CHAPTER 1: ZEE TELLS ALL…RTOAF STARTS TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS

OCTOBER 2015

BRITIN

BRIAN

It’s been blissful these last few months.  Kinnetic has gone from strength to strength.  Justin’s ‘Memories of Prom’ was a great success though very emotional for both of us.  But with the continued love and support of our RTOAF – rag tag of a family – we got through it.

“Justin!  Come on we’re going to be late, and I’m not having you bitch and moan because the confit salmon profiteroles got soggy!”

“Good point!  Two minutes!”  He bellows back.

“One minute or we go without you!”

That gets him pounding down the stairs, much like he was pounding my ass last night, and I just about manage to open the door before he hurtles through it.

Every time we see the Humvee we smile.  It was at the summer barbecue that we came up for the collective name for our family and rather stupidly Faal and Justin decided that painting the acronym on the side of the Humvee was a good idea.  Zee didn’t think so and had it repainted but liked the acronym so it’s the licence plate instead.

“So what got him out?”  Hunter asks.

“Soggy salmon profiteroles.”  I smirk.

“Who had profiteroles?”  Hunter yells out.  

“Me!  Finally I win a pot!”  Jenny yells back.

We’re on our way to a tasting for Henry Feeley’s Autumn Company Party, who became one of E&ZHoD’s first customers when they launched.

Justin settles in our usual spot giggling and it isn’t until I notice the ‘reserved for the Taylor-Kinneys’ across the back seat that I realise and then shrug and pull him into my arms.  Normally we would test at E&ZHoD but Zee wanted it at the Treehouse so we’re on our way there once we pick up everyone else.

TREEHOUSE

ZEE

I’ve got this gnawing feeling in my gut that my idiot bastard fucktard of a father is planning something.  I finally Brietling’d it out of Faal that he was having him watched but so far nothing but I know the mendacity of the man and he’s coming for us.  He’s not going to take being ejected from the head of the family and having his nuts roofed lying down.

Another burr is Wankerboy and Twatzilla.  They’ve still not worked out that the Starks are their landlords but when they do I suspect they will come out twittering with indignation and hollow threats of revenge, hopefully their short term memory remains intact and so they will step up and I can have them slung in jail again, this time for 6 weeks for breaching the restraining order, which is in place for the next 5 years.

One of the good things that has come out of all their machinations is the real friendship that has developed between Kiki, Bernie and Arnold.  Turns out that they have a son who reacted to her attempts to be understanding about him being gay with callousness and ending up leaving the family home without leaving word of where he’ll be.  She’s not seen him for over 10 years and doesn’t hold out much hope.  Kiki called in a favour and we’re working on it.

I’m pulled out of my musings and dark thoughts by a movement out of the corner of my eye.  I sigh as Faal attempts to feed Claude a piece of chicken that I know will be too spicy for him.

“You will be cleaning the tray.”  I warn, which has the desired effect.

I giggle at the baleful look I get from Claude, but the moment he leaves the room Claude chirrups and I feed him a non-spicy version of it and get my customary slow blink of thanks.

“You spoil him!”

“Don’t even start. Mr. Storm has to have lightly poached prawns for breakfast every day!”

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me soundly. “You really worrying about him?”

“My dad hates me, really hates me even more that Zeon.  I just know he’s coming and he’s going to come with everything he’s got or thinks he’s got.”

“Is it because of me that he hates you so much?”

“No, that started the moment I was born.”

“What are you talking about?”  Debbie demands, making us both jump.

One of the disadvantages of us all having keys to each other’s places is the ease of entry.

Sighing, I can feel the tears build up.

“Lig, what is it?”

“Let’s taste and talk yeah?”

“Do we get to listen this time?”  Jenny asks.  “We know you talk about stuff when we’re not there.  We’re old enough now, right?”

I look across at Mel and Ben and they nod.  She has grown in these few short months into a very astute young lady. “Right.  But you guys take this home and let us know what you think okay?”

“Oh fuck.”  Emmy Lou mutters.

LOUNGE

Before I could say anything, Carl sits on the other side of me and I give him a small smile.  From having no real father since birth to having three, Uncle Luc, Papa and Papa Bear, makes my heart sing.

“Okay, so most of you know that Zeon and I are twins.  Well mom was supposed to have triplets but he died within seconds, seconds, of being born.  He would never have survived.  But that didn’t stop da…Luther from blaming me for killing his boy by being born…”

“Fucking hell!”  Faal mutters.

“From that point on, he called us the failure twins.  We’re not identical and of course that was my fault because Zeon and Zebadiah were the spit of each other.  Nothing I did was good enough. Mostly, Zeon got away with more because he’s a boy. He played us off against each other, giving a grain of love but then giving a gallon of hate, mostly aimed at me.  So I decided to be what he wanted me to be and did everything I was told.  Went to the army, Zeon did Navy and then had to work my way up in Stark, whilst the boys just waltzed in. The problem was that they were fucking crap and I was fucking brilliant and that burned his ass.  Once grandpa saw that, he overruled every undermining attempt by Luther.  So he naturally started to favour Zeon more and more but by that time I had done tours so built up an armour but then it all went to crap for him when Zeon came out.  Suddenly I was his pride and joy, his baby girl until Faal came along and then I was back to being his son’s killer. Imagine being 6 and hearing that...”

I take a huge gulp of wine.

“So when we got married and he disowned me, I wasn’t too bothered.  But then grandpa died and that’s when the real problems started. Those who sided with dad, which were Zeus and Zeon- despite his treatment of him- gave Luther his shares so he built up the 25% he needed to be a controlling partner in the company.  Zander just had the shares but didn’t run the day-to-day operations until I took over. Luther undermined every decision I tried to make, the printing error was him.  In the end, I just got so fucking tired that I just let Zander be the figurehead but unbeknownst to Luther, I was the one signing the contracts and now we are where we are.  So he’s been tricked by his kids over who was really making the decisions, nut-roofed by his ex, effectively disowned by Zeph and had a White guy buy him out so yeah he’s coming…and with the connections he’s got and being a bitter rich man, he’s going to come hard.”

“Let him come.  He won’t know who the fuck he’s dealing with.”

“Jennifer!”

“No I’m sick and tired of bullies.  Let’s do to him what we did to... what did you call them?”

“Wankerboy and Twatzilla?”

“Yes and let him play his hand…we’ve got connections of our own.”

For the first time in months, the unease in my stomach dissipates.

CHAPTER 2: HERE COMES GOD

OCTOBER 2015

PLANE TO OHIO

ZEE

Emmy Lou and I are doing our food run through.  I have to admit I’m looking forward to this event. I’ve never been to Ohio before and am hoping to actually get some time to see the state afterwards.

We briefly considered driving there but the flight was 2 hours quicker and besides this way the family gets to go too.

“So my darling girl we are all set?”  Emmy Lou smiles his gap tooth smile.  “I still can’t believe you had Costino’s drive Floyd over there.  But then again they’re used to our unusual requests!”

“Did you see the thing they wanted us to cook on?”  I shudder.  “No it had to be Floyd.”

“Why did you name your range Floyd anyway?”

I look aghast.  “And you call yourself a chef?  He’s named after Keith Floyd of course, a very eccentric but much missed boozy chef from England. You should try and find some of his shows.  So why Titian?”

“First, I am a caterer not, like some people who deny it and shall remain nameless, a chef and secondly Titian is another way of describing orangey red.”

“You are both as mad as each other.  Now buckle up we’re landing soon.”  Faal kisses the tops of both our heads and goes back to the cockpit.

FEELEY PHARMACEUTICALS ANNUAL COMPANY PARTY

EARLY EVENING

EMMY LOU

I’m so glad Floyd is here! That range is a disgrace to ranges everywhere, so we’re just using it for keeping things warm.  I look again at the menu.  We’re doing a meat and fish messy feast. We did try and talk him out of it, but he wanted to bond with his staff and that’s definitely one way to do it.

I look at my girl and wonder how someone could throw away such a kind hearted soul like that but I’m glad they did because now we have her!

The hall we’re in is huge and the family are all dressed in their chef’s jackets as they are going to serve. Well Brian, Justin and Faal are tending bar, and as usual our lovely Costinos are ready and waiting.

Henry rushes over to us giddy with excitement.

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!  It all looks magnificent!  Are we ready?  Can I let them in now?”

I look to Zee and she nods and goes back to cooking.

HENRY

“Everyone come in, come in!  Now before we start I’d like to introduce you to our caterers, Emmett Honeycutt and Zee Ugerstacht, also known as Em & Zee’s House of Delights.  Now this is called a Meat and Fish Messy Feast, there’s no cutlery, but there are water bowls dotted about.  Vegetarians are catered for so don’t worry about that now come, come dig in!”

At first they are nervous. I think because of the no forks thing, so I take a rib and start to eat and it is scrumptious.  “Wfth on fphis?”  I ask round a mouthful of melting pork.

The young lady smiles at me.  “Szechuan pepper, garlic, soy, ginger and chilli and there’s dips too, mild, hot, spicy, ghost and scorpion.”  She looks round.  “Don’t do scorpion and then kiss someone who’s sensitive to spice. My boyfriend went a very odd colour.”

I burst out laughing at her candour.  “Thanks for the warning.”  I head to the dips and try the ghost and really wish I hadn’t.  Immediately a waiter is offering me a glass of milk.  “They should put a warning on that!”  The waiter smiles.  “They do.”  He points to a sign.

I look round and after the initial reluctance people are really enjoying themselves.  I still can’t believe that Brian Kinney is mixing drinks and, more importantly, is happy to do so judging by the smile on his face.  It just seems so out of character with the normally in control man I deal with.

“What can I get you Henry?”  Brian asks as I reach him.  “Justin mixes a very good rhubarb vodka martini.”

“Oh that please, sounds wonderful.”

I take a sip and sigh in contentment.  “Now Brian…”  He puts up his hand.  

“No Kinnetic/Feeley business chat Henry. This is a party, we can talk on business next week, okay?”

I hold my hand up and go mingle.

DEBS

We can’t plate up this fucking food fast enough!  I love messy feasts, both eating and helping with them.  The lobster claws are a great hit and Gus and Hunter have got cracking them down to fine art.

“Zee honey, we need more shrimp and more wings.”  Out of the corner of my eye I see Ted waving at me and hurry over, after a quick chat, I scurry back.  “And spring rolls and the tacos.”

“I’ll handle the veggies.”  Emmy Lou sashays over with a platter and is mobbed before he gets there.

He comes back somewhat shell-shocked.  “Christ, they were almost rabid!”   He loads up the platter again.  “I’m sending Drewsie this time.  Oh Mr Boyd!”

Drew has a lot more success getting the platter to the table, seems holding the platter above his head is the way to do it!

FAAL

I’ve manage to grab food for all of us and have been keeping them warm in the oven.  Zee made it clear that if I didn’t get her ribs, I wouldn’t get any either.

She was worried about it but I knew she needn’t have, because they’ve done it again.  It’s been a huge success and now it’s time for the piece de resistance, desserts.  Popping candy ice cream sandwiches, mini cherry, apple and pear pies; mini stick toffee puddings and of course the coffees with a tot.

Matt has been the deejay for the night and people have been swaying to the beats, nothing too vigorous but now he’s swapped to, as Lydia would put it, ‘fuck off and go home’ music so that we can eat and clear.

Henry has tottered over- it’s clear he’s had more than one tot- to thank them yet again and has promised that the leftovers will be given to the local AIDS hospice.

Zee has had her back to everyone most of the night and when she turns to me she beams that smile that says, I’m happy but they need to fucking fuck off now!  As people start to filter out, I notice a guy staring at her. He can stare as much as he wants she’s mine. But just to make sure he understands, I pull her into my chest and she snuggles in sighing with contentment.

“Okay Mr Caveman, who got your attention?”  She mutters.

“I…am I that obvious?”  She nods and I can feel her giggling.  “Guy at two o’clock.”

She takes a quick look and shudders.  “Are you kidding me?”

“Oh you caught the stare too?”  Emmy Lou comes over.  “He looks like he’s seen the finest chateaubriand and would happily eat her up with a spoon.”  

The glowering from me, Brian and Drew seem to do the trick and he leaves, but he does look back one more time but his expression is odd, not salacious, just odd.

HENRY FEELEY’S OFFICE – MONDAY MORNING

HENRY

“Are you sure this isn’t an inconvenience for you?”   

“Of course not Mr Feeley, I wouldn’t have offered if it was.  I’m happy to take this to them.”

“Okay now don’t come in tomorrow though understood?”

“Yes sir of course.”

E&ZHoD – MONDAY AFTERNOON

ZEE

“Emmy Lou, just got a call from Feeley. They are sending us a thank you basket and it’s being hand delivered no less!”

He mock swoons and fans himself.  We got at least 15 personal party inquiries and about 12 company inquiries over the weekend and he’s putting them all into the database when suddenly he gasps.

“Emmy Lou, you okay?”  He’s peering at the screen and then just gapes at me.  “We’ve had over 300 inquiries since we started and we’re booked, if they all confirmed for the next two years.”

“Are you fucking with me?”  I demand looking at the screen.  “Th-that can’t be right?  Is that right?”

The door opening brings in Matt, who after Emmy Lou, Drew and Mitchell is Rhett’s favourite person.  He yips excitedly and gives Matt’s face a wash as he’s scooped into his arms.

“Here. Not sure if you’ve got doubles but I was handed these at the weekend.”

He hands over a stack of business cards and after we persuade him to take Rhett and Miss Scarlett back to the Brownstone, we double check that we’ve got no duplications…and we don’t.

“Honey, we need to seriously consider hiring at least a PA and maybe another chef.”

I sigh and know he’s right but I like it being just the two of us.  “Okay.  We’re going to grow to hate it if we don’t.”  

He kisses me soundly on the cheek.  “Thank you!”

I head back to the kitchen rubbing his gloss off my cheek but smiling.  “I thought it tasted familiar.”  I freeze and slowly turn round.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”  Emmy Lou demands.  We’re both glowering at the man from the party.

“You.”  I snarl.

He holds up his hands.  “Look I’m just dropping this off from Mr Feeley as I-I wanted to see you.”

“She’s married.”  Faal’s sharp tone has him turning around.  “And I’m a very protective husband.”

“Zay…”  He begins turning back to me.

“NO!  You don’t get to do that!  Leave the basket and fuck off!  I mean it FUCK OFF!”  I roar before walking as steadily as I could back to the kitchen.

FAAL

“I don’t believe my wife could’ve made it any clearer.   Now would you like me to help you out, because I would love to?”

“No, I’m going but here’s my card.  Please don’t tear it up and tell her…”

“Tell?  Now you are making demands of my wife?”  I growl advancing on him.

“Sorry, I meant to say ask… please ask her to call me at least give me a chance to say sorry.”  There’s that expression again.  “That’s all I ask.”

He puts the basket down and leaves.  Quickly Emmy Lou locks up and flips the sign.  While I dash to the kitchen where I find Zee just staring into space.

“Here, it’s brandy.”  Emmy Lou hands me a glass.  “Do you want me to…”

“No, stay you’ll find out soon enough.”  Her voice is hoarse and thick with tears.  “He left me, he left me to fight on my own...”

“Who did? Who is that?”  I pull her tighter into my arms and Emmy Lou rubs her back as she weeps.

“Zeus…my eldest brother. He promised to protect me from dad and he left me!”

Fuck!

CHAPTER 3: GREAT-GRANDMA WAS INDEED RIGHT…

OCTOBER 2015

TREEHOUSE – MONDAY EVENING

LOUNGE

BRIAN

I can’t believe that guy is Zeus!  Whilst Faal was doing his caveman routine, Justin told me something a little disconcerting.  He noticed the guy acting strange earlier.  It was after he ate something and he seemed upset about it and then when Zee turned round he said that Zeus looked surprised and then really upset.

So I’ve arranged a meeting with Feeley and try and find out how he fits into his operation.

“She’s resting managed to get her to have a shower.”  Faal replies to everyone’s questioning gaze when he comes in.  “Holy fuck what a shitshow!  So he’s made his move now, by sending Zeus to upset her, fuck I just want to…”

“Well you can’t.”  Carl raps out and immediately looks contrite.  “Sorry Faal, it’s just it’s been so nice without any problems.” 

“We need to call Luc, Dee and Del to let them know.”  Jennifer’s all business but then she freezes.   “Oh shit Daphne!”  Jennifer gasps.  “You don’t think…”

“No he won’t go after Daphne.”  Zee’s voice interrupts.  “I’ve spoken to them and they’re moving Daphne into the small condo over the weekend just in case.  I’ve booked a flight for Vince to go as soon as you let him and…”

“Tonight.”  Justin states firmly.  “I’ll call now, can I use your office?” 

She nods tiredly and heads to the cart.  “Emmy…”

“If I see you in this week I shall sic Drew on you!”  He advises sternly earning him a grateful smile.

“So the son of God has returned…pathetic really, I don’t know why I was so disappointed…”

“And you’re not disappointed now?”  Ben joins her in a brandy. 

“No.  Now I’m fucking fucked off with being fucked about by them.  Let’s see what they are going to do because I am going to totally annihilate them.”  Her countenance starts off grim and determined, but then softens into a smile.  Which has Faal is smiling and then kissing her temple.

“What’s cheered you up all of a sudden?”  Steve asks.

“Oh goody!”  Emmy Lou claps and accepts the brandy she proffers.

“Someone want to fill us in?”  Jennifer demands impatiently.

“The last time she looked like that Lindsay and Michael ended up in jail.”  Emmy Lou smirks and takes a sip of his drink.   “And then moving to Canada.”

“Oh.”  Tucker nods sagely.  “By the way, why do you call him son of God?” 

“Because he named him, well almost after himself.”  Zee grimaces.  “His full name is Luther Zeus Stark so he named his firstborn and heir Zeus Luther Stark.  The irony is that when he was born and grew up great-grandma called it right…”

“How so?”  I ask.

“She said he should’ve been called Lucifer not Luther.”

REXDALE AVENUE – CANADA – WEDNESDAY MORNING

LINDSAY

“Michael!”  I look in the lounge and then find him in the kitchen.  “What are you doing?”

“Making coffee, I’m not going in today.”  He wanders into the lounge and I follow.

“Why not?”

“Don’t feel like it.”  He slumps down on the sofa.  “I hate that job and I hate that it’s so fucking cold over here!  Why can’t we go back to Pittsburgh?”

“We don’t have jobs over here but we have jobs here.  But I’m with you I don’t feel like going in today either.  Let’s both call in sick!”  I giggle.  “It will be more convincing that way!”

“Great!  What are we going to have, food poisoning or…”

“Definitely food poisoning since we live together that would be more convincing.  Who’s calling this time?”  I prod him playfully.

“Rock, paper, scissors?”  He suggests and I win!

THYME & BAILLIE GALLERY

JEREMY THYME

“For fuck sake!”  I snarl as I put down the phone.  “Kelly!  Kelly where are you?!”

“Here and what are you bellowing about?” 

“Where’s the pot?”  I look round for it and she huffs a breath and rolls her eyes.

“What is it this time?”  She hands me the “Sick Pot for Lindsay and Michael” and I put in another $10.

“Food poisoning.  Actually how much is in this thing?” 

I open it up and we start counting.  “Christ almost $250, we are going to have a rollicking good time come Christmas!” 

Kelly snorts a little guiltily. 

“I have never known two people be off sick so much in my life in such a short space of time.  Do you remember when Michael jarred his back but was dancing if you can call it that at the party less than a day later?  Or when Lindsay has such a migraine that she had to be in a darkened room all day, but somehow her hair was remarkably highlighted and trimmed when she came back to work the next day.  For a lesbian she seems to forget how much gay men gossip, especially gay men who don’t actually like you!”

I shake my head and smile.  “Gregor has still not forgiven her for the $1 tip and the lecture about the benefits of softer lighting, round the mirrors, not that she needs it of course.”

“Of course.”  Kelly snickers and then sobers.  “Jeremy we can’t keep doing this.  She’s the gallery manager for crying out loud!  And he’s supposed to be doing the inventory but all we hear is bellyaching and griping about it being dusty down there.  We have to do something.”

“Jeremy, Kelly uh there’s some people to see you.”  Karen our receptionist pokes her head round the door.  “Sure show them in.”  I reply.

“This way gentlemen.”  She calls out.

FEELEY PHARMACEUTICALS – WEDNESDAY MORNING

HENRY’S OFFICE

BRIAN

“So that concludes our Kinnetic/Feeley business.  On a personal note, Zaden and Emmett have asked me to once again extend their thanks for the wonderful gift basket you sent them.  I believe they emailed you already?”

“Yes they did and, Brian, please it was the least I could do!”  Henry grins at me, he waits for his team to leave before leaning in conspiratorially.  “I was a sick as a dog the next day!”

“You were, was anybody else?”  Ted asks worriedly.

“No, but that’s most likely because I had more tot than coffee!  It took everything to come in on Monday I tell you.”

“Speaking of which, the gentleman that brought the basket left something at their offices and they would like me to return it.”

“Of course.  Let me take you to his office.”  We follow him out.   “He’s a nice man.  Unusual name in Zeus…”

“What is it that he does for you?”  Ted asks casually.

“Oh he runs the IT side in the US and his brother runs the IT side for our European offices.”  He looks round.  “Between you and me, they may be very good IT wise but its best if they are not in the same office, they tend to clash…”  He raps on the door.  “Zeus ah there you are…”

As we enter I get a good look at him and he’s the spit of his father and my hackles are up.

“This is Brian Kinney and Ted Schmidt from Kinnetic you left something in Pittsburgh they wanted to return it.  Well I shall leave you gentlemen to it, Zeus will see you to reception when you’re done as I have another meeting in 10 minutes.  Lovely to see you again Brian, Ted, have a safe journey home.”

We nod and smile and wait for the door to close.

“Well gentlemen it is nice to meet you.” 

Zeus stands and extends his hand neither of us reach for it.  He frowns before clearing his throat.  “So what did I leave?”  He puts his hands in his pockets.

“Your card.”  I hand it to him.  “She doesn’t want it and tell your dad we say come with all you have.”

He takes it from my hand with a sigh.  “I never meant it to happen, I never thought she would leave the company. That’s the only reason we gave him the shares…”

“Gave and who’s this we?”  Ted scoffs in derision but backs up in the face of the glare from Zeus.

“Yes gave.  Zeon and I, we gave him the shares so that he could give them to Zaden…”  He stares at us hard.  “Wait what do you mean come with all you have?  What the fuck is going on?”

REXDALE AVENUE – THURSDAY EVENING

LINDSAY

It has been a lovely couple of days off.  Jeremy sounded pissed off but what can you do when you have food poisoning. 

Michael is slowly building his comic book and collectibles collection back up and whilst I can understand the logic of it to a degree, it creates a lot of clutter!  I’m currently doing dinner when the doorbell goes and I wait for Michael to answer it.

“Lindsay, can you get that I’m in the middle of doing my spreadsheet for my collectibles!”

I grimace a bit and wish he applied himself as diligently to the basement at work but head to the door anyway.

“Can I help you?”  I ask two official looking men.

“Yes, we’re looking for Lindsay Peterson and Michael Novotny.”

“I’m Lindsay and this is Michael.  Michael can you come…”

“May we come in ma’am you don’t want this business conducted on your doorstep.”

“Business what business?  No you can’t come in!  What’s this about?!”  I demand.

“We’re from immigration ma’am we’re here to serve you both with deportation orders for outstaying your welcome.”

“Come in for God sake!”  I practically pull them inside. “What are you talking about?  Michael!”

He stomps into the hallway glowering.  “What is it, I’m busy!”

“We’re being deported!”

“What the fuck for?”  He screeches.

“First, I am Office Lewis and this is Officer Collins, here’s our ID, please could you check them.”

We check them carefully.  “Now tell me what this bullshit is about?”  Michael demands.

“I can assure you that this is not bullshit.”  Office Lewis growls.  “These are deportation orders on the following grounds.  For you Mr Novotny you applied to come to Canada on a tourist visa and one of the conditions of that visa is that you do not seek employment and you’ve been working.  And for you Ms Peterson your residency…”

“I was a resident in Canada, my now ex-partner and I both were!  Although we were briefly in the USA that doesn’t mean the residency in Canada ends…”

“No but it has to be renewed when you return and you didn’t do that.  So you are both here illegally and need to be removed.”  Officer Collins smirks.  “By Friday as in tomorrow.”

“But we have jobs, this is our home!”  I object.

“About your jobs…”  Officer Collins smirks again.

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO – NYC – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

LUTHER

I have had private investigators looking into that bastard Kinney and it made for some interesting reading.  He’s openly gay and married, so there’s not angle there.  His husband might be an in to cause him some pain. 

I’m going to reach out to his father, who didn’t seem to be enamoured with the kid and maybe the guy who hit him.  Not that I’d want him to finish the job of course but putting the jitters up him will be fun.  And then there were the court cases they had…hmm maybe he’d like to see what it feels like to have his kid taken away!

The other people who were there at my humiliation are of little consequence, not that they have any power to hurt me, I’m Luther Zeus Stark and I control my family!  By anyway I see fit!

“Mr Stark there’s a Mr Zeus Stark to…”

“Zeus!  Send him in you idiot, you don’t need to announce my boy!”

“Dad!  How are you!  I was just in town and thought I’d stop by.  So what’s been happening…?”

DEL & MILTON’S CONDO – NYC – FRIDAY EVENING

MILTON

“Del, what exactly is going on?”  I look at my beloved partner of over 15 years.

“Sit down Milt, let me tell you what I know…”

An hour later I’m staring at her in horror.  “Zaden, he did that to Zaden.”

“Yep, and was damn proud of it too.”  Zeus sits down holding an ice pack to his cheek where Del slapped him when he turned up out of the blue.  “Seems he doesn’t know about the catering business she’s got going, I think it would be wise to keep it that way.”

“So what are you going do to?”  Del demands of him.  “You two need to make this right!”

“Yeah there’s a slight problem with that.  Zeon and I aren’t talking right now.”

“Jesus fucking Christ what is it with you boys!”  Del hollers, she stomps to the phone and dials a number.  “Zeon on the next plane to Pittsburgh unless you want me to come get you!”

She sighs heavily.  “Why can’t he see that she gets half her smarts from him?” 

I brush a tear from her cheek and hold her close and squeeze Zeus’s shoulder who is shedding silent tears.

PITTSBURGH AIRPORT – SATURDAY MORNING

LINDSAY

Deported!  We’ve been deported from Canada!   Could this get any worse!

“Ms Lindsay Peterson and Mr Michael Novotny?”  A man asks.

I nod warily.  “Who are you?”  I ask.

“I represent Mr Faal Ugerstacht and Mrs Zaden Ugerstacht, here is my card and here is the copy of the restraining order, which you are now in breach of.”

“What?”  I hiss.

“You’re both required to stay a certain distance away from the aforementioned Ugerstachts and being in Pittsburgh Airport you are in breach of that restraining order, you have two options open to you.” 

He pauses to make sure he has our full attention.  “You can either remain at the airport and then be arrested and taken to jail for 6 weeks or pick another place to fly.  You have 5 minutes to decide.”

“This is not fucking happening!”  Michael snarls. 

“7 weeks in jail.”  Is his only response.

“New York we’ll go to New York!”  I decide

“I’ll make sure you get on the plane.”  He replies calmly.

“Oh for heaven sake is that necessary!”  I’m starting to lose my patience.

“Yes or it will be 8 weeks.”  

CHAPTER 4: COMING HOME…A SON AND A BROTHER

OCTOBER 2015

TREEHOUSE – SATURDAY MID-MORNING

ZEE

The time off has done me the world of good.  I feel more rested and ready to rip some new ones!

Mom, Milton, Uncle Luc and Aunt D are coming tomorrow and they’re bringing Daph too.  I think, despite all assurances, he just wants to hug his best friend.

I’m heading to the kitchen when my phone goes.

“This is Zaden.  Oh hey.  What you got for me?  What!  Are you sure?  Oh my God, you are a miracle worker, okay give me the address!”

I stare at the piece of paper in my hand and then turn and run back to the bedroom shouting for Faal.

SQUIRREL HILL

MAIN BEDROOM

LEDA

We’re still in bed having tea and staring out the window, when I suddenly chuckle.

“You too?”  Mel smiles at me.  “It’s not just me?  God, we’ve turned into this clichéd lesbian couple with the 2.4 kids but with dogs not cats.”

“Yep!  We need to do some dirt biking today, to clear the tubes.  What cases you got this week?  I…come in!”

Gus pokes his head round the door with a smile.  “Morning, we’re going to go to grandma and grandpa’s this morning and then spend rest of the day at the Brownstone with Hunter and Matt and go with them to the Tree…”

“Define we.”  Mel interrupts and Gus shifts from foot to foot.

“Well, uh Phil and Hank are going to be there too…don’t make a big deal about it, it’s bad enough that dad gave me a box of condoms when I told him!”  He’s blushing badly.

“Jenny!”  I call out.

“Yes Aunt Leda?”  She’s also the colour of a tomato.

“Do Charles and David know that Hank is staying overnight with no adult supervision?  Answer carefully as I will check no matter what.”

“Yes and dad and Steven do too.”  She sighs.  “So embarrassing having a safe sex lecture from my gay father…and stepfather!”

“Okay you two come in here and sit.”  Mel pats the bed and they settle down.  “Do you both think you’re ready to have sex?”

They exchange mortified expressions and blush harder.

“I’m going with ‘not yet but close’ am I right?  So you’ve messed about correct?”

“Mom!”  Gus cries out almost burying himself inside his sweater and Jenny just gapes at her.

“That’s a definite yes.”  I chuckle earning a glare from Gus, which makes me laugh harder.

“All I’m saying is go at the pace you want; not the pace other people set for you okay?”

They both nod and look longingly at the door.

“Now get out of here. We want to feel the throbbing between our thighs and you’re eating into that time!”  She grins at them.

“Please tell me you’re going dirt biking!”  Gus cringes.

“Maybe.”

“Ugh parents!”  Jenny groans as she shoves him out the door.

DINER – EARLY AFTERNOON

FAAL

“Would you stop wriggling?”  I’m so relieved my lig is back to her fighting best. Last Monday was the most distraught I’ve ever seen her apart from at her grandfather’s funeral.

“I’m just so happy.”  She beams at me and then waggles her eyebrows.  “Shall we play ‘how still can you sit’?”

“No.”  I swat her hand out of my lap.  “Behave, we can do that later!”

“Hi guys, thought we were seeing you tomorrow?”  Debs looks concerned.  “Everything okay?”

“Yes, apart from the fucktard from NYC, everything is fine. I’m glad you’re here. Can you sit because I think you’re going to be a big help?”

“Hi darlings, sorry I’m late.”  Kiki comes to the booth looking gorgeous. Whoever is giving her tips should set up shop. They’d rake in a fortune around here.

She unwraps her fur stole and settles down. “So what’s happening?”  She asks looking between us.

“About what?”  Debs demands looking confused.

“We found him.”  Zee replies.

“Found who?” “Are you serious?”  Debs and Kiki ask at once.

“Bernie and Arnold’s son, you found him?”  Zee nods.  “Is-is he…”

“Very much so…and here’s the address. I thought you might want to…and Debs this is where you come in.”  She nods towards the bathroom where she takes Kiki to compose herself.

Soon they’re back.  “Oh my God, how do I do this?  How do I tell them?”  She look a bit panic stricken.

“Tell who what?”  Carl asks joining us.

Kiki goes on to tell him about Bernie and Arnold’s son, Thomas, and by the time she’s finished, she’s in tears again and he’s looking thoughtful.

He clears his throat.  “I would start with him; see if he wants to see his folks again.”  I nod in agreement.  “Want me to come with you?”

Debs beams at her husband with pride. He’s come a long way from the first time they met. The old Horvath would’ve been dismissive and rude but now he’s been Debucated he’s very much a Pride-filled man…not quite PFLAG button wearing but close enough.

“Please Carl that would be very kind.”  Kiki sniffles.

“Okay let’s go. We might as well do it now.  Red, I’ll see you later and we’ll let you guys know how it went tomorrow.”

Debs goes back to her shift and I tug Zee out of the booth.  “Later is now.”  I growl in her ear.

BRITIN

STUDIO

BRIAN

“Oh yes baby yes!”  I groan as he thrusts back into me.  “S-so close.  There!  Fuck yes!”

“Brian!”  Justin cries and thrusts a few more times and then shudders and collapses on my back as I sink into the futon.

Slowly he starts to soften and then he flops onto his back.  “H-how many times have we replaced this futon?”  He pushes the hair out of my eyes and grins at me.

Raising myself onto my elbows I reach down for the water and take a swig sharing some with him before kissing him deeply.

I turn on my back and start to think.  “Six, or maybe seven.”

He reaches for the blanket, covers us and snuggles into my side.  “Maybe we should consider a bed it would be cheaper.  We could knock back that alcove and put a good sized double in there.”

I look to where he’s pointing and nod.  “And Brian?”  He starts to blush, I know where this is going.  “About the plugs, can you ask Zee?”

“You stood for the casting. Why is it embarrassing now?”  I chuckle.

“It just is and make sure you get the swirls added.”  He swats my chest.

“Yes dear!”

THOMAS WILLIAMSON’S HOUSE – LATE AFTERNOON

CARL

We wait for the door to be opened.  When it does we are greeted by a young-ish man with tousled hair and- as Red would put it- gorgeous eyes and killer cheek bones, who looks like a kitchen has exploded on him.

“Yes can I help you?”

“Are you Thomas Williamson?”

“Yes.”

I flash my badge.  “Detective Carl Horvath, may we come in?”

His face pales and he swiftly waves us in and leads us to the lounge.  “Excuse the mess but I’m testing today.  Please have a seat, what’s this about?”

“My name is Kiki and, I-I know your parents…”

“Mom and dad? Oh God, what’s happened to them?!”  He looks panicked and I know this is going to be okay.

Kiki immediately puts up her hands to calm him.  “Nothing. Nothing has happened to them.  They’ve been looking for you and…”

“Th-they have?”  He gasps and slumps in his seat.

“Yes, they have and I just wanted to know if it would be…”

Before she could finish, he’s crying. We exchange looks and I move to his side and puts my arm around him.  “So I guess we can tell them we’ve found you?”  I ask gently.

“A-after all I did a-and they’re looking for me?  Yes please yes tell them you’ve found me!  I want to see them, t-to say sorry for being such a shitty son and…”

He looks dumbfounded as Kiki hands him her phone.  “Tell them yourself.”  She prompts.

With shaking hands, he takes the phone and the number is already ringing.

“Bernadine Williamson speaking.”

“Mom, i-it’s me.  T-Thomas.”

There is silence on the other end before we hear the sound of tears.  “This is Arnold Williamson, who is this and what have you said to upset my wife?”

“Dad…”

“Thomas, Thomas is that really you?  Oh my boy! Where are you?  Where are you?!”

“Arnold, its Kiki.  We’re at his house in Mt Lebanon.”

“Kiki, its Bernie.  Thomas, are you still there?!  Don’t hang up please!  I’m going for the other extension!”

“We’ll be outside.”  I stand to leave but he grabs at Kiki’s hand and I nod and leave them to it.

TREEHOUSE – SUNDAY MORNING

KITCHEN

CARL

“Okay.  Here’s what is going to happen where Gus and Jenny are concerned.  We’re not going to say anything, not going to stare or in any way embarrass my grandchildren, clear?” I’m trying to be stern but I can feel a smile starting.  “Come on! I’m serious, this is private…”

This earns snorts from Brian and Faal and a smirk from Ben.  “I give up!”  I mutter.

Twenty minutes later, they arrive and Jenny glowers at us all. She rolls her eyes, heavenward. “Seriously! Can't anything be private in this family?”

“No honey it can’t!”  Red cackles.  “But that’s all we’re going to say on the subject. As long as you had a good time, that’s all that matters, no matter what you did or didn’t do.  The Queen has spoken!”

“All hail the queen!”  We all intone solemnly and that makes Jenny and Gus smile.  

“What’s for brunch?”  Gus asks, shaking his head.

“Popped cherry pancakes.”  Faal replies.

“Oh for…!”  Jenny throws a roll at him.

CAR SERVICE TO THE TREEHOUSE

DEL

“I shouldn’t have hit him.”  I look across at Milton who reluctantly nods.  “That’s one heck of a bruise he’s got but the swelling has gone down a bit but you can still see it.”

“Hmm but you were reacting to what you had been told by your ex and…”

“Still… I shouldn’t have hit him.”  I reply.

“Come on we’re here!”  Daphne calls out.

As we get out of the car, I stop and just stare.  It is the most beautiful building I have ever seen.

“Wow.”  Milton breathes.  “This is magnificent and she designed it.”

“Designed and decorated.”  Luc replies proudly.  “She’s a smart one, my little one.  And Del, you get to knock.”

I rap on the door and it is swung open quickly and I find myself lifted off the floor by Faal.

“Faal for goodness sake, let us get in first!”  I splutter with mock-indignation.

“Daph!”  Justin shouts and almost knocks me and Faal over to get to her.

“Everyone get in, come on!”  Luc starts to wave us into her beautiful kitchen, which also smells heavenly.

“Jesus, Zee this is beautiful!”  Milton exclaims.  “Champagne this early?”  He looks at her.  “Don’t mind if I do.”

“Right, Hunter, Matt take their bags up to the rooms that Ben and Emmy use.”  Faal orders.

I take a deep breath.  “Uh Zee, there is one more other person to come in…”

The room goes quiet immediately.  “Who is it?”

“Zeus.”

“Are you…”

“Little one…”  Luc warns.

“I’ll go see him. He doesn’t get to come in here!  Are you coming with me mom?”

ZEE

I have to will my legs not to run to the car as I see him leaning against it look around the garden.

“Zeus.”  Mom calls out and as he turns around, I gasp.

“What the fuck happened to you?”  I quickly close the distance and turn his face so I can look at the bruise. “Who did this?”

“I did.”

“Oh that’s alright then.”  I smirk at her.  “So what do you want?”  I snarl at him.

“Let him in and hear his side. Please. For me, please?”  Mom touches my arm and I sigh.

“Fine but talk fast. You only have 15 minutes.”

“An hour. You’ll need an hour.”  Mom tells me.

LOUNGE

The room is quiet as Zeus finishes his story and I look across at mom and she looks so guilty for hitting him.

“You need something for that bruise, I’ve got some arnica.”  I get up and hand him the tube when I get back.  “I’m going to check lunch. I won’t be long.”

KITCHEN

“Tell me something Zee.”  Mom’s presence is not a surprise.  “When was the last time you saw your brother cry?”

“Grandpa’s funeral.”  I reply quietly.

“Ask me when I did.”  She waits.

“When did…”

“Last night.  And you know him… he never cries.  He’s hurting so bad and not just because of haymaker.  I know it will take time but let him back in. He’s been manipulated too; we all have.”

“She’s right.”  I look up at Brian in surprise.  “I didn’t tell you but I went to return his card and when we told him to tell “his dad to come with what he has” he looked confused.  And…and he says there’s more. He went to see your father and he knows what he going to do or at least some of it…”

PETERSON RESIDENCE

LOUNGE

RONALD

“Slow down Lindsay! I can’t understand what you’re saying.  So you’re in New York, right but why are you in New…deported!  Why on earth have you been deported?!”

