"All the better. We typically like our members to marry girls whose fathers are members. It's just easier that way. You haven't spoken to Pearce about this, have you? Because as I've told you before, until you're official approved, you are not to speak to any of the members except me. Doing so would result in punishment."
"I haven't spoken with him. Or anyone else."
"Good. Then let's continue." Phillip sits up very straight and folds his hands in front of him, resting them on the table. "Maintaining the existence of a highly secret group such as ours involves a great deal of risk. And one of those risks is the risk of being found out. People are always trying to tell our secrets, and when they do, they are punished."
"I thought only the members know of its existence."
"No. We seek out the help of many other people to help us achieve our goals. Our members are too busy to do the actual hands-on work. They're businessmen, lawyers, judges, politicians. And we're all very active in charitable organizations, and then of course we have families—wives, children to attend to. So we have no choice but to turn to others to help us do our work. We refer to these people as freelancers. The man who helped you falsify that paperwork regarding the mayor? He was a freelancer. He's worked for us many times."
"And he's never told anyone?" Dean asks, lifting his cup of tea to his mouth.
"No. Never. And he wouldn't because he's smart. He values his life."
Dean startles, spilling some of his tea as he goes to set it down.
Phillip offers him a napkin. "You have some on your chin."
Dean quickly wipes his mouth and chin and sets the napkin down. "Are you saying these people are—"
"Taken care of," Phillip says. "It's not what we want to do, but we don't have a choice. If someone tells our secrets, we're no longer a secret group, now are we?"
"No." Dean stares down at his tea. "I suppose not."
"We'd lose the power that we worked so hard to achieve. And with that loss of power comes the loss of benefits. Benefits I know are appealing to you."
Dean lifts his head. "But not if it means—"
"There's no backing out of this, Mr. Ashford. You're already part of it. And if you try to leave now, well...you know more about us than our freelancers do."
"Meaning you'll..." He doesn't finish the thought.
"Moving on," Phillip says. "In addition to freelancers, we also have women we employ for when we need to relax. We all have stressful lives and sometimes we need to unwind. But we can't choose just any woman so we have ones we can go to that we can trust."
"Escorts?" he asks. "Call girls?"
Phillip clears his throat. "We call them associates. As with freelancers, sometimes associates tell our secrets and must be dealt with. So you see there are times when we can't avoid what needs to be done."
"Do you warn them? Do they know what could happen if they tell someone?"
"Of course. They're told when they sign the contract and yet some of them still don't listen and we're forced to take action. But what's even more disturbing is when one of our own reveals our secrets. It's betrayal in its deepest form and cannot be tolerated." Phillip takes a sip of his tea, then sets his cup down. "Unfortunately, this exact issue is what we're dealing with now and we're counting on you to take care of it for us. It's a challenging assignment but not unlike ones you'll have in the future. I'm confident you can carry it out successfully, and when you do, you will be rewarded."
"With what?" he asks, eagerness in his voice at the mention of a reward.
Phillip smiles at him. "With a half million dollars."
Dean's jaw drops. "A half...a half million?" he sputters. "Five hundred thousand dollars?"
"That would equate to a half million, so yes. It will be deposited in your account when the assignment has been completed."
"Is that typical? I mean, that much money for doing an assignment?"
Phillip lets out a laugh. "It's usually far more than that, but we don't typically tie payments to assignments. Once you're a member it's expected that you do them. It's one of your responsibilities. The money you receive is simply a reward of membership. A perk. There are many other perks as well, which you'll find out about once you're officially a member."
"And my son will also have access to these benefits? These perks?"
"Absolutely. Your son will automatically be a member when you are, per your request when you signed the contract."
"So he'll receive money? Cars?"
"He'll have whatever money can buy. And we'll make sure that he makes a name for himself in the art world. His paintings will be displayed in the finest galleries, commanding top dollar. By doing this, you've given your son the world, Mr. Ashford."
