Part 61 (2/2)
Simone nodded. ”Anything else?”
”You're still communicating with Cain Gatlin, after I advised against it,” Sue said as she pulled out the doc.u.ments for Simone.
Simone frowned. ”That's not true.”
Sue looked up and smiled. ”I can read people. Remember, I need full disclosure. How far has it gone? Visits, calls, emails?”
”A conversation on the phone. I haven't spoken to him or anything in over a week. I swear it.”
”You're a grown woman, Simone. You want independence, and then behave that way. Take my advice and stay away from Cain Gatlin until Independence Day. File the restraining order. Understood?”
She nodded.
”Good. Sign here. Let's get this started.”
”Come inside, Cain.”
Cain walked into Andrew's office. He closed the door. His father in law kept scribbling his signature over doc.u.ments as he approached. The summons came as soon as he arrived in the office.
”Where were you?” Andrew asked, without looking up.
”Met Maryanne at the doctors.”
Andrew looked up.
”She's pregnant. As if you didn't know.”
”I didn't. And evidently neither did you.”
Andrew sat back. Neither man spoke, but there was something in his father in-law's eyes that he recognized. It made his superiority complex even more frustrating.
”Something, you needed?”
”I welcomed you into this family, son, by force. Maryanne wanted you and only you. She was always willful. No one could talk her out of it.” Andrew leaned forward. ”I thought you understood her, would take care of her.”
”I have. I do. So this is about Maryanne?”
”No. It's about you.” Andrew reached in his drawer and threw up an envelope. ”Open it.”
Cain reached and did what he asked. He removed the photos. Candid shots of his movements since Keith Livingston arrived to town. On the top were his embrace of Simone at the airport and the kiss they shared. Good shots of her. He almost smiled at her beauty.
”I'm told you gave her money and sent her away on a flight.”
Cain didn't bother looking at the rest. ”I can explain.”
Andrew roared with laughter. ”f.u.c.king Keith Livingston's wife? Priceless!” He slammed his hand down on the desk. When the laughter died to a deep chuckle in his throat, Andrew's eyes glistened darkly. ”f.u.c.king around on my daughter? Now that there, son, is where we have a problem.”
”Things with Maryanne and I have been difficult.”
”Things will improve now that you have the baby on the way. You wanted a piece of a.s.s, and you got it. Can't say I blame you. She's a hot little thing.”
”It's complicated.” Cain stiffened.
Andrew narrowed his eyes on him. ”Actually it's not. I saw her at the party in that tight dress and her t.i.ts out. I get it. I do. But that's out of your system, now, I need you back in the game. Keith Livingston gets wind of the affair and it blows everything out of the water.” Andrew rose from behind the desk. He walked around to face Cain. ”You've been a team player. This is your only transgression, the only one.”
”I'm not a German shepherd. Don't pet me,” Cain said through his teeth.
Andrew laughed. ”I'm doing you a favor. I should be more p.i.s.sed with you.” He wagged his finger at Cain. ”How can I be?” he said, opening his arms to him and smiling broadly. ”You've handled Keith Livingston exactly as I knew you would. I'll be ready for him at the board meeting. Blow his smug a.s.s out the water. Maybe you can deliver those pictures of the lovely Mrs. Livingston to him on his way out.”
Cain's gaze lowered to the pictures once more.
Andrew walked over and dropped his hand on Cain's shoulder. ”What I don't understand is the visit to your mother. You haven't been up to see her in over four years. Why now?”
”She's causing problems for Joseph. Since you're watching me, you know he came to visit. I went to see her to tell her to stop with the hara.s.sment.”
”Awe, well sorry, son. Rachel is still a psychotic b.i.t.c.h, isn't she?”
”I guess. But, s-”
Andrew stopped from turning away. ”Yes?”
”I need to deal with my brother. My mother thinks you railroaded her. She's threatening to expose the deal we made with the governor that got her pardoned.”
”No one will listen to her.”
”Joseph might. We need to silence her. Permanently.”
Andrew stared at him. ”You're asking me for a favor?”
”I've done what you asked. The affair with Simone Livingston is over. You're about to be a grandfather and regain control of the board. The shareholders won't question you again.”
”Still, with all this good news coming my way, you think I owe you something?”
”I'm asking for an arranged meeting between the three of us, my mother, me, and Joseph. We can have her doctors or whatever there. It just has to be outside of the facility, to give her a taste of freedom.”
”I don't have the power to move a convicted murderer from a mental health facility.”
Cain held his gaze. They both knew he did. ”She's pardoned, and she's in that facility until they deem her sane.”
”Which you and I both know won't ever happen,” Andrew said with a stern scowl.
”Yes. However, she does get liberties. I'll make things right with Maryanne. I don't need Rachel stirring things up for us, not now. Let's silence her now, and then deal with her later.”
Andrew nodded. ”Done. Tell me where you want her moved to for this meeting and I'll make sure it's approved by the courts.” Andrew went behind his desk. ”So I'm going to be a grandfather?” he chuckled. He flipped open his cigar box and tossed one to Cain. ”It's about d.a.m.n time.”
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