Owning Beauty (Taking Beauty Trilogy Book 3)

by Nikki Wild

  “Well, it’s not over yet. He’s on his way to Dalton’s place right now. Said he wanted to do this one himself, since it’s personal. For Ruby, you know?”

  My heart dropped when I realized exactly what he was saying.

  I ran down the block to my car, fear gripping my heart as I raced home.

  Chloe

  I blew my nose for the millionth time since I’d left the doctor’s office. I hadn’t stuck around to finish the appointment. Instead, I cleaned myself up and dressed quickly before sneaking out a back door, grateful I hadn’t run into the doctor.

  I’d call tomorrow and reschedule.

  I was devastated and being all alone in the penthouse wasn’t helping. Why had I sent him away? I was still angry, but after being home alone for a few hours and processing everything, knowing now that at least he’d had some reason for paying off Randy, even if it was still unexcuseable, helped just a bit to ease my anger towards him.

  I understood he was trying to help.

  But he’d gone about it completely wrong.

  I desperately wished he’d come to me first. But he hadn’t. Nothing I could do would turn back time. And now, I’d sent him away and here I was, all alone with nothing but my tears and this huge penthouse that did nothing but remind me how very alone I was.

  I thought about calling him, but then I remembered all the other times I’d forgiven him so easily. Not this time.

  I said I needed space, and no matter how much it hurt, I wasn’t going to back down. At least not right now.

  I thought about calling Matilda, but then I’d have to explain the whole thing about Randy trying to blackmail us with pictures of her naked, and the whole thing grossed me out. I couldn’t deal with it. I’d have to tell her, of course, but right now, I just didn’t have the strength to deal with her reaction, whatever it may be.

  Instead, I picked up the phone and called Marie.

  I’d never been more grateful to hear her voice. As soon as she answered, I burst into tears.

  “Whoa, whoa, Chloe, what’s up?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” I said, sniffling into the phone. “No…”

  “What happened?”

  “Bear…” I said.

  “You mean your dreamy billionaire husband?”

  “Yes…” I sobbed. She wasn’t helping by pointing out what I was missing.

  “Okay, maybe a few more details might help.”

  “Randy…” I managed to sputter out through my tears.

  “Randy? Do you mean the parasitic good-for-nothing scoundrel that impregnated your mother and by some miracle created my amazing best friend? That Randy?”

  “Yes…,” I said, smiling in spite of my misery.

  “What did Bear and Randy do?”

  “God, Marie, you aren’t going to believe this!”

  “Oh, this sounds juicy, tell me. Wait! Do I need to kick someone’s ass?”

  “Maybe,” I said.

  “Hmm,” she murmured. “I’ll reserve judgement. Keep going.”

  “Randy apparently tried to blackmail Bear…or me…or Matilda, I don’t really know…all of us, I guess.”

  “Blackmail? That’s…creative. With what?”

  “Pictures and video of him having sex with Matilda.”

  “Oh, my God!” she screamed, her sheer voice piercing my ears. “You saw them?”

  “No, thank God!” I said. “I think Bear did.”

  “You think?”

  “Well, yeah, I guess he did. I don’t know I wasn’t there.”

  “Lucky you,” she said. “Sounds like you dodged a bullet. You’d never be able to scrub that image from your head.”

  “God, shut up already! I don’t even want to think about that!”

  “Well, then why are you crying?”

  “Because it worked!”

  “What worked?”

  “The blackmail, for fuck’s sake, aren’t you listening to me?”

  “You aren’t exactly being crystal clear, Chloe. So who did he blackmail?”

  “Goddammit, Marie.”

  “Okay, all of you. So what, you paid him off?”

  “Not me!” I protested. “Bear!”

  “I see. Okay. And?”

  “And I told him not to! But he did anyway and he didn’t tell me. He said he was going to tell me, but then…well, I was waiting for him…never mind…anyway, he didn’t tell me. He gave him a check for ten thousand dollars, Marie!”

