by L. Steele
"Gorgeous, isn't she?" Tom follows my gaze. "We met at our internship in a London law firm. She didn't last a week." He grins a little. "Threw a fit when one of the partners laid a hand on her ass, slapped him and walked out."
"You saw the internship through, didn't you?" I ask.
Tom had been as keen as me to get out of Gainesville. He'd wanted to earn enough money and fast. For Tom that meant becoming a lawyer.
"We need to talk, Sienna." His serious tone makes me look up at him curious.
"Now? I'm waiting for Natalie and—"
The pleading look in his eyes bringing me up short. He jerks his head, and I follow him to a couch set in the far corner of the hotel lobby.
Behind us is a big bay window through which the wedding preparations continue.
"I need money," he says without preamble.
I look at him startled, my mind already racing forward.
His features twist as he speaks fast. He's trying to get the words out before he can change his mind. "Look, I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't desperate."
His eyes slide away, and he clasps his hands in front of him.
“I'd help but it's not like I am rolling in money myself," I say, my tone half joking, half sarcastic.
He gives me a strange look, frowns. "You're going to be wedded to money soon. I'm sure it'll be very easy for you to loan me half a million dollars—"
"Hey," I interrupt. "I'm not officially engaged to him. And just because I'm the woman Jace happens to be sleeping with at the moment doesn't mean I have access to that kind of money," I mutter.
Natalie's laugh floats through the window. Happy, carefree. I'd do anything to feel that way again, even for one day.
"Why don't you ask Natalie? She's part of the family and has more access to the money."
When he raises his eyebrows at me, I realize he's already thought about that.
"Well?" I ask impatient. "What did she say."
"She doesn't inherit anything. All the money goes to the first male heir of the family."
"Jace," we chorus as one.
"Perhaps you should ask Jace. He may cut you a deal," I say only half serious.
"He already hates me, Sen. Since he saw me talking to you. He's jealous. He's in love with you."
"Yeah, right," I snort in disbelief. "I promise you there's nothing like that between us."
"Don't lie." He leans forward, grips my arm so tight, I yelp in pain.
"You're hurting me." I try to pull away but he doesn't let go.
The glint in his eyes has me leaning back.
"You see, Sienna, unlike Natalie, you have no choice but to help me out." His voice flat, cold, yet it wobbles as if he's trying to keep his emotions out of it and not quite succeeding.
"What do you mean?" A shiver or apprehension runs down my back. I already know I don't want to hear what he's going to say next.
"I have the video," he says.
"What are you talking about?" I ask.
My heart thuds in my chest. Whatever it is he's going to show me, I know, it can't be good.
Tom pulls out his phone, scrolls to a screen, then hands it to me. What I see on the screen makes my head whirl.
26
Sienna
* * *
I'd been eighteen and about to leave for university. Tom and I had been on a few dates together, but it had never developed further. Not for my lack of trying either. I couldn't get past the 'friend' stage with Tom.
We never had that kind of chemistry.
The last time Tom and I met, I'd been going to tell him so. Break off any hopes he'd been holding out for me. That's when he'd claimed he loved me and would miss me. Begged to kiss me.
And I had let him―but things got out of hand. Tom had pleaded with me to sleep with him, but I'd turned him down.
What I didn't know is that he'd filmed that entire encounter.
"Why?" I grip the phone, the skin stretched white over my knuckles, unable to tear my eyes from the screen. A morbid fascination has me watching the video.
Reliving the moments when we'd kissed. Passionately. And I'd tried to respond. Initially. Trying to feel something for the person who had been my best friend. Hoping for a flare of chemistry that would help me reciprocate what he felt for me.
I'd gone so far as to take off my shirt and bra. And we'd kissed again. Till his hand clamped on my breast and I'd panicked. Slapped his hand away. Right then, I'd taken a step back and told him to back off.
The video only shows the first part.
He takes the phone from my nerveless fingers, pockets it.
"I told you the truth then, Sienna. I was in love with you. Perhaps I still am," his voice is serious. "Thought I'd never see you again. This was my way of remembering you."
"And now you're going to use it to blackmail me?" I snap.
"I'm not blackmailing you," he protests.
"Sure you are. You want the money, you hold the video against me, and if I refuse to pay you, what, you release it? Go ahead, see if I care." I call his bluff, my voice firm. Inside I'm quaking, praying he'll back off.
Knowing he won't.
"I can do worse," he says. "Release it to the tabloids."
"You wouldn't," I whisper.
Fear crawls up my spine.
My pulse speeds up. Realizing I'm chewing my fingernails, I hastily drop my arm, curl my fingers into the palm of my hand.
"A video of the girlfriend of the Walker family scion making out with an old boyfriend, naked breasts on display? The tabloids would have a field day."
"All it shows is us kissing. It's not interesting enough for the newspapers." I bluster. But know he's right. There's enough there to damage me.
Jace had specifically asked that I keep our involvement out of the media. And now Tom's threatening to make this video public, to do the one thing I'd promised not to.
