Chance on Love (20 page)

She thought about it as she chewed her lip. “Oh, and you could just start with the morning news segment. That way, if the change tanks, it will be less of a hassle to undo it and return to the old format.” She looked around at each of the men to gauge their reactions.

Grant glanced at Mr. Lucas. Mr. Lucas raised his eyebrows and looked at Chance. Chance gave the man a smirk. Mr. Lucas sighed and turned back to Stephanie.

“Not bad, young lady.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Well, I have to acknowledge a decent idea when I hear one. I’d hate to be accused of not pulling my head out of my ass again.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “The nerve of some people.”

Her face warmed, and she gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry?”

He waved her apology away. “We’re going to have to talk specifics.” He turned to Chance. “I’m not sure there’s enough time left to implement a format change before you’re due to be in New Orleans.”

Stephanie looked at him. “You’re going to Louisiana?” Her heart clenched. She’d known he was leaving, but hearing his next destination made it more real.

He shrugged. “Next station, next town.”

“Right,” she said lightly, hoping he couldn’t see how the news affected her. The smug, ruthless bastard would be gone. His charm, his sexiness, his smile, his voice, his laugh...gone. Her cell phone rang from within her purse, snapping her out of her daze. The muffled sounds of Billie Jean filled the otherwise quiet conference room.

Chance snorted.

“Shut up,” she muttered as she fished the phone out of her purse and looked at the screen. She frowned. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I need to take this.” She answered as she made her way out of the room. “Yeah?”

He wasted no time on a greeting. “Frank wants you.”

Stephanie stifled a yawn. “You think I care?”

A pause. “I’m not joking. He’s asking to see you and he’s
not
letting up.”

She sat down on the chaise lounge outside of the conference room. “And this is my problem because?”

“Knock it off already. Just see him and be done with it.”

She gave him an irritated sigh. “I’m not even in the city.”

“Well, get back.”

She rubbed her forehead. She didn’t have time for this shit. Frank Alford was hopeless. A rotten, hopeless waste of a human being. The only skill he’d ever possessed was breaking hearts. He shouldn’t get to her on
any
level. Not anymore.

And because she still couldn’t help herself, her voice grew quiet as she said, “Fine.”

Chapter 24

Chance found Love sitting on the chaise lounge staring down at the phone that now lay in her lap. He squatted down in front of her to look at her face. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to go back home.”

“Now?” He frowned. “Why? What happened?”

Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair. “Valentine, please. I don’t want to go into details. I just need to go.”

Chance peered into her face. She still wouldn’t meet his eyes. After several long moments, he nodded. “Fine.” He stood up and held out his hand to her. “Let’s go.”

Her head snapped up then and she shook her head. “Alone. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Chance clenched his jaw. “I’m
not
putting you on a plane alone, Love. The rest...we’ll figure out when we get back to Oklahoma City.” He wiggled the fingers of his outstretched hand. “Come on.”

She hesitated a moment before taking it and standing to face him. Looking up into his eyes, she gave him a tiny, shaky smile. She placed her other hand gently on his chest. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

His gaze flickered over every inch of her face. God, she was beautiful, her lips close enough that if he bent down just so... And he did lean slightly toward her. Her eyes widened for a second and he came to his senses. “You’re welcome, Love.”

They stood there peering at one another until the men came out of the conference room.

“What the hell’s the hold up?” Ross asked with an unlit cigar hanging out the side of his mouth.

She pulled her hand away from Chance’s chest.

“We have to go,” he said.

“Now?” Grant asked, frowning.

“It’s, uh, sort of an...emergency.” Chance didn’t really know
what
the hell it was, but the only good reason to leave one of his grandfather’s meetings early was an emergency.

“You find something better to do, boy? Something urgent?” Ross slid his gaze down to Chance’s hand, which still held Love’s. He lifted an eyebrow as he looked up at each of them in turn.

They immediately let go.

After giving up the futile effort to make the two men believe he and Love weren’t hightailing it out of there for a little afternoon delight, they made their hasty exit after saying their goodbyes to the rest of the family.

