*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I really wish you hadn’t done that,” Kenneth began with a hushed whisper
as he looked over at his brother across the plane. While Brant had
a few sharp words to throw out at the both of them upon leaving the beach
house, he’d also made quite certain to stay far from Kenneth and Caitlin
on the plane as it seemed he was stewing over the situation in his own
cryptic way that had Kenneth on edge in more ways than he’d planned on.
“I was upset with him,” Caitlin offered up in her defense, “He came
into the house saying all these ridiculous things and it just came out.”
“Even so I really don’t think it was our place to break the news to
him,” Kenneth reminded her with a frown, “This was Avery’s news and…”
“Well look on the plus side. We made this easier for her,” Caitlin
offered up not really believing her words as she thought about the exchange
that took place between her and Brant, “I mean maybe by the time she returns
from the honeymoon, Brant will already have time to adjust to what’s happening
and he’ll have moved on as I get the distinct vibe that won’t take much
for him with his history with women.”
“I really don’t see it being that easy, Caitlin,” Kenneth frowned turning
his attention to Brant once again as Brant looked up from the papers that
were in his lap.
“What the hell are you two staring at,” Brant grumbled in response
throwing a glare in Caitlin’s general direction, “don’t you have something
better to do than obsess over me.”
“Like I would waste any of my time even giving you a second thought,”
Caitlin replied sharply unable to retract the claws where Brant was concerned,
“as you aren’t worth my time.”
“Caitlin,” Kenneth piped in with a disapproving look as he watched
her eyes darken with anger.
“Well it’s true,” Caitlin added with a huff, “I’m tired of us having
to tiptoe around Brant because of what temper tantrum might come out from
inside of him. I mean honestly, he’s an adult and it’s time to grow
up and face the reality that things don’t always go his way. It’s
time to see that not every woman in the world is going to bow down to his
wishes just because he pushes them upon her…”
“Ken, would you just shut your whore up,” Brant glared back at her,
“She doesn’t know when to quit.”
“Brant, she’s not a whore,” Kenneth defended as his jaw clenched with
anger, “and if you say something like that again…”
“Oh that’s right,” Brant threw his hands in the air bitterly, “You’ll
defend a woman whom you hardly know and you’ll take up for her, but heaven
forbid you take up for family. I mean one good lay and clearly you’re
turned to the other side,” Brant rose from his seat, “but I know her kind
and you’re only going to get burned Ken. She’s poison.”
“Brant, we just…” Kenneth began watching his brother disappear to another
area of the jet as worry creased his brow.
“Let him go pout. It just shows you how immature he really is,”
Caitlin insisted touching Kenneth’s arm gently, “He needs to grow up.”
“Caitlin, this is serious,” Kenneth remarked with a frown facing her
once again, “and the last thing we need right now is your goading him.”
“Please don’t tell me that you think he’s right in all of this,” her
eyes widened in surprise.
“Of course not, but I’m worried about my brother,” he sighed heavily,
“maybe you don’t think too much of him, but he is my brother and given
what’s happened in our family, well I don’t want to see Brant fall into
the same madness that overtook our father.”
“It might be a little too late for that one,” Caitlin confessed as
she looked to the curtain Brant disappeared behind.
“God, I really hope not,” Kenneth admitted with a frown wishing that
things were different with his brother.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Brant shoved the curtain closed behind him cursing the day that Caitlin
Vaughn stepped into his brother’s life and now as he found himself wanting
to tear her apart piece by piece he realized it was time to take matters
into his own hands. Quickly withdrawing his cell phone from his pocket,
he dialed the private investigator he’d worked with in the past every now
and then. As he heard the familiar voice on the end of the line,
he quickly explained the situation.
“I need you to check up on three things for me,” Brant began as he
peeked out into the other area of the plane seeing Kenneth and Caitlin
talking with one another. “That’s right…money is no object in this
particular matter.”
“What can I do for you this time, Mr. Ashford,” the man on the other
end of the line questioned.
“First off, I need you to locate Russell Denton as soon as possible
and I mean this in the sense that I want the information like yesterday
as this can’t wait,” Brant informed him point blank.
“Consider it done,” the man promised, “I’ll have that information before
you get back home.”
“Good, and then I’ll need another favor,” he paused tossing the curtain
shut once again as he lowered his voice even further, “I need you to look
into a woman for me…”
“Any woman in particular,” the voice teased over the end of the line.
“Actually, there are two women I need you to run a check on,” Brant
admitted with a sigh, “the first one is named Caitlin Vaughn. I want
you to dig up everything you can find on her and get that information my
way as soon as you can…”
“A potential new leading lady?” the man on the other end of the line
inquired.
“Not in the least,” Brant adjusted his tie, “She’s more of a headache
that I’d like to see fit to get rid of more or less.”
“So you want me to find anything and everything I can to erase the
problem for you?” the man asked a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Now you’re catching on,” Brant nodded as he took a quick look out
from behind the curtain once again, “as I’d like to see this problem fixed
as soon as possible so things can get back to normal around here.”
“And the third request,” the man began again as Brant found himself
envisioning the moment when Caitlin was booted from his brother’s life
forever, “Mr. Ashford?”
“Oh right,” Brant closed the curtain once more remembering the other
thing that had been on his mind for a while here beyond Caitlin’s lies
about Avery, “I need you to get me some information on a woman named Angela
Meloni.”
“Another problem?”
“Not exactly,” Brant replied cryptically, “but more so it’s an area
of great interest for me and as with the Caitlin Vaughn situation, I expect
you to be discreet about it.”
“When have I failed you, sir,” the man inquired with an air of smugness
about him.
“Now wouldn’t be the time to start,” Brant replied curtly, “so you’d
better get a start on it.”
“I’ll have the information on Mr. Denton before your plane touches
down at home,” the man promised eagerly.
“Excellent,” Brant threw out before hanging up the phone and taking
one last look out at his brother and Caitlin. A wicked smirk built
upon his features as he realized that now was no longer about tempting
fate as he would certainly take destiny into his own hands from here on
out and as it stood Caitlin Vaughn and Russell Denton were at the top of
his hit list.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Diane sat at her desk at BBK tapping furiously at her keyboard. While Ben had decided to try his luck with Blake, Diane knew the likelihood of Blake selflessly helping out was slim to none. She knew that the only way she could help Jade was to look for the microfilm herself.
