Betrayed (2 page)

4-
 
Tatum

The fact that I have to pretend to be unaffected by being turned down by Molly was insanely hard. As much as I love her, and I do, I can’t let her see how much she affects me. It’s man code...or something. The only advice I ever received from my older brother Dave was just that… ‘don’t make it seem like you are putty in her hands or else she will take your balls and form them into a nice sculpture for her side table.” Not that Dave was a genius, but this one piece of advice stuck with me. There was just something unappealing to my balls being on display and not connected to me.

I walked away and went straight to the upstairs bathroom. I heard her leave then hopped in a nice cold shower, taking the edge off until I could have her in her office later. Apparently I was her assistant, but she didn’t really need anything from me unless there was a shoot happening or she needed advice on edits, so needless to say she didn’t even ask me to sit in on the meeting. I had all the free time I could want right now, but I just wasn’t satisfied. If I searched inside I know I would find out why. My dad’s business was an ugly one, but it was the only thing that helped me square my mind. We spoke before he left to go back to Texas about possibly heading off some of the technical sides of the business from Illinois, then he could have more manpower in Texas when need be. It’s not beating the shit out of criminals, but I guess it’s better than nothing.

First thing is first, though. Molly is currently in a meeting with a very high profile Midwest man. A meeting she was trying to keep from me, not telling me who it was with. I, however, was able to find her date book and see for myself who she was with today. Anyone with the last name of Delany in this part of the country is a walking disaster, and she got herself wrapped up in the deal of the century. The woman has no true photography package that costs $25,000, but he managed to get everything out of her for that much. Every type of print, every angle, every shot, and three days’ worth of shooting plus engagement prints and ‘thank you’ prints. It was an insane package, but the Delany’s are very convincing people. I need to do some inside work to find out just how dangerous these men are.

The first article that blows my mind mentions murder charges being filed against one of the youngest Delany sons. I know my dad’s business, and yes people have died, but there is never any evidence when we are done. For the cops to have enough to suspect one of them for murder makes me shake my head in disgust. I can’t believe Molly is wrapped up with this family. Sometimes she can be so blind to the things that are staring her right in her face. The next thing that I notice is the picture of the man that is suspected in the murders. Talk about not looking the part of a criminal. This dude is decked out in his suit, tie, and insanely dark eyes…are there even pupils in there? He’s never been convicted, though, because no one would testify against a Delany, just like no one would testify against a Savage. Good lord I hope this isn’t the one getting married. Actually, I hope this isn’t the one Molly has to deal with at all. It’s a big family, though, so odds are slim they will ever come in contact. All other articles on this man post him as a ladies man, sexual predator, and fighter. Partier, that’s more like it. Kid with money who doesn’t know how to use it wisely, wasting it on booze, drugs, and sex. I can hope for now that Molly is not currently in a meeting with him. After today, though, I’ll be sure to be in on those meetings. I’m not taking any chances, I feel like trouble follows the woman around.

What the hell, I should be in the office soon anyway, I’m sure the client won’t mind a drop in from the assistant shooting their wedding.

5-
 
Molly

Robert Delany. The last name alone is enough to make me cringe, but of all the Delany’s this is the one they sent? Jesus this man. Playboy deluxe, no women lasts in his world longer than a couple of days. Every photo ever is him with a different woman at his side. Not that I follow the family¸ but it’s hard not to when they are everywhere. Why is he here, though?

“How can I help you Mr. Delany?”

“Sorry for the sudden change. Please, call me Rob.” He smiled and his eyes gleamed darker than before, then he continued “My Uncle is the man you were speaking with before. He is having…health…problems, if you will, and I have volunteered to step up in aiding with the wedding details. My cousin is the groom. He is very wrapped up with business and his bride doesn’t need to be stressed out with wedding planning. Especially something as simple as the pictures.”

Interesting. Most brides love being able to plan and organize. Especially when it comes to detailing their photo shots for the big day. I will never understand the dynamics of families.

