by Sofia Grey
Blinking back tears, I held my chin high and marched blindly to the doors. I needed to brace myself for meeting Gabe. Dread lay coiled in the pit of my stomach and I couldn’t rid myself of the conviction that he’d know. Not just the kiss, although that was so potent and dangerous, but the sudden intimacy which had grown between us. I had no close male friends, no benchmarks against which I could measure him. Nothing other than pure, carnal desire. The longing to do more than just kiss. To throw caution to the winds and sample this very forbidden fruit.
It had taken seconds, that’s all, to turn my head, to make me question how honest I was, how easily I could betray my husband. Betray his unswerving trust in me.
I was different now. And Gabe couldn’t fail to notice.
9.5 Gabe
It amused me how quickly fortunes could change. Jon Craigowan had started the evening as a rising star, feted by the press, adored by his fans. In less than twenty-four hours, the newspapers would be carrying a different story.
The paparazzi followed me through the maze of hospital corridors to where Suki and Anita waited. In the few minutes it took me to get there, the pack had circled them. I pushed my way through, shoving a little harder than necessary and gaining some more attention. “That’s my wife in there—let them come through.”
Questions flew at the two women, a torrent of voices, bright lights and clicking cameras. I slipped an arm around each, guiding them through the mass, warning them to say nothing. At the top of the corridor, just before the ward entrance, I turned and waited for the journalists to quiet.
“I just reacted to the situation, the same as anyone would.” I hugged Suki closer on one side. “Jon and Anita have a great marriage. I have no further comments.”
I released them as soon as the door closed behind us, turning to back Suki against the wall. Bracing my arms on either side of her head, so she was trapped. Anita stared, open-mouthed. I kept my voice calm, just the right amount of menace. “I know all about it. The only thing I don’t know, is how far it’s gone.”
Wide, horrified eyes stared back at me, her skin blanching. “What… what are you talking about?” Her voice raised several notches.
“You. Cheating. With him.”
A telling flush swamped her delicate features and I burned inside. My fishing had reeled in more than I’d expected. Fuck. The prospect of her with Craigowan made me feel sick.
Something shoved my arm. Snapping my head to the side, I saw Anita, fury blazing from her. “I don’t care about your domestics, Gabe. Please take me to my husband. You know where he is.”
“Gladly.” I released Suki, noting her trembling as she leaned against the wall. “Jon’s my friend. I’d like to think I’m big enough to put this behind me for the sake of our friendship.” I smiled tightly to myself and led them to his room.
I was satisfied with the result. Craigowan lay in a stupor while I got the glory. He wouldn’t fuck with my wife again.
9.6 Suki
I perched on the edge of an uncomfortable chair and waited for Gabe to come back. He’d taken Anita to see Jon and to meet with his doctor, and then he’d gone to talk to their press agent and to phone his manager. He hadn’t spoken to me since those angry, humiliating words in the corridor. I saw Anita first. She drifted into the waiting room, rubbing at her eyes, and hugged me hard.
“Is he okay?” I could hardly get the words out fast enough.
“He’s going to be fine, thank God. He woke briefly, muttered a few words and then went back to sleep.” She took a deep breath and pushed back, sitting in the empty chair next to me. “We need to talk, Suki. Has Gabe told you what happened?” Her normally mobile face was still, her eyes dark. “I should say, what’s supposed to have happened.”
I shook my head. Thoughts of Josh flashed through my tired brain. I was still puzzling over how Gabe knew, without me even saying anything.
“They think Jon was upset and took an overdose of tranquilizers. They thought at first that he was drunk, off his head, but the blood test showed a low level of alcohol.” She paused. My mind struggled to make sense of her words.
“But why would Jon be upset? An overdose?” It made no sense. “I didn’t even know he took tranquilizers.” Like me, I almost added.
“He doesn’t.” Her voice was grim. I stared.
“I don’t understand.”
