Authors: Blue Saffire
Chapter Twenty Nine
“E
arth to Paige,” Camille teased.
Paige rose from her thoughts and looked over at Camille. “Oh sorry, what did you say,” Paige said.
“I was asking if you noticed something going on with Marcus and Julia?” Camille said and frowned at her while they sat getting their nails painted.
“No, I haven’t seen much of anything other than some girl half my age trying to go after my man,” Paige grumbled.
“Oh please,” Camille waved her off. “No, really something is going on there. More than once I’ve seen Marcus detour to avoid Julia. Then she was whining to me this morning that he isn’t making any decisions with the wedding and has started to ask, what’s the rush?”
“You’re kidding,” Paige said and frowned at Camille.
Marcus has always been a standup guy. She didn’t think he was the type to string someone along. Julia is a pretty girl, with her long brown hair and big blue eyes; she is thin but not too thin. Paige frowned to herself when she wondered what Rita looked like. She hadn’t missed Marcus’s reaction to hearing her name or to being ask if she was attractive.
“Maybe he is having second thoughts,” Paige mused out loud and bit her lip when she realized she said it.
“Julia is a great girl but I think he can do better,” Camille shrugged. “There is just something about her that I haven’t put my finger on, you know. And not just since this trip. She’s been popping up at the office a lot and I get this vibe from her.”
“Really,” Paige said and raised her brow. “What kind of vibe?”
“I don’t know, how can I explain it. Remember Amanda Greene from college?” Paige nodded her head and Camille continued. “Remember she was dating Gram that really nice guy that you had study group with?” Paige nodded again.
“Well when she just broke it off with him for no reason and went after John Caver. She actually had a really good reason. Her family had just filed for bankruptcy and Gram was on scholarship. She was in love with the guy but there was no guarantee that he was going to make the type of money to save her and her family some real embarrassment. John on the other hand was a one way ticket to comfort.”
“You’re kidding, how do you know this,” Paige said incredulously.
“Because Amanda’s dad is one of daddy’s gulf buddies and he advised him on what to do to insure he didn’t lose everything,” Camille said dryly and shrugged. “We both know my father has a knack for arranging marriages. They made the poor girl so scared that she was going to lose everything she broke up with Gram and give her virginity to John.”
“Wait, but didn’t John marry Melissa, um what was her last name,” Paige snapped her fingers trying to recall the name.
“Gorbono,” Camille smiled. “Yup, he sure did junior year. He was still banging Amanda too, making her promises he wasn’t going to keep. She just knew they were getting married senior year. But I think the icing on the cake is that Gram is worth millions now and lives between New York and LA.”
“Oh my God, that has to hurt,” Paige gasped.
She sort of felt bad for Amanda but she remembered the way Gram was after they broke up and he started seeing Amanda around campus with John. He was devastated to say the least and transferred the next semester. She guessed Amanda and her dad got what they deserved for treating people like meal tickets.
“But wait, what does that have to do with Julia?”
Camille sighed. “This didn’t come from me but Julia’s family is having a bit of trouble. It is starting to become a publicly known fact. Rumor has it that they are putting every dime they have into this wedding to make sure the family has something to fall back on.”
“Wait, you think she is just marrying Marcus for the money to help her family?”
“It’s possible in this circle. Daddy thinks it’s stupid. He says there is no way James or his father will ever bail them out of the mess they’ve gotten into. Not even if Julia is married to a Mairettie.
“There was apparently some other sap they were after but he wasn’t really that interested. Marcus was better looking and had the better family bankroll. I kind of think she likes Marcus but I don’t think it is love, not true love.” Camille shrugged and taking a sip of her drink.
“I’m starting to feel like I’m in a soap opera,” Paige sighed.
“Oh little one, if I only told you half of the things I know,” Camille giggled.
“Tell me, I’m just being crazy to worry about Whitney,” Paige pouted before she could think better of it.
“You are definitely being crazy. I have no doubt that the bitch is crazy and wants your man. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her, but believe me. Bobby is so in love with you Paige,” Camille reached over and squeezed her hand.
