Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
JAXON/JAX
Now
Ivory Tables & Hidden Graves
The hardest funerals are the ones no one realizes they’re attending.
Icinch up my suit tie with a rock in my stomach. “David, I’m going to wait until the ceremony is over. Then I’ll go to the reception.”
“Okay, sir. Just tell me if you need air.”
“Just roll down the windows.”
He does. I rest my head back and try to figure out how I’m going to get through this day.
Muffled music filters through the air, barely audible over the sound of the Pacific below. The wedding has started, and my chest empties out.
“I’m going to get out.” I push the back door open and stand beside the car with my hands in my pockets and a jaw I’m working hard to keep still.
A minute or two later, a man in dark clothing presses himself against the far wall of the venue. There’s a camera tucked against his side, and he’s working his way toward the service entrance.
The venue security holds its position at the main entrance, attention fixed forward. They haven’t caught him.
“Stay with the car.” I cross the driveway before David can answer.
The man rounds the far side of the building and pushes through a door that has no business being unlocked on a day like today, and I’m three steps behind when it swings shut.
I follow him in. He runs through the building and out of the corridor to where everyone is. I’m right behind him.
On the beach, the ceremony is already running. Guests sit on both sides of the flower-lined aisle in formal dress wear.
Against the wall, behind a small table, the man with the camera is crouched, lens already raised. That’s all the time I give myself.
Keeping low, I close the distance before he registers the approach. I close my hand around the back of his collar and haul him upright.
“What the…?” He grabs for the camera strap with his free hand.
“You’re not welcome here.”
He twists against my grip and drives an elbow back hard, catching the edge of the table. It goes over with a crack that cuts straight through the vows Livianna’s saying.
Every guest turns. The wedding party freezes in place. I don’t look at the altar, and I don’t look at her.
“My apologies.” I lead him away with his collar still in my grip.
At the door, two of the venue’s security personnel intercept us. I transfer the man to them with one clean motion and step back to straighten my jacket.
“He came in through the service entrance.” I nod toward the camera. “No one authorized press access for today.”
“We’re aware.” The larger of the two takes the man’s arm and steers him down the path. The other one holds the door.
He gives me a nod. “Are you coming back in, sir?”
“No.” I adjust my cuff and ignore the pounding in my heart.
The Pacific breeze comes in cool off the water, and I’m grateful for it. Down on the beach, the ceremony is continuing.
The officiant has found his place again, and the guests have resettled in their rows. Callum’s standing at the altar with her hands in his and a black silk ribbon still knotted around their wrists.
David rounds the corner of the building. “Sir.”
“What?”
“Is everything good here?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
The security team rounds the front of the building with the photographer in tow. I don’t go after them.
There’s no version of what’s happening now that I am able to witness without losing the composure I’ve spent years keeping in careful order.
I stay where I am, needing an excuse to leave. The wedding is just barely too quiet to hear clearly, and the only thing I have left to offer Livianna is the courtesy of not watching.
My phone vibrates in my pants pocket. I take it out.
Axel: That fleet of black SUVs that’s been following Cash Mayze is off his trail today.
Me: That’s good, but concerning.
Axel: My thoughts exactly. That’s why I kept my tail on them. They’re driving around Cash’s house in Laurel Canyon.
Me: What are they doing?
Axel: Looks like they’re staking out the place.
Me: Keep on them, and if they try to get into that home, you contact me immediately.
Axel: Yes, sir.
What are they doing at Cash’s place?
I shove my phone back into my pocket just as the officiant asks Livianna and Cash to get ready to exchange the rings. That’s my invitation to return to my car.
I hike back to where David has parked with a lump stuck in my throat. I pace along the side of the vehicle, wishing I could stop the wedding, but knowing I never would. My mind skips to the next issue I need to focus on.
There’s something going on with Cash, and those people following him aren’t going to stop until they get whatever it is they want. That means Livianna is still in danger.
And if my enemies are still after me, then she’s in twice that amount. I shudder and shake it off, but a memory takes over my thoughts.
Then
Age Twelve
“I will find my way out of this.” I’m twelve years old, sitting at the kitchen table with a textbook open when he enters at eleven fourteen at night.
I’ve been tracking this man’s schedule for three months with the precision my mother once used for patient charts because in this house, information is the only armor available to me.
