The Fixed Trilogy

by Laurelin Paige

  “Maybe they were dicking with you together.” Liesl wiped her freshly “manicured” hand on her jeans. “You know. Like maybe the emails weren’t from him.”

  “You mean Celia sent them?” I considered it. I’d certainly learned Celia wasn’t to be trusted, that she’d manipulate information for her benefit. “Yeah, she could have.” And I liked that scenario better than some of the others.

  Stacy, on the other hand, didn’t like the idea at all. She straightened up to her full height and narrowed her eyes in my direction. “Are you saying that you think Hudson couldn’t possibly like me? That’s pretty nervy to assume. What, you don’t think I’m good enough for him?”

  Man, that woman had claws. It wasn’t even me who’d suggested the idea.

  I put my hands up in an attempt to calm her. “No. That’s not it at all. There’s just details that don’t add up. Like you said he seemed surprised to see you there. And when I mentioned you being there to meet him, he had no idea what I was talking about. Total deer in the headlights. Maybe he was faking his reaction—I’m not denying that’s a possibility. But that’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you. I’m trying to figure it out for myself.”

  Liesl poked me with her elbow. “And tell her about Celia WerWhore.”

  I ignored her jab though it inwardly made me smile. “That’s the other thing, Stacy. Celia tried to pull a scam on me recently. And now she’s messing with me in other ways. I may not be the first of Hudson’s interests to get that treatment.”

  Stacy’s posture didn’t change, but her expression said she was pondering the new information. “So when he took me to the charity event, I showed up on her radar?”

  “Possibly.” I hoped that was it. Otherwise Hudson was lying to me about his relationship with Stacy. “And possibly not.” That was the problem with secrets—anything was potentially the truth.

  Stacy’s eyes grew dim, as if the idea that all of it had been a hoax disappointed her more than catching the guy she liked with another woman. I got that. She’d wanted Hudson Pierce to be interested in her. Simply by being a woman, I could relate to crushing on a guy. Being me, I could relate to crushing on Hudson. If I’d discovered he’d faked being into me…well, that would have been more devastating than the current situation I was in.

  I decided to give her some compassion. “But even if it wasn’t Hudson who wrote those emails, Celia obviously thought you were a threat. That has to mean he showed some interest in you in front of her.”

  Stacy blew out a stream of air. “It’s actually an interesting theory. It fits in some ways.”

  “Do tell.” Liesl was as eager now for the information as I was.

  “Like I said, he did act strange when I came up to him. And whenever he came in the shop, he ignored me. As if he hadn’t said all the beautiful things he’d said to me online. He was very poetic. His emails were like long letters.”

  “I’m not claiming to know who the actual author was,” I started tentatively, afraid of hurting Stacy’s feelings more, “but from what I know of Hudson, he’s not much of a letter writer. And Celia does seem to be comfortable around the literary world.” The quotes she’d picked to highlight in my books indicated as such, anyway.

  “What was the email address he sent from?” Occasionally Liesl came up with things I should have asked.

  Stacy wrinkled her brow. “H.Pierce@gmail.com, I think.”

  I was already shaking my head when Liesl asked, “Is that his email?”

  “I only know of his Pierce Industries account. He uses it for both business and personal, but he rarely sends personal emails.” Or if he did, I wasn’t aware.

  The bell rang, announcing Stacy’s next client. She looked to the door then back to us, as if she was torn.

  I felt the same way. There was more to potentially uncover, but I’d promised we’d be in and out. Besides, there probably wasn’t anything else I could know without reading the actual emails and that seemed like too much to ask from Stacy unless she offered. “Thanks again, for your time and your answers. I know you’re busy now.”

  She nodded as she crossed in front of us to open the door. With her hand on the knob, she paused. “I should be thanking you too, I suppose. You’ve enlightened the situation.” She opened the door before I could respond. “Vanessa? Welcome to Mirabelle’s. Come on in.”

  Stacy’s client walked in and we headed out.

