INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) (14 page)

Aiden pulls me by the arm away from Raphael, putting himself between us. “Hands off.” Raphael’s brilliance has lost its charm.

“Who the hell are you?” Raphael looks at Aiden, then back at me. “What’s with the beefcake?” Raphael ticks his thumb toward Aiden. “Who cares? You... You are a genius! Our phones have been non-stop since the news hit. We’ve sold out of issue one and have sold another fifty thousand copies of the special edition cover.” Raphael is beaming with excitement. I’m sure those are dollar signs in his eyes.

“What do you mean, special edition cover?” This I don’t like. I don’t recall a special cover.

“Trish!” Raphael barks. “Bring me the new cover of 
Sanguine Specter
.”

Trish appears in the doorway, her head hung in shame. As she hands the cover to Raphael she mouths, “I’m sorry.”

Raphael holds up the cover to reveal the new text in bold print. “Based on Real Events!”

One look at the cover and I know Eli is going to shit himself. I look at Aiden in horror, praying he has a solution to this problem.

“Raphael, you can’t print that. My attorney will have a freaking coronary, not to mention it implies that I’m guilty.” I am astonished at the level of stupid.

“Look, honey, I don’t care if you did it or not. All I know is that I’m selling comics, a lot of them, and I don’t know how much longer this will hold out, but I’m riding it all the way.” He starts for the door, stopping for a moment, “Wear something slutty to the release party tomorrow. Show some leg for Christ’s sake; it wouldn’t kill you.”

A tall woman with honey-colored skin and sparkling green eyes, wearing six-inch heels and a three-inch skirt, appears in the doorway. Aiden takes on the characteristics of a cartoon wolf. I half expect an “Awoooga!” to come out of his mouth. I wonder if I should help him roll his tongue back in. Raphael grabs her by the waist and shakes her slightly. “Like this. See Shay, it’s not that hard, show a little skin like Vanessa here. You can tell she’s a team player.” He rubs himself against her as he squeezes past her through the doorway.

Vanessa brushes her skirt as if to rub the Raphael off. She catches sight of Aiden and a sultry demeanor takes her over. “Hey there,” she says, undressing him visually.

“Hello Vanessa, I’m Aiden Roth.” He steps over to her and shakes her hand. A small giggle escapes me at the difference in their height. Vanessa has a good six inches on him. I’m sure she’d like his six inches in her.

“Pleasure to meet you.” She smiles, exposing those perfect bitch canines. I know she would love to sink her teeth into him.

I clear my throat. “What can I do for you, Vanessa?” Sorry to break up the kismet. The cock-hound and I have had issues ever since she took it upon herself to molest Eli. It took him a week to recover from the grabbing incident.

She cuts me a look as if I just slapped her. If she’s not careful I just might. “I have your itinerary. You’re staying at the Motel 6 on Nebraska Avenue.” She looks down at me and raises her eyebrows. “Do I need to book another room?”

“That won’t be necessary. Aiden and I will be sharing.” I take the file folder from her.

“Huh.” She runs her finger along Aiden’s jawline on the way to the door. “When you decide you’re done slumming, call me.”

“Yeah, so tell me Vanessa, when you wear a skirt that short how 
do
 you tuck your dick back? Duct tape?” I sit down and await her response.

She ignores my jab. “Everything you need is in there. Don’t be late and why don’t you run a comb through that nest growing on your head before the press junket.” Vanessa turns to Aiden. “And we can get you your own room in case psycho girl here decides to get stabby tonight.”

My anger rises in a volcanic stare. “If I decide to get ‘stabby,’ Aiden has nothing to worry about, but you might.”

Vanessa makes a hissing sound as she clears the doorway, watching me stare at her through the glass while she walks down the hall.

Aiden sits, visibly wondering if Vanessa is a man or a woman.

Trish comes in. “Here is your reservation for a decent hotel. You’re staying at the Marriott Waterfront Suites on the Harbor. It’s right around the corner from the convention center.” She leans out the door, looking down the hallway. “I hate that bitch. I don’t know why she’s always had it in for you.” Trish sits in the chair next to Aiden.

