by King, Jayna
Stanford had called down to the security guard, so we had no trouble getting through the gate and leaving the horde of reporters behind. I’d answered a few questions through my open window, and they respected my space, backing off and not shoving cameras in my face.
We pulled in front of the house, and Reed got out of his car, shaking his head in disbelief. “Wow. I wouldn’t have recognized you as the same girl who was terrified of the press a few months ago.”
“I told you I’ve been working on it.”
“You handled those reporters like a pro.”
“Nothing to it,” I said, acting like it was no big deal.
He laughed. “What the hell am I gonna do with you?”
I smiled and lifted my eyebrows. “Oh, I can think of a few things,” I said suggestively.
His eyes widened, and I knocked and opened the front door, leaving him standing outside. I turned to wink at him through the open door.
“You coming?”
His answer was so quiet no one else could hear it. “I certainly hope so.”
Dad’s chef, Brooke, walked into the foyer, drying her hands on her apron. “Tatum and Reed. Good to see you. I think Donald’s glad to have company for dinner. You’re staying too, Reed, right?”
Reed looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. “I would love to, as long as Donald’s okay with it. I mean, he might not want me around right now.”
Brooke shook her head and laughed. “He’s in surprisingly good spirits, and I think he’d enjoy blowing off a little steam. He spent most of the day on the phone with accountants and attorneys, and now Stanford is talking his ear off about polls. My guess is he’s going to bellow for cocktails any second.”
“I know I’m ready for a cocktail. You?” I looked over at Reed.
“Definitely.”
Brooke headed back toward the kitchen. “They’re out back. Let Donald know I’ll be out shortly, if you don’t mind.”
We walked through the dining room and before we stepped out onto the sunny terrace, I turned to look at Reed.
“You know, I will never forget bumping into you—literally—the day I came over to meet Tina for the first time.”
“If I remember correctly you had a bit of a hangover,” he answered, reaching out to run a finger down my arm.
“And I was deliciously sore in a couple of places as well.” I could feel my heart rate picking up as I stood closer to Reed, remembering the sexy details from our first night together.
“I thought I was hallucinating for a second. I hadn’t been able to get you out of my head all day, and then here you were, standing right in front of me. You looked like all my wishes come true.”
Looking up at Reed, standing close enough that I could feel his body heat, I knew at that moment, it was all over for me. He was it. “I didn’t know you were so poetic.” I wished we were alone, rather than about to emerge onto my dad’s patio.
“I’m just saying what I felt. I love you, Tatum, and I want to be with you. No one else. Just you.”
“What do you say we get your mom’s shit, eat a quick dinner, and go back to my place?”
“I say you’re a fuckin’ genius.” Reed bent and kissed me, a deeper, more passionate kiss that flooded me with warmth and anticipation.
“Looks like the two of you should get a room,” Stanford said, startling the both of us.
“How’s Dad?” I asked, not wanting to get into my love life with him.
“He’s going to be okay, I think. I’ll let you fill him in, but he’s settled on an offer to Tina that he thinks she’ll sign so he can get the divorce over with, and once he’s settled whether or not he’s going to stay in the mayoral race, I think he’ll be ready to move on, one way or another.”
“I’m sure he appreciates all you’re doing for him,” I said, smiling at the man I never expected to actually like.
Stanford turned to Reed. “Donald asked me to walk you upstairs. He’s set out some things he thinks Tina will want right away, and he’s going to have the rest packed up in the next few days. He’ll deliver her things wherever she’d like.”
“While the two of you go upstairs, I’ll head on out and check on Dad.” I could see Brooke heading out from the kitchen with a tray of drinks. “I’m going to follow the booze.”
“We’ll continue this discussion later,” Reed said, and I’m sure I was blushing as I walked outside.
Brooke poured from a pitcher of mojitos, straining out the fresh mint as she filled four glasses.
“That looks amazing,” I said, taking a sip. “And tastes even better.”
“Brooke, honey, we could have just slammed some whiskey,” Dad said, eyeing the drink skeptically.
“I know you could, but you hired me to class things up around here, and the mint the last owner planted is still doing surprisingly well for this time of year. I figured a mojito would brighten some spirits.”
“You are a gem. How long before dinner’s ready?”
“Just under an hour. I just need to finish up the avocado cream sauce, assemble and warm the enchiladas, and make the salsa.”
“If any of my friends offer you a job, you let me know. I’ll renegotiate your salary on the spot.”
“Good to know,” she laughed, heading back to the kitchen.
Dad and I settled at one of the poolside tables.
“So how bad does the campaign look?” I asked.
“Stanford gives me about a thirty percent chance of winning.”
“Wow. That bad, huh?”
“Yeah. If we could find some way to turn this publicity around, we still have a shot—there’s enough time before November—but Stanford thinks we need something big.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, for my opponent to be busted for drugs or soliciting a minor for sex—something like that.” Dad laughed, and I was surprised at how fair his spirits actually were.
“So what are you going to do?”
