Escaping Christmas (15 page)

“Would now be a good time?” she asked sarcastically.

This side of her was quite a turn on and he grinned. “Yeah, now would be fine.”

“You son-of-a-bitch. The money I pay you to represent me and this is what you do?”

Zach let them talk. He figured he’d find more out this way.

“I’m sorry, Owen. I had no choice. All your talk about going public about your pretend marriage. I couldn’t let you do it. You’re my biggest client. If you never work again I’m done too. I swear I wasn’t going to hurt her. I followed her to Colorado. I thought if I scared her, she’d stay away from you.”

“You don’t think terrorizing her is hurting her?” Owen pulled his manager’s head from the floor by the hair and landed a very nice right hook across his jaw.

“Are you going to arrest me for that?” Owen asked Zach.

“I’m just a ski bunny. I didn’t see a thing.”

“What happened to your hand?” Alex stared suspiciously at the wound on Ford’s hand. “Dog bite?” She thought back to the night Joey had chased the snowmobile and brought back a piece of material. It wasn’t a scarf after all…it was a glove. She’d have to get Joey an ice cream cone for his efforts.

The footfalls of the city police making their way to the suite interrupted her line of thought. Zach holstered his gun.

“Well, well, well…still got it Zachy?” A man in a suit commented jokingly.

“Shut the hell up, Troy. Did you take care of things in California?”

“What things?”

“Am I going to jail?” Owen’s concern for his own neck interrupted the answer to Alex’s question.

“They don’t usually arrest people for being an idiot and you were somewhat useful tonight, so I’d say no.”

“You sure, Zach? I can get him a nice room downtown, a new jumpsuit, and a fresh bar of soap.” Troy remembered Alex being present. “My apologies, miss. I tend to speak like a sailor.”

Alex watched them haul off the guy who had invaded her space, threatened her, and scarred her for some time to come. It would be awhile before she felt safe behind a locked door.

“Would someone tell me why all this happened?” She held on to Zach’s arm for support.

Detective Troy explained. “The production company that does your movies was near bankruptcy. The CEO was behind the scheme to create a sensational story. One that would grab attention and lift their ratings. His job was on the line. The Board of Directors was threatening to replace him. In turn, he threatened Owen’s manager to get Owen and Salina to go along with it. Which, as you know, they did.” Alex flinched at the memory. “Owen told his manager he was done with his pretend marriage and said manager got desperate to keep him quiet.” The detective looked at Owen. “Is that fairly close to how it happened?”

Owen nodded and looked to the floor. Alex almost felt sorry for him.

“Do they have enough to prosecute?” Zach pulled Lexie close.

Troy smiled. “Pretty cut and dry. They found quite a bit of damning evidence in Cohen’s office. The Board is cooperating fully and I’m sure that manager of yours,” he glanced at Owen, “is already squawking like a songbird.”

“Thanks for the help, buddy.” Zach shook Troy’s hand.

“I still owe you about three, don’t I?”

“Four, but who’s counting.” They laughed.

“I’ll get down there and help them book him.”

“Well, I should be going too.” Owen shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Zach, could I have a minute?” She and Owen needed closure.

He looked at her and nodded. “I’ll just be in the kitchen. He grabbed the champagne bottle on the way out.”

“Alexandra…” Owen started.

“Don’t,” she shook her head. “What’s done is done. You had your reasons. I can move on now and so can you. All this might even give you more publicity.” She smiled.

“I love you.”

“You loved what you thought we were and so did I. You love the glamour and the glitz. I found out I don’t want that. I want a little cabin in the mountains. Be happy, Owen.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“You too. And if he ever gives you any trouble I’ll use my moves on him.”

Zach came through the kitchen door and grinned at him. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. If you’re ever up in Colorado again, tell them Zach said you get a complimentary room, complete with strawberries.” He shook Owen’s hand before he left.

Now, they had only one thing left to do…

Chapter Twenty-One

She pulled off a glove with her teeth and dug in her purse for the key. The image of the intruder flashed through her mind. She turned the knob. It was locked. Zach stood next to her as she inserted the key and cautiously walked in. Her knees went weak as her eyes worked their way around the room. The smell of pine hit her first. There, right before her, was a Christmas tree glistening with white lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Her hand went to her chest. Had he done this? She glanced at him unashamed as the tears fell freely down her face. The mantel was decorated with lights and more evergreen. Two stockings hung from the fireplace that was blazing with warmth. “Merry Christmas, Lexie.”

She wiped the tears from her face. “How?”

“I had some help from my elves.”

“You saw the news? The papers?”

“I did.”

“And yet you still believed in me??”

“I asked you to trust me. I had to do the same.”

“No one has ever done anything like this for me. We never decorated for Christmas when I lived at home. The staff handled all of it. And I’m sure the nanny bought my Christmas gifts.”

“I promised to give Christmas back to you.”

“You didn’t give it back to me. I never had it to begin with. Now, I understand what it’s about.”

He smiled, stepping closer he tilted her chin up, so their eyes met. “Tell me. What’s it about?”

“Love.”

“Love?”

“I have never had anyone to care about my happiness, my safety, my protection…Christmas is the giving of yourself for the happiness of others. You have given me so much, Zach Camden, and the only thing I have to give you is my love.”

“Say it,” he demanded.

“What?”

“I made a promise to myself. Do you remember?”

She nodded, smiling through tears. Yes, she was ready for this. “I love you, Zach Camden.”

The clock struck midnight as he scooped her up to carry her to the bedroom. This would be a Christmas she would never forget. She glanced at the tree. The lights didn’t mock her, but were like tiny little stars that were begging to be wished upon. But now, she had no wishes left. They had all come true. Alex had many more chapters to write, but one thing she knew for sure…she would have her happily-ever-after.

A word about the author...

Lisa DeVore has always dreamed of being a published author since she wrote her first “book” at age eleven. Living in her NE Ohio town, with its own castle, led to an active imagination. Her debut novel,
Beautiful Music
, was a dream come true.

She splits her time between family, writing, and utilizing her accounting degree. She’s an avid reader, loves dolphins, the beach, and hearing from her readers on Facebook or Twitter.

Lisa is married to her best friend, and they have two sons and a daughter.

Find her here:

Facebook: Lisa DeVore, Author

Twitter: @mrsldevore

~*~

Other Lisa DeVore titles

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BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

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