Scandal (Tainted #1) Read online

  Alicia’s heart gave out a painful throb as she watched Sebastian whirl Juliette around the dance floor. It was odd to see her mother smile, odder to see the two getting along after what her father had uncovered.

  It really did seem like there was no woman on the planet Sebastian couldn’t charm.

  ‘I think I’m falling for him, Sylvia.’ It wasn’t the whole truth, she was probably already head over heels but she wasn’t ready to admit that yet. Not even to herself.

  ‘Then it will work out.’ Her youngest sister sounded sure.

  Pity she wasn’t. ‘There’s so much working against us: Father, the drama with Mai, and to top it off, he doesn’t believe he’s worth it for the long haul. He thinks women are better off without him in their life.’

  ‘So show him how important he is. Do something that makes him see you really are in it for ever. You said you wanted to travel, here’s your chance, Licia.’

  She’d thought about starting up on her own, hadn’t she, just that morning? So why were her palms damp and her heart humming just thinking about handing in her notice? Alicia shuddered. ‘Still, Father and Mai …’

  Sylvia’s glare had her trailing off. ‘You can’t keep letting him hold you back. And as for the skinny peroxide skank, she shouldn’t even rank as being someone who keeps you from being happy. She’s in the past, a blip, and the press will get bored of her when the next scandal comes along.’

  She blew out a breath, then took a larger-than-necessary gulp of the bubbly liquid. Her head was already feeling fuzzy and Sylvia’s words were starting to ring true – or did she just have a few too many drinks? Alicia couldn’t be sure and she wasn’t about to do anything rash until she was certain.

  ‘Mai’s not really the issue. I’m terrified I’ll make the wrong choice again,’ she whispered.

  Her sister wrapped an arm around her back and pulled her close. ‘We’ve all done things we regret. But it’s the past, you have to move on. At the time we made the best decision for us, now we have to live with that.’

  Her vision got blurry again but she refused to cry. She’d done enough of that this weekend to last her a lifetime. Time to suck it up, find her courage, and go after what she wanted.

  ‘Licia, what’s going on?’ Sylvia asked, looking past her.

  Alicia turned and her breath caught. She’d never seen her father look so livid in all her life. His face was crimson, his jaw and fists clenched so hard she thought his bones might shatter. At his side, two men in black uniforms were speaking too quietly for her to hear. When her father pointed in Sebastian’s direction, her stomach fell to the region of her feet.

  Glancing at Sebastian, she saw his brows push together as he registered the police. Her mother covered her mouth with a gloved hand, then backed away from Sebastian like he carried the plague or an AK47. She wanted to tell Juliette not to be so ridiculous, that the police weren’t there for him – it was someone else – but the music died down and one of the men stepped forward.

  ‘Mr Collins, we’d like a word if you have a minute,’ he asked.

  She didn’t realise she’d been holding her breath until it gushed out in one go There were no handcuffs waiting to slap on his wrists and the men asked for a word. They weren’t arresting him, but this was still bad. There were journalists everywhere and all of them had heard the request.

  Sebastian nodded, then made his way across the dance floor to her father and the policemen.

  ‘Go!’ Sylvia whispered, then shoved her a little.

  Alicia did, almost running to him. She took his hand, tried to gouge from his expression what was happening, but he looked as perplexed as she was.

  ‘My study,’ her father commanded and then left, expecting them to follow.

  The two men shared a glance then shrugged. All three followed him through the house she’d grown up in but had never much cared for. It was too cold – chillier even than the frost lining her veins just now.

  Sebastian didn’t speak – no one did – until the door to her father’s study closed behind them.

  ‘Why do you want to speak with me?’ he asked.

  She tightened her hold on his hand.

  ‘We’re investigating an allegation of assault, Mr Collins. It might be better to do this at the station.’ The man who spoke was heavily built, but it wasn’t muscle. Still, his presence was intimidating.

  ‘Who?’ Alicia asked. She had an idea, but would the bitch really go as far as to hurt herself?

