Blowout

by Colleen Cross

  They exited the marina and set a westerly course out of the harbor towards the open ocean. The scenery slipped by as the boat gathered speed. The North Shore Mountains loomed larger and were now situated on their right—or was that starboard?—instead of straight ahead.

  Raphael and Jace discussed yachting as Uncle Harry joined them a few feet away at the stern. They watched the yacht’s wake as they headed out into the harbor.

  Gia waved Kat over to a small table where she sat alone. “I can’t wait to tell you everything. Isn’t he amazing?”

  Kat glanced over at the men as she sat down. They stood several feet away, engrossed in talk about engine speed and other guy things. Finally she could talk to Gia alone and learn more about her new love interest.

  She sat opposite Gia at the table. “What a perfect day to be out on the water.”

  Gia nodded. “Drink?” Gia held a martini glass filled with fluorescent pink liquid and pointed at the well-stocked bar a few feet away.

  Kat shook her head. “I’ll just have water.” She took a sip from the water bottle she had brought for the trip.

  Gia gulped her drink. “I never ever imagined dating a billionaire.”

  “Billionaire?” At least Gia had broached the subject of Raphael’s background. Now she could ask questions without seeming intrusive. “He’s that wealthy?”

  Gia giggled. “He’s rich, hot, and totally into me. Crazy, huh? I can’t even remember my life before Raphael. I’m madly in love with him.”

  “How long have you known him?”

  “Long enough to know we’ll spend the rest of our lives together.”

  Finally an answer, just not the one Kat had hoped for. “Don’t rush things, Gia. You’ve known him a week, two weeks?” Gia hadn’t mentioned a new man when they met for dinner a couple of weeks ago.

  Gia twirled her half empty glass in her hand. “I know everything I need to already. He’s a fascinating guy.”

  “He’s pretty young to have so much money. Is his family wealthy?”

  Gia nodded as she set her empty glass on the table. “They are now, because of the product Raphael and his mom invented a couple of years ago. They did it all themselves. None of that dot-com technology stuff. They made a hair product, of all things! Isn’t that a coincidence?”

  “An amazing coincidence. Have you tried it?”

  “Not yet. But he’s making me a part of the company.” Gia blew a kiss to Raphael. “Isn’t that fantastic?”

  “But what about your salon? How will you find time to work for him?”

  “Not as an employee, silly. As an investor,” Gia said. “My experience in the North American beauty industry is something they need and want.”

  Kat raised her brows.

  “I can get them a foothold into that market here.”

  Gia’s salon was a local success story, but that hardly qualified her as a North American business expert. “How will you market and sell the product?”

  “Raphael has it all planned out. I’ll be on the ground executing the business plan. He said I’m perfect since I really understand the business.” She squeezed Kat’s hand. “Isn’t this great? I never dreamed that I’d meet the love of my life in the beauty supply business. We have this incredible product. Bellissima is a hair straightener that’s about to take the beauty world by storm.”

  “Like a Brazilian Blowout or something?” Kat had tried the semi-permanent straightening method on her hair once, but decided a little frizz was better than a whole lot of chemicals on her head.

  “Sort of, but much better. A Brazilian Blowout is just temporary. Bellissima permanently straightens your hair. As in forever.”

  “Have you even seen it? How does it work?” If the product was so lucrative, why hadn’t one of the big cosmetics and beauty products companies already developed it? They had armies of scientists, product developers, and million-dollar budgets. It struck her as odd that Raphael and his mother could cook up a better product.

  Gia turned and shrugged. “Ask Raphael. All I know is that he’s already made a fortune with Bellissima in Europe.”

  “What’s the name of his company?” Kat intended to dig up everything possible on Raphael. Since Gia had thrown caution to the wind, she needed to look out for her friend.

  “I don’t know, some Italian name. Your paranoia about all this is absolutely ridiculous.”

  “You’re Italian, yet you can’t remember an Italian name?” If Raphael’s company was so successful, why did he need Gia’s money in the first place? Why hadn’t he gone to the bank? Kat hesitated. Gia would be angry no matter what she said, so she might as well ask. “Did you check out his claims to make sure they’re true?”

