Cheater

40. Derek

Our stretch limo pulls up to the city hall and Chloe’s eyes are on the van parked in the disabled spot. She knows Hallman is here. And she’s confused about it.

I’m sitting across from her, my back to the driver. I rap on the window and it opens.

“Park a minute,” I instruct. “I’ll give you the cue when I’m ready to move along to our next stop.”

“Yes, sir,” the driver replies, closes the privacy glass and the vehicle turns off.

She looks at me, assessing, and decides to ask her burning question. “Why is Adam here?”

Her voice drips with accusation, so she’s accurate in her assumption that he’s here because of me.

“Better question,” I say, “Why is Craig Jenkins here right now providing backup to Alannah Fisher?”

Guilt is written all over her face, but she doesn’t say anything right away.

I wait.

Finally, she moistens her lips and is about to speak, but I put my index finger to her lips.

“No. Don’t say anything that’ll dig that hole deeper. No games, little bunny. Before anything else happens, I want you to consider the fact that you’ve forced my hand here and you have choices right now.”

She blanches as I show her my phone screen with the photo that came through a couple minutes ago.

Her eyes widen as she takes in the image of Alannah, Hallman, and Hallman’s cop buddy Craig Jenkins sitting in a boardroom. In the foreground of the photo is the barrel of a gun, pointing at Alannah.

“Derek. What? Oh my God!” She grabs her throat.

“Because I can’t be everywhere at once, I’ve got someone listening to her calls. Flagging me when I need to know.”

She winces.

“I warned you, baby. Didn’t I?”

She doesn’t respond, her hand trembles at her throat as she stares out the window, pale.

“So, they’re in there in a room somewhere,” I say. “And they’re locked down for the moment by someone who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to stay in that coveted golden glow of my father’s approval. Now, here’s what’ll happen. You and I are taking a drive back to Columbus, to the Franklin County Courthouse. We’ll buy our marriage license and then we’ll get married there. That happens, Chloe. Today. There’s no monkey business. No running to a bathroom to hide, no plotting and planning to escape me. None of that. You and I are getting married in less than an hour. We have an appointment. You choose to cooperate? They get released. Hallman is in there because I instructed him to be here, knowing Alannah was cooking up a scheme.”

Her eyes are now on my face, and she looks afraid. I don’t like it, but it’s how it has to be for the moment.

“Columbus is where it was always gonna happen. This, here today? Showing you how serious I am. You want to go back to vague threats? Be my good girl. Misbehave and things won’t be vague. Okay?”

She swallows.

“Now…” I continue, “those three stay at the other side of that gun barrel until you’re legally Mrs. Derek Steele. If you don’t do your part, if you don’t say I do and kiss your new husband when we’re pronounced married, and if anyone at that courthouse as much as suspects you’re not there of your own free will, one of the three of those people in that room will be pierced by a bullet while the other two watch them bleed out.”

The pain on her face isn’t easy to watch. Her hand shakily covers her mouth.

“Don’t cry now and ruin that perfect makeup, baby,” I say, leaning over and dropping a kiss on her neck.

She pulls her lip tight and says nothing.

“So, I’m thinking the cop,” I say, stroking her cheek with the backs of my fingers. “He doesn’t mean as much to you as the other two. Not to mention he’s had a hard-on for my family for the past two or three years and it’ll tickle my brother Jonah’s funny bone to no end if that asshole is taken out. He was a major thorn in Jonah’s side over that whole missing girlfriend thing. Then they worked together to try to get Thad pinched and out of the way because they were convinced Thad offed Jonah’s girlfriend, which he didn’t, but it was a reasonable suspicion. Anyway, all had a fundamental impact on Jonah, who was on the straight and narrow path before all that crap, but that’s off topic so I won’t bother explaining. Jenkins and Jonah ended their cease fire and Jenkins has been a thorn in Jonah’s side, but Jonah is meticulous, unlike Thaddeus, so Jenkins must have had quite the stiffy thinking he’d get to haul me in today. Luckily the guy in there helping out is the one who’s supposed to be assigned to take Elijah down. He’s been a good ace to have in Eli’s back pocket. So, like I said… basking in my father’s golden glow. Anyway… if there is still any doubt left in your mind after the cop, there will be-”

“Stop,” she whispers.

