Made To Love Her (11 page)

Next, Vince moved toward the light and slowly poked his head out the door. The light stung his eyes, so he had to blink until his pupils adjusted. To his left, a chair sat beside a table, with the
New York Times
resting on top. To his right was a flight of stairs. He looked toward the door at the top—that was the way out. Very slowly, Vince proceeded up the stairs. The door at the top was already cracked open. One look told him exactly where he was: Peter Oslo’s house in the Hamptons. He’d been there many times with Gabrielle. He was about to open the door farther, but the sound of two men talking stopped him.

“She’s a crazy bitch acting on her own,” one guy said.

“Peter’s paying us, though,” the other said.

“She’s got access to his cash. I’m telling you—it’s not him; it’s her.”

The first man sighed exasperatedly. “I tried to call him, but I can’t reach him.”

“This guy down there… I say we dump him and then get the hell out of here.”

“Then we won’t get paid.”

“Fuck getting paid! I also heard that Red Cloud is on the move because of this shit.”

“What?” The guy sounded scared out of his mind. “I heard he was dead.”

“Well he isn’t. And somehow, this guy is tied to him.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” the man cursed. “We have to fucking tool up. We can’t reach Peter, and Red Cloud is on the move. He’s fucking coming here.”

“What about this guy?”

“Are you ready to die?”

“No.”

“Then let’s get the fuck out of here.”

“What about Pacey and Clint?”

The one guy paused. “Shit, fuck ’em. They’ve been up her ass since this shit started. They probably think she’s going to give them a piece.”

“Let’s go, then.”

Vince listened as the men stomped off. Something told him to wait for a second. After a brief silence, he heard someone cursing under his breath. His footsteps got closer. Vince’s back hugged the wall. Another physical battle was on the horizon, even though weakness was setting in again. Vince prayed the man would change his mind and walk the other way. The door opened, and Vince was face-to-face with a man twice his size who was wearing a gun holster with a weapon inside.

“Is he okay, Doctor?” the guy asked.

He followed the man’s eyes down to the left side of his chest—to a nametag that read Dr. Wallace Connors. What luck! “Yes, he’s fine.”

The man observed him with furrowed brows. “You’ve been pulling double duty, doc. There’s breakfast in the kitchen.”

Vince nodded stiffly, unable to believe he was pulling this off.

“I’ll go check on him myself, make sure he’s breathing and shit.”

Vince wanted to tell him there’s no need, but just getting out of the house without raising further suspicion was more important. Again, he nodded. “Okay, then I’ll just go to the kitchen and get some breakfast.”

Vince walked fast, but not too fast. As soon as the door closed, Vince walked faster. He followed the sunlit hallway to the back door, remembering the route from the last time he was in the house as he passed them.

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Vince stood looking at Gabrielle Oslo, who was blocking his path. He couldn’t believe how summery she looked wearing a yellow sundress and a lacy hat. Where the fuck was she going while she was holding him captive?

Her eyes widened with shock. “What are you doing out?”

Vince panicked, knowing there were some really bad and big guys in the house, carrying guns.

“He got out!” Gabrielle shouted.

Vince ran toward her and pushed her out of the way. Gabrielle stumbled backward into the bathroom. He had never put his hands on a woman, but Gabrielle deserved it. Gabrielle continued to scream bloody murder.

Vince was almost to his destination when he heard, “Vince, stop now or else!”

He turned to see Cindy standing down the hall, next to a man who was pointing a gun at him.

Vince put his hands up. A few more steps, and he would’ve been home free. Gabrielle picked herself up off the floor, screaming about how he hurt her and how he’s always hurting her.

“Well, not anymore,” Gabrielle said, stalking toward him.

Suddenly, glass shattered, and the guy with the gun fell backward. Cindy screamed. The gunman lay on the floor knocked out cold. The second gunman, the guy who’d told Vince to get breakfast, ran into the hallway from the basement.

“What the hell is going on?” His eyes grew wide as soon as he saw his partner. There was another muffled sound of a gunshot, and the other guy hit the floor.

Cindy screamed again and stutter-stepped as though she wanted to run away but knew it was her mess lying at her feet.

