by Jillian Dodd
And doesn’t change his plans in the least.
Other than he needs to get back into his office to get the key to the safe room that’s lying on his desk.
“No escort is necessary,” he tells the men calmly. “I will leave of my own accord. But if you would be so kind, I’d like you to accompany me to my office first so I can retrieve some personal belongings.”
He gets a nod from the policemen and leads them out of the boardroom.
“Well, that went better than I expected,” the vice-chairman says. “Let’s get on with our meeting.”
I listen to the new CEO lay out his plan for restructuring the company and then adjourn the meeting.
The second it’s over, my new cell phone rings.
“Well, Hotshot, what’d ya think?” Grandpa asks. “By the way, Garrett Smith and your Cooper are conferenced in on this call.”
“I thought it went well,” I lie. “What’s your take on it, Garrett?”
“He reacted as we suspected he would. Was royally pissed off. Cooper, do you feel that your location is still safe, given all that’s been going on this week?”
“Yes,” Cooper replies. “We’ve been very careful. And I’ve made Keatyn start wearing her tracking necklace at all times, just in case.”
“I’m more worried about my family, Garrett. You have to make sure they stay safe.”
“We’re doing everything we can.”
“And you’re still following him?”
“Yes.”
“Do the people who follow him have to send you reports?”
“Yes.”
“May I get copies of those reports? I need to know what he’s up to. Where he is at all times.”
“I’ll have my assistant email you the reports,” Garrett agrees.
“Sounds good,” I say cheerfully. “Anything else we need to discuss?”
“I don’t think so,” Garrett says. “We’ll take it from here. What he does in the next forty-eight hours should give us a good indication of what’s to come.”
When he ends the call, I turn around to find Aiden, who pulls me into a hug.
“I shouldn’t have done it, Aiden,” I confess. “I shouldn’t have done it.”
“Why do you say that? You said you wanted to push him. To make him mad. It looked to me like you accomplished that.”
“I wanted him out of control,” I reply as Cooper, Damian, and Peyton join us in the dining room.
“He yelled at you. I thought he was going to punch that guy,” Damian says. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I lie. “It went well. I’m just worn out. Not thinking straight.”
“Why don’t we let Cooper and Keatyn talk?” Peyton suggests, herding Damian and Aiden back upstairs.
Cooper sits down and motions for me to do the same. “He wasn’t out of control, was he?”
“Nope.”
“The way he was able to go from pissed beyond belief to completely in control was interesting to watch.”
“Did Garrett not notice it?”
“I’m sure he did. He’s good at what he does.”
“So, why didn’t he say anything?”
Cooper’s cell rings. He looks at it and says, “I think he’s about to.”
After his conversation with Garrett, he says to me. “He definitely noticed. And he’s worried. He’s got the house in France on lockdown, which takes care of your mom, sisters, and grandparents. They talked Tommy’s mom into staying for a while too.”
“That’s good.”
“Tommy will have another man with him full-time, starting tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“That leaves you.”
“What does he suggest I do?”
“He wants you to stay here. He would prefer you not leave the loft at all.”
“You know that’s not part of my plan, Cooper. And I promised B that I’d go to Malibu tomorrow. I know the timing sucks, but we’re going to have to do it. Quick. In and out. Just like those nights we visited the club. We’ll come back here so I can say goodbye to Aiden before he goes back to school, and then we’re going to live on the move. Tomorrow won’t be our only trip back home.”
“Vincent is right. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
Vincent gets the key and some other personal items, puts them in a box, and leaves the company he built from the ground up. Most men would consider this a low point in their lives. Some men would feel like a failure, but he’s feeling just the opposite.
Without being encumbered by his job, he’s now free to focus on what’s important to him. To focus on the movie. It doesn’t matter if she owns the rights to it. They will film together. He will force her to sign the rights over to him. A gesture of good will.
Maybe if she does, he won’t have to kill everyone she loves.
I go upstairs and tell Aiden, Peyton, and Damian goodbye.
“Where are you going?” Aiden asks, following me down the stairs. “I thought we were going bowling?”
“You are going. I can’t. I just took over his company. I have to be seen out and about. I’m meeting Knox for lunch, going shopping, and then having dinner with Tommy.”
“But . . .”
Aiden doesn’t look happy with me. I probably shouldn’t have just sprung this on him. But, honestly, it’s starting to get hard to remember who I’ve told what to. And as much as I will miss him, I’m glad he has to go back to school. I need to be able to move around quickly. That’s hard to do with a group of people. Now, I just need to figure out what I’m going to do with Damian.
“Damian is coming to Connecticut to say goodbye to Peyton. I sort of thought you’d come too.”
“He is? How long is he staying?”
“Uh, I’m not sure. He said something about needing to go to Miami. I think he leaves Saturday afternoon, maybe.”
“I don’t think I will be able to come, Aiden. I wish I could, but I have to keep going. And I’ll be honest, I’d rather have you back at Eastbrooke.”
“I want to be with you.”
“I know you do, but it has to be this way. I’m sorry.”
