A Collateral Attraction

by Liz Madrid

  “Only because I’m about to fire every damn person on my detail for letting her slip out of the hotel unnoticed. If it weren’t for one of your men alerting me to her whereabouts, I don’t know what I would have done,” Ethan snaps before turning to look at Blythe. But if he’d been angry seconds earlier, it’s gone when he sees her and his face softens. “Never sneak out like that again, babe. You had me just about climbing the walls when you weren’t answering my calls. God, I thought-”

  He pulls Blythe towards him, her petite frame swallowed up in his arms. Suddenly, she’s no plain Jane. She blossoms right there in front of me and I feel a stab of jealousy cut through me as I find myself looking away.

  “I just wanted to talk to my sister alone,” she says, “and I switched my phone to silent because Charlene just wouldn’t stop calling me.”

  “Never forget who you are now, Blythe. You’re no longer just some girl from some small town,” Ethan turning her baseball cap backwards and kissing her on her forehead.

  Heath clears his throat. “Did Tyler speak to you?”

  And just like that, the mood shifts and Blythe steps away from Ethan and returns to my side. She slips her hand in mine and squeezes it.

  “She did,” Ethan replies, frowning when he sees me. He’s never acknowledged me and I don’t blame him. He must still feel like an idiot for mistaking me for Blythe the day before. “She says Harris called the emergency meeting for tomorrow, the day of my polo tournament. Something about me embezzling from my own company, along with Blythe.”

  “That’s what’s on the agenda.”

  “When were you planning on telling me, Heath? When the Feds came knocking on my door?”

  “When you’d stop flying halfway around the world just to avoid speaking with me,” Heath replies curtly.

  Already, people have taken out their phones and are filming us, though mostly it’s Ethan they recognize. Some of them even wish him good luck for tomorrow’s tournament, prompting the security detail to form a loose ring around us. It’s nerve-wracking but also interesting to see what normal really is for the brothers, and what Blythe’s life is going to be like from here on. Just like Heath told her, her engagement to Ethan made her as good as a Kheiron.

  “Why don’t we all head back to the hotel then? My suite,” Heath says and within minutes, the men tasked to watch us converge in a loose semi-circle that seem not too obvious yet is, if one knows where to look.

  Minutes later, we’re all standing by our respective cars and though Wally has opened the door for me, Heath holds it open till I get in.

  “Just how normal is your normal, Heath? Is this the way it is with you the entire time, like, when you’re on the calendar?” I ask as Heath steps inside the car and slides next to me. Wally shuts the door and gets into the front passenger seat. A bodyguard who introduces himself as Brad from the Los Angeles office is sitting behind the wheel, having started the car minutes before we enter.

  “Basically, yes,” Heath says.

  “How many people really are watching you now? I could have sworn there are more than two.”

  “About five,” he says. “Ethan also has about the same number, though most times, you wouldn’t know it. It’s not usually as obvious as it seemed just now only because I’ve got two security companies converging in one town. Kheiron Industries’ and Ettinger’s.“

  “Why so many for Ethan? It’s not like he runs a company — or rather, two companies, like you do.”

  “He’s got his own brand, Billie, and as of this morning, he’s up there with Paris Hilton. But again, you wouldn’t know it here in the States as he’s more popular in Europe and South America where polo is more recognized,” Heath says. “There’s also his inheritance when father died, which was leaked, unfortunately — his and Jessica’s.”

  “And yours?”

  “Father’s will only provided for rightful heirs so I wasn’t included,” Heath says, turning his attention to the view outside the window as the Rolls speeds away from the wharf.

  “Your father hated you that much that he didn’t include you in his will?”

  He shrugs. “He wanted to make a point.”

  “And Jessica, your sister? Did she at least object to the exclusion?”

  “No,” Heath replies. “She’d rather keep away from the family drama as much as she can.”

  “So you all are estranged, basically.”

  Heath shrugs. “Basically.”

  “All because of money – too much money.”

