by MJ Riley
“I'm fine,” Charlotte replied quickly, closing her eyes and praying the feeling would pass.
“Don't like flying?” David's low baritone made her shiver slightly, mere inches from her ear. It was criminal how the man could still have the effect he did on her.
“I'm fine with flying.” The words were ground out from between clenched teeth. “I'm just not feeling so well.”
Indeed, when the plane righted, she had to rush to the bathroom and empty the contents of her stomach. It was something she'd grown used to in the past week or two, and she felt immediately better when it was over.
Though both Leah and David eyed her with worried looks, she merely scowled at them both to ward of their questions and they went back to their pleasant conversation. For a moment, Charlotte watched them from her window seat, tamping down the little green monster of jealousy beginning to rear its ugly head. Then, she checked her messages from Addy. While the woman hardly approved of her spending time with David again, when Charlotte revealed to her exactly how the company had become the technological powerhouse it was, the executive had been disgusted at the depth of Emerson's deception. Adeline wasn't on David's side, per say, but she grudgingly agreed to let Charlotte go to the Bahamas to check on the paternity claim.
Honestly, it had been hard to draw even that much from her.
Chapter Nine
The rest of the flight passed without a hitch. The three of them spent their first night on the island checking into the separate hotel rooms they'd reserved and having time to themselves. Charlotte, for her part, spent the evening on her private balcony, marveling at the beauty of the ocean, as waves crashed onto the beach. Though her wealthy father had afforded her many trips to beautiful locations, she suddenly felt free, no longer forced to please him at the drop of a hat.
In fact, she felt freer now than she had in a long time.
Everything had been taken from her, but her mind was clearer than it had been in ages. As soon as she and David cleared up the little matter they'd come for, she was going to return to the firm and start directing Causewell with a little more purpose. If the man wanted to pity her, he'd take her directives, and she'd make sure that her father couldn't do too much damage. She'd work the company her way from right under this nose. Hopefully by the time he realized it, she'd have Samson under her thumb.
David thought he had a way with the ladies? Well, she hadn't even begun to use her charms.
On another note, this island was absolutely gorgeous. Though Charlotte dimly remembered visiting it sometime in her youth, she thought it was much better appreciated as an adult. As they walked off the plane, she received flowers to put in her hair and wear around her neck. Marshall had booked them into one of the most amazing resorts and the customer service had been exemplary.
It was almost as if she was getting the vacation she had so craved.
She, Leah, and David had all been booked in private suites, each complete with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and balcony with a beach view. And what a view. The weather was clear and calm, and the ocean was perhaps only twenty meters from the patio outside. If she tried really hard, she could pretend she was here to assuage her own personal desires and not to unravel another of her father's potential untruths. Ultimately, however, it wouldn't matter. She'd make her way back to the office and have Samson eating from the palm of her hand.
Sipping on a piña colada, she closed her eyes, relishing the thought. Even as she did, she had to struggle to picture Samson's face instead of David’s, and she found herself wondering what he was doing at this very instant—two doors down.
As if the heavens had somehow heard her inquiry, there came a sudden knock on her door. The young woman tore herself away from the lilting steel drum music that drifted up from below and the warm tropical breeze.
It had better not be David. If he'd come expecting her to fall all over him, he had another thing coming.
However, when she opened the door, it wasn't the tall, dark, and handsome man who stood before her, but Leah, clad in a pair of Bermuda shorts and a bikini top. It was clear from her damp hair that she'd recently taken a dip in the ocean. Charlotte could only stare at her, utterly at a loss for what to say.
“Um....hi,” Leah said, looking up at the taller woman.
“Hi,” Charlotte replied, her voice flat. She still wasn't overly fond of the flirtatious woman or of the way she acted around David. “Can I help you with something?”
“I figured we could talk.” Leah's tone was neutral, her expression guarded. “We haven't really gotten a chance to, considering that we've spent so much time together lately.”
“We've spent time together because you're helping us plan a way around my father, not because we're girlfriends who are ready to hit the mall, Leah.” The words came out harsher than Charlotte had intended.
Immediately, Leah was on the defensive. “Excuse me? What's your problem? I just want to help David. The only reason why I’m helping you is because David’s asking me to.”
“Oh I'm sure it's all for David,” Charlotte replied, oozing with sarcasm. “How long did it take after you met him to start planning how to get into bed with him?”
Leah's face went slack in outrage. “Well, I suppose you'd know all about that. You were so busy getting into his pants that you happened to overlook a potential familial detail.”
“My father hid that from both of us,” Charlotte answered in a low hiss, her eyes narrow, “and you know it. That's the only reason we're out here, though I'm sure your taking it as an opportunity to sneak into his room as soon as you get the chance. Good luck with that. I'm sure you've heard he's excellent at faking it.”
“You bitch.” Leah's tone was low and trembling. “You don't know anything about him.”
“And you do?” Charlotte shot back before barking a laugh. “You've been his lawyer for what, two weeks?”
