He complied, nibbling at her mouth until she was the one who deepened their embrace. He had backed her to the table when her cell phone bleated.
“Shit.”
Stacey dug in her purse. “You were trying to cheat, Hatch. Besides, it’s Phillip.”
“I’ll get him for this.”
Stacey answered the phone. “Good morning, Phillip.”
“Good morning to you too. You sound upbeat.”
She glanced at Mason who lounged in one of the conference chairs, his suit coat open and his thumbs hooked in his belt. “I am.”
“I talked with Jace. He is willing to sign the paperwork, but he has requested you be there as well. Says he wants to apologize in person.”
Stacey frowned. Being away from her husband for even a short time had made such a difference, and she really didn’t want to see him.
“Sweetheart,” Phillip said. “You have the control here. If you want to tell him to go to hell, then that’s fine. If he balks, I can turn the case over to the police.”
As though sensing something was bothering her, Mason stood and dropped his hands to her shoulders, gently massaging.
“I don’t trust him, Phillip. I’m sure you can understand that. But I also want closure. Maybe this will provide it…so, okay. I hope you’ll understand if I bring Mason with me.”
“Absolutely. Be here at noon. He’s scheduled to arrive at twelve-thirty, but I want you to be here first.”
“All right.”
As soon as she hit End, Mason turned her to him, his brows drawn together and his lips tight. After searching her face for an instant, he growled, “You’ve agreed to see him, haven’t you?”
“He requested it.”
“Stacey…honey…” Mason stopped, spinning around and walking over to the window, his hands jammed in his pockets.
She could feel the anger rolling off him, but she wouldn’t back away. “I need closure.”
He whipped around, eyes flashing. “He hurt you, dammit! You don’t have to answer to him. All you have to do is say the word and you can send the bastard to jail. I don’t…” He paused, closed his eyes and sucked in a breath before he continued, “I don’t understand how you can be so calm. Just thinking about it makes me want to strangle him…and Justin.”
She set her phone on the table and went to his side. “You’ve seen the world I was reared in. As laid back as you seem to think I’m being, do you truly think this won’t eventually come out? Mason, he’s ruined. He might have hurt me. He might have humiliated me, but he is ruined around here. An annulment will hurt him far worse than a divorce ever would have. While prison would have been bad, he wouldn’t have to face–day in and day out–everyone who will question why our marriage ended. Someone will talk. Someone will see him and Justin together and begin to add it up.”
She looked out the window at the busy street, the trees dotting the sidewalks. “He has a very traditional client base. It’s his father’s client base. Jace will lose them, and he can’t afford to. It wasn’t his money that supported us. It was mine. The only thing he brought in was the damn Winchester diamond. I discovered after our marriage even the boat had been financed based on his marriage to me and the money I would bring in. What’s left of the Winchester money is mainly tangled in trusts that dole out a pretty small allowance. Nice, huh?”
Mason sighed. “And you want to see this scum one more time?”
Stacey lifted her chin. “I do. I want him to see how little he’s affected me.”
Silence stretched while Mason searched her face. “All right. And I will go with you, but I won’t promise to behave myself if he says or does anything out of line.”
“Fair enough.”
* * * *
Phillip’s office was only a couple blocks from Mason’s gallery, so they walked the short distance. Mason held onto Stacey’s hand the entire way. He’d tamped down his temper for her sake, but he knew his fuse was short. If Winchester did anything, Mason wasn’t sure he could hold himself back.
When they entered the office, Phillip’s assistant waved them toward the door at the end of the hall. “He’s expecting you. Go on into his office. I believe he’s planning on meeting in the conference room once Mr. Winchester arrives.”
Stacey nodded and smiled, obviously familiar with where she was headed. Mason followed. One thing was for sure, no one could fault any of the Barlow-Barretts he’d met for their taste either in decor or art. He grinned, and like many of his siblings, Phillip’s interest in sailing was obvious from the choice of both. Only Stacey’s home had been without any obvious sign of a love for the ocean. He wondered if that was her, or an attempt to please Winchester.
