Dangerous Love (16 page)

Ken leaned forward, his expression furious. “But that’s not true. We brought your collection here.”

“My lawyer and I tried explaining that to their lawyers. Maybe if I had returned their calls….”

“How could you? You were out of town on business.”

Faith shook her head. “They called my cell phone too, Ken. When I didn’t recognize the number I just assumed it was Sean.” Maybe she would have averted all this mess if she’d ignored Eddie’s orders. No, that would have been foolish. The circumstances were ripe for this kind of a mix-up. She finished her drink and placed the empty bottle on the table. “The bottom line is when I didn’t return their call, GGC people assumed I had absconded with their money and shut me down.”

Ken swore softly under his breath. “That’s not a way to deal with a partner. Who the hell is GGC?”

“Global Gold Conglomerate. They thought they were justified because they received a call about me from a client of theirs, someone they trusted. Not only did the person tell them about my store and supposed disappearing act, he also said I’d been fired by Dublin House of Styles after I stole their designs.” Saying the words caused anger to roil through her again.

Ken’s expression grew pensive. “Someone? Who?”

“Sean.”

“That bastard.”

“The lawyers didn’t tell me he was the caller, but he’s the only one vindictive enough to undermine me like this.”

Ken scrubbed his face and blew out air. Faith wasn’t going to like what he was about to tell her. He reached across the counter and gripped her hands. “In his demented way, Sean might think he’s justified.”

Faith threw him a disgusted look, pulled her hands from under his. “Justified? The man tried to kiss me and you threw him out for it. How does that little humiliation compare to what he’s done to me?”

“There’s more. Remember the video that was posted online last week?”

She nodded.

“Molly is the one who uploaded it.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. Do you think that’s why she got hurt?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know, but the guys who hurt her stole her laptop and uploaded it again. It became a featured video and went viral within days. I’m talking about half a million hits before we pulled it down again. People recognized O’Neal and started to speculate. Some comments were scathing. A few bloggers, including Hollywood insiders, wrote about it.”

Faith’s eyes grew wide. “Sean saw it and decided to ante up his attack against me.”

“I think so.”

She slid low on her stool, dropped her forehead on to the counter and mumbled something under breath that sounded like a four-letter curse. “This…is…so messed up.”

Ken swept hair away from her face. “I know. Still, that’s no excuse for him to call your sponsors and screw things up for you. You didn’t ask him to act like a dirt bag or tell those punks to post that footage online. As a grown man, he ought to know how to handle bad publicity.”
  

A smile lifted the corner of her mouth. No wonder she was crazy about Ken. He saw things so clearly it was uncanny.

“Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking.” She leaned across the counter and kissed him then stood and came around the counter.

Ken stopped her from walking past him by wrapping his hands around her waist and bringing her to his lap. “Where are you going?”

 
“To shower and get ready for tonight, though I’d rather crawl into bed with you and pretend this was all a nightmare.”

He chuckled, gripped her head, and gave her a languid kiss, taking time to savor the taste that was uniquely Faith—total sweetness mixed with tenacity. He’d love to carry her to the bedroom, but they still needed to finish their conversation.

 
“I haven’t told you yet the part you’ll be playing at the show tonight,” he whispered against her lips.

She cocked her perfectly arched eyebrows. “I’m going with you to identify my designs.”

“We have a change of plan. First, you’ll be going with Barbara. Her limo will pick you up,” he glanced at his watch, “in exactly ninety minutes. You’re to stay visible at all times during the party. That means mingling, being seen by everyone, including reporters.”

Faith’s eyes narrowed. “Why? What happened to wanting me by your side?”

“I plan to videotape the collection and—”

“Why the change in plans? What’s going on?”

She studied his face as though the answers to her questions were written there. He hoped his unease wasn’t apparent. He had a bad feeling about tonight. He couldn’t put a finger on what was bugging him, though he’d rehearsed the plan with his people several times to minimize mistakes. But if anything went wrong, he wanted Faith as far away from the action as possible.

“I want you to be polite to Sean.”
     

