by Debra Lee
“Nothing, thank you. I need to get back to the studio.”
A surge of fear swept through him as he watched her stand. She couldn’t leave. Not now. Not when she was finally opening up.
“Are you sure you won’t have another coffee? Maybe by then the rain will let up.”
“No. I must go.”
“When can I see you again?” came out in one desperate breath as she started for the door.
“Call me,” she said without as much as a glance back at him.
The rain had eased when she saw the limousine parked at the same spot where she left it. She felt a little ridiculous now when she thought about what she’d done. Racing down the street in the pouring rain was foolish when the car had been right there waiting for her. But when she remembered her disoriented state, she forgave herself.
Now that the confusion had passed, anger moved in. The feeling became so powerful she feared what form of revenge it might insist she take.
Thankful Peggy was on the phone when she returned to work, Jackie zipped past her desk and closed herself inside her office. Spotting the red roses Peggy had arranged near the window gave her a moment’s pause before she leaned forward and smelled the delicate pedals. She closed her eyes, savoring the aroma before making her way to the chair behind her desk. With complete ease, she plunged into the pile of work that had accumulated on her desk.
Jackie counted three rings before reaching across the desk and pushing down the intercom button.
“Yes, Peggy?”
“Marcus DeMario is on line two.”
The Ice Lady remained emotionless when she thanked her secretary and picked up the receiver and pushed the blinking hold button. She kicked back in her seat as she raised the receiver to her ear.
“Hi, there.”
“I miss you,” he said.
What a clever liar you are. “I miss you too, darling,” came out in a deep lusty tone. “When do I get to see you?”
Marcus hesitated. “Tomorrow.”
“How about one hour?”
“My hotel suite.”
“I can hardly wait,” Jackie said in a deeper, more seductive tone before slowly putting down the receiver.
She took a few moments to meditate before reaching for the receiver and poking in the numbers to Randal Alexander’s office. As soon as she gave the receptionist her name, she was put through to his private line.
“Mr. Alexander, I am sending my chauffeur to pick up that document we spoke about Is it ready?”
“It will be when he arrives, Miss Bertoni.”
Chapter Ten
Jackie climbed into the back seat of the limousine after giving Charles instructions that she needed a quiet ride. A decision she regretted almost the instant she laid her head back against the cool leather and closed her eyes.
A vision of Marcus hovering over her on the bed came to her. His professionally styled black hair messed. His brow moistened with perspiration, a few beads streaming down his temples. And those eyes, the mesmerizing stare. Jackie’s body was an erupting volcano. The bubbly hot liquid traveling through her at a speed so great she wanted to cry, to scream from the pleasure the experience brought her.
His voice was a rough whisper in her ear as he collapsed on top of her with the completion of his orgasm. “I love you, Talia. I love you, my darling wife.”
Jackie shot straight up on the edge of her seat. Her eyes wide open. Her breathing frantic. She managed a few deep breaths to calm herself. Once she had, she eased back against the leather.
You are the same Marcus DeMario who left me all those years ago in Italy. The same manipulative creature incapable of understanding the destruction he brings to others so long as he gets what he wants.
“I have a surprise for you Marcus DeMario,” Jackie murmured. You are not dealing with a naïve girl anymore. Living with a genius manipulator for the last sixteen years had taught her more than enough to deal with him.
Jackie hesitated long enough to bring herself into an emotional state of complete control before she knocked on the door to Marcus’s hotel suite.
The minute the door swung open and she saw him, those eyes, she struggled to keep her composure, to keep from falling under his spell. It is your turn Jackie, she reminded herself as she stepped inside.
Marcus pushed the door closed. Before he had a chance to get out a single word of welcome, Jackie moved into his arms. Her lips covered his. The way her tongue kissed his had Marcus aching for more. For her to torture him with her tongue and lips until he wanted to howl from the pleasure.
His hands were on her buttocks, pushing her tighter to him. Jackie enjoyed rubbing against the throbbing hardness in his pants. Enjoyed how easily she’d aroused him. The moment she felt herself becoming anxious, she pulled back.
“I think we should slow down.”
Marcus’s lips cut off her last word. Jackie allowed the kiss to continue just long enough to keep him hard. The second time she pulled back, she used all of her strength to step out of his reach.
“We need to talk, Marcus.”
“We’ll talk later,” he moaned as he moved toward her.
But Jackie stepped behind the bar. “What can I get you?” she asked, already pouring herself a bourbon.
Marcus glanced at his wristwatch. “I don’t want a drink. I want you, baby.”
Of course, you do. A quick roll between the sheets before you go home to wifey, Jackie thought. “And I want you.”
Her lips were so close to touching his that Marcus stood dumbfounded when she walked out around the bar toward the sofa. He watched her reach inside her suit jacket and pull out a folded bulk of papers from the pocket.
“What have you got there?”
Jackie unfolded the legal-sized document and glanced up at him. For one brief moment when her eyes looked into his, she felt a pang of fear. You can handle him, she reminded herself and proceeded.