“Well, Rob, let’s head inside and you can tell me why we needed this sudden meeting.”

I’m only a little put off. Not only does this family scare the daylights out of me, but this man is so beautiful it’s intimidating. I can only hope Tatum isn’t the jealous type because it seems as if Rob is now my go to contact for the biggest and most prestigious wedding I’ve ever shot. And boy oh boy is he beautiful. I can’t screw this up, I need this money.

We walk into the conference room and sit down. Directly across from me he goes to remove his jacket before he sits. Placing it on the back of his chair like a true businessman, he then glances at me.

“I hope it’s ok, I hate feeling cooped up in those stuffy things. Unfortunately it’s a requirement of the job.”

I nod and he smiles, twinkly eyes and all.  Oh baby those eyes. A girl could get lost in those.

“So Rob. I’m sure this sudden meeting isn’t just to introduce yourself as the new contact for the wedding that’s still a year away.”

“No. It’s not. There have been some developments that have made us push up the date of the wedding. My cousin will be marrying the woman of his dreams in two weeks, not next year.”

He stares at me as if this is a normal announcement. Not apologizing at all for the massive rift that put in my schedule. TWO WEEKS?! Is my mouth hanging open? Shit get it together Molly.

“Oh.”

“I know it’s short notice, but with the package we have bought I’m sure you will be able to fit it in. I plan on staying in town so if you need anything I will be close by and there will be no need to bother the rest of the family. As you can assume, things are a little hectic right now. I’d hate to have to find another photographer so soon.”

“Okay. Well, uh…Yes. No problem. We will work it out, and I’ll be in contact with you.”

He stands to leave and shakes my hand, the jolt of cold surprises me. Rob holds on to the handshake a moment too long, just as Tatum walks through the door. Holy hotness can my office take this much masculinity? Oh fuck he looks pissed as his eyes glare at Rob’s hand encircling mine.

I pull away too fast and now I feel guilty. I shouldn’t feel guilty. I have nothing to feel guilty for. Right?

“Molly” He manages to speak through his gritted teeth.

“Tatum. Oh. Rob, this is my assistant Tatum. Tatum, this is Robert Delany. He is the new contact for the Delany wedding. He just stopped by to let me know of a slight change in plans with the wedding date.”
Please don’t murder him, please don’t make me lose this client. I really need this money.

6-
 
Tatum

Fire. I will set him on fire. That would be enough payback for touching her like that right? That was no fucking ‘business’ handshake. The way he looked at her made me want to punch a hole in the newly fixed glass wall.

He grinned at me when he left. Fucking grinned! And introducing me as her ‘assistant’? Yes, I guess technically I was, but wasn’t I more to her than that? Living in her house should earn me a bigger title than assistant.

“What the fuck Molly?” I’m trying, but the anger is seeping out. No way this asswipe is getting near her again.

“Excuse me?” she looked shocked. God this woman is infuriating. Rein it in Nate. Tatum. Good lord my mind isn’t even working right at this point.

“Sorry. I mean ‘Why did that fucktard have his hands on you, undressing your body with his creepy ass eyes’?” I don’t see how I could have done that any better.

“Would you like to re-phrase that?” She glared at me. Daggers. That’s what that look meant. She was mentally shooting me with daggers.

“That man, Robert Delany, do you know him? Other than from this one ‘meeting’ he claimed to need?” I tried to calm down. I really did.

“I know of him. If you are asking if I know the type of man he is, yes. Who in the country doesn’t? The meeting you are referring to was to inform me that the wedding they are paying out the ass for has been moved from next year to two weeks from now. So, if you are done playing the macho boyfriend card, I have a lot of scheduling changes to make to be able to put all of my efforts into this wedding.”

“Wait, what did you say? Two weeks? To prepare for the largest wedding shoot of your career?”

“That’s what I said. Now excuse me, I have work to do.”

She walks off towards her office and I follow her. She’s not getting off that easy. Hell, at this rate neither of us will be getting off.