Faith cringed. “Excuse me?”

“I want him distracted and his obsession with you should come handy.”

“I’d rather spit in his face than come within a foot of that man,” she snapped.

Ken shook his head. “I understand how you feel, baby, but talking and laughing with him will also prove to everyone, including reporters, that there’s no feud between you.”

“I don’t care.” She whipped around and walked away. “There’s no way in hell I’m ever going to be nice to that man, Ken.”

Ken followed her, admiring her resoluteness even if it was contrary to what he wanted. If his plans fell through and he got busted, he didn’t want suspicion to fall on her. “I got the seating chart from my man who’s part of the security detail for this evening. You’ll be seated next to Sean.”

***

Faith fumed as she showered, applied make-up, and fixed her hair. Ken Lambert had some nerve dropping that bombshell on her lap without prior warning. Didn’t they talk everyday while she was away? He had every opportunity to warn her, damn it.

She chose one of her elegant couture designs, an ivory and bronze strapless silk number with a provocative V-shaped neckline and a beaded bodice. The banded waist accentuated her narrow waist and the fabric hugged her hips before flowing to the floor. A gold and garnet necklace and earring matching set finished her ensemble. She glanced at her image and a slow smile touched her plum colored lips. Ken wanted Sean distracted. He got it, but he wasn’t going to like it.

 
When the gate buzzed her, she glanced at the surface of her diamond accented bangle-bracelet watch. It was six-thirty. Faith slipped on ivory sandals, picked up her evening clutch and her faux fur coat. The chauffer was already holding the back door open for her when she walked outside. The back of the limo was empty.

“Where’s Mrs. Riggins?”

“Mrs. Riggins and the others are already on their way there, Ms. Fitzgerald,” the chauffer explained. “I was sent to pick you up.”

Faith settled in the back seat and thanked the driver before he closed the door. She opened her clutch and checked her make-up one last time. Her make-up was flawless and her eyes didn’t indicate the turmoil building inside of her. Despite her earlier silent pep talk, she didn’t think she could pull this off. Sean was obsessed with her, which meant his reaction to anything she did or said would be unpredictable.

What if he rebuffed her attempt at civility and publicly humiliated her? Was he the one behind the seating arrangements for tonight? Even if he wasn’t, he must know by now that they’d be seated next to each other.

When the limo stopped, Faith took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, mentally preparing herself for the looming meeting. Before she could get out, the door opened and Ken slipped inside.

He didn’t speak right away though he studied her with unnerving intensity. Dressed in all black—tux, shirt minus a tie, and black winged-tip Oxford shoes, he looked beautiful and dangerous.

“You’re still angry with me,” he said with such certainty her ire rose again.

“Whatever gave you that idea?”

He grinned. “I promise to make it up to you later tonight. Are you ready for this?”

She wasn’t. “Of course.”

 
“Good. I’ll join you as soon as we’re done.”

Faith forgot about her anger. She was getting vibes from Ken that made her uneasy. “Is everything okay on your end?”

“Yep.”

She searched his handsome face. Why did she have a feeling there was something he wasn’t telling her? Maybe he was just edgy and she was tuned to it. Still, she moved closer. “Don’t go through with this if there’s any chance, any chance at all, that things won’t go according to your plan. Finding answers for me is not worth getting you and your people in trouble.”

An expression she couldn’t decipher flirted across his handsome face then a cocky smile curled his sculptured lips.

“Trust me, baby. I have things under control.” He turned and peered through the tinted windows. “We’re getting closer. I’d better leave now.”

He tapped the partition between them and the driver.

Faith looked outside too. They were a block away from Sean’s building. She glanced at Ken, who was back to studying her with a lazy smile. Maybe she’d imagined his edginess.

“How are you getting to the show if we drop you off here?”

“My people are shadowing us.” The limo slowed down then stopped. “Did I mention how beautiful you look this evening?”

He hadn’t but it was nice to hear him say it. She smiled. “You haven’t seen my dress yet.”

“I don’t have to.” He caressed her cheek.

