by Shara Azod
“So there, that’s where I come from, where I’ve been and my background in a nutshell.” She wiped one hand against the other as if wiping away the past after she’d spoken it out loud. In a way, that was exactly what she was doing. God, it felt good to say it all and feel not the least bit ashamed or regret anything that happened since Fedor disappeared.
“But what happened to your stepfather?” Delilah had leaned forward during the telling, her eyes open wide. Damn, Katrina could see what attracted Edward. The woman had that innocent vixen thing down to a tee, and she didn’t have a clue she was doing it. “How could those guys—your husband and his cousins—get away with…well, I mean, the guy went missing, right? No one asked questions?” Katrina didn’t blame the younger woman for being shocked. The sequence of events leaned toward the unbelievable. Truthfully, she’d never asked what happened to Fedor. Deep down, she knew. Aubrey may fool many with his whole mild-mannered professor routine, but Katrina knew him more than anyone else. Her husband could be a scary man if anyone were to threaten her. She didn’t put anything past him when it came to her safety. Honestly, she didn’t want to know what happened. Fedor deserved whatever he’d gotten.
“You know, I really can’t care what happened to him.” Great, now she sounded all Chevalier psycho. Damn crazy-ass men were seriously rubbing off on her. “And who would do the asking? Powerful people get away with more than you can imagine.” Watching Delilah shiver made her realize perhaps that was a bit ominous. Oops.
“Do you think that’s why Eddie doesn’t want a pre-nup? Because he would keep his money no matter what?”
Well shit. Katrina didn’t really know Professor Prichard all that well. She knew of him, and nothing she had ever heard was bad. Not really. The man just didn’t seem to like talking to people about anything not work related. She’d seen him at mixers and various social events involving the university. One thing Katrina could do with deadly accuracy was size up a man; Edward Prichard may be cold, but he was decent. The no pre-nup thing, however, was a shocker to even her. The Prichards in general were snobbish in the extreme; not so much Edward, but those bitter females in his family were.
“He won’t get a pre-nup? Honey, that means he is seriously into you.” And then some. “And believe me, if he wasn’t serious about you, about marrying you, he wouldn’t have announced it, much less brought you here in the first place.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
Oh God bless Delilah. Katrina had once been in this woman’s shoes. It really was hard to let go and just trust another person when the world had shown you nothing but hardship and pain. Maybe that was one of the reasons Delilah had touched something inside her in such a deeply profound way. More than what they had in common, however, was the fact Delilah was a good person down to her core. The tough breaks in her life hadn’t jaded her. That was a major feat, and an impressive one at that. And she had gone through her toughest times all alone. Katrina was the first one to be grateful that she’d had Angelique, Regina, and Jade. Who had Delilah had?
“I can be sure because I’ve been where you’re at. I see Edward, the way he is with you. He loves you. It’s in everything he does where you’re concerned. Plus, like I said before, you wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t very serious.” Delilah beamed, though she tried to hold it in. Sensing she may be embarrassing the woman a bit, Katrina quickly switched subjects. “So, what happened you after you left Aces? I asked your friends, but no one seemed to know much of anything.” Delilah first looked surprised, then angry. “Friends. Right.” She snorted, a familiar world-weary look replacing any lingering shock. “Before I met Edward, I worked at Sailor’s Delight.”
Holy shit, that was bad. It certainly explained the derision in her voice. The place was little more than a sorry front for a brothel. No matter what it may appear, Katrina knew beyond a doubt that somehow Delilah hadn’t been turning tricks. She didn’t have that dead look in her eyes. Somehow Sailor’s Delight hadn’t managed to suck out her soul. Katrina knew the look of a prostitute. Delilah wasn’t it.
“Seems like you met Edward just in time. How the hell did you manage to stop that rock-head Bull from forcing you to turn tricks? Don’t look so surprised, Delilah—
my mother was a hooker. I know one when I see one, and you are far from it.” Crazy as it may seem, Katrina felt even guiltier for not reaching out to the younger woman earlier, like six years ago.
“I am a good dancer, an even better listener.” Delilah shrugged, looking away. “I brought in earnest types with big pockets. Eventually they’d go to the others, but I was the hook. I have no idea what Eddie sees in me.”
Eddie? Did she call him that to his face? Fascinating.
“Bullshit!” Self-pity wasn’t allowed in the world according to Katrina. “You’re smart, spunky, and quite frankly too beautiful to be left alone with my husband ever.
Wrap that up in a body like yours, and what halfway intelligent man wouldn’t want you? A good man knows a good thing when he sees it. Of course Edward wants to marry you. The fact that he’s a Prichard doesn’t even enter the equation as far as he’s concerned, and it shouldn’t matter to you either. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s nonetheless true. Stop letting it bother you.” Even as she said it, Katrina knew no amount of arguing was going to convince Delilah totally, but at least she could assuage some of the anxiety Delilah was feeling. That too she knew from experience. “Listen, why don’t I come by in a few days and we can spend the day shopping or whatnot. I have some friends I’d like you to meet.”
