by Coralee June
“He’s not answering any of my calls. I went out with him, the night you guys broke up. He was stupid and got trashed. Almost went home with some milf, too.”
My heart stung, but I kept listening, trying my damnedest to keep a straight face. “Okay? Then what happened?” Even though I had a pretty good idea of what had happened next, I wanted to hear Jess’s version of events.
“The next morning, he just wasn’t himself. I tried to get him to get you flowers and go apologize, but he kept saying he didn’t want to be another person that abused your forgiveness. He talked about your mom. I think he was afraid he’d end up being just another person that let you down.”
Jess stopped talking to grab a tissue and blow her nose. I absorbed her words and sat down on the loveseat. “Then what?” I asked.
“Then he asked me to leave. I was prepared for him to go on this massive bender. I thought he’d do his usual—stay busy until he passed out. But he didn’t do anything, Vera. He just sat in his living room for like four days. I stopped by, but he didn’t want to see me. I’ve never seen him like that. And then all of a sudden, he’s working for Jack? What the fuck? He doesn’t want anything to do with those people. This isn’t like him. He never ignores my calls. I’ve been saved by Hamilton my entire life, and the one time he really needs me, I failed him—”
“You did not fail him,” I promised. “He’s up to something.”
My phone started ringing. “Speak of the devil,” I whispered.
“That’s him? Let me answer!” Jess nearly fell over herself trying to answer the phone, but I jerked it away from her.
“I don’t want him to know we’re together just yet,” I hissed. She didn’t look amused, but I didn’t care.
“Hey there, handsome. How’s San Francisco?”
“Why do you keep texting me?” he asked, his voice warm and alert.
I looked at Jess. “Oh, darling, I miss you too. What are you wearing?” I grinned playfully at his best friend, who looked at me like I had two heads.
“What the fuck are you doing?” she mouthed. I ignored her.
“Vera. I told you already. I’m not—”
I cut him off. “Right. You’re not going to date me. You don’t want me. Blah, blah, blah. So should we have Christmas at your new place in DC? Or should we meet at Jack’s house since the two of you are so close now?”
It shouldn’t feel this good to beat Hamilton at his own game, but I couldn’t help it.
“How long are you going to do this? We’re done, Vera.”
“We’re done when I say we’re done,” I replied, albeit a bit manically. “If you want me to slow down on the stalker tendencies, you know what you have to do.”
“And what is that?” Hamilton asked, sounding amused and not at all as angry as he was supposed to be.
“Tell me the truth. Tell me what you and Jack are up to. I can help you.”
I wasn’t expecting the seriousness in Hamilton’s response.
“You want the truth, Vera? I’d give anything in the world for a thousand more goodbyes from you. I’d love to meet up. I’d love to sit here and listen to you talk for the rest of my life. I want to be with you. I want to hold you. I want to do all the stupid things couples do. I want to take you to dinner at my mother’s favorite restaurant. I want to tell you everything. And maybe one day, I will. But right now, I’m not going to risk you.”
My heart practically sored. Despite the pain his words brought on, there was hope there too. “Is this how it felt?” I asked.
“How what felt?”
“Watching me bend over backward for a mother that didn’t give two shits about me,” I answered. I bit my lip, but he didn’t comment on my observation. “Let me come to you. We can figure this out.”
“Don’t.”
“But you just said—”
“Haven’t you learned by now, Petal? We don’t get what we want. I’m going to block your number now. Please don’t call me again. I don’t want to be cruel to you. But I will. I’ll break you so fucking beautifully if it means keeping you out of this. Goodbye.”
Hamilton hung up the phone. I looked at Jess. “Well?” she asked.
His words might have been meant to deter me, but it just emboldened me more. I wasn’t going to roll over and let anyone else control my life anymore, even Hamilton. “He’s in something bad. We have to get him out,” I whispered. “I don’t know what’s going on, but the man I just spoke to sounded defeated.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to go talk to him, of course.” An idea came to me suddenly. I quickly scrolled through my contacts and clicked Jared’s name.
