3X24 “In The Air Tonight”
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: In The Air Tonight- Daughtry ft. Brad Arnold of Three Doors Down

Gloria felt the tension in the room rising so much that she knew it was time. “You know Dani honey since you got all the mouths of Walter and none of Lauren’s brain. You husband is fucking the nanny. We all know but you didn’t. So let me prove it to you.” Pressing the remote for the projector. As the white screen slowly lowered down. She connected her phone to the computer in the room. Nodding her head at Jeremiah he turned off the lights and a projector lowered. As the first part of the footage began to play she could feel Dani’s dread rising. There it was now it was all out in the open. He couldn’t man up and tell her so she showed her. Jackson and Dru walking through the hotel kissing on Dru. They looked close to her. Gloria saw no satisfaction in breaking another woman but this little girl was insufferable. So since she thought she could play with the big dogs she’d annihilate her image of Jackson. Pierre got the footage it wasn’t her concern how it was enough to get Natasha on their side. Now they could make a move to finally attack DGI enough for everyone to get what they wanted. Gloria didn’t come back for just her children but finally to have her time in the sun. Pausing the tape she looked at Dani. “So today you learned a valuable lesson Dani you fucked around and found out.” Stepping to the trembling woman. “Your husband ain’t shit just like his motherfucking daddy. Thought you had the crown and could have a mistress too. I mean Tess is a scallywag but she cleaned up enough to be CEO quite nicely because with all the dirt on Jackson he couldn’t carry the title.” Gloria said as she turned to Jackson “Now shall we go to the next part?”

Jackson stood frozen watching a haunting portrait of himself on screen. Clearly under the influence and his eyes began to well with tears. He watched as Dru led him through the halls. She had to know he wasn’t himself. This wasn’t him and as he watched it he felt violated and sick. He wouldn’t have done whatever was on the tape if he wasn’t under the influence. He jilted watching his body slam into the wall. He heard Dani exhaling in sadness next to him. When Gloria walked into his wife’s face he couldn’t even bare to look at Dani. He couldn’t even say he was sorry because he felt sick. As he gripped the table he lost the breath in his body. Jackson felt Chauncey hand on his back as looked back at his brother. Tears began building in his eyes as he reached out to Dani but couldn’t do it. He couldn’t touch her because he betrayed her. He ruined it. He ruined her trust in him and that felt so disgusting. “Stop it, you’ve proved your damn point you don’t have to subject her to this.” Jackson reached for the remote or phone Gloria was using.

Gloria backhanded Jackson so fast and stepped to him. “Boy you done lost your damn mind. No, this girl deserves to see exactly what type of man you are. You see Dani you can love a man but honestly you can never trust a Devonshire. You just so happened to do both. Boy pick your feelings you over here sniveling when you done fucked up. Embarrassing this woman what you don’t got anything to say now huh Jackson? Speak up boy? Cat got your tongue? Dani, wake up, you were used.” She said as it looked like Dru was riding Jackson like an equestrian in the Olympic games. “He had to beat the golden boy. Oh you didn’t think your love was special honey? Tricks and games I play them all too well but one thing I always knew and this to you as well Selina and you to you Mason. You’re not one of them! You were groomed to be the perfect wife Dani. Down to earth, salt of the earth, classy but not a pushover, and would even fight her own family for him. Oh you were the perfect tool to steer him away from Chauncey the smart pick. Jackson might be a junkie but he ain’t dumb. He was smart enough to pick you. Then when Lowell died alone with that one. It made him nostalgic to see a love like his own. Too bad he didn’t know how much alike it would be.” The lights flicked on and Dani’s devastated expression actually haunted Gloria. “You are a Fraiser, we are black we aren’t supposed to be in these rooms. But yet here we are and Dani, if you have any backbone you’d destroy him. Now as Natasha said it’s time for us to do business with SandStar solo DGI.”

Dani stood there looking at Gloria not sure what was happening until the screen finally dropped and she had pressed play on the phone she was holding and immediately she knew her face had given whatever facade she had been holding in over the evening crack. Watching Jackson with Dru cozy at the hotel, kissing her at the hotel, hanging on her at the hotel. The hotel that he had told her the night before that he was alone at because he had drunk too much, with Grant another lie. She watched as Gloria came right up to her, listened to Jackson protesting against whatever Gloria was going to do next and saw him try to reach out shooting him the coldest look she could. She saw Gloria backhand him and she jumped debating if she even wanted to comfort him or not instead she stared ahead watching the trainwreck on the screen. Maybe this was her reality check that she needed to watch her husband on the tape kissing on Dru in the elevator and let out an exhale she didn’t know she had been holding. When it showed them both on the bed Dru and him clearly fucking she simply just let the tears stream down her face in silence. It was worse than what Lex had done, way worse because she actually loved Jackson.

She looked over at Jackson for a moment, his tears or maybe they were fake ones who knew anymore. She fully backed up from him bumping right into Mason. She brushed Mason’s hand off her shoulder, her body shaking. She felt sick like she was going to throw up or scream, and then looked at everyone staring at her like they pitied her and she hated it. She would not be that girl that stayed like her mother had with her father, like Jackie did with Lowell she wouldn’t. She had believed in Jackson with everything she had, hell she loved him that much even when Lex was coming onto her she rebuffed him over and over again, yet he felt the need to have an affair with the woman in their house that watched their children? She had stood up to her entire family for the man in front of her the man that could barely look at her and for what to be made a fucking fool out of. Between what she had just seen playing out before her and the coke she found at their house it was too much. “Congratulations I guess you did get everything you really wanted, the company.” She finally managed to get out her voice cracking at Jackson before she simply grabbed her purse and walked out of the room gasping as she did. She let the tears fall down her face pretty sure she heard someone chasing after her.

“Dani.” He mumbled as he watched the love of his wife walk out of his life. The woman who was truly made for him. The feeling wasn’t describable, the air was beginning to be sucked out of his body but he couldn’t let this be the end. Turning to Gloria and Pierre looking at them both he shook his head. Facing a satisfied Tess he couldn’t let them think he was defeated as he was truly feeling. He had to be defiant and he would make sure they understood one thing. “You all have conspired against us and have shown your hands. Trust me when I say Lowell Devonshire might have shown all of you old washed up hasbeens mercy for some reason. Maybe it was the nostalgia but I will destroy all of you personally and I assure you this means nothing. You’re Not the rightful owner of DGI Tess and whatever that vote will say we will conquer you and your pathetic cronies.” Jackson stormed out chasing Dani. “DANI!” He screamed as he ran down the hall.

“Baby listen to me, I know that looked horrible but I don’t remember any of it. I don’t know what happened but I don’t crave drugs, I don’t want to do drugs and I don’t know what has happened to me. I don’t know how she did this but Dru is to blame and she’s enjoying watching us break Dani. I’m not to blame, I did but I didn’t Dani you have to believe me this isn’t me.” Jackson exclaimed as he looked at her back. “Look at me dammit. Look at me I’m begging for you to look at me. I’m begging for you to hear me out because I can’t lose you. You are my soulmate Dani and I don’t know what happened that night. I came home with drugs in my pocket and I swear I haven’t done any coke. I swear I’m not doing drugs right now. We can go to the hospital right now and I’ll take a drug test. I didn’t do it. I don’t know what’s happening but they are doing this to us. They are attacking us and I didn’t choose DGI, I just didn’t want you to lose faith in me.” Jackson said knowing he sounded pathetic and explaining how he was feeling right now was so hard and it didn’t make sense. But he had to make her see that he needed her. Jackson was ready to be beat, slapped, jumped on. He stood ready to beg on his hands and knees but she hadn’t turned around. “Dani say something!”

She faced forward the offices becoming a huge blur with the tears that just continued to fall down her face, her breathing was rapid, choking almost. She was not going to have a breakdown at work she wasn’t going to do that again, it had been bad enough doing it at Whitney’s wedding she listened to Jackson talking and it all sounded perfect. Of course he had an explanation and she almost wanted to laugh had he been rehearsing it all. Did he really think that she was that stupid? Who was the they he kept talking about, did he really expect her to believe that someone set him up? All he had to do was tell her where he was the night before, there she had been having a breakdown about Randall’s book about Vicki and he lied to her. Not only that she remembered him talking about wanting to run off to rehab, so why all the games if none of it was true? Sure she knew that he had a past with women and drugs, she just thought they had worked past most of those issues. Sure Dru was to blame too in her mind, she trusted her to watch her children she didn’t actually think Dru was chasing after Jackson. She didn’t even want to know who recorded the tape, she felt sick just thinking about it while her hands shook. She wiped at her eyes turning the corner down the hallway barely looking at her office as she saw the elevator ahead of her.

She was not stupid and she would not do this again with anyone even Jackson, all those years she smiled with Lex for the public for her family. Pretending she was happy with him, or what she thought was happiness. Only to find out none of it was what she wanted and like most men they cheated and lied to you, she never loved Lex. Maybe that was why this hurt worse like her heart had been ripped out of her chest and crushed into a thousand pieces. She hadn’t even begun to think what she was going to do next when it came to Donovan and JJ, her parents had stayed together and she took a pause, look how that turned out. Her mother had been miserable, her father had checked out after VIcki died, hell maybe even before that. Once she reached the door she slammed her finger into the down button, slipping at first because her tears were on the tip of her finger. “Fucking hell come on.” She managed to mutter, her back still to Jackson hearing him getting closer turning to him furious when he tried to reach out to her again. “Don’t you dare even try.” She took a breath looking at him, her entire body shaking in rage. Once those doors opened she stumbled inside leaning on the rail turning to him, her finger pressing furiously on the down button. Eyes burning with tears while she just stared at him, what did he actually expect her to say to him. She saw the door closing, him staring, her mouth opened and she finally spoke. “Goodbye Jackson.” The elevator finally chimed and she screamed, not sure if anyone could hear her before she gave in sobbing against the wall, sinking against the cold metal behind her.

Jackson stood at the elevator unsure of what to say as the metal closed. He felt like it sealed his relationship at this very moment. It was over and she had closed the chapter on him. That killed him because it wasn’t over. This wasn’t how their story would end. He wouldn’t allow Dani to just walk away nor would he. “I need you.” He whispered as he touched the cold metal and instantly began to sprint down the hallway to the stairway and if he had to run to catch her he would. Jackson had to find Dani and had to fix this. He had to change her mind because this wasn’t goodbye, it was only the beginning. He wouldn’t let himself or Dru end this. This was all he’d ever wanted and it was slipping through his fingers.

**********

Sebastian looked around the wreckage as he watched his mother loading grimly on the boat. The look she gave him he knew. He knew what she would want from him and what this would mean. Someone nearly killed four influential players in the mob world. Himself, his mother, Gia, and Ronan. This wasn’t going to be ignored and he couldn’t believe it. Somehow the lifestyle he’d worked years to stay away from had seeped into Atlas Falls. It took years to legitimize the Navarro legacy but he did it. He did it away from his family and now it was back. Like something he couldn’t run away from. He was cut up and bruised up pretty bad but the other thing on his mind was major. His fiance was nine months pregnant and missing. Where was Max? He saw her on stage and then like magic she was gone. Vanished and that scared the shit out of him. As he moved through the deck and looked around he saw Ronan getting a team to help Thor. The two men locked eyes and Sebastian couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread in his stomach. What if Max and the baby were hurt? Tears began to burn in his eyes but thoughts like that weren’t going to save her if she was in danger. Out of panic he just started screaming her name. Over and over again he charged through the boat. Trying to get where the bomb had gone off near all of them.

That’s when he felt someone touch his shoulder. Turning around he saw Hunter and Bliss and his heart filled with relief. He liked the two before him and unlike a lot of Max siblings Bliss seemed to be the most rational. “She’s with you right?” Seeing Hunter and Bliss’ faces he knew she wasn’t. “Where is she?” He asked as brushed past them. “This is where we were right? My fiance is missing! I just want to find Max alright? I need to find her because she’s due any day now and um we had a ugly fight before tonight. I just want to know she’s safe and I just want to see her and the baby.” He exhaled as he stared at Bliss who grabbed his hand. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t want that fight to be the last thing she or I.” People were dead and if Max was gone he’d never forgive himself. He fell in love with her feisty spirit and somehow he was taming it. Or maybe that’s what he’d been doing. No matter where they lived love was surrounding that baby and her. She was all he ever wanted and needed. “Mi Amor.” He mumbled.

Bliss and Hunter were making their way towards the triage area when Sebastian stopped them. The hope that lit up his face only to turn to fear was heartbreaking. “I’m so sorry, Sebastian. We were hoping she was with you,” Bliss said, wrapping him in a hug. She’d honestly gotten on better with Sebastian than her own sister most of the time. Max just didn’t seem to be wired towards being family oriented but surely even she wasn’t so callous to blow them all off like this. At least not Sebastian or Jackie. “Hunter and I scoured the area, there wasn’t a trace of her. We left Jamal and Rory to keep looking but Hunter’s hurt and he needs to get off the boat. We can’t think the worst.” Though she reached for Hunter’s hand, scared of just that. They were quickly running out of places Max could be. As soon as they found Max and Hunter was ok, she was going to give Ronan Madden a piece of her mind. How could he let this happen? How could he bring his poison into their lives? This casino carried the Devonshire name. This wasn’t supposed to be one of his dirty mob enterprises. “Look, Max was right here with all of us and we’re ok. That means she has to be ok, too, doesn’t she?”

Bliss out a hand on her little pregnant belly. What if Max had gone into labor from the stress? She was already so far along but wouldn’t they see her? Wouldn’t she be calling for help? She caught Hunter’s eye and swore he could read her mind and she tried to shake it off. She just wanted to find Max and for everybody she loved to be ok so they could all go home and sleep off this awful night. She wanted to scoop up Fox and hold him and she wanted the three of them to go away to the resort and not have to think about it for a few days. They needed to find a way to contact Keke and let her know they were ok and would be home as soon as they could. Surely the news had reached social media and everyone knew by now. Maybe they even had cell service back finally but their phones were dead. “Seb, I’m sorry but Hunter really needs to be seen by the paramedics. We’ll keep an eye out for her on shore.” Bliss squeezed his hand. “She’s here and she’s ok. Please have faith. I believe Dad’s looking out for her.” She touched Regina’s arm. “Are you ok? Would you like to come with us? It’s really not safe for you to stay here.”

Hunter was still gripping his side as they had been some of the last ones towards the boats and once they reached the dock, he saw the ship pull in and Sebastian looking for Max. His side hurt like fucking hell and he was pretty sure something was broke, he had already heard that his mother, Anderson, Cara and Brooke were all okay. Meaning everyone was accounted for on his side, it was Bliss’s side that was still missing Max in particular. He still considered her a friend if anything and she was his best friend’s little sister by a few minutes, but he knew Max had always been resourceful. In the chaos of everything maybe Ronan decided to be a decent human being and get her medical attention first after the blast. It was possible and he turned his eyes to see some of the firefighters and others starting to force people off the boat. Officers and the FBI were storming it likely to start the official investigation and he couldn’t help but place his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder while he held Bliss close.

“Max is resilient and stubborn as hell, we checked the huge hole she wasn’t in there maybe Ronan took her to get help. Phones have been down since it happened, they barely just came back up.” Hunter said catching his breath and coughing realizing how much it hurt when he visibly winced. He cast a glance at the woman that was with Sebastian as she approached and he then realized that was likely Sebastian’s mother he knew what an overbearing one looked like and she certainly seemed to fit the bill. “Listen Max is one of the most stubborn women that I know she wanted off the damn boat she would have found a way. But no she’s not with us. I heard them say something about setting up an information booth. Maybe we should check there.” He said inhaling and winching seeing the look Bliss gave him the concerned look. The look that she was still worried about him would always melt his heart. “After I get checked out of course to make sure it’s not serious.”

