The Secrets of Paradise Bay (21 page)

Clyde was admittedly nervous for the official grand opening of the club. It was the first time in his life that he was actually pretty much solely responsible for something other than himself. He wanted this to be big in Paradise Bay and something that even Trey would have to approve of.

“Chill out, man,” Raymond told him, straightening Clyde's burgundy silk tie. “Nothing's going to go wrong.”

“Wish I could be so sure,” Clyde said, fearing that bad things seemed to follow him around like a shadow.

“Look at it this way: we both just spent time in hell. How much worse can it get than that?”

Clyde nodded thoughtfully. “Good point.”

“Damned good one.” Raymond tucked the tie into Clyde's charcoal suit. “I'd say you're all set now for your grand opening.”

Clyde favored his friend in a pinstriped suit. “I think we both are.”

Raymond buttoned his coat. “Hey, anything beats prison denims.”

“Amen to that.”

A little later Clyde was talking with Albert, confirming that the bar was well stocked and ready.

“The folks can order anything they want and we've got it,” Albert said.

“That's what I like to hear.”

“We aim to please—you and everyone else.”

“I appreciate your joining me over here,” Clyde told him sincerely. Not to mention introducing him to his niece.

Albert's eyes crinkled. “You kidding? And miss out on a chance to move up a bit in the world? My pleasure, Clyde.”

“About Stefani . . .” Clyde hesitated, not wanting to say the wrong thing. “I don't know how much you—”

“I know you two have become an item and I'm cool with it.” Albert patted him on the shoulder. “She's a wonderful niece and I know you won't hurt her and have to answer to me.”

Clyde grinned. “Wouldn't think of it.”

“Then I hope things work out for you.”

They were already working out better than he could have expected as far as Clyde was concerned. Stefani had given him a whole new reason to live; one he didn't intend to turn his back on. He was happy to have Albert's blessing to take this wherever it was meant to go.

“Well, time to get the show on the road,” he said, taking a breath.

“I'm with you all the way,” Albert told him genially.

Trey took his seat beside Ivana for opening night of what he suspected would be a very successful venture he and Clyde had embarked on. After a hard life, Clyde deserved to find some success and happiness. Maybe even love in his life. Clyde had indicated to Trey that Stefani might be the one.

Trey hoped that was the case, as the two of them seemed to belong together and Stefani was definitely a calming influence on his brother's life. It was rather ironic to Trey that, while things seemed to be coming up roses for Clyde, he was still trying to get his own life together. On the surface, Trey and Ivana were still one of the most envied couples in Paradise Bay. But behind closed doors, they were anything but the ideal couple.

Trey was still trying to make amends to his wife for past sins. Though continuing to sleep in separate rooms, they had managed to find more time for each other, including in bed. Trey sensed that Ivana was still holding back on him, unable or unwilling to give her all to him intimately or emotionally. He would take each day as a step forward, slowly but surely, determined to win Ivana back in full, loving her that much and never wishing to have a life without.

Trey ordered cocktails, with an eye on not allowing Ivana to overdo it. The last thing either of them needed was for her to go off the deep end and ruin the grand opening, while setting things back in their progress as a couple.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Trey told Ivana, and she watched his eyes admiring the designer crimson halter dress she wore.

“Thank you.” Ivana gave him an appropriate, sweet smile. She didn't necessarily feel beautiful, but it was nice to hear the words from him. At least if he focused on her, Trey's eyes wouldn't wander to Helene DeCroch, whom Ivana had spotted there with her husband. Or Stefani, who Trey seemed as attracted to as Clyde.
Or am I just imagining all this and getting worked up over nothing?

Perhaps Trey now really did only have eyes for the woman he was married to. Ivana wasn't sure she could say the same as Clyde approached their table, looking resplendent and at peace with himself.

“How's everyone doing?” he asked, avoiding her gaze.

“We're fine,” Trey said.

“Good.” Clyde scratched his cheek. “If you need anything—”

“We'll be sure to holler,” Ivana said with a catch to her voice, while wondering if he truly meant
anything
. Including anyone.

He met her eyes briefly. “You do that.”

“Go run your club,” Trey said affectionately. “We've got things covered here.”

“All right.” Clyde nodded, patting him on the shoulder.

Ivana watched him walk away, seemingly content with his life these days. She only wished hers was as satisfying. Maybe in time it could be again. Or would there always be obstacles to finding true happiness with her husband again?

She sipped her drink and gave Trey another smile as he studied her as if to see if she was going to lose it. Ivana had no intention of making a fool of herself in public. She'd done that enough in private to last a lifetime. All she wanted now was a little peace and stability, even if both stood on shaky ground at the moment.

“It's time,” Clyde told Stefani after Winston had warmed up the full house with his terrific piano playing.

“I'm all set,” she assured him.

Clyde surveyed her stunning almond strapless crinkle gown. Her hair was pinned up and her mouth shone with mocha ice lip gloss. He wanted very much to taste those lips, but kissed her cheek instead so as not to mess up her makeup.

“You are totally hot tonight,” he uttered.

She flashed him an admiring smile. “You too.”

“Maybe we can do something about that later. What do you think?”

“I'm counting on it,” she said teasingly.

Clyde met her eyes hungrily. “So am I. Every moment I'm with you, I don't want to be anywhere else.”

Stefani squeezed his hand. “You certainly know how to make a woman feel special.”

He thought momentarily about Ivana. “That's because you are special.”

She lit up. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you,” he said honestly. “Knock 'em dead out there.”

“I'll do my best.”

A few minutes later, Clyde was transfixed as Stefani stood before her audience and the club was completely silent. She glanced at Winston and nodded, signaling the time to begin playing. She began belting out, “I'll Be Seeing You.” This was followed shortly after by, “I Thought About You.”

