by Sam Crescent
Easton had told her many times that his family were snobs. That they had a plan for each of their sons, which she found sad.
Making her way up to his home, she knocked, and the door slid open.
“Easton,” she said.
She didn’t see anyone.
Walking down the long corridor, she came to a stop as someone told her to come inside.
Entering an office, she saw two older men. One of them was Easton’s father, the other Axton’s.
There was no sign of Easton.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said. “I was just looking for Easton.”
“Easton is a little busy right now. Come, sit, talk with us.”
She didn’t like this. “I would really rather…”
“If you walk out of this house I will make sure that your parents never work again. I will take their home and put on the street where they will beg for scraps like the pieces of shit they are,” Nial Long said.
Turning around, she stared at him, feeling sick to her stomach.
“Well, she’s not as pretty as I imagined she’d be,” Axton’s father said. She didn’t remember his name.
“No, but he seems to think she’s ‘the one.’ Stupid boy. I’m getting tired of cleaning up his mistakes.” Nial threw some money at her feet. “Get rid of the kid and stay away from my son.”
“I don’t want your money.”
“My son is not leaving this town with you, understand? He will never be the father of your baby. You will get rid of it.”
She shook her head. “No.”
She cried out as he stormed over to her, grabbing her arms.
“You seem to think I’m asking you for this. I’m not fucking asking. I’m not. You’re nothing, little girl. Nothing to him, and that baby will be nothing. I am the one in control here. I tell my son what to do. You don’t see him now, do you? You don’t see him coming to your rescue. That’s because he’s a good boy, and you are nothing but a fucking slut.”
She cried out as he shoved her hard. Falling to the floor she hit her head, and gasped.
“Don’t make a mess on your rug. It’s a nightmare to get clean.”
“Leave me alone. I’m … I’m telling. I’m going to tell the cops on you. I’m pregnant with your grandchild.”
She cried out as pain slammed into her cheek as he punched her. She tried to fight him as he straddled her and then his hands were around her neck.
Eyes open wide, she tried to claw at his hands, but they wouldn’t stop. He was choking her to death, and she tried to stop him.
Easton!
Help!
No one came, and everything went black as he choked her to death.
****
The hand holding the gun was shaking, and Axton saw Taylor was having a really hard time keeping that thing fucking steady.
“Your dad killed her at your place?” she asked.
Tears kept falling, and even though she’d fucking betrayed him, he wanted to go and comfort her.
“Yes.”
“How did she end up at the lake?” she asked.
“He drove her,” Paul said.
This made her gasp as she looked at her friend.
“How do—”
“I saw her and him. I saw him … dump her. I watched as he cut her wrists, but as she was already dead…”
“Oh, my God, after all this time. You knew. You fucking knew the truth!”
“Taylor.”
“Stay away from me!” She yelled the words. “Oh, my … you all protect him. A rapist and murdering bastard. You protect him. You fucking make sure he can live in peace.” She stepped back, and Axton saw her shaking her head.
“Taylor,” Paul said.
“No! After all this time, you knew.”
“I didn’t know everything. I didn’t know … Easton.”
“You said you loved her. Why didn’t you tell me any of this? Is this why you didn’t want me to go through with it?”
“I loved Carla. I still do. I wanted to know the truth. To know who got her pregnant. I didn’t know everything, and even so, you wouldn’t have been happy with me, Taylor. Not after everything that had happened.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s not love. You would have told someone or you would have done something.” She laughed. “Wow, all this time, after everything I went through. You saw, Paul. You knew. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve got to go.”
“Taylor.”
“Who took care of her, huh? All you ever fucking cared about was yourself. All of you. Your fucking family. Your reputations. No one cared about Carla in all of this. You all let her be lost. How many women have been lost because of them? You may not have killed her, but you all are all responsible in some way. You all knew the truth of what those bastards were capable of, and you let it happen.”
“Taylor,” Axton said.
“No, I don’t want to know right now. I don’t even care what you have to say.”
“We fucked without protection,” he said.
She gasped, and he saw her pale.
“Dude, she’s holding a fucking gun. Do you really want to talk about this right now?”
She stared at him, and he saw how lost she was.
“I paid an escort to help me fuck just to find out the truth.”
Right before his eyes he saw Taylor come back. The old one. The one that wasn’t intent on finding out the truth but the girl he saw through high school. The one with the quick smile and dimples, who was always joking around with her friend. The one he looked at from afar but knew he could never have.
“Stay away from me,” she said.
He didn’t run toward her as she climbed into his car or even stop her as she pulled away from the lake.
Axton watched her go.
Staring at Paul, he didn’t like that fucker all that much in that moment.
“We’ve got to stop her,” Easton said. “She’s going to let everything out.”
Axton turned back to the lake, replaying that night again. Holding her in his arms, keeping her back. She didn’t even know that he’d been the one holding her.
“Maybe it’s time,” Axton said.
“Are you serious right now?”
