Chapter 20 #2
“Do you enjoy it?”
He gave me a strange look. “Enjoy it? What do you think I’m doing, Ally?”
I stared back at him. “You’re a gangster.”
For a second, he just looked at me, and then he began to laugh as he shook his head. “You seriously think I’m working for Al Capone? That would be more lucrative.”
It was my turn to look confused. “Aren’t you?”
He let out a sigh. “No.”
“Then what are you doing that’s so dangerous?”
“You want to know the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Even if you will never look at me the same?”
I paused. What did that mean? Seeing him as a gangster had colored my opinion of him already. Could it be worse than that? “Yes.”
He shook his head and lifted one hand off the steering wheel to scratch the back of his neck.
“You have to promise not to tell a soul. I’m serious.
Not your parents, not your sisters, no one.
I’m only telling you this because I feel like I owe you something for all the trouble I’ve put you through. ”
My frown deepened. “I won’t tell anyone.” I knew how to keep secrets, even when I didn’t want to.
“I made a deal with the district attorney.”
I stared at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
He glanced in the rearview mirror, almost like he was afraid someone might be listening.
“Two years ago, I was caught doing something I’d rather not mention, and when I was arrested, I was given a plea deal.
” His voice lowered. “I could either go to prison and cause a scandal my career would never recover from, or I could become an informant to the federal government. I knew some high-profile people in the underworld, and I could use my fame as a cover-up to meet others. So, I took the deal. I’ve been working with the feds for a couple of years.
Once George Cryer and Kent Parrot are behind bars, I’m free, so I’ve been working overtime to get some dirt on them. ”
I was speechless.
“Well?” he asked.
“I don’t know what to say.” Spencer had a criminal past. He admitted it. I wasn’t sure what he had done, but it must have been bad to get him to agree to help the feds.
“I didn’t want you to get messed up in all of this.” He touched my hand lying on my lap. “I really do like you, Ally. I wish I could change my past. My only consolation is that it will all be over soon.”
I frowned. “Do you regret what happened?”
“Of course. It’s still causing problems today.”
“That’s not what I mean. Do you regret it because you’re still suffering from getting caught or because it was wrong?”
“Who said it was wrong? It was illegal, but that doesn’t make it wrong.” He smiled, trying to draw me out, but when he couldn’t get me to return his smile, he groaned. “See, I told you. You’re looking at me differently. I knew you would. I’m not a bad guy, Ally.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re not a bad guy, but you’re making bad decisions, Spencer. Your agreement with the feds might be ending, but that doesn’t mean you’re a changed man. There is right and wrong, and it doesn’t matter if it’s legal or illegal. I don’t base my morality off the federal government.”
Disappointment shadowed his face, and he didn’t say anything until we stopped in front of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. “I want to be a better man for you, Ally. I’m just not sure I can ever live up to your high standards.”
A valet appeared at the driver’s-side door, and Spencer got out before I could respond. He came around the vehicle and opened the door for me.
“I don’t want you to do it for me,” I said as I left the Rolls-Royce. “I want you to do it for yourself.”
He gave me a sad smile and offered me his elbow. “I hope you don’t hate me forever after tonight.”
I took his arm and shook my head, fighting tears. “Of course I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.”
He studied me in the dying light, his gaze troubled. Uncertain. Finally, he sighed and said, “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
I frowned as I followed him. He’d been so excited about me meeting his mother and aunt. Was he planning to tell them the truth about our relationship?
The lobby of the Beverly Wilshire was extravagant to the extreme. Large marble pillars, beautiful chandeliers, and elegant brocade wingback chairs filled the space. It glittered with well-dressed people as bellhops in stiff uniforms served drinks and moved luggage.
My gaze slid over the room as I tried to find two women who met the description of Spencer’s mother and aunt.
A pair of elderly women smiled at me, and I returned the gesture, but Spencer didn’t walk me in their direction.
Instead, we went toward the right, where an alcove was tucked into the side of the room.
There were several couples sitting there, laughing, drinking, and talking.
My breath caught as I tried to stop, but Spencer held my arm tight and continued toward our destination.
“What are we doing here, Spencer?”
“I didn’t have a choice. I want this to be over.”
“What do you mean?” I asked through clenched teeth, anger and frustration causing me to perspire.
“I need a little more information for the feds before they can be arrested,” he said quietly. “And I knew they’d have dates tonight. I need you to get close to the other women. They know more than anyone what these men are up to.”
“Spencer!” Mr. Cryer said as he lifted his glass toward us. “You finally made it.”
