Beauty and the Boss, page 18
“If I’m being unfair, then I’ll be going, so good luck to
you.”
“Yeah. Right. Don’t try to bullshit someone like me, lady.
It’s hilarious.” He spoke with his mouth full, which made him
even more disgusting. That he’d had that many women in
his past amazed her, and it proved that some women really
didn’t have a lot of pride when it came to a pretty face and
a cute ass.
She got up and ordered a Lyft, wanting out of this place.
They’d have to find some other way to get this done,
because she was tired of dealing with Kyle and his stupidity.
The car was five minutes away, so she hoped none of the
shady-appearing characters milling around outside mugged
her before the guy got there. She heard the jingle of bells on
the deli door cut through the noise outside but kept her
eyes on her phone and the map of where her ride was. At
moments like this she wondered why the hell she hadn’t
taken up smoking.
“Come on, Jennifer. You proved you can pull a bluff. Let’s
get back inside and finish this,” Kyle said as the car she’d
ordered pulled up.
Jennifer got in without another word. When they’d come
up with this plan, she knew it had too many moving parts.
Nothing that depended on people like Kyle Snyder was a
sure thing. “Dalton,” she said as they neared the bridge
that’d take her back downtown. “Where are you?”
Dalton sounded sober, and since it was fairly quiet on his
end, he was either at the condo or still at his attorney’s
office. He’d actually gone to the appointment she’d been
after him to make for the past year. Only now that he was in
the process of getting a divorce, her interests had cooled.
“I had to meet Kyle this morning, and he flaked out on
me, so have we heard from our silent partner?” She rested
her head back and closed her eyes. That night months
before, when Dalton had told her all the stuff he’d found and
how they could take Ellis for everything, it’d seemed way
too easy. The excitement of it had made her oblivious to the
consequences, but now no matter where she was, she felt
like she was dragging one of those old ball and chains. It
was like she was guilty and that’s all she deserved, to drag
around her crime with the menagerie of people she’d invited
into her life.
“You know that’s dangerous, and we promised we could
handle our end. Meet me at the condo, and we’ll talk about
it.”
“No. Meet me at Tao for lunch. I’m tired of being cooped
up.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in less than an hour, and stay off the
phone. Whatever happened, we’ll figure it out.”
The weight of men telling her what to do and not do was
starting to smother her, so she dialed the number. “Our
slimy little bird just tried to shake me down, so what’s next?
And if you can’t talk, call me back.” The person had
answered like she was a telemarketer.
“I’m not interested.”
The line went dead, so hopefully it wouldn’t be too long
before she got a call back. She handed over a ten a half an
hour later, when they reached the restaurant. All the cloak-
and-dagger crap was making her tired, so she stepped
inside and walked to the bar. It was early, but drinking
seemed to get Dalton through the day, so she was willing to
chance it.
“I’ll take a beer. Whatever you’ve got on tap.” She
dropped her purse at her feet and covered her face with her
hands.
“Either I’m rubbing off on you, or you’re upset about
leaving me behind.”
Having someone speak directly into her ear almost
knocked her off the stool, and in reflex she struck out,
aiming for the throat like she’d learned in all the self-
defense classes her father had insisted on. She kept her
hands up in a ready position in case she had to go again,
but she relaxed when she saw Kyle gasping for air with his
hands on his throat.
“What the fuck did you do that for?” Kyle wheezed out,
still bent over in obvious pain.
“Did you follow me here?” She dropped her hands but
stayed on her feet just in case.
“Do you need me to call the cops?” the bartender asked.
“No. I think my friend will behave. Bring him a beer to
soothe his feelings.” She sat and took a sip of her drink.
“Why are you here? I’m not telling you anything more than I
have to, and I thought that was a deal breaker.”
“Yeah, I followed you.” He glared at her, his voice not
back to normal. She had to send her instructors a bottle of
wine for the lessons on how to deal with potential attackers.
“Do you not have a fucking sense of humor?”
“Considering you haven’t said anything remotely
humorous, I’m not laughing. I guess we don’t find the same
things funny. Again, why are you here?”
“I’ll do whatever you want, however you want it done. It’s
not like I give a shit why you’re doing all this crap.”
“That’s good to hear, but now the price is forty.”
He took a step toward her, but so did the bartender, so
he stopped. “It’s fifty.”
“It was fifty, and then you got ahead of yourself. Now it’s
forty, and if you don’t like it, don’t like it, but if you say
anything else but that you’ll do what I say, the price will
keep going down. You don’t honestly think you’re so
important to me that I can’t get what I want without you?”
