by Suzanne Rock
No one could know about his relationship with Ari, or his reasons for it. Yes, he had pursued her because she was Leo’s younger sister, but that wasn’t the only reason. Ari was a lot of fun, and their time together was a great way to let off steam. He found that he not only enjoyed their interludes, but looked forward to them. If Ari ever suspected that he was using her, she’d leave him; he was sure of it.
Not to mention the mess he’d have to deal with if their relationship was made public. He knew all too well how the media could twist words to suit their own purposes. He would be painted as evil and manipulating, and Ari as ignorant and dim-witted. Neither one of them wanted that kind of publicity nightmare.
Ten million dollars. It wasn’t so much money that he couldn’t afford it, but it still gave him pause. If he could just track down this loan shark and talk to him, he was sure he could straighten things out.
Frowning, he dumped the pictures, note, and envelope into the trash, refusing to devote any more time to it. He had much more important things to think about, things like the gorgeous Italian woman he had waiting for him up in the honeymoon suite. He was sure that Ari was spitting mad at him for not returning last night, and could almost picture her pacing the room, ready to give him the third degree. Some apology sex was in order, and then he had a meeting with the software developer to talk about the new rollout.
After e-mailing his head of security, a former PI who might be able to track down this loan shark using his connections, Jason picked up the phone and called the kitchen to order up some room service for the honeymoon suite. It would take time for his man to get some answers, and in the meantime Jason needed to step away from his computer. He had to refresh himself if he was ever going to find a way out of this mess. Coffee, sex, and a spin in his McLaren would hopefully get his brain functioning once more.
He let the phone ring for several seconds before he returned the receiver to its cradle in disgust. Where were they? Jason had advertised to his customers that the hotel had twenty-four-hour room service, so there should be people available to take the call. He tried again, and got the same response.
Curious, he got up from his desk, closed up his office, and went down to the hotel’s restaurant to see what was going on. Stone Suites offered its patrons a free breakfast buffet every morning after they stayed at the hotel. This morning was no different. As Jason walked into the restaurant area he saw the long buffet table with different trays arranged on top, each one filled with a variety of eggs, meats, and pastries for the guests. At the far end of the buffet table was a large coffee urn and several mugs. Patrons sat at the various tables enjoying their breakfast and talking quietly amongst themselves.
As a courtesy to the guests, the large-screen TV that hung on the wall on the opposite end of the room had been turned on. The local morning show was playing and the familiar anchors sat in front of a large window overlooking the Charles River. A small crowd, including several of his staff, huddled around the television set and murmured amongst themselves. Intrigued, Jason approached the crowd to find out what was going on. He stood off to one side and crossed his arms as he listened to one of the anchors speak.
“Today we have Whispers reporter Amanda Vaughn. She’s going to give us her take on the infamous Perconti non-wedding that happened this past weekend.” The anchorwoman turned in her seat to face the woman next to her. “Good morning, Amanda.”
“Good morning. It’s lovely to be here today. Thank you for having me.”
Jason frowned. He recognized Amanda all too well. Eighteen months ago, before he met Ari, he’d had a brief fling with the Whispers reporter. When he’d found out who she worked for, and her real reason for wanting to spend time with him, he had broken off the dalliance. Some people were willing to do anything in order to get a story.
“There have been a lot of rumors and speculation about what really went on at the Perconti wedding, but I know that you were there and can give us a firsthand account,” the anchorwoman said.
“Yes, of course.” Amanda cleared her throat. “Although the Percontis claim that Mr. Blake and Ms. Perconti loved each other, I had always suspected that the hasty nuptials were to cover up Mr. Blake’s most recent scandal. Blake Corporation has been struggling with an image problem ever since those infamous photos of him at Dark Desires were released to the public. The marriage to someone with such a squeaky-clean image like Arianna Perconti would go a long way to appease his conservative investors. I have a source who tells me that the head of Perconti Enterprises had spoken with Mr. Blake days before the wedding and a great deal of money exchanged hands. Furthermore, the merging of the two companies would surely give other hotel chains like Stone Suites a run for their money.”
Jason snorted and crossed his arms. Not likely. He inched closer to the television. “Turn it up,” he told a passing employee. The staff member hurried to carry out his orders.
“So you think Arianna’s wedding was being used by her brothers as part of some business deal?” the anchorwoman asked.
“I do. And I think Arianna discovered this business deal and ran away from the wedding with a broken heart. The big question now is … where is she, and who is she hiding with?”
“Good question,” the anchorwoman said. “I don’t think anyone knows the answer.”
“Oh, someone knows the answer,” Amanda said. “A friend, a relative … a lover.”
The anchorwoman widened her eyes in surprise. “Arianna Perconti has a lover?”
Amanda Vaughn flashed her a triumphant smile. “I suspect she does, yes. Why else would she run away from a wedding that would ensure her family’s financial stability if she had no other prospects?”
Was this woman for real? Where were the facts? Everything she’d said was speculation and rumor. She was a disgrace to her profession.
