50 Shades of Pink Read online

  “You took away the one thing she wanted. You left her behind to start a new life in another country,” I said.

  She nodded. “I was worried she would follow me there, but her brother keeps her on a short leash. At least I can thank him for that.”

  “Why did you come back then?” I asked, trying not to sound too anxious.

  “As soon as we found out about Uncle Bruce’s Alzheimer’s, Noah wanted to be with his family. He was going to run the US operations while I remained in the London office, but the board of directors there didn’t think I was ready to be in charge. I offered to come back here and work alongside Uncle Bruce until he was too sick to continue. He named me acting CEO, and two years later he resigned. I was then in charge of it all.”

  “Colette told me she saw you soon after you returned to Manhattan at the same type of club her brother owned.” I cleared my throat as my voice developed into a whisper because of the strain. “She said you and her spent the night together in a private room.”

  She sighed and opened her grief-stricken eyes. “You want to know why I’ve carried my guilt for so many years? It’s because of the mistakes I’ve made.”

  “What mistakes?” I stroked her head, wanting to soothe her.

  She blew out a gust of air. “The ones with my parents and with Laci. If I never acted on my attraction to Laci, she would have never been at my house the day my father found us. Then my parents would have lived and I wouldn’t have fallen for Colette. Laci would still be alive. Colette wouldn’t have attacked you.”

  “Then I wouldn’t have met you,” I said, moving my hand to cup her nape, exactly like she had done to me so many times.

  “My mistakes come back to haunt me. The most recent was seeing Colette again when I returned. I was upset because of Uncle Bruce’s illness and trying to deal with the stress of my new position.” She covered her eyes with her arm. “If I failed, the company my father and uncle founded would be ruined. I wanted to forget it all for one night. I ended up at a club that catered to any needs, as long as you pay for it. Whether it was coincidence or on purpose, Colette was there. She begged me to forgive her and to let me back in her life. She was willing to do whatever I wanted to her. I rented a room and took my frustrations out on her.”

  “You had sex with her?” I asked, sickened she would do that with the woman who had stolen so much from her.

  She lowered her arm, anguish imbedded on her face. “No. I never touched her with my bare hands or my mouth. I used instruments on her. I also allowed others to observe the scene in order to humiliate her.”

  “What happened after it was over?” I hugged my knees to my chest.

  “I left Colette naked and crying, still begging me to forgive her. I then drove to my aunt and uncle’s and spent the night there. The next morning I told Aunt Regina what had happened.”

  “How did she react when you told her?” I asked.

  “She hugged me and we cried.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t kick Colette’s ass.” I lowered my legs and shifted closer to Victoria, taking her arm and curling it around my shoulders. “Does anyone else know in your family know about that night beside Regina?”

  Victoria gently traced the bruises on my throat. “I made her promise me not to tell anyone else. I also made her believe the interaction between Colette and I was the final one, and we haven’t been in contact since then. I didn’t want her to worry about me because she has to take care of Uncle Bruce.”

  “Colette isn’t going to stop harassing us.”

  Victoria nodded. “That’s why I want you to leave town so I can take care of her.”

  “But how?” I asked, frustrated I’d failed in my attempt to take down Colette.

  She brushed my swollen cheek. “I could kill her for what she’s done to you.”

  My heart jumped in my throat. “If it came down to that, would you find a way to….” I swallowed hard. As much as I despised Colette, murdering her was too drastic.

  A somber smile flashed across Victoria’s face. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did. Instead I have another way of putting her in her place. She’ll be punished harshly this time when I tell Benjamin what she did to you.”

  I didn’t like the idea that Victoria would go back to Benjamin for help. “How is this different from the last time you asked him for help?”

  She dropped a gentle kiss on my mouth, which was at odds with the rage rising building up in her body, which was so thick I could choke on it. “Last time was because of a disruption in his business and a major loss of revenue for him. Now it’s much more personal. Once he realizes Colette abused someone very special to me, he’ll take care of her.”

