2×09 “Half Heart”
Written by: Chris Coleman and Kelly Zollo
Guest Starring: Vance Blaine (Hector Elizondo) and Randall Sinclair (James Purefoy)
Episode Theme Song: Sia ft. The Weeknd- Elastic Heart
Warning: Episode may contain violence, sexual situations and language

Brenda stood outside the office of Vance Blaine one of the best private eyes in Atlas Falls. If not the best he had found out that Steven and Carla were still seeing each other. It took a lot of time to get here but today he said he had news on her daughter. She wore a navy blue and gold knee-length dress with a cardigan over it. The chill of fall was starting to set in and the Indian summer was winding down. It wasn’t cold but it also wasn’t hot anymore. Slowly fluffing her hair she saw Walter’s driver pulled up and she took a deep breath. Today was the first day of the rest of her life. As she saw him getting out of the car she tightens her grip on her Michael Kors purse. She was going to talk to him about what was in store for them after they got a location on their daughter. No longer willing to wait if they didn’t get to moving now then when? He was afraid to lose his family but one thing for certain they were going along with their lives without them. When he approached her she could feel the anxiety of years getting to her. She immediately grabbed a hold of Walter and just held him. “I’m so sorry, that you are going through this. It’s all my fault, I was stupid and opened up my mouth.”

Brenda said seeing him warming up to her after she said that. “No excuse but if you ever need me, please tell me and I’ll be with you. I don’t care about the past anymore Walter because after today I’m looking to my future. My future with you and our daughter. I know that I’ve done some stupid things but giving up our daughter, our child. That might have been the most foolish thing I have ever done. I never told you about her birth, I was with Lowell but how feverish I was. I thought I was going to die but she came out screaming and fighting. That child had us in her because she was fighting and every time she left my arms. I could hear the loud cries she wanted me. Walter, I did it because your marriage was falling apart and mine was also. A baby to solidify my affair and betrayal I couldn’t. Lowell words about Lauren and you well they echoed in my mind. I hate Jackie and Lowell but they did help me during that time. I was depressed and not having her has placed a hole in my heart for a long time. My relationship with Brooke has been tainted because I expect so much from her. I can hear that song the nun sang to her to soothe her in my head. I’ve lived with this for years and as horrible as what I did to her and you were. I know you know that you get it. You might never say it out loud but you understand that our lives couldn’t take that hit back then but now. Now we are ready to be her parents and I know you aren’t sure if we should interrupt her life. I am sure that she is my child and she deserves to know me and you. Don’t Dani and Braden deserve to have her just as my three do?”

Walter had agreed to meet with the PI to find out what he had discovered about their daughter it had been weeks and money, it was time for answers in his mind. He had yet to forgive her for what had happened with their daughter taking her away from him without so much even a word to him about it, not even letting him know she was still pregnant. He was still angry with Lowell as well but he knew, for now, he had to put that hate aside if for anyone his grandchildren there was no turning back now with that. He could either accept that Lowell would be a part of his life or he could lose them and his only living daughter, he chose the latter when it came to that decision. He walked to Brenda and hugged her briefly even though he was now divorced and alone, the timing felt off to run to Brenda’s arms it would throw salt on a still throbbing wound especially to Dani and Braden. He wasn’t even sure why Brenda thought of them half the time did she expect them to welcome her as a part of his future with open arms. He shook the thought off for the time being that could be a bridge they crossed when they got there, for now, he wanted to know about his other daughter. As they entered the man’s office he listened to the story of her birth and hated every moment of it he had been denied it.

“He’ll tell us what we need, we’ll find her and then I don’t know what we will do Brenda. You have not even told Brooke or Hunter.” Walter said looking at her, the story was endearing of course it was he had seen the births of his other three children and to know he was robbed of that with his child with Brenda due to her and Lowell stung. He wanted to mention that for his children it would leave a mark especially so close to Vicky’s death that was coming up and he could already hear the snide remarks once his daughter with Brenda was found from Dani in his head. “I wish I had been there but I wasn’t now as I? None of this means that I’ve fully forgiven you for ripping her out of my life Brenda. I can’t fight with Lowell anymore due to the twins and I don’t want to fight with you but I had a right to know.” He finally managed to get out as they made their way inside and the man’s secretary let them inside the office where they sat on the leather chairs waiting as he looked at the clock and then saw the door open and who he assumed was Vance Blaine enter.

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting that long Mr. Fraiser and Mrs. Kincaid,” Vance said walking into the office as he held the file that he had found on their daughter. He’d taken their money and ran a complete case on their daughter that Brenda had given up for adoption. He only hoped that the couple was ready to begin and learn what he had found out. “Where would you like me to start?” He asked looking at Brenda as he took a seat behind the desk.

Brenda sat silently because her nerves bubbled up. What did he know about their daughter? What was her name? Was she married? Did they have grandchildren? Did she have his smile? She had so many questions and he had to forgive her soon. It hurt too badly right now. She was drinking more and more because breaking up Lauren and Walter was supposed to get her to stop. She wasn’t supposed to be waiting this long to have the man she loved. She just pushed it along and if he couldn’t see it maybe she could just move on? That wasn’t a question because for years she waited for them both to be at this place. Even though Gideon slew Steven to get it. Placing her purse on the floor, she wrapped her arms around herself. “God I don’t know what to say? Did you find her? You know where our baby is?” Brenda mumbled as she looked at Walter. “Vance you don’t know what this means to me. Lowell convinced me that this was the only way to save Walter’s happiness at the time. God, I hate myself for what I did.”

“Tell me where she is.” Brenda declared as she looked at Vance. “I have to know where she is, who is she and what does she look like? I have to know because she is my little girl and so special to me. She has to know us. I have to find her and tell her that she was wanted and I was so foolish back then.” As she looked over at Walter she reluctantly grabbed his hand. Not sure if he would be repulsed and pull away. To her surprise, he held her hand. She gulped and looked at Vance. “Tell me her whole life and don’t leave a detail out. Then tell me where our daughter is and I’m going to get her. I’m going to tell her that she’s so important and I made a mistake years ago. How I wish I didn’t listen or figure out something.” Secrets were unraveling but she hadn’t told her last one. Everyone had them and Steven knew it too. “Please.”

Vance looked at them both and knew the news would be hard to digest and he had to remember that this was part of his job and he looked down at the file flipping it open. “Your daughter was placed with Sacred Heart Adoption Agency in Florida after her birth and was adopted when she was six months old by Harry and Melanie Richardson. The couple named her Kendall Marie Richardson. Rough upbringing trailer park for most of her life and then the state stepped in when she was about thirteen. Fights at home and at school, she was a runaway on and off. She did graduate high school and was on her way to possibly going to college.” He paused for a moment knowing that he was being watched and he hoped that Philip Montgomery was getting his money’s worth not that it mattered to him where the funds came from. He looked at Brenda’s face so full of hope and then at Walter’s, he didn’t have time to feel too sorry for her when it came down to little details though Steven had paid him a lot of money over a year ago and had he never been killed she’d be in for a rude awakening. “She was involved in a car accident a few weeks after graduation some driver ran a red light she was inside the car with her friend Drusilla Price. She died in route to the hospital. I’m very sorry.”

Walter took a breath as he took everything in from her name and how she was raised in the trailer park that would have never happened if she would have been with him and Brenda. Money had been tight for he and Lauren for a few years but once the pub hit success they breathed a bit easier they would have found a way to make it work. Brenda came from the trailer park in Atlas Falls no one mentioned it now in passing or in circles since she had raised herself 3so far up in society and he knew she would have rather died than let their daughter live there. He could tell by the simple information they got she had a bit of the Fraiser streak in her and he had been listening very intently and then the words car accident happened and he was certain he turned pale. He leaned over the desk reaching his hand out to the photo to look at it he flipped through the paperwork and saw the pictures of the girl and his heart swelled even though he swore she looked nothing like his side of the family. His hands shook as he flipped to the pictures of the crash and the newspaper clipping of the accident that clearly took her life and it was too much too soon. Especially given how Victoria had died the same way a horrible accident and he handed the file back getting up from his seat to compose himself. He wiped at his eyes and placed a supportive hand on Brenda’s shoulder.

“Thank you the girl that was in the car with her did she die too?” Walter finally asked looking at Brenda who was still in shock and digesting the news. He saw Vance shake his head no and held out a picture for him to look at. He had to do a few takes at the photo he recognized this girl she worked at the Pub it was Dru staring back at him next to his daughter and he gripped the picture in his hand nearly crumpling it only releasing when he felt Brenda tugging at it to take a look.

“Mr. Fraiser I assume this is very upsetting..” Vance started only to be cut off.

“Have you ever buried a child Mr. Blaine held your wife as she cried over your child died while she was driving the car? Watched a small casket lower into the ground? Have it destroy your family from the inside out, see your other daughter day in and day out and wonder why she was saved, yet the other died?” Walter seethed realizing mid-sentence that he was mixing the two Victoria and Kendall and he saw the realization that this was like repeating a living nightmare for him on Vance’s face when he shook his head no. He gripped the back of the chair for support and looked down at Brenda. “I’m sorry this is so much right now. Let me take you back to the estate Brenda.”

Brenda sat silent for the first time in her life she was breathless. Hearing her little girl was gone and lived a mediocre never getting a modicum of what she had. Her lip quivered as she shook her head at Vance. No this wasn’t for real and it wasn’t what she planned. They’d find her and reunite thus making a new family unit. Staring at the statuesque girl next to the young woman she met at Dani’s baby shower she exhaled. That was her daughter and she didn’t get a chance to tell her. To fix the problems she placed on Brooke. Covering her mouth she started to exhale she couldn’t take it. A gasp came out of her mouth as she started to weep. Not believing that this was possible. Her eyes closed feeling dizzy as she looked at Walter snapping at Vance.

“It’s not his fault and it’s not who you are angry with. It’s me.” She said exhaling looking at him. “Hate me and you don’t need to take me home I’m a monster. I’m a stupid monster who threw away my little girl and left her there. With these people who let her die. I thought the nuns would give her to someone good. Oh my God, she’s dead. She’s gone oh my God what have I done? What have I done? No, no, no, no.” Brenda said as a scream escaped her lips. It was gut-wrenching as all her dreams of having her daughter back came crashing down. Brenda stood and grabbed her purse storming out of the room. Not being able to believe that her child had died before she got to meet her. Before she even knew who she was. What type of girl she was, and what would she been like if she just handed her over to Walter and not been spiteful and swayed by Lowell and Steven. Secrets have a price and Brenda knew that this was one of them. She couldn’t have it all. She didn’t get a happy ending her dreams literally felt as if they’d turned to dust in her hand. Brenda rushed down the stairs and felt the shame of what she had done and what it had done to her daughter. Her fear and selfishness ruined this moment and now she’d never had her daughter in her arms. She heard Walter calling after her.

Walter looked at Vance before going out the door following Brenda not sure what he could say to her if there was anything to say. Their daughter was dead there was no coming back from that and he heard the door close behind him as he rushed out the hallway. “Brenda.” He said calling after her he paused for a moment to lean on the wall bending over as he felt his own breath leaving his lungs and the tears fall down his face. He couldn’t help it but then drop collapsing as the weight of his legs finally gave out, he looked down the hallway to see nothing left and closed his eyes letting the tears fall.

Vance leaned back in the chair closing the file he had in front of him as he watched the door to the next room open and the young woman step out. He handed her the file. “I do hope you are satisfied now Ms. Price or should I say Ms. Braddock and everything Philip requested is in there.”

“Don’t fucking call me Ms. Braddock ever again or I’ll have Philip’s money bury you,” Dru said coldly as she walked out from the backroom. Seeing their faces was so pleasurable. Knowing she was literally killing their chances of a reunion was even tastier. As she cracked her neck to the left and right. Dru watched their reactions and for a moment she felt her actions were a little extreme but then she realized this wasn’t about her. It was about them reuniting and she would rather slit her wrist than to see her parents get a happily ever after together. They deserved to be miserable and now seeing how much pain they were in made her feel good. She took the file and smiled at Vance. Opening the file she stared at the DNA test and laughed. “That bitch Brenda.”

“You are a horrible man Vance but I’m an even worse woman. I will end you and this isn’t a threat it’s a guarantee if you open your mouth. I think that’s enough money to possibly leave for a while. Maybe go missing.” Dru placed her purse on her shoulder and walked to the door. Peaking out she saw Walter weeping outside of the door. “Plus more money is given to you if you uncover anything more between Fraiser’s and Kincaid’s. I want all their secrets and hell if you can find Scarlett and know where she tells me. I want to be able to torture them and make them regret ever and I mean ever throwing me away.” Dru’s chest heaved as she texts Philip it was done and she had the proof. “Has the Price family been paid for their silence? I don’t need anyone opening their mouths. I want my childhood pictures and Dru’s removed from that house. I want everything to look like a shrine of me in that fucking trailer park.”

*********

Simon rounded the corner two blocks from his brownstone headphones in bumping the music in his headphones as the air entered and left his chest. He and Ivan hadn’t spoken since the club where he had heard that Ivan was threatening some poor kid he talked to on the dance floor. He figured that would be a good time for them to have a moment alone for a few days. Not only that he had been working with Lowell at the hospital non stop going from business to personal matters he understood what Lowell had entrusted him with and then he had gone to help Jackie. He had never seen Jackie and Lowell like this so distant from each other and using him as a middleman to navigate their separate problems normally when a problem came up they dealt with it together. Not now he did Lowell’s bidding for DGI and had begun to work with Jackie to uncover the truth about what happened to Katie requiring money non stop contact with doctors that were willing to talk and soon he would go with Jackie to visit Katie in person. He got that the accusation against Lowell was heavy but he did believe him and at this point, he wished Jackie did too. The truth was she had been hurt too many times by her husband to believe in his fidelity now. As he made it to his street he ran harder stopping on his porch and grabbing the railing he looked up to see Ivan standing there.

“I’m really not on the mood for games today Ivan so what can I help you with that doesn’t involve you trying to make me your ghetto bitch? I have a lot of shit going on at work and maybe I’m just not up for being your toy that you get to hide on the weekends anymore and I don’t have time for you threatening my social life either. Now if it questions about the label and your cut I can help you with that.” Simon said annoyed as he looked at him taking out his earphones and then taking a drink of his water that was gripped in his right hand catching his breath. He’d been running a lot over the last few days some people liked to go out and do a few lines or hit up someone on a corner to release their frustrations he knew from watching his friends over the years do drugs that weren’t an option and he was careful about who he fucked. Not only that but he ran track in high school and college and found it relaxing. “I told you from the get-go that I wouldn’t be something you kept hidden away just because we’re fucking doesn’t mean that I can’t have friends in that scene. You refuse to actually acknowledge what is going between us, do you even know what it is you want this time? So is this a social call or a personal one Ivan?”

Ivan stood with his mouth snarled as Simon barked and bitched at him. It was half the reason he liked the motherfucker so much he was so sassy. The aggression and attitude was a turn on and he bit his lip leaning against the iron gate of Simon’s townhouse. “We made TMZ. My song is kinda bussing on the internet but I think you know that because you just asked me about the label.” He said calmly clapping his hands together. Ever since he heard Jay-Z’s ‘The Blueprint’, Lil Wayne’s ‘The Carter III’, and Kanye West ‘Graduation’ he knew he wanted to be a Rap God. One of those men that set the blueprint for what was to come after him. His inspiration was vast grunge, rock & roll, old-school R&B, and even some country. He never thought this shit would happen again. He wasn’t in love but he knew he wanted Simon. With Money, it was they both were in the life. They loved hard and lived in these streets harder. Ivan just knew how to be on the DL. That was all he had because in his heart this music shit was all he had. If it wasn’t for that rich boy pulling a stunt on all of them he wouldn’t be having a song right now that the internet is going crazy over.

“I got a challenge bruh. They calling it the Smashed challenge the dance is dope too. The same guy who got Drake shit poppin getting me going. This is an I need you in my corner call. Look, Simon, I don’t get much family. My dad doesn’t fuck with me and my family hasn’t for a long time. I keep in touch with my moms that’s it. So when I give myself to someone papo, I give myself to them. I’m giving myself to you Simon and I ain’t fucking with that girl on TMZ and I ain’t fucking nobody but you. I’m saying let’s explore this and I understand what just went down with old boy. However, I ain’t him. I’m loyal and what he did was foul as fuck but you making me pay for his shit. Shorty that ain’t fair and if I have it my way when I’m on stage accepting my Grammy you there, when I write the most epic rap and it’s featured on a soundtrack and I win a fucking Oscar you there, and when I’m alone at night I want you there. So what’s the problem man? I’m not asking for much from you. I’m in a business that doesn’t understand what we are. What we do is something immoral or abnormal to them. Honestly, I don’t give a fuck what nobody thinks. I do care about fucking working and eating and making sure my peeps that let me get off these streets alive eat. Motherfuckers who still want me dead is letting me breathe because one Ronan said so. Two because I’m representing Atlas Falls man. Other than the people you work for who is popping from our city? Khalil and Xavier that’s it and they balling and them white people.” Ivan said breathlessly. “I’m asking for time.”

Simon knew he was being curt that was an understatement but he also knew that he was under a lot of stress at work with the crisis at DGI involving Lowell as of late. He was normally up for the games and everything else that came with things but in this case, his heart just wasn’t in it. If anything over the last year had taught him anything it was that he didn’t have time to be some sort of secret he had no time in his life to deal with that drama again. “I heard something about that when Jamal sent a memo to Talia asking for some PR help until he can find someone at the label to fill that job. I’m very happy for you Ivan that you have found what you want in life with the label and I guess the life with it. I have a lot going on at work right now and we haven’t been able to really talk since that night at your place or at the studio.” He said moving past Ivan on the front porch and then unlocking the front door holding open the screen door so Ivan could come in. He figured this would give them time to talk and if there were some annoying reports outside there would be nothing for them to gossip about in the papers. His mind was already swirling with lies that he would have to spin or Ivan would spin to protect his image as he looked at Ivan admiring the style and decor in the house.

“So while you are doing your music and promoting your albums I am supposed to what exactly hide in the shadows because a few people won’t like what we do in the bedroom? Your a grown man now what your father thinks or doesn’t think shouldn’t really bother you at this point.” Simon said walking to the kitchen and wiping down his sweaty face with his t-shirt before taking a drink of his water. He could tell that talking about Ivan’s family made him uncomfortable he assumed it was because of family bullshit and he almost felt bad. Instead, he walked to the fridge and grabbed some yogurt opening the container as he reached into the drawer for a spoon.  “So your mom she’s cool with you then right?, I assume your dad isn’t but your mom she sounds like you’re close to her.” He took another bite of his yogurt and realized he was being cranky and rude ever since he saw Ivan on the front steps. “I’m sorry if I came across short earlier after a run I’m pretty famished and there is all this stuff going on at work. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know the tabloid gossip about DGI at the moment so I took that out on you I am sorry. I just don’t know how to juggle that and then whatever you seem to think this is. A booty call whenever you feel like it. I thought after Mason that I wouldn’t have to do that shit anymore.”

“Why are you looking at me like that? So you going to do this?” Ivan said smirking as he leaned against the doorway. “Look I don’t fuck around with any and everybody just so you know. If I fuck with you then you are important to me. Or I found something intriguing enough to pull a side of myself that I locked up a long time ago.” As he narrowed his eyes looking at Simon he liked to push buttons and he knew it. He’d mentioned his father once before and now he was using it as a way to pull his hoe card. Biting down on his bottom lip if he wasn’t a little calmer now that Jamal got him off the streets. However, if he wasn’t so chill he would have chin checked Simon ass. He was always playing like he was fucking game. He thought he was stupid that he didn’t see his approach. Simon liked to attack before someone attacked him. His family was a tender topic honestly. He was going to flip this feeling on him to make him see that it didn’t feel too good.

