Startled, she stopped. “Why not?”
“Anthony said they’ll all be out their waiting for us and once we open the door, they’ll try to get in.”
She watched blearily as Stacey peeked through the blinds. Hearing Stacey’s gasp of shock, Jade said with such great desolation in her voice, “They’re already here aren’t they?”
Chapter Twenty-one
Matt sat in his chair smiling to himself. The shit had definitely hit the fan. He had given a couple of news reporters a heads up. Told them to be in front of Jade Tanner’s rental house in Kalispell early Wednesday morning. Already they had called to thank him for the tip.
Everybody was in an uproar and it was all they could talk about. How the uptight, arrogant, too good to mix with the common people ice queen bitch from Tanner Industries got herself a whore to fuck with. The pictures were sensational but the video uploaded to CU Network even more so. Everyone knew about Jade Cosmetics and Tanner Industries but not too much about the elusive, reclusive Jade Tanner. They did know about her well documented views on women’s issues. Now that was coming back to bite her on the ass. Her apparent elitism made people feel they had the right to comment left, right and center.
Some were Jesus Freaks saying they were both going to hell, some were from guys and gals who wanted to have an orgy with the two women, some promised that if Jade had sex with them it would be the best sex ever and she’d forget all about that little whore. But most of the comments were from people who were the back bone of America, the hard working middle class, who wondered at the lack of morals everyone in positions of power seemed to be missing. Did money make them think they could do whatever they wanted and rules didn’t apply to them? What was the world coming to? Was the common theme.
Anthony sat with his hands braced on his desk as if he could stop the onslaught of what was sure to come. What he had feared had come to pass.
He knew Jade loved Stacey but the way she had gone about it wouldn’t wash clean no matter how they presented it. Already he had been called to an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors. For now his rescue flight to the women would be delayed until this was dealt with.
Even though his door was closed, he could feel the energy, the buzz, emanating from the office workers outside pouring through every pore and crevice of the building. In fact the whole of New York was on fire with the news of Jade Tanner’s fall from grace. The old adage would prove true, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Plus her clear and unmistakable opinion that a woman can get anywhere she wants to by using her innate intellectual intelligence. She had defended her magazine ads saying they were inspiring and uplifting to women. Not demeaning to them. Her models were always beautiful and elegant in her campaigns. Never slutty. Beauty wasn’t the problem she maintained. Using sexuality to sell was the problem whether it was in an ad campaign or selling it on the street. Now she looked like the ultimate hypocrite paying for sex.
Brendan had already called him several times that morning and was cancelling the rest of his European bookings to come home to Anthony and Jade. For that he was very grateful. Right now he could really use Brendan’s support.
Straightening his shoulders and hardening his stare, he got up and exited his office. His energy said “Don’t mess with me”. An instant hush fell over the staff. He knew many were wondering how much he had known about Jade and Stacey. The truth was not much until the end when Jade confessed.
He wanted to call her to make sure she was okay. Right now though he had to enter the lion’s den and defend Jade against a very worthy foe. Not all would be in physical attendance but with the advent of modern technology there was no grace period Anthony thought bitterly. Video conferencing would see to that.
******
Letting Reilly out anyhow, Stacey was immediately ambushed by a news reporter and cameraman stepping out from behind the bushes in the back yard. She never expected in a million years they would trespass right onto their property.
The news reporter immediately started asking her a barrage of questions.
“Is it true Ms. Jackson that Ms. Tanner paid for your sexual services and that she is currently still paying you to be her sexual companion?
“And can you confirm for us that it initially started out as an on-line relationship in your private chat room where Ms. Tanner would ask you to perform various sexual acts on camera for her viewing pleasure?
“And is it true that Ms. Tanner offered to pay you an additional fee as an escort so you would stay with her because you have a no female policy on your website?”
Stephanie Powers, an up and coming news reporter vying for a job with one of the major networks, smiled to herself as Stacey stepped back inside slamming the door leaving the dog. The look on Stacey’s face when the last question was asked told Stephanie that she had hit a home run. Matt, himself, had supplied the question to her. It had been a sheer guess on his part due to her no female policy. Still simply seeing the look on that whore’s face had been worth it even if it got them nowhere. Stephanie, who had attended Ivy League schools and had never known a harsh day in her life, with her cool blonde good looks and blessed upbringing sat in harsh judgment of the lowlifes like Stacey Jackson who traded their bodies for cash. She was sure being the first one on the scene with this story was going to land her the job she so desperately desired.
Sitting on the living room sofa with her cell phone still in her hands, Jade had shock and disbelief written all over her face. How could they know so much about them? In her wildest imaginings she had never thought it would come to this.
She had thought Stacey’s past might come to light at some time in the distant future but she thought she had been so careful, so discreet that it would never be found out.
Looking up she saw Stacey with her arms crossed biting her lower lip. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I wanted you, I still want you. And I’ve enjoyed every minute being with you. It’s going to be rough for a while but we’ll get through it.” Tears streamed down Jade’s face washing her eyes to the color of the sea. Opening her arms wide for Stacey, she rushed into them. Lying back on the sofa they held each other tight. There was comfort in the close physical contact.
