Page 51

SECRET LOVERS

VANESSA

E verybody’s mouth dropped at that little bombshell. Vanessa took a sip of water with a shaky hand while Zoe’s eyes swung toward her with a shocking hostility that was even more fierce than Scott’s.

In the awful, awkward silence, Scott took a bite of steak and chewed vigorously, then had a swallow of wine.

He’d nursed a single glass all evening, from what she could see.

His being sober made it all the more surreal that he was pouring some scalding tea and seemed prepared to let it burn everyone at the table.

“I wasn’t aware that she was married, just to clarify.

I don’t help women cheat. We had four months of frequent dates and not a word about him.

” He pointed at Santino with his square chin.

“She never brought me around to meet her good brother, the doctor, over here or anybody else, so that’s why he didn’t know me before last night.

Never met any of her family or her friends.

That should’ve been a clue, I guess. ‘Secret Lovers.’” He sang the refrain of the old R&B song in a voice that was surprisingly good. Santino did not look happy about that.

Juliette was flustered, Virgil was speechless for once, and for the first time since Vanessa had met her, Ling looked pissed. As for Bobby, he had the nerve to give Vanessa that disapproving big brother stare, once again forgetting he was not the eldest.

Santino spoke with measured words that had her heart fluttering with fresh anxiety. “Yes, my wife and I have had our problems. Marriage has its ups and downs. You happened to make an appearance when we were legally separated. But I want to thank you.”

“Thank me? Thank me for what?” Scott asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning forward with his head cocked to the side as if to listen better.

“If it weren’t for you, I might have let our separation drag out longer. But when I did find out about you, I also found out that the nice suits you wear, the gold nameplate on the door of your office, all that bullshit? It’s a fugazi . Your whole deal is a fugazi . A fuckin’ fake.”

“Geez, you and Vanessa with the corrections. I know what a fugazi is, thank you.” Scott took another bite of steak, chewing hard.

The eyes around the table were wide, swinging between the two men with anticipation. It was as if they were watching boxers circle each other in the ring, waiting to land a killing blow.

Undaunted, Santino smiled humorlessly. “Good, I’m glad.

Fugazi . The real you is right there tatted on your knuckles.

The real you is that big cross on your back under that expensive suit.

Now there’s no shame in getting your bag doing something that might not be totally legit.

I mean, running scams to take people’s money ain’t just for politicians or Wall Street.

And some of the Saints are cool. I’m even related to a few.

“But you… you’re on a different level than your average carjacker or low-level dope-slinger. You’re a fucking tough guy who goes hard on women who piss you off. I’d watch myself if I were you, miss,” Santino said to Juliette, who shrunk down in her seat and averted her eyes.

“It made me realize that my wife needed me more than ever and I had to step in. And because of that, we’re back together, having the best week we’ve ever had and looking forward to our future.

So, thank you for being such a fucking loser.

You’re not getting an invitation to our vow renewal or anything but thanks.

And thanks for this cash in my pocket, too.

” Santino patted his jacket. “I’ll be enjoying both. ”

In the meantime, Virgil, whose face had expressed shock at the revelation that Scott and Vanessa had dated and that she and Santino had been separated, didn’t seem fazed by the information about Scott’s past. Juliette, however, was done.

She stood up, and in her soft accented English, she waved to everyone. “Goodnight. It was nice meeting you.”

Ling popped up and went after her, whispering and cajoling in French as Juliette headed for the exit. That’s when Vanessa realized the date between Juliette and Scott was a setup. Scott didn’t seem to care that she’d gone, staring at Santino with his complexion now fire-engine red.

“Is it true? Not the gangbanger stuff. My background check on you informed me of that before we worked together,” Virgil said quietly to Scott, looking dead serious with cold eyes.

This was a side of him Vanessa wouldn’t have guessed existed since he’d been so fun and upbeat till that point.

He continued, “I read that report about your ex-wife. Although the blame was laid on the side guy, no one was sure who was responsible for the assault. So, now you have your chance to set the record straight once and for all. Did you hurt her?”

Scott’s answer was swift and unequivocal.

“I don’t hit women. That’s a fucking foul accusation.

I might even consider that libel, since he said this in front of a friend and someone I do business with,” Scott said.

“Or at least someone I considered a friend. Now I don’t know anymore. Are we friends, Virgil?”