“Vera?” he answered. “What a nice surprise.”
“You owe me, Jared.”
Even though I couldn’t see the party-hard playboy, I imagined him pouting on the other end of the line. “You’re so predictably boring, Vera. Our fight is so last month.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are there any events coming up with the Beauregards that you can get me into? Since the divorce, it looks like I’ve lost my invitation to every upper class social event coming up.”
“Oh, is there trouble in paradise? Do you want to ambush your uncle? How scandalous. We should have a threesome.”
“Absolutely not. Can you get me in or not?”
Jared sighed. “The Beauregards are hosting their annual winter charity ball. I have it on good authority that your lover boy will be there now that he’s all up in the Beauregard business. He looks good in a suit, yeah? You can be my date if you’d like? I’ll buy you a slutty dress, and we can make him mad with jealousy.”
Beggars couldn’t be choosers. “That sounds great,” I answered.
“Wait. Really?” Jared asked.
“Really,” I replied dryly.
“Well, shit. You must be desperate to see him. And I get to pick your outfit? I’m really picky about my dates. I want them to stand out, you know?”
“As long as I’m not naked.”
“And can I kiss you in front of him?” Jared asked mischievously.
“No.”
He laughed. “Deal’s off then. I’ll only take you if you let me kiss you. I really wanna rub salt in the wound, you know?”
“You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Is that a yes?”
“Fine. But I’m not responsible for what Hamilton does afterward.” I was absolutely not going to kiss him, but Jared didn’t need to know that. “And I want you to bring my friend, Jess, too.”
“Sorry, love. Only got one ticket. They’re like ten grand a pop, you know.”
I nearly choked on my shock. “Fine,” I argued. “Where even is it?”
“It’s in DC,” he replied easily. “I’ll get us a nice, romantic hotel room.”
I scowled. There was no way I’d be sleeping with Jared, but I didn’t really have many other options. “Okay, but you should probably get a suite so there’s enough room for Jess. She’ll be my ride to DC.”
Jess crossed her arms over her chest and nodded at me. “What? We can just fly. I told you I’m rich again, right? Mom rearranged some of the charity funds since I’m basically a charity case. Shh. I probably shouldn’t be telling you that. No cap.”
“I’m not using your mother’s charity fund for a first class flight to DC, Jared. I’ll meet you there.”
“Fine. Your loss.”
“Goodbye,” I sang, eager to get off the phone before he gave me any more ultimatums or tried to add sex to the deal. Jared really was a pig.
“Bye, sweetheart.”
Once I was off the phone, I looked at Jess. “We’re going to get Hamilton.”
She watched me for a moment before grinning. “I knew I liked you.”
13
Hamilton
The Beauregard winter charity ball was a spectacle without substance. Expensive designer shoes clicked against the floors. Long evening gowns trailed behind beautiful women. Chandeliers made of
pure crystal hung overhead. Strobes illuminated the walls, and popular music played through the speakers. A supposedly famous DJ was setting up for a set. It had a polished nightclub vibe that I knew would give me a roaring headache by the end of the night. The universe practically kneels at the feet of these privileged patrons. At ten grand a plate, the people who bought tickets to this event weren’t motivated by donating to the Beauregard Foundation—a charity that had raised millions for underfunded schools and provided significant tax write-offs for a billionaire or two. They were paying for the extravagance. They were paying to be seen, to rub elbows with other members of the elite.
The annual Beauregard charity auction was created to raise funds for schools in underfunded districts. It was a great cause, but the original intention got lost in the luxury of it all. My father could just write a check and save himself the hassle. When I stumbled across the cost that went into planning an event like this, I practically choked on my tongue. I had no desire to be here. Now that I was stepping up to work with Joseph, everyone wanted a piece of me. I was no longer the forgotten bastard son.
