Derek drove slower as he approached the address of Ross’s Palm Beach house. He still couldn’t believe it. After finding no paintings in the locked room that Xavier had been able to open, he’d given up finding anything in there against his Uncle Ross.
But on a whim, Holly had decided to check out a portrait that was not a Richard McCarthy painting. It was clear at the back—until she’d shined a UV light on it.
Finally, they’d found a painting in Ross’s possession that had hidden messages, even though it wasn’t what they were looking for.
He parked the car and made sure the coast was clear before he got out, putting the hood of his parka over his head. It was a risk coming here tonight, but he had to help Holly and Xavier determine whether any information they’d found at the back of the portrait was something they could go to the authorities with. If whatever was on there wouldn’t hold up as evidence, then any action towards outing Ross would be premature.
He shook his head, thinking of Bernadette. He hated leaving her like that, but there was no other opportunity to check out the painting himself. Holly would be vacating the premises early tomorrow.
He arrived at the gate and it opened instantly.
“Hey,” Xavier said, giving him a man-hug.
“So what do you think?” he asked. “Do the writings make any sense to you?”
“No,” Xavier said with a sigh. “Maybe you can try.”
“Let’s see.”
“Derek,” Holly said, greeting him with a hug. “We found something!”
He smiled. “Great job. I admit I would have been so focused on my father’s paintings that I wouldn’t have bothered with any other work.”
“Come and have a look.” Holly led him to the living room, where a framed canvas was sitting on top of a table and propped up against the wall.
Derek picked up Xavier’s bigger UV flashlight and nodded to Holly to switch off the house light. Then he focused the torch’s light on to the back of the canvas.
Yes. He could see numbers and words, even though the writing was almost illegible. It could very well be his uncle’s handiwork. Ross’s normal handwriting was atrocious.
“See this here?” Xavier asked, pointing to the line at the top—the only entry that didn’t follow the pattern of a date, then some other words after the date.
He squinted at it. “Captain’s List?”
“Yeah, that’s what we thought, too.”
“I wonder if Ross means he’s the captain,” Holly mused.
“Well, I doubt he’d write his actual name here,” Derek said.
“Can you make out anything else?” Xavier said. “I can only understand the dates. And this one reads like something something knife.”
“Yeah.” Derek looked at each word one by one, trying to decipher them. Then he came to an entry that made his heart gallop in his chest. He sat back, stunned.
“What?” Holly asked.
It took Derek a moment before he could speak again. “This line here. What does that read to you?”
Holly went in for a closer look. “Aufar? Autan? Or is it Anfar or Antan?” She gasped. “Anton!”
“Shit, it could be that, too,” Xavier said. “What’s the next word then?”
“Pearls,” Derek murmured.
“Anton pearls?”
“Yes.”
“What does that mean?” Xavier asked.
“See that date next to it?”
Brother and sister nodded their heads.
“That’s the date my mother’s pearl necklace was stolen. Someone broke into my parents’ house and stole an entire filing cabinet. My mum kept her valuables inside that filing cabinet—jewellery, passports, extra cash. But the most important thing was a pearl necklace from my grandparents. The last time Mum had it valued, it exceeded five million dollars.”
“Your uncle stole it?” Holly asked in disbelief.
Derek got up and turned the living room light on. “It had always been a source of conflict between my mum and Ross. I remember their bitter fights about it when I was about ten or eleven. Ross had wanted half of the value of the pearls. He said he deserved it, so he’d wanted the necklace sold. But Mum insisted it was a family heirloom that had to stay with the family, that even though she was the one holding on to it, it actually belonged to the both of them. Ross didn’t agree. He’d accused Mum of wanting to keep it for herself. He was angry that he couldn’t benefit from something he thought they were both entitled to. Their fights had become so bad that Mum had forbidden Ross to come near her again. And, I, as a kid, couldn’t stand his arrogance and the shitty way he’d treated his own sister. A few months before Dad died, Ross insisted that he be given some of my dad’s paintings as part payment for his share of the necklace, saying that he’d sue Mum if we didn’t agree. Both Dad and I said no way would Ross get his hands on Dad’s paintings, which were already rising up in value, but Mum was just so tired of fighting with Ross that she’d asked us to give in. She said Dad could paint more anyway. Of course…” He paused, remembering that Richard McCarthy had been unable to complete any new work before his death.
Holly sat next to him and gave him a hug.
“Anyway,” he continued, “two years ago, the filing cabinet where the necklace was kept was stolen from my mum’s house. The police haven’t caught anyone yet, and none of the missing items have been recovered.”
“Was Ross ever a suspect?”
“No.”
“Well,” Xavier said with a heavy sigh. “A pearl necklace would be harder to find in Ross’s premises. It could be kept in a small, standard safe, unlike Man and His Secrets, which is too big.”
“Wouldn’t this be enough proof?” Holly asked. “It’s got the date the pearls were stolen.”
“Proof of what?” Xavier asked. “Even if this is proven to be Ross’s handwriting, he could just say he simply documented the date an important family heirloom was stolen. I suppose it was reported to the police?” he asked Derek.