Suddenly, a man in a black ski mask walked in through the door Vince was trying to escape through.

Frozen in place, Gabrielle and Cindy watched him.

“Go, Vincent.” His voice sounded distorted.

With adrenaline pumping through his body, Vince bobbed his head wildly then ran toward the door. Each stride was a struggle, but he had all the will in the world to keep moving. Finally, the outside air hit his face. He was free. The farther he got from the main house, the safer he felt. Yet, he was still vulnerable. Vince searched the trees for more gunmen. So far there were none.

When he first met Gabrielle, his instincts warned him to stay away. He would’ve ended their relationship long before he met Maggie, but by then, Gabrielle was using her father to keep them together. And Peter Oslo was happy to deliver him to her. She was crazy then, and even crazier now.

Vince reached the end of the driveway. He paced along the pavement, still careful to stay out of sight. The gate could’ve opened at any second, and anyone could’ve driven through, even Peter Oslo. Vince’s adrenaline levels began to subside. His legs shook, and his arms dragged. The extreme cold sensation returned with a vengeance as it surged through him. Suddenly, the environment spun, and his breaths became shallow.
Keep standing. His rescuer will be here soon,
he told himself. But he was losing the battle against consciousness. Vince collapsed to his knees, then his face hit the lukewarm pavement.

I
feel
the car power on without my doing. I open my eyes and rub them, wondering how long I’ve been asleep. I check my wristwatch. 8:11 a.m. The console flashes and chimes, and I lift my hands off the steering wheel.

“Maggie, back out of the gate and follow the instructions to where I am,” Jack’s voice says, coming out of the speaker.

The gate behind me slides open.

“Where are you?” I ask, but Jack is no longer on the line. After I back out, the woman’s voice tells me to make a left and proceed four hundred feet before turning right. I look ahead. I can see a gate slide open. I’m sure that’s my destination. I speed up and cut a sharp right. Jack is alongside the driveway, kneeling next to Vince, who’s lying on the ground.

I stop the car, throw the gearshift in park, and jump out. I fall on my knees next to Vince. “Vince?” He’s out like a light. I look at Jack. “Is he okay?”

“Help me get him in the car.”

Jack curls his arms under Vince’s shoulders and lifts him, and I lift Vince’s legs. I can’t take my eyes off his face. Although he’s unconscious, Vince looks as if he hasn’t had a lick of sleep in the last two days. Jack does most of the heavy lifting, but we finally get Vince in the car. Jack drives. I sit in the backseat with my love. I put his head on my lap and rub his scalp, hoping at some point he’ll wake up.

A
n hour later
, we’re at Jack’s Southampton mansion on Meadow Lane. I’m lying next to Vince in a king-sized bed. Dr. Borneo and two nurses have been flown in on a helicopter from New York. They’ve been tending to Vince ever since we arrived. Right now, they’re flushing Vince’s system and giving him the nutrients he’s been lacking. He hasn’t opened his eyes yet, and I haven’t stopped worrying even though Dr. Borneo said he’ll make a full recovery.

Jack and I had a talk. Since Vince and I will soon be husband and wife, and he doesn’t advocate secrets between spouses, he agreed to let me tell Vince everything. But the truth of how he saved him stops with us.

“So I shouldn’t tell anyone Vince was kidnapped,” I say.

“Use your instincts, Mags. That’s all I’m asking. However, the truth about the part I played, remains a secret to everyone else but Vince.”

I nodded, letting him know I’ll respect his wishes.

Now, I’m lying on my side facing Vince. I showered while they hooked Vince to monitors and IVs. Jack let me wear one of Daisy’s night slips, so I’m finally clean and comfortable. If only Vince would open his eyes. At least the color is coming back to his face. What a handsome man he is. I want to cuddle up next to him, but I promised the doctor that I would keep my distance until he opens his eyes. However, I reach out and take his hand and hold it—this sort of touching has been approved.

I
t’s
crazy around here and back at the office in San Francisco. My phone has been ringing nonstop. On top of that, I’ve been trying to get ahold of Jack ever since I was awakened by the morning breakfast bell. Still, he’s unreachable. I got dressed, went downstairs, and joined the women at the table.

