Irresistible Forces (McKingley) (13 page)

She lifted her head, causing her hair to slide along the sides of her face.

Deyon raised an eyebrow. “Exactly what are you sorry for?”

“What do you mean?” He scowled, not sure what she wanted.

“It’s simple. Are you sorry you assumed I was speeding? Sorry that you had me arrested? Sorry that Conner didn’t do everything you ordered and give me the whole treatment including cuffs? Or possibly is it that I was there for hours? What exactly is it you’re sorry for?” Deyon’s voice was still devoid of anything he could use to gauge what she was feeling.

Leo was at a lost what to say.

“Maybe it’s that neither you nor Lis trusted me enough to keep the secret of her marriage.”

Leo gulped. “I wanted to tell you, Deyon, but I pro—”

“I get it, Leo. You promised to not tell me, Deyon, the flighty woman who can’t be trusted. The woman who you could fuck but not give credit enough to listen to you.” Deyon lifted her hand then ticked off on her fingers. “One—you and Lis not telling me are separate issues. I don’t blame you for that. It’s all Lis. You should have kept your promise to her. That was right.”

“Dey—”

“I’m not done,” she stated then continued as if he hadn’t interrupted, “Two—I broke my promise that I would call you or someone when I got a migraine instead of speeding. For that, I’m sorry.”

Leo breathed out, hope filling him that she would listen to him.

“Three—I’m not alone in this mess, Leo. Until you can tell me exactly what you are sorry for, don’t come back to my door.” Deyon stepped back, going to close the door.

“Deyon, don’t be mad. I’m sorry.”

She paused, looking at him surprised. “Mad. Oh, no, I’m not mad.” Deyon’s smile was sad and bitter. “I’m disappointed that you’re sorry. Sorry don’t get you anything if you don’t know why. Goodbye, Leo.”

She closed the door. Leo stood there stupefied. Every instinct filled him to burst down her door and demand she tell him what she wanted. Deyon was a complex woman and he enjoyed that about her, but now, trying to get into the way she was thinking—it worked against him. The angry woman he could deal with but what could he do about the woman whose hurt smile made him feel like shit? Leo turned and left.

Chapter Nine

Deyon stood before the door, watching on the monitor as Leo turned and left. She clenched her fists, not going after him. The stubborn idiot might be sorry, but unless he knew for what, it was a useless apology.

“Damn you, Leo. Get your head out of your ass.” She pounded her fist on the door.

Deyon crossed her arms over her chest, cursing Leo for making her feel this way. She should have left well enough alone, but hadn’t and now she had to deal with him. Deyon blinked, refusing to cry. She’d give the lunk head-time then if he didn’t come to her, she’d hunt him down and tranq his ass. Deyon laughed, thinking of doing just that. A ringing caught her attention. Deyon reached into the pocket of her housedress and pulled out her cell. She saw the number on the display and was surprised. She pressed the answer button, before putting the phone to her ear.

“Hey, Queen. You haven’t called me in a long time, you heifer.”

The melodious smoky laugh came over the line, making Deyon laugh.

“You don’t know how to say hello like normal people, Diva,” Kendrix ‘Queen’ Brandon said. “I’ve missed you, my friend.”

“You know it,” Deyon replied, sitting on the chair by the entryway table. “I’ve missed you too. But I’ve sure seen your face all over the fashion mags and runways.”

“A girl’s gotta work.” Queen laughed.

“And you’re doing it showing those youngsters how it’s done.” Deyon smiled.

“I have to. You left me alone to school them,” Queen accused in the same way she did whenever they spoke.

“It’s been years, get over it already,” Deyon gave her standard reply.

“Yeah.”

Deyon became concerned at the tiredness in her tone. “What wrong, Kendrix?”

“You’re one of the two people who call me that anymore. To everyone, I’m Queen.”

“Humph, we started the business together when we were nothing but Deyon and Kendrix before all the fame and shit. So when we’re serious, it’s Kendrix. Now spill.”

“You know me so well.” Kendrix sighed. “Is your offer still open for me to come full-time to design for your shop and line?”

Deyon blinked, startled. “Of course. The few pieces you have done are a big hit. I was going to call and get you to design something new for the store.”

“Please. You were trying to entice me to move to McKingley and work for you.”

