Love After War (9 page)

“This isn't about you, Solomon,” Elliot said as he walked into the club.

Adrian looked from Solomon to Elliot, seeing more of himself in the two men than he wanted to admit. He and Solomon were four months apart in age. They had the same color and eye shape. When Solomon glared at his father and gritted his teeth, Adrian recognized that expression. He found himself doing that when he was angry as well.

“You don't think that it's pretty damned suspicious that Richmond was on his way over to this club and he gets caught with a hooker? You don't think this son of a bitch had something to do with it? And what are you doing here anyway? If you think you and Richmond can handle this idiotic project and deal with shysters like this assclown, then have at it. He is not to be trusted.”

“Who in the hell do you think you're talking to, son?” Elliot asked.

Adrian shuddered inwardly at the word
son
. Did he even know that he was standing in a room with two of his sons? Did he even care?

“This is an important project to our company, and if you walk away, you can submit your resignation as CEO. Richmond has been chomping at the bit to do this job.”

“You're kidding, right?” Solomon laughed sardonically. “First you come up with this idea to build in an already saturated market, one that Mom was always against, and now you want to give Richmond a job we know he can't do? Yeah, go ahead and do that. And I'd love to see how you two are going to handle this scandal.” He laughed and for a split second, Adrian was excited. There was already discord in the family, and he wouldn't have much work to do to create more.

“Do you think I need you to fix any problem that comes up with my company?” Elliot snapped, pointing his bony finger in Solomon's face. “You don't have your champion anymore. I'm going to finally do what I want to do with Crawford Hotels.”

“Don't do that,” Solomon growled. “Don't pretend that my mother wasn't the brains of Crawford Hotels. All you did was lend a name.”

“You arrogant—”

“Hey!” Adrian exclaimed. “Why don't you take your family argument somewhere else. You're wasting my time.” Inside, Adrian smiled because this little argument was captured on his security cameras. He was going to leak the video to the same gossip columnist who wrote about Richmond's arrest. He'd even send it to Page Six.

“I came here to talk about partnering with Mr. Bryant. You can join us or you can leave. What I won't have is you questioning him about your brother's bad choices.”

Solomon glared at Adrian and his father. “Somebody has to look out for this company.”

Adrian rolled his eyes and pointed the men toward his office. This wasn't the meeting he'd planned, but he'd make it work in his favor.

“What's your vision for the lounge in Crawford Towers?” Elliot asked once they were seated in the office.

“I know LA nightlife and I know people are always looking for the next big thing. You have to think ahead. A few years ago, it was beds in clubs; then it was signature drinks. Now people want to go back to basics, a place where they can drink, see beautiful people, and unwind.”

“What's the difference between that and a regular hotel bar? Hell, we can hire a band on certain nights,” Solomon interjected.

“This isn't Atlanta or New York. We're talking about the entertainment capital of the world. A hotel bar isn't going to cut it.” Adrian sized Solomon up. He knew of his brother's reputation as a reformed ladies' man, but now that he'd married businesswoman Kandace Crawford, he'd changed his ways.

However, he'd left a string of broken hearts across the country and one powerful one here. If he had to, he'd play that card. Adrian and Heather Williams, the actress Solomon dumped three years ago, were LA friends—meaning they didn't hang out and share secrets, but they had each other's cell phone numbers.

“What do you get out of this deal? You just opened a club, where my responsible older brother made a spectacle of himself and got caught with a damned hooker!” Solomon looked pointedly at his father.

“I'll admit having a presence in downtown will enhance my portfolio,” Adrian said. “More than anything, this gives your hotel more publicity.”

Solomon snorted.

Elliot nodded thoughtfully as he examined Adrian's face. Did he see himself? Did he see Pamela? Adrian turned away from Elliot and pretended he was pulling up a file on the computer.

“Having entertainment in the hotel is a good idea and it will set this location apart from our others. Draw up some specs and we'll get down to business.”

“Just like that?” Adrian looked into the older man's eyes, wondering if his pure hatred for him shone through. “We don't even know what role he played in Richmond's dalliance with the call girl.”

“Whatever Richmond did doesn't have a bearing on what kind of business I decided to do with Mr. Bryant.”

Solomon sat stone-faced. “I don't like this,” he blurted out.

“Why don't you check my credentials?” Adrian said. “I'm the best at what I do.”

“Don't think I won't.” Solomon rose from his seat and tore out of the office. Alone with Elliot, Adrian found himself at a loss for words. How was he supposed to handle this? Blurt out that he was Pamela's son, the bastard he'd ignored? Or just say nothing?

“Well, you have to excuse Solomon. Headstrong and loud like his mother.”

