Page 2 of Up All Night
“It is.Oh, but first, let me show you the view.”I walk her over to the balcony next to the fireplace.This room is like a fairytale.As I open the French doors, we’re welcomed by a concrete pad, surrounded by wrought iron bannisters in a twisted pattern.There is a clear view of the Eiffel Tower.
“Holy shit!”Bowie says on exhale.“You sure know how to pick them.This is gorgeous.”
“Oh, I can’t take credit.This is the travel agent.I guess our assistant hired someone top notch and it shows.Apparently, you can’t get into this hotel unless you have a reservation months in advance.How she pulled this off is beyond me.”
“Don’t be naïve, Izzy.Remember who your father is.I’m sure that the French capitalists that have vied to do business with Drummond Motors had something to do with this.”
“I suppose you’re right.”I shrug.My father’s power has never gone to my head.We’re all still very humble.That’s part of the reason why so many people want to do business with us.At the end of the day, we’re just people.“So, how come Jagger didn’t insist on joining you on this trip?You guys haven’t even had a honeymoon yet, have you?”
I pull the two little bistro chairs over, so we can sit.“I don’t know.”She says sort of dismissively.“We’re not really thinking about a honeymoon.Doing business is too exciting.There are so many things coming up and we don’t want to miss a beat.He just wanted me to come out here to see you because he said that otherwise I’ll burst.”
Her warm smile is contagious.“I’m so glad.It’s crazy how much we have in common.”
“It is.It’s like Jagger and me, too.I’m so lucky to have found a man that is my equal on every level.Sometimes we sit up all night just talking about engines and all the technological advancements that we’re coming up with.”
“You two are both exceptionally intelligent.”
“And I could pick your father’s brain all day long.Did he and your mum end up coming here?”
I nod.“Yes.They’re still here, actually.Daddy and mummy will be at the meetings later today, too, so you’ll get to see them.”
“I’m so excited.And both Jagger and I are so grateful that we’re going to be a part of this, too.We have so many ideas.”
“I can’t wait to hear them, but let’s save that for when we see daddy and mummy later.”
“For sure, for sure.”She says, tapping my hand.Then she changes tack.“Um, don’t get freaked out or anything, but I just wanted to ask you if you’ve got anyone, um, watching you for anything.I know it isn’t uncommon when you earn more than seven figures to have certain walks of life trying to infiltrate either your wallet or your business, or both.”
A ‘v’ forms between my brows.“Why do you ask?”
“Jagger received an anonymous letter yesterday.It basically warned him about doing business with Drummond Motors.And we’re trying to rule out my ex in this, but I just thought it was worthwhile to ask while I’m here.”
I frown, shaking my head.“As far as I know, all is okay.Although now that you mention it, I did receive an odd call earlier.”
“What kind of call?”
“It was just silence.There was nobody on the other end.I didn’t call downstairs to ask if maybe there is something wrong with the lines.I’m sure it’s nothing.”I pause for a moment, thinking about how to word my next question properly.“Boston Kruger.He would have many reasons to come after Lawson Manufacturing, but do you think that he would endanger anyone?”
“No.Boston is gutless.If he did anything malicious, it would be by hiring someone to do it for him.”
“Do you think that he would ever do that?”
She chews the inside of her lip before answering.“I’m not sure.It’s funny how you start to question everything when you find out that your partner cheated on you.And, of course, now that I married his arch enemy and his strongest competitor, I suppose maybe I’m being a little naive thinking that he wouldn’t be out for blood.”
My smile is weak.“God, Bowie.You and I are such similar creatures.I thought it was impossible for us to have any more in common, but somehow, we do now.”
She leans forward slightly, looking at me more closely, as my head is bowed down.“How’s that?”
“You know Chas?”I ask, knowing full well that she does.He showed up at Bowie’s party and made everyone feel very awkward with his drunkenness.Rush and Axl ended up having to drive him back to my place so he wouldn’t cause a scene.
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m almost ashamed to tell you this, but he cheated on me.”
Her face suddenly looks like she just ate a lemon.“Not with Freddie, right?”
Freddie, the girl that she is referring to, runs our North Carolina location, and she was also flirting with Chas the night of Bowie’s party.Rush later told me the whole story.“I’m not sure if he was, but nonetheless, he cheated.”
A disgruntled moan comes out of her.“God, some men are so gross.”
