3×23 “See You Again”
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain language, violence and sex.
Theme Song: See You Again- Whiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth

 

Dani had parked the car, the drive over being filled with silence. Her mind was still racing a million miles a minute trying to decide what she did and didn’t believe anymore. She wanted to believe Jackson but she found the bag in his coat in their closet. How did it get there if it wasn’t his? What reason would their housekeeper have to put it there or the dry cleaner? Combined that with everything he said the night before none of it was making sense or sitting right with her at all and she didn’t know what to do. It wouldn’t be fair to just walk out on him after everything they had gone through but the drugs were a hard no for her, it should be a hard no for him now. It wasn’t just about them anymore they had two children to think about and as she got out of the car and shut the door seeing him do the same she stared at him wondering what they would do. She was not his mother or any of the other women in his life that he thought that he could just lie to and she’d stand there and take it she wasn’t anyone’s doormat. She made that promise to herself a long time ago, she’d never do that again with anyone. She felt her watch buzz and looked at the message from her brother. What was so urgent he needed to talk to her about? She ignored it with everything going on with her and Jackson. The last thing she needed was to deal with more shit from her family.

The ride up the elevator was again made in silence what should have been them presenting themselves as this unbreakable couple and front seemed too large and looming. Who in the hell called a meeting at this hour on the same night as the casino? All of it made her uneasy but she wasn’t ready to let apparently Natasha get the best of them seeing how she was the one who set the meeting. Did that mean that Chauncey was up to something too? He knew what Lowell had wanted and when the elevator finally did stop she reluctantly took Jackson’s hand in hers. “For now until we get home later and work this out we need to be what your dad wanted us to be as the couple in charge of this company. I’m mad Jackson beyond mad. I don’t know what to think anymore. It was in your coat. But I know a meeting like this means something is happening. We need to keep things the way they have been,” Dani managed to get out her eyes ahead, keeping up appearances at least for now had to be done and walking into the conference room she was surprised to see Selina, Elliot and Mason in there. “Would anyone like to tell us what is going on?”

Mason had hung up the phone with Zach on his way into DGI, the cryptic text coming in from Tess herself saying that DGI would need legal representation at this meeting, he had no idea what side she was hoping he would represent. If it was her she would quickly learn otherwise on the plus side it meant that Jackson would be there and he could give him a head’s up about Dru. Let him know that their trip to Miami was successful to the point that they had proof that Dru wasn’t who she said she was, meaning if Zach was right she had been gunning for her family since she came home. It would make sense with all the strange coincidences that had happened to Dru walking into that cushy job at the Pub, getting close to Lauren. If he had to guess that meant that Dru was behind that entire incident with Tamara in which Braden had to resign. There was also the reveal of that photo with Steven with Hunter and Anderson, the Kincaid’s had enemies but that seemed personal. The last thing was Dru’s attachment and getting to be the nanny of the twins, and her recent run-ins with Walter and Brenda, something was up. He had gotten into the conference room a few minutes before Dani and Jackson had and was equally confused as to why Selina was in there waiting too.

“Hey I was just about to ask Selina about it, all I know is that I got a text from Tess about DGI needing some representation about this. My guess is Natasha is going to try and strong arm someone out of the SandStar deal.” Mason said leaning down to hug his sister and then turning to Jackson and Dani hugging both and leaning into Jackson’s ear. “I need to talk to you in private as soon as this is over about Dru.” He finished pulling back and then looking at Elliot scrolling on his phone and Selina doing the same. Why was Elliot there? It wasn’t like he had anything to do with DGI and he knew his sister was having tension at the company too but he didn’t think she’d want to turn against his best friend even if she thought Chauncey deserved to be CEO over Jackson. “Before anyone says anything else I want to add that Selina isn’t on Tess’s side. I don’t think anyone really is at this point.” Mason said, looking at his sister and then back at Jackson and Dani. He, like the rest, was not sure why Tess or Natasha had called his meeting on the eve of the casino opening. He’d much rather be there with his husband than playing games with Tess.

Jackson shifted in his shoes uneasy for the entire first time in his marriage. He knew who had done this. It was clear. This woman was some sort of wild wildebeest who had played everyone. Now she had all the ammunition she needed to make him feel like he was going to lose. Dru was going to get run out of town. She was done. It was over and she had once again struck his marriage. He didn’t know how to prove his innocence after all he did that stupid night. How did all that happen? He was so shook and heartbroken that this shit wasn’t needed at all. Whatever scheme Natasha or Tess were planning would be thwarted. “I want you to ensure and lock down every board member on our side Mason. I want everyone to know Dani and I are the CEO, not that bitch and whenever she arrives we will break her. Whatever this is. We are the rightful winners. We won and I’m winning in my marriage. She believes me and I’m asking her to keep believing in me. That’s all I’m going to say as for all the deceit running rampant, I don’t doubt Selina is on our side Mase. I in fact think she might not be satisfied but she will always be our ally in whatever coup Tess is up to and now my bitch of a sister-in-law is doing.” Jackson said antsy to get to the party.

If he could get to Dru maybe he could minimize the damage she was going to do. What had Dani and he done to this woman? She had made a fortune just being the twin’s nanny. All they had done for Dru she had stooped this low; there was no telling what she would do now. How could he ensure that his wife’s heart wouldn’t break and he would not lose everything. The twins were flashing in his head echoing in his heart crying out to somehow fix this. She had plotted this perfectly. As he cleared his throat he picked up the portfolios and his stomach dropped. Contracts for SandStar. What was that witch Natasha up to? The pit of his stomach clenched wondering if Chauncey knew? Was it him behind this? Did he just want DGI? Could he trust his brother with the truth about Dru? He had so many things running through mind that it happened so easily. He thought about a bump of coke or a pill. Either would cut the edge he was feeling and he hadn’t craved drugs in a long time. Rubbing his stubble he saw Mason looking concerned. “I’m good and we will fix DGI.”

Selina walked in with Elliot on her arm. She was summoned here right along with everyone. As a leading executive she would need to be here. She hadn’t left DGI and wouldn’t until they were on stable ground. Even though Jackie and she battled it out recently it didn’t mean her loyalties would ever waver. DGI wasn’t her legacy but it was important to millions of people including her. She would never understand Lowell’s strategy to place Jackson over Chauncey but she knew never to question brilliance. One thing about her Godfather was he always had a plan and was certain that the reason would reveal itself. As she looked at Elliot she wiped lipstick off his lips and smiled at Jackson, Dani, while leaning over as she kissed Mason’s cheek. “So we are all here, Chauncey and Natasha just pulled up as we got on the elevator. Any ideas? I just think whatever this is it isn’t a meeting of the minds. Whatever Natasha or Chauncey is pulling I’m team Jackson and Dani. Lowell trusted me with one of the highest executive positions in this company and I won’t take it for granted. My vote is on you two.” Looking at Elliot she smiled at him. “This DGI stuff is boring, you sure you want to stick around?”

Elliot was content to stay at the meeting to support Selina and if asked offer legal advice if needed though it seemed that Mason had that under control. He leaned over kissing Selina cheek honestly he was proud of her for sticking it out at DGI for now. He only wanted the best for her and if that meant that she was content at DGI until she figured out what she wanted he was going to support that. “I’m not going anywhere and besides it wouldn’t hurt to have two legal minds if you needed it.” Elliot said seeing the nod of approval come from Mason at his words and the doors open for Chancey and one of the women of the hour who called this meeting Natasha.

Chauncey had remained silent with Natasha on the car ride over trying to figure out what exactly she had been planning, he had glanced at Jackson’s text about Dru but honestly it was the last thing on his mind. First he needed to figure out what Natasha exactly was up to and as much as he hated it that DGI was protected and then he’d worry about Jackson and his so-called problems with his nanny. Dru seemed harmless, gorgeous given what she wasn’t wearing at the Summit and his brother was an idiot to not tap it, he would have. Other than that fantasy she was simply harmless and not a threat in his mind, his father had hit plenty of affairs and mistresses from his mother over the years, Jackson needed pointers he was happy to give them. He had seen Selina arrive at DGI with Elliot and wondered who else Natasha had called to this little meeting. Once they had arrived at the room and he looked around, his curiosity peaked even more.

“Well my dear we’re all here when we all should be supporting our sister on her big night. Care to inform the room yet? Including me or are we going to continue to dance around riddles all night long?” Chauncey asked, looking at Natasha and then over at his brother giving him a simple nod of his head. He honestly had no idea what Natasha was or wasn’t up to and he didn’t like any implication that he was a part of it. He would have handled all this in a much more public way if he had done it, held a damned press conference or something. Instead they were brought in like cattle to the DGI boardroom for some mysterious meeting that Natasha and Tess had arranged. Devosnhire’s were not cattle or servants to anyone let alone the woman next to him and their late father’s mistress no matter what fake ass will she was trying to float around. Hearing the door open he turned to see Tess there with Jeremiah, he watched as Pierre walked in behind them and his head was spinning and he was pretty sure silence came over the room again.

Natasha stood up looking at Chauncey and the Devonshire’s and their lackeys. All of the faces staring back at her with such discontent. As if she had wronged them somehow? From the moment she met these godforsaken people her claim to her future was in jeopardy, why? Why was she punished for doing what every man in history had done? Fuck for pleasure and not love and she was shamed for her unabashed sexuality. Then when she conspired to marry inside of the family to get a legit legacy. She would have given Chauncey a son even if biologically that boy wouldn’t have been his. His legacy as a man would have continued and yet he still didn’t get her birthright back in her hands. They pushed her to this very moment and she had no choice but to invoke her own powerplay. No longer was she on the sidelines letting Chauncey, Dani, or Jackson tell her what she would do because tonight SandStar returned home. Natasha Devonshire would die tonight but reborn she will always be Natasha Hassan.

“Tonight I’m announcing two splits Chauncey and please stop calling me your dear. You weak pathetic little man. I’m announcing that I’m absolutely done with this farce of a marriage and secondly I’ll be taking my company back from DGI as of now. I do apologize Tess love if you didn’t know that little diddy. Pierre and I worked that out on our own. Well Pierre and my lawyer Jeremiah Beecher. Did you not know Chauncey and Jackson? Don’t worry about the solar panels because B.A. Energy is happy to finish what you started in DGI. After all, when the company is in such flux, why should my talents and prototypes suffer?” Natasha said, crossing her arms looking at Chauncey. “Pick up your face love, do you care for me to bring in my trump card? You know Jeremiah is only the face of B.A. His wife is a real hoot and real CEO. Where is she?”

“I heard some of you motherfuckers were looking for me. Well, here I go.” Gloria said walking into the room her eyes transfixed on Mason and Selina. Her little boy was a handsome man. He looked like his damn daddy that was for sure. It was Selina though, she was the spitting image of her in her prime. That bone structure could cut glass but right now the shock and horror was all she could see. Her beauty was hurt and twisted by pain. She wanted to grab her babies and tell them why she left. It was selfish. It was her own greed and need for power and she could admit that. She wasn’t like that dizzy bitch across the room Tess but now she was here. Lowell died and if she didn’t fake her death well shit wouldn’t be good. She had wolves after her and she couldn’t fix all her sins at that time. That time long ago. “Hello darlings.” She said as she stared at Mason and Selina. “Hello my beautiful babies. Oh I’m so very sorry my baby.” She saw Selina beginning to have a visceral reaction to her. Covering her mouth, Gloria wanted to beg but was at a damn board meeting. About to take DGI’s newly minted crowning glory.

“Selina and Mason we will talk but right now this is all about me and my company. The company I built into the most successful black business in history. We have climbed to the top and now B.A. Energy is claiming its power. Tonight is all about resurrection of a biblical proportion. I’m clawing my way out of the grave and into power. So shall we talk or are your mouth’s stuck on the damn floor to speak. Jackson and Chauncey let me tell you what this is called. It’s called a Devonshire after your old man when you have a son of a bitch by the balls and right now I got you boys in a vice grip. Tonight is checkmate and I’m assuring you both I’m that bitch you’ve heard about and more. I’m your worst nightmare.” Gloria declared to the room. “Now shall we discuss why we all are here?”

**********

Miranda had been dreaming of KC and Quinn chasing them through the woods by her parents cabin by the lake, the laughter echoing in her ears. Before it became smoky and she couldn’t see them anymore panic overtaking her, her eyes darting open to realize she wasn’t at home in bed dreaming. She was on the carpeted floor of the casino, smoke filling the room, she could hear the crackling of a fire and her ears were ringing. Likely drowning out the noise and the chaos around her, her entire body hurt and she quickly realized she had some sort of scrape or wound on her forehead when her head reached up to wipe and move some hair from her face. There was blood there and her eyes adjusted to the flickering lights above her head, the ringing began to subside and she coughed through the dust and the smoke of debris. She tried to stand up and then had to take a moment in order to breathe before she did because she felt like she was going to either throw up or pass out. Once she had her wits about her she looked over across the room her eyes scanning all the carnage and the flames looking for anyone that she could help. Her mind tried to race through the crowd when she began to hear a buzz in her ear and realized her comm was still there, likely damaged and it dawned on her she was talking to Zach before everything happened. There were gaping holes in the walls or the floor bodies thrown left and right and she was pretty sure the boat was tilting meaning it was taking on water.

She steadied her body against what was left of a pillar on the casino floor seeing the chaos and she should be helping people. Should be giving first aid anything but her mind was on the image of Zach screaming at her before the explosion and wondering where her partner was. There was so much smoke and she coughed in the debris as it entered her lungs using her hand to wave the smoke away, so much destruction. Her eyes darted around the room looking and hoping and then she peered over the edge of the hole seeing the bottom and looking for bodies. She felt the floorboard saw a bit and then backed up watching more of the edge to fall into the hole. “Jesus.” She heard herself mumble before she turned around and finally spotted KC and her brother making their way towards her. “KC! Jon!” She managed to get out embracing KC when he got to her, her entire body shaking in fear and relief and she felt herself start to cry as well. “Zach was there and then.” Her voice simply trailed off at that point while she cried unsure of where Zach was.

KC and Jon had seen the boat explode and immediately jumped in a speedboat to get to the ship. He had seen a lot in his life. In fact he’d seen the most depraved things working for Ronan but this was new. The violence, the bodies, and all the injured people. Devin was working on helping the back of the ship with Rebecca. He and Jon went off to see if it was anything they could do before the ship sank to the bottom of the lake. His eyes were transfixed on his wife who was shaking in his arms and all he could do was hold her close. When she mentioned Zach was at the top of the boat his heart dropped knowing that was where the most damage was at. He looked at Jon whose eyes were telling a story. His friend had seen a lot in Iraq and now he was back in the carnage of a different war. Grabbing Miranda’s face he stared at her wondering if she was alright. Checking her over he could tell she was more worried about Zach than herself. Miranda wouldn’t stop until she found Zach. He knew that for sure he looked at her and bit his lips.

“This undercover shit is done.” KC grumbled as he looked at his wife. ‘A few years ago I almost lost everything I hold dear. You and Quinn are the most important thing to me. But right now David is around the corner helping people. I need you to go to him Miranda because you’re no good to anyone injured and baby you were just knocked out. You can’t help us in the wreckage.” Although KC knew a few extra hands wouldn’t hurt a damn thing. He however couldn’t put his wife in further danger. “Jon please let me take Miranda to David and if she’s alright we will come over and assist you further. Miranda don’t argue with me. Zach wouldn’t want you in harms way and our daughter needs us.”

