The Accidental Mistress

chapter Fourteen

Thunderclouds were a bad omen. She and Joi darted through the small lot of parked scooters and compact cars. Zuri couldn’t help but lift her eyes in search of the sun. A drive to Sainte Marie in the rain would delay the day, may even force them to stay the night if the rains turned torrential. Secretly, she longed to resolve their affairs, see her father, and then return to Christophe before sunset.

"So how was your evening?" Joi asked, throwing the car keys at Zuri. "Or should I say your evenings."

The question pierced Zuri's heart with shame. No one knew of her humiliation with Christophe but Joi. How could she possibly tell her sister that the night was far better? In fact, it was one of the most special nights of her life. Zuri decided not to share any of it.

A clap of thunder grumbled in the sky. She ignored her sister's critical stare from the opposite side of the Volkswagen; pressing the release button on the key remote, she unlocked the doors. Joi dropped in on the passenger side and slammed the door shut before Zuri could enter. It would be tense between them until Joi had her say. Zuri sighed. She started the vehicle and drove them out onto rue de la Republique, then headed north to rue de Pave.

"Ignoring me?" Joi asked, with her arms folded to the front of her.

"Don't start, okay."

"Forgive me for being a bitch, but I'm worried about you, and père. Hell, everything’s a little helter skelter since you’ve started this crazy plan. I also had a really nasty run-in with Elliot Montague."

Zuri glanced from the road to her sister. Joi's face was tight with anger, and her eyes narrowed with accusations. "When?"

"Yesterday. He’s crazy. Called me names, you names, I thought I was going to have him escorted out of the resort. The only reason I didn't was because he said some things about you and Casanova. Things you don't want whispered on the streets of Madinina and getting back to père."

"Where did this happen?"

"Out near the beach. I was leaving the lambi dive, heading back to the spa rooms when he cut me off. Scared the crap out of me."

"Did he touch you?"

Joi snorted, and rolled her eyes. "He's not that crazy."

Zuri chewed her bottom lip. She switched on the wipers as the first rain began to sprinkle over the windshield. Why would Elliot Montague verbally attack her sister? It made no sense. "What did he say? Why was he angry?"

"How the hell do I know, Zuri? He said we were whores. He said you picked the wrong Montague to sell yourself too. He said when his cousin was done with you he'd own our resort and have us both thrown out."

"Where is this coming from?"

"I don't think these men can be trusted. Christophe and that jerk are family. They’re up to something."

"Christophe can be trusted. He and I are already working things out. Elliot Montague's threats mean nothing."

"Are you sure? He seemed quite believable to me. The man gives me the creeps."

Zuri wasn't convinced. In fact she suspected and was silently praying that this eruption of rage was some drunken fit of some kind. Christophe didn't mention Elliot having anything to do with their deal. Why would the man openly threaten her sister if he weren’t serious? "I'm sure," she lied. "Now let's just get to Detrick's office and then we'll make the drive to see mère and père and share the news." Zuri exhaled.

"What news is that?"


"The merger. We're going to do it. In fact he's agreed to my terms, Joi. By Tuesday, we will own the controlling share of the Oasis, and in five years we will have the company back for père. "

She felt Joi staring at her. Forcing a smile, she glanced over to her sister, who just looked away and mumbled her feelings in French under her breath. Zuri sighed. The short drive to Detrick Chevalier ended and she found a place to park across the street, facing the building.

"I know what I've done is risky. I really do believe that it's best for us. You have to have faith in me."

"It's not you I don't have faith in. Do you really think Christophe Montague is going to help us just because you slept with him?"

Before she could answer, Detrick stepped out of the front door to his building. He held a black umbrella up as he looked north and south along the street. "I think he's looking for us," Zuri frowned.

"Let's get it over with." Joi said, reaching for the door handle.

"Wait!" Zuri grabbed her wrist.

The girls watched as Detrick turned to the door and stuck his head in. When he stepped aside, Elliot Montague appeared. He smiled at Detrick in the rain and the men shook hands. He put on his helmet, then hurried up the walk to a scooter. Elliot straddled the motorbike and sped away. Detrick stood there for a moment looking after him, then went back inside.

"What the hell are those two up to?" Joi mumbled.

"I don't know. Have you introduced them before?"

"Me? No. When Elliot came to the Oasis before père had his stroke, he met with père alone. From what I gather, he was very rude too. So rude père called off the meeting. I believe they argued."