He decided right then if they chose to live in his home, he’d give her a free hand to redecorate any way she pleased…the bay house included. Hell, he’d build her a house if it would make her as happy all the time as the glimpses he’d seen recently.
“Mason?”
He realized with a start she’d halted right outside what he assumed was the door to Phillip’s office. He grinned. “Sorry. I was thinking.”
“You looked mighty fierce.”
He cupped her neck with his hand. “I’m feeling a bit that way.”
“Settle down, please, because I need you rock steady.”
“I’m here for you.”
She nodded and opened the door. Phillip stood from behind his desk and came around to give her a big bear hug. “How you doing, sweetheart?”
She glanced back at Mason then looked at Phillip. “So much better. I’m ready for this, Phillip. I’m ready to get this over with.”
He motioned them to seats at the conference table on the other side of his spacious office. “I’d like you to take a look at what I have outlined before Winchester arrives.”
“Is he bringing an attorney with him?” Mason asked.
“He said not. I think he’s doing his damnedest to keep this as quiet as possible.”
Stacey nodded. “He will. You and I know that won’t happen, Phillip, but he’ll try. The circles our families travel in are simply too small. When word gets out we’ve split, people will start poking around until they find out why.”
“So you expect this to eventually hit the media anyway?” Mason asked. Stacey was surprising him more and more. He could never imagine the woman he’d first met being so calm about the idea her name–and very possibly pictures of them both–could eventually become public fodder.
Phillip nodded. “It will happen.”
Stacey laid her hand on his arm. “I know you have political aspirations. If you think this will harm your chances of seeking office in the future, you still have time to separate yourself.”
Phillip smiled and patted her hand. “I’m good, but thanks for the concern, sis. I figure I’ll be tied to it anyway simply through our relationship. So why not take an active role as the one who jumped through the legal hoops to get you out of an untenable situation.”
Stacey shook her head. “Always working an angle, but I appreciate your help.”
“Not a problem. Either of you want something to drink? Coffee? Water? Something a bit stronger?”
Mason shook his head and Stacey did the same. He took the seat on Stacey’s right, while Phillip sat to her left and began showing her the papers. In addition to the agreement for the annulment, there were statements for Jace to sign admitting what he and Justin had done, an affidavit affirming he had turned over all photos of Stacey and Mason in his–or anyone of his knowledge’s–possession and finally an agreement to stay away from Stacey or any other member of the Barlow-Barrett family. She looked over all of them, touching them with slightly trembling fingers.
“Do you want me to add a promise to say nothing to the press?” Phillip asked.
“Yes. That’s probably not a bad idea. His finances are not nearly as flush as he would like others to think. If something goes wrong with his relationship with Justin, he could decide to capitalize on it,” Stacey mu
rmured.
“And most likely at a time that would be the most inconvenient for you or your family,” Mason added.
As they considered that, the interoffice phone buzzed.
“Mr. Winchester has arrived,” Linda said over the speaker.
“I’ll be right out to escort him back,” Phillip replied. He looked at his sister and at Mason. “Ready?”
“As much as I can be.” Beneath the table, Stacey reached for Mason’s hand. He held it in his, squeezing slightly to reassure her.
When the door shut, he leaned over and kissed her. “We’ll get through this.”
She nodded. “Thanks for coming with me.”
He squeezed her hand. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
As the door opened, he felt her tense and tremble. Winchester looked a little the worse for wear. Mason kept his expression neutral, but it warmed him to know he’d gotten in a few good punches. The more he saw Stacey’s soon-to-be-ex spouse, the more obvious it became to him Winchester was teetering on the edge. The man looked bad, and not just from the punches Mason had landed.
“You should have informed me Hatch would be present,” Winchester snapped at Phillip.