Jon felt his chest tightening the smell of ash, and death was unforgettable. Right now he might as well be in Iraq again because the yacht going under was triggering him. A piece of him hesitated to go further once they found Miranda. His sister was safe and what could he do if he was in the middle of a panic attack? Seeing Miranda shaking her head at the suggestion for her to get checked out. She wasn’t going to make this easy for any of them. “Miranda I will be looking for Zach, he’s going to be fine you hear me? This isn’t your fault or anyone’s fault but the people who have done this. But we need to make sure you are alright if you aren’t then, what’s the point? You are my blood and I know I’ve been a dick but you’re my fucking baby sister and I’m not allowing you to look for anyone unless David clears you. This isn’t your commanding officer talking, it’s your big brother. Your husband is worried and the longer we argue about this. The longer Zach is in danger now can you do what he’s asking?” He knew she was disheveled from the explosion but no cop would leave their partner. They might be fighting a losing battle.

“I’m going to climb down to the second floor to see if I can find him. Look at me Miranda we are going to find him but Zach like you needs to know you’re fine.” Jon pulled off his jacket and looked at Miranda. “I’m going down there and when I find Zach I’m going to tell him how stubborn you are.” Jon began to immediately climb down the crunching and collapsing metal to see if he could get to the main floor of the yacht and see if he could find his friend. Jon finally hit the main floor as he saw metal and debris all around and the smoke was thicker than he thought.  “ZACH!” He screamed as he began to look up at Miranda and KC. Turning to see Devin approaching from the other side of the floor. “Dev! Miranda say Zach is down here somewhere we have to find him!”

Miranda held onto her husband when he arrived letting his arms calm her shaking body in all the chaos and the calm she felt. She had been towards the other side of the room when the explosion happened and the last thing she remembered seeing was Zach looking at her before the bomb went off. Miranda was not leaving to go hide in the corner while David checked her out, let alone any other doctor; she wasn’t injured, she was worried about her partner, Zach. She was fine KC was fine and Quinn was with her parents. Everything around her was so chaotic in the mess of the casino or what was left of it. She allowed KC and Jon to take over and make her step back from the hole as she took her brother’s jacket from him watching him climb down into the lower level of what was once a row of casinos and the podium, now a gaping hole leading to the floor below. The employee entrance where her purse was tucked away in a locker likely being flooded with her fake ID for Mia it seemed like a lifetime ago. She felt part of the floor move a bit and she stepped back with KC realizing there was barely any light down where her brother was and she watched as Devin began to climb down too.

She felt so helpless as she watched them both knowing that KC would drag her kicking and screaming the other way to the lifeboats and anything else that was arriving to evacuate people. She could already hear a barge so instead she did the next thing she could think of, taking out her cellphone and flashing its light down below. It seemed so helpless and her free hand was gripping onto KC for dear life as she saw that there was clearly water down below not a lot but enough to know that those that were stuck needed help and help soon. “I don’t see him there isn’t enough light.” Miranda said not sure if her voice was steady when she said it she knew it wasn’t loud enough that was for sure and her entire body felt cold likely from the shock of everything that she was going through. “I can’t see him!” Miranda said her voice louder and this time she was pretty sure her voice was filled with anguish.

Devin had been with Jon when that bomb went off, coming onto the boat with the rest of the unit the explosion had easily rocked the boat and then what he could only describe was the worst act of violence he had ever seen. Jon had, he knew that his partner had likely seen worse when he was overseas; he never thought something like that would happen in Atlas Falls. He had been able to find Merci unharmed in the chaos, hugging her and kissing her tightly before he instructed Rebecca to get her off the boat and they separated. There was so much debris that he had no idea where to start, not to mention all the bodies inside of the debris. Some people he could tell were beyond saving and he and Jon had done the best they could on their way towards where the tracking on Miranda was last seen on their radar. Phones were out, there was no signal likely jammed from all the incoming calls and the lack of cell service up at the lake. Once they reached her with KC he took in the gaping hole in the floor. What type of a damned monster blew up a floating casino? He saw that Miranda was relieved to see her brother and then helped Jon down into the carnage, once his partner was down he handed his coat to KC before KC lowered him down on the other side.

Once he reached rock bottom and the dust scattered from the drywall and the particle board above his head he knew they were on limited time as they started to look for Zach. He walked over a body relieved when it wasn’t their friend and he took the flashlight from his vest trying to see through the smoke and the debris, the only lights that were on the small emergency lights. He wondered if the power supply was still on but he didn’t hear anything as his shoe hit the water that was starting to go into the bottom of the floor. “Zach!” He called out, not sure where his friend was in the rubble, his cousin’s husband. He loved Zach, he grew up with Zach they worked together and he just knew that he was alive in all this he wasn’t that close to the explosion. His eyes frantically searched the rubble as he waved his arms at Jon flashing his light. “I don’t see him, maybe he got away from the blast.” Devin said, hearing his own voice echo throughout the floor.

Jon didn’t know what else to say. Miranda said this was where he was and her frantic voice above him made him even more certain. “Miranda is a better cop than me and if this is where she says he’s at then this is where he’s at.” Jon looked around and saw something sparkling underneath the light. “Devin!” He saw a hand moving and his heart sank. He saw videos of Zach and Mason’s wedding and that ring was distinctive. His lips quivered knowing that if that was Zach he wouldn’t be well off.  “Zach, is that you man?”

“Help me.” Zach called out as he heard what sounded like Devin screaming his name and then he knew that voice. It was the same boy who would hang out with his way cooler brother Brock and star student cousin Braden. It was Jon and he called out again. “Please someone help me.” He knew he sounded weak and fragile, that was the truth. But at this very moment he just needed someone to help him. The pain was unbearable and he coughed a little seeing blood dripping from the metal debris on top of him. “Jon I’m hurt! Devin please!”

KC looked at Miranda and knew this wasn’t good. Her fear showed something that he wasn’t sure he could handle. His wife heart was breaking. Ever since Miranda got out of the academy she had no other partners. It was her and Zach and the connection those two had was deep. Miranda was always close to Zach and the Fraiser’s and he remembered that Brandon and Helen made her promise that they would look out for each other. He was unsure of what was happening but he knew that this wasn’t good for the love of his life. “Miranda calm down we’ve been through worse. I died remember? My heart did stop and I came back for you and this family we have. I did some stupid shit but I came home to my family and that’s what Zach will do. Kieran is still alive and that woman has him. I know that he wants to find his son and I promised him I’d help. We are going to get your partner and one of our best friends back. You have to breathe though Miranda. Baby please? Mandy, I need you to relax.”

Jon began to toss the metal unsure of where because he honestly didn’t want to doom anyone else. Pulling out his walkie. “KC! I think we found him! We need men to get him out! Go get as much help as you can find! Hurry this doesn’t look good. Zach buddy, talk to Devin. I’m going to see if we can move the beam on top of you.” Jon reached through the rubble and dusted drywall off of his face and saw Zach looking so innocent. Like the kid who he protected when he came out as gay. The same kid he saw just got married and his heart was breaking. “Zach.” His voice cracked. “Hey man, we are going to save you! You hear me Zach? Talk to Devin.” Looking over at his partner who was slightly frozen in shock seeing Zach so near death. “Devin, talk to him.” Running around looking for the perfect piece of metal to pry the debris off of him.

Devin was in shock he knew that just looking at Zach lying there in the rubble the blood. The wound was open and he cast his eyes towards Jon who was so calm. A part of him wanted to scream or worse vomit at the sight as he felt his stomach churn. He heard Jon calling over the walkie talkie and looked up to see KC’s horrified face and he was pretty sure he saw Miranda step out of view, likely looking to take the stairs down to get to Zach. Not that she couldn’t have climbed down but he had a feeling that KC would have tried to stop her instead he turned his attention to Zach. Coming close to his childhood friend and leaned down as he saw Jon trying to look for something to pry everything off Zach. “Hey Zach I’m here.” Devin said feeling helpless as he took his own flashlight out shining light on Jon to help him sift through everything.

Miranda listened to KC and to Jon down below peering over the top where was Zach, her partner, her best friend’s cousin. He was there she knew that she remembered his call right before the explosion happened and she remembered him looking almost right at her. Once she heard her brother on the walkie talkie thoughts he knew it was bad, she knew that voice the voice of worry and pain, she heard KC talking to her and looking down the hole. She had two options: stand up above like a coward or face what was happening, there was no way in hell she knew that KC was lowering her in that hole. She backed up pretty sure she heard KC chasing after her as she ran to the opposite side of the room that was still intact where the employee entrance stairs were. “I’m coming, hold on Zach.” Miranda said speaking into her own walkie, hearing her brother she was pretty sure curse or something and her husband while she made her way down the dark stairwell KC behind her taking out her phone and turning on its flashlight.

**********

Bliss jerked awake, like her soul slammed back into her body. Heart pounding and blinking fast against the smoke assaulting her eyes as looked around. She tried to take stock of where she was, what happened but it was so disorienting. One minute they were… what? What were they doing? How did she end up lying on her back like this? She looked around the room or what was left of it, and what she could see through a haze of dust. People were sobbing and yelling in the distance and there was a dull ache in her head. Then it came to her, the casino opening. They were at the main entrance, Hunter had just charmed the crowd and Max and Ronan were cutting the ribbon then, the blast erupted from the other side of the ship. A thunderous roar reverberated through the casino and the floor shook. The memory of Hunter grabbing her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to the ground flooded back. She tried to call out to him but only a strangled noise came out followed by coughing. Her hand went to the swell of her pregnant belly but someone was on top of her. Looking down she saw her husband, lifelessly draped across her and she found her voice as her scream pierced the air, sounding like it came from outside her body.

Panic surged through her and maybe that’s how she found the strength to flip them both over. Hunter still wasn’t moving as she got to her knees. “Hunter!” She yelled between gasping breaths scrambling across the rubble that surrounded them, desperately jerking on her dress to free her legs so she could straddle him. “Hunter! Baby, please wake up,” she cried gently cradling his face in her hands. “Please, please, please.” She’d never felt more terrified of something than the possibility of losing this man that she loved so fully. Her partner in life, the father of her children. Every thought was a desperate need for him to be ok, to wake up. Her eyes burned from the smoke and tears and Hunter’s face blurred out of focus until she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. She saw blood smeared on her hand but couldn’t tell whose it was or where it came from. She placed a hand on her stomach again and felt sure it at least wasn’t from their baby. She struggled to loosen his bow tie, her hands were shaking so much but she finally managed to untie it when he groaned and his eyes fluttered open. “Oh my god, Hunter,” she kissed him all over his face. “Baby can you hear me? There was an explosion, I don’t know what happened. Are you ok? Are you hurt?” she sobbed, some of the panic finally seeping out of her body as he came to and she moved to kneel beside him, watching his face.

It had happened way too fast one moment he was standing on the podium next to Bliss listening to Max and Ronan about the casino. The next thing he knew a loud bang and massive flash of lights going off, it had taken him a millisecond to decide to throw himself in front of Bliss as the force of the explosion threw him to the ground along with her. He hadn’t hesitated when it happened protecting her and their unborn child was the only thought rushing through his mind, which in turn had turned into him closing his eyes and he was pretty sure blacking out. His entire body hurt when he heard her screaming at him unsure how long any of them had been in the aftermath, his eyes opened to smoke and debris there was barely a line of vision, his ears were still ringing and he was pretty sure he had a broken rib judging by the pain in his side. Around him was pure chaos and he finally made out Bliss’s face in all the  noise and the screaming that he heard and even nodding his head felt like a million knives slicing into his skull, he could add maybe a concussion too. He eventually got to his feet engulfing Bliss into his arms as he did so, hoping to calm her while he looked around the room.

When he opened his mouth it took him a few minutes along with a cough to clear his lungs if you could call it that with the dust. He waved his hands hoping to get less dust on the next one while he held his wife in his arms. “I’m okay, are you hurt? What in the hell happened?” He managed to get out running his hands on her arms, seeing the rip in her dress skirt, the dust caking on the rest of the outfit and then he looked around the chaos, people screaming or crying. People were starting to dig through the rubble. He could tell that the hole in the ground on the other end of the room was where the main explosion was and he gauged they had been far enough away from whatever happened, perhaps a faulty gas line. He didn’t want to think about the other options that the man on the stage with them had purposefully set off a bomb or the woman on his arm. He wanted to fully believe that no one was that evil to blow up a room full of innocent people. “Jesus Christ thank God we weren’t closer. Max, have you seen Max?” He said as he held Bliss closer looking at the massive hole that clearly led to the below level, maybe more at least.

Bliss did her best to help him up, wrapping herself up in his warmth when he pulled her in. “Me and the baby are fine, I think,” Bliss said, hand going to her stomach. “I’ll make sure to see Ophelia or Kelsey or someone as soon as we get out of here.” He flinched when her arm came around him, she would make sure he had that checked outside. There must be paramedics here by now. She leaned into his good side and pushed her hair out of her face as she finally took in their surroundings. Or what was left of them. “Max? No. I was too worried about you to think of looking for anyone el-“ she froze when her gaze swept around to the gaping hole in the floor where he was looking. More than the floor, you could fit at least one car in it. “Oh my god, no. Did she-“ Bliss broke off stepping towards the edge. She sensed Hunter move towards her just as she peered over and her stomach dropped, her head swimming from the height. There were two people, no, two bodies, that she could see. When the red emergency light washed over them she saw the woman wasn’t Max. “It’s not her,” she told him, reaching behind her to find his arm and she let him pull her back. “She was right in front of us with Ronan. Hunter, oh my god. Her baby. What if they’re hurt? We have to find her.” She tried not to imagine Jackie’s face, learning that her only daughter was lost in this floating tomb.

She stumbled over the debris, Hunter grabbing her each time her footing started to give way and she saw him grit his teeth through the pain. She stopped to give him a chance to catch his breath. “I don’t know where to look.” Her lip trembled as she stood in the middle of the chaos, desperately looking for some clue as to her sister’s whereabouts. Everything looked the same, just a pile of debris and dirt. Little fires here and there. She took off again, determination driving her forward into the swirling dust and smoke. She called for Max, over and over climbing over chairs blown in half and parts of slot machines, lights still flashing and chiming as if someone won. She knelt to check a woman and quickly realized she didn’t make it. She covered her with a curtain before moving on. Picking her way through more of the beautiful furniture that Max had picked out. She looked around helplessly, letting Hunter catch up to her once more. “I didn’t even tell her how beautiful the casino looked. Not that she would have cared. I can’t believe this is the same place. Belle was here, too. My little Belle. She was trying so hard to fit in with her new family. Please let them be ok. I’m sorry, do you need to sit down? I can keep looking and come back,” she pulled a chair from under the rubble, nearly toppling over but she won in the end and situated it near him. It was fairly intact, it at least had four legs though the seat had seen better days. “I saw you wincing earlier. I know you’re hurt so stop trying to be strong for me.”

