“Junior needs him, Jax, remember that.” I step back into the room, close and lock the door.
WITH MAX BACK IN the room, I inform the guards that—under no circumstances—is anyone allowed to leave the room. I head down the hall, trying to intercept him, but when I turn the corner, the elevator doors open and the fucker steps out, accompanied by only one guard. I block his path, ready to snap his neck with my bare hands, but I remind myself that Junior needs this bastard to survive.
“What are you doing here? I told you that you will not be allowed to see him until the day of the procedure.”
He’s got a smug look on his face; I’m trying so hard not to knock it off of him.
“You don’t dictate to me what I can and cannot do. You need me, so I think I should be the one calling the shots right now.”
“Don’t be so sure of that. I’ve placed an ad for a donor, offering ten-million in cash for a match. I’m sure someone will step forward.”
“What if no one does, have you thought about that? Is your hatred of me that great that you would let your nephew die?”
“I could say the same to you. You’re holding a little boy’s life over my head, and for what? What’s your end game, James? What do you really want?”
“I want to make amends with everyone. I’m trying to make things right.”
“Yeah, and I fell out of the turnip truck yesterday. What do we have that you want? Just tell me and I’ll give it to you.”
He takes a few steps forward and I can’t hold back, God knows I’ve tried. I take one perfect swing and connect with his jaw. He goes down in a heap, his guard goes to help him up, but he shoos him away.
“Be a man, James; get up and tell me what you want.”
He gets up and wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth. “I want to talk to Maxwell and An—alone. ”
“Never gonna happen. You nearly destroyed Max. I will never let you anywhere near him again. What could you possibly want with my mother? You’ve already made her feel like a fool.”
“An and I have unfinished business. I assure you that I won’t hurt her.”
“You have no business with her. Dr. Campbell is aware that you are on the premises and is preparing your shot. You can stay in town for the next four days. When the Doctor says you’re ready for the procedure, you will meet Junior. That’s what I’m offering—take it or leave it.”
“I’m not doing anything until my needs are met, so you take it or leave it.”
I take out my phone and call Mrs. Osla. “I need you to change the ad you did for me. Change the amount from ten-million to fifty-million cash. I also want commercials run on every network and cable channel. Call Matthew to make sure everything can be set up legally outside of the US.”
I hang up and grab him around the neck. His bodyguard attempts to pull me off, except Mick has stepped up next to me and put a gun to the back of the guard’s head. “Listen up, James, my terms—not yours—so you can take it or leave it.”
“You won’t let your guard shoot him.”
Before I can answer, Mick laughs. “I had orders to shoot Max and he’s my friend, I could care less about this garbage.”
I let go and turn to Mick, “Let him go, for now. Come on, I’m sure everyone is wondering where we are.”
“This isn’t over, Jax! I will get to them and you can’t stop me!” James yells, following after me.
We turn the corner and there is a wall of fifteen guards with guns drawn. Max knew and told them to step up. I turn around and James is stunned into silence.
“I told you, James, don’t fuck with me or my family ever again. Let me know what you decide.”
Mick and I walk away, leaving James there with the guards, who are ready to take action, if needed.
I head into Junior’s room, ready to do some damage control. Everyone is very quiet. Junior is playing a game with his headset on. My mum finally breaks the silence. “What did he want?”
“I can’t believe anything he said, so I have no idea. He claims he wants to make amends. He wanted to talk to you and Max. He said he had unfinished business. There’s nothing he could say that would make up for all the destruction he has left in his wake.”
“What about my grandson? If James doesn’t donate, then what?”
“I’m looking at other options, trying to offer a large cash payment for a match.”
“Is that even legal?”
“As of 2011, it is legal in the US. Even though we are in Switzerland, there are always ways around it. I’ve already put Matthew on it.”
“Don’t you think this is ridiculous? I can have a conversation with him as long as Max is left out of it. You can negotiate that, can’t you?”
“Why would I subject you to that?”
There’s a knock on the door that makes everyone jump. Mick checks and it’s Dr. Campbell.
“Sorry about the all the guards, Dr. Campbell, I needed to up security.”
“I understand, however, could you have them be a little bit more discreet. Some of the other patients are nervous. I also wanted to let you know that I just administered James’s first shot. He requested to stay in the hospital for the four days. I put him in our facility for plastic surgery. It’s the furthest building from Michael’s room. Here are the details.”
I take the paper and hand it to Mick; I don’t need Max seeing it. “Thank you for all of your understanding.”
“Trust me, I have some family members I could do without. I would casually start bringing up to Michael who this man is and his purpose here. If you would like, I can be there to explain the procedure.”
“Thank you. If I need you to explain anything, I will let you know.”
He leaves and my head is pounding. I just have to keep reminding myself the end is in sight. I grab a bottle of water and decide to go for walk; I need to clear my head. Max stops me before I can make it out the door.
“We need to talk, Jax. Let’s go for that walk.”
“Do you promise to behave?”
He rolls his eyes and we head out the door.
“Jax, come with me. There’s a quiet solarium just off of the cafe that Bella and I went to yesterday; we can talk there.”
