“I like it. And I’m trying not to be jealous of Guil. I just felt like he replaced me, and he knew everything you wouldn’t tell me.”
“You were never replaced, and now you know almost everything.”
“Almost?”
Calum
This is where things get a little tricky again. “Chet knew. When I refused to just hand over half of the company to him, he threatened to expose what I’d done. I knew then it was just an accident, but like I said, I still thought you’d hate me.”
“He better hope law enforcement finds him before we do, because I’m going to ask for some time alone with him so I can beat the crap out of him. Or give him another scar.”
“My fierce warrior woman.”
“Damn straight. I’m glad you didn’t give him the piece of the company, even if he is technically your family.”
“You saw his ‘club.’ The clients he said he could bring here were little more than thugs. I’ve been a thug in my time, but I won’t allow anything illegal in my company. He would’ve brought the whole thing down. He almost did.”
“If you had told us the truth, we could’ve stopped him sooner.”
“I know. I need you to realize that I was keeping an eye on things. I knew he was threatening Rhys with things he didn’t want to do, but I also knew Rhys was enjoying what he was doing. I would’ve intervened if he’d tried to make good on his threats.”
“You had someone there? Of course you did. You could’ve told me,” she says, punching me in the arm.
“We’ve already established that I could’ve told you many things. Now you know everything.”
“Since we’re doing full disclosure here, I need to tell you something.”
“Okay,” I tell her, fighting down my panic.
“Don’t look so scared. I’m the one who’s terrified.”
“Of what? Not passing your Society things. I can help with other stuff besides sparring.”
“No. I’m definitely asking you for help if I need it, but I’m scared of my mother.”
“Is she here?” God, I am not ready for that woman yet.
“No, but I have to go to her. She set up an exclusive dress shopping spread in one of the fashion magazines. She called last night, but I didn’t want to talk about it, so I just sexed you up instead.”
“While I love the sexing, we need to talk. Always, and about everything.”
“Yes, we do. Anyway, I have to leave tonight.”
I groan. We haven’t had nearly enough sex. “Let me see about clearing my schedule.”
“You don’t have to. We can be apart for a little bit, you know.”
“We were apart for far too long. I want to at least be on the same continent as you. I can check in on some clients in Vegas and California.”
“If you’re sure, then that would be great. My mother expects me to go home for it, since Vegas is not classy enough. I mean, it’s not like we have pretty much every designer boutique represented there or anything,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Do you know what kind of dress you want?”
“For our wedding that’s not going to take place?”
“What if it did?”
She hesitates for a moment, and I hold my breath. I always wanted all of this to be real, but hearing her talk about dresses made me have to speak up.
“Are you asking me to marry you for real?”
“Yeah, I am. I know it’s not romantic, but I already gave you your childhood fantasy proposal, so I don’t know how I can top that.”
“Hmm…how about blowing my mind in this bed after I say yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure.”
“It’s sudden, but then again it’s not. I believe you’re not going to keep things from me again. And unless something is job related, I’m not keeping anything from you, either.”
“I love you so much, Rhi.”
“I love you too, Cabe.”
“Best friends forever, right?”
“Yeah. Forever.”
I roll over her, and proceed to do just what she asked me to do for her. I’m pretty mindless myself by the time we leave the bed. I’d stay there all day if I didn’t have schedules to re-arrange, and meetings to set up. I’m going back to the town where everything fell apart for me. I’ve been back for parties, but I always numbed myself with alcohol and women. This time, I’m going in sober with only one woman. The woman. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared half out of my mind, but I know she’ll be next to me no matter what happens.
19
Rhieve
I wasn’t trying to annoy my mother when I put on this dress today. Okay, well maybe I was, but I also love it. What’s not to love about a one-shouldered, geometric print mini-dress with a handkerchief hem? Yes, I paired it with black and white polka dot heels, and put my hair in a messy bun, but that’s me. Whether she likes it or not, I’m going to be who I am today, and every day from now on.
Calum and I discussed it on the plane ride back from England. His company is secure, so he doesn’t need the perfect socialite fiancé. He wants me to be myself, and I love him even more for telling me that.
“I just don’t see why you couldn’t have worn something more appropriate,” my mother asks as we ride in the back of her Rolls Royce to the dress shop.
“Mother, I came back here to do this for you. Can you please stop complaining about the designer dress I’m wearing?”
“No. Your hair is messy, and your makeup is too trendy. You look like any young woman walking down the street.”
“Maybe I want to look like everyone else my age for once.”
“You are not everyone else.”
“How would you even know?”
“Just try to act demure when you try on the gowns I’ve picked out for you.”
“I thought I was picking out my wedding gown. You know, my wedding gown?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve seen the things you’ve been wearing lately. My daughter is not going to look anything but perfect on her wedding day.”
Why? Why did I think I could be my own person, and make my own choices? Oh yeah, because that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll play nice for the magazine today, but I’m picking my own damn dress.
