All Bets Are On

by Cynthia Cooke

Derek sped to the high rise with his mother’s penthouse, along with all the other offices for their organization and their lawyer’s office. He’d pick up the papers first then go see her. Things were quickly spiraling, and he needed to get a handle on them.

  “Bart, how are you this morning,” he greeted, as he walked into his lawyer’s office. It was well appointed with black leather and glass furniture, and had an incredible view of the ocean off in the distance beyond Miami’s skyline.

  “I thought Miss Reynolds would be joining us.” Bart said, standing to shake his hand, concern etched on his face.

  “I’m afraid she’s ill. I’ll be happy to take the papers to her and have her sign them.”

  “If that’s the best we can manage, it will have to do. But in situations like this, timing is critical. We need to remove Miss Anderson from having any authority in the foundation as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll make sure it happens today.”

  “I’ll look forward to hearing from you this afternoon, then.”

  “Thanks, Bart.” After another handshake, Derek left the lawyer’s office and headed upstairs to his mother’s penthouse. Since it was still early, he figured he’d find her sitting at the dining room table eating her breakfast. And he was right.

  “Derek? What are you doing here?” she said, as he walked in.

  “Have you seen the news?” He stopped next to the sideboard and grabbed a cup of coffee.

  Her lips thinned. He’d take that as a yes.

  He took a seat at the table next to her. “I think Deirdre went a little overboard, don’t you?”

  She gave him a half smile as she brought her cup to her lips. “She always has been an excitable child.”

  “She isn’t right for the job and you know it.”

  “And you are?”

  He clamped down on the frustration building within him. She fed off it, and it did nothing to help his cause. “I’m not going to argue with you, Mother. You know I’m not only right for the job, but for overseeing the ninth level also. I’m ready for that promotion.”

  Her mouth opened to protest when he interrupted her. “Yes, you might think I’m too soft, not creative, and take too long to mete out justice, but I’m careful. I don’t hurt people who don’t deserve to be hurt. And, what’s more, I don’t steamroll humanity.”

  “You lack efficiency. Sometimes there have to be casualties.”

  “Sometimes. Not all the time. And not in the numbers we’re seeing today. I’m the right person for the job, and I want it. I know it, everyone knows it. It’s time you figured that out.” He stood, saying all he’d come to say.

  Camilla, the maid, walked in. “Master Derek. Can I get you breakfast?”

  “No, thanks, Camilla. Coffee will be fine.” She nodded and left the room.

  “I will talk to Deirdre. She’s only been on the job for one day and while her methods can be heavy handed—”

  “Can be?”

  “She is expedient.”

  He took a deep breath, trying to push back the anger that always rose to the surface whenever he was around his mother. The woman was impossible.

  “I understand Jaclyn had a meeting with the lawyers this morning.”

  “Yes, but she’s fallen ill. I’ve picked up the papers and will bring them to her later. We should have the partnership completely dissolved by the end of today so there will be no need to shut down her organization.”

  Her forehead furrowed in outrage. “And the friend gets away with it?”

  “I’ll make sure she doesn’t. I would appreciate it if you’d keep Deirdre on a short leash on this one.”

  “Why’s that?” she snapped.

  “Jaclyn needs a little time, and I’m dealing with it.”

  She studied him. “I’m not in the business of caring what people need.”

  “You might with this one.”

  “Oh?” Now he had her attention. The question was, should he tell her? Did he have a choice?

  He sat back down, stretching his hands out on the table in front of him, staring at them. “I’d like to know who my father is.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise, and narrowed in anger. He was familiar with the look. He’d seen it many times as a child. She’d never given him an answer, and worse, if he persisted, she would punish him for his trouble. But he wasn’t a child any longer.

  “Don’t put me off this time, not again,” he stated firmly.

  “I’m not going to talk about him, Derek.”

  “We are going to talk about him. It’s time.”

  “What difference does it make who he was? He was never here. He didn’t want to have anything to do with either of us. He doesn’t care about you. About me. About anything but himself.” She stood, turning from him.

