“I didn’t do nothing to you!” David stood up.
Kimberly gripped the edges of the table. Her head was pounding and the world around her starting to float into a haze. What was about to happen? Where was Michael? She needed her husband right now.
When he stopped just before reaching her, David leaned down and Kimberly winced, bracing herself.
“You don’t have to pity me, bitch. But you will pay me. And money isn’t going to be enough.” Standing up straight, he placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
Kimberly let out a whimper but she didn’t move away. She couldn’t move away.
“I’ll be in touch, Paige.”
Kimberly was numb as she sat there, for how long she wasn’t sure. She remembered Michael’s words when she asked about David. “You don’t want to know,” he’d said, “but he won’t ever be a problem for us.”
She hadn’t asked for more explanation because in her heart, she had hoped he was dead. It would be justice for all the little girls he had damaged. Death was what he still deserved and it was going to be what he got.
Avery’s heart was torn to shreds at the sight of her mother entering the hospital courtyard. Nikki Jackson, well known for looking much younger than her age, looked all of forty-eight and then some right now. Her long braids were pulled back, revealing a tired, emotionally drained face.
“Hey, baby,” Nikki joined her daughter on the stone bench and kissed her on the forehead. “He’s still sleeping, so I thought I would join you.”
Avery had come to the courtyard to get some exercise. She was trying very hard to keep to a healthy weight during her pregnancy so she wouldn’t have a hard time losing after the baby was born. She had walked for about twenty minutes and was tired. She hadn’t been taking as good care of herself as she should have, but it was hard considering everything that was going on.
“The doctor said he’s doing better.” Avery placed her hand over her mother’s, which was flat on her lap. “He’s so strong.”
Nikki nodded. “I know God will answer my prayers. Have you heard anything about the case?”
“Mom.”
“I can handle it whatever it is.”
“They caught the boy that Sean shot. He was at a hospital in Oakland.”
“He got that far?” Nikki asked, even though she didn’t know why it would matter. “He’s going to be okay?”
“The shot didn’t kill him, but he didn’t get proper care soon enough. He had a bad infection. They had to amputate the leg. They don’t know if he’ll survive. Plus, now that the cops know . . .”
“Charlie would never want them to seek revenge.”
“You know what Sean said. That kid is not safe. Neither is the one they’re still looking for.”
“I’m going to issue a statement on Charlie’s behalf,” Nikki said. “He would want them to keep this clean. We’ll get those boys the right way.”
“I hope so.”
As she felt more tears coming on, Nikki reached into her pockets for some tissue, but couldn’t find any. She reached for Avery’s purse, which was lying at her feet.
“What do you need?” Avery asked.
“A tissue.” Just as she stuck her hand inside, Avery reached for the purse.
“I’ll get it for . . .” Avery sighed as she saw her mother grab the cream-colored slip of paper. “I can explain, Mom.”
Nikki read the script on the invitation and felt a dull pain in the pit of her stomach. “Why would she do this?”
“Janet wants to see me.” Avery retrieved the invitation to Haley’s upcoming birthday party. “We were close.”
“You don’t doubt that Carter is behind this, do you?”
“I can’t tell,” Avery said. “The whole family is . . . I’m not going, so what does it matter?”
“It matters,” Nikki said. “He didn’t buy your story. That family isn’t going to give up.”
Avery had to tell her mother about Carter’s visit to the hotel after Taylor blabbed. She wouldn’t have been able to keep it from her anyway. They were so close that her mother could read her every thought and emotion.
“I’m handling it,” Avery said.
“At what cost?” Nikki asked. “This was why you went away. Because you knew you couldn’t deal with that crazy family and take care of yourself and the baby all at the same time.”
“My baby is fine.” Avery placed her hand on her belly. “Carter, I’ll just . . . I’ll deal with him.”
“Like you did this morning? You almost kissed him, Avery.”
“Mom, please.” Avery didn’t want to relive the moment. Not because it made her angry, but because it made her want him. “I love Anthony and I would never betray him.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” Nikki rubbed her back reassuringly. “I’m just afraid you’ll want to. You said yourself the passion that existed between you and Carter isn’t there with Anthony.”
“It’s been difficult.” Avery feared Anthony would never make her feel the way Carter had in bed even though she wanted to believe it was the pregnancy getting in the way. “But we are going to make this . . .”
Still holding Avery’s purse on her lap, Nikki reached into her side pocket and picked up the cell phone. She checked it first. “Good, it’s Anthony.”
“Anthony?”
“How are you, baby?”
Avery already felt better just from the sound of his voice. “I just wish you were here.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow. How is Charlie?”
Avery updated him on Charlie’s status, becoming emotional as she spoke.
“You should know,” Anthony said before an awkward pause. “Um, baby, I think someone broke into the apartment.”
Avery felt her chest tightening. “How do you know?”
“Nothing is out of place,” he said. “It just feels different than it did yesterday. Like everything has been . . . touched. The doctor’s office has probably been broken into too.”
“Or the computers hacked.”
“But everything is good,” Anthony said. “I know we can rely on Dr. Kanata.”
