Haley wouldn’t accept that. “There has to be a loophole somewhere!”
Garrett shook his head. “Even if he died and named your mother, Carter, or anyone else a trustee, they’d still have to follow the conditions he laid out when he started the trust.”
Haley looked over at her father with hateful eyes. “He thinks he’s God.”
“As far as your trust fund is concerned,” Garrett said, “he is.”
“Well then screw him,” she said. “In a few months, I’ll have more money in my hand than he put in that trust fund. I won’t need it and then I won’t need him.”
“Where are you planning on getting this money from?” Garrett asked.
Haley shot him a suspicious look. “None of your business. You have your life on the line to worry about.”
“Thanks for reminding me,” he said sarcastically. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have known.”
Haley eyed him suspiciously. “What has gotten into you? You don’t seem as cowardly as you did the other day.”
Garrett tried to manufacture an oblivious expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What have you done?” she asked, finding him interesting for the first time tonight.
Garrett smiled slightly. “I haven’t done anything. I’m with you tonight. You and all of these well-respected people.”
“If I didn’t know better,” Haley said. “I would say that sounded like the makings of an alibi.”
“Come on, Taylor,” Jessica Kramer pleaded with her friend outside the doors of the student union building. “It’s only eight.”
Jessica was trying to get Taylor to come out for ice cream with a group of girls, but Taylor wasn’t in the mood. She wasn’t in the mood to do anything, and she had to get home. She wasn’t even supposed to be out. Her brother had convinced their parents to put her on lockdown, but Taylor was an expert at sneaking out.
She had met her friends at the student union to hang out in the main lounge near the food court, and they were on their way to a popular ice cream shop right off campus. But Taylor knew she was pushing her luck.
“Sorry,” she said as she headed toward the parking lot, away from Jessica and the others. “I gotta get home. Homework, you know.”
“Be careful,” Jessica said, eyeing the parking lot suspiciously. “That parking lot is not safe.”
Taylor waved the rape whistle she had attached to her key chain. “I’ll be all right. You guys have fun.”
“Call me!” Jessica yelled as she turned and ran to catch up with the other girls.
Taylor didn’t need Jessica’s reminder to know she had to be safe. She was scared. Her brother had driven home the seriousness of the threat from Cool, Bitton & Klein as well as Roberto Velez. Despite the fact that she knew less than nothing, she was a loose end, and that put her in danger.
Taylor froze in place when she thought she heard a shuffling sound. She looked around the parking lot. It wasn’t the best lit of all the campus lots, but it was the closest to the building. She looked around and couldn’t see anyone or hear anything, so she started again for her car, which was just one more row over.
But as soon as she started walking again, she heard a noise. It sounded like a laugh, but she had to be wrong. She heard a car start somewhere off in the distance but it was too far away to be concerned about.
She picked up the pace, running for her car, clicking on her remote. As soon as she reached it, she saw a movement out of her left eye. Her adrenaline kicked into high gear as she turned, then came crashing down when she saw what was causing all the shuffling and laughing.
Two kids were going at it, making out as they leaned against the passenger-side door of the car directly across from hers.
When she got in her car, Taylor took a second to exhale and laugh at herself before starting up and taking off. She slowly made her away around the parking lot, which was set up with road bumps, medians, and restrictive lanes to prevent anyone from driving more than fifteen miles an hour.
As soon as she reached the exit, Taylor pressed on the gas and sped out. She saw the light at the end of the block turn yellow and thought to rev up to try to make it, but she knew she wasn’t going to, so she stepped on her brakes.
But the car wouldn’t stop. Taylor looked down at her brakes for a second as she pressed against them again and again and again. Nothing was happening. She heard a car horn honking, and when she looked up she had already run the red light. She turned to her right and saw a car approaching, its brakes squealing as the driver tried to stop, but there wasn’t enough time. It was coming right at her.
When Janet finally reached Steven, standing in the middle of a group of men, she apologized to them all before leading him away.
“Is anything wrong?” Steven asked.
“With the ball, absolutely nothing,” Janet said with a smile from ear to ear. “Everything is going perfectly. Can you believe it?”
Steven loved seeing Janet like this. She was beautiful and radiant in her element—the queen of everything. She’d been bred to be a society matron from day one. She hadn’t had it easy of late, but she was a survivor, and seeing her running the show to perfection brought him immense joy.
“I never doubted you.” He leaned in and kissed her smooth cheek.
“There’s the situation with Haley.” Janet was focused on making sure the ball went smoothly, but her children were never far from her mind.
“I’m going to deal with Collins,” Steven said. “I talked to some of Carter’s contacts at the DA and this situation has the potential to get ugly. The FBI has taken over, but don’t worry. I’m going to make sure he has nothing more to do with Haley.”
Janet knew not to ask more, so she let Steven walk away without a word. She loved her husband and knew that he would always do what was best for the family. He knew how to protect the children and take care of her. Sometimes he would tell her how it was done. Sometimes he wouldn’t.
“Janet dear!”
