4×05 “Crashing Out”
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark. and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: Sailor- Cut Up

Ronan had left  his mansion early that morning. He had a few things for the business he needed to take care of at the club and honestly he was going to try and track down the elusive red head that was Dru Price. He would be discrete of course but he had needs and it wasn’t like he was going to get into a bed with Gia so soon after having his son. He spent most of his mornings at the house helping her and taking on most of the duties he wanted to be an active father to their son. They were bonded together for that reason alone but there was no love between them he knew that now. Gia was at home with Michael where she belonged but one of his lieutenants had called him to the house. Someone was making a move onto his territory and that wasn’t going to happen on his watch. He’d worked too hard and too long expanding his fathers empire for someone to move in on what was his. With a newborn son at home and watching his back since the explosion he’d gotten too lax with those around him clearly, he poured himself a bourbon in the back of his car as his driver made their way to the traphouse.

Weaving their way through traffic to Scottswood where the wealthy dared not go unless they were scoring of course it hadn’t changed. Run down houses, boards on windows and doors, trash littered the lawns as they drove. Of course the corners of the streets had their fair share of things to turn the eyes, women who worked the streets like Trisha Kohl had pimps at the ready if someone stepped out of line. Various gangs whose leaders simply stared at his car mutual agreements of course he’d keep their supply and war going if they let him and his organization run free. The house itself was run down and he got out of the car nodding to his guards and driver. He spotted the man who went by Killa in front of him, he certainly looked the part. “So what has become so urgent that you needed to see me? Isn’t it something that you or your crew could handle?” Ronan asked 

Killa was standing in the Martin Luthor King projects. An expansive set of rowhomes that had two apartments in each building. It had dirty debris everywhere. Looking down he saw needles on the ground but it wasn’t from crack, it was from that new drug. LVLZ was all the rage in every college party. Now it was hitting the streets and the crackheads were asking him where to find it. They honestly had no idea but LVLZ was becoming a major problem. They had almost all of their supply of coke, heroine, and meth. People were still buying but it was slowing down and Ronan wasn’t going to blame him or anyone in his crew. His skin was smooth like a Hershey bar, he had perfectly straight white teeth, he was physically in the best shape he’d ever been in due to prison. Getting out and finding out his best friend Kendrick had snapped. He heard about it but hearing it in the street was an entirely different vibe. He wore a perfectly white wifebeater tanktop, a pair of Amiri jeans, Ethica boxers that had colorful designs on them, and a pair of retro Jordan’s. Walking up he immediately dapped Ronan. He still had a baby face but his scar that ran down his face made him look menacing. Years ago Mr. Madden had basically paid for a lawyer for him and he’d always ride with the Madden family. Kendrick was power tripping but he liked not being the face of anything. He liked the shadows. 

“Man, don’t get all uppity on me Ronan you act like your dad didn’t help turn Scottswood into the drug riddled paradise. Too good to see what’s going on in your territory? I thought not.” Killa said calmly, smoothly walking over to him and dapping him up. “So king lemme give it to you straight cuz I know you got a new baby. But we facing something new, something that’s got everyone talking.” Pulling out a baggie of LVLZ which was ice blue. “You know what this is? It’s called LVLZ and all the college kids are using it, the clubbers, and the crackheads saying it gets them higher longer. So I tested it and let’s just say we ain’t moving much merchandise because of this.” Killa handed him the bag of drugs. “Now my question is simple and it’s what all my boys are asking? When are we going to get our hands on what everyone wants? When are we going to get some LVLZ?” He sucked his teeth as he flicked the toothpick in his mouth to the other side showing his golden teeth on the bottom row. 

Ronan didn’t think uppity was the right word he’d use more annoyed if anything that he had to come down here. Looking at Killa and then the bag in front of him everyone knew that this was his area, his territory even Gia herself knew that and she wasn’t going to make a play. He inspected the bag looking at its contents and he’d heard rumors there was something coming making its way out of New York. Something that could send its own flow of assets and supply into his business, it was bad for business, specifically his business. He appreciated that Killa came to him with the issue instead of taking matters into his own hands unlike his predecessor, that was still a hard pill for him to swallow how everything with Kendrick had gone down. Killa had a reputation around him, and Kendrick had always spoken highly of him, he also remembered before his father died that he had helped him with legal issues meaning he was loyal. He motioned for Killa to follow him off the street and into the building, just in case there were still eyes on him. Things had been too heated after the casino, between the FBI and the local police he didn’t know who was or wasn’t watching.

“Tell me exactly where you found it and who pushed it to your people. This affects the business, our business I need my supply moved you need the cash. Rich people like to try and push new things to encroach on our business. We need to make sure they don’t. Are they bringing it into the club or is this something that is only on the campus?” Ronan said a few years ago someone out of Jersey had tried it, but it didn’t end well. There was also the unfortunate incident with a socialite from Delaware that tried his father had handled that one. Most in the business weren’t that dumb to try and push something on their end; he knew it wasn’t Killa or his crew’s fault. “I used to have an in at the campuses as I am sure you know that came to an unfortunate end. I have security at the club too. Things have been tense since the casino we’re being watched so my movements have to be carefully planned until it blows over. People talk in the streets so tell me what you know.” He finished looking at the crew members eyeing him almost like they were on edge.

Killa rubbed his hands together as he looked at Ronan. “I had to pay some motherfuckers a visit to get them to talk. Old boy who brings the shit down from New York. Nobody knows him to be honest and it’s not just on the campus, or the clubs, it’s moving now through the burbs. Yeah them rich kids in Atlas Falls Prep and shit using it. It’s spreading and people talking saying it could be your bitch. But I said nah he ain’t laying with the enemy. Plus although she cold she not stopping her money through this city. So that left me to inquire from a few of the dealers. No one said shit but that old boy drops it off and vanishes. So the streets saying that you’re washed God. Someone in your shit moving major new weight and people starting to say that you aint got a hold on Atlas Falls your home how you going to run New York with Gia? Takeover the entire east coast? You might have eyes on you but you’re expanding and that was to be expected right? Man don’t let the streets think you’re soft. So I’m saying what we going to do about this?” Killa looked at him dead in his eyes. 

“Oh don’t get no ideas right everyone of the dealers I picked up was found overdosed a couple of days later. Like six people you heard about that on the news? Yeah they don’t want to be found and if that’s the case you got someone under your nose coming for you bro. Now how are we going to handle this? What are you going to do about this? You see this shit right here is all you God. You got someone coming after you. That’s fucking with my money and this new drug LVLZ is about to be a problem so how we getting our hands on this shit? How do we fight back against this shit Ronan? Cuz bro I’m not going to be hungry any more. Your dad had me out here as a hitta when I was nine years old. Popping fools for playing with his money. I’m always rocking with you but you can’t have my people out here hungry. We need this shit, we need LVLZ.” Killa pulled out a blunt from his pocket and fired it up. Blowing thick weed clouds he inhaled the smoke. “So what do you need me to do?”

Ronan looked over at Killa as he began to talk about the rumors on the street that wasn’t going to do at least for him at least he had no intentions of going to New York or Gia’s territory if anything she was coming here and he was expanding. That was the end goal expanding into Gias territory: she would do whatever he wanted now, or he’d end her or find someone who would. He had grown tired of her games now and the only thing that tied them to each other was Michael. His son would take the territory like he said and he would make sure that the Madden dynasty was still intact; no one was going to piss away his father’s legacy, least of all Gia Falcone. If she wasn’t the one moving this new drug LVLZ she probably knew who was or at least she could find out. He looked over at Killa and then at the members of his crew, the man was eager not like Kendrick had been but eager none the less.

“I want you to be my eyes and ears on the street to restore order if they aren’t buying the coke or meth you need to find the LVLZ distributor and take it. I have no intention of going to New York and setting up shop. Find out who is saying that and bring them to me. People don’t listen or want to comply. That is easy. You send them to meet Benny in the ground or you call me and I can personally attend to it. I think I know someone who can help us” Ronan said he was livid at whoever was doing this coming to his territory and causing this, coming at him then again they blew up his casino too. He took out his phone pausing for a moment while he debated about making the call, deciding that he needed to call Gia. He waited a moment for her to pick up before he spoke. “Hello lovely, are you alone or is Hector there? We have a problem, a big one. Would you like to hear about it?” He asked a coldness in his voice unwavering.

