Heartless (The Hartleys #3)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

Parker

People hated being cornered, and I was no exception to that rule.

“I imagine a huge wedding tent right over there.” Annie Foster, the latest Hollywood’s sweetheart, waved her hand to her left, pointing at a huge open space in the gardens of The Gemstone.

“Annie, you’re one of my favorite clients,” I started, and I wasn’t lying one bit. Despite her being the most sought-after movie star, she was also one of the most down to earth and nice people I had ever met.

“Careful there, Parker,” she said playfully. “That sounds like the beginning of a no to me.”

“Hear me out.” I stopped right in front of her and caught her gaze. “I’m flattered that you of all people want to get married at my hotel, but we can’t have your wedding here. We’re just not prepared for an event like that. You’re Annie Foster. You deserve something special. We can’t give you that.”

And I couldn’t handle a wedding, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Don’t give me that bullshit. You had a wedding here last September. And an event planner from New York. Your staff talks, Parker.”

Whenever someone reminded me of that wedding, an image flashed of the infuriating long-legged blonde who planned it. I figured not all wedding planners were as annoying as Madison Hartley. But why would I bother testing that theory when I didn’t want any weddings on my property in the first place?

“That was different. A last-minute thing. I did it as a favor.”

Not entirely true. It was more of a lapse of judgment. Madison’s brother, Tyler, had come up with the deal: I’d host their little sister’s wedding at The Gemstone, and in return, Madison would plan five weddings for me. For free. The catch? I didn’t want any weddings at The Gem - deal or no deal.

Annie tilted her head. “So, you’re just not willing to do me a favor?”

“It’s not that. I just can’t deliver what you need, Annie. I’m being honest.”

“Jesus, Parker. No one expects you to do anything,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I hired a wedding planner,” she clarified, turning to her assistant Becca, who was standing a few steps away with my assistant Katie. “Where is she?”

Becca glanced at her phone. “She should be here any minute.”

“She?” I looked between the two of them.

Annie and Becca answered in unison, “The wedding planner.”

My gaze shifted to Katie, who looked as clueless as I did. She and Becca had arranged this meeting, and ever since Madison Hartley bribed my last assistant to get my private phone number, it was safe to say I had some trust issues .

“She won’t get past security,” I said with a polite smile.

“Becca told the receptionist we’re waiting for someone and asked her to notify security,” Annie explained. Then she sighed and looked back at me. “Come on, Parker. Why are you being such a grump? It’s just a wedding - flowers, cake, dancing. I’ll book all the villas for my guests. We won’t disturb anyone.”

You’d disturb me , I thought.

Then it hit me: Annie was arguing against objections I hadn’t even raised yet. She had come here way more prepared than I’d expected.

“There she is,” Becca said, and I followed her gaze.

For a moment, I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me, making me see Madison Hartley strolling toward us. But as she came closer, I realized that unfortunately it wasn’t.

Something about the way she moved through my garden, like she owned the damn place, grated on my nerves. Her long blonde hair fell in soft waves and she wore a fitted, sleeveless lavender dress that hugged her slender frame. High heels, out of place for a garden setting, clicked with every step, more suited to a runway than my retreat.

I could say the same about the way her hips swayed.

“Wow. She’s like Aphrodite,” Katie whispered, and I shot her a sharp look. The last thing I needed was another assistant falling for Madison’s charm or good looks.

Because beneath that beauty? She was more like the Hydra. You cut off her head, and another grows back.

You’d think pride would keep her from showing up here again, especially after the way she almost fucked up her sister’s wedding, but here she was.

When she reached us, she shook hands with the women first, starting with Annie. She didn’t seem star-struck, or if she was, she hid it well. Then she turned to me .

“Mr. Wilson. Nice to see you again.”

Hypocrite.

Madison was polite and well bred. Strikingly beautiful--I’d have to be blind not to notice that--but that’s where everything good about her stopped. Pretty face, a body all men would dream of having in their bed. But underneath her skin? Rotten to the core.

I offered Madison my hand, and she took it without hesitation.

“The feeling is mutual, Miss Hartley.”

Judging by the slight curve of her lips, she knew exactly which feeling I meant.

We continued strolling through the garden, and somehow I ended up trailing behind with Becca and Katie, while Madison took the lead, charming Annie’s pants off. But something about the situation nagged at me. I could understand the appeal of being Annie Foster’s wedding planner, but Madison didn’t strike me as the type to risk her entire New York reputation just to plan one wedding.

I needed to figure out what she was really up to.

