Black Butterfly (49 page)

“It’s all water under the bridge now,” Sydney said bitterly.

Portia let her tears fall. “I do love you and Trish. I know you don’t believe me, and I deserve that, but, it’s true . . . so true. You two are the only real family I have. She’s out there, hurting and scared, and I want to help her. I know you can’t forgive me yet, but, please, Sydney, I’m begging you, take me to her. I need to see her.”

“That’s why I came. I was going to offer to take you to her. I know that a lot has happened, and I’ve tried to understand you, but you’ve gone too far. My friendship with Ricky is over, and it meant a lot to me. I think I’m as much to blame as he is. Still it hurts. Trish almost lost her life because of your impulsiveness, and it hurts too. I know she loves you, she needs to hear you say that the man she loves is not a rapist. She’s fighting for her sanity, and you owe her that.”

Portia nodded. “I’ll do it, and I’ll do whatever’s necessary to make this up to her.”

“You change and we’ll leave,” Sydney said. “I need to get some more of my things.” Nolen walked into the Waldorf-Astoria and headed straight for Oscar’s, an elegant restaurant reserved for the wealthy guests of the plush hotel. He’d made arrangements for Marshall Ellison and William Hesser to meet him. He’d taken his Porche and arranged to meet Sydney in Rochester later.

Marshall saw him enter first and raised his hand. He gestured for Nolen to approach. William glared openly. The man’s face was so red he looked like he might explode.

Nolen joined them at their table. He was in a hurry to have their business done. He knew Sydney would need him when she visited Trish. “Gentlemen.”

Marshall stood and extended his hand. “Good to see you again, Nolen.” Nolen shook it, smirking. “I hope you feel that way after this little meeting.” Marshall looked at Hesser and took a seat. “So, I know you two have met.”

“Nolen,” William said stiffly.

“Yes, we’ve met.”

“Nolen, you and I have been friendly for quite some time,” Marshall began.

“I’ve tolerated you for Todd’s sake,” Nolen said, fixing him with a challenging glare. “I wouldn’t call that friendly.”

Marshall frowned. “Ok, so you want to play it this way, fine. I know all about your threats and intimidations in a matter that is none of your concern. I’m asking you to back off, now.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll intervene and pull my son into line,” Marshall threatened. “He’s not exactly a hero here, and there are certain legal matters in Westmore that I could resurrect to teach him some respect.” Nolen shook his head no to the offer of coffee. He locked eyes with Trish’s father. “Mr. Hesser, I thought I made myself clear. You are out of Patricia’s life. That’s the request of your daughter. Not mine. I’ll make one concession.”

William frowned. “What concession?”

“Let’s just say the lady in my life doesn’t like violence, and I was given the task of handling you and my affairs differently than I have in the past. So let me make clear exactly what you’re facing.” William stared at Nolen, bewildered.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” Nolen continued. “If you don’t heed my warning, I’ll take you out, and you won’t see it coming. With that said, here’s the concession. You forget that you have a daughter, and I won’t leak to the press your indiscretions with your child. The scandal alone would destroy that big tomato empire you’re king of. I’d hate to bring this out and subject her to the public attention, but I will if I have to.” William swallowed hard and looked at Marshall. “Do something.” Nolen turned his gaze to Marshall. “We spoke at the christening about that special inside information you were seeking. Hey, should I drag you into the investigation the SEC is now hanging over my head?”

“Why are you involving yourself in this matter? I thought you stopped cleaning up Todd’s messes,” Marshall said. “We’re all businessmen here. I’m sure we can come up with an equitable solution.” Nolen raised an eyebrow, amused. “Equitable?”

“Yes, the legal fees for your fight with the government have to be mounting, and I think I can help.”

“You’re kidding, right? You don’t honestly think I would need or want any money from you.”

“She’s my daughter, damn it!” William shouted. “I’m sick of you and this Todd person interfering. I don’t care about the scandal. I’m sick of this! Back the fuck off!” Nolen looked at his face, now contorted in rage. “Make me, push me, do whatever your spoiled, sadistic ass resorts to when you don’t get your way, and then I’ll show you just how involved I am.” William glared but held his tongue.

Marshall touched his shoulder. “Let her go through therapy, Will, and once she’s stronger, she can seek you out. They can’t interfere.”

“What? Are you saying you won’t help me, Marshall?”

