Beyond the Velvet Rope

by Tiffany Ashley

  “No,” he said quickly.

  “Warren,” she said in a warning tone.

  “All right,” he said, heaving a tiring sigh. “I’m just a little worn down. This stuff with my family is complicated.” He gave a humorless laugh. “If I wasn’t sure before now how they felt about me, now I know.”

  “And?”

  “They hate me.”

  She could see it pained him to say the words. What was worse, he believed them. “It can’t be that bad.”

  He turned to look her straight in the eyes. His face was serious, his eyes misty. “My son told me the only thing I was good for was my money, and now they don’t even need that.”

  She gasped. “He didn’t.”

  “Yes, he did.” He gave a shrug of defeat. “And he’s right.”

  “Don’t talk like that.” She moved closer to him. Placing her hand over his, she squeezed it. “Maybe he was just upset today.”

  “He’s upset with me every day.”

  “He couldn’t have meant what he said.”

  Warren shook his head. “Thandie, you should have seen him when he delivered the words. He was so damn calm. It was as if he was looking right through me. And I sat here and took it because he’s right.”

  “Don’t say that,” she whispered.

  “No, kiddo, he’s right. I was a real asshole to his mother. She—” He broke off to take a long sip from his glass. “She tried to call me when she was pregnant. Said she’d had a hard time tracking me down in New York and begged me to come back to Florida to at least see my kid be born.”

  Thandie was scared to ask her next question. “What did you do?”

  He took a longer sip from the tumbler. “I sent her money.”

  There was an awkward silence. She wasn’t sure how she should respond. Warren was the sweetest, most thoughtful person she knew. It was hard to believe he could have done such a thing.

  “I can feel your disapproval,” he said.

  “Warren, I would never judge you.”

  “Well, you should. I was awful to her. At the time, my career was skyrocketing. We were on the brink of acquiring one of Anderson’s press operations. King Corporations was in our corner. Things were moving at the speed of light. The last thing I needed to worry about was a casual fling calling me about a kid.” He sighed. “I sent her the money for her to deal with it. Whatever she wanted to do, she would have enough cash to do it.”

  “You wanted her to get rid of the baby?”

  He stared down at his drink. “Honestly, I didn’t care one way or the other,” he said in a rough whisper. “I wanted her to make the decision. I couldn’t raise a kid. I was traveling so much, I barely had enough time to see my fiancée.

  “Needless to say, I didn’t hear from her again once she received the money. She just vanished, and I was relieved.” He waved his hand wistfully in the air. “I thought the ordeal was over. I got married to this socialite, Wife Number Two.” He paused for minute. “Then, I had my skiing accident. It fucked up my leg and some other stuff. It was a nightmare. I was recuperating for six months. Wife Number Two was so shaken by the accident, she got it into her head we had to have kids. She was on a warpath. Every time we were alone, she practically tried to rape me. ” He shook his head. “If I weren’t such a coward, I would have told her it wasn’t any use.”

  Thandie licked her lips nervously. “The accident,” she said slowly, “the ‘other stuff’ you mentioned. Was it—”

  “Yes.” Warren emptied his glass and poured another. “Life is fucking funny, huh?”

  “You told your wife eventually, right?”

  He sniffed. “I think she figured it out on her own. She divorced me shortly afterward.”

  “Oh, Warren. I’m so sorry.”

  “Serves me right, kiddo.” Without asking, he grabbed an empty tumbler and poured her a drink. “The strange thing was, five years later, I got a call from some private school in Florida, asking me to verify my household income.”

  Thandie furrowed her brows. “I don’t understand.”

  “Neither did I. Apparently, the woman I’d knocked up a few years back kept the baby. She was requesting financial aid from some government agency to get her kid into a private school.” He smiled to himself. “It was as if I had a second chance to make things right. For the first time, I knew the name of my kid. It was the sweetest thing a father could hear. I paid for the tuition in full, anonymously of course. I continued to support them from a distance. That was the happiest time of my life.

