Luke helps the bellhop with the bags, then tips the nice young man. He tells us to call down to the desk if we need anything. Shutting the door behind him, Luke leans up against it, letting out a deep breath.
I know the feeling, I think as I watch Lex begin to explore the suite. My mouth opens to tell her to be careful and not touch things, but I stop myself before the words come out. Let her live a little. It’s not like the Cravens can’t afford to pay for damages if something happens.
I walk to the window and pull back the curtains, staring down at the busy street below. Boston is everything Cape Craven is not. Stately. Sophisticated.
And most of all, free of Cravens.
I smile. I think I’m going to enjoy this trip.
51
Ax
It’s early afternoon when I leave my father’s side to rustle up something for lunch. I tell Cook not to bother, that I can make my old man a sandwich and find the ingredients needed to pull together a decent lunch.
Dad is frowning at the television when I return. A familiar voice comes out of the television speakers, and I turn to look. Leigh stands in front of a crowd, and I realize she’s at the foundation offices.
My chest tightens. My so-called stepmother is spinning out some plan for a fundraiser. I turn to my father in confusion.
“Did you know about this?”
“I don’t know shit about shit,” he grumbles.
I choose to take my father’s bad attitude as a good sign. He’s certainly ornery, but at least he’s getting some color back. Chuck checks in with another cup of pills which I take from him but don’t administer to my father. I need to find a way to get the old man assessed, to find out what pills he really needs and which ones are just there to keep him confused and passive.
I start to scroll through my phone, looking for doctors in the next county over. Maybe the next time Leigh wanders off to tease the press or whatever it is she’s doing, I can sneak Dad out for an appointment.
When my father starts bitching about being cooped up in his room, I help him down the hall and out on the terrace again. The sunshine perks up his mood a bit, and he starts running through strategies to get his company back in order. My father has always been a sharp man, especially when he has his wits about him, and I’m pleased to see that the effects of his medication are starting to wear off. Perhaps there won’t be any lasting damage, beyond the damage it’s doing to his relationship with my brother.
His words trail off as he looks out over the garden. “Who would have thought it? I trusted your brother with everything, and now it looks like I have nothing.”
“You’ve still got plenty, Dad, even if Brent’s actions end up sinking your company. You’re still a wealthy man, and you’ve got a beautiful new wife you love.”
The mention of Leigh puts a smile on the old man’s face. Although she’s gorgeous, I still have to wonder what my father sees in her, beyond the obvious.
“That’s right. And now, it seems, I’m a grandfather. Officially, at least. When am I going to get to meet my granddaughter?”
My eyes widen in astonishment. “I sort of expected you to declare her illegitimate. I’m surprised you’re taking an interest in her.”
My father shrugs. “I can’t undo the past, no matter how much I might want to. And I’ve spent too much of my life being angry at what I consider other people’s mistakes. I’ve been hanging around here for months, barely stringing my thoughts together. Now that I’m in my right mind again, I don’t want to waste any more time.”
“That’s a good way of seeing things, Dad.”
“It’s better than being bitter,” he mutters, and I realize that although he’s got good intentions, like me he might have a little trouble following them. I pity my brother, now that my Dad has turned his back on him as well. Heaven help Brent if he ever does come home.
“My daughter and her mother should be around this afternoon. Sabrina took Lex to work with her today, but they’ll be back soon.”
My father looks at me, and I realize I’ve neglected to tell him the whole sordid story about the kidnapping. When I finish, his face is lined with weariness. “Your brother paid some assholes to kidnap your daughter and her mother? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since he’s tanked my business and kept me doped up for months.” He shakes his head. “I just wish I had seen it sooner.”
I don’t bother to tell him he could have seen it five years ago when Brent had me sent to prison, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter now. We need to start things off on new footing if my father and I are going to work through our issues. I’ve got to learn to forgive and move on.
