“I don't like seeing the woman I love upset.”
She dropped her head to the side. “So you finally admitted it to each other. That's sweet.”
“Just because you can't feel love doesn't mean others can't. Why don't you tell Jack what's going on. Tell him about your medical condition.”
“It's not time, yet,” she said, making her way to the bathroom.
“It's time. Just let him go. You've already set your trap, just let it spring already.”
She stopped at the door. “Has it ever occurred to you that if I end things with him that you won't get to see Emily anymore?” She shook her head. “No, I don't suppose it has.” She draped her towel around her neck. “Just be patient, Drake. Things will come to a head soon.”
(Jack)
There was a knock at the door and I went to answer it.
Emily stood there in her nightgown and robe.
“Why did you knock?” I asked.
“I didn't want to disturb you.” She looked at me with ire.
“Disturb me?” I closed the door after she'd come in.
“I almost disturbed you last night.” She hugged her arms. “I saw you with her.”
I chuckled nervously. “I'm sorry about that. We fell asleep.”
“Jack, this is too much. Don't you understand how much it hurt me to see you two together?” She shook her head. “I'm your wife. She was in my place.”
“Emily, I already apologized for falling asleep. What else do you want from me?” I tossed my wet towel across the room.
“You're not really sorry. You're just sorry you got caught,” she spat.
“Stop it, Emily. I'm not up for theatrics.” I went to my suitcase and looked for a clean pair of pajamas.
“You didn't even have the decency to trade me this time. You didn't even think of me, did you?” She stomped her foot when I didn't answer.
“Just shut up already!” I spun around. “Why do you have to provoke me? Why do you keep bringing this up!? I'm going to fuck her! It's going to happen, so you'll just have to get used to it!”
Her mouth clamped shut and tears formed in her eyes. “Why don't you just let me go? You can have her.”
I pulled on a pair of pajama pants and opted out of wearing a shirt. “It'll ruin my political career at this point.” She stood motionless as I crossed to the bed and virtually fell into the rumpled covers. “I'm going to sleep. I suggest you join me.”
“Do you love her?”
I sighed and closed my eyes. “Of course not. Now come to bed. We only have a few hours before we have to do the meet-and-greet.”
She sniffed loudly, went into the bathroom, and slammed the door.
Three hours later, we were both dressed and headed down to breakfast. On the lower landing, I held out my bent arm for her to take. She took it reluctantly and I escorted her into the dining room. A breakfast buffet was set up on one side of the rectangular room. Long tables had been set up in rows. People were already talking animatedly about what activities they'd be enjoying for the day.
“Oh, here he is! Mr. Duncan!” Dowes came over with a plate of bacon and buttered crescent rolls. He was gesturing to Stratford, who followed behind.
“Good morning, Mrs. Duncan,” Stratford said, giving her a curt nod.
Emily nodded in return. “Good morning, Mr. Stratford. It's good to see you again.”
“I was just telling Mr. Stratford here—well, I don't like talking business over meals—but I think I'm ready to support you with a healthy investment.” The bald man was beaming over his decision.
“Well!” Jack perked up. “Stratford's been working on you, ey?” He chuckled. “Good man, Stratford.”
“Actually, it wasn't your man at all, but your mother who did all the convincing,” Dowes said. “She's quite the charming woman.” He winked.
I quirked a brow. “My mother. Ah. Yes.”
“Good luck in the races.” He patted my shoulder. “You've got my full support!”
“Thank you, Mr. Dowes.”
Stratford and Dowes moved off to find a table.
I was seething, but did my best to hide it.
“That was nice of your mother to help you out,” Emily commented.
“She should mind her own damn business,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Why are you so mad? Whatever she did to you in the past. She's obviously trying to help you now.”
“Nothing she does is ever what it appears to be.” I dropped my arm. “Go ahead and eat breakfast. I'm going to talk to her.”
Emily was nonplussed. “Okay.”
I went straight for the master suite and banged on the door.
“Come in,” she answered coolly.
The master's drawing room was decorated just as I remembered it, draped and upholstered in red velvet and gold. My mother was eating breakfast from a tray and watching the morning news.
“I came to tell you to stay out of my life.”
“Hello to you, too.”
I walked around the couch and blocked her view of the television. “Why do you do this, huh? Why do you show up when nobody wants you? You're like the fucking plague.”
“I wasn't aware that I was contagious.”
“Stop it. Stop with the jokes. You knew the retreat was this weekend, and yet you came anyway. Why? Just to torment me? Didn't you do enough of that in my childhood?”
“I'm not going to discuss the past with you. It's bad for digestion.” She took a bite of toast.
“Be serious. Tell me what you're doing here.”
“I was tired of Rome, and I wanted to meet your wife.”
I frowned. “You don't give a shit about me, but you care about my wife?”
“Someone's got to.” Her blue eyes were cold. “That woman loves you and you're screwing around with that baker girl.”
“I don't—don't know what you're talking about.” I stared at the carpet.
“Oh please.” She shut off the news. “Sit down.”
