Azalie tried for one of her fake laughs, but her eyes glittered with anger. “Don’t be silly, Vette. You know I love you. You’re like a sister to me, and Richard’s like my own dad.”
“Oh really? That’s funny because I remember telling you how much I hate being called ‘Vette,’ but you keep doing it.”
“I don’t remember,” she lied.
“Yes, you do, but you decided to do it anyway because you know I hate it. That’s how you are, Azalie. Well, I’ve had enough. Yesterday was one of the scariest days of my life, and I don’t want to deal with your fake crap. Go home!”
“You don’t mean that.” A crocodile tear rolled down her cheek.
Novette shut her eyes and pressed fingers to her forehead. “Go.”
When Azalie didn’t speak for a moment, Novette expected her to quietly slink out of the dining room. After a good two minutes, Azalie laughed.
“I see what’s happening.” The cheery note in Azalie’s voice grated on Novette’s nerves. “You’re so upset, you’re lashing out. Say no more, my friend. I get it. I’m going to go home and give you some space. Then when you’re feeling better, we’ll go shopping. I’ll call you later.”
With that statement, Azalie vacated the room. Novette took some time to process the ridiculousness she had just heard and then looked up. She found Beau sitting beside, her nabbing a slice of bacon from her plate. Azalie had gone and left her daughter.
This woman! She doesn’t deserve you, baby.
Novette kissed Beau again and scooted her closer. Then she placed a couple more pieces of bacon on a plate for Beau and added scrambled eggs and a biscuit smeared with jam.
A few moments later, her grandmother walked into the room, and Beau leaped into her arms. Sheila cuddled her granddaughter and tickled her. They talked about what movie they would see together that weekend. Novette wondered what her life would be like with a daughter if she ever had one.
Her phone dinged. Warm tingles invaded her body to see that the message was from Zaid. “I have to take care of some business, but I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye. Meet me in the maze?”
She scraped her chair away from the table. “You’re taking Beau, Ms. Sheila?”
“Yes, I have her. Thanks for looking after my sweetie, Novette. Azalie is young. I’m sure she’ll figure out motherhood soon.”
“Uh huh.” Novette wouldn’t indulge the woman’s fantasies. She escaped the dining room and hurried to get her shoes on in her bedroom. After she was ready, she took the back stairs to the ballroom and left the mansion by the French doors. Daily chores kept the staff busy so no one noticed her leave. She knew the property included the top standards in security and wasn’t worried about danger as long as she stayed within the property lines.
A few steps into the maze, and she came upon Zaid. He held his arms open, and she tumbled into his embrace. His kiss made her dizzy with delight, and she settled her head on his shoulder.
“You didn’t come to my room last night. I thought you would.”
“I’m sorry. I had to take care of something.”
She ran a thumb over his cheek, just wanting to touch him. To be free to do so thrilled her. “You mean you were trying to find out who shot at us, weren’t you?”
He hesitated. “Yes. From your description of the car you saw, the police have a good lead. I don’t want to tell you this, but I also don’t want to keep you in the dark.”
“Tell me.”
“Your dad has gotten death threats because of his current client.”
She shivered. “He’s had them before, but as far as I know no one has ever tried to kill him.”
He didn’t answer.
“They have, haven’t they?”
“He has enemies.”
“I’ve never been dragged into it.”
“And that’s how Richard wanted it. He wanted to protect you and keep you safe at all times. He’s not pleased that your picture was in the news.”
“Are you sure he didn’t plan it that way? To keep me from running again? I won’t run if I think someone will come after me trying to get to him. Isn’t that what he wanted?”
Zaid moved to sit down on a bench with her by his side. “Don’t be afraid. I promise you I’ll look after you.”
“I’m scared, Zaid. I’m not used to this kind of life.”
He squeezed her hand. “You haven’t asked me if I’m involved.”
She blinked at him.
“It must have run through your mind. I told you I would figure out what we can do to be together and that I won’t run away.”
Her eyes widened. “You didn’t—?”
“Never! There’s no way I would hire some idiot to shoot at you just to keep you here. Novette, you must believe that. You’re precious to me.” He took her into his arms. She held on, loving him with everything inside, and she believed him.
“I know you wouldn’t.”
“Before the attack, how did the brunch go?”
She shrugged. “They were both ready to ask me to marry them.”
He grumbled.
“But Elon understands that it’s not happening. The other guy, who knows. He might be terrified after yesterday. Maybe he changed his mind, but I didn’t talk to him afterward. Zaid, I want to tell my dad the truth. I want him to know how much I love you and that we plan to be married. There’s no way he can get in the way.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“He might feel better about it after that mess yesterday. At least he knows you’re the one who can protect me. The way you swooped in and took care of business—you’re my hero.”
He flushed. “I was already on my way there when you texted me. I thought I would wrap my car around a pole trying to make it in time. I won’t ever allow you to be put in such a situation again.”
“What do you mean?”
He rubbed his jaw. “I don’t want to tell Richard about us yet. What I’d rather do is suggest that I take you away somewhere to keep you out of harm’s way just until the danger is past. He’ll be aware of where you are at all times and be able to call to talk to you. If he’s more worried after the shooting than he ever was, maybe he’ll agree.”
