by E. L. Todd
“Dude?” Both of his eyebrows rose. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that in my life.”
“Well, there’s a first for everything.”
“But—”
My cell phone rang. Without checking who it was I answered it. “Sean Preston.”
“It’s me,” Scarlet said.
“Hey, baby. Sorry, I didn’t check the phone before I answered it.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “Turn on the news.”
My blood went cold. “I’m pretty sick of the news…”
“Just do it.” She hung up.
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
“What’s up?” Mike asked.
“Not sure,” I said. “Scarlet just told me to turn on the news.”
He sighed then sat in the armchair. “Ugh. This can’t be good.”
I found the channel and stared at the face of Angie. She looked different, like she hadn’t gotten any sleep last night. Somehow, she even looked thinner. The headline at the bottom read, STRIPPER RETRACTS PREVIOUS STATEMENT.
“What the…?” Mike sat up straight.
Angie was in the middle of an interview. “Sean Preston never did any of those things. His story is the truth…” She looked down at her hands, too ashamed to look at the interviewer.
“If that’s the case, why did you lie?” the journalist asked.
“I…” She rubbed her palms together. “I told him I would lie about what happened unless he gave me twenty million dollars…”
“Holy shit.” Mike stood up because he couldn’t sit still any longer.
“And he refused?” the journalist asked.
Angie nodded. “He said he refused to cover up something he didn’t even do. So, I went public like I promised…”
“What made you tell the truth?” the journalist asked. “What’s changed?”
She sniffed like she was about to cry. “My mom has breast cancer…and Sean Preston paid for her medical bills anonymously. The doctor told me about it. After what I did he still helped me…I couldn’t let the lie continue.”
“Why did you blackmail him in the first place?” the journalist asked.
“Because I needed the money.” The tears fell from her eyes and down her cheeks.
I turned off the TV because I didn’t need to see anymore. A weight lifted off my shoulders and I could finally breathe. My good name was restored and I could continue my life in peace. People wouldn’t harass me with hate mail or call my wife stupid for sticking by my side.
Mike shook his head. “You’re one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”
“I told you she was just desperate. She was trying to survive.”
“You know, blackmail is a federal crime.”
“Your point?” I asked.
“You can press charges on her.”
No way. “I’m not doing that.” I wasn’t that spiteful. Seeing someone in a bad situation just made me grateful that I never had to experience it myself. My kids would never understand what it was truly like to feel desolate—thankfully.
“She’s lucky you’re a nice guy,” he said. “I wouldn’t have let her off so easily.”
“Yes, you would.” Mike said a lot of things in his anger but he never went through with them. I knew how he was.
“Believe me, I wouldn’t.”
“Whatever you say…” I knew the truth.
“Now what?” he said. “Should we drink to celebrate the return of your reputation?”
“Yes,” I said. “We should drink a lot.”
***
Scarlet and I lay on the couch, naked under a warm blanket. We made love the second I got home. We didn’t bother with dinner because we went at it again after we had a rest.
She was tucked into my side with her head on my chest. One leg was hooked around mine. I could feel her smooth skin and the muscles of her toned thighs. She was my beautiful wife but also a fine piece of ass.
We hadn’t made love in a while because I was too stressed out over the whole scandal. No matter what Scarlet did I just wasn’t in the mood. I spent most of my time alone, locked in my study. Scarlet gave me my space because she knew I needed it. But now that the crisis had been averted I made up for lost time.
The doorbell rang.
Scarlet sighed because she was almost asleep. “I never thought I would say this, but I hope it’s not one of our kids.”
I fished my phone out of my pocket then checked the cameras outside our front door. It was handy when I wanted to take a peek outside from my bedroom or somewhere else in the house.
“It’s Angie.”
“The stripper?” Scarlet asked.
“Yeah…”
“Is she alone?”
I checked the other cameras. “Yeah.”
“I wonder what she wants.”
“I don’t have a clue.” I moved off the couch then pulled on my clothes.
Scarlet did the same thing and fixed her hair.
“I got it, baby.” I headed to the entryway then opened the door. I wore sweats and a t-shirt, what I usually wore around the house when it was just Scarlet and I. It was a rare sight for anyone else to see me like this.
Angie stared at me with fear in her eyes, like she wasn’t sure if showing up on my doorstep was a good idea.
It wasn’t.
I stared at her and waited for her to speak first.
“I probably shouldn’t have stopped by at this time of night but I didn’t want to leave a note…” She was definitely scared of me. She took an involuntary step back like I might strike her. “Maybe I should have just come to your office…”
“You’re here so just make the best of it.”
She tightened her arms across her chest. “Did you watch the news today…?”
I nodded.
“Well…I know it doesn’t make up for what I did but I hope it helps. You’re a good man and what I did was wrong…I’m so sorry.”
It was hard for me to hold a grudge after someone apologized. I was losing my hatred with every passing second.