Gammy wanted Chance to return as soon as possible to see her. Naturally, he’d agreed to do just that. After making a quick stop at his condo for Love’s clothes, the driver dropped them at the airport hangar.

With Chewy safely in his carrier, they prepared for takeoff. This time, Love needed no prodding. As soon as the jet began to roll down the runway, she reached over to give him her hand as the other one gripped the armrest. Wordlessly, Chance took it.

After giving her some time to calm her nerves once they were in the air, he had to ask. “So do you want to tell me what this is about?”

Love rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes. “No,” she said softly.

****

“Damn it, Valentine, take me home. I’ll get my own car and drive myself.”

They’d been arguing ever since they’d landed. “I think I should be with you,” Chance said, maneuvering the Jag onto the freeway.

“What are you, my babysitter? I don’t need a chaperone.”

“Then tell me what the hell’s going on.”

“It’s none of your business,” she cried. Crossing her arms, she stared out the passenger window. “Take me home. And you’ll notice that wasn’t phrased as a question.”

“And
you’ll
notice I’m ignoring you.” Chance reached down and turned up the volume on the radio.

“Son of a
bitch
.” She snapped the radio off before turning to look at him. “You don’t even know where you’re taking me. What are you going to do? Drive around aimlessly all damn day?”

He shrugged. “If I have to. I mean, you’re right—I
don’t
know where I’m taking you because
you
won’t tell me and if—”

“
I
won’t tell you because it’s none of
your
business!”

“And if that means I drive around aimlessly all day, well,” he glanced at her, “just guess whose fault that would be?” He settled more comfortably in his seat as he drove. “I hope it’s not an actual emergency, Love, because this could take a while.”

“Perfect example of why I can’t stand you. You pull shit like this.”

They rode in silence for a few minutes. Chance began to whistle a carefree tune, knowing it would irritate her.

“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “Take me. Anything to shorten the agony of being stuck with you.”

He smiled, and she gave him directions on how to get to her destination. The farther they drove, the environment grew rougher around the edges. Housing became more dilapidated, stores more vandalized with graffiti.

He glanced around. “Are you sure we’re headed in the right direction?”

“I’m sure,” she said with a sigh. After he drove on for a while, she sat up straight in the seat. “Take a left here.” He did and she said, “That house there on the right with the blue truck in front of it, that’s it.”

Chance lifted his eyebrow.

Love pointed. “Right there.”

“I see it; I see it.” He pulled into the driveway behind the truck before cutting the ignition and looking around. The Jag was really out of place in these parts. None of the homes were in great shape, but the old, frame house before them
really
needed some TLC.

The roof sagged and was missing more than several shingles. The window to what might have been a bedroom was boarded up with a piece of plywood.

The screen door was broken. Hanging on only the middle and bottom hinges, it leaned somewhat precariously to the right. The lawn was a disaster area; the grass was worn away to dirt in spots, and well past ankle-height in other areas.

Trash littered the yard as well—junk food wrappers and plastic bags were strewn around.

Chance followed her out of the car, making a quick stop to the backseat to get Chewy.

She held up a hand. “Where the hell do you think y’all are going?”

“Where do
you
think we’re going?”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. No, no, no. Get back in the car. I can take it from here, thanks.” She whirled around and stomped toward the house. After making it to the door, she glanced back and did a double take when she saw Chance and Chewy close behind.

She turned with her hands on her hips. “Go
away
.” She released a string of expletives colorful enough to damn near make him blush.

Still, he held his ground. “I’m not letting you go in there alone. It looks like a drug den, for God’s sake.”

She let out a mirthless laugh. “You don’t
let
me do shit, Valentine. Now get the fuck outta here,” she yelled, pointing toward the car.

The door creaked open. A gravelly voice said, “Steph, is that you?” The man took a step forward from the shadows of the dark interior and pushed the broken screen door back. His dark green eyes lit up. “I heard a lot of cussin’.” He smiled. “Of course it’s you.”