“Hey,” Ben flashed her a smile as he sat on the edge of the desk, “Has it been a busy morning?”
“Not really. With Brant out of the country, things have been quiet,” She replied as she kept her eyes on the computer screen. She took a moment to jot down some information before she continued to tap away at the keyboard.
“So what’s keeping you so busy?” He asked as he moved to peer over her shoulder.
“I’m looking up any new microfilms that have been checked in within the last two weeks,” She said before she looked over her shoulder to him, “I take it you went to speak to Blake.”
“Yeah, I did,” He nodded, “She’s reluctant to say the least.”
“I knew she would be. She doesn’t give a damn about anyone but herself,” Diane sighed as she looked back to the computer screen.
“She wasn’t completely opposed to the idea, but she’s not willing to just hand it over without some assurance that it won’t come back to bite her in the ass,” He crossed his arms as he sat back on the corner of her desk, “Which you have admit is smart on her part.”
“Please don’t start defending her. I don’t need to throw up this morning,” She groaned as she rolled her eyes and wrote down some more information on a pad before her.
“She might find a way to help us, Diane. We can’t turn any help down at this point,” He reasoned.
“I know,” She frowned, “I really do, but the thought of accepting anything from her just turns my stomach.”
“Maybe it’ll just be a one time deal,” He offered, “And then we can go our separate ways.”
“It can’t happen soon enough if you ask me,” She said pointedly before she cleared her screen and turned to face him, “Well I’ve finished going through the newest microfilm to be logged in. Now I just have to go down the vault to pull the archives.”
“Want some help?” He asked with a smile.
Diane grinned, “As much as I would adore that, one of us needs to be here to handle the phones, and since I already know where to look, that means you get phone duty.”
“Come on,” He pulled her close to him, “Admit it. You’d love for me to be down there with you, the two of us all alone.”
“Don’t tempt me,” She warned as she kissed him quickly, “We need to focus here. I know that I’m usually the one lacking focus as you’re about all I can focus on,” She stopped her rambling as she met his eyes seriously, “But this is about protecting Jade. She’s my best friend, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that she’s safe…even if it means sacrificing some alone time for us,” She said before kissing him gently.
“You are a dedicated friend to make such a sacrifice,” He teased before he drew her into one final kiss, “But we’ll just store up that energy for our date tonight.”
Diane’s smile illuminated her face, “Our date…you did ask me out, didn’t you?”
“I did,” He nodded.
“Hmmm,” She paused, “Well, I hope you don’t expect anything improper to happen tonight. I’m not the kind of girl to put out on a first date.”
“First date, huh?” He asked with slight amusement, “Well, since I did extend the invitation I guess I can struggle to be on my best behavior.”
She chuckled softly as she adjusted his tie slightly, “As well you should. I happen to think you’re a gentleman at heart. You wouldn’t want to disappoint me, now would you?”
“Of course not,” Ben teased as he leaned forward and kissed her again, “Now get going down to the vault, or we’re never going to get any work done around here.”
Diane winked at him before she walked down the hall on a mission to protect her friend and get the day’s work done so she could focus on the romantic evening ahead of her with the man she adored.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seth knocked lightly on Jade’s office door before peaking inside, “Hey, got a second?”
“Sure,” Jade smiled as she saved for him to enter, “Come on in. What brings you buy? I thought you were working today.”
“It’s later today at a Christian prep school. I guess they want some kind of class photo or something,” He shrugged as he closed the door, “But I thought if you had a few minutes we could talk.”
“Sure,” She nodded as she leaned onto her desk, watching as he took a seat across from her, “This sounds serious.”
“It is,” He began as he sat forward, “The deal I made with that powerful man we’d talked about…”
“Yeah, what about it?” She asked as she watched the tension mount on her brother’s features, “Seth, what’s going on?”
“The man was Cameron Stone, Jade. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I could see was a chance to get back at the Ashford’s, and now I’ve put you in danger. That was never my intention.”
She sat silently for a moment before she spoke, “What is he holding over your head, Seth?”
“He’s threatened you, and he’s threatened Blake.”
“And what is it he wants so badly?”
“Some microfilm,” He explained, “From what I can understand, it’s something to do with a drug that BBK is researching. I think Stone hopes to get his hands on it and get it on the market first.”
Jade nodded, “He’s not going to hurt me, Seth.”
“And how can you be so sure?” He asked boldly, “The man is a walking time bomb, just looking for someone to be his next victim. It’s how all the rich and powerful work.”
“I know because he wants me,” She sighed as she met his eyes, “He’s been pretty forward in letting me know that he wants me in his bed. He’s not going to screw that up by hurting me.”
“Jade, you can’t be around him.”
“I’m not,” She assured her brother, “I don’t ever want to see the sick bastard again in my life, and I’m doing my best to avoid that situation. Unfortunately, he has ways of getting to me before I can figure out how to escape.”
“What’s that mean?” Seth asked in confusion.
“He was at the Ashford party,” She explained, “He cornered me, and he made a play for me again. I’m telling you, Seth, he may want to hurt Blake, but he’s not going to lift a finger against me.”
He shook his head, “I think you’re putting too much faith in him.”
“It’s not really faith in so much as it is that he’s trying to win me over. Yeah, he’s been forceful about it, but he’s never resorted to violence,” She paused as she took a deep breath, “Men like Cameron Stone have no qualms about taking what they want if they want it badly enough,” She looked at her brother reluctantly, “I don’t think he’s willing to cross that line. I don’t know why but he wants me to willingly be his.”
Seth’s jaw tightened, “That son of a bitch…he just keeps finding ways to work this,” He shook his head, “I don’t even know why I thought it was a good idea to accept his offer.”
“Because we needed the money, Seth,” She frowned, “We still do.”
“It shouldn’t be this way. Dimitri never should have left us with the burden of his debts.”
“No, he shouldn’t have,” Jade walked around the desk and took her brother’s hand, “We’ll get Stone’s money, and when we do, we’ll be able to clear all of Dad’s debts. We’ll be able to finally be free.”
“I don’t understand how you can be so optimistic about this, Jade, especially since this psycho nutcase is focused on you,” He said in concern.
“Optimism is all I have, Seth,” She answered sadly, “Without it, I’m faced with the horrible reality of everything that our father did to us and left us with. I’m not ready to deal with that, and I have to think positive just to get through it.”
