CHAPTER THIRTY
W e were about to leave the yacht for the Cannes Film Festival. Even though I was exhausted and had slept most of the ride, I rose early, inspired by my visit to the wedding venue. No matter what I came up with, nothing captured how special it had been. Rocco listened when I told him about Jacob. He could have ignored it, but he gave me what I wanted more than anything. He reached in my soul and quenched my deepest thirst for someone to care about my needs. Time and again, he showed me he was a man I could dream with. He so freely shared himself, and the more I shared with him, the more he showed he would be the man I needed. He was breaking me open, and from it, I found his touch and kisses so much more intense. He was indeed my friend and lover.
I wanted him inside of me and I couldn’t get enough. It was almost painful how much, even after we had sex. But I could see he didn’t plan to stop with my body. He wanted more. He would take my heart if I wasn’t careful.
I didn’t know how to stop him, nor could I sleep. I stayed up drawing, and when it had become lighter with the day’s sunlight, I’d cleaned up and changed. Nadia Crane had sent me Givenchy floral slacks, a suit, and a silk shirt to wear just to walk off the yacht when we arrived in Nice, France. My hair was styled in a low ponytail, and I had on slight makeup that was barely visible. The leather strappy sandals and bag actually matched. Nadia had sent sunglasses, too, which I twirled in my hand nervously. It was amazing learning all the preparation stars and socialites did just to leave their homes. Today, I’d have to go into Rocco’s world of celebrities. Nerves danced in my stomach. I watched entertainment news shows, and I thought about the press junket and the stars doing many interviews. Will Rocco as a producer have to do it, too?
Rocco came out of the shower to the bedroom, and I learned, once again, he wasn’t the type to wrap a towel around his waist. Hot damn. He finished drying his hair, then placed the towel around his shoulders. He had a godlike body. I was definitely in lust. And staring again . His muscles rippled as he put on the white T-shirt that was tight-fitted. He’d been talking, but he stopped and smirked at me. “Adelina are you listening?”
I widened my eyes, but I had to cover my mouth to stop my laugh.
He chuckled. “You will have me all night when it’s done, but I want to give you a heads up about how it will go.”
I smiled. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Good,” he grinned. “Now, the press have a stand on the pier, and we’ll stop for a short interview. After, we’ll go straight to the car and hotel. Unfortunately, I have to leave for a photo shoot, but I will meet you at the premiere.”
“What will I do before that?” I asked, slipping on my pumps.
He put on his dark slacks. “You can do whatever you like. The spa will be there. Isla has your dress for the night. Swim, eat, read, whatever you want.”
I was getting used to the free time, but I’d hoped I could do more. Besides painting, I had considered a mentorship or a job that required the use of my language skills. But no matter what I decided on, I still hoped to explore after the wedding.
I smelled Rocco’s rich cologne, and my thoughts broke away.
He clasped my hands. “I’m happy you’re here.”
My heart skipped a beat. “I am, too.”
“It’s time for us to go.” He squeezed my hand, and we walked out of the bedroom and up a flight and down a corridor to the top deck exit. My nerves jumbled seeing the crowds and press with cameras, and my hand tightened in his. Rocco lifted it, brushing the back with his lips. “You’ll be fine.”
We walked off the boat and the camera shutters and video cameras moved our way, capturing our every move. Rocco had to do all the pre-press before the premiere. He was to have the first one when we arrived at the festival. I peered ahead at his driver, Rick, who was standing next to a limo, but we would have to pass the press and some film festival fans. Rocco smiled and took selfies, and I stayed close to his side, putting on my sunglasses to act as a shield as we waited.
Rocco pressed his hand to my back, and I realized I was shaking. I shifted next to him, a wave of jitters dancing in my stomach. The spotlight wasn’t something I was prepared for, but I knew this festival was one of the biggest ones in the world and he had the fortune of having a movie he worked on premiere here. He placed his arm around my waist and moved his head next to my ear. “They’re just normal people asking questions. That’s it.”
I leaned into him, and he tighten his hand on my waist. “Thank you,” I whispered. Still, my pulse jumped into my throat as we stood waiting for a couple of celebrities to finish their questions. We’re next.
Rocco seamlessly reached his hand up and removed my glasses, then winked at me.
My heart skipped a beat. He took my hand, and his warm touch comforted me. I ran my tongue over my lips, and morphed into the smile I practiced as we moved up to the row of press and microphones.
Right before my eyes, Rocco transformed into a magnetic, charismatic star. I was just as transfixed by his spell just like the spectators, who were watching him behind the press.
His voice was strong and commanding to the captive audience of media and crowd. “My fiancée Adelina, and I are excited to be here at the Cannes for the premiere of my dear friend Morgan Steele’s movie “The Age of Sin.” As you know, it’s already an Oscar contender, and you’ll all find out why. Thank you.”
He glanced at me, and I smiled. However, the press wasn’t done.
“Rocco, are you considering breaking into acting next?”
He smiled broadly. “No. I’m better behind the camera.”
“Marjorie Storm is here. She called you the love of her life and dedicated her Emmy win for The Crossing to you. Care to comment?”
