Love Drunk (Complete Series), page 38
A loud knock at the door interrupted her next words.
“It’s probably Housekeeping.” Paul twisted toward the door. “Can you come back later, please?”
The knocking persisted, and Mia’s loud command from the hallway sent a chill down her spine. “Paul, get up and open the door!”
He tossed a bathrobe at Avery and pulled on a pair of jeans. She tugged it on and followed him to the door. What the hell was going on? Mia sounded furious, but why? And why was she looking for Paul? Maybe it had to do with SportSensor…
Mia stormed in and shoved a newspaper at Paul. “You need to see this right now.” She folded her arms and focused on Avery, her caramel-colored eyes spitting fire. “I can’t believe you’d do something so deceitful. That fucking book is based on lies! You ruined Paul’s reputation and the livelihoods of so many people who never did anything to you. You watched everything crumble and never stepped up to fix it all. T.A. Powell. We’re done.” She stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Paul slowly raised his eyes. A golf ball took residence in her throat. Breathing was near-impossible. Avery wiped the palms of her hands on the soft terrycloth. No, no, no… What the hell does that article say? This can’t be happening, not when I was about to—
He held up the newspaper with a headline that made her gasp.
Exposed — CrowdRok CEO Avery Hunter, aka T.A. Powell.
“Please, I can explain—”
“Is this true? You wrote that book? About me?”
Bile rose in her throat, somehow making it past the lump that now felt more like a grapefruit. “I-I told you how important CrowdRok was to me, how I needed to make it a reality for Tara’s sake. I… she… was out of time, and I thought… I thought you—”
“So you wrote a book about how Peter Everly fucked you over. You let everyone believe it was me, and you never said a word. You knew what the media was doing to my business… to my life!”
“I was going to tell you. I didn’t want you to find out like this,” she croaked, tugging at her hair. “I went to my publisher and said I needed to come clean. I’m so sorry… You have to believe me!” Her entire body shook under his venomous stare, teeth chattering uncontrollably. This was it. She’d officially obliterated her life, and there was no way he was about to give her a second chance to destroy what was left of his.
“Because you’ve been so honest with me, right? Is that why I should believe you?” The disdain in his voice turned her blood to ice. He grabbed a t-shirt and yanked it over his head. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, and the worst one was letting myself fall in love with a fucking liar.”
The whole room shook with the force of the door slamming. Sobs rocked her body as she crumbled to the carpet. Was it really worth it? To unleash all that misdirected anger and then not face the damage she’d caused? The insecurities, the inadequacies, the resentment… it had ruined her, left her empty with no hope of ever becoming whole again.
“What the hell is going on?” Evan’s voice through the cell phone rose in alarm. “Why haven’t you called me back?”
“Do I really need to explain? You saw the paper. She’s a fraud. Evidently I’m not only a ruthless prick bastard, but also a fucking moron to boot.”
“I know you feel duped but—”
A hollow laugh escaped Paul’s mouth as he grabbed his bag from the luggage carousel. “You have no idea how much of an understatement that is.”
“What did she have to say about it?”
Paul hailed a cab outside the American Airlines terminal at LaGuardia in New York. “I didn’t stick around for a heart to heart. She deceived me in the worst imaginable way, writing that book to get revenge for something I never even did, then hiding it from me. I’ve got no interest in her fucking sob story. The one person with the power to stop it all just sat back and watched everything unravel.”
A yellow cab screeched to a halt at the curb, and he slid into the backseat. The cabbie eyed him. “Where to, pal?”
“Greenwich.”
“Maybe she was afraid of your reaction.”
“Maybe she was on to something.”
“I’m not condoning any of it, but are you willing to throw everything away because of this?”
“You know, when Androtti screwed me over, I swore I’d be more careful. It was a huge oversight and a major reason I’d never trust like that again. Blindly. Stupidly. Because leaving yourself open like that just causes issues, and I knew I had a lot to lose if it happened again.”
“That was business. This is different, and you know it.”
“It doesn’t matter. I let her in, and she betrayed me.”
“You’re in love with her, and she loves you too. Don’t you think—”
“No.” He squeezed his eyes shut, pushing out the image of Avery’s smiling face. “It’s over.”
“But she helped get SportSensor back on track…”
“Yeah, out of guilt. It’s nice she can feel remorse. Now that the truth is out, maybe she’ll get another book deal. A follow up about how she ruined people’s lives with her fabrications. At least she can be honest about the destruction she caused.”
“You’re going to regret this decision. Why don’t you just take some time and call her? Let her explain. Maybe she has reasons you don’t understand because you didn’t—”
“Look, I regret a shitload of my past decisions, but I’ve learned to live with them. I don’t give a fuck about her reasoning. She can save it for the next book, for all I care. I’ll talk to you when I get back.”
Traffic was light for a mid-morning, and the cab sped up the New York State Thruway headed toward Connecticut. Darryl’s name flashed on the screen of his buzzing iPhone. Fuck. He wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, not when he was almost face to face with the haunting memories that had consumed him for the better part of his life. Stabbing the Decline button, he made a mental note to return the call later, much later, when he was in a better place, assuming he could actually get there.
