Deception

by Aleatha Romig

  She smiled her response before hitting a button and speaking. “Mr. Demetri, Miss Collins is here.” She handed me the phone. “I’ll ask Mrs. Witt to give you a few minutes.”

  “Thank you, Silvia,” I said, sitting behind the desk. Before I spoke, I saw the piece of paper, folded in half and lying on the ink blotter. On the outside was sprawled Charli~.

  Unlike Bryce’s writing, Nox’s script was neat, flowing and legible. I’d asked him about it once, and he’d blamed Catholic school. A smile came to my lips, imagining Lennox Demetri being instructed by mean nuns. Maybe that was where he acquired his delectation for corporal punishment.

  Charli~

  My office is your office, like my heart. It belongs to you.

  The password to access Internet is…

  My cheeks warmed as I read. Each little thing that Nox did endeared him more and more to me. Alton would never give anyone, not even my mother, full access to his office or his computer.

  Though I can’t wait to take you up on your offer and punish your sexy ass for making me hard with just memories of you, I will travel easier knowing you’re here and safe.

  Don’t disappoint me. If you do, I guarantee you will not be sitting comfortably for a while.

  Love~

  Your Nox

  My Nox.

  I shifted in the big leather chair, my backside tingling with phantom repercussions of that threat. At the same time the blush from my cheeks blossomed, warming my entire body as I sat, thankful that he’d folded this note so that Silvia couldn’t read his affection or warning.

  I suddenly wondered if talking to Nox’s father would be considered disappointing him? I didn’t have time to consider it before Oren’s voice came through the handset.

  “Miss Collins.” His tone was deep-sounding like Nox’s, though Oren’s had more of an accent. If Nox sounded like his father, I would have known his roots ran deep in Brooklyn.

  “Alex, please call me Alex, Mr. Demetri.”

  “Likewise, Alex, I believe I’ve already asked you to call me Oren.”

  There was something in his tone that put me on alert and made me sit taller. “Yes, Oren. Thank you for calling.”

  “Now, you don’t know why I called. Perhaps you should hold off on the gratitude.”

  “All right?” I replied.

  “I’m happy to hear you sound strong and safe. When I spoke with my son earlier today, he was rather concerned.”

  “It was a frightening experience,” I admitted.

  “But you are all right, no injuries?”

  I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m concerned about the woman who was struck.”

  “That’s kind of you, but she really isn’t your concern.”

  “Your son is.”

  “Excuse me?” he asked.

  “Your son is my concern. I’m worried about him. I’m here in your home. I’m safe. He’s not. He’s on his way to Washington.” As soon as I mentioned Nox’s destination, my stomach twisted. What if he didn’t want his father to know where he was?

  “Yes. He’s doing his job for Demetri Enterprises. That’s why I called to speak to you.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “My son has taken a shine to you. Alex, you may not realize this, but it has been a long time since anyone has distracted Lennox from his responsibilities. Since that time, he’s done many beneficial things for our company. I don’t want to see his talents wasted.”

  My neck stiffened. “Perhaps you need to explain yourself. I’m not following you.”

  “Come now. I’ve done my research. You’re a very intelligent woman. It should be obvious to you that in the short time since the two of you met, Lennox’s attention has been less on his work and more on you. There are deals that won’t wait. There are responsibilities that we cannot afford to have him neglect.”

  “If you’ve done your research, you’re aware that I too have responsibilities. I should be in class today, not sitting in Lennox’s home.”

  “My home. And you’re a guest. You’re welcome as long as my son wants you there. I want you to understand, however, that if being with you puts my son’s life in danger, I will do all I can to discourage your association.”

  I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of his words. “You’re blaming me for what happened today?”

  “I’m not blaming anyone. I’m simply stating the fact that before his attention was diverted, my son was not being shot at.”

  “This may come as a shock, but today was my first shooting, too.”

  Oren’s laugh rumbled through the handset. “Bravo, Alexandria.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You have forza! And I like it. It’s obvious what Lennox sees in you.”

  Forza? What the hell was that?

  “Strength,” Oren answered before I could question.

  Maybe it was a Demetri trait—the ability to answer unasked questions.

  “I apologize,” he went on, “for my insinuations. You aren’t like she was. I get the feeling you’re not pining away, waiting for him to return. As you said, you have your own responsibilities. You’re beautiful like your mother but have your father’s forza d’animo.”

  More Italian. I’d need a translator if this conversation was to continue. Instead of asking for the meaning, I replied, “Oren, Alton Fitzgerald isn’t my father. He’s my stepfather, and saying that I have any of his qualities, in my opinion, is not a compliment.”

  “Alexandria, I was not speaking of Alton Fitzgerald. That man is a pig. I hope my assessment doesn’t offend. I was speaking of your father, Russell Collins.”

  I stared at the beautiful room, the windows, the furnishings, and the ornate bookcases, but none of it registered. “Did you know my father?”

  “I do.”

  What the hell?

  “Oren, my father died when I was three years old.”

  “You’re right. Russell Collins died.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I only meant that you would make him proud. He would be very pleased with the young woman you have become.”

