The Opium Room (13 page)

Roman was the only parent Fox had, and he couldn’t accept that his father was this monster some believed him to be. That’s why he hadn’t allowed himself to remember that night his mother passed away. Until now.

The blinders had to come off.

Steaming, Fox made his way over to Remedy.

Opening the door to the kitchen, Fox found Erickson in his normal place, standing right over the oversized grille. Sweat was beading along his hairline, salmon simmering on the grille. “Can you take five, man?” Fox asked, putting his hand on Erickson’s shoulder.

“I can’t, bro. Busy.”

“Yeah, I see that. But can’t you get one of the other cooks to take over for a minute?”

“I could, but I want this salmon to be perfect. A high–profile attorney is here, and I want to make a good impression. Karrigan might need us to help her get her foot in the door one day.”

“All right. You leave me no choice, then, but to talk personal business standing here.”

“I guess not,” Erickson agreed.

“Listen, something funny is going on with Roman and Jill. I sat down with her today about our account, and long story short, the airhead showed me her
personal
banking account information.”

“Yeah, so. What does that have to do with Roman?”

“You tell me. Her account was up in the high six–figure range. How does someone from a consulting agency make that kind of money?”

“Maybe she has a lot of clients,” Erickson said, taking the fish of the grill and putting it on a plate. He sprinkled some garnishing on top.

“No, she’s too young to have such a high portfolio. Something’s up. I’d bet money she’s giving Roman sexual favors on the side.”

“Nah, man,” Erickson said. “She’s way too young for him.”

“Do you think Roman cares about age? No.”

Erickson shrugged, indifferent.

“I think I’m gonna take a drive out to the mansion and pull out the old Kemp archives to find information on Mother’s death. It’s overdue.”

Erickson nodded, but didn’t have any input.

“All right, man. Well, this has been enlightening. I’ll leave you to your salmon.”

Erickson didn’t look up from the grill. “See ya.”

Erickson may not share any suspicions about Roman, but soon, Fox thought, he’d have a bomb to drop and open up his siblings’ eyes.

—Fox

When he knocked off at six, he headed home to his primary residence in Newnan, Georgia, about forty minutes away. He was happy to get away from the hustle and bustle of Hypnotic for a while, not to mention, the people under its roof—Roman, Jill, even Karrigan and Erickson to a degree. He took a long, calming shower to clear his mind of his troubles. When he stepped out, he turned on some music, pulled on a pair of silk boxers. Shimmied into his black pants to the beat of the song playing on the radio. Walked into his closet, and pulled an eggplant–colored Ralph Lauren button–down off the padded hanger. It still had the tags on it. He’d saved that shirt for a special occasion. Tonight would surpass special—cross over into remarkable territory for him and his lady love.

He sang along, hips swaying, while he fine–tuned his coif in the mirror. He remembered the hair product Bianca had given him that time at the salon. He’d never tried it, but he wanted to look his very best for Lea tonight.

He unscrewed the lid, put the clear–colored goo up to his nose and took a whiff. It smelled fresh and clean, like his shampoo, so he went for it. Put just a little product between his fingers and twirled the tips of his hair between his fingertips. He smiled remembering Lea’s hands in his hair last night. Couldn’t wait for round two later tonight. It looked pretty good if he said so himself. He sprayed some hairspray and a shot of Armani Code cologne and he was ready.

Except one last thing.

He jogged down the curved staircase. Downstairs, he walked through the kitchen archway to the other side. Damn laundry room couldn’t be farther away from the dirty laundry. Good thing he rarely stayed home long enough to make dirty clothes. He pulled the Tide–washed sheets from the dryer, chunked the drier sheets in the trash, and ran back through the kitchen. Up the flight of forty stairs and down the hall to the master.

He felt beneath the mattress and pulled the thirty–eight revolver from its Velcro attachment. He set the gun on his chest of drawers and flipped the mattress. He lived in a gated neighborhood, but Fox never knew who might come looking for revenge from one of Roman’s corrupt deeds. He carefully attached the gun back in its place, and pulled the fresh fitted sheets across all four corners. He stood at the foot of the bed and shook the flat sheet down, spread it out evenly, then the duvet. He folded the corner diagonally, pulled it smooth, and tucked the edges under the mattress. Decorative matching pillows completed the fresh bed. He’d learned firsthand from the hotel staff how to make a bed to polished perfection.