“I think I have an idea, but I don’t actually care. Someone should teach her some manners.” I open my laptop to check my email.

“I already called Eli about the cover. He gave me some bullshit story about not working on the case but that he’d forward the info to your attorney and he would work on getting an injunction so Raphael can’t print it.” Trish leans forward in her chair. “I wouldn’t hang around; it’s been nuts. Raphael has actually let some of the reporters in here, showing off the cover and letting them take pictures of your office.”

Running my hands through my hair, I sit back down. “This is so screwed up. He can’t print that cover. Is he trying to bury me? Doesn’t he realize that they won’t let me produce comics from prison?”

“He’s an asshole, Shay. He’s probably salivating over the gold mine he’s sitting on if you go to the electric chair.” I see the regret on Trish’s face as the words fall out of her mouth.

Aiden looks at her, bewildered, and shakes his head. “Nice, Trish.”

“I’m so sorry, Shay.” Trish rarely apologizes for her lack of ‘think before speak,’ but today it’s different. “Get out of here as soon as you can, and watch yourself. We’ve gotten some scary phone calls.”

“What do you mean, scary phone calls?” Aiden perks up for the answer.

“Like death threats and shit.” She says directly to Aiden then turns to me. “People really think you did it and now they think you did it to publicize the comic.” Her eyes grow wider with each word.

“This is such a freaking nightmare.” I shake my head, closing my eyes.

“Well that settles it. You are on twenty-four seven watch. You go nowhere without me.” Aiden says it like I have no choice in the matter. Of course I don’t, but at least he could let me think I did.

“It looks like I’m going to be stuck in-state awhile. Who’s handling the tour?” I ask, praying it’s not Vanessa.

“Shelly is doing the publicity. Do you want me to talk to her?” Trish offers.

“No, I just need to make sure she doesn’t book anything outside of the state. They’re afraid it will look bad.” I roll my eyes. “Is she in today?”

“Yeah, she’s had Raphael up her ass all day.” Trish says, standing up.

“Thanks Trish. Aiden, I’ll be a few minutes, I’m going to talk to Shelly. If you want to pack up my art supplies and a Bristol pad we can leave when I’m done.” I put my art bag on the drafting table behind my desk and start down the hallway.

***

Aiden

Shit, Trish is hanging back waiting for Shay to be out of earshot, I’m sure so she can dish out a heapin’ helpin’ of verbal abuse. I’m trying to be nice but she makes it so hard. Once Shay turns the corner she starts. “Aiden, I’m really worried about her. She hasn’t been herself for a while. Don’t go pulling your Aiden bullshit.”

My history doesn’t help anyone’s perception of me, least of all Trish. I wish I could convince her 
and
 Shay that I’m not going to bail on her this time. “Trish–”

“No, it’s not up for discussion. Just be good to her.” She turns to leave and stops without turning around to face me. “Aiden,” she pauses, considering her words. “I’m glad you’re here.”

I’m completely taken aback and feel like maybe we’re bridging a gap. “I am too.”

Trish continues out the door. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t think you are an asshole and that she can do better.”

So much for peace. The sad thing is, I know Shay can do better.

Shay

When we arrive at the hotel I scope the scene for reporters. I’m pretty sure we’re in the clear. We’re registered under Aiden’s name, hoping to throw the dogs off the scent. Aiden of course would never use valet parking. He parks the truck near the elevator on the parking deck. I reach for my backpack and Aiden stops me. “I’ll come back down and get the bags, just get what you need for right now.”

I’m feeling restless after a three-hour silent car ride across the state. Aiden’s never been so quiet. I used to think he feared it, as though the silence would reveal all of his secrets. There is definitely something different about him. Maybe there’s something different about me? He’s never been gone as long as he was this time. Usually when he takes off it’s only for a few months. Before this little jaunt, nine months was the longest he had stayed away. This time he was gone for well over a year.

