Chapter Three

Annabelle

Thankfully Nonny recovers from her spiked punch without any problem. She’s young, resilient, and I should’ve known she’d be fine…even if I myself couldn’t stay calm. I notice signs that she hasn’t been sleeping well, but that most likely has nothing to do with the alcohol. Nonny sometimes suffers from insomnia when she’s fretting about something, and my guess is that she’s unhappy about not really meeting Ryder Reed. She leaves for school on Monday after giving me a tight hug. She loves the new school and her new classmates. The kids are cool—much more inclusive—and it’s a huge relief that she’s fitting in. One less thing I need to worry about.

Elliot is in his office, probably on some massively important business call. I let out a shaky breath. My inner muscles are sore. He and I haven’t been talking since that morning sex, but he comes to me every night and takes me with almost violent single-mindedness until I come over and over again and my head is empty of everything except the pleasure flooding my body. Just thinking about it makes me clench, and not only with heat. There’s something more.

Earlier this morning, he buried his face between my legs and gave me four toe-curling orgasms before taking his pleasure from my boneless body. The kiss he gave me afterward was so tender, the backs of his fingers brushing against my cheek with such sweet reverence, tears prickled my eyes as my heart ached.

But even as I crave the way he makes me feel, a small part of me is cold with apprehension. It’s as though he knows I’m trying to rebuild the wall around myself, and he’s doing everything in his power to stop me.

We both signed the contract. It is only two pages long, and we both understood what we were getting. So why do I have a feeling that neither of us wants what we originally agreed to?

It’s too early for me to leave for my meeting with Dennis. I look over the calendar. I need to redo the dinner. It’s Elliot’s and my first event as a couple, and I want it to go well…even if it will be for the second time. And this time, Tiffany will not be invited. Maybe I’m being harsh, but I just can’t bring her back here. She didn’t look the slightest bit sorry when she left. She was more upset about me asking her to leave than the fact that Nonny had passed out.

The second time is just as overwhelming as the first. I can’t recycle the menu or invitations from before, which means I have to come up with something new. I just don’t have the experience for something like this, and I don’t want to bother Elliot.

I scroll through the contact list on my phone. Josephine Martinez is a fashion person, and I doubt she’d know or have the time. She’s probably busy spending some of her clients’ money at a fancy boutique, turning another drab girl into a fairy tale princess. My former best friend Traci Burton… She might’ve gotten over my father’s role in destroying her family’s finances, but she probably wouldn’t answer my call. Even if she did, she knows about as much about high society dinner planning as I do.

My gaze lands on Elizabeth. I got her number earlier when she texted me her RSVP to the original dinner. She would definitely know everything, but it seems a bit presumptuous to call her. Although she’s always been kind to me and Nonny, I don’t really know her that well. On the other hand, I owe her an apology for the way I lost it at the previous dinner.

Before I can stop myself, I dial her number. As the phone rings, I bite my lower lip.

What am I doing? Elizabeth is only kind because that’s expected, not because she likes me. She probably thinks badly of me now after that scene.

I hit the red button before she picks up.

My phone rings a minute later. I close my eyes briefly. It’s Elizabeth, and of course I can’t ignore her call without being a jerk. “Hello?”

“Hi, Gigi. This is Elizabeth. Did you call? I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Um, yeah…” I clear my throat. “Sorry. I was trying to call someone else, but I pressed the wrong button.”

A short silence. “I see. Listen, I’m in downtown. Do you have time for coffee?”

“Now?” I almost squeak.

“Or later today. Either way.”

“Uh…okay. Sure. Where?”

She gives me the location. “Does that work for you?”

“Yes.” It isn’t that far from OWM. “I have an appointment at ten. So can we meet afterward? Maybe between ten thirty and eleven?”

“Sounds great. And take your time. I’ll be resting my feet up. Gotta get some serious shopping done this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

Exhaling roughly, I stare at my phone. I can’t believe I just agreed to meet with Elizabeth. And it sounds like she actually wants to see me as well. What does she want to talk about?

I almost jerk when my phone beeps, letting me know I have forty-five minutes till my appointment with Dennis. Ugh. Now I have to hurry or I’ll be late.

I rush to the walk-in closet to look for something I can wear. Not pink—Elliot told me that was more Elizabeth’s style, and I don’t want to look like I’m competing with her. Maybe the cerulean dress? It’s cute, with spaghetti straps, a fitted bodice and flaring skirt.

Damn. I don’t have time to dawdle. I put it on and pull my hair back into a messy ponytail and run a little lip gloss over my mouth. That should be good enough. Even though Elliot isn’t exactly a celebrity, he does get some media attention because of his relationship to Ryder. I don’t want to cause him any embarrassment, especially when he’s spent so much money to ensure I look the part. After slipping my feet into a pair of sandals, I drive to OWM using the GPS.

The Starbucks is easy to find, thank god. I’m running ten minutes late. It’s not super crowded, and I see Dennis at a booth in the back.

I grab an iced coffee and join him.