Hunter had followed Bliss around through the carnage so that they could look and find out where Max was in the rubble and the chaos. He knew that he had seen Anderson there with Cara as well, thankfully Wyatt and Poppy were with a sitter. He didn’t think he had seen Brooke arrive yet with Atticus before the explosion but he had seen Belle with Jamal at the party. There was so much death around them everywhere and he almost felt like he was going to be sick. He pushed it down; he was a Kincaid and the last thing he was going to do was to lose the contents of his stomach. He was certain that he had broken a rib, maybe even two but Bliss and the baby were safe and that was all that mattered to him by the time they had reached the edge and he saw the carnage down below at least one body, even two. He realized he was relieved that it wasn’t Max down there, things may have gone south with Max but he’d never wish her a fate like he was viewing in the hole. He saw mangled bodies in the rubble and he pried Bliss back from the edge, pretty sure the gruesome image would haunt him for a while.

They passed more bodies and more destruction as they made their way through all the machines. So far no one they knew was in the rubble which was good and then he thought about the people that did lose someone. It was absolutely deestaring to him the terror that they were all going through. How did anyone let this happen tonight? Didn’t Max have security here? Wouldn’t Ronan have had the place scoured. Hell if he was mayor he would have had at least asked the police to set up a separate patrol or something. Hell he would have hired a few officers privately, instead it was a mess. People digging through the rubble were clearly upset when he heard the dead ringtones, there was no cellphone signal. He could barely make out the sounds of sirens. How long had he and the others been out? How long had the response time been with local fire and police units? “I’m okay, I just need a moment. Max was right by us she couldn’t have gone that far, maybe Sebastian already got her outside too. I promise you we will find Max and Belle alright. It wasn’t either of them down there in that hole.” Hunter said sucking in a breath and waving off her concern it was a broken rib he’d live. He leaned on Bliss again resting for a moment when he thought he spotted Jamal with Belle in the distance. “Is that Belle?” He asked trying to remember what she was wearing at the opening.

Belle was with Rory, Aspen, and Jamal and the next thing she knew it was fire and bodies everywhere. She was shaken as she felt Rory and Jamal protecting her and Aspen. Her hands were shaking as she looked around. It looked like a scene from a Bond movie, high fashion meets high disaster. Licking her lips she laid her head on Jamal’s shoulder. “Oh my God, is that a bloody body?” She said, opening her eyes she focused on finding her family. “Rory, do you see anyone? Wasn’t Selina and Mason here?” Wincing at the pain she gasped at the gash on her shoulder and seeing Aspen head bleeding she knew they all had to get out of here. Grabbing Jamal by his face she looked at Aspen freaking out about her mother and Rory trying to calm her down. Her chest heaved up and down when it clicked. The hole in the floor was where Bliss, Ronan, Hunter, and Max were all on stage. “Rory blocks. I believe that our sisters were in the thick of the explosion.”

As she turned she saw a group of survivors roaming up the hallway. She almost burst out crying because she saw Bliss and Hunter. She lowered her head wondering if Bliss and the baby were alright. She looked good but Hunter looked a little rough. Rattled, she tapped Rory’s shoulder. She saw the relief washing over him just knowing Bliss was alright but then it seemed to hit them both. “Where is Max? Where is our big sister?” She said limping over to Bliss as she hugged her and saw Rory rushing over to embrace them both. “No we need to go back if you guys are coming from that way then Max should be as well right? Where is she?” Belle looked at Hunter and Bliss then at Rory. “We’re younger and we can survive the smoke a nine month pregnant woman can’t. Jamal and I can look by the blast site while you and Aspen look around the people who aren’t alive anymore.” She saw the horror in Bliss’ face when she mentioned getting closer to the explosion and destruction. “Look I have done some dirty shit to this family. I refuse to just sit around while my sister could be dying. Now who is helping me? Fine, I’ll do it myself!”

Bliss supported Hunter on his good side while he steadied himself with the other hand. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t walk away and leave him waiting there. She’d felt so desperate to find Max that she finally let herself slow down, take a breath and look around at the death and destruction. Somehow she kept from crying, damn hormones. Instead she rested her head against Hunter’s shoulder. He was right about Max, she could be long gone. It would be just like her to be the first one out and not bother to tell anyone. “This is heartbreaking. Who would do this? And why?” Hunter spotting Belle pulled her attention away from the possibilities  running through her mind. When she hugged Belle and Rory tightly she felt grounded and she pulled Jamal and Aspen in, too. “I’m so glad to see you. We’ve been looking for Max, she was five feet away from us.” She said, grabbing Belle’s arm to keep her from running off. “She isn’t back that way I’m sure of it. It’s not safe for any of us to go back there. The floor’s partially caved in and the rest of it has to be unstable. We’re already looking for Max, I can’t add the four of you to that. Hunter, tell them.” Her words weren’t doing anything to dissuade Belle. “Let’s stick together. We can’t freak out, Belle. Hunter’s hurt, you’re hurt, we need to get you both out of here so you can be checked out. Rory, Jamal, can you keep looking? Aspen will be fine with us.”

Rory was in too much shock to say much other than he was glad that they were all away from the main blast when he saw that Aspen was alright he had shielded her the best he could. They had been over by the craps table which was against the wall when he came to coughing through the smoke that had filled his lungs. Once he was able to get to his feet and then help Apsen up he grabbed Jamal hugging him tightly as he then hugged Belle too, they had made it. Everything was so dark in the room now the bright lights were gone and the only thing that was left was the flickering of the emergency lights. He knew that the last place he had seen Max and Bliss was towards the podium and he had barely begun to gather his thoughts before his stubborn little sister had started to plow her way towards there. He begrudgingly had followed though Aspen had a cut on her head and he knew that honestly none of them should be wondering around a blown up fucking boat. But it was Max and he needed to know that her and Bliss were alright when they turned the corner and saw Bliss with Hunter he like Belle had embraced her.

“No, absolutely not. Maybe Sebastian got her out of the way if Bliss and Hunter already looked. I’m not letting you climb down there and look. Selina and Mason were at DGI. I think for some last minute meeting they aren’t here.” Rory said he knew what Belle wanted to do but he wasn’t ready to let her climb down the massive hole in the floor to look for Max and honestly he trusted Bliss and Hunter to tell them the truth. There were other people who needed help off the boat he could tell by some of the survivors making their way towards the exit and he could tell that Hunter agreed with him and he wondered just how injured he was. “You have a damned cut on her leg that looks like it needs stitches, Aspen needs medical care too. Listen I’ll make you a deal Jamal and I will continue to look for Max until police or medical staff tell us to leave. That is what we are going to do okay?” Rory said wondering if Belle would accept it, it seemed like a perfectly reasonable plan but he was sure that Sebastian had gotten Max off the boat. He pulled out his phone realizing the signal was dead while he waited for Jamal and Hunter to back his plan up.

Jamal had tried his best to shield Belle the moment of impact and it looked like he had done a pretty shitty job of it, he had been knocked on his ass from the blast to the point the wind had been knocked out of him. He was gasping for air when it all hit him what happened and he had checked on Belle to make sure she was alive and had barely seen the cut more like the gash on her leg that was clearly bleeding. There were small fires burning all around them, the lights were flickering, it looked like something out of a horror movie if he was honest and then the bodies. He had tried to shield Belle from the bodies on the floor and he nodded at her when she said it was a body, it wasn’t the first he had seen. He had seen more when it came to working with Ronan and running drugs but a body like that gashing holes in it, caked in dust like something that was swept onto the floor was something else entirely. It wasn’t human, it was barbaric and he looked over at Rory who looked grimly at him like he was. It didn’t matter about social status at the moment people had died random people that had no part of Ronan’s world.

“I know that Mason said he was going to DGI for the meeting with Selina. He was planning on catching the Devonshire yacht with Jackson and Dani to catch up with the casino after. My guess is Selina was going to go with them, same with Chauncey and that bitch he married.” Jamal said, catching a glance from Rory and he shrugged he didn’t by Natasha’s innocent act at all call it the skeptic in him. The woman was on some type of warparth to start shit with a teenager and the girl he thought of as his niece. Maddie was spoiled but to throw coffee on someone come on, he was so relieved when they found Bliss and Hunter and he looked around. There was no way he was letting Belle like Rory climb down to the gaping hole in the middle of the floor to look for Max; he was pretty sure he saw police in the distance going down. “Look the police are here I think that might be Devin going in the hole. I’m not letting you go down there. I can stay with Rory till they kick us off the boat to look for Max.” Jamal agreed, seeing Belle thinking over her options hoping she was reasonable.

“Everyone here wants Max safe, that is the most paramount thing, sure she’s a pain in most of our asses at the time but she’s Max. Sebastian was by her side. I didn’t see him near us when we stood up. Meaning he probably has gotten her off the boat by now there is no way he would have left Max. I agree with Rory and Jamal. I can guide you guys to the rescue boats and medical attention. I can come back after we’ve all been checked.” Hunter said looking at Belle pull out her phone looking for a signal. “Cellphones aren’t working the only communication people have are going to be with radios. The police have them and so do the first responders. Please Belle listen to Bliss let me lead you guys off. I swear on my life, Max was not in that hole. We looked, she isn’t down there.” Hunter said, pulling Bliss close to him hoping that the youngest Devonshire girl saw reason.

“Well then we can look outside of the boat. Sebastian could be there with Max. If we find Sebastian we find our sister right? Well then off we go come along.” Belle said, looking at them all with determination. “What my nephew is in danger and although Max is a thunder cunt she’s my bloody sister. I won’t leave this boat until we find her and Sebastian along with that baby. It’s what father wanted, right? For us all to stick together. Well I for one won’t be the one who disappoints the great Lowell Devonshire. Shall we?” Belle said hiking up her dress to be able to walk faster. Belle took Jamal’s hand. “Together right?”

**********

Walter had briefly spoken to Brenda before checking in on her condition as she took her medication he was certain she would get a transplant. Brenda Kincaid was resilient to her core and would always find a way. He then made his way back through the crowd towards the front of the room waving to a few constituents that had voted for him. Eventually he had spotted Charles and began to make his way towards him when he felt the boat shake and the next thing he knew he had been thrown to the floor. He had no idea how long he laid there with the ringing in his ears and the screaming in the distance or what sounded like the distance. He knew it was so much closer in reality, probably feet possibly inches. When the ringing stopped however and he was able to pick himself up and see the carnage with his own eyes he was horrified. Nothing like he had ever seen he had never been in a battle unless you counted a few rowdy patrons at the bar that destroyed property, this was madness. His eyes darted around the room looking for Brenda, his only thought being what if she had died and he never amended things with her. He didn’t know if Braden was there or not, he couldn’t actually remember asking if his son was coming. He began to dig through the debris around him helping those that needed it up. When he finally found Brenda on the ground he rushed to her, bending down. “Brenda!” His voice was nearly pleading something he rarely did

His mind wandered a bit more. Was Lauren there and he stopped what about Dani? He hadn’t seen her at all that evening either, regardless he needed to find Brenda to male sure she was alright. He walked by a young couple probably out enjoying their evening which was now ruined by the chaos around them he stopped long enough to make sure they weren’t wounded before he continued on. Stopping at piles of debris to drag people out as needed so many were hurt or injured. Eventually he lost count on how many and then he came across Brenda slumped over and he rushed to her side.  “Brenda! Thank God!” He shouted over the crowd and buzzing chaos he pulled her close to him smelling her hair. Exhaling as he did so a breath he didn’t realize he was holding had he ever done that with Lauren, perhaps when Victoria died but it had been ages. “Brenda, can you hear me? Are you hurt? Do you need me to find a doctor?” Walter said looking at her and she nearly looked like she was in a trance, likely the shock of the explosion.

Her ears were ringing from the roar of the explosion. One moment she was talking to Laverne Love and the next thing she knew she was waking up in ruble. Thank God for her long time friend because she took the brunt of the explosion. Poor Laverne didn’t stand a chance. One moment they were talking the next she was being blown away. She was pretty sure she had a concussion due to the impact of her hitting her head. It was all too much, who would do this? That’s when her motherly instincts kicked into high gear. Brooke and Hunter were on this boat and her children could be hurt and needed her. Liver failure or not she was going to protect her children. The smell of death was in the air and she knew that smell all too well. It was the smell her body was giving off recently. She’d always been alluring and now she was changing to the truth that she was dying. When Walter found her she was covered in dirt and debris from the explosion. Brenda knew he was speaking but couldn’t hear him. She was shaken up because he always found her. He always found a way to be her knight in shining armor. She was sure that the boat could crumble around them if they didn’t hurry and escape.

“Hunter, have you seen Hunter? Bliss? What about Brookie?” Brenda asked desperately. “Oh my God, who would do this?” She said, shaking her head at Walter. Looking in his eyes she could  “I just feel so helpless what is happening? I just need to find my kids and no I don’t need a damn doctor. I see plenty of them right now Walter. I just need to know you are real and in this moment. Get me to my children and then off this boat. Please Walter, I just want to go home. I don’t feel the best and honestly I wasn’t feeling well before the explosion. I just want to find my children and I’ve seen enough destruction tonight to last a lifetime.” Brenda said, gripping ahold of Walter. Holding him she closed her eyes. “I am so glad you’re here.” She whispered into his ear. “I’m not going to die here.”

Walter shook his head at her honestly he hadn’t seen Hunter or Anderson since briefly passing them both long before the explosion occurred. He and Charles had of course briefly spoken about Hunter after his unnerving conversation with Dru and he had been on his way to Brenda. He looked around the chaos. Both Hunter and Anderson were resilient people and he wasn’t about to panic and send Brenda into any more distress given her condition. “I have not seen Hunter, Anderson or Brooke, but I am sure they are alright. They had people with them that would do anything to protect them, try not to panic. I am sure we will find them.” Walter said he knew for Brooke that was true Atticus likely had an entire royal security team around them that would have taken any blow and he hadn’t even seen her arrive at the boat. Anderson was Whitney’s running mate there was no way that Charles didn’t have a team on his daughter. He looked around the room trying to make out what he could. At best he saw the flashing lights and he was pretty sure the beeps were the fire alarm going off, there was so much dust and smoke that instead of placating Brenda he saw the exit towards the boats as he gently began to lead her away.

He wanted to insist that of course she needed a doctor; she had just been thrown to the ground violently by a bomb that went off, he had an idea about who was behind it. It was Ronan and if it wasn’t Ronan himself it was an enemy of his or worse the woman he was with Gia, all they knew was violence and death. The mafia had a stronghold in Atlas Falls thanks to Ronan and now looking around it had come to a deadly and costly head one he had desperately tried to fix as mayor. His reasoning only went so far to others along with his influence. “I think we both know who did this Brenda. It was Ronan or someone he knows or has angered.” Walter said his tone laced with bitterness he knew this would happen and yet most people he encountered chose to turn a blind eye to Ronan and his activities. It was exhausting hitting that stronghold over and over. He looked at her pulling her close as he spotted Dru in the chaos and for some reason he felt compelled to show the woman a sense of compassion. “We will find our children and make sure they are alright I promise. Right now perhaps the best move is to assist people off the boat.” He finished pulling Brenda close, wanting to make sure she was steady before they continued.