Regina had been working the room looking at the slot machines. It was quite the operation, smart even if you didn’t know what you were looking at. She had caught her son with Max at the podium and then the boat rocked and she along with her most trusted guard. She was unharmed in the explosion, others around the room not so much, in the chaos of everything she desperately tried to find Sebastian until the guards told her it was too unsafe and she reluctantly had been loaded into one of the boats. Her second team had stayed behind to try and locate Sebastian, she knew someone had set the bomb no one on her team. Her son and future grandchild would have never been risked like that on the other hand she wouldn’t have missed Ronan as a mark if it had been her people. Once they had docked and she had been seen, her focus turned to finding her son and relief flooded her when she spotted him looking out at the water running towards him and hugging him. They had been interrupted by Seb asking about Max; she herself was worried. Max was afterall carrying her grandchild, she may not have seen eye to eye on much with her future daughter in law but she was carrying the Navarro future.

“Mijo, Sebastián estás bien? La explosión fue tan intensa, estás herido? Los hombres están investigando lo sucedido.” Regina said looking at Bliss and Hunter for a moment Bliss clearly knew what she was saying and she realized she was better off speaking english. She stayed close to Sebastian she had already been looked at by the paramedics and she looked at the other Devonshire heiress in front of her, fine you like blonde American just like her sister. She almost had to wonder if she was as spoiled but refrained it simply wasn’t the time. “I’m fine, thank you for asking. I will remain with my son, that is where he needs me.” She said she assumed that the man with Bliss was her husband Hunter Kincaid and the man looked like he had broken a few ribs, he was clearly injured. Looking around the chaos she finally spotted what looked like two police officers and despite that she knew they could help them locate Ronan. “We will find Max.” Regina insisted on making sure she stepped right in front of the officer as he began to leave. “Help us please, my son, he is looking for Max Devosnhire. She is missing, have you seen her?”

Jon looked at Sebastian, Hunter, Regina, and Bliss as he heard that Max fucking Devonshire was possibly missing. If something happened to Max tonight then the Devonshire would be waging war against everyone. This wasn’t good money versus mobsters always ended badly.  KC left behind Miranda in the ambulance with Zach. His heart stopped and he wondered if they had brought him back. They were working so hard on him and if Zach didn’t pull through. They had been a second family to him and even though they weren’t all on good terms. When Sebastian, Bliss, Hunter, and Regina all approached him Jon was still in the zone. “No, we just lost. I mean a detective was massively hurt in the explosion. We haven’t located everyone who is hurt down there. You said Max is missing? Bliss if you don’t mind Lowell would often loan the department extra resources would or could you make that happen? We need all men on hand to be searching for not just Max but people who may haven’t survived.” Jon looked like the color drained from his face as he saw the expression on all their faces. “I’m not saying Max didn’t make it, I’m saying we need to prepare because a lot of people aren’t going to make it off that boat.” Jon turned away and couldn’t hold it back as he wiped his eyes.

Sebastian listened and saw Jon Harrison getting emotional as Devin rubbed his back. “Pardon me? I know that one of your detectives is hurt. I understand your emotional state Jon but my pregnant fiance is missing. I don’t care who you need or what you need. I’ll pay! Help me find my woman. Max is vulnerable and everyone keeps saying she’s so tough. She’s scared right now. She’s alone maybe hurt! Maybe my baby is dead and I’m sorry about your detective but times is ticking. My wife the love of my life. She is infuriating, stubborn, smart and most of all everything I’ve ever wanted in my life. I have to find her, I’m nothing without that baby and her. Are you getting it detective? I have millions of dollars but it nothing without them. They are my life right now. Jon you lost a son it’s all over the papers. You know how I’m feeling. I can’t lose my woman and my son. My son might be here or gone or my wife gone and my child could still be.” Sebastian covered his mouth. “No expenses is too much.” Turning to his mother who just hugged him. “No puedo vivir sin su mamá. ¿No puedo vivir sin mi bebé? ¿Dónde están? Necesito a mi familia.” He held his mother freaking out.

Bliss had heard Regina say the men were investigating and she looked at Hunter, wondering if he’d caught it. It was odd, clearly she didn’t mean the police but there other matters to attend to at the moment. Hunter still needed to be seen but she’d managed to find one of DGI’s staff to take their phones to charge. “Jon, of course we’ll assist. As soon as I can get to my phone I’ll make the calls.” To who was up in the air, was Tess still in control after the meeting at DGI? Maybe she’d have a text with good news from Dani or Jackson waiting for her. Either way, she’d do anything in her power to ensure Max was found, even  if it meant bargaining with the devil, better known as mom. “I assume we can expect the customary thanks from your department at all press conferences. With the amount of help we give you there should be no excuse for your team to not find my very pregnant sister as your top priority.” Bliss rubbed Sebastian’s back as held onto his mother. What was Jon thinking, telling them to prepare for the worst. “We’re all sorry about your officer but as you said yourself, there’s more to do. I’d like you to personally lead the search for Max. My little brother and Jamal are out here doing your job. I’d hate for you to bring shame to the Atlas Falls Police Force and this town. And after this entire ordeal is over, it seems some sensitivity training would be warranted. Please don’t suggest to us that Max is anything but fine and waiting to be helped off that damn boat. I’ll let the rest of my family know what’s going on, please keep us updated. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my husband needs to see the paramedics.”

Jon looked at Bliss and scoffed. Watching KC jump in his car and turn on his lights following the ambulance. She was absolutely being a Kincaid and Devonshire and he forgot she was a princess. “I will do my best to assist everyone right now. As for Max I’ll have a few people looking for her but I’m lead detective. I don’t think it would be best for me to spear head just one search. I’ll thank-you , Bliss personally.” Jon looked at Devin. “You know Jamal and Rory looking for Max I think is a good thing all hands on deck right?” He nodded as he looked at them all. With Zach Fraiser might be gone he knew that the woman was in danger. Swiftly moving away from them because he didn’t know if he could hold his tongue anymore. As he walked up to Devin and looked at his friend. “The Princess is truly charming. This is exhausting. How do we keep going knowing Zach is gone? Man, say what you want but I don’t believe Ronan would do this. This was his first legit business and foothold into the rich and powerful. Why would he let this happen? No this is all someone else? Maybe his wife? I don’t know? We are going to find Max and when we do, whoever did this will be going down I vow that!” Jon said punching a piece of the wall infuriated because he knew Zach was gone. He had seen so much death in Iraq that looking at his lifeless body being placed in the ambulance. If he had a pulse he wouldn’t survive.

Devin was still in a bit of shock and numb as he had watched Zach being loaded into the ambulance dead, sure they had gotten a pulse and then lost it again. He’d seen death before but never that close to someone that he knew, that he grew up with, that hung out with himself Jon, KC, Brock and Braden. His mind wandering to Mason had anyone gotten a hold of his cousin to tell him what happened? Before he could do it himself his head turned to Jon and he just stared at Bliss, Devonshire’s always had to have the last word or think they were better than everyone else. He didn’t wish Max any harm but there were other people missing too, some people and families weren’t so lucky to be able to call in reinforcements in order to search for them. He also agreed with Jon on this front they had officers on the lookout for Max the moment someone had reported it and he and Jon had to figure out what in the hell actually happened they got a lead they’d follow up. “Yeah Devonshire’s as always charming to a point, she’s just worried about her sister. We need to try and stay positive until Miranda calls.” Devin said his voice low, almost cracking, not wanting to face the reality that Zach was gone as much as Jon was either. He looked around and honestly he agreed with Jon about the other part too Ronan wasn’t a dumbass he wouldn’t blow up his own casino. “I don’t think it was Ronan either. He’s not that dumb, it could be Gia, their families have had beef in the past. Maybe this calls for an enemy of an enemy for now is our friend we could reach out to Ronan and ask him to help search for Max.”

Jon looked at Devin as he held his breath wondering if they would find Max. Or if the woman was alright. His heart was honestly broken thinking about Zach. He hadn’t been there for Dani in a long time but honestly she was on his heart. He stiffly exhaled his body feeling heavier than ever but he became determined. Max was missing and although KC was gone they had new officers and rescue teams everywhere. He wasn’t going to let Max Devonshire die on his watch and he wasn’t going to let anyone else if he had his way. Tonight would be all nighter but Jon wouldn’t stop until Max was found. “You know I have to fix my relationships with people I love. Zach might be, he could be dead and for all we know. Ronan is greedy no way this was him. His family has made millions off the backs of the kids in Scottswood he wouldn’t do this. I’m so tired of our city getting targeted because of him. Whatever this is tonight we won’t be getting home early.”

**********

Dani numbly watched the lights on the elevator floor by floor, her eyes cloudy from all the tears that she had cried. It was all a lie the drugs, first and then to fuck their nanny? How long had she buried her head into the sand thinking she was the one out there making all these mistakes had she pushed Jackson so far that he felt he had to sleep with Dru over her? Was she suddenly not enough for him that way anymore after everything that he’d cheat on her?  She had no choice but to flee that room and the video that Gloria had played she had never been enough. No matter how many times she’d told him she’d pick him, company or not and he couldn’t do the same. The words they exchanged or didn’t exchange were all starting to blur into her head in rage and anger, the hurt and she didn’t know what way was up or down. Instead she just cried watching the lights tick down on the elevator and when they opened. She stood up, pressed her crinkled dress out and stepped into the lobby. She didn’t even bother to say goodbye to the guard as he chased her down. Something about Mrs. Devonshire wait your husband wants to speak to you, as if that was fucking happening at the moment. She needed away from him and from the building. She wanted to go home and grab the kids and then she wasn’t sure what she was going to do after that. She’d make an excuse, maybe call Braden to come get her and the kids at the house stay with him.

She felt her phone buzzing off the hook, saw something about a sextape release with Jackson and Dru and something about an explosion and threw her phone back into her purse. She didn’t bother to tighten her coat in the parking garage as she looked around frantically for her fucking car. She let out a scream that seemed to echo in the entire garage. Why had she trusted him just like her father had trusted Lowell all those years ago, why make all those promises to her if he never actually meant them? Maybe Lex was right, Jackson didn’t know her, didn’t love her and had been using her the entire time she didn’t know anymore and she heard the security guard yell something again and she opened her eyes before she ran right into fucking Greer. “Seriously?” She managed to get out laughing what kind of sick fucking joke was this the woman who owned the media empire who’s father was right upstairs releasing the sex tape with her husband on it? “I’m really not in the fucking mood right now.” Dani said glaring at Greer, almost deciding to just walk away when she realized Greer was dubbed over and sure she was a bitch but her cousin would never forgive her if she didn’t at least offer to make sure Greer and the baby she was carrying were okay. “Are you okay?”

Greer honestly had enough. That last fight was enough. She’d played a dangerous game with Brock’s feelings and selfishly she kept Chauncey at bay. Both men didn’t deserve what she had done but this was her baby. Brock telling her he didn’t want Pierre around her child. A baby that she made out of love and lust with another man. He was telling her what she could and couldn’t do with her baby. It was infuriating and she truly missed Chauncey. Things weren’t the same between them but maybe they could be better. Better than what Brock and she were currently going through. They had two fundamentally different ideologies on raising this little boy. Who she wanted to have the best of everything. Somehow because she wanted her son to have luxuries and a leg up in life then she was bad. Standing outside of DGI Greer needed to tell him the truth. She needed to free herself of Brock and finally free him of her. That man didn’t deserve the games she was playing when the truth was she was always heading back to Chauncey. Walking through the parking garage to the private elevator she gasped as wetness spilled down her thighs. A yelp escaped her mouth as a contraction waved over. Chauncey had to know what was happening. He had to know that this baby was his and they belonged together.

As she pushed exhaling rubbing her belly she felt someone bump into her. When she turned around she saw Dani of course looking worse for wear. Here she was pregnant and about to go into labor and Dani of course still looked a mess. Gripping a car she heard her asking if she was alright. Greer spun around infuriated. “Do I look alright? I have a seven pound bowling ball ready to explode in me. This baby is every bit of its father’s son because he hasn’t stopped kicking my ass.” She screamed out in pain wondering if Chauncey came this fast? All of the sudden this little boy was ready to see this world. “I need to see.” She exhaled looking at Dani. “Go! God you are the last person I want helping me right now. Just call someone! Anyone but you Ms. Perfect. You know your family still is torturing me for you. I’m so sick of you Fraiser’s all you do is judge and attack. I’m pregnant! Ahhh!” Greer screamed in pain as she grabbed onto the car hood. Tears began streaming down her face as she felt Dani’s hand on her shoulder. Another contraction waved over her body. “I’m scared.” She said honestly. “It’s happening too fast, I need to, I need to get to the hospital.”

Dani looked at Greer clearly doubled over in pain and at first she wondered why she was in labor so early and then brushed it off. Things happened she knew that and despite everything that had happened with herself and Greer she wouldn’t wish harm on her or the baby. Besides, her life was falling apart and she didn’t want to think about the tape, didn’t want to think about Jackson with Dru, she just wanted to leave. What kind of a person would she be though if she just left and ignored Greer who was clearly going into labor? That would make her no better than Gloria, Tess, Brenda hell even Greer herself and she had never been raised like that. She would never become that or at least she hoped she wouldn’t inside she boiled with rage towards Greer and her damned media empire for releasing that tape it was everywhere now. She was the one that foolishly bought into the lie that was her marriage to Jackson Devonshire, she was the fool now. She looked at Greer, doubled over and heard her phone ring, her watch buzz and reached out touching Greer’s shoulder.

“I’m not you. I’m not heartless and clearly you’re in labor the difference between us is this. If I was in your shoes you’d leave, unfortunately we’re family whether you like it or not. And I’ll be damned if I get blamed for anything happening to yours and Brock’s baby. Which says a whole lot based on what you or your father just did to me.” Dani said taking out her phone seeing the missed calls and realizing the parking garage had absolutely no cell reception. She rubbed Greers back that seemed to help her with the twins and she saw Greer looking at her and she almost laughed. There was no way she wasn’t part of that tape with Dru and Jackson she had to have known about it. She knew about Kelsey’s run in with Greer at the hospital; it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Greer had Brock and Kelsey at odds over her. The victim mentality almost made her laugh; it was Brock’s baby. Did she just expect her family to roll over after everything? “You really don’t know or you’re just an amazing actress at this rate. The tape with Dru and Jackson ring a bell?” She said seeing g that Greer was still confused or acting she couldn’t actually tell. “Take some breaths, have you started to time your contractions? My car is somewhere in here, I just need to find my keys.” Dani finished fishing in her purse for the keys trying to remember where in the fuck she had actually parked.

Greer was here to confess everything but hearing a piece of what just went down shook her. Chauncey was her soulmate and the damage he brought into her life was okay but this kid. This boy deserved to live a normal life outside of all the Devonshire shit. He was a LeClerq that was bad enough but to be a LeClerq and Devonshire it was bad. Her mind instantly saw Chauncey with her son and Brock with her son. Hearing Dani embrace her after all she had done kind of touched her. Especially considering she was sure her father had just blown up her marriage. For once this whack on Dani’s life wasn’t her, hell to be honest since she got with Brock she wasn’t really after her. Taking a deep breath Greer looked at Dani and nodded. “I just needed to see my father, I heard he was here but I have no clue what he has done. Wow this labor sucks. Oh this is rich Jackson and Dru have a tape if I wouldn’t be labeled satan this would be printed money. Look Devonshire’s sell papers and Jackson’s sextape is going to be big news.” She screamed out as she grabbed her hand. “I am sorry though my father is determined right now and is kinda scary because he’s out for blood and unfortunately that means you are in his crosshairs.” She felt Dani leading her to the car as she got inside.

“One more thing. I swear to you I didn’t release that information on Braden.” Greer said, looking her in the eyes. “I reported it but I didn’t release it to the media, it was someone else. Since you are helping me, I think it’s only fair I do the same. Dani it was Dru who sold your brother out and released that to me. Dru isn’t as sweet as everyone thinks because she also sold me the info on the Kincaid’s you know Steven putting the KKK in Kincaid.” She looked at the other woman. “We are family now right? This bitch is trying to take your life and your man. She’s got your kids and your man are you going to allow that? I mean I thought you were worthy to fight against but if you let that little bitch take you down oh Dani.” Greer said, flipping her hair. “Get her and make her see why you are one of the only people who put Lowell Devonshire himself in his place. Girl get that bitch.” Greer cheered as she laughed, feeling her water break as she screamed again. “Oh shit Dani.”

