Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
5 Months Later
FLYNN
I ’m lying in bed, with my phone in my hand, ready to send a message to Felisha. I can’t believe it’s been five months since that last night we spent together.
So much has happened since then, and tomorrow, we are about to fly out to Australia for Nic and Tori’s wedding. I’m thankful it’s almost over because they have both been driving us all crazy in the office. Thankfully, the scandal of my and Felisha’s sex video came and went quickly. Yes, occasionally it still gets brought up, but not often enough to care.
It’s been hard to see her from across a room and not talk to her or even give her a hug and a polite kiss on the cheek. Instead, we share stolen moments with our eyes that say everything we wish we could say in another lifetime. I hate it, but it’s how she wants it, and I have to respect that.
But the one thing I have loved is the text messaging that started after that night. Because apparently, that’s what friends do who can’t see each other, like they are in different countries or far away from each other. Except we live in the same city, but the wall between us is like we may as well be in different continents.
And like true friends, we laugh and at times have gotten quite deep and shared more than I’ve shared with anyone else, but my God, we also argue fiercely in these messages, and occasionally, there have been very heated phone calls when she is so mad at me that she can’t text fast enough to give me a piece of her mind. Those are the nights I love. Hearing her voice even if she is yelling at me. It’s like our own private little bubble that no one knows we are talking, and as far as the rest of the world thinks, we can’t stand to be around each other. If only they knew the truth.
But the main thing that sets us both off is the media attention on either of us when we are on a date. The problem is mine are just random women I take to events, but for me seeing her with that rich old man she seems to see often almost rips my heart out. I can’t cope with knowing he is touching what is mine. I spoke to Broderick, and I asked him to look into this Fulton Anderson guy a bit further, once I saw she had seen him again after the first night in St. Tropez. I don’t like what we are seeing in his background, but I have Broderick watching her at this stage, keeping her safe. Because I know if I overstep the mark with her and try to tell her not to see him, then it will backfire, and she will do the opposite.
I feel like a hypocrite because I am also still seeing other women, but nothing serious. And really, that is her fault, because if I had a choice, I would be getting serious with her. I can’t make her want me, as much as I would like to, but she makes her own choices in life. Even if I think they are wrong.
She might have told me that we can never be together, but deep down, I know she is it for me. I just have to sit back and wait for her to figure it out. The more time that passes since the scandal, the more it won’t matter anymore. Well, that’s what I keep telling myself. I even tried to convince myself that Elouise was the type of woman for me, but when that all blew up in my face too, and she ended up with Remington, I just threw my hands in the air and decided maybe I’m just not meant to be in a relationship.
The truth of the matter is I need someone who challenges me. Who pushes me and doesn’t back down. Sets my body on fire and is not afraid to take control of that too.
Scrolling through some of our earlier messages, I can’t help but laugh out loud as I read back through it. I really can be an asshole sometimes.
Flynn: So, is it serious?
Felisha: Hello to you too, Flynn. And what are you talking about?
Flynn: Fulton Anderson!
Felisha: Fuck off, Flynn.
Flynn: At least that’s not a yes.
Felisha: It’s not an answer at all, and that’s the way it will stay. We have talked about this. Don’t push the friendship by overstepping the line. I don’t ask you if every woman you take home to fuck is serious.
Flynn: Ask away, and the answer will be no, they aren’t. But also, to correct your assumptions. I don’t take any of them home to my apartment to fuck them.
Felisha: Wow, should I feel privileged?
Flynn: You felt more than privileged that night, you just won’t admit it.
Felisha: Flynn, why are you messaging me? What do you want?
Flynn: Deflection is the same as admitting I’m right.
Felisha: I’m going. I have more important things to do than sit here and message with a child.
Flynn: Then answer my question and I’ll leave you alone. Are you serious about the old gray man?
Flynn: Ignoring me won’t make me go away.
Flynn: All I’ll say is be careful. I don’t trust him and neither should you.
I didn’t get a reply on any of that, and it drove me wild. Until the next time I saw her at an event, and she had some other man on her arm, and part of me was cheering internally that maybe she listened to me.
