Club Luxe 6: Forever

By Olivia Noble

This is the sixth and final book of the Club Luxe series! The stunning conclusion will be available on March 24th.

Victoria has lost nearly everything she cared about. Her man and her job seemed to evaporate overnight and there isn't anything she can do about it. With Malcolm's history of blackmailing her into getting his way, she can't even be sure that he isn't the reason for all this.

Getting back his family should have made Malcolm the happiest man in the world. Yet, there was something critical missing: Victoria. Being away from her forced him to realize that she was the love of his life. Even though Elizabeth and Claire were in his life again, he knew that he had to do whatever it takes to get his woman back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ThunderWords Press
• Release date: Mar 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310952425

Olivia Noble

Olivia Noble is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, two beautiful children-- and a new baby on the way! The husband recently thought it was a good idea to read Olivia's books, and he blames their "extremely inappropriate" content for their little accident. (She happily takes responsibility.)Raising two rambunctious rug rats makes it nearly impossible to escape long enough to finish writing an entire book, but Olivia does her best to find "Mommy time." She likes to keep her books romantic, steamy, and filled with fun characters that get into all kinds of trouble-- the kind of trouble she wishes she could get into.Subscribe to Olivia's mailing list to receive a free book as a gift: http://eepurl.com/TRg95

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Malcolm’s ringtone normally gave Victoria a thrill, but now it was driving her insane. For over an hour, he had been calling and leaving her voicemails. The sounds blurred into one another without pausing. Each time, it became harder to resist picking up the phone. Whenever she felt weak and reached out for the small black device, fear made her hand hesitate in midair. These recent events reminded her too much of his past manipulations, and she couldn’t help the sinking feeling that Malcolm had something to do with her downfall as a reporter. Only he would do something so cruel to make her bend to his whims.

Hey, Chloe’s soft voice said outside Victoria’s door. Are you alright, sweetie?

A hundred different answers went through Victoria’s mind. A rude and harsh answer almost slipped past her tongue, but she choked it back. No, she forced out. I’m really not okay. She felt pathetic and weak, like her arms weighed several hundred pounds.

May I come in? Chloe asked sweetly.

I’d rather be alone, Victoria replied softly, fighting back tears from drenching her face. Please.

Chloe placed her hand against the wooden door, unsure of what she should do. I know it feels like that, Vica, but trust me… you could use a friend right now.

Victoria sighed. She knew her friend was right, but she stubbornly wanted to be left alone with her own anger and sadness. Not right now, Chloe, she said after a moment of silence. Malcolm really hurt me and I just need some time to process through it.

I don’t think he would do this to you twice, Chloe responded reassuringly. I overheard what happened, and I can see why you blame him. He did it once already, but that was for the sake of his daughter, you know? I don’t think he’s cruel enough to hurt you for his pride.

Victoria felt relief as her friend spoke. She desperately wanted to believe Chloe’s words, but at the same time she didn’t want to set herself up for even greater hurt and disappointment. "But what if he did? Malcolm’s used to getting his way. The truth is, I don’t really know him." she asked brokenly.

Then you will be strong and we’ll deal with it, together, Chloe said brightly. Now how about that Cherry Garcia?

A light chuckle forced its way out from Victoria’s chest. Alright… but I think I want a whole carton now.

Alright, Chloe replied through a smile. "Come on out and I’ll put on The Notebook or something."

Nothing too sappy or depressing, Victoria said, wrinkling her nose. She stood up slowly and exited her room. The brightness from the rest of the apartment was blinding compared to the darkness from her room. "Maybe something a little funnier, like Crazy, Stupid, Love."

Chloe chuckled in response. I'll go find it and put it on. Take your time.

The raven haired woman smiled at her friend and slowly walked toward the kitchen. She was glad to have a friend like Chloe. The red head was always there for her no matter what the circumstances. She wasn't even afraid to tell off a billionaire to his face. If only he had listened. All Malcolm had to do was be nice and honest with her.

The thought made tears stream down her face. Why couldn't Malcolm just be honest about his feelings towards Elizabeth? Did he really blackmail her a second time? And for what? To keep being with him?

I don't know if I should be flattered or depressed, she said aloud.

What was that? Chloe asked from the living room.

Just wondering what Malcolm would have to gain by hurting me like this, she said, musing the idea. Now that I think about it… It doesn't make much sense.