On hearing that, Nancy picks up the other extension and we look aghast at each other.  “Don’t worry darling.”  I soothe.  “Mom and I will send money now. We’ll send you $20K, get to a hotel and get some rest okay.  Yes, we’ll speak tomorrow.”

“I thought she was over this!  Seems she’s going to keep punishing Lindsay until she feels fit to stop. Well I’ve had enough of this!”  Nancy bridles.  “Millie its Nancy, do you have Zee’s telephone number by any chance…”

An hour later Zee calls us back.

“Mr and Mrs Peterson, how are you both?”  She asks.

“We’d be doing much better if you would leave Lindsay alone.”  I snap.

“Ah, she’s found out, has she?  Shame I had hoped to have her there longer.  However, she should’ve checked who her landlord was before…”

“Landlord?  What are you talking about?  I’m talking about you having her and Michael deported and then shipped off to New York!”

“Deported?  Hang on…wait New York?  Start from the very beginning.”

“…and that’s how they’re in New York.”  I finish.

“Mr and Mrs Peterson, the one thing I don’t do is lie and as omnipotent as I’d like to think she accused me of being, I do not control immigration.  Besides, why the hell would I want her in the USA?  Canada was the perfect place for them and if she was stupid enough to come back despite the restraining order…”

“Restraining order?”  Nancy and I look at each with a sense of dread.

“Yeah, they can’t come within 50 miles of us and the airport is 35 miles away…”

“Zee, please accept our apologies for disturbing your Sunday. We won’t detain you further.”

“Oh, okay, goodbye then.”

Nancy rubs her temples and grimaces.  “She’s been playing fast and loose with the truth again…why don’t we ever learn? Is it too late to get the transfer stopped?”

“Yes, yes it is.”  I sigh.

TREEHOUSE

LOUNGE

ZEE

I come back in feeling bemused and sit down.

“…so he’s having Justin and I investigated. We’re not surprised by this but it’s the court case angle that worries me. Is there anything he can do?”  Brian asks Mel.

“Not sure. Let me see what Adam and Solomon think.”

“Lig, you okay?”

“According to Ronald and Nancy, Lindsay and Michael have been deported and are now in New York.”

Amongst the murmurs of surprise there are small smiles.

“So which one of you reported them to immigration and what for?”  Leda asks looking round.

Silence.

“Okay so we didn’t. Then who the hell did?  Let me make some calls.”

“Need help Zay…Zaden, I can check the system see what happened.”  Zeus offers.

Taking a breath I nod and he follows me to the office.  “Uh no, you tell me how to check and I’ll do it.”  I tell him as he goes to sit down at the computer.

He nods and explains what I have to do and quickly we find out who it was.  “Don’t forget…”

“To clear the back end, I know.”  I snap.  “Now excuse me I need to make those calls.”

He heads to the door and pauses but I ignore him and pick up the phone.  “It will take time”, I hear him mutter to himself as the door closes.

LOUNGE

I come back in carrying more champagne and grinning.

“Well good ole Lindsay and Michael have been making friends in the art world in Canada it seems.”

“Huh?”  Justin asks round a beef sandwich.

“When did you…seriously so annoying how you never gain an ounce!”  I gripe.  “Anyway, seems that their now ex-employers were being treated to the full force of their personalities. Yep I said their personalities as they hired Michael to do inventory.  Immigration came calling because Michael applied to enter on a tourist visa but of course his earnings caught their attention and after advising them that Lindsay and Michael no longer work there, it was all academic.”

“Okay that explains the deportation.”  Jennifer nods.  “But what about New York? Why not stay…ah the restraining orders.”

“Yep.  When you have a restraining order, you’re tracked so of course the moment they were booked on flights to Pittsburgh a representative of Chase, Donaldson & Draper was there to make sure they didn’t stay and if they did, it would be in jail.”

“Hold up, why would you need a restraining order?”  Zeus growls.  “What happened?”

As much as I didn’t want it to my heart fluttered just a little bit.

“I’ll catch you up.”  Uncle Luc advises.  “That’s a whole other thing.  Oh I’ve just thought we’re going to have to send their stuff to them, if I know the immigration boys, they just take you in what you’re standing in if you’re lucky.”

I nod.  “Okay, so get the letting agent to clear their shit out and ship it off to them when they have an address.”  Uncle Luc nods and goes to make the call.  “Now enough about Wankerboy and Twatzilla let’s get these bottles open.”

“Wankerboy and Twatzilla?”  Zeus echoes and then grins at me and before I can stop myself I grin back but immediately school my features to neutral.

I hand mom her champagne.  “I saw that.”  She whispers to me.  “It’s a start. Thank you.”

CHAPTER 5: ENEMIES & THE GOD OF COINCIDENCE GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED

OCTOBER 2015

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO – FRIDAY MORNING

TALON

“Luther honey, why can’t I come with you?”  I bat my eyes but to no avail.

“Because you would be bored out of your mind and when you’re bored, you shop.  Not that I have a problem with you shopping as I like my women to be finely appointed.”  He smirks at my new breasts.  “But I would rather you shopped here where at least the stores are better.”

I sigh and watch him pack his case.  “How long are you gone for again?”  He smiles indulgently.

“Four days tops. I need to get this business plan nailed down. Hey how about this?  When I come back we can go to…oh you pick a place and just let me know okay, baby?”

I smile at him and nod before kissing him goodbye and wishing him a safe trip.

As I watch him drive out to the airport I sigh.  I would feel sorry for Delia but the pull of Luther was just too strong. Oh I pulled away a couple of times over the years but he always pulled me back and now that we are finally free to be together. It’s great!  No more sneaking around; no more playing second fiddle to her!  I watch the diamond gate bracelet twinkle in the light…and no more watching pennies. For a millionaire, Zephaniah was incredibly tight-fisted with his money.  If you have it spend it I say and when I say spend, I mean on me and Luther is happy to do that.

JFK AIRPORT – AIRPORT LOUNGE

LUTHER

I’m reading the paper when I feel a warm body slide in next to me.  “Hey you gorgeous thing, how are you?  Before you answer that, come here.”  I pull Xanthe into my arms and kiss her deeply.

“Luther, have you by any chance missed me?”  She gasps when I let her up.  I nod and grin at her.

“So what’s in Ohio?”  She asks, flicking her hair back.

She reminds me of Talon in a way. Both are beautiful women, but with just that touch of exoticism. With Talon, her mother was Black and her father Korean and with Xanthe, her father is Black but her mother’s White.

But unlike Talon, Xanthe has just a touch more class. Don’t get me wrong, I like both women and they each serve a purpose- just different purposes- in my life and of course neither of them know about the other and that’s the way it will stay.

“My son Zeus. It’s been a week since I last saw him and I’ve got business in Pittsburgh so we’re staying with him before we go to Pittsburgh.  Now when we get there, be the lady I know you can be and charm the guy we’re going to meet okay?”

“Okay darling.  Our flights just been announced.  I still don’t see why we couldn’t fly on American or Delta at least they are direct and…”

“Honey, they don’t do business class and United Airlines does, and I only go with the best.  But I’m sure we can think of something to do for those extra hours…”

She giggles as we head to the gate.

PITTSBURGH COUNTRY CLUB – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

DINING ROOM

MILLIE

I’m just staring at Nancy and Ronald. I can’t think of anything other than ‘how could you be so bloody stupid’ to say.

“We know... we know what you’re thinking.”  Ronald sighs.  “But she…”

“Played the fiddle and you danced to her tune?”  Harold interrupted. He’s as mad as I am.

“I don’t understand how you’ve managed to get back to where you were all that time ago. You had her where she needed to be responsible for her own mistakes and you guys were happier than I’ve seen you in years.  And…”

“Oh my God! Tell me you didn’t send her money?” I gasp, stopping Harold mid-tirade.

“Well we…”  Nancy looks mortified, deservedly so.

“Nancy!”  I huff crossly.

“However much it is, it won’t last long in New York- not with the two of them using it at any rate and...Excuse me can we have another bottle of the red please, thank you.”  Harold sighs.

Ronald leans in and whispers.  “Di-did you know about the restraining orders?”

“Knew about them? Everyone that was in the immediate vicinity knew about them. How come you didn’t?”

“We had a problem with the McCandless property and were dealing with that. I heard her shouting but I was so cross that I ignored her and she never told us about them.  When they moved to Canada, we thought it was for a fresh start. At least that’s…”

“You need to stop listening to what she tells you and look at what she’s doing.” They look so heart sick that I start to feel my anger abating. “So where is she staying at the moment?  And what about their place in Canada? That will need to be packed up surely.  So haul her ass back here and make her do it!  That’s what I would do anyway.”

Ronald looks across at Harold who nods.  “She was willing to sacrifice your marriage Nancy. Enough really does have to be enough now.”

“If the positions were reversed, what do you think she would do?”  I ask them both.

“Nothing, she would do nothing.”  Nancy sighs.  “But when it’s your child and…”

“They have to stumble and fall and pick their own asses up and carry on as Kiki would say.”

“Ah Kiki, lovely lady.”  Ronald smiles.  I gape at him.  “You’ve met Kiki, when?”

ZEUS STARK’S HOUSE – OHIO

ZEUS

LOUNGE – SUNDAY MORNING

Well this is fun.  I have spent the last almost 36 hours vacillating between wanting to find a place to bury him or bleach my eyes and pour concrete in my ears having had to watch them paw at and hear them have at each other since they got here.

He struts in.  “Son, this is a beautiful place.  Must have cost a pretty penny.”  He waits for an answer, which he’s not getting from me.  “So coffee is where?”

“In the kitchen, could you excuse me for a minute?”  I head to the bedroom and bury my face in the pillow and scream and swear for a good two minutes and once I’m just at furious I come back down.

He looks up from the paper.  “Cream and two sugars and Xanthe likes it black.”

I head to the kitchen and force myself to make the coffee properly with no spit, snot or any other bodily fluids.  I’m surprised to find Xanthe behind me.

“Zeus, is everything okay? You look a little tense.”

“Fine, it’s just this…this home has rather thin walls…”

“Thin…oh!”  She blushes.  “I’m sorry uh, well I’ll just take the coffee in.”  She virtually snatches the tray from me and then I hear my dad’s bark of laughter.

“That’s what got your panties in a bunch? It’s just fucking…”

“Dad keep your voice down.”  I implore.

“Okay Mr Prissypants.”  He laughs.  “So what about you? What happened to that lady you were seeing, Meredith or something?  She was a pretty little thing.”

I stare at him for a good few minutes and wonder how mom ever put up with him.  “We wanted different things and…”

“Like what?”

“She wanted to be free and single and I wanted to settle down.  So we parted ways. The irony is that she’s now engaged to be married.  And I’m…”

“Living the life that most men would envy.  You and me my son we have it made. We can get all the women we want for the right price and no commitments.  Now I’m going to have a shower; we fly in a few hours.”

He heads to the stairs and I can hear his bound up them before he pauses.  “Xanthe, you coming?”

Xanthe comes in with the tray and gives me a small smile.  “I see what you mean about the walls.”

FEELEY PHARMACEUTICALS, ITALY

ZEON STARK’S OFFICE – MONDAY EARLY AFTERNOON

ZEON

Holy fucking Christ that was a nightmare!  Luckily, we managed to catch the virus before it did any serious damage but it meant I couldn’t get to Pittsburgh last week.  I didn’t know that Zeus moved to Pittsburgh but since we’ve not spoken for almost 3 months I’m not surprised.

I’m going to be flying there tonight instead and as I’m wondering where to stay when my intercom goes.

“Zeus Stark on line one for you.”

“Uh put him through.  Zeus, have you saved me a trip to whythefuckPittsburgh?”

He laughs and I can see him rolling his eyes.

“No you’ve still got to come but come to Ohio instead.  We have some serious talking to do. Let me know your flight details and I’ll pick you up.  Okay?  Zeon?  Okay?”

“Sure I’ll be there.”

CHAMBERS HOTEL – NEW YORK

LINDSAY

I look up at the ceiling of the King Suite we are booked into and sigh happily.  I knew we could rely on my parents to help us out.  However, we must actually look into somewhere to live as this money isn’t going to last forever.

We also need to sort out the place in Canada. We didn’t even have time to pack our stuff. We were allowed to take just one case and Michael almost cried over his comic books and collectibles.  We’ve got to get in touch with the letting agents and give them notice and hope that they don’t invoke the penalty because we vacated at the same time as giving notice.

Michael’s been downtown getting comics to read and although he understands, he’s still pouting that he can’t buy any collectibles as yet.  I reassured him that the moment we find a base, he can get as many as he wants.

“Hey Lindsay, shall we order in or go out?”

“Oh go out.  I think a nice stroll down Fifth Avenue and then lunch would be nice.”

He snickers.  “You and Brian and your fancy shops.”  He pauses.  “Do you miss them?”

I sigh.  “The adults, no.  I will never forgive any of them for throwing us to the ZeeWolf but Gus and Jenny I do miss.  I thought they would be in touch by now; it’s been months.  Maybe we should call…”

“No Lindsay, we agreed. Since they hurt us, they have to make the first move.”

PITTSBURGH COUNTRY CLUB – TUESDAY LUNCH TIME

DINING ROOM

CRAIG TAYLOR

Ever since I got that call from Luther Stark, I’ve been wondering what possible business we could do together.  It’s not as if we even run in the same circles socially, culturally and definitely not financially. He’s way out of my league.

I’ve not been back here in awhile. With Taylor Electronics struggling, I’ve had to concentrate on my business but it’s good to be back here.  I nod and smile at Nancy and Ronald Peterson, who I vaguely know. As they leave, I start to get a little cross. Luther Stark is running late.

“Mr Taylor?”

I look up at one of the most imposing men I’ve ever seen.  He’s built like a slab of concrete but is the colour of molasses and could be described- if I was a disgusting faggot- as good looking.  More interesting is the lady on his arm. Now she is beautiful.

“Mr Stark and…”

“Ms Collier, Xanthe Collier.”  She smiles at me and I think you lucky bastard!

“Please have a seat.”  I signal the waiter to bring the wine.  “I took the liberty of ordering one of your favourites Mr Stark.”

As the waiter approaches, I indicate that Mr Stark should taste and he does and he nods.

“You may pour.”  He orders without even looking at the waiter.  “And now you leave.”  He growls out when the waiter hovers and he virtually runs back to his station.

Wow now that was impressive.

“I’ll cut to the chase Mr Taylor. I’ve been looking at your financials and you’re struggling and I can help you get better but I want you to do something for me.” He leans back in his seat and looks around and snorts softly.  “I’ve recently suffered a familial problem at the hands of Brian Kinney…”

“Don’t mention that pervert’s name to me; he corrupted my son!”  I hiss at him and get up to leave.

“Sit down Mr Taylor.  You’ve had the reaction I wanted.  I want to hurt Brian Kinney for the hurt he caused me and you.  I have a son who has the same affliction as yours.  Your son, Justin, and Kinney are married now.”

I gape at him in horror.  “Married? Are you kidding me?!”  I whisper hoarsely.

“Nope, I never kid about this kind of thing.  Do you know anything about your son Mr Taylor?  I mean the life he lives now?”

I shake my head in disgust.  “No and nor do I want to. He’s a…”

“Multi-millionaire.  Yes his art sells very well.  And I think after all the good things we tried to instill in our children for them to go on to achieve something they don’t deserve in spite of their predilections is grossly unfair to all upstanding moral citizens.”

I’m fuming!  How could he succeed being what he is?!  I sit back and see reflected in his eyes the same disgust for his son that I have for Justin.  I nod for him to continue

“First, let me give you an incentive. I will inject some cash into your business on the basis that you do what you did after the trial, at the Prop 14 protest and the like…make your son miserable.  By doing that you make Kinney miserable.”

“But…”

“Nobody knows what buttons to push better than a father.  And, do you happen to know the current location of Chris Hobbs? I believe he can help us in our endeavour.”

“Excuse me Luther, Craig, I just need to powder my nose.”  Xanthe tells us and he waves her off without a backward glance.

XANTHE

I dry heave into the toilet and try to calm my racing heart.  I step out of the stall trying to get my head around what I’ve just heard.

“Excuse me, but are you okay?”  I jump a little and turn to the voice.  She has a kind face.

“Here, come sit down.”  She guides me back to the dressing room area of the bathroom, which I hadn’t noticed before in my need to get to the toilet.

“Would you like some water?”  I nod and smile gratefully when she hands me a cold glass.

“So what’s got that pretty face looking less pretty?  Is it a man?”  I nod.

“I thought I knew him, thought he cared but…”

“Ah I see.  Well if you want a piece of advice from a lady that’s been there, done that, got the scars and came away with the house and all the jewellery.  And is doing better than him now…”

I giggle and nod.  “Walk away, no matter how little is left of you, walk away.”  I frown.  “And then get the best lawyer in the world and let him ride his ass to hell!”

I burst out laughing and dab my eyes.  “There now.  That’s how that face is supposed to be.  Now shoulders back, head held high and as my dear friend says own the road you walk on.”

I nod and straighten my dress.  “Thank you, uh…”

“Jennifer.  Jennifer Taylor.”

“Xanthe Collier, it was lovely to meet you.”

“You too.  Sorry but I’ve got to run. I’ve a showing in an hour, hope to see you again.  Oh wait, here’s my card if you’re ever looking for a place in Pittsburgh you know after you’re lawyer’s done with him.”

I smile and head back to the table.  But on the way I drop my purse as I crouch to pick it up I hear them laughing.

“She’s very beautiful.”

“She is indeed and appropriate in these kind of social situations.”  Luther laughs

“Is she a…”

“No.  Goodness me no, I don’t need to pay for it in that sense, just in jewellery, they like jewellery, it keeps them sweet.”

“They?”  Craig sounds surprised.

“Of course you think I’ve only got one lady on the go.  Don’t get me wrong I like Xanthe but I like other ladies too you know what I mean.”

“So you just have the one son?”

“No, 4 boys and one girl. The girl is causing me the most problems, not knowing her place but I’m working on fixing that too.”

I’ve heard enough, I stand and plaster on a smile.  “Sorry gentlemen but I have a headache and need to go back to the hotel.  No, really Luther I will be fine. You stay here and conduct your business.”

He gives me a kiss on my cheek and Craig kisses my hand and with Jennifer’s words ringing in my ears I head back to the hotel.

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

LOUNGE

LUTHER

“Xanthe, you sure you’re okay? You’ve been quiet all day.”

“Sorry, honey but I’ve got a lot going on at work and I need to travel to Europe on Saturday.  So how was the rest of your meeting with Mr Taylor, productive?  Did you…”

He holds up a finger as his phone rings.  “Stark.  Uh huh, well I don’t pay you to tell me where they ain’t, I pay you to tell me where they are!”  He jabs the phone off.

“They?”  I ask nonchalantly massaging his shoulders.

“Yeah, couple of people I’m looking for to help me with the family problem I have.  Seems that Kinney had some cases in court that he won and I’m going to try and get them reversed but first I need to find the people who brought the cases.”  He sighs heavily.  “Oh that feels good.”

“You know me honey here to make you feel good.”  I smile at myself in the mirror as he checks his phone.

ZEUS STARK’S HOUSE – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

ZEON

Well I finally got here.  Whoever has been flaming Feeley were good but we were better.  The firewall has been reinforced and I fired four members of my team for not doing that in the first place.

“So bro what’s the deal?”  I ask Zeus, as we warily regard each other.  “And who hit you?”

“Mom in answer to your second question and the deal...oh hi, yeah I’ve got time, go ahead.”

I roll my eyes. He’s like dad in that respect always chasing tail and putting that first.  When Zeph told me about him and Talon, after losing my lunch I wasn’t surprised Dad always did covet what belongs to others.  But for 20 fucking years, that is just disgraceful!  And that was the start of the reconciliation between mom and I; we’re not there but we’re getting there.

“Pack an overnight bag!”  I gawk at him.  “Come on!”

JFK AIRPORT – FRIDAY EVENING

AIRPORT LOUNGE

XANTHE

I smile to myself, pleased that I finally accepted the transfer to Paris.  I had been mulling it over for a while and wanted to see if I had a future with him and I don’t.  I’ve closed up my house, put it on the market and now they are calling my flight.

I giggle as I remember the words of Jennifer in the dressing room and with my head held high I dump my phone in the trash and head towards the gate and a new life.

TREEHOUSE – SUNDAY MID-MORNING

KITCHEN

ZEE

It’s been almost 10 days since I saw Zeus and my hand has itched and my heart has ached to call him but he has to come to me and…then I stop myself and realise something. I’m being exactly like, shudder and heave, Luther!  I now regret not letting him stay with us but Brian let him stay at the loft.

“Just hit you my lig?”  He pulls me into his arms, my safe and happy place and I sigh.  “It is a lot of hurt my darling, but he didn’t have to come here.”

“You believe him?”  I bury my nose in his neck, his scent calming me.

“I didn’t get a lie off him…”  I giggle.  “And having a minor in psychology I…hey no jabbing!”

“Think I should call him?”

“I think you should do whatever is comfortable for you to do…”

“In other words yes.”

He tilts my head up and kisses me softly.  “Yes I think you need to at least try and get back to each other and if he’s working with the devil I’ll help you hide the bodies.”

“Deal.”

I tighten my grip on his waist and snuggle back into his neck. “What time are they coming?”

“In about 20 minutes, which means we can’t for a good few hours!”

I wriggle out of his embrace and smack his chest.  “Okay, I’ll call him, maybe tomorrow.”

“Good.  Now what’s for lunch?”

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO

OFFICE

LUTHER

“Some good news I hope?  Where in New York?  Right.  Thank you for finally doing your job!”

I slam the phone down.  I’m beyond pissed.  Xanthe is in Europe and unavailable and Talon is living up to her name by digging in about going away like I promised. Well other things come first...

I flick through my rolodex and find the man I’m looking for.  Grady Holster, Ivy Leaguer, All around good Black American and…Matt’s father.  I still can’t believe she chose her master over him.

“Grady it’s Luther, how you doing son?  Uh-huh, uh-huh, look let me cut to the chase, Zaden needs to be taught a lesson and if you’re lucky.  No let me start again.  You need to start wooing someone but not right now.  Let me deal with the introductions but just be ready.  And if I’m right, to get rid of you she’ll do what her grandfather did and pay you to leave her alone.  Of course she doesn’t know…”

CRAIG TAYLOR’S CONDO

OFFICE

CRAIG

“May I speak to Christopher Hobbs please?  Chris, its Craig Taylor. Regrettably that boy’s father.  I wonder if we can meet…”

TREEHOUSE – LATE AFTERNOON

DINING ROOM

FAAL

We’re just staring at the table.  Just staring.  She’s making us wait to sit down as she puts the dishes out.  The furballs are all yelling outside because they can smell it and she’s got the kids stripping the bones off under the careful watch of George and Alice.  No licking of fingers allowed.

I think Carl is on the cusp of invoking his Papa Bear powers.  “Can we…?”

“No.  There’s more.  I’ll be as fast as I can.”  She hurries out and brings in another platter.

“Gus you even think of licking that finger!”  Alice chides him.

“But it smells so good!”  He argues.

“That sounds so wrong and right on so many levels!”  Emmy Lou chuckles earning a Kinney glare.

“Okay that’s it.  This is the RTOAF messy family feast.  We have…”

“Yeah-yeah-yeah we can see!  Can we eat now?”  Steve demands.

“No, come on guys…please?”  She looks round.  “Let something stay the same?”

“So what do we have?”  Carl asks gently.

“Well it’s a chicken messy feast.  There’s Korean southern fried, Keralan curry with naan breads, Vietnamese hot spiced wrapped in savoy cabbage with vegetables and Ethiopian chicken stew and fixings.”

“So we can sit now?”  Steve is practically drooling.

“Yes, you can sit now and someone let the furballs in.”

The moment the door is opened all we see is streaks of fur and all we hear is happy noises when they reach their bowls.

Fifteen minutes in, Brian is at one end of the table and Justin is at the other at Carl’s insistence having been splashed twice as Brian tried to move his plate away from him.  Justin’s picking at his food is so pathetic that Carl doesn’t even get to finish his sentence before he’s back next to Brian and promising not to be so grabby.

“I’ll get it!”  Jenny hollers and goes to the door.   

“Oh this is so…fuck!  Hell has a new address!”  Zee growls.

“Drewsie I love you very much but again not blind!  He’s as beautiful as Zee is!”  Emmy cries.

“So everyone this is Zeon; Zeon, this is everyone. Let me get you some plates.  Have a seat.”

We all just stare at him.  “Okay enough with the staring.”  He rebukes us.  “Who’s who?”

By the time she comes back we’re all introduced and are chatting away but after about another 20 minutes of shifting the food around her plate, she’s reached her limit.

“Why are you here?”

“Uh maybe the kids…”  Zeon begins.

Zeus holds up his hand.  “No they’re good but can we go to the lounge so I can at least be semi-vertical when I’m digesting this?  So good.”

LOUNGE

We all settle down but can feel the all-out war simmering between Zeon and Zee.  They’re actually like lion and hyena over a carcass and the carcass is their relationship.  And then I see it.  The only thing keeping them from fighting is the presence of Zeus.  With just one look he puts them back in their corners.

“So Zeus, what’s going on?”  Carl demands.

When he finishes talking we’re silent.  Justin is as still as a statue and Brian’s face is incandescent with rage.

“He’s…he’s paying my…”  Justin whispers.

“How do you know this?”  Debs demands pacing.  “I think better when I’m moving!”  She answers his questioning look.

“I got a call from Xanthe. She was in Pittsburgh with…”

“Xanthe?  Are you sure it was Xanthe?  Jennifer demands.

“Uh yeah, she’s one of my dad’s…why?”

“Tall, beautiful Black lady, quite slim with high cheekbones, mole on her right cheek?”

“Pretty much that’s her…again why?”

I watch Zee bring in the desserts and head back for coffees. She looks like she wants to cry.

Jennifer starts to laugh and pretty soon she’s doubled over and it takes a while for her to calm down.

“I bumped into her in the country club. She was upset about something and I told her to own the road she walks on and it looks like she did!”

“Go Jen!”  Debs crows.

“I had no idea who she was!  Why would I?  I didn’t even see Craig, but because of that we now know what we’re dealing with!  We can be prepared.  And speaking of prepared, what are these pieces of gorgeousness?”

There are ice cream sandwiches dribbling on the platter and Zee comes back in with the coffee. She stares at Zeon and then drops the tray and within seconds she’s screaming no and slapping the sandwich out of his hand.

“Zaden what the fuck is wrong with you!”  I shout at her.

“He’s allergic to apricots!”  She pants.

There’s my girl!

CHAPTER 6: RELIEF, RECONCILIATION, REALISATION AND 3 BECOME 5

ZEE

The room is quiet but out of the corner of my eye, I can see Debs cleaning up the sandwich and hear the coffee things being cleared up but I’m just fixed on Zeon.

“You okay? You didn’t eat any of it, did you?”

“No…”

“Go wash your hands okay?”  I order him and he heads to the kitchen.

“I’ll make some more coffee.  And you young lady, go sit down.”  Jennifer tells me firmly.

I do feel a bit shaky, so head to the cart and inhale a brandy then wait for it to kick in.  I feel strong arms round me and I sink into them.

“Sssh, ZayZay, sssh, he’s fine, he’s fine.  Hush now.”

Nobody says a word as Zeus comforts me.  “C-can you check make sure…”

“I will.  Now go sit down.”

KITCHEN

ZEON

I’m staring into space thinking how close I came to a major stomach upset and hives when Zeus nudges me.

“Zeon you okay? You need anything?”

“I’m fine.  Fuck me she’s quick though - cleared that space in no time.”

“I’d have let you eat it.”  Zeus responds quietly.

“Says a lot about your character then, doesn’t it?”  Jennifer snaps.

“No, because I didn’t remember the allergy.”

Jennifer pauses.  “Says a lot about her that she did.  Now take this on board.  I love Zee.  But Brian and Justin are mine…and they are all ours. If this is some ruse then carry on but don’t say you weren’t warned.  As I say, never underestimate the strength or the power of someone who has nothing to lose.”

We watch her carry out another tray.

“Fuck me!  Dad’s not going to know what hit him!”  Zeus grins.

THOMAS WILLIAMSON’S HOUSE – TUESDAY LUNCHTIME

THOMAS

I’m pacing, the house is tidy, I’m tidy and they will be here in 15 minutes.  I think I’m having a panic attack.  15 minutes!  I double check the lunch and resume pacing.  I have a speech prepared…I can’t believe I was so cruel to them when all they, especially mom, were trying to be was understanding.

The bell jangling stops my pacing and deserved self-flagellation and I take a deep breath and open it.

“Dad!  Mom!”  I yell and launch myself into their arms.  “I’m sorry I’m so, so sorry!”  I sob.

I’m not sure when we made it indoors let alone to the couch but the door is shut, coffee is being poured and tissues pressed into my hands.

“Let me look at you my boy, let me look at you!  How could you scare us for so long?!  What were you thinking?”

Dad demands running his hands over my face and arms and anywhere he can touch.

“Arnold…we’re here now and that’s all that matters.”  Mom interrupts him.  “So you’ve been here all this time?”

“No, I went to NYC for a few years, then San Fran and came back a couple of years ago.”

Kiki heads to the door.  “Kiki where are you going?”  Mom asks.

“Leaving you alone for this. It’s private.”

“Please stay.”  I ask and look at my parents- my parents- for confirmation and they nod.

“Are you, please don’t get annoyed, but are you well?”  Dad asks.

“Yes dad. I’m perfectly healthy apart from asthma, I’m fine.”

He sighs in relief.  “I’m sorry I didn’t handle it well when you first told us.”

“None of you did.”  Kiki tells us firmly.  “It’s what you do now that matters.  Now what smells so good?”

“Lunch.  Whilst I was away I trained as a chef.”

E&ZHoD – WEDNESDAY MID-MORNING

EMMY LOU

We put out an advert last week and we’ve got over 40 resumes to look at.  Luckily we’re not that busy at the moment.  We’ve got events from early November so that gives us time to find a PA at least.  But we have recipe testing to do next week for those.

“Hello darlings!”  Lydia ruffles Ms Scarlett and Rhett and I know she’s just given them a treat each despite what I say.  “Emmy Lou what on earth is all that?”

“Resumes. We’re looking for a PA.”  I sigh.  “I hate admin.  So what are you doing here?”

Lydia is looking through the pile on my desk and quickly dismisses almost all of them.

“Oh this one is good.  Call this lady.”  She hands me a resume and then looks thoughtful.  “Though why she would want to work here is anyone’s guess…”

“Thanks!”  I snark.

“Read the resume Emmy Lou just get her in.  I was wondering if there was any lunch going to answer your earlier question.”  I shake my head.  “Shame.  Get her in. I think we might have a mutually acceptable solution.”

She walks out with a smile.

BLOOM GALLERY

LYDIA

Smiling I grab Cara and head to E&ZHoD, hoping this works out.

“Sarah?  Oh Lydia what are you doing here?”  Emmy Lou looks surprised.

“Helping you to get the right person for the job, close up let’s get this started.”

Cara, Sarah and Emmy Lou exchange bewildered expressions.

“Sarah you are an art graduate, Cara you love food and planning events and are good at it.  This PA job here would be brilliant for you and…”

“Oh my God you’re Lydia Glendale.”  Sarah gapes at me.

“Yes I am, now as I was saying, you take Cara and I take Sarah.”

“What?!”  The both say at the same time and Emmy Lou just smiles.

“Cara come on. Are you seriously trying to tell me that you aren’t itching to work here, seriously?”

“I would love to but…”

“Then it’s done.  Handover for a week and Sarah I think you will fit in perfectly.”

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO – FRIDAY MORNING

OFFICE

LUTHER

I’m so fucking fucked off.  I’d been trying to get Xanthe on the phone for the last few days now but it turns out that her phone was stolen so we are only on email.  I’m waiting for her to reply to my last one with a new phone number. She’s going to be in Paris for the next few days.  Finally, she sends me the number but before I can call her Zephaniah and Zander come in.

“Boys, how great to see you.”  I indicate the seats and Zander is the only one that sits.

“What’s this about?”  Zephaniah demands.

“Tone boy.”  I growl.

“Leaving now.”  He barks back.

“Are you still pouting about Talon?  Boy, if you were giving her what she wanted, I would not be needed, now would I?  Now just sit down and listen.”

He remains in the room leaning against the door regarding me coolly.

“Right.  Zander, I want you to sell your shares to me…”

“What?  What for?”

“So I can get back on the board of course…”

“But it won’t make a bit of difference she’s got 75% of the company. She can still outvote you easily.”

“That’s true but I can make running it difficult.  Once…”

“Why do you hate her so much?”  Zeph asks quietly.

I look at him as if he has two heads.  “She killed my boy!”

“No!  No she didn’t.  Zebadiah would not have survived…”

“Bullshit! If she had been born last…”

“She would’ve still lived!”  Zephaniah shouts back.

I grip the desk hard.  “I wanted boys!  Not a girl!  And she defies me at every turn.  I’m the father! She does what I tell her!”

“No Mr Stark, there’s a difference between being defiant and being better and she’s better than you- better than us- and you can’t stand it!”  Zephaniah snorts.

“$20 million.”  Zander stands.  “$20 million and the shares are yours.”

Zephaniah gapes at him and walks out.  “I knew I could rely on you. Let me get the money together; you’ll have it by the end of next week.”

He follows Zephaniah out and I smile. Soon I will be back to making her life miserable again.

Xanthe has finally replied.  I dial the number putting it on speaker, ready to bask in her honeyed tones.

“Bonjour how may I help you?”

I freeze and look at the number that she sent and the number that I dialled.

“Sorry, I seem to have misdialed. I was trying for Xanthe Collier, I’ll…”

“No sir this is the service for Ms Collier, how may I help you?”

“Oh.  May I be put through to her please?”

“Who is calling?”

I grind my teeth.  “Luther Stark.  I’m…”

“On the hang up list.  Goodbye.”

I quickly email Xanthe and I get a bounce back.  What the fuck is going on?

I call the New York office and am put through to Cindy.  “Cindy its Luther Stark. I want to speak to Xanthe but I can’t get through.”

“Oh, wait let me just check.  Yes you’re on the hang up list.  Goodbye.”

I huff angrily and then think, she’ll be back.  She’s just pouting about something ridiculous.

KINNETIC

TED’S OFFICE

TED

“Hey Tobias, its Ted.  I’m fine and so is Blake.  What?  When?  Oh I’m so happy for you.  Have you got a venue or a date?  Of course we’d be delighted to come.  Look the reason for the call I have a concern.  Taylor Electronics, and maybe its owner Craig Taylor, is about to come into a large amount of money and…I’ll leave it with you.”

I quickly dial Blake.  “Guess what honey?  Darius proposed and Tobias said yes!  Of course we’re going to the wedding, date to be determined.  Look I’ve got another call coming through speak to you tonight.  Love you.”

“Tobias?  I’m not sure how it will get to him but I know who if that helps.  Stark, Luther Stark.”

Mess with my family Mr Stark and Mr Taylor…oh I think not!

CHAMBERS HOTEL

LINDSAY AND MICHAEL’S SUITE

LINDSAY

“…oh I see.  Well yes we’ll be delighted to meet you next week. What time?  Thank you.  I’m unsurprised by what you’ve said.  Goodbye.”

“Who was that?”

“Luther Stark, Zee’s dad.  Turns out that she, as has been shown by her behaviour, was and is the protagonist in their relationship.  He wants to meet with us next week. He says he can get all our cases reviewed with a view to getting them retried!  Here in New York!”

He grabs me and swings me around.  “Yes!  And there’s nothing that can stop that!”

WHITE & SULLIVAN

MEL

This potential review of all our cases has me worried.  I’ve finally got back to the office so now to speak to Solomon as he worked on most of the cases.

“Uh Mel could you just…”  Sheridan calls out.

“Sheri sorry but I really do need to speak to him.”

I swing open the door.  “Solomon I need to...whoa!  Sorry so sorry I’ll be in my office when, when you’ve finished.”  I slam the door shut.

“I tried to warn you.”  Sheri giggles.  “He landed last night and surprised him this morning, which is why Adam is in court.  When he saw him Dump Truck squealed like a girl, leapt into his arms and they’ve been in there ever since.

I head back to my office somewhat in shock at the vision of Menno ploughing into the ass of Solomon Sullivan.  Could’ve sworn he was a top.

Fifteen minutes later a well fucked and happy looking Solomon knocks on the door.  “Knocking saves surprises.”  He chides me when I let him in.

“I’m so sorry again.”  I can feel the heat radiating off my face.  “But I have something I need to talk to you about and…”

“Kinney, Peterson, Novotny and Bruckner cases?”

“Uh…”

“They’ve already been reviewed, first thing we did.  New York is locked down; the rest will follow. We go by state rather than supreme since they’re easier to get and when you get New York, the rest tend to follow.  Whatever Stark has planned, the cases aren’t the way to go!”

“Wow... just wow!”

He grins at me and heads to the door.  “Oh I’m versatile, just in case you were wondering.”

I groan and sink my head onto my desk.

ZANDER’S CONDO – JERSEY

OFFICE

ZEPHANIAH

“How could you?  How could you just agree to sell like that?”

“Agree to what? Someone want to catch us up here?”  Zeus demands.

“Zander and I went to see him today and he wants to buy Zander’s shares and he’s agreed to the tune of $20 million.  He’s paying over the odds just so he can make her miserable…again!”

“Wow he…”

“Wanted all boys instead of a girl.  Especially, a girl who is better than him and us- well most of us- at everything!”

“Apricots. She remembered the apricots.”  Zeon tells us quietly.

“Back to the share issue!  Zander, how could you?”  I growl at him.  “Why the fuck are you smiling?”

“Because I don’t have them.  I just wanted to know how much her pain is worth to him.”

“If you don’t have them, then who does?”  Zeus demands.

“Zee of course.  She owns the company outright, although she doesn’t know that yet.  So now it’s our turn. Time to be the big brothers we were always supposed to be.”

PITTSBURGH COUNTRY CLUB – FRIDAY MID-AFTERNOON

BAR

CRAIG TAYLOR

I look around and wonder what made Luther Stark snort.  I can’t see what’s wrong with the place.  It has everything: the right ambiance, the right people just the right...everything.

“Craig what are you doing here?”  I sigh and turn around to face Jennifer.

“Meeting a friend for a drink?  You?”  I can’t keep the smug smile off my face.

“Likewise.  Seems my table is ready.  Excuse me.”

“Another whisky mac."  I demand.

“Mr Taylor.”  I look up and smile at Christopher Hobbs.

“Come let’s go to our table.”  He follows me quietly.  I make sure that Jennifer can see us BUT she has her back to us.  No matter we can still discuss our move.

“So what is this meeting about?”  He asks.

“I have a proposition for you.  How would you like to metaphorically finish what you started with my son?” He looks wide eyed at me.  “Don’t panic I don’t mean that. I mean just make him uncomfortable?  I have a friend who thinks like you and me and now that Justin is married to that man…”

“Mr Taylor, can I stop you there?”

“No let me finish.  I know you left town for a while, to give people time to cool off no doubt…”

“Yes there was that but…”

“Now that time has passed.  Let’s talk about what we can do to Justin.  I see you’re married now yourself.”

“Yes.  Yes I am.”

“Happily so.”

“Very much, we got married in Paris.”

“Lovely and what’s her name.”

“Mark.”

CHAPTER 7: REALISATIONS…SOME BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

COUNTRY CLUB DINING ROOM

CRAIG

“Martha?”  How nice.  And how did you meet?”