Adrian grunted, picked up a pen, and twirled it. “Studies say that most men have more of their mother's qualities anyway,” he said. “My mother had little choice but be my everything.” His words were meant to be daggers—that is, if Elliot even gave a damn.

The older man inhaled sharply before saying, “Your mother was an amazing woman and I loved her.”

Adrian dropped the pen. Did he really say he loved his mother? A woman he ignored and left broken? A woman he'd forced to give up her dreams because he wasn't man enough to leave his wife? How could he even say love when it came to his mother? “You're going to sit there and spew that bullshit when you exiled my mother to Los Angeles because—”

“I was a married man and I—”

“Couldn't be a man and accept your fucking responsibilities.”

“I provided for you and your mother. She understood that I couldn't—”

“My mother loved you. Even with her dying breath, you were on her mind. So don't tell me that you took care of me and my mother. Now you want to be a family man?”

“What do you want, Adrian?” Elliot asked quietly. “You've known who I was from the moment you decided to go into business with us. The day I saw you at the press conference, I saw your mother in you.”

Adrian leaped from his seat. “Don't talk about her as if you gave a hot damn about her. I guess Solomon got his player ways from you. He was just smart enough to not get anyone pregnant.”

Elliot rose to his feet, his face contorted in sadness and confusion. “Adrian, I wanted a life with you and your mother. But I couldn't lose everything. I wouldn't have been able to give you and Pamela what you deserved. I wasn't going to let a son of mine grow up the way I did. Poor, wondering where your next meal is coming from, and suffering.”

“A life built on a lie? Yeah, I deserved that. Thanks, Dad. Or should I call you
Sperm Donor
?”

Elliot sighed and started for the door. “When you calm down, we can talk like men. But as long as you act like an angry child, then we'll just have this business arrangement.”

Adrian wanted to reach out and wrap his hands around the older man's throat. Did he just talk to him as if he were some kind of idiot? Taking a calming breath, Adrian watched his father walk out of his office. What excuse could he possibly have for being a damned deadbeat father?

Dana climbed on the back of the Fat Bob she'd just purchased. Her face lit up as she started the cycle. The roar of the engine made her giddy with excitement.

“You look good on that bike!” Ian exclaimed.

“And it feels good,” she replied as she revved the engine again.

“I'm glad we took this field trip to do this photo shoot.” Ian ran his hand across the silver handlebars. “This Fat Bob is hot and you look even hotter on it.”

Dana smiled as she reached for her helmet on the back of the bike. “I would say let's race back to LA, but I'm going to take a slow ride back.”

“Maybe after the premiere we can take a late-night ride together?” Ian suggested.

She nodded and pulled the helmet on her head. Flipping the shield up, she said, “I'd like that.”

Ian waved good-bye to her as she tore out of the dealership parking lot. Dana forced herself to slow down and enjoy the tingle of the wind. The vibration of the motorcycle made her feel alive, back to her old self. The woman who didn't give a damn what Adrian or anyone else thought about her riding a hog. Weaving in and out of traffic, Dana felt like a superhero. Too bad she was a mere mortal and her heart and mind were still weighed down with thoughts of Adrian.

About an hour later, and fifteen minutes late for her spa appointment, Dana was back at her hotel. When she reached in her pocket and looked at her cell phone, she had three missed calls. Two from Imani and one from Adrian. She immediately cleared his number from the list, then deleted his contact information. They had nothing left to say to each other.

Still, she needed to warn Imani and Ian to stay away from Adrian's clubs, especially if there was something illegal going on there. Pulling her bike into a motorcycle only spot, Dana headed inside and called Imani back.

“Just look up,” her friend ordered when she answered. “And why are you carrying a motorcycle helmet?”

“Well, it's what you wear when you ride a motorcycle and it's the law.”

“You and Ian are getting on my nerves. Motorcycles are dangerous, but at least he's there to protect you. So, how did the photo shoot go?”

“It was great and I have my own bike now. Ian and I went to Orange County for the shoot. I got some amazing pictures of him on his bike and then I got my first Harley.” Dana smiled broadly. “The ride back was such a rush! I don't even know if I need a spa treatment now.”

Imani smacked her friend on the shoulder. “Really, Dana? That may be cool in LA or New Orleans, but you live in New York. Hello! Just imagine all of the accidents and—”

“You know, I allowed someone else's fears to cause me to give up my motorcycle before. I'm not going to let it happen again.”

“That jab was not mine.” Imani raised her eyebrow. “This is about Mr. Slick, huh? If he caused you to give up such a dangerous hobby, then he might be all right. Maybe.”