Dani resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Greer protesting her innocence. Honestly, she wasn’t in the mood after everything that just happened to go another round with Greer. Maybe if she was in a better mood she would but honestly she was still in a rage, embarrassed, her entire heart ached at what was on that tape. She’d been in labor before and her eyes teared up at the memory, it hadn’t been that dramatic but she also had Jackson’s support through the entire thing right by her side. She had thought Brock was going to the casino opening with Greer, but he was also a firefighter and could have easily gone out on a call. “So let me get this straight, you had no idea that your dad was going to literally upload and release a sextape with my husband and Dru? After everything you had no idea?” Dani asked to take out her phone to check for reception. She threw it back inside, finally finding her keys and pressing the alarm to find the car. Once she spotted it she helped walk Greer towards it. “I have no idea why your father is so determined to ruin me, is it because of all that shit that went down with my mom and your uncle?” Dani asked seeing Greer grimace she let her lean on the car for a moment as she fumbled with the lock. “Breathe out your mouth if you need to, it does help with the pain. Where is Brock?”

She cast her eyes over at Greer when she said that she hadn’t been the one to release that entire article about Braden and Tamara, it had forced her brother to resign from his legal political career. Everyone had speculated on who it was and yes she did think it had been Greer, to find out it was Dru though took her for a loop why in God’s name was this girl gunning for her brother and now her? “So just so I have this straight you’ve suddenly had a change of heart and want to confess to me that Dru has been behind that awful picture with Steven at my fucking wedding, Braden having to resign and you just decided that you’d keep it to your damned self for months? So Zach was right, you knew and you stayed silent.” Dani said, shaking her head at Greer almost manically laughing at it all and seeing Greer look at her while she shut the door. She ignored her ringing cellphone when she got behind the wheel gripping it, her knuckles turning white. “If I want marriage advice I won’t ask you for it. No one has my kids.” Dani said looking over at Greer and she meant that with everything it would be a cold day in hell before Dru took her kids in whatever fantasy she had created in her head with Jackson, she’d die first. “How close are your contractions?” Dani said turning the car on hearing the engine start and she took a breath seeing Jackson pop into the garage, she put it into reverse flooring the pedal seeing Greer looking over at her like she was crazy before she put the car into drive and drove off.

“It’s been every ten minutes.” She hissed at Dani as she gripped the leather on the seat. “God for once I’m telling the truth and I still get spanked? Look she was a source and she was giving me all I needed to make amazing stories. So yes I kept silent but I’m telling you now because the bitch is after you. But you are helping me so I thought let me do the same. Furthermore my father doesn’t tell me his every move and this one I expect he’s looking to win big from. So no he didn’t tell me about your husband’s sextape. I’m sorry Dani that my father is showing his fangs but never forget he has them. That was a DGI mistake.” Greer saw Jackson and Chauncey running out as Dani sped out of the parking garage like Speed Racer. “Slow down please, it’s not like he can catch us now. I’m sorry that he isn’t the guy you thought best, you find out the Devonshire’s aren’t the dreamboats you seemed to think. Chauncey threw me away and left me alone when I thought he would show our love loyalty.” Greer saw Dani scoff as if her relationship with Jackson was better than her’s with Chauncey. “Please, you thought you were exempt. You thought that Jackson was some sort of exemption. Even though you saw Yasmine get screwed over by Rory and Zerick playing Talia and Chauncey throwing me away, you thought you were exempt and better and that superiority is why you are sitting over there running from Jackson.” Greer flipped her hair completely over Dani at the moment.

As she rubbed her belly a silence wavered over the car for a moment but she had enough. “Your family blamed me for months but I sat back knowing Dru would rear her ugly head. Now it’s happening and well since the entire town’s pitchforks will be aimed at her I might as well get a whack in. So I told you to let you know what type of bitch you truly are dealing with. Listen to my advice or not but be pissed and get your life back under control. It’s not fun to watch the downward spiral of two people who sell me so many papers.” She said snottily as she leaned her head back on the rest. “Well, aren’t you going to apologize, Dani? You accused me of all of this and Dru has been after you, your mother, your brother hell also the Kincaid’s well she’s quite crafty. Brooke used to be with Ronan, you used to be with Lex, and she managed to also get your husband. I do want to tell you, I’m not a coward Dani. I wouldn’t do it again behind your face because stepping to you is much more fun. I want you to see if I’m coming for you. So where is it? Where is my apology?”

Dani looked over at Greer; she wasn’t trying to smack her but after the last hour of her own life there wasn’t a whole lot she did believe in anymore honesty being a big part of that. Plus call her a skeptic but Pierre looked too gleeful combined with Greer confessing she sat on Dru, her guard was up. She rolled her eyes at it all, gripping the steering wheel watching her knuckles turn white and then set her jaw, she didn’t think that she thought that she or Jackson were better than Greer or Chauncey. She just thought they were the better fit at DGI, period. She had wanted to believe that Jackson wasn’t like his siblings, like his father and she now had sadly been ultimately proven wrong and like the fool that she ultimately always was when it came to her heart. She wasn’t going to deny that she wasn’t running, she needed space to clear her head and honestly she wasn’t sure when she would be able to talk to Jackson. She had decisions to make, children that were involved and it was all so jumbled and chaotic, and she was so confused and hurt, she bit back the tears. She reached into the backseat finding the spare diaper bag and then tossing some of the spare burp cloths in there at Greer.

“Maybe I did think that maybe I didn’t. I don’t have to explain why I’m leaving or running as you call it to you of all people. I doubt you’d actually understand. The thing is I’m not Jackie or my mother, or any other woman that stays and is some doormat. I refuse to do that again. Jackson knows that. I learned my lesson the first time but you already knew that when you leaked my medical records, I didn’t stay with the Governor’s son.” Dani said, stopping at the light and checking her rearview promptly disconnecting and hitting ignore when Jackson’s number appeared on the screen. Drugs and cheating were her hard limits with him, she’d been pretty upfront with him about both of those and he had done both and lied to her face, she was livid she needed time. Once the light turned green again she moved through the intersection and began to merge onto the freeway. “So I think we’re even. Use those, it’s real leather and I’d prefer not to have to order another damn car. They’re not much but at least they’re couture that should fit your needs. Do the lamaze stuff till we get there I’ll text Brock once we get there.” Dani said once again ignoring Jackson’s calls looking out at the dark sky and the lights on the freeway turning into blurs while they passed.

**********

Jackson’s breathing lapsed as he looked at Chauncey who had followed behind him. He ran down almost thirty flights of stairs to get here and see Dani speeding off. What in the hell had he done? He ruined the best thing that ever happened to him. His family was over and his twins would be raised in such agony. This was the exact reason he got DGI. He wasn’t his brother and here he was with the scandal that destroyed DGI and broke his marriage apart. Tears almost began to fall but seeing his brother right by his side he had to wonder if it was a concern or a very moment of satisfaction. Since the moment he tried to get his life together Chauncey said he’d fail and now he’d gotten his wish. He’d fallen so badly everything was ruined and he knew that he was dying to be proven right. “I have no memory of that night. I don’t crave drugs and ever since Dru told me I did all that and now I see it. I feel like shit and like I’m a fucking fraud to our father’s legacy. I feel like I just ruined my life and destroyed dad’s legacy.” Jackson heaved as tears fell down his face. “I’m sorry Chauncey.” He cried as he wept. “I’m so sorry.” Looking at his big brother unsure of what he was thinking or feeling.

“If you’re here to gloat, go to hell man. Right now I can’t do it. I can’t fight you Chauncey I can’t. I just lost my wife. I just lost my kids. I just lost DGI I think, for us. Tess has all she needs to edge us out in the vote and I just screwed up. I messed up Chauncey. I didn’t mean to, I swear to God I didn’t. I tried to do the right thing. I tried to be a CEO, a husband, a father and so much more to so many people. I wanted to lead us to greatness like dad but I failed. God she’s going to take SandStar Chauncey, that’s our only money right now. My wife! I gotta go get my wife.” Jackson mumbled as he looked at his big brother. “Please help me.”

Chauncey had watched the entire scene unfold with his brother and Dani; he had even watched the tape, looking at Pierre as he did so. He had gone to place his hand on Jackson’s shoulder. His brother was clearly upset by the tape, he had then met Dani’s eyes and he wasn’t sure that Gloria knew what she was doing. Rumors had circulated for years about Lauren and frankly setting Dani on the warpath probably wasn’t the best idea for DGI; he didn’t even know if she and his brother had a prenup. He had stayed back a moment when Jackson had chased Dani out the door, her words clearly affecting his brother deeply but he didn’t blame her he had a choice and chose to play the tape, he had essentially picked the company over her. When Natasha had told him she wanted a divorce and that of course SandStar he laughed, that was not going to happen sure the divorce part he wasn’t that stupid and he was over her and her antics. If he knew Mason and the DGI legal team they’d tie Natasha up in court for years. He then decided to leave the room to check on Jackson watching as his brother lost it to bolt down the stairs and he followed him. When his phone rang in the stairwell to be told by security that Greer had arrived and was in the parking garage instantly he wondered why.

It had taken him a moment or two to catch his breath after traveling all the way down the stairs and then he saw Jackson turn to him to accuse him of being gleeful of how everything played out. He had listened to him say that he didn’t remember the entire ordeal with Dru and honestly he believed him this time, maybe it was because he had seen his brother lie over the years when he used but a lot of this wasn’t adding up for him. “Maybe if it was an even playing ground I’d be more gleeful but I’m trying to change too. I told dad as much and I told you at your wedding that maybe we should work towards that besides I think Dani would kill me if I messed with you like that. You texted me earlier about Dru so yeah I’m willing to help you. Natasha was way too gleeful about this, so was Pierre. Probably wasn’t your most shining moment with your wife basically telling her you’d pick the company over her back there. Did you think she’d hang around?” Chauncey said, looking at his brother seeing the tail lights glowing as Dani’s car went out of the parking lot and then he looked around for Greer. She had been there too and that is when the security guard came out to tell him that Greer had left with Dani. “So are you saying that Dru the air headed nanny who I may mention is hot for the record took advantage of you?”

Standing there he wiped his eyes. Trying to calm down he overheard the guard say Dani and Greer left together. “I can’t remember anything bro.” Jackson said honestly. “I don’t want drugs Chauncey. I swear, I don’t have a craving for them anymore and they said I did it. I don’t remember that.” He exhaled as he looked at his big brother. “I tried. I really tried to stay sober but I saw the coke, I saw me on that tape. It wasn’t me. It was me but that wasn’t me.” Jackson said, pacing back and forth. “I just have tried to do better than you and dad. No offense because she’s everything to me. She is the air I breathe Chauncey. She makes me feel like no one else has. She has given me love like no one else has. I have searched my entire life for a feeling like that. A high that only Danielle Grace Fraiser gives me. She is the best part of me Chauncey and I betrayed her and I can’t remember doing it.” Jackson said hyperventilating as he looked at his brother. “I didn’t choose the company but what was I supposed to do. Either way they were going to tell her. I just never expected her to see it. Did you see her face? She’ll never forgive me. She’s going to take the twins and divorce me and I’ll be alone again. With DGI though maybe because who is going to vote against Tess now? When I failed so miserably.”

Jackson leaned against a support beam and slid down as he placed his hands over his face and started to violently cry. “I’m losing the love of my life and my father’s legacy. It should have been you. You should have had it because look at what I did to dad’s company. Chauncey, I’m sorry.” He cried as he felt his brother picking him up. “Chauncey it should have been you. I’m no good at all this. Not without her. I can’t do this without her, she’s my rib. The reason I’m sober and together or was sober literally from the moment I woke up in Dru’s room. I had no memory of what happened. But I have to ask you, why is Greer LeClerq here for you? I mean she’s nine months pregnant with Brock Fraiser’s kid. You and Greer again? You are a glutton for punishment.” Jackson laughed a little. “How can I fix this? I wish dad was here to tell me what to do. How to make this better and how to overcome all this.”

Chauncey watched Jackson trying to rationalize the tape and honestly he felt bad for his brother. There had been scandals in their family before his fathers affairs; he was sure their own mother had some. His many dalliances with women, Jackson’s past dalliances with women. Rory sleeping with Tess. Max’s affair with Philip. Bliss and her entire past with Dimitri but a sex tape was certainly different. A tape that clearly Jackson was upset and shaken by, he clearly had no idea that it had even been filmed let alone it sounded like something else had happened that night that Dru had taken advantage of him somehow or he had gotten so drunk he blacked out and couldn’t remember it. “So you didn’t use, you can’t remember what happened and you’re certain that you didn’t drink so much you blacked out. Think Jackson at least three people involved had it out for you Dru for whatever damned reason. Natasha because of SandStar and I think Pierre, he was too gleeful about having possession of it. I saw Dani’s face. I’m pretty sure everyone in the room did. She looked devastated and I don’t know what you two said to each other before she got on the elevator. But I believe you if that counts.” Chauncey said, looking over at him collapsing against the pillar.

They had never been affectionate was a good word for it really no in their family but their mother he was pretty sure his father found tears to be some sort of weakness. Of course he showed affection to Maddie in private but that was different, she was his daughter. “I take it there wasn’t a prenup with you and Dani? I don’t think Dani’s that irrational or maybe she is right now. Dad picked you, I think because you’re the best of both of them, it wouldn’t have been the move I would have made but it’s what he wanted. Do you think Dad would want you sitting around in a parking garage crying?” Chauncey asked, leaning down and helping Jackson up before wrapping his arms around him and hugging him. It was clearly what his little brother needed. “I mean if anything Dad would go after everyone in that damned room times ten and he did let mom go and I think he regretted it, he’d at least try to make it work.” Chauncey whispered, not sure if it was the best advice or not. He pulled back after a moment, it was the best he could do and then thought about what Jackson asked. “I have no idea why Greer was here. She’s made it nothing but abundantly clear she wants some life on a damned farm with Brock and nothing to do with me. I had actually thought she was here because her father is upstairs and she runs LeClerq Media. I’m clearly not above sending Brock packing if that is what you are asking, it’s not like I’m going to stay with Natasha after her latest little stunt.” Chauncey finished maybe it was punishment maybe it wasn’t either way he was done with Natasha and her games.

Jackson knew his brother was right. Sitting here crying wasn’t going to save his marriage right now he was going to choose to fight. He was going to find Dani and get his wife to see whatever Dru had done wasn’t worth losing them. They were a team and recently they’d become fractured and he wasn’t sure how but everything in his body knew it could be fixed. Dani loved him more than life and he loved her more than life in his eyes that had to be worth something. “Look what dad did to Zerick was cruel but if you really still care about Greer what the hell are you doing Chauncey? I mean seriously I never liked Natasha for you and even though Greer is toxic she makes you happy. We all saw it and you couldn’t hide it. Something about her does it for you and since you’re helping me let me do the same go get your woman because I’m not letting Dani go.” Jackson said, looking at his brother.

“Mr. Devonshire.” Courtney ran out. “We ran the security cameras Mrs. Devonshire and Ms. LeClerq left together but it looked like Greer was in labor.”

Turning to look at Chauncey. “Well I know where the hell they are going. Did you drive because I gotta get to my wife. I gotta make this better because if I don’t fix this my kids my life with her is over.” He said looking at his big brother. When his brother unlocked his sports car door with the alarm. Jackson ran to the passenger seat. As Chauncey got in they both buckled up and then his brother spun out the parking spot and sped out of the parking garage. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it but I’m not losing DGI and I’m not losing Dani. Thank you for that you honestly didn’t have to say or do any of that. You actually aren’t always my asshole big brother. You actually can be cool.” He smirked, feeling united with Chauncey for once.