  “Power, attention, love. It could be anything. But it’s no big deal,” Heath says. “So we seek it elsewhere — polo and commercial endorsements for Ethan, PTA and the annual Christmas party for Jessica.”

  “And you?”

  “There’s work, but I’m not complaining,” Heath says, shaking his head. “I’ve got everything I need.”

  No, you don’t, I almost tell him but that would simply be rubbing it in. When we arrive at the hotel, it’s a quick walk across the lobby and then into the suite. I notice that Wally and Brad are staying in the suite adjacent to us and so are two other people, a man and a woman who are also part of the security detail. Were they staying there the entire time? Did they hear us through the walls?

  “As soon as Blythe is ready to leave, we’ll be on our way to Sacramento,” Heath says.

  There’s a knock on the door, and Ethan and Blythe enter, one of the bodyguards right behind them though Ethan tells him to stay outside. She’s no longer wearing her prescription glasses and she’s now got some make-up on, eye-liner which enhances her eyes more and pink lipstick. No more plain Jane to my plain Jane.

  She grabs hold of my hand and holds it as she and Ethan take a seat on the couch and I sit on one of the arm chairs opposite Heath, the coffee table between us. Blythe looks worried and she keeps squeezing my hand.

  “What’s going on?” I ask her.

  “Jackson and Charlene are gone,” she says. “They just left! Checked out, and we don’t know where they are. Even Richard thinks we blame him for whatever’s going on and is afraid we’ll part him from his Ferragamos.”

  “Is this what all the security is for?” I ask Heath. “Because they left or because word has gone out about the embezzlement?”

  “Both,” Heath says, glancing at Blythe. “And because Blythe was able to slip through security so easily. So now, they’re doubling it while we’re here, given everything else that’s happening.”

  “That’s because Charlene and Jackson were looking for me,” Blythe says. “After I got Billie’s text that she-”

  “-took the letters from our suite?” Ethan guesses, glaring at me. “Not that it matters anymore. What’s done is done, and if it ended up exposing Jackson and Charlene for what they are — fucking thieves and liars — then good.”

  He turns to look at Heath. “So about this embezzlement nonsense, Heath, do Harris and Tyler know that I’m not involved?”

  “That’s why I’m going New York tonight and set things right,” Heath says quietly.

  Ethan shakes his head. “I can’t believe Harris looked me in the eye yesterday and said everything was fine. And then Jackson and Charlene…they have my passwords-”

  “And I hope to God you changed every single one of them, Ethan,” Heath says angrily. “The fact that you entrusted most, if not all, of your financial matters to Jackson and Charlene is appalling.”

  “Only after it was obvious that I couldn’t run a company on my own,” Ethan retorts. “Besides, you, of all people, Heath, should know how important polo is to me-”

  “Then you shouldn’t have tried sitting on the board in the first place,” Heath counters and suddenly both brothers are on their feet and Blythe squeezes my hand, casting me a worried glance.

  “I was only doing what Father wished for me to do, which was to head the company the way he did,” Ethan says. “Everything I’ve ever done, was to please him, even after he died. It’s not like I had a choice.”

  Eth
an exhales, runs his fingers through is blonde hair and sits back down. He curses under his breath as he leans back on the couch and looks up at the ceiling. Blythe lets go of my hand as he reaches for her and pulls her next to him.

  “Everyone thinks I’m the lucky brother, you know that?” Ethan says as Heath settles back on the arm chair. “They have no idea just how tough it is being the one Father pinned every one of his hopes on, and more so after he had mother admitted into that madhouse.”

  Blythe makes a move to get up. “Maybe we should give you two some privacy-”

  “What for? To hide from you what my family is really like?” Ethan says, and Blythe sits back down. “This is what my family really is like, Blythe — fucked up. Fighting all the time, jealous of everything the other brother has. No wonder Jess was smart enough to get married so young, just to get out of her brothers’ way. No wonder she runs the opposite direction the moment she sees us coming. Even her annual holiday party is just to show everyone on both sides that we’re all a happy family.”