He has the complexion of an office worker who never gets any time off. Even so, it seems odd that he’s so pale. He’s gotta walk outside from time to time and gets some sun. This is L.A. after all. The whiteness of his skin makes his gray eyes look darker than they really are. His short sandy hair sits flat on his round head, and the rolled-up sleeves of his dress shirt reveal the smooth arms of a sedentary person.

Things have changed so much for him. Back when we were both in Lincoln City, he was a high school athlete. A baseball player, arrogant and cocky, although he wasn’t very good. But his father paid for the team’s equipment. I’m sure he knew that, but he never let it get in the way of trying to act like a popular jock.

I sit down across from him and wait, sipping my coffee. I don’t know where to start. I’m sure he has something to say, after all those angry texts. And frankly I’d rather have him begin.

He takes me in, fingers making little quarter-circles with his coffee cup. It isn’t long before he leans across the table. “You look good.”

It’s an overture of a sort. Dennis can be hot-headed and impetuous at times, but he’s not inherently a bad guy.

“Thank you.” I wish I could say the same, but I can’t bring myself to lie. We’d both know anyway. Shared history. “I guess things have gone well for you to be working at OWM. You seem to have a good boss.”

“Yeah, Pete’s okay. I like him, and I think he’ll help me get a permanent position at the firm…so long as I don’t screw up.”

“Well, great.” I pause, suddenly feeling awkward. I sip my coffee to buy a little time. No matter how uncomfortable this is, I should remember that none of what happened between our parents is his fault. “I’m glad you found something you like doing, Dennis.”

“Really?” His lips slant in an unpleasant line. “Then you have to make your husband back off.”

“Back off? What are you talking about?”

“You told him about me, didn’t you?”

I shake my head. “No. I haven’t told him anything.”

“Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Believe what you like, but I didn’t say anything to Elliot.”

“Don’t lie to me.” His hand wraps around my wrist.

I look at him, then deliberately take a long meaningful look around at the café full of people. “Let me go, right now.” He hangs on for one extra moment, then releases me. “I’m not playing twenty questions here, Dennis. If you don’t tell me what the problem is, I’m walking out.”

The muscles in his jaw clench. “I heard from a source in HR that they’re running a second background check on me.”

“So?”

He lowers his voice. “There’s no reason for another one.”

“Maybe they’re trying to hire you on permanently. Didn’t you say your boss would help you?”

“Yeah, but they already checked me out. They’re doing it again…on Gavin’s orders.”

I frown. The name seems vaguely familiar. “Gavin?”

“Gavin Lloyd. The head honcho. The billionaire. Why would he take a personal interest in someone like me?”

Ah. Now I remember. Elliot mentioned him briefly before we went to OWM to set up my account. “Okay, but why does this have anything to do with me or Elliot?”

Dennis snorts. “Come on, Annabelle. You have every reason to want to fuck me over.”

“Is that what you think? Dennis, I left Lincoln City because I wanted to start over. And even if I did have something against you, I don’t have that kind of influence over my husband. And Elliot has no reason to want to cause you any trouble.”

“I know he doesn’t like me. I don’t have to be a genius to know he’s the one who prompted Gavin to check me out again.”

“So what if he was? You passed the first time. Don’t tell me you did anything between then and now.”

Dennis breathes out roughly then studies his tumbler. “I didn’t tell them about who I really am.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They don’t know about my dad. I couldn’t let them know. It’s financial services. They would’ve never hired me with that kind of taint.”

“Dennis.” I hadn’t realized that when he decided to get a new name and start fresh, he also meant to rewrite his past.

“You owe me, Annabelle. It isn’t right that only you and your sister came out of it okay, not me. I don’t have a sugar momma as my backup plan.”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I say. “Your father—”

“He lost everything because of your dad!” he hisses. “He was a good man, respected by everyone. Your dad targeted mine. And it was specifically because, with my dad by his side, it would be easier to con everybody. The only thing my dad did wrong was trust the wrong person!”

An old pain pours through me like poison. It’s something so foul, so ugly that I try my best not to think about it. “And my parents got gunned down for that.”

“You think that makes us even?” Bitterness burns in Dennis’s eyes. “My dad died too. So did Mom. She went fucking insane and OD’d on sleeping pills.”

A gasp tears from my throat, and I cover my mouth with a hand. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” Dennis’s mom was such a sweetheart. I adored her.

“Then make it right,” he says. “Or I’m going to have a chat with your sister. Maybe she’ll be more reasonable.”

My body goes cold. “Keep Nonny out of this.”

“Can’t.” His hands tighten until his knuckles are bone-white. “You’re making it personal. I was doing fine until you showed up.”

“Dennis, listen to me.” I fix him with my eyes. “I had nothing to do with anything at OWM. Nothing.”

“I don’t give a shit. You fix it, Annabelle. Or I’m going to make you sorry.”

I breathe harshly. “Do you think threatening me is going to help you?”

“Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. We’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”

I get to my feet. “I’ve heard enough. Don’t ever contact me again.”

“You say that now, but you’ll want to hear from me again,” he says. “I’ll make sure of it.”

My hands shake. I dump my coffee, unable to drink it when my stomach’s so tightly knotted, and get out. Thankfully Dennis doesn’t try to stop me.