“What you did was…you’ll never understand how much I appreciate it. My mom is really sick and I’m not sure if she’s ever going to get better but I have to try.” She took a deep breath like she was trying not to cry. “My dad is gone and she’s all I have left. I dropped out of school and now I strip.” Her eyes bubbled with tears. “No one has ever been so nice to me…”
This was unbearable. I couldn’t remember why I was upset to begin with. “Angie, it’s okay.”
“I was just desperate…”
“I know.” I crossed the threshold then gave her a hug, the kind I give to my kids. “It’s alright.” I rubbed her back gently, trying to give her some comfort after everything she’d been through.
When her face was pressed against my chest she started to sob, like she’d been keeping it in for a long time.
Scarlet came behind me and watched our interaction. There was a smile in her eyes, like she was proud of everything I was giving to a complete stranger. She ran her hand down my back then patted Angie on the head. “It’s alright,” she said. “Even when you feel most alone you aren’t.”
“I’m sorry,” Angie said into my chest. “You guys are such nice people…”
“We forgive you, Angie,” I said gently. “You made it right. That’s all that matters.”
“I don’t know what else to say…” She pulled away and wiped her tears away with the back of her forearm. “If I could take back what I did I would.”
“No,” Scarlet said. “Every bad experience contains something beautiful. Sean and I are happy to help your mother.”
She bowed her head like she couldn’t meet my gaze. “You guys are wonderful people. Your kids are so lucky…”
Scarlet chuckled. “You should tell them that. Sometimes they forget.”
“No, really,” Angie said. “I’ve met a lot of shady people stripping. The second I saw Sean I knew he was different. I just wish there w
ere more people like that.” She backed away, her arms still crossed over her chest. “I’ll leave you alone now. I just wanted to apologize.” Without saying goodbye she walked back to her car.
Scarlet and I stood there and watched her go. Something didn’t feel right. There was still a hole missing, like she and I hadn’t fulfilled our purpose. There should be more. But what that entailed I didn’t know.
Scarlet cleared her throat. “You know, I’ve always admired Ryan for everything he’s done for Arsen…”
I turned to her and read the expression in her eyes. “Me too.”
“He helped someone who couldn’t help himself. And as a result, he shaped a pretty outstanding person.” She kept looking at me. “And I think we’ve met someone else that needs help.”
I smiled. “You want to adopt Angie?”
“In so many words…”
“I think that’s a good idea.” I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Pay it forward, right?”
She nodded. “Right.”
Chapter Ten
Trinity
I kept staring at my phone.
Just call.
My hands stayed still on the desk.
It’ll only take two seconds and it’ll be over.
I crossed my arms over my chest.
What the hell is wrong with me? I’m never afraid of telling someone off. Maximum was the one who screwed everything up. His intentions toward me definitely weren’t professional. Some would tell me severing contact with him was suicide for my career but I didn’t care about that. Women would get under him in a heartbeat, whether it would advance their social standing or not.
But not me.
“Just do it.” I grabbed the phone and made the call. Every time the ring sounded in my ear I thought I was going to die. I wanted his answering machine. Leaving a simple message would be much easier.
“Mr. Shot’s office,” his cheery secretary said.
“Hello, this is Trinity.”
“Oh, hello.” Her voice rose a few octaves in excitement. “How are you?”
“Good. You?”
“Great,” she said. “How can I help you?”
Did Maximum put the moves on her too? Or was I the only one subjected to his forwardness? “Can I speak to Mr. Shot?”
“Sure. Let me transfer you. Hold on.”
Ugh. I was hoping he was in a meeting or something. “Thanks.” The line went quiet as I waited for him to take the call. All I had to do was say what I needed to say and hang up. Then the entire thing would be over and I could live my life.
He answered it with a deep voice, cool and collected like always. “Trinity.” He said my name like we’d known each other our entire lives, like we’d shared the most intimate moments and secrets.
“Hi. Do you have a minute?” I kept my voice professional and tried not to be intimidated.
“I always have time for you.”
That line may work on someone else but it wouldn’t work on me. “Great.” I acted like nothing unusual just happened. “I took a look at my schedule and I realized the spring line we planned to do together just won’t fit. I really appreciate the opportunity but it’s not going to work. You’re so talented in everything that you do and I’m sure I would just hold you back anyway.” I apologized and flattered him. That was the least confrontational way out of this.
It was silence on his end.
I refused to speak again so I kept my mouth shut. I said everything I needed to say and now the conversation should be over.
Maximum was quiet for so long I didn’t think he would say anything at all.
God, the tension was killing me. I ran my fingers through my hair anxiously, wanting this nightmare just to end. “Well, I have to go. Thank you for being so understanding about this, Mr. Shot.”
When his voice came through the phone it was terrifying. He didn’t change his tone or volume but the disappointment fell like an avalanche. “I’m sorry to hear that, Trinity.” Then he hung up.
I listened to the line go dead and felt my body relax.
Thank god that was over.
