by J. G. Sumner
I pull my head from Trent’s chest and smack my hand against it. “Liar! You’re a goddamned liar! My father would never do anything like that.” Now it’s my turn to pace. Part of me doesn’t want to believe this but the other thinks back to the conversations I’ve had with my father. He’s always threatening to take away my money if I don’t do what he wants. Maybe he’s just waiting for that day so he doesn’t have to tell me it’s already gone. “How do you know this?”
Trent pauses, contemplating his next words.
“Come on, Trent. You can’t hold back on me now. I deserve to know everything.” I take another sip of the scotch.
“My father told me.”
“So you’ve been keeping this a secret for how long?”
Trent stares down at his hands. His body language suggests he’s defeated. “My father told me about Porter a couple of months ago. I found out about your trust fund today.”
“Wait—your dad is dead. How could you have found that out today?”
Trent stares into my eyes. “Because he’s alive. He faked his death because your father sent some mafia guys after him to try and recover some debt your father incurred.”
I can’t believe this. I can’t even process it. I swallow the rest of the amber liquid and hold the glass tightly in my hand. There is no way any of this could be true. I can’t believe my father—my parents—would put me in this situation. Porter and I are taken care of for life. Why would my father spend that money?
“Call your dad. Ask him and see for yourself. Please, just don’t say anything about my father or that I told you. I want to finish the conversation.”
I retrieve my phone from my purse and try to steady my hands as I dial the number.
“Hello?”
I come up with a story as to why I need this money. Only it’s not a story. This was something I was going to do anyway, but it was going to be in person. “Dad, Trent and I are getting a divorce. I’m going to need my trust fund money.” I glance over at Trent, who doesn’t appear the least bit surprised by my proclamation of divorce. Obviously that’s what he wants. He truly doesn’t care anymore.
There’s silence for a brief period. I bite my lip, hoping he doesn’t tell me it’s all gone. “You need to work it out with him. There’s not another option. He’s the best thing for you.”
“Daddy, he doesn’t love me anymore. It’s time we go our separate ways.”
“Well then get back on the same page. Make him love you again. Don’t fail at something else.” His voice is so stern, for a moment I feel like a little girl again. Then I remember I’m the one armed with the information. I have the power to pull the trigger and blow up my father’s lies. If in fact they are lies.
“I want the money. I want to be independent of Trent. Please tell me how to access it. I want to take the boys away while we figure things out.”
“Use your husband’s money. It’s yours as well. There’s no reason you need to dip into another pot.”
The more my father evades giving me the access to the money, the more I worry that Trent could be right.
“Dad, did you spend the money? Please tell me my trust fund is still there. Please tell me there is something for me to pass on to my children.”
In the background there’s ice clinking around in a glass. He’s drinking. Not a good sign. My father has acquired quite a drinking problem over the past few years. Perhaps it’s because of his debts.
“It’s not available at this time. I had to tap into it for an investment.”
“When you say you’ve tapped into it, how much money have you taken?”
He takes another drink. “All of it. But I expect to be able to replenish it in the next couple of months. You just need to continue doing what I say. We need to catch Trent with that girl. That’s the ticket to getting your money back.”
“So that’s what all of this has been about? You’ve spent my money and thought the best way to get it was to go after Trent? This is unbelievable. You’ve ruined my life to make up for your mistakes and shortcomings. You’ve been throwing the mistakes I’ve been making in my face as leverage to get me to do what you want. What kind of father are you?”
“Now you listen here. I am your father and you will show me some respect. There are things you don’t know. Your money is safe, it’s just not available right now. When I find Jonathon, all my problems will disappear. Besides, if you think I’m going to hand it over so you can move on with that slut you’re sadly mistaken. I refuse to allow you to have any more relations with her. I know what you’ve been up to and as far as I’m concerned, you will stay with Trent and make this work or you won’t have another penny of my money.
Holy crap. He knows Jonathon isn’t dead and he knows I’ve been seeing Delia again. I hang up the phone, not wanting to say anything else. I need to hear the rest of what Trent has to say. I woke up this morning with the enthusiasm for starting a new life without Trent. Yes, I love him, but I’m not about to devote my life to a man who doesn’t love me back. Now I’m penniless and my husband is in love with another woman. I have nothing. The rug has been pulled out from under me.
I sit down next to Trent, unable to look at him and embarrassed that I ever listened to my father. He’s done a great job ruining his own life, and now his poison has seeped into my world.
“Tell me the rest.” I place my hands together and bring them to my lips as though I’m praying.
After a few moments he continues. His voice is softer and holds more compassion. “My mom and dad are alive but they are in hiding. I don’t know where they are. I communicate with them via a burner phone my father has left for me. You found the first one. After you answered it, we never used that one again.
