Destructive Us: A Luxe Novel: 3

by H. Q. Frost

  "You know I'm not single, Rayne." His cellphone began to ring.

  "It's a harmless soirée. I'm not trying to fuck you, Justin." She chuckled. "Two friends getting together, one friend doing another friend a favor."

  "I can't," he firmly said, staring at Ian's name across his cellphone screen.

  "She's got you wrapped, Justin Borg." Her tone

  was condescending and it irritated him.

  "I respect my girlfriend, Rayne. You wouldn't—"

  Justin stopped because Pam ran into the office waving her

  hands. She silently put a piece of paper in front of him and

  stared.

  Ian Jacks MUST speak to you before you hang up with Rayne Bronson. It's life or death

  Justin mouthed the word, "Okay," and nodded.

  "Rayne, can I put you on hold just one minute? Don't hang up."

  "Don't be long, Justin, I have to find a date," she huffed.

  "Just one minute." He put her on hold and waited for Pam to send Ian through. "Life or death, Jacks?" Justin said in annoyance.

  "Rayne Bronson is attending Doug Teppert's seventieth birthday celebration tonight. I was going to suggest you get ahold of her and accompany her and when I spoke to Pam she said you were tied up with Ms. Bronson. Life or death, Borg."

  "I can't do it. If El found out she'd hate me. She'd leave me."

  "Borg, this gets you in the same room with Aaron Teppert."

  "And then what? You want me to slit his throat at his dad's birthday party?"

  "No, I want you to slip him a Narcozep and then my sweet, sweet Tash will lure him from the party and have her way with him."

  "What the hell are you saying, Jacks?" Justin scoffed.

  "You're going to slip him a roofie, he'll be coherent enough to meet Tash in another room where you will then be and she, Tash, the prostitute, will have sex with him while you take pictures. Of course she won't really be having sex with him because he'll be knocked out cold but we're going to get the nastiest pictures that'll be sure to ruin Aaron Teppert from ever becoming the

  pediatrician he strives to be."

  "A pediatrician! You fucking kidding?"

  "Not kidding. Borg, get back on the phone with Rayne and ask her to take you."

  "She just asked me to go with her," he grumbled. "Jacks, if El finds out—"

  "She won't find out, you paranoid son of a bitch. Get on

  the phone and say yes. Call me back for details." Ian hung up and Justin groaned.

  "Rayne?"

  "I was about to hang up."

  "What time tonight?"

  "Oh." The grin in her tone was audible and he grimaced. "So you will be my date?"

  "Platonic date, yes. A friend doing a friend a favor."

  "Of course, Justin."

  He could still hear it and he knew it wasn't as innocent as she was portraying.

  "Time?"

  "I'll pick you up at seven."

  "See you then," he muttered hanging up. He immediately called Ian back. "How do you know this shit?" he snapped when Ian answered.

  With a chuckle Ian said, "Because one of my girls is escorting another guest."

  "Wait, so we're not even sure if Aaron will be there?"

  "It's his dad's birthday, of course he'll be there." Ian rolled his eyes.

  "I'm going to fucking kill you, Jacks. Now I have to cancel on El!"

  "Borg, beating the shit out of Aaron Teppert isn't good enough, we need to ruin him. And besides that, you couldn't get close enough to him to beat the shit out of him when he's coherent. All this was Tash's idea because someone told her what happened."

  "What a bitch, she said she wouldn't tell."

  "Watch it, Borg. I caught her crying in the lunchroom. She's not exactly a jigsaw puzzle. She's good with Lily but I can see through her shit."

  "How is this going to work, man?" Justin was skeptical about the half-ass sounding plan. "It just sounds like a really bad idea."

  "Tash said leave it all up to her."

  "You just said yourself, she's not a jigsaw puzzle."

  "I have faith in her. When it comes to Lily, Tash has her shit together. Have some faith in the girl."

  "Whatever. How's she getting into the party?"

  "Well, Natasha Sullivan is escorting Todd Ackerman. The unknown prostitute on the other hand, no one will know how she got in because Aaron must have let her in a back entrance so no one would notice."