“Just the two of us together.” She could hardly keep the excitement from brewing over. “That would be amazing.”
“There’s nothing I want more than to be alone with you. But if we’re going to pull it off, he can’t know about us. I have to present it in a way that he’ll accept. I’m just looking out for his best interests. Can you agree to that?”
“Definitely. Let’s do it your way.”
Chapter 18
Azalie let out a small scream of frustration before she got a hold of herself. She looked around, but no one was nearby, thank goodness. Anger ate her alive, and she seethed so much she thought she would explode.
How dare Novette talk to her like she was common trash? Azalie had put in years of pretending she gave a crap about Novette when all she wanted was to be higher than her, better than her, and most of all richer than her. Then Novette gets mad and throws her out?
I’m going to make her sorry.
Azalie refused to leave the mansion. Instead, she walked around the grounds, trying to calm down. It wouldn’t be a good idea if she didn’t figure out how to make up with Novette. Richard loved his daughter, even if he was way overly obsessed with her. If Novette went crying to Richard about Azalie, she would find herself uninvited to the mansion.
As Azalie stomped over the lawn and ducked into the trees surrounding the property, she scoured her mind for a solution. This time, she had pushed Novette too far and made her lash out. Every time Novette got mad, Azalie was always able to make up with her.
She stopped walking in front of a familiar tree. Etched in the bark was her name and Novette’s, and the message following was BEST FRIENDS FOREVER. A sense of loss came over Azalie. She recalled sweeter times between them, a time when she liked Novette and vice versa.
Smoothing her hand over the words, she wondered when everything changed. A part of her wanted to go back to the real friendship. Temptation to stop playing games and putting on fronts came over her. Could it even happen? Could they go back? It wasn’t like Novette was a bad person.
“No, I’ve been the bad one. She’s been loyal to me, and I know she’s not stupid either. She’s not fooled, but I keep trying convince her I’m for real.”
The tree gave her feelings and memories she didn’t want to experience, so she moved on. Regardless, she kept thinking about Novette. After letting that investigator know that Zaid had found Novette and that he was about to go get her, how could she and Novette be genuine friends again?
“She doesn’t know that though. I might be able to make it right if I just keep all that to myself and do better. I know I can do better. And the money…I can get it some other way. Heck, I’m smart too.”
Voices brought her out of her head, and she ducked behind a tree. She recognized Zaid and Novette and made her way to where they sat on the bench. The two were so into each other, neither of them noticed her. She didn’t dare sneak closer in case she snapped a twig or whatever and Zaid heard.
Straining to hear, she caught Zaid’s words. ““I don’t want to tell Richard about us yet. What I’d rather do is suggest that I take you away somewhere to keep you out of harm’s way just until the danger is past.”
All thought of real friendship with Novette evaporated. Not only was Novette rich, she had the hottest guy Azalie had ever met. A few years back, Novette had confessed her interest in him. Azalie saw the love in Novette’s eyes at the time. Worse, because she knew men, she recognized how Zaid tried to hide his feelings for Novette as well. Jealousy had risen up so strong in Azalie, she’d been trying to seduce him ever since. It never worked.
Now, she found out they moved past hiding their true feelings from each other. They thought they were going to carry on a secret love affair? Not over her dead body. The two of them cooked up some type of scheme to fool Richard. Well, they were in for a rude awakening.
Azalie’s stomach stirred with disgust and anger as Zaid and Novette kissed and murmured their love for one another. While they were lost in each other’s arms, she crept away. She couldn’t make it back to the mansion fast enough to find Richard, but when she discovered he had already left for his office, she phoned him.
He answered on the third ring. “Azalie, what can I do for you?”
She heard irritation in his tone. He must be busy. No matter how busy he got, he never talked to Novette like she inconvenienced him. Azalie ran the conversation between Zaid and Novette through her mind again to stir up indignation.
“Sir, you asked me if Novette is interested in anyone, and I wanted to get back to you.”
“You found out something?” Now he sounded interested.
Azalie ground her teeth and clenched her hand into a fist at her side. “Yes, sir. I love Novette, and I don’t want to betray her trust, but I’m worried about her.”
She threw in a sniff or two and let a tremor enter her tone. He fell for it, of course. Men were so easy to manipulate.
“Don’t feel bad about it,” Richard encouraged her. “We both want what’s best for Novette. In the long run, she’ll thank you for always looking out for her.”
“If you think so…”
“I know so. Talk to me, Azalie. I won’t overlook the fact that you were the one who helped me care for my baby girl. You and Zaid are crucial in dealing with her stubborn nature. She doesn’t understand, but she doesn’t have to.”
“Okay, if you think it’s best.” She sniffed a few more times but then got right to sharing what she needed to tell him. Pushing too much would only make him mad. Richard wasn’t the most patient of men. She’d had to walk a tight rope to stay close to him during the years his daughter was missing. “It’s Zaid.”