Brenda nodded as she thought about her sons and daughter. Her eyes began to water but she also knew that she had to walk with Walter. This was Ronan’s doing and all she could do was feel a sinking sense of relief that Brooke was marrying Atticus. He was right they were right and she was going to force herself to get off this boat. Ronan was a virus to Atlas Falls just as his father who corrupted Steven years ago. She remembered when that smarmy bastard Michael Madden arrived and he wasn’t good. He was no good and honestly she never forgave Steven for doing business with him. When she saw Dru a piece of her instantly felt sadness she looked so lost in the middle of that room. She was standing alone and dazed. Just like she was moments ago when Walter found her. Looking at Walter she nodded her head. “Yes, let’s help them.” She spoke softly with a feeling uneasy as she knew Walter was going to help that girl. That absolute ratchet girl who screamed for attention and begged for love. As she held his hand she looked at the girl, it was possible she needed to get humble again. To help someone whom Brenda truly pitied. “Are you alright?” She touched her shoulder.

Dru jilted as she looked at her parents for once came to her rescue as she stared at them. Tears began to fall down her face as she shook her head. Was this some sort of karamatic revenge? Why were they the first people who found her? She couldn’t bear the thought of this at the moment. Her parents were before her as she began to weep. Had her sins come to haunt her? Had Cape Kenitrich found her? Dru began to shiver as she wrapped her arms around herself, biting her lip. “It all happened so fast.” She wept softly, turning left and right and she realized that she wasn’t seeing things earlier.  Only destruction she had seen at this level was the O’Connor’s. “I’m okay are you two alright? Brenda, you look like you’ve been wrestlin with a gator. Mr. Mayor the mob or whatever this is has to stop. I ran away from things like this and I won’t be subjected to it again. Nobody deserves to be subjected to it.” She lowered her head ashamed to be this vulnerable in front of her parents.

“Well you are a pleasure as always.” Brenda said picking up the handkerchief off the table. Wiping the blood from her forehead as she looked at the young girl. “Careful little girl I might think we agree on something. Dru get off this boat and go find some peace. Unfortunately this goes way beyond Walter or what any of us can do. Ronan Madden brings death and he’s connected to nothing but bloodshed.” Brenda said powerfully as she looked at the girl. “Go honey get off this boat.”

Walter looked between the two women in front of him of course Brenda was his main concern given her health crisis. But he couldn’t help but notice that Dru was shaken, she looked dazed and in honest to God fear and could you blame her. Someone had literally tried to blow up an entire floating casino boat filled with people. He knew it had been Ronan or Gia. The bombing had markings of a mob hit all over it the police would have to get to the crime scene the FBI as well. He had been helping Brenda be stable as they walked but Dru looked clearly sick too maybe even injured and despite the fact he found her insufferable he was still human. He briefly let go of Brenda to reach out to Dru ignoring the unpleasantness tonight was not the time or the place and he walked slowly with Dru towards the exit seeing Brenda side eyeing him, did she know something he did not? Was he not allowed to help a woman who was clearly traumatized off the boat?

“Well thankfully none of us met our maker at the hands of Ronan of all people. Clearly there were others not so lucky, I know I was harsh earlier sometimes the urge to protect my family does rear its ugly head. I won’t pretend to know what you have gone through.” Walter said rubbing the girls back gently, not sure what else he was supposed to do, he wasn’t good at this comforting bit. He looked up at Brenda looking at him and he shrugged his shoulders. He would have to ask her later what she seemed so tense about at that exact moment. “I would assume that you came with Zerick or…” He paused for a moment remembering laughing at her earlier with Lex. “Lex, would you like me to help track either of them down? I can do that while I head back to check for Hunter and Anderson.” Walter said he could swear that Dru looked like she was going to pass out completely or vomit.

“I’m fine.” Dru snatched back as her guard raised up and her tears began to fall down her face. “I’ll find Lex and get off the boat and my relationships are none of your business Walter thank-you, you now have my vote.” She said snidely as she stared at Walter and lowered her head. For a brief moment he was so concerned and she was so tough but tender that they were her parents. She actually listened to them but she wasn’t leaving until she found Lex or Zerick. They both had to be around here. She cared about both of them. Tears began to stream down her face as she realized that neither of them would ever love her. After all she had done they couldn’t. She would forever be unlovable and she knew it. “Go help someone else who is defenseless and lost. I’m fine both of you and Brenda look worse than me as always so please go.” Dru said, wrapping her arms around herself.

Brenda looked at Walter and wondered if that girl was truly alright with all that bravado but she saw the fear behind her eyes. However she was dismissing them in her anger over Walter overstepping. It was fine she was right this was good for Walter’s image. “I think she may be right. I need to get to my meds.” She gripped Walter’s arm and stared at him watching him stare at Dru stumbling off into the crowd. “Whatever that girl’s problem is, isn’t ours Walter we have people to help and I should be leaving but as your girlfriend I’m by your side.”

Walter watched her walk off into the crowd not sure that he should follow her or not because she had wanted space and he was honestly just trying to help the poor girl. Her sour mood was still the same in some ways; he felt sorry for Dru Price if that was possible. He knew it was odd and weird given how she was just hinting at something with his son in law, but would Dani divorcing Jackson really be the worst thing ever? She had made her choice and he highly doubted that his daughter would stay with him if anything had happened, she had left Lex over a grief stricken affair. Regardless she was an adult and he didn’t think it was his business to jump in with advice he was certain she wasn’t ready to hear. He shook his head wondering why Dru always seemed to want to get one last dig in with Brenda before he turned his attention back to Brenda, taking off his coat and wrapping it around her while he began to escort her to the lifeboats. “I think you are right.” Walter said glancing back to her while he finally made their way to the rescue boats, his chief of staff was there and he didn’t object to getting on the boat with Brenda.

He leaned over to one of the rescue workers on the boat. “I need to know if Anderson and Cara Kincaid, Hunter and Bliss Kincaid had been accounted for yet.” Walter asked looking at the woman who then got on her radio his request seeing others on the boat doing the same. He wrapped Brenda in his arms as the casino seemed to fade into the distance his staff member was saying something about a press conference.

“Mayor Fraiser, Anderson and Cara were on one of the first boats off and they just loaded Hunter, Bliss and a party of a few others into another one.” The young woman said before turning back to another family waiting for information.

Walter felt Brenda relax a bit into his arms and pulled her close if anything the entire evening had set into motion for him that life was too short and why shouldn’t he and Brenda be together? He had allowed Lauren her time to grieve their marriage, Braden was married to Tamara. Dani to Jackson, what was he supposed to do grovel forever? He knew that he wanted to spend his life with Brenda and God willing a donor would come through in order for her liver transplant and if not he wanted to have whatever time she did have left with him. “I was thinking when the dust from tonight settles I’d like to do something I should have done years ago. A little more proper of course but I’d like to ask you to marry me. Life is too short Brenda.” Walter said, looking at her and hoping that she felt the same.

**********

“Simon!” Ivan said, holding his boyfriend in his arms. “Si?” He said again as he saw him starting to open his eyes. Startled and no doubt wondering what happened. “Baby I think a bomb went off upstairs. I’m going to get us out of here, you hear me? That’s it baby boy come back to me you alright.” Helping him up to his feet he could tell Simon was dazed and all that had happened. Weakly his man fell into his arms. It looked like he had a nasty sprained ankle. Without thinking he leaned in and kissed Simon. He knew that he was unsure of everything but after he saved him, maybe that fixed it all. First he had to get them out of the room because water was starting to fill the bottom levels of the boat. “Hey I need you to look at me and listen. When we get out of here the water will be ice cold and we will have to go through it to get upstairs. Can you do it? If not then climb on my back. In fact, climb on my back.” Stooping down he felt Simon wrapping around his neck and his legs slithered around his waist.

Opening the door, water rushed against his skin. It was freezing but he kept moving. “We need to find the police. My uncle did this, there’s no doubt in my mind.” He saw a body floating down the hall and heard a piercing scream. Looking back it was Whitney Hessington. He didn’t know her but he knew her family. They were always on the TV. “Miss please you gotta get down from here it’s flooding fast.” He called out as he began to look up the stairway and saw it was blocked off by debris. “We gotta go back the other way okay? I got you if you got me. You hear me? Simon you haven’t said much baby you gotta talk to me. I know this is scary Simon but I’m right here.

He was on a beach somewhere warm and sunny, the sand between his toes, the sun beating down on him, a cold drink in his hand, in his other it looked like a key of some sort, maybe even a flash drive  His eyes opened when he felt Ivan kiss him while he tried to get a look at his surroundings his head still hurt from what he knew that Hector had done earlier he was still cut too. He’d survive and then looked up at Ivan simply nodding at him when he told him that he was going to help him up, his leg hurt now too. Sometimes he questioned his life choices and his career choice and right now this was one of them all the warnings about Hector that he did ignore and then knowing that their worlds were so far apart. He accepted the ride and let his arms drape around Ivans neck while his legs locked on his waist. Once the door opened he felt and saw the water rush at them and then decided even if it was painful he could walk it. He didn’t want Ivan to struggle to get him up the stairs and he saw the body float by and turned his head to who Ivan was talking to. It was in fact Whitney Hessington who looked to be in some sort of trance or shock. Her screams were piercing his ears and he gingerly walked to her with Ivan.

“Come on, it’s starting to fill with water.” Simon said only for her to simply pull her arm back while she stared at the water. He didn’t know what to do or what to say to her all that he knew was that she could either come or go if they were lucky they would run into someone who knew her. “Ivan come on.” He said looking at him and his bewildered face as they began to go down the hallway casting a glance back at Whitney who had made her way to the body and was cradling it sobbing now. “We can’t help her if we see her father or brother. I’ll send them down if that fails I’ll get a hold of someone else.” Simon said, gritting his teeth as he stepped onto the staircase and they began to make their way up the stairs. He could already hear the sirens and what he was pretty sure was a horn barge. Then another lurch and he wondered if they had been hooked up to bring in the boat now. “Maybe I shouldn’t have dismissed your concerns, but it;s what I do man. I fix things. So not only is your uncle the devil incarnate, he also likes bombs I take it?” Simon said, leaning on Ivan as they made their way up the flight of stairs.

“He has a thing for fireworks.” Ivan said sarcastically looking back at Whitney vanishing in the darkness. He felt like his stomach was turning. The bodies, the smell of death, and all the people hurt made him feel guilty. His uncle had come with Gia but he was here for him as well. He had brought so much death to Atlas Falls. His life was going to change from this point on. Being in the closet wasn’t an option but he needed some time to talk to Jamal about how to approach this. As he looked at Simon whose horror was pasted on his face. Taking a deep breath he looked at his lover. “I’m sorry Simon that I brought this all to the city. This is all my fault. I should have gone to Jon or Devin the moment this motherfucker touched down.” Shaking his head he looked around wondering where the hell had Hector gone to. “He’s here, I know it. Too much chaos for him not to be around.”

Ivan looked at people in mass chaos and a feeling overtook him. Fear of what was coming. If his uncle had done this to Ronan’s boat what was next?  As he noticed a few rescue boats were already on the move but what caught his attention was that a speedboat was rushing away. It looked like Hector was driving the boat, Gia was on the side helping none other than Max Devonshire, who looked to be in labor. “Yo, that’s my uncle.” He said pointing at the speedboat. “That’s him with Gia and Max.” Touching his back he still had the gun. “I’m going after him and I need you to find Devin and Jon. Find the police baby and I gotta stop this shit tonight.” He would follow them to the mainland and stop him once and for all. Being from Florida he knew how to use boats and he wasn’t afraid of hijacking one right now to get to his uncle. “I gotta stop him Simon look at what he’s done.”

The explosion had happened he wasn’t sure anyone could have stopped it, if Ivan would have told someone would that have stopped Hector? If Gia was behind the order surely one of her other minions would have carried out the plan regardless, he honestly didn’t think Ronan had a hand in it. Financially it made no sense for Ronan to want to blow up the casino and his asset where he could use the boat to launder money or anything else that he could think of, it was suicide in that regard. He knew that things had been off between Ronan and Gia though he had people on payroll and people that could relay him the information as needed. He didn’t care about the drugs or the illegal shit that Ronan did for the most part as long as it didn’t affect their partnership with DGI and the casino. “I probably should have listened to you more and not pushed it as much. I just didn’t think that he was that demented.” Simon said his chest was still bleeding from the cut that Hector had given him, his ankle hurt like hell too but he didn’t think any of Hector’s actions were Ivan’s fault. “You can’t control what he does Ivan.” He managed to get out.

Once they made it to the deck and he saw everyone there various lifeboats being deployed and he took in what had happened. Hector and Gia had killed innocent people enjoying an evening out and for what was the real question that his brain couldn’t wrap around. There were already paramedics that had arrived from the coast guard that had brought them in; he could see some sort of bigger boat coming in to hook up and likely drag in the rest of the boat to the launch pad. He whipped his head around when Ivan mentioned Max, she had been on the podium and he couldn’t remember if he had seen Sebastian with her or not. Max had always taken care of herself pretty well other than messes he had to clean up like affairs and he could confirm as the boat went ahead that it was in fact Max in it. Looking to be in distress with Gia and Ivan’s fucking crazy murderous uncle at the helm and control fo the boat. “I don’t care what we have to do but we need a boat now.” Simon said looking at Ivan hoping that he didn’t argue with him, he wasn’t a criminal he had no idea how to actually commandeer another boat of some sort but they needed to find one and quick.

Ivan saw two of the ship’s hands talking, he just looked at Simon as a determination waved over him. “I gotta end this now and I’m not about to ask for shit.” Whipping out his gun he walked up on the crewmen. “Listen I’ll bring the boat back but right now we have to follow that speedboat. If we don’t, some more people will be hurt or worse. We have reason to believe Max Devonshire is in danger and if that’s the case do you really want to implore the wrath of Jackson? Chauncey? Or even worse Jackie?” Ivan saw the men thinking fast and knew they’d lose. Moving out of the way he and Simon got on the speedboat. Being lowered down he looked at Simon. “I got you, do you hear me? I know you have been in danger before but you are really down for the Devonshire’s. How you ride for them I’m sorry. I’m sorry my uncle has gotten Max involved in this. I’m going to end this right now.” Ivan grabbed his hand and looked at Simon feeling like they could fix anything. They were in this together. Even better, he saw it. The Devonshire were his family and he got that shit for real. Ivan just nodded at Simon. He believed him and understood that he was going to fight with him not separately. Then shit got real as Simon sped off in the speedboat.

“Umm yeah I have a question for you, how do you know how to use a speedboat?” As he watched Simon revving up the boat and immediately hit the ground running once the chains released. He held onto the bar as he watched his man determined to catch Gia and Hector. Not only that he was floating the boat and he couldn’t help but be proud of his boyfriend. They were going to stop Hector together right now. They couldn’t be too far from Gia and Hector. They had that girl and it wasn’t good. Nothing that Hector did was good. The man was a psycho and he knew that the only way Atlas Falls was going to get a second of peace was if Hector died. “Simon, we have to hurry. I don’t feel good that they have Max in that boat.”