  “Who is he?” he pushed.

  She pivoted back, her face full of red-hot fury. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Not want. Need.”

  The room was getting significantly hotter. He was getting to her. The thought almost made him smile.

  “Again, why?” she demanded.

  “Because Jaclyn is pregnant and I want to know everything there is to know about its lineage.”

  “Pregnant! Your little bird who runs a charity?”

  Derek stared at her speechless. Wasn’t she the one who wanted a grandchild so badly?

  Her hands fluttered. Actually fluttered. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her lose her composure like this. “Well, this is an embarrassment. What about Sabine?”

  “What about her? Jaclyn is ten times the woman Sabine will ever be.”

  “Maybe. But she’s human.”

  “Yes, she is. With a strong moral code, and good values. She will make a wonderful mother. Which brings me back to my original question. Who is my father? And more importantly, what is my father? Is he human? A demon? A god?”

  “A human,” she muttered, as if she hadn’t heard a word he’d said.

  Suddenly she slapped her hands together, and her blue eyes shone with glee. “The mother notwithstanding, this is absolutely wonderful.”

  “Wonderful? What’s wonderful?” Deirdre asked, walking into the room, still in her robe.

  “Derek is finally going to be a father,” his mother announced, her voice full of joy. Derek cringed. He wasn’t sure he even wanted his mother to know; he certainly wasn’t ready for Deirdre to know. His sister looked at him in surprise, then her feline stare turned suspicious.

  “And you think that’s wonderful, Mother? On what planet?” She picked up a strawberry off the sideboard and bit into it.

  “I’m thrilled. A baby is just what we need around here.”

  “Is it? Really?” Deirdre persisted. “We are talking about Derek here.”

  “Deirdre, your bad mouthing your brother has become more than tiresome.”’

  “I agree.” Derek added. “So Mother, Jaclyn and I are giving you your coveted grandchild. In return, I want you to tell me about my father, I want you to back off of her foundation, and I want my promotion.”

  “Not a chance,” Deirdre cut in. “I’m in charge now and, backing off, as you put it, is not in my nature. And did you say Jaclyn? That little human with the bad hair is the mother?” Her eyes rolled as a look of distaste twisted her ugly mouth. The bitch. He’d been too lenient with his baby sister all these years. Perhaps it was time he did something about that.

  He turned to his mother. “I’m asking you to give her a little time. The morning sickness is hitting her hard.”

  “I think we can do that,” his mother said, the smile still holding on her face. And the happier she got, the more pissed off it was making Deirdre. Good.

  “You must move her into this penthouse right away. I’ll have her placed under twenty-four-hour security.” She clapped her hands for Camilla.

  “No way,” Deirdre snapped.

  “That’s not going to happen,” Derek added.

  Deirdre plopped down next to him. “Finally we agree. I
don’t want her here.”

  “We can’t take the chance of anything happening to that darling baby. It is going to be my grandchild, after all.”

  The possessiveness in her tone, in her eyes, set Derek’s teeth on edge and his head was beginning to ache. “How do you suggest I explain to Jaclyn that I want her to be under guard and living with my mother?”

  “If that will be such a problem, then all you have to do is marry the girl so she can move in with you. What safer place would there be for her than at your house in the Underworld?”

  “Like hell I will,” Derek snapped. She was dictating again. Whether or not he and Jaclyn married and when was entirely up to them. And truthfully, he hadn’t thought that far yet.

  “Like hell you won’t. No grandchild of mine will be born a bastard and live unprotected,” his mother’s voice boomed through the room so loud, he was certain they heard her in the lobby below.

  “She doesn’t even know she’s pregnant yet,” Derek said, quietly. He needed to diffuse this situation, and fast.

  “How could she not know?” she demanded.

  He shrugged. “It’s too soon. She just thinks she’s sick.”

  Deirdre burst out laughing and clapped her hands together. “Let’s go tell the little mama she’s pregnant.”

