As I'm rushing to my car, the last person I expect to see is my aunt.
“Talia, I was just coming up to see you, dear,” she calls from across the lot as I reach my car.
She seems a bit wound up, which puts me instantly on alert. All I can think about is her fighting with my father yesterday and then my father asking me to give her a second chance. The dual imagery is making my stomach roil. “Aunt Vanessa I have an appointment that I really need to keep. Could this possibly wait until later?”
She twists her purse's straps around her hands. “I'm sure you're busy with decisions and check lists and such, but since you haven't left any voice messages this past week, I thought I'd be the one to open the lines of communication, so I came to you.”
What is she talking about? “I haven't called.”
“Oh...” The look of disappointment on her face makes the invitation in my purse suddenly feel like a cinderblock. This would be the perfect time to invite her. Before I can tamp down my apprehension enough to speak, her expression tenses. “Well, in that case, then I do have something to talk to you about. I'd like to hire BLACK Security. I know a word from you will help smooth the path.”
She shifted gears so fast, I blink in surprise. “Why do you want to hire Sebastian?”
“I think someone's watching me,” my aunt says in a whisper after she glances behind her.
“There's no one there,” I say, pursing my lips. The parking lot behind her is empty. Is she messing with me? How many times has she manipulated my life and relationships in the past? Were there more than the ones I’m aware of?
“They're not there now,” she says, bristling. “This has been going on for a couple of weeks. I want someone I can trust to take on my case.”
“I'm so glad you feel he's trustworthy.”
“Of course I do. He saved your life. That’s all that matters in my book.”
My sarcasm completely flew over my aunt's head. She's serious. And now she's trying to drag my husband into her twisted web, which will in turn include me. What new angle is she playing? I can't deal with not knowing her agenda, but I definitely won't allow her to rope Sebastian into whatever plan she's concocting. That invitation in my purse is going straight into the trash. “I'm sorry, but you'll have to hire another firm to help you, Aunt Vanessa. There are tons of reputable ones out there. I really need to go now.”
“But...Talia.” She reaches for my arm. “I'd really like to work things out. I miss being a part of your life. Seeing you get married would be such a highlight.”
“I miss trusting you implicitly. And I don’t know that I ever will again.”
The hurt on her face makes me feel like a royal bitch. I’ve never been so blunt with my aunt, but she needs to understand how much damage she caused and I need to focus on mending other relationships right now. Pulling free of her hold, I shut the door and drive off to save the Blakes from a mess I created.
Chapter 7
Sebastian
My steps slow as I leave the jewelers with a wedding gift for Talia. Banks is leaning against my car, arms crossed. My whole frame tenses, but I force myself not to immediately rush the asshole. He had to have followed me from the BLACK Security office. “What are you doing here?” I don't bother with small talk. I want him the fuck away from my world. The fact he even crossed into my domain infuriates me.
Banks doesn't move from his position. Instead he leans on the car even more and rubs his goatee, his dark eyes studying me in slow, calculating sweeps. “You know, I thought you had something to do with that raid on my warehouse a while back, but I couldn't prove it.” Pushing off my car, he gets in my face, his eyes narrowed to slits, teeth bared. “The next time you want to go toe-to-toe with me, have the balls to do it yourself. Don't send your woman to do your backdoor dirty work for you like some kind of sniveling bitch.”
Before he can step back, I grab his shoulder in a painful hold and extend my arm, forcing him away from me on my terms. “It was a fucking interview, Banks. Don't put your paranoia on me or my family. Though, I see it was a mistake for Talia to believe you were interview-worthy. You haven't changed one bit.”
“Protecting my own is always my priority.” Banks winces in pain, then yanks out of my vise hold. Rubbing his shoulder, he growls, “My paranoia showed up at my door two hours ago with a search warrant, looking to get my ass arrested. I don't believe in coincidences.” He takes a step back, just out of my reach. “For the record, after turning me down as a punk teen, you only lived because I didn't think you were a threat. Don't make me see you that way now, Blackie. You want your past to stay there? Don't pull it forward and sure as shit don't fuck with it. I've got a lot more to protect and I'm far less forgiving in my old age.”
I step forward, my fists clenched to keep from pounding the asshole into the cement. There are too many cameras on the street and the last thing I need is an assault charge the day before my wedding. “You really think you're worth my time?” I look him up and down with pent-up loathing and stop short of spitting at his feet. “Stay the hell away from me and mine, Banks. If I wanted to destroy you, trust me...by the time you saw me coming the ground under your feet would already be gone. Off the top of my head, I can think of ten ways to pull you apart. Every facet of your life would crumble, from family to funds. Now get the fuck out of my face before my restraint disappears and the first facet you feel is my fist smearing you all over the street.”
Banks folds his arms and puffs up his chest. “You’ve been warned. You're not the only person with friends in high and low places, Blackie. Remember that.”
His veiled threat delivered, Banks slides his hands in his pockets and strolls down the road, whistling.
My phone's at my ear before Banks turns the corner. “What's Talia's status, Theo?”
“She popped into a pizza place for lunch and brought me out a slice, then headed to her publishers. Been at Midtown Central a little over an hour. What's up? You sound tense.”