Messaging her from across the room that same night started as me being an asshole, and by the time I was going to bed that night, we were almost sexting. She drives me fucking crazy because no matter how hard I try to ignore her or move on with my own life in some serious capacity, she makes my heart flutter, and we are right back where we are now.
Apart and longing silently for each other.
Typing away, I can still recall the memory of her in my bed. It never goes away, imprinted on my soul.
Flynn: Good evening. Just wanted to let you know I’m heading to Australia tomorrow for a few days for the wedding. Please don’t disclose that to anyone. We don’t want the paparazzi there. I’m sure you understand. But just in case you need me, here are the details of where we are staying.
Felisha: Thank you, but I won’t need you. Remember, I’m a big girl and can look after myself. Some might even say a successful businesswoman who is about to start running her own empire.
Flynn: God help the world when that happens.
Flynn: I know you don’t need me, you remind me enough of that, but it doesn’t stop me from caring about you. You can’t turn off that shit. Lord knows I’ve tried, and you have pushed my patience enough, but here we are!
Felisha: You’re an idiot. But thank you. Sadly, we will always be tied together in life from that stupid video of that night.
Flynn: Nothing sad or stupid about that night!
Felisha: Go to sleep, Flynn, sounds like you have a long flight tomorrow. Enjoy the heat and sunshine.
Flynn: Ughhh, don’t remind me. This British skin and Australian sun don’t go together.
Felisha: Then don’t go skinny dipping and you’ll be okay.
Flynn: Are you thinking about me naked?
Because I’m sure as hell thinking about her that way now.
Felisha: Goodbye, Flynn. Safe flight.
Flynn: If you’ve forgotten what that looks like, we could video call now. I would hate to leave you wondering and not able to sleep.
Felisha: Friend zone. Remember the definition. Doesn’t include anything about the word naked. Now, because you are hard of hearing. GOOD NIGHT!
Flynn: Hard… No fun. Good night.
And like I have done many nights before this, my hand slips down under the covers and finds my very hard cock that I wrap with my fist and jerk off to visions of her here with me.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the celebrant announces, and there is no holding Nic back from claiming his bride with what some might say is a near X-rated kiss.
Can’t blame the man. He has waited a long time for this, and being his friend for what feels like forever, I couldn’t be happier for him. He carried so much hate and anger around for most of his life, and it took a strong woman to crack his shell. But since Tori walked into his life, he has grown into the man he was always meant to be.
I never thought I would be jealous of him getting married, because I had declared to him so many times over the years as we lived together in Australia that I would never be the settling down kind of man. But seeing him in this moment, part of me starts to long for it more than I ever thought possible for my stone heart.
“Time for a drink, gentlemen.” Slapping both Rem and Forrest on the shoulders, I head toward the bar that is set up to the side of the ceremony on the beach before we head into the resort for the reception.
“Now that’s a plan I can get on board with.” Forrest is beside me as we walk out of the sun and look for something cold to quench our thirst.
We may only have mildly cold beer in England, but here in the country that will fry your skin on a cloudy day, the beer needs to be ice-cold to give it the full benefit of enjoyment.
Taking the first sip of beer, this cold always reminds me of the years spent in Australia. Life was simple then. Nic and I didn’t have any money, but we worked hard and loved our life here. Not that I don’t love my life now, but it’s so different, in fact the total opposite. We have more money than we know what to do with, especially Nic, and a lifestyle we only ever dreamed of.
Yet I still just can’t seem to find that place I fit.
“Always thought you would be the first one of us to get married,” I say, looking at Forrest who is standing next to me under the shade of a tree.
“Well, lucky you aren’t a betting man, isn’t it.” Both of us let out a chuckle. “Mum has been hinting hard enough that she thinks it time I ‘found’ someone to marry. Like it’s that fucking easy.” He rolls his eyes.
“What, the golden boy isn’t as perfect as she was hoping, married to the perfect wife, with the perfect two children, boy and a girl, the home with the token pet, and all round just the perfect life.” I know Mum doesn’t mean to be hurtful, but I get sick of listening to how much she would love some grandchildren like all her friends have.
“Fuck off. Nothing perfect about me, and you can always be the one to fulfill her wishes, you know.” Forrest bumps his shoulder against mine.