  ”You think he lied about it all? Why would he do that?” Gia’s face flushed with anger. “Honestly, Kat. You’re unbelievable.”

  “I’m not saying that. It’s just good to verify things.”

  “Our relationship is based on trust. Why would I ask when there’s proof right here.” Gia waved her arm. “The guy has this yacht, for crying out loud. He’s legit.”

  “How does he find the time to sail around on his yacht? Doesn’t he have a business to run?”

  “It’s called delegation, Kat. That’s what rich people do. Their minions do the work.” Gia tossed back her hair in an exaggerated flourish. “Their minions and their capital. You should try it sometime.”

  Their conversation had completely derailed. On the one hand, Kat wished she had never asked about Raphael and his company. On the other hand, Gia was in far too deep. She had to argue whether she wanted to or not. “You never said where you met him.”

  “That’s the best part. He just walked into my salon. He said it looked just like his mama’s salon back home. Isn’t that a coincidence?”

  Kat believed more in cons than coincidences. “That’s interesting.”

  “It’s a lot more than interesting. My whole life has changed in less than a week.”

  “You’re being dramatic. You’re just infatuated with him.”

  Gia shook her head. “No, it’s so much more than that. I’ve met my soul mate, Kat. He’s the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with.”

  Before Gia could say another word, Raphael appeared at her side. He wrapped his arm possessively around her shoulder. “Everything good, bellissima?”

  “È perfetto.” Gia beamed up at him.

  He bent over and kissed her forehead. He turned and rejoined Jace and Harry. They motored through Burrard Inlet, headed towards the open ocean.

  Gia beamed. “Not only is he the man of my dreams, he’s even Italian!”

  “He hasn’t got an accent. He sounds just like one of us.”

  Gia shook her head slowly. “Of course he doesn’t have an accent. He went to an international boarding school. He’s also fluent in seven languages.”

  “Oh. Sounds like he’s good at everything.” More like a good actor, but why had he chosen Gia to practice on?

  “Don’t be jealous, Kat. Let’s not go back to grade school again.” Gia seemed pleased at Kat’s reaction.

  Raphael glanced at them momentarily before turning back to the other men.

  “How much did you invest, Gia?”

  Silence.

  “Gia, have you thought about what you’re doing? You just met this guy, and he asked for money?”

  “I’m a grown woman, Kat. I can think for myself.”

  At that, Raphael paused whatever he was saying and all three men looked over. A few seconds later they returned to their conversation.

  Kat lowered her voice. “I’m just concerned that you haven’t thought this through, Gia.”

  Harry rose from the table and Kat overheard him tell Jace and Raphael he was headed to the bridge to check out the navigation. That gave her an idea for later. Raphael’s crew might be less reluctant to talk about their boss, or at least the yacht’s travels. She could at least verify his claims about sailing from Italy. A casual conversation ought not to raise
suspicion.

  “He didn’t ask, Kat. I offered.”

  Kat raised her brows.

  “Okay, I practically begged him to let me in on it.” Gia tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “He didn’t want to, but I insisted. It’s an investment in my future. Our future.”

  Kat felt sick to her stomach. A growing sense of dread told her that whatever Raphael was up to, it wasn’t good. Gia was too infatuated to see it.

  Raphael and Jace joined them and Kat’s hopes of continued conversation with Gia faded. Raphael wore a blank expression, but Jace appeared irritated, probably a result of overhearing snippets of her conversation with Gia.

  Raphael pulled his chair beside Gia’s and rested his arm on the back of her chair. “Such a great day to be out on the water.”

  “This beats a charter flight any day. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” Jace placed his beer on the table and leaned back in his chair. He turned to Raphael. “I’d also like to do a story on you, if you’re interested.”

  Raphael laughed. “You sure about that? I’ll just bore everyone.”

  “Definitely not. People are fascinated with success. You especially. You’re not even forty and you’re living the dream. Want to spill your secrets?”

