“You’re really reaching now,” Avery said. “My father is just fine now. He doesn’t need any extra care at all.”
Avery’s father, Charlie Jackson, was the police chief of View Park. One evening, while out for dinner with Avery’s brother, Sean, they came across a group of kids trying to steal a car. Charlie was shot twice in the stomach and almost died. It was this emergency that made Avery come out of hiding in Miami, where she had gone to keep her pregnancy a secret from Carter, and return to View Park with Anthony, thus letting her secret out. Although he was not fit enough to return to the force, he had recovered nicely and was doing fine.
“I’m stretching?” Carter asked, fuming. “The only thing that I’m stretching is how long I’m going to let you keep our daughter if you keep handing her off to other people.”
Avery rushed around the counter to come face-to-face with him. “Don’t you dare threaten me! I don’t pawn her off on anyone. Nikki is her grandmother!”
“Well, she may be Connor’s grandmother, but she’s acting like a better mother to her than you!”
Carter didn’t have a second to think before he felt Avery’s hand slap against his cheek like a cold whip. He blinked at the burn before locking his bright hazel eyes with Avery’s large and raging ones. His entire body lit on fire, and without thinking, he grabbed her by her upper arms and pulled her to him.
When his mouth came down on hers, Avery was shocked. She was so filled with rage that to have it mixed so unexpectedly with desire was a jolt to her system. But only for a second because as soon as she felt his strong lips against hers, Avery experienced a ferocious pull in her gut that set her body on fire. His kiss was hard and demanding, and her body melted into his as she received it, feeling the longing inside her awaken at rapid speed. The intensity of so much anger and passion sparked an all-consuming craving.
The taste of her lips was so good to Carter that it was painful. It had been so long since he tasted them, but it had not been long since he’d dreamed of tasting them. There was something about her mouth that made him want more and more. He aggressively drew her even closer to him and drank up her sweet taste that sent electric waves through his body.
“No,” Carter said in a tortured whisper as he pushed her away. He was so angry with himself for being so damn weak when it came to this woman. How could he hate her so much but within seconds want nothing more than to touch her, kiss her, and be inside her? What was she doing to him? What was this power she had?
“This isn’t going to work,” he said, trying to catch his out-of-control breath.
Avery was too stunned to even think or focus. Her entire body was like a volcano, and all she could think was that she wanted him, needed him, more. “What isn’t…What…What won’t work?”
“You’re not going to seduce me,” Carter said, finally able to look her in the face. How is it that a man who had spent his life controlling his feelings for women easily could have absolutely no control over himself when this woman was near?
“I wasn’t trying to seduce you!” Avery’s anger at his audacity brought her senses back. “You arrogant jerk! You kissed me.”
“You knew that was going to happen,” Carter accused. “Every time you slap me, we end up kissing or making love. You know the effect you—”
“What?” Avery asked. “The effect I have on you? That’s my fault? And what effect would that be, Carter? To make you want me and then hate me?”
“How is that different from how you feel about me?” Carter took a step back, because while his mind was in control, his body still wanted her.
“I don’t hate you, Carter.” Avery sighed, looking him in the eyes. “I love you. I’m sorry that we couldn’t—”
“Don’t show me your pity,” he exclaimed. “Don’t tell me how sorry you are that you couldn’t love me enough.”
“I can’t do this again,” she said. “I can’t keep explaining to you that my choice wasn’t about how much I love you.”
“Don’t waste your time,” Carter said, feeling the resentment boiling inside of him. “Quote your scriptures to yourself. If you really loved me, you would have chosen me.”
Avery tried to control her emotions, feeling tears begin to creep into her eyes. She had cried so many nights over this, but she couldn’t let him see her do it. Not anymore. “I did love you, Carter. I still do, but I—”
“Bullshit,” he responded, and was gratified with the angry expression that took over Avery in response to his dismissal of her feelings. He wasn’t going to be her fool again. “It’s not going to work anymore. If you insist on neglecting MY daughter in favor of everything else, I’ll see to it that you don’t have that choice anymore.”
As he stormed out of the gallery, Avery let herself go and tears began streaming down her face. She ran behind the counter to grab a Kleenex and push the bell that rang in the back room, asking for help at the counter. Her coworker was on break, but Avery had to get some air. She knew what Carter meant by taking away “that” choice. He meant taking away her custody, and there was nothing that Avery feared more in this world.
“You’re doing a great job, Darryl.” Leigh was warmed by the proud smile of the twelve-year-old boy sitting on the patient’s table in room 5 of Hope Clinic in South Central Los Angeles.
“I feel good.” Darryl’s dark brown face lit up, showing his bright white teeth. “I was outside playing for like five hours yesterday.”
Leigh looked at Aliyah, Darryl’s thirty-year-old mother, sitting in a chair a few feet away. Aliyah shook her head with a laugh.
“It was only two hours,” she said. “And not more than that.”
“I’m sure it felt like five hours,” Leigh said as she turned back to Darryl.
Four months ago, the diabetic preteen showed up at Hope Clinic very weak. The normally active boy broke into an exhaustive sweat after only twenty minutes of activity. After years of struggling, Aliyah had finally gotten off of welfare and was working as a part-time receptionist at a veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, the new job didn’t include health insurance, so she came to the clinic.