Slowly, seductively, she slipped off her jacket. Very much aware of how Marcus’s eyes lingered on the erect breasts poking at the silk material of her blouse.
“Marcus, do you remember me telling you last night about having a partner in Sinclair Productions?”
He swallowed hard. “I suppose.”
“I found out who that investor is.” She watched him begin to pale before moving away from her and going to the bar. “Like I told my attorney, the investor’s firm was the one who purchased the shares of my company. I also told him the man who headed the firm couldn’t possibly keep track of all his holdings.” She broke off a second to give him time to digest everything she’d said. She hoped he’d be ready to cut in after her next statement. “And I told him if you were aware that I wanted to buy out your share, you would never refuse the generous offer.”
Marcus put down the glass of Scotch he’d poured and gave Jackie a surprised look. “Are you saying I’m the investor you want to buy out?”
“I didn’t think you knew,” she told him. You are very good at this game, she thought.
“Of course I didn’t know. If I had, I’d have sold my share just like you said.”
“I know. And that’s why I didn’t think you’d mind that I had my attorney draw up the necessary papers.”
Marcus made his way to the sofa and dropped next to her. “I don’t mind at all.” He took her hands in his and drew them to his lips. “Now can we put business aside?”
His lips were about to close over hers. But Jackie turned her head away and reached for the papers she’d placed on the coffee table. “Just as soon as you sign.”
“Now?”
“It’ll only take a minute,” she assured. When Marcus raised his glass to his lips and it appeared she was losing, she lowered her voice to the level she knew he’d find irresistible. “Then my darling, I’m yours for the rest of the night.”
Marcus had masterfully manipulated deals over the years. A few had come close to backfiring. But none had, until now. If he didn’t sign, Jackie would become suspicious. But
if he signed, he had no real hold on the woman. The thought made him uncomfortable. He’d learned a long time ago, survival meant always having some kind of hold on the people he dealt with. It provided loyalty.
He watched her slowly run her tongue across her lower lip as she held the pen out to him. The pleasurable sensations that same tongue brought him the night before overpowered him. “Where do I sign?” he asked, accepting the pen.
Jackie had won. She’d beat Marcus DeMario at his own game. A victory celebration was in order. One that she made up her mind Marcus would think of often in the days ahead.
She prepared herself to fulfill her promise the second he finished signing the document that gave her sole ownership of Sinclair Productions.
She led him by the hand into the bedroom suite. The seductive way she slowly began removing her clothes had Marcus on the brink of losing his control. When she stood naked, she worked on him, tasting and touching him everywhere as she undressed him.
As she brought him to heights of pleasure she wanted to believe rare to him, Jackie allowed her own body to feel pleasure. She knew Marcus would never forget this night. The night he became addicted to her. In the days ahead when his body ached for her, for relief to the agony, Jackie would find pleasure in knowing he suffered.
With hours of lovemaking behind them, exhaustion finally took them over. Jackie lay in his arms. Her head rested on his heaving chest where she listened to his heart beat become less and less erratic. Then finally, the beating leveled off to a steady rhythm. She slowly raised her head off him enough to see he’d fallen asleep. She cautiously worked her way to the edge of the mattress. One quick glance back to make certain he still slept and she slid off the edge and pulled on her clothes.
One thing remained to be done. She found a piece of note paper in the nightstand drawer. In Italian she wrote, it was wonderful, darling. She signed it, Jackie. There was no I love you. The words were too difficult for her. She still had no idea of their meaning. She folded the paper in half and placed it on the pillow next to him.
When Jackie ducked inside the limousine and pulled shut the door, Charles shot up in the front seat where he’d been napping.
“Let’s go home now, Charles.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
It was after ten when Jackie settled herself into the study at home. She wasn’t hungry but ate the dinner Sara had left in the oven for her since she hadn’t eaten a thing all day. She knew if she continued abusing her body in such a way it would soon rebel. She couldn’t afford to get sick. Not now when she needed every ounce of strength she could summon.
Instead of carrying a glass of bourbon with her to her favorite chair, she went to the vault and retrieved Desmond’s journal. It took her most of the night to reread the contents of the thick book. As she did her review, she was careful not to forget to tear out each page that mentioned her. She set fire to those pages in the garbage can next to the desk.
In the early hours of the morning, she climbed the stairs to her room. But she had no plans to crawl into bed. Too much remained to be done. She’d have plenty of time to sleep on the plane.
Chapter Eleven
The western sky was ablaze with the glitter of diamonds. A breathtaking sight Jackie took a moment to enjoy when she stepped out of the limousine at the airport. She waited at the door for Charles to collect her luggage.
“You’d think I was going away for a month,” Jackie said, her way of apologizing to Charles for the three suitcases he lugged through the door she held open.
“A month’s a long time, Miss Bertoni.”
Jackie saw Charles fighting off the tears filling his eyes. She felt like crying herself, but kept the tears at bay. It felt good to know she would be missed. And even though she was only planning to be away a week, she knew she would miss Charles and his stories.