  "And who's this Todd guy? Won't he notice his date's missing?"

  "Rayne Bronson and Todd Ackerman have a past so it's up to you to rekindle that."

  "Holy shit, Jacks." Justin let out an annoyed laugh. "This is a fucking soap opera. It'd be easier if I walked up to the guy and drown him in the punch bowl."

  "Who said there'll be punch? Besides, I don't want your sensitive side taking over."

  "Fuck off. Now I have to cancel on El. She's already doubting me about shit. Ian," Justin huffed. "Tash said she thought I was with Rayne last night. She was searching if Rayne was in town on the internet, man. If she finds this out it won't be good."

  "It'll be fine."

  "Yeah, for you! You'll be fuckin' fine! She's not gonna leave you, you stupid fuck!" Justin's fear was coming out as anger.

  "I hate you, Borg. I want you as far away from Lily as I can get you, but I wouldn't let it happen like this. You're gonna have to fuck shit up on your own for her to drop kick you off a cliff. If you're going down for this, I'll go with you. She won't leave both of us." Ian chuckled; he wasn't so sure about that. "Tell her you have a business thing to attend with your dad."

  "God, why don't I believe you're confident in this?" Justin scrubbed his stubble.

  "Stop being a little girl."

  "Fuck you. Have Tash text me." He hung up with a worried groan.

  Moving slowly, he picked up his cellphone to read a text from Lilith.

  EL: I can't wait for tonight B! I'm going to bring Herbert over tonight. Can we stay the night daddy? :)

  With a groan and queasy stomach he stood and closed

  his office door.

  "Hi," Lilith answered his call excitedly.

  "Hi, ZP. You out with your mom?"

  "Yeah. How'd you know?"

  "I just talked to Ian. Listen, princess, my dad sprung this last minute thing on me tonight but Ian's still going to take you out." It felt like minutes of her silence but it was only seconds before he couldn't take it anymore. "I'm really sorry," he breathed.

  "What kind of thing?"

  "Same firm we met with last night. Just a dinner thing."

  "You don't need a date for that?" Now his silence worried her.

  "No, it's not like that, princess. I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

  "So you'll be late?"

  "I really don't know at the moment. Last night was later than I planned."

  "You said you went out with Kurt last night."

  Even as a lawyer, lying was not his forte, especially to her. "Yeah, I did, I meant I was out later with Kurt than I planned."

  "Justin?" she whispered walking away from Peachey and Richie.

  "Yeah, beautiful?" He knew what was coming.

  "Do you need to tell me something?" The tone of her voice was crushing him.

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know like what but, but just something. You know you can be honest with me. If we can't be honest with each other we really don't have a solid foundation."

  "El, our foundation is solid. I promise you."

  "I'm just worried." The embarrassment in her tone

  was heard.

  "What're you worried about, El? Tell me so I can put your mind at ease."

  "I'm worried you're keeping something from me. Someone."

  "Never. I will never do that to you, never. You hear

  me? Never."

  "Then something. If you don't want this anymore I—"

  "El, stop. Please don't finish that sentence. Princess, I love you with everything I
got. You are my world and I want this forever. I told you that. I want this until death. I promise you next week won't be as hectic, tomorrow even. You and Herbert can come early and he can get acquainted with the house."

  "I work tomorrow."

  "I think you taking a Saturday off will be okay."

  "Now you're writing my work schedule?" She smirked. "I love you, Justin, and just know you can be honest with me."

  "I know that. God, I know that. Send me some pictures. No mangy animals this time."

  "Herbert's not mangy!" She giggled.

  "The only reason those animals didn't look mangy was 'cause they were next to you. You make everything look better. You know that sweater you're wearing today?"

  "Yeah?" She chuckled.

  "It's fuckin' hideous, but on you, it was the sexiest cardigan I've ever seen."

  "Justin!" She laughed loudly.

  "I love you, my Zombie Princess."

  "I love you too, B."

  "Text later," he said softly, not wanting to hang up. His guilt was trampling him.

  "Bye."

  His thumbs pounded out a text to Ian.