Zuri stared out the passenger window as the rain streaked down the glass. "What did they argue about?"

"I don't know. Père wouldn't discuss it. The bank started putting on pressure and that became my focus. I could never manage the books. Detrick and père handled most of it. I thought we were doing well, but we just kept losing money."

"Detrick’s hands are dirty in this."

"Why do you say that?"

"I feel it. I have since I first met with him when I came home. I know he's our attorney, accountant, but he's not in this fight with us like he should be."

"I don't know, Zuri. I never understood why we weren't turning a profit. Before the hurricane the Blue Oasis was booked up constantly. Père blamed it on the upgrades and expansion costs. Detrick blamed it on over spending. I never got the idea that they were ever out of sync."

The rain came down hard. It slammed against the canvas roof of the beetle, the hood and washed over the windows. Zuri shook her head. "My gut says Detrick's behavior since Père’s debts started to mount are suspicious."

"Detrick can be trusted. He's family. It's the Montague's that can't!"

"Calm down. I'm not accusing him, but you have to admit, seeing him with Elliot Montague after the way the man threatened you, feels strange."

Joi bit down on her bottom lip. "Mon Dieu, this is getting really messy. We need to talk to père."

"We can't. He raised us to trust our instincts. We go inside and do just that. Let me do the talking, okay?"

"Oui," Joi nodded. Zuri reached to the back seat and grabbed the umbrella. Hurrying around the car, she met Joi on the passenger side and the two darted across the street. Once inside they both shook off the storm. Together they climbed the stairs in silence. She gave Joi a pleading look to keep her cool and her sister dropped her eyes. She opened the door to find Detrick on the phone. He hung up immediately when they entered.

"Girls. Where have you been? Zuri, I tried to call you." Detrick walked over and kissed Joi on both cheeks, then gave Zuri the same welcome. She forced a smile. "Have a seat."

"Were you waiting long?" Zuri asked.

"Not long."

"Just you, no one else here or coming?"

Detrick’s dark brows furrowed. He leveled his gaze on Zuri, then cut his eyes to Joi. "No. You're my only clients today. Now I have to ask, is it true? I got a call from Montague. I didn't expect them to agree to the contract I sent over. I was quite surprised. Are you going ahead with this merger?"

"It's true." Zuri narrowed her eyes on him. "Have you met with the Montague's? Christophe and Elliot Montague?"

"I wouldn't meet with anyone Zuri without talking to you first. You know that." He walked back around his desk and sat. "I don't think this is a solid business plan girls."

"It’s a good plan," Zuri said.

"Here me out. How do you plan to turn enough profit and pay all debts in five years to buy the Oasis for it's value plus interest. Where is the business strategy to support this deal? No. No, my recommendation is you stop this immediately. Save at least part of your investment before you get in deeper." He opened a folder. He removed two sheets of paper and handed one to Zuri and Joi. They exchanged looks. "I've already drafted a better proposal. Not for the Montague's but for the bank. Since your father isn't able, I can handle the negotiations for you. This is a way to settle all debts. Of course you will have to relinquish more of your assets. If you sell the Lagoon..."

"Sell the Lagoon!" Joi gasped.

"It will generate enough cash flow to protect the plantation."

"Our debts exceed the value of the Lagoon and the Oasis. Is that what you're saying? Because that's not what the bank has said." Zuri felt the urge to shred the contract on the spot. But she kept her anger in check. She couldn't help but feel rage from the calculating look in Detrick's eyes. "Is this the kind of advice you gave my père? No wonder we're in the trouble we're in."

"I think you should consider how you speak to me... I was friends with your father before you were born."

Zuri shot up from her seat. "Then why are you lying?"

Detrick’s brows lowered. "Qu'est-ce que c'est?"

"Don't play innocent Detrick. We saw him. We saw Elliot Montague here. Why didn't you mention your little visit?"

Detrick waved her off, stacking the papers in the folder and closing it. "That will be enough. I'm calling your mother; I will only act on hers and père’s wishes. Things have gotten out of hand if you dare accuse me of something improper."

"Don't you dare!" Joi snapped. She tossed the contract sheet back at Detrick and it floated to the desk. "Answer the question, Zuri asked you. Why were you meeting with Elliot?"

"He met with me, I had hoped to spare Zuri the shame of his accusations."

