The Accidental Mistress

chapter Fifteen

The jet disappeared into the clouds before she was finally able to turn away. He said he would call her when he landed. She would be making herself crazy waiting for that call. He filled her with hope and whispered promises of a future, always speaking in the present tense. Zuri hadn't been one that pined for love, a husband and kids. The package that would make her mother happy. Her dreams were always rooted in solitude and independence. How could a week with a man she thought she loathed change all that?

Travelers began to crowd the outer flanks of the airport to line up for customs. Zuri hitched her purse higher on her shoulder and walked out of the small airport headed for her car. There was a heavy feeling of dread spreading through her stomach as she drove away. She couldn't betray mère's confidence, but carrying her mother's secret in silence was harder to do once she uncovered Detrick's schemes. It was time her father was told who Detrick Chevalier really was.

That would be a problem.

Men like her father weren't accustomed to showing or succumbing to weakness, and her mother was right about Claude Baptiste's pride. He'd fought many battles as the adopted son of the Lefebvre’s. He fought hard for acceptance, and he governed their lives under his strict Catholic principles. He worshipped her mother, and would gladly put his life on the line to protect her. This revelation could push him over the edge.

The solitude she found driving through the west hills of Martinique into Sainte Marie became a peaceful time of reflection. She had several other decisions to make in her life. For instance, her future in the states, the job she left behind. Admittedly, she didn't have many friends, and work consumed most of it. However, the freedom of foraging her own way called to her.

There was Christophe to consider and her feelings for him. Martinique made the lines of lust and love blur. Would he feel the same passion for her as she did for him away from the island? He certainly hadn't held on to the feeling in that cold Chicago hotel room.

Zuri honked her horn. She leaned out of her window to see around the passenger van and swerved out of the lane to race along the mountainous highway. She needed to get home. She called her mother who insisted that she let him get stronger. They didn't have that luxury. Her mother would just have to understand.

It was midday by the time she arrived at the Baptiste plantation. Joi said she would return home later that evening. Her sister didn't want to face her father on the day Zuri explained the state of affairs. She understood why. She wished she too could hide and pass the deed off to someone else.

As his first born, the burden was deservingly hers.

Her home was open, as most were in Sainte Marie. The door stood open and she walked through. Every window shutter had been thrown open wide and the natural light filled the rooms. Zuri headed to the back veranda that faced the sugar cane fields. When père was awake he preferred spending the days out in the sun. She wasn't surprised to find them both waiting for her in the deck chairs.

"Zuri! Ma choux." Claude smiled. His speech wasn't slurred. Though the side of his face was slack, he looked healthy and strong. Encouraged, she went to him, kissing his cheek before she gave him a gentle hug. "You look good, père."

"I feel good," he nodded.

Nanette smiled. She too was radiant in a soft blue sundress, with her hair tied down by a blue silk scarf. "He's walking up and down the stairs now. I guess I can lift his banishment to his room." she chuckled.

Claude reached for her mother's hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles. Nanette leaned over to give him another kiss. Zuri watched them in silence. They loved each other so much. Her parent's love convinced her that they could survive everything. Even the hateful deeds of Detrick Chevalier.

"Now sit. I want to know about the bank extension. I've been trying to reach Detrick but your mother has forbidden it."

Nanette signaled for one of the staff to bring Zuri a glass of lemonade. She cleared her throat to speak. "I have something to tell you, père. You won't like it."

Père frowned. "Then don't delay this news. Tell me."

***

The phone on the plane buzzed. His office had a direct line. Christophe’s eyes lowered from the airplane window and his thoughts turned from her. In his haste, he had forgotten to give her the numbers he could be reached. He hoped that at the very least she had his mobile number. Heaving a deep sigh, he reached for the phone.

"Hello," he answered on the second ring.

"Stephan?"

"Madame. I expected your call."

"Then why haven't you called me?" his mother snapped.

Christophe reclined in his chair. "I decided to deal with the matters you wish to discuss after I return to New York."

