Текст книги "Reclaim Me"

Автор книги: Ann Marie Walker

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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

“Good evening, Alessandra.” A sneer curled his lips.

“Julian, what are you doing here?

“Dining on a meal that should have been served to inmates.”

“I mean . . . I thought,” she stammered. “Didn’t you say you were flying to Chicago on the first?”

“And yet here I am, a week early.” He smirked. “Have you forgotten who is in control? I set the timetable, Alessandra. It’s mine to adjust as I see fit. Now give me an update, and do try to keep it brief.”

“Haven’t your lackeys been keeping you apprised of my every move?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “It seems we have some training to do after the ceremony.” He stepped closer, and the cloying scent of his cologne invaded her senses. She could practically taste it. “You will speak to me with respect. Always.”

Bile rose in her throat and her heart rate accelerated. “I need to get back to the guests. If you’ll excuse me . . .” She stepped to the side but he caught her arm.

“Not so fast.”

“Don’t make a scene, Julian.”

He dropped his hand. “Then answer my directive. Have you presented the ultimatum?”

“Not yet.

He stiffened. “What the hell are you waiting for? He’s been following you around like you’re a bitch in heat, just as I knew he would. It’s time for you to . . . what is that expression you Americans love? Ah yes, lay your cards on the table. Do it, Alessandra.” Julian nodded toward Hudson and Melanie. “And I’d hurry if I were you, before he loses interest.” His eyes narrowed as he watched them. “I wonder how Melanie feels about conjugal visits?”

“I’ll invite him to dinner and lay everything out then.”

“Soon. I’m growing impatient, and you know the impulsive decisions I tend to make when I get this way.” His veiled threat was less than subtle. She was out of time.

“I’ll set it up for tomorrow night.”

He gave a tight nod. “See that you do.” His expression changed as his eyes roamed over her in a long, leering glance. “You’re flushed, Alessandra. If I didn’t know better I’d think you found my proximity arousing.” Julian raised his hand and she flinched. His eyes flared at her defensive move. The sick bastard was getting turned on. She hated herself for reacting almost as much as she hated the satisfied smirk that curved his lips. Of course he wouldn’t strike her, not with so many witnesses, especially not ones he deemed America’s “faux nobility.” No, Marquis Julian Laurent was far too concerned with his image to hit a woman in public. He was more the type to beat a woman in the privacy of her own home.

But when Julian touched her face, it might as well have been a slap. The sensation echoed the night he sent her flying across the living room of her brownstone. She could almost feel the blood dripping down her cheek as the back of his knuckles brushed over her skin, and when he leaned closer she could definitely smell the same stench of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath.

“Perhaps there will be some benefits to this merger after all.” He dropped his hand, replacing his fingers with his lips. Allie’s stomach turned as he kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch,” he said before strolling off in the direction of the bar.

Allie turned to find Hudson with his stare locked on hers, and all she could think about was how badly she wanted to feel his arms around her. At least now she had a reason to speak with him. In fact, Julian was probably watching her from somewhere in the room, waiting for her to do just that.

She made a beeline for his table. An hour ago the sight of Melanie, throwing her head back in a soft laugh as her hand came to rest on Hudson’s wrist, would have made Allie see red. But at the moment she had far greater concerns.

Hudson stood as she approached, surprising Melanie, who from the sound of it was mid-sentence.

“Will you excuse us,” Allie said, not giving a shit that she was interrupting the woman who quite literally had her claws in her man. “I need to speak with Mr. Chase.” The words were hardly out of her mouth before he had her in motion. His hand barely touched the small of her back as he ushered them to a corner of the ballroom, but the contact was enough to soothe her.

“Two more minutes and I would have ripped his arms off,” he spit out under his breath.

“We’re out of time.”

“What did he say?”

“Ladies and Gentleman,” the bandleader interrupted before Allie could answer. “Before we begin, our hosts would like to say a few words.”

Colin and Harper both stepped onto the dais, but it was Harper who took the microphone. Allie felt a sense of pride as she watched her friend conquer her fear.

“On behalf of the Ingram Foundation, I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening. Your generous support funds over twelve charities, ranging from charter schools to cutting-edge cancer research to shelters for battered women and children.” The latter had been a new addition to the Foundation’s mission, one Allie had personally suggested. To her immense satisfaction, she had already secured the necessary donations to launch the program later that spring.