  Perfect, Kat thought. She’d just absorb whatever Raphael told Jace, then fact check later.

  “No secret, just knowing what to invest in and following my gut,” Raphael said. “Timing is everything.”

  “What’s your gut telling you now?” He would be short on details, since there weren’t any.

  Raphael smiled. “I’ve got the most amazing opportunity right now. I’d share it with you guys, but it’s too early.”

  Gia tugged on his arm. “Kat and Jace are my closest friends. They’re like family. You can tell them. They won’t tell a soul.” She glanced at Kat as if to say I told you so.

  “I don’t know, Gia.” Raphael turned to Kat and Jace. “I want to tell you, but I’m bound by a confidentiality agreement.”

  “They can keep a secret. Tell them, sweetie.” Gia giggled. “I already spilled some of the beans to Kat. I want to let her in on it too, so she can make huge profits like I have.”

  “All right, what the hell,” Raphael said. “I’ll make an exception. My ass is on the line though. Breathe a word of this and I’ll have to kill you and throw you overboard.”

  Jace laughed. “Promise we can keep a secret.”

  Raphael leaned over and kissed Gia on the forehead. “You tell them, sweetheart.”

  Gia pulled her chair closer and leaned in to the table. She spoke in a whisper. “Raphael’s new hair product is simply amazing. It’s a patented hair straightening product called Bellissima and it’s the best invention since shampoo.”

  “Why are you whispering?” Jace asked. “Who could possibly overhear us out here?”

  “You can’t be too careful.” Gia looked over her shoulder towards mid-ship. ”Bellissima is revolutionary. It’s like getting a permanent wave, only in reverse. You put it on curly hair and it straightens it. Forever.”

  Gia sounded like an infomercial as she repeated what she had already told Kat.

  Gia placed her hand on her chest. “I’m the exclusive North American distributor. Every salon will have to buy from me. It will launch just after the Oscars. We’ve got a promotion deal with a few A-list stars, and we’ll have salon certificates in the Oscar swag bags. Raphael’s thought of everything!”

  The Oscars weren’t until February, and it was only August. Raphael could be long gone by then. Why had Gia invested without trying the product? She was, after all, a stylist. A hair product was within her area of expertise.

  “What makes Raphael’s product so special from the others?” Jace asked.

  Gia suddenly tugged on a clump of Kat’s hair.

  “Ouch!” Kat’s hands flew to the back of her head. Gia was angrier than she thought. “You just pulled my hair out!”

  Gia released her grip and smoothed Kat’s hair. “This frizz would be gone with just one application and a blow dry.”

  “What frizz?” Kat pushed Gia’s hand away, annoyed. She had temporarily straightened her hair with a flat iron this morning and thought it looked pretty good. It wasn’t even humid out, so how could her hair possibly be frizzy? Or maybe Gia was avenging her earlier comments about Raphael.

  Jace and Raphael tuned out at the mention of her hair. The men rose from the table. Jace frowned at Kat, then turned and followed Raphael to the rail.

  Gia sighed. “Don’t be so defensive. You can’t help the hair you were born with. You can change it, though. Bellissima transforms frizz and curls into sleek straight hair.”

  “You invested in a product you haven’t even tried yet? What proof do you have that it really works?”

  “Gee, Kat. Do you really think I’m that dumb?” She shook her head. “I’ll see the product next week when I fly to Italy with Raphael. We can’t use it now and risk it falling into the wrong hands before the North American patent is registered. It’s just like the Coke™® formula. Knowing the secret recipe could put my life in danger. I could be kidnapped or something.”

  “You mean like corporate espionage? That’s ridiculous.” The product was already for sale in Europe, so there was no added risk. Something didn’t add up.

  “Go ahead and make fun of me, but Bellissima is a game-changer. The other products only work temporarily. Bellissima is forever.”

  “Isn’t that a bad thing?” Kat asked.

  Gia frowned. ”How so?”