  She whistled and I rolled my eyes.

  “It doesn’t matter how much, because he shouldn’t have given him a penny, don’t you understand?”

  “Well, if you told him not to, then why did he?”

  “Because Randy brought the pictures to him. When I told him not to, I didn’t know the pictures existed.”

  “Well, what did you think he was blackmailing you with?”

  “Nothing! He wasn’t blackmailing us, not at that time. Look, never mind.”

  “Chloe, maybe I don’t understand, but it sounds like Bear did you a favor. He paid off Randy, saved your mother from a lot of embarrassment and saved you from a lifetime of therapy from seeing your mother have sex. I still don’t understand why you’re crying.”

  Her words made me sob even more. I cried into the phone, snot and tears running all over my face.

  “You sound terrible, Chloe,” Marie said. “Where’s Bear now?”

  “At a hotel,” I said.

  “You kicked him out of his own penthouse? That’s kind of bad ass…I’m proud of you.”

  “I didn’t kick him out. I was going to leave. Her offered to go instead.”

  “Oh, I see. Okay, well…when is he coming back?”

  “I don’t know!” I cried.

  “Well, just call him, Chloe. I don’t think this is a deal breaker unless there something you aren’t telling me. Is everything else okay? Is the baby okay?”

  “The baby is fine,” I said, running my hand over my stomach.

  “Well, it’s probably not good for you to get this upset. You should try to call him, or maybe take a bath or something first to calm down. Then call Bear and tell him to come home and you guys have some really good make-up sex so you can tell me all about it later.”

  “Hush,” I said.

  “Chloe, I saw you guys fuck. It’s hot. Okay? I wanna hear about it.”

  “Shut up!” I said.

  “Okay, okay, whatever. Jeez, I thought we’d reached a new level in our friendship, but I guess not.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Stop rolling your eyes,” she said.

  “I’m not,” I lied.

  “Yes, you are. Whatever. Look, I can only wish I had a husband like you do. Be grateful for him. Even if he went against your wishes, it sounds like he only did it to protect you and how can you be angry at that? It’s fucking sexy.”

  “Is everything sexual to you?” I asked.

  “Pretty much,” she said.

  “You’re impossible. But you’re right, I guess. I’ll call him later and tell him to come home. He’s been so distracted lately with all the stuff with Bruce…everything was going so great, though, and then Randy decides to blow everything up.”

  “What about Bruce?” she asked, her voice softening. I paused, remembering her crush on him.

  “I thought I told you? Bear doesn’t think he killed himself. He thinks maybe someone killed him. Maybe someone from a case he was working on before he quit his job. Apparently, Bruce was in hiding up in the cabin, nobody knew he was up there. So Bear is trying to find out how someone might have found him. I don’t know, there’s more to it, but it’s complicated.”

  “That’s not true, Chloe.”

  “What isn’t?”

  “That nobody knew he was up there.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I was on the phone with him one night and he got a visitor. He said it was an old coworker. A woman…Lacey, Casey…something like that.”

  “Oh, r
eally?” I asked. “Okay, well I’ll tell Bear. He’ll want to know that.”

  “Yeah, tell him. And then, have that make-up sex. You know my number.”

  “Shut up!” I said again. I couldn’t help but laugh, though. Maybe things weren’t so bad, after all. Maybe I just needed my best friend to show me that.

  The doorbell rang and I jumped.

  “Someone just rang the bell, Marie, I gotta go,” I said, hoping it was Bear. But why would he ring the bell? I wondered. Maybe he’s just trying to be respectful.

  “Tell Bear I said hello. And you know, if you wanna Skype that make-up sex later, just let me know ahead of time so I can dress appropriately…”

  “You’re terrible. I’m hanging up now.”

  I walked to the door with my phone in my hand, my palms sweating with nervousness and my heart filling with hope, all at the same time.

