“I believe that. When we made him tell us about what happened, he almost had a stroke,” Jordana says.
“I bet he did,” Karlie scoffs. “Now the Michelsons. It turns out Wayne Michelson is laundering money and stealing from his clients. He’s one of the highest paid stock traders on Wall Street. Originally from the Bronx, tough up-bringing, self-made billionaire, but too bad he doesn’t know how to keep up with his offshore accounts. He has three banks. One in the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, and France. Each holds his unmarked money. I may or may not have leaked this information to the authorities.”
“Holy shit. Really?” Cody asks.
“A deal I made with his mistress, who also happens to be the mother of two of his secret illegitimate children.” A harsh laugh comes next before continuing. “Thirteen and ten, living in a two bedroom apartment in Queens, not far from my old apartment. There will be an investigation pending soon.”
“What about Chad?” Hugo asks.
“Isn’t he a junkie? What more could I do to hurt him?”
“Well, then I’ll just have to settle for kicking his ass.”
“What about Scarlett?” I ask. “She’s probably the most soulless person I’ve ever met. What can you really do to hurt her?”
“William once told me Theodore Brayson was one of the kindest men you could ever know, but there was always something off about him. He couldn’t understand it, but he did feel as if it had something to do with the Black Card Club.”
“The Black Card Club?” I’m confused.
“The Black Card Club was basically this secret society that ruled the Upper East Side,” Jordana says.
“Rule meaning that only certain men could get in and the ones rejected were pissed – my father included. I remember the day he propositioned them and got rejected. Spewing off about how they were pompous asswhipes.”
“I swear, no matter what age group, it’s all high school with you people,” Anika says.
“Agreed,” we all say.
“The Black Card Club apparently had the greatest connects that no one could get and together were filthy rich and invincible and very known for their generous donations to children’s homes and homeless shelters. The club ended after Scarlett’s dad died... or so they thought,” Karlie says.
“You think Scarlett runs it.” I say.
“No way,” Hugo quickly objects.
“What makes you think not?” Karlie asks.
“I would’ve known.”
“That’s what I was trying to figure out,” Karlie says. “But I guess not, so we are gonna have to do some investigating.”
“How?”
“The only possibility of getting accepted into the Black Card Club that I have come up with is to have a relation to the person who created it.” Karlie eyes Hugo and so does everyone else, and I am at a complete lost.
“I don’t get it,” I say to get some answers.
“You didn’t tell her?” Cody asks.
“Tell me what?”
“None of you told her?” Hugo asks and I’m becoming annoyed now.
“Tell me what?!”
“His mother,” Jordana says and I look at Hugo.
“Who was your mother?”
“You didn’t Google me?” he asks annoyed.
“I didn’t need to.” This reminds him again why he loves me. I can see it in his crooked smirk.
“My mother’s maiden name was Suzanna Jane Voncliff.”
I still don’t get it until… fuck. I get it.
“Your mother… a Voncliff? As in the…”
“Voncliffs. Yes,” he says, not proud. Not ashamed. Just not bothered.
“That means…”
“His family is richer than Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Donald Trump combined,” Jordana says and my mouth is still hanging.
“They used to be,” Hugo says.
“Oh please, everyone knows your grandmother is sitting on a vault full of gold and diamonds and rubies,” Jordana protests. “Forbes may not know, but everyone else does, including Oprah.
“Some say she is gold,” Cody jokes.
“I haven’t seen my grandmother since my mother’s funeral.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Something happened to strain their relationship more than it was before. They always argued and feuded, but eventually my mother had enough. My mother cut ties with her and my grandfather died before I was born, so I don’t know and I don’t care. In retaliation for my mother turning her back, my grandmother took half her trust away.”
“You never tried to reach out to her?”
“She’s a bitter old hag who lives alone in Scarsdale.”
“So your grandfather started it?”
“No. My uncle. My mother’s brother, who also is dead.”
“I thought he was missing,” Cody says.