“He would give you the world, by the way I love being your best friend right now. Between this vacation and the spa treatments, oh I don’t want to go home. My kids hate me and it is only a matter of time before Seth is out the door and I’m not even sure I’m going care. But you Paige, you have it all. The Mairetties love you and Bobby would fall at your feet with just the snap of your fingers.”
“But I’m not crazy. You don’t trust that girl either,” Paige said and narrowed her eyes.
“If it weren’t for Minnie and James I would have slapped her and threw her things in the driveway the first night she arrived. Marie isn’t too happy with her either. I’ve seen them arguing a couple of times,” Camille sighed.
“I know Bobby loves me but with a girl like that throwing herself at him. I just …I don’t know. I sometimes wonder if maybe she is more his type,” Paige sat biting her lip staring into space.
“Baby sis,” Camille clipped. “After what I heard all day and night yesterday, I don’t think you have a thing to worry about. Besides if you haven’t noticed Bobby looks at her like she is the devil’s spawn.”
Paige laughed. “If you knew their real history you would think she was.”
“Look honey, I hope she is not the reason you haven’t been looking … so well. I haven’t said anything sooner because I didn’t want to upset you, but Bobby is not Eric. Don’t make yourself sick over nothing,” Camille said with concerned eyes.
“It has nothing to do with her. I…I…,” Paige frowned as she realized this was the first time she was holding something so important from Camille, but she wasn’t ready to admit it to even herself. “I just don’t know if I want to stay to be partner at M&M or go out on my own.”
“You don’t have to make yourself sick over it. You have time to think it over. I have your back whatever you decide,” Camille reassured her.
Paige cringed inside feeling guilty for lying about the real reason she’d been looking ill. She wouldn’t be able to keep her secret for long. She just had to figure out what all this meant and what she planned to do.
~B~
“I don’t see how it could have been her,” Bobby sighed. “I mean, I would love to throw her out on her ass, trust me. But she never left my side that night. She was the reason Paige was upset and left in the first place.”
“That’s not entirely true. It had something to do with it but I think Paige had a lot more on her mind,” Nathan said giving his friend an awkward look.
“Did she say something I should know, something I should be worried about?” Bobby assessed his friend’s reaction.
“We didn’t talk about it. I tried to get her mind off things. I think she is just a little overwhelmed, is all. When you guys get home and can focus on your relationship without everything else in the mix I think it will be fine,” Nathan gave him a reassuring smile.
“I hope so,” Bobby rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands and ran a hand through his hair.
“But back to the matter at hand. We need to know where this is coming from,” Nathan grunted.
“Well, we know you went after Paige to make sure she was okay. Mom and Daddy had left long before both of you. Sam and Ellen called it a night about twenty minutes after you left. From the looks of it they weren’t looking to go to sleep or take pictures of anyone,” Bobby snorted. “Marcus and Julia seemed to be arguing about something and Julia took off for bed.”
“Julia has her issues but I don’t think she would get involved in something like this,” Nathan sighed.
Bobby frowned. “Now that I think of it, that douchebag my sister is dating did disappear for about twenty or thirty minutes.”
“I wish your dad would let me keep a closer eye on him,” Nathan growled. “I don’t trust that kid.”
“You and me both, but do you think he would do something like this, with Whitney’s tablet and Paige’s phone?” Bobby scowled.
“I think we are looking at a two man job. Whitney is not completely stupid. None of the Westons are, their just a family full of not to bright rats. She would know we would be suspicious if she went out to take the photos when she has been plastered to you ever chance she gets,” Nathan frowned.
“We’ll watch them both more closely,” Bobby sighed.
“I think we should let your dad and Paige know about the tabloids before they find out on their own. I’m sorry we couldn’t stop them all before the pictures were posted,” Nathan said through tight lips.
“It’s not your fault. Besides, she’s going to be my wife. Paige will need to get used to the life of a Mairettie. Hopefully we can announce our engagement and this will all work in our favor,” Bobby mused.
“So you plan to propose soon,” Nathan smiled.
