The Prince of New York (Book 4 of the Forbidden Series)

13

For the next few days, Nadia found herself busy. David Thompson’s long-term personal assistant had come over and brought Nadia his event planning binders. They were filled with a contact list, venues, pricelist, caterers, and many pages of useful information. He told her she was more than welcome to keep the planners for as long as needed. They had proven very useful as she hunted down a suitable venue for the party and haggled over the lighting, décor, and catering.

Next came the guest list. She spent two days going through the whos-who list in the planner as well as Dane’s rolodex to carefully select the guest list. She chose some executives and bigwigs from the label, a few choice press, and some other artist who Dane was associated with at some point, and of course family and friends. By the time the invitations went out Nadia had invited nearly two hundred and fifty people. She hardly had time to sleep; it was like planning a wedding at last minute notice.

Dane still spent most of his time in the studio finishing up the new album. Occasionally making a public appearance to promote his coming album. Between the promotional appearances and the party planning, Nadia almost never sat down, her cell phone was practically glued to her ear. By the end of the day, both she and Dane were so worn out they fell into bed and fell asleep.

Despite the lack of intimacy Dane still chose to sleep at her side, a fact that Nadia took note of and rather enjoyed. Waking up beside him every morning was the highlight of her day when the morning was still fresh and new. Rolling over and feeling his arms around her. A sweet kiss good morning before the chaos of the day began, and they were both off and running. Nadia often found herself wondering if things would die down again and allow them some quality time alone. Dane promised that at some point the madness would end and they would have some time together.

The big night finally arrived, and Nadia was rushing around making sure everything ran smoothly. Nadia had dressed for the occasion in one of the many evening gowns Dane had purchased for her. A long yellow strapless dress with a transparent golden mesh fabric draped over the original body of the dress. It hugged her body all the way down to her knees and then flared out slightly. She had pinned her heavy dark locks precariously atop her head with only a few rogue stands falling away along her neck and face.

The party had been in full swing for almost an hour now, but Dane had not arrived yet. He was to kick off the release with a live performance of his newly released single and then mingle. He was going for fashionably late. Nadia could hear the commotion outside and see through the glass doors the flashes of many cameras. Either Dane or one of the other famous guest had just arrived. Nadia watched with hopes of seeing Dane coming through the door. Her hopes were dashed when a man and woman entered.

Nadia started to stroll the sidelines of the party watching the guests. She checked her watch and searched the crowd again wondering if Dane had slipped past her. Her cell phone beeped, and Nadia held it up and noticed she had a text message waiting. Nadia opened the message and read it…

Meet me in the storage room.

The message had come from Dane’s cellphone.

Uncertain what was going on Nadia set out to find the storage room. If he was here why had he not just come out and begin his performance? Why hide and play this silly game? Nadia left the main hall and began to search for the employee access. She found a few doors that were locked and then one that was marked storage. Nadia opened the door and stared into the darkness.

There were no windows, and the light from the hall did little to penetrate the inky darkness of the storage room. Nadia felt a little nervous standing in the threshold looking in. Did she dare go in and find him? Was Dane playing some joke on her? “Dane?” She whispered hoping to hear his voice.

Suddenly from the darkness, a male hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside. Nadia almost screamed, but another hand clamped down over her mouth muffling her cry. “Be easy sweetheart; you will get us caught.” She heard Dane’s voice whisper against her ear, washing away her panic.

Nadia smacked him hard on the shoulder. “You scared me half to death.” She scolded quietly.

“Sorry darling, it was not my intention.”

She could not see a thing, Nadia reached out her hands moving over his arms and shoulders to reassure her he was there. “And what was your intention?”

“To steal a few moments alone with you before the night gets too crazy. Once I go out there, I’ll have no time at all for us.” He whispered and then she felt his lips on hers. The darkness stole her sight from her, but it had made her all the more aware of his closeness, his scent, his touch. It was like every other sense had been heightened. His kiss was soft yet unyielding demanding a response and getting one.

Nadia returned his kiss with a fierce need of her own. It had felt like forever since they had been together and she craved his touch. Dane’s hand cupped her breast through her dress, and his thumb grazed over her n****e. His mouth tore away from hers and blazed a hot path down her throat. Dane pulled Nadia hard against him, and she could feel his arousal pressed firmly against her belly.

Nadia regretfully tried to fend him off. “Dane, we can’t do this now. You will ruin me, and everyone will know when they see me.” She did not wish to leave this room with her hair a wreck and her dress wrinkled. It was bad enough that her face would already be flushed. Nadia placed her hands on his chest and tried hard to push him away, but his large body would not budge.

He chuckled refusing to release her. “Come now, sweetheart. You don’t want me to leave you unsatisfied.” He said. She could hear the smug smile in his voice. Dane grabbed her wrists and spun Nadia round, so her bottom was tucked in against him. A hand on her back Dane bent Nadia over a stack of boxes and lifted her skirt. She began to protest, but Dane unzipped his pants and pushed aside her panties then drove himself deep inside her taking her from behind.