  Maybe we could work this out.

  We just needed to talk a little more.

  I took a deep breath and flung open the door.

  “Oh!” I said, taking a step back. The man standing there was the scariest man I’d ever come face to face with in my life. My heart jumped into my throat. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m an old friend of your husband’s,” he said, smiling, flashing a mouthful of gold teeth, his pockmarked face wrinkling into a creepy, strained smile. “He around?”

  “No, he’s not,” I said, looking behind him. How the fuck did he get up here? I wondered. “Can I tell him you stopped by?”

  My hand was on the door handle, ready to close the door, but he walked in before I could close it.

  “I’ll wait,” he said, barreling past me.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’ll wait,” he said, turning and flashing me his glittery smile once more. “If you don’t mind.”

  “Who are you?” I said, looking back into the empty hallway again. I don’t know what I was looking for. Another human, perhaps. One less terrifying than the individual that had just strolled into our penthouse.

  “Name’s Rio Santiago,” he said, holding out a hand to shake. “You’re obviously Mrs. Dalton.”

  “Chloe. Yes,” I said, as he grabbed my hand. I cringed when he pressed it to his fat lips. My stomach churned and I pulled it away quickly.

  “Nice to meet you, Chloe,” he said, turning towards the terrace and taking in the view. “This place is incredible.”

  “Yes,” I agreed. I left the door open and kept my eye on him. Hair stood up on the back of my neck. Suddenly, I remembered I was holding my phone.

  I hit the home button and punched in my pass code, and then froze. Who do I call? Bear or 911?

  “Why don’t you call Bear and let him know I’m here?” he said. “Maybe he’ll get here a little sooner and I won’t take up any more of your time than necessary.”

  “Oh, sure,” I said, nodding, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach.

  I called Bear’s phone and it went straight to voice mail.

  “Bear, it’s Chloe. I’m at the penthouse. There’s a man here to visit you. Mr. Santiago? Please come home right away, he’s waiting for you. Please call me back.”

  I hung up the phone and clutched it in my hand.

  The man stood staring at me now, his gaze intense and intimidating.

  “How long have you been married to Bear?” he asked.

  “Just a few weeks,” I said.

  “Oh, newlyweds, is that right?” he smiled. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Thank you,” I muttered. “Can I get you a drink?”

  I didn’t know what else to do at this point. All I could do was hope Bear got here soon. In the entire time I’d known him, he’d always answered my calls. His phone was never turned off, never went to voice mail. Why in the hell did it have to happen now?

  “I would love a drink, Chloe, thank you!” he said, sitting on the couch, his huge frame sinking into the soft leather. “I trust you have tequila?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “I’d love a few shots,” he said. “In fact, just bring the whole bottle and come sit with me,” he patted the seat next to him. “We can get to know one another while we’re waiting for your husband.”

  I took the bottle over to him and poured a shot, putting the glass and the bottle on the table in front of him.

  “Go on, get another glass,” he said. “Unless we’re going to share?” he winked.

  “No, I can’t—I don’t drink.”

  His eyes shot down to my stomach and his face lit up.

  “You’re expecting!” he said. “That dirty dog! He knocked you up already?” His laughter roared through the apartment as he poured another shot and my stomach churned. I looked at the front door, my heart skipping a beat.

  Where are you? I thought. Hurry up!

  “You know,” I said, trying to muster a smile. “I just remembered. Bear had a long meeting today, that’s probably why he’s not answering. I’ll have him give you a call as soon as he gets home.”

  “Nonsense,” he said, pouring his third shot. “I’m happy to wait. Besides, I’m enjoying your company, Chloe. You’re a very lovely woman.”

  “Thank you,” I said, biting my tongue, my heart racing.

  “I had a lovely woman once,” he said. “Long time ago. She’s gone now, though.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

  “It is what it is,” he said. “C’est la vie, you know?”

  “Right,” I nodded.