Now we’re halfway through breakfast; Daisy is called away from the table to take an important call. I set my eyes on Carter again—she hasn’t looked at me once since I sat down.

“So, Robert, where are you living in San Francisco?” Hannah asks. She’s still grinning and batting her eyelashes at me.

I clear my throat as I steal another glance at Carter. She doesn’t look away from her plate.

“I’m staying in Jack’s place in Russian Hill. Well, right now it’s Jack’s house; he’s agreed to entertain my offer to buy it from him.”

“Oh,” Hannah says, sounding impressed. “You’re a very successful man, aren’t you?”

Monroe grunts as though she’s heard enough. “Stop, Hannah. You’re striking out, and it’s torture to watch.”

Hannah rolls her eyes. “Oh, be quiet, Monroe. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Tango is not into you.” Monroe winks at Carter, who’s finally looked up from her plate, and Hannah sees it.

Carter drops her face again, but this time, she does it bashfully. I was a little leery of Monroe at breakfast yesterday, but I’m starting to like her, a lot.

“So what’s your name again?” Hannah asks, pointing at Carter.

I feel tightness in my chest. I don’t want Hannah giving Carter any shit now that she knows who I’m really into.

Carter flexes her eyes at Hannah for a moment. She sits up straight in her seat. “My name is Carter.”

“Oh. And what do you do?”

Carter frowns. “What do you mean by ‘what do I do?’”

“Like, for a job—for a living.”

“I’m an architect. What do
you
do?”

Hannah flinches, seeming surprised. She’s discovered the one thing that made me fall for Carter. She’s like a piñata. On the outside, she’s a lot of beautiful colors, gorgeous with a delicate form. But just break her open, and she’s filled with sweet and delectable surprises. She’s tough, able to hold her ground against any bitch.

“I’m a stylist and photographer. So if you ever want to do something about your image, then call me. I’ll leave you my card.” She smiles patronizingly.

Carter’s frown intensifies. “Excuse me, but what do you think needs to be fixed on me?”

“Nothing,” Monroe says before Hannah can speak.

Everyone at the table looks at Monroe.

“Everybody can use something,” Hannah says.

“Humph.” Monroe puts her finger on her lower lip thoughtfully. “I think we have outgrown each other, you know.”

Hannah grimaces. I don’t think she was expecting Monroe to say that.

“Because, you know… you can’t go around telling perfectly beautiful women that they need to fix their fucking image. I fix images for a living, and this one here”—she thumbs over at Carter—“has nothing wrong with hers. So lay off of her, Hannah.” Monroe wipes her mouth. “I’m done eating.” She pushes her chair back, gets out of her seat and storms away from the table.

I’m about to go after her, but Daisy strolls into the room. Monroe stops because Daisy’s smiling widely.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

Daisy puts her hands on Monroe’s shoulders. “Vince, Maggie and Belmont are coming home.”

Monroe expels a sigh of relief and grabs on to Daisy.

I sigh in relief too. It feels as though I’m living in a whole new reality now that Vince has been found.

“So where was he?” Monroe asks.

Daisy looks at her questioningly.

“Hannah and Cleo knows. I told them. Maggie would tell them. We tell each other everything,” Monroe says.

Daisy nods, and they both return to their seats at the table. Monroe takes a second to snub Hannah. I don’t think what’s going on between them has anything to do with Carter or me.

Daisy expounds on how loony-tune Gabrielle and Cindy O’lay both kidnapped Vince just so that he would miss his wedding day.

“But how did Jack and Maggie find him?” I ask.

“Belmont said they asked around the Hamptons,” Daisy says.

There’s something very incomplete about Daisy’s answer, and her pasted-on smile proves she knows it.

“Who did they ask?” Monroe says, taking the words right out of my mouth.

Daisy shakes her head innocently. “I don’t know. Belmont didn’t give me many details. However, he did say that Vince ended up escaping.”

“Oh…” Monroe looks even more confused—just how I feel. She and I look at each other.

“The good news is that Vince is safe and sound. They’ll be back tomorrow, so we have a lot of work to do before Saturday,” Daisy says.

