He'd thought taking a week off in the middle of December was foolish. His wife insisted, and one of the only things in the world that Jason Jenkins Scott was not willing to do was go against her wishes. Not without a good reason, anyway.
None had presented themselves, and so December had been filled with the usual urgent requests and important meetings until Thursday afternoon. On that day, for the first time in almost three decades, J. Jenks left instructions that he was out of the office and not to be bothered unless it was a matter of life and death, and got on a plane.
Their arrival was perfectly ordinary, the trip filled with pleasant evening strolls and days shopping in all the places mostly just like home but somehow exotic, their nights spent dining late and wandering back to the hotel room for a series of long-overdue rendezvous beneath the covers. A good man takes care of a good woman and Jason was thankful for the circumstances that had permitted their marriage to last so long. Two adult children of their own, plus one of hers from a prior marriage that he had gladly welcomed, and seven wonderful grandchildren.
Nearly thirty years together and he was still every bit as smitten with Stella as the day he'd seen her tending bar, paying her own way through school as a single mother after the hasty marriage and swift divorce that followed a teen prgenancy. She'd been a few years older than he, with a precious 10 year old tagging along and watching TV in the manager's office on nights she couldn't find a sitter. Her happy-go-lucky work ethic, genuine smile, and listening ear had hooked him, and he was hers.
Their first grandchild was graduating from Syracuse University in another year and a half and had been helping out around the office unofficially for a few summers to get some real-world experience. He was the only one in the family who knew what the man some called J. Jenks really did for his most exclusive clientele, and also knew that knowledge was worth more than his life. Jason had helped pay his way, and made it clear that the kid would be taking over the family business someday in return.
Bentley Scott was back home in New York and Jason was here, a thousand miles away from Seattle in a little town with a charming shopping district and a hot spring resort, and the last thing he expected was to meet a familiar face on the street.
He stopped dead, staring at the woman he'd just barely avoided colliding with. Their eyes met. She spoke, the oddly musical tone her voice possessed something he'd never forget. If he had any doubts about her identity, they quickly disappeared.
"Hello, J."
It was a simple greeting, but it contained multitudes. The chime of the woman's voice, unmistakably ice cold and simultaneously warm as a cat purring contentedly. The way she exuded a quiet confidence that let him know she had seen him, recognized him, and was going about this chance meeting with the same level of calm easy-going lethality that she always did. The woman in front of him could only be one woman on Earth.
Bella Cullen. Not at the moment though. She'd chosen a new name, what was it now? J racked his brains for a moment, wrenching the gears into motion again as he nearly stumbled at the sight of his number one client standing unexpectedly before him, holding a steaming cup of tea. Marie. Marie Masen. Wife of Mr. Edward Masen. She had been Bella Cullen, same as before they moved, but needed updated papers after the wedding last summer.
"Hello, Mrs. Masen. An unexpected pleasure." J nodded his head in greeting. It was safer to mind his own, to not give anything away. Where is Stella? His racing thoughts must have been plain on his face, for she smiled knowingly.
"It's always a pleasure, J. Please, call me Marie. Are you here on business, or maybe a vacation?" The question was normal enough, but Bella/Marie didn't give anything away. Her polite manner always threw him for a loop. It was worlds better than dealing with Mr. Jasper, but Bella was always… too nice. Like she was trying a little too hard to put him at his ease. It was unsettling.
Count your blessings. "Vacation, Marie. My wife used to come here every year with her family and wanted to pop in for the Christmas festival." J wasn't too scared anymore, his honed instincts telling him to make it clear this is not related to the Cullen family in any way. I have someone expecting me, so if something happens there will be questions. I will be out of your way. I mean no disrespect.
She nodded in understanding, the white lights reflecting off her strangely golden eyes in a way J couldn't look away from. He was naturally afraid to be noticed but part of his mind thought she must be used to the stares. He'd certainly been amazed all six times he'd met Bella. And with that, he suddenly recalled with vivid clarity the details of previous visits regarding the Cullen family.
J shook his head to clear his suddenly weary mind. He must have endured a dozen encounters with Mr. Jasper over the years, always coming in pairs. Once each occasion to receive instructions and once again to deliver the work. He'd always disliked the surprise of the former but dreaded the suspense of the latter.
Each and every time had left him feeling sweaty and drained. Bella's visits had been more like being examined and visually dissected by a curious but cautious stranger. At least neither one hd ever pulled a gun on him. Not that they needed to, he'd thought gloomily on more than one occasion.