“When I went to New York, I really had thought he died. I went to the morgue to identify him and the bastard sat up on the table. I was so scared I thought I was going to piss my pants. He started rambling on about this huge conspiracy. I thought he was out of his mind, but I listened to what he said and continued to plan his funeral. Mom apparently knew all about the plan, but I hadn’t yet talked to her. Only recently have I spoken with her. I honestly thought she was on a cruise.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I talked to my father while I was running today and he told me this crazy story that my mom is responsible for getting Suzanne to make some decisions that affected your family financially, and after that, everything spiraled out of control. I have a hard time believing that’s all it was. There’s got to me more that I don’t know about.”
I don’t know why, but I believe Trent. I also believe that he’s trying to work this out. Find a way to right this wrong. I suddenly feel the need to tell him my side of the story. It’s like a tidal wave of ugliness has washed over me and I need to purge my body from everything my father has inflicted on me over the past several years.
“Trent, there are also things you don’t know. My father is out to destroy your entire family. I don’t know why or how he’s doing it. What I do know are the things he made me do.” I pause, very ashamed by my actions over the past several months.
“I did try to bug your office. Porter and my father want to know as much as possible about your life, including Beth.” Tears drip from my eyes knowing that my actions just as much destroyed my life as they have Trent’s; probably even more.
“I brought Beth into our lives with the intention of her finding information out about you. I was supposed to bond with her and have her listen to your conversations. Guilt plagued me and I began spending more time away. I never got any information my dad was looking for. He kept stepping up his tactics. He kept threatening me and telling me if I didn’t help him, I’d lose everything, including my trust fund.”
Anger is exuding from Trent, even though he’s trying to keep it together. “And you were okay with destroying our family?”
“No! Absolutely not! But my father kept threatening me.”
“What on Earth could he be holding over you to get you t
o do something so vile, so unconscionable?”
I cover my face and cry into my hands. I think about the day my dad found me in that club and the disappointment on his face. Looking back, maybe it was an evil smirk, knowing he now had control over me for the rest of my life.
I proceed to tell Trent the story about Delia and the club, about my stripping and sleeping around. At one point I look at him and his are so large it’s like he can’t believe that prim and proper Parker could ever doing anything so risqué, so slutty.
“I ended up getting pregnant. I didn’t know if it was yours or his. My gut told me it was that guy’s.” I hang my head in shame.
“He didn’t wear a condom? You had no protection and then you had sex with me?” Trent asks, completely horrified.
“No, I didn’t have protection. I did get checked out before we were together again. Actually my dad took me to the doctor right away. He also insisted that the other guy get tested. We were both clean.”
Trent lets out the air he’s been holding in his chest. I feel bad that I put him at risk like that. But it’s in the past now and I have been monogamous since.
“What happened to the baby?”
Again, I hold my head in shame. I made quite a few mistakes and I have no good reason except for I went through a rebellious period. “I had an abortion.”
“So you’re telling me that could’ve been my child and you didn’t think about having a conversation with me? You didn’t think I’d want to know?”
“My father swore me to secrecy. He said if anyone knew it would ruin the family name. We’d be laughingstocks and it would ruin his business reputation. He said he couldn’t have a whore for a daughter. That’s why he pushed for us to get married. Dad wanted to make sure I didn’t screw up anymore. You've always been so driven and a straight arrow. And you are a Davis.”
Trent paces around as he processes the information. “Did you ever love me?”
Honesty. No more lies. “I’ve loved you most of my life. There was a brief period of time when I fell in love with Delia. Hell, I think a part of me will always love her. But you’re my husband. I’ve loved you since we were teenagers. I’ve never stopped loving you. My feelings have grown over the years and are stronger than ever. I wanted to work this out between us. I wanted us to get back on track and repair our family. I didn’t care what my dad said or wanted me to do, you’re my husband and the father of my children. You’re the one I want. However, when I found out you purchased a house for Beth for her birthday, I knew I had to leave. You’re in love with her. I don’t think I can compete with that. I’m not sure I want to.”
“Fuck!” Trent pulls a hand down his face. “How did you find out about the house?”
“Porter and Dad have been tracking everything you do. I know she was in New York with you. I’m just not sure how Dianne doesn’t realize any of this is going on. Maybe she does and isn’t concerned. I know if I had a daughter and I suspected her of being a homewrecker, I wouldn’t let her out of the house.”
“Did Beth know your intentions when you brought her into our home?”
“No, I’ve never shared those with her. I didn’t think it would work. I thought it was a stupid idea, but my dad insisted I give it a try.”
“Your father has literally destroyed everything he touches. Even things he never has. This is going to destroy Beth to know she’s been manipulated. Not to mention what it’s done to our family. Look at Porter. He doesn’t have a clue he’s trying to wreck his own brother at the direction of a man who isn’t even related to him.”
“Trent, you don’t think…? No it couldn’t be.”
“What? What is it, Parker?”
“My father isn’t after the money. He’s trying to have your own brother destroy you and your father. It’s the ultimate betrayal. You die by the hands of your own flesh and blood.”
Trent’s face pales. “We’ve got to tell Porter. He has to know what’s happening, who his real father is. It’s the only way to stop this madness.”