I motion Mick to come with us. “What is it that you want to know?”
“What went down, give me details.”
“You heard what I told Mum, that’s it.” He wants details and I’m not ready to share that with him.
“Jax, you are by far the worst liar I have ever met in my life. What don’t you want me to know? Look if you don’t tell me I’ll get it out of Mick.”
“Hey, don’t bring me into this. Just tell him, Jax.”
“He said he had unfinished business with Mum.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t know how to ask her.”
“I think I might have an idea.”
Max and I both turn to Mick at the same time, “You do?”
“Remember, I’m not emotionally invested like you both are. I was thinking back to the meeting in Capri and then I played the recording over and over again. James said that Miguel was upset that James left An the picture and the trinkets. He mentioned them twice. Max, where is everything?”
“The jewels are locked up in a safe deposit box at The Royal Bank of Scotland and the picture is in a drop box on my computer.”
“When you aged the picture, I know you focused in on James and Miguel. What about the other two men, did you find out who they were?”
“Mick, you saw me that day. The only thing I could focus on was Miguel, the man whose gang killed my family.”
Max closes his eyes, trying to remember the faces, I’m sure. “That’s my leverage. I knew if I dug deep enough, something would come to the surface. I think the jewelry is just gravy for him, it’s the picture. Remember he said that he convinced Miguel that he destroyed the picture. Why go through all of that, if the picture was no big deal? He has unfinished b
usiness with Mum; he wants that picture. Saying that he wanted to talk to you is just smoke in mirrors. A distraction for Mum; play on her heart strings. Come on, I’ve got a plan.”
We race back to Junior’s room so I can get to the computer. “Max, I need you to pull up that picture. Print out the original and the aged one. Mick, you and I are going to see James. We will take two extra guards with us and leave the rest here.”
I look over at Raven and I know she’s worried. I need to reassure her that everything will be fine. I walk up to her, her eyes locked on mine the whole time.
“Raven, I assure you that I will be fine. I’m going to have a conversation with James, that’s all. I promise, I will be back shortly.” I kiss her trembling lips and then whisper, “Please keep it together for the rest of the family. I need you, sweetheart.”
“More, Jax.”
I grab the picture as Mick and I race out the door. “Okay, Mick, let’s get this over with. Just follow my lead.”
We get to his room and there are two guards stationed outside his door. “They are ours; I had them keep a watch on him.”
I push open the door and James is on the phone. He sees it’s me and quickly hangs up.
“I stayed and got the shot, Jax. Now, when can I see everyone?”
I take out the pictures and throw them in front of him. “Is this what you want, these and those trinkets, as you call them?”
“Where’s the original?”
“Why is this picture so important to you? Who are the other two men? I’m sure if I put the picture in all the newspapers and all over social media, I could find out rather quickly.”
“You can’t do that . . . not if you value your mother’s life.”
I freeze and Mick takes a step forward, I put my hand out, stopping him. “What does this picture have to do with my mother?”
“The man at the end of the picture is Valad Yager, the head of a major Russian Cartel. Many governments want him dead. He has information that could destroy many secret government operations. He worked both sides of the fence for years. That picture is the only known picture of him in existence. Having that picture puts An in a world of danger. I always operated very clean; flying just under the radar. But then Max started digging up the past. The guy next to me in the picture, Oliver Davis, became Miguel’s right hand man. When Miguel died, he told the Valad about the picture. He knew An took the picture that day, but like Miguel, he thought it was destroyed. I loved your mother; I just wasn’t in love with her. I never wanted any harm to come to her. Even now, I’m only trying to protect her.”
“Were you ever in love with anyone other than yourself?”
“Yes, I was in love with Cindy. When I found out what happened to her, I realized the best thing for everyone was to walk away and never look back.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You will stay in this room for the next four days. You will get the shots and then you will donate your stem cells. You will never meet Junior. You will never get to talk to Max or my mum. When the donation is complete, you will get the original photo. You will make it known to all interested parties that you are in possession of the picture, and that you always were. If anything were to happen to anyone in my family, the copies that I have will go public, along with all the details of your life.”
“And if I don’t go along with your plan?”
“Oh, I always have an alternate plan, James. You don’t become one of the richest, most powerful men in the world by resting on one’s laurels. I have the ability to keep my family tucked away someplace very safe and very quiet, while I release the photo and the details. If all else fails, I will have Mick shoot you in the balls, that is . . . if he can even find them.”
“You have a deal. Just one thing, Jax. You might be more like me than you’re willing to admit.”
I don’t even dignify that with an answer. Mick and I leave and head back to Junior’s room.
We walk in the room and everyone stops what they are doing, all eyes on us. “It’s done. Junior gets what he needs and no one has to see James ever again.”
Bella throws her arms around me, and hysterically cries. “Shh, come on, sis, it’s no big deal. Please let it go, for everyone’s sake.”
I look up and see Raven wipe away a tear and then I hear the most beautiful sound in the world; Antonia cooing.
I can’t catch my breath; she’s on the floor with Junior, playing with her toy. It almost sounds like she is singing to her toy.
