3×19 “Pocket Full of Sunshine”
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence and sex.
Guest Staring: Norma-Jean Price (Helen Hunt), Kelly O’Connor (Rachel Weiss), Kevin Nixon (Michael Vartan)
Theme Song: Slipped Away-Avril Lavigne

Mason gripped the steering wheel of their BMW X7, something that he had made the request of early he wasn’t going to just sit in something like a Toyota. Their honeymoon had been fantastic the first few days they had spent in the hotel room of course making love and enjoying the beach by the middle though Zach had found the address. They loaded up the car and headed down south from Miami towards their next destination. It totally veered off the beaten path he had planned and not the posh remodeled hotel he had booked but it was another part of the state they got to explore. Zach had convinced him that the small little B&B for a night or two would be fine until they returned to the posh hotel; it seemed like something Zach would settle on. Zach has been on his phone getting the address they needed from Diego and he wondered what exactly the FBI had turned up on Dru Price if that was even her real name at this point. After what Zach had told him happened at the reception he was leaning more towards a double team with Dru and his co-worker too but proving it would be the hard part.

“So Diego is sure this is where we need to go right? I mean have you seen where we are story had been a poor me, hard childhood.” Mason said stopping at the light and taking s left through what reminded him of one of the subdivisions back in Atlas Falls cars lining the streets, not a single trailer park or worse ghetto in sight. He’s driven through that side of Atlas Fallas before, not the most pleasant and Dru had told Lauren she grew up poor this neighborhood was anything but that if anything it was for sure something that seemed more like his cousin Devin, Jon or even Zach’s upbringing hardly the dramatic story Dru had painted. “Didn’t she tell your aunt she grew up poor and destitute? I get people keep up appearances but this for sure doesn’t look anything like the Scottswood neighborhood or anything around it? Also how do you want to play this you be bad cop I be good cop? I know Diego said to go with insurance investigators so that could still apply.”

Zach had enjoyed their honeymoon. After arriving in Miami he found clues that Scarlett may have escaped to Cuba but she was also smart. That meant he was right Scarlett was more than likely at Patricia grandparent’s compound. That would be a mission that Jon, Diego, KC, Miranda and a few others would have to take with him. To infiltrate Cuba and get his son almost seemed impossible. He needed to protect Kieran in the fray of getting in. He had a lot to think about as he looked over and nodded at Mason. Smirking at him, was he asking if the FBI agent info was correct? Dru grew up on Cape Kentrich, Florida. If intel was correct he’d figure out exactly who Dru Price was once and for all. His cousin who died, Kendall Richardson was her best friend. Well in this case he would look up Dru Price’s family. This led them directly to Norma-Jean Price, a lowly maid who worked in the kitchen of the resort town. They were driving deeper past Fort Lauderdale now and he knew they were close to the city. He felt uneasy but Dru had shown her hand. She was jealous and furious with his family and he hadn’t gotten too much sleep knowing the twins were being taken care of by a sociopath.

“I think Dru has some serious explaining to do. I’m not going to pretend to know what her plans are. I have been sure of one thing since the wedding baby this bitch is after Dani.” He picked up Mason’s free hand and kissed it. “I refuse to let this bitch win and if she’s going after the Fraiser’s well this is your first lesson on how far we go for ours. You are a Fraiser now you know that right they’ll ride for you like this as well. We are hardcore but we are appreciated when it matters.” He said seeing the GPS telling them they were close. As the headed down a dirt road and finally ended up at a few rows of trailer park homes. All that glamor and beauty and this was where Dru was raised? No wonder she was bitter at Dani. He sat up looking at Mason and smiled. “Follow my lead and we’ll get to the bottom of this okay? I’m going to find out who this bitch is once and for all.” Getting out of the car he walked to the third trailer knocking as he looked at Mason. His husband had this strange gleam on his face. When a woman with curlers in her hair and looked like she’d seen her better years answered the door with a cigarette hanging from her lips and pink lipstick. She was a sight but Zach exhaled. “Hello I’m Zachary Fraiser and I’m sorry to disturb you but I’m looking for Norma Jean Price.”

Norma Jean had just sat down to watch Divorce Court on her one day off this week when the knock came. She rarely had visitors these days, there was no one to stop by since Dru died. She lit her cigarette on her way to the door. If it was that damn neighbor Misty again, accusing her of stealing the coupon flyer they were gonna have words and she didn’t care if everyone in the park heard. She’d seen Misty coming out of Sue Ellen’s trailer while she was at work and everyone was about to know Misty was fucking Sue Ellen’s man. But when she opened the door, she was met with two men wearing fancy ass clothes and sounding like city folk. How someone like this even knew her name came as a surprise. If she had some rich relative she thought she’d know by now. She had an email awhile back from some long lost cousin that needed to borrow money but they were supposed to mail her a check not deliver it in person. She saw Misty peeking out the window, the whole trailer park would be gossiping about this within the hour.

“Well, la tee da, Zachary Fraiser. That sounds real uppity.” She took a long drag off her cigarette and blew the smoke to the side but it wafted back in their faces. “If you two are from that new church down the road you can just go right on back where you came from cause I ain’t interested. Though I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone around here dressed quite like this.” She looked Zachary up and down and then Mason. “Your friend here looks real spiffy. That’s a nice shirt. Where do you get something like that? Probably not at the JCPenney, huh?” She took another drag and rubbed her last two fingers on his chest as she held the cigarette. She nodded approvingly. “It’s soft, too. My brother’s birthday’s coming up. He’d sure get a kick out of something like that. Ok, let’s say I’m Norma Jean Price. If you two aren’t churchfolk, what is it you want exactly? We don’t get a lot of out of towners here. It’s not exactly Disneyland if you haven’t noticed. If ya’ll are into some kind of politics, I don’t know nothing about that and if you’re selling something, I don’t get paid for two more days.”

Mason looked the woman up then down the park being something that reminded him he was gonna need a bath later. It was almost as bad as Scottswood back home though he guessed most of these folks had at least running water or he shuddered, they boiled the natural water. Either way the women before them screamed flat out trailer trash of the worst kind. They clearly weren’t from the church and he had to wonder how many people from a church had actually visited her. They were a married gay couple in real life, probably not something that most churches would welcome in and he was pretty sure would raise an eyebrow with her too. “I’m sure you could find something as nice at Macy’s if you are looking. We’re from Anderson Insurance here to discuss the payout and circumstances you received when your daughter was killed in a car accident. My name is Mason Robertson and as my co-worker has said he is Zachary Fraiser. May we come in please” He said looking at her it wasn’t abnormal for insurance companies to question where funds went once a payout was issued.

“Listen we don’t want this to be unpleasant but there have been some concerns that have popped up that have the higher ups at the company wanting us to do a little digging. Yourself and your late husband were listed as the beneficiaries on the car insurance policy. Were you aware that someone has been using her social security number for employment in a few different states?” Mason asked, looking directly at the woman doing his best to not gag or cough as the cigarette smell wafted in the air around them, seeing the almost shock or worse nonchalant way she took the information in. He took out a notebook pretending to write down a few notes. This was almost like reading a witness on the stand and he could see why Zach or Diego even Devin liked to do this when they were investigating something. “We’d simply like to make sure we have our facts straight and close the case instead of having your account pegged for fraud. We also can do this here on the porch where all your neighbors can see and hear or you could invite us in so we could talk further.” He lightly tapped his foot for extra measure at her just to make sure she felt that tension.

Norma looked across at the other trailer and saw that nosy Misty sweeping the plywood that served as a walkway to her trailer. She heard what Mason was saying but who would be using her Dru’s social security number. If they were suggesting Dru was still alive and it had all been a scam they were sorely mistaken. Sure they’d once wrecked their car just to get an insurance payout but that was completely different. She tried to look over to see what he was writing down in that notebook but he moved it away. “Don’t be silly. Y’all come on in here,” Norma said opening the screen door. She shot Misty a dirty look as they came in and closed the door. She walked over to sofa, taking another cigarette out of the pack and lighting it with the nub of the one she’d been smoking. Picking up the coupon flyers she’d stolen and putting them on the coffee table to make room. She fluffed up a pillow with Elvis’ face on it. “Well, it’s not much but it’s mine. Make yourselves at home.” She said patting the old tan sofa, covered in plastic. “Y’all like wieners? They were buy one get one free down at the Piggly Wiggly. I’ll throw some in the microwave and get you some sweet tea. You two city boys probably never had real sweet tea. You are gonna be in for a treat.” She pulled out two tv trays and sat them in front of Zach and Mason after they’d sat down.

In the kitchen area, Norma set up microwaving the hot dogs and pulled out some plastic cups. The cigarette was still hanging out of her mouth and when some of the ashes fell into the cup she blew them out then used the hem of her shirt to wipe it out. “So you said someone was using my Dru’s social security number to get a job? Well it ain’t her, that much I can tell you. What kind of person would do such a thing? My Dru is gone. I saw her myself down at the morgue and we had an open casket and everything. The whole town saw her.” She brought the hot dogs and tea over and put them on the tv trays and took a seat in the ratty old recliner opposite the sofa. She and her husband had used the insurance money to pay off the trailer and there was nothing left. She couldn’t afford to pay back the money and hoped it wouldn’t come to that. “So what is it you do in cases like this? Because if someone’s using my baby’s identity, I’ll do whatever it takes to help you find them.”

Zach tilted his neck hearing seeing her going to the microwave he wasn’t going to eat anything from this smoke shack. Sitting on the hot plastic but cold air from the window air condition. It was a strange dichotomy in this house. A flat screen TV but furniture that looked as if it was birthed in the seventies. “We have located the woman who is using your daughter’s social security.” Looking around on the mantle he saw the Sears pictures that his parents made him do with his siblings. It was a family photoshoot he chuckled but then hit him over the head. “Ms. Price, would you please give us information on Dru’s accident? Tell us what happened. I mean I have seen the report but I need information on what you believe happened. See we believe that whomever is using Dru name and identity knows her.” The accident reports stated that two other girls were killed. He figured out that Kendall was one of those girls. He however wanted confirmation on everything and who better than the gullible mother.

“From what I understand Dru was driving and they swerved into a semi truck. But why was she speeding what was happening?” He called out talking to her watching her bringing back hot dogs that he wasn’t in the least bit interested in eating. “I just think that whoever did this is maybe involved in this knows you, maybe someone close to Dru. Who were the other girls who died in the car accident? Do you have any connection to them?” He asked pulling out a pen and a small notebook. “Care to give us some information on this?” He looked at Mason and felt his trepidation on eating the food in the smoky house.

**********

Yasmine stood outside of Jayden’s door unsure if she should enter. Or should she run away. Deep down she had it bad for Rory but moving on was the best move. If she was honest with herself she wasn’t over that man but if he didn’t come after her what was she going to do? He was trying to please the world and with their families on the complete opposite end of the spectrum it was over. So she leaned in and knocked on the door before her. As she stood silently she was shocked when Jayden opened the door with nothing but a towel on. “I got takeout.” She said holding up a bag from La Callie. “It’s my favorite Cajun food from there and I just needed to get out.” Wearing a sports bra, an oversized Balenciaga flannel shirt, a pair of joggers and fresh McQueen sneakers. It was unusually warm right now which meant the cold was coming in. “I just need someone to kick it with and I was wondering if you were that somebody.” She said playfully as he moved out the way and let her into the condo. “Your place is amazing Jayden.” She wondered how an attending could afford a condo like this. “What did you say your people do? I mean I know doctors make bread but damn.”

Placing the food down and watching him walk away he was just as fine from the back as the front. “I know I just popped up but I gotta tell you something. I’m not just looking for a one night stand or something like that. I’ve never been that girl Jay but I’m looking for that Jay-Z and Beyonce type relationship. Someone to elevate with and grow with. I want to know if you want the next step like going together for real. Not just dates because I’m honestly done with both the motherfuckers in my past. Rory and Khalil and I need something fresh and new and I think I can find that with you if you’re down.” She blurted out wondering what he was thinking. If she had said too much or if she was too forward. “If I just made a fool out of myself, enjoy the cajun fried corn.”

Jayden had come home from rounding to take a hot and deserved shower before debating if he was going to call Yasmine over or not for an evening. She was cute and he did enjoy her company at present, rumor was there was some big ass wedding going on in town. He had turned his nose up at it with clear disdain on his face. Marriage was such a chokehold in his opinion and he had luckily avoided it multiple times. He had clicked on the TV after coming out of the shower looking around his fully decked out condo while he dried his skin, before hearing the knock on his door and checking the peephole with a smile spreading on his face. Ladies knew better than to turn him away and they were always chasing and he opened the door for Yasmine letting her inside the condo. He reached for the remote, flashing her a smile as he turned down the TV and gripped the towel looking at her first and then the food in the bag. He turned around and headed to the master bedroom just dropping the towel slightly knowing she was looking at his backside. He placed on a pair of joggers before coming back out and watching her ramble for a bit. It was anxious from her body language.

“No it’s all good I was actually going to call you and see if you wanted to hang or not, work has been really crazy with that investigation into David going on. You have been prepping for that showcase at your studio as for my place it’s alright. I had some saved away before I came to town. As for the place they pay me pretty good for dinner, yeah I’m good to eat.” The lie slipped out way easier than it should have with Yasmine but for right now no one could know where he really came from, it wasn’t time yet. He was getting anxious about wanting to make sure that Atlas Falls was ready, money was just that to him, money. Walking to the fridge he pulled out a bottle of Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonnay and two glasses. “So you want to roll like Jay Z and the B? I like what we have going on now if that is what you are asking and I of course wanted it to be more when you were ready and done with whomever else you were going off too. I’m not mad or jealous or anything like that about it but you weren’t ready you know? So other than Cajun fried corn what else you got in that bag?” Jayden said, looking at her while he handed her a glass and then turned on his Alexa home to play some slow R&B to set the mood.

Yasmine bit her lip, liking how that sounded. He was giving her a choice to be with him. Elevation was on her mind. Ever since Rory proposed to that goofy girl Aspen she was done. He had made a choice and she knew Khalil and she weren’t long term. It hadn’t felt like that in a long time. Since Dani’s wedding from hell. Running her hand through her hair she opened the bag. “Boy, I hooked us up. La Callie’s Louisiana gumbo, fried okra, catfish and fried chicken, with dessert of La Callie’s famous ice cream beignets.” Walking to his freezer she placed the dessert inside as she turned around. “Oh and the corn.” Yasmine noticed him pulling out wine glasses and plates. “Just one plate, we can eat off the same plate right?.” She said seductively as he placed the wine glasses down and the plate. Pouring them wine she took a sip of this fancy ass shit. It was good as she looked at him smiling as they toasted.

“As for who I was going off to. I had some open books and I had to close them. Now that they are closed I’m ready for something a little more. I am ready to start sharing my life with and if I can get a Jay-Z then I’ll be his Bey.” She said as she began to place the food on the plate. “I’m trying to start enjoying this life I have. Catch a flight and hop a plane or two. I know you got this life as a doctor but I’m rich and black. I can go places that I don’t even know how to pronounce! I’m trying to have someone with me and make memories with. I didn’t think I’d ever have the shit that I have. My daddy has blessed me and I haven’t enjoyed that. I don’t know, I just think it’s time to do more. To give back to my community even more and start to enjoy the life that’s allotted to me now. So if you down Jigga we finna take off.” Yasmine fed Jayden a bite of the gumbo which she placed over rice. “Tell me that shit ain’t bussin.”

Jayden looked over at her when she mentioned sharing a plate. It was a little unconventional but he for sure wasn’t going to say no to it while she was in his place. Grabbing the plate he placed it down while he opened up the wine and reached for the glasses pouring them each one. He was not going to throw away this opportunity for him to actually make leeway with Yasmine after waiting so long. He honestly didn;t care who she was running off to before but if she was done with that part of her past it meant that they could move forward together as a couple. Or at least a couple for a bit, he actually really liked Yasmine unlike some of the women he had been with in the past or a few nurses that he had brief one night stands with, she was a little rough around the edges. He was certain that if certain people that he was close to knew they would simply be aghast at it, but she also was up and coming as well. Being the daughter of Forbes Montgomery was nothing to snort at in his book, a wealthy businessman that was a multi millionaire her past was just that, her past, stripper or not. People had to scrape by and it wasn’t his business or place to judge her or what she had been through setting the glass of wine down on the table he took a bite of the food it was indeed bussin’.

“It is indeed bussin’ quite good gumbo at its finest. One day we’ll have to leave the state head down south somewhere and take a food tour. Of course if you want to go down the line and you are okay with your studio and taking the time off of course. I do think it is great what you are doing for those kids.”  Jayden said wondering how much he should tell her about some of the other things that he knew of life, He’d had official gumbo from some of the best in the world and culture was something that he always had growing up. He found her wonder for the finer things quite amusing, seeing how she didn’t have those things till recently. “It had to have been quite the shock to go from Scottswood to heiress overnight. So your past is buried then for good?” He said picking up another spoonful of gumbo and taking gumbo a bite to then watch her do the same. He reached over with a napkin to wipe away some sauce from her face. “Sorry you have a little something right there.” He finished before smiling at her.

When he wiped her mouth she moved back first taking a breath. Yasmine had been hurt by men with big gestures for love. Rory told her he would save her, Khalil wanted to recapture the past, and her father Forbes had given her a limitless bank account. All for love as she grabbed Jayden’s hand. “I am moving to a new point in my life. Jayden that’s hopefully with you.” Her voice cracked, getting emotional. “Khalil and I are done and Rory is engaged to another woman. I’m done with that and him.” She said trying to put Rory Devonshire behind her. That pain was aching. Thinking forever with that one person and then it never happens her stomach dropped, thinking of the dissipating dream of that life. She thought they actually had a chance and then that woman popped up pregnant. She however wanted to see what life has in store for her now. Eyeing him Yasmine smiled as she touched his cheek. “Let’s see what happens?”

Looking at his TV screen on the basketball game. Khalil was playing which wasn’t a surprise as she rolled her eyes. “Get the plate.” She walked to the TV and pressed the streaming service and looked at him. “I have been wanting to catch a show and maybe we can watch it together but you understand what this means. You can’t watch this show until we are together. This is the bond of Netflix and chill my brother.” She said sitting on his couch as he sat next to him and she curled up underneath him and looked at Jayden making the choice to move on from her childhood and a fantasy. This was what Dani and a lot of other women made the choices to be happy and she wasn’t going to be unhappy a moment longer. “So we got a deal?” Meaning it two ways at once as she looked up at him. Yasmine knew something was warm about Jayden and she wanted to explore that and him.

Jayden saw her pull back at his touch and then was reassured when she took his hand, he certainly wasn’t going to do anything more than what she was comfortable with. He looked at her as they finished the food on the plate while she grabbed the TV remote to turn the ae back on again. For a moment he was thinking it was going to be a little awkward when Khalil Watkins flashed on the screen only to see her pull up Netflix. He cleared the dishes and then joined her on the couch and he definitely got her double message that she was sending. It took him a few seconds before he leaned down and captured her lips in his own letting whatever she had started on the TV to play in the background, his hands cupped the side of her face stroking gently while his tongue moved and parted her lips and he took in the flavors there exhaling as his hands found the nape of her neck. He deepened the kiss before he moved to her neck, his fingers working on her flannel shirt slowly while his lips took in her neck leaving hickeys. His fingers tracing small circles on her belly button and his mouth lowered more, taking her breast into his mouth. Sucking through the lace of her bra hearing her moan.