  “So, where are you from Chloe? You don’t look like a New Yorker, no offense.”

  “I’m from Portland.”

  “Oregon?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I nodded.

  “I heard there’s a pot store and a strip club on every corner in Portland,” he said. “I gotta a few buddies who love that place.”

  “I suppose,” I shrugged.

  “Sounds like a fun place,” he said, pouring his fourth shot and downing it just as quickly. “You like fun?”

  “Yes,” I said, stealing another glance at the door.

  “Well, you’d have to being married to Dalton, right?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, he’s into some kinky stuff, right?”

  “I don’t think—.”

  “—Don’t be shy! I’ve heard all about him. A little too much, unfortunately.”

  “Mr. Santiago,” I said, standing up. “I think maybe you should leave now. I’ll have Bear call you, I promise.”

  “Oh, what’s wrong, chicka?” he said, standing up and brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. I shuddered at his touch and stepped back.

  “Rio Santiago!” We turned and saw Bear standing by the door.

  A wave of relief flooded over me for a minuscule second, but once I saw the look on Bear’s face, I knew something terrible was happening.

  “Dalton,” Santiago said, flashing his gilded mouth at Bear. “It’s about time we meet!”

  Bear

  I almost tackled him as soon as I saw him touch Chloe. But then I saw the gun sticking out of his suit jacket and I froze.

  I held out a hand and walked towards him. Standing between him and Chloe, pushing her gently behind me, I faced him.

  “Bear Dalton,” he said, his voice a slow drawl as he shook my hand.

  “Santiago,” I said, meeting his beady black eyes. “How can I help you?”

  “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. You’re famous, rich, powerful. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Is that so?” I asked, keeping one eye on his gun. It wasn’t that I was afraid of him, but I was certainly out-armed here. At least at the moment. I had an arsenal of guns, but I kept them locked safely away in a cabinet in the bedroom, never taking them out. I’d only bought them in case of a zombie apocalypse or worse…an armed felon invading my house.

  Unfortunately, they were way too far away.

  “Chloe, darling,” I turned to her, “could you make me a cup of tea while I
talk to Mr. Santiago?” I reaching down and grabbed her hand, squeezing it firmly, trying to reassure her. Her fingers were trembling and it killed me.

  “Of course,” she said, turning and walking towards the kitchen.

  “Please, have a seat,” I said to him, sitting across from him. He poured a shot of tequila and offered it to me.

  “No thanks,” I shook my head.

  “What? You aren’t knocked up too, are you?” I cringed at his words. I didn’t want him even looking at Chloe, much less being near her. I knew what kind of a man he was and now I knew he’d killed my best friend.

  Because of me.

  But, I stayed cool. Kept my head. Because I knew, without a doubt, that was the only way Chloe and I were going to survive this. I’d called Charlie on the way over, frantically leaving a message. I’d told the door guy to call the cops on my way up.

  All I had to do was keep Santiago cool and calm until they arrived.

  “So what brings you here?” I smiled.

  “Do you remember a woman named Ruby?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I nodded.

  “Ruby was the love of my life,” he said.

  “Ruby was a nice woman,” I said. “I didn’t know her very well.”

  “You knew her well enough to fuck her, though, right?”

  “What’s your point?”

  He stood up, strolling around the room slowly as he looked over the place.

  “This is a sweet crib you’ve got, Dalton,” he said. “You’re richer than the Queen of England, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t think so,” I replied.

  “Ruby was my childhood sweetheart, did you know that?”

  “No, I didn’t,” I answered.

  “We grew up together, used to play at each other’s houses, that sort of thing. Went to all the same schools. By the time we hit high school, I was in love with her.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yep,” he said. “We might have had a good life together, if we weren’t so poor. Poverty makes you do desperate things, did you know that Bear?”

  “I’ve heard,” I replied. Fuck this guy, I thought. There are plenty of poor people that don’t turn their girlfriends out.