“You seem pretty hot for my help.”
“There’s always an easy way to do something, and
another way to do it. You’re the easiest way, but I have
other options, so it’s either forty or you get the fuck out of
here and stop bothering me.”
“Okay, forty, but I won’t go lower than that.”
“Don’t worry so much, Kyle. If you do a good job, I won’t
forget it. You know what I want, so keep your head on
straight.”
“I called again last night, but she didn’t budge. She’s
taking her job real serious, and she’s not about to screw it
up.” He continued to rub his throat but downed his beer
quickly.
“I don’t have children, but I hear most women will do
pretty much anything to protect their kids. We simply have
to remind your ex as many times as it takes what she’s got
to lose. That alone should soften her up for the next part.”
She reached down for her bag and dug out a business card.
“Give this guy a call, and make an appointment. He’s
expecting you, so all you need to do is show up and make
your next call.”
He took it and stared at it like it was written in a foreign
language. “What happens if I win this thing?”
“She’s your kid, so figure it out.” She saw Dalton walk in
and looked at him, trying to stop him from coming over. “Is
there a problem with that? Once you collect the money,
you’ll be able to provide for her.”
“No, there’s no problem, so don’t forget our deal.”
“You’re memorable enough to make that impossible.”
Kyle pointed his middle finger at her, and she laughed as
she watched him go, prompting Dalton to join her. His smile
made her remember a little of what had attracted her to him
—he was handsome in that rugged-man sort of way. He
seemed overly pleased with himself, and when he held up
the magazine he’d brought with him, she could see why. The
signature piece of Ellis’s show had made the cover of a
special addition of Styles and Trends, and she wished she
could witness Ellis’s reaction once it hit the stands.
“Benson and Raymond are two of the biggest assholes
I’ve ever met, but hell if they didn’t come through for us,”
Dalton said, handing it over.
“This should bring them up in the world, while blowing
Ellis’s all to hell.”
“Who gives a shit about anything but that this brings us
one step closer to our goals.”
“There’s plenty left to go, so don’t start celebrating yet.
Ellis won’t just lay down and die, so we have to turn up the
heat.” She smiled at the bartender when he brought two
more glasses. “I’ve got little Kyle rubbing two sticks
together now, and when I’m done it’ll be an inferno.”
* * *
“Do you understand what you need to do?” Bill asked
Charlotte while she sat next to Ellis. “I’ll do whatever you
want, but my goal will be for him to give up his parental
rights.”
“Can I talk to Sawyer about it first? If she still wants him
in her life, I won’t deny her that.” Charlotte reached for
Ellis’s hand and gripped it.
“I’m here as long as you need me, so go do whatever you
two need to do, and I’ll get started on all this.”
“Thanks, Bill. We’ll call you later, but we’ve got to get
going,” Ellis said.
They walked out of the suite Bill had reserved at the
Piquant and went down a floor to get Sigrid. The team was
already at the park setting up, along with the show’s crew.
Charlotte stopped her before she knocked on Sigrid’s door
and put her arms around her.
“We need to get going,” Ellis said, but didn’t let go.
“I just need a minute to say thanks.” Charlotte lifted her
head off her chest and smiled. “Aside from my parents, no
one has ever gone out of their way for me like this.”
Charlotte had an air of wholesomeness, but it had been
forever since she’d seen someone with such physical
beauty. She’d noticed that the first day they’d met, but
Charlotte was more than just a pretty face, as the old saying
went. “Give him double the hell he’s giving you, and don’t
settle for anything less than what you want,” she said,
caressing Charlotte’s face gently with her knuckles.
The touch of her fingers made Charlotte close her eyes
as if she wanted to savor it, and when she opened them
again she couldn’t help but lower her head and kiss her. It
wasn’t a good move, of that she was certain, but Charlotte
did something surprising and held her in place and moaned.
The last thing she wanted now was to break apart, but this
wasn’t the best spot for a first kiss.
The door behind them opened, and Ellis raised her head,
recognizing the laugh. “Taking it pro, I see,” Brandi said as
she closed the door on what Ellis assumed was a client.
“Not exactly, but it’s nice seeing you again,” she said,
hoping Brandi would take the hint and go.
“Hi, I’m Charlotte.” Charlotte combed Ellis’s hair back
before holding her hand out.
“Brandi.” The two women shook hands as Ellis looked on,
afraid the calm of her peaceful morning was about to end.
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte, but I have to run. See you
soon, I hope, Ellis.”
