“As you can guess,” William begins, “ever since this low life seduced my wife it has turned our lives upside down.” I snort at the statement and he shoots daggers in my direction. “You got something to say?”
“No, he doesn’t,” Vinny sends me a quelling look. “Please continue.”
“The press has hounded us…”
“Bullshit,” I cough out. Vinny reaches under the table and squeezes my arm in warning.
“As I was saying, they have invaded our privacy. We’ve had to change our phone numbers. We can’t go anywhere without being harassed.” He peers down at his wife who hasn’t looked up from the table or made a sound since I sat down. “I think we’re entitled to some compensation.”
“And what type of compensation are you wanting?” Vinny leans back in his chair, hands steepled over his ample belly, and I recognize the hardening of his eyes, he means business.
“You can’t give us back our privacy or keep people from recognizing us when we walk down the street. I think being able to move and set up somewhere else is what we need to do.”
“You want me to buy you a house?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“No, nothing like that but restitution for all the of the pain and suffering we’ve endured along with start-up money would go a long way to help us get over this unfortunate incident.”
“And just how much will ease the pain and suffering you and your lovely wife have dealt with?”
He taps his chin thoughtfully with a fat finger before his eyes narrow calculatingly. “A quarter of a million dollars.”
“If we don’t agree?” An evil smile crosses his face and he reached over and runs a hand down her head, fingers tangling in the dark strands if her wincing is any sign.
“Well, my sweet little wife will go to the press with what really happened in that bathroom.”
“Do tell?” Vinny asks, brow arched. I lean forward in my chair eager to hear the lies about to spill forth from the bastard’s lips.
“I think people would love to know how he forced himself on her and she felt too scared to tell the truth until now.”
“That’s bullshit and both of you know it,” I bite out. “She was more than willing to bend over that sink.”
“Make it half a million,” he glares at me. “And with the current Me Too movement, just the accusation will ruin you. Truth or not.” He smugly declares.
“You’re going to go along with this?” She has to feel the heat of my stare but her hands fidget in her lap, her head remaining down.
“Don’t you fucking talk to her!” He stands up quickly, knocking the chair over in his haste.
“Everyone calm down before you draw any more attention.”
“You have forty-eight hours to get me that money or we go to the press. I’ll ruin you, Zach.” William grabs his wife by the arm, a wince crossing her face. I open my mouth, but Vinny clamps a hand on my shoulder. I grind my teeth together to keep from putting the asshole in his place. William stomps out of the restaurant, dragging his petite wife behind him as she stumbles on her high heels.
“Well?” I ask when they clear the entrance.
“Not here. Wait until we get somewhere private.”
“I thought the point of meeting here was for the privacy. What did you do, rent the place out?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I did, and they let the staff have the afternoon off so we wouldn’t be interrupted. The only one here besides the kitchen staff is the young lady up there.”
“Who probably recorded the whole thing and will sell it to the press the first chance she gets,” I comment dryly.
“She was recording it. I made sure,” he replies take a drink of water.
“What the hell, Vinny?” I blurt out.
“Relax, she’s my niece and I trust her implicitly,” he states placing the glass back onto the cloth-covered table.
“If she recorded the whole thing, then we’re in the clear.” I breathe a sigh of relief as I sink back into the chair.
“Not necessarily,” he hedges. “Unfortunately, William is correct. With all the tension regarding sexual harassment, recording or not, this has the potential to ruin your career.”
“But I did nothing wrong!” I bark out.
“I know but the press won’t care. They’ll run with the story without all the facts, your reputation will be in the garbage and then they’ll retract their stories and offer an apology, but you’ll still be the bad guy.”
“God damn it that’s not fucking fair!” My hand slams down onto the table making the silverware jump, the clattering loud enough to draw the attention of Vinny’s niece.
“No, it's not, but that’s the way of the world,” he says with a shrug like it’s nothing. It’s not his ass on the line.
“I’m not paying them half a million dollars.”
“No, you’re not,” he affirms.
“You agree with me?” I scoff not remembering the last time we agreed on something without getting into some negotiation.
“Let’s get out of here and we’ll discuss our next steps.” He stands from the table, buttoning his gray sport coat and adjusting his blue tie. He motions toward the front and I see his niece pick up the phone assumingly to call the driver and have the car pulled around.
The elevator ride down is quiet, and we’re not disturbed as we enter the parking garage. The same car I rode here in is idling at the curb directly in front of the elevator door. Vinny pushes me toward the open door before he goes around to the other side.
All too quickly, we’re back in the apartment. I pace back and forth in front of the bank of windows facing the bay, my anger amping up with every step.
“Would you please stop before we get a complaint? You sound like a damn herd of elephants over there,” Vinny huffs out as he pours two glasses of whiskey from the crystal decanter.
“How can you be calm at a time like this?! My livelihood is on the line,” I turn, pointing a finger in his direction. “Your livelihood is on the line.”