**********

Thor was laying on top of Cassie as his eyes blinked open and he saw her staring up at him in utter shock. One moment they were talking to the local and international reporters about Cassie’s pregnancy and the next people’s bodies were flying and blood painted the expensive Italian wallpaper. Her face was all he needed to see to know he’d protected her and his baby. This wasn’t some regular explosion, this was a hit. He wasn’t dumb and it didn’t go unnoticed on him that Hector was an explosion expert. Standing up and helping Cassie to her feet as a slight pain burned into his back but he ignored it knowing that she was alright was all that mattered. Coughing a little he wiped the dirt off of Cassie’s face. “You alright? I just jumped in and did what I could if I hurt you or the baby. I’m sorry Cass.” He said feeling dizzy, uncertain of what was going on with him. Water had seeped into their clothes as the red was staining the clear water. “Cassie are you alright?” He said shivering? Taking off his jacket immediately he winced something hurt him severely but his goal was getting Cassie out. “Come on?” He said winded but determined to move. “We gotta get out of here!”

Looking back at a shattered mirror he felt so dizzy. As if everything was spinning but he refused to let his fiance and baby die in this mess. He was breathing so hard as he continued to lead Cassie to the upper decks trying to move through people and find his brother. Surely Ronan could get a chopper or more boats out. He looked up and saw Ronan down the hall with the rescue teams. He along with a team of others were evacuating people. Holding onto the wall he collapsed as felt his breathing begin to get even more hollow. “Cass? Something’s wrong, get Ronan! Go!” He screamed knowing she was well enough to move through the people to get his brother. They were going to see Forbes to tell him the news in person. Thank god because he had his coat on and it was keeping her warm. As he took off his sport coat he gasped for air seeing a large shard of glass in his back. Thor heaved deeply wondering if he would survive any of this?

Cassie looked over at Thor leaning her body into his as they made their way through the utter destruction and chaos that used to the boat. She didn’t think she was hurt Thor had landed on top of her shielding her from the main blast and her body was still in the early stages of her pregnancy she didn’t think anything was wrong. She shook her head at him trying to reassure him that she was fine while she helped him walk. There was so much chaos everywhere and her head was ringing probably from the explosion and it took a few minutes for everything to come into focus. Everything was tattered and torn, tables flipped over and there was a gaping hole in the middle of the casino. She could hear people below them screaming and she knew this had Gia’s fingerprints all over it. Ronan would never be as dumb as to blow up something as profitable as the casino and the deep connections his father had built up with politicians and the police department.

“I’m fine or at least I think I am, you didn’t land on me hard if anything you went out of your way to make sure that you didn’t.” Cassie said when they made it to the top of the stairs and she looked around at everyone that had arrived taking people off the boat it was simply chaos. She could have sworn that she spotted her father escorting Yasmine off in the distance and wasn’t even sure if Philip was on the boat. She barely had time to process everything that was happening when she heard Thor gasp for breath. His weight quickly collapsed against her own when she reached behind his back only to let out blood curdling cream seeing her palm covered in bright red blood. “Someone help! He needs help, he’s bleeding!” Her hands were shaking when one of the medics finally walked by and she latched onto him trying to get his attention on Thor. She heard through the man’s radio something about an officer being down and then her hands went to Thor gripping his cheeks to make him look at her. “I don’t know where Ronan is, Thor can you hear me?” She managed to get out. She was pretty sure perhaps shock was setting in and she tried to steady herself.

“Cassie I’m okay.” He said, smiling grimly at his girl. “Cass just find Ronan and he can get us off this boat. I don’t I am doing too well right now. I think some glass from the mirror shattered and broke in my back. Cassie I think it’s still glass inside of me. It’s getting harder and harder to breathe and I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling like this baby.” Thor wasn’t going to pass out; he knew he had to stay awake. If Thor could breathe for a little longer. “Cass go find Ronan he will save me but if you don’t hurry I’m bleeding a lot. I feel like my lung is punctured. This is really bad Cassie.” Thor tried to hold back the tears that were running down his face as he tried to take deep breaths. Placing his head against the wall. All he could do is think that his brother or someone could please help him. His vision was starting to blur and he exhaled heavily. “Fuck I thought I got out of this? I thought my life wouldn’t be in danger. But even now in proximity. Cassie you’re pregnant and if I or this hurt our baby I can’t live with this.” Thor for the first time saw how unnecessary this all truly was. How cruel and devastating.All these people didn’t deserve to die like this because of his brother or worse Gia.

Thor also knew vocalizing or trying to tell Ronan that truth would end their truce. It would break them as brothers and as badly as he now detested the lifestyle. Ronan was going to always be the head of the Madden family. Gia was a monster and somehow he foolishly let this monster in their family. Although he had walked away somehow five million monthly is deposited into his account. He loved his brother and he couldn’t hurt him with the truth. Closing his eyes trying to fight the pain and he felt like Cassie was alright so he did his job. “I’m going to be alright Cassie.” Thor mumbled as he passed out.

Cassie was still trying to apply pressure while one of the paramedics had come over to do the same while they instructed her to push harder. She had never seen Thor in such distress and honestly she felt herself tearing up at it all. He was in so much pain, they had been through so much and it was awful to see him like that. Sure he had been shot but she had never bore witness to it, never saw the blood and the carnage up close and she was instantly transported back to seeing her mother’s arm hanging over the tub the blood just dipping into a pool on the floor, Philip gripping her hand while they stared at her. Her father had come and shut the door abruptly at that point while what she had assumed were the paramedics there to save her, it was too late she could tell by the casual way their father had called. She eventually stopped pressing when the second paramedic joined them and she felt someone pulling her backwards to look up and see Ronan holding her. She had no idea where he came from and she looked at the blood all over her hands, her entire body was trembling while she watched the paramedics stick a tube into Thor’s side and place an oxygen mask over his face.

“He was right by the slots we had made love earlier today, he was so excited to tell you. You’re going to be an uncle who would do this? He got out so he wouldn’t have to be put into this anymore.” Cassie said looking at Ronan for answers, she wanted answers. She needed an answer while she felt Ronan take something to wipe off her hands. She was trying to see what Ronan was thinking and feeling but like the man she loved he was stone faced, the life they led the mafia made them like that. She was the same way two sides to the same coin was how she and Thor had always joked about it. Maybe that was why they fit like they did, they always found their way back to each other. “I’m pregnant, we were going to tell you later tonight. I need him to be okay. He promised me we’d do this together.” Cassie said seeing Thor on his side while the paramedics injected what she assumed were painkillers into him holding out his hand. She took it into her own, squeezing it for reassurance while she watched Ronan do the same, her eyes meeting Ronan’s. “Anything happens to him and I do mean anything I’ll hold you and the bitch you brought into your life responsible, he’s been warning you about her for months.”

Ronan had been looking everywhere he could for Gia. He knew the moment he saw the blast go off in slow motion that she was behind it, her and Hector. In the carnage he saw his entire image he had made with the citizens of Atlas Falls go up in flames, he of course would be blamed for it. When he had no part in it all the death no that was the woman who was very pregnant with his child, he had rules he had always followed but now he was willing to maybe look the other way. His men had gone into security mode of course with him trying to get him out of the carnage while he had started to help people off the boat looking for his brother. He knew that Thor was coming and he had assured him because it was a legitimate business and good PR that he would be there with Cassie. He was pretty sure he had a broken rib or two by the way he painfully walked, a small price to pay compared to others on the boat. He had been looking and searching against his bodyguards when he heard that scream and he knew who it had been the moment it happened Cassie and he had turned around to see his brother a glass shard sticking out of his back from one of the machines.

He rushed forward seeing Cassie staring at her bloody hands and caught her in his arms pretty sure that it was what his brother would have wanted him to do, while he watched two paramedics loading him onto a stretcher. He couldn’t tell if he was going to be alright or not and that terrified him deep down to his core he was literally the only family he had left. Sure it wasn’t always glorious or and they hardly were ever on the same side over the years but that was still his brother, and he inside was shaking in rage helping Cassie wipe off her hands while his men said they had perhaps found Gia. He knew he should go and take care of Gia and Cassie’s words more like her threat was all the confirmation that he needed. “I will make sure she will never hurt you or Thor again. I’ll keep her on a fucking leash or maybe I’ll bury her into the fucking ground.” Ronan said feeling Cassie let go of his hand while she watched her frantically dialing a number on her phone wondering if she had even heard him, while he looked at her speaking into her cellphone.

Cassie didn’t even wait for a response from Ronan as she finally saw two bars for service appeared and she instantly dialed her father’s private number. “Dad it’s me Cas, it’s Thor he’s been stabbed there’s been an explosion on the boat.” She managed to jumble out hearing her father frantic on the other end and she nodded her head while the medic’s wheeled them to the dock she hadn’t even realized that the massive boat had been pulled in by what appeared to be most of the local coast guard and reserves boats. “I think I’m fine. I’m going with him to the hospital. I promise you and the baby are fine.” She said as the medic helped her into the ambulance and she partly smiled seeing Thor stable and the machines beeping. “Yes you heard me right, baby.” She said watching as the doors closed and she was Ronan and hsi men intently doing what she assumed was going to find the bitch that did this.

**********

Max had been on the podium one moment and the next thing she knew was she was lying on the hard floor, hearing people scream around her, her body hurt and her hands had gone to her stomach and she felt like something connected in that moment. She was actually worried for the life inside of her. Her head was so dizzy and it hurt and then the next thing she saw was a man above her cradling her in his arms. She leaned into his shoulder and she was pretty sure she mumbled Sebastian into her because he had come for her and the baby to make sure they were okay. Everything seemed to blur and her hand went to her head pulling it back after a few moments, she could barely see in the smoke and her eyes were crossing and she saw the blood on her head, she had a cut somewhere. What did they call that in the medical field a concussion maybe or was it a compression, she could hear herself groan as she heard a woman’s voice as well. She hoped it wasn’t Regina she could only take so much of that woman who dared judge her, she wasn’t sure she was up to spar with her future monster in law.  Once her vision came into focus when she felt her feet hit the ground for a moment though she was in shock. It was not Sebastian who had carried her out as she looked at Gia’s right hand standing by her holding a knife to her stomach.

“Do you know who I am, who my family is? Do you really think my business partner Ronan would be alright with this? What the fuck.” Max managed to get out looking at the crazed lunatic next her what kind of a monster took out a knife and held it to a woman who was ready to have a fucking baby. Her hand was shaking so bad she had to grip the rail feeling a huge wave of nausea coming on and her knees felt like they were going to buckle and she wasn’t sure if it was shock or what was going on with her. She then felt something sharp in her side and she screamed out, though it came out more like a hoarse cry and she looked down to make sure that Hector hadn’t decided to stab her and her son. She gripped her stomach and she could tell something was wrong, maybe she should have attended those extra parenting classes or at least paid attention more. “Please just go find Ronan or Sebastian. Please, I think something is wrong.” Max said hoping to plead and appease the human side of the man in front of not sure if he had one when he just stared at her ice cold, chilling her to the bone.

Gia had watched everything go down from the safe vantage point Hector had chosen well before this evening. While all of the death and destruction looked like pure chaos to the untrained eye, Hector had seen it all play out in his mind like DaVinci might have envisioned his artwork before the paintbrush ever touched canvas. For all she knew Ronan was somewhere among the dead and that would be the best outcome but there was no time to daydream about her freedom. She placed a hand on her stomach, hating what she would have to do next. To leave her baby resting in the arms of Sebastian’s mistress, Max Devonshire. Besides Sebastian, her son was the only person she’d ever truly felt a connection to in the world and having to abandon him was a cruel cosmic joke. If she couldn’t have her baby why should Max be allowed to keep hers? If Max hadn’t seduced Sebastian and snared him in her web this would be a very different story. A story of revenge and triumph over Ronan. The Navarro and Falcone families would have joined together to avenge her father and Seb’s sister who died as a result of Ronan’s order. For her part, it was a role she was willing to play. She’d be expected to retaliate or she’d be seen as weak but to Seb it was so much more. He was obsessed with his family. All the stupid, endless dinners and gatherings and phone calls. Always with the phone calls to his overbearing mother or his nosy sisters or his loser brothers. It would mean something to him and more importantly to Regina if she espoused those same values. So she would do that now by showing them what an amazing mother she could be while protecting herself from Ronan. He couldn’t kill the mother of his child no matter what she’d done. And if she had to give up her own baby, at least she would have the thing that Seb might love even more than his precious Max. He’d see he chose the wrong woman when Max’s selfish ways cost him everything.

Right on time Hector brought Max around to where the speedboat was waiting. Gia took one final look around to ensure no one had wandered into the area and stepped out of the shadows. “Careful Max, I’m starting to think you’re an ungrateful bitch. After Hector risked his life to carry you safe and sound out of that hellscape. If Ronan or Sebastian really cared about you they would have been by your side when your little boat went boom.” Gia moved close, punctuating the boom by flashing her hands in Max’s face. “We all know that spoiled girls don’t take good care of their toys but Max, look what you’ve done.” Gia clucked her tongue. “So careless but lucky for you Hector was there. We almost had a little Devonshire flambé so show some gratitude you soulless wench. Actually, I think this is the part where the damsel in distress, that’s you, kisses her rescuer.” She saw the look of horror on Max’s face. The way her eyes darted to Hector liked he’d actually want to touch the likes of her. “Too bad. We don’t have time for romance right now. We’re going to take a ride.” Gia watched Max’s hand cradle her stomach and when she grabbed the railing again, she realized it must be contractions and in that instant she hated Max more than she’d ever hated her before. Max whose baby was conscious and trying to make his triumphant entrance into the world. A world that would continue turning without ever knowing her own son’s presence. “Get on the fucking boat!” Gia screeched at the woman who seemed to be frozen in front of her. “So help me God Max, if you don’t move I’ll cut that baby out of you right here,” she yelled, grabbing Hector’s wrist and pressing the blade harder against Max’s stomach.

“She’s going to move aren’t you Max? This isn’t part of the plan. You see we have to follow the plan. I blew up an entire boat full of people for you Max. Everyone will believe Ronan was the target but you my dear were the most exquisite rose.” Snatching Max by her hair to get Gia away from her. He saw the rage and absolute disgust that Gia had for herself. He could see behind her rage and the pain. He felt her pain he felt her pain so much he was going to kill this rich bitch. He felt her pain so much that he actually would dare to go up against Regina Navarro. Sebastian was the bitch of the family but that bitch was the true monster. Everyone knew that. So if the truth ever came out then all hell would break loose. Yanking her onto the boat he began to drag her screaming and failing body. “Bitch listen to me. You are about to give birth to a beautiful baby? But your life is a sacrifice for the greater good. Max you have spent your existence spoiled and indulgent. Getting everything you wanted until this baby right? You never wanted this baby so we are going to grant your last wish. You will go out of the world just as you lived in it. Spoiled and selfish. You will be a blessing to so much in Atlas Falls you see and even the world. You and Gia are linked now forever and forever you’ll know.” Digging into his pocket he pulled out the first syringe. Stabbing her in the back of her shoulder. “You’ll know that you saved so many lives by giving us the life you never wanted your baby.”

Hector felt Max body easing up and her fight reducing by the second. “Beloved it’s time for you to give birth as well. Your medicine is on the boat.” Normally they’d cut out the baby and be done a C-Section but she had to look like she had just given birth. So they were going to make it look real as possible. Gia was a trooper and a goddess she’d never her son cry but to take on another woman’s. It was poetic and beautiful. She was everything to him. “I’m so sorry that you have to do this. I wish you peace for all of this.” He said as he walked to the driver seat of the speed boat and knowing that Gia was about to embark on the darkest moment in her life. To give birth to a lifeless baby but get a baby nonetheless. “Will you need me to do it Gia?”