Derek nodded. “No leads, no nothing.”
“So what do we do?” Holly asked.
“Keep looking for Man and His Secrets,” Derek said despondently. “It’s the one thing that’s going to give us evidence that would stand up in court.”
“We need to concentrate on his Dural and Port Stephens properties,” Holly said. “Those are the two places where there are still rooms we haven’t been able to get into.”
“You’re gonna have to look for it yourself, somehow,” Derek said. “Ross is unlikely to welcome me back in because we’ve broken up. Unless you can help, Xavier?”
“Sure. But the main reason the two of you were always able to sneak around Ross’s houses was that he thinks you’re just having some romantic time alone. What reason would Holly and I have to disappear together during his parties? He might get suspicious, especially since I hardly ever attend those things. Holly might have a better chance of sneaking around herself, but she’d never be able to look at the back of Man and His Secrets. It’ll be too heavy for her to lift.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Holly asked her brother.
Xavier sighed. “You two might have to pretend to be back together again, so Derek could help you.”
Derek’s heart sank as he exchanged glances with Holly. “There has to be another way.”
“Yes, there has to be,” Holly said in a strong voice.
“I knew this would be a problem,” Xavier said resignedly. “But you won’t have to start pretending again until we find the painting. When we know where it is, then I strongly suggest you ‘reconcile’ for a night, so we can check out the back of it. Bernie and Dante won’t even have to know. Once we confirm the evidence hasn’t been wiped out, we can contact the authorities immediately and start the ball rolling on Ross’s arrest.”
Derek sighed deeply. Xavier was making sense.
“I’ve been wondering if I can go inside Ross’s houses without him knowing about it,” Holly mused.
Derek snickered. “What’s the likelihood of that?”
“Well, Mum said Ross has a new housekeeper at Dural during the weekdays. The loyal and ever-silent Evelyn only works on weekends now. I could go there when I know for sure Ross isn’t home, then sweet-talk the housekeeper into letting me have a look for something I might have left there last time. You never know. She might have access to Ross’s office and let me have a look around.”
Xavier shook his head. “I don’t like that idea. If Ross finds out you’ve been in his study, he might get suspicious. You might end up on his hit list.”
“I honestly doubt that,” Holly said. “He doesn’t suspect me at all. Anyway, I’ll play it by ear with the new housekeeper. If I think she’s like Evelyn, who tells Ross everything, I’ll pull back.”
“You have to be very, very careful, Holly,” Derek said.
“I will.”
“Fine,” Xavier said. “Hey, can I crash in here tonight? The other rooms are ready for use, right?”
“Yes,” Holly said. “What about you, Derek? As long as you leave before the break of dawn, it should be safe, I think.”
“No, thanks. I’m gonna go home. Bernie’s waiting for me.”
Derek walked into his house, noticing that only the soft light from a lamp illuminated the living room and that the kitchen was dark. He checked the theatre room and found it empty.
He went up and entered his bedroom. Bernadette was there, sitting up in bed with her back against the bed head and watching TV. “Hi, babe.”
Bernadette flashed him a smile. “Hi. How did your meeting go?”
He let out a little sigh of relief. She didn’t seem to be angry or annoyed. “Okay,” he said, taking off his shoes and climbing onto the bed. He kissed her lips, glad he was back home—back with her.
“Just okay?” Bernadette queried, caressing his face.
“Well, not everything’s sorted, but it’s getting there. It’s just taking a little bit of time.”
“It must be really important for you to meet with them at this time of the night.”
“Yeah.” He kissed her again, guilt tapping his chest for his lies. Then he got up. “I’m gonna have a quick shower first.”
“Okay,” Bernadette said, averting her gaze and staring back at the TV.
He frowned, detecting something in Bernadette’s voice. Oh hell, he might still be in trouble, after all. He hurried to the en suite, taking a shower and brushing his teeth quickly so he could go back to Bernadette and lavish her with attention. He was realising right now just how unsettled he was feeling from thinking she was unhappy. He hoped to make it up to her for the rest of the night and tomorrow.
He put on a pair of boxers and came out of the en suite. Bernadette seemed to be inspecting her fingers, ignoring the TV.
Damn it, something was wrong.
He joined her and put an arm around her shoulders.
Bernadette didn’t resist, but neither did she move closer to him. “Is your client tonight another big shot?” she asked softly.
He suppressed a sigh. “Yeah.”
“I’m just curious to know who it is because you didn’t seem to have a problem with me knowing about Charles Bronte or Hugh Jackman.”
“Well…” Damn it, he couldn’t outright lie to her. He just couldn’t.
But he also couldn’t tell her the whole truth, so a partial one would have to do. God, he hoped he wouldn’t kick her out of bed.
“I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to have the wrong impression,” he started.
Bernadette gave him a questioning look.
“I had to see Holly, but it’s only for business reasons.”
Bernadette looked dismayed. “Holly Stirling?”
“Yes. But I didn’t want you to get jealous or angry that I had to see her tonight, so I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry I did that. I should have explained earlier. Holly and I are just friends now, but she’s still my client. And her brother Xavier was also there with us the whole time.”
