“Excuse me?”
“I don’t blame you. I’ve known Lennox for a few years, and he’s never brought a woman to a luncheon. He’s obviously smitten with you…”
As she made small talk, Senator Carroll spoke to Nox. “…testimony will be starting soon. You know you have my vote. However, if I could go to a few other senators with rumors of relocation of those centers, I believe it would get the buzz going…”
“…our daughter will be attending Stanford…” Mrs. Carroll’s words drowned out the ones I wanted to hear of her husband’s.
“…House bill 770… Higgins is a strong opponent…”
“…any advice you would share…”
My attention was pulled back and forth. I wanted to listen to Senator Carroll and Nox’s conversation, but with Shirley Carroll speaking near my ear, I was constantly pulled back to her. Had I heard the men mention Senator Higgins? Was that the same Higgins who was at my party in Savannah? What did that mean?
My stomach churned with Bryce’s words, making the lunch before me less appetizing.
By the time we said our goodbyes, Nox led me away from the table, and we sat in the back of the waiting car, my thoughts were jumbled. It wasn’t difficult to deduce that they were discussing more than moving distribution centers.
“Why was I there?”
NOX LOOKED MY direction as Isaac moved the car into traffic. “Because I wanted you there.”
I leaned back against the seat with my lips together and tried to calm my nerves. Surely I wasn’t there because of some political struggle for votes. I never doubted Alton used my party as a means to influence Senator Higgins, but would Nox do the same thing?
“What’s the matter, Charli? Is that so hard to believe?”
“Well, Nox.” My volume was louder than I intended. “I don’t know. I know next to nothing about you. I don’t know anything about the House bill you two were discussing. Every time it was mentioned, Shirley Carroll had another story to share.”
He reached for my hand. “I wanted to spend time with you. There was nothing more than that.”
“So explain some of it. Tell me about the House bill.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. It would bore you. It’s something that could affect Demetri Enterprises.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay, tell me about Demetri Enterprises?”
Nox’s brow lengthened. “Why?”
I exhaled. “Because you invited me to this lunch. I want to understand what was said or at least what my role was.”
“Your role?” he asked incredulously. “Your role is to be whatever I say. Today you were my companion. You kept Shirley Carroll occupied so Senator Carroll and I could speak.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Arm candy. Is that it, Mr. Demetri?”
“Arm candy? Are you fucking kidding me? You don’t think I could have all the damn arm candy I want? Well, I could and I don’t. Not now, not ever. You aren’t arm candy. You’re intelligent and capable of carrying on a conversation with Mrs. Carroll…”
As he attested to my attributes, Karen Flores’s comments came back to me. Everything Nox was saying was why she said I made a good Infidelity employee. With each word, the pressure behind my temples as well as that in my chest built.
“…Do you know the last time I took a date with me to an important meeting?”
It was Bryce’s accusations combined with my luncheon role: I’d reached my boiling point. “No. As I said, I don’t know anything, and you obviously don’t want to tell me. I have no idea why you really wanted me there. I have no idea the last time you took a date to a meeting or whom. Have you taken anyone, or hasn’t there been anyone since Jocelyn?”
The air throughout the car crackled with the electrical tension of before. As soon as the question tumbled from my lips, I regretted it. The metaphoric clear blue skies surrounding us filled with rumbling gray. For only a moment, he stared at me, his gaze holding me mute. Then his body stiffened, and he turned toward the window.
The loss of his stare allowed me to speak. “Nox, I’m sorry. I don’t know any more than her name. I want to know more. I started to research and then I stopped. I don’t want to learn something that important about you from the Internet. I want to learn about her from you.” I reached for his leg, wanting to feel our connection.
Nox brushed my hand away. Turning, his voice again dripped with ice. “My rules—my information at my discretion. Why is that difficult for you to understand?”
I looked up to Isaac and back. “Please may we discuss this in private?”
“This is private.” He reached for my chin, painfully pinching it between his thumb and finger as his words slowed to a low growl. “We’re not discussing her in private or public. Don’t ever mention her name again.”
Tears bubbled in my throat as I maintained my Montague posture. When he released my chin, I turned toward the window. After swallowing the emotion, I modulated my voice. “I apologize, Mr. Demetri. I won’t mention her name again. I’m sorry I overstepped.”
“You did. Don’t let it happen again.”
It wasn’t what I wanted him to say. I wanted him to apologize, to tell me he was sorry for overreacting. When I turned toward him, his entire presence was different. The familiarity we shared was gone. With his eyes focused beyond the window, he spoke through clenched jaws. “Whatever research you’ve done, you can’t possibly know what happened. Leave it alone. It’s none of your business.”
I nodded, my gaze also focused beyond the car window. The scenes outside blurred as tears teetered on my lids. Silence settled heavily in the car as we traveled back toward Palo Alto. It seemed that despite all our progress, in one stupid move I’d sent us back to the beginning. With each mile, my posture remained rigid, unchanged despite the chaos of thoughts and emotions within me. Oddly, I found a strange comfort in falling back on my upbringing.
