by Jillian Dodd
"I keep dangerous company," Riley says with a laugh. Then he looks at me seriously. "So that guy at the club. Is he the guy you told me about? Your mom's ex?"
"Um, yeah. He . . ." I don't know what to say. I want to tell them both the truth so badly. But I can't. Just yesterday, I was going to tell Dawson everything. I can't fully trust anyone. And even though I do trust these boys, I also know they are human. They could accidentally say something about Abby being my mom. If that happened, the whole school would find out in seconds. And I can't risk it.
My phone rings, startling me.
Shit. It's Garrett.
"I need to answer this," I say to the boys.
I try to act nonchalant. "Hey, what's up?"
"Keatyn."
"Yes?"
"Where are you and why aren’t you wearing your necklace?”
“I'm out of town, but I think you already know that."
"Yes, I know that you’re in Miami. I know that you went to see Damian. I know that you had a run in with Vincent. I know that you tackled Damian on stage and were whisked into black Suburbans by what might have been the Secret Service."
“That about covers it. I’m fine.”
"I need to know what he said to you. Damian has already filled me in on the rest."
"I can't now,” I say and hang up.
I get tears in my eyes. What could have happened to me is sinking in.
I'm gonna start crying.
I look at Riley. He’s helped me so much. I’m not going to have another meltdown in front of him.
But it's coming.
"Uh, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go shower," I say, pointing toward the palatial bathroom.
"That's fine," Dallas says. "My dad is going to be here soon. He’s here in Miami but he’s out on a boat somewhere. They are choppering him in. He’ll want to talk to me alone."
He chugs his champagne then goes back into the living room, shutting the door behind him.
“I’m just going to lie on the bed, drink champagne, and think about how bad-ass that was,” Riley states. “I felt like I was in a spy movie or something.”
I nod, walk into the bathroom, shut the doors, turn on the shower, strip off my clothes, and stand under the warm water.
I let the water fall and start crying.
I look at the tattoo. It’s supposed to remind me of my first love, but now it feels violated and dirty.
I grab a washcloth and try to scrub it off.
I scrub and scrub and scrub.
When it won't come off, I sit on the shower floor, pull my knees up to my chest, drop my head to my knees, and let my emotions rack through me.
I cry about everything.
The way Dawson looked standing there in his closet.
How much I miss Damian.
The things Vincent said to me.
How he probably had Tiny killed.
How he's been following the breadcrumbs.
How he’s not going to stop.
How I know it’s just a matter of time before he shows up at school and gets me for real.
I suddenly realize the water has stopped running.
A towel is thrown across my body as Riley sits down next to me. “You’re not gonna sit in here all by yourself and cry."
"Where's Dallas?"
"His dad is here. He's out with him. And your friend Damian called, so I answered for you. He wanted you to know that he’s fine and that he’s sorry about everything."
I grab Riley’s shoulder, getting his shirt all wet, and cry into it until I have no more tears.
"I'm so glad you came with me, Riley. Otherwise, I’d have been here alone and I don't think I would’ve gotten away."
“What I don’t understand is why he wants to kidnap you. For ransom or something?"
"No. He doesn't need money. He wants to make my mom pay for whatever he thinks she did. He wants to hurt her by hurting me. He also thinks I look like her when they, um, dated. When they were young. He even called me by her name tonight.”
“That’s just sick. But don’t worry. You're safe now. Dallas and I will always make sure you’re safe."
"Did you know about Dallas? Like what he told me?"
Riley nods. "Yeah. They did full background checks on everyone at the school. Specifically chose me to be his roommate. They liked the fact that I had some military training and that I’m not afraid to break rules when necessary. They briefed me on his situation and asked me not to tell anyone. That’s why I was worried about you during Homecoming week. They told us with all the people coming and going we needed to be especially alert. Come on. Let's get you out of here. It's time to meet the senator."
While Riley goes out into the living room, I brush out my wet hair and put on a big fluffy robe. Not what I would usually choose for meeting a parent, let alone a senator, but it's going to have to do. I threw my clothes from the club in the trash and I’m not putting them back on.
I’m getting ready to walk out when I hear my name.
A voice I don’t recognize says, “Don’t you think it’s a little strange that this girl brings you to Miami and all of a sudden there’s a threat? Who is this girl, anyway?”
“We don’t know much about her, sir,” another voice says. “She apparently was admitted to the school at the last minute.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little odd? I want her background run now. I want to know everything about her.”
Shit.
I call Garrett quickly.
“Um, I have a question. How solid is my backstory? Like if someone starting digging. Like, the government, maybe. What would they find?”
“It will stand up. I’m good at what I do.”
“Okay, I won’t worry then.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on.”
I tell him about Dallas.
“You swore to me that you wouldn’t go see a friend again.”
“I know, but this was different. Brooklyn’s event was public and planned. This wasn’t. Damian said it was a surprise performance.”