He was bringing his woman to his house tonight. She was too good to spend night after night in any hotel. No matter how spectacular. This night would mark another milestone for Fox. It would be the first time he’d ever had a woman sleep over at his place.

With Lea there to complete him, for the first time this house would start to feel like a home.

—Lea

Lea had gotten a lot accomplished during her day. The last session of the conference was the most informative of all. She’d learned some xhtml codes that she could’ve used a long time ago.

She returned a missed call from her mother. She let her mom know she’d be home tomorrow, and she’d stop by her house before anything else. She was going to make good on her promise to restore her computer, but more than anything, she wanted to tell her about the new love she’d found in Fox.

Can a girl fall in love in five days? Lea wondered as she stood in front of the mirror in her hotel room surveying herself in her new dress. She didn’t see why not. Baby was only at Kellerman’s for three weeks, and she dirty danced her way into Johnny’s sheets.

Yep, I’m pretty sure I'm in love,
she thought as she applied the mascara Karrigan had picked out for her. When she and Fox were together last night, she felt more loved than at any other time in her life. They had a deep, spiritual connection that made her want to believe in reincarnation, as Karrigan did. If there is such a thing, Fox and Lea unquestionably loved each other in another life. She couldn’t wait to tell Karri that she might be on to something. She and Lea had a sister–like connection. Just being in her presence instantly lifted Lea’s mood. Lea wished Karrigan wasn’t into drugs. She didn’t ask what kind; it didn’t matter. Lea saw a girl who had veered in the wrong direction because she had no direction. From what Fox had said, their father was a miserable man, and her mother died when she was an infant.

Lea hoped Fox liked the dress Karri picked out. It was a black lace dress that hits above the knee. It’s one–sleeved, sexy. Fox won’t know what to think when he saw her showing that much skin. She did feel a little out of her comfort zone with the amount of skin it was showing, but she felt sexy at the same time and excited to see the look on Fox’s face. Tonight, Lea thought, she’d turn his head so far, he’d get a permanent kink in his neck, and never be able to look at another woman again.

Lea played with her hair, pinning it up in bobby pins. It wasn’t a professional up do, but it didn’t look half bad. She spritzed on the perfume Karrigan had bought her; she thought it was called Alien. It was heavy on the skin, but it made a statement: Smell me! Karrigan said Lea’s peppermint oil was just too weak for a man like Fox. He claimed to like her as she was, but from the women Lea had seen around him, he obviously was confused.

Lea was depressed to think that tomorrow she’d be checking out of the hotel and going home to Augusta. She was so afraid that when she left, things would be different the next time she saw Fox. It’s like this had all been some extravagant vacation. What would the reality amount to of their real lives combined?

As Lea stood in front of the bathroom mirror studying her dress, Fox called. He said he’d left his home thirty minutes ago and would be there in another five.

Lea wondered what Fox’s home was like? She imagined it would be decorated with splashes of purple in every room since that was Fox’s favorite color. She wondered why Fox hadn’t yet offered to bring her to his house, but assumed he’d been too busy all week working. He himself said sometimes he didn’t go home for days.

She hadn’t even ridden in his car yet. Had no idea what he drove. Was he a Mercedes guy? Land Rover? She’d soon find out.

Her phone rang again. “I’m in the parking lot,” Fox said.

“Don’t walk up to get me. I’ll meet you out front,” Lea said, putting her phone in her purse and leaving the room. There was no wait time; the elevator was already at her floor.

When the elevator opened, she zigzagged throw a group of Shriners in the lobby. That’s when she noticed Fox standing by the circular check–in desk chatting with an attractive brunette. “Hey, Fox,” Lea said. “I thought you were going to wait in the car.”

“Come on, now, I’m the type of guy who comes up to the door to pick up my dates.” Fox’s gaze went up and down Lea’s body. He swallowed.

The lady at the counter smiled, said to Lea, “Oh, yes, he’s quite chivalrous.”

Like she’d know. Who was
this
bimbo? Seemed every time Lea turned a corner, another chick was hitting on her man. Well, a chick had hit on her lately too. Talk about flattering. Lea would never forget that steamy prequel to her night with Fox.

