I wrapped my fingers around the business card and did my best to remain stoic as I asked. “That lack of fear you mentioned? I’m new to all of this, but does it include my family?”
Carlisle and Wesley nodded in unison.
“Thank you, Carlisle… Wesley.” I nodded to each of them. “I hope that call isn’t necessary.”
“From now on, Mrs. Harrington, the Albinis will be there for you, as if you were part of this family. Mistakes have been made, but rest assured, we do not abandon family.”
I smiled. I’d already said thank you a thousand times. As I watched Carlisle and Wesley walk away I thought I heard Speak Softly Love playing in the background. Shaking my head I decided it was a definite improvement over Fatal Lullaby. When I didn’t move, Travis touched the small of my back directing me toward the elevators. A moment later, I felt his hand tense. When I looked up, my eyes met the aquamarine I’d been waiting to see.
I turned toward Travis. “Give me a minute. I know Parker’s waiting, but I asked Brody to be here for my mother.”
Though I was speaking, Travis’ narrowed gaze never left Brody.
“Yes, Mrs. Harrington,” came from his clenched jaws.
Asshole! What the fuck was his problem? That damn contract wasn’t real. Travis had no right to judge whom I saw or didn’t see. I could be with whomever I wanted. I didn’t say that, standing in the hospital corridor, but I made a mental note to mention it once we were in the car. In the meantime, I bit my tongue, shook my head at Travis’ evident disapproval, and walked toward Brody. When I neared, I smiled up at his beautiful eyes; however, the closer I came, the more obvious it was that my pleasure at seeing him wasn’t reciprocated.
“Brody? What’s the matter? Where have you been?”
Seizing my hand, he pulled me down the hall. The first small room we came to was occupied by an older couple. Silently, we moved down the hallway until we came to a family bathroom.
“What the fuck?” I murmured as he pushed me inside with him and secured the lock. Scanning the tile bathroom I wrinkled my nose and said, “This is gross. What are you doing?”
“Vik, a better damn question is what are you doing?”
I opened my palm and read Carlisle Albini in scrolled lettering. Shrugging, I tucked the card inside of my purse. “I’m on my way to your office.”
Brody paced the incredibly small space. “My office? Craven and Knowles, why?”
“Parker called… well, Trish called. She said he wants to see me. It’s urgent.”
Brody moved toward me. His hands palmed the wall on either side of my face, creating a cage with his strong arms. Pushing his body closer, he pressed me backward. When my sore ass hit the wall, a moan escaped my lips.”
“What’s the matter, baby?”
I reached up and caressed his cheek. His soft stubble felt familiar under my fingertips. His warm skin and fresh scent filled my senses, easing my aches and pains. He was my normal, my promise for a real life. “Nothing, Brody,” I sighed. “I just don’t know what has you all uptight?”
“Vik, you were talking to the Albinis. Do you even know who they are?”
I shook my head, allowing my fingers to graze his warm neck. “I didn’t. I didn’t know anything about them until the other day. They’ve been very nice.”
Brody pounded the concrete wall near my head. “Nice! Vik, those people are not fucking nice. They’re dangerous. You shouldn’t be talking to them. You don’t understand. Why wasn’t Travis dealing with them?”
Indignantly I stood taller. “I don’t need Travis or you or Parker or anyone else to do my business. Stewart left it all to me. I can do it.”
“Stewart? The ass-wipe who treated you like a fucking commodity? Well, God knows we don’t want to disappoint him.”
“Brody.” Again I reached for his cheek. “Brody, you’re upset. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“You fucking told me you didn’t see Parker.”
“I didn’t,” I lied. “I’m guessing that’s why he wants me to come to his office.”
Brody’s eyes closed as he exhaled. Releasing the wall, he ran his hands through his strawberry blonde hair and paced in a small circle. His actions reminded me of watching a caged animal. When he looked back in my direction, his anger was gone. I saw the love and adoration I didn’t deserve but longed to have. It was the look I envisioned on that big-assed blanket near our lake surrounded by mountains.
