CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LIZZIE
I stared out the window of my studio, the same space I had started my career. The hustle and bustle of New York happening all around me, people heading to work, children hurrying off to school, happy couples getting married and making love. Life went on. I followed the rain as it rolled down the window. Never in my life had I felt the devastating emptiness that threatened to consume me. You couldn’t miss what you didn’t know; those words were accurately and painfully true. What hurt more, he had felt it too. I hadn’t wanted to leave, I hadn’t wanted to give up, but fighting him was pointless.
I had hoped he would realize that the darkness wasn’t so dark when we were together. I had hoped he’d call, damn near willing my phone to ring, but it had been five weeks. I accepted the truth. What had only just started between us was over.
I turned back to the canvas and picked up my brush. A slash of color here and there as the image came to life. I spent every waking moment in my studio. I had to get what was inside me on the canvas. I wanted the pain and the anger, needed to translate that into my art. It was my way of processing and dealing, my therapy. Stormy and angry, but the image before me was also magnificent.
I heard Cait’s heels on the floor and nearly sighed. I didn’t like being alone too long with my thoughts.
She stopped next to me, cocked her hip. “It’s dark and haunting yet hopeful. How the hell do you conjure that with just paint?”
“You should have seen it in person, Cait. I think maybe that little parcel is what heaven looks like.”
“You’re different,” she said as she touched my hair. “In a good way.”
I was different. More dents, more pain, but I was stronger too. “I learned something about myself. I can be happy. For those few weeks, Cait, I was so happy.”
“Asshole.”
“He’s not. He’s just damaged, more than is reparable I think. I realized something else while I was away. No one has ever stuck around. People move in and out of my life, but not you. Not Ethan. I don’t say it enough, but I love you, Cait.”
“You’re going to make me cry and this isn’t waterproof mascara.” She cried anyway then pulled me close for a hug. “I love you too.” She stepped back and wiped at her eyes. “How bad?”
“Not very if you’re a raccoon.”
“Funny.” She disappeared into the bathroom but called out, “I have news.”
“Good news, I hope.”
“I think I found my dress.”
That was news. She and I had been looking forever for a dress and though we had come close a few times nothing was exactly right.
“Where?”
“That little boutique off Fifth Avenue.” She peeked her head from the bathroom. “She’s holding it for me. I couldn’t buy it until you saw it.”
I felt those damn tears again. I was bent but not broken, lonely but not alone because I had Cait. “When are we going?”
“Whenever you’re free.”
“Now works.”
Cait stood on the platform in front of four mirrors that reflected back her smiling face. She was right; the sleeveless dress was perfect with its plunging necklace, a keyhole back, ivory lace bodice, A-line blush-colored tulle skirt and court train. What really sold the dress was how comfortable and happy she was wearing it.
“It’s perfect. Cait, you have to buy this dress.”
“Right? I think my hair up.”
“Yes. Flowers tucked in, no veil.”
Her eyes sought mine in the mirror. “That’s what I was thinking too.”
“Four months to go,” I said.
“So much still to do.”
“But you’ve got your dress.”
“Yes, I do.”
I stood on the sidewalk and stared up at my father’s building. I had spoken to his assistant to schedule the meeting. I had been prepared for him to turn down the invitation. I wondered if he thought it was a shake down. Did he think I was like my mother?
I dressed how I would for a show, needed the confidence my work clothes brought me. A simple black dress, high heels, my hair pulled up in a knot. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be. He was technically my father, but this meeting was about two people who had something in common, Norah.
At the front desk I was given a badge and sent to the twenty-eighth floor. A woman in her forties greeted me when the elevator doors slid open.“Miss Danton?”
“Yes.”
“Maria Carson. Mr. Danton’s assistant. Please follow me.”
She led me down a long hall to a set of black double doors. Nerves hit when she pushed one door open and gestured me through it. Rodney Danton stood behind a massive black desk. His back was to me, but he turned as soon as I entered. He was tall, wide in the shoulders. His hair was mostly gray, but it made him look distinguished. I had his eyes.
“Elizabeth.”
“Lizzie, please.”
“Thank you, Maria.”
The door closed quietly behind her.
“Have a seat.”
My legs were shaking as I walked to the chair, so I was happy to get off them when I sank down on the soft leather.
“This is a little awkward,” he announced.
“A little.”
“You’re an artist.
“Yes. Oils mostly.”
