by Cynthia Dane
The receptionist’s voice blasted over Alice’s intercom early Thursday afternoon. “Mrs. Monroe?” Startled, Alice dropped her expensive fountain pen, a huge smudge forming on her paper. Shit. “You have someone here to see you.”
“Who is it?” Damn receptionist. Why couldn’t she ever be more descriptive? “I’m busy.”
“Too busy for me?” came a lightly accented, somewhat familiar voice.
Alice gave up fixing the smudge on her paper. “Come on in.”
Dee admitted Natsuko Matsuda to Alice’s office. The Japanese heiress wore a green and blue floral dress that swished with every movement of her long and lean legs. She is officially hotter than me. Alice wasn’t jealous. Nope. Just incredibly bloated and irritable. I woke up like this. Threw up half my dinner. Still bloated and gross. Her shoes didn’t fit great, either. Was it too soon to have swollen feet? Because her feet were totally swollen.
“Pleasure,” Alice said, standing up and forcing a smile. She shook Natsuko’s smooth hand. The guest sat in one of the chairs. “What can I do for you, Ms. Matsuda? In town for long?”
“Only for two or three days, unfortunately. I actually can’t stay long, as I have some meetings to attend.” She tossed her silky, ebony black hair over her shoulder. “I decided to stop by and see the miracle for myself.”
Alice slowly sank back into her chair. “What miracle?”
“Why, the miracle of you being the new Mrs. Monroe!” Natsuko’s laugh was more practiced than Alice’s smile. “I could hardly believe it when word reached me in Osaka. My father was even more shocked. He and your father-in-law were still having talks about me marrying Damon.”
Of course they were. Mr. Matsuda probably had no idea what he was signing his daughter up for. Russell, on the other hand, knew perfectly well that his son was already fucking married! “I’m sorry if this means there is animosity between us. Damon and I married quite… quickly.”
“Please. What animosity?” Natsuko was perfectly capable of her own cheeky grins. “Besides, your situation is quite common where I’m from. I daresay my father was expecting to see me in your position before an official engagement was announced.”
“My…” Oh. The pregnancy thing. Alice was fairly certain that she became pregnant after marriage, but the public was being led to believe it was the reason she and Monroe married so hurriedly. “I see.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Monroe.” Did she actually delight in saying that to Alice? “I never had a real interest in your husband. He’s handsome, but I barely knew him. You were in the picture before I had the chance to even consider dating him.” She held up her hands. “Not that he ever asked!”
Alice brushed this exchange off. “No worries. So, what can I do for you, then?”
“Well, I wasn’t going to bother you, but there was something bothering me.” Natsuko leaned in across Alice’s desk. The scent of floral perfume was heavy in Alice’s nose. Cherry blossoms. Quaint. “Shortly after my father delivered that news to me, he came back with the strangest request. He wanted me to meet with Russell Monroe instead of his son!”
“What?”
“Yes, that was my reaction.” Natsuko wrinkled her nose. “My father is not the bluntest man I know, especially toward me, his only daughter. We have a very professional relationship. I suppose that’s why he approached me professionally to say he wanted to broker a marriage between me and Russell!”
“What!”
“Sou.” Natsuko pulled out a handkerchief and brushed something off her hand. “My father would have me become your step-mother-in-law.”
“Wow.” Russell really wanted the Matsudas’ money, apparently.
“If that wasn’t enough, I was then told that part of the deal was becoming pregnant as soon as possible.”
Alice was speechless. Yet, she was also not surprised. Heirs. He wants an heir that will compete with his own son’s. Russell’s drive to have as much control as possible knew no bounds. He would oust his own grandchild as heir if it meant his new son or daughter could take over. How did inheritance work in this family, again? Would Damon’s sibling come before his own child?”
“Fuck.”
“That’s what I said.” Natsuko sat back up. “I thought you should know.”
“Are you accepting the offer?”
