In exchange, she had promised Neil that Michael would never find out. She was using a phone that Avery had given her a few weeks before, because Michael was tracking her calls. Neil’s phones weren’t tapped. He was an expert at doing this stuff and was therefore an expert at protecting himself from it, but they wouldn’t take the chance. He used an untraceable cell phone.
“You’re former CIA,” Kimberly said. “What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid,” Neil said. “I just don’t like clients spreading bad news about me. Your family can cost me a lot of business.”
“Well, they’ll never know about this.”
“Haven’t you said that before?” Neil asked. “Like, two times before.”
“You took the ten grand,” she said, “so speak.”
“I can’t believe you don’t know who this chick’s lover is. Keenan? The name doesn’t even sound remotely familiar?”
“I know a lot of people,” she said, “and it sounds familiar, but I can’t place anything to it. Are you saying I know him?”
“Let me put it this way. His full name is Keenan Brady Chase.”
Kimberly gasped. “What? Who? Oh my God.”
It suddenly hit her, and she had to sit down on the edge of the tub.
“Yeah,” Neil said. “Steven Chase’s brother. How can you not know him?”
“I’ve never met him.” Kimberly was trying to take it all in as she spoke. “All I heard was that about twenty-five years ago they had a big falling out and they haven’t spoken to each other since.”
“Must have been some falling out,” Neil said, “because I think little brother Keenan is up to something.”
“What?” Kimberly was getting more and more excited every second.
“Get this. He’s head of the white collar crime division of the FBI.” Neil paused a moment. “Speechless, huh?”
Kimberly could barely speak. “So . . . He’s what . . . Is he dirty or what? And what does Elisha have to do with it?”
“She’s a legit broker and the deal she’s doing with Chase Beauty seems to be a clean and clear acquisition of a publishing company. I can’t tell you more because it’s under wraps.”
“Keenan and Elisha are trying to bring Chase Beauty down, and based on what I heard, this deal is going to do it.”
“I didn’t get an MBA,” Neil said. “I can’t tell you how and when, but once Chase Beauty finalizes this deal, something bad is going to happen and my guess is that it’s exactly as Keenan Chase wants it to be. He’s got something going over at the FBI that I can’t get to using any of my contacts. He’s holding it close to his chest. He knows who he’s dealing with.”
Kimberly was putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “And he sent his lover, Elisha, to seduce Michael with the prospect of getting back into Steven’s good graces so he’d do anything to make this deal happen.”
“Yeah,” Neil laughed. “That poor son of a bitch Michael is going to end up being the reason Chase Beauty goes down for good. You wouldn’t by any chance want to warn him, would you?”
“I love you, Neil.” Kimberly could barely contain herself. “I absolutely love you.”
12
“Getting an early start, huh?”
Michael turned to see Carter coming toward him in the main ballroom of the National History Museum. He assumed Carter was talking about the glass of wine in his hand. “Hey, brother. Looking good.”
Carter smoothed out the arms of his tuxedo. “This is how they look when you don’t rent them.”
“Fuck you,” Michael said. “I own more tuxes than you do.”
“Watch your attitude with me. I came over to warn you that Mom is trying to put everyone to work.”
“People have already started showing up. She doesn’t have enough hired help.”
“Well, she’s had a lot on her mind with her two sons almost getting killed in a plane accident and all.” Carter noticed that Michael replaced his glass of wine with another as the waiter passed. He was using his free hand. The other was holding on to a cane, which he had progressed to after crutches. “It’s only seven. How many is that?”
“And I see you showed up with the ice princess,” Michael said, ignoring the question. It was number three. “So you still trying to pull that off?”
“Mind your own business,” Carter said.
“I take it she doesn’t know about Avery,” Michael said. “Because if she did . . .”
“She knows,” Carter said, before telling Michael about Julia’s interruption of him and Avery, and their father’s subsequent admonishment.
“So everyone knows.” Michael turned away.
“Seems like it.”
Carter turned to see where Michael had been staring when he approached him and where he was now looking again. Kimberly was standing on the veranda just below, drinking a glass of wine by herself. She looked breathtaking in a sterling silver Badgley Mischka evening gown. It was impossible not to notice how attractive a woman she was, but Carter also noticed how sad she looked.
“How did you get that to work?” he asked.
Michael didn’t turn around. He knew what Carter was talking about. “I didn’t. I told her she had to come because it’s a family thing and Mom wanted it all to look perfect.”
“You’ve told her that before and she didn’t show up.”
“She didn’t argue for even a second.” Michael took a sip of his wine. “She almost seemed eager to come. Considering our interaction just before that, where she told me she hated me and wished I had died in that plane accident, it has me a little . . . curious.”
“Curious indeed,” Carter agreed. “How can you stand to be with someone who wishes you were dead?”
“Women say that all the time.”
“Yeah, but she meant it and you know it. I can feel the poison every time I’m within twenty feet of either of you.”
“Enough,” Michael snapped. “I’ll figure out what she’s up to later. Now, I just want to focus on getting that deal done on Monday.”
