by Blue Saffire
He looks so mighty and proud on stage. His pearly white smile surrounded by a salt and pepper beard. His bald chocolate skin shines under the stage lights. The Armani suit compliments my father’s sixty-two-year-old body. Ladies have been known to be a hot mess in his presence. Standing at six-two you can see why. Men, on the other hand, want to be like him.
“We attend because the mayor is one of our sponsors for P.R.L. We can’t not be here.”
Piper sighs, throwing herself back into the hard chair. The emcee’s voice gets louder over the stupid mic and starts to grate my nerves. “Is there anyone else this year who would like to be a part of the delegation? This our last day.”
The back door bursts open. My father’s secretary, Chrisla James, runs down the aisle and stands in front of the stage waving a piece of paper at the emcee. There’s a buzzing in the air as we wait to see what happens next. We aren’t prepared, at least I’m not.
“Are you sure?” The emcee asks Chrisla. She frantically nods yes.
The emcee taps the mic before his voice rings out in shock. “We have a new addition to the mayoral delegation this year.”
My father looks so startled, he pushes off the leather chair to stand. “Who? What’s going on here?”
Piper leans over to me. “Well shit, this is getting good.”
I’m breathless. Someone will finally challenge my father. Yet I don’t feel her excitement, everyone suffers when change starts to happen around Joel Huntsman. However, I can’t say that this doesn’t give me a taste of what it would be like to finally reach for my own change.
A sudden feeling of dread hits me. This reeks of an unknown disaster waiting to happen. I need to get out to breathe.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
As I stand to my make my way to the door, words that chill my bones greet my ears. “Penndel Heights welcomes to the platform, Ethan Wulf.”
My heart stops. I have to get out of here. Now.
Ethan
I don’t know what I enjoyed more, the shocked look on Joel Huntsman’s face or the gasp of the whole of Penndel Heights.
I’m back and I’m taking every fucking thing away from Joel Huntsman. I mean everything. First up, his power and then I’m destroying everything he loves, including his daughter.
“Thank you for your kind introduction. My name is Ethan Wulf. Son of the soil of Lower Penndel. Yes, some of you know me as your neighborhood bad boy. However, I have become wiser. Times have changed.”
They sure have changed. Not only am I wiser, I’m a hell of a lot richer. I dare them to look down their noses at me now.
I grin at my thoughts and continue with my speech. “Look, we’re all here today for different reasons. Some want urgent action; some want policy change. One thing is for sure, with all our reasons, this is constant; we all love Penndel, and we want the best for it. I predict…” I drawl on as heads nod in agreement; everyone’s attention is fixed on me.
Add my wolfish smile at the end and there we have it, thirty minutes later, I have an auditorium full of people giving me a standing ovation. Putty in my hands. To think some of these people used to hate me.
I shake hands with so many people from my past, I’m amazed. I honestly don’t recall most of them. Either way, they remember me and that’s what’s important.
“You stole from my store and now you’re a billionaire.” Mr. Dudely shakes my hand.
“You’re right. For that, I’m sorry.”
“Now he wants to be mayor. Once a thief, always a thief. Not even Armani can cover that.” Another guy says.
“Actually, Scabal, MTM. Armani is for losers,” I reply.
“MTM?” someone asks.
“Made to Measure,” I reply.
Turning to my side, Joel Huntsman stands with a full smile, like he’s been my friend since my birth. Politics is a game, no matter how small the town. And boy, am I here to play.
“Mr. Huntsman, it’s been ages. I see time has treated you well. How are you?” I take his hand and squeeze it tightly without anyone else being the wiser.
He pulls me into his arms for a hug. Both of us smiling, no one is aware of the war that sits between us.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Wulf?” he seethes in my ear, and my joy increases.
“I’m here to take everything you own,” I whisper and kiss his cheek like a fucking Judas. I pull back to see his face. Just as I expect, a full smile that will never reach his eyes. “Before you say anything, I’m not that boy anymore. Don’t utter any empty threats.”