“Jade, I’m so sorry about all of this,” Seth drew his sister into his arms and hugged her tightly, “I don’t know how, but we’re going to figure a way out of this. I promise you that.”
“I know we will, Seth,” Jade agreed as she hugged him tightly, putting her faith not only in her brother but in destiny that it wouldn’t allow tragedy to visit their family again and tear them apart.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dave whistled a tune to himself as he walked through the squad room. Sharing a meal with a beautiful woman always put a little spring in his step. He would have to get back to the complicated business of dealing with the case that could now be called the Harold Abrams case.
“It’s about damn time you got back here,” Shannon grumbled as she slapped a file in the center of his chest, “Meet Harold Abrams.”
“And what a nice welcome back that was,” He quipped as he held the file out so he could read it. He glanced over the page, “Ouch…how did this guy ever get into medical school?”
“He was juvenile when he committed all the violent acts you see on that list before you. Multiple charges of cruelty to animals and arson. This guy was destined to be a serial killer,” She waved her hand at him as she proceeded back into her office and rifled through files on her desk.
“So we’re moving him from victim right up to suspect, huh?” He asked as he continued reading over the charges before him, “Wait a second, this offense was after his eighteenth birthday. How did that slip by the admissions department at the medical school?”
“If you’ll notice he was charged with arson, but the charges were dropped. You can’t throw someone out if they weren’t convicted of something. Isn’t justice beautiful?” She picked up a slip of paper from her desk, “We need to meet Avery Morrison at the airport. She was out of the country, but she’s on her way back. I think we’d better be there to welcome her back and tell her that she’s in danger.”
“Sometimes I really hate this job,” He frowned as he placed the file on her desk, “Do we have any idea about this guy’s movements after medical school?”
“Oh you’re going to love this,” Shannon said as she moved to the board, “Mathis and Abrams planned to open a medical practice together. When Mathis was murdered, Abrams left town considering his best friend was now dead and his career plans had to change,” She pointed out Bruce Mathis, “My guess is that Abrams murdered Mathis, but I don’t exactly have a motive yet. Anyway, since Mathis was the most clean cut guy on the planet and had absolutely no record whatsoever, not even a parking ticket,” She emphasized, “Abrams must have seen the chance to start fresh with a new identity and leave this checkered past behind him.”
“How can you classify him as a serial killer though?” Dave asked as he looked to the board, “In case you haven’t noticed, there’s only one victim on that board.”
She plucked a file from the stack on her desk, “Here. One of Abrams’ advisors was murdered while he was in medical school. While there were he was never a suspect, it has Abrams’ signature on it.”
He looked over the file and nodded, “The severe beating, found near a body of water,” He glanced up to the board, “I guess this is number one.”
“No, there are others,” She spoke as she took a photo of the advisor and posted it on the board, “These killings were too methodical, too calculated. Flawless. He’d perfected his act already.”
“We need to look on VICAP. There may be other bodies out there that belong to Abrams,” He frowned as he glanced to his watch, “What time was Avery’s plane due in?”
Shannon glanced to her watch, “We’ll have just enough time to get to the airport and meet her at the terminal. Let’s go,” She said as she grabbed her coat from the back of her chair.
Dave nodded as he took one last glance at the board. Somehow they’d stumbled upon the worst possible scenario for any case to take, and now he has the unpleasant duty of letting Avery know just who she had been involved with and how dangerous he truly was.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cameron sat behind his desk, looking over a prenuptial agreement Susan had drafted for him. There were a few changes to be made, but overall, Susan had done an outstanding job of protecting his assets as well as providing for Heather in case of some sort of disaster. He almost laughed at the clause that began “in event of husband’s infidelity” as his plans for Heather didn’t include anything about monogamy.
He penciled in his changes while Thea stepped into his office with a file in hand, “Hello Thea.”
“And how did you know it was me?” She asked in amusement as she crossed the room.
“You’re the only person bold enough to step in here without knocking,” He pointed out as he glanced up as she tapped lightly on the file in her hand, “What’s that you’re holding?”
“You could call it an extra Christmas gift,” She smiled as she extended it to him, “I found out all about Jimmy Cordell, and more than that,” She grinned, “I found him.”
“Well,” Cameron smiled as he took the file from her, “Where is he?”
“He’s in a hotel just outside of town being well looked after,” She informed him as she sat across from him and crossed her legs while adjusting the hem of her skirt, “He’s willing to play ball in any manner we choose.”
“Good,” He read over the file, “He’s been busted a few times for assault and battery. We certainly can’t have that.”
“Which is why I’ve also put a lawyer on retainer for him…just in case he gets in over his head,” She added, “The question is…just what do you want to do with him?”
“I figure that if little miss curious reporter has her hands full with Mr. Cordell then she won’t have time to trash Midlands in her paper. Besides, she makes Kenneth Ashford much too happy.”
“So this is your angle for getting to Kenneth?” Thea asked skeptically.
“It’s only part of it,” Cameron said lightly as he leaned onto his desk, “Susan is my ace in the hole.”
“Care to explain that one?” She asked as she crossed her arms.
“Susan and Kenneth were involved in an illicit affair,” He grinned with a shrug, “Or as illicit as Kenneth was ever involved in. I’ve asked her to intentionally not file an entry of appearance until Monday before court. I want her presence to hit Ashford like a ton of bricks.”
“You think he’ll really be that affected?” She asked, not buying it, “If he’s anything like Brant, he won’t give a rat’s …”
“Ah, but he’s nothing like Brant, and that’s what is going to be his undoing. He’s not used to dealing with sexual politics, but he’s going to have to take a crash course courtesy of Susan.”
“Are you expecting her to fall head over heels for him again?”
“Hell no,” He answered quickly, “In fact, I don’t expect Susan to have much of a reaction at all. She’s a smart woman who knows how to deal with a sticky situation. It’s my guess that she’s going to have a lot of fun watching Ashford squirm.”
“What are her feelings towards Ashford? That isn’t going to get us into trouble, is it?”
“No,” He said without worry, “Susan doesn’t care about Ashford. I just think she enjoyed the thrill of turning the good boy into a bad one,” He grinned, “And what better woman to tempt him to do it all over again.”
“You want them involved?”
“Not necessarily. I just want Ashford distracted while I destroy his entire family,” He shrugged with a grin, “A distracted enemy is a weak one, and I know just how to distract him.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Cam,” Thea warned, “Because if this blows up in our faces, I’d hate to have to deal with Susan. I almost like her.”
