surrounding us, we have found the oasis where things are unhurried.
I squirm and twist and kiss him hard as he brings me closer and closer to the brink. He does not rush to get me there. Neither do I. By pure instinct, Rich has discovered that sweet middle ground that thrills my deepest senses while remaining mindful of my condition.
I cling to his shoulders as he supports himself above me. Sweat glistens on his brow. I feel the same perspiration covering my body. Every deep and full push, every slow and sensual retreat is marked by my ever-increasing pleasure.
As my breaths quicken, Rich rustles in my ear, “You’re close.”
“You’re getting me there, baby.”
“Good. I want you to feel the way you make me feel.”
I bite my lip and nod. Maybe I give a little whimper, too. I don’t know. All I know is that I doubt I can ever make Rich feel as amazing as he always makes me feel.
This time, the orgasm comes in a steady bloom of ecstasy. I gasp his name and arch my back as it washes through my body, cleansing away the accumulation of stress and fear. My core tightens around him in unyielding waves. With a heady, wordless cry, Rich bursts deep inside me.
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