  Derek spun on her. “Dammit, Deirdre, you will stay away from her! When are you going to stop interfering in my life? “

  She grinned. “When you stop making it so damned fun.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Hours after Derek had left, Jaclyn woke but didn’t move. Her eyes still shut, she lay there in the dark and relived the train wreck that had become her life. She started to get out of bed when another wave of nausea fell over her. She rushed to the toilet, where she got sick again. What the hell was wrong with her?

  This had gone on too long to be food poisoning. Some kind of stomach bug? She took a shower and got dressed in sweats, but couldn’t even consider taking Rufus for his morning run. At this point, she’d be lucky if she could do anything other than sit on the couch and feel sorry for herself.

  She made a cup of coffee, but couldn’t drink it. Neither could she eat. She ran to the toilet one more time, sitting there on the floor, her head pressed against the cool ceramic of the tub when she heard the doorbell ring.

  Damn.

  She pushed herself to her feet, wondering who it could be and hoped it wasn’t Derek, because she couldn’t face him right then. Luckily it wasn’t, but it was worse. It was his sister, with her long flowing perfect red curls cascading over her shoulders. She was wearing a form-fitting white dress and Jimmy Choo shoes. Her necklace of white quartz threaded with veins of gold glistened against her tanned skin. Jaclyn didn’t usually drool over jewelry, but that had to be the most beautiful piece she’d ever seen. Even Trish’s extensive collection of designer pieces didn’t compare to this woman’s ensemble. Jaclyn grimaced at her baggy sweats, and reluctantly pulled open the door.

  “Deirdre?” she croaked. “Is everything all right?”

  Deirdre shrugged. “I guess that depends on your perspective. Can I come in?”

  Jaclyn considered telling her no. Begging off. Blaming her sickness, but in the end she held the door open. Hadn’t Derek said she’d taken over his job? That meant she was in charge of investigating her foundation. She had to make nice with the woman. “Please.”

  Deirdre walked in, taking a good look around as Jaclyn led her to the kitchen. “Coffee?”

  “Sure, why not.”

  “Are you looking for Derek?” Jaclyn asked as she poured her a cup. “If so, I’m afraid he’s not here. I think he said something about going to the lawyer’s office.”

  “Yes, I know. I just saw him. He’s having a heart to heart with my mother right now. I’m sure he hasn’t even figured out I’ve left yet.”

  Something about the sparkle of mischief in her green eyes set Jaclyn’s teeth on edge. “Okay, so what can I do for you?”

  “It’s what I can do for you,” Deirdre said, a wicked smile hovering around her perfectly painted lips.

  This couldn’t be good. Jaclyn liked most people, and always tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but she really didn’t like this woman. At all. “I’ll bite. What is it?”

  “I’m here to warn you about Derek. He’s been less than honest with you.” Her wide green eyes filled with sincerity and concern.

  Unable to stand any longer, Jaclyn sat across the table from her. What was she talking about? Should she trust her? That little voice of doubt inside her head whispered, told you so. She pushed it down, reminding herself that Derek and Deirdre had some substantial sibling rivalry going on, so more than likely, she couldn’t trust anything this woman said.

  “Explain,” she said sharper than she’d intended.

  For a second, Deirdre actually looked reluctant. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  Jaclyn’s stomach was tying itself in knots, which didn’t help her nausea. “How about the beginning?” she suggested.

  “There was the bet.”

  “I already know about that,” she said quickly. She didn’t need to hear about that again. That alone should have been clue enough that he wasn’t on the up and up. That he was a first class game player and she had just been the prize.

  “Well, and then there is the audit.”

  “Of my foundation?” Jaclyn clarified.

  “Yes. Derek was the one who set it up.”

  “Because it was his job.” Jaclyn knew that, didn’t she? She did, he’d told her. “He was just following orders.” Wasn’t he?

  “Was he?”

  “Aren’t you in charge of running things?” Her eyes narrowed on Deirdre as she scrutinized the woman and wondered what she was up to.