Natsuko snorted. “It’s a very attractive offer and would do wonders for my own family, not to mention yours. The Monroes have been trying to expand in East Asia for years. My family is a good catalyst to make that happen. But…”
“You have some hesitations.”
“If I were to agree to a marriage of convenience, I would’ve much rather married your husband, yes. I can’t say I’m excited by the prospect of having a husband as old as my own father. I have a lot to think about.” Her eyes flickered. “You’re inside this family now. What are your opinions?”
Alice bit her lip. “Honestly? Think very carefully about it. I know Russell’s ex-wife. Neither she nor I have nice things to say about that man.” Alice swallowed. “I don’t think most of the women in this office do.”
“I’ve heard things, yes.” Natsuko stood, purse strap secured to her shoulder. “I’m a tough woman who is used to getting what she wants, Mrs. Monroe. Except I have to weigh the pros and cons. Without Damon’s further interests, I have a lot more to think about. Thank you for your opinions. Perhaps I will see you around.”
Dee showed Natsuko back out. Alice sat in her office, alone, debating whether or not to call her husband about this matter. Does he know his father is trying to remarry and have more children? With any luck, Russell wouldn’t live long enough to fuck up another son or daughter – or wife, for that matter. Yet this move was so transparent that even Damon had to see what his father was up to.
Alice opened her bottom drawer to pull out some of her personal documents. However, the moment she disturbed the top paper, she saw the manila envelope Russell had dropped off over a week ago.
No. Don’t even.
Alice pulled it out and let it flop onto her desk. Burn it, Alice. Put it through the shredder. This never existed.
A blown up black and white photo stuck out from the opening.
She saw that same obsidian hair that had just walked out of her office.
No.
Alice knew what she was going to see even before pulling out the stack of private investigator photos.
Damon.
Damon.
Natsuko.
Damon.
Natsuko.
Damon and Natsuko, sitting together at the fundraisers he went to without his wife. Having a dance at a gala in New York when Alice was stuck in the hospital yet again. Eating together… alone… with only a bodyguard to watch over them. Different outfits. Different moods on their faces.
Always sitting close together. Touching. Talking. Cozy and comfortable.
One particularly incriminating photo showed them standing in front of a hotel. A. Hotel.
You…
Alice held the picture up to the light. Her husband had one hand on Natsuko’s back, a tender touch that he should only show his wife.
What was that on Natsuko’s hand? The photo may have been in black and white, but she recognized a ruby ring on Natsuko’s left hand when she saw it. Marquise cut.
Alice glanced down at her emerald ring before looking at the final photo.
A friendly kiss? Or something more?
Alice’s heart roared in her chest. Or was that blood filling her ears? Anger? Rage? Pregnancy hormones making her want to kill a fucking bitch?
Paper fluttered to the desk.
“Ms. Culver,” Russell’s handwriting was unmistakable, “I hope this evidence is satisfactory. If you truly love my son as you claim, then you have no reason to stay with him. He does not love you. This is only one of many women he has been seen with since marrying you. Do you know what Damon told me? He said that he was going to remain married to you until the child was born. He intends to divorce you and marry Ms. Matsuda
instead. As you can see, he has no intention of staying true to you until then. Why would he?
“Here is what I propose. Leave him now. You may stay married until your child is born, but I do not want you or the child near him. You will be taken care of. I hear there are many wonderful properties on the west coast looking for single mothers and their ilk. Pick one, and it will be yours, as well as plenty of money to set you and the child up for life. In return, you will have no further contact with my son. I don’t think that’s unfair to ask.”
Alice crumpled the paper in her hand and threw it into her trashcan. A cry of disbelief escaped her.
Of course, Dee had heard. The office door opened, and there was the bodyguard, staring Alice down as if she half expected to see her charge bloody on the floor. That’s my heart, dumbass. My heart is the only thing bleeding right now.