“I’d like to stop but vague wasn’t enough for you, so I need to finish. Bear with me. Second shot’d have to be fired on your ex. Not sure yet if it’ll be a kill shot or just a maim. We’ll see how it goes. Might make sure he’s not only lost use of his legs… could take an arm out. It’d be a shame to do since he’s supposed to go to the hospital tonight to say goodbye to his grandmother. So, hopefully I won’t have to mess with that. And that leaves your bestie.”

“I’ll marry you,” she whispers.

“Good. Good, good. But let’s just say I’d spare Alannah today anyway since I have the feeling I’ll need a bit of leverage with you after all is said and done today.”

She stares at me with horror. I’m not enjoying it, but it’s a necessity to get what I want. I’ll make it up to her later.

“If there’s any doubt left in your mind about how serious I am about marrying you and making you the happiest woman in the world, let me just say that I’ll keep on working to prove myself to you.” I take her hand and kiss it. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. Everything clear?”

She nods slowly.

“Any questions?” I ask.

She shakes her head.

“Good.”

I rap on the window, which rolls down, and say, “We’re good to go, Neil.”

“By the power vested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now you may kiss.”

I take her face into both hands and bring her mouth to mine, tenderly kissing her.

“Chloe,” I whisper, “You’ve made me so happy.” I deepen the kiss and enjoy the fact that she’s participating. Not avidly, mind, but enough to be convincing. I release her face so I can grab her hand.

We walk past my sister Grace and the family concierge, Carson, who came to be witnesses. Jonah showed up at the last minute as well, which surprised me.

I already apologized to Chloe that Alannah couldn’t be here, saying, “Sorry, baby, that your best friend can’t be here today. We’ll have her there for the family ceremony in a couple months.”

Before we went into the building, I asked one more time, ”Do I need to reiterate what’s gonna happen in there?”

She shook her head slowly, nibbling her lip, hands trembling. She was frightened, I could see it, so I said, “Everything is going to be okay, baby. You’ll be my good girl and it’ll all be okay. Alannah can come see you when we get back from our honeymoon.”

She looked breathtakingly beautiful as she walked to me carrying the white bouquet Grace brought for her. The walk was something I insisted on, despite the fact that it was a short walk and not in a church like I’m sure most brides would prefer. I wanted that bit of tradition – for her to walk down the aisle to me, to take my hand, and promise to be mine forever. I instructed her on this just before we stepped inside, so once we were past the double doors, she waited twenty feet away and then when the officiant gave the nod, she stared at me for a good thirty seconds before her feet started moving. She walked toward me, staring into my eyes.

She repeated her vows and promised to be my wife until death. And while she doesn’t look nearly as thrilled to be here as I’m sure I do, she was my good girl.

The way she stared into my eyes when she said, ‘for better or for worse’ and ‘for richer or for poorer’ and ‘in sickness and in health’ as well as all the other parts, all felt real. She had tears in her eyes. And when I said those things to her, they absolutely were real.

Carson took photos of us including as I put her ring on as well as when Chloe shakily slipped the thick gold wedding band onto my finger on cue.

“Congratulations,” Grace says as we get outside, kissing my cheek and then awkwardly reaching over to pull Chloe into a hug. Chloe is robotic about it, but doesn’t give anything away.

Carson smiles and clasps my hand in a firm shake. “Congratulations.”

Jonah shakes my hand and slaps my back with affection before he kisses Chloe’s cheek. “Congrats, you, too. What’s happening now?”

“Now? Now, I’m taking her to a honeymoon suite to consummate our marriage for the rest of the day and night. Then in the morning we’re taking the jet to go for our honeymoon.”

Jonah smirks as Grace rolls her eyes. Chloe stares at the bouquet in her hands.

“You’ll have the jet back for Sunday, Mr. Steele?” Carson asks. “Your father needs it Monday evening.”

“No problem,” I say. “We’ll be back Saturday afternoon actually, so we can be at the fortieth anniversary shindig Saturday night. We’ll take an extended honeymoon later.”

“Very good,” Carson replies.

