Chapter Twenty-Six
Dominic
“I’d love to have the entire proposal sent to my office so I can review the details,” Zhao says, giving me a napkin with his direct email address jotted down. “I’m very much in favor of bringing business that can create jobs and enrich our citizens. And it seems like your proposal might meet the requirements.”
Spoken like a true politician and bureaucrat.
“Thank you,” I say. “I’ll go ahead and do that when I’m back in my office.” I’m not stupid enough to hand it off to my assistant. As competent as Brian is, this kind of contact needs to be personal.
“Perfect.” Zhao smiles, then waves to somebody walking toward us. “That’s my brother. I don’t often see him, so I should say hello. It was good to meet you, Dominic.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
We shake hands, then he leaves.
I signal the bartender for a vodka and knock it back. The talk went surprisingly well. It didn’t take that long, both of us focused on getting to know each other, measuring each other as quickly as possible. Zhao is refreshingly cosmopolitan and sharp, nothing like most stodgy Chinese bureaucrats. So when he asked me what my interest in China was, I told him straight, understanding that he wouldn’t care for games.
Since there’s going to be a government review, I expect things to take a while. Still, it’s a major step in the right direction.
Elizabeth was right. There are certain doors that she can open for me because, having grown up in this social stratum, she knows people I don’t. I’ve heard she’s dined with the president and is on the first-name basis with the first lady.
I scan the beach, intending to thank Elizabeth and play the proper date for her. She’s nowhere to be seen. I could have sworn she went off with Ming Ming…but then I spot the birthday girl with a couple of strangers. I start walking toward the group to ask if she knows where Elizabeth is. But before I can reach her, I run into Andy.
Generally a nice kid, my cousin can be slightly awkward, saying inappropriate things and reacting oddly from time to time…although he means well and tries hard. I chalk it up to my aunt’s crappy parenting. The woman has zero maternal instinct, and the only reason she adopted him was to boost her husband’s political career. Voters love family men, especially ones with children.
Unfortunately, Andy has trouble holding on to jobs, and it apparently bothered Dorothy enough that she came to me five years ago. “If you give him a job—any position’s fine—I’ll make sure your business dealings go smoothly.”
I studied her, trying to figure her angle. This wasn’t due to her deep love for Andy. “I don’t need you to make money.”
“But a little political clout wouldn’t hurt.”
“Why can’t Andy get a job with one of the people wanting a favor from your husband?”
“He’s…” She breathed in deeply, bracing herself as though she was about to confess some dire sin. “He’s a bit gauche. You know that. And I can’t have him be a jobless bum. It isn’t good for Chuck’s career.”
“So the kid you got for his career isn’t working out the way you wanted.”
Hatred glittered in her eyes.
“But fine. I’ll get him a job, not because I give a shit about you or Chuck, but because I like Andy.”
And because it isn’t his fault that he’s socially clumsy. If she thought she could get away with it, she would’ve returned him. Apparently you can do that with adopted kids.
Plus, I don’t regret the decision to give him a chance because he’s meticulous with numbers. He’s doing well in internal audit, like I thought he would.
“Hi, Dominic,” Andy says.
“Hey, Andy.” His grin is infectious. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”
“I didn’t know you were coming either. If I had, I would’ve asked you for a ride. I mean, not actually inside the cabin or anything. But maybe if you had a spare seat on one of the wings…”
I laugh. “When are you flying out?”
“Next Saturday. Why? Are you going to give me a lift?”
“Can’t. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Aw, man.” He sticks his lower lip out in a childish pout. “I’m gonna miss out on that pretty toy of yours.”
“Maybe next time.”
“Are you looking for something?”
“Someone. Elizabeth Pryce-Reed. Have you seen her?”
“I don’t know, maybe. Is she pretty?”
I’m surprised he doesn’t know who she is. Even if they don’t hang in the same social circles, she’s one of his father’s more important donors. Or maybe Dorothy keeps him away from the political arena to make sure he doesn’t commit any faux pas. “Yeah, she is. Blonde.” I raise my hand. “About yay tall.”