The others turned in our direction, and I immediately recognized several important—dangerous—men.
Kent Parrot was among them. Their dates were not what I expected.
They wore short flapper dresses, elaborate hairpieces, and garish makeup.
I knew two of the men were married, and these were not their wives.
“Everyone,” Spencer said with a proud smile that looked real, though I knew otherwise, “this is Miss Ally Bennett.”
“Miss Bennett!” one of the flappers said with awe, a Southern twang to her voice. “As I live and breathe! Kent, honey, can you talk Miss Bennett into putting me in one of her movies?”
The other girls laughed as one took a drink out of Mr. Parrot’s hand and tipped it back.
“I’ve seen several of your pictures, Miss Bennett,” Mr. Cryer said as he rose to shake my hand. “You’re even lovelier in person. Spencer is a lucky man.” He motioned to the group. “Now that Spencer and Ally are here, we can move this party upstairs.”
“Upstairs?” I glanced at Spencer, panic making my heart race.
He smiled at me as if nothing was wrong, and in that moment I realized what an incredible actor he truly was. There was no sign of worry or concern on his face. No telltale nerves or unease. He must be desperate to get the information the feds wanted.
Desperate enough to trick me into coming with him.
“What kind of a party, Spencer?” I asked him.
“The fun kind,” Mr. Parrot said with a laugh.
“Mr. Parrot always gives us a good time,” one of the flappers said as she rose to join the group. “We sing and dance until morning. It’s the most exclusive party in Hollywood, honey.”
Spencer took my arm as if he was going to lead me to follow the others, but I did not move.
“If you force me, I will make a scene,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Don’t do this, Ally. I need you to go upstairs.”
I was breathing hard, but I shook my head. “Over my dead body.”
“Is there a problem, Spencer?” Mr. Cryer asked.
“No problem.” Spencer tried to smile, but this time I saw the frustration and worry in his eyes. “I’m just telling Ally what to expect at the party.”
“I’m sorry for the confusion, Mr. Cryer,” I said, turning to him. “But I will not be joining you this evening.”
“Oh?” He frowned, and Mr. Parrot paused on his way to the elevator with a woman on each arm.
“What’s the problem, Hayes?” Mr. Parrot asked, joining us.
“I am leaving,” I said to the men, pulling my arm away from Spencer.
“Come now, Miss Bennett,” Mr. Cryer said. “We’re only having some fun. Nothing to be upset about.”
“I’m upset because I was brought here under false pretenses,” I told him, my disappointment at Spencer’s lies making me want to cry. He might owe something to the feds, but I did not.
“False pretenses?” Mr. Cryer looked between us. “Perhaps we should leave the two of you alone to work this out. When you’re ready, we’ll be in the penthouse on the fourteenth floor.”
“Thank you,” Spencer said, not taking his eyes off me. So many emotions passed over his face. Shame, frustration, disappointment. I hardened my heart, not wanting to feel anything.
As the group walked toward the elevator, I moved past Spencer to find a concierge to ask for a taxicab. Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked valiantly to keep them away.
“Ally, wait,” Spencer said as he caught up to me.
“I don’t want to talk to you again, Spencer. What you did was low and dirty—and—” I couldn’t think of anything bad enough to describe his actions.
“I asked you not to hate me.”
“Because of this or all the other lies you’ve told me?” I stopped, confused. “You used me.”
He glanced around at the people in the lobby, then took my arm to lead me to another alcove.
I pulled my arm away from him, not wanting him to touch me.
“I have never lied to you,” he said. “I might be a lot of things, but a liar is not one of them.”
“You told me that your mother and aunt were here—”
“They are in town, and they do want to meet you. This party came up unexpectedly.”
“You’re lying to those men in the penthouse.”
“That’s different.” He sighed. “I told you why I needed to be here.”
“You didn’t need to get me involved.”
“You’re right. They planned this party last minute. I thought you could get close to the women—”
“There’s nothing you can say to make this better, Spencer.” I swallowed my anger. “You betrayed me and my family. I think it would be best if we didn’t see each other again.”
“I don’t want this to be the end.” He stepped closer, and I could see the desperation in his eyes.
“Your reputation is restored. You got what you wanted.” A tear slid down my cheek, and I wiped it away in anger.
“Did I?” He swallowed and worked his jaw for a moment as he looked down. “Go home, Ally.” His voice became dry. “It was all an act anyway. I’ll see you around.”
He turned and left me in the alcove.
The rest of the tears fell against my will as I watched him walk away. I had to turn toward the wall, so no one would see me cry.
If everything had been an act, why did the pain feel so real?