“Not Martha, Mark.”

“Mark? What kind of name is Mark for a woman?”  I can’t quite understand this.  Must be a French thing.

“A man’s name.  I’m married to a man.”

“A ma…a –a wait I don’t…but you hate my son!”  I whisper hoarsely.  “You tried to kill him!”

“I didn’t hate him I envied him.”  He stands up and puts his jacket back on.  “He was so brave even then.  Something he obviously never go from you.  Goodbye Mr Taylor.  Don’t contact me again.”

I grab his wrist tightly.  “You’re father must be so ashamed of you!”  I snarl quietly.  “The shame you have brought on the family name!”

“The only shame sentence I got for trying to kill your son.  I would let go if I were you.”  He growls at me his eyes cold.

“Does your Mark know about your past?”  I drop his wrist.  “I’ve got no problem telling him, in fact I could tell the world about you and…”

“Do that.”  He replies calmly.

“I will expose you for the…”

“Mr Taylor.  My dad is dead, we buried him two months ago.  The only reason you managed to catch me here is because I was shutting down the house and will be heading back to Paris, where I live to be happy away from here.”  He pulls his sleeves back down.  “As I said goodbye Mr Taylor.

He leaves without a backward glance.

I gulp down the rest of my drink and try to steady my nerves.  I cast a look round to see if anyone witnessed the altercation and it seems not and Jennifer still has her back to me.  I signal the waiter and settle the bill and head to my car sick to my stomach.

“May I be put through to Luther Stark?  Yes, Craig Taylor, of course it’s urgent!”  I drum my fingers in impatience.

“Luther I managed to get hold of Hobbs, he’s going to be no use to us, as he’s gay too!  What do you mean no matter, what about our agreement?  Oh, oh I see.  Okay, no problem.  I can definitely do that.”

I smile and take a deep breath.  The next thing I need to do is find out when its next opening is.  I’ll arrange a nice little welcoming party.

HOBBS FAMILY HOME – AN HOUR LATER

KITCHEN

CHRIS

Mark kisses me sweetly on the lips.  “Hey!  How are you, how was lunch with him?  Did he…”

“Awful and no he didn’t?”  I sigh.  “Is there any wine open?”

“Here.”  Mark hands me a glass of red.  “Did you expect anything else?  You tried to kill his son and…”

“He wanted me to psychologically finish the job.”  I interrupt him.

He just blinks at me.  “Psychologically finish the…I don’t understand why would he want you to do this?”

“I didn’t stick around long enough to find out.  I thought that he wanted an apology but no…and he mentioned a friend.”

“You must try and speak to him before we go!”  Mark stands up and heads to the computer.

“I’m not getting back in touch with him!”

“Not him, Justin.  Come we must find an address or something, you have to apologise and to warn him.  That is the only way.”

I sigh and drain the rest of my glass, he’s right of course.   When I first told him about my past he dumped me straight away and wouldn’t take my calls for a year but then I followed him to France and he forgave me I can only hope that Taylor and Kinney can do the same.

BRITIN

MASTER BEDROOM

JUSTIN

“Where the fuck is it!”  I stamp my feet in frustration.  I hate it when Brian tidies up, he puts stuff in the most ridiculous of places!

“Is there a reason that half my closet is on the bed and you’re on the verge of a queen out?”

“Two reasons.  One I just wish they would make their move already and two I’m looking for the photo album…”

“What album? The one of our wedding?  You know you’re putting these back in the exact order in which you found them?”  He indicates the clothing.

“No not that album that album, you know the one that has the pictures in it?”

“At the risk of a Queen Princess meltdown what are you…”

“Queen Princess Meltdown?!  Are you kidding me with that right now!  Now help me look for it, have you been tidying again!”

“JUSTIN!”  I snap my head round and immediately my anger dissipates.  “Come here baby.”

He carefully moves his suits and I crawl into his lap.  “I just want the fight to start…”

“I know but they need to make their move.  Until then there is nothing we can do?  Now what album are you talking about and why is it so important?”

“Remember the trip to P-Town about six years ago?”

“Oh yeah that was hot.”  He massages my skull and I feel myself relaxing.

“Well those pictures, I have, as Zee would say, a burr about it and I just want to check something.”

“Toy Room.”  He replies kissing my ear.  I gape at him.  “Well where else would I put it?”

“Come on my anally retentive gorgeous husband!”  I tug him along to the Toy Room.

TOY ROOM

“Okay so where did you put it?”  Our room is filled with every sex toy imaginable and pride of place are the toys made by Zee.  And the new ones have swirls!

“Photo albums are here.  P-Town, P-Town, aha here you go!”  He hands it to me and I settle down on the bed and flick through it quickly and then gasp.

“Oh fuck!  Brian what do you remember about P-Town?”

“It was hot and we got seriously ripped on the trail mix.  Oh and the orgy in one of the rooms, it was called Light and Dark…now that was hot.  And oh we fucked that guy.  Well I fucked you and you fucked him.  Why?”

I gulp and show him the picture.  “I thought there was something about Zee that I liked…”

He takes a minute to scrutinise the picture.  “Oh Christ.  You fucked Zeon!”

“You helped!”

“How did I help?!”

“If you weren’t piling into me I wouldn’t have been piling into him!”

I begin to pace back and forth.

“What are we going to do?  We can’t tell Zee!”  I wail and then am pissed when he starts to laugh!

“Brian!  It’s NOT funny!  We have to fix this!”

“Justin it’s not as if we can go back and un-fuck him, it’s done.  What’s the problem?  It’s just sex…”

“With her brother!  Their dad is already after us what do you think is going to happen when he finds out…”

I pick up a pillow and start bashing him with it as he’s rolling round the bed with tears running down his face holding his sides.  Ten minutes later he’s stopped laughing and I’ve stopped hitting and am brushing the hair out of his eyes.

“QPM?”  I kiss him softly, he nods and grins again.

“But I do agree that we should at least let him know.  Though I do feel slightly slighted that he doesn’t seem to remember us!  We’re awesome!”

“Brian!”  I thump him with the pillow again.

FELLOW & STEADMAN ATTORNEYS AT LAW – NEW YORK – WEDNESDAY MORNING

MALACHY STEADMAN’S OFFICE

LUTHER

I have had lunch with Lindsay Peterson and Michael Novotny and I think she and Grady would make an interesting couple.  It will stick in Zee’s craw something good. From what she’s said about the run-ins they’ve had, Zee was feeling threatened.  Though I am beyond pissed that she’s got a plane and I haven’t!

She would also come in handy to add some polish to Talon.  I’m not sure what I can do with the Novotny character, who turns up to a business meeting in a cartoon character tee and sneakers?  But they come as a pair.

Speaking of polish, I’ve been trying to get hold of Xanthe still but so far no luck, so I’m going to surprise my lady and turn up tomorrow at her offices, she should be over her snit by then.

“Malachy, Lindsay, Michael, apologies but I really do need to leave for my flight.  Let me know when the review is.”  I nod at Malachy and smile at Lindsay and Michael.  “You’re in good hands.  Now, remember when you finish here, you go to that address and make yourselves at home.  You hear?”

“Mr Stark…I mean Luther…thank you once more.”  Lindsay gushes and Michael grins at me.

“It’s the least I can do after all the trouble my daughter has caused you.  Now I really must dash.”

MALACHY

I have been looking through the files ever since he contacted me.

“So Ms Peterson, Mr Novotny.  Can you tell me why you want these reviewed and retried?”

“Because we didn’t win and…”

“Pardon?  Uh Mr Novotny can you repeat that.”  I’m pretty sure he did not just say that.

“We didn’t win.”  He replies slowly and I have to resist the temptation to laugh.

“Okay, apart from that.”

“That’s it.”

He responds folding his arms and rolling his eyes at Ms Peterson as if I’m the idiot in the room and she has the nerve to smile back.

I lean back in my chair and sigh.  “Mr Novotny, if I went to the board with this reason we would be at the back of a very long queue.  What I mean is was there anything that your lawyer did?  Did his misrepresent you for example?  Did you feel the judges were biased against you for any reason?”

“Well they kept sending me to jail for contempt and…”

“They?  And what’s this contempt there’s nothing noted in here?”  I look through the documentation again and nope nothing about contempt.

“Yes you see…”  Ms Peterson interrupts and explains all.

When they have finished I just stare at them, take a breath and stare again.

“Okay, what I’m going to do is let Mr Stark tell you the news once I get it.  Now I’ve got another appointment, so thank you.”

“No thank you Mr Steadman, thank you.  Come on Michael.  Oh one more thing; about the lawyer who represented us can we report him too?”

I flick through the paperwork and on seeing his name nod.  “Yes leave that with me too.  Now goodbye.”

I sink back into my chair and toss the files in the bottom of the drawer and relish the sound of it clanging shut with the force of my kick.  Then I make a call.

LUTHER STARK’S 2ND CONDO – 2 HOURS LATER

LINDSAY

I look round the room it is huge and opulent.  Michael is in his element, we’re currently trying to decide who gets which room out of the four king sized rooms here.

“Right first things first we need to get our stuff from Canada delivered here.  And…”

“Oh can you imagine how cool my collectibles will look in that lower office…”

“Uh Michael I don’t think that would be a good…”

“You said that once we have a base I could…”

“Yes I know that but I meant a permanent based.  Let’s just get our stuff here.  You call the letting agents and let them know we’re giving them notice to quit, I’m going to dive into the hot tub!”

MICHAEL

I watch Lindsay skip out and feel a little put out. I don’t see why I can’t have my collectibles out, he said make yourself at home.  Sighing I call the agency.

“Hello, yes this is Michael Novotny, formerly of Rexdale Avenue.  This is…uh yes I said formerly, we now live in New York.  Yes I mean as of now.  Look we’ve moved out but we need to come back and…you can?  Oh that’s even better!  Great let’s do that!  So our new address is…”

Twenty minutes later I yell through the bathroom door.  “Lindz the agents are all sorted!”

SIMON & SIMON – PARIS – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

MAIN RECEPTION

LUTHER

“Good afternoon sir how may I help you?”

I smile my best smile at the lady.  “Yes, I would like to meet with Ms Xanthe Collier.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, it’s a surprise visit.  I’m…”

“She is overseas at present.  I’m sorry sir.”

Overseas!  Over-fucking-seas!  I smile at her again.  “Can you tell me where she is, you see I’ve travelled a…”

“I’m sorry we cannot give that information out for obvious reasons, perhaps you should have called first.”

“I did call.”  I almost growl at her, causing her to narrow her eyes.  I immediately soften my tone.  “But unfortunately, I couldn’t get through.”

“Oh, maybe there is a problem with the system that I haven’t heard of.  May I have your name please?”  She at least has lost the annoyed expression.

My best smile is out again.  “Stark, Luther Stark.”  I adjust my tie and wait.

“Ah I see, yes I see.”  She replies looking at the screen.  “Adam!  Could you show Mr Stark out of the building and if he attempts to come back in call the police.  Mr Stark au revoir.”

I’m about to say something to her when I feel a hand on my shoulder, I turn to face Adam.

“I don’t need your help!”  I snap shaking off his guiding hand.

Once I get outside I dump the flowers in the trash and want to scream with frustration at not being able to get the last word!

KINNETIC – FRIDAY MORNING

BRIAN

Justin and I look at each other and try not to laugh at the expression on Ted’s face.

“Z-Z-Zeon as in Zaden’s twin brother?!”  He squeaks.

We nod and he shakes his head.  “Why is this funny to you again?”

“Oh come on Ted…”  Justin grins at him as he starts to pace.

“It’s just sex…”  I begin my reasoning.

“Which you metaphorically had with his wife.”  Ted takes a swig of water.  “And by he; I mean, Faal.  A very protective as in he carries a gun, at all times, when it comes to her, Faal.   Because you know you tell her she’ll tell him.”

Suddenly it’s not funny anymore and I didn’t think it was possible for Justin to go that colour.

“Mr Taylor-Kinney, Mr Taylor-Kinney your 1100 is here.”  Shala’s voice comes over the intercom.

“T-thank you.  Give us a few minutes and we’ll be in conference room 1?”  Justin replies.

“Uh Ted when you said…”  Justin begins

“The only time he takes it off is at home.  She’s his everything.”

“How do you know that?”  I ask.

“He never takes his jacket off when we’re out.  So one day I asked him why.”

CONFERENCE ROOM 1

TED

The moment I saw him I knew, I just knew.  But I wasn’t quick enough to stop him.

“Brian!”  Justin screamed at him as his fist landed firmly in the stomach of Chris Hobbs.

“Security!”  Brian bellows.  Immediately Frank and Austin burst through.

“Brian!  You’ve played right into their hands!”  Justin is yelling as Brian grabs Hobbs by the back of his shirt hauling him upright.

“Get Justin out!  Ted get him out!  What the fuck are you doing in MY FUCKING BUILDING?”  He roars into his face.

“Mr Taylor if you could persuade your husband to release my husband we can explain our presence here!”

Okay clearly I’m in an alternate universe, because the other guy, who I had completely forgotten about was here just said husband!

“Mr Taylor-Kinney…” Frank begins.

“It’s okay.  We’re fine but can you remain.”  I tell him.  “Brian let him go!  Let him go!”

Reluctantly he does so and Hobbs crumples to the floor.  The other guy is immediately by his side.

Brian is taking heaving breaths and his eyes are almost black but he maintains a towering presence over Hobbs and blocks Justin from his view.

“Husband?  You said husband?”  I demand of the other guy.

“Yes.  My name in Mark Delphine.  And…”

“Do you know what he did?”  Brian snarls.

“Yes.  I know.”  He replies quietly.

“So maybe I should bust you in the gut too!”

“No!  Please!  Please listen!”

“Listen why should…”

“Brian.”  Justin’s voice immediately calms him down, it’s like air being sucked out of a balloon and he pulls him into his arms.  “I want to hear what he has to say.”

“I’m sorry.”  Hobbs manages to groan out.

“Well as Aunt Dee would say, you’re a day late and a few fucking dollars short!”  Brian snarls.

“I know.  But…I was so jealous of you.  You were, are, so brave and sure and you didn’t care.  And when you virtually outed me on Liberty Avenue and then kissed at the prom I knew you knew and I was so scared.  I would lose everything…”

“So killing the man I love was the answer for you!”

Only Justin tightening his hold kept him from smacking Hobbs again.  And my heart broke for Brian, how he must have suffered and we thought he didn’t care.

“Yes at the time that was the answer for me.  And I regretted it every day.  Even more when you didn’t kill me when you had the chance and…”

“Kill you?”  I question.

“Explain later.”  Brian cuts me off.

“So what’s this?  Reverse psychology?  We’re supposed to become friends and then you and my sperm donor sucker punch me again.  Hearing how he celebrated your sentencing was a particular joy!”

“We fly back to Paris on Sunday, so you will never hear from me again.  I know it’s not much but…when I met him I taped the conversation so if, if I can send it to someone…”

Frank clears his throat.  “Send it to me.  Give me…”

“I want to hear it first.”  Justin’s voice is strong.

We listen appalled as the recording plays.  Hobbs’ husband is shaking his head muttering things in French.  When it finishes, he hands his phone to Frank without a word and nobody says anything until he hands it back to him.

“Goodbye Mr Taylor-Kinney.  I know it’s not much but I truly am sorry.”

“I’m curious about something?”  Brian stops their departure.  “How can you forgive him?”

His husband turns to us looking sad but taking Hobbs’ hand.  “I haven’t but I love him enough to try.”

Brian nods at Frank and he makes sure he leaves, it takes me less than a second to hear the soft sobbing.  I close the door quietly behind me.

BRITIN – SATURDAY EARLY EVENING

KITCHEN

ALICE

They’re finally up.  We’re having dinner instead of lunch with the family.  Lilah and Milo have been like little guards on the bed.  I’ve taken in coffee but they’ve just slept through.  I thought the showing was bad enough but whatever happened yesterday was worse.

“Alice.  Good after…hi.”  Justin mumbles reaching for coffee.

“Justin, honey, I know you two are not okay do you want something special to eat now?  Can do the French toast you like.  Am already doing oxtail of course.”

“No we’re fine we’re going to have a shower everyone will be here soon.”

He heads back upstairs without another word.

Thirty minutes later the family arrive.  Debs and Jennifer immediately corner me with questions, we’re all tearful and fearful.

“Look when they are ready to say let them say.”  Carl orders.  “Let’s at least get drinks sorted out okay.”

LOUNGE

DEBS

Something bad has happened, that much is certain.  But what?  When they come in they look wrung out but still as much in love as ever.

“Just tell us for fuck sake!”  Jennifer demands at the end of her rope.

“Chris Hobbs came to see us yesterday.”  Justin tells us quietly.

“Ted did you know!”  Ems shrieks.

“Of course I knew!  But it’s not my place!”  Ted barks back.

“QUIET!”  Carl bellows.

“Once he could breathe properly he came to say sorry and to…”

“Sorry!  He came to say fucking sorry!”  Jen is incandescent.

“Yes.  And we’ve accepted his apology.”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?”  Ben bellows

Brian chuckles.  “”No, if his husband can still love him and try to forgive him…”

“Husband?”  Ems whispers.  “He’s married.  To a man?  But…to a man?”

They tell us what happened and play the recording for us.  “What did he mean kill him?” I ask.

“Not one of my finest moments.  It was after Darren got bashed…”  Justin explains without looking at either Jen or I, he knows he’s in trouble!

“So let me get this straight you went round in pink tees and were skinheads?”  Zee clarifies, I think she’s missing the bigger picture.  “And you called yourself the Pink Posse?”

“Uh huh.”

“And what do you think everyone else was calling you?”  She quirks an eyebrow and Faal starts to chuckle.

I don’t get it.  And apparently neither does anyone else except maybe Carl.  I nudge him but he won’t look at me.

“The Pink Posse.”  Justin repeats and even Brian looks confused.

“Oh no honey.  Take out the ‘o’, replace it with a ‘u’ and add an ‘i’ and an extra ‘s’ and that’s what they were calling you.  Trust me.”  She smirks and takes a sip of her drink.

“Oh God!”  Justin gasps.  “Really?  Did people really…oh God!”  He buries his face into Brian’s chest.

“I always wondered who people were talking about…”  Ems mutters.  “But the very name was off putting.”

“Hey!”  Mel throws a cushion at him.

And the room erupts with laughter.

LUTHER STARK’S 2ND CONDO – SUNDAY MORNING

TALON

“Hello is anyone here?”  I call out.

I hear footsteps and a blonde woman and dark haired man come down the stairs.  Oh so these are them.

“Your boxes have arrived.”  I point to them.

“Okay, so they are clearly labelled.  So why don’t you carry on with that after you make us some coffee and maybe breakfast?  Michael what…”

“You want breakfast then I suggest you find a restaurant or a maid to do that for you.”  I glare at them.  “My name is Talon Stark-Kho.  You are Lindsay Peterson and Michael Novotny.”

She colours up real nice this one, though bright pink is not her colour.

“I’ve been in this family for over 20 years.  And…”

“We know how you got here by…”

“Little man you would do well to zip your lip and realise that I can make your life very comfortable or…oh what’s the word I’m looking for…not.”  I walk round them carefully.

“For reasons best known to himself Luther has decided to help you and I’m happy to help him, help you to make Zee’s life miserable.  She’s always had a superiority complex and I hate her for it.”

Suddenly blondie’s disposition changes.  “Let us go upstairs and get changed and we’ll be right down.”

As they head upstairs I hear them snickering.  “Zee is not going to know what hit her.  And soon Brian will be begging us to stop.”

I walk into the lounge and look round it truly is a nice place.  Tastefully decorated.

Ten minutes later they are back and I can tell he’s itching to tell me what to do.  “So tell us all about your relationship with Zee.”  Blondie smiles at me.

“Well she’s a good judge of character, no matter how little of it there is…”

An hour later I’m driving back to the main condo.  Having listened to them spout stuff about Zee that I know isn’t true I and pull over to the side of the road and put in a call.

“Zephaniah Stark.”

“Zeph its Talon, don’t hang up!”

CHAPTER 8: YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID AND YOU CAN’T CHANGE IGNORANT…BUT YOU CAN GIVE THEM ONE FUCK OF A SLAP!

DINER – TUESDAY MORNING

KIKI

“Hey Kiki!”  Debs yells.  “How’d did the reunion go?”

“Oh great!  He’s coming here for coffee in about an hour.”  She looks round.  “I wonder if you could put in a word for me.”

“A word where?  Are-are you leaving us?”  Debs starts to tear up.

“No!  Of course not.  But Thomas is looking for a job and I know it’s an imposition but if you could speak to Zee and Emmy Lou.”

“About?”  She demands impatiently.

“I heard they need a chef and he’s a chef who is looking for a new…”

“Who’s a chef?”  Emmy Lou interrupts me.

I sigh.  “Bernie and Arnold’s son Thomas, you’ve heard me talk about him?”  Emmy Lou nods.  “Well he’s really good, not as good as you guys but good and…”

“Send him to us!”  Emmy Lou sinks into a booth.  “If I have to taste one more omelette I will scream.”

“Really?”

“Yes really.  How is it possible to fuck up an omelette?!”

E&ZHoD

CARA

I LOVE MY JOB!  Don’t get me wrong I loved the gallery and I will still see Lydia but this is my dream job.   We’ve got testing all this week for three parties over the next couple of weeks.

“Okay Zee…”  I walk into the Testing Area and stop.  “Zee are you in here?”  She pops out from the larder but doesn’t move from the door.  “Okay, what exactly are you doing?”

“Uh nothing.”  She replies quickly.  “Wh-what was it you wanted?”

“I just wanted to let you know that Emmy Lou called to say expect a Thomas Williamson.  He’s a friend of Kiki’s.  Should be here in about 20 minutes.”

“Thanks.”  She replies.  “I’ll expect him did Emmy say if he would be joining us, I mean yes us.”

“Do you mean, you, me and Emmy Lou or you, me, Emmy Lou and Faal?”  I grin at her.

“What can I say except I love the guy?”  She grins back.

“Okay I’ll leave you to your love fest, you’ve got 15 minutes to pash out.”

“Thank you!”  Faal calls out.  “Now get back in here my lig!”

I shake my head and make my way back to my desk.

“Oh sorry sir, have you been waiting long?”  I greet the gentleman in reception.

“No, not long at all.  I wonder if you can help me, my name is Guido, Guido de Witt.  I represent Taylor Electronics and I would like to employ your services for a party that Mr Taylor would like catered for the 25th of this month, I realise it is short notice.  There would be about 20 people, I’ve heard nothing but good things about you.”

“Thank you.  That shouldn’t be a problem.  Now if you’d like to take a seat I’ll get the details from you.”

EMMY LOU

I make my way back to work and step inside.  Cara, the godsend, smiles at me.

“Emmett, this is our new client Mr de Witt, he works for…”

“Now Cara we’ve agreed that you should call me Guido...”  He smarms at her, I can see the revulsion in her eyes.

“Nice to meet you Emmett.”  He tells me without looking at me.  Rude!

“Yes, you did.  As I was saying he works for...”

“Excuse me I’m looking for Emmett Honeycutt?”

“That would be me and you are?”

“Thomas Williamson.  I was sent here by Kiki…”

“Oh yes, can you go through there I’ll be right with you.  Is Zee available?”

Cara nods and I try not to smile as she pulls her hand out of Guido’s reach.

“Now Mr de Witt, I believe we have everything we need here.  We’ll be in touch with your confirmation details shortly.”  I take him firmly by the elbow and lead him to the door.  “Good day sir.”

“I need bleach, no correction battery acid.  A wire brush and caustic soda.  He was revolting!  How he thought that he was sexy or that it was flattering is beyond me.  Ugh!”

I have to laugh.  “So where is King Odious of the Creep-O-Zoids from?”

“Taylor Electronics and…”

“Absofuckinglutely not!”  I snap at her, she looks shocked.  “Sorry sweetie.  But he works for Justin’s father and…”

“Oh my I didn’t realise.  Well obviously we…”

“Will send him the confirmation that everything is in order.  When’s the party again?”

“25th, so in three days, a small intimate event for 20 very influential clients…his boss needs to impress them.”

“Don’t tell anyone else about this okay?”  She frowns but nods.  “Trust me sweetie. He’ll impress them alright.”

I smile at her, I may not be able to do much but this I can do!

THOMAS

Oh my goodness this kitchen is heavenly!  My last job was in a high end restaurant and they didn’t have the kit that this place has.

“You must be Thomas?”  I turn to a rich heavily accented voice and I reach for his hand and internally happy dance.

“I’m Faal and this is my wife…”

“Of course she is.”  I sigh.  “I mean I’m…”

“Don’t worry about it Thomas, I’m Zee and if Kiki says you’re good then you’re in.”

“Par...Pardon?”  I stammer.  “Are you serious?”

“Yep.  But just in case, can you prep my carnivore of a husband a steak.  By the way he’s South African and likes his steak with more than a hint of moo.  And spicy he likes it spicy.”

Twenty minutes later I plate up and watch with pride as Faal asks for more bread and glowers at Cara as she reaches for a piece of steak.

“He’s in.”  Emmett smiles.

LUTHER STARK’S 2ND CONDO – WEDNESDAY MORNING

RECEPTION

MICHAEL

Our stuff has finally arrived from Canada but Lindsay is still not talking to me properly.  How was I supposed to know that telling that we had immediately moved out would incur such a big penalty?

“Lindsay, I’ve said I’m sorry.”

“All you had to do was tell them we were giving notice not that we had moved, nor give them permission to pack up the entire house.  That sorry…”  She pauses as the doorbell goes.  “Cost us $6000.”

“Good afternoon.”  Talon strides in as if she owns the place.  “You’re going to have to clear that up, Luther doesn’t like clutter.”

“We’re in the process of clearing it up Ta…”

She holds up her hand.  “Say my name correctly or the next park bench is yours.”

“Talon.  And what are you doing here exactly?  We live here. And…”

“I’m screwing the person who owns this place.  So until such time as that is you, I get to go where I want without answering to your scrawny ass.”

WHITE & SULLIVAN

SOLOMON’S OFFICE

SOLOMON

So, I’m six foot three, weigh almost 250 pounds and have almost 5% body fat and currently I am pinned to the floor by a six foot South African who’s kissing me like I’m his last meal.  Thank goodness, he’s moving down to my neck so I can at least breathe!

“Me…Menno baby can you just stop a minute?”

I groan as he completely ignores me and latches onto my nipple, when he undid my shirt I have no idea.

“Shush.”  He mumbles from the depths of my crotch.  “Busy.”

Man he is quick!  “Men…oh!”  I gasp as he swipes my cock from base to tip and then swallows me down whole.

His mouth is like hot butter and he has my hips locked in position and I’m beginning to see stars!

“Baby, the ph…phone.  Need to…oh God…yes!  Right, right there, just like that!”  I yelp.

Seconds later I’m arching my back and trying not to scream the place down as I come hard.  I slump back down and try to suck some much needed air into my lungs before he starts to kiss me again.  Slow, soft, tongue filled kisses; he tastes of a combination of me, him and coffee…best taste in the word.

“Roll us over baby.”  Slowly he does so.  I reach for my pants but he pulls on my ear and waves the condom in my face.  “Was a boy scout.”  He mumbles before pulling me down for a tongue filled kiss again.

“Ready?”  I whisper and feel his legs start to slide up my waist as I raise up onto my knees.

“Now.  Baby.  Now.”

I push gently into him and we lock gazes.  I entwine our hands above his head and slowly start to thrust into him.  This is our favourite position because I get it right on target.

“Sol…Solly!”  He groans as we kiss between thrusts.  “Fuck so good.  Deeper please deeper!”

I shift forward slightly and his breath hitching and the tightening of his legs tells me that’s what he wanted.  “Yes.  There.  Don’t you fucking stop!”

We’re sliding against each other covered in sweat and after four more hip snaps, he explodes and groans deeply into my mouth as we keep kissing.

Five minutes later, I gently withdraw and sit on my haunches.  He looks so hot like this.  Freshly fucked and slowly coming down from cumming.  I finally manage to get up on my feet and collect damp cloth and gently clean him up.

“How is it I’m the only completely naked one?”  I ask pulling up my pants; he stretches out a hand and I pull him to his feet.  And then we kiss again…I slap away his wandering hands.

“No, baby I have to be in court in an hour.”  He pouts but I step out of his reach.  “Answer the naked question.”

He shrugs and buttons up his shirt and grins smugly, before replying.  “I was distracting you.”

I harrumph and reach for my phone to check the voicemail messages.  One was just confirmation of what we already knew and the other was better than that.

I lick my lips and smile at him.  “What’s that smile for?”

“Two things, one all the cases are locked down. There is no way in hell they can be reviewed now.  And two...got a postponement for my case.  Now you get naked immediately.”

LUTHER STARK’S 2ND CONDO

LOWER OFFICE

MICHAEL

It’s taken four trips but I’ve finally moved all my collectibles boxes down here and I’m moving some of his things off the shelves.

“Oh no, no you are not doing that!”  Talon’s tells me.  “These boxes go in the garage or the basement.”

“These boxes have my collectibles in them and Luther said to make ourselves at home and…”

“Michael, there is a great difference between making yourself at home and imposing yourself in someone else’s home, which is what you are doing by doing that.” She puts the books back and looks at me scornfully.  “Now the garage or basement, which one would you like directions to?”

“How do you look at yourself in the mirror every day knowing that you cheated on your husband with your father in law all this time?”  I sneer at her.

“The same way you look at yourself.  Didn’t you fuck over your best friend?   Your husband? And your children?”

“You don’t know anything about that!”  I snarl at her.

“Honey, I know plenty. I don’t just fuck the guy, I listen when he talks.  You’d be wise to do the same.”

“Oh there you are.”  Lindsay interrupts us.  “I was…uh Michael what are you doing?”

I smirk at Talon.  “Putting my collectibles…”

“You can’t put these in here Michael.  They need to go in the basement or the garage.  For heaven sake, use some common sense!”  Lindsay sighs angrily.  “Talon I’m sorry about that.”

“Oh no problem Lindsay.  Did you want me or him?”

“Michael.”  She turns back to me.  “Put these in the garage and then we need speak to our lawyer about the misrepresentation case.”

I nod then scowl at Talon and start to make my way to the garage.

PHIL MITCHAM’S RESIDENCE

PHIL

It’s been a great holiday but now it’s time for me to get back to work.

“Honey, I just need to check the messages and I’ll be in for lunch in a second okay?”

“Okay.”  She shouts back.  “Don’t take long though.”

I play the messages back and freeze before quickly dialling the number.  “Malachy its Phil.  I’ve been on holiday.  Now what’s this about misrepresentation?”

I listen and slowly feel my heart rate goes back to normal.  “Thanks, Mal... No really, I appreciate it.  Yeah completely entitled; her through breeding, and him through fuck alone knows what.  Oh don’t worry. I’ll sort it out.  Bye.”

“Honey lunch?”  Gretchen pokes her head round the door.  “Uh are you okay?”

“No, but I will be.  Five minutes, I promise.”  She nods and closes the door.  “Aunt Millie, it’s Phil…”

JENNIFER & TUCKER’S CONDO

JENNIFER

“Just tell me that you didn’t do anything else stupid?”

“No mom, I swear that was it.”  Justin looks to Brian for support.

“I did try and tell him.”  He shrugs.  “In fact, I tried to warn him from the beginning…”

“Brian!  You are not getting off scot free either!”  Debs scolds him.

“Debs stop blaming Brian!  It was my decision and he did warn me honestly.”

I sigh and look at two of the most infuriating men in my life, who I love very much.

“If you weren’t so big I’d take you over my knee.”  Debs scowls but she’s softening judging by the smile tugging at her lips.

“So we’re forgiven then?”  He asks hopefully.

“Yes.  But I would tell Zee about Cody Bell.”

“Okay, we will.”  Brian stands and pulls Justin to his feet. “See you Saturday.”

PETERSON RESIDENCE – WEDNESDAY LATE EVENING

LOUNGE

RONALD

The last time Millie and Harold were here with those expressions on their faces it was because of Lindsay.

“What’s she done this time?”  I sigh.

“She wants to take Phil to court for misrepresentation…”

“Can she do that?”  Nancy gasps.  “I’m so sorry Millie, I just don’t know what to say…”

“Can you find out where she lives?”  Harold interrupts her coldly.  “It’s time we dealt with her directly.”

“Yes of course, let me call her now.”  She hangs up two minutes later.  “Here’s the address.”

“Thank you, Nancy.  Now have a good evening.”

“Millie we really are sorry about this…”  I begin.

“That’s the problem. You are always sorry.  Good night.”  Harold cuts me off.

BRITIN

MASTER BEDROOM

JUSTIN

Oh my ass stings so bad and my arms shake in the effort to stay on my hands and knees.  And I’m struggling to keep my mouth shut.

I feel the bed sink as he climbs behind me and slowly pulls out the plug.  “So that’s six from Debbie and six from Jennifer, this is from me.”

I start to shake as he pushes it back in.  “Remember not to speak or I will have to start all over again.”

Sweat is pouring off me and he licks down my spine.  Then brushes his fingers from the base of my cock to the tip.

“And you can’t come until I say you can.”  I groan as he whispers hotly in my ear.  “I should really have put a cock ring on you, shouldn’t I?”

He pulls the plug out again and I wait for him to thrust it back in but he instead slides into me.  And waits.  Inside my head I’m screaming move just fucking move!   I look back at him and he smiles that sexy smile of his and slowly pulls out before sliding in and hitting my prostate just right.

“Oh baby you feel so good and tight!”  He croons into my ear.  “And you’re doing so well.”

He continues to groan and moan as he slams steadily into me.  “Yes!  Does it feel good?  Oh God!  Ah!  Oh!”

My balls are so tight and my cock is almost purple as I strain not to come.  He licks that spot behind my ear and starts to jerk my cock in time with his thrusts and with each thrust I grunt and grip the sheets.

“Now baby.”

“Oh!  Yes fuck yes!  Yes.  Ooooohooo yes!”  I scream and buck underneath him as my orgasm rips through me.

“Fuck!  Fu-uc-kkkk!”  He yells, shudders and we collapse in a heap of twitching limbs.

“That was fucking hot!”  I murmur as he pulls me to his side.  “Sitting down may be an issue for me for a while though.”

“Twat.”  He mumbles back.

FELLOW & STEADMAN – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

MALACHY STEADMAN’S OFFICE

MALACHY

I’m going to enjoy this.  If there are two kinds of people I hate dealing with it’s the rich, entitled and the rich, entitled and stupid.  And I have three prime examples in front of me. Well not the Novotny character as he has no money and is just coat-tailing.

“So when’s the review of these cases?” Luther asks.

“There isn’t going to be one.”  I reply and don’t have to wait long.

“What do you mean there isn’t going to be one?!  I pay you good money to…”

“Do my job and that is what I have done.  These cases have already been reviewed and there is nothing wrong with them.”

“But…”

“Nothing wrong with them.  They’ve gone to every board in seven states; they passed.”

“So there’s nothing we can do?  What about the misrepresentation of our, and I use this term loosely, lawyer?”  Lindsay asks scathingly.

“He didn’t misrepresent you two. He lost, which is completely different.  You lost so suck it up.  Now if you don’t mind...”

“I do mind!”  Luther barks at me.  “I want these reopened and what I want is what I get!”

“Not from this office.  Find someone else to try and scare Mr Stark, it’s not working.”  I stand and press the intercom.

“Sarah, can you show my guests out and prepare the final bill for Mr Stark.  He won’t be using our services again.”

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO – THURSDAY MID-MORNING

KITCHEN

TALON

I’ve been listening to Luther bitch and moan about the cases for the last hour and I’m bored out of my mind.

“So what are you going to do now?”  I ask just to move this conversation along a bit.

Luther takes a breath.  “I’m going to meet Zander. He’s going to sell me his part of the company back.  I’ll see you in an hour.”

OFFICE

LUTHER

I can’t believe this for shit week I’ve had!  First Xanthe and now these cases.  And from what Talon’s been saying this Novotny person has been giving her attitude.

“Master Zander is…”

“How many fucking times?”  I bellow.  “Do not announce my family just let them come in!”

“Very well.”  Ralph turns sharply.  “Sir you know the way.”  I hear him say and sit back down.

Zander comes in with a guy I don’t recognise but he introduces me to him as his lawyer.

“Boy what do you need a lawyer for?  I’m family.”  I smile at him.

“I would rather have one than not.”  He replies.

“So let’s get down to business.  We’ve agreed the price.  Your share of the company for $20 million correct?”

“But dad…”

“Hush boy, I just want this over and done with.  Something good has got to come out of this week!”

“So am I to understand that you have access to $20 million as of right now?”  His lawyer asks.

“Correct.”  I lean back in my chair.  “How would you like it cash or…Delia what the hell are you doing here?!”

“Settlement.”  Delia’s calls from the door.

“Ralph!”  I bellow.

“Yes sir?”

“Why did you let her through?”  I snarl at him.

“You said I didn’t need to announce your family sir; I merely followed orders.”  He replies.  “Will that be all sir?”

I nod and could swear I saw him smirk!

“You do realise it is not a good idea to lie to the lawyer that is representing your wife in a divorce case?”  Delia hisses.

“Law…lawyer?”  I stammer.

“Yes.  Now Zander be a good boy and step out.  Mr Stark and I need to talk…money lots of money.”

I groan as Delia and her lawyer get comfortable.

BUTTER MIDTOWN – LATE AFTERNOON

ZANDER

“Hey sweetie.”  Mom kisses my cheek and sits down.

“So, how’d it go?”  I ask her signalling the waiter for the champagne.

“Didn’t know what hit him.”  She laughs.  “Had to show where he got it from so accountants are looking at it now.  I think about another $15 million in the settlement is coming my way.”

She takes sip of champagne.  “So what else you boys got planned?”

UPTOWN GALLERY – FRIDAY MORNING

HUNTER

I will the printer to print faster.  Miranda and I are bouncing on our toes.  “Done let’s go!”

We run across to Bloom and before we even get there, Sarah is opening the door grinning and Lydia’s door is open and she’s beaming at us.

“I was copied in urchins!  I’m so pleased for you both.  Now we’re just waiting for Marek and we’ll start to discuss your New York showing for Charles Pearlman.  Melody recommended you as I knew she would and…”

“Still not leaving Pittsburgh.”  I remind her and get a relieved smile.

I’ve been doing more shows with Miranda and we’ve been getting some press coverage and Charles Pearlman came and now we’re doing one for him in a couple of weeks’ time.  I’ve got to ask Aunt Dee if we can use the small condo as our base and of course Uncle Luc for help.

I can’t wait!

CRAIG TAYLOR RESIDENCE – FRIDAY EVENING

DINING ROOM

CRAIG

I’m so looking forward to this!  According to Guido, this is one of the best caterers in Pittsburgh. We were lucky to get them.  The great and the good of the electronics industry are here and with Stark’s money coming in, we could be a great conglomerate.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, please be seated.  Dinner is about to be served.”  I smile as I get the signal.

The dining room door opens, whatever it is smells delicious.  I adjust my cuffs and look up and my jaw joins everyone else’s on the floor.  The waiters are naked except for fake cuffs around their wrists and bow ties, which they aren’t wearing around their necks.

“Craig?  What is this?”

“I-I do…”

“Is this the business you wanted to discuss or some kind of sex club?  I thought this was about Taylor Electronics, unless you are branching out into sex toys?”