When she thought about it, she realized she’d never been away from him or Sara longer than a few days at a time over the years. Even the times she was away on location overseeing the filming of a project, she’d bring Charles and Sara along. Desmond had always insisted they accompany her if he was unable to.
Neither would be accompanying her on this trip. She needed to make this journey alone. For the first time in her life she was in charge. For the first time in thirty two years, Jackie Bertoni was controlling her own destiny. Or would be soon. One more score to settle and her life would be her own.
Jackie picked up her airline ticket at the desk that she had Peggy call ahead and reserve. Her luggage checked in, she turned to her watery-eyed chauffeur and smiled. “You take care of Sara while I’m gone, Charles.”
“I will.”
Jackie crashed against his chest. Her hug was quick and powerful. Then she pulled back and looked up at him. “You have yourself some fun too. But easy on the married ladies.”
A warm sensation filled her, knowing she’d been able to send him away wearing a smile. She glanced at her watch. She had a short wait before boarding her scheduled flight. She sat down on one of the few vacant seats near the window overlooking the airstrip. She watched jets taking off, then focused on a whirling propeller. In a short time the jet was moving. A combination of excitement and fear coasted up her spine. There was still time to change her mind. If she did, she knew she’d be condemning herself to a life of never feeling whole.
Her eyelids suddenly grew heavy. Just before they closed completely, she forced them open. The past twenty four hours had worn her out. But when she thought back, she was positive she hadn’t forgotten anything.
She’d packed her suitcases in the early morning hours. Before she had Charles drive her to the studio she made certain he’d delivered the package she gave him instructions on earlier. Then she took several hours to go over the next weeks schedule with Peggy. A luncheon appointment at Cresco’s with Randal Alexander took up a good part of the afternoon. She remembered the surprised look on the attorney’s face when she handed him the signed documents he’d drawn up for her the day before.
By four o’clock, she was behind the desk in her study at home. The arrangements had all been made. She opened the center desk drawer and hesitated before reaching inside and pulling out the photograph. The white glossy edges of the five by seven photo had turned a pale yellow shade. But the picture of the little girl smiling from where she sat on the lap of a very proud man hadn’t faded.
Jackie ran the tips of her long polished fingernails over the man’s smile. You were the first manipulator, Papa. You robbed me of so much. You, Marcus and then Desmond. All three of you professed to love me. Was the pain each brought me love? Jackie did not have the answer.
Thoughts of the pitiful woman who’d given birth to her descended upon Jackie. You’re a woman now, she’d told Jackie the day she thought her daughter had started menstruation. Jackie remembered asking her if she could have a baby now.
Oh no, Jackie. First you must finish school. Then you will meet a nice boy who will be a good husband. Then you can have a baby.
Jackie knew she hadn’t remembered all the words right. But the general idea of the conversation with Mama that day she remembered well.
“You were wrong, Mama,” Jackie said, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes. “There are no nice boys that grow into good husbands.”
The sound of the telephone ringing startled her. She used the back of her hands and dried her face. By the third ring, she brought her emotions under control and reached for the receiver. “Hello.”
“Jackie.”
The sound of his voice managed to chase away all the bad feelings plaguing her. “Mr. District Attorney, what can I do for you?”
“It’s what you’ve already done. I just finished reading Desmond’s journal. It’s loaded. Thank you, Jackie.”
“For what?”
“Okay, deny it if you want. But somebody delivered the book to my office bright and early this morning.”
“It wasn’t me,” Jackie said. After all, it was Charles who’d delivered
the thick book once she’d wrapped it in a brown paper bag and addressed it to the district attorney.
“Anyway, with this information it shouldn’t be too difficult gathering enough evidence to indict some of the major players.”
“Is it too soon to offer congratulations?”
“Congratulate me when I get a conviction for Desmond’s killer.” His words knocked the wind out of her. “Jackie, you there?”
“Do you know who’s responsible?”
“Yes. I believe you do too.”
Jackie licked her dry lips. “Do you know how Marcus found out Desmond made a deal with you?”
“I do. But I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. I have no plans to pursue that matter.”
“So how do you plan to prove Marcus had Desmond rundown?”
“I’m willing to offer a deal to the guy who followed his boss’s order. When he takes the deal, Marcus is going to be charged with Desmond’s murder.”
“Tony’s too loyal to sell him out.”
“I disagree. But I think we should have dinner together to discuss it further.
Jackie listened to his last sentence come through the line in one quick rush. Almost as if he needed to extend the invitation before he lost his nerve.
“I don’t think restaurants like us very much.”
Andy chuckled. “I think you’re right. Hey, I got an idea.”
“I’m listening.”
“If you don’t mind the mess of a bachelor’s apartment, I make a pretty mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
Jackie tossed back her head with a laugh. It was when she leaned forward she was reminded. She picked up the photograph and stared at it.
“The sandwich sounds delicious. But I’m afraid I can’t make it tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
The tip of her fingernail ran over Papa’s face. “Positive. Could I have a rain check?”
“You can have as many as you like…”
Chapter Twelve
Passengers for the European flight were boarding the jet. Jackie stood among the group waiting in line.
