A Couple of Forevers (This Time Forever Book 2) (15 page)

Matt said, “We’ll help you get them in the car.” 

After they got the kids in their car seats, Renee said her
good-byes to Matt and Sonya.  Matt was scheduled to be in New York for a few
days for business.  “Have a safe trip.  We’ll plan a get-together when you
return.  Liza and E will be here and EJ and Mariah are coming with them.”

They got into their respective cars and went about their
planned activities.

Renee was very impressed with the building that she was
considering for her salon.  The agent that she had spoken with had taken
everything that she said that she needed and wanted into consideration.  The
location was in a scenic area that was very lush.  The feel of the neighborhood
was residential, but it was considered a business area.  Renee told the agent
that she definitely wanted to consider leasing the building.  She explained
that she needed to do a few things, but that she would be in contact with her
the following day to make the offer.

After her meeting with the agent, Renee decided that instead
of going directly to pick up the kids from Lena and Ben, she would stop by
Kayla’s office.  Renee just wanted to make sure that she was okay. 

Renee took the elevators to the 30
^th
floor in the
modern high-rise building where Kayla worked.  As she stepped into the
elegantly decorated reception area, she was greeted by Megan, the friendly
young administrative assistant.  “Yes, Kayla just wrapped up her meeting with
Mr. Steele.  We sure do hate to see her leave this office, but she is really
looking forward to going back to New York.  The senior executive position is absolutely
perfect fit for her.  Would you like for me to let her know you are here.”

Renee didn’t let the shock of what Megan had just told her
register on her face.  “No, I just wanted to surprise her.  I’ll just see
myself in.  Thanks.”  With that, Renee walked up the hallway to Kayla’s office.
 She knocked lightly on the door before entering. 

Chapter
14

  Kayla turned away from the window to see her mother
entering her office.  They were both silent for a moment, and then, the tears
that had been stinging Kayla’s eyes slid down her cheeks.

Renee walked over to Kayla and pulled her into a hug.  “It’s
okay, baby.  Whatever it is, it’s okay.” 

Kayla let her tears flow freely while Renee held her.  When
she was able, she sat in her chair, and Renee sat across from her.

Kayla told Renee that things with Mik had finally come to a
head.  She had tried talking to him.  She told him that she wanted to find a
way to come to a compromise when would be a good time to marry and start a
family.  “He had no intention of ever compromising with me.  He just expected
me to give in and give up everything.  There was no reasoning with him,” she
told Renee.

Kayla continued, “I went to his office last Saturday.  I
knew he had a heavy patient load that day, so I picked up some lunch for him. 
His favorite deli.  When I pulled into the lot, I noticed Nastia’s car was
there and I thought that was kind of weird, but I didn’t think too much of
it.”  Dr. Nastia Sokolov was Mik’s new associate. 

Renee said, “I thought they were alternating Saturdays.  Did
they schedule more patient’s than one doctor could handle?”

Kayla took in a deep breath and released it.  “Mik had given
me a key to the private entry.  I just really wanted to try to smooth things
over because the night before was really rough.  When I walked in, she was
there with him.” 

“Oh, Kayla, I’m so sorry, honey,” Renee said.  Now she
understood why she hadn’t heard from her since she last kept Noah and Noelle. 
Renee continued, “I know there is nothing that I can say that will make it any
better, but I will say this.  He’s the loser.  You’re beautiful, smart,
independent, and a great cook to boot.”  This made Kayla smile.

Renee continued, “You also have options.  You don’t have to
go back to New York.  You could stay here and sort things through.  Give yourself
time to think about what you really want to do.  You know we’re all here for
you.”

“I know, Mom.  But I really feel that moving back there will
be best for me professionally and personally.  I’m really lucky to get this
opportunity.  It is everything I have worked for and I need and want to do
this.  I want to prove to myself that I can do this.”

Renee said, “I know you can do it, and I know that you will
do it.”  Renee tried unsuccessfully to stop the tears that were threatening to
fall.  “We’ll just miss you so much.  This will be the first time you’ve
actually lived more than a short distance.”

Kayla drew in a ragged breath and said, “I know.  It feels
so weird to me too, but you know we’ll talk every day and there’s Skype.  And
of course there’s airplanes, so we can always visit.”

