Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
DEIDRE
H aving to explain my secret relationship to my brother isn’t easy, especially when I’m asking him and his wife to keep it a secret. I mention the contract to them, but nothing beyond the clause. When Mike presses for more information, I eventually share everything.
“You really think Mom’s involved?” he asks.
“I don’t think. I know.” I grab my phone and start scrolling through the pictures that Claire posted on her social media account that are from the wedding. “That’s him,” I announce, getting a clear picture of my mother and Joseph Warren.
“You sure?” Claire asks.
Luke retrieves the recent mail that has a contract between UA Capital and Victoria’s company while I find Mr. Warren on the company website. “See.”
Mike stares at the information. “I can’t believe Mom would do this.”
“It’s all about money. Why do you think she hates Irene? Mom doesn’t love Dad…she probably never did.”
“I just don’t get it,” Claire huffs.
I take a deep breath, knowing that I need to explain some of my backstory for Mandy and Claire to comprehend the situation.
I go back to when it all started. I was on track to go to the Olympics for gymnastics at an early age, and how Mom pushed me.
My coaches were great, but Mom made me work out at home at least three hours a day every day, even if I had already been to the gym.
I barely had a social life, which is why I knew Mike’s friends better than anyone else.
They were at the house after school or during the summer.
I was rarely afforded to be a child because my mother wanted to use me to make money.
When you win an Olympic gold medal, many sponsorship opportunities open up, which is the only way Olympians make any money with the love of their sport.
Some go pro to pay the bills, but for most, it’s still not enough.
“So, you jumped out of a tree to stop?” Claire says.
“Yes.”
“Wow.” She sighs and leans back in her seat. “Do you miss it? Did you ever miss it?”
“What?”
“Gymnastics.”
Shrugging, I reply, “Yes and no.”
“She’s still flexible, though,” Mandy praises with a wicked grin. “Isn’t that right, Luke?”
Mike chokes on his drink. “I did not need to hear that.”
“You okay, man?” Luke asks.
“I might have just thrown up in my mouth a little.”
“Here,” Claire says, offering Mike a napkin.
“Thanks.” Mike chugs the rest of his tea. “So, what’s the plan?”
“The less you know, the better,” I reply.
“No.” Mike wags his finger. “I’m going to be here for you this time.”
“Mike—”
“I’m helping Dei,” he argues.
“We’re both helping,” Claire announces.
My gaze drifts around the room, looking each of them in the eye. “The fewer people who know, the better. I’m still working out how to expose them and free myself.”
“What can we do?” Claire asks.
“Let them help, Dei,” Luke suggests. “This is how you’ll win your freedom and keep your company.”
“And get to keep Luke, too,” Mandy adds with a wink.
“Are you sure?” I ask everyone in the house.
They nod.
“I’ll get Tony in here and we’ll go from there,” I state.
“Who?” Mike asks.
“Her bodyguard,” Mandy explains.
Claire raises her hand when she asks, “Why do you need a bodyguard?”
“It’s another long story.”
“We’ve got all night,” she says.
“I’ll get the wine,” Mandy announces. “Maybe we should order pizza or something else.”
“Yeah,” I laugh nervously, not excited about sharing the details.
Mandy orders food while Claire and I refill drinks and get other items we need.
“Tell them, Dei,” Luke encourages sweetly.
“Tell us what?” Mike asks.
“They need to know.”
“Tony started working for me back before the wedding,” I share.
“Our wedding?” Mike checks.
“I knew that,” Mandy says proudly.
“Yes,” I confirm. “A few stalker-ish things were happening from the marketing…particularly after Victoria had me start revealing myself as the face of Flirt .” I pause, letting them process my words while I also try to figure out how I’m going to explain everything that has happened—even things that Luke isn’t aware of.
“That’s why I got this house. It’s not under my name, but a Trust that I created.
Aside from Mandy, the only other person who knows, until now, is my current lawyer and Tony. ”
“Was it that bad?” Claire asks.
“Close enough,” Mandy confirms.
Luke squeezes my hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What good would looking at the past do? I’ve learned from it and have moved forward. Just like I did from that party….” My voice trails off, not wanting to continue.
“What party?” Mandy asks nervously.
“One you weren’t at,” Luke states.
“Dei?” Mandy calls with worry in her eyes.
I smile at her. “I’m good…now.”
“That’s why you started taking the self-defense classes,” Mandy guesses.
I bite my lip and nod.
“Fuck, Dei. What the fuck happened?” Mike shoots an apologetic look in Claire’s direction for his language, and she accepts.
I share the different times I had challenges, which led to hiring Tony.
Thankfully, none of them press to know more details about the attack where Luke came to my rescue.
Their questions start to jump around, causing me to explain different moments from the past, from my mother up to now, about business.
“How do you want to handle this?” Mike asks.
“I want parts done quietly before we expose that we know the truth to the parties involved. I need to have certain things lined up, including paperwork to protect myself and my business before I play my hand.”
“Makes sense,” Claire says.
“I’ve got documentation that Victoria is engaged in a business contract that is a conflict of interest. She’s double-dipping by trying to make money with my business while also getting additional revenue from UA Capital when she gets me to sign a contract with them.
I’ll talk to my lawyer about the options. Then I’ll go from there.”