Then why did she need to remind him? Her insolent question... when he told her she had invitations, but he had chosen not to share them, explaining he wanted her safe from more accidents... she had the audacity to ask ... from whom? Tony’s body trembled with pent-up anger – from whom? He knew what she was implying. Of course, she said, from whom were the invitations... but Tony knew what she meant – from whom would an accidents occur. It wasn’t like he didn’t think about that every damn day! He’d never regretted his actions more, but you can’t turn back time.
There was something about Claire, something about her veiled assertiveness, something which provoked Tony like no one else. She could bring out the best in him. No question, as he watched her petite body curl into a ball and snuggle into the soft pillow, he wanted to please her. Not just please, love – indulge – spoil and pamper her, beyond her greatest dreams. However, she could also elicit the worst in him. Tonight was no exception.
Damn, if he didn’t want to wake her and tell her he was sorry – explain she was experiencing his frustration with so many other things. He thought about her words, Thank you, I’d really like to see Courtney and Sue. She had the uncanny ability to say the right thing. Nevertheless, he questioned her sincerity... could she be playing him? Had he fallen victim to her persuasion? Is that why he offered Phoenix?
Tony slid out of bed, stood silently, and watched as Claire remained sleeping. He wouldn’t be as cautious upstairs, but he wanted to leave the room. Ironically, it was her desire to leave which escalated tonight’s emotion. Nonetheless, if she were awake, he couldn’t leave her in his suite – alone. Her rhythmic breathing continued. Tony eased himself into a pair of nylon shorts and a t-shirt and quietly entered the corridor.
His bare feet padded the marble hall into the foyer, past the grand stairs, and toward his office. The path was dark, yet he knew every step. Quietly, he eased himself into the confines of his grand office, pushed the switch, and illuminated the room.
Bored! She said she was bored. Tony tried to push Claire from his thoughts. He hit the mouse and watched his desktop come to life. Searching his private inbox, he found the email he’d been anticipating:
To: Anthony Rawlings
From: Cameron Andrews
Date: January 26, 2011
Re: Ms. Burke
Although Ms. Burke is now living in Boston in her husband’s apartment, I’ve just confirmed they made an offer on a small cottage in Provincetown, Mass. I’ll notify you immediately if their offer is accepted.
Derek Burkes’ employment record is straight forward. I’ve attached his dossier. I will continue to monitor. Please inform me if you would like my activities to change in any way. CA
Tony fired of a response:
To: Cameron Andrews
From: Anthony Rawlings
Date: January 27, 2011
Re: Ms. Rossi-Burke
Let me know the value of the cottage and their offer.
He hit send.
Tony rubbed his temples and silently berated himself. He’d looked away for a couple of weeks. A couple of weeks to marry and honeymoon and everything changed – Sophia married! She wasn’t even seeing anyone when he went to her art show in New England, the beginning of December, just two weeks before his own wedding.
Closing his eyes, he remembered seeing her across the room. She was stunning, wearing a long red gown with sparkling, dangling earrings which hung to her shoulders. It wasn’t a style he’d like on Claire, but they looked beautiful on Sophia. Her people skills were constantly improving; her gray eyes looked confident and steadfast.
Then a month later, she not only married; she married Derek Burke.
Derek Burke wasn’t a large blip on Tony’s radar screen, but Tony knew of him. When Sherman Nichols, aka Cole Mathews, worked to bring Nathaniel Rawls and all of Rawls Corporation down, he was assisted by Jonathon Burke, a securities officer. Their testimony, along with Anton’s father’s, hammered the final nails in Nathaniel’s coffin, literally, as far as Tony was concerned.
Nathaniel’s quest was to return the favor – to bring down these men and their families. Sherman had one son, Jordon, who had two daughters, Emily and Claire. Jonathon had one daughter, Allison. Though married, she had no children. Well, at first they thought she had a daughter, Cindy. It later turned out Cindy wasn’t her biological child, but rather the child of her husband’s sister. All very complicated – the first miscue on their road to fulfilling Nathaniel’s quest; after Allison and her husband tragically perished in a hiking accident, Cindy was left alone. Marie reached out, posing as one of Allison’s old friends. Since that time, Cindy has worked on the estate. All of her needs were met: college tuition, (she was currently taking online courses) clothes, and housing. She has also accumulated a nice nest egg. Never would Cindy suspect her saviors were anything but.
The direct line of Jonathon Burke was gone.
Nevertheless, the reason Derek Burke was on Tony’s radar was in reality Cindy was his cousin; Derek’s grandfather was Jonathon’s brother. In the past month, Tony had spent a great deal of time learning more about Derek Burke. A few of Tony’s recent trips weren’t business at all. He couldn’t very well take Claire to watch the new Mr. and Mrs. Burke in person.
Tony’s observation: Derek was nothing like Sophia – their relationship wouldn’t last.
Past suitors were tested, induced with great temptations. All failed. Sophia may have interpreted it as personal failure; however, Tony believed he was only accelerating the future, in essence, saving her from greater heartache. He needed to decide how to do the same with Derek; test him, before it was too late. This would take time.
After all, just because, Tony allowed his defenses to wane, he couldn’t allow Sophia’s rash decision to change his ultimate plans. Her art career was finally receiving warranted attention. She truly had talent. He even owned many of her pieces. They were displayed in New York, Phoenix, and Dallas... if he remembered correctly. It didn’t seem right to have her work displayed at the estate. Damn, if he hadn’t been so preoccupied with Claire...
Leaning back in his luxurious leather chair, Tony’s mind slipped back to his wife. He didn’t regret marrying her; it surprised him how much he usually enjoyed being with her. In the past, beautiful women had their purpose, like anything else: a nice car, a priceless antique... It took Tony awhile to realize Claire was different, not someone to use when he wanted and forget until the desire returned. No, she wasn’t like one of his many expensive cars. And she wasn’t just a beautiful ornament to have on his arm at functions, although she played that role to perfection.
Tony’s realization hit months ago when he realized it didn’t matter if she were dressed in designer gowns with perfect hair and perfect makeup or newly awake with no makeup and tussled hair. He no longer saw the difference. For a man who valued outward appearance as much as Anthony Rawlings, that insight was shocking.
When he first brought her to the estate, he never intended to enjoy her, much less love her. Truthfully, it was initially determined she and her sister would have accidents, much sooner – years sooner, like their parents. However, as he began following Claire and her life, there was an undeniable attraction. Then at her parent’s funeral for no particular reason, Tony fought the urge to comfort her. At that moment, he knew he wanted her for himself. Truthfully, Emily’s survival has been a byproduct.
As a man who makes money – lots of money, buying and selling – rarely does Anthony Rawlings become emotionally vested in projects or people. Initially, he saw Claire the same way; however, after his acquisition, as weeks and months passed, despite her situation, she worked her way into his being – into every fiber. Her strength to meet him with eyes on fire while her words and body appeased, fascinated Tony. Never had anyone done that.