Gia cradled her baby in her arms tightly looking down at little Michael and felt her heart pull. He wasn’t hers but he was. Everything about this baby made her feel like the mother should was destined to be. Her child was gone but she had gotten another chance. To love something and someone more than herself. Placing her son in the bassinet she turned it on and it began to rock him. As he instantly stirred back to sleep. Walking to her vanity she picked up her makeup brush and began to apply her armor. People who saw beauty as feminine thing were foolish. Beauty was a weapon. Her beauty disarmed everyone including Ronan. He didn’t doubt for one second that this baby was theirs and he was. As she exhaled she wondered how much longer he’d lock her up in this gilded cage. The mansion was exquisite but it was also a jail cell. He wouldn’t let her go anywhere and he wouldn’t let her do anything but be a mother. She had killed two of the biggest dons and here she was playing suzy fucking homemaker. It was disgusting. Her cellphone vibrated and she picked it up seeing Ronan. 

“Hello.” That’s when she heard his frustration. No matter what she could read Ronan well and he was upset about something. “Well I suspect you’re going to tell me what this problem is so go for it. However since I’ve been here you can’t assume it’s me that’s doing it now can you? So what is it Ronan? What has your panties in a bunch?” Gia said, applying lipstick. “Also Michael and I are going to Renards today, no escort needed.” 

Ronan paused for a moment when she said that she was going to Renards without an escort over his dead body with his son. He wanted to know where she was going and who she was talking to. He covered the phone, putting it on mute as he looked at one of his men. “Follow her to Renards. I want to know where she is going and when.” He pressed the mute button on the phone and took a breath knowing he had to speak calmly to someone like Gia. “There is someone new in town trying to encroach with a new product called LVLZ, word is it will make sure our market prices go down and we’d hate for that to happen wouldn’t we? It’s coming from New York, have your people heard of this and if so I want to know now who is pushing it.” He finished his tone as cold as ice at the end she could either tell or he’d make exceptions for murdering women he never messed around especially when it came to business.

For three years she dated Sebastian Navarro. She learned everything she could about his family and they were a unit. This was no doubt Regina’s doing because she kept saying the world was due for a new drug. However she wasn’t dumb enough to think that old bitch could make a new drug. Her son who was one of Spain’s most brilliant chemists could though. He could make something just like this and she wondered if Enzo was still in New York. What an interesting turn of events because if Ronan was worried then they had finally done it. “I have no idea who this could be but I will make some calls. In fact let me see if I can help out. I mean I am a capable woman. I have run my own empire before I met you. Ronan let me join you and I’ll help you figure out everything you need to.”  

Ronan took a moment to take a breath, holding her hostage on his estate did no one any favors and he could have eyes on her any time that he wanted. In this case someone would follow her to Renards and what was the harm in Gia working with him to figure out what and who was behind the packet in his hands, they needed to get ahead of the problem. If that meant her using her contacts to figure it out he wanted the answers. He wanted the drug in his hands on his streets under his rule, a means to an end. “That would be wonderful, please keep me posted. I have a few more stops to take care of and then will be home to you and Michael we can discuss then.” He said hanging up the phone for now satisfied with what she said she would do to help. Looking over at his mean and Killa’s he spoke. “We’ll be in touch as soon as I know more I will reach out, in the meantime do what I said on the streets and fight back. Leave Gia to me.” He finished walking out the halfway house and back to his waiting car seeing a text from one of his units letting him know they were good to follow Gia to Renards.

*****

Greer looked at her father holding her son and smiled brightly. “Father must you dote on him. You aren’t up in the middle of night when he cries all night. So I suggest you stop spoiling him rotten or else I’ll deliver him bundled up at your penthouse.” As she sat behind her desk she looked at his expression. Picking up her tablet and The Chronicles headline about Devonshire heirs versus Tess Devonshire. “I’m not understanding what the play was father. Get in bed with Tess and hide a will? Is that the play? Father when they get their power back Jackson and Chauncey will be vicious against those who crossed them. I will have no say in how to help you because he will go after you. He will go after Tess when he gets that power he’s going to crush her. I will not stand in the way but I also have no collateral.” Looking at her son she knew exactly what he was thinking. “You aren’t going to use your grandson as a bargaining chip. So think of another way to slither out of this. Father, do you believe that this was the time to strike? I believe that this was a foolish mistake and somehow you need to untangle yourself with Tess Devonshire.” She questioned as she looked at the tablet. 

Taking a deep breath she walked to her couch sitting down by her father. “Listen, I just got you in my life fulltime and I know that Brock isn’t your pick for me. But father you have a new chance to be even better to BJ than me. I believe that and I want you to be here for him. I don’t know what is going to happen but I do know the Devonshire kids aren’t going to stand down. So tell me what’s the true game and what’s your plan to get out of all of this? You have now shown that you aren’t a friend and I don’t think that was a smart decision. I’m just going to say this one time get out.” She spoke forcefully as she kissed her son’s head and then her father’s. “Both of you are far too important to me.” 

Pierre looked down at his sleeping grandson in his arms while he coffee, sat on the side table next to him. It had been quite the last few weeks and he was still resolved to his plan with Tess. Lowell had played God with his life over thirty years ago and he paid the deepest price and now he was willing to risk everything while the iron was hot to make sure the Devonshire’s paid for their father’s sins. As for his partner in the ordeal Tess, he cared deeply about her but hadn’t told anyone, especially not the daughter in front of him. The plan was simple Tess was to take over DGI and dismantle it bit by bit till there was nothing left unless. He paused his thoughts when Greer told him he couldn’t use his grandson as a pawn little did she know that may work out in their favor in the long term. He’d venture to guess that if Chauncey knew the truth the forgiveness would come maybe not to him, but to Greer?

Absolutely the man was anything if not predictable the Devonshire’s prided themselves on their bloodline. But for now the secret of BJ needed to remain with the clueless Brock Fraiser as the father if only to watch Lauren suffer later at the reveal when it came to pass. “The plan my dear has always been to make Lowell pay, Tess helps me achieve that. What do you think hurts more the fact Tess kicked out the recovered junkie or them fretting over what she will do in that seat. As for the tape, well someone had to push Dru Price or is it Kendall Fraiser to make sure her own family paid, lucky for us the fallout wasn’t too severe you and BJ are safe. Must you insist on BJ perhaps something a little more refined and with our heritage is more fitting?”

“I insist on BJ.” Feeling as if Brock’s ego protected him from seeing what she felt others had spotted. Her son didn’t have the Fraiser dark genes. Grace even mentioned how all of them had freckles as babies and they fade over time. Her son looked so much like Chauncey to her it hurt at times to look at her baby. Her beautiful boy looked like all the Devonshire clan. That was what bothered her the most. Eventually a Fraiser or Devonshire would lock in when the grief for Zach settled and the return of DGI happened. She just felt like someone would figure it out. Pausing to take a breath she looked at her father walking to him and she touched his face. “I don’t want you involved in this Tess debacle, father. She will drag you down and everything she touches. The woman is a joke.” Greer said looking at how nurturing her father was being with BJ and she smiled. “You’re a natural and it’s so unfortunate you didn’t get to do this with me. But we have now father.” 

Greer tapped her foot looking out the window wondering if and when the other shoe would drop. “I have to keep BJ from Chauncey. Look I know this may sound irrational but Chauncey will be devoted to our child, our son and if he wants me and truly loves me it can’t be about our child. This is about us and if Chauncey wants me he’s going to have to crawl through glass to get me. When and if that ever happens then we will talk about changing your incredibly perfect grandson’s name. Deal?” Strolling into the kitchen she froze as she thought about the crash and how she revealed far too much to Dani. How she screamed out Chauncey was the father in a fearful state. Gulping, she grabbed two  teacups and poured them some coffee. Walking back to the table she looked at her father. “I know whom you’d pick but why? Because he’s a Devonshire? Brock is a good man, daddy.”