Part of Dana actually wanted to defend him. Wanted to tell Imani that Adrian was . . . what? Amazing ? The love of her life? Instead, she shrugged. “It's my life, Mani. I'm going to live it my way. You don't have to like it, because it's my choice.”

“He really did a number on you, huh?”

Dana sighed and stroked the helmet in the crook of her arm. “He did and sadly, he still is. And you need to avoid his clubs and tell your friends to do the same for a while.”

Imani snorted and furrowed her brow. “How about forever?”

“You can't say that. Adrian has been known to cater to A-listers, and he's having some issues that no one wants to be involved with right now. We know what the media does when it comes to scandals.”

“Scandals? What aren't you telling me . . . Wait, are you seeing him? Because I haven't read anything about his club other than that guy getting caught with the hooker.”

“We spent last night together,” Dana admitted.

“You did what? But you went out with Ian. When? How? Are you insane?”

“I was, but I'm good now.”

Imani shook her head. “That's what you say. I know he's cute, but he broke your heart and you hopped into bed with him after spending the night hugged up on a bike with Ian.”

“Well, Mrs. Matchmaker, you should be happy to know that I'm going to the premiere tonight with Ian.”

“Hope y'all are leaving the bikes behind and rolling in a limo like normal stars do,” Imani said as she and Dana headed for the hotel's spa.

“You forget I'm not a star,” Dana replied with a laugh.

 

 

Adrian picked up his cell phone and dialed Dana's number. He needed to apologize and he needed to see her, to be reminded of softness, love, and light. All he wanted was to have her in his arms and inhale the sweet smell of her hair.

Voice mail.

Adrian slammed out of his office and locked up the club. He couldn't expect Dana to be his savior. He couldn't expect her to make him forget that his father was an asshole who thought DNA meant nothing and throwing money at a problem was supposed to make it disappear.

Well, he had news for his father and those selfish-ass brothers of his. They wanted to portray this nice little family image, but Adrian was going to bring it down piece by piece. He'd smack the smugness off Solomon's face. It was time for round two.

Adrian dialed Heather Williams. He wondered if he might be taking things too far. Heather's highly publicized breakup with Solomon was big news a few years ago. Did he want to hurt a total stranger just to humiliate his father? Before he could change his mind, he heard, “Heather Williams's phone.”

“Is this Ms. Williams?”

“No, this is her assistant, Nichelle Marsh. Who's calling?”

“Adrian Bryant. I'm calling to invite Ms. Williams to an event at Allure tonight following the screening of
Black and Blue
.”

“Let me check her calendar. I don't think she's attending tonight's premiere.”

Adrian smirked. Heather Williams let everyone with a microphone or a video camera know about her simmering feud with Imani Thomas and the fact that she didn't get the lead in the movie and was forced to play a smaller role.

“I assume she wasn't happy with her supporting role,” he said, buttering up the assistant. “I saw the preview and she stole every scene she was in. That's why I want her to be the guest of honor tonight.”

“So, Imani Thomas won't be there?”

“Nope. She isn't on the guest list.”

“I see an opening on Ms. Williams's calendar. She'll be there at eleven.”

“Great. I'll text you the details. Thank you, Nichelle.” Adrian ended the call and sighed. Was he taking this thing too far? Was he prepared to cross the line and ruin Solomon's family just because Elliot had abandoned him and his mother?

He closed his eyes, remembering the happiness of his childhood. Pamela loved him fiercely. They Rollerbladed together, hung out on the beach, discovered tofu and found out that it wasn't for them. His childhood friends thought he had the coolest mother ever, but they didn't see how lonely she was. When they'd get that weekly package from New York, Pamela would cry, all the while trying to hide her sadness and tears from Adrian. But he'd seen them and never knew why.

To hell with changing his mind; he wanted someone else to feel that pain.

 

 

Dana and Imani walked out of the spa feeling and looking spectacular. With her locks curled and retwisted, Dana was tempted not to ride her motorcycle to the movie premiere. Tempted, but not totally swayed. She loved that bike after just a few hours of owning it.

“I have to get fitted for my dress,” Imani said, then turned to Dana. “Promise me two things.”

“I'll think about it.”

“No riding until after the premiere, and please, no more late-night visits with Adrian.”

“Trust me, I'm done with him. And I'll think about the riding part. Where's Raymond?”

Imani smiled. “My wonderful husband is getting fitted for a tuxedo and hating every minute of it. He wanted to know why he couldn't just wear jeans and his favorite Hendrix T-shirt. Although he'd look very sexy in it, I told him this is the first time he's hitting the red carpet with me as the headliner in a movie.”

