Venture Forward (22 page)

“Take some time to think about this. If he does, it’ll mean the end of Blue Coat.”

“I’ll take that risk.”

“You’re making a big mistake, and it’s not entirely your decision to make, or have you forgotten that fact?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong! Remember? I’m innocent. I tried to fix the situation before that fucking criminal unleashed his plans.”

“Nobody else will see it that way.”

“I don’t care. If anyone contacts you again, tell them I don’t respond to threats. We’ll have to figure out another way to protect our interests.” He stormed out of the office. It had always been just a matter of time before his past threatened to subjugate his future. But even though he had to face the consequences of his actions, it didn’t mean everyone else should get caught in the crossfire, especially Avery. The effects would be devastating. There had to be a way to stop the bastard pulling the strings. But without any leads, his hands were tied. Sitting around holding his dick was a relative impossibility.

His phone buzzed.

“Meet me at Joya. We need to talk.”

Paul slid into the Bentley and gunned the engine. “Evan, it’s been a really shitty day. I’m not in the mood.”

“It’ll be good for you to get out for a little while. Just get your ass down here.”

“Fine, one drink, then I’m out.”

“Deal. I’ll meet you at the bar.”

Joya was packed and loud. The last thing he needed was to be assaulted by a random photog, and the level of activity assured him it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility. People spilled onto the veranda as they waited to be seated. Way too much of a chance someone would recognize him, but, truth be told, he needed that drink. Badly.

He pushed through the throngs of people, finally reaching the bar.

Evan handed him a highball glass. “You look like crap.”

“Thanks. This should help, although ten more just like it would really hit the spot.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“You want to know what’s up? Well, let’s see, I slept with Avery after the wedding and managed to completely fuck up everything between us, all the investors for SportSensor threatened to walk if I didn’t pull out, Blue Coat’s funds are devaluing by the second, and, to top it all off, I’m being extorted.” He took a long gulp of his scotch. “How was
your
day?”

“Jesus. What the hell are you going to do?”

“I have no fucking idea. I don’t even care about myself. I’m worried about everyone else who’s being screwed over because of all this shit.”

“Who’s blackmailing you?”

“The hell if I know. I’ve evidently made a lot of enemies, so it could be anyone.”

“How much do they want?”

“Don’t know. A.J. is their contact. I told him I’m not paying.”

“I don’t blame you for being pissed off, but is that the smartest move? This could have a lot of far-reaching impacts. Shouldn’t you be doing everything possible to make sure the press doesn’t get involved?”

“Yes, except I have no idea where to start. Everything is upside down.”

“What about Avery?”

“What about her?”

“You still care about her. Don’t deny it.”

“Didn’t you hear anything I just said? I’m like a fucking tornado right now, destroying everything around me. She needs to stay far away before she gets sucked into the funnel cloud.”

“Shouldn’t that be her call?”

“I’m trying to protect her. From
myself.
”

“You’re running from your feelings.”

“Thanks, Doc. I thought you were a surgeon not a shrink.”

“Tell me you don’t want to be with her.”

“What I want doesn’t matter. I can’t give her what she deserves.” He drained the last of his scotch and hailed the bartender. “Another, please.”

“I think you’re trying to convince yourself of that because it’s the easy way out. Relationships are never perfect, but you found someone great, someone who obviously cares about you. What happened at the wedding wasn’t a random hookup, and that’s why you took off. You knew you couldn’t keep it just physical because it’s
more
than that.”

“Did you ever think I walked away because being with me is just plain bad? Don’t you read the papers? I’m a ruthless prick who basically steals livelihoods and crushes dreams.”

“Yeah, but that isn’t who you are, and she knows it. Otherwise, she never would have let things get this far.”

“I’m a goddamned disaster with nothing to offer. She’s amazing and can have any guy she wants. Why would she want to waste her time with a frigging emotional idiot?”

“Well, there’s no accounting for taste.” Evan smirked. “Seriously though, all this crap with work will blow over, and you’ll come out on top because you
always
do. But when the dust settles, are you going to be happy knowing you let this great girl get away?”

The fiery liquid burned a path to his stomach and didn’t make him feel any better. Christ knows, it would never soothe the ache in his heart. Nothing could, except the very person he’d let slip through his fingers.

“Well?”

Paul slammed the empty glass on the bar. “Are you going to make me say it?”

“Yes, because
you
need to hear it.”

“Fine! You want to know the truth? I do care about her, more than I ever have about anyone. I hated leaving her, hate that I upset her and made her question my feelings. Because I
do
have them, for the first time in my life, and they scare the hell out of me. So, yeah, I ran because I don’t know how to do anything different.”

“Wow.”

“What?”