He switched his focus to the final loose end causing him angst, the reason for the impromptu trip back east. Finally, when his thoughts were about ready to explode out of his skull, the cab slowed at a stop sign on one of the side streets in Greenwich.
“That’s it on the left.” Paul tossed some bills onto the front seat.
He stared at the large, white Victorian in front of him after the cab peeled away from the curb. An icy feeling clenched his heart as he recalled the last time he’d stood in the same spot, gazing at the hellish place where he’d grown up, a reminder of the torturous existence he’d endured throughout his childhood years. On the outside, it was well-manicured, green, lush, welcoming. Picture-perfect, really. But beyond the shiny, red front door? Well, that’s where all the fear, anger, and pain lurked. The inside told a very different tale, one he’d been burying for way too long. It was time to face the demons and permanently lay them to rest. He’d already lost everything. Maybe facing the past could finally help him piece his shattered life back together.
He shuddered, slowly making his way to the porch, weeks after William’s death. Even though he was gone, Paul still relived those horrific moments. Would he ever escape?
Even a warm welcoming hug from his Aunt Margaret did little to settle his agitation. Being there, after all those years, remembering the misery of that fateful day, the screaming, the fear and the blood… all the blood.
“I’m so happy to see you, dear. It’s good you made it back.” Aunt Margaret took his hand and led him to the kitchen. Her familiar perfumed scent was anything but comforting. It had exactly the opposite reaction, and his stomach was close to revolting as they moved through the rooms. It looked exactly the same, except there weren’t broken dishes and glasses scattered on the floor, the end result of William’s fits of rage. Beads of perspiration formed on the back of his neck, and his breathing grew more and more erratic. Get it the hell together. I’m not having a fucking panic attack. He’s gone, and so is his power over me.
Aunt Margaret handed him a mug of steaming coffee once he sat down. “Your dad had cleaned himself up, sweetie, but he knew things were over once you’d left for California. Much as he’d wanted to repair the damage done, he held back. That’s why he wanted to see you one last time, to apologize for everything. The man you remember wasn’t your dad. He wasn’t the loving brother I’d known. He’d had issues that overtook his whole existence, and, because he’d succumbed, he lost everything important in his life. He regretted his actions every day.”
“I hope it haunted him until he took his last breath.”
“It did. He was so relieved when Evan came to see him, but it devastated him that you didn’t. It was his dying wish to see you one more time and make amends. Of course, he’d understood why that could never happen.”
“I know he was your brother, but he destroyed our lives. So excuse me for not caring about his dying wish.”
“I know this is hard for you. I’m sure you’re relieved he’s gone and can never hurt you again. But he was sorry, really and truly sorry. Those words alone will never make up for all the pain and anguish, but maybe one day you can learn to move past it, knowing he wasn’t the monster you remember.”
“Aunt Margaret, I—”
“Just promise me one thing, okay?”
He looked up from the mug, a pang of sadness jolting him back. “What?”
“Don’t spend any more time hating him. That anger will destroy you. You’ve moved on, you’ve made a successful life for yourself. Don’t hang on to this anymore. Make the choice to let it go. Focus on the rest of your life.”
He’d let the anger devour him for so many years and threaten any hope for happiness. All the success in the world could never fill the void. It had been a vacuous existence at best, until one person had broken through and shown him how meaningless his life had really become. She was the one, the only one who could heal him, but her ultimate betrayal had caused more destruction than anything he’d suffered at William’s hand.
Chapter 27
“How do you know if she’ll even show up?” The alarm in Tina’s voice came over the cell phone line loud and clear.
Avery hugged herself, shivering in the cool night air. The trendy but way-too-thin denim jacket really wasn’t cutting it. Or maybe it was just the impending altercation that chilled her from the inside out. “Trust me, Tina. She’ll be here because she wants to get paid.”
“I don’t like you out there alone. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
She scanned the desolate parking lot, hoping to quickly close the book on this horrific chapter. No pun intended. “I needed someplace private.”
“Are you sure about this? I mean, I know you’re trying to make up for—”
“I have to fix this. Otherwise, she’ll go to the press, and it’ll be the end of Paul and Blue Coat. I can’t let that happen. Giving her what she wants is the only way to stop it.”
“What if she doesn’t go away quietly? You’re risking a hell of lot on a freaking psycho. Have you signed the papers yet?”
“I just got the contracts. I’m meeting the principals tomorrow to discuss logistics.” It was poetic justice, really. Signing away all her hopes and dreams to save the guy who inspired the charade in the first place.
“You never wanted to sell CrowdRok, remember? You haven’t thought this through. You’re acting impulsively out of guilt, but you aren’t considering the long-term impacts.”
“Selling is the only way I can get the money I need. The royalties from the book didn’t come in as quickly as I’d hoped, and it’s not enough.” The sound of tires crunching gravel made the hair on her neck stand at attention. “I’ve got to go. She’s here.”