Leigh diagnosed him easily. A drug he had been taking to manage his diabetes had turned on his kidneys and was damaging them. They were degrading fast, and if he hadn’t come to her when he had, they would have likely failed. There was no way Aliyah would have ever been able to afford dialysis, which is what he would have needed to stay alive.
However, switching his medications, Leigh was able to stop the damage, and his kidney filtration rate was back to normal. It was the minimum of normal, but he was on his way. It was such a small change but meant the difference between life and death, and this was what Leigh lived for.
“Two hours sounds good,” Leigh said, “but you want to take it slow. Your mom will tell me if you don’t.”
“I will.” Darryl had a light in his youthful eyes that had recently returned after months of having the dimming eyes of an old man.
Leigh looked around the makeshift medical room, separated from the other rooms by partitions. The closed rooms were reserved for patients with much more personal health issues, such as HIV or pregnancy.
“I don’t see my prescription pad anywhere.” She placed her hand gently on Darryl’s knee. “You get your shirt back on and I’ll go find the pad so I can write you a new prescription. I’ll be back in five minutes.”
Leigh winked at Aliyah as she walked by her and was satisfied with the appreciative smile. Aliyah was like many girls in her neighborhood who had gotten pregnant too young, but unlike so many of the young girls in her neighborhood, she wasn’t satisfied with the life she was living. She wanted more for herself and for her son and had struggled to get it. She was a great mom in a world that made it real hard to be one. Mothers like her needed this health insurance bill Leigh was fighting for.
Leigh quickly made her way to the front lobby of the clinic, where she was confronted with a roomful of waiting patients. This always reminded her that she had
to open up that third clinic quickly. Both Hope Clinics were always full to the brim, and Leigh and the doctors and nurses on her payroll had only so much time.
“I’ll be ready in a second,” Leigh said to Lauren, the receptionist. “Do you have an extra prescription pad?”
“They’re locked up,” Lauren said as she reached into the top drawer of her desk for her keys. “You’ve been here since five in the morning, and you’re going to act like you don’t see this?”
“What?” Leigh, who had been surveying the patients’ sign-in sheet on the desk, looked up. The second she did, she realized what Lauren was talking about.
It was an enormous bouquet of flowers that Leigh recognized as very expensive lilies of the valley and Casablancas. Casablanca lilies were her favorite.
“There is no—” Before Leigh could finish her sentence, Lauren handed her a small, pink-colored, petal-shaped envelope. “Did you read it as well?”
“Since when did you start dating Senator Cody?” Lauren didn’t bother to whisper, which caught the attention of several in the waiting room.
“I’m not dating him,” Leigh responded loudly. “I barely even know him.”
She opened the envelope and read the message.
You made me think more of the issue than I have since learning of it. You’re an amazing advocate.
—Max
Leigh felt a reluctant smile form at her lips. They were kind words, considering that when she left his office yesterday, she felt he was throwing daggers at her from his piercing eyes. She had met his opposition as best she could, but her time had run out when Kelly interrupted to tell him he had to catch a flight to Sacramento.
“Well?” Lauren said impatiently.
“Well nothing.” Leigh stuffed the card back in the envelope and placed it on the desk. “He’s a politician, Lauren. He’s just schmoozing to try and make up for being a…well, a politician. I’m trying to get his support for the health insurance bill, and he’s giving me the regular Republican line.”
“Line or not,” Lauren said, “you’re due for a little lovin’, and you could do much, much worse than a future president of the United States.”
“President?” Leigh asked. “Do you know something I don’t?”
“Everyone knows that he’s being groomed for the White House. He’s too perfect not to be. The only thing missing is a family, and who better than an American princess?”
Leigh rolled her eyes. “I’m not a princess. I’m a doctor, and I have patients to tend to.”
Leigh accepted the prescription pad and made her way back to the rooms. She didn’t doubt that a man like Max could be president. He had all the superficial qualities that voters seem to like no matter how much they consistently prove to be insufficient in the long run. He certainly wouldn’t have her vote.
4
Leigh knew something was up when her mother walked into the state-of-the-art gym located in the basement of Chase Mansion. It was a little after one in the afternoon, and Leigh had just gotten home from her shift and hoped to get some exercise in.
As Janet approached her, Leigh jumped up on the sides of the treadmill so she could stop moving without having to pause the machine. She removed only one of her iPod earphones.
“I thought you were going to be secluded in your office planning the charity breast cancer ball,” Leigh said.
“I just happened to be walking past the foyer when Maya was receiving a messenger.” Janet’s voice was tinged with genteel excitement. “It was a lovely invitation in a very classical black and ecru envelope. The lining and design are just choice. Very elegant.”
Leigh was amused at her mother’s stir. A lady of the best breeding, Janet was given an Emily Post etiquette book at age eight. She was the epitome of self-restraint and appearances, but every now and then, she let herself go and could have a good time. She seemed ready to burst right now.
“Sounds intriguing,” Leigh said. “Stop teasing and tell me. Is it an elaborate invitation to some high-society wedding? What?”