“I know,” Cameron nodded, “But we both know better than to get too involved with the pawns on our board, don’t we?” He asked with a smile, “Which is why you have absolutely no reason to worry about my bride. She’s nothing but a pawn in my plans to see Douglas destroyed,” He said with anticipation in his voice, “And I must admit that I can’t wait to see Mahoney get what he so richly deserves,” He grinned with predatory intent evident in his eyes. Nothing pleased him more than hurting those who had hurt him or his family, and no one had betrayed them more than Douglas Mahoney. Yes, destroy Douglas was going to bring him a special kind of pleasure that he would savor for years to come.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Guy stepped into the foyer of the Ashford mansion looking for any signs
of his mother as she’d called him up requesting that he make an emergency
trip over to see her. While he and Gabe had intended on spending the rest
of the day with one another enjoying this quiet time that they had after
the holidays, but when his mother called in a frenzy, well he realized
that his quiet time with Gabe would have to be put on hold yet again.
Now as he looked around the Ashford mansion he wondered what in the world
could’ve had his mother so worked up.
“Oh thank heavens you’re here,” Brooke emphasized coming down the spiral
staircase into view, “I was so afraid you wouldn’t make it here and then,
well then I don’t know what I would’ve come up with…”
“Mum, what is it? What’s wrong,” Guy raced over to the stairs
meeting up with her at the bottom as he reached out to her, “What happened?”
“You have to come up here right away,” Brooke tugged on his arm pulling
him up the stairs as he reluctantly followed noting the apprehension in
her tone, “I just couldn’t decide what to do on this issue and well, I
just knew that the only person who would truly give me the most honest
answer would be you and given the nature of importance behind this, well
Guy, this just couldn‘t wait…”
“What is it Mum,” he questioned as she lead him into the room she’d
been staying in. She motioned over to the bed where two pant suits
lay out before him on the comforter.
“Well, what do you think?” she questioned curiously, “The black or
the red?”
“You called me all the way over here to help you pick out a pant suit?”
Guy gave her a strange look, “Mum, you’ve never asked me to pick out your
wardrobe like that before…”
“No I haven’t and I realize that, but tonight, well tonight I have
a very important meeting with Marc Ashley.”
“Tonight?” Guy gave her a strange look.
“That’s right,” she nodded eagerly, “and this is exactly what Beholder
needs considering the way your father has been running around town trying
to shame me and my company wit his hideous behavior. I figure that
a big name tied in to Beholder can only bring about good things.
Granted Douglas Mahoney and I have some work ahead of us as we’ve worked
out an arrangement as well, but given that his son is still laid up in
the hospital in a coma, well I hardly think that’s the kind of publicity
that Beholder needs at a moment like this,” she shuddered lifting the red
suit up from the bed, “What do you think? Does it spell victory?”
“Mum, it doesn’t matter what you wear as I’m sure you’ll charm the
pants off of Marc Ashley and come out on top of the situation,” Guy replied
politely, “now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to get back to…”
“Oh no you don’t,” Brooke pulled at his arm, “You’re not going anywhere
as I promised Cathy that you’d be going to dinner with us tonight as this
is a very important meeting for Beholder.”
“Mum, I already told you that I’m not interested in Cathy that way
because…” Guy started desperately.
“Guy, listen to me. You can’t waste your life away on a nothing
like that Mindy girl. She’s completely wrong for you and while you’re
so stubborn about Cathy, well if you look at your future, you’ll see that
you’re much better off in courting a proper young woman like Cathy Ashley
instead of wasting your time on a girl who is destined to lead you to failure.”
“Mum, I realize that you don’t like Mindy, but she’s got a good heart
and she’s a wonderful woman,” Guy insisted with a frown.
“Not wonderful enough for my boy,” Brooke reached for his arm, “and
I want to see a great many wonderful things for you Guy as I’m hoping one
day you’ll make me a grandmother with beautiful babies running around here.
I want to see you with a wife who enhances all your fine points and makes
you truly happy. Granted slumming has it’s place in a young man’s
life, but you’ve outgrown that and…”
“Mum, enough,” Guy snapped at her, “I don’t want to hear it.
I’m tired of listening to you go on and on about the choices I make in
my life. Mum, it’s my life and I can’t let you live it for me.
You and I both know it doesn’t work that way and…”
“Guy, why are you yelling at me,” Brooke raised her hand to her chest
with a gasp as tears built behind her dark eyes, “Can a mother help it
if she loves you so much that she’s only wanting the best for you?
For her only son considering that you’re the most important thing in my
life?”
“Mum I…” Guy began struggling to remain firm with her.
“Your sister has told me time and time again just how little she thinks
of me as your father runs around town with his whore showing the world
what a failure he believes me to be as his wife and now with you joining
the ranks of the others in your attacking me…”
“Mum, I’m not attacking you. I’m just trying to say…” Guy started
once again.
“Guy, haven’t I done a good job with you? Haven’t I tried to
give you everything and love you to the best of my ability?” she questioned
as the tears began and she took in a heaving breath, “You’re my world and
my last chance in this world to prove to myself that I’m not a failure
as a mother. Your father is making damned sure that the world thinks
I’ve failed as a wife and you know your sister would just as soon snub
her nose at me for the things your father has put into her mind.
She’d love nothing more than to see my alone and miserable and if you start
thinking like they do…”
“Mum, that’s not it,” Guy reached out to embrace her, “I love you very
much and I’ve always tried to do what would make you happy. You’re
very important to me and I just, well I want to give you everything you’ve
dreamt of, but sometimes things don’t work out that way. Mum, there’s
so much I want to tell you, but…”
“Guy, please promise me that you won’t take away the last chance in
my life for me to really be proud of something. I mean sure I have
the company, but you, well you’re the apple of my eye,” she reached up
to touch his cheek gently, “and I just want to see the best in your life…”
“Mum, I…” Guy felt a sigh fall from his lips, “Alright, I’ll go to
dinner tonight with you and the Ashleys, but eventually we’re really going
to need to sit down and talk about things because I…”
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” Brooke threw her arms around him
excitedly, “and I promise that tonight is going to be amazing. This
means so much to me that you’re here to support me at a time like this
when the world is against me. I’m so glad that you’re still here
as I love you so very much…”
“I love you too, Mum,” Guy replied with a hint of a frown as he continued
to hug her realizing that things were never going to change for them as
his mother would always be the one thing that kept his life and love a
secret from the world. While he’d wanted so desperately to believe
that he could come clean with her, he feared that he may never be able
to share the truth in his heart with his mother about the man he loved
and now as he held onto his mother, he felt an ache inside of him at the
knowledge that he could very well spend his life being the man he was never
truly meant to be.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gabe stepped into the offices at the Coral Courier deciding it was now
time to make a little visit to Mindy while Guy was away. Certainly
Guy wouldn’t approve of such a bold move on Gabe’s part, but there was
no denying the need burning up inside of Gabe to clear things up between
Guy’s former lover and himself. Now as he scanned the half empty
offices after the post-holiday bliss, he spotted Mindy working away at
a computer, buried in whatever project had peaked her interest earlier
in the day.
