Gilded Cage (Harbour Bay Book 6)

by Camille Taylor

  “I don’t want you to get hurt, Bethany. You seem like a really nice woman. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter.”

  Her eyebrow arched. “Is that why you’re here? To ensure I don’t do something stupid?”

  Again.

  “And to ask you a few questions and make sure you’re doing the best you can in the circumstances.”

  “Thank you. I’m not used to having so many people concerned for my well-being.”

  “You’re family. We take care of our own.”

  Her forehead crinkled. “Family? I don’t understand.”

  “The Harris’s. You’re theirs and they’re ours. Family.”

  A shaky breath escaped her lips. Belonging. Love. Trust. She wanted a part of it.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Well, I hope you still do after I’ve finished my questions.”

  She swallowed hard as images raced through her mind. Blood. Screaming. She steeled herself against the horrors.

  “I’m ready.”

  Two hours later, James left and emotionally spun, Bethany flopped back on her bed and drew the covers over her head. She couldn’t face the outside just now. Every sweep of her eyelids scraped against the corneas, so gritty from tears it hurt to blink. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be okay again.

  Right now, it didn’t feel like it.

  Eyes closed, she allowed sleep to take her. Hoping it would be dreamless. She couldn’t take reliving the nightmare of the night again.

  As she drifted into the nothingness of slumber, she recaptured the brilliance of her night with Declan. How could everything have turned out so badly?

  Chapter 33

  Declan followed the shuffle of papers and the scrape of furniture until he stood in the doorway to Dirk Bennett’s office and took in the devastation. Filing cabinets were open and had been rifled through, the culprit still in a frenzy.

  “Beth.”

  Bethany’s chin jerked up. She sat at her father’s desk, clearly startled at the sound of his voice. His heart wrenched inside his chest as he took in her features. Dark circles rested below her rounded eyes, her pale skin almost translucent, and those pretty blue eyes were worryingly dim.

  For days, she’d remained locked inside her room, her sobs heard down the hallway.

  His heart ached for her. He couldn’t imagine her pain. At least not completely. He’d lost people in the past—his parents, hostages, and co-workers but never anyone particularly close to him.

  She’d refused to see him and he understood. She blamed him for their deaths. For not saving them. He did too. They shouldn’t have been there. But he’d been powerless to stop her. No, he hadn’t. All he’d had to do was give a little back and suggest they stay in and she’d have done so.

  It would’ve been as simple as that.

  Davies had been the only one permitted to enter and he’d ensured she ate. The older man had aged days since the incident. Was he thinking how easily they could’ve lost her too?

  It was never far from his mind.

  He’d messed up. Countless times.

  First allowing his lust to take over. It was his biggest regret knowing how his actions had hurt Beth. Secondly, he’d put her in danger both body and mind. While a mistake, their night together had been one of the best in his life.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What it looks like, I’m searching my father’s office.”

  “For?”

  Bethany straightened and glared at him. He was slowly becoming accustomed to her frosty attitude towards him and expected nothing more. “A reason Ashley and Jesse are dead. Yes, they were accidents but that man didn’t even care.” Her voice rose in anger. “What deal is worth that? They were innocent. They were my friends and they didn’t deserve to die any more than I do. Do you know what I’ve found?”

  Declan had an idea.

  Bethany turned her father’s computer monitor to face him and he cursed Dirk Bennett’s stupidity when he saw a computerised version of the threat’s Bennett had printed out for Beth’s benefit.

  “I found that the ‘threats’ come courtesy my father’s computer.”

  Declan knew he must look guilty and Beth must’ve seen it too. She gave him a condemning look. “You knew, didn’t you?”

  “Doesn’t make the threats any less real—or any less dangerous. He knew you’d need something tangible to believe and accept.”

  “He still lied. He’s the reason my friends are dead. He chose to deal with that criminal, knowingly putting my life in danger. You know why they want me dead, don’t you?”

  Declan nodded.

  Bethany sank down in her father’s chair and regarded him coolly. Declan was surprised to see how comfortable she looked behind the polished ebony desk. He could easily imagine her leading a powerful company like Bennett Shipping. She was her father’s daughter all right. It was too bad the old man couldn’t see what he did right now, Bennett would be bending over backwards to train her as his successor.

  Bethany had such a commanding presence, one that would be a killer in the business world.

  Declan had crossed Bethany and now paid the price, the intimacy he had shared with her—even prior to their night together—he would never get back again and he felt the loss most painfully.

  “Well, aren’t you going to tell me?”

  Declan looked at the resolve on her face and knew he would not be leaving this room without spilling his guts. He wondered where the unsure, carefree innocent he had met weeks ago had gone. He had killed her, surely as if he had put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger. In his attempt to free the princess from her ivory tower, he had turned her into a bitter, cold woman who no longer had life in her eyes.

  “I think it’s better not to.”

  “Is that so? Well your judgement has been a little off lately, hasn’t it? So, pardon me for not believing in it.”

  Declan swore. “Fine, but remember I tried to spare you this.”

  “Duly noted and disregarded, I don’t care for the way you protect me.”