“Oh God. This is a nightmare.” She ducked her head and wiped her eyes. “His phone had a text message from you, breaking up with him. It looks as though you were having an affair.”
“My… I… what?” I shot to my feet, unable to stay still. Gulping, I tried to speak. It came out as a frantic babble. “I haven’t—I wouldn’t—you can’t believe that?”
Anita’s head lifted, her hair a tangled mass that she pushed it back with both hands. “I know. I don’t believe it, but someone found his phone and gave it to Gabe, so that’s what he thinks.”
“That’s what he meant in the corridor.” My teeth were chattering with fear. He didn’t know about Josh. A warm swell of relief bathed me for a fraction of a second. At least that secret remained safe. But he thought I’d had an affair with Jon, my friend’s husband… Surely, he’d know I’d never do that.
Something obvious struck me. “My phone? I haven’t texted Jon. I don’t think I even have his number. Here,” I scrabbled for it in my bag. “You can check. Go on, look.”
“It’s okay, Suki, I believe you. It didn’t come from your phone.” Staring up at me from behind the mass of corn coloured hair, she looked painfully young. “Someone’s trying to make trouble for us. They’ve already had one go.”
“Those photographs?” I shivered. Sinking back into my chair, I slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You thought Josh took them.”
“It’s too much of a coincidence this has happened—all since we met Josh. I keep thinking over and over about it.” She shrugged. “He tries to make himself look innocent and friendly, but how much do we really know about him? A big, fat nothing.”
I remembered the useless Internet searches I’d done. Another memory slipped in, of Josh holding me on the flight here, of how safe he made me feel. I pushed it away with difficulty. “He’s been with us all the time. And why would he do this?”
Anita stiffened against me. “What if he’s not working on his own? What if someone is paying him to make trouble?”
“But who hates Jon enough to do this to him?” Gabe didn’t like Jon, envied his success, but he wouldn’t do anything like this.
“Gabe might.” Her whisper stopped the breath in my lungs. “You know how much he wants the title.” I pulled back and wrapped my arms around my chest. She’s right, crooned my devil.
“That’s my husband you’re talking about.” I could barely speak. “The man who—according to the crowd of journos out there—saved Jon’s life tonight. Saved him, Anita.”
She lifted wet eyes to look at me. “You know Josh is working for Gabe, he’s said so.”
I couldn’t speak. There wasn’t anything I could say.
9.7 Josh
Flying straight back to England was not an option. Waiting at the hospital was tempting, but maybe not my best idea. In the end, I headed back to the airport, to drink coffee and wait until morning. I bought a couple of the early newspapers, wondering if Jon would get a mention. I wasn’t expecting his story to be splashed across the front page. I read it slowly. Although my French was good, I thought I must have misunderstood. Apparently not.
Craigowan’s Nomination for Porn Star of the Year
It only took 1 prostitute and 2 suicide attempts…
Rising Formula 1 star Jon Craigowan showed last night, just how unfit he is for life at the top of the sporting heap. Following a failed affair with Suki Bridgewater, TV star and wife of his rival and teammate, Gabriel Bridgewater, he made not one, but two bungled attempts at taking his own life—before being rescued by Gabriel. In his shoes, I’d have left him there, climbing over his sixth-floor balcony, but Br
idgewater is a more generous man.
So what happened to make this very likable sportsman press the self-destruct button?
Not satisfied with his pretty young wife—and his secret lover—he called for the services of a well-known prostitute, La Monique. And, according to her, not for the first time. She claims he is a regular client when in Paris. However, this time, he was too drunk to perform.
La Monique told us:
“He was ranting and swearing when I arrived in his hotel room, shouting for his wife. I was scared, he looked as though he may turn violent. I was about to leave when he staggered out onto the balcony, still shouting for his wife—and tried to climb over the rail. I tried to pull him back, but he was too strong. I ran for help, bumping into his friend (Gabriel Bridgewater) in the corridor. Gabriel was magnificent. He helped me bring Jon safely back into the room, and called an ambulance—by this time he was unconscious on the floor. It’s so sad. He was usually such a good client.”