He puts a hand on my shoulder and pulls me to his side. The cameras flash and we both smile. Coming out of his hold, I look him over. It’s clear he realizes something. I’m taller, stronger, and richer than he ever could be. Is that fear that clouds his eyes? I do believe it is, but he still smiles.
“Stay away from my daughter or else.”
I laugh as if we’re sharing a common joke amongst friends. “Do I look fucking eighteen? Threaten me again and I will show you just how grown up I am. Now, smile for the cameras.”
I shake his hand one last time as a few more pictures are taken, before turning from him and walking back into the crowd. After fifteen minutes of speaking to reporters, I make my way back to my E-Class Mercedes. My driver opens the door for me. I get in and my sister, Jalyn, is inside waiting.
“If I didn’t know better, Eth, I’d swear you were made to be in politics.”
I tug at my tie, dying to take this monkey suit off. “Where is she?”
Jalyn smiles warmly at me. Her eyes are like mine, green with flecks of hazel. “She’s back at her office. Are you going to check on the construction site or are you going to see her first?”
I take in a breath. Just knowing that I’m about to see her after all these years makes my heart speed up. “I’m going to her office.”
My sister shakes her head and opens her black leather portfolio. “Let me give you an update.”
Glancing through the window, I look at the town of Penndel Heights. Some of the buildings have stayed the same. Some streets have new signs. The Tuffets still have their muffin shop, the window displaying the flavors of the month—lemon curd, wheat, and whey muffins. My brother stole muffins from them once. It’s a good thing he was faster than the police. He would call those the good old days.
Penndel Heights looks like a town out of a fairy tale. While Lower Penndel, where I grew up, looks like where the evil villain would live.
“Are you paying attention?”
“No.”
“I’m the vice president of your company, not your secretary. I came to give you moral support—”
“You can always leave, but I know what you said. She’s president of Penndel Rights for Life. Her father is the main sponsor. She’s also the chairwoman of twelve boards in the community.”
Jalyn closes her file. “I thought you weren’t paying attention?”
“I wasn’t. I read the files that you left on my desk last week.”
Jalyn touches my shoulder lightly. “You know it’s ok to forgive, move on, and be happy.”
I wish I had Jalyn’s heart, always ready to forgive and fix. She’s always looking for a solution to fix the problem, making sure they never occur again. That’s why she’s my vice president, that and she’s badass too.
“I find forgiveness to be a boring entity. Seeking revenge and righting my honor feels better.” I adjust my tie and fix my cufflinks.
“Do you still love her?”
“How is that any of your business?”
“Eth!”
“I stopped loving her the day she took away the most important thing to me.”
“What’s that?”
I want to tell her; she took my heart. However, I never told my sister or the rest of my family what happened between Red and I. Nor will I ever.
“What about her father?” she asks after I don’t reply.
“What?”
“We’re doing an acquisit
ion on all his businesses?”
“No, I called Cian. He sent you a file on Draco Steel. Check it. That’s the one I want.”
She opens her laptop. “This company is worth $340 million. Is Cian buying it?”
“On my behalf. Huntsman is excited.”
Jalyn continues to read. “Well, it looks like Cian is seeking a friendly acquisition with him.”
“I know.” I smile. I couldn’t be more pleased. I look at her. “He will be here within a month or so.”
“Really,” she says dryly.
“What’s that about?” She always seems to have this tone lately when it comes to Cian. “Weren’t you two interested in each other?”
She blushes. “I tried dating Cian, bro. He’s cool, but he’s distant. I’ll pass.”
Cian Reed is my best friend, but he can be a cold-hearted asshole. I warned Jalyn about him, but she never listens. “Are you ever going to tell me what happened with him?” I ask, hoping it’s nothing extreme because I may lose my best friend.