He smiles, proud of himself. "Good. Very good. I hate to admit this, but I was a terrible father for most of his life. I wasn't around. I was always on tour. But even if I'd been here, I don't know if I would've done a good job. I'm not very good with kids, especially younger ones. It's better now that he's older. Do you have any kids?"
"Mr. Ashford, we need to continue. My time is short."
"Yes. Go ahead."
"As I mentioned, one of our own has betrayed us. Told our secrets. It's a woman. She lives close to here, which is why we've assigned you to this task. You won't be doing it yourself. You'll hire a freelancer. I'll give you his name but you'll be the one giving the instructions."
"And he's going to...kill her?" Dean takes a breath. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. I've never done something like this before. I know she betrayed the group, but isn't there another way? Maybe you could just punish her instead."
Phillip sets his eyes on Dean. "If you want to be part of this, you will do as I say. If you don't, you'll be the one betraying us. Do you understand?"
I see Dean's throat move as he swallows.
"Mr. Ashford, confirm what I'm saying so I know you understand."
He nods. "I kill her or...or you kill me."
Phillip smiles. "I knew you were a smart man, Mr. Ashford. Now as for your assignment, here is the contact number for the freelancer." He takes a card from his suit jacket and hands it to Dean. "We refer to them using a number not a name. They do the same for us, so when you call him, don't give him your name. Give him the member number on the back of the card. It's a temporary number. When you're officially a member, you'll be given your actual number."
"So what do I tell him when I call him?"
"That we have a problem who must be taken care of. Use those exact words. He'll know what you mean. After that you'll tell him a package will be arriving. The package will contain the woman's photo and when and where he needs to meet her to take care of this. I'll provide you with those details, which you will then convey to the freelancer." Phillip grins. "Simple, isn't it? The easiest half million you ever made."
"I've um, never made that much money, at least not at one time."
"It's just the beginning. This is your future, Mr. Ashford. Just one last hurdle to get past and it's all yours."
He takes a deep breath. "So who is it? Who's the woman?"
Phillip takes the photo from his pocket and slides it across the table, setting it in front of Dean.
He picks the photo up and stares at it. "I...I think I know this woman."
"I believe you do. Earlier you mentioned her stepdaughter was dating your son."
"Rachel?" Dean looks at Phillip, panic in his eyes. "Rachel Kensington?"
"She betrayed us, told our secrets, despite knowing the possible consequences of her actions. She thinks she's safe because she's married to Pearce but no one is safe in this world. Not even me. Or you, Mr. Ashford."
He shoots up from his chair. "You want me to..." He drops the photo. "No. I can't do it. I know her. She's a very nice woman. And she's Lilly's mother. I can't take her mother away from—"
"Rachel is NOT Lilly's mother," Phillip says, knowing that if he didn't correct Dean, I'd burst through the door and correct him myself. I abhor when people refer to Rachel as L
illy's mother. I'M her mother. Her ONLY mother. And no one takes my place, especially not that bitch, Rachel.
"Lilly will still have a mother," Phillip says. "Her REAL mother."
"I can't do it," Dean says, shaking his head as he paces the floor. "I can't hurt Rachel."
"You're not doing it yourself," Phillip explains. "You're hiring someone to do it."
"Give me someone else. Someone I don't know. This is already hard enough. You can't expect me to—"
"This is your assignment and you will do as you were told." Phillip is in front of Dean now, his finger pointed at him. "You made a deal with us and there is no option to go back. I told you what will happen if you do."
Dean's hand goes over his chest as though he's struggling to breathe. "I'm sorry, but I just can't do it."
Phillip steps back. "You're willing to sacrifice your life for this woman you don't even know?"
"I...I DO know her and I know she's a good woman. She's always been kind to me. She's kind to my son. She—"
"She betrayed us!"
"I understand that, but this is too harsh of a punishment. Isn't there some other way to deal with this?"