They talked for quite a while longer.  Renee suggested that
Kay speak with Lena and Ben about staying at their beach house.  “No one is
staying there now since Matt and Sonya have moved out.  Maybe call or give them
a visit.  They’ve been worried about you, too.”

Kayla breathed a sigh of relief.  “I will stop by and see
them today.  I’ve missed them, too, but everything has been so bad lately, I
just didn’t have it in me to face them.  I know Dad is going to be upset with
me.  I know that he didn’t really care for Mik, and now this has happened.”

Renee stood up to leave.  “They love you so much, Kayla. 
There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do to help you.  As for Elliott, he is not
going to be upset with you.  He just wants what is best for you.  You know,
it’s funny how sometimes women can tell when other women don’t have good
intentions?  Well, the same must hold true for men.  Seems like they have the
same ability to read other men.  Your dad must’ve sensed something about Mik
that put him off.” 

After they hugged, Renee left Kayla’s office and drove
home.   Elliott had already picked the twins up and was in the living room on
the floor playing with them.  Noelle was trying to feed him dried cereal.  Noah
was playing a box as if it were a drum.  When he saw Renee come in he reached
his arms for her and said, “Mom-eeee.” 

She sat with Elliott on the floor and took Noah.  “Hey sweet
baby,” she said as she kissed his face.  Noelle inched her way over to Renee
and gave her a kiss.  “Oh, my goodness.  Such sweet babies.  Promise Mommy and Daddy
you won’t grow up and leave us.”  Noelle and Noah squealed with laughter, while
Elliott looked confused.

“Renee, what are you talking about?  Who is growing up and
leaving us?”  No sooner than he had asked the question, the answer had
registered in his mind.

Renee told Elliott what happened with Kayla and Mik.  “I
don’t want her to go, but she’s made her mind up.  Her company has made her an
excellent offer to take charge of the New York office and she isn’t about to
pass that up.  Maybe this whole thing was meant to happen.  She’s hurting
because of what Mik did. I do agree that she needs to get away, but I wish it
wasn’t so far away.  I do understand, though.”

Elliott let out a big sigh and moved up to the sofa.  “I’ll
go see her tomorrow.  I know I won’t be able to change her mind, but I want her
to know that I’m here and will help her in any way that I can.  And damn him
for doing that to her, but you know what, babe, he’s a complete idiot and he’ll
find that out real soon.”

The kids were getting cranky and needed to be fed, so Renee
fed them their dinner, bathed them, and put them to bed.

Later that night, Elliott and Renee were sitting out on the
balcony off their bedroom.  The air had turned cool and they sat huddled
together in the oversize lounger.  The sky was ink-black and the stars were
glistening and bright.  Elliott said, “We didn’t get a chance to talk about the
salon space you saw today.  Did you like it?”

“Yes, it’s very nice and the location is perfect.”  She
described that the location has a residential feel and would require very
little renovation.  “I’m going to contact the leasing agent tomorrow so that we
can get the paperwork started.  Then, I need to get in touch with contractors
so the whole process can begin.”

Elliott could see that she was excited to start moving
forward with the Beverly Hills salon.  “So, it sounds like things will move
along pretty quickly once the contractor gets started.”  Trying to keep his
tone light, he continued, “What will your role be once the salons here are
completed?” 

“It will be the same as in New York.  I will still be in
charge of managing the accounting, marketing, and R&D.  I will need to make
visits to the salons to make sure that everything is running properly. 
Speaking of which, I need to start putting out feelers for certified natural
hair care professionals, aestheticians, and massage therapists.  Oh, did I also
mention that I’m going to be on channel 8’s Good Morning Show next Friday?”

Elliott sat in silence as he took in all that Renee was
saying to him.  He was really surprised when she told him that she was going to
be making a TV appearance.  He had managed to keep his family out of the
spotlight during and after the trial, and he wasn’t especially excited about
her getting involved with the media.  However, he could see that was determined
and excited about setting things into motion.  He knew he had to be careful
with what he was about to say to her.