“So this is where you spend your days when you’re not pawing at Guy,”
Gabe remarked smugly as Mindy looked up from the computer monitor before
her surprise evident behind her dark eyes as she leaned back in her chair.
“Excuse me,” she blinked back up at him as a frown curled over her
pale blush colored lips, “but where the hell did that come from?”
“It came from the other night at dinner,” Gabe answered sourly as he
glared down at her, “Don’t think I’m not aware of what you’re up to.”
“What I’m up to?” Mindy’s eyes further widened, “I think you need to
just back up a minute and turn the bitch vibe down there Gabe,” she rose
from her chair looking around the offices for a moment before lowering
her voice a bit, “though I have to say this isn’t the right time or place
to get into this.”
“Oh I think it’s a perfect time considering that you and I have needed
this one on one for a while here to set some ground rules,” he folded his
arms in front of his chest firmly.
“No, you don’t understand,” she frowned reaching out to take his arm
despite her own irritation with his impromptu visit. She lead him
towards Russell’s office refusing to give it a second thought before she
shoved him inside the room. Quickly closing the door behind him,
her eyes shot daggers at him as her anger mounted, “Look Gabe, I don’t
know what got you going today, but I think you’re right about one thing.
We need to set a few ground rules here.”
“Exactly Mindy,” his voice was thick with animosity, “and in this instance
were Guy is concerned, I think you’d be best to remember that he’s not
with you anymore. What you’re doing in front of his mother is only
temporary…”
“I didn’t imagine it was any other way,” she answered openly, “as I
know what’s going on…”
“No, I don’t think you do,” Gabe took a seat on the edge of Russell’s
desk, “as when I was watching you with him, I saw that familiar look…”
“And what look might that be?” Mindy questioned with a huff.
“The look of a woman in love with a man she can never have,” Gabe watched
as she began to open her mouth in protest, “and don’t even try denying
it because I saw the sparkle in your eyes Mindy. I know you and Guy
have a history with one another, but that’s all it is…”
“I didn’t say it was anything more,” she replied sharply, “as I’m doing
a favor for my friend who…”
“Mindy, don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes. I know the look
of longing very well as I spent just enough time with a woman who was convinced
that she could change me into her dream and in those years I learned a
whole new world of heartbreak when she pleaded with me to be something
I’m not…”
“I’m not asking anything of Guy except that he stand up to his mother
considering how truly wicked she is,” Mindy reminded him sharply, “and
for you to come here and insinuate anything further, well it’s just insulting.”
“Insulting or not, I think you need to have the lines made clear for
you as Guy and I are very much in love,” Gabe replied as his tone grew
dark with passion, “He and I have been involved in something for quite
some time now and he’s not that love stricken teen that you fell for in
high school. He’s no longer living in those lies and now with this
new one, well Mindy, I see you as a woman hoping for something that just
isn’t going to be happening. Guy isn’t going to wake up tomorrow
and realize he’s not the man he believed himself to be. He’s not
going to magically turn around and realize that letting you go was a mistake
because while he cares very deeply about you, it’ll never be love.
Do you understand that?”
“Gabe, this isn’t your place to be saying something like this to me
especially when I’m putting my ass on the line to help the two of you out,”
Mindy snapped in response, “I told him flat out to come clean with Brooke
about your relationship, but he’s terrified of her. The woman is
just pure evil and she won’t stop pushing him. Time and time again
I’ve watched him be bulldozed by her and I’m not going to let it happen
again. Sure, you can tell me until you’re blue in the face that what
Guy and I have is history, but it’s that history that shows me all the
more reason why Guy needs me at his side. He needs someone who can
take on Brooke and put her in her place because he’s not going to do it
now when that woman lays guilt trip after guilt trip upon him…”
“Guy will tell her the truth when the time is right and when he does,
well I don’t want you to be in the shadows feeling as if you’ve been used
because…” Gabe started softening his tone.
“Don’t pretend you came here to spare my feelings,” Mindy glared at
him, “because I know a jealous lover when I see one and while you might
have formed some opinions about my relationship with Guy the other night,
well the truth is I know where his heart is. I know how he’d like
to be spending his nights and I’m well aware of the person he’d like to
be sharing them with. That being said, I’m not about to blow this
cover story Guy has going until he’s ready and if you can’t deal with that,
well maybe it’s time you take a step back and think about the emotions
you’re clearly pushing off on Guy when the real problem isn’t the fact
that Guy and I are pretending, but that you were the one who was married
and living a lie. You know first hand how sticky this situation is
and sure, you’d love to lash out at me because Guy hasn’t come clean with
his mother, but really, Gabe I saw how things were with you and Guy the
other night. You had no problems playing around with that Cathy girl
at the mansion, so maybe your feelings and motives are the ones who should
be questioned instead of mine or Guy’s…”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Gabe waved his hand at her dismissively, “My
feelings for Guy are very solid and I don’t intend to let him slip away…”
“Then maybe you should rethink coming over here and treating me like
the enemy because that’s not what I’m about,” Mindy threw back at him sharply,
“Sure, I love Guy and a part of me will always care about him, but don’t
think for a second that I would go out of my way to hurt him. He’s
very important to me and I want what’s best for him…even if that means
a life where I’m not in it, but that’s his choice to make--not yours!”