Chance snorted.

She rolled her eyes before turning around. “Let me in, Frank.”

He stood aside to let them enter. The house reeked of alcohol and not the antiseptic kind. A dim floor lamp in one corner provided only the most meager lighting. Chance was grateful he couldn’t get a good look at the interior of the place.

“Who’s this?” Frank asked, his words slurred. His clothing was dirty, stained, and torn.

“A...coworker.” Love glanced at Chewy. “And his little Jackhuahua, too.”

Frank gestured to the sagging, filthy couch. “Have a seat.” He looked at Love. “Don’t usually have dogs in here, but, you know.”

Chance almost laughed. “Yes, they can be...unsanitary.” Love shot him a pointed look. “But this one,” he held Chewy up for Frank’s perusal, “is pretty clean.”

Nodding, he turned back to her. “Stephie,” he stumbled a bit as he took a few steps toward her, “I’ve missed you, baby.” He pulled her in for a hug and she stiffened.

Chance tensed as well. Who the fuck was this guy and why was he calling Love, ‘baby’?

“Give me a kiss,” he slurred as he pulled her close.

Cringing, she pushed him away. “Why did you want to see me, Frank?”

The man lurched forward a bit, clearly unsteady on his feet. “I told you. I missed you.”

She folded her arms. “It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think? Look, I shouldn’t have come. But I did expect to get something out of this trip: The satisfaction of looking you straight in the eye and telling you that I want absolutely nothing to do with you anymore. Ever again.”

Frank tilted his head slowly as if trying to comprehend what he’d just heard. “I love you, baby,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

“You never knew what the hell that was and that’s the problem. Goodbye, Frank. Don’t send me anymore messages.” She marched toward the door.

Chance began to stand.

“I need your help, Stephie,” the man cried. His red-rimmed, bleary eyes filled with tears.

She spun around. Chance dropped back on to his dirty seat on the sagging couch.

Stopping to pick up an empty whiskey bottle from the scarred, wooden coffee table, she got right in his face. “No, you don’t need me. You never needed
me.
” She held the bottle up. “You only needed this. You only ever truly loved
this!
”

She pushed it to his chest, and he grabbed it. “You’re the one who ruined everything. You’re the one who had to fuck things up by being a cheating, lying bastard.”

She gave him a cruel smile. “You should feel special. You were the first man to treat me like shit. But, sadly, far from the last.”

Frank wiped at his eyes as he lurched forward slightly again. “I miss you. Let me make this up to you, please.”

“It’s not possible.” She squared her shoulders. “Now do me a favor will you?”

He searched her face. “Anything, baby.”

Leaning in, she dropped her voice. “Go to hell.”

Chewy barked and Chance pulled him close to his face. “Now’s not the time, pal,” he said quietly. He watched as Love whirled around and headed for the door again. This time, she made it all the way out.

Standing, he cleared his throat.
This isn’t awkward or anything.
“Uh, Frank...it’s been...” He looked around as he eased toward the door with Chewy. “Uh, yeah.” Fortunately, he didn’t have to think of a decent parting remark because Frank was no longer paying him any attention.

The man had dropped dejectedly on to a threadbare recliner. His shoulders slumped before he leaned forward to drop his head in his hands.

Chance silently pulled the door closed and made his way to the car. After putting Chewy in the backseat, he slid behind the wheel. “What the fuck was
that?
” he asked as he started the car.

Love quirked the corner of her lips as she stared straight ahead. “Father-daughter bonding.”

Chapter 25

That short time with dear old Dad had been just what she needed to put her firmly back on the right track. Stephanie was well and truly pissed now. She planned to use that righteous anger to keep her focused on her plan for Valentine. The smug bastard.

It wasn’t surprising he’d had the gall to invite himself along even when she’d specifically told him to back the hell off. Great. She hoped he’d had a nice, long look at how some of the other half lived. There were no private planes, butlers, mansions, million dollar condos, and diamond platinum necklaces on
this
side, that was for sure.