"Accusations?" Zuri scoffed. "What accusations?"

"That you are trying to make deals with Montague by sleeping with the CEO, Christophe Montague." he sneered.

Zuri blinked at Detrick shocked. "I—"

"You are doing more harm than good, to your family's reputation as well as your own. It's time this whole thing is settled before your foolish ways puts your father in the grave."

The blow of Detrick's words hit Zuri hard. She nearly sat because of the pressure in her chest.

"I will not negotiate this deal without your father's consent and once he learns the truth about how you negotiated this deal I don't believe he will want a Montague merger."

"You bastard," Joi snapped. "You're fired!"

"Joi, let's go." Zuri said. She headed for the door.


Joi stood. "I didn't want to believe it. You betrayed, père. Didn’t you?"

"Of course not," Detrick huffed.

"It's true. I see it. Look at him, Zuri, how he sweats. He's guilty."

"That's it, girls. I want you to leave."

Zuri sucked down a breath. Shame made her face hot and her throat tight. She just wanted out of the office. She felt the need to breathe air different than the one shared with Detrick Chevalier. But Joi's anger wouldn't let it end there. Zuri could see her sister's hands clench into fists, and her nostrils flare. She touched her arm to pull her away but Joi shrugged off her touch.

"Elliot Montague is a liar, and a con-man. He isn't even the true dealmaker at Montague. And for the record, Zuri did nothing wrong. Don’t you dare spread that nasty rumor!"

Detrick just stared at them both.

"Joi, let's go," Zuri whispered.

Finally, Joi did walk out. Zuri cast one final look at Detrick. "I don't know how you and Elliot are connected but I will find out. I'm on to you. Stay away from my mother."

Detrick’s brows rose, making his eyes stretch. She hadn't connected her mother to this, but his reaction gave her pause. There was a shadow of guilt and anger that sparked the mention of Nanette. It made her sick. Did this have something to do with her mother? "Joi's right. You're fired."

She turned and left.

***

Christophe double tapped his middle finger on the touch pad of his laptop. He frowned and swiped his finger across the flat surface to scroll to the next page, then the next. Releasing a deep breath, he dropped back onto the large pillow in his wicker chair and stared at the screen. Eventually he reached for his phone and dialed his attorney.

"Davis here."

"It's Christophe."

"Did you get my email?"

"Tell me what I'm looking at."

"Three years ago, Elliot invested the money from his trust account into a business deal. A resort called Antillean Martinique. It was a small establishment owned by a French Business man by the name of Daniel Turaif. His investment manager in the deal was Detrick Chevalier."

"I think he's the attorney for the Baptiste," Christophe said.

"Yes, according to what I received from his office, he's the attorney and financial advisor of Claude Baptiste acting on behalf of Zuri Baptiste. It appears he has many talents. I knew the name sounded familiar. That’s why I started digging."

"What happened with Elliot and this resort?"

"He invested a good chunk of his money from what I gather. He tried to buy it from Turaif. From what I can tell, he was hustled; Turaif sold the place from under him to Claude Baptiste. Elliot tried to fight the sale, but the French Republic approved it, not recognizing his capital investment as binding because the proper documents weren't filed. The politics of the island favored the business deal between the Martinican’s."

"I don't remember ever seeing this deal. Did he involve Montague?"

"You voted down any expansion deals in the French Caribbean in 2007. Besides I advised Elliot against the Antillean from the beginning. I think after it all went bust, he didn't want to come to you and tell you about his screw up."

"And the new deal on the table that Elliot wants approved, does this Detrick Chevalier get something out of it?"

"Yes, for some reason Elliot trusts him. The original deal with the bank gives Chevalier ten percent ownership and stock options with Montague. It makes sense if you consider the politics on how Elliot lost the deal with Turaif. To deal with a Martinician guarantee’s the sale. I made some calls. Elliot's accounts are empty. He's broke. He liquidated his assets and stocks for the Antillean deal. He hasn't recovered."

Christophe knew his cousin couldn't manage his affairs. The news that his mother gave Elliot access to the money in his trust was definitely unexpected. If the trust was depleted, he suspected that Elliot was only released a marginal amount as a test, and even Elliot doesn't know that the well isn't dry. It would explain Elliot's desperation, and now with the Baptiste attorney in the mix, it spelled trouble. Did Elliot think he could come down here and kick back on Montague's dime?