“What if I refuse to go back to school without you?”
“You promised to do what I asked regarding your safety, remember?”
He pushes me against the wall and kisses me hard. It’s the kind of kiss that would normally make me do whatever he asked.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” he says, keeping me pinned with his chest.
“Aiden, please don’t make this harder on me than it already is,” I beg. “I really can’t take much more today.”
He pulls me into a hug.
“I knew it was bothering you more than you were letting on.”
“Of course it is. But I can’t show it. I have to go out and pretend to be on top of the world.”
He nods and gives me a kiss. “Be safe, Boots.”
Cooper and I pick up Knox. He gets in the car, gives me a kiss on the cheek, then fist bumps Cooper. “I fired my bodyguard. Where can I get another one of you?”
“We can put you in touch with the security company that Keatyn uses,” Cooper replies.
“Cool. So, how did today go?”
“It went well.”
“Did you really fire Vincent Sharpe from his own company?”
“Yeah.”
“Amazing. You look amazing, too. I’m digging the suit. And the boots.”
“Thanks. It’s what I wore for the meeting.”
He gives the driver the address of where we’re going and, as we hoped, there are a few photographers waiting for us outside.
“Knox! Keatyn! Can you stop and give us a picture?”
Knox pretends to whisper in my ear and I pretend to agree, nodding my head and stopping to pose for a happy couple photo.
After lunch, we walk to Bergdorf’s, where I help him pick out an Alexander McQueen tonal jacquard suit with a skull pattern for an event he’s going to thi
s weekend.
“Maybe we should get you a dress so you can join me. Do you have plans this weekend?”
“No. Aiden will be back in school, so I’ll probably be back and forth between here and L.A. for however long it takes.”
“However long what takes?”
“For something to happen with Vincent. Preferably something that would put him in jail.”
“Like what?”
“Attempted kidnapping. Kidnapping. Stalking, maybe. Whatever.”
“You get kidnapped in our movie.”
“I know. Probably why I’m so good at the role. I barely have to act. Tommy is like my father. I’ve almost been kidnapped . . .”
“That must be weird.”
“It kind of is. But I’m excited, regardless. Oh, and I think you were right.”
“About what?”
“Us maybe taking over the franchise. Tommy and Matt had a meeting with Edward Moffet yesterday. He’s going to announce my role sometime today.”
“He probably saw the video. And the pics of us.”
“He did. Wants to strike while the iron is hot.”
“You looked hot in the video.” He winks at me then gives me a steamy kiss right in the middle of the men’s department.
“What the hell was that for?”
“Just playing my part,” he says, quietly, still holding me in his arms.
“You don’t need to kiss me like that.”
He grins at me. “Maybe I just felt like it.”
“And maybe you’re just playing me.”
He grins at me. “I’m pretty sure it goes both ways, sugar.”
“I’m going to warn you. I’m celebrating the takeover by purchasing an insane amount of shoes as well as some new handbags. I hope you don’t bore easily.”
“Why stop there?” he says, egging me on. “Let’s find you a dress to wear this weekend.”
“What kind of dress would I need?”
“Something long and classy. I liked the dress you wore on New Year’s Eve. It was sophisticated but edgy.”
“Thanks. I liked it too.”
After very little looking, Knox holds up a J. Mendel black strapless gown with a leather bodice and columned skirt. “How about this?”
“I think I need to try that on. It would look perfect with your skull suit.”
After shopping, we drop Knox off at his place and then go meet Tommy for dinner. We’ve just ordered when Tommy gets a text from his publicity team, letting him know that the press release has been sent out. Tommy hands me his phone so I can read it.
The official joint statement from Moran Films and High Adrenaline Productions:
Keatyn Douglas, daughter of Abby Johnston and the late Mark Douglas, has been officially cast to play the role of Tommy Stevens’ daughter, Harper, for the third movie in the Trinity Trilogy, Retribution. Director Matthew Moran said, “We’re thrilled to have signed Keatyn. She was always my first choice, but we needed to prove her acting abilities. Because of her great screen test with co-star, Knox Daniels, the writers are currently expanding both actors’ roles. We expect to see great things from these two in the future.”
“That sounds good,” I say. “When do you start filming again?”
“Tomorrow. And we should have your new schedule in the next couple weeks.”
“Sounds good,” I say again, stifling yet another yawn.
“You had a busy day. I should let you get back home,” he says, asking the waiter for our check.
His phone, my phone, and Cooper’s phone all buzz at the same time.
“Looks like another version of the press release,” Tommy states, glancing at it and then setting his phone down.
But I get a frantic text from Damian.
Damian: WE HAVE A PROBLEM! DID YOU READ THE ARTICLE I JUST SENT YOU? AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, DID YOU SEE THE PHOTOS??!!
Me: Uh, no, I didn’t. Hang on.
I open the article up and read a different version.
Keatyn Douglas: Hollywood’s Next It Girl?