  “Yes. Which is why he’s at my house now, working my mother. Doing whatever it takes to get his job back, including throwing you under the bus.”

  “Me? How?” What else could possibly be done to her? Her company was in shambles, she’d lost her best friend, and she was as sick as a dog. From where she sat, Derek was the only one trying to help her deal with everything that was happening. Her head was spinning, and she was about to get sick. Again. “No offense, but I really don’t want to get in the middle of your family drama. I’m really not feeling well, and should probably get back in bed.” Using both hands, she pushed herself up from the table and stood.

  “But you already are part of our family drama, as you put it.”

  She was smiling again, and the more she smiled, the more uncomfortable Jaclyn felt. “Why, because Derek is helping me? He shouldn’t be punished for that.”

  “Exactly. It’s his job to bring down wrongdoers. To expose them for the crooks they are.”

  “But I’m not a crook.” She didn’t have the energy for this.

  “And yet your foundation is toast, isn’t it? Along with your reputation?”

  Jaclyn’s head was spinning and her stomach was doing the cha-cha. Any moment now she was going to puke.

  “But the worst thing, Jaclyn, the biggest sin, is the one I can’t forgive him for. Which brings me to why I’m here today.”

  “Please, get to it.” Jaclyn didn’t think she could hear anymore. Not now. Not when every ounce of strength she had was being used to keep herself from running for the bathroom.

  That moment, Deirdre’s phone rang. She pulled it out and glanced down at the screen. “It’s Derek. He must have figured out I left. We don’t have a lot of time before he discovers where I am.”

  “Time for what?”

  Deirdre leaned forward, her face grim. “Derek needs an heir to get the promotion he wants at work, and you, my dear, are about to give it to him. He could care less about you, Jaclyn. All he wants is that baby bump growing inside you.”

  Baby bump? Bile rose in Jaclyn’s throat. “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “You’re pregnant.”

  “No, I’m not.” Jaclyn swayed on her feet. “Why
would you say such a thing?” She couldn’t be pregnant. There was no way she was pregnant.

  “If I’m lying, why did Derek come to our house this morning to inform our mother that you were pregnant and demand his promotion?”

  “What promotion? What are you talking about? No! Never mind. This is ridiculous,” she insisted. “I’m not pregnant.” She couldn’t be.

  “Aren’t you?”

  “No.” She wobbled then righted herself. “I think I’d know it if I were.”

  Deirdre stood. “That’s good. Because I’d hate to think you were trying to trap my brother for his wealth.”

  “You’re making no sense. Trap him? Didn’t you just say he was trying to trap me?” Jaclyn thought back to the unopened condom lying on the bed and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to say. I’m not pregnant. Even if I were, I would never go after Derek’s money. I’m not that kind of person.”

  “I just needed to throw that out there and see for myself. You and I both know how rich he is and if you have his brat, you wouldn’t even need to marry him to get a good child support package. And I know how desperate you are. Soon everyone will know. I suggest you get rid of it. I can help you.”

  Get rid of it? Confusion bombarded Jaclyn’s mind and she couldn’t sort up from down, let alone make sense of whatever this woman was up to. “Deirdre, I can assure you there is nothing to get rid of because I am not pregnant. Now please, leave. I have to lie down.” She started walking toward the front door, bracing herself against the wall along the way.

  As Deirdre walked out, she turned back and looked at her, a wide grin stretching across her face. “Oh you’re pregnant all right. Apparently, you just don’t know it yet.”

  Pregnant.

  The word kept turning in her mind, like a conveyer belt on an endless loop of crazy. Deirdre was crazy. Jaclyn slammed the door behind the woman and thought back to the first time she slept with Derek, and the second. They hadn’t used a condom. So why the hell was she so surprised? She could be pregnant.

  No. She wasn’t.

  It was too soon. No one knew something like that in three days. Impossible.

  And then she was running back down the hall toward the bathroom again where she promptly threw up. This couldn’t be happening! She didn’t know how long she lay on the bathroom floor, trying to absorb the craziness spinning around in her head.