He was forgiven. Faith pressed against his warmth. He smelled so good. “You look beautiful too.”

He chuckled. “Hardly. Dashing, yes.” He brushed nonexistent lint from his shoulder. “Debonair, of course. Beautiful, I don’t think so.”

She laughed. Whatever doubts she had disappeared. Ken wouldn’t be cracking jokes if he was worried about tonight.

“I’ll see you inside,” he whispered, stole a kiss from her lips, and was gone.

The rush of cold air when the door closed sent a shiver through Faith despite the faux fur coat. Feeling a little bereft, Faith sat back and sighed.
I promise to make it up to you later.
At least she had something to look forward to tonight.

CHAPTER 13

Faith knew the fashion show would draw some celebrities but she didn’t expect this kind of circus, complete with the red carpet and paparazzi. The entrance to the building pulsed with clicking sounds of cameras and reporters throwing out questions. A huge banner with
Aid for Hurricane Survivors
was hung above the door. Another with
Fashion for Relief
written in black against a white background covered most of the first floor windows and wall.

Through the limo window, Faith watched as a hip-hop legend laughed with reporters. A young starlet from a recent action movie posed for the cameras while an aging director stood beside her and smiled approvingly. Faith blew out air. She wanted to be inside, get this over with, and go home with Ken.

Where was Barbara with their invitation? The driver opened the door and extended a hand toward Faith. Taking a fortifying breath, she accepted the gracious offer and stepped out.

“Thank you,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel.

“You’re welcome. Mrs. Riggins is waiting inside,” he said.

A high-speed camera clicked to Faith’s right and someone thrust a microphone toward her. “Ms. Fitzgerald, is that dress one of your designs?”

Surprised, Faith smiled at the woman. “Yes, it is.”

“Will we see more of that during Fashion Week?” another asked.

“I’ll unveil my collection that week, so I can’t say anything more right now.”

“Are you and Sean O’Neal back together?” someone shouted to her left.

“Is it true you’re feuding with Sean O’Neal?” another added before she could answer.

The dreaded question. Heart picking up tempo, she pasted smile on her lips, turned and hoped she came across unflustered. “Of course not. Sean and I are very good friends. That’s why I’m here to support this wonderful relief show he’s put together.”

Her attempt to divert their attention didn’t work. They followed her, firing questions. “What about the video online? Your security guy threw him out of your store.”

“Why did you break your engagement to O’Neal?”

“Why did you stop working with him?”

“Were there creative differences?”

Any moment Faith expected to hear, ‘is it true you stole his designs,’ but it didn’t come. Someone had done a good PR job of giving out info on her to the press. Sean? She stopped one last time and the reporters went quiet, mics thrust forward, expressions expectant. Uncle Mo often said reporters were like tigers, you must throw them a bone to divert their attention.

“Sean and I decided to go our separate ways because I was ready to go solo. He’s a talented designer, and I was lucky to have had him as a mentor. I don’t know anything about an online video, but I’ll see you all during Fashion Week in New York when I unveil my fall collection.”

“One more picture, Ms. Fitzgerald,” someone yelled.

From her days as a model, she knew how to showcase her outfits. Faith removed the coat and posed, giving them front, then side and back of her gown before walking toward the entrance. The hostesses flashed their perfect smiles. Faith gave them a brief smile and searched for Barbs.

“Invitation, please?” one asked.

“She doesn’t need one.” A tall man appeared out of nowhere, one arm circling her waist. “Hey, sweetheart. You look breathtaking.”

Faith ground her teeth and turned to face Sean. She couldn’t pull away without causing a scene. There were photographers inside too.

“You don’t look bad yourself, Sean,” she said without really looking at his outfit. He’d always been an impeccable dresser.

He pressed a kiss on her temple and whispered. “That was quite a performance you gave out there.”

“Just playing my part,” she said through clenched teeth, her smile in place. “No need to act uncivilized just because you’re a vindictive bastard.”

 
He winced and covered it with a laugh, drawing attention to them. “I always find your sharp wit charming.”

