Claire knew what Anthony was doing. Starting in the car, he had been contemplating, overthinking, and overanalyzing the entire situation. She knew if he would just let her she could explain. Oh god! She wanted to lie down, scream, and cry. But she also knew he could be watching right now and she refused to give him the satisfaction, refused to let him know how worried she was about his decisions. Truthfully, she was worried actually, terrified of the possible return of his other persona.

  There are two things a person should never be angry at,

whattheycanhelp,andwhattheycannot. —Plato

 Chapter 16

She sat at her table, writing. Tony couldn’t see what she was writing. The cameras didn’t have enough zooming capability. Her body language didn’t look nervous. It showed a proud and defiant pose. He watched as she wrote, sitting straight, her neck tall and proud. The only hint of uneasiness would be the way her feet fidgeted under her chair.

From his office screens, he could access different views of the room. From another view, she sat farther away, and he could see her bed in the background. Of course, there was the view that kept the bed centered, but the table wasn’t visible from that one.

Trying to contemplate his options and the consequences of her actions, Tony closed his eyes and reviewed the day. When he entered her suite this morning, he anticipated anxiety but found calm. And that smile when they got in the car. God! Her smile when it was real melted him. Her emerald eyes could glisten and shine. Of course, he didn’t see her real smile much. He did today, and seeing her with his friends, she was perfect.

He told himself the reason he had trouble keeping his eyes off her was strictly because he needed to monitor her behavior. It had nothing to do with how beautiful she looked. Now as he watched the screens, he wondered what she was thinking. Was she thinking about him, about her future? It was all up to him. She knew that. He knew that. The power didn’t give him the satisfaction it once had.

Damn, why in the hell did Sue give her that phone number? What did they talk about when he wasn’t there? His head filled with unanswered questions and plausible scenarios. She wanted to leave him. Why wouldn’t she? Did she initiate a plan? Why wouldn’t she follow his rules?

His internal monologue momentarily caused him to lose focus of the screens. Now as he scanned, she was gone. He scanned the other views until he noticed the open door to the balcony. He could only see the back of her head. He really needed another camera installed.

Over an hour had passed since they came home. Making Claire wait for him was part of his plan. But watching her, it seemed she controlled her nerves better than he. Maybe he needed fresh air too. No, he needed to make a decision. It was his mantra. She knew the rules. It doesn’t matter if you do something 99 percent right, perfection is required. The fact remains she must have broken his rules. He needed to make a decision. Behaviors have consequences, consequences can be unpleasant. Tony told himself he had warned her, she chose not to listen.

She inhaled and exhaled. The country air filled her lungs with cool, refreshing strength. Claire thought about the people she met and about talking and laughing. It was fantastic. Courtney’s reassurance and Tony’s unusually kind smiles relieved her initial anxiety. She knew it was a charade. But it was fun, getting out around people. Then the telephone number came. It boggled her mind that something so incredibly simple could cause such ridiculous repercussions.

She thought about Tony. He would enter her suite soon, of course without knocking. And he would have some verdict regarding her insubordination. The fact that she wasn’t insubordinate wouldn’t alter his decision. She wondered if he handled business issues this way too, without input. With her mind scrambling, she asked herself, Do I have any options?

Her wild emotions caused a rush of adrenaline concealing the cool night air from her consciousness. His impending decision terrified her. His smiles today gratified her and his physique in jeans aroused her. How could her body defy her mind so severely? Claire believed her body was the true offender of insubordination!

Thinking about Bonnie made Claire laugh at the irony. She thought Claire was securing a sugar daddy. The reality couldn’t be farther from the truth. However, at that moment, instead of wanting to explain she was honored to be associated with Anthony Rawlings. Irrational best described her thoughts. Maybe if she could get her body and mind to work together she could devise some kind of plan. The sound of the suite door closing brought her thoughts to the present.

Tony didn’t speak but his eyes did, acknowledging Claire on the balcony and bidding her to enter. She did. Determined to continue the bogus act of strength she walked within inches of him and stood her ground. He didn’t greet her, instead he lifted her chin. His eyes looked as cold as his hand felt. Claire knew without a doubt this will not be good. “What did we discuss just before we arrived at the Simmonses?”

Her eyes flashed fire but her words sounded respectful. “I told you I wouldn’t let you down and I didn’t.”

“Actions have consequences, I have told you that. Why is that difficult for you to understand?”

“Tony, it isn’t. If—” He stopped her, not with a gentle finger to the lips but with a slap to her left cheek. Claire stopped speaking, her eyes moist, but she refused to look away or back down.

“Actions have consequences. I have been thinking quite a bit about an appropriate punishment.”

Claire decided she had nothing to lose. There was punishment coming, so she might as well push her luck. “Tony, if you would please let me talk. I know your decision is set, but allow me to speak.” Impressed by her strength, he nodded and told her to make it quick. “I was nervous about going to this barbeque today, but I had a wonderful time. Courtney was the perfect hostess and very charming. Everyone was nice to me. I really didn’t know what to expect.” She tried to hurry. “Well, everyone except Bonnie. By the way, I overheard Bonnie and MaryAnn talking and everyone there had your back. That includes me. And Sue, well Sue is lonely. She told me that Tim works long hours, which she mentioned he enjoys, but she is lonely. At some point, she asked me for my number. I don’t have one, as you know. But I thought that sounded dumb, everyone has a cell phone, so I just said I didn’t have it with me and I didn’t know my number. I never call myself. So I am guessing that is why she gave me her number. I really didn’t know she was going to do it. If I did, would I have her do it right in front of you?”

Tony hadn’t stopped her, so she decided to keep rambling, pacing a little. “When Courtney introduced me to Tim and Sue, I told Tim I’d heard good things about him from you. I can only guess that made Sue and I instant friends. Women love to hear good things about their husbands. I would have told you if I’d gotten the number without you knowing. I have no way of calling. And if I just didn’t call, it would appear rude. I know how you feel about appearances.” She didn’t know what else to say, but at least she had said her piece. “I really did well today, this is just a misunderstanding, and your friends are very nice.”

She stood and maintained eye contact. Tony continued speaking as if no words had been spoken. “I have decided you may choose. Perhaps you would like to know your choices?”

Claire’s heart sank. She lowered herself into a chair at the table and looked away. Nothing she said mattered. He hadn’t listened to a word. “Tony, your decision is made, I don’t care.” Defeat filled her voice. She looked at the table, where on a piece of paper was a list of positives from her day.