Just then, another woman appeared by her side, grabbing on to Bella's arm and twirling with the natural grace of a dancer. "Hey Mom! I thought you were meeting Aunt Alice!" Her easy smile and warm demeanor, and her welcoming brown eyes so different from her mother's, made for such a jarring contrast from what J had expected from the Cullen family that at first he had no words.
Marie smiled in a causally devastating way and hugged the woman who seemed to be her daughter. "I ran into an old friend."
He found himself analyzing out of habit. He was a careful man, detail-oriented, and had a good memory. It was all necessary in his chosen field and he was an expert within it for a reason. That was, of course, the reason old Kubiak had brought him to meet Mr. Jasper in the first place.
Bella had a daughter who was about 4 or 5 years old. Then, a few years after when the family had relocated, Vanessa was now listed age 10. Simple arithmetic told him something was amiss. And yet… the picture of that girl he had fretted over was one he'd not soon forget. He'd worried up at night before meeting Bella, and had actually dared to insert himself into the client's situation! A grievous mistake with Mr. Jasper, he knew, but he felt oddly at ease around Bella. Until she left, of course. He'd barely been able to finish his meal, upsetting the waiter by asking for a box and skipping dessert. Still, he'd left a generous tip. With what Bella paid, he could afford it.
Vanessa, age 5 and then three years later age 10, and about six years had passed since then. But how could the same girl now be a full grown woman in her mid-twenties, able to rival her mother in stature, beauty, and sheer presence ? Something about both of them was magnetic. He couldn't look away. He wanted to, needed to, but he couldn't stop thinking about every little morsel of information he'd stumbled on over the years of handling the family business.
She said Aunt Alice. Alice Cullen, Mr. Jasper's wife. It is her, then. It cannot be, and yet it is. She appears older than her mother, but still flawless in every way. But somehow she's more… normal too.
J did his best to put it out of his mind. Something in Marie's eyes told him she was waiting, looking to see how he played it. He stuck to the strategy that had left him alive and intact for almost 30 years of dealing with the Cullen family. "Good evening, young lady. I'm a friend of your mother. Jason Scott, at your service. Your mother calls me J." He nodded politely but didn't move to take her hand. She stuck it out anyway, and he was surprised to feel the warmth of her handshake.
"Hello! Any friend of mom's is a friend of mine! I'm Ness Masen." She was oddly normal compared to her mother, not as ethereal and otherworldly. She seemed perfectly at ease, and J calmed down once again. He was sure he'd have to get his heart looked at if any more of the family suddenly appeared. Particularly Mr. Jasper.
"Ah, I recognize the name. I've provided legal services for your family for some time, Ms. Masen. Your mother here is one of my very best clients." He pivoted his attention back to Marie, who smiled approvingly. He'd done well. "Marie, I do hate to run, but I promised my wife I'd meet her for dinner and it would be ever so rude to keep a lady waiting. May I have your leave?"
Marie looked like she was about to reply, but looked over his shoulder instead. Stella was coming up the street, waving at them. I had hoped to keep her out of this. J inhaled deeply, not going unnoticed by either young woman beside him. He smiled his best welcoming smile at his wife, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was getting chilly, and her breath was just barely visible as she murmured a quick hello. Introductions are in order. Please, please, don't do anything to my Stella. Quick, polite, get out.
"Stella, I'm sorry, I happened to run into some folks and had to stop and say hello. This is Mrs. Marie Masen, my number one client, and her daughter Ness. Marie, Ness, this is the love of my life, my wonderful other half, Stella." The mentioned other half blushed delicately and exchanged polite greetings with the two women. She turned on her famous charms.
"It's lovely to meet you! Please, won't you accompany us to dinner?" She was delighted for the chance to help J wine and dine an important client, his most important from what he said. That might just have been a little flattery, of course. Those important folks needed to be reminded they were important or they started taking it out on the help. It was one thing she'd learned as a young woman: keep the big tippers happy. Her husband seemed a little tense at the idea, but maybe it was just the cold.
Mrs. Marie Masen seemed hesitant as well, until her daughter chimed in. "Oh please, Mom? That would be so nice! I'd love to meet your friends!" She turned to faux-whisper at Stella. "I really want to try some new restaurants. We hardly ever go anywhere new!"
"What about your chaperones? They seem to have disappeared again. I hope Garrett's not roped Kate into anything like racing kayaks or playing laser tag again. He never could turn down a challenge." Marie spoke with a fond expression.