“One of us has to look at this clearly. Not blow this out of proportion.” He turns and holds one glass in my direction. I swipe it from his hand before downing the amber contents, wincing at the burn.
“I told you I would take care of this, Zach, and I will.” He sips his whiskey. “I’ll get in touch with your lawyer today and have a nondisclosure agreement drawn up. We’ll have the Bertrands read and sign it, wire them the money and send them on their merry way.”
“Why do I have the feeling that won’t be the end of it?”
“It will be, or I will blast them with everything I am. The non-disclosure agreement will state that any relationship you had with Mrs. Bertrand was completely consensual.”
“It’ll still ruin me.”
“We can spin it though if it comes to that. When it’s a he said, she said type of situation it would place you as the bad guy but if there is proof it was consensual and then they tried to make you look bad, we can make you out to be the poor guy who was being extorted.”
“This is all just so fucked up, Vinny.” I plop down onto the leather sofa, running my hand down my face. Mentally I’m exhausted.
“You’re not the first person this has happened to nor will you be the last. It’s all par for the course when you’re a celebrity. Everybody wants a piece of what you have. Mrs. Bertrand wanted the experience of fucking someone famous and her husband wants revenge.”
“This will take care of everything, right? I won’t have to deal with them again?” I don’t want to have to tell Dani that I’m not out of the woods yet.
“We can add a no-contact clause into the NDA.”
“Good, because if I ever see that son of a bitch again, I can’t guarantee I won’t punch his lights out.” Leaning forward I place my elbows on my knees. “What time is my flight back?”
“Whenever you want. Since we chartered the plane to get you here, they are just waiting on word from us.”
“Call them and tel
l them I’m ready to go.”
“You don’t want to stay here a little longer and relax? My brother and his family won’t be home until later next week. You’re more than welcome to stay.”
“I’m ready to go home.”
“Home as in Nashville or back home to nowheresville?” He quirks a brow.
I know where home is but I’m not sure how Vinny would take the news that wherever Dani and Lila are is home. “I need to head back to Whiskey Bend. I’m helping my parents out this summer.”
“Well, aren’t you being the good son,” the sarcasm rolls of his tongue.
“I think you were right about needing to take a break from everything.” I ignore his remark. “I’ve been able to write a few songs. The peacefulness has opened my creative muse.” I know that will make him happy for now.
“Great,” he claps his hands together before rubbing them greedily. “I’m happy to hear that and your producer will be too. When can we expect to get your new material?”
“Soon, I’m still finishing up some things.”
“Get the new material to Mackey as soon as you can so he can look it over. See if it’ll fit in with the other songs on the album. If not, I have a few songwriters who have come with guaranteed hits. It’ll be another platinum-selling record. You just wait and see.” He winks at me as he dismisses me.
“Just call the pilot. I’m ready to go.” I look back out the window at the Ferris wheel in the distance.
Oklahoma is looking better by the minute.
* * *
The flight home is seemingly endless and I’m eager to depart as soon as the wheels hit the tarmac. Grabbing my bag from the overhead compartment, I’m trudging down the stairs before they completely descend. My truck is parked at the edge of the landing strip next to one building and I unlock it as I hustle toward it. It starts up with a growl as if eager to get on the road. The miles fly by as I speed down the highway, the lines separating the lanes a blur. It’s late and Dani and Lila are more than likely already asleep since my takeoff was delayed because of thunderstorms but I need to see her, touch her, remind myself that there are still good things in this world.
Pulling into the parking lot, I glance up and see all the lights upstairs are off except one. A shadow passes in front, and I hop out of the truck. I want to pound up the stairs in my haste but there isn’t a chance in hell I’ll wake Lila up. As quietly as I can, I ascend the stairs and lightly knock on the door.
It’s only a couple of heartbeats before I hear the lock disengage and the door pulls open.
“Hey, Zach,” she says shyly.
Tongue tied all I can do is pull her into my arms and hold her. The tension pours out of me as she wraps her arms around me.
“Was it that bad?” she whispers.
“I can’t talk about it right now. Please, just let me hold you.” I want nothing to sully this moment.
She doesn’t say another word, just holds on tight for a few minutes before she leads me to her bedroom. Wordlessly she loves me and it’s the greatest feeling in the world.
Chapter Twenty
Zach
2 months later
“Hey, man, can you help me out this afternoon?” Wesley asks as he drains his coffee cup. “I’m supposed to pick up the flowers from the florist in Langston. Norman twisted his knee and Sheriff James wants him to get checked out. I need to cover his shift.”
“As long as Mom and Dad are okay with it sure. Just give me the name of the place.”
“You sound like you’re still a kid,” he laughs. “If it’s okay with Mom and Dad? Dude, be a man.”
“I’m telling Mom,” I tease.
“Damn, it’s good having you home.” Wes clamps his hand on my shoulder before putting his coffee cup in the sink.
“It's nice being back. I never thought I’d say that either.”
“Have you thought about coming back?” He leans back against the counter.
