“Dali was so upset you couldn’t be at her party,” Gemma said, totally ignoring him and shoving Dalita toward him.
“Is that Prince Harry?” Chance said, glancing over their shoulder into the elegant room, which had been a historical site since the 1800s.
“Where?” Dalita and Gemma chorused in unison and snapped their heads. If Chance wasn’t interested, there was always Harry. Who knew? Maybe his relationship with Ms. Davy was still rocky.
Chance took the moment to escape their despicable clutches.
Literally everyone who’d been at the funeral was at the reception following, except Richie. Under the terms of his house arrest, he’s had to go straight to the villa once the funeral ended.
The gathering was costing Jackson and Chance the bulk of the cash they’d stashed at Credit Suisse bank in Zurich, but for them, it was a no-brainer. They had never anticipated their father’s downfall and their plummet with him, but when it came to celebrating their mother, they had to be perfect sons. Whatever Olivia’s faults, she had raised all her children beautifully.
Marlena was aware of Charley’s fragile state and was concerned. She saw in this girl an earthiness and sensitivity that she related to.
“You don’t need to stay the entire evening, Charley,” Marlena said. “Everyone knows you’re still on the mend.”
“My head or my heart?” Charley asked.
“Both.”
“Whenever you’d like to go, feel free,” Marlena assured her. “Or if you want to go up to my room and rest, you could do that too.”
“I didn’t realize you were staying here,” Charley said, changing the subject.
“My husband’s choice,” Marlena answered.
“I didn’t even think of your being married.”
“Do I give off that vibe?” Marlena said, a bit surprised.
“No, of course not,” Charley said, uncomfortably.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. “It was a beautiful service, Charley.”
She turned to see Blake Masters behind her. He was unaware she was in conversation with Marlena.
“Sorry,” he said to Marlena. “I’m not stalking you. I promise.”
Charley didn’t even hear him.
“Thank you for all you did, Dr. Masters,” she said. “Mummy looked beautiful.”
Her voice choked.
“You okay?” he asked sincerely.
“I will be. For some reason, I have the stoic gene,” Charley answered.
“From your dad,” Blake said, unaware.
Charley nodded unsurely. “I think I could head out now, do you?” she asked them both.
“I can come with you.” Marlena offered.
“No, I need to be alone.” Charley sighed. “Dad’s locked away in his den, so no worries. I’ll be fine.”
“You have my number,” Marlena said directly.
“I do.” Charley half smiled. “I guess I owe you both.”
Marlena and Blake watched as Charley went to Jackson and Chance. They saw Jackson slip out with her.
“She’s incredible,” Marlena said.
“So unlike her father,” Blake answered.
“I should probably go too,” she said. “I was really here for her.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said. “Could we have a drink and talk?”
Marlena was torn, until he added, “It’s about your husband.”
They made their way through the room and through the massive golden silk drapes out onto the terrace. While the mourners paid their respects to the only Gaines left inside—Chance—Blake and Marlena took a table.
“I’m not sure how to say this,” Blake said.
“We’re doctors; we know how,” Marlena answered.
“Evelyne’s report confirmed what I already knew from my exam,” Blake offered.
Marlena steeled herself for the grim news.
“John hasn’t been paralyzed for at least several months now.”
“So, the movement in his arms is all he’ll ever have?” she asked.
“You’re not hearing me, Marlena,” Blake said. “The serum injected into his neck was a Botox derivative infused with curare. When it hit his spinal column, his muscles were frozen for a specific amount of time. That time has run out. He can move now.”
“He’s not been able to move, Blake,” Marlena countered firmly.
“Yes, he has,” Blake said. “But for some reason, he never told you.”
Marlena felt numb.
“You’re wrong,” she insisted. “You have to be.”
She pulled out her BlackBerry and dialed John’s number.
It rang, but John didn’t answer.
“Probably can’t hear the phone,” she said, defending him.
“I thought he always had it at his bedside,” Blake said.
Marlena dialed another number. “His nurse.”
“Allo?” the voice said on the other end. It was Desiree.
Blake snatched the phone from Marlena’s hand. “This is Dr. Masters. Is John Black available? He gave me your number in case I couldn’t reach him,” he said. He was taking a risk, but his gut said this was right.
“I’m sorry, sir, but no,” she said.
“I’m in Lausanne and was hoping to see him tonight, if possible. I have his test results.”
“Ah yes. I believe he will be back the day after tomorrow,” Desiree said.
“He’s out of town?” Blake asked for Marlena to hear.
“Yes,” Desiree answered.
Blake nodded to Marlena, who tried to cover her shock. “I’ll check back then. Thank you.”
Blake hung up the phone. “When are you expected back?”
“There has to be some logical explanation,” she said.
“There is. You just don’t want to hear it,” Blake offered gently.
There were other guests nearby, regaling each other with wild stories about Olivia. Marlena felt hot all over, terribly out of place, and had a knot in her stomach.
“I’ll walk you to your room,” Blake said.
