Michael had been anticipating Keith’s arrival. He had planned this meeting down to every single iota and now wanted to see his plan come to fruition. He could admit a small part of him wanted to patch things up between himself and his brother, but the greater part of him couldn’t. He had constant reminders every day of his life of Keith’s transgressions, and the bitterness covered his heart and overtook his good judgment.
Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t mend things now. He had gone too far to turn back now. He’d been ruthless about damaging his relationship with Gina. It felt satisfying to see her face blanch with pain. He’d approached his marriage like he did his business ventures, and he was reaping the returns from his investment.
Gina was faithful to him. She fulfilled every demand and wish like a devoted employee. She stayed in the marriage because she’d grown up in a single-parent home and hadn’t liked it. She didn’t want her son to have to experience that. Her guilt was the second reason. He didn’t know why she still blamed herself for his accident, but that didn’t stop him from using it against her.
The problem was every now and then his conscience kicked in, and Michael would admit to himself that he wanted a wife. He wanted his old life back, with Gina by his side. However, he would dismiss his momentary pang of regret each time. Gina and Keith had ruined his ideal life, and they had to pay.
Keith greeted his brother. “Hello, Michael.” He extended his hand. Was that supposed to be a peace offering?
“Keith.” Michael choked on the word. His brother still looked handsome. Michael looked over at Gina, who had remained in the doorway. He saw the color in her cheeks and knew Keith was the one who had put it there. He made a fist. He resented it, but he could keep up the charade a little longer. It would be all worth it in the end. He would have the last laugh.
Michael reached out and gave his brother a hug. He had to make Keith believe he wanted to reconcile things between them. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to savor the moment. He knew Keith had fallen for his act when his brother returned the hug.
When the brothers parted, Michael saw tears in Keith’s eyes. He looked over at Gina and saw she was also teary.
Oh, this is too easy. It was all he could do to keep from laughing out loud. Michael’s smile was as insincere as it was wide. “I’m so happy you’re here.” He extended his hand toward Gina, who walked over to him.
He enfolded her in his arms. Michael kissed her full on the lips. It was all for Keith’s benefit, but he knew she would comply because he had something she wanted. “Go to our old house,” Michael whispered in Gina’s hair. He gripped her hair during their seemingly tender embrace.
Heedless of the pain, Gina laughed with relief. “I didn’t know you still owned that house. I thought you sold it before we moved to England.” She gave him a genuine hug of gratitude before excusing herself.
Michael could see the blatant curiosity as Keith watched the exchange, but his brother refrained from his characteristic bluntness. Gina had bounced out of the room without sparing Keith another thought, which was fine by him.
“So where’s Trey?” Keith asked.
“They’re at the other house. You’ll see them soon,” Michael replied. He turned his back to Keith and trudged over to his desk to pick up a pen, which he proceeded to twirl in his hands.
“They?”
Michael could’ve kicked himself for his blunder. He’d forgotten his brother was still an attorney at heart and didn’t miss much. He fought for nonchalance and made sure he maintained a calm tone.
“Yes. We hired a nanny.” Michael hoped he had covered the slipup well, although all would be revealed in due time. When Keith nodded, he felt relieved to know his brother had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.
I hope he knows I didn’t buy that. Keith wasn’t fooled for an instant. He had questioned enough witnesses to know when someone was lying or holding something back, and his brother was guilty of both. Michael’s posture and the nervous twirling of the pen in his hands were a dead giveaway. Nevertheless, he had come to mend fences, not to stir up anything, so he shrugged his shoulders and allowed the matter to rest.
The two brothers spoke about general topics and fell into a brief camaraderie of sorts. Keith relaxed his stance and berated himself for reading more into things. His brother seemed the same as always. Though things with his brother and Gina appeared tense, it might not mean anything.
Michael finished giving him the tour Gina had begun. Then he showed Keith his room. It was the very last bedroom in the east wing of the house. Michael and Gina’s bedroom suite was in the other wing. Keith was glad for the distance between them, though it was of no surprise that Michael had arranged things that way.
Michael excused himself on the pretext of getting some work done. Keith was glad for the time to shower and read his Bible. He chose to read about Jacob and Esau and their reunion. The two brothers had been at war with each other because Jacob had stolen Esau’s birthright. He enjoyed reading this passage of scripture because it was somewhat like his and Michael’s situation. He only hoped this truce lasted.
Keith fell to his knees by the side of his bed and prayed a fervent prayer for his brother and his family. He prayed and thanked God for all that He had done. At the end of the prayer, he stood and called his mother. He promised to see her before he left Georgia. Gerry cried tears of joy when she heard her sons were renewing their bond.
Keith then called his assistant, Natalie, to check on things. She sounded excited to hear from him, and then she mentioned his impending interview.
Keith burrowed his ear deeper into the phone. “What interview?” he asked.
“What do you mean, what interview?” Her voice sounded acidic through the phone.
Keith turned down the phone’s volume several decibels, because she was now screeching.
“It’s been on Twitter all day. Your interview with CNN. Isn’t that the reason you flew to Georgia?” Her patience was wearing thin.