Dr. Kanata offered to do this as a favor to Anthony. Because of missing paperwork, he was about to be deported to Japan. Anthony not only helped him stay, but had been able to expedite the entry of his wife and daughter to America using friends he had gone to school with at Georgetown University who were now in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
“I hope you’re right.” Avery couldn’t stand this. It was wrong and just couldn’t, wouldn’t work. But it was too late. She owed Anthony.
They said their good-byes and Avery gave the phone back to her mother. “You don’t have to worry about me falling for Carter again. He’ll never change.”
Kimberly had never seen Neil at a loss for words, but he was mum over the news of David’s coming to town.
“It’s that bad?” Kimberly asked as she sat across from him in his office.
Neil’s brows rose as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t think of the right words.
Kimberly hated telling him, but she couldn’t keep this to herself. She had been a walking zombie since David reappeared in her life two days ago. She needed help and Neil was the only person she could think of.
“Your husband should have come to me,” Neil said. “He left too many ways to trace this back to him.”
“Do you think David will go to the police and try to get Michael in trouble?”
Neil took a second to laugh. “Men like Mr. Harris don’t go to the police for anything.”
“He wants revenge,” Kimberly said. “Money isn’t going to be enough. He said so himself.”
“Would it be enough for you?” Neil asked.
Kimberly frowned. “Are you passing judgment on me? I just told you what this man—”
“I’m not.” Neil held up a hand to stop her. “Mr. Chase did exactly what I would have done in his situation. The man is scum and I’d be happy to have him roughed up for y
ou.”
“But . . .” Kimberly could sense his hesitation.
“I don’t think that will help. He’s a determined son of a bitch.”
“David is from the streets of Detroit,” Kimberly said. “An ass-kicking won’t do.”
“What I had in mind wasn’t just an ass-kicking, Mrs. Chase.” Neil leaned forward. “I mean to really hurt him if that’s what you want.”
“But you won’t kill him,” she said.
Neil shook his head. “I don’t do that.”
“I don’t think there is any other choice.” Kimberly had never taken the gun out of her purse. Next time she would do it. Next time. “He’s going to ruin my life and I have a feeling that will just be for starters.”
“I can give you a few names.”
“I can’t risk anyone else getting involved,” Kimberly said. “I’ve already told you too much.”
“I will forget this conversation as soon as it’s over.” He pointed to the stack of cash Kimberly had placed on the table after walking in and swearing his secrecy. “But if you think you can do it . . .”
“Why wouldn’t I be able to?” Kimberly asked defensively. “I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate David.”
“Do you hate him?” Neil asked. “You should, but from my perspective, what I saw as you explained this entire situation doesn’t equate to hate.”
Kimberly was incredulous. “You can’t be implying . . .”
“He took you in at fifteen,” Neil said. “Yes, he turned you out, but he also took care of you. He was the father you never really had, wasn’t he?”
“The father from hell,” Kimberly said.
“For a kid, that is better than no father. Mrs. Chase, I think Mr. Harris has a hold on you that you haven’t gotten over. It’s how he paralyzed you, controlled you. Let’s face it. You’re a far cry from a teenaged hooker, but he brought you back there, didn’t he?”
Kimberly lowered her head, ashamed. “I tried my best to stand up to him. I was just too scared.”
“I’ve seen this before,” he said matter-of-factly. “The man is the instigator of some of the most traumatizing years of your life, but he was also your only protector and provider during that time.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kimberly said. “I can kill him. When the time comes, all I have to do is think of what this could do to my family and I’ll get the strength I need.”
“Let’s just find out what he wants.” Neil didn’t appear at all convinced. “If it’s not doable, then you can make your decision. Meanwhile, I will track him down and find out where he is and what avenues of attack you have.”
Kimberly nodded, gripping her purse with both hands to keep them from shaking. She realized that she had come to Neil hoping he would take care of this for her because she wasn’t sure she could. Neil was right. Something very sick inside her was still endeared to David, and as painful as it was, Kimberly couldn’t ignore it. She didn’t think she could kill him, but would have to find someone who could.
“Don’t start with me,” Janet said as she dragged her husband down the hallway from his office and toward the foyer. “You’ve been in that office all day.”
“I’ve got an empire to run.” Steven smiled as his wife turned back to him. “Yes, I said empire. I don’t have time for birthday parties for overgrown children.”
“It’s just a get-together,” Janet said. “She’s having her own party at some club. I just thought it would be nice. She’s been behaving herself lately and . . .”
“Does the name Professor Cook mean anything to you?” Steven remembered the phone call from the dean when the news broke of Haley’s latest ill-advised affair.
“That was last semester.” Janet stopped as they reached the foyer. “Besides, the family is here.”
“Why do I have to suffer through all these family events you’re so obsessed with lately?” Steven asked. “Just for you to stick it to Kimberly?”
“What are you talking about?” Janet knew he’d caught on, but she would play innocent to the end.
“You find every excuse you can to have a family event just so Michael and the boys can come and Kimberly is left behind.” Steven pulled his wife to him. “Give it up, Janet. He isn’t leaving her. He would have done it by now.”