“I think I’m done. I really did have some great ideas for ways to make the city even better than it already is, but I don’t need this gig. I have plenty to keep me busy with the construction company, and it just seems foolish to fight a battle I know I can’t win.”
“I’m so sorry, Dad.”
“Don’t be. I’ll come out just fine. And truly, having connected with you again makes it all worthwhile—even having married that bitch will be worth it since you and I mended fences.”
“Well, I’ll stand behind you no matter what you do.”
“That means more than you’ll ever know.”
We lapsed into silence, each of us lost in our thoughts, when Brooke came outside again.
“Um, Tatum.”
“Yup?” I turned to look at her and noticed her odd expression right away. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, nothing’s wrong, exactly. It’s just that … um … there’s someone at the door for you.”
“For me? Who is it?”
She shook her head. “I think you should just come see.”
I had no idea why she was being so mysterious, but I followed her back inside, heading for the front door. A man stood in the foyer, and when he turned to face me, I nearly tripped over my jaw.
“Gordon Gentry?” I breathed. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“You must be Tatum,” he said, walking toward me with his hand extended. “You’re even prettier than Reed described you.”
I shook his hand, dumbfounded.
Brooke slipped out of the room, leaving us alone.
“So, first things first.” Gordon put an arm around my shoulder. “Can a man get a drink around here?”
“Um, yes. We’re actually having cocktails by the pool.”
“Perfect. While I have you all to myself, I have something to tell you. My son’s crazy about you, and he doesn’t think you believe he managed to fend off all the chicks on tour. He kept his promise to you, but if you don’t want Reed, then I could probably divorce my wife and tak
e care of you myself.” Gordon’s blue eyes sparkled. “You’re probably far too good for Reed, anyway, right?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and I fell prey to Gordon’s legendary charm in seconds.
13 -- Reed
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked out onto Donald’s terrace and found him, Tatum, and my fucking father sitting around laughing like they’d known one another forever.
“Gordon?” I waited for an explanation.
“Hey, Reed.” He acted like his presence in Las Vegas was no big deal. “You didn’t tell me you were in love with a brilliant lawyer.”
Tatum blushed, and I shook my head. Just like Gordon to make himself at home everywhere he went.
“Saying I’m surprised to see you is an understatement.”
“Yeah, well, Laura threatened to leave me if I didn’t come make things right with you. What can I say? I’m a slave to the pussy.”
“Nice, Gordon,” I said, accepting the cocktail Tatum handed me.
“I told Tatum you’d practically been a priest on tour, and I was just talking about the show I’m going to do with Don, here.”
“You could have called and told me you were coming, you know.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Gordon held out his empty glass for a refill, which Tatum hurried to supply. “Besides, Laura said she’d kill me if I didn’t leave right away. You charmed that woman, that’s for sure.”
“I just can’t believe you’re here.”
“After being such a shitty father, I couldn’t very well say no when you asked me for a favor, could I?”
Donald waved me to a chair. “Gordon was just telling us he’s arranged to have the big theater at Mandalay Bay on Friday two weeks from now. Twelve thousand seats.”
“Wow.” I looked at Tatum, who just shrugged. “How did you manage that, Gordon?”
“Oh, it’s all in who you know. One of the owners and I go way back, and I just gave him a call. He bumped the act that was scheduled for that night, and we’ve got our place.”
“Can you fill it in two weeks?”
Donald laughed. “This is Gordon Gentry, Reed. He can do anything he wants.”
“So we’ll sell the tickets for a fortune. You’ll get great publicity and tons of campaign money. That should show Tina.” Gordon put a dent in his mojito.
“And you’re sure you won’t take a portion of the proceeds?” Donald asked.
“Absolutely not. I don’t really need the money, and I feel like this is one way I can make up for not having been around when Reed was growing up. It’ll ease my conscience, you know?”
“I just can’t thank you enough,” Donald said. “Stanford’s going to be over the moon when I tell him.”
“Where is Stanford?” I asked. “I figured he’d be out here with you.”
“He had to take a phone call, and I told him he could use my study.”
Gordon was telling the three of us about the additional musicians he thought he could get to perform at Donald’s benefit, when Stanford came outside, shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?” Tatum asked.
“That was Tina on the phone.”
“What the hell would she be calling you for?” Donald demanded. “Whether you have any contact with her is up to you, but if I hear that you’ve breathed so much as a word about our plans, so help me, you’ll never work in this town again.”
Stanford looked wounded. “I would never say anything to her. I don’t even know why she called me.”
“She probably thought she could manipulate you,” I said. “What did she want?” My mom’s tactics were becoming clearer, and they weren’t appealing.
“Well, she started asking questions about what will be in the divorce papers Donald wants to present her with tomorrow.”
“What did you tell her?” Donald looked furious.
“That I didn’t know. I’m not about to get into a discussion about your marriage with her.” Stanford sat down. “But she’s worried that you know about the money that’s missing. She asked if you’d met with your accountant.”
