“As long as you keep talking to me. I think it’s important we get past this.”
“Agreed.” He paused, “I’m so grateful to you for helping me.”
“You’re not half as bad as you think you are.” She traced a scar around his shoulder. “And I have a suspicion you’ll make this worth my while one day.”
“I hope so.” He whispered before lifting her off his lap, “Now get dressed before I pass out.” He pat her butt as she moved away.
◆◆◆
The weather outside was atrocious and a loud roll of thunder rumbled across the sky as light hail pelted the windows. Cooper listened to Dani moving through his small apartment, collecting her clothes. He felt a sense of security he had not known for a long time. He was safe here with her. No photographers were lurking in this weather and only the two of them knew what was going on. This was personal and private and Cooper knew it would always remain that way, even if they didn’t last.
Then Dani broke his train of thought by striding back into his bedroom fully dressed. Seeing him still naked she said, “I’m not a saint, Cooper.”
“What?” He asked confused.
“Put some fucking clothes on.” She picked his jeans off the ground and hurled them at his head. “Unless you want me pawing you again?” She stormed away.
When he emerged, Dani was sitting in front of his big screen, clicking through movies. “What do you feel like?” She asked, not looking at him.
“Nothing horny and nothing sappy.” He replied.
“This will do.” She put the remote down, patting the couch beside her.
“What is it?” He asked.
“Rambo. Big, dumb movie.” She turned to smile sweetly at him, “I just feel like some big, dumb man.”
He winced but after some pointless violence, asked, “Are you coming to the game?”
“Against New Zealand?” He nodded and she fake gagged. “No way.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t watch rugby. It’s stupid, boring and dangerous. I’m not watching my little brother get pummeled by all those thugs.”
Cooper looked at her like she was insane, “Your brother is one of those thugs.” He rubbed his stomach absently. “Fucker can hit too.”
“He hit you?” She asked. “Why would he do that?”
“Difference of opinion.” Cooper chuckled at the memory, “It’s sorted out. Andrew would love you there, so would your father.”
“Ha, you don’t know me at all. They’d think I’d lost my mind, and as hot as you are, Cooper Graves, you will not make me lose my mind.”
“Will you tell me why you hate rugby.” He quietly asked.
“No.” She thought a moment, “Maybe. Not yet.”
“Okay. But can you just think about coming to the game? I really want you there. You can sit on my knee, Birgetta would love it.”
“Only if I can do it naked. Dad and the other coaches would love that.”
“No other man will see you naked again.” That sounded crazy territorial but was exactly how he felt.
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”
“Just you wait, I’m going to do lots of nice things for you.” He studied the length of her body before blowing out a long breath, “And when I get my fucking mojo back, I’m going to do lots of very nice things to you.”
“Excellent.” Dani enthused.
◆◆◆
Birgetta sat at the café as directed by Dani Maxwell. She was outside as commanded and was scowling at anyone that recognized her. The public were so fundamentally dull she wondered why they even bothered getting up in the morning.
The waiter took her order, a trim soy latte and a soda water with lime. She quickly calculated the calories in the coffee and found it acceptable but had binged on chocolate biscuits for breakfast and was determined to be good for the rest of the day. Scanning the menu she grimaced at the excessive fats and sugars. She wasn’t here to eat, this was no social engagement, Birgetta would uncover what the princess wanted then turn the situation to her advantage. The girl would slip up with Cooper and Birgetta would have her dirt for Michelle. After that she wanted what had been promised or there would be hell to pay.
It had rained all night and the ground was still wet, the sun had appeared and felt pleasant. Birgetta tilted her face to catch the rays calculating how much time off the sun bed she could get and how much extra face cream she would need to apply.
She didn’t see Dani Maxwell approach and was disappointed, the girl’s natural athletic grace was impressive. She was looking particularly perky. Surely she wasn’t sleeping with Cooper Graves. Did the idiot have a death wish?
“Thank you for meeting me so quickly.” Dani said.