“That has nothing to do with me.” Janet leaned up and kissed him on the nose. “Now everyone is out back and I—”
They both turned as the front doors opened and Leigh stepped inside. Janet started for her but was halted by the sight of the person who entered right behind her. He was a handsome, young, tall white man and looked vaguely familiar. Janet blinked at the sight of Leigh’s hand entwined with his. She looked back at Steven, who had apparently seen the same thing.
What in the hell was this? Steven asked himself.
Leigh was adept at reading beyond her parents’ perfectly orchestrated expressions, but she was certain Lyndon couldn’t tell the difference. “Mom, Dad. I want you to meet Lyndon Prior.”
Janet suddenly remembered, but was still confused. “You’re the actor?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lyndon smiled politely and held his hand out to Janet. “It’s very nice to meet you. You have a lovely home.”
Janet shook his hand, looking back at Steven. “Steven, Lyndon is an actor. He—”
“I know who he is,” Steven said. “I thought you were trailing Leigh at the clinic? What are you doing here?”
“Dad.” Leigh sent her father a warning look. “Lyndon is here as my date.”
“Hello, sir.” Lyndon held his hand out.
Steven took his good time accepting the man’s hand but was impressed with the firmness of his shake. He must think he was really something. “Do you think that’s a good idea? Wasn’t the intent to keep things professional? That’s what your mother said.”
“I never said that,” Janet protested. “Welcome to our home, Lyndon. I hope you’ll enjoy yourself. Since the weather is exceptionally nice for March, everyone is out by the pool. Leigh can show you the way.”
“Thanks.” Lyndon nodded, seeming less confident than a few moments ago.
Leigh kissed her mother on the cheek before starting off with Lyndon. When they were a few feet away, she squeezed his hand tight.
“That went well,” she said.
“Are you serious?” he asked. “Your father is not cool with the white boy.”
“Trust me,” Leigh assured him. “Considering how it could have gone, that went well.”
“Am I going to be the only white person here?” he asked.
Leigh stopped, turning to him. “You’re not white, Lyndon. You’re a movie star.”
“Is that supposed to be funny?” Lyndon still looked worried.
“You’re a famous superstar,” she said. “You don’t have the option of being uncomfortable.”
She looked back at her parents, who were both staring at them from the foyer. She could only imagine what they were saying.
“Kiss me,” she ordered to his surprise.
“No way.” Lyndon was turning his head to see if Steven and Janet were still behind them, but Leigh placed her hand on his cheek, turning his head back to her.
“Kiss me,” she repeated, leaning in.
Lyndon sighed as if he was being asked to do something awful, but he kissed her. When they separated, he winced. “I’ll be getting kicked out in ten seconds.”
“No,” Leigh said. “Now that they’ve seen that, they’ll leave you alone. My parents are a lot of things, but they aren’t stupid. They know what trouble messing in my love life will bring them.”
“Did you know about this?” Steven asked.
Janet rubbed his back reassuringly. “I had no idea, but it doesn’t matter.”
Steven turned to her. “Are you serious? He’s white and an actor. That’s something Haley would do.”
“You’re overreacting.” Janet watched Leigh kiss Lyndon briefly on the lips. She got the message. �
�Now, that was something Haley would do.”
“I’m not putting up with this,” Steven said. “She’s a doctor, a Chase. We did not put our blood, sweat, and tears into that girl so she could marry some—”
“No one is getting married,” Janet said. “It’s just a date. Leigh would never get serious with an actor. They’re all too superficial for her. She’s just fascinated and probably has a big crush. He’s very handsome.”
Steven watched as Leigh and Lyndon disappeared down the hallway. “You better make sure that’s all it is.”
“There is no way I’m meddling in her private life again. I’ve learned my lesson.”
The front door opened again and this time it was Carter. Janet rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him. She’d been constantly worried about him lately.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” she said.
“I wouldn’t miss Haley’s birthday party for the world,” Carter answered sarcastically. “It’s not at all weird for parents to still throw birthday parties for their twenty-four-year-old like she was ten.”
“You can leave the smart-ass comments at the door,” Janet said.
“Mom, you know why I’m here.”
Janet turned to Steven, whose expression darkened. “You mean . . . Do we know?”
Steven nodded. “Let’s go into my office. Janet, go get Michael.”
In his father’s office, decorated in dark cherry wood, hunter green, and white marble with walls of dark rose, Carter looked at the records Steven gave him, reading them over a third time. He was moving through his emotions with as much control as he could muster, but couldn’t hide his anger.
“Say something, dear.” Janet was at his side, her hand on his arm. “I know you’re upset, but . . .”
“No.” Carter closed the folder and tossed it on his father’s desk. “I’m not upset. How can we even be sure these are accurate?”
Steven looked at Michael, who shrugged as if dealing with this was above his head. It was up to him to convince his son of the truth. “Those are copies of the actual medical records from the doctor’s office. They coincide with the records on the computer. They also coincide with the papers found in Avery’s house regarding her medical care. She’s only five months pregnant.”
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