“Yeah, one that the club owners leaked all over the internet.”
“I didn’t know that. Damian didn’t know that.”
“He knows how the industry works. He’s not stupid. He risked your life tonight.”
“He’s never done a surprise thing like this before. He’d never knowingly put me in danger.”
Out in the living room, the same voice says, “Son, you need to start thinking with your head and not your dick. I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“They think it’s my fault, Garrett. They think I may have set Dallas up to get kidnapped.”
“Who is his dad?”
“He’s a senator from Kentucky. Last name is McMahon.”
“I know senator McMahon quite well. Did security for his trip to Central America a few years back. When we were fighting the war on drugs instead of the war on terror. Let me talk to him.”
“Garrett, no. I don’t want Riley and Dallas to know who I am or the truth. I don’t want to put them in danger.”
“How did you explain the situation to them?”
“I told them that Vincent was my mom’s ex-boyfriend. That he’s been stalking me.”
“That’s a pretty good story. And don’t worry about your background. I’ll call the senator myself. I’m also working on a new plan for your security. We’re going to be making some changes.”
“Garrett, one other thing. When I talked to Vincent, he told me about how he’s been following the breadcrumbs to find me. He never once mentioned anything about school. I’m positive he doesn’t know where I am.”
“Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all night.”
He hangs up, so I walk out into the living room.
Even though he was just talking trash about me a few moments ago, the senator gets off the couch with an outstretched hand. He's tall and broad-shouldered with perfect white hair and eyes as blue as Dallas'.
I shake hi
s hand just as his phone rings.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.” He steps away from the living area.
“I heard what your dad was saying,” I say to Dallas. “I would never want anyone to hurt you.” I start getting tears in my eyes just thinking about someone hurting him or Riley.
He gives me a hug. “He’s just watching out for me. What we went through was scary.”
I nod my head into his chest, completely understanding.
The senator ends his call and sits on the couch again.
“So, Miss Monroe, I just spoke to our mutual friend.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I understand the situation now. We’ve decided to join forces.”
I sort of squint my eyes at him. I’m pretty sure that whatever they are planning, we’re not going to like. I’m pretty sure Garrett’s ready to put me in solitary confinement on the moon right about now.
Dallas says, “Join forces?”
“Miss Monroe went to Eastbrooke at the last minute because she is in a similar situation. An old boyfriend of her mother’s is stalking her.”
I smile. Garrett lied. To a Senator. For me. I want to reach through the phone and kiss him.
Dallas says, “So you lied too?”
“Just about that,” I say, but then I add, “mostly.”
“It sounds like you kids had quite the scare, either way.”
“I’m so sorry for all the trouble I caused."
The Senator puts his hand on top of mine and says, "I'd much rather you overreact and be wrong, than not react and be in danger. You kids can stay here in the suite, relax, and try to enjoy what's left of your weekend. We'll make sure you get back to school safely."
The sun is starting to come up when he finally finishes the list. He opens the drapes and watches the sunrise over Biscayne Bay.
“Don’t worry, Lacy,” he says aloud. “I’d never let anything happen to you.”
In his mind, Lacy places the taper into a candlestick and sets it on the kitchen table.
Then she smiles at him. The corners of her mouth form a little smirk, which slowly spreads into the megawatt smile that is just for him.
Thanks, Vince, she says sweetly, blushing.
He closes the drapes tightly, goes into the bedroom of the suite, strips down, and lies on the bed.
When he closes his eyes, he’s back in the club. He recalls what she was wearing. The soft satin bustier that highlighted her long neck, delicate collarbones, and delightful décolletage. The short-as-sin leather mini skirt covered in safety pins, studs, and rhinestones—the kind of skirt not just anyone could pull off. Although, he would have liked to. Even through the tough exterior of the leather, he could feel the softness of her waist and hips. He loved how the skirt showcased her long legs. And then there were the shoes. Or boots. Silver platforms topped with fur. What was that song about boots and fur? How everyone at the club would look at that girl? That girl was Lacy. But she only had eyes for him on the dance floor. Her body moved in perfect harmony with his. Their beings connected. Their tattoos making love. It was perfection. He and Lacy are joined together in a spiritual way.
She can’t fight it. She is his destiny.
Little does Keatyn know when she has breakfast on the balcony overlooking the bay, that Vincent is literally in the suite just below, dreaming about her.
We slept in late, got up, ordered a huge breakfast, and ate it overlooking the bay.
I stay out on the deck because it’s so incredibly peaceful.
Vincent wakes with a start. He’d been having a nightmare. Lacy was trapped, calling out for him. He vows to find her—rescue her. He replays everything she said to him at the club. Dissecting it. She had to have given him a clue to her whereabouts. Something subtle so that those watching her wouldn’t suspect. He keeps coming back to one line. "I just told you I’m in the witness protection program. Even my family doesn't know where I am.” Then she put on a French accent. "I am a foreign exchange student named Michelle."