  The shorter man held out a picture and she didn’t recognise the woman at first. Mai’s face was swollen and bloody. Alicia gasped and Sebastian took it.

  She could see his expression change from guilt to anger in a second. ‘I didn’t do this, but I’d like a word with the bastard who did.’

  Her chin dropped. Of all the things he should care about at the moment – his reputation being highest on her list of priorities – he wanted to reap payback on her assaulter? She dropped his hand, feeling a twang of betrayal. Had he lied to her when he said he’d gotten over Mai?

  That day at the park … what if it was Sebastian who’d kissed her? Nausea rolled in her stomach until she swayed. An arm steadied her, but it wasn’t comforting. She looked into her father’s eyes and hated the gleam there that said he’d won.

  ‘Mr Collins, we don’t want to arrest you if you didn’t do this, but any more threats and we’ll be forced to take you in. Now, can you tell us where you were around nine o’clock yesterday morning?’ The intimidator asked.

  Sebastian laughed, but it held no humour. ‘You’re really going there? Look, my hands are fine – bruise free.’ He held them up to show the men. ‘Maybe you should be out there finding the guy who could mess up a woman’s face like that.’

  ‘Answer the question,’ Intimidator continued.

  ‘He was with me,’ Alicia said. ‘We were driving here.’

  ‘Alicia,’ her father scorned. ‘Don’t make excuses for him!’

  She whirled on him, sick of the falsity he was putting on just to break them up – if anything would, it was Sebastian. She was sick of being forced to live her life the way her father wanted her to.

  ‘I’m not, and you know fine well where Sebastian was too.’ Turning to the police, she said, ‘He’s had him followed for weeks by a private investigator. He should be able to clear this up with a phone call.’

  ‘Alicia,’ her father warned.

  ‘Tell them, Father! After all, withholding evidence is a crime, isn’t it?’ If she thought he’d been livid before, he was beyond that now. No doubt she’d run out of chances with him, but she was too angry to care.

  ‘He had me followed?’ Sebastian’s voice was so cold she winced. ‘And you knew?’

  ‘No! Not until we got here.’ The disgust twisting his lips hit her like a knife to the heart.

  ‘And you didn’t tell me? You’ve known for over a day and said nothing.’ Sebastian shook his head.

  She was about to protest when the intimidating policeman asked for the name and number of the guy. Her father crossed the room to his desk, no doubt still fuming at her. She wondered if there was anyone left who cared about her and wasn’t mad at her.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, even though it sounded pathetic.

  Sebastian didn’t acknowledge her, just waited until the officer dialled the private investigator. When the call ended, they apologised for wasting his time and left.

  Sebastian turned to her father. ‘You and I need to talk. Alicia, wait outside.’

  She didn’t argue, figuring she’d be better off away from the testosterone radiating from both men. When she opened the door, a flash went off and one of the journalists stuck a mic in her face, asking if Sebastian was being charged.

  She didn’t know if it was the impending doom crushing her will or the unfair judgement Sebastian was placing on her shoulders or even the way her father expected her to believe her lover could actually hit a woman, but anger built up until she couldn’t hold in
her frustration a second longer.

  ‘If you must know, Sebastian’s ex, Mai, went to the police yesterday with a swollen face and accused him of assault – just another lie to grab attention and make money-selling stories like the media whore she is. And it’s people like you who encourage her – but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s charged this time for false allegations. If it was me I’d sue the shit out of her.’

  ‘Alicia! Get in here,’ her father demanded.

  The journalist ignored Arthur’s command, as did Alicia. ‘Another lie? What do you mean?’

  ‘Do you honestly believe any self-respecting woman would sell stories about her ex when she was trying to move on with a new relationship? She wants payback, probably because his cash isn’t there for her to spend anymore. And the only way to get decent revenge is to fabricate the truth.’

  She knew she was messing up her plan – so much for denial being the wrong way to go. But it wasn’t Sebastian denying anything.