J was more concerned by the new names. Garrett? Kate? Are there more of them I don't know about? How many others? I should expect they have others who handle certain sensitive matters but she's being so free with her information tonight. Perhaps just trying to play up the role?
Ness laughed again. "Kate's trying to talk him into buying her a pearl necklace she saw in a window, claiming it goes with her dress. It totally doesn't, but since he's a man she might still pull it off. Please, mom!"
Marie gave in. "Who would I be to deny my daughter? Of course, it would be wonderful to dine together. Stella, J, we must run back to the hotel first, but perhaps we can meet at Geary's at 8:00?" She looked at J expectantly. He read this look as play it cool and I won't bite. He was closer to the truth than he realized.
It had been a surprisingly gratifying dinner on all sides. Ness got to indulge herself and ordered a little of everything she wanted, ending up with a pile of dishes and a contented smile on her face as she discreetly rubbed her stomach.
Marie had been congenial, seemingly not very hungry. She'd let the others do most of the talking, except when Stella had spoken to her directly. She had wondered aloud how such a young woman could be the COO of such a large charity and flattered Marie on her appearance, which was completely and totally truthful on Stella's part. The woman barely looked a day over twenty!
J had been careful to give her the cover story earlier as Stella picked over her evening wear. Selecting a deep blue dress that went with the earrings he'd given her for their most recent anniversary, she'd wondered at never having heard of the Masen account. J kept his work at work most days, but the occasional phone call or email at home was inevitable.
"The Cullen account, actually. Marie Cullen was her maiden name. She took over the account from her brother-in-law a few years ago. She married recently, but kept her position on the board."
Cullen. She'd heard the name fall from his lips infrequently, but the first time had been quite memorable. It was the first word she'd ever heard him say.
Whoever they were, it was clearly important that they not blow this and so Stella was very careful. She loved her husband unremittingly but was aware, in the sense that she knew but didn't quite know, that he occasionally had to do things that were a little outside the usual job description. She never asked and he never volunteered.
Whoever the mysterious Cullens were, these Masens seemed quite nice enough. Marie had answered her questions politely, explaining she had graduated early from Dartmouth and been fortunate enough to be offered a position on the board of the family charity run by the head of her extended family, a doctor of some renown. She'd had Ness quite young and was ever so blessed to have such a relationship with her daughter. Her husband and brothers-in-law were out hunting, and some other family was enjoying a quiet stay at the spa.
As the Scotts stood outside waiting for a taxi while the Masens waited for a ride from Marie's in-laws, Stella exchanged polite kisses on the cheek with Ness and Marie, noting the other woman's cold cheeks and offering to let her borrow a scarf to help against the chill. It was politely refused, her glowing golden eyes warm and welcoming.
How this woman could terrify her husband was beyond her understanding, but then perhaps it was a lingering effect from the previous family member he'd had dealings with. Mr. Jasper, a name she'd not heard in a very long time until tonight, a name that sent chills through her husband.
A wife knows her husband, and Stella knew that while Marie was no threat to her as a woman to another woman, she was a threat in every other sense of the word. Some innate sense told her to be wary, and so she overcompensated with extra cheer and polite affability. She thought it worked, for J's sake. Strange that this woman called him J and he called her Marie. That was her wish, as J had explained, and he wouldn't dare refuse this client.
Ness was the first to give any outward sign of noticing their ride approaching. "Look Mom, it's Aunt Alice and Uncle Jazz!" An SUV approached, lights flashing off the glass windows until the silver Porsche Cayenne rolled to a smooth stop just in front of the restaurant.
J's heart froze for what must be the fifth time today. The Cullen-Masen family women exchanged greetings as the lithe Alice stepped out of the passenger seat and complimented Marie and Ness on their evening gowns, while Stella marveled at yet another inhuman beauty.
She didn't have the same style as the others, preferring to keep her hair shorter and her clothes a little more revealing even in the cold, but this Ms. Alice was just as graceful and clearly just as special as Marie and Ness. Stella looked over at her husband to see him staring at the driver, mostly hidden behind tinted windows. In the dark, it was nearly impossible to see who was behind the wheel, but she understood this must be the mysterious Mr. Jasper who had kept him awake at night for 25 years. She was intrigued to see what kind of man could elicit such a reaction, and was shocked to see a man not much older than 20 himself. Are they all ageless and ridiculously beautiful!?
