Fireline Read online

  ‘Donald, this is my girlfriend, Stephanie Fournier,’ Quinn said.

  ‘Ah yes, how could I forget?’ Donald asked, taking my hand and kissing the back of it. ‘I’m glad Quinlan brought you. How do you like the club?’

  ‘It’s great,’ I said. ‘Just a little loud.’

  ‘Here, we’ll go to the back,’ he said, taking my hand, surprising me. I looked to Quinn, who was also surprised, his brow raising as he kept his eyes on our hands.

  We passed by Ellie, who was shocked at the sight of his hand in mine, probably as shocked as I was and probably just as uncomfortable. She still looked like a slapped puppy, much to my delight.

  We walked towards the back where there were more booths, passing by to one in the very corner. Donald sat me in the middle of him and Quinn. I shuffled closer to Quinn, putting my hand on his lap as he put his arm around me. For once, I really wanted everyone to know I was with Quinn, that I was his.

  ‘Better?’ Donald asked, pulling an ashtray towards him from the middle of the table. I watched as he pulled out a silver cigarette holder.

  ‘Yeah...’ I said. He offered out the cigarette holder. I shook my head. ‘No, thank you.’

  He smiled, putting a cigarette in his mouth. He then pulled out a gold plated lighter.

  I looked around awkwardly. ‘So,’ I said, looking to Quinn. ‘Do you own any clubs?’

  He shook his head. ‘No –’

  ‘Quinlan doesn’t deal with the social scene,’ Donald said. ‘All business, no play.’

  ‘I wouldn’t say that,’ Quinn said. ‘Stephanie has been getting me out of my shell. I’ve been quite social lately.’

  Donald took a puff of his cigarette. ‘After your stint away.’

  Quinn nodded. ‘A little personal time, as I said.’

  ‘Personal time,’ he said. ‘I wonder how personal. Ellie mentioned you being sick. With what?’

  ‘It’s personal,’ Quinn said coolly.

  I felt a little uncomfortable, looking around, seeing the people sitting at the booths across from us. It really was quieter, enough to hear Donald tapping his nail off of his cigarette.

  ‘What of Brody?’ he asked suddenly. ‘I hear you almost gave his son a good spanking.’

  ‘A misunderstanding,’ Quinn said. ‘We had words, that’s all.’

  ‘That’s why I said “almost”,’ Donald replied.

  I looked at Quinn, pursing my lips. I turned back to Donald. ‘It was my fault.’

  ‘Your fault?’ he repeated.

  I nodded. ‘Yeah, Daniel made a comment, I got upset. If Quinn hadn’t stepped in, I’m sure I would have caused a scene.’

  ‘I heard there was quite the scene. A punch was thrown,’ Donald said, fixing his suit jacket.

  ‘Again, my fault,’ I said.

  Quinn leaned into me, ‘You don’t have to do that. He already knows what happened.’

  I enjoyed feeling his breath on my ear. I looked to Donald, who was expectant.

  ‘We’re sharing secrets,’ Donald said as he flicked ash into the tray.

  ‘Just couple stuff,’ I said with a shrug, still trying to keep a smile on my face.

  ‘Brody is having his dinner on Saturday,’ Donald said before taking a puff of his cigarette. ‘Should be interesting.’

  ‘How so?’ Quinn asked. ‘It’s dinner. Mister Brody doesn’t talk business at his personal engagements.’

  ‘Speaking of engagement,’ Donald said with a slimy grin. ‘Where are you two in your relationship? Will there be wedding bells in the future?’

  I remembered what I had said to Ellie. Did I want this man to know what was going on in my personal life? ‘We haven’t talked about it,’ I said quickly.

  ‘I thought Quinlan was one for planning ahead?’ Donald asked. ‘I would have thought a conversation would have been warranted. As I hear it, you two are now living together.’

  You’re sure hearing a lot of things, I thought.

  ‘I guess you’re opposed to talking business,’ Donald said to Quinn.

  Quinn nodded. ‘My office is for that. You can make an appointment; I’m sure Jessy could fit you in.’

  ‘I guess your lunches are already taken,’ Donald said, looking to me. ‘What is it that you said you did, my dear?’

  ‘Oh, I’m a writer,’ I said.

  ‘A writer,’ he said, taking another puff of his cigarette. ‘Interesting. Didn’t you work at Quinlan’s law firm?’