"There's more." Davis voice cut through his thoughts.

"Great, what else?"

"I have to warn you. I've had a call from your mother. She's asking about the Oasis. She says Elliot called her with some concerns over a new deal you are cutting him out of."

Christophe’s jaw clenched. "You direct all calls from my mother to me. I need to speak with Zuri Baptiste. I think I have an idea what Elliot was up to. I'm not sure how much of this she knows."

"Would you like me to proceed with this merger as stated in the contract? Have you read it? There's a clause here that the Baptiste are allowed to buy the Oasis back after five years, with only ten percent interest. And I don't believe it represents fair market value. Montague assumes a lot of the risk if the capital investment needed to fund the remodeling since the hurricane isn't at the very least recouped. I suggest you pass on the merger."

Christophe would never sign his name to the deal Zuri drafted. He hesitated for a moment. He'd given her his word, and if Elliot caused her family's misfortune, then it felt right to correct the wrong. "Give her what she wants, and wave the interest. I'll explain it to the board."

He heard his attorney sigh and knew he had other objections, but Christophe's word was law. "Very well, Christophe. I'll call you on Monday."

"Thanks, Davis."

When he ended the call, he closed his eyes with a deep frown. He exhaled. Elliot had royally f*cked everything up. Now he'd have to explain to Zuri why. What would she think of him when she learned the truth as he suspected?" He rose from the chair and walked toward the open veranda. His hands eased in his pockets. He watched the rainfall. Before he did anything he needed to see Elliot. Something told him, his cousin hadn't left Martinique's shores.

***

"That bastard!" Zuri said slamming her hand against the steering wheel. She had to ease off the gas. The rain and slick roads caused the car to veer twice.

"You were right, Zuri," Joi mumbled, her voice weak and unsure. "I could see it on his face. He betrayed père. I don't know how, but he did. I should have been more careful."

"It's not your fault. I think Detrick brought Montague here. He started all of this."

"How, or better yet, why would he? Père has trusted him for years. Why now?"

"I don't know, but I think I know who can tell us."

"Who?"

"Mère, we need to talk to her, and now."

***

Elliot answered the door but when he saw Christophe he immediately tried to shut it. Christophe forced it open with his open palms. His cousin stumbled back. They glared for a moment before Elliot walked off. Christophe closed the door and turned to find Elliot packing two suitcases on his bed.

"Leaving?"

"You told me to go."

"Two days ago."

"I'm leaving. What difference does it make?"

"Not until you answer some questions."

Elliot ignored him. He turned to the closet to collect the remainder of his things.

"Why did you want the Oasis?"

"I told you. It’s a good deal."

"It's more than that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Are you gambling again?"

Elliot's hand froze. He didn't face Christophe. But Christophe didn't need to look into his eyes to find the truth. Ten years ago, Elliot had gotten in so deep he had to pay out several million to dig him from under the mess in Dubai. Since then, Elliot's gambling seemed to be balanced by his income and Christophe left him to his vices.


"Answer me, Elliot. How bad is it?"

"I'm not gambling. I knew that you'd jump to that conclusion. This was me trying to be my own man. You should try it sometime, Christophe."

To this Christophe laughed. "It's never an act for me. I am one."

"No. You're no freer than I am. Montague has your balls nailed to the floor. What do you do that isn't for the good of the company? Besides f*ck that island girl of course."

"Leave her out of this. You aren't a victim here. And if you really wanted this deal then why drag me down here to approve it? I'll tell you why, because everything you touch fails. That doesn't smell of independence. It reeks of your usual bullshit."

"It was my investment." Elliot slapped his chest. "These people here robbed me of it."

"So you came back to even the score?"

"So what if I did? It means nothing to Montague, a drop in the bucket. What does it matter?"

"You're playing with people's lives. The Baptiste—"

"To hell with them. Claude Baptiste, saw an opening and took it. He's not so innocent. I tried to deal with him, and he had the nerve to tell me that it was Martinician business. So f*ck him. He bit off more than he could chew. To lose the Oasis to the bank would have been asinine when I scouted this resort from the beginning. How the f*ck is any of this my fault? You're the one trying to change the deal on the table for your whore."

Christophe took a step forward. "It's your fault. If you had a hand in their financial collapse. Three years into his ownership of the Oasis and he's near bankrupt. His attorney is your investment manager? There's something more to this situation and between you and Detrick Chevalier."