I have to admit that she’s good at keeping the control. I figure I can go along with it for now because all that matters is Vince is safe and sound.

I rub my hands together. “So what can I do to help?”

Daisy flashes her influencing smile. “Happy you asked. I was wondering if you can handle the tent for the reception. We need something grand,” she says, gesturing with her hands. “I figure we should have the wedding by the lake and the reception in the garden. I want to bring in more springtime flowers and use them as a backdrop.”

“I’m on it.”

“Great, and I’ll give you my credit card details for payment.”

I wave a hand. “No way. This is on me. It’s the least I can do for Vince and Maggie.”

“Okay, what about me?” Monroe asks.

“You and I are going to work on securing all the bells and whistles for the wedding. You know, doves, flamingos, exotic flowers, my dad’s band, streets of gold, a crystal stage, a glowing dance floor and stuff like that.” Daisy winks at Monroe.

Monroe chuckles and claps her hands. “I like your style.”

“I guess I can help Robert with the tent,” Hannah says.

“No, I think that job is best suited for Carter, since she’s the other architect. I think your skill set is best suited for helping decorate for the ceremony. We want extravagance. We want the guests to be swept off their feet and taken to an enchanted universe.”

Hannah shrugs indifferently. “Okay. Well—that’s definitely my forte.” She sounds disappointed.

I look at Carter again, and she’s still avoiding my glances.

“Oh, and by the way, Carter,” Hannah says.

Carter narrows one eye at her. “What?”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re beautiful, of course, but if you’ve seen Maggie—well, that’s my handiwork. When I look at you, I just see a masterpiece waiting to become. That’s all.” She sneers at Monroe.

Monroe snorts and rolls her eyes. She obviously doesn’t believe Hannah is being genuine. I think she is, though.

“Well, thank you,” Carter says.

“You’re welcome, and I’m serious.”

Before breakfast ends and we all get to our parts, Daisy breaks the news about the venue change to Anne. I don’t think she likes having control of planning the ceremony taken completely out of her hands, but at this point, there’s nothing she can do about it.

First, I call Zoe and ask if she can find a store in town that sells tents for weddings. She works her magic and gets Carter and me an appointment to speak to a representative at eleven thirty.

I find Carter in the backyard, near the lake, with Daisy and the rest of the ladies. Allie and Anne have joined them. Hannah is giving me the eyes. She’s also put on a crop top and a long skirt that hangs on her hips. I don’t know what she likes about me. She really doesn’t know me that well, and the two times I saw her, I was a mess. Carter, though, now she has a reason to like me. She’s only seen the best of me, and we’ve spent some quality time together.

“Afternoon, ladies,” I say.

This time, when I look at Carter, she’s already watching me, no—studying me. “Are you ready?” I ask her.

“Ready for what?” She sounds jumpy.

“You’re coming with me to the party rental store for the tent.”

“Make sure you get a pagoda style tent, large enough for one hundred and fifty guests,” Anne says.

I wink at her. “Got it.” I was planning on doing that anyway but Anne needed to do some dictating. She’s used to being the one in charge. Daisy and Monroe took that privilege away from her, and despite this one little interference, she’s been doing pretty good with relinquishing her power. I set my gaze back on Carter. “So we should go.”

“Are you sure you don’t need company?” Hannah says. “I’ve been to a lot of high-end garden parties, so I know exactly how things should look.”

“Why don’t the two of—”

“That’s okay. Carter and I have it covered,” I say before Carter can finish throwing me to the wolf. I’m starting to get pissed. “Let’s go,” I say and start stomping up the lawn.

“See you, Carter,” Monroe sings coquettishly. That’s the only clue I have that Carter’s following me. As soon as I make it to the side of the house, I turn to look behind me. She’s not that far away. However, she’s close enough that I notice how her yoga pants outline her pussy print. The shit I notice about a woman. I shake my head. What the hell is wrong with me?

I’m all messed up in the head by the time I make it to the car. I open the passenger door for Carter and watch her move closer. I work hard to keep my eyes on her face and not the way her nipples poke the T-shirt she’s wearing. The way I feel about Daisy and Monroe proves that I can admire a woman, one I like a lot, without wanting or needing to fuck her.