“I want to. The ring is burning a hole in my bag. Henry was more than happy to give me my pick of the best once I got his son out of jail. I told Paige we were going to lunch with him but I picked the ring out before we came back. I know she’s the one. I just need her to see that,” Bobby huffed.
“Wow, I knew you were serious about her, but I didn’t know you brought a ring. I’m happy for you man. She is amazing and she does love you. I think she just has a problem trusting guys she doesn’t put in the friend zone,” Nathan chuckled.
“I could never hurt her,” Bobby’s voice cracked. “I would love to get my hands on the guy who did. Hurting her would be like ripping my own heart out.”
“Well congratulations,” Nathan stood and slapped him on the back.
“Bro, don’t jinx it. I have to ask and she has to say yes.”
“You two are perfect for each other and don’t even know it,” Nathan shook his head. “Listen, I have to check on some things for your dad. Thanks for working things out for Rita to come home.”
Bobby’s head snapped up. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
Nathan’s brow furrowed. “I thought you talked to….never mind. I’ll talk to you later.”
Chapter Thirty
B
obby rubbed his eyes and fell back into the couch. Thank God his father came to the rescue. He knew asking his mother for help would get her excited and she would go all out to make things perfect but she had him exhausted with questions and preparations. She was already four steps into the plan and he hadn’t even initiated the first one.
Where was Paige? He needed to see her smile. He was reluctant to let her go this morning after their session in the shower. One more day of being locked in a room together would have been just what the doctor ordered. But when he looked into her eyes, he saw how much she needed sometime to be pampered and relax.
Bobby closed his eyes and cracked his neck. He could have used a good massage after the day he’s had. Dad was a little pissed off about the photos that were leaked to the press of Bobby and Paige. His father was never big on being in the lime light. The firm is always winning high profile cases but Mairettie & Mairettie is known for their tight lip, all action, very little talk style.
James didn’t like the idea of inviting Paige to relax and enjoy herself here, only to have someone taking pictures of her. It was taking away the privacy Minnie and James had offered her. He also didn’t like that someone close to the family was responsible. He agreed they could spin things in their favor and put some calls in. They’d of course have to get a final okay from Paige once she finds out what is going on.
The photos weren’t so bad. Though there was no doubting that the two of them are couple. In one photo Bobby had his arms wrapped around her waist, smiling down at her. In the other they were engage in a passionate kiss, with his hand on her backside and her hands locked in his hair. Both pictures were taken without their knowledge while they were on the beach.
Bobby frowned when he thought about how easy it was to get those pictures, because they thought they could trust everyone here. It gritted his nerves to think that someone was bold enough to sneak into Nathan’s room to plant the cell phone. They had taken a big risk. He was sure that if Nathan hadn’t been up all night talking to Rita he would have caught the scumbag in the act.
Bobby suddenly felt something cool on his wrists and heard metal clinking. His eyes snapped open as Whitney was pulling his cuffed hands out of his lap while she climbed on top of him. Bobby couldn’t see anything but red. His whole body was trembling with rage. He jerked his wrist only to see that each cuff was attached to a cuff on each of her wrists.
“Uncuff me Whitney and get the hell off of me,” Bobby growled.
Whitney sat perched on his lap beaming at him with her red glossy lips and her tube top bikini. This had been easier than she thought it would be. She just wanted to get him alone so she could show him what he was missing. She was sure he was just trying to make her jealous with that so called girlfriend of his. Why else would he spend the day fucking that bitch so loud everyone could hear?
Everyone else moved about the day like nothing was going on while they had to listen to the two of them. Sure she had been listening harder than most and had spent most the day in that wing where she was bound to hear them, but come on.
Bobby knew she was there. He had to know that at some time of the day or night she would hear them. They’d never been that loud before.
Whitney was sure he was just taking out his sexual frustration; she was the one he really wanted. She was tired of being subtle about it.
She wanted him too. He had no real future with that nobody woman trying to be a lawyer. He needed a wife like her, someone that could work their world and make him look good.
“Relax Baby,” Whitney purred in her whiny voice.
“Whitney, if you don’t get these cuffs off of me,” he bit out.
“We are so good together Bobby. I can make you feel so good,” she leaned over to his ear and nipped it.