The official joint statement from Moran Films and High Adrenaline Productions:
Keatyn Douglas, daughter of Abby Johnston and the late Mark Douglas, has been officially cast to play the role of Tommy Stevens’ daughter, Harper, for the third movie in the Trinity Trilogy, Retribution. Director Matthew Moran said, “We’re thrilled to have signed Keatyn. She was always my first choice, but we needed to prove her acting abilities. Because of her great screen test with co-star, Knox Daniels, the writers are currently expanding both actors’ roles. We expect to see great things from these two in the future.”
The real story:
Talk about a good gene pool. If ever there was a girl made for the spotlight, it’s Keatyn Douglas. Our sources on the Retribution set say that Knox and Keatyn are already a couple. That they were burning up the place with their chemistry and have become very close. We know they were goo-goo over each other at a hip NYC night club last week, but then got in a wicked fight that saw poor Keatyn leaving the club in tears, only to be stopped by Knox and whisked off to his penthouse. The couple shared a special night together, capped it off with a brisk morning jog through Central Park, and carpooled to the movie set.
But, let’s be real. We all saw Keatyn’s music video debut, and no one can deny the chemistry between her and Twisted Dreams’ lead rocker, Damian Moran, the son of director Matthew Moran. Although just days before, Damian was seen with a leggy blonde, we all know who he kissed on New Year’s Eve. In further evidence are these photos of the couple’s arm-in-arm stroll through Central Park with their doggie pal and the entrance to their secret love nest. Add to the equation professional surfer, Brooklyn Wright, who pledged his love to Keatyn after winning the Surf City Hawaiian Open just a few months ago and high school sweetheart, actor Luke Sander, and it looks like our new it girl knows how to play the field.
And what a delicious field it is.
P.S. Vincent Sharpe, if you’re reading this, stop the silly nationwide search and cast Keatyn in the remake of A Day at the Lake.
P.P.S. Because, seriously.
Below is a photo of Damian and me at the entrance to my loft. The address numbers clearly visible.
“Fuuuuck,” I say loudly, causing the restaurant patrons to give me disapproving glares.
“What’s wrong?” Cooper asks.
“The loft has been burned. Somehow, someone must have followed us home from the park when we took Kiki for a walk. We have to get Damian, Peyton, and Aiden out of there. I can’t go back. Shit.”
Tommy looks panicked. “What are you going to do?”
“Let me think for a minute,” I say.
“How did they follow us to your loft? We’ve been so careful,” Cooper says.
“Apparently, not careful enough,” I snap. I’m pissed.
Because, not my loft.
It’s the only home I have.
I text Damian back.
Me: Look out the windows. Do you see anyone out front?
Damian: Hang on.
Damian: No.
Me: They would think only you and I are there, right?
Damian: So I should be the only one to go out the front?
Me: Yes. Press-wise, people have forgotten about Peyton already. They think I’m seeing both you and Knox.
Damian: I’d prefer it that way.
Me: Me too. So send P & A out the back. Tell them to follow the alley, take the first right, and then get a cab to the Plaza hotel. Tell them to go to the Food Hall and get some yogurt. Cooper will find them. Tell them if they see Cooper to pretend like they don’t know him and to shop around a little. He’s going to want to make sure they don’t have a tail, just in case.
Damian: Got it.
Me: At the same time, you go out the front and catch a cab. Go straight to your dad’s apartment. I’ll message you when I get all the pieces in place. Text me when you’re at your dad’s.
Damian: Will do. Are you freaking out?
Me
: A little. I’m good now.
“Tommy, Cooper and I are going to head out. I have to find somewhere to stay tonight.”
“Just come to Matt’s apartment,” Tommy says.
“Damian is headed there, but I can’t send Aiden and Peyton there. The press has already forgotten about Peyton. Damian kind of wants to keep it that way.”
“You’re very protective of Aiden,” Tommy observes.
I nod, then stand up and give Tommy a hug goodbye. “Come on, Cooper.”
Cooper gives Tommy a nod, but as we leave he’s looking at the floor.
I grab his arm. “It’s okay, Cooper. It’s not your fault.”
“It’s absolutely my fault,” he replies, marching ahead of me.
“No, it’s mine. I’m pushing you. Putting myself in situations that aren’t easy to control. I know the risks. It just makes me sad. Not being able to go back there.”
“All our stuff is there.”
“I have a lot of new shoes in the car,” I tease. “You can borrow some.”
“Not funny,” he says with a little chuckle as we get in the car. “Why don’t you let me plan what’s next.”
“Okay, what are you thinking?”
“I’m going to check us all into a hotel. You can sneak in and I’ll go get Aiden and Peyton. Where do you want to stay?”
“Let me call my travel concierge and have her find us a suite.”
A few minutes later, I say, “We’re all set up at the Four Seasons. They have a three-bedroom suite that will be perfect for all of us. I’m going to have you drop me off a block from the hotel. I tweaked your plan a little and made myself an appointment at the spa. While I’m there, you go get Peyton and Aiden. Since it’s close, you can just walk over, double check they’re not being followed, and get them settled. Then you can text me and take me straight up to the room. Does that sound okay?”