***
I stayed at the office later than I normally would because I had things to catch up on. Slade was at the studio all day so he wouldn’t be home anyway. I’d sit in that apartment alone with nothing to do. At least at the office I was being productive.
The most stuff I got done, the better. Then I’d have more time to spend with my new baby when I went on maternity leave.
Denise came into my office with her purse over her shoulder. “Do you need anything else before I leave?”
“No, I’m okay. Have a good evening.”
“How much longer are you going to stay?” she asked.
I eyed the clock. “Probably another hour.”
“Well, don’t stay too long,” she said. “You need to rest.”
Denise always looked out for me and that was why I adored her. “Thanks.”
She left my office and left the door open behind her. Everyone was usually gone by five o’ clock except the photographers on the next floor up above me. They constantly changed the sets and decided what they would do the following business day. They were on salary so it didn’t matter to me how long they were at the office.
An hour passed and my eyes grew heavy. The fluorescent lights were starting to wear me down. Natural light was my preference, but since the skyscrapers blocked the sun as it set in the sky it was practically dark. I blinked my eyes a few times and kept working.
Slade texted me. Baby, I’m going to be here forever. I’m sorry.
It’s okay. I’m at the office anyway.
You want me to pick you up on the way?
No, I’m getting hungry. I’ll just take a cab.
Okay. See you then.
I set my phone down and kept working.
Footsteps approached the office door, and then there was a light rapping on the wall.
I looked up, unsure who would still be here at this time of night.
My heart fell into my stomach when I saw him.
Maximum.
Why was he here? Did he know I was still here? After the awkward conversation we had earlier today what more did he want to say? Perhaps he wanted to apologize.
Or maybe that was just wishful thinking.
He wore a designer suit that fit him to a T. Ironically, he didn’t wear his own brand of clothing. He was usually seen in Hugo Boss. It was probably his publicist’s attempt at making him seem humble.
He slowly approached my desk, his hands in his pockets.
I was uncomfortable but I did a good job hiding it. “Hello, Maximum. What brings you here?”
“I thought I’d stop by.” He stared at me and hardly blinked. “You’re working late tonight.”
“I’ve got a lot of stuff to do.”
“I’m surprised your husband is okay with that.”
“He’s working too. Otherwise, you’re right. He wouldn’t like it.” I made it clear I was happily married. And I was obviously pregnant. So, what was his angle?
“What does he do?”
“He’s a musician.” He wasn’t a tattoo artist anymore and I had to remember that.
“I see.” He wasn’t the least bit impressed.
I gathered my things because I knew it was time to leave. “Well, I was about to head out. I need to make dinner.”
He stayed in the same place and watched me pack my purse. “I was really disappointed with our earlier conversation.”
The tension settled and there was no way to ignore it. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”
“Then work with me.” His tone remained the same but he was more forceful.
“Maximum, I really don’t have the time. My baby is on the way and my first priority is being a mom.”
“But it’s such a waste of talent.”
“Being a mother?” I snapped. “No, it’s not a waste of talent.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he said calml
y. “And you know that.”
I just wanted this conversation to end. I wish he’d never called me. “I really should get going.”
“Change your mind,” he said. “Please.”
“No.” I shouldered my bag and walked around the desk.
Maximum immediately blocked my path.
I didn’t like this. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”
He stood his ground. “Trinity, there’s something here. You feel it and I feel it too.”
“There’s nothing besides a professional working relationship.” How could he possibly interpret anything else? “I’m married to a man I adore, and together we’re having a baby. I have no interest in anyone else. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Maximum. But you need to back off—now.”
He still didn’t move. “I see the way you react around me—”
“Because I’m scared.”
He shook his head. “The chemistry we have is right. I know you want me. I can see it every time you look at me.”
“You’re mistaking that for respect and awe. I respect you as a designer and an artistic mind. That is all.”
He took a step forward.
I automatically took a step back. “Maximum, get the hell out of my way. I mean it.”
“I want you. And I always get what I want.”
This was bullshit. “That’s too damn bad.” I turned and headed the other way around the desk.
Maximum quickly walked around and blocked me again.
My heart burned from the overload of blood. My entire body was preparing for my inevitable fate. Maximum was an enormous man, all muscle and strength. I couldn’t fight him head-on. All I could do was run.
And I knew I wouldn’t get away.
I walked right into this situation. I shouldn’t have been here so late in the evening. I should have gone home when Denise suggested it. Or better yet, the second Maximum made me uncomfortable I should have ended the relationship.
Because now it was too late.
“Maximum, please get out of my way.” The fear was in my eyes. I didn’t need a mirror to figure it out. My hands were shaking and I tried to keep them still. “I’ve shown you nothing but respect and I accept the same in return.”
His eyes were honed in like I was a target. He took a step forward, moving in.
“I’ll scream.”
“No one’s here.” His hand slowly moved upward until the back of his fingers reached my face. He trailed them down gently, looking into my eyes at the same time. “You’re beautiful.”