Thoughts are racing through my head of what my life would look like if I could ever get Felisha to look at me as more than just the guy she slept with a few times.
Would she ever want kids? I don’t know if that would be in the life she pictures for herself. If not, could I live a life without children? Although I only recently started to think about wanting a different life and imagined kids in that, would it be a deal breaker for me?
My honest answer is I don’t know.
But what I do know is you would be surprised what I would sacrifice to find out.
I mingle with the other guests and catch up with a few of our friends from living in Australia that I haven’t seen for a few years. The night has got away from us, and the four of us our now standing in the reception room together, to the side of the dance floor, watching Tori, Elouise, and Blaise dancing up a storm with the biggest smiles on their faces.
A sense of being watched washes over me, and as I glance at the door, my stomach drops in shock but also instant concern.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” slips from my lips before I have time to think.
This is the third time I have seen Felisha appear at my doorstep, not looking like her usual completely fashionably perfect self. She waves shyly at me to come to her.
Shit.
Something is wrong.
“I’ll go,” Rem’s stern voice comes from beside me as he is about to march across the room.
“No! This is my mess. Let me be the one to sort out the next chapter. Apparently, my life is not just a news story but a fucking novel with way too many plot twists for my liking.”
Storming across the room as fast as I can without causing a scene, I’m wondering who I need to take down.
Because for her to show up here and be looking like she is, someone has hurt her, and when I find out who it is, I will happily destroy them for her.
“Felisha, what are you doing here, what’s wrong?” Taking her by the hand, I lead her outside to a quiet place where the palm trees are gently blowing in the sea breeze and the moonlight is reflected softly on the water.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. You told me where the wedding was just in case something happened, and I didn’t want to give away the secret, but I just felt so lost and needed you.” She can’t hold her tears back, and I can’t help but pull her into my arms, letting her sob freely but also to feel safe doing it.
After she starts to pull herself together, I can’t help asking her more questions. “Are you okay, are you in trouble, what can I do to help?” Fuck, I wish she would just tell me what is going on.
“I was in such shock, I just bought a ticket on a commercial flight and left because I didn’t know what to do.” Surprisingly, she has hardly any makeup on and just a small overnight bag at her feet.
“Shock from what? What the hell is going on?” I know it’s something big, because Felisha Kentwall doesn’t do commercial flights, that’s what her family’s private jet is for.
“It’s my father. My own father was the one who filmed me with you and tried to blackmail us both. He sold his own daughter’s body. My body!”
Rage runs wild through my body, and I want to rip that pathetic old man’s throat out.
“All to stop me from taking over the company on my fortieth birthday as planned in the articles of association that govern the way the company is run. They were put in place by my grandfather before he died, and my father hasn’t been able to change them. If he couldn’t stop it, then he would bury me instead.” The tears start to dry up as she looks at me. I can tell all she needs is someone on her team who has the power to help her.
I can be her strength!
And that’s why she flew halfway around the world to find me, because I’m the only one who truly understands how she feels.
“The only person who is going to regret this tape ever being made is your father!” My voice is no longer full of softness and compassion for her. That’s not what she needs.
She needs me to be the man she submitted to that night.
“Are you ready to fight?” I ask, putting my hands on her shoulders and standing her up straight.
“I am now!” Her beautiful eyes light up again, and I know it’s game on!
All I want to do is take her in my arms and kiss the hell out of her, telling her it will all be okay and I will fix this, but that’s not what she needs from me right now.
“I asked you once before, but I’m going to ask you this once more.” I look into her eyes to make sure she sees the real me. “Do you trust me?”
And I don’t mean right now or just with this one thing she needs. With her, with her life, and her precious broken heart. I want to be the one to piece it back together and then wrap it up nicely with the protection she needs.
I’m done standing back and waiting for her to see what is in front of her. It’s time to show her what she needs and convince her that she can’t be without me in her life. I won’t back away this time.
“My answer is the same. Yes, I’ve only ever felt this kind of trust with you.” I know she trusts Harper too, but that is a different type of trust we are talking about, and Felisha knows that.
Pulling her into my arms, I give her the tightest hug but pull back far quicker than I want to because we have things to sort out. If I don’t tell the guys what’s going on shortly, they will be out here, and we aren’t quite ready for that yet.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I push the call button on Rem’s name.