“That too.” Deyon laughed then sobered. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s not been announced yet, but I’m retiring from the business.”

“What? Why?” Deyon sat up straight, shocked.

“I’m getting too old to put up with this shit.” Kendrix blew out a breath and the frustration in the sound came clearly over the cell line. “No, that’s not true. I just want to get out. So I’m in Milan doing my last show. My big send off. Or at least, that’s what it’s supposed to be.”

“For God’s sakes, spit it out already.” Deyon rolled her eyes. “I swear if I was there I would yank your hair and poke you in the side.”

“And you’re rolling your eyes at me. Don’t do it.” Kendrix laughed. “God, we know each other too well.”

Deyon chuckled. “We do.”

“The show will be off because the other model pulled out. Saying she wasn’t going to be second fiddle to anyone.” Kendrix laughed. “She was intimidated by me. Can you believe it?”

Deyon rested back in the chair. She could believe it. Queen was fierce on the runway and everyone took notice. They assumed that because of her beauty she was a stuck up bitch. When Deyon got to know her, she realised she was the sweetest person and although she knew she was good, she helped others who modelled with her. Just as Deyon had done when she’d worked—you had to pay it forward to survive long in the modelling business.

“Tell them the bitch is on the way,” Deyon said.

“What… Deyon, you’re retired?” Kendrix said.

“I’ll come for this once.
For you
.” Deyon stood, already thinking about what she needed to do. “If you had told me you were retiring I would have come for your show. That we will discuss when I get there. Oh, whose show is it?”

“God, Deyon, only you would come just for me and not know whose show you are modelling in. It’s René, by the way.”

“That pompous little man with his Napoleon complex.” Deyon groaned then warned, “You better tell him I’ll cut off his hands if he gets grabby.”

“After the last show you did with him, I don’t think I need to tell him. He still talks fondly about you. That lovely, luscious woman who makes his heart beat like no other.” Kendrix laughed. “He’s going to shit a brick when he hears you’re coming.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll book a flight and get there. I’ll send my measurements so he can get his staff to work on fixing the dresses to fit me.” Deyon entered her bedroom and went to her closet. “And you better start planning your packing, because you’re coming back with me to McKingley.”

“I need time to go to my home in Paris to get things situated,” Kendrix protested.

“Fine, we’ll go there after the show. How long will it take for you to get everything done so we can get you moved here?”

“Ummm…two months.”

“Three weeks.” Deyon pulled out some clothing, putting it on her bed. “That’s how long I’m giving you.”

“God damn bossy woman. Fine.” Kendrix paused then said softly, “It’s been so long since I lived in the US. And I’ve only visited McKingley. Am I crazy to uproot my life and move there?”

“Nope, you finally got some sanity getting out of the business.”

“You’re right.” Kendrix sounded surer. “Okay. I’m doing this. Wait…don’t book a flight—I just remembered Chandler is flying in today on his private jet. I’ll see if he can stop in McKingley to get you.”

“Okay,” Deyon said absently, heading to her storage room for her suitcase. “Call me back and let me know what’s what.”

“Okay. Thanks, Deyon,” Kendrix said.

“Don’t make me hurt you.”

“I know, I know you don’t like being thanked. I’m going to hug you so tight when I see you,” Kendrix promised.

“That I’ll take. See you soon, Queen.” She hung up.

Deyon pulled out her suitcase and quickly packed. She stood then thought of what was left undone and went to make some calls and send out some notes.

* * * *

Hours later, Deyon exited the private plane, yawning. She walked down the stairs and hefted her carryon over her shoulder. Since she and Queen were the same size and had the same taste in clothing, she didn’t walk with much.

“Diva,” Queen called sensually.

Deyon dropped her bag and struck a pose. Kendrix came beside her and mirrored her. Then they looked at each other before they started to strut. The rhythm of the movement came back to Deyon and she slid into her walk that made her one of the most famous plus-sized super models. She and Kendrix stopped, pivoted then walked back to Chandler. They leaned against him, Kendrix on his left and Deyon on his right. Chandler, knowing his part, slid his hand around their waists and kissed the side of each of their cheeks. His husky chuckle filled Deyon’s ear.

“The Diva, Queen and Prince are back.” Chandler Brooks led them along.

Chandler was the male counterpart of their three-person team. They used to work together in various shows. His devastatingly handsome, sun-kissed good looks had made him very sought after until he too had retired.

