by A. C. Arthur
“Time will tell.”
“That bad, huh?” Tyler finished his doughnut, licked his fingers and reached for another. “You talk to London?”
“Nope. Left messages. So far she hasn’t returned my calls.” Ace poured cream into a cup of hazelnut-flavored coffee. “It’s all good.”
Tyler studied him over the coffee cup’s rim. “If you say so. What about your time off? Do anything exciting?”
“I’ve had enough excitement over the past four weeks to last a lifetime. I chilled, mostly. Spent time with the folks. Met some friends in Las Vegas. What about you?”
“Tahiti, baby, and let me tell you—those folk know how to relax. Phillip fell in love with the island, threatened to relocate.”
Mira walked by the break room, doubled back and stuck her head in the door. “I was headed to the conference room. Is the meeting still happening there or should I come in here and pull up a chair?”
“Good morning to you, too, Mira,” Ace replied.
“Come on, boys. Vacation’s over. The quicker we get this day over, the faster the week will go.”
They followed her to the conference room and settled around the table. Though the three were equal partners, Ace was the unofficial head of the team, reflected in how both Tyler and Mira waited for him to begin.
“First of all, I want to thank you guys for stepping up, going over and above to make sure this launch was successful. It went way beyond that. I don’t think any of us expected to get the exposure, press, accolades and everything that’s happened in the past four weeks. I just started wading through emails and one after another presents offers for advertising and articles—I even saw one with a reality-show proposal attached.”
“Not a chance,” Tyler said with a groan.
“Not so fast,” Mira countered. “For all of their antics, reality television is a multibillion-dollar industry, and the fastest-growing genre on TV.” Mira drank from her bottle of water. “I actually think we should entertain the idea. London has an interest in expanding into television. She has that Kardashian quality—people want a peek into her life. I think she’d be perfect.”
Ace shifted in his seat. “Speaking of London, I guess I need to share a little more about what happened in France. I didn’t want to talk about it on the plane ride home, partly because I’d hoped that by now it would have sorted itself out. But it hasn’t, and since my personal actions might impact the business, you guys need to be aware.
“Back in Milan, London’s father personally tasked me with ensuring her safety for the duration of the European tour. I tried to do that, with the best of intentions. But London’s willfulness is well-known. I don’t know how I forgot. But I did. London wasn’t on the plane with us because we had a huge fight.”
“What about?”
“The reason isn’t important right now. I bring it up for two reasons. One, because as of now London may or may not want to continue as the face of Her. And two, for us, that might be a good thing.”
Tyler’s feigned cough turned to laughter. “You’re pulling our legs, right?”
“That wasn’t a joke.”
Mira sat back in her chair. “London was the best thing that ever could have happened for the line. The launch wouldn’t have been the same without her.”
“I won’t disagree with that.”
“I knew you were smart.”
“Ace, come on man. Give us one good reason we’d spend two seconds discussing London not being the face for OTB Her.”
“I’ll give you several. First, for all the benefit she brings to the table—and the benefits are immense—she also comes with liabilities. The crazed stalker or crazed fan or whoever is sending gifts all over the world. The kidnapping attempt. Not only are we putting her in danger with this added exposure, but we’re setting ourselves up for possible harm, as well.
“What happened in Milan was terrifying and could have yielded a much more tragic result. I care for London, and had something happened to her while doing business for us, we all would have been personally devastated. But had something happened and her family held us responsible somehow, such a move could be catastrophic to the company, as well. The OTB Her line could go down as fast as it went up. The men’s line and every idea we have in the pipeline would be affected.”
“You’re throwing out a lot of supposition here, Ace.”
“Mira, I—”
“Please, Ace, give me a second before you go on. I don’t know where all of this is coming from, but it’s not from the Ace I know. The man I quit my corporate job for and reached into my retirement fund to get into partnership with wouldn’t be focusing on doom-and-gloom what-ifs. Life happens. The show’s over. We have a few months before the spring shows, to either find out who’s after her or devise a way to make sure he doesn’t get her on our watch. But anyone else being the Her girl? For me, that’s out of the question.”
“I have to agree with Mira, Ace. When it comes to anyone else repping this line, London has no competition or comparison. As Phillip would say, she shut it down.”
“The publicist’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” Mira continued. “The sales department is being deluged. We’ve gotten orders from all the majors, Neiman, Saks, Bloomingdale’s, all placing big orders and making room on their floors for a full OTB Her display. Yes, it’s partly because of the clothes. The designs are amazing. But for the women buying those clothes, it’s not just about style. It’s about feeling a little like the fabulous, fearless, take-charge, screw-the-world woman they see promoting the looks. It’s about putting a little London into their lives.”
“I don’t disagree with any of that, Mira. And I’m still that man for whom you took a risk. It’s not about touting doom and gloom, it’s about looking at every aspect of business objectively, from all angles. Discussing it. Debating it. And coming to a mutual conclusion.