Clearing my throat, I started. “Ladies.” Madison and Annie both stopped and turned to face me. “There’s a lot to discuss, but I think it’s best if Miss Hartley and I go over our limitations first. Then you two can take it from there.”

Honestly, it sounded like total bullshit. But it was the best I could come up with on the spot, so I had to roll with it.

Much to my surprise, Madison agreed. “Mr. Wilson is right. I haven’t been here in a while, and I have some questions.”

She made it sound like we had collaborated willingly the last time she was at The Gem, when nothing could be further from the truth.

Annie glanced between us, sensing she was being nudged out of the conversation. “Are you sure? I don’t mind sticking around. ”

Madison placed a hand on Annie’s. “Let me handle this. I’ll call Becca later.”

I barely had the patience to wait until they were out of earshot before I turned to Katie. “Leave.”

She scurried away, and I focused all my attention on the woman in front of me. “What the hell are you doing here?”

To Madison’s credit, she didn’t flinch at my tone. “I came to honor my part of the deal.”

“Our deal?”

“Yes.”

I crossed my arm. “We made that deal over a year ago.”

“Precisely. It’s overdue. I want to get it over with and live my life free of you.”

She delivered the line in a steady voice, but I caught the subtle bob of her throat. Something had rattled the ice queen, and she was desperate to hide it.

“And how exactly am I enslaving you?”

Madison pushed a lock of hair off her shoulder in that diva fashion I expected from my clients at The Gem. But when she did it, it annoyed me more than usual.

“By holding that deal over my head. You can just call and summon me whenever you feel like it. Now that Annie Foster has reached out to me, it’s the perfect time to get it over with.”

It made little sense, but my need to get rid of her and the other wedding parties was stronger than my curiosity about her motivations.

“How about we forget the deal? You move on, live your life, and I never have to deal with you again.”

I would put that in writing if it meant getting rid of her.

Madison shook her head. “No.”

“No? ”

“A deal’s a deal. You let us have my sister’s wedding here, and I agreed to plan five weddings in exchange. For free.”

“And why on earth would you want to work for free?”

She stared at me like I’d just said something unbelievably stupid. “Do you have any idea what planning Annie Foster’s wedding would do for a wedding planner’s career?”

I rolled my eyes. “I couldn’t care less.”

“Well, I care. And I want that for myself.”

“What about your clients in New York?”

“What about them?”

“You’re just going to ditch them to come here for one wedding?”

“Not just a wedding. Annie Foster’s wedding.”

I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache forming.

“Look. Let’s make a new deal. I’m willing to pay.” Her eyes widened, but I pressed on. “How much for you to tell Annie The Gemstone doesn’t suit her celebrity status?”

Madison shook her head, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Are you trying to bribe me, Mr. Wilson? I guess we’re not so different after all.” She paused, her smile widening. “I see you’ve got a new PA. Do I have something to do with that?”

Her smug look told me she already knew the answer.

“The last one gave you my number. I don’t work with people I don’t trust. And in case you’re wondering, you’re firmly in that category. Tell Annie this place isn’t good enough for her.”

Madison sighed and glanced around the garden. “But it kind of is. Besides, you want to please your clients, right? I want the same thing. And make no mistake, Annie Foster is my client now. She wants to get married here, and I’m going to make that happen.”

I shook my head, disbelief creeping into my voice. “That last sentence sounds familiar, but I think you got the ending wrong. ”

“Bark all you want, Wilson, but we both know you don’t just say no to Annie Foster. You need me to do it for you, and I’m not interested in that development.”

“And what development are you interested in?”

“I’m interested in making Annie’s dreams come true. And once that happens, I’ll have all five weddings we agreed on lined up. Every woman who can afford it will want to get married where Annie Foster did. You know how this works.”

I knew how things worked, but Madison’s true motivation was still a mystery to me.

She mistook my silence for a defeat and smiled. “Don’t worry. We do these five weddings, and I’ll be out of your hair. The only reminder I was ever here will be in your bank account.”

When it came to weddings, there were more important things to me than profit.

“I’ll make every second you spend on my property a living hell,” I warned.

She chuckled. “Yeah, sure. You’re a real badass. With your custom-made suits and manicured nails,” she said, glancing at my hands. “I bet you come up with your most devious plans in the spa.”

Her self-satisfied smile made my blood boil. “I’ll call Becca and let her know we’re moving forward with the wedding.” She turned to walk away, but stopped. “Who should I contact if I have questions?”

“Me,” I said through clenched teeth. “You must be insane if you think I’ll let you anywhere near my staff.”

“Fine,” she said with a grin. “You’ll be the one with the headache.”

Of that, I had no doubt.