  BORG: You better take her out tonight, somewhere nice, make sure she has a good time. I'm in a meeting with another firm, my dad's doing. You and I already discussed this. Being this is your fault you better play me up to her tonight. Just admit all those things that keep you up at night. I'm better looking, better in bed, smarter, more charming etc.

  JACKS: I always take care of my girl Borg. The only thing that keeps me up at night is Lily ;) Game set match fucker

  Justin huffed, it would have been a good blow if he wasn't worried about her sexual well-being.

  BORG: We definitely never need to talk about this again but have you two? Since Tuesday? Not just being perverted here

  JACKS: You want pictures? And no you sadistic asshole. I'd never push her for that. She went to the doctor yesterday. I made her an appointment for next week but she insisted on seeing her sooner. As of right now she's clean (std's) but shit's not right.

  BORG: What's not right? Like there's damage?

  JACKS: Would it matter?

  Ian was getting pissed Justin seemed to be more worried about sex from Lilith than her mental health.

  BORG: Not at all. I just want to know what's going on and she's not going to tell me this shit over the phone.

  "Or probably at all," he huffed rubbing his eye.

  JACKS: This conversation is better to be had with her. I can't speak for her, I just know what I've seen alright? Can we end this discussion?

  BORG: Ended.

  Justin slid his phone away.

  JUSTIN's intangible

  I fully understand why I'm at the center of all this but it really sucks Jacks is kickin' back with El and I'm risking my freedom. If anything goes wrong I will be arrested and I could see that sentence being ridiculously fabricated. But Teppert knows Jacks and I'm a nobody. Except Rayne Bronson's date…

  It's an awkward greeting and I could not be more uncomfortable or feel anymore guilty for lying to El.

  EL: Why did Peachey say she saw you on the news? Were you on the news B?

  Fucking hell. I knew this would happen. I thought I avoided those cameras.

  JUSTIN: A news crew showed up at the bar I was at last night. I personally was not on the news. I don't know why they were there.

  EL: My celebrity boyfriend :)

  JUSTIN: Just another chump with a rich dad

  Aw fuck, why'd I send that? Goddammit. She doesn't need to know about my self-loathing at the moment. It really hit me when I was talking to Abner earlier. All those guys have bailed me out of a lot of shit and I continue to push it. I'm twenty-seven and I'm not getting younger, and now I have a serious girl to look out for. I need to get my shit together.

  EL: Wow B….Where's that coming from?

  She probably thinks I'm a pathetic imbecile now.

  JUSTIN: Long day ZP with even longer to go. I just need some time with my girl and I'll feel better.

  EL: Your girl needs some time with you too. I was really looking forward to us all going out tonight :(

  JUSTIN: Blame Paul. I'll make it all up to you tomorrow, I promise you

  EL: I think I will call Mr. Borg and tell him exactly how I feel about him keeping you from me

  She wouldn't. God, I hope she wouldn't.

  JUSTIN: I love you Princess

  EL: I love you B. Think about me in your meeting

  JUSTIN: I'm always thinking about you Beautiful.

  With a sigh I push my phone into my pocket and Rayne looks at me.

  "You look nice," she says.

  "You as well." I look out the window knowing she's fishing for compliments.

  "What's got you stressed, Justin?" Her hand grips my knee and I quickly pull away.

  "Not stressed. I'm tired."

  "You could have said no. You were already on your

  way to telling me no."

  "It's fine, Rayne, I'm fine."

  "I'm beginning to think this would have been better if I was alone."

  "I didn't inform my girlfriend I'd be doing this tonight," I blurt. "I just don't want her getting the wrong idea."

  "I can't believe you're still with that girl."

  "Why wouldn't I be?" I scowl at her.

  "Well a girl like that and a guy like you." She shrugs and looks out the window.

  "I'm not following. A girl like what?" If this bitch insults El she's going to find out exactly what people think about her.

  "She's a very attractive girl, Justin. She's a model. You know?" She shrugs again.

  That went in a different direction than I thought it would.

  "I don't know. Are you insinuating I'm not good enough for her?"