Clyde joined everyone in applauding. It was clear that Stefani had the crowd in the palm of her hand. She would do wonders to draw people in and keep others coming back. More importantly, Stefani was there for him at a time in his life that Clyde needed her. He didn't take that for granted, or what they could do for each other in offering comfort and romance.

 

 

“She's really good,” Roselyn said.

Willie studied the singer, having seen her cozying up to Clyde before she went on.
Bet he's banging her
.
Bastard
.
Something I wouldn't mind doing if I had the chance
.

“I've heard better,” he grumbled and sipped the cocktail that had him feeling a bit courageous in combination with the joint he had smoked before coming to the club.

“Where?” she challenged him. “Certainly not in Paradise Bay.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Roselyn turned to him. “What's got you in such a crappy mood? I thought you wanted to come?”

Why would I be happy to be in a place owned by my sworn and bitter enemy?
“I'm cool,” he told her. “Enjoy the show.”

Willie felt antsy just sitting there. He got up.

“Where are you going?” Roselyn asked.

“To take a leak. Be back in a minute.”

After separating from her, Willie took another look at the sexy singer before heading in the direction where he saw Clyde going. It was time he told him what he really thought of his ex-homie and this club Clyde was using to hide from his past.

 

 

“Glad you could make it,” Clyde whispered to Grant and Helene DeCroch. He made it his business to circulate amongst those who came, knowing it was a smart thing to do as an up-and-coming businessman. Even if there was some history between Trey and Helene that had indirectly led to Clyde getting it on with Ivana.

“We wouldn't have missed the grand opening for the world,” Helene said agreeably. “Thank you for inviting us.”

“My pleasure,” he said, knowing that it was more Trey's doing than his.

“That singer is magnificent,” Grant said. “Where did you find her?”

“I'll never tell,” Clyde quipped, sensing that Grant's interest was more than passing.

“Well, if you're ever foolhardy enough to let her go, she's got a place at one of my hotels.”

“I'll keep that in mind, but I don't expect Ms. McNeal to be vacating the premises anytime soon.”

Grant grinned. “I would have been surprised if you'd said otherwise.”

Clyde grinned back.
So would I
. He expected Stefani to be an important part of this club and his life for some time to come. He could even imagine them one day tying the knot and bringing a new generation of Lancasters into the world. The thought made Clyde consider that Trey had lost out on the chance to become a father. Whether another opportunity would come along for Trey and Ivana was anyone's guess.

One of the security staff interrupted Clyde's train of thought. “We've got someone trying to stir up trouble,” he whispered. “Apparently this dude is asking to see you and refuses to take no for an answer.”

Clyde raised a brow. “Where is he?”

“Over there.”

Clyde looked toward an area near the entrance and saw Willie Munroe glaring at him, while being restrained by Raymond and another staffer.

Clyde took a breath and walked away smoothly so as not to attract attention to himself and away from Stefani.

“What seems to be the problem?” Clyde asked as though confronting a total stranger rather than someone he had a history with that he would just as soon forget.

“This dude looks like he's got a death wish,” growled Raymond, gripping Willie firmly.

“Tell your brute to get his paws off me, man.” Willie shot Clyde a wicked gaze.

“Not a chance, asshole,” Raymond voiced.

The last thing Clyde wanted was to make a scene. Maybe if he spoke to Willie man-to-man, he would go away quietly.

Maybe.

Clyde made eye contact with Raymond. “Let him go.”

He did so reluctantly, but stayed within arm's reach.

“What do you want, Willie?” Clyde asked tartly.

Willie stood mute with his mouth open in a sneer.

Raymond's eyes widened. “You know this punk?”

“We go back a few years,” Clyde reluctantly admitted. That still was no reason for him to show his face there after Clyde had made it perfectly clear the last time they met that he didn't want to see Willie again. Now he had to deal with it. “All right, Willie, you've got my attention. Say what you have to and get the hell out of my club!”

Willie glared. “Okay, I will,” he snapped. “You and me, we ain't through yet. Playing Mr. Big Shot in this club ain't gonna change nothing. It's because of you I'm only seein' out of one eye. That's something I got to carry the rest of my life. If you think—”

“I think you need to get a life!” Clyde cut him off, having listened to enough. “Grow the hell up, Willie. We both know you should have spent time in prison too, but your ass was let off the hook. Now do us both a favor and leave me alone. I don't want to see your face anymore!”

“What about what I want?” Willie spat, his mouth turned down menacingly.

“You won't find it here,” Clyde insisted. “Whatever went down between us ended a long time ago. That's where it stays!”

“Don't bet on that!” Willie sputtered and lunged toward Clyde, but he was intercepted by the bigger Raymond.

“Get him out of here,” Clyde said simply and walked away without looking back.

“It'll be my pleasure, man.”

Raymond, with the help of another burly member of the security staff, roughly ushered Willie out the door.

Clyde felt a tap on his shoulder a couple of minutes later. It was Raymond. “Got that problem taken care of.”

“Good.” Clyde could feel his heart pounding, riled up after being confronted by Willie and staring their sordid history squarely in the face.

“I take it that asshole is the same Willie responsible for your time in the pen?”

“Yeah, that was him. A bad dream that doesn't seem to want to go away.”

“The worst kind.” Raymond scratched his chin. “Look, this is your night. Don't let the dude spoil it. If he shows up again, I'll take care of it.”

“I don't need you to fight my battles,” Clyde said toughly, though appreciating his support.

“I know you don't. But I owe you. We have to stick together, man. Can't let some jerk holding a grudge bring you down.”