“We’re going to serve now.”

One of the waiters simpers and we all watch aghast as he helps another to lie down on the table and they place pieces of food on his body.

“Get it whilst it’s hot.  You don’t have to use cutlery.  Do feel free to suck it off, but don’t leave a mark.”

“I don’t…”

Within 5 minutes the dining room is empty.

CAR ACROSS THE STREET

EMMY LOU

Bon appetite Mr Taylor, I smile to myself, and drive away laughing. They are going to enjoy watching this over the weekend.

CHAPTER 9: AND THE CLAWS COME OUT…

CHARLES & DAVID’S HOUSE – LATE FRIDAY EVENING

CHARLES’S OFFICE

CHARLES

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!”  I shout into the phone.  “How in fuck has that happened?”

TREEHOUSE – LATE SATURDAY MORNING

FAAL

When we got the news from Charles that the restraining orders have been rescinded yesterday, Zee was absolutely furious.  Charles and Adam are flying up to New York tomorrow to appeal them but as of now it looks like Lindsay and Michael can come back to Pittsburgh.

But at least Cody Bell won’t be problem. He’s in jail.

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO

OFFICE

LUTHER

“Finally something is fucking going our way!”  I smile at Talon who smiles back.  “It’s always good to have a judge who owes you a favour.”

“That’s great!”  But then her face falls.  “So does that mean you’ll be going to Pittsburgh with her now?”

“Oh now my darling girl...you know you’re the only one for me.  Come now put away that frown.  No I can do my thing from here.”  I pull her into my arms.  “The money will be with Taylor by Wednesday and I have Grady plans for Lindsay.”

“Grady?”  She looks up at me.  “Why?”

“He’s a good looking boy and it will stick in Zee’s craw that they’re together.”  I kiss the tip of her nose.  “Now tell me what annoys you so about Michael.”

LUTHER STARK’S 2ND CONDO – TWO HOURS LATER

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

Finally, we get to go home... well visit at least.  But right now I have a slightly more pressing problem to sort out.

“Michael, you and I need to have a little talk.”  I take a breath and then frown.  “Put the comic down Michael and listen.”

He looks up at me.  “Oh you’ve decided to speak to me then?”

“Michael.  Don’t talk to me like you would your mother.  Now this is important.  You’ve got to stop speaking to Talon like she’s staff.  I don’t know where you’ve got this tone from but you’ve got to lose it…”

“Tone?”  He looks incredulous.  “I’m treating her the way she deserves to be treated, like the slut she is. The question is why aren’t you?”

“What makes you think that?  Luther has asked me to add my influence to her behaviour and there are ways and means of treating people how they need to be treated without making it so obvious.  So just calm it down and be polite to her.”

“Fine.  Can I go back to my comic now?”

“Yes.”

MAIN RECEPTION

TALON

Now that was stupid.  I head back outside and this time announce myself loudly.

“Hello!  Is there anybody here?!”

“Talon!  How lovely to see you again.  What can we do for you?”  Lindsay smiles at me.

“Lunch and shopping?”  I smile at her as she almost claps like a fucking seal.

TREEHOUSE – EARLY EVENING

KITCHEN

ZEE

I’m calmer much, much calmer.  I’m an oasis of calmness.  Well that’s what I’m telling myself while trying not to go Tazzy on my kitchen!

“What!”  I snarl into the phone.  “Oh for fuck sake!”

I want to throw the phone across the room. We’ve had a great few days of peace and quiet and now I’ve had nothing but problems… Mercifully it’s just family ones but work wise we’re going from strength to strength.

“Do we want to know?”  Faal sighs. .I nod and wrap my arms around his waist.  “Come on then.”

“Oh wait.”  I pick up my phone again.  “Yeah, had to scream. What? Really? That’s great!  No. I’ll call you back tomorrow.”

LOUNGE

CARL

“So how the hell have these been rescinded then?”

“Seems that Luther knows a judge who owed him a favour.”  Zee replies.

“Got a name for this judge?”  Adam asks over the phone.

“Copthorne, Elias Copthorne.”  She replies then huffs out a breath and frowns at her phone and heads out to take the call.

“You’re kidding me?”  Adam gasps.

“Well fuck me.”  Solly grins.  “Later baby not now.”  He slaps Menno’s hands away.

“Okay so we go to appeal tomorrow.”  Adam advises.

“No don’t.  Leave it.”  Zee comes in grinning.  “That was Millie.  Seems that Wankerboy and Twatzilla are coming after Phil Mitcham for misrepresentation.”

Her phone goes again and again she leaves to take the call.

“And this is good for us how?”  Jennifer looks worried.

“Since the cases are locked down, and there was no finding of fault on his side, I just kicked his ass.”  Solly smiles smugly.   “It isn’t misrepresentation.  So the moment they put in for it, it’s defamation of character…so he should slap them with one fuck of a lawsuit.”

“And trust me with Millie as his aunt, he won’t have a choice.”  Jennifer chuckles.

“Adam, are we done with you?? No offence but I really need to speak to Zander!”

“Sure.  Solly catch me up, yeah?”

“Office!  Everyone now!”

OFFICE

FAAL

“Say it again.  I want everyone to hear this!”  She’s back to being Tazzy.

“Dad asked for my share of the company and I said for $20 million I would do it.”

“Makes no odds brother dearest 75% beats 25%.  So once again I’m on…”

“And 100% beats nothing!”  Zander exclaims.

“What?  What do you mean 100%?”

“I said I would do it, I didn’t say I did do it.  I went there with mom’s lawyer and then mom turned up and she’s got another $15 million in the divorce.  And…I have transferred my part of the company to you… You own it outright baby girl. It's yours as it should’ve been.”

“Mine?”  Zee whispers.  “Stark Securities is mine?”

“Yep.  And there’s more.”

He goes on to tell us about Lindsay and Michael and how well they are getting on with Talon and then he drops the bomb about Grady.

“Hang on.  So he’s trying to fix up Lindsay and Grady to annoy me in the hopes that I’ll do what grandpa did and pay him to leave?”

“Grandpa did what?”  Zander gasps. .

“A test to see what Grady would do and he followed the money.  He told me pretty soon after the check cleared.”  Zee sighs.  “And poof, he was gone.”

“Grady told you!”  Zander looks appalled.

“No grandpa did but he thought he was doing the right thing.”

“Jesus shit baby girl! How the hell have you survived the shit the men in your life have put you through?”

“Because of the one man that didn’t.”  She winks at me and I blush at Brian’s smirk.

“And another thing. Apparently the money for someone named Taylor should reach by Wednesday and…”

“Any idea how much?”  Ted interrupts him.

“About five mil.  Why?”

“He’s about to get Schenked.”  Ted grins.

“Zander, are you sure we can trust Talon?”  Debs demands.

“Absolutely.  Talon is a slut but she’s an honest one.”  He replies; Zee snorts with laughter.  “Come on Zee she is!”  Zander chides her and she nods.  “Vicious when crossed. Almost as vicious as you but a lot less subtle!”

“She is in…”  Suddenly she stops and smiles that smile.  “He doesn’t know.”  She breathes.

“Who doesn’t know what?”  I ask.

“Zan.  Do me a favour. Tell ...Talon to do unto Michael what Lindsay does to her.  And I’ll call you back in the week, yeah?”

“Yeah okay bye.”

We look at each other in bewilderment as Zee dials another number.

“Melody, hi it’s Zee Ugerstacht.  I’m good, I’m good.  You?  Thanks again for recommending Hunter for the showing. He’s so excited but I need a ticket favour as in 5 of them but with just your name on it.  You can?? Thanks! You Tare a babe and a legend.  The names are: Luther Stark, Grady Holster, Lindsay Peterson, Michael Novotny and Talon Stark-Kho.  I’ll explain later but and let me know when the tickets have been sent and they’ve RSVP’d.  Oh yeah, definitely.”

“Uh mom can you explain why you want her at the opening?”  Matt demands.

“Yeah but in the lounge.  Emmy Lou we’re on bubble duty.”

LOUNGE

“Spill.”  Brian demands

“The Pearlman Show is being held at the MoMA and she will see the invite as a triumphant return to art circles…”

“But she’ll take that as an opportunity to cause problems for Hunter…”  Blake interrupts.

“Which is why I asked Melody to take his and Miranda’s names off the invite.”  She takes a sip of champagne and smiles that smile again.  “So she goes in cold.”

“So what does this have to do with Grady?”  I ask.

“Nothing.  But Grady is, amongst other things, narcissistic and arrogant- -a lovely combination.  He loves to be the centre of attention and there is nothing Grady loves more than people fighting for his affection and attention and he will make sure that they do…”

“Oh my God.”  Matt just stares at her.  “Are…are you saying that dad is…”

“Bisexual.  I found out after we split.  And if Luther knew, he wouldn’t be in contact with him.  So let’s get Talon to do what she does second and third best…create discord and match make.”  She chuckles.

“Speaking of discord.”  Emmy Lou skips to the TV with a disc in his hand.  “I have something for us to watch.”

Ten minutes later we are screaming with laughter.  “Emmy Lou!  How the hell did you keep that secret for so long?!”  Justin is almost hiccupping with laughter.  “Can we watch it one more time?!”

“Yes in fact I’ve got a copy for you.  As for how, I have no idea at all!”  He replies wiping his eyes.

“Oh speaking of…”

Carl stops her.  “Zee!  We are not taking bets on what Jenny and Gus are doing on their dates.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.  Thank you very much.  I may be ribald but I have decorum!”  She mock glowers at him.  “Well sometimes.  No what I was going to ask Brian and Justin what was it like?”

“What?  Facing off to Hobbs?”  Brian frowns.  “We already told you.”

“No. Fucking my brother…and by ‘my brother,’ I mean Zeon.”

You could hear a pin drop, before Jennifer stammers.  “I-I thought you two were monogamous; you said that.  You’re married now! Why!  Would you risk that by…”

“How-how did you know?”  Justin blushes. “And mom it was long before we were monogamous.”  Justin reassures her. She sighs in relief.

“I knew Zeon was gay before Zeon did and when he finally came out to me, long before dad, he would tell me about his exploits and he always got the watchacallit Ted??”

“Replay face.”

“Yeah that’s it! And when he first came here, he looked twice and got the replay face.”

“Yes!  I knew he remembered us!”  Brian exclaims and then looks around at us.  “What? Seriously we are fucking awesome in bed.”

CHAPTER 10: THE DISC, THE DEAL AND THE DUMBASSES

FAAL

“Trust you to think of that!”  I snort and then frown.  “Uh Emmy this DVD could cause you a problem. I mean Taylor could come back and…”

“No he won’t.”  Justin giggles again.  “Can you imagine him on Liberty Avenue?  He would rather pour bleach in his eyes than that.”

“But still to be on the careful side.  Maybe you should offer to…”

“To what?  I’m not doing anything nice to that man.”

Drew strokes his face.  “Ems, please just don’t do anything silly.  You’ve made your point.  And if he comes to see you...”

“Then I will deal with him.”  Emmy Lou tells him firmly.  “Now the subject is closed.”

“Solly who’s Elias Copthorne?”  Carl asks.  “Solly, stop making out and answer the question.  Jeez, I don’t know whose worse, you two, Brian and Justin or Matt and Hunter in the make out stakes!”

Menno smirks.  “Nobody can beat Brian and Justin!”  Justin doffs his imaginary hat at him

“Elias Copthorne is a judge in NYC who’s had rumours swirling around him for years.  Baby behave!  Rumours about him using undue influence to get things his clients want for the right price.  But there’s been no proof anyone could find.  He’s very good at covering his tracks.”

“Hmm, I like a challenge.”  Zee grins.

MASTER BEDROOM – LATE EVENING

FAAL

“Lig you awake?”  She nods into my chest.  “I’m going to put someone on Emmy Lou. I think Drew would feel better and on Craig Taylor.”

She sits up and kisses me gently.  “Shame that.”  She mumbles settling back down.

“Why is that a shame, this is a good thing?”

“Yeah but I was going to suggest that and was looking forward to persuading you to come around.”

“Oh you can still do that.”  I roll her over and kiss her deeply.

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS – TUESDAY MORNING

CRAIG TAYLOR’S OFFICE

CRAIG

I am still in shock and feeling waves of revulsion.  I can’t believe what happened on Friday night.  I’ve been trying to call the attendees but nobody is returning my call. The only light in this debacle is that Stark said the money should be here tomorrow.

And since I need every penny I can get, E&ZHoD are going to get a visit from me!

“I’m going out I’ll be back in an hour!  Guido with me now!”

Grace nods quickly and we head to my car.

E&ZHoD

CRAIG

As loathed as I am to be round this part of town, nobody makes a fool out of Craig Taylor.  I bang open the door and sneer at the woman on reception.

“Can I help you sirs?”

“Yes!  You can get me the manager before I sue this place into the ground!”

“How can I help you today sirs?  My name is Emmett and I run this establishment. Is there a problem?”

I turn around and he is just what I’m expecting.  I pull myself to my full height and he looks bored.

“Yes there’s a problem.  I booked a tasteful dinner for 20 people last Friday and what I got was naked waiters!”

“Who was the booking under?”

“Taylor Electronics.”

“Cara, could you check for me please?”

“Yes here it is.  Ah yes it’s this one.  See?”

He minces around to check.  “Oh I see.  Mr Taylor your deposit failed after three attempts and…”

“Guido go wait in the car.”  I snap and wait for him to scurry out.  “Now listen to me you…”

“No, you listen to me, you nasty little cunt!”  He gets right in my face.  “You don’t get to come down here and run that shitty little mouth of yours in my place.  Now here is what is going to happen.  You are going to leave and neither of us speak of this little mistake again.”

“Little mistake!”  I spit out.  “Your mistake has cost me a lucrative business opportunity.  I’m going to ruin you!  I shall tell everyone about…”

“How you, the great homophobe Craig Taylor, oh yes I know all about you.  Came to Liberty Avenue the Gay Mecca of Pittsburgh and hired Naked Waiters for your dinner. How is that going to look to all your friends, your cunt-try set?  I’ll tell you how it’ll look.  Because by the time I am finished defending myself, it will look like the man doth protest too much.”

“Nobody will ever believe a word you say.”  I snarl at him.

“They don’t have to listen, they just need to watch.  You see Mr Taylor, we always video every event we cater for…it’s in the terms and conditions before you say anything.  We give one copy to the client and keep a copy for ourselves.  Would you like yours?”

“No I fucking wouldn’t!”

“Then I see no further reason for you to be here.”  He replies calmly.

I storm out and slam into my car.  “If anyone hears of this, I know it will have come from you and you will be fired!”

Guido nods and we head back to the office in silence.

CARA

I stare at Emmy in amazement.  “Now Cara my darling, want to watch it?”

“Fuck yeah.”

PETERSON RESIDENCE – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

NANCY

Yes, she’s actually standing in front of me with that butter wouldn’t melt expression on her face and he’s smiling at me as if they’ve not fucked us over again.

“Mother, aren’t you going to let us in?”  She asks.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say no but Ronald talks over me.  “Of course darling, come in both of you.  So glad to see you.  How’s New York treating you these days?”

They catch us up on all their news and not once do they mention the restraining orders or misrepresentation suit.

“So what are you doing for employment Lindsay?”  I ask her.

She pouts slightly.  “I’m currently looking at options and…”  

I hold up my hand.  “And Michael what about you?”

“Uh the same.  But the right job hasn’t come up yet.”

“Oh I’m sure it will for both of you right Nancy.”  Ronald glances at me sweetly.  “Now, have a look at this place what do you think of it?”

He shows them the latest addition to our property portfolio.  It’s a beautiful 5 bed in West Virginia, ready to move into. To be honest, I will hate people to live in it.

“Oh daddy it’s beautiful! Look at the grounds, just gorgeous.”  Lindsay sighs.

“Yes it is. I can’t wait to move into it!”  I whip my head around to look at him and he takes my hand.

“Move into it?”  Lindsay echoes.

“Yes.  Pittsburgh is nice but I’m tired of it.  This place is quiet and I can see us living the rest of our lives there.  And I saw your face, Nancy, when we bought it.”

“But what about this place? What are you going to do with it?”  Lindsay gasps and then I see it the gleam in her eye.

“I’m not sure right now.  But we definitely want to move out quickly.”  Ronald tells her.  “Now come along.  Let’s go grab a quick bite to eat before you head back to your hotel.”

“Great idea daddy, where are we going?”  She links arms with him and bats her lashes and I pray for his resolve to hold in the face of the onslaught.

LATE EVENING

OFFICE

“No, I insist.  That’s what I want.  What we both want.”  I look at Nancy and she nods with tears in her eyes.  “Yes, I’ll get the paperwork drawn up and sent over as soon as possible. I want to close by tomorrow.  Thank you, goodbye.”

“It’s done, are those happy and relieved tears?”  She nods.  “Good.  Now, tomorrow morning call the movers and you sort out our new home and I’ll do the rest.”

PITTSBURGH HOLIDAY INN

LINDSAY

“I can’t believe my parents are moving to West Virginia.”

“Did they seem okay to you?”  I look across at him in puzzlement.  “They just seemed a little off with us, especially your mom.”

“Oh they’re fine.  Now what I’ve got to do is to make sure that I get the house instead of Lynette.  Should be easy enough.  It will be the perfect base for us.”  I smile at him.

“So we’re not staying in New York then?”

“Of course we are, for now, but this will be rent free and back where I-I mean we- belong in Pittsburgh.  Now we’ve got to strategize for tomorrow.  I can’t wait to see Zee’s face when we turn up at her place tomorrow.”

TREEHOUSE – FRIDAY MORNING

ZEE

“Well aren’t you going to say anything?”  Lindsay ask smugly.

“I believe Hugo said it best.  Faal!  Get the shovels, there’s shit on the doorstep!”

She snorts and flicks her hair before doing a slow hand clap.  “Your false bravado is so transparent.”

“Trespass.”  She replies and waves at someone behind us.  “Remove these two please.”

“We’re going. We just wanted to stop and say hello!”  Michael snipes.  “Come on Lindsay let’s go.”

As I watch them walk back towards the taxi, I wonder how the hell they get dressed in the morning.

PETERSON RESIDENCE – LUNCHTIME

LINDSAY

“Now remember, let me do all of the talking.”

Michael nods but part of me is still pissed over the Canada move, so I feel the need to remind him of his place and tone occasionally.  I knock on the door and gasp.

“Hello again.  You really must stop following me about?”  Zee drawls.

“What the fuck are you doing in my parents’ house?!”  I have an awful sense of déjà vu.

“My house.  Your parents sold it to me this morning.  I’m here to clear it out, get it tastefully reno’d.”

“But.  This.  No.  This is not happening!”  I snap.

“And they left this for you.”  She hands me an envelope and I take it with trembling hands.

“Now again, trespass.”  She smirks and closes the door.

ZEE

“Ooh that was pretty I liked that!”  Faal chuckles and then groans as he looks round the lounge.

“God how the fuck did they sit in this room?  So many flowers it would be a hayfever sufferers’ nightmare!  So what are you going to do with it?”

“Another base for when family come to stay I guess.”  I shrug in his arms.

“Then I suggest wide screen TV in every room and as macho as possible. You know what your brothers are like.”

I kiss him quiet.

LINDSAY

We made it to the car in silence and sit for a few minutes.  “Are you going to open it?”

“Of course I am Michael.  I just need a minute!”  I snap at him, before taking a calming breath.

‘Dear Lindsay.  We’ve had it.  We’ve had enough of the lies, the manipulation and the lack of remorse.  I, as your mother, hold my hand up to my part in your sense of entitlement. But there is a difference between that and your bullish determination to get your way every time and always no matter what cost to anyone else.  You have cost us our friends, our good name and now our home.  We can’t live in this place anymore because of the looks of pity and scorn we get.  We haven’t lied to you about where we are moving to but you will not get the address, nor will Lynette.  We have changed our telephone numbers as we no longer wish to hear from you.  You need to get jobs quickly as the last $20,000 was exactly that...THE LAST.  Good luck in whatever you choose to do but for once pick your path wisely.  Mother and Father.’

I stare at the letter.  “It’s typewritten.”  I start to laugh.  “Zee is so transparent!”

I grab my phone and dial mother’s number.  ‘The number you are calling is no longer in service’.  I hang up and call daddy.  ‘The number you are calling is no longer in service’.

CHAPTER 11: HOPE, REALISATION AND REUNION

TREEHOUSE – SATURDAY MORNING

OFFICE

ZEE

It didn’t take long to get the house cleared as basically we threw everything away.  I took pictures of each room and have uploaded them to the email that I am too afraid of the rejection to send.

“My lig, just send it and tell them to contact me.  And I promise to let you know the moment one of them replies.”

I rewrite the email and add his address.  “Zan will reply pretty quickly but…”

“Then the rest will follow.  What you have told me about them it seems that they were quite territorial as kids, just hit send.”  I look pleadingly at him.  “Just hit send my lig.”

I hit send and quickly shut down the computer.  “I’m going to work, need to recipe test for the Matterson Brunch on Thursday.”

He nods and gives me a comforting squeeze.  “They will all reply trust me.”

LUTHER’S 2ND CONDO – EARLY AFTERNOON

LINDSAY

I’m still in shock... I have been effectively disowned by my parents.  I called Lynette and she has no idea where they are living either, though I doubt she would tell me if she did.  And for them to sell Zee my family home is both sickening and heartbreaking.

“So how was your trip to the Pitts?”  Talon asks as I let her in.  “Lindsay?  Are you okay?”

“Oh it was great, just great.  Would you like a coffee or will you be joining me in something stronger?”  I snap.

“Okay what’s happened?”  She follows me into the kitchen and puts her purse on the table.  I dump the post on the table and...

“Your fucking stupid cunt of a soon to be ex sister-in-law conned my parents into selling her their house!”

“How?”

“Same way that cunt managed to con the judges at the trials most likely.”  Michael interjects.  “By paying them enough money…”

“Still not seeing the problem.”

“You don’t see the problem.  The problem Talon is that she has my family home!  God alone knows who she’s going to move in there.  It’s a very select area.”

“Did your folks say why they were moving?”

“No…”

“They gave you that note remember.”  Michael interrupts again and I cringe and glare at him.

“Can I see it?”  She asks and I hand it to her and she reads it quietly.  “You’ve tried their numbers…”

“Well obviously she did that!”  Michael snaps.  “She’s not stupid.”

She looks at Michael then at me and rolls her eyes and smirks; a gesture I do not appreciate.

“So did you try…”

“She’s tried her sister and she doesn’t know either or is just not telling, so she can get in…”

“Let people finish what they are saying and then speak.”  Talon interrupts him sharply.  “Did you try to email them?  Have you tried the realtor who manages their property portfolio? They would have a telephone number wouldn’t they?”

“I, I was going to do that when you arrived.”

“Uh huh.  So did you get the rest of your business sorted out?”

I smile for the first time since I got back.  “Yes Phil Mitcham will be served papers on Monday morning.”  Michael grins at me.  “Once that’s done the cases are back on the table.”

“Sounds like you should celebrate that at least.  Michael you have a tuxedo correct?”

The question throws both of us.  “Yes it just needs cleaning.”

“Ah I see.  We can’t have everything.  It should be fun though even if you are there.”

“What are you talking about?”  I sigh in exasperation, not in the mood for this.

“The Pearlman Show at the MoMA. It’s this Friday.”  She pushes the envelopes at me.  “These are the invites.”

“The what?!”  I gasp and snatch them from her, opening mine quickly.  “Oh my God!  It’s from Melody Reichmann!  A personal invite from Melody Reichmann! I’m back!”  I crow.

Michael scowls and flicks his invite back on the table.

She turns to him.  “I would completely understand if you didn’t want to come.  It doesn’t strike me as your kind of thing.  All that culture…”  He scowls at her again.  “But then there’s the food…”

“I’ll be there.”  He snaps, stalking out.

“Dammit.”  I think to myself but paste on a smile.

“Great that makes five of us.”  Talon grabs her purse.  “Now I need to buy a dress for this event, want to come with?”

“Oh yes.  Wait you said five, who’s the fifth?”

“Grady Holster.  You’ll like him.”

TREEHOUSE – SUNDAY LATE MORNING

LOUNGE

FAAL

I’m holding my lig who is just staring at the emails in silence.  There is page after page of suggestions for the house.  Zeon surprisingly was the first to answer, followed by Zander, Zephaniah and finally Zeus.

“A mancave?  No.”  She firmly crossed through that suggestion.

“I told you they’d reply.”  She looks up at me and blinks.  “What?”

She clears her throat and quirks her eyebrows.  “Okay so I went a little caveman on them.  Just a little bit.”

“What did you say?”

“I would hold them down whilst you cut their balls off with a spoon.”

“Ooh pretty.”  She giggles and goes back to reading and crossing out.

Twenty minutes later we’re in the office sending a reply and end up having to video conference as they argued over who was getting which room.

“For crying out loud it’s not as if we are going to be there at the same time!  Just stay in it when I’m not there!”  Zeus growls.

“But there will be a time when we are all there!  So I don’t see why you have first dibs on that room!  Just because you’re the eldest it…”  Zeon gripes.

“Why can’t you have the other room?”  Zander demands.

“You are aware that you three are arguing about the same room!”  Zephaniah points out.  “There are 3 others!”

“Right... that’s it I have had enough!”  Zee shouts.  “Zeon, you get the blue room.  Zander the green one.  Zeus the yellow one and Zeph the pink one.  And that’s final!”

The office goes completely silent as Zee takes a calming breath.  “Right let’s move onto the…”

“But…”  Zeus starts.

“Seriously a spoon!”  She hisses and takes another calming breath.  “Now about the shared areas and before you ask no you are not getting a fucking mancave!”

Finally after another 90 minutes of back and forth, we have a final decision.  They will order their stuff and have it delivered after Baz does the reno and that should take about two weeks.

Zeph sighs and then clears his throat.  “Now about him.  Got some news.  Seems Twatzilla and Wankerboy have put in for misrepresentation and got their invites.  Oh and Talon is hellbent on their destruction, because they both used that one word to describe you that she really doesn’t like.”

“Lovely.”  She mutters.  “Just lovely.”

“Okay look, I’m due some holiday.”  Zeon interrupts.  “I’ll fly down on the red eye and oversee the works on the BroHouse and…”

“BroHouse?”  Zeus repeats.  “Hmmm.  I like it.  I’ll be there too.”

“Okay, you help Zee with those Copthorne and Taylor guys.  Zeph and Zan, stay and keep him occupied.  Seems he’s lining up more money to get the Zan’s part of the company.  Hey Zee, what’s wrong?”

“Eyelash in my eye, carry on.”

“Okay.  So there’s the little matter of where we stay when we get to the Pitts.”  Zeus points out.

“I can ask Brian about the loft?”  I point out.

“No, Zeon can stay with Matt and Hunter, it’s close to the BroHouse…jeez…and Zeus can stay here.”  Zee states.  “But if this is a…”

“It isn’t.  We- mostly I- fucked up before, it won’t happen again.  I swear on…grandma’s soul it won’t happen again.”

“Fine.”  She cuts them off.

“Eyelash huh?”

“Shut up and hug me.”

CAR BACK FROM FIFTH AVENUE

LINDSAY

I had an excellent time with Talon. While she does lack a certain amount of couth, she knows how to shop!  She spent almost ten grand without batting an eyelash.  I do feel a bit jealous of that.

“So you looking forward to Friday?”

“Oh yes, I used to run a gallery in Pittsburgh before Zee interfered in my life.  I was very good at it.”

“Uh huh, so that would explain the ‘I’m back’ comment earlier.  Who’s this Melody Reichmann anyway?”

“She’s a very influential woman in the art world.  Get in with her, then you can go anywhere.”

“Why were you out with her in the first place?”

I blush slightly.  “A small misunderstanding.”

“Which was?”  She prompts.

“I attended her husband’s birthday party at MoMA and made a slight sartorial mistake that she took offence to.”  

“In other words you wore the wrong thing.”  She responds slightly smug and I bridle.

“Well Zee wore a tuxedo to a black tie dinner and nobody said a damn word, just because she was the caterer and not the guest.”

“Caterer?  What do you mean caterer?”

“Yes she and a former friend run E&ZHoD in Pittsburgh.  The food is okay I suppose if you like that kind of thing.  Oh I must tell Luther about that…”

“Oh don’t worry about that. Let me tell him.  What was the name again?”

“E&ZHoD.  Oh we’re here.  So we’re meeting on Friday for our beauty appointments at 11:00 correct?”

“Yes.”  As I almost reach the door she calls out to me.  “Bring Michael!”

“Michael?  Why?”

“Honey…eyebrows!”

“Good point!”  I giggle and manage to compose myself just as Michael opens the door.

“Did you have a good time?”  He asks as I put my bags down.  “Jesus how much did you spend?!”

“I didn’t spend anything, Talon did.”  I snap.  “And even if I did spend my money, what’s it to do with you?”

“Nothing.  It’s just what your folks said…”

“My parents and I will be reconciled.  And the art showing is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.  Now you just need to find yours.”  I snipe.

“I don’t like the way you are…”

Our argument is cut off by the doorbell ringing.  I open it only to be faced with Adam White.

“Hey Lindsay, Michael.  Nice place.  You’ve been served.”  He slaps the papers in my hand and then turns and leaves grinning.

“What the fuck for now?!”  I shout after him.

“Defamation of character!  You weren’t misrepresented, you lost.  Big difference…huge!”

LUTHER STARK’S CONDO

GARAGE

TALON

As much as I love shopping, getting from Fifth Avenue to here in rush hour is a bitch.  I head upstairs toeing off my shoes as I go.  I head to the office to go see my man and check how his day has been.

I was about to knock when Ralph, the butler, grabs my hand and put his finger to his lips.

“Honey, I told you when this thing with Zaden is over and she’s properly cowed and I’m back where I belong that you and I will be together.  Talon and I will be on the outs soon enough.  No, I’m no longer seeing Xanthe either. She’s moved to Paris and good riddance to her, and neither of them hold a candle to you.  Look how about this... I’ll come see you tonight.”

Now I know I’m a cheater and I hurt Zeph terribly but I was faithful to Luther.  Ralph indicates I should follow and I find myself in the kitchen.  He pours me a drink and smiles kindly at me.

“I’m sorry Miss Talon.”  He hands me a tissue.  “Save your tears my dear; he’s not worth it.”

“But…”

“Not worth it.”

“Am I…”

“No.  And you won’t be the last.”

He pauses and checks the door.  “She doesn’t deserve what he and those interlopers are trying to do.  She’s a good person.  She’s just better and he can’t stand it.  The other problem with him is that he covets too much and thinks if he throws enough money at it he can get it.”

“And he did, didn’t he; with me?”

His silence says everything, I get up and finish off my drink.  “Thanks Ralph.”

LUTHER’S OFFICE

LUTHER

“Hey baby.  Did you enjoy your day?”

Talon smiles at me and drops a soft kiss on my lips.  “More than you will ever know.  Now, darling, how about we have a nice meal and catch up with each other?”

“Oh sorry baby.  Got to go to meeting with Zander about the shares.  It will run late, so don’t wait up!”

“Oh okay.  I’ll see you in the morning then?”

“Of course love you.”  I kiss her softly and head out. I take my coat from Ralph without a word and head on out.

RALPH, THE BUTLER

I head to the office and she gives me a sad smile.  “Just flat out lied to me.  I can handle anything but being lied to.”

“Miss Talon, do what he’s doing, look after yourself.  And the first thing we need to look at is your jewellery.”

“My jewellery?”

“Oh yes your jewellery.”  I smile at her.  “I’m not just a good butler you know.”

E&ZHoD – TUESDAY MORNING

RECEPTION

ZEON

Wow this is some place.  When Talon called Zeph and told him about it, I knew I had to have a look.  Zeus told me about the Feeley Party and how he tasted the ribs. We haven’t had them in years.

“Anybody here?”  I call out.

“One minute sir!  Just bear with me.”  A voice calls out.  “I’m so sorry sir, Cara just went to get some lunch.  I’ll be right with you!  Please take a seat.”

I settle down and the TV kicks on and shows their past events and my stomach gives a growl.  Suddenly the door opens and a very pretty woman comes in and smiles then groans.

“You’re Zeon right?  You have to be; you have the same smile.”  She puts her lunch on reception.

“Um, you have lunch and you work in a place like this?”  I query.

“Unfortunately, we can’t sample the wares.  I’m Cara.”

“Zeon as you guessed.”

“I’m so sorry!  Oh you’re back!  Okay I’ll leave you to it.”

“No sweets come back. You need to meet this guy...”

The guy comes back and hold out a floured hand and immediately pulls it back wiping it on his apron.

“Hi, I’m…”

“Oh my God.”  I breathe.

“Zeon, you’re he…okay what’s going on?”  Zee asks.

“Thomas!”  “Zebadiah!”  We say at the same time

“Thomas?  Is this?  This can’t be!”  Emmy squeals.

“What?!”  Cara and Zee demand.

“Zebadiah.  Oh God where did you go?  When I found out he was lying I flew back but you’d gone.”

“Italy. I went to Italy to head up the European IT arm of Feeley.  Oh God Thomas, I’ve missed you so much!”

ZEE

“HEY!”  I bellow.  “Confused sister and events planner here!”

“This is Thomas, the love of your Zeon- or as he knows him Zebadiah’s- life!  They met in San Fran!  You see he, Zeon, had an ex that wanted him to be with him. So the guy lied about him cheating on Thomas with him and split them up and then by the time Thomas found out it was too late because…wait...need-to-breathe…Zeon then moved to Italy and…”

“Emmy can you be quiet?!”  Cara cries out.  “You’re ruining the moment here!”

“What are you talking…oh!”

CHAPTER 12: A KICK ASS PARTY…AND FAAL SPOTS A FLAW

EMMY LOU

Wow that is some kiss.  Not as scorching as Brian and Justin, of course, but I do believe we have lost our 2nd chef for the rest of the day.

I clear my throat.  “Ahem Thomas, you can have the rest of the day off.”

Zee is smiling softly.  “Zeon the guy needs to breathe.”  This doesn’t stop him.  “Ze.on!”

“Hey sis, this is Thomas and…”

“Yeah, Emmy has caught us up.  Matt and Hunter are on their way to the Treehouse so you’ve got the place to yourself for the rest of the week. Thomas you don’t need to be here for...”

“Oh no, no.  I can’t abandon you and Emmy on my first event.  I can catch up with Zeb, I mean Zeon later.  I’ve waited long enough.  Now you go.”

Thomas orders Zeon with a small kiss and trots back to the kitchen wearing the cutest dopiest grin on his face.

“Hey Zeon.  Nice boner.”  Zee calls out as she follows Thomas in.

Cara gasps in shock.

“Jeez Zee!”  He calls back mortified; she pokes her head out the door.  “Went down though, didn’t it?”

“Fuck you!”  He calls out as he saunters out grinning.

“You’ll get used to that, um, I believe they call it banter.”  I tell Cara.

“I don’t banter like that with my brother.”  She mumbles as she heads back to her desk.

E&ZHoD – THURSDAY MID-AFTERNOON

ZEE

These last two days have been a whirlwind…and a good one!  First, the brunch party was a great success. It was our first one, and we’ve got more bookings from that.  Thomas and Emmy Lou really work the crowd well, leaving me to do my cooking thing. Thank fuck for that, as I really hated that part of it.

Secondly, Zeon is back in Thomas’s life but now he’s gone again.  Seems they didn’t get time to catch up but did manage to talk properly.  He’s flown back to Italy to close up his apartment and will be staying with him at his house.

So of course all thoughts of the BroHouse have gone out his window for now, much to Zeus’s annoyance, so he’s overseeing the work.

Thirdly, while we’ve not made much of an inroad into finding a trail that leads up from Copthorne to him.  The money for Taylor has arrived but it’s just sitting there. We’re taking bets as to whether he moves it to his personal account or keep it in business.  His accounts look a little shonky though…so we’ve let Tobias know.

And fourthly, much to Faal’s delight, Justin’s next show in a couple of weeks, which was going to be in San Fran, is now going to be in Paris and we’re catering it so naturally the entire family is going to go.   But not my brothers, I’ve told them that they have to sort the house out and that clashes with scheduling. I’ve told them that if they do the mancave they will be buried in it.

“You know where I saw that expression last?”  Emmy Lou is asking me.

“No.”  I replies teasingly.  “Oh wait, I know.  Tuesday post-snogfest.”

“Ah yes.  Now seriously, you have to start packing for tomorrow and Thomas needs…Thomas for the love of Liza!”  Emmy sighs exasperatedly, waving his hand in front of his face.

“He curves to the right a bit.  One ball is bigger than the other...and his hot spot is…”

“For the love of God how do you know that about your brother?!”  Thomas shrieks.

“I don’t.  But it got your attention didn’t it?”  I reply smoothly.  “Right now that you’re with us again, let’s sort the food for the flight tomorrow.  So we have three loaves, the fixings for the toast and the champagne and Bloody Mary mix.”

“Right, but why do you have three of the loaves?”  Emmy Lou and I just stare at him.  “Oh yes Faal.  Sorry what was I thinking?  I still can’t believe he ate an entire loaf by himself.”

“Okay, I will see you gorgeous boys on Saturday, no I mean Sunday. Oh where are we?”

“With the girls.”  Emmy Lou reminds me.  “My girls and I are on food.”

“Cheers lovely.  I’m off, we’re at the Chambers again.  Justin has already booked the Full Harvest Body Ritual and then we’ll fly back Saturday evening.”

TREEHOUSE – THURSDAY EARLY EVENING

OFFICE

ZEUS

She’s getting frustrated because she can’t get to Copthorne.  I think I have to make her stop working on it as she’s been using language that I’ve never heard before.  Although I have worked out that neuken means fuck in Dutch.

“I mean it Zay…Zee; leave this be!  Let’s close it down and you can take your frustrations out on them tomorrow night.  Why aren’t all the family going by the way?”

She snorts with laughter.  “Jen and Debs couldn’t be trusted not to cold-cock the pair of them on sight.  So it’s just me, Faal, Brian, Justin and Hunter’s dads.  Right we’re done.  Time for food.”

Heading to the kitchen, she opens the tub of giant prawns and lobster tails.  And it smells heavenly.

“What we having with them?”

“Fries and a salad…can you do the wine?  Bubbles for the boys and red wine for me.”

“Sacrilege to have red wine with fish or seafood.”  I shudder and again with the snort.

“You put what you want in your mouth and I’ll put what I want in mine…not a word Usez!”

I stop reaching for the wine in surprise. She’s not called me that in years, and I didn’t realise how much I missed it until now.  The realisation dawns on her too and we just stare at each other for a bit.

“Come here ZayZay.”  She sniffles against my chest.  “My ZayZay, mine.”

“I’m serious though... if you put a mancave in I will bury you in it.”  She mumbles.

“I know.”

“Right, now let’s get this food sorted out and obviously you will need keys to the Brownstone and...”

“No ZayZay, speak to Faal first okay?”  I interrupt her.  “Want to grill or deep fry?”

“Grill…in a minute.”  She sighs from my arms.

Faal smiles a small smile and makes his way quietly through the kitchen.

PLANE TO NEW YORK – FRIDAY MORNING

BEN

Hunter and Matt called when they landed safely and are at the small condo, where we’re staying.  I can’t believe how happy I am still.  Taylor did fuss a bit last night because she couldn’t come but she’s at Squirrel Hill with the girls and Gus is at the Brownstone with the boys.

