Chapter 21 Buried
Richard's POV
I can't believe it. After all these years I've finally found her. My little dance. Josie Turner. She looks almost the same as I remember her. She's got a cute dusting of freckles across her nose. Her honey hair is longer now, and I'm itching to run my fingers through the luscious locks. But it's her eyes, the same hazel that haunted me for years in my dreams.
Her body is still tight and small, but with enough curves to have mouth watering and my heart pound in my chest. I wonder if she's still as flexible as she used to be? I would give anything to find out right now.
I smirk as I notice the necklace she never takes off peeking out of her large sweater. The only thing she has left from her parents that I'm aware of. I'm actually surprised Beth let her keep it because it means so much to her.
I don't really give a damn about an arrangement for mom. The last thing Rose Kingston needs is more flowers. Dad had a whole damn garden planted for her out in their villa, but I am a dutiful son... But I will get to that later... If I remember to do so.
There is something much more important I need to speak about.
“I know all about you, Josie Turner. I know you have two younger sisters, Charlotte and Olivia. I know your parents used to own a dance company, The Black Swan Dance Company... and now you live with your Aunt Beth,” I tell her.
I see shock cross her face. She didn't expect any of this, I know. Most of this I really did already know. But there is more that I know that Josie should never learn. I don't care if I'm doing it for selfish reasons. No one ever accused me of being charitable.
That's what happens when you are raised by a rock legend and end up running a multi-million dollar record company. I'm ruthless in business... But this is something else. I don't want her to leave me if she ever finds out the truth.
“What I don’t know,” I whisper, leaning forward, giving her my entire focus, “is how your parents actually died."
Quite recently I'd come across a file filled with contracts. If my father ever found out I saw them, there would be hell to pay. Many of the names I recognize. The Anderson's, the Jackson's, the Benson's... Most of them were on the up and up, but some of them seemed... shady. And they all tied back to my father.
But one in particular had to do with my little dancer... Actually, there were two. One that was only her, and another that had to do with her parents. I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I read them. I didn't stick around to ask Dad about it. But what I saw was enough to make me sick.
Since then I've been wondering if they really died by accident. I didn't know if I would ever see her again. It must've been the hand of Fate when I walked into the little flower shop to order a bouquet for Julia. She'd been my on and off girl friend for the past few years.
After I saw Josie, I decided it would stay off. Now I just have to convince Josie to give me a chance after everything I did to her. I've changed... She has to see that. Since the moment I saw her I haven't said a single mean thing to her... Although, I have a feeling she'll have other things to worry about after this little set up.
"W-what do you mean?" she asks, her face paling. I want to pull her into my arms and tell her exactly what I know. But I can't. I need her to find everything out on her own. And still, she can't learn the whole truth. Some things need to stay buried.