He'd also warned me to up my game, to do everything possible to show I am committed to our relationship. If Tom goes to the tabloids the deal is off, no chance of redemption this time.
As for the money already received from Jace? That's for Bella and to pay the salaries of my start-up team. I am not letting Tom touch that. Just thinking of it makes me angry.
"No," I say.
"What?" Tom asks.
Phone in one hand, with the other he grips my shoulder.
"If this were to come out, Jace would drop you." Tom warns. "That's the last you'll see of your 'fiancé'.”
A flare of anger, and I clench my fists.
I am not going to be blackmailed into parting with the money.
And if the video does comes out, well then, it's a real test of how strong the 'relationship' is between me and Jace, isn't it?
Mind made up, I get to my feet.
"You heard me," I say, my voice firm. "No. Do whatever you want, but stay away from me."
"You'll regret it, Sen." Getting to his feet, Tom stomps off toward the staircase and the rooms.
I sit on the couch for a few seconds more, my heart twisting with the knowledge that I'd lost a friend.
One of my closest friends from my childhood days and he's let me down. I can't get my head around it.
Is this what life does to you? Change friends to foes along the way?
Sometimes enemies can surprise you and turn out to be your best friends too.
Will Jace come through for me, if this video ever comes out?
27
Sienna
* * *
After Tom leaves, I walk to the wide French doors of the hotel lobby flung open to the garden.
Spotting me, Natalie waves.
Stepping out onto the wide patio I don't have to wait very long before she bounces up the garden path toward me.
It's difficult to be in anything other than a good mood with a bride who's obviously radiant and so in love and looking forward to being married. None of the nerves or stress or fussing over last minute details or about her dress or her looks.
> Stepping onto the patio she asks "Like it?"
I take in the arrangements behind her, "I love it." I say, my voice sincere.
Her eyes dart over my shoulder, "Darren," she exclaims and I stiffen.
"How does it feel to face your last day of freedom?" Darren's talking to Natalie, but I sense his eyes boring into my back.
"It might surprise you, but I actually want to marry my fiancé." She grins at him. "Unlike you, I actually intend to stay married. Once is sufficient for me."
I almost choke, but to my surprise, Darren chuckles, sounding a lot like his son. Darren loves Natalie like a daughter. But not enough to leave her a part of his inheritance.
"Touché, my dear." He holds up both his palms, signaling a truce. "You always put me in my place."
Reaching us, he bends down and kisses her cheek.
So Darren is capable of being affectionate too. Just not with Jace.
Stepping back from Darren, Natalie turns to me, "Now you know where Jace gets his charm from."
Both of them look at me. Natalie's eyes shine with mischief.
Darren's are steelier, almost slate colored with a tinge of green at the edges. So similar to Jace's. Yet different. Where Darren’s are cold, Jace's eyes are more tumultuous, open.
As if Darren's the harsher, cruel side and Jace the more empathetic one.
Not that Jace would appreciate being described that way, but meeting his father brings home how genuine Jace is. Sure, he'd manipulated me, loved to control me, too―but he's been upfront about it all along.
The banquet manager calls out to her from inside the hotel. Before I can protest, she's excused herself, promising to be back in a few minutes.
I’m left standing alone with a man who I have no wish to be with.
Before I can make an excuse and leave, he reaches out to me, linking his arm through mine, in a gesture meant to be paternal.
With reluctance, I follow Darren to the other side of the grounds. The hotel is hidden by the tall hedges.
We're quite alone, and it doesn't reassure me.
I tug my arm from his and, to my relief, he lets go. But he doesn't step aside. Instead, he folds his arms over his chest and balances himself on legs slightly spread out to hold up his weight
He's fit for his age, wears his power like he's earned it. An almost magnetic appeal vibrates off him, and I take a step back to put distance between us.
A gesture not lost on him.
"Do I scare you, little girl?" His condescending tone sets me on edge.
"No," I say.
Not bothering to rise to the 'little girl' insult.
Any emotion I reveal will be construed as weakness—or worse, be used against me.
I must not show how much he affects me. For he's familiar, the flavor of the energy rippling off him reminds me of Jace. An older, more mature Jace, a more cynical one. Someone deeper, darker, with more secrets to hide.
I meet his gaze head on, refusing to blink or look away. Stay quiet. Wait for him to speak first.
Wait.
When Darren does speak, I heave a sigh of relief at winning this minor battle.
"No. You're not scared," he concedes, and his features shift. He's studied me and come to some conclusion.
"You're young in years, yet street smart," Darren's arm snakes out, latching onto my wrist.
I jump.
"How much is he paying you?" He asks.
I frown. "What do you mean?"
"Cut the bullshit," Darren's hold tightens.
Pain shoots through me, but I bite my tongue, stop myself from exclaiming aloud. Instead digging my feet into the ground, I force my muscles to relax.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," I say, pleased my voice comes out cold, flat.
"You're not Jace's girlfriend." He says without preamble.
My throat closes. I swallow the sickness that threatens to rise before saying. "You sound very confident about that."
I keep my tone light, but my heart is thumping with fear.
