by Jen Talty
“Pay him off for what?” Xavier asked.
“He took advantage of my parents, getting them to sign a legal, but questionable contract ethically, and now if I don’t get him the money, they will force my parents to turn over their restaurant.”
“A legal shakedown, go figure,” he said, shaking his head. “How much do you have to date?”
“About sixty-five thousand.”
“Is that every penny you have?”
“Yes,” she admitted, letting out a sigh of relief. While she knew she’d lost Xavier for good, it felt good to unburden herself.
“So, this wasn’t about saving for law school at all, was it.”
“Obviously not.” She waved her hand toward the end of the sofa. “Would you please sit down. You’re making me nuts.”
“No.” His green orbs speckled with blue highlights and filled with hurt. “Do you care about me at all?”
“That’s rich, coming from you, because I bet you’ve been using me for some story.”
“Doesn’t answer my question,” he said behind a tight jaw.
“But you said you’d tell me the truth.”
“I will. But not just yet. I need to know a few more things first, like how you feel about me.”
“Based on the way you’re looking at me now, my answer wouldn’t matter because you can’t stand me.” She decided she needed to be on his level, so she stood but put more distance between them by standing behind the sofa. Was probably good to put a large object in the way.
“I’m pissed at you, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve managed to let myself fall madly in love with you.” There was no denying the anger dripping from his words, but a trickle of devotion intertwined in his tone.
“Love me? Are you crazy?”
“I just might be.” He let out a long breath. “Did Thompson force you to become an employee of Nightshade?”
“Forced isn’t the correct word. He made an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“What about the fine print in that contract?”
“I negotiated slightly different terms and had an addendum drawn up, that they signed. Me and my parents are free once I give them the money. But I have to do it by December 31.”
“Oh, Cali. They aren’t going to let you go without a fight. Especially when they can terminate my membership at any time. They are going to make sure you never meet that deadline. The Carluccis and their employees can be dangerous people and difficult to deal with.”
She cleared her throat, taking a moment to process the information. “What do you mean? You paid dues for a year. How can they just kick you out?”
“The contract I signed says that at any time and without any reason, they can terminate my membership. I didn’t care because I hoped to have cracked the story in the first three months…Shit.”
“What?”
“They played me too. I wondered why it was so easy for me to join. They wanted me close to see what I’d do and at the sign of trouble, they’d rip up my contract, probably before I had any story.”
“What is the story, exactly?” She clenched her fists. “Wait. If it’s to expose me as a call girl, I don’t want to know.”
“Not you, or any of the girls. Look. You’re doing what you have to in order to protect your family. I can respect that.” He closed the gap, reaching for her hand.
She took a step back.
“Cali. I want to know if I’m going to have to get over you or find a way for us to move past the lies we both told, so we can start fresh.”
“What?” She blinked. Her instincts weren’t very sharp lately, and he could easily be manipulating her.
But for what purpose at this point?
“I didn’t welcome my feelings, but I can’t change them. I care very deeply for you, and I want us to explore what we could have.”
“Didn’t welcome. Now that’s what a girl wants to hear.” She took a tentative step, resting her hands on his shoulders. “I care about you,” she said with a shaky voice. “I didn’t want to, because I didn’t want to hurt you, but I couldn’t stop it.”
“I’m going to need to call my dad in the morning. If we don’t have enough to expose the Carluccis, then I’ll have to rethink how we go forward. I want to make sure you don’t have to give Thompson a dime and that your parents get their restaurant.”
“We could just continue with the agreement,” she said, knowing that there was no way Xavier would go for that.
“I’d rather not. I’m digging myself into a financial hole as it is, and honestly, I never intended to spend a year with you.” He pulled her against his chest. “That last part didn’t come out right because I really do want to spend time with you.”
“How are you digging yourself into a hole? You’re rich.” Shit, that made her sound like a gold digger.
“I don’t have that kind of money. I have maybe a hundred grand in my savings, but most of it is in stocks and bonds. My dad is the rich dude, and he’s kind of hell-bent on not sharing unless we work for the family business, and with me that was never going to happen.”
“This loft? The limos? Cars? What is all that then?”
“Everything but the loft my father let me borrow, including the money, which I have to pay back with interest. And that necklace.” He pointed to the counter in the kitchen. “That’s my little sister’s.”
She dropped her hands. “I have to know what the story is that you’re chasing.”
“I want to blow the lid off what the Carluccis are doing. I’ve talked to a few ex-employees, and it’s not good. It doesn’t end with one contract. And some of the men that use the club are bad news.”
“Why go through Nightshade to dig up your story? It’s a legit business, sort of.”
“I have a source inside the club. He’s been giving me some intel. I’ve also met with a woman whose face was used for a punching bag.”
Cali covered her mouth, stopping a gasp from echoing through the room. “You wanted to expose them as a high-priced hooker service?”
“Not exactly, but that would be a good start.”