“On Friday, I called the detective in Milan. They still have no suspects and no solid lead on either the package or the attempted kidnapping. The mail we sent back went to a virtual mail store and a randomly chosen address that didn’t have a corresponding box to the number listed.”
“What about the rape kit?”
“That was the one piece of good news. There was no evidence that’s she’d been assaulted—sexually or otherwise.
“To give a partial answer to your earlier question, Tyler, and to comment on what Mira said about keeping London safe, our argument in Paris began about that very thing. When she went against me and my word to her father and left the house, she left my protection and care. If something had happened to her it wouldn’t have been about her being a grown woman or highly traveled or any of that. It would have been that I’d given my word and didn’t follow through. We all know how she can be. The same temperamental, stubborn, rebel qualities that make her great are also what can make it very difficult for us to keep her out of danger. Like you said, whoever did this is still out there. As a company, do we want to take the risk?”
Ace had purposely kept the focus on the company and what he’d promised Ike Sr. but his fear of harm coming to London went much deeper, straight through his heart.
Tyler folded his arms and eyed Ace intently. “Tell me something, Ace. Is this just about London’s safety, or does it also have to do with the person you demanded I ban from the shows, the one who showed up in Paris, whose face along with hers is splashed all over the tabloids with them all lovey-dovey at some kind of suave affair?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do.”
“This isn’t personal. It’s business.”
Ace said this, and another recording began to play in his head. I’ll tell you what you’re concerned about. Your precious company. OTB’s reputation. Your name. Your brand. At the end of the day, that’s what you’re really
protecting.
“Guys, here’s my suggestion. I say we contact London or her agent and make sure she’s still on board. Remind them of the contract she signed. Because if she isn’t, we’ve already wasted an hour discussing someone who’s no longer with the company.” Mira looked at Ace. “Do you want me to handle this?”
“No. I’ll handle it.”
Later that day, Ace set about doing just that. Another call to London went to voice mail, but that didn’t stop him. He went home and changed into comfortable clothes. Grabbed a meal at a drive-through, programmed his GPS and steered his top-of-the-line Porsche in the direction of Paradise Cove.
Chapter 24
It was quiet. A sound London hated. It was one of the reasons she worked so hard, traveled so much, stayed so busy. Distracting relationships and a raucous lifestyle drowned out memories mostly dead and buried. Whispery images that every now and then would try and creep into her consciousness, begging to be resolved. Drakes didn’t run, but for more than ten years she’d beaten a steady trot away from a series of incidents she’d never before shared. Until last week. When Ace pushed a button hard enough to open her up.
“I can’t deal with this boring town. Coming home was a big mistake.”
She grabbed her purse, keys and shades and headed for the door. Once in the car, she rang Quinn.
“What are you doing?”
“Hey, London. I’m visiting my grandmother. What about you?”
“Bored out of my mind. Want to get together and, I don’t know, do whatever you guys do in this place?”
Quinn’s laughter, usually contagious, grated on her nerves. “You sound so much like me when I first got here. I didn’t think I’d last a week, let alone the six months I’d promised Grand. You’ll get used to it, maybe even learn to enjoy it as I do now. Something about the slower pace allows you to reconnect with yourself, hear yourself think, you know?”
“More than you realize.”
“Grand and I were just about to have dinner. Would you like to join us?”
“Sounds good, but no. I’m having big-city withdrawal and need a little excitement.”
“What time is it, seven o’clock? Right now you have the choice between bingo at city hall, skating at the community center or watching the ripples at Drake Lake.”
“Very funny, Quinn.”
“Why don’t you do what you really want to do and return Ace’s calls? I don’t know what you argued about, but nothing’s so bad that it can be fixed.”
“There’s no fixing necessary where that’s concerned. Ace and I were just having fun, doing what some models do when stuck on a tour together. That situation was more about business than anything.”
“Was? Aren’t you forgetting you’re the face of the line?”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know if that’s what I want to be anymore.”
“London, what’s really going on?”
London pulled into a strip mall. Located on the main road that went through the town, it was a place where teenagers often came to meet their friends, drink beer smuggled from their parents’ homes and to see and be seen by all passing by. London watched a group of girls laughing and joking with a boy who looked like the town jock. Happy. Carefree. Funny, until now London would have used those words to describe herself. They came close to describing her personality, but not exactly.
“London?”
“Oh, sorry, Quinn. I got distracted.”
“Where are you?”
“Over by the mall. Thinking about going into Acquired Taste, having a glass of wine.”
“Oh, I hate for you to drink alone. What are your brothers up to? Or your sisters-in-law. Call one of them, London. You know too many people in this town to hang out by yourself.”
“You’re right. Maybe I’ll go over to the center, see if Terrell’s still there. He’s usually there late, especially if Aliyah has to work.”
“Jennifer told me about the charity fashion event. She’s really excited.”