“Okay breakfast!  We have beetroot and feta sourdough or PB&J French toast with peanut brittle and of course either bubbles or Bloody Marys.  So help yourselves.”  Faal tells us.

Zee has been quiet since she got on the plane.  I look at Faal but he smiles reassuringly.

“They hugged.”  I look a bit puzzled.  “Zee and Zeus hugged last night.  She didn’t want to let go.”

“Oh that’s great.”  I look across at her and she’s chuckling over something.  “What do you think she’s up to, tonight I mean?”

“No idea but it will be fun to watch.”

I snicker and look to the back of the plane where I see Brian hustling Justin into the bedroom.  Faal and I just shake our heads.  Though I’ve heard that Faal and Zee are slightly chagrined that they are catching up with them in the fucking-on-the-plane stakes already and they’ve had the plane two years!

BRIAN

This PB&J French toast is delicious.  Well it’s delicious when I’m tasting it second hand from Justin mouth.  I’m currently chasing a piece of peanut brittle.

“Hah!”  I crow after I sucked it slowly out of his mouth.  

“You distracted me!”  He tries to pout.

“How did I distract you?”  I object and start on his shirt and nibble his neck.  And then slap his hands away.  “Loser is the only one to get naked.”

I kiss down to his nipples and suck on them until he’s squirming and running his fingers through my hair, even though I know they are covered in the remains of French toast.  I start to kiss my way down when there’s a tapping.

“You’ve got 15 minutes guys then you have to get back to your seats!”  Steve shouts through the door.

“Blow you now; fuck you later?”  I waggle my eyebrows and he nods.

I take my husband down whole and within 5 minutes he’s almost pulling my hair out.

“Brian!  Oh!  Just, just one finger…please!”  I oblige and he squeals his release and drums his feet on the bed arching his back.

I slide up to share and he sighs happily.  “I can’t wait for the showing tonight…both of them.”

“Guys back to your seats now!”  Steve shouts.

LUTHER STARK’S NO. 2 CONDO

TALON

This is going to be a good day.  Grady will be here later but first we have our appointments. I’m especially looking forward to Michael’s …oh yes today is going to be a good day!

“Are you both ready?”  I smile at them and lead them into the car.  “Now what’s going to happen later is that the car will pick you up at five and drop you at the main condo for drinks and give you a chance to meet Grady and then we go to MoMA.”

“I don’t see why I have to go too. It’s not as if I need anything done.”  Michael gripes.

Lindsay and I exchange looks, which of course the idiot doesn’t notice.  Luckily the rest of the journey is quick and he keeps his trap shut, though he does keep casting looks at me. If I wasn’t thinking of the bigger picture, they would have had me knocking his eyes through the roof of his skull.

“We’re here.”  I smile at them and lead them into the Metamorphosis Spa.  “Now Michael, this is Jorge he will be your beautician for the day and Lindsay and I will be upstairs.  Enjoy.”

MEN’S SPA

MICHAEL

I’m being inspected by Jorge.

“Tsk-tsk.  The pores oh dear.”  Jorge sighs.  “I’ve been in apartments smaller than these.  Sir please do not frown! It makes the examination a little difficult.  Now sir, exactly what do you do to cleanse your face?”

“Soap and water of course.”

“And…”

“And that’s it.  What else would I use?”

He doesn’t say anything to that.  “Please strip down.”

“Uh why?”  I demand carefully.

“Full body treatment means you need to be naked sir.”

“Oh I see.  Where do I get changed?”  He points to a cubicle and once inside I swiftly change into the robe.

“Now first we open the pores with a steam and then we get on with the rest of it.”

Ten minutes later, I’m wincing as he does an extraction but he looks pleased with himself.  I feel like I’ve been jabbed by a thousand hot needles.

“Next the dry body brushing to remove the dead skin.  This is tandem brushing.”  Jorge advises and clicks his fingers. Two other men come in.

Five minutes later I’m being reminded not to flinch as I feel like I’m being sandpapered.

“Now sir, if you would like to follow me and lie down on your front.”

I feel like a piece of meat on a slab but apparently my back passed the test as I have to turn on my front.  And then there’s silence as all three of them look at me.

“Okay the chest is not too bad but that needs to go.”  Jorge decrees.  “Now let’s start on the eyebrows”

“Wait, what about my eye…owww!  What the fuck have you just done?!”  I scream as wax is applied to my face and swiftly ripped away.

“Oh yes much better.  Ooh nipple hair.”

“Nip…what the fuck are you doing?!”  I scream as again wax is applied and ripped away.

“Sir it will help if you stay still.”  Jorge applies a cooling gel to my chest and it feels so good.

“Now we are going to do some trimming.  So this means you have to keep absolutely still sir.”

I relax as I regularly trim so that’s not a problem.  “Oh that’s much better it makes everything so much better.”  Jorge mutters

I was about to ask him what he was talking about when I felt hot wax being applied quickly to my crotch before I could stop them.  I yelp and leap off the table flapping my hands at my crotch.

“What the fuck are you doing?!”  I yell at them and try to wipe the wax off my crotch but I manage to get some of it on my cock.

“Sir, you need to lie back down before the wax…no sir stop touching the wax as it will stick to you…sir please it is starting to cool that will make it harder to remove.”

“You stay the fuck away from me you sadist!”  I’m hopping up and down as it still hot.

“Sir no!  Don’t flap about like that or…yeah that will happen.”

I look down and find that my cock is now stuck to my abdomen.  “Do something!”  I demand.

“Well sir the only way out of this is to apply more wax I’m afraid.”

“Can’t you just cut round the wax?!”  I almost screech as I pull my fingers off my thigh.

“I’m afraid not.  Now sir, if you could come back to the table and let’s get this over and done with…”

“Wait, wax dissolver!  I’ve heard of that. Can’t you use that?!”  I plead.

“No sir, that’s a myth. Never heard of it and a spa of this calibre would have heard of it.  Now just sit back and try to relax.  I’m sorry but this is needs further application to remove what’s already there…”

I’m in tears as they apply more wax and take their time ripping it off as gently as they could.  By the time they finish I’m as bald as a plucked chicken and red as a tomato from front to back.

“Here sir, this salve should help soothe you.  I would advise you not to engage in any activities that would chafe the area at all.”

“I’m not paying for this!”  I sniffle and wince as my boxers brush against my skin.

“Of course sir.  And as a further goodwill gesture, we have provided you with pair of sweatpants so that there’s no further chafing.”

“Yes that’s the least you can do!”  I snatch the sweats from him and put them on and then head upstairs.

I end up waiting for another 20 minutes for Lindsay to come to reception.

“Michael what is it?  I’ve got a facial in a few minutes.”

“I’m going back to the condo.  This has been horrible.  Where’s the car?”

“Let me get Talon.”

Ten minutes later she saunters towards me.  “I’ve called the car it will be outside in 5 minutes.”

“I’ll wait outside then.”  I snipe and stomp outside.

TALON

I wait until he’s outside and head downstairs.   “Jorge, sweetie, you here?”

“Oh yes I am my darling.  As per your request he got the full works.  And here my darling is the USB port.  What are you going to with it?”

I smile and pocket the port.  “I’m sure I’ll think of something.  Now I’ve got to get back.”

LUTHER’S CONDO – EARLY EVENING

LOUNGE

LUTHER

Well, Grady is looking good. Just under six foot and looks like a cross between Will Smith and Sidney Poitier.  Still can’t understand why she chose him over Grady.  Talon is looking beautiful.

“So who are these people that we’re going with?”  Grady asks.

“Lindsay Peterson, who knows art and Michael Novotny, who doesn’t.”  Talon replies sipping her drink.  “Oh there’s the door.  I’ll just go and get them.”

“Honey that’s what Ralph’s for.  Let him do his job.”

“Ms Peterson and Mr Novotny sir.”

Lindsay is looking great in a lovely grey dress and he’s looking surprisingly smart but walking funny.

“I’m Grady, nice to meet you Lindsay.  Luther you lied.   You said pretty, this lady is beautiful.”

Lindsay goes pink and simpers as he kisses her hand.

“I’m Michael, Lindsay’s best friend.”  He holds out his hand.

Grady smiles at him too.  “Now aren’t you a handsome devil.  Nice to meet you.”

“Ralph serve them drinks.”  I order.  “Whatever you like.”

“A glass of champagne for me Ralph.”  Lindsay is transfixed by Grady as I thought she might be.

“Double beam.”  Michael states.  “No ice.”

“We don’t have Beam sir.  But…”

“Can’t you…”

“We don’t have time for that. I’m sure we’ll be able to get you one at the showing.”  Talon interrupts.  “Now have some champagne and then we can head off.”

Ten minutes later we are heading off with Grady leading Lindsay and I’m saddled with Michael who has an odd expression on his face.

“Talon come on honey!”  I call out to her.

“Be right there Sweetums!”  She calls back.

TALON

I really want to rip that fucker’s head off.  I’ve always liked Ralph and treated him with respect and the fact that it feels he can talk to him like that is, as Zee would put it, clanking my chain.

“Sorry Ralph I…”

He waves away my apologies.  “Oh don’t worry Miss Talon.  I’m used to it and have my own little way of making Master Luther’s guests sorry.  Now enjoy your evening and ‘Sweetums’ a nice touch.  Sickening but nice.”

I grin at him.  “How sorry?”

“Very.  Goodnight Miss Talon.”

“Goodnight Ralph.”

MoMA – PEARLMAN SHOWING

HUNTER

I can’t believe we have our first showing in New York and here of all places.  Miranda has almost thrown up twice.  The show has an Argentinean slant as per his request as does the food.

People are arriving and I’m keeping an ear out for the arrival of part of the family.  Grandma wanted to come but grandpa said no as he doesn’t know anybody in the New York Police Department that could get her out of jail quickly; same for Grandmom Jen.

The place is filling up quickly and the family has arrived.  Justin looks a little tense as he always does as the beginning of these things so they're still at the table until he feels a bit more relaxed.

Uncle Luc is at my side.  “How you feeling son?  You know where your marks are?”

I nod. I’ve done my usual thing of placing dad, papa, Faal and Uncle Luc in places where I can see them before the speeches.  I only need them until I get about five minutes in and then I’m fine.  Miranda is taking the group questions afterwards.

I walk round and come to a halt.  Lindsay is here with three other people.  Matt makes a kind of strangled noise.

“Matt you okay?  Oh wait is that your dad?”  He nods.  “Oh Faal’s much better looking and kinder much, much kinder and that’s all you need.”

LINDSAY

I’m trying to find Melody Reichmann but I can’t seem to find her.

“This has been curated beautifully.  Whoever, Melody recommended to do this has an excellent eye…”

“Thank you Lindsay.”  I stiffen at the sound of Hunter’s voice.

“Hunter?  You?  You curated this show?”

“Yes and Miranda and I are hosting.  Charles Pearlman will be doing a Q&A before dinner with of course Lucian Stark, who owns that…oh wait, sorry- Zee owns that lovely piece you’ve been admiring.” I clench my glass of champagne tightly as he continues.  “Won’t you introduce me to your companions, except this guy? I know who he is.  The others not so much.”

“Hunter Bruckner.  This is Luther Stark, Talon Stark-Kho and Grady Holster.  I’m curious as to how you know Grady.”

“Seen a picture of him.  Matt gets his beauty, inside and out from his mom.  His ugly temper must be from you.”  I sneer at him.

“Now just…”

“What no Michael?  I’m surprised you and your sycophant could bear to be parted from each other.  Now excuse me, I have a show to host.”

He turns and strides across the room.  “What the hell was that about?”  Luther demands.

“I didn’t know he would be here!”  I protest and then I spot Melody.  “Excuse me, I just need to speak to that lady over there. I’ll be right back.  Grady, can you go and check on Michael please?  He’s been gone a long time.”

GRADY

I head to the bathroom and I find Michael mopping his face.  “You okay?”

“Yes thanks... face just feels a little hot that’s all.”

“So who’s Hunter Bruckner?  He asked about you and…”

“Hunter?  Hunter’s here?  He’s my son and he’s dating…”

“Correction he was your son. He’s been emancipated from you.  Now excuse me, I’m going to support my son.”

I look to Michael for an explanation but he’s too busy glowering at the closing door.  “Michael?”

“Oh sorry, Grady.  That’s the man that my husband cheated on me with and he’s…”

“Michael stop spouting shit.  The only dishonest person in that relationship was you.”

Whoever that guy is, is gorgeous.  And judging by the expression on Michael’s expression he thinks the same.

“Brian!  What are you doing here?”

“Leaving your company.”  He strides out without a backward glance.

“Who was that?”  I breathe.

“Brian Kinney.  He’s my best friend. We’re just going through a rough patch at the moment.”

“Oh right.  You ready to head back out?”

MICHAEL

I nod and follow him out. I’m still in pain from the treatment this morning.  And also my stomach feels funny.  We go back to join Luther and Talentless as I’ve taken to calling her when she’s not around.

Lindsay comes back from wherever she was, looking annoyed.  “I couldn’t find Melody. No matter, we’ll catch up after dinner, I’m…oh my God…”

We all turn around to see who she’s looking at and it’s Zee.

“What the hell is she doing here and talking to Melody Reichmann of all people!”

“Is this the same woman who you need an in with?”  Talentless asks.

“I have an in with her.”  Lindsay responds testily.  “Let’s walk around a bit more.”

“Zee looks great.”  Grady replies.  “She still married to that dude?”

Before either of us could reply, Matt has made his way over to her and is grabbed into a hug.

“I want to say hello to my boy.  I’ll join you in a minute.”  Grady takes a glass of champagne and heads in their direction.

“I agree let’s all go over.”  Luther follows him over with Talentless.

ZEE

Faal is talking to Brian and Justin.  Melody has just gone and judging by the way Matt is tensing up either his dad or grandfather or both are coming over.

“Zaden, Matt how are you?”  Grady sounds as annoying as ever.

“Before you arrived, just fine.”  Matt replies coldly.

“Now you listen to me boy, you will be polite to your father.”  Luther demands.

“And as soon as he arrives I will do so.  Mom, I’m going see Hunter.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you going to say hello to me?”  Grady asks.

“Nope.  Talon you look well.  Nice dress.”

“Thanks Zaden.  No Faal?”

“He’s over there speaking to a couple of friends of ours.”

“I see.”

Lindsay smirks.  “I had no idea that Uptown was hosting this event.  Charles must be…”

“Zee, excuse the interruption...”  Melody smiles.  “This is Charles Pearlman, Charles Pearlman this is Zaden, but I call her Zee, she owns the Caperstocht.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Zaden.  Now about the Caperstocht, how can I persuade you to let us have it for 6 months?”

“Nice to meet you too.  Call me Zee and you just did, have at it.  Uncle Luc and Aunt Dee look after the art he’s left to me, so contact him if you need to borrow any of them.”

“Are you serious?”  Charles gasps.

“Yep, have absolutely no interest in art whatsoever.  Uncle Luc calls me a heathen.  But I’m here for my boys…”

“Boys?”  Grady asks.  “You had another kid with him?”

“No.”

“Aren’t you going to say hello to me?”  Luther demands.

“No.”

“Has she always been this childish?”  Lindsay smirks.

“Not the c-word I’d use for her.”  Michael snarks.

“Oh do feel free to tell me what c-word you would use Michael?”  I turn to him and he says nothing.

“Zee, seriously?”  Charles asks again. I nod smile as he makes a beeline for Uncle Luc.

Melody smiles at his departing back.  “I think you have just made his day or maybe year!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to circulate.”

Luther clears his throat.  “Now then.  Zaden, I suggest you grow up and learn from Lindsay how to conduct yourself in…”

“Oh shut up.”  I snap.  “And be a dipshit elsewhere. I’m here to support my boys, watch and learn.”

He opens his mouth in shock and out of the corner of my eye I see Talon smirk.  “And as for you three, ruin this evening for Hunter and I will eviscerate you.”

“Zee.  My lig.”  He kisses the side of my neck and squeezes my hand.  “Show’s about to start.”

Lindsay snorts.  “This should be interesting.  Hunter and Miranda were under my tutelage whilst I was in Pitts…”

“Your tutelage Lindsay?   How interesting.  Since I am the manager of both Uptown and Bloom, where you were fired from.  I don’t remember that version of events.”  Lydia interrupts her.

“Zee, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”  She smiles at me, I love this woman!

“No, oh wait, Lydia Glendale, this is Talon Stark-Kho, Talon this is Lydia. She used to be Lindsay’s boss in Pittsburgh.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, your attention please.  My name is Hunter Bruckner and this is Miranda Glendale and we are your hosts for the Pearlman Show.  This show covers the Argentinean artists from 1889-1998 and…”

By the time they’re finished there’s rousing applause.  Lydia, Steve and Ben have tears of pride in their eyes.

Talon turns to her.  “So Lindsay, in your expert artistic opinion how was he?  Judging by the applause, I would say he’s done excellently.  Now if you’ll excuse me I just need to powder my nose.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is about to be served.”  Miranda announces.

“What the…what’s your coat tag number lig?”

“47 why?”  I look at him confused as he replies to the text.  His phone beeps seconds later and he excuses himself.

“Did I miss much?”  Talon asks.

“No they’re just announcing the tables.”  Lindsay tells her.  “It looks like we’re number 5, which number are you Zee?”

Before I could reply, I feel Luther’s hand at my elbow.

“Please take your hand off my wife.”   Faal growls.

“Watch how you talk to me…”

“Faal it’s okay.”  Luther stiffens.  

“Take your hand off my little one.  Now Luther.”

“Lucian, she is…”

“My little one.  I said now.”

He lets go and turns to face Uncle Luc, who may be younger but can take him physically and financially and he knows that.

“Zee, they’ve just about to announce our table.”  Brian drapes an arm round my shoulders.

“Sure, oh Brian this is Talon Stark-Kho, Talon this is Brian.”

“Nice to…”

“So you are Brian Kinney, Michael’s…”  Grady begins.

“Taylor-Kinney and I’m not Michael’s anything.  Or hers.”  Brian snarks.  “Talon nice to meet you too.”

TALON

I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing at the incredulous looks on their faces.

“Now that is a fine looking man.”  I murmur to Lindsay.

“He is but he’s gay and married, though I can’t see that lasting...”

“Married? Pity.”  I mutter.

Michael grimaces “Yes to Justin Taylor or the…”

“Oh my goodness, Justin Taylor! The Justin Taylor as in the artist?”  I gasp although I know this already.  “Luther, you must be delighted.

His pieces appreciate in value so much!”

“You have a Justin Taylor, Luther?”  Lindsay grins at him.  “I found him you know.”

Luther’s expression is now priceless.  Yeah you suck on that Mr. Homophobe!

“Uh Lindsay.”  Michael is trying to get her attention.  “Lindsay!”

“What is it?  And lower you voice.”  She hisses.

“Isn’t that your…”

“Oh crap!”  Zee suddenly exclaims.  “I can’t believe I almost forgot!”

“Forgot what?”  Brian asks.

“Anniversary.  Hunter and Matt’s anniversary!”

“Hunter and Matt’s…”  Luther sputters.

“No, it’s covered my lig. We’re sending them to South Africa, to the Glasshouse for four days.”

Grady and Luther wince as Zee pulls him down for a sweet kiss.  Lindsay gets a pinched expression on her face too.

“Can we have the guests for Table 3 please?”

“That’s us.”  Zee turns swiftly and heads to her table.

LINDSAY

I can’t believe that she’s on Table 3!

“I can’t believe how they just conducted themselves just now!”  Luther hisses.

“Can we have the guests for Table 5 please?”

“Come on let’s go and sit down.”

And of course we’re right next to her table.  But unlike her table, ours is fully occupied.

“It’s a shame you don’t have the full complement of guests Zee, such a shame.”  I call across smugly.

“Oh but I do.  They’re just talking to Melody and Franklin.”

“Of course they are, Zee of course they are.”

I turn back and start to talk to Grady, who is a fascinating person and I do believe I can feel his hand on my thigh.  I smile at him and cover his hand with mine.

“Lindsay, Michael we had no idea you would be here!”  I’m startled by mother’s voice.

“Mother, daddy what are you doing here!  It’s nice to see you.  Though we…”

Mother interrupts with a wave of her hand.  “Not now, we don’t Lindsay.  I’m Nancy and this is my husband Ronald, as you’ve heard we’re Lindsay’s parents.”

I swiftly introduce them to everyone.  “Can you join our table?  I’m sure that Michael…”

“Oh no dear that wouldn’t do. Besides we’re just here with Millie and Harold.”

I gape as they take their seats at Zee’s table.  “Like I said, my table is full.”  She calls back to me.

For the rest of the dinner, I barely eat and Michael is glowering at me.  Why?  I have no idea.

Charles taps his glass.  “And now ladies and gentlemen in honour of the Argentinean theme of the evening, we would like to introduce Carlos and Carmela Martinez who will dance the dance of Love and Passion, also known as the tango.”

When they finish there is rousing applause.  “Now those who feel brave enough please step to the floor and be instructed in the art of tango.”

“Would you like to try Lindsay?”  Grady asks.

“Yes, yes I would.”

I take his hand and whilst we dance I feel like a princess.  He needs some guidance but still I feel like a princess.

GRADY

As we head back to the table, Zee and Faal pass us.   Lindsay and I chuckle and Luther smirks.

The music starts again.  As we watch Faal pull her into his arms, he shakes his head at the instructor, and for the next five minutes the room is quiet as they dance.  Or more accurately fuck with their clothes on, he dips and twirls her and not once did they lose eye contact.  I’ve always hated that guy!

“Wow.”  Talon breathes.  “Now that was hot.”

“If you like that kind of thing.”  Lindsay sniffs.

“Only the dead wouldn’t like that kind of thing.”  Talon smirks.

“Excuse me, I need to have a word with my parents.”

“Lindsay we are not discussing this.  We’ve made our decision as explained in the note.  I said no Lindsay.  Now return to your table before you make a bigger fool out of yourself!”  I hear her mother hiss at her.

“Oh wait Lindsay, just one other thing.”  A woman at the table calls her back.  “Withdraw your suit or the courts will be the least of your problems.  Melody and I will make it so that nobody on the eastern seaboard will hire you.”

“But Mill…”

“Mrs. Foster Brown to you.  Now think about what I’ve said.  And realise that you only got this invitation because Zee asked Melody so that you could see what you’ve lost.”

“Wha…”

“Now go back to your table.  And send someone to the men’s room to check on Michael. Apparently he’s making the most oddest of noises.”

“I’ll go.”  I tell her and head to see what’s wrong.

MEN’S ROOM

BRIAN

Justin is currently bouncing up and down on my lap and we’re locked in a passionate kiss in an effort to keep the noise down.  Luckily the noise of someone else groaning in the next cubicle is helping though judging by his whimpering, he’s not having half as much fun as we are.

“Oh God oh God oh God!”  Justin whispers hotly in my ear.  “So close, so good, need to, need to.”

I can feel my balls tightening and lift him up.  “Hold on.”  I whisper back, he tightens his legs round my waist and his arms round my neck and with one hand braced the door I thrust up sharply and he clamps down immediately.

“Yes!  Yes!”  He hisses into my ear and bites down on my neck.

“Mmm!  Mmm…oh baby!  Oh my God!”  I groan quietly and sink back down onto the toilet seat, slowly we catch our breath.

“Michael are you in here?”  Grady calls out.

“Y-yes.”  He groans.  “Be right out.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah.  Just have a bit of an upset stomach.  I still can’t believe Lindsay was going to suggest that I move to accommodate her parents!  After the way they disowned us!”

“Us?  I thought that you were just friends?”

“We are, but her parents…”

“Got rid of the leeches that almost cost us our good name and our friends.”  Ronald booms.

“Leeches?”

“Yes, leeches and we will help Millie in any way possible to make sure you two learn your…your fucking lesson!  Now excuse me.”

There’s silence for a few minutes and Justin and I try not to laugh.

“Michael, come on let’s go back. The evening is wrapping up now.”

We head back to the table to find everyone ready to go and we head to the cars.

OUTSIDE MoMA

LINDSAY

So this has been yet another humiliating experience.  Michael told me what happened in the bathroom.  Leeches? I can’t believe he described me- his own daughter- as a leech.

Lucian and Dee come out first with Hunter, Matt, Steve and Ben, who don’t even look in our direction.  “Guys we’ll see you at the hotel tomorrow at 1100.”

“Okay, text when you reach safely.”  Brian calls back and then burst out laughing.  “Seriously Faal!”

We all turn to find Faal carrying Zee out without her shoes but wearing socks.

“What? She does the same thing every time but this time at least her feet are cashmere-warm and my shoes don’t get trodden on.”

“Zee, where did you get your shoes from?”  Talon heads over to them and takes them from her lap.  “Ralph and Russo, very nice.  Oh the car’s here.  See ya.”

Talon comes back to us tapping on her phone.  “Why on earth would you want to know where her shoes are from?”  I demand.

“Because she has immaculate taste in shoes…amongst other things.”

Luther holds up his hand.  “Could you two bitch about shoes later and get in the damn car? This has been a horrible night!”

CAR SERVICE BACK TO CHAMBERS HOTEL

FAAL

Once we get in the car I start to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”  Justin asks snuggling deeper into Brian’s arms.

“She’s leaving him.”  I announce.

“What?!”  They all demand.

“Talon is leaving Luther.”  I pull the blanket over Zee and hand the other to Brian.

“How the hell do you know that?”  Brian demands.

“She’s replacing the jewellery with very good but useless copies. I know what to look for with fakes.  Oh and you need to check your coat pocket.  Zeus said she’s left something there.”

She finds the port and puts into the entertainment system and when we get to the part with Michael’s cock stuck to his stomach.  Justin snickers.  “I can understand why Ben topped!”

CHAPTER 13: BUTLER’S REVENGE AND AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE STARTS

LUTHER

“Well I think it’s safe to say that the next showing can be on the moon and I still wouldn’t go!”

“You didn’t enjoy yourself then honey?”  Talon strokes my arm and I can feel my temper abating.  

“Not really. And I don’t care how much it appreciates, I want that piece gone!”

“Okay, honey, okay I will sort that out for…”

“No actually, Talon, since I know people in the artistic world…” Lindsay tries to interject.

“Who clearly don’t want to know you!  Luther I will call this Melody Reichmann and see what I can do okay?”

I nod and pull her closer to me.  Lindsay looks at her with annoyance but doesn’t say anything else, but Grady squeezes her hand.

Michael has been bellyaching about his belly aching since we got in the car and to be honest it would be nice to get out of his company.  Grady told me what Lindsay’s father said about them in the bathroom.  And he’s right especially when it comes down to him.  And I’m the only one who gets to talk to Ralph like he’s the shit on my shoe.

“Here you guys are.”  I tell them as we pull up and am surprised when Grady gets out too.

“Lindsay’s offered me a coffee.  I’ll take a cab from here back to mine.”

“Enjoy.”  I call out just before the door is slammed shut.

“So what did you make of that then?”

“What?  Lindsay and Grady? Well it will be an interesting match…though not sure that Zee is going to be as jealous as you think she is after all…”

“Of course she is!  No woman likes to share their man, past or present.”  I reassure her.  “All is coming together nicely.”

I rest my head against the seat and close my eyes.

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO

LINDSAY

As well as moaning about his stomach, Michael was bitching about my attempt to get him to move to another table. But once I explained that I was hoping to soothe my parents ruffled feathers, he’s now calmed down and thankfully gone to bed.

“Is he going to be okay?”  Grady asks.

“Yes.  He’s always been dramatic, his dad’s a drag queen after all.”  I titter.

“So your folks are…”

“Full of bluff and bluster as per usual when they think I have done something wrong, which I haven’t.  It will be fine.  Now enough about this horrible evening, what would you like to drink?”

“Chateau de Lindsay available?”

“Uh Grady?  You…you do know that…”

“Lindsay, hush and let me make you feel better.”

CAUDALÍE VINOTHERAPIÉ SPA – SATURDAY EARLY MORNING

BRIAN

“What time is the car coming?”  I mumble as we get to the massage part of the Ritual.  Silence.

I open my eyes and they are all dozing.  “Oh crap…”

“The car has been booked to pick you up at 1800 sir.” My masseuse tells me.

I sigh happily and let him work out the kinks I put in my shoulders after the fuck fest this morning.  My cock twitches at the memory and I’m happy to be on my stomach for a change.

“So we can eat here, you can do some shopping and then leave from here.”  Justin mutters.

“Why are we leaving from here again?”

“Gift baskets now will you two be quiet.”  Ben orders.

“Ben is feeling…”

“I will throw this loofah at you!”  Steve snaps.

“Zipping.”  I mutter.

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO

LINDSAY’S BEDROOM

Grady is getting dressed.  I can’t believe we had sex last night. Oh, I can’t wait to share that little piece of information with Zee. She will be so pissed off.  I saw the spark in her eyes. Despite what she says about her feelings for Faal, there’s something there.

I stretch and feel deliciously sore and with one last kiss on my lips he heads out.  I slump back onto the pillows and doze back off.  I’m not sure how long I was asleep but I wake to the sound of tapping on my door.

I look around and make sure there’s nothing incriminating before calling out.  “Come in Michael.”

When he does come in I gasp in surprise.  His stomach is distended like he’s about 4 months pregnant and he’s sweating profusely.

“Goodness me what on earth is wrong?”

“I don’t know but I think I need a doctor.”  He moans clutching his stomach.

I get out of bed quickly and grab my phone.  I call Talon who recommends a medical centre not far from here so we quickly get dressed and grab a cab.

LUTHER’S CONDO

KITCHEN

TALON

I look at Ralph and cock an eyebrow.  “Okay what did you do?”

“Who me Miss Talon?  I merely served the drinks as was requested.”  He chuckles and I wait.

“Oh there you are.”  Luther interrupts us.  “I won’t have time for breakfast this morning, got another meeting with Zaden. We are still in negotiations…try not to eat too much baby. You know how it bloats you out.  I’ll see you later.”

He drops a kiss on my cheek and saunters out. I don’t even have to look at Ralph to know he’s lying but just to make sure, I text Zeph.  It doesn’t take long for my suspicions to be confirmed.

“Now Miss Talon.  What have we discussed?”  Ralph chastises me.

“I know but I gave up everything to be with him and to be just one of his harem is…”

“What it is.”  He tells me firmly.  “Now enough of this pity party.  In answer to your question an old family recipe to stop the trots.  And the only way to relieve this discomfort is to give him the trots.”

“Oh Ralph you are so wicked.”

“Indeed.  Now, you young lady are going to eat some breakfast before you do anything else. You are much too thin.”

“Luther…”

“Call me old fashioned. He should never have had a say about that in the first place.  Now you are too thin and disproportioned, with all due respect.  Now, what would you like to eat?”

I look at Ralph and his determined expression.  “Bacon, eggs, hash browns and hot chocolate with whipped cream!”  I decide.

“Excellent choice.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – SATURDAY AFTERNOON

MICHAEL’S BATHROOM

MICHAEL

I have never felt so bad in my life.  First I can’t go and now I can’t fucking stop!  Lindsay has been as helpful as she can but there’s only so much time a person can stay in here with this smell.

“Michael how’s it going in there?”

“Badly!”  I call back.  “I may have to go to the ER. Whatever they gave me has made it worse!”

“Okay, hold on I’m calling for a cab!”

LUTHER’S CONDO

KITCHEN

TALON

“Oh that’s the best thing I’ve had in my mouth in months!”  I groan as I digest my breakfast.

“Don’t let Master Luther hear that.”  Ralph chuckles.

“Why do you stay?”  I ask him.

“He pays very well and I get my revenge when I need to.”

“Oh wait, I need to call him about the Justin Taylor.”  I grab my phone.  “Hi honey, you okay you sound out of breath.  Oh shouting at Zander I see.  About the Justin Taylor, how gone do you want it?  Okay not a problem, I will sort it for you honey.”

I dust myself down and grin at Ralph.  “Do you have a dollar?”

He frowns at me.  “Yes why?”

“Follow me.”

I lead him to the main lounge and point to the Justin Taylor.  “You like that?”

“Yes this is an exquisite example of his early works. I’ve always admired it.  Justin Taylor is an exceptional artist.”

“It’s yours for one dollar.”  I tell him.  “Now pay and get it down and out of here.”

“Miss Talon you can’t be serious!”  He gasps.

“He told me to sell it but he never said for how much!”  I giggle and after pocketing the money, help him get it down.

MOUNT SINAI ER

LINDSAY

“We’ve been waiting for 2 hours now why can’t we be seen?”  I demand of the nurse.

“Because we’ve had a major accident and those people take precedence over your friend’s stomach upset.”  She replies brusquely then pushes passed me.

Finally, after another hour we’re seen and immediately sent out with exactly the same instructions we were given earlier.

“Well that was a waste of time.”  Michael grumbles but at least he’s stopped passing wind.

“Let’s go and get something to eat and remember bland foods, nothing spicy or rich.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – 90 MINUTES LATER

OUTSIDE MICHAEL’S BATHROOM

LINDSAY

“Michael you can’t blame me if you decided to eat a four cheese pizza!  The doctor said bland. How was that bland?!”

“Cheese is mild…oh God it hurts so badly, I think I may have actually passed my intestines!”

“Oh too much detail!  Wait, I think that’s my phone hold on.”

I dash to the hallway and beam as it’s Grady.  “Hi, how are you.  Sorry I couldn’t call you back earlier but Michael’s been unwell.  No, we think it’s something from last night.  Oh sure I can meet you, give me the address.”

I head back and find Michael wobbling to his bedroom.  “Who was that?”

“Oh Talon, I’m meeting her for drinks. Will you be okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just going to sleep.  Say fuck you to Talentless for me.”  He calls out before he closes the door.

I dash to my bedroom and dial her number.  “Talon it’s me.  Look if Michael asks, we were together this afternoon okay?  Thanks! I owe you.”

PLANE BACK TO PITTSBURGH – EARLY EVENING

ZEE

Justin and Brian are actually sleeping in the bedroom this time.  And I know he would hate to hear it but they look so sweet spooned against each other. The way Brian has him cocooned in his body is just adorable.

“How could his father want to hurt him so?”  Ben sighs.

“No idea.”  I close the door softly.

I have to laugh as I look round the plane, this seats 30 tops and almost half one side of it is gift baskets and shopping.  Mel is going to hate the suit that Brian got for her, so much that when we showed it to Jenny she said that she would wear it on Monday without a doubt.

We were almost late because Brian was fussing so much with the toiletries so we have to sort them out on the way. He wrote instructions in the car.

“Okay let’s get this done shall we?”  I sigh.  “And Matt I know you are itching to come and help so hop to it.”

SQUIRREL HILL – SUNDAY AFTERNOON

MEL

“I hate you!”  I declare to Brian when he shows me the suit.  “I really hate you!”

“Who had hate?”  Gus calls out.

“Me!”  Ted calls out.  “2nd pot of the month, go me!”

“Pot uh I don’t…”  Zeus looks puzzled but is soon shaking his head and Ted explains our ritual.

“I still don’t understand what Taylor is doing. Why not just move the money? I mean his business is for shit.  And from whom we saw at the naked dinner, these are the people that would save it.  But since the money arrived from my father, he’s not reached out to them again and…”

Zee stops her pacing.  “Holy fuck he’s running it down.”  The room goes quiet.

“But, but what about Molly!”  Justin demands.  “That’s part of her legacy he can’t do that!  I don’t care about me but he has to provide for Molly.”

“Oh that fucking bastard!”  Jennifer growls.

“Justin, Jennifer calm yourself. He needs to pay and he will.  But first some levity in the situation.  Come into the lounge.”

ZEE

They all follow and I put the port that Talon gave me in and soon the room is filled with laughter.

Five minutes later, Solly, Ted and Menno are in Mel’s office.  “Okay, I need you three to keep this quiet. And I mean not even tell Brian, Justin or Faal quiet, agreed?”  They nod.  “Before I get to that, Ted have Tobias and Darius started on their wedding plans?”

“No not as far as I’m aware.  But they were hoping for a December wedding.  Why?”

“Portland is supposed to be nice in December.  And I know for a fact that there is a certain venue that would love to host their first winter wedding…”

“Are you serious?”  Ted gasps.

“Yes.  After what he did with Michael and what he’s trying to do now, it’s the least we can do.  Emily is expecting his call.”

Ted gives me a hug and starts to leave.  “Uh Ted.  Not finished yet.  Now Menno, what’s mama’s maiden name again?”

“Schoepen.  Why?”

“Ted, can you do whatever it was you did for Daphne for Menno?  And Solly can you be his ‘Ephraim’?”

They both nod and then starts to smile.  “You little devil.”  Ted grins.

“I’m not being devilish, I’m reciprocating.”  I grin back.

CHAPTER 14: CRACKS START TO APPEAR

TED

I text Blake and wait for him to come in because I want him to be here when I call Tobias.

“What’s put that smile on your face?”

I grin and hold up my hand for silence.  “Tobias Schenk speaking.”

“Tobias it’s Ted and Blake. Can you get Darius on the line too?”

“I’m on what’s going on?”

“You remember the place in Portland where the marriages and renewal ceremonies happened?”

“Yes oh it is gorgeous!”  Tobias sighs.  “What about it?”

“Well it’s yours.  Seems they would love to do a winter wedding.”

There is complete silence at the other end and at first I think they’ve hung up until I hear a sniffle.

“Are you serious?”  Darius demands his voice thick.

“Yes.  She said that Emily is expecting your call.  And E&ZHoD would love to do the catering.”

There is a thud and then a gasp.  “Ted!  I’ll have to call you back, Tobias has fainted!”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – SUNDAY AFTERNOON

MICHAEL

“So how were drinks with Talentless?”

“Oh fine, she knows some cool places.  Has your stomach finally settled down now?”

“Yes, thanks.  I can’t understand why I was so ill.”  I grumble picking moodily at my boiled egg.

“Me neither.  We had exactly the same thing.  Anyway, look I’m going out...”

“With Talentless again? You two are becoming quite bosom buddies.”  I bitch.

“No, no we’re not and no I’m not.  Actually, I’m going to look round the galleries; see who I should honour with my resume.”

“Oh okay.  I’m going to watch all the X-Men movies back to back then.”

“How many times have you seen those movies?”  She asks with a hint of scorn in her voice.

“Doesn’t matter. They will never get old for me.  And besides it’s Sunday, a day of rest.  See you later.”

LINDSAY

As I watch him head to the lounge, it occurs to me that every day seems to be a day of rest for Michael.  With a sigh I follow him.

“Michael before you settle down to your marathon session, how much money have you got left?”

“Why?”  He asks, not pausing in his movie set up.

“No big reason.  Well maybe.  The money from my parents, our last checks and the money you have left is all the money we have. So we need to start adding to the pot ourselves as opposed to…”

“But when we win the misrepresentation suit we’ll get money from that…”

“No we won’t.”  I cut him off feeling the beginnings of a headache.  “The point of the misrepresentation suit is to get them to reopen the cases that we lost, remember? And then there’s the defamation countersuit…”

“What countersuit?”  Now he’s looking at me and I stare back at him incredulous.

“Remember when Adam White turned up here?  He served us papers from Philip Mitcham counter suing the misrepresentation with defamation.”

“I didn’t know that!”  He gasps.

“Michael.”  I grit out.  “You were standing behind me when he told me and I then repeated it to you.  How did you not take that on board?”