Marshall cut his eyes at Nolen as if weighing the threat. “Yes, I’m out, Will. I just don’t care enough to take this further. Good luck.” He tossed his napkin on the table and rose.

“Marshall, you swore you would help me!”

Marshall looked in Nolen’s direction and smiled slyly. “You won this round. We’ll play again, and soon.” He nodded and left the table.

“I look forward to it,” Nolen called after him.

Hesser sat back in his chair. “There’s a way to make you pay for this. Maybe I should call my friends in the Bureau and make them aware of your threats.”

Nolen leaned back in his chair, staring at the man whose face made him dream of murder. “You do that, and when they ask why I would threaten the great and mighty William Hesser, I’ll lead them straight to your perversions. See, William, I did my homework. My assistant Annemarie can be quite resourceful. Patricia was only one of your victims. Your appetite for young girls extended much further than her, you sick fuck!” William wiped his jaw. “One day, Nolen, we’ll meet again on my turf, and I promise to be just as merciless as you are.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Nolen dropped some folded bills on the table and then looked back into William’s face. “I trust you’ll be out of here on the next available flight?”

“Hmph.”

Nolen laughed. “Good boy.” He grabbed his trench coat from the back of the chair and headed outside for the long drive to Rochester.

“Todd, I think I’m ready to go now,” Trish said, pointing at the window while Todd worked at his laptop. He’d had his assistant bring his clothes, computer, and photos to approve days ago. He’d also made sure that Trish’s painting supplies were brought in and stocked in her private room. That was how he’d gotten her out of bed and laughing again.

She’d refused to discuss the suicide attempt with him, and the doctor had advised him not to push.

“Well, you’re doing better, but we still need to make sure you’re at your best before we leave.” She nodded. “I miss my friends.”

Though he hated the idea of letting Portia anywhere near Trish, he understood that reconnecting the three girls could help Trish. “Soon, sweetie. You’ll see them soon.” Trish put down her paintbrush, smiling, and sat down on the sofa next to him.

Todd moved the laptop to the end table and put his arm around her. “You’re doing much better.”

“I feel better,” she said, snuggling against him.

“I’m glad because soon it will be time to plan our next move.” Trish sighed. “What move?”

“Marriage.”

“You want to marry me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Really?”

“I love you. I want to spend the rest of our lives proving that to you.”

“I’m crazy,” she protested weakly.

“Don’t say that. You’re not crazy. You have problems, and we’ll resolve them, but nothing is wrong with you. Do you understand?”

“Dr. Percy said—”

“And I respect him, Trish, but I know you. I’m just saying that you’re not beyond help.”

“I can’t understand why you’ve stuck through it all, Todd. It has to be overwhelming for you.”

“I’ve never felt more alive in my life, Trish. I mean that.”

Trish kissed him in her sweet way. “I think that becoming your wife will be a good thing. No, a great thing! I can’t wait!”

“Well, let me propose to you properly first,” he said, kissing her softly. “We’ll discuss it with Dr. Percy, and then—”

A knock on the door stalled his words in his throat. The door cracked open, and Sydney stuck her head in. Trish stood up, the grin wide and bright to her face. Sydney entered the room with Portia behind her. “I was just saying that I missed you guys!” she said excitedly, pulling them into a group hug.

Todd discreetly left the room.

Sydney broke the circle. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”

“Much better.”

Portia touched Trish’s long, shiny hair. “You look great, Trish. I’m so happy to see you like this!”

“Did you two come here together?” Trish asked.

The girls exchanged sheepish glances. “Yeah, we did,” Portia said softly.

Trish pointed to her painting. “I’m making great progress. Look at this.” Sydney stared at the canvas, admiring the brilliant coloring and expressive shapes. It reminded her of the paintings hanging in their apartment. “Beautiful,” Sydney said.

“Gorgeous,” Portia added.

Trish lowered the painting. Portia looked at Sydney, who avoided her eyes. On the ride in the limo, Portia had asked about her life with Nolen, but Sydney had responded only to neutral subjects. The tension between them was evident. They both tried to fight against it.

“Trish, I need to tell you something,” Portia said hesitantly.

Without saying a word Sydney gave Portia the nod to do what she agreed to. Trish must have sensed what was to come next. She touched Portia’s hand. “I know he didn’t rape you, Portia.”