“Renee, I just want to say this.  You don’t have to work so
hard.  I see how much you have to do around here with the kids.  I want for us
to be able to enjoy them, spend as much time as we can with them.  I want to be
able to spend as much uninterrupted time with you as possible.  I know this
will sound selfish of me, but I just don’t want for there to be any unnecessary
distractions for you.  I’m so used to having you here and knowing that you keep
everything here intact.  I just don’t want things to change.  And trust me when
I say this, getting started with making TV appearances is going to put you in
the spotlight.  Once they see you and hear you, the will want more and more of
you.  Just let me take care of you.”

She listened to everything that he said, and even though she
was slightly miffed that he didn’t seem to think that she would be able to manage
their personal lives while maintaining a professional life, she tried not to
show it.  She couldn’t be too upset with him, though.  She knew that he wanted
to provide the life for her and the babies that he wasn’t able to provide for
her when she Matt and Kayla were small.  Now, it was her turn to keep a neutral
tone.  “There’s no need to worry.  I’ve done all of this before.  Our lives and
the babies will always come first, Elliott.  You know that.  I wouldn’t do
anything to compromise us.  I know that you are more than capable of taking
care of everything, but please understand that my business is something that I
enjoy.  As far as TV appearances, it’s only one.  Once word got out on social
media that the salons and products would definitely be available here, I was
asked to come onto the show just to give some general information.”

Elliott heard what she was telling him, and though he still
didn’t want her to go through with her plans, he could see that she wanted to
do it and that she would do it.  He sighed and said, “Okay, but I really do
wish you’d give it some more thought.  I know that you’ve already decided to
move ahead with it, and I’m here if you need me for anything.”  He stood up
from the lounger and held out his hand to help her up.  “We’d better go in. 
It’s getting cold and late.”

They both felt the tension in the air as they walked back
into the house in silence.  When they went to bed that night, they only kissed
and said “good-night.”  Neither of them slept very well. 

Chapter
15

Construction for The Skin and Hair Boutique-Beverly Hills
was well underway.  Renee had just finished visiting the salon and meeting with
the contractor who told her that everything was running as scheduled.  She had
so much to do and so very little time to do it.  Kayla was leaving in a few
days, Liza and E were in town visiting, Dennis and Sharon were scheduled to
come into town the next day, and the following week she was scheduled to appear
on the Good Morning show. 

When she got into the car to head to her appointment with
the decorator, she called Liza to see if she would mind watching the twins for
another hour.  They were walking now and were into everything.  “I’m sorry to
ask, but I promise to make treat you to one of my fabulous dishes when I get
home.”

Liza and E were staying in their new LA house while they
visited for a few days.  “Take your time,” Liza replied.  “I’m having a great
time spoiling your little munchkins.  Elliott came by earlier with the kids and
now he and Joe are doing guy stuff.  They dropped your parents off at Ben and
Lena’s.  You might want to call Elliott to let him know you’re going to your
next appointment.  He said he was going to drop by the salon while you were
there.”

Renee ended her call with Liza and called Elliott.  His
phone went to his voicemail, so she left him a message letting him know that
she was on her way to see the decorator. 

As Elliott and E pulled into the parking area, he looked for
Renee’s car, but didn’t see it.  The only vehicles there were the construction
vans and a car that he didn’t recognize.  When he got out of his car, he saw
Jonathan talking to one of the crew.  Elliott was seething mad, but played it
cool. 

The construction manager recognized Elliott.  “You just
missed Renee,” he informed her.  She went to an appointment with the decorator.”

Elliott looked around the salon and was very impressed with
the progress that the team was making.  E walked toward the back of the
building where the massage and beauty treatments would be done.  Jonathan was walking
out of the area just as E was into it. 

Not one to mince words, E cut to the chase.  He said to
Jonathan, “And you are . . .?

“I’m Jonathan Hall.”  He gave a friendly business-like smile
to E and extended his hand for an intended handshake. 

E knew exactly who Jonathan was.  Liza had told him about
how he had tailed Renee around while they were in Vegas.  Elliott had also told
him about Jonathan’s obvious attraction to Renee. 

As Elliott and the construction manager approached the area
where E and Jonathan were standing, Elliott said, “Are you stalking my wife?”

Jonathan was not accustomed to people being so direct with
him.  Rather, people typically cowered around him.  However, Jonathan had seen
Elliott in action during the highly-televised court case, so he shouldn’t have
been surprised.

“I just happened to be passing through and saw construction
being done . . .”

