The Secrets of Paradise Bay (9 page)

Ivana joined them with a glass of wine in hand. “Did I miss anything exciting?”

“Think I'll leave you ladies alone,” Clyde said solemnly. “Have to get to work before the boss man docks my pay.”

He eyed Ivana, thinking how fine she looked in another dazzling swimsuit that accentuated toned arms and legs, and gave a brief grin before heading off.

 

 

Ivana watched Clyde walking away for a moment—or more specifically, his tight ass moving sexily through trousers—then turned to Naki. “So what was that all about?”

“I've just been rejected, for like, maybe the first time in my life.” Naki took Ivana's drink and tasted a generous amount.

Ivana was surprised, but couldn't say she wasn't pleased. “Don't take it personally. Clyde is a complex man who's been through a lot. I'm sure he's just not ready to go down that road at the moment.” Maybe he was waiting for the right woman to offer herself to him.

Naki crinkled her nose. “Now you tell me. Just my rotten luck!”

“You're anything but unlucky, girlfriend.”

“Funny, I don't feel that way at the moment.”

Ivana decided this was as good a time as any to talk to her friend about her own troubles. Maybe that was why Trey wanted to get rid of Naki, so she wouldn't see him knocked off his pedestal.

“Trey cheated on me,” she said glumly.

“What?” Naki cast bold eyes at her in shock.

“He decided one woman wasn't enough, so he took another.”

“That bloody bastard.”

“That's one good name for him.” Ivana could think of plenty of others.

“When did it happen?”

“Six months ago.”

Naki blinked. “Isn't that around the time you had the miscarriage?”

“Yes,” Ivana said emotionally.

“Oh, you poor baby.” Naki hugged her. “Why didn't you tell me what Trey had been up to?”

“Guess I didn't want to hear, ‘I told you so.'”

“You know me better than that. We all make mistakes.”

But some were more unforgivable than others. Ivana took the wine back and sipped. “I've been trying to deal with it ever since—not very well, I'm afraid.”

“So why haven't you left him?” Naki asked bluntly.

Ivana couldn't figure that one out herself. She'd thought about asking for a divorce on more than one occasion. But what then? Collect alimony and become an old maid? She had no interest in going back into modeling, though she believed there was still a place out there for older models. She certainly would not return home to San Antonio, only to be once again at her mother's beck and call.

In many respects, Ivana considered herself stuck in a bad situation, but tried to put on a brave front. “He's apologized like a thousand times and swears it will never happen again. Maybe Trey means it.”

“So too did men who have cheated on me, I'm sure,” Naki said. “But I wasn't married to them. You don't have to put up with this crap, Ivana. You can come to London and we can room together. It would be fun and maybe you can get back into the business.”

Ivana was flattered more than she could say, but didn't think that was the answer. At least not right now. “I think that part of me still loves Trey and wants to forgive him.” Even if another part felt hatred and found what he did totally unforgivable. And certainly unforgettable.

“I understand that you have mixed emotions, are confused, and probably even afraid to walk away from this marriage,” Naki said. “That's perfectly normal. But it doesn't change the reality of your situation.”

“Doesn't it?” questioned Ivana.

“How can you stay with a man if you can't trust him?” Naki fixed her with a straight gaze. “In my experience, men who cheat once can never be trusted again. I'm afraid that the same is likely true with Trey, no matter how many expensive gifts he gives you to try and buy his way out of a jam. Who's to say that he won't jump at the next woman who flashes her boobs in his face? Or, for that matter, isn't still involved with this homewrecker bitch?”

“You really think Trey could be . . . or is—” Ivana's voice shook.

“I wouldn't put it past him. Once a dog, always a dog. You deserve so much better, Ivana. What if he is fooling around or decides to again next week or two months from now? Where will that leave you?”

Where will that leave me?
Ivana wondered uneasily
. Is it possible that Trey hasn't ridden himself of the cheating bug? Maybe he's using our current situation as an excuse to get some on the side with Helene DeCroch. Or spend time in another woman's bed.

The thought infuriated Ivana, even if Naki may have been way off base. Maybe she should hire a private investigator to spy on her husband. Or maybe this marriage wasn't even worth holding onto—any more than being faithful to a man who hadn't shown her the respect she was entitled to.

Ivana finished off the drink.

The charity ball to raise money to fight sickle-cell anemia was held at the DeCroch Hotel in downtown Paradise Bay. As one of the sponsors of this year's fundraising event, Trey was obligated to come. Though no one in his family had sickle cell, fighting the disease was important to him, not only because it primarily affected people of African ancestry, but a good friend of Trey's had died recently from complications associated with the hereditary disorder.