“No,” Marlena told him. “I’m fine.”
But in truth, she was anything but fine.
MARLENA WAS QUIET AS BLAKE ESCORTED HER TO HER SUITE. Shawn, Belle, and Claire were on the boat, and she wished she’d asked them to say. It wasn’t that she was weak or needed an excuse. It just would have made life easier.
“I’m going to have to process this,” Marlena said. “I’m still not sure.”
“Understandable.” Blake nodded as Marlena inserted her key into the digital lock.
Marlena waited for the green light to open the door. It didn’t appear. She reinserted the plastic card again. Red.
“Is Mercury in retrograde?” she asked wryly. “Nothing goes right when the planets aren’t aligned.”
“No, not until September,” Blake answered.
Marlena couldn’t help but laugh sardonically. Blake would know that. Seems he knew everything.
Blake took the card and tried it several times. Fast. Slow. Very fast. Excruciatingly slow, and then in and out, in and out, in and out.
The red light appeared every time.
“We can get another key from the front desk,” Blake said. “Do you want me to do that?”
“I don’t want to stand around here,” Marlena answered and headed for the elevator.
A beautiful cream silk negligee was draped across the king-size bed. White lilacs with a cream ribbon lay across it.
John was in a tux.
Simple.
Elegant.
Handsome.
Masculine.
“How’s my tie?” he asked.
“A bit wonky,” Tara answered. She straightened it, smiling into his big, blue eyes.
“I wouldn’t be here without you.” He smiled. The deep affection between them was palpable. “Music?”
“Cool jazz?” she offered.
“Perfect,” John answered.
The night wa
s beautiful as John drank in the warm air filtering in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the suite.
“I’m finally ready,” he said and twirled a laughing Tara around the room.
“I am so sorry, Madame,” the concierge told Marlena. “There was a flood in your lavatory, and we’ve had to change your room.”
“How long should that take?” Marlena asked, unhappy with this turn of events. She was deeply confused and just wanted to climb into bed and crawl under the covers.
“Thirty minutes,” the concierge told her. “If you’d like a drink at the bar, we’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Marlena didn’t want a drink. She wanted to be alone. Fate wasn’t allowing that, however, so she nodded. “You know where to find me.”
“One Campari and soda, and I’ll go,” Blake told her.
Marlena and Blake headed into Bar Américain. Elegant, with low-key ambience, soft lighting, and tables looking out to the sea, they settled into leather armchairs.
Doctor Gabs’s fingers flitted across the ivories as he played a quiet collection of jazz accompanied by bass and drums.
“Campari and soda for me,” Blake told the waiter.
“And for the lady?”
“Perrier with lime,” Marlena said.
“Lillet on the rocks with orange,” Blake told the waiter, changing Marlena’s order. “With a splash of soda.”
“A big splash,” Marlena said. She hated to let him order for her, but maybe she did need a bit of alcohol after all.
The waiter left to get the drinks, and Blake took her hand.
“I owe you an apology,” Blake said.
“That news about John was a bit of a shock,” Marlena offered.
“Not about that,” Blake said. “About my coming on to you.”
Marlena was thrown. Her suspicions were confirmed; Blake had been coming on to her. While she was flattered, she knew both of them were married, and it was wrong.
“Evelyne’s ill,” he admitted. “She has a serious melanoma, and things don’t look good.”
“So you came on to me?” Marlena said with a tone that could only be perceived as disappointed.
“She’s pulled away from me for months,” he admitted. “I’ve felt less than a man, and I made a terrible mistake. I was using you to bolster my ego.”
The seasoned waiter set down the drinks in front of them.
“I’m not that kind of guy,” Blake said. “I hope you can forgive me.”
Marlena’s mind was whirling. She’d just been told that her husband had been lying to her, and the man who was flirting shamelessly with her was merely using her.
“Forgiven,” she said with a half smile as she raised her glass to him. “We both know if things were different, things would be different.”
Blake raised his glass to hers, and they toasted.
“To a long and beautiful friendship,” he said.
They each took long sips from their fine crystal glasses as the concierge approached.
“Docteur Evans, we’ve found you a new room,” he said. “Whenever you’re ready?”
“I am exhausted,” she said to Blake.
“Enough said,” he countered.
“You’re in the Churchill Suite, Madame,” the concierge offered. “It’s all that was available.”
Marlena could only smile. This was ridiculous. She was going to be in the most exquisite suite in all of Monte Carlo, at least for the night. She’d have to invite Belle and Shawn over in the morning before they moved her.
“Charge these to my room,” Blake told the concierge.
“On the house, sir,” the concierge answered and handed Marlena her new key card. “May I accompany you?” he added.
Marlena stared across the table at the handsome doctor from Montana. She was spending the night in a suite fit for royalty and would be alone.
“I’d appreciate it,” she told the concierge. “And thank you, Blake, for being so honest.”
Marlena gave him a peck on the cheek and headed out with the concierge.
Blake stirred his cocktail. He was alone but knew it was right.
