I give Ky a quick shoulder squeeze. He peers up at me, and I reassure him with my eyes. “That man abused me too,” he admits quietly.
Tears prick Alex’s eyes as she drops to her knees in front of him. “No, sweetheart! Oh no.”
“Son, I’m so sorry.” James looks like he’s aged twenty years in the last twenty seconds.
“Why didn’t you say anything when we asked?” Alex cries. Tears are flowing freely down her face.
“Why didn’t you notice?!” Ky’s voice cracks, and my heart feels like it’s splintering in two. Alex and James share anguished expressions. “Because you were too busy with work,” Ky cries, piercing his mum with a hurt look. “And you were late!” He levels that comment at James. “You were late, Dad. The one and only time you were late, and it had to be that day.” Ky hangs his head, and his entire body is stiff underneath me. I press a kiss into his hair, and he buries his head in my shoulder.
“Fuck!” James almost yells. “I remember that day. I sensed something was off when I picked you up. You were so quiet in the car, but every time I asked you if you were okay, you snapped at me that you were fine.”
“Kyler.” Alex speaks in a soft voice, cautiously placing her hand on his knee. “How long did it go on for?”
Ky lifts his head, and the tormented look in his eyes is almost my undoing. I hold him even closer, and his arms tighten around my waist again. “It was just that day, and Dad arrived before he could take it any further. He didn’t rape me, but I’ve no doubt he would have if he’d had the chance.”
Alex is sobbing quietly at Kyler’s feet. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, honey.” She pierces him with a loaded look, filled with a lifetime of regret. “I’m so sorry I was too busy to notice.” She sits up on her knees, swiping her thumbs under her damp eyes. “That is never going to happen again. I give you my solemn promise. You and your brothers and Faye are my priority now.”
Ky raises his eyes to the ceiling, and I know it’ll take a lot more than words to prove that to this family. Ky barks out a laugh. “You haven’t heard the most fucked-up part of it yet.” James and Alex give him their full attention. “My biological father, Doug—he stopped it.” James’s mouth hangs open while Alex just looks confused. “He was at the track the week after it happened. He told me this when I was in his house. He said he knew I was his son when he saw me that day, and he could also tell I was scared. He’d heard rumors about the other guy, so he took him aside, beat him up, and then reported him to the owners.”
“Oh my gosh!” Alex falls back on her butt.
Ky snorts. “How freaking ironic, right? I wanted, no needed, you to save me from that, to notice how fucking terrified I was going back there, to see the truth behind my lies, to know I was in trouble”—his gaze oscillates between his parents as his voice elevates a few notches—“but it was my bio dad who protected me. Doug saved me, and I don’t know what the fuck to do with that knowledge.”
Ky is quiet for the rest of the day, and we spend it sequestered in my room watching movies. He doesn’t want to talk, and I get it. He’s drained. So I offer the only comfort I can. I’m by his side, holding him, kissing him, and letting him know I’m here for him. He isn’t up to facing his brothers, and they respect his privacy even though I’m sure it’s killing them. Kennedys stick together in times of crises, so it’s hard for them not to rally around Kyler.
When I’m plating up dinner to take back to my room, they all accost me in the kitchen demanding to know how he is. Kal carries the tray for me, and we talk in hushed whispers as we make our way down the corridor. “I’m not sitting back anymore,” I tell him. “Addison needs to be shut down and shut down quick. Are you in or out?”
Kal tugs on my elbow. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have a few ideas, and I’m going to do some snooping tomorrow. Are you going to help me or not?”
He pins me with an “Are you for real?” look. “As if you have to ask.” He rolls his eyes. “Of course, I’m in. I still owe that bitch for what she did to Lana.”
Interesting. Not what she did to him. He wants payback for what she did to Lana.
We resume walking. “Good. He’s not to know.”
“Agreed.”
I take the tray from him. “How you doing this week?” I’ve barely spent any time with him since we returned from Wisconsin and now I feel bad.
He shrugs. “Just trying to keep my head down and get on with things.”
“I meant what I said before. I’m proud of you, Kal, and I’m hoping that someday, somehow you and Lana will get your happy ever after.”
He shrugs again. “I think that’s just wishful thinking, Faye. And you’re all loved up so you want everyone else to be too.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“I can’t entertain hope. Not now. Not ever. She’s gone and she’s not coming back. I messed it up, and I have to live with the consequences.”
“Once you live your life, Kal. She wouldn’t want you to throw your whole life away pining for her. If it’s meant to be, you will find a way back to each other.”
“I think you’ve been reading too many sappy romance novels. Real life isn’t like that, and allowing myself to believe in it will only hurt me more. Lana’s gone, and it’s my fault, and this is my punishment. Don’t feel bad for me. It is what it is.” He gives me a gentle nudge. “Now, go. Before that gets cold.” Leaning in, he kisses me on the cheek. “And thanks for looking after my brother.”