“Give me an hour, then you and Broderick in my room, we need to talk. And tell Nic there is nothing to panic about. Enjoy his wedding, I’m fine, and Felisha will be too. This will be a work-in-progress.”
Hearing Rem’s voice, I don’t even wait to hear what he is saying, I just hang up on him. Leaning down, I pick up her bag in one hand and take her hand with the other.
“Come with me. You need a shower and something to eat. Then we will talk.” I don’t even give her time to argue as we walk down the path toward where our bungalows are. But the squeeze of her hand in mine lets me know that she’s happy to follow.
Opening the door, I continue straight through to the bathroom that is a full-sized room. Nic has rented out the whole resort for the wedding, and of course, all the best accommodations were used for his close friends and family.
“I can run you a bath if that’s what you would prefer, or is a hot shower what you need?” I place her bag on the floor next to the large egg-shaped stone bath.
“Shower to wash off this mess.” She waves her hand up and down her body.
“You are beautiful no matter what you look like. Don’t let anyone ever make you feel any different.” It takes all the restraint I have to place a slow kiss on her forehead and walk out of the bathroom. Because I know the moment my lips touch hers, there is no going back, and now is not the time for that.
“Take your time,” I call over my shoulder as I close the door and take a huge deep breath, trying to calm my racing anger.
What the fuck! I mean. What. The actual. Fuck!
Who would do that to their own daughter?
There has to be more to this. Surely.
No wonder we couldn’t find the source of the video because it never came from outside the company. It was internal all along. We had suspicions of that but not anything like this. We thought maybe a disgruntled employee that got paid off for access to Felisha’s room or even a stalker she never gave the time of day to.
But to video your own daughter having sex, then watch it and share it with the world is all kinds of fucked-up weirdness.
All over losing control of the company, it makes no sense. He will still be insanely wealthy, and it’s not like Felisha would cut him out altogether I would assume, she just doesn’t seem the type. But then again, I’ve seen people do strange things for money. Although I have to say, this would have to be the obscenest thing I’ve ever come across.
Her father must have felt he hit the jackpot when I walked into her hotel room that night. He had the perfect video to use against her that would also try to discredit my reputation and the reputation of Darby Hotels too. Greater leverage for him. But thinking about it now, he never wanted to use just the blackmail against her. He was always going to release this to the world because he needed to make Felisha look bad.
I can only imagine what she has been putting up with behind closed doors all these years. That last night she turned up at my apartment, Harper had hinted at Felisha’s father doing something to her, but she wouldn’t share it with me and neither would Felisha. No matter how hard she is hit, she still holds her integrity and keeps her pain close to her chest. But if I’m going to help her, I need to know it all. Tell me who the real Ewan Kentwall is and not the man the public sees.
The anger I’m feeling has me seeing red, and I’m struggling to control it. I’ve never wanted to kill someone before, but right now, I have a feeling if he were here, I would do just that. But to be honest, that would not punish him enough. I have another thought, and with the way he has acted, this will hurt him more. And that’s all I want, to make him pay for what he has done to Felisha. I don’t care about myself; she will always be the most important person in my world.
Hearing the shower finally running, I order some room service and send special instructions to the chef. He is a friend of mine that I worked with in Sydney and I’m sure is happy to oblige.
Grabbing my laptop from the safe, I start looking back over all the files that Broderick had compiled so far in relation to the video, Ewan Kentwall, and anyone that has any connection to Felisha. Scrolling through the files, a smirk comes across my face when I see the name Fulton Anderson. He may have seduced her, but when it came to real life, she is here with me.
I win, asshole.
You won’t ever get to touch her again. That I can guarantee.
The water has stopped, and I can hear her moving around in there and the hairdryer going, so I know it won’t be long before she is ready.
I take the bottle of the most expensive Macallan scotch that we had here in my room especially for the shots we all did before we walked down to the wedding with the groom, and I pour myself another shot. I need to calm my rage before Felisha walks out of the bathroom and be the one in control of planning how we are going to fix this and protect her from any more hurt.
