Chapter 1
Liam
I’d had this feeling for months, the last few years even, that someone close to me was betraying me. It had hung around me, a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach, cold and hollow as it clung to me.
But I’d ignored it, too wrapped in my own personal Hell to pay attention to what was happening around me. What was happening to the very thing I’d devoted my entire life to, and the reason I’d lost Belle in the first place.
The signs were there—my sketches going missing, established accounts suddenly closing, a feeling of deja vu whenever I’d see a new collection from one specific designer.
But I’d chalked it up to pure coincidence, like the idiot I was.
But as I held the newest issue of Vouge in my hands, featuring some new designer. That feeling intensified.
There was a rat around me.
I knew without a doubt.
I let my eyes roam the familiar cut of the square neckline, the diagonal hem, and the tight fit of one of my latest cocktail dress designs meant to come out this fall with a whole new collection.
“‘Once again, AJ Creations has come out with another stunning collection, despite releasing an equally magnificent collection just a few weeks ago.’” I scoffed as my eyes took in the words on the page.
I’d looked at that collection just minutes ago and couldn’t believe that I hadn’t noticed before. Many of the pieces in that line, as well as this new ‘magnificent’ line displayed many of my own designs.
Sure, they’d changed some of the fabrics and even some of the final trims. But there was, without a doubt, those pieces were mine.
A knock on my office door had me lifting my head.
It was early Saturday morning and the only person I was expecting was too rude to knock.
He’d usually waltz in, plant himself in one of the brown leather chairs I had in front of my desk, and throw his dirty Cole Haans onto the wood like he owned the place.
But when Gabe’s head popped in the door frame I laughed out loud. “What are you doing? Get your ass in here.”
He grinned as he stepped onto the worn wood that lined the floor. Lifting his shoulder he said, “It was too quiet in here. I was afraid if I woke you, I’d get the beast instead of the beauty. That, and I didn’t want to… interrupt anything if you were… ya know… having a little ‘you time’.”
“You’re such a child. Really? In my office. You think I do that? You think I have time to do that shit?”
Gabe plopped down in the chair, just as I knew he would. “No wonder you are so grumpy all the time. When was the last time you got any?”
I’d ran into Gabriel Collins in New York City, back when I’d first started my company.
We’d ran into each other… literally… ran into each other on the corner of 5th Avenue and 53rd Street which resulted in both of us being covered in hot coffee.
Well, honestly, mine had probably been cold by that point.
But regardless, we’d ran into the closest cafe and spent the next 20 minutes in the men’s bathroom trying to dry ourselves off enough to brave the New York wind.
We’d exchanged business cards, him an up and coming lawyer, and me being someone who could always use a good lawyer in their back pocket.
Copyright laws could be a real bitch sometimes…
Now, he was the best money could buy and one of the few people I actually considered a friend.
When the first of Gabe’s heels hit my desk, I couldn’t stop the eye roll. So predictable.
“So. Liam. What the fuck is up, man? What’s new? Why the sudden ‘urgent’ need to meet with me? Is there more trouble brewing with Belle? You know I love a good juicy story?”
I all but threw the magazine in his lap. “That’s my dress.”
Gabe’s gaze lowered to the page in front of him with a nod. “Nice man. I bet it looks great on you with a pair of red pumps. Bet you look really pretty.”
I rolled my eyes…again. Something I did a lot when we were together. “Thanks. I’m flattered I’m your type, but you know I don’t swing that way. And I mean, that’s my design.”
“Got any way to prove it?”
“Nope.”
“Damn. That’s a bummer.”
“No kidding.”
Gabe’s bright blue eyes met mine. “This the first time it’s happened?”
I shook my head.
“I see.” Gabe sat the magazine on the black leather blotter in front of me.
“The weirdest part? The only designs I see being taken are mine.”
Gabe tilted his chin. “I’m not following.”
“I have a team of designers. They know my brand and my style just as well as I do. They design things and I decide if they are good enough to represent LKC. But the thief hasn’t taken any of those, only the designs I’ve done myself.”
Gabe pushed a hand down his chin. “Fuck. You think it’s personal then?”
I grit my teeth. “With designers? I have no doubt it is.”
“Do you know who this…” Gabe’s gaze drops to the magazine again. “Uh… AJ Creations is?”
I shook my head again.
“It’s kinda funny though. LKC… AJC… they are both acronyms. It’s like they are trying to be you.”
I crossed my arms as a grin spread across my lips.”Well they are going to have to try a lot harder than that. This is my empire and I run the fashion industry. Let’s see them try. Whoever they are.”
Gabe inhaled deeply, matching my grin. “I was hoping you’d say that. Let’s fucking take their asses out.”
I put my hands behind my head and leaned back in my chair. “And I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Since we got that out of the way. Has Belle signed the papers yet?”
“No, and actually. She is reason I called you in today. The design theft was a bonus I threw in. Just for you.”
“Lucky me.”
I paused before continuing. “Well, actually. It’s still relevant. Belle claims that she is suing me for defamation and stealing her designs from college. She won’t sign the divorce papers until I agree to give in to her list of demands.”
Scratching the back of his neck, Gabe shakes his head. “God Damn Liam. Do you think you could cool it with the legal shit for a while? I’ve already got tons of work to do.”
“Don’t tell me I’m not your favorite client anymore. Is there someone else you found to bankroll your pastel Bermuda shorts fetish.”
“First off, fuck you. And second, you were never my favorite client.” Gabe shook his head with laugh, “I’m never going to live that down.”
“Probably not.”
I watched as Gabe dropped his feet to the floor and lean forward, elbows on knees. His face was turning serious, something that had my stomach dropping. It didn’t look like he had good news.
“I’ll be honest. Claims like this don’t go away easily, especially in a situation like yours.
She’s still your wife and nothing you had was technically copy written.
It’s a ‘he said she said’ situation. Which can also be in our favor.
There is no way to prove who drew them at NYU.
The easiest way to make shit like this disappear is to pay the person off…
and it looks like this particular person is being pretty fucking stubborn. ”
“You mean pretty fucking greedy.” I slid her list of ‘demands’ across my desk.
Gabe’s eyes dart along the words, processing them just as I had when I’d first read them—with complete fucking shock. He eyes nearly bulged from his eye sockets. “Jesus Christ!”
At this point, I had her list of demands memorized.