“That would make me look bad when the story hits,” she muttered. “Did you pick me because you knew about my—”
“I became a client of Nightshade because I’m trying to find out how they use the corporation for their operations, and you seemed like the best way to get that information. I didn’t know anything about your situation until we met, and I did some digging. At one point, I worried that maybe you actually worked for Carlucci and were a plant to see what story I was working on.”
“Well, you were wrong.”
He had the audacity to smile. “I was so wrong about that, and I’m sorry.” He yanked her to his chest.
She slammed her fist down, trying to push him away, but he held her tighter. “You break this story, you’ll out me as an employee, and I’ll lose any chance of going to law school.”
He shook his head. “You and I are going to expose the Carluccis, together. Remember, you work for me, as my assistant. Besides, you’re my girlfriend, and no way will I let one bad word be printed about you.”
7
Cali got out of the limo and stared at the largest home she’d ever seen up close and personal. “You grew up here?”
“I did,” Xavier said, lacing his fingers through hers, but she yanked her hand away.
It wasn’t so much that she was still mad over the knowledge he’d been using her from the start. She’d be a hypocrite if that were the case. However, she still held a fair amount of shame over what she’d done, and now his parents would know the truth of her betrayal.
They’d hate her, and that was no way to start a relationship.
There was no way in hell she and Xavier would make it, and the sooner she accepted that, the better they’d both be.
“How long are you going to remain ticked off?” he asked, placing his hand on her back, guiding her up the walkway toward the front door.
“I can tell you�
��re still mad at me too, so...”
He let out a slight laugh. “You’re good at deflecting attention. If I ever need a lawyer, I know who I’m calling.”
“If I ever make it to law school.”
He leaned in, kissing her cheek. “You will, and you’ll be a great attorney, and I’ll beam with pride at your graduation.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you can be corny as hell?”
“Never.” He pushed open the door. “Mom? Dad? We’re here.”
She swallowed, holding her chin high as she stepped into a two-story foyer with a split staircase. It looked more like a room than an entryway with a love seat positioned between the railings and wing-back chairs in the corners.
“Xavier.” A woman wearing a pair of dark slacks and a red sweater stretched out her arms as she entered the space.
“Hey, Mom.” He kissed her cheek. “This is Cali.”
“Nice to meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you over the last two months.”
The butterflies in her gut turned to cement, landing in the center of her stomach. His parents had known from the beginning what Xavier had planned, but her situation was brand-new information, and she had no idea what they thought about her, or her parents.
“It’s nice to finally meet you too.” She held out her hand, but his mother pushed it aside and pulled her into a warm embrace. “I’m so sorry for what your parents are going through. I can only imagine how difficult it has been.”
“Thank you.”
His mother had a sweet, caring smile and seemed genuine in her greeting, but that didn’t settle Cali’s nerves.
“Your father is waiting in his office.”
“Max and his wife are about a half hour behind us. Sadie is bringing her partner. Can you send them back when they get here?” Xavier asked.
His mother nodded.
As they walked through a long hallway, Cali glanced at all the family portraits hanging on the wall. Images of him and his sisters in various activities. A few candid snapshots of the family along with a large family portrait at the end of the hall. “You don’t have any brothers.”
“Nope. Just four sisters. One older and three younger. But don’t mention my older sister, Bonnie. She’s become the black sheep, and it upsets both my parents.”
“Good to know.”
For a woman in love, there was so much she didn’t know about Xavier and his life.
She paused mid-step in front of an open door. A man, who looked like an older version of Xavier, sat behind a big, dark desk. He peered over his reading glasses. “Come in,” he said with a deep voice. “You must be Cali.” He stood, stretching out his hand.
“Yes, sir,” she said, trying to swallow the thick lump in her throat. The office was filled with trophies and pictures of Xavier and his sisters. Obviously, Mr. Sumner felt great pride for his family.
“Son,” his father said with a nod. “Please sit down.”
“Did you read the information I sent?” Xavier asked, cutting to the chase.
His father nodded. “Cali. What do you think? More importantly, what do you want?”
“The only thing I want right now is to make sure my parents get to keep their business and never have to deal with Thompson or the Carluccis again. Long term, I’d like to see all the Carluccis behind bars.”
“And you and Xavier? Do you have a long-term—”
“Dad. Seriously? That’s none of your business.”
His father shrugged. “Hey. I promised your mom I’d ask, and you know how she gets.”
“It’s a fair question.” Cali knew a relationship based on lies and betrayal from both parties was nothing but a recipe for disaster. “I have no idea. My sole focus is on helping my parents and taking down Carlucci.”
“Even if it puts you and Xavier in the middle of the story?”
“I’ll do anything to save the family business,” she said.
“I appreciate your honesty and directness,” his father said. “And I admire your dedication to your family. It takes a lot of courage to do what you have.”
“I think there is one more item we need to discuss,” she said, shifting her gaze to Xavier.