Elliot's face told the rest of the story. Christophe's jaw clenched. "Damn it. Tell me the truth. What have you done?"

Elliot sneered. "You should be thanking me, not questioning me. Whatever I did, got you laid again and it cost you nothing, unless you're stupid enough to give into the princesses wishes and bail the Oasis out."

Something in Christophe snapped. Before he could control his actions he had his cousin pinned to the wall with his forearm pressed against his throat to pin him there.

"Get off me! Let me go!"

"I want you off this f*cking island. Do you hear me? I see you around this resort or the Baptiste, I'll have you cleaning toilet's at a mountain resort in Georgia."

Elliot shoved Christophe off. "I tried to strike it off on my own. Be my own man. What have you done? You're nothing but Tante's Montague toy soldier. At least I tried."

Christophe turned and walked to the door.

"You're a f*cking hypocrite, Christophe. Do you know that! I didn't want the Oasis for Montague, but neither do you!"

***

The house was still. She walked to her father's room with Joi in silence. The only sound to be heard was the rain that seemed to follow them into Sainte Marie.

"What are you going to ask mère?"

"The truth. I want to know what Detrick's after. Why he's done this."

Joi grabbed her arm. "Does that really matter? We know that Montague has been scheming to take away the Oasis from père. You need to confront Christophe."

"I will," Zuri mumbled. "But our problems aren't the take over. If Detrick is stealing from us, we need to prove it."

"Do you think he is?" Joi asked, her eyes wide with fright.

"I don't know." Zuri opened the door and found her mother sitting near her fathers' bed reading a book. Nanette’s eyes lifted from the open pages. They brightened with her smile. Joi rushed over to her mother, hugging her, forcing Nanette to rise. Zuri couldn't take her eyes off her father. He slept peacefully. He didn't look weak or feeble. He looked as strong and powerful as he always was.

"Qu'est-ce que c'est. What are you two doing here? You didn't call to say you were coming," Nannette whispered.

"How is he?" Zuri asked. She circled his bed. She wanted to touch him but thought she might disturb his sleep.

"He was up today; I gave him something to help him sleep. He's stubborn, frustrated, and worried about his girls. He feels like he's let you both down. If I had known you were coming I wouldn't have given him his medicine so soon."

"It's okay," Zuri smiled. "I just wanted to see him."

Joi released her mother. She joined Zuri at her father's bedside. "I'll stay with him you and mère go talk."

The sister's exchanged looks. Zuri nodded and forced herself to leave her father. "Mère, can I talk to you, downstairs?"

Nanette smiled. She walked out with Zuri following. She observed her mother. She looked tired, sad, not like a woman waiting on her husband's demise, or plotting to destroy him. How could she let those thoughts enter her head? Still she had to know what they were dealing with, and something told her that her mother knew more than either of them about Detrick Chevalier.

Nanette extended her hand. Zuri loved holding her mother's hand as a girl. She would do it often in the house, in private. Often, Nanette would have to see to dinner and her staff, always tugging Zuri by the hand. She never complained and often held her hand until she fell asleep. Together they walked down the stairs. It was strange, but the smell of rain as it blew through the wild cypress and flowers about the Baptiste Plantation was quite comforting. Each deep inhale filled Zuri with sweet memories of her family.

"So, you wanted to talk to me, tell me of this deal?"

"First I want to talk to you about Detrick."

Nanette glanced at Zuri, her eyes questioning.

"Your relationship with him."

Her mother frowned. She dropped Zuri's hand. Slowly she lowered to the sofa chair. Zuri had never openly challenged her mother. She never questioned her. Was Nanette's silence shock, anger or guilt?

"Mère, I mean no disrespect. But—"

"You think I would betray you father?"

"No. I don't want to think that. I have to ask because Detrick is up to something. You keep telling us to trust him, but Nanette can we really? I think he betrayed père and I think he did it because of his feelings for you."

Her mother aged before her eyes. She dropped her gaze and Zuri's heart raced and her breath caught. She wanted her mother to scream denial. But again she sat there in silence. Finally, she lifted her eyes to Zuri. "I had hoped that he wasn't betraying your father. This is my fault."

"How is it your fault?" Zuri winced. "Did you betray père?"

"There are many forms of betrayal, ma chérie," she said softly.

"What happened?"