“I'd rather stand.”
“Stop trying to sound tough and take a fucking seat,” she spat.
I scowled and dropped into the nearest chair.
“Your father left me controlling stock in Duncan Enterprises.”
All the blood rushed out of my face. “You!? That's impossible!”
“Go see his lawyer if you don't believe me.” She sipped her coffee. “From what I've been reading, it's just about time for someone with a good head on her shoulders to take over. You posted a twelve-percent loss so far this quarter.”
“We'll bounce back.”
“It's because of that woman. How many board meetings have you been to in the past six months?”
“Why does it matter?”
“You've been to two out of ten, Jack. Two. Do you even know what you're doing anymore? Your voter confidence is down, your company could be headed for the toilet, and what have you got to show for it? A hard-on for some girl who bakes bread.”
“She's not just a baker.”
“You're right.” She handed me her iPad off the table. “Turn it on.” I hit the power button and onto the screen flashed a local magazine article from a few years before. The featured picture was of a set of performers dressed in bondage wear and other latex costumes. “Recognize anybody?”
My eyes roved over the picture, and of the eight or nine, I only saw one remotely familiar. “Is that—?”
“Chastity Edwards. I had someone do a full work-up on her. If people find out you're consorting with her, you'll lose your endorsements.”
I set the tablet down on the coffee table. “They won't find out.”
“How are you going to keep that from happening, huh?” She shook her head. “You never think, Jack. Nothing's changed since you were a kid. You went from making decisions based on your feelings—angry feelings, and now you think with your dick.”
“I don't have to take this.” I stood up. “Just stop … working on my constituents.”
&nb
sp; “You're going about this election all wrong, you know?”
I froze. “Oh yeah? How am I supposed to handle it?”
“Well, for starters, you keep your wife close. If you're going to fuck around, you make sure to take care of everybody involved—including Emily.”
I had to take a deep breath to avoid blowing up at her. “Is that what Dad did?”
“Your father never had any lovers, but if he had, he wouldn't have treated me as badly as you've treated Emily.”
“Of course, Dad didn't have lovers. That was your thing,” I said with a sneer.
“You're damn right. And I fucked every single one of them to get your father to where he was. Do you think he could have worked out half the deals and mergers himself? He couldn't have done any of it without me being there to ease the transaction.”
I shivered in response to that statement. “God, that's disgusting.”
“It's business. You do what you have to do to survive. Even your wife knows that. That's why she fucked Stratford for you.”
I spun around. “How do you know about that?!”
“I saw them together at the garden party. Even though they were just talking, it was evident in their body language. No man acts that way around a woman unless he's slept with her. I'm assuming she was the one who eased that transaction along. I assume that's why he decided to be your campaign manager.”
“Did it look like he … ” I bit my tongue.
“Oh, yes. He definitely wanted another piece of her. She didn't respond to his advances though. You should probably make sure he's still on board with your deal. Make sure he doesn't need a fresh dose.”
My hands clenched into fists. “Half the time I'm around him, I just want to bust his lip wide open. The bastard.”
“You're both bastards.” She sipped her coffee, then spent a moment studying the annoyance on my face. “It's the truth. You're a bastard because you gave your wife away, and he's a bastard because he fucked her. You're both no different. That doesn't even begin to mention your affair with the baker girl.”
“You just think you know everything, don't you?”
“I know I noticed your little girlfriend going out to the pool last night. I know I saw Emily sleeping in the library well past midnight. She must have gone in and seen you two together, and curled up on the couch.”
“We fell asleep.” It sounded like a juvenile excuse when said out of context.
“So, she did see you then. She's such a sweet, trusting girl. Too bad she's thrown it all away on someone like you.”
“Her loss. My gain.”
“I won't say I don't know why you use people. I do. But it's a different story when the person you're using loves you as desperately as she loves you.”
“I learned it from the best.”
“I did those things because I loved your father, but I damn sure knew he loved me back. And he appreciated everything I ever did for him.” She slid her tray away from her and removed the napkin from her lap. “I have a bit of advice for you, and even though I know you won't listen, I'll give it to you anyway. Forget this other woman until after the election is over. Your priorities should be winning the seat and moving on to bigger and better things.”
“I can't just forget her.”
“Why not? Don't tell me … ” She shook her head. “Have you've fallen in love with her?”
“No.” I tugged on the brim of my jacket. “I just want her.”
“You just … want her.” She chuckled.
“I need her,” I corrected.
“Dangerous words.”
“Just stay out of this.”
“Jack, I'm warning you. If you don't cut things off with this woman, you're could lose everything you've worked hard for.”
“I won't lose. I can handle this on my own.”
She put her hand on my shoulder. “No. You can't.”
I brushed her hand away. “Stop interfering in my life. I don't want to have to repeat this conversation.”
She said nothing as I strode toward the door and stepped into the hall.
I wasn't about to let her infect my life with her lies and deception. She had far too much dirt on her hands to have earned the right to give me a moral lecture.
I would handle it on my own.
Come Hell or high water.
Things would go my way.
