Chapter 33
GEORGE
TWO WEEKS LATER
E ntertainment News Now - International fashion model and photographer Rafe Carter was spotted at a Geneva nightclub with Lorin Larkin, owner of the eponymous sportswear brand.
Sources say Carter has grown close to Larkin while working on a photo shoot for their spring line. Is this business or pleasure, or both?
“The speculation is stupid is what it is,” I mumbled to myself as I read the article, sipping my morning cuppa on my balcony.
I had flown back to Tortola a few days ago. Part of me missed being out on the water, but I had personal items to organize back home. I was anxious to get my condo sorted in preparation for Rafe’s visit.
Glancing back over the article, I had a mind to contact the reporter in question. But Rafe told me to let it go, so I did. For now. I was also tempted to contact Aldo, but I held off. Rafe was right. Aldo wanted my attention, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
Besides, Rafe and I knew the truth of our relationship and that was the only thing that mattered.
He called me every day, excited to share news of his photo shoot and all the people and places he’d visited.
He and Larkin had become fast friends. That was my Rafe, befriending people everywhere.
That niggling fear that I wasn’t enough for him surfaced again, and I fought the possessive urge to fly over there and stake my claim.
To put the media speculation to rest as well as that of any man who dared to approach or befriend him.
But I had to rein in my primal impulse. Rafe’s independent spirit wouldn’t appreciate having his wings clipped.
Not that I wanted to do that. I wanted him to fly higher and reach for every dream he imagined.
But selfishly, I wanted to be by his side for all of it.
Not just a week or two, or a weekend here and there. Every day, every year.
A lifetime.
Somehow, someway, I would make it happen. For now, I would have to be satisfied with occasional visits, video calls, and letters.
And there was the nagging problem of Aldo.
He’d taken to emailing me when I blocked his number, and then he started contacting Rafe.
God knows how he got ahold of that information.
The obsessive escalation had my nerves on edge.
His notes were full of hatred. Instead of sitting by and doing nothing, I reached out to Alex, Jared’s bodyguard, and explained the whole situation.
He put me in touch with Jared’s barrister, Aiden Barstock, to get a restraining order put in place.
Aiden was also a family friend of the Carter’s.
It was challenging, with me in the Caribbean and Aldo in Italy, but Aiden assured me he could take care of it.
Aiden was based in London but did legal work internationally. I liked his brisk manner and his snark. He reminded me of my mate, Oscar.
“Did you hire security for Rafe and yourself? Just in case Aldo steps it up a notch. And I don’t say that lightly. Rafe’s a good mate, and I don’t want anything to happen to him,” Aiden barked out.
We were finishing up our video chat, so I leaned back and turned down the volume on my laptop. Aiden had a loud voice and a snarling wit that could slice one off at the knees without warning.
“I’ve already talked to Alex, and he’s agreed to send someone down here. Some bloke who finished a job in Miami. And another person to shadow Rafe. I just hope Rafe listens to them. My love tends to chafe when his independence is threatened.”
“Well, better that than a physical altercation with an unhinged man.” Aiden sighed and ran a hand through his auburn hair.
“What is wrong with people? I’ll never understand this obsession with love.
Look what it’s done to Aldo. I bet he used to be a normal bloke, running his restaurant, happy as ever.
He dumps you, then decides it was a mistake.
Now he’s flying halfway round the world to chase after you and for what?
The chance at a shag and a full English the next morning? Utter rubbish.”
I shook my head. “If a shag and a breakfast equals love, then I think you need some education on the subject, Aiden.”
“It’s all nonsense. Ruminating over one person like that. I’m sure you’re very capable when it comes to sex, but no man is worth this kind of trouble.”
I stifled a laugh at his blunt words and put-out tone. “I’m sorry. Like you said, he was the one that broke up with me a year ago. I’ve no idea why he’s changed his mind.”
“I do. I hired a detective to investigate his recent movements and his financial background. The resto in Naples is barely making ends meet and the boyfriend he took up with after he dumped you ran up his credit card debt and then scurried off. He needs money. Badly.”
“I’m hardly wealthy.”
“But you’ve got enough, and he knows that. Have you given him money before?”