  As Ethan speaks, Heath is watching me, his expression unreadable. When I catch his gaze, he turns away, focusing his attention back to Ethan.

  “Sooner or later, we were bound to self-destruct, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” Ethan continues, his voice soft now, his gaze directed at the coffee table in front of him.

  Oh, for crying out loud, like it has to be that way.

  They all look at me, surprised, and I realize too late that it’s me who just spoke up. Blythe’s eyes are wide, her mouth an astonished O, while Ethan is glaring at me.

  “Excuse me?” Ethan asks.

  “I mean, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean it has to remain that way,” I stammer. “I’m not one to talk about moving on because God knows, I haven’t moved on from my own crap. But maybe it’s time we all did — rich or poor, whoever we are, it’s just…just time to step away from the past. Because while we’re all so caught up with everything we see is bad in our families – crappy relationships, sibling rivalries, or whatever, I don’t know…kinky sex secrets, whatever — there are people out there just waiting to destroy what we’re so busy destroying from the inside. It’s just like Ethan said — self-destructing.”

  I pause, embarrassed by my outburst of amateur wisdom. If only I listen to my own advice, maybe I’d be happier, too.

  “Anyway, don’t mind me,” I mutter. “Just…just talking out loud, that’s all.”

  “But you’re right, Billie,” Heath says, a faint smile on his lips. He takes a deep breath and turns towards Ethan. “Now, I’m sure that Tyler told you that even if the embezzlement is someone else’s doing, be it Jackson and Charlene, it doesn’t change the fact that it happened through your office. Not only that, but Blythe is the signatory to four million dollars currently deposited in Swiss bank accounts, and your flight plan includes Geneva in two days.”

  “I’m not the one who handles my schedule, alright? That’s what my office is for,” Ethan says as he rubs his temples with his hand. “You know I never fly out right after a tournament, Heath, not when I always have other engagements. Blythe and I have photo shoots and interviews scheduled for Italian Vogue and V Mag. Wait, well, V Mag is just me, but you get my point.”

  “And don’t forget, Bride,” Blythe adds, crossing her eyes when I make a face at her.

  “So who scheduled your flight plans?” Heath asks.

  Ethan brings his arms up as he leans back on the couch and looks up at the ceiling. “I don’t know, Heath. You tell me, since you know everything. You know my office takes care of all that.”

  “Your office who happens to have disappeared,” Heath says as he gets up from his chair and begins pacing the floor.

  “So what do you think is going on?” Ethan asks.

  “You’ve been set up. Hell, we’ve all been set up — even me, given that I made the decision to keep the news from the board, something that must have come as a bonus for them.”

  “Why’d you do that?” Ethan asks.

  “Because I refused to believe that you’re willing to risk everything our parents worked hard for for a meager ten percent of your net worth,” Heath replies, annoyed. “And until I get all this squared away, Billie is heading back to Nevada City — and Blythe is going with her.”

  “Excuse me?” Blythe asks incredulously as she sits up. “I don’t care what happens, but I’m not going anywhere without Ethan.”

  I touch her hand. “Blythe, the Feds could charge you with accessory-”

  “I don’t care what they charge me with, Bee,” she says. “I’m not guilty. And if I run, it will only make everyone think that I am guilty.”

  “We know now that you’re not involved,” Heath says, “but that’s not why you need to be out of the way. What if someone intends to harm you?”

  “I’m still not leaving Ethan,” she says firmly, sitting closer to him. “If there’s anything mom and dad taught Billie and I, it’s that we never abandon the ones we love, no matter what happens. And I know it sounds corny and maybe it is, but I’m not bailing from this ship — no way. I don’t even care if people think I’m guilty or that I’m a gold digger. They can think whatever they want to think but it still doesn’t change the fact that I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “Can I talk to you in the other room, Blythe?”

  “And you’re not changing my mind either, Bee,” she says as I reach out for her.

  “I’m not,” I say, relieved to see Blythe relax. I may not be able to talk Blythe out of her decision to stay, but Heath and Ethan have a few things to talk about, things that remain, and should remain, between brothers, just like Blythe and I have our own secrets, pig-Latin or not.