“My Mama is all I speak with. I got two brothers Hector and Carlos and both them motherfuckers are trouble. Hell when your dad was the leader of the Rican Kings. I was eleven when I saw that sonofabitch kill someone. Fourteen when I got this tattoo which signified my first body. So just because you come from a perfect ass life don’t even think you understand what I can do. You don’t know shit about being a man from where I’m from ight. So if you my rider then ride but all that lip little daddy you going to change. I can come out but you straight rude. So I guess my question to you would be simple. Who fucked you up since you got so many questions about my past? I mean I know Mason and Zach did you dirty and now they fucking around that gotta hurt but your perception of love and relationships are out of whack. When we fuck I put passion into it and I believe you do too. Except that’s the only time you show emotions when we in bed. So since we talking what’s your relationship with your mom and dad? Any siblings?” Seeing Simon’s lips perch he knew he struck a nerve. “You don’t like it do you?” Sucking his teeth he invaded Simon’s personal space and then took the spoon from Simon and ate the yogurt off it. “Being analyzed that is?”

“I’m looking at you trying to figure out your game musical rap star during the day with female groupies hanging all over you lying to the press yet at night you chase me down or worse threaten some kid in the club over your mad jealousy? I think you should just unlock that side of your or just throw away the key.” Simon said looking at him across the counter and then folding his arms no he didn’t like to be analyzed but on the other hand, Lowell knew all his secrets he really didn’t have any. He’d been cleaning up messes since that night with Catherine and he supposed that was his dark side that came into play, the danger that came with hiding and keeping people’s darkest secrets it changed you as a man. “Sorry, all that proper upbringing of mine gave me a rude streak. You do you, Ivan, whatever that is. Growing up was hardly perfect if you really want to know just because someone lives in a nice house doesn’t mean it was picture perfect.”

“My dad worked for Lowell for years till his retirement my mother fancied a glass or two of wine every night. The sun rose and set on my older brothers Paul and Julian. Paul is in and out of rehab every few years his wife stays for his trust fund and their two children. Julian is the head of some fancy department at Cedars Sinai in California he got out of dodge, can do no wrong when it comes to anything. My little sister Siobhan ran off years ago with her boyfriend at the time my parents and I haven’t heard from her in a few years the last was a phone call over Thanksgiving asking for money because they cut her off she was in Colorado I think. I came out when I was in high school and to quote my mother it was the biggest disappointment I ever did because I can’t continue on the family name.” Simon said he rolled his neck back and forth to relieve some of the stress and then looked at Ivan. Mason or Zach, he could name a few that had hurt him and he supposed that he should tell him about it. “Who hurt me, Mason, probably the most for keeping me a secret for years when I told him my darkest secrets. Zach before that, Atlas Falls is pretty liberal except when it comes to rich families coming out, or families of color or boys that don’t know what they want. You don’t want to play with me Ivan you may have killed people but I’m very good at burying bodies when I need too.”

“I’m not trying to have a pissing contest over who got the biggest dick, although you may be thicker I got more length. I’m trying to say is I’m trying to get us together. I know I’m asking you to compromise your morals and all that shit. I’m just saying hold off for me. I’m worthy and worth it Simon. I’m asking you to take a leap with me, now if you can’t do that let me know bro. If so then let’s do this. From the sound of it, we’ve had some really screwed up shit happen to us both with our families. You came out early and your family was disappointed, I never have come out and they hated me. They just knew and it sucks but I’m here for one reason and one reason only. To make my dreams come true and I can’t imagine it not happening my lover died for this dream. So Money it’s for him and to show my family they’ll never break me.” Ivan grabbed Simon hand and walked with him to the couch.

Flopping down and wrapping his arms around him. “Can this be our solitude? Can you accept these four walls as our place? Our time and I’m not IMoney I’m Ivan here? Can you do that? If so then I’m planning on making you a happy man. I’m planning on giving you my all because for some reason I’m not ready to let this go or stop seeing where this is going. So I’m selfish and a little jealous stop playing with me than Simon. You and I got that boy ass kicked you knew better. My words don’t come out right when I’m talking like this. I don’t do all this emotional shit but do you understand? Look this isn’t forever but this is now. This is the situation and if shorty you can ride with me. I’m going to let you ride all night.” He saw Simon was melting in his arms. He wasn’t going to let the coming out go just yet but he knew he could slow down what Simon wanted from him. “Can we just be us?”

Simon nodded his head at him not sure what else to say to Ivan at the moment as he wrapped his arms around him in return thinking about everything. He knew that their relationship could go one of two ways either they could become a power couple like the people and friends he had in his life or it would go the way of his past relationship with Mason disaster.  For now, though he wanted to forget that it ever happened and as he parted from Simon he turned on the radio in the kitchen with his phone playing some classical seeing the annoyance as it crossed Ivan’s face before turning to the fridge and grabbing eggs and the rest of the items he needed for a frittata. As he cracked the egg open into the bowl he saw the yolk separate into the whites and realized just like the egg soon everything would change in an instant for everyone when Lowell passed.

*********

Zach splashed Mason in the pool of their new home. He wanted to give Mason a great night he had done amazing decorating and setting up Kieran’s room. His faith that he would have his son back in his arms was almost infectious. He was so determined to find where Scarlett was for him. He knew when he did get Kieran back, it would lead to them being a family. He was the last thing missing and Scarlett was still sending these teasing messages and videos. The woman was truly sadistic. He’d tried to think of a way to refrain from thinking of her like that. He often played the blame game if he wasn’t so lost in his grief with Dante could he see Scarlett for what she was. Everything was moving so fast at that time. He started his relationship with Mason right after that. It was a whirlwind but he should have figured out who Scarlett stalker was and what she was truly capable of. Seeing Mason in those little speedos made him smirk. The boy was so damn fine had an ass that wouldn’t quit.

“So I got a call from Diego today that last video that Scarlett sent was in California. She’s back in the united states. Which means that we have a better chance of finding her. She’s going to slip up and then we will be complete. You ready to help me raise a baby? I mean Mason you didn’t ask to be instant stepdaddy or any of this. You decorating a nursery and getting all this stuff. I just thank you but I’m still like what did I do to deserve this. It’s like my life has been too charming you know? I’m afraid something bad is going to happen the moment I get him back. She isn’t going to just return my son Mase. I know it.” Running his hands down his side holding onto Mason’s waist. “Plus I think that we got at least thirty minutes before Selina and Dimitri arrive. You know Mase I think that guy just rubs me the wrong way.”

The house was nice and he had been a little shocked when Zach brought it but he supposed that came with the paid upgrade to a federal agent. It made sense to move in together and he had given his condo to Jamal now that he had come out there was no reason to hide anymore. It was a decent sized home with a covered pool and he had begun to decorate it after they had closed. He knew it was a long show but he had faith that Kieran would come home that Scarlett would screw up and the feds would catch her, it was just a matter of time. Ever since the trial he had been busy with new clients and old ones which worked out ok with Zach’s new job now that it had calmed down though they had invited his sister and Dimitri over later that evening for dinner. They had decided to take a dip in the pool while they waited and he swam up to Zach wrapping his arms around him and looking at him.

“Let Diego and the rest of them do their job we all agreed that was best. You stay here while he tracks her crazy ass down so when she fucks up custody isn’t even a question to a judge. No way anyone gives that psycho bitch your son I refuse to let that happen not to mention she’ll be in a cell for murdering Dante anyway.” anyway Mason said reassuring Zach and then pausing when he mentioned Dante’s name a sort of u spoken between them. The last time he was intimate was with Simon and he was pretty sure Zach’s was Dante. They had been taking it slow, making love gingerly and he licked his lips looking in Zach’s eyes when he mentioned they had time. “Selina is grown and she wouldn’t wouldn’t be with someone that abused her. There are two sides to every story you now that. You are right though we do have time what did you have in mind?” Mason asked teasing him as he ran his hand down Zach’s bare chest in the pool.

“Well, it’s quite obvious.” At one point he was selfish and wanted to be married to Dante but still have the sexual relationship with Scarlett. This led to him finding his soulmate in Mason. Somehow he never felt quite like this. He felt absolutely complete and the relationship was satisfying. Grabbing Mason by his speedos he felt him stiffening already and the fun was what he was planning. So they’d had sex before but they’d never had it quite like this. Grabbing the bottle of Fraiser beer he gulped down a big swallow as he placed it down. Then took Mason had and lead him out of the water. Using water as lube could be rough on any man skin so he didn’t plan to make love with his boyfriend like that.

Opening the guesthouse which was an old shack that he’d taken pride in remodeling. He figured it would eventually be a cool spot for Mason, Kieran, and himself to bond and play in. However, right now it was the only room of the new house they hadn’t blessed. Walking him into a small but cozy cottage like one bedroom suite. Pulling down the bed and he quickly fell to his knees. He was about to please Mason in every way. Slowly opening his mouth he pulled down Mason dripping wet speedos and completely engulfed his thick and girthy penis in his mouth. Slowly building a rhythm to the moans of Mason. Taking special attention to the tip of his penis to tease and please. This was his way of showing him today he was going to make love to every piece of his body. Slurping passionately he smirked seeing Mason squirming already.

Mason looked over at Zach when he took him by the shorts and led him out of the pool he had almost objected the water could be fun but he had come to learn that Zach treated him different. He walked with him to the guest house and couldn’t help the urgency that his body had shown in the pool and he looked down as Zach lowered his speedo and looked at his dick. His mouth went open in ecstasy as Zach’s lips closed around his tip and he felt his tongue move down his shaft when he began to take his length into his mouth. He couldn’t help the sensations that he felt as he closed his eyes and tilted his head back feeling Zach’s hands work on his hips and thighs at the same time as his mouth and felt a moan escape his mouth. His hands went to Zach’s hair tangling in his midnight black locks and he moved his fingers through his scalp enjoying this moment with them. Thoughts of dinner with Selina and Dimitri far from his mind and the only thing that was on his mind was the man in front of him on his knees.

“Zach yes.” Mason moaned out feeling him suck the very tip and he could swear his dick was getting bigger by the second at how turned on he was. He had been turned on before with other men like Simon and a few guys he had taken back to his room in college but never like this. This was out of this world for him so far and he was enjoying every moment of it so far and he almost let it go but instead, he stopped Zach’s head and felt his cock hit the cool air of the room as he helped Zach rise to his feet and his lips collided with his. His hands traveled down his neck to his back and the trunks he was wearing. He deepened the kiss angling his head as his hands made the sheets fall to the floor and then eagerly seeking out Zach’s flesh. “I want you so bad right now and I know you want me to don’t you?” Mason asked breaking the kiss as he wrapped his hand around Zach’s thickness and began moving along the flesh with his hand back and forth. He felt Zach jerk into his hand and could tell he wanted him too but this was them enjoying their time this time.

Zach was too immersed in the pleasure of the moment to talk so he nodded his head slowly. In a low breathy whisper, he spoke, “I want you so fucking bad Mason.” He wasn’t in the mood to play around now because the touching and Mason’s body was doing something to him. Leaning his head down again Zach slid his tongue inside of Mason’s mouth they impacted and swirled with intensity. Grabbing Mason’s firm and jiggly booty as he flipped Mason over and bent his back down. Stooping to his knees Zach buried his head between his ass and started to slurp and suck on every crevice of his asshole. Quickly flicking his tongue and using a finger to open him up he saw Mason arching his back and his toes curling. It was a good feeling to knowing he was pleasing his lover. As he quickly grabbed a bottle of lube he strategically planted in there earlier in the day. Squeezing the cold liquid in his already wet ass. Then he squeezed it on his throbbing cock. He oiled it up and slowly started to grind on Mason ass to warm the lube up.

The motion of just grinding on Mason was turning them both on. He could feel him shivering underneath him. The sensation stimulated him completely and it was enough to make him feel completely ready to dive into Mason warm ass. As he pushed the head of his penis inside of Mason he felt his asshole resisting from pain and just tightness. Zach drew his hips back and tried to enter again. This time pushing through with a little spit as went all the way in. He just sat for a second for Mason to brace himself for the girth and the pain that initially came with bottoming. He tried it with his first boyfriend and never again. As he drew his hips back he started to build a solid rhythm with his thrust. Hearing Mason moaning he began to be turn on. Leaning down and grabbing him by his throat. “Yeah, baby bring that ass to me.” Using his left hand to balance by holding Mason’s hip and slamming him into his rock hard dick.

Mason threw his head back and closed his eyes the moans increasing from his lips as Zach began to loosen him for their lovemaking session. He was painfully hard as Zach moved his tongue and then his finger inside of him opting to move his hand along his shaft at the sensations. He jerked his hips back as the lube fell on his warm skin and then let out a sensual growl. Their lovemaking had been intense the last few times to the point he felt that he and Zach were on a whole other playing field of sexuality when it came to his past partners. Not that Simon ever didn’t do the things that Zach did in their relationship he had and more but he never felt the overwhelming emotions that he did when he was with Zach instead. He had to wonder sometimes if that was why he had never come fully out to his family in public let alone the rest of society was it because he wasn’t in love or committed to Simon even though they were together for years? He was jolted back to the here and now when he felt the gel against his skin and bit his lip to prepare for it.

The moment that Zach entered him he couldn’t help the moan that came out as he gripped the sheets on the guest bedroom. He couldn’t remember what time it was they had guests coming soon but instead, he pushed that out of the way and threw himself into Zach’s motions and began to move on his haft relishing in the feelings as he let out another moan of pleasure. “Yes, Zach.” Mason managed to get out hearing his voice crack just a little at the pressure that was built up inside of him both out of love and their lovemaking.he could feel his heart racing as he gave himself into Zach’s girth and length and wasn’t sure if the neighbors could hear them or not and even better he was pretty sure he didn’t’ care. He looked up at Zach’s face and stroked himself watching his boyfriend being turned on by the gesture. “You feel good baby. Do you like to watch?” Mason asked letting out a groan as he jerked off and Zach kept plowing him.

The intensity between them had been on another level. He had conquered love and this was them connecting forever. He honestly knew that he was going to spend his life with Mason. That was a fact and to him, this was where his life belonged. Soon he’d have his son and the family he always wanted. Mason didn’t know it but tonight was going to be a night they never forgot. That’s why he was trying to drive him crazy sexually and even more so emotionally. Wiping the sweat off his brow he nodded his head. He couldn’t even talk. Diego sexually was like this when he felt like he would marry him. That was hard to come by twice and honestly, he wasn’t going to waste it this time. As he slowed down, Zach pulled out and a juicy plop sound echoed in the guest house. Flipping Mason on his back he threw his legs up and dove inside of Mason this time missionary. Leaning down he was face to face with him he stuck his tongue down his throat.

It was every day and every hour but they were fucking like rabbits. It was exactly what he needed. That feeling and sensation were enough to make him stop breathing. He barely breathing because they were kissing so intensely. He could feel like Mason still stroking his dick feverishly. He could tell he was close to exploding and this time he wanted it to be special. “Let me know when you are going to come.” He said in between kisses. Zach felt his ball swelling he wanted to explode inside of Mason exactly when Mason was ready to cum. It was the ultimate pleasure and he was going to give it to him. Hell if Mason was a woman he could swear that he would be getting him pregnant. “God, you are so tight. How close are you?”

Mason looked up at Zach bucking his hips upwards and then closed his eyes to make sure that he kept on task.in between kisses and before he knew what was going on he felt himself jerk and let out a moan into Zach’s mouth. “I’m coming.” He managed to breath out as he felt his entire body stiffen again and this time the hot liquid release in his hand and then he felt Zach pop off and he groaned again his lips eagerly searching for Zach’s. He felt his entire body stiffen again and release all over again in what he could only describe as the best orgasm he had in years maybe even his whole life. He felt Zach orgasming as well and pulled his mouth away to allow them both to breathe and their bodies to finish, he laid there for a few moments looking at the ceiling. Eventually, he wanted to redo the guest house now that they could both afford it, moving in was a huge step he figured at least for him probably not Zach he’d done it before with Dante. He heard his phone buzz and pulled away from Zach gently feeling him exit his body and he looked at the phone.

“We have an hour and if we want to talk some sense into my sister and get her away from the preying monster that is Dimitri that means as much as I would like to stay here with you. That means that we have to go inside and start dinner. I think we both needed that.” He said looking at Zach and letting out a deep breath as he grabbed for his boxers and his pants. He knew he had one other thing to bring up and it had been weighing on him they were both worried about Scarlett and Zach’s son but he was also concerned that the upcoming wedding was bringing back bad memories of Dante for Zach too. It had to of been traumatic to be the one to find Dante after publicly announcing your engagement the same night and starting in your head to plan your future with them. “I’ve been meaning to ask about you lately. Dani’s wedding it’s not causing you to get upset you know about Dante is it? I know you guys were not engaged long but it’s hard to not think about it, you’d be planning your wedding at the moment heck even married by now. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Zach was left breathless if he could he would have gotten Mason pregnant with sex like that. He laid on top of his boyfriend for a few moments. When Mason said they had to get dressed his heart pounded. He’d been watching this bigot Dimitri Kavanaugh stance on gay marriage and immigration. In some ways he made Trump look liberal. It scared him that this man was about to step into the global political scale. Ilsa De Cruces was notorious for being neutral all these years. Now to see Dimitri have time to ascend to the crown well it could mean some drama. As he slipped on his jogging pants and a t-shirt he looked over at Mason as he mentioned Dante and his wedding. It was something he didn’t bring up a lot considering how painful it was. Scarlett murdered Dante in cold blood and he laid with her afterward and during that entire ordeal. It made him sick to know how foolish he was but it didn’t hurt him like that anymore.

Taking a deep breath in he looked at Mason as he took his hand and walked out of the guest house. “No, it doesn’t hurt me anymore. I can honestly say that. I get more pissed at myself for being so selfish. I was scared to say I was truly bisexual and I didn’t see myself with a woman forever. I was wrong honestly and if I can admit it now then I knew it then. I used Scarlett and hurt Dante and his death will forever be on my hands. I am sick about that but I’m not going to pretend to be a good person back then. I was selfish and it was stupid playing with Scarlett and being committed to Dante. I guess I’m okay with seeing others happy because I fell for you. I got something out of all that darkness last year. Hell, my son and you.” Kissing his hand. “Come on we need to get dressed for the prince and princess.”

*********

Lauren was standing outside The Pub and she wondered if it was time for a new name. Walter had given it to her in the divorce and it was in his family. Hell, it was all she knew the Pub and being a mother. Plus it was her children and their children legacies this was what they had not DGI. It was modest compared to a billion-dollar empire but it wasn’t a stolen legacy like the Devonshire’s had. As she walked into the back of the bar she picked up the books and figured the kids could handle it tonight. She’d work from home and paint some more. What was funny ever since she presented Jackson and Dani with that painting everyone had been calling and asking for more art. She didn’t know what to say after a while she told them she’d be doing an art show. It just came out and before she knew it she was going to have to put on an art showcase. As she walked to the back to tell the chef she was leaving she saw Walter sitting in the back with a bottle of Frasier Whiskey. His father special brew which meant he was hurting because he only drank his father alcohol when something bad had happened. Every instinct in her body wanted to check on him and see if he was alright, as much as she hated to admit it she loved to see him down. It was ugly but she loved to see him in pain because of all of the pain it brought into her life.

“Tomorrow is Victoria’s birthday.” She said clearing her throat. “I think we should have a celebration she’d be twenty-three tomorrow. We don’t honor her and I think that is part of why we sank like cement in the ocean. You look like someone kicked your puppy care to elaborate. As much as I can’t stand you I’m preaching forgiveness and we were married for over thirty years. Maybe I can help you, Walter. If you are dating that woman and she has brought you to drinking then I think you should give her up.” Lauren said half teasing and speaking the truth. Brenda dragged him down into darkness and honestly, he didn’t seem to mind at all. Looking at his bloodshot eyes she almost snickered. “Have you been crying, Walter? I mean I know this pattern. You drink your father’s whiskey and you hate your father so this is a way of what punishing yourself? Haven’t you done that enough because I’m clearly not condoning our children excluding you any longer? So I guess this is the first step to us becoming friends, what’s wrong?” Sitting down by him she picked up the bottle and took a deep swig. “Damn it, your father may have been an asshole but God he made an amazing whiskey.”