“Are you ever going to tell me about Amelia?” she smiles slyly. My face becomes stone cold. My sister giggles. “I didn’t think so. We’ll be at her building in five minutes.”
Chapter 2
Facing Revenge
Amelia
“I heard they’re rebuilding Litchfield Manor,” Piper says as she sits in my office eating a strawberry salad.
“Really?” I feel like pebbles are falling from my well-erected wall. Today has been a wrecking ball to my life. I can’t wait for it to be over.
“Yup, they sold it. I think Ms. Luce bought it?” She dusts the crouton crumbs off her plum colored skirt.
“Wow, that’s nice. That house has just been sitting there for ages.”
“Like an eyesore. I tell you, Melia, I can’t wait to see the finished result. Oh, and the lead engineer from the construction team, oh my god.” She fans herself dramatically, her blonde tendrils dance lightly around her oval shaped face.
“How did you meet the lead engineer?”
“I went to the store to pick up some fresh fruit. I wasn’t paying attention and I walked right into his shopping cart.”
“Oh no.”
She laughs. “Oh yes. It was embarrassing as hell, but he helped me pick up my purse and we talked.”
“Talked?”
She smirks. “I wasn’t going to let him get away. He’s all kinds of sexy. I have a date with him tomorrow night.” I laugh because Piper never keeps a man for long. “He’s like 2019 hipster—sexy, tats, full beard, and dress shirt included.”
“What’s his name?” I ask, intrigued by my friend’s new-found date.
“Oh, his name is So—”
A crash and a small scream interrupt our conversation. “You can’t go in there unannounced.”
“Yes, I can.” I close my eyes because I know that deep baritone voice.
“No, you cannot. Security,” Mrs. Beal, my secretary shouts.
Piper and I both stand, ready to face whatever, or should I say who, is coming through my door. When it bursts open, Ethan strides into my office as if he owns the place. Totally unbothered by the chaos behind him.
“Hi, Red. It’s been awhile.”
“It’s okay, no need for security, Mrs. Beal.”
She nods giving Ethan a side-eye and reluctantly walks away. For a moment, we say nothing, waiting for someone to make the first move. Piper looks at me in surprise and then back at Ethan. She stretches out her hand and he takes it.
“I already know who you are. I’m Piper Reve, vice president of P.R.L.”
Her hand may be in his grasp, but his green-eyed gaze is fixed on me. I’m dying to fix my hair and adjust my pants, but I can’t let him see me preening. I have no right to want to. I’d rather die than see the look of disgust that’s sure to come to his face.
“What brings you to P.R.L? Would you like to contribute or become a sponsor?”
He looks at Piper and gives that well-known Wulf smile. A smile that has melted hearts and panties off many, present company included. It chafes to see Piper affected by that smile that once belonged to me.
“I can become a sponsor. After all, abortions should be the last option or never at all. Right, Red?”
Piper smiles. “Well, let me gather my lunch. I’m sure Ms. Huntsman will be pleased to give you the information required.”
“Ms. Reve, my sister is outside. She’s vice president of my company.”
“Jalyn is here?” It’s the first time I’m able to find my voice since he made his entrance.
“Yes, she is. As I was saying, talk to her about the sponsorship. I’m here on a more personal matter.”
Within seconds, Piper packs her stuff and she’s gone, leaving me standing behind my desk looking my past in the face.
Ethan
Fuck me. Red is still drop dead gorgeous. Part of me hoped she would be miserable looking or somehow suddenly ugly. She’s none of that. Time has made her even more breathtaking than the years before.
I hate that.
The only difference is her hair. Gone are the long black tresses that I used to love. In their place, she wears a short black pixie cut. I’m not a lover of short cuts but in her case, I’d make an exception.
She stands watching, oozing privilege and wealth. Her dark brown eyes look sad for a bit, only to be replaced by the look of the bitch that haunts my dreams at night.
“Why are you here, Mr. Wulf?”