Before Jonathan could finish answering, Elliott said to him,
“Because it seems like you are.  Get out . . . now.”   Elliott stared directly
into Jonathan’s eyes, taking in everything about him.  He noted the challenging
look in Jonathan’s eyes and the smirk on his face.  Before, he was just a
nuisance, but Elliott could see that Jonathan was going to be a real problem
that he would have to deal with.  In fact, he already had started dealing with
him.  Since the night that Elliott spotted Jonathan at the restaurant staring
at Renee, he had started checking into Jonathan’s credentials.  To say that he
was shady was putting it mildly. 

Game on, Jonathan thought to himself as he left.  He shoved
his hands into his pockets and balled them into fists.  He was beyond pissed, but
he whistled as he strode out of Renee’s salon.  He knew better than to publicly
tangle with Elliott, but he had an idea as to how he would set things into
motion so that Renee, her babies, and her business would be his.    

~~~~

Once Jonathan got home later that evening, he started
devising a plan.  Now that he knew where Renee would be on a daily basis, there
wasn’t anything Elliott could do or say that would keep him from seeing her and
eventually having her for himself.  After his phone call to one of his
associates, he was confident that his plan would work.  He had witnessed the
scene that played out in the restaurant a few months ago when Renee was still
pregnant.  That time, it had been a coincidence that he was at the restaurant
the same night as Renee and her gorgeous kids.  The other times, though, had
been no coincidence.  He’d hired someone to keep dibs on her.  He didn’t really
understand what was going on, but he did gather that there was some sort of
tension between Renee and a woman who he knew to be her mother.  Elliott had
intervened and backed Maggie down.  Jonathan’s methods to getting his way were
subtle and underhanded.  He reveled in the knowledge that he had gotten wealthy
by intimidating, tricking, and undermining others.  He loved seeing the shock
and horror on the face of people once they realized they had been screwed over
by him.  The same way he was going to enjoy the look on Elliott’s face when
Renee and her babies leave him, and the way he was going to enjoy giving and
taking pleasure from Renee’s body day and night.   Just the idea of it all had
him stroking his cock as he envisioned Renee writhing and moaning beneath him. 

~~~~

Once they got into the car, Elliott checked his phone and
saw that he had missed a call from Renee.  “Baby, where are you right now?”  He
sounded calm and collected, but his mind was working at 100 miles an hour. 

“I’m on my way to Michelle’s Beautiful Things to pick up a
few pieces for Kayla.”

“Go over to Liza’s and wait there for me and E.  We’ll be
there in few minutes.”

“I’ll just run in and back out.  She already . . . “ she
started to say. 

Elliott cut in.  “Renee, listen to me.  Go to Liza and E’s
and wait there.  We’ll be there in a bit, okay?  Please just do it.”

Renee was completely confused and more than a little
concerned.  Elliott wasn’t usually so insistent, but for some reason he felt
like this was really important.  She sighed and said, “Okay, yes.  I’m on my
way to Liza’s right now.  Can you tell me what’s going on?”

“I’ll explain when we get there.”  Elliott ended the call
and immediately called Robert.  He explained to him what was going on.  “Yeah,
we’re heading over to E’s right now.” 

Liza and Renee were sitting in the living room when Elliott
and E arrived.  “Elliott, what in the world is going on?  I really need to get
some things done finished before the salon opens and before Kayla leaves.”

“We just left your salon.  When we got there, Jonathan was
there talking to the construction crew like he owns the place.  Did you see him
when you were there, or had you already left?”

“Yes, he was there.  I was really surprised, but I didn’t
think too much about it because I was busy talking to the construction manager
and crew, and thinking about all of the other stuff that needs to be done.  He
left before I did.”

E had gone into his office to make a few calls and when he
came out, he had some interesting news.  “I did some checking and Jonathan is
into a bunch of shady crap.  Looks like he’s made all of his money by tricking
people.  If you look up con artist in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure his
picture will be right there beside it.” 

Robert and Kim came over.  Robert said, “I already called
Dad.  He’ll get a couple of his guys to keep an eye on him and see what else they
can come up with.  In the meantime, he said that Renee needs to keep as low a
profile as possible until they figure out how dangerous this guy is.  He hasn’t
done anything inappropriate as far as Renee is concerned yet, but he has become
bolder in his actions.”

