“I can do what I need to do while you do your physiotherapy. Jensen has agreed to help, then, when I get back, we can get ready for dinner. I thought we might dine out tonight?”
“See how I feel,” he replied. He didn’t like to be seen in his wheelchair.
Jensen appeared, dressed in the skimpiest of swimming trunks. His big cock was visible and flustered me a little. I put my sunglasses on.
“I’ll see you later,” I said, bending down to kiss Zander.
“Have fun, Cammie,” Jensen said with a grin. “Be careful out there. It can be pretty full on when dealing with the islanders.”
I wanted to punch him in the face. “I’m a big girl and can look after myself.”
He nodded and dived into the pool.
“I’d rather be with you,” Zander said.
“I’ll be fine. Just do what you’re told, and I’ll be back when I’m done.”
“Have you got money?”
“More than enough.”
“Hurry back.”
“I’ll try, but you know what I’m like when it comes to shopping.”
“True.”
“See you soon,” I said, feeling guilty for deceiving him.
“I love you,” he said.
“You too.” This man would never hurt me, I had to believe that.
I walked along the beautiful beach, my feet sinking into the powdery white sand.
“Miss Childs.”
I turned, and Caressa Delacourt walked confidently toward me.
The last time we’d met, she was wearing a mask, which partially obscured her face.
She was absolutely stunning, very much like Raquel Welch in her heyday, and even the scar down her cheek couldn’t take that away from her.
“Hello again, Madame Delacourt.”
“Thank you for meeting me,” she replied, the French in her accent more pronounced than I remembered. “Shall we find a quiet spot and have a drink?”
“I don’t have very long.”
“Does Alexander know where you are?”
“Zander thinks I’m shopping and acquainting myself with the island and waits back at the villa with his brother…”
“Ah,” she interrupted. “Jensen is here too?”
“Yes! He arrived last night.”
“Is he well?”
“Oh, yes, he is fully recovered and back to his usual self.”
“That is pleasing to hear.”
“How are you connected to them?” I didn’t have time for guessing games and believed asking her out right would give me what I wanted. How wrong I was.
“Ah, the million-dollar question,” she replied, as we walked toward a grand hotel with a terrace looking out on the Caribbean Sea.
We were shown to our seats before another waiter rushed over with a bottle of champagne, already chilling.
He half-filled our glasses and with a bow, left us alone.
“Thank you,” I said, as he walked away.
“We won’t be disturbed,” she said, with a smile that seemed familiar.
“Okay, but I’m not here to socialise.”
“You’re here to find out why I believe you’re in danger.”
“Are you aware Zander is aware you’ve been asking questions about him, that he’s been searching for you?”
She appeared alarmed for a moment before regaining her composure. “No, I wasn’t, but it doesn’t entirely surprise me. However, he won’t find me, not if he is searching for Caressa Delacourt.”
“That’s not your real name?” I hadn’t even thought she would be using an alias.
“I’d be extremely foolish not to use a pseudonym, especially where Alexander is concerned.”
“He wouldn’t harm a fly.”
She laughed and stroked the scar on her face. “Is that so?”
“Are you telling me he is responsible for the injury to your face?”
“Yes, Miss Childs. He was wholeheartedly responsible for what happened to me.”
“And you want revenge, is that it?”
“Only justice.”
“Justice for what? An accident.”
“This was no accident.”
“I’m not listening to anymore of this rubbish.” I made to stand up.”
“Sit down, Miss Childs,” she ordered. “And listen because your life may depend on what I tell you.”
It was enough to grab my attention.
Chapter Forty-Four
“You have ten minutes and then I’m going.”
“Trust me, you’ll stay once you know exactly who I am.”
She clicked her fingers and an older man appeared.
“Ah, Arnaud, please say hello to my guest.”
He held out his hand. “Miss Childs. I wish we were meeting under different circumstances.”
“Do you have it?” Caressa asked as he handed her a paper-thin file.
“As you requested.” With a nod to me, he went back the way he came and out of sight.
“Here,” she said, pushing the file toward me.
“What is it?”
“Open it and see, then all will be revealed.” She was beginning to annoy me.
I picked up the file but felt nervous. If I wanted answers, it was in here, apparently.
“Go on,” she urged.
“Stop pressuring me,” I snapped, as I opened the file. Inside lay a single colour photograph of a woman with two children. Hang on a minute, I thought.
“Do you see anything familiar?”
“The children in the picture…they look like…”
“Alexander and Jensen Shaw…” Caressa blinked back tears.
“And the woman? Is that…”
“Alyssa Shaw, yes.”
I looked at her as the truth slammed into me. “Oh, my God. You’re Alyssa Shaw.”
“I used to be.”
“But you’re supposed to be dead.”
“If Alexander had his way, I would be.”
