“Unrecognizable?”
“Unrecognizable,” Sam said.
“But how will I be able to reconcile with my father if he doesn’t recognize me?”
“You will acquire a completely different life, Jade. We both will. You’ll have the kind of connections that will get you an audience with the president easily.”
“With Crader McKenzie?”
“Right. And Crader, in turn, will, at your request, get you an audience with the former president.”
Jade smiled. “With Daddy?”
“Right,” Sam said. “And former President Harber, if we play it exactly right, will fall head over heels in love with this new, fresh, exotic woman in his life. You’re not only reconcile with him, you will own him lock, stock, and barrel.”
Sam and Max both looked at Jade, to see if she fully understood just how sick and perverted such a love match would be. But Jade smiled. It sounded like music to her perverse ears. Max smiled too. What a fucking freak, he thought.
But Sam’s heart dropped. It was going to take all the strength she had to see this through. Because seeing her daughter smile at the prospect of being with her father, and seeing Max gleefully enjoying her daughter’s madness, made her all the more determined to see this twisted plot through. Jade had to become another person to survive. And that was Sam’s mission, to give her daughter and herself another shot at life again. Free of psychiatric hospitals, and loneliness, and being second bananas to Dutch and Gina and that question-asking bigheaded boy of theirs.
But there was no way in hell she was going to allow that same daughter to have any contact whatsoever with Dutch when they did acquire that new identities. None. And although she knew it was going to be a battle royal to get Jade to see why staying away was essential, Sam was determined to make it so. But first things first. The end of Gina’s life would mark the beginning of their new life.
And Jade and Max especially, couldn’t wait to get started.
Gina’s arrival at Harber Industries created somewhat of a stir. As soon as she entered the august lobby, and headed for the executive elevators, word spread like wildfire that the president’s wife was in the building. And by the time she entered and then exited the elevator on to the top floor, everybody knew.
Gina found it amusing as she walked with a small gift bag in her hand toward Dutch’s office suite. As she walked past two of his female staffers, smiling, one of them nudged the other one. They were whispering when she spoke and walked pass, or so they thought.
“I thought you said they broke up,” one said as both of them continued to stare at Gina.
“He slept in his office the other night. They did break up!”
“Well they must have made up now because that’s a happy bitch right there.”
Although Mitchell, who was at Gina’s side, looked back at the two ladies, Gina inwardly laughed. She was so accustomed to the whispers of others that it didn’t faze her anymore. It was Mitchell’s job to be fazed.
Inside the office, Dutch, with his suit coat off, was seated on the edge of the office couch. Lenora was seated beside him, and Christian stood at his feet. They were discussing cost overruns on one of H.I.’s latest projects, with Lenora voicing grave concerns and Dutch requesting more information before he pulled the plug. Then his office door opened. Nobody entered without advance notification. Except Gina.
A grand smile came on Dutch’s face when he realized it was indeed her, and he launched to his feet, surprising Lenora and Christian both.
“Gina,” he said excitedly and headed toward her. She was dressed immaculately, he thought, in her mauve-colored gabardine skirt suit and matching heels, and looked so sophisticated and gorgeous that it made him feel proud. But that didn’t stop Dutch from wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off of her feet.
Lenora stood up, amazed by his display. She hadn’t seen Dutch this outwardly affectionate in years.
“Hello love,” he said as they kissed and then embraced. When they stopped embracing, he sat her back on her feet. “What in the world brings you out here?” he asked her.
She held up her gift bag. “Lunch,” she said. “I brought you lunch.”
Dutch was inwardly touched. This was a first for them. Gina, however, looked past Dutch, at Lenora and Christian.
“Hello, Chris,” she said with a sweet smile. She adored him.
Christian, too, was glad to see her. “Hello, Mrs. Harber, how are you?”
“I’m well. And you?”
“I’m good. It’s so good seeing you again, ma’am. You look so beautiful.”
“Oh, thank-you, Chris, you’re so kind,” Gina said. Then she looked at Lenora. Because Lenora was once an old flame of Dutch’s, and because Lenora seemed to feel as if that very history gave her more say in Dutch’s life than she really had, there was no love lost between the two women. But Dutch had a lot of confidence in Lenora, and she did manage the company well while Dutch was president, so Gina knew how to keep it professional.
“Hello Lee,” she said.
“Hi,” Lenora replied with a big smile of her own. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you around here.”
“Was I interrupting anything?”
“A meeting,” Lenora started saying, but Dutch cut her off.
“Of course not,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back. Then he looked at his two subordinates. “We’ll continue after lunch,” he said to them.
Although Christian immediately began to pack up his paperwork and leave, Lenora voiced her objection. “We really need to move on Marville, Dutch,” she said. “Before the meeting this afternoon.”
“No decisions yet,” Dutch said firmly.
“We may have to pull that contract.”
“Lee,” Dutch said with that edge in his voice. “No decisions yet.”
Lenora knew when to quit. “Yes, sir,” she said as she began to leave. “And nice seeing you again, Regina,” she added.
