I hope you enjoy this version of the opening of Deadly Valentine from Jack’s POV. In a few spots, you’ll find small red icons (
Intro to Bonus Content: In the book, Tess is in the foyer, feeling unwell and wondering why she’s even there, when she catches Jack’s reflection in the mirror. This bonus is a re-write from Jack’s POV in which he finds Tess in the foyer. It includes a bit of their history, how they met, and why they hadn’t seen each other for three years. I’d love to know your feedback. Use the comment section to let me know your thoughts!
Deadly Valentine Opening in Jack’s POV
Asa Worthington could go to hell for all Jack cared. Why he let his COO, Brad Chancellor, talk him into coming to Asa’s dinner party he didn’t know. Jack had no interest in whatever business partnership Asa planned to propose. All Jack wanted to know was why Asa was poking around into his background. Not that research wasn’t a part of deciding on business ventures and partners, but Asa’s digging was down to the minutest detail. Jack didn’t like it. It felt underhanded. Like Asa was looking for dirt to use against him. Jack was a honest businessman, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a few secrets. So Jack had come to Asa’s dinner party wanting answers. Unfortunately, Asa was playing coy, telling Jack all would be revealed later that evening.
Jack had enough. He left Asa’s office, heading toward the front door. He entered the foyer and the energy around him suddenly sparked.
Odd, but it wouldn’t stop him from walking out. He’d made it another few steps when he noticed the woman primping in the mirror. Everything…his heart…his world…stopped.
Tess.
For a moment he watched her, wondering if she was real. Why would she be in Asa Worthington’s foyer?
It had been three years since she walked out on him. Three years since she ignored his calls. Three years since he’d needed her, and she wasn’t there. He should have felt bitter about that. At the very least, his love for her should have died. But he stood in the foyer, watching her, his chest filling with something that felt like hope.
God, she was still lovely.
“You look beautiful.”
She lifted her gaze to see him in the reflection through the mirror. Her reaction was unreadable. Maybe she was as surprised to see him at Asa’s as he was to see her.
He moved toward her. When he reached her, she turned around and stared up at him with those fiery amber eyes of hers. They had lured him in the moment he met her five years ago. The memory of it was seared in his brain. He’d been visiting Brad, who at the time was his lawyer and was berating him about a business decision.
“I swear to God, Jack, I have no idea how you’ve gotten so rich. You’re too nice for your own good.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jack always got a kick at how serious Brad could get for a man who was often shallow and frivolous.
“If I ran your company, you’d be making money hand over fist.”
“Yes, but could I sleep at night?”
The phone on Brad’s desk buzzed. He gave Jack a pointed look as he picked up the receiver. “Yes, Lana.” He paused. “Send her in.”
A few moments later the door opened, and a woman entered. She was petit yet; her presence was large. She strode in with confidence wearing a gray skirt and jacket that should have been cliché for a Washington, DC businesswoman, yet on her, it put the power into power suit. He liked it.
She stopped when she saw Jack. “Oh…you’re in a meeting.” She smiled and held out her hand. “Tess Madison.”
Jack shook her hand. “Jack Valentine.” He took advantage of the momentary contact to take her in. Her eyes drew him in first. They were filled with fire. He supposed the color listed on her driver’s license was brown, but to him, they were the color of aged whiskey.
“Ah, the lazy Jack Valentine,” she quipped with an amused smile.
Jack arched a brow at Brad.
Brad pursed his lips. “Pillow talk is supposed to stay on the pillow.”
Pillow talk? Jack glanced from Tess to Brad again. They were together?
“In case you’re worried, she doesn’t know any specifics about your business.”
“Only what I read in the paper,” she said.
“And I didn’t say he was lazy,” Brad chastised Tess as he came around his desk and gave her kiss on the cheek. “I said he was too nice, which I’ve told you, Jack, to your face.”
While Brad had been talking to Tess about Jack, Jack was keenly aware that he’d never heard of Tess.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but your mother is harassing me about the list for the save the dates.”
Brad rolled his eyes. “Tell her to back off.”
“I’ve tried. It’s your turn.” She handed Brad several ivory-colored cards. “Here are the choices.”
“Ugh. We could elope.”
Jack gaped. “You’re engaged?”
“Yep.” Brad slung his arm around Tess’ shoulders. “Till death do us part, right?”