“Mindy, I’m not saying that…” Gabe began seeing the anger behind her
eyes as he stepped towards her, “All I’m…”
“I know what you’re all about Gabe and because I care about Guy’s best
interest, I’m going to pretend that we didn’t have this talk with one another
today because well, truth be told if I really took the time to think about
this, well I’d be rather upset and given the fact that I’ve been having
a really bad week here, well you really don’t want that,” Mindy opened
the door to Russell’s office, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to
do.”
“Mindy, I…” Gabe started once again seeing something behind her eyes
that clearly indicated there was more than she was letting on to she nodded
towards the door once again.
“Clearly you don’t do subtlety,” Mindy snapped turning her eyes up
towards him, “That means get out…like now.”
“Fine,” Gabe sighed approaching her as he adjusted his jacket, “but
for what it’s worth, I want you to understand that this is coming from
the fact that I care about Guy…”
“And that’s where I’m at as well and I don’t think either one of us
should forget that,” she replied with a frown watching him walk out of
the offices as she slammed the door behind her realizing that while she’d
hoped she could come up with some easy solution to the situation they all
were in, things were becoming more complicated by the second. Sure,
maybe she’d had some thoughts after the dinner with Brooke about her and
Guy, but now, well now right now she had more important things to deal
with as she refused to let herself get caught up in a dream that would
never be as Gabe was right, she and Guy were ancient history and it was
time to look into the future from here on out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Diane opened another file drawer and began searching for her current target. While the Christmas season was always a slow period for BBK, there had been dozens of microfilms stored in the archives over the last few weeks. She hadn’t imagined that a search of microfilm would be so extensive, but she was beginning to feel as if she were looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.
She glanced over the folder of microfilm before returning it to the drawer and thumbing through more files. This wasn’t how she had envisioned being back at work, but it seemed like nothing had turned out quite the was she’d envisioned lately. Christmas dinner at her mother’s was supposed to be a wonderful first experience with Ben, but Deidra had found a way to turn that to her advantage. Then…the dinner with Annie…and that nightmare, Blake.
As if she’d known Diane had been thinking about her, Blake stood in the doorway and cleared her throat, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Diane spun on her heel and glared at Blake, “I’m working…not that you would have any clue in the world as to what that is.”
Blake rolled her eyes, “If you’re looking for the microfilm, it’s not here.”
“And why would I believe you?”
“Fine, don’t believe me. I don’t really care, but I’m sure there’s something useful you could be doing upstairs at your desk instead of being down here rummaging through BBK’s archives,” Blake paused, “Unless you’re down here to pilfer through our files in order to sell our secrets to Stone Corp.”
“I would never betray BBK. I love this job,” Diane defended herself, “And if the microfilm isn’t here, why would you be down here in the archives?”
“That’s none of your business,” Blake said boldly as she crossed her arms, “I don’t answer to the hired help.”
“Oh bite me, Blake,” Diane snorted as she turned back to the filing cabinet.
“How dare you speak to me that way!” Blake seethed, “I’ll have you fired so fast it’ll make your head spin.”
“I don’t work for you, Blake. I work for Brant, and he’s never once been disappointed in my work,” Diane shrugged off Blake’s remarks.
“I’m sure Brant wouldn’t be, but he’s not the sole owner of this company. Kenneth and I also own shares,” Blake reminded her, “I can get rid of you.”
“And what exactly would that do for you, Blake?” Diane asked as she turned to face her nemesis, “Make you feel like you’ve won against me? I think the fact that you live in that big mansion on the hill says it all. If you had to live my life for one day, you’d be bawling your privileged little eyes out.”
“Don’t start acting like you’re pitiful, Diane. We both know that you could always fall on your back and make money the old fashioned way…like you’re accustomed to,” Blake said sourly.
Diane took a deep breath and looked away from Blake, “You don’t know anything about me, Blake. You’re just blinded by that pedestal you’ve got yourself on. I guess the air is too thin up there for you to think clearly so I’m just going to let all the stupid things you say slide right by.”
Blake tossed her blond hair off her shoulder as she held her head high, “It’s just us girls here, Diane. Why don’t you tell the truth now and admit that you’re only after Ben to get to the Ashford millions?”
“Oh give me a break,” Diane groaned as she turned and pushed the file drawer closed. She picked up her note pad and started towards the door, “I don’t have to listen to you.”
“Right now, yes you do,” Blake declared as she stood in her enemy’s way, “I want you to stay away from Ben, and stay away from my family,” She paused, “I’ll even make it worth your while.”
“What?” Diane asked with shock evident on her features.
“I’ll give you fifty thousand to walk away and never look back,” Blake searched Diane’s eyes for a moment, “That should make a girl like you comfortable for a while.”
Diane met Blake’s eyes, “My god, you’re serious, aren’t you?” She laughed softly, “You know I pity you, Blake.”
“Pity me?” Blake asked in offense.
“Yeah, you have no idea what the value of a really enjoyable relationship is. So yeah, I pity you,” Diane brushed by Blake, “Fifty thousand doesn’t even begin to break the surface,” She snorted as she left Blake standing alone.
Blake crossed her arms as she watched Diane disappear into an elevator down the hall, “Then we’ll just have to see what will,” She said as she held her head high, more determined than ever to rid all the men close to her of a parasite like Diane Stevens.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“You ready to do this,” Shannon questioned turning to Dave as the stood
at the terminal of the airport with one another.
“I’m never really ready for this kind of thing on the job, but what
choice do we have here,” Dave sighed realizing that they had a less than
settling task ahead of them as he watched the plane before him realizing
that things were about to take a downward spiral in Avery’s life as he’d
found himself in a position to deliver some bad news to a woman who’d clearly
had enough to deal with lately.
“Come on,” Shannon broke through his thoughts, “we shouldn’t put this
off,” she decided guiding him towards the doors where Avery and company
would be coming through from their ride home overseas.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Let me get that for you honey,” Russell reached out for Avery’s small
suitcase taking it from her as they entered the airport with her father,
Judy and Deidra just up ahead of them.
“Russ, I can handle it,” Avery began to argue with him holding her
bag closer to her, “It’s really no big deal.”
“Can’t a husband just spoil his wife for a few minutes here,” he paused
reaching out for her arm to stop her mid-step as he looked to her determined
eyes, “Avery, come on. At least let me take care of you for a few
minutes here after the day we’ve had…”
“Russ, you take care of me just fine,” Avery insisted with a sigh,
“but I don’t want you to feel you have to go above and beyond the normal
limits here because I’m pregnant.”