Renee reminded everyone of the going-away party that had
been planned for Kayla.  “We’re going to Asia de Cuba.  It’s one of her
favorite places and I really hate the idea of having to change plans.  Besides,
Jonathan probably got the message and won’t be stupid enough to keep coming
around.” 

Liza said, “You really need to listen to what Robert’s dad
said, Renee.  You’re right, Jonathan isn’t stupid, but he’s bold.  I mean, he
made himself a constant presence when we were in Vegas.  He knew then that you
were already spoken for, yet he persisted.  And now he’s still persisting.”

Kim agreed with the rest of the group.  “Listen, I know it
has to be frustrating with so much left to be done with your salon, but
Robert’s dad knows what he’s talking about.  Laying low is best at this point.”

“Well, what about Kay’s party.  I can’t just let her go
without doing something for her.  She leaves in two days, Elliott.  And next
week I am scheduled to be on Good Morning.  I really can’t just stop everything
at this point.”  Renee was very frustrated with this situation.

“We’ll figure something out, Renee.  Don’t worry about it. 
We’ll still have the get-together for Kayla.  I wouldn’t even think about not
doing something for her and with her before she leaves, but we’ll have to do it
in a more private setting.  As far as the morning show, I know you don’t want
to reschedule your appearance, so if I’m not able to go with you to the studio
that day, I will arrange a car and driver for you.”

E said, “I’ve already called my office to let them know that
we’ll be staying here for a bit longer.”  He turned to Liza, “You’re going to
call your office tomorrow and let them know that you will be on an extended
leave.”  Liza, typically not the type to take orders, nodded her head in
agreement.  She and E weren’t going to leave until they knew that their closest
friends were safe. 

By this time, Noah and Noelle had awakened.  After Renee fed
them and got them settled down, she said, “It’s getting late.  The kids are tired
and I’m sure everyone else is, too.  It’s been a really long day.  We’re going
to go home and get some rest.”

When Renee and Elliott got home and got the kids settled
into bed, Elliott went into Renee’s office, where she was looking over some
spreadsheets that had been sent to her by the accounting department.  “You need
to get some rest, baby.  Like you said, it’s been a long day and we’re all
tired.  The kids finally went to sleep, and I ran a bath with your favorite
oils in it.” 

Renee removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her
nose.  “You’re right.  I can finish this up tomorrow.  Since I need to approve
some budgets, go over the orders of products for the salon, and a ton of other
things, I guess it’s just as well that I’ll be holed up here for a while.

Elliott knew that Renee was frustrated and worried.  “Look,
baby, I know all of this is hard, but I have to make sure my family is safe,
and if that means you have to spend the majority of your time here, then that’s
the way it’s going to be.”

Renee knew that her husband was not going to bend on this
and her reasonable side told her that he was doing the right thing.  Her busy,
hectic home, work, kids side made her feel frustrated that she would have to
figure out a way to handle everything on her agenda.  “I know you’re right,
baby.  It’s just this whole mess just has me so mad.  I mean, seriously, what
does Jonathan think is going to happen?”

“Well,” Elliott started, “it seems that he thinks he’s going
to take my place.  When I was talking to Robert earlier, he said that his dad
told him that guys like him live in a fantasy world.  He’s very smart and is
well-educated.  He’s also very cunning and has made all of his money by
swindling people out of theirs.  He’s used to getting his way and has decided
that he is going to have you.”

“Oh.”  Renee said.  The gravity of the situation was
settling in and now she felt very unsettled.  “Elliott, you know that would
never happen.  I would never, ever let that happen.  I know you’re protecting
us and I love you more than you can know for that.  And since I have to be
holed up, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful home to be holed into.  I’ll even
have built-in entertainment with the kids.” 

He took both of her hands and she stood up and kissed him
softly on the lips.  Elliott pulled her close and said, “Let’s go get into that
bath before the water gets cold.”

Renee led the way out of her office.  As they were walking
into their bedroom, she said, “I thought you said the bath was for
me.” 

Elliott’s gaze darkened and he said, “Uh-uh.  I said I ran a
bath with your favorite oils in it.  I didn’t say you would be getting into
that bath alone.” 

Happy for the change of subject, they both undressed and
eased into the warm, fragrant bath.