“Baby.” He captured my cheeks and covered my mouth with his. The temperature of the small bathroom rose as his tongue danced with mine. When our kiss ended, he looked deeply into my gray eyes and said, “You don’t know how fucking worried I’ve been. I didn’t sleep last night. I’m like a crazy man. All I kept thinking about was you with Parker or Travis or anyone else.”
“I’ve never been with Travis. I know that for certain.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”
“But now… now you’re talking to the Albinis. Fucking Vik! You’re jumping out of the proverbial frying pan into the goddamned fire.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not. I can’t tell you all of it, but I trust them. I do.”
“Jesus, you don’t know them. You trust them and you don’t know them. And you wanted Travis Daniels’ name on a goddamned contract instead of mine. You don’t trust me.”
“I do. I trust you. The contract with Travis isn’t enforceable. I told you that. He works for me. Nothing is going to come of it. I’m going to go see Parker.” I wrapped my arms around Brody’s tight abs and pressed myself against his chest. Freshly cleaned sheets came to mind as I inhaled. “Brody, this is almost done. When it is, can we find that lake?” I tucked my head under his chin and listened to his erratic heart. Even through his shirt I felt his warmth, such a stark contrast to how Stewart had been, especially toward the end. Stewart had been cold, always so cold.
Brody kissed the top of my head. “Yeah, Vik, just you and me and some fucking rabbits.”
I grinned. “I think that means there’ll be a lot of rabbits.”
He squeezed me tight.
I looked around. “Brody, although this may be cleaner, I have to say, it’s more disgusting than that damn motel. How about we get together tomorrow?” I hoped my ass would be better by then. As long as I didn’t bruise, the welts would be gone.
“Sure, Vikki, tomorrow.” Again, he cupped my cheeks. “No more deals with the devil. You did that once. Let Parker handle the business. You just sit back and enjoy your freedom.”
Closing my eyes, I nodded. My only concern was that my time in the warehouse was done. “I don’t care about the business,” I said, “but I promised the Albinis—”
His finger came to my lips. “Baby, I’m a fucking attorney. Don’t tell me anything you promised those lowlifes. Just promise me that you’ll concentrate on that big-assed blanket.”
My insides twisted in the most pleasant of ways at the promise. “I will. Now, I need to find out what Parker wants.”
Brody leaned in, giving me one more parting kiss that left my lips burning with thoughts of a future. I righted my skirt and blouse and unlocked the door. Just as I was about to open it, Brody offered with a grin, “By the way, Mrs. Harrington, I’ll represent your mother.”
“This was an interesting consultation appointment, counselor.”
“Wait until you get my bill.”
When we stepped into the hallway, Brody walked in the other direction, toward my mother’s room, and Travis’ dark gaze scanned me from head to toe. Walking back to the elevator, he leaned nearer and inhaled. As he stood straight, he whispered, “Well, at least you don’t fucking reek.”
Asshole! “You work for me.”
“I’m painfully aware.” He shook his head. “Painfully aware.”
TRAVIS TOLD ME that he’d arranged for my car to be taken back to the penthouse. I didn’t mind. With everything that had transpired, I would have a difficult time concentrating on driving.
In his SUV, I settled against the passenger seat and tried to make sense of my afternoon. I couldn’t process the entirety: Parker at the warehouse, the Albinis… and then Brody. Parker was a dick—a pencil dick—but that wasn’t a revelation. The Albinis—a few days ago, I’d never heard the name. I’d never heard of Carlisle Albini. Now, we’d spoken. Though my knowledge level was only slightly elevated, I felt a surprising sense of calm. Then again, Brody didn’t. He was upset that I spoke with them. Why?
“Victoria,” Travis’ deep voice pulled me from the depths of my thoughts and questions. “The way you’ve handled the Albinis, I think Mr. Harrington would be proud. Honestly, I think he’d be shocked. I’m sorry to say, he probably underestimated you.”
You have no fucking idea. “I don’t think he’s the only one.”
Travis’ lips went together in a straight line, before he said, “He did care about you. I see how you would doubt that, but he did.”
I didn’t want to think about Stewart caring for me; nevertheless, I asked, “How do you know?”