He narrows his eyes at me.  “Lindsay what’s really going on? You’ve been snippy with me for the last week now?”

“Nothing is going on apart from what I have just said to you.  Now before this escalates into an unnecessary row, let’s check how much money we’ve got at the moment.  We don’t have rent to pay, which is a blessing but we have to be…”

“There it is again, that tone.”  He continues to frown at me.

“There is no tone.”  I paste a smile on my face.  “Everything is fine. I’m just worried that we will run out of money before…”

“We can always ask Luther.  Or even better, Talentless to share her fuck money with us until the cases are settled.”  He suggests as he reluctantly follows me to the office.

“That’s brilliant Michael!  Yes we’ll ask Talon for help and I think it would be best coming from you.”  I sigh.  “Okay let me check mine first.”

He remains standing behind me.  “A little privacy Michael.”  He backs away but doesn’t turn around.  “Turn around Michael. This is private.”

“Don’t you trust me Lindsay?”  He pouts.

“Mel didn’t know my bank details and I used to sleep with her.”  I smile tightly.

A few minutes later I log off.  “Your turn.”

Ten minutes later we’re totalling up.  “Okay we’ve got just under $14,000 left, that’s taking off the loan repayments to them for the next six months.  This is New York; this is not going to last long.”

I slump back in the seat.  

“How long is not long?”  He asks.

“As long as we only buy food, we can last until February tops.  We’ve got to get some money in.”

“Look let’s discuss this tomorrow.  We’ve got time and it’s not even November yet.”  Michael shouts over his shoulder heading back to the lounge.

I’m stunned.  I just cannot believe how utterly stupid this man can be sometimes!

E&ZHoD – TUESDAY EARLY AFTERNOON

ZEON

All four of us are staring at the dish of jugged hare with varying expressions of disgust.

“Are you sure that’s what they said they wanted?”  Thomas is actually backing away.

“It looks like um…”  Cara wince.

“Shit over vomit?”  Zee helpfully supplies.

“Maybe it tastes better than it looks.”  Emmy Lou says, ever the optimist.

“Well I’ll be going to the BroHouse to oversee the works. Let me know how you…”

“Like fuck you are!”  Thomas grabs my arm to stop me.  “Come on, we’re grown-ups. Let’s all just have a taste.”

We dig in and Zee shudders.  “This has better freeze well because I’m never cooking that again.”

“Oh that’s just nasty!”  Cara grimaces after she’s spat it out.

Emmy Lou hands us all a glass of water.  “Okay we can just tell them we couldn’t find hare and offer them confit chicken instead.”

“They’re game hunters. They will most probably provide us with one.”  Zee gripes wiping her tongue on her sleeve.  “Ugh this needs vodka.”

“Anyone in!”  A voice calls.

“The final test.  In here Lydia!”  Zee calls back.

Lydia comes in and waves a paper at us.  “The reviews are in and of course our…”  She pauses and looks at the dish.  “What on earth is that?”

“Jugged hare.”  I reply.  “Hi I’m Zeon, Zee’s brother.”

She looks at me first in surprise then warily.  “I’ve been told all about her brothers.  I’m Lydia and adore this woman.  Take that onboard okay?”

I look at my little sister and then nod at Lydia.  “Yes ma’am.”

“Want to taste?”  Emmy Lou asks and she nods taking a spoon and then heads to the bin and spits it out.

“Booking clash on any day they suggest correct?”  Cara asks.

“Absolutely.  Vodka Lydia?”  Zee offers her a tumbler, which she quickly knocks back.

“Fuck me sideways that is vile!”   She waves the tumbler and Zee pours another.  “Oh that’s better.  Now the reviews are in and of course my darling urchins have been praised to the heavens!”

“Urchins?  Reviews?”  I ask.

“That’s what she calls them. The ‘them’ being Hunter and Miranda. She’s Lydia’s niece.  They curated and hosted the Pearlman Show in New York at the weekend…”

“Ah I see.  It’s a shame about that…”

“Why is it a shame?”  I can hear the defensive edge to her question.

I hold up my hands.  “Nothing about your urchins especially Hunter, who is by proxy, my nephew.  It’s just that I love art and I have to admit to jealousy when Uncle Luc gave her his collection.”

Lydia looks keenly at me.  “How much do you love art?”

“More than me.”  Zee chuckles.  “I can imagine the bitch-fit you pitched when you heard about that.  What did you get by the way?”

“Their house in Fra…wait Justin’s show; where you guys staying?”

“Not sure yet, why?”  Emmy Lou replies.  “Okay what’s that face for?”  He looks at Zee.

“You got the house in France, didn’t you?”  She looks annoyed when I nod.  “Lucky fucker.”

“So you don’t want to stay there?”  I ask and then groan as Emmy Lou launches himself at me.

“Pictures! I want to see pictures!”  He squeals after releasing me from the hug.

“Okay, hold up everything!”  Lydia claps her hands.  “How big is this place?”

“12 bedrooms, never been to it.”

Lydia is counting off on her hands.  “Fine.  You and me, Zeon are going to have a little chat about this place, Emmy Lou you too.  And then we need to speak to Justin.  Come-come plans to make!”

She pauses and then turns around.  “Bag that up, dish and all, I know just the dumpster for it.”

BRITIN – EARLY EVENING

JUSTIN’S STUDIO

JUSTIN

The works to put a bed in the alcove are finally finished.  Baz, as usual has done an excellent job.  I’m making the bed while thinking of my sperm donor.

“Want to talk about it or you just going to keep doing that hospital corner?”

Brian comes over and pulls me into his arms and I sniffle.  “Why?”  I mumble from his chest.

He lifts my head and brushes the tears away.  “None of that.  He’s not worth these.  Not worth it.”  He drops a soft kiss on my trembling mouth.

“He’s…”

“Not worth it.”  He repeats firmly.  “Besides I have a feeling that Ted and Zee are cooking up something or other.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you notice that he, Solly and Menno disappeared for awhile on Sunday?  Something’s happening and Faal’s noticed too.  But we’re pretending not to.”

“Oh.”

“And look what happened the last time they combined forces and with Solly onboard. Whatever is happening it is going to be good.  Oh by the way, Lydia called, about the show in France.  Wants you to call her back.  Said you’ve not been answering your phone.”

“Mmm, will call her back tomorrow.  Right now I have something much more important to do.”

“Which is?”  He asks as I kiss his neck. “You know that osteopath table?”  He nods.  “Get it set up with your favourite oils and I’ll set the bath, then we fuck like rabbits.”

“Uh why not fuck like rabbits now...we have to test the bed you know for resilience anyway…”

“Brian, this is my plan and we…oh!”  I groan as he slides his hand into my sweats and tugs on my cock.

“Lie down.”  He whispers in my ear and I just flop down and he swiftly takes off my sweats and wraps his mouth round my cock.

I arch my back and give a little squeal of pleasure.  As I watch his head bob up and down and feel his tongue in my slit, my eyes roll back and I shoot down his throat.

Ten minutes later, I’m holding onto the railings of the bed for dear life as he pounds into me.

“He’s. Not. Worth. It!”  He thrusts on every word.  “Repeat.  After.  Me.”

“He’s…oh God…not, yes oh yes, worth it.”  I shudder.

“Again.”  He thrusts harder.

“He’s.  Ah, uh ah.  Not worth.  There oh God there!  It!” He starts to pump my cock in time and suck on my neck.  “Oh God Brian!”  I yelp and clamp down hard.

“Fuck!”  He roars and explodes.

As I snuggle back into his lap with him still inside me, my last thought is thank God we don’t have to buy another futon.

LUTHER’S CONDO – THURSDAY LATE AFTERNOON

OFFICE

TALON

Ralph and I just stare at each other.  “Miss Talon, what are you going to do?”

I smile at him.  “What I’m good at.  Ralph.  What I’m good at.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – EARLY EVENING

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

Lindsay is out at another gallery opening or something.  So once again, I can watch my movies and read my comics in peace.  I’m just getting to the good part in Spiderman, when the door goes.

“Oh hi Grady, Lindsay’s not in.”  I’m hoping he will take the hint and leave immediately.

“Oh shame.”  He smiles at me. He really is quite a looker.  “May I come in?  We never got much time to talk the last time.”

Inwardly sighing, I let him in and lead him to the lounge.  “Oh Spiderman!  Which one is it, 1 or 2?”

I look at him in surprise.  “Halfway through the first one. Never had you down as a Spiderman fan.”

“Not everything is as it appears.  May I help myself to a drink?”

“Yes, yes of course.”

“Will you join me?”

“Uh I’ll have a Beam, thanks.”

We sit and watch the movie to the end without a word. It's great to do that for a change without the sighing and eye rolling that Lindsay does or the rustle of papers that was Ben grading papers.

“Want to watch the 2nd one or do you have to leave?”

“I did want to get something to eat. Do you know how long Lindsay will be?  I mean, shall we wait for her?”

“Let me call and check.  Lindsay it’s me.  No nothing’s wrong. I just was going to order take-out and I wondered if I should order for you too?  Oh okay, see you tomorrow morning then.”

“No Lindsay?”  He asks.

“No.  Seems she’s going for cocktails with some of the people she met at the gallery.”

“So it’s just the two of us.  What would you like to eat, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican? Your choice my treat.”

“Um, I’m more a meat and potatoes guy. Not very adventurous when it comes to food.”

“Another thing we have in common, I love meat and potatoes.  So shall I choose for you?”

I nod feeling rather warm and an hour later, we’re eating the most delicious dim sum I have ever tasted.  “This is really good.”  I mumble round a mouthful of food.

“Have you tried the shrimp tails?  Here let me serve.”

“Oh that is so good. Where’s this place again? Lindsay will love it.”  He smiles at me and then frowns.

“Oh wait, you’ve got a bit of sauce.  Let me get that for you.”

And he licks my chin.  “Uh.  Grady I thought…”

“Like I said. Not everything is how it seems.”

BroHOUSE – FRIDAY LATE MORNING

KITCHEN

ZEON

I have to hand it to her.  She knows her kitchen kit.  This place looks fantastic! I love the range and currently Thomas and I are unpacking everything she ordered.

“What on earth is this?”  I hold up something and Thomas just rolls his eyes at me.

“You are joking correct?”  He puts his hands on his hips and waits for my response.

“A Frisbee?”  I suggest earning another glare.

“He’s messing with you Thomas. He knows full well it’s a…actually what is that?”  Zeus asks.

“It’s a rotary peeler.”  Thomas sighs.  “How can I be in love with someone who doesn’t know what a state of the art rotary peeler looks like?!”

Zeus chuckles and tugs me into the lounge.  “Just heard from Zeph.  You aren’t going to believe what’s happened now.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

KITCHEN

MICHAEL

I can’t believe that Grady and I had sex last night… well made love in my opinion.  He was so gentle with me; it was blissful.  Much better than with Ben or David.  I want to tell Lindsay but I saw how she was with him, all gooey eyed.  Once we’re established then we’ll tell her.

She finally came home just after midnight. Luckily, Grady went before she woke up and it seems she’s got one heck of a hangover.

“She’s up!  Must have been a good night?”  I ask.

“Yeah.  Need coffee though.”  She croaks.  “How was yours?”

“Oh great, just great! Watched Spiderman, got take-out… that was it.  You’ll love the new take-out place I found.”

“Great.”  She clears her throat.  “Michael we seriously need to talk about the money situation.”

“All sorted.”  I beam at her.

“It is?  How?”  She asks popping a couple of Advil.

“I took your advice and spoke to Talentless and she’s given us $50K, to tide us over until the cases are resolved and…”

“You did what?!”  She gasps.

“Spoke to Talentless and…”

“I was being sarcastic Michael!”  She snaps and then grabs her head.

“Oh.  Well she’s wired the money already.  Shall I send it back?”  I snap back.

“Let me think.  What collateral did you put up?”

“Collateral?”  I ask.  “She didn’t ask for anything, just asked us to sign this document to say that we will repay the money as and when the cases are settled.”

“So, we just have to give her the money from the trials when we win right?”  I nod.  “But Michael there is no money to come from those cases as I already told you.”

“I know that but she doesn’t.”

She blinks a couple of times and gives me a nervous smile.  “No she doesn’t, does she?”

“And we can say we’re appealing to explain the delay.”  I grin at her.  “Now why don’t you go and have a bath to ease the tension.

“Yeah I think I will.”  She heads back upstairs with her coffee.

Sometimes, I get the feeling that Lindsay thinks I’m stupid. Well I’ve just proved I’m not.

CHAPTER 15: HOT DIGGITY DAMN!

GRADY’S HOUSE – SUNDAY MORNING

GRADY

Now I know that I sometimes get that itch to fuck a guy or be fucked by a guy but that has to be the worst sex I’ve had in a long time!

Twice I had to tell him to cover his teeth, which is basic blowjob know how!   I had to keep thinking of his friend Brian to get to the end.  Now he, I suspect wouldn’t need any instructions whatsoever.

And that dreamy-eyed expression on his face afterwards.  Ugh.  I hope he realises that it was a one-time fuck and will never happen again.

“Grady Holster.”  I’m startled when I hear his voice.  “Oh Michael, hi.  How are you?  I’m fine.  Not up to much; just going for a run in a minute so I can’t stay on the phone for long.  Yeah it was great evening.  Uh this week, I have to fly out of the city on business for a few days so won’t be around so much. Let me get back to you.  Look my buddies are here so I have to go.  Yeah speak soon.”

I shut off my phone and stare at it for a while; how the hell did he get my number I think to myself then decide that a run is definitely called for and I’m definitely getting out of the city, just in case he turns up here!

MILLIE’S HOUSE – MONDAY AFTERNOON

MILLIE

“So Bernie have you met him yet?”  I beam at her pouring her another glass of wine.

I’m so pleased that Thomas is back in her life.  When she told me what happened and how they searched for him and now with Kiki’s help he’s back in their lives, I almost wanted to throw a party.

“No but he’s coming over for dinner on Wednesday.  I’m terribly nervous as is Arnold.”

“Why would you be nervous, after all it’s him who has to…”

“Millie.”  Harold chides me.  “Stop being the Queen Bee and be a friend.  Besides you know who it is, don’t you?  So you know she’s got nothing to worry about”

I look from him to Bernie in confusion.  “No, should I?”

“It’s Zeon.  Zee’s twin brother.”

My mouth drops open in surprise.  “Really!  Ooh wait till I speak to that little lady, she never said a word!”

Harold smiles.  “You know Zee better than anyone here Millie. If it’s not her news to tell, she doesn’t.”

I nod and top up his glass. If there’s one thing I’ve come to learn about the Ugerstachts is that they are the height of discretion.  Unless of course you are Lindsay Peterson or Michael Novotny.  Now those are two people who the world needs warning about.

“Well I’m still telling her off when we go to dinner on Thursday.  That’s all I’m saying.”  I sniff in mock annoyance.

“Okay, I’ll have the Advil, milk thistle and water on the side of the bed when you get in.”  Harold remarks dryly.

“Harold, I wasn’t that bad the last time.”  I object blushing at the memory.

“You were more soused than a herring.”  He chuckles.  “Bernie it took three attempts for her to take her shoes off.”

“Harold don’t you have to be somewhere else?”  I pout.

“There’s my cue.  Have a good afternoon plotting.”

“What do you mean plotting?”  I ask.

“You’re trying to tell me that Melody is here for the good clean Pittsburgh air?”  He arches an eyebrow, smirks and leaves the room.

“They’re all yours.  Enjoy your hubble, bubble, boil and making trouble!”  His laughter echoes down the hallway as he makes his way to his office.

“It’s what they deserve!  And I’m not happy with the witch reference!”  I call back and hear him laugh harder.

MELODY

“Good afternoon darlings!”  Melody sweeps in with a smile on her face.  “Ooh bubbles!  I could murder a glass.”

“You’ve been speaking to Emmy Lou recently, haven’t you?”  Millie chuckles.

“Yes.  This morning in fact.  Can you get to France next Thursday?  The Justin Taylor Showing has been moved from San Fran to Paris, it’s not widespread news at the moment, as they’ve just secured the location.”

“I’m sure we can manage that.  Bernie what about you?”

“Yes, absolutely.  Why was it moved?”

“He was offered a joint showing with Courec and Lydia wouldn’t let him turn it down.   But the only place he could get to was Paris as he has a showing in Italy three days later and it’s easier to move the pieces from there…now onto those two ingrates.”

I top up Millie’s glass.  “So has the suit been taken off the table?”

“No.”

“Thought not. She’s been hawking her resume about, starting to wheedle her way in.”

“I thought you were…”

“Oh I am, but I’m allowing her a little bit of hope before I rip that asunder.  She has aspirations, I’ll give her that.  Part of me feels sorry for Nancy and Ronald.”

“What on earth for?”  Bernie’s incredulous.  “It’s only been a few weeks and they look so happy.”

“And if they had harnessed some fucking backbone they would have been happier earlier and not had to move.  As they loved that house!”

“Your Emmy Lou is showing.”  Bernie teases me.

“Wait till my Zee comes out, that fucking bitch won’t know what hit her.”

LUTHER’S CONDO – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

OFFICE

LUTHER

Thank God that damn painting is out of this house.  Talon has said she’s still waiting to hear from the Melody woman about the cost of the painting.  I had a fantastic weekend with Bethany.  She reminds me of Xanthe in a way.  And I fully intend to have a fantastic time again this weekend.

“Honey you got a minute?”  I call out to Talon, she comes in looking sickly.  “Jesus what’s wrong with you?”  I demand backing away.

“I think I’m coming down with a cold.”  She groans clutching her head.

“Oh, well I’m going to have to go away this weekend.  I’m having problems persuading Zander to come across so a boy’s weekend is called for.”

“Can’t you stay with me instead?  Surely you don’t need to do this now?  I really need you to comfort me.”

“Honey I would but I’ve got the other meetings next week too and I can’t be sick for those.  So why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll have Ralph look after you.”

“Okay.  When will you be back?”

“Sunday evening.  Now hurry go back to bed.”  I order and wait for her to leave.

“Hey baby, I’ll meet you at the hotel.  No, I can get away this evening instead.  Brace for impact baby, brace for impact.”

BLOOM GALLERY – SAME TIME

LYDIA

Oh what fresh fucking hell is this!  I blink twice and it is still here.  Craig Taylor is standing in my gallery.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes I would like the information about the Justin Taylor Showing in San Francisco next week.”

“What kind of information?  Would you like tickets for example?”

“Oh yes I would indeed.  How many can you spare?”

“They are $90 a ticket, how many can you afford?”  I smile sweetly although he makes my skin crawl.

“I need about 20, do you offer a group discount?”

“No.  Wait are you related to Justin? I know that Taylor is a common name but you seem to favour…”

“No, I’m not related to him.  Like you said, Taylor is a common name.  Now about these tickets, can I pay now?”

“Of course so that will be $1800 excluding taxes, we have a…”

“Why not make it a round $2500?”

“But that’s too much.”

“Consider the rest my contribution to the art scene.”  He smiles at me and I want to vomit.

“Well that’s very kind of you.  Here you go is there anything else?”

“No that’s perfect.  Thank you.  I look forward to next week.”

He strides out smirking and I shudder.  “Sarah can you come in please?”  I call out.

She comes in and closes the door.  “This block booking is for Craig Taylor. Under no circumstances is he to know that this is in now in France.”

“Absolutely.  Fucker!”

“I beg your pardon!”

“Oh!  Not you, him!  Did he leave you names of his guests?”

“No.”  I answer uncertainly as this is a side of Sarah I’ve not seen before.

“Justin Taylor was three years above me.  The way his dad was after the trial was a disgrace.”

“You know Justin?”

“No, never met him personally but he got a two day suspension defending my brother.”

“Oh.  So I can leave this with you?”

“Yes, yes you can.”

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS

CRAIG’S OFFICE

CRAIG

“So I’ve got 20 tickets and it’s Black tie.  As if those deviants should be allowed to sully such a classy piece of attire.  Anyway, once we’re in you know what to do.  And when I say destroy I mean obliterate, I want no painting untouched.”

LUTHER’S CONDO – FRIDAY EVENING

LOUNGE

RALPH

“Okay I still don’t understand Miss…sorry Talon.”  I pour another glass of Chateau Neuf du Pape.  “You don’t like Michael but you are helping him, well actually them, this is a puzzlement to me.”

“One of the benefits of being what I am is my survival instinct.  For a man who owes and isn’t working, he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to pay it back…”

“Owes to who?”

“Brian and Justin Taylor-Kinney.  And he never misses a payment.  And that got me thinking, why not just pay it off and have done?  So I did a bit of digging.”

“And…”  I prompt her.

By the time she’s finished I realise what she’s going to do.  “You’ve checked out his collection haven’t you?” She nods and smiles.   “And?”

“It’s not as big as it once was obviously but what he has in there is worth some serious coin and will appreciate in value.  They’ve signed the agreement and if this works the way I think it will that collection is mine.”

“But what about Lindsay?  What do you gain from her?”

“Nothing.  She will dump him quick smart if she has any brains about her.  And from what I can tell all is not well in there.”

I raise my glass to her and we clink.  “If there’s one thing you can definitely say about me Ralph, it’s that I am not Talentless.”

CHAPTER 16: END OF THE TETHER AND BEGINNING OF THE END…PART 1

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS – TUESDAY MORNING

CRAIG’S OFFICE

GUIDO

“Mr Taylor…”

“I’m not finished talking.  You will go to San Francisco. I will meet you at this address on Thursday afternoon.  These are the tickets for the Justin Taylor Showing and we will all go and show our support for him.”

Inwardly I sigh.  For the last few weeks I’ve been yelled at, snarked at and blamed for something that was his fucking fault.  The dinner was his mistake.  Not mine.

“For fuck sake, are you listening?!”  He actually snaps his fingers in front of my face.

“Mr Taylor, as I have tried to explain to you, I have already got plans for Thurs…”

“Change them!  You owe me after your fuck up and if you want to keep your job you’ll remember that okay?”  He barks and hands me an envelope.  “Take this and get the fuck out of my office.  See you on Thursday.”

I leave and resist the temptation to slam the door.  Sitting at my desk I fiddle with the envelope. He even snarks when it’s written down; do not open in the office is written is his horrible writing.

“I’m going to get something to eat.  I’ll be back…”  I tell nobody in particular and head out.

COFFEE SHOP CORNER OF LIBERTY AVE & BAKER’S PLACE

GEORGE

It’s the third time in the last few weeks I’ve seen that man, who looks like he’s got the world on his shoulders.

“Penny for them?”  I smile at him and pour him some coffee.

“Huh?”  He looks up surprised.  

“Your thoughts, maybe if you share them they won’t be so bad.”

“Oh it’s just work crap.”  He sighs.

“George.”  I hold out a snickerdoodle ladened plate, he smiles.  

“Guido.”

“So Guido get talking.”

“I work for this guy who is just the nastiest man I’ve ever met!  Everything has to be done his way and nothing is ever his fault…”

By the time he’s finished, I pat his hand.  “This guy you work for he’s not the only person who employs people you know.  You only have one mom.  What is it that you do exactly?”

“Admin, I’m his Chief of Staff.”

“What on earth is that?  Who is he the fucking president?”

“Likes to think he is.  His name is Craig Taylor, owns Taylor Electronics.  He has a few stores across Pittsburgh.”

I look at the envelope he’s been twirling on the table.  “And that’s your latest assignment is it?”

“Yeah and even though I’ve told him 4 times that I have plans for my mom’s birthday, he’s ordering me to go to San Fran to show support for the Justin Taylor Showing, which is odd since he’s made it clear that he hates gays…”

“You do know that’s his son he’s talking about?”  I tell him and he looks incredulously at me.

“No, no I didn’t.  In the time I’ve been working for him, he’s always said he has no son.  So why is he going to the show then?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”  We both jump at the angry tone of one extremely pissed off looking Kiki.

“So what’s in there then?”  She points at the envelope and without hesitation Guido hands it to her and she quickly reads it.  “Can I take a copy of this please?”

He nods, still in shock.  “You know you’re right, thanks George.  Kiki have you got what you needed?”  She nods and smiles grimly.

“What was I right about?  Guido!  What was I right about?!”  I call out to his retreating back and he turns and bows.

“Everything.”

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS

CRAIG TAYLOR’S OFFICE

CRAIG

“What is it now?  I’ve got a meeting with a couple of investors in a few minutes.  Were my instructions too difficult for you?”

“I quit.”  Guido hands me back the envelope and without a word heads to his already packed desk.

I follow him out of the office.  “You won’t get any pay from me!”

“It is written in my contract that you have to give me a month’s pay regardless of who gives notice. I expect it by Friday; if not expect to hear from my lawyer on Monday.  Now excuse me, I have my mom’s birthday party to prepare for.  Enjoy San Francisco.”

“You can’t do this to me!”  I yell.

“Can and am.  Bye y’all.”

The door slowly closes and I stand there stupefied for a moment.  “Back to work!”  I bark.

BLOOM GALLERY

KIKI

“Hey Sarah is her ladyship in?”  Sarah just grins and waves me on through.

Lydia is on the phone but waves at me to sit down.  “Okay Justin we’ll talk…wait what’s the matter Kiki?”

“Put him on speaker!”  I demand urgently and tell them what Guido told me.

“Thank God we’ve moved it to Paris.”  Lydia sighs.

I nod in agreement before continuing.  “The reason for the concern is I think he’s going to do more than protest the showing. I think he’s going to have his friends to do something to the gallery or the paintings.”

“Why would you think that?”  Justin’s voice starts to tremble.  “Hey, I’ll catch you up in a minute, just listen okay?”

“Okay.”  Brian’s voice comes over the speaker.

“Because I know this guy.”  I point out a name to Lydia.  “And he’s not nice. You could call him rent a thug.”

“That fucking cunt!”  Justin snaps.  “Oh sorry ladies.”

“Who’s a one of those?”  Faal’s voice makes us jump.

“Justin’s father seems to be…”

“Wait let me get Zee on this.”

Soon we are all pretty much caught up and we can hear the sound of Brian speaking quietly to Justin.

“I have an idea.  When he gets to San Fran and finds no show he’ll just try another way.  Lydia you get hold of Melody and Zee you get hold of your uncle…”

“Uh Faal…”  Brian interrupts.

“He can rent a thug, we can rent a crowd.  Let’s give him a show.”

“Are you kidding me?  I’m not putting my works in there to be destroyed!”  Justin’s distress is palpable.

“No, he’s talking about me and mine.  You are a very smart cookie Mr Ugerstacht very smart indeed.  Lydia let Faal know when you’ve spoken to Melody and I’ll call my uncle now.”

PITTSBURGH AIRPORT – THURSDAY PRE-DAWN FLIGHT TO PARIS

ZEE

Justin and his works are safely in Paris at Zeon’s place, which I am still majorly pissed about.

We sent him, Brian and Lydia on ahead late Tuesday night once all plans were in place.  Zeon was hoping that I was kidding about Brian and Justin most likely fucking in each room. His face fell when everyone confirmed that they most likely would be.

Uncle Luc is in San Fran with Melody and we can’t wait to see how that turns out.  With a smile on my face, I snuggle deeper into Faal’s arms and go back to sleep.

SIMON & SIMON – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

XANTHE

Oh I can’t wait for Saturday!  I can’t believe I got a ticket for the Taylor/Courec Showing.  I’d always loved the arts but he never wanted to go and any time there was a showing he always found something else for us to do, unless it was at place he could be seen.  More fool me, well not anymore.  It’s black tie but that applies to both sexes, which is unusual but I shall wear a dress.

I’ve not been back to Pittsburgh since I moved here and eventually he stopped calling. I did enjoy the video of him being ejected from the building though.  Whenever, I’m feeling blue I play that and remind myself of what I don’t miss.

COLTON GALLERY – SAN FRANCISCO – THURSDAY MORNING

MELODY

“Right so we have security at the back of the building in case anybody tries to get in or out that way.”

I look round and Lucian is making sure the pictures are perfectly aligned.  I still can’t believe he’s prepared to do this.

He catches me staring.  “They’ve been in my, I mean, the collection for years.  I got bored of them and the little heathen doesn’t care.  If what we thinks is going to happen doesn’t happen, then they just go back in storage.”

“Still can’t believe that person would do this to his own son.”  I sigh.

“You’d be surprised what a father can do to a child.”  He laments.

“Indeed.  And what a child can do to their parents.”

“Lindsay and Michael?”

“Yes.  But their downfall is in hand.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”  He smiles at me.  “As is Luther’s but first we start with Craig…”

ZEON’S PARIS RESIDENCE – THURSDAY EVENING

RECEPTION

BRIAN

“Oh fuck yes!”  I growl and Justin gasps and bucks against me as he comes hard.

“Aaaah!  Yes!”  He groans in my ear.

“Guys, reception really?!”  A voice drags us out of our orgasm-induced haze.

I look up and find Ben looking down at us. Luckily most of my body is covering Justin’s so all he can see is my ass, which he’s seen before.

“Get yourselves upstairs, I’ll give you ten minutes.”  He walks out chuckling and shaking his head.

BEN

“We need to give them about 10 minutes to get upstairs.” Eliciting eye rolling and chuckles.

“So where were they?”  Debs asks crossing her fingers.

“Reception.”  I reply and give her a sympathetic pat. She’s not won a pot in a while.  “As in in the middle of the floor between the stairs and the door.”

“Oh, so nobody won this time, pot carries over.  Okay Ben, can you check that they’re at least upstairs and there’s no trace of them on the flooring.”  Carl orders.

“Sure.”  I poke my head back in and they’re gone.  “Coast is clear!”

The rest of us troop in and Zee’s face falls more and more as she looks around the ground floor.

“Just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.”  She sighs.

“Maybe you can swap with your brother?”  Jenny comes back out into reception.  “You know give him some paintings for this Aunt Zee?”

“Maybe.”  She smiles.  “Maybe.”

“Okay can we sort out rooms? I’m shattered.”  Carl asks.  “Oh wait will we have to…”

“No we did the rooms on Wednesday. They’ve been cleaned since then and we’ve only fucked in the one we’re using and the rest of the house, except the kitchen.”

“Brian!”  Justin chides him.

“That would be more convincing if you weren’t grinning like that Sunshine.”  Debs points out.

“Seriously jet lag kicking in!”  Carl gripes.  “Let’s go up.  Jennifer you’ve got the list right?”

“Yes, okay follow me. Let’s get the rooms and then cases afterwards.”

FAAL & ZEE’S BEDROOM

FAAL

It is utterly beautiful here and she loves it already.

She’s downstairs in the kitchen making something for us to eat with Emmy Lou.  Luckily Lydia had the presence of mind to make sure the boys got some food in before the fuckfest started.  She refused to stay in the house without us so is moving back here tomorrow.

“Zeon it’s Faal.  About this house, would you consider sharing?”

LOUNGE – FRIDAY LATE MORNING

ZEE

We’ve all eaten and feel more human.  Floyd will be here this evening and installed in time for tomorrow.  We’re doing recipe testing today and then tomorrow we’re all going shopping.

Amazingly enough, Brian hasn’t been shopping yet.  Turns out he’s waiting for Faal. Only they could turn shopping into a competitive sport.

“Hey Uncle Luc, yeah we made it…what?  Oh well at least we were prepared for whatever happened.  Yeah.  Okay.  Love you.”

“What’s happened?”  Brian demands and I shake my head.

“So he didn’t do anything then at least your art wasn’t damaged.  He must have chickened out.”  Justin sighs.  “Now we wait for him to make his next move…fucker!”

I switch on the TV and channel hop for a while and then wait.

“In other news.  Pittsburgh native and businessman Craig Taylor, President and CEO of Taylor Electronics, was arrested last night together with 18 art saboteurs after they destroyed works belonging to Lucian Stark at the Cobalt Gallery in San Francisco.  Mr Stark said he has no idea why Mr Taylor would target his collection as they were shouting homophobic insults and Mr Stark has been married to his wife for over 30 years.  The works were spray painted and slashed.  Most of the art saboteurs were caught in the gallery but Mr Taylor was caught trying escape through the bathroom window only to get stuck.  He had to be cut out of the window before he was taken into custody.  A source close to Mr and Mrs Stark say they intend to seek full restitution from Mr Taylor and his accomplices and once we get a full statement from Mr Stark, we will return to this story.”

I switch the TV off and smile.  “So…”

“Holy fuck.”  Jennifer just stares at the blank screen.  “Shame there weren’t pictures.”  She mutters.

“Ahem, check your emails people.”  I smile as they all scramble for their phones.

“Oh my God look at him trying to cover his face!”  Emmy Lou screeches with laughter.

“Zee thank you.  You just continue to…”  Justin begins.

“Not me this time; this was all Faal, Lydia, Uncle Luc, Melody and Lydia remember?  But the person we need to thank most is Kiki.”

“Yes, we have to do something for her.”  Brian agrees.  “Debs find out what she wants and we’ll get it for her.”

“Will do.”  Debs nods tearfully, not sure with what emotion but she’s smiling through them.

“They’re going to release him from custody soon?”

Lydia frowns.  “Not sure. That’s a lot of damage and they came armed so it’s premeditated.  You’ll have to prepare a statement as the press will be all over this on Saturday.”

“Let’s go work on it now.  Get it out the way.”  Brian tugs Justin to his feet.  “Once it’s done I’ll fuck you back to happiness.”

“Thank you.”  Justin says quietly and they walk out hand in hand.

LUTHER’S CONDO – FRIDAY MORNING

KITCHEN

TALON

Once again Luther is negotiating with Zander so I’m going to have my weekend of fun too.

“Well isn’t this nice?  Sorry had to get you both here so early but the weekend in Martha’s Vineyard has to be started early.”

They are packed and when I told them that Grady would be there they both looked like they would come on the spot.

It’s a shame I didn’t tell Grady that I was bringing them with me.

CHAPTER 17: PARIS = HAPPY…NYC AND SAN FRAN NOT SO MUCH!

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY JAIL – FRIDAY MORNING

INTERVIEW ROOM

CRAIG

“What in fucks name were you thinking?”  My lawyer is yelling at me, I glare at him. “I can’t put down glaring as a reason for your immense stupidity!  Do you realise how much damage you have caused?!”

I shrug.  “I’ve made my point; the works are ruined.  His kind shouldn’t be allowed to exhibit with good people!”

“His kind?  Good people?  Are you seriously telling me you have that kind of money lying about that you can just give to this guy?”

“I would rather go to jail than give him any money!”  I snap.

“Can you tell me why you did it? I just don’t understand why.”  He sighs.

I look at him incredulously.  “Why?  Because he’s an abomination, an affront to good Christian values!  He’s a faggot, everything that God says…”

“A faggot?”  He looks incredulous.  “First, Lucian Stark is not gay. He’s been married for over 30 years to a woman!”  He yells back.

“Lucian Stark?  Who the fuck is Lucian Stark?”  I demand.

“The owner of the artwork that you and your merry band of fuck turds destroyed last night!”

“No.  We were at the Justin Taylor Showing last night…”

“Then you must have taken a wrong turn when you guys got there because you ended up in a Stark Perspective.  And secondly, because you went in there armed so it’s premeditated. You won’t be granted bail until next Monday at the earliest.”

“What!  You’re saying I’m stuck in here over the weekend?  You’ve got to get me out of here! I need to get back to Pittsburgh. I have an important meeting to attend to on Monday afternoon.”

“No can do.  I’ve already tried.  I shall be back on Monday once I’ve spoken to Stark’s lawyer to try and arrange a deal of some sort but it is not looking good for you.   See you on Monday.”

The guard pulls me to my feet and starts to lead me out.  “Mr Taylor there is a couple more things you should know.  Because of the hate crime element of this in San Francisco of all places, they will press for it to be tried here.”

“Trial?”  I echo.

“Yes trial.  Lucian Stark as well as being one of the richest Black men in America is also a staunch advocate of gay rights.  I suggest you rally your friends; the bail bond is going to be massive.”

As I head back to my cell, a horrifying thought hits me. I hope that Lucian Stark is not related to Luther Stark!

MARTHA’S VINEYARD – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

MANSION INN HOUSE HOTEL & SPA, RECEPTION

TALON

The way their eyes have lit up is really quite amusing, like kids in a candy store.  Lindsay is already discussing spa bookings. Since I’m here for the vine part of Martha, she’s on her own there.  I’m not sure what idiot boy is going to be doing and I care even less, but I have booked us all into separate rooms, just for the fun of it!

“Right we’re all on the same floor and ah here comes Grady.”

I try to hide the amusement as the look of horror flits across his face and the annoyance flashes across Lindsay’s as Michael gives him a hug.

“Talon, I had no idea it would be the four of us.  You should’ve said.”

“It was a last minute thing. Luther’s still negotiating and they’ve never been, so I didn’t think you’d mind. You don’t, do you?”

“No of course not.  So what floor are you on?”

“We all have harbour view rooms, although not next to each other.  Why don’t we all get settled and meet at the bar in say an hour?”

We head to our rooms and I have to bite my lip as Michael is almost humping Grady’s leg in the lift.  Oh yes! This is going to be an interesting weekend!

ZEON’S RESIDENCE – PARIS – FRIDAY EVENING

KITCHEN

ZEE

I look at my gorgeous, caring husband who I’m really trying very hard to be mad at.

Whilst he and Brian were shopping Zeon casually called to see what I thought about the house and mentioned that he would be interested in a swap, the house for my share in Uptown and some paintings.  So I knew then that Faal had spoken to him.

“Mad?”  He asks quietly putting his hands on either side of me and peering in the dish.

“Fuming!”  I pout.  “Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost to fucking soundproof this place?”

“I’ll pay half.”

“Damn right you will.  And we will have to get another Floyd for here too!”  I can feel myself starting to smile.  “You interfering adorable man!  Thank you!”

“You going to leave it as is or reno?”

“Leave as is.  For now.”  I lean back into his chest and sigh.  “It’s perfect.”

The front door knocks and I smiles at him.  “You’re not the only sneaky person here.  Jenny, can you get that for me doll?”

Now there are two people in the world outside of the family that Jenny adores.  Nobody is silly enough to say the word adore about Hank to our little pitbull, but the other one is Daphne.  She’s not seen her for a few months as they both had heavy study schedules so I’ve arranged a little surprise for her and by proxy Justin.

“Sure!”

We watch her head to the door and because it’s glass albeit frosted you can make out the shape of the person and there is no mistaking her.

“Aunt Daphne!”  She screams and fumbles opening the door so badly that Faal has to help her.  “Aunt Daph!  Oh Aunt Zee thank you, thank you!”  She’s so happy she doesn’t know who to hug first.

“Honey let me get in!”  Daphne grinned, before dropping her case and scooping her in for a hug.

“Daph?”  Justin calls from the stairs.  “Daph!”  He yells and is all set for full pelt but is stopped by Brian bellowing at him to walk or he will break his neck.

The bellowing of course brings the rest of the family to the front door and soon she’s engulfed in more hugs and there are more tears of joy, but Jenny looks a little sad.

Daphne nudges her.  “Now come on Jenny. Take me to our room so I can get rid of this case and tomorrow we shop, though we have to work round the…”

“Daph!  Let’s get the cases upstairs yeah?”  Vince interrupts her.

“Spill.”  Brian orders coming out of the kitchen eating from a jar.

“Brian what are you eating?”  Emmy Lou asks before huffing and snatching it off him.  “That’s for dinner for everyone, not just you!”

Brian shrugs.  “Again spill.”

