Downtown Girl (Lipstick Red #1) (8 page)

Taylor spent a few sleepless hours, waiting for the knock at her door, but it was his PA who arrived.  Fighting back the lump of disappointment in her throat, she recognized the tears which threatened to fall.  She recovered well, forcing a smile.

‘What’s your name?’ she asked.

‘Stephen,’ he nodded, lifting her bag. 

‘Do you have a last name Stephen?’ She wished she’d asked sooner.  She must have seemed offhand, bitchy even, when they last met.

‘Collins, Stephen Collins.’

‘Any relation to Jack Collins from Willgox?’ she asked, thinking it was ridiculous, although there was a resemblance.

‘Yes, he’s my brother!’  Hiding her surprise, she smiled as he opened the car door for her. 

‘Is David not joining us?’

‘He left a few hours ago on the helicopter.  He sends his apologies but he’ll meet you in London at lunch time.  He thought you’d be more comfortable travelling without him today.’  Stephen rode up front with the limo driver, directing the car to towards the private airfield where they’d arrived.  Her cheeks flushed as she saw the wooden jetty with the yacht moored securely at the end.  The sight triggered a painful memory that rose like heat and fire in the pit of her belly.  Could she forgive him?  Could she trust him? Most of all, did she want to?

They travelled on a light aircraft.  A private booking, but the quiet journey left her with too much time to think.  With nothing else to do, and no phone signal, she’d have to instant message people by using the onboard Wi-Fi.  She tried Amber, since she’d ignored the last four calls from her number.

‘Sorry for being such a shitty friend.  I know I’ve not been in touch recently, but I need to pick your brains.’

‘You’ll be picking more than that soon.  On my way to London as we speak. Flight tonight, so see you tomorrow bestie!’

‘You’re what?  Why? Though I’m glad you’re coming over.’

‘Willgox wanted me to reconsider the offer as a position has unexpectedly turned up and needs filled asap.  I’ve accepted.  Can I stay at yours till I get myself somewhere?’

‘Try staying somewhere else and I’ll be mad as hell.  Who called you?’

‘Jack Collins. He phoned first thing this morning and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, to leave tonight.  Jeez, he sounds cute. I looked him up on the Internet and he looks as hot as he sounds!’

Taylor frowned to herself.  Why would Jack Collins make such an effort to bring her best friend over to London?  She felt an unwelcome pressure descend onto her temples, making her uneasy and not sure who to trust.  It was obvious to her, that Jack Collins was playing mind games.  He’d given
her
job to her best friend.  If that single act of cruelty didn’t show his vindictive side, then nothing would. 

Kevin hadn’t been in touch, so he must know she’d been sacked.  He was also the only one who’d know Amber was her best friend
and
had turned down the Willgox offer of a position.  It was all his fault!  If Kevin had been able to do the interview with David Burton himself, she’d not be in this mess! 

She’d contacted Amber for a reason, so she took a deep breath before sending the next one.   

‘What do you know about spanking?’

‘Naughty spanking or kinky spanking?’ 

‘Kinky, I guess.’

‘Not a lot, but it’s meant to be fun. Can’t say I’ve ever fancied trying it, but I’d never say never.  You’re not getting into all that are you?  Maybe I should stay in a hotel!’

‘Hotel schmotel.  You’re staying with me!  See you tomorrow.  Text when you get in, I’ll pick you up.’

‘Don’t worry, Jack’s picking me up.’ 
Taylor began to feel her hackles rise as fear for Amber began to thump protectively in her chest. 

‘I’d rather I came and got you.’

‘Don’t be silly, I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Are you sure this is what you want to do?’ 
Jack’s involvement with Amber worried her.  He’d tried to force himself on Taylor.  She’d no way of knowing if he was making a point by copying what she and David had done on the balcony, or whether he’d have gone further.   Amber interrupted her thoughts.

‘What’s worrying you?  I thought you’d be pleased.’ 