  Her possessive statement should have made me uneasy. But I would have been lying if I said it did. It thrilled me. Plus, it was too late to run away now. I was too invested in helping Victoria defeat her demons, no matter how dangerous it had become for both of us.

  ***

  I woke up to Victoria sitting on the side of the bed. Instead of having me sleep in the spare bedroom like before, she had offered me her bed. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until she recommended I take a nap. I should have felt more awake, but I was groggy and my cheeks were stiff. My throat was still sore and scratchy.

  “What time is it?” I asked, sitting up slowly as I blinked away the sleep from my eyes.

  “It’s almost five.” She ran a finger over my bruised cheek and frowned. “I would have let you sleep longer, but we have some guests.”

  “Guests?” I asked through a yawn.

  “While you slept I made some phone calls. One was to Benjamin. He wants to see us now,” she said. “Oliver and Maia are here to take us to him.”

  I sat up, ignoring the vertigo. Victoria must have noticed my reaction. She massaged my neck, helping ease my dizziness.

  “Why does he want to see me? I look horrible,” I spoke through swollen lips, my sore throat making it difficult for me to talk normally.

  “That’s why he wants to see you. I want to show him the damage his sister has done. I was very persistent over the phone. I told him I was sick of her bullshit and that she had gone too far this time.” She lowered her cheek to mine. “It’s a good sign he sent Maia here.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “He doesn’t let Maia out of his sight for too long. If he does, she’s always with Oliver. The one thing Benjamin despises is physical abuse toward women. Maia was a victim of abuse before she met him, so he thought you would feel safer if she came with Oliver to escort us to Benjamin’s home.”

  “Do I have time to shower?” I threw back the covers.

  Victoria stood. “It’s better if Benjamin sees Colette’s damage unaltered.” She caressed the side of my neck.

  I clutched her hand. “How bad do I look?”

  “A little banged up, but nothing permanent.” She kissed me lightly on the mouth. “You still look beautiful.”

  I blushed and dropped my gaze to my lap. “I’ve always been considered pretty, never beautiful.”

  “You’re more than just pretty.” She helped me rise from the bed and gave me a deeper kiss, which I welcomed even though my cut lip stung from the pressure. I didn’t care.

  I had enough time to use the bathroom to pee and clip back my hair. Once I flushed the toilet, Victoria entered the room without an invitation. I quickly washed my hands. She then hurried me out in what I had slept in — black stretch pants and matching hoodie with a white tank top underneath.

  When we entered the main sitting room, Oliver and Maia rose from the couch. Oliver was all smiles, looking handsome as ever in a black leather jacket over a gray button down shirt and tight jeans. Maia had a polite look on her face, but she wouldn’t look Victoria or me in the eye. She wore almost the same type of dress, but with longer sleeves, like the night we met for the first time.

  “Benjamin is going to kill Colette.” Oliver lost his smile.

  “It would make things much
easier if he did,” Maia said in a soft, but steady voice, anger flashing in her eyes as she met my gaze.

  “You don’t like her either?” I asked her.

  “She can be a nuisance.” Oliver answered instead and motioned to the door. “Shall we go, ladies?”

  “Let’s go.” Victoria pulled on her jacket and grabbed my hand, leading the way to the door.

  We took the elevator down to the garage in silence. Oliver directed us over to a black luxury sedan. Victoria and I sat in the back while he drove and Maia sat in the front passenger side.

  “Where are we going?” I said in Victoria’s ear.

  She set our linked fingers on her knee. “We’re going to Benjamin’s house in Brooklyn.”

  “He lives on the waterfront,” Oliver inserted as he drove out of the garage and onto the street. “Victoria’s been there a few times.”

  “Just once,” she said.

  “Before England, right?” he asked in what sounded like a jab.

  “Oliver, stop.” Maia poked him in the arm.

