“I hear that you have a child,” Katherine says.
“Yes. A son. He’s six.”
“Are you planning to have more?”
“We haven’t decided yet.” I’m not telling her the truth. That’s a personal question and none of her business. I need to put the focus back on her. “So are you still in college?”
“I graduated. Last spring.” She moves her long blond hair to one side and smooths it with her hand.
“Where did you go to school?” I already know the answer because Leland told us at a party a couple years ago, but I ask her anyway.
“I went to Moorhurst. It’s in Connecticut.”
“Yes. I know where it is. What was your major?”
“English.”
“Why did you choose English?”
“I had to pick something. It’s not like it matters what I picked. I’ll never use the degree. I’ll never have a job.”
“You could still use your degree.”
“You don’t use yours.” She smirks. “You’re just a housewife. You didn’t need a degree for that.”
Up until now, I thought Katherine might be maturing. She was being almost pleasant until her rude comment.
“I’m still glad that I have the degree,” I say. “And someday I might use it.”
“You won’t. Pearce doesn’t want his wife working.”
Another rude comment. And she says it as if she knows him well enough for the comment to be true, which it’s not.
“Katherine, I should go find Pearce.”
“Are you going anywhere for the holidays?”
Damn. I was hoping to get away from her. “No. We don’t have any plans.”
“We do. Father is taking the family to Grand Cayman for Thanksgiving. And Paris for Christmas.”
“That sounds nice. I’m sure you’ll have fun.” I turn to leave but she keeps talking.
“We’re taking the private jet. Have you ever been on a private jet?”
“Yes, I—” I stop myself before I say it. I almost told her I was on the Sinclair jet, but that’s a secret. Pearce and I took Royce’s jet to Las Vegas when we eloped, but Katherine can’t know that. “Actually, no, I haven’t been on a private jet.”
“Why not? Pearce’s family has a jet. Why wouldn’t you use it?”
“I’m not comfortable on small planes. I think they’re dangerous.”
“My father’s company makes airplane engines, and he said private jets are safer than big planes.”
“Well, I’d still rather be on a regular plane. I need to find Pearce. It was nice seeing you, Katherine.” It’s such a lie. I didn’t like seeing her. Or talking to her. There’s something not right with that girl. She’s strange, almost eerie. I think it’s the expressions she makes. She always has this half-smile on her face like she knows a secret and is reveling in the fact that other people aren’t aware of that secret.
I walk away, searching the room for Pearce. I don’t see him anywhere. He always does this at parties. He disappears and I can’t find him. I wish he wouldn’t do that. I already feel out of place at these parties and it’s even worse when I’m surrounded by people I know don’t like me. It’s always the same people at these parties, and even after all these years, some of them still don’t approve of me.
“Rachel!” It’s Martha, waving at me from across the room.
I smile and head over there. I don’t want her to move away. I’m really going to miss her.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
17
PEARCE
“What’s the real reason you’re moving?” I ask Jack. We went into a room down the hall so we could talk privately.
“Royce,” he says as he shuts the door. “I have to go down there and babysit him.”
“Royce is moving?”
“To an estate in Virginia.”
“When is he moving?”
“I don’t know. Within the year, I suppose. They haven’t decided.”
“This is because of the presidency?”
“Yes. He has to live among his fellow politicians. Be seen with them. Go to their parties. Interact with them.”
“So what are you supposed to do?”
“Keep him in line. As I’ve said many times, Royce is a fuck-up. You leave him alone for two seconds and he gets himself in trouble. Drugs. Women. Gambling. He’s a menace to both himself and the organization. And yet they still want him as president. Although I admit he is damn good on camera. He looks good. He sounds good. And when it comes down to it, you need someone who can perform well on TV. Someone who can act the part. So as much as I hate to admit it, Royce is perfect for the role. Problem is, he knows it, which is why he thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it.”
I feel like I should tell Jack about Royce’s affair and the child that resulted from it. If Jack is going to be looking after Royce, he should know this information. But I promised Royce I wouldn’t say anything. He said if I did, he’d go after the child’s mother, and I can’t risk endangering her or the child. So I decide to keep quiet.
“I also have to keep watch on our other politicians,” Jack says. “The ones who are already in office. Senator Wingate in particular.”
We placed Wingate in office a couple years ago to act as an insider to help us accomplish our goals. He’s not a member. He simply works for us in return for keeping his political position. Thus far, he’s proved to be a valuable asset, but he can sometimes be challenging to work with. I’m sure Jack will set him straight.
“Who else are you watching?”
“Who the hell knows?” Jack takes a cigar from the humidor sitting on the table on the far side of the room. “They’ll tell me when I get there.”
“Why did they choose you?”
He lights the cigar. “I’m supposed to use my surveillance equipment to spy on them. Plant cameras and microphones in their offices and homes.” He walks over to me, the cigar in his hand. “But truthfully, I think your father is the reason I was chosen.”
“My father? What does he have to do with it?”
