“What did the police say?” I ask Cass as she walks into my hotel room with my suitcase and her bigger one in tow. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come home. Jared sprung back-to-back PR meetings on me right when we got back from lunch.”
Cass pushes her long dark hair over her shoulder and sits down on the bed, adjusting the slit on her black formal dress. “No worries. The police came and did their thing. Just in case…” Pausing, she hands me a key. “I had the locks changed. The doorman’s going to keep an eye on our place, but I’m glad you’re listening to me about staying at the hotel all week. I’ll feel better knowing you won’t be at home alone at night. Whoever broke in didn’t steal anything that I could tell, but they went through your bedroom. Opening drawers, your closet, your jewelry box, your toiletries. It was beyond creepy to see what all had been touched.”
I shake off the shiver that crawls up my spine. “Answering the police’s questions via speakerphone while signing a stack of books felt so awkward. Did they get anything useful?”
Cass nods. “Fingerprints all over the place. Obviously the person didn’t care that they left them behind. Once the police eliminate yours, hopefully the person’s prints will be on file somewhere. Oh, by the way, on my way in I saw your aunt and Charlie downstairs.”
Tensing, I hold her gaze. “Do me a favor and don’t tell Aunt Vanessa about the break-in. She’s already on me about not doing the tour after I made the mistake of telling her about the threatening letters.” The two letters that Jared showed me at lunch had been very vague. They had both supposedly come via the regular mail. Both had been typed out on a computer and had just said that if I promoted Blindside, I would regret it. “I don’t want to give my aunt another reason to worry.”
Cass nods. “She didn’t see me. I noticed her leaving the restaurant as I walked past.”
I laugh as I lift the suitcase Cass brought for me onto the bed to unzip it. “I think it’s Aunt Vanessa’s new personal goal to make sure she tries every restaurant. Now that she’s got her friend, Charlie-the-foodie to hang with, I don’t think she has cooked a single meal the past six months. I’m surprised Charlie’s husband doesn’t get jealous of all the time they spend together.”
“It’s not like she’s going to steal him away.” As Cass snickers, she lets her gaze scan the opulent bed and expensive furnishings in the room. “This has to be one of the most exclusive hotels I’ve ever been in.”
“You’re welcome to stay and keep me company this week instead of trotting off to Spain. I’ll even sweeten the deal by offering to pay for a mani-pedi and a massage.”
Her eyes widen, then she twists her lips, expelling a grunt of frustration. “You are so wickedly cruel, Talia. But this is Spain! You know how much I’ve been dying to do a shoot there.”
I sigh, knowing I won’t get her to change her mind. When it comes to her photography business Cass is obsessed. Her crazy long hours are the only reason I was able to work so much these past few months. Otherwise, my best friend would’ve staged an intervention. And truthfully, once I’d turned my Sly Fox club article in to the Tribune, even I knew something had to give. At least with Blindside’s release, I’ll be able to breathe again. Pulling my formal gown from my suitcase, I shake it out. “Ah well, I tried. At least you can be here tonight to help me celebrate the tour kick off tomorrow. Thank you for coming and being a buffer when Nathan shows up.”
Cass shakes her head. “You’d think after this much time, he’d get the hint you really aren’t going to take him back.”
I shrug and lift more clothes out of my suitcase. “He hasn’t been too happy with me ever since I ditched him while working on the Sly Fox club piece.”
Pressing her lips together, Cass’ gaze narrows. “I didn’t like that you sent him home. He might be annoying as hell, but we both know he’d have your back while you worked undercover at the club.”
I hold a pair of three-inch heels up beside a strappy pair and raise my eyebrow. When Cass points to the strappy ones, I say, “Nathan’s a great researcher, but he didn’t blend in enough. I was worried he’d blow my cover. Plus, the new bouncer, Theo, took me under his wing. He might’ve come across as laidback, but that brute of a man wasn’t letting anyone mess with me. Did I tell you he even walked me to my car each night?”
Shaking her head, Cass exhales. “I know you felt it was a second chance to finally bust that human trafficking ring, but I’ve never been so glad when you told me you were finally done with that piece.”
I smile. “It was something I needed to finish. Not to mention it bought me tons of good cred at the Tribune.”
“I know, I know.” Cass nods. “Though you may not need me to help with Nathan. It sounds like that assistant editor of yours is more than interested. Bet he’ll Velcro himself to you tonight.”
I shrug out of my clothes and step into my dress. “I seriously doubt that. Along with his father, Jared will be hosting this event. He’ll be very busy schmoozing it up with all the authors and industry people, not to mention the media who’ve been invited.”
“Then a buffer I’ll be,” Cass says, grinning. Curling a strand of her long, straight dark hair around her finger, she bats her lashes at me. “You, uh, do realize I will be doing a bit of my own stalking tonight. Mr. Osslander is still coming, isn’t he?”
I snicker, knowing all too well her love for the playboy mystery writer. “Yes, Clive is supposed to be here. Though, I don’t know why you wouldn’t rather meet David Sharp. At least he’s not eighteen years older than you.”