“It’s funny you should say wedding,” Janet said, holding up the opened envelope in her left hand. “Because that is exactly what I was thinking of when I read it. It’s for you by the way.”
“What is it with people?” Leigh jumped off the treadmill and snatched the envelope away from her mother. “Everyone feels free to open any card with my name on it?”
“You’ve been holding back on me.” Janet watched eagerly as Leigh opened the card.
When Leigh realized who the card was from, it all made sense. She turned to her excited mother with a look of dread on her face. “Sorry, Mom. This isn’t what you think.”
“I can read,” Janet said. “Senator Max Cody has invited you to dinner. At Bastide no less.”
“I know what’s going on in that mind of yours.” Leigh stuffed the paper back into the envelope. “You’re always trying to marry me off to some upper-class well-to-do society guy. You know, Max comes from the middle class. You’ve never been too keen on those types.”
Janet waved a dismissive hand. “He’s like your father. It’s just a mistake of the stars that he wasn’t born in high society. He’s of superior quality. High society is where he’s always belonged.”
Although she shouldn’t be after all this time, Leigh was astonished. Not because of what her mother was saying, but because she knew she meant it. “Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I am not dating this man, and I never would.”
“Then why the invitation?” Janet asked.
She was treading lightly. Janet knew that her involvement in Leigh’s personal life usually led to disaster, but she wanted so desperately for her angel to be happy. She had had such bad luck with men. Leigh had always been the jewel of the family, and Janet expected greater things for her than even herself in life. Max Cody could offer that.
“I was trying to get his support to lobby the governor for the health insurance bill.” Leigh handed the envelope back to her mother. “But he isn’t on board. He just likes to be lobbied. I think the attention turns him on.”
“This man is likely going to be president someday,” Janet said. “His time is very valuable and in demand by some of the most powerful political and business leaders in the world. For him to ask you to dinner—”
“Makes him a man,” Leigh interrupted. “He just wants his ego stroked. Besides, I’m pretty sure he’s sleeping with his chief of staff.”
“Future presidents don’t marry staff,” Janet said. “They marry women like you.”
“Marry?” Leigh found this amusing. It was a bit much, even for her mother. “You’re insane. I’m not going. He’s not serious about this bill, and I’m not going to let him use it to amuse himself.”
“Fine.” Janet raised her arms in acquiescence. “I will stay out of it.”
“When have I heard that before?” Leigh asked.
“But,” Janet added.
“Here we go,” Leigh said.
“You have been passionate about this bill for a very long time,” Janet said. “If charming a man who is arguably the most powerful in the state can get this bill on the governor’s desk, why would you let anything stop you?”
“It’s called integrity,” Leigh said.
“I think you’re just afraid.” Janet noticed a defiant expression on Leigh’s face. As darling as she was, Leigh enjoyed proving people wrong about her. “I hope you can tell all those people you were fighting for something better than ‘it’s called integrity.’”
As her mother left, Leigh knew she had been tricked, but she was used to it. Janet always found a way to get Leigh to do what she wanted her to. She was right. If a little charm could help save the health and lives of thousands of Californians, who was she to stand in the way? If he wanted dinner, he could have it, but she intended to let him know that it would never be more than that before he even poured the first glass of wine.
Besides, a dinner at the ultraexpensive Bastide in Melrose wasn’t a bad
place to get a free meal.
“Avery!”
Avery blinked, coming back from her trance as she relived in her mind the kiss she and Carter shared yesterday. She had been unable to think of much else. She wasn’t sure how long Kimberly had been calling her name, but from the look on her face, it had been more than once.
“I’m sorry,” Avery said. “What?”
“What is your…” Kimberly paused as the country club waiter brought their grape, Asiago cheese, and toasted pine nut salads to their table. She waited until he was out of earshot. “What is your problem?”
“Nothing,” Avery said. “You were saying something.”
“Are you not hungry?” Kimberly asked. “I know this isn’t your favorite place, but I feel like every time I come here, I’m sticking it to Janet. She tried to get me kicked out of this place after the divorce, but Michael stopped her.”
“So I’m party to your ongoing revenge?” Avery asked, picking at her plate.
“Shit.” Kimberly leaned back in her chair. “Not just you. Since the bill still goes to the Steven and Janet Chase account, I’m bringing every bitch I know here.”
Avery let out a weak laugh, appreciating Kimberly’s attempt to lift her mood. “You’re crazy.”
“She made me crazy,” Kimberly said. “That whole family did, and I’m assuming your far-off, distant zone-out is due to a member of that psychotic clan too.”
“It’s Carter.” Avery looked at her sleeping daughter in the baby seat next to her. “He threatened me again yesterday.”
“Stop it,” Kimberly said. “He is not going to take Connor away from you.”
Avery was shaking her head. “I’ll never let him take her, but I’m just afraid of the fight. I don’t have the energy to deal with this hate. I’ve tried to make peace with him.”
“Just be patient,” Kimberly said. “He’s Carter Chase. He’s had women at his feet his entire life. He’s never lost a woman. He never loses anything, and he certainly never expected to lose the one thing he wanted most in the world.”
Gone Too Far Page 6