Max’s entire body was still shaking in what she could only describe as fear and dread. When she felt Sebastian pulling on her arm and then her hair she let out a scream that she was sure was drowned out in the chaos of the boat. So many people were screaming, they were all running around looking for their own escape off the boat on the lifeboats on the side. There was a massive fire coming from what she assumed was where they had been standing and she looked around frantically for her Sebastian or Ronan. Hell she would settle for Bliss if she had to and even Belle, Rory had been there too and she looked up frightened at Hector before she turned her eyes to Gia. Almost like she was clinging to hope that she would drip this and just let her go. She had to care about something like her own child that she was carrying what could this man who seemed to be fucking crazy offer her. She didn’t care to know about the ins and the outs of Gia’s sick relationship with Hector or her relationship with Ronan.

“Please, please, please just let me go. You’re both crazy at this rate do you even hear yourselves right now taking my son away from me? Why? Because I’m a Devonshire and everything that both of you will never be?” Max said, staring at them both in horror when she felt Hector stab her with what she was sure was a needle and she let out another scream, her feet trying to dig into the wood of the boat. She was wearing heels so it was pointless as she began to kick her hands scratching at Hector’s arms and trying to reach his face this couldn’t be happening. Someone would come for her, see or help her. “Please Gia, please this Is all so pointless  you have Ronan I have Sebastian it doesn’t have to be like this. You can choose a different path for your son.” Max said feeling her body starting to give out and she wasn’t sure it was because of the stress or what Hector had put into her body while she pleaded helplessly with the crazy woman before her.

Gia stood aside while Hector drug Max onto the boat and deposited her in a heap like the pile of garbage she was. Of course she didn’t want Hector injecting her with the dug that would induce her labor. If it had to be like this, she would do it. It would be her final act of maternal love, to release her baby from the womb that had become his prison. He was caught between worlds while she kept him alive and now he would soar free. She didn’t acknowledge Hector’s question, though. He wanted the attention, he wanted to make himself part of this and she wasn’t giving him the satisfaction. Instead she picked up the needle and quickly stabbed it into her thigh as she stared at him. And so it began. Max was still sniveling on the deck and it was grating on her nerves. Little did she know this was going to be the end of the line for her dreams of motherhood. She was wasting her time with that bullshit. She picked up the handgun Hector had left haphazardly in the cockpit and walked over to Max. She stroked her hair and shushed her over and over from her seat on the bench as she looked out across the water. The fire was still dancing across the riverboat but there was some sort of organized chaos as she could just barely make out people exciting the inferno.

“Did you hear that, Hector? She said please,” Gia mocked, continuing to run her hands through Max’s soft hair, working out a few tangles and what was left of the hairspray. “I never thought I’d have a Devonshire begging at my feet. I’m flattered but you’re not running the show here. Did you know that babies can feel your emotions? So when you’re stressed or scared, all of that goes coursing right through their little bodies. You’re. Not. A. Very. Good. Mother,” Gia said tapping the muzzle of the gun against Max’s forehead after each word. “Are you, Max? It’s not your fault, though. You had a bad role model for starters so I can’t expect you to understand the sacrifices a mother makes. Not now but you will. Oh, Max,” Gia said pulling Max against her tightly, the gun resting heavily against her back. “Poor dumb Max. This is so much bigger than Ronan or Sebastian. I’m trying to do God’s work here because he failed me the first time and you’re making it difficult with your infernal racket.” Gia let her go pushing her away, disgusted by the proximity. By Max’s inexplicable ability to keep her baby safe despite being the very definition of a spoiled princess. She felt it now, a slow creeping pain that worked its way across her swollen stomach. She closed her eyes as her body gave itself over to the chemical coursing through her. Hector was watching her intently and she knew he could see what was happening on her face. “I am doing this for my son.” For the son that Max had unknowingly carried for her. “We’re both going to get what we want. Max, I want you to know I forgive you. I forgive you because you’re giving me the greatest gift a person can. You’re giving me life.”

Max was trembling, he felt like she was going to throw up but was almost like she was paralyzed either in fear or worse whatever Hector had given her. She was there but she also really wasn’t as she listened to Gia ramble on while she stroked her head. Fucking cunt, that was the only thing going through her mind while she weakly reached up and shoved her hand away. She felt the hot sting of tears tickling her eyes and she felt the tears slip out. Who said something so awful like that, that she was an awful mother? She didn’t even know what kind of a mother she was going to be but she did everything right for her pregnancy, minus a few glasses of wine, sure she fought Seb at times about her health and working but Ophelia had said their son was going to be born healthy and without fucking issue. “You’re psychotic.” Max managed to get out looking at Gi with pure disgust while the woman just stared back at her and she kicked her legs at her to try and crawl into a corner on the seat as best she could. She then felt something happen and she was overcome with so much pain she screamed out into the air, her cries clearly lost over the engine of the speedboat. “What did you give me? You’re both sick.” Max pleaded between the tears and the screams she let out.

Her entire body was tensing like it was on some sort of euphoric roller-coaster but it was painful too and her body was too tired to fight it while she gripped her stomach. Had he done something to the baby, to make her go into labor though she wasn’t sure what that was supposed to be Sebastian had kept all the notes in their lamaze classes. She tried to stand up only to feel her legs completely give out from under her, her cries and screams still coming out while she looked up helpless at her captors on the boat she was in. She could swear that Hector was smiling maniacally at her like he was enjoying her screams and her pain. Gia looked completely smug at it all, her own sick smile spreading on her face. “You will both pay for this, you hear me.” Max managed to croak out feeling another contraction or what she assumed was a contraction come on. Her body finally just gave out completely to the fight against what Hector had given her, her eyes looking up at the stars, the hum of the speedboat engine in the background. Her fingers gripping into the cold hard plastic underneath her hand, her fingernails sending a numbing feeling down her hand. Her eyelids felt heavy for a moment before she closed her eyes wanting it all to go away and disappear, or better someone to save her and her son.

**********

“Well don’t look so motherfucking shocked.” Gloria said, looking at her children who were numb. She had done that to them and as badly as she didn’t want to face it. It was here. The pain, confusion, and outrage behind Selina’s eyes were clear. She had so much she wanted to say. She wanted to grab them and hold them in her arms. She wanted to tell them all that she was sorry and that she wasn’t good enough yet to be a mother. Inform Selina about her PPD and how lost she was. She had four children but these two weren’t in her arms and didn’t get her love. They didn’t get to spend time with her family and didn’t know their lineage. That pained her all the thought they were Delacroix when they had an expansive family on her side. “Look, I’m here for one reason and one reason only. To get what’s mine. My company and my children. Believe that. So what I’m saying is it’s time to show up and show out. Let’s get down to business because all the players are here and I’m ready to prove how unfit of a CEO Jackson is and why the board has no choice but to appoint Tess as CEO and let Natasha Hassan Devonshire out of her contract with DGI.” She looked at him and smirked. “Look at you with your big boy pants on playing Lowell. Boy if you don’t sit your green ass down. Let me explain this to you and if I have to I’ll prove it but if you are anything like your daddy you’ll know when to fold.” Gloria sat in front of Jackson with a stern expression.

“Truthfully your father wasn’t shit.” She saw the shock and horror of her words. “Oh please he had the fortitude to steal a company he wasn’t brilliant. Actually Walter was the genius which is laughable because he can’t even see what’s before him.” Folding her arms she saw Dani’s eyebrow raise at her words as well as Pierre’s look of shock. Secrets always floated to the top especially when they were buried in a swamp. She didn’t know who Dru was but the photographs of Pierre with her made Gloria know she was a weapon. When Pierre showed her the sextape it couldn’t get any more perfect. “Now do you concede or are you wanting to rumble with me. I assure you I ain’t Tony and I don’t like your stupid ass so let’s play.” Gloria said smirking at Dani knowing she was wondering what she had up her sleeve.

Mason was sitting still in shock at the woman before him, the woman that he thought had died when he was a toddler. What kind of sick individual faked their own death to abandon their children like that. Not that he had an awful childhood by any means his father was amazing and Ophelia had always tried her best when it came to him and Selina. But looking back there were things he knew he needed the woman before him for like his first steps and words. The first time he felt he wasn’t into girls, maybe she could have been his rock, his landing place instead of lying to his father and Ophelia for years. So much could have been different and he wanted to say something and lash out and do anything other than just stare at Gloria but he couldn’t. It was almost like he was frozen on an iceberg of his emotions not sure how he was supposed to react.

He kept looking between his sister and his mother and back again Selina looked like she was going to vomit. He knew he was supposed to be concentrating on what was going on with DGI and everything but his mind was elsewhere. He didn’t even hear his phone buzz, likely Zach asking him how it was going he couldn’t even think about Dru at the moment. All he could think about was how gutted he was that this woman had left him and his sister for Jeremiah over their father. Divorce would have been easier on them all less pain and suffering, he actually felt himself start to get sick as his leg shook under the table. He wasn’t sure if it was in rage or because his emotions were all over the place. He knew he should say something but he was too upset, too jumbled, too angry more so he knew he was in too much shock to do anything but look helpless at his big sister. He had been not listening to her for months about her quest and his father’s journals.

Dani didn’t know what to think when Gloria Delacroix walked in followed by Greer’s father and finally Tess. Who in the hell did she think she was her company and her children? Honestly that angered her most of all, DGI had always started with Lowell and her father and maybe Gloria was right her father was the brains at one point. But that was it Gloria came after she knew that much but this coop or whatever they were trying to do was over in her eyes. Yes she was mad at the man next to her, but she loved him deeply, maybe too much for her own good at times. Jackson had done nothing but bring DGI up since both in the press getting SandStar and recently AeroWest. She didn’t know what was real or not anymore at home with the drugs but she was not letting this woman talk to him like that. “Oh shut up. You really think you can barge in here and threaten Jackson and I after abandoning your children and faking your own death? Lowell knew what he was doing and who he gave the CEO too. Did she put you up to this not that I care. I’m not my father. If you thought I was going to roll over you should have done more research.” Dani said her voice even before she looked at Tess, her eyes so full of rage.

“This is getting a little boring by now don’t you think? You daughters are barely speaking to you if at all because all you can seem to do is want to destroy their brother and for what? Because Lowell didn’t give you his company as payout for being his mistress over the years? It wasn’t enough that you had to conspire with Forbes to bring Zerick to town with the lie about who raped Katie Davis?” Dani said she caught Jackson’s eyes for a moment almost like he admired her right now, she had a temper always had and after everything she knew that she likely needed something to take the edge off. She was tired of having to justify to everyone why they were chosen, she was tired of everyone thinking that Jackson couldn’t handle the position and doubting him. “What has he ever done to you to make you hate him so much? Why can’t you just love your daughters and be in their life without all the dramatics?  What have you done here at DGI to even become CEO other than being Lowell’s secretary thirty years ago? You do this, I will make it my mission to destroy you.”

Tess rolled her eyes at Dani’s hysterics as she felt almost bad for the little girl before her. “Let me explain the Devonshire men to you. They love you as long as you are stupid and docile much like Jackie.” Picking up the champagne bottle she popped the cork as she stared at Dani. Beginning to pour Pierre, Jeremiah, Gloria, Selina, Mason, and Dani a glass. Looking at the Fraiser princess she was about to destroy her kingdom. “You think you have room to judge me? You want to talk about mistresses? You employed the woman who stole your husband. That has to hurt but I like to think its history repeating itself. I mean I seduced Lowell all those years ago and your nanny did the very same thing to your husband. You know what I find boring is your self-righteous attitude and your saccharine devotion about a family that will never love you. A man who will never respect you, and a life you were never meant to have. In fact all those promises of undying love and the betrayal that he’s done well cost you all. It’s cost you your marriage, it’s cost you DGI, and it’s cost you your dignity.” Pointing at Chauncey first, then Jackson, and finally Dani. “Now Gloria do you want to tell her or should I?”

Jackson’s face flushed as he looked at Tess and Gloria staring at him. What did they know? How did they know? His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he looked at Gloria and Tess. “Stop it. Stop spreading lies.” He said as he broke out into a cold sweat.

“What’s the matter, Jackson I can tell you a little scandal never hurt anyone except you.” Gloria said, looking at Dani. Pointing her perfectly manicured fingers into the shape of a gun then she shot Dani with an imaginary bullet. “Little girl I spun your father and Lowell Devonshire around my finger. Do you think I’m afraid of you? So let me explain one thing white girl, your sassy neck bobbing doesn’t intimidate me. In fact you want to tango with the big dogs but you’re scared to get bit. I will chew you up and leave you just as broken as I did your father. So keep playing and I’m going have you just as embarrassed as Jackie when that trick was fucking her husband.” Gloria said, folding her arms. “Fuck it I’m not giving you many more chances. Jackson, Natasha and myself don’t have to say a damn thing why don’t you tell everyone why they are here.”

“Shut up.” Selina said finally looking back up. “Shut up!” She shrieked at Gloria. “Don’t you say another word you bitch.” She slammed her fist on the table over and over again. “You have the audacity to come in here and act like you are superior to my friends. Jackson and Dani have been more family to me than you. You are not my mother. You are dead to me as you’ve been so whatever this is, it’s over. I knew it. I knew you were alive and I felt you watching me. I felt it and Mason thought I was losing it. He thought I was just getting my hopes up and I knew that you were the monster that I believed you to be. You aren’t a mother to us! You are why we don’t know our identities and we’ve been so lost without you. Now you just strut inside here and think that I am going to accept you or whatever this is. Say what you want about Jackson, Chauncey or any of the Devonshire’s but they are my family.”

“Girl shut your dramatic ass up.” Gloria said, placing her hand on her hip. “All I ever wanted was for you to have the best. I wanted the best schools, best parties, and all best that life could give you. Do you think you would have gotten that if I was alive? You benefitted from my death and no matter which way you cut it little girl I am your motherfucking mother. I gave birth to you and you don’t know all the secrets all at play. I assure you that Selina. So don’t judge me get up off that high horse and when this is all over I promise you that you will know the truth. I wonder if you will be such a daddy’s girl then.” She hissed as she looked at her daughter. “Baby I’m not Tony. I love you but little girl I won’t be disrespected. Now you two will give me some time to explain after this is done. Until then shut up.”

“What did you say to me?” Selina snapped, as her eyes laser focused in on Gloria.

“I said sit back and listen to me, little girl, because I am here for what is mine. Now if we’ve aired all our business out for these white people can I get back to dragging them?” Gloria said as she folded her arms.

**********

Dani looked at Tess and at Gloria fuming at them. What in the hell were they talking about? Maybe Lowell had those issues but she and Jackson had talked about Dru, they were firing her. It was more lies to her from people that opposed them or bought into bottom feeder gossip that was fed by Pierre and his bitch of a daughter. She shot a look at Jackson trying to figure out what in the hell they were going on about. She almost laughed at the docile comment. Maybe sometimes at home she was when she was in a mood to be that way but at work no, she’d worked too hard to get where she was being docile. If Jackie wanted to be that way in her marriage that had been her choice she had no reason to be that way in hers, Jackson had never been unfaithful to her. They had both been under a lot of stress and she had let her reaction at the Summit get the better of her when it came to Dru, they made love in front of the woman at her cousin’s wedding. She glanced over at Chauncey who seemed just as confused as the rest of them were while Natasha looked gleeful.