Walter had retreated to the Pub after his meeting with Vance Blane and the news he received he had held it together in front of the man long enough to make it to his car where he instructed his driver to take him back to the Pub. He was supposed to be at city hall for a bit today but had texted his assistant to cancel his appointments for a bit he was restless. When he had arrived at the Pub it was before opening hours meaning he could go to the back to the office that had been a second home to him for over thirty years. It was there that he had walked to the brewery and found a fresh bottle for himself and looked at the label, Lauren had designed it when they started to sell the bourbon out of town and state to smaller bars. He poured it neatly in a glass and sat down letting the tears slip out as he looked at the crumpled picture he had wrestled back from both Vance and Brenda he had let Brenda keep the file but he wanted the picture. He didn’t know how long he had stared at the picture looking at the young woman staring back at him and repeating her name over in his head Kendall, he could feel the tears watering and eventually had broken down to weeping and wiping his face. He drank a glass and refilled it over and over again stopping when he heard the door open and Lauren come in. He knew what the next few days were to them all and now knowing about his other daughter it only made it worse to the point where when he spoke he could tell his voice was elevated.

“Must everything every moment lately be about Victoria or is it that you just like to twist the knife into old wounds? We only have one daughter each now. There is no Victoria or girl with Brenda Lauren you should be so happy about that now. You have my only children you can set aside your hatred for Brenda now, who knows maybe one day I’ll forgive her and Dani and Braden can call her mommy two.” He snapped seeing her looking at the picture and then he raised the glass to his lips taking a drink and shook his head at her. His statement had totally been uncalled for with Lauren and before he knew it he was wiping at his face while she stared at him. He was pretty sure he was on the way to being wasted looking at the bottle and how much was gone. “I’m sorry, we got upsetting news today she’s dead. Barely out of high school she didn’t even get to experience life. Why did you go to Lowell Lauren? You let that man rip my daughter from me, Lauren. I have to accept Dani marrying Jackson, having children with him but I deserved to know about my daughter with Brenda too. You all ripped that from me and now there is no time left. She’s dead in a car accident I read the file she didn’t even go quickly. So if you’re here to rub salt in old wounds Lauren I’m not in the mood.”

Lauren stood silently as he ripped into her suggestion about Victoria and then snapped about his daughter with Brenda. When he said she was dead a piece of her hurt ached for him because he was feeling pain twice over. Another dead daughter and she felt that pain with him. Then he blamed her and the fury became real. He asked her why she went to Lowell to help her erase that child from the Atlas Falls society. It was simple she wouldn’t be one of those women who accepted their husband’s bastard children. As her lip quivered she bawled up her first as she walked to him and narrowed her eyes. “I’m very aware of that if she brought home that child my life wasn’t perfect anymore. At that time I wanted the perfect family and husband but none of us got what we wanted, now did we? My life was full of secrets but that is one I don’t regret. So you don’t get your precious daughter with Brenda? That’s why you are sulking? That’s why you are hurt and crying? My God if you could have shown an iota of that love to Dani maybe she wouldn’t be marrying Jackson and going to your worst enemy’s child and marrying him.” Lauren slammed the door to show him she wasn’t playing or crying anymore. He wanted to be ugly well she could too and the civility that she was trying to show was gone. The divorce financially had gone well for her but emotionally they hadn’t faced anything.

“That girl should have never been alive in the first place.” Her voice said with darkness she didn’t know she could muster. “You think that I’m supposed to cry or mourn with you? You think I care about the fact that you don’t get to start your happy little life with Brenda? You know that’s where that was going. Oh, Brenda, we have our daughter back and now we can be together and a happy family. I wish I could have seen both of your faces you see that feeling you feel. It is what I felt every day of our marriage from the moment I found out about the affair. The wind left your body, you felt like everything around you was shrinking around you, and you can’t think about anything but your pain. Welcome to my life you selfish son of a bitch. You think you can just come here and drink and you get some sort of resolution? I’m happy and I feel a sense of peace knowing she’s dead. I feel good oddly that she isn’t alive and you two don’t get to pass go and collect your fucking two hundred dollars. You expect sympathy or empathy I’m unsure either way you can go to hell and get the hell out of my office. Victoria has been on my mind you are damn right because I was jealous you two had a daughter and mine was dead. But the satisfaction I feel right now is so evil and horrible but I feel it. I know it’s wrong but I’m here to gloat and maybe that’s why God placed me right here. To tell you this is your revenge for destroying us! Destroying our family! Most of all Walter you destroyed me!” She picked up the glass and tossed it right above his head. “I should have picked Harvey and none of this would be happening.”

“Your home? It’s always about you, isn’t it? Your image and your home but me I was just the man you used to get ahead. I wouldn’t have cared if you stayed or went honestly but I never and I mean never would have had you stomach that child no I would have worked something out with Brenda. You did this to punish me for a mistake you and Lowell conspired and did this to me so Lauren this is on you all of it. You always want to make it seem like I didn’t care about Dani and maybe that was true but you withdrew from her after Vicky died too in some ways I think you wanted Vicky alive over her I’d venture to say you wished it too.” Walter said his voice rising as he finally had enough as well and everything boiled down to the surface between them he owned his mistake with Brenda he was hard on Dani growing up but he remembered that time after Vicky died how Lauren shut everyone out including him and Dani and he knew he hit a nerve with her by the pain etched on her face. She still grieved for Vicky and he would never really blame her for that but she did take Kendall from him ripped her away from him without choice or even so much talking to him about it. “Face it you coddled her after you got help because you didn’t know how to deal with the fact that you were driving the car that night and she lived and Vicky died, your precious Vicky. You want to talk about the ugliness that was our life Lauren let’s do that. I told you to wait at the ballpark for me that night after I made sure Braden was at the Harrison’s for a sleepover after his game. The engine in your car kept stalling and you got behind the wheel of the car instead. So all of this including everything that happened with Dani and Jackson is your fault, not mine.”

He saw the horror on her face and he looked over at the glass that was around the room and he looked at her anger surging through him his dad had always taught him to never hit a woman but Lauren always brought out the worst in him. He closed his eyes to make sure he suppressed his rage at her and then shook his head at her. “You’re right you should have married Harvey but you didn’t. I batted my eyes at you in college and you started fucking me because he was looking at someone else, we got Braden out of it. I loved Brenda and you knew that but we agreed after the test was positive that abortion wasn’t an option and we did the right thing for our son you could have said no but you didn’t. You just nodded your head and said yes, I never expected you to just roll over when it came to Brenda. But I always expected human decency when it came to wanting no harm to come to anyone’s child. What I got instead was a cold unloving bitch and you want to stand here and blame me? Look in the mirror Lauren you pushed everyone away including me after Vicky died you were never the same woman. The only reason I stayed was that Robert and June told me divorcing you in the middle of the grief of losing our daughter wasn’t a fair shake looking back I should have just served you. You have the bar, the kids back Lauren you won. You can go now I won’t stand here and rehash this over and over again with you. We have to be civil for the sake of the kids, our grandchildren, and the upcoming wedding but we’re not married anymore so let me grieve in fucking peace for once in your life.”

Lauren looked at Walter and her lips quivered as she stood her ground she didn’t move because she was afraid if she did she’d kill him. She saw many ways grabbing the whiskey bottle and bashing his head over and over again. Using that broken shard of glass she threw to stab him in the throat. Or maybe just grab the shotgun in the closet to her right, and blow his brains out. Each option made her feel satisfying at the moment. She dug her nails into the palm of her hands as she stood there. This was how it truly was about to end. As she wiped her eyes she laughed and finally saw it. “For years I blindly thought we would grow to love each other. That’s what happened. I actually fell in love and you never did. You never loved me and that’s what this all boils down too. A boy like you shouldn’t be with a girl like me huh? You want to talk about the accident is my fault? I have so much hate for you that I can’t move until I say this. No, no, no, no you don’t get to leave after that. You have brought me the best joy in my life three children but when our child died. I died a little and I saw you for what you are. A pathetic man and I will never and I mean never crawl through glass for you anymore.” Pausing Lauren collected her words carefully as she wiped her tears.

“Dani or Braden wouldn’t even be speaking to you if it wasn’t for me. You still don’t get my worth and you never will. You were way out of my league then and now. I forgive you Walter for what you just said and how you made me feel for over thirty years. I risked my happiness for stability. Not financial stability but emotional. I grew up with a father who verbally talked down to my mother and I married a man just like him. I did everything wrong but Dani isn’t and Braden has finally seen you don’t even live up to your impossibly high standards. Victoria was my fault I live with that every day. You were wrong about a lot in that speech of yours. The main thing was why I did what I did. I did it because I wanted you to focus on me. I want you to look at me one damn time like I saw you staring at her across the room. I’ve been living with someone who settled and I didn’t. I saw the value and you never saw what I was worth. You never saw how much I put into this. The dinners you never came home to. The games you missed drunk stewing on revenge on Lowell, on Steven, or whomever you felt owed you. Well, I’ll tell you what, I’ll find the sympathy for you and your daughter with your mistress when you stop fucking blaming me for Victoria’s death!” She screamed hoarsely as she stepped back into the wall and slid down. “I forgive you for hating me. I forgive you for never loving me. I forgive you for not loving our children enough. I forgive you for saying that I resent my child for living.” She wept as Lauren wiped her face. “But I curse you to never be happy with that woman. I curse you both because what you have done to me and your children is reprehensible. But you don’t see so grieve alone and suffer with a woman who has kept a secret from you for over twenty-something years. I just nodded my head she lied. This is her sin, not mine.”

Lauren stood up and opened the door as she walked out of her office slamming the door. As she exhaled she started to cry. As she walked out of the back she grabbed her purse and knew she had to leave. Walking out she ran right into a man and spilled his beer all over him. “Damnit!” Lauren said as she looked at him not recognizing his face. She ran her hands through her hair and waved at the bar. “Please come with me and I’ll replace the beer sir, I own this place free drinks for the rest of the night and I’ll even get your dry cleaning and a taxi home. Just no bad Yelp reviews or anything like that. Those hippie kids what do they call them they are always saying we’re the best online and I don’t want to mess that up. Hipsters that’s what they are called now.” She said walking behind the bar and handing him a towel. “I’m Lauren by the way.”

Randall Sinclair placed his briefcase underneath his arm as he had turned on the stool and bumped straight into Lauren Fraiser, he hadn’t seen her since college. They briefly had an art history class together and he met Blythe Crane a few months later at a sorority party. He could tell that she was distressed and wasn’t one to pry into family matters but it wasn’t like the patrons in the bar didn’t at least hear the raised voices from the hallway that likely led to the office of Walter Fraiser and herself. He had decided to stop by for a drink after the department head meeting and having to reject the advances once again of an intern not that he didn’t want too blonde leggy, a killer tan and he was sure ripe for him to dive into. The problem is that at the moment it wasn’t possible with the pending divorce if Blythe got word that he was fucking an intern in his department it would lay to her false claims in the divorce and he would lose the house and half his earnings. It was hard enough to keep his mouth shut knowing all her secrets from DGI and who she had fucked over the years for him to remain calm and there was plenty of blame to go around. He wiped at his shirt as the bartender handed him a rag to clean up and then looked at her.

“Lauren, you don’t remember me, do you? Randall Sinclair.” He said offering her a warm smile as he wiped at the mess and seeing her face suddenly remember who he was. He handed the towel back to the bartender, he then moved off the stool and escorted her to it to let her sit down she looked like she needed it. “It’s quite alright and I’m not going to leave a scathing review at the moment, however would that look on your business? I am quite sure that spilled drink happen all the time. I know it is probably none of my business but are you alright? As much as this one of the more rowdy places this time of year especially when the kids get out of their night classes or after a football game. During the slower hours, I should warn you your walls are paper thin.”

Lauren’s face grew red as she tapped her foot on the floor as she tried to not scream out of embarrassment. He was a college friend and to make matters worse he heard that nasty fight. Randall and Blythe Sinclair were one of those couples you saw on movies they looked like what Hollywood scarred the American psyche into thinking was the ideal and perfect image. As she dug her hands into her pocket she looked up and smiled. “Sometimes I wonder if I have bad luck or if someone is playing a huge joke on me. I haven’t seen you since you released that book. I’m sorry that you heard that it was ugly of us both and I’m just overwhelmed.” She didn’t know why but she reached out to Randall and grabbed ahold of his arm as if he was keeping her up. “I spent decades with him and he talks to me like I’m nothing. I don’t know how to hate him anymore. I don’t want to be this person anymore against him. I just don’t want the hate inside of me anymore and but I can’t help but revel in how his life is going now that he can’t have the happy ending. He’s screwed!” Lauren screamed as she exhaled looking at Randall’s face.

“Oh my God.” She said running her hands down her eyes to remove the tears. “I’m so sorry you don’t know me like that and here I am acting like this.” Lauren knew she must look insane but she felt good that he was shocked down to every drop of his system. No longer could they have a family because their perfect daughter was dead. That was horrible how happy she was that the child wasn’t alive. Victoria was gone and now Brenda had to mourn a loss in her daughter. “I’m not this nut job but he drives me crazy and we were just screaming such ugly things.” Walking to the front she sat Randall down and as the bartender returned with a frosted beer glass and he handed her a Fraiser’s Whiskey bottle. “Drinks on me remember?”

Randall looked at her as he took a seat on the chair watching Walter sulk out in the corner of his eye as he did so. He could sit for one drink with Lauren and then meet Aspen for dinner. His daughter had been keeping something from him and he was going to get to the bottom of it tonight, granted Blythe was trying her damndest to use Aspen in the divorce he didn’t think it was that though. There was something else going on and he smiled at Lauren as she handed him the beer raising it to his lips as he took a sip enjoying the flavor that melted in his mouth. One thing he learned the Fraiser’s and Cummings knew was how to make a proper brew and whiskey. He put the glass down on the counter and then watched her take a sip of her own and folded his hands on the counter.

“Blythe tells me you’re painting again? Sorry even through a bitter divorce she keeps me up to date on that charity she runs with Jackie. Good for you I say. Sorry, that was probably out of line I’ve been discovering new things about myself over the last few weeks like how I like Blythe control so much of everything.”  Randall looked at her and then picked up the glass finishing up the drink not sure how she took the gesture when he saw her soften she hoped that it wasn’t too bad. He had never really spoken out like that before with a woman before not since he and Blythe had started dating and he gently moved the glass to Lauren looking at the time. “I do hate to cut our drink short perhaps another time? I am scheduled to go met Aspen for dinner. I don’t want her to feel like she is stuck in between me and Blythe but she returned back home abruptly from Harvard kids now days especially smart ones. It is so unlike her to change schools in the middle of the semester.”

Lauren nodded her head at Randall as she felt a lump forming in her throat. Just hearing his stress with Blythe made her feel like he was speaking directly to her. It was clear that he understood her pain just as much as she understood his pain. Reaching out and touching Randall’s hand she looked directly into his eyes. “I don’t know how to do this anymore. It’s strange after almost thirty years of marriage I’m about to do something I didn’t think I’d have to do anymore. Randall, I need someone to talk about this. Would you like to go have a coffee? I have so many emotions and in that few moments, I understood what you were saying. Walter was all about control and now look at me. I’m not in control and you look like you are finally at peace and I just want to know how. I need to know how do you walk away from your marriage and you just let it go.” Lauren said as she handed Randall a card.

“If I overstepped then I’m sorry I’m not asking you out. God, I just am so rusty with talking to men I sound like a crazy person.” Or that was what she was feeling like right now. When she looked up she made eye contact with Randall and she saw the warmness. “Call me, anytime I’m open Randall to a conversation if you are.” She said reaching across the table to hand him her number. Picking up the beer she took a swig and toasted silently to herself. “To letting go of all the ghosts.”

*********

The staunch reality that his father was dying was hard to swallow at times. Planning a wedding and dealing with the fallout over his diagnosis was numbing. Some days Jackson actually thought about calling Club XES and seeing if Mercedes was there. She was a dancer who did her fair share of drugs. Then he thought all about what he could lose and how it could ruin everything. The life he had with Dani and the twins, well he knew he couldn’t. Jackson could throw away the love of his life and two of God’s greatest treasure twins. Today he was about to declare an entire game plan for the Energy Summit. The location was Isla De Cruces and if he had it his was the Energy Summit would become a national diplomatic and humanitarian event. Raising millions for DGI and its efforts to remodel the world green. This game plan would come into handy because effect today he was having DGI remodeled into a green state of the art building. His father had given him his blessing earlier to implement these new plans. To live by what they were trying to accomplish for the world.

As he walked into the office he saw Chauncey speaking with Bliss and Max. They all had boards and cards. They were going in front of their mother today and no matter who was the favorite the launching point began now. Everyone planning had to come together now. This was an expert game of chess and war because each of them had a brilliant idea to take DGI further than it’s ever been. Not only that but looking around he saw Rory in the corner playing on his phone. He knew the summit wouldn’t be first but he had to hand it to his baby brother he was the one to beat. He was nervous he could tell and for the first time, he knew Chauncey was also. This was a crazy feeling to see all of them so vulnerable and mother having to be a sort of proxy for father even in these trying times between them. As he walked up the group he waved in Rory signaling him to listen. “Hey um, I just want to say whatever happens today with mom and this meeting. I’m rooting for each of you to kill this pitch and I hope whoever launches from this murders it. Of course, I hope it’s me but I’m selfish.” He said looking at Chauncey shaking his hand and then turning to Rory.

Bliss instinctively held out her hand. She had a plan to never need Kavanaugh’s for anything. Not only would Fox be a Kincaid with Hunter like his father but she’d be so powerful she’d be able to step on the royal family if need be. Bliss had enough and she wasn’t going to take Dimitri games and abuse. She was ready for a fight this time because she’d have the ultimate weapon her own empire. Her pitch along with Maddie was going to make them powerful women. The most insane part of it was people like Kiley Jenner were becoming billionaires from makeup and lifestyle brands. She was going to transform DGI new designer makeup and fashion into something innovative and grand. Bliss had ideas for her piece of DGI that could transform them all into even richer and she would be a force. Looking over at Max she didn’t feel the rivalry anymore but she crossed her fingers she beat her. To be honest it was what any little sister aspired to be, better than their big sister. She was a beast in business and she was the obvious favorite of father their relationship was so tight that she often resented both her parents for keeping her secret so long. Hell, she honest wondered what other secrets her mother had because she was gone just as much as father and it was always maddening she never was there all the time. Times that she needed her mother truly. As she got older she only could amount it be selfishness and she couldn’t understand it truly. Having Jackie recently truly warm up to her was a welcomed surprise. She no longer looked at her as a stranger and she treated Fox like her own. Her son was the priority and she was going to fight to launch Empress Luxury Goods.

When Jackson shook her hand and kissed her cheek she truly felt no longer an outsider. She was a Devonshire and they were ready to fight for her. She saw the with Chauncey. As they all continued to shake hands she looked at them all. “Guys I need us to make a promise to stop fighting. I know things will gnaw at us and I’m not saying no more sabotage.” She said pointedly at Chauncey. “We can’t be divided because dad is dying and.” She paused getting choked up as she started to cry a little. Wiping her eyes she looked at her siblings. “And we have to make proud of us. I don’t care what they say Zerick and your aunt Katie diaries say that isn’t my father. I don’t believe it and I won’t believe it. This scandal will pass and when it does and goes unproven. Well, we all questioned if he was that type of man. He isn’t and we have to live up to the incredible businessman he is and will always be. This is his legacy and DGI runs through his blood and I don’t have a lot of time to make him proud as you guys did so we have to do this right.” Bliss said exhaling as Jackson hugged her and she saw all of them were in different stages of acceptance of what was happening. Weeping a little she looked up and saw Max holding Rory and Chauncey standing stoically with so much behind his eyes.

