“I’ve been up awhile.” She thought of Stephen. He made getting up worth the early rising.
“Yeah, you sound like a woman who has been laid properly.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Ursula said with a giggle.
“Mom has already phoned and told me you’ve got a new man on the scene. I’ve heard all about Stephen, but I don’t believe a word of it. It was good to hear you’d gotten rid of Paul. He was a slime-ball.”
They talked for several minutes catching up. All the time Ursula kept staring at the card in her hand.
“Actually, there is something I haven’t told mom about Stephen.”
“Really. The good girl being naughty. You know I was proud when you stood your ground about Paul even if he was a total loser. This just makes me giddy. Does he have a job? Is he cute? Tell me if he’s in a band?”
Ursula laughed. Caroline had a reputation for screwing things up. She still loved her sister.
“Stephen is older than I, and you may have heard of him. Stephen Knox?”
There was silence on the other end.
“You’re dating the Stephen Knox? Ursula, he’s rich beyond your wildest dreams and, holy shit. You’re banging one of the wealthiest men.” Ursula scrunched her nose up. “I haven’t told mom or dad.”
“They’re not going to like it, Ursula. His reputation is not the best. He’s in the media with snotty models not to mention the fact you don’t have a fortune to your own name.” Caroline said everything she’d already been thinking herself.
“I know that, but I like him, Caroline. He’s nice, and he makes me feel special.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Ursula thought about it. She loved the way he smiled and the moods he had. “Yes, I think I’m in love with him.”
“Wow, you’ll have to tell them. Springing that surprise on them wouldn’t be good.”
“He’s agreed to go next week. I figured if he was with me then they wouldn’t be a problem.”
“You’re surprising me more and more.”
“He gave me a credit card,” she said. She wanted her sister’s opinion on the next stage up.
“Is he treating you disrespectfully?”
“No, not at all. He wants me to use it.”
“Then don’t think it’s a big deal. He clearly wants you to have it. I’ll be at the parentals’ house next week. I want to meet the man who my sister is in love with.”
“Caroline, don’t embarrass me.”
“Would I do that to you?”
“Yes.”
“Then enjoy. I’ve got to go. My own man is moaning about being alone. Take care, and have fun with your rich guy.”
She put the phone down still hating the card in her hand. Shaking her head, she walked up the stairs to put the card in her purse.
Afterwards she took a quick shower.
The house was large. She’d been in every room. Her favourite room was his library. The scent of the books always soothed her chaotic mind. She needed to write a paper for her psychology class. Opening the curtains, she let in plenty of light then went investigating the books in his collection. He owned plenty of classics, along with textbooks.
Ursula gathered the books she needed and took a seat. The moment she opened the first textbook, she was absorbed into her studies.
****
Stephen met James outside his club. The other man wore a pair of leather pants, white shirt, and leather jacket. Stephen couldn’t help but chuckle at his attire.
“Stephen Knox is laughing early in the morning. This is news to report. Should I get a hold of the media? Your woman must be good for you,” James said as he got in the car.
“Ursula is none of your concern. I’m happy. Cadeon is meeting us at Rebecca’s. He has a key.”
“I hope your thoughts are not true. I would hate to have to deal with the Dominic shit again.” James closed the door, securing his seatbelt.
“Everything adds up. I don’t like this either.”
“Have you done any digging?” James asked.
“Nothing new. I haven’t gotten ‘round to it this morning. I don’t want to alert Ursula. She still doesn’t know about Possession, and at the moment I want to keep it that way.”
“You’ll have to tell her eventually.”
“Not today. At the moment this is too dangerous for her. I want to keep her as safe as possible.”
“Black is dangerous, I’ll give you that, but prostituting women? Or buying them? I don’t get it.” James stared at him.
Stephen knew it sounded far-fetched. “There is a lot of shit going on in this world that I don’t agree with. Money is money no matter how it is earned. If you’ve lost a large sum of money and you need to get it back and quick, wouldn’t you do everything you could to get it back?”