“I’m fine!” Alice insisted. No. No she wasn’t. Every bit of reason inside her said that this was a trick. Damon would never. He would never cheat on Alice. He said he wasn’t interested in Natsuko! This, though…
This was damning. Not one meeting, but multiple meetings? Over many days? Every time he went out for business without me… was he meeting her? Alice did her best to not cry, let alone in front of Dee, but how could she not? Her hormones were in another galaxy, and her husband… her fucking husband…
Alice composed herself. She quietly shoved the photos back into her bottom drawer and straightened out her black Dior jacket.
Dee watched as Alice picked up her cell phone and stared at Damon’s number. Instead of calling him, however, she texted Ms. Sarah Clayborn and asked her to come over at her convenience.
That was within ten minutes.
“Yes?” Ms. Clayborn stood next to Dee, emotionless.
“Where is my husband, Ms. Clayborn?”
She tilted her head. “In his office, having a meeting.”
“With whom?”
Finally, a reaction. Ms. Clayborn cleared her throat, blush overcoming her complexion. “Ms. Matsuda.”
Don’t. React. “Please ask my husband to meet me for dinner tonight. He can call me about it when he’s finished with his meeting.” It better not be a fuck date, I swear to… The thought of Damon Monroe ramming that heiress on his couch like he often fucked his wife… Alice was going to throw up again.
“I will, Mrs. Monroe.”
“Oh, and Ms. Clayborn?” Alice said as the assistant turned around to leave. “I want to make it clear that you no longer work for Russell Monroe. You’ll work for me before you work for him.”
That was a helluva lump going down Ms. Clayborn’s throat. “Yes, ma’am.” She stopped halfway across the room. “Thank you.”
At least someone got some good news that day.
***
“Where the hell is my husband?”
Alisha shook where she stood. “Mr. Monroe had an emergency meeting at five. He didn’t tell you?”
“No!” Alice leaped up from her seat. The emerald paperweight rolled off her desk and onto the floor. “I told the bastard to contact me as soon as he could so we could arrange dinner.”
“He left with Ms. Matsuda.”
“Where the fuck did they go?”
Alice’s intensity shook the walls. Dee let out a low whistle. Alisha? Alisha looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there. “I don’t know, ma’am. I saw them leave shortly after five. That’s it.”
“Ms. Clayborn!”
This was the second time her husband’s assistant was summoned. This was the first time she did not reply. She’s with them.
“Fuck!” Alice shoved things around her desk, searching for her phone. Alisha stepped forward and carefully pulled the royal purple case from a stack of folders. Alice snatched it out of her assistant’s hand.
“Where are you?” she texted her husband.
Alice had opened a chat window with Ms. Clayborn to ask her the same thing when Monroe replied.
“Blowing off some steam while meeting a couple of people. I’ll be home late.”
“You didn’t wait for me?
No response.
This wasn’t like him. Damon always stopped by to see what she wanted to do after work, or at least to tell her where he had to be. For him to walk out without any warning? No real information? It was so preposterous that Alice’s brain went into overdrive thinking of all the horrible things he and Natsuko were up to in some hotel room somewhere. They can both afford the nicest one in town. The bastard! When Alice got her hands on them? She was choking Natsuko out and smashing her husband’s useless baby-making cock!
She spent the next two hours trying to find out where the fuck they were. As each minute passed, Alice became increasingly paranoid. Alisha was finally released to go home, but Dee sat around the now empty office, shaking her head every time Alice lost her shit yet again.
“I don’t know what’s going on, ma’am, but you need to calm down. If not for yourself…” She gestured to Alice’s stomach. “You’ve got enough stress in your life.”
Don’t remind me. Alice blew up her husband’s phone again. This time she left her third voicemail, demanding to know where the fuck he was. Was he with Natsuko Matsuda? She hoped they were having a good time! Already done with me because I’m pregnant, bastard? All his talk of being a good husband and father… did he miss the part where that started with not being a cheating asshole?
She should have known better. Men like that were never worth shit. He had his pick of women for years. Why would that stop because they met? I’m so stupid. I’m such a loser. Alice paced in her office, staring at her phone, hoping it would ring or light up with a text. It never did.