When we were over halfway back toward my apartment, Nox’s words shattered the stillness but did little to ease the tension. “Take Miss Collins back to the hotel.”
“Yes, sir,” Isaac replied, easing the car to the right to be able to take the next exit and turn around.
I spun toward Nox. “What? No. I told Chelsea I’d be back to the hospital. I wanted to go to my apartment.”
Nox sat unmoving, his eyes now focused on his phone.
After a moment, I gathered my strength. “Did you hear me, or do I need to email you to get your attention?”
Quicker than I could comprehend, Nox turned toward me. His words seethed with contempt as he captured my thigh, his painful grip stopping any further rebuttal. “Watch it, Miss Collins. I suggest you consider your answer to my next question carefully.”
I tried to move his hand. “Stop it,” I hissed so only he’d hear. “Let go of me.”
“Who told you about her?”
His refusal to use her name didn’t go unnoticed.
I tried again to loosen his grip. “You’re hurting me.”
He didn’t repeat his question, but he did lighten his hold of my thigh as his eyes opened in anticipation of my answer. Not wanting to make him repeat the question, I swallowed and answered, “You.”
He let go altogether. My answer wasn’t what he expected.
Before he could question, I went on. “In Del Mar, when I saw the line of your wedding ring, you came to my suite and—”
“I didn’t tell you her name.”
I shook my head, ashamed I’d researched him and not granted him the same amount of privacy he’d given to me. “I read her name. I Googled you.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “I-I had—have—so many questions.”
“Was this before or after I told you that my sharing of knowledge was at my discretion?”
We were now heading again back toward San Francisco.
“It’s silly to take me back to the hotel. I’ll take a taxi if I need to. I’m going to my apartment and to see Chelsea.”
&
nbsp; “No, you’re not.”
My eyes opened wide at the finality of his reply. He might consider this private, but I couldn’t help but be keenly aware of Isaac and his occasional glance in the rearview mirror. I leaned closer and whispered. “I’m not a child. You can’t forbid me from going somewhere.”
“You’re not and I can. I told you that your freedoms were yours until you squandered them. Consider this your first…” He scoffed. “…your second lesson in following my directions.”
A lump formed in my throat. “W-What does that mean?”
“It means, Miss Collins, that I’m grounding your pretty little round ass to our hotel room. I have some business to attend to. You’ll behave and do as I say, which means no more searching for answers that are mine to give. When I return and assuming you’ve complied, I’ll decide what we do next. I suggest you spend your time reflecting on our new rules and the consequences for obeying versus defying me.”
This was ridiculous. He was making me feel like a rebellious child. For a moment I was even afraid he was going to spank me. How ludicrous was that? Not as absurd as the tightening in my insides that accompanied that thought. I was demented, and if he thought he could treat me like a fourteen-year-old, he was equally as crazy.
Before I could refute him, Nox said, “It was Spencer, wasn’t it?”
I turned his direction and blinked, digesting his words. “What was?”
“He said something about her, something to make you question. Was it today or last night?”
The accusation in his tone spoke louder than his words. Nox was accusing me of listening to Bryce, rather than to him. The hurt in his voice and the truth behind his claim stung, physically constricting my chest and limiting my ability to breathe.
I nodded. “Last night.”
Isaac pulled the car in front of the hotel. As he did, Nox reached for my hand and leaned his lips to my ear. “I won’t be long. Behave, or the thought you had a few minutes ago…” He cocked a brow. “…well, I’ll be doing more than grounding your ass.”
Hating that he could read me so easily, I pressed my lips together. Telling him he was nuts and that he couldn’t speak to me like that were on the tip of my tongue. While at the same time, I was uncomfortably aware of my body’s reaction to his threat.
He lowered his tone. “I’m not letting go of your hand until you say what I want to hear.”
“Yes, Nox.”
With each step across the sidewalk, through the doors, to the elevator, and down the hallway, my indignation grew. I came to California for Chelsea. I came to be sure she was safe and to stay at my apartment. And now I was being sent to my room like a teenager because I brought up a topic I wasn’t supposed to discuss. Nox didn’t have the right to tell me what to do or where to go. Nor did he have the right to limit or censor information.
What happened to Jocelyn? Why was he so sensitive about it?
Entering our suite, I threw my purse on the nearby sofa and kicked off my heels.
I opened the balcony doors and stepped out into the Northern California sunshine. The breeze off the bay was chilled for an August afternoon. The difference in climates between here and New York came to the forefront of my mind. Early this morning, the fog characteristic of San Francisco lingered near the water and hung ominously around the mountains. With the passing of time, the afternoon sun shone, burning through the moisture and giving way to the beauty of the scenery, yet the air wasn’t hot or humid. I wrapped my arms around my own shoulders and sighed.
Deloris had provided both Nox and me with a mini wardrobe that suited every need. Just as I was about to change out of the dress and into jeans and a light sweater, one I’d seen hanging in the closet, I heard the vibration of my phone.
Walking toward the sofa, I imagined Nox or Deloris checking to be assured of my compliance. Well, guess what, I’m here. I’m just not sure I will be in another few minutes. I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
When had simple decisions become so complicated?
