Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3)

by Ahren Sanders

  “I can’t imagine how you dealt with things over the years.”

  “I enjoy my job. Marco is more than a boss, he’s a friend. Although he’s not going to like this decision.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  “And Evin?”

  The air in the cab of the truck takes on a different mood. “We were married a little over a month before my career collapsed and the Bindels crashed back into our lives. He deserves better.”

  “Better than what?”

  “His wife is related to a psychopath fixated on wrecking our future.”

  “You are his world, Poppy. No one is wrecking your future. Her lies are already unraveling and you’re in the clear.”

  I stare out the window and think about exactly how to answer him. “I’m a fighter.”

  “Knew that from day one.”

  “I’m also a dreamer, drifter, free-spirited lover.”

  “Know that, too.”

  “When she sees me, I want her to know she’s lost. Her reign of power is over.”

  He revs the gas, picking up speed. “I’m looking forward to this.”

  Chapter 39

  Evin

  The truck isn’t to a full stop when I wrench open the door, pop the belt, and haul Poppy into my arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  My mouth closes over hers, my tongue sweeping through urgently. She clutches my sweater, giving me what I need. The faint taste of champagne and her body pressed close helps soothe the wrath searing inside. Her whimper shoots straight to my dick, and I fight the itch to throw her over my shoulder and get us the hell away from this place.

  “Man, you want to let her up for air?” Jackson jokes behind me.

  I slow my assault, savoring another taste before breaking away.

  “How’d you know?” she whispers breathlessly.

  “Because I know my wife.”

  “But how did you find me?” Her eyes go wide, cutting to Grady. “You snitched on me?”

  “Nope. Like him, I had a hunch you’d demand to come here. When you ditched your phone, I sent him the address.”

  “Nark,” she mutters.

  “You think I’m letting you do this alone?”

  “It’s my battle to fight.”

  “Our battle,” I correct her.

  “I’m here for legal representation,” Jackson notes.

  “He’s here because he’s nosy and I was his ride.”

  She grins, running a hand through my hair. “It’s good to have a lawyer on our side.”

  “Two,” Grady adds.

  “You’re a lawyer?” she asks cynically.

  “Among other things.”

  “When we get through this, you need to learn to share more details about yourself.”

  “What’s your plan?” I bring the conversation back to the reason we’re here.

  “I’m winging it.”

  Jackson clears his throat uncomfortably, and she lets out a little laugh. “I know you obsessive-minded businessmen would have a plan. But my way has always worked for me.”

  “You don’t have to do this. All the shit she spewed about you is shredded. Marco’s team has the real video, and my family has it posted on every one of their social media accounts. No one will believe anything she insinuated about abuse.”

  “You should know something before we go in. It’s odd.”

  “Tasha went somewhere no one expected. I already spoke to Marco.”

  “How is he?” Typical for Poppy to ask about someone else when she’s been fucked over.

  “He’s pissed she got access to run a fraudulent story and concerned about you being thrust into this mess.”

  “I read the article on Grady’s phone. She took a leap on me, but she sliced open Marco and Karen. Their lives are messy and riddled with deceit, but they always loved her. She desecrated your reputation! I’m not letting that slide.”

  “My reputation is solid. All that was written is complete bullshit.”

  “She thinks she’s protected by these walls. Time to prove her wrong.”

  “I’m looking forward to your show.”

  I take her hand and we trail behind Grady into the facility. He stops at the desk, flashes some sort of badge, and the lady jumps to her feet, rushing around the corner. In less than a minute, she returns, accompanied by two men in suits. They look at our group grimly.

  Grady’s demeanor changes, going directly into don’t-fuck-with-me-mode. There are no pleasantries exchanged as he tells them Poppy will meet with Natasha Bindel.

  The older one’s expression turns stern, his beady eyes heating, but his counter-part agrees instantly. “Tasha is currently in the common area. Would you like a private room?”

  “No,” Poppy answers cheerily, “privacy isn’t necessary.”