  ‘How did... yes, I did,’ I said, stopping myself.

  ‘What happened there? Not into the law business?’ he asked.

  I shook my head. ‘Not really. I left because I was offered representation by a literary agency.’

  ‘So, money wasn’t on your mind?’ he asked. ‘Or maybe it was.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ I asked.

  ‘Nothing, nothing at all,’ he said.

  I shivered, unsure of how to react. I had indifferent thoughts on him, but now I was starting to feel off-put.

  ‘Donny!’

  We looked up to see Ellie making her way over. I groaned, rolling my eyes.

  ‘Ellie,’ Donald replied with a smile. ‘Come, join us.’

  I looked to Quinn, who nodded, knowing exactly what I was thinking. Time to go!

  ‘It’s such a great party,’ Ellie said, sitting beside Quinn. ‘How are you, Quinlan? We didn’t get much of a chance to talk when I came by the other night.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Quinn said, looking to me. ‘Do you want to dance?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ I said, seeing that Donald blocked my way and Ellie was blocking Quinn’s. ‘Um, excuse me.’

  Donald stood, towering over me as I shimmied my way out, Quinn following. ‘I hope to see you around the dancefloor,’ he said. ‘If not, I’ll see you at Mister Brody’s. I have a feeling it’ll be a night you won’t forget.’

  My brow furrowed, his brown eyes staring into mine. Quinn stepped in front of me.

  ‘Good to see you, Donald,’ he said, sounding more professional than casual.

  ‘Ditto,’ Donald said, shaking his hand.

  I tugged on Quinn’s hand, pulling him to the dancefloor, knowing they were watching us carefully. The song was one I didn’t know, a slow one. I put my arms around Quinn’s neck as he put his hands to my waist.

  ‘Jesus,’ I said, looking into his eyes.

  ‘We’ll dance for a bit then head out,’ he said.

  ‘Good,’ I said.

  ‘I’m sorry about Donald,’ he said. ‘He’s a real bastard.’

  ‘I second that,’ I said, glancing down the way, seeing Ellie sitting close to Donald. I wondered what they were saying, then it dawned on me that Ellie was probably Donald’s little spy.

  He keeps ‘hearing’ things. I wonder what little bird it is that’s telling him.

  ‘Are you OK?’ Quinn asked.

  ‘Yeah. I’m fine. I knew I wasn’t for clubs.’

  ‘You’re doing fine,’ he said with a smirk. He moved his hands down to my butt. ‘You look sexy tonight.’

  I laughed, pushing my fingers into his hair. ‘You look sexier. I can’t wait to get home. Then again, I might not be able to help myself and we’ll end up having car sex.’

  ‘I’m too tall for that,’ he said. ‘What about you going to the bathroom?’

  My brow furrowed. ‘You want to do it in the bathroom?’

  He shrugged. ‘Why not?’

  I eyed him. ‘You just want to get back at Donald for being a jerk. I thought you didn’t like trying to hold me up?’

  ‘It’s easier when you’re in those sexy heels,’ he said. ‘If only you wore garters.’

  ‘How do you know I didn’t?’ I asked cheekily.

  His eyes lit up. ‘Did you?’

  I laughed. ‘No, I’m not wearing stockings.’

  ‘Oh,’ he said.

  ‘I can put them on when we get home,’ I said with a smile. ‘Maybe some lingerie.’

  ‘If I can wait t
hat long,’ he said, his eyes on me hungrily.

  ‘You get turned on so easily,’ I said.

  ‘If you were me and had a woman like you as your girlfriend, you’d find it hard to keep it in your pants too,’ he said.

  ‘I’m not that great,’ I said with a laugh.

  ‘So you think,’ he said. ‘You don’t count. You’re biased.’

  ‘You’re biased too!’ I said.

  ‘I’m your boyfriend; my opinion is all that counts,’ he said.

  ‘And I’m not really interested in any other opinions, anyway,’ I said. I leaned up and kissed him.

  I turned, Donald and Ellie gone from the table. Where did they go?

  I felt a hand on my back, turning and seeing Donald.

  ‘Can I cut in?’ he asked.

  ‘Um,’ I said, trying to think of a way to politely decline, but Ellie had already stolen Quinn and I was left with no choice. ‘Yeah...’