Her oh-so-professional tone caused a sneer from Birgetta, “I had no choice. Blackmail is a nasty habit, girl. One that comes back to bite you on the big fat ass.”
The waiter appeared and Dani ordered a full English and coffee before turning to Birgetta, “I’m so hungry after a long night with Cooper.”
Birgetta just rolled her eyes.
“Are you taping this?” Dani asked. “If so, I know you’ve been drugging people, to get them to do what you want.”
“What are you talking about?” But Birgetta was stunned, unaccustomed to being confronted like this. She imagined the world thought her life was one fabulous party after another. Not one hint of her tricks had ever hit the spotlight. Was someone talking? If so Birgetta would crush them all over again.
Getting to the point, Dani asked, “Does Cooper’s ongoing issue with the media have anything to do with you?”
Birgetta snorted as if Dani were pathetic, “As if I care about that has-been. You really need some self-esteem. He will eat you up and spit you out.”
Blowing out a long breath, Dani grumbled, “Promises, promises.” When Birgetta only glared in return, Dani added, “If it’s not you, who?”
“Forget it, you know nothing because you are nothing. Even in your own family you’re a nobody.”
Shrugging indifferently, Dani said, “Perhaps.”
Just then Dani’s food arrived and she clapped at the waiter’s flourish. Something about it reminded Birgetta of her own daughter and she wanted to cry, missing her girl desperately, knowing nobody understood why she was in London when the rest of her life existed in L.A. She looked on with feigned disgust.
Dani said, “Would you like some? Seriously, help yourself.” She nodded toward her plate. Birgetta looked away, stiff. “Suit yourself. Now, where were we? I’m a nobody in my family? Maybe, or maybe I’m just collecting information.”
“Did Cooper Graves screw with your head too?”
“You know your anger only makes this easier, right? I mean, lies are easy to spread, don’t you think? Perhaps you’re my lover but I never wanted to embarrass my family by being seen in public with you?”
Birgetta gasped, “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Bet your scrawny ass I would. What have I got to lose?”
“How about your pretty new boyfriend?”
“Cooper? He’s not my boyfriend. Maybe I like women, just like you.”
“Is that the best lie you got? Problem with that little fantasy is I’m not famous and no one cares who I bang. We ain’t in the dark ages.”
“Yeah, that was pathetic.”
“Why did you drag me here?”
Dani glanced around before leaning closer, “I want to know who set Cooper up and if you don’t tell me, you miserable bitch, I’m going to ruin your fucking life.”
The venom set Birgetta’s hair on end because she believed her. Dani Maxwell really did have nothing to lose. Her family would forgive her anything and Cooper would never judge, the man had been convicted by the keyboards of ill-advised public opinion to be a rapist. How little would it bother him if his girlfriend rampaged all over the media? She’d probably be considered a moronic saint.
Picking up a hash brown with her fingers, the oil drippin
g as she took a bite, Dani added, “If you make me go public, I’ll tell the world about what I saw in your handbag. I’ll remember that time I saw you spike some kid’s drink.” She leaned back, “Anyone who knows me, knows I’ll do anything to protect my family. Now that Cooper and I are good friends and my dad employed him and he’s my brother’s boss and even my mother really likes him, he’s considered part of my family.” Her smile faded, “Is that clear?”
Oh, Birgetta got it, she was fucked. She had underestimated this girl, Dani had more balls than even her crotchety father, and Jacob Maxwell was a man that Birgetta instinctively knew never to go head to head with. Yet it was hard to hate the girl. Birgetta imagined her own daughter defending her this much and felt a grudging respect. Trisha Maxwell would be proud of this one and that was just annoying.
Dani added, “Let’s get this clear, I’m not in awe of you and I’m not scared of you either. If there is any more news about my family I’m going to blame you. Do I need to make that any clearer?”
Birgetta opened her mouth a few times to rebuke her but nothing came out.