"Well I am here, waiting for you. Elliot has told me everything. Who is she? Have you lost your senses?"

"I will explain when I return."

"I suggest you do so. I'm not liking what I've heard. I will see you when you land."

The line disconnected. Christophe grimaced. A confrontation with his mother was long overdue. But Elliot's interference made him wish he had broken his jaw when he last saw him. He wouldn't tolerate his mother's interference. This would not end as it did with Gabriella. No matter what his mother threatened him with, he planned to see his feelings for Zuri Baptiste through to the end.

Christophe smirked. His gaze returned to the clouds and his thoughts drifted to her smile, the feel of her skin, her laugh. He missed her already.

***

Zuri glanced to her mother. She and Nanette sat perfectly still. Other than the attempted rape that her mother had suffered at Detrick's hands, she told her father everything. At first he objected, refuted, and outright dismissed the notion that Detrick was at the heart of his financial struggles. But when she explained the skim as it was explained to her by Christophe, her father paled, and grew silent.

"Claude, are you okay, mon chér?" her mother asked softly.

He leveled his gaze on Zuri. "Have you confronted Detrick with your suspicions?"

"No, yes and no. I told him I knew that he was working with Elliot Montague, but nothing more."

"This cannot be. He dare do this, to us." He looked to his wife, his face contorted with pain. "After all we've done in friendship for him."

"Stay calm," Nanette said.

He shook his head. "I want you to call the gendarmerie, Nanette. I want this reported immediately. Then call Jean Pierre. I need to get my affairs in order."

"Père, no. Don't." Zuri reached for his hand. "You can't. He's covered his tracks. And at this point it would be your word against his. An audit would hurt you, hurt the company."

"Then what are you proposing? That I let him get away with it! I will kill him, see him dead for what he has done! Betray me? I—"

"Claude!" Nannette, leapt to her feet. She rushed to her husband and put her hand to his chest, and his face. Claude closed his eyes and calmed himself. He gently pushed away her mother's hands. "I am stronger. I will deal with Detrick my way," he said through clenched teeth.

"Père, I haven't told you the good news."

"What news?" he asked.

Her mother gave him a pill. He took it obediently and Zuri sucked down a breath trying to measure her words. "I lied. The bank never granted an extension. This week they want to collect."


"And that is good news?" her father asked.

"No. There's a man. The president of Montague. His name is Christophe Montague He didn't know what Elliot and Detrick were planning. In fact, he was brought here under false pretenses. He wants to go with a merger. To give us controlling interest... sixty-forty.... and then give us the opportunity to buy—"

"No. I don't want a merger!"

"Père... this deal.

"No! I will not allow those people to steal my company!"

Zuri looked to her mother who stood over her father frowning. "Claude, here what Zuri has to say."

"I don't want a merger. I'll make some calls, speak to the bank. I can get another extension."

"No you can't, père." Zuri stood. "It's over. If you delay this or fight this, you expose yourself. They could uncover what Detrick did."

"Those men have been after the Blue Oasis since the doors opened. Elliot Montague does not want to partner with me. He wants to take my company."

"Why? Because of how you purchased the Antillean from under him?"

Her father's glare made her courage wither in her chest.

"Zuri, that's enough. Show respect. Claude shouldn't be upset." Nanette admonished.

"How did you arrange this? Why would Montague agree to this? It makes no sense," Père snapped.

Nanette looked to Zuri as well for an answer. She considered telling them that she trusts Christophe. How she's falling in love with him, and he's helping them because of his feelings for her. But she knew not to. "I negotiated the best deal possible. This is not with Elliot Montague. I can show you the contract. This gives you a chance to recover. In five years you can buy the company back at its cost today with no interest. The only alternative is to let the bank collect at the end of the week or risk an audit that will expose what Detrick has done." Zuri went to her knees. She put her hands on her father's lap. "It's a good deal, père, the best deal. Please don't be stubborn. Take the deal and get better. Then take the Blue Oasis back."

"I want to speak to your mother alone. Leave us," he said, looking away.