“He’s not going to believe it. He’ll think you’re making it up. Do you have some way to prove it? My brother doesn’t listen to anything I have to say, let alone without any evidence. He thinks I’m some weak individual he has to care for. Not anymore. I’m not going to let my family control me. I’m going to find that free spirit who once lived inside of me. I’ll confront my mother and have her fess up. He’ll have to believe her.”
“No! We don’t want your father to get wind of this yet. We need to have a plan in place in case Porter doesn’t go along with us. We need to be able to fight back against him and your father. I think we should call my dad. Hopefully, he’ll have a better idea how to solve this.”
“I think you’re right. If my dad gets wind of this, he’s going to try and stop me. The only thing he has left to hold over me are our children. We have to keep them safe. Do you think your dad is going to be okay that you told me he’s alive?”
“No. Not when he learns about everything that’s been going on.”
A renewed sense of energy rushes through me from the excitement of finally fighting back. Most importantly, I have hope. Hope that I’ll get my family back. “What about us?”
Trent purses his lips. He’s not mad, but I think there’s a lot going on in his head.
“Let’s just get through this first. Your family did a lot of damage to our relationship. We need to stop the bleeding before we can begin to heal.” Trent hugs me. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but we need to call Beth to come over. I think she’s the only one we can trust right now and I don’t want Porter to come here for the discussion. We need to find him. Surprise him so your dad can’t put anything in his head.”
As much as I hate to admit it, Trent is right. Beth is the only one we can trust right now. I have friends, but none that I want responsible for my kids. Beth would do anything for Trent. I know it’s inviting the devil into my home, but if I have any chance of protecting my family, this is something I have to do.
“Call her up. We both need to meet with her. We need to make sure she’s aware of what’s going on. Beth needs to know she can’t open that door for anyone, and I mean anyone.”
“I honestly don’t know if I could have a civil conversation with her. I don’t know if I could stop myself from calling her every name in the book. You do it. I don’t think I can bear to listen to the two of you talk, so I’m going to check on the boys.”
Trent gives me another hug and kisses the top of my head. It feels more like a friend comforting another then it does a husband trying to console his wife. It breaks my heart into pieces. I contemplate telling him about my current relationship with Delia, but figure if I do, there will be no chance to salvage what’s left of this marriage. I at least have to try for the boys’ sake.
Chapter 26
Beth
I’m shocked Trent has called me. I’m even more surprised that he and Parker want the three of us to sit down and have a talk. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s about. I’m praying it has nothing to do with me and Trent. I’m certainly not ready for that conversation and I feel like I’m being thrown into the lion’s den.
Surely this can’t have anything to do with me and Trent. I haven’t even talked to him since that day at the coffee shop. I haven’t heard a word. I should be mad, but the guy bought me a house for my birthday. How awesome is that? How many girls get a house for their eighteenth birthday? I want so badly to move into it so Trent can come be with me anytime he wants.
I haven’t told my mom about it yet. I’m kind of afraid to. She’d probably make me give it back after she probed me for hours as to why the man I work for would purchase me a house. Not to mention the lectures I’d receive for getting involved with a married man.
I’m so excited to see Trent I drive faster than I probably should. It feels like forever since the Caymans, although it’s only been about six weeks. It’s going to be hard to resist the temptation to touch him, to kiss hi
s soft lips and stare into his beautiful blue eyes. I love this man with every fiber of my being.
I park down the street from the house as instructed and walk the block up to the house. When Trent opens the door a smile instantly forms on my face. He’s even more handsome than I remember. Only now his brow is furrowed and he appears stressed. He ushers me inside and Parker is sitting on the couch staring back at me. It’s awkward. She knows about us, I can see it in her eyes. She’s fidgeting with her hands and she looks as though she’s ready to cry. I instantly regret agreeing to come over. However, if Trent and I are going to be a couple, Parker and I are going to have to get used to spending time together.
“Beth, please sit down.” Trent motions for me to sit next to Parker.
Her shoulders are squared and she looks ready for a fight. I have faith that Trent won’t let anything happen to me.
Trent remains standing. “We have what appears to be a family crisis. I won’t go into all of the details, but Parker and I have some concerns that our children may be in danger.”
This certainly wasn’t what I expected we were going to talk about.
“I’ve hired a security firm to monitor the house. They should be here within the hour. Parker and I need you to babysit while we go take care of some business. Beth, you are the only one we can trust right now.”
My head spins with what Trent is saying. I’m totally caught off guard and I certainly wasn’t prepared to be watching the children while Trent and Parker go out.
“Under no circumstances are you to let anyone in this house. I’m not joking. I don’t even want your mother in here. The security detail will remain on the outside for tonight. Don’t answer the phone, and if anyone asks where you are, don’t answer. Make up some story.”
I’ve never heard Trent so stern before. His face is etched with concern, his lips trembling with fear.
“What’s going on?” I look to Trent, who glances to Parker. She nods.
“Like I said, there is a family issue. Parker’s family may be trying to get to the children as a way to get back at me. We can’t let that happen. We’re going to go and sort this out with Porter. If anything should happen while I’m away, I need you to call us immediately. Is that clear?”