Dani’s smile did not reach her eyes, “Good. Now tell me who’s been after Cooper and why? I’m certain it isn’t you but you know who it is.”
Still Birgetta said nothing, her eyes flicking to the people walking by, strangers watching her come unraveled as her carefully constructed career based on the catty, pointless world of celebrity’s fell over. She could even hear their comments on social media. “I saw it all. After all she said about other people. Do you know who her daughter is? I can’t believe she drugged kids her own daughters age. Why would she do it? There must be a bigger story. What was it about her daughter? Her daughter. Her daughter. Her daughter. What a fraud.”
Still Dani gave her no time to think, “Tell me right now or I walk.”
“Then walk.” Birgetta snapped, wanting to escape, never expecting to be in this position and aware of all the people she had manipulated. She never thought it would catch up with her because she was never meant to be in London this long. She came to get what she needed then return home. Now the vultures were circling and her time was running dangerously short.
Standing on an indifferent shrug, Dani said, “See you in the headlines.” She turned away and Birgetta knew she meant every word, she would take her story to the media, to her friend Marcus Gold. If saint Cooper Graves could have his life ruined by lies and misinformation Birgetta’s would blow away like dust in a hurricane.
Dani was at her car when Birgetta made up her mind and followed. She smacked on the window, serious and hoping the girl knew how to listen. She would never repeat this. They stared at each other, Dani indifferent while Birgetta was jittery, falling to pieces at just the hint of her own scandal.
“It’s Michelle Brink.” She said, expecting Dani to know the name, stunned when the girl clearly didn’t. “I don’t understand why she hates Cooper so much, I have my suspicions but she never told me. Please, please don’t tell her that I gave you her name, there are other people involved, reasons why I do what I do.” A fat tear ran down her hollow cheek before she covered it with her huge black sunglasses, thrust her nose in the air and strode away.
She paused once on her trip home to buy a bottle of champagne and a triple chocolate gateau, a tribute to her collapsing career.
Chapter Sixteen
Dani was on her way back to her shitty apartment when the police called and asked her to come to the station, refusing to say why over the phone. She arrived to find JD already there and her heart began pounding.
“Has something happened at the bar? Is my family alright? Is it Cooper?”
JD shrugged, kissing her cheek, “No idea, some detective wants to see us.”
A tall man with a receding hairline arrived from the secure back area of the station and led them to a quiet room.
“I’m Detective Franks, thank you both for coming in so quickly. I thought you would want to know as soon as possible.” They had been caught out, the police had discovered Cooper’s presence at the fight. What would happen to them all now?
“Fisher Davies was released yesterday on bail.” Detective Franks said.
“What?” Dani yelled, “He’ll come after us again. The man tried to rape me.”
The detective held a hand up, “He was on home arrest. If he left his mother’s property we’d have been alerted by an ankle bracelet. I assure you, it’s quite safe.”
“But?” JD said, “Something’s gone wrong hasn’t it? Fisher’s wriggled out of the bracelet or something and he’s after us?”
“No, I assure you the bracelet is still firmly in place but Fisher Davies died of a drug overdose this morning. I just want you to know that we will not be continuing with any legal proceedings against him.”
Dani and JD sat staring at the detective as if he were about to tell them he was kidding. Instead he ushered them from the stark room that smelled of desperation, shook their hands at the reception area and wished them the best for the future.
Outside the station, Dani and JD stared at each other for a long time, neither knowing exactly what to say. JD broke the silence, “Well, fuck me!”
◆◆◆
Dani resumed her usual personal training sessions. They bored her rigid. The one on one stuff was frustrating with the overweight corporate types who never listened and the underweight ‘yummy mummies’ that doubled every exercise until they resembled gristle. Dani found little time to job hunt.
A client changed her life direction with a couple of sentences.
“Are you always going to be a trainer?”
“No, I’ve just qualified as a teacher.”
He smiled before saying, “I heard. Have you thought about working at Grammar, like your dad?” He shook his head, “Girls Grammar I mean.”