Nanette rubbed her temples. Her silence was torture. The idea that her mother could have an affair was beyond Zuri's comprehension. “Detrick and I dated when I was younger. Everyone said we were to be married from birth. I believed it too, until I met your father. Claude was so handsome, smart, funny. He didn't care how my family shunned him. He showed me his heart and I couldn't help but want to love him, be his wife. When we were engaged Detrick didn't take it well, but he eventually accepted it."

"Does père know about Detrick's feeling's for you?"

"He's not stupid. He knew Detrick cared for me, but that was many years ago. Detrick has married and divorced since then. And your father and he became really good friends."

"Mère, they have not. You had to know that they weren't. At least from Detrick's point of view."


"I didn't care about Detrick's point of view. And your father is a very smart man. He established his businesses with and without Detrick's help. I've not wasted my days wondering of Detrick's desires or motives."

"Maybe you should have," Zuri mumbled.

"Excuse-moi?"

"Forgive me, mere. But I'm struggling here to understand. What changed between you and Detrick Chevalier? I feel like something changed. Am I wrong?"

Her mother rose. She wished she could study her face for traces of shame or guilt. Nanette gracefully stepped through the room widening the distance between them. She stood at the large picture window staring out at the rain. "You're a woman now ma amour. So I'm going to talk to you like one. Many times I've had men proposition me outside of Claude's ears, but I've never had any man in my bed but your father. I do not share these advances from other men with your father. A man does not want to hear about how another man desires his wife. Claude's pride and protective nature will make him act impulsively. I've seen his temper before, though he rarely shows it. So the few times Detrick was in our home, I discouraged his advances but I never, ever said anything, and Detrick never crossed the line. At first."

"Did Detrick do something?"

"Oui. He did something and my silence caused of all of this."

"What? Tell me, mère, please."

Nanette glanced over at her daughter. It was then Zuri saw the tears in her mother's eyes. She looked so sad and ashamed. "Tell me what he did. What’s your secret?"

"Do you remember the Vaval, right after your graduation from college? We had a huge celebration for you. The costume party."

Zuri nodded. She remembered how excited her mother was in planning the event. They invited everyone. The plantation was filled with partiers all night. She tried to recall the details around that event but she couldn't. She barely saw her parent's that night. She spent most of it necking and kissing Jean-Paul then dancing under the moon.

"Detrick was invited. It was shortly after his divorce, so he was quite depressed. Claude felt sorry for him. So did I. He visited frequently those days, and sometimes he would sit with me and talk. I wasn't encouraging him, Zuri. I just reminisced over the days when we were kids. I thought I was being a friend."

"But he saw it differently?"

Nannette eyes returned to her daughter. "Your father and Detrick were spending a lot of time together; Claude had decided to bring Detrick in to help him manage several business investments. The night of the Vaval, Detrick and your father could pass for brothers. He wore the same dark slacks and silk shirt your father wore. We joked about them being so close they thought alike. I gave them different masks so guests could tell them apart."

Zuri's stomach churned. "What happened?"

"What always happens during Vaval? We drank, danced, entertained. I had too much. Claude suggested I retire as the party neared dawn. He knows me so well. And you know your father, he always kept things going into sunrise. So I went upstairs with him in tow and we danced together alone in our room, before he helped me undress and put me to bed." Her sad and small smile touched her lips and her profile concealed her eyes but Zuri saw enough to know how much her mother loved her father still. "I told him to come to bed as soon as he cleared the house. I was sleep or halfway sleep when I felt him join me in bed. But it wasn't him. It was Detrick."

Zuri rose and went to her mother. Nanette continued to look out of the window.

"How far did it get?"

"Further than it should. And when I realized what was happening I stopped him."

"Did he force himself on you?"

"Yes, he only stopped when I began to scream at him. With the noise of the celebration and the drinking, no one heard us. I should have told your father. I was so humiliated, ashamed of what happened. Detrick swore he was drunk. He begged my forgiveness. I asked him to stay away and never to speak of it again. Then Claude came with his idea to buy a resort from under a French businessman in Forte de France with Detrick's help. I thought I should tell him, but how could I? This is my fault. Whatever he's done to your father I could have prevented if I had told Claude."

"Mère, you did what you thought was right. None of it was your fault. You protected père from it all. I understand why. He would have killed Detrick if he knew that he hurt you."