“It’s good to see you too, Red.” I sit down in the chair in front of her desk. “Please sit.”
“I prefer to stand, it’s my office. Why are you here? Last I heard you were helping with a merger of two gas companies.”
“It’s nice to know you’re keeping up with the Wulf. Yes, that was a lucrative merger and acquisition.”
She looks like she could choke the crap out of me. I love that I’m irritating her.
“Let me say it again. Why are you here?”
“To run for mayor.” I should’ve said to fuck your life up, but… that’s coming.
She walks to her office window, looking out at the city of Penndel. My gaze drops to her curvy bottom. She’s filling those pants out well.
“What does that have to do with me?” she asks.
I pick up the picture frame on her desk. She and her sister, Olivia, are hugging in it. Ignoring her question, I place the picture back down.
“So, you’re the president of a Pro-Life organization. Penndel Right to Live. The irony of it all.”
“What do you want, Ethan?” Her voice rises.
I stand and walk to the other side of her office and look at her bookcase. “Front page of Forbes, the newest Tesla model, and revenge,” I speak softly, letting my words permeate the air.
The office becomes so silent, I look back at her. She’s still facing the window with the view of the city below. From this angle I can see her profile. She’s perfection at every turn.
I ball my fists. I wasn’t expecting the attraction to be this strong. I harden my resolve. I have to stick to the fucking plan and destroying her life is a part of the plan.
Finally turning, she strides to her desk and sits down. She leans back into the white leather chair. “Again, what does that have to do with me?”
“Everything.”
“Mr. Wulf, I have no idea how I can help, nor do I care.”
I throw my head back and laugh, reveling in the madness that she left me in years ago. “Look it’s simple. I need you to be at my side for this campaign. Well, at least the social side. Dinners, parties, etc.”
She snorts in disgust. “You must be mad.”
“I am. However, you’re still the princess of perfection here in Penndel.”
“I was never any such thing.”
“Yes, you are. I mean, come on, Red. Twelve boards you’re chairing, all of them not-for-profit. Everyone loves you.”
“I can’t help you run against my father.”
“Yes, you can, bec
ause if you don’t, I have no problem exposing your father’s hand in corruption.”
“My father isn’t corrupt he’s—”
“He’s what? Righteous and just?” I say, my words dripping in sarcasm.
She starts to tap her pink nails on her desk. She still wears pink nails. I loved them when we were together. The color would pop against her dark brown skin.
“I can’t help you.”
“You may want to reconsider. By the way, are the board of directors aware that you had an abortion at seventeen?” Her jaw rocks in vexation. I don’t give a fuck. I came here for revenge and I’m going to get it. “It’s not that hard, Red. All you have to do is be at my side for a few events.”
She rubs her bottom lip. “It can’t be done.”
“Of course it can. My sources tell me you don’t have a significant other.”
She looks at me, searching my face. A number of emotions cross her features, but I don’t catch a single one before she shuts them down. She lifts her chin.
“If I did would that have been a problem?”
“For him, not me. Let me make myself clear, Red. I didn’t come to start a relationship with you. Fuck you, maybe. Love you, no.”
She squints at me. “Honestly, I’d rather be dead than be your girlfriend.”
“It’s nice to know that you have no problem with fucking. As for the other, well, that can be arranged too.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, only stating a fact.”
She glares at me. Once again something crosses her face too quickly for me to place. She lowers her lashes and stares at the desk before her. When she lifts her head, the determination I know her for appears.
“You can’t run for mayor. You must have a fixed residence in the community. Last I heard, you live in New York.”
I look at the time, 3:55 p.m. I can wrap this up and still make it to the construction site. “I can and I am. I bought Litchfield Manor. Soren, you remember my brother, he’s there right now with the crew.”
She lifts her hands to cover her heart. “You’re the buyer?”
“Yes. Help me run for mayor and I won’t expose you to your board or your father’s corruption to the town.”