Keith’s heart hammered in his chest. He tapped his chin with his index finger. Something was not right here. He had no clue what Natalie was rambling on about.
“Turn on the TV!” she said. “CNN is talking about your upcoming interview.”
Keith picked up the remote to the television hanging on the wall above the dresser, clicked the TV on, and changed channels until he found CNN. Sure enough, she was right. The line remained quiet while he listened in. The announcer declared there was going to be a televised event about him, his brother, and their sordid past.
Michael. It all made sense now. His brother was behind this. Keith was sure of it. His brother’s saccharine grin flashed across Keith’s mind. Michael was knee-deep involved in this.
“I’ve got to go,” Keith said, rushing to get off the phone. He was going to confront his brother. He walked out of his room. His insides churned with each stride he took down the long hallway. This was not a pleasant reunion to bury the hatchet. He’d been set up. He knew it. He needed only to know the how and why.
Keith raced through the house and found Michael in his study. His brother looked as if he had been anticipating his arrival.
“So you heard about the interview?” Michael swiveled his chair back and forth.
“Yeah,” Keith responded. He stemmed the urge to snatch his brother out of the chair. He wanted to wipe that look off his face. “What’s going on? Our relationship and affairs are private. Anything going on with us or with my personal life is not something I want publicized on a national scale.”
“I know you value your privacy,” Michael announced. He tapped his fingers on his desk unconcerned. “But the good people deserve to know a little more about the big-time preacher they’re all swooning over.”
“No.” Keith shook his head. “Michael, don’t do this. For myself, I don’t care, but consider Gina’s feelings if you air your dirty laundry like this for all to see.”
“I have!” Michael shouted.
Keith
walked around the desk and stood in front of his brother as understanding dawned. “You won, Michael. Gina’s your wife and the mother of your son. You have her!”
“No, no, I don’t,” Michael snarled. He jumped out of his chair and looked at Keith dead-on. His chest heaved up and down from his pent-up emotions.
The doorbell rang.
Keith watched Michael compose himself and witnessed his slowly widening smile of satisfaction. “Yes, my dear brother. You’re cornered, and there is no finagling your way out of this one. Pastor Keith Ward cannot back out of this interview, or he will be faced with the salacious tongue wagging and speculation of the media.”
“I thought you loved, Gina,” Keith said. He put a hand out to touch Michael’s arm. “This is going to destroy her. I’m not doing this.”
“I loved her.” Michael shot back, shrugging off Keith’s hand. “But then . . . Let’s just say I had an epiphany I couldn’t live with. And, yes, you’re doing this, or Gina suffers, believe me. All I need to do is make one phone call.” He took out his cell phone to show he’d follow up on his promise.
“What are you talking about? Are you blackmailing me?” Keith demanded. He arched an eyebrow, but Michael was done talking. He felt a frisson of fear flow through his body. Whatever ace Michael held up his sleeve was potent and damaging. But he was worried for Gina. This would humiliate her, and Michael knew it.
Michael’s demeanor conveyed that he didn’t care one iota. If anything, his sardonic grin showed how pleased he was with himself. Keith only hoped Michael had considered the ramifications of his actions.
Where’s Gina? He pulled out his cell phone and called her on speed dial. She’d given him her new number while they were in New York. He had to give her a warning. She didn’t answer. Gina was about to walk into a hornet’s nest, and he wasn’t going to be able to rescue her.
The truth shall set you free.
Keith pursed his lips, filled with doubt. He knew at that moment that there was only one entity who could make it right, somehow. His humanity felt frail at the moment, so Keith sought help from God. He needed to rely on God to see him through.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Gina parked her car and raced up the stairs to her old home. She wished she’d known this was where Michael had taken her children. Her heels clicked on the paved steps as she headed to the front door.
He was cruel, but most of his vindictiveness was confined solely to her. Gina should’ve realized Michael wouldn’t place them in any real jeopardy. He was a terrible husband but a wonderful father—well, to Trey.
When Michael first approached her about going to visit Keith, she’d refused. She remembered the moment well. Her body had gone into shock, frozen with fear. “Where are my children?” Gina had spat with fire in her eyes. She told herself, Michael had gone too far this time. She advanced on him, determined to scratch his eyes out. The way she felt, she could have done serious damage.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Michael had returned with an eerie calm.
Gina had heeded his advice but struggled to control her temper. She was tired of Michael and his ridiculous demands. He’d demanded a nanny. She conceded. He’d decided to have Trey homeschooled. She conceded. But Gina would allow only so much.
“If you don’t comply, I will make sure you never see your children again,” Michael then threatened.
Gina’s throat had closed in, and her hand circled her neck. Her eyes popped open wide. “You wouldn’t!”
“Try me,” Michael urged. He looked menacing as he advanced on Gina.
Gina tried to call his bluff, but Michael had her cornered. He knew she was not about to play any games involving her children. “Where are my children?”
She loved her children too much not to cave. Why was she even still in this marriage if Michael had no qualms about taking advantage of her? she wondered. Guilt. That was why. Her guilt ate at her enough to make her remain in their sham of a marriage. She also wanted her children to have their father in their lives. But at what cost?