  Declan ran his fingers through his hair. She was right. He was doing more harm trying to shield her than it would to lay all the cards out in front of her and allow her to make a decision regarding her life.

  “Isaac Hunter approached your father.”

  “His name’s been mentioned before. Who is he?”

  “An unscrupulous man. Do you remember Dick Coleani?”

  Bethany nodded. “Yes, he used to run a great portion of HB a couple years ago, was a big-time criminal who had his hand in every illegal activity in the city. He’s also dead, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “He is, but Harbour Bay has been fighting his organisation for years, after Coleani’s death many of his men scattered to the winds but slowly his lieutenants have been returning.”

  “So, Hunter was one of Coleani’s lieutenants?”

  “Trained by the man himself.”

  “And what has that got to do with me?”

  He updated her with what Hawke had recently learned.

  “Your father has been hit hard by the recession. He had plans to expand, add new ports to his destinations but didn’t have the capital to do so. He’s mortgaged to the hilt and is just one bad investment away from bankruptcy.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “In exchange for financial backing, your father signed a deal with the devil.”

  “Hunter?”

  “Yes, the stipulation was that on certain voyages, your father would carry a container for Hunter. What’s in the container no one but Hunter knows.”

  “I’ve missed something. Why my father?”

  “Because he runs an internationally known and trusted business, which moves from port to port, it’s also a known fact Customs is rather lenient with his containers.”

  “I see where this is going. Let me guess. Hunter’s container got pulled and Customs is running a fine-tooth comb over every inch.”

  “Exactly.
That’s why I’m here to stop you from being sliced and diced by Hunter’s people who won’t even blink when they kill you.”

  “Oh, daddy!” She buried her head in her hands.

  “That’s not all. It gets worse.”

  Bethany raised her head wearily. “I can’t imagine how but go ahead.”

  Declan wondered at the stupidity at bringing the subject up. But he wanted there to be no secrets between them and he didn’t have anything to lose—not really, she already hated him.

  “The LAC, me included, are responsible for your predicament.”

  She leaned back in the chair. “Okay I’ll bite, why is that?”

  “We’re the ones who seized the container.”

  Beth closed her eyes. He turned and moved towards the door, stopping at the threshold.

  Don’t do it.

  He faced Bethany. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I do care for you Bethany, more than I should. I didn’t expect to and I didn’t want to but I do—and I can’t.”

  Her eyes filled with confusion. “I don’t understand.”

  “Our lives are too far apart. Please forgive me. I never intended to hurt you.”

  Bethany’s fingers were white from the grip she had on her father’s chair.

  “In a couple of weeks your father will be home and I’ll be gone. At least let me finish my assignment. Let me protect you.”

  Even to his own ears, the words sounded hollow. Bethany would be better off never meeting him. In his time as bodyguard he’d put her in more danger than he’d saved her.

  His heart ached at knowing their time came to an end. Not seeing Bethany every day hit him hard in the stomach.

  Her eyes glistened with bushes tears. She didn’t look at him however, and instead focused over his shoulder. She gave a nod. It was all he needed.

  “Thank you.”

  He stepped through the doorway and walked away. If he didn’t, he feared he’d undo all he’d just accomplished and take her into his arms. He picked up his pace.

  Chapter 34

  “You know you’re not going to be welcome?” Declan joined her in the backseat, sliding beside her, close enough for his thigh to press against her own. Bethany shifted, putting space between them. For her benefit, not his. Her body still craved him. But knowing he didn’t want her enough to try squeezed her heart.

  Declan gave Quinn a nod informing him he could start driving. The windscreen wipers moved against the glass, barely swiping away the rain before more droplets distorted their vision.

  She knew it was a possibility. In the week since Ashley’s and Jesse’s murders she had been denied all efforts to convey her deepest sympathy and heartfelt apologies. She hadn’t even bothered with asking for forgiveness, believing she wasn’t entitled to it. She had been the one with a target on her back. She had freely gone out with Jesse and Ashley, making them targets as well and that was a guilt she would carry to her grave.

  “I know, but they were my friends and I’m going to say goodbye.”

  Ever since their conversation in her father’s office something had changed between them. While she hadn’t agreed with the way Declan had dealt with her she understood, at least she tried to. They had an expiry date. And he had a life to return to while hers would never be the same. She didn’t hate him. Couldn’t. Her feelings towards him hadn’t changed but her anger had melted. They simply weren’t meant to be together. It was a hard fact to accept but slowly she was.

  Declan nodded. “Just don’t be surprised to find your reception colder than the wind.”

  She tried to smile but failed. “Thank you, I appreciate the warning. I know what awaits me but it’s not going to stop me.”

  As the Bennett car pulled to a stop outside the cemetery, Beth felt like she’d leap out of her skin and an icy chill had taken up residence inside her. Pretending to be brave was quite different from actually being brave. People milled about near the parking lot outside the cemetery, each offering condolences to family, or gossiping about the latest titillating scandal. Bethany’s gaze fell upon several reporters, recognising a few of them from when she had been accosted the first day she was shot at. They all stood off to the side, cameras, microphones, and tape recorders at the ready.