“I don’t know when will be the right time, but I’m sick and tired of keeping those bastards away from it all and picking up the pieces of what they do.”
In the process of getting Taylor out of the car, he’d pulled out the file on Carla. His father, the son of a bitch, had always made sure to have every little detail on paper. It was something his own father had done before him. Keep your friends close and enemies closer. His father didn’t believe in friends, just enemies and power. This kept Nial in place. Just another piece of evidence that cemented the four kings for good. He, Easton, Karson, and Romeo had all been different. They were nothing like their parents. They had formed a bond of friendship that couldn’t be taken from them, or abused. They were stronger together. Bending down, Axton picked it up, and there was a picture of Taylor and Carla together.
“She’s never going to forgive me,” Paul said.
“She will.”
It wasn’t in Taylor’s makeup to stay mad at her friend. Paul had hurt her with his revelations, but that didn’t for a second mean she would hate him. Closing the file, Axton stared back at the lake. It was time for people to know the truth of what happened that night.
Chapter Fourteen
One month later
Axton entered his office and stared over at Taylor’s empty desk. They had yet to find a replacement PA, but for now that was fine. He didn’t like the thought of anyone else sitting in her desk. That seat was still and would always be for Taylor.
The truth for the most part was out, or it would be in the next couple of days for media coverage. Since the day at the lake, a lot had changed. First off, he didn’t go straight to the police but home. He went through the files with Romeo, Karson, Easton, and Paul.
Pie
ce by piece they pulled together the information they needed, and after that, he brought in his PI to help him.
When they had all finally given the evidence and they’d been questioned, all four of them had made it appear they were frightened of what would happen. That years of violence and threats kept them from letting the police know what their parents did. No one couldn’t prove they were lying. Axton worked closely with the detective involved to make sure the truth about Carla was finally put right but also the truth about the cover-ups his own father had been part of was also brought to light.
“Someone left something in your office,” Romeo said, coming out of his office.
“They did?”
“Yes.”
Axton made his way into his office and paused as he saw the file she’d managed to get, along with a shoe box and a rose. Right on top was a letter with his name on it.
He recognized Taylor’s handwriting so clearly.
So many secrets had come out in the last few hours of them being together.
Dear Axton,
It feels so strange to be the one writing to you, but … I don’t know if I could do this in person so this is the best way I know how. I know if you’re reading this then I’ve gone back home to King’s Ridge. I’m tired of running. Of pretending to be something I’m not. I’ve been fighting this for so long I didn’t even realize what I’d become. Everything I’ve done was because of that night. That night I saw Carla in the lake and pulled her out, something changed in me. I knew my friend. I knew she wouldn’t do something like that. Carla wasn’t … she’d never do something like that. I got Paul to find out the truth and knew in some way you were connected. The four kings, which I guess is actually five. I don’t know. I also knew one of you was with Carla, had gotten her pregnant. Her diary is here. Along with all the information I took. I didn’t share any of it, nor did I post it. I wanted to, but I didn’t think it was right anymore. I knew the truth, and none of this was your fault or Karson, or Romeo, or even Easton. I hope he’s doing okay.
I know you think I broke your trust, and you’re right, I did. There is no excuse for that. I came to you for one reason and one reason alone. I went out of my way to bring you and the Four Kings’ Empire down. I intended to publish all of this, to watch you all disappear. I felt that Carla needed justice. That the truth of what you were all about had to come out for others to know. I was tired of everyone pacifying you, of leaving you alone. Most importantly, I was doing this to find out the truth about Carla. I now leave it all with you. It’s yours anyway. I never should have stolen this or tried to. I’m so sorry for all the deceit and lies.
Through your anger and hatred, which you are right to feel, I want you to understand something. You were protecting your father, your best friends. Keeping Easton safe and everything. Everyone was looking out for each other, but through it all, no one looked after Carla. I know it wasn’t anyone’s job to take care of her, but she needed someone and she only had me.
She was like a sister to me.
I was taking care of her.
Her parents had the right to know the truth.
She didn’t die of suicide. Easton’s father killed her because she wouldn’t get an abortion. She refused to be pushed aside like trash, and because she stood up for the love she felt, he killed her.
Do with this as you wish. I am sorry for my part in trying to bring that monster to justice. No matter who you are, or your bank balance, or what you do, you break the law, you should pay. But I blamed you. I believed you should have done something. I was wrong. You were like me, a teenager. There was nothing you could have done, and I know and understand that in a way, you did do something. You made sure they lost their power. I am so sorry for the pain I’ve brought your way. For the blame I laid at your feet. That is my fault, not yours. This was all on me. Not you.
Also … I’m not saying this because of the baby, but I love you. I think you’re the best man I have ever known. I wish more than anything that I’d have saved my first time for you. That we’d not come together because of my plan. I wish that I’d seen you put those letters and the roses in my locker. I love you, Axton, more than anything in the world.
I hope one day you can forgive me. I understand if you cannot. Please tell Paul I’m sorry. He’s a good friend.