(Emily)
He never came back to eat breakfast. The last day of the retreat was a free day. People split into smaller groups for activities, both on and off the property. As a result, the only privacy one could get was in one's room, so that's where I waited for him.
I remembered what Drake had said, that we'd find a way to be together, no matter what. Now Jack just needed convincing. I'd thought about it ever since I'd woken up. Our conversation the previous night had gone nowhere, but I decided to keep pushing the issue until I made some kind of headway.
Jack came into the room looking as though he'd been put through the ringer.
“How was your mother?” I asked.
“As well as any old selfish, intruding bat could be.” He loosened and unfastened his tie.
“I want to talk.”
“Not again.” He collapsed on the bed. “I just want to rest.”
“I think it's important that we discuss what happened last night.”
“What else is there to say? You came in and saw me and Chastity together.” He covered his eyes with his hand.
“That's not all.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I went to Drake.”
“Hm. So that's where you were.” He didn't even move at the confession.
“Do you love me, Jack?”
“Yes.” His hand remained over his eyes.
“If you love me, then let me go.”
“This again? I've already given you my answer.”
“You have to face the truth. We can't resurrect this marriage. It's over. It's been over.” Admitting the truth made my eyes tear up.
He lifted his hand and sat up in bed. “This is not over, Emily. I do love you. And as I remember it, you disobeyed me by going to see Drake. I'll let it go this time, because I didn't make sure you had a place to sleep, but you're not to see him anymore. I'll get you a room so last night won't happen again.”
“I can't go on like this anymore, Jack! I'm worth more than this!” I shouted.
“That's some spell he's woven for you, Emily Duncan.”
“I love him!” I exclaimed.
“Love? Is that what you call love? What has he ever sacrificed for you? What has he ever given you except a few good orgasms? Huh?”
“He taught me I'm worth more than this. I don't deserve to be treated like a slave.”
“He filled your head with a bunch of shit.” He shook his head. “You seem to forget that if you go, you'll be giving up your daughter. By the time you see Katherine again, she won't even know who you are. Is that what you want? How do you think she'd feel knowing her mother missed out on her life because she wanted to fuck someone else? Imagine the look on her face when she finds out.”
His words were a knife directly aimed at my heart. “Stop it!”
Jack's eyes narrowed. “It's the truth … and I'll make sure she knows it.”
I choked on my own breath as a fresh torrent of tears rushed from my eyes.
“Now, are you ready to stop talking about this nonsense and get back to fulfilling your duties?”
I struggled to stay standing. I'd been defeated by him for the millionth time.
Miserable that I couldn't see a way out of this, I fled the room, leaving the door swinging on its hinges.
I went to the only place I knew to go, straight to the kitchen, straight to Drake. I masked my tears as I stood in the servants’ hallway. A few servers came and went, some pushing hot carts, others carrying trays.
Finally, Drake emerged from the kitchen. “Emily! What's wrong?”
Seeing his kind face just made things worse. “It's Jack … he … ”
He took me by the shoulders. “What'd that bastard do to you now?”
I was so upset that I could hardly speak.
“Come on, let's go somewhere more private.” He whisked me up to his room, and luckily, we weren't seen by anyone. Once inside, he guided me over to the bed and sat me down. He went into the bathroom and came back with a glass of water. I took a big sip.
“Now, tell me what he did,” he said.
“He told me he wouldn't let me go. He said if I leave on my own, he'd poison Katherine against me.” My shoulders sank as I tried to grasp the concept of losing her. “I can't do it. I can't leave him. I can't lose my daughter.”
He took me in his arms. “I told you I'd find a way. It might take some time, but I promise I will.”
Out of my mind with worry and grief, I clung to him. “I can't imagine my life without her. I can't live if she thinks I abandoned her.”
“Shhh.” He stroked my head. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”
'You can't promise that', I wanted to say. Instead I lost myself in my sorrow, in my desire for him and for the love I could never have.
I'd been traded for love … and now I was stuck forever in an endless cycle of longing.
“Lie down here and rest,” he said, easing me down onto the bed. He took my water glass and set it on the side table. “Let me give instructions to the staff on what to make for dinner and I'll be right back, okay?”
His face was blurry through the tears in my eyes, but I nodded to let him know I'd heard him.
A moment later, he was gone.
I'd cried so many tears for Jack. I'd mourned the loss of his love, and now, because of him, I was mourning the loss of my happiness. I knew that no matter how hard Drake tried, he couldn't fight Jack's money or power. We'd lose. I'd lose … the one person that meant more to me than anybody else.
I got up and went to the writing desk in the corner, found a pen and paper, then began to write.
(Jack)
I need you. Come see me.
I couldn't have sent a more desperate text, but I didn't care anymore. I wanted Chastity and if she didn't obey my order to come see me, I was sure I'd storm down to wherever she was and take her by force.
C: I'm in my room. I'm on my lunch break.
Without delay, I got up and went to her room. The rest of the serving staff was busy preparing, which was good for me, since I didn't want to be seen.
Traded for Love Page 29
