Chapter 60 #3
“I can see you are trying to make amends, and I appreciate that. But I need time. You’ve given me a lot to think about.
Especially all the stuff with Mom. I let the hatred go, but it will take me some time to forgive you completely.
” I stand up and walk toward him. “I know how it feels to lose those I love most. I don’t want to lose you.
So for now, I will say in time, but I can’t say that I forgive you for everything today. ”
“That’s fair. I need to earn your trust back, and I will.”
“Dad, one more thing. You have to agree…no, promise me that no one you date will ever come between us again.”
He smiles wide.
“Never. I’ve already lost too much time with you and you are the most important person in my life.”
I teasingly hold out my hand for him to shake.
“Then, you have a deal, Mr. Gaillard. I will not disown you as my father.”
Laughing hard, he grasps my hand and pulls me into another hug. I close my eyes and soak it in.
“I love you, Rock Star.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
For the first time in years, I’m not haunted by what has shattered me. I’ve rebuilt myself and am now standing in the quiet that comes after survival.
CYRUS
I tell myself to let it go. That lasts all of five seconds.
I’ve come to New York to pick up my order from one of the best custom jewelry designers money can buy.
But then I remember Charles and his mistake of going forward with the charges against me. Bad idea.
I march into the shiny glass building with four of my large security guards surrounding me, each one looks like they eat bullets for breakfast.
From my PI, I already know which floor Charles works on, so I head to the elevators. People do double-takes or freeze mid-conversation.
A few months ago, I would’ve scowled and told them all to fuck off. But not today. Instead, I smile and offer the odd wink, just to get a blush. Let them all wonder why I’m here.
Let them guess wrong. It will make what comes next even more fun.
We step into an empty car, and the guards refuse to let anyone else join us. I can still see people craning their necks to get a look at the famous rockstar.
We reach the twenty-third floor, and I step out. The secretary manning the main desk drops the phone as she looks up at me. Her mouth hangs open as I flash her a million-dollar smile.
She puts a hand over her heart, and I fear she may actually faint. I glance at her nameplate.
“Hello, Liz. Will you be so kind as to point the way to Charles McMillian’s office, please?” I make sure to use my flirtatious voice.
She stutters, but no words form, and she ends up pointing down the hall.
“Thanks.”
Reaching into my leather jacket I pull out an autographed photo and hand it over. Her fingers tremble as she takes it from me.
“For your help.”
Pushing away from the desk I pass closed doors and wander along until the hallway opens into a larger area of fancy cubicles. There I spot my destination.
Charles McMillian III, Associate Lawyer
I recognize his assistant right away from the photos and video. She blinks and does nothing to stop me from walking right past her. I open his closed door, not caring if he’s in a meeting.
Charles looks up from his computer.
“Excuse me, I’m in the middle of a meeting here. Laura! Where are you?”
Laura runs in, but seems perplexed looking between me, Charles, and my massive guards.
“Call security and get them out of here,” Charles growls.
I smile.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
He straightens his suit and then leans his hands on his desk, trying to intimidate me, but it won’t work.
“You have some nerve coming here. You’re only helping my case against you.”
“About that. You’re going to drop the charges,” I say, like it’s already a done deal.
He snorts, and my fist itches to punch him square in his smug face, but I keep my cool. I have the upper hand.
“Why the hell would I do that? I’m so looking forward to seeing you in orange and behind bars, where you and the rest of the sorry excuses for humanity belong.”
“So high and mighty.” I rub my lower lip. “That’s good. I like you up there.”
“Really, and why is that?”
I shrug.
“Because the fall is deadlier.”
I hold out my hand, and Brett passes me a thick white envelope. Charles watches it as if it’s a gun. And it is in a way. One pointed directly at his career.
I flip open the envelope.
“Charles, do you know why you shouldn’t throw stones at others?”
“What I know is that I want you out of my office and this building. I’ll see you in court.”
He sits down with a flourish, trying to dismiss me. But I continue as if he hasn’t spoken.
“You forgot that you, just like me, live in a glass house.”
He glares at me while I pull out the first eight-by-ten glossy photo and toss it onto the desk. His face pales instantly.
There it is. That sweet moment when Charles realizes he’s already lost.
“Charles, is everything alright?” The small voice comes from his computer.
“I’ll call you back,” he says and quickly slams his laptop shut. His terrified gaze lifts to mine. “Where did you get this?”
“Oh that? I have many.”
I pull out an inch-thick stack of photos featuring Charles with a woman in various positions and a dozen different locations. I slam the photos down, and Charles begins to sweat profusely.
“I may be mistaken, but isn’t that your boss’s wife?”
“Shh,” Charles hisses as he scrambles to cover the photos strewn across his desk.
His wide, terror-filled eyes look at the door.
“How did you get these?”
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
He pulls his tie loose.
“What do you want?”
His voice is low and shaky, and all his earlier bravado has vanished.
“You know what I want. Drop all charges, issue a formal, public apology, and never come near Haven or me again. I won’t just ruin you.
” Leaning closer, I whisper. “Ruin is recoverable. I’ll take everything that makes you matter and leave you breathing just long enough to understand what you’ve lost. Do I make myself clear, Charles? ”
“This is blackmail,” he whispers.
“I like to think of it as quid pro quo.”
“Yes, fine. Charges are dropped. I’ll make the apology today.”
“And?”
He swallows.
“And you’ll never see me again.”
“Good, I’m glad we were able to work this out without much ugliness. I had a feeling you’d see reason.”
This douche never deserved to even look at Haven, let alone touch her. I want to break every bone in his body. But landing in prison for murder and never seeing Haven again…then Charles wins and I can’t have that.
“Enjoy what’s left of your pathetic life, Charles,” I say and turn to leave.
“Wait.”
I look back.
“Are there more copies?”
I smile. “Of course there are. Insurance against any attempts to come after me.”
“No. I need them all.”
“You mistake me for a man asking a favor, Charles. I’m the consequence of your actions. I warned you not to come after me and you didn’t listen.”
He swallows loud enough that I can hear it.
I point at the folder. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I have proof of all your extracurricular activities with multiple women. You really should be more cautious where you stick your dick. Remember…glass houses don’t just shatter, Charles, they cut you as the pieces fall to the ground.”
Laura is still standing by the door when I turn around.
“Can I sign something for you?”
“Oh my god…yes.”
Laura races over to Charles’s desk and grabs a black marker before running back and handing it to me.
With a flirty smile, I tap my lip.
“Ah…I know exactly what to put. Pull your blouse down a little more,” I whisper, and her face goes bright red.
The words flow across the top of her left breast.
THANK YOU FOR FUCKING CHARLES
CYRUS VALE
I put the cap back on and hand her the marker.
“You can do a lot better than him. He’s dragging you down,” I say, and march out.
Brett and the rest of my security team snicker as we do.
Fuck that was satisfying. Priceless.
Now it’s time to head home. Putting my hand in my pocket, I play with the velvet box.
This time…Haven will say yes. She won’t walk away from me again.