“Maybe you're forgetting I'm Marshall's sister, and Marshall has known David for twenty-five years. He knew him when your father hired him and when he fired him in disgrace. He knew him while David was suffering, working three jobs to support his family, and struggling to stay in school. He'd come home to me and tell me how much he admired David for doing what it took to keep going, even though he must be falling apart inside.” Leah shook her head in dark amusement, her smile wry. “You think you know about pain? You're just a little girl with Daddy issues. Could you imagine finding one of your parents dead in the bathtub? Supporting your near- comatose mother through your high school years? Hell, I'd have been shocked if he hadn't tried something, with all that Emerson Mathers put him through. Now, you stand there and try to tell me you know him better than I do.”
For a moment, Charlotte was struck absolutely dumb. Leah's words were painful, and they were harsh; but, they were also true. Different people dealt with their problems in a variety of ways. What David had tried to do had been wrong, yes; but, it had been how he'd dealt with a lifetime of pain. It was what had kept him from crumbling when the world seemed to be falling to shit around him.
What did she do when the going got tough? Cry on Addy's shoulder. Go shopping. Donate a million to one of the charities she loved to back. She'd thought she was desolate her entire life because an odious man had refused to pay her attention. She'd been showered with whatever she wanted from an early age while David had struggled to keep food on the table. When he'd hidden himself from her, it hadn't simply been because he feared that she would discover his intention to bring the company down. It had also been because he'd known she couldn't possibly understand what he had gone through.
What he was still going through.
As Charlotte struggled to come to grips with her own emotional shortcomings, she warred with her impulses. David had hurt her. He'd lied to her and tried to destroy Mathers Incorporated right under her nose. However, if she had grown up as he'd grown up, laboring for every cent and resenting a name that had destroyed her, what would she have done?
&n
bsp; Her breath started to come faster and faster, the room spinning around her. “Oh God,” she said, gasping and her chest heaving. “Oh, Christ.”
“What the hell is wrong?” Leah was immediately by her side, but Charlotte pressed her back.
“Air. I need air.”
It took a full five minutes of her pulling in lungful after lungful of air, all the while battling the panic that threatened to consume her. Eventually, the room stilled and her breath began to regulate. When she could finally look about again comfortably, the first thing that greeted her was Leah's confused face. “Are you OK?”
Despite having just verbally drug her over the coals, the woman seemed genuinely concerned. Charlotte nodded. “I'm fine. Just…I…what you said. You're right. You're right about everything.”
For a moment, Leah just eyed her suspiciously before turning to push the door shut behind her. When that was done, she dropped into a chair across from the blonde, her expression softening somewhat. “Look, I didn't mean to call you a little girl. You're not. It's shitty what your dad is trying to pull.”
“No kidding.”
“And David did break the law by trying to sabotage your company.”
“He did.” Charlotte nodded woodenly in agreement, but it was only because she was sure this conversation was headed in a completely different direction.
“But the world doesn't just operate in black and white, Charlotte. If that's the way you see things, then you're going to end up like your father, and I know that's not what you want.” Sighing, Leah ran fingers through her damp hair, leaning forward to further address the woman before her. “Look, I know you're not a bad person. A bit spoiled, maybe, but not bad. However, if this paternity thing turns out, I think it would be in your best interests to walk away from David.”
“What?” Charlotte feigned ignorance, as her heart immediately began to race. “Of course, I'll walk away from him. The man is either my brother or a man who pretended to love me to get to my father. You can put whatever spin on it you like, but who wouldn't walk away after all that?”
“Because David still loves you, and you still love him.”
Charlotte almost choked on her drink in shock. However, before she could utter any words of denial, Leah merely held up a hand. “Save it. I'm a lawyer. I read people. It's all over both of your faces.”
Charlotte closed her mouth, her cheeks reddening as she looked away. Fine. She still had feelings for him. She'd even admit she probably still loved him. But that didn't mean she wasn't strong enough to walk away, did it?
“Charlotte, please.” Her gaze jerked to Leah's when the dark-haired woman spoke again. “I'm not asking you this because I'm some slut trying to get into David's pants or because I've got something against you. Let's be straight here. The man hurt you. He wronged you—and if he is in your life your father will only go after him harder. You have to let him go.”
“And what about him?” Charlotte asked, her voice in nearly a whisper and her eyes tearing unavoidably.
“I'm working on him,” replied Leah. Her words were so smooth that Charlotte couldn't help but inwardly curse her.
However, she was right.
The woman was damn insightful.
She and David couldn't be together, and she had to let go of any illusion to the contrary. Taking a deep breath and then letting it out, she wiped away the single tear that trekked down her face. When she opened her eyes, Leah had graced her with a small smile. “You know, you're tougher than you look.”
Charlotte sniffled. “How do I look?”
At that, Leah only laughed lowly, her expression teasing. “Like a blonde flower, ready to blow away in the wind.”
“Pfft,” Charlotte replied with a low sound of amusement. “That's really something coming from a Tiny Tim like you.”