Dani had gaped like a landed fish, “Ah, no. I don’t think I had.”
He grinned, “Well, just so you know a coaching position is coming up in the next few years and it might be a good time to join in for the future. I think they would like to have a woman running the academy, you know how they are with equality now.” At Dani’s wide eyes he added on a smile, “Think about it. Girls rugby is going places, people want to watch it now. I heard you were a good player and with your pedigree and how fucking brutal you are at training, you’re a natural at coaching. Not all girls want to be a ballerina or a princess, some want to go to war and fight and they need mentors, women who can focus that.”
That had been a few days ago and she could not stop thinking about it.
She did some apartment hunting but couldn’t afford anything decent nor did she want to work at the bar anymore. She felt cut adrift. Driving to Richmond, she went straight to the river, parking close to the playground where she could see Marcus, Stacey and the kids. They chatted about nothing then Dani played with Dylan, a furious ball of three-year-old energy, while Stacey and Marcus sat quietly on a park bench and watched, Marcus gently rocking the baby in her stroller.
When the small boy’s energy flagged he wedged himself between his parents to methodically chew his way through more food than Dani could manage in a sitting.
While it was quiet Dani told Marcus about her meeting with Birgetta.
“How did you get her there?” Marcus asked, suspicious.
Trying to brush his interest aside, Dani vaguely replied, “She told me who has been framing Cooper all along.”
Marcus’s dark eyes widened, “You are kidding, who?”
As expected Dani had forgotten the name and rummaged in her jeans pocket for the receipt she had scribbled it on after Birgetta disappeared. Holding it aloft triumphantly she still had to peer at it, “Some woman called Michelle Brink.” At Marcus’s choke of surprise, she asked, “Have you heard of her? Who is she?”
“Jesus, she’s the owner of a top production company. She does all the reality shows, makes and breaks people with a flick of one designer tipped fingernail.”
“Why would she hate
Cooper so much?”
Marcus stared out across the Thames his mind ticking over possibilities. “She’s from New Zealand, like Cooper. I wonder if he did any reality shows?” He was talking to himself so Dani only waited to hear the answer. “Not really his style. I wonder if he refused . . .” His eyes widened again, “No, that’s too out there, even for her.” He turned back to Dani, “What else?”
“That’s it.” Dani said but the man’s penetrating gaze eventually forced her to continue. “Okay, I think Birgetta owes Michelle or they’re an item.”
Marcus snorted, “I don’t think so, Michelle’s married.” He got that vague look again, “To Mike Michaels.”
Dani laughed, “Someone actually named their kid Michael Michaels? With a name like that anyone would have issues.”
“Dani, this is serious. Mike is head of F2AUK.” He groaned at her vague expression, “Only the biggest TV network in the UK behind the BBC, Free 2 Air United Kingdom. I need you to find out if Cooper ever screwed around with Michelle, or maybe they knew each other back in New Zealand. I know he was notorious but I’ve never heard a thing about Michelle. She hides behind her husband and her production company. Hell, I don’t even know if they have kids, and he’s my boss.”
This got Dani’s attention, “You can’t go after your own boss, Marcus. You have a family. Just point me in the right direction and I’ll figure this out on my own.”
His mind a million miles away, Marcus said, “No chance. You’re inept at everything except pouring drinks and telling people to fuck off.”
“Marcus.” Stacey scolded, “Dani is smart and tough, and your son is sitting right here soaking up that language.”
Suitably reprimanded, Marcus pat his son on the head, “Adult word, Dylan. If I hear you repeat it there will be trouble.” He winked at Stacey as if he were a stern yet supportive influence.
He continued, “Just because Mike runs the station doesn’t mean he’s above the law.” Marcus began grinning, “He’s been in the job for a long time with no hint of a scandal. Has he been lucky or very, very careful?”
Rules of her Game: A Contemporary Sports Romance Page 16