Ky is out for the count beside me, snoring softly. I’m glad he was able to fall asleep after the events of today. He’s emotionally exhausted, and I’m so worried about him. All day, I’ve been mulling over scenarios in my head. Whoever framed Ky must’ve killed Doug Grant, but is Addison really capable of pulling off something like that? Something feels off. Addison wasn’t the only one to steam roll herself into the house this week.
Courtney was here too.
Whatever is going on, I’m determined to get to the bottom of it. I am not going to stand by and watch while Kyler gets accused of something he didn’t do. He can’t do anything to bring further attention to himself, but he was wrong earlier because I can and I will.
Addison is not going to ruin him. I’m going to stop her once and for all, and my gut is telling me this is connected to her parents. I won’t rest until I discover the truth.
I creep out of bed quietly so as not to disturb him. I can’t sleep with so much troubling me. Snatching my phone from the top of my locker, I tiptoe out of the room. Outside, I tap out a message to Keven asking him to dig up dirt on Courtney. Not that it’ll probably do much good, because Keven seems to have feck all time to help, but no harm in asking, I guess.
“Already on that case” is his immediate reply. I guess Alex must have roped her son in to help, too. Another text pops up on the screen. “I have some intel on A. I’ll bring a copy in the morning and we can talk then.” Alex and James have called a family meeting in the morning, but none of us know what it’s about. It must be important if they’re allowing my cousins to skip school. Ky has asked for a bit more time before he tells the rest of his brothers what went down at the track seven years ago, so I’m trusting they are not about to break that promise. They must have something else to share.
I walk on bare feet to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. The low drone of hushed conversation greets me as I step into the living room. Alex and James are seated on the long couch, hunched over a bunch of papers spread out on the table before them.
“Hey,” I murmur.
Their heads jerk up in unison. “What are you doing up so late?” James asks with a frown.
“I’m having difficulty sleeping.”
“I know, sweetheart. We’re still reeling,” he admits frankly.
“He’s going to be okay.” Confidence emanates from my words, because I truly believe Ky is st
rong enough to come through this.
“Thank you for looking after him, honey,” Alex says. “We are so grateful he is at least letting you in. Please be there for him until we can convince him we’re on his side too.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not leaving him to deal with this on his own.”
Kaden and Keven arrive at the butt crack of dawn the next morning for the family meeting. We have breakfast at the formal dining table first. After the breakfast dishes are cleared away, Alex and James tell us they have something important to say. I hold Ky’s hand under the table the entire time.
“Your father and I have made some important decisions in relation to our future,” Alex announces, kicking off the conversation. “In different ways, we have failed you all, and for that we are truly sorry. In trying to build a life for this family, we’ve ignored the most important part of the equation. Being there for you when you needed us.” Her gaze flits between her boys, lingering on Kyler a little longer.
“We cannot undo our mistakes,” James adds. “But we can make changes so we don’t repeat them in future. Your mother and I were up all last night agreeing on what we need to do.” He looks to Alex and she nods subtly. “We need to explain certain things first so you have some context. Courtney has been blackmailing your mother and me for the past few months. She discovered a secret we’ve been keeping, and she’s been lording it over our heads. We were trying to extrapolate ourselves from the situation, but it involved taking enormous risks, making enormous decisions, and until yesterday, we weren’t sure it was the right path to take.”
“What happened yesterday?” Kaden asks, leaning his elbows on the table. Ky tenses, and I squeeze his hand.
“That’s not something we can share yet,” Alex explains, holding up a hand as a round of groans whips around the table. “Hang on here a sec, boys. Someone confided something in us and asked us to keep it private for the moment, and we have to respect that; however, it’s not the what that matters. All that matters is it was the final wake-up call we needed.” Tears well in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, boys, if I’ve given you the impression that work was more important to me. The only thing that matters, the only people who matter, are around this table. In trying to build a successful business, I was thinking of your futures. Being able to provide you with the best education and having trust funds set up so none of you needed to worry financially. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of my personal goals. Kennedy Apparel means nothing to me if I don’t have my family. This family is suffocating, and I didn’t read the signs or I chose, subconsciously, to ignore them.”
She stifles a sob, raising her hand to her chest. “That all changes now.” She looks to James, and it’s obvious from his facial expression that he’s feeling as emotional as she is.
He picks up. “Courtney discovered the Kennedy Apparel brand has been built on a lie. We can only assume she got close to me to gain access to the house so she could uncover the truth. We still don’t know exactly how she obtained the information, but that’s neither here nor there now.”
I’m not sure I buy that. Her obsession with the need to ruin Alex seems to be behind her desire to have James. Almost like she wants to take over her entire life.
“She threatened to expose us to the KA board and to the press,” James continues.
“And we couldn’t allow her to do that,” Alex cuts in. “Not just because we didn’t want embarrassment brought on our family, but such an announcement would devalue the company’s stock and cost thousands of jobs, and I couldn’t do that to the employees. None of them deserve that.”
“What’s the secret?” Keven asks.