“I know. He worked to keep your identity hidden from both sides. He believed that if Carlisle knew who you were that you’d be in danger.”
I turned toward Travis. “My mother had said the same thing, but I didn’t sense that. Did you? Just now?”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t. I think Mr. Albini respects you.”
“Oh, God!” My stomach lurched as nausea struck with a vengeance.
“What?” Travis’ dark eyes flew my direction. “What’s the matter? Are you getting sick?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… I had a thought. Oh, God, please, please Travis… please tell me that the Albinis aren’t friends.”
He reached over and placed his hand on my suddenly trembling knee. Feeling the warmth, I stared at the size as I waited for his answer. After a moment, he pulled it away. “Sorry, I remember: no touching, ever.” His lips morphed into a lopsided grin. “No, the Albinis weren’t among Stewart’s friends. I’m pretty sure they have plenty of women in their business. However, the more I see of them, the more I’m inclined to believe that they may be a few of the more honorable men in a world of filth. It’s no doubt why they’re the most successful.” He looked back toward me. “Nothing against you, but I’m not sure they would’ve wanted to be one of Stewart’s friends.”
“You did.” I wasn’t sure what made me say it, but once it was out I couldn’t bring it back.
Travis shrugged. “I’m not honorable.”
“I’m beginning to question that. A while ago, I would’ve agreed with you, but now I’m not too sure.” I turned toward him and studied his profile. His hard chin flexed as his jaw clenched. “You did it on purpose didn’t you?”
“What?” he asked.
“You were an ass to me. That day at the warehouse; you wanted me to know it was you.”
He forced a laugh. “Yes, because I’m into being bitten until I bleed, and kneed in the balls. It’s one of my favorite pastimes.”
“No.” I shook my head, closed my eyes, and turned away. I remembered that day. I remembered his scent and his warm breath. I was so fucking scared. After that incident, it took a while for Stewart to invite his first friends; instead, Stewart spent more time and worked with me, encouraged me. That day also gave me a sense that even with what he was making me do, Stewart had my back. Maybe he did, but now I knew that Travis did too. Travis was always there, even today. “You knew I wasn’t ready. You did what you did: you purposely made sure I knew it was you. You did that so I’d have more time. You also wanted me to know that through all that shit, I was protected.”
Travis’ knuckles blanched as his grip assaulted the steering wheel. “You’re wrong. I wanted to fuck you. I’m the only fucking man who’s been at the warehouse who hasn’t had his cock inside of you. I was too energetic. I screwed up.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Travis turned his narrow dark gaze back toward me. “Are you calling me a fucking liar?”
Smugly, I nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“You’re wrong. I wanted to fuck you before and I still do. Maybe when we get to Craven and Knowles we should check out the legality of my contract.”
“You’re a liar and that’s not happening. If you really wanted it, Stewart would have caved. He would have let you.”
“Mrs. Harrington, you’re dead wrong.”
I grinned toward the window. “Victoria, asshole, my name is Victoria, and I’m not wrong. You’ve been a nice guy all along. Ha! Who knew?”
I glanced at the clock in the SUV as Travis parked outside of Craven and Knowles. It was nearly seven-thirty: almost five hours since I’d left Parker in the warehouse. As we approached the leaded glass doors to the ostentatiously large entry of the esteemed law firm, Trish sprang from behind her desk, her eyes wide as she rushed toward us. Opening the doors, she said, “Mrs. Harrington, I’m so glad you’re here.”
No doubt, the surprise at Trish’s gregarious greeting was evident on my face. Never once had she been as welcoming. “Trish.” I nodded.
“Mrs. Harrington, let me show you back to Mr. Craven’s office. You’ll see when you get there…” She added in a whisper, “He needs to go home. I’m afraid we’ll all be ill if he doesn’t.”
I stopped in my tracks. “Trish, if Mr. Craven is that sick, perhaps—”
Her long neck, visible with her dark hair twisted behind her head, moved from side to side. “No, he said he’s not leaving until he speaks with you…” She eyed Travis up and down. “…alone.”