A black BMW 535i pulled up, and Rochelle stepped out, her long, blonde curls glinting in the moonlight. Avery clenched her fists, cringing as the nails dug into her skin, though she’d have much rather used them to claw off Rochelle’s smug smile.
“Avery.” Disdain dripped from her glossy red lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this secretive meeting?”
“Cut the bullshit. You outed me to the press.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. A little paranoid, aren’t we?”
“I know it was you, and I can prove it.” Her hands grew clammier by the second because it was a big fat lie. A reputable reporter would never reveal a source, and Avery had come up empty with all the calls she’d made over the past few days.
“You’re a horrible liar. But even if you could prove it, so what? Your sordid story is out there for the world to see. Do you think anyone will care who exposed you?”
“There are plenty of people who would be interested in your vendetta against Paul Emerson.”
“So this is all about him. Tell me, how did he take the news? I mean, knowing the woman he’s fucking ended up fucking him harder than he’d ever imagined possible.”
“I know about Androtti.”
“Ancient history.”
“Is that your play? You expose me, making Paul vulnerable to the next attack, and then put the final nail in his coffin?”
“You think you have me all figured out, don’t you?”
“I know what you’re all about, and we’re here because I want to know how much it’ll take to make you disappear. Let’s also not forget Steve Fuller is Paul’s stepdad. I don’t think you want to risk your reputation. How do you think he’d take the news that his publicist is out to screw over his stepson?”
“Like book publicity is my dream job. You think I give a shit what Steve thinks? He can’t touch me. And you, my dear, have no idea who you’re dealing with. You think it’s about money. So, so naïve.”
“What could you possibly have to gain by taking this public?”
A beat-up Dodge Daytona zoomed across the parking lot and screeched to a halt next to them. The door opened, and Darryl hopped out, his eyes darting around the expanse before settling on Avery.
“Darryl, what are you doing here? Are you okay?”
“You know this guy?” Rochelle whispered.
Avery nodded. “What’s going on?”
“You need to get out of here. Now.”
“Why? Are you in trouble?” A sudden breeze slithered under her jacket, making her body tremble. Something didn’t feel right. She chalked it up to intuition until the memory of her conversation with Paul on the beach flooded her mind. Crap, this wasn’t good. Not good at all.
His eyes focused on the path leading to the main road. “Listen, you just need to get away from here before it’s too—”
Late. Too late.
Three gleaming black Cadillac Escalades appeared out of nowhere, headed straight for them.
“Fuck,” Darryl muttered.
“Who are they?”
“I needed the money. I know I let Paul down, but I had no choice. I tried to call him but—”
“Oh God, what did you do? What do they want?” Her leg muscles twitched, ready to flee. Clutching her jacket tightly around her, realization struck. Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them back, willing herself to remain strong and alert. It might be her only chance at waking up from this nightmare.
One of the Escalades pulled up to her car. Two beefy guys hopped out and surveyed the small crowd. “Darryl, what the fuck is going on? You screwing around with these bitches? We’re here to talk business.”
“The girls were just leaving, Miguel.”
“The hell they are.” Miguel was evidently the ringleader, dressed from head to toe in black, heavy gold chains piled on his bulky chest, ridiculously large diamond-stud earrings, sunglasses. Total drug dealer thug. He approached Avery with a leering smile on his face. The look in his eyes made her toes curl. “I can think of some things they can help us with. Later.”
“Leave them out of this.” Darryl stood as tall as Miguel, but Avery could see he was shaking like a leaf on a windy day. No surprise, since Miguel outweighed him by about thirty pounds.
Miguel shoved Darryl out of the way and yanked Rochelle’s arm. A loud yelp escaped her lips. “Yeah, I can definitely see some possibilities here.”
“Get your fucking hands off me.” Rochelle found her voice and twisted away from Miguel. “I’m out of here.”
“The fuck you are, bitch!” Miguel grabbed a handful of her golden locks and jerked her backward. “You’re not going anywhere. After this meeting, you’re gonna suck my cock, and then I’m gonna fuck that hot ass of yours. But now you’ll keep that mouth shut, or I’ll give you something to scream about.”
Rochelle recoiled, eyes wide with terror.
Where the fuck are the cops? Can’t anyone save them? Avery swallowed the sob that threatened to erupt from her lungs. The cell phone was just inside her pocket. If only something diverts their attention, even for a minute, I can grab it and—
“Look, I got the stuff. Let’s finish this. I’ll get rid of the girls, okay?”
Miguel snickered. “That’s not how it works, Darryl. You should know that. I own you, and now I got these bitches as collateral, to make sure you finish the job. You feel me?”
Her eyes darted from one massive derelict to the next. She flinched at the thought of those animals laying so much as a diseased finger on her. Keep quiet, don’t make eye contact and pray really fucking hard.
The sound of Rochelle’s whimpers broke the eerie silence. Miguel backed her against one of the Escalades, running a hand up her bare leg. “Oh yeah, I’m gonna take that.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at one of the other guys. “Bennett, get Darryl and his other lady friend into the truck. Make sure they don’t do anything stupid.” He squeezed Rochelle’s backside, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream. “I’m taking this one with me.”