Janet pressed on her perfect smile as Olivia Dexter approached her. Olivia was on that list of people Janet wanted to make certain left tonight’s ball with only excellent praise. She was from old English money; beyond blue blood money. She was a top society matron in Kensington and a friend of the royal family. Olivia and her husband were in L.A. because their teenaged daughter, Heather, competed in international equestrian challenges for a few months during the year.
“Olivia darling.” Janet and Olivia shared air kisses on both cheeks as if they were dear friends. They’d only known each other for a month, but women at their level were always friends. “Please tell me you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Immensely,” she answered. “Your taste is impeccable. Glorious. I have to know your caterer. I’m having a party for Heather. She’s made the world championships.”
“Certainly, and congratulations.”
She beamed openly. “We are so very proud of her as you must be of all your lovely children. I spoke with Leigh earlier. She is more than a gem.”
“Thank you.” Janet was thankful to God for Leigh. She was the saving grace of them all.
“You must go about finding her a husband. She should have so many choices.”
“If only,” Janet said. “You know young women these days. They don’t even think about getting married until they’re thirty.”
Olivia rolled her eyes as if she understood Janet’s frustration. “My son is almost thirty and acts like a teenager when it comes to women. He was taken with your daughter when we were briefly in Sydney.”
“Sydney?” Janet asked. “I didn’t know you were there when Haley was. Haley loved it in Sydney. She’s actually considering buying a condo there.”
“Well,” Olivia responded, “between your billions and that oil money, she could buy an entire building.”
“Excuse me?” Janet asked. “Oil money?”
“She’s a very lucky girl,” Olivia said before she gasped in excitement at something taking place a few
feet away. “Oh, my husband is calling. I will talk to you later, dear.”
“Of course,” Janet said. She didn’t want to seem too eager to know, because she didn’t like the idea of someone knowing more about her children than she did. But the second she could get Haley alone, she was going to get to the bottom of it. Oil money?
Avery stood hidden by a large column as she seethed, watching Carter and Julia. They were laughing and drinking wine while an older woman told a story that had her hands flailing in the air. He touched her again, brushing his arm against hers. This was the fourth time in the last ten minutes that they had touched. Avery was counting, getting angrier with every second.
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Michael asked as he stumbled with his cane over to her.
Avery knew right away that he was drunk and she wasn’t in an understanding mood. “Go away, Michael.”
“You think you’re hiding it, don’t you?” he asked. “You’re not. You’ve been staring at them all night and it’s obvious to everyone.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Avery feared he might be right. How could they all not notice?
“I guess you can imagine how he’s felt all this time having to watch you with your husband or whatever.” Michael waited for a response from Mrs. High & Mighty, but realizing he wasn’t going to get one, he went deeper. “And Kimberly won’t be working at the gallery any longer.” He smiled in response to the surprised look on her face. “Did you two actually think you could keep a secret from me? You’re just as stupid as she is.”
“Watch your mouth,” Avery warned. “Kimberly may let you insult her at will, but I’ll make you sorry.”
“Ouch.” Michael took a step back. “I’m seeing a new you, Avery. Not only are you an adulterer, but these threats are showing me the real Avery Jackson. Not the prim and proper princess you appeared to be.”
“Harper,” she corrected. “It’s Avery Harper.”
“Are you reminding me?” he asked. “Or yourself ?”
“Go sober up,” Avery ordered. “You can barely walk already. You’re just going to end up hurting yourself more.”
He feigned gratitude. “Are you concerned about me? How sweet. I guess there’s a first time for everything. Any more revelations?”
“What are you bothering her about?” Anthony approached, carrying Avery’s wrap in his hands.
“Nothing,” Avery quickly answered. “He’s drunk.”
“So of course everything I say can’t possibly be believed,” Michael offered.
Anthony looked him up and down with a sneer. “You’re drunk and she’s tired. We’re leaving.”
Kimberly had been stalking Elisha all night. She was a social little whore, this one. There wasn’t a moment she wasn’t sidling up to someone, passing out a business card or flirting away. When she finally found a moment when Elisha was alone and no one was within hearing distance, Kimberly made her move.
“I would think someone from New York would have better fashion sense,” she said as she approached.
Elisha smiled as if she was pleased to see her. “I’ll have you know this is a Badgley Mischka.”
“It doesn’t make any difference who made the dress,” Kimberly said. “It’s two sizes too small, the wrong color, and only brings more attention to your lack of . . . cleavage.”
“Thank you.” Elisha appeared unfazed. “I’ll be sure to make a note of that, but Michael likes me in red.”
“He likes all his whores to wear red,” Kimberly said. “But he doesn’t like them hanging around his family, so I’m thinking he wasn’t the one who got you a ticket for tonight.”
“I have my ways,” Elisha responded.
Kimberly laughed. “That’s the understatement of the year. But I am curious, because it’s an almost impossible ticket to get. Maybe another Chase helped you out. Maybe . . . Michael’s Uncle Keenan?”
Elisha was too caught off guard to hide her surprise. She tried to recover as best she could. “I don’t know what you’re talking . . .”
