Chapter 1
November 1, 2014—The first day of the charity event…
I knew I was having a rotten day when not only did my car rental break down, but the tow truck hauling my decrepit rental also broke down—when I was already late for work to begin with.
With smoke billowing from under the popped hood of the tow truck, I cursed quietly at the man bending over the engine. I did not have time for this. Not today.
I glanced down the deserted road lined with exotic trees. “How far until Palm Resort?”
The guy’s dirt smeared face lifted. He glanced around and scratched his head with the screwdriver—what the hell was he going to do with that—and pointed in the direction I already knew I needed to go. “That way. About three miles.”
I sighed and wiped the sweat from my forehead. It was fucking hot in Key West. “Look, I’m going to walk it.” I pulled out my business card and belatedly realized my own hands were just as dirty as his were from when I had attempted to fix the rental myself. “My name’s Elizabeth Forter. This is my cell number. Have the rental service call me when they have a replacement ready.”
Nodding, he took the card. “Will do, Ms. Forter. I’m sorry about the inconvenience.”
Not replying to that comment, I turned and started walking. Maybe I would write a piece on their crappy service. It would serve them right. I was missing a possibly big story. I felt it in my gut. I did not care what the rags in Moscow said. I knew deep down that Grigori Kozar and Ember Lerrus were an item, even if the past two months had been dead in the water with Ember seen on dates with Cole Donovan and Brent Terrance, and Grigori being seen with a new player from Russia, Zoya Petrova.
There was just something there. Moreover, all of them were hot news.
Anyone who got any scoop where Brent and Cole were concerned was going to make the front page since news of their return from a massively successful military mission had spread like wildfire. In addition, I had a ‘thing’ for the Donovans and their money. The Mayor, Cole’s father, had shut down so many of my stories that I felt a sense of true triumph every time I was able to splash Cole’s name in an unbecoming way. So I was here to dig dirt up on the Donovans via Grigori and Ember. Brent, Cole, and Ember were supposedly in a serious relationship, old news from a month ago stating they were a threesome, and if I could prove that Ember was stepping out on them, it would make Cole look like a real schmuck.
I snickered and quickened my pace, but my short legs could only go so fast. A mile down the road – thank you road marker – I started regretting my heels. Not to mention, my huge bag I was rolling behind me.
How much shit had I packed?
Did I really need that extra Prada purse? Or my forth pair of black heels? Hmm…yes.
Yes, I did. My hard-earned paychecks helped me look good.
By the time I arrived at the resort, I was wearing sweat-soaked silk that clung to my body that was decorated with dust and smears of oil where I had wiped my hands to sign the check-in forms. I breathed in the cool air, and asked the long nosed man behind the counter, “How long until the Brick Foundation Event starts?”
He checked the resort’s schedule and glanced at the clock. “You’re press?” When I nodded, he stated, “You have a half hour before they allow the press inside.”
I glanced to the enormous interior of the resort, knowing I would never make it. “Do you have a map of this place?” He did. He even circled the building I needed to go to, where my room was, and where I currently was. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Forter. Enjoy your stay,” he replied politely, handing over my room card before motioning for the next person in line to step forward.
I studied the map, extremely confused until I realized it was upside down.
I flipped the stupid thing right side up.
That was better.
I dashed to my room, and took the quickest shower possible. I threw on my staid tan skirt suit, pairing it with a pink camisole that was light and airy. I did not have time to dry my hair, so I ran a wide-spaced comb through my short riot of strawberry blonde curls and added mousse so it did not frizz too badly in the humidity here. A little lip-gloss, some mascara, my silver thin glasses, my press badge, my purse, and I was ready to rock.
At the last minute, I grabbed my duffle that was full of cameras, tape recorders, and video equipment from one of the packages that had already been delivered to my room this morning before my arrival. God, I loved a praiseworthy resort.
This job had originally been given to a newbie, but I had pestered my editor enough that he had allowed me to take the assignment. However, I was flying solo. I had been given the same resources that the newbie would have been allotted. I had splurged a bit of my own money on items that I had researched online before coming here. A little undercover work was going to be needed.
I made it to the building that was as big as an arena just as the other press members were arriving. I did not recognize any of them because they were all lower on the totem pole than I in the news business; however, I quickly shot photos of all of them with my camera phone before they noticed me. I may be plain and young, but my face was now known to the news world, thanks to when I uncovered Jake Donnally was really Grigori Kozar, the son of Daniil Kozar, the head of the Russia mafia.
Sometimes, my accolades were a plus.
Most days, they were a real hindrance.
I knew as soon as the other press members noticed me. They started whispering and covertly watching me where I stood in the back of the group while waiting for Mrs. Donovan to give her speech. After she was through speaking, we would be allowed inside and down on the main floor. I had not done this kind of work in so long, I was actually a little nervous.
I hoped it was like riding a bike.
Mrs. Donovan stepped outside the doors where I could hear many rowdy voices and shouts. She looked as beautiful as ever, even dressed down in dress slacks and a simple silk shirt. Her black hair was loose today around her tan face, and her dark brown eyes gleamed as she warmly smiled at all of us. “Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for coming.” I quickly turned on my tape recorder and lifted it high, since I was in the back. “First, I want to welcome you. This event is supporting Brick Foundation, a charity that strives to give education to those less fortunate in Africa. It will be a two-week event. You will receive the itinerary as you walk through the doors. There will be many celebrities and politicians coming that the firefighters, police, armed forces, and security individuals inside have helped at some time in their lives. There are many events planned and they’re all over this resort, so please pay attention to your itineraries or you may miss out on an event.”