  The entire conversation was making me uncomfortable. “Thank you for calling. I have no intentions of hurting your son. His safety and his success are my main priorities.”

  “Don’t let them be.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t give up your dreams for my son. He isn’t worth it.”

  Indignation rose. How dare Oren Demetri call, question Nox’s and my relationship, and then demean his own son? “I would disagree; however, the point is moot. He has encouraged my dreams as I have his. It’s what two people do who love one another.”

  “Hmm, I do appreciate your forza. Goodbye, for now, Alex. This conversation has been enlightening.”

  I couldn’t disagree more. If anything, it left me totally puzzled.

  “Goodbye, Oren. I’ll be sure to tell Nox you called.”

  “That’s your choice, dear.”

  The line went dead.

  Slowly, I returned the handset to the cradle and stared at the phone.

  What the hell had that been about? Was he telling me he didn’t want me dating Nox, and then saying he did? What about my father? How did he know both my mother and my father? Maybe he knew them as a couple.

  The repeated rapping of a knock upon the door pulled me from my questions.

  “Come in,” I called.

  The door opened as Deloris entered, my phone in her hand. “You missed a call from Lennox.”

  My heart dropped to the floor. I fought the urge to stand, afraid the wheels of the chair would crush it, tearing it to shreds. “Did you speak to him?”

  “No, I was still speaking with Mr. Fitzgerald. By the way, he’s an interesting man. I’m guessing that he isn’t accustomed to hearing no, especially not from a woman.”

  My one cheek rose in a lopsided grin. “I’d say that’s a pretty accurate assumption.”

  “Your GPS—”

  “I tur
ned it off. I was going to talk to you about that. I’m not doing it to hide from you or Jerrod or Nox. I’m doing it so my location isn’t broadcast to everyone, including my family.”

  Deloris nodded. “I concur. We can give you another tracker. You can keep it in your purse or I could have it put on jewelry? Something that will stay with you, but that others can’t access.”

  Silvia entered with a soft knock to the open door. “Is there anything I can get either of you?”

  Since I was still at Nox’s desk, I asked. “Do you know what I did with my backpack?” I remembered having it in the SUV on the way here. I hoped I hadn’t left it there. “Since I’m here at this desk, I could work on some schoolwork.”

  “I put it in your room. I also put the things Mrs. Witt brought up there.”

  My room. I liked the sound of that. Despite what Oren had said, I knew this was Lennox’s house. He’d said his mother had left it to him.

  “Thanks, Silvia. I can get it.”

  “Nonsense. I’ll bring it down.”

  I smiled as she left us alone.

  “I brought you a few days’ worth of clothes,” Deloris said. “Lennox should be back Friday night.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t stay here. I have to go to class tomorrow.”

  Her lips formed a straight line.

  “You were the one who said I’m not a prisoner,” I reminded her. “I have a responsibility to do the best I can in school.”

  “Lennox wants—”

  “He wants me to be safe. I will be. I’ll wear the GPS you devise. I’ll not walk in the park or do any unplanned activities or outings. Jerrod can drive me.”

  “Alex, Jerrod is no longer with us. Isaac is in DC. I think in the meantime, if you must leave this house, I’ll have one of the men from this morning assigned to you.”

  “Why? I was used to Jerrod.”

  She swallowed before meeting my gaze. “My job requires decisions that most people never want to make, ones most people are unaware even exist. You need to let me do my job. I can’t nor will I explain every decision.”

  “That’s a reasonable request, but considering everything that’s happened, I should know why you fired Jerrod.”

  “The partial print on the envelope matches his.”

  I leaned back, causing the chair to recline as I blew out a puff of air. I was obviously becoming numb to the mortar fire occurring around me. “You think he…”

  “I think that it would be difficult to breach my security unless you were familiar with the system and understood the way it worked. I had to look at this from the inside. I don’t believe he wrote the letter. I believe Jerrod was involved in placing it.”

  “Whom did he do it for?”

  “We’re currently in talks to discover that bit of information.”

  Talks?

  Was that code for something? What lengths would Deloris Witt go to in order to learn valuable information?

  She nodded toward my phone. “Call Lennox back. Let him know you’ve spoken to your parents and his father.”

  My eyes widened.

  “Are you surprised that I knew that?”

  I shook my head. “I guess not.”

  “After you talk with him, you and I will devise your story for this morning. Then, we’ll discuss tomorrow.”

  “I’ll call Nox, but as far as our discussion about tomorrow, it will be about what time we need to leave here for me to get to class.”

  She nodded. “It would make both our lives much easier—yours and mine—if you wouldn’t fight Lennox at every turn.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “I’m not fighting, and for the record, I’m well aware of how he may respond. I’m not fighting that either.”

  Deloris lifted her hand. “There are some things that are better for me not to know.”

  “I thought you were like Oz, great, powerful, and all-knowing.”

  She didn’t respond to my statement as she walked to the windows overlooking the pool.

  “The perimeter is clear,” Deloris said. “I wouldn’t recommend going to the shore, but the pool house or even the pool deck is safe.”

  I suddenly wondered if there were people stationed outside, dressed from head to foot in black, watching for any unusual activity from the bushes, ready to pounce or shoot without hesitation. Maybe I’d watched too many spy movies, but my imagination was running overtime.

