by Unknown
I clear my throat. “Does your sister live here in New York?”
He looks confused by the question, but answered, “Yes she does. She lives in the city.”
Looking at my parents for support, they nod their heads. “Can you please take me to her I would like to talk. I only need a few minutes of her time.”
Dr. Franklin pulls his phone out never breaking eye contact with me as he talks to her. “Hello, Emi. Are you free? I have someone who would like to speak to you.”
“No, Kennedy would like to speak you in person.”
“Okay. We’ll come around. Love you, sis.” He hung up the phone and asked, “Kennedy are you ready?”
“Yes, Dr. Franklin.”
“Kennedy, please call me Patrick.”
“Mr. & Mrs. Brennan, will you be joining us?”
My dad spoke first “We’re going to pack up this room. If you give us the Denver address, we’ll have all your clothes sent. Just take your bag.”
“Sweetie,” my mom says as she steps forward. “Kennedy, this is as far on the path as we can walk with you. You have to take these next steps on your own. Dr. Franklin has assured us you are well enough to handle your affairs. The lawyers have released the money that has been set up in trust for you.” She hands me a large envelope “Governor DeWitt has arranged a temporary identity for you; he said you have nothing to worry about. If anyone attempts to find out anything about you, he will handle it on his end. Everything is set up under Siobhan Gallagher.”
“We love you so much.” I felt like I was hugging my parents for the last time. I joined Dr. Franklin in the hall.
We remained silent during the car ride to the city and the drive was short. When we pulled up to Emilia's brownstone, Dr. Franklin turned to me and said, “I'm going to be right across the street at that coffee shop. I think you came to see Emilia because you need answers I can't give you. I will be right here when you're done.” Standing at the door to the brownstone, I hesitated to knock, but the door swings open. Emilia smiled and opened her arms. I just stepped into her hug. I think my soul recognized someone else who was broken. Emilia just hugged me and spoke softly to me as we made our way to the living room. She continued to speak softly, and it was fifteen minutes until I was able to speak.
"Did you have a normal life after what happened to your family?”
She chuckled lightly, “I would like to think my life has been more than normal. I’ve had a wonderful career, amazing friends, an epic love, and now I can say in all of my fifty years I have lived my life to the fullest. You will have a different course, Kennedy. There was no social media or paparazzi when I went through my struggles. It will be more difficult for you. What happened to you and your friends, and what unfolded at the trial has become a media sensation.”
I walk over to her fireplace mantle and look at the pictures of her life. She has pictures of Dr. Franklin and a really beautiful, brightly-dressed woman. She has pictures of her and handsome man all over the world.
“You are the face of an entire movement. We are fed up with violence against women not getting taken serious enough. Go to Denver. Regroup, figure out your next steps, but also find your voice. Don't let that monster silence you any longer.” I leaned over and hugged her
“Do you need anything, Kennedy? Do you need money?”
“No, Emilia, apparently I have two hundred million dollars! I don't need money, but I need something. I don't think your brother can help me with. I need to not be me for a while. I was given a new name, but I still look like me can you help me before I leave for Denver. When I step off that plane, I want to Siobhan Gallagher. I need to leave Kennedy Brennan behind.”
“Oh darling.” Emilia laughed. “I'm a socialite we reinvent yourself every ten years. Sit tight. I am going to tell my brother you will be leaving tomorrow he will pick you up from here in the morning. Let me make some calls.”
After hours with a stylist and hairdresser and makeup artist, I looked in the mirror and couldn't even recognize myself! Gone was my red hair. In its place were soft blonde locks. They cascaded in soft waves down my back all the way down to my tailbone. My freckles were hidden behind a thin layer of foundation. My college style jeans and sweater with my signature Converse were replaced with a mix of vintage and new designs. Today, I was in a tan and red H&M dress with long sleeves, and a pair of nude heels finished the look. My scars were almost invisible now. The one across my neck was hidden by a high neckline. My green eyes now were covered by light brown contacts. It felt strange to not have my glasses on my face. Emilia sat back taking it all in,
“I think they did a fantastic job! What do you think?” she asked.
“I love it! I know every dime will be worth it! What do I owe for all of this?”
Again, Emilia laughed and said, “Nothing dear. This is a gift from me to you. All of this is being packed and sent with you! The stylist has your measurements and will send you items each month at my expense. Maxie will fly to Denver to take care of your color treatments. Everyone has signed an NDA; they know they are not to discuss anything done here. You are leaving the old Kennedy behind. Once you walk off that plane in Denver you’ll have your fresh start.”
“How will I ever thank you for this Emilia?”
She leans forward for a hug. “Thank me by finding your voice again. I hope you find your peace in Denver.”
She looked at me as I walked to the door and said, “Live, dear. I want you to find a career that fulfills you, have amazing friends, and find an epic love.”
I stepped out of her brownstone with my bags and a smile. Dr. Franklin smiled at me from the curb. “I'm glad you went to Emilia for this because I surely would have mucked this up,” he said with a hearty laugh.
Pulling up to the air hanger, I had a million things to say to Dr. Franklin, but I couldn’t find the words.