I used to love attending shit like this. By the end of the night, I’d be getting some heiress off with my fingers in the middle of the dance floor just to embarrass my father and cause him some problems with the press. But making a scene and skipping it wasn’t an option. Ever since San Francisco, Joseph had become more secretive. Going to California was a wash. He didn’t meet with anyone. He just spent the weekend getting drunk, getting high, and getting off with whatever hot piece of ass he could find. Jack thought that maybe he was having a bit of a mid-life crisis thanks to the divorce, but I wasn’t convinced. He knew I was coming, and he switched up.
My phone pinged and I checked my messages. Vera hadn’t sent a text all day, and it made me sick. Ever since Thanksgiving, she’d been persistently checking in on me. I hated how much I looked forward to her naughty requests and sentimental updates. I rarely replied, but her determination connected us and made me feel at peace. It also gave me hope that at the end of this, we could be together. I just had to sever my ties with the Beauregards first.
Saint: We need to meet tomorrow. Jack is sloppy. I don’t trust him.
I quickly answered with the time and place before pocketing my cell and scanning the crowd for my brother. Jack certainly was sloppy. I had a lot of thoughts on what he really had up his sleeve, but I’d play my part and bide my time all the same.
“You look nice, son,” Jack said. I didn’t bother turning to greet him.
“Your personal stylist is pretty good at their job,” I replied casually before taking a glass of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter. “Did you bring your new girlfriend? Or are you keeping her hidden at your house?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jack’s cheeks turn red. He tipped his chin up. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I took a sip. “I’m not judging. Just because I think she’s a narcissistic psychopath doesn’t mean you can’t get your dick wet. I’m all for pissing off Joseph.”
Jack straightened his bow tie. “Lilah is staying with me until she can get on her feet—”
“I once read that if you repeat something over and over again, it helps you to believe it.”
Jack lowered his voice and hissed at me. “She’s telling me things about Joseph.”
I turned to face him. “Is she, though? Joseph somehow knew I was going to San Francisco. He met me at the airport, actually.” I downed the bubbly champagne and burped obnoxiously while Jack frowned. “Where is my brother? I heard Gary Herbert is going to be here. Joseph’s secretary mentioned that he calls Gary a lot. He has a vacation home in San Francisco, too.”
Jack swallowed. “Gary? Gary Herbert is a major investor.”
“I’m just being thorough, Jack. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Of course I do. That’s the whole point of this. I just don’t want you pissing off the wrong people, Hamilton.” Jack hadn’t noticed Joseph walking up, but I did.
“Who are we pissing off?” Joseph asked before clapping his hand on my shoulder harshly. I pressed my lips together, imagining all the curses I wanted to hurl at him. He was a little too bright today. Wired and energetic. He was absolutely on drugs.
“Me,” I lied. “You seem to be in a good mood,” I noted, changing the subject.
“Well, there’s a lot to be happy about, little brother,” he replied before wrapping his arm around me and dropping a bleached smile for a photographer. “Profits are booming. Our shares have never been higher. Ever since getting my cushy new job on the President’s cabinet, practically everyone wants to do business with a Beauregard. It’s...” Joseph paused to slowly inhale through his nose. “Invigorating.”
“Don’t get cocky, Joseph,” Jack scolded him.
“Come on, Jack. Let loose. It’s good to celebrate on occasion,” I replied. “I was looking at the balance sheet for one of our tech companies, and the cash flow seems almost…unbelievable.”
Joseph cocked his head to the side. Shit. Maybe I’d said too much. “Don’t bother yourself with an accountant’s job, brother. Just enjoy the power.”
Jack cursed. I pressed on. I didn’t want the fucking power. I wanted to catch Joseph and be done with this. “I’m ready to learn more. Do you have any meetings coming up? Maybe I could go with—”
“Is that why you followed me to San Francisco?” Joseph asked, a mischievous twinkle in his bright blue eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be so dedicated to your new job.” Joseph looked at Jack, his eyes narrow. “You must be so proud of your son. Stepping up. Following me across the country to learn more about the business. It’s almost suspicious.” Joseph waved at someone walking by before continuing. “If you have questions, all you had to do was ask Jack. He used to go with me all the time to meet a few of our business partners.”
