Flash. Jet jolted violently as the sky lit up behind them and the sound of fireworks reverberated throughout the city. The nine o’clock fireworks had begun.
Jet glanced around her desperately. Dan was inside. She saw him look outside past her towards the fireworks, but he didn’t see her out here. A woman reached over and put a hand on his arm.
Edie. Dan was talking to Edie.
‘Juliet.’
Jet jolted again as another round of fireworks went off.
‘Juliet. What’s wrong. Are you OK?’
No, she wasn’t OK. Another flash and a burst of blinding light, but it wasn’t from the fireworks.
Jet stared into her ex-husband’s eyes. They were concerned. That night they had been angry.
Jet desperately needed space.
‘I’m sorry,’ Jet muttered, her voice barely audible over the fireworks. ‘Too much to drink and not enough food. I need a moment.’
Jet rushed from the balcony and Andrew didn’t try to stop her. Inside, she slipped through the groups of guests and almost took off at a run towards the ladies bathroom.
‘Hey!’
Jet nearly knocked a woman down as she pushed open the door—the Channel Nine newsreader from earlier.
‘I’m sorry,’ Jet called out, but didn’t stop. She dashed into a stall and slammed the door shut, not caring that her bare back was leaning directly against it.
Boom. More fireworks. Boom. Boom. Boom.
Jet closed her eyes. She was inside, away from the fireworks, but the flashes continued. Images she’d never seen before, but they were so real it was like they were swallowing her whole.
Jet rested her head on the cubicle door and surrendered.
Flash.
Andrew stands in front of Alex.
Her ex-husband’s face contorts in anger. ‘You drugged her.’
Alex’s lip curls in defiance. ‘Why would I come and get you, man? If I had drugged her, I wouldn’t be telling you about it.’
Andrew steps closer. ‘How do I know you haven’t hurt her already?’
‘Jesus. What sort of guy do you think I am?’
‘The sort of guy who sleeps with underage girls.’
Andrew points.
Crystal is there. In the corner. She’s seen everything. She cowers in fear.
Alex growls. ‘You son of a bitch.’
Alex throws a punch. Andrew steps forward and drives his fist straight into Alex’s stomach.
Crystal whimpers.
Juliet tastes fear in her mouth. Fear. So much fear.
The world tilts as Juliet struggles to get up. Her body doesn’t seem to be working properly.
Somehow she comes to stand behind Andrew. Alex sees her and lowers his fists. Andrew doesn’t see her. He hits Alex. Again. And again. Again.
Crystal sobs quietly in the corner.
Juliet needs to make him stop. She stumbles. Rights herself. Steps in between Andrew and Alex. Andrew blinks. She meet his eyes. Wild eyes. His face contorts in fear. Not anger. Fear. What is he scared of?
Juliet captures his fist clumsily. She lurches forward, nausea threatening. Andrew catches her but her hands slip on his. Blood. Blood on his hands. On her hands now.
She rears back in horror, but he tightens his grip. They leave an imprint of blood on her arms.
Let go, her mind screams, but there are no words. She can’t form any words.
Alex steps forward. ‘Let her go, you crazy arsehole.’
Andrew freezes.
Alex sneers. ‘If that’s how you treat women, it’s no wonder she left you.’
Andrew stares at Juliet in shock. ‘I’d never hurt you. You know that.’
Alex laughs in disbelief. ‘Don’t listen to him, Juliet. Guys like him are all the same.’
Andrew roars. He steps around Juliet and she loses her balance. The world tilts again. The floor comes up to meet her.
The world goes black around the edges.
Crystal crawls towards Juliet on all fours, still sobbing.
She tugs on Juliet’s arm. ‘Come on. Wake up. Please.’
Juliet struggles to move.
Crystal points at the door in the corner. ‘Come on. We need to go. Come with me.’
Chapter Forty-One
Dan looked around the room. He couldn’t see Jet anywhere.
‘Don’t worry,’ Edie said. ‘She hasn’t deserted you. That’s not her style.’