Where does he go when he’s gone? What does he do? I used to obsess over those questions. I would wonder how many other women held him, were tender to him, when it should have been me holding him. I always felt so alone and helpless not being able to call him or talk with him. He was always adamant that he was never with anyone else, and I always wanted to believe him.

I fully expect that one day he’ll be gone forever and I’ll never see him again. Of course you never really know when the last time you’ll see someone is, but with Aiden every goodbye could be the last.

We walk through the glass doors to the grand lobby and approach the desk. “Reservation for Aiden Roth.”

“Good Afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Roth. I see you will be with us for three nights.” He studies the computer screen in front of him. “I have you in the luxury suite with a harbor view. I can have the bellman bring your bags up.” He looks up as he slides the key cards across the desk, and his eyes narrow in on me with that ‘where do I know you from’ look.

Aiden quickly grabs the keycards. “No, I can get our luggage, thanks.” He turns around, blocking the line of sight from the clerk. “Honey, why don’t you head on up and I’ll get our stuff.” He leans down for what I thought would be a kiss; instead he whispers in my ear, “Go immediately up to the room, I think the guy has made you.”

I play the role of the dutiful wife, turning to walk away, and Aiden pats my ass. “Love you.” Then he turns to the clerk and says in a stage whisper, “Hey, we’re on our honeymoon. See that we aren’t disturbed.” I glance back as he slides a hundred dollar bill across the desk.

I look at Aiden for a moment with disdain for his little display of affection. It’s too bad money can’t buy class. I head straight for the elevator and get in when it opens. As the doors are closing, a man comes barreling across the lobby. He’s wearing white linen pants, a matching shirt, and silly hat with a black band. “Hold the elevator!”

Ordinarily I would have automatically held the elevator, but right now I know that Aiden would disapprove. I decide to press the button anyway and let the man in.

“Thanks so much,” he says, out of breath and with the hint of a British accent.

I smile. “No problem.” I hate elevator rides with strangers. Why do I always hold the damn elevator? I’m looking straight ahead, but I can feel him staring at me. I have to resist the urge to whistle.

“Are you here on vacation?” 
Great, he wants to make
 
small talk. I wish this elevator would go faster; Trish, did you have to book us on the 26th floor?

“Oh, yes, my honeymoon apparently.” 
Apparently? Really, Shay?

“Ah, well then, congratulations.” The elevator slows to a stop and dings, thank God.

“Thanks,” I smile. 
Hurry up and get out already.

“Best of luck then. Maybe I’ll see you around the hotel,” he says, stepping out of the elevator before turning completely around to face me. He peers into my eyes and glares while the doors close to separate us. That was really creepy; did I imagine it?

The elevator continues up to the 26th floor and opens up to a quiet hall. Our room is at the end, an expansive suite complete with private balconies. “Thank you very much, Trish,” I say out loud like she can hear me. Better yet, I’ll send a quick text.

Nice room, R is going to shit when he sees the bill ~S

Let him, I’m glad you like it. Try to relax. There are TWO bedrooms in that suite, see to it that you use them. ~T

I can’t resist the urge to mess with Trish.

Of course, when in a hotel you screw in one bed and sleep in the other. I’ll put them both to good use:) ~S

Shut up Shay – Don’t fuck him ~T

I move into the bedroom and see the big comfy bed with the fancy duvet and lay back on it. My phone buzzes, another text:

Plane just landed, meet @ 7 in Ybor, same place. ~M

No can do, I have company and no wheels. ~S

Where are you? I’ll come get you. ~M

Marriot Waterside, not sure if I can ditch my babysitter. ~S

KK let me know. ~M

My eyes start to feel heavy. Time for a power nap while I wait for Aiden.

***

Aiden

Jesus, that guy asks a lot of questions. Heading for the garage, I call Eli. I hate checking in with him, but I need to keep him and Harry apprised as to where we are and how things are going. If I have my way things will be going very well for the next hour or two.

“Hey, it’s Aiden. We’re at the hotel. Is there anything new?”