“Like Gary Herbert?” I asked.
Joseph twitched slightly before clearing his throat. “Gary is a good friend of mine. Tell me, with all your snooping, have you found anything useful, Hamilton? Or is this another game you somehow roped our father into?”
This time, it was Jack’s turn to look uncomfortable. He shifted on the balls of his feet.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied.
“Sure, you don’t,” Joseph replied in a low voice before straightening his spine and looking around the room before continuing. “Oh, look. Vera is here. Jack, I’d assumed you’d bring my ex-wife since you’re fucking her now, but I didn’t realize you’d bring her daughter, too.” My father looked like he was about to shit himself.
“What?” Jack sputtered before frantically scanning the room. I couldn’t bring myself to look. I was terrified that I would, in fact, see Vera at this party. I took a second to hope that Joseph was just fucking with us.
My brother let out a low whistle. “Wow. She’s a looker, huh? I should have gone for the newer model. Easier to groom into what I need, don’t you think?”
I snapped my head to stare at Joseph. “What did you just say?” My tone was a feral growl.
Instead of answering me, Joseph nodded toward the other side of the room, his face full of malice as I followed his gaze. There, wearing a champagne dress that sparkled under the flashing lights and molded to her healthy curves, stood Vera Garner. The girl I loved. The girl I was trying to save. And next to her? Was fucking Jared.
“Oh man, I guess she moved on,” Joseph whispered in my ear. “We should go say hello. It’s the polite thing to do after all. And I’m so thrilled to see that she reconciled with Jared. They make a cute couple, yes? But where is Lilah, Father? No need to be ashamed. Once you get over the initial scandal of slumming it with a teen mom, it really can be quite fun.” Joseph’s grin grew wider, and he tipped his head back to laugh.
“Excuse me,” Jack grunted before pushing past us and toward the exit. Fucking coward.
“I think I’ll go say hello,” Joseph said, not bother
ed by his father’s embarrassment or outburst. I reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him from walking over to Vera. Joseph lazily looked down at my hard grip and shrugged me off. “I know it’s your brand to cause scenes at important Beauregard events, but don’t forget that you have much more to lose now than you did a few months ago, Hamilton,” he threatened before fixing the sleeve of his tux and sauntering off toward Vera and Jared.
His threat infuriated me. But he was right, I did have a fucking shit ton more to lose. What the fuck was she doing here? And why was she with Jared of all people? I thought we understood one another. I thought she’d give me more time to figure my shit out. Why couldn’t she listen? Why couldn’t she just move on with her fucking life? I couldn’t make up my own damn mind.
I started walking toward them, following after my deranged brother. My eyes locked on her beautiful body as I fast walked through the crowd to get to them. It was like time fucking slowed. The light hit her bare shoulders perfectly. Her long lashes framed her sparkling brown eyes dripping with honey hues. Jared leaned closer to whisper something to her, and she stiffened, obviously uncomfortable. I didn’t like how she reacted to him. I also didn’t like how close his lips hovered over the ridge of her ear. A cocktail waitress walked in front of me, blocking my path.
Jared placed his hand at the small of Vera’s back and pulled her flush against him. My heart pounded. He licked his lips. She stared at him with a look I couldn’t place. Apprehension? Amusement? Was she not here for me after all? Had she moved on?
Jared leaned closer and did the stupidest fucking thing he could have possibly done. The motherfucking cunt slammed his lips to hers. She placed her hand on his chest and pressed. She looked limp, weak from the kiss. My entire soul crashed and burned right there on the spot. The only reason I got my legs to work was because I wanted to rip them apart and remind Vera who she belonged to before tearing out his throat.