Mr. Jasper gave her a curt nod and she felt her emotions smoothly dampen, as if she was suddenly quite tired. She yawned and covered her mouth. "Please excuse me! It must be later than I thought. It was so very nice to meet you, Mrs. Masen! I do hope that young Bentley can assist with whatever you need when J here finally calls it quits. Hopefully before we get too old to enjoy retirement!" She hung on Jason's arm as she felt a little dizzy.
Marie Masen favored Stella with another dazzling smile. Stella was not immune, but she was frankly amazed and rather proud of her husband for handling such an imposing client with particular grace tonight. He'd been putting on quite a show of aiming to please, and she saw again in him the charming young man that had captured her heart.
"I've been very satisfied with J's work for the family, and I know Jasper has been as well." This last was accompanied by a brief but pointed look at the silent man standing next to Ms. Alice. "Do let me know when I can drop by to meet the young man, J. I trust you'll teach him every trick in the book, plus a few that you haven't written down."
Keep up the good work. Or else.
"I'll look forward to it, Marie. Do give my best regards to the family. Ness, a pleasure." He took her offered hand and kissed it gallantly, an old-world touch that he thought they might appreciate. It worked, at least for Ness and Marie and Ms. Alice's benefit. Marie shook his hand, leaving her gloves on. The silent Mr. Jasper seemed unamused. J gathered all his courage, turned to face Ms. Alice and Mr. Jasper, the most terrifying man in the world.
"Mr. Jasper. I trust you are enjoying your vacation?" Ms. Alice seemed to poke him in the ribs with her elbow, and he finally unbent enough to release a faint ghost of a smile.
"Indeed I am, Jenks. Good hunting around here. Dinner was pleasant?" A Texas twang he'd never noticed before peeked through, probably an affectation to make him seem less threatening. God bless my wife. One last hurdle. Please.
"It was marvelous, Mr. Jasper." That seemed to be that, and so he greeted the often-described but never-before-seen Ms. Alice. "How do you do, ma'am? Jason Scott, I've been pleased to serve as the family's legal counsel for many years."
She gave a polite smile that left him sure she could stop his heart just as easily as her husband. "Yes, I know. I've never been able to thank you for everything you've done for the family, Mr. Scott. So, I'm saying thank you now. Your assistance has been invaluable." She allowed him to take her ice-cold hand and press his lips to the back of it, just as he had with young Ness.
"Old fashioned manners seem to work best." Kubiak had said. "Don't insert yourself in their business. Every few years, but no longer than every 10, they will require new documents for the family. Any mistakes and your head and body will be found on opposite sides of the ocean. Eye contact is important, even if you want to look away. Do not show any weakness, he can feel it. Mr. Jasper Whitlock is the single most important client you will ever have. Sometimes he'll go by other names too, Mr. Hale or Mr. Cullen. Drop everything for him, any time of night or day. Understood?"
Jason had nodded, impressed by the serious manner and the overflowing ashtray of his mentor. "Who is this guy? What does he do?"
Kubiak had shaken his head, disappointed. "Son, if you're to have any future with this client, you need to stop asking questions. Don't wonder, don't think, just do the job and you'll be paid. He always pays good, too, but you better step up. I've recommended you to Mr. Jasper because I'll be gone soon." The cancer had spread, and his wheezing breaths gave emphasis to the declaration. "You'll be taking care of their needs now, boy. 16 years I've worked for Mr. Jasper, and I owe the man my life. The firm would have gone under without his business. I was going to lose the house, probably lose Eleanor too. I don't know how he found me, and I won't ask. It's enough to know that his business is his own and either his needs will be met, or they won't."
Jason Jenkins Scott watched his nightmares and his salvation drive away, letting out a breath as all his emotions returned to equilibrium.
He thought, not for the first time, that while the Cullen family had certainly driven him to drink, he'd met his beloved Stella thanks to Mr. Jasper's unexpected visit so long ago. Yet another chance meeting, the kind of pivot point the hands of fate work their levers upon.
He'd paid Bentley's way through school thanks to Bella. He'd had a nice house and reliable cars and everything his family needed. Whatever they were, he was grateful.
He took Stella by the arm, guiding her to the taxi that had just pulled up. He had decided over dinner. Three more years. He would give himself three more years at the office and then he was done. The stress was enough to kill a man. Stella deserved better.
The decision, once made, was a weight off his shoulders. One more meeting, then. One last time his path would cross with theirs. The handover to Bentley, and then he was done. Jason Jenkins Scott breathed deeply, a satisfied man.