And stunning, and smart, and complicated. But potentially fatal.
“Man, I’m sorry.” Andy frowns. He hates letting people down. “Can’t help you.”
The skin at the base of my neck prickles, the fine hair standing up. I swivel my head.
There.
She’s watching us—I can feel the force of her stare through the sunglasses—her knuckles tight around an empty glass. She’s pressing her lips together so hard, I can barely see them.
What’s wrong? She seemed fine earlier.
I start toward her, Andy following. She inhales sharply, puts the glass to her lips, then glares at it with disgust as though it’s the glass’s fault it’s empty.
“Elizabeth, are you all right?” I ask.
“Yes,” she answers, her voice tight. It isn’t a real yes.
Her gaze shifts to my cousin, and Andy moves to the side as though he wants to see her better. Although I want to probe, we don’t need an audience.
I can’t think of a graceful way to get rid of Andy without a short introduction first. “Elizabeth, this is my cousin Andy. Andy, this is—”
“We’ve met,” she says curtly, not bothering to look at my cousin. Then she spins around and walks away, leaving me gaping at her abrupt and uncharacteristic rudeness.
* * *
Elizabeth
My knees shaky, I go to the bar for more vodka. The alcohol is the only thing giving me a semblance of calm.
My breath hitches, and I stop for a moment to gather myself.
When I saw Dominic walking toward me, I wanted to run to him. I wanted to forget the ill will between us and seek security in his arms. But he didn’t come to me to offer comfort or his protection. He brought Andy with him, tried to introduce us.
Is this a prelude to his revenge? A chisel digging into me—to strip me bare?
But surely he wouldn’t side with someone like Andy if he knew the truth. If I tell him what happened, tell him everything…
No.
He won’t believe me. He didn’t listen back then, so why would he listen now? Why would he believe anything I say?
He thinks the worst of me—he’ll think I set Andy up.
And he’ll be partially right.
That wide smile he gave Andy…and their good-humored laughter… I haven’t had either from Dominic since he came back into my life.
I’m tempted to call Tolyan to arrange for security, at least twenty armed and dangerous men. I should’ve taken his advice. Then I wouldn’t feel so cold and shaky.
Pull yourself together.
I can’t fall apart over something that happened five years ago. The trip back home is in two days. I’ll be on Dominic’s plane, assuming Andy doesn’t tag along.
If he does, I’m getting on a commercial jet. I don’t care if I have to sit next to a bathroom the entire time.
Don’t freak out. What you did wouldn’t have worked if Andy weren’t a sociopath.
Ming Ming has top-flight security here. Andy can’t do anything. I already checked. His parents aren’t dead yet. They know what’s at stake.
Still, I text Dorothy. Keep your son away from me.
A moment later, I get a response.
What do you mean?
Is she serious? Barely containing my fury, I type, The deal between us has two parts. Letting Andy run wild is breaking one of them, which means I am going to break one of my choosing.
He went to a friend’s party.
Where I am.
She doesn’t respond for so long, I wonder if she’s ignoring me. Finally, her text comes in. He probably didn’t do it on purpose.
Like I should take comfort in that!
How is he supposed to know your schedule unless you provide it?
Does she think I’m crazy? I’m not going to let her psycho son know when and where I’m going to be. And I text her as much.
I know you want your privacy. Believe me, we’re doing everything we can to keep our promise. Please, Elizabeth, be reasonable.
Her panicked plea is palpable through the text. She knows I can ruin her husband’s political career—the sole source of their power and wealth, which are the two things she cares about more than anything in the world. It’s sickening that I have to put up with her and her family.
A deal is a deal, I text.
Okay, okay. I’ll take care of it. Just give me some time.
I drop the phone back into my tote bag.
The knot of unease in my heart won’t loosen. Andy’s right. His parents clearly don’t have what it takes to keep him under control anymore.
And it won’t surprise me if he does something to threaten or hurt them. I wish I’d called Dorothy so I could have gauged her tone of voice, but it’s too late now.