Grant and Helene DeCroch were also involved with the event, right down to providing the spacious diamond ballroom in the hotel they owned. Though grateful for their generosity, Trey felt a little uncomfortable being there. Grant DeCroch never knew about Trey's affair with his wife, possibly saving Helene's marriage and a friendship and business acquaintance that meant a lot to Trey.

The jury was still out on Helene and Grant's future. And what about his own fragile marriage? Trey questioned the wisdom of his honesty about the affair.
I should have kept my mouth shut and just let it disappear with the wind. If so, maybe I wouldn't feel so damned guilty having my wife and ex-lover in the same room at the same time
.

Trey observed both women in their designer gowns, looking beautiful and seemingly content for the moment. He could only hope the two wouldn't come to blows. Or worse, let everyone in the ballroom know what was going on.

Trey felt thankful he'd talked Clyde into attending to act as interference, if necessary. While initially reluctant to do so, fearing he would feel out of place, Clyde had a sudden change of heart and was on board.

It had been an even bigger coup to get Ivana to attend this year's fundraiser. Trey had managed to impress upon her the importance of the cause not only for their people, but for business interests. It also happened to be a great occasion for networking and promoting car sales.

“Looks like we got a decent turnout,” Trey told Clyde.

“Yeah, I'd say so.”

“And that can only mean good news in raising money to fight sickle cell.”

“I'll drink to that,” Clyde said, lifting his champagne flute.

Trey put the glass to his mouth. He looked at Ivana, who also had champagne in hand. He feared that she would get plastered, embarrassing them both, in spite of promising him she would hold the line at one drink. But not bringing her to the most important social event of the year was not an option in Trey's mind. As his wife, Ivana's presence was important not only to show them as a couple, but to prove to her that his affair with Helene was history and he had nothing to hide.

Ivana pretended not to notice Trey watching her carefully, wondering if she would make a scene with his mistress whore.
Well, let him wonder
. Even if she were to give Helene DeCroch a piece of her mind, it would be something she deserved and damned long overdue.

For her part, Ivana would have preferred to be anywhere other than there, but succumbed to Trey's desire to at least keep up appearances for the sake of his business contacts—or potential thereof—if nothing else.

Is there anything real anymore about our relationship
?
Or are we to only pretend to be happy with each other for the rest of our lives
?

She watched as Trey used a break in the lineup of guest speakers to disappear. Strangely enough, Ivana no longer saw Helene DeCroch. Coincidence? Or would Trey dare carry on with her here under the guise of a charitable cause?

“Are you all right?” Ivana heard the whisper in her ear. She turned and saw Clyde standing there. He was dashing in the ebony tuxedo, his head freshly shaved. She even liked the way he smelled—an enticing, woodsy cologne.

“I'm fine,” she replied, feeling goose bumps in the nearness to her husband's brother and thankful for the distraction.

“I guess this really isn't your thing any more than mine?” Clyde said observantly.

Ivana smiled faintly. “Is it that obvious?”

“No, not really.”

“Liar.” She smiled again. “It's all right. I guess I felt more at home walking down the runway than being somewhere with a bunch of rich folks, all with their own agenda.”

“Is that what this is all about?” Clyde made a face.

“More or less.”

“Then I guess we must be talking about Trey too?”

“If the shoe fits,” Ivana voiced unapologetically, then drank more champagne.

“You're looking as handsome as ever,” Helene told Trey.

He blushed as they found a moment alone to speak. “Flattery will get you anywhere, except for—”

She laughed naturally. “Such a pity.” Before Trey could respond, Helene said, “I'm only teasing.”

Trey feigned a sigh of relief, though under other circumstances he might have been all too ready and willing to pick up where they left off six months ago. Only now he had no interest in messing up a nice friendship or betraying Ivana's trust again. Even if Helene was still drop-dead gorgeous in a form-fitting black halter gown.

“Good to hear.” He nervously looked around, expecting Ivana to come upon them at anytime in attack mode. If not Grant.

“Relax, Trey,” Helene told him. “We're at a fundraiser, remember. It's not like we're doing anything wrong as cosponsors of the event by talking.”

“You're right, of course.” Trey felt he was being a bit paranoid without just cause.

“This appears to have gone off without a hitch,” she said. “I'm told that at least five-million has already been pledged.”

“Oh, really?” Trey liked hearing that.

“Yes, and the night's still young.”

“Can't wait to see what the final tally is.”

“Neither can I.” Helene grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “So I'm still waiting to be formally introduced to your brother. Or are you trying to hide him from me?”

Trey cocked a half grin. “Not at all.” He looked up and, to his surprise, saw Clyde approaching. Along with Grant De-Croch. “Looks like we've got company, including the man you're looking for.”