“So you plan to put together the wretched pieces of your family on Tuesday?” Carter asked sarcastically.
“No,” Michael responded. “On Tuesday, I plan to take my boys to San Diego and spend two days at Universal Studios.”
Carter made a smacking sound with his lips. This boy was unbelievable. “How many of those glasses have you downed, boy? Do you think a couple days at an amusement park will undo the damage you and Kimberly inflict on those kids every day?”
“Didn’t you just tell me to mind my own business?” Michael asked defensively. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got my shit under control.”
“Is that so?” Carter asked. He took his brother by the shoulders and turned him away from Kimberly toward the front entrance to the ballroom. “Is this what you call under control?”
Michael hadn’t expected Elisha to be there at all, and as she stood in the entrance, wearing a strapless oxblood-red satin gown with bow trim, he knew this could be trouble. His father would not tolerate any scandal touching the upcoming deal. He would see this as Michael throwing a relationship Steven didn’t approve of, in his face.
“I told her not to come,” Michael said. “She asked me and I said no.”
“Got any other women you’re sleeping with here?” Carter asked. “Because I’m sure Dad would love to meet them. He certainly seems happy to see her.”
Michael looked over Carter’s shoulder to see their father standing in front of the stage where the band was playing. He was clearly unhappy to see Elisha there, and when he turned to look at Michael, it made him feel like a kid about to get the punishment of his life.
“So she’s here,” Michael said. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“You know how Dad is before a deal. This is the social event of the year for L.A. Big money and all the media are here.”
Michael and Carter had heard the speech from their father all their lives. All of these good-old-bo
y rich cats kissed up to Steven, and their wives kissed up to Janet, but more than a few of them resented having to do so. They would relish the chance to bring Chase Beauty down and put Steven Chase in his place. They couldn’t count on the private scandals being made public, because they all had had their own dysfunctional secrets exposed in the tabloids as well. What they wanted was a big, corporate mistake on Steven’s part and a social event disaster on Janet’s.
Carter took the glass of wine out of his brother’s hand. “You should either get her to leave or stay the hell away from everyone in this family, especially your wife.”
“This can’t be good,” Anthony said as he and Avery walked toward the front of the ballroom. “The closer to the front means the closer to the Chases.”
Avery checked the invitation in her hand again, given to her by the wife of Anthony’s future boss. “They didn’t even know we were coming. This was a last minute thing. The invitation only says ‘plus three guests.’ You said this guy is a very important player on the philanthropic circuit. Of course he’s going to be in the front. Look, here we are.”
They were at a beautifully decorated table seating eight, just behind the first row of reserved tables. “See, those are the reserved tables. That’s where they’ll sit.”
Anthony didn’t seem reassured. “With our luck, this one right in front of us will be . . .”
“Mine,” Carter said, smiling as politely as possible as both Avery and Anthony turned to see him.
“Hello Carter.” Avery hadn’t expected to be so excited to see him again. He looked incredible in his perfectly tailored tuxedo. She wanted him to hold her and wanted him to leave at the same time.
“You look absolutely incredible,” Carter said, looking her up and down.
She looked stunning in a royal blue, satin gown with a v-neck to her belly button, revealing her glowing skin. The waist was beaded with rhinestones in the middle. Her cleavage was enticing as the dress hung off her shapely hips and dropped to her feet.
Avery looked down, hoping that Anthony wouldn’t see her blush from the way Carter was looking at her.
“Thank you,” Anthony said possessively.
“Oh, you look pretty hot too, Anthony.” Carter smiled despite wanting to punch the man in his mouth and watch him bleed all over his rented tux.
Anthony responded by wrapping his arm around Avery. “How did you know we’d be coming?”
“I didn’t,” Carter lied. Anthony would never know how much Carter knew about him even before Anthony did. This entire job offer was a favor to his family, and the extension of Anthony’s invitation to the ball was requested during a game of golf at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Easy as pie.
“How could I know?” Carter asked. “You weren’t invited, and I’m pretty certain you couldn’t afford the ticket. It’s five grand a plate and twenty grand a table.”
“Carter,” Avery admonished him.
“So you just happened to place the UCLA research department head’s table behind your family’s table?” Anthony asked skeptically.
“That’s not my family’s table,” Carter said. “It’s my table. I bought two of them for my firm. You know, that company I own and work at all day with no time to worry about guest lists and seating arrangements.”
“You knew,” Anthony said.
“He said he didn’t.” Avery’s tone was clearly agitated as she moved away from his grip. “It doesn’t matter. He’s sitting at his family’s table, right?”
Carter nodded. “I’ll be an entire three tables away, Anthony. You’re safe.”
“Safe?” Anthony asked. “What in the hell does that mean?”
“I don’t know, buddy,” Carter said. “You’re the one that seems to think I’m going to . . .”
“Please,” Avery said. “Can we not do this tonight? Besides, I don’t want your possible future boss seeing you bickering.”
“She’s right,” Carter said, offering his hand. “Tonight is all about the Autism Society of America. Why don’t we shake and make friends for the next four hours?”
