Meanwhile, my mother hated that I’d moved to Paradise and chosen journalism for a career. Instead, she wanted me to focus all my efforts on marrying a rich husband with connections that could further elevate the Walsh name.
Surprisingly, my father was super happy about the move to Paradise and my wanting to investigate the Diamond Syndicate. For a first time nice gesture, he’d bought my condo. He even offered to send more money down. I’d declined, but was happy he finally cared about my journalism career. Plus, he probably was hoping Jonathan and I would be together too.
Now what? Do I even stay in Paradise anymore? I moved here to save people and Dimitri will try to stop me.
If I wanted to put my head in the dirt like an ostrich and ignore life, I could have stayed at Walsh Manor in upstate New York, sipping dirty martinis with my mother as she complained about a crack in her nail or told me her latest suspicions of the staff stealing.
“I’m here!” Xandi hurried in, sipping coffee from a small paper cup. With each step, her stylist, Fifi primped the top of Xandi’s curly brown hair. As usual, she wore her favorite color plum, which brought out the rich tone of her brown skin. Her father was Cuban. Her mother was African American. “So sorry, Rose. I had a wild night.”
“What else is new? After all that we’d done in college, I would think you’re ready to settle down.”
Laughing, she batted her eyes. “Not even close.”
“And what slowed you this morning?”
“I have a good excuse.” Xandi handed her coffee to Fifi and sat down in the seat across from me. “I had the sexiest man in my bed. Tall, dark, and handsome. Biggest dick you’ve ever seen.”
I grinned.
Xandi lowered her voice. “When he pulled his dick out, I almost put on my clothes and raced out of there. Swear to the Holy Father and all.”
“But instead you remained?”
“You know I did. I love a good challenge.” Xandi waved Fifi away. “Enough with my hair and makeup. I look amazing.”
Fifi stepped back.
I frowned. “Be nice to her, please.”
“Fifi is used to my being a diva.” Xandi looked at the teleprompter in front of her and raised her brows. “Why are there a bunch of questions about finger limes? What’s going on? Where’s the stuff on prostitution—”
“Corporate pulled the story on the Syndicate.”
“What happened?”
“Dimitri’s people went straight to Mr. Dahl’s house and brought him breakfast.”
“And a big threat too.”
“Unfortunately.”
“So. . .” Xandi studied me. “What did you do to cause that?”
You know me too well.
“I may have. . .lurked around Lush last night and was caught.”
Xandi shook her head. “Are you serious?”
Kelly clapped her hand as she stood behind the cameras. “Alright, ladies! We’re going live in two minutes.”
Some of the crew fixed the wires on the floor near my feet. Another checked the lighting behind us.
“You are now on Dimitri Ivanov’s radar?” Xandi kept her voice low. “And, now we just talk about fruit on the show? That’s bullshit.”
“I agree, but—”
“But nothing. Guys like Ivanov don’t get to have their way all the time—”
“Xandi, they’re pulling the plug. We’ll figure something else out.”
She kept her lips closed.
“Xandi.” I eyed her. “I see that look on your face.”
On the other side of the room, the assistant producer clapped his hands. “Quiet on Set! Roll sound.”
I pointed at Xandi. “Don’t even think about it.”
“My name is on the show.” Xandi rolled her eyes. “I didn’t convince them to bring you down to Paradise to talk about fruit. That’s bullshit.”
Here we go.
Someone yelled, “Roll camera!”
My heart beats picked up.
Breathe. One. Two. Three.
“Good morning, Paradise City.” Xandi wore a loving smile. “Welcome to the Xandi Wild Show where we chat about the things others are scared to.”
I forced a confident smile, hoping my face didn’t show the truth—pure anxiety.
Xandi gestured to me. “And this morning we have Pulitzer Prize journalist Rose Gillian who created political earthquakes with her investigative work into New York City’s government corruption.”
Pressure filled my chest.
Xandi turned to me. “I bet several New York politicians are happy that you’re down here now.”
An uncomfortable chuckle left my lips. It might have been too loud and came out more like a witch’s cackle.
Oh goodness. What the hell was that?
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m happy to be in Paradise.”
“And why are you here, Rose?”
I widened my eyes at her. I’d spotted the question on the teleprompter and that was not it. “Well. . .Paradise is an interesting city.”
“It sure is.” Xandi gave me a wicked grin. “Have you tried Paradise’s signature fruit?”
“The finger limes. No. Not yet.”
All I knew about them was that they were considered the caviar of limes. They were finger-shaped with a green oily skin that was supposed to be super fragrant.
“Finger limes are great on sushi,” Xandi said. “I could recommend a lot of good spots in the East.”