“Before I leave you to enjoy a bit of chocolate and a spin on the dance floor”—she dropped her voice—“and to drink enough wine that you bid ridiculous amounts for the items up for auction.” She smiled at the round of quiet laughter her teasing nudge received. “I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a special thanks to the Ingram board, particularly the CEOs, for their unwavering commitment.”

The double meaning in her words was impossible to miss, but to further prove her point, Harper raised a brow in Allie’s direction as she introduced Allie and Hudson to the room. The spotlight blinded them, the crowd clapped, and then the band began to play.

“I believe it would be customary for us to dance,” Hudson said.

Allie nodded. Thanks to Harper’s little stunt, there was no doubt Julian was watching them. Hell, the entire room was. If anything, a dance would reassure him she was making the progress he’d demanded.

Hudson offered his arm and Allie curled her hand around his bicep. She could feel the tension in his muscles through the fabric of his tuxedo jacket. When they reached the center of the parquet floor, he pulled her into his arms. She wanted to mold her body against his, to feel their connection from head to toe, but she kept a respectable distance fit for public consumption.

After a few bars of the song, other couples joined them on the dance floor, and the low murmur of conversation once again filled the room. Hudson pulled her closer and pressed his cheek to her temple. She knew it was to muffle their conversation, but the skin to skin contact made her shudder nonetheless.

“What did that asshole want?” he murmured into her hair.

“Results. I’m supposed to invite you to dinner tomorrow night and give you the ultimatum.”

“I’ll make a reservation.”

“It needs to be somewhere visible, so he can see. Otherwise . . .” She pulled back to look at him. Hot tears pricked her eyes as she met his concerned gaze. “He’s getting impatient, Hudson. He started making threats.”

Hudson pulled her closer, and the hand holding hers tightened. “I’ll take care of it,” he said. After a beat, he added, “I’ll take care of everything.”

Chapter Twenty-five

Allie eyed the small gadget Hudson held suspended between two fingers. “What is that?”

“The latest acquisition from Max’s team.” He dropped the tiny object back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and smoothed his tie. “Some sort of noise distortion device. It will allow us to speak freely.”

The tiny bistro was already buzzing with sounds of every kind, from the clanking of dishes to the animated conversations at the crowded bar. It was difficult to even hear the person across from you, much less at another table. Unless . . .

“Do you think Julian bugged this place?”

“I never underestimate the competition, Alessandra. And at this point there’s no telling the lengths to which he will go.” Hudson poured more Chianti into her glass. “Whoever is watching us tonight will only be able to decipher our conversation through facial expressions and body language.”

She nodded, and her gaze instinctively shifted to the large window beside their table. Outside people hurried down the sidewalk and cars clogged all four lanes of traffic. In the distance, tourists milled about in front of the historic Water Tower, posing for pictures or embarking on carriage rides. Hudson had not only chosen the restaurant for its proximity to the busy plaza, but he also made sure they were seated right in front of the glass. The hostess seemed surprised that he preferred the fishbowl location over the intimate booth she’d been leading them to, but the fifty slipped discreetly into her palm settled the matter rather quickly.

“Relax, Allie.” Hudson’s tone was meant to reassure her, but it did nothing to quell the anxiety buzzing through her veins. Someone was out there watching their every move. Making small talk was proving more difficult than she’d anticipated.

She poked at her wood-fired pizza. The combination of burrata, arugula, and white truffle oil was usually one of her favorites, but tonight it sat largely untouched.

“Tell me about last night’s projections,” he said in what was obviously an effort to distract her. “Did they hit their target?”

Allie reached for her wine. Despite taking a hefty gulp, she barely tasted it.

“Exceeded, actually. And by quite a bit. Of course that was largely due to the generous check you wrote.”

“Worth every cent to see my brother in a tuxedo.”

A thought occurred to her, and for the first time since they sat down, a genuine smile curved Allie’s lips. “I heard he got a puppy.”

A crease formed between Hudson’s brows. “Yes, seems the redhead thought it would be good for him.”

“Hudson, you know her name is Harper.”

“Fine. Harper,” he said, stressing her name, “can clean up after the thing next time. The little mutt relieved herself everywhere but on the damn pad.”

Allie covered her mouth with her napkin.