As I walk out, I take one last look at him. He glares at me, eyes blazing. A cold sweat breaks out over my skin, sending shivers down my back. I want to believe he’s just misguided and upset right now, but I know better. He blames me, wants me to take responsibility for what’s going on his life and fix it.

All because of what Dad did.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I inhale and exhale. This is why I had to leave Lincoln City. Dad’s wrongdoing boxed me and Nonny in, as surely as a jail cell. Not even his death could change that.

He asked for it.

His being gunned down like an animal was simply justice as far as a lot of people in my hometown were concerned. And I, as the direct beneficiary of his terrible scheme, owed them. Of course there was no inheritance, but to them, I still benefited unfairly—all the nice clothes, the vacations, the expensive out-of-state college. They’ve never stopped to consider that by the time my dad’s fraud got exposed, his assets had been frozen, and I had nothing. The same for Dennis as well. But I suppose after our parents’ deaths they needed a target to vent their anger, and Dennis, Nonny and I were too convenient to be ignored.

I want to dismiss Dennis’s threat. I’m not certain what he can do really. But him talking to Nonny? No way. I don’t know what kind of poisonous things he might tell her. Although she’s mature for her age, she’s still too young and too close to the mess to be rational about it.

Which means I have to figure out if Elliot really is behind Dennis getting re-investigated…and I have no idea how I’m going to accomplish that.

* * *

Elliot

I bury myself in work, but it’s damn hard to focus. The lush, feminine scent of my wife seems to linger even though I showered earlier.

But then I went down on her afterward. That’s probably it.

I wasn’t going to take her again, but she was lying in bed and watching me with those unreadable green eyes…and I couldn’t help myself. Even as she unraveled with my mouth on her clit, I felt that she was just beyond my reach somehow. I don’t understand how that can be. She’s so responsive, her tight cunt always wet, hot and greedy for me. But it doesn’t matter how many times she comes in my arms or how hard and how deep I drive into her. There is a part of her—just a tiny sliver—that I can’t touch, and the knowledge spikes my anxiety, making me feel like an addict without the high he needs.

I want all of her. All of her smiles, all of her thoughts, all of her soul. I want to be the center of her universe, the sun that everything revolves around. She should dump all her worries at my feet, trusting that I’ll take care of them and provide for her.

My promise to her wasn’t empty talk. I will provide for my wife.

But she wants you to call her Annabelle.

I scowl at the laptop monitor. God, I need a fucking drink. I get up, about to grab the strongest thing I have on hand, but my phone rings.

Gavin Lloyd. I pick it up with a slight frown. What does he want?

“Gavin,” I say.

“Elliot. Is this good time?”

I settle back in my office chair. “Sure.” Tell me something blew up. Distract me.

“You might be right about the intern.”

That straightens me in my seat. “Oh?”

“Something doesn’t add up in the background check HR initially ran.”

I knew it. “Then why was he hired?”

Gavin snorts. “He’s been sleeping with the HR director’s assistant.”

I narrow my eyes. A liar and a user. The last sort of person I want around my money. “Well. Isn’t that…expedient.”

“Yup. I’m this close to firing her.”

“Why haven’t you?” Gavin isn’t the sentimental type.

“My wife.” He sighs. “She thinks the assistant might be being used.”

“Doesn’t seem to me like that’s your problem.”

“My thought as well. But…”

“Amandine’s too sweet to know any better.”

The small noise he makes says he agrees. “Don’t worry. You know me and keeping my enemies close. She won’t be getting away with this.”

I feel almost sorry for the assistant. Gavin can be…over the top at times.

“Amandine wants to meet your wife, by the way. Have you guys over for dinner.”

“Why?”

“Probably curious. Ryder, and now you? Something’s going on.”

“Oh jeez. We’re just settling down, no big deal.”

“Precisely. She wants to meet the woman who finally made you settle down. It’s one thing for Ryder, but you? Amandine was certain you’d die a bachelor.”

I snort a laugh. “It’s nothing. Really.” Just dangle a million dollars in front of a desperately poor young woman, and she’ll marry anyone, even an asshole like me.

“So, dinner?”

“Amandine shouldn’t.” I don’t know how my wife would react to a social event like this.

Gavin predictably ignores me, since his focus is on making his wife happy. “I’ll have Hilary send you a few possibilities.”

“She still works for you, huh?”

“Yes.” Gavin sounds aggravated. “Her husband is trying to get her to quit though.”

“Aren’t you guys best friends?”

“If he keeps it up, we won’t be.”

This time my laugh is genuine. “Bros before hos.”

Gavin snorts. “Don’t let Mark hear you say that or you’ll never eat in his restaurants again.”

We hang up. I swivel my chair and stare out the window at the city.

Actually, accepting Amandine’s invitation might not be such a bad idea. I remember how my wife didn’t have anyone to invite to our dinner. I doubt she’s had the time or mental energy to make friends in L.A. Amandine is a great woman and—more importantly—didn’t come from money. My wife might find that more approachable—a common point for both of them.

Maybe talking with Gavin’s rubbing off on me, but I want my wife to be happy.