“You do?” Portia asked.

“I love him. I know about his past and the things he did with his models, but he’s not a monster. He could never be a rapist.”

Portia looked pained. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“It’s ok. Todd was guilty of hurting you. Abusing your trust. What you did and said, you did out of love.

That’s how I see it.”

Careful to give them their moment Sydney watched but said nothing. Trish reached back for Sydney’s hand pulling her toward them. “If I can forgive Portia, I want you to try to as well.” Sydney shook her head. “It’s not about me, sweetie. It’s about you getting well.”

“Getting well is having my family back, and that’s you two. Please end this war and try to love each other again. Will you try?”

Portia smiled sweetly at Sydney. “I’m willing if you are.”

“I need time,” Sydney said.

Trish gave her a hurt puppy-dog look.

“Fine,” Sydney snapped, looking sideways at Portia. “I won’t hate you anymore. How’s that?” They both looked at Trish, who winked at Portia. “It’s a start!” Trish said.

The nurse’s station was a safe place to watch Trish’s room. Until he heard from Nolen he wouldn’t let anyone near it. He’d already pitched a big enough fit to remain a guest of the facility along with his girlfriend, something frowned upon by the administrators. When he looked up again Nolen approached from the other end of the hall. He went to greet him. “Hey, man. Thanks for coming.” Nolen hugged him. “How is she?”

“Trish is great. Each day she grows stronger.”

“Good. Took care of that problem for you. They won’t be bothering you again.”

“Man, thank you so much. I know I need to deal with my dad, but he brought up Casey Welsby. I can’t have him spouting that shit around Trish.”

Nolen shook his head. “Come clean with Trish about everything. It’s the only way to free yourself from the hold your dad has over you.”

Todd nodded. “You’re right. I will.”

“Is my lady here?”

“She just arrived. The girls are trying to heal their friendship.”

“Good. Let me buy you a cup of coffee and I can tell you how your dad almost pissed his pants when I mentioned the Ellison Commodities land deal.”

Todd laughed. “Sure,” he said, glad to have Nolen in his corner.

Chapter 26

Moving On

Seven weeks later, and Sydney was physically exhausted. Rehearsal had been grueling, but she felt exhilarated. Today Nolen faced the grand jury to determine whether the government had a case. Sydney watched the news. Three people in Nolen’s company were facing stiffer charges from the SEC. All three denied that Nolen or his executives knew anything about the securities fraud for Delstar. When she asked Nolen about the charges, and the debates on every syndicate channel over his role in it, he remained silent, dismissive. Finally she forced him to give her an answer why Scott Harris claimed Nolen had shared no insider information on Delstar. Nolen only smiled and said, “It’s because he’s a smart man.” She’d left it at that, not wanting to know what being a dumb man meant.

Their future hung on the grand jury’s findings, and she was a nervous wreck. She had begged him to allow her to attend the hearing, but he’d refused. After pouting, arguing, and seducing him hadn’t worked, she’d finally given in, settling for his promise to call her as soon as he knew something. All day at the studio she’d checked her phone, but Nolen never called.

Unable to wait any longer, she’d invented an excuse to leave an hour early. When Charles picked her up, she’d asked if he’d heard anything, but he hadn’t. It was all so damned frustrating.

Over the past weeks, despite long hours at the studio preparing for a summer opening, she’d checked in with Trish regularly. Today Trish would be released from Sail Brooke, and Sydney remained hopeful the worst was over. When she’d last spoken to Todd, he’d told her the therapy did wonders for her recovery. Trish’s doctors had placed her on an antidepressant. Sydney didn’t want her friend medicated, but Trish was improving so she set her worries aside.

She’d lied to Trish when she’d said that she would forgive and forget what Portia had done. Even though she loved Portia and wanted the best for her, she refused to allow room in her life for people who didn’t return that sentiment. Portia would always be about Portia, so Sydney had closed her heart to a person who’d been her friend since childhood.

Portia, of course, hadn’t liked that decision and had actually come to the studio, asking for a lunch date to work through their problems. Sydney had agreed to meet her, but as she listened to Portia talk about how they could start over and how maybe Nolen could help her get another gig, her heart broke. Portia had turned an extended olive branch into an opportunity for her own personal gain. Sydney made it clear she would tolerate Portia around Trish, but their friendship was over.