35

Cadence

Max is… tempting.
Very, very tempting.
It’s like I’m standing at the gates of an amusement park and he’s offering me free rides. Or a pet store and letting me walk out with all the puppies. Or—

Whatever I want.
That’s the problem. I don’t know what I want because I’ve never been able to think about having it.
But as we walk over to the next resort where his friends are waiting for us, I think about wanting those fingers to keep rubbing my feet, moving up my calf, over my knee and onward. Upward. To the tiny bud of tension—
The thought makes things flutter. Things that haven’t fluttered in a long time. Things that—
“Cadence?”
Max never gave me an answer to my questions of how many were invited to the wedding, but when we reach the restaurant, he seems surprised by the crowd. Either Marco has more friends than Max knew about, or he spent the day making new friends along the beach.
Tables are set up on the edge of the room, already full of platters of fresh fish, beans and rice, and salads. There’s a lineup at the bar in the corner, and high tables are spread throughout the restaurant for guests to better mingle as they eat.
The boys position me at a table off to the side and rush off for drinks and food.
I turn to see Marco approach with a hesitant smile on his handsome face. “Marco,” I say, instantly morphing back into business Cadence, mask settling over my face. I’ve learned it’s better to keep your cards close in big groups. I don’t know these people, but I’m sure they will judge me when they find out who I am. “Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.”
“Max left a message he was bringing someone, but he didn’t say it was you.”
“Is it a problem that it’s me?” I ask in a cool voice.
He shakes his head, his smile losing some of its wariness. “Of course not. It’ll give me a chance to get to know you a little better.”
I smile tightly. “That’s sweet, but the last thing you want to do at your wedding is to get to know me. I’m a silent partner—no socializing necessary.”
“If you’re about to be part of Max’s life, I’d like to get to know you.”
“No one said anything about being part of Max’s life.”
“Is this just business, then? Not like that,” he says hastily as my expression freezes like the last Ice Age. “You’re both trying for Tingel Island. Is this how you get dirt on your rivals?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” And I don’t because my interest isn’t public. Marco shouldn’t know—Nick definitely shouldn’t know.
“I know you’re trying to be all sneaky like, grabbing the property before Moon, but it’s hard to stay off the radar when you’re in Novi Tate’s back pocket,” Marco explains, glancing around to make sure no one overhears.
“I’m in no one’s pocket.”
“No? Did you know he put in a hard sell to buy Fantasies last month? About two days after you signed on.”
The mask cracks a little, showing my surprise. “What are you talking about?”
“That offer Coulter mentioned to you? It was from a subsidiary of Tate’s. It took us a bit to find out who was behind it, but it had his name all over it. His son’s name, at least, which is the same thing.”
“Novi tried to buy Fantasies?” After he pushed me into the deal. After he suggested me being an investor.
Marco looks at me carefully. “I take it you didn’t know. Then I bet you didn’t know he bought three of your other properties in the last few years. The clubs you were having problems with, with the community backlash. Same buyer.”
I look past Marco’s shoulder, at everyone laughing and talking and not at their life crumbling before them.
Not my life—Novi never had that control over me. But he had a lot of power over my decisions, so the information stabs deep.

Later, I realize I never doubted Marco. I believed him at his word. He might be my business partner, but Novi was my…
What exactly was he if he’d been screwing me over for years?
“Why are you telling me this?”
I hate hate hate the expression of sympathy on Marco’s face. Because that means he knows Novi has been screwing me. Who else knows? When did I become the laughingstock of the business world, the dirty little girl tucked into Novi Tate’s pocket?

I feel sick and wish for a big glass of wine at the same time.
“Because you deserve to know,” Marco says. “I know you’re in deep with the family, but I think, now that he’s dead, this would be a great way to back away from them. Back far, far away. Because Preston Tate is worse than his father and I know he’s had his eye on you for a while.”
“I know all about Preston. And I already have backed away. At least I’m trying to.”
“Good. Don’t take this the wrong way—I think you’ve got fantastic business know-how, but it’s easy to get caught up in relationships. Loyalty. I should know, I’d do anything for Coulter, but at least he’s a good guy. Novi Tate…”
“Is not,” I finish. “That’s what he’s been doing. He saw me as an easy mark. All these years…”
“There’s nothing easy about you, Cadence. But I think he was taking advantage of your relationship more than anything.”
It all makes sense. The properties out of nowhere that he insisted I buy, the random few he took an interest in.
Those are the ones I’ve run into when the communities suddenly have issues with the type of club being in their area.
Was he behind that, too?
“Hey, hey, hey.” A sing-song voice calls behind Marco and he turns. A curvy blonde with a big smile approaches us. “What are the two of you doing cuddling in the corner? If I hadn’t rocked his socks just before this thing began, I might be worried you’re into stealing my man.”
“No need to worry.” Marco reaches for her. “Babe, this is Cadence—investor in the club and date of Max. Cadence Quiler, Callie Champlain”
“You should have mentioned the date of Max first,” she says, studying me carefully. “Because you promised no business this weekend.”
“This isn’t business,” Marco lies smoothly. And maybe it isn’t for him. But what he told me just rocked my foundation and I don’t like being rocked.
Not unless it’s someone rocking my socks.
I extend my hand. “Nice to meet you. Congratulations on… everything.”
“Thanks.” She looks at me quizzically. “You okay?”
“Fine, thanks. Just—”
“What did he say to upset you? Did he do the whole if you hurt my boy Max…”
I manage a smile, but it’s not easy. “It’s nothing like that.”
“I don’t believe you, so let’s find you a big drink and then you’ll tell me. You know,” she muses as she slips out of Marco’s grasp to take my hand, “you seem really familiar. It’s like I know you.”
“Maybe at the club—”
“No, it’s—” —she studies me intently— “—it’s the hair… Wait.” She snaps her fingers and spins around. “Malcolm!” she calls.
Malcolm. “My Malcolm?” I demand.
“I think he might be Nia’s Malcolm now, but you two can talk about sharing. “Hey,” she says as Malcolm, my Malcolm, my neighbour and friend walks toward us, eyes widening with surprise.
“Cadence, what the hell?” Laughing, he pulls me into an embrace. “What are you doing here?”
“I came with Max Stonee. This is Callie from the book club?”

She spreads her arms. “The one and only.”
“No! Max mentioned your name, but I didn’t know—this is so fun!” My smile is real and happy and I can’t stop smiling. The bundle of nerves that tightened as I walked in instantly disappeared at the sight of Malcolm. What Marco told me about Novi is there, but I push it aside to process it later.
Novi is dead. He can wait until later.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I tell Malcolm.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he says as he pulls back, an expression of concern on his face. “Are you—?”
“Hey. Cadence?”
“Nia.” I smile at Malcolm’s girlfriend, and after a tiny pause, hug her as well. “No,” I say to Malcolm. “I’m not working. It’s a long story. I’m here with Max Stonee.”
Malcolm’s eyes widen and he tracks Max through the crowd. “Really? Like a date?”
“She came to a wedding in a foreign country, where she doesn’t even know the bride,” Nia says. “I think it’s more than a date.”
“It’s not—I’m doing him a favour. Long story. I’ll explain—”
“Now?” Malcolm demands.
“When we get home,” I concede. “Let me see how it all ends up.” And I smile.
Malcolm’s eyes widen even more. “Well, then, I want to hear all about it,” Nia says with a wicked smile. “And I might need a drink.”