“Still not used to the life of a movie star's husband ?”

Imani nodded. “But he's always a good sport about it and that's why when we get back to New York, I'm going to talk to Broadway Cares about doing a fund-raiser for the clinic. I'll even do Alexander Roman's show and give my salary to Raymond and Keith. They work so hard with so little.”

“Let me know. Hopefully I'll be done with this book and I can shoot the event for you guys.”

Imani reached out and hugged her friend tightly. “You're wonderful and you deserve to be happy. I hope Ian is the man to make you happy.”

“I'm not sad, Mani. I've gotten my head together and I know what I need. It's not Adrian.”

“Hallelujah!”

Dana headed up to her room to pick out her outfit for the premiere. As she walked toward the elevator, she felt her phone vibrate, indicating that she missed a call. She pulled the phone from her pocket and saw the number. Even without having his name saved in her cell, she knew it was Adrian. Pressing the UP button on the elevator, she deleted the missed call. She wasn't going to call him—ever. If Adrian wanted to deal with his mess alone, she'd let him. He'd done it before and he could do it again. As the elevator reached her floor, she found herself wondering if she should return his call, though. What if he needed her and this was a call for help?

“No,” she whispered as she unlocked her room door. “Adrian wants you because he thinks you want Ian. He is playing a game that I don't want to be a participant in.”

Perching on the edge of her bed, Dana ran her hand across the bedspread and memories of her night with Adrian flooded back. God, how she craved that man. Needed him as she needed the oxygen in her lungs. But he didn't trust her enough to let her into whatever was clouding his . . .
Why do I care?
she thought as she pounded the bed. Dana rose to her feet and crossed over to the closet to retrieve her outfit.

Dana had originally planned to wear a blue pantsuit with a pink tunic and silver strappy heels. Sucking her teeth, she glanced at the jumpsuit she'd packed on a whim. The black bandeau suit was a skin-hugging throwback to Foxy Brown, and Dana had always been too afraid to wear it while shooting pictures. The last thing she needed was a Janet Jacksonesque wardrobe malfunction.

But she wasn't taking pictures tonight.

Dana grabbed the outfit and laid it across the bed. She was going to have a good time tonight and leave all thoughts of Adrian behind.

And at that moment, her cell phone rang. It was Adrian. As much as she wanted to ignore the call, she answered.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“You.”

“Adrian, I'm not doing this dance with you anymore. What do you want me for? Is it because you—”

“I told you last night that I love you. Dana, I just want to see you. Can we at least meet for coffee?”

She looked at the clock. There was plenty of time for a cup of coffee, but what did she and Adrian have to say to each other? Maybe he wanted to talk about the troubles at his club. As much as she wanted to pretend she didn't give a damn, she did. Sighing, she finally agreed to the coffee. “I'll meet you at our Starbucks in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks, Dana.”

She ended the call and shook her head.
Weak sauce,
she thought as she disrobed and slipped into the jumpsuit. Dana crossed the room and stuffed her heels into her motorcycle bag and stepped into her boots. She laughed as she headed out the door. She'd broken both of the promises she'd made to her best friend and the lies she'd told herself. The trip to Starbucks wasn't going to take more than twenty minutes, depending on the traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard. She wasn't going to do more than talk to Adrian. She wasn't even going to give him a hug.
Keep it simple and quick,
Dana told herself as she climbed onto her Harley and headed down the street.

 

 

As Adrian walked into Starbucks, he wondered what he should say to Dana about why he had to see her. He couldn't stomach lying to her, but he also couldn't tell her that he was out to ruin the man who abandoned him as a child and broke his mother's heart. One of the reasons he loved Dana was because she reminded him of Pamela. Her spirit was as giving and loving as his mother had been. His mother had taken an instant liking to Dana when they'd met, telling her son that Dana was the kind of woman you held on to.

Adrian wished he'd listened. Maybe Dana's love was more important than revenge. But how was he going to convince her to give him another chance when he'd done such a great job of presenting himself as an asshole?

The roar of a motorcycle shook him out of his emotions. “I know she didn't,” he muttered as he watched the cycle circle the parking lot. He didn't have to see her face to know that Dana was the rider. He knew those hips.

Turning toward the door, he headed outside to meet her. As he watched Dana pull her helmet off and shake her locks, he was transfixed by her curve-hugging outfit. His groin twitched and threatened to burst through his fly as she walked toward him. Adrian tried to calm his hormones, but he was standing there with his mouth slightly agape watching a goddess approach him. He'd nearly forgotten that he'd come outside to voice his umbrage at her choice of transportation. “Wow. You look amazing,” he was able to say as his eyes roamed her body.