Alex gulps, looking nervously at James. He clears his throat. “My family is not connected in any way to the infamous Kennedys. We had documents forged that verified our claims, and we used that to build important contacts and build the KA brand in the early days. We knew that gave us an edge and it worked. It transformed the business to what it is today.”
“So that’s the real reason you didn’t buy that estate in the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port a few years back?” Kal asks.
“Yes,” Alex confirms. “We have deliberately avoided close contact with the Kennedys because we knew if we tried to ingratiate ourselves they would investigate and probably uncover the truth. While we have alluded to the heritage and used it to build the brand and connections, we haven’t imposed on any of them or made any attempts to connect on a personal level. In doing so, they have left us alone, and it suited us perfectly.”
“Until Courtney discovered the truth,” I say.
“It’s definitely time to bring in the hired guns,” Kent says, and everyone groans. He holds up his hands. “What?”
Keaton bumps his shoulder. “You can’t suggest killing people every time they cross us. You’re playing way too much Assassin’s Creed.”
Kent shrugs, but I know it’s all for show. He likes to be the center of attention is all.
“What have you decided to do about it?” I ask.
Alex folds her hands on the table. “Last night, I sold the business to our chief competitor.” She lets that shock settle before continuing. “They are going to absorb the brand into their overall brand so the impact on share price should only be temporary. I had to take a hit on the sale, but it was still a good deal. All the employees will get a payout and eighty percent of them will keep their jobs.”
“What about me and Selena?” Keanu asks.
“You have new modeling contracts. Don’t worry, son, I made sure you were both looked after.”
Keanu visibly relaxes. “Thanks, Mom. What about you? What are you going to do now?”
“I’m stepping down as CEO this morning with full approval of the board. The new owners have asked me to work in a consultancy capacity during the transition, and after that I’m going to take some time off to be at home with my children. Maybe in future, when you have all left the nest, I might start up something, but I’ve no immediate plans. We are financially secure, and there is nothing to stop me from prioritizing my family.” She leans forward in her seat, and her whole face radiates happiness. “But it’s more than that. I want to be here for all of you. No more drinking. No more business trips. I’ll just be Mom.” She beams at her boys. “And I couldn’t be any happier about it.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Faye
“What are you doing about Courtney?” Ky asks after the initial shock of Alex’s confession has sunk in.
“She is being served with papers this morning. We are suing her for personal damages on account of her blackmail,” James explains. “We’ve had an official PI trailing her for weeks, and Keven has gathered some useful intel which has given us enough evidence to take this legal.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for forging documents?” I ask.
“It’s true there are some legal issues to work through, yes, but Dan assures us he can make this go away with payment of a fine,” Alex confirms. “Courtney is also being fired this morning in front of the board. Blackmailing the CEO and threatening to bring the company into disrepute gives us enough grounds to terminate her employment contract without compensation,” Alex smiles like all her Christmases have come at once. “I can’t wait to see that smug look wiped off her face.”
Kal high-fives her. “You’re bad ass, Mom.”
“For the record,” James speaks up, squirming a little in his chair. “I made a mistake when I slept with Courtney, and I knew it pretty much immediately, but she’s been blackmailing me into staying with her. That’s all over now. She is out of our lives.”
Alex’s lips narrow. “She is ruined, both financially and professionally, and I think it’s safe to say that’s the last we’ll be seeing of her.”
“Does that mean the divorce is off?” Keaton asks, his voice tinged with hope.
Alex looks down at the table. James looks sad. �
�I’m afraid not, son. We have more problems than just Courtney.”
“We have hurt each other a lot by keeping so many secrets.” Alex levels grave eyes around the table. “I hurt your father by lying about Kyler’s biological father, and that doesn’t seem to be something we can put behind us. Anger and mistrust are not the foundation of a solid relationship, and the cracks have been forming for years.”
A somber mood settles over the table.
“It doesn’t mean we won’t be a family,” James is quick to reassure them. “We are still committed to all of you.”
“Just not to one another,” Keaton says, and it’s clear he’s fighting tears.
“We are committed as parents and we‘ll still do things together, but we won’t be married. We are both sorry it has come to this, but we believe that splitting up is genuinely in the best interests of this family. We are trying to right the wrongs of the past, but we don’t have all the answers either,” James says. “We hope you can bear with us and understand we are trying to do the best for all of you. You are all that matters and we’re going to make sure we show you that from now on.”
Later that afternoon, I nab Keven for a chat. “What have you discovered?” I ask him as we hide out in James’s office. The others are playing Xbox in the games room.
“You were right. Peyton’s mother, Wendy, is Addison’s birth mother, but get this, her dad is still her dad.”
I ponder the implications. “So, her dad had an affair with his wife’s sister, and then they kept the baby?” I surmise, an incredulous note creeping into my tone when really there’s no need. Given all the revelations these past few months, there shouldn’t be anything that surprises me anymore.
“That’s the way it looks.”
“Do you have anything else for me?”
“Like what?” He crosses his feet at the ankles.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Anything else suspicious in her background?”
Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys Book 3) Page 23