“Holton hates the fact that you and I are like family. He thinks I’ve taken his place as your father, and I suppose in a way that I have. But that’s his own fault for not doing the job himself. He also hates that Martha and I are so involved with your son, but again, if he’d act like a damn grandfather to the kid, Garret wouldn’t be so attached to us.”
“You really think my father had you sent away?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I wouldn’t put it past him. It sounds like he’s trying to get more involved with Garret’s life. I assume he took him to meet the members? Is that why he took him out of school?”
“Yes. I was extremely angry. I still am. Is it true that the members are assessing all the children?”
“Not all of them. Only the ones who show promise.” He puffs on his cigar.
“Why would they think Garret does?”
“I don’t think they did until Holton brought him to their attention. At Garret’s age, parents have to ask for their children to be assessed. It’s not something that just happens. Assessment is usually not done until a kid’s in high school, and even then, it’s usually done secretly. They observe the kid from afar. The assessment of younger children is all new. Some of the members want their kids to excel at the organization, so they pushed the organization to get this process started at an earlier age.”
“That’s the absolute last thing I want for Garret. I don’t want the members even remembering Garret exists. I want him in the background, hidden where no one can see him.”
“Well, he’s front and center now, thanks to your father.”
“We have to stop this, Jack.” I lower my voice. “You said we could get him out of this. We need to start working on that now, not later.”
“It’s going to be a lot harder now, Pearce. With this move to Virginia, I’ll no longer be your mentor.”
“That doesn’t mean we can’t talk anymore
.”
“Actually, it does. That’s what I wanted to speak to you about.” He points to the two chairs that are next to us. “Let’s have a seat.” We both sit down and then he says, “I’ve been told to keep my distance from you.”
“By who?”
“I don’t know who made the order. I was just told this yesterday. It was part of my instructions regarding the move. But again, I think Holton had a say in it. I could be wrong, but I have a gut feeling that I’m right.”
“So I’m not supposed to talk to you?” I huff out a breath and shake my head. “This is completely uncalled for. We should still be allowed to talk.”
“We can talk, but only at Dunamis meetings or events. And Martha and I won’t be able to visit you. We’re not supposed to see your family again. Martha will need to end her friendship with Rachel. I haven’t told her this yet. She’s going to be heartbroken.”
“How do I explain this to Rachel?” I stand up and walk to the side of the room, angry and frustrated and needing to move. “You and Martha are like family to us. And now suddenly you won’t talk to us? Rachel won’t understand, and neither will Garret.”
“You’ll have to find an excuse they’ll believe.” He sets his cigar on the ashtray and comes over to me. “Listen, Pearce. I love you like a son. You know that. But we can’t put ourselves at risk. We can’t put our families at risk. We have to do what they tell us even though it’s not what we want.”
“What do I do about Garret? I was counting on you to help me get him out of his obligation.”
“I’ll keep working behind the scenes to get the rules changed, not just for him, but for all our young men. You’ll need to do the same.” He pauses. “But if we don’t succeed, at least now they’re not making us do the kills. That’s a big change, Pearce. A change for the good. Your son will never have to do the things that you and I did.”
He’s referring to the fact that members are no longer allowed to do kill assignments themselves. Now only freelancers are allowed to do them. The change happened because one of our members was almost caught after shooting someone. The organization punished the man for being careless, but the other members rallied together, saying that this was an example of why we shouldn’t be doing the kills ourselves. It’s too risky. We don’t want our crimes being traced back to us. They could still be traced back to us when using a freelancer, but it’s much riskier if we commit the crime ourselves.
“That change is not going to last,” I say. “They only stopped us from doing it because of that one incident. A few years from now they’ll have forgotten about it and we’ll be back to doing the kills ourselves again.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But even if things go back to how they used to be, freelancers will still be the first option. Members will only be assigned to do it in emergencies.”
“And yet, I had to do it multiple times in a five year period.”
“Well, you’re the exception to the rule.” He motions to the door. “We need to get back to the party or people will start looking for us. It’s best if we’re not seen together, so I’ll go first.”
I stand there in a state of disbelief. “I can’t believe they’re doing this. There’s no need to. You’re a fellow member. I should be allowed to talk to you.”
“I don’t make the rules, Pearce.”
I nod. “Yes. I know.”
“This might be our goodbye so…” He gives me a hug. “I love ya, kid. I wish you the best.” He steps back, his hand on my shoulder as he looks me in the eye. “Don’t let those bastards intimidate you, especially your father. And don’t ever forget what I told you. You are not defined by what they make you do. You’re a good man, Pearce. Always remember that.” He smiles slightly but it’s strained. “Goodbye, Pearce.” He walks around me and out of the room.
I remain there, feeling like someone just punched the life out of me. I lost Jack. For good. I can’t talk to him. I can’t see him. I feel like I’m mourning his death. I need Jack. He’s the one person I can talk to about Dunamis. He’s the only member I trust. And now he’s gone and I have no one.
I’m sure my father is behind this. He takes away everything I want. Everything I need. Everything that makes me happy. He’s even trying to take Garret from me. But I won’t let him. I’m getting Garret out of this. I don’t know how, but I’m going to do it.