“Did you ever think that maybe I’m doing it because I love you,” he
wrapped his arm around her waist urging her to drop the suitcase as he
pulled her into his arms more completely, “That maybe I just wanted to
do something nice for my wife…”
“Hmm, well since you put it that way,” she threw her arms around his
neck enjoying the warmth of his words, “well maybe I wouldn’t mind it so
much.”
“Somehow I was hoping you’d appreciate that line of thinking,” he tipped
down to kiss her tenderly as Richard looked over his shoulder shaking his
head at the newlyweds before back tracking and scooping up Avery’s discarded
bag before moving up to join Deidra and Judy once again.
“I think we’d be best to keep going for a while and give them a few
minutes,” Richard offered up tickled by his daughter’s happiness as Judy
turned to look over her shoulder seeing the two newlyweds wrapped up in
an embrace.
“It’s nice to see them like that as love is always so wonderful,” Judy
noted with a smile thinking of how she’d always wanted to have that kind
of relationship in her life after her time with Richard had come to an
abrupt end.
“So I’m learning,” he snaked his arm around her possessively, “and
don’t think that I’ve forgotten about the promises I’ve made you darling
as this trip may have been cut short, but there is so very much in store
for us in the future…”
“I’m really starting to believe that,” Judy tipped up on her toes to
kiss him as Deidra took in the exchange between the two of them shaking
her head as while she’d tried not to let it get to her, she’d had more
than her fill of happy couples in love with one another.
“I think I’m going to go look for the other bags,” Deidra rushed up
refusing to look back at her mother and Richard as all she really wanted
to do was work on getting back to her mother’s place where she could start
looking for a new place to live as she slowly got back into the swing of
things once again as it was becoming increasingly obvious that moving forward
was her only option.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Look all I’m saying is that you really shouldn’t have…” Kenneth began
continuing the dreaded conversation with Caitlin now as they walked through
the Coral Valley airport with one another, “I mean it’s bad enough that…”
“As I said before I didn’t really intend to blurt it out like that,
but with the way Brant is, I just couldn’t help myself,” she explained
with a heavy sigh, “I mean really in it’s own way I’m sure it’s going to
even itself out as I did Avery a favor sort of. Now she won’t have
to worry about Brant freaking out on her as Russell’s assured me that he
and Avery are going to take a few weeks for the honeymoon…”
“Yes, I realize this, but still I don’t think Brant’s really come to
terms with the truth about the situation considering that he doesn’t believe
it’s the truth,” Kenneth admitted looking back to find his brother lagging
behind as he deal with the pilot for a few minutes longer. “He’s
not ready to believe that Russell and Avery are married and…”
“And nothing. Your brother is just going to have to open up his
eyes and face the reality of the situation he’s found himself in.
Avery doesn’t love him and she’s finally happy with the man she loves.
If he really cares about her, then he’ll grow up and get over it and move
on with his life,” Caitlin stated matter of fact.
“You really hate him, don’t you?” Kenneth watched her closely trying
to read her expressions as he realized this was so unlike the Caitlin he’d
grown to care so deeply about. Not that she was wrong, but with the
way she’d raged on about Brant lately, he was starting to wonder if it
was Brant she hated per se or something else that was more deep rooted
by her past with Jimmy.
“I just hate the kind…you know the man who thinks he can bully a woman
around because the mood strikes him,” Caitlin declared firmly as she tossed
her hair back over her shoulder, “and while I know you love your brother,
well the truth to the matter is that I don’t think his being around Avery
is a good thing. Clearly he’s a man obsessed and you said it yourself
that you were worried about him…”
“Well, of course I am, but I still think that the timing…” Kenneth’s
words were interrupted as someone ran right smack into him. He spun
around catching a woman in her fall as they both nearly toppled over in
the movement.
“I’m so sorry,” she apologized quickly.
“Allow me,” Kevin began as her luggage spilled over the ground and
she bent down to pick it up at the same time Kenneth did and the both bumped
heads.
“Ouch,” she cried out rubbing at her forehead as Kenneth stammered
backwards landing on the ground beside her as an ache built up behind his
temple as well, “oh my…I made such a mess here with not looking and,” she
began to apologize turning her eyes up towards him as her jaw dropped in
surprise.
“Deidra?” Kenneth’s eyes widened as the pain in his forehead was replaced
by a smile that lifted over his features as he reached out to her, “Deidra,
hey, what are you doing in Coral Valley?”
“It’s a long story,” Deidra began with a smile of her own as she rubbed
her now aching temple. She looked to her scattered underwear on the
airport floor before her as she quickly began to pluck it up feeling embarrassment
flooding over her.
“I never expected to run into you here,” Kenneth’s grin expanded as
he greeted her warmly taking the opportunity to help her collect her belongings
as she stuffed them into the suitcase she’d been carrying.
“Here you are,” Caitlin bent down handing over a few of the things
Deidra had dropped in the process as Kenneth pulled himself up off of the
ground offering his hand to help Deidra once she’d finished locking up
her suitcase once again.
“Thank you,” Deidra smiled up at her as Kenneth helped Deidra to her
toes once again.
“You’re very welcome,” Caitlin smiled at her curiously, “You two know
one another?”
“Ah yes, Deidra and I went to high school together,” Kenneth nodded
brightly motioning to Deidra, “Caitlin Vaughn, this is a very dear friend
of mine Deidra Byrne. Deidra, this is Caitlin a very special lady
in my life.”
“It’s…” Deidra began to correct him about her newly single status before
stopping herself and smiling back at him. She turned her attention
to Caitlin before offering her hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you….”
“Likewise,” Caitlin replied with a nod as Kenneth continued to speak
with Deidra.
“So what brings you back to town? Last I’d heard your mom said
that you and Andy ran off to Florida with one another to make the hospitals
down there a safer place to be,” Kenneth began curiously.
“Yeah, well unfortunately for Andy he’s ancient history,” Deidra confessed
with a half smile.
“Good,” Kenneth blurted out as a look of embarrassment flooded over
him, “I guess I shouldn’t have said that, but the truth to the matter is
that you could’ve done so much better than that jerk all those years ago.
Did you just get back in? Does Dave know you’re back in town?”
“I ran into him a few days ago, but well, my mother’s new boyfriend
had us fly out of town for a while to surprise his daughter for the holiday’s
and…” she began as Dave approached the group with a look of concern over
his features.