“Thanks for your help this morning, Carson.” I say.

He smiles. “My pleasure. Always.”

He, as usual, pulled out all the stops when I called him to ask him to assist me in making things happen quickly with the marriage license, with everything else I needed to organize for today.

I kiss my sister on the cheek, clap my brother on the back and say, “Means a lot you came. Thanks, Joe.” I squeeze his shoulder.

“Congrats again,” Jonah replies, “Welcome to the family, Chloe. It’s even crazier than it seems.”

Grace and Jonah exchange glances that I’m not sure about, until it dawns that I gave them affection, which they’re not used to from me.

Chloe’s mouth twitches in the beginnings of an attempt at a smile at Jonah’s joke, but it doesn’t follow through. She looks beyond shaken up.

“See you when you get back,” Grace says. “Where are you off to?”

“It’s a surprise for Chloe,” I say.

“Ah, well have a wonderful time. Congratulations.” She squeezes Chloe’s hand and steps back, looking pensive. She doesn’t know Chloe’s here because three of her friends are being held at gunpoint, but she does sense that Chloe’s not happy. And even if she hadn’t been there for the Saturday breakfast or the Sunday brunch, she’d still know something isn’t right with Chloe. My sister is observant.

I know Grace wants everything to be perfect at all times. She’s worried about this. She’ll be a good friend to her, she’ll focus on her instead of me for a change, maybe.

“It’s all good,” I assure my sister who smiles hesitantly before hugging me, saying, “Congratulations, big bro. I hope it’s as perfect as you’re expecting it to be.”

“It will be,” I assure, then grab my bride’s hand and whisk her to the waiting limo, wave Neil aside, and hold the door open for her myself.

She climbs inside.

Once the door is shut, I lean over and kiss her again.

“You’re mine,” I tell her. “I’m so fucking happy.”

She stares at me with a difficult-to-read expression.

“What is it, baby?” I ask, cupping her cheek.

Her nostrils flare and by the rise and fall of her chest, the tautness of her shoulders, I know she’s trying hard to maintain composure.

“Let,” she whispers, “Them…” She swallows. “Go,” she finishes.

“Ah. Yes. Not a problem.” I pull my phone out and call Detective Steven Benson as we pull away.

“Mr. Steele,” he greets.

“Benson. All good now. Let Alannah and Hallman go after giving Alannah a warning to do nothing else. Tell her she’ll hear from us when we get back on Saturday. Have a good, long conversation with Jenkins before you cut him loose. Make sure he’s fully briefed on protocol for Chloe, myself, and the others from here on out. He’s now in. Make sure he understands.”

“On it,” he says.

There was a time when Detective Benson was resistant to being in our inner circle, too.

I end the call and turn to my wife.

“In?” she whispers.

A smile spreads across my face as happiness floods me. She’s mine. This is my wife beside me. My wife. For life.

“In?” she repeats. “What’s that mean?”

“Ah,” I shrug. “Craig Jenkins is now on payroll.”

She tips her head confused. “No. No way would he do that. He’s not dirty.”

“He’ll be as dirty as we need him to be,” I say. “It’s like conscription with my family. We draft people in as needed. Now that he’s privy to some things where you’re concerned, he’s in. Whether he wants it or not.”

She looks crestfallen.

My phone chimes, so I check and see a rare text message from my father. Or maybe from his assistant.

Michael Steele: Congratulations, Derek.

I scoff with amusement and write back

Thanks, Dad. See you Saturday at the party.

I don’t generally address him. He rarely addresses me. But we had a pretty poignant conversation at the curb at his place yesterday where, in the company of my remaining brothers, he informed me of his willingness to erase further problems in his family.

“I always figured there’s nothing as painful as losing one of your children. I faced that when my third born son was taken as a small boy and I didn’t think I could get him back.”

“As if you tried,” I muttered.

He went on as if I hadn’t spoken, though my three brothers paid attention and looked at me with an expression that I fucking loathed.

“But I’ve come to realize it’s even more painful to have one of your children continually and willfully make your life and your other children’s lives difficult as my second-born tarnished the family name with his idiocy, hot-headedness, his inferiority complex, along with his greed and sloppiness. The stress he caused your mother…” He let that hang with a severe expression on his face.