  “If I think of anything else,” Stacy called after me. “I’ll contact you.”

  It was a hopeful ending to the conversation. If she was anything like me—and very few people were, but it was possible—she’d go home and reread all the emails “Hudson” sent with the new scenario in mind. Maybe she’d find something there and send me a note.

  I texted Jordan and discovered he’d found a meter down the block. He waved, letting us know his location.

  Liesl linked her arm in mine as we walked toward the Maybach. “Do you think you learned anything?”

  I shrugged. “I’d like to believe it was all a scam on Celia’s part. But that doesn’t answer why Hudson was kissing her or why he won’t tell me the truth about it.”

  “Maybe she asked him to play along. Would he do that? Or he was in on it all along.”

  I bit my lip. “All of those options are possible.” I thought he’d been well at the time he’d met me, but maybe he had still been playing people. Was that what Hudson didn’t want me to know? That so recently, he hadn’t been well?

  Or was it Celia he was protecting? Yet again.

  ***

  The club was already open to the public when I showed up for work that night, so instead of using the employee entrance, I went through the front doors. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have seen Celia waiting in line. So much for her being bored with the game.

  The doorman asked before I had a chance to remind him. “Not her, right?”

  “Right.” I looked out toward the blonde once more. It was somewhat comforting to know she was still interested in tormenting me. To my sick mind, it proved that she thought I was still important to Hudson. Even if it wasn’t true any longer, at least she hadn’t gotten the memo.

  As I stared at her, she waved. “Hi, Laynie.” It was the first time she’d talked to me since she’d begun her stalking.

  I didn’t respond with words, but I did smile before going into the club. In about two minutes she was going to be turned down at the door. That was definitely something to grin about.

  It was the last time I smiled for the remainder of the night. My shift was ho-hum and I worked my ass off keeping on top of the summer crowd, but the constant ache of missing Hudson ate at me. Everywhere I looked, I saw him—in the bubble rooms, in the office, at the bar.

  By three a.m. when my shift was over, the idea of going back to the lonely penthouse had me in tears. I considered going somewhere else instead—Liesl’s, a hotel. The loft. I could go to the loft and see him. Be with the man I wanted to be with.

  But why would I want to be with someone who didn’t want to be with me? That was proof that I wasn’t the person I’d once been—the person who would have gone anywhere to be with the man she was into, whether he wanted her or not.

  So I ended up at the penthouse. Alone. I managed not to cry as Reynold drove me there, but the tears started before I exited the elevator. They continued while I got ready for bed, and while I checked my phone that I’d left at home during the night. Then they turned to sobs when I read the one text message I had:

  Sleep tight, precious.

  Tomorrow, I thought as I cried myself to sleep for the fourth time in a row. Maybe tomorrow I’ll wake up from this horrible nightmare.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Jordan, I need to go to Pierce Industries?” I asked when I got in the car the next afternoon. I paused, wondering if I should say that I wanted to see Hudson. It wasn’t really a lie—I did want to see him. He just wasn’t whom I intended to see.

  “Certainly, Ms…Laynie.” He corrected him
self before I had to. After a moment he added, “I’m sure he’ll enjoy the surprise.”

  I smiled and nodded as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. It bothered me that he knew enough about my life and my day-to-day schedule to know that Hudson didn’t expect me. Had Hudson told Jordan he didn’t want me to come by? Then he probably wouldn’t agree to take me. But then I’d find my own way to his office—Hudson had to know that about me by now. Perhaps my driver was simply informed of my daily plans. Though it wasn’t by me, so how accurate did he expect that information to be? I wasn’t Hudson’s prisoner, after all.

  Whatever knowledge the two—three, if I included Reynold—shared about me, I was convinced that Hudson was always apprised of my whereabouts. Jordan would likely text Hudson the minute I got out of the car, telling him I was on my way up.