“Save it,” Kimberly said flatly. “You’re quite the pioneer, Elisha. The first woman who can say she’s fucking two Chase men at the same time. But I’m wondering how you think Michael is going to still want you after this all falls apart?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elisha spat out. “You’re gutter trash and you just can’t stand that Michael wants to trade up.”
Elisha turned to walk away, but Kimberly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Oh, yes you are.” Elisha ripped her arm free and with a threatening tone, said, “And you’re going to be sorry if you don’t keep your mouth shut.”
“Not as sorry as you’ll be,” Kimberly said joyfully as she saw the panic rise in Elisha. She was about to lose control. “Not only will you have failed your precious Keenan in his plot against Steven, but Michael will hate you, and the entire Chase family will be out for revenge. Do you know what happens to people who try to hurt them?”
Elisha let out a yell as she grabbed for Kimberly, but Kimberly slapped her hands away. She wanted Elisha to lose it in front of everyone to make a fool out of her, but she didn’t want to start a fight with the woman. Not here and not now, but it became suddenly clear to her that Elisha had lost it and was coming after her.
Kimberly tried to get out of the way, but Elisha grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back. Kimberly yelled and tried to twist around. Bad move, she thought as she felt herself and Elisha tumble to the floor.
“Well you two have a nice, quiet, middle-class evening,” Michael said as Avery and Anthony turned to leave.
He thought he heard a yell coming from the other end of the ballroom, but wasn’t sure until he saw the look on Avery’s face. She had heard it too, and she rushed past him to see where it was coming from.
It sounded to Avery like someone was being hurt and everyone in the ballroom was backing away. That was, everyone except the press, who couldn’t take enough pictures of the two attractive women in their formal gowns trying to tear each other apart at the seams. Shocked, Avery was trying hard to see who it was and when she did, she was shocked again.
Michael took awhile to walk toward the ruckus on his cane, but was going as fast as he could. “What’s going on?” he asked Avery as soon as he reached her.
“It’s a fight,” she said. “And you’d better get over there.”
“We have security for that.” Michael was looking around for someone on duty that evening.
“You still better get over there,” Avery said. “Because it’s your wife.”
Avery reached the fight before Michael did, but others in the family had already gotten there. One security guard had picked Elisha up and Avery rushed over to Kimberly. She was being blinded by the flashbulbs.
“What are you doing?” Avery asked.
Kimberly looked confused. “I gotta get out of here. I can’t even see.”
“Come on.”
Avery rushed Kimberly past a group of people toward the lobby area that lead to the bathrooms. It was secluded and had doors that could be closed, but after helping Kimberly sit down on the plush sofa, it turned out that someone had beaten Avery to the punch.
Steven, who had Michael by the sleeve of his tux, pulled him inside so forcefully that he fell forward. Carter, who had rushed in after both of them, ran to catch Michael before he hit the floor.
“Jesus Christ!” Michael yelled. “Are you trying to break my other leg?”
“I’m trying to kill you,” Steven yelled. “Carter, shut the door.”
After making sure Michael had his cane and could stand on his own, Carter went toward the door. Before he could close it, Anthony pushed his way inside.
“You don’t need to be here,” Carter said. “This is a family situation.”
“I just came to get my wife,” Anthony said. “Avery, can we leave?”
Avery, who was on the sofa trying
to help put together the pieces of Kimberly’s dress that had been ripped, ignored him. Kimberly was shaking and it wasn’t because Elisha had hurt her. She was terrified, and Avery imagined it was because of what Michael would do to her.
“This is the last straw, Michael,” Steven said. “Do you know what has happened out there?”
Michael was trying to think, but he could only back up against the wall to stay on his two legs. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You did everything!” Steven yelled. “This is all your fault. You shouldn’t have brought her.”
“She’s my wife!” Michael screamed.
“Don’t start acting like you care now,” Avery spat out.
“Shut up,” Michael said back to her.
Steven approached Michael with his hands clenched in fists. He wanted to knock some sense into him. “You shouldn’t have brought her and you sure as hell should have made sure Elisha didn’t come. There were already too many rumors circulating. Now you’ve confirmed everything and at the worst time. Do you know what this is gonna do to your mother, to Chase Beauty, to the family?”
“Dad.” Carter gestured for his father to calm down. “You’re overreacting.”
“Oh yes, it will be awful,” Michael said. “The Chase family is certainly not known for having scandals. We’re spotless and not at all dysfunctional. This will be a surprise to the world.”
Even though he wanted to, Steven couldn’t hit him. “You’re too drunk to even know the damage your little affair has caused.”
“You’re all crazy,” Anthony said. “Avery, please, let’s go.”
“You can go,” Kimberly said to Avery. “I’m fine. He can’t do anything he hasn’t done to me already.”
“Come with me,” Avery said. “You can’t be in this. You can stay at my house tonight.”
“The hell she will,” Michael said. “This has nothing to do with you, Avery. Get the hell out of here!”
“Stop it!” Carter yelled. “Don’t talk to her like that. You’ve done enough damage. Just shut up.”
A Price to Pay Page 21