“He is… for years now. It is obvious he is dead. Around the time my mother got engaged, he fell off a balcony at their home in Scarsdale. Paralyzed from the waist down. I think that’s also when he put Scarlett’s father in charge of the club. It’s not like he could go running in the woods. My guess is he’s dead.”
“Dead or not, approaching a member of the Black Card Club and reminding them that you are also a Voncliff could get us in,” Karlie reminds him. “Once you’re in, you can get answers about who’s running it now.”
“You really think a group of businessmen are going to take in a college student who could care less about their cause? Also if Scarlett is running it, don’t you think word will get out to her?”
“But Scarlett has proven that when threatened she becomes desperate. With her there is no back door. You can’t even knock on the front door. You have to break it down when it comes to Scarlett—you know that.”
Hugo does, so he doesn’t object again.
“And no, a college student couldn’t, but a very rich college student could. You inherit your mother’s trust this year. Now if you go see your grandmother, you might could get her to relinquish the rest.”
“No.” The tone in his voice indicates there is no chance at a compromise.
“Hugo.”
“You give me a member’s name, I will see what I can do, but I won’t go and try to conjure up some fabricated connection with a woman I clearly have no care for.”
I didn’t realize the grip on my hand was so tight. Clearly Hugo has an enormous amount of resentment towards this mysterious long lost grandmother. Most likely considers her the creator of all his mother’s problems.
Karlie nods in agreement. “There were seven men. Three of them are dead. When researching Scarlett, I had someone hack into her accounts. I didn’t think I would see anything because she does nothing, but I was surprised when I saw four separate accounts. Four men. Four accounts that have been deposited into by those four men. Any more questions on if Scarlett is in charge of that club now?”
She passes four documents of Scarlett’s accounts to Hugo. I look at them with him and I’m noticing the same amount of deposits of four million on the same exact date every year.
“December 10th?” I read off the date.
“That was the day Scarlett’s father died,” Hugo says and it suddenly crosses me.
“Maybe not in charge,” I say more to myself, but they all look at me waiting for more of a reason. “I was just thinking what if… the reason why they only accepted certain people was because of a common interest or something that couldn’t be out in the open. What if Scarlett isn’t just in charge but blackmailing them? What if she has information on everything they did in that club?”
“Do you think it’s like Hostel?” Poppy asks. “You know that film where rich people pay to kill people for fun?”
“God, I hope not,” Cody says.
“I wouldn’t be shocked,” Jordana says.
“No.” Hugo shakes his head. “They definitely would’ve accepted more people.”
I almost laugh at the alternative reason.
“So wh
at could it be?” Poppy asks.
“That’s what we are gonna find out,” Karlie says.
“Ms. Spears,” Thomas interrupts, “You have a guest.”
“I do?” I look past Thomas and my jaw drops once I see who it is. “Jaz!”
I don’t even realize I’ve run to my best mate until my arms are wrapped around him. This place finally feels like home. Because of him, my friend, my rock. He’s what I need right now, and me probably holding on to him too much is showing it. I turn around and can see even through Hugo’s blank stare he is a bit uneasy.
“What are you doing here?” I finally ask after calming down my excitement.
“I thought I’d surprise you. Just got back home from Bali a week ago and was bored, so I figured I’d come to New York and see my best mate.”
“Guys, this is Jaz. Jaz, this is… well everyone,” I introduce them.
“Hello beautiful people!” He opens his arms and grins that lavish smile.
“Hi!” Poppy is the only one who smiles and waves.
“We should go meet with the lawyer,” Karlie tells Hugo.
“Now?” He looks at her confused.
“Yes, now. You have a meeting with Jane Townsend’s lawyers too.”
“Wait, what? When did you set this up?”
“When I found valuable information and a reason to set this up. I’ll be in the car.”
Karlie stands up and before walking past Jaz and me, she flashes a quick smile and says hello to him.
“She’s hot,” Jaz whispers.