I thought back. “About three months into our relationship I loaned him two thousand pounds. But he eventually paid it back. You think this is all a ploy to get me to give him money?”
“Mostly. I think he’s angry that you didn’t take him back, and he’s probably going to up the stakes by threatening you, threatening Rafe. But I think he’s gearing up for a money ask. Mind you, this is just my best guess,” Aiden replied.
“If that’s the case, how do we stop him?”
“I’m going to have a chat with Alex. In the meantime, be mindful of where you go and who you talk to.”
“My bodyguard should be arriving shortly.”
“Excellent. Let’s do another call, this time with Rafe, at 11 a.m. EST.”
“That works. I’ll let him know.”
“Take care, George.”
Aiden dropped off the call and I quickly dialed Rafe’s number.
“Hey, love.” Rafe’s smiling face greeted me. “What’s up?”
“I just got off the phone with Aiden. He’s going to file the restraining order against Aldo, but he had other information I wanted to talk about. Aiden had Aldo investigated, and it appears he’s having financial problems. He thinks that’s why he tried to reconnect with me again.”
“Now this is starting to make sense.”
“Still, we can’t discount his desperation. Alex has arranged for a bodyguard for you and for me. Mine is arriving today and yours should be at the hotel within the hour. Alex is texting you the details.”
“All right. I don’t like having a shadow, but I don’t want to take any chances.”
Rafe’s worried blue eyes stared back at me.
“Thank God. I thought you were going to fight me on this.”
“Normally I would, but I want to be safe. Coming back to you is the only thing that matters. I’ll do whatever I need to in order to make that happen.”
“I love you, and I’m so sorry I’ve brought this upon us.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all him .”
“Still, if anything should happen to you because of my stupid ex, I…I…” Just the thought of my Rafe being harmed had my stomach churning and my blood pressure skyrocketing.
“Breathe, love. Everything’s going to be all right. I know Aiden, and I’m sure he and Alex are hatching a plan to deal with Aldo as we speak,” Rafe insisted.
“They are. They’d like us to call back at 11 a.m. EST, 5 p.m. your time.”
“That works. I’ll let you know as soon as my security is on site.”
“Talk to you in a bit, love.”
Two hours later my bodyguard, Kiernan Doyle, showed up. The man was as massive as Alex, with a blond man bun, a beard, and a deep Irish accent that rumbled out of his chest like a foghorn.
“Got any food ‘round here? It was a long flight and I need real sustenance,” he asked as he stepped into my condo, his brown eyes aimed at my kitchen.
“I went shopping yesterday. Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge and cupboard,” I replied and turned back to my laptop.
I heard Kiernan rummaging, slamming doors with alarming force and the noises made me jump. It sounded like he was renovating the kitchen rather than searching for food.
“So what’dya do to piss off this Aldo eejit?” Kiernan asked as he came back into the living room with a plate holding two of the largest sandwiches I’d ever seen, and beside them, a mountain of crisps.
I’d need to do another grocery run first thing tomorrow at this rate.
“He’s my ex-boyfriend. He wanted me to take him back, but I refused since I’m in love with someone else. And apparently Aldo’s desperate for money.”
“Makes him dangerous,” Kiernan mumbled in between big bites.
I’d never seen anyone eat a sandwich so fast. He was done in five mouthfuls.
“Money problems lead to no good. No good,” he said and shook his head.
“Yes, well,” I sighed and looked back at my laptop. “Make yourself at home. I have work emails to get to.”
“I need to speak to building management and do a tour of the grounds.”
“Their office is in the lobby. Ask for Cecil.”
“Got it. Don’t open the door until I get back,” Kiernan ordered and stalked out.
I almost gave him a mocking salute, but I held back.
Except for Rowan, I had full and complete autonomy over my ship and crew.
I was used to giving the orders, not receiving them.
But for now, I guess I’d better get used to it.
Until this fiasco with Aldo was put to rest, I’d need to rely on Alex and Aiden’s expertise, and that of Kiernan’s as well.
Suddenly I longed to get back on board Now, Voyager .
Out on the open water, I could escape my troubles. If only temporarily.