  I exchange a look with Jackson, both of us thinking the same.

  Common area could equal public humiliation. My devious wife has a plan.

  When we get to the room, I’m pleased to see it’s packed with people. The televisions are on the playoff games, and at least twenty men are watching intently. The far side of the room is more like a library with a state-of-the-art computer center. Each station is occupied with patients that have technology privileges.

  Tasha is sitting by herself flipping through a magazine. The stark difference from last week is shocking. The woman is a vile human being, but it’s easy to see how she uses her appearance as a weapon. Poppy drops my hand and takes the lead, strutting over. She stops less than a foot away, and my first impulse is to yank her out of reach.

  “If you’re here to talk, you’re too late. The time for talking was last week.” Tasha continues to flip pages.

  Poppy doesn’t speak, her expression blank and mind lost in thought as she stares down. Minutes tick by as her silence wears on. Others in the room take notice, filling the air with hushed whispers and wondering glances.

  Tasha finally raises her eyes and slams down the magazine. Her face recoils in disgust. “Jesus, Caitlyn, are you wearing shimmering pink eye shadow? You really are a circus freak.”

  A growl rumbles in my throat and Jackson steps in.

  “Mmm, you brought the eye-candy with you today.” Tasha licks her lips, gaping hungrily between Jackson and me.

  “You’re done.” It’s a simple statement loaded with conviction.

  “I’m done? You limped in here looking like a Punky Brewster reject to say that? God, you are pathetic.”

  “I’ve spent most of my life in the spotlight, whereas you’ve spent most of your life trying to get your shot. The first lesson I learned was survival. No one led the way, padded my bank account, or covered my ass. It was all me.” Poppy goes on, undeterred.

  “Bullshit. What you did was twirl on a stage in skimpy costumes, showing off your tits and ass. You have no idea what survival means.”

  Fury boils in my veins, and my instincts scream to put distance between them.

  “Get ready, Natasha. Today is your day. I’m about to deliver your big break. And your fifteen minutes of fame are going to be explosive.”

  Fire of righteousness flames in her eyes. “You don’t know the meaning of explosive.”

  “Depends on your definition.” Poppy peers over her shoulder at me, her eyes twinkling. “Honey, am I capable of explosive?”

  The innuendo dips from her sweet voice and shit if my cock doesn’t twitch. “Every fucking time.”

  “Lucky bastard,” Jackson mumbles.

  She grins appreciatively, turning her attention back. “One thing about stepping into the spotlight is the sheer brilliance of anticipation. The stage, the lights, the music… all of it must come together to deliver a perfect performance. Lucky for you, I’m a pro.”

  “You’re full of shit. I’ll ruin you.”

  “How? By convincing a two-bit rag reporter to run a story depicting me as a child abuser? Pffttt, that is already gone. As for those pictures making me look like a drunk? Terrible photoshop effo
rts. Adult entertainer? Really? Such amateur hour. I expected so much more,” she goads scathingly. “Months of planning and plotting and that’s what you came up with? For someone with a lifetime of experience as a guileful con-artist, you disappoint. The story has been retracted with a pleading apology, and my lawyer is in talks of compensatory damages.”

  The last part hasn’t happened, but I suspect it will soon.

  Tasha’s not buying it. “You’re lying.”

  “Ask my lawyer.”

  Tasha’s gaze flies to Jackson and she snarls. “Whatever.”

  Grady scans over something on his phone and slides it in front of Poppy.

  “The reporter you blackmailed is signing like a canary.”

  This is news to me, but Poppy delivers it so convincingly I wonder if it’s true.

  “Which is amazing for me. Because when I slap my lawsuit for slander and defamation of character, it will be open and shut.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, Caitlyn. You try to fuck with me, I’ll sue you for assault. Don’t forget that little video of you in Vegas is still out there.”

  Poppy throws her head back, her laugh more an evil cackle that has the hair on the back of my neck standing.