I wish Garret wasn’t here tonight. I don’t want him around these people. I tried to talk Rachel into letting Garret stay with one of our neighbors, but she wanted to take him with us in case we’re out late. But it makes me nervous having him here.
“Pearce.” Royce walks in with a blond woman on his arm. “What are you doing in here?”
“I wasn’t feeling well. I wanted to sit down for a moment.”
He lets go of the woman. “Go wait in the room down the hall. I’ll be there shortly.”
She leaves and Royce closes the door.
“You’re cheating on Victoria in your own house?” I ask.
He shrugs. “She knows I cheat. It isn’t a secret.”
“Yes, but your daughters could catch you.”
“They’re off playing in the children’s room. They’ll never find me.” He walks over to where I’m standing. “Speaking of the children, did you talk to Sadie?”
“No. I haven’t seen her.”
“I’ve been teaching her how to give speeches.” He smiles proudly. “She’s becoming quite the eloquent speaker. She might end up being a politician someday. Just like her father.”
Royce has come to enjoy having daughters, which is good because he now has three of them. He’s more involved in his children’s lives than I ever thought he would be. He takes them on trips and out on his sailboat. Those three little girls really softened him up. Unfortunately, when they’re not around, he’s back to his usual self.
Whenever I see his daughters, I think of the one he pretends doesn’t exist. I’ve always wondered if he lied to me when he said he gave her mother money for her care. He won’t tell me anything about this woman, so I’ve been unable to check to see if what he told me was true.
“What about your other daughter?” I ask, but then wish I hadn’t. This topic always angers him so I usually avoid it.
His expression turns grim, his eyes narrowed. “I told you to never speak of her again.”
“It was simply a question. I assume the girl is well taken care of? You gave her mother a generous amount, I presume.”
“The woman has more money than she knows what to do with. And if she ever comes back asking for more, I’ll send one of our freelancers after her.”
“Royce, don’t say that. Don’t even joke about it. The child needs her mother.”
“She looks like me,” he mutters, gazing behind me as if he’s imagining her. “The damn kid looks like me.”
“You’ve seen her?”
“Photos of her. She has dark hair, the same color as mine, and her mouth…her smile…she looks like me when she smiles.” As he says it, he has that softness about him, like when he talks about his other daughters. “I have to admit, she’s a cute kid.”
It’s good to hear him talk about her this way. It tells me she’ll be safe. If he has a soft spot for her, he’ll leave her and her mother alone.
His gaze returns to me. “What can I say?” He chuckles. “I make good-looking children. Problem is, I only seem to be able to make girls.”
“There’s nothing wrong with girls,” I say, trying to keep the mood light. His mood can change in an instant and I don’t want it turning dark, like it was just seconds ago when I asked about the girl’s mother.
He walks over to the bottle of bourbon that’s sitting next to the humidor. “Victoria and I are planning to try for a boy.”
“With all those children, you’re going to need a bigger house.” I’m kidding but I know he’ll agree with the statement.
“We already bought one.” He pours himself a drink. “Did you hear that we’re moving?”
; “No, I hadn’t heard that,” I say, not sure if what Jack told me was confidential.
“We’re moving to Virginia.” He takes a swig of his drink, pauses, then finishes the rest of it and sets the glass down. “I’m not sure when the move will happen. They haven’t let me know yet.”
“Royce, I should get back to the party.” I head to the door.
“I heard Garret is being assessed.”
I turn back and find Royce standing in front of me.
“Yes.” I nod. “My father set it up. I didn’t ask for that to be done.”
“Why wouldn’t you want it to be done?” He fixes his cuff link, which likely came undone while he was doing whatever he was doing with the blond woman. “Don’t you want your son to be a leader?”
“Of course I do.” I need to play along. Royce has a big mouth, and if he senses I don’t want this for Garret, he’ll tell the other members. “It’s just that he’s still very young. I’d like him to remain a child a little longer.”
“I had them assess Sadie. I’m trying to get them to consider her to be first lady someday.” He laughs. “Wouldn’t that be great? I’ll be the president, and twenty years later, my daughter will be the first lady.”
“That’s very impressive. I’m sure you’re quite proud of her.” I fake a smile. “I really need to go. I’ll see you later, Royce.”
He follows me out and goes down the hall to whatever room that woman went into.
I go back to the party and search for Rachel. As I’m scanning the crowd, Katherine comes up to me.
“Hello, Pearce.” She smiles. “How have you been?”
“Fine. But I can’t talk now. I need to find my wife.”
Katherine blocks my path. “What’s the rush?”
“There is no rush. I would just like to find her.”
“Could we talk for a moment?”
I sigh. “What would you like to talk about?”
Her hands are at her sides, rather than all over me, so that’s an improvement. When she was a teenager, she was always touching me. She must be 22 or 23 now. She looks older. She’s still very thin and lacking much of a womanly shape, but her face looks older.
Protecting Her Page 19