Chapter Thirteen
Katrina Chevalier had certainly given Delilah a lot to think about. Even though she really hadn’t wanted to go visiting anyone in Edward’s circle of acquaintances, she was really glad she had met the other woman. Everyone knew that all of the Chevalier men, except maybe one of the older ones, married black women. Delilah had always assumed that the women were all like the first one, Angelique, women from rich, prominent families. Angelique Dubois was the former mayor’s daughter, old money Creole. Not exactly the same as marrying a stripper. Katrina was living proof that not all of them were, that men of prominence and wealth did marry women from shady backgrounds. Sometimes they married the daughter of a drugged-out prostitute.
Delilah’s parents were über-religious and over-opinionated, but they hadn’t been abusive. Not in the way Katrina had described her childhood.
As bad as her life had been in the past six years, it hadn’t even begun to get as bad as Katrina’s worse days. And Aubrey had stayed right there by her side through it all, even when Katrina tried to run from what the two of them had. Casting a sideways glance at Edward, she fought back a smile. He was watching her dress while pretending to read the morning paper. Despite her fears, he was really a good man. And yes, she loved him. Every time she tried to say it, the words just clogged in her throat. It had only been three weeks since he’d saved her from her own stupidity at Sailor’s Delight.
Her life was so different it was stunning. It was sometimes hard to come to grips with the massive changes in her life.
“You don’t have to go, you know. We can make our excuses and stay in.” God, it felt so good to have someone care about how she felt. To think a few weeks ago Delilah would have believed Edward was offering to stay in because he was ashamed of her. Now she knew beyond a doubt that wasn’t the case. When and why she’d begun trusting him, she couldn’t pin down with any degree of accuracy.
Everything he did showed her that he cared; he never failed to make her feel loved, cherished. Katrina had been very right about his feelings for her; Delilah had no interest in denying that any longer.
“I want to go.” That too was new, willingness to meet new people and open herself up to the possibility of friendship. She was nervous about meeting Katrina’s friends, having a good idea who those friends were. “And thank you for introducing her to me.”
Edward blushed, as was his habit whenever she expressed grati
tude for something. It was one of the cute, enduring things about him. Delilah hadn’t told him about Aces or about Katrina remembering her from there. The past wasn’t important, and no one could go back and change what happened. Even though she was still scared, she was a lot more optimistic since having dinner at the Chevalier’s a few nights ago.
“Here.” Edward stood, coming over to where she was staring critically at how she looked in the mirror. “I want you to use this.” A black American Express card. He was actually handing her the vaunted black credit card with her name twinkling in the midmorning sun as casually as if he were passing her a piece of paper. It stunned her so much she just stared at it, so stark against his paler skin. Katrina had told her to expect things like this, warned her it was coming.
Delilah had thought she was prepared for Edward’s offer of money in whatever form it may come. She hadn’t really been expecting this. Unlimited spending at her fingertips; wasn’t she supposed to want this? Wasn’t this a woman’s dream? Although she knew Edward just wanted to provide for her, her initial reaction was a visceral one. Never, ever did she want to be seen as or known as a kept woman. Monetary things just brought to mind images of a mistress, a good-time girl.
“Delilah, you’re going to be my wife.” His voice was carefully cautious, so much so Delilah got all soft in the middle. “All that I have is yours. It’s not charity; it’s not some kind of payment. It is simply my duty to provide, and that’s exactly what I will do as long as I live.”
“That doesn’t include shopping.” Of course she already knew what his reply would be before he said it, but she found herself wanting to hear the words from him.
“It is if it makes you happy. That is my ultimate objective, my job of a lifetime---
making you happy.”
Now what woman wouldn’t want to hear something like that? She’d known in her gut he hadn’t been trying to buy her. He had to be the most earnest person she’d ever met. Feeling a little guilty about her first reaction, she reached out and took the card with a trembling hand.
“Thank you. And you do make me happy.” She wasn’t planning on using the card. It would be the height of foolishness to say she’d never use it, especially if this marriage thing really, truly happened. The card simply wouldn’t be used today. There was still the money she’d had on her from the fateful night she’d returned to the club after spending the weekend with him. Added to the money she’d been saving, she could surely get through a day of shopping with Katrina and friends. She’d just feel better using her own money on today’s outing.
“Use it, Delilah. Save your money. That way you will always have it just in case.” Edward really needed to stop reading her mind like that. Was it really that easy to do? He seemed to do so with deadly accuracy.
“I’ll agree to use it if you agree to getting yourself a prenuptial agreement.” Most women would call her insane for actually wanting Edward to take the legal step to insure his money stayed his. To her, it was about pride. She wasn’t here because Edward was rich, though she knew things wouldn’t have worked out the way they had had Edward been some average guy. She didn’t want him for his money, though. She wanted the world to know that. It didn’t matter though because she already knew he wasn’t going to change his mind about it.