I sigh.  “We’ve booked everyone for pampering treatments tomorrow from 1300.  It’s Caudalíe Le Marais, same as NYC.  But because of time constraints, it’s just a facial and a body treatment, 2 hours max. So everyone should be back by four and that gives us enough time to get over there.”

“Everybody?”  Lydia asks in surprise.

“Yep.”  I grin at the look of delight on her face.

“So what’s for dinner?”  Brian saunters back to the kitchen.  “I’m hoping those are short ribs, which will go great with the green tomato relish or the sweetcorn and black bean salsa. “  He pauses and looks at the jar.  “Which Emmy Lou is going to give back to me now.”

Emmy rolls his eyes but hands over the jar.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD – FRIDAY EARLY EVENING

MANSION INN HOUSE HOTEL & SPA, BAR

LYNDSAY

I had hoped to speak to Grady alone but so far no luck. I don’t even know his room number.  I find Talon frowning at the TV.

“Hi Talon, no Grady yet?  Talon?  Are you okay?”

“Huh?”  She pulls her gaze from the TV and smiles slightly.  “Excuse me a minute, I just need to make a call.”

“Oh okay, I’ll just wait here then.”  I sigh at her abrupt tone.

TALON

I head to reception.  “Is there any office I can use I need to make a business call?”

“Of course madam, follow me.”

After three attempts I finally get through to Luther and put him on speaker so I can file my nail that I have just broken.  “Hey honey how you doing?”

“I’m fine, you?  Is Zander coming around?”

“I’m working on him. Slowly but surely he’s coming round to my way of thinking.”

I smile tightly.  “Listen, the reason for the call is have you seen the news lately?  Didn’t you say you were doing business with a guy called Craig Taylor in Pittsburgh?”

“Yeah why?”

“Well he’s been arrested in San Francisco for desecration of property.”

“And that’s my concern how?”

“He and some friend destroyed $10 million worth of art belonging to Lucian at the Cobalt Gallery.”

First there is silence, then the clipped angry tone comes over.  “He did what?”

“Destroyed $10 million worth of art belonging to Lucian at the Cobalt Gallery.  Seems an odd thing to do…”

“Thanks for letting me know honey.  Do you fancy dinner somewhere nice tonight, book…”

“No Luther, I thought since you were negotiating with Zander, I would take some time out to get to know Lindsay and Michael properly. We’re in Martha’s Vineyard with Grady.  That’s not a problem, is it?”

“Oh no sweetheart, I think that’s a great idea.  Well done for thinking of that.  Let me know how the match-up between Grady and Lindsay goes, when you’re back.  When is that?”

“Monday afternoon.  I’ve got a meeting with Melody Reichmann about your painting amongst other things.”

“What other things?”  His tone is sharp and petulant.  “We’ve not spent a weekend together for a while.”

“But honey, you’re the one negotiating. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Okay then. I…”

I hang up before he can finish.  Well done for thinking that... I stare at the phone in disbelief at his patronising tone and sulky attitude.  But then think of Monday and smile.

BETHANY’S CONDO

LUTHER

I head back out to the lounge where Bethany is waiting.  “Everything alright?  Who was that?”

“A business associate, who’s given me some disturbing news about a guy I thought I could trust and work with but it seems we’re not working towards the same goal.”

“Oh?”

“But enough about that; I’ll deal with that when I get back to the office.”  I scoop her into my arms and carry her upstairs.

Oh yes Craig you and I will talk. You have a lot of explaining to do!

CAUDALÍE LE MARIAS – PARIS – SATURDAY AFTERNOON

JENNIFER

This has been blissful, I just love having facials.  I can’t wait for tonight but more specifically I can’t wait to get back to Pittsburgh and see what the country club set has made of Craig’s behaviour.  Apparently he’s still in San Francisco and won’t be released until at least Monday.

Zee said the bail money is the least of his worries.  Her father has a rather peculiar sense of justice in that it’s perfectly okay for him to hurt members of his family but not okay for anyone else. Then his family loyalty comes to the fore.

It’s been a great day all around. The boys and Lydia have had their facials and massages and are now heading back.  We have shopped our little hearts out with Jenny particularly happy with her suede backpack, tote and crossbody bag set. She was less happy when Leda took them off her and packed them immediately saying she can use them for school.

We’re waiting for the car outside as I look at gorgeous products in the Carl Marletti window and decide to get some for breakfast tomorrow.

“Guys!  Just popping in here, thought I would get some pastries for tomorrow.”  I call out and I’m soon joined by Daphne and Jenny.  Twenty minutes later Debs is calling us out and as we step into the car, I could’ve sworn I recognised the woman dashing across the street.

MANSION INN HOUSE HOTEL & SPA, BAR

LYNDSAY

I can’t believe how much Michael has been monopolising Grady’s time!  He’s barely let anybody else speak to him, let alone sit next to him.  He’s much like he was with Brian during his cruising days. Doesn’t he know this man is not gay?

Talon and I exchange covert looks of amusement, though I am less amused than she is.

Grady clears his throat and stands up.  “Can you excuse me for a moment?  There’s a gentleman I need to catch up with briefly.”

“Michael why don’t you and I get some more drinks and maybe order some snacks?”  Talon suggests standing up.

“They have table service.”  He replies, sipping his drink unmoving.

“Oh I hadn’t realised you’d been here before and know the intricacies of the service in this particularly very busy bar.”  She drawls sarcastically.

“Fine, but shouldn’t we wait for Grady to come back?”  He asks.  “You know wait for his order too? It’s the polite thing to do.”

“Grady will have his usual of vodka with ice, I do know him after all.  Let’s go.”  She tugs him to his feet and pushes him ahead.  “Oh wait I need my room key. You go grab a space at the bar!”

She quickly comes back and grabs her purse.  “Swap seats; the poor man needs rescuing!”

I giggle and immediately Grady returns and I move to where Michael was sitting. His relief is palpable and even more so when Talon returns smirking and sits on his other side.

“I’ve just had my nails done, so Michael’s carrying the tray back.”

When he returns with the drinks, the look on his face is priceless.  He looks like a jealous fishwife and spends the rest of the evening sulking, especially when neither of us move from our seats for the rest of the evening at Grady’s insistence.  And when we’re joined by a couple more of Grady’s friends- none of whom have an interest in comics- he went up to his room claiming he had a headache.

LE CENTRE POMPIDOU – PARIS – EVENING

LYDIA

The press pack wasn’t as large as I thought it would be but it’s large enough.

Justin pauses with Brian at his side.  “I have a prepared statement.  I will not be taking questions on this subject.  I am in no way affiliated with Craig Taylor.  I obviously do not share his views.  I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Lucian and Deidra Stark for the damage to their artwork and hope that the courts in San Francisco see his acts for what they are, which is premeditated desecration, and do not give him a slap on the wrist for who he is.  That is all.”

He clears his throat again.  “Now excuse me, I have a show to do.”

I can see the pride beaming out of Brian’s eyes as he turns and leads him up the steps with his hand carding through his hair and Justin’s arm circling his waist under his jacket.

“Get that picture.”  I growl at them and the lights flash.

I quickly follow them and give them both a hug once we are safely indoors.  “Show time.”

Zee has been forced out of the kitchen.  We didn’t need Floyd in the end so he’s on his way back.  When we were testing, she didn’t tell anybody what brawn was until it had been approved and now both Faal and Justin have said it stays off their menus.

I have never had such a rich pork terrine. Okay the fact that it is made out of the head of the pig is a little disconcerting, but the celery and carrot pickle offsets it beautifully.  They’re also serving dirty rice in little cups, asparagus and crab toasts, blackened Cajun redfish, mini blue cheese tarts, beef short rib pies with bone marrow and red wine jus, various salads and dessert of honey tart and chocolate, peanut butter and cherry tart.

She and Emmy Lou are getting stacks of cards as we all knew they would when we saw this menu and Justin and Courec’s artwork work together beautifully.  I do believe there is going to be a row between her and Faal because she expressed an interest in a piece of Courec. I think it’s the first time ever and of course he’s bought it for her.

The Q&A is done and now it’s just mingling and enjoying ourselves.  My work here is done, time for champagne!

JENNIFER

I’m so proud of my Justin.  Tucker gives me a quick hug but it’s all a bit much. I’ve never been to a showing outside of the USA before and in Paris of all places!

“Excuse me sweetheart, I’ll be right back.”  I whisper to him and he nods in understanding.

I dab my eyes and search in my purse for another tissue only to have one handed to me.

“Hi again.  My turn.”

“Xanthe? It is Xanthe, isn’t it?”  I gasp in surprise.  “You look beautiful!  So this is where you walked to?”

“Yes, thanks to you, and I’m loving every minute of it!  Who are you here to see Taylor or Courec?”

I grin at her.  “The clue is in the name, remember?  I’m Jennifer Taylor.”

Her mouth drops open and she looks embarrassed.  “I’m so…”  I wave away her apologies.

“Come on, come and meet my son.”

Most the family have gathered in one spot as we always do.  “Guys I’d like to introduce you to a friend of ours.  This is Xanthe…yes that Xanthe.”

“That Xanthe?”  She echoes.  “I don’t…”

“Your ex is my dad, Luther Stark.  Hi, I’m…”

“Zaden.”  She gasps.  “I uh don’t quite know what to say…”

“You walked away, so you’re alright with me as far as I’m concerned.  And you unwittingly gave us a heads up on what Jen’s ex was planning with Luther when you first met her.”

“Happy to help.  He was just so vicious; they both were.  And the way he discussed me like I was a piece of meat.”  She shudders at the memory.

“Women have their place and in his world, it’s subjugated and serving him.”  Zee grimaces.

“Hi I’m Justin and this is my husband Brian.”

“Nice to meet you both. Look I won’t bother you any longer.  I’ll…”

“Xanthe.  Don’t feel that you have to run off. You’re among kindred spirits here, so have a glass of champagne and chill.”  Daphne tells her, firmly handing her a glass.

“Now let me introduce you to everyone…”

Daphne grins at her and by the time she’s finished and given a potted history, Xanthe has visibly relaxed and will be joining us for lunch tomorrow before we fly back.

And I have a feeling there is more she wants to share.

CHAPTER 18: PARIS…SAN FRAN…NYC AND THE RETURN TO PITTSBURGH

ZEE’S PARIS RESIDENCE – SUNDAY MORNING

KITCHEN

ZEE

I still can’t believe it.  It’s mine, this place is mine!  Uncle Luc, Lydia and Zeon came to an agreement and the paperwork will be ready to sign when we get back but it’s mine!  Luther is going to be super pissed because after Portland, the one place he wanted to buy from Uncle Luc was this one.  Being their little one has its advantages!

I told Emmy Lou to sleep in but of course he’s here with me making breakfast for the family and trying to work out what do for lunch.

“So we’re making smoothies?”  Emmy Lou croaks having overdone the champagne and brandy last night.

“No I’m making smoothies, you’re sitting directing this opera.”  For once he does as he’s told.

“Okay the first one is for everyone – the Replenisher and Sustainer; water, honeydew melon, avocado and cashew nut shake.  Should restore balance and keep you going until lunch…honey do you have earplugs? That liquidiser is hurting!”  He whimpers.

I fish out the hand blender, which will take longer but is quieter.  I have to look after my other man!

“Right the next one is the Emmy; a ginger coconut cure with a side of A.  Hmm, cold filtered water, coconut milk and grated ginger.  Why is this for me and what’s the A in it?”

“Ginger is good for nausea and the ‘A’ is for Advil.”

“I see and of course it is.  Do I take the Advil with it?”

I nod and hand him the glass and although there was an initial grimace, a few minutes later he’s looking a bit perkier.

“Okay that’s not bad.  The next is a B&J Special; the forever young smoothie, with kale, seaweed, avocado, kiwi fruit, lime and water.”

“Are you suggesting that I’m reaching decrepitude?”  Brian snarks.

“No but this will save you having to chew when you’re hungover.”  I smirk and hand him the glass.  “Now, shut up and drink.”

He scowls tiredly and knocks it back, before waving the glass at me.  “Not bad.  Not sure Justin would like it but I can always drink it if he doesn’t.”

“Not sure Justin would like what?”  Drew comes in and winces at the lurid green colour of the smoothie.  “What’s that?”

“Taste it, it’s not bad.”  Brian tells him, finishing off the second glass.

Drew nods in agreement when he finishes his and scoots behind a considerably brighter looking Emmy Lou.  “So what’s the plan today?”

The rest of the family start to filter down and I can’t help but smile.  “Come on girlie, let’s get them fed.”  Emmy Lou grins back.

Breakfast passes much the way it does at the Treehouse, everyone pottering and helping themselves.  Hands being slapped way from the skillet of bacon. The kids on toast and coffee.  The only thing different is the reading of the reviews of the art show. They were very positive but the best thing was the picture of Brian and Justin going up the stairs…perfection!

“So what’s for lunch?”  Carl asks peering in the fridge.  “Are we having take-out?”

“Wash your mouth out!  I’m doing lunch of ham butter on toast and then mushroom buttered chicken with Jerusalem artichokes and you guys are going shopping as I know at least three of you want to.   So get your last minute bits and be back here for two and we can have lunch for three.”

“Do you think Xanthe will come?”  Daphne asks.  She and Jenny are already dressed.

“Not sure.”  Jennifer replies thoughtfully.  “I hope she does.”

“Momma?”  Jenny looks at Leda.  “Are you and mom staying here or coming with us?  I saw a leather jacket and I want your opinion on it. I have still got my birthday money left.  And I think the conversion works out right.”

“Yeah momma come with us.  Personally I think it’s hideous but J likes it.”  Gus teases her.

“Y-yeah I, I mean, we’ll come shopping with you. Not a problem.”  Leda stammers.

I look across at my husband and he’s got a dopey interfering grin on his face.  “Brian can you do me favour make sure he doesn’t go bonkers!  He was time constrained yesterday; today there is no such luck!”

“I will do my best.”  Brian grins and I know that we’ll most probably end up paying taxes when we get back to the States.

“Everyone who’s going can they go!”  I order in mock annoyance and 15 minutes later I’m alone and very happy indeed.

MANSION INN HOUSE HOTEL & SPA – LATE SATURDAY EVENING

LINDSAY’S ROOM

I finally managed to get Grady alone and although we haven’t had sex, we have been making out for a while now.   We’ve had a laugh at the antics of Michael and his sulking before he left.  According to one of Grady’s friends, he actually didn’t leave but hovered by the bar just watching our table for at least an hour.

Grady gently pushes me away.  “I have got to go back to my room.  I have an early check out.  Have to go back to the city to prepare for meetings.”

“Will I see you when we get back?”  I ask adjusting my clothing in the hopes of delaying him further but he gets up and picks up his jacket.

“Of course. Let me call you when we’re both back.  You’re back tomorrow right?”  I nod and smile.  “Okay, but I’m not back until Wednesday, so I’ll call you then.  Oh by the way, did you happen to give Michael my number?”

“Good grief no.  Although I did write it down and he may have gotten it that way.  Why? He’s not been calling you, has he?”

“Yeah he did call me after we shared take-out and watched Spiderman 1 and 2.”

I look up in surprise.  “When was this?  He never mentioned it.”

“When you had that cocktail evening at that gallery.  You missed out on some great dim sum and shrimp tails.  Now seriously I have to go.”  He kisses me gently and is out the door.

I sigh in disappointment at his departure and then remember what he said. It seems that Michael needs to be shown a few home truths about Grady.

GRADY’S ROOM

I sigh in relief that I have made it to my room without her trying to stop me again.  Don’t get me wrong, she’s an attractive woman but she just lacks a certain something. Some would say cock but that’s not it.  And she has a hardness about her personality that is off putting.

Once I pour myself a glass of vodka, I check my messages.  Naturally, there are some catcalling ones from my buddies, the last one was 15 minutes ago.  Grinning, I think about calling to see where they are but then the next message featuring the whiny and sulky tone of Michael Novotny has me quickly packing.  I would rather wait at the airport than here.

OUTSIDE SAN FRANCISCO COURTHOUSE

CRAIG

I take a much needed breath of fresh air before getting in the cab.  So much for me being in there until Monday I smile to myself.  I’m so looking forward to getting back to the hotel and having a much needed bath and some sleep.

I check my messages on my phone and luckily there aren’t any from Luther so I feel much better.

I’m relieved there’s no press when I get to my hotel and walk briskly towards the lifts when I’m hear my name being called.

“What is it?”  I demand, heading to the receptionist.  “I’ve had a very trying couple of days and I just want to go to bed.”

“I’m Mallory White, the manager of this hotel.  Please follow me.”

Huffing in annoyance I do so and find myself in her office.  “No do not sit; this will not take long.”  She snaps.  “This gentleman will escort you to your room where you will pack.  He will accompany you back down here and you will settle your bill and leave this hotel.”

“What?!”  I splutter.

“We do not wish to be associated your kind of person.  Gerald please escort him to his room.  You have 15 minutes.”

Twenty minutes later I find myself outside the hotel and making my way to the airport, furiously insulted but relieved to be making my way out of the city.

ZEE’S PARIS RESIDENCE – SUNDAY EARLY AFTERNOON

KITCHEN

ZEE

I’m just staring at my phone in absolute disbelief.  How the fuck do I tell Justin? Not of course that he would be surprised, but you’d think in San Fran of all places they’d keep his ass in jail.

I’ve spoken to Solly and Menno and now our plan is back on the table.  I want that creature fucking buried!

I can hear the crunch of tires followed by excited chattering. I plaster a smile on my face and take a steadying breath and hope for once that Faal is distracted by crowing over his purchases.  From the texts I have been receiving there has been a battle royale over a D&G belt.

I open the door and inwardly groan.  They seem to have bought half of Paris but they also have picked up Xanthe on the way.

“Hey glad you could make it.”  I smile at her. She still looks a little nervous.  “Doll relax, you didn’t hurt my mom, just his other…I mean…I mean you didn’t…” I wince in embarrassment.

And that seems to do the trick as she bursts out laughing.  “I guess I wouldn’t be here if I did.”

“Oh fuck no.”  I smile at her.  “Bubbles?”

“Bub…oh champagne, of course!  Now is there anything I can do to help?”

I shake my head and start pouring.  “Want to look round the place?  Faal stop genuflecting at the altar of the shopping God and show Xanthe around.”

He pokes his tongue out and soon he and Jennifer have disappeared with Xanthe.  I let out the breath I was holding.

I busy myself finishing up the ham butter and toasts.  The chicken smells delicious and my mind suddenly goes onto the furballs.  We’re at Britin next weekend and I think it’s definitely pamper time for them.

“This place is utterly gorgeous!”  Xanthe gushes.  “My apartment can fit in the lounge and reception alone.”

“So why did you walk to Paris?”  Jennifer asks.

“They had offered it to me for the second time and…”

“What is it that you do?”  I ask.

“I’m a bearer bonds trader for Simon & Simon. I was the top earner in the company and they wanted me to head up this division and I wasn’t going to take it but, well you know the rest.”

I nod.  “Okay, I know this is going to seem a weird question but…”

“Zaden stop it.”  Faal orders quietly.  “And just tell us what’s happened.”

Xanthe looks from me to Faal.  “Should I…”

“What do you mean what’s happened?”  Debs demands

“She’s been babbling since we got back.”  Brian smirks.  “So spill.”

“He made bail. I have no fucking idea how, but he made bail.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”  Ben snarls.  “How the fuck can you make bail in San Francisco for a gay hate crime?!”

“Sorry but who made bail?”  Xanthe asks.

“Craig Taylor.  He did a splash and slash on my Uncle’s paintings thinking they were Justin’s causing about $10 million worth of damage and he fucking made bail.”

She shakes her head.  “I’m sorry Justin.  But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Luther got his old pal Copi to pull some strings.”

“Copi?”  I ask.

“Mmm…”  She drains her glass and shudders.  “Elias ‘Copi’ Copthorne.  He’s a judge in NYC, but with the same delightful mindset as Luther.  Sees women as meat.  Luther always felt proud that he had someone so powerful who owed him.  Couldn’t stand the…” She looks round the suddenly silent room.  “What?  What did I say?”

FAAL

“Owed him?”  I echo.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of it but apparently he did something for him to close a deal that he wouldn’t have been able to do without him.”  She answers.  “Oh the amount of times he…ugh…and Luther just sat there, that’s why we broke up the first time as I wouldn’t put up with that shit but of course I fell under his spell again.”  She sighs sadly.

“Hey where are you?”  Jenny asks.

“Pardon?”  Xanthe looks surprised.

“Where are you?”  She repeats firmly.

“Paris.”

“Then the spell is broken.”  Jenny tells her.  “You’re here, he’s not; life is good!”

Xanthe nods.  “Out of the mouth of babes and…”

“Pitbulls, she’s definitely our little pitbull!”  Steve earns a poked tongue from Jenny.

Zee hesitates before asking. “Don’t suppose you remember the deal?”

“Oh yes that fucking thing…oh sorry!”  She looks mortified.

“Honey, they’ve heard worse, continue!”  Debs cackles.

“Bergenfield Berdenstrade, a merger. I didn’t think it was a great merger, the numbers didn’t quite add up to me…”

“Holy shit.”  Ted breathes.  “I remember it.  Nobody could believe when it went through.”

“You beauty!”  Zee yells and grabs her iPad and starts scrolling through and then grabs her phone.  “Usez it’s Zee... look up the Bergenfield and Berdenstrade merger and do a background check on the investors. Go deep Usez, go deep.  Oh one more thing, Taylor made bail. Do what you can with that.  Thanks bye!”

Zee takes a steadying breath.  “Right let’s eat.  So it's ham butter on toast, it’s very rich so don’t slather.”

“We will share my lig.”  She plates up for us and smiles and I taste it.

“And yes I know the answer is no.”  She smiles again and serves another helping.

“Does this freeze well?”  Carl asks helping himself to another serving before it is halved by Debs; she stops his objection with a look.

“Oh this is so good!”  Mel sighs.  “And I’m Jewish!”

“Can you imagine this for Christmas breakfast with a fried duck egg?”  Emmy Lou groans.

Zee’s phone ringing silences the room.  She nods and starts to smile.  “Got you, you fucker!”

“Okay who have you got?”  Ted asks then groans.  “Seriously Blake take this away!”

“Guess who was the main board member for the merger?”  Zee holds up another toast for me.

“It can’t be that easy?  Elias Copthorne.”  Blake shakes his head in wonderment.

“Close.  His stepfather.”  Zee is positively vibrating.

“So what’s the big deal?”  Steve asks.

“It’s a little difficult to be a board member when you’ve been dead for 13 years.  Like I said, got you, you fucker!”

MANSION INN HOUSE HOTEL & SPA – SUNDAY EVENING

LINDSAY’S ROOM

TALON

I’m trying oh so very hard not to laugh right now.  Lindsay is on the phone to Grady arranging an intimate dinner for the two of them, when he returns from his meetings and Michael is crossing and uncrossing his arms and huffing indignantly.

“Okay I’ll see you then, looking forward to it.  Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off last night.  Oh you are so bad.”  She giggles and then hangs up.

“Sorry.  That was Grady.  So what’s the plan for this evening?”

I’m about to answer when her phone goes again.  “Sorry, hi again.  Oh could you hold a minute.  Guys I’ll meet you downstairs at the bar, this shouldn’t take long.”

“Sure, come on Michael, it should be quiet enough for table service tonight.”

BAR

“What can I get you folks tonight?”  The waitress asks.

“I’ll have a double Beam with ice please?  Michael?  Michael?”

“Huh?  Me too, double Beam with ice.”  He returns to glaring at the entrance to the bar.

The waitress looks at me, I mouth apologies. She smiles and heads to the bar.  She’s back in five minutes.  “Here is your drink madam.  And yours sir.  If you order at the bar, please remember to give your table numb…”

“Yes, yes we know what to do.”  Michael waves her away; again I mouth apologies.

I wait a couple of minutes.  “Michael!”  I hiss.  “You were rude and there was no need for that.”

He looks at me in surprise.  “I wasn’t being rude. She was being patronising and I didn’t appreciate it.”

“Bullshit, you’ve been in snit since Lindsay’s phone call.  What’s the matter…”

“She seems to have forgotten, yet again, that she’s a lesbian.”  He snarls quietly.

“Michael, they are just having dinner.”  I snark back.

“Yeah right.”  He takes a sip of his drink.  “Let’s pick up where we left off.”  He mimics bitterly.

“Michael are you jealous?  You realise that Grady is straight right?”

“Well you should’ve told his cock that last week!”  He snaps and drains the rest of his glass before standing up swiftly.  “I’m going back to my room.”

Okay I had an inkling something might happen. Lindsay I could just about get but Michael?  And last week?  I sip my drink and smile. Yep this has been an excellent weekend!

CRAIG TAYLOR RESIDENCE

CRAIG

Fuck!  Looks like the world’s press is on my lawn. There’s no way I can get in there without being seen.  How the hell did they know I was going to be home tonight?

“Actually can you take me to this address instead?”  I tell the cab driver.  “Not sure what’s going on there.”

“You mean you don’t know Craig Taylor?”  I shake my head.  “I’m new to this area but everyone knows about him.”

I start to preen.  “What about him?”

“He’s a dick.”  I manage to suppress my gasp of shock.  “The way he struts about like he’s God almighty and raging about how gays are an abomination, lots of people think he’s a closet case.  Especially after that dinner…”

“Dinner?”  I start to feel sick to my stomach.

“Yeah, he had naked servers at a dinner he was hosting, all of whom were men.  Not something one who is a homophobe should be doing, don’t you think?”

“N-n-no.  Actually can you just drop me off here?  I need a drink.”

“Sure.  That will be $60 plus tip.”

I give him the fare and wait for him to pull away before walking the two blocks and letting myself into the office.  All I want to do is sleep.

ZEON

I pull up round the corner from where I dropped that fucker off and wait as Thomas gets in.

“I feel so like Schultz the Master Spy.”  He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I have no idea what you are talking about?”  

I squeeze his thigh.  “Let me just make the call.”

“Wait, how did you arrange…never mind.  Oh!  Remember to hide your number.”  He giggles squeezing my hand back. I just shake my head as I remember his enthusiasm for espionage.

“Channel 5 News good evening.”  A female voice answers.

“Yes I just thought you’d like to know that Craig Taylor, the businessman arrested in San Francisco for desecration of art to the tune of $10 million is currently at his business address and not his home.”

“Are you sure?”  She demands excitedly.  “We lost track of him after his arrest.”

“Yes I just dropped him off.”

“Thank you!  Thank you so much.  By the way who is this?”

“An upstanding member of the human race.  And you’re welcome.  Bye now.”  I lean across and kiss him softly.  “Want to watch the show or go home?”

“Oh watch the show, I brought popcorn!”

CHAPTER 19: ALMOST NO PLACE TO HIDE, JEALOUSY AND A FATHER’S ‘GRIEF’…

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS – LATE SUNDAY EVENING

OFFICE

CRAIG

The first thing that attracted my attention was the sudden brightness, followed by voices calling my name.  Still feeling befuddled, I made my way to the main door and opened it.

“Mr Taylor!  Mr Taylor!  What do you have to say about your behaviour? Are you now stating that you’re a racist as well as a homophobe?!”

The questions are flying at me and I wasn’t quick enough to shut the door as they surged into the building.  In my haste to get away, I fell over but managed to scramble up and into the office and lock it.  My mind is racing; I need to get out of here!

ZEON

Thomas and I are giggling like loons and then a thought strikes me.  “Get out!”  I order.

“What?”  Thomas looks astonished.

“Get out, I can explain!  Quick!”  I whisper hoarsely   “And keep filming!”

Quickly starting the engine I manage to get around the back of Taylor Electronics and my hunch was right. He’s making his way out back.  I wait until he’s on the street before driving past him and park…and there it is, the knocking on my window.

I wind down the window and scowl at him.  “My light was off!  I’ve just clocked off man!”

“I know, I know!  I’ll pay you $200 if you can do me a favour?  Please!”

“What’s the favour?”  I ask warily. I can handle myself but this man is desperate.

“Check that a store, it’s called Taylor Electronics is empty for $100 and then drop me at a hotel afterwards for another $100?  Please!”

“Money up front!”  I demand and he peels off the bills.

Taking the keys out and locking it, I glare at him as he scrunches down along the seat, he waves at me to get going.

I run round to the front of the building and find the camera crews leaving but a considerable crowd has grown.  I dash across to Thomas, who looks rightfully pissed.

“Taylor is in my cab.”  I explain quickly.  “I had a feeling he would go out back, I’m sorry babe but I had to check.”

He looks somewhat mollified.  “So now what?”

“I’m taking him to some hotel.  But you keep filming this, I’ll be back as soon as I can.  Don’t move from here.  Okay?”

“Okay but hurry!  You have a lot of making up to do. It’s fucking freezing out here!”

I run back to the cab, he’s still cowering in the back.

“Well?”  He demands before I even get seated.

“It’s empty but open and there’s a crowd.”  I hide my smile.

“Fuck!”  He rasps and then sighs.  “Fuck it, let them have what they want!  Drop me at this hotel…”

Twenty minutes later, I’m back to find Thomas pacing trying to keep warm.  I beep the horn and he runs to get in.

“Get in the back.”  I order and hand him the hot chocolate when I get in.  “Not going anywhere until you warm up a bit.  There may be Taylor cooties but we can always burn our clothes when we get home.”

“Oh we are definitely doing that!”  He shivers and I rub his arms, then hold him tightly to me.

HOTEL COURTYARD SHADYSIDE – MONDAY LATE MORNING

CRAIG’S ROOM

I call Schoepen’s cell and judging by his tone, it appears that the disaster in San Francisco has not reached him.

“Unfortunately, there’s been a break-in at my store so I need to handle that.  Can we reschedule for some other time this week?   Oh great, yes Wednesday is fine.  Same time?  I look forward to it.”

I sag in relief and decide to have a well-deserved bath.

LUTHER’S CONDO

OFFICE

LUTHER

I’m a bit pissed off that Talon is not here to greet me.  I know she’s meeting this Mallory or whatever woman but she could’ve done that this afternoon.

I check my emails and there’s nothing that I need to deal with, though I’m surprised that Zander is holding out as much as he is.  I can move more money from my stocks if needs be but I would rather not.  They are looking very healthy indeed.

“Ralph!”

“Yes sir.”

“I would like something to eat, scrambled eggs on toast.  You know how I like it.”

“Yes sir, I certainly do.”  He gives a small bow and leaves.

KITCHEN

RALPH

I mix the scrambled eggs for his lordship and feel not a jot of guilt.  I certainly do know how you like it Mr Stark.  I put in the special ingredients of bacon salt and then cook it in pork lardo fat and add chorizo spice powder.

As I head back up to his office, I watch him take a hearty bite and nod his approval.   He waves me away and I head back to the kitchen thinking it’s a shame he doesn’t like pork!

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO

LOUNGE

LYNDSAY

Michael hasn’t spoken to me since we left Martha’s Vineyard and to be honest, I’m actually not bothered by the silence.  It beats the sound of his chewing, turning of pages of his comics and his squeaks and squeals as he gets to a good bit in a cartoon or a film he’s seen a thousand times!

I head to the kitchen to get some wine and I hear a huff of breath behind me.

“Well?”  He demands.

“Well what Michael?”  I sigh and pour myself a glass.

“Want to explain your behaviour over the weekend?  Billing and cooing over Grady, it was embarrassing and unseemly!”

“He didn’t seem to mind.”  I reply coolly.

He balls his fists at his side and glowers at me.  “Have you forgotten Lindsay that you’re a lesbian?”

“Michael, I know precisely what I am and my sexuality is nothing to do with you.  But if you have a problem with my bisexuality then do feel free to find somewhere else to live!”

“Bisexuality?  You’re bisexual now?!”  He’s incredulous.

“Yes.  And that’s all I am prepared to discuss with you.  Understand?”

He just nods as I stalk away from him.

MICHAEL

Bi-fucking-sexual!  You have got to be kidding me?!  Well if she thinks that she’s taking Grady away from me she’s got another think coming!

I check where she’s flounced off to and she’s not in the lounge, so I close the door and dial Grady’s number and it rolls to voicemail.

“Grady, it’s Michael.  Look I just want you to know that I understand that you were being polite to Lindsay over the weekend.  Give me a call so we can arrange for us to meet up.  Bye.”

LUTHER’S CONDO – LATE AFTERNOON

OFFICE

LUTHER

I’m channel hopping waiting for Talon to come home.  Finally I hear the door open and her calling my name.

“In the office!”  I yell, she can come to me.

“Okay be right there!”  She yells back.  “Need to speak to Ralph for a minute!”

Ralph!  Since when the fuck has Ralph been more important than me!  I get up and march to the kitchen and push open the door.

“Since when has Ralph been more important than me?”  I demand and they whip round and gawk at me.

“Luther!  Honey, please leave. You’ll ruin the surprise!”  She begs as they stand in front of the table.

“Surprise?  What surprise?”  I smile at her and try to look round them.

“Honey please?”  She pleads.

“Fine.  How long do I have to wait for this surprise?”

“A couple of hours maybe three.”  She replies.

I huff in annoyance.  “But…”

“The quicker I start the quicker you get it.”  She purrs.

“Fine.  Do I get a hint?”

“No.”  She winks at Ralph and I have to smile. This playful side of her is new and I like it!  “Oh did you sort the Craig Taylor issue out?”

“Not yet, but I will.  I’m flying to Pittsburgh tomorrow night to see him on Wednesday to talk to him about that.”

“Okay, now you need to be gone so we can get you surprised.”

“I look forward to it!”  I smirk at her and head back to my office.

TALON

Ralph and I exchange looks as he saunters out.  I put my fingers over my lips.

“Luther you had better not be standing behind that door when I kick it open!”  I shout.

“I’m going!  I’m going!”  He declares.

I push the door.  “Fuck Talon!”  He yelps as it hits him hard.

“Now go!”  I order sweetly whilst relishing the pain he’s in and watch him head back to the office.

“So Talon what exactly are you surprising him with?”  Ralph asks.

“Coq au vin.”  I reply and smile at his look of disappointment.  “Be right back.”

I come back up holding a bottle of red.  “Meet the $4,000 a bottle vin part of the meal!”

Ralph gapes at me.  “He’s going to notice the empty bottle!  He checks them weekly.”

“Not if you refill it with this and reseal it with that little kit I bought.”  I chuckle.  “Oh and Ralph, I brought two bottles up.”

“You delightfully wicked woman!”  He guffaws and we get to work.

CRAIG TAYLOR’S RESIDENCE – WEDNESDAY MORNING

LOUNGE

CRAIG

I’ve decided to stay at home using the looting as an excuse not to open.  I’ve not heard from Luther so I’m breathing easy.

“Excuse me Mr Taylor?”  Eva interrupts my morning read.

“Yes what is it?”

“There’s a Mr Luther Stark to see you.  Shall I show him…”

“I’m already in.”  Luther drawls.  “Craig how have you been?  How was San Francisco?”

He strides into the room while talking and takes a seat on the sofa.  “Now my dear, I would like a cup of coffee please.”

Eva looks at me for confirmation and I nod.  “Make it two thank you.”

He waits for her to leave and close the door behind her.

He glares at me his voice wrathful.  “You want to explain to me what the fuck you were thinking destroying my brother’s property!”

I put up my hands in a placating gesture.  “Luther, I thought it was Justin’s work.  That’s what I bought tickets for and…”

“So you didn’t double check the fucking location!”  He snarls throwing a paper at my feet.

With shaking hands I pick it up and read what it says.  His show was in Paris!  Emblazoned across the front page is a picture of them going up the stairs arm in arm; my stomach rolls.  I read his statement and am furious but smug that I got out when I did.

“Luther as I said.  I thought it was in San Francisco.  And…”

“How much of the money I gave you for your business do you have?”  He interrupts.

“Almost all of it, why?”  I ask nervously.

“I want you to offer it to my brother as a form of restitution and…”

“But…”

“I got you out of there so you could…”

“You got me out of there?”  I look astonished.  “Why?”

“If you shut up and listen you’ll find out!”  He hisses at me.  “You give him the money and issue a statement of contrition, there will be lesser charges to face in San Francisco. I’ve seen to that.”

“How?”  I’m incredulous and relieved.

“It helps to know people.  Once you’ve paid my brother then we go back to our original deal but with one slight change.”

“What’s that?”

“I want you to give me Taylor Electronics.”

“What?!  You want me to do what?!”

“Listen I got you out of your clusterfuck, you owe me and this is what I want and besides it will be a big fuck you to your son, won’t it?” He straightens his cuffs.  “You give me Taylor Electronics or you will be taken back to San Francisco in cuffs.  Your choice.”

“But I have a business meeting, with investors this afternoon!”  I bluster.

“Then it’s a good job I’m here then, isn’t it? As the new owner I get to meet them.”

I sink back into my chair in resignation and nod.  “The meeting is at four. They are coming here.”

BROHOUSE – THURSDAY EARLY EVENING

LOUNGE

ZANDER

“How’s mom?”  I ask Zeus.

“She’s with Uncle Luc and Aunt Dee; they’re going to bring her over tonight.”

Menno sighs and wipes his eyes.  “Papa and mama are coming because Faal is going to need all the help he can get.”

“So what happens now?”  Zeon, of all of us right now he’s hurting the most.

Ted clears his throat.  “Nothing, Tobias said we leave it to the authorities for now.  Everything was set in place, seems they were just waiting for that one piece that would tie it all together.  I think the entire family need to be here for them, especially Zee.”

Blake nods and picks up his phone.

“Okay let’s start calling but not them, let them be a while.  Thank God Matt and Hunter are on the island.  Hopefully this will all be over when they come back.”

TREEHOUSE – PITTSBURGH – SATURDAY MID-MORNING

FAAL

Zee is slightly pissed off and it’s down to Drew, Brian, Emmy Lou, Justin and me.  She finally nailed the lamb terrine dish only for it to be vetoed by us and second vetoed by Brian and Emmy Lou.  And then Justin took it home with him last night.

She’s went to the fish market at the crack of dawn this morning and is in her workshop, which can only mean one thing.  Well I hope it means that one thing…king crab, fresh king crab!  I saw three large boxes and she said it would be surf and turf tonight.  And she has that grin!

I can’t take it anymore and head to her workshop and find her cursing up a storm.

“Fuckety fuck and fuck!”

“Problem darling?”

“Get the happy dance out the way and help me with this.”  She huffs.

“Yes!” I fist pump and wiggle my ass much to her amusement.

“Are you done now?”  She chuckles.

“Wait.”  I pump my hips twice.  “Now I’m done.  What do you need me to do?”

“The icky part.”  She steps back out of the way.

Twenty minutes later I have despatched them and they are ready for cooking.  I can’t resist a handful and she nudges me in reproach.

“I thought the guys were coming later.”  She frowns as Debs comes down the stairs.

“Me too.”

As we get back into the kitchen it’s not just the family, but all her brothers, Uncle Luc, Aunt Dee, her mother, my parents…whatever this is it’s fucking huge.

“Come on let’s go into the lounge and talk okay?”

Uncle Luc takes her hand and I notice that Zeon is crying.

“Who’s died?”  I demand.

“We don’t know what’s going on honey, Ted just said we had to be here.”  Debs tells me quietly.

LOUNGE

ZEUS

I hate him so fucking much!

“Just get on with it!”  Faal demand.

I clear my throat.

“When you asked me to look into the merger and said to go deep that’s what I did.”  He takes a steadying breath.