Dan barely acknowledged Edie’s words. It seemed really strange that Jet would disappear and leave him on his own for this long. He knew he’d relaxed considerably since they’d arrived earlier, but she’d been insistent about wanting him to feel at ease tonight. The nine o’clock fireworks were starting, which made it even more odd she wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
Edie reached over and touched Dan’s arm. ‘Seriously. Don’t worry. Jet will be back. I can keep you company in the meantime.’
‘Thanks.’ Dan forced a smile. Edie was being nice and he should probably make the effort to get to know Jet’s close friend. Although he was still somewhat perplexed about their friendship. They were completely different, in his opinion, and he didn’t really know where to start. When all else failed, Dan always found asking people questions was a good way to move the conversation along. ‘Are you having a good night?’
A dark expression flickered across Edie’s doll-like features, then she smiled. ‘Better now I’m talking to a handsome winemaker.’
Dan smiled and took a sip of his wine. Jet hadn’t warned him the woman was a shameless flirt. ‘I would have thought there are plenty of other handsome men to talk to tonight.’
‘Don’t undersell yourself. I like refined men. Judging by the quality of your wines, you’ve got plenty.’
Was she trying to crack onto him? Dan didn’t know what to think. The actress could be drunk, bored or her normal self for all he knew. ‘Is that why you’re with Andrew?’ Dan asked, hoping to redirect the conversation.
Her blue eyes flared with something. Anger? Frustration?
‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing, that one. The only thing refined about Andrew is his bank account.’
It struck Dan as an odd thing to say about the man you were dating, but he didn’t say that—despite agreeing with her assessment.
Edie leaned in closer. Dan resisted the urge to step back. Her exotic smelling perfume was overpowering and she had a presence that belied her small stature.
‘Men like that don’t know what they’ve got until it’s gone.’
‘You’re probably right.’
‘I’m sure it will make Jet happy if I ended it.’
Dan chose his words carefully. ‘Happy, no. But you’ve got to admit it might make things easier if you’re not involved with her ex.’
‘So you have a problem with it too?’ she accused.
Interesting. Was Edie’s fun-loving persona all show? Well, Dan was honest to a fault and he wasn’t going to change now just because he was in a room full of celebrities. ‘The only problem I have is I consider him to be a monumental prick. You’re better off without him.’
Edie frowned momentarily and then threw her head back and laughed. Dan watched her with a smile on his face, but it was forced.
‘Oh, you’re too much. As usual, Jet seems to have all the luck.’
‘Luck? Given what she’s been through recently, that’s an interesting way to describe it—but thank you for the compliment.’
‘Jet is tougher than she looks. She’s also one of those types where the world seems to fall at her feet. She’s reaped the benefits of her failed marriage, let me tell you.’
Again, Edie’s perspective was an interesting way of looking at things, and Dan didn’t share it.
‘I’d say Jet has created her own luck. She’s been through a lot with the murder investigation recently.’
‘Is she still worried about that? Honestly, the amount of time she’s dedicating to worrying about one dead young girl is unhealthy.’
&n
bsp; ‘It’s hard when there haven’t been any clear answers.’
‘What sort of answers does she want? The girl was gutter trash. Plenty like her have similar ends. It’s not worth obsessing over.’
Wow, Dan thought. Harsh.
‘It’s difficult because she doesn’t remember much from that night,’ Dan said instead.
‘I know, right? I still can’t believe they haven’t been able to charge Alex for that. He’s such a creep.’
‘Alex continues to deny it,’ Dan said. Surely Jet had told her best friend about her conversation with Alex? He might be a creep, but it was looking less and less likely he had drugged her that night.
Edie lowered her glass and looked into Dan’s eyes so intensely, he felt uncomfortable.
‘If you think Andrew is an arsehole, I can assure you that Alex Benedetti is the scum of the earth. You’ve only got to look at the company he keeps to tell you that.’
Dan struggled to find something to say. Her evaluation of Alex was extreme, but then maybe she knew him better than they did. He settled on a polite question. ‘You worked with him at one stage didn’t you?’