Zuri sighed. She rose. She pleaded with her mother with her eyes. Nanette smiled and nodded that she'd handle it from there. "I only did what I thought was best. I love you."

Père didn't answer.

With a heavy heart, Zuri left them.

***

The limo drive to Park Avenue didn't end soon enough. He wanted out of the car, out of his clothes, and a hot shower. He tried to call Zuri but her phone went to voice mail. He considered sending her a text but figured he'd seem to eager.

Christophe stepped out of the car and hurried through the door held by his doorman. He took the elevator up to the sixtieth floor. His penthouse loft apartment was one of the three he had in the city. He figured his mother would be held up in one of the others waiting on him. He was wrong.

"Hello Stephan," Stephanie Montague said as he entered.

Dropping his suitcases, he glanced up at her then closed the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you we would speak when you returned."

Christophe picked up the mail left for him by his service. The lights were dimmed. His mother sat on the sofa sipping her tea. He decided on the chair across from her. The sooner he dealt with her the better. "What is it?"

"You forced Elliot to take a commercial flight back from Martinique? Why didn't you two fly back together?"

"What does that matter?" he said, opening one bill then the next.

"It matters to your cousin. You've wounded him deeply. He told me everything."

Christophe’s eyes lifted from his letter. "I'm sure he told you nothing. Elliot's schemes caught up with him in Martinique and I put an end to it. Running to hide under your skirt is pathetic."

"You're buying a hotel for some woman you're sleeping with?" She tossed back, her eyes narrowing.

Christophe stared at his mother. "And what if I am?"

"I won't have it."

"You have no say."

"Who is she?"

"Why?"

"Are we here again? You being once again manipulated by some woman? Hadn't I spared you enough humiliation with Gabriella. Why do you seek these women out? Ones who only want to use you and exploit the Montague name!"

"You mean instead of remaining trained to do your bidding?" he snapped.

His mother's brows lowered and so did her voice. "I will not have you using my company to pamper your whores. And I certainly won't have you jeopardizing your legacy on some, some little dark-skinned island girl."

Christophe chuckled. "I don't need your permission to do anything. You aren't working on all the facts. Elliot has emptied his trust, he wanted that hotel for—"

"I don't care!" Stephanie waved him off. "Elliot has been dealt with. He's returning to France with me. You will cancel this deal and tell those people that Montague will have no part of this," she said as if tired of the conversation.

"Or what?"

Openly challenged, his mother wasn't sure how to respond. Christophe had dealt with her tyranny many years. But not anymore. Her power wasn’t as far reaching as it was with Elliot or even his father. He would not be tamed or controlled by her. Her seat on the board meant nothing with him holding a controlling share. It was the only way he'd accept the position in the company and live out his mother's dreams for the Montague legacy.

"Nothing to say? We're done. Leave."

"How dare you! I'm your mother."

"Exactly, and as my mother there are boundaries. I'm tired of your constant interference. Your shadow. My life isn't yours anymore. It belongs to me. I let you control me for far too long. Who she is, what I do, how I plan to live each day is my decision."

"Have you forgotten Gabriella? How close you came to making the biggest mistake of your life. I protected you."

"You never let me forget." Christophe rose. "And I sometimes wonder if you were standing between how things might have been. I won't make that mistake again. Leave.

"This will not happen. I'll go to the board and expose your little plan."

Christophe stopped midway to his room. He cast his mother a look from over his shoulder. "You undermine me with the board, or in this business and I'm done. I'll walk. Let Elliot run Montague."

"Nonsense."

"Try me."

***

Zuri listened to the voicemail for the tenth time. Christophe's soft smoky voice speaking in his unhurried manner relaxed her. She decided to wait until nightfall to call him. She'd rather talk to him under the covers. Her smile faded. Her father's reaction was to be expected. Père was a very proud man. But with the added factor of his health, she was on edge. She really hoped her mother could soothe him and get him to see things her way.

A soft knock came to her door.

"Come in."

"Are you okay?" Joi asked.

"Where have you been?" Zuri said falling back on her pillows. "Things might have gone better if you were here."