  He took my waist in his hands, my hands going to his shoulders. ‘How long have you and Quinlan been dating?’

  ‘Five months,’ I said. ‘Quinn mentioned you got married, where’s your wife?’

  ‘In Europe,’ he said. ‘She dislikes plane rides, so she tends to stay in the UK. I hear that you’re going to the Quinlan family ball at the end of the month.’

  I nodded. ‘I am, as Quinn’s date.’

  ‘And you have met his family, obviously,’ he said.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said, ‘a few times.’

  ‘Were they not pleasant visits?’ he asked.

  ‘Um, I don’t know, I guess?’ I said, unsure of how much I should say. Surely he already knew from Ellie how things actually went. What was he up to?

  ‘Does Quinlan by chance talk to you about his business prospects?’ he asked.

  Ah, gotcha.

  I shook my head. ‘No, not really. I only know Mister Brody because we’ve had dinner with him a few times.’

  He nodded. ‘I see.’

  Quinn met my gaze, quickly looking to Ellie and saying something to her, trying to peel her hands off him.

  ‘Maybe you would be interested in seeing my house sometime?’ Donald said.

  ‘What?’

  ‘My house is quite impressive, far more than Quinlan’s condominium. I think you’d enjoy seeing it,’ he said.

  ‘Um, I don’t know. I’m not really a material person,’ I said, looking to Quinn, who was actually yelling at Ellie. I had only ever seen him composed when he was angry, so seeing him yelling at someone was kind of scary.

  Ellie tried to take Quinn’s hand, who tossed it off, making his way through the crowd towards us. I let go of Donald.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

  ‘We’re leaving,’ Quinn said, taking my hand. ‘Goodbye, Donald.’

  Ellie ran up to us. ‘Quinlan!’

  Quinn turned to her. ‘I told you, stay away from me.’

  She stopped and looked to me, then to Donald.

  ‘Let’s go,’ I said, tugging on Quinn’s hand and looking to Donald. ‘It was nice seeing you. Thanks for the dance... I think.’

  I pulled on Quinn, walking towards the exit. We got out into the cool May air, which slapped against me. I hadn’t noticed just how stuffy and warm it had been inside.

  ‘What happened?’ I asked Quinn as he started for the car.

  ‘Nothing,’ he said.

  ‘Quinn,’ I yelled, running after him, ‘Stop!’

  He stopped, obviously still angry. ‘What?’

  ‘What did she say?’ I asked.

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ he said.

  I grabbed his arm. ‘It matters. This is one of those times you need to tell me what’s going on.’

  ‘She brought up my parents,’ he yelled. ‘She was out of line.’

  ‘Brought up your parents, what do you mean?’ I asked.

  He shook his head, starting to pace. ‘Everyone is trying to tell me what to do, what to feel.’

  ‘I’m not,’ I said.

  He stopped, taking a deep breath. ‘You’re right, you aren’t.’

  ‘What did she say?’ I asked, taking his hand. ‘What upset you so much?’

  ‘Just...’ he stopped. ‘She said the same things Anita and Jack have said. She said my mother didn’t want this for me; I should think about her rather than being selfish.’

  My brow furrowed. ‘Selfish? Since when are your relationships a family matter? When does it include them?’

  ‘I’ve said all these things, Stephanie,’ he said. ‘To her, to them. To everyone!’

  Tears came to my eyes. ‘So, you’re going to break up with me.’

  His brow furrowed. ‘Where did you get that?’

  I sniffled as I walked past him. ‘It’s too hard. You’re constantly battling with these people over me –’

  ‘No, I’m not breaking up with you. It’s the last thing I would do.’

  I turned to him, tears running down my face. ‘Because you love me or to spite them?’

  ‘You know why.’

  ‘No, you should say it, Quinn,’ I said, sniffling again. ‘I know you don’t say it, I get why, but this is one of those moments where it’s important. Don’t let me be the last to know.’

  He took my hands, closing the distance between us. ‘You know –’

  ‘Why can’t you say it?’ I sobbed.

  ‘Why do you need to hear it? Isn’t feeling it enough?’ he yelled.

  ‘Why can’t you say it? Just say it!’

  ‘Because it really means a lot when you’re yelling at me,’ he said. ‘Demanding I say it.’