“Kennedy, the keys and the gate code as well as the alarm code are in this envelope. Mrs. Asher is our house manager. She will take care of anything you need. Please call me if you need anything at all.”
I know it was probably against a million rules, but I turned and hugged him. “Thank you, Patrick. Thank you for helping me get well and for helping me start over.”
“Good luck, Kennedy.” He turned and got in his car. I got on a plane and said so long to the Old Kennedy.
Chapter 5
I have been in Denver for two months, when I stop for a chai tea and a muffin at my new favorite bakery, The Mad Batter. It’s Alice and Wonderland themed bakery and tea shop. The owner, Francine Lassiter, who went by Frankie, makes some of the best muffins I have ever had. She also looks exactly like a real life Alice.
I noticed a five-story Victorian building across the street. It looks sad and lonely. It was the building the street had forgotten, with its ornate but neglected exterior. It was massive with its gabled peaks, rounded windows, and a massive stone staircase in front of the grand six-door entrance
“Hi, Frankie. I have a question. Do you know who owns the empty building across the street? There isn't any sign that it's for sale or lease," I say.
Frankie replies, “The Kerrigan Family owns everything in this area, and that building used to be some kind of theatre. It's a historical building so there are all these rules that have to be followed.” She looks at the building across the street “According to Mae, next door, that building has been empty at least seventy-five years.”
“Do you know how to get ahold of them?” I ask.
“I have Shamus Kerrigan’s business card upstairs. If you watch the front, I will run up and get it for you.”
Frankie came back down and handed me the business card.
“Is there a Mrs. Kerrigan I can deal with? I’m not really comfortable with strange men around me.”
Frankie looked pensive before answering
“The Kerrigan’s are good people fair and compassionate. When I first moved to Denver, my husband had just died in Afghanistan, and Sebastian was only six month
s old. The only money I had is what I received from Bennett's death benefits and a small life insurance policy. I was trying to find a business and a home with less than two hundred thousand dollars. Shamus Kerrigan worked some kind of magic, so he could get this building rezoned. He remodeled the two floors above the bakery into an amazing three -bedroom apartment and sold me the bakery and apartment for a third of what it was worth. When I asked him why he said his wife liked muffins, and lemon poppy seed were her favorite.”
I walked across the street and looked through the windows. I had a sudden feeling of peace. I felt the hairs stand up on the back of neck and heard a whisper "Music Conservatory." I could see everything take shape in my imagination.
The fifth floor would be office space for the teachers and myself, and the fourth floor would house music rooms. I needed to find teachers to teach the various instruments. The third floor would house a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar recording studio. Half of the second floor would be a perfect lounge for students, and the other half would be used as classroom space for group theatre classes.
Looking through the window, I see a beautiful ornate lobby with a long counter that spans half the room; it's tall and raised. I'm assuming it's a ticket counter of some sort. I see two sets of massive carved wooden doors that lead into banquet halls. The wallpaper is discolored and peeling. There are massive drop crystal chandeliers. On the other side are three more sets of doors that match the banquet hall doors.
Catching movement out the corner of my eye I stifle a scream as I see Emma, Whitney, and Pilar standing in their cap and gowns giving each other high fives. I ran down the steps. I need to call Dr. Franklin—I'm starting to have hallucinations. Holy Shit! Maybe I really am crazy! I go back up the stairs and look in the window, but nothing is there. It was just my imagination. I know this is what my friends would want; it's just my mind playing tricks on me. I'm okay. I realized that this was my new dream. I could use my teaching skills and love of music to open a business. No one could fire me or take this away—it was mine. After calling the number on the card, I was scheduled to meet the owner of the property at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Walking into Kerrigan Realty and Development, my stomach is in knots. I had a meeting with Easton Kerrigan, Shamus retired last year. Sitting in the waiting room, I looked out over Denver, and I knew this was it for me. This is where I belonged.
“Hello” a cheery voice called.
I turned to see a tall, extremely beautiful woman with waist length raven hair, and eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea extending her hand,
“I'm Stacy Kerrigan. I hear you're interested in The Hope Theatre in Larimer Square.”
Stacy smiled “Well the only problem is that building itself is owned by my brother he asked to give his apologies, but he was called to a listing this morning. I'm to give you a listing of other properties.”
“I don't want any other property. I want that property.”
“I'm sorry. It's not for sale or lease,” Stacy replies begrudgingly.
I smile and look at Stacy. “Well, thank you for your time, but I won't be doing business with your agency.” I grabbed my things and headed to the elevator.
When the doors open, I see a giant of a man occupies it. He’s easily six foot five and takes up most of the height of the elevator. He has the same blue eyes and raven colored hair as Stacy. He looks up from his phone, and our eyes lock. A slow smile spreads across his face.
“Going down?” He says with a grin on his face as if he knows he is God’s gift to women.
“I will catch the next one.” I answer sarcastically.
He nods then lets the doors close. I finally take a breath. Holy shit! It’s my dream man, the lumberjack version of Ian Somerhalder. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. The man in the elevator must be another figment of my imagination. Yes, that’s it! It's just like when I saw the girls in the theatre. After a few minutes the door dings and opens, I step forward but stop. The man is still in the elevator. I step back from the door. Nope, it wasn’t my imagination. He’s real, and he seems to like riding on the elevator. I look right then left for the staircase. This man makes me nervous.
