“Look, I’m tired, can’t this wait?”
“You had to fight to get her out?” He rested a hand on my shoulder. “I want to know where this Hillenbrand is located.”
It was not going to happen. The last thing we needed was for Henry to go in there with guns blazing because he was on some superhero kick.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Shay’s cautious gaze danced from Henry to me. “I need a word. Like now.”
Raising my gaze to the ceiling, I began counting to ten. I really was done with this day, and this week could go back to the hell it had crawled out of.
I followed Shay into the kitchen.
He glanced cautiously over my shoulder. “The doorman just called up. Helete’s in the lobby.”
“Why?”
“Shall I send her away?”
I stayed silent, trying to figure out my next move from an inferno of choices.
“What’s going on?” asked Henry.
I turned to face him. “I’m dealing with a situation. If you want to be let in on it you must promise you’ll let me handle it.”
“More fucking drama?”
“Yes, Henry,” I said, “shit just got real. Since you left Mia in The Manhattan with one of your thugs, plenty of drama has unfolded. And now there’s a woman in our foyer who is desperate to stay alive and the chances of her doing so are slim.”
Chastain had come for Omani.
I stared at Henry. “Can you be reasonable?”
“Invite the bitch up.”
I gave the command and Helete rode the elevator to our floor. We met her in the hallway, just outside the penthouse. We didn’t want Mia to overhear the commotion if Henry decided to go rogue.
Helete hurried toward us clouded in expensive perfume and an equal measure of fear.
Her face looked flushed and she stared at us wide-eyed. “Cameron, you’ve got to help me.”
“You’re brave,” snapped Shay. “Showing up here.”
“I have to talk with you,” she stuttered.
I gestured to Shay. I want to handle this.
“I’m sorry,” she burst out.
“Save it for Mia,” I snapped. “For everything you put her through.”
She seemed close to crumbling. “Forgive me. I was…”
“I want this behind us,” I said through clenched teeth.
She gave a wary nod. “I can’t find Nadia. I think Chastain has found out the truth.”
“You can try apologizing to him too.” I kept my tone even.
Her lips trembled. “I admit I stole Nadia away from him.”
“You mean Omani?”
“You told him I had her, didn’t you?”
“He figured it out.” I shrugged. “Why’d you lie to him? Why’d you make it look like she didn’t want to go back to him?”
“I was waiting for the right time.” She glanced past me. “He films everything. He uses it as leverage. I was going to tell him where she was as long as he agreed to give me the footage of what happened at Hillenbrand. All those things I did…”
I’d suspected they were filming Shay and I during our session in the red-walled dungeon, and now I knew for sure. No doubt Chastain believed he owned me.
Henry folded his arms across his chest. “Mrs. Merrill, maybe you should hide out at The Manhattan. I’ve heard it’s pretty safe there.”
She ignored him and gave me a pleading look. “Can you help me?”
“I’ll call him,” I said reluctantly, doubting it would do any good.
She hurried away toward the elevator.
On the one hand, I wanted to reassure Helete that her life wasn’t in danger. On the other, I didn’t want to give her false hope.
“Cam,” Shay called to me.
I spun around.
He grinned. “Sucks to be her.”
“Not funny.”
“It’s hilarious.” He ushered me into the penthouse.
I left Shay and Henry talking in the kitchen and went in search of Mia. She was still in bed, snuggled under the covers. I wasn’t sure if she was asleep.
Quietly, and very gently, I sat beside her on the edge of the bed and ran my fingers through her long, golden locks. I wanted her to know I loved her so much, I was willing to give her what she’d asked of me and let her go.
I HEADED INTO THE KITCHEN just in time to catch Cameron pulling off his T-shirt and giving me an eyeful of his rock hard abs. He looked surprised to see me too, and froze near the central island. From the perspiration covering his chest, I could tell he’d gone for his morning run.
He threw his damp shirt over a barstool. I was tempted to scoop it up and bury my nose in it, breathe in the scent of him like I used to do.
Then I remembered last night…I’d felt his fingers trailing through my hair while I’d drifted off to sleep and it had felt like he was saying goodbye.
Cameron’s gaze wondered over my Armani two-piece pantsuit, the one that would give me the courage to return to work. Maybe my colleagues would assume I’d already moved upstairs. Maybe that transition had bought me time.
Staring at the most beautiful man alive who was still smiling back at me, I tried to pretend I was actually doing well. I had managed to get out of bed and walk fifteen steps into the kitchen.
“Why are you dressed like that?” He shifted uncomfortably.
“For work?”
“You’re going in?”
I strolled over to the coffeemaker and inhaled the java’s delicious aroma.
Hairs prickled on the back of my neck. Cameron was right behind me.
“You don’t think it’s a good idea,” he hesitated, and then added, “to take a few days off?”
“Why?” I spun around and looked up at him.
“Decompress from all you’ve been through?”
“Are you going in?”
“I have a billion dollar business to run.”
“And I have a small cubicle in which to run my own empire.” Which sounded kind of silly but I held my head up anyway.