“Oh, Raven, I’m telling you, she’s a genius. Three months old and she’s already singing.”
“You’re probably right. How about we go home and continue that little project we started, especially since this one turned out so well.”
“I’m more than ready, sweetheart.”
I THOUGHT TODAY WOULD never get here. It’s been a long time coming. Junior finally gets the stem cells from James and then he is out of our lives. Raven and I took a little day trip yesterday to the castle in Scotland. I wanted to make sure I had that picture in hand. I put it in the pouch with the trinkets. After talking with Max and Matthew, we decided it was best to give James everything. Keeping the jewels, or even turning them in, would open up a whole new can of worms. I need to keep my mum permanently out of this mess and although it slays me to give that bastard anything, this is the safest way to do that. It was good to go back home for the day and I can’t wait till the day we can stay forever.
“Raven, will you please hurry up! I swear, I don’t know what you do in the morning that takes so long.”
She comes strolling in the bedroom wearing a pair of tight jeans, her bra, with Antonia in her arms. “Umm, sweetheart, I think you forgot your shirt.”
“I didn’t forget my shirt. I just couldn’t dodge your daughter’s spit up fast enough. You should try it sometime, dear.”
“Why don’t I take her while you finish getting ready?”
“We will meet you downstairs.”
I take Antonia and go in search of Max. I know today will be another hard day for him. I thank Jackie for keeping him together.
I find Max in the kitchen, getting a cup of coffee, “Hey, I’ll take one of those, too.”
He passes me my coffee and takes Antonia. “Uncle Max is the best in the world. Let’s practice that, my beautiful niece,” Max replies to my daughter’s cooing.
“Quit filling her head, mate. How’s Jackie feeling?”
“Amazing, no sickness at all, but she does get tired rather quickly.”
“I’m so ready for today to be over. I hope we never have to deal with him again.”
“Secrets always seem to have a way of coming out. I only hope that these can stay buried forever.”
“I’m happy that we never had to tell Junior any of it.”
“I’m glad that Michael decided to put off the meeting with his parents until after this treatment. The less stress, the better.”
“Did you run a check on Dr. Patel? Will you and Jackie keep her?”
“I had Tony run the check. Her credentials are top notch and Jackie is comfortable with her. We have an appointment later today to find out the results of the blood work.”
Antonia takes my spoon and keeps banging on the table. “I think my daughter is very musically talented.”
I hear that giggle that I love so much and I know Raven is behind me. “Everyone is ready to go. You left your phone upstairs. Michael called, he’s nervous about today. I told him we will be there shortly.”
“I don’t know what to say to him. I mean, I’m probably more nervous than he is.”
“Come on, guys, Jackie is going to talk to Michael about her experience with donating. That should ease some of his fears.”
As we head out to the clinic, I can only focus on one thing: today is my last confrontation with James.
I TRY PLAYING MY new game, but I can’t concentrate on anything. Dr. Campbell explained what will happen and I know he was trying to make it seem like no big deal. It
’s not him getting the needles, so what does he care? Aunt Raven said they would have been here sooner but Antonia got her good with spit up. Even though she’s a girl, she makes me laugh. I wanted to go exploring, but it’s kind of hard to do with so many guards watching my every move. I asked Dr. Campbell about the person that is donating their stem cells for me, but he gave me some story about confidentiality. That’s okay, I know how to get around that; I have a plan. I have to go for an X-ray this morning, that’s when I will put my plan in motion. The nurse is here to take me with her stupid wheelchair. Rules, yeah, we’ll see about that.
“Good morning, Michael, today’s a big day for you. My name is Sophia and I’m going to take you to X-ray and then we will come back here.”
I hop in the chair and away we go, with my guards behind us. The guards can’t go in the X-ray room, they have to wait outside. That’s when I will have my chance. “Sophia, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Dr. Campbell told me what room my donor is in, but I got lost trying to find it. I thought it was close to my room. I wanted to thank him again Do you know where it is?”
She pulls out my chart, “No he’s in the plastic surgery wing, not sure why, but it’s room 306. That building is two away from this one. We can take the bridgeway, do you want me to show you?”
Crap, that would ruin my plan. I’ll never get the guards to go along with that. “No, that’s okay. I’m sure I can find it. Thanks.”
“Okay, well, you know the routine, wait here while I get the doctor to look at these.”
Game on. She leaves and I sneak out the back way. I’ve been here enough times that I know every exit out of here. I find the bridgeway and head over to the plastic surgery wing. This was not as hard as I thought, until I get to the room and see two guards by the door. Geez, who the heck is this guy that there are guards everywhere? I need a distraction. I pull the fire alarm. I’m going to get in so much trouble for this one. Everyone begins racing around, trying to get the patients out. The guards go into room 306, so I run into the room next door. The room is empty and dark, I can wait it out. I look at the clock on the wall, and now I know I’m in trouble. Everyone is probably here and with the alarms going off, my uncles will freak out. I can’t wait any longer. I have to just go in there. I peak out and the guards are at the nurse’s station. I take my only shot and slip into room 306, locking the door behind me. I need to know who is in here and what the big secret is.
Shattered Lies Page 33