Bernadette stared blankly at the TV screen. “What was so urgent that you had to see her tonight? That you had to… leave me for her?”
Derek’s heart squeezed.
He shifted so he was facing Bernadette fully. “I had to discuss an important matter with her and her brother that we couldn’t leave until tomorrow because of its urgency. Unfortunately, they only found out about it tonight—right before Xavier rang me. I had to go tonight and talk to them about it. And I swear it’s got nothing to do with me and Holly as a couple. That phase is over now. In fact… I can even ask Holly or Xavier to confirm it to you.”
Bernadette blinked, looking back at him. “Does Holly want you back?”
“No! Not at all. We are both no longer interested in each other in a romantic way. I can guarantee you that.”
Until you have to pretend to be with Holly again.
He pushed that thought away forcefully.
“Promise?” Bernadette asked, her eyes pleading.
He cupped her face, his heart expanding in his chest. “I promise. I love you, Bern.”
Bernadette’s face broke into a smile. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Say it again,” she demanded.
“I love you, Bernadette Luna,” he said with all the sincerity he could muster.
“I love you, too,” Bernadette said.
He sighed, kissing her with the passion and happiness that were suffusing every part of his body.
“Time to give me the sex you promised earlier,” Bernadette murmured against his lips.
He groaned. “I have a lot of making up to do, so I hope you’re far from sleepy.”
“I’m very much awake,” Bernadette assured him.
Slowly, he took off her nightgown, then he laid her back down the bed. He kissed her while caressing her all over, letting his lips and hands convey the hunger he felt for her.
And he was damned hungry. Her declaration of love and his relief from knowing they were okay stoked the fire that was always burning for her.
He was the first one who moaned, though. Bernadette’s hand had snuck into his boxers and started tugging his cock that was already standing up to attention. But much as he loved this, he was the one who needed to make amends.
He kissed his way down to her breast, kneading them gently. Then he took a nipple in his mouth while he flicked his thumb against the other.
He got his first moan out of Bernadette. Ah, he loved pleasuring her. Nothing turned him on more than her responsiveness.
Was she already as aroused as he was? He ran a hand down her body and slid it inside her panties. His probing fingers found her soaked, and he groaned his approval.
Bernadette’s breathing got heavier, and she lifted a leg, opening herself more to his ministrations.
He fingered her swollen nub while he twirled his tongue round and round her rosy peak.
Bernadette let out a soft cry, her hands restless against his back—his arms—his head.
He left her breast to go back to her lips, pausing midway to look at her beautiful face again. Her lips were parted and eyes hooded, her clear pleasure arousing him even more. Not taking his eyes off her, he inserted his finger into her wetness.
Bernadette moaned, locking gazes with him as she mouthed, “So good.”
And he wanted to give her more of the “good”—much more of it. He crawled down her body and, with his fingers continuing to slide in and out of her, he dipped his head and licked her nub.
“Oh God, Derek,” Bernadette gasped.
Yes, he wanted to give her everything he could, so he reached up with his free hand and also tweaked her nipple.
Bernadette let out a lusty cry, so flicked his tongue faster on her clit and pinched her nipple harder. Bernadette’s body bowed, his finger feeling her contractions.
Ah, fuck. This was so hot, and he had to have her now.
Hurriedly, he left her to grab a condom.
>
Bernadette took it from him. “I’m happy to use this, but I want you to know I’ve gone on birth control.”
He stared at her, his cock jerking in excitement. “Are you sure?”
“You have a clean bill of health, right?”
“One hundred percent.”
“I know,” she said with a shy smile.
“Well, then.” He chucked the condom over his shoulder and kissed Bernadette again, keen to bring her back to a heightened state of arousal.
Bernadette groped for his erection. She played with it with her hands while his lips and fingers worshipped her body once more, revelling in her cries of lust.
And then he couldn’t wait anymore. He covered her with his body and pushed in, feeling the warmth and wetness of her core encase his manhood. “Ah, babe,” he groaned, burying his face in her neck as he thrust inside her again and again.
Bernadette gripped his behind, urging him on.
Not needing any more encouragement, he drove in and out of her a little harder, a little faster. Soon he was near the edge, about to tumble into an incredible sea of ecstasy. He reared a little so he could reach between their bodies. With his thumb, he stroked her little pearl as he continued with his thrusting.
Bernadette cried out, her body clamping hard on him, taking him to the crest.
There he yelled, shaking and gasping out loud over and over as he emptied himself inside of her.
“Wow,” he said after a long moment.
“Hmm,” Bernadette murmured, her hand lazily running up and down his back.
He smiled, looking at her face and melting at the sight of her looking flushed and utterly contented. “I love you.”
Bernadette sighed. “I love you.”
He pulled out of her and lay down, wrapping his arms around her. This was heaven, and he’d hold on to Bernadette with everything he had. He’d never want to let her go.
Unless it’s for her own safety.
Unless it’s to prove that Uncle Ross was responsible for Dad’s death.
He surreptitiously shook his head and tightened his arms around Bernadette, refusing to dwell on such thoughts tonight.
Chapter 12
The Unreal Boyfriend Page 11