Secrets Told

by Allie Everhart

  "So move down there. You always say how much you hate the cold."

  "And leave my daughter here? Knowing they're watching you? No. Never."

  "Dad, there's something I didn't tell you yet."

  He sighs. "Now what?"

  I tell him that my real dad was a member of that group, and that because of that I'm safe.

  "They'll never hurt me," I say. "Carol said they'll protect me out of loyalty to my biological father."

  "I don't trust that Carol knew the rules. Just because she told you that doesn't mean it's true."

  "Then what am I supposed to do? Be afraid for the rest of my life? Go into hiding?"

  He stops to think. "I need to find someone I trust enough to ask about this. Someone who knows about this group. Problem is, I don't know who that would be. Just asking questions about it could get me killed."

  "Don't do it," I say as I get an idea. "I will."

  "Kate, you're not putting yourself in danger."

  "I'm not. I think I know someone I can trust to ask."

  "Who?" Gavin asks.

  "I can't tell you."

  But it's someone he knows. Someone who was there the night I saw Niles kill that man. Someone who knows I saw it happen. And yet he never told anyone. He kept my secret. And that's why I think I can trust him.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Kate

  "Mr. Kensington?" I say as I come up behind him in line. We're at a busy coffee shop in New York, close to Gavin's office. I just had lunch with Gavin and decided to stop for coffee.

  Actually, that's a lie. I did have lunch with Gavin, but only to make it look like that's why I came to the city today. The truth is I'm here to talk to Mr. Kensington for the secret meeting I planned with him a few days ago. There's a chance they're watching me, and if so, I don't want them knowing I went to Mr. Kensington for advice.

  He turns around. "Kate." He smiles. "What a surprise. What brings you to the city?"

  "I met Gavin for lunch. I took some time off from work. I own a restaurant now."

  "Yes, I saw it in the paper. I've heard it's quite successful." He moves up in the line, which is very long and very slow, giving us time to talk.

  "I want out," I say, lowering my voice but smiling as if I'm telling him a funny story.

  "There is no out," he says, smiling back. "If they want you, they keep you."

  "They shouldn't want me. I'm not one of them." I glance down at the floor. "I'm just a daughter. He's not even alive anymore."

  He steps forward in line, his body just slightly angled back to me. "That doesn't matter."

  "Then tell me. What are the rules for someone like me?"

  "There are none. In cases like this, we make them up as we go."

  "Then how do I get them to leave me alone?"

  He takes out his phone and pretends to check it. "Just go on with your life. They're not bothering you, and they never will as long as you keep quiet. They assume you don't know much. Keep it that way."

  I pretend to search for something in my purse. "I want to move. I want to get away from them, but I don't know if I can. I don't know if they'll let me."

  "And Gavin agreed to this? He's agreed to relocate?"

  "Yes. We talked about moving to Florida, near my mom. My dad would move there too."

  "Florida." He chuckles. "You sure you can handle the humidity? The summers can be brutal."

  "I don't mind. I'd go anywhere to get—"

  "Then go." He moves up in line.

  "Just like that? They won't come find me?"

  "Finding you isn't the issue. You can always be found, no matter where you go."

  "Then what do I do?"

  "The number one rule."

  "I don't get it. What does mean?"

  "Never ask questions, not even in your head. Don't let your mind go there."

  "That's it? Just don't ask questions?"

  "I believe we already covered the other part in my kitchen that night."

  "You mean about discretion?"

  "You have a good memory."

  "I never forgot that conversation."

  "Apparently so. I assume that's why you're here today."

  "I trust you," I say quietly.

  "Then you're not as smart as I thought you were."

  "What?" I panic, not sure what he means. Is he insulting me? Or trying to tell me something?

  He slips his phone in his suit pocket. "Trust no one."

  "Are you saying I can't trust you?"

  "Double espresso," he says to the girl at the counter. Then he turns to me. "What would you like? It's on me."

  "Um," I glance at the menu, "a caramel latte."

  The girl gives him the total and he gives her a twenty.

  "Keep the change," he says, then steps down to the end of the counter.

  I wait beside him for our drinks. "I don't know what you meant just now."

  "It's simple, Kate. Very simple." He takes his espresso from the counter. "Don't ask questions. Trust no one. Silence is rewarded. Follow those rules and you'll be fine."

  "And I can move away?"

  He smiles. "You've already forgotten the rules. Perhaps you should work on that."

  "But I need an answer."

  "Bring sunscreen," he says. "The skin burns more easily in the Florida sun. Goodbye, Kate."

  And then he walks away and goes out the door.

  Chapter Thirty

  TWO MONTHS LATER

  Kate

  "This one's a winner," Gavin says, holding up his fork. He just tasted my latest creation; a triple berry cream pie with a layer of cheesecake at the bottom.

  "Dad, what do you think?"

  He yawns. "I think I need a nap."

  "I was talking about the pie."

  "It was excellent. That's why I'm so tired. I had three slices."