“David doesn’t write with Clive’s sharp wit. I love that man’s style. It’s classic and sexy all rolled into one. Age difference, pffft! You’d better introduce me.”
“Fine. You’ll get your introduction. Just keep in mind Clive has a reputation with the ladies, especially ones half his age.”
Her light brown eyes narrow into pleased slits. “I’m counting on it.” Clapping her hands excitedly, Cass stands. “Okay, let’s get you dressed. You need to be downstairs in an hour.”
Once Cass adjusts the spaghetti strap on my fitted black velvet tea-length dress and I slip on my diamond stud earrings, a knock sounds at the door. “Miss Lone. It’s time to head downstairs,” Sebastian calls through the thick wood.
Cass taps my collarbone, excitement glittering in her eyes. “I have a necklace for you to wear.” Meeting my gaze in the mirror, she lowers her voice. “His deep voice sounds divine. How hot is your bodyguard? Would I want him to guard my body?”
All Cass knows about my involvement with the Hawthorne resort’s pilot this past summer was that it happened, and that he’d saved my life. I never told her he was the Robin Hood from that masked party that she and I had attended three years before. I hadn’t planned to tell her anything, but Sebastian sent a package to my apartment the day after I’d returned to New York from Martha’s Vineyard, so Cass quickly learned that what transpired between myself and the pilot was more than a fling.
Once I opened the slim package to see the gorgeous strand of black pearls I’d left behind and a note penned in his bold script that simply said, Per your request, a clean slate. Have dinner with me, Cass had squealed with delight and instantly grabbed up the necklace. “Oh my God. You didn’t say your pilot was loaded, Talia.”
I shrugged. “It’s a strand of pearls, not crown jewels.”
“Not just any pearls.” Carrying the necklace over to the light, she inspected them, then glanced my way. “Do you have any idea how rare these pearls are?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
She held the necklace up. “These are Tahitian rainbow pearls, Talia. The dark color isn’t a dye. It’s formed naturally, and because of the iridescent rainbow hue it takes on, that means putting a matching necklace together would take combing through thousands of pearls. With this longer length and the uniformity of each pearl, I’ll bet this strand is worth at least twenty grand.”
“How do you know so much about pearls?” I’d asked, trying to sound casual. While she went on about how her mom had started collecting different kinds of pearls once her dad’s career took off, my mind stayed locked on one aspect of what she’d said.
Rainbow pearls?
My heart clung to the word. Did Sebastian know that when he bought them? Of course he knew. Everything he does is with purpose. Why did he have to be so freaking perfect in all the ways I wanted him to be but the one that mattered most? His confession that he wouldn’t stick around was pretty much a deal breaker, no matter how layered his gift appeared. Learning the necklace most likely had an intimate meaning specific to us only made my heart hurt more. I quietly took the strand from Cass, closed it in its box, and then put it away. Cass could tell by my expression that I didn’t want to talk about it, so she let it go. I’ve never been more thankful for my friend’s silent understanding than I was that day, because I couldn’t bring myself to look at the necklace again after that.
Sebastian knocks on the door once more, pulling me out of my musings, his tone sharper. “Miss Lone, we need to get moving.”
Cass scrunches her nose and whispers, “Is he always that bossy?”
I snort. “You don’t know the half of it.” I have no plans to tell her that my bodyguard and the pilot are the same man. She’d demand answers. And honestly, I don’t have any to give her that don’t involve cutting open a vein and bleeding out my conflicted feelings. It’s bad enough that she’s already given me a hard time about Blindside’s straight mystery storyline, saying, “I can’t believe you totally denied your readers some good smexy-times.” Why give her more fuel to tease me with?
“We’ll be out in a sec,” I call to Sebastian just as Cass clasps a necklace around my neck.
A dime-sized filigree white gold design decorates the Y on the delicate lariat style chain, while a single pear-shaped black pearl dangles at the bottom of the Y. The pearl stops just at my cleavage that’s currently pushed up by my dress’ fitted bodice. “This is gorgeous, Cass. Where did you get it?” I ask, leaning toward the mirror to inspect the unusual swirled pattern in the filigree.
Before she can answer, the door opens and Sebastian scowls at us. “Ladies, we need to leave now.”
“Holy hot-damn!” Cass spouts out, then grins unrepentantly at Sebastian. “If Talia gives you a hard time tonight, I’ll be happy to let you guard my body.”
A slight smirk breaks Sebastian’s stoic expression. “You must be the roommate, Cass.”
I roll my eyes. Of course he’s done his homework. “Cass, meet my guard for the week, Mr. Black.”
“Ah, so Talia has told you about me. That’s interesting…” Pausing, she cuts a suspicious gaze my way. “Because she’d told me nothing about you.”
“For the record, I told him nothing about you,” I say, giving her a cheesy smile.
Huffing, she glares. “We are so going to have a talk when I get back.”
I slide my phone into my clutch purse, then snap it shut. “You’ll have to stay home long enough.”