‘He’s giving you my job!  He sacked me for not shagging him.’

‘Bugger.  I was about to tell the cube overlords to go fuck themselves!  Can I take holidays and come and see you anyway?  The ticket’s flexi so I’ll change it for a later flight and tell Jack I’m getting a ride from a friend.’

‘Let me know an hour before you land.  Either I’ll be there, or I’ll send a cab to get you.’ 
Relieved that she’d steered Amber away from Jack, Taylor gazed out of the window, making shapes in her head from the clouds floating below.  She’d missed Amber, more than she’d realised. 

###

‘It’s time to go,’ Stephen said as he gently tapped her shoulder.  She’d fallen asleep on the plane.  They’d landed on a private airstrip and she’d no idea where.

‘Where are we?’

‘London.  The car’s waiting outside to take us for lunch.’  So he was coming too.  She’d no idea what Stephen’s involvement was and she couldn’t imagine why he’d be working for David, unless he was there as a spy for his brother.  The thought made her wince.  Surely David would have suspected that.

  It was only a short drive, but she wished she knew London better.  The cab stopped outside an isolated building, large and imposing in its own grounds.  Two other cars were parked on the tarmac in front of the red brick building.  Taylor thought the building looked old and unloved. 

Wearing only jeans and a t-shirt, she threw on a jacket to combat the chilly London air.  This Country was alien.  One day it was warm and the next, it could be like winter.  Stephen walked in front, leading her on, not giving anything away.  He side stepped a broken stair from the set of twelve, making sure she avoided it. 
He’s been here before.

The cheery sound of voices chattering met her ears, as Stephen opened the large wooden door.  It sounded like a chorus of boys and girls, men and women, sharing a happy afternoon.  She didn’t know what she’d expected, but she was beginning to relax.  The hackles that had remained raised from her messaging session with Amber, began to subside. 

The sound increased in intensity as Stephen swept her into a large dining room, full of teens and youths.  A few nodded to Stephen, as they walked past tables full of youths eating heartily.  Stephen steered her to the serving hatches. 

Lifting her head, she caught his eye, holding his gaze for several seconds too long.  David stood behind the counter, dishing up sausage, egg and chips, to a line of giggly youths. 

‘You made it?’ he said when he finished serving his latest hungry mouth.  A few youths in the line winked at him, elbowing each other in the ribs, knowingly. 

He took off his apron and handed it to one of the other servers, quickly stepping through to the dining room.  ‘Time for the grand tour.’ His face was calm, yet wary, as they were joined by a guide.

‘Who are all these people?’ she asked David, genuinely curious.

‘They’re either current or ex-gang members.  This is what Alan Inglebrook does.  It’s why someone is trying to shut him down!  You needed to see it for yourself.’

‘What’s this for?’ Taylor walked into a side room, set out in rows with desks.

‘It’s our classroom,’ the guide said easily.

An elderly man was placing a set of papers on each desk.  ‘Good afternoon,’ he smiled jovially, as his three chins, just like Kevin’s, wobbled in unison.

The guide introduced them quickly, before moving on, to individual counseling rooms, a games room and Internet suite.  After an hour of introductions and talking to several of the youths, it was clear to Taylor that they didn’t know David personally.

At the end of their tour, they were shown into a counseling room, set with places for two.

‘They don’t know you here, so what’s your involvement?’ she challenged him.

‘Is this on or off the record, Taylor?’ His eyes blazed into hers, making her squirm in her seat.

‘Our deal was off the record.  That stands until seven tonight.  I don’t break my promises.’

‘In that case, I bankroll it.  We show youths an alternative style of life, giving them experiences and challenges they could never hope to have, if they experiment with dangerous life choices.’

A knock at the door broke her gaze, while two young boys dressed in chef whites walked in with bowls of steaming lentil soup and fresh bread.  Her napkin was shaken out and placed gently in her lap, while the soup was proudly placed in front of her.