  I couldn’t stop my bodyguard from telling on me—it would risk his job. But I could buy some time. When we pulled in front of the Pierce Industries building, I leaned toward the front seat. “Give me a few minutes before you report me, will you? I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

  He didn’t verbally agree, but Jordan’s smile said he’d play along.

  “Thank you.” I kissed my driver on the cheek, surprising both him and me with the affection, and stepped out of the car.

  Considering how destroyed my heart was, my spirits were actually almost good as I hit the elevator button for Hudson’s floor. The talk with Stacy had gone well, and that boosted my confidence that today’s appointment would follow suit. Even without Liesl accompanying me, I felt capable of accomplishment. And if all went well, I’d have answers.

  Hopefully they wouldn’t be answers that destroyed me more.

  I panicked only briefly as the elevator opened on Hudson’s floor. I peeked through the glass walls to Hudson’s waiting room. Except for Trish at her desk, the room was empty. Hudson’s office door was closed. If Jordan had already sent a text about me, Hudson either hadn’t read it yet or wasn’t in the building. Either way, it was good news for me.

  I escaped down the hall free and clear.

  Norma Ander’s office was easy to find. There were only top executives on that floor so there weren’t many to look through. I could tell from the outside that hers was smaller than Hudson’s and didn’t have a corner view. For some reason, that made me feel good. God, was I really such a spiteful bitch? No, I was simply a woman scorned.

  I’d scheduled my appointment with Norma’s assistant so I already knew I’d find a male at the desk outside her door. What I didn’t know from his voice was how attractive he was. Not attractive in the dominating powerful way that Hudson was, but in the cute, nerdy way that was trendy lately. He seemed about my age or possibly a year or two older. His hair was light brown and unruly and his blue eyes were bright despite being hidden behind dark framed glasses.

  How lucky was Norma to be surrounded by hotties? Maybe I needed to take a job at Pierce Industries after all so I could enjoy the view.

  Like I cared about any guy besides Hudson. If I could just have that view back, I’d be happy.

  The nameplate indicated his name was Boyd. I stepped up and introduced myself. “Alayna Withers to see Norma Anders.”

  “Let me just buzz her to see if she’s ready for you. Please feel free to take a seat.”

  The idea of sitting made me want to puke—I was much too nervous. “No, I’ll stand. Thank you.” I circled the small waiting area, pretending to study the art on the walls while stealing glances into Norma’s office. Despite her door being open, I couldn’t see her desk, and the more time I had to myself, the more I thought I’d chicken out. The meeting with her could very well backfire, after all. She may not get the whole woman-to-woman thing. The possibility of security or Hudson being phoned was quite high. Both those scenarios were unattractive.

  For good or bad, I didn’t chicken out and Norma didn’t keep me waiting. “Alayna, please come in.” She stood aside to let me pass her and gestured for me to take a seat in front of her desk.

  As she shut the door behind me I heard her say, “Stop it. You’re being bad.” At least that’s what it sounded like she said.

  I turned back to her before sitting. “Excuse me?”

  “Oh, nothing. I was talking to my assistant.”

  As she crossed around to her side of the desk, I took in her space. Not only was it simpler and smaller than Hudson’s, it also lacked any aesthetic form. The room consisted of a desk, three chairs, two bookcases, and several file cabinets. Apparently Celia Werner hadn’t been hired to design all the offices—just Hudson’s.

  Norma cleared her throat. Since I hadn’t initiated the conversation, it seemed she would. “I was surprised by your request to meet with me. I assume it’s about Gwen?”

  When Boyd had asked the reason for my appointment with Norma, I’d simply said, “It’s personal. I’m her sister’s boss.” The implication was clear.

  Also, it was totally misleading.

  I sat up taller in my chair. It was lower than Norma’s and I supposed that was a tactic to make her clients feel beneath her. I wouldn’t let it affect my confidence. “No, I’m not here about Gwen. Though I may have led your assistant to believe that’s what it was about. I apologize for that deception.”

  Norma blinked once. “Now my interest is piqued. Go on.”