“I know the napkin trick, Alessandra. You’re enjoying a laugh at my expense.” His gaze softened. “But I’m glad you have a reason to smile.”

“You’ve given me so many reasons to smile, Hudson.”

“And I plan to keep it that way.”

The waiter appeared at the table with the check. After handing over his credit card, Hudson turned his attention back to Allie. “But for now, I believe it’s time for you to lower the boom.”

“Well, seeing as how you need to look somewhat upset over what I have to say, shall we discuss last night’s Bulls’ game?”

Hudson frowned. “The refs decided that game, not the players.”

Bingo. Within no time Hudson was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest and his brow knit together. To prying eyes he looked like a man who’d just been given an ultimatum.

He stood in a rush when Allie rose from her chair. “My limo is outside,” he said, tossing his napkin down on the table.

Her eyes darted to the window. “Do you think that’s wise?”

“You supposedly just gave me the opportunity to win you back. I don’t believe a ride home would be out of the question.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the restaurant. Max was already standing on the sidewalk with the rear door held open. Allie slid inside, waiting while Hudson exchanged a few hushed words with his right-hand man before joining her on the leather bench. The door had no sooner closed when she crawled into his lap, taking full advantage of the privacy afforded by the dark tinted glass.

“Hold me?”

His arms were already encircling her. “You don’t ever have to ask.”

Allie rested her head on his shoulder. Normally his mere proximity had her melting against his chest, but even that wasn’t enough to ease the tension racking her frame. “Did Max have any news?”

Hudson exhaled. “Unfortunately, no. Although he did spot a supposed tourist taking photos of our table.”

“One of Julian’s men?”

He gave a tight nod. “Appears so.”

“He’s going to want an update. The board meeting next month is making him anxious.”

“Tell him I’ve agreed.”

Allie lifted her head. “To give me your shares of Ingram?” Her voice sounded several octaves too high. It was a ridiculous concession, one she would never take him up on. But still, to hear him agree, even in theory, took her aback.

“Yes, Julian knows how I feel about you. His entire plan hinges on his belief that I will do whatever it takes to win you back. He will be expecting nothing less. There’s no predicting his actions if it even appears as though I might not agree.” Allie opened her mouth but Hudson answered her unspoken question with his next breath. “It won’t accelerate his timetable. He knows how long it takes to have paperwork of that nature drawn up and processed. If anything, the false sense of progress might get him to ease up on you a bit.” His fingers stroked rhythmically down her back. “In the meantime, I’ve put every resource at Max’s disposal. If there’s proof to leverage against Julian, he will eventually find it.”

“That’s just it, Hudson—I’m starting to think there’s nothing to find. The shooter is dead and no one in Julian’s inner circle is going to risk ending up with the same fate. Your team has been working on this for weeks and we’re no further along than we were when this whole mess started.” She let out a stuttering breath. “He’s going to get away with it.”

Hudson reached for her hand. “He won’t. We’ll figure something out.”

Hot tears pricked her eyes as she pictured the smug expression on Julian’s face that afternoon at his chateau. “If you could have seen the way he gloated.” Her words shook with emotion. “He talked about planning their murder like it was one of those crime dramas he loves so much.” An idea hit her like a physical jolt and she sat up straight. “That’s it,” she said, her voice strong and clear for the first time all night. “I need to get him on tape bragging about it.”

“Absolutely not.”

“It’s the only chance I have to end this once and for all.”

“No fucking way.”

“Why not?”

Hudson stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. “Aside from the obvious?”

When she didn’t budge, he let out an aggravated breath and continued. “Even if this wasn’t out of the question, and even if you were successful, there’s no guarantee the courts would allow it. That type of evidence is evaluated on a case by case basis.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t planning to march into the police station with it or he might retaliate against you and Nick. I just need to hold it over his head. A trade of information.”

Beneath her, Hudson’s entire body tensed. “Goddammit, Allie,” he practically shouted as he shifted her off his lap. “You can’t be fucking serious.” His words came in an angry rush. “That asshole is a loaded gun waiting to go off. There’s no telling what he’ll do if he feels backed into a corner. If you think I’m letting you put yourself in that kind of danger, even for one minute . . .” A muscle in his jaw ticked, and she knew the image of Julian forcing her over the back of the sofa filled his mind the same as it did hers.