  My mom laughs. "Let's get you home. I could use a nap too." She smiles at me. "I'll be back later to help you clean up."

  "Don't worry about it. Gavin and I will do it. We'll see you at dinner."

  "Sounds good."

  The two of them walk off, hand in hand. My parents are living together now in an apartment three floors up from Gavin and me. We live in a high-rise building on the beach. The apartments aren't fancy but the location is great and my pie shop is just down the street.

  The shop isn't open yet but it will be in a month. I've got a crew getting the inside ready and I'm testing recipes for the menu. I feel like I just did this; getting ready to open a restaurant, except now I'm better at it because I've done it before. And I'm more relaxed because I don't have Mr. Walcott and his "investors" stopping by to check on me.

  After my talk with Mr. Kensington at the coffee shop, Gavin and I decided to leave everything behind and move to Florida to get a fresh start. Mr. Walcott tried to convince me to stay but I told him I wanted to be closer to my mom. I offered to give him full ownership of the restaurant, free and clear, but he declined the offer and instead paid me an amount he thought my part of the restaurant was worth. I'm using that to open my pie shop. Walcott also made me an investor in my former restaurant. I didn't want that, but he insisted, saying it'd be a good source of income going forward. But I think the real reason is so that I remain tied to him, and to them.

  I haven't learned anything more about that group and I don't know who the members are, other than Mr. Walcott and Mr. Kensington. But despite my curiosity, I'm doing as instructed and not asking questions. I'm trying to not even think about it, but I still do, especially when I talk to Megan. She's still in Connecticut, living with Decker, who's still going to Moorhurst.

  She must've known I was thinking about her because my phone dings with a text from her. The text reads, Miss you! Give me a call when you can!

  She knows I'm super busy getting the pie shop ready so she doesn't call as much as she used to. Instead, I call her when I get a break, like now, as Gavin and I sit here on the beach, surrounded by empty pie plates.

  "Hey, Me
gan, what's up?" I say when she answers.

  Gavin, who was napping, opens his eyes and looks at me. It's the look that says to change the subject if Megan starts in with her conspiracy theories. It seems like she has a new one every week, usually involving Moorhurst, but she's never able to prove any of her theories are true. I really wish she'd stop looking for trouble, because that's exactly what it is. If it's true that the secret society is somehow involved with Moorhurst, she needs to stay away from it. Unfortunately, she got a job there at the library.

  "So the other day," she says, "this girl needed help at the library. As I was helping her, I found out she just started classes at Moorhurst in the middle of the semester. Isn't that weird? Who transfers in the middle of the semester? I found out she—"

  "Megan. You didn't even say hello."

  "Oh. Sorry. Hello. Anyway, turns out this girl is from one of the wealthiest families in the country and her brother is—"

  "Megan, we talked about this. No more conspiracy theories."

  "It's not. I'm just telling you about this girl."

  "Which will lead to one of your theories. So, switching topics, when are you guys coming down here?"

  "Would Thanksgiving work?"

  I smile. "Are you serious? That'd be awesome! But what about your families?"

  "My parents are going on a cruise and Decker's parents are going to London, which means we're free to go where we want. You sure it's okay?"

  "Are you kidding? It's great! I can't wait to see you guys."

  "Then we'll plan on it. Kate, can I call you later? Someone needs help." She sighs. "These students are so demanding. Can't they just do their research without assistance?"

  I laugh. "Talk to you later."

  "Yeah, bye."

  "What are you so happy about?" Gavin asks, noticing my huge smile.

  "Megan and Decker are coming for Thanksgiving."

  "That's great, but where are we going to fit all these people?"

  "My mom's table seats six. We'll eat there."

  "We need room for eight." He leans over and kisses my cheek. "Hope you don't mind, but I invited my mom and Henry and they both said yes." He grins. "You good with that?"

  I hug him. "You know I am. You know I've always wanted a big Thanksgiving with family. And I miss Henry. As for your mom, well, we're working on that, but I'm sure she'll come around eventually."

  Gavin's mom is mad that he moved to Florida and she's blaming me for why he did it. The last time we were at her house, she barely spoke to me. But I'm giving her a break because I know she's lonely and misses her son, so if she wants to deal with it by ignoring me, that's fine. It's better than having her go back to drinking. She's still sober, and according to Gavin, Henry still goes and checks on her every week.

  "She likes you," Gavin says. "She just has a hard time showing it." He stretches out on his beach chair. "This is the life. I may just forget about getting a job and do this all day."

  When Gavin quit his job, Jett was furious and completely shocked. He couldn't believe Gavin would give up the opportunity to work for him. As predicted, Jett told Gavin he'd never work in politics again, but Gavin was okay with that. He's done with politics. It doesn't excite him like it used to. So now he's thinking of doing something completely different. He's not sure what that is yet so he's taking time off to think about it.

  I'm thrilled he's no longer working in politics but getting out of it for good wasn't easy. Gavin doesn't know that and I'm not going to tell him. We said no more secrets but keeping this a secret was part of the deal.