There was something off, although Jack couldn’t quite put his finger on it. They clearly liked each other. There was a familiarity and closeness in their demeanor. But Jack didn’t see love or passion. Not that he was an expert in such things. He’d dated as much as the next guy, and a few women he cared for, but none he’d felt the desire to commit his life too.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Will you come to the wedding?” Tess asked.
“My parents will be there,” Brad said in a tone Jack knew he was supposed to take as a warning. “Hers too and they’re worse than mine.”
Jack knew what Brad was hinting at. While a cliché, there was some truth to the snobbery of the rich. The few times Jack met Brad’s parents, they didn’t hide their belief that he wasn’t one of them because he grew up middle-class. It didn’t matter that Jack was richer than them now.
“Worse? Is that possible?”
Tess nodded. “The only time they were proud of me was when I got engaged to a Chancellor.”
Jack found that hard to believe. Tess seemed like a strong, successful woman. What parents wouldn’t be proud of that?
“You should meet Jack’s mom. She’s a saint,” Brad said to Tess.
Jack smiled because Brad was right. When it came to moms, Jack scored the best. Lillian Valentine was the perfect balance of love and nurturing, with a willingness to box Jack’s ears when needed, even now that he was an adult.
“Well, regardless of your parents, I wish you the best. I hope you’ve given some thought to the most important aspect of any wedding – the cake.”
Tess laughed, her eyes lighting up with amusement. “Oh, don’t worry. It’s chocolate even though our mothers disapprove.”
“Who disapproves of chocolate?” Jack couldn’t imagine. Chocolate was the fruit of the Gods.
“I know, right? It’s not like we didn’t try other flavors. We spent an entire weekend taste-testing cakes until we found the perfect one.”
“Sounds like my kind of weekend. And I’m totally for chocolate cake, not that my vote counts.”
“Perhaps you should be our wedding planner,” she said.
“Good God, our mothers would stroke out.” Brad pressed his hand over his chest.
“Wedding planning might not be my forte, but I’ve been known to throw a killer party or two in my time.”
“Is that so?” She studied him and Jack wondered what she was seeing. He was a good-looking guy, but perhaps in his suit at his lawyer’s office he came off as dull. “I’d have to see it to believe it.”
“Deal.” Jack stuck out his hand again, enjoying the banter with Tess.
She laughed and like the rest of her, Jack found himself a bit dazzled. What a disappointment he wouldn’t be able to ask her out for a drink.
“Deal. I’ll bring chocolate cake.”
Jack grinned. “Can’t wait.”
“Jack, we need to get this resolved. We need to go full on lawsuit—”
“He’s just a kid,” Jack interrupted disappointed to go back to business instead of chatting with Tess.
“A kid that could have brought down your reputation and your company.”
A kid who like him had found his way into computer systems he shouldn’t have been able to access. In some ways, Jack was grateful to the kid for exposing the vulnerability. While Jack wasn’t going to send the kid to jail, he did fire the tech team that missed the problem. Jack ran a security tech company and the last thing he needed was to be hacked. It told him that he’d gotten too far away from the important elements of the company, namely security. He needed to reengage at the tech level. Hell, maybe he’d hire the kid.
“Oh my.” Tess’ eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
Jack shifted, not enjoying looking inept. “I took my eye off the ball for a moment. The kid got lucky. I’m not going to ruin his life. Not when it was the tech teams’ fault for not noticing the vulnerability sooner.”
“Ugh. See? Too nice,” Brad quipped to Tess.
Tess cocked her head to the side as she studied Jack. “Are you going to hire the kid?”
Jack bit back his amusement that she’d see that in him after a few moments of meeting him.
“What? Oh hell no.” Brad waved his hand. “Jack—”
“He’s smart. I want to put his skills to use for good, not evil.”
Brad let out a groan and returned to his desk.
Tess laughed and Jack really hated that he couldn’t invite her to dinner.
“Well, I’ve got to go. Pick a card, Brad.” Tess started to the door.
Jack watched her leave, wondering why Brad didn’t kiss her goodbye.
Brad shook his head and picked up the cards. “What do you think?”
“Eeny meeny miny mo?”
Brad shrugged, spread the cards out, and picked one at random. “Weddings are a pain in the ass.”
“That doesn’t sound good. If you’re not sure about Tess—”
“Oh I’m sure about Tess. She’s smart. Solid.”
Jack waited to hear words that suggested love, but they never came.
Instead, Brad went back to business. “If you’re going to hire that kid, he needs to sign an NDA like everyone else.”
Jack smiled, glad Brad was finally on board. “Of course.”
“So when is the party?”
“Party?”
