Into the Darkness

Now I’m jealous. You might want to sleep with the rolling pin. I am known for my climbing skills.

Thanks for the heads-up. Goodnight, Alex. Thank you again for everything.

Anytime, beautiful.

It wasn’t the rolling pin that accompanied me to bed that night; it was his hockey jersey. I held onto it tight, inhaling his scent. Fact, he was married, but was he happy? The short conversations we had around this topic indicated that he wasn’t but he was bound to her, in sickness and in health, till death do they part and forsaking all others…

I was holding a match, lighting up the kerosene, playing with fire. This couldn’t end up well. So what, we fuck once then he ruins his marriage? I wasn’t that type of girl, and what about Adriana? She was my best friend and would never forgive me.

I tossed and turned that night, falling asleep at the break of dawn.

Chapter 6

Lex

I sat at the table trying to concentrate on the business meeting. It was impossible. I needed to take care of things and my mind had questions that needed answering. How the fuck did this happen? Out of all the places in the world she was here, in New York City, eating Japanese with her…whatever the fuck he was. I had to wrap up the meeting. I needed answers, now.

“Mr. Klein, the numbers you have shown meet our profit expectations. Have your business plan ready for me before I leave on Monday.”

“Of course, Mr. Edwards. It was a pleasure doing business with you again,” Mr. Klein responded.

We all stood up, shaking each other’s hands. I signed the check and grabbed my blackberry. I dialed Kate’s number and asked her to meet me at the hotel.

I walked outside the restaurant greeted by the warm breeze. How long had she been in New York? She looked all dolled up, fucking hot actually. I wondered what she did. Fuck, I needed answers. My mind was scattered and I was unable to process anything.

I hailed a cab. The cab driver pulled into the traffic, only to be met with red lights as soon as we turned the corner. Pulling my blackberry out, I scrolled through my contacts until I found his number. He was recommended by a close business associate and came at a high price. I never asked questions about his background knowing that his line of work wasn’t exactly legal.

“Bryce, it’s Edwards. I need you to look someone up.”

“Yes, Mr. Edwards.”

“Charlotte Olivia Mason. She resides here in New York City. Date of birth is October first, nineteen eighty-seven. I need information today, anything you can get.” I knew I sounded desperate but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“Yes, Mr. Edwards. I’ll call you as soon as I find something.”

I ended the call, my mind still reeling from the events. She was angry and I understood that I left without giving her an explanation but then again it was seven years later. I thought she would be happy to see me, like two long lost friends except we weren’t two long lost friends. I promised her things; I promised her a future and then I had no choice but to walk away, or at least I thought so at the time.

It was just after two when I arrived back at the Waldorf. The cab ride had taken longer than I expected but this was New York City. Kate was already in the suite typing away on her laptop. As soon as I walked in she stood up and greeted me. “Good afternoon, sir.”

“Kate, nice of you to be early,” I sarcastically responded considering I was actually late. So I sounded like a prick but my mind was all over the fucking place. This was not like me. I was always in control but what has she done to me, just seeing her the one time? I threw my briefcase onto the lounge and poured myself some Bourbon. I didn’t normally drink during work but today was different. I could have downed that whole bottle in one gulp if Kate wasn’t standing there.

“What’s the schedule for next week?” I asked, praying I could stay here in New York.

She clicked on her mouse. “Tomorrow night is the charity ball. Your sister will be meeting you here at five o’clock sharp with your tux and apparently you’re um…date, Brooke.” She cleared her throat. “On Sunday morning you have another meeting with Mr. Klein to go over the business proposal. Two o’clock will be another inspection of the new office, then on Monday morning we catch a red-eye back to London.”

I would have no time to find her or even spend time with her. I poured myself another glass, the first one obviously not doing the trick. The first thought floating through my head was to cancel going to the charity event. Yes, I’ll cancel that. At least I would have all Saturday night free to find her. New York was big but not that big.

“Tuesday at eleven is the stakeholder meeting. That is expected to run until five. The Hilton conference room has been booked for the event.”

It had taken us months to organize this meeting. I knew I couldn’t get out of it. I gritted my teeth. She continued on. It looked like I wouldn’t be back in New York for two weeks. My stomach churned at the thought. I was starting to feel like a lovesick teenager except I was thirty, a successful entrepreneur with money to do whatever the hell I wanted which proved absolutely pointless at a time like this.

My cell started to buzz. It was Bryce. Making my way into the bedroom, I closed the door behind me.

“Bryce.”

“Mr. Edwards, I have some information regarding Miss Mason.”

“Go on.”