“Molly stop. You can’t shut me out like that if we are supposed to be a team. Look at it from my perspective. I walk in expecting to have a wonderful day with my girlfriend at work, to being introduced as the mere assistant after some man has his hands and eyes all over my girl! Sorry if you think I overreacted, but you are mine. Haven’t we established that?”

Ah, there are those daggers again. What the hell is wrong with her, couldn’t she see the way he was looking at her? Why was she so fucking moody all of a sudden. Shouldn’t she have been just as angry as I was at the asshole?

7-
 
Molly

Maybe if I stare at him long enough he will leave. One minute I’m thinking about telling him that his child is possibly growing inside of me, the next I want to throw him out of an upstairs window.

“Let’s get this straight, Tatum. I belong to me. ME! I have spent the last five years taking care of myself with no one to help me, and I did a damn good job. Just because you waltz in here, save the day, take up space in my house, doesn’t mean that I belong to you. As far as this wedding goes, you will not give me any trouble about the contacts that I have to keep to do my job. I need the money from this contract more than you know, so back the fuck off, put the green monster currently raging inside of you away, and let’s get to work.”

Why was fighting with him making him more and more attractive. Like it’s even possible, the meaner I got the hotter he got. Shit now he’s walking towards me. Or stalking. Something like animals do to their prey before they pounce. I feel like I should be scared of him, but my body is strung so tight right now this whole show is turning me on more than it should.

“Sweetheart” he began, face to face. So close I could feel the heat radiating off of him “Money is a non-issue with me, therefore it needs to be a non-issue with you. What is an issue, however, is a possible murderer, definite playboy, undressing you with his eyes right in front of me. NO ONE will do that again.” He took a wild piece of hair and tucked it behind my ear, leaning in to kiss my neck right below my jaw. Shivers went through my body as I felt the all too familiar pull between my legs. He continued little pecks all around my neck and on to the other side. His hands roamed down my side, gripped my hips and pulled me into him. The anger inside of him from earlier was replaced by pure desire. He looked me square in the eyes and repeated the phrase I hated the most, yet loved hearing out of his beautiful mouth.

“You are mine Molly Ward, get over it.”

His lips crushed into mine as he backed me against the wall. Hands on my hips, he lifted me and I wrapped my legs around him. All while I’m trying my hardest not to grind against him, he is trying his hardest to make me.

“Ahem…” a voice cut through the fog. That voice. Once you hear it once you can’t mistake it.
Shit shit shit!

I push Tatum away, fixing my tiny outfit as best as I could, Tatum stood there just staring at me. Not smiling, not frowning. Is he even breathing?

“What did you need Mr. Delany?” he spoke as I caught my breath. He still was staring at me with his back turned to Rob.

“I forgot my jacket earlier, just coming back to grab it before I check in to the motel. Sorry for interrupting…that.” Thank the Lord Tatum hasn’t turned around yet, because the whole time Rob is speaking he’s looking at me like he could eat me alive. Unsure how I feel about this (though it should creep me out) I speed out of the room to grab his jacket.

Tatum has turned to look at Rob by the time I return to the room. Just staring at each other. The tension is insane, this is ridiculous.

“Here you go, Rob. Let me walk you out.” Tatum looks at me like I have three heads so I don’t look his way.

As we make it out the front door of the studio, Rob turns to smile at me.

“I’ll be at the motel down the street if you need…anything…Molly.” His eyes sweep down, then up, and my whole body tenses. He pauses when his stare makes it back to my eyes, smiles, and walks away. Those eyes are definitely something to stare at. So dark, so intense, yet so vulnerable. What’s behind the mystery? Why am I thinking this!?

Why was my body betraying me lately!? Oh, wait. I remember. Pregnancy hormones are a bitch. My mind did not want to feel the way my body did when Rob looked at me that way, but seems it didn’t have much of a choice. I sighed and walked back inside to a seething Tatum.

“Anything...my ass” He muttered, then left me standing alone in my studio. What the hell is happening today?