Pierre was too happy to hold his grandson as he listened to Greer insist on the name BJ for him it was a little too backwoods for him, their heir to his fortune needed something more along the lines of elegance and kings. He was going to take over an international media empire one day he knew why he disliked Brock; it was Lauren and her family, even maybe more than Walter. Lauren had chosen Walter over his brother and in turn Walter had refused to help him due to her affair with Harvey. He paused when she had mentioned Tess to look at her, he was too deep into it now and he couldn’t leave Tess stranded, not when it was so close to DGI becoming dust in the long run. Revenge was what he wanted; he had no affection for DGI or the family running it, he wanted them and DGI in ruins locked away in memory. Wanted them to hurt like he had in that cell all those years, revenge was his only goal and unlike Harvey he would use any means to achieve that.

“You don’t need to worry about me and Tess or my involvement with what is going on at DGI. The less you know the better for of course the paper here and our future. What is happening at DGI will benefit everyone and I will finally have what I wanted, DGI in shambles and the Devonshire’s begging for help. He is perfect just the name it sounds so off putting.” Pierre said looking at her and then back at his grandson as he watched Greer and listened to her speaking about Chauncey. He made sure the baby was supported as he watched her go into the kitchen. He had nothing personal against Brock but he was no match for his daughter, they were too different. “I don’t disagree Chauncey needs to suffer a bit longer but love Greer? Claiming to be in love with Brock? You were more in love with Zerick in a con than you are with Walter and Lauren’s daft nephew. I’m not saying I’d pick Chauncey for you either but he at least can provide you with the things you are used to opposed to whatever it is Brock seems to have promised. Plus not to mention if DGI is hurting. Wouldn’t it be amazing if he were to learn about the child and ask for our help in salvaging it? Gone are you the stain that came to town wrecking DGI the first time with Zerick. You’d be the new savior in Chauncey’s eyes and let’s face it, be able to sway him as needed.”

Greer looked at him and he’d said the one thing she had been avoiding. She didn’t love Brock like she loved Zerick or Chauncey. She loved Brock as a protector of a fantasy she’d built. Folding her arms she looked at him frustrated because he was saying a ugly truth. A truth she dared not face. Her heart couldn’t be in it with Brock as much as it was with Chauncey. She was swallowing her feelings and she understood what he was suggesting. She just had to play it right if she was going to do this. Clean and not ugly for Brock. He was a good man. “You loved a woman who was ten times better than you. She was amazing, my mother was kind and true to a fault. She had me and I just hate what happened to her because I live but she had to die.” Pausing, feeling the tension rising in her father. His entire posture shifted. “Don’t I deserve that type of goodness? Brock provides that wholesome love that I deserve. Chauncey and I are just as complex as Zerick and I. We are fire and we can burn bright but more than likely we’ll extinguish each other’s flame. Why do that to him? Or me? Love like Brock and mine is simple and safe.” Greer got up from the table and began pacing. 

His plan was good but for him to just turn on Tess so easily was what surprised her most. They looked quite cozy recently. Using BJ and him as a way to get what they needed felt disingenuous. It felt like Chauncey hadn’t chosen her and she wanted him to do that. Not for their son but for the love. She wanted it all now and she wanted Lowell to see from beyond that they were who he should have been banking on. The media conglomerate heiress and Chauncey the cutthroat executive. Together Chauncey and she were unstoppable and they almost took DGI once who was to stop them now. But he had to pick her. “I don’t want to speak of this anymore. My son is my concern and who his father is happens to be my choice. I won’t argue or fuss about this any longer. Papa please stop it.”

Pierre looked at her agreeing to drop it for now he still thought the name was atrocious but he wasn’t going to waste moments he didn’t get with Greer away on his grandson. When the baby began to fuss he rose from his chair rocking him back and forth soothing him, he looked around the living room making sure they were alone. “Fine but I do think you should have a backup plan ready, I made sure that should anyone one a test it says Brock is the father your uncle backed me on that. You told me that for now you don’t think Dani remembers anything that happened in the car that night. Memories can be tricky things and unfortunately our only option to keep it that way exposed herself at the hospital to your husband’s family.” Pierre said, hoping she caught his meaning with Dru had she not exposed her true origin he could have made sure Dani’s memories stayed hidden from that night; it wasn’t like the girl hadn’t drugged her already. “Honestly she should have saved us the time and died that night. That bitch remembers or tells her cousin the truth, you should be prepared for what is to come.” Pierre said as he saw Harvey and Willow standing in the doorway clearly the maid had let them in. He turned to his brother who was clearly displeased about him talking about Lauren’s daughter he nearly rolled his eyes. “Hello we were just conferring and debating BJ’s name that Greer is insisting on keeping. How much did you hear?” He asked looking at Harvey and then over his shoulder at Willow.

Harvey cleared his throat as he stood straight up looking at Willow’s eyes and she heard every word of his brother and niece. She was dating the virtuous Kelsey Fraiser and he wondered exactly what this would bring? As he walked in he immediately went to look at little BJ whose name bothered him so. Couldn’t his beloved niece choose something a little more fitting of LeClerq and Devonshire. Even if this child never claimed his legacy he shouldn’t be called BJ but he digressed. It was Greer’s choice and she had made it. “Greer, I’m glad you’re here. I have something to tell you. Well today I’ve hired Willow to be our music editor. She’ll write reviews and do lives from the social media accounts. I think her four instruments she can play and years of me funding her to the best music schools around the world. Well that would make her overly qualified for this position since Bailey Martin is retiring soon.” He said as he sat down looking at Pierre. 

Greer gritted her teeth to be honest she wasn’t the biggest fan of Willow. Cousin or not she never understood what it means to be a LeClerq. Folding her arms she narrowed her eyes at her uncle. “Well as long as she can make the reviews and do her part I don’t see what the issue is. Cousin I do have to ask though family loyalty do you believe in it? You see if you ever repeat anything you hear between us to your girlfriend’s family. My family. Well if you were to open your mouth then you wouldn’t be family at that point. You’d be someone I’d have to destroy. Ask about me. I love leaving a trail of carnage in my wake.” 

“Greer, there’s no need for that.” Harvey said, looking at Willow. “Is it Willow?”

Pierre felt his phone buzz and held up a finger realizing it was actually something he needed to take. “I’ll be in the kitchen.” He said looking at his brother and then at Willow.

Willow had been a little shocked when her father had called her in for a brief meeting something he rarely did most of the time he had not shown much interest. She liked DJing but she had been thinking of settling a bit Kelsey was in the last year of her residency and she had a sinking feeling that she would stay in Atlas Falls it would make sense, Ophelia would  be dumb to hot hire her and place her back on full time after, her family was here. With Zach passing she also knew that her girlfriend would not want to leave or move. They had arrived outside her cousin’s office and had both overheard the entire conversation and her eyes looked over at her father. She wasn’t sure this was something that she would be able to keep from Kelsey that the baby wasn’t Brock’s? But was it so awful to have the baby being raised by a father that loved it not to mention with Zach’s death and what happened the night of the wreck it was the one spotlight Kelsey’s family had. She then looked at Greer basically threatening her.

“I’m not going to go out and blab my mouth to Kelsey and make that poor family grieve more than they already are if that is what you are asking me to do. I think it’s fucked up you would lie like that to Brock the night his brother died and pretend with him but I know how you operate cousin anything to get what you want. I don’t care for Chauncey Devonshire either but Brock’s family is going through a lot with BJ being the one highlight. I’m not going to hurt them more.” Willow said she felt her father touching her back and she felt guilty for all of it. How was she going to see Kelsey every day and live this lie? All she knew was that Greer’s wrath was far worse than anything Kelsey would do or say if she opened her mouth. “As for the magazine, you know that Kelsey and I are pretty serious. This is a good fit for me and the family let me prove my loyalty to you that way.” Willow finished looking at her cousin.