"Oh, I am." He barks a laugh. "You're too intelligent. Hell, you actually have a personality. Not the type he normally likes to fuck."
I cringe at the bald statement.
"Jace is paying you to put up a front, to convince me that he's changed, ready to come back to the fold. He made a mistake bringing you here. He's trying too hard and that gives him away."
My mind races ahead. Of course, he's right. That is exactly why Jace wanted me along. And yeah, I'm so not his type.
Darren watches me. Waiting for me to give myself away.
Pulling my wrist from his hold, I shake back my hair. Placing my hand on my hip, I put on a swagger, show he doesn't intimidate me. "And did it work? Have we convinced you?"
He's quiet for a second, eyebrows drawing down over his eyes. Then he laughs, a short but appreciative sound.
His eyes sweep over my face. The authority in that look makes me catch my breath. Sweat breaks out over my upper lip, and I resist the urge to wipe it off.
I am not nervous.
I refuse to be.
This time when he grips my forearm, I don't balk. "Let go of me," I say, my voice sharp.
And to my surprise he does.
Whew.
He holds my gaze though, a twist of his lips as he says, "I hope he's worth it, my dear," his voice is soft, steely. "You have a few more days to show me this relationship is authentic. You do realize that's why he brought you here. To convince me not to disinherit him. Jace took a risk, putting his future in your hands. Will you live up to his expectations, I wonder?"
Blood thunders in my veins, I fold my arms across my chest.
What? So, this entire charade has to do with Jace trying to make sure he isn't disinherited.
Doesn't surprise me, that his motive is money. After all, that's why I'm here too.
For the money.
Except it's not true. Not anymore. Somewhere along the way things changed. For me. As the knowledge dawns, I want to turn and run.
But I will not. Not now, not like this. I'd let Jace down once in front of his family. Not again. Not this time.
How dare Darren insult Jace and assume the status of our relationship.
As Darren brushes past me, I say, "Can't stomach seeing your son happy? Jealous of him, are you?"
Jace was right. His father does hate him.
But it's not because Jace takes for granted the kind of material comforts that his father could only dream of having when he was growing up.
No, Darren is jealous of Jace's youth. Angry that whatever he does, he'll never be able to cheat time.
"You want to be Jace, don't you?"
Darren swivels around so quickly that my heart leaps in my chest.
Adrenaline pumps through me. Is he going to hit me?
"Careful what you say." Fury flares in his eyes. "You may be smart, but can you see this relationship through? Make it to the altar first and then we can complete our little chat."
I know then nothing I say or do will convince him. Not unless Jace and I marry. For real. And that is not going to happen.
Have I lost already? Should I even stay on? Or just leave.
28
Sienna
* * *
Natalie bounds back toward us, oblivious to the tension in the air. Linking her arm through mine, she waves Darren away.
"Thanks for keeping her company, but you can leave now."
"She's all yours." Half bowing to us, Darren leaves.
The tension between my shoulders slides off, leaving me limp. I lean on Natalie, and she puts her arm around my waist, looking down at me.
"You all right?" she asks, her voice concerned.
"Yeah." I nod. "You sure you still want to hang out with me this morning?"
"You bet," she says. "Besides, when else am I going to get a chance to get to know more about Jace's mysterious girlfriend?"
"You mean the one who 'suddenly' appears on the scene, someone very d
ifferent from everyone else he's brought in the past?" I smirk, echoing Darren's words.
"Very different," she agrees. "Beautiful, and not only on the outside."
"You still think so, even after last night?" I flush at the knowing look in her eyes. No doubt my little 'incident' was the main topic of discussion around the breakfast table.
"Especially after last night." She grins, no shock on her face.
I peer into her eyes. Wow. She's not joking.
"So you don't think I'm unfit for the 'scion' of the Walker family?" I punctuate my words with air quotes.
She laughs at that, "About time someone put Jace in his place."
"Yeah, right," I mutter in disbelief.
"No, really," she grips my arm, all mirth dropping away from her face.
"You're good for him. You stand up to him, and that's what he needs. Someone not afraid of his power, and who isn't after his money."
If only she knew.
Natalie continues, unaware of the conflict swirling inside me. "I hope Jace holds onto you." She says.
"He didn't take very kindly to my antics," I clear my throat. "If you'd seen him last night …" my voice fades.
To my surprise, I find tears pricking my eyes. I'm not over the incident either. And I do regret my actions. But I'm unsure now how to make amends.
"Hang in there." Natalie says. "Jace can be quite macho, and overbearing. But inside he's the real deal. Honest." Voice earnest she takes both my palms between her own. "Jace has been through a lot growing up. You've met Darren, he's not an easy father. And all this" she waves around her, "growing up with this kind of money has only made it more difficult for Jace to find himself. Who he really is. That is why he needs you. You are the first genuine person in his life. You are good for him, Sienna."
I blink at the seriousness in her tone.
Her honest concern for Jace is my undoing. I want to tell her right then, that everything between me and Jace is a sham. But seeing the hope shining in her eyes, I can't bring myself to speak.
Perhaps I want to believe there's still hope for Jace and me?