  Declan stepped out and opened her door. She stared blindly at his outstretched hand for a moment before he began wiggling his fingers. She peered up, locking onto his eyes and derived strength from them. She allowed him to help her out of the car, covering her head with the daffodil coloured umbrella. When she tried to pull away, Declan held tighter, trapping her hand in his. She knew it was more a security precaution than with supporting her but still, she was grateful he was there with her.

  Bethany took a step towards the large arch which acted as the entrance to the cemetery. Several reporters spotted her and were en-route to badger her when Declan turned towards them and gave them a death glare. She smiled when they stopped and fell back. She snuggled closer to him as they approached the plots in which Ashley and Jesse were to be buried.

  She caught a few death glares of her own but none as heart-breaking as the look April Copeland sent her way. She had liked April and had often dreamed she’d been born into the Copeland family rather than the Bennett.

  Bethany ignored the sly glances and flat-out stares of the other attendees. She wasn’t here merely to be seen as others had. She actually mourned for the two lives lost.

  “Chilly today.” The comment had her turning. She nodded at Detective Hawke who stood beside her with another man with brown hair and green eyes.

  She smiled at him. “Yes, it is. Polar in fact.”

  The rain had died down to a slight drizzle. More mist than actual droplets. Breathing in the scent of wet earth into her lungs brought everything into focus and she swallowed, her throat closing.

  “You’re a very brave woman to come here today. I respect the hell out of that. It can’t be easy to be hated by so many—particularly the ones who were supposed to be your friends.”

  She sucked in a breath. “It always takes a great tragedy for you to learn who your true friends are. But I don’t blame them from turning on me, I am to blame. I walked into that club with my eyes open.”

  James patted her shoulder comfortingly just as the service began. Everything after that was a blur. Meaningless words spoken in eulogies, pleas to God to welcome his children into the Heavenly hereafter. It was all a load of crap. Eulogies were nothing more than one man’s interpretation and no one told the truth in them.

  Ashley and Jesse had been good people but far from the innocents they had been portrayed. For years Ashley and her sister Courtney had been featured in the Tribute for underage drinking, or for being in possession of illegal drugs. It was fine for people to conveniently forget the colourful past—those with rose-coloured glasses but she chose to remember the truth. Ashley’s party-hard, fun-loving personality, Jesse’s boyhood crush and schemes to prove worthy in Walt Copeland’s eyes, only to fail time and time again.

  She waited until the crowd dispersed. She had no desire for an audience as she said her goodbyes. As she slowly stepped up and stood between the two white caskets she was aware that Declan had moved to speak with James and the other detective but she could feel his gaze on her.

  Bethany reached out and touched the first casket—Ashley’s—between the long-stemmed roses. “Goodbye, Ash. I’ll miss you every day and I hope that you can somehow forgive me.” Her vision blurred with the first tear, a second later, more ran down her cheeks. She turned to Jesse’s casket and did the same. “You were a good friend Jesse—the best. I wish things were different. I’m so sorry, Jesse.”

  She remained a moment, regaining some composure before she headed back to the car, the vultures were all out and about and she didn’t just mean the reporters. Harbour Bay’s society—the circle she was supposed to belong to were just as bad, if not worse.

  Wiping her tears away, she turned to face Walt Copeland, who stood less than a few feet away. She took a
step back at the rage she saw contorting his face. A vein throbbed in his temple and his jaw worked in an effort to control himself.

  “Being sorry doesn’t change a whole hell of a lot, does it? They’re still dead.” Hatred burned in his eyes and she, his target.

  Declan started towards her with a look that said Walt had better back off before he got there. She raised her hand, warding him off. He stopped but remained alert in case Copeland made a move to harm her.

  “If you weren’t a woman I’d knock you down. You had no business being with my kids. A word of warning, if those men don’t kill you, I’ll send a couple of my own to finish the job.”

  Bethany didn’t doubt that for a second. She resisted the urge to shiver and give him the satisfaction at having scared her. She knew Walt Copeland wasn’t a blameless man. She had heard plenty of stories over the years from Jesse and Ashley that had shocked and sickened her.

  “I regret what happened, Mr. Copeland, more than you’ll ever know. But I won’t make the mistake of asking for forgiveness. It seems rather superfluous to ask a man who has committed more sins than he can count to give me absolution.”

  Bethany moved away from Walt, towards Declan. She had poked a wounded tiger and was generally afraid of being bitten.

  “He means it.”

  “I know. I’ve gathered quite the list of enemies. Three in the last month alone.”

  “Three?”

  “Sure, count them, Hunter, you, and now Copeland.”

  Declan gave her a sideways glance as they walked back towards the parking area. The funeral attendees were still about, creating a thick mass and she had to squeeze through. She bumped into someone as she tried to navigate through the throng and felt a sharp pain just below her ribs.

  “Excuse me.” A man pushed through, having just as much trouble as she and Declan were.

  She broke free of the congregation, surprisingly short of breath. For the first time, she realised just how ice cold the temperature was and each inhale caused her pain.

  “I thought we’d never get through there.” White dots danced in her vision.

  “I’m surprised no one tried to speak to you, I heard a few nasty comments here and there and I was sure someone was going to make a scene.”