Maybe because he didn't do it, Chloe offered. I mean the two of you had to have pissed off more than a few powerful people trying to find Claire. Maybe one of them was behind it.

It was a thought that Victoria was blind to until now. She was so focused on the shock and idea of Malcolm being behind it, that she didn't think of another reason. That actually makes more sense. I feel like an idiot for not thinking about it sooner.

Chloe nodded and her lips pulled into a smile. So what are you going to do now? Call him?

Victoria shook her head. No. I'll give him some time with his family. There is still Elizabeth to consider and I don't know if my pride can deal with asking Malcolm for help right now.

I don’t think you need his help anyway, the red head said sincerely. You can figure out a way to get another job at a different news outlet.

Victoria felt better hearing the faith her friend had in her, but it wasn’t so easy. Even if she could get another job, unless she could find a way to clear her name, she knew it would be impossible to make it to the top of the field. You’re right, she said after a moment. I’ll bounce right back from this.

---

The next few days were not easy on the intrepid reporter. She tried all of her contacts at other papers or news outlets, but they all came back to her with a resounding no. By the end of the week, her limbs felt so heavy it was nearly impossible to drag herself out of bed. Victoria had always dreamed of doing one thing with her life: writing for the news like Lois Lane.

She thought back to the day she got her first internship in college and how accomplished that had made her feel. Or the first time one of her stories made the front page. It was a story about an elderly couple being one of the biggest drug dealers in Cook County. Lois wouldn’t let this keep her down, Victoria reminded herself as she dragged herself out of bed. No matter how hard it was, or how long it took, Victoria Chase was not going to be denied her dream.

A jingling sound alerted Victoria to the presence of her phone. She rolled the device over to see that she had several text messages from Malcolm. It felt wrong to ignore him, but she didn’t want him to find out about her job. Her worst fear was that he was going to take over the situation and use his influence to get it back for her—then she would be indebted to him again. She didn’t want that. Victoria wanted to get her job back on her own. Otherwise, her worth would be tied to the man she loved, and not her own abilities.

Sorry, champ, she said aloud as she turned her phone back over. Mama is gonna solve this one on her own.

Several hours later, and many cab rides around the city, Victoria was exhausted. After trying again at The Chicago Tribune, and getting rejected before she even made it up the elevator, she had all but given up hope. Walking away from Tribune Tower, her feet killed her with every step. It was as if she were back in the jungles of South America. It didn’t help that her leg was still bothering her; a dull pain reverberated in her body with each tired step.

She thought for sure if the people working for the Chicago Tribune saw her in the flesh, they would be more likely to have a positive reaction. Instead she was met with slammed door after slammed door. Finally, she felt ready to throw in the towel, or at least throw back some lunch.

The smell of food was always in the air, even during the winter. Food carts would be parked along the streets, ready to serve the hungry locals with warm drinks or hot meals. There was one particular cart that Victoria frequented often while she was working at her old newspaper. Though it was a few city blocks away from downtown, Victoria decided the food was worth it. Gino’s Hotdogs never failed to provide her the exact pick-me-up she needed after a hard day at work.

Surely it would have the same effect while she was looking for a job.

Under normal circumstances, Victoria would have just walked the distance to the hotdog stand, but the sharp, cold wind was cutting into her. She summoned a cab to avoid the harsh weather and thankfully was picked up fast.

East Ohio, Gino’s cart, she said as she stepped into the back seat.

Good food! the driver said as he shifted the car into drive.

Victoria laid her head back against the seat of the car, and tried to let the stress flow out of her. Why me? She thought to herself bitterly. A buzzing in her purse knocked her out of her thoughts. She picked up her phone to see yet another text message from Malcolm, reading only: Call me.

Like hell, she said as she stuffed her phone back into her purse. She didn’t want to talk to Malcolm. It was mostly out of shame, but also because she didn’t feel like he really cared. He had his wife and daughter back—what need did he have for her anymore?

It was hard to banish those thoughts from her mind. As she mulled over her own worth, she realized that it was easy to be sad. Being sad asked nothing of her other than to blame something or someone else for her issues. With that in mind, she considered giving Malcolm a call later in the day, but only after she got her food. Her stomach was growling and she knew she would be extra crabby if she spoke to him while hungry.

The cab pulled