He looked so damn gorgeous with his hair spiked and his chest glistening from his recent exertion. If he came any closer I’d be forced to place my hands on his chest and push him away.
Or dig my nails into his chest and pull him closer.
I turned my back on him and grabbed two Cole mugs, pouring us both some coffee. “I’ll make my own way in.”
Being trapped in the back of a car with him would be the end to my resistance.
We were over, and this was us pretending to be civilized because we were still living under the same roof. Until he moved out. Or I did…which would probably be better. Then I wouldn’t be surrounded by memories of him.
“I put your watch over there—” He pointed at the Rolex on the central island. “I think it’s a good idea for now.”
I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Do you want to talk with someone?” he said gently. “I can arrange it.”
“I’m fine. Maybe you need a therapist?”
“Maybe.”
“Are you okay?” I reached up to cup his cheek and then drew my hand back.
“Mia?” He leaned in as if to kiss me, his lips lingering close to mine, his fingers moving through my hair as he pulled me toward him. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes.” Oh, yes.
He let go and turned with a resigned nod, scooping up his T-shirt and heading out of the kitchen. “I’ll have a car take you in.”
I watched him walk away. “Cameron?”
He turned his head slightly, but he didn’t look at me. “I’m going to stay with Henry.”
Staring out the kitchen window, I could see rain was imminent. It would make my commute particularly slow, so I’d be wise to leave soon. My body was shuddering with regret for not saying what my heart was screaming…I loved him and I didn’t care if he’d fallen for someone else.
Remember to breathe.
I relented and slipped on my Rolex; this way a part of him would
always be with me.
With a shaking hand, I picked up my coffee mug and hurried back to my bedroom…our bedroom. I couldn’t fight off the memories that surrounded me here…the long nights we’d made love…those mornings when I’d lain in bed and watched Cameron get dressed for work.
How many times had I made him late?
I finished getting ready and made my way down to the waiting car.
It was like nothing had changed. Everyone worked diligently in their cubicles and I was pretty much ignored as I settled back into my little space.
“How are you feeling?” Kelly leaned over my cubicle. “I heard you had the flu?”
I smiled. “Actually, I was whisked off to France where I was kidnapped by a sex demigod and held captive.” I waggled my eyebrows.
“I missed you so much.” She came around and rested her palm on my forehead. “You still feel hot.”
I was grateful to have her as a friend. “How’s it been here?”
“They had the semi-finals for the Cole Tea design and my entry made it.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“How did you do?”
“I ended up not entering.” I gave her a warm smile. “I’m happy for you.”
“Can I get you anything? Some hot tea?”
My gaze drifted toward the coffee room. “I’m fine, thank you.”
She glanced around to check no one was listening and then lowered her voice. “Mr. Cole, the CEO, was looking for you after you left. He was searching your desk. I thought you should know.”
Cameron would have been frantic looking for clues. We’d not talked about it.
“Maybe they were looking for my design.” It sounded credible.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said. “I’ve asked to move over here when you go upstairs. I love your view.”
I blinked at her. “That move isn’t happening now.”
“You best tell Mr. Cole’s assistant. Sue was down here ten minutes ago, all ready to help you carry your stuff up.”
I rose out of my chair. “I’ll be right back.”
Hurrying toward the elevator, I counted the seconds until the doors slid open so I could step inside and rally myself. I felt relieved no one else was in here with me. The pressure in my chest verged on crippling.
Stepping onto the executive floor, I saw Sue sitting behind her desk typing away.
She stopped when she noticed me. “I was just looking for you.”
I heard raised voices behind Cameron’s closed office door. It sounded like a heated conversation.
“I’m just going to have a quick chat.” I headed straight for his door.
“You can’t go in there!”
I turned the knob and burst on in, stopping suddenly when I saw Cameron’s dad sitting on the leather couch with Henry beside him. They looked equally surprised to see me.
Sue hurried in behind me and gave the men an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry.”
Henry got up and came toward me. “Mia, are you okay?”
“She just barged in, Mr. Cole,” said Sue.
“That’s okay, Susan. You can leave us now.” He waited for her to shut the door and then asked, “How are you, Mia?”
I felt myself blushing. “I’m looking for Cameron.”
“Come over here,” said Raif, his kind eyes reminding me of his youngest son.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said, moving closer.
Henry shoved his hands into his pockets. “Cam’s not at work.”
A jolt of uncertainty hit me because he’d told me he was coming in.
“Mia.” Raif gestured to a small box on the table. “Thank you for this. I love it.”
Resting there was a mock-up of my design for Cole Tea’s new brand. It had Raif Cole’s signature swirled along the side, a dark blue oblong creation that reflected a timeless elegance.
Raif beamed at me. “Henry just showed me what he and Cameron put together. Apparently you helped make this happen? And here I thought I’d been forgotten.”
“It was all Mia’s design, Dad,” said Henry.
The hairs prickled on my forearms as I realized my design would be in every store around the world and that Cameron had chosen it after all. “I’m so glad you like it.” Then guilt washed over me. “My friend Kelly has a great design, too. She works in marketing with me.”