He was so enthralled with it when his hands reached for the hem on her sweats and caressed ever so slightly before he traced the skin up her sides and over her bra again. He then looked up at her kissing her again one more time while he felt her wrapping her arms around his neck before hauling her onto his lap, thinking she would be more comfortable than laying like she was on the couch. Once there he let her get situated before he let that long flannel she was wearing fall to the floor. His hand dipping into the waistband of her sweats again. Before he explored the flesh that was there moving her thong to the side as he stroked her lips for a few seconds, her moans filling the room. He took a breath before kissing her again while inserting a finger into her center hearing her moan before he added a second as he fingered her slowly watching her hips on his hand. “Are you sure?” He managed to get out his own breathing heavy at being so turned on while he wondered if he had a condom nearby or not.

Yasmine leaned in and kissed his neck. As she touched his chest looking into his eyes knowing this was what he needed. As she gripped the fabric on his couch. When he began to finger her she exhaled and leaned in kissing him again as she bit his lip. As her body moved sensually against the rhythm of his breathing watching him getting hard as a brick. Her eyes looked at his gray sweatpants looking as if they were going to rip. As she took his face she kissed him as he continued to finger her. Reaching into his pants she touched his thickness and started to stroke him. Never breaking from an intense kiss between the two of them. They had moved to a new level in their relationship. This is what she wanted and felt the need to feel him inside of her. She wrapped legs around him as she pushed down his sweats. She would grab  Excited to explore him as she saw a condom on the side of the coffee table. When she rolled down the condom on his dick, she looked into his eyes. She raised her hips and slid down .Wincing at the pain but instantly felt herself moaning out. She talked a lot of shit but she would put her body into securing him. You see Rory was engaged and that meant it was over. Khalil and she were kids that morphed into adults but it didn’t translate. Now she wanted her second chance. If Rory had found his, why shouldn’t she with this? At this moment she was finally letting him go. Putting her body into his and merging made her feel alive again.

Taking his hand, placing it on her neck. “Squeeze.” She said seductively bouncing her ass up and down on him. At a rapid pace she knew she was riding him as she began to slow roll on his dick. She raised herself up and down then threw it down to the beat of Jayden’s thrusts. She looked into his eyes wondering if he liked how aggressive she was. Yasmine was a girl from the hood and men loved when she got a little buck and she was going to put it down on Jayden. You see it wasn’t a sneaky link like Rory was and it wasn’t that old thing like Khalil. It was something new and he kept making her feel like this then she had found her Jigga. Rolling her hips as she lifted her ass bouncing as she leaned down and kissed him biting his lip. “Jayden right there baby.”

Jayden didn’t exactly think that his first time with a woman like Yasmine Kohl would be fucking on the couch but he was relieved as hell when she had reached over and found a condom on the side table. Reminding himself in the back of his head to do a sweep the last thing he needed was Yasmine running for the hills if she found a shit ton of condoms anywhere. She tasted like a mix of gumbo and a little peppermint and she smelled even better if that was possible and he let out a moan when she slid down onto him and he gripped her hips his own eagerly slamming up into her, the way she was gripping him and slamming into him he couldn’t help the moan that came out at the action, his tongue still swirling with her own. He’d never really been into choking someone but he figured what the hell with her side did it just very gently watching her move on him the thrill of it overcoming him at the action. His hips began to jolt upwards desperate to meet her body with his at the action and his free hand cupped her ass squeezing her body against his own in an attempt to get closer if that was humanly possible. He arched his back up a little when she told him he was hitting her in the right spot, releasing her neck while he leaned down to capture her breast in his mouth, biting while it rolled on his tongue and gently tugging.

He lifted his head up to look into her eyes while she rode him, his hands tugging on her hair. Trying to be gentle of her natural texture his mother would kill if he was not his hands then traveled down her sides again while he leaned in looking into her eyes. “You’re beautiful and feel so good.” He managed to get out another groan overcoming him while he increased his pace watching her body snake up and down still on his. He was trying his best to not release before she did. He never left a lover wanting more from him and she wasn’t going to be the first. If anything he felt like they could explore this further; she was gorgeous and smart, the perfect woman that would impress people around him. A bit rough around the edges too but she was Forbes Montgomery’s daughter meaning the clout with that could benefit them both. He lowered his hands to her front gently rubbing against that nub of skin while his lips trailed down her neck. “So fucking gorgeous you like this?” He asked his voice thick when he said it hoping she felt him swelling inside of her.

Yasmine continued to ride it knowing that he was about to burst and she felt the pressure mounting. Her clit was throbbing rubbing against his massive dick as she continued to roll her hips to his adequate thrust. She didn’t know what was coming over her but she knew she wanted something new. She knew she had to feel something more than what she experienced with Rory. She was after the next chapter of her story and sexually Jayden was hitting that. Emotionally he was giving her the type of man she deserved after all she had been through with her past loves. Bouncing her ass up and down and isolating her hip to rotate she was close and she heard his pants getting heavier. Tightening her muscles on her pussy to grip him she felt him thrusting even harder and she screamed out as the immense intense waves of please slammed into her body. Electrifying her with each stroke she began to cry out in pleasure over and over again. Laying her head on his sweaty dark skin she leaned up and kissed Jayden’s face. “That was amazing.”

“So we linked up right? It’s me and you against the world or something like that?” She whispered as her lips traced his face leaned into another kiss. “I appreciate how you made love to me tender and slow but I think we can do better than that. I think we can fuck, make love, and do some really nasty freaky things since it’s me and you right?” Yasmine purred as she kissed his neck. Never once getting up letting him shrink inside of her body. Feeling his dick twitch against her pussy getting excited almost instantly. He wasn’t hard yet but she knew he wanted more and she did as well. “I want to explore your body if you let me. The body is a beautiful thing baby boy and you are beautiful.” She kissed his collarbone. “Your room clean?” She giggled seeing him smiling wide. “Don’t have me cleaning up because I don’t do dirty. Messy cool but dirty ugh.” She teased him knowing he wasn’t dirty just by his condo.

Jayden continued to thrust into her content to drive her over the edge with that and his fingers. Once he felt her tightening down he let out a series of moans and groans, pretty sure he grunted when he finally burst as well. He let himself shoot inside if her content that they were protected from anything that would happen and he honestly wasn’t sure either of them were ready for an unexpected pregnancy. He felt himself shrinking inside of her and kissed her neck while inhaling her scent. He let her body clenched and unclenched on him as he released into her letting out a content sigh at the end. “That was simply amazing though I might have preferred a bed for our first time. I think you deserve the world Yasmine.” Jayden said, stroking her cheek while he looked into her eyes for a moment before leaning in and kissing her gently again.

He let out a laugh at his room clean comment it wasn’t a disaster his maid didn’t come till Friday’s. It would be adequate at least for now for them to enjoy the rest of their night and hopefully morning. He was pretty sure once she’d had him a few times the other men in her past would be the furthest thing in her or his mind. He wasn’t sure they were exactly linked up to them against the world just yet but maybe they could be. Honestly Yasmine intrigued him and her past was just as alluring; he didn’t care if she had a rough last as a stripper and former drug dealer. “It’s clean for now but I’m pretty sure we can make a mess in the bed or maybe even in the shower that might leave my maid raising her eyebrows.” Jayden said, picking her up from the couch letting his sweatpants fall to the floor in the process before walking towards the bedroom already feeling his body reacting to her again.

**********

He hadn’t been in this dreadful place in a long time and cold air of the winter brew seemed to cut against his skin. Forbes Montgomery always abhorred The Fraiser Pub. He however had to squash an old friend. Hurting a loved one wasn’t ideal and he hated it but Randall was becoming dangerously close to the truth. A truth he inconveniently doesn’t know he benefited from. The truth was so much more salacious than anything that could be printed. But that damn Randall was ringing far too many bells. Asking where this person was, this officer, and he would uncover so many awful truths. So it was time to put Lauren’s new love to the test. Would he stop if the vivacious woman asked? That was the question: had the bug bitten him so badly he wouldn’t be able to be stopped? Forbes would hate to kill him; he adored Randall once upon a time. A time where his wife hadn’t fucked his mortal enemy and hadn’t made him the laughing stock of Atlas Falls. A time when he was on the cusp of being the most brilliant mind in America. Nevermind the past because Lowell wasn’t here but it was his legacy that was still thriving. Tess thought that she could run DGI and that would lead to his time finally. His time to finally get the crown and DGI was for the taking right now. In an entirely different way instead of taking the company he’d just be the wrecking ball it so rightfully deserved and get Tess back at the same time.

Stepping in he walked to the bar seeing Lauren she still was ravenously beautiful. Years prior he always had a thing for her. A piece of him wondered what life would be like to have a woman as loyal as Lauren by his side. It was what he deserved that he had his children by that siren Audrey. Sitting at the bar he waved his hand taking off his leather gloves sitting them on the bar. He made eye contact with Lauren and smiled with an ease and charm. Softening his eyes almost as if he truly gave a damn about what he was about to do. “Hello, Lauren long time not see.” He reached out and looked at her, touching her hand. “I need to speak with you for old time sake. I know that you’re team Devonshire now but I do think me saving Dani and your life years ago, I can get a moment don’t you.” Invoking Victoria immediately he felt a desire to turn the knife. “This is about your daughter Lauren, the one who didn’t make it and I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you what’s happening.” Forbes said as he nodded at the bottle of vodka. “A vodka tonic please.”

Lauren had been in a dream state all day in a sweet fantasy due to her night tonight. Well first Marley the new guy was closing after the football game and she was leaving on a road trip. Randall called her and he had rented a cottage in Addisonville and a weekend away was exactly what she needed. She’d take her art supplies and he said he’d do some writing and love making. She got a vintage bottle of wine from the cellar and was actually excited. Jackie would watch the kids now that they’d cut the hours of Dru who had called off two days in a row. She had no problem with that considering she was still mourning Lowell. She truly wanted her friend to let him go because Julian was waiting. That Irish hunk deserved some Jacqueline but she wasn’t ready and she understood but Randall and she were. She was ready to love again and open up and Randall was giving her that feeling. This time it looked like she picked a winner. Unlike Walter and Harvey who never seemed to work. She felt her cheeks warm just thinking about Harvey. She missed just seeing his face. As she walked down the bar her heart almost sank. Snakes don’t indulge in the drinks and libations nowadays, do they? Forbes was still handsome; he had that dark presence though that always made her uneasy. She could never look past his aura. When he touched her she almost jumped back. Forbes Montgomery showed no one mercy and she wasn’t sure what this was.

As she approached him she froze when he began to hint at Victoria. Why was she coming up so much? Why did this keep happening? Exhaling out she began to shake as she looked at him. Picking up the bottle of vodka she placed it on the counter. As she turned around picking up a glass she scooped the ice into the glass. Her heart pounding her feet were moving and her body was moving off instinct because she wanted to scream. “I believe you came here for a reason and to speak of my greatest loss Forbes. I hope this isn’t some scheme or plot. My daughter was swept away by raging water and neither of us could save her and I don’t like bringing this up.” She poured the vodka and then topped it off with the club soda. Splashing fresh lemon juice in the glass and then placing mint and lemon wedge inside of the glass she slid it to him. “So tell me why are you torturing me?”

Forbes knew he was looked at as a carnivore and at times he loved it. This was one time even his own sins he didn’t enjoy. Sometimes he looked back at what he did out of spite and revenge and he couldn’t forgive even himself. MontCorp was rising and he wasn’t in the mood for another scandal. So nipping this in the bud was the plan. He wasn’t going to let his sympathy for what a young Forbes did make an older and much wiser Forbes pay. Taking a sip of his drink he smiled as she was an effective barwench. “Lauren I have always been evil but never cruel. Well a little bit but I do think that you would believe me if I said I’m here for your behalf. For the last few weeks I’ve seen you around town with Randall Sinclair. Now I’ve always thought Randall to be a good man but I wonder if he’s with you for the right reasons?” Taking another drink of the vodka and tonic he knew it was going to gut her. “Randall Sinclair is on his last shot at his publishing house. Well from what I hear they gave him the story of Mayor Walter Fraiser’s lost daughter, Victoria Fraiser. He’s writing a true crime novel about her death and the mystery that surrounds her death.” He paused as he saw Lauren’s heart literally breaking. Ouch that hurt her. Well he wasn’t going to stop now.

“Randall is a washed up writer and I think he may be using your tragedy Lauren. What I didn’t do that night haunts me. I still hear little Victoria’s cries and your screaming was too much for me. Lauren you broke me that night and you know shortly after Audrey killed herself. That time for me was hard and I don’t want to relive it and I guess I’m here to tell you that I can’t relive that. To me honestly Lauren, out of all the wrong I did not save Victoria that night will forever haunt me. I don’t think I’ve ever asked you this but can you forgive me. I’m trying to get closure for what happened all those years ago. Please just hear me out Lauren when I say I am begging for your forgiveness. Can you forgive me for not saving Victoria.” Inside Forbes was twisting with glee and the feeling was satisfaction. He knew what he had done and he knew how he had the key to unlocking so much. “Tell me you can free me Lauren please because out of all my sins not saving that little girl is my worst.”

Lauren dropped the bottle as his words sank in. As the glass shattered all over the floor. Randall had been very secretive about his latest book. Was this why? She had so many questions about her relationship. How long had he known that he was going to write this book? Was he playing her to get intel on what happened to Victoria? Was he one of those people who said that she hurt Victoria purposefully? God would all that come back up? It nearly drove her crazy and Walter screamed at her that it was her fault. All that was coming up and rising in her stomach like bile. The questions of why she was out? Did she not know about the flash flood? Where was Victoria’s body? Why wasn’t it found? How people stared at her and Randall wanted to bring that all back up. She wanted to scream and she saw Marley sweeping up the glass and felt Forbes leading her to a booth. She was in a trance because she wanted to kill Randall. She wanted to cry but she was too shocked right now. Sitting down at the booth she laughed as she shook her head.

“Why are you telling me this? You don’t want my forgiveness because honestly you don’t have a soul. You can’t be dealing with what I am because I have guilt in my stomach boiling. I have resentment for Walter because he blamed me. He blamed me and he said it was my fault. She drowned and we never got to touch her little body. We never got to say goodbye Forbes oh my God I forgive you. I can’t forgive myself Forbes! That’s who deserves all of this pain is me! I drove blindly out in the storm and I didn’t know I was mad. I was mad and I was stupid and emotional and I didn’t watch the news and the storm just swept her away. Oh God my baby was just swept away by all that water Forbes. Dear God, why?” She wept as she placed her head on the table crying. Weeping loudly as she tried to contain herself. “I have three heartbeats and my heart has never been the same since she died. Oh God, why did he do this to me? Why would he make me think about that again Forbes? Why are people so evil?”

Forbes for the first time felt the palpable nature of Lauren’s grief; it was enough to knock him over. The pain that woman felt was immeasurable. He understood that pain that didn’t stop. The aching that felt as if you would never be the same. That was the moment DGI was taken away from him. The years of hard work disintegrated before his very eyes. Now he wasn’t heartless, yes he had hurt this woman but he felt her pain. Standing up he walked over to Lauren and wrapped his arms around her and held her. “Lauren, you don’t know what you’ve done by saying that to me. You’ve freed me from my trauma of that night and that day. God for my own peace as a man I needed to hear that and what happens now is that you have to face this. You have to stop him from unearthing all this pain? I don’t want to relive this and beg of you to stop this Lauren.”

As he felt he had won this battle. After all he had done in his past this was his most heinous and what was happening to Lauren right now was brutal. Standing up he went to her side and wrapped his arm around her. He held her as Lauren just began to weep into his arms. His heart felt like it was exploding as gripped her. “I don’t know if he’s been playing up a role but I had to say something.” Acting as if he was wiping his eyes. “I failed you and even though our families haven’t been intertwined in a long time. We are forever united because your greatest pain is one of my greatest nightmares. I should be leaving, I need some air and please get home safely. Call someone if you need.” Forbes said as he stood up handing her his handkerchief. “Good day Lauren.” Forbes picked up his drink and gulped it down, walking out. As he opened the door of The Pub his face of remorse changed sinisterly into a smile. He had done it. He appealed to Lauren’s broken heart and no one would know the truth. Randall would bury that novel or else he’d end him. Some secrets deserved to be swept away with the water and Victoria Fraiser had washed away.

When Forbes held her she didn’t know he felt so deeply about what happened. Losing a child and not saving a baby had to do something to him as well. Feeling that aching she wiped her eyes with the handkerchief standing up. She didn’t need anyone to drive her home, her weekend and future with Randall were up in the air. Another man to disappoint her. Another man broke her heart and she knew she couldn’t trust Randall anymore. How could she? He was lying about writing a novel when he was writing about her daughter gagging for air underneath the dirty water of Lake Everett. Gripping her belly she felt like she was drowning as all those ugly feelings of grief consumed her. Her daughter drowned and she couldn’t save her. As she walked to the back almost in a trance she picked up her keys, coat, and phone. Marley said something but she just walked out. As she finally felt able to breathe again. Her stomach in knots as she shook her head. Was this a bad dream? Has Forbes done something decent? The world must really be changing.

Walking to her car she paused as she heard little feet behind her. Turning around she saw Victoria and Dani getting in the car. Dani in her overalls and Victoria in her favorite purple dress. She closed her eyes and the station wagon was gone and her SUV was before her eyes. She could see the yellow flowers on the buttons. Walking into her car she unlocked the doors and sitting down she began to scream. Slamming her hands into the steering wheel she screamed until her throat became raw. Turning on the truck she sped out of the parking lot and headed home because it was the only place safe mentally as she saw Marley waving at her.

**********

Dani looked over the last of their brief itinerary for the evening with Grant who was in town for a day on a flight back from New York. a simple dinner to resettle a few things to hammer out with AeroWest and then they would return home. Jackie had offered to take the twins for the evening if they wanted she decided they would see how dinner went and then decide. Swiping up she closed the contract before checking her email again waiting for word from Zach about Dru. It had been excruciatingly painful faking a smile with Dru at the house on and off though Dru seemed to be keeping to herself since the wedding. She smiled a little to herself at what Dru walked in on if that woman thought there was any chance she could rethink that after. She frowned a bit before scrolling and then opening up one from Jackie about an agency she had found and a few profiles she wanted her and Jackson to look over. It wasn’t that she hated Dru or anything like that but something was off about the girl and she was going to trust her cousin on it. Honestly any of these women Jackie had hand picked seemed a better option they had actually viable references and from the looks of it users of experience under their belts. She saw Jackson looking at her and picked up her sparkling water while taking a drink before she sat it back down looking at him.

“Your mom sent another email about the replacement. She’s narrowed it down to a few and wants us to pick one. As for this meeting with Grant I think he will like the proposal we are including giving everything going on with Tess this gives you and him power to back out as needed. It holds Tess in check while needed till this entire thing with your dad’s will is settled to.” Dani said, looking over at him and his still healing knuckles before reaching over and running her fingers over them. It had been gnawing on her a bit where he got them but she’d wanted him to tell her plus Lex was avoiding the fundraiser like the plague now. It wasn’t hard for her to put two and two together especially since she already knew Jackson had punched Lex before they learned she was pregnant. “So when did you decide to pop over to Mason’s office and have a chat with Lex? He’s the fundraiser which is fine and I wasn’t going to bring it up before the wedding. If it’s about the texts I didn’t. ” She started pausing to take a breath. She didn’t know what else she had to say. She had given him a police report they knew someone was messing with her phone. “I don’t know if he was in on it or if he even knew and with DGi in such a tough spot I just want you to not be hauled down to the police station okay?”

Jackson held his breath listening to Dani speak on how rash he had been attacking Lex. Pretty boy hadn’t gone to the police and he unfortunately felt out of line. Jackson was the CEO of a billion dollar empire he couldn’t be walking around knocking people out or beating guys to a pulp. That would ruin DGI and he knew he lost control and his father would be proud of him for protecting his family. Feeling disappointed with himself for losing control. Tapping his foot on the floor he looked up. “I know he’s behind this thing with your phone, it’s just a hunch I have.” He would tell Dani as soon as Dru was gone. It was for the best because Dani would behead that girl if she found out all the things she was doing. How his mother had found her smoking on the porch. They told her no cigarettes around the children. Biting his lip he stared at her. “Is she sixty Swedish and has a mean attitude? That’s the only type of nanny I want.” He stood up and walked to Danii and wrapped his arms around her. “Can I tell you that this meeting will turn the tides on Tess. I think that woman might finally lose. Especially when we find the right will.”