“I hope she’s terrified. I know she’s behind it. I just can’t prove it.”
I didn’t know what they were talking about. “What missing money?”
Tatum reached into her purse and pulled out a folder. “Dad noticed that a fairly large sum of money was missing from one of his investment accounts.” She pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Donald. “I can’t answer any questions about where this information came from, but here’s your answer to where the money is.”
Donald looked like he was going to explode. “Tina opened a fucking account in the Cayman Islands. With precisely the amount of money that’s missing?” He looked at Tatum. “How long have you know about this?”
“A few days.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t believe that Tina took the money.”
“That’s crazy. It’s plain as day.”
Tatum looked upset. “You say that now, after you’ve decided to divorce her. You might not have been so quick to believe if she hadn’t been caught in an affair.”
Donald seemed to realize Tatum was worried he was mad at her. “It doesn’t matter now. This is exactly what I needed. If that bitch thinks she’s entitled to a single cent more of my money, she’s got a rude awakening ahead.”
“She stole money from you?” I was horrified. “I wouldn’t have thought she’d stoop that low.”
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way.” Tatum put her hand on my knee. “I know she’s still your mom, but she’s really hurt Dad.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m going to let her crash for a few more days if she needs to, and then she’s going to have to sink or swim on her own.” It just occurred to me that I didn’t know where Gordon was staying. “I’d offer to let you crash with me, but I’m guessing you’re not dying to hang out with Mom.”
“You got that right. And Laura and Henry are on their way here now. My buddy hooked us up with a suite at Mandalay Bay.”
I laughed. “I should have known my pad would be a little modest for your taste.”
“That’s not it at all. I just think Henry will enjoy the pool and all the activity.”
Donald stood up. “I think Brooke is probably close to having dinner ready. Will you join us, Gordon?”
“Sure, man. Thanks, Don.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
The meal that night was surreal. I just couldn’t believe—especially after the disappointing phone call—that my father had flown halfway across the world, just because I’d asked him to. I also had trouble thinking about anything but getting Tatum the hell out of Donald’s house and into bed. Finally, after what felt like hours, dinner was over. Stanford offered to drop my father at his hotel, and Tatum said she’d wait up for me at her place. Before I could get to her, I had to deal with my mother.
I was not looking forward to it.
I sent her a text to make sure she hadn’t gone anywhere, and I left Donald’s with her bags.
“So how did he look? Do you think he misses me?” Her questions started before I even got inside my front door.
“He looks fine.”
“Not upset?” Mom herself was a mess. She’d showered and changed into one of my T-shirts and a pair of my sweats. Not only was she swimming in my clothes, but she looked kind of pitiful without the makeup she typically wore to make herself look younger.
“He seems fine, Mom. How are you doing?”
“Shit, I’m climbing the walls. I’ve gotten used to having a housekeeper, a pool, and lots of political shit to keep me busy. Guess I’ll have to find something else to get involved in.”
“Think maybe you could start by returning the money you took from Donald?”
Mom’s eyes were huge, and when she opened her mouth, I knew she was going to deny the truth.
“Don’t say a fucking word. Not only did you fuck a
round on the man, but you stole from him, too. I feel like I don’t even know you.”
“That money wasn’t for me,” she protested.
I brushed off her claim. “What? You were going to donate it to an orphanage in the Cayman Islands? How stupid do you think we all are?”
“Reed, you have to listen to me. Some of that money was going to ensure Donald won the election. There may have been a little extra, but I was doing it for him. He wanted to win so badly, and I’d found a way to help him.”
“I don’t want to know. What you don’t realize is that if you’d just been who you said you were—a loving wife who was fucking lucky to marry a good and filthy rich man—you could have helped him win. Instead, you fucked up his life, cheated on him, stole from him, and you broke his fucking heart, Mom.”
“Oh, listen to you. Are you a romantic now? You should know better than to trust rich people. The way you and I had to make our own way, even though your father could have helped us anytime he pleased? People like Donald and Gordon don’t give a shit about people like us.”
I shook my head. “People like you, Mom. Not people like me.”
She was starting to act a little crazy, pacing the floor. “Don’t tell me they’ve suckered you into believing their bullshit, Reed. Gordon doesn’t care about you. You’re probably just a tool for him to revive his shitty career since he’s getting too old to do it on his own.”
“I’m not going to discuss my relationship with Gordon with you. You didn’t even tell me who my father was until I forced you to.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“Bullshit.”
“Reed, you’re my son. I’ve always put you first.”
I looked at her, wondering if she actually believed what she was saying. “Mom, I’m not going to do this. Here are your things. Donald said he’d have the rest of your stuff delivered wherever you like.”
“Well, I don’t have enough room in your extra bedroom for everything. What am I going to do?”
“Oh, it’s not going to be delivered here. You can stay tonight, but you have to go tomorrow.”
“Go where?” She was starting to look panicked.
“Wherever. Just not here.”
“Reed, I’m your mother. You can’t do this to me.”