“I always found you lacking.” To observers, they must look like a happy couple, but she was done playing. “Excuse me.”

“Not yet. Come meet my friends. Some of our old acquaintances are dying to reconnect with you. Robert always liked you,” he said, using a veteran actor’s first name.

Before she could protest, he propelled her forward into the lobby, the pre-show mingling arena. Waiters and waitresses in crispy white shirts, vests, and bow ties moved around the attendees with the grace of dancers, totting trays with finger foods or flutes of champagne. The swathe of Hollywood elite out to support the victims of Hurricane Gina, the latest natural disaster to hit the east coast, surprised Faith. Music played softly in the background, mingling with the buzz.

The hairs on the back of her head stood, but when she turned, Faith couldn’t find the cause. But she knew someone was watching her. The feeling stayed with her as they made the rounds. Sean introduced her as a dear friend and an upcoming designer to people she’d only read about or seen on the silver screen. The ones who knew them as a couple five years ago just assumed they were back together and extended invitations to do lunch, the women admiring her dress. A few even mentioned looking forward to seeing her collection at Fashion Week. That the publicity came as a result of being seen with Sean was bittersweet.

 
“This is what you can have once you come to your senses,” Sean said as he led her toward the foyer. “A-list clients.”

“I’m happy with
my
clients.” She smiled at Barbs, who was having an animated conversation with renowned actor and paused to wave her over. “Excuse me.”

Sean’s fingers dug into her arm. “You’re sitting with me.”

Faith brought her heel down hard on his shoe. Her movement subtle and perfectly covered by her long dress, but it was effective. He inhaled sharply, his eyes widening.

“Unless you want a hole through your three-thousand-dollar shoes and a crushed toe, let…go…of…me,” she whispered and waved to Sissy when she caught the woman’s eyes.

Sean’s hand left her arm as though prodded by hot prongs.

Faith stepped back and added louder, “I’ll see you in a bit, Sean.”

Head held high, she cut across the room, nodding to familiar faces, until she reached Barbs’ side.

“Sweetheart.” The older woman pressed her cheek against Faith’s and kissed the air. “What in God’s name did you do to Sean? He looked ready to cry.”

He got what he deserved.
“It’s nothing.”

Barbs grinned. “We’ve a surprise for you, and
him
.”

Faith’s stomach dipped. “What is it?”

“Patience, my dear.” Barbs patted her arm. “Let’s join the others.”

Faith fought a sense of uneasiness. “Does Ken know about this surprise?”

“Of course, we’ve been coordinating with his people. What a resourceful person that young man of yours is. Thinks fast on his feet too.” She patted Faith’s hand again. “He’s a keeper.”

Faith knew that, but she didn’t want to discuss her growing feelings for Ken. On top of dealing with Sean, she now worried about the ‘surprise’ Barbs and her girls had in store for her and Sean. Hopefully, they weren’t planning on something that would get them in trouble with the law, or exacerbate the situation between her and Sean.

They found the rest of their party and moved to the showroom. The feeling that she was being watched returned. She studied those in her periphery, until her gaze connected with a handsome, tall man with midnight black hair, a lithe body, and caramel complexion. Did Sean hire a man to keep an eye on her now? The distaste must have shown on her face because he grinned. Then he did something bizarre. He winked and gave her a thumb-up before disappearing into the crowd. Frowning, she turned her attention to the room.

A T-shaped red raised runway ran from one side of the room to the opposite end, and Fashion for Relief was painted on the entrance side wall. Unlit strobe lights hung above the runway while muted orange lights hugged the walls in the back. The chairs, arranged parallel to the runway, were already filling up. Champagne continued to flow, the music more lively than in the cocktail lounge. They found their seats and the programs listing participating designers. The women were seated behind her and Sean, whose seat was still unoccupied.

“Where’s Mrs. VanderMarck?” Faith asked, when she noted the empty seat beside Barbs.

“She’ll be here.” Barbs exchanged a mysterious smile with Eliza, who had brought her daughter.