Looking down at Dani he smiled at her. “I’m sorry I just can’t keep my hands off my beautiful wife. I’m scared what if she somehow get’s DGI and all my father’s lifework ends up in her hands for real. I know I shouldn’t be so pessimistic but Dani I have a bad feeling. She has everything in line. She’s been planning this for a while. Like she knew what she would do when dad was sick. She just pulled the cord and I feel like an asshole. I should have tried more and now my dad is gone.” He mumbled underneath his breath. “My family is falling apart. Chauncey and Maddie are fighting like cats and dogs. Natasha is being personally victimized by Maddie. Rory is engaged to a girl I just don’t see him with and I like Aspen but she isn’t for my brother. He isn’t alive right now. Bliss is happy but God her and Hunter just were separated behind bars. Max is a mess. She’s not acting right and I know it’s to do with dad being gone. I can feel it, Dani. Then there is Belle who is becoming the fucking Paris Hilton of the Devonshire’s like we need anymore attention. Zerick is feening for our slutty nanny and my mom is stuck between moving on and letting go of my father.” Jackson looked at Dani. “And I’m happy but feel like I’m failing my dad.”

“I’m not saying that he is or he is not behind it I just don’t want you in jail Jackson. I saw what that did to Bliss and Hunter and I don’t want that to happen with you and me. He clearly didn’t call the cops so maybe he knows something, hell maybe you are right. We have to play nice until after the fundraiser. I know you don’t like them and I know you don’t fully get it but Whitney is my best friend and I thought he’d move on by now. Clearly he can’t take hints, just be smarter about it till then.” Dani said looking at him not knowing what else she was supposed to say about it DGI was tied to the fundraiser this year, they were naming the children’s wing after her sister and the cancer wing after Ava, meaning together they needed to play nice with Lex until then. She had no idea why Lex would go along with it after everything between them she didn’t care about him like that anymore he knew mental issues ran on her mother’s side though. She shook her head for a bit, taking a sip of her water on the counter while she thought over the applications. Honestly in her opinion any of them were better than what they had now. “I actually think your mom did a really good job, most of them have years of experience and are a bit older. That sounds awful when I say it outloud. I’m just saying we agreed Dru isn’t the best fit. We can meet after the casino opening and fire Dru then.” She had thought about their problem with Tess for a while and after picking her brother and then Mason’s brain had decided this was the best way to handle AeroWest for now, it gave Tess no say in that contract whatsoever. Jackson, Grant and she by proxy if Jackson couldn’t or wasn’t there have the final say given how Grant and Nancy had been in Montana this should ease their fears even more.

“You know I like those hands on me. Maybe after dinner I’ll let you take me up to a room. As for Tess, if she really thought you and I were going to roll over she is even more delusional then everyone thought. What board members does she have? Don’t answer that, not as many as you do and we both know that. I will never let her take that from you.” Dani said, looking at him wrapping her hands on his waist to reassure him they’d make sure DGI was where it belonged. She had noticed everything about going on with all his siblings and wasn’t sure how she was supposed to respond. “Maddie’s a teenager Chauncey needs to learn to parent. I get it your family does shit differently but if Dylan ever talked to my brother or Tam the way Maddie does he’d be smacked and grounded for a week maybe more. Hunter and Bliss are okay, they’re having a baby. Rory made his choice and we may not agree with it but we need to support it. I think you just need to find some common ground with Belle.” She paused for a moment looking at him. Not wanting to overstep on the rest but trying to navigate the ins and outs of his family sometimes felt like a damned maze. “You’re the rock Jackson, we’ll figure it out that doesn’t mean you’re failing, it’s new ground for all of you. As for Max, let’s check in with her at the casino opening, I know she didn’t want kids. You told me that she was pretty adamant about it when I was pregnant with the twins. She’s trying her best and maybe just needs some reassurance instead of everyone telling her what to do. Your mom wants to be helpful to grieve let’s just let her. We’ll be there for all of it together okay?”

Jackson winked at Dani as he let go of her and began to crack his knuckles. He had so many thoughts running through his mind. How would his dad handle this situation? What would Chauncey and Selina be doing right now at this very moment against Tess? How would his father unite the family? Hell his father tried but the family was so broken? Could they all come together? That was the question. When he thought about that stupid fundraiser only a few weeks away and still giving them hell. Cracking his neck he felt uneasy about Tess, the woman honestly would do anything to get on top. Including desecrating his father’s last wishes. “The thing is Max has always been there for me. We haven’t connected in a while. I feel like she’s drifting away and look, it’s a twin thing. You will never understand but I feel she is not being herself. Max and Bliss are back being catty and she’s fighting with Belle all the time. Not that Belle makes it easy at all but she’s a kid. She just turned twenty-one. She’s the youngest and she’s acting as such unfortunately but I like her. I love her because she’s my sister and Max is treating them like they aren’t. I feel stupid you know? I wasted time hating Lowell and my father is gone and I don’t know what to do. I just want one more conversation with him. I feel like an imposter and I know I’m not you know but I’m scared that my family is breaking apart.” He said in a low whisper.

Placing his head on hers he looked into her eyes. He could feel Dani’s hand on his chest and he held it. “I love you.” He whispered as Jackson smiled. “I have to look on the bright side. You know? We are about to sign this deal with Grant and I’m going to look extra good for the board and boom. We take Tess down, find dad’s will and I’ll be back on track. But first we look at the nannies and we get rid of Dru. That’s our next move and show everyone we bad asses right babe?” Jackson kissed her lips again. “You know Belle called a sibling meeting? Rory promised to give me all the details. I think she has spunk and she’s going to make waves. You know I did an interview yesterday for multiple media outlets and they were asking about her. I think Bliss and Belle might be our way into taking Tess down. Unfortunately that leaves them motherless and I don’t think it’s fair of us not to be there for them you know?”

Dani was not going to interfere in his relationship with his sister; she would never quite understand or get that connection he had with Max. If Braden was out there being a monster to Tamara or anyone else though she would give him some tough love, something that she thought Max needed. Max had always been selfish and mean spirited. She wasn’t immune to that, she was awful to her in high school. “I won’t pretend to understand what you and Max share, that’s not my place she’s your twin sister, she may not be fully herself but she also kinda is too. Listen if Braden was out there being an asshole to Tamara, me, you or my parents I’d take him aside and give him a piece of my mind. She and Sebastian are obviously having different viewpoints about where they see their life going with or without the baby. You and Max want different things in that department. I don’t think that is good or bad. You wanted a family Jackson, you wanted kids, she doesn’t. She and Sebastian need to figure that out and we need to just support whatever decision she makes but yeah I think you should talk to her and tell her to cool it with both Bliss and Belle, they’re not the enemy here Tess is and I think Max sees them that way because of Tess. You are not stupid or an imposter. You are smart, kind, loving, a good brother, the man I love. Those are a few of the reasons that I know your dad picked you.”

Dani wasn’t sure that was the best way to say what she thought about Max but it was the truth he and Max wanted different things and that was probably why he felt they were growing apart. She knew he was stressed about everything with Tess and the company and his family though and she wasn’t going to add to that, looking at him holding her hand in his seeing the bartender smile at them. She leaned up to reciprocate the kiss tugging on his tie for good measure before pulling back. “I love you too. Probably won’t be that simple this deal with Grant once it’s sealed puts you squarely in charge of the energy division she can’t touch it. It shows that you closed another deal while she sat there and tried a hostile takeover? It bides time for Mason to build a case too, she can’t just wave her hand or you can retaliate and cripple DGI.” Dani said she thought about the meeting Belle had called and felt slightly bad for missing it but realistically the deal with Grant was their top priority. “I thought it was a good interview and you gave Belle the props for what she does well despite the mess sometimes. She cleans up for an event nice like the Summit, she laid low at Zach’s wedding and she’s single and twenty-one, she makes DGI relevant at that age. No it’s not fair but they have you, Rory, Chauncey and Max she’ll come around. As for Dru, as soon as the casino opening is over, I want her gone. Promise me as soon as your mom or us pick someone she’s gone.”

Jackson nodded knowing she was correct. “After the casino opening she’s not only gone but she’s about to be banished from Atlas Falls. My father would do it. I think this is one time that I need to show this city DGI is still as cut throat. Zach texted you and said don’t trust her right? He didn’t say that for no reason she has to go. We need to fire her and I have some things I need to tell you tonight Dani. I want to make love but I think you might be pissed at me baby. I have been holding back but for good reason a lot of what I have been doing is for a good reason. I believe Dru and Lex are in cahoots but tonight we have a deal to close and I’ll talk to you soon. We can talk about what’s been going on because I don’t want to dampen your mood. You need to be in fighting form.” Jackson knew she would be pissed about Dru, him trying to handle this alone, and how long this had been going on. He was jealous of Lex but here Dru was kissing and literally coming onto him. It would be a moment but nothing a night of talking and apologizing wouldn’t fix.

He smiled thinking about him not being the hip one anymore. He was making noise ten years ago and now he was a hot married dad. That’s no fun. “You know I wish we were together sometimes during my hot mess era. So you could have seen the storm I could brew. I was pretty cool. I dated Paris Hilton prime Paris okay?” Jackson smiled seeing her unease at his words and yet charmed by his humor. “You’re perfect, beautiful, and have everything I want. Ever since I gave up drugs you are the only high I chase. The only drug I’m on right now Dani is you and I love you. So I’m going to more than likely not get to touch you the way I want at this moment but soon I’m going to make up for what I’ve been kinda of keeping back if that makes sense?” Jackson asked, licking his bottom lip.

Dru had been hearing little birds saying her days as nanny for the twins were numbered. Jackson had finally gotten bold enough to fight against her. Good, it was always boring to eat her prey alive. Watching him she remembered Pierre’s words Devonshire’s have crossed everyone use that. So the bartender was a one night stand of Jackson and he didn’t even know it. Dru told her that it was a sex game that Dani and Jackson like to play. How he still was on drugs and how he would appreciate this. Normally a bartender would never but one who knew all about Jackson’s past exploits would believe this lie. It was easy and watching him sip his drink she felt relief. He was drinking his downfall and soon he’d be on the floor. Texting Lex to intercept Dani wouldn’t be hard. He’d feign some emergency and get her to the hospital and boom. Jackson was putty in her hands. She would make quite the scene soon. Dru looked down at her leather biker dress from Moschino she felt ready for tonight. It was the night she ruined Dani and Jackson and made sure everyone remembered her.

Standing back she stared at Dani she was beautiful. She looked like Lauren and she felt an instant surge of jealousy. Why couldn’t she have this life? Why didn’t anyone love her more than a sexual objectification of her body? She wasn’t going to allow her sister to get a happy ending and she had none. Men wanted her body never her and she knew that. Feeling that rage that Dani had a loving marriage. Jackson had turned her down multiple times and that wounded her ego. Every man wanted her. Some people called her low but when she was done with Grace and the rest of them they’d get her. She would get that hag who had somehow become fond of her to sign over that house sell it and boom she was gone. It was a perfect revenge scheme to hurt them all. Sell the legacy home of the Fraiser’s the one her grandfather supposedly built with his own two hands. How he came over from Ireland. That woman talked and talked earlier but she was ready for war and standing out of the bar she saw Grant arriving. Good it was time to really get her final act starting and leaving Atlas Falls. One letter would tell the truth but then it would be too late and she’d be gone living her life. No more memories of Cape Kenitrich, no more connection to that horrible man, and revenge of the people who cast her aside. “Cheers Jackson because it’s almost time for everything to crumble.”

Dani wasn’t quite sure banning Dru from Atlas Falls was necessary but she was a little uneasy around her ever since she and Zach had talked, Zach read people like a book if he said she couldn’t be trusted she would listen. She wasn’t sure what in the world Jackson was hinting at but it sounded serious enough that she felt uneasy about it. Grant and their dinner with him had to be their focus tonight; the rest she figured they would talk about. “I trust Zach’s judgment on the matter with Dru, banishing her from Atlas Falls seems a bit drastic, I want her out of our life and the twins. We talked about this with her ties to Ronan. It’s too risky and I won’t do that again after Kendrick. Not to mention her stunt at the Summit but it’s just that totally inappropriate stunts a call to attention. Your hot mess phase was kinda that a mess.” Dani said looking at him trying to read him while he sipped his drink and she reached for her lemon water on the table. She had thought he seemed nervous almost like he knew whatever he was going to say could set her off. She reached for his hand looking at him “What is it?” She asked softly only to be annoyed by her phone buzzing.

She ignored it seeing it was the Pub and then looked at Jackson to answer again only to see it ring a second time and that was the Pub again. She held up a finger for Jackson to give her a minute while she answered the Pub never called her ever. It was her mom’s week to work and why would her mom use the Pub to call her when she could have used her cell phone. “Hello? Marley slow down, I can barely hear you.” She said into the phone and listened to Marley the bartender working the counter tonight. She deciphered a few things from the background noise into the phone and wanted to make sure she had her facts straight. It was a Friday night. Why would her mother suddenly walk out in the middle of one of the busiest days of the week? “So Forbes came to talk to my mom about the accident? She got upset and just walked out? I know Braden is in New York.” Dani asked on the phone it was so out of character for her mother now, maybe not right after the accident where she struggled with mental health  “Did she say anything about where she was going? You made the right call in calling me thanks.” She paused for a moment realizing her hand was shaking as she looked at Jackson and before Marley who told her another group was coming in and she had to go. Hanging up the phone she looked at him. “My mom left the Pub a while ago and didn’t come back just walked right out after Forbes came to see her about the accident. Marley can’t get a hold of her. I know this thing with Grant is important but she, the accident really messed her up.”

“No, I’ll handle the meeting with Grant.” Jackson said instantly feeling his nerves rise. Dani never mentioned what happened in that accident. It was actually a urban legend so to speak in the city. The Fraiser’s baby girl vanishing in a flash flood. It was honestly scary to hear all of that. He remembered when Victoria died it was all over the news. He could even remember his parents fighting over sending flowers or not. His father didn’t but mother did. He leaned in and grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. “Go take care of my other mom. We will talk tonight you hear me?” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “It’s not as important as this and handling your family business.”

Jackson felt slightly inebriated way too fast. He was instantly curious as to why he felt like that. One drink would never make him feel so exhausted. Blinking his eyes he smiled at her. “I’ll fix this with Grant. I got this Dani.” Standing up he stumbled a little smirking. “I got this.” He repeated to ensure himself and as he stared at Grant walking off the elevator. “Go baby I swear I’m going to close this deal and secure our place with those solar panels from SandStar combining with Grant was your idea and we will make it work.”

Dani didn’t know why so much relief flooded over her when he said that he could handle the meeting, she was deep down worried about her mom. She noticed him stumble just slightly and wondered if his foot had got caught on something brushing it off as just that. Her mind would have been there all through it and Grant would clearly understand her family emergency. Grabbing her clutch and standing up she leaned in kissing Jackson’s lips pulling back. “I know you do. Thank you. We’ll talk later. As soon as I know she is okay I’ll text you.” She glanced back at him greeting Grant one last time on her way out before turning and walking out of the Crestwood.

**********

Norma Jean sat back in her chair and listened to Zachary go on about the accident. She didn’t understand what information she could have that wasn’t in the report but she tensed up at the memory. The accident was something she didn’t like to think about let alone talk about. She’d been the one to identify Dru’s body down at the morgue and she’d never been able to forget the way her baby looked, all grey with cuts on her face and wet hair. And if they knew who stole her identity, what good could all this do? On the other hand, she didn’t need these insurance people asking for the money back. She looked them over, their food untouched. “Well you haven’t even taken a bite of your wieners. Come on. Don’t be shy. You boys eat first and then we can talk about the accident if that’s what you really want. Everybody knows I make the best sweet tea in the neighborhood. I’m gonna be offended if you don’t drink up. I don’t know what I can tell you that you don’t already know. Dru was in that car with her friends. Those girls, they were somethin. Dru, Kendall and Raelene. Always together. Always gettin into trouble,” Norma Jean laughed a bit at the memory. The way the house used to be filled with them chatterin and laughin. “Nothin crazy. Harmless stuff really. Smokin in the school bathroom. Sneakin out of the house. Suckin dick out behind the old Dairy Queen.” She took a drink of her tea and saw the way the boys looked at her. “Oh not for money or nothin. Just for fun. You know you can’t keep girls from growin up.”

“As for what they were doing in that car when the accident happened? I don’t imagine any of us will ever know. Horsin ‘around, most likely. They’d just dropped Kendall off and they were comin home. Raelene was staying with us that night on account of her dad being a no good drunk. Lots of them around here. Dru and Raelene were both dead just as soon as that truck hit them. You said you think it’s someone she knew? Those were really her only friends. She wasn’t close with no one else.” She watched Zachary writing things on his notepad as she snuffed out her cigarette and took a big swig of her tea. “I don’t know what you boys are trying to get at with these questions but if you think someone might have caused the accident on purpose, that didn’t happen. The driver was some old bastard that should’ve quit drivin’ years before. Could hardly see anything, probably. Way too old to be out there on the road at night like that. I have the same problem. The doctor called it night blindness. You ever heard of it? Gotta make sure I go to the store early or get the neighbor to take me. Anyway, that’s about it as far as the accident goes. My husband Lonnie never really got over it. Dru was a good girl, you know. She was goin’ to beauty school, plannin’ to settle down right here. Get a trailer of her own. Not like that hussy Kendall. That girl always thought she was better than all of us here in the ‘Trich. How are those wieners? Good right?”

The lingering smell of smoke microwaved processed whatever was in a hot dog was enough to almost make Mason gag. He sat listening to what seemed to be Dru’s sketchy past at best and almost shuddered, clearly she was what his mother would call a little lose on morals with that Dairy Queen bit, regardless he was more interested in the fact that someone was using her identity. Process of elimination so far said that the only survivor from the friends that night was Kendall but if that was the case why did the investigator lie to Brenda and Walter about her dying that night? Clearly he would have discovered the truth and knew that she was still out there someone, or there was more to the story and that Kendall died later in the same way which wasn’t impossible but seemed like stretch of coincidences and he didn’t quite believe in those that much when it came to what they were looking at. When Norma Jean pointed out they hadn’t touched their food he fought off a shudder reaching out and taking the microwaved hot dog into his hand and taking a bite, almost choking on the texture and the saltiness. He would have never eaten these as a kid hell even as an adult and he politely smiled while he chewed swallowing and reaching for the tea. Almost taken aback at how fucking sweet it was it was better than the hot dog but he could get why people in these circumstance survived on what they knew. Placing the cup back down he looked at Norma Jean.

“With someone using Dru’s social security number the payout is something the company wanted us to look into, fraud is of course a federal crime. So they sent us down here to talk to yourself, possibly Raelene’s parents if we can find them. We are also trying to find Kendall though there also seems to be some miscommunication there.” Mason paused while he looked at Norma Jean’s shocked face at the miscommunication that he was hinting at hoping that the next part would knock her over the head so they could clear it up. Either she was misinformed of Kendall’s fate that night, she was in on the ruse or she really did have no idea that someone had told Brenda and Walter that Kendall was dead when in reality she was likely still alive. “So the girls were inseparable but Kendall decided not to come here for the night and Dru and Raelene dropped her off. Is that correct? There has been a rumor floating around that Kendall actually died that night as well. Are you sure she wasn’t in the car? Another investigator at another company seems to think that she was somehow in the car and died that night.” Norma never had to know that it was in fact a private investigator with that information.