Phillip gets within inches of Dean's face. "I've told you what to do. Now DO it!"
Dean shuts his eyes, breathing hard. "I can't. I can't do it."
"Knowing your refusal will harm your son?"
"My son?" Dean's eyes pop open. "What do you mean? You said it would be me, not him."
"I've changed the rules." Phillip returns to the table and casually sits down. "We won't kill him. After all, he's just a boy. But we will harm him."
"How?" Dean races over to Phillip. "What will you do?"
"You'll have to wait and find out. Or you could do the assignment and your boy will not be harmed."
Dean looks down, yanking fistfuls of his thick gray hair. Then he looks at Phillip and takes a deep breath. "Okay, fine. If that's my only option, then...yes. I'll do it."
Phillip smiles at him. "Excellent. Have a seat and we'll go over the final details."
I can't stop the grin on my face. I feel giddy, awash with excitement. It's such a brilliant plan. And when it's over, Rachel will be dead. Dean will be a member and so will Reed. And my sweet naive Lilly will marry her prince, the boy she loves, not knowing what he's become. If she finds out, will she still love him? I don't really care. The only thing that matters is that she'll be part of it. And as her mother, so will I.
Chapter Eighteen
Lilly
I wake to the feel of little hands and feet crawling all over me.
"Aunt Lilly!" Miles giggles as he hugs me.
"What are you guys doing?" I ask, laughing.
"Daddy says it's time to get up." Ethan jumps on my bed.
I yawn. "Tell your dad I want to sleep longer."
"You up yet?" Garret asks, standing at my door. He has a big grin on his face. He thinks it's hilarious when his kids wake me up.
"How could I not be after your kids attacked me?" I grab hold of both of them and kiss their cheeks. They squirm away and slide off the bed and run over to Garret.
"We're hungry," Ethan says, holding onto Garret's leg and looking up at him.
Miles does the same. He always copies his brother.
"We're eating in a few minutes," he tells them, then looks at me. "Mom's got breakfast ready. You coming?"
"What time is it?"
"After nine. We're going to eat and then we're heading home. You want to come with us? You could stay with us for a few days."
"Some other time." I sit up in bed. "Reed's driving up here today."
"You ask Dad about that?" Garret's expression becomes serious, almost concerned.
"No, but why would Dad care? Reed and I probably won't even leave the house."
"Still, you better tell him before Reed drives up here."
"Daddy, I'm hungry," Miles says, pulling on Garret's shorts.
"Go to the kitchen," he tells him. "Tell Grandma you're ready to eat."
Ethan and Miles take off down the hall.
"Why don't you just come stay with us for a few days?" Garret asks. "You'll be back in school soon and we won't see you as much."
"I would, but I really want to see Reed. I've barely seen him all summer thanks to Dad."
"He just doesn't like you going to L.A. by yourself. It's a big city. It's dangerous."
I roll my eyes. "He worries too much. So do you."
"Just think about it, okay? The girls would love it if you'd spend a few days with us." He smiles. "And you'll get woken up by Miles and Ethan every day."
"Great," I say, smiling back.
"I'll see you at breakfast."
When he's gone, I call Reed.
"You leaving soon?" I ask when he answers.
"Your dad said it's okay?"
"Who cares what he says? I'm allowed to have friends over and you're more than a friend. So what time can you leave?"
"Lilly, I don't want to get up there and have your dad tell me to leave. Just check with him and make sure he's okay with it, then call me back."
I sigh. "Fine. But I don't know why you're so worried about my dad."
"I just don't want him getting pissed at me for showing up there."
"He won't. And besides, you're not just showing up. I invited you."
"Hey, um, has your dad talked to my dad recently?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"My dad was asking all these questions about him."
"What was he asking?"
"Like if he's gone much. If he travels. That type of thing."
"Why would your dad care about that?"