  Soon after we moved to Florida, I started to get the feeling we were being watched. And I was right, but it wasn't me they were watching. It was Gavin. Suddenly he started getting all these invites to parties hosted by local and state politicians. Gavin assumed it was because these people had been friends or supporters of his dad. But that wasn't the only reason he was invited.

  We went to one of these parties and when I looked around, I recognized some of the men. They'd been at some of the events I'd catered when I worked for Carol. They weren't part of the usual Connecticut social scene, but instead only appeared now and then. And more than once, I saw them take Gavin's dad aside to talk to him privately. They'd go into a room, and when they came out Niles seemed on edge. At the time, I didn't think anything of it, but now, knowing what I do, I think they were threatening him, trying to keep in line. I think it was them. Members of that secret group.

  So when I saw them approach Gavin at this party we went to, I panicked. I didn't know what they wanted, but given what Gavin told me about his meeting with the vice president, I got the feeling they were going to force Gavin to follow in his father's footsteps.

  The next day, I made a call to Mr. Kensington. His secretary answered and said he couldn't talk so I called again later but he still wouldn't talk to me. So I left a message that said, "I promise you my silence. Leave Gavin alone."

  In response, the next day, I got a piece of paper hand delivered by a kid who ran up to me when I was walking alone on the beach. The paper read, Favors aren't asked for. They're given. At our discretion.

  The words sent a chill through me. I panicked, thinking I'd done something wrong by asking. I was sick with worry that entire day, assuming they'd do something to punish me for my mistake. But then the next day, while Gavin and I were getting ready to go to dinner with a state senator, the senator's secretary called and said the dinner had been cancelled and wasn't being rescheduled. Gavin was surprised but I wasn't. I was elated. They'd granted me a favor. I don't know why but I didn't dare ask. I was tempted to call and thank Mr. Kensington but I didn't. I left it alone, and contemplated whether I should tell Gavin.

  The following day, that decision was made for me. Another kid ran up to me with a scrap of paper. This time it read, Keep your silence. Silence is rewarded.

  It meant I was never to tell Gavin, and so I'll keep this secret, but only because I have to.

  Now, months later, I haven't heard a word from them. I feel like I'm finally free to live my life. I know it's not entirely true. They'll probably always keep tabs on me, but as long as I follow the rules, I know they won't bother me.

  As Gavin naps in his chair, I get up and walk along the beach. I love hearing the sounds of the waves. It's so peaceful, so relaxing.

  "My ball!" I hear someone yell. I look down and see a beach ball hit my legs and a little girl with blond hair right behind it.

  I pick up the ball. "Here you go." I hand it to her.

  "Thank you!" She smiles. I recognize that smile, and the little girl. It's Pearce Kensington's daughter.

  I look up and there he is, approaching me.

  "Sorry about that," he says, standing behind his daughter.

  "It's okay."

  "We'll just be continuing on," he says, as though we're strangers.

  As he passes by me, I say, "What brings you to Florida?"

  He stops and turns around. "Number one rule, Kate."

  Never ask questions. The words echo in my head.

  He smiles. "Enjoy the sunshine. It's a bit too much for me, but I'm used to the clouds. Goodbye, Kate."

  "Bye."

  As I watch him leave, I get the feeling he was sent here. Or maybe he came on his own. Whatever it was, he was giving me a message. Reminding me of the rules.

  The rules I will live by, because silence is rewarded. And my reward is getting my life back. A life of my own. A life with Gavin.

  #

  From the Author

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  More About the Secret Society

  The secret society featured in Kate and Gavin's story, known as 'the organization', first appeared in the Jade Series, then appeared again in the Kensington Series. If you didn't read those series, here's some more info about this elite group.

  The organization is a secret society made up of powerful billionaires. Membership is passed down from father to son and is not optional. Daughters cannot be members but are expected to marry one of them. Recently, the organization has been recruiting members from the outside, but only if the person is a good fit and will provide benefits for the group.

  The organization uses their money and power to rig political elections, including the presidential election, so that they can control key decisions being made which might jeopardize their power and wealth. They hand select and groom their candidates, which is what they did with Niles. If anyone stands in their way or finds out about them, the person may be killed or silenced in some other way.

  If you want to read more about the organization and what they do, read the Kensington Series or the Jade Series.

  Get Your Moorhurst College Gear!

  Moorhurst College was originally featured in The Jade Series and now has its own series with all new characters and stories, starting with Secrets Kept! Show your school spirit for this mysterious private college with a t-shirt, sweatshirt, water bottle, and more! Click here to go to the shop.

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  Books by Allie Everhart

  (Click on titles to purchase at Amazon)

  The Jade Series

  (New Adult Romance/Suspense)

  Choosing You

  Knowing You

  Loving You

  Promising You

  Forever You

  Finding Us

  Becoming Us

  Always Us

  Garret: A Jade Series Companion Novel