Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Stella
Q uinn watches herself apply foundation in the spotless mirror fastened above the vanity in the bathroom of our room. She’s toning it down—not so much black eyeliner—and Mel talked her into painting her nails pink instead of black and trimmed her hair. Because of the regular meals we’ve been eating, she’s put on some weight and her skin glows. She looks better than she did the day I ran to her for help after escaping Ash’s.
I try not to think I’m the reason she’s happier, but I know that’s part of it. While I was gone, she was confused, hurt, and resentful. I don’t blame her and only thank God she so easily welcomed me back into her life, no questions asked.
Zane’s words shook me. Offering to sell Maddox Industries or hiring someone to run it until Zarah’s capable of stepping into her father’s place, if she wants to.
He’s put me in a difficult position.
I could never ask him to give up his family’s legacy for me, but I wouldn’t stop him if that’s what he told me he wanted to do. I’ve made it no secret that the way Zane and Zarah live doesn’t impress me. I admit I’ve only seen the dark side of having that kind of money—the abuse of power, the entitlement, the greed. Zane could show me the positives, but even if he did, I still don’t know if I could live the way I’ll need to live if Zane and I marry and he keeps control of one of the most powerful companies in the world.
Especially after Black Enterprises crumbles. They must be doing some things legally to go undetected for so long, but I have my suspicions that won’t be enough to save them, to keep the DA’s office from shuttering their doors, even if Willow was capable of running it in her husband’s stead.
What will the collapse of Black Enterprises do to the economy of King’s Crossing, or to the rest of the United States? Maybe even the world? How many dominoes will fall when we tip this one over?
“Those are some heavy thoughts,” Quinn says, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
I asked Mel if Quinn and I could dress alone. When we spoke downstairs, Zane was trying to tie up loose ends between us, feel out our future. I appreciate him trying to hold a lantern up to the dark times ahead, but no one can predict what will happen after tonight.
“Zane said he’d sell his company for me,” I say, holding a mascara wand up to my face.
“Holy shit,” she whispers. “Are you going to let him?”
I shrug uneasily. “I think he’d grow to resent me later if he did.”
She nods. “You’re right. That company is all he has left of his mom and dad.”
I didn’t think of it that way, and I’m more dejected.
“Anyway,” I say, changing the subject and forcing a lightness into my voice that won’t fool Quinn, but I press forward anyway, “he wanted me to ask you what your plans are, and if you’ve given any thought to what you’ll do once we can go our separate ways.”
Quinn starts applying silver eyeshadow, but her hand trembles. “I don’t know. The past few weeks have turned me upside down. I don’t think I want to go back to New York, at least, not to the counterfeiting stuff I was doing. I took the job because I thought you left, and it was something to keep me from feeling lost.”
“You still like clothes though, right?” My heart sinks. Counterfeiting in King’s Crossing was the only way for her to feed her passion—creating clothes—and the promotion, if you want to call it that, was her way of founding her own fashion house. The only way she ever thought she could. Quinn’s my best friend and has been there for me whenever I’ve needed her. I need to give her something she wants. Something she can build a future on. Something she couldn’t have if Zarah and I hadn’t shared cheesecake and wine so long ago.
“Oh, God, I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving clothes. You should see the dresses I picked out for us. They’re lovely. I hope you don’t mind I did it without asking you first.”
“No, of course not. You have wonderful taste.” I apply a light coat of lipstick to my lips. I need to keep moving or we’ll be late. “Zane told me if you still wanted to go to the Fashion Institute, he’d pay your tuition, or if you want to study in Paris or London. You should do it, Quinn.”
She pales. “I’m...I’m not sure. I would have to think about it. Stella... I...I don’t think I can leave you yet. We weren’t close after high school, I know that, but we always lived under the same stars.” She laughs, but it’s weak. “Christ, that sounded like shit.”
I turn and grip her shoulders. “We were always living under the same stars, Quinn. And we always will be, no matter what happens tonight. It’s okay. You don’t have to decide now, or next year, or even the year after. I doubt Zane’s offer has an expiration date. Do what makes you feel comfortable.” I hug her, and the weight of my cast is clunky as I try to maneuver around it. I feel terrible offering her something she isn’t ready for. Maybe that’s why what Zane said threw me off, too. I’m just not ready to think beyond tonight. “I’m never going to disappear again. You’ll always have me in your life.”
She hugs me back. “Thanks. I didn’t know how much I needed you, needed to know you were there for me, until you weren’t around.”
Neither of us wants to think about the five years I spent trapped at Black Enterprises, and we fall silent and finish applying our makeup.
Governor Guthrie is hosting the gala at the governor’s mansion. The fall month still holds all the heat of summer, and according to the gossip sites, the party will take place on the patio and spill out onto the immaculately landscaped yard.
Ash will see me, but I’m not scared of him. Zane will be there, and so will Special Agent Banks, Mel, and other law enforcement. There’s nothing he can do to me, and I’m eager to look him in his eyes while Banks cuffs him. I want him to know how it feels to be powerless. I’m sure it’s an emotion he’s never felt in his life.
