“Well, maybe you should see what she wants. In the meantime, what’s going on between you and Brice?”
“You won’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me.”
Brooke spent the next fifteen minutes explaining her close encounter with Brice. “Lisa... Lisa, you still there?”
“I’m still here. I’m just shocked.”
“Me too. I can’t believe I did it.”
“Oh, I can believe you did it. What I can’t believe is that you let him go without finishing,” she said, laughing.
Brooke giggled. “Only you would think about that right now.”
“Seriously, what’s going on with you? What do you want to happen with Brice?”
Brooke’s heart felt like someone had reached in her chest and started performing CPR. “What I want I can’t have. We all can’t be like you.”
“Oh, but you are. Brice may not have been a former client you married, but he is the love of your life and you can keep him if you really want him. Just tell Brice about the MS and your past. If he doesn’t accept you, then to hell with him. It's not like you ever had sex with any of your clients.”
“That’s just it. He probably would stay with me for the wrong reasons.”
“Don’t you think that’s his choice to make?”
Brooke rubbed her temples. “You sound just like Peter.”
“Great minds think alike.”
“Yeah... Yeah. I have to go check my mail. I’ll call you about Shannon as soon as I know something.” Brooke rose slowly from her seat.
“Let me know if you need anything. You have family, you know. Eddie and I are only a plane ride away,” Lisa reminded Brooke, her voice suddenly serious.
“I know. Love you,” Brooke replied, as memories of the crazy antics the two of them had shared over the years together flooded her mind.
“Love you too.”
Brooke disconnected and dropped the phone in her purse. She slowly made her way down to her waiting car. When she arrived back at the hotel, Brooke had the driver drop her off at the side-street entrance; it was a shorter walk to the elevator. Once Brooke got upstairs into her suite, she went to her bedroom closet, opened the safe and removed the manila envelope. Feeling a little lightheaded, Brooke went and sat on her king-size bed. She opened the sealed envelope and dropped the contents onto the bed.
“My God.” She brought her right hand to her mouth and the left landed on her stomach. She ran to the bathroom on wobbly legs, dropped to her knees—having lost her shoes along the way—and emptied what little she had in her stomach into the porcelain bowl. After a couple of more deposits, Brooke got to her feet and moved to the sink where she brushed her teeth and washed her face. She timidly walked back to the bedroom and looked down at the obviously doctored photos of herself in sexually explicit positions with both men and women.
In addition to the disgusting photos, there was another smaller envelope that Brooke was cautious about opening. With a shaking hand, Brooke picked up the envelope and broke the seal. Inside was a small card with numbers on it and several other affidavits, which claimed Brooke was a willing and well-paid participant in this, which was a lie.
Brooke’s whole body started to shake as tears welled in her eyes. She knew what needed to be done, but she also knew she wouldn’t be able to make her mind or body work together much longer. “What a time to have an MS flare-up.” Brooke sat on the bed and reached for the medicine bottles that sat on her nightstand. After taking her pills, she pulled her dress over her head, dropping it to the floor. Brooke climbed under the covers and waited for the darkness to take her, thinking about seeing Brice when she woke up.
* * *
Brice sat in the restaurant of the Hilton Austin Hotel where he had stayed the night. A plate with a steak and eggs sat in front of him and all he could think about was Brooke. He was actually wondering what she was having for breakfast. “Get a grip, man,” he mumbled, adjusting his tie, feeling uncomfortable.
“What was that, Brice, darling?” Victoria asked as she took the seat across from him.
Brice rose from his chair quickly. “Sorry, Mother. I didn’t see you come in.”
“I can see that... Sit. What has you so deep in thought?” she asked, placing a napkin in her lap.
“Don’t you look beautiful in your red power suit,” he said, smiling down at her and hoping to distract her from a question he wasn’t ready to answer.
“Thank you, son.”
“Yes, little brother,” Alexander said as he walked up to the table. He took the empty seat between the two. “Tell us what’s on your mind.”
Brice picked up his fork and knife and cut into his steak. “I was just thinking about how good this looks.” He took a bite of his food.
“Sure you were.” Alexander gestured for the waiter to come forward. “Mother...” Alexander prompted.
“Oh, no, I’ve eaten already,” she informed her eldest son.
“I’ll have the same thing that my brother is having.”
“Right away, sir.”
“How about we go over the first-quarter summaries from the audit before we’re stuck behind closed doors for the next few hours? I can’t believe we’re here trying to hammer out a new deal with the same government that’s trying to bring us down,” Victoria complained, reaching for a glass of orange juice.
“Neither can I,” Brice said, reaching for his coffee cup.
“No concessions on our fees this time, either,” Alexander expressed firmly.
“Keeping our per barrel rates flat for the last three years is enough. How much did we save the government on our last contract, Brice?” Victoria asked.
Brice’s thoughts were back on Brooke, so he wasn’t sure if he’d heard his mother’s question correctly, but he had to hope he did because if he gave her the wrong answer Alexander would certainly know why.