  “No chance of repeat customers. A single application of Bellissima straightener translates to zero repeat business. No other products or straightening treatments ever again. You’d have to charge a fortune for it.”

  Gia dismissed her with a wave of her hand, but she had struck a chord. “Talk to Raphael. It worked in Europe so it will work here. Once it’s in the Hollywood Oscar Awards swag bag and the stars use it, everyone will want it. We’ll make a killing!”

  “I’m surprised you invested your money without knowing more specifics, Gia.” Kat shifted in her chair.

  “I know enough, Kat. As a stylist I just know this product will be huge. And Raphael didn’t even ask me if I wanted in. I had to convince him to take my money in the first place.”

  “Is that right?” Raphael, like all scammers, appeared to be well-versed in psychology.

  “Yes, that’s right.” Gia sniffed. “Now I wish I never told you in the first place. Here I am offering you a chance to make a fortune too, but all you do is criticize. Do you have to fight me every step of the way?”

  “I appreciate that, but you haven’t told me anything about the product.” Kat shifted in her chair. “I thought these straightening products were banned. Don’t they contain formaldehyde or something dangerous?”

  Gia shook her head. “That’s what’s so revolutionary about Bellissima. It’s completely natural.”

  “If it’s completely natural, how can it be patented?”

  “Anything can be patented. Human genes, varieties of corn, you name it.”

  The lighthearted mood had evaporated. “I’d still want more details before putting money in. If it’s completely natural, why has no one discovered it before now?”

  “Raphael can give you all the details. You can number-crunch to your heart’s content.”

  Kat seriously doubted Raphael would be so forthcoming. Her weekend away was quickly turning into a new case, albeit a very personal one.

  5

  The Financier motored through Active Pass and headed north through the Juan de Fuca Strait. A stiff breeze cooled the ocean air, welcome relief from Vancouver’s sweltering summer temperatures. Harry and Gia played cards below deck in the air-conditioned galley while Jace and Raphael sat on the deck and discussed yachting.

  Kat sat alone a few feet away on a patio lounge chair. She was out of earshot but unable to concentrate, knowing that Gia was in trouble. She reread the same page in he
r mystery novel over and over, unable to absorb the story. She couldn’t stop thinking about Gia and Raphael. Regardless of Gia’s claims, her gut told her that her friend was close to making a terrible mistake.

  With a few general questions she had angered both Jace and Gia, but they were questions that had to be asked. Someone had to, and she couldn’t just sit back and watch her friend get taken advantage of. It was hard enough remaining civil to Raphael.

  While she had no proof he was anyone other than who he claimed, she always trusted her instincts. The man was hiding something and she wouldn’t rest until she uncovered his secret.

  A change of scenery was exactly what she needed to formulate a strategy. She rose and walked slowly around the deck to stretch her legs. There were ways to check Raphael out without angering Gia further. If she found no skeletons in his closet, all the better. But if she found some, at least Gia would know the facts.

  Minutes later Kat stood on the opposite side of the ship, alone. The distance from Raphael made her almost forget all about him. She leaned against the railing and inhaled the salty sea air. Something about the ocean always washed her worries away.

  She jumped as something splashed and broke through the water. It was a pod of killer whales a hundred feet away. They breached and sprayed misty water as they circled each other playfully, oblivious to her and the ship.

  The whales frolicked as they breeched higher and higher. Circular waves expanded outwards as they played. They were beautiful, so carefree and wild.

  She considered calling the others, but decided against it. The whales would disappear soon enough. She would just enjoy them before the spell was broken. It was nice to be alone with her thoughts for a while.

  She didn’t want to risk another altercation with Gia, either. They had known each other for so long that they practically read each other’s minds. Time apart gave them a chance to calm down.

  The whales disappeared from view as the yacht motored past them. The Financier had crossed the Juan de Fuca Strait and was expected to arrive at De Courcy within the hour.

  Her alone time also gave her an opportunity to dig up a little information on her own. She strolled laps around the deck as a ruse to run into one of the crew without Raphael or the others noticing.