Thinking she’s interrupting our talk, Mel swoops into the room mumbling apologies and holding our dresses. I’m glad mine isn’t black. I’m allowed to stand out tonight, and though my hair is still a coppery red, Quinn chose a beautiful vintage blush colored gown that reminds me of something Jackie Kennedy would have worn at the height of her husband’s presidency.
We do up each other’s zippers, and she’s gorgeous wearing a black and silver dress, her jet-black hair, pale skin, and sultry makeup complementing it perfectly. Mel wears a plain black floor-length dress and a strand of black pearls, and she pinned her hair into a sophisticated chignon. Though it’s still warm, she added an elegant lace blazer that gives her room to wear her holster.
I hope she doesn’t have to shoot anyone.
We thought it best Zarah and Ingrid stay behind. It will be the first time she’s completely alone since Zane brought her home, and Douglas will drive them to the penthouse and stay until the party’s over and we can pick them up.
We meet in Max’s suite, and Zarah hugs me tightly. Even though Zane hired extra security to keep her safe while all this goes down, it’s difficult to say goodbye, and she’s another part of my life I won’t be able to forget that easily if I choose to go my own way. I love her as much as I love Quinn, and it breaks my heart to look into her deep brown eyes and see only glimmers of who she used to be before Ash sold her and locked her away. I’d hoped to be around to support her, help her find the woman she wants to be, but in order to heal myself, I may need to cut ties and spend some time alone. I wish I knew what the right answer was.
Zarah doesn’t let go, and I rub her back. She’s scared Max is going with us, but he worked hard on Kagan and Lark’s plane crash before he met Denton and me at the police station, and watching the FBI arrest Clayton Black is his reward.
“It’s going to be okay,” I whisper in her ear, leaving a trace of sparkly lipstick on her cheek.
“You came for me,” she says, searching my face.
I force myself to smile. Sometimes she sounds good, like she’s still not fighting a thick layer of drugs, and sometimes, like now, if she’s frightened or she wants to hide from what’s happening around her, she reverts back to the way she sounded at Quiet Meadows, a scared little girl having no hope of rescue. “Yeah, I did. I love you, Zarah. You have what you need for a fresh start.”
An uncertain smile trembles on her lips.
I know how she feels.
Zane watches our exchange, and tears fill his eyes.
Wearing a crisp tux, Denton walks into Max’s suite and joins us. He’s looking better, more like the man who used to work at Maddox Industries. His skin isn’t so grey, Mel gave him a haircut, and in the past couple of weeks he’s lost weight, too. Denton wants to see Clayton pay for the death of his friend, and he vibrates, full of energy and anticipation.
Zane claps his hands to get our attention. “Special Agent Banks, two agents from the local FBI field office, and two local plainclothes detectives from the KCPD are in place on the Guthrie estate right now, and they’ll blend in with Governor Guthrie’s security. The grounds are comprised of twelve acres, and there are several places to conceal themselves, so don’t think because you don’t see anyone that you’re alone. We aren’t going to give Clayton and Ash a chance to escape. Nora Guthrie and Ash have a presentation planned, and they’ll be talking about Minnesota’s sex and human trafficking statistics. Something they’ve been contributing to. We’ll let their guests know.”
Quinn and Mel grin.
Ash officially invited Zane to the party, but now that Nathalie isn’t his plus one, he’s bringing Mel. Once they clear the security checking the reservations, she’ll wander off and let me, Quinn, Denton, and Max into the mansion. Normally, Governor Guthrie’s security would stop us before we could step foot onto the grass, but Banks and our team will let us by.
Mel and Banks spent hours planning this, and I hope they’ve thought of everything.
“Does anyone have any questions?” Zane asks.
We’re quiet. We know the plan backward and forward.
“Then let’s go.”
Downstairs in the staff parking lot, Douglas is sitting behind the wheel of a plain black town car waiting for Zarah and Ingrid. Ingrid climbs into the back, but Max catches Zarah before she gets in too. She presses her face against his shoulder, and I look away. I don’t want to be a witness to her sadness. I already saw it when we flew to DC, but this time feels different.
Quinn steps up to me as Douglas drives away. “Ready?”
“Yeah. I’m worried about her, though. She’s such an easy target.”
“She’ll be fine. Douglas will keep an eye on her, and their building’s already locked down. Zane made sure.”
“I know.” Zane took every precaution to protect his sister. I have nothing to worry about.
In one of his limos, he and Mel ride to the gala. Denton, Max, Quinn, and I also have a driver who is a professional bodyguard, but we’re riding in a plain black SUV that won’t draw attention.
Looking dapper in his tux, Max sits next to me, bouncing his leg.
The governor’s mansion is thirty minutes away, and as we move closer to our destination, my apprehension grows. Maybe it’s because I’m realistic. Maybe it’s because I know Ash won’t go down without a fight.
Everyone seems to think this will work flawlessly.
Everyone but me.