Jason took another step closer to the television, his gaze fixed on the reporter and anchorwoman as they continued their conversation.
“Do you know who this lover is?” the anchorwoman asked.
“Not yet, but I’m determined to find out. I’ve been following the Perconti family for years and they’ve yet to have a secret that I haven’t been able to uncover. I will find out who this lover is, it’s just a matter of time.”
“What does Landon Blake think of all of this?” the anchorwoman asked.
“I’ve tried to interview him, but he has been unavailable for comment…”
Jason turned away from the TV in disgust. The public’s fascination with the Percontis was beyond him. People should really learn to mind their own business.
“Interesting stuff, eh?” A low, familiar voice rose up from behind him.
Jason turned and found his brother sitting at a nearby table, eating an omelet. “You’re up early.”
“I don’t need much sleep. Besides, I’ve got a lot of work to do.” He tapped his hand on the Help Wanted section of the morning paper. “You, on the other hand, look as if you could’ve used a couple more snooze buttons.”
Jason sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Sorry, I’ve had a rather long night.”
“I can see that.” Deacon motioned to the seat next to him as he shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth. “Tell me about it.”
“You wouldn’t understand.” Jason shook his head and started to walk away, wanting to get back to Arianna. If there was such a media circus over her non-wedding, he could only imagine what would happen if they ever learned about his relationship with her.
“You never know. I’m more knowledgeable about these things than ya think.”
Jason turned to face his brother. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Deacon scooped up some more eggs onto his fork. “I’m not exactly inexperienced when it comes to listening to rich people’s problems. Sometimes I even help them get out of trouble.”
“I’m not in trouble.”
“You sure about that?” Deacon shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth and waved his fork in the air.
“Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.” He considered Jason for a moment before continuing. “Your problems wouldn’t happen to be centered around a certain Italian hotel heiress, would they?”
Jason made a sound of dismissal. “Absolutely not.”
Deacon nodded. “If you say so.” He returned his attention to his plate, which was piled high with pastries, eggs, and breakfast meats. “You just seemed real interested in what that reportah had to say.”
“This has nothing to do with Ari.”
Deacon raised his brows. “Ari?”
Jason waved his hand in dismissal. “Whatever her name is. It’s not about the Percontis. I’m just very busy.”
Deacon averted his gaze, but not before Jason saw the concern and sadness in his features. “Of course. You don’t trust me. I get it.”
No, Jason didn’t trust Deacon, or anyone else for that matter. He started to walk away, then hesitated. Jason thought about Leo and his brothers, and the close connection they shared. Jason had had to build his company from the ground up by himself. He’d had no one to talk to, no one to support him.
It would feel so good to have someone to confide in, and Deacon seemed to want to help. Perhaps he should give him the benefit of the doubt …
Jason slid into the seat next to his brother and placed his elbows on the table. “You can’t tell anyone about this.”
Deacon glanced up at him, then carefully put down his fork. “My lips are sealed.”
Jason took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “I think someone stole my identity. Now this loan shark is trying to blackmail me to settle some debts.”
Deacon widened his eyes. “Are you serious? Blackmail you with what?”
Jason shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. He just has some pictures that could be misconstrued as something scandalous.”
“How much does this loan shark want?”
“Ten million.”
Deacon whistled. “That’s a lot of money. Are you going to pay it?”
“Of course not. It isn’t my debt.”
“Did you talk to this guy?”
“I can’t. He didn’t leave any contact information. All I have is an invoice from some loan shark in Vegas, but I haven’t been able to do much with it.”
Deacon considered his words. “I could track him down for you.”
“No, I wouldn’t want you to get caught up in this. If this really is a loan shark, then chances are this guy is dangerous.”
“I can handle dangerous.”
“No, I don’t want anything to happen to you. This is my problem, I’ll deal with it.”
Deacon pushed his eggs around on his plate. “I don’t know,” he said after a while. “If this guy is as dangerous as you say, maybe it’s better not to argue with him. Just give him the money and move on.”
Jason shook his head. “I’m not going to be played for a fool, Deacon.”
“Even if it means that your relationship with this hotel heiress gets out in the media?” Deacon spooned another forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“I didn’t say I had a relationship with an heiress.”
“You didn’t need to. It’s written all over your face.” Deacon tilted his head and studied him as he chewed his food. “I’m willing to bet those pictures from your loan shark are of her.” He speared a sausage with his fork and took a bite. “And I bet that the media isn’t the only thing you’ll need to worry about once they are made public.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Deacon put down his sausage and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “This heiress was born into money, wasn’t she?”
“What does that have to do with it?”
Deacon leaned his forearms on the table. “Her family has probably had money for generations.”
“Are you trying to make a point?”
“My point is that sheltered girls who are born into money get pissed once they find out they’ve been conned by a blue-collar gigolo.”
“I’m not conning her.”
“You sure?”
