Chapter 2
Two
Cameron
“This is one fancy-ass barn,” Que looked around at the décor.
After family photos, we all loaded up and headed to a nearby farmhouse (of course, it was) for the reception.
It was every bit of rustic chic – tea light candles, white string lights everywhere, and all of the white flowers my money could afford.
“Tell me about it,” I quipped as the bartender took my order.
This wedding and reception are already costing me somewhere north of a million dollars, despite the facade Jamie will showcase on social media that she took a more responsible approach.
“But hopefully, this is her only marriage. I’m not doing shit again. ”
“I feel you on that one,” Que paused before he spoke again, “although this is making me want to make Hayley an honest woman finally. I started looking at rings, man. I’m tired of her being a baby mama. She deserves the best.”
“That’s great,” I commented to Que. He and Hayley have been together for five years already and are considered to be local celebrities here in Atlanta. He has no problem with letting Hayley shine as he stays in the background. The less focus on him, the better.
But hearing Que wanting to propose to Hayley makes me mournful for what I should’ve done. Taylor deserved more than just being associated with me. Sure, I take care of her and Mia, but it’s not the same, and everyone knows it’s not. She should be Taylor Page.
I’m determined she will be.
“Well, well, well...” Ethan walked up to me as I nursed my Hennessey. The biggest day of his life, and I was still more important than my sister, his wife. “It seems your lovely plan of ruining your sister’s big day didn’t quite work.”
I gently shake the ice in my tumbler. Ethan is starting early with his bullshit and I have to admit, I did wonder what took him so long. “What plan was that, may I ask?”
“I have the best security in the world covering this wedding,” Ethan boasted.
“My contacts from all over the country are here. No one could come through without a thorough background check, and all phones were confiscated. Everyone working tonight has been vetted.” He glanced over to me with a smile.
“In case anyone thought about ruining the happiest day of my life.”
“Hmm.” I stared at my parents mingling with other attendees. Even at my sister’s wedding, the politicians never turn off. They would make deals and negotiate at a funeral if the opportunity presented itself.
“Hmm?” Ethan looked over at me and Que, and Roadie joined the conversation. “I see you brought the rest of the Stooges with you.”
“You have jokes tonight, Detective,” Que said as he sipped on his whiskey. “I hope they’re still funny later.”
“Oh, they will be. I will always get the last laugh when it comes to you all.” Ethan warned as he was joined by his partner, Lisa.
“Problems, here?” Lisa sneered.
“No, not at all,” Ethan smiled. “I was just telling the losers here how any plans they would’ve had to thwart the best day of my life would’ve resulted in embarrassment to them and immediate arrests.”
“But of course,” Lisa grinned, “if anyone ever thought about getting even and ruining the best day of your life?”
The thing about a smug asshole is that they always feel they have one up on you.
They can never be prepared for when you reverse Uno their asses.
“I’ve always wondered how it would feel if someone who’d purposely ruined the best day of my life had that same energy returned to them.
” I smiled at them. “I wonder what that would feel like?”
“You would break your sister’s heart to get even with me, Page?” Ethan sneered.
I sip my tumbler. “Yes.” I softly gestured to the ballroom.
“You have the best officers here at your wedding, Detective. Law enforcement from all over the country and the very best from Atlanta’s own.
It was an hour's drive to Cleveland for this very expensive wedding that someone who’s not my sister or our parents footed the bill.
” Ethan sucked the inside of his cheek as Lisa shifted her stance.
“You had security on my ass like flies on shit as well as extra security on my boys here because you honestly thought we were going to do something foolish to ruin my sister’s day.
You were so concerned about what I would potentially do inside here and that.
..” I chuckle as Que and Roadie join in. “....that’s just so funny.”
“What would be funny is seeing you rot for the rest of your life in prison, bitch,” Ethan warned as Lisa stepped aside to take a phone call. “Jamie and I have agreed to help Taylor raise Mia when, and not if, that happens.”
Ethan knows the one thing he can say that’ll make us both forget who he is and what I’m capable of. “Over my dead body.”
“That can be arranged,” Ethan promised as Lisa rejoined him. Her face blanched, yet there was a subtle anger. She whispered in Ethan’s ear and glanced back at me. A slow smile grew on my face as Ethan’s and Lisa’s demeanors became angrier.
Ethan shook his head and blew out a harsh breath. “You son of a bitch.”
I sipped my tumbler. “Oh?”
“Just got word the men we suspect assaulted Patrice were killed,” Lisa replied.
“One met his death at the county jail with multiple stab wounds. No weapon was found, and the cameras were off. The other one, I suspect, was under the influence of something because his crew allegedly killed him after he looted multiple trap houses they own.” She sucked her teeth.
“A total of seven people were murdered today, and your name is all over it.”
“I was here all weekend, remember? You two made sure I had personal security with me all night.” I reply. “You had them watch Que.” Que saluted. “You had them watch Roadie.”
“Suck my dick,” Roadie taunted.
“So...” I shrugged. “I’m not sure what’s the problem is here.”
“The problem is you, bitch,” Ethan blew through his nose.
“You know anything about what happened today? Wait; don’t answer that.
Even if you did know, and I highly suspect you do, you wouldn’t say anything.
And you wouldn’t be stupid enough to admit it.
So, I’ll say you’re running on borrowed time, my friend.
You’re starting to get reckless with your behavior, and it’s about to catch up with you somehow.
Whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re planning, must stop right now before someone very close to you feels the effects.
” Ethan looked over to Taylor and Mia, “and you can’t return from that. ”
“You do realize the same threats you’re making to me, I can easily make to you, except I will be more successful with mine.
” My voice turned cold. “I have eyes and ears in places you only wish you had access to. All of the workers here tonight, from the baker to the cooks to the servers, work for me. I made sure to let them know to be extra nice to the bride and groom. Take a look around.” I taunted as Lisa and Ethan scanned the crowd.
Some workers met their eyes and nodded at them.
“I could’ve had you killed at any time tonight, and no one would’ve thought anything other than it was just a freak accident.
Can you imagine that headline? New son-in-law of Senator Page suddenly died at his wedding reception of a heart attack? ”
“Bitch, did you just admit to conspiracy?” Ethan huffed.
“Everyone in here was patted down, including both of you.” I sipped my tumbler. “I didn’t admit to shit either of you can prove.”
Ethan steps closer to me, and he thinks he’s intimidating. That man hasn’t seen intimidating yet. “Go ahead and try me, Page. Your daddy and his friends in Congress won’t be able to save you.”
“And I can say the same for you. Not one member of law enforcement will save you here tonight because they know the moment they try anything with me, their own lives will be at risk.” I see Ethan’s sister, Makayla, a short distance away.
“And just like with you, I won’t even go after them directly when I can go after the person closest to them. ” Ethan’s eyes hardened, and I smiled.
I lean into them both and speak low. “Now, go be good little detectives and investigate those murders. Take some of your friends with you. You’ll need all the help you can get tonight.”