  “Thank you,” I replied. “We can talk after I call Nox.”

  “I’ll give you some privacy,” she said, walking toward the door. When she reached the threshold, she was met by Silvia.

  “Let me leave this with you,” Silvia offered as she walked past Deloris and sat the backpack on the floor near the desk.

  “Thank you.”

  Once I was alone and the door was closed, I hit my incoming calls. Nox answered on the second ring.

  “Are you trying to give me a heart attack by not answering? I couldn’t reach Jerrod either. Your fucking GPS isn’t working. Tell me you’re still at my house.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at his loving greeting. “Hi, it’s good to hear your voice, too.”

  AFTER MY CALL with Charli and another with Deloris, I quietly eased into a chair near the back of the gallery. The room was near capacity with afternoon testimony before the Senate Finance Committee in full swing. From my position, I could see the backs of most of the attendees. According to Oren’s rules, I was where I should be—no one seated behind me. In the small space between the chairs and wall, Isaac stood, also watching. While my concentration should be on the proceedings and testimony, his was on the surroundings and occupants.

  Rarely did I travel without him. Usually, he would have been with me, regardless of what had happened this morning—it was his job—but now it seemed even more paramount. Isaac had been with me for going on seven years. Next to Deloris, he was my most trusted associate.

  I needed to add Charli to that list. Considering the strides we’d made in our relatively new relationship, that shouldn’t be hard, but it was. Oren had taught me well. Few people deserved trust. Those who did earned it. I knew if I’d talked to my father about it, he’d tell me that after our short time together, Charli hadn’t earned it.

  Fuck!

  I didn’t fucking care if her name was Montague or even Davis—as in Severus Davis, the man testifying—at this point. The way I felt, the overpowering need to protect her, the way she made me feel, like I did deserve a woman like her, negated his warnings. I wasn’t being impulsive, nor was I thinking with my dick, as he’d said about my impromptu trip to San Francisco. I was thinking with my heart. I’d only ever listened to it once in my life. At thirty-two years old, it was time to give the vital organ one more listen.

  After Isaac picked me up at my house in Rye, for the first ten minutes of our drive, he apologized profusely for not being present in Central Park. I told him it was all right. It was.

  It wasn’t his fault. It was mine.

  I was the one who told Isaac to drop me off. I was the one who texted him and told him to meet me at Columbia. I was the one who allowed Charli’s desire for fresh air and sunshine to nearly be our demise.

  If the shooter hadn’t hit that woman, again, I would be responsible.

  Me.

  Her.

  It was what Charli did to me.

  I’d thought about the entire scenario from the moment I left Charli at the house. The danger we’d averted consumed my thoughts as Isaac drove and during my flight to DC. The entire time, as I read notes and prepared for the task ahead, Alexandria Collins was on my mind. Sometime during that reflection, I made a decision. I couldn’t allow her to do it any longer. This morning, I’d been thinking with my dick or maybe my heart. There was a time for that, but not when I needed to keep my head in the game.

  I wouldn’t let that happen again.

  I wouldn’t allow Charli to lower my defenses or lessen my instincts. Those predispositions had protected me throughout my life. T
hey’d kept me safe and alive. If I’d have listened to them instead of concentrating on work, Jo would still be alive.

  A new and unaccustomed discomfort filled my chest. For the first time—ever—I wasn’t overwhelmed with sadness at the thought of my wife. I loved her. I always would, but Charli said something this morning that I couldn’t shake. If Jocelyn were alive, I wouldn’t have met Charli. We wouldn’t be together. It wasn’t like I’d have ever left Jo. I wouldn’t.

  I was a one-woman man.

  A smile graced my lips as I thought about Charli—as I thought about being buried balls deep inside of her earlier today. How in the fuck could I imagine doing what so many men did? How could I imagine indulging in other women when I had the best, most amazing, sexy-as-hell, intelligent, witty, and beautiful woman waiting in my home?

  The last words she’d said in the bedroom came back, asking me to punish her, asking me to stay with her.

  Fuck!

  I needed to think about the testimony and listen to the speaker. If I didn’t, I’d grow so uncomfortably hard sitting right here amongst this gallery of finance assholes that I wouldn’t be able to stand.

  No matter what the future held, I couldn’t imagine cheating on, or leaving Charli—or losing her. Thankfully, at this moment, I could divert my attention knowing that she was safe with Deloris and Silvia. Tomorrow was another day. I refused to think about her back in Manhattan or about the possibility of dissension among Deloris’s ranks.

  I also couldn’t think about Jerrod right now, even though Deloris had told me what was happening. Worrying about it was Deloris’s job. She’d find out what happened.

  “No, sir.” The answer of the gentleman behind the microphone refocused my attention to the front of the room and reminded me why I was here instead of beside Charli.

  “What can you tell us about the implications of this minimal increase in taxes?”

  Minimal? Has he read the same draft I have?

  “The revenue will be invaluable to the states involved…”

  Fuck.

  My fists balled as I listened to Severus Davis. The fact that this paid mouthpiece was testifying in an expert role was laughable.