Jason started to say yes, and then remembered how he had used Ari to get information about Perconti Enterprises. He might not be conning her for her money, but he was manipulating her all the same. It wasn’t much better.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re conning her or not,” Deacon said. “Once those pictures come out, it won’t take much digging to find out about your past. When she hears about it, she’ll assume the worst. Women always assume the worst of men.” Deacon picked up a pastry and examined the intricate frosting design on top before taking a bite. “You, of all people, should know that,” he said with his mouth full of food.
Jason knew that his brother was only trying to help him, but Deacon’s words had struck a little too close to home for comfort. “Ari’s not like that. She’s different.”
“Wake up, Jason.” Deacon placed his elbows on the table and pointed his pastry at the television set. “You and I don’t fit into their world. Never did.” He took another bite. “You can stick a suit on us, perhaps give us a few bucks, but it doesn’t change who we are inside.” He tapped his chest. “And once those socialites get to see what’s inside, they want nothing to do with us.”
Every muscle in Jason’s body tensed at the truth in his brother’s words. “Ari’s not that shallow.”
“Can you be sure of that?” When Jason didn’t answer, Deacon put down his pastry and patted Jason’s hand. “Just pay the guy and I’m sure he’ll disappear. It’s not like you can’t afford it.”
“I’m not paying a stranger for a debt that isn’t mine.” This was a mistake. Deacon didn’t understand him, and didn’t get the pressure he was under. His profit margins were razor thin until this new software could be rolled out, and he wasn’t going to start throwing money away for no good reason.
“You better prepare for the consequences, then.” When Jason scowled, Deacon shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
“I’ve got to go.” Jason stood and turned to his staff, who were still huddled in front of the television set, listening to that ignorant reporter prattle on like a baby bird, hungry for attention.
“Turn that damn thing off, and get back to work.” He stormed out of the restaurant before he could see their responses.
Deacon’s words had unnerved him, more than he cared to admit. He marched through the foyer to the elevators. Pressing the number on the keypad, he went to the floor where the honeymoon suites were located. He needed to take Ari away from this place and let loose for a little while. It was too hard to think with so much going on around him.
A beautiful woman and a fast car would go a long way toward lightening his mood. It would also help him clear his head, and Jason needed to be at the top of his game if he was ever going to get out of this mess.
Chapter 5
“Did you find her?” Karin asked as Leo walked into the room.
“No, but I found that damn Whispers reporter again.” He shook his head as he took off his suit jacket and tie. “A two-page spread and now we are the bumper for tonight’s television show.” He made a disgusted noise and tossed his clothes on the chair.
“Come here.” Karin sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her. “You’re getting too emotional.” Ever since they’d found Ari’s cell phone in Southie, Leo had been distraught. He and his brothers had spent every waking moment looking for their sister and had yet to find her.
“It’s hard to stay calm,” Leo said as he collapsed beside her. “Everything is falling apart.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “How are the investors coming along?”
“Not great. They all want assurances that Perconti Enterprises will remain solvent despite Mr. Blake’s departure.” She nudged his arm. “Turn around.”
He did as she asked, turning so his back was facing her. “She must be punishing me, Karin.”
“I don’t think she’s punishing you,” K
arin said as she began to massage his shoulders. “I think you’re punishing yourself with all of this stress. Did you take your medication?”
“I forgot in the rush to meet Dante in Faneuil Hall. I really thought we had her this time.” He pulled out his cell phone to check his messages. “We’re close though, I can feel it.” He swiped his screen and scowled. “Damn.”
“What?” Karin stilled her hands and peered over his shoulder.
“Mr. Gasaki wants me to meet with him. I’m sure it’s about his shares in the company.” Leo swiped the screen again.
“That’s the third one,” Karin said.
“Fourth.” He held up his cell to show her a text. “Kline wants to hold a meeting, too. I can only imagine that it’s because he’s considering a pullout as well.” He shook his head. “It’s impossible dealing with these things until I know Ari is okay.”
“I know.”
“If she’d just call me…” He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.
Karin lowered her hands as she felt her own cell phone vibrate in her pocket. “Go take your medicine. You need to take care of yourself first or you won’t be any good to anyone.”
He turned to face her and kissed her on the cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d be a basket case.” Karin smiled as Leo kissed her again, this time more passionately. As he moved from her lips to her jaw, Karin felt her phone vibrate once more. Reluctantly, she pulled back and patted him on the shoulder. “Go.”
Leo flashed her a seductive smile and stood. “We aren’t finished here.”
She leaned back on the couch, causing the tops of her breasts to peek out from her low-cut shirt. “I know.”
Leo growled and went to the bathroom to take his medication, tapping on his cell as he walked. Letting out a long sigh, Karin pulled out her phone and saw that the number was unknown. Karin frowned as she swiped the screen.
“Hello?”
“Karin? It’s Ari.”
After a quick glance toward the bathroom, Karin moved to the kitchen. “Where are you? Is everything okay?”
“I’m okay.” Her voice hitched on the words.