“Let me make myself perfectly clear I am not afraid of you nor am I Jackie. Maybe that is how Lowell was with you, maybe it wasn’t but Jackson is not his father and buying into bottom feeder gossip that your friend wants to publish about Dru Price is just that gossip. Jackson loves me. Maybe that is why you hate him so much because Lowell never loved you that much he loved Jackie even with his dying breath it was her not you he wanted. Regardless, quit beating around the bush.” Dani said seeing Pierre look at her and her eyes shot to him. She knew who she was; her grandmother rambled enough to know about Harvey and her mother’s past; it wasn’t like she didn’t overhear arguments growing up either. “As for you and your media empire I’d advise you to stop running articles about me and my marriage before we decide to file a lawsuit against you too.”

Pierre was enjoying the show as the spectator of chaos that he was watching Gloria in her element and Tess giving them all the lashing that was overdue. His plan with Tess was working flawlessly when it came to DGI outing Jackson as CEO now that they had the tape in their hands. He and Tess had forged the will he was very good at that knew people to help them but they needed the contract with SandStar broken so sending Jeremiah to approach Natasha was the perfect closer. He had hoped the boy had just caved when he had leaned into Dru and her seduction but sometimes one had to play dirty to get what they wanted He knew that after Lowell had sentenced him to a prison cell and watching Lowell’s son break out into  a sweat while his unsuspecting wife defended him was priceless. Yes he and Greer had run a slew of articles about Dru in their media but the Devonshires were public figures it came with the territory. He slowly clapped at Dani before looking at Jackson.

“It’s adorable how dedicated she is to you just like her mother except when it comes to reality. Fraiser women always pick weak men by their sides and then play with men in power to get what they really want. So loyal and unwavering almost like it’s all a front wouldn’t you agree? You really have the girl disillusioned Jackson. A scam even for a chameleon like yourself given your history. Have you told her about your meeting with Grant Johnson yet?” Pierre asked, seeing the color drain from Jackson’s face, the confused look on Dani’s and the smiles on Tess and Gloria’s face. He saw Natasha coyly looking at her competitors in the room and he for a moment thought that Jackson had finally caught on as it seemed like Chauncey had judging by the way he was glaring at Natasha. “Should I tell her or would you like to come clean. You see this is about Dru isn’t it when everything is said and done. All the honor that you wanted to float around here at DGI it’s all built on lies isn’t it?” Pierre finished waiting for Jackson to say anything at this rate to not have everyone in the room staring at him.

Jackson understood from Pierre’s harsh words what this was. The realization was numbing if he didn’t relent he would lose Dani and if he did relinquish control over whatever they wanted it would make him look weak as a CEO. Not only that Pierre, Gloria, Jeremiah, Natasha and that bitch Tess were chomping at this moment. Somehow he’d left his father’s legacy so unprotected. When he mentioned Dru he knew that Pierre somehow knew what happened. It wasn’t some bad dream, it was all the sins unearthing before his very eyes. As he cracked his knuckles he wanted to pummel Pierre’s face because of the smug expression. Looking at his big brother he desperately wanted him to hold his hand or reach out to help him. Chauncey was, however, in shock and confused about what was happening. Being this out the loop wasn’t like his big brother. Leaning in he looked at Pierre and felt his adrenaline pumping. “Watch your mouth LeClerq or I’ll have you deported so fast you won’t be able to say croissant. Only scam artists here are all of you. My, my, my aren’t you Lowell Devonshire’s anti avengers all assembled to try to tarnish his legacy. Never will I let that happen. In fact I’ll lose the woman I love before I let you rip my father’s company from my hands. So what’s next Pierre?”

He saw Dani’s shocked expression over the words he said. He however knew that there wasn’t anything he could do to stop her from being hurt today. It was happening but he could still fight for DGI and his family’s company. Turning to his wife he looked her in the eyes. “I need to tell you something but we can work through anything. Our vows are everything to me and I meant them. I just…I made a mistake Dani and that’s what he’s alluding to.” Jackson mumbled as the words croaked out only in a whisper. He prayed that she could forgive him when she knew all his sins. She was so mad earlier and he was so confused. He didn’t remember taking or asking for drugs but Dru. God how could he betray the love of his life? Tears were beginning to pool in his eyes. “I need a moment.”

“Ain’t no moments in business boy.” Gloria slammed her hand on the table. “So this is what we can do. If you don’t want your business out there, sign over DGI to Tess and I can get what I want. You think we’ve waited all this time to watch you get the throne little boy? Nah it doesn’t go to your punk ass. So I took it upon myself along with Jeremiah to draw up all the paperwork to forfeit your lawsuit and claim to DGI. Tess will owe me a huge favor but us girls will deal with that when the time comes. Won’t we Tess?” She asked as the other woman nodded her head. “So call us what you like Jackson but right now we got your motherfucking balls in a grip. Chauncey close your mouth and baby girl you were right Lowell should have given it to the much more capable big brother. But he didn’t he gave it to the fuck up and what he do? Fucked up.” She snickered, slapping her hand on the table. “It’s time to man up or are you too much of a punk to do what needs to be done. Pierre we have a parting gift either way don’t we?”

Dani looked at Jackson when he mentioned the word mistake, was that him admitting that the drugs in his suit pocket were his?  Her eyes met Jackson’s and she wasn’t sure it had ever been a look she had given him, fury for the most part at the fact he said he’d sacrifice her, them for DGI and Lowell of all people. She fisted her hands making sure to dig her nails into her palms and she saw Mason finally look at her, Selina too. They’d both seen her temper growing up and right now she needed to keep her shit together even if she wanted to scream at her husband at that very moment. What in the hell were Tess, Pierre and Gloria out here getting at? Even Chauncey was out here giving her some sort of look of sympathy, she didn’t know that her brother in law had it in him. She didn’t bother to say anything back to Jackson; she even took a step backwards from him otherwise she was pretty sure she would lose it.

Chauncey watched the scene unfold and wondered if this had anything to do with what Jackson had texted him about earlier with Dru Price or not. He was almost impressed with Pierre’s ruthlessness in the matter; heck even Gloria’s, his problem lied in how Natasha was acting. She was giddy about what was happening, almost like she had something to do with everything as well. He didn’t think things were perfect between them, far from it but she had to know that she was starting a war he wasn’t going to allow her to win if she was out here staging some type of coop at DGI he had planned his better than her, he knew better who people would side with.mHe knew about the Grant meeting, so did Natasha meaning something happened at it and judging by the look on his brother’s face something that had shaken him. Honestly when he looked over at Dani he almost said he told her so, Devonshire’s were selfish to their very core. It was in their nature and upbringing, he had sacrificed Greer for Natasha but he never actually thought Jackson would do it. He turned his head to Natasha and knew what he needed to do she needed to inform them what everything was about.

“Care to share with the rest of the class? You seem to be very content Natasha as they try to rip DGI from our hands and you are a Devonshire as well correct? This should affect you but you seem to be the only one who works at this company who is actually gleeful about this.” Chauncey said looking at her pinning her with his eyes, he’d tried to be civil, he’d tried to make it work based on everything that happened at his brother’s wedding finding her at the bottom of the stairs pushed down now while pregnant. He did what he said he would, he married her, had been trying hell he hadn’t even taken a mistress other than the night before his wedding to her with Greer. He had been the man that he thought he should be and if she thought he was just going to stand there and not bury her if she betrayed him or this company she should flee back to the middle east and quickly. “You can inform the room what makes you so joyous at the moment or I’ll make a call and your sins will be plastered and I do mean plastered everywhere in hours.”

“You won’t do a damn thing. In fact you’re going to give me whatever proof and evidence of my past dillances. Or else I’ll pull my solar panels.” Natasha said with a raspy voice as her eyes burned into Chauncey. Licking her lips before the ends of her mouth curled into a perfect signature smile. “I guess the cats are out of the bag. You and I are done and Jackson broke our morality clause. You know what that is? My father put all these clauses up for me. So that I had to be a virtuous woman but it also applied to my partners. So because Jackson has broken the contract that opens the door for me to take SandStar and my panels away from DGI. Check to you Jackson and Dani. It must hurt honey doesn’t it? You had your head up so high in the clouds that you really don’t know. Oh this is delicious. You aren’t pretending you really think that Chauncey or Jackson or Zerick or Rory have hearts don’t you? You think deep down they are good men? Well you lose Dani tonight you lose. Oh and I spilled coffee all over myself I hate that little bitch Maddie. However she’s smarter than Dani because she actually knew I was the snake in the house.” Leaning back she picked up her champagne flute sipping the golden liquid. “Checkmate hubby I want a fucking divorce.”

Natasha sat back in her seat and felt the heat rising from Dani and Chauncey but it was Jackson who looked like he’d kill her where she stood. That was fine; she knew how to speed the ball up. “Well I would love to continue to watch the Devonshire family break and crumble in my hands but I have a business appointment in Montana with Grant and then to Paris for a week of relaxation. So shall we show Dani and Chauncey how much of a disappointment Jackson truly is? I’m actually glad my son didn’t make it because if he did I might be going through what you are Dani. You know nanny’s always seem to do whatever they want to the loyal and devoted wife. Just as Jude Law or Arnold Schwarzennegger or Lowell Devonshire. Let’s just hope Dru isn’t persistent as Tess right? Or knocked up like she got.” Natasha said sneering and Dani and Jackson.

**********

When the explosion occurred, Lex had been in a quiet service well with a beautiful cocktail waitress. They’d ducked in there after a flirty conversation, Lex needing a palette cleanser from the festivities.  Namely the most nauseating stump speech he’d ever heard courtesy of Hunter Kincaid. He nearly threw up in his mouth at the thought of that yokel becoming mayor. That guy needed to stick to what he did best, standing around looking dumb with his perfect hair and fake smile. He’d snuck a glance at his father and Walter, neither of whom appeared aware that another Kincaid was throwing his hat in the local political arena. One thing he was sure of, Walter being ousted didn’t bode well for his father’s personal business dealings. That meant two things, more work for him and a higher chance that someone would find out about the B Agency and link him to it. He was stressed the fuck out about the entire situation involving that endeavor and there was no one he could trust. The entire town had ties to his father, half owing him for favors and the other half wanted to avoid pissing him off. He didn’t want to put it on Whitney or Connor to carry that shit around. Ryan was out of the question; he was about to have a big bone to pick with his father who was pushing him out of the family with a divorce and an insulting settlement. There was no one left that could get close enough. Skye, maybe he could’ve talked her into helping him but she was gone now. Maggie wasn’t that smart. He was the Lone Ranger in all of this and still dealing with his father’s demands that he win Dani back on top of it.

All of that had brought him to the lovely creature in front of him. He just wanted to get lost in her and all her many assets when the sound of the blast erupted, violently rocking the boat and throwing them to the ground. He shielded her but thankfully they were on the opposite side of the event and the interior walls around them held up. He helped her to her feet, saw she had only minor injuries from a broken glass and took off into the fray. He picked his way through the smoke and rubble, looking for his sister and Ryan. His father. Yes, he was a despicable person but at the end of the day the man was still his father. Dru he knew was still here or had been just before he’d met the cocktail server. Thankfully Connor was on his way to some corn eating town. Alarms were blaring and people were moaning and crying in all directions. He checked his phone but there was no signal and no data. The cell towers must be overloaded but maybe he could get service outside to call Connor before the news hit his feeds. It was then he came across Charles, standing in the midst of the chaos looking oddly serene and unscathed. Maybe he was the devil incarnate. That would actually make a lot of sense. “Dad,” he called out, ducking away from some falling debris and brushing the dust out of his hair. When he reached his father, he realized he was alone. “Are you ok? What the fuck happened? Whitney’s not with you? She was with Ryan when we split up. They said they were going to hit the roulette tables which I think were around here somewhere.” He looked around trying to orient himself using the little remaining decor but it was hard to place. He yelled his sister’s name but there was no answer. “She’s fine. She’s here somewhere. I mean, she has to be. Ryan wouldn’t have let anything happen to her.”

Charles had been close to Ryan as he had caught Hector out of the corner of his eye and made the choice it was either himself or his son in law and Ryan had gotten too non compliant as of late and too sloppy. He could claim that Ryan had pushed him out of the way of the blast to Whitney later at least to hide the truth and preserve Ryans image with her and the rest of the family. He had Ryan tailed while on his little rendezvous with Nova and the pillow talk had gotten back to him through Ryan’s security team. Ryan was having doubts and talking about the conglomerate and the agency, so he had to do what needed to be done. There were a million Ryans in the world and it wasn’t like Whitney would come out poor in the divorce assets were assets after all, Miles and Morgan would still be the heirs to the Walker empire. He was sure the Walker’s would grieve for their son but in time it was for the best. The simple push or rather shove he gave his son in law forward and into the blast was necessary.

He had shielded himself with a server’s body avoiding the rubble falling on him mostly and when he did notice the ashes and dust he had brushed it off. He hadn’t even cast a glance down at the young man and then his mind went to Whitney where his daughter was. Yes she had been close to Ryan at the event but he couldn’t recall where exactly. Once Lex came into his view he simply scoped out the room hopefully Ryan and did the best he could with Whitney during the explosion. “I saw your sister around the area, yes she was over by the tables conversing with Anderson and Cara, Ryan was headed that way. I was guiding him there. He had informed me that he was going to go back to his home state with Nova. Something about irreconcilable differences when it happened hopefully he reached her in time. I didn’t have time to let him know you were already on top of filing paperwork.” He took a step seeing what he was pretty sure was some unfortunate soul that had lost their life and he didn’t even bother to look underneath. He stepped over a few more seeing his son looking on in horror at all the bodies. “I’d suggest we move forward to where your sister was, she’s a Hessington, Lex.” He finished making his way through the crowd.

“Ok, then,” Lex said, feeling like an idiot for asking if his father was ok. That man would survive Armageddon with the snakes and cockroaches. “I’m fine. I wasn’t even out here when it happened in case you were wondering.” He wasn’t expecting Charles to break down in tears and throw his arms around him but a little concern might be nice. Even if it was fake. They could have died. He stood there, hardly believing his own eyes at the complete disaster surrounding them. It was surreal, like something from a movie. He’d been in a lot of messy situations in his life but never anything like this. He watched as his father came towards him, barely bothering to step over actual dead people. He was like something out of a Stephen King novel and Lex halfway wondered if he might be behind this but what would he have to gain? “You do know those are people you’re treating like stepping stones?” When Charles gave him a shitty look he held up his hands in surrender. “Just checking.” He started to make his way through the casino much more carefully than his father. He didn’t need any more bad karma than he’d already earned. Firefighters and paramedics were starting to make their way in, trying to usher people towards the entrances and off the boat. “I’m sorry, Ryan did what? Yeah, no. I’m calling BS on that. There’s no fucking way he’d tell you that before he told me. What does that mean, ‘I was guiding him there’? Where were you taking him? Clearly the alleged separation wasn’t a secret as you claim him and Whit cited irreconcilable differences so, why did you need to ‘guide him’ anywhere?”