“Didn’t think I’d ever see the day. You’re in love, man.”

“That’s why I can’t bring her into all this.”

“Leave that up to her.”

“The media will tear her apart, and think about what it’ll do to her company.”

“Stop making bullshit excuses. Her company is flying. I can’t see anything anchoring it, not even your sorry ass. Can I make a recommendation?”

“Oh, you’re asking now?”

“I’m going to ignore that. Tell her how you really feel. I guarantee it’s not one-sided. It was glaringly obvious at the launch party, and don’t think I didn’t catch it that day on the beach. All this other crap is meaningless.
She’s
what you need, what you’ve been missing. I’m glad you finally figured it out. Now get the hell out of here and tell her.”

Evan was right. All the bullshit with the book, the press, and Androtti could be fixed. He could handle the fallout. But if he lost Avery because he was too stubborn to finally take a chance with someone… No, he couldn’t let that happen. Being with her wasn’t a mistake; it had been the best decision he’d ever made. He stood up and grinned at Evan. “You’re a real dickhead, you know that?”

“You’re welcome. Let me know how it goes.”

Fingers closed around his forearm as he meandered through the bar crowd. “Hey, stranger.” Sami sidled up to him, her full, glossed lips forming a well-practiced pout. “What are you doing here? I haven’t heard from you in forever.”

“Listen, I really can’t stay. Can I call you later?” He needed to get out of there. Enough time had been wasted.

“Only if you promise to come over. It’s been
soo
long.” Sami pressed her petite frame against him, her fingertips lightly grazing his hip.

He’d deal with her later… much later. His priority right then was to find Avery, but where the hell would she be? Hoards of people materialized in the few short minutes of their exchange, and even the elevated noise level couldn’t drown his frantic thoughts. He pulled out his phone… to call whom? Mia? Maybe they were together? What if Avery wouldn’t take his call?
What if—

“Excuse me, sir, are you looking for a table?”

He spun around, and the hostess flashed him an inquisitive smile.

“No, I’m good.”

A group of people with phones firmly clasped in their hands stood on the outskirts of the dining room, craning their necks and pointing.

He released a relieved breath when he realized he wasn’t the target. But what the hell was going on inside?

The melodic sound of female laughter made his blood run cold. A quick glimpse confirmed the reason for all the fanfare.

It was Kevin Albright and his date, ex-girlfriend, Avery Hunter.

“
I’M REALLY GLAD YOU
called. I felt bad about the way we left things at the club.”

Avery sipped her wine. “My fault. But let’s not digress. It’s in the past.”

“Yeah.” Kevin nodded toward the foyer. “There are a lot of curious folks out there. You sure you’re okay with this?”

“Believe me, I’d put up with a lot worse for this chance. Can you hold the fort while I run to the ladies’ room?”

“I’ll make sure nobody storms the table until you’re back.”

“Great. That inspires so much confidence.” Maybe meeting in public wasn’t her most brilliant move. When the hell had all these people shown up anyway?

She walked toward the lounge, head lowered, intent on keeping eye contact to a minimum. It was only a matter of time before someone tipped off the paparazzi, and she didn’t care to see herself on the cover of some gossip rag the following week.

“Enjoying the party? I’m sure the press will be ecstatic.”

Avery’s head snapped up. “Paul…”

With a grimace, he nodded toward Kevin. “You’ve reconnected. Congratulations.”

The acerbic tone stung. Badly. But he had no right to judge. Her personal life was none of his goddamned business. “If memory serves, you were the one who said what happened between us was a mistake. That
is
the word you used, right? You didn’t want me around. I wanted to be there for you, and you told me to walk away. So why do you look so bothered that I’m here with Kevin? If anything, you should be relieved. I got your message loud and clear.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you enlighten me? Or are you just reverting to your usual asshole-like tendencies because…
why
? What the hell did I do to
you
?”

His nostrils flared, but no words came out.

She stepped closer, noting the interested looks of nearby patrons. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but I’m done, okay? You made your decision, and I’ve made one of my own.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Hey, who knows? If you guys actually make it this time around, it may even boost business. You should capitalize on it. Work the media to your advantage,” he spat with a sneer on his face.

“Thanks for the tip. I see how well it’s worked out for you.” An icy hand squeezed her heart. The harsh words didn’t match the hint of sadness in his eyes. He couldn’t hide that from her. Not anymore. She could see exactly what this was doing to him, but, as usual, he refused to let her in.

“I hope things work out for you, Avery.” The sudden change in tone caught her off-guard. The switch from angry and confrontational to defeatist left her speechless. He turned and walked back to the bar without another glance.

Tears stung her eyes as she stared after him. Déjà vu.
What a bitch.