“In fact if you’d like Norma Jean would you show us any pictures of Dru? Do you have any pictures of all of them together perhaps? I remember when I was that age I stayed taking pictures with my friends. I just want visual clarification on your daughter. This has been quite a mess as you can see. We are actually heading to Raelene’s family home next. This must be cleared up because actually I have a feeling your families might be owed much more.” Such as the truth of what the hell was happening. Seeing the older woman scurry to a makeshift mantle on a never used fireplace as he took all the pictures and saw a fairly pretty young brunette girl. As he moved through the pictures he froze as he saw a girl with a pixie cut who had to be Raelene, the brunette and then he saw her. Her red hair and doe eyed innocence was startling. It was then the sense of familiarity of Dru made sense. How she could so easily fit in with his family. She was his blood. Taking a breath he passed the picture to Mason.

“You’re saying that this is Kendall, correct Normal Jean?” He asked as he looked at another photo and handed it back to her. The woman he knew as Dru was wearing expensive clothes but the girls all looked poor compared. His chest hurt thinking of what she was truly up to. How was he going to tell his family Dru wasn’t Dru but Kendall the kid that Walter and Brenda had? He searched and found something unnerving. Looking over at Mason who clearly connected the dots. “Norma Jean, we just want a little more information maybe Kendall’s family could provide. Would you tell me where to find her parents?”

Norma Jean smiled as Mason ate his hot dog. She could tell he liked it and she should probably make him another one but she was distracted with a new round of questions. She liked Mason better than that Zachary. He was rude and an uppity little bastard. Clearly thought he was too good to eat the snack she’d made for them. She didn’t have time for people like that. Kinda reminded her of Kendall now that she’d thought about it. “Kendall was absolutely not in that car. I don’t know what it’s like wherever you come from but around here, everyone knows everyone. If Kendall had been in that accident it wouldn’t have been a secret. I don’t know why they dropped her off. Maybe she had a date? That one was always chasing the boys. They all liked her. She couldn’t even walk down the street without them gawkin. That’s her,” Norma confirmed, tapping on the girl’s face in the photo. “And that’s my Dru. I miss those girls,” she sighed, her eyes misting up but no tears fell. She’d cried so much when it happened but time marched on and things got easier. “You never really get used to something like that but you learn to live with it.” She said and patted Mason’s shoulder when he gave her a sympathetic look. “That Kendall was a pretty thing. She should’ve worked at the beauty salon with Dru, don’t you think?” She asked as they looked at the photos. “Too bad she was the town whore. You know she used to steal cigarettes from me and Lonnie used to just let her.”

Norma Jean sat back down in her chair and lit up another cigarette. The two of them kept looking at each other like were figuring something out. Hopefully it was an end to this investigation because she didn’t need any nonsense going on around here. “Good gracious. Her parents? What do you want to go and bother them for? That girl’s long gone and seeing as how she wasn’t even in the car I doubt she can give you any answers. Raelene’s family too. You two are just spreadin misery but I guess if you really think it’ll make a difference?” She looked at Mason when she asked and he nodded, insisting it was necessary. “Well, alright, I guess. If anyone would know where to find her I suppose it would be them. But don’t tell them you got this information from me.” Norma’s cigarette dangled from her mouth as she opened a drawer in the side table and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. She scribbled down the address, brushing away some ashes that fell from the cigarette before handing the paper to Mason.  “Harry and Melanie Richardson is who you’re lookin for. That’s the address but if you have one of those GPS things, you’re gonna get lost. They don’t really work so well out here. It’s just right down the road though. Go outta here, turn left, go down about three miles until you see another trailer park. It’s in there somewhere. Been awhile since I’ve been to the house.”

Mason looked at the photo and almost felt like the color drained from his face. She was younger there but there was no mistake the woman claiming to be Dru Price was none other than Kendall Richardson. The Kendall that Walter and Brenda had together, the one that Brenda gave away and an uneasy feeling passed over him. She was watching her half-sister’s kids, his best friends’ kids and all the shit that happened with Dani’s phone. Taking out his cell phone he snapped a picture of the photo if Jackson and Dani wanted proof they would give it to them. “Thank you Norma, the agency will be in touch if we need anything else. We’ll go ahead and let ourselves out.” Mason said as he nodded to her and he and Zach made their way back to the rental car.

**********

Belle did like the Kincaid mansion. Bliss and Hunter suggested that they use the mansion because Tess wouldn’t have any spies here. Wearing a black Miu Miu micro mini skirt, a starched white Carolina Herrerra blouse, a matching tweed black Miu Miu jacket, white stockings and chunky Chanel platform ankle boots. Flicking with her manicure she twirled her Birkin bag looking around. Walking around she smiled at the Kincaid’s family pictures and jealousy seeped into her. As she spotted Max in a picture with Hunter, Jackson, Mason and her feelings immediately got twisted. If her mother didn’t hide her Bliss and she would have been in these pictures. When she saw Chauncey walking into the room she felt her stomach tense up; he never really said much to her. Almost as if she wasn’t even in the picture. She did call this meeting and if she was going to get her siblings on her side and to trust her she would have to be honest and show her heart. She heard Bliss and Hunter laughing with Fox which meant Rory and Max hadn’t arrived.

“Heya.” She said, looking at him. Adjusting her Miu Miu headband she walked up to Chauncey. “So I was texting with Maddie and she’s kind of upset with you. I know I’m not the aunt that she should look up to. I know that for a fact but I also know what it’s like to be a teenager. She’s like a little best friend to me in a way. We talk about fashion and life. She kinda looks up to me in a cool way. I mean it was only a few years ago when I was her age. It’s not easy and people forget that she’s really torn up about dad. Chauncey she’s really advanced and I think nothing is challenging her. She’s smarter than school, and cooler than me at her age. She’s looking for some trust and freedom. Oh my God I’m overstepping right? I just have connected way better with Rory and Maddie. Call it Gen Z sticking together but can I give you a bit of advice? Loosen the reins and tighten your relationship with her. Look, she’s hurting badly about dad.” Staring at him she then thought she could say something that she shouldn’t because well why the hell not. “Plus your wife isn’t that appealing. I don’t trust her and you can hate me but I think Maddie has a great sense of character. She wants to leave because of her. Maybe you should take that into consideration before you take your wife’s side. Maddie, who is your only child, wants to leave because of how strained it is with Natasha let that sink in.”

Chauncey had arrived at the Kincaid mansion for this little meeting that Belle had called. He parked his apartment out front barely glancing at the maid when she let him in. It was an okay mansion not at all the scale of theirs of course. He still had no idea why they were meeting. Tess had made her position perfectly clear that she thought his father was actually going to leave DGI to her he knew better. He knew the truth that his dad had passed him over and was turning over the entire thing to his brother, not him it stung but for now it was what he needed to put up with. He had bigger fish to fry at the moment like figuring out what to do with Maddie. When she started to give him parenting advice though he nearly rolled his eyes he was really tired of that lately. Frankly he was tired of all the unsolicited advice that he was receiving. He was her father not his father, he had full custody and final say and everyone else needed to keep their nose out of it. Yes he had let his parents help raise her but he was her father and he looked over at Belle as she began to speak about it, like she had any business doing it to begin with. As if he couldn’t handle his own daughter was laughable, he could see why she was close to Rory and Belle but neither of them needed to tell him how to raise her. He took a seat on the couch wondering if Brenda knew that they were using her house for whatever it was that Belle wanted to talk about currently his parenting choices?

“If you wanted to give me unsolicited advice about how I handle Madeline you could have just texted me or left me an email. Though I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have seen it come through I really don’t respond to things from people that butt their nose in where it doesn’t belong. You seem to think because you spent the last few months with our father that I’m supposed to let you tell me how to handle Maddie? Other than fashion advice she really doesn’t need further pointers from you on how to blow up her life, she’s trying her best at that on her own.” Chauncey said folding his hands as he looked at his half sister, she felt like a complete stranger still not like Bliss who he had a semi relationship with now. He tapped his foot on the floor for a bit looking at her wondering why he was even here, she wasn’t business savvy and hadn’t had any since she had been revealed to be his sister. “She is a minor and she will have to learn to get along with Natasha how you feel about that doesn’t really matter to me Belle. Other than sharing half DNA I’m not even sure we have much in common. You’re still living with Tess by her side at her beck and call and want to sit there and tell me what to do? What is it you plan on doing at DGI again other than circling or chasing after your mother?”

Belle chuckled as she placed down her Birkin bag on the coffee table. Placing one hand on her hip she stepped forward looking at him. “I guess I deserve to be questioned about my alliances toward the Devonshire however I won’t be judged about me wanting the best for my niece. Or the twins or Fox or any of them. I have to say you’re incorrect, we have a lot in common, I’ll eat my right hand to get what I want. Does that sound familiar? Chauncey you need an inside man and I am offering to be just that. Someone who can get DGI in the hands of the people who it was meant to be. Now you can sit back and allocate your vengeance at me for being born or you can take down the one woman who we both can’t stand. My mother is out of line and in control so please I’m here to help. Anyway I can because I have memories of her snooping and sneaking around his study. She’s done something and I’m woke to it.” Belle said, looking at him. “Now I’m nothing like our tortured dove over there, I dress better and I’m a lot more ferocious. Big things come in my tiny package.” Belle said wanting to impress her oldest brother.

“Listen I’ll tell you everything I know when everyone is here but I’m team Devonshire. I’m team you so retract the claw bitch.” She awkwardly giggled as she saw he wasn’t amused but maybe amused or at least interested in what she had to say now. Seeing Hunter and Bliss walking hand and hand with Rory following inside. “Big brother.” She waved at him. “See he’s happy to see me. Loosen your tie we will beat the wicked witch of DGI and when I’m done Tess Blisston might be a bad bad memory.” Walking to Rory she kissed both of his cheeks. “So we need to have sibling chat. When this is done I may or may not be dating your bestie. Anyway.” She looked at Bliss and Hunter. “So you two are going to find out the sex of the little bundle of joy right? I mean surprises are so archaic. How do I know if I get kiddie Dior or Off White? Where’s Max? Is she above a family summons? You did tell her right, Chauncey? I’m pretty sure I’m on the blocked list.”

Chauncey had been willing to exchange a few more barbs back and forth when it came to his little sister instead he resisted. He had caught very clearly what she had insinuated about Tess that was the most intriguing thing she had said in all the rambling she did. Did he care at all about what she thought about his relationship with Maddie no, absolutely not but if she was useful against Tess right now she was useful. It wasn’t that he liked or disliked his little sister that he barely knew but he hadn’t bonded with her like he had Bliss he made a note mentally about the wounded dove comment towards Bliss. “Well at least one of us is glad to be summoned here by you. Even the wounded dove as you like to call her though I’d strongly disagree. Max probably has you blocked after the hospital.” Chauncey said looking at her greet Rory better his younger than himself. He thought of saying sometime even more snarky but decided not too he’d rather Bliss and Rory deal with her.

Rory had been relieved was a good word for it even Belle had called this secret meeting of the siblings as he was calling it. It meant he was able to sneak out of the condo with an excuse to not look at wedding magazines with Aspen or pick out a planner. Not that there was much of a choice his mother would want Merci to plan the event; she had done a good job with Chauncey’s wedding to Natasha and a few other events. Other than murder Jackson and Dani’s wedding as well. Walking into the Kincaid mansion he warmly greeted Belle kissing her checks and doing a slight double take. What in the hell did she mean something was going on between her and Jamal? The last thing he and Jamal needed was more drama between them, nevermind drama between his sister and best friend. They’d moved past the drama with Yasmine and neither had her. The last thing he needed was them to fall out over his sister.

“What’s up? Maybe you and Jamal should like just not? Can’t you find like someone else?” Rory asked, wondering how far things had gone between them already then thinking if he wanted to know. The idea of his best friend having sex with his little sister was kinda weird and he shook his head. Clearly the claws had already come out between his brother and Belle and he looked over at Bliss who was glowing and Hunter. Between the twins and a. new baby on the way his mother was ecstatic even if Bliss wasn’t her child he was happy for his sister and Hunter. “I think we are all wondering what we are doing here. Mason is handling stuff with Tess legally, Jackson has a meeting with Dani and Grant. I told him I’d fill them in. Max may or may not come, I did ask and haven’t heard back if she is.” He said honestly looking at Belle truthfully Max and Sebastian he could tell there was tension between them and not the good kind.

Bliss had mouthed a “sorry” to Chauncey, behind Belle’s back. She’d known Belle just as long as everyone but felt somehow more responsible for their baby sister because they shared Tess as a mother. Chauncey had come to her rescue over Dimitri and it felt like so long ago. She felt she’d really won his respect after that, with a lot of late nights in the office poring over financial projections and balance sheets, preparing DGI’s financial statements for their father. And while they were drowning in transactions and trends and carry out dinners, their father would be out with Maddie and more recently Belle would join them. The fact that their father had raised Maddie seemed to be sort of an open secret and a sensitive topic. Was Belle really that obtuse? There were better ways to try to break the ice with their eldest brother. Maybe ask him about DGI? Or maybe try to win Jackson over first? Belle had spirit, she supposed you had to admire that. She was used to taking what she wanted and not being questioned about it. And she did stifle a laugh at her digs at Chauncey even if they were insensitive. They could probably all agree that the family didn’t need more tabloid fodder from Belle’s romantic entanglements. But she couldn’t stop the smile when Belle asked about the baby. “As soon as we know the baby’s sex, I promise you’ll be the first person I tell. I’m sure whatever you get will be wildly inappropriate for a newborn and we’ll love it no matter where it’s from. But we didn’t come to talk about baby shower gifts. No one knows where Max is, she’s late again and I’m over waiting around for her like she’s the Queen of Sheba. One of you can fill her in. Or not, for all I care right now. If she’s not serious about DGI, let her do her own thing. You called the meeting, the floor’s all yours Belle.”

Max had been working mainly from the penthouse that she shares with Sebastian and trying to avoid his mother who was still in town. Didn’t she have like an entire winery to run at home or other siblings of his she could show up to annoy? Talking about the Pope like that was supposed to scare her or something the only person she answered to was herself. The Pope was a non-factor in her life. Between that and this little summons from her out of league little sister she was actually quite annoyed. She had a dress fitting she had to be at for the casino and she was hungry too. Honestly she couldn’t wait to hand her son off to a nanny, get her body back and become the next biggest casino on the water and land in Pennsylvania. Entering the Kincaid mansion she saw the maid scurry away and almost sneered Brenda always employed rude staff. She was near the end of her pregnancy Sebastian could handle things at hoke and his mother would be gone soon she hoped. She’d overheard the Queen of Sheba comment and shot Bliss a look before staring Belle up and then down.

“Well the queen is here now so we should probably get started. I’d prefer to think that you all could wait for me to arrive given my condition.” Max said, sneering at Bliss must try and do everything that she was including getting pregnant too? Granted they both looked at it differently and she wondered why Belle wasn’t making such a fuss over her baby too and she wondered why no one liked her. Plus she hated that all the attention was on her child when it was brought up by everyone. Shouldn’t the focus be on her and her accomplishments instead of being a human incubator? Surely Belle could be at least equally as excited about her nephew that she was about to give birth too as well? She let the mood shift the room, resisting the urge to say what was really on her mind to both Belle and Bliss. The sooner this meeting was over the sooner she could focus on the casino opening and figuring out a way to dethrone Tess and send her back to whatever husband number she was on before she sank her hooks into her ailing father. “Seeing how it was all too important that Belle felt the need to call a meeting to begin with.”

“Well the gangs all here. Hurrah.” Belle said sarcastically. “Let me drop the suspense. I think we all know my mother has stolen our father’s will and changed it to fit her needs. She’ll say it’s for Bliss and I but we both know this is her revenge against our grandfather, grandmother, and Lowell. You all are collateral damage in her twisted game of chess in her very own mind. Now I have a plan to push her into maybe confessing everything to me or Bliss but it’s going to take all of us working together. You see I think we all know Mason is a good lawyer and a great lawyer but legally the odds aren’t in our favor unless we uncover that will. I believe in what our father was doing. He placed all of you in positions and told me why. He told me that you all are amazing. He made me want to be a part of this family and legacy. He made me see why Chauncey was perfect as COO because he’s ruthless and the CEO Jackson has to be shiny. Rory was the head of technology because your Gen Z brain is bigger than all of ours. Max and Bliss you two are brilliant at what you both do and dad knew that. He said Rory wouldn’t stay forever but leave a mark and Jackson was the one because he was ready. I heard all of that and I can’t ignore it so if you all hate please hate me. But let me help, let me get her to confess and let me stop this. Please, my father wanted and I was with him at the end. When nobody visited him. When he cried because he missed things and saw it on social media or a news report. Please let me help and Bliss can help me as well. This isn’t some hard thing, it’s making our mother face what she’s done. She’ll tell us especially when I move out and she feels like she’s losing me.” Belle paused as she looked at them.

“I haven’t been fair to any of you. I came in like a sledgehammer thinking you should all welcome me and I had a place. Well our father told me I’d have to earn it with you all. Show you I’m not just that person and I’m not just superficial. I’m not.” Belle walked to a small box she brought in. “This is my white flag to Max, and a gift to Bliss to beg her to help me nail our mother.” She handed the gift bags to the girl. “I saw her with my own eyes after father was exhausted doing his therapy and I believe the day he did his will. Simon was there. I think she did something that very day to change everything. He was delirious with pain and sometimes he would be high off the medication. I think she took advantage of him if this is real. I think she manipulated everyone and everything and I was a calculated bomb dropped in all of your lives. I’m sorry for that honestly.” Looking at her sisters as she handed Max and Bliss bags. “Now open the bags, it’s couture you don’t want them to wrinkle.” Each one had custom Dior onesies and Hermes scarfs for the mommies. Sitting down she looked at Chauncey who seemed mildly impressed.

Max took the gift and opened it, they were on target for a Devonshire heir gift and a token. She listened to Belle ramble on and tried her best not to be filled with a twinge of jealousy at all the time Belle spent with their father before he died. Granted she or any of them could have come around sooner and she did but her loyalty had been tested with her mother and no one liked to pick sides. Why even marry Tess so shortly after divorcing her mother to just slap her mother with it a day later? She knew her father had placed them all in positions that weren’t a secret at the company he had left notes with each of them about their duties. Tess was nowhere in those meetings Mason had scheduled. People in the office would testify to that what would a judge do to take the late wife that everyone hated, over trusted employees and her fathers own children? When Belle apologized to them she almost felt like rolling her eyes almost, but stopped herself Belle had railroaded their family and right now she seemed to be wanting to join them. She had railroaded them, her and Tess with their secret or at least on Tess’s end Belle for her was the final nail in her parent’s marriage that her mother couldn’t get over. She had been the only girl all of her life until Bliss came to town and then Belle came too, she liked being the only girl and hated that changed when they came.

“So you saw what exactly Tess go into our father’s office? Did you actually see her take out a piece of paper and switch it? Simon would have met with father at the office or somewhere else to do his will, leaving it around your vulture of a mother wasn’t something he would have done. Did you see how she was at the hospital circling him like a buzzard going after his prey, she took him off life support before our mother even had a chance to say goodbye.” Max said she knew that Chauncey and Rory were thinking it, had been since the hospital hell her twin did too he was livid at what Tess had done and then to try and take DGI from them? Looking down at the onesie and the scarf she reeled in her anger she knew lashing out at Belle was wrong but part of her couldn’t help it. Plus she had lashed out at Bliss and Hunter the other day too the only thing she wanted was for DGI to go back to what her father wanted her twin as CEO, her brother as COO, Bliss as CFO, herself as CMO and Rory running Replay with a vote and hell if Belle wanted a vote she could have one. “So your sudden change of heart to turn on her is because you are willing to do what? Do what dad wanted? How do you propose you and Bliss are to pull this off? What are we supposed to do while you work on it while we all sit around?” Max asked wondering what exactly Belle had in mind.