I stare out the window and refuse to engage in any further conversation on the way to the shop. When we pull up to the curb, I’m surprised to see Stella on the sidewalk next to the reporter and photographer. She winks at me, and I somehow manage to hold back a smirk.
“Hello, and who are you?” my mother asks her, her tone icy.
I start to intervene but Stella gives me a subtle shake of her head. The reporter answers. “This is Stella. She’s one of the most in demand stylists in the world, but she rarely takes on jobs for new clients. She agreed to help with the shoot today. I thought you’d know who she is.”
“Of course I do,” my mother snaps, although I know she really doesn’t.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Stella tells her before turning to me. “You must be the happy bride.”
“Why yes, I am.”
She links arms with me as she whispers in my ear. “Your mother picked some stuff you wouldn’t be caught dead in, but don’t worry. I slid a dress I know you’ll love in there.”
“Thanks.”
Once inside, I try on every satin and lace concoction my mother chose for me, hating each one even more than the last. For God’s sake, I am not a princess and I haven’t worn satin and lace since I was in grade school. I manage to smile and preen for the cameras, but I want to throw up inside.
I’ve just been helped out of the latest disaster when Stella walks in with a dress. I immediately know it’s the one, without even putting it on. “Oh.” It’s all I can say.
“I knew you’d love it.”
She shoos the store workers away, and slips it over my head. The top has crystals that wrap around my neck, over my shoulders to form open sleeves
, and straight down the middle to the top of the dress to where there is another line of them. The dress itself molds to my curves, and ends in a pool of white fabric at my feet.
I run my hands over it, marveling at how beautiful it is, and how much I feel like a bride right now. “It’s perfect.”
“Yep. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle in it. Let’s show everyone.”
“What?” I ask, as she takes out her tablet and presses a button.
All of my friends are on the screen, and they start cheering when they see me. “I know your mom is here, but I wanted the Society to see you, too.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, tearing up as I hug her.
We talk to everyone for a few minutes, and then she disconnects. Now for the fun part. Are you ready to show your mom?”
Am I? “Yeah, I think I am.”
She squeezes my hand in encouragement, and I hold up my skirt as I walk the short distance back to the room where everyone is waiting. The photographer starts taking pictures as soon as I’m in view, and I smile for him. I know my smile is brighter, and more genuine, than when I was in the other dresses. I can’t help it, but one look into my mother’s eyes, and I know there’s going to be trouble.
“What an interesting dress, Rhieve.”
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Stella asks.
“It’s…interesting.”
I smile right at her when I say the words I need to say. “This is the one.”
“Let’s not be hasty.”
“I’m not being hasty. This is the dress that makes me feel like a bride, and isn’t that what you want?”
I’ve cornered her in front of outsiders, and we both know she won’t make a scene. “Well, if it’s what you want, of course I love it, too.”
“It is.”
I hug her, playing this for all I’m worth. I won’t let her ruin this for me. I’m going to marry Calum in this dress, be the best person and spy I can be, and for once, be happy to be me.
Calum
Going to dinner with Rhieve’s parents is not high on my list of things I want to do, but it can’t be helped. She’s going to be my wife, and so I have to tolerate them. I don’t know how, especially since I want to punch her father every time I see him, but somehow I’ll make it through the meal tonight.
It helps that Rhieve is looking so amazing. She’s got on a high necked, sleeveless, dress that’s white underneath with black cutout fabric over it. It goes past her knees, but has a zipper from top to bottom in back, along with a high slit. The gold and black cutout heels on her feet make me have impure thoughts. Very, very impure thoughts.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“As okay as I can be,” I answer honestly.
“I won’t let them give you a hard time. You know that, right?”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know, but I want you to know I have your back. Rhys will, too.”
Her brother flew out for dinner with us. He’s doing great, living it up at the C&C apartments. He wasn’t traumatized by what happened to him, and from what I’ve heard, he complains about not being able to go out, but at least he’s safe from Chet for now.
Camari, is coming as his date. She knows how to behave in public, but also be firm when she needs to, so she’s the perfect choice. Of course, a couple of the actual Society ladies and their husbands, including Jade and Nate Anderson, will also be dining at the same restaurant to keep an eye on things.
“Let’s do this,” I tell Rhieve, taking her hand and putting a smile I don’t feel on my face as we walk to the table where they’re all waiting.
Mr. Madison stands to kiss his daughter on the cheek, and shake my hand harder than necessary. Rhys and I fist bump while I nod at Camari, and do the kiss cheek thing with Mrs. Madison. After pulling out her chair for Rhieve, I kiss her temple and take my seat next to her.
“What are your intentions with my daughter?” her father asks me.
“Well, I put a ring on her finger, so I’d say my intentions are very clear.”
“Nothing is ever as it seems with you Bensons.”
“You didn’t seem to have a problem with my mother when you were sleeping with her.”
“Shit,” Rhys says. “Really?”
