Chapter 26 #2
Clark glanced over at him and nodded. He was leaning forward, trying to get the bartender’s attention. “Josh said you had information about the election.”
“Actually, do you mind if we go over and sit in the corner. There are too many…ears here.”
The fact that Dylan didn’t want to speak out in the open had caught Clark’s attention. He straightened up. “Well, sure, we can chat privately.” He smiled at Dylan.
Dylan had to jam his hands in his pockets to avoid punching Clark’s face. The man strutted across the lobby with Dylan a step behind. They settled into chairs in the far corner away from the crowds.
“So, what information do you have for me?” Clark asked.
“Nothing. I have information about you.”
Clark frowned. “I don’t understand. I thought you wanted to talk about the election.”
Dylan glared at Clark. “I know you have a history with women.”
Clark’s face flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.” Dylan had no proof, but his gut told him this guy was a slimeball. He just needed confirmation, and he was pretty sure he could bluff Clark into admitting he was Raleigh’s stalker.
Clark stood up. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to baseless accusations.”
“Sit down!” Dylan roared.
Clark’s mouth dropped open. He quickly looked around the lobby. People were staring.
“Sit down before I put you in that chair.” Dylan’s voice was quieter but had a menacing tone.
“You can’t—”
“If you don’t sit back down, I’ll tell the world what I know.” Dylan had risen. He had a couple of inches on Clark but, more importantly, he had a lot more muscle, and right now he was doing everything possible to stop himself from using it.
Clark must have read the danger in Dylan’s eyes because he sat back down, but it didn’t stop him from mouthing off. “Do you know who I am? Who my friends are? You can’t speak to me this way.”
“I can speak to you any way I damn well please. You’re a suspect and I’m just here questioning you until help arrives.”
“Suspect? For what? Who complained? Was it that cleaning woman? She flirted with me. I didn’t instigate anything. I can’t help it if women find a man of my stature intoxicating. She practically threw herself at me.”
He had no clue what Clark was talking about, but silence often led to confessions. People always rushed to fill the void. He just stared at Clark.
Clark glared back but soon shifted in his chair. “I need a drink. Wait, was it the waitress? She practically rubbed her tits in my face. It was an obvious invitation. Then she acted all upset when I touched her. She shouldn’t have had them hanging out if she didn’t want attention.”
Dylan couldn’t believe his ears. The skeeve factor blew up exponentially. How many women had this guy harassed in a weekend? “You did all that and still had time to torture Raleigh? You are some piece of work.”
“Torture Raleigh? What are you talking about?” Clark looked genuinely confused. “Did someone come on to Raleigh? She did look magnificent in that green bikini.”
Blood rushed to Dylan’s head. He was having a hard time controlling his temper. “You have been stalking Raleigh all weekend,” he ground out.
“Well, I wouldn’t call it stalking. I mean, I did seek her out at dinner the first night. She is the PR person you know. I need to be seen. And I admit I did scan the pool to find her but, really, that’s hardly stalking. She’s an attractive woman. She should expect attention.”
Dylan blinked. What was this asshole going on about? “You wrote her threatening notes. You broke into her place and moved stuff around. You—”
“Are you out of your mind? I would never take that kind of a risk! Do you know what that would do to my political career? It would be suicide!”
Fear shot through Dylan’s stomach. As much as he wanted to think Clark was lying, he could tell by the horror on Clark’s face he was telling the truth. Just then his cell went off.
“Black,” he barked into the phone.
“Calvin Clark isn’t your problem,” Gabe said, his voice all business.
Dylan ground his back teeth. “What do you mean?”
“Calvin Clark left the Hamptons because he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Apparently, he was screwing his assistant at his daddy’s real estate company.
When he unceremoniously ditched her for another young thing, she up and sued him for sexual harassment.
That seemed to break the dam because several more women launched suits soon afterward.
Daddy was smart enough to know that Calvin was going to continue to be a liability.
So, rumor has it he paid off the women but told Clark to take a hike out of town until things blew over.
All the lawsuits disappeared, and Clark ended up in Bedford Hills. ”
“So…” Dylan clenched a fist and stared at Clark. “He sexually harasses women—”
“But not a stalker.” Gabe said.
“Shit. Anything else? Any ideas on who the stalker is?”
“Still working on it. Just stay close to Raleigh. Don’t let her out of your sight.” Gabe rang off.
Dylan stood up. “Clark, you are a piece of shit. Stop harassing women or I swear I’ll come back and get every woman you assaulted this weekend to bring charges against you.
” He left Clark sitting in the lobby with his mouth hanging open.
Dylan raced back to the cabin. He rounded the corner but no security guard was visible.
He hit the porch at a dead run and slammed the door open.
Raleigh shrieked “Dylan! What the hell? You scared the life out of me!”
The security guard was the young kid, Paul from the other night. He stood behind Raleigh in the foyer, a look of terror seared onto his face.
“Sorry, I, um… that is I didn’t see the guard outside and I thought something had happened to you.”
“He was helping me with my necklace.” She shook her head. “Thank you, Paul. Sorry for the scare.” She glared at Dylan and then marched into the other room.
Paul made a gargling noise and then coughed. “Uh, is it okay if I go?”
Dylan gave him a curt nod and Paul shot out the door faster than a bullet from a gun.
Great, he’d probably scared the kid right out of his wits.
He turned toward Raleigh. She looked amazing in her dress.
It was white with big green flowers on it.
It was made of some kind of shiny material that hugged her on top and then flared out at her waist. One thin strap around her neck held the fabric in place.
Her green shoes matched the dress. Her hair was down and curling around her shoulders.
Dylan was struck dumb by the sight of her.
Gorgeous didn’t cover it. “You look great.”
She met his gaze. “Thank you. I’m leaving now.” She grabbed a her purse and tucked a pen and some paper inside as well as her phone.
“I’ll drive you.” He had to tell her about Clark but it would suck. He knew she wanted it to be Clark because then the enemy was no longer unknown. There was solace in that. Instead he was about to take away the slight peace of mind she had managed to achieve.
“Dylan—”
“You either let me drive you or I will hold you hostage. Your choice.” Her eyes narrowed. Did she believe him? She should because he wasn’t sure as hell wasn’t joking.
“Fine but you can’t come in the church.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything. He pushed the door open further. It was broken and hanging crookedly. He was going to have to pay for that. No doubt Paul was already telling Cosgrove all about what a lunatic he’d been.
Raleigh went through the door and he followed. He spent a few seconds trying to get the door to stay closed and then gave up. They walked in frosty silence to his pickup. He helped her in and then got in the driver’s side.
“I spoke with Clark.”
“Pardon me?” Her voice was icy.
“I threatened him, and he confessed to all kinds of things but Raleigh, he’s not your stalker.”
“Dylan, you’re wrong. He was lying to you. He’s my stalker. I know he is.” She glared at him.
“No he’s not. Gabe confirmed it. It’s not Clark. I am so sorry, honey.”
She leaned back in her seat and covered her face with her hands. He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “Are you sure you want to still go to the wedding?”
She dropped her hands. “Yes, I’m still going. The stalker business will have to wait until this is over and then, I guess I’ll figure it out.”
“We’ll figure it out. I promised I would help you. That hasn’t changed.”
She met his gaze and then gave a curt nod. “Fine I won’t turn down your help but let’s just get through today.”
She turned toward the window as he started the truck. At least she was still willing to accept his help. Now, how the hell was he going to protect her in the church?