"I couldn't do it, Zuri. I just, I don't know. I feel so bad that this happened under my watch. So useless." She closed the bedroom door and circled the foot of the bed. Kicking off her shoes he climbed on top and scooted closer to Zuri. She rested on her, putting her arms around Zuri's waist. Holding her sister, Zuri stroked the back of Joi's head. "Their bedroom door is closed. How did he take it?"


"Not well. First, he learns that his friend betrayed him, and now he hears that he has no choice but to align with the men he believes have been trying to rob him."

"Did you tell him that Christophe could be trusted?"

"Yes, but why would he believe that? I think the contract will make it better. If he sees the agreement in print he will accept it."

"I think so too."

Nanette opened the door. She looked over at the bed and smiled at her daughters. "Girls, your father wants to talk to you. Come."

Neither moved as quickly as they should. They both dreaded a talk with him in this state. But they left the room and followed their mother after she coaxed them with some loving words of encouragement. Père wasn't in bed. He sat in a sofa chair near the open window in his room. He looked over at Zuri then to Joi, then away. Zuri’s heart dropped, but she walked over and stood before him.

"Je ne peux pas le croire," Claude began, looking from one daughter to the next. "You have grown up into women before me. I'm very proud of how you both worked together to save our company. Very proud."

Joi leaned in and kissed her father on both cheeks. "We love you père. There is nothing we wouldn't do for you."

He nodded, patting his daughter's cheek with his good hand. He smiled at Zuri. "I'm not well. Your mother and I talked and I know this."

"No, Père. You’re fine," Joi whined.

"Listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done for you girls. If I live to be a hundred or leave this earth tomorrow, this is for you. I have to trust you to be able to carry on. You took on a giant of a company and found a way to keep us from drowning. I love you for what you've done."

"Will you accept the deal, père?"

He nodded. "When I'm stronger we'll deal with Detrick Chevalier. Now we work together to protect the family."

Zuri looked to her mother who winked. No one could calm her father like her mother. She wanted to cry, she was so relieved. There was actually a light at the end of the tunnel. "You will get stronger. You’ll be on your feet in no time." She went to him and hugged him.

Père smiled. "Jean Pierre will bring the papers so that you will have my proxy. I trust you, Zuri. I'm so proud of you."

"I won't let you down."

***

Sleeping in her bed again was the added bonus. She stayed up as late as she could but eventually drifted to sleep waiting on Christophe's call. It finally came closer to midnight.

"Hello?"

"Are you awake?"

Zuri yawned. "I am now. How was your flight?"

"Long."

"I miss you already," Zuri said.

"I miss you too. I've got a few meetings to take care of. Tomorrow I will have new contracts drafted and faxed to you. Send me the fax number by text. Do you have an attorney that can represent your father?"

"Yes, his name is Jean Pierre."

"Good. When I return on Wednesday we'll meet with the bank."

"Wednesday? That soon?"

"You don't want me to come?"

"No. Of course not," she smiled. They sat in silence for a lengthy pause. "So is that it? You called to discuss business?"

He chuckled. "Well no. Not exactly. Comment vont votre famille? "

Zuri giggled. "I'm impressed. You speak French so sexy. The answer to your question is my family is well. Père and I had a long talk. He's agreed to the merger. My mother and sister are happy. Things couldn't be better and I have you to thank."

"Thank me when I return," he said.

"I will," she said, closing her eyes.

"I want to see more of you, Zuri. Come back to New York with me, once this is over."

"Christophe—"

"For a visit. Then we'll go from there."

"You know I can't. I have to make sure my father is well, and I have a life in Chicago that needs to be resolved."

"Then I'll come to Chicago. I have an office there as well."

"You do?" she laughed.

"I want to wake up with you. Tell me that will happen and I'll try to be content."

"It will. Because I want it too. I want you to meet my père and mère. They will love you."

"I will call you tomorrow. It may be late, I have a lot of meetings."

"I understand. Just make sure you call me."

"Good night."

"à bient?t"