“I was drunk out my mind and it was a sloppy drunk fuck. Not to mention, I never consented to put my dick anywhere near you. Now get these fucking cuffs the hell off of me,” he spit as he grabbed her wrists to shake her.
“You don’t mean that Bobby. I think you loved being inside me and you can’t wait to do it again. You just think Marie would be upset if we date, she’d be fine.
“When we get married she and I can be sisters,” Whitney cooed. “I was so happy when Marie told me you were going to be here. I just had to come along to see you.”
“You have lost your fucking mind. Give me the key now,” Bobby was holding on by a thread. He wanted to wrap his hands around her throat and choke the life out of her.
“What does she have that I don’t? I know you want me. That’s why you tried to make me jealous yesterday. I came to let you know that you could have me.
“You didn’t have to go to such lengths to get me. I knocked but I guess you couldn’t hear me over her screaming like banshee. I mean you have a great cock but I don’t remember needing to go bat shit over it,” Whitney snorted.
“She has me, Whitney. I don’t want anyone but Paige. I made love to her because I love her. The reason she was so loud was because I wanted to be inside her. I wanted nothing more than to make her cum over and over again crying out my name and begging me for mercy.
“With you I faked my orgasm to get you off of me and had no problem getting my dick to go limp because I’ve never wanted to fuck you… ever,” Bobby sneered. “Get the hell off of me before I break your damn neck.”
Whitney’s face dropped and she glared at their joined hands. Why didn’t he want her? She couldn’t understand.
She knew from experience how large he was. She’d been sitting in his lap this whole time and she didn’t even feel a bulge. Could he be serious, he really didn’t want her?
Laughter came from the hall and Whitney’s head shot up to look at Bobby. His eyes went wide with horror and his mouth dropped open as his throat worked. It was that woman, he was worried about her. Whitney grinned to herself.
If I can’t have him no one can
, she thought slyly as she pulled down her bikini top exposing her breasts. Bobby growled in rage at her, but Whitney wasn’t going to stop now. She grabbed his face and crushed her lips to his as she tried to pry his lips open with her tongue.
Bobby pushed at her shoulders not wanting to touch her half naked body but wanting her off of him. His body was ridge with panic. He could hear Paige’s voice heading straight for them. The stupid girl started moaning and trying to push his head back to tug his hands from her shoulders with the motion, since their hands were still connected by the cuffs. She was grinding her bony hips into him making him want to wrench.
Bobby knew the moment Paige entered the room. Not because he could hear her, but he felt her. He felt the moment her heart broke because his broke with it. Bobby snapped. Grabbing a hold of Whitney’s throat he squeezed hard.
“Get these cuffs the fuck off of me now,” he roared. His voice croaking as his own throat tightened.
~B~
Paige couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This had to be a bad dream. Her hands fell to her stomach and she clutched her shirt. She pleaded with him not to hurt her. He promised while making love to her he wouldn’t hurt her. Paige’s head started to swim with all the promises that were always made to her and then broken.
It never mattered before, none of the others mattered, but this one did. He mattered because she had given him everything she had. He mattered because she placed herself in the reckless position to allow him to matter. She didn’t want him to see her tears but she couldn’t stop the dam that broke to release them.
“How could you,” Paige yelled. “I trusted you. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“Paige, just listen to me.”
Others started to rush into the room at the sound of Bobby’s voice bellowing through the house. Paige couldn’t hear a word of it. All she could do was see and all she could see was the man she loved with a half-naked girl in his lap. The image of them kissing and her grinding on his lap while she moaned was on instant replay with a repeated loop in her brain.
Marie ran in the room from outside and her mouth dropped open. Chad was a few steps behind her. He looked annoyed and something else Paige didn’t have the wits about her to read. Marcus rushed in and skid to a stop looking confused and angry. Minnie and James arrived through the outside doors and both looked as if they were horrified and wanted answers immediately.
Paige snapped her focus back to Bobby who was now standing rubbing his wrists. He took a step toward Paige, but she held her hand up and shook her head. She still couldn’t process the words coming out of his mouth. She could just see his mouth moving.