All my love,
Your Taylor
Beneath the letter was the box and rose. He saw the files she’d taken, which the box rested on. The files were from his personal collection. The deals his father had blackmailed and manipulated. Stuff that was supposed to stay secret. They were all there, and none of them had been made public.
The Four Kings’ Empire would have struggled, but he didn’t for a second believe they wouldn’t have survived.
Opening up the box, he was still for a moment.
They were all the letters he’d put in her locker. It hadn’t been hard to find out her combination. She used her birthday or Carla’s for everything. Lifting them up, he saw his writing. Each piece a part of him that he’d given to her. He’d not wanted to pull her into his world, knowing his father wouldn’t allow it. She wasn’t the woman he wanted his son to marry. Not rich enough nor with the right contacts.
She’d been a nothing.
A no one.
Useless.
He’d wanted her because she was everything to him. From that day all those years ago in kindergarten when she’d been playing on the swings. He’d watched her climb high as if she was flying, her laughter capturing his attention. His mother demanded he be a good boy. To not play with anyone else other than Karson, Romeo, and Easton. He’d done what he’d been told. When Taylor had fallen over, grazing her knee, he’d wanted to help her. He’d watched as Carla had gone to her. The two had become such good friends, and he’d been jealous.
From afar he watched her growing up. Wanting her, craving her, and knowing that if he showed any interest, his father would find a way to ruin her.
So, he held back, saving her, protecting her, loving her.
Making the sacrifice to let her go.
“She didn’t do it?” Easton asked, startling him.
He looked up to see Easton’s bruised face. “No. It’s all here.”
“And something more. She finally figured out you were the one that sent those roses. It was kind of cool to be there for her revelation.”
“It’s not like I had much of a choice at the time.” He’d seen her love of roses, and he’d made a point of finding the most beautiful during high school to give her. He handed Easton the letter, and he waited as Easton read through it.
“She’s right. People need to know the truth. Carla’s parents have a right to know their daughter didn’t kill herself,” Easton said.
“Your father—”
“I know what he did,” Easton said. “And he’s hidden from his deeds long enough. I want the bastard to pay for what he did. We’re doing the right thing. The question is, Axton, will you do the right thing?” He waved the letter. “She’s having a baby.”
He’d caught sight of that in her note.
“She is.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Easton asked.
He shrugged. “Not a lot I can do.”
“Man, we’re not our dads,” Karson said. “You’ve been wanting to be with her for a hell of a long time. Seems kind of pointless to be doing all this shit if you’re not going to get the girl.”
He stared at the files. “She lied.”
“So. She thought she was doing right by her friend. We’ve done a lot of shit over the years. Carla was her best friend, man. You knew deep down something wasn’t right with her. Wouldn’t you have done the same for one of us?” Romeo asked.
“You’re taking her side?” Axton asked.
Romeo snorted. “I want to throttle the fucking bitch. She lied and cheated, and … you love her, man. Life is not perfect. You’ve wanted her a long time. You held yourself back. Shit went down, and … we can’t be like ou
r parents. You can hold this against her, or you can try and start fresh.” Romeo shrugged. “This is your decision.”
“You’ve loved her for a long time. A lot longer than I ever did Carla. Come on, Axton. It’s time you put yourself first for a change. Go and get the girl you’ve been drooling after since kindergarten. Neither of you had this chance before. You’re not perfect, she’s not perfect, but together, maybe you could make something perfect.” Easton slapped him on the arm.
Axton looked at his friends. “You know, you’re all really good friends.”
“We all know, and we’re not going to kiss and hug. That shit is not us,” Karson said.
“I’m going to be heading out of town for a few days. Clear my head while all this blows up,” Easton said.
“You need one of us with you?” Axton asked.
“Nah, I’m good. Just going to get drunk, fuck, and pretend the last ten years didn’t happen.” Easton pulled him into a hug. “I don’t give a fuck what Karson says. You’re all my brothers, and I’m damn happy to have you fuckers at my back. Mean it.”
Hugging his friend, he slapped him on the back, and they pulled apart.
“I better go and get the girl,” Axton said.
He was going to be a fucking dad. It seemed almost too surreal.
****
Bent over the rose bushes, Taylor began to pull at the weeds and make sure the bed was perfect. She hated anything getting in the way of her beautiful roses. The house she was renting was just a small two-bedroom with a tiny garden, but it was more than enough for her.
Her savings were getting her by while she looked for work close to home. She hadn’t ventured into town as yet and had been living out of her freezer and pantry for food. She’d have to go to town soon, but she was kind of nervous about being there.
She hadn’t done what she set out to do.
All of the secrets of the Four Kings’ Empire remained with them, and she was happy about that. She didn’t want to deal with that kind of aftermath and pain. Not only that, she was pregnant.
Not too far along, but she’d taken a test, then gone to the doctor, who confirmed it. She had a baby growing inside her.
Placing a hand on her stomach, she leaned back on her knees and just shook her head. It seemed so surreal.