“She’s right guys,” Jackson said looking at them all. “Let’s kill this for him.” He said looking at them all.

Rory leaned back in his chair looking at the text from Aspen and almost busting out in laughter they had been spending a lot of time hanging out and it was a nice distraction from his father’s illness. He was the one that he felt had to be the strongest if anything for his mother after Tess he owed his parents at least that. In some twisted way, he felt that was his atonement for sleeping with Tess the worst part was that things were super awkward around Bliss now too. He felt like he couldn’t’ talk to her about stuff because of what he did or how she could even look at him the same now was beyond him too. Aspen called it self loathing himself and he supposed that was very true at the moment, it also felt like a relief to have it out in the air now that everybody knew. Tess could no longer hold that over his head and he could focus in on the app launch that was coming up and then some other ideas he was going to present for maybe some more social media apps to benefit DGI and he felt those apps could tie into his siblings’ ideas as they presented their various ideas. He could take Bliss’s luxury brand and make a shopping app for it, he could help build an app to help customers track their bills for the energy division. He had nothing for the weapons front but maybe he could work with Chauncey to maybe give him other ways to go about technology. He looked over at Max seeing her eyes looking at her notes in front of her and then up at Jackson.

“I think Dad would want us to put our best foot forward from here on out. I know that all of us have reservations about Zerick’s claims and we know that he wasn’t exactly a saint to mom. He’s been lethal and callous with some shady deals in the past as well.” Rory said he had tried to come to terms with the claims ever since the news had broke, the way the press had drug his father through the mud with the accusations that he raped his aunt. Deep down he wanted to avoid all that because if it was true it made him physically ill to think about one thing he was certain about was that he was going to stand by his mother through all of it. Yasmine had been right about a lot of things when they broke up and that was one of them, his father may have loved his mother very much but he had shamed and disrespected her more times than he could fathom or count. “I believe dad when he says he didn’t do it if he had a secret that deep on his deathbed I think he would have told us he did. It’s all pretty damning so far and we’ve all had to deal with the reporters and everything plus we won’t know more I think until mom visits aunt Katie. I feel for aunt Katie though heck I feel for Zerick too that he has been warped by Forbes. We have to support mom though from here on out.”

Chauncey looked at Rory and almost choked on his coffee that he felt sorry for Zerick of all people in all of this. Zerick of all people that had intentionally came onto DGI and sabotaged the meeting in Egypt to throw it Jackson’s way not to mention lied the entire time he was in town about who he was. Or who he claimed to be he had asked some of the older board members about his dear aunt Katie over the last few weeks. She liked to party and she partied hard, she was friends with Tess and it wasn’t like his father was a saint back in the day or later in life. He wasn’t going to accept her or Zerick’s outrageous claims. He could tell that Rory’s speech though was turning the wheels in his siblings head and this wasn’t about mom versus dad to him or maybe it should have been. If that was the case he was going on the side of his father who was a less than stellar example of a great marriage in his mind. He had carried on an affair with Tess for decades, was clearly cheating on their mother with Audrey he was certain there were more for every time he cheated on Selina his father would give him advice on how to cover it up. He wasn’t proud of that by any means but he wasn’t going to whitewash it either, he did agree with a part of Rory’s statement his father was not a rapist.

“Are you trying to even suggest that Dad is capable of something as atrocious as raping our dear promiscuous aunt Katie sober or not back in the day? Did a night with Tess sway you that much Rory? I’ve talked to a lot of board members and they all say she liked to party so did dad but they’ve never seen dad force himself on someone or be inappropriate with them.” Chauncey said not sure how his ideas would be met today he wanted to go after some more weapons contracts and hopefully, that would sway the press and public back to their side. The CADMUS claims had been daunting enough and it didn’t help that the Isla Del Cruces crisis was mounting every day and placing their sister’s abuser as some sympathetic prince. He had to make that right or at least course correct if anything or Bliss and Fox so that he stayed in America and didn’t leave with his father. He saw that Max agreed with his statement on their father and then he thought about their mother she knew what she was getting into when she married their father. ”Mom is a board member she is not a CEO of DGI, dad would want us to work in the best interests of the company and not let our personal feelings about who is dad or mom’s favorite cloud that. Let’s all not sit here and pretend that mom didn’t know that dad liked to fuck around from the start and he was never going to stop.”

Max looked over the casino plans she felt passionate about this and maybe it was her new relationship with Sebastian or her father telling her he liked her visions of hotels and casinos was helpful. The casino was her father’s last big project and when she had been called into his office before he collapsed and asked her to take over and head up the project he had beamed at her with so much pride. She looked around the room over at Rory when he spoke and then over at Chauncey, this was an impossible situation in her eyes. Especially given that she barely remembered her aunt, and she felt no sympathy for Zerick maybe she should though. She met Bliss’s eyes with her own and there was a mutual understanding there now. They were both his daughter that was where they stood now and she wished no ill will towards her. She didn’t have the right to judge her father for his affairs given her past actions with Hunter and with Philip just to name a few over the years. She felt for her mother but she knew her mother had to have known and then there was the complication of Tess in the matter. Tess was his mistress for years, he had Bliss with her and she was certain that her father admired her and Bliss wouldn’t be here if it was for that affair. The reality was that their father was slowly stepping down at DGI this was the first step and they’d have to do what her older brother was saying put DGI first above feelings if they wanted to succeed.

“I don’t think Rory is insinuating that dad did anything to Aunt Katie Chauncey. I think what he is saying is that right now it’s a difficult time for everyone from dad to mom, even if I want to admit it Zerick too. Forbes has told him who knows how many lies we’ve all met him first hand saw him at the party, hell Jackson you told me what he did to you and Dani the other night. There is nothing that he wouldn’t do to have us off out the game at DGI or even destroy dad at any chance he got.” Max said looking between her brothers and wondering if this was going to come down to a mom versus dad issue if her parents did divorce. Wasn’t she allowed to support them both she decided to leave out her and Sebastian’s encounter with Belle and Forbes for now? She wanted to ask Bliss in private if she knew of any other relatives on Tess’s side. Her sister was going through a lot with Dimitri in town and wanting to keep Fox with her. Plus as her sister, she felt Bliss wouldn’t take the question as an attack because that girl Belle looked a lot like Tess and heck even some of Bliss too. “Do you guys think we have to be worried about mom and dad? They’re not like they have been in the past because of all this and I don’t know how investors and board members would react if you know, they divorced.”

“I think we all should be worried to what my mother is up to,” Bliss said looking Max directly in the eyes. Her hand shook a little as she was about to say this. “My mother won’t even talk about the night of that party and she seems to remember it very clearly. She despicable and honestly I feel like she could clean this up. Whatever is the truth or not. My father isn’t that man and I refuse to believe it. Rory, I know you think I have something against you but I know her. She did that as a stunt. She is isolated and cold she’ll do anything to feel and I know her so know that she is a threat on the level of Forbes. She just dresses her venom very differently. It’s disgusting and painful but it’s the truth.” Bliss bit down on her lip and knew that she was the truth but it didn’t hurt any less. “She is determined to turn your parents against each other to finally get what she wants. The crown of being Lowell Devonshire wife even when he’s dying.” Folding her arms she covered her mouth as she gasped softly. “Protect your parents all of you.”

Bliss felt honestly exhausted mentally thinking of what was happening with Dimitri coming back with Selina had spun her. Sometimes women were blind but she never gave that woman a reason to think that she was a liar. What had he told her because her entire demeanor had changed to her as she lied about her abuse? Her son was stuck in this weird situation where they were sharing him. When in fact he was a very well calculated weapon in their ongoing war. No woman was safe around that man and she knew it. As she sat down she knew everyone was feeling sympathy for her. They saw her fear and what she was talking about. The man was a monster. “I have to get custody of Fox, you all know judges that’s how Jackson doesn’t have a record a mile long right? I just will do anything to ensure my son is a happy family with me.” Bliss eyes puffed up as she looked down and saw Chauncey looking directly at her. “You have to tell Selina. She’s in so much danger, he’s psychotic and what I went through. Chauncey, you saw me. I’m scared and of him but I’ll kill him over my son. I’ll kill him and go to jail with pride knowing my siblings and family would take care of him. He can’t be raised by that man.”

Jackson looked at Chauncey and knew that they had to do anything to help Bliss. She was right their father had hidden his indiscretions with law well. He didn’t have a long record even though if people knew what he did he’d been in jail four times over. The drugs and partying led to some horrible choices so he understood her desperation. Just thinking of the twins in danger made him feel like he had to help her. When she spoke of protecting their parents’ marriage he felt a chill running down his spine. The silence of the dominant Chauncey said it all. They all were worried about the state of their parents’ marriage and Bliss was telling them that this could go really badly for mother and father. “I think that we will all call in a million favors to ensure Dimitri doesn’t have any control over little Fox. I have to ask the same question Chauncey have you informed Selina how much of a sociopath this guy is. Look I know you two were playing war of the roses but the Delacroix are our family as much as uncle Linus brood and we know Aunt Camilla has no children just botox.” When they all snickered but Bliss he smiled at her. “You’ll understand when you meet our aunt.”

He took a deep breath as he saw Rory’s face. “You aren’t to blame in this mess. I know how you think bro. You slept with that trainwreck. No offense Bliss your mom is a hot ass mess. I’m just saying that I want you to be back feeling comfortable ok. It’s cool kid and this doesn’t mean a thing I’ve broken their heart way more than you.” He laughed as he saw Chauncey looking at him approvingly but still looking down on him. It was funny they were in an awkward place. It was like they were having a breakthrough but it was also that tension. “Where is mom?”

Jackie had been at the mansion most of the day preparing for this meeting with Lowell to make sure that the next set of things went as planned. Rory would have their full support for his launch, followed by a few defense contracts that they would evolve to Jackson’s energy project. Bliss and Max’s divisions would follow  She knew the energy division would take flight but for now, they needed to get the defense contracts backup. Funding for Rory’s project and Jackson’s had taken most of their budget and then when the scandal happened with Zerick they took a huge hit, it was imperative that funding came in. The reality of it was that it was an executive decision that had to be made Chauncey’s government contracts or the energy division and today it was going to be her eldest son until they could get funding in and Rory’s app took off, it wasn’t because they didn’t support the energy division it was just that right now finances needed to be straightened out first. She opened the meeting room doors catching the looks from her children and Bliss. She took off her fur coat sitting it behind the chair as she looked at them all prepared for the meeting and the votes only this time there would be no voting her husband had used his executive order to push through what he felt would be best for the company.

“I know you were all looking forward to the meeting today but I need to make this simple and to the point as per your father’s wishes before a meeting with David about his care. Rory your app will be launching as planned. Chauncey, you will be flying with Max and hopefully Sebastian can accompany you both, your uncle was able to make arrangements for you to meet with the Prime Minister of Spain as soon as possible on a short trip to make sure we gain back those contracts that we have with them all goodwill was not lost with everyone.” Jackie said her face stern as she spoke as she saw the disbelief on the children’s faces and the look of resentment from Jackson. Something she hated to see but if any of them was going to take over down the line they had to learn that when it came to the business it always came first even if you didn’t like the outcome or what needed to be done. “The energy contracts can wait till after the new year and after Spain, France, and Israel are back with DGI we can start with Spain and work our way down. Rory’s app is projected to fund at least part of the startup so the energy contracts can follow. Is that understood, everyone?”

Rory leaned back in his chair completely stunned at what had happened there was no vote there was an ultimatum that his father has issued placing him, Chauncey and then Jackson in that order. He was grateful of course he was but this was a blow to his brother for sure after all the embarrassment that Chauncey caused. He could tell that Bliss felt the same just by the look on her face and knew by looking at his mother now was not the time to argue about what was going to happen next. He simply nodded his head. “Yes, mom. Tell dad I am sure the launch will be successful.”

Max sat in her chair looking at the portfolio in front of her and then looked over at Rory and Chauncey who was grinning from ear to ear. Lucky for him Uncle Linus knew people she supposed, she wasn’t sure if Sebastian knew the Prime Minister of Spain but she supposed he did or knew people who did. She didn’t disagree with her father’s decision startups on the side of business cost a lot of money if they got the defense contracts back on track that meant that the rest of things could happen. While Jackson was her twin and she fully supported him and could tell he was let down she understood her father’s reasoning, without funding for those things people would have to be let go. Workers would leave they would have to start cutting out money and people. “Honestly mom, this was the best thing for DGI. Sebastian and I would be happy to help Chauncey with what he needs to make sure we get those people back on board.”

“Well, at least he has finally come to his senses,” Chauncey muttered knowing that it was a jab at Jackson but he figured a little teasing now and then wouldn’t hurt them in the long run. This was his chance to improve on the situation he had caused with the company making sure those contracts came back in and setting the company right again. He did find it interesting that the country’s his mother named had no connection with Selina which was unfortunate but he had heard she had taken those others to MontCorp with her. He could easily see his sibling split down the middle on who they were going to support in this at least personally outwards none of them would dare to go against this mother. “Thank you, mom, for supporting me in this to let me try and fix what happened. I am certain that together Sebastian, Max and I can bring those people back to the table. Quietly, of course, to give Rory the chance to shine.”

Bliss smiled at Rory as the launch of his app meant that their father was pushing all his faith into his project. Her stomach tightened as she heard that their presentations weren’t happening and Lowell made his choice. Rory being up first felt odd but he could make them millions if not billions on that app. Then once again Chauncey was given the next up to bat and Jackson was third. Seeing the disappointment on his face hurt her but his optimism was showing. If you listened to Jackie’s word they were all moving to fund Jackson project, along with Max’s and her’s. She lowered her head and bit down on her jaw. “Congrats Rory your app will change social media forever. I’m sure of it. As for the defense deals, I’m sure my grandfather had some pull in Israel for deals he did during the construction of the cities. I can see if we can get in good graces over there. I’m sure of it.”

Jackson felt like he had just lost a year worth of work. It hurt and the sting showed on his face. Trying not to clench his teeth Jackson held his breath all this time he’d worked on the energy summit for it to be shelved. Closing his eyes he nodded knowing that his time was coming. Folding his arms he heard Chauncey snide remark and felt like he was underwhelming and somehow his project wasn’t good enough. Like he could finally make an impact but was being sidelined. The dark parts of him wanted Chauncey to fail so he’d get a shot much faster. As he folded his arms he smiled at Rory nodding his head. “This is good news the world’s been waiting on your app and I think you deserve this opportunity unlike anyone else.” As he stood up and looked at his family he grabbed his project board. “I was supposed to be meeting Dani, afterward so I need to leave we have last minute shopping to do for the nursery so I’m going to go.”

Bliss looked at Jackson and then eyed Max, Chauncey, and Rory. They all looked worried about him. She finally made eye contact with Jackie she could see how concerned she was with Jackson. She wanted to say something but he swiftly packed up his briefcase and was gone. She turned to look at everyone who all had a sad expression. “I should be leaving I have to get a few things for Fox. I’m decorating a room for him and plus with the holidays coming up, I think I should go looking for a few things special for him. Max, would you like to attend with me?”

Max nodded her head at her sister as she watched her mother go, the verdict was in for their new beginning and she had to wonder if it would fuel more hate. Or if her brothers would call a truce and work together to preserve her father’s legacy now when it was needed the most or not.

*********

“That’ll be forty thousand dollars Ms. LeClerq.” The salesman said as Greer handed him her credit card. A pair of earrings, a small charm bracelet, and a necklace. Diamonds were the best retail therapy. She had been calling Brock nonstop since she had gotten Dani arrested and it was honestly unnerving that a man was resisting her. It annoyed her to no end that he was ignoring her. Her pride wouldn’t’ allow her to dare say sorry to him or Dani because Dani deserved it. Women like her made her sick, she hated on a woman with ambition because she wanted to be barefoot and pregnant. Children made her sick and she was glad she didn’t get pregnant. Greer just didn’t have a maternal bone in her body because that was annoying to tend to someone else needs before her own. Being domesticated was disgusting she’d always be the worldly woman who lived in the upper crest however couture and baby formula didn’t mix. To think she was going to try and having one of those things to keep Chauncey closer. As she walked around the store waiting on them to wrap her boxes. She turned and saw Dani waddling in. This had been the first time they had seen each other since she had her arrested. Turning her neck slightly to see if she noticed her and she saw her moving fast toward her. She slowly walked to the display case.

“Olivia please show me that large gaudy piece it’s disgustingly beautiful.” She said as she saw Dani standing right by her searing. If she was cartoon steam would be rising from her body. Turning to see her she looked disgusted and furious. “Dani, you look like a stunning after your incarceration. I guess orange does something to that pale alabaster skin you seem to always have. Tell me did you learn how to shank someone in the holding cell. Or did you use your brothers’ connections to jump out of the system? The egregious love of breaking the law when you and your family want something is quite alarming.” As she touched the diamond that Olivia put in front of her. “You are stunning you know that. Glowing but I see through you Dani and I see that you have no idea who you messed with. So I’ll tell you everything our families are more connected than you think.”

Dani hated missing the meeting she had been at the building site for the house with Brock to see about some last minute floor plan adjustments. She had missed a last-minute ultimatum by Lowell and Jackie it seemed to bypass Jackson’s energy plans for Chauncey’s defense contracts, as soon as Rory’s app was launched. To get her mind off that, for now, she had stopped by the jeweler her fingers had swollen so much the last month that she was hardly able to get them on and off anymore and was considering getting them resized. Brock had told her she was insane when she let him know about it earlier but she liked to wear the rings. She was relieved to hear that her cousin had yet to return so much as simple text with the atrocious woman next to her but she wasn’t sure what it was because she was pregnant or if Brock really did hate her as the rest of her family did.  She sneered at Greer and that gaudy awful ring she had made the girl get her, it was ugly just like she was on the inside. When she mentioned the arrest and turned to her flipping some loose hair behind her shoulder.

“It was quite comfortable actually Devin sat me down in Jon’s chair looking like he had killed my dog, oh that’s right you were tossed out of the party by Brock so you didn’t hear the rest, did you? Did you know that my father and judge Lawson went to school together that he was one of Braden’s professors for years? He was absolutely appalled when my brother called him with your little order, I was released as soon as he was able to sign the paperwork. Jackson and I went on to continue with one of the most amazing memorable nights we could ever ask for and you were what exactly again?” Dani spat seeing Greer’s face and then laughed a bit watching the sales clerk retreat from the counter. She was so tired of being nice to her all the time when they were in public she had publicly humiliated her last year with the medical records shit and then had her arrested at the shower. “That’s right you retreated home to your cold and empty condo probably. By the way, Brock went on the most wonderful date last week with a lovely girl named Savannah I think they’re going bowling this week too. I told him if I saw you I’d pass the information along so you can quit stalking him.”

Sucking her teeth Greer’s eyes narrowed how dare this twit to declare that she was a stalker. Not only that but who did she think she was? Her perfect night and her perfect party that was it. She had enough of everyone telling her just how perfect Dani’s life was. She wanted to see this girl miserable. “Brock will come around and I’m sure Savannah is a wonderful girl but she doesn’t hold a candle to me. No man can resist me and if I wanted Jackson I could have him also. You have to understand that I’m a man-eater. I devour souls and Brock can’t help but hear my siren’s call. He’ll break they all break and I hate to tell you but were quite the same. Your dear Jackson lied and left you and hurt you again and again. Yet we forgive the men, women we are bitches and schemers. You can’t stand me because I’m ambitious and I did what needed to be done. Lowell is a rapist and sinister monster but you all seem to protect this man but Forbes is the bad guy? I used your medical records to push a plot. I used it to help Zerick expose the truth. Now you hit me, I locked you up and were even. I’m sorry Dani that I’m going to have Brock.” Greer flipped her hair touching her necklace.