“Are you going down, sir? I don't like being in confined places with strangers. Can you please just take the elevator down and get out. I will take the next one.” His gaze travels from my head to my feet and then back up.
His voice is deep and seductive. “Get in the elevator,” he says in a husky voice.
I take another step back as he takes a step forward.
“Easton.” I hear a voice behind me call. While he is distracted, I barely make it into the elevator as the doors close.
“FUCK!” he shouts, but it's too late. The elevator has already started its descent. Out on the street, I let myself feel discouraged. I pictured exactly what I wanted,but now that’s not an option. Okay, Kennedy, time to put your thinking cap on.
I make it into the parking garage when I feel a hand grab my shoulder. On reflex I slide my foot back, knock him off balance, then grab his hand and bend it back, applying as much pressure into his pressure point before taking him to the ground in an arm bar. I hear footsteps, and I look up to see security with a perplexed looked on his face.
“Mr. Kerrigan, are you ok, sir?” I release his arm and stand up brushing myself off.
“I don't like being touched. You shouldn't sneak up on women in parking garages.” Easton looks more angry than embarrassed
“I'm going now. Don't follow me.”
“Sir, do you want us to detain her?” the security guard ask.
“If any of you take a step toward me, I will snap your neck before you ever lay a hand on me!”
I turn around, get in my truck and gun it out the parking garage.
Easton's POV
What in the fuck just happened? Did I just get beat up by a woman? I'm shaking off the embarrassment, but can't shake off the pain in my wrist and shoulder. I limp back to Kerrigan Realty.
I walk into Stacey's office. “Hey, did you see who the smoking hot blonde was that just left the office?”
“Yes. She was your ten o’clock you pawned off on me. Her name is Siobhan Gallagher. She was the one interested in buying The Hope Theatre.”
“What did she offer?” I asked
“She didn't offer anything. You told me to tell her it wasn't for sale and to give her a list of properties that were on the market. She said no thank you and left. Why all the questions?” Stacy asked
“Because I swear on everything holy, she is my soul mate, and she just beat the shit out of me in the parking garage.” Stacy looked at me like I was completely full of shit.
I lifted my phone and called security. “Can you please send the video from the parking garage incident to Ms. Kerrigan's email?”
Within a few minutes, there was a ding. I didn't want to watch so I sat back and watched Stacy's face. Before I could stop her, she had sent it as email to my siblings and parents.
Still laughing wiping the tears for her eyes, she got serious “First off, Easton, seriously you scared the shit out of her. You can see the shock on her face. I have her contact information maybe you should call and apologize.”
“She assaulted me! I'm not apologizing. Stacy call her; tell her I might have changed my mind about selling”
Stacy dials the number. “Hello may I please speak to Siobhan Gallagher?”
“This is Stacy Kerrigan with Kerrigan Realty and Development. I was just informed that I may have been mistaken about The Hope Theatre. If you’re interested I'm sure Mr. Kerrigan would be open to an offer.”
“Yes, I understand.” Stacy is smiling. Fabulous I have Siobhan Gallagher right where I want her.
“Yes, Ms. Gallagher. I will be sure to relay your message.” Stacy hung up the phone and turned to me. “Ms. Gallagher said, ‘Thank you but, no thank you.’ She also said, ‘You can take your building as shove it right up your ass!’”
Stacy turned back t
o her computer like she has just told me she liked my tie and started typing feverishly. I know she was emailing the family with the update.
Walking to my office, I was sore as hell but the worst part is ever since meeting my girl my dick has been hard as a rock. Adjusting myself isn't working. Leaning my head back, I close my eyes and my mind is filled with images of Siobhan. I feel the pre cum leaking from my dick. I look down. Fuck! I'm about to jack my dick, something I haven't had to do since I was fourteen and started fucking our babysitters. Pulling my cock out, I close my eyes and picture Siobhan’s hair spread out across my pillow, back arching as I'm pounding all 11 inches of my cock inside her sweet little cunt. I take one more squeeze, and I come harder than I ever have in my life at my desk at work with Siobhan's name on my lips.
Chapter 6
While sitting at The Mad Batter reading Hyde and Seek by Layla Frost, the chair across from me slides backward and a large body slides into it. Hitting the corner of my screen to mark my place, I slowly put my iPad upon my lap, and look up to address the intruder.
“Hello, Mr. Kerrigan?”
“Ms. Gallagher,” he says curtly.
Since he says nothing else, I cut into my apple crumb muffin and cover it with Apple preserves. I pull my iPad out and pick up where I left off. I can feel his eyes on me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his arm stretching across the table for my iPad.
“I will remind you, Mr. Kerrigan, I don't like to be touched,” I say through gritted teeth.
“I don't like to be ignored!” he countered.
“Mr. Kerrigan, I was sitting here minding my own business. There is a bakery full of empty seats, but you chose to sit across from me, even though you saw I was otherwise engaged. Please get to the point of your interruption, so I can get back enjoying the remainder of my breakfast.”