“I’ve seen some of your work. The images are flawlessly executed, but it’s the feeling in the pieces that jumps off the canvas that makes your work really stand out.”
That was how I felt about it. Hearing he got it was an affirmation I didn’t know I needed. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t a father to you.”
“Please, let’s not go there.”
“Children weren’t in the plan. I’m too self-absorbed to be a parent. I knew that. Norah didn’t care.”
“I’m not here to give you absolution. Father material or not, my life was hell and my only crime was being born. I’m sorry you have guilt, but nothing you say or do will change that. I’m here because that bitch is trying to do what she always does. I found family. Too late, because she died, but for the first time in my life I felt connected to something…someone. It was bad enough Norah kept us apart while Aunt Brianna was alive, but now she wants Aunt Brianna’s legacy just so she can tear it down. I won’t let her do that.”
He transformed before my eyes. The man across from me now was a little scary. “What’s being done?”
“Aunt Brianna’s lawyer and mine assure me the suit is frivolous but she’s seeing green. I don’t think she’ll give up so easily.”
“She is a piece of work that woman. She’ll back off. I’ll make sure of it.”
He was so confident, almost arrogant. “You have something on her.”
“When dealing with a woman like her, it’s smart to do your homework.”
I wanted to know what he had on her, almost opened my mouth to ask, but I didn’t. I was getting rid of the ugly in my life. Norah was nothing but ugly. I didn’t need it.
I stood; he walked me to the door. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
RODNEY
I stared at the door. My daughter had grown into quite a beauty, nothing like her cunt of a mother. I hadn’t wanted children, had wanted the child even less when I’d been tricked into fatherhood. I wasn’t so much of a monster that I’d take my fury out on an innocent. Instead, I dropped money on the problem and went on with my life.
From time to time I checked in on her. Was pleased the child that beared my name had turned into someone with integrity and grace. I may have even offered a hand a time or two. She was my child after all.
Norah Calhoun had surfaced; the bitch was like a bad fucking penny. The fact that I put my cock into her countless times sickened me. I knew some of the most cutthroat men in the business and she put them all to shame. Norah wasn’t a young woman anymore and there were too many younger, prettier trophy wives. She needed a new way to keep herself in the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed. A big fat development deal would set her up for life.
I settled back at my desk and reached for my phone. This call I would enjoy making. Being the one to foil her plan for the cash infusion she so desperately wanted, knowing how she had done absolutely everything to crawl out of poverty, was a kind of poetic justice.
The call connected and was answered on the first ring. “Mr. Danton calling for Ms. Calhoun.”
A few seconds later she greeted me, “What the hell do you want?”
“As pleasant as always.” I knew the smile would have pissed her off. I leaned back in my chair. “I just had a visit from our daughter.”
Silence followed before she asked, “What the hell did she want?”
“My help in getting you to back off. Poking your greedy little nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“I don’t belong? I fucking lived there. That woman raised me. My mother was her sister. That cottage, that land is mine.”
“Still a cunt.”
“Fuck you.”
“No thanks. It was only average when you were young and tight.”
“Son of… did you call just to insult me?”
“Definitely a call worth making, but no. I realize now that you’re older and not able to secure a rich husband, you are looking for a new revenue stream, but you’ll leave Lizzie alone.”
“The hell I will.”
“I’ve gotten where I have in this business because I make it my business to learn everything there is to know about my associates. The same can be said of wives. I’ve learned some very interesting things about your friend Heather. Do you remember her?”
“That was ages ago.” There was fear in her voice.
“You weren’t as clever then as you are now. There are some questions as to the timing of your departure and your poor friend. The authorities have been looking for you, but you fled so quickly then changed your name, your look. The case is still open. Did you know there is no statue of limitations in Scotland?”
“You bastard.”
Anger turned my voice hard. “It is amazing to me that you do nothing but cause destruction and yet you can actually sound indignant, as if you’re the victim. Let me make this very clear. Leave Lizzie alone or I’ll see your ass hauled back to Scotland.”
She uttered the words so softly I almost didn’t hear them. “I should have smothered her.”
Alarm rose up to meet fury. “You touch a hair on her head and I will fucking hunt you down. There will be nowhere you can hide. And hear this, I won’t be looking to lock your ass up.” I hung up before I hunted her down now. I’d have to warn Lizzie. It wasn’t likely Norah would strike out at her, but when an animal was backed into a corner who knew what it would do.