I might be able to do that with my father, but there’s no way forgive-and-forget is going to work for Brent. If I see that motherfucker, I’m going to take him out. No fucks given.
Chuck is just bringing us some lemonade when we hear a car pull up. A few minutes later, the telltale click of high heels on hardwood comes our way, as Leigh shows herself onto the terrace. “There’s my boys,” she says, and my dad’s face lights up.
“Come give me sugar,” he says, managing to stand up all on his own.
Leigh smiles and stands on tiptoe to place a kiss on his mouth. The way he looks at her proves to me that he loves her. Even if I can’t understand it, it’s there. I wonder idly if I seem such a love-struck fool when I look at Sabrina.
“What are you guys doing out here? Taking in the sun?”
“We’ve been talking about the company. And I saw your little interview in front of the foundation today. Care to comment?” My dad’s voice is calm, but I can sense something beneath his well-modulated tone.
Leigh laughs. “Just doing my duty, sir. Since all the press about Craven Industries right now is bad, I figured I’d try to do something good to capitalize on the attention. So I announced a fundraiser for a new charity initiative, something that will make people feel like we’re doing nice things for humanity.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” my father says, clasping his young wife around her slender waist.
I lean back in my seat and watch my father and Leigh interact. She’s sweet to him, tender, hovering over him while he makes his way back to his seat.
“I hate to rain on this parade, my love, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s wise for you to be spending so much time out of bed. You know what the doctor said. You—”
“Damn doctors,” my father grumbles. “They’d have me hooked to machines that I pay to breathe for me if they had their way.”
Leigh frowns, settling herself in my father’s lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. I can barely hear what she’s saying to him. “I know it’s frustrating, but I almost lost you, and I don’t want to go through that again. If the doctor says you need the rest, then you need it.”
“Maybe we should consider a second opinion.”
Leigh looks at me, her eyes hooded. She clearly doesn’t like me inserting myself into my father’s care plan. But I’ve walked on eggshells around here for too long.
“Hear me out, Leigh. My brother’s responsible for the decline of my family’s business interests. Maybe he’s at least partially responsible for my father’s decline as well.”
“What are you talking about? Are you still babbling about your little conspiracy theory?” Her tongue is sharp, and my father eyes her like he’s not seen this side of her before.
“I think the truth speaks for itself. If my father isn’t doped up, he’s able to move around and speak with clarity.”
Her eyes narrow. “So you stopped his meds again, after the conversation we had before. You have no idea the effect it could have on him.”
“I do have an idea. Just look at him. He’s not drooling, for one. And—”
Leigh slides off my father’s lap and stalks closer to me. Her index finger is out and wagging in my direction. “I understand that medications often have unpleasant side effects, but that doesn’t render them totally useless. Are you looking for your father
to have another stroke? Especially in this particularly stressful time? If so, then by all means, don’t give him his medication.”
“Honey,” my father says, standing up and hugging her from behind. “I feel much better, honestly. And maybe Alexander is right. Maybe his brother was messing with my medications. If he’s capable of having people kidnapped, he’s capable of keeping me doped up and out of the way.”
Leigh turns in his arms and links her hands behind his neck. “Please, Christopher. I don’t ask you for very much. Let me have this one thing. Take your meds, at least until we can get a doctor over here to re-evaluate you.”
My dad puts a hand to her cheek, and I realize he’s brushing away tears. My brow furrows. Leigh is still an enigma to me. I know she’s up to something, but maybe it’s just the typical bored housewife looking to stir up drama. Maybe she really cares about my father and wants what’s best for him. Maybe she’s not so much a trophy wife as a partner.
I’d like to believe that. I want my father to be happy, despite what’s happened between us over the years. And if Leigh makes him happy, then I’ll just have to accept her. Like he’ll have to accept Sabrina and Lex. Speaking of…
“Where’s Sabrina and Lex? Did you see them earlier when you were at the foundation?”