I stopped reading at this point, taking a sip of coffee and wondering if I was actually asleep and dreaming Jon having an affair with Suki? Using a prostitute? I didn’t believe any of it. It was absurd. I needed more coffee. When my cup had been refilled, and a tray of sweet pastries supplied by the barista, I returned to the newspaper article.
The sordid tale unfolded over the next few hours. The ambulance crew discovered a quantity of valium-based tranquillisers in his room, along with the remains of a bottle of vodka. It was La Monique, though, who found his mobile phone, passing it to our reporter on the spot.
His last incoming text provides the background to his mental state:
Darling Jon. I’m sorry, I can’t carry on like this. I love Gabe and intend to stay with him. If you can’t accept that our affair is over, I’ll tell Gabe you’re stalking me. Please don’t leave Anita, she doesn’t deserve that. It was wonderful while it lasted, but it was only ever a fling. Yours, Suki xxx
Suki’s text must have been the catalyst driving him to overdose on the tranquillisers and vodka, then worried that might not work, he tried to throw himself over the balcony. Only the brave and kind effort from Gabriel Bridgewater—ironically the man he cuckolded—saved his miserable life. He’d been typing a text to his wife, but left it unsent.
Anita. I’m sorry. Please forgive me, I never meant to hurt you.
And now, as he wakes up in a hospital bed, he has a whole new set of problems to face. A broken-hearted wife. An angry ex-lover. A furious teammate. He’ll most probably be fit and well in time for his next F1 race on the infamous Spa Francorchamps circuit (where he nearly lost his life two years ago), but his sponsorship deals are now in question. Electronics giant Pulsata is having second thoughts about using his face for their products, and Chanel is also questioning whether his is the right image for their latest after shave.
How does it feel to fall from top to bottom in just one evening? Just ask Jon Craigowan.
CHAPTER 10
10.1 Suki
As night turned into morning, I saw the early editions of the newspapers. Gabe had disappeared again, leaving me alone in the waiting room, catching occasional glimpses of Anita. I showed her the headlines; Jon’s was face plastered across the front page. We had to get a friendly nurse to translate for us. It was hugely embarrassing for her and us. Jon was still not properly awake and Anita had no way of finding out his side of the story. She paced the floor, head bowed, every muscle quivering.
Eventually she paused, and stared at me. “I looked at Jon’s phone. That text that supposedly came from you, didn’t come from your number. Josh could have sent it.”
I winced. “That crossed my mind, too. But Anita, the text Jon started to write to you… Who else could have done that?”
“The prostitute. We only have her word for it. For what happened.” She crossed her arms tight over her chest. “Or Gabe.”
She’s upset, I told myself. I would be in her shoes. “Gabe said he arrived later.” The look she gave me spoke volumes. “The pills, the vodka… do you think the prostitute supplied those?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She spun on her heel and turned away from me. “I can’t imagine why he’d have a girl in his room. And if it was some kind of set-up, how did she get him drunk, or stoned, whichever? It makes no sense.”
“Josh had a French girlfriend.” I spoke slowly, remembering our conversation on the beach. “I’m sure he said she was Parisian.”
“Bit of a coincidence, don’t you think?” She turned slowly to look at me again. “Why would he do this, Suki? What could he hope to gain?”
“A good story?” I shrugged. “Money? Maybe someone was paying him?”
“To wreck Jon’s career? To humiliate me? Who would want to do that?”
My stomach churned. It all came back to Gabe. To my husband. Anita froze, her gaze fixed on the doorway. I turned and saw the smiling nurse in the doorway.
“Monsieur Craigowan is awake now.”
“Come with me, Suki. Please.”
Jon lay pale-faced against a mound of pillows, his dark hair sticking out at odd angles, a massive smile breaking out when he saw his wife. “Neeta.”
