Chapter Fifteen – Jason
I thought long and hard about it, but when Thursday rolled around, I decided to give Tessa a call and have her meet me in one of the clubs downtown.
Not one of those ones where it’s full of alcohol and bodies grinding together; one of the gentlemen’s clubs.
This one was called Gilded Rose. When I arrived, I realized it was the same club where Laina had confronted her and gotten her to tell the truth.
Huh. How ironic that I would choose the same club without meaning to.
Semi-dim lighting lit the way as I strolled in.
For once I wore a shirt whose sleeves covered most of my tattoos; some clubs like this were suit and tie, but thankfully they let me in.
It was late in the afternoon. Some patrons were sipping drinks and smoking cigars.
I walked right past them to an empty table, and when a waiter came up to me asking if I’d like anything, I waved him off.
The stage front and center in the back of the club was empty; I could imagine someone up there, singing and maybe playing the piano, giving the whole place a roaring twenties kind of vibe. Based on the interior decorating, I’d say that was what the owner was going for.
I could not get what Laina showed me out of my mind.
Speaking with Kieran was only another nail in the metaphorical coffin.
I… I was almost ashamed to admit I never thought Tessa could be lying to me about any of it.
The way she’d danced around the subject, told half-truths, I knew something was off, but I didn’t anticipate the level of lies to be that deep.
Some things you could never go back on. Some things, once done, could never be taken back. Trying to have your own flesh and blood killed was one of them. Truly, I didn’t know she could sink down to that level, be the kind of person that level of scheming required.
She had more of her mother in her than I thought—not a complement.
Way back when, I used to think Nora was my one and only.
Tessa was an accident, but we did our best with her even though we were still kids.
Kieran wasn’t exactly planned, but we were in a much better place when he was born… or so I’d thought.
The truth? The truth was Nora wasn’t the kind of woman who wanted to stick around. She didn’t want what I could give her, so she left, and in the process of leaving and abandoning the three of us, she’d proved to me she wasn’t who I’d thought she was.
Now Tessa had seemingly followed in her mother’s footsteps. Not something to be proud of—and that said nothing about her being okay with ordering Kieran to make a girl disappear.
I couldn’t say how long I sat there by myself, waiting for her to show up, but it was a while.
I’d gotten there early, so it was my fault.
When someone finally sat beside me, it took me a few moments to snap back to reality and focus my gaze on my daughter, who looked incredibly uncomfortable to be here.
“I’m surprised you wanted to meet,” she said as she sat down beside me. “I thought you didn’t want us to be seen together in the city?”
“I thought a club like this would be safe.”
She rolled her eyes and huffed, “You’d be surprised.” Tessa looked so much like her mother did, although I supposed I never knew Nora when she was in her early thirties, but I imagined my daughter was a mirror image. I should’ve been proud, but instead, I only felt disappointed.
“Tessa, I need you to tell me the truth: what really happened between you and your brother?” This was her last chance. One final question, one more chance for her to tell me the truth. The fact she’d lied about it all this time told me she knew exactly how I’d respond if I found out the truth.
My daughter groaned. “We’ve been over this again and again. How many times do I need to say it? It’s all that Laina’s fault. She’s meddlesome for a little girl.”
Perhaps it was true she blamed her, but that wasn’t the root of it. It wasn’t the full story.
“Is that your final answer? I’m not going to ask again.
” My voice came out hard and firm, informing her this was no game.
This was beyond serious, and if she refused to straighten up, well…
I could not in good conscience continue to help her.
I wouldn’t keep an eye on Laina for her, wouldn’t do what I could to distract her while she continued the other part of her two-pronged assault.
Tessa stared at me, a frown forming on her lips. “Why’d you say it like that?”
I did not say a single word in response, waiting for her to put it together. If she was so damn smart, she should be able to figure it out herself.
“You talked to Kieran,” she muttered, her frown hardening. “Of course. I should’ve known it was only a matter of time until you did. You should know he’s full of nothing but lies. You can’t trust a single word out of his mouth—”
“That’s funny, because I’m starting to feel the same way about you.”
She appeared insulted. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t just talk to Kieran. I had a long chat with Laina, too.
I heard the confession.” I pointed around.
“It was done somewhere around here, wasn’t it?