So the surprise had something to do with Monique. Faith bit her tongue when what she really wanted to do was demand to know what was going on. Sissy usually spilled the beans, but tonight she was busy with her plus one, a man who looked ten years her junior.

Sighing, Faith resigned herself to waiting and hoping the evening went smoothly. Sean joined them just before the wall lights dimmed and the strobe lit up the runway. From his body language, he was still pissed. Faith didn’t care. Still, she threw a smile in his direction. He angled his body closer, probably to continue giving the photographers the illusion that they were together, but he made sure his feet were far from hers.

Some woman gave a brief speech about the opportunity to give back and the wonderful surprises in store for the attendees tonight. Applause followed, then music picked up tempo. The first model walked on stage.

Sean stiffened beside her.

Faith’s jaw dropped.

Monique VanderMarck strutted down the catwalk in her sixty-eight-year-old, size-fourteen glorious body in a dress Faith had created for her. The only dress she’d finished before Barbs made her aware of Sean’s thievery.

Faith held her breath as the room went silent. Whispers followed. Cameras clicked. Faith wasn’t sure whether the dress caused the stir, or the former model. Some in the fashion industry still insisted she was the first supermodel before Twiggy. Art connoisseurs probably heard about her from the events of the past year. She’d been embroiled in a scandal involving her deceased husband’s paintings, some of which turned out to be forgeries. Faith’s cousin and his fiancée authenticated the rest of her collection a couple of months ago, and the pieces drew the media’s attention when they sold for millions.

Faith didn’t realize Sean had left until Barbs leaned forward and whispered, “We got him.”

“What?”

“Sean. One of the dresses he planned to showcase tonight was an exact replica of Monique’s dress. The man is a fool. He even used the same print. As soon as we got here and saw it, Monique sent her assistant to bring hers. Why do you think he’s disappeared? Probably to replace the gown and do damage control.”

Faith almost felt sorry for Sean. Almost. She was so proud to have these wonderful women in her corner. She must find a way to thank them. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure about the ramifications of their latest stunt. The designers who worked hard to put this show together would be pissed if Faith upstaged them. Even though the gowns featured tonight were to be auctioned afterwards and the money added to the relief fund, the designers banked on the exposure. As for Sean, she wondered what he was telling his people right now.

Before Sean returned, the lights went out. Bumps and cries of shock, or pain came from backstage where the models were changing. Someone reassured the audience the generator would kick in any minute. The lights were out on the entire block, he explained.

One minute became two, then three. People removed their cell phones and used the LCD screens to light up their surroundings. A buzz filled the room, which became applause when flights flickered back on.

Sean just happened to be on his way back and assumed the rah-rah was for him. He waved and grinned. But when he sat, his mood changed.

 
“Did you know Mrs. VanderMarck planned to sneak in your design and steal my show?” Sean hissed in Faith’s ear.

“Your show?” Faith leaned sideways to create space between them and thought of the best way to answer him, her gaze fixed on a model in a stunning magenta outfit. “I thought this was a group effort.”

“Did you know?”

She turned her head and studied him. Funny she once thought his sharp features, piercing gray eyes, and curly hair were gorgeous. Now he reminded her of a weasel, his belligerent voice grating.

“No, Sean. I’m just as surprised as you.”

“I’ll make sure the stage manager is fired,” he added.

Faith refused to comment, the smile on her lips close to cracking as he continued to berate the stage manager. “I’m happy you didn’t plan this, Faith. I would have been very disappointed.”

When she didn’t dignify his comment with one of her own, he turned his attention to the runway. His hands clenched and unclenched throughout the show, though it went on without a glitch. Faith couldn’t relax either or enjoy the show. Monique wasn’t the only famous face to walk the catwalk. Singers and sports figures, actors and actresses pranced behind the models. Where was Ken? They must be done by now.

Some of the tension leached out of Faith when five renowned male TV and movie stars boldly paraded in kilts then paused at the same time and mooned the audience. Laughter filled the room.

“Walk with me in the finale,” Sean urged.