Bliss had opened the gift from Belle, trying her best to be cordial. She wanted to focus on the matter at hand but Belle was trying so hard and this was her love language. It reminded her of their father and his big gestures. She wondered if Belle had always been like this or it was something she’d adopted in the short time she’d known him. “It’s lovely,” she said, hugging Belle before handing them off to Hunter while Max spoke. At least Max seemed to have tamed her sharp tongue somewhat since their previous meeting. She tried to hide her disbelief as Max talked about their father going to the office in his condition. Belle had just said Simon was at the house. Was it always going to be like this? Max questioning everything she and Belle said? “Trust me, Max. Belle and I know firsthand that our mother has a penchant for destruction. You know very well we saw her at the hospital and you also know that we didn’t agree with what she did to Jackie. Is that the test? Did we pass? And since your head’s so far up your own ass it’s clouding your vision, I’ll remind you that in his last weeks, months? Our father was wheelchair bound and on heavy pain medication. He wasn’t going to the office. Or anywhere for that matter. He had to spend a week preparing for a few hours at the Summit. So, when Belle says Simon met him at the house and they discussed the will, that’s exactly what she means. The only sudden occurrence here is the fact that our mother made a play for DGI which none of us foresaw. None of us,” she repeated looking pointedly at Max. She was not going to pin Tess’ actions on their little sister or act like she had intentionally looked the other way while Tess changed the will.

“Belle is our sister, not Tess’ minion. For god’s sake, she didn’t grow up with Tess or even know Tess was her mother until recently. We’re in this together. Or, I thought we were but it seems like you’re the one who wants to sabotage us, not Belle.” Belle was only looking for her place in her own family. She wasn’t an interloper or an outsider. She’d done stupid things and caused a lot of chaos but honestly, so had Max. And no matter how special Max thought she was, she’d never get close to Tess. She’d never trust any of Jackie’s kids. “Now, I’m sure everyone else here can appreciate the fact that Belle and I are the only ones who have a chance of getting close to Tess. I think we’re all wasting our time looking for the will. Our mother had to know the Devonshires would move heaven and earth for DGI and she would’ve planned accordingly. She wants Belle and I to think she’s developed a maternal instinct? Let us use that. Nobody will love this idea, I get that but for the meantime, we need to let her think she’s won. If she gets comfortable and lets her guard down with us, it’ll be easier to get the information we need to take DGI back. We all turned our backs on Dad when he needed us most. He made a mistake, a horrible one but a mistake nonetheless. None of us here are perfect. We have the chance to put our differences aside now and do this for Dad. To put things right. He had faith that we would come together and so do I. Maybe you could use this time to bond with your mother-in-law to be or get comfortable not being the center of attention so it’s not such a shock when the baby arrives.”

Belle snapped at Max’s direction, rolling her eyes. She was trying to play nice. She was trying to be what her father told her to be. To extend an olive branch and find her place in the family. She wasn’t here under some subterfuge and the insinuation that Bliss and she would want anything less than them to get DGI was insulting. At this point her pettiness knew no bounds and she wasn’t above getting nasty. “There you are, Max the petty and malicious bitch that I know. You want to know why I’m so scared for my niece or nephew because I see so much of Tess in you. You are selfish and self serving. If you weren’t so beholden to your false loyalty. You’d know exactly why he pushed your mother away and you’d also know you’re going to be alone just like he was. I have a propensity to want love, you shun it. I guess what they say about twins is truly true. Two of the same Max you just haven’t had your crash and burn unfortunately it’ll be that baby’s expense and spirit that you will break. You’re going to be a horrible mother and everyone in this room knows it. So that’s why nobody is excited about you being pregnant because nobody is as selfish, cold, and cruel as you are should raise a child. You are tired and your petulance is boring at your age. It’s my turn darling, and if you ever disrespect me like that again you will understand why I will continue to be the wrecking ball.” Belle flipped her hair as she stared at them with daggers in her eyes.

“My plan is simple. Wait and work she can’t fire you, any of you because the board wouldn’t allow it and you have too many people. She does have a few that will side with her to oust the family. However I’m going to work on getting the confession and I will locate the true will. I need you all to look like this might be the new normal. Or else Cruella DeVille will win. If we can’t work together then this is all for naught so what do you all say?” She saw Rory’s complete shock at how she snapped at Max, Chauncey was both amused and pissed, and Bliss and Hunter were also not amused at how hard she went. “What did I do? She gets to constantly claw at me and I’m the bad one? When you all were thinking it? You know what this was a foolish idea. I’m an idiot. I’m bloody fucking trying and I’m really hurt at what my mother is doing! You know what I gotta go! Call me Bliss. I’m going to the hotel until I find the ideal spot.” Wiping the corners of her eyes, Belle said preparing the storm out.

Rory didn’t exactly love the idea of Belle and Max going at it all the time but their little sister made some excellent points. The board was not Tess’s friend and even Max had to know that she had like what two maybe three allies? Was it the best plan that they had come up with but it was something to try and take back what their father had left them. “Okay I’m willing to play nice and go along, dad never wanted her in charge and I think everyone can agree on that especially the ones that aren’t here. Maybe it’s not so crazy letting you and Bliss pretend to do what she wants. Is it really the most out there idea? It’s better than us all fighting and bickering over whatever it is that we all think we are owed. Let’s just see where it goes and hopefully Tess will take the bait.” He finished looking at all of his siblings who mostly seemed to be onboard but he was unsure of Chauncey and Max the ball was in their court.

Chauncey had found one of the grapes on the table of interest while he listened to Max and Belle exchange jabs back and forth, he turned his head when Bliss butted in as well. He personally didn’t care for the plan but in this case it may benefit his plans in the long term. If he was able to keep board members throughout the reign of Tess that meant he could in theory take what should have been his later. “Well it looks like the youngest has a plan and I’ve yet to see anyone else put one forward other than legal venues. I’m for now going to agree with Rory and Belle on this; it’s for the best for DGI.” He said popping the grape in his mouth before taking out his phone and looking at it, he could convince some board members to side with Natasha as well to give her back SandStar for now though as entertaining as all this was he did need to talk to Madeline and figure out a solution to their predicament. “I think we are done now, may the best ones who play the game come out on top.” He finished grabbing a few more grapes for the road on his way out of the room and to his waiting driver.

Max seethed at Bliss so high and mighty like she had room to talk and then almost sneered more at Belle and her little plan. Deep down she wondered if they were both gleeful at the fact they got to play nice with Tess in their little hands getting all the glory. She and the rest of her siblings had no ties to Tess and it wasn’t like any of them would be caught dead playing nice with her to begin with. She heard Rory and Chauncey agree to the plan and knew if she objected it was a losing battle, it was better for all of them to play nice now. “Well I guess my opinion on it isn’t wanted. I’ll just be off in my corner now baking a baby since that is what everyone wants me to do. But I’ll see how this all plays out. Maybe you two are onto something, maybe you’re not.” Max finished looking at her sister’s before following Chauncey’s lead to head out of the Kincaid mansion she had a casino opening to get ready and prepare for, the sooner she was out of both their shadow and the sun was back on her the better.

**********

Blythe parked her Jaguar in the circular paved driveway staring up at the Montgomery mansion; it had been a trying day. Between business meetings for DGI she had let her mind wander to this week, the week that was filled with so much joy and sorrow in her life and decided a visit was in order.  Adoption day had always been so warm and joyful to her and Randall the day that the judge made them a family with Aspen. Audrey beaming at her, Forbes for a moment in time gentle even hell she’d even say warm towards her sister, niece and nephew the hate for DGI slightly less. Then came the turmoil a few years later when the call that came from Forbes, he’d found Audrey in that tub the water red the razor in the floor and she forced back the tears. Knocking on the door she simply nodded at the maid as they let her in the door and informed her that Forbes was on a business trip. She learned that Cassie was out as well and Philip was somewhere around the house, she knew the maid well and had visited numerous times on and off over the years. Her request was always the same. She wanted to sit in the music room for a bit just to remember her sister’s finer moments.

Her request had never been denied, not even by Forbes back when she and Randall were married he would come with her, Forbes sometimes joined them and they’d share a drink together. It was a peace for her that came every year after the horrific way that her sister had taken her own life in this very house. She tried not to let herself think of that too much as she made her way down the hallway to the music room, the grand piano greeting her and for a moment she was transported back to her childhood. Her fingers tracing the keys her mother or her father’s voice echoing in her head. Her parents loved her of course they did, but most of her childhood was spent in her sister’s overbearing shadow of excellence and talent. Was she jealous of course but over the course of their adult life they became actually very close.

Play the piano Blythe for your sister. Don’t miss a note Blythe. We have to make sure Audrey’s audition goes well. You need more practice if you are ever going to be able to play on a stage as grand as hers. Audrey has made it into an exclusive program. We aren’t going to be able to send you to camp this year. Her training is what matters.

Her parents always sacrificed for Audrey and she supposed it paid off whe Audrey made it big at the Metropolitan Opera. The rest as they say was history. She attended NYU for her degree in engineering her parents moved to the upper east side and when Audrey went on a national tour she stole Forbes Montgomery’s heart. Her sister sang in some of the most elaborate houses Sydney, Bolshoi, Zurich and eventually Vienna. An elaborate career her sister lived to tour, leaving Philip in the care of nannies and coming home during the off season, she settled when her vocal cords were strained once. Audrey stepped back from the stoplight and had Cassandra, returning to the stage down the line here. Forbes wanted roots in Atlas Falls and she played a few keys looking at the photo on the mantle. Her sister, Forbes, nephew and niece. Randall, herself and Aspen shortly after their first Christmas together. Her eyes rested on another photo of her sister’s last performance at the now Malatov Theater, her eyes zoomed in on her stomach.

Lowell’s child, she had warned her so many times to stop the rollercoaster that she was on with him, but Audrey never wanted to listen to anything when it came to her love life. Yes she knew that her sister and Forbes hadn’t formally separated or anything like that but that still didn’t mean that her sleeping with Lowell was right. She worked for Lowell at DGI and always felt guilty at the time knowing that her sister was sleeping with Lowell behind Jackie’s back. She paused for a moment, stopping at the wet bar and pouring herself a brandy before she sat down on the couch taking a long sip. No matter what that night ended what was happening between her sister and Lowell, Forbes left town afterwards and her children never had to know the truth, her eyes burned with tears before walking to the mantel and slamming the photo down. Tears threatened to fall down her face while she steeled herself and went to the massive painting on the opposite side of the room. Russian of course, she couldn’t remember the artist while she moved it, the hinge that was built into the side squeaking.

Inside it was still the same as all her sister’s journals and she filtered through them one by one moving them to the side table looking at each one with almost contempt. Half truths likely littered the pages; her sister was never that dumb to tell her business where Forbes could find it, nope she preferred to come to hers and Randall’s. She knew that part of the problem with Randall and their marriage coming to an end was Audrey over the years, and then they had simply drifted apart. She reached in again, finding the photo album and pulling it out sitting down on the couch as she flipped through the pages. From their small apartment as kids in New York to the more lavish one they bought once her sister’s star took off, Audrey’s wedding photo to Forbes a candid their father had shot of her, Audrey and their mother while Audrey was pregnant with Philip. She touched her mouth for a moment their mother died a year later, their father the year after that. Randall’s parents were still around and Aspen had a relationship with them and she wondered if that was why her daughter was as well adjusted as she was. Philip and Cassie clearly never had that after her sister died and Forbes much preferred to deal with abandoning his children for his latest squeeze.

Closing the album she stood, deciding to put it back in the safe and pulled out her sister’s keepsake box she hadn’t looked at it since the suicide. The memories hit her as she lifted the lid and picked up Philip’s hospital outfit, the stunning periwinkle blue custom onesie from Gucci. God she remembered that day she was so proud of Audrey and in a way jealous too granted she and Randall had just gotten engaged that year. The heartbreak she would endure though after was raw and she felt a tear slip out as she touched Cassie’s rose colored one her first baby would have been born a few months after her niece one of at least three she and Randall had lost, and she wiped at her eyes going to close the lid when she pushed the fabric to the side freezing not realizing that something was underneath. Gently taking out the onesie she was shocked looking at the purple dress inside the box with the bright yellow flower buttons on it. She took it out for a better look. Was it Casandra’s? Instead she closed her eyes trying to think where she knew the dress from and then it dawned on her seeing a newspaper obituary complete with the picture inside.

She didn’t know what happened after that other than she let out a guttural scream covering her face watching the box fall on the floor, the contents spilling out as the dress fluttered down too. She covered her mouth as the sobs overtook her, her entire body beginning to shake at the shock of it all. Had Audrey done something to the poor girl? Had Forbes why did they have Victoria Fraiser’s dress inside her sister’s keepsake box? Then it started to click with her the stunning red hair that Aspen had. Aspen came into their life like she did, it was a few days after the accident. The story that Forbes’s attorney at the time had told them. Her parents died in a car accident. She was left alone and needed a guardian, at the time she and Randall had been so desperate she didn’t care where they got a baby from. She physically felt like she was going to be ill as she collapsed on the floor, her hands rummaging through the contents for any other possible explanation. There was no way Aspen was an orphan; she wasn’t their daughter. They had attended the funeral and she saw the pain on Lauren and Walter’s faces on their children’s faces. She truly believed that no one could be that cruel to two parents, not even her brother in law.

Certainly Forbes disliked Walter and some of the rest he hated Lowell but to take their daughter and place her with herself and Randall seemed like a bad plot twist out of a movie. It simply couldn’t be true she wasn’t going to let her mind go there, how many dresses had this brand made? It could have been any little girl’s dress, her hands were still shaking when she began to pick everything up, the sobs still coming out the tears streaming down her face, she frantically began to shove everything into the box. Looking around the room she wiped her eyes picking up the dress and seeing the tag on the inside peeking through and saw the initials written inside the outfit, her trembling hand covering her mouth to suppress another scream wondering if the maid could hear her through the heavy office door. Tossing the dress in the box she leaned back against the couch covering her entire face in her hands while she sobbed. She stayed there not sure long she sat there soaking in the information that she had, her entire world and reality shifted.

Her thoughts began to drift to Randall and the book he was writing and how dangerously close this could be to exposing what Forbes had done, how would Aspen react? It wasn’t like she or Randall had known or gotten involved in it. She loved her daughter so much, she was hers not Lauren or Walter’s who had stayed up with her when she was sick? Changed her, supported her when children began to tease her about her weight and looks? She and Randall, who had kissed every wound to her precious girl’s heart? They had, Randall could never know what was inside this box, they couldn’t lose Aspen, she was their daughter. She felt the bile rise in her stomach again and pushed it down wondering if this is what Audrey had really called her about the night she committed suicide. Was she trying to tell her something when she had brushed her sister off, hearing the door to the music room open she scrambled to get the lid on the box gripping it in her hands on the floor her knuckles white when she saw her nephew enter. “Philip? I didn’t realize that you were home.” She asked, her voice cracking.

Philip had watched his aunt go to the music room like he had many other times. It wasn’t a room he visited. His mother was honestly in his eyes a waste of air at this point. She slit her wrist to get away from it so why continue to harp on her every effervescent presence. She was like a cloak hiding over them all with secrets. Secrets that he had been unraveling. Moments like this showed how sadistic his father truly was. How he’d do anything to get his revenge and how his unwavering lust for revenge would lead his legacy down the drain. Poor Cassie had thrown in with him but kissing ass wouldn’t stop what he predicted was coming for MontCorp. Seeing his aunt scrambling to place all the articles inside of the box as fear struck him. However a fear had taken over and he was going for a ride and he always knew how to push. His suspicions were right on. Seeing her crumpling and literally having a breakdown was more than he needed to know the truth. He took Victoria Fraiser and transformed her into Aspen Sinclair. “You look so much like my mother.” He said hauntingly as he shuffled over to his aunt pulling the box from her fragile hands.

“You are an Montgomery, Blythe, your secrets are our secrets. Isn’t that a cardinal rule in this family. You didn’t know I was home? I’m always around lurking in the shadows.” Philip looked into her eyes. “I think what is inside this box confirmed your suspicions of what I’ve been looking into about my father. You see I find it quite funny that Victoria Fraiser went missing and Aspen came right into our family. She fit right in the red hair is a trait of our family as well. Mom and Cassie and you auntie but she wasn’t ours was she? You see I found a few clues that have led me right to this moment. The moment where the child finally gets to show the adult that they have all the power. Auntie this is a celebration your secret is safe with me and I’ll do anything to keep it. You know why because it’s now a part of the bigger picture. I’m about to get rid of Forbes Montgomery and get exactly what I’ve always wanted. Respect and power. So Blythe don’t fear nobody will ever know.” Opening the box and pulling out the purple dress. “This is our secret Blythe.”

Blythe barely had registered what Philip was talking about that he had been looking into this exact secret. There was no secret she was Aspen’s mother Randall was her father a dress didn’t prove anything there was no other evidence. Plus if she were to tell Randall what good would it do other than hurt the woman he had seemed to move on with? She got a chill when her nephew started talking about keeping the family secret almost like he was threatening her with it. What would he do to her or Randall to keep the secret and what would he do to his cousin Aspen? She looked at her nephew still in a state of shock about all of it. She watched as he took the dress out of the box, reminding herself that the dress was mass produced VF could be anyone’s initials. Her legs were still shaking as she took a few steps back and made her way back to the door. She nearly fell over the coffee table to steady herself.

“I understand I really do need to be heading home. Aspen has been so excited to start planning her wedding and I’d hate for this rumor to fester into something that is not. Wouldn’t you agree with that?” Blythe said, looking her nephew up and then down her mouth would remain closed. Reaching into her purse, her hand still shaking, she took out her keys, barely glancing at the maid on her way out and back to her car. Once there she took a few deep breaths, her hands gripping the wheel. It was just a rumor. As long as she kept telling herself none of it was actually true it simply couldn’t be true. Putting the car in drive she pulled out her mind still spinning her own story and scenarios in her head.

**********

After leaving the Crestwood bar and Jackson where he could handle the meeting with Grant after he encouraged her to check on her mother. Dani drove to the Pub to talk to Marley on a full night nonetheless why had her mother simply walked out? Once she’d heard that Forbes had paid her a visit and talked about the night her sister had died though she got it a little more. Marley had insisted that she had tried to reach Braden first. But she knew he was in New York with Tamara and the kids, more specifically Brooklyn for Tamara’s parents wedding anniversary celebration. From there she stopped by her dad’s house. Her childhood home to see if her mother had gone there. Then a stop by the cemetery seeing no sign of her there she began the drive out to her moms cottage by the lake. She always found it odd she bought a cottage on the lake her mother was terrified of the lake water, hell she still refused to drive in the rain. She wondered if she should call her dad or not and decided against it. He never liked to talk about that night so it was up to her. Like it always was, like the time she found her mother in Vicky’s nursery clutching her clothes staring out a window a few weeks after her funeral.

Turning off the freeway to head down the road to the lake she looked both ways before pulling out hoping the meeting was going well and looking at the clock. A quick check and then she could head back to the dinner, maybe even catch the trail end, they could pick up the twins or get a room for the night. She wondered if her mother would have gone to visit Jackie even but surely Jackie would have reached out to her if that was the case or her mother would have called her. Winter hadn’t fully come yet thank heavens and when she saw the lake coming into view she let out an exhale before approaching the cottages. A few streets up were the big cabins and up from that even more were the elites. She was pretty sure the Devonshires owned a massive cabin up there and she turned down her mother’s road towards her cottage, parking the Range Rover in the drive seeing her mother’s truck there and the house lights off. Getting out of the car and zipping up her coat it was always colder by the water as she walked up the steps opening the front door. “Mom?” She called out getting no answer and walking through the living room to the kitchen before she spotted her mother on the edge of her little pier staring out at the water. Walking onto the back porch she flicked on the light walking up behind her mother. “Mom?” She called again almost as if her mom wasn’t hearing her and she gently touched her shoulder hoping it broke out of whatever trance she was in. “It’s freezing, where is your coat?” She asked.