I looked to Travis and back to Trish. “That’s fine. Mr. Daniels will wait outside. Shall we go to the conference room?”
“No, ma’am. Mr. Craven wanted me to bring you to his office.” I followed a step behind as she led us past the normal fish bowl and down a long hallway. As she did, I realized that I’d never been back to the partners’ offices. Only once had I been in Brody’s office; it was always better for us to meet away from the firm. After only one rap on the shiny wooden door, Trish opened it wide, revealing the grandeur of the senior partner’s private workspace.
The customary bookshelf lined with volumes of legal jargon filled one wall. Fleetingly, I wondered with today’s technology if that were truly necessary. Wouldn’t it be easier to do a computer search to locate a specific precedent than search through a wall of dusty journals? Two of the walls were floor-to-ceiling glass, looking out onto an impressive ocean view. It was in front of one of those spectacular windows where my eyes were suddenly drawn. I couldn’t look away from the man behind the desk. His normally olive complexion was pale and his face was covered with a sheen of sweat. More perspiration dripped from his temples, running down the length of his face and plunging from his quivering chin to the depths of his dampened shirt. Even his eyes were clouded with a veil of infirmity.
“My God, Parker, what’s happened to you?”
The clouds before his eyes parted, as a dark, menacing stare looked my direction. “Sit down, Mrs. Harrington. Trish, leave us.”
I turned toward Trish who looked at me with raised brows. I nodded, confirming her earlier concerns. Parker Craven was obviously ill.
When I looked back, Parker said, “I believe I told you earlier today to not make me repeat myself. Sit.”
I considered arguing. I’d spent the better part of the day standing, thanks to him, but seeing his pallor, I nodded and perched myself on the edge of a chair. When I did, he smiled sadistically, and asked, “Are you comfortable, Mrs. Harrington?”
“No, I’m not. Did you call me here to gloat?”
“Hardly. I called you here…” His words were interrupted by a hacking cough. “…I’ve received some troubling news. There are rumors that you have made the unfortunate decision to entertain…” More coughing. “…a business venture, which I feel would be better…” Coughs. “…discontinued.”
“If you’re talking about Travis—”
His fist pounded the desk as his
other hand then went to the collar of his shirt, loosening the top button and his tie. Parker continued, “Don’t interrupt and don’t play dumb. You’ve been talking to Niccolo Albini.”
He again began to cough.
I waited. With my eyes open wide, I implored, “Parker, this can wait. You’re obviously ill. I hope it isn’t contagious. We’ll discuss it when you’re feeling better: maybe when we discuss the will. Right now, I’m Stewart’s wife and I’ll talk to anyone I want.”
He took a drink of water and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. “You will not make any more promises or deals with the Albinis. With our new contract, I’m in charge of all of those decisions. To that end, unless you want your birthdate and all it implies made public, and believe me, you don’t, you’ll sign this power of attorney.”
More coughing. His chest convulsed as he hacked into the handkerchief. I grimaced at the red seeping through.
Shaking my head, I pursed my lips. “My goodness, you’re getting worse by the minute. Has anyone called Maura? She should take you home.”
“Victoria, the Albinis don’t know who you are. If they did—”
I stood. “You see, Parker, that’s where you and Stewart were mistaken. Carlisle, my father, and I had a nice little chat this afternoon at the hospital. Apparently, you were all misinformed. I don’t know what you or the Durantes think you know, but I’ll assure you, Carlisle Albini is an honorable man. His brother Niccolo has pledged his protection on me and my family. Carlisle has confirmed that. For the time being, I believe this discussion is over.”
Wearily, he shook his head. “No, you can’t do that. You can’t do any of that. You don’t have the power.” He again wiped the perspiration as it dripped near his eyes. “I have your contract.”
“Parker, you’re delusional. I’m afraid your fever is making you forget. I never signed a contract with you.” As I spoke he reached down near his feet to where I assumed he had his briefcase. “I haven’t seen you today until now. Harrington Spas and Suites will not be run by you. And very soon, I will be seeking legal representation elsewhere. Oh…” I added while he searched through the folder now open on his desk. “…and the warehouse is closed.”
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