My father then did something he hasn’t done since I was a child. Laid a hand on my shoulder affectionately.

“Not too long ago, I gave Jonah my blessing to work with authorities to put Thaddeus away for a while. To give us all a break. But since the headache of my second-born went away permanently instead and has since made all our lives much better I now realize that regardless of familial ties, the family garden needs to be kept free of weeds. Weeds strangle the health of the rest of the garden. I will no longer hesitate to weed the Steele garden, my sons. You all know your role in this family. You all know the rules. Now you all also know that my tolerance for bullshit from my children is nil. And I’m not talking about making sure people are tried for the crimes they’ve committed.”

My father then squeezed my shoulder poignantly before letting go, stepping back, and walking back to his house.

The looks on Asher’s, Jonah’s, and Elijah’s faces showed emotion at the display of conditional love from the man who made us.

It didn’t faze me. Not a bit. Ever since I was a child and knew he wasn’t going to pay my kidnapper the ransom he could easily afford, I’ve always known I’m expendable to my father.

The hotel I chose is a five-minute drive from the courthouse and another short drive in the morning to the airport. Lunch hour traffic is still a little heavy but it’s not long until we’re here.

I scoop her up into my arms to carry her over the threshold of our hotel suite, startling her.

Once we’re on the other side of the door, I put the do-not-disturb sign on the knob, close, and lock it.

There’s champagne chilling in a bucket beside a dish of strawberries and the bed is turned down.

I look at my bride, who is staring at the bed.

“Well...” I start and her eyes dart to me, “Dinner is being delivered at seven so, we’ve got a little under six hours to consummate our marriage.”

“Are they safe?” she asks quietly, hands shaking.

I sit, keeping her on my lap and grab both hands, pressing my lips to the top of one, then the other. “They’re fine.”

“I… I need to talk to them.”

“You can speak with Alannah. I’ve already told you, Hallman no longer exists for you.” I reach into the inside pocket of my tuxedo and pass Chloe her phone. “Make it fast, baby. I’m very ready to consummate our marriage.” I kiss her on the jaw. She rises from my lap and goes to the window, giving me her back.

I reach for the champagne bucket as she shakily touches her screen before putting her phone to her ear.

“Lan?” she whispers and then starts to weep, entire body shuddering out relief. “You’re okay? Yeah? I’m so, so sorry.”

She holds the phone, her shoulders shaking with her silent crying for a moment before she continues to speak. “I can’t help it. I feel responsible. You’re sure you’re okay? For sure? Yep. Yeah, it’s done. Le Meridien, but don’t do anything. Don’t! Okay… He said Saturday. Yeah. No, no prenup… Are you still there? No, he doesn’t believe in divorce. Okay, yeah. Okay. Love you. I will.” She holds the phone a minute. “I know. Bye.”

She ends the call and drops her arms before putting her forehead to the window.

“Chloe?” I call.

It takes a minute before she turns to me, looking resigned.

I pass her a glass of champagne. She takes it.

“A toast,” I say, holding my glass up. “To our future. To happily ever after for both of us.” I touch her glass with mine.

She drinks the entire thing back. As she puts her glass down, I wrap both arms around her and pull her tight to me.

“I’m gonna make you so fucking happy,” I vow.

She shakes her head, then pushes me with both hands against my chest, looking angry.

I release her.

“The ends will justify the means, baby.”

She backs away from me, shaking her head with anger emanating from her entire being.

“Go ahead and get ready for me. There’s bridal lingerie in there. I haven’t seen it yet. I had the staff set it in there for you when they brought our things here. Go, put it on for me.”

Her eyes narrow. Her little fists clench.

I let out a little chuckle and refill both glasses with champagne.

“While it’d be fun to entertain your temper and bring you to heel, not today. Today, I want to make love to you to consummate our marriage, so please go put on your lingerie and come back to me, Mrs. Steele.”

Her nostrils flare and she unclenches and re-clenches her fists.

“Now, baby. Don’t disappoint me.” I flash her a smile.

She stomps to the bathroom and slams the door as hard as she can. I laugh.