"I don't know. He didn't tell me, and I didn't ask because he's acting really messed up right now. I've never seen him this stressed. He was up all night. I heard him in the living room talking to himself, or maybe he was on the phone. I'm not sure, but something's going on with him. His stress is starting to rub off on me. I need to get out of here. If I can't come up there, I'm going to go find someplace where I can work on my album cover. I don't want to be around him right now."
"Let me go talk to my dad and I'll call you back."
"Okay, see ya."
I get dressed and go down to the kitchen. Everyone's at the table having breakfast. Abi was telling a story but stops when she sees everyone's eyes go to me.
"What?" I say, glancing down at myself. "Why is everyone staring at me?"
Garret glances away. "We're not. Have a seat. Mom made French toast."
I take the seat next to Abi, across from my dad. Everyone's quiet, even the twins, who are never quiet. But they're focused on stuffing French toast in their mouths with their hands, which are covered in syrup.
"Reed's driving up here today," I say casually as I take a piece of French toast from the platter in front of me. "He'll probably be here in a couple hours."
Garret, Jade, and Rachel all glance at my dad.
He clears his throat. "He can't come up here today."
"Why not?" I ask.
Dad looks at Garret. "Because your brother invited us to his house this afternoon. We'll be going up there."
I turn to Garret. "You didn't tell me we were going to your house."
"What are you talking about?" he says with a laugh. "I just invited you like two minutes ago."
"Yeah, to stay with you, but you didn't say anything about having us over this afternoon."
"I just didn't mention it. I was thinking you'd come up with Mom and Dad, then they'd go home and you'd stay with us for a few days. That's why I asked."
Abi leans over and hugs me. "Please stay with us. We can have a sleepover."
"Not tonight, okay?" I tell her, then I look at my dad. "Reed is already planning to come here. You and Mom can go to Garret's and I'll stay here."
"No," he says. "We're going as a family and that includes you."
"I shouldn't be forced to go." I set my fork down a little too hard on my plate. It makes a loud noise that startles Ethan an
d Miles. They briefly look over at me, then focus back on their plates, running their fingers through the syrup.
"You're coming with us," my dad says. "Time with your family is more important than time with Reed."
"I see you guys all the time. And I'm tired of you not letting me see Reed."
"This is not optional," my dad says in his warning tone.
"I already told Reed he could come so it's too late to tell him not to. You'll just have to go to Garret's without me."
"Lilly, I am not—"
"Pearce," Rachel says interrupting him. "Let's not do this at breakfast."
"Do what?" I ask. "What's going on here?"
Nobody answers.
"Mommy, look!" Ethan shows his hands to Jade. His fingers are dripping with syrup.
Jade gets up from her chair and says to Garret, "I'll clean him up." She notices Miles' hands are also covered with syrup. "Abi, can you help me with Miles?"
She hops off her chair, eager to help.
"Hannah, why don't you come too?"
They all head down the hall to the bathroom. It's obvious Jade was clearing out the kids so my dad can yell at me about wanting to spend time with Reed. I don't want to hear it so I get up and say, "I'm not hungry. I'll be in my room."
"Lilly, sit down," my dad says.
Garret and Rachel both pick up their coffees, trying to act like everything's fine even though I know it's not.
Still standing, and wanting to get this over with, I choose to be direct. "Why do you hate Reed so much?" I ask my dad.
"I don't hate him. But I do think your relationship with him is becoming too serious. You're just a teenager. You shouldn't be making lifelong plans when you're this young."
"Garret did," I say, pointing at him.
"This isn't about Garret. This is about you."
"Why are the rules always different for me? It's not fair. You let Garret do whatever he wanted when he was my age but you treat me like a kid."
"I didn't do whatever I wanted," Garret says.
"You did too!" I say, raising my voice. "When you were my age, you just took off. Moved across the country. Moved in with your girlfriend. Got married. If I did that, Dad would kill me." I focus back on my dad. "Why is it different for him? Because he's a guy?"
Lilly and Reed: A Kensington Family Novel Page 18
