Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
T he new bodyguard was as professional as Viper had been. He answered, "Yes, ma'am," to everything she said, unless he was talking to her about security, in which case it was Miss Beaumont. He was a fine-looking man, big, strong, like they all were. But he wasn't Viper.
Emily came around early the next morning, bustling with energy. "Oh, my God, Iz, what the heck is going on? First the kidnapping, now a drive-by shooting. These guys aren't messing around, are they?"
"No, they're not," she mumbled. She hadn't slept well without Viper's arms around her, and not having him here made her realize how much she missed him. She hadn't spoken to him since he'd come back for his things after his meeting with Pat. Even then, their exchange had been brief.
"I've got to go," he'd said, once he'd packed his meager belongings into a backpack. "Pat's expecting me back at work."
"Okay, sure. If you must go."
There'd been no hug, no kiss, no nothing other than a stiff goodbye and a "see ya." Then he'd walked out of her apartment and her life.
"Well, since you can't go out and we can't shoot you for your channel," Emily was saying, "I've arranged for Lara to come to you."
Lara was a local photographer, an expert in social media shoots.
"What, here?"
She spread her arms. "Why not? We've done photoshoots at your place before. You've got plenty of natural light and that lovely wide balcony. Izzy recuperating at home. Izzy looking stunning in this year's fall must-haves." She grinned. "That'll keep them happy—just until you can get back out there."
At her lackluster expression, Emily said, "What's wrong with you? I know you've been through hell lately, but you're always so enthusiastic about your business.” She paused and cocked her head to the side. “Is this about him?"
"Who?"
Emily tilted her head. "Come on, Iz. How long have we known each other?"
She sighed. "Honestly, Em. There's nothing going on between me and Viper." Not anymore.
"Are you sure? Because I've never seen you this down."
"It's just the stress getting to me."
Emily squeezed her hand. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling. I was scared just entering the building."
"Thanks."
"Sorry, I know that's not helping. Shall I schedule Lara for tomorrow? It might do you good to have something else to focus on."
She had a point. It would take her mind off Viper.
"Yes, okay. Tomorrow's fine."
"Great." Emily fired off a text message. "Now that's out of the way, shall we have a glass of wine and I'll update you on everything that's been happening."
The afternoon sped by. They drank most of the bottle as Emily filled her in on the new brands that wanted to work with her, the orders from her swimsuit line, the marketing around her new collection, and the other ventures she'd begun investigating.
The sun was setting when Izzy's phone beeped.
"Oh, crap," she murmured. "I'm having dinner with Robert tonight."
"Robert?" Emily raised an eyebrow. "I thought you weren’t interested in him?"
"I'm not, but we need to talk."
"It'll probably do you good. I don't like the thought of you moping here by yourself all evening."
"I'm not supposed to leave the apartment."
"Let him come to you, then." Emily had an answer for everything. "Tell him to stop by Del Posto on the way and pick up something nice."
Izzy perked up a bit. "Yes, we could do that. At least then I wouldn't have to get dressed up."
"You really are out of sorts," Emily said, frowning. "Cheer up, I'm sure they'll catch who's doing this soon."
"I hope so." She had visions of having to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life, or at least until she'd sold her share in the company. The more she thought about it, the more she decided Pat was right. Her heart wasn't in Omega Enterprises. As much as she cared about the communities the project supported in Mexico, the company wasn't her primary focus. It deserved to be in the hands of someone who really cared about it.
Someone who knew what they were doing.
Not her.
She was just winging it, grasping onto the reins because she was trying to maintain the status quo. But that wasn't working. Her life and her livelihood were now at risk. She didn't want to get any more involved in the company than she was, which put more strain on Robert and Raf. In the end, it was probably better that she get out.
When Emily had left, she texted Robert and explained that she couldn't leave the apartment and asked if he minded coming here. He agreed and said he'd pick up something on the way over.
Then, she had a long bath and tried not to think about Viper. As she got dressed in a floor-length maxi dress with a light cardigan, she tried not to think about how it felt in his arms. And as she blow-dried her hair, she tried not to think about how it felt when he ran his fingers through it.
Damn, this wasn't getting any easier. Still, it had only been a day. It would take some time to get him out of her system. She had to be a big girl about it; she had a business to run, another business to sell, and her own life to take care of now that he was gone.
Robert would be here soon. There was one more thing she had to do before he arrived. She picked up her phone and called Pat.
"It wasn't his fault, you know." She could hear Radiohead playing in the background and knew he was at home. An old memory of lying on the rug with his son, Joe, listening to Pat's rock collection flashed through her mind. They'd been in their teens then. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is, Izzy. I can't have him distracted on the job. It's too important. Your safety is too important."
"He's saved my life more times than I care to remember," she pointed out. "That should tell you something."
"It does, and Viper's a damn good operative, but he broke the rules."
She sighed. "It was me who started it. None of this was his fault. You're punishing him for something I did."
"I've taken him off your protection detail, Izzy. I haven't fired him."
"You're not going to, are you?"
"No, I'm not. I can’t afford to lose him. I'm under-resourced right now."
She smiled fondly. Pat was so transparent.
"Okay, good." There was a pause. "How are things going?"
"Busy. But that's a good thing."
"Pat..." She paused. "Could we get together sometime and talk about Mom?"
There was a moment of silence, then he cleared his throat. "Sure we can. Do you want me to come over now?"
"I can't tonight. Robert's coming over for dinner."
"Oh, I see."
She heard the surprise in his voice. "It’s not like that. I need to talk to him about my plans for the company. I've decided to take your advice and get out."
"I think that’s wise," he restated. "How will Robert take it?"
"He won't like it. It puts his position at risk. With me in charge, he has free rein of the company. I think he was hoping to buy me out himself one day."
"Well, you gotta do what you gotta do," said Pat. "You have to do what's right for you."
"I know." Suddenly, all she wanted to do was sell her share in the company and put this mess behind her so she could get on with her life. She didn't kid herself that there was any hope for her and Viper. After what she’d done, he wouldn’t come near her again. And anyway, how would a rough-around-the-edges soldier with scars on his hands and eyes the color of the ocean fit into her schedule?
Would he even want to?
The whirl of the fashion industry. The glamorous parties. The social media following.
It just wasn't him.
She sighed as she applied some blush and lip gloss. At least she had the memories.
A week of blissful passion in a tropical resort. An affair born out of danger and fear, but so beautiful and so comforting at the same time. A dream she would always remember.
The doorbell rang.
She stood up, checked her reflection, and plastered a smile on her face. Time to face Robert.