Henry smiled. “We’ve still got that competition running. Your design will be for the new brand we’re rolling out for the holidays. It has a nostalgic feel and we’ll utilize the concept in our campaign.”
“Thank you.” I was almost trembling with excitement. I wanted to rush into Cameron’s arms and thank him for this chance. Seeing how happy it was making his dad filled me with pride.
“Want a cup of tea?” asked Raif.
I was going to have to tell him the wedding was off, but now wasn’t the time. “I should get back.”
I said my goodbyes and left Cameron’s office with my head bowed as I strolled past the reception desk.
“Sorry for any confusion,” Susan called after me.
“You were just protecting the boss.” I threw her a smile, but it faded when I saw Shay.
He looked liked he’d been waiting for me.
“We have a meeting.” He threw a nod of thanks toward Sue and then gently took hold of my arm and led me to the elevator.
“I’m not sure about this,” I said softly.
“Not with Cole.”
My anxiety increased. “He’s really not here?”
“He came in briefly. He’s decided to take a leave of absence.”
Now I understood why Henry was in Cam’s office.
I was vaguely aware of stepping into the elevator.
We shot past my floor and kept descending. I watched Shay warily, wondering if he was going to escort me from the building. We stopped on the ground floor and I felt Shay’s fingers intertwine with mine. He led me into the foyer and we took a sharp left toward the Cole Tea Shop.
“What’s going on?” And then I saw him…
Chastain was sitting in the corner sipping a drink. His grey gaze rose slowly to meet mine.
“No.” I refused to take another step.
“Please, Mia, this is important.” Shay faced me. “Chastain has something for Cameron and he’ll only give it to you.”
“What is it?” I braved a glance in his direction, and noticed the strikingly beautiful woman beside him. She was bewitching.
“I won’t leave your side for one second.” Shay gave me a squeeze of reassurance. “Please, do this for Cole.”
“Does Cameron know he’s here?” I glared at him.
“Not exactly.”
The only reason I’d face Chastain again would be to help Cole. I raised my chin high and strolled toward them. Chastain pushed to his feet ready to greet me and so did his friend. I approached their table warily.
“Omani, this is Mia,” he said, “and of course you know Mr. Gardner.”
The woman looked at Shay fondly.
Chastain gestured to a seat. “Join us.”
I hesitated. “What do you want?”
“Please.” Omani came around the table and rested her hand on my shoulder. “We wanted to thank you.”
My gaze fell on the brown envelope on the table. “What’s in there?”
Shay pulled out a chair for me and we both sat close to each other.
“First,” Chastain swapped a wary glance with Shay, “I came to see how you are?”
“How do you think I am?” My tone sounded as bitter as I felt.
“Of course,” he said, sliding the envelope toward me. “I understand.”
I peeled open the seal and peeked in. It was a non-disclosure agreement. “I’m not signing this.”
He shook his head. “I signed it. It’s for Mr. Gardner and Mr. Cole. It states that all footage was destroyed and it will never be used against either of you.”
“I appreciate it,” said Shay.
�
�And you believe him?” I asked curtly.
Shay tapped the envelope. “That’s why we have this.”
“What do you want in exchange?” I asked.
“Nothing.” He looked lovingly at his beautiful companion, taking her hand in his. “He gave me Omani back.”
She flashed us a smile. “Mr. Cole told Lucas where he could find me.”
I pushed my chair back and stood. “Can I have a private word with you, Omani?”
She looked at Chastain for permission. When he gave it she followed me out.
I walked her away from the Cole Tea Shop and across the foyer to a secluded corner. “Do you really know this man?”
She smiled. “Yes, I was his submissive for a year.”
“At Hillenbrand?”
“Yes.”
“You’re too young for him.”
“I love him. He’s good to me. When I lost him I hated life. All I could think of was him.”
“So you know he chopped someone’s finger off, right?”
Her laughter echoed around us. “No, that was an accident.”
“That was no accident.”
“A submissive cut the tip of her finger off while cooking and he took her to get it sutured. Afterward, he scared everyone with a story of how he’d done it. He likes to play the bad guy.”
I shook my head. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She raised her index finger to show me the scarred tip. “It was my mine.”
A realization hit me. “You were working at The Dionysus Club?”
“Yes, and then Mr. Cole offered me a job here.” She looked around at the people coming and going. “I would have liked it.”
“You didn’t accept his offer?”
“No, I’m going back to France with Lucas.”
“Do you speak five languages?”
“Yes, why?”
I glanced back at the Cole Tea Shop. “I thought you ran away from him?”
“No, Helete made me believe Lucas no longer wanted me.”
“Why?”
“Because she wanted to blackmail him. He had footage of her at Hillenbrand. She was with a politician and Lucas filmed it. It’s how he protects the club. Helete didn’t want her husband to know. She thought if she had me, she had collateral.”
“So you and Cameron were never intimate?”
She looked amused. “He’s a gentleman. He saved me from The Dionysus Club. He promised to get me out. And he did.”
Enthrall Climax Page 26