  “Oh, dear sister. You shouldn’t be afraid.” She flips her head, her face hard, unlike I’ve ever seen. “Be terrified. You had months to plan your takedown and failed. Now it’s my turn. You better hope this place allows you to stay with your fake dependency problem. Because when you get out, you’re going to be homeless, broke, and alone. My memory is long and detailed. I’m in the mood to share and have nothing to hide. The reputation you’ve spent your life building is ashes. That’s a riveting exposé.”

  She hits a nerve because Tasha’s lunging. Poppy sidesteps and spins out of the way.

  Tasha goes flying, crumbling down with a thud. There’s a sickening crack and blood spurts from her nose. She lifts her hand and screams when her wrist hangs limply. “You bitch!”

  “One last thing. When you turned tricks with your therapist to get access to a phone, it makes you a whore.”

  There’s a stunned silence in the crowd as Poppy delivers the last blow with a dismissive flick of her hand.

  The silence is short-lived when a buzz of shock and disbelief trickles through the room.

  I follow my wife, eyes aimed at her ass as she sashays confidently out of the building.

  “Winging it works well for her. Guess that is how you got her to marry you,” Jackson cites proudly.

  “Winging it works well."

  “You have a lovely family.” Karen steps up to the railing, keeping several feet between us.

  My eyes stay glued to Poppy, who’s in the yard with Marco and the kids, fawning over Mom’s horses. The woman never ceases to take my breath away, and today is no exception.

  This morning, Mom arranged for a personal stylist to come to the house at Poppy’s request. I spent the time with Marco, Grady, Dad, and a political advisor discussing strategy.

  When she walked out, it took every modicum of control and restraint not to take her directly to the shed. Fucking stunning. So breathtaking my heart stopped. It took me back in time to that bar in Vegas and the moment my eyes landed on her. Her rainbow-colored waves have returned, but instead of a crown of flowers, she had an ornately jeweled accessory placed on her head. Skin-tight jeans, spiked leather boots with some sort of fringe, an oversized white sweater exposing both shoulders, and she’s dripping in her favorite vibrant jewelry.

  Mesmerizing.

  Truly a gypsy goddess.

  “We got lucky with the pleasant weather today,” Karen speaks again.

  I glance at her, taking in her polished appearance. She may outwardly look the part of First Lady of Virginia, but her eyes speak volumes. She’s betrayed and broken, lost now that her crafted world has blown up at the hands of the daughter she stood beside.

  “My family is great, and the South Carolina weather cooperated. Is that really why you felt the desire to approach me?” It’s all but a snarl, but my disgust for this woman is too great to mask.

  “This is an uncomfortable situation, I thought maybe we could talk.”

  “About what? How my wife took part in a two-hour interview, reliving her last decade, revealing her identity, and somehow spun that shit to make you and Marco look like decent people? She took that spotlight off of your family dysfunction.”

  “Caitlyn was very generous. I hope to give her my gratitude if she’ll speak to me.”

  Generous? She was a fucking angel of mercy toward Marco and Karen. Natasha Bindel didn’t fare so well. Her world of lies and years of influence have imploded. Poppy didn’t hold back. She tore Tasha apart but did it in true Poppy way, which means it was classy.

  “Piece of advice, her name is Poppy.”

  She reels, pain flickering in her gaze. “Of course, old habit of calling her the name I gave her.”

  “Lady, give up the act. You’ve known who she was for years. Everyone knows that.”

  “I left her alone, fulfilled my promise.”

  “Do you expect an speck of respect for that?”

  “No, but I’m not this horrible person I’ve been painted to be.”

  “You cheated on your husband repeatedly, influenced him to run for office because you were bored, empowered your malicious daughter, while watching your other daughter struggle, and fell into a life of lies and deceit. That’s more than being a horrible person.”

  “Evin, know this isn’t easy for me.”

  “Then go home. No one’s keeping you here.”

  “I have no home.” Her voice breaks.

  “Marco’s not kicking you out of the mansion. He’s sticking beside you until the time in office is over.”