“History lesson Dani, my uncle Harvey loved your mother. In another time we could have been cousins. Did you know that? He still pines for Lauren he says in oh so French way. You see Dani I know what type of girl you are. You’re just like your mother. You marry a man for love and grow jealous of women who marry for power. You have no idea what I go to in my home it’s always hot where I am. It’s power and if it’s loneliness then I’ll accept it and I’ll accept you have no right to it. You are a woman who exudes pathetic motherhood quotes and sad tropes of what it is to have it all. So I know what kind of girl you are. You are just like your mother won’t you ask her what I mean about that. You are a frightening bland diamond and finally, someone can tell you how mediocre you truly are. I bloom and you wither.” Olivia brought back Dani’s ring and another ring she wanted to see. Snatching her engagement ring. “You see bland.” Handing it to Dani.

Dani took the ring back from Greer and sneered at her, she wouldn’t consider the custom piece of jewelry bland it was sentimental to her reminding her of the twins of course and her relationship with Jackson. There wasn’t anything wrong with her being motherly in her opinion she had a great one growing up, her mother was always there for her and not only that worked for years at the same time so she knew it was possible. “Brock wouldn’t take you back if you were filet mignon at this point you see you crossed a line with him and he actually has a sense of pride and family. If he was too eager to ride your train again he’d be calling you back. Chauncey didn’t want you, Zerick didn’t want you, Brock doesn’t want you. Let’s recap Chauncey is getting ready to marry Natasha. Zerick is looking at Talia and my dear cousin is dating someone else. So who are you going to try and trap next? Let’s face it that’s all you know how to do and not only that DGI doesn’t want you either.”

“The funny part of that is that you look your nose down on me for wanting to actually be a mother to my children and have a life with the man I love. I did some research actually on your father maybe we should compare notes. He must have thought you were really bland after your mother died didn’t he?” Dani snarled she knew it was petty and hurtful but no one disrespected her mother no one and if Greer wanted to go there she could. At least she had a mother growing up and while her father wasn’t the best thing ever at least he didn’t cast her aside for boarding school and to be raised by her aunts and uncles. “She died, didn’t she? I have to wonder was it because she didn’t want you either? He let you go live with your uncle didn’t he while he was in prison and then when he was released sent you to boarding school to boarding school? You can have all the jewels you want, all the money, all that flair, and all that glamour but underneath it all, you’re still the girl no one wants, you’re the bland one.”

“You bitch!” Greer seethed as she stepped back her hand rearing back knowing if she struck Dani she’d be behind bars. She had the legal system around her precious pinky. Her eyes stung when she brought up her mother and she saw the good girl had fangs. Fangs that made her heart hurt. Never having a mother was something that killed her. As she moved her hair away from her eyes she bit down on her lip. As she smirked pushing back the tears that burned in her eyes. “You think that you have an idea about my upbringing my father loved me more than your research reads. At least you can admit you are a frumpy fake Devonshire. You see Jackson heart must be broken he lost out to Rory. That’s the funniest thing is he thought he stood a chance against Chauncey. I groomed him very well to stomp out whatever flame you put in him, bitch. I can’t wait until that trainwreck relapses and he is high as a kite and you pregnant and alone.” Holding her purse in her hand. She turned to hand the credit card to Olivia.

“You can say one thing about me I’m a selfish vain bitch but I know how heartless I am. You! You Saint Danielle who paints this picture oh she’s so innocent when she’s just as nasty and underhanded as I am. How did you get SandStar again? Oh yeah, you blackmailed Natasha. You aren’t better than me you just play on the opposite team. Then again you might be when those two satan babies pop out you’ll be like a ravenous momma bear. You’ll see my way of thinking and I don’t have to be a mom to look out for myself.” She hissed back. “Let me warn you that you think that I have nobody in my corner. I heard about what you did to dear old Forbes, well Jackson did. Now to think he’s such a good man but he’s beating senior citizens. It’s comical how you think you’re better than me. I might lose every man but they were mine and I don’t have to fake a miscarriage or abortion or whatever to get them off my back.” She purred as she looked at Dani face she hit a sore spot. “I wonder how Lex would look on my arms. Or your brother Braden or your dad. I will eat you alive and I won’t stop it until you repent to me. So I suggest you back down bitch. Or else I’m going to shower a pain on you that you’ll never forget.” Greer took her bags. “Well I have somewhere to go you know not having a life and all.”

“I assume it’s going back to that lonely little condo that you own scavenging for a new job since you don’t have one at DGI anymore how exactly is that plan you had cooked up going for you? Your father sent you to live with your uncle likely because he is just like you are a cold-hearted little viper, but we all knew that. For all the shitty things my father did or has done and he’s done a lot he never just cast me off to some estranged family member.” Dani said watching Greer’s hand as it raised and lowered brought a satisfaction out of her winning, the girl wouldn’t touch her again while pregnant that was apparently clear. As grateful as she was about it she wanted the twins out because it would have ended very differently for both of them she was sure of it. “I really don’t care if you did take Lex on your arms would you like his mistresses number? You stay away from Brock, I’ll never and I mean never let you get your hooks into him, sweetheart, you can count on that. Not that he would now.”

“I can tell you exactly how I got Natasha to cave on the SandsStar deal you see I went behind Jackson’s back and talked to Charles Hessington asking for a favor, a favor he owed me. He, in turn, made sure that I got what I need to make that deal happen, insurance policy and one I didn’t have to lay on my back for. You see you think you know me, Greer, you have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of especially when it comes to the people I care most about.” Dani said waving the girl at the counter away she stepped to Greer and looked her dead in the eyes and meant every single word that came out of her mouth., Everyone liked to forget she covered secrets when she worked for the Hessington’s, everyone like to forget that she lost a part of herself while working for Charles all those years but she wasn’t ever above doing that all over again when it came to hers, especially now that she was going to be a mother. “I’ll say it once Greer you ever come after DGI, my children, me or Jackson I’ll make it my life’s mission to oust you from town and make your life a living hell. You don’t believe me try me. I’d say we’re done here, for now, aren’t we? Or can I have them ring up some more god-awful hideous jewelry for you on your way out?”

“There they are.” Greer clapped in Dani’s face. “The fangs I heard so much about but I have yet to see. You think that I won’t hurt you? You placed your pregnant paws on me and think you are going to get away with it? No, you won’t you entitled little bitch.” This was it and she knew it was time to go just as low. “This is rich coming from the child that ruined a marriage even more so. Everyone knows Lauren got knocked up with you to keep Walter and it didn’t work. Hell, she even tried again with Victoria and she died it must have been an upgrade from living with all of you.” Seeing how she struck a raw nerve with Dani she felt her pain searing through her. Not only that the perfect expression of satisfaction was broken. “I actually have a job interview on Monday darling at MontCorp. I wonder what Forbes will do with someone who was up so close and in-depth at DGI. Someone who infiltrated her way into a company and almost disintegrated the said company? Tore apart two brothers even more so and in a roundabout way caused a kidnapping?” Greer chuckled as she stepped closer into Dani space.

“I see right through you. I see you aren’t to be trifled with but I win. I will win and I will hurt you in ways you don’t even begin to want to know. So I suggest you call this a draw or whatever you want because I don’t lose. I fall and stumble but I get back up and when I do I behead those who I feel have wronged me. That’s a LeClerq specialty we fall but when rise we are magnificently beautiful phoenixes who burn everything and everyone to the ground.” Greer looked at her nodded her head. “I’m going to go with my hideous jewels and you’re going to remember I did all of that without even fucking trying. I tore a life apart without blinking an eye can you imagine when you are actually on my radar?” Greer turned and walked away knowing that she left a lasting impression on Dani. “Oh and Dani one thing I’ve always known is I had a father who loved me unconditionally and uncle who adored the ground I walked on. You all the men your life either die, disappoint, or leave you. I’m sure a reformed junkie will give you hope bitch.” Greer stormed away feeling exhausted with how she tore at her relationship with her family

*********

Selina stood in the mirror wondering if Dimitri would approve of this dress. She caught herself as she looked in the reflection and unsure of the woman who was staring back at her. When she was with both Chauncey and Braden she would never second guess herself so much. Removing the shawl she looked down at her arm where a bruise was looking back at her. She’d pushed him about Bliss and why would she lie and he grabbed her so hard it left a bruise. The way he threw her to the floor and just walked away. It gave her a chill down her spine because what if she was so wrong? What if Bliss was telling the truth and that man was abusive? What if he placed his hands on her? Closing her eyes she tried not to cry and shook her head. No today wouldn’t be overrun with her mind. As she opened her eyes she looked at herself and quickly turned away. In a few months, she’d be a Princess and eventually a Queen to an island kingdom. She was floating high then why did she feel so afraid? Everything looked so perfect but the words were becoming so nasty and he was showing her another side of his personality. He’d been under a hell of a lot of stress with rebels storming Ilsa De Cruces.

As she looked at Morgan standing waiting for her choice between the Lacroix and Balenciaga gowns. Shaking her head she looked at Morgan. “Then off the shoulder Lacroix with the sheer Herrera shawl please, Morgan.” She walked to the fitting room thinking about the dress it would be perfect but the Balenciaga was what she wanted it was revealing but chic. Just her style classic, chic, with a slight edge but she was dressing more and more demure. Wiping her eyes she shook a little as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Selina jumped a little as she looked at Chauncey standing before her with Maddie. “Oh, baby I’m so happy to see you. When your dad called me and said that you were looking for a homecoming dress. Well, I absolutely knew that I had to help. I’m just emotional about my mom birthday is coming up and I’ve been thinking of her a lot.” She said looking at two mirrors who were looking directly at her. Their concerned expressions said it all. “Come on let’s pick out some stunning gowns and you need something custom for your uncle Jackson’s wedding.”

Chauncey had gotten the call from Selina and after a long day at work where it seemed that everything was at a standstill at the company he needed a day like this shopping with her and Maddie. Also, it concerned him that Selina was with Dimitri he had seen the man up close and personal at the DGI party he had no idea how Selina had gotten mixed up in the first place with Dimitri. He knew she had left the country but Bliss had told everyone what happened with her and Dimitri to his entire family surely Selina knew that Bliss was not a liar. He could now attest to that he was a monster he had seen it in his eyes first hand and he was grateful that he had never let Maddie step foot with her on her little expedition overseas this summer. He nearly shuddered at the thought and instead took in Selina she was dressing so conservatively lately, he remembered the days she would come into the office looking powerful and not afraid of her body, perhaps it was something that she had to do for the crown. Even then he forced a smile at her when she embraced Maddie and he genuinely lit up a bit right now was not the time for them to discuss custody again but they would have too. He refused to let Dimitri around Maddie and Selina could either accept that or he would see her in court again.

“I am very glad that we were able to come here and meet you, Maddie has been asking for a few weeks and I assured her that once you were settled here we would make an arrangement for a shopping trip. Now that things are settled with you and Dimitri that should be able to help more I would hope we can work something out Maddie’s safety will be my top priority of course. Did you know she’s been spending a lot of time with Fox helping out with babysitting preparing for her other cousins haven’t you Maddie? Our little girl is growing up so fast.” Chauncey asked smiling at his daughter as she began to look at all the clothes and dresses on the racks. He then looked back up at Selina something was different about her and he at this point only hoped that nothing happened to her when it came to her and Dimitri and he also knew that it had to be hard to learn about Braden and Tamara again though they were divorced he knew how much Selina loved Braden he was the only man that ever came between them. He had never been a good fiance but he felt he had always been a decent friend for the most part. “Is everything okay with you? I found Dimitri with Bliss at the party, it was unpleasant and I want to make sure you are safe and alright. We didn’t have a chance to catch up at the party but I know seeing Braden with Tamara had to be very hard for you.”

Selina stood silently for a moment unsure of what to say. As she smiled it seemed to fade behind a fury of tears. “I think he’s stressed, Dimitri that is because he’s gotten so particular about everything. I mean he even is trying to choose what I wear to Dani and your brother’s engagement party and wedding and every other thing. He’s trying to become king and I understand my image will help that along with Bliss retracting those ugly statements.” She said almost like a drone. Twisting her gloves in her hand she looked at him and shook her head. “You are asking me if I’m safe and this is all your fault? I would have never had to leave Atlas Falls if it wasn’t for you. You pushed me out of a company I helped grow and flourish. I would have never met Dimitri if it wasn’t for you and I the sins you don’t get to fix now. It’s all the mess you’ve and I made!” Selina said furiously as she took a deep breath. “I have moments where I get fearful but I don’t think he is a woman’s beater. He never lifted a finger he’s intense and he’s the Caribbean and from an Island he has passion. He thinks different he’s a visionary and is bigger than me and you. You threw me away and you now want to ask if I’m safe. You made me run away and I was ashamed and everything I worked for years snatched away from me by you and your father! You two hurt me in a way I never thought. Dimitri keeps me safe and you don’t get to question it. Do you understand me? You don’t get to ask me if I’m safe he loves me.”

When she saw how horrified Chauncey was looking at her she covered her mouth because she sounded like an abused wife. She knew what he was thinking because she thought the same. Covering her mouth she shook her head. “Bliss is playing everyone, I hate to say it, Chauncey. Your sister is a liar and Dimitri would never and I mean ever hurt a woman.” She didn’t even say it convincing enough for herself. Selina looked at Chauncey and saw the hurt of her even going through this was all in his eyes. “Stop it! Stop looking at me like that damnit! You stop looking at me like I’m a victim. Oh my God.” She turned to see Maddie and she stuck her thumb down. As she turned away from her daughter she started to bawl. “He really beat her didn’t he Chauncey? Oh my God? I feel like I’m dying because I threw everything away for him. He really is abusive?”

Chauncey watched as Maddie went to the next room to try on her dresses and he was glad that she would be out of earshot for the rest of their conversation. Maddie had told him that Dimitri made her uncomfortable when she was watching Fox and she was not a kid anymore he knew that she had heard about his confrontation with the prince. Selina however to him had changed she was different now and he wasn’t sure if that was because of what happened with her at DGI or if the man that she was with had brainwashed her into believing the crusade that he was here to accomplish. He knew men like Dimitri they wanted power and in this case, he was certain that Dimitri wanted to torture Bliss with Fox and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure that he didn’t ever get to set foot out of the US with his nephew in tow. He almost went and told her that she had been the one to leave on a plane without so much as a phone call to anyone her siblings for a few weeks, Braden, himself and worst of all Maddie. Regardless of the choice, his father made Maddie shouldn’t have had to pay for that and she did over the summer.

“I would never call Bliss a liar at least when it comes to her son or what she has been through with the man you are sharing a bed with, I don’t have concrete proof, Selina but she was shaking like a leaf when I walked in on him in the room with her at the party. Why would you think it is a smart idea to get mixed up with that? I know we haven’t seen eye to eye on everything and I know when dad let you go you were angry but to go to Dimitri Kavanagh Selina?” Chauncey raised his voice a bit and then looked at the fitting room door that was still shut. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself as to not alarm the staff or Maddie. He saw Maddie emerge and her face said she had heard some of the conversations. “Maddie please go look at some more dresses Selina and I are almost done.” He waited a few moments as she left the fitting room area before he went to Selina. “Has he hurt you? If you are scared of him Selina, leave him now come stay at the mansion again hell reach out to Braden again if that is what you want back. Don’t put yourself through whatever it is that you think you have to stay with him for. I don’t like seeing you like this a weak shell of who you are.”

Selina sat silent for a moment knowing that she needed to leave. Sitting down she took a deep breath because she felt like she had given her all to men. A gasp escaped her lips as she tried to pull herself together unsure of what to believe in. Here was the very man who destroyed her begging her for some absolution. Then he called her weak and felt spiteful to what he said. Dimitri Kavanaugh had loved her even in her most imperfect state. Shaking her head, Selina had given her all to DGI, Braden’s wife, and her life as a Devonshire spouse. So much had made her feel lost but this was truly the worst of this all. “I rather die than to leave him right now. Another failed attempt to be something more. Another disappointment to my father and family. I left because I couldn’t do it anymore. I gave up and I don’t know how to fix it all. I don’t know how to put it all together. I saw him the devil and I took a chance at revenge because I’m broken from last year. I married the man I love and I ruined it. I lost my best friend in you. I disappointed everyone! I wasn’t perfect and I don’t know how not to be so being a princess was a good escape for a moment okay. I lost myself and I don’t know how to get off the ride Chauncey because if I’m me. I’ll stay because I need proof to help Bliss.” She wiped her eyes feeling horrible on how she initially talked to that woman.

Looking at Chauncey shocked face she knew that she was about to do. Once again she was embroiling herself in the Devonshire drama. However, if she could prove how sadistic and brutal Dimitri was she could get Bliss custody and possibly dethrone him letting Atticus a much more suitable prince to ascend to the throne. “Let me stay and help your sister and if it gets dicey I’ll come to the mansion. He hasn’t assaulted me and how would that look to assault the woman you bring back to town to use as a weapon against everyone.” Running her hands through her hair. “I have to help her after what I did to her. What I said to another woman.” Seeing the look in his eyes of fear and sadness. “You broke me last year and I thought we were better than cheating, and lies. I thought I moved away from the pain of a failed relationship and married my soulmate and it failed. My family is falling apart my father doesn’t talk to my brother and my brother became a gangsta right under my nose. I drowned and you all broke me but this. This will heal me saving that boy’s soul from Dimitri and helping her after I. Nevermind but I’m going to stay.”

Chauncey thought her staying with Dimitri for some cause to help Bliss was foolish not to mention dangerous if what Bliss had told them was true. He didn’t know that it would do any good she seemed like she was set in her ways on this and he supposed he did owe her that. He didn’t agree with everything she said part of it was her fault but it was also his own and his father’s. His father had fired her because he was protecting him and the company not because it was personal or that he was against Selina. It was for the company and for his need for revenge. He then had to think if Selina had learned of his father’s condition surely she should know but on the other hand, so far only immediate family had been told. His mother and the rest of his siblings agreed it was bad for investors to learn about his father’s illness and with Rory’s app so close to launch that meant that for now, no one else could know. When the time was right they would tell investors and the board and he was certain that his father would have Tony come and tell them all at the same time.

“Do you realize how insane you sound right now? Go home to Braden and let the police handle Dimitri. He could hurt you or worse and what about Maddie is that the type of example you want to set for her I refuse it. I’m putting my foot down you stay with him on this quest for truth you can’t see Maddie anymore unless it is supervised. I’ve been fair and patient but this is insanity Selina” Chauncey said with may more force than he meant but he also knew it had to be said it was too dangerous for Maddie to be around Dimitri unsupervised he saw how shaken Bliss was at the party. There was something off about the man no denying that something that sent chills down his spine and there was one thing that was the most precious to him at the moment his daughter and it was time he put her first. “It is your choice you either stay in this insanity of some quest to help Bliss even though she has everyone on her side and will be bringing a case against Dimitri here in the states and risk losing that connection with her or you leave and tell the police handle it. If you want to know which dress looks the best the one that you feel you look the most gorgeous in which I hope is not that ugly long sleeved hideous contraption that makes you look like my grandmother.”

Selina nodded and felt horrible about how she treated another woman. Gritting her teeth she knew she had to run. She had to get away from Dimitri but how? He was already scaring the shit out of her. How would she do it? Not only that she wasn’t one to cower but she had to make Chauncey think she was done. Her gut told her the truth and she always went with the gut. After all, she had made a life going against the grain. “I will get away from him Chauncey.” She said as she took a deep breath. “I really broke the trust with us all, didn’t I? I never meant to do that. I was so angry with you and Lowell. I just couldn’t stop myself. I had to get away. I had to because my dream wasn’t a dream. In all reality, it was a nightmare because the happiness that I thought I stole was dissipating in front of my eyes. I know I wasn’t your soulmate but how could you hurt me like this? I thought we were better than that Chauncey and I did embarrass you but for years you cheated with pretty blonde girls. The dumb blondes that I kicked out of the houses, hotels, and parties. Then the man of my dreams can’t turn off his moral compass to look past my brother’s transgressions and I am ruined that. Maybe I should have stayed silent and kept taking the crushing disappointment of knowing I’d never be Logan.” She said with so much pain it slipped out of her mouth.