“Now that you’re coming stateside, Kendrix, I might just have to spend more time in McKingley,” Chandler said.

“Maybe instead of gallivanting all over the world you’ll settle down there,” Deyon suggested. “Come on board with my store and line and create a male line.”

“Oh, God. Give it a rest, Deyon. I’ve been hearing this for hours.” Chandler squeezed her waist. “I said I’ll think about it.”

“You already have a house you rarely use. It’s a waste of good space. McKingley is beautiful and a great town to live in,” Deyon said.

The two of them laughed and ignored her joking, filling each other in on what they were doing. Queen grabbed her, hugging her tight as she’d promised then they got into the limo waiting.

“Humph, I see René is feeling generous.” Deyon knew it was he who’d sent them a car—Kendrix wouldn’t have wanted the attention it brought.

“He insisted.” Kendrix leant back against the seat, a glint in her golden gaze. “He did have a fit when he heard you were coming. By now, the press knows that the three of us are going to be together on the runway.”

“Oh for… Damn little man,” Deyon said.

“He was excited I was coming, but with you added, yeah his head probably did a spin around his shoulders.” Chandler laughed.

“See, see I knew it. He’s possessed. Maybe we can get the driver to stop for some holy water.” Deyon crossed her arms, sliding down on the seat.

“He’ll calm down once you growl at him,” Kendrix said.

“Yeah, you’re so fierce when you get all Diva.” Chandler put his hand over her shoulders.

“Don’t patronise me, you two.” Deyon kissed Chandler on the cheek then leant forward and did the same to Kendrix. “Leave me be while I get into my mode.”

She sat back and they conversed among themselves, leaving her to her thoughts. They knew this was how she got ready for any assignment. A sexy, roguish face filled her mind and the ache she felt intensified. She missed Leo and it hadn’t even been a full day. Leaving things the way they were between then didn’t sit well with her, but she couldn’t turn her back on Queen. She hadn’t asked, but Deyon would not let her last show before retirement be anything but fabulous. Deyon slid out the picture she had in her inner pocket of her sweats, looking at her and Leo. It was of their date at the gun show. The car slowed and Deyon looked up—they had arrived at what she assumed was René’s. She pushed the picture back in her pocket then put on her Diva face.

When the car stopped, she exited and strode behind Kendrix and Chandler as they went to the huge house. Inside, Deyon noted the beehive of activity then it stopped and they all looked at her.

“The Diva is here.” She threw her arms out and then placed her hands on her hips and posed.

Everyone laughed and rushed towards her. René hugged her and she pushed him away when he grabbed her ass. She showed him her fist and he chuckled, stepping back. She recognised many of the faces around her and chatted with them while her thoughts were back in McKingley with a certain stubborn sheriff.

* * * *

Deyon’s body relaxed as her feet touched the ground. She breathed in the scents of home for the first time in over three weeks.

“Are you sure I can’t give you a ride home?” René asked.

Deyon turned to him and smiled. He was a pompous ass when he was in show mode, but outside he was a nicer man. Not easy to take, but better than when he was showing.

“Nope. I’ve got a ride. I’ll see you at my store in the morning.”

“I don’t know how you convinced me to come to this place and work on a few items for your shop.” René smiled ruefully.

“I’m charming,” Deyon said dryly.

“You are my Diva.” René laughed lifting her hand and kissing it.

“Deyon. I’m retired and will stay that way,” Deyon warned.

“I know that, Deyon. But as per our quid pro quo you, Kendrix and Chandler will model some ads for me.”

Deyon nodded. She had agreed with the others to do that. Some professional shots for René, and in turn she got his style for some items for her store that she could mass produce.

“Are you sure this photographer can do the job? I can still send the jet to get a professional one.”

“You saw Lis’ work. She’ll do it.” Deyon thought of how excited Lis had been when she’d called her. “Tomorrow we’ll go to my store then scope out some places to shoot. And get it done this week.”

René nodded. “I’m off to my hotel.”

Deyon watched as René and his entourage walked to the SUVs he had waiting. She shook her head, imagining how busy the next few days would be.

“I wonder if Leo knows he has competition,” someone with a deep voice said behind her.

Deyon turned. “Jackie.” Then she looked at the man with him. “Tarak, what are you doing here?”