“I’ll call you.”
Brandi left with a smile and a shake of her head, which
Charlotte seemed to notice since she hadn’t taken her eyes
off her. Charlotte didn’t turn to face her until Brandi
disappeared around the corner. “Pro?” she asked and
laughed. “I never took you for the type, Ms. Renois.”
“I’m not the type, Ms. Hamner, but I’m sure Brandi
doesn’t mind people knowing she’s a pro.” She remembered
Amis’s honesty policy and didn’t lie.
Charlotte peered at her like she was dying to ask another
question, but she completely surprised her by stepping back
into her arms. “When we’re finished today, I’d like to talk to
you about that kiss and something else.”
“Sure, and I’m sorry if I was out of line.”
“The tabloids have linked you with enough women for
you to know when one doesn’t mind being kissed. It wasn’t
out of line, if you’re worried.”
“You aren’t a summer fling, if that’s what you’re worried
about. I’d never do that to you.”
“I know, but let’s get to work and have this talk
somewhere other than this hallway.”
Sigrid rode with them to the park, and Ellis introduced
Charlotte to the anchor covering the story before they sat
down on one of the benches on the carousel for the
interview portion. Sierra sat close by, out of camera range,
and took notes as Ellis talked about the theft of her entire
line. That conversation lasted five minutes, and the woman
sent the segment back to New York so they could set up the
next one.
The models came down the ramp the park had set up off
the carousel and totally wowed the other correspondent that
covered the fashion-industry segments for them. After two
more breaks, they ended with Sigrid walking down the ramp
wearing the white strapless sheath dress with a slit and a
small train. The makeup artist had accentuated the dress’s
simplicity by slicking Sigrid’s hair back and doing her lips in
a brilliant red.
With Sigrid’s height, the dress looked like it’d been made
specifically for her, and Ellis stood to take her hand when
she joined them on set. The two reporters treated Sigrid like
royalty but finished with a few questions for her. They were
done and were picking everything up when the producer
Ellis had met with came running up.
“Ellis, would you sit for a few more questions?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Charlotte seemed to realize that whatever the woman
said next wouldn’t be good, so she stood next to her and
held her hand as if to take some of the blowup. The other
thing she noticed was how Rueben’s attention stayed glued
to Charlotte.
“We just got an advance copy. Styles and Trends is hitting
the newsstands later today with a special publication of your
line. The entire line, Ellis, and I can’t tell you how sorry I
am,” the producer said, sounding empathetic. “We’ve been
okayed for another five minutes if you’re up for it.”
“I’ll be happy to,” she said, knowing that refusing wasn’t
an option after what these people had done for her. She’d
beaten Jennifer and Dalton by only the slimmest of margins,
so she’d give her saviors the exclusive.
“Great. We’re a go in ten.”
“Why in the hell would that bitch give it to those idiots?”
Amis said, her face a perfect image of rage. “That damn
rag, of all her choices.”
“Jennifer got plenty of lessons from Dalton or someone
on using the venue that would inflict the most damage to
my ego, I guess.” She took some deep breaths and tried to
bury her own anger.
The fashion reporter joined the interview, and between
the two women they reviewed the facts and how Ellis felt
about the unfolding events. The show had used their ten-
minute lead-up well and had dragged up all the bad blood
between her and Benson Norwood and Styles and Trends.
“Benson Norwood and Raymond Nixon have both said
they were within the law by publishing your book because
someone gave it to them anonymously,” the anchor said.
“I’m sure everyone on both sides thinks they’re within
their rights. Only time will tell, but I hope both Norwood and
Nixon appreciate the hours and sweat and work that went
into the book they hope to cash in on.” She leaned forward
and put her hand over her copy of the bible. “You need to
realize that something done as an apparent shot against me
affects everyone who works for me, everyone who’d be
hired to make the clothes, the workers who make the fabric,
zippers, and so on down the line. In this case, revenge
doesn’t work in a vacuum. To get to me, you fire one shot,
and that’s fine, but this cannon blew up the entire
landscape. Innocent people will lose out on this, and for
what?”
“What happens now?”
“Now isn’t the time for cowards, so hopefully I’ll see you
both on the last night of Fashion Week. The rest will take
care of itself, since my mother taught me plenty about
karma.” Saying the words triggered the fighting spirit in her,
which made her look past the anchor’s shoulder at Charlotte
and Sawyer. Battles were never pleasant, but easier when
someone stood next to you.
“So this isn’t the end?”
She smiled. “Not by a long shot, ladies.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