“The one you just promised Tess.”
“Oh… right…ah, I’ll look at my calendar and let you know.”
For the next two years, Jack went from infatuation to full on in love with her, never once telling her how he felt. When Tess and Brad’s relationship imploded, she’d come to Jack, and for a moment, he thought his time had come. For the briefest of seconds, he’d imagined a life with her. A life of love and laughter and happiness.
And then she was gone. Until now.
She was here, looking up at him with those beautiful amber eyes. “Jack.”
“I was beginning to think you forgot who I was.”
“What are you doing here?”
Her tone was wary, almost annoyed. It shook him. Put him off balance. The last time he’d seen her, she’d nearly kissed him and he’d pushed her away. God he hated that because he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But she’d just been betrayed by Brad. Her kiss wasn’t about wanting Jack. And until she wanted him, he knew he couldn’t have her. So he pushed her away and he hadn’t seen her since. Was she still mad about that?
Hoping to go back to how they’d been before, he gave her an affable smile. “I’m doing well. Thanks for asking. You look good. Really good.”
“Still a charmer, I see.”
“You don’t believe me?”
She smirked at him, and he was thrilled to be back at the old banter they’d shared before.
“I think you’re being nice to an old friend.”
“I’m glad to hear you still think of me as a friend. I was worried you were still mad about the last time we—”
“What are you doing here?”
Annoyance flared inside him again at her tone. “Asa invited me.”
“I didn’t know you knew Asa.”
“I don’t very well. It’s business.”
“You’re doing business with him?”
“Not yet. I probably won’t.” He shifted, moved closer. Wanting to find out all about her again. “Are you here alone?”
“No…ah…Yes…”
One dark brow lifted.
“I came with someone, but he was called away,” Tess clarified.
“Too bad for him.”
“He’ll be back.”
“There you are!” Asa Worthington’s booming voice echoed through the foyer followed by his immense body. “Appointed yourself the official greeter of beautiful women, eh?”
“Only this one.” Jack maintained his gaze on Tess, not wanting to break this moment.
Asa laughed and like everything else about him, it was large and loud. His blue eyes twinkled with delight as he reached out and slapped Jack on the back. “That’s what I like about you. You see what you want, and you go after it.”
“Tess! You’re here. Good. Where’s Daniel?” Tom Showalter was Asa’s lawyer, Jack knew. He had no clue who Daniel was or why Tom would be asking Tess about him.
“He got called away as we got here,” she said.
God. Was she married?
“Oh. Well, hopefully he won’t be long. I see you’ve met Jack Valentine,” Tom said.
“Jack is thinking of expanding his business in this area in anticipation of a joint venture we’re negotiating.” Asa patted Jack on the shoulder. “He’ll certainly want someone local to represent him when he does. If Ms. Madison is as good a lawyer as you say she is, Tom, perhaps she’d be up to handling Jack here.”
Tess’ eyes grew large, then narrowed with suspicion. “Have you ever been handled by a woman, Mr. Valentine?”
Jack recognized the unintentional innuendo. A wicked smile spread on his face. “Not one like you.”
“Damn, it’s hot in here.” Asa looked from Tess to Jack. “Let’s get a drink and move this party into the parlor.”
Jack followed Tess and Asa into a room off the foyer. The room fit the Georgian-style home with its décor and furnishings. A fire burned in the fireplace, although it didn’t do much to warm the chill of being around Asa.
“Where is Walter?” Asa asked in a clipped tone. An older gentleman appeared, looking like he stepped out of a 1930s whodunit-novel, complete with a black butler suit and white gloves.
“There you are. Champagne for everyone.” Asa waved his hand.
Walter made no acknowledgment of his boss. Instead, he handed Tess a glass of ice water.
“Thank you.”
Walter gave her a brief nod in response and then headed to the bar in the corner, presumably to get the champagne.
“We’re waiting for a few more people,” Asa said. Despite the abundance of seating, everyone remained standing in the middle of the room. No doubt ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Jack realized he planned to stay despite his early intention to leave.
“While we’re waiting you can tell us what this dinner meeting is about,” Jack said.
“In time, Jack. In time.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. He was sick of this dog and pony show.
“You’ve got a beautiful woman at your side who has been stood up by my nephew. Why not take the time to enjoy the company?” Asa added.
Stood up? Who was this Daniel person and what sort of man would abandon her here with these vipers?
Jack glanced at Tess. He’d leave now except for her. “Just don’t draw this out too long, Asa.”