  “I finally contacted the mother. She was bitter toward me, but to my relief, she didn’t hate me. She told me things about my kid, stuff every father should already know. Common-sense stuff like his grades in school, which subjects he excelled in, his favorite color.” His voice trailed off. “A good father knows that kind of stuff.”

  Thandie patted his hand. “Do you even remember those details?”

  Warren held up his hand and began ticking off points. “Straight A’s without even trying. He loved math. He had a head for numbers. His favorite color is white. Can you believe that? White. Most kids like blue or green. Something with spunk. But not my son. He liked white.” Suddenly, he slammed his fist on bar, making Thandie jump. “I would have done anything to see him. Just to know who he was.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “He refused to see me.” His voice cracked when he said this. “Can you believe that? He was seven years old, and he refused to see his father. That was years ago, and that little shit still hates me.”

  Thandie wasn’t sure what to say and feared any further discussions would only agitate him. He was drunk and depressed. Not a good combination.

  “Warren, I’m taking you home.”

  “Whatever,” he mumbled.

  “How did you get here?”

  “I drove.”

  “Where are your car keys?”

  “Frank has them.”

  “Who is Frank?”

  He pointed an accusing finger at the bartender. “We made a deal. I gave him my ticket, in order to buy the bottle.”

  His words had begun to slur, and she feared he would be sick before long. Thandie waved the bartender over, thanked him for watching her friend and asked for help getting Warren to his car.

  Luckily, Warren had valet parked. After pushing him none too gently into the car, she threw her bags in the backseat, paid the valet and sped off toward Warren’s house. She called ahead to alert Anga of Warren’s condition.

  When they arrived, Anga was eager to help Thandie half-carry, half-drag Warren to his room. Secure in the knowledge the older woman could handle things from there, Thandie left.

  She stood outside his bedroom door for a few seconds. She’d just seen Warren at his most vulnerable, and it saddened her. In all the years she’d known him, she’d not once seen him subdued. He’d always been a ball of energy. It was unsettling to see him so hurt.

  Thandie retreated to her bedroom. She took note of the time and began changing for her outing with Rex. However, her heart wasn’t in it. She had half a mind to call Rex and beg off their date. Warren was her friend, and being at his side was much more important than attending a party.

  She dressed quickly and returned to Warren’s room. She knocked softly before entering. Anga had managed to discard Warren’s shirt and coax him under his bedsheet, but she’d been unsuccessful in prying the bottle of bourbon out of his hands.

  “Warren, I’m worried about you,” Thandie said.

  “You shouldn’t be,” he mumbled. “I’m right as rain now.”

  “You’re drunk off your ass,” she argued.

  “I like to think they’re one and the same.”

  She grudgingly laughed.

  Anga reentered the room. “Señorita Thandie, you have a visitor.”

  Thandie glanced at a nearby clock and was surprised to see Rex was right on time. She’d hoped to have a few more minutes with Warren. She gave an apologetic smile. “I’ll send h
im away,” she told him. “We can reschedule.”

  “Nonsense.” He gave a weak smile. “You should go.”

  “Warren, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving you like this.”

  “I’m not alone. I have Anga.”

  Unsatisfied, she frowned. “I’m going to tell Rex I can’t go.”

  “Kiddo, I’m grateful for your concern, but it’s not necessary. I’ll be fine. Besides, you clearly have an obligation. You need to go.”

  “It’s not that important, Warren. I can stay here and hang out with you. We could watch a movie.”

  He looked her over. Surveying the fitted black cocktail dress, he nodded. “You look good, kiddo.”

  “Thank you.”

  “If I had a date with a woman as pretty as you, I would not be happy to learn she blew me off to sit with a drunk old man.” He waved her away. “Go. Get out of here. Enjoy yourself tonight.”

  She eyed the bottle in his hand.

  Warren noticed the look. “Fear not. I’m done. In fact, I’m retiring for the night. Are you happy now?”

  “Immensely. Now give me the bottle.”