  ‘Quinn,’ I said, more tears running down my cheeks.

  He looked to the ground. ‘I’m not with you to spite them. I’m with you because you make me happy. I...’

  I looked at him with tears in my eyes. ‘You what, Quinn?’

  ‘I love you,’ he said, obviously struggling.

  I smiled, looking to my feet as I nodded. ‘OK.’

  He took my hand, pulling me into him, holding me as I sobbed into his suit jacket.

  He pulled me away, looking into my tear-filled eyes. ‘Let’s go home.’

  I nodded again, sniffling. ‘Yeah.’

  He took my hand in his, leading me to the car. He sat for a few moments, silence filling the car. He didn’t look at me, keeping his eyes on the steering wheel. ‘I do mean it, you know. I do love you, more than anyone or anything.’

  I bit my lip. ‘No matter what your family says?’

  He finally looked to me. ‘No matter what my family says. No matter what anyone says. Nothing will change it.’

  I smiled, a tear running down my cheek. I nodded, looking to my hands in my lap.

  He didn’t say anything else, turning on the car and backing out of the space.

  I waited a few moments, taking a deep breath. ‘I guess Ellie won’t be coming around any more.’

  ‘I doubt my yelling deterred her,’ he said. ‘Now, worse, she’s going to be apologizing and trying to get back on my good side.’

  ‘Not that she ever really was on your good side,’ I said, pulling down the visor and opening the mirror on it. Mascara trailed down my face. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I know you feel it.’

  He stayed silent. I took the hint that he didn’t want to talk about it any more, so I simply stayed quiet, using my finger to wipe off the mascara stains. I didn’t need to be reminded of my tears.

  Chapter Twelve

  I licked my lips as I looked at the phone, my hands shaking. My stomach felt queasy, my heart beating a mile a minute. I finally dialled, putting the phone to my ear.

  A female voice picked up the other end. ‘Hello, Quinlan residence,’ she said with a Spanish accent.

  ‘Um, yes, I would like to speak to Mrs. Anita Quinlan, please. This is Stephanie Fournier,’ I said.

  ‘One moment.’

  The line went silent as I waited. I waited and waited and waited. I looked to my phone and five minutes had already
elapsed. Finally, the phone was picked up.

  ‘Hello?’ Anita asked.

  ‘Anita? This is Stephanie Fournier –’

  ‘I know,’ she said icily. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘Um, I wanted to apologize,’ I said, nearly choking on the words. I really had nothing to apologize for, but I figured something had to be done.

  She was silent for a few seconds. ‘Apologize.’

  I swallowed hard. ‘Yes. You see, I think we got off on the wrong foot and I haven’t been very... open to meeting your standards.’

  She was silent again, obviously unsure of what to say. ‘I see,’ she said, finally.

  ‘I was wondering if you would like to get lunch on Sunday, just you and me, so we can sort this out,’ I said.

  ‘Sort it out?’ she asked.

  I nodded, though she couldn’t see. ‘Yes. I think there has been a misunderstanding and if we were to actually have a conversation about it, we can clear it up. For Quinn’s sake.’

  Again, there was silence. Then she took a delicate breath. ‘All right. For Robert’s sake.’

  I sighed. ‘Great. Uh, we can meet at Joseph’s, say at one?’

  ‘All right,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you,’ I said, the line suddenly going dead. I blinked a few times. ‘What a bitch.’

  Quinn walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. ‘What was that? I thought I heard you talking.’

  I looked up to him as he stopped in front of the dresser. ‘I was talking to Anita.’

  He turned to me. ‘You were talking to Anita?’

  I nodded. ‘We’re going to have lunch on Sunday.’

  ‘Sunday,’ he said, blinking a few times. ‘You and Anita?’

  I nodded again. ‘Me and Anita.’

  ‘She actually agreed to it?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘She’s going to meet me at Joseph’s.’

  He walked over to me, sitting next to me on the bed. ‘And what are you going to talk about?’

  ‘I’m going to apologize and see if I can get her to like me,’ I said.

  ‘I thought you were giving up on that?’ he asked. ‘You know she’s never going to like you.’

  ‘Maybe I can get back to the fake Anita, the one that was at least nice in a snobbish way. No doubt Ellie is going to run to her with what I said last night.’

  ‘What did you say?’ he asked.