Chauncey looked over at his brother as he made his way towards his black Buggati Chiron when Courtney had come out to inform them that Dani had sped off with an in labor Greer, he doubted Dani had kidnapped Greer. His do good sister in law wasn’t that crazy so she likely was on her way to take Greer to the hospital, he wondered if Greer would have done the same. Part of what he loved about Greer was that she was unpredictable at times. “Honestly trying to be you Jackson if you must know, trying to be you. I figured if I could show dad that I wasn’t out fucking around on someone he’d pick me and honestly I tried. Until I didn’t, regardless I tried it clearly didn’t work, Natasha wants SandStar out of DGI I want her gone. Maybe Greer and I will work it out, maybe we won’t but if anything her coming here tells me maybe it’s about time I told her that.” Chauncey said it was the best he could offer he had tried to be Jackson with Natasha and look where it had gotten him, granted he didn’t actually love Natasha like Jackson did Dani and maybe that was the entire problem from the get go.

“I would assume you have something on your phone that you can track Dani as she drives or maybe call her? She’s probably on the way to the hospital, even pissed at you and hating Greer. I can’t exactly see her dropping Greer on the side of the road. Dani’s not that crazy.” Chauncey said, turning the car, seeing Jackson shoot him a look and he shrugged while he peeled out. He lately had been trying to be less of an asshole, at least to his family, maybe not everyone else. He tried his best to tail Dani the best he could but by the third light he’d lost her in traffic. “Why is this backed up so bad?” He mumbled glancing over at Jackson who was either trying to text Dani or call her or track her. “Any luck? For the record I think Dad would be proud right now of both of us working together for the same goal of getting the women back we love. Once we get to the hospital lets make a few calls to find out what really happened on the tape okay? I’ll help you there has got to be someone who saw something. She loves you, it’s probably why what just happened hurt her so bad. You want her back, I’ll help you. Besides, it wouldn’t be as fun going up against you when you aren’t at your best.”

Jackson had a stupid smile on his face for the first time since that meeting. Somehow Dru had brought his something out of Chauncey; his big brother was fighting with him not against him. That made him feel good and to be honest it made him feel like he could get Dani back. Something about Chauncey’s kind act in this moment and saying he was helping him made him invigorated. “I don’t know what happened but I do know that I am repulsed by that woman. I don’t think she’s sexy, I think she is disgusting and she makes me sick.” Looking at his app he saw she was going down Everest Road. “She’s heading down Everest Road which would lead her right to the hospital. No Dani is pissed but she isn’t cruel and she isn’t going to hurt Greer but it wouldn’t be the exact time to push her either so I’d suggest your angel play nice.” Jackson showed him what the app was saying. “And I think you are right. I think he’d be proud of us all, maybe not so much Max. My twin is acting out all of the sudden and I don’t like it. Hell who am I to judge I have a sextape out. But all night I’ve felt like something is wrong and I can’t put my finger on it. Something is off with her and I have a bad feeling.”

Choosing to dial Dani’s number to see if she needed any help with Greer. It went to voicemail. He called her again and instantly it went to voicemail. His heart skipped a beat. He was going to fix it and he was going to get his wife back. This wasn’t good. She wasn’t listening. He’d let her down and that heartbreaking look in her eyes. He broke her. He broke this and somehow all the millions of little pieces he would put her back together. To put himself back together because somehow Jackon’s faith in himself and everything was shaken. “Just get to them, Chauncey. I gotta get to my wife.” He closed his eyes and for the first time he prayed.

**********

There was a stench of death around him when he had finally exited the now crime scene that was the Nightingale and when he made sure that Aspen and Blythe were alright. Both had been looked over and by the time the boat redocked he knew where he needed to go to Forbes’s house. He had seen Thor loaded into an ambulance on the dock with Cassie inside and realized that Forbes likely didn’t know of Thor’s condition; he doubted that Forbes had blown up the boat. He had gotten behind the wheel in his car and debated his next move, eventually deciding that it was long overdue that he go and face Forbes and ask him the hard questions about what really happened that night with Victoria. He was going to tell Forbes that he had written his ending the same that something happened to Victoria and in his research either she really did drift off into the water or the darker conclusion that he had come to happened, Aspen was Victoria and Forbes had taken her. Pawning her off to him and Blythe in some sick game to Walter and Lauren, unknown to himself and Blythe.

He knew the truth after looking at Aspen before the casino opened the look on Blythe’s face to the point where she had pulled him aside to tell him about what she had found inside Audrey’s safe at the Montgomery mansion. He wanted to see the dress himself and was even more shocked when Blythe had handed it to him numbly in the parking lot, while she went to comfort a clearly distressed Aspen who had been with Rory at the explosion. He had held the dress in his hands examining it over and over again and then while his hand shook he looked at the initials inside the tag and nearly turned ghost white. VF, there was no doubt in his mind now that it was in fact Victoria’s and now that he was putting things together his ending in his book was not far off from the ugly truth. As he parked the car in the driveway he took a few breaths unsure if Forbes was actually there or not, at the very least the housekeeper could let him in and he could check out Audrey’s safe on his own. He exited the car stuffing the summer dress into his coat pocket before he walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. “I’m here to see Forbes if he is home.” Randall said to the maid watching her scurry off while he stared at the picture of them all on the mantle from a few years ago, Audrey there and he wondered if that is what pushed her to take her own life.

Forbes walked out moments later looking at the chaos on his phone footage. His heart was pounding because Cassie was in that mess. As always it was nothing but drama surrounding the Devonshire family. This time if it hurt Thor or Cassie all hell was to be paid. Unlike Philip or Yasmine his beloved Cassandra always was understood that her suitors should be of a certain class. Randall was here visiting him and he was sure what this was about. Ever since he had gotten into the mystery of what happened to Victoria, he’d dug into things he had no business. Victoria Fraiser was living a lavish life with Rory and had two great parents in Randall and Blythe. He’d done many cruel things but turning Victoria into Aspen wasn’t one of them. In fact she was much more stable and loved with the Sinclair family. Instead he kept digging and if he somehow has unearthed the truth well tonight would be a somber goodbye. As he looked at the man’s face he could tell the truth was weighing on him and that he had figured out everything. Randall was a writer and journalist it made sense he would dig but some truths are meant to stay buried.

“Randall old man, I’ve been seeing far too much of you lately. Tell me with your daughter now being marked safe per the news and footage why aren’t you at the hospital with her or with Blythe? What could be more important? In fact I’m going to check on Cassandra and Thor who has been injured. Have you heard anything about why the boat blew up?” Of course dodging any question he could pose about Victoria. “Randall, they say you can’t go back the same way you came. I suggest you tread very carefully. Tonight does seem to be explosive and unless you’re here to thank me for all I’ve done. I think this conversation is mute. I have much graver things to attend to so please move whatever this is along. As I said my child needs me and if you haven’t heard. Cassie is giving me my first grandchild. She’s pregnant and if I know my daughter like I know a good father does she’s going to stress herself out. I don’t want to do that now, do I?”

Randall had stayed in the foyer looking up at all the photos while the maid had apparently found Forbes. Honestly he wanted the real answer to what happened that night with Lauren Fraiser and her two daughters; the only person that could clear that up was Forbes. He already knew in his heart what the truth was Aspen was Victoria, the dress that Blythe had found being the solid proof he needed. He wasn’t sure if he should be angry or not, he raised Aspen she was his daughter but he also ached for Lauren and her family, even Walter for what they had gone through. The real answer he was seeking was why though? Why take an innocent child from harmless Lauren and it wasn’t like Walter should have been worth Forbes time, Walter had lost out on DGI as well. When Forbes told him about Cassie he of course was concerned for his niece and her well being. Reformed Thor Luciano brother to Ronan Madden, not so much after the explosion tonight Ronan was a fucking plague on Atlas Falls. He didn’t agree with Walter on a lot but he did at least agree on that, he turned his attention to Forbes seeing the maid scurry off that was probably for the best.

“Aspen was going to get looked at. She insisted that Rory and her mother go with her, I simply obliged. I will stop by after here of course just to make sure she is alright if she is still there. Honestly it was awful when the entire boat shook and that explosion hit. I wasn’t aware that Cassie had been hurt or that Thor was either. I actually wanted to come and talk to you, you see I finished my book and sent it to my publisher earlier this week. LeClerq Media recently took over my publishing house. I wanted to inform you that I published my findings on my research and should the need for edits that need to be made I thought I would give you the benefit of the doubt.” Randall said looking at Forbes and for a split second he thought he saw something flash in his eyes, fear or hell even regret maybe. In truth he left the findings up to the reader; he had presented two scenarios that Victoria had been swept away in the current and her body was somewhere in the lake or washed down the river and out. The other as he looked at his former brother in law was that the man before him had taken Victoria from her seat, sent Lauren and her family through pure hell and gave Victoria to him and Blythe. “I want you to go over the night that the accident happened again with me. Lauen was very insistent that Victoria was wearing a purple dress not blue. That seems like a pretty big detail for someone like you to get wrong.” He finished his eyes meeting Forbes.

Forbes’ lips snarled as he looked at Randall. His eyes grew dark as he walked around the foyer studying how far he’d gone down the rabbithole. “I have a question for you: did you get everything you ever wanted with Blythe?” Forbes laughed dramatically as he looked at him. “You want to accuse me of something won’t go out and say it Randall because I don’t do accusations. I deal with facts. So let’s deal with them. The water was ice cold and it was raining so badly that purple could look blue. I mean that’s minor details but I feel like you want to tell me something so let me tell you a story. Once upon a time long ago lived a king who never got a kingdom. When he was supposed to go to the top a greedy tyrant by the name of Lowell stole all the glory. Well four men were placed in the cold myself, Walter, Harvey, and Pierre. After years of clawing my way back to the top, marrying a mobstress from Mexico, and doing any and everything to survive. It was then I came back to Atlas Falls. I came back to see my children and wife who was having an affair with Lowell at the time. I went to a jail cell and begged Pierre for his assistance. He said no. Harvey I traveled to Paris and tried to get to come back with an adorable baby Greer and his own family. He refused and I was desperate to get the last one. The last person who could fix all of this. Walter was wiping tables at that dirty little bar and he told me to move on. I laughed and I vowed revenge on each of them for being weak. For being complacent in what Lowell had done to us all. I vowed revenge and I’ve gotten it on two of them but one was left. Walter had to pay. He had to see what he had done.” Forbes looked at Randall.

“You think you know something don’t you? Well ironic you have been the biggest benefactor for my revenge. You got to raise such a beautiful daughter. Isn’t she stunning? Smart and intuitive and she has her mother’s eyes. Oh she has her mother’s smile. Oh she has that fire that all of them do doesn’t she? Oh poor Randall soldiers couldn’t march to get Blythe pregnant so I blessed you and I gave you life. I breathed life into your miserable marriage. Your wife wanted a baby so badly she took someone else’s. As did you and you are all accomplices in my sins. So if Walter wasn’t such a pussy back then and fought back against Lowell’s tyranny then maybe he would have seen that his daughter floated away into a much more powerful family. Or she drowned I don’t know. I just saved Lauren, and Dani so if there are no more questions. You can leave me now because my child needs me.” Forbes said coyly as he saw Philip walking to the top of the steps as Yasmine approached from behind. It was time she learned her family’s darkest secrets. It was time for her to step up as a Montgomery. “Now if there are anymore questions, please don’t stop by.” He felt like he answered his curiosity.

Randall wasn’t dumb but to hear Forbes basically admit what happened was actually shocking he had half expected him to deny it and yet here he was in the hallway admitting to taking that child out of the car and placing her with him and Blythe. Did he and Blythe have issues with fertility of course but never did he ever tell Forbes to go out and get them a baby, never did he tell Forbes to go out and make another family suffer like he did. Walter was an idiot. Most everyone in the city knew that a long time dreamer that had been stifled by what Lowell did to his family that turned him cynical and into a fool, but he and Lauren didn’t deserve to be led to believe that their little girl had died. They didn’t deserve to go through the process of picking out an empty casket and grieving for a child they thought they had lost, that they had thought had been swept away in the lake and down the river likely out to sea because Forbes didn’t get his way at DGI. Yes he knew that Forbes had lost a lot on DGI Lowell had been callous with everyone that he had disavowed from that company but Audrey had been sleeping with Lowell long before that happened his former sister law seemed to want just as much as Lowell, she could have easily said no to his advances. Inside he shook in rage at Forbes for all the pain he caused and now here he was trying to gaslight him into thinking that he wasn’t right. He glanced up at the stairs at Philip lurking and Yasmine who had gathered, he wondered now how that rivalry would play out. His daughter was going to marry Rory or at least the one he raised. She was his and Blythe’s but she was also very much so Victoria.

‘You want me to accuse you fine I accuse you. Do you want to know what I think happened that night? I think you came upon a frightened and scared woman that had just wrecked her stalled vehicle that was hit. You watched that car sinking, heard her screaming and decided to try and help, so you did until your pride and greed took over. You brought Dani to shore, Lauren turned her back on you for a split second to tend to Dani and you took advantage. I think you took Victoria from that car while Lauren was crying holding one daughter and you slipped her into your car with your driver that is now dead.” Randall said, stepping up to Forbes his eyes full of fury and his voice low daring him to deny it he even went as far as to shove him back. He’d never been one for violence but what Forbes had done was so vile, so unfathomable he wanted to hurt him. “You then brought her here, had your lawyer at the time fill out those papers and told me and Blythe a story, one we desperately believed. You watched sick with glee in the shadows as Walter and Lauren buried that empty coffin into the ground and you want to know how I know it?” Randall said taking the dress out of his bag and tossing it at Forbes’ feet. “Blythe found that inside Audrey’s safe so do you want to tell me how you got Victoria’s dress from that night or not?”

Forbes stooped down picking up the dress touching the lace and a sick smile emerged on his face. “People have always said I was heartless. That I wasn’t human because I don’t compute things the same as others. Philip, your mother wasn’t the first woman I loved. In fact the woman I loved in secret and the one who got away was always Lauren Cummings. You see Audrey was a whore and reprehensible woman. She however made a vow for better or worse with me and that meant I rotted right with her. She yearned for Lowell and I yearned for Lauren. It was quite pathetic at the time. I watched as Walter abused the most beautiful woman in the world to me. Then she let Harvey play with her heart and I couldn’t believe that he got a chance. When I always showed her friendship and love. I tried to be supportive over the years and when I rode up to that car crash. I knew what I had to do. I had to irrevocably break Walter and Lauren apart. Now that’s where your infertility or Blythe’s come in because you two were desperate to have a child. Now I can go back and forth but I thought it was my time to finally be happy because Audrey was long gone from our marriage.” His eyes glazed over seeing himself killing the mother of his first two children years later when she dared wanting to tell Blythe the truth. She embarrassed him and his name made him a joke. She didn’t deserve to breathe air. She was a whore and his entire body felt better when he ended her life. So he thought taking Victoria would break them apart and he’d finally have his chance. He’d finally get to be with the woman who got away Lauren Cummings.

“I don’t owe you a damn thing Randall. I gave you your daughter. I gave you Aspen and you thought I was going to apologize for it? You gave her the best. So she flunked out of Ivy. She’s going to graduate at AFU and still be amazing. Blythe is an exceptional mother and you both love her. Why ruin her life? Why tell her she’s a part of that mediocrity that is the Fraisers? No she is a Montgomery and a Sinclair she is a part of us and she will never be a part of them. We took something from Walter and I hate Lauren was hurt but she rose again. She stands still don’t you see? I didn’t get what I wanted out of it but sometimes you get something else.” He looked up at Yasmine. His daughter was a blessing but tonight she’d learn what it meant to be a Montgomery. “So what now Randall you have caught me? You are going to ruin Victoria oops I mean Aspen’s life? Or shall you keep this secret that you unearthed buried? You see I’ll implicate both you and Blythe as accomplices in Victoria’s kidnapping. I mean how didn’t you know the redhead all over the news wasn’t your daughter. The arrogance, the vanity, the wealth, the story that Greer LeClerq will get. Oh she’s going to paint a vivid portrait. Or we can let sleeping dogs rest and keep my revenge a secret.” Forbes said as he stared at Randall who was fuming. “Oh and Randall I don’t watch in the shadows. I was right in their faces soaking up the grief of Walter and Lauren.”

