Chapter 22 #3
Just before I tossed the phone onto the table in front of me, it rang. I’d expected Kingston’s call long before.
“You heard about Bill.”
He snorted. “I did, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“Alright. Let me guess. The meeting with the Dubois family in Paris has been pushed back yet again.”
“No, there’s a tentative new day of early next week. This is personal.”
“Alright.”
“Did Penelope tell you she was in the running for the vice president of Covington?”
I sat up in my seat. “She conveniently forgot to mention that.”
“Yeah, well, that’s likely because she used blackmail to try and get the job, including sleeping with another candidate.”
My blood ran cold. “Carrington Jacobs.”
“Exactly. While there is an obvious lockdown on exactly what happened, she didn’t lie about being fired. Whatever trick she pulled led to her being blackballed in the industry.”
I wasn’t entirely certain how to take the news. “Were she and Carrington an item or just having sex?” I didn’t need to know anything about Carrington to realize he was beneath her. Scum.
A fucking asshole and he’d touched my woman.
Before a growl left my throat, I cinched my eyes shut while trying to remind that thick head of mine that until recently, I hadn’t laid claim to her. But the allegations didn’t seem like her.
“There are no pictures anywhere. My sources tell me the situation was a huge shock to everyone who worked with her. But you know how looks can be deceiving.”
“What about Carrington?”
My brother huffed, even coughing. “Oh, he’s no prize. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find any connection to Southshore Limited or to Brandon. Whoever Brandon met with, he did so completely off the radar. However, I can tell you he’s been on a spending spree.”
“Let me guess, all cash purchases.”
“No, he wasn’t stupid enough to do that. He’s mortgaged to the hilt. A new house. A hundred-thousand-dollar car. A new boat even.”
“Wow. It sounds like his promotion went to his head.”
“Yes, very much so, which means he has everything to lose, brother.” Kingston laughed. “You know desperate men do desperate things. Your picture is out there with Penelope. He’ll think the worst.”
Just like I had for a split second.
“Yes, Carrington is planning something and will ensure he uses anything to get what he wants. Find out how Francois Dubois’ relative died.” When Kingston said nothing, I knew he was in disagreement. “What? Just say it.”
“I know what you’re going to say, Chris, but it’s entirely possible you care too much about this woman. Do I think Covington is up to something? You bet I do. They stand poised to finally arrive on the hospitality scene if they are successful in being awarded the contract with the Duboises.”
“What are you insinuating?” I fisted my injured hand, ignoring the pain since I was blanketed with rage. “And be careful how you tread.”
“No, I will not. We brought Tempest to another level. We did. As in you and I. You might be CEO and, in your mind, a mafia enforcer like our father, but you’re not going to toss everything aside for a woman you decided to play with like you did in college.
Now you’re leveraging the company as well. ”
Now I was quiet, contemplating what he’d told me while the anger festered inside.
“Wait a minute. You really do like this woman. Don’t you?” His tone had changed, becoming more shocked than usual.
“I enjoy her company. Nothing more.”
“Why don’t you finally cut the bullshit. For once. You forget I’m your brother.”
I was able to laugh, even if the sound was as bitter as the way the fury had stripped me of a certain level of rational thinking. “Do you honestly think she got herself fired then created some crazy scheme to lure me into her seductive web?”
“Ask yourself this. Why not apply at Tempest?”
“Because she started a business.” The logical answer.
“Christian. She applied to several hospitality firms, but didn’t think about mentioning it to you, especially after you were intimate?”
“She’s her own woman.”
“Are you certain you’re not blinded by finally finding someone you actually care about for once in your life? You’re not thinking clearly.”
He was right about that, but my skills included being able to see through a person’s bullshit easily.
“What does she have to gain by using me, Kingston? Are you suggesting she’s still working with Covington, pretending to be fired and in turn working with Carrington?
How does that work with the CEO of the company? You know George.”
“We think we know George. I don’t have all the answers, but you seem to think you do. You needed to know she hasn’t been truthful with you.”
Maybe what I needed to do was to confront George. Not a bad idea.
I lifted my glass, laughing more heartedly than before.
“And you seem to think I’ve been truthful with her?
There is a camera in her home, Kingston.
I started out stalking her because of a game.
” Perhaps the thing to do was to take the time she’d be out of the house and install a couple of other cameras.
Just to satisfy the questions Kingston had provided.
Debating the choice was more difficult than I was used to. On one hand, doing so was prudent as fuck. On the other, if I chose to trust her as so far it appeared she was doing with me, if my deceit was discovered, our tether would be permanently broken.
“Maybe you’re both playing a game, only neither one of you know the rules or the consequences. Whatever the case, the rules have suddenly changed because you care about her.”
What the hell was I supposed to say to that?
“You’re right. She fucking lied to me,” I growled, conscious of needing to control my anger. Toward her, yes, but more toward myself. “I need to protect our business, but I’m not wrong about her. And I wouldn’t put it past Carrington to try and destroy her for spending time with me.”
“Now it’s our business,” Kingston said, more quietly than normal. “She’s changed you, Chris.”
How was I supposed to react other than by laughing? “She’s not what you think. She’s lived a tough life. I can feel it. Her mother died young and her father isn’t around. It’s like she’s all alone.”
“How ironic. Just like you’ve told me you’ve felt for most of your life, at least since our mother died. Then you need to understand possibly why Penelope is so guarded.”
Kingston’s voice held a different tone. “What could you possibly say that would matter at this point? Whatever her game, she’s obviously out to deceive me in some fashion.”
“Maybe not. Just listen. Alright? You’re right in that she’s had a rough time.
One tough girl facing a horrific period of her life all by herself.
She did everything she could for him. Everything.
Including selling a part of her soul. It’ll sound familiar, brother, because that’s exactly what you did after our mother died. ”
“You’re talking about Carrington?”
“No, I’m talking about her father. Fucking shut up and listen.
If Carrington has this information, he will use it.
After you hear the story, then you make your choice, but I’ll be honest with you.
” Kingston paused. “For once it seems you’re happy.
If you believe in her, do so with everything you have. ”
I almost hung up without listening to what he had to say, but I didn’t. Hearing the reality of why she’d forged a wall around herself, it was the same deceptive despair that caught you off guard when you didn’t need to be reminded of the past.
In hearing the story, albeit devoid of the emotional baggage since it wasn’t mine to bear, I was briefly reminded of the similar wall I’d built. Only mine was created from bloody stones while hers was done with determination and the love of her family.
We were different, yet entirely the same.
Two people whose lives had been shaped by death. Two people searching for someone to make it all better.
I’d need to find out if the bastard had been inside her house.
As the plane began its descent, I was forced to face the possibility the game I thought I was winning was spiraling out of control.
A fool’s game at best, a ridiculous attempt at holding on to a boy’s revolution against the firm hand of his father. Whether or not Penelope was a victim of my sadistic darkness or merely a cog in a wheel of greed of her own making would need to be discovered.
However, that didn’t change the way I felt or the need burning deep within.
One way or another, she would be in my life.