What's she doing at her publisher? “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Wedding jitters?”
Normally his nosiness would annoy the hell out of me. Today, I could use a little levity to keep from overreacting. I don't want to say anything to raise the alarm just yet, so I snort. “Something like that. Keep a close eye and send updates.”
“You worried she won’t show?” Theo says, chuckling.
“You trying to get fired?”
I hang up and immediately text Talia.
You didn't mention going to Midtown today.
Checking up on me, are you?
Theo’s smartass comment seems apt, so I smirk and reply.
Just making sure you're not running for the hills.
Nah, I take the “’Til death do us part” very seriously.
Sounds like an opening line of a new T.A. Lone book. Is that why you were at Midtown?
Yep, I just signed a new contract for two more books.
I frown. The Tribune kept her swamped so much she only had time to work on one book this year.
Are you sure you won't be overextending yourself with two books? I thought you were only going to contract one at a time.
Two books came to me fully formed. Jared wanted both.
Greedy bastard.
My editor gets books. You get me. Looks like you’re both greedy bastards.
Fair warning. Tomorrow's contract will have ironclad evergreen clauses and non-competes out the ying-yang. I also plan to demand that Aaron White be the exclusive love interest in your fictional worlds. Be ready to sign on the dotted line, no addendums allowed.
Ha, you just want a guarantee you’ll be invited to all the book signings.
I’ll be there as your security anyway. Plus, your female readers adore me.
I do all the work and you get the adoration. Hmm, seems a bit out of balance.
I grin that she’s in good spirits.
How’s it my fault that you’ve made Aaron White one hot badass? Th
eo is your shadow today. For my sanity, keep it that way.
Love you too, Mr. Eye-Candy. See you at home at three.
Banks said his peace and I said mine. Extra security will be assigned at the rehearsal. I refuse to worry Talia with this. The last thing she should be feeling is guilt the day before her wedding. I pull her gift from my pocket and slide my finger across the stones. Not that I'll ever admit it to Cass, but marrying Talia again in front of our families and friends was absolutely the right call.
Chapter 8
Talia
“What are you doing here? You haven't lost the bet already, have you?” Cass laughs as she walks into our old apartment while I'm vacuuming dust bunnies left behind after I rolled up the area rugs.
I turn off the machine and glance around at the progress I've made. “No, I was just here to collect some old contract paperwork and the dust was getting to me.”
Cass gestures to the wet bucket and bathroom cleaning supplies. “The bathrooms were getting to you too?” Folding her arms, she taps her foot. “What gives, Talia? You only clean out of the blue when you're upset. Don’t tell me that your husband’s making you reconsider this remarriage?”
I lean on the vacuum and shake my head. I don't want to talk about the mistake I made with Banks. I can only hope my note in the pizza box warning him about a potential raid got to him in time. “Sebastian and I are good. It's just work related stuff.” Perking up, I smile. “Oh, but I did just sign a two-book contract today, so that's technically reason to celebrate.”
Cass narrows her gaze. “You're not distracting me with shiny new things. What's going on?”
Hopefully the Banks thing is resolved, but there is one thing she needs to know. Sighing, I tug her over to the couch. “My aunt won't be coming to the wedding, Cass.”
“Why not? she asks, completely confused.
I push my sweaty hair back from my face and blow out a breath. “I never told you about my past, but for you to understand why, you'll have to know the history.”
Cass's eyes widen several times while I relay the story about my life as a teen and about Hayes, Walt, and Amelia, and how I got forced into delivering drugs after Hayes violated me when I was a teen.
“That's why shutting down that drug ring in college was so important to you,” she whispers, tears glistening in her eyes as she reaches over and clasps my hands.
“Yes, the only reason I didn't push my aunt for us to leave that awful situation back then was because of Amelia. Since her mother abandoned her and Walt was knee-deep in making drugs, Aunt Vanessa and I were the only true family that little girl had. I needed to keep her safe so she wouldn't have to go through what I did when she grew older.”
Tears fall as I tell her how Amelia died, about the explosion my aunt set off that destroyed our apartment, and how that was the night I first met Sebastian. “My aunt also later hired that girl to break Nathan and me up because she didn’t believe we were right together.”
Cass shakes her head through my story, her glassy eyes full of sympathy. Her supportive silence gives me the boost I need to continue on. I leave out the part about Isabel hiring Hayes all those years ago to take out Sebastian. That’s Sebastian’s secret to reveal, not mine.
“I can't believe how yours and Sebastian's lives have crossed.”
I smile, thinking about the many times he saved me, then sigh. “That's a very long way of telling you why I won't be inviting my aunt. Sadly, my side of the church will be sparsely populated, but I just can't trust Aunt Vanessa. I’ve kept my distance, but she even approached me today trying to reconnect. When I didn’t respond, she then told me she wanted to hire BLACK Security because she thinks she’s being followed.” I exhale and shake my head. “Ugh, I told her I had to go. I just couldn’t deal, Cass. I haven't been able to get over how she risked my safety in the past and then later tried to control who I ended up with in my future.”