She hurled herself into his arms, a sob escaping as she dropped to her knees beside the bed. I stood in the doorway feeling awkward, and keeping a lookout for Gabe. I sat down and tried not to watch them embracing. It was too private a moment for an audience.
Finally, Anita eased herself free and sat on the edge of his bed, holding his hands tightly between her own. Jon noticed me, his eyes opening wide. “Suki?” He sounded puzzled. “What are you doing here?” He looked back to his wife. “Can you tell me what happened? What the fuck am I doing in hospital?”
Her voice was calm and controlled. “Tell me what you remember. Everything from when you left the bar in the hotel.”
His brow wrinkled as he thought about it. “I felt a bit weird in the bar, kinda light-headed, as though I was really, really pissed. I’d had one beer, and a glass of wine with dinner.” He thought some more. “I remember Gabe helping me to my room, and then it just… it’s like a freaky nightmare.” He released Anita’s hands, cupping her face instead, his thumbs stroking gently across her cheeks. “I thought I could hear you shouting for me. I tried to find you. I remember being on the balcony, I thought you were outside. It’s crazy, you couldn’t have been. And then…” He took a quick breath. “I was lying on the floor, Gabe was there and a woman, he was telling her to leave. I couldn’t move, it felt as though I was paralysed.” He stopped, and then scratched his forehead, a puzzled look in his eyes.
“And then I woke up here. I’ve got a foul taste in my mouth and a headache, and everyone is treating me like a bad smell. What the fuck is going on?”
“The woman was a prostitute.” Anita kept her voice low, her eyes fixed on his face. His surprise looked genuine. “She was apparently hired by you. She found you off your head, trying to climb over the balcony.”
“Fu-uck.” His pale face blanched even further. “I was on the sixth floor. Jesus. But what was I doing out there? With a prostitute? Neeta, sweetheart, I wouldn’t do that.”
She nodded, her eyes damp with unshed tears. “I know, babe. But there’s more.” She glanced across at me with a crumpled smile. “And this is why I wanted Suki to come in.”
“Is it something to do with Gabe? Is he okay?”
I nodded and cleared my dry throat. “Yeah, he’s, ah, okay. Jon, I’m supposed to have sent you a text which upset you.”
He screwed up his face. “I don’t remember getting any text from you. What did it say?”
My face burned as I replied. My cheeks must have been glowing. “I was, um, breaking up with you. Finishing our affair.”
He laughed aloud, eyes crinkling with amusement, then went silent as he realised we were both watching him intently. “Our affair? What affair?” He gazed at Anita, stroking her hair as he spoke. “That’s the biggest pile of shit I’ve heard in ages. I hope you didn’t believe it?�
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“No,” she whispered. “How could I?”
They looked so beautiful together, so complete in every way, and I realised with a pang, I’d never felt like that with Gabe. Never that connected. I swallowed. There was still more to tell Jon and I feared I’d have to leave as soon as Gabe returned.
“Jon, the newspapers are claiming you tried to commit suicide, that you took an overdose of Valium.”
He didn’t take his eyes off Anita. “I wouldn’t even know where to get any. If that’s what knocked me out, someone slipped it to me. I didn’t take it knowingly.”
“Maybe in your dinner? Or the drink you had in the bar?”
He dragged his attention to me, his hands still caressing his wife. “I had one beer, with Gabe and the publicity team. He’ll vouch for me.” He frowned again. “It was a bitter tasting ale. I didn’t much like the taste, but it would have been rude to refuse.” A little bell rang at the back of my mind as Jon carried on. “Someone’s set me up, but why?”
Anita kissed him and held him close. “I don’t know, babe, but we’re going to find out.”
The nurse bustled in at this point, shooing Anita off the bed and into the chair, while I stared blankly at the ceiling. There was something I had to remember, a fleeting thought as Jon had been speaking… No, it’d gone. It was something important, I knew that, but what the hell was it?