“Baby, please. Listen to me this is not what it looks like. Paige,” Bobby choked out as he stopped in his tracks. Paige looked at him with such hurt and disgust it was ripping him apart.
Sam and Ellen entered the room looking around confused at all the commotion. Bobby didn’t have time for anyone but Paige. He had to make her understand that nothing happened.
Nathan rushed into the room from outside with his face clouded over. Nathan quickly took in the scene in the room trying to read what just happened. He saw Whitney tugging at her bikini top as hand cuffs dangled from her fingertips.
Bobby’s clothing looked disheveled and there was bright red lipstick smeared across his lips. Paige looked like she was in a state of shock. Paige’s head whipped in Nathan’s direction and she took off into his arms.
Bobby felt his heart crush into tiny pieces. Paige wrapped her arms around Nathan’s back and squeezed him tightly. When she could breathe, speaking through her sobs she pulled away and looked up at him.
“I want to go home,” Paige sobbed. “Please, I want to go home.”
Nathan looked at her face and nodded, not able to speak or offer her the usual smile. He had just found out why Chad would have helped Whitney with those pictures and he was pissed.
He needed to talk to a few people in this room but Paige needed him more right now. She had warned them that Bobby could destroy her and they had pushed her anyway. Nathan could see in her eyes she was broken.
“Paige,” Bobby called as he started for Nathan and Paige. Camille rushed to his side and tugged at his arm shaking her head for him to back off.
“Just get me out of here,” Paige sobbed into Nathan’s chest.
Nathan shot Bobby a hard glare. Bobby nodded, answering the unspoken question on his friends face. Some of the tense released from Nathan’s body.
He didn’t think Bobby would do something so stupid but the way things looked he had to ask. Now that he knew the truth he knew what he had to do. He wrapped an arm around Paige leading her to the beach and not her room to pack.
Bobby rocked back on his heels like he had been slapped as he watched the woman he loves walk out of the house. He was losing her and it wasn’t his fault. He just stood there in shock staring at the spot she just left behind.
“What the hell have you done Whitney,” Marie spat. Whitney just snorted with a shrug and folded her arms across her chest. “Bobby, I’m so sorry. I never thought she would take things so far.”
Whitney narrowed her eyes and growled stomping her foot. “Are you serious? Why her,” she whined. “Why that black bitch over me?”
At once it seemed the air was sucked out of the room. Bobby felt his body vibrate with the storm that was raging in him. But it was Camille and Marie that sent gasps of shock rushing through the room.
As fast as the words had come out of Whitney’s mouth, Camille had a hand full of Whitney’s hair leaving the girl with her feet dangling in the air. Before Camille could complete her intention, Marie’s hand whipped out slapping Whitney so hard it cackled through the room, as her head whipped to the side.
Camille raised her brow at Marie and dropped her hold on Whitney. Whitney stumbled just barely missing falling on her butt. James stepped forward with a tight expression on his face.
“Whitney Weston, I do believe it is time for you to collect your things and leave the premises. Someone will collect your things from Marie’s flat to have them sent to you. Please don’t step foot on any of our property again,” James clipped out.
Whitney held her cheek as tears welled in her eyes. She looked at Marie and snarled. “You always thought you were so much better than me, the virginal princess that spends all of daddy’s money. Well while you were being a prude I gave Chad what he needed.”
Marie blinked back tears as she turned to a stunned Chad. He couldn’t look her in the eyes, which said a million words. Bobby, Marcus and Sam surrounded Chad almost growling at him.
Each one with their fists clutched and their lips pressed tight. They were all towering over him making him look like a frightened rabbit. James looked just like his sons but he managed to reel in his temper by a hair’s breadth.
“Boys,” James warned. “Chad it is time for you to leave as well. You can accompany Miss. Weston, and as for that job position. I don’t think you would be a fit for our firm, don’t bother coming to the final interview.” Chad just nodded and hung his head as he slipped between two of the three menacing looking brothers.
“Oh and Whitney,” James called and lifted his head. “Chose your actions from here on out wisely. I am not a man to be toyed with, nor should you toy with my family or anyone I consider family.”