Lauren was staring into the water with a tear soaked face. She heard some noise behind her but it was muffled in her brain. When she felt someone touch her she jumped a little and turned to see Dani. She instantly wanted to collapse in her daughter’s arms. Instead she touched Dani’s face with her icy hands and felt that she was real. “It’s numbing weather. I needed to numb the pain Dani. You’re a mother now and I think you understand the most ferocious need of a mother is to protect. I didn’t protect you or Vicky that night. I was selfish and wrapped up in my own grief and pain. It wasn’t supposed to be like that, I just wanted to go find Walter. I wanted to get Braden and find my husband. My husband was right by my side until that woman came back into our bed. He brought her to Zach’s wedding. I was okay but it hurt to see them so happy when I feel like the only reason she won is because our daughter died. Is it bad I am happy their daughter died too? I don’t think I could see the visualization of my marriage crumbling before my very eyes. Oh God Dani? Why won’t Victoria stop haunting me?” She said, collapsing to the ground.

“She’s out there in that freezing water. She’s freezing and I can’t find my baby! I can’t find her and I live with that! I live with the fact that my husband forgot our son, and he was cheating on me. I jumped in a car and drove into a flash flood. Do you know how bad shit is if Forbes is my savior? Do you understand how hurtful and toxic that shit is? He saved you Dani. He saved you years ago but he’s even haunted by this. That man cried and I let out pain. I thought I was over but Randall.” Lauren looked at her daughter with fury. “That man is writing a book about Victoria’s death. About my baby being swept away in a flood. I will never let him touch me again. He used me for a story and book and all those things. All those horrible things people said about my baby and me are going to come back up. Randall betrayed me and I want his head on a spike. I want to hurt him so badly, Dani. So I need to numb myself, I don’t need a coat. I need a gun to shoot him for what he did to me. He made me think love is real. Oh baby girl you have something so precious with your husband. You have the real thing only few truly experience it. I’m sure I won’t be one of them. Your father never loved me like her. The only man who loved me like that is gone. So I need to be cold and numb to stop feeling like this again.”

Dani was relieved when her mother seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in, something she had hoped to not see again; she’d seen it enough as a kid after the accident. She didn’t remember a ton from the accident, just bits and pieces over the years, she remembered getting in the car when Braden called their mom to come pick him up from practice. She had no idea why her dad hadn’t done so at the time, she remembered hitting the water looking over at her sister’s seat in the process. It had been freezing cold when the car hit the lake and she remembered a man taking her from the car, she later learned it was Forbes. People talked all through school about it. Sometimes she’d get strange looks from her parents while they were out and about. She lived, Vicky died and people liked to blame her mother for that or worse her. She was never oblivious to the fact her parents had problems in their marriage she knew they did but the accident affected her dad too. Yes he had brought Brenda to her wedding and then to Zach’s but she felt her mom had moved on and like her brother said wasn’t dad allowed to as well? She didn’t know if It was bad her mom felt that way about Kendall or whatever her name was, her mom was allowed to be angry about what her father had done  “It wasn’t your fault mom no one thinks that, not even dad. It was an accident.” Dani said looking around the pier for a moment her mother crumpled on the ground before she leaned down, taking her own coat off and placing it on her shoulders debating if she should call her father or not.

“Marley said you just walked out of the pub. Maybe I should call dad and have him check in on her for tonight.” She paused for a moment seeing the fury on her moms face. Her mother had gone to therapy for the accident after she remembered that time, the depression her mom had slipped into. She simply froze in horror when her mom said that Randall was writing a book about that night. What kind of person did something like that? Her mom was happy with Randall. Why would he even think that would be a remotely good idea to dredge up the trauma of that night to her mother and her family. “Why would he do that?” She said it was the only thing she could think of and she was simply horrified at it. All the things that Randall could find out about from it, her mom’s mental state, the scrutiny her family would be under again. The rumors would start: did her mother intentionally wreck the car? Where was her father that night? Was he really with Brenda? Would people stare at her asking why she was the one that lived again? On top of all the scrutiny she was under with Jackson and DGI that was the last thing she needed. She was never dumb to the fact that Vicky was her mom’s favorite she doted on her when she was born, or that Braden was her dad’s meaning she was just the middle child in all of it. If Kendall was here though she knew her life would have been different. “Let’s get you inside okay?” She prodded gently the sooner she was in from the freezing cold the better.

Lauren paused as used the wood deck to stand up looking at Dani. “You’re not supposed to be taking care of me. I’m supposed to be taking care of you baby.” She said, lowering her head. “I used to love this lake. It was like I was close to Victoria. Now I hate it because it reminds me of what I lost.” She stopped as she looked at Dani. “That day I lost something so special to me. My last child was snatched away by nature and I thought sitting in nature would solve my grief. You know I still dream about that storm. I can see Forbes taking Vicky but it was you who he saved. I think God every day I didn’t lose both my daughters in that storm. Dani, I can’t stay here tonight. I can’t be on the lake where I keep hearing the water splashing, I can’t do it tonight.” She said honestly as she walked to the house with her daughter. Her chest heaving up and down in a rage. Thinking about Randall she knew she had to hit him back. She had to fight back.

“Randall has lied to me for a year. I could kill him for what he is digging up and making me feel again. Dani I know you have a lot going on but I don’t want Braden involved in this. I do however want to sue him. I want to hurt him like I feel after all I’ve given. I opened my life up again. Another disappointing ending to my story. I used to think my timing was bad but now I wonder if I’m cursed.” She said as her voice cracked on the word cursed. “I couldn’t make your father happy, I lost Harvey, and now what I thought was going to be the final act is well another heartbreak. Another chapter in a book full of pain. I wonder why God keeps teasing me with happiness and yanking it away. I wonder if he finds some sick sense of joy making me feel so empty. God has chosen to punish me by never finding the person. Which is why I’m telling you Dani to hold onto Jackson and your family so tightly that they can’t breathe. Protect your children and your marriage like it’s the only thing that matters. You hear me? You fight against anything tearing your life apart because you don’t want to end up like me. Like the women in the Cummings family, crazy and alone. I’m going to um the Crestwood or Everest Resort tonight.” Lauren was on autopilot. Moving to her downstairs closet grabbing a duffel bag. “Sweetie Forbes saving you kept me alive. It kept me sane that I didn’t lose you both.”

Dani wasn’t sure that her mother was actually going to come in or not but let out a breath when she grabbed the railing and decided that she was going to go inside. It was freezing out and she felt the breeze through her silk shirt while she walked with her mother towards the cottage. She didn’t think that she should have to take care of her mother either, but it was what she always did: put her mother first, put her brother first, hell at one time her dad first before herself. “It’s fine mom, you know I’ve always got you.” Dani said as they walked looking back at the water it looked black at this time of the night, the moon hidden behind some clouds. She got a shiver at the thought of her baby sister swallowing in that water and shook her head at the images. Her parents traveled out to the lake for days during the search and rescue mission. She and Braden waiting in her dad’s car watching out the window, the lights from the boats trolling the water and the silence. She shook her head mentally making a note to hide her mother’s guns just in case she meant it when she said that she was going to go shoot Randall. “It’s late, they may not have openings.” She said watching her mother race around for a duffel bag and taking her jacket back.

She was so angry at what Randall was doing to her mother right now to her family, the lie that he had sold her mother on but not telling Braden was stupid. Her mother wasn’t thinking clearly she knew that if anyone could write up suing Randall it was her brother she’d talk to him later about it. Sometimes she wondered if Brenda and Steven had left town or if her parents had if it would have all turned out different for everyone. She had heard about Harvey on and off over the years though she had never met him. “You’re not cursed. Stop worrying about me and Jackson for a minute we’re okay. He was really worried about you when Marley called too. My marriage is okay so is Bradens to Tamara, our families are okay. Nothing is going to happen to them.” She said looking at her mother and turning off the light to the back porch while she put a kettle of water on the stove. Not sure if she saw the shimmer of some headlights or not turn the corner while she got some tea from the cabinet. Walking back into the room she saw the half filled duffel bag and sat down next to it looking at her mom. “You didn’t say if you wanted me to call dad or not. I’m sure he’d want to know what Forbes did. As for tonight I put some tea on. I can stay the night with you or you can go back to my house.” Dani said there was no way her mother was staying by herself overnight on her watch after what happened with Forbes.

“Stay with me Dani.” She said looking at her daughter and reaching out and grabbing her hand. “Call your father but I don’t want any tea honey. I’m going to go upstairs and can you call Callie and ask her to come in for me. Tell her I’ll give her all the tips and everything.” She said, exhaling as she looked at her kid. “You’re going to tell your brother regardless of what I say. So I’m going to say this. I want him to destroy Randall’s book and I am going to be okay. Tomorrow morning I want you to go back to your kids and life Dani. I won’t scare you like this anymore.” She covered her mouth, lowering her head knowing she must be a horrible mother right now. Here was her child taking care of her and she needed it. She needed her to do this for her because tonight she could have just jumped into the water and not come up. The pain felt so raw right now and somehow this unearthed how she truly never got over what happened to Victoria. “I got lucky with you.” She leaned over and kissed Dani’s forehead. “Dani, one more thing if anyone comes before I get up in the morning. Don’t let them in unless they are family. I don’t know what I did to deserve you but Dani you are my heart too kid.”

Lauren walked out of the kitchen and upstairs and stripped out of her ATFU sweatshirt and jeans. Walking the shower she turned it on and looked at her reflection in the mirror knowing that she wasn’t right in the head. That she didn’t deserve this but right now she was saying one thing, fuck love. She was through with all the pain of those memories. Unfastening her bra and the betrayal of Randall would be dealt with. She wasn’t a push over and she wasn’t going to be railroaded. She was going to make Randall regret that he broke her heart. That was a promise. Stepping in the shower she washed off the day but tomorrow was a new fight. A fight to reclaim the narrative of her life.

Dani stood there for a second watching her mother transfer from one state to another. The most painful one was grief, she watched her turn off the kettle. Taking out her phone she texted her dad to call her as soon as he could and then sent a text to her brother telling him they needed to talk when he got back to town. She waited at the bottom of the stairs till she heard the water turn on and took a deep breath; she’d give her half an hour not a drop more. She made her way to the couch and wrapped herself into a blanket turning on the side table lamp. She was still shaking when her thumb swiped open the phone and she texted Jackson.

I’m at my mom’s going to probably stay the night. Your mom has the twins stop by after the meeting with Grant. I’ll explain everything. I love you.

Harvey sat behind the wheel of his ‘65 Aston Martin DB5, fingers playing along the wood grain steering wheel. It  was cold but mild for this time of year. Noticeably colder up in the mountains but no snow which would have prevented his car from making it up the gravel roads. He pulled off near Lauren’s cottage, watching the moonlight ripple across the surface of the lake. Greer had kept him apprised of everything here in Atlas Falls and he’d gathered that she and Walter had finally split up. It was a tricky situation given the bad feelings between his niece and Lauren. As he cut the lights and killed the engine, preparing to walk back into Lauren’s life, he’d seen someone else approaching her. A young woman and for a moment he tried to remember if there’d been someone else at the pub. Someone, Marley was it?, had also told about Forbes and the way he’d gutted Lauren by recanting the events of the night little Victoria had died. The story was one he knew as well as he could from nearly 4,000 miles away in Paris. It killed him that he couldn’t be there for her. He’d  waited for an email or call, any sign from her and he would have been on the next flight but it never came and so he’d respected the promise he’d made to her. Slowly recognition dawned on him as he watched the women. He’d only seen her in paparazzi photos; her wedding to Jackson Devonshire and various Devonshire events. But now he recognized Lauren in her. In the way she walked across the porch and the way she tilted her head, looking out at the lake.

His gaze quickly returned to Lauren. He’d really only ever had eyes for her. From the moment he’d first seen her, Lauren Cummings was it for him. God, how his heart ached for her. To be the one down there at her side, wrapping her up in his arms. He’d hold her like that for as long as she needed, warm and safe, keeping the world at bay until the pain of reliving that awful night released its grip. But now Danielle was there wrapping a blanket around her instead and he wondered if she could feel him this close. If she would think of him right now in this moment and if she still wanted him as if no time had passed since that day thirty some years ago. The last time they spoke or touched. She was so beautiful then, awash in the glow of new motherhood. Holding little Dani, as the press referred to her, the baby he desperately wished was his. He could still remember the way her hair smelled of lilacs while he sat on the edge of the hospital bed admiring the new life in her arms. The day she looked up at him with tears in her eyes telling him she had to choose Walter and their family. He was lost in the memory, hearing the small waves in the lake lapping against the shore when he realized they were gone. A light flicked on upstairs and he watched her move through the room. Once she looked out and paused in the window and he could’ve sworn she looked right at him. He almost called her name but the moment passed and he watched the light go out. Another one in a much smaller window came on, a bathroom no doubt. He lingered for a few more minutes before leaving the mother and daughter alone together once more. He vowed this time would be different, this time their story wouldn’t end here again.

**********

Zach sat back in the car and was tempted to text and tell Dani. He however knew face to face would be perfect. Unfortunately Dru wasn’t going to be easy to get rid of now. Looking over to Mason who looked just as sick as he was. Silence was deafening in the car taking his husband’s hand for support. “If this is right this means she’s my cousin as well. I am seriously scared of what she has been up to. She’s infiltrated our lives and for what? She could have just told everyone but she stole someone’s identity and why? We would have welcomed her. I don’t get it Mason. I don’t understand why she’s doing this? I think that by finding her adopted parents we will get our answers. I feel like she’s been behind all of Dani’s trouble but why? Why do this? What revenge could you be after we never did anything to her. We didn’t even know Kendall or Dru existed until two years ago? Like what is this bitch after?” Zach said, looking out the window as they pulled up to another trailer park. “Let me lead this one.”

Jumping out of the car he pulled out his badge instead of the fake insurance claim card he had. As Zach jumped out he could tell Mason wasn’t excited anymore. He was afraid of what they were unearthing. Walking up to the porch he flashed his badge at the man who was drinking a forty ounce beer on the porch. He had grease underneath his nails and Zach could see that from here. It smelled of a stench of weed and old cigarettes. Did everyone in these trailer parks smoke? Flashing his badge he looked at the older man. “I’m looking for Melanie or Harry Richardson.”

Harry spat his dip right by Mason and Zach feet. Stopping the city slickers right in their tracks. That damn car was more expensive than this whole trailer park. Who did these boys think they are the O’Connnor’s? Everyone knew who were Cape Kenitrich royals and it wasn’t anyone here. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the badge. “Listen, my wife and I haven’t gotten into any domestic situations in years. That’s my cousin Jimbo, not me down de road. So if that’s all officer I’d like to go back to listening to the game and enjoying my beer.” Rocking back and forth he looked at Mason and tilted his head. “Where is your badge young fella? If you’re not an officer you can get the hell off my property.” He didn’t allow blacks he remembered when he caught his daughter with a negro. Rocking back and forth he looked at him. “I’m Harry, who the hell are you two and what the hell do you want, officer?”

Zach could feel the animosity for Mason. Something they’d never publicly faced was racism. It was something they didn’t face in Atlas Falls. In Addisonville it used to be considered a sundown town. He was furious at the blatant disrespect. “Mason is an insurance investigator. So you will respect him just as much as me. Could you refrain from spitting at us.” He said, narrowing his eyes. “I have questions about Kendall Richardson.”

Mason was silent in the car ride to their next destination. What could he say sorry that someone decided to infiltrate Zach’s family for what he could only come to the conclusion was insanity. Walter hadn’t even known that Dru or Kendall whatever she was calling herself existed. Plus it wasn’t like they had proof that Kendall was even really Walter’s Brenda lied over the years, maybe she was Steven’s spawn that she just got rid of. Clearly whoever Kendall believed she was or wasn’t, it led her to steal her best friend’s identity and come to Atlas Falls setting her sights on Zach’s family. He now had to wonder if certain things were a coincidence or revenge, something that he was sure that Zach was asking himself over and over again as well. Once the put the car into park and saw what he assumed was Harry or whatever his name was on the porch he knew they were in for some backwoods type shit.

He watched as Harry spit at them so it was going to be one of those types of interviews that wouldn’t be the first time he encountered someone as hateful as he clearly was. He’d encountered it more times than he could count and in this case he was happy to let Zach lead the questions. It was his family and he was the cop. “I’m not a cop just looking for some answers about Kendall Richardson you don’t know anything we’ll be on our way. He however is and insurance fraud is a crime so I’m pretty sure he’d love to take your ass in.” Mason finished looking at how uncomfortable Harry was that he was talking to him.

“Funny you come here to talk about that whore. I wish we never would of adopted that bitch she was ungrateful from birth. I remember we got her from the orphanage and even as kid she had stars in her eyes like she fucking better than Melanie and me.” Harry stared at Mason. “See we haven’t seen Kendall since she stole from Kelly O’Connor. She stole from some really dangerous people.” He remembered when Kevin came over and nearly beat him to death after Melanie showed up with a broken arm. “If anyone has heard about Kendall boy it would be my wife but she isn’t here. I don’t want to hear from her ever again after the shame she brought to our family. Sean O’Connor was married and she was sleeping with him. An older married man and stealing from that family. Well you’re an officer of the law you know what that family is right?” Harry looked at Mason and Zach and detested the negro. That nigger didn’t belong on his land but if he pulled out his rifle to blow his head off Zach would kill him. He didn’t get his kind gallivanting with the lessers.

Zach heard the boy crack and rolled his eyes. “Melanie would be the one to speak with, and I have to ask where she would be? Tell me information on Kendall. We have reason to believe she may be using Dru Price’s identity to hide from Kelly O’Connor.” The most ruthless female mobster in the United States. She had made a name for herself throughout the years people said the mob had died out. That it wasn’t as powerful as it once was. Kelly proved that to be wrong. In the years since her father’s death and taking on the business she had amassed a bigger fortune, and more power. She was partially responsible for the drugs that pumped through Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and even Atlanta. Walking up he looked at Harry and felt his ignorance dripping from his pores. “Tell me this, can you explain your history with Ms. Richardson? Kendall is your daughter and we have a paper trail that leads to money being sent this way.” Zach lied looking at the man.

Rocking back and forth in his chair he looked at Mason. “Do I have to do this in front of the nigger? I am not about to tell my family business in front of no damn monkey! White power motherfucker!” He jumped up as he looked at Mason. “Get the fuck off my property boy or I’ll blow your brains out. You hear me? Huh boy? Get! Get on!” Harry screamed at Mason walking down the stairs with a sense of satisfaction. “You going to get hung playing with me boy my family been in the Klan my whole life and I don’t like your kind.”

Zach had enough as he slammed him directly into the trailer. Placing his elbow against his neck as hard as he could. Twisting his arm in the back so far he wanted to snap it. He wanted to break the ignorance out of this man but he refrained. He swore people like this made him want to lose his job. To just unleash a barrage of bullets into this waste of space. “Listen to me very carefully you backwood piece of shit. That guy right there? Isn’t just anyone he’s my partner and my partner isn’t going to be disrespected like that. So I’m going to give you one chance and one chance only. No more and no less before I beat your ass and then take you in. Give me all the information on Kendall Richardson now!.” He felt Harry shaking underneath his weight.

“We adopted her when she was only six months old. We went to Sacred Hearts and a man came and visited us after. We were happy with our child and we got a check in the mail. All of the sudden we had a lot of money out of nowhere. We had all that money sitting there so we bought a house and I started gambling. I got in with the O’Connor’s gambling ring and next thing I know we are in a trailer park. That girl always thought she was better than everyone and everything. She wanted more from the moment she could walk. Nothing was enough. I would buy her the toy everyone wanted and she wanted something else she was never satisfied with and it nearly ruined my marriage.” Harry said, speaking honestly for the first time, face pressed up against the cold metal trailer. Arm in so much pain he almost cried out. Grunting not wanting to be weak he held on. “Look I don’t know nothin bout Kendall she’s gone. She is long gone! I don’t know but my wife might! Please let my arm go and I’ll write her address down to where she is at.”