“We are not going to discuss this,” Rhieve’s mother tells him.
“Don’t bring up Calum’s family then. Have some respect if you want to be shown respect,” Rhieve says, and I want to kiss her. Kiss her, and then order the strongest drink they have. This is going to be a long night.
The night goes from bad to worse, despite the best efforts of Rhieve and Camari to keep things civil. Her parents are even worse than I remembered, and I once again feel so bad about leaving Rhieve alone for so many years. They try to dim that brightness in her, but they haven’t succeeded yet, and I’ll do everything I can to ensure that they never do.
I drink so much Scotch, I think it’s running in my veins, and Rhys just sits there looking amused while his parents try to eviscerate me. Luckily, I know how to hold my liquor, so I manage to walk a pretty straight line out to our car once the ordeal is finally over.
“I hate your parents,” I tell her, laying my head down on her lap after climbing in the backseat.
“I know. I’m sorry they’re so horrible.”
“Not your fault, love.”
"We don't have to see them again until the wedding, okay?"
"'Kay," I say, turning to run my hands over her flat stomach. "One day we'll have a baby, Rhi, and they'll know we love him or her. Unconditionally."
"One day, Cabe. Not too soon, though."
"No. After you've been a badass spy for a few years. Our baby will know that its mom is helping save the world. I'm so proud of you, Rhi. Have I told you that before?"
"Once or twice, but it's always nice to hear."
"I want you to be proud of me, too. I'm trying to be a better man."
"I know, but don't change too much. The world's not ready for a kinder and gentler Caleb Benson."
"No?"
"No."
"I think I'll go to sleep now for a little bit if you don't mind."
"Go ahead. I'll wake you up when we get to my house."
She runs her fingers through my short hair as I drift off to thoughts of Rhieve in a wedding dress, and the beautiful babies who will look like both of us. It won't matter that neither of us had parents who cared more about themselves than us. We'll have each other forever.
20
Rhieve
After the fiasco, otherwise known as dinner with my parents, Calum and I have been having a good time being back home. We snuck onto the private lake at my parents’ house so we could look for frogs like we did when we were little, we ate at our favorite ice cream place, and we just had fun being together. There were photographers at some of the public places we went to, but they didn't bother us. At night, we cuddled on my couch, ate takeout, and made out like the horny teenagers we never got to be together. Some nights we made love, and some nights we just fell asleep in each other's arms.
It's been a week, and I told Calum he needed to set up the meetings he planned to have when he made his plans to come back here with me. I love being with him, but we need to see how we'll be together on a regular day, and not just when we're in our little bubble. We'll be going back to Vegas in a few days, and then we'll both be working business hours. For now, I'm studying the lessons all the mentors have downloaded onto my tablet so I don't get behind.
I've been engrossed in my studies for a few hours when my phone starts blowing up. It's practically vibrating off the coffee table, and I frown as I pick it up. The last text was from Rein, saying I needed to call her when I get the message. I click on her name, and she picks up on the first ring.
"Rhieve, are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
There's a pause, and then she speaks again. "You haven't seen the news."
It's not a question, but I answer her anyw
ay. "No. I've been studying. What's going on?"
"The media got a tip that Calum was responsible for his mother's death. They're also reporting on him owning the Thorns clubs. They have pictures, and that Julia woman is supposed to tell all about her time at some of them with him."
"No! We have to do something. I have to do something. What can I do, Rei?"
"There's not much to do right now. We have a far reach, but the story is everywhere. I have Audrey and Camari working on some press release for you, and we'll do one for Calum as well if he needs it. Above that, you just take care of Calum, and take any extra time you need."
"I will. Thanks for everything."
I try to call Calum while I throw some clothes that are suitable for going out in public on. He doesn’t answer, and after my fifth attempt, he starts sending me directly to voicemail. I know where he said he was going to lunch, and I'm hoping his meeting is just intense and that's why he's ignoring me.
I realize how naïve I was when I pull my car down my driveway to find paparazzi outside my gate. There are news vans, too, and I almost hit more than one reporter as I maneuver my way out onto the street. A few start following me, but I don't care. All I care about right now is getting to Cabe.
There are more photographers outside the restaurant, and I dodge their questions as I valet my car, and run inside. I don't hide, because I'm not ashamed of anything they're asking me about, but I'm not about to give them any words they can twist.
I see Calum immediately when I enter the restaurant. He's alone in a booth near the back. It has a view of the whole room, meaning the whole room also has a view of him as well. I can't help but hear the whispers as I make my way to him. His eyes are lifeless, and his mouth is in a grim line when I approach.
"What are you doing here, Rhieve?"
"I'm coming to make sure you're okay," I tell him as I slide into the booth next to him.
"How could I possibly be okay? Chet's winning, even though he can't show his fucking face."
"He's only going to win if you let him. Make a statement, and show people you're not ashamed of Thorns, because you have no reason to be."
Society Girls: Rhieve Page 14
