"How is Emi, Mama?" I asked, lying back against my pillows on my bed with the phone cradled against my ear. I dreaded the response, even as I asked the question. But it was our ritual. Every few days I’d call my mom to make sure everything was okay. And then I’d hear the list of things that she wasn’t coping with. Emilio was almost always at the top of the list.
“Ay, Sash,” she sighed. “It just gets worse every day.” I groaned inwardly as she launched into a tirade about his latest exploits. We’d really hoped that Emi’s string of bad decisions would finally come to an end and he’d grow up a bit. I’d been sending money for months to pay for his studies. Money that was wasted when he’d dropped out to launch some new venture.
A sound at my bedroom door drew my attention, and I looked up to see Renée waving and mouthing the word “wine” while miming drinking from a glass. I nodded eagerly.
By the time I ended the call with my mother, I needed at least a bottle.
“Emilio still up to his usual tricks,” my friend asked as I sank onto the couch beside her. Since the nightmare with the asshole who’d beaten me, it had become our regular spot to seek comfort in each other’s company. On particularly bad days, I’d lean my head against her shoulder, or she’d lean against me. It was good to have this connection.
“He’s spending money,” I sighed, reaching for the chilled glass she was holding toward me.
“Her money?” Renée frowned.
I shook my head. “Apparently it’s his own. He’s been going out a lot. Buying expensive clothes and gifts for her.”
Renée’s frown deepened. “But that’s a good thing, right?”
I took a mouthful of wine and sighed as it soothed its way down my throat. “I don’t think so, Ren,” I answered. “Where would he get that kind of money from? He’s just ditched college and he’s starting out in some new business. Mama doesn’t even know what it is. Just that he’s suddenly blowing a fortune. She made him take it all back. Won’t even let him buy her groceries.”
My friend looked at me over the rim of her glass. “That seems a bit extreme,” she said. “Why not let him take the responsibility off you for a bit? Carry some of the burden?”
I had to admit, I’d been thinking the same thing. If my family didn’t need the constant stream of cash from me, I’d be able to stop taking the escort assignments. Even after a couple of weeks back on Leo’s clock, I still shook like a leaf every time I had to meet a new client. So far, it had been okay, but I couldn’t let go of the fear. Not to mention the constant pressure from my boss to offer sexual services to his clients.“More cash, dollface,”he’d said.“You could write your own paycheck.”
The thought had turned my stomach. Not since the nightmares Joe had injected into my young mind had I been able to think of intimacy in a way that seemed healthy. I’d tried relationships. I never had any trouble attracting men. And often I’d even enjoyed their company. It was what happened in those intimate moments that caused me to freeze. Literally go rigid. I’d been called “frigid” at least half a dozen times.
“Sash?” Renée said softly, drawing me back to reality.
“No,” I said. “No, my mother’s right. There’s no telling how he’s making all this cash. The less she has to do with it, the better. Whatever he’s up to, it can only mean one thing. He’s getting himself in trouble.”
I just prayed he wasn’t going to drag me in with him.
Chapter 8
Prince Walker
Iwas distracted throughout the presentation. Angelique wasn't picking up my calls. I’d phoned her mother's house but she told me Angelique had gone to a hotel. The house had a water leak, Sophia said. What a bad liar she is.
I was sitting in Luke Prescott’s chair as I watch him explain the department's strategy for the rest of the quarter. If the employees were surprised to see me sit in on the meeting, they were hiding it well.
I tapped my iPad to wake the screen and messaged Jane with two instructions.
Get me a line to Angelique. Still can't reach her.
Invite Cartier to my office. Engagement rings. You know her finger size.
I had had her reassigned to my new office. To her colleagues it might have looked like a demotion, but I’d increased her salary to make up for it. With my old man coming back as the chairman, I needed loyal ears. Luke hadn't taken kindly to the reassignment either, but I had assured him that it was only temporary. They were getting along and the news was still being contained within. I knew my father was holding that move over my head because it would be the final nail in the coffin.
Message from Jane. I opened it with a satisfied smile.Jane works fast.
Mr. Ethen from Cartier will be here when you get out of the meeting.
Angelique checked out of The Sheraton at 7 am. No word or sightings since. I'll keep checking.
I was worried. It was unlike Angelique to just drop off the radar. Her mother seemed annoyed when I tried to ask her more. During our call earlier, she’d been cool and aloof – nothing like the fawning woman I was accustomed to. Angelique must have told her about our fight. Maybe she was hiding her daughter. I decided that if Jane was unable to reach Angelique by the end of the meeting, I would drive down there to confirm my suspicions. As Luke droned on, I finally grew impatient and excused myself from the meeting.
All eyes followed me as I walked out of the room.
∞∞∞