She wiped her eyes and she picked up the red and white lace McQueen gown. “This is me and I’m going to wear it.” Selina saw how her bringing up Logan stopped him in his tracks. “Sometimes I knew I was just here to replace her. The perfect breeding and you wouldn’t know Valentino from Versace. You are a man with impeccable taste but you aren’t a woman. I used to wonder where we would be when I was in love with you if she was alive. I know that was the moment you truly broke. You haven’t felt anything since Logan and I’m assuming Greer. I watched her face when you found out she was a LeClerq. It wasn’t pretty but I also know you and I know that was hurt out of betrayal not out of being done with her. So I’ll leave I guess but I have to ask you was it ever real between us? Did you ever love me because at this point you, Braden, and now Dimitri? I’m feeling quite unlovable right now.” She spoke so honestly and felt like it was what she hadn’t been doing. “I left you all but you all had left me a long time ago.”

Chauncey looked over at her and knew that he owed her an explanation and an honest one at that. In truth Selina in many ways had been Logan’s replacement while he was in California at school he never planned on meeting her and falling in love. For the first time in years, he was away from his father and was able to be happy without competition with Jackson without the constant pressure from Lowell and the DGI legacy over his head. He was taken with Logan the day he met her and pursued her in her stubbornness the entire semester afterward. They were married his junior year in college and right after graduation had discovered that Logan was pregnant with Maddie. A tragedy was the only other way he could describe what had happened next when she died senselessly their doctor had never even told them that was a possibility. He had returned home to a different Atlas Falls and leaned on Selina to help him adjust to being a parent and he had come to realize over the last year never properly grieved for what was taken from him with Logan. Instead, he had started up another relationship with Selina that was full of lies and deceit.

“You always deserved better than me Selina I was just too foolish to see it back then my parents were so thrilled to have you around all the time and helping with Maddie. I inserted you back into my life, I was so focused on being a good parent and then drowning my grief in you and then all the affairs I never really stopped to think about what I was doing. I rushed back into a relationship with you Selina.” Chauncey said admitting the truth to her was harder than he thought it would be but it was the truth he had inserted her into Logan’s place without a thought about the consequences of that choice. He watched as Maddie retreated back to the dressing room to gather her things and then looked at Selina. “My mistake was letting you take the burden of Logan on, if she were alive I wouldn’t have ever looked your way I think. You would have married Braden or some other guy that deserved you. Life didn’t work out like that I don’t regret letting you a be a part of Maddie’s life but I do regret that I wasn’t a friend to your first in all of it. There were moments that were real Selina before I met Logan I used to think maybe you were the one then I met and fell in love with Logan and she was it for me. I’m sorry if I led you to believe it was something else. I want you to be happy Selina just not with a monster like Dimitri and not when Maddie is involved.”

Selina sat down and finally heard what she needed to from Chauncey. He used her and she felt her stomach clutching down on her. Wiping her eyes she started to bawl, she never was truly loved by Chauncey. Braden loved her but didn’t give his soul as she did. Now she finally heard the truth and she felt like her life was snatched away from her. “I had trouble conceiving and you knew this. You placed a baby in my arms and you knew I would focus on her. I breathed that little girl. My soul was so wrapped up in finally having my own child. I missed years upon years of happiness. I could have adopted, I had a chance a now I’ll never be able to have my own child. I’ll never be that young and optimistic about life again and I just feel maybe Braden and I would be happy. Dylan could have been mine! I could have had a life but you just used me and sent me on this path. How can I be happy when my life has been manipulated from the start?” She covered her mouth knowing that it wasn’t just Chauncey fault. It was her very own and it was heartbreaking. Slowly stepping back wiping her eyes she nodded her head. “I’m not going blame you because I wrapped myself up into your life because I couldn’t have children. I couldn’t have a baby and here she was so perfect and beautiful. I didn’t have a baby but I had her. I had Maddie my daughter the only child I ever had.” Selina felt emotionally exhausted that she was nothing more than a glorified replacement in his eyes.

“It’s okay.” She looked over at Maddie talking to some other girl who she couldn’t see from the front but behind she was fashionable. Her lip quivered as if didn’t know what he was saying but to hear it was another thing. Not only that, she felt used up. Yes, she left Braden but how long had she begged? Begging him for help but Braden’s righteous indignation blocked that. Now she had no home to go too. No life with this man she had dreamed about and now she was living a nightmare. “I’ll move tonight and when I see the opportunity and this dress is what I’ll wear ok.” Holding up the DVF Cleopatra gown. It was reserved and still sexy  “I’m going to get whatever Maddie wants and then I’m going to leave.”

Chauncey saw her demeanor change and nodded his head as he saw his daughter come out of the fitting room with some dress that he felt was far beyond her years. It took years off him if he was honest he wasn’t about ready to see his little girl flaunt it to the world and he could tell that she saw his look of disapproval on his face, when he looked at Selina he was relieved to see that it was the same on her face. The dress was something that he could see Max wearing but his sister was in her early thirties and had experienced the world not to mention it was a wedding, not a cocktail party that his mother would throw. “Absolutely not.” He said putting his foot down he saw her roll her eyes at him and Selina and go back into the fitting room. “For once at least we agree she isn’t even sixteen yet.” He began seeing a woman with striking eyes watching them, eyes that reminded him of Bliss for some reason when Maddie came out in a different dress he sighed it was better.

“Isn’t there something more how can I put this Maddie a little less skin revealing and more in place for a teen? What about the first dress you tried on? The one with the higher lace on it? I am sure that would be very stunning at the wedding Selina and I could even spring for a makeover in the other areas if you want to accentuate it.” He said looking at his daughter’s face flare up at him and he knew he was in or a rocky few years coming up with a teenager. He saw Selina thinking the same thing and the stranger looking like she had some sort of insight into the matter as well, she was probably around Rory’s age maybe even younger. “You would agree would you not Selina that the first gown was the most appropriate for the occasion and yet would still show Maddie’s beauty. You have plenty of time to grow up Maddie.”

“I personally think you look way too mature girl. It’s making you look like you’re forty or something you’re too cool for that.” Belle said picking up the Chanel gown. “Plus your dad won’t have a heart attack.” She smiled at Chauncey. “I’m Isabelle Archibald and I think Maddie this is the dress for homecoming. Trust me I was just going to dances last year.” She laughed as she folded her arms looking at Selina and Maddie.

“Okay, I see what you’re saying classic and cool. Chanel, it is and dad if I choose to show my body I’m growing up. I think that’s what everyone is missing I’m not a little girl anymore. So I suggest everyone accept that one day I might want to wear a midriff top or a tighter skirt. I am in high school you know freshmen or not I’m growing up.” Maddie said smiling at Belle. “I got your Insta and twitter Belle is so cool you guys might not know her but she was in this big scuffle overseas and she’s like the Kylie Jenner of London.” Maddie walked back in the dressing room.

“I’m not that famous and it was a small little thing I dated a prince. Nothing major love. I should be going I have this big dinner. Nice to meet you both and Maddie DM me we can go shopping anytime. You’re a dope girl.” Belle said as she saw Selina looking at her suspiciously.

Selina looked at the young lady who clearly helped them dodge the I’m grown enough for this obviously to mature dress argument. She also noticed how stunning she was she looked and felt familiar and as quickly as she was here she left. “I’m glad you listened to that cool girl. Maddie Devonshire did I see you like being a fangirl over her. You were like she’s like Kylie.” Selina said playfully ignoring Chauncey for a moment.

“Mom, was she gone before you did that?” Maddie said laughing. “No she’s super cool and I’d never tell anyone but I do think she’s my fashion icon. Like she’s above all the other girls like no seriously Brooke has nothing on Belle! Like I wanted to freak out her makeup is like what I try to look like. I fail because I don’t have black girl magic like you and I can’t put on makeup like aunt Max or aunt Bliss or grams or anyone because dad is like blocking it. But I still do because her makeup tutorials are everything.” Maddie said smiling. “Mom can we do this again no shopping just us.”

“Of course honey I’m going to be able to do this with you all the time very soon. Ice cream and graham crackers like we always do. I love you and no you won’t be wearing any tighter skirts or midriffs understand?” Selina said as she took Maddie’s hand and then Chauncey. Looking at him she mouthed thank-you.

*********

Skye looked at herself one more time in her car put together was the best word she had for it as she looked over at her purse she had been away since everything with Merci. She had stayed at Merci’s and weighed her options in truth maybe Merci was right she could get Miles back. She had ignored Thor since she had arrived back in town. When she did reach out to him all she got was a voicemail so she decided it was time to stop hiding and seek him out. She looked in the rearview mirror as she saw men she didn’t know at the warehouse. She knew that Ronan was thinking of going into business with that bitch in New York and she knew Thor thought it was a bad idea and she wondered if Ronan had ignored that advice. Getting out of the car she grabbed her purse and locked the car walking to the warehouse only to be stopped by two guards she didn’t know and she looked around the warehouse for Thor and finally spotted him as the two men held her arms and she fumed at them. “Do you know who the fuck I get your hands off me? Thor!” She shrieked and then she saw the two men release her as the ghastly look came on their faces as he began walking towards them fully pissed off. She wasn’t sure if he was pissed at her or them and didn’t have time to ask as the two men scurried away from them.

“I know you told me not to come here like ever but you haven’t been returning my calls. But we need to talk I am sorry that I just skipped out on you after telling you about Miles and my past. I needed to get my head on straight can we please go somewhere private and just talk?” Skye asked seeing him still not budging with her she knew she was messing everything up with him and them but she needed to see Miles she needed to see her son. She couldn’t tell him what she did or where she went because she was so embarrassed by the outcome not to mention the judgment she was sure that he would give her. He wanted her to give up Miles meanwhile she got nothing and Merci was right. She had gotten her life together and overcame her demons why couldn’t she be a Bliss or fuck that why couldn’t she have the resurrection that Jackson did happy ending and all. Everyone got to be happy but her no she wasn’t having that. “Please, I’ll explain everything. Besides what is going on here anyway those assholes didn’t even know who I was it’s not like Ronan and I are down or anything but his men or yours have never disrespected me either. I know you’re pissed I get that but if you’d hear me out I promise I can fix what I did but not when you are pushing me away.”

Thor looked at Skye and nodded his head at the men before him. He knew one thing for certain that he wasn’t here for her games. Here she was going up to Philly making a damn fool of herself. She went to that mansion and undermined everything that they could have said. She had a fucking affair with Ryan Walker. What man would he be if he just sat here and accepted that she begged him for a shot to see a kid she was duped out of giving up in the first place. He told her that and if she really wanted him like she said she wouldn’t have done that. How was he to flip and confuse anyone into believing that the Hessington’s screwed Skye out of Miles if she wouldn’t even stay away and stop making fucking scenes? Thor froze silently as his eyes shot darts at his men they slowly rushed away. Until the Club XES was empty.

“What can you explain to me? Huh? That you went to Philly and made a fool of yourself? Not only that made it look traditionally like you are a mother who is having second thoughts? You called the kid your son in front of those people and not only that but didn’t they ask you to leave their property? You have made you getting Miles infinitely harder and I’m so sick of having to tell you to stop acting like a puperbecant teenager. So once again you screw yourself over and I would think you are sick of doing that. I mean you are this close to losing me. I don’t do liars, I don’t do people I can’t trust, and I don’t do this. I was supposed to be free after Cassie. I was supposed to be done with these feelings after I got mine trampled over for Dudley do right Jon Harrison. I was supposed to be free and here I go again. The only mobster I know with a fucking heart. I wish I could be just as cold as Ronan and throw all this shit away.” Thor said looking at her. “Explain.”

Skye knew that his anger was justified but it still stung as she owed him an explanation to see her own son, granted he wasn’t hers anymore he was Miles Hessington. He was for all purposes Whitney and Ryan’s but it was Merci who had told pushed her in that direction not to mention the pressure that her secret had, how as she to trust anyone anymore. She knew she should trust Thor but he knew who her son was and if he wanted he could tell that bitch Cassie and ruin everything. Cassie was petty and she knew that if the truth came out she would come at her from the papers not to mention Jon would never forgive her for not telling him and keeping his son from him so she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She kept silent she risked everything, she shouted it from the rooftops she risked more so all that there was left to do was acting. She needed to see Miles and when she saw him with Ryan and Whitney and his new sister she was brought back to a stark reality regaining custody was almost impossible. Whitney was the governor’s daughter, her brother was one of the best private attorneys in the state and the fact was she signed her rights away to him no one forced her too.

“It’s so easy for you isn’t it this lovey-dovey shit meanwhile I have to watch my back with you, you went to see Cassie the night of the DGI party. She runs the paper and media out of Atlas Falls now how I am supposed to know if you would ever tell her. She’s nosey and the moment she heard it from someone you know she would plaster it all over the papers to get back at me and loop Jon into her clutches forever.” Skye said it was probably irrational she knew that Thor wasn’t with Cassie anymore it wasn’t like they were sleeping together or anything but she didn’t trust Cassie or her powerful family. She wrapped her coat around her while she took a breath knowing how crazy it was going to sound when it came out of her mouth when she said it. “I wanted to see my son is that the most horrible thing in the world and low and behold I show up and guess what the infertile woman had her miracle baby so of course I then felt even stupider for giving him to them. Ryan looked at me like I was yesterday’s news and trash and Lex don’t even get me started on him. I am sorry I didn’t tell you where I went or what I was going to do Merci talked to me and I just jumped into action. Plus I knew you would talk me out of it and I didn’t want to be talked out of it.”

“I have felt so man emotions in my life. I have felt that lovey-dovey shit as you call it for one other person and she put my heart in a blender. You keep treating me like shit and I don’t know why. I have thick skin and I’m only going to be pulled and twisted by your shit so many times. I did this with Cassie. You think she’s so perfect, don’t you? You think all those rich bitches are perfect, don’t you? That they don’t have secrets? I fucked Max and Max was fucking a teacher! Don’t you see they aren’t any better than you? Stop punishing yourself and no it isn’t horrible to want to see Miles. I want you to see Miles hell I want you to have Miles, Skye but one you aren’t going to get him like this, and two you aren’t winning going up the Hessington’s with no power. They have a Kincaid in their pockets and the drama of it all that earnest fucking Jon Harrison has a kid out there. I’m trying to understand when you are dating the brother of the biggest mobster on the east coast would you just vanish? Huh? You think I didn’t know Skye? Or even worse you think Ronan didn’t call questioning me about all this and I had to fucking lie to my brother?” Thor barked at Skye as he leaned against the wall.

“Lex, Ryan, and Whitney are snakes. Their old man was in bed with dad, I bet you didn’t know that. You have tricks and secrets but you gotta work with me kid. I want Miles with you but you are going to have to do it smart. You gave up your rights and that screws you.” When he saw the shocked look on her face. “Before I took over mom section of Atlas Falls I was going to be a lawyer and I minored in family law. I want nothing more than the future for you to have your son but Skye it’s going to take a lot to take on the Hessington’s and I still haven’t told Ronan. I know he’s working with the good old Governor because you have to understand we are connected. You’re gotta go by step by step and if you don’t you’re going to lose. You’re going to lose to Jon who had no clue about this kid, to the Hessington’s who have a legal right to this kid, and yourself because you are fragile. Help me, help you.” Thor grabbed her hand. “Don’t do this again kid.”

Skye froze as she realized her mistake that the great Hessington’s were involved in the Madden organization and she did feel bad for placing Thor and Ronan in that place. She had no idea that Whitney would be such a bitch but she should have known, Charles from the moment she met him a fear ran in her that he was powerful. She learned her lesson the moment that she showed up to fuck Ryan for the first time of many and had come under his disapproving stare in the mansion assuring her that his daughter’s happiness was everything to him. “I’m sorry I had no idea that your brother was in business with Charles you have to believe me. When I was with Ryan I was so caught up in the fucking and scheming to get my son back I never saw Charles with your brother at all. I just wanted to see my son that was all, they assured me that Whitney couldn’t have a baby that was what everyone drilled into me from Charles all the way down to Whitney herself. I was in no shape to be a mother and you won’t want to hear this but I knew that Jon could never love me back then even if I was pregnant.  I wasn’t thinking when I made the choice or I was thinking none of this was supposed to happen like this. You were supposed to be something that was just to past the time till I left for Europe again and that didn’t happen like that.”

She said feeling defeated her time in town was supposed to be simple this time do what Lowell wanted and then leave but then she had to hook back up with Jon at Braden and Selina’s wedding. She got caught up in her feelings for Jon and stayed and then that led to her starting to hook up and sleep with Thor and then everything came tumbling out. “I was supposed to get my payout and leave town not stay around and see everyone that I used to actually think cared about me and loved me move on with girls I grew up hating. I had some of the best lawyers in Europe look into that custody agreement I know it’s ironclad but I just wanted to see him. The only way it could ever and I mean ever get possibly turned around was if Jon knew but let’s be realistic he would never and I mean never forgive me for it. So how are you going to help me, Thor?” Skye asked shrugging her shoulders at him in defeat she knew her options were slim to none hell she knew even Jon’s options were even slim to none that is what every single lawyer she had ever met with advised her. “There is no way and I mean no way that Charles would ever allow the court to rip Miles away from his daughter trust me.”

“You just leave this to me. I have my ways and the Hessington’s aren’t the golden family the world seems to believe them to be. We have to wait but if I know Ryan he can’t keep it in the pants and when he does mess up again I’m going to be there.” Thor said looking at Skye. “Look if we can prove that the Hessington’s tricked you and coerced you into signing over your child. Make the payout seem like hush money to keep you quiet instead of paying you off. Well, we have a case but we have to paint the Hessington’s in a dirty light. They have to go from the fucking Brady Bunch to the Gallaghers from Shameless but it’s possible. Lex is a sexaholic, Ryan hates Whitney secretly, Whitney is a trainwreck with mental issues, and Charles is a sadistic man behind closed doors. The things that mother said he did to her girls well that’s disgusting. So I’m telling you that we just have to wait until they fall. Until a political scandal rocks them and it’s coming. I assure you I just have to push it along and give it to the right reporter. Cassie is that reporter but you can’t be jealous and you can’t forget what we are after. It’s all about Miles at the end and if we have to hurt some people to do it that’s what we have to do right?” Thor said looking at her.

“I spent years waiting on Cassie and I won’t make that mistake again. I thought that we’d just make it work and I’m going to ask you a simple question. If you answer it the way we both need to hear then we move forward together. United as one and united in helping you reclaim your son.” This wasn’t just about Skye getting Miles back it was about taking something from Jon. That man came into his life and took Cassie from him and thought it wasn’t going to be retribution. God let this fall into his lap and he wasn’t going to let Jon Harrison have his son but he was going to be Miles Luciano. He was going to make Jon hurt every birthday and Christmas because a mobster would be his son father. “Now the question is simple. Do you love me or are you falling in love with me?”

Skye wasn’t sure how to answer him she cared for him of course she did but love, that was such a foreign concept to her.  She wrapped her coat around her when he put her on the spot and she thought about her words to him. She felt safe with him the first man next to Jon she could ever really say that about and it was the walking younger mobster of the Madden family. The world was fucked up that was all she could think about. “I think I’m getting there Thor. with the in love with you falling yes. I’m sorry I created such a mess.” She said letting it out as she felt him wrap his arm around her back and lead her inside the warehouse. Not sure what their future held for them now that they were going to go up against the Hessington’s of all people.