Nadia held tight to the sides of the boxes while Dane thrust in and out. Her protest instantly replaced by the desire he stoked inside her. She found herself begging for release. She craved satisfaction so badly Nadia began to rock back against Dane, meeting each powerful thrust. Dane leaned forward and cupped her breast. The sensations sent shivers through her. In minutes Nadia trembled as pleasure washed over her. She heard Dane groan as he too reached his climax.

Their breathing laboured they stood still for a moment trying to catch their breath. Nadia hugged the boxes using them to keep herself upright. Her knees felt weak. Then Dane pulled away, and she could no longer feel him. She heard his zipper and knew he had set himself right. Nadia stood up straight and lowered her skirt hoping it had not been wrinkled. She then felt a kiss on her cheek. “I am missing you already.” He whispered then she heard his footsteps and the door opened letting in some light momentarily. She saw his silhouette in the doorway disappear into the lit hall leaving her alone.

Nadia grinned, she certainly hoped she didn’t look the wreck when she emerged from the storage room. She carefully felt her way to the door and pushed it open then stepped out into the light. She looked down at her dress and ran her hands over her skirt trying to flatten out the few wrinkles she found. Deciding she was again presentable, Nadia headed back to the party. She prepared the light and sound technicians for the performance, informing them that Dane had arrived and was ready to go on.

Once everything was ready, she found Dane and saw him for the first time that night. He wore dark pants and a white shirt with a black vest and a dark coloured fedora sitting scandalously crooked on his head. His chestnut hair was slicked back. He looked very much like the romanticized wise guy. A surprisingly good look for him, and all part of his promotional gimmick.

He was talking to a much older couple when she found him. A tall, distinguished Spaniard man and an elegant woman with streaks of grey through her red hair. Nadia came over to inform Dane that the stage was ready for him. She had barely gotten within two feet of him when Dane reached out and put his arm around her waist. His hand at the small of her back guiding her over to introduce her. “Wonderful, just the person I was talking about. This is my assistant Nadia Baker, the one responsible for this great party.” Nadia smiled and shook the senior woman’s hand and then her husband’s. “Nadia these are my grandparents. Mike and Chase Sanchez, my mother’s parents. My grandfather and dad used to be bandmates before they retired.”

Nadia smiled she was thrilled to be meeting yet another member of his famous family. Her parents had been big fans of the Heathens, and she knew her father and mother would be jealous that she got to meet so many of their idols. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She said and turned her attention back to Dane. “I hate to interrupt you, but they are ready to begin.”

“Run along boy,” his grandfather said, “we’ll see you later. We’ll be in town for a few days.”

“Ok, give Nadia the address to your hotel, and we will make dinner plans,” Dane said kissing his grandmother’s cheek. “You look stunning.” He said rushing off.

“Sweet boy isn’t he.” Chase smiled. “Come now dear let’s get a good spot to watch the show.”

“I can show you to a perfect place.” Nadia offered, leading them to a spot in the room with a good view of the stage where Dane’s parents were already standing. They shook hands and greeted each other warmly. Nadia left the four of them together to check on the refreshments. She was checking the quality of the food and wine when the music had started, and the show began. She smiled as she listened to Dane perform, after spending so much time listening to him recording she practically knew the words by heart.

She was enjoying herself when she heard a woman and a man arguing. Nadia went around the corner to see what the commotion was and she found Damien Sanchez with a woman that was not his wife. She was beautiful in her long silver gown her light brown hair pulled back in a high ponytail. Nadia recognized the woman as Maceech Flacon, and both she and Damien were snapping back and forth at each other so quickly, and in a language, Nadia didn’t understand. Spanish she would assume if she had to guess. She did not know what was being said, but she could tell by their body language and the hateful glares it could not have been friendly.

Maceech was enraged, and she shoved Damien hard, and he retaliated by shoving her back. Nadia decided to intervene before things escalated out of control and ruined the party. Nadia rushed over and stepped between the feuding two. She placed her hands flat on Damien’s chest and tried with all her might to restrain him. “Will you two stop it right now?” She demanded. “I don’t know what you two are fighting about, but this is not the time nor the place.”

“You ruined my life.” Maceech snapped pointing her finger at Damien.

“You ruined your life. I warned you not to mess with my marriage.”

“I don’t care who did what.” Nadia barked putting an end to it. She turned and glared at Maceech. “I don’t recall sending you an invitation Miss. Flacon. We don’t care for party crashers.”

She offered Nadia a snooty smile. “I am no such thing. I am the date of a guest who does have an invitation.”

“s*x can buy you a lot of things, but it’s not going to buy your way back into the industry. I’ll see to that.” Damien snarled.