**********

Brenda watched as Walter talked with the rescue teams and felt a sense of purpose again by his side. They made quite the pair; it was hysterical she was once his political rival. Chuckling to herself she paused and wondered what would happen if she kept their daughter. For once she thought about how Kendall would fit into this crazy family? Hell would Brooke even be around or would she be Walter’s daughter if she was? A multiverse of what if’s that she would never see because her baby girl she gave away was gone. Walking to the valet they brought her car around and she stepped into the sleek Mercedes Benz. As she got in she opened her glove compartment and pulled out her medicine. Grabbing her water bottle she left in the car she took the pills. She turns on the heat and lets the car warm for a few moments as she pulls off into the night. Immediately she felt sleepy which was odd because her medicine never made her sleepy so suddenly. Choosing to turn on the radio she could hear Phil Collins and smiled thinking about the first time she danced to this song. It was with Steven and Walter was insanely jealous but then Steven danced with Jackie and she was insanely jealous. Giggling to herself she hated so many of them were gone. It started with Agnes and then so many others perished she particularly was hurt when Gloria died they were always pals. She felt so sleepy that she knew she wasn’t going to make it to the Kincaid estate so Everest Resort it was.

Turning down the winding road she felt unsure of what to do or what was happening. Everything was blurring and nothing was making sense. Brenda couldn’t help it but she began swerving on the road. As the road began to blur she wondered what was happening to her. She closed her eyes and as she opened them she saw a car heading right at her. She t-boned a car and slammed directly into another car. As she opened her eyes she watched it flip over two times and fly into a tree. Not breathing she exhaled as she passed out behind the wheel. The horn honked as the echo of the sound reverberated.

Nineteen Years ago

Lauren watched Dani buckle her seatbelt feeling overwhelmed because dinner was in the crockpot and Braden was so sad when Walter missed the last game. How was she going to break it to him? That Walter wasn’t coming to the game another night working extra hours. If he would just sue Lowell then maybe they could get ahead. As she snapped in Victoria walking to the driver seat and exhaling. Looking in the mirror she felt less than beautiful. Walter was working late again and her heart wondered if he was with her. Lauren saw her on the news with her daughter Brooke at the child’s christening. She was so beautiful and she wondered how she had time to look like that. With Braden always doing some activity, Dani now singing in the community choir, and Victoria well she was so little and rambunctious. How did she have time to make herself look like a beauty queen daily. A flash of lightning startled her out of her day dream as she turned on the minivan and turned up the music. Dani loved Hanson and this damn song was on repeat. Those three blonde boys were all over her room. As she laughed singing the song with her daughter. While Victoria was playing Braden’s GameBoy she had found on the seat pressing buttons and she was in her own zone.

As the rain started to pour she rolled her eyes. Braden’s game would be rained out and his uncle Brandon would be so disappointed. Brandon was coaching all those boys and this was the championship game. Her boy was going to be hurt and disappointed but at least he won’t feel like his father left him. Since he came back Walter was trying but it wasn’t enough. He seemed to be loving but his heart wasn’t here. His life was about to start with Brenda until Victoria. Looking back at Victoria and Dani she giggled at the girls playing with each other. Dani was teaching her a chant and handshake. It was adorable. Her mind drifted to her son,Braden would never say it but she sensed his disconnect between his parents. As she bit her bottom lip wondering if Dani felt any difference. The DNA test hurt her badly. She wasn’t that type of woman but Harvey was her comfort in Walter’s betrayals. As she turned down Everest Road she saw the falling from the sky rapidly. Turning up the radio she heard the news alert saying that flash floods were imminent in Atlas Falls and surrounding areas. Turning the truck around she knew Brandon had Braden so he was safe but instant fear rushed over her. As she began the descent down the dirt road she knew Steven was redoing all streets but he hadn’t gotten to Everest Road. Her tires began to get stuck and her heart sank as she turned on her four wheel drive it pushed her through.

A sense of relief hit her as she headed down Maine Street and ran directly into flood water. The rain began more intensely. Lauren didn’t know what happened next. The engine just began to stall. Until she flew into lake Everestt and the water crashed into the car. As she slammed on her breaks she spiraled a little and her head hit against the wheel. Her mouth tasted the blood as her eyes closed trying to fight to get to her babies. “Dani, it’s going to be okay.” The echoes of Dani and Victoria’s screams haunted her. She tried to unfasten the seat belt as she raised her head up, still completely groggy, she refused to pass out because her daughters were right there. If she died then it would be worthy if they survived. Her ribs ached as she looked at her daughters. “Get out babies.” As she saw the water rising past her doors. She tried to roll down the window as the car filled with water. Tears streamed down Lauren’s face. How was she going to save them? Placing her head on the wheel Lauren passed out as the horn blurred into the muddled water of the lake.

**********

Randall looked at Forbes, his mouth hanging open in pure shock at his confession, Lauren? As in the woman that he was dating, who was Forbes’ great love that got away, Lauren. Was his former brother in law insane there was no happy ending for him and Lauren. He had never seen Forbes like this, his eyes glossed over in some confession of his sins before, no he was always so much more guarded but to actually confess to taking Victoria was something else. He actually stumbled back a bit in pure shock what kind of a monster made a woman think her child was fucking dead as a testament of love? Then to wrap him and Blythe up into this scheme, they honestly had no idea that they had taken Victoria so much of the town had been in grief at the time including Lauren herself. They hadn’t questioned the story or the circumstances of the toddler that came into their lives, they had honestly believed that she was an orphan. He had believed that Forbes had helped them because he and Audrey had taken up their plight of infertility and he glanced up on the top of the stairs seeing Yasmine and Philip looking at all of it unfold and he began to make his own way to the stairs.

“What the fuck? Lauren you really think you have a shot with her after this you took her daughter from her and let her think she was dead! You’re cruel Forbes, that is not a love confession that is insanity.” Randall said looking at a man he thought he knew they weren’t best friends or anything like that but to kidnap a child was insane, to make a family grieve like the Frasier’s had was complete madness. He was with Lauren or up until she learned of the book he had been. Did that mean that the man before him would eliminate him and he took a few more steps up the staircase seeing Yasmine and Philip looking still reeling as well. “Now you both see him for what he is, the monster he is. Lauren will never forgive you and she has always loved Harvey LeClerq. Even I know that and soon the entire town will know what you did to Aspen and how you stole her from her parents. I turned in my manuscript to my publisher Forbes. I left my theory in the book. I gave two endings I think the people can decide, Aspen can decide.“ Randall said defiantly as he looked at Forbes determined to make it out if this house; alive and back to his daughter so he and Blythe could talk about how they would tell Aspen.

Yasmine stood silent as she slowly stepped forth as she looked at her father fully grasping what he was saying. Her lips quivered as she scowled and her eyes began to water. This was the twistedness that Rory and everyone spoke of when it came to being a Montgomery. As she gasped thinking of what this meant. How this changed her life as well as Aspen. Shaking her head she felt her stomach turning. As she grabbed the walls feeling her body going limp. Her father literally just confessed to stealing a baby. Not only stealing a baby but doing it for some sick love affair. Covering her mouth she looked at him shaking her head. “How could you father?” She croaked out as she stared at Philip wondering what he felt. As she looked at her brother. “Say something? This isn’t normal, you have to tell him this is wrong!”

“Wrong? Oh this is delicious father I have been waiting and figuring out exactly what happened and you just spelled it out. Why this is quite the story and I do see him as the man that raised me to do exactly what I need to do. You see Randall today. I don’t think you understand what is coming. All of our futures would be destroyed if this secret comes out. That urban little dance school you love will be erased. My future and legacy are snatched and Cassie will be more of an outsider than she already is. Recently I have taken so much more interest in MontCorp and I won’t let it fail any longer. So Randall you can’t speak on a damn thing. You can’t tell Aspen that she’s Victoria that’ll kill her. I mean who would want to be a Fraiser? You are single minded father and your revenge will ruin us all but I’m sick of it. I’m so sick of your stupidity jeopardizing my future and legacy. No more you lose old man tonight I take MontCorp and Cassie and I will do what needs to be done for the company but you confessed to all of this. You have placed all of this in our family’s lap and you think you can run the show. No longer old man. It’s mine now and if I have to clean up your mess to keep our secrets I will. So Yasmine this is wrong but I don’t really give a damn about Aspen or Victoria or whatever the fuck her name is. I care about my future and my money and my legacy. It’s my fucking time. So this is how this will go. Randall what do you want?” Philip watched Yasmine horror and Forbes honest shock.

Forbes stepped to Randall. “You have brought all of this to our doorstep. This isn’t your problem anymore Randall as my son said what do you want? You want to tell my secret?” Forbes immediately grabbed the man by his throat, choking him as he looked possessed. “I have no doubt that Lauren doesn’t love me and never will. I do have doubt that you would ever be good enough for her. I let you touch her and I let you be with her after I gave you her child. I was supposed to return Victoria but she stayed with Walter. She lusted after Harvey and then you. You’re pathetic and my son thinks he’s going to take what I killed and bleed for. No Philip this isn’t your comeuppance and your giddy up on old man Forbes. Boy this is you learning the fucking family business. We don’t let anyone win against a Montgomery. Our family isn’t weak so buckle up Yasmine as I choke the life out of him. I want you to see where your money and inheritance comes from! The blood I have to always spill. Now I’ll buy that book silently and you will be dead. Do you hear me? You never deserved Lauren and I never will have her but I had to hurt her because she had disappointed me just like you have. You all have. So stop crying Yasmine and watch your father protect the family.” Forbes tightened his grip on Randall’s neck.

Yasmine shook her head and then finally she knew what she had to do. Walking over to the expensive vase she grabbed it and lunged it directly at her father’s head. As the sound of glass shattering everywhere and Forbes dropping Randall and falling down to his knees. “You must have lost your rabbit ass mind. If you think I’m going to be a part of any of this shit. I want my school out of all this shit. I mean it.” Yasmine walked to Randall as she touched his back. “Are you alright?”

Randall didn’t know what he had been expecting when he had shown up. Honestly he had thought that Forbes would have just denied it all, it would have been so much better than the psychotic mess that he was witnessing now. Forbes proclaiming that he was as evil as everyone said he was while Yasmine stood there horrified, Philip had all but chimed in that he was team firmly on his father and the next thing he knew Forbes had lunged at him. His hands came to rest on his neck while he felt his airway tighten and contract and he tried his best to fight him off hitting at his wrists to try and get some air. He felt his legs give out first and looked over at his nephew almost pleading at him to save him and then his eyes went black and he slumped to the floor. It took him a few seconds for the light to come back to his eyes as he began to cough and gasp for air seeing Forbes on the ground as he stared up at Yasmine. The girl that had he knew loved Rory Devonshire too and his heart broke it was all so fucked up. “Thank you, is he?” Randall asked, looking at Yasmine and then at Philip in shock.

“He is alive.” She said looking at her father desperately trying to come to his feet. As she walked to Randall, helping him to his feet. “You need to get out of this house. Randall look at me. My father is down but you need to go. When he comes to, he’s going to go back to what he was doing. If you want to live, get the hell out of this house!” She screamed at him wondering what Philip was thinking or even considering they should do? When this truth came out in that book or even worse from Randall’s lips it was over. MontCorp and everything she had come accustomed to was done. Somehow she wanted her big brother to do something, for some reason she was looking to him to fix all of this. After all that’s what big brother’s do right? “Philip?” She mumbled as her lip quivered.

Philip stood in silence as he watched his sister bludgeon their father with a vase. Honestly he sounded just as loony as Scarlett. It was hard to feel any sympathy because what he had done was heinous. It was cruel and sick but a piece of him understood it. He wanted to play hero and it was something he’d done. For so long he’d wanted to save a relationship with this God amongst men. For years he wondered how he’d react when this very moment came. “Wake up Yasmine. I need you to fucking wake up. Everything is connected. He bought your studio for you which means he’s now somehow tied it to MontCorp. Everything is a trap with our father and he may favor you because your mother showed this creature some sort of love. I however think it was the drugs but that isn’t a slight at your mother. It’s a slight at him. Oh father, what have you done? You know I suspected it but good old Randall put it all on the table. Overhearing this secret and this lie and that piece of the puzzle but this was far more pathetic than I could ever imagine. Get up old man and understand that everything I do is for my siblings. Cassie, Yasmine, Jauquin, Xiomara and God knows who else is out there. I am doing this for me so when I do everything I do Yasmine understand, that this is for us but especially for the torment he put me through. I was never good enough but with his confession I can finally be what I always knew I was destined to be. On top.” Philip stepped to Randall and Yasmine towering over them.

Randall was still in shock at the entire exchange how Forbes plan played out, at how he had used an innocent toddler to punish or earn Lauren’s love was fucked up. He wasn’t that naive he knew that he was a placeholder to Harvey LeClerq but Harvey had never returned for Lauren in even her darkest hour with Victoria and he often wondered why. His breath had returned to normal as he looked between Yasmine and then over at his nephew who was calmly looking around them like nothing had happened. Almost maniacally stoic and he wondered if MontCorp was worth the secret that Forbes had taken Victoria and hurt so many people, that Aspen was not his or Blythe’s but in fact Lauren and Walter’s daughter. “MontCorp could survive this none of it ties to the company. This is your father’s sick mind, you know that, Philip. We need to go to the police. I know you and Aspen have had your differences but he’s a monster, look at what he did.” Randall said, looking at Yasmine hoping that she saw reason in his pleading before pointing to Forbes. He had regained his footing near the edge of the stairs while he looked between the two waiting for one of them to agree with him.

**********

“Clear the room!” Selina said, looking at Tess, Pierre, Natasha, and Jeremiah. She saw Tess was hesitating to move. “Listen bitch I have had enough of all of you. If you move I drag your boney ass from here to there.” Pointing outside of the large glass window. “Trust me Tess you don’t want no part of me. Everyone but my mother and brother!” She watched everyone walking out as she closed the double doors. “I had a feeling that you weren’t dead. I told you.” She pointed at Mason furiously stomping her foot. He made her feel crazy but those diaries spoke to her and it made her feel like secrets were all over her. A secret so dark and twisted that she couldn’t even believe it. She was every bit as abrasive as the diaries she read. Stepping between her brother and her mother and her lip snarled. “You aren’t a mother, a mother would have stayed. Your ego is beyond to think that my brother and I will ever consider you a part of our lives. This is sick. You are alive and have been. Do we have siblings? You were determined to have kids after your cancer! Where have you been living? Do you have any idea how it was to be black in this all white life you left us in! How dare you come back here and demand anything! Jackie and Lowell loved us more than you! Don’t try this and whatever you are doing this ends now Gloria! Oh you think you can sassily walk in here and slap people, snap your fingers and I’m going to respect you as a mother? You are pathetic! You are vicious and you aren’t allowed near us! Are we clear?” Selina said exhausted as she gripped the table.

Gloria stood silently as her daughter unleashed and she deserved every bit of it. Her lip quivered as she said that she didn’t love them. Placing her hand to her chest she knew she was selfish. She knew she had done something unforgivable and if they ever found out she pushed Tony to kill himself. No they’d never know that and she’d die before that secret came out. Looking at her son and daughter she felt so alive and whole. Selina was smart as a whip and Mason had her killer instinct; it was just in the courtroom. She asked about leaving them in a white society and she wanted to slap her spoiled ass. Niggas never got what they had and yet she also understood what it must have been like to be the only one with her hair texture. Or him being black and undercover in the closet for so long. Like how could Tony not tell that Mason was going to have a little sugar in his tank? Slinking around the room she walked away from them. “I guess I deserve those words. But watch your mouth little girl respect that although I wasn’t there I am your momma.” She lowered her head shaking it. “I wanted power more than I wanted you two back then. Back then I was tunnel vision and you all don’t blame Lowell for his ambition but you would a woman. I forged ahead unlike Forbes with illegal means I pushed ahead and bought a new company and waited and waited until it was time. I’m standing here telling you I’m sorry babies please listen to momma.”

“Enough! You will not call yourself a mother! You are not my momma! You not my momma not after leaving me all these years! All these years! My God you aren’t thinking of approaching us by attacking the very family that has helped us! How dare you! How dare you come here and try to do and say anything! In fact what are you saying you have answered nothing! You have said nothing! You are a plague now to my life and you aren’t my mother you aren’t his mother. You walked out of our lives and pretended to be dead and to me you are still that. You are dead to me!” Selina hissed as she looked at Gloria.