“No.”” Edward turned and walked back to his chair, though he didn’t sit. “Use the card. Live a little.”
“Hello, pot, it’s me, kettle.”
Just as she’d intended, Edward let loose a low rumble of laughter. His deep voice sent a lower-sounding boom throughout the room. The rich sound hadn’t yet failed to make her feel all wrapped in warmth and love, putting a wide grin on her face.
“Really, baby, go and have fun. I want you to have a great time without having to worry about anything. Stop overthinking it. The card is simply so you don’t have to think about how much you’re spending or worry if you can afford something. It’s supposed to make you happy.”
“I am happy.” More than she could’ve ever believed. For the first time in so very long, she had the kind of happiness that didn’t dissipate with the morning sun or come with strings attached.
“And I want you to stay that way. Use the card. It would make me happy.” Oh, he was good.
Edward was an attentive lover; red hot while also being loving and tender.
Delilah’s nights were erotic beyond her fantasies. The days were filled with learning new things, studying for college entrance exams, and more laughter than she could ever remember having. Just like with her, she could sense a substantive change in Edward as well. There was no sign of the staid, unfeeling man David had described his uncle as being. She could see the type of sharing developing between the two of them was new to him. Contentment was so easy with him. She was bordering on blissfulness.
When she didn’t reply, he pressed. “Promise you’ll have fun and use this.” Pulling her into his arms, he held her so reverently Delilah almost considered calling Katrina and giving the other woman her regrets. She couldn’t, though. This was going to be her life—being the wife of an important member of society wouldn’t be easy. She would need all the help she could get.
“Okay, I promise.” She was rewarded with a sweet, lingering kiss for her response. The man certainly knew how to turn that steel core she’d always been so proud of into hot liquid.
“And do not use your money. I mean it.”
Delilah would’ve retorted, but as she opened her mouth there was a sharp rap on the heavy door, Mrs. Kelley’s voice sounding through the thick wood. “Mrs. Chevalier is here for Miss Thomas.”
No matter how many times she’d told the other woman to call her Delilah, Mrs.
Kelley steadfastly refused to do so, calling her Miss Thomas at every turn. The housekeeper had seemed to have had an extreme change of heart about her. Delilah had sensed disdain, perhaps even downright dislike the first week she’d been here. Lately Mrs. Kelley had been treating her as if she were to the manor born, so to speak. Delilah couldn’t say what had brought on the drastic change, but it was nice.
“Please show her in and let her know I will be right down.” Stepping away from Edward, she put the credit card away in her wallet. When she turned back, she gave him a quick peck before stepping out of his reach. “I do love you, Eddie. I’ll see you later.”
With that she scurried out of the room, careful not to look back.
*****
The words hit him in the gut, making the breath leave his lungs in an exhaled rush. Certainly not how he’d imagined she’d say it, but that hardly mattered. It wasn’t manly to be touched by such things—that was what he’d always been taught. Emotion of any kind had been frowned upon while growing up. While Edward himself had always embraced that, lived by it to the extreme, it had killed his younger brother, David, Sr. Now, years later, he found those three simple words made him feel as if he could take on the world—and win.
It was extremely hard to get his feet to move after the softly spoken declaration followed by Delilah’s swift retreat. Her escape was regrettable, but he understood it.
Saying “I love you” was a giant step for her. He’d longed to hear the words out loud, but he would never push her on it. Oh, he knew that was the way she felt. It was obvious in all she did, the way she treated him, the way she responded to him, and not just in a sexual manner either. Ah, but to finally hear the words out loud was a heady experience. One that had both his heart and dick jumping for joy. It felt even better than he’d imagined.
There was no time to dwell and savor the moment, however. Didn’t matter that his brain replayed the sound of her voice or the way she looked down, so sweetly embarrassed yet sincere, over and over again. He had serious business to take care of while Delilah was out and about today. Delilah’s passport had finally arrived this morning, which meant he was free to make plans for their wedding somewhere in the Caribbean. It didn’t matter which island as long as the resort was five stars and they were able to pull
off a dream wedding for his bride in a week’s time.
But first there was the matter of John-Paul “Bull” Gautier and Eugene “Red” Washington to take care of. Edward had hired a team of private investigators to find out everything about the two men, down to the time they were born. Knowledge of everything either man had ever done, legal and illegal alike, was now in his possession.
They were a threat to Delilah; they had to be dealt with swiftly and without mercy.
Now was the time to make his move.
Picking up the phone, Edward dialed the Chief of Police directly. He would be very interested to know the officers who were being paid to protect Sailor’s Delight, and which officers Bull and Red regularly paid to get away with all manner of nasty business. It was a serious matter, one that he would personally see through. If only he could wipe that damn silly grin off his face.