  “Fine.” He handed it to her. “Now go.”

  She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re one of the best men I know. You’re not perfect, but you try to be and that’s all that matters.”

  “Thanks, kiddo.”

  She glanced at the door. “Will you be okay without me?”

  He waved his hand again. “Go. I promise I won’t get into any trouble.”

  “Remember you promised.”

  He gave a weak smile.

  She wagged her finger at him. “Be good,” she said, leaving the room, and going downstairs. Placing the bottle of bourbon on the kitchen counter, she headed to the front of the house to greet Rex.

  When she entered the living room, he was sitting patiently flipping through a photography book. He looked up and smiled. “Wow, Thandie, you look spectacular.”

  She blushed. “I like those kinds of compliments.”

  “Good,” he grinned. “There are plenty more where that came from.”

  She gave a weak smile. Again, she asked herself was this a business dinner or was this a date? As if reading her mind, Rex clarified his position by coming to his feet, pulling her into his arms and kissing her lightly on the lips. It had been so smoothly executed, her mind went fuzzy in the aftermath.

  Holding her lightly to him, he smiled down into her face. His confidence wavered. “Is something wrong?”

  “Warren,” she admitted. “He’s had a rough day. I’m concerned about him.”

  “Is he all right?” Rex asked.

  She nodded. “Nothing a good night’s rest can’t solve.”

  “Should you stay and care for him?”

  Thandie hesitated, and then nodded her head. “Anga is here to help. I’m sure she’s far more skilled at something like this than I am, but I need to stay here with him. Warren is my friend.” She gave a small shrug. “I wouldn’t feel right leaving him right now...not the way he is.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Rex said with a sigh. “I was looking forward to our evening together.”

  “Me too,” she confessed.

  “However, I understand your concern,” he said. “Warren is a friend of mine too. His health is important.”

  Thandie nodded, still wrapped in his arms. “Can I take a rain check?”

  Rex’s chest rumbled with a low laugh. “Yes, you may have a rain check, Thandie.” He paused as he thought for a moment. “I’m not working next Monday. Do you think we can try to do this again?”

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  He nodded agreeably, but there was disappointment in his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  She nodded.

  Rex responded with a shy smile. Hand in hand, Thandie led him to the front door. Before leaving, he kissed her lightly on the cheek. She waved good-night, before closing the door.

  Then she headed to Warren’s room. The door was open, and lamplight spilled into the hallway. The sound of snoring could be heard as she approached.

  Thandie peeked inside. Just as he’d promised, Warren was right where she’d left him. A chair had been pulled up to the bedside, a thin blanket carelessly tossed over the back. She guessed this was where Anga had stationed herself to watch over Warren. Thandie tiptoed to the bedside, and settled herself in the empty chair. Warren did not stir. Tucking her feet beneath her, Thandie watched his sleeping form. His breathing was heavy, but steady. He looked as fragile as a sleeping child, and she felt protective of him.

  Though she knew he didn’t deserve it, she felt a trace of animosity toward his son. If he’d known what his rejection had done to Warren, would he feel compassion? She would never know. One thing was certain, it had been heartbreaking listening to Warren’s story earlier. She hoped things would improve. She knew from experience how hard it was to lose a parent. She wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.

  Thandie pulled the blanket over her shoulders. It was still warm. Closing her eyes, she tried to forget Warren’s past, forget the look on his broken face, forget the sound of his tortured voice, and forget the tear she’d seen escape his eyes before he could wipe it away. She wanted to forget it all.

  Tomorrow, she thought, tomorrow will be better for Warren. It must be.

  Chapter Eleven

  Thandie woke sometime in the middle of the night.

  Stretching her stiff muscles, she peered at Warren. He was still sleeping soundly. He was fine, so she returned to her own room.

  She was too tired to check the time, or worry if the girls had returned safely. The lack of sleep from the previous night had finally caught up with her, and she was dead on her feet. She managed just enough strength to wash her face and toss her dress over a chair before she slipped into bed. She was asleep before her head touched the pillow.