The other man said nothing, but his eyes took on more warmth. He seemed to believe Scott. And, shockingly, Vanessa believed him too.

“Tell them, Mrs. Dr. Perfect.” Scott directed that at Zoe.

She stammered, her smile gone now that it was her turn under Scott’s microscope. “Tell them what?”

“Tell them how you tried to blow me last night in the bathroom at Virgil’s and in the hotel sauna earlier today after hitting on me in the pool.”

The gasps that information elicited were loud. Bobby’s eyes narrowed at his wife. Still, he remained curiously silent as Scott sighed.

“Trust me, people, this is relevant. Zoe was apparently very drunk last night. She got mad when I said I don’t do shit like that, just randomly fuck women I don’t know and especially not drunk women.

She even got a little aggressive with me when I repeated myself today, to the point where I had to leave.

So, if you guys want anecdotal proof that I don’t abuse women or take advantage of women, even when they’re willing, you’ve got it right there. ”

Bobby’s jaw tightened so hard it looked like it might shatter as he stared daggers at Scott. His gaze only softened when Ling reappeared, looking forlorn that her friend had gone off upset.

“I think you’ve said enough.” Bobby’s voice was smooth, not matching the embarrassed rage in his eyes.

“Oh, I’m just getting started.” Scott grinned with those sharp, white teeth as Bobby glared at him.

“How about you, the big shot heart doctor? So respectable. So put together, so perfect . I might not have met you before, but I heard about you. Your huge house in Westchester, your big-time doc gig. How moral and self-righteous you can be.”

Bobby looked at Vanessa sharply and she flushed. Had she said those things? Maybe she’d mentioned the beautiful house and his beautiful life. Maybe there had been something in her voice that Scott had heard and he’d made his own interpretations of what she’d meant.

“But,” Scott said, squinting at her brother, “didn’t I see you last night at Virgil’s house trying to put your hands all over Ling’s ass in his bedroom?”

More “what the fuck” gasps. Now Virgil zeroed in on Bobby as Scott continued.

“The only reason I didn’t mention it to Virg was because I heard her say ‘no.’ She said you surprised her, coming up here like you did when you know she’s seeing him.

She said she didn’t want anything to do with your married-with-children ass when she’s been trying to lock him down for a year.

” Scott cut into his steak vigorously, knife scraping against the plate.

“Meanwhile, there you were, begging for a taste like a desperate hoe outside some married dude’s window at three am.

It was like listening to a fucking Keith Sweat song. ”

Scott snorted and shook his head ruefully while Ling put her hand over her mouth and Zoe turned to Bobby with brimming tears.

“Fuck you, you bitter, redheaded barbarian,” Bobby said quietly.

That made Scott laugh out loud. “Oh, shit. Good one, Dr. Perfect.” Then he turned to Virgil. “And you, Virg. Don’t think I didn’t run a background check on you, too.”

“Christ…” Santino muttered as the slaughter went on.

“You want to know why I wanted to work with you, become buddies with you? It’s not because you’re one-percenter rich.

Fuck rich. There are more billionaires now than ever before so that’s not special anymore.

Your family’s money might look clean now but it’s old, like a vintage car.

Shiny and fly on the surface but plenty of bloodstains in the trunk.

I like you because you keep it real. I’m sorry this evening had to come to this, but I keep it real, too. ”

Still shocked by what had been revealed so far, Vanessa said, “Libel is when you write something defamatory to ruin someone’s reputation.

Slander is when you say it verbally. Santino slandered you.

But only if it’s not true.” Despite the shock, or maybe because of it, the Knowledge Nerd didn’t seem to know when to take a break.

“I just said it. I’ve never raised my hand to a woman or been abusive in any way.” Scott rested his elbows on the table, his bulky shoulders in a tight, tense line.

“Alright, if you want to keep it real, as you claim, tell them how you’ve been going out of your way to make one particular woman feel very uncomfortable. Me. You’re making me feel uncomfortable and you know what you’re doing. Why else would you have come here tonight?”

“I came here to make him uncomfortable.” Gesturing toward Santino, Scott’s chuckle was harsh and sardonic. “You really think everything I do is about you? Jesus, how much attention do you need? Were you deprived as a child?”

That cut bone deep. It went beyond that. It went soul deep.