“One point eight billion dollars,” Brice said.
“Yet, they can’t control all their regulatory agencies from coming after us on bogus claims.” Victoria took another sip from her glass.
The waiter returned with Alexander’s breakfast and placed it in front of him. “Thanks. Can I have some steak sauce, please?”
“Right away, sir.”
“Yeah, and you know they’re going to come out of the box with that savings request too.” Alexander accepted the sauce from the waiter.
“They can always ask, son.”
Brice finished off his food and pushed his plate forward. “You’re right about that, Mother. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you should have it or will receive it.”
* * *
Brooke slowly opened her eyes. She stretched her arms out to her side and flexed her feet. Brooke took a deep breath and released it slowly. She was pain-free and she knew she'd be seeing Brice tonight and that made her smile, until she remembered the reason this particular flare-up had been so difficult to manage. She looked over and saw the evidence of her distress lying in the same area of her bed where she’d left it.
She sat up and reached for the photos. Brooke grimaced and her heart raced as she forced herself to view each disgusting picture, one after the other. “How could they?” Brooke collected all the doctored photos and the fake affidavits and returned them to their original envelope. “I’m not going to let you get away with this.”
Brooke reached for her phone and dialed the one person she knew who could help her fix this mess without involving Brice and the media. Unfortunately, her call went to voice mail, so she sent a brief text requesting a meeting as soon as possible. While she waited for a reply, Brooke showered and got dressed for work—a simple black suit and white blouse seemed appropriate. She lightly made up her face, stepped into her shoes and went in search of her purse when her cell phone beeped. Brooke picked up her phone and read the
message.
I’ll arrive in Houston at four. I’ll see you at five.
She immediately texted back her appreciation and thanks. Feeling a small sense of relief, and even a little brave by her decision, Brooke called Shannon.
“Brooke Kingsley, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Cut the crap, Shannon. What do you want and why did you make all those disgusting photos you sent to me?”
“I assure you I don’t know what you’re talking about, but why don’t we meet downstairs in your hotel’s restaurant for breakfast? We can discuss it in, say, fifteen minutes. See you soon,” Shannon stated before disconnecting the call.
Brooke texted Damon and Lori that she would be late before putting the envelope from Shannon into her briefcase. She decided to wait for Shannon downstairs, so she picked up her purse and briefcase and made her way down to the restaurant. To her surprise, Shannon was already sitting in a two-person booth in the front of a set of sliding glass windows, seemingly enjoying a glass of orange juice from a champagne glass. Brooke knew better and assumed the glass held more than just orange juice. Brooke took a deep breath, releasing it slowly with each step she made toward Shannon’s table.
“May I help you, Mrs. Kingsley?” a young woman wearing a black-and-white uniform asked, her eagerness to help on full display.
“No, thank you.” Brooke glared across the room at the beautiful dark-haired woman dressed in a black-and-red dress and a pair of black red-bottomed shoes. Too bad Shannon’s black heart and mean spirit overshadowed her beauty. Shannon offered her a lopsided grin. “I see my party.”
Brooke approached Shannon’s table, trying to muster all her strength and courage. You got this. Just say what you need to and go.
“Brooke Kingsley, or is it back to Smith now? It doesn’t matter. Please.” She gestured with her right hand for Brooke to sit in the chair across from her. “Join me.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m just here to tell you I’m not playing games with you. Leave me the hell alone and whatever it is you want, the answer is no.” Brooke stared down at Shannon.
“Making a scene in a public restaurant seems counterintuitive to your family’s desire to keep their private lives private, don’t you think?” Shannon took a sip from her glass.
Brooke looked over her shoulder and found that she had in fact gained the attention of several patrons. She smiled and nodded as she took a seat.
“Now that you’ve gotten that off your chest—” Shannon waved over the waiter “—we’re ready to order and please bring my friend here a mimosa.”
Brooke held up her right hand. “No, thank you. I’m not hungry. I’ll just have coffee.”
“Well, I am. I’ll have the Spanish omelet.”
“I’ll get that right away.” The waiter turned and left.
Shannon slid a white envelope that Brooke hadn’t noticed across the table to her. “Open it.”
“More lies?” Brooke picked up the envelope and reluctantly opened it and pulled out the document. As she read and flipped through the pages, all her bravado disappeared. The waiter returned with Brooke’s coffee.
“I think my friend will have that mimosa now.”
Brooke nodded her agreement. “What do you want?”
Chapter 9
“Don’t be ridiculous, son. We’re Kingsleys. We always get what we want, because what we want is what’s best for our family's business. We've all worked really hard to ensure our continued success and we won't let any nonsense interfere with that.”
“Not everything’s about business, Mother,” Alexander replied, shaking his head.