Leigh looks over her shoulder. “Briefly. I’m not sure where they are now.” She puts her arm through my father’s and leads him toward his bedroom. “How about a little rest before supper?”
My father chuckles. “Only if you’ll lay down beside me.”
“I might be persuaded. Will you be taking your pills?”
I hold my breath, waiting for Dad’s answer. “Not right now,” he says, and Leigh pulls away from him, opening her mouth to argue. He stops her. “I’m fine, as you can see. Now stop picking fights and take your husband to his bedroom.”
They leave the terrace, and I’m suddenly alone. I check my phone. It’s almost five o’clock. Sabrina and Lex should be returning soon.
Finding my way downstairs, I take up residence in the parlor next to the front entryway. I can’t help myself. I want to see them again, Sabrina and my daughter. It’s only been eight hours or so, but it feels like a lifetime. Will it always feel this way? Part of me doesn’t want to have to deal with the longing, but another part, a part that’s wanted Sabrina since I first saw her, that part knows how much I would miss needing her.
A half hour passes, and then an hour, and I’m pacing the front corridor, wondering what could have delayed them. I even resort to pulling up some news stations on my phone to see if something is happening downtown that affects them. But Sabrina is nowhere to be seen on the feeds, just recaps of Leigh’s little speech and the goings-on at Craven Industries.
When another hour goes by, I decide to find something more productive to do with my time. Telling myself that she probably stopped by home to check on her mother and grab a few things, I head up to my room and start clearing away some of the detritus of my childhood. Since I’ll be staying here for a while with Sabrina and Lex, it makes sense to get rid of some of my old toys and books.
I stumble across our high school yearbook and lose another hour looking at days gone by. Every picture of Sabrina makes my heart beat harder. She’s barely changed. Sabrina looks just as precious and angelic as she did back then. But there’s a shadow in her eyes lately, one that wasn’t there when we were just kids and hadn’t been hit with the responsibilities of real life yet.
I would give anything to make that shadow go away.
Tucking the yearbook away, I stand to stretch and notice that night is starting to fall. Where the heck is Sabrina?
Although I decided earlier to give her space, I can’t fight the thread of worry working its way up through my belly. Pulling out my phone, I hit her number and hold my breath.
Her voice comes on, and it sends a cascade of excitement through me before I realize it’s just her voicemail. Trying not to sound bossy, I ask her when she’ll be coming back home tonight. Then I text her. Just in case.
Dinner is a quieter affair than expected since three seats are empty. One, however, is unexpectedly filled. My father makes his way to the dinner table for the first time since his stroke, and I can see that Leigh is nonplussed.
Nothing much is said as we push food around our plates, preferring to keep company with our own thoughts. I spend most of my time watching my phone and waiting for a response from Sabrina. In that I am disappointed.
My father doesn’t eat much, but it’s got to be more than he was eating before. Leigh keeps a close eye on him, and I wonder again whether she could be involved in Dad’s medication malarkey. Maybe she is just a concerned spouse who wants what’s best for her beloved.
I remind myself to call a doctor tomorrow and offer a ridiculous sum for an immediate house call. It should answer some lingering questions once and for all.
After dinner, I offer to help my dad up the stairs to his room. He puts a shoulder around me, and we take the steps one-by-one. By the time we reach the top, he’s winded, but he’s got a smile on his face.
Leigh, however, is wearing a glower. When my father enters their room, she pulls me aside. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but may I remind you that you’re a guest in my house. And I can rescind that privilege tout de suite.”
“No games, Leigh. Tomorrow a doctor is going to look at him, and then we’ll know what’s really going on.”
Her lips compress, but she finally nods. “Fine. And if the doctor says he needs his meds, then you’re going to let me give them to him.”
I nod. She turns to go, but I put a hand on her arm. “Wait.”
She looks me up and down, cocking an eyebrow. “What?”
“Where’s Sabrina?”
Leigh looks confused. “And why do you think I have that information?’