  “We’ll be in the bedroom if you need us,” I say as I take Blythe’s hand and lead her into the bedroom, grateful that housekeeping has tidied up the place.

  And just as I thought, it doesn’t take long before the brothers start talking — really talking — and the things that had long been simmering beneath the surface boil over. Blythe and I can hear them through the door, though we don’t make a move to interrupt them, the words held back for so long finally spilling out between them.

  27

  Last-Minute Changes

  It takes the brothers three hours to straighten things out between them as much as they can. The first hour is spent on talks just between the two of them, and by the time Blythe and I go outside for a walk on the private beach in front of the resort, and have dinner by ourselves, the next two hours are with Heath’s own team who have come in to join them, assisting Ethan in securing all his financial affairs in one go, from the basics of account numbers, passwords, investment portfolios to just about everything else that has to do with his net worth – even the start of estate planning to include Blythe. Though they don’t finish in two hours, nor intend to, it’s a good enough start to secure what could have been lost due to Ethan’s carelessness.

  It’s damage control, though Blythe and I don’t stay to learn about the specifics. What we do know is that while Ethan’s team, up to an hour earlier, consisted of close friends who became his financial officers, Heath’s team is composed of experts first — with possible friendship coming later, if at all.

  His “home office,” as he calls the small circle of handpicked financial experts who help him manage Ettinger Holdings, had arrived from New York that morning, and had set up shop in the suite across from ours. And with Heath back on the calendar, I hear that they’re even traveling back with him back to New York, and working the entire time while en route.

  By the time it’s all over, I’m all packed and ready to go — and still wishing that Blythe is coming with me.

  “I wish you’d change your mind,” I say, holding her hand and refusing to let go as we stand at the lobby, waiting for all the cars to come up to the front of the hotel. “We still have one week of vacation left, Blythe.”

  “And this is where we would have gone, Bee,” she say
s, “right here in Santa Barbara for Ethan’s match, and just hang out by the pool or the beach, and shopping. I figured maybe coming here, where we came once with Mom and Dad when we were kids, would have been a perfect way to spend the last week together. Sure Ethan would have been working but-” she pauses, then sighs. “I really wish I could go home with you, Bee, but I hope you understand why I can’t. I love Ethan, that’s true – I mean, anyone can see that. He’s like the air I breathe and I’d like to think he feels the same way about me.”

  “He does,” I say, remembering how envious I felt watching them together, and I still am. For all her shortcomings, with Blythe, what you see is what you get. She’s as real as they come, false eyelashes and all, and she doesn’t apologize for it.

  “But I also don’t want to look like I’m guilty by hiding away in the boonies,” Blythe continues. “I don’t want to look like such a coward. If the news hits about this alleged embezzlement, I want to be next to Ethan like, you know, those wives standing next to their husbands who’ve cheated on them. Not like embezzling is like having an affair because there’ll be hell to pay if he does, but you know what I mean, right?”

  I pull her towards me and hold her. “I know. I’d probably do the same thing.”

  “With Heath?” she teases, her face brightening.

  I pull away and give her an incredulous look. “No.”

  “Oh, please Billie, stop with the punishment,” Blythe says, her voice lowering. “Ever since Andrew, you’ve been blaming yourself for what happened. In fact, I will press charges against him – anything to tell him that I’m not staying quiet.”

  “Quiet about what?” I ask, staring at her. “What charges?”

  Blythe sighs and pulls me down on the couch closest to the entrance. By the reception counter, the general manager is speaking with Ethan and Heath, though they seem like they’re in another world, for Blythe is bringing me back to the past as she speaks.

  “The day you were released from the hospital and waiting for me to pick you up, Andrew was at the house. He said his truck broke down and he needed a ride. I’d just come from the party store so I could decorate the place with a Welcome Home sign and all that, and he offered to help me. He gave me one of the soda bottles we refill, you know, the one from the vintage soda machine-“