“Where’s your pretty wife Damien? I want to chat with her a bit, compare stories and see which one of us you enjoyed most. Maybe I can give her a few tips.” Maceech teased.

“I’ve never hit a woman, but I’m willing to make an exception for you.” He growled.

“There will be no violence of any kind.” Nadia declared, “Nor will you speak to his wife.” She warned Maceech. “You are an unwelcome guest Miss. Flacon, and I propose that if you do not want photos of you being bounced out of the party to be tomorrow’s headlines I suggest you take yourself elsewhere and quit causing a scene.” Her threat seemed to have done the trick for Maceech took a deep breath and stormed off in a huff. Nadia then turned her attention back to Damien. “You should be ashamed of yourself starting a fight like that here.”

“She started it.” He argued. She only gave him the same stern warning look her mother had always given her when she was a child. Damien smiled. “I’m sorry, you are right. I promise no more fighting.”

“There best not be.” She warned. “Now come with me and watch what is left of the show.”

“Of course,” Damien said placing his hand at the small of her back and guiding her back toward the stage. A mistake on his part she realized when they caught Dane’s gaze on stage, and he faltered in his footing. He recovered quickly and finished up the performance. The viewers did not seem to notice too much. They applauded as the show came to an end. Many well-wishers bombarded Dane as he came off the stage. He shook hands and smiled as he pushed his way through the people his eyes fixed on Nadia and Damien. “Are you two sleeping together?” Damien asked quietly as they both watched Dane approach fury flashing in his dark eyes.

“Why do you ask?” She whispered trying not to blush.

“Because I merely touched you and he looks livid. That is twice now he has seen me with you and become territorial.” Damien observed as Dane grew closer.

“We might be.” She quietly admitted.

Damien sighed. “Then I most certainly should not have touched you.”

“Probably not.” She agreed as Dane broke through the crowd and finally reached them. He took Nadia by the wrist and pulled her behind him. His large body postured possessively in front of her. “Dane it is not what you think.” She said trying to get his attention without luck.

“Where’s your wife?” Dane barked. “Don’t you think you should go find her?”

“We were just talking.” Damien tried to explain.

“I wasn’t aware that talking required you to put your hands on a person.” He snipped.

“I’m not interested in fighting. I’m not trying to take your girl, Dane. I am a happily married man.” Damien argued.

“You were happily married the last time you messed around too. Conveniently when your wife’s not around you seem to forget your vows.” Dane snarled.

His accusation had struck a raw nerve, and Damien instantly forgot his promise to stop fighting. Nadia cried out when Damien lunged at Dane, and the two men fell into the refreshment table. The fight had drawn everyone’s attention, and the crowd had gathered around to watch the two slug it out. Nadia saw the flashes of cameras, and she had a horrible sinking feeling. The entire evening was going all wrong.

Mike Sanchez and David Thompson came out of the crowd and pried their sons apart. Mike dragged Damien off Dane and held him at bay as his son struggled to get free yelling profanity at his nephew. David dragged his son to his feet, and his hands on his chest blocked Dane from his uncle. “Cut this out!” David demanded. “You are both acting like children.” He snapped livid with the both of them his handsome face twisted in a scowl. “It is time you two grew up and made peace with one another.”

“I will never-” Dane began only to be glared at by his father.

“Boy,” David growled through clenched teeth, “make peace with Damien, or so help me god I’ll… I’ll…” David lost his train of thought as he looked down at his left arm. His face twisted in pain and David reached up and clutched at his chest.

Dane’s anger faded away and had been replaced by concern. “Dad?”

Mike released Damien, and they both came to David’s side. “David? What’s wrong?” Damien asked.

Mike looked back over his shoulder and yelled. “Call an ambulance!”

Nadia reached for her cell phone and dialled nine-one-one. She watched as David suddenly collapsed where he stood. Nadia heard Kat scream and ran to her husband’s side begging him to wake up. She scooped his head and shoulders into her lap and held him until the ambulance arrived.

Nadia went to Dane’s side and put a supportive arm around him as he watched the paramedics perform CPR on his father. Nadia saw there were cameras everywhere. Inside and lining the outside windows, all trying to get a clear shot of what was happening. It made Nadia sick. They were trying to get rich off a family’s grief, it was disgusting.

Dane reached out and held Nadia close, neither one cared who saw them, at this moment he needed her, and she would be there for him; and when after a few minutes of CPR, the melancholy paramedics regretfully declared David Thompson dead on arrival she felt Dane’s arms tighten around her and his face buried against her neck. Kat cried out with grief on the floor and threw herself over her husband’s body. Nadia watched as Chase Sanchez came to her grieving daughter’s side and tried to console her.

The night had started so well, but then everything went drastically wrong. Fights broke out, and a legend had lost his life. Things could not have gotten any worse.