‘Yes. I even fucked him a time or two and you can tell a lot about a man by the way he behaves in bed, let me tell you.’
Boom.
The fireworks lit up the sky outside and Dan was grateful for the distraction because this had gone from uncomfortable to weird. Dan looked around for a waiter to retrieve his empty glass. Anything to change the direction of this increasingly awkward conversation. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw familiar golden hair bobbing through the crowded room. Where was Jet going in such a rush?
‘I’ve offended you. I’m sorry.’
Edie touched Dan’s arm, her fingers lingering there and Dan was forced to return his attention to her.
‘You’re a decent man,’ she continued. ‘That’s why Jet was attracted to you. I often wonder what it would be like to settle down with a decent man, but all the men I date never turn out to be that way.’
Edie was looking in the wrong places as far as Dan could tell, because Andrew wasn’t anything approaching decent.
Jet’s head reappeared near the rear of the room and disappeared down the corridor to the bathrooms. Dan forced himself to return his focus to Edie.
‘I know Andrew isn’t a decent man,’ she said. ‘And I’m not stupid. He’s ... useful, is the best way to put it.’
‘Perhaps if you’re after something more long lasting, you need to change your criteria,’ Dan suggested.
‘Oh, I know money, power and fuckability don’t rate highly on Jet’s list, but they’re essential on mine. Although I must admit I’m curious. Are you a good fuck?’
Boom. Boom. Boom. The fireworks matched Dan’s rapid heartbeat.
Dan frowned and levelled Edie with a stare. Enough was enough. Dan sincerely hoped she was drunk, but he was beginning to wonder. ‘I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask me that.’
She sighed. ‘Which means you are. I knew it. Don’t worry, I’m not really looking for a decent man. Andrew will do just fine. I just need to show him his place.’
Dan’s gaze followed Edie’s across the room. It appeared the object of her focus was actor Matt Sweettree. ‘Is that wise?’
‘Trust me. I know exactly what I’m doing. Andrew likes to think he’s the one in control, but what he really needs is a woman who knows the rules of the game. I’ll get to enjoy the pleasure of that young man over there to prove my point.’
Dan returned his empty glass to the tray a waiter offered. He needed to go and find Jet.
Edie grinned. ‘On that note, I’m off to have my wicked way with a certain young gentleman.’
Edie stood on tip toes and planted a kiss on Dan’s cheek. She gave him a wink, then headed off in the direction of an unsuspecting Matt, leaving Dan shaking his head in disbelief.
Chapter Forty-Two
Andrew’s blood was boiling. It was bad enough Juliet had run away from him, but now Edie was across the room flirting with the winemaker. He’d sort Edie out later, but first he needed to deal with Dan Rhodes.
The sky behind him flashed and cracked with fireworks as he walked. Hardly anyone paid him attention. They were all facing in the direction of the city taking in the pyrotechnics display like a bunch of open-mouthed children. Pathetic. They were all pathetic. If it wasn’t for Juliet, he wouldn’t bother associating with any of them tonight.
By the time Andrew was a few steps from Dan, Edie had slipped away. It was just as well because he’d prefer to get straight down to business.
‘Credible wine. The Shiraz is somewhat young,’ he said by way of an introduction.
Dan looked up from his phone. Andrew knew the exact moment Dan registered who he was because his blue eyes turned cold.
‘You should try our signature collection. It will be more to your tastes.’ Dan’s easy replied contradicted the steel in his gaze.
Andrew revealed a slow smile. He was going to enjoy this. He could throw a punch with the best of them, but strategic negotiation was his preferred method of combat. Dan would be no different.
‘You’re quite familiar with my tastes as I understand it.’
Dan didn’t pretend to ignore the double entendre. ‘What do you want?’
So this was going to be a direct conversation. Fair enough. ‘Juliet.’
Dan flinched. Just barely, but Andrew saw it.
‘That’s too bad, because Juliet doesn’t exist anymore,’ Dan said.
‘Only because you and others like you indulge her in this game she’s playing.’