“Fine.” Greer said as she looked at Willow. “Cousin, I believe that you want to be a part of our family. I believe that your relationship with my uncle is more than what he can do for you. So with that being said, welcome to LeClerq Media.” She looked at her father and saw his apprehension. It wasn’t that he didn’t love Willow in fact she was sure her father cared about Willow just like Harvey loved her. This was her pesky moral superiority that bothered her. “I’m helping right now. Losing Zach devastated them all and BJ is a ray of light. I’m happily married and in love.” She said looking at her father trying to not just convince him but everyone including herself. “Thank-you for not judging my choice but it’s mine and I am going to continue to live my life with Brock and our son. He’s our son.” Turning to the skyline of her penthouse she repeated the words over and over. Brock was the father of BJ and she wasn’t going to lose the family she picked for her beloved son. 

*****

Kelsey was seven hours into her twelve hour shift when Cassie Montgomery came in for her appointment, word had spread like wildfire about the showdown with her grandmother and cousin. In her mind she had told her little sister to stay out of it, inside she was boiling mad at the audacity that her uncle and Dru Price had. She had told Willow about it who seemed to agree with her but also reminded her that they needed to remain neutral for now too, especially since Greer had married her brother Brock. To which she still couldn’t believe that he married Greer down the hallway, the same night that they had all lost Zach and the wreck happened. She still thought something was off about Greer and her new nephew but she had bit her tongue.

She had only met Cassie a few times in passing, mainly at social events they weren’t friends and were barely acquaintances so she kept the visit strictly professional. First of course a physical exam, a urine test to confirm the pregnancy and then a technician came in to do the ultra sound. The heartbeat seemed to fill the room and she saw Cassie’s face warm to her with a smile and relief. She wondered where Thor was but then again she was pretty sure if the brother of the man that everyone thought was responsible for killing her brother had been there she didn’t know what she would. The baby was healthy and everything looked completely normal and once the technician had left the room she looked at Cassie.

“Everything is moving normally. You are about sixteen weeks along, I’d venture to guess you’ll start showing pretty soon. A nurse will call you with your labs and I’d like to see you in another two to three weeks for a follow up and a full ultrasound. I’m going to write you a prescription for folic acid though you can get that over the counter as well. But it will be easier to just refill. Did you have any questions?” Kelsey asked, looking at her while she then finished typing in everything into her notes.

Cassie had made the appointment after the explosion, after Randall’s funeral when she was certain that it would be appropriate for everyone. As much as she knew that Thor wanted to be there, she reminded him gently that for now he was still recovering from his own surgery and Kelsey was going to be the one that she would be seeing. Zach Fraiser’s sister, even though Thor had insisted that his brother would not have blown up his own floating casino it seemed to be the only thing that the feds were talking about or looking into. In her mind they should have been focusing more on that crazy bitch Gia Falcone. Her family had not attended Zach’s funeral, it wasn’t like their families were close but she did think it was awful that he had passed. Her mind had wandered to what her father had done to poor Victoria Fraiser and knew that secret needed to stay buried the Fraiser’s could never know, they had sent flowers as their condolences.

She had been nervous at the appointment and wondered if all women were until they heard the news that everything was well from a doctor or not. The moment that she had heard the baby’s heartbeat though she was overfilled with so much joy and must she also say love for what was inside of her. She hadn’t really thought of it like that before until that moment, that she and Thor had created something so amazing. She had never been soft, but hearing your own child’s heartbeat was something that even melted her. “Thank you I’ll make sure to take them and make the appointments.” Cassie said, looking at the woman before her and she waited a moment. “We were very sorry to hear about Zach, your family has our deepest condolences. I include Thor in that he is no longer involved in Ronan’s mess.” Cassie said, pausing for a moment and watching Kelsey’s soft reaction to the news, not anger.

“Thank you, that means a lot. I don’t think we should or should not discuss the Madden family.” Kelsey said she had taken in the condolences with an open heart and she twiddled her hands. She wasn’t angry at Thor, she was still livid with Ronan. She got up from the chair and moved to the door checking her watch for her next appointment before turning to look at Cassie one last time. “I assume you can make it back to the waiting room and stop to make an appointment on your way out. Congratulations again Cassie.”

Cassie watched as Kelsey left the room it went better than she expected, even if the apology was all she could muster. Thor wasn’t involved anymore in that lifestyle; he was working at DGI as their insider unknown to the Devonshire’s at the moment a pawn, but he was doing it for her and her family. She left the office to make her way to recursion where she gave the woman behind the desk her information and avoided the small talk. It wasn’t like she made friends with people in the medical field if she had friends at all. Once the appointment was set she then turned to head out of the hospital freezing in her tracks as she did so.

She hadn’t seen him in years and a chill settled into her soul at the sight. He was clearly older now and speaking to David Rhodes, Nicholas Wolfe. He was still handsome as ever and looked like a tall fine dark drink that he could have any woman he wanted. She was still in shock at the sight but part of her had to wonder why he was talking to David, she decided to then leave hoping that he wouldn’t notice her there.

Nicholas stood still as he stared at her from across the hallway. Since they were teens he’d wanted her. Somehow the imbecile Thor Luciano got his hands on her. Somehow she was having the child and not his. Years had passed but he hadn’t changed. He still saw the sun and moon rising for her. Swaggering forward he cleared his throat and saw her continuing to walk. “So you’re just going to walk away from me? As if I am not here and not behind you? I need to see you Cassandra.” Nicholas said, reaching out feeling a shock running through them both. They were always electric. Stepping closer he turned her around and looked into her eyes. “You’re even more beautiful now that you’re pregnant and you’re glowing. I can say that the baby inside of you should’ve been mine. My heart is breaking because honestly I used to wonder what our child was going to look like.” His voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out he stroked her bare skin on her arm. Nicholas wanted to bite her lip, kiss her belly, take that child from Thor and make it his own. Everything in his power wanted Cassie Montgomery. “I just have one question for you.” 

Nicholas took her hand and began escorting her to elevators. His dark eyes cascading on the woman he once thought was the love of his life. The woman he once thought he’d marry until circumstances that were now no longer in the way kept him away. He was back and here to reclaim all of his glory. Tess called him because he was vicious and in Montana where he was these last few years he’d built a steady reputation. “When you saw me did you miss me? Did you want to run away because you know that Thor was your childhood. But I have always been your future. You cling to childish things Cassandra and I for one am devastated that you didn’t wait. You didn’t wait for me and you didn’t think that I would come back. Oh Cassandra, I’ll always come back for you.” He gruffly whispered. “You might have a life with Thor right now but I have no intention of making it an easy one for you or him. You’re tatted on my heart or don’t you remember.”

Cassie looked at him, he was a lifetime ago for her; they had parted and gone their separate ways; it was for the best of everyone. She was madly in love with Thor and had been for years. It may have taken her a while to get there but once she did she was head over heels going as far as to have his baby they planned on getting married. Old habits were hard to let go off and chemistry was something she learned a long time ago was a dangerous thing and led her to more trouble than she cared to admit. In this case she put distance between them when he traced her skin, she was fully committed to Thor and it took her a moment before she spoke. “Honestly yes I was going to leave without saying anything to you we don’t have anything to say. As for my baby, yes it is Thor’s who I am sure would be quite interested to know you are back in town.” She said her breath catching just slightly the problem with Nicholas Wolfe was he was charismatic and charming, he drew you in.

“No I didn’t miss you, you said you were leaving town after that night and you did. We’re both better for it now and Thor is hardly my childhood, we’ve grown together and been through a lot together, he’s the man I’m in love with. I don’t want you to come back for me. I’m quite happy right now with how my life is without you coming back to burn it down.” Cassie said looking at him when he began escorting her to the elevators and she pulled away from him again, maybe coming on her own was a mistake Thor would have made sure that he never touched her again. She remembered that when he had left the business so did his security though in this moment that was a perk that she missed. She took a breath running a hand through her hair while she pressed the elevator button hoping it would hurry the hell up. “I remember but it was a long time ago Nick let it go. Shouldn’t you have found your own happiness by now if you are capable of that?” She questioned. On the plus side there were a lot of eyes on them at the moment with various people at the hospital, so she could use that to her advantage.