Carter passes me and gets into the car. “Thank you.” She’s back to avoiding looking me in the eyes.

My pulse is racing. “Listen, you might not want to have anything to do with me, but it’s not up to you to pass me off to other women. So don’t do that anymore.”

She seems surprised. “Do what?”

“Try to feed me to Hannah.”

She folds her arms. “It looked like you wanted to be with her.”

“In your head probably, but not in mine.”

She opens her mouth to speak then pauses for a moment. Finally, she says, “Okay, sorry. I won’t do that anymore.”

I nod sternly and carefully close her door. I wanted to slam it, but I didn’t want to accidentally crush her fingers or something.

Soon we’re on the road. The loudest sound between Carter and me is the smooth purring of the engine. Maybe I should give up on her already. We tried. She doesn’t want me, and I think I’m okay with it. There was a time when I wouldn’t have accepted the rejection. I had an unrelenting need to be desired by a woman after she rejected me. During one session, Dr. Mahoney led me to the conclusion that my need for approval was the result of seeking love from my mother, who sought to give her love to every man on the planet except me. Then, after, I secretly rejected that notion, but after today, I’m pretty sure it’s true.

I sigh the tension out of my shoulders. I’ll stop chasing Carter. If she doesn’t want me, then so be it. But I don’t want Hannah. I’m looking for a different kind of woman in my life—a Daisy or a Maggie, or even another Carter.

“That’s not what I was doing,” Carter says out of the blue.

I glance at her—shocked that she’s speaking.

“I wasn’t trying to put you off on Hannah. Actually, I thought the two of you had gotten together after I went to my room.”

“Well, you thought wrong.”

The air is thick between us. The silence is unwelcome but necessary at this point.

“I’m relieved because she’s no good for you,” Carter says.

I smirk. “Is that so?”

“She’s too superficial. Did you see that outfit she put on? Just for you, of course.”

“You seem bothered by it.”

She grunts as if she wasn’t in the least bit fazed by Hannah’s attempt to get my attention.

I snicker. “So how are you getting along in DC, anyway?”

“You asked me that already.”

“I did, but I want a different answer this time.”

She shrugs indifferently. “It’s still just fine. It’s different for sure.”

“Oh yeah? How?”

“Everything’s bigger somehow. Bigger personalities. Bigger streets. Everybody has a big job title. Bigger salaries but friendlier people.”

I nod continuously. “You know what? You may not have thought this, but I know exactly what you mean.”

“I knew you would get it. Nothing’s too complex for you, Robert Tango.”

I think back to when I took her to lunch in San Francisco and she tried to trip me up with her esoteric conversation. I realized very quickly that was her way of flirting. I take a quick glance at her to verify that she’s flirting with me now. Carter is grinning. I want to pump my fist and say, “yes.”

“How’s the DC dating scene?” I ask.

She shifts in her seat. “Fine.” Once again, she’s using a high-pitched voice.

“Have you been on a date?”

“I’ve been on some dates.”

My heart just took a nosedive. “How many is some dates?”

“Just a couple.”

“Really? Have you been in DC long enough to find two guys to date?”

“Same guy.”

I glance at her again. She’s looking straight ahead.

“Then you’re seeing someone?”

“No, not really.”

“But you went on two dates with one guy?”

She hesitates. “Um, yes.”

“Wow…” I scratch my head. The idea of us being together just slipped another mile away. “Well, congratulations.”

“For what?”

“Finding someone you like.”

I’m so rattled that I almost miss my turn. I jam down on the brakes and put my arm out as Carter shifts back and forward. “Sorry about that,” I say as I turn the corner.

She recovers from the jolt. “That’s okay. And by the way, it was just two dates, not a commitment.”

I sniff bitterly. “Sort of like what we had.” I glance at her.

“No, I never had sex with him,” she says defensively.

It falls silent again. Something’s happening between us. I think we just reopened that tightly sealed can of worms. “So why did you disappear anyway?” I ask.

“Oh,” she says as if that’s the last question in the world she wanted me to ask. “Do you want to know the truth?”

“Sure. Yes.”

“I went snooping in your office and found those photos.”