20
Hayden
I take a cab to the club. It’s a busy night, but entertainment on weekends always draws a big crowd.
Peter greets me at the door and takes my coat and Persephone’s which was still at coat check.
“My brother?”
“Upstairs. Doctor Allen is up there too.”
I nod, make my way to the elevator. A few men call out my name, but I don’t stop, punching in my code instead so the elevator comes directly down wherever it is. I get in and start my ascent to the thirteenth floor.
I’d imagined tonight going differently. I’d thought I’d enjoy it. Enjoy seeing their faces as we approached the table, taking our seats. I thought I’d savor the moment Senator Hughes thanked his biggest donors and mentioned his plans for the city, the revitalizing of neighborhoods, the building of hotels.
And mostly, I’d enjoy the fact that my father’s name wouldn’t be mentioned once.
But instead, I walk into my office to find Ares pouring himself a whiskey. He pours a second for me when he sees me.
“Where is she?”
“Your room.”
I nod, sip my drink and study the closed door between my office and living quarters. The thirteenth floor is my domain. I live and work here.
“How is she?” I ask Ares who I can feel is studying me from the bar as I lean against my desk. I have to drag my gaze from the door to him.
“She’ll be fine. Doctor’s talking to her now.”
“Is she hurt?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so, but she’ll have a bump on her head.”
“Fuck.”
“It’s not like you hit her.”
“No, but I’m the reason she hit her head against that wall.”
“Why in hell do you let that little prick get to you?”
“He had his hands on her.” I swallow my drink, feel it burn its way down my throat before moving to the bar to pick up the bottle and pour another.
“They have history. I’m sure he doesn’t love the fact that his brother—whom he hates—is fucking his ex-fiancée.”
“That’s the thing.”
“What’s the thing?” Ares asks.
“She was a virgin.”
He raises his eyebrows, sips his drink. “They’re all virgins once.”
“I mean with me. So, he never touched her. But they were engaged. I don’t get it.”
“Maybe Jonas is more old-fashioned than we think.”
I shake my head. “She’s weird about him.”
“You’re her ex-fiancée’s brother. That’s what’s weird.”
But I remember what she said to him that I overheard. I know what you did. I want to change the subject. “Find out anything on the mafia connection?”
“Benedetti and Abbot were going into business together.”
“What?”
“Benedetti approached him about permits for some new properties in the city a couple of years ago. Abbot turned him down, because you know, holier than thou Quincy Abbot.”
“Hypocrite.” I swallow more of my whiskey.
“Well, looks like about a year ago, Abbot had a change of heart.”
“A year?”
Ares nods. “About the time you began the dismantling of Abbot Enterprises, I believe.”
It is. “And Benedetti got the permits?”
“More than that. They partnered. But that’s not public knowledge. There was a sizeable donation made to Abbot’s re-election campaign. I believe you mentioned it the other night. Benedetti bought him.”
“So, what happened? Why the hit-and-run? Seems pretty counterintuitive to kill or attempt to kill the senator you’ve got in your pocket.”
“You’re assuming it was Benedetti and you know what they say about assuming.” Ares finishes his drink just as the door between the office and my private rooms opens and Dr. Allen walks out.
“Dr. Allen. Thank you for coming,” I say, shaking his hand.
“Of course, Hayden.”
“How is she?”
“Sleeping. She’ll be fine. Just a bump on her head. I don’t believe she has a concussion, but it may be good for you to keep an eye on her tonight. I’ll come back in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
When he leaves, I head through the office and into my living room. Ares follows and I open the bedroom door to see her sleeping on my bed.
“I hurt her.”
“It was an accident.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m going to go.”
I turn to him. “Where does Benedetti stand now with the building?”
“Construction was halted after the accident.”
“You and I both know it wasn’t an accident.”
“It’s not a mob hit, though. Makes no sense that it would be. At least not a Benedetti hit.”
“I need one more favor, Ares.”
“You’re going to owe me big at this rate.”
“Get me a meeting with Benedetti.”
He seems surprised. “You sure you want to be involved with him?”
“I already am. I control Abbot Enterprises.”
Ares chuckles. “How does she feel about that?”
“Don’t worry about her.”
“I’ll arrange it. Hope you know what you’re doing.” With that he leaves, and I walk into the bedroom.
21
Persephone
“You and I both know it wasn’t an accident.”
I hear them, but I’m not sure it isn’t a dream.
Benedetti. That name again. What had Hayden said? Mafia. Why would they make a donation to my dad’s campaign? Why had he accepted it?
No, it’s a mistake. It has to be.
I hear water running and when I roll onto my side his scent is all around me, like I’m wrapped up in his arms.
Then I remember how he slammed me into the wall with one of those arms.
It was an accident, I know. I was trying to pry him from Jonas before he killed him because if he ever found out what Jonas did, he would kill him.
A door closes and again, I’m not sure if I’m dreaming but I feel myself drift off. I don’t fight it. It’s pitch black. It must be the middle of the night.
The next time I blink my eyes open, it’s not as dark. I see the nightstand, the glass of water.
Unfamiliar.
But then I remember. I’m at the club. Ares brought me to Hayden’s club. I didn’t know there was a whole apartment behind one of the doors of his office, but I know I’m in Hayden’s bedroom. In his bed. And I remember there was a doctor.
I move and the blanket shifts and I find that I’m naked but for my panties. Who undressed me?
I pull myself to a seat, hold the blanket to my chest until the wave of dizziness passes.
Although it’s still dark in the room, there’s a sliver of deep orange light penetrating the slats of the wooden blinds covering the windows.
Ice clinks in a glass and I shudder, remembering that night in my father’s room. Remembering Hayden sitting there in the dark waiting for me.