He jumped around, dodging debris and … people while his father just strode through what started out the evening as the gaming floor. He was probably harvesting souls as he went along. Lex gritted his teeth at the comment that he’d filed Whit’s divorce papers. He actually hadn’t and he knew Ryan wouldn’t believe this clown. He was trying to buy Ryan and his sister time to work this stupid shit out like they always did. Best not to shine a light on that however, he’d find out soon enough. “Technically, Whitney’s still a Walker,” Lex told his father to be annoying. His precious little girl was still married to Ryan and while Lex knew he’d been seeing Nova again it was just one of their flings. If anyone would know it was him. That was his best friend, had been for years along with Whitney even if his little sister was kind of a traitor sometimes. Like when she took Dani’s side every fucking time. He’d drifted away from his father who didn’t even bother to look back to see if he was still there. Good thing though because as he detoured around an overturned craps table and turned a corner he nearly ran into his favorite little swamp girl. Maybe a bit out of her element at a bougie party but he liked the defiance that burned in her. “Careful there, cupcake,” he cooed, hands going to her waist to make sure she stayed upright. His eyes trailed down her body in that skimpy dress. He glanced over his shoulder just to make sure his father really had forgotten about him. “Damn girl, this must be where all that smoke is coming from. You wanna go start a fire of our own?”

“I want to get the fuck off this boat!” Dru said as she looked at him flipping her hair back as she looked at him with a smile. She was just happy to see someone she knew at this moment. When the bomb went off all she could think of was that the O’Connor’s found her. That this was somehow an act of revenge. Grabbing ahold of Lex she just hugged him tightly because for some reason she felt change in the air. Like nobody would come out of this unscathed. “Lex you have no idea. I thought that my sins had caught up with me but this isn’t their style they’d just kill me. All these bodies and all these people are dead. This is all too much and I want to take a shower and if you don’t mind can I stay with you tonight? I’m scared that everything is exploding tonight. Everything.” Her voice dropped a little. Grabbing the lapels of his jacket which was covered in dirt and ash she looked into his eyes. “I feel like everything is going bad. I need your help. Dani is a powerful woman and my sister will not take kindly to what I’ve done. Walter made me see one thing clear as glass. Dani wouldn’t stop until she got her pound of flesh. That’s me.”

“I think I’m in danger and honestly I think that swamp girl as you love to call me. Swamp girl needs to get off for all the crimes and if somehow anything comes out. If the person who I gave that flashdrive to destroys me then I have no reason to protect you. Lex unfortunately you won’t look good in orange and I won’t either. I won’t be dropping the soap for a big bitch name Eileen and you won’t be for Earl. Now I need you but the question isn’t if you will do this for me. Your neck is way more important to you than mine but if I can trust you. Walter and the Fraisers, the Kincaid’s, and the Devonshire’s will be gunning for me. Once everything is out and I need someone who I can trust, is that you?” Dru asked, looking at him stepping back. “Dani and I are going to war but I need to know you are on my side.”

Lex has been caught off guard when she hugged him like that but he didn’t hesitate to return the affection, pulling her against him. He liked that he could be the one to comfort her. Something he had owed Dani far more of during their short relationship. “Hey, you’re ok, this was too big to be about one person. Looks more like someone wanted to send a big message or create a diversion. Who could have possibly pissed off this bad?” No, this had Madden Enterprises written all over it. Maybe he wanted out now that Lowell was gone or thought he could scare them off with our old man Devonshire around. Even though she didn’t seem to be in imminent danger, the thought of coming home to her in his bed had its appeal. “You know my door’s always open, for you. I’ll text you the door code. Here, take the G Wagon. I’ll get my sister to drop me off. We’ll be having a Hessington family pow wow to debrief before Dad issues a statement from the Governor’s office. He’ll want me and Whitney, dutifully standing behind him,” he handed her his car keys as he listened to her unload only to freeze when she mentioned Dani. Had he heard that right? Did she just say sister? Did Dani know? Did everyone know? His mind jumped to the video with Jackson. The whole fake drugged up sexcapade. Was that coming out in a big way? Shit, his dad was going to kill him. Maybe not. Maybe it could still work in his favor and Dani would leave Jackson.

“Hold up, did you say Dani’s your -“ he stopped himself and glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot. His hands went to Dru’s hips and he turned them so he could keep watch in the direction his father had gone in case he circled back. “…your sister?!” He whispered harshly. “What the fuck? You didn’t think that fun fact was worth mentioning before now? How is that even possible? My dad is going to lose his shit, Dru. She’s his goddaughter. Not that it means anything to him but he’s got an image to think about. You better add Charles fucking Hessington to your list of enemies. But you’re right, none of them are even going to matter. Once Dani’s done with you there won’t be anything left.” He ran a hand over his face and sighed heavily. “Nevermind. Do not answer any of those questions. Not here. We will revisit them later.” He pinned her with a look he reserved for clients who weren’t taking shit seriously. “I can not believe you drug me into this mess and now you’re.. blackmailing me? Normally, I would like this little game but not when my dad’s involved. Jesus. Not cool, Dru. This… sister,” he whispered the word again. “… thing changes everything. Dani is not going to let this public humiliation go like she would the depraved act of a desperate slutty nanny. No offense. Listen to me, honey. Don’t do anything drastic. Matter of fact, don’t do anything at all without talking to me. I got your back but you can’t go off half cocked. None of that trailer trash shit that your people do. We’re so deep in bed together now and you’re going to be a very good girl and do only what I say, when I say you can.”

Dru was slightly dizzy feeling lightheaded and she was talking so comfortably she said it out loud. She had done all of this for revenge. Exposing the Kincaid’s was first on her list, and showing the world the ugly side of Atlas Falls first family. It wasn’t her fault Brenda’s side were raging racist. Well that wasn’t the truth but she made it the narrative. Then the virtuous Fraiser clan were next up on the agenda. Walter was pure slime and machismo; it wasn’t hard to find his weakness but Lauren, Braden, and Dani were. Unlike the racist angle she had to dig a little deeper. Worming her way into Lauren’s life and making herself indispensable. Then with the help of her French fairy godfather she found out Braden wasn’t on the up and up. He used his power as ADA to get Tamara off when she was an addict. Dani on the other hand, Dru knew she was vicious to her big sister. Jealousy or not she knew that she single handedly dismantled her life. Once she saw that tape it was over for poor little Jackson and Dani. So she had brought destruction and her parents were next. Brenda would have to feel it most of all but Walter would when he loses the love of his life. It was poetic she was destroying them and they didn’t even know it. The child they dismissed like trash was tearing them apart. Holding onto Lex she leaned over and vomited all the shrimp from earlier.

“I hate boats.” She said underneath her breath taking the handkerchief he was handing her, wiping her mouth. “My name is Kendall Richardson and it’s nice to meet you, Lex. My mother’s name is Brenda Judith Thorpe Kincaid and my father is Walter James Frasier. I’m younger than Dani and Hunter but older than Brooke and Victoria. I found out right when my best friend died in a car accident. I vowed that I would be enough for the both of us. I always thought I was more than a swamp rat isn’t that what you call me? That I’d me more than just some Florida trash and I was. When I found out who my parents were I gagged a little and then I became enraged. So I stole some money, got a new identity and fought for my revenge. This is personal so if Dani comes for me I want to be ready and I also need you to be by my side now, not hers but mine.” Dru wiped her eyes knowing that the story was crazy but it was the truth. “Lowell Devonshire convinced Brenda to give me up and Walter didn’t know about me. I was so inconsequential to them but now they will know about me. In fact they’ll never forget the sister that ruined all of their lives. I’m working on Brooke still and Hunter is still happy. I want them all to suffer because I didn’t have anything growing up. Trailers, dirt, and my fucking mother is married to the mayor and my father owns a successful business and is a councilman. Well they all got happy parents and I’ll get to watch all of this shit burn. So my name isn’t Dru, it’s Kendall.” With that she took Lex by the arm. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know if I could trust you. Now I do Lex, don’t let me down. I’ve been let down my whole life. Please don’t be someone else who does that to me.”

Lex had been around enough intoxicated women to recognize the signs that Dru was going to be sick, affording him precious seconds to side step the puking. He absentmindedly rubbed her back as he thought about the situation. Charles didn’t have any use for him outside of his legal prowess or selling the facade of the great American family. Dru’s feelings towards Brenda and Walter were certainly understandable though he’d never had it out for his siblings. Or even his father for that matter except where his sense of self preservation demanded it. If it came down to it, doubtless Charles would have no qualms about making him the sacrificial lamb. A scream erupted in the distance that drew his attention, sending a cold chill down his spine. It was haunting but more than that it was familiar. Before he could place it Dru was back to talking and he focused on what she was saying. He needed to know exactly what he was working with. “Ok, well, Dru, Kendall, whatever? I hate to break this to you but I have a feeling the jig is about to be up when that video comes out. Which means you’re going to let the vendetta go if you want a chance at salvaging the destruction you’ve wrought. I meant it when I said we’re in this together. I’m not going to let you go down for this and if you need a lawyer, consider yourself represented but you have to listen to me. The ultimate prize here was Dani seeing Jackson for the lowlife pig he is, now it’s your turn to play the victim. Keep going after the Kincaids or Fraisers and you’re not going to sell it.” Hearing the scream again he finally placed it. Whitney. And he hadn’t heard her scream like that since their childhood dog had died. What the hell could she have seen and why wasn’t Ryan comforting her? He looked back at Dru, holding her arms as he looked into her eyes. “Do not make any move without talking to me. Don’t ruin this for me. I’m begging you. I need Jackson to think he destroyed the best thing that ever happened to him and Dani waiting for me to pick up the pieces. Look, I have to go. That’s my sister,” he explained, unable to ignore Whit’s wailing any longer. He flagged over a passing paramedic to help Dru off the boat in case she got sick again. “I’ll see you back at my place and… please, don’t puke in my car,” he put his hands together in a prayer gesture before running off to find Whitney.

**********

Zach took a hollow breath as he looked at Jon, Devin, KC, and Miranda. He wanted to tell them all he was alright. That he was going to make it but he knew he wasn’t. The metal had pierced his lung and he knew he didn’t have long. “Miranda.” He croaked out looking at her. “Tell Mason I love him. Please tell him.” He said as tears began to slide down his face looking at his friends. “Please help my family find Scarlett and Kieran. All of you please. I’m not going to make it Miranda.” Taking a deep breath he felt like his lungs were exploding and that he could never catch his breath. “My family tell them that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He said as tears began to stop as he looked over at his friends. Thinking when he first became a cop and Jon and Devin hazed him. How KC and Braden would fight their hockey team for teasing him. How Kelsey and him would discuss being gay in the family. When Lucy stole his dad’s car and he lied and said it was him. Thinking about the life he was supposed to have he closed his eyes. He finally felt a sense of peace as the pain started to subside and finally he was at peace.

Zach opened his eyes and saw Lowell Devonshire sitting on a stoop of golden stairs with Tony Delacroix waving at him. As he floated past his grandfather who patted him on his back saying he was a hero. It was seeing Dante though standing by a glamorous woman with his sketch pad out. His lips quivered as he walked up to Dante hugging him tightly. “Where am I?” He said to his old lover. As Tony said his favorite son-in-law is here in paradise with them. “What about Mason? As he turned around he saw Mason in the distance as he vanished away. Opening his eyes he coughed up blood. “Tell Mason I love him Miranda. I see Dante! I see Lowell! I see them all. I’m not going to make it am I? I’m going to make it Miranda.” He sniffled as he looked at her. “I’m never going to see my son.” Zach said as he gulped air praying that he could just pull through. As he closed his eyes he saw Rachel Nichols.

“Come on Zach it’s time.” She whispered.

Zach cried as he looked at Miranda. “Rachel… I should have saved you and all of the people we lost Miranda are here.”

Miranda had sifted through so much water ignoring the scream down the hall of some other woman once they reached the lower deck. Her feet were freezing from the cold water but she didn’t care as she heard KC behind her looking through the darkness for her brother’s flashlight. She eventually saw him with Devin trying to remove what looked like a massive steel beam from Zach who was trapped underneath it. Devin looked over at her and she could tell by the look in his eyes as she got closer it was bad. There was blood seeping into the water, Zach’s body was clearly burnt from the explosion and KC’s eyes told a story. A story of war and destruction about the things he and her brother had seen and heard. Theresa’s so much blood and she knew her face gave it away when she reached out for a pleading Zach’s hand. It was so cold and she wasn’t sure if it was from the fact that he was still in water trapped or if it was because he was in shock whatever it was she had to steady her own breathing.

“I’m here Zach you’re going to be fine. We’re all right here and we’re going to get you help. You are going to tell them all that yourself.” Miranda looking over at her partner not wanting to process what he was saying Rachel was there? Was Zach hallucinating from all the pain he was obviously in? He was going to make it, he had to her first he was her partner, Dani’s cousin and one of the bravest and strongest people she knew. Medical aid was already arriving. She could hear the sirens and she felt the boat lurching forward into what she assumed was the dock. Where in the fuck were the paramedics and her eyes searched frantically around and they landed on KC and her brother. “Help is coming Zach I know it is. Right guys, he’s going to be fine.” Miranda said realizing her own eyes were starting to blur from all the tears that she was holding back and she looked once again at Devin’s grim face, how was this fucking fair to Zach of all people?

Zach could see Mason’s face and he felt the warmth of his grandfather and so many other loved ones surrounding him. He could see his parents exiting the boat. Braden and Tamara with Dehliah playing as Dylan played on his guitar. Dani and Jackson were tense at DGI and he saw all of it. He knew things weren’t right but he couldn’t save them. Brock was there fighting the fire as he saw Kelsey on the scene with David helping people. Zach could feel Mason’s fear and trepidation as he looked at Gloria and felt a sense of comfort in that. Gloria was going to help him through this moment. As he began to seize, shaking more intently. He went further into the light and saw Lucy in the cell alone and sad. She was crying and he wanted to reach out to his sister. As he exhaled he realized when you die you don’t see flashes of your life. You see flashes of people who you love and meant the most to you. A comfort that they’ll be okay. A moment that you know that they will live on but you aren’t. Zach released as his last breath rolled out of his mouth. He was gone and felt comforted by the light and God’s touch surrounding him.

Jon instantly began CPR on Zach as KC and Devin began to help. This couldn’t be happening. They couldn’t be losing Zach. He wasn’t sure his sister would survive this. Zach was the strongest in a world where he could hide he chose to be himself. That was commendable. Many officers hide in their truth. Zach was gay and completely himself. He could remember Zach’s courage and how he protected him when he returned from Iraq. Got everyone to accept him on the force because he was strange. Jon was distant and strange they said but Zach and Miranda pushed through. They were weird tears burning in his eyes. He knew that they had to keep him alive until the ambulance arrived. “DEVIN! Get them over here now!” He screamed at his partner.

KC saw how exhausted Jon was becoming and instantly swooped in. Taking over CPR compressions as he began to pump into Jon’s chest. “Miranda you go too! Help them get to us and get them here fast!” He said, trying to get a pulse from Zach’s lifeless body. With all his might he watched as the ambulance pulled up to them. As they jumped out he watched as they switched places with him. Reaching out to hold his wife as she simply had broken down in it all watching them desperately try to revive Zach as they prepared him for transport.

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