“Oh my God,” Marlena said as she got off the private elevator to the top floor of the hotel. “This is unbelievable.”
“We hope you enjoy it, Dr. Evans,” the concierge said.
Marlena dug in her purse for a tip.
“No, please,” he said. “All’s been taken care of. Enjoy your night.” He smiled and winked.
Marlena had read that the suite had a round Jacuzzi tub, and that sounded like a wonderful way to spend time before climbing into bed.
She inserted her new key card. This one worked.
She entered the magnificent contemporary suite, which was nothing like the rich European decor of her other room.
Music was playing and candles were burning, which were lovely touches.
She placed her handbag on the glass-topped table. The living room was gorgeously decorated in creams and maroons, with contemporary art on the walls.
It was beautiful, serene, and lonely. She hesitated before moving into the bedroom, as she was sad at the thought of being there alone, but then steeled herself and entered.
Draped across the deep maroon silk bedspread was a cream silk negligee and lilacs with a cream ribbon. On the bedside table was a silver bowl with wild strawberries and crème fraîche.
“What took you so long, Doc?” she heard.
Standing next to the bed was John, in his tuxedo, holding two flutes of champagne.
“Do you know how much I love you?” he asked, cocking his eyebrow just that way.
“John, this is, I’m, uh”—she was in shock, thrilled, confused, delirious—“I knew something was happening, but this? What has been going on?”
“I had to be the man you need, Doc, the man you deserve,” he said, staring into her smiling eyes. “I needed to be whole for you, and I know I am now.”
“You always have been.” She smiled with happy tears forming.
“If I hurt you…” he started.
“Oh, shut up,” she cried and flew into his arms, knocking the champagne flutes to the floor.
The two melted into each other’s arms.
John drank in Marlena’s scent, then kissed the woman he loved so completely. It was a passionate, deep kiss that sent shock waves to her toes.
Marlena gasped, and John smiled. It was a gasp he knew well from all the delicious intimate times they’d shared.
Marlena studied his masculine, strong face, then reached for his tie and pulled it open.
The night had only begun.
“THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US TODAY,” BELLE SAID AS SHE leaned her head on Shawn’s shoulder. “It meant a lot.”
“You’re my wife.” Shawn smiled. “And you’re carrying my baby. This is where I belong.”
Claire had gone to sleep an hour ago, and Belle should have been relishing this time with Shawn. Instead, she was dreading it.
They sat on the prow of the boat, leaning against the window to the main cabin. They had done it many times since they had left Salem, and it was a place they both loved. Quiet. Calm. Removed.
Shawn tipped her chin and gave her a kiss.
“Boy or girl?” he asked.
“Healthy,” she answered.
“Good answer, but a cop-out.”
It was true. The general rule of thumb has always been that men want sons, and women want daughters. It’s not because of some macho need or girlie-girl selfishness but comfort zones.
“Shawn, we need to talk,” Belle said in a voice so serious that Shawn was thrown.
“You’re all right?” he asked.
She sighed heavily.
“There’s something you need to know,” she said drily. “And you’re kind of a captive audience.”
The boat was rocking gently. Shawn was getting scared.
“Remember when we were in Egypt, and you took Claire for the day?” she said.
“And you wen
t to the spa at the Four Seasons,” he said.
“I did, yes,” Belle answered. She was beginning to sweat. “I looked at it, anyway.”
“What are you talking about?”
A 40-foot cruiser sailed passed them a bit too close. The residual crest rocked the Fancy Face IV harder.
“I ran into an old friend at the hotel,” she admitted. “We had drinks. It was Philip.”
Shawn’s back went up. “Kiriakis.”
Belle knew that any mention of her ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, and ex-friend was dangerous territory.
“It was nice to have a conversation with someone from home,” she told him.
“Someone,” he said flatly.
“We had a few drinks, and he had a business call. He was there for Titan Industries.”
“Yeah.”
“He said he wanted to check paperwork in his room,” she said.
“So you joined him?” Shawn asked.
“I figured out pretty soon that he didn’t need to get anything,” she admitted.
“But you’d had a few drinks, and what the charming Philip Kiriakis, war hero, ‘titan’ of industry, wanted in his room was you.”
Belle stared directly at the man she truly adored.
“Yes,” she admitted. “I realized that when he kissed me.”
“And you kissed him back,” Shawn said and bolted to his feet. He hung on to the mast as though it was his savior.
“I did,” she said guiltily. “Then I slapped the hell out of him.”
Shawn took it in.
“You what?”
“When he kissed me, I was so caught off guard, that I was in shock. Then I slapped him so hard his teeth rattled. He’s probably still bruised by now,” she said. “I really clocked him.”
“You what?” he repeated.
“I think I loosened two of his caps,” Belle added.
“Really?” Shawn said, amused.
“Really.” She smiled ruefully.
“So you didn’t sleep with him?” Shawn said, beginning to chuckle.
“I didn’t,” she said, chuckling with him.
A Secret in Salem Page 14