JANE
I swiped the screen before her call could go to voicemail.
“Jane?”
“No, Alexandria.”
The energy of the suite changed. My blood pumped with new force as the hairs on my arms and neck stood to attention.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t answer my call,” my mother said.
“Are you all right?”
She let out a hushed laugh. “Darling, I was calling to ask you the same question.”
Maybe it was because she didn’t say she was ill. Maybe it was because the last time I spoke to her she sent my world spiraling out of control. For whatever reason, my volume rose. “You called to learn if I was all right? Why, Mother? You didn’t care if I was all right the afternoon I left Montague Manor?”
“That’s not true. I’ve been worried sick about you. That’s why Bryce offered to see you, to talk to you, but then he learned about the break-in. Alexandria… were you there? Were you hurt?”
“No. I wasn’t there or hurt.”
“Oh thank God. Obviously, it isn’t safe for you to be with that dreadful girl. She must attract some unsavory people, people who’d do terrible things.”
I clenched my teeth. “Chelsea, Mother, is that who you mean? Well, Chelsea is safe. She was hurt, but she’s safe. Thank you for asking about my best friend.”
“Darling, Bryce mentioned something else to me. We’ve decided not to say anything to Alton, not yet. I wish you’d told me.”
This had to be about Nox, but I knew the game Mother was playing. I’d been raised to speak in circles and keep each word covered with sugar when in reality it was a ploy to discover more, to learn what was hidden. I had no intention of giving her more than she already knew.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“When we spoke to you about Bryce, about his situation and the two of you, why didn’t you mention the young man you’re seeing?”
She made it sound like a high school dance.
“You never asked me. None of you did. You all told me.”
“According to Bryce, this man is dangerous. I understand your desire for independence, but seeking that in the company of an unsavory individual isn’t the way to do it. I’ve talked to Alton about your trust fund. There’s so much more that we need to discuss, things you need to know and understand. You rushed out of here too quickly. I know I didn’t give you the support you wanted. For that, Alexandria, I’m sorry.
“Seeing what a strong young lady you’ve become has helped me too. That’s why I’m calling you. I need to do what my parents never did. I need to explain everything to you.”
“Mom?” There was something genuine about her voice. A different tone than I was used to hearing.
“Yes?”
“Why did you really use Jane’s phone?”
“Darling, how long will you be in California?”
I shook my head, though I knew she couldn’t see it. “I’m not sure. It depends on Chelsea.” And Nox. But I didn’t say the last part.
“Your father will be out of town for the next week. Will you please come here before you go to New York?”
I closed my eyes and bit my tongue, stopping myself from correcting her title of Alton.
“Where is he?”
“Oh, I’m not sure, New York, Seattle, somewhere.”
Marriage made in heaven.
“You’re not sure where he is, but you know he’ll stay away?”
“Alexandria, Alton isn’t the enemy. He isn’t. He’s raised you since you were young. I wish the two of you would try to get along.”
Copper coated my taste buds as I bit harder on the inside of my lip, piercing it with the uncontrollable force.
“Are you ill?” I asked. “Bryce said you were.”
“Not in the conventional sense of the word. I’m distraught. I need to speak to you, to explain. If that would be better without your father here, then I’m asking you to please come back and let me do
that.”
“Meet me in New York.”
Silence.
“Mother, meet me in New York. Let me show you around Columbia. We can have dinner with Patrick and…” I debated about mentioning Nox. “…and we can discuss what you want to discuss.”
“I-I don’t travel much without your father.”
“He travels all of the time without you. Do this, and we can talk.”
I waited as silence prevailed. I even looked at my phone to be sure the call hadn’t disconnected.
“He doesn’t even know I called. That’s why I used Jane’s phone.”
This time it was my turn to stay quiet.
“Alexandria, Bryce loves you. He always has. He wouldn’t… it wouldn’t be like…”
“Mother—”
“I’ll do it. I’ll be in New York on Sunday. I’ll make reservations in Manhattan. I can’t stay long. But, dear, Bryce needs you as much as you need him. Please listen to me and let me try to explain.”
I didn’t need Bryce. What made her think I did?
“Sunday. Let me know and I’ll arrange to pick you up at the airport.”
“Nonsense. I’ll have a driver scheduled.” Of course she would. Hell, I probably would have picked her up with a driver. “I’ll let you know when I’ll arrive.”
“Thanks, Momma. If you come to me, I’ll listen.” I couldn’t guarantee I’d do what she wanted, but I would listen.
“Phoenix.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s not in New York. I just looked at his itinerary. Your father is in Phoenix.”
I wished. At least Alton wasn’t in New York.
The knock on the door startled me. “I need to go. Someone’s knocking on the door.”
“Be careful, dear. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Please tell Jane I said hello.”
“I will…”
Her words faded as I peered through the peephole. The blonde hair and ruddy complexion came into view. If he were forty years older he’d look like the man my mother continually referred to as my father. I couldn’t remember Bryce’s father or even what Marcel Spencer looked like, but from the red covering Bryce’s cheeks and neck, I knew that the man outside the door was angry about something.
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