CHAPTER 19 ALEXIS
“Wow,” I breathe as he finishes telling me everything he just found out as we sit together on my bed, leaning up against the headboard. “So, just to be clear, as far as my father’s concerned…I’m broke?”
The words feel weighty coming out of my mouth. I can’t really believe it’s true, but I do have a few of my own accounts my father never knew about. I’ve been careful to keep my own separate money mostly because Gregory told me I could never be too safe.
And now I can’t help but wonder how much he knew.
I have a lot of different investments, and I’ll be okay. I can still buy that house I wanted—just not with the financing options Gregory used when he was trying to help me make the purchase.
I’m angry. I’m hurt. I’m anxious.
But I’m also feeling a big sense of determination.
Knowing what my father’s done puts me squarely back in the driver’s seat.
“As far as he’s concerned?” he asks.
I nod. “He doesn’t know about a few of my own accounts. I’ll be okay, Danny. But he doesn’t need to know that.”
He presses his lips together and nods. “Of course you will. You’re smart, talented, and independent despite what he tried to pull. And he didn’t answer the question of how much of your money he spent, but he did admit he made some bad investments with the agency and also with these companies Brooks got him to invest in.”
I let out a low whistle. It’s even worse than I first thought.
But at the same time…we’re still living in the same mansion, so we must not be flat broke yet.
Or Brooks is footing the bill.
Brooks. Just the mere thought of his name makes my stomach twist violently.
I thought he was on our side. I thought he was a decent guy.
Truth be told, I didn’t think he had enough of a backbone to do what he did.
I’ll give him credit for that, I guess. The rest is just kind of mind blowing, though. “We need to find a way to get back at Brooks for what he’s done. We need to bleed him dry.”
“Well, you could start by moving to a new management company,” Danny suggests.
I nod. “I know of a few. Leila Monroe is always bragging about her management company. Maybe I could call her and fish around for some information. Maybe even suggest a merger with that company. If my dad merges with them first, he can’t merge with D-Three.”
“True, but I’m not sure that’s exactly how it all works. But calling and fishing isn’t a bad idea. You could see if she’s heard anything about Bodega Talent, too.”
I nod, and I grab my phone and dial her before I lose my nerve.
“Alexis Bodega! How the hell have you been?” she answers, and I laugh.
“It’s complicated,” I deadpan, our usual greeting for one another.
“Here too, girl. What’s going on?”
“Quick question, and I’m asking for a friend. Is your manager taking new clients?”
“A friend, huh?” she asks, her tone full of disbelief.
“Yes, a friend.”
“Why aren’t you recommending Brooks’s company?”
I sigh. “It’s complicated.”
She chuckles. “Danny Brewer complicated?”
“Okay, so it’s not actually that complicated. Yes, the rumors are true. I married him a few days ago, and I’ve never been happier. And I want to leave D-Three and find new management,” I admit.
“Well congratulations, my friend. Are you looking for a new agent, too?”
I’ve never spoken a word to Leila about my dad being my agent. She’s nice enough, but you can’t be too careful with personal things like that. “Why would you ask that?”
“Are you leaving your dad’s company?” she presses rather than answering me.
“I…uh, I don’t know.”
“Honey, rumors that Bodega is going down are all over the place right now. If he can’t hold onto his own daughter as a client, how’s he going to hold onto anybody else? Everybody had eyes on the merger with D-Three. We’re all waiting for it to happen, and we assumed it didn’t because of the holidays…but I don’t know. Something smells fishy. First you ran out on your wedding to your manager, then you show up married after rumors were swirling that nobody could find you, and now you’re asking me about my management company. I’m connecting dots and calling bullshit. What’s really going on?”
“It’s complicated,” I say for the third time.
“That’s life, I guess. Just be safe, okay?”
“I will. But before I go, can I just ask you…do you think your management company would be interested in merging with Bodega Talent?”
“I don’t think so. Too volatile right now. But I’ll check in with my manager and see what I can find out for you. And yes, for sure she’d take you on. Want me to ask?”
“That would be great. Thanks, Leila. I’ll see you next week.”
We cut the call, and I turn wide eyes toward Danny. “This is all my fault.”
“This is one hundred percent not your fault,” he says. “Your father got himself into this mess.”
“That may be true. But I’m going to get him out of it.”
Danny clears his throat. “How, exactly?”
I press my lips together. “To be honest, I’m not quite sure yet. Will you help me?”
He draws in a deep breath. “I don’t know, Lex. I want to help you. But your father…”
“You just told me he confessed everything to you. That’s a start, isn’t it?”
He’s quiet a long moment, and then he finally mutters, “I guess.”
“There are two things that mean everything to him. His company and me. Did he do everything wrong? Absolutely. But I’m not going to turn on him now when he needs me the most.”
“Are you forgetting what he just did to us?” he asks. He sits up a little. “And I don’t just mean that he announced our wedding and my injury. I mean the fact that he stole everything from you.”
“I’m not, and I’m not saying I forgive him. I’m not even saying I’d ever take him back as my agent once I cut ties. But what I am saying is that he’s still my dad, and if I can help him, I will. Maybe he’s done me dirty this time, but there have been plenty of times when he didn’t.”
He raises his brows. “You’re a bigger person than me, then.”
“Am I? Because as I recall, you went to the hospital earlier today to tell your father that you forgive him. Maybe I’m just taking a page from your book before it’s too late.”
He flattens his lips into a thin line.
“I know it’s not what you want to hear, and you can say no. But, Danny, I’m going to ask you again. Will you help me bail my dad out and get back at Brooks all at the same time?” I ask.
He sucks in a long breath, and his eyes shift back to mine.
And then he nods. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll do what I can to help. But I need you to make a promise to me.”
“Anything,” I breathe.
“The minute something feels off, we bail.”
I nod. “The second something feels off, we bail,” I say vehemently.
He leans in and presses his lips to mine, sealing our promise with a kiss.