After she left, Gina decided not to waste a moment’s breath on even discussing Lenora. Life was too short for to even entertain that kind of drama. She, instead, sat her gift bag on a nearby side table and wrapped her arms around Dutch’s neck. “Well, Mr. Harber,” she said smilingly, “I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am to be back in your good graces.”
“Ha,” Dutch said as he placed his arms around her waist. “It’s your good graces I’m thrilled to be back in.”
And just the thought that he was back in, caused him to just stand there and stare into her sultry brown eyes. And she stared back. Both remembered yesterday, and how wonderful it was to do nothing all day but spent time with each other. And it wasn’t just the sex, either, although that was a wonderful part of it. But the togetherness. The fact that they were back on the same page. The triumphant feeling that whatever was to come their way, their love could withstand it.
And just thinking about the love they shared, and also that mind-blowing sex they always shared, caused them to kiss again. This time slowly, and passionately.
When they finished, Dutch picked up her bag and took her by the hand, leading her to the couch across the room.
“So,” he said as he sat down beside her, “what are we having for lunch this fine afternoon?”
Gina pulled out a completely sealed bowl and set it on the coffee table. “Look and see,” she said.
Dutch gladly began to unwrap the bowl. Because it still had some heat on it, he hesitated before opening the top. And looked at her. “Did you cook it?” he asked nervously.
Gina smiled. “What are you trying to say?”
“That you’re the worse cook in America, even after taking all of those classes, and I need to prepare my stomach if you cooked this.”
Gina wanted to laugh, but didn’t. “Everybody can’t be good at everything,” she said instead. “Cooking may not be my strongest suit, I’ll admit that. But I take issue with that worse in America jab.”
“Did you cook this, Gin
a?” Dutch asked sincerely.
“No,” she said. “Feel better now?”
“Much,” he said smilingly, opening the bowl. “In fact all.”
Gina hit him upside his head. He ducked and laughed. But he was pleasantly surprised when he saw the very enticing seafood soufflé inside of that bowl. And two forks washed and ready for use.
After they decided that the food did not need to be microwaved, they both sat on the edge of the couch and ate it together. Gina couldn’t stop taking glances at Dutch while they ate, as he seemed so footloose and fancy free for a change. He was smiling and laughing. He was taking his fork and feeding her. He was the old Dutch, the Dutch she remembered when they first met way back in Miami. And the Dutch she knew years later, when they eventually got married. And the thought that she almost threw it all away, because sometimes being with him wasn’t easy, scared her.
Dutch, so in tuned with her feelings, picked up on her fear. He placed his hand on hers and squeezed her fingers. “It’s okay, darling,” he said. “We’re going to be just fine.”
Gina smiled.
“But,” Dutch continued, “the next time you tell me you need a little space to think about our future, I’m going to tell you no.”
Gina looked at him.
“If there’s a problem in our marriage we’re going to have to talk it out. Not you in one house and me in another one. But together. And we’re going to work it out, whatever it is. Okay, babe?”
Gina didn’t have to think about that long. She couldn’t agree more. “Without a doubt,” she said. And they smiled again, continued laughing and talking, and eating.
Gina knew she was giving up a lot of power and authority to Dutch. She knew she could probably negotiate for a “better” deal. But she didn’t. Dutch wasn’t a halfway man. He wasn’t going to accept anything less than full authority in his household. And Gina understood that. In a lot of ways, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Then she thought about what one of Dutch’s staffers had said as she was coming to his office. That’s a happy bitch right there, she had said. And she was right, Gina thought as Dutch fed her another forkful of soufflé. Because she was indeed a happy bitch now.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
After lunch with Dutch, Gina was in the backseat of her chauffeur-driven SUV, just leaving Harber Industries, when the call came in. She looked at the Caller ID on her cell phone. When she saw that it was Sam Redding, she smiled. And quickly answered. “Hello?”
“Gina, hi. It’s Samantha.”
“Sam, hey,” Gina said with a smile. “How are you?”
“I’m doing well. How about yourself?”
“No complaints at all. It’s so good to hear from you again. It’s been a while.”
“Quite a while. Almost a year.”
“That long?”
“That long,” Sam said.
“So what’s up? Everything okay?”
“I’m in town, actually, on my way to visit a sick friend of mine in Hartford. I thought, since I’m here, that it might be a great idea for us to get together and discuss what we’re going to do about Jade.”
Jade, Gina thought painfully. What in the world were they going to do about Jade? “Yes,” she said. “Absolutely.”
“I’m going to stay in town overnight and then I thought I’d head out for Connecticut tomorrow morning.”
“Where are you staying? You haven’t booked a room or anything like that, have you?”
“No, not yet, but I was eyeing this particular hotel.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! You’ll stay at the house.”
“Oh, no, Gina, I couldn’t impose like that.”
“It’s no imposition at all. Dutch will be glad to see you again. And you’re right, we really need to make some decisions regarding Jade. So where are you now?”
“I’m not far from your home actually,” Sam said. “I was wondering if I could meet you there. Before Dutch gets home, I mean? I was hoping we could talk mother-to-mother. I think we can discuss matters that Dutch may not want to hear about his beloved child. But they need to be discussed. I’m so worried about Jade.”