“Somewhere safe,” Michael returned. He had folded his arms and refused to offer any more information on the matter. Unsure and full of fear, Gina’s resolve weakened, and she’d given in.
Her orders had been to go to New York and arrange a meeting with Keith. But Gina had not been able to resist going to see him preach. Keith agreed to return to Georgia with her, and Gina was glad her mission had been successful.
Her hands shook now as she unlocked the front door. The smell of popcorn assailed her as she entered the house, but she couldn’t hold on to the smile that crossed her lips. Trey loved popcorn.
Marisol Meares, the nanny, was sitting on the living room rug with Trey.
“Mommy,” Trey squealed and ran into his mother’s arms.
Gina felt tears come to her eyes at the sight of her son. She kissed his head and face and squeezed him over and over again. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Trey replied, wiggling free from her onslaught and returning to the action figures he’d been playing with. She noted that he wasn’t wearing his typical play clothes. He was dressed in a little navy suit.
“Trey, baby, why are you all dressed up?”
“I’m going to be on TV!” he exclaimed.
Gina looked askance at Marisol. Her facial expression showed her confusion.
“Mr. Ward told me to get the children dressed because there is an important press event at your home this evening.”
Gina held her tongue. She had no clue what was going on. Michael neglected to tell her anything, and she knew he had done it on purpose. She felt her heart begin to pound. Michael was up to something. Gina had a feeling that after tonight, her life was not going to be the same. “Where’s Epiphany Joy?”
“She just woke up from her nap. I finished styling her hair and getting her dressed. She ran to get her bunny,” Marisol answered with a little smile.
Gina heard the patter of little heels clinking on the tile and began to smile. She bent down and opened her arms. Thank God. Her babies. She hadn’t known if she would ever see them again. “There’s Mommy’s girl.”
Epiphany squealed and clapped her hands. Her curls bounced from her enthusiasm. “Mommy’s home.”
“Yes, baby,” she affirmed. “I’m never leaving you again.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
You’re a man of God. You can’t punch your brother in the face, especially since it would end up on national television. Keith told himself that over and over. It wasn’t working.
He ached to knock that stupid look off his brother’s face.
Keith shifted in his chair in the great room. He fiddled with his tie. He was nervous, and it showed. He’d already wiped his brow several times. He looked over at Michael, who gloated as he prepared to make his television debut.
He would have left without a care if it hadn’t been for the fact that Michael had threatened him. Gina was on her way. Keith knew he would not leave her to face this farce on her own. He was powerless to stop Michael from putting on this spectacle for the nation to see, but he could at least attempt to shield Gina from whatever Michael had up his sleeve.
Before he knew it, the cameras were rolling. Keith willed himself to relax and answer the questions. The reporter, a woman named Lauren Goodman, whom Keith had seen many times before, was unreadable, but she did seem to enjoy Michael’s charm.
The young reporter was eating up every moment as she did the rudimentary introductions for the viewers. She basked in Michael’s attention. Keith gritted his teeth and hoped it all would end before Gina returned home. He kept his eyes peeled on the door.
In a flash, the interview shifted. Keith watched the woman before him transform into a barracuda. It was obvious Michael had prepped her with a lot of private information. Lauren had started off with basic questions about their youth. Michael recounted stories, some of which even made Keith laugh. Then, after a couple commercial breaks, Lauren zeroed in for the k
ill. She showed a clip of one of Keith’s sermons. It was his message on Paul’s conversion.
As soon as the clip ended, Lauren attacked.
“Pastor Ward, I’m having difficulty equating the man I see on the screen with the man sitting here before me.”
Keith forced a smile on his face. “What do you mean?”
“I did some investigating, and I heard raving reports about your integrity and your devotion to God. Not even one breath of scandal was linked with your name.”
Keith was getting an idea of where this was going, and gave his brother a pointed look. The smirk on Michael’s face told Keith all he needed to know. Yet he labored on and remained cool. “Lauren, I think I know where you are going with this, and I refuse to make any further comment.”
Lauren looked right into the camera and bluntly taunted him, saying, “Listeners, I imagine the good pastor has something to hide.”
“Keith . . . ” Michael interjected, in a tone that was laced with contrived sincerity.
Keith saw the crocodile tears fill his brother’s eyes and had to prevent himself from rolling his eyes. Keith watched the cameraman zoom in on Michael’s face.
Michael patted Keith’s arm in a gesture meant to show his support and assurance. “It’s okay to talk about it. I’ve forgiven you, and that’s what matters.”
Keith pursed his lips in anger. He took a moment to drink from the glass of water on the side table while he gathered his thoughts. He couldn’t believe Michael was going to go through with this spectacle. What was his purpose? What did he seek to gain? Keith knew he couldn’t have more than a moment’s silence on the air, so he spoke. “Don’t do this, Michael. Think of Gina.” Keith watched the emotions cross his brother’s face. He could see Michael begin to second-guess himself and start to waver. Maybe he’d gotten through to him.
Lauren perked up and called for a quick commercial break. As soon as they were off the air, she worked on reminding Michael about the favor she’d done for him in arranging this interview. “Mr. Ward, I’ve moved mountains to get you this time slot. Don’t back down now.”
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