I roll my eyes at his comment as Hugo comes up to me. He stretches out his hand to Jaz.
“Hugo Mandrake.”
“Oh! Yeah! The handsome prick!” Jaz shakes his hand vigorously. “Good to know you are as handsome as she says you are.”
Hugo forces the corners of his mouth up. “I’m gonna go,” he tells me and walks past me before I can respond. I follow him down the hallway, stopping him.
“Wait, do you need me to go with you?” God, I sound like one of those needy girlfriends.
“No.” He grabs my hands and kisses my knuckles. “Stay with your friend. I’ll be back.”
“Yeah,” I say and he stops again at the end of the hallway and looks back at me.
“I love you.”
I can’t help my massive grin. I don’t get to say it back before he’s out the door.
“He’s also as big of a prick you claimed he is too.” I jump at Jaz behind me.
“Shut up. He’s not.”
“Well, maybe now since he said he loved you and he meant it.”
“Yeah.”
“Who is the girl he left with?”
“That’s… well, that’s a very long story.”
“Well, I’m starving, so let’s take this long story to the kitchen.”
So we do. We take the long story to the kitchen where the maid makes Jaz two sandwiches. I tell him everything with everyone else sitting with us, watching the stunned look on Jaz’s face.
“Fuck me.” Is all Jaz says after the recap of my time here. “This Scarlett sounds like one of my exes.”
“I’ve met all your ex-girlfriends,” I say. “Trust me, they don’t compare. Scarlett actually makes them seem like upgrades.”
“Yeah, well Karlie seems to have a legit plan,” Cody says.
“Mate, that sucks that your first girlfriend had to be a lying twat.”
“Excuse me, but the lying twat is still sitting here.” Anika is sitting next to Jaz in fact.
“Yeah, why are you still here?” Jordana asks.
“To annoy Cody until he forgives me.”
“Ignore her,” Cody mutters.
“And you’re clearly jealous of Hugo’s dead brother’s girlfriend,” Jaz suddenly says to me
“What?” My head cocks back. “The bloody hell I am.”
“I agree,” Jordana says and Cody, Poppy, and even Anika nod in agreement.
“I just met the girl. Why would I be jealous?”
“Because the connection she and Hugo already have,” Anika says.
“What connection?”
“Listen, not to throw my sister under the bus, but she has an unhealthy love and obsession for Gabriel. She loves him like no tomorrow, and Hugo is clearly a copy of him. At least close to it. I wouldn’t be shocked if my sister was attracted to him, but regardless it’s really about their main goal. They are the two people Scarlett has ruined most… and you can’t connect with Hugo on that like Karlie can.”
“Yeah, Anika, you got that annoying thing down,” I say. I mean who the hell does she think she is? Coming in here telling people about themselves. Well I guess karma for me because I did that too when I first came here. Damn me and my wit. It does nothing but lead to hypocrisy.
“Unfortunately she’s right.” Cody shoots her an ill look before continuing. “Specially since Hugo is going back dark.”
“Okay, you act like we are in some mafia film and someone is going to die.”
“Someone might.” Cody shrugs.
“Yeah, this is Manhattan and the rich are rabid dogs. Besides, every year someone dies. We might have a lower death ratio rate than most boroughs but trust someone always dies in a foul matter,” Jordana says
“Michael Strut drowned himself in his tub full of money last year,” Cody says.
“Diane Moss had that terrible car accident two years ago,” Poppy adds.
“And the year before that Kyle Offman got shot in Jersey trying to buy weed.”
“Why buy weed in Jersey?” Jaz says.
“Who the fuck knows? Everything in Jersey sucks ass,” Jordana says.
“They have good burgers,” Anika says.
Jaz laughs. “I like your new friends, JuJu.”
“Okay, maybe I am a bit jealous of it,” I sadly admit. “But… I don’t trust her. There’s something off and August said not to trust her.”
“You can trust my sister,” Anika says with confidence.