Phillip leveled a stare on him. “You made no requests that she be on her own. It was her decision to bring Mr. Hatch with her.”
“I want him out,” Winchester insisted.
Stacey leaned forward, bracing her elbows on the table. “If he goes, then so do I. Your choice, Jason.”
Winchester glared at them both, but sat, leaning back and crossing his legs. Phillip outlined the documents as well as a listing of what assets were held separately and what assets would need to be either assigned or sold so the proceeds could be divided.
“You can keep the house,” Stacey said, “if you’ll agree to assume payments and reimburse me for my half of the equity.”
“You can keep the boat.” Winchester smirked. “That should cover the equity and then some.”
Mason felt Stacey shiver and he nearly leaned across the table to grab Winchester by the front of his shirt.
“I neither want, nor will I accept the boat as an asset. As far as I’m concerned, it could sink tomorrow.” She leaned back in her chair and raised her chin. “What I will tell you, though, is if you continue to antagonize me, Jason, this conversation and this deal are over. I’ll make the phone call to the police myself–right here and right now.”
Winchester’s face, already pale and haggard, lost even more color. Mason wasn’t sure whether it was with fear or anger, but once again, pride in Stacey flowed through him. At this moment, she had no idea how much she resembled her hard-driving brothers and her hard-nosed father.
“That’s hardly necessary. I’ll sign the damned paperwork. Sell the house. It’s too big for me anyway, and I’ve always detested your taste in decor.”
“That’s enough, Winchester,” Phillip cut in. “Taking this to a personal level gets us nowhere, and may well land you in jail.”
The atmosphere in Phillip’s office was as tense as any Mason had ever felt without some sort of violence bursting forth. Even Phillip, who appeared to be the most levelheaded of Stacey’s siblings, was on edge. His pale face and tight-lipped countenance might have appeared like a poker face to some, but having seen him more relaxed, Mason knew he was wound as tight as him.
Stacey signed her part of the paperwork, then sat back and waited on Winchester.
“With your consent to the annulment,” Phillip told him, “we should be able to get this through the courts fairly quickly. There will be no need for you to appear since you’ve already agreed to it.” He stopped his perusal of the documents in front of him and glared at his brother-in-law. “In fact, you would be well-served not to be there. Should the judge put anyone under oath for any additional inquiries, what you’re hoping to keep under wraps would come out in open court. Do you understand?”
“I am not an idiot.”
Phillip merely arched a brow. “Sign the papers and save any further comment. You have no friends here.”
Mason stroked Stacey’s hand as it trembled in his grasp. The sooner this was over the better.
“I see no division of the joint bank accounts here,” Winchester growled. “Half that money is mine.”
Stacey leaned forward again. “Save it. You and I both know who was earning the money while you sat around on your ass. Try actually working the company your father left you, Jace. It might help keep your mind on something other than getting a blowjob from Justin.”
“Stacey…” Phillip said in a warning tone.
Her head whipped sideways to glare at him. “I’m sorry, Phillip, but I’m done here. I see now what the whole purpose of requesting my presence here was…no more than a pitiful attempt to stick his fingers in money I earned, and the assets I brought into this marriage. That’s not happening.” She stared, narrow-eyed, at Winchester. “Take what’s outlined or walk out now.”
Winchester looked down his nose at her. “You know I used to pretend you were Justin so I could get hard enough to fuck you.”
Mason was across the table before he could stop himself. Chairs clattered as he grabbed the taller man and began punching him. If Stacey and Phillip had had enough, Mason was long past the point where he could pull back from beating Winchester like the dog he was.
Winchester was swearing at him, but Mason no longer heard anything other than the satisfying crack of his hand against the other man’s face. He wanted to pound that aristocratic nose and those well-bred cheekbones until he heard things crunch under his fist. Winchester needed to pay, needed to experience even a fraction of the pain and humiliation he’d caused Stacey. Vision narrowing, Mason went in for another punch only to feel strong hands dragging him back. He twisted in Phillip’s hold, but the bigger man refused to let go.