I kept my smile, but touched my churning stomach. Love of her life? Were they in love? He’d been vague and dismissive when I asked him about her before. I hadn’t brought her up again because I believed he was sincerely committed to giving us a chance. I thought back to what he said about her.
“We broke up a couple of weeks ago.”
“You must still have feelings for her….”
“If I do, it doesn’t matter. We had no future.”
Did they have no future because I graduated from college and his arranged marriage was about to come into effect? If so, it would be understandable that he still had feelings for her. And yet, he fought to gain your trust and affection.
“I hope the best for Marjorie,” Rocco said smoothly, squeezing my hand.
“Wait. Adelina… Adelina, your father, Judge Eric Colby, has received his license to practice law again and has taken a new position in the 5th Circuit. He says he has been exonerated but has not been invited to your wedding. Can you confirm?”
I trembled, and Rocco placed his arm around me and quickly moved us to the waiting car. But I still heard the reporter’s question thrown at my back.
“Adelina, why is your father barred from your wedding?”
Rick and another beefy security guard stepped in front to block their view of us as we climbed into the back. The door closed, but I couldn’t stop shaking. Judge Colby’s out of jail? My pulse pounded so hard, I could feel it in my ears. I gasped for air to refill my lungs but couldn’t regain control of my breathing.
“Shit,” Rocco said. “What can I do?”
My stomach lurched. I gagged and covered my mouth.
“We need to find a place to stop. Hold on, Bella. Rick, find us a private space as quickly as you can. Adelina’s sick.”
The car jerked around a corner near the docks. Rocco quickly got out and helped me. I made it to the edge of the street just in time and vomited.
Rick came over with a towel and handed it to me.
Rocco rubbed my back. “Just let it all out.”
I vomited again and dry heaved. Then, I wiped my mouth.
“Fucking assholes,” he growled.
My eyes were watery. “He can’t be out? How can he be out after what he did?”
It all came flooding back: Judge Colby’s wild mood swings and violent outbursts. How he’d “accidentally” burst into my room when I’d left the shower. I’d never left the bathroom unclothed or slept without a weapon, knowing he’d cross that line one day. And he tried to sell me. The fury and joy bubbled up inside me as I remembered how that bastard had crumbled. I used that folding chair.
Rocco touched me, and I bristled. He quickly dropped his hands and said, “Let’s get back in the car.”
I climbed in first, and Rick closed the door. Then we drove off again.
Rocco pressed the call button. “No more stops, Rick. Head straight to the hotel. Tell the manager to clear the staff in the villa. They’re not to come back for an hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rocco took out his phone and turned to me. “I’m going to check with my lawyer.”
I didn’t answer but pressed my hand on my churning stomach.
“Hi, Gunnar…Yes. I was hoping you could tell me about Judge Eric Colby. Yep. That one. Now. Whatever you have.” He was silent as he listened, and I was keen to know, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. I only needed to find out and share what I knew with Mama. It will hurt her so much. My head was filled with images of her broken body and spirit . I can’t live through it again.
“Shit. Yep. Okay. Well, talk soon, Gunnar. Thank you.” He ended the call and cursed, blowing out his breath.
My pulse became erratic. “Tell me, Rocco. Please.”
He sighed. “Colby has friends in the judicial. They helped him plead down to a misdemeanor, and he did a stint at rehab. They appointed him in a temporary vacancy only recently, probably to do a favor. But the bottom line is, he’s free.”
“To practice law?” I asked. Not possible? But even I doubted that.
“He voluntarily stepped down from his job and was never convicted of a crime while practicing law. No one can access his case.”
“B-but my grandfather promised,” I said, my voice catching. “When did it happen?”
“At least seven months ago.” He blew out his breath. “They kept it quiet, and no one was looking until…” He rubbed the space between his brows.
Our wedding announcement . Rocco didn’t want to take the blame. He shouldn’t. My grandparents had known, and yet they never mentioned it. Mama probably didn’t know, or she would have told me. Was that why my grandparents wanted our wedding to be kept quiet? To keep Mama and me in the dark?
“Your grandparents helped bury his jail time, so the scandal didn’t touch them, or that’s what I suspect. After hearing what happened with your mother, he deserved more time.”
If my grandparents were willing to give up some of their privacy, Judge Colby would have never seen a day out of jail. But their own pride and status mattered more than us. I keep trying to earn that love, but maybe, I’ll never get it.
A nagging thought tugged at the edge of my conscience. My grandfather promised me he’d make it all disappear. He didn’t . Judge Colby was never held accountable for harming Mama and me. He was out there with another chance after putting us through hell. I fisted my hands at my sides. I did my part. What have they done but use me?
Rocco lightly touched my hand, and this time I didn’t pull away. “I’m sorry, Bella. What can I do to help you?” He gentled his voice and moved loose strands of hair off my face.
“Nothing, thanks,” I muttered. All I wanted to do was to speak to my mother and make sure she was safe.
But there was an elephant in the car: my attendance at the movie premiere. If I went, Rocco wouldn’t be able to control the press, and I’d probably react if I was told more news about Judge Colby. But if I stayed away, the press would believe they’d struck gold and would dig up more dirt. How do I keep myself together?