“Mason write the address down.” Zach called out. Turning Richard to face his husband. “Tell Mason you apologize, Mr. Richardson. Or I’m going to snap your arm like a fucking twig. Say sorry man or I swear to God.”

“74 East Forrest Lane, Cape Kentrich 33194. I’m sorry god I’m sorry Mason!” He screamed out at the man. Falling to the ground in the dirt and mud. Looking up at Zach writhing on the ground.

“Let’s go Mason.” Zach said walking back to the car. Getting into the car he looked at Mason and leaned in and kissed his husband letting Harry see them. “You alright?”

Mason stood back and let Zach handle Harry and it took everything in his upbringing to not react and become the angry black man. He hated it that he couldn’t be as bold as Zach could about what Harry said and how he talked to him. When he saw Zach pin him to the trailer though he had hoped that he would have broken his arm it would have served the racist asshole right. He took out his notepad that they had on hand and scribbled down the address that Harry rattled off and watched as the man was on the ground screaming out in pain. He leaned in kissing Zach for good measure seeing Harry glaring at them and smiled. “I’m fine I got you having my back.” He said taking Zach’s hand in his own and walking back to the car to figure out where they were headed next.

**********

He did it. He watched Grant leave and felt like the room was spinning. He hadn’t ever gotten this lightheaded off one drink. He hadn’t eaten since the morning and now here he was feeling like shit. His father used to say never drink on an empty stomach, maybe this was why. Standing up, the room seemed to flip upside. If he didn’t know any better he’d think he was high as a kite. He laughed to himself as his vision began to blur. He picked up the glass and downed the rest of the water trying to pull himself together. As he walked he felt the boiling in the pit of his stomach and knew he wanted to vomit. The spinning and his hand shook as he stood in the middle of the lobby looking at the fishtank. He saw someone familiar on the opposite side and he stepped back. What was wrong with him and he didn’t understand why he felt high and sick all at once. He began to gag. As he felt someone hand on his back as he opened his eyes he saw Dani at first and smiled then he blinked his eyes and saw who it was. “No.” He said, shaking his head looking at Dru. “Get away from me.” He said almost unable to put the words together. “You’re fired. I don’t want you around my kids.” Jackson leaned over as he felt his face flashing hot.

Dru rubbed Jackson’s back as she looked at him. “Look at me.” She said, turning Jackson’s face. “I’m here to help you. I’m so sorry Jackson that you want to let me go but I’m not going to let you go.” She said, rubbing his back. “Breathe let the pleasure takeover. You remember this wave of intensity. You remember how it used to make you feel?” She whispered in his ear. “That’s it Jackson just let it flow.” Dru used her strength to take him by the hands and start to pull him down the hallway. “Jackson I have something to tell you. Partially because you won’t remember a damn thing in the morning. I don’t want you. I don’t like you at all. You aren’t my type, you’re too good. Look at you hesitating right now. Scared and not letting the drugs take you to where you belong. I hope this starts years of more addiction. I hope your kids watch snort coke off some strippers ass. You know what I like the most of all. You will lose my disgusting sister. She is so superior. The way she thought she was going to beat me. Nobody beats Dru. Nobody takes me on. I have dealt with mobsters, and biggest monsters. My father was a raging racist, my mother was a meek housekeeper. I deserved to grow up in the lap of luxury and enjoy the best in life. But they threw me away.” She yelled in his face.

“What?” Jackson asked. “You’re not related? What?” He was confused as he tried to pull away but she kept pulling him forward. “Stop it, let me go.” Jackson tried to raise his voice. But he felt like a weak kitten. Did she say he was high? That he needed to enjoy the high? He didn’t do drugs and he wasn’t a user anymore. What did she mean high? His eyes closed as he felt her brushing up against him. “Stop it!” Jackson said as he pushed her back. He fell back on the floor as he looked up at Dru. “Please don’t.”

Dru stooped down and looked up at Jackson as she leaned in and kissed him deeply. Looking in the camera. She laughed as she helped him up. Then laughed looking directly into the cameras. She pushed him on the wall and pressed her lips against his mouth as she looked at him. “Calm down, this is our time.” She purred as she looked at him. Taking his hand she led him to the elevator. Pressing the button she saw people staring and she leaned up and kissed Jackson for a third time. “Call me Dani.”

“Dani? No, I love my family! I don’t want to hurt her.” He said, almost looking around like a lost child. He didn’t see her. As he was pulled into the elevator and felt Dru all over him. In flashes it looked like Dani and then he was seeing Dru. He felt like everything was moving so fast one moment he was fine the next he was in this elevator. What was happening? “What did you do to me?” He asked, feeling like his world was crumbling. “What have you done?” Jackson said as they reached the tenth floor of the Crestwood hotel. He could feel her pulling him but he was lost. It had been a long time since he had been high and right now the feeling was intoxicating. He was feeling it and finally submitting to the high. He fought it but he couldn’t control what was happening.

Holding Jackson’s hand she paused seeing how lost and vulnerable he was and her heart pounded. For the first time she saw what she was doing. She had just played with this man’s sobriety, she was setting him up to lose his life, and she was destroying her sister’s happiness. For a brief moment Dru felt sympathy seeing Jackson like this. He had avoided her coming on and she pushed until she had to drug him. She was setting him up to lose Dani and his children. He would crumble and for that moment she felt the heartache of what she was doing. She was going to take away those twins’ father and her sister’s happiness Then an aching feeling began to gnaw at her core. What about her? What about what she had been through? Sean O’Connor and stealing the money to come to Atlas Falls? The nights she couldn’t eat because her father had spent all his money on booze and gambling. Her mother getting beat and her growing up knowing she wasn’t the same. She wasn’t going to be a country whore like Dru or Raelene. She had always deserved more and she achieved it. She had climbed to the top and soon she’d get a chance to have everything she wanted. What did she truly want though was the question. Was it revenge or a family? Dru understood once she slept with Jackson there would be no going back. She bit her lip as she looked at him. “I’m sorry. It’s too much in place Jackson you were a pawn.” Taking his hand she began to drag him still acting like she was drunk and playful without trying to show how conflicted she truly was. Using her key card she pulled Jackson into the room and gulped. Letting him go she walked to the bar and instantly pulled out a mini bottle of whiskey. She opened it and gulped down the shot. “Ahhh.” She said leaning over the counter. Turning around she saw Jackson passed out in the bed.

Walking over to him her hands were shaking. She began to unbutton his shirt and using all her strength she removed his starched white button up shirt. Then stooped down and untied Jackson’s shoes as she looked at him. Rolling Jackson over she pulled the covers down. Then pushed him back to the other side. Removing his pants she covered him as she walked to her phone. Picking it up she looked at Jackson. “I need my videographer to come now. He’s out.” Removing her dress completely naked she heard someone unlock the door. He was right next door waiting as she climbed on top of Jackson. “Let’s make this convincing. If you’re going to get your beloved Dani back that is.” As her neck craned to Lex standing with a camera. “I’m about to rock your world Jackson.”

Lex had been waiting in the adjoining room, reviewing contracts while Dru was down at the bar getting Jackson wasted. Thanks to Mason’s selfish ass he had double the workload. If his boss was anyone but Julian he’d have pawned it off on one of the paralegals but he felt compelled to see that all was done right. Or almost all. He changed the font on Mason’s contracts to comic sans before sending them off to his clients for signatures. Served him right for taking so much time off to get married and go on his stupid honeymoon with Dani’s nosy, douchebag cop cousin. Mason seemed like the type to fraternize with the police, too. A fucking do gooder. He’d texted Ryan to remind him to cover for him if he saw Chuckles. He was absolutely afraid of what his father would do to Dru if he found them together. He knew the man wasn’t playing around when he’d threatened to get rid of her but he just couldn’t stay away. Ryan didn’t know exactly what he was doing, just that he was with a girl his father wouldn’t approve of. That was true and happened on the regular so wouldn’t set off any alarm bells. Giving Ryan plausible deniability was a gift. When Dru had finally called him, he picked up the camera and lit one of her cigarettes before heading to the next room. Being in the Crestwood reminded him of his mother and he tried not to think about her and how she’d react to all of this as he made his way down the hall. Instead he hyped himself up by thinking about the pay off. Finally Jackson was getting his after that beat down he’d taken among other sleights. That shit was so fucking embarrassing. He’d passed out on Ryan and Whit’s couch after drinking the pain away and made up some cool sounding shit when Miles woke him up asking what happened the next morning. Then he had to listen to Ryan and Whitney bitch at him over breakfast while his head was pounding. Jackson needed to seek counseling for those anger issues.

He didn’t know what he was expecting as he got to the room but Dru being naked made him pause, well, every part of him except his dick which was straining to stand at attention. Fucking Jackson. He wished that was him on the bed. Not passed out of course. All she had to do was say the word and he’d abandon this plot and take her for the ride of her life. He walked over and held the cigarette to Dru’s lips so she could take a long drag. “Aw, come on baby, don’t hate on Dani. You know you’re my favorite girl,” Lex said, and then he surprised himself by bending down to kiss that pouty little mouth. As he was setting up the camera and adjusting the angle, he looked at her naked heart shaped ass through the viewfinder. This was definitely her good side, not that she had a bad one. It was sad that this little thing between Jackson and Dani was about to come to a grinding halt. He was enjoying his time with Dru and he’d have to give her up once he had Dani back. His father had made the rules clear, no fucking up this time which meant no fucking around. “Jackson, you lucky bastard. You’re about to be a big star,” he said, winking at Dru as he hit record and watched the countdown. Jackson was going to be a sore loser once it was all said and done but what could he do about it? Dani would hate his guts for sleeping with the nanny and he’d be there to pick up the pieces while Jackson went back to the first love of his life, the drugs. “Welcome to the Lifestyles of the Depraved and over privileged,” he said standing back, watching Dru work her magic. A slow smile spread across his face as he imagined Jackson waking up. He knew enough addicts to know this was Jackson’s greatest fear. That he would slip up and the life he built would all be an illusion. You can take the spoiled little rich boy out of the party but you can’t take the party out of him.

**********

Pierre had arrived in from Paris Harvey couldn’t know that he was there just yet, too much was at stake. His brother would disapprove of all of it, especially the way it involved Lauren, she was simply collateral in it all and for now he didn’t need Harvey’s nose where it didn’t belong. Instead he had checked in by texting Greer that he was in town, he could of course fake a smile with Lauren’s dumb nephew if needed but he needed to be in town to see everything through. He inspected the room upon his arrival everything needed to be perfect, it was spacious enough for guests if he needed extra room, should Greer tire of her mundane little life with Brock she was welcome as well as his grandchild. He unfortunately had no idea if Greer was actually ever going to take him up on it but he had seen a picture of that shack that Brock Fraiser owned and he shuddered. Walking to the long dining table it was then that he spotted her there along with her husband and he almost sneered. She was clearly back to her shadow games lately and he wondered if she had showed up for her son’s wedding or not, he didn’t question how she had gotten into his room he knew she had ways.

“I see that someone alerted you to my arrival. I’ll have to talk to the staff here about their security. Clearly they are letting anyone into anyone’s room lately. I do have to say is all the cloak and dagger shit something that you must keep on doing. We are so close to that end goal we had in mind. You obviously were in town for the wedding. I heard it was lovely. Greer of course is going to put out a lovely think piece on it.” Pierre said, walking to the already prepped wet bar and pouring some ice in some tumblers and rummaging through the liquor cabinet for something for himself and his guests. He finally found what he was looking for in the cabinet and put it on the shelf the expensive cognac and poured them all a drink before handing Gloria Delacroix-Beecher and Jeremiah their glasses. “I was going to call you when it was done. You know no need to fly out and make sure that things aren’t going to plan. We agreed I do my part and you do yours and this goes as smoothly as it can. DGI is vulnerable right now, ripe for the taking and when the time is right we will all have our revenge and not before. You expose yourself too early, well that ends up costing all of us, does it not? I already did time for you once Gloria I won’t be doing that again.”

“Tick-tock motherfucker.” Gloria sneered as she stared at Pierre. Picking up her glass she took a sip of the cognac. “Times up Pierre, I refuse to sit by idle while Ophelia continues to place her claws into my children. That bitch said she was Selina and Mason’s mother and I have sat back for over thirty years waiting and holding myself back from holding my babies.” Gloria stood up and was wearing a dramatic skirt dress from Valentino with a cape, leather fitted pants, thigh high heel boots, leather shoulder length opera gloves adored her body, gold and jade jewels on her neck and wrist, and signature Senegalese twist braids were pinned up and braided into a crown around her head. “I know you understand the concept of missing time with your child. I let go of my kids for this very moment. Now I won’t be waiting anymore. I’m going public and BA Energy will be also making a swing to get my kids back from Ophelia. Little miss cha-cha thinks she’s the matriarch of my family. Nah fuck that so you think I was honestly going to sit back? If I would have popped up when Lowell was alive and well he would have ruined BA Energy and me. I would have been banned from my kids. Now this motherfucker is dead and gone. Tony’s weak ass is dead and gone! So why am I hiding?” Turning around she picked up the file on Natasha Hassan and threw it at him.

“I read your proposal for her and it’s interesting. If we can prove that Jackson or Dani broke the morality clause. What makes you so sure Natasha Hassan would betray her husband? What makes you think Jackson is going to break the clause or Dani? All these loose variables and I’m going to make this very clear Pierre if this fails I’ll annihilate you.” Looking at her husband she stroked his face. Then walked behind Pierre and massaged his shoulders. Leaning down to his ear, her lips so close that she knew he could smell the cognac on her breath. “You know what a bitch like me is capable of. I broke you like the toys you all were to me. Then nearly walked away with everything if Tony wasn’t such a bitch. I want a guarantee that Natasha will be on our side. Can you assure that because if not. I’m going to go public right now and shake the table. So Pierre, what insurance do we have?”

“Ophelia was their mother Gloria. You stepped back from that role and willingly I might add you were too afraid to fight Tony for custody and wouldn’t want all those secrets to come out. Myself on the other hand that was never a choice for me being hauled off in handcuffs by the very people that I was supposed to trust in namely you. Agnes going into labor the way she did and having Harvey raise Greer while I was gone for years unwillingly, hardly the same thing.” Pierre said coldly looking at Gloria they could do this all night if she wanted to see which one was more deadly or more set on revenge. He’d seen a few things in prison, been involved in a few things as well people owed him favors and he’d even made a few new clients on the side, making sure to help them with their financial decisions was after all still his specialty. It was also as a convicted felon he wasn’t actually allowed to have anything legally to do with LeClerq media no it was his brother and Greer at the helm he was more there as an advisor. “I thought that we agreed that you needed to lay low in order for this to happen. You popping up at Mason’s wedding was risky. Selina is already digging into questions and speaking to the wrong people. I had a very interesting call from Penny the other day. You’re lucky that I was able to silence her again with that little fund we had set aside. You know the one where you stole all that money from Lowell and made me hide it. Then you and the rest sold me out, I paid my price. Consider a fee for picking up your mess again.”

“I have my ways when it comes to keeping my eyes on people that need to have their eyes kept on them, why did you send Jeremiah to speak to Natasha at the Summit if you think that isn’t the route that we should be going? I have an actual spy in this town. Greer knows all the gossip, and she has her sources. I knew about Jeremiah at the Summit before his plane even landed. Why even speak to her if you hadn’t been thinking the same thing?” Pierre and bringing his own drink to his lips and taking a sip letting the liquid slip down his throat. Unlike other men in Gloria’s life he wasn’t afraid of her while she was out there making enemies left and right he was playing the long con to keep your enemies close and your friends closer. There was a reason Tess trusted him above Forbes to take care of her when it came to Lowell. Gloria could have her precious little BA Energy and maybe even SandStar included with it but DGI’s downfall would be when he said it would happen. “Why should I tell you what I know and what I don’t know when it comes to Jackson and his little morality clause? You seem to be so focused on marking your territory around your kids. Must sting that they all bonded so well with Ophelia and Tony had a child with her after everything.”

“Watch it white boy, you’re writing a check your ass can’t cash.” Gloria said as she walked to her seat at the table. “Okay I’ll play catch with you. I am here to mark what’s mine. Those kids were stripped of me years ago. I knew Lowell nor Tony would let me have my babies. Now I did sacrifice and I know you did too. I regret what happened to you and Agnes. That’s the truth Pierre. I should have brought down Forbes or Lowell, you were a petty fish to fry.” She said knowing that would hurt him to hear. “I however know where my mistake lies back then. I should have been working with your nefarious ass. Now I said I would bite but I’m not waiting much longer. I’m going to get what’s mine back. Tell me if you don’t know what I’m feeling. You were behind bars while I was behind a grave. Stuck never to see my daughter grow into a woman. Never to hold her when she found out she couldn’t bare children. Mason was gay and I knew that since he slid up out of me. I knew my babies and I wanted to have them but I couldn’t and have the man I love and the power I sought. I refused to be silenced any longer. Lowell is dead and I am back. He would have made sure I was buried if he knew. So I’m here because he’s dead and we have a plan Pierre but at this point I need this to happen now. I need this to go into hyper drive because I need to get my spot back. I need to be that woman that they turn to again.” Opening her purse Gloria pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sides of her eyes.

“I raised two kids with Jeremiah. My boy is strong and my daughter is spoiled and rich and doesn’t know I’m not Marlene Beecher. I’m Gloria Delacroix and that means something. I have two other kids I left behind to have this life. To not go to jail.” She paused thinking about Lowell’s threats and words during her chemotherapy treatment. “So motherfucker, you’re going to tell me because my time is ticking. Did Lowell dying not teach you that we gotta make shit right and get what’s ours? I apologize to you Pierre but I gotta ask how much longer. I can’t keep this up because my place is at the head of that table. I’m Gloria the woman who broke DGI and I know where the bodies are buried and I’m here to unearth them. I’m not your enemy anymore, we are your partner. Let me give you something you may want? Did you know that your brother is in Atlas Falls? Harvey is here.” Gloria saw his shock. “You didn’t know good so now you owe me something. Give me a timetable baby.”

Pierre almost sneered at her he had cash just cash she would never touch he wasn’t completely dumb when it came to those finances. Her apology fell on deaf ears for the most part; that was not what he was interested in; he wanted revenge on Lowell, Forbes and Walter for sending him to prison. Walter could have easily spoken up for him but chose not to do it probably out of spite due to Lauren’s affair with Harvey. Lowell had wanted to sell him out and Gloria helped him do it but he knew right now the enemy that had to be my friend was more important to his end goal. “And I wanted to see my daughter be born and not lose my wife that same night while I sat in county lock up before I was sentenced to federal prison but here we are Gloria. It’ll happen you and Jeremiah seem to be so worried about it not happening because I think you’re scared that Mrs. Deconshire-Hassan will simply be too blinded by Chauncey and her predicament to venture to you both. You see you need me to make that work, Lowell was not ever dumb when it came to Chauncey’s marriage he made them sign a prenuptial. The only way to get SandStar for her is to attack his second eldest. No couple is impenetrable and maybe you should have focused more on that when you both decided to hatch this plan, no I had to point that out to you. Put a few people in the way and it gets a little too heated, turn up the oven and it cooks.” Pierre said looking at her and waving his hand at her he knew she was tired of the back and forth but so was he, he would spring and tell them about Dru and her accomplice but not before she served her revenge.