Anthony ignored Carter’s outstretched hand and turned to his wife. “I’m going to go get a drink. You want one?”
“No thanks,” Avery answered, even though he was already walking away. She turned to Carter. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“What did I do?” Carter asked. “It’s not my fault he’s a paranoid freak. You do look incredible, baby.”
“Stop it,” Avery whispered harshly as she looked around. No one was looking at them but it felt like everyone was. “Don’t do that here.”
“Where can I do it?” he asked. “You haven’t been answering my calls all week.”
“You know why.” Avery could feel her body heating up just being near him. How could everyone not tell they were sleeping together?
“Yes, and if you actually listened to any of the several messages I’ve left for you, you would know that Julia isn’t going to tell anyone anything.”
Avery could see the desperation in his eyes and she felt it too. She missed him terribly and wasn’t sure how long she could stay away. “You can’t be certain of that. She’s here, isn’t she? What do you think she’ll do when she sees you talking to me?”
“That’s not for you to worry about,” Carter said. “She’s my responsibility and I will control her.”
“Why are you even with her?” Avery asked. “I don’t want to be your other woman.”
“I don’t think we want to have this conversation again. You remember how it ended?”
How could she forget? He left her in the hotel room lit up like a volcanic flame. “It ended unresolved, Carter. She shouldn’t . . .”
“When you promise me you’ll leave Anthony, I’ll get rid of Julia.” Carter’s expression was starkly serious. “But until you do that, I don’t want you to talk about me leaving her again.”
“So you’re making all the rules?” Avery asked angrily.
Carter ignored her question. “She’s staying quiet because she gets to keep me.”
Avery huffed. “Do you know how twisted that sounds?”
“What the fuck do I care?” Carter took a step toward her, but Avery backed up. “I know you miss me, Avery. I can taste every inch of you from here.”
A little breath of air left her lips as she felt completely drawn to him. She had to hold on to the chair beside her to keep from falling. Every inch of her was on point as she felt a shiver of desire glide from her belly to her breasts.
“You know I want you,” she confessed, “but I can’t be around you without completely letting go. I’ll make a mistake, I know it. Not tonight.”
“Then when?” Carter wasn’t used to waiting; to not getting what he wanted. Except with Avery. It was always Avery. “When can I see you? When can you get away from . . .”
Carter stopped talking as Avery abruptly turned and walked away. He was clueless as to why she would do that until he felt someone place her arm on his back. He didn’t turn around, but waited as she slowly came around to face him.
“You’re a liar,” Julia accused with angry eyes. “You said you’d stay away from her.”
“I meant I wouldn’t sleep with her anymore,” Carter said. “I’m not going to ignore her. She’s Conner’s mother.”
“So why do I feel safe betting everything I own that Connor wasn’t mentioned at all in that little exchange?”
“She doesn’t need to be mentioned,” he answered. “She’s our daughter. She’s always there.”
Julia looked genuinely hurt by his words, but Carter was too frustrated to care. He needed Avery and he felt like he was dying of thirst having her so close yet being unable to touch her.
“Why is she even here?” Julia asked. “She wasn’t invited. Did you arrange this?”
“I had no idea she was coming,” Carter said. “But she’s here. Just deal with it.”
“I am dealing with it,” Julia said, “but I swear to you, if y
ou continue to flirt with her I will fuck up this evening for everybody.”
Carter’s eyes narrowed in anger as he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to him.
“Are you threatening me?” He looked at her menacingly.
Julia was clearly intimidated, but said nothing.
Carter leaned in close and whispered, “Because if you are threatening me, that would be a mistake. And if you don’t like anything I’m doing, you can always leave me. I’m not forcing you to stay.”
Julia’s eyes swelled with tears as she jerked her hand free and rushed away from him toward the back room. When she had gone, Carter searched for Avery. He needed to get her alone just for a second so he could touch her, kiss her, anything. But when he saw her, she was leaning against Anthony, her arm entwined around his while engaging in pleasant conversation with his future boss and his wife.
Carter wasn’t sure he could stand to watch her be wife to Anthony anymore. Not now that she was his again. This was going to be a long night.
“Please tell me we’re not sitting at your parents’ table?” Garrett asked Haley as soon as they both entered the ballroom.
“Where else would we sit?” Haley asked. “Did you think I was going to spend my own money on this? And God knows you aren’t going to fork over a dime.”
“I’ve been here for five seconds and your father looks like he wants to pull out a nine millimeter and do me in.”
“I guess he’d have to stand in line for that.” Haley thought she was being funny, but Garrett’s expression told her that his sense of humor had not joined them this evening.
“Can you cut down on the bitch for one evening?” he asked as he snatched two glasses of wine from a passing waiter.
“I can try.” Haley accepted a glass. “But it’s not my strong point. Besides, if you want nice you should be doing what I asked you to do.”
“I told you, you’re not getting that trust fund.” Garrett swallowed the entire glass in one gulp. “Your father made sure it was ironclad. You aren’t getting a cent more than he wants you to have before he wants you to have it.”
A Price to Pay Page 20