“How can I let you go when you imprinted on my soul?” He said in a low husky rasp. “You intoxicate me, your perfume right now is putting me under your spell. Cassandra you have always been the one that got away. You have always been the one that made me feel something deeply and deeper. But if you want me gone I will leave you alone. If you want me to vanish again I’ll disappear. You see you can love him but you aren’t done with me.” He said, folding his arms now standing back. “You fear me being here with you. You fear that I’m back in Atlas Falls because you know you can’t stay away. I can’t either but I’ll move forward until you remember how I made you feel. How I would press my fingers in between your thighs. How I’d fuck you for hours until you were exhausted. Cassandra you might not remember now but you won’t forget me. One day you’ll remember how good we were together. Then I’ll have you back in my bed and my life again. I’ve changed and I’ve gotten so much more than I ever thought I could. Without you but getting you again that’s my goal.” 

Nicholas adjusted his jacket. “I should be leaving but I’m not leaving Atlas Falls. In fact I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’m planting roots back home. I’ll be seeing you around Red.” Nicholas said calmly whistling Phil Collins “In The Air Tonight’ as he strolled down the hallway. Placing his hands in his pocket he turned to see Cassie staring at him. Flabbergasted and slightly scared. She should be the monster was home and he saw all of the elite of Atlas Falls as his prey. Waving at her he turned a corner and was gone. 

*****

Carter stood before the class and his curriculum was immaculate. They already had one book to read before they even entered his English class. Today it was Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a classic that would no doubt cause a spirited debate. Turning around he looked at the bright eyed impressionable kids before him. One in particular caught his eye. Hell she’d caught his eye since he saw her in California. She was special and the key to him getting everything he’d ever fucking wanted. Walking around the class. “Please don’t tell me you all watched Cruel Intentions and didn’t read your work? Come on tell me what you all thought of the book? I mean what did it make you feel? This is a novel about nobles playing with people’s lives and as you go on through my english course you’ll see a theme. Tyranny, fascism, wealth inequality all make up some of the best literature in the world. Finding a central theme of my course could be broken down to what I just said but at the end of the year and the end of my semester with you students. You will go into the world. You will experience college and begin to learn what it’s like for others and not just being contained in the privileged bubble. Today it’s Dangerous Liaisons next week it’s The Man In The Iron Mask. I run my classroom like a college course but please don’t believe this is an easy course. I require communication and participation is a central part of my class so I’ll ask…” Scanning the room he saw the red head boy that Maddie always spoke so highly of. 

“Dylan Fraiser, tell me what you think of the book. What did you get from the concepts?” Carter asked as he looked at Maddie staring at her. “Ms. Devonshire you aren’t shy and since this isn’t our first meeting please I want to hear a debate today. Oppose whatever Dylan believes, even if you agree, make it the opposite.” Carter called out as he walked around the room. “Mr. Kincaid, and Ms. Watkins you’re up next and Mr. Duval you’re new here as well please I need to hear from you.” 

Dylan honestly despised this new teacher all he did was assign stupid as fuck assignments and busy work not only that he constantly put kids on the spot. He wasn’t a bad student but reading Les Liaisons Dangereuses, was an utter and complete waste of his time and if he wanted to watch the adaptation it was also pointless. Who in their right mind wanted to watch a boomer movie that wasn’t even relevant anymore about a bunch of stuck up and snobbish rich kids that got away with a shit ton of crap? He wanted to read that or watch it all he had to do was hang around Wyatt and recently Maddie and he’d get a fair dose of it all. He still missed Zach, his mom was at home with morning sickness and they had begun to pack the house. His dad was going to meet with his aunt and Brock at the Pub to break the news they were moving. He didn’t want to move though and was hoping that he could convince his parents to let him stay in Atlas Falls for his senior year so he could stay with his grandparents or his aunt and uncle.

“I mean if I wanted to experience the lifestyles of the rich and famous all I’d have to do is be in the same room as Wyatt, or even Maddie. I mean if we’re being honest all one would really have to do is watch it play out in real life with the Devonshire’s and Kincaid’s themselves. I think both of the characters are self absorbed and selfish, who don’t understand the plights of those around them nor do they really care too.” Dylan said looking at his teacher and seeing the new kid Zeke kinda nod at him in approval along with Keke. Wyatt looked like he wanted to kill him and Maddie just stared at him. For being friends since they were kids, the fact she left over the summer while he was going through all that shit with Zach and didn’t even reach out or text. Made him realize maybe they weren’t really friends to begin with, maybe she was Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil. “They were fine but it’s not something I would probably read again.”

“Maddie he’s calling out the obvious wealth disparity between the people of Atlas Falls and two pillar families in the community. Tell me do you believe that?” Carter asked the girl. “Maddie, does your wealth make you a less scrupulous person?” 

Madeline stole glances at Carter as he moved around the room, trying not to make it too obvious that she really wished it was just the two of them here engaged in the discussion. She wanted to hear his views, his arguments not Dylan’s or anyone else in the room who lacked the ability to see past the surface. Because what did he even know about wealth? Her gaze narrowed on Zeke, nodding along like a bobble head as if Dylan just dropped the ultimate truth bomb but he was living off of her mothers money? Clearly Elliott was not living at that level before he met Selina? Empty headed Keke of course agreed with anything Dylan said. Her grandfather used to warn her people would be envious of her wealth, intellect and beauty but her own best friend was crazy. She glanced at Wyatt who looked casual but she knew he was irritated at Dylan. “I’d argue that possessing great wealth naturally removes the sort of barriers that force one to make moralistic choices thereby making me even more scrupulous. If my money can’t buy happiness or morality it can buy everything else.”

Her tongue clicked the roof of her mouth for a bit at how Dylan was calling out her family like he did what was his problem. Did his dad not get enough of a pay out when he divorced her mother? Also didn’t his aunt literally marry into her family? Why was he starting to act so superior to her, people were right, high school boys were too immature and beneath her, she needed more and wanted someone more intellectual and challenging and less, how was she supposed to put it less stunted. “I think if your grandfather had read paperwork better you’d know exactly what I had to face. The judgement for being rich like you know anything about my life. The problem with people like you is that you all expect a handout, take for instance your aunt marrying my uncle. Yet you want to sit there and judge me for having wealth and enjoying it, you know what I think Dylan you’re jealous of it. Wyatt and I will have advantages you never will and it must kill you to know your grandfather was too dumb or naive to think my grandfather was really not going to take what he wanted years ago.” Maddie finished looking over at her one time friend and she felt Carter looking at her like he admired her, Wyatt was grinning at her like he was about to hug her in agreement while everyone else was glaring at her.

Keke snickered as she looked at Maddie rambling on about Lowell Devonshire as if he was Ronald Regan or somebody prolific. She didn’t like her girl’s attitude about this subject and the way she talked to Dylan was absolutely out of line. Before she knew it she was laughing. “Or you grandfather was like every other entitled white man, and stole something that didn’t belong to him. You see you seem to think that because your grandfather was a good criminal that you’re better than everyone else. I come from Scottswood honey and you’d get stomped with your morally superior attitude. Let’s really breakdown wealth and the tickle down affect it has on my people and the people I know. Your grandfather bought the factories in Atlas Falls, laid off thousands, and then paid for the building of the projects in Scottswood. Meaning he took jobs, and then placed thousands of black, latino, and brown people in said projects and profited off it. Then we don’t want to talk about the influx of drugs So please stop acting like people want a handout and look at the bigger picture. Your family is the cause of so much pain and all you continue to do is gain. Princess.” 