  The next morning was normal. Thandie came downstairs looking for Warren, expecting to find him still in bed, severely hung over. To her surprise he was seated at the breakfast nook reading his newspaper. Len and Raja had joined him, both prattled relentlessly about what had happened at Babylon last night. Meanwhile, Thandie studied Warren carefully. He seemed strangely fine. Better than fine. He was cheerful, flirtatious and youthful. It was as if yesterday had never happened.

  Pouring herself a bowl of cereal, Thandie sat at the table mutely. Even Anga, who was wiping down the kitchen countertop, seemed to be going about her day as usual.

  Thandie ate her breakfast silently, vowing to corner Warren as soon as the girls were out of earshot. She had to know what was going on.

  As it turned out, Thandie never got an opportunity to talk with Warren about his son. Every time she approached the topic, Warren would change the subject. Eventually she got the point, and stopped trying.

  * * *

  The Shay Thomas tour had finally arrived in Miami, and the city was alight with excitement. Tour buses had rolled into town two days before. Every radio DJ was talking about his concert, and their phone lines were flooded with sightings of the famous performer. People were willing to do just about anything to get tickets to the sold-out show. Scalpers were placing a street price of five hundred dollars, and supposedly the price was climbing.

  Thandie was disappointed that they’d been unsuccessful in getting Shay’s contacts to respond to their invitation to Babylon.

  The night of the concert, the streets of South Beach were thick with tourists, partygoers and professional groupies. Thandie dressed for comfort. She rationalized since she was escorting a woman, there was really no need to dress provocatively. She settled for a simple white dress. It hugged her hips and fell just above her knees. It was form-fitting, but showed little skin. Sweeping her hair into a simple bun at the nape of her neck, she completed the look with a pair of chandelier earrings. Satisfied, she was ready for work.

  Thandie sent Raja and Len with the drivers to collect Samara and her group from the concert hall. Tr
affic would be heavy tonight, so it was better to have them waiting for Samara rather than the other way around. She was feeling pretty good. She might not be hosting Shay Thomas, but she was doing the next best thing. She was escorting his opening act, Samara.

  Thandie planned to be at the club before the girls arrived with the singer. Since they would be occupied with their guest, it was Thandie’s job to spread the word. Once Samara was close enough, Thandie would call the local radio stations and leak the news of Samara’s location. This worked well on a concert night. The artists were still full of energy and often needed to work off the adrenaline.

  Thandie arrived at Babylon earlier than normal. As usual, a line was beginning to form outside the club. Tiny waved her through the crowd and held the door open for her.

  “Thanks, Tiny.”

  He nodded.

  “Is Elliot in his office?” she asked, needing to know the location of the enemy.

  “He’s not here.”

  “What?” she said with disbelief. “Where is he?”

  Tiny shrugged his massive shoulders. “Don’t know. I haven’t seen him all day.”

  This was odd. Elliot was always at the club before she arrived. She’d been counting on it tonight. She’d hoped to use his office to make her phone calls.

  Thandie entered the club, waved to the hostess and crossed the crowded dance floor, looking for a staff member. She spotted Markie immediately. He greeted her with a nod.

  “Have you seen Elliot?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “He’s not in yet. He won’t be here until later night.” At her shocked look, he added. “He’s bringing a guest.”

  She wanted to ask him who, but wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know. If Elliot appeared with a car full of Playboy Bunnies in tow, on loan from Hugh Hefner himself, she’d rather be unenlightened.

  “I need to make some phone calls before the girls get here,” she said. “Is there a quiet place around here?”

  Markie nodded. “My office is behind the bar.” He led her to a door just off the main bar. The door was painted black and blended perfectly with the wall. You would have to know it was there in order to open it.

  They entered the office. It was small but neat, every inch designed to be used for files, shelving, media, etc. There was a large one-way window that looked over the bar. From here, Markie would be able to see every drink transaction. She quickly noticed there were several cameras positioned at various angles to record everything.