Part 25 (1/2)
”Yeah, yeah. If he's retiring for real this time, maybe it is time for me to think about that. It's a risk, though.”
”Art always is,” Ramon said.
James returned to the room, a dire scowl on his face and Chandra in tow. Before any of us could ask what was wrong, he put his phone down in the middle of the table. It was in speakerphone mode. ”Go on, Ferrara. Why don't you say to everyone here what you said to me just now? Issue your ultimatum.”
”Oh, do you have your guard dogs there?” Ferrara's voice was thin but recognizable. ”It doesn't matter anyway. They can't keep you out of court. James Byron LeStrange, you married me in secret and now you're trying to deny it.”
This time it was my heart that jumped into my throat at the sound of his name.
”You're deluded. Utterly deluded,” he said.
”Name-calling will get you nowhere. I have proof. So here are your choices. One, we carry on as husband and wife-”
”Never.”
”Or, two, we go through divorce court, where I drag your name through the mud and take you for everything you're worth, you heartless b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
She made a snuffling noise and I wondered if we were supposed to think she was crying, or if she had allergies.
”Ferrara, don't be ridiculous. Listen to me. You can't force me to have feelings for you that I don't have. There has to be something we can work out.”
”Something like what, James? You mean something like a payout? Why would I settle for any less than a good divorce lawyer would get me? In fact, since we're looking at the breakup of not only our marriage but the loss of my company's most vital intellectual property, hmm.” She paused as if doing math. ”How much would you earn for the record company if you kept your career going? I'd say that would be at least a gross income of twenty-five million dollars.”
”That-”
”Per year.”
”What!”
”For ten years. Plus half your current a.s.sets. Half of everything you're worth is what I'd get in a divorce. Including half the inheritance you'll be getting from your mother.”
James clenched his jaw, struggling to stay cool. ”My mother is in perfect health and if you are thinking to threaten her you are making a grave mistake.”
”James, James, James. I'm merely pointing out the folly of trying to pay me to go away.”
”You are insane.”
”How about this? Why don't we go on a honeymoon together? Our wedding night would truly be one to remember, don't you think? And we can have some quality time away from work and stress. I know that work has really come between us. Three weeks on the Riviera, or Paris? Perhaps after that if you are truly not convinced we belong together we could discuss an amicable separation agree-”
”Insane, I tell you!”
”Think it over. I'll talk to you tomorrow.” There was a beep as she hung up.
Alicia's mouth was hanging open with shock. ”What an unbelievable witch! My G.o.d. I knew she was terrible, but I didn't think she was this terrible.”
Ramon was just shaking his head.
James was gritting his teeth so hard it was a wonder they didn't crack.
”Is she really going to take you to court?” I asked. ”Hasn't she threatened that before?”
James closed his eyes. ”This is the first time she has laid out her terms so plainly...”
Alicia frowned. ”I don't quite understand the outlandish marriage claims. Even mistresses have had some wins in court.”
James shook his head. ”She was never my mistress.”
”Oho.” Ramon perked up suddenly. ”So you mean she's trying to get you in bed for the first time?”
”Essentially.” James let out a long breath. ”It's rather complicated.”
Alicia nodded. ”I hate to say it, but maybe what she needs is to get laid. Maybe she'll calm down, then.”
James clenched his teeth again. ”She'll have to look elsewhere. I am not available. And even if I was... No. I won't be made into a wh.o.r.e.”
”Do you know what kind of proof she has?” I asked. ”She said she'd prove you were married.”
”She has claimed to have proof before, but she has never shown it.”
I looked at Chandra. ”She claims they got married. We're here in Vegas. If it supposedly happened, it would have been here, wouldn't it?”
”That's what I suspect, anyway,” he said. ”Chandra, is it possible to do a search on the marriage licenses issued to see if there is one with my name on it?”
Chandra crossed her arms. ”It's possible. I'm not sure how easy it is to search.”
”Narrow the dates from the run of Bride of the Blue,” I suggested. ”Knowing what kind of proof she's got, or lacks, might give you some leverage.”
”Definitely. I agree with you there.” Chandra looked at James. ”She hasn't sent you anything?”
”Nothing. As much as I would've liked to have deleted every message she ever sent me, I've been checking them all. Nothing we can use yet.”
”Tell me immediately if any of you hear from her again,” Chandra said. ”I'll bring Stefan up to date.” She swept out of the room with purpose.
Alicia and Ramon didn't linger after that, and we pushed the room service cart into the hallway.
James sat on the edge of the bed and stared at his phone like it had betrayed him somehow.
I stood to one side, wondering if his anger meant I was going to be in a lot of pain tonight.
I sat down next to him, so my hip touched his. ”Hey.”
It took him a moment to focus on me. ”Hey.”
”I have a question for you.”
”Oh? A question-question?”
”Not sure, which is why I figure I should ask it first. You'll understand when you hear what the question is.”
He tossed his hair out of his eyes. ”Now I am intrigued.”