“You’re wrong,” I said, refusing to believe Zander had anything to do with what had happened to her. “He loved you.”
“And I him, but this scar is the price I paid for loving that monster.”
“He isn’t a monster.”
“Tell that to Arnaud for his daughter was killed in the attempt on my life.”
“I didn’t know anybody else was hurt that day?”
“Gregor, a friend, and Sabine, the love of my life, were killed instantly. I was lucky to get away with this scar and for my own safety let the world believe I’d been killed, my body never found.”
“He wouldn’t have harmed you.”
“But he did, Miss Childs, of that I can assure you. You see, he believed me to be having an affair with Gregor, and in order to protect his wicked father and the name that meant so much to both of them, he ordered his death. Sabine was the one I was involved with, and I was planning to leave my husband and take the children with me.”
“And Zander discovered this and rather than leave with you, you think he ordered your supposed lover murdered.”
“Yes. With Gregor out of the way and no suspicions about Sabine, I’d be forced to return home and act the dutiful wife.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Why didn’t you go to the police?”
“I didn’t trust anybody,” she cried. “The Shaw dynasty stretches far and wide. I didn’t know who I could trust, which is why I sent Charlotte…”
“Do you know where she is?”
“I haven’t heard anything from her.”
“Do you think she’s dead?”
“Yes.”
Despite the heat, I felt cold to the bone.
“I believe Zander discovered her deceit and took steps to protect himself.”
“Zander knew she wasn’t who she said she was, but she disappeared before he had chance to confront her.”
She eyed me curiously. “How do you know this?”
“Zander told me. He also confirmed Jensen was the last
person to see Charlotte before she vanished.”
“Jensen?”
Chapter Forty-Five
“I think Jensen did something to Charlotte.”
“He wouldn’t…”
“To protect his brother, yes, he would, Alyssa.”
She flinched. “It is strange to be called by my real name after all this time.”
“Your children deserve to know you’re alive.”
“I’m too scared.”
“I know Zander and there’s no way he would have harmed you.”
“Then explain this.” She touched her scar.
“Are you sure your husband didn’t know about your affair?”
“Not possible, my dear, because he would never have been able to hold his tongue.”
“Then there must be another explanation.”
“Give me a reasonable one and I’ll listen.”
“That’s just it, I can’t, but Zander is innocent, I’d bet my life on it.”
“You might just live to regret that, Miss Childs.”
“Call me Cammie, please.”
“Very well, Cammie.”
I looked at my watch. “I need to go, I’ve been gone too long already.”
“Will you come back tomorrow?”
“How can I?”
“Find a way, please.”
“I’m not in any danger from Zander, I firmly believe that.”
“Then come back tomorrow and let me see that for myself.”
“I’ll contact you. If I can get away, I will do, but you need to reconsider what you’ve told me and reveal yourself to your children. What happened to you was an accident.”
“Cammie.” She put her hand on top of my hand. “There is one more thing you must know before you leave.”
“What?”
“I tracked down the man who crashed his jet ski into us that day and he confirmed he was paid to do what he did. My husband didn’t know, and Jensen was too young and away at school the day I left.”
I put my hand across my mouth. Feeling sick to my stomach. Would Zander have really done that?
“But Zander was only young…”
“And with enough resources to arrange something as heinous as what he did.”
“I-I have to go.” My head was swimming with images of the man I loved. Was he really capable of murder?
“Stay in touch, Cammie. But please, for now at least, keep my secret.”
I dashed away and once around the corner, I bent forward and threw up in the gutter.
Zander smiled at me.
“Did you have a good day?”
I hated having to lie but kept as far to the truth as I could.
“It’s a stunning island, I stopped for a drink at a hotel and got lost in the views.”
“So, you’re in no rush to leave?”
“God, no,” I said. “It’s paradise here.”
“Good.”
“How was your day? Did you do your exercises?”
“I didn’t.”
I glowered at him. “And why not?”
“I was busy with other stuff.”
“Other stuff more important than your own rehabilitation?”
“Kind of.”
“Oh, come off it.” I was annoyed. “Zander. You know how important these exercises are.”
“Yes, mother,” he said, laughing.
Mother. The word cut me in half. If only he knew what I knew.
“What was so important?”
“Arranging our wedding.”
My heart sank. “Pardon?”
“I’ve been busy arranging our wedding.”
“I didn’t know we were getting married.”
“Neither did I, well, not until this morning when the idea came to me.”
“You haven’t even asked me.”
“I was going to, but there was a small matter of a car crash that put an end to my plans.”
“Oh. God.” I didn’t know what to do. There was nothing more I wanted than to marry him, but there were too many secrets over our heads. But, if I said no, it would arouse suspicion.
“So, will you?”
“What?”
“Will you marry me?”
Before I could stop myself, I answered. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me.