Gloria ran to Selina and grabbed her shoulders. “You’re my daughter and you won’t keep disrespecting me! Now little girl be mad but don’t ever fucking cross your lips to say that shit to me again are we clear? Are we fucking clear? Because I’m here to give you two a new chance and I saw what Tony’s death did to my babies. I’ve been watching you and Mason. I’ve known you were gay since you were a toddler. Selina hate me but listen baby I’m here to give you my reparations and to beg for your forgiveness. Babies you want me on my knees? I’ll do it babies. I love you two and I know I have an uphill battle but you two are my first born son and daughter nothing and I do mean nothing will stop me from loving you! I’m sorry and I will scream it to the top of my lungs until you two believe it oh Mason please talk to your sister. My baby is mad. I know you’re mad but baby I’m here. I’m here now and I want you and I know I failed as a mother but please I’m begging you to give me this shot. Give me a chance! I got something for you both please. A chill ran down her spine as she felt her daughter break free from her grasp and her arms dropped. Gloria cried out as she felt so vulnerable and raw. “Please you two don’t shut me out. Don’t push me away because I need my kids. I need all my kids.”

Mason had watched Dani run out and then looked at Jackson and had meant to tell him about Dru only for it all to happen within minutes. His mother or the woman before them demanded a scene with him and his sister, sure by blood maybe she was his mother but he didn’t feel that with her. What kind of a damned mother or father did what she did to her own children, for fucks sake to their father to make them all think she died? He watched as everyone filtered out of the room and he shot a look at Tess. She wanted a war one he was prepared to go to with her. He’d reach out to the devil himself in Lex if he had too, but he was pretty sure Julian would co-chair the legal battle. He turned his attention to Selina and Gloria and he listened to her excuses as to why she stayed gone, selfish bitch. He didn’t care if she knew that he was gay when he was a toddler; what he cared about was that she left him, left his sister, left their father for herself not them. He watched them arguing and slammed his fist against the table seeing both of them jump and he was pretty sure he had so much fury in his eyes as he bore them into the woman that gave birth to him. “You’re no mother, you’re like an egg donor at this point. Ophelia is our mother.” Mason said callously as he looked at her shocked face waving his hand at her, he was so tired of her excuses. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you Selina, you were right I just thought. I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe I didn’t want to believe that our mother could never be that selfish or heartless of a bitch.”

“You really think that I care at this point in my life that you knew when I was a toddler? You weren’t even there to help me through it Selina was, Ophelia was, Jamal was and you waltz back in here and expect us to fall at your feet? With your sob story about how wronged you were? About how you did all of this for us?” Mason said his entire body shaking in rage at Gloria and seeing his sister stare at him, he was so soft spoken most of the time this was different though he wanted her to know. Wanted her to feel what her abandonment had led to all the years of shame he felt, all the scars he had to carry being in the closet when he could have used her guidance. Having a sister and a stepmother to help was one thing but he needed his mother, hell Selina needed his mother. The passive aggressive racism they faced even though Lowell and Jackie tried to help navigate that for all of them in the society that she had left them in. They always had gotten looks from other people and he felt he had them twice as much due to him being gay. “Do you have any idea what it was like growing up black in the high society we were forced into when you just got up and got bored to fake your death and leave? You really think you can come in here to attack my best friend and my husband’s cousin and I was going to smile and wave and welcome you? Dad raised us and Ophelia tried her best to help. Lowell loved us, Jackie tried her damnedest to fill your role while you ran off and started a new life. I’m not going to convince Selina to hug you or welcome you when you are undeserving of it.”

“Undeserving? Boy I am your mother the air you breathe is because of me. I know I failed you both but I’m here and if you can’t see it let me prove it. My company is in both of your names. I will place you Selina as CEO and Mason as a board member or COO. It’s yours name what you want? You w-ww-want the company, it means nothing without you. Nothing matters if I ain’t got y’all. I assumed that you two would hate me but this feeling is even worse. I attacked because of your blackness. You have been tokens and I am sorry that I wasn’t there! I can’t change that Mason, I can’t change the past baby girl but I’m here now. I’d die before I leave you two again. It might take a lifetime but I’m going to be here fighting every second. Every moment I will fight to have a place in this family. Us three make no mistake Ophelia isn’t your mother I am. I am and I failed and I made a mistake years ago because I was greedy and power hungry but now I’m trying babies. Mason I know you are looking at me like I’m heartless but I’m not. Name your price Selina and Mason baby name it because I will pay. I will pay my entire life knowing that you hate me. I need you both. I need you to hear me. I’m sorry.” Gloria said, crying as she held the table.

Selina wrapped her arms around her brother, hugging him to calm him. “You can’t fix this right now. I am in shock. I am furious and I am done listening to your begging. Stay away from me and stay away from my brother are we clear? You didn’t raise us. You lived the life that you wanted. It wasn’t me or my brother. It wasn’t us and you have done what? Built a company to take SandStar from DGI? Wow Gloria, great accomplishment.” Selina gives a slow clap to her mother. “I will never and I mean ever forgive you.” With that she shivered as she shook her head. “You would give up your entire empire for us? You are lying because you have nothing but that company. Go away, go back to whatever cave you crawled out of, you disgust me and aren’t our mother. Do you hear me Gloria, you aren’t my or my brother’s mother!” That’s when her phone and Mason’s rang at the same time. Pulling out her phone she saw it was Kelsey turning to look at Mason. “I think we should answer these. Conversation is over.”

Mason looked at the woman that had abandoned him with pure disgust while Selina hugged him and he hugged her back at least they had always had each other. Their father had been through a lot of things but he had stepped up after their motherhood died and raised him and Selina, he found love again with Ophelia not once but twice, they had Jamal too so it wasn’t all bad. He actually refused to acknowledge Gloria right now as anyone in his life let alone his mother and when his phone rang at least the first few times. He saw some of the notifications about an explosion outside the city and news of the tape being released. By the fifth ring he finally glanced down at his Apple Watch to see it was Kelsey and he took out his phone, why was she calling him? Dread filled him though he didn’t quite get why when he swiped on the phone and put it to his ear. “Hey Kelsey what’s up?”

He could barely make out what she was saying on the other end, something about the Nightingale exploding a lot of people being hurt and how KC had called her. He zoned out a million thoughts running through his mind as he tried to play catch up with everything and he snapped out of it when she said his name a few times and then asked if he heard what she said about Zach? “What about Zach?” He managed to ask, he had been so consumed with trying to process an entire casino bombing that he hadn’t heard the first time. Zach had been hurt and was on his way to the hospital and he almost felt like his knees gave out as he reached for the table his eyes filling with tears he could feel Selina’s hand on his back as he looked down at his shaking fingers. Kelsey had gone on to say that she didn’t know Zach’s condition but he was injured and on his way off the boat to the hospital. “I’m on my way.”

He hung up the phone feeling like the air was leaving his lungs while he looked at the black table in front of him how stark and cold it was, he closed his eyes remembering his and Zach’s wedding a few weeks ago how happy they were and reminded himself that injury didn’t mean gone. It was a risk he always knew that Zach was taking on the police force that someone could hurt him, it was something he admired and loved about his husband how unselfish he was. He felt himself about ready to lose it and pulled himself together looking straight at Selina not even bothering to look at Gloria. “I have to get to the hospital the casino…it exploded tonight there were a lot of people hurt. Zach was there and injured. He’s on his way to the hospital. I have to go be with my husband and his family since he’s mine, ours now.” Mason finished before walking out the conference room towards the elevators he wasn’t even sure he could drive himself to the hospital he was so upset that gnawing in the pit of his stomach of sinking dread sitting there.

Selina charged out after her brother as she saw Elliot right behind them. “Mason! Let me drive you!” She called out as she felt her man grabbing her from behind. “Something has happened to Zach.” She whispered as she looked over at her mother. “Where in the hell do you think you’re going?”

“I have a stretch Hummer limo downstairs that will be taking my son and us all to the hospital. Look y’all don’t have to understand everything right now. Nor do I expect your forgiveness but I haven’t been around for over thirty something years? Right now my boy needs me and so do you because you don’t even know how to handle this. This is what a mother is for and I’m going to prove to you both I’m here and I’m not leaving. So, I’d love to keep arguing and fighting little girl but my son-in-law is in danger and needs Mason. So we’re going to him.” As the elevator opened she walked on with Mason. “Get your ass on this elevator Selina before I!”

Selina stepped on with Jeremiah, Elliot and looked at Mason and tried to place her rage to the side. Almost afraid of the woman before her, she was so domineering and powerful. She almost felt like she was about to get a whooping. Leaning over she touched Mason’s back. “I’m here.” Pulling out her phone she texted Ophelia and Jamal. Wait he was at the casino. She began to panic. “Jamal was on that boat too.” As the elevator doors closed.

**********

Brock looked ahead on the road he was on his second call out of the evening; the first one had been at the casino boat, one of the most devastating things he’d seen once it docked. His crew along with every resource went into putting it out as quickly as possible bodied inside the boat still there waiting to be released. So many people had been injured they had to take one bad burn victim to the hospital because they were so backed up with ambulances. The call had come in from dispatch that two cars had crashed and another had swerved to avoid the collision on the way to the lake, between that and traffic that had been diverted because of the boat they needed to clear the road as quickly as possible. Check to see if there were any casualties and assist where needed. He and his crew had taken the call, he knew the road well enough, honestly ever since he visited the casino he was worried for Greer she was supposed to be at the opening and he hadn’t heard from her, he knew people said no news was good news. He actually hated their last fight, he didn’t like where they left things. Turning off the freeway he went ahead and turned on the lights so they could clear the way to the crash site, hopefully it would be a minor fender bender at best. They could then get back to the casino boat.

He had no choice but to pray earlier that Greer and his son were okay and it was then he made a decision when the chaos died he’d visit his grandmother. Greer wanted to be a part of his family and it wasn’t like anyone else was using his grandmother’s wedding set, Braden hadn’t asked for it. Dani wasn’t going to use it as Jackson had gotten her some huge ass expensive ring. Kelsey and Willow weren’t engaged. Zach and Mason had gotten their own set. Lucy wasn’t even out of prison yet and Victoria was dead, it was literally just sitting there waiting to go to someone. He could ask his grandmother for the ring, Greer would finally be accepted and as they pulled up to the scene of the accident he took notice one car was crashed into another one a woman slumped over the wheel, it looked like a Cadillac maybe. The car behind it was the family that had called emergency services an older couple in their sixties. He heard the siren of another truck pull up and that team began to examine the older couple. He got out of the car and then saw the SUV that had obviously rolled at least twice to come to rest in the tree, a Land Rover blue or green he couldn’t really tell at night it almost looked black.

“Benson, Shaw go ahead and help the poor woman slumped over. Matson you’re with me.” Brock said, turning on his flashlight for good measure as he looked at the wreck, the bumpers lining the street the skid marks.

The SUV had obviously slammed and braked hard into the driver side and as he approached the car he saw the crumpled half plate on the black pavement, DDEV.

“Dani?” He asked bewildered as he realized it was his cousin’s car and he began a dead run, Matson behind him. He heard a scream from the car and then he froze seeing Greer in the passenger seat door blown off and he rushed to her. “Greer!” He screamed once he reached his fiance looking at her, pregnant and shaking, he wasn’t sure if she was bleeding or not, the airbag had deployed and he got out his knife looking at her. “Stay with me I’m right here, stay still I need to pop the airbag. I’m going to cover your eyes.” He made sure he covered her eyes and mouth before striking the bag hearing it pop and saw the dust flicker like snow. He turned his head when he heard an ambulance and watched as the second truck started to divert traffic and he saw them helping Brenda Kincaid out of her car, what the fuck had happened. “You’re okay you’re safe.” Brock said tugging on the seatbelt seeing Greer still conscious he leaned in kissing her before pulling back. “What happened? Can you move?” He motioned with his hand for Matson to check the driver side.

“Captain, you’re gonna wanna come over here.” Matson called out.

“Matson, come back over.” Brock said the tone that Matson used he could tell it was bad, whatever he had seen. “Greer this Matson, I’ll be right back.”

Using his light he went to the other side of the car shined the light in, airbags everywhere and that is when he saw the bloody hand, the ring shining through and he nearly dropped his flashlight. It was his cousin trapped in the car, crushed in, he could barely see her, he didn’t even know if she was breathing. “Jesus Christ. Get over here now!” He screamed at the other firefighters before he went back to Greer.

“What happened? Why are you in Dani’s car?” Brock said the questions just tumbled out, he saw Greer gripping her stomach in pain and dread filled him, the baby. He was trying to keep it together, tears springing to his eyes for Greer, his son, his cousin. “Breathe, I’m gonna cut the belt and get you out of the car, do you think anything is broken?” He said seeing Matson waving the rest of his team over to the car.

Greer blinked a couple times wondering if the baby was alright. One moment she was almost confessing the truth the next a car crashed directly into them. As she looked over coughing up a little blood. She felt him kick and almost screamed out in happiness. She looked over at Dani and her eyes began to fill with tears. “Dani?” Greer passed out from sheer fear and when she awoke again her fiance was there. But so were the contractions and the reverberating pain sent chills down her body. “Brock? Oh my God.” She cried. “Someone hit us and they were going so fast. Dani found me at DGI and she saw I was labor! She saved me. Please help her. Help her Brock! Ahhhhh!” Greer screamed as she held onto Brock’s hand. “Please don’t let me go. Please don’t leave me Brock. I’m scared for the baby and I don’t feel good.” Everything hurt right now but Brock was going to save her and the baby. But Dani looked like she was dead right now. That scared the life out of her. She nodded knowing she had to get out. “I don’t think so. I don’t think anything is broken, maybe my ribs? They hurt but the contractions make me feel like I can’t breathe. I think something is wrong with my lung because it’s hard to catch my breath. Please get me out.” She said crying. “Please get us out.”

Brock listened to her rattle off the list of details that she could remember the car had come out of nowhere and he glanced back at the team getting Brenda out of the car at the ambulance had she been fucking drinking? Everyone in town knew that she was a drunk and judging by the front end of her car she was the one that had crashed into Dani’s car. He turned his attention back to Greer when she said that she didn’t think anything was broken, honestly it looked like the driver side had the most impact. Taking out his belt cutter he cradled Greer with one hand, reached up and sliced through the belt hearing it tear with ease and then tugged the belt gently through. He had no idea how long she had been in labor and he saw his men on the other side looking at the tree, Matson motioned that they needed to push the car out and he helped Greer out. He was grateful that she thought the baby was okay but he needed to get her to an ambulance and to the hospital to get checked out. It was the best course of action. His team could deliver his son if needed and once out of the car he picked her up cradling her. He saw her take a breath and wondered if the pain was from a broken rib and he silently prayed to God for thanks that for the most part she was okay.

“I got you, you’re okay we’re going to go over to the ambulance. They’re going to look at you and we’re going to get you to the hospital. Matson talk to me.” Brock said, stepping back a safe distance while he saw his team move the car back. One of his men broke the airbags, Matson looked into the car frantically and then up at him shaking his head.  He said knowing it was bad.

“She’s pinned, trapped pretty good. There’s a lot of blood she’s bleeding from somewhere I can’t tell where. I still can’t tell how bad it is.” The man said reaching inside to feel for a pulse and for the first time since he walked up Brock felt a slight ray of hope when Matson spoke. “Faint pulse. Ms, can you hear me?”

Brock looked at them then back at the truck they clearly needed the jaws to get his cousin out and see the actual damage. Greer was still shaking looking at the car in horror and he held her closer, his cousin was not going to fucking die on his watch. “Get the jaws. Her name’s Dani get her out of that fucking car Matson she’s my cousin.” Brock said motioning to the car as he walked to the ambulance as fast and as safely as he could, he took his time making sure that Greer was alright he had to trust the people he was with to do their job. His eyes focused on Greer and he could tell her contractions were still going. “I’m sorry about earlier, are you ready to welcome our son into the world?” He asked wanting to distract her from the sight she had seen, distract himself as he heard the saw start on the car.