  I leveled my eyes with hers. “I’m here to ask you about Hudson.”

  “Hudson?” She actually jolted in her chair from the surprise. “You couldn’t have shocked me more if you said you were here to talk about the pope. Why on earth would you be asking me about your boyfriend?”

  It was the most words she’d ever spoken to me directly. It occurred to me that I knew absolutely nothing about this woman—whether she was fun or serious or compassionate or mean. She’d always acted as though she disapproved of me or I disinterested her. Was that simply because I was with Hudson? She was a woman with authority—she’d likely learned over time how to be tough, learned to thicken her skin. Was there a girl beneath her exterior that I could appeal to with my jealousies and insecurities?

  I hoped so. “I’m interested in your relationship with him. With Hudson.”

  Her mouth curled up on one side. “Call me a bitch, but why aren’t you asking him?”

  I’d already called her a bitch many times in my head, but I recognized the title hadn’t been validated. Yet. And, just as when Stacy had judged me, I felt the urge to be defensive. That would get me nowhere though. “I have asked him. He’s answered. I’d like your clarification.”

  She nodded, accepting my answer easily. “I have a business relationship with him. He’s my boss. I’m his lead financial officer.”

  “Business only?”

  “Business only.”

  I’d feared her answer wouldn’t convince me, and it didn’t. He signed her paychecks—for that reason alone, why would she disclose information to me? And if he had been her lover, or still was her lover, then she had doubly the reason not to be honest with me.

  Still, I hoped that proceeding with the conversation would teach me something. Maybe she’d slip, or I’d see it in her face—anything. “You obviously find him attractive. You don’t hide it when you look at him.” She stared at him like he was Adonis.

  Then again, wasn’t he?

  Norma let out a small laugh. “He’s a very attractive man.” Well, duh. “But I’m not interested in him that way.”

  There was no way that was true. Besides what I’d seen from her, Hudson had confirmed her interest. “He said you approached him about having a relationship.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Did he?”

  My heart thundered in my chest. Why would he lie about that?

  But then Norma conceded. “Well, I did. Quite a while ago. I’m simply surprised it meant enough to mention. Things have changed now.”

  I tilted my head, trying to read her. Very few of my crushes had simply disappeared with time. Generally it took a new man to end
my interest. But I obsessed, so I didn’t have an accurate point of reference.

  Hudson, however, believed she still liked him. “He doesn’t seem to think things have changed.”

  She stared for two solid seconds before she narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Maybe I don’t want him to think so.”

  I wrung my hands in my lap, determined not to slap the smugness off her face no matter how tempting it was. Instead, I pinned her with my eyes, hoping that my persistence would deliver.

  After a brief stare-off, I won. Sort of. She offered an answer, albeit not a completely satisfactory one. “He’s my boss. It pays to flatter him.”

  I leaned back in my chair. “There’s more than that. What are you not saying?”

  Her eyes flickered briefly with rage or panic. I wasn’t sure which, but neither would get me what I wanted.

  I backed down and tried another tactic—appealing to her sense of compassion. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business, I know. But I’m desperate for information. It would mean a lot to me. And with Gwen at the club now, I thought maybe we could find some sort of a bond.”

  Now her eyes definitely showed rage—and not just a flicker. “Are you threatening Gwen’s job security if I don’t answer your questions?”

  Fuck! “No! God, no. I love Gwen.” Not exactly true. “Or, I like her anyway. A lot. She’s good at the job. Perfect for what I was looking for.” Jesus, I was flustered.

  I took a deep breath and centered myself. “I mean that I think of everyone at The Sky Launch as family. Gwen’s moving her way into that category quite nicely. Even though she’s sometimes blunt and overly anxious to speak her mind.”

  Norma chuckled. “That’s Gwen for you.” It was her turn to tilt her head and study me. “I appreciate you getting her the job, by the way. I thanked Hudson, but he says it’s really you who hired her. She needed out of Eighty-Eighth. In many ways, she was as desperate as you say you are now.”