Reilly was barking incessantly outside but neither of them dared to let him in. Sighing, she disentangled herself from Stacey’s embrace and dialed Tannis’ number. She picked up immediately.
“Jade,” was all she said.
Stumbling over her words, she started to explain the situation when Tannis interrupted her. “I know Jade, everybody knows. It’s been on every news station and talk show you can imagine. All I can do is call it like I see it. And I can see you are in love with Stacey. She makes you happy. Now you just tell me whatever it is you need and I’ll do it.”
She broke down crying with relief at the unexpected kindness of Tannis’ words. Almost incoherent she managed to choke out, “Can you come get Reilly? He’s stuck in the back yard with a bunch of television reporters.”
“I’ll be right there,” she said. “And Jade?”
“Yes.” She sobbed.
“Don’t worry. This will all work out.” With that she hung up.
Jade sat with the phone in her hand tears streaming down her face from Tannis’ comforting words. The majority of people she knew weren’t going to think well of her but there would be a minority who would live by the adage “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” and would not judge what she had done.
****
Anthony had finished with the impromptu board meeting that had lasted most of the day. Upset was an understatement for what went on in there. The bottom line, Jade Tanner was to step down as the CEO of Jade Cosmetics and Tanner Industries and Anthony was to take her place. On top of it all the very private Jade Tanner would be required to give a very public apology and, as much as she could, an explanation of why she had done what she had done. Lucky he would be the one to deliver the news to her.
Now on Tanner Industries p
rivate jet Anthony wanted the ride to be over but at the same time never wanted it to end. On board with him was a bevy of body guards to help him muscle his way through the three ring circus that was sure to be going on outside of their rented home. He needed to get them out and back to New York as quickly, quietly and as efficiently as possible. At first opportunity she would be facing the court of the Board of Directors but the trial had already taken place without her and the sentence passed.
****
In Kalispell Jade had made the mistake of picking up the incessantly ringing phone. Being treated to an earful of what a whore of Babylon she was and how she’d be joining the dark prince in hell having his enormous cock jammed down her throat in payment for her unnatural carnal desires. She tore the phone out of the wall and threw it across the room. This was only the beginning of the nightmare.
Reilly had ceased barking outside so Stacey knew Tannis had gotten to him in the back yard and taken him to her place. At least that was a comfort.
Turning to look at her, Jade had tears streaming down her face again. “Hold me,” she said.
Stacey walked over and pulled her close. Stroking Jade’s head like she was a child, she soothed her with her touch until she felt her relax somewhat under her gentle stroking.
“I’m sorry it turned out this way,” Jade choked out. “I thought I was so careful. Guess I got what I deserved for turning my back on everything I claimed to believe in.” She lifted her tear streaked face to Stacey’s.
“I saw you and I had to have you. If I could give you some reasonable explanation on why I wanted you so much I would but I don’t know. I would fantasize about you. How you would taste, how it would feel to touch your beautiful body, what it would be like to kiss you on your lips until I couldn’t take it anymore so I acted on it. The only problem I didn’t foresee was the reaction I would have when I met you. How I took one look at you and everything crumbled inside of me. I trembled when I touched you I was so in awe of your beauty, your body. You were like some goddess that let me make love to you. Now that I know you better, I’m in awe of you as a person.” Her voice caught as she said, “And I am so in love with you.”
Stacey was as surprised as anyone at the strength and depth of their feelings they had for each other. It felt right. It felt like they were meant to be together forever. Her, the porn star whore, and Jade the powerhouse business tycoon. But what was happening right now may destroy their new love. Jade was inconsolable and Stacey saw the gathering clouds of darkness on the horizon. When push came to shove, everyone always blamed the whore. Would it really be any different with Jade?
She felt nothing but enormous compassion for Jade as she held her. All Jade had seen in her was someone as vulnerable as she was underneath that tough exterior she presented, someone who could understand her and would love her anyhow. True love didn’t care what sex you were or how you looked or where you were financially or even where you had been. True love tied two souls together within and that’s what they had. But more time was needed to cement it. Everything was in jeopardy now.
Kissing her gently Stacey said, “Come on let’s get you to bed. Anthony’s on his way right?”
She nodded.
“You might as well rest until he gets here and I’ll pack up a few things for us.” She got Jade in bed making her take one of her sleeping pills.
Looking around at the gaily decorated house they worked so hard on, she had thought she was going to have her nice Christmas. Sighing, she thought not yet.
Just before midnight Anthony pulled up in front of the house. Immediately the night was a festoon of blinding white lights going off all around them as they exited the vehicle.
One body guard stayed behind with the driver. All were legally armed. He was so pissed off he almost hoped someone would give them a reason to use deadly force.
