Episode 35
Episode 35
Revenge
MADAM ALANA
“Do not outline your beautiful eyes to look like those of a racoon my darling.” I instructed Emily. “You want to use a steady hand and glide the liquid along the edge just above the lashes, like so.” I expertly made a perfect cat eye on my right lid then showed it to her.
Emily nodded and then bent her gangly teenaged body in half like a pretzel over the vanity until she had her face almost touching the mirror. Her teeth were pressed tightly into her bottom lip as she concentrated.
I pressed my lips together in order to suppress a chuckle at her antics. She was trying so hard to apply her makeup as I’d shown her.
She made a few bumbles as she stroked the liner across her lid. A deep frown marred her pretty face as she inspected her work.
I tutted. “It looks très bien, chéri. When we make an error in life, we take a deep breath and then attack it again, non ?”
“I wish I could do it just like yours,” she grumbled and bent over the counter again, getting as close to the mirror as possible.
“We can smooth anything out. First you must learn the art of patience and practice. Eventually, this trick will be second nature to you.”
Emily sighed, focused intently on her eye and painted over the bumpy line with another coat, fixing the error beautifully.
“ Magnifique !”
“Now if I could just do the second eye to match.” She grinned, her smile reaching all the way to her big doe eyes.
“I have all the faith in you. Just focus, breathe, and be patient.”
I held my breath as she repeated the process. This time she didn’t pause; instead, she attacked the lid with confidence, the result exactly as expected.
“Yes!” Emily jumped up and down with pride after she realized she’d done it.
I smiled coyly and winked. “An expert if I ever saw one. You may keep that bottle of liner. When we get to France, I will buy you a full makeup kit, and we will practice anything you want to try that you may have seen in magazines or perhaps the looks your friends are attempting, oui ?”
“ Oui .” Emily agreed. “I’m going to sign up for French as my elective in high school next year.”
“That would make your Uncle Christo and me so very proud. You can call us and practice any time you want.”
Emily beamed with joy at the suggestion. This sweet girl was desperate for female attention. I knew Rhodes did everything he could to provide for his daughter, and she was lucky to have him. It was Portia that was the mismatched cog in the wheel.
Portia had a beautiful, young daughter who needed her guidance and love, and yet she chose to put her dalliances and her modeling career, which was slowly tanking with every year she aged, as top priority. I’d never understand it.
Christophe and I tried for years to have children of our own, but it was never meant to be. We could have adopted and actually considered it, but with our careers at the time and the amount of travel we did then and still do, the decision sorted itself out. Now, I appreciate the family we have chosen and the ones they bring into our world, such as Emily, and the twins that Dakota was soon to have. I could hardly wait to meet the two precious girls. And Joel told me he was planning to convince Faith to have a child. So many amazing things to look forward to in the future.
“Auntie Alana, can I wear the red lipstick again?” Emily asked.
“Red lipstick is for nighttime affairs and mature women like me.” I opened my makeup drawer and pulled out the palest pink lip stain I had and handed it to her. “Try this for daytime wear.”
“Cool.” Emily snatched the tube and applied it more liberally than I would have.
I grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.
She frowned. “What’s this for?”
I pulled one of my own, folded it in half and taught her how to blot the extra color off her lips.
“Makes a cool kissy imprint,” she noted and pointed at her lip stamp on the tissue.
“And removes excess lipstick so you don’t get it on your teeth.” I explained.
“Smart,” she breathed, blotting off the bulk of color.
“Okay, let me see you in all your glory,” I prompted.
Emily fluffed her gorgeous golden hair, spun in a circle, and cocked a hip. “How do I look daaaaah-ling?” she dragged out the word.
“Absolute perfection!” I blew her a kiss.
She copied me exactly, returning the kiss, then bounced on her toes. “I cannot wait to go to France. How long is the plane ride anyway?”
“Approximately nine to ten hours, my lovely.”
She made a sour expression.
“A lady does not snarl and pinch her face upon hearing unfortunate news that cannot be changed. It’s unbecoming.”
Emily dropped the nasty look and replaced it with a small smile. The girl was so eager to please.
“Better. Come, let’s get your uncle. He’s probably pacing a hole in the floor waiting for us to be ready.”
“Do you always make him wait?”
“ Oui . I like to show the man I adore that I make an effort to put my best self forward, as I am an extension of our family and his good name.”
She nodded but didn’t seem to truly grasp what I was saying.
I nudged her shoulder and dipped down to her ear so that I could whisper. “I also like to see the way his eyes light every time I enter a room. Watch him closely when he sees us.”
Emily giggled and strutted down the hallway, positively feeling herself. As she should. The girl was beautiful with a delightful personality when she let the real Emily Davenport show instead of the defiant, obstinate one she presented to her father. The latter was something I planned to work on during our time together. Emily needed to understand that her father was on her side in all things. It was my hope that after our two weeks together, she will have matured enough to see this on her own.
We entered the living room where my husband was rocking back and forth on heels and toes, hands in his pockets, staring out at the Las Vegas landscape. He looked dapper in a sleek, tailored khaki suit with a white collared shirt underneath. No tie today, leaving the first couple of buttons undone. His greying hair had been swept off his freshly shaven face. My husband was a looker to be certain. Always has been.
“We are ready, mon coeur,” I announced.
Christo spun around, and his gaze landed on me. He took in my body from my head, hair parted in the middle and drawn back into sleek ponytail, his gaze moving over the cream silk sleeveless blouse, down the pale lavender pencil skirt to the nude Jimmy Choos I wore on my feet. He cocked an eyebrow, lifted his hand and ran his thumb along his bottom lip, his gaze heating with lascivious interest.