Chapter Forty-Six
I had a feeling that telling Jensen we were to be married the following day would be problematic, but little did I know the hatred he now harboured for me.
I didn’t want to get into a slanging match, nor did I want to come between either of them, especially now knowing what I knew.
“This isn’t what I want,” I cried. “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.” I needed to book a flight and go home. I’d take my house off the market for the time being until I found somewhere more suitable. “Goodbye, Zander.”
Zander roared, stopping me in my tracks. “Don’t walk away from me, Cammie.”
“My mind is made up, Zander. I won’t come between you and Jensen.”
“Jensen has his own life,” he argued.
“Oh, yes,” Jensen interrupted. “It would be so much easier if you didn’t have to worry about me, wouldn’t it?”
“I don’t mean it like that, but one day, you’ll meet somebody as decent and kind as Cammie and want to settle down.”
“Ha,” Jensen spat. “Don’t make me laugh. I want to settle down with somebody who I can trust, and she can’t be trusted.”
“Excuse me.”
“Have you not told Zander about the night of the ball and what happened between us?”
“I already know,” he said, surprising us.
“Jensen, don’t,” I begged.
“Do you know what your fiancée is truly capable of Alexander?”
“Don’t call me Alexander.”
“She’s nothing but a slut, just like our mother was.”
“Watch your mouth Jensen, because wheelchair or not, I’ll kill you.”
“I’m only telling the truth. Our mother was nothing but a slut.”
Zander launched himself out of the chair, crashing into Jensen.
I screamed.
Jensen wouldn’t fight Zander, and for as many punches as Zander landed, there was no retaliation from his brother.
“I’ll fight you when we’re evenly matched.”
He pulled himself to his feet and stormed out.
I helped Zander back into his chair.
“I’m so sorry.” I felt ashamed.
“We don’t ever have to talk about it, Cammie.”
“How did you know?”
“I received an email from Gerhardt Koln about your little, erm, indiscretion.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it doesn’t matter. That was then, and this is now. I know you love me which is why you can’t walk away. I can live without Jensen in my life, but not without you.”
I knelt down in from of him and rested my head on his knees. Tears fell, not only out of guilt for what Jensen and I did, but also for the secret I was keeping from him.
“Tell me about your father.”
He was curious about my question. “That’s a strange thing to ask.”
“You never talk about him.”
“Because I hated him–he was cruel and vindictive.”
“And what are you, if not those two things, Zander?” Jensen stormed back into the room. “I’ve watched you treat women like broken toys you cast away once bored with.”
“Yes, I’m guilty of that, but the woman I marry will be treated like a princess, not an object.”
“Father loved Mother.”
“He didn’t know the meaning of love and you know it. Everyone in his life was valued on how much money they could produce for the mighty Shaw family.”
“Don’t make me laugh. You’re a billionaire because of the name you hold.”
“I took the company to new heights, not you, and not Father.
Everything I have is because I worked for it.”
“You both need to stop this.” I was scared where this would end. “Right now.”
“Shaw men don’t take orders from whores,” Jensen hissed.
I wasn’t going to take any shit from him and charged across the room and socked him, right in the mouth. He fell backwards, and I held my hand. It hurt like hell, but I wasn’t going to let him know that.
“See if you’re as handsome with no teeth,” I screamed. “But let me warn you, any more from you and I’ll rip your balls off and use them as earrings.”
Blood poured from Jensen’s mouth and I felt a twinge of guilt.
“Jensen. I want you out of my house, now. Pack your stuff and don’t come back.”
“So, she wins?” he said, spraying blood.
“It wasn’t a competition, Jensen.” Zander was visibly upset. “You’re my brother, but if you can’t be happy for us, you’ve no part in our life, but if the time comes when you can be, I’ll welcome you back with open arms. Now please, get out, or I’ll have security remove you.”
I burst into tears not knowing what to do or how to make it right.
Jensen stormed out of the room and minutes later, flew past me on the stairs, a bag in his hand.
“Jensen. Please wait,” I cried, but he ignored me. “Come back and we can sort it out.”
“You’ll never be welcome in this family, Cammie, and if I have anything to do with it, you won’t make it down the aisle.”
He slammed the door behind him.
Hours later, I couldn’t sleep and sat in front of my laptop.
What was I going to say?
I started the email with Dear Caressa, afraid to use her real name.
I’ll keep your secret, for now, but I won’t be able to meet you again, not until your children know you’re alive.
It is my firm belief you are wrong about Zander.
Please think about what I’ve said as both of them need you now, more than ever.
Tomorrow, I will marry Zander
I wish you could be there to celebrate with us.
Cammie x
I wasn’t lying. There wasn’t anything more I’d like than Alyssa to be at our wedding, to take her rightful place, but life wasn’t like a romance novel and these things didn’t sort themselves out so easily.
By Invitation Only- The Series Page 14