“Leave it, Mason,” he ordered. “We cool?”
Mason blew out a breath in frustration and shook off Phillip’s hands. “Yeah.”
Had Phillip not stepped in to pull him off, Mason wasn’t sure he could have stopped. As it was, he didn’t want to. Only Phillip’s level gaze kept him from going back again, like a terrier after a bone.
Phillip looked at his sister. “We’re done. Get Mason and yourself out of here. I’ll finish this and send Winchester on his way. We clear? The last thing I need is to have to call an ambulance and the police. There would be no way to keep this quiet then.”
Stacey tugged at Mason’s arm, dragging him toward the door. As soon as the door shut behind him, he leaned back against the wall and sucked in a deep breath through his nose. Once his breathing settled, so did some of his temper.
“I’m sorry,” he finally murmured.
Stacey stroked her hand over his chest. “It’s all right. It’s over, Mason.”
Was it? He wasn’t quite so sure. There’d been something wild in Winchester’s expression, as though the man felt he had nothing left to lose.
Chapter 16
Jace stared at his reflection in the hotel bathroom mirror. There wasn’t much hiding the bruised cheekbone and the faint black eye. Still that wasn’t what stuck out to him. It had been two days since his meeting with Stacey in her brother’s office. Two days, and he still had heard nothing from Justin. They’d had their share of differences over the years, but Justin had always come back. They’d always apologized and managed to move forward. This time, it occurred to Jace Justin might truly have meant it.
He might actually be leaving, going back to the ranch for good.
Jace wandered out of the bathroom, slumped into the chair near the window. He could have gone back to his family’s home, but doing so would entail too much of an explanation to his mother. She was vacationing with friends in the Hamptons, but her staff would no doubt inform her he was there, so home wasn’t an option.
He’d already tried Justin’s condo. The line had been disconnected. He’d left voice mail on Justin’s cell. It had gone unanswered. With a deep shuddering breath, h
e pulled his phone out and tried again. It rang and rang.
“Hi, this is Justin. Leave a message.”
Justin was never far from his phone. He simply wasn’t taking Jace’s calls. The beep sounded.
“Justin. It’s me. I really need to talk to you. I’m ready to listen, to make some changes.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Please call me.”
He continued to hold the phone in his hand as he stared out at the river view outside his window, but his phone didn’t ring. The following day, Jace was allowed back into the house to collect the rest of his belongings. He’d hired a couple people to take care of furniture, clothing, that sort of thing, but his office he packed himself. He pulled open the top drawer and stared at the small .22 caliber Ruger resting inside. It was a tiny gun. He’d originally bought it thinking Stacey might want something she could carry, but he’d never given it to her. Now, he tucked it in his pants pocket.
When he was finished, he returned the key to Phillip’s assistant, gave her a polite smile and directed the guys driving the box truck with his belongings to the storage locker he’d rented. The gun, he kept.
* * * *
The rest of the week seemed to fly by. Stacey was so relieved to have everything with Jace behind her. Of course they had the annulment hearing to go through, but Phillip assured her it would be only a formality since the grounds were there, and Jace wasn’t contesting it. As a peace offering to her mother, Stacey was even beginning the annulment process through the church.
In the meantime, she was moving on. With Mason’s help, she had already furnished her office and discovered it was infinitely easier to run her business through an office not located in her home. Having Mason in the same building with her was somewhat of a distraction. Stacey grinned. But they had found several places to be private. And being so close to him also gave her an added sense of security–something she needed even if she hated to admit it.
“Hey!” Mason startled her out of her reverie. “Brandon and Lucy called to see if we wanted to join them for dinner.”
“Where?”
“There’s a new place that’s opened two blocks from the penthouse. If we head home, we’ll have a chance to change clothes and we can walk there.”
Broken Heart Page 20