Nanette took Zuri's hands and squeezed them. She managed a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. Something changed between them in that moment. Zuri couldn't claim the same innocence she felt with her mother before. "Combien mauvais est-il? What has he done?" her mother asked.

"I'm not sure, but I'm going to stop him. I fired him."

Her mother let go a tight breath. "Then Claude must be told. He's getting stronger. He’ll suspect."

"Okay. We'll tell him. First I have to find out what Detrick has done. Can you keep him from père. No visits no calls. Okay?"

Nanette gave a brief nod. Zuri hugged her mother and relaxed. Though she felt horrible for what Detrick had done, there was hope now that she knew her mother had not betrayed her father. Their love was the foundation of what she built her life on. It was why she saw love with Christophe despite how they began.

"Je t'aime mère."

"Je t'aime de tout mon coeur Zuri. I love you with all my heart."

***

Christophe found the waiting unbearable. After the rain, he grew even more restless. He walked the beach until sunset, and drank at the bar until a conversation with a trio of vacationing blonde beauties bored him. He tried to call Zuri on her mobile number and she didn't respond. The later it got the more worried he became. Had she learned of Elliot's schemes and blamed him?

The reasons for her delay plagued him so much he returned to his room. He considered trying to reach her again, but his pride stopped him. So he decided to do some work. There wasn't much more to fill the night and he was a master of loneliness. Occupying his mind with work always helped.

A knock came to his door before he sat down. To his surprise his heart leapt in his chest. He was losing control and that troubled him. Christophe opened the door to find a very angry Zuri. She wore a pair of jean shorts and white halter-top.

"Hi."

"Can we talk?" she asked.

"I've been waiting," he said holding the door open.

She breezed inside. Her hair was a bit puffy and frizzy, probably from her time out in the rain earlier that day, still she looked as beautiful as he last saw her. Christophe noticed how she paced instead of sitting and his suspicions were confirmed. She knew about Elliot.

"I want you to tell me the truth Christophe. What is your relationship with our attorney Detrick Chevalier?"

"Mine? Montague's or Elliot's?"

She stopped. Her eyes stretched. "You knew? You've been working with him behind my back!"

"No. I've never met the man. I found out about him today. Elliot's been trying to buy out your resort with his help."

"Why?"

"He was part owner of the Antillean. He lost a lot of money in the deal when it was sold to your father."

"And Detrick? Detrick helped him?"

"How involved is Chevalier in your finances?"

"Joi and mère think he was some kind of financial advisor, maybe an accountant as well as attorney. He and père were friends. My father trusted him."


Christophe approached her, but she stepped back and away from his reach. "Did you have anything to do with this? Tell me the truth."

"No, Zuri, how could you think I would do something like this? It makes no sense."

Zuri sighed. "I need to figure out what Detrick's done and how he set my father up."

"I can help?"

"How?"

"Let's look at your books. We can start there."

"Okay, come with me."

***

"My eyes are burning," Zuri yawned. She looked over to Christophe. They were cramped in Joi's tiny office with ledgers before them. Christophe mostly checked the accounting system and the books in silence. She tried to help. Answering the questions the best she could. They called Joi and asked her a few questions, and she couldn't quite discern what he'd learned. Now her back hurt, her bottom ached, and her eyes burned from the straining over spreadsheets.

"Christophe? It's getting late."

He looked up from the computer screen. Dropping back in the chair he sighed. "You can go to bed, I'll come find you when I'm done."

"No. I want to help, but this is pointless. Père was no fool. If his accounts weren't correct he would have noticed."

"Not necessarily," Christophe said.

"What do you mean?"

"It looks to me like your father gave Detrick authority to make adjustments to receivable accounts. That's how he did the skimming."

"Adjustments? What kind?"

Christophe turned the ledger around to face Zuri. "Fraudulent write-offs, discounts, and debits can all be used to create the appearance that your accounts are balancing while Detrick silently drains money from The Blue Oasis coffers. The more authority your father gave Detrick, the easier it was for him to cover his trail."

"I don't understand. It still seems like père would have known the money was missing?"

Christophe shook his head. "Think of it this way. How do you drive business to a new resort when it opens? What would fill every room in the Oasis?"

"Entertainment, advertising—" Zuri shrugged.

"Not exactly. People, no matter their station, love a good deal. From what I can tell, you run a discount program, points system that reduces rates on the rooms and spa services."

"Okay, many resorts do this."