Thankfully, the guys understood that I didn’t want to be disturbed, and my phone hasn’t been blowing up, but I can bet that both Rem and Broderick will be pacing outside my room counting down the minutes until the hour has passed, and then they’ll be coming through my front door whether I’m ready or not. I’m not stupid, I know Forrest will be there with them, and I bet they will struggle to keep Nic away.
My nerves are all heightened, and I can’t sit any longer. I pace the room until the noise in the bathroom has disappeared, and then very gently, the door opens. Out steps a broken and fragile woman who may look more put together on the outside than when she arrived, but I can see in her body language that it will take much more than a warm shower and a clean outfit to take away her heartbreak.
With just a floral sundress and bare feet, her hair pulled up on top of her head in a loose knot and just a small amount of makeup, she looks like she has just walked straight off the beach after a photoshoot. She could have made a life as one of the top models in the industry without even trying, but I know that would never have been enough to challenge her amazing intellect. She needs to be running the world on a daily basis, otherwise she would go crazy. That’s who she is.
“I’m sorry I ruined your friend’s wedding.” Her words are so soft that I can tell her confidence is at an all-time low.
“You didn’t. You’ll learn that we tend to live off the crazy in this little family.” And I’m not even lying. No matter how much we try, there is always something that seems to send off the explosion in the middle of the normal.
“Well, I don’t just do crazy, apparently I bring the insane as my baggage.”
Taking a few steps further into the room, I stride toward her quickly and take her hands in mine. “Luckily, I always love to take anything to the next level. So, bring on the insanity.” Walking backward, I bring her with me until we reach the couch.
Her huff at my words just makes me smile. She must have understood that the moment she landed in Australia it was game over with her rules. I’ve walked away twice, and as they say, third time lucky. Well, the universe just gave me the chance I needed.
“Before we start, who knows you are here?” I want to know every minor detail from the beginning, and I need to start with this.
“Just Harper and Imala, my personal security who is on my payroll, not my father’s. They are going to keep my father thinking I’m still in London, and then St. Tropez. I’m actually here illegally.” She looks down into her lap now.
“How?” Not sure I want to know the answer to that question, but I ask it anyway.
“Harper, for reasons that aren’t mine to share, is paranoid when it comes to fathers. Apparently, she has never trusted mine. So, a few years ago, she had a fake passport made for me, and when everything fell apart yesterday, she threw me on the first commercial flight out of Heathrow she could find and told me to hold it together until I got to you.” Shrugging her shoulders at me, I can’t help but start laughing.
“I don’t know Harper, but I fucking love her already. She sure doesn’t look like it, but she is one badass woman.”
“Oh, you have no idea. Don’t cross her, or you will live to regret it.”
“I don’t doubt it. But can I tell you one thing?”
She nods at me, and I can’t help it, I’m done not touching her. Reaching across on the couch, I lift her up and place her in my lap, wrapping my arms around her for a moment before I take her face in my hands.
“She won’t regret putting you on that plane, because I will never give her a reason to. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes,” she whispers.
“Tell me why, Felisha, I need to hear the words.”
Her eyes flutter, and I can see the slight flush on her cheeks at us being so close. She doesn’t want to answer but knows I won’t give up until she does.
“Because you will protect me.”
“And?” I push her not because I want to make her uncomfortable but because my fucking head needs to hear the words.
“I need you. Okay? I fucking need you!” she yells at me, and my whole body feels alive.
“Yes, you fucking do!” I growl back at her before I take her lips in the kiss that I have been aching to give her since the moment she stood in that doorway earlier.
Breaking apart, we are both panting, and I want to show her all the ways she needs me, but I can’t. Later, though… there will be no holding back.
“I’ve got you, princess.” I kiss her softer and then shift her so she is more comfortable, nestled into my arm, and her legs are resting along the couch.
“Now start at the beginning, I want to know everything.” I run my hand up and down her arm softly to comfort her.
“I feel so stupid. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran.” Her timidness is so not the woman I know.
“You weren’t running. You were coming to me.” I squeeze her arm a little and reassure her. “And now we fight together.”
For the first time, I see a small slither of relief on her face as she nods.
“Now start talking, woman.” I need to know what I’m dealing with.