“I’m scared, Brock.” Greer said, looking at him. “How is Dani? Is she okay? Oh my God is Dani okay?” She asked again as she looked around. “This isn’t how he’s supposed to come. I’m supposed to be in a birthing room. Sterile and clean and he’s supposed to be safe. Oh God Brock I didn’t protect him. I didn’t protect our son and Dani swerved to help me oh my God I think she saved me and my son. You have to save her and get me out of here. I gotta get to the hospital, something doesn’t feel right Brock.” She said as she felt him watching and the rescue crew were obviously doing something. “What’s happening Where’s Dani? Who hit us?”

Brenda was spiraling but it wasn’t a normal spiral. You see she had been drunk many times but nothing quite compared to what she was feeling. It wasn’t a weed high either because she’d done that in the seventies and it never had her like this. Something was wrong and seriously wrong with her. The gash on her forehead fell as she watched the EMT’s and rescue workers cutting someone out of the car. She kept hearing the name and her blurry sight locking in on a pregnant woman crying. As she finally saw who it was Greer LeClerq and she looked pretty banged up. That loud saw was ringing over and over in her head. “Shut it up! Turn it off! Turn it off!” She screamed as she looked around manically. “I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear it anymore, shut it off!” Brenda screamed as fell to her knees. Then she heard Greer crying out for Dani again. As if the air left her body she felt gutted. “What’s happening? What happened to Dani? Oh God, what’s happening?” She said breathlessly. She honestly was so disoriented that she had no clue what was going on. “Dani is dead like my daughter.” She whispered to herself.

**********

Gia stood in the boat’s cockpit with Hector, Max’s lifeless body lying on the bench seat behind them. She’d made Hector pick her up so her son wasn’t born on some filthy floor if she didn’t make it to the warehouse. What had started out as cramping was getting stronger. The lightning sharp contractions streaking across her midsection were far from the worst pain she’d experienced but each one was threading to shred her heart. Why did Max deserve to have her baby and Gia didn’t? What cruel twist of fate decided to take the one shred of hope and love she had ever experienced and throw it away while this hateful shrew had the world handed to her. Why should Max, who’d sooner trade her baby off for a pair of stilettos, get to be a mother? Well, the short answer was she didn’t. There had been a mistake and she was intent on making things right. She looked out across the water, the wind whipping her hair. A body floated close to the boat, the dead eyes staring up at her frozen in time. She thought about her baby, her perfect son even if he shared half of Ronan’s DNA, floating in the primordial warmth within her. Unseeing, unaware like the body in the lake. Another popped up, churned out of the water by the boat’s passing. Further off she saw someone swimming for the shore. “Florida was a cesspool but I miss the alligators,” she told Hector as she rubbed her stomach. The gesture was meant to comfort her baby but what was the point now?

Gia glanced over her shoulder to make sure Max was still out of it. “Do you know how many kids those Devonshires have? More than their fair share. Like everything else, they just keep taking and taking. They won’t even miss this one.” She rubbed the small of her back as the aching set in. Hector tried to fucking touch her and she slapped his hand away. While the Devonshires might be blinded by their own greed, Regina was a different story. Would Seb’s mother know? Would she be able to look into the baby’s eyes and recognize her own flesh and blood? But that was ridiculous, Regina was just a woman and babies didn’t really look like anybody. They needed time to morph into the people who created them. In a few years, if he had Seb’s eyes or Max’s smile, no one would make the connection. She’d already lost one baby, she wasn’t going to lose another no matter what she had to do. In a few weeks, Max would go back to her old life happy to be relieved of this burden and Gia would become the Madonna. She stole another glance at Max, growing anxious that they would be stopped by Max or someone else as more time passed. Before passing out Max was agitated, threatening to put up a fight and neither that nor these drugs were good for the baby. “Hector, can’t this thing go any faster? It looks like you’re taking the long way. This isn’t a sightseeing tour.”

“Do you want to be caught?” Hector asked as he looked back at her. “Just sit back, nothing worse than a backseat driver.” If she needed a baby he would provide. Hector would do anything to give Gia the baby she desired. It would keep her safe for a little longer but not much. “So tell me Gia, I’ve done all this for you but when does my reward kick in. I researched what drugs would kill that bitch without anyone knowing, I researched how to help you labor, and I continue to get berated by you. Attacked that I’m not doing something right. You are vulnerable right now. I could by all extensive purposes be cruel and let you go through this labor alone. So you can see how much I need you and you need me. I could call the police right now and tell them I have Max Devonshire and all this could be over. You could be gone and I could get away from Ronan’s wrath. I could tell him you’ve been targeting him but what would that do?” He said parking the boat at the dock. “I am loyal to you, stop pushing me away. Tonight you are giving me the ultimate gift, a secret I will die with.”

Max imagined herself on a beach somewhere Sebastian holding their son, her working on a DGI file enjoying a cocktail. It was perfect for them on a beach with their family. Clearly they would own the villa that they stayed at any property they wanted. She would be doing something at DGI, Sebastian would be working the vineyards on his farm they would never actually love there. It’s not like she would ever allow her son to play in the dirt with trees gross. She had no desire to get married either but plenty of people were happy and in relationships without needing to define them. She was jolted awake by the shake of the boat; she had no idea how long she had been out, likely only  minutes since the humming of the engine from the speedboat she could hear. She could feel the vibrations as they went over the waves, she was pretty sure she felt another contraction as well and she bit her bottom lip trying not to scream out in pain. Her head was still pounding and she wondered if she had a concussion or not, maybe it was just the labor and maybe she should have paid more attention in the classes with Sebastian. Her two captors were still there arguing like a bunch of parrots.

She overheard them talking about being late for something or a sightseeing tour meaning they hadn’t reached land yet. She made sure to not move too much as she looked down seeing that her clutch was still in her bag meaning, her phone was still in there. Her hand was shaking from fear or adrenaline. She wasn’t sure but she wasn’t going to go out like this, some wounded animal for these two vultures to prey on her and her baby. They were still talking as she took the phone out making sure she was still laying on the bench, hoping neither of them would notice when she took it out to hold it up looking for cell service. She almost let out a squeal when she saw two bars appear. It was better than nothing. She debated about calling to hopefully get someone to pick up but then remembered how both Hector and Gia had held that knife to her and she let out a small moan, the fear overtaking her. She wasn’t sure if Hector or Gia had heard her over everything so she laid still deciding instead that she would text Sebastian. Her finger typed furiously over the phone hoping no one noticed still.

Get help, tell the police to track my phone. Something is wrong with the baby, they have me.

Gia rolled her eyes as Hector started in with his whining again. It always came down to what was in it for him. When he parked at the dock, she stumbled forward a bit, catching herself and glaring at him. “Don’t talk to me about what you’ve gone through to get us here. We don’t have time for your petty dick measuring. If I know Seb, half the town will be looking for Max by now. Old mother Navarro will have her men looking, too. I need you, ok! You’re the grand mastermind behind the whole thing. The bomb, snatching Max, all of it. But if they catch us with her they’ll shoot first and ask questions later so can we get this show on the road?” She felt another contraction rip through her and this time she stumbled backwards until she bumped against the side and doubled over. “Hector, it’s getting worse.” She lunged forward and grabbed his shirt, balling the fabric up in her fists as she tried to breathe through the waves of pain relaxing when they finally subsided. They still had one more dose to take, to be sure things moved quickly before someone found them, but at this rate both of her sons would be here earlier than planned. She’d only be leaving with one, though and to spend this last precious time with her child she’d endure all the pain in the world. It killed her to admit that Hector was right, she didn’t want to, couldn’t, do this alone and he was all she had at this moment. “I have told you a million times, when I have a healthy baby in my arms everything will be fine. We’ll be safe from Ronan and this little bird can fly back to her golden nest.” She turned to look at Max who was awake now but clearly laboring even harder than her.

Closing the short distance between them she saw Max’s clutch and picked it up, rifling through the contents. She pulled out a few hundreds, people like Max always kept them handy for tips, stuffed them down the front of her dress then threw the clutch in the river. “Oops. Nice of you to join the party Max. Did you think we would take care of you, cater to you, carry you around? Do we look like your servants? Time for you to get up and do your part. Tonight, I’m kicking off my comeback tour. I know, you have no idea what that means and you know what they say, I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you.” That got her attention. That wild eyed look in Max’s eyes made her giddy and for a moment she felt the heaviness in her soul ease. If only Max knew how many times she’d thought about wrapping her hands around that pretty little neck and squeezing the life out of her but now she couldn’t. It would be bad karma to harm the vessel that delivered her son. “God Max, get that silver spoon out of your ass and learn to take a joke. We’re about to go through something sacred together. How often do you think that happens? You’re going to bring me out of the darkness and into the light and I suggest you get with the program you bitch. You rotten bone heap. The sins of the mother are visited on the son so just know that if anything happens to that baby, it’s your fault. It’ll be your cross to bear for sucking the life out of everything around you.” As she was struck with another contraction she grabbed Max’s hand and squeezed the only link she currently had to the baby she’d be carrying out with her.

Max could barely move when Gia approached her and she watched as the woman ruffled through her vintage Louis Vuitton clutch to carelessly toss it aside, she was just glad the bitch hadn’t checked for the phone. She was at this point praying silently that Sebastian had seen her text and had alerted the authorities to where she was. The police department had to not be that incompetent to find her. Even Jon Harrision would have no reason to not look for her. She was in the hands of the crazy bitch before her that even the police hated and wanted dead. The pain was so intense with what she was sure were actual real contractions, what if the baby came and she had no help but the monster before her and the pure evil sidekick on the side? She wanted to speak or say anything but her legs were giving out again and she had no idea what Hector had kept injecting her with but it was enough for her body to simply give way or at least her legs. She wanted to scream or yell but instead she felt her eyelid start to close and before she knew it she was asleep dreaming of a brighter and better future. One where she could make amends with Sebastian, hold her son and start her life at DGI without the terror she was in currently.

**********

Jayden was watching the flood of people entering the hospital as David and Kelsey entered in full party garb. He was waiting for the officer on the way. David said he was a priority and that he was to do everything. The EMT’s burst through as he looked at Zach Fraiser and he paused. When it came to medicine nothing shook him but seeing this man who was just married and living a festive life laying here. It was a shock and this is why David ordered him to wait on Zach. He put the best on him. The EMT’s had gotten his thready heartbeat but if they didn’t get him stable then they couldn’t go into surgery. This was it. This was Zach’s last chance from what he understood the cops on the scene did CPR, the EMT’s had done work, now if they didn’t stabilize this man’s heartbeat then it was over. “Nurses, I need round the clock CPR. We are going to need the defibrillators, let’s go!” Jayden clapped his hands together as he rushed to take over and looked at Miranda walking in behind him in daze but charging forward to the holding room. “Miranda I know I don’t know you but I’m Dr. Jayden Bradshaw and he’s in a dangerous condition. You have to wait out here. You have to be patient and let me do my job. David had me waiting on him. This is what I do. I’m the best and I’m telling you to stand back and let me and my medical team do the best we can for Zach.” Turning around he went into the ER room and began to work on Zach.

As Jayden went to work he moved a nurse out the way and began compressions on Zach’s body. After almost a minute the machine signals for the defibrillators to shock Zach. “On the count of three we rotate Rodriguez you’re up.” As he counted down to three and the machine signaled for another round. No pulse. He watched as the young intern eagerly did compressions. Once again no pulse. “This is a decorated police officer we can stop because I believe it would be disrespectful to continue. Time of death 10:45pm.” He said as he stepped back and gasped knowing it was nothing any of them could do. He came in dead but they tried and he knew that he was about to devastate an entire police force and city. “I want you both to go outside and move fast. Don’t let that woman stop you. I’ll handle the family as they arrive okay? Rodriguez and Lewis, you two did an amazing job thank-you.” Jayden took off his gloves and he watched the interns do exactly as instructed. Washing his hands and drying them he walked out to Miranda. “I need to inform his husband but Miranda the damage to Zach’s body was too much. He’s gone and I apologize that we couldn’t save him but everyone did all they could.”

Miranda had gotten into the ambulance with Zach; she wasn’t going to have her partner transported without her there and she had watched KC follow behind later in a separate car. She had seen them trying to save Zach’s life on the boat doing CPR and when the paramedics came she heard something about a possible heartbeat but he never got stable. She had cried most of the ambulance ride holding onto Zach’s hand as the paramedics had worked and shouted off directions and she wasn’t going to believe that Zach was gone yet. Rushing through the doors of St. Christopher’s, she was so numb looking at all the victims that had been brought in while the paramedics had rushed with them. She had seen the doctor come out and wondered where in the hell David himself was and if David could even help at all it wasn’t his specialty. He was chief of staff and mainly dealt with matters of the heart literally cardiology, her partner had neither of those. She watched as the doors swung shut as Zach was ripped from her hand and she looked at the blood that was now there. It had dried by now and she numbly went to the bathroom watching her hands absently in the sink, tossing the paper in the trash.

Walking back out she looked around the waiting room and people had gathered crying and she just stared at the double doors to the emergency room wondering how Zach was, they had gotten him to the hospital they had made it. KC had come back to her, Zach could come back to them too. She took a seat on the plastic chair wondering if KC was on his way or not or if he had decided to stay at the boat, the crime scene. Reality shook her back when the TV turned on and she saw the boat and realized she wondered if anyone had reached out to Mason and her hand was shaking when she swiped and dialed Mason’s number. It went to voicemail and she tried to steady her voice as best as she could. “Mason it’s me Miranda, there was an accident at the casino and Zach got caught in the crossfire…I’m at the hospital. They’re trying to save him, please get here.” Miranda said her voice wavering in the middle while she spoke, she realized she was crying again and wiped at her eyes before the doors opened and she turned to see Dr. Bradshaw there. She heard the words but also barely heard the words or let them register as she shook her head at him. “No, Zach’s going to be fine. I called Mason and Zach’s going to make it, try harder.”

“Miranda, I am not one of those doctors that lacks bedside manners. I am also not cruel to sit there and pound on a clearly dead man’s chest is against everything I stand for as a doctor and human. I’m telling you he’s gone and I need you to brace yourself.” Jayden could tell that the news was literally processing through her brain. Zach not making it wasn’t an option for Miranda but sadly he was dead when they brought him in. Basically it was nothing anyone could do. Unless they were God themselves and since they weren’t the creator came and got one of his creations today. Gulping, he reached out and touched her shoulder. “If it helps I believe he was in shock and he didn’t even know he was dying. Okay?” He lied it was a painful death he was sure of it. “Can you inform me when his husband arrives I’ll be getting some paperwork ready okay? Look please sit.” He could tell she was faint and if she didn’t sit Miranda was going to fall out.

“Miranda!” KC screamed as he ran in looking for his wife who was standing shell-shocked. What was going on, he thought to himself. The look in his wife’s eyes told a story he didn’t want to read. He shook his head as he looked at Miranda. Covering his mouth he gasped as he shook his head feeling the grief consuming his wife and him at this very moment. Zach had always been that brave kid who chased behind him Braden, Jon, and Brock. Fuck Brock was going to be devastated. When he came out in high school he thought it was the bravest shit he ever saw. He stood up to his father and uncles and laid the groundwork for Kelsey to come out as a lesbian. We all didn’t care but thinking about it now it was trailblazing. Then it was him being a gay officer and that was amazing all in itself.The homophobia that was inside of the system was sad but he wasn’t afraid. That boldness got the FBI to notice him. Shaking his head he walked to Miranda engulfing her in a hug. “I got you baby.”

It was as if she was stuck in some God awful time loop of people telling her what was and wasn’t going to happen to her partner, Zach was strong he was a Fraiser and they just didn’t quit. They didn’t just give up and it wasn’t like she thought that would actually happen, he could survive his injuries she knew that he could deep down. She looked at Jayden blankly when he told her that they had called his time of death and she simply shook her head no, Mason wasn’t there yet even though she had called and left him a message he wasn’t there how in the hell was any of this remotely fair? That someone like Ronan Madden and his cronies got to survive a clear mob hit on his fucking life while someone like Zach didn’t make it? She felt herself shivering and she was pretty sure it was from the shock not anything else the adrenaline had finally worn off from the boat and she was just simply numb and before she could say more she saw more victims being brought in and Jayden going off to help. She was by herself only to hear her husband screaming her name and she turned to him and knew she was crying she could feel the tears running down her face. She buried her face into his shoulder and just simply hit her fists against his back. She didn’t know what else she was supposed to say.