“Ugh, you’re so exasperating!” Tossing her long hair over her shoulder, Cass grabs her purse and precedes me into the hall, but not before she stops briefly in front of Sebastian. “Talia definitely needs guarding, and if she gives you a hard time at all tonight, let me know. I’ll be sure to kick her ass for you so she flies straight the rest of the week.”
Ignoring Sebastian’s low, “I’ll keep that in mind,” comment, I follow my well-meaning friend down the hall.
Once Cass and I step into the elevator, I turn to her while Sebastian pushes the button for the lobby. “Where did you get this necklace? Did you borrow it from your mom?”
“No silly.” She quickly opens her purse and pulls out a small white card. “It came this morning, along with this. Since your name wasn’t on the package, I opened it.” Handing me the card, she says, “Is this Jared’s way of wooing you?”
As soon as I see the bold script I know it’s from Sebastian. Cass never saw his note in the first package he sent me, so she had no way of knowing this is from him. I work hard to keep my hand from shaking as I focus on one sentence on the stark white card.
To favorite places.
I feel Sebastian’s gaze on me as Cass continues, “It’s a gorgeous necklace. I think the pearl sits a little low, but you can easily have that adjusted. So, did you two walk past a jewelry store and he saw you admiring it? Is that what the card means? What a romantic gesture. Well played. But why doesn’t the guy just freaking ask you out already?”
My gaze strays to the black pearl practically kissing the hollow between my breasts and my body heats all over at the memory of Sebastian holding my breasts and running his nose along my cleavage. He’d inhaled deeply and told me it was his second favorite place on my body. I refuse to look up when Sebastian says in a curt tone, “The necklace is perfect as is.”
Cass chuckles, sliding her gaze to my chest. “Well, it’s certainly sexy.”
Just then the elevator pings and a couple people get on, separating us from Sebastian. I glance up briefly to see his jaw muscle working as the elevator doors close. When the elevator slows to the next floor and a few more people dressed in formalwear squeeze in, I quickly whisper in Cass’ ear, “Mr. Black is my pilot, Cass. No more talk about the necklace, okay!”
While Cass gapes at me, Sebastian maneuvers fluidly through the crowd to stand on my right, cutting off her chance to ask the myriad of questions written all over her face. The general hubbub in the elevator goes up as the group of people—obviously there to meet their favorite authors and rub elbows with big wigs from the oldest and biggest publishing house in New York—discuss the upcoming event.
“I can’t wait to meet David Sharp,” a middle-aged woman says.
“I’m dying to see Carolyn Rivers. I hear she looks nothing like her picture on her book,” another woman pipes in with a smirk.
“Have you heard Clive Osslander speak? Did you know he narrates his own audio books? His voice is so riveting.”
I suppress a chuckle when I see Cass nodding with the others about Clive.
“I got an advance copy of Blindside to review for our magazine,” a preppy guy in his mid-twenties says from the opposite corner of the elevator. “It’s based on true events and ties back to a string of serial killings that happened right here in New York. It’s a damn good story.”
“Who’s the author?”
He smiles down at the petite blonde woman next to him. “Her name is T.A. Lone. I’m definitely looking forward to meeting her.”
“I’ll bet Blindside is nothing but a bunch of lies loosely based on an ounce of truth,” a bearded man with slumped shoulders grumbles directly in front of me.
Cass stiffens, and when she opens her mouth to say something, I squeeze her arm and shake my head.
We arrive on the lobby floor, and once everyone walks out and Cass follows, Sebastian glances down at me, his expression hard to read. “Ready to face the wolves, Miss Lone?”
I raise my eyebrow as we walk out together, twisting my lips into a smirk. “With a deviously cunning raven keeping an eagle eye on me, I know I’ll be just fine.”
Amusement at my reference to something from our past briefly flashes in his eyes before his intensity returns. “Don’t even think about returning that necklace. I meant what I said…” His gaze strays to my breasts then snaps to my face once more. “Pure perfection.”
How does he manage to make two simple words sound like the most bone-melting compliment? I honestly can’t figure him out. He had been so cold in William’s office. Then later, he’d been almost angry, but definitely bossy in his texts while I was at lunch with Jared. And now I can feel the heat in his eyes as they slide over my skin. Is he the type of man who only goes after someone if she’s conveniently in his face? But otherwise, he can easily forget the woman the moment she leaves his sight? Before I can say anything about the necklace one way or the other, Jared approaches us, looking very formal in his double-breasted tuxedo and bow tie.
“There you are, Miss Lone.” Clasping my hand, he wraps it around the crook of his arm. “Mr. Black,” he says in a business-like tone before he pulls me along and whispers in my ear, “Tons of people have been waiting to meet you.”
I don’t look back at Sebastian, but I feel better knowing his solid presence is in the background watching and observing. I know he won’t miss a thing. Despite my bravado with Cass and while I talked to the police earlier today, knowing that someone broke into our apartment and pawed through my things is unsettling. No matter what transpires between Sebastian and me as individuals, I know he’ll do everything he can to keep me safe. That knowledge helps me hold my head high and meet the crowd of people in the ballroom with confidence.