*********

“Fergalicious, definition make them boys go loco.” She said as she ran up the elliptical. One thing Skye and she always prided themselves on were their bodies. They understood the fact that they were orphans and nobody wanted the fat orphans. Not only that when they started developing they saw how they got more attention. They were fourteen when they started scamming older men. Skye or she would sleep with them and then show them their ID’s. Letting them know that someone was recording and they’d clean out the accounts. Men were fools for pussy but that was a long time ago. She wasn’t that woman anymore looking in the mirror in front of her she started to harder. Her eyes were blurring with tears as she tried to stay more focused on the workout because honestly, she was pissed. Skye had one bad moment with drugs and she had her baby snatched away. Jackson, on the other hand, had been in and out of rehab and he never had anything taken from him. Jackson was out there just as bad as Skye and here he was having the greatest resurgence since Jesus himself.

Getting off the machine she began to stretch her body. Looking in the mirror she saw Xavier and Khalil walking past her. She exhaled as he nodded at her she did the same and nodded at him. When he winked at her she giggled rolling her eyes. Walking to the water fountain she felt someone behind her. She was more than expecting to have to tell Xavier no she was dating someone. When Merci turned around she smirked at Devin in workout gear. “So you’re following me now? Well at least I know I’m alluring.” Leaning against the wall she looked at him. “I’m sorry about Skye, white girl hysteria is real.” She smiled knowing he’d find that funny. “She sometimes gets like that and I told you we were a package deal. We’ve been against the world for a long time although I’m pissed at her. Skye is my people and when she is in pain I feel that shit too. Question Devin, have you ever found out your friends did something so stupid you want to bash their head in? My sister has infuriated me and I don’t know what to do about it. No, I’m not telling what but it’s heavy as hell. I feel like I’m carrying around an atomic bomb and it’s going to explode very soon. Hell, when all this comes out lives are going to be changed and I don’t know if I should say something now or force her too before things get bad as hell.”

Devin had decided that after a long day at work he needed the release of the gym the violence was escalating again between the gangs to the point that he hoped that it would be solved soon. Maybe with KC being back, that could happen that the feds would finally have what they needed in order to take down Ronan and then rid him from the city. If they got rid of him that meant the drugs would stop flowing in, some sort of normalcy could happen and maybe Scottswood could start over. He had been so busy with work and everything else he even had to cancel on Merci a few times and when he saw her in the gym looking at that other fool he felt jealous instead he had kept his cool. He had no idea what Skye’s drama was the other night and he got it that she was Merci’s sister but on the other hand he was annoyed he had been discarded so quickly for her too. Like the came into the restaurant in some sort of mood throwing a scene and then ruined their date without so much as even an apology to him, instead, she had treated him like scum. Merci probably had no choice in the matter when it came to wanting to help Skye but he did expect at least an apology from Skye to him for ruining the evening hell from Skye to Merci for ruining their date too, he nodded his head at her when she mentioned that Skye had apparently done something stupid he knew what that was like, though it sounded bad to say Jon getting with Skye was that moment for him to Merci.

“No, I came here after my shift wanted to get a few reps in and a good run on the treadmill a long day at work, bodies, and kids in body bags put me in a mood. I figured I’d get a good workout in and then go home and call you since you kinda have disappeared since the other night. I’ve been busy too so it’s good we ran into each other here then isn’t it?” Devin said filling his water bottle when she moved out of the way from the fountain, he then took a drink looking at the guys checking her out and glared at them. “I get it that Skye is your family but it’d be nice to get an apology from her for the other night, she was acting insane is putting it mildly. She’s not like back on that shit in the streets again, is she? I wouldn’t take her down to the station if she was, I’d make sure she went to that rehab place downtown. I get it she has some issues and yeah sometimes our friends or our family do shit we don’t like or approve of that we think it is stupid. Honestly, if it’s going to implode lives I’d say you should convince her to do it now opposed to later on in the year look at your calendar of events. The last few big ones in town have been insane, to say the least.” Devin said trying to ease her about and lighten the mood though it didn’t seem to help instead she looked at him stone-faced. “On a scale of one to ten how bad is it?”

Merci looked at Devin lowered her head. “It’s a hundred on the scale of one to ten. It’s insane and it’s something only Skye could get herself into. I severely detest what’s going to happen to her when all this comes out. She’s already hated but God she’ll be a pariah and nobody looks at her illness they just see a hooker or an ex-junkie. I feel like I’m holding onto something so bad that I don’t know what to do with it. I’m not going to say anything but Skye is about to wreck so many lives. I couldn’t believe her when she said it to me.” Merci said as she took Devin’s hands. “I’m sorry you had a shitty day and I’m even more sorry that my sis acted up.” She touched his face and then extended her hands to his curly hair. “I’ve been missing you and I know that I have to make it up to you soon.” She said pouting her lips sensually as her eyes began to lower in a seductive gaze. “And how about this I’ll add in an apology from Skye but you gotta chill with the cop mood when around her. She’s really already scared of the police hell if you were raised in Scottswood ie us. You are scared of the fucking police. So she just isn’t feeling us and I had to remind her I wasn’t feeling Thor either but I didn’t judge her.” Merci looked at him and smiled.

“So am I a good girl or do you want a bad girl?” She said with a seductive ring to it. Picking up a dumbbell 5-pound weight she went to work. “I mean I’m more than ready to take our relationship to the next level and I assure you if Skye didn’t interrupt us well we might still be in bed. That’s how good I am. However, since we are here and you are feeling whatever happened out there today. Let’s enjoy together? I mean the workout. Let’s get to work. Are you going to spot me?” She teased looking at him playfully. “I missed this.”

Devin looked at her and almost laughed he did miss this them spending time together dating and having fun together work had been so busy that he hadn’t really had a chance to do that in a while. So this was nice for both of them and even if it was a much-needed gym session that would be good for both of them. He spotted her behind the dumbbell and watched her as she looked over her shoulder at him. “I’m not going to judge Skye for whatever was going on with her the other day. But if we’re going to work Merci she needs to at least respect me and our relationship too. I get it you guys are protective over each other I’d do the same for Rochelle, I’m protective over Jon too. The other night when she came into La Callie she was off her rocker needless to say and on top of that ruined what I thought was a pretty great date between us, which has resulted in me working a lot and you work a lot to the point we haven’t seen each other in a while either.” He said hoping that it was going to go over well he actually wanted to invite Merci to see Rochelle and his parents in California with him, but if they had drama between maybe it wouldn’t be the best idea.

“So what I’m trying to say in my best non-cop way is that I’ll respect and try with Skye if she can do the same with me. I am glad I ran into you though, I know you have a few parties you are planning coming up for the holidays but I was hoping that you might be able to carve out a few days hire an assistant or something? My folks and I normally do the holidays here this year but with Rochelle in her last year of residency out west, my mom really wants us to go out there. I got the time off work approved Miranda said she would cover for me for a few days.” He said he saw her face when he mentioned Miranda’s name and he figured that was a bridge they likely would never agree on. But he did still care for Miranda and Quinn not to mention Miranda was still Jon’s sister and a cop so he saw her at work too. “I know that you and Miranda will like never get along I wouldn’t expect you too but I will see her at work and she offered to help me get the time off. What I’m trying to ask is would you want to come with me to California to meet Rochelle and my parents? Neutral ground with no pressure of course and I also understand that because it is so last minute if you say no too.”

“OMG! I’m getting the invite to meet the family that’s so dope.” She laughed as she clapped her hands. “Forget Skye, I’m thinking all about the fly dresses and outfits I’m going to be wearing and the shopping I’m going to do with your sis and mom. Plus I’m going to cook something or try to find the best takeout.” Merci laughed as she walked to her workout bag picking up her water-bottle. Taking a deep gulp and leaned against the mirror still smiling at him. “I got this stupid grin on my face Devin you make me feel some type way. Look Christmas is coming up and then I have the Devonshire wedding. I don’t see anything wrong with me going with you. It’s the holidays and duh you don’t love mistletoe? I’m ready to ride your slay and in California, it makes it even more special. This is really cool Devin I think you are my first boyfriend I get to meet my the parents and now I’m freaking out. Jesus they are going to ask all type of questions. What am I going to say about my parents? I don’t know who they are and I hate that awkward moment when they get sympathy for me. I mean I’ve used it my whole life to get what I want but I hate it. That one moment where people look at you like you were just unwanted.”

Merci grabbed onto Devin shirt as she looked into his beautiful eyes. “I have to ask will you be introducing me as your girlfriend? If so then I might be down for that because no matter what Skye says or anyone says about you. You are the most handsome and smart and great guy I’ve been with. It took me some time to really recover from seeing Kendrick lying on the pavement like that. I know Jon did his job and it hurts because I thought that I’d change him. I made him be this monument in my mind because I couldn’t have you. Miranda had you and I couldn’t have you and it hurt. It stung so badly and it made me so jealous.” She finally said it because she couldn’t hold back anymore. “It made me so jealous I fell in like with a man who was a thug and nothing more. He was brutal and unkind. Then he became even crueler so now I’m over it. I’m over it and if you want a girlfriend then that’s what I could be. A super cute girlfriend who changes her hair every couple of weeks so I stay different. I’m really a slob and I can be so emotional at horrid movies. Like I cry all the time a Beaches and Steel Magnolias. I worship RuPaul Drag Race and I’m addicted to ice cream. Plus I got a lot of baggage.” She said looking at him smiling. “Stop I’m trying to tell you the truth.”

“They both know about you, believe me, I had to tell them the truth when my mom sent me a link to download Match.com in order to in her words ‘find the love of my life’ after Miranda and I broke up. She was really happy about it and then told my dad. I talked to Rochelle after the incident on the beach with you and Miranda I needed someone to talk to about it that was level-headed.” Devin said leaving out the part that the Harrison’s had called his parents to cause an uproar about Merci after said fight and like his parents that he knew and love they told them that friendship or not who he chose to have a relationship with they supported. Rochelle had let him know that both women were right in the fight and had to remind him that had he never started to flirt with Meric in the first place while he was with Miranda a beef never would have started. “Rochelle let me know that I was the one in the wrong with you and Miranda not either one of you and for that, I do apologize. I was so focused on the case last year that I didn’t think about how you and I were flirting with each other or how Miranda was feeling. Then I invited you to the lake party without asking her or the Harrison’s how they felt about it. Regardless my parents are really excited to meet you and so is Rochelle just be honest with them about who you are I promise they are cool.”

“I would hope I can introduce you as my girlfriend and not the girl I’m kinda seeing but haven’t even make it to second base with let alone a real uninterrupted dinner. I know that you needed time Merci.” Devin said softly as he looked at her he hadn’t pressured her at all for sex or anything else he knew first hand how getting a dead body out of your head could be and how it royally fucked with your mind sometimes. She had a lot of unresolved feelings for Kendrick so it was nice to finally hear her voice those to him out loud in a healthy way and he was glad to listen to them and all her quirks that she was so nervous for him to find out about. “So you’re a slob, you like to have makeovers every few weeks with your hair, you love Beaches which is my mother’s favorite movie by the way and you’ve never been with a guy like me got it. I despise fancy cuisine and only agreed to La Callie because we burnt dinner the other night. I really miss football and my what if a career in the NFL that was robbed from me. I question who I am as a cop all the time but I know that without people like me on the force it would be even worse. So what you’re messy I’m messy. I think we should be messy together. So how about we make a deal we keep it real between us and see where this goes?”

“Deal.” Merci stood on the bench and kissed Devin on the lips. “Now I was thinking that maybe we go grab some Uncle Petes then. You hate fancy cuisine so how about the best barbecue in Pennsylvania hell America. I know we just worked out but we also don’t know how to cook so I think that I want to spend my off day with you. The entire day no phone and no crazy ass people calling me up and saying that I’m needed to do this or that. Just a day focused on us and we can actually throw some logs in the fire and cuddle all night. I’m ready to see where this goes and I promise to keep it real. I also promise that you won’t ever have to deal with a returning husband from beyond the grave.” She said rolling her eyes. “I couldn’t help it.” Merci laughed taking his hands. “Uncle Petes is the place but you from Scottswood I’m sure you’ve had it before. But never with me on the side.”

*********

Rory sat on the couch his TV on football game before him combing over the final orders on the app release the timing was going to be perfect and he had to make sure all the bugs were out of it before the launch. His phone buzzed and he looked at the text from Yasmine they had been slowly talking the last two weeks nothing major and it wasn’t like he had thoughts of getting back together with her right now either. He needed a break from the drama especially after what happened with Tess at the hospital with his parents he had slept with Tess and ruined his relationship with Yasmine, not Tess and that was something he had to face and he was a little more every day he went into work and let Yasmine go every day. Seeing her with Khalil at the shower had been the hardest thing he had to face since his father’s diagnosis but it was also a reminder that she was moving on because he had screwed up beyond repair with her. He picked up the moo-shu pork on the counter with his hand and then took a bite of the food with the chopsticks. Hearing a knock on the front door he made his way through the living room to the door looking through the peephole and opening it to when she saw Aspen on the other side. She looked amazing in that dress she was wearing and he did enjoy the time they were spending together he’d go as far as to call them dating, but that didn’t seem quite right either and he looked at her as she waltzed in holding the door open for her.

“So what is the occasion? That dress I do have to stay looks absolutely stunning on you. I have to say the jacket though doesn’t exactly go with the dress unless you’re trying to really make a statement about something I should know about?” Rory said walking back to the kitchen and the pork reaching into the drawer on the island he pulled out an extra pair of chopsticks and handed it to her. He reached into the takeout bag and pulled out some sweet and sour chicken and rice as well she could be hungry and he wouldn’t mind the company while he ate and did work. “I never thanked you for all you’ve done the last few weeks checking on me and my dad while he was in the hospital. Plus coming with me to the baby shower I didn’t know Yasmine would be there or okay I knew her and Dani have become pretty tight since the kidnapping but it really helped that I wasn’t alone and looking like a desperate idiot there. I also really had fun at it with you and at the party for DGI so thanks you’ve been a really great friend lately.”

“Well, I have a major favor to ask you.” She said with a stickily sweet voice trying to lure him into her crazy ass plan. Taking the chopsticks she dropped the mink poncho leather biker jacket. As she sat down on the sofa next to him. Kicking off her heels she cuddled up next to Rory. “Alright enough with how fab I am handsome. You and I have a date to go on. Just not a normal date Rory. You see you’re kinda the reason my parents think I’m back in Atlas Falls not me getting kicked out of Harvard. So I think that since I’ve helped you then you can help me. I mean leaving one of the Ivy leagues most premiere schools isn’t exactly smart right? When you think of it, it has to be crazy as fuck. However, I’m free of the elitist of Harvard and I’m going to AFU and I’m going to be the valedictorian here of course since I’m clearly above a lot of these other students.” She said looking at him with this suspicious look on his face. “For one hour I need you to pretend to be madly in love with me so my father will not find out I got kicked out his alma mater.” Aspen laughed as she grabbed onto his shoulder and seeing his face she laughed.

“Stop!” She playfully hit him and fed him a piece of egg-roll. “Look I am not ready to tell daddy that the millions and ass kissing he did to get me into Harvard was in vain. I wanted to stay here anyway. All my friends and people I loved being here. So I think that this is the for the best because I get what I want. I know that sounds vain but my father assumed that I wanted to go to Harvard just because he went. Now I’m going to AFU and he’s going to feel like I’m following him. But if I have this boyfriend who is the cheese that got me back here. It just looks like I’m in love and not kicked out of college.” Aspen said as she fluffed her hair and rolled up her skirt. Climbing on top of Rory she leaned down and kissed his neck slowly. “Please help Rory.” She said in her best Marilyn Monroe voice. “Pretty.” Aspen leaned down and kissed his lips. “Pretty.” She nibbled on his earlobe. “Please.” Grabbing his crotch and smiling throwing her hand back.

Rory listened to her story and he got the pressure she likely had to be under not that he knew her parents super well or anything but when they were in high school Aspen seemed to be the odd one out in the group. Looking back he was kinda a jerk back then when people would point fingers at her and laugh because of the braces and the weight he was a terrible friend. So she left Harvard to return to Atlas Falls in order to pursue her dreams that were something he couldn’t fault her for. “I do kinda owe you for being my plus one the other day at the baby shower and at the DGI party so I think I can handle being the fake boyfriend for a night. Not that any guy wouldn’t be lucky to have you Aspen look at you.” He said laughing with her on the couch and even harder when she told him to stop and he stared at her what was he thinking. He would be lucky to have a girl like her, it wasn’t like Yasmine wanted him anymore and before he knew what happened Aspen was on top of him rolling up her skirt.

It had been months since he had been with anyone and his cock was already hard as her hand pressed against it and then he opened his mouth and kissed her. His hands ran through her hair as he felt her stroking his pants and they traveled over her dress stopping the fabric on her breasts to brush his fingers over them hearing her moan into his mouth. He took that as a cue to continue to explore and moved his hands down the sides of her body never breaking the kiss and then slithered his hands underneath her skin along her skin and then brushed the front of her panties and he nearly broke the kiss feeling how wet she was, instead he slithered two fingers inside the fabric and gently eased into her heat, breaking apart from her lips to suck on her neck, looking up at her head thrown back and mouth open. “Aspen are you sure?” He managed to mumble out only the shrill ringing of his cell phone broke him out of what was happening as he retracted his fingers and looked at the phone his face then changing as he saw the text from Yasmine asking about his father. He was hit with guilt as he looked up at Aspen who looked embarrassed at his reaction and he softly looked at her. “Can we have a rain check? It’s getting late and I would hate to keep your dad waiting.”

Aspen felt her heart racing. Her entire life she had wanted this moment. To show Rory that Val wasn’t the one or any other girl but she was. It was heaven the way he touched her so lustfully and the way he kissed her body made her feel weak. Her legs buckled at the intensity of what was happening. For once she was about to get the man she’d always wanted. For once she was about to be the girl that he wanted and choose. Then it over. She saw whose name was on the phone. They still talked which irritated her so much. Why wasn’t he just ready to let this bitch go? She had ruined his life once before and left him so heartbroken but he still saw a text from Yasmine and it was over. Wiping the corner of her mouth she nodded her head. “You’re so right Rory. This was happening way too fast. I don’t want to do something we can’t take back. I mean this is fun and any girl would want you but I can’t be catching feelings for my fake boyfriend.” She said punching his shoulder playfully as she rolled off of him. She ruffled her hair and quickly adjusted her dress. Picking up her mink fur stole

“I should be going daddy is waiting but I so want an invite to the Devonshire annual Christmas party it’s always the talk of the town. I would look amazing in the Aalia gown I have it’s black, white, and silver and fitted like a glove. I’ll contact you with when I can meet with you and daddy. Rory look I don’t want anything serious right now. I left Harvard because something seriously bad happened. I just want us to be fun and if you are down with that then we can have as much fun as possible cool? I’m a big girl I can handle it.” Aspen walked to Rory and kissed him again this time slipping her tongue inside. A kiss that was supposed to be a few seconds lasted a moment. He wanted her and she knew it. He just wasn’t done with that bitch Yasmine. Pulling back she smiled at him. “Plus I’m second to none. You aren’t over her and I know better than dating a guy who isn’t over another woman.” Aspen placed her finger on his lip to hush him from saying anything else. “I’m gone call me.”

Rory adjusted himself as he watched her get up and get ready to leave and knew he fucked up and put the phone in his pocket he could respond to her later. It was good Yasmine was reaching out to him even if it was text but he was also digging what was happening between him and Aspen too. He rushed to her beating her to the door as she looked at him almost glaring at him to move. Instead, he took his overcoat off the rack and put it on leaning down he kissed her softly.  “Who says it has to be fake Aspen? Let’s do this I owe you.” He said seeing her looked at him a little bewildered as he opened the door eager to get out of the condo for some fresh air and dinner. If he didn’t he was pretty sure he’d take her to his bed and fuck her silly only to regret it afterward and maybe this was the step he needed to actually go out and have some fun with her and make a move to move forward instead.