“Because you saw her earlier. You were down there at the foundation. Did she say she was going to her mother’s house?”
Shaking her head, she blows a lock of hair out of her face. “Not to me.”
“You sure you don’t know where she is?”
“Maybe she needed a break from the Neanderthal she bred with. Can’t say I’d blame her.”
“Leigh, I’m asking you nicely.”
“And I’m telling you. She’s probably headed out of town with that hot bodyguard you gave her. Not too smart on your part, if you ask me. They’re probably shacked up somewhere, laughing at you.”
I turn away, annoyed. “Thanks for the hot tip.”
Her voice follows me down the hall. “That’s what she said.”
The house is quiet as I return to my bedroom. Calling Sabrina again gets me nowhere, and I don’t even bother to text. As much as I hate bringing others into what seems a personal squabble, things have now crossed a line. I’m worried, and Sabrina isn’t answering me. It’s time to call Luke.
The bodyguard answers his phone on the second ring. “Yeah?”
“It’s Ax,” I say, not wasting any time. “Are Sabrina and Lex with you?” And are they safe?
“Yeah. They’re fine.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Where are you guys?”
“Boston.”
“What the fuck? Boston? What are you doing there?” I jump up and begin to pace, a thousand terrible scenarios tumbling through my brain. “You’re kidnapping them,” I say, my voice full of fury. “That first run was just for show, to distract me, to make me trust you. What do you want with them, you sick fucking bastard?”
“Hang on, man,” Luke replies, his voice calm. “You’ve got it all wrong. Sabrina is here on business, and I’m guarding them. Like you pay me to.”
“On business? What the fuck business is this?” Nothing makes sense anymore.
“I figured Leigh would tell you. She sent Sabrina up here, to find venues for some fundraiser she’s organizing.”
And the pieces start falling into place. “Leigh sent you guys up there?”
“Yeah. And don’t worry, everything is fine.”
“Next time, a heads up would be nice. My stepmother isn’t so reliable at passing on news that doesn’t directly concern her.”
“Understood.”
I hang up and lie back on my childhood bed, staring up at the ceiling. At least I know Sabrina and Lex are safe with Luke. Even if it burns to know that they’re there with the bodyguard and not me. I’ve been ditched without a goodbye.
As the guy who usually does the leaving, I see now how much it sucks to be the one left behind.
52
Sabrina
Lex lets out a long “hello,” then giggles when her voice comes back to her in echo form. The Four Seasons hotel ballroom is massive, beautiful crystal chandeliers placed at intervals along the cream-colored ceiling and gold carpet underneath.
I could envision a lovely fundraising event being held here. Hell, Leigh could invite half the town and still have room. Still, it’s not my favorite space that I’ve seen today. That distinction belongs to the hotel we’re staying in.
The ballroom took my breath away. Arched windows surrounding the room with rounded corners, each covered in expensive silver hangings. A massive chandelier dominated the space, the wooden floors beneath reflecting its shine. If I ever get married, I hope it’s in a place like that. “Enchanting” is the only word that even comes close to describing it.
“Okay, I think we can head back to the hotel now,” I say, deciding to give into my gut and book its lavish ballroom for Leigh’s event. “You said you wanted to hit the swimming pool, right?”
“Heck yes!” Lex jumps with excitement and her energy is infectious. I have to keep her from racing down the hotel hallways. Our little vacation has been good for her. She’s been through so much, especially after I finally revealed her father to her. Lex deserves some time away from all that nonsense.
And so do I.
My phone vibrates again, and I don’t even pull it out this time. I know it’s Ax. He’s called a half dozen times and texted. Last night, after Lex was asleep in one of the suite’s three bedrooms and Luke was in the other, I claimed the third luxurious king bed for myself. I laid there, on the softest sheets I’ve ever experienced, my finger hovering over the call button for several minutes before I tossed the phone away in disgust.
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