By now the sun was mostly down, the office dark save for a few lamps. Dee, tired and hoping her boss would go home soon, held up her own cell phone. “Just heard back from Mr. Monroe’s bodyguard.”
Alice shot a wild eye at her. “Where!”
Dee did not usually look this uncomfortable. “The Dark Hour.”
Blowing off steam…
Blowing off steam?
“Bet there’s a new fucking hostess,” Alice said, grabbing her jacket and marching out of her office. She buzzed her driver to meet her curbside. “He’s gotta fuck her too, you know!”
Dee said nothing as they took the most excruciating elevator ride ever. Alice was ready to bust some fucking balls. Or cry until she died. It would depend on whatever fucking evidence she found at that lurid sex club she now owned.
Chapter 19
“You really shouldn’t go up there!” Susan chased Alice through the main room of the club, where obnoxious electronic music thrummed beneath the chaos of laughter and pleasurable moans. Remind me to ban this shitty music in the near future! There was no reason in Alice’s brain. Just pure, unadulterated rage. “It’s currently occupied, if you know what I mean.”
Alice rounded on her old supervisor at the bottom of the stairs. The Diamond VIP room lurked overhead, dark and ominous. Damon’s up there. I know he is! Considering the amount of sex going on in here on a Thursday night, she knew exactly what to expect up there. “Of course it’s occupied! My husband reserved it, didn’t he?”
Susan regained her composure, hands clasping before her and lips pursing. “Technically, yes.” She looked at Alice as if that were a stupid question to ask. Because it is. The Diamond VIP room was always available to the owners whenever they wanted. If Monroe came here tonight, he definitely reserved the best spot in the house.
“Tell me right now,” Alice spat, hand on the stair railing. “Did he bring Natsuko Matsuda here with him?”
Susan really, really did not want to respond. Yet what was she going to do? Lie to the owner? For the other owner? I own this fucking place now. Speak, asshole. “I don’t know who that is. Honestly. But it sounds…”
“Japanese!”’
A squeak shot out of Susan. “Yes!”
Alice was halfway up the stairs, powered by nothing but pain. I’m going to kill them both
. I’ll show that bitch for being so nice to me earlier, the husband-stealing cow! Alice was a fan of full-blown misogyny when she was under the delusion that her husband was cheating on her.
As for him?
Dick. Hacked. Off. See if he has any little heirs now!
It didn’t matter that Susan clanked up the stairs after her. It didn’t matter that more than one person in the main room of the club glanced curiously in her direction. It sure as fuck didn’t matter that something in the back of her mind begged her to not do this. Why? Because it couldn’t handle the truth? Because it actually thought Alice was losing it?
She was well convinced of her suspicions when she reached the top of the stairs and saw that obsidian black hair bobbing up and down in the dimmed lights. Like its owner bobbed up and down on some man’s cock.
Alice was stunned. Really? Right out in public like that? She totally expected to see anything. Including sex. Actually seeing her husband with his mistress in his lap? Rich!
Before Susan could pull Alice away from the VIP area, the blighted Mrs. Monroe marched forward, ready to snatch that hair and yank the traitorous bitch Natsuko Matsuda off Damon’s dick.
“Holy…!”
Time stopped. Alice had a chunk of that hair in her hand and looked down into Natsuko’s mortified face.
That was not, however, Damon’s lap she was riding.
“What the fuck!” Some man Alice had never seen before shoved Natsuko off his lap and hurried to cover his erection.
“Oh no…” Susan kept her distance now, one hand slapped to her forehead. Dee was halfway up the stairs and looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there.
“He’s in the main office!” Dee shouted over the music. “You done embarrassin’ that poor woman yet?”
Alice turned, humiliation crashing over her as she realized what she had done. Natsuko clamped her legs together and stuffed her breasts back into her dress. The man was still reeling from having his fun time interrupted.
“Who the fuck are you?”
The man looked at Alice as if she were certified nuts.
“That’s my boyfriend!” Natsuko yelled. “What the hell is your problem?”
