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Chapter Twenty-Five
- Dante -
WE HAD ONE NIGHT RESERVEDin a luxurious spa hotel where I had planned an afternoon of pampering for Noemi. She could make her phone call to her brother and even my sister if she chose to. She could get a massage, soak in the hot tub, get her hair and nails done. Whatever the hell kind of stuff made a woman relax.
Tonight, I had very specific plans. When I left the plane that morning, I made several phone calls. More favors were owed me. Noemi needed suitable clothing for Barbados. Sundresses. Shoes. Bathing suits. A few cocktail dresses for going out. I sent her measurements and my requirements to a contact on the island. A few items were to be delivered to our room prior to our arrival. The rest were being delivered to my yacht. We had two days on the island. By then, the rest of the crew would be rounded up and we would be able to set out to sea. We wouldn’t go far from the island, but at least then, I’d have the privacy I wanted. My yacht was a second home. There was a crew of six, including the captain. They all worked directly for me and were well compensated for their discretion. At my instruction, they would disappear. Noemi would never even know they were there.
While she was getting the five-star treatment this afternoon, I had a few business matters to attend to. After landing, I saw that I had a few missed calls that needed to be returned. One was from Christian Delacroix. He didn’t leave a long message, just said to call him when I landed. I assumed he wanted to discuss something about the plane or some other crap. Like I said, he was a dick, most of the time. But as he and I were in the same business, he was one of the few men outside of my family that I could trust. We were part of the same network. I needed to return his call, even if it was just out of professional courtesy.
The other call was from an arms dealer. I purchased items from him from time to time. I only ever spoke to him when I needed a new, untraceable weapon. I hadn’t reached out to him, so I had no idea why the fuck he was calling me. I wasn’t in the market for anything new. I was still in the middle of reviewing and deciding which of the three offers I was going to accept out of the contracts that were sent to me.
One was for a pedophile in Texas – the grandson of a local judge who couldn’t afford the scandal. I needed to do an investigation on that one. I needed to know the man was guilty before I killed him. The bid was lower than I was used to, but if it meant that not one more child would suffer at his hands, I could overlook the lowball deal.
I was less interested in the contract for a two-bit drug dealer who got a little too greedy and poached his cousin’s territory. The money was right, so it was a possibility, but drug dealers weren’t ideal.
The third one intrigued me the most, but not for the reasons you’d assume. She was a librarian. A woman hiding out in a mountain town in Colorado. Who the fuck wanted to kill a librarian? I didn’t know anything about the woman and the contract was anonymous. Usually, I stayed the fuck away from those. Look, if you were man enough to want someone dead and to pay millions for it to be done right, then you had to be man enough to face the executioner. I didn’t have any respect for fucking cowards and I sure didn’t have respect for cowards who wanted to kill librarians for no fucking reason. At least, no reason that they wanted to share. My curiosity was piqued, but not enough to do the work of a coward.
I decided I’d call Delacroix first, then reach out to the dealer. He didn’t make social calls. A prickly feeling rose up my spine, that sixth sense that told me not to put the call off for too long. I’d get Noemi situated in our suite. Maybe eat lunch with her since I was still crabby this morning and I ditched her for breakfast. Once she started her pampering sessions, I’d get some work done. I needed these matters off my plate so I could concentrate on her tonight. I didn’t want anything or anyone to distract me from making this experience a night neither one of us would ever forget.
We stopped outside our destination; a sprawling beachfront hotel that catered to a unique crowd. A crowd so elite that no one would question why I was driving a blindfolded woman around in a convertible. The hotel was run by part of the syndicate; the owners specialized in providing relaxing vacations for people like me. People who wanted no-questions-asked time away from whatever nefarious work paid their bills. It was completely safe, but Noemi would be exposed to some things she’d never dreamed.
The Grand Tropican was a deliberate choice. I could have taken her anywhere, but there, I could show her what being mine could be like. I don’t know why the fuck I wanted to do that. Our arrangement was temporary, but I needed to make a lasting impression. I needed to set her up to be miserable without me. To make sure that every goddamn man who came after me would never measure up.
I took the blindfold off her as soon as we arrived. I wanted her to experience the visual beauty of the building – what little there was of it. The atrium of the Grand Tropican was exposed to the elements on three sides. The back wall was floor to ceiling glass. Palm trees and tropical flora gave the lobby a natural look. It was simple, an understated elegance that only money could buy. Discretion was key at the Tropican. We had a specific time to check in. The lobby was empty except the porter who arrived to carry our luggage and the young lady at the check in counter.
Noemi smiled as I helped her from the car. I walked her into the open area and steered her to a refreshment bar just off the lobby. She could get whatever she wanted, everything from a soda or a lemonade to a Long Island iced tea.
“Have a drink and I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want me to order something for you?” she asked as she settled into one of the rattan barstools.
I nodded at the man behind the bar. “My usual.”
Noemi’s eyes widened but she didn’t question me.
“For you, ma’am?”
“I don’t know.” I heard her answer as I walked away. “What do you recommend?”
“Hello, Tish,” I said to the tall blonde behind the reception desk.
“Welcome, Mr. Calegari.”
I handed her my card and without signing papers or scanning anything, she handed me two gold keys on a slender red rope.
“Bungalow number six, sir.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a slip of paper. “And Mr. Delacroix has called. Several times, I’m afraid.”
She handed me the note. I took it from her without a word, turning to check on Noemi at the bar. She was in an animated conversation with Landin who handed her a drink I recognized by its elaborate vessel and flowery garnish.
Son of a bitch. He would pay for that. I should have told him specifically what to give her. Knowing what a lightweight she was, if Noemi finished the drink he just handed her, I’d have plenty of time to take care of business because Noemi would be sleeping through all the appointments I had booked for her this afternoon.
I turned back to Tish as she handed me the welcome packet. “Tickets to tonight’s ball are included in your package. The Blue Lotus has openings should you choose to book a room, and Master Templeton has left a pass for you at the Chateau.”
I immediately shook my hand. “We’re only here for one night. Tell him ‘thank you’, but maybe next time.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Chateau. No way was Noemi ready for that – or The Blue Lotus for that matter. I already made dinner reservations, so we were set for the evening. BDSM shows and private sex rooms weren’t in the cards.