  The strong façade she’s held on to since walking in the door cracks and her lips quiver. “He is such a good man. I ruined everything.”

  “Karen, go back to the hotel. I’m not being a dick when I say this isn’t the place to have any kind of breakdown. No one here has any sympathy for you. I personally didn’t care if your ass swung in the wind, but my wife’s selflessness outweighs her memory of betrayal. We all played our part to control this shit by doing that interview. Now that it’s over, so is my civility.”

  “You saw something in him and made that happen.” She points to the yard. “I forgot how beautiful that smile is. He hasn’t smiled like that in over a decade.”

  My eyes return to where the group now includes Mom, Pierce, Lynda, Ray, and an overly excited Runner as he chases the ball Maya and Cole are throwing. Poppy is holding Dev, who is fisting her hair and screeching in baby gabble. Marco is staring adoringly.

  “I don’t know what to say to that. Not sure he had a reason to smile when his wife was bed-hopping and he was busy covering everyone’s shit.”

  Her breath hitches and arm drops. “My marriage is over, Evin, you don’t need to remind me of why.”

  “Your motorcade has a driver ready to take you away anytime you want.”

  “I want to repair my relationship with Poppy.”

  I fling my head back to find her looking at me hopefully.

  “I went to see her perform, in Vegas, and she was impeccable. So incredibly talented and brilliant. I always loved watching her on stage.”

  “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “You think I’m a monster, but Caitlyn will always be my daughter. Even if I screwed up.”

  “A monster doesn’t come close to what I think of you.”

  “She won’t even talk to me, yet she forgave Marco. I would like my chance.”

  “Un-fucking-believable. She hasn’t forgiven Marco. She’s moved on. He may be a sorry ass bastard that made shitty decisions, but he stepped up when it counted and took responsibility. I wanted to kill him when he snuck into her hospital room, but at least it showed perseverance. He took the chance. I had to deal with weeks of his texting multiple times a day and constant interference. He may be a pain in my ass, but h
e did what he said by at least caring when her world shattered. You didn’t even send a card.”

  “She didn’t want a card.”

  “No, she didn’t want to lose her career, either.”

  “I had nothing to do with that.”

  “We’re done.” I turn before I unload on this woman and cause a scene.

  “I’m sorry,” she pleads. “That’s what I should have said. I’m sorry for everything.”

  I jog down the stairs, leaving her to stare at my back. Poppy catches me coming and puts Dev on the ground, pointing my way. He’s been walking for two weeks now but hasn’t mastered his balance. His coat and boots don’t help, and in three steps, he’s over, squealing in happiness.

  She lurches, but Pierce waves her off, letting Devin figure out how to get up. Runner trots over and leans in dutifully, offering assistance. Dev wraps his little arms around the dog’s neck and together they pull up.

  Poppy squeals, bouncing in the air and clapping wildly. Darby told us this had happened a few times, but it’s our first time seeing it firsthand. The group cheers when he’s back on his feet, teetering my way.

  The hair on the back of my neck prickles, and I glance over my shoulder in time to see the tears rolling down Karen’s cheeks as she watches. Our eyes meet briefly before she ducks inside her town car and they drive away.

  “Ooof!” My feet brace when my nephew rams into me. He looks at me with such excitement the anger dies away. “Hey, buddy, you want up?”

  He screams and takes off back the other way to Lynda, who’s squatting with her arms outstretched. Poppy hurries to take his spot, throwing herself into my arms. “Is that offer only for the toddler?”

  “Never.” I grab her ass and hitch her up.

  “You okay?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Things with Karen looked intense. I’m surprised she had the nerve to approach you.”

  “She’s scrambling to save face. Her life and reputation are ruined.”

  “I feel sorry for her.”

  “I don’t, she can live with her decisions. She knows she fucked up, especially sitting next to you today. You were incredible. Nerves of fucking steel.”

  Her mouth touches mine, and she flashes her blinding smile. “Because you were by my side.”