  “I’ll behave.” He tweaked her chin.

  I couldn’t help but wonder about the step-siblings’ affection for one another. I got a strange vibe from both of them that made me believe there was more to their closeness. I would have even assumed they were lovers, but Benjamin’s possessiveness with Maia told me otherwise.

  I glanced at Victoria to see if she had any reaction to the duo, but she stared out her side of the window, keeping her hand around mine.

  The drive took under an hour. We drove past the familiar skyscrapers and buildings that were soon replaced as we entered more residential neighborhoods. The houses became much larger on sprawling properties. Oliver drove down a street that ended with a large gate. From inside the car, he pressed a remote and the gates opened to another street leading to a mansion surrounded by many trees and bushes to keep away unwanted spectators.

  “This is where Benjamin lives? It looks like a museum,” I said, astonished by the enormous building.

  “If he had a choice, he’d own the entire waterfront. Three floors with twelve bedrooms at sixty thousand square feet just isn’t enough for one man.” Victoria sounded unimpressed by the splendor.

  “He doesn’t live alone.” Oliver drove into a four-car garage.

  “How could I forget you and Maia keep him company,” Victoria said and opened her door when Oliver shut off the ignition. “Or are you still living in the guest house while your sister stays with Benjamin in the main house?”

  He snorted and smirked. “Why not ask him yourself if you’re so curious?”

  With my hand in Victoria’s, I followed her out of the car. She didn’t respond to his question while he helped Maia out. With his arm around her waist, he guided her to another door. Victoria and I trailed behind.

  We walked up a flight of stairs and then entered a sunroom facing one of the pools. Maia broke away and hurried ahead while Oliver motioned us ahead. We went into a large, airy kitchen and then down a hall and past some other rooms until we reached the foyer.

  “Benjamin is in here.” Oliver indicated the half open door to a room where we heard voices.

  Victoria pushed open the door and we entered. Unlike Benjamin’s office at his club, this room was used to entertain. One side had a pool table and a huge stereo system, complete with a television taking up the entire wall with massive speakers on each side. There were many comfortable-looking chairs and couches and two bars along the walls with mirrors behind them and many bottles on shelves.

  A dark-skinned man in a navy blue suit rose when we entered. A few feet away from him stood Benjamin with Maia. Benjamin was dressed in more casual clothes wearing a white button down shirt and tan trousers. He hugged Maia to him, bending low near her ear.

  He moved back and mouthed, “good job, love” and rested his palm on her ruined cheek. He then gazed in my direction.

  “Welcome, Miss Pinke. I wish I could have invited you under better circumstances.” He inspected my face and then gave his attention to Victoria. “You aren’t sleeping well.”

  “I haven’t slept well in almost twenty years.” She pointed to the well-dressed stranger. “This is your lawyer?”

  Benjamin released Maia and walked toward us. “This is Emery, my most trusted attorney of thirty years.”

  Emery nodded at me and Victoria but didn’t offer his hand. “I’m here tonight at Benjamin’s request.”

  “As a witness.” Victoria pointed out.

  Benjamin clapped Emery on the shoulder. “Yes, so nothing can be misconstrued. Maia and Oliver will remain as well.”

  “That works for me.” Victoria nodded in approval.

  Benjamin rubbed his palms together. “Before I ask Colette to grace us with her presence—”

  “Wait a minute. She’s here?” I scanned the room, expecting her to emerge from behind a curtain.

  Benjamin tilted his head, his laser sharp gaze landing on me in amusement. “After Victoria and I talked on the phone, I had Colette brought here. She has the right to face her accusers. But you can trust me I won’t let her—”

  “I don’t trust any of you!” I pointed my finger at him.

  Victoria turned me around and seized my arms. “Calm down. Colette won’t attack you here. You’re protected.”

  “But what about you?” My voice cracked. My emotions were getting the best of me.

  “I’ll be safe. Benjamin has promised me.” She then took my hands, tugging us toward the side of the room near Maia.