“I’m sorry, Talia.” Cass leans close and hugs me tight. “Your side of the church will be just as full. I'm your family. We might not share blood, but our bond is unbreakable. I love you and will always have your back. Thank you for trusting me enough to share about your past. So many things make sense now.”
Leaning back, she clasps my shoulders. “And for the record, though you probably don't want to hear this...I think your aunt does love you. She might have a twisted way of showing it, but the sun, moon and stars shine in her world because of you. I've seen it every time she says your name.”
I frown at her. “You're not making this decision easy.”
Cass shrugs. “I won't lie just to make you feel better, but I do understand your need to take a step back from Vanessa. Your wounds are too fresh right now, so if not having her attend lets you breathe easier, then I support your decision. This is your wedding day, not hers.”
When I offer a shaky smile, she releases me, her gaze narrowing slightly. “Okay, so tell me the part you’ve been holding back.”
I give her a puzzled look. “I just revealed all kinds of personal stuff.”
“Which I appreciate, but you’re not getting away with avoiding telling me what happened at work. You need a clean conscience for tonight, girl.”
Tucking my damp hair behind my ears, I blow out an unsteady breath. “I quit today.”
Cass’s eyes bug. “Why? What happened?”
I quickly tell her about the Banks fiasco and my effort to fix it, making sure to leave out his connection to Sebastian’s past. “Between having to go back on my word, and then being forced to find a way around it to keep a shred of my integrity, I’m just done. I have too much to lose now just to pursue a story.”
“That’s why you went straight to your editor and signed a two book contract,” Cass says with a smug look as she folds her arms. “What did Sebastian say?”
“He doesn’t know that I quit.” I squeeze her arm. “And you can’t tell him.”
“Do you plan to hide out here while you’re supposed to be at work, forever?”
I smirk at her smartass comment. “No, I want to go work for BLACK Security. I’m a damn good investigator and Sebastian knows it, but for some reason he’s being stubborn. Maybe he doesn’t want to see me everyday at home and at work. Maybe he thinks we’ll fight. I don’t know, but the last thing I want him to do is hire me like this.” I cross my arms and set my jaw. “I don’t want to be asked to join his team out of a sense of obligation.”
“Are you serious?” Cass snorts. “That man adores you, Talia.”
“That’s the problem. He’ll ignore his reservations and ask me to come to BLACK Security just to make me happy.”
Cass rolls her eyes. “Since when has Sebastian Quinn Blake ever done anything he didn’t want to do?”
I immediately think of Sebastian refusing to turn Isabel in to the police for her part in his mother’s murder. “When it comes to family, his stubborn streak bends, Cass. I’ve told you this in confidence. Swear to me that you won’t tell Calder. I don’t want it getting back to Sebastian.”
Cass draws an X across her chest. “I promise, but you can’t keep this from him for long. He’s too perceptive. He’ll know something is off.”
“I know. I just want a bit more time to figure things out.”
“You could always write full time?”
I shake my head. “If writing was all I did, I would miss the rush of investigating. Life experiences fuel my muse, and when you’re writing suspense and mystery…that’s an unusual ‘well’ that needs refilling.”
Tapping the tip of her nose, Cass nods. “I gotcha. While waiting for my New York book to release, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to merge my passion for photography and publishing. Jared wants more books, but he needs another mock up. After the wedding is over, I’m going to sit down and brainstorm ideas.”
“Cass! Why didn’t you tell me? I don’t want my wedding stuff to keep you from work.”
“Pshaw! I’m enjoying this. Ideas are percolating while I help
you tie the knot the way you should’ve the first time. Maybe I’ll run my thoughts on projects by you when you get back from your honeymoon in Spain.” She exhales a nostalgic sigh. “You’re going to love every bit of it, Talia.”
“With the amazing itinerary you put together for places to stay and things to do, how can I not enjoy it?” Inspiration hits and I snap my fingers. “Oooh, Cass! What about travel books? One for each major city you’ve visited? You’re so organized with your checklists. You’ve been so many places, eaten at such fabulous restaurants…and your photos of the food and the breathtaking scenery…holy cow! I’m excited just thinking about it. Jared and William will both love it!”
“Do you think so?” Cass’s eyes light up. “I have so many wonderful memories and tons of amazing photos I’ve never used.”
I nod. “I think Midtown would flip for something like that. And I’ll be happy to help you proof them once they’re written. It’ll be my way of vicariously going on those trips with you.”
Cass laughs, her smile extra wide. “I’m so excited, but for now…wedding rehearsal. I'm grabbing the tote bag I came for so I can keep all my paperwork in order tonight, and you need to get back and change. As your wedding planner, it’s my duty to remind you that your limo will arrive to drive you to rehearsal in two hours.”
“After a quick shower here, I'll pick up Sebastian's gift and then head home to change.”
Cass's tote bag bumps against my hip as she hugs me before she leaves. “This is going to be an amazing wedding, Talia. Bringing friends and family together. I hope…well, I hope that I can convince Calder to invite Ben to our wedding. I want all our family there.”
Black Platinum (In the Shadows Book 6) Page 7