“Sadie,” Xavier said, nodding. “I told her everything and gave her all my notes.”
“Does she have enough to make an arrest?”
“We’re getting close,” Xavier admitted.
Xavier reached out and took her hand in his. This time, she didn’t pull away. After this was all over, maybe they could start over.
Xavier paced in his father’s office while Sadie, her partner, Rex, and Cali went over the plan.
Dumb fucking plan.
“Stop,” Cali said, looking over her shoulder as she leaned over the desk. “I can’t think with all that stomping around.”
“I don’t like this at all.”
“It’s not your call,” Cali said.
He was about to protest more, but his phone rang, and it was one of the businesses in the same hood as her parents. “This is Xavier Sumner.”
“This is Rick Wellington. I own Wellington Meats.”
“Yes. Mr. Wellington, thank you for getting back to me.”
Xavier had called ten businesses. Three of them told him to take a hike before he finished asking about Thompson and his contract and if there was any connection to Nightshade. Two of them flat out denied it. One store, no one answered, but four, including Wellington Meats, took the information, said they hadn’t done business with the man, but would look into it. Xavier knew they were lying but figured if he played his cards right, he’d get what he needed.
“I spoke to a couple other business owners. While, I’ve yet to fall below the threshold, two of them had and both had a daughter who ended up working for Nightshade.” The man sniffled. “One of the girls has been missing for six months. She’d just turned twenty when she went to work at the exclusive club. She told her parents she was waiting tables, but that wasn’t the truth at all.”
“I’m sorry. We’d like to put a stop to this and expose Carlucci.”
“There are four business owners willing to help you.”
“I’ll need you to give me every document you signed, and we’ll need access to your bookkeeping.”
Sadie glanced in his direction, and he made eye contact. This could be the big break they both were looking for.
“Like I said, I’m still above water, but not for long. I signed that contract with Thompson, and when he pulls the plug, I’ll be left with nothing.”
“Jesus Christ,” Xavier said under his breath. “What exactly is the clause in the contract?”
“If my profits fall under a certain percentage, they have the right to take over. But the kicker is, that only happened because I used one of his suppliers, which had bad meat, higher costs, and other issues that forced me to take a huge hit. I knew there was a buyout, but I had no idea it was so low. Everyone I’ve talked to is in a similar situation. None of us can afford to lose our businesses. In some cases, it’s the family’s only source of income.”
“Can you gather everyone? And is everyone willing to talk with the FBI?”
Cali stood, making her way across the room. She rested her hands on his shoulders, her gaze locked on his.
“Yes. We are. Name the time and place, and we’ll be there.”
“Meet us at the Banister’s place. Two hours. Bring all the legal documentation. We’ll have a lawyer there along with the Feds. Trust me, we’ll figure this out. Very worst-case scenario, we blow the whistle using my television show to do it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Sumner. We all appreciate your efforts.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He tapped his phone, ending the call. “Sadie, set up your sting. We get Thompson singing like a canary, and you’ll get the biggest bust of your career so far, and I’ll get that show and another book deal.” He cupped Cali’s chin. “You’ll become the best damn lawyer this town has ever seen.” He brushed his lips across hers. “And we’ll get t
o find out what this thing is between us without anything hanging over our heads.”
8
Cali pushed a contract across the table at the diner Xavier picked out. Her father and mother were sitting across from her, with Thompson and his slimy body to her left.
“You can sign this,” she told her parents. A copy of it had been given to a legal advisor for the FBI, and it was deemed legal and binding and severed all business ties with her parents and Thompson. Now all she had to do was get her parents to leave and help Sadie make her arrest.
Easy peasy.
Right.
“I’m impressed you were able to get this kind of cash in such a short period of time. What did you do? Sell yourself?”
Her mother gasped.
“I have a rich boyfriend,” she said, holding her father’s stare. Boy, was he going to have a ton of questions when this was over.
“I noticed you and that Sumner guy at the Marriott. He’s some sort of crime reporter, right?” Thompson asked.
Sadie had warned her how quickly this could go sideways if she wasn’t careful.
“And a novelist, but now we’re splitting hairs.” She watched her parents sign on a few different pages.
Her father handed them back, staring at her with the same evil eye he used to give her as a kid when she’d stayed out past curfew.
“Mom, Dad, you can go now,” she said.
“Not until I get my money.”
“I’ve got it.” She held up an envelope of cash with a shaky hand. “My parents leave, and you get your money.”
“Fine,” Thompson said. “It’s been nice doing business with you.”
“Cali,” her mother said with wide eyes. “You’re coming with us, right?”
“In a minute.” The plan had always been to have her parents sign and leave. They’d been coached on what to say and do. Cali needed them to follow through. She understood their concern for her safety, but there were six federal agents armed and ready if this didn’t work.
Her dad helped her mom from the booth.
She watched them as they left, constantly glancing over their shoulders. Had to be hard to leave their only child with a man who’d been bullying half the neighborhood.