“There you are, sweetheart,” Grant said, and gave Helene a kiss on the lips. “Should've known you would be cavorting with Trey here. Don't let the man sell you another car. I think five are enough for now, don't you?”

Grant laughed at his own ostentatious humor and shook Trey's hand with a solid grip. “We did it. Everyone's going home happy tonight. I know I am.”

Trey doubted the same could be said for him as he regarded the shorter, heavier man with a salt-and-pepper horseshoe hairline. “As well you should be, Grant.” He glanced at Helene uneasily, and then at Clyde.

“I ran into your brother.” Grant gazed at Trey. “Seems like an interesting young man.”

“He is.” Trey took a breath. “Helene, I don't believe I've introduced you to my kid brother, Clyde.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Clyde,” she said with a broad smile. “Trey's been bragging about bringing you into the family business.”

“I think he's just afraid I'll end up with the competition,” quipped Clyde.

Helene chuckled. “Who knows?”

“Over my dead body,” voiced Trey with little humor.

“Don't think it'll have to come to that,” Grant said. “He's far more valuable to you if you're alive, Trey.”

Everyone laughed, then Grant abruptly grabbed his wife's arm and excused them to catch up with some other guests.

“Where's Ivana?” Trey asked Clyde, as her unofficial chaperone.

“She went to the ladies' room.”

Good, then she probably won't bump into Helene, especially as long as Grant keeps her on a leash
, thought Trey. “I see.”

“So that's her, isn't it?” Clyde asked intuitively.

Trey lifted a brow. “Who?”

“The lady you got involved with?”

Trey wondered how he came to that conclusion. Could Grant have figured it out too?

“Yes, that's her,” he admitted preferring Clyde heard it from him than someone else .

“I can see how you could have fallen for her,” Clyde said. “She definitely has it going on.”

“Yes, she does,” Trey said, feeling regretful nonetheless. “Only Ivana has more going on.”

Clyde gazed at him. “You're sure about that?”

Trey met his eyes. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you went after someone else. Ivana had to come in second at the time.”

Trey wondered where the hell this was coming from. “That had nothing to do with my feelings for Ivana. Or the fact that I find her the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Sorry, man,” Clyde said. “I'm not trying to cause anything. I think I know a little something about acting irresponsibly. I might've gone after Helene myself had the opportunity been there. The important thing is you owned up to it and are now back with your wife.”

“Yeah, I am.” Trey calmed down, realizing Clyde meant no harm and had been irresponsible far more in his life. Now they had both been given an opportunity to start over. “Speaking of my wife, I'd better go find Ivana.”

“Probably a good idea,” Clyde said in a friendly tone.

Clyde tasted the champagne, thinking about how Trey got testy when trying to defend his affair, as if he were allowed to make mistakes unlike others, which should then be pushed under the rug. Maybe Ivana would never let him forget the best thing in his life could slip right through his fingers. Clyde envisioned her in a red strapless gown that contoured perfectly to her slender body and nice-sized high breasts, turning him on. She would look even better with no clothing on at all. He tried to fight the obvious mutual attraction sexually, but found it getting more difficult by the day. He really did want to see things work out between Trey and his good-looking wife if this was possible. But was it?

Clyde sensed they still had a long way to go before getting it right again. In the meantime, he believed that Ivana's sexual energy was probably wound up about as tightly as his, ready to explode at any time. If not with Trey, then somebody else.

He watched his brother move briskly through the gathering, and pondered whether or not the marriage would or even should survive between the infidelity, miscarriage, and barriers the two had formed. Or had it already ended without either Trey or Ivana realizing it?

Ivana was at the mirror in the ladies' room applying lip gloss and feeling sorry for herself, when she saw the reflection of Helene DeCroch enter. Helene looked just as surprised when recognizing Ivana.

“Hello, Ivana.”

“Helene.”

These were the first words spoken between them this evening. Ivana had deliberately avoided any conversation for fear of speaking her mind. As she gathered herself, anger began to build up within like hot vapor. Ivana recalled first meeting Helene while she and Trey were at a restaurant. Even then, by Helene's body language and lack of eye contact, Ivana sensed that something might have been up between Helene and Trey, but tried to dismiss it as women's insecurity or paranoia.

Turned out that her fears were far from unfounded. Trey would later admit that the affair had been going on even then, right under Ivana's nose. And might be continuing to this day for all she knew.

“Are you still sleeping with my husband?” Ivana asked her point-blank.

Helene stopped brushing her hair and met Ivana's hard stare. “No, I am not. What happened between Trey and me happened a long time ago.”

“Six months is
not
a long time!”

“Long enough for you to get over it. Can't you see that the man loves
you
?”