*********

Jon sat outside his sister house for about thirty minutes unsure if he should go inside. He was in a good mood. A better mood than when he first found out what happened to KC. At first, he wasn’t understanding but he understood sacrifice for your country. When he thought about what KC had done for his sister and talking to Miranda well that changed his opinion. Opening his door he closed it and walked up to the house. KC had protected everyone and sacrificed his life in the process. He wasn’t sure why he had come back at this moment but he missed him for a long time. Speaking with Braden about this made him feel like they were wrong to quickly judge him like that. Like he just didn’t want to write him off but he needed to hear from KC. He needed to hear the stories himself. Braden and Brock were both over here earlier and they said they all laughed. He wanted to laugh again with his friends. This wasn’t a good feeling to have his two best friends beefing with each other. KC might have been gone for a few years but that didn’t erase years of history and friendship. As he knocked on the door, Quinn opened it and smiled at him.

“Hey, jellybean.” He picked her up and closed the door. Turning around he noticed a guy got out of his car. No doubt a Fed and that made him feel good. KC was doing everything he could to protect his family. That’s the guy he knew. As he looked up he saw KC playing the XBOX and Miranda watching sitting right by him. It was obvious that Miranda and KC weren’t over at least to him seeing them like this. She was invested in seeing him giddy. God the guy was still a big kid. He watched comic book movies, ate candy to excess, and even was a huge Anime nerd. KC was in full kid mode playing whatever game he was playing because he was sitting Indian style with makeup on his face. Quinn must have been giving him a makeover. He snickered as he watched him cheer. When KC finally looked up at him he was smiling. He was still an overgrown manchild in the best possible way. However, he was one of the most lethal hand to hand fighters he knew and could shoot a damn fly wing off if need be. Which was why when he died at Ronan’s hand he was disgusted.

“Hey, beauty queen care to turn on the grill? I got some steaks in there for when I just stop over here. So let’s have a chat plus I happen to know Miranda keeps a case of Fraiser special brew downstairs. It’s my first off day in about a week and I’ve had a lot of time to think on you and this situation.” Jon said looking at him. “Man wash your face you look like a clown.”

KC stood up and saw his reflection in the mirror. “I’m the sexiest drag Queen since RuPaul I thank you very much.” KC walked to the sink and grabbed a napkin. “Detective Quinn wanted to play in her mom makeup and do-dads makeup. You know I believe in people expressing themselves whatever way they want. Remember when we beat up Chip Murray over bullying Zach for his sexuality. Miranda was just talking to Braden and Brock about our trip to Florida that year. They say cops don’t know how to party well they didn’t know us. We had a ball when you came back from Iraq right before you got captured.” KC looked at Jon and honestly understood how it felt to be kept away from everyone and anything you loved. It was painful and he didn’t have time to truly think on that.

“So I guess this is where we have our heart to heart if this was a movie? Like I told the guys when they came over earlier, I wasn’t innocent in the staying away. I did it purposely but you have a girlfriend now. You have someone you’d die for right? I died for mine for an entire year I was in the darkness and couldn’t escape. It hurt man to see you all judging me and not even asking me what the hell happened. You all were just surrounding me and saying how could you look at me like I was a damn monster. If Cassie was in danger with Ronan you tell me what you would do to stop it? I have a child Jon, and a wife knowing that I wanted nothing more than protect them from what I had done. I went undercover and was exposed now I’m back and they are directly in the line of fire. You’re not a dad yet Jon but the feeling is unexplainable man. You’d die for that little person and I did. I died and came back for all of you and you guys didn’t seem receptive of me then.” Walking to the basement he picked up the brews in the small fridge downstairs and walked upstairs. Handing Jon one he sat down outside and turned on the grill.

Jon was silent hearing what he was saying. He understood more and more because Miranda said the same thing. If Ronan knew KC was alive then he’d go after his entire family. His parents, David, Quinn, and Miranda would be in a pine box underground. He knew that seeing how he ruthlessly went after Kendrick and hell he scared Yasmine and Jamal on the stand this year. It felt like it wasn’t fair that KC lost so many years and that bastard was walking around. It also made him feel like shit. Who was he to judge anyone? He went through a mental break a few years back after Iraq and now he was stable. KC stayed away to protect his sister and niece and now that he’s back they’d all have to do that. He understood more and he reached out for his best friend.

“I get it brother but how many people have you see come back from the grave KC?” Jon asked sarcastically. “Look I’m sorry man, I didn’t have time to process and think about this shit. Ronan would have hurt everyone to make sure you were dead. I get it now but at that moment I was.”

“Butthurt you aren’t the only superhero out here? Man, I told you when we were in high school I was the friend with the game. I was the friend who was cooler and I was always going to be in your corner. I wanted the same coming back from the dead but she is your sister and I understand. David is precious to me and I would kill if anyone hurt any of you. Look I’ve been watching shit from the back last year I wanted to reach out but I couldn’t. Jon, I hope you know that was a clean shot. I hope you know that you didn’t do anything but wipe one of those monsters off the street. You know that don’t you?” KC said as he looked at his friend.

Jon grew silent when he brought up the shooting KC was always intuitive but this was different. It was like he needed to hear that. He’d heard it from a lot of people but it meant something coming from KC. He knew it was a clean shot and Kendrick was wrong but he still had nightmares about that little boy and now Kendrick. Killing someone wasn’t an easy thing and it stayed with you. The smell of death never left your nostrils once you smelled it. “It was a hard time last year man. The shooting happened so fast and I thought it was going to be open and shut. This egomaniac lawyer came to town and it spiraled. We had riots and things were horrible. The business district was damn near almost destroyed and even TJ’s was damaged. My family was put through a lot. My parents defending me in their business, Miranda hearing snickers in the locker-room about her crazy brother, and some people believing that I did maliciously it was hard man. I have a beautiful woman by my side who knew my heart and that was all that mattered.” Looking at him he raised a bottle.

“I missed talking to you brother,” Jon said as he looked at Miranda watching through the window. “Toast to you coming back from the dead and hopefully fixing this shit with Devin and Miranda. Yeah, I said Devin also because you were out of line accusing him of going after your life. When you broke it down like that I was like damn it does seem like it but he didn’t. You trained Devin he looked up to you do you think he’d do you dirty like that?” Jon asked seriously.

KC sat silent for a moment because he knew the answer to the question. Devin was a standup type and he would have more than likely been helping Miranda and that’s how it happened. He wasn’t a fool that he was trying to step over his memory or takeover. That wasn’t Devin but at that moment like his friends, he only saw red. They all were shocked and he had been bottling up his rage over not having his life and Devin being with the woman he loved. Seeing him pick Quinn up from school all the things he should have been doing. It made him resent Devin. “Am I supposed to apologize because I’m not. I won’t do it, Jon. I won’t.” KC folded his arms to solidify his point. Giving Jon the death stare.

Jon burst out laughing seeing him fold his arms he laughed. “Alright KC but you owe that man an apology when you quit being butthurt that Miranda moved on while you were quote on quote dead.”

“So we doing air quotes now?” KC said as he pushed Jon and started to jog ahead of him. When he saw Jon running along with him he pushed him back. KC stumbled and laughed as he ran some more and pushed Jon until they were running and tackling each other. It felt good to be home with his family. It felt really good to be alive again.

*********

The valet opened the door to Philip’s Jaguar XJ220 in flame red as she stepped out of drivers car two men swooped in getting all her bags. It was awkward meeting her siblings one by one like this. It was even more strange how cold but polite Chauncey treated her. He was the one who everyone said you should be so scared of but he was a pussycat today. However, seeing his daughter in a Laperla original gown would do that to any man. As she walked up the stairs she could see Phillip eyes glaring at her. Walking past him she could hear his chair following her she stopped in her tracks. This was becoming too much. She used to go out and have a drink or a ride if she wanted but now. It was so confining already just being in America with the Montgomery’s. As she spun around still seeing that smarmy expression on his face. Gritting her teeth she folded her arms and quickly stomped her foot. Grabbing some antique vase she swiftly slammed it on the floor.

“Damn it I won’t be just stuck in this house. I didn’t go seeking my family so you do not have to call daddy on me. Godfather will be proud to hear I just went to the store and shopped because I’m bored. I have nothing to do in this mansion and I’m just sitting idle while my family needs me. I met Maddie today she’s so pleasant and young and she looked up to me. Instantly it was like she knew but you have no idea how this feels. I know he’s trying to use me as a weapon and I won’t and I mean won’t be used!” Belle hissed as she looked at Philip smirking.

“You already are kid,” He rolled back as the butler opened the door. He saw his sister Cassie and Jon walking into the mansion. Father had called this epic dinner and he was here for it. Plus seeing Cassie face about this Belle stunt would be epic. Not only that but he was sure his sister would expose this just at the wrong time for the Devonshire. As he strolled through the walkway he saw Jon concerned face. “Let me introduce you to one of tonight main guest of honor. Cassie Montgomery, and Jon Harrison this is Isabelle Archibald and soon whomever else father has invited will be here.”

“Well, I should excuse myself, as I’m late for getting dressed for dinner and all,” Belle said raising her hand waving at them dismissively and storming upstairs stomping all the way. “I won’t be a prisoner here much longer!” She screamed out of frustration when the staff moved out of her way she knew she’d made her point.

Jon looked at Cassie and then at Philip. “What does she mean prisoner?” He asked looking at Cassie and Philip.

Cassie looked at the girl as she headed upstairs Belle Archibald was her father’s goddaughter she remembered from a trip to London when they were younger. Her mother and Jane were friends so it made sense that Belle was a part of her father’s life and she supposed knowing how strict the Archibalds were about Belle her father took no chances. He could be extreme at times especially with protection but she and Philip were used to it growing up. Honestly, she was curious about the summons she and her father hadn’t spoken since that night at the office before the DGI gala dinner and she looked over at Jon and Philip looking for answers and they both looked just as clueless as she was. She turned her head to the doors of the mansion as she saw Trisha Kohl enter and the staff lead her to the dining room. She looked at Philip who looked just as confused and then spoke.

“Father does security tight. Belle likely is annoyed by it. What in the world is Trisha Kohl doing here a little old to work in one of the father’s clubs shouldn’t he of went younger on the family tree?” Cassie spit out and she went to say more only for the knock on the door to come and she watched as Yasmine and Khalil Watkins walked in and the staff led them to the dining room too. Something was going on and she leaned down to her brother. “If you have any idea what is going on now would be a good time to spill the beans and tell us. Why are they here?”

“For once I’m at a loss for what in the hell our ex-employee and her junkie momma is doing here,” Philip said looking at Jon who had a disgusted look on his face. “Oh God Cassie tell him to turn off the police officer here. He has too or he’ll never make it through the appetizer dad will eat him alive. Look, Jon, Belle is a guest and she is a piss poor guest who breaks things and stomps. She’s nineteen and a brat it’s quite annoying and she keeps stealing my cars not like I can drive them but those cars are an extension of my manhood now that I have no legs and all. So I’m a little annoyed myself.” Philip said rolling toward the dining room. “Follow me we will get to the bottom of this because I am absolutely annoyed with whatever he’s pulling.”

“Father!” Philip yelled as he rolled in seeing his father hugging Trisha and Yasmine. “What in fresh hell is this? I mean I fired her from the club she was a great dancer but horrible with keeping the police away. Not to mention we have baby Kendrick here. It’s like I’m having the worst case of deja-vu ever. What next I’ll get shot again and I won’t be able to move anything?”

“Mr. Montgomery we brought your favorite wine,” Jon said looking at Philip. “Yasmine how are you and it’s good to see you also Khalil. Ms. Trisha.” As he took a deep breath he felt the tension immediately rise because he did kill the kids’ brother and all. Now they were all here about to eat a meal together. Why couldn’t she just say no to her father this one time? “I hope we can get this in the fridge and chilled I have a feeling we are all going to need this.”

Forbes watched the butler take the bottle of wine from Jon as he waved his hand for everyone to sit down. “Philip that was very rude and I suggest you calm down. We have guests and this dinner is all about our guest. It’s about joining our families together and showing what’s for the best of MontCorp. You see today is the start of our tactical attack on DGI. We are about to start from the foundation and break a giant. I want you all here with me. I want you all here to witness Montgomery’s growing and expanding its reach and power.” Looking around he noticed Belle wasn’t downstairs yet. “We will wait on my Goddaughter but I want to thank Trisha and Yasmine for being my personal guest. Welcome to our family please let’s toast to Trisha and Yasmine.”

“Why should we toast to the hooker drug addict and her daughter that ruined Philip’s business father?” Cassie asked finding this entire charade daunting and she felt the daggers from Yasmine when she said it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Belle appear and sighed finally. Saw the almost look of horror on Jon’s face and her brother’s. Kendrick was a monster no one was denying that but Yasmine had started a ton of trouble with Jamal in the club that led to the turn of events that unfolded. She saw her father glaring at her and he picked up her glass from the table definitely. “If we came here for one of your showdowns with DGI and to invite the trash along for the ride. Jon and I have better things to do in the evening.”

“Bitch, who you talking too?” Yasmine snapped standing up she swiftly felt her mother’s hand on hers. “You ain’t no better than me or did ya’ll forget Philip club was running dirty money through it? Look, Forbes, this was cool and all but I knew this shit was a bad idea.” Yasmine said grabbing her purse and turning to Khalil. “Come on we are out of here.”

“Oh no, you don’t Ms. Khol,” Philip said looking at her. “You don’t get to be brought in like you are the President of the United Fucking States and then we don’t know why you are here. Like my sister said this is a problematic stripper dad if you got her pregnant I’m going to be crying. I mean we all know what happened with the last hot ethnic woman he got too close to. We got little enchilada and burrito.” Philip looked at them.

“Yasmine sit down right now!” Forbes bellowed as the room hushed at his annoyance. “I’m trying to have a nice family dinner and you all are ruining it. This isn’t how I envisioned telling you two but I guess this is how it has to be. Trisha is a dear friend of mine who has done something by herself for years and twenty-four to be exact. Yasmine Khol isn’t Yasmine Khol her name should be Yasmine Montgomery. She’s my daughter with Trisha and I expect from this moment going forward the stripper jokes will cease and you both will treat Yasmine and Trisha as part of the family. They are and I’m here to try and make this right. For years I stayed away never know if it was right to be around you. Never knowing if I deserved the chance to be around my daughter. Now meeting you here I know Trisha and Gina did a wonderful job with you. You are welcomed into my family my dear girl.”

Philip sat silent for a moment and then the feeling of bile ate at his stomach. He fucking saw his own sister sliding up and down on a pole. Not only that he was one of the reason that she was still stripping he kept her hostage with Kendrick. Something that people overlooked because he was white no doubt. As he gritted his teeth. “Any more bastards we should all know about father, I’d hate to screw another one of your illegitimates.”

Belle saw how uncomfortable Yasmine, Trisha, and Khalil were with the uppity Philip and Cassie. They were sticking their noses down at these people. She was a cold bitch but she wasn’t heartless or insensitive. Belle had enough. “Tell me was he this much of an ass before he lost his legs? Would someone please pass the bottle of wine because I happen to think this is wonderful. You are here and you can take me out. I’m sure my Godfather wouldn’t refuse me getting to know any of you three now, would you? That would be so suspicious? I mean Cassie is a reporter and her looking into my past well that could be quite the story don’t you think Godfather?”

Forbes snarled looking at Belle taking advantage of the situation. “I don’t see a problem with that, Belle. Please, Cassandra, you haven’t said anything this is your sister Yasmine. Please tell me how do you feel?”

For the first time in her life, Cassie was at a loss for words this one totally shocked her and she saw how uncomfortable Yasmine looked and Trisha too. She swirled the wine in her glass knowing with Yasmine’s age how she had been conceived and bitterness rose in her wondering if Trisha was the reason her mother killed herself. There was always whispers her father had his favorite mistress. “Am I supposed to jump for joy and ask to braid her hair now? What would you expect me to say you were afterall screwing her mother while ours was fighting her demons were you not?” Cassie spat she felt Jon grip her shoulder and she shrugged herself free looking at Yasmine. “You should watch your back with him he is daddy for now until he wants something.”

Trisha picked up her wine glass having enough of the frank and rude behavior from Cassie and tossed the entire glass of wine in her perfect face for the insults. She heard a gasp come out of the room as she watched the girl wipe the wine off with a napkin and saw Yasmine staring at her as she placed the glass back down on the table her hand shaking she had wanted to do that for years to Audrey and it felt good to do it to the closest image she had. “Your momma was spreading it for Lowell back then you should know your history girl before you even start spouting off to me and my baby.”

“You old bitch,” Philip said as he watched Cassie’s face get painted with red wine. “Listen you won’t come into our family house and think we’ll be alright with our father’s mistress just bringing in her bastard baby girl. You were unknown for a reason Yasmine and maybe you should have stayed that way.” Philip said rolling back. “My mother might have been screwing Lowell but maybe he wasn’t available because he was too busy screwing you. A hooker and mistress you were quite busy weren’t you in the ’90s. I guess nostalgia for the good old days made you think this was a good idea to reveal this father. No this was a horrible idea, I have lost my appetite.” Philip rolled out of the room.

Jon handed Cassie his handkerchief and looked at her pissed face. He knew they were about to leave also. “Are you alright?” He asked as he saw her eyes burning with tears and anger. “Baby we can leave we don’t have to stay here. I assure you of that. If you want some time but I can tell you this about Yasmine and Trisha they are good people and maybe you both are attacking the wrong person.”

Cassie pushed her chair back and could feel the ugly sting behind her eyes as she looked at her father, tears his weakness or hers rather. When she was younger she imagined that her parents would get past their toxic behavior to pull it together for her and Philip. She realized at that moment how wrong she was and she looked over at Yasmine. No, the girl didn’t deserve her anger but she was not going to tolerate this with Trisha ever. “I’ve lost my appetite as well you never loved mother even if you say you did. This stunt clearly proves that father. Like I said Yasmine or should I call you sis, he’s nice till he wants something. If you’ll all excuse us we’re leaving.” Cassie said tossing her napkin down on the table and on her way past Trisha knocking over the glass of red wine seeing the woman jump back and the red stain flow on her gown. She felt Jon pulling her back as Trisha jumped at her and watched Yasmine hold Trisha back.

Trisha leaped at the girl as the wine flowed onto her brand new gown she remembered sneaking into the mansion seeing Forbes having to deal with the petulant brat from her secret hiding space behind the bookcase. She’d throw a fit Forbes would get upset they would meet and he’d need to bury himself in her knowing that he stayed for the children not because he loved Audrey. She’d comfort those fears away. “Yasmine you let me go right now so I can show that girl a piece of my mind.” Trisha spat eventually calming down when she realized it wasn’t going to happen. She reached for a napkin to wipe off her dress as she looked at Forbes. “You should have let Audrey have them years ago they’re spoiled and petulant and you wonder why I didn’t let you have Yasmine.”

“I wonder because she wouldn’t have grown up in a constant state of drugs and confusion.” Forbes barked out of anger at his children, not Trisha. He knew that was a low blow but he was pissed at Philip and Cassie for ruining this moment for Yasmine and Trisha. Hell for him to start fresh with a child. After all, he had done for Philip and Cassie he’d sacrificed they couldn’t even be happy that he had a shot to be happy with at least one of his children. Joaquin and Xiomara were being raised in Mexico and soon they’d be used to him not being a part of their lives as Angelica wanted right now. They weren’t divorced but they might as well have been. “I apologize, pardon me I’m going to find Philip. You two may leave I think dinner is over.”

“What no beef wellington?” Belle said looking at Forbes seeing him defeated made her feel good honestly. She hated how high and mighty he was so to see his kids chip him down was well worth it.

“Shut the hell up girl,” Yasmine said looking at the girl. “Khalil let’s go, mom, we can get some soda water and clean that out of your dress. She wasn’t worth it ma you would have scrapped that bitch.”

Trisha nodded her head at Yasmine as she watched Forbes and Belle leave and she gripped Yasmine’s hand. “No more baby girl we moving up in the world you are where you have always belonged and me I’ma gonna get ours you watch.”

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