Foreign exchange student. That’s it. Of course, they would keep her in school. His thought process is interrupted by his phone ringing. It’s the office.
“Sharpe,” he says by way of greeting.
“Mr. Sharpe, I just wanted to update you on the casting for A Day at the Lake. We have contacted Sander’s agent and he might be interested. And we are getting quite a buzz going about the auditions. I even have someone who I think might be perfect to play Lacy. Although, there are some great agencies in Miami. Maybe you should get in contact with them while you are there.”
A thought sparks in his mind. “That’s actually a really good idea. Thank you.”
“Of course, Mr. Sharpe.”
Vincent stays in Miami and contacts every modeling and talent agency personally. He shows them a photo of Lacy from the movie and lets them know that he’s looking for someone who looks like her. That he wants to cast an unknown. That he needs their help.
It can’t hurt to have a few extra boots on the ground.
By the time he gets back to L.A., he’s decided he might as well go all in.
When Abby finds out from Garrett how narrowly Keatyn escaped Vincent in Miami, she decides to accelerate her plan. Thanks to on-set gossip, the tabloids are already speculating that her and Tommy’s marriage is in trouble. What she needs now is for people to believe one of them is having an affair. She considers going out to dinner with their hot costar, but is afraid that rumors of her having an affair would somehow anger Vincent further—and she can’t risk that.
But after a few days without coming up with an alternative plan, she asks the man to join her for dinner under the guise of getting to know him better before their upcoming love scenes. Fortunately, that same day, Tommy mentions that he’s flying back home for the night to meet with her best friend, Millie, and the producer of her prime time soap opera. They have a cameo role they’d love for him to do and want to discuss. Since Millie and her husband, Deron, are their close friends, Tommy feels obliged to go.
After giving him her blessing, Abby sits in her dressing room thinking. People will feel sorry for her if she’s the one being cheated on. They will pity her. Would that soften Vincent’s anger toward her? If he truly was obsessed with her, it might. She hates throwing her husband and best friend under the bus. She hates the thought of anyone thinking Millie and Deron’s marriage is in jeopardy.
But she’s a mother first.
And her children are in danger.
She has no choice. So she makes a call, tipping off the paparazzi about Tommy and Millie’s date.
I’m putting my mascara on, getting ready for class, when my phone buzzes with a text.
I glance down at it.
Garrett: Meet me at that little diner in town in 20 minutes. We need to talk about Miami.
Me: You’re here? In town? What’s wrong?
Garrett: I need to talk to you.
Me: You have bad news? What’s wrong??!!! Is my family okay??
Garrett: They’re fine. We just have a lot to talk about.
Me: Okay.
I sign myself out of school, pretending to have a dentist appointment, and drive to the diner.
Garrett meets me outside my car. The first thing he does is pull me into a hug.
“I swear, you’re going to give me gray hair. I’m glad you’re okay.”
I pull away, pleasantly surprised by his hug.
“Are we going to talk about Tiny? Did you find some clues to connect him with Vincent? Is he going to jail for a very long time? Can I go back home?”
He sighs and shakes his head. “Afraid not. The guy’s like teflon. I can’t get anything to stick.”
“What if we set him up?”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Set him up?”
“Yeah, planted some evidence. Made it look like he killed Tiny. Tip off the cops.”
“I believe in justice, Keatyn. But I won’t discard my morals.”
“So, I guess that means hir
ing a hit man to take him out isn’t an option?”
Garrett laughs and shakes his head at me. “Very funny,” he says, but then his face gets serious. “There are a few things going on that I want you to know about.”
“I’m about to get the bad news now, right?”
He hands me a tabloid magazine. Sprawled across the front page is a large headline. Tommy’s Affair With Abby’s Best Friend. Below is a photo of Tommy hugging Millie. The photo looks damaging. Millie is getting into a car and it does look like he’s saying goodbye to his lover. He’s hugging her tighter than usual.
“This can’t be true.”
“It’s not. Tommy, Millie, and a producer had dinner together in L.A. a few nights ago. They’re trying to convince Tommy to guest star in a few episodes of Millie’s prime time soap opera. She was tired, so she asked Tommy to walk her out to the car. The reason he’s hugging her so tightly is she just told him the reason for her being tired.”
My eyes get big. “She’s pregnant, isn’t she? Oh, my gosh! I’m so excited for her and Deron!”
“She is pregnant. But the press is going crazy. Pulling out any old photos of them together without Abby. Or cropping Abby out of the picture. Their publicists expect this to get worse before it gets better. I just wanted to make sure you don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks, Garrett, I appreciate it.”
“Now, for something a little more disturbing.” He hands me another paper. This one has the words Press Release across the top of it.