Taylor flashed a bright smile at the boy who served her.  ‘Did you make this?’  He nodded repeatedly; keen to impress this unexpected VIP, then turned and left them alone.  Her eyes misted as the realization of what Alan was actually doing sunk in.  He was giving these youths the chance to learn valuable skills.  Ones they could use in the workplace.

‘Why doesn’t he just tell them? If his lawyers knew about this, he’d find it easier to fight the charges against him.’

‘He can’t Taylor.  If what he’s doing gets out, it’ll be shut down.  He’s keeping quiet to let these kids have a chance at a good life.’

‘Can’t you do anything?’

‘Jack Collins has it in for him.  He’s a powerful man, and not one to be crossed.  We’re working behind the scenes to try and free Alan, but if he won’t help himself, there’s not much we can do.’

‘What about the murders?’

‘I honestly don’t know, but they seem to have stopped.’  She scanned his face, looking for anything that might give away a lie.  She couldn’t find anything.  In the way she distrusted Jack, every nerve ending in her body was telling her to trust David. 

Their waiters returned, clearing away the soup plates and serving up a main course of Caesar Salad. 

‘Are you David Burton?’  One of the youths was more bold than the other.     

David winked.  ‘Can you keep a secret?’ he asked, putting his index finger to his lips.

‘My lips are sealed!’ the young lad said before he left, dragging his thumb and index finger along a pursed set of lips. 

When they left, David brought up the subject she was dreading.

‘What Lindy and I did, was a long time ago, and in another life.  I’d never expect that kind of relationship from you.  I’ll understand if you want to walk away now!’ 

‘I don’t want to be spanked, ever.’ She answered simply, keeping her eyes firmly on her plate.

###

Taylor spent the afternoon with the youths.  She played pool, chatted and discussed hopes and dreams for the future, with optimistic youths.  What David and Alan were doing was inspirational, and a great big flaming secret.  She thought it would be better out in the open, but they had their reasons, and it wasn’t really any of her business.  She knew it was a privilege to have been invited at all. 

Her fears about David began to evaporate, as she understood that people can change.  People
do
change.  Kevin was right.  David Burton was a good man. 

She watched his body language, while he mixed effortlessly with a group of boys.  He seemed to fit in here as easily as he did in the swanky office she’d interviewed him in.   

‘It’s time to go.’  David idled up behind her, as the time wore into early evening.  ‘Stephen will take you home.’

Lowering her eyes, she spoke quietly, but decisively.  ‘I’d rather you took me home.’  When he didn’t answer immediately, she lifted her eyes, seeing the torment in his. 

Instantly feeling rejected, she backtracked.  ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have presumed.  Your forty eight hours are up.  Of course I’ll go with Stephen.’  She turned to go, hoping she could leave without crying.  She seemed to have cried an awful lot in the few days that she’d known him. 

‘Wait.’ He slipped an arm round her waist to pull her back.  ‘It’s me who should be sorry.  I thought I’d blown it.  I’ll take you home.’

He smoothed a stray hair from her eyes.  Her body tingled with anticipation.  He’d raised her expectations so much in the last few days.  At the beginning, she’d thought it was just sex, but now she knew it was more.  Much more. 

The fire in her belly threatened to explode as she watched him drive.  The movement of his hand over the gear stick ignited the passion she felt between her legs when he was this close. 
I’m turning into a bloody sex crazed monster. 
Why would that be such a bad thing?  Sex felt good.  There was no reason for her to be embarrassed about it. 

They walked silently from the car to her flat.  He stopped at her door, making it clear that he was giving her the option to say no.  Grabbing his tie, she pulled him towards her, yanking his lips down to hers.  He was on her in a second, his mouth pressing urgently, with his tongue finding its way through her lips to caress and entwine with hers.  

Stumbling in the door, she closed it firmly behind her before kicking off her shoes. 

‘It’s way past seven, Miss Griffiths, I hope we’re still off the record.’