“Wait a minute you can’t blame us for our family’s riches. I mean Dylan isn’t poor, let’s talk about it. He’s had just as many opportunities as Maddie, and myself. Hell you got the opportunities because of your connection to someone rich. Listen, money is the way. If we are being honest. Money makes the world turn, I see a lot of myself in Sebastian from Cruel Intentions. Rich, fun, and using his money to do what he wants. That’s what money gets you freedom, something the people of Scottswood will never have because that’s life. Life is simple Dylan, money and power make the world go round. You have both your aunt is Dani Devonshire but your parents have taught you poor Dylan to be humble. Screw humble. Also you’re Kendrick Watkins’ sister drugs and you should know each other quite well.” Wyatt spat looking at Dylan entitled asshole maybe even more so than himself, like what was his problem.

“And your father is a failed politician who likes sleeping around.” Keke shot back at Wyatt. “What’s your point?”  

Carter watched as the bell rang. “That’s time guys.” They debated fiercely and that’s what he wanted. He wanted to see them engaged with the material. “Maddie please stay behind for a moment and that was a great debate guys. See you all tomorrow.” 

Dylan looked around the room grateful that the bell had rang to save them all from whatever it was his LA teacher was trying to achieve. He appreciated Keke speaking up and on his way out it was interesting that Zeke seemed to want to talk to him and Keke. He didn’t bother with a response to Wyatt or even Maddie; his mind was worried about the move, where he was going to have to spend the last year of high school and Zach. Plus he didn’t like the comment about his aunt either, like we’re Donovan and Jolene Maddie’s cousins too or were they not good enough for her? He wasn’t dirt poor like the people in Scottswood but he wasn’t rich either his parents made him work for what he had or wanted, throwing his book bag over his shoulder he made his way out the door to head to math.

Maddie watched as Keke had made all those comments about her grandfather and honestly she was annoyed by it how dare she. Though she supposed she was partially right as well her grandfather had done awful things, anything to get ahead. They lived in a cutthroat world. She had been taught that at an early age she watched as everyone filtered out before she walked to the door and closed it behind her. Finally they were alone and she had a study hall thank God high school was starting to bore her. It all seemed so beneath her after her summer away in California and she was almost an adult, had a future career in DGI lined up and of course there was always polo even though her grandmother had threatened to ruin that for her behavior, she had her wrapped around her finger nothing would come of that threat. On the plus side her father was finally going to be rid of the virus that was Natasha out of his life, he walked back to Carter with a grin thankfully they were out of sight of the door enough as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He was taller than her, cultured and seemed to understand her in ways that teenage boys didn’t.

“I was thinking they would never leave. Now you can see why I left Dylan on read all summer? He’s so bland sometimes but you I think you might be made for me, do you think anyone thinks or suspects anything? I mean I still find it crazy you spent all summer trying to get back here to teach.” Maddie said smiling up at him before leaning up and pressing her lips against his, the Jensen’s weren’t the only thing she had found over the summer in California and she knew everyone would freak the fuck out at her. Was it so bad that she was seeing someone as old as her father probably but Carter seemed cultured and to know about the world so when they had met over the summer it all seemed to fit perfectly and her grandfather had always said she was mature for her age. Everyone else seemed to be worried about which college to go to and apply too, who was dating who and homecoming. She was much more worried about her stocks, bonds and investments. “Anyway I have a free period so that means I’m all yours.” She finished pulling back to look at him.

Carter looked into Maddie’s eyes. She had the same eyes as the love of his life. For years he waited for this opportunity. He waited to get back and the Devonshire family. This naive little girl was just the thing. Then maybe when he was done with Maddie he’d get to finally have Max. She was sixteen when he fell for her and he was only twenty-one. He was young and she was as well but Lowell Devonshire. The man this twit teen seemed so devoted to, was a monster. He nearly ruined his career. However God and many other factors stepped in and saved him. Now he was back in the school he was banished from, with a young girl again. This time would make them all pay. Wrapping his arms around Maddie’s waist he picked her up and kissed her deeply. Wishing it was Max lips on his. Wishing for a moment he could go back in time and have the woman he truly desired. Maximilla Devonshire was destined for him but first he had to make the Devonshire’s pay. He had to make everyone realize Lowell Devonshire wasn’t some business tycoon, he was a monster. Who had a price and he basically sold Max off to Hunter and the Kincaid’s shortly after. He prostituted his daughter so she wouldn’t get a reputation. Slipping his tongue down Maddie’s throat he knew she was enamored with him. 

“Maddie, I can’t do anything with you here. You know we have a spot at the resort if we want more time. Risking my career isn’t good but you said earlier in the text message that Jackson and Dani have a plan to get your legacy back. Good you deserve it because I know you’re going to be the best CEO ever in DGI history. One day that legacy is yours baby but right now, I have to protect my own.” Unlatching her from his body. “Go your friends will need to figure out why I asked you to stay behind. Make up a good one. Oh and you never told me how is Jackson going to get your family’s legacy back?” Carter asked as he looked at her cheek. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one who stopped me a while back. Remember you said you weren’t ready to have sex. I can’t be caught with you or else I stand a chance to lose everything.” 

Maddie felt a rush of heat in her cheeks while Carter kissed her in truth they hadn’t made love yet or had sex she wasn’t quite sure she was ready for that. Her only sexual experience had been with Wyatt and they had only gotten to second base at best almost third one time before his parents had come home. She saw him pull away and pouted at him had she done something wrong. She picked up her backpack trying to not let his sudden distance brother her, trying to be mature. “Something about tracking down the will, it’s weird you know seeing all my aunts and uncles band together to fight Tess. Who knew it would take my grandfather dying for them to all do that like get along for the greater good. Let me think about the rest, okay?” Maddie said absently grabbing her notebook and shoving it in her bag, maybe she was ready she could watch more videos on how it was done or maybe even ask Wyatt what was the big deal and wouldn’t an older partner be better. “I’ll tell them it was about my last paper, I’ll text you later.” She finished walking out the door, her heart fluttering. He was right that no one could know about their secret. She looked into the room one last time before turning and heading down the hallway so she could get to science.

Carter pulled out his cellphone and began texting someone. *We need to meet ASAP, I know how they are striking.* Carter watched her walk away with disdain in his face wiping his lips he sat at his desk and scrolled to a picture of Max. Zooming in he touched the outline of her face from the picture. 

*****

Tess sauntered through La Callie as a waiter helped remove her bold vintage Alexander McQueen trench coat. Sliding into the table whichever Delacroix child was helping keep this place afloat had upgraded it. Plus they had the best breakfast in Atlas Falls. Everyone knew that. “Please start me off with your best bottle of champagne and a pitcher of freshly squeezed pineapple juice thank you that’s all.” The waiter returned with the bottle popping the cork for her and pouring her a glass of juice first and champagne second. Once it was placed in the ice bucket she would take a sip. She didn’t enjoy being summoned by anyone let alone one of Belle’s little friends. However she was fond of Ana. That woman was very protective of Belle and she respected that. When she saw her the designer labels dripped off her. She couldn’t tell what designer but the game recognized the game.  As Ana approached she stood up and hugged her kissing both of her cheeks. “Darling you look amazing shall we discuss why you had my daughter call me to arrange this meeting. While running.” Looking down at her leather clad hands over a thin Cartier diamond watch. “Ten minutes behind.” 

Sitting down she began to pour her a mimosa and slid it over to her. “I do have a busy schedule running DGI and all. So I don’t like to be kept waiting.” Tess said as she looked at the young woman who was exquisitely put together. She was elegant but still had a youthful sex appeal. “Ana, have you come here to use my daughter’s considerable connections? She is one of the most wealthy heiresses in North America or Europe. I won’t have anyone manipulating her.” Tess said commandingly as she looked at the woman before her. “But if you are so important to my daughter I might as well listen. You have twelve minutes now.” 