Believe it or not, me choosing this place to meet was accidental.
I had no idea this was the club where you admitted you tried to have your brother killed. ”
Tessa’s back snapped rod straight. “What you’re insinuating—”
“I’m not insinuating anything. I heard it straight from the source, you. And as for Kieran, well, you knew your brother liked her before you told him to get rid of her.”
“He should’ve picked me over her.”
“Like you did?”
She ground her jaw and narrowed her brown eyes at me. Her brown hair was pulled back in a messy pony, small wisps framing her face. “I did what I did only after he made it clear he’d choose her over me every time.”
“And do you know why that is?” I asked, waiting only a moment before I answered my own question, “She’s his family now, something you should’ve understood. If you really cared about your brother, you never would’ve asked him to do something like that.”
“He should’ve picked me. I’m his sister—”
“Thirty years ago, my parents told me to pick between them and Nora and you, and I made my decision, moved out at fifteen years old, and never looked back.”
“And look at where you are now.” Her words cut, thrown at me like knives with the intent to maim. “Alone. Maybe Kieran should’ve learned from you that blood is thicker than water.”
“I know I always preached about family being above all, but even after all this time, you don’t have it quite right.
” She cocked her head at me, waiting for me to enlighten her.
“And there’s more to that saying, too. The blood of the covenant is stronger than the waters of the womb.
Do you know what it means? It’s the bonds you choose.
They can be just as important if not more important than the ones you were born into.
You should’ve known this and respected Kieran and his feelings. ”
She folded her arms over her chest. “So, what? Is this you scolding me? Trying to tell me you’re disappointed in me, Dad? To do better and all that performative shit?”
“I wanted to hear the truth from you, to see if you’d admit to what you did. This isn’t me telling you I’m disappointed, it’s me telling you I’m done. I told you I would help you, but that was when I thought Kieran had turned his back on you, not the other way around.”
Tessa laughed, though the sound was ugly and bitter. “So you’re choosing Kieran’s side, then.”
“Kieran’s and Laina’s, yes.”
The look she sent me could definitely kill. “And Laina’s. Of course. This isn’t just about Kieran, is it? I should’ve known something was wrong when five months went by and you didn’t do a single thing.”
“You didn’t want me to do anything until you made a move on Vance,” I reminded her.
“Don’t give me that shit. You spent all your time watching her, following her, learning everything you could about her. You talked to her once and suddenly you’re on her side, just like Kieran.” She laughed again. “I should’ve fucking known.”
Now it was my turn to throw daggers at her with my stare.
I didn’t particularly like what she was insinuating.
“Careful,” I warned her. “You’re walking on very thin fucking ice right now.
As it looks to me, you’re alone. You have no one loyal enough to do your dirty work now.
I’d rethink whatever game you think you’re playing here. Are you even really pregnant?”
I shouldn’t have asked, but Laina had thrown doubts into my head in more ways than one.
“Wow. You already trust Laina more than me, your own daughter. I can’t say I expected it to go like this.
” She shook her head and got to her feet, rubbing her belly over her shirt all the while.
“You’re under her spell, just like Kieran.
Apparently I’m the only one who can see that girl for what she is: a slithering snake.
I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone. I can finish this myself.
” And with that, with her head held high, she turned away from me and left, not once looking back.
I watched her go, a mixed bag of emotions dwelling inside me. Of course I wanted to tell her she was wrong in her assumptions, that Laina didn’t have me under her spell, or whatever the hell she thought, but I held back, figuring any arguing on my part would only make it worse.
And things were already bad.
Being upset with me was her deflecting and trying to push blame, say it was all my fault.
Or, rather, Laina’s. After all this time, it seemed like Tessa blamed Laina for absolutely everything—which was ridiculous.
The girl never asked for any of this. If anyone was to blame, it was Tessa, but my daughter refused to see it.
Things would be so different right now if Tessa had simply learned to accept Laina and Kieran’s love for her.
As I sat there, fuming after that little encounter, I had the oddest urge. I wanted to see Laina. There weren’t many people in this world who understood the situation and how fucked it was, but she was one of them.
In the end, I didn’t contact her. That would’ve been weird, but still, the thought was there, and once the thought was there it refused to go away.