“That’s where you’re wrong, son. Everything is about business, be it professional or personal. You children are led by your emotions versus your head when it comes to your personal lives.” Victoria picked up the glass of water in front of her and took a drink. “If you were more strategic and less reactive in everything you do, you’d be surprised by just how far you can go in getting whatever you want.”
Brice and Alexander looked at each other; their brows knitted. “Wow. Who are you and what have you done with our mother?” Alexander questioned.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Victoria asked, her eyes shifting between her two sons.
“That was actually pretty poignant advice,” Alexander complimented.
“Thoughtful too,” Brice offered, realizing his mother was right. He’d been too emotional in his efforts to get Brooke back. It was time to try a new approach. Brice needed to be methodical in trying to get Brooke back, much like his methods of conducting business.
Victoria rolled her eyes skyward and gave them a nonchalant wave. “Of course, I’m right.”
“And she’s back,” Alexander said, laughing.
“If you two are finished—” Victoria rose from her seat “—I’d like to head to the capitol.”
Brice looked down at Alexander’s half-eaten plate. “Can Alexander finish his breakfast?”
“I’m good,” Alexander said, wiping his mouth with his napkin before dropping it on the table. “The sooner we get this day started, the sooner we can get back home.”
“Only if we have the deal we want, understand?” Victoria instructed.
Brice stood. “Yes, of course. But it may take more than one meeting to accomplish that, Mother.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes. “The only other meeting I’m willing to attend with these people is the contract signing...period!”
“Mother, you know it usually takes more than one meeting with the principals to finalize a deal,” Alexander reminded.
“That’s why I have assistant principals in you two. We’re an independent company that’s rich and powerful enough to walk away from any deal.” Victoria reached into her bag and pulled out her sunglasses. “They need us more than we need them. So get the deal done on our terms and I’ll happily sign it...only at my office. Let those bastards come to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brice smiled. He always admired how strong and steadfast his mother was when it came to business.
“Shall we?” Alexander offered their mother his arm.
Brice signed the check and dropped a hundred-dollar bill down on the table. He smirked at the memory of Brooke informing him, sometime after they'd met, of how important it was to always tip service people extremely well. Not that he hadn’t always done so, but her passionate pleas for those less fortunate had always made him proud.
“Coming, son?”
“Absolutely.” Brice couldn’t wait to get this day done so he could get back to Brooke. They had some serious unfinished business he had every intention of finishing, in spite of his brother’s advice. He wanted his wife.
* * *
Brooke sat in silence as she finished off her second mimosa, trying to find the courage to continue and sit there watching Shannon gloat. Even though the photos were fakes and the so-called affidavits were lies, the other item inside this new envelope was real. Brooke looked down at it. “Where did you get this?”
“You’re not the only one who dated powerful men, you know. Except I kept in touch with those relationships in case I ever needed favors.”
Brooke’s nostrils flared. “Favor? You mean blackmail.”
China shrugged. “To-may-to...to-mah-to.”
“Your omelet, ma’am.” The waiter placed the plate in front of Shannon and turned his attention toward Brooke. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
Brooke wanted to say no, but now that she’d had two drinks she knew she needed to put something in her stomach. “I think I will have a little something. How about scrambled eggs and toast?”
“Right away.” The waiter turned and walked away.
“What do you want?” Brooke asked, glaring at Shannon.
“I need your help and this time I won’t take no for an answer. I ha
ve a partner now that’s not nearly as understanding as I am.”
“What do you mean, you have a partner? Since when and who is it?”
“That's none of your concern. Let's just say it’s someone who helped me expand my business and taught me the benefit of keeping an eye on old employees such as yourself. You never know when you may need to reach out for a favor or two.”
A chill ran down Brooke’s spine. “What kind of favor?”
A slow wicked smile crawled across Shannon’s face. “One that should be very easy for you to accomplish.”
To find peace of mind for herself and her family, Brooke would do whatever she had to, including giving up every dime she had. Brooke knew this had to be about money since the last time they spoke that was what she wanted.
“How much is truth and silence going for these days?” Before Shannon could answer, the waiter returned with Brooke’s plate of food. “Thank you.”
Shannon laughed as she took a drink from her cup.
“So...” Brooke lightly buttered her toast before she took a bite. She needed to keep herself settled.
“We don’t want your money.” Shannon finished off her omelet.
“What exactly does that mean?” Brooke ate her eggs, thankful for having something in her stomach other than orange juice and champagne.
“Talk about a small world. It seems you and my partner have something in common.”
“What?” Brooke’s forehead creased.
Shannon used her napkin and wiped her mouth. “History. More precisely, a history with someone that my partner and I need your help with in getting something back that belongs to him...plus a little interest.”
“Stop with all the games. What is it that you want?”
Shannon sucked her teeth. “You’ve never been any fun. In the envelope with the affidavits there was a business card with the name of a bank and a bank account number,” she started to explain. “Did you see it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Shannon reached in her purse that was hanging on the back of her chair and pulled out another envelope and handed it to Brooke.
Be My Forever Bride Page 7
