Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Brielle
The clients who hired me always saw me in disguise. Long brown hair, emerald-green eyes, and a face full of makeup. Never did I allow any of my clients to see my true self. The last thing I needed was for them to recognize me on the street. Plus, it was safer that way. I also kept them from knowing my real name: Brielle Winters. They only knew me as Emmy Pine. You have connections when you’re in the kind of business I am. Connections that allowed me to obtain a fake ID, credit cards, and bank accounts in my business name.
“Now you be good for Grandma.” I smiled as I brushed a strand of Stella’s hair out of her face.
“I always am.” She grinned.
“I love you, and I’ll see you in a couple of days.” I hugged her tight.
“I love you too, Mommy.”
“Have a safe trip, honey,” my mom spoke as she hugged me.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Every time I left Stella, I felt a pain in my heart, which never got easier. I grabbed my suitcase and bag, headed out the door, and down to the lobby, where Ben waited for me. Sitting in the back of the car, I did my makeup and put on my wig.
“Have a safe trip, Brielle. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Thanks, Ben. I’ll see you in a couple of days.” I smiled as I climbed out, and he shut the door behind me.
Walking into the airport, I checked in, made it through security, and took my seat in first class, compliments of Derek Willows. He had been a long-time client of mine. Four years to be exact. He was the CEO of Willow Vineyards in California. We met when I was out there with another client of mine. It was convenient for him, and I only saw him when he traveled. He was in his mid-fifties, six feet tall, with salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He and his wife Trish had been married for twenty-five years with four children. We had become close friends over the past four years. I was his escape. Something he desperately craved. He could talk to me about things he couldn’t with his wife, which took some of the pressure off him. That was what most of my clients told me. It just wasn’t always about the sex. Most of the time, it was about understanding and being there to listen to them.
When I arrived in Texas, a car was waiting to take me to the Rosewood Manor on Turtle Creek Hotel. When I entered the lobby, I saw Derek looking dapper in his designer navy blue suit.
“Hello, darling.” He smiled as he took my hands and kissed my cheek.
“Hello, Derek.” I returned his smile.
He took my suitcase and bag from me, and we took the elevator to his suite.
“Nice,” I said as I looked around. “So, how’s Trish doing?”
“She’s Trish,” he spoke as he walked over to the bar and poured me a glass of red wine. “Devon moved out, and now it’s just the two of us in that big house, so you can imagine how things are. It’s like we don’t even know each other anymore. Anyway, how are you?”
“I’m good.” I smiled.
“Business going good?” he asked.
“Yes. Business is really good.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that. Tonight’s event is formal, so I rented a dress for you in the closet and some jewelry in a box on the dresser.”
“Thank you, Derek.”
He took the glass from my hand and set it on the table. Bringing his hand up to my face, he softly kissed my lips.
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve had sex, so I’ve been looking forward to this since I booked you.”
After our romp in the sack, he ordered room service for us, and we chatted about what was going on in his life and his business before we were to attend the event. While he showered, I touched up my makeup and brushed through my brown hair. After slipping into the strapless black form-fitted dress in the closet, Derek took the diamond necklace from the box and slipped it around my neck.
“You look as beautiful as always, Emmy.”
“And you look as handsome as always.” I smiled as I straightened his bow tie.
The thing with these business events was that I was never the only escort in the room. These types of men always brought companions while their wives sat at home. They had a guy code: I won’t tell if you won’t.
The event was being held outside in the garden area, which was astoundingly beautiful. Waiters and waitresses carrying trays of champagne and hor d’oeuvres were dressed in black form-fitting suits. Round tables that seated eight were set up with white linen and fine china.
“Derek, it’s good to see you,” a devilishly handsome man said as he approached.
“Caden. How are you? I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
“It was a last-minute thing,” he spoke as his eyes raked over me. “Is she with you?”
“Yes, forgive me. Caden, this is Emmy. Emmy, this is Caden Chamberlain.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He slyly smiled as he extended his hand.
“And you as well, Mr. Chamberlain.”
His fingers wrapped around my hand as his eyes stared into mine. A few moments later, everyone was called to take their seats.
“We’re at table fourteen,” Derek spoke.
“So am I.” Caden grinned.
Derek and I took our seats, and Caden sat on my other side. I wasn’t going to lie and tell you that I felt comfortable because I didn’t. Mr. Chamberlain made me very uncomfortable. I didn’t know if it was the way he stared at me with hunger or that he was one hell of a sexy man. He was approximately thirty and stood six foot two with sassy light brown hair. He kept it shorter on the sides and a medium length on top, which was swept up, giving him an edgy look. His masculine jawline sported a neatly kept five o’clock shadow, chiseled cheekbones, and deep blue eyes. I’d seen many sexy men, but no one had ever caught my attention like Caden Chamberlain.
After dinner, I got up and headed into the hotel to use the ladies’ room before the guest speakers took their turn. When I finished, I couldn’t find Derek anywhere, so I went to the bar to get a drink.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked.
“I’ll have a gin martini, neat, with a twist of lemon.”
“Excellent choice,” I heard a voice say next to me.
When I glanced over, I saw Caden leaning up against the bar with a smile.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have the same except no lemon,” he told the bartender.
“You haven’t by any chance seen Derek, have you?” I asked.
“His phone rang, and he walked away to take the call. I haven’t seen him since. Did he hire you to spend the weekend with him?”
The bartender set our drinks down, and I quickly grabbed my glass and brought it to my lips.
“That’s something you’ll have to ask him yourself,” I replied.
He stood there with his drink and narrowed his eyes at me.
“I don’t have to ask him. I already know because there’s no way someone as gorgeous as you would hook up with that old geezer unless you were getting paid.”
I raised my brow at him as I sipped my martini.
“There you are.” Derek ran over to me in a panic. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back to California. Trish had a heart attack, and they’re taking her into emergency surgery.”
“Oh my god, Derek. I’m so sorry.”
“If anything happens to her, Emmy.”
I reached out and grabbed hold of his hand. “She’s going to be okay, Derek.”
“Caden, when are you leaving here?” he asked him.
“Tomorrow morning. Why?”
“Can Emmy fly with you back to New York?”
“That’s okay, Derek. I’ll book a flight.”
“No,” Caden spoke. “You’re welcome to fly back with me on my private jet.”
“It’s fine. I’ll pull up the flights now.” I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone.
“I said you’re flying back with me,” he spoke authoritatively. “There’s no sense in paying for a ticket change when you can fly for free.”
“Thank you, Caden. I have to run. Emmy, I’ll be in touch, darling.”