The fashion show. Yet another topic to remind her of Ace and how quickly he’d become entwined in her life.
“Hey, London. Dinner’s ready. You sure you don’t want to come over?”
“No, but thanks for the offer. Give Grand a hug for me.”
“Will do.”
London ended the call. Head in hand, she muttered out loud, “London, what are you doing?”
A commotion began among the teens nearby.
“Whoa!”
“Hey, y’all, that’s my car!”
“Man, you wish you could drive something like that.”
“What is that?” one girl asked.
“Looks like a Firebird,” another answered.
High School Jock pushed the girl who’d answered. “Y’all don’t know nothing. That’s a Porsche.”
Porsche? London lifted her head. The light turned green. A shiny silver Porsche, driven by a man bearing a striking resemblance to Ace Montgomery, drove directly past her.
Was that...? No. Couldn’t be. Not here in Paradise Cove, California.
She slammed her car into gear. “Okay, girl, you really need to get it together.” Zooming out of the parking lot, she headed to Drake Community Center, where her charismatic brother Terrell could keep her entertained, or at least provide enough conversation to keep her mind off...everything. Turning up the car stereo, she tried to put yet another layer between her and her thoughts.
A call coming through her car’s Bluetooth interrupted the music.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hello, Clarisse. Where are you, sweetie?”
“On my way to the center.”
“Well, you need to turn around and come home. You have a visitor.”
“Who?”
Asked even though she already knew the answer.
“I’ll let it be a lovely surprise. Just come home quickly. You passed on dinner, but we can all share dessert.”
Less than ten minutes later, she walked into the house and down the hall toward Jennifer’s tinkling laughter, Ike Sr.’s rumbling chuckle and the deep, slightly raspy sound of Ace’s voice. Great. Just friggin’ great.
Go ahead. Impress them. I couldn’t care less about that or you.
She took a quick glance in a hallway mirror, pulled the band off a hastily arranged ponytail and shook out her hair.
When she turned the corner, her greeting was abrupt. “What are you doing here?”
“Clarisse!” Jennifer’s cultured sensibilities chafed at her rudeness.
If Ace was ruffled, it didn’t show. “Hello, London.”
“Hello. What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to speak with you, but you haven’t returned my calls.”
“Which should have been your clue.”
“Can we talk privately?”
London glared at him for a few seconds, then turned and walked out of the room.
Ace stood quickly, addressing London’s parents just as fast. “Mr. and Mrs. Drake, it’s been a pleasure. Excuse me. London!”
His long legs ate up the distance between them, catching her as she headed—more like stomped—up the stairs. She reached the top and spun around. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here.”
“Yes, I do.”
She continued down the hall. “A lot of good it did. Because I have nothing to say to you.”
“Good. It’ll make listening easier.”
“You’re such a jerk.”
“That’s not my intention.”
They reached her suite. She flung open the door and whirled around on him. “Okay, talk. Your five minutes start now.”
Ace eyed her intently for a moment.
“Staring at me is just wasting time.”
> Another beat and then he said, “I love you.”
Well, now. This was an unexpected opening line, one that shocked London into silence. From the look on Ace’s face, she suspected it might have shocked him, too.
“Bad timing, I know. But I can’t help it, can’t control it. I tried to. Wouldn’t even admit it to myself until tonight when I had a two hour drive to think about why not hearing from you, being with you, was driving me crazy. But I’ve known for a while. In London, I knew. And Milan. I especially knew in Paris, when you stayed out with Max and I couldn’t sleep. When I wanted nothing more than to crash that dinner party and introduce my fist to his face. Me, a nonviolent kind of brother.
“Earlier, I told myself this was about business. That the only reason I was coming here was to confirm your continued participation as the face of our line. But that was bullshit. I’m here because I didn’t want to be without you for one second longer. Is there a way you can forgive me so we can at least be friends?”
London continued to stare at him, still stuck back on that I-love-you moment. Slowly, she began to nod her head. “I guess,” she whispered and walked into his embrace.
His hug was long and firm, his hands squeezing her shoulders and back. He kissed her forehead, cheeks and eyes. Then he stepped back and away from her.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I felt so bad about all I said, especially when you told me you’d been molested.”
“I wish I hadn’t said that. Like I said then, I’ve never told anyone.”
“Why not?”
“Too hard to talk about. Easier to forget.”
“Maybe you should talk about it.”
“Yes, Clarisse, maybe you should.”
London gasped. Ace slowly turned around. Jennifer stood in the doorway, her expression horrified.
Chapter 25
“Mom!”
“Is that true, Clarisse? Have you been molested?”
“Why were you eavesdropping?”
“Honey, I wasn’t. The intercom went out. I came up because Junior called and invited us to join them at the club. I hoped you two would join us. But I can’t ignore what I overheard.” She turned to Ace. “Would you mind giving us some privacy?”