Ana had taken the morning to get ready with care and she dressed in the best Armani she could find. Her nails still in the perfect manicure and the accommodations were adequate though the presidential suite at the Crestwood would eventually need an upgrade. She had a few business phone calls to attend to that morning before meeting Tess Blisston and her conversation with Belle coming back to her. There was a reason she was in town that was not going to change, she needed to be here. It was good for Belle and herself. She walked with precision inside La Callie arriving of course fashionably late, she did things on her own time and if Tess Blisston wanted to meet with her as per Belle she’d just have to adjust to her schedule, her silver A necklace glimmered as she walked taking off her sunglasses and sitting down at the table across from Belle’s mother. She put on a smile as she looked at Belle’s mother, a perfectly manufactured one she had learned over the years when she dealt with business.

“I’m so sorry I had a few phone calls that ran late. Some Investment properties wanted to negotiate a lower bid that was not going to happen. Belle and I talked at length on the phone last week about a recent headline that happened when you took back over at DGI. It seems to me that a company that you acquired may be up for sale at the right price. I’m looking to expand my portfolio.” Ana said coyly playing her part perfectly, honestly it was a brilliant play by her college friend at the end of the day she won, the Devonshire’s won and the woman across from her was none the wiser. Or at least that was the plan, as was everything she did. It was always done with purpose and finesse. She smiled politely as the waiter arrived with their drinks and she looked over the menu at Tess. “I’m quite fond of Belle. I wouldn’t dream of using her for anything. What do you take me for a monster when it comes to one of my oldest and dearest friends, that may be how things work in your world. In mine it is completely different.” She finished smiling sweetly at the other woman.

Tess stared for a moment as she picked up her champagne flute sipping her mimosa. “Good, Belle needs people who care about her around. I know you do care but people are vultures and I do find it interesting that you pop up when she’s in line to inherit a fortune. But I’m grateful you have my little girls back.” She said as the waiter returned with a champagne flute filling up Ana’s glass. “So now that the smalltalk is over and I’ve asked you what your intentions are with Belle, well, I want to know which company in DGI you are looking to buy. You see I know you’re a wealthy girl but buying a company from DGI is millions of dollars. Do you have that in your disposal because if not then this meeting was a waste of my time. But you did speak of investors so I think you might have another rabbit up your sleeve.” Leaning back in her chair she tried to look through the young lady before her. To see what her true agenda was here and what she truly wanted. 

“Tell me why of all the companies in Atlas Falls, do you want to buy something from DGI. I mean you were just in NYC and New Jersey right? All those fortune 500 companies and you come to Pennsylvania for what reason? I am just curious. You’ve always been a smart girl but I want to know why you’re really here.” She asked curiously as her lips pursed into a smile. “Tell me what are you looking at because I’m about to sell every company and bankrupt DGI then I’ll give it back.” Tess said knowing her plan was going to finally put the Devonshire’s in their place.

Ana studied Tess, her fingers tapping the menu lightly as she saw eyed Tess sipping the mimosa, perfect. She listened to her drown on whether or not she had the funds. Clearly she thought that she had the upperhand just because she was a pretty face. People often underestimated her wealth and her hand reached for the champagne glass in front of her the diamond Cartier bracelet on her wrist sending a message. She was never one to give it all away but if it was millions that Tess Blisston was worried about she had plenty and some to spare. She brought the glass to her lips taking a sip graciously as she moved a stray hair out of her face. “I’ve been in New York and Jersey for quite some time but we are looking to expand. Real estate can only get someone so far.” She said coyly, she would sell her the daft girl routine since that was the plan.

“I was sitting at home when that lovely tape dropped a few months ago and rumor is that you have full control over SandStar not Natasha Hassan, at least right now. So I made a few inquiries of my own with various people. She is stuck in between a rock and a hard place, she is successful in the pending divorce from Belle’s brother, it will cripple DGI and Belle’s future. So when Belle called me upset about what was going on at the company, she was worried for you.” Ana said her voice sweet and caring watching the emotion pass over Tess’s face, Belle was right about that Tess’s weakness was always her and Bliss more so they could use that to her advantage. She wasn’t completely lying Belle was concerned and upset about what was going on at DGI and with her family. “I have looked into acquiring other businesses overseas in the past but the timing has never been right, it just so happens that the timing and funds are perfect. In this case DGI would get the funds from SandStar, Natasha never gets her hands on her company or a part of DGI since Chauncey is so blinded thinking he will solidly win. Belle’s future is still secure.”

Tess swirled her champagne in her glass as she looked at the young girl. She had her daughter’s best interest at heart obviously. That was something she needed. “I have an offer for you. I have no problem selling SandStar off to you if you’ll do me a favor, Ana. I need updates on Belle and Bliss. Right now they don’t understand the future is me not their siblings. I’m doing everything in my power and in my hands to keep them as the only heirs of DGI. When I’m done they’ll have it all. However my little girls are upset with me. They are trying to find their places in this family and if you can, keep me up to date. On what’s coming for them, well I would have no problem selling you DGI. Nicholas Wolfe has blocked the Devonshire’s lawyer for now so I’d suggest that you sign very fast. We don’t know what could happen in the future. Continue to watch my girls and I’ll sell you the company. Now I don’t expect you to be a spy but us girls who understand the business world need to work together. So how about a partnership Ana. If I sell you SandStar, then I also would like a seat on your board of directors. So shall we toast this deal?”

Ana watched as Tess swirled the glass in front of her and considered her offer to buy SandStar and for a moment she thought the woman may hesitate, but Belle had been right and she seemed to want to agree to the deal. She picked up the champagne glass in front of her bringing it to Tess’s and gently tapped it, the slight ring crackling the air between them. “Of course. I have no problems helping you with Bliss and Belle, telling you when and if I know something. Have your lawyer send my lawyer the paperwork the sooner we can get this merger done the better for everyone involved. A seat would be fine.” She said leaning back and taking a sip of her champagne glass. 

Belle fucking owed her big time after this but a seat on her board was a small price to pay for the bigger payoff down the line.She watched as Tess gleefully  seemed happy at the deal and let the woman order their food when the waiter came back to the table. It was so easy to play this version of herself with everyone, the collected business woman from New York or Jersey depending on who you actually spoke to. “To our merger then I look forward to it very much. Now tell me everything I need to know about SandStar.” She finished leaning on the table while she listened to Tess start to talk about her news acquisition, knowing that down the line the Devonshire family would owe her.

*****

Chauncey had spent the morning doing what he could from the mansion to ensure that things at DGI were still running accordingly, a team effort of course for now. While he was still unsure of his future at DGI and how he would achieve the goals he wanted, there was no way he was going to have his father’s legacy ruined by his fucking mistress of twenty years in Tess. No matter who her lawyer was or was not, he had googled Nicholas Wolfe and even put in a word to Simon since Mason had sent out a text about him. The name sounded familiar but he was older than him, so Nicholas really was more in Jackson’s age group not his own. Regardless if Tess thought she was going to pull a fast one over him or his siblings, she had another thing to learn. He made a mental note to send Max a text to see how she was, the drunk behavior had been a sight to see at his daughter’s party. When a text from the hospital had intrigued him even more he headed to his car to head to St. Christopher’s.

Even though he had agreed to keep his distance from Greer after the accident there was something that was gnawing at him, haunting his memory of how Greer had been so quick to move on to Brock after their night together. To accept Brock’s proposal so soon and how distant she made herself then, how anytime he mentioned the baby she seemed to have her back up. He had hoped that the results had come in sooner than this; he was after all an impatient man. Mainly due to him never having to wait or want for anything it had always been handed to him. He understood the delay as other tests had come first for the victims of the casino but it didn’t irritate him any less having to wait. Having to pretend that Greer marrying that dumb ass Brock didn’t bother him,  especially if it was in fact his son that she had.

He exited his car and made his way through the hospital till he approached the blonde nurse who guided him into the back of the hospital, where he promised her a hefty payout for the envelope in her hand. She had wanted a date or something else so he lied to her telling her he would reach out and make arrangements, though he had no intention of following through on it. Once she had gone back inside satisfied with his explanation he turned the envelope in his hands and debated about where to open it, hopefully where prying eyes couldn’t see the last thing that he needed was DGI in a scandal or for anything to come between his pending divorce case with his soon to be ex.