“You are right you and I are no longer enemies at the moment that doesn’t mean we can’t be again but I thought the common goal between us was Selina at BA Energy, Natasha getting SandStar back and that leaves DGI to whatever I seem fit, which all I want is isn’t fucking downfall. But since you are asking tonight. Everyone was so focused on Lowell dying, Tony dying, a few cute weddings here or there none of them checked who was lurking in the background. I happen to know for a fact that marriage is going to crash and burn, go up in flames as we are speaking. The biggest enemy is sometimes the ones you least expect that you discarded.” Pierre said looking at Gloria and he was still livid about Harvey being in town sure he could have been there to see Willow or Greer but Harvey always chased one thing in Atlas Falls. The one thing and woman he couldn’t have, the life he couldn’t have Lauren Cummings and by extension the very girl he had Dru set her sights on, Dani was simply collateral for him in all of this. Dru was his weapon of choice and tonight she would make it happen, Lex Hessington being her accomplice at this point was just a fucking bonus that he was far too gleeful about. Gloria never had to know that he and Harvey still disagreed on Lauren and attacking her family and the daughter that Harvey desperately hoped was his long ago would put them at odds, it was something he had to do. “Willow is in town. I am sure he is paying a visit to her, plus Greer is due soon since she is the one he raised. I am sure he wanted to check in on her.”

He still resented her after all these years. He might say he didn’t but the fact he brought up Agnes’ death and Greer’s birth solidified it. If he had the chance he would slit her throat with the quickness. As she listened she figured he’d done something to make sure Jackson and Dani would fall and that was delicious. Lowell’s heirs to him and Jackie losing everything that he built. That was perfect irony and she was going to let him do it. However she felt a foreboding feeling in her stomach. This wouldn’t end well if she didn’t get what she wanted and they went back to war. She’d have to play along a little longer and continue to get him to give her information. Once she had what she needed she’d use it against him to protect herself from whatever he would and could do. Jeremiah was always more docile out of the two of them. He was a strong man but she carried the fire in their relationship. She had made him millions by using her common sense and brain power. They built BA Energy into the powerhouse it was and she wasn’t going to allow her return from the dead or Pierre to slow her down.

“If BA Energy get’s that patent on the solar panels from Natasha and SandStar we will be able to demolish the one other piece of DGI that’s turning a profit. That’s enough for me and I…” Gloria paused as she picked up her drink. “I’m sorry there wasn’t one person who genuinely didn’t love Agnes. She was beautiful inside and out and I apologize for making you miss something that you needed. Clearly you are still hung up on losing her and I did that. To Agnes and you finally getting revenge for losing her. To BA Energy finally being on top where it belongs. Finally to a lasting partnership. We will be on top finally.” Raising her glass she looked at him. “Cheers.”

Pierre looked at Gloria taking a sip of his own drink. Everyone loved Agnes, that was no secret she lit up a room and at the time kept he and Harvey on the same team for a bit though she actually wanted Harvey to abandon Freya for his heart. Despite all that he knew a part of him died when she did after giving him Greer, his life changed then he was stuck in prison for years. He never got to see any of her firsts when it came to her milestones and once he was out he had no idea what he was doing. In many ways he resented how close his brother was with Greer how in many ways he was the father she knew. A part of him would always blame the woman across from him for that time of his life and he simply didn’t respond to her comment further for now they needed to work together. He still had Tess in his hands now too, sure she had DGI now but eventually that may run its course and he would be there to pick her back up when she needed. Forbes and Gloria thought that Tess was going to relinquish power to them, that was fine he was going to let them think that until the final moment.

“Yes if we can make that happen then of course BA Energy makes out like they are supposed to but we need Natasha on our side which means for now you are staying in the shadows at least till the casino opening. Once I have what we need, what you have asked me to get then you can come out and play. I’ll even help arrange the meeting with the love birds. Mason and Selina can be there too of course, the perfect little bomb to go off and upend DGI even more.” Pierre said looking at her and seeing Jeremiah off in the corner sneering at him he would never understand how a man like Jeremiah bagged a woman like Gloria. She was so vibrant and above him, she had a wicked mind when it came to business and Jeremiah simply followed her around like a puppy, it was almost sad in a way. He supposed that the heart wants what it wanted and he couldn’t fault either of them for that. “For now we need to be partners Gloria, you’ll get your time to shine. What is a week tops? I’ll check my calendar but I’m pretty sure that party is less than that away. DGI will be crumbled, on the eve of Lowell’s other most spoiled child’s big day seems like it is what you always wanted is it not, afterall had you gotten your way Selina would be running it under your company maybe even married to Chauncey correct?” He finished looking at his watch hoping their little chat was coming to a close.

Finishing up her drink she felt unsure if Pierre feared her but she knew that this truce they had was hinging on her getting Selina to betray DGI. To take them down finally and she was going to make sure she got what she wanted and if she had to she’d stab Pierre again. She hated how things happened to the man. Who thought a perfectly healthy woman would die in birth? Leaving Greer to be Harvey’s true heir because they both poured something into that little bitch. She was what she couldn’t be and women like her paved the way for Greer’s, Selina’s, and even Max’s. She wasn’t allowed to break through the boys club but she outsmarted all of them and that was her weapon. She disarmed them by her abrasive personality and then destroyed them with strategic maneuvering. Gloria glared at him, nodding her head as she picked up her Birkin bag and stood up nodding at Jeremiah for their exit. Slipping up a beaded Swarovski crystal mask only showing her eyes. Her sympathy ran deep for him but someone would have fallen on the sword and sadly she picked him. He was a volatile factor and honestly onto her back then. She knew it and she wasn’t going to pretend that she thought he was over it. Partners working together to watch something burn but she knew Pierre couldn’t resist eventually knocking at her door. When he did she would be ready and breaking him again would be a delicious treat.

“Call the car, Jeremiah.” She purred as she placed her purse over her shoulder. “I don’t want to wait. Pierre.” She touched his chest. “What happened back then wasn’t out of my control but what is happening now is in our control. We have the power to make an empire fall that we all should be still eating the fruits from. I for one say it’s a damn good prize. If Greer isn’t with the Devonshire’s then let them burn. We deserve to watch it fall and unlike Forbes I got too much motherfucking class to show him what he did. I just want him to feel it even beyond the grave that man will feel it I promise.” She vowed looking at him as she walked out taking Jeremiah’s arm as she exited the door. Once on the elevator she looked at him. “We need something on Pierre.”

**********

Mason had dropped Zach off three blocks away for safe measure while he did this part himself. Zach frankly couldn’t risk it and as he pulled up to the mansion gates and flashed his fake insurance card even he waited with baited breath for the huge gates to open. He took in the surrounding lavish courtyard out front the palm trees in a circle around what he assumed was a pond. One of them dressed in a white shirt black pants clearly had a gun on his side motioned for him to exit the car. Once out he was motioned to raise his hands and knew from Zach this was simply another checkpoint to get inside the house. He followed instructions for the pat down that ensued and then watched as the man spoke something into the microphone, not English, probably Gaelic if he had to guess before extending his arm to the door. It opened after a few moments where another guard led him into the house past the portrait on the walls, an office or a study of some sort.

He took a seat on the leather couch. It was simply immaculately clean and for a brief second he wondered how many mafia ties had been inside this very room. He wondered how many times the rug had been replaced because of blood. His foot tapped against the hardwood wondering what was taking so long. Wondering if the fake insurance card for him had been compromised and if they knew who he really was or his connection to Atlas Falls. Wondering if they knew he was married to a cop who was headed for the FBI or not. A pit settled in his stomach at the thought: could they have tracked down where Zach was? He reminded himself that he needed to play it cool as he looked out the window at a clear view of the beach. Rich people he was used to, rich people that built their empire of drugs, racketeering and murder though was something he wasn’t involved with. Growing up he knew it wasn’t kosher to hang out with Thor or Ronan his parents would have forbid it, hell it was a miracle that Hunter became friends with Thor. When the door opened he turned to see the woman on the other side enter.

“Mason Robertson.” Kelly O’Connor said looking at the man before her in his suit he looked like a car insurance salesman. Regardless she had sent him to her study when the call came from Kevin as a precaution until his identity could be verified. Ronan was landing tomorrow night and she had too many fires going at the moment. The last thing she needed was the feds on her property or in her house on some fake insurance scheme. She saw him looking at the rug and around the room as she motioned for him to take a seat on the couch. “You’re from Sunshine State Insurance, is that correct? Something about fraud? We’ve never carried that type or brand of insurance.”

Mason looked at her knowing not only was she the head of one of the most notorious mafia organizations but also an excellent lawyer before her father died and she took over. She clearly was crossing her t’s and dotting her i’s wanting his alibi and story to check out completely. He only hoped that Diego didn’t fuck it up and have everything in place before he walked into her office. He folded his hands in front of him facing off with the brunette across from him pretty sure she was carrying a weapon and if not her number one was never that far out of reach. “Yes I’ve been there for over fifteen years. I’m not here for anyone in your family. I’m actually looking to speak with a woman named Melanie Richardson. I have some questions she may be able to answer about her daughter Kendall and a car accident that involved her two friends.” Mason said, seeing her tense at the mention of Melanie and Kendall’s names.

Kelly looked at him. She hadn’t heard that name in years Kendall Richardson, another one of her brother Sean’s little play things and frankly she never wanted to see that girl again. She knew what was fucking good for her; she’d never set foot in the Cape again after stealing from her. She knew about the accident you had to be living in a rock to not know. Melanie was somewhere in the mansion cleaning, her father’s favorite maid and she really was more like family at this point. She refused to divorce that asshat of an abusive racist husband she had so she stayed in a room here on the estate for protection. “Yes the accident involving Dru Price and Raelene I can’t remember her last name. She was that insignificant around here. Melanie is our housekeeper. I haven’t seen or heard from her daughter Kendall in years. She knows better than to return home.” She said as the door opened and she saw Kevin approach her while he leaned in whispering in her ear.

“If it is all the same to you I have some questions for Melanie about Kendall. Someone has been using Drusilla Price’s social security number for a number of years posing as her. The company is looking into filing an insurance fraud claim against the Price and the Richardson families based on that. Melanie would be able to clear up a few things and set my investigation straight.” Mason said clearly getting the impression that Dru or Kendall had pissed off the O’Connor’s too was there anyone that she didn’t piss the fuck off and have a  beef with? He saw the man enter the room and lean over whispering in her ear and he was pretty sure the room got silent where you could hear a pin drop while he waited to see what in the hell he had told her, did the Feds come through or not?

The story checked out, her team had searched the car, there was no bug and his name appeared on the company database, website and even a phone call to confirm employment. There had been a claim filed by the parties of the families involved in the accident payouts given and she waved her hand at Kevin while he left and she rose from the couch. “I sent Kevin to fetch Melanie for us to finish our chat. Drink while we wait?” She finished pouring him a scotch and not waiting for an answer while she handed him one before waiting for their housekeeper to arrive. She’d stay for the meeting just in case.

Melanie, like the rest of the staff, had been busy preparing for Ronan’s visit. He was pleasant enough, especially considering some of his and Kelly’s fellow mobsters. Even though he was welcome, she felt things were a little more tense than normal. Ronan brought a new set of risks, people that might take try to advantage of the fact that he was away from home. When Kevin found her and told her someone was downstairs asking after Kendall, she couldn’t believe it. After all this time, hearing her daughter’s name threw her off. Her mind wandered as she made her way to the study with Kevin. She honestly thought they’d never hear from her or about her again. The last thing she wanted was Kendall coming around, pissing Kelly off. She had been so embarrassed when Kendall had scammed Sean and made off with all that money. Kelly could’ve sent her goons after her, could’ve killed her. Kendall was lucky she’d been with the family so long. That’s probably the only thing that saved her. She never got why Kendall would do something so stupid. Always wanting more than what she had.

Melanie pulled her cardigan tighter, hugging herself as she came into the study and looked at the man sitting on the couch. She thought he must’ve seen Harry before this to know where she was and almost laughed, wondering how that went. Maybe he should’ve just kept whatever this was filed away. She looked at Kelly first who was sitting in the big leather chair behind her fathers old desk. She didn’t make a move to leave and wondered what she was thinking. Would she go after Kendall all this time later? Kevin had given her the gist of what this insurance adjuster had told them. He was here about the car accident and some fraud claim that might be pending against them thanks to Kendall. Was she going to have to ask Kelly for yet another favor because of that girl? “Whatever Kendall’s done now, I don’t know anything about it.” She said, shaking her head. “That girl left this town a long time ago and I haven’t heard from her since. I don’t want anything to do with her bullshit. If she’s off using Dru Price’s identity, I wouldn’t know. I don’t see how I could possibly help you.”

Mason looked at the older woman and then Kelly O’Connor he didn’t eat to know what Dru or Kendall did. He wasn’t even sure what he should call her other than psycho at this point. Who stole their best friend’s identity and took over their life that would be like him doing that to Hunter or Jackson. Minus the entire sleeping with women thing because he didn’t swing that way. He wanted to make a list of things that he was pretty sure that she had done number one being Dani’s phone shit but he had no proof it was just an accusation. “I don’t doubt that Mrs. Richardson but there are some questions that I’d like to ask and then you can tell me what you know. I take it from your reaction that you two haven’t spoken in a long time and your husband, er ex husband or whatever seemed toi be under that impression as well. Kendall or Dru has been traveling all over the country the last few years using Dru Price’s information as her own. Is there a reason why she would do that? Why not just use hers? Was she rattled by something insurance fraud is a pretty huge deal.”

“Is there anything that you can tell me about where you and Harry adopted her from that may help to clear up her motivations? She’s been causing a lot of havoc where she is currently at. She also caused some trouble here too. We’d just like to clear this up so we can mark closed on the case if funds were misused and you can verify that she is alive and well and not Dru Price that would be helpful.” Mason said he wasn’t sure what exactly went down with the women he was looking into and the O’Connor’s but he doubted that any of it was good from the looks of the head of that family behind the desk. He had no idea if Brenda was lying about who Kendall was, the only person who could clear that up was Melanie since Harry was the biggest racist asshole he’d run across and he’d met a lot in his lifetime. “I know it was a struggle with her but anything you know about her adoption or her adoptive parents would help clear up a lot as far as her motivations go. It seems quite cold, uncaring and callous to take over the girl that was her best friend’s identity and run with it. So there has to be some underlying reason.”

Melanie listened to Mason’s questions, impatient to get back to work and go back to forgetting about the ungrateful little wench she’d devoted her life to, only to have her up and leave. “Is there a reason she’s using Dru Price’s identity? Because she’s dumber than dirt? Or maybe because Norma Jean’s an idiot and she thought that old bat wouldn’t notice. Kendall always thought she was better than the rest of us. Nothing was ever good enough. That girl could make the preacher cuss.” She glanced over at Kelly. Her and her father had been good to her. If it wasn’t for them she’d be stuck living with Harry and didn’t want Kelly to think she’d ever condone what Kendall did. Truth be told she suspected that’s why she was using that dead girl’s name but she knew better than to tell anyone about that. “You can’t even imagine the things that girl put us through. I tried with her, I really did. Maybe there was something wrong with her from the start. That’s all I can think of. I tried to find her once. Asked a few people around town but she hasn’t called anyone. Wrote us all off. I had no part in any insurance fraud. If anyone around here did it was Harry but he’s the last person on earth Kendall would call for help.”

When he asked about the adoption she allowed herself to remember that time, long ago. It hadn’t always been so bad. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that the problems started, when she found out she was adopted and then later who her birth parents were. “Me and Harry wanted kids but Harry, well he was shooting blanks. I don’t care who knows it. Robert suggested we go down to Sacred Heart Adoption. He helped arrange the whole thing. He was such a good man. Anyway, there she was. This little angel with that beautiful red hair. Harry said she’d have a temper but I don’t believe that nonsense. She did end up with an attitude but it’s not on account of her hair. You said verify who she is? Do you have a picture or something?” She asked, honestly wanting to see Kendall. Mason nodded and showed her his phone and her eyes went misty as she looked at it. She zoomed in on her face. She was always so pretty. The prettiest baby in the Cape. People used to tell her she should put her in beauty pageants but Harry wouldn’t ever let them. At least she knew she was ok. Having a grand time at some fancy party just like she always wanted. “That’s her. That’s my Kendall. The day she found out who her birth parents were was the last time I saw her. So, maybe that’s why she’s using that girls name. She was so pissed. I don’t know why exactly. Whatever she’s doing, I hope she hasn’t gotten herself in too deep.”

Kelly looked between Melanie and the insurance adjuster when the adoption came up. Her father had never been cruel per say unless you counted his affair that created her half sister. He ran a tight ship and people feared him, she carried on that legacy to the point that there wasn’t shit that happened in her city that she didn’t know about. “My father’s lawyer handled the adoption as a favor to Melanie for her commitment to my family. I believe it was Sacred Heart Adoption agency Kendall was six months old at the time. I think had he known how abusive Harry was to either of them he would have thought twice.” She said opening a file drawer on the desk peeking through a few papers that she had kept over the years, there was nothing for the business of course but personal family matters he always made copies and she did find the one that contained the adoption. She flipped through the file for a moment. “Mother’s name is listed as Brenda Judith Thorpe, father is listed as Walter Fraiser. Does that answer your questions?” She finished placing the paper down as she looked at Mason. “If that is all I think Melanie has other preparations that she needs to get back too.”

“Kendall hasn’t been home in years and like I said before if she knows that is good for her she won’t be. No one in this family is going to speak to her or give her the time of day and whatever trouble she is in she likely brought it on herself. I would assume you know who I am. Unless you would like to share with me where she is I suggest you take what myself and Melanie have told you and close your investigation.” Kelly finished looking at him. He couldn’t be that dumb that he had no idea who she was or what she did. She paused for a moment and she could swear that she saw fear flash on his face and she looked over at Kevin before looking back at him. “I can be very persuasive when I need to find out information that I want. I doubt your company wants to see that. Kevin will escort you out.” She finished not leaving it up for a debate or a discussion at this point with the man in the room as she watched Melanie leave.

Mason took in the information that Melanie didn’t know much other than it sounded like once Kendall knew who her parents were she felt like she was owed something. He got the hints that whatever led from her quick exit and change to Dru’s name had to do with the other woman in the room and he knew a threat when he heard one. He wondered how much or how close Kelly was to Ronan Madden all she would have to do was ask him about the woman he was fucking and not Gi if she wanted to know where Dru was. It was terrifying actually to know how close she was to probably extracting whatever revenge she wanted on Kendall was basically a phone call away. He nodded his head when she read off Brenda’s name and then Walter’s, it was likely true Brenda had no reason to lie out of state and away from Steven about who the child’s father was. He would still advise that the bitch back home submit to one if he couldn’t convince her Zach could and he simply nodded his head at Kelly seeing Melanie leave, playing his part perfectly not to raise suspicions on himself or his husband.

He didn’t bother with a huge response to Kelly; it was better for him to not say or so anything other than take the escort out of the house. He could fill in Zach about the meeting and interview once he was away. The walk back to his car was almost eerie like seeing the various guards looking at him next to who he was sure now as Kevin Nixon. When the door to the rental car was opened he got inside while it shut his eyes straight ahead to the gate when he drove out. Kendall had messed with a very dangerous woman that was clear adn was pretty sure the only reason she was still living was because said woman had two rules, no women and no children. Kendall in his opinion was lucky to be living out her numbered days in Atlas Falls if Jackson or Dani didn’t end her. Maybe Ronan would slip and let it out who she was and she;d have bigger problems than trying to con her way into Atlas Falls and the parents she was so desperately seeking. He drove to the park taking a few back streets on his way before he pulled up and let Zach in the car. “So yeah that was terrifying and I have what we need. Verify some paperwork with KC or Diego and Dru Price is an alias for Kendall Richardson, someone lied to your uncle. She is alive and well and I’m pretty sure you’re on point that she is the one that has been messing with Dani’s phone.”

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