“Oh, screw you.” Leah flicked droplets of water from her hair at Charlotte. Shrieking, she retaliated with an ice cube from her drink. The gesture escalated into a full on water fight, the likes of which she hadn't enjoyed since she was a child. Leah claimed the ice bucket and launched a heavy attack while Charlotte countered with sugary flicks of her own fingers.
When the fight was over, they settled down and talked. Charlotte found that Leah wasn't as odious as she first thought her. The woman was firm and blunt— almost like Addy—but she was also quick to see both sides of a conflict while the redhead back in New York fought for Charlotte or for no one at all.
She was alright.
Charlotte fell asleep that night feeling surprisingly content, especially considering that the next morning they were bound for the hospital. They would finally know what they'd travelled so far to find out.
Chapter Ten
Today was the day.
David had been up since five, looking up the number for the hospital records department and getting it to Marshall. For the two hours he'd waited for the girls to get up, he'd been working out incessantly. There had been hundreds of crunches, about half as many push-ups, and he was currently doing pull-ups in the doorway of the bathroom, sweat dripping down his well-toned body.
If he didn't exercise, he would pace, and he hated pacing.
The Bahamas were nice. The tropical breeze blew in through his window, delicious seafood, and amazing ocean views were all top notch; but, he'd come here for a reason. As soon as he had his information, he'd be headed back to New York—to face his enemy head on.
At least he'd have Leah by his side. The woman was quite the character. While Charlotte, at this juncture, seemed reluctant even to talk to him, Leah had no problem breaking things down for him and easing his tension. Despite the fact that they had come to the Bahamas to investigate information that could quite possibly make or break him, she was doing her best to put him at ease. Where Charlotte barely gave him the time of day anymore, Leah had no problem chatting and joking with him.
She was cute, too. The previous night at dinner, she'd been wearing shorts and a bikini top that showed off her trim little torso. The woman was a shameless flirt, and David wasn't sure he minded, especially when he got to see the enraged expression on Charlotte's face when she caught Leah in the act.
That in itself was a problem. He enjoyed Leah's attention more because of the reaction it produced in Charlotte and less because he was actually romantically interested in her.
Why couldn't he truly be interested in Leah?
Because he was still hung up on Charlotte.
If today went the way he wanted, what would they be? Exes? Friends? Almost certainly not the latter. He knew Emerson wouldn’t remain oblivious to the fact that his daughter was gallivanting around with a man he was supposed to be prosecuting. No, even if Charlotte wanted to remain friendly, the Mathers mogul would nip it in the bud—and quickly.
It would be better to just sever things entirely and get on with their lives. Marshall had mentioned to him in a not so subtle way before he'd left that it might be better for him to try and forget Charlotte. Any relations with her would complicate the upcoming court case. Plus, it would further mess with his emotions, which were already fucked up.
After today, it would be over.
Maybe he'd start dating Leah. He was sure Marshall would approve. He could only hope that the little lawyer proved her fierceness and actually got all the charges posted against him dropped. Jail time wouldn't do under any circumstances. Three days had been quite enough for him.
When the door knocked, he dropped to the floor, grabbing a nearby towel that he'd draped over a chair to answer it hurriedly. Both women stood in the doorway, Leah clad in a little green romper number that accentuated her hips and Charlotte in a scarlet sundress that played up her curves beautifully.
They were both attractive woman.
The way they both watched him as he toweled himself off forced him to repress a smile. Charlotte was obviously trying to rebut her feelings of attraction while Leah was much more blatant in her appreciation.
“I take it you're not quite ready, yet.�
� The dark-haired woman batted her eyes up at him before giving a small wink.
“Gimme ten minutes.” His lips curved slightly, despite the butterflies in his stomach. Both women nodded, and he closed the door before bustling around his room. He took a two minute shower before donning a nondescript shirt and shorts. Then, he went down to the lobby to join them, and the trio hailed a taxi to the hospital.
The exchange at the desk was nail-biting. The private hospital was obviously the refuge of the rich and famous, and it had taken them twenty minutes just to get past the front gates. Patients rolled down halls in electric wheelchairs and were brought meals of caviar and pâté in their state of the art hospital suites. Honestly, David hadn't even known that hospitals like this existed. However, he wasn't in the least surprised that Emerson Mathers came here to be treated. The man had expensive taste.
In the lobby, they were asked to give their signatures and IDs. For a moment, David thought they were done. Then, Charlotte flashed her license and identified herself as one of the hospital's largest donors and the daughter of one of their patients. After that, things went considerably smoother.
They were ushered into the fourth floor medical office, and when the call was placed to New York, David was literally gripping the arms of his chair so hard he thought he would tear them off.
But everything went off without a hitch.
By the time Emerson realized someone took a copy of his files—if he ever did—it would be far too late.
David, however, didn't breathe until they were outside of the hospital. Leah merely laughed off the tension while Charlotte gazed at the small vial of her father's blood. They headed off to another hospital to request the paternity test, which they could pay to have rushed.
Within the hour, David would know who his real father was.
The Royal Bahamian Hospital was considerably less stuffy than its private counterpart in the hills. Since it was a weekday afternoon, ten minutes after they signed in David's blood was taken.