  ‘Sebastian, what do you have to say about the allegations?’ the journalist asked, shoving her mic into the room.

  She turned to him, dreading seeing whatever anger or disgust he was feeling, but he just smiled a little and said, ‘I think Alicia has it covered.’

  She let a cautious grin spread across her face, even though she knew she had a lot of explaining to do and she wasn’t completely happy leaving him there with her father. But they had issues to air and she had to get rid of the media. ‘Goodnight, Father. Sebastian.’

  She closed the door, not wanting him to say goodnight and make it final, but she had a feeling she’d be sleeping alone tonight. Now she was surrounded by journalists and every one had a question for her. She answered as many as was appropriate, then sought out help from the security her mother had hired. As they were led out, Alicia climbed the stairs to her room and settled in for a long, lonely night, wondering if he’d even stay long enough to take her home.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Sebastian waited until the door was closed before he turned to Arthur. He tried to reign in the betrayal from Alicia, the anger at what he’d put his daughter through, and do this calmly. ‘Call off the private investigator. It’s an invasion of our privacy.’

  Arthur sat down on a chair better suited to a king than an earl and smirked. ‘Why? Are you worried something might be uncovered?’

  Pacing across to the desk, he faced off against the man who seemed to have his family too scared to speak up. He didn’t get it. Arthur was old, cruel, and long past the age he could cause them physical harm if that was the reason. Plus, her sisters weren’t children anymore. If he disowned Alicia, she’d still have them.

  ‘The only person I’m worried about is Alicia. Are you going to do this every time she finds someone she cares about? Keeping this shit going is just going to drag up what happened when was fifteen. She doesn’t need that in her life.’

  Arthur’s scowl was as livid as his voice. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Yes you do.’ Sebastian took a breath, tried to beat down the rage welling up inside. ‘What you did gives her nightmares. She still wakes up crying, even now. I’m surprised she hasn’t washed her hands with you already, but she wants your approval.’

  Something else he didn’t understand. If his dad had pulled any of that shit he’d have left and never went back.

  ‘How dare she tell you that!’ Arthur snapped.

  ‘She didn’t, I guessed. It wasn’t hard to figure out when she relives that night over and over again in her sleep. You’re nothing but a sick control freak.’

  Arthur shot out of his chair, slammed his hands on his desk and shouted, ‘What about you? Do you think you’re any better for her? Can you give her all this?’

  He swept a hand around the room. ‘Can you keep her safe, protected, and leave her reputation untarnished? If you can look me in the eye and tell me you can, then you’ll have my blessing to marry her. I’ll even release her trust fund and pay for the wedding!’

  Swallowing, he staggered back a step and his eyes dropped to the desk, which was no doubt an heirloom. Everything in this manor had probably been passed down by the older generations, as well as the title and wealth.

  Arthur was right about one thing, though his reasoning was probably way off. He knew Sebastian couldn’t give Alicia a proper home – not in the monetary sense, but the security and attention she deserved. His past had proved that and so had his upbringing.

  And even though he couldn’t agree with Arthur’s way of providing that, he couldn’t do what the guy had asked. He couldn’t look him in the eye and make promises he would never be able to keep.

  ‘I didn’t think so,’ Arthur said.

  Sebastian fisted his hands, but it wasn’t anger pushing him. It was the way his chest tightened to the point he struggled to get a decent breath into his lungs.

  ‘Perhaps you should leave now, before you ruin her for anyone else. Her heart will heal. This won’t be the first time it’s been broken by someone unworthy. I only want what’s best for her. For my family.’

  The logic wasn’t lost on him, and the last thing he wanted to do was break Alicia’s heart. She’d already faced too much in her life. Was he really going to stay with her, because he was too selfish to walk away?

  He didn’t reply to Arthur. He just left and returned to his own room. His mind spun with questions and his ribs constricted tighter as the hours went on. Sleep wasn’t going to be possible, neither was making the hardest decision he’d ever made.