“Zaid?” Richard sounded confused. How in the world did the man miss the love vibes coming off those two?
“Yes, it kills me to tell you this, but like I said I’m worried about Novette. Zaid has convinced her to trick you into letting him take her away to keep her safe. But really, they’re involved. He claims to love her, but I’m not so sure. I mean she’s your daughter, and maybe he thinks he’ll get a lot of money if you give her an inheritance and—”
Richard swore.
Azalie had intended to lead him toward thinking Zaid plotted to get Novette but didn’t care about her. From the way Richard was going on, she didn’t need to say more. He disconnected the call before she could ask him to keep quiet about her being the one who told him.
“It doesn’t really matter anyway unless I get her to like me again.”
She laughed, thinking about the coming explosion between father and daughter. It was early, but a desire to laze around in the hot tub while snacking came over her. In the bedroom Richard allowed her to use, she changed out of the clothes she had worn that morning into a bathing suit.
Another idea came to her, and she picked up her phone to search out a number. Scrolling through the contacts, she found the one labeled PI and unblocked it.
He answered right away with the same irritable tone as Richard.
“You don’t have to sound like that when I have information for you!”
“I don’t have time for you. I’m being investigated.”
“What do you mean investigated?” A knot formed in her belly.
“Never mind. I can’t talk to you. It’s not safe.”
“Wait, please.” She thought fast. Did she even know anything that could help him? Not really, but she wanted to stir up more trouble for Novette. If she could do that through Richard, fantastic.
He sighed. “Alright, we can meet.”
“When?”
“Now. I don’t have a lot of time.”
She kissed the leisurely soak in the hot tub goodbye. After making arrangements to meet the investigator in an hour, she redressed. She confirmed that her mom took charge of Beau, and she left the mansion in a hurry. An hour later, she pulled into a parking lot that needed to be repaved.
Azalie didn’t like the seedy-looking diner. Faded paint everywhere, torn cushions, and stained menus on the tables. She eased into a booth with caution, feeling uncomfortable. The older man across the table frowned at her.
“I don’t know why you wanted to meet here,” she griped. “It’s gross, and there’s no way they passed the health inspection in this place.”
“Surprisingly they have. This restaurant serves amazing food. I’ll treat you.”
“No thanks.”
“You’re very snobby for a working class woman.”
“I don’t need the likes of you to judge me.”
And who’s ‘working class’?
“What do you have to tell me?” he demanded. “Did you get information from Richard?”
“No. I told you I can’t get that stuff. I tried, but he doesn’t keep files at home. And getting into anything interesting at the office is impossible. Everything’s locked up, and my mom is good at her job. She’s like Fort Knox.”
“Then what do you have?”
“Zaid is thinking about going away with Novette. I can get the details for you.”
He narrowed his eyes and rubbed his jaw, thinking about the offer. Too late, Azalie realized that since she already spilled the beans about the plan to Richard, it would probably never happen. She was scraping the bottom of the barrel and had nothing the investigator could act on.
“I’m not in the kidnapping business.”
“Who do you think you’re dealing with?” she snapped. “You think I don’t know that you’re the one who tried to get those men to kidnap Novette before? It’s mighty convenient when I told you about Zaid going to get her, those men show up at her apartment just before he comes.”
“Are you trying to threaten me?”
He reached across the table but she leaned back and held up her hand. The pepper spray co
ntainer might be pink, but he recognized what it was.
“You’re too late, Ms. Grace.”
“What does that mean?”
“One of my other informants has let me know that Zaid has been looking into my affairs. He suspects me, and it’s just a matter of time before he has the authorities knocking at my door. I’m getting out of town, and you should do the same.”
“Why should I?”
“Because if he can connect my involvement in all this mess, he can connect you. I don’t squeal on those who help me, but I’m only giving you a warning that it’s possible. I’m done with Richard Kagen. I shouldn’t have gotten greedy when my client approached me about him. I regret that.”
Azalie started to think she might need to get out of there. Her scalp itched, and she kept glancing out the window. She feared police cars would start showing up at any moment.
Sharing a few secrets for money seemed tame compared to kidnapping, and she hadn’t even learned anything useful. All she had ever told this man was that Zaid found Novette for himself. But maybe the police could arrest her for trying to do wrong?
“I have to go.” She slid to the end of the booth in order to rise, but he stopped her.
“Maybe you can use this information, maybe not,” he said.
She looked at him. “What information?”
“She wasn’t just some random kid in an orphanage.”
“Huh? Are you talking about Novette?”
“Yeah. Richard Kagen knew both Novette’s mom—and her dad.”
Chapter 19
The only other occupant in the elevator vacated it. As soon as the doors closed, Zaid drew Novette into his arms to kiss her. He stroked her hair and breathed her scent in deeply. God, she smelled good, not to mention how she felt. Her slender body was so soft and curvy, he couldn’t think. All he wanted was the elevator ride to go on and on so he could continue to enjoy her.
She ran her hands over his chest and curled into his embrace. Her sweet smile did things to his insides. She pursed her lips and flicked an eyebrow up at him like she knew what he was thinking.
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