Opening up the results he read them and honestly he was disappointed in what they said, he wasn’t the father, it was a feeling he had never experienced before hope ripped from him. He shook his head. What was he doing turning soft like his other brothers? Hadn’t this been what he wanted just him and Maddie, of course he wanted Greer by his side but he had been so sure that the baby was his, instead it was fucking Brock’s? Brock’s of all the people for her to have a baby with and if that was the case had he been too direct and pushing her? Why did she look so miserable to him in that room after marrying Brock? He was still staring at the paper by the time he came back inside and bumped directly into his soon to be ex.

“Well look what was dragged into the hospital, did you come to gather a broom and fly off with it? Hopefully you are ill and will meet the same demise as your father, or perhaps you are getting tested. I mean Anderson surely still has to be lonely. Who knows what he gave you? I actually figured you would be at DGI twirling your small victory in your hands with the bitch Tess.” Chauncey said looking at her fuming at her and was that heartbreak that he saw did she really think he would be courteous to her? After she went ahead and partnered with Tess to take the company from his family. “I think your little plan is in trouble. You see the police are looking for a certain nanny, oh did you like your surprise that I sent over? Hopefully this sham will be over in a few weeks. I had the divorce hearing expedited.”

Natasha’s eyes narrowed knowing that she had to meet with Tess soon to get SandStar from DGI. As she stared at him and his cutting words she wondered if they could have made it work somehow. If in some other world where she met Chauncey first and Greer wasn’t in the picture could that have made it? She thought about it for a second and instantly shook the thought out of her head. She would have never gotten SandStar out of the Devonshire’s clutches; it was no other way. “Careful, Chauncey people are around. I’d hate to have them as witnesses in our upcoming divorce hearing.” Natasha spewed back as she zoomed in on the test in his hands. Snatching them immediately she looked down and began to laugh. “I should be surprised that you assumed that Greer’s child is yours but considering I’ve known for a long time you wanted that bitch, it makes sense. My question is does poor Brock Fraiser know that his devoted bride is fucking the devil himself. Or was around the same time as they conceived BJ Fraiser. I saw them in the lifestyle section of The Chronicle. They are quite an adorable family. The miracle baby and the couple who defied all odds. Including Brock’s poverty.” Natasha chuckled to herself. 

“But my, my, my will my lawyer have a field day with this. I’m going to depose Greer and get her to admit every dirty thing you two did and when I’m done she’ll hate you for ruining her perfect marriage to Brock. You see I call that a two for one special.” Natasha said vengefully as she clutched her purse. “These results let’s see. Should I take a picture to prove you were cheating on me? Or should I just take them? Either way I have enough ammo to ruin your beloved’s life and yours. Should I prepare for the home in Milan or Turkey? Maybe the house in Maui. I don’t know but you think I’m scared to fight you? I’m going to fight you with everything I have and get everything I deserve. Including shares of DGI. I win you smug son of a bitch.” Natasha sneered feeling confident. 

Chauncey barely had time to react when she had taken the papers from him, he knew then that there was no sense in denying what they said. Instead he simply looked at her and shrugged mainly to infuriate her over it, he never loved her they had never promised each other that. He did love Greer but Natasha Hassan had been part of a broader business deal Jackson may have got SandStar to be a part of DGI but he solidified it when he married Natasha no matter what way it went he would get a slice of it in the long run. “I mean it wasn’t like we were fucking, you were where exactly? Oh that’s right, screwing Anderson in his family’s pool, don’t worry I’m having my lawyer ask for the footage. But if you must know, do the math, unless you aren’t that good at it? Brock’s makeover is quite the turn of events can you imagine Greer LeClerq married to a firefighter when she deserves such a better title like maybe Mrs. Devonshire?”

Chauncey looked at her meeting her malice and venom with his own, he actually saw the hurt on her face but if she wanted a war she would get one. His parents had divorced and unlike his father he wasn’t going to roll over and just hand Natasha everything or things she thought she was owed. “The truth is I never loved you and you never loved me, so we can stop with pretenses. I married you because it benefited me to keep SandStar close to DGI and I told you I would help you get it back, now though I’m going to keep it or parts of it and you’ll have nothing. Be careful about who your lawyer decides to call. I may have skeletons but you my dear have way more than I do. I’d hate for everyone to know about that fall at my brother’s wedding and the truth about what you were carrying.”

“Oh dear we are going to get nasty aren’t we?” Natasha said, leaning in looking Chauncey square in the eyes. “I’m not afraid of you and I have the money and power to eradicate your flimsy reputation. Oh Chauncey you aren’t upstanding in fact you are a walking trainwreck. I truly believe when I’m done all the Devonshire’s dirt will be laid to the floor. Oh I can’t wait to do GMA and maybe the Today Show? Oh my memoir ‘Surviving The Devonshire Family: A Clan of War.” She waved her hands to show the title’s flashy name. With a snap of her fingers in his face she stepped back. “I’m going to make sure you and all the ugly secrets your family has is dragged through the media. In fact Greer will have to report on the divorce.This is going to be so good any chance you have with that harlot is over. I pity her for taking my leftovers. You are a disgusting little man who could never satisfy me and Chauncey no there is no love lost. I want my company and Tess will sell it to me very soon. Then I can leave this dreadful country and you in my rearview.” 

Natasha looked at her husband and felt something. “I asked you to get my company back and you couldn’t. I asked you to be the man I need to be CEO and you didn’t get it. Why should I continue to be subjected to your failure if you aren’t a CEO then why be married to you? You’re a sad sack of flesh, a man whose carnal needs are above the need of his power and stature. You let Jackson take the company from you because you’re pathetic and I could really use all of this in my case. I thought I was getting the great and powerful Devonshire but you are a boy. A little boy who I can’t believe he lost to his failed brother. You are pathetic. Where is the man who almost stole DGI? That’s who I needed, not this shell of a man. I researched you and Jackson. I wondered which one I would go after and it was you. I picked you because of many reasons but you were the one who was supposed to help me. You left me to chase after that whore Greer. You made our relationship no longer a partnership. I’m done. I can do bad all by myself.” Natasha hissed back at Chauncey. Her phone began to ring. “I have to go, it’s Tess and she should be telling me about how much to buy back the majority in SandStar. You lost and I’ll enjoy being the next ex-Ms. Devonshire.”

“My reputation? I never pretended to have one so it seems we may be at a stalemate then aren’t we. I have enough money and power to battle you for years to come if needed, though I think I would be bored of it fairly quickly. I can’t wait to see which one of us can destroy the other first, I mean I really wanted to maybe I’ll make a call to the media. I could get Cara to take the stand. She could tell everyone about your huge affair with Anderson, how you deceived me first. I can at least say I honestly attempted to try with you. The problem is you’re not Greer, you’re second in every way that matters here. For the record she had me first in Egypt. You were just icing on the cake that I needed to make a good impression with my parents after my coop with her fell through.” Chauncey said looking at her disgusted face she wanted to pull out all the stops she would learn he could be almost twice as vicious when needed. He leaned in close to her ear. “You’ll never have it SandStar, that is just like you had my kid either.”

“You’re right though we should let the lawyers handle this. I do hope you find a good one to at least make this a challenge. Now if you don’t mind I’ll be taking these back, I didn’t let Jackson take anything from me. My father got fucking soft at the last minute and handed it to him, I was going to settle that for you now I’m just going to let him go off and make sure you don’t get SandStar. The problem you face now is that soon to be ex-wife you have no friends in Atlas Falls, no company and soon no husband so where does that leave you again?” Chauncey asked to pluck the papers back from her grip while she stared at him, watching her boil was the best part of how angry she was at him. He stepped back from her, he sneered when she said she was meeting with Tess. “Do give Tess my regards I’m sure the stepmonster is twirling in a seat that isn’t hers thinking she’s won. The problem as I am sure you’ve learned is being a mistress yourself it never ends well for them. I’ll see you in court.” He finished turning and making his way out of the hospital. She wanted a war so she would get one.