Dan stepped in closer. ‘Funny. I got the impression the game she was playing ended when she divorced your sorry arse.’
Andrew stiffened and tried to hide his surprise. He’d bought Dan’s easygoing persona himself until now. So, the winemaker wasn’t going to be a pushover. Interesting, but inconsequential. It would make Juliet’s return to Andrew all the more sweet.
‘It’s time you accepted you’re nothing more than a diversion to Juliet,’ Andrew said.
‘Am I? I’d say that’s up to Jet to decide, not you. Meanwhile, I’m going to enjoy diverting her.’
Andrew’s smile turned predatory and he closed what little distance was left between them. ‘Let me put it this way. You can walk away now with everything or walk away with nothing if you persist.’
Dan didn’t appear concerned. If it weren’t for his hard gaze, it looked as if he was having a friendly conversation with another guest.
‘Seeing as Jet is everything, I won’t be walking away. Ever.’
Andrew stepped back. A stunned laugh escaped his throat. ‘My God. You’re more of a fool than I thought. You think she’ll settle for you? You’re not even anything close to what she needs.’
Andrew was genuinely surprised by this development. He knew the look in the man’s eyes, because he’d seen it in himself when he’d fallen hard for Juliet. The winemaker thought marriage was on the cards for him and Jet. Clearly, he was deluded.
Dan stepped forward again, and the bold move magnified Andrew’s surprise.
‘What Jet needs,’ Dan said, his voice low, ‘is for you to leave her alone.’
‘Not possible. Do you think you can even remotely compare to a man like me? You’re not from my world, you don’t have anywhere near my power, you can’t open the doors I can. She knows it.’
Dan considered Andrew, his expression thoughtful. The lack of unease in the man’s body angered Andrew further.
‘Do you want to know why you lost her?’ Dan said.
Andrew blinked and resisted taking a step back. He didn’t hold back his sneer though. ‘I’d say it was when I fucked that slut who went public. It’s a mistake Juliet has been making me pay for ever since.’
Dan shook his head. ‘No, it wasn’t that.’
Andrew glared at Dan. He wasn’t going to ask, but he wanted to—and they both knew it.
‘It’s because you continue t
o underestimate her.’ It was Dan’s turn to sneer. ‘She doesn’t need your power, your connections or your money. She’s capable in her own right. The minute you identified yourself as her ticket to success, you lost her.’
Andrew’s hands fisted at his sides. He dearly wanted to feel the satisfying crack of Dan’s nose as his fist connected with it. He wanted to feel the dampness of the son of a bitch’s blood on his knuckles. But now wasn’t the time or the place.
Andrew inhaled a steadying breath. In the last fifteen years he’d bought out companies, taken over entire corporations. That was how he’d bring this piece of shit down.
Andrew opened his fists and reached up to casually brush an invisible speck of dust from the shoulder of his suit jacket. ‘So it’s going to be all or nothing? That’s your decision. It’s a shame the business your father has spent years building will flounder.’ He dropped his hand and shrugged. ‘You just never can tell when a business is going to falter. Even the most solid ones can crumble if you’re overconfident.’
‘Bring it on, Temple. You can’t buy her. You can’t buy me. And if you think destroying us is going to bring Jet running back to you, you’re more psychotic than I thought.’
‘It’s Juliet!’
Andrew’s voice was so loud it carried above the noise of the fireworks display. Several guests nearby stopped their tedious ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ to look over at them.
Dan grinned and Andrew clenched his jaw so hard it hurt.
‘She’s Jet Appleton now. In fact, she always has been, except you were never smart enough to see it. Happy New Year, Andrew.’
Andrew jumped when Dan patted him on the shoulder like they were old friends, and went to walk away. The contact jolted him out of his stupor.
Andrew shoved Dan back against the pylon behind them, and held him there with his forearm. A woman nearby shrieked.
Dan raised an eyebrow. The pressure on his chest must have hurt, but he didn’t show it.
‘Go on,’ Dan said. ‘You know you want to.’
Andrew growled.
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