As if sensing his bleak mood the reporters backed off and let him through with the body guards. He had called Jade’s cell phone moments earlier and Stacey answered. He told her to be ready to leave quickly and warned her about the siege waiting outside. He called Jade’s cell phone again and this time she picked up. “I’m at the front door now. Open it up and we’ll get you into the vehicle as quickly as possible.” He instructed her.
As the door opened, immediately the cacophony of noise erupted along with flashes of brilliant white light and everyone started rolling their cameras at the same time.
Burly bodyguards forced the crowd back as the din rose to unimaginable levels. How could human voices create such a babble of nonsensical noise? Questions were being shouted at them but they all became part of the general din.
In the rented hummer Anthony turned and looked at both women huddled in the back seat together looking worn and pale. He asked if they were okay. Both nodded.
As they started back toward the airport, Jade burst out, “We have to go get Reilly because he’ll wonder what happened to us.”
“We’ll send for him later.” he said.
Jade looked on the verge of hysteria. He had never seen her this undone before. “No, we need to get him now.”
Sighing he looked at Stacey who nodded. “I think it’s the right thing to do.”
“Where is he?”
Stacey gave him directions to Tannis’ house.
“You know they’ll follow us there don’t you?”
“Yah, but Reilly’s part of our family and we want him to come home with us. It only seems right that he be with us while we’re going through this.”
“What’s her number? I’ll call and tell her we’re on our way to get him.”
Calling, Anthony explained quickly that they were on route to pick up Reilly. He warned that an entourage of reporters was following them. Tannis took it all in stride.
“Don’t worry Anthony. I’ll have him ready for you.
Gratefully, he said, “Thank you.”
Stopping in front of Tannis’ house two security guards went in and got Reilly.
Intimated and subdued by the two huge hulking men, Reilly looked decidedly unhappy with his tail between his legs. But when the vehicle door open and he saw Jade and Stacey, Reilly went from depressed to ecstatic.
Watching Jade take comfort from Reilly, Anthony knew getting him had been the right thing to do. He was licking Jade’s face and she didn’t seem to mind at all.
Chapter Twenty-two
Matt couldn’t have been more pleased. The magazine was flying off the shelves. More copies were being printed as he sat in his great plush chair puffing his cigar.
The video of Stacey and Jade was currently the most watched and downloaded video. Here the two of them had made a sex tape without even knowing it. He chuckled to himself. He knew that the board of directors had commanded Jade’s presence upon her return to New York. He wished he could be a fly on the wall to watch.
Safety ensconced on the private jet, Anthony broke the terrible news to Jade that she was to step down as CEO and he was to take her place. At least for the time being.
She nodded bleakly. “Didn’t take them long to come down on me did it?
“I wonder how many of them are doing the same thing as me but are getting away with it?” Anthony could see the despair and deep sadness in her eyes as she looked into his. “It’s still a man’s world no matter how much headway we think we’re making as women.”
“To be fair if any one of the directors had been caught doing the same thing we would have asked him to resign from the board. You happened to get caught. Big difference.” He had told her that the Board of Directors was giving her one day’s grace upon arriving and then she had to meet with them.
He reached out and stroked her arm. “Jade.” His voice hoarse with emotion. “I’ll help you make it through this I promise. I’m not going to let you down now.”
The gratitude in her eyes warmed his heart. “I know you won’t. You never have and you never will. There aren’t many certainties in life but you are one of them.”
An in
tensely close moment passed between them. The two of them along with Stacy would weather this storm.
The moment passed and he watched as Jade closed her eyes and wearily laid her head against the rest.
He still had some more items to discuss with her before their arrival.
“You won’t be going back to your penthouse apartment. Reporters are there already waiting.
“I’m taking you to your house at Gin Lane. Not too many people know you own a property there because you haven’t been back in years. Reporters are less likely to be there.”
Nodding toward the two women who had been waiting on the plane when they had arrived, he said, “These two women are your decoys. While they head to the condo, we’ll head to the Hamptons.”
Jade, his perfectly beautiful, never a hair or an emotion out of place, burst into gut wrenching sobs. Drawing her close, He held her tight, murmuring over and over again, “It’ll be all right. Just you wait and see. It’ll be all right.”
They approached LaGuardia around eight o’clock. To everyone’s dismay the reporters were there en masse.
The two women were disguised now as Jade and Stacey. From a distance in their winter gear, the decoy would work.
As they departed along with a rush of reporters in eager pursuit, the real Jade and Stacey were quickly whisked away. Anthony drove while one security guard sat in the front with him and one in the back with the two women and Reilly. Reilly, having gotten over his intimidation, now sat on the security guard’s lap looking out the window smiling all the way.
They made good time arriving at the house on Gin Lane that hadn’t seen Jade for ten years. Lights were blazing on the ground floor. The day was appropriately grey and gloomy with fog rolling in off the ocean to match the mood of everyone.
Jade watched as Anthony’s partner, Brendan, exited the house. Tumbling into his arms, she drew comfort from his strong compassionate embrace. Tearfully she looked up at him. “I thought you were in Europe.”
Jade Page 27