“ Cheri , you are a walking dream,” he breathed, awe filling his tone.
“ Merci beaucoup ,” I preened, feeling my cheeks heat as they always did when I was under my husband’s lustful scrutiny. “And your niece,” I reminded him she was there. I felt a great deal of feminine pride that my husband of thirty years still only had eyes for me.
His gaze darted to Emily. “Goodness me, am I in the presence of two models fresh off the runway in Milan?”
Emily practically vibrated with glee. “Thanks, Uncle C. Are we ready to go? I’m dying to get to France!”
“Good things come to those who wait,” he responded. “Alas, we are ready. Let us go.” He held out his arm gesturing for the two of us to precede him.
Emily bolted to the door, likely headed to the elevator.
Christophe immediately looped an arm around my waist from behind, tugging me until my back rested against his chest, my rear to his groin.
“I would very much like to hike that pretty skirt up to your waist, rip off the sexy lace panties I know you’re wearing, bend you over that couch, and fuck you until you beg me to come.” He growled and pressed his hardening length against my behind.
I gasped as he ran a trail of kisses down my neck, teasing and setting a fire that neither of us could afford to succumb to with our teenaged charge present.
“I would like that very much, mon cher ,” I cooed. “Hold on to that thought until we make it home.”
“Home,” he huffed. “I’m going to wait until Emily falls asleep on the plane in the lounge, and then I’m going to take you to the bedroom and do exactly as I have described, only it will be your hands planted on the bed.” His fingers gripped my hip and then slid over the rounded curve of my bum where he squeezed.
A mewl slipped from my lips as I rolled my hips, adding pressure to his hardening erection.
“Are you guys coming or what?” Emily appeared in the foyer, tapping a foot. “Dude, what’s taking so long? You can hug and kiss at home. Let’s goooooooooo.” She bounced with the exuberance only a teenager could muster this early in the morning.
I swallowed down the lust my frisky Frenchman had inspired and cleared my throat. “Coming,” I answered as Christophe released me.
He coughed as he buttoned his suit jacket over his tented slacks.
I cocked a brow, pursed my lips, and swayed my hips as I strode after Emily. There wasn’t a doubt on this Earth that my husband was watching my ass from behind. I grinned, feeling flushed and desirable.
We made it down to the lobby where I heard my name called.
“Mrs. Toussaint, Mrs. Toussaint,” one of the hotel managers quickly walked over to us, an envelope in his hand. “This was left for you. I wanted to make sure you received it before your trip. We look forward to seeing you back home in a few months. Safe travels to you both.” He nodded at me and then at Christophe.
Emily hooked her arm with Christo’s as we walked through the lobby toward our waiting limo. Christophe had already made sure our bags were loaded into the car. All that remained was us.
I slid my finger along the flap of the plain white envelope as I walked. My name had been typed out in black on the front: Alana Toussaint.
I pulled out the single trifold sheet and unfolded it. All the blood drained from my face at what I read.
YOU RUINED MY LIFE
NOW I RUIN YOURS
The two lines were typed in all capital letters. I fanned my face with my hand as Christophe approached.
“What’s wrong? You’ve gone white. Are you feeling unwell?” he asked.
I stood there silently, blinking numbly as he snatched the page from my hands and read it.
His shoulders stiffened, his jaw firmed, and his nostrils flared like a fire breathing dragon. He pursed his lips as he hooked me around the waist and escorted me to the car.
“Stay here. I’m going to speak to the manager immediately. Lock the doors,” he barked, obviously as upset as I was at the note.
I nodded and, my hands trembling, pressed the switch for the locks the second the door closed.
“What happened, Auntie?” Emily asked, worry in her voice.
I shook my head. “Just some strange news Uncle Christophe needs to look into. All is well. Why don’t you pick some music while we wait.” I was proud that my voice didn’t quiver because my heart was pounding a mile a minute, and sweat had beaded along my hairline as fear slid through my veins.
The two sentences spun around my mind on repeat. Who could have sent the note? There wasn’t any signature or clue as to who left the message. I swallowed down the emotions clogging my throat as I desperately tried to imagine who might want to scare and threaten me.
I couldn’t come up with a single name.
YOU RUINED MY LIFE
NOW I RUIN YOURS
What did I even do with this information?
Call the American police?
Notify the French authorities?
I was at a loss for words when Christophe approached the limo at a brisk pace. He barked orders to our driver who ran around the front of the car and got in. I clicked the locks open when Christophe was close, and within seconds he was in the car.
He didn’t even buckle his seatbelt before the driver started the vehicle and bolted out of the hotel parking area.
“What did you find out?” I asked, clinging to his side, trying to keep my voice steady so that Emily wouldn’t be afraid.
“The manager said it was the usual courier service that comes all the time. They gave me the name and promised to send a picture of the delivery person from the security footage. We’ll notify the authorities. I’ll take care of it.” He lowered his voice, his eyes flicking to Emily who was busy connecting her phone to the Wi-Fi in the car so she could play her own music. “It’s not uncommon for people in our positions to receive such mail, Alana, though it is extremely concerning. We will take the threat seriously and proceed with caution until we know more.”
I nodded and rested my head against his shoulder, his presence a balm to my shattered nerves.
“Can you think of anyone who would be upset with you?” He took my hand, interlacing our fingers.
I shook my head. “There hasn’t been an issue in decades. Besides the snafu with Rhodes and the actor I hired, I can’t think of a single disgruntled bidder or candidate.” I sighed.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this, mon amour . Relax, I’ve got you.”
Easier said than done. My mind wouldn’t stop trying to connect the dots.
Who could I have wronged so terribly they believed I ruined their life?
The real question though was…how far would someone go to get revenge?