“Julian needs me. He can’t do anything to me or his whole plan goes up in smoke.” She cupped his face between her hands, forcing him to look at her. When his eyes met hers they burned with rage, but more than that, what she saw in them was fear. He was afraid for her, and that was an emotion she understood all too well. “He won’t hurt me,” she whispered.

His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Last time he almost . . .”

“I know,” she said. “But he’s on his best behavior right now. He can’t risk blowing everything by being arrested for battery.”

“Fuck, Allie. Battery would only be the tip of the iceberg.”

She swallowed hard. “Hudson, I have to do this. It’s the only hope we have left.”

A few tense moments passed. Allie held perfectly still, letting him reach what was the only logical conclusion on his own. When he finally spoke, it was on a heavy exhale. “I don’t like this, Alessandra. Let me make that perfectly clear.”

“I’m not happy about it either, but it’s the only way.”

Hudson shoved a hand through his hair. “We do this on my terms. I don’t want anything left to chance.”

“Yes, of course,” she agreed without hesitation.

For the remainder of the ride Hudson laid out his conditions. The meeting would take place in public, Allie would wear a wire as well as a tracker, and Max would coordinate the entire operation. His team of trained professionals would not only coach her, they would have her under close surveillance at all times.

“I’ll begin making the necessary arrangements first thing tomorrow,” Hudson said as they rolled to a stop in front of her brownstone. He walked her to the door and said good-bye with a simple kiss to her cheek. “I fucking hate this,” he growled in her ear before turning and jogging down the steps. She didn’t know if he was referring to the plan or the chaste good night, but in all likelihood it was probably both.

She’d barely unlocked the front door when her phone began to ring.

“A kiss at the door? How sweet.” Julian’s words dripped with sarcasm. “I thought I made myself clear in regards to rutting with that mongrel.”

“It was a kiss on the cheek, Julian. He’s supposed to think I’m taking him back, remember? And it’s working. He’s agreed to have the papers drawn up.”

“Excellent. When will they be ready?”

“I don’t know. He said he would start the process tomorrow. I should know more soon.”

“See that you do,” he barked before hanging up.

“Well, good-bye to you, too. Asshole,” she muttered under her breath. She shed her coat and scarf before making her way to her bedroom. On the way she grabbed her laptop off the coffee table. There were likely a dozen or so e-mails requiring her attention before the work week began in the morning. With any luck they would distract her from the thoughts that robbed her from sleep most every night. It seemed the only restful nights she’d had since Europe were when she’d shared a bed, or couch, with Hudson at the lake.

But instead of the comfort of her husband’s arms, she would have to settle for a hot shower and a mug of her favorite green tea. She bent to pull a T-shirt and a pair of flannel sleep pants out of the dresser drawer, and when she turned toward the bathroom, she had to stifle a scream.

Hudson stood just inside her bedroom door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He’d changed out of his jacket and tie and now wore a quarter zip fleece along with a baseball cap pulled down low over his brow.

“You just . . . you changed . . . and I wasn’t expecting you . . .” Her heart and mind still raced from the shock. “How did you get in here?”

He tossed the cap on her nightstand and ran a hand through his unruly hair. “I came up the back. Julian’s guys aren’t hard to spot. Their car is right out front.”

“I think obvious is the point. He wants me to know he’s watching me, which is why you can’t stay.”

“The hell I can’t. I haven’t slept with my wife since our honeymoon, if you can even call it that.” He yanked both the fleece and his shirt over his head in one move, revealing the hard contours of his pecs and the ripple of his washboard abs. “Once this mess is over, I’m taking you on a proper honeymoon, somewhere warm and tropical. No clothing required.”

The sight of Hudson’s bare chest combined with the thought of lounging naked with him on a sandy beach distracted her, and before she even realized what was happening, he was completely naked. She drank him in from head to toe, her gaze lingering on the erection straining toward her in a mouthwatering display of virility and desire.

“See something you like, baby?”

She looked up to find his brow arched and his mouth curved into a wry grin. “You know I do, but . . .”

“I’ll leave in the morning after your tail has followed you to work. But for now, I want to make love to my wife and fall asleep in her arms.”

There was no point in fighting him. Not when what he was offering was exactly what she needed. “You’re a persuasive orator, Mr. Chase. A master of linguistics, one might say.”

He licked his lips as he sauntered across the bedroom. “Oh, Mrs. Chase, you have no idea.”