  After an evening out with the editor of Taylor Made, Mai got home a little after ten. She expected Jack had long since fallen asleep on the sofa after too many drinks. It was his usual routine and she didn’t mind. Over the last two days, they’d talked a lot. Mai was touched at how attentive he’d been to her injuries and how much he’d opened up. They’d even talked about the wedding and she’d withdrawn everything in her accounts to give him so she didn’t go on a spending splurge.

  Since their fight, she’d discovered he hadn’t been with another woman since she’d left him – but understood he had needs. He’d turned to porn, so much so that now he struggled to get aroused without it.

  After trying to understand what she’d put him through, she’d agreed to help as much as she could. This morning they had sex while watching it together, and it had been the best, most caring sex she’d had with him in a long time. Before, she’d convinced herself rough meant passion which meant love, but he’d shown her how careful and generous making love could be – even if she had to have the television on with another couple. Plus, it excited her a lot more than she thought it would. And the best bit – it gave Jack stamina to rival Sebastian’s.

  She hung her coat in the closet and made her way to the living room. It wasn’t until she noticed the lack of empty beer bottles or sound of a television that unease slithered down her spine.

  ‘Jack, babe. Where are you?’ she called out.

  No answer. Her heart took off on a mamba and Mai ran through the house, checking every room. When she got to her bedroom and saw the wardrobes open and devoid of his clothing, her throat became thick. He wouldn’t leave, not out of guilt. Would he?

  She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled his mobile. A voice came on telling her the number had been disconnected.

  ‘Jack, where are you?’ Wandering through to the kitchen, she had an awful feeling in her gut. Something was off, way off, and she was about to dial the hospital when she saw a piece of paper attached to the refrigerator.

  Pulling it off, she caressed her thumb over her name, written on one side in his handwriting. When she turned it over, her eyes watered.

  Did you honestly think we’d last? I’m sorry for what happened, really I am. There was only ever one way I wanted to hurt you and that’s the way you hurt me. This is it, Mai, my ultimate payback.

  Knowing you and your need for revenge, you’ll understand why I’ve done what I have, but you’ll neve
r find me or touch me like you did Collins. I’ve had to live with you for months, I know how you think and how your mind works. You’ll never have anything on me, bitch. Not ever.

  Her legs gave out. As she hit the tiles, she dropped the note, not caring where it went. Her heart felt like it had been torn in two, and not the way someone ripping a bandage from a wound felt a quick jolt, but like it was happening slowly. Agonisingly.

  Karma wasn’t something she’d believed in – not until this backlash happened to her.

  Alicia woke alone, just as she’d guessed. Sebastian hadn’t called, despite her texts. He hadn’t stopped by, despite promising to before he found out about the private investigator.

  What had she expected? A warm welcome even though she’d hid things from him?

  Instead of showering, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt then jogged down the hall, all the way to his bedroom. Her heart was pounding from more than the exercise and she definitely couldn’t put the moisture beading on her forehead down to exertion. It was fear. Fear that she’d screwed up everything, that he’d left her there and she’d never see him again.

  She pushed open the door, but froze when she saw him stuffing his clothes into a case.

  Sebastian turned to her, his frown and the tension emanating from him a clear warning to stay away. ‘I can’t do this now, Alicia.’

  She couldn’t either. In fact, she didn’t want to do it ever. ‘You’re leaving?’

  ‘I’ve got to get back into training, I’ve missed enough already.’ He turned, going back to stuffing things in his bag.

  Alicia stepped into the room. She couldn’t help it. Her mind didn’t seem connected to her body. ‘You’re mad at me for not telling you when I found out. That’s why you’re leaving.’

  He sighed but didn’t look at her. ‘I haven’t opened up about everything, not as much as you have. But I tell you things that matter now. I told you what happened at the park.’

  ‘Because you were caught. If there wasn’t a risk of it getting into the news, would you have told me?’ she asked, folding her arms more for warmth than because she was annoyed.