“Ken, where’s Avery?” Dave questioned cutting straight to the point
as he looked to Deidra in confusion, “hey, what are you doing here?”
“I just got back in town after taking a trip with my mother and…” Deidra
started as Shannon approached the group dismissing all the pleasantries
as she went straight to business once again.
“Is she here,” Shannon questioned bluntly as she looked to Ken, “Where’s
your brother?”
“My brother’s just getting off the plane,” Kenneth began with a frown,
“but if you’re looking for Avery to be with us, well she’s not as she is
off on her…” he paused as Deidra’s words suddenly began to register with
him, “you just said you went off with your mother and her boyfriend which
I’m guessing is Richard Morrison.”
“Well yes, but…” Deidra gave him a strange look.
“And his daughter is Avery,” Caitlin’s eyes widened in surprise as
she and Kenneth exchange worried glances.
“Yeah Avery and I met on the trip but…” Deidra began in confusion as
she looked to Dave, “this wouldn’t be about that horrible incident on the
island, would it? I mean the police down there said that they’d get
on it right away but…”
“What incident,” Dave questioned as he looked to Shannon, “Deidra,
what happened?”
“Well she got this package on her honeymoon and it had all these pictures
and a human heart…” Deidra explained worry evident in her tone. “I
mean at the time, well they said they’d look into it, but I didn’t realize
that they’d call all the way back here…”
“Did you just say her honeymoon?” Shannon’s ears perked up as she looked
to Kenneth, “You just said that Avery wasn’t with you.”
“She’s not,” Kenneth began to explain before another thought occurred
to him, “Deidra, did you just say you came in with your mother, Richard
and…”
“Avery and her husband,” Deidra nodded in response, “We all came home
right after the package arrived and…”
“Oh God,” Kenneth’s face paled as he looked to Caitlin realizing that
fate had thrown them another curve as she gasped in response.
“Brant…” her eyes widened thinking about what she’d told him on the
island as the thought of Brant, Avery and Russell coming face to face with
one another brought Kenneth to a panic.
“We have to stop him from seeing them together,” Kenneth decided racing
off to go seek out his brother before things could turn uglier than he’d
imagined.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“So anyways as soon as I hear from Ms. Morrison I‘ll expect you to be
fueled up and ready to go as I‘ve been…” Brant continued explaining to
the pilot as his cell phone rang from inside of his pocket and he pulled
it out ready to hear the word on the other end of the line as he recognized
his private investigator’s number. “Tell me you’ve got something
good for me.”
“Well, I started looking into the situation with Caitlin Vaughn and
I’m coming up with a few things that might make you happy, but this Meloni
woman, well she’s not coming up on any of the local searches and I just
wondered if you…”
“Keep searching on it,” Brant turned away from the pilot, “but before
we get onto those two, tell me you found out something more on Russell
Denton’s whereabouts…”
“I do have an answer for you on that one as he’s just come into…” the
man began as Kenneth rushed up to Brant pulling his cell phone out of his
hands and turning it off as Brant spun around to glare at him.
“What the hell is your problem,” Brant growled at him reaching for
his phone, “Give me that back.”
“Brant, we need to get home,” Kenneth pleaded with him desperate to
keep his brother from having a run in with Russell and Avery, “Blake called
and she needs us right away…”
“Blake,” Brant’s tone soften as worry filled his eyes, “What’s wrong
with Blake?”
“Well, she…she didn’t say. She just indicated that it was important
that we…” Kenneth began as the cell phone started ringing once again.
“That we what?” Brant’s voice grew thick with concern, “Ken, what’s
going on with our sister?”
“Well she,” Kenneth’s eyes darted past Brant as he saw Russell and
Avery entering the airport arm in arm as laughter consumed her. Desperate
to get Brant away from the situation, he reached out to take Brant’s arm
tugging him towards the exit, “Come on we need to…”
“Hey lighten up would you,” Brant shoved his brother away from him,
“I want to know what’s going on with our sister…”
“I’ll tell you on the ride home as Simon should be here waiting to
pick us up,” Kenneth lied hoping to avoid disaster as he lead Brant along.
“Well, then if Blake’s in some kind of trouble,” Brant dismissed his
thoughts about fighting for his cell phone as he stepped in the direction
Kenneth began to lead him in.
“Mr. Ashford,” the pilot beckoned him mid-step as Kenneth felt Brant
cease movement, “You forgot your wallet.”
“Oh right,” Brant started to turn as Kenneth tugged on his arm.
“Brant don’t,” Kenneth begged of him in a final attempt to avoid the
chaos he was certain would follow as Brant gave him a confused look.
“Ken, I need my wallet before we can leave,” Brant shrugged out of
his brother’s grasp as he spun around to retrieve the wallet only to witness
the scene before him as Avery swatted at Russell’s chest before he pulled
her into his arms bringing her up off of the floor into his arms as his
mouth claimed hers in a heated kiss. As Brant watched Avery throw
her arms around Russell’s shoulders, anger consumed him as his wallet became
an afterthought and he marched over towards the happy couple ready to give
them hell.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I love you Mrs. Denton,” Russell whispered against her lips as he squeezed
her closer to him.
“I love you too,” she replied in a soft purr as she nibbled on his
lower lip, “but if you don’t get us home, well I think you’re going to
have an ugly situation on your hands as I really don’t feel up to giving
the world a peep show with some freak watching our every move.”
“Point well taken,” Russell agreed thinking of the reason their honeymoon
had been cut short as he slowly lowered her to the ground once again while
keeping her in his arms, “though promise me when we get home, we’ll close
all the blinds and lock up the house long enough for us to work on that
honeymoon tradition that comes after my carrying you over the threshold
to our home…”
“It’s a deal,” Avery agreed with a hint of a smile as he leaned down
to kiss her once again and she closed her eyes anticipating the kiss, but
instead she felt a gust of wind rush past her as Russell toppled to the
ground before her.
“You son of a bitch,” she heard roared into the air as the scene before
her unfolded with Brant on top of a confused Russell pounding at him wildly
with anger surging through him as Avery blinked again unable to believe
what was taking place before her. She watched as Russell lunged forward
at Brant fighting off Brant’s attack while they managed to knock over various
carts of luggage around them as suddenly her worst nightmare came to life
before her eyes as the two men in her life were well on their way to tearing
one another apart as all hell broke loose in Coral Valley.