He tells him about Natasha as briefly as possible, ending with the appointment scheduled for later today. “Any thoughts?”
There’s a slight pause on the other end. “The fact that this is so personal explains a lot, Ian. My advice is to go ahead and meet with her. Can’t hurt and can only help. Just make sure you don’t lose it and kill her.” He says it jokingly but both men know it’s a distinct possibility at this point in the game.
“Any news on the other front?”
Ian snorts, disgustedly. “The bastard showed up in Portland to talk to Ella.”
“I’m not surprised. He has motives that you haven’t identified yet, Ian. A man like Phillips doesn’t go chasing a woman around the country except for a good reason. I say that with all respect for Ella.”
“Yes. I agree. I just don’t know what more I can do to ferret out the information—short of water boarding.”
“Remind me how Ella met him?”
“Through a college friend. I can’t remember her name.”
“Remember her name, Ian. Start with her. She probably holds the missing slice of information, knowingly or not.”
Ian sighs; he’s tired of it all and wants to take a vacation with Ella. “Yes, I will. How was your trip, by the way?”
“Perfect. I recommend getting away for a long weekend, Ian, does wonders for perspective, not to mention disposition. Oh, by the way, we received the lovely gift from you and Ella. Thank you. I believe Olivia sent a note of appreciation.”
“Yes. She did. I look forward to meeting her in the near future.”
“Absolutely. Perhaps you might make it to New York for our wedding.”
“I can do that… if you can get to Portland for ours.”
“Oh? I suppose congratulations are in order, then. I’m very glad to hear it but I’m sure you’ll be breaking hearts all over the great state of Oregon.”
Ian laughs. “Thanks for the minute, Daniel. Have a good day.”
As the clock strikes 3:55, he swivels his chair away from the large window behind his desk to face the doors of the office head-on. Ian has been glancing at the damn clock all fucking day—he might just have to get rid of it after today. Is she actually going to show? He hasn’t set eyes on Natasha in over five years. The last time he saw her was the day he realized she’d betrayed him… utterly. At that minute, her sensual beauty began to take on sinister proportions.
He had loved her since high school. Since the moment he’d set eyes on her. It was the first time in his young life that he’d felt such a passion for another human being outside of his own family. Perhaps pathetically, he’d believed his feelings were fully requited… but he’d been wrong, dead wrong. Instead of love, she’d set her sights on ruining him.
But she hadn’t and still could not. And now? Well, it took a long time, over five years, long, lonely ones to be sure, but now he found he could feel again. He loved Ella with everything he had to give, so Natasha didn’t win on any count and he would make sure she knew it, if he did nothing else today.
Just after noon, Janine had buzzed him. “Mr. Blackmon. Ms. Yenin is on the line. She wants to know if she can reschedule her appointment for tomorrow instead?”
What? The bitch is just jerking my chain, he thought. “Where’s Claudia?”
“She took an early lunch today; I think she had a doctor’s appointment.”
“Listen to me, Janine, very carefully. Tell Ms. Yenin that tomorrow is not possible. As far as I’m concerned, it’s either today or never. But don’t tell her that. Just say no to any other time or day she suggests. She’ll get the message rather quickly. Then get back to me with her answer.”
“Very good, sir.”
He sat there, tapping his fingers against the desk, marshaling all of his resources to remain serene, a near impossible task. Finally, he acceded to his inner rage and sent a heavy crystal paperweight sailing across the room. It blasted into the far wall, gouging a crater into the formerly pristine white of the painted sheetrock. Calmly, he rose to his feet, and walked to a small watercolor painting to the left of the hole. Removing the painting, he pulled its hook out, rammed it just above the cratered hole, and hung the painting to obscure his very recently acquired wall adornment.
All of her options denied, Natasha Yenin relented, deciding to keep the appointment today after all. He knew she would because she had a reason for coming to see him and if he’d learned one thing about Natasha—and learned it the hard way—it was that if she sets her sights on something or someone, she would not back down until it was finished.