“Finally.” Asa grabbed a flute of golden bubbly from Walter. Tess passed on the champagne. Had she become a teetotaler too?
“More water, Ms. Madison?” Walter asked.
“No. Thank you.”
“Stop flirting with the guests.” Asa waved a dismissing hand at Walter.
Inwardly, Jack cursed Asa. Why did powerful men feel the need to demean those they viewed beneath them. Then again, Jack was sure Asa thought he was beneath him too even though Jack was richer and more successful.
“To big business and even bigger money.” Asa held up his glass. Everyone joined him, raising their glasses then sipping the champagne.
“As usual, Asa, the champagne is wonderful,” Tom said.
“I’d never be able to serve less than the best champagne.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I imagine you could get away with whatever you wanted.” Jack’s tone was accusatory.
“He usually does.” Tom nodded.
Asa laughed. “You know me too well, Tom. But as my lawyer and brother-in-law you’ve shared in the fruit of my efforts. I don’t hear you complaining. You know there’s way too much of that in business today. I marvel at the new breed of entrepreneur pushing the business envelope. Too bad government keeps poking its nose in with regulations and antitrust acts.”
“Seems to me that without the antitrust act, young entrepreneurs would have a difficult time being allowed in the game.” Tess challenged. Jack smiled as he sipped his champagne. She was still strong and assertive, willing to call out people’s idiocy. He liked that.
Asa’s smile was patronizing. “I believe Darwin’s theory exists in business, Ms. Madison. The strongest succeed and survive no matter what. That’s the point I was making earlier. Too many whiners running large business today.”
“Good evening, everyone.” A twenty-something man entered the room alongside a woman with a short severe haircut and bored expression.
“Philip.” Asa checked his watch. “I’d have thought with you and your wife staying here for the weekend that you’d be on time.”
“Mother called as I was coming downstairs.” Philip’s eyes asked his father not to embarrass him.
“Needed more money, no doubt,” Asa scoffed.
Philip was a duller version of Asa with lackluster gray eyes and black hair. Even the sophisticated wife dressed in couture did little to enhance Philip’s presence.
“What does it matter to you, Asa?” Philip’s wife sneered.
“I would think it matters to you, my dear. The more she takes, the less there is for you.”
“There’s plenty for everyone,” Philip said.
“That’s why you’ll never run the business!”
There was a noticeable silence at Asa’s venomous tone. While it was known that Philip wasn’t the bulldog in business that his father was, he did work alongside his father, and as a family run business since its founding by Asa’s great-grandfather, it was assumed that Philip would be the next leader. The only Worthington not to run the company was Asa’s father, who instead had gone into politics. He’d been a Virginia senator for nearly forty years and would likely die of extreme old age in his DC office.
“Have you met everyone, Philip and Shelby?” Tom interceded. “You remember Tess Madison, Daniel’s friend. This is Jack Valentine from DC”
Daniel’s friend? Was that code for boyfriend? Or was he just a friend?
“Philip’s wife and mother, and Helen, my wife, along with a few other of their friends just got back from New York on their yearly girls’ weekend out. I understand y’all made out pretty good this year.” Tom tried way too hard to steer the conversation in a more pleasant direction.
“We did alright.” Shelby’s tone made suggested that she hadn’t made out nearly as well as she would have liked. Jack wouldn’t have been surprised if Asa put his son and daughter-in-law on an allowance.
“Just what is it that women do when they’re together?” Asa looked at Tess.
Jack’s hand fisted, hating the man’s patronizing of Tess.
“I couldn’t tell you.” Tess forced a smile. “I’ve been too busy with my practice to socialize much.”
“Damn right!” Asa boomed. “You’re dedicated to your career. Good for you! You prove my theory. Hard work will make you a success no matter what.” He glanced at Philip. “You aren’t riding someone’s coattails to get to the top.”
Jack studied Tess, imagining her starting and growing a law practice. He was proud of her. She’d started over and was now a success.
“Looks like you need a refill, Ms. Madison,” Asa said. “Jack, why don’t you escort her to the bar and get her something?”
Jack didn’t much like being coached by Asa to be a gentleman, but it gave him an excuse to get her away from the group.
“Ms. Madison.” Jack extended his hand to lead the way.
“I just need to sit down a minute. Don’t let me disrupt your meeting.” She excused herself from the group.
She hadn’t gone two steps when a Jack settled his hand on her lower back. He wondered if she felt the zing in her blood as he did.
He leaned toward her, inhaling her sweet scent.