  “Tell me what’s going on?” I demanded with as much calm as I could muster.

  Benjamin sat on the arm of the couch where Emery had reclaimed his seat and was busy taking papers out of a briefcase. “I’m fully aware of your visit with Colette. I don’t agree with how she treated you, and I accept how you defended yourself. I’ve had enough of my sister’s childish antics. Her tantrums are taking me away from important matters that need my complete attention. I’m treating this gathering like a business meeting, complete with paperwork and contracts to be signed.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said to Victoria.

  “It’s better if you wait until Colette is here so we don’t have to explain it twice.” She patted my back, but stared at Benjamin. “It will turn out for the best.”

  “If we’re ready, I’ll send for Colette,” he said.

  “Go ahead,” Victoria replied.

  Benjamin nodded at Oliver who held his phone to his ear. He told the person on the other line to bring Colette in. The double doors then swung open and Colette entered with two men dressed in dark suits flanking her on either side.

  She crossed her arms in a defensive stance. Her face was splotchy with red and there was a huge black and blue bruise near the corner of her mouth.

  “Nice shot,” Victoria whispered in satisfaction.

  Benjamin waved at the vacant seat next to Emery. “Colette, please take a—”

  “Fuck you, Benjamin.” She lifted her chin in defiance.

  He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Why are you being difficult?”

  “I’m difficult?” She shot me a glare of pure loathing. “The little cunt attacked.…”

  Victoria moved forward and stopped a foot away from Colette. Benjamin rose, but Victoria waved him back.

  “Don’t even try and play the victim here. It’s obvious to all of us what you did to Lindsay. You didn’t expect her to fight back?” Victoria crossed her arms. “You didn’t expect me to fight back?”

  “Why should you care what happens to her? She’s not important in what we share together.” Colette lifted her wrist, showing off her bracelet. “Do you remember the day you gave this to me, and what you said to me?”

  A dismayed look came to Victoria’s eyes. “I was young and stupid.”

  Colette rushed toward her. “You said you loved me!”

  Benjamin blocked Colette. One of the men forced her into a chair. She held a fist to her mouth, cutting off her words. Ben
jamin laid his hand on Victoria’s arm but she waved him away and went over to the window with her back to the room.

  “I lied to you. Get over it,” Victoria announced in a hoarse voice.

  Maia gave me a sympathetic smile I didn’t return.

  Benjamin remained standing, staring at Colette and then at Victoria. He looked irritated.

  “I am sick and tired of being dragged into this drama between you two. It stops now.” He cracked his head from side to side and moved toward Colette. He knelt on one knee and sat his hands on the arms of her chair. She didn’t look at him, but at Victoria, who still kept her back turned.

  “I thought I solved this issue with both of you once already, but I was wrong. I’ve given you too much freedom for too long.” He curled his long fingers around Colette’s chin, forcing her to look at him. “A separation for you both is in order. Sister dear, tomorrow you’ll announce your resignation as Executive Editor of Virago, effective immediately. During your sabbatical, you’ll see a therapist of my choosing, which I should have forced you to do years ago. If you don’t obey me, I’ll cut off your funds and use whatever sources and contacts at my disposal to have you admitted to a hospital for some sort of emotional distress that makes you suicidal.” He brought her face close to his and their noses bumps. “Do I make myself clear?”

  “You’re a bastard.” She landed her hands on his chest and thrust him away,

  He fell back on his heels. “You should be grateful our mother isn’t alive, and it’s me giving your punishment.”

  “Punishment for what? Because of how I love and who I love? Why should I suffer and she doesn’t?” Colette waved her hand at Victoria.

  Victoria flinched but didn’t speak. She continued staring out the window.

  Benjamin rose. “I’ve written the resignation letter you’ll sign tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the office with you to be the supportive brother during your time of need. Then we’ll discuss how your therapy will be conducted and where.”