Gina had planned to spend her afternoon in her office, but she wasn’t about to turn down Sam. She was a good friend when Gina was going through that Marcus Rance tragedy, and she truly seemed to love her daughter. “Yes, of course, go on over to the house. You already have preclearance. I’ll notify Ramsey of your arrival if you beat me there. But you probably won’t. I’m only about fifteen minutes away. I’ll meet you there.”
“Great, Gina,” Sam said. “I’ll see you then. Thank-you so much.”
Then she hung up, and smiled.
They were still seated around the table in the shack in the woods, and Jade was gleeful. “Did she believe you?”
“Every word,” Sam said.
“Good,” Max said. Then he placed the hard-side suitcase on the table. “Everything has to be done exactly according to plan,” he said. “So far it’s working like a charm. Jade was given her furlough.”
“After I threatened to sue them,” Jade pointed out.
“Semantics,” Max said dismissively.
“It’s not just semantics,” Jade disagreed. “What if the staff at Hammersmith start wondering about me anyway?”
“Why would they care about you?” Sam asked. “You aren’t some violent offender. You’re under court-ordered institutionalization, with the right to be released in the care of me or your father for two days per month. You’re on the first day of your two-day furlough with me, a furlough they allowed you to take since you didn’t go with your father.”
“A furlough they allowed me to take,” Jade again corrected, “after I agreed not to sue their asses because of what Reyza Golan was doing to me.”
“More like what you were doing to Reyza Golan,” Sam said, “but yes, that too. But the point is, they have no reason to start concerning themselves with you until after day two. That’s the point. This is day one and you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”
Jade laughed. “Yeah, right. I’m supposed to be in this shack in the woods.”
“You’re supposed to be either in California where your mother lives, or New Jersey where your father lives. We’re in New Jersey. Right near your father’s estate. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Jade smiled. But felt depressed that she couldn’t see her father. But that’ll change if all went according to plan. She’d see every inch of him. She still didn’t fully understand how they were going to pull it off, but she could hardly wait just the same.
“Now,” Max said, opening the large suitcase and revealing a few clothes and a smaller suitcase inside. “You remember what you’re supposed to do?”
“I remember,” Sam said. “Once I’m upstairs in the bedroom they’ve assigned to me, I’m to remove the smaller suitcase and hide it somewhere in that room.”
“Carefully remove the smaller suitcase,” Max made clear. “There’s no danger of the explosives going off until we push the button, but I have a tried and true rule. Since they are explosives, be careful anyway.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“And once you text us and then we call you, I want you to get out of there fast. Act as if your friend is on her deathbed and you can’t wait another second. Get this larger luggage and get the hell out of there. The worse thing that could happen would be for Gina to suddenly leave after you leave, and we end up blowing up an empty house.”
“Understood,” Sam said and stood up. Max and Jade stood up too. As soon as they did, Max picked up his cup of cold coffee, dipped a cloth in it, and then wiped the cloth across Sam’s blouse. Sam looked at the spot.
“Is it obvious enough?” she asked him.
“Just,” Max said, “without it drawing immediate attention to you.”
“Good.”
“The rental car is waiting outside,” Max continued. “Drive the speed limit when you leave the Harber estate, following the GPS to the letter,
and then come back, pick us up, and we head to the airstrip together.”
“That’s when we detonate?” Jade asked.
Max smiled. “Once we’re on the plane and on our way to Nebraska where the plastic surgeons are waiting, that’s when we detonate.”
“That’s what I don’t get,” Jade said. “How can you afford all of this?”
“That’s easy,” Sam responded. “Remember last year when your father couldn’t resign the presidency the way he wanted because of all of those terrorist attacks, one after the other?”
“Of course I remember that.”
“Guess who was paid to orchestrate the whole thing?”
Jade looked at Max.
Max smiled. “Thurston Osgood, who was arrested for his part in the explosions, paid me very well,” he said. “After his unfortunate detention, certain billionaire Middle Easterners kept the money tree flowing like rain. This I can afford without batting an eye. Trust me on that.”
“Okay, you can afford it,” Jade said. “But what’s in this for you? Why are you affording it? Me and my mother want to start over, without Gina in our way. What about you? Do you hate her too?”
“I hate them both,” Max said with contempt in his voice. “Dutch and Gina both. But I’m convinced Dutch will never know what it feels like to be in great pain and anguish until he loses Gina. That’ll be pain for Dutch. That’ll make my entire life journey worth it when I see that kind of pain riding Dutch Harber straight to hell.”
Sam looked at Max, and she looked at Jade smiling at Max’s palpable hate. And Sam felt dirty. She felt as if she was in bed with evil itself. But they were here now, and the bed was already made. She had no choice, she felt at this point, but to wallow in it too.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“It’s so good to see you again, Sam,” Gina said as she and Sam walked toward the sofa. They were at the Harber estate and Ramsey walked in behind Sam, carrying her large suitcase.
“Which room, Mrs. Harber?” he asked Gina.
Gina thought about it. “The east room, Ramsey.”
“Very good,” Ramsey said, and began to head upstairs.
For the Love of Gina: The President's Girlfriend Page 17