"Yes, but look at this column. The discounts are managed against your accounts as write-offs. My guess is Detrick covered his skim by posting entries to contra revenue accounts. For example, if he wanted to take a hundred dollars from your cash account he would create a hundred dollar discount on the same account to compensate for the missing money. That's just one way. From what I can tell, he very well could have inflated some of the remodeling costs or simply not reported revenue in the receivable accounts. You will need to bring the authorities into it. The thing is, the way this is set up, Detrick has had your father sign off on all these money accounts."

"So père would look just as guilty?"

"Exactly."

"That bastard. He was trying to make my father look like he was stealing from his own company?"

"My guess is that it was the ultimate plan. But when Elliot showed up wanting to buy the Oasis and your father had his stroke, it shifted the attention of the bank. Normally, an audit would have uncovered this and your father would have been held liable, maybe even prosecuted if taxes were withheld."

Zuri sucked down a deep breath. "Sweet merciful God."

"It's hard to prove without exposing them both."

"My père had nothing to do with this! This was all Detrick Chevalier!"

"I understand, Zuri, but that's not what it looks like. I wouldn't suggest you not pursue this. It would take a team of accountants to trace this back to Chevalier. In the meantime, all of your father's assets could be seized."

Zuri felt her chest swell with panic. She shot up from her chair. "I'm going to kill him. For what he did to my mother, my father, I'll kill him!"

Christophe cut her off before she reached the door. She turned into his arms. She was too angry to cry. What she wanted was revenge. But his embrace made that need burn a little less. Slowly, Christophe lifted her chin. "It'll be okay. Here's what we'll do. I'll fly back to New York. I have people that can help you figure this mess out."

"You're leaving?" she stepped out of his arms.

"When I approve the merger, my people will comb through your accounts and uncover this. It's best we make sure it's handled discreetly."

"I can't hold you to a merger after this."

"We had a deal," he said. "Unethical or not, it's one of the best deals I've wagered. There's no turning back now."

"You'd do this for me? Why?"

"I've been thinking about you all day, Zuri." He brought her closer to him. "I'm falling in love with you."

Zuri smiled. "Are you?"

"You find that funny?"

"No, Christophe. I find it wonderful."

***

Zuri woke every hour until sunrise. Her mind wouldn't rest. All she could think of was her father's arrest and her mother being attacked by Detrick. If Christophe hadn't held her through the night she might have been driven to go after the bastard for hurting her family.

The bed shifted. The full weight of his arm dropped over her waist and he pulled her to his chest, snuggling the back of her neck. His body warmth folded nicely behind her and she smiled. "Morning," he said in a gruff voice.

"Morning," she answered.

"What time is it?"

Zuri lifted her arm and checked the time. "Six."

"Mmm. I have a flight out in another hour."

Zuri's heart sank. She turned and pressed her face under the nook in his chin and hugged him. His body warmth seeped through her skin. "How long will it take for you to return?"

"No more than a week."

"That's too long."

Christophe rolled her to her back, her eyes lifted to his lips that half curled into a smile. He got situated between her thighs and her hand settled to the back of his neck to draw his face down. She didn't care about his morning breath, she wanted a kiss, but he pressed his lips between her brows instead. "I'll return, sooner if I can." He then kissed her nose, under her neck, brushing his lips over her collarbone. She felt him positioning between her legs and parted her thighs for him. With drudgingly slow kisses to her neck, his hips rose under the sheet and he thrust into her, bare. Zuri gasped. In every passionate session of hot sweaty lovemaking between them they never went unprotected. She felt agreeably powerless to stop him.

As he moved in and out of her she clung to his bulging shoulders inhaling the rich scent of his skin. The feeling of him on her and in her consumed everything. She bucked up against him wanting his thrusts to increase. And they did. Christophe pinned her to the bed. He pumped in and out of her until the headboard knocked against the wall. Together they climaxed and she sighed in loving acceptance.

"Tu es mon homme," she said, claiming him as hers. She opened her mouth to explain the meaning of her passionate profession when he answered: "C'est pour toi que j’existe." Christophe revealed that he did understand French though he said he abandoned the culture and language. To hear him say that he was there for her in her language made her believe. She rolled him over and straddled his cock. He was quite resilient in the way he responded.


"Dans tes bras c'est mon destin," she said as she started to move on top of him. There were no truer words ever spoken. Her destiny was with him, in his arms.