  "Not exactly. I just didn't think you settled down

  with one woman and she can get any guy she wants. Justin, you're a work of art but there's a thousand of you out there. Rich, attractive. Why is she in Chicago when she could be traveling the world on other men's dime? I'd just hate to see you get hurt."

  "Tell me how you really feel," I mutter, pissed off she just threw in my face I'm nothing special and won't be to anyone. I adjust my suit coat and I hear her snicker.

  "Us Justin, we could have a lot of fun. I appreciate the real you, does she? Does she know the real you? She seems nice and all but a girl like her, you'll spend every penny and she'll want more. And why shouldn't she? She's drop dead gorgeous and that's what you men pay for. Beauty."

  It's comical she said she appreciates the 'real me'. She doesn't know even a sliver of me. El's the one that knows the real me. To Rayne Bronson I'm a snobby lawyer with a bad boy past and that's where the tattoos came from. I also find it funny she's threatened by El. She should be. El is way better looking, funny, smart, sweet, gentle, accepting, she's a made up girl I thought up when I was a teenager.

  "I think we'll be okay," I say about my relationship with El.

  "Oh, I'm sure. Until she's bored. How old is she? Twenty-one?"

  "Two." I hope she senses my annoyance with this conversation.

  "She's a baby." She laughs.

  "How old are you, Rayne?" I stare at her.

  "The internet can tell you that." With an eye roll she swats her hand at me.

  "I'm asking the source."

  "Thirty-four." The indignation is thick.

  "Hmm." I look out the window and I know my simple response is eating at her.

  "Hmm? Hmm?" she finally belts out. “What’s

  hmm?"

  "I didn't know your age is all." I shrug and am relieved we arrived.

  "Well how old did you think I was?"

  "A gentlemen never tells, Rayne."

  She glares at me a minute then gets out when the driver opens her door. As expected she takes my arm and I know what she's doing and I really wish she wouldn't.

  You know what I forgot? I forgot who the fuck Rayne Bronson is. I forgot I'm going to be plastered in every magazine as
her boyfriend. I forgot my girlfriend will undoubtedly know where I was tonight and with who. I hate Ian Jacks right now with every fiber of my being. I can't even just keep my head down, my hair is a dead giveaway. Why the hell do I have to have such stupid hair? Fuck!

  We get past the cameras and we're inside safe from photographers for now.

  She knows everyone here and I unfortunately know one too many people myself.

  I haven't seen Tash and we've been here almost an hour. I don't know what Aaron Teppert looks like. I probably should have looked him up. Every younger guy I see talking to Doug Teppert, I assume is his son.

  Dinner is painfully long and bland. I need to find Tash so she can point out Aaron Teppert for one. And for two, I can push my date off onto her date.

  I follow Rayne toward the floor where someone is preparing a speech to Doug Teppert.

  "Can I get you all to quiet down please?" It's a younger man and I don't think this is him; this guy looks too young.

  "Please. Thank you." He says. "For those of you that don't know me, but really who doesn't?" He grins and the crowd laughs. "I'm Aaron, Doug's youngest son."

  Well there he is and he's a fucking kid. He looks maybe twenty and he's a cocky little prick. I glance around the crowd that's gathered in front of him and finally! Tash is standing to the little prick's right and she's wearing a red wig. I have to take a drink of this nasty wine to keep from laughing. The only reason I'm positive it's her is her legs and I know that sounds bad but she's got long legs. The confirmation is she has a scar on her knee. I probably wouldn't have noticed this on my own because I don't make it a habit to check out El's friends, but once, when we were all together, her scar became the topic of conversation amongst us all.

  She winks at me and I slightly nod my head at her. I hope she knows what the fuck she's doing because I sure as hell don't. I'm ready to knock this asshole off his podium and beat him with it. I can't believe this fuck touched my girl in that way, even if he didn't hurt her his hands were on her.

  The people this man knows is ridiculous. It ranges from B celebrities to well known crime bosses. Unfortunately one of my first clients was tied up with the guy I see here tonight. Doug Teppert's a shady fuck. You can tell just by the people at this party. That and his piece of shit son.

  Finally Rayne sees Tash's date and we make our way over.

  "Todd." She hugs him and they kiss indicating there's definitely something there.