My family has been dead since July. I can’t find my breath most days, but that doesn’t stop life from going on.
This house is nothing like the one I grew up in. There are no photographs. No music from the kitchen on Sunday mornings. No extra pairs of shoes by the front door.
The man who calls himself my uncle drops his briefcase near a chair and crosses the kitchen in four steps. “You’re still up.”
“I was reading.” I close the textbook, my fingers tightening around it.
He pulls out the chair across from me and stands behind it without sitting, his hands on the top rung.
“What are you reading?” He studies me from across the table.
“I’ve had schoolwork.” My heart rate speeds up.
“If you say so.” He turns to the refrigerator and stands in its cold light without taking anything out, then lets the door swing shut.
His stillness is never neutral. Three months have made that impossible to forget.
He turns back to me. “Your teacher called.”
“About what?” I plant both feet under the table. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“She says you’ve been asking questions about your parents’ clinic.”
“I wanted to know why they were there that night.” I push my homework aside. “None of the articles say.”
“Some questions don’t have answers worth finding.” His eyes grow dark. “Your parents learned that too late.”
“What does that mean?”
He crosses the kitchen and sets both hands on the back of my chair, leaning toward me. “Clarity comes from acceptance, not from questions you’ll never get the answers to.”
“I disagree.” I brace myself, fearing his next move.
“Don’t you backtalk me.” He marches around the chair and closes his fingers around my jaw, tipping my face up toward his.
The grip isn’t hard enough to hurt yet. That’s the point.
“Let go.” I don’t move. “Please.”
He holds for a count of three, then releases. “The first thing your parents never learned was when to stop. Don’t make the same mistake.”
He leaves the room. The kitchen light flickers. I sit and don’t move. My jaw holds the shape of that grip the way a bruise holds the shape of whatever caused it.
Somewhere below language, the understanding settles: this man knows exactly why my family is dead. And I am twelve years old with nowhere to go and no one to call. So I build the stillness into something structural. If he can never read me, he can never use me.
Now
“Sir.” David steps into my line of sight. “I was trying to get your attention.”
“What is it, David?”
“The ceremony has ended.” He gestures toward the clapping and hollering coming from the beach below.
Guests filter up from the sand toward the venue building where the reception is being held. I straighten my jacket and find the courage I need to get through this. My past is proof that I can get through anything.
“Thank you, David.” I take a deep breath and lift my head high, even though my stomach is churning. “It’s time I show my respects to the bride and groom.”
I trek into the reception area. Before I have time to find Cash and Livianna, Quinn’s in my face.
“Jaxon, we need to talk.” She takes me by the elbow. “Now.”
I yank my arm away and stop. “Quinn, what is this behavior about?”
“My behavior?” She raises her brows. “Trust me. You’ll want us to be in private when you hear what I have to say.”
I know this Quinn. This is the woman who’s used to running the show in the boardroom when she knows she has more information than anyone else in the room.
“All right.” I jut my chin toward a far corner. “Go over there and we can have this discussion you need to have without bothering everyone.”
She struts off, knowing I’m following. Her rushed movements are enough to alert me to her attitude.
She turns to face me, tucking her arms across her chest. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I straighten my back. “Quinn, I’m in no mood to play games. Just tell me what you need to say.”
“I’ll admit, you two were really good at hiding things.” She glances at Livianna as she and Cash enter the room.
The guests go crazy with whistles and cheers.
I bring my attention back to Quinn. “What and who were hiding things from you?”
“You and Livianna.” Quinn fakes a laugh. “And I fell for it.”
My blood freezes. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you dare play dumb with me.” She inches closer, whispering, “I didn’t believe it at first, but then the cards just kept stacking up. I knew if you didn’t show up for their wedding ceremony, then the truth is exactly as I suspect it is.”
“Quinn…” I glance around, making sure no one can hear us. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at. Please explain.”
“Livianna and you.” Quinn throws a quick smile at a couple passing us on the way to their seats. “What I don’t understand is why you told her you lost your girlfriend and a baby in an accident. That’s cruel to make her believe that.”
“Whoa, wait.” It’s my turn to take her by the arm. “We need to speak where we have more privacy.”
I guide us outside with a perfect view of the wedding altar. My heart aches, so I turn my back to it.