“Honestly? Yes, I have. I will look and see if there is any property that catches my eye.”
“Hit up Mel. She knows what’s available.” He nods before pulling out his cell phone.
“I may do that,” I hedge. My phone beeps in my pocket.
“I texted you the address for the florist.”
“I can’t believe you’re working the night before your wedding.”
“I won’t be too late. At least you had the forethought to have the bachelor party last weekend instead of the night before.”
“A weekend of fishing with no distractions was just what we needed.”
Last weekend I had rented one of the nicer cabins situated close to the lake and river giving us ample places to fish. We sat out on the edge of the bank, casting out our lines and drinking beer. We grilled out the fish we caught and just had a guy’s weekend. I don’t think anyone was disappointed that there weren’t any strippers, even Dad came along after I assured him it would not be a rowdy party. He’s probably the reason we caught anything at all. The man is the fish whisperer.
“Couldn’t have you showing up hungover for your wedding, now could I? Mom would kick both of our asses.”
“Yeah she would, and Dad would hold us down for her to do it.”
“What time do I need to pick up the flowers? I’ll see if I can take Mom’s SUV.”
“Any time after two is what Melanie said.” He pushes off the counter. “I’m heading home to get my uniform on. My shift starts in an hour.”
Three hours later, I stare dumbfounded at the amount of pink, and white flowers in the cargo area of the vehicle. I didn’t know there were that many variations of the color pink. It looks like Pepto-Bismol threw up in the back. I shake my head as she places the last arrangement in before I pull the gate closed.
“I’m glad I drove this and not the truck,” I mumble.
“Me too,” Rachel giggles. “That could have been a disaster.”
“Are these already paid for or do I owe you anything?”
“They’ve been paid for. Well, I have the credit card payment information for the final installment.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“I’m not divulging how much money this cost,” she warns with a wag of her finger.
“Well, you see, I wanted to do something nice for the couple. Can you reverse the previous charges and let me pay for all of it?”
“Sure, I can do that. That’ll be a nice little bump in his bank account.”
We walk back inside, and she pulls up something on the computer. When she tells me the total of all the flowers, my eyes bug out.
“Is it too much?” she worries.
“Flowers really cost that much?” I ask in disbelief before handing over my credit card.
“Not usually, no but she had specific tastes, and those were not cheap.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” I murmur.
“It didn’t surprise me. She has a taste for the finer things,” she states with venom. “She didn’t want to use our shop, but Wesley insisted. She wanted to use one of the big stores out of Tulsa. Would’ve cost them three times as much but she could brag that she had them do it and looked good to her uppity friends.”
“I think the floors look beautiful and if I ever need any, you’ll be the first one I call.” She beams at the praise as I walk out the door. I climb into the cab and turn the key over when a flash of red catches my eye. A blonde woman and a dark-haired man are going at each other like they can’t get enough. They’re trying to be discreet between two buildings, but I’m parked at an angle I can see them. The couple breaks apart as she smooths her hair down. He says something and walks away from her. She stands there for a second, hands moving as if she is adjusting her clothes. She turns, her face in profile and I swear I’m looking at Melanie. She walks in the opposite direction as I swing open the car door. I call out her name, but she doesn’t even flinch. Hurrying down the sidewalk after her, I round the corner but she’s disappeared. I peer into the plate-glass window of th
e closest shop, but I can’t see hide nor hair of her. Maybe it wasn’t her, just my overactive imagination.
Driving home, I’m convinced it was someone else. Why risk getting caught when she knew that the florist was right across the street and Wesley was supposed to pick up the flowers this afternoon?
I pull up to The Lodge, the wedding venue, and am greeted by a tall brunette with a killer smile.
“Hello there. I’m Reagan Matthews. You must be Zach, Wesley’s brother.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m the delivery boy today. Where do I need to put the flowers?”
“There are tables set up in the main room. We can put them there for now. I’ll get them arranged later.” I head to the back and raise up the gate. Her indrawn breath says she’s just as shocked as I was.
“Goodness, she didn’t do anything small did she?”
“No, ma’am, she didn’t.”
“I hope there’s enough room for them all. I’d hate to have them go to waste.”
“Enough room?” I ask looking at the massive building behind her.
“I tried to get Melanie to let me help her with ordering. You may think more is better but too many will overpower the room and the ceremony. And if there is anyone with allergies? Well, you can imagine.”
“Nothing like someone sneezing through the whole event.”
“Exactly. I wish she would have taken my advice, but it’s her wedding, not mine.” She reaches in and picks up one of the smaller arrangements and staggers beneath the weight before getting it balanced.
“I can get these. You don’t have to help.”
“It’s not a problem. The two of us can get it done faster.” She flashes me a smile before walking up the wooden walkway.
After several trips back and forth, the flowers are unloaded and placed on every unused flat surface including a good portion of the floor.
“I see what you mean about too much. There’s no way she needed all of these.”
Pieces of a Broken Heart: Whiskey Bend Series Book One Page 15