“He’s gone and I can’t save him, it should have been me but he was always looking out for me. Even warned me to stay back, it should have been me.” Miranda mumbled into his shirt she knew none of that was actually true she had Quinn to think about but it felt so vast for her and so unfair. The only thing left to do was to wait until Mason was there to break the news to him.

**********

They had been stalled on the freeway for easily over half an hour and as soon as Jackson told him to take the exit to the hospital he did, only to be met with more traffic though he had no idea why it was this bad. Honestly the city council needed to look into it in his opinion maybe Hunter could bend Walter’s ear on actually doing his job. They took two more lights to get on the winding road that led to the hospital and part of the lake only to find a huge presence of at least three police cars , two ambulances and an entire trove of firetrucks. People had gotten out of their cars, so he pulled over and parked wondering what in the hell was going on. They even had a barricade up, adjusting his sports coat he went through the crowd trying to get a look. When he reached the barricade he then looked at the cars which looked like a town car or something like it, another car with little to no damage and an SVU that had been cut from what he could tell.

There were police talking on the sides and he glanced at the ambulances and that is when he spotted Brenda in the back of one her head hung low and he glanced to where she was pointing at the towncar, what had happened. Where were Greer and Dani, this was where Jackson’s phone had said they had gone, maybe they were further ahead. He then looked over at the second ambulance where he spotted Brock talking to someone inside and one of the paramedics moved to the side and he caught a glimpse of Greer inside clearly getting ready to be transported. His eyes scanned the scene and that is when they landed on what looked like three or four paramedics and firefighters doing CPR on someone and his heart sank. Greer had been in Dani’s car and he wasn’t some heartless asshole. He knew it was his sister in law and he watched as one of the medics lifted something in their hand to stab the side of the person they were working on.

“Greer! Brock!” Chauncey shouted over the crowd his mind so jumbled concern for Greer coming out were she and the baby okay? He waved his hands hoping that Brock had seen him and honestly was annoyed as hell when Brock ignored him, or maybe he couldn’t hear him and that is when he stopped where was his brother? He’d never wish for Dani to be hurt physically and he knew the pain of what he was seeing like he had watched frantically on the other side of the glass for them to bring Logan back. He spun around looking for Jackson in the crowd and finally spotted what looked like his shell shocked brother. “Jackson! Don’t look.” He yelled trying to get to his brother as he pushed people gently out of the way.

Jackson’s heart was racing as he looked down at the app on his phone. He was searching for his wife. It said Dani was here but he couldn’t find her. When he saw the one luxury town car crunched against another car. His eyes crossed as he shook his head. Jackson couldn’t explain the pain he was feeling; it was like his heart was exploding. “Wait, wait, wait! Is that Dani? Is that my wife? Oh my God Chauncey? Is that my wife? No, no, no, no I haven’t fixed it. I haven’t told her that I need her oh my God. That can’t be my wife Chauncey, that can’t be my wife.” Pushing past his brother. As two firefighters tackled Jackson to keep him away from her. “DANI!” He screamed from the gut of his soul. As he became enraged. “I’m sorry Dani, I’m so sorry! Dani! Baby listen to me you gotta let me!” He called out trying to reach her. “The kids need you Dani! I need you Dani so much. I need you to be with me! I’m so sorry I broke us! Dani! Dani!” The wind seemed to gust over them all as he looked up at the sky. Jackson stared directly at the medical helicopter. “What happened! What happened to my wife?” He cried out as he spun around pushing the EMT’s away from him. Chauncey grabbed him and he could feel his brother holding him but Jackson broke free.

“Do you know who the fuck I am? Do you? I’m Jackson Devonshire and I swear to God if my wife doesn’t make it I’ll ruin you all!” He screamed. “I swear to God what happened? Chauncey?” He said looking at his brother. “What happened?” He crumpled onto the ground. As the medical helicopter landed he could see them rushing to Dani. Jackson stared at them, placing her on another stretcher and rushing her to the helicopter. “Brock what happened to my wife?” He said as he stared at the man approaching him. He watched as Greer and Chauncey spoke in the distance.

Brock had watched as Jackson had burst through the barricades and brought down two of his best firefighters and as much as he wanted to stay by Greer he needed to defuse what was happening before him before Jackson ended up in jail. He made his way over and looked at Matson touching his back on their way to Jackson. It wasn’t good they’d started her heart again, the problem was she had internal bleeding and a collapsed lung. Thus the on site move he had okayed Matson to do, she was still critical and they had called for life flight. He glanced at his cousin’s lifeless and pale body, her chest barely rising and falling as he squeezed her hand no response before he walked to Jackson.

“It’s not good, best we can tell, is that something happened to cause Brenda to cross the lines and go head on with Dani’s car, she swerved to take most of the impact. The police are investigating and won’t know more for a few more hours. I won’t lie to you she’s in bad shape. Matson got her out of the car. They gave CPR because she wasn’t breathing, we’re guessing her lung has collapsed. Hence the stabbing you and Chauncey saw, it’s beating again. The problem is she hit her head hard on the steering wheel, the airbags crushed her and she’s likely bleeding internally.” Brock said wiping at his eyes he had no idea why Dani was in the car with Greer when she was supposed to be at the damned casino opening with the man in front of him. He saw the air medic telling him to move faster and he looked at Jackson. “I can’t tell you more than that other than that helicopter and getting her to the hospital and David Rhodes is her best damn bet. You want to ride with her, you can. I’ve already cleared it with them. She’s going to need you but I have to go with Greer. She’s in early labor, so decide.”

Greer looked at Chauncey approaching her and she felt like a nightmare coming to life. Every bone in her body was shivering and she was in such pain. As she looked at Dani who was in danger. When they crashed she blurted out something stupid but it wasn’t like Dani as in any space to open her mouth. She might not even make it. Touching her forehead where the gash must have made her look horrible right now. As she looked at him. “Well I told you to stay away from me but seeing Jackson like this. It’s good to see you under the circumstances because I don’t know how my baby is. I don’t know how Dani is and Chauncey, I’m scared.” She said as she placed her head down and began to weep. Greer hadn’t shown this much vulnerability but he didn’t know the truth and at this moment. She couldn’t tell him and she had to make a choice for her child. Seeing Dani so broken after Jackson betrayed her, she was reminded that Chauncey threw her away. He left her and she left him for a reason. They were toxic and this was toxic because Brock would reconsider now. He would bend because her family would be apart of this boy’s life just as much as his. “It’s good to see someone who will be real. Now Brock doesn’t want to scare me but I expect nothing but the truth from you. Go to the EMT’s and ask them if this baby that has been growing inside of me is alright. While he’s trying to calm your brother, calm me. Help me.”

Chauncey had chased Jackson through the barricade and he could see a few cops eventually saw who they were and seemed to back off. Once they reached the carnage though he took a breath the car was totaled and he had to wonder how bad it was he could see the blood on the airbags and the dirt illuminated by the lights of the sirens and headlights. He glanced again at Brenda in the other ambulance as the door closed. Had that bitch drove drunk and hit them? Once the helicopter landed he had given Jackson space while the EMT’s and firefighters talked to find out a plan and made his way to Greer. Brock he noticed had actually gone to the firefighters and his brother, likely to tell Jackson what was actually going on. He didn’t know if he was supposed to reach out to Greer but right now with everything going on it seemed fitting and he placed his hand on Greer’s shoulder.

“Brock seems to be handing it, we heard you were in the garage and before we got downstairs after that disaster of a meeting, you were gone in Dani’s car. Listen I may not always like Dani but I wouldn’t wish her harm or or Jackson to lose her. I know what it is like to lose what you love and want most and wouldn’t even wish that on him. Excuse me, could you possibly see if you can hear anything on the baby?” Chauncey said quietly before shooting the best Devonshire charm he could at the young medic. The young woman paramedic reached down to listen to her belly and he could tell by the medics face it was good news. He saw Greer relax slightly and smiled at her when he glanced back Brock was on his way back. “Why were you at DGI?” Chauncey asked.

Greer bit down on her lip. As she stared at him looking at Chauncey as she reached out and touched his hand. “I just needed to talk to my dad. I know he was um in there and I just wanted to speak to him.” Looking at Chauncey she wondered what he would do if he knew the truth. “Brock saved me and he saved Dani. He saved us both and I don’t know why I’d do without him.” She mumbled knowing that her son deserved a happy ending. After all they had been through he deserved this baby and Chauncey was happily married. “Thank-you for doing that for me. Sometimes I really miss you. I really do. I know we never were sappy but you and I were good together and if something happens to me. Chauncey, you are one of my great loves. I love you still and if it’s me or my baby I need you to tell them. Tell them to save my son, our son.” She closed her eyes as she drifted off to a dark place.

Jackson watched a helicopter which he heard someone call a life flight landing. The team rushed to Dani as he felt his heart pounding. “Brock I’m going with her! I’m going with her damn it she needs me. I’m Jackson Devonshire and I swear to God if my wife dies I will destroy Brenda. I vow that drunk bitch will forever pay.” He seethed as he looked at Brock. “Please can I go please Brock.”

Brock didn’t have to say anything else as he simply stepped to the side as he watched Jackson run off to the helicopter and he stepped back with the rest of his crew as he watched it take off. His mind still racing had he directed his crew with everything that was needed to save his cousins’ life; he only prayed that was the case. He made his way back to the ambulance and saw that Greer was in distress and simply brushed past Chauncey. “Greer!” He choked out only for the ambulance paramedic to show that they had given her a sedative for the ride. His heart rate slowed knowing so far she was holding on turning his attention to Chauncey . “I need to get Greer and my son to the hospital. Your brother’s on a helicopter headed there too, follow the ambulance and it can be an escort.”

Chauncey watched as Brock got inside the doors closing in front of him and he couldn’t help the small smirk of satisfaction that came over his face. What was Greer LeClerq hiding from him? Of course he would do everything in his power to ensure that she got the best medical care at the hospital, he wasn’t simply going to lose her. But the unborn baby, why mention it was his son? Was it the sedative talking or had he turned a blind eye to what was possibly in his face since February, he not Brock was the father or her baby.

**********

Randall was still in shock as he looked at Forbes’ body on the ground before he turned his back to him to look at Yasmine and Philip. What kind of monsters were the Montgomery’s? Philip couldn’t be serious that MontCorp was more important than the many crimes that Forbes had committed including kidnapping Victoria Fraiser and passing her off to him and Blythe. Did his nephew really think he was that heartless that he would continue to allow Lauren to grieve for Victoria when he knew the truth? He looked at Yasmine. She seemed reasonable and given everything that she had said and did to protect him clearly she could see they had to go to the police. To tell them what they knew about that night, Forbes reign could be over and she would be safe, so would Philip and Cassie. Perhaps this could even ease the feud between herself and Aspen over Rory or he was wrong and it could fuel it more she wasn’t sure. He pulled out hsi phone only to see there were no bars likely froM the explosion and the towers being slowly coming back after the barrage of calls.

“We should go to the police right? Surely Philip, your father’s crimes have to be reported and MontCorp wouldn’t take the hit he would. The right thing to do is to turn him in and as much as it pains me to tell Lauren and Walter the truth, especially Lauren she carries so much guilt from that night. Do the right thing Philip, come with me, start fresh.” Randall pleaded with his nephew and he could tell it was falling on deaf ears and he looked at Yasmine. Almost begging her to see his reasons were the right thing to do despite the fact that she knew he hated Aspen, no family deserved to go through what Walter and Lauren had, his mind swirled for a moment but what about him and Blythe? What happened when the truth came out would they lose their little girl forever? “Please let this end tonight we can walk downstairs and drive to the police station reception is barely up and running from the explosion. I know you’ve had issues with Aspen in the past Yasmine but deep down I think you are a good person and you know this is the right thing to do.”

Philip looked at Yasmine. “In moments like this you truly have to choose. Yourself or the family. It’s time Yasmine for you to choose the Montgomery clan. We have nurtured your bland ass dance career. My father has helped the underprivileged of Scottswood. We have given you a home and money so that your great grandchildren will be rich. Don’t fucking move Yasmine. I don’t think that this is a good idea. In fact I think this is the worst idea to go to the police. Until we have a damn sliver of how we can spin this in MontCorp favor. You are such an idealist. You think that everyone will sit around and clap for us? Our father’s blood is on our hands. You’ve been sniffing for the truth when it was your daughter all along? You had to know something right? Or that’s how they’ll spin it. Cassie, Yasmine, Jauquin, Xiomara we all might skate through but you, father, and Blythe will be held accountable. You see it’s crazy to me that baby was everywhere and you didn’t know? That’s my first plan to hang all three of you because you all seem to be liable.” He scoffed looking at Yasmine and Randall.  “I however have always been told to go with my first mind. My second plan, that’s the one I’ve chosen to go with. You need to see this Yasmine. You need to understand what it is to be a motherfucking Montgomery.”

Philip pulled out his phone seeing no bars. He instead smiled. “Well I’m sure your Boost Mobile or prepaid device wouldn’t have service. You have slummed on that horrible first novel. Worst than Capote, a slothful writer who rested on his laurels. Now in his old age is an investigative journalist and uncovered his own child is the long lost girl in the proverbial well? Now that’s a comeback. I liked you better uncle when you had no ambitions for life and you were my aunt’s personal purse. Now you’re the protector of Lauren Fraiser.” He walked closer to his uncle with a coolness. “Was my aunt Blythe not good enough? Did she not give you the child that you couldn’t have? I know you won’t wait because you’re scared that you’ll lose your beloved Lauren. Or you can win back her love. I want to warn you that I have dreams for MontCorp bigger than my father’s sins. I will toppled DGI, I will bring honor and power to our name like never befor I will make a difference. I just have to figure out how to spin this.” Extending his arm to pretend as if he was handing him his phone, Philip charged Randall pushing him with all his might seeing him fly backwards and crumple down each marble stair. His body rolling and twisting in the operatic screams of Yasmine. He could hear her screaming so loudly but he also knew that it had to be done. Yes his father was insane for what he done but if it wasn’t handle properly they all fell. How Randall was going to do it well that wasn’t the narrative they needed.

Yasmine stood in silence for a moment watching her brother standing triumphantly atop the staircase. Her voice stripped raw as she looked at him. “What have you done?” Yasmine said, looking at him. “Philip, what have you done?” She asked again as she gasped looking at Randall’s crumpled body. Shaking her head stepping back so she couldn’t look at Randall’s crumpled body on the bottom of the staircase.

“Yasmine Montgomery sister, I always protect what’s mine. This is for those kids in Scottswood you’re helping. Our pregnant sister! Do you know our other siblings? I know they are in Mexico and go to school in Argentina but I know they need MontCorp. This is for your baby one day and your mother. I might have let you strip but I am protecting my family, not our father. We are the Montgomery’s and I am not letting us languish in second because of petty old beefs. If Pierre or anyone becomes a partner or a strong alliance to win I’m taking it. I don’t and won’t end up like Randall or Forbes and neither will my siblings so question that we are going to survive we need to fight like hell. Now is the time and I have the ammunition to finally take over MontCorp. Now Yasmine what happened is ugly but our future is brighter sister.” Philip declared as he looked at her. “You are the most important thing to me and trust me I will protect my siblings and our futures.”

Forbes gripped the railing and tears wanted to fall down his face because of how proud he was of Philip. He didn’t think his son had heeded anything he ever said. He was wrong though. Phillip had watched him and taken traits and formed his own to become this new hybrid. He was more vicious but what did fucking mean he wanted to rid himself of Forbes Montgomery. This company was the only child he truly loved. “Yasmine, this is your family. Do what’s right.”

Yasmine pulled out her phone with a signal. She dialed 911 and she felt her stomach drop as she covered her mouth. “I need to report a fall.”

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