Quinn shimmies out of my grasp. “Jaxon, I know so don’t deny it.”
“Explain.”
“I thought something was up after Livianna was upset with you and your date at Andrew’s wedding, but when I asked her about her love life, she threw me off track by telling me she wasn’t dating anyone seriously because she didn’t have time.
She even went so far as to tell me she was only with the guy she was seeing because he was always out of town. ”
I remain silent. So far, all Quinn has is speculation.
She rolls her eyes. “Let me break it down for you, Jaxon. You both lived in Paris and worked together. You came back to the States around the same time. Livianna told me she was renting her house in Malibu from a rich guy who was never in town. She told me she was dating him, and I just found out that you are the owner of that house.”
“That doesn’t make me the person she was dating.”
“Right,” Quinn says dryly. “And that’s why your offices are steps away from one another. You were a ghost after Livianna’s accident. There was something seriously wrong with you. Everyone could see it, but I brushed it off, thinking it was over the terrible deal you made in Malaysia.”
“That was wise.”
“No, it wasn’t. You’re lying to her.”
“Quinn, think about what you’re suggesting. Then consider what today is.” I loosen my tie. “Livianna is happy. Don’t be the reason she’s not.”
“Is that how you justify it?”
“I’m not justifying anything.”
Quinn leans closer. “You’re in love with her. Now that I know that, I can see it in your eyes.”
“Quinn.” I step toward her, narrowing the space between us. “Today of all days, this is not the conversation to be having.”
“It needs to be had.” She glances toward the door we just came out of. “How long do you think she won’t remember? Think about that hard because her memories and her sense of smell are returning.”
My pulse quickens. “There is nothing to tell, Quinn. Livianna is moving on, and that’s the entire story.”
Quinn grinds on. “You’re lying to me and you’re lying to yourself.”
“Quinn, I’m asking you to stop.” I bore my hardened gaze into hers. “For Livianna’s sake.”
“I’m doing this for Livianna’s sake.” She growls under her breath. “That’s why I came to you first.”
“Good. At least you have some?—”
“She told me you lost someone.” Quinn drops her arms to her sides. “Livianna said you told her you lost a lover and a child in a car accident.”
“She misunderstood.” I slide my hands into my pockets, trying to appear unbothered.
“Did she?”
“Quinn, what do you want from me?”
“The truth.” Quinn tilts her head. “Can you give me that?”
The wind kicks up, and some of the decorations sway. That gives me an idea.
“We should get back inside. You’re the maid of honor. I’m sure you have some duties you’re supposed to be doing.”
Quinn’s face grows red. “You’re deflecting. Just like you do in business meetings that aren’t going your way.”
“This certainly isn’t going my way.” I shift toward the exit we came from. “We need to get back inside.”
Quinn steps in front of me. “You haven’t answered a single direct question I’ve asked you.”
“There’s nothing to discuss, Quinn.” I open the back door. “Livianna and Cash are married. End of story.”
Quinn goes quiet. The sharp edge of the confrontation rounds itself off entirely, and what replaces it is harder to defend against than anything she’s aimed at me for the past ten minutes.
“Jaxon, you’re in love with her, and that’s why you’re not getting involved.” She steps beside me, getting close. “We’re not done with this.”
“Yes, we are.” I start to go in.
Quinn huffs. “I won’t lie to her.”
“Think about what you’re doing, Quinn.” I take her by her arms as soon as she clears the doorway. “Livianna is happy.”
“I know that, but she wants to remember her past.”
“Don’t do this.” I stare hard into Quinn’s eyes. “Not today. Not ever.”
She turns toward Livianna across the room. “Give me one good reason not to.”
“She’s had enough hardship throughout her life. She can have peace now. That’s what she deserves.” I release Quinn.
Her shoulders lower, and she brings her gaze back to me. “Just tell me I’m not insane.”
“You’re a bright woman. You know that.” I run my palm down my freshly shaven beard. “Nothing but Livianna’s joy matters.”
“But you two were in love.” Quinn’s expression drops. “What kind of friend am I if I don’t tell her?”
“One that knows when to stay out of a situation.”
She nods, shifting from side to side. “Just tell me one thing, and I promise to drop it.”
“What?”
“Did Livianna lose a baby in that car accident?”