“Lea,” Fox said, gesturing toward the lady behind the counter, but not taking his eyes off of her. “This is Janine. She’s an old friend of mine.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Janine smiled. “You too.”

At least Janine was friendly.

“Well, you ready?” Fox said, holding out his arm.

“Sure am.”

Once they walked out the revolving doors, Lea said, “Wow, you sure do have a lot of lady friends.”

“I know. Sorry, she caught me walking by. I was trying to cut it short, but she wanted to play catch up.”

“You said she was an old
friend
, Fox,” Lea said. “Is that what you meant? Or was she your lover?”

“Would my answer change our relationship?”

Lea thought for a moment. “No.” That wasn’t completely true. Seeds of doubt were sprouting up faster than the virus’s on her mother’s computer.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Fox walked to the passenger’s side of a silver Toyota Prius and opened the door. “Madam,” he said holding out his hand.

“Thank you.”

Fox closed the door and Lea sat there dumbfounded. Fox drove a
Prius
! That was environmentally friendly! The perfect fit for a county girl like her.

Fox got in and turned on the engine. “Whoa! What is that smell?”

Lea shrugged. “What smell? Is it good or bad?”

“Good… I guess. Just… strong.”

“Oh, that’s the perfume Karrigan suggested. It’s called Alien.”

Fox nodded, laughed. “How fitting. God bless her,” he murmured.

“I knew it would be too strong for you.”

“I liked the way you smelled the first day you were here. I told you, don’t go by what Karri says.”

“You haven’t mentioned anything about my dress,” Lea said, pulling the hem down closer to her knees. “Do you like it?”

“It’s missing an arm, but the lace is nice. It’s not something I can see you picking out for yourself, though.”

Duh!
Fox knew that Karrigan picked it out, not Lea. He could at least compliment her for attempting to dress up for him, she thought.

“I love the color of your shirt,” Lea said.

“Thanks. I saved it for a special occasion. That’s you, sweetheart.”

Just like that, he was redeemed.

The restaurant Fox chose was a place called Monte’s. Beautiful, member exclusive, luxurious dark wood all round, high, beamed ceiling. Dimly lit and candlelight on every table. The epitome of romantic.

They’d placed their orders already, and now they were just waiting. “Sometimes it can take a while for the food to come out, but trust me, it’s worth the wait.”

“I’ll bet,” Lea said. There was a different mood between them tonight. Like Fox had something to say, but wasn’t coming out with it. Several times Lea had caught him staring out into nothing. “A lot on your mind, Fox?”

He reached across the table, cupped her hand. “I’m sorry. Something transpired today at work that has me baffled. I don’t want to get into it and ruin our dinner. Let’s talk about us.”

“Us?” Lea smiled. “Why does that sound so good to me?”

“The same reason it sounds so good to me. We both know we found something that comes around only once in a lifetime.”

“Really? That’s how you feel about me?”

“Of course it is. Never second–guess how strongly I feel for you.”

“There’s one thing that’s bothering me, though,” Lea said.

“All right.” Fox leaned forward, grabbed his glass of wine and drank. “Put it on the table.”

“We haven’t talked about my leaving tomorrow. I’m going back to Augusta. It’s not like that’s a short drive away. We’re talking two and half hours distance. Where does that leave us?”

“Don’t you work from home?” Fox asked.

“Yeah.”

“Simple. Move to Atlanta. Live with me.”

It didn’t sound so simple. Live with him where? In the hotel? In his house that he hadn’t yet taken her to.

“Fox, that’s a huge step. We haven’t been together long.”

“I have no doubts about our relationship. Do you?”

“Well, no… but…”

“But what? Do you have something or someone tying you down to Augusta?”

“No.” Was he implying she had a boyfriend back home, or did that just come out really bad? “I do have my family there. People who depend on me.”

“Listen, babe. You don’t have to map out the rest of your life right here and now. Just know that I’m always going to be right here for you.”

Lea didn’t know what she wanted Fox to say exactly. He was offering all he had, but it came across half–hearted. Tonight his eyes never lingered on hers for more than a second before he was staring into space again. He was saying the right things, but his body was telling another story. There was something more pressing on his mind.