“Is she telling us everything?” Cody asks her and the uncertainty is written all over her face.
“Now I have to go.” I stand in her way.
“What is she keeping?”
“Nothing that concerns you,” Anika glares. “Listen, Karlie doesn’t need to come out with all of her past to please you. She just wants to ruin the people who ruined her, and personally I hope she does because maybe then she will be able to move on and be able to be the person she needs to be.”
Anika leaves and we are left wondering about the Dale family and if this plan of Karlie’s is really going to work. I especially would like to know what is happening at the meeting with the Townsend’s lawyers.
HUGO
“This better work,” I tell the lawyer Karlie hired for me, Angie Wallace. I know she’s good. She got me immediately released on bail when they first arrested me for the rape of Rebecca Townsend, but now she’s telling me that she’s getting all the charges dropped and I can’t even see that happening. The Townsend family is on a witch hunt for my ass, and while they are on this ill-advised hunt, they are cohabiting with the wicked witch of the Upper East Side herself.
“It will work. Just let me do the talking.” She’s smiling and at ease and it’s pissing me off.
“You both could have at least told me what the plan is.”
“Mrs. Fairchild likes to keep everything under wraps.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Jane Townsend and her lawyer walk in. Just them. No Patrick, no Rebecca, and no Scarlett. Her lawyer is a short guy with a very long chin and a bald spot.
“Where’s your son and evil future daughter-in-law?” I ask.
“Your lawyer asked for them not to come and said that it would be wise. Said some information could be threatening for my children’s ears,” Jane quickly says and Angie gives me a look telling me to shut up.
“Please sit, Ms. Townsend,” Angie says and she does along with her lawyer across from us in the conference room.
“We are here to offer you a deal,” My lawyer continues.
“Offer us a deal?” Townsend’s lawyer mocks in question.
“Yes.”
“Look, I don’t know what you are playing here—”
“No game,” she cuts him off. “You and I both know that you have no case.”
“We have the drugs.”
“Drugs that could’ve easily been planted by anyone. No evidence on the girl.”
“That girl is my daughter,” Jane grits out and looks at me. “You are a disgusting beast. You hurt my little girl and for that I will make you pay.”
I ignore her threats and Angie Wallace keeps talking.
“Mrs. Townsend, who is the biological father of all your children?”
Jane’s brown eyes shift to her and an obscene amount of fear washes over them. “My late husband.”
“On the contrary, your late husband is only the father of one of your children. I have evidence that states and shows that your son Patrick and daughter Rebecca are not the biological children of Mr. Townsend. In fact, they are the children of two different men. Products of your many affairs.”
“Let me guess,” I smirk. “Husband cheated, so for every mistress you slept with another one of his colleagues.”
“Mrs. Townsend, you are a huge supporter of the campaign against Planned Parenthood and abortion, aren’t you?” my lawyer adds. “Also you are known for your distaste for extramarital affairs.”
“Headlines. Patrick Townsend, one of the richest men in the world, is a bastard.”
“You are the bastard,” Jane hisses.
I lean on the table. “But not a rapist. I never touched your daughter. It was all Scarlett’s doing.”
“That girl isn’t that vile.”
“No, she is. And you know it. You just think she isn’t stupid. But I suggest you get Rebecca to recant her statement or this will be leaked all over. Your son and daughter will hate you, especially Patrick, who wears the Townsend name loud and proud. People will spit in your face. The white trash girl who sneaked her way in… only to ruin the legitimacy of an empire.”
Jane Townsend’s teary eyes have no affect on me. And to think I was beginning to lose my edge.
“You expect me to let what happened to my daughter go unpunished?”
“Come on, Jane. You know the routine. Why weigh both scandals against each other when you can just kill two birds with one stone? Besides, if everything works out… maybe you won’t have to buy a dress for that wedding you so desperately do not want to happen.”
Reckless Karma (Sinners & Saints #2) Page 5