“We found about 20 accounts in the name of his stepfather. It seems that’s where the money is going.  The last payment was last Sunday for $1 million paid after Craig Taylor was bailed.  And now the courts are considering a misdemeanour charge as opposed to desecration with intent as he has offered to make partial restitution to Uncle Luc to the tune of $5 million.”

Justin hisses a breath.

“There’s more.”  I take another breath.  “Solly and Menno went to meet with Craig to discuss the takeover of Taylor Electronics on Wednesday.  Zee had it in mind to do what you did for her with Stark.  But when they got to the meeting, it turns out that Taylor Electronics has a new owner…”

“Luther?”  Brian growls.

“Exactly.  But he wasn’t calling himself Luther.”  Ted interrupts.  “Zeus I think it’s best I take it from here.  Obviously, he’s never met Solly or Menno before so they wouldn’t know him, so when he introduced himself as Zebadiah Stark it was a bit of a surprise.”

“Zebadiah Stark, why on earth would he call himself that?”  Zee asks confused

Zeon starts to cry harder and Thomas rocks him gently.

“He’s been using Zebadiah’s name to hide money.  Zebadiah is on the board of Bergenfield Berdenstrade as a minority stakeholder.  And like Copthorne, he’s got accounts with millions of dollars in them all in Zebadiah’s name but with him as the trustee...”  Ted trails off.

“But-but he’s…he can’t have done this…he can’t have…”  Zee stammers.

“I’m sorry Zee but he has and it seems he’s been doing it for the last 15 years.”

“Mom…”  She gasps.

“He registered the birth and the death or so I thought…”  She sobs.

“No!  No!  No!”  Zee screams.  “No for fuck sake no!”

CHAPTER 20: THE WAITING GAME…TIME TO LEAVE…AND TIME TO ANNOUNCE

LOUNGE – MID-AFTERNOON

JENNIFER

Christ!  What a fucking cunt that man is!  Using your dead son as a cover for money is beyond heinous and the way he’s treated Zee is reprehensible!

We all look up as Faal comes back in.

“Talking, they’re in the upper lounge.  She’s in the middle of a bro-wich; Zeus is on one side and Zeon on…”  His voice catches.  “I can’t take this pain away, I-I would do…”

Hugo has him in his arms in a flash and takes him out followed by Martha and Menno.

“Ted is there anything we can do?”  Brian demands pacing.  “There must be something?”

Ted shakes his head.  “We have to wait for them to make their next transaction. The authorities want to get them badly so need everything to be locked down.  They don’t know how many are involved or if it’s just the two of them.”

“Could this bring down Stark Securities as a company?”  Brian is ever practical.

“No thank God.”  We all heave a sigh of relief.

“Maybe we should start the food?”  Debs suggests.

Delia and Deidra come in.  “Good idea Debs, come on let’s go.  Alice and Emmy Lou you come too.”  Delia orders.  “I need something to occupy my hands.”  Emmy Lou and Alice follow them out.

“I think we all do.”  Carl sighs.  “What a fucking mess this is.”

“Oh shit!”  I gasp as I look at the phone flashing next to me.  “It’s Luther!  Whose phone is this?!”

“It must be one of the brothers.  Most likely Zander, since he’s the only one that he’s bothering with.  Shall I take it up to him?”  Blake asks.

“No let it go to voicemail.”  Ted says firmly.  “That fucker can wait.”

When it finally stop ringing, we heave a sigh of relief.  Ted starts to pour brandies.

“I’ll take it up to them and his phone.”  Brian takes a tray.  “Ted come too and someone find Faal and send him to join us.  There’s no way in hell we’re sitting here and doing nothing.”

UPPER LOUNGE

ZEPH

Zee and Zeon have got to the extremely fucked off part of their grief.  She’s pacing giving various scenarios of his slow and violent demise; she’s scarily inventive.

The door knocking stops her and Brian and Ted come in, soon after Faal comes in and takes her into his arms with a small smile.

“You would look terrible all in orange my lig.  Now drink this and sit down.”  His tone is firm.

It’s strange to see Zee, almost obedient, as she does as she’s told.  We’re so used to her being combative in her own way, especially with him. She doesn’t do it overtly, she just says yes dad and does whatever she was going to do her way anyway.

“Here’s your phone Zander. He called you.”  He places the tray down and takes a seat.

“I can’t call him back.  I just can’t.”  He growls.

“You’ll have to or he’ll wonder why you’re not.”  Brian points out.  “But put the call on speaker and as tempting as it is nobody say a word.  And for fuck sake if you’re phones are on, put them on silent.”

Quickly we all reach for phones and do as we’re told.

“Zander my son, how are you?  Where are you?”

“Out of the city.  Having a bit of a stressful time at the moment, friend has had some bad news and…”

“Have you thought more about my offer?  I don’t know why you are holding out so much boy.”

“Because, I’m a Stark and that’s what you taught us, hold out for the best deal you can.”

“True.  I can’t wait to see that little madam’s face when I tell her I’m back on the board and I have some other news but first let’s get this business out of the way.  I’m willing to go to $35 million to seal this deal.”

Our jaws drop and Faal puts his hand over Zee’s mouth and has to carry her to the other side of the room.

“$35 million!  Are you serious?”  He gasps.

“Yes, I want back on the board that badly.  She took away my boy and I want her to feel my pain!”

This time Zeus rugby tackles Zeon to the ground.

“Okay.  $35 million it is.”  We all stare at Zander.  “But we don’t announce until the December board.”

“Why December? There’s a shareholder meeting in November right?”

“Yes, but you want her to feel pain right?”

“Uh huh.”  He’s not the only one confused.

“And you know how much she loves Christmas…”

“Oh very nice.  You are my boy, my boy through and through.  What changed your mind?”

“Just a culmination of things.  You’ll send the papers through right?”

“Absolutely!  Let me get on with that…”

“Dad it’s only the beginning of November we’ve got time.  So what was the other piece of news?”

“Well two pieces.  At the end of the month, I should be branching out into the electronics world and I’m not sure if I told you but I have a couple of friends of Zaden’s staying at my condo…”

“Friends of Zaden?  Why?”

“Well not friends exactly.  Lindsay Peterson and Michael Novotny. Well anyway seems that Lindsay and Grady have taken quite a shine to each other and had their second date on Thursday.  And by date, I mean they were outside of the bed, you know what I mean.”

“Yeah I know what you mean.  Still not seeing why I should be interested in this.”

“Simple, I want them to announce their engagement at the board meeting in December.”

“Engagement?”

“Yep.  Oh they’re not really going to get married. It’s just an additional Christmas present.  I’ll bet that having her as my grandson’s stepmother would be the last thing she’d want so she’ll do what the Starks do in times of need…”

“Throw money at the situation?”  I finish off for him.

“Exactly.  Look I’ve got to go.  I’ll get the papers drawn up by the end of the week.  Bye.”

We sit there in silence just sipping brandy and contemplating what has happened.  When my phone flashes, I’m surprised that we’ve been sitting here for 20 minutes.

“Zeph here.”

“Is Zander with you?”

“Yes he is, why?”

“Where are you right now?”

“Ohio with Zeus why?”

She laughs bitterly.  “Because he’s just left to negotiate with him in Florida.  For the next three days.”  And then she sighs.  “It’s my just desserts after what I did to you.”

“Just desserts?”

“Never mind.  Anyway, the real reason for the call is to let you know that I’m going to accept the divorce and the pre-nup conditions. I know I’ve been fighting it for so long but I will sign them and get them sent over to you by Monday.”

“Wow I…uh thank you.  What changed your mind?”

“Just desserts remember.  I’ll let you go…”

“Wait Talon.  Thanks for the things you’ve told us.  Are…are you going to leave him?”

“Not without a backup plan.  And I’m working on that.  You know me I’m a survivor.  And let’s just say that Novotny is going to regret calling me Talentless and then coming to me for a loan and…”

Ted clamps his hand over Brian’s astonished mouth.

“What?  Two things: what loan and where did you get the money from?”

“They wanted the money for the lawsuit and say they’ll give me my money back once it’s settled.  I know full well that this won’t be settled monetarily so put in very small print that he has to give me his collectibles as a forfeit if nothing happens by December 20th and as for her, well I have a special treat for her.  As for where, you know how your father likes to give trinkets…once they are mine I do with them what I want.”

I burst out laughing.  “And speaking of trinkets, you know that he is going to get Grady and Lindsay to announce their engagement in December.”

She gasps and then laughs.  “Oh that’s going to piss Novotny off no end.”

“Why?”

“He fucked him.  I always had my suspicions about Grady.  For a man who hates Faal, he’d look at him just that little too longingly and…”

“Oh fuck no!”  Faal snaps and shudders.

We all glare at him and wait.

“Zeph where are you really?”

“Ohio like I said.  That was the TV.”

“Honey, I know you and more importantly, I know Faal’s voice.  Are you in Pittsburgh?”

I sigh and look at Zeus and he nods.  “Yes we’re in Pittsburgh.”

“Are you with Zee?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then.  I’ll leave you to it.  I’ll send the papers tomorrow like I said.”

She hangs up quietly.

“I’m sorry!  I’m sorry but the very idea of him thinking about me like that!”

“I never thought I would say this about someone in cahoots with Luther Stark but I feel sorry for Grady.  Michael is persistent.”  Brian chuckles.

KITCHEN – EARLY EVENING

DEBS

We’re all over the shock and almost all of the anger and now we have to just wait.

Emmy Lou, Zee, Alice and I are on the puffs; we’ve just fried the first batch and I open the door a crack and wink at them.

I call out.  “Oh I wonder whoever we can get to test these king crab and lobster puffs.  They need to be eaten whilst they are extra crisp and...”

Suddenly the kitchen is full and I just about manage to get out of the way of the stampede.

“Were you actually waiting by the lounge door?”  I chuckle.

“Yes, they were.  Every two seconds one of them would go and check.”  Jennifer laughs.  “But I can understand why, these are delicious!”

I head to the door when it rings and when I open it a beautiful lady steps inside and looks at all of us.

“So someone want to tell me exactly what the fucker has done!”  She demands.

“Before we get to that, who the fuck are you?”  I demand.

“Talon.”  She puts her purse on the counter.  “What’s he done?”  She repeats.

ZEPH

By the time we’ve introduced everyone, closed Tucker’s jaw and caught her up, she’s just sitting there in shock, which quickly turns to rage.

“He will fucking pay and I think I know someone who can help.”  She pulls out her phone.

“Talon.  You reached safely... you were supposed to call me when you got there. I was worried.”

“I’m really sorry Ralph.  I didn’t mean to worry you.”  I notice the way she smiles when she says his name.  “Now, quick question, you know you said you kept guest books?”

“Yes.”

“Can you copy them and scan them over to…Solly Sullivan and Adam White?”  Ted nods.  “I’ll text you their email addresses.”

“Of course, what’s happened?”

“I’ll explain when I get back.  Let’s just say I’m done with him.”

“Okay, I’ll get on with the scanning.  Have a safe flight.”

“Thanks, I’ll try.  See you tomorrow.”  She smiles at her phone and then notices everyone looking.  “What?”

“I think we’ve just heard the reason for the signing.”

She blushes.  “I don’t know what you are talking about.  We’re just friends!”

“Uh, Talon you’d didn’t smile like that on our wedding day.”  I tell her, only somewhat sadly.

“Um!”  She squeaks going redder, much to everyone’s amusement.  “Oh shut up Zeph!”

Thomas clears his throat.  “At the risk of sounding like the idiot in the room, what’s the significance of the guest books?”

“I’m glad someone asked.”  Debs mutters.

“If they show when Copthorne visited Stark and they cross reference that to any time he had an influx of money then that gives more evidence of their collusion.”  Ted explains.

“So Talon…oh for fuck sake! Can someone do more puffs?”  Brian snaps in exasperation as Justin takes the last one off his plate.

“Oil just coming to temp.”  Zee grins at him.  “So do they get added yes or no?”

“No.”  Drew states firmly.  “Not with king crab and lobster, some other seafood but not these.”

“Fine.  Okay let’s get them fried and Usez, can you get the turf out?”

“Usez, you haven’t called him that in years.”  Talon says quietly.  “God what a mess he’s made of this family. His father would be heartbroken.”

“He died heartbroken that Luther wouldn’t let little one be happy.”  Uncle Luc sighs.

“Oh, speaking of happy.”  Talon rifles in her bag.  “Here, signed as promised.”

I take the papers from her with a small nod and am surprised when Jennifer gives my hand a squeeze.

“So, Talon, what have you got planned for Lindsay?”  Zee asks.

“Lindsay? What about Lindsay?”  Jennifer asks.  “What have we missed?”

Talon tells them everything that has been happening in New York and Justin cringes when he hears that Grady slept with both of them.

“Oh that’s revolting!  Hurry up with the puffs, I need to comfort eat.”

“Me too!  Is that Waygu or Kobe?”  Hugo asks.  “Oooh the garlic and chimichurri sauce smells lovely.”

“Kobe. Someone has hidden the Waygu.”  Faal grumbles.

Menno and Hugo stare at Zee who holds their gaze unflinchingly.  “He couldn’t fuck it out of me; you’ve got no chance.”

“Fair enough!”  Hugo blushes.

Jennifer takes a sip of champagne and clears her throat.  “So the deadline is the 20th December for them to give you your money back?  I need to make a call.  But before that, what are you going to do with Lindsay?”

“She likes to make messes. Let’s see how she is at cleaning them.  I think a year as a domestic servant should hone her skills nicely.”

“Holy crap!”  Ben gasps.  “And they both signed agreeing to this?”

“Like I said very tiny writing. It’s not my fault they didn’t take the mantra what the big print gives the small- or should we say very small print- takes away, is it?”

“You and Zee are cut from the same survivalist cloth you know?”  Leda tells her.

“How the fuck do you work that out?  I’m pretty sure Zee doesn’t think that.”

“Actually, I do.  We’ve both had to fight for what we wanted in order to be happy and to have the rest of our family happy.  Except you started your fight by, well you know.  And when it comes to payback, you just have a bit more evil in yours. I’m more subtle.”

“How could you do it?”  Mom asks suddenly.

“I don’t know. At first it was the thrill of it all and then I’d feel guilty and stop.  But he kept pulling me back.  I stopped for three years but I was still unhappy but just couldn’t leave the lifestyle I had. When you’ve grown up poor and you go to suddenly rich, it’s hard especially with the pre-nup.  We didn’t start again until after you left him though.”

She clears her throat.  “I’m sorry for what I did to you whilst you were married but I now know what it feels like.  He’s cheating on me.  What’s the phrase?  Oh yes; when you marry the mistress you create a vacancy.  Only I created a vacancy without being married to him.”

“That why you’re helping us?”  Zee asks.

“Oh no, that’s not why, I’ve only just found out about that.  No it was when he and Grady were talking and he said he wanted Lindsay to give me a bit more polish; make her shine, help her to be less Brooklyn Babe and more Genuflecting Geisha, were his exact words.”

“The fucking nerve of the man!”  Debs barks.  “I would’ve smacked him in the mouth the moment I heard that and left on the spot.”

She smiles and picks up her purse and coat.  “Right. I’m going back to the airport. My flight is first thing in the morning…”

“Stay.  We can drop you off at JFK.”  Uncle Luc looks at Zee and she gives a small nod.

“If-if you’re sure?”  Zee nods again.  “How are you able to drop me off at the airport?”

“Zee has a plane.”

“Ah.”

“Now come on let’s get your stuff upstairs.”  Mom says.  “And I accept your apology.”

TALON’S BEDROOM

TALON

I can’t believe I’m being rocked in the arms of my soon to be former mother-in-law in floods of tears.  I haven’t cried this much in years.  Debs is on the other side of me trying to get me to drink the brandy she’s brought up.

“H-how can you forgive me like this?”  I sniffle.

“Because he’s hurt you too. Part of me- I ain’t gonna deny it- is pleased that you are hurting because of what you did to me and my son.  But inside here…”  She taps my chest.  “Under all this slut...had to get that one in... is a good person.”

“And judging by the way this Ralph spoke to you, he sees it too.”  Debs strokes my hair.  “So how long have you two been…”

“We’re not!  Honestly, we’re just friends.”  I take the tissue she offers and blow my nose.

“How do you know him?”

“He works for Luther as his but…”

“That Ralph!”  Del gasps in surprise and then starts to laugh.  “Oh that will chafe his ass when he finds out about you two!”

“There is no us two!”

“What colour are his eyes?”  Debs asks

“Blue with a hint of…I mean I don’t know!”  Debs just looks at me.  “With a hint of green.”

“What does he say about you?”  Debs asks

“How did?  He says I’m too thin and when Luther’s not there he makes me eggs and bacon for breakfast.  He calls me a wicked woman and I don’t feel insulted and…”

“Uh huh.”  Debs and Del exchange looks and I frown

“Anyway.  We just sit and talk about stuff. Just stupid everyday stuff…”  I trail off.  “Oh shit!”

“You go wash your face and meet us downstairs.”  Del orders and pulls Debs out of the room.

KITCHEN

DEL

“Zeph, I want you to be honest about something and I mean really honest, you hear?”  He nods at me.  “Did you ever love Talon?”

He appears to war with himself before sighing.  “No.  I loved the idea of her and I care for her, but no, I didn’t love her”

“And deep down, she knew that. Everyone knows when they are unloved.  So then you have some culpability in this too, right? You need to apologise too.”  He nods.  “Well what are you waiting for? Get to getting!”

“So come on people, let’s get this fucking family fed!”  Dee orders.  “Hugo, I know you’re the man of the BBQ but this is my little one’s house and when we’re here we cook!”

“Yes ma’am!”  Hugo grins at her.  “Kobe calls for Chocolate Box methinks.  Emmy Lou, you and Drew are on opening and glasses!”

“God I love this family!”  Emmy Lou cries and heads for the back kitchen.

LUTHER’S CONDO – SUNDAY EVENING

RALPH

“Good evening Mrs Stark, I’m afraid that…”

“Oh hush yourself, Ralph!”  Del stops me.  “I want you to meet someone, this is Zaden.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”  I smile at her.  “Although I’m not…”

Zaden waves her hand to stop me.  “Two things you need to do: one is pack everything you two own or think you are due, now!”

“Ralph come on!”  Talon grabs my hand and pulls me to my quarters.

“Talon what is going on?!”

“Come on Ralph!”

“Where?  No, stop Talon, stop!”  I shake off her hand stand firm.  “Explain!”

“I-I, I’m sorry, I guess I’m leaving.  I thought…never mind, if you…”

“Leaving?  Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure but I can’t stay here anymore. He’s done something reprehensible and I can’t stay anymore. I had hoped that you’d…but…anyway.”

She takes a deep breath and turns to leave.  “Talon Stark Kho come back here right this instant!”

“Whoa!”  Zaden whispers.

“Now look at me and calmly explain what is going on.  Why did you want me to scan the guest book?”

After twenty minutes, I can’t believe what I’ve heard.  “Right, let me help you pack Talon. I have nothing here that I want to take with me.”

“Of course.”  She sighs and heads to her room.

“Oh for the love of all things holy!  Talon get back here!”  Zaden shouts and when she returns, she huffs an annoyed breath.  “Will you two just kiss and have done?!”

“M-me? Kiss Talon…”  I stammer and then I look at her, and she looks so hopeful.  I pull her into my arms.  “What a great idea!”

Five minutes later I let her up.  “Good God where the hell did you learn to do that?”  She gasps.

“Like I said, I’m not just a good butler.”

“Right hurry up and pack for fuck sake.”  Zaden giggles.

“Where are we going?”  I ask.

“Canada.  There’s a little place that’s a rather sweet bijou.”  She smiles.  “And it will piss Lindsay off no end!”

LUTHER’S CONDO – MONDAY AFTERNOON

LUTHER

“Talon, honey I’m home!”

Silence.

I didn’t think she was due to go anywhere.  “Ralph!  Ralph!  I would like some coffee and scrambled eggs!”

Silence.

I head to the kitchen.  “Ralph why the fuck…”  I look around the room in shock.  Spray painted across the counter tops, the cupboards- everywhere- are the words ‘I Quit!”

And on the table is a note from him.  ‘In case you haven’t noticed I quit you odious fucker.  And just to let you know I put bacon products in everything I ever cooked for you!  And I mean everything!’

I scrunch up the note and head upstairs and then I notice the graffiti in Talon’s dressing room. ‘Goodbye Luther, I won’t be cheated on!’…how the hell did she know I think to myself; I was always careful.

I check the jewellery boxes and they are all empty.  I dash down to the office and quickly open the safe and find the boxes still in there and heave a sigh of relief.  Then I notice the note pinned to the back of the safe door.  ‘See how much they are worth…darling.  I may be a slut but I’m a resourceful one. Be happy fucking whoever she is!’

With a sinking feeling I open the boxes and I see exactly what she’s done.

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – WEDNESDAY LATE EVENING

LINDSAY

I dry heave into the toilet and sit back on my heels.  I can’t believe that!  Taking a steadying breath, I stand up.  I told you not to interfere and you have. Well now you will pay!

I make my way quietly to the lounge and I find what I need before making my way to my bedroom.

KITCHEN – THURSDAY MORNING

MICHAEL

“Morning Lindsay, how are you today?”

“Fine thanks.  I’ll see you later.”  She finishes her coffee and heads off without a backward glance.

“Oh okay.”

The front door is shut sharply and I grab my phone but it rolls over to voicemail.

“Grady it’s me. I had a great time last night.  I know you said you were going to be busy today but call me when you can.  Speak soon, I hope.”

GRADY’S RESIDENCE

I groaned when I saw it was Michael calling me so I sent it to voicemail.  I got the itch again and this time we topped each other and he’s even worse a top as he is at blow jobs!

I’m pacing my kitchen railing against my stupidity.  Foreplay, foreplay for fuck sake foreplay!  He just kissed me and then went for my ass!  When he finally managed inside me, did he hit my prostate? Of course he fucking didn’t!  Did he pull on my cock? Of course he fucking didn’t!  No, he just shuddered and came immediately!

I felt cheated considering the time I spent working him up into a gibbering wreck of need.

My phone rings again and it’s the other half of this duo.  Lindsay.

“Hey Lindsay, how are you?  Uh nothing why, do you want to meet up?  Yeah in an hour, you want to come here?  Sure, I’ll text you my address.”

BEDROOM

Three hours later she’s been well fucked and I feel a lot better.

“Grady?”

“Hmm?”

“About Michael, I think I should warn you that he’s becoming a little fixated on you.” I groan inwardly thinking yeah I’d noticed.  “It might be a good idea for you and me to…”

This is perfect I think to myself.  “Make us official?”

“Yes that’s exactly it.  Once he knows you’re not available, he’ll leave you alone. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Look there’s something I need to tell you…”

“Sssh I already know and it’s fine. It’s in the past.  Now onto more interesting things.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re ready to go again?”

“Oh yes.”  She giggles.

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – FRIDAY MORNING

LUTHER

“Anyone home!”  I call out and soon Lindsay comes smiling towards me.  “Luther how lovely to see you and this is?”

“Bethany.  Bethany this is Lindsay, Lindsay this is Bethany.  Oh and this is Michael.”

“Nice to meet you.  Uh what happened to Talon?”  Michael asks, making Lindsay cringe.

“We separated.”  I reply and they exchange a look.

“Hey Michael…”

“Grady!  How are you?”  He goes to give him an embrace but Lindsay steps between them and kisses him softly on the lips and Grady puts his arm round her.

“Uh Grady…”

Lindsay smiles at us but her eyes grow cold when she looks at Michael.

“Well since it’s a time for announcements.  Grady and I have something to say.  Do you want to tell them or shall I?”

“Lindsay…”  Michael starts to go red.

“I’ll do it.”  Grady smiles down at her.  “We’re a couple.”

“For real!”  I clap him on the back.

“Yes Luther for real!  It was Thursday. I just looked at her and thought to myself yes this is the one for me and luckily she feels the same way.”

“Well this calls for a celebration, let’s get some champagne!”  I declare.  “Michael can you get that sorted out for us?  Come Grady, Lindsay come and tell Bethany and I all about this, leaving out the personal bits of course!”

I lead them to the lounge leaving Michael in the hallway.

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

Michael’s whine cuts through our chatter. “Lindsay, could you come and help me with the champagne please?  You know how clumsy I can be!”

“Excuse me.”

I follow him to the kitchen and the moment the door shuts he whirls on me.  “What the fuck do you think you are doing? Grady is mine!”

“I think it’s up to Grady who he chooses and he chose me!”

“You do realise that we’ve slept together twice!”  He hisses at me.

“Of course you have Michael.  Of course you have.  Now let’s get the champagne sorted out…”

“We have!   We slept together on Wednesday!”  He hisses back.

“No, Michael, you couldn’t have slept with him.  He told me that he went with a guy and it was the worst sex he’d ever had in his life.  Now he couldn’t possibly be talking about you now could he?”

I pause and wait for his ego to kick in and when he says nothing I smile.

“I knew you were just making things up.  But isn’t it great that with Talon gone at least the loan is no longer an issue.  Now come on let’s get the champagne in.  And, please Michael don’t let your jealousy that I’ve found someone and you haven’t ruin this relationship or our friendship, okay? Please be happy for me as I would be for you.”

As he heads to the lounge with the champagne, I smile to myself. I may not be able to best Zee and Brian but you were a piece of cake Michael Novotny!

CHAPTER 21: THE DIG, THE STING, THE GO FISH & THE OH NO

REXDALE AVENUE, CANADA – SATURDAY MORNING

RALPH

I look around the bijou little place that we are now living in and want to pinch myself.

First, Zee’s – as she’s insisted I call her – idea of bijou and mine are totally different.  Apparently, there were 2 bedrooms when Lindsay and that ratfink left.  Now it has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a driveway and an extension.

Secondly, and I still can’t believe it, even though I’m walking up the stairs with the tray.  Talon is with me.  I have to admit to not liking her very much when she moved in but then I noticed the little things.  Unlike him it was please and thank you.  So when I found out about his other little peccadillo, I felt it was my duty to let her know what was going on.  Okay I had an ulterior motive in the fact that she’s utterly beautiful and I found him undeserving of her.

The more we got to talking and being friends and conspirators, the more I liked her. And then when I watched her eat that breakfast with undisguised relish, I knew then I more than liked her, never thinking she felt the same way.  But here we are.

When I get into the bedroom, I’m surprised to find her sitting up in bed and looking upset.  No that’s not it. It’s more like seriously fucked off.

“What’s happened?”  Wordlessly she hands me her phone and I look at the screen.

It’s then I realise what an objectionable ass he is!  He’s sent her an email of Luther and his latest concubine with the words meet your replacement as the subject title.

“He’s clearly forgotten that he owes me money.”  She mutters angrily.  “And I think it’s time he was reminded of that fact.”

“No Talon, do not play that card until you have to.  There’s something to be said for the dignity of silence.  He strikes me as the kind of person that thrives on a reaction.  Now, have your coffee and let’s decide what we are going to do today.”

Taking a sip she snuggles, yes snuggles, into my side.  “Not leaving here would be nice…”

“What else do we need to do with the house? We’ve got everything we need?”

“Not here as in the house, I mean here.”  She says quietly and then looks up at me.

It takes a few seconds for it to sink in.  “Oh, I um, well yes, we could do that…but only if you’re sure?”

“Ralph I’m sure.”

CRAIG TAYLOR’S RESIDENCE

OFFICE

CRAIG

I stare at the document he’s sent me transferring the business from me to him for the notional sum of $1.

I’m waiting for a response from his brother with regards to my offer of restitution but so far nothing.  According to Luther, he’s out of the country in South Africa and won’t be back until the end of next week.

I think about Molly but then reason to myself that there’s no way those faggots will let her go without so, I start to send the email confirmation to him, when there’s a knock on my door.

“Excuse me Mr Taylor?”

“Yes Eva what is it?”

“There’s a Mrs Taylor-Finch to see you.”

“Who?”  I demand confused.

“Your very happily remarried ex-wife is here to see you.  I knew if I gave my real name, you wouldn’t see me and you don’t want this to be a discussion we have in public.  And believe me I would have this conversation in public.”

JENNIFER

I look around his office and think about my own home with Tucker and how much better it is.

“Want to explain this?”  I toss the paper in front of him.  “So you’re a racist as well as a homophone.  Lovely.”

“That was a misunderstanding!  I was intending to destroy the works of your faggot son!”

“Our son Craig.  Ours.  This was not the Immaculate Conception. You were there!”  I snap.

“If that’s what you’ve come to say, I would like you to leave.  I’ve already made my…”

I hold up my hand.  “You made the news.  Not just in San Francisco, I mean globally.  We heard about it in Paris.”  I smile as he seems to pale.  “And here in Pittsburgh when you returned.”

“What?  What are you talking about?”  He stammers.

“I’m talking about this.”  I pull out my tablet and turn it to face him.  “Here you are being confronted by the press at the store and then running like the coward that you are.  And here’s the press leaving at 2231 but you checked into a hotel at 2314, I do hope you’ve made that clear on the insurance form that you left the doors wide open.”

“Where did you get this?”  He demands.  “Luth…”  Then he clams up.

I settle back in my chair.  “So tell me about Mr Schoepen.”

“Who?”

“Oh come now Craig.  This is a WASP society, nothing goes on without anybody knowing about it.   And that reminds me, whatever possessed you to organise a naked waiters dinner?  Now that doesn’t sit well with your homophobic image does it?”

“Mr Schoepen and I are trying to come to an agreement with regards to the business and that’s all you need to know!”

“Well actually no it’s not all I need to know.  You seem to be forgetting about Molly…”

“I haven’t forgotten her, but I’m sure our multi-millionaire son and his multi-millionaire husband will look after her.”

“Oh now he’s your son?  And of course, they will.  But the terms of the divorce say that you have to provide for her until she’s 21 and she’s not for another 2 years.  So whatever agreement with him has to stop until she reaches that age or you provide a settlement to nullify that term.”

“What?”  He is dumbfounded.

“And that figure has to be 5% of the combined amount of you and the business.  Now according to the last posted results, Taylor Electronics is worth $15mil and your personal wealth, which surprised me, is $5mil so that makes the settlement amount due to Molly $1mil.  Before any transactions can go through.”

I can see him fighting his options and I put a steadying hand on my knee in the guise of straightening my skirt.

“Fine.”  He rasps out.

“Fine what?”

“I’ll wire the money to you next…”

“Today.”

“But…”

“Today as in right this minute.  To the same account that you pay Molly’s support into.”

He glares at me but boots up his computer after fifteen minutes of tense silence, he finally speaks.

“I’ve done it.”

“I’ll just wait for confirmation of that.  And since it’s such a large amount I’m pretty sure the bank will call you to confirm.  When they do put it on speaker.”

For another ten minutes we sit in tense silence until his cell rings.

“Craig Taylor.”

“Speaker Craig.”  I prompt him

“This is the Pittsburgh National Bank, there’s been a large amount of money moved from your account, I just wanted to know if you authorised such a payment?”

“Yes I did.”

“Can you confirm the account number it went from please?”

“25415368.”

“Sort code?”

“22-78-90”

“Your date of birth?”

This goes back and forth until they are satisfied.

“Thank you Mr Taylor. You understand that this is necessary for such a large amount.”

“Of course, thanks for your diligence.  Goodbye.”  He glares at me.  “Right you have the confirmation now…”

“Let me check my bank Craig, just because it’s gone from yours doesn’t mean it’s reached mine.”

Another 15 minutes pass and my phone rings.  “Jennifer Taylor.  Yes.  I was expecting that.  Thank you.  Goodbye.”

I stand up and glare at him.  “And good riddance to you.  I can see myself out.”

He calls Eva and she escorts me to the door and once outside, I stop and turn to look at him watching me walk away.  I give him a small wave and get into the limo and head back to the Treehouse.

LUTHER NO 2 CONDO

MICHAEL’S BEDROOM

MICHAEL

I can’t believe she’s not replied. It’s been almost two hours.  She must be using her teeny brain to try and formulate a witty response.

As much fun as I had sending that, I’m still majorly pissed that Grady picked her over me but I don’t believe that he said I was the worst sex he’s ever had.  The way he was groaning makes me think otherwise. Yes he’s just humouring her until we can be together.

They all went to dinner last night so I watched movies and got some take-out.  I had a bit of a cry because I ordered what we ordered on our first night.  Lindsay can enjoy him while she can because a top doesn’t let anyone top unless they feel something for them.

TREEHOUSE – LATE AFTERNOON

JENNIFER

Typical when I want them to be here they’re not!  They have been helping the boys move into the BroHouse and there have been some territorial issues.   

BroHouse

ZEE

I swear to God that I am never ever doing this again.  Next time they want to help to move they can do this on their own.  I thought Faal and Brian were queens about their stuff but this is ridiculous!  Who the fuck argues about plugs, let alone labels them!

Menno is feeling a little lonesome as Solly has had to go to the office to work with Adam, Charles and Tobias to go through everything we managed to find out.  Ted’s been jumping about like a monk on a promise to be working with them.  Blake said that he’s never felt so used but in a good way!

It’s just the Pittsburgh family here now, including my brothers and Menno, as everyone has gone back home.  Matt and Hunter have decided to stay another two weeks in South Africa but Faal, Ben and Steve said they had to be back for Thanksgiving.

Lydia and Zeon are a match made in artistic heaven. He’s got Uncle Luc’s eye for art and they have already got about four shows lined up already and it’s only been a week or so.

All I care about is that I have the house…God I love property!

“For the love of fuck, it’s a plug!  It doesn’t matter whose it is!  They work the same!”  Debs yells. I dash upstairs and find Debs between Zeus and Zeph.  “You take this one!  And you take that one!  Now go plug in your whatever-the-fuck before I wrap these fucking cords round your dicks and hang you out the window!”

Silently they do as they are told while glowering at each other.

“Okay, I think we need a break. Come downstairs with me.”  I order firmly.

“Why are we downstairs baby girl? We’ve done here; it’s upstairs we need to focus on.”  Zeus grumbles snagging a bottle of beer from the fridge.

“No we didn’t want any; thanks for asking!”  Zeph snipes.

“Like I said!  Come downstairs with me!”

I open the door between the kitchen and the lounge and lead them down the stairs.

“Zee what is this?”  Zander asks.  “I thought you said we couldn’t get a mancave?”

“I said you couldn’t get a mancave, I didn’t say I couldn’t give you one, and it’s not a cave.”  I switch on the lights.  “It’s an aquarium.”

And for the first time in about 3 hours, there is silence.  There are wall to wall fish tanks with every kind of fish imaginable including their favourites.

“Nemo fish!”  Zeph gasps.  “Oh my God baby girl!  When did you do this?”

“Look at the sofa.”  Zander sighs and takes a seat on the leather 8 seater sofa.

“Look up.”  I tell them.

“Okay where are they?”

“Where’s what?”  Justin asks stretching out on the sofa and looking at the ceiling.  “Whatever this is we are getting one for the bathroom downstairs.”

Zeon is looking around, whilst everyone else is admiring the swirls in the ceiling.

“Mathmos projectors, in the floor.  And Justin you’d need about four for that room, I can give you the details later.  As for the projectors, the controls are next to the light switches.  You will notice that there are Barcaloungers that correspond to the colours on the door knobs of your bedrooms, and nobody can complain about who has what chair as they are all the same.”

“It’s so restful in here.”  Carl sighs.

“So Usez, unless you’re going to move from Ohio, Zeon and Thomas are going to live here permanently, agreed?”

He just nods.  “No I want you to verbalize that they are going to live here and you won’t have a problem with it.”

“Absolutely not.”  He wanders round checking each tank.

“So we can go now and leave you to finish moving in?”  Faal asks.

“Yeah, I guess we did need a bit of a time out.”  Zeph concedes.

“A bit?!”  Debs snorts.

“Holy fuck ZayZay!  Ohmygod…ohmygod…!”  Zeus gasps and then grabs me into a hug.

“Usez!  Can’t breathe!”  I protest.

“What’s she done?”  Debs asks.

“Oh my God!  Mom, momma look!”  Jenny squeals.  “Aunt Zee are those…octopus?”

“Yep, two of them.  Octopi are very territorial, hence the separate tanks.”  I jerk my head towards the door.  “We’re going to go and maybe see you guys tomorrow?”

They nod and continue to inspect the tanks.

“Justin!”  Brian hisses jolting him out of his daydream.

TREEHOUSE

JENNIFER

“Well, they say they are bringing take-out and should be here in 10 minutes.  Shall we wait or open the champagne?”

“Open the champagne of course, what a silly question!”  Millie laughs.  “Now where are the glasses?”

“Top cupboard, might as well set for them too.”

“Where are they taking out from?”  Harold asks.

“Kaya.  Caribbean place, they do great burgers.  Naturally she’s ordered the entire menu.”

He looks sceptical.  “Harold one burger is not going to harm you.  If anything it’s the booze you have to worry about.”  I smile at him.

I hear the crunch on the drive, heralding the arrival of the coach; followed by door slamming and chattering. Jenny and Hank are the first ones in.

“Grandmom Jen, where were you?  Oh my God you have got to see what Aunt Zee did with the BroHouse!”  She kisses my cheek and then notices Millie and Harold.  “Oh hello, who are you?”

“I’m Millicent and this is my husband Harold.  You’re Jenny, Jen has told us so much about you.”

“And she’s told us lots about you. You’re going to kick Lindsay’s artistic ass aren’t you or is that Melody?”

“That’s Melody but I’m going to be doing some ass kicking too.”  Millie grins at her.

“Good.”  Jenny grins back.

Soon everyone is in and Harold never having met everyone before is soon swept into the family as only they can!

They start to regale us with the traumas of house moves while decanting food and pouring bubbles.

“So Jen where were you?”  Debs asks.

“Getting a million dollars in support for Molly from Craig.”  I nibble on a fry as the room goes still.

“What?  Uh honey how did you do that?”  Tucker asks worriedly.

“I went to see him today.”  I nibble on another fry but the warning look from Brian has me chewing quickly.

“And I told him that I knew about his business transaction, the dinner, and his talks with Schoepen.  I said there was a clause in the support agreement that Molly had to be supported by him until she was 21 or he paid an amount to nullify that agreement.”

Brian winces.  “You told him about Schoepen…”

“Yes but I said it was a WASP society grapevine, he’s not going to connect it to us.”

“Hang on how did you know about?  Oh never mind.”  Zee sighs

“And I showed him the footage that Thomas gave me of the looting of his store.  And if you’re wondering why it’s not hit the news it appears your dad has been interfering again.”

“Fuck.”  Faal grumbles.

“Tell Ted.”  Brian orders Blake and he nods heading to the office to make the call.

“Mom?”  Justin looks at me and then at Millie and Harold.  “So whose idea was this?”

“Mine!  Well ours.”  Millie confesses gleefully.  “We were talking about her woes over mani-pedis and I thought no way is he getting away with that.  He’s a desperate business man and after some finessing from Harold she went in and rocked it like a boss!”

There is stunned silence before Millie starts to blush.

“What?  Isn’t it like a boss?  Have I got that wrong?”

Emmy Lou pulls her into a hug.  “No my darling you didn’t, it was the fist pump that threw us!”

“Spoken to Ted.   He’s going to call us back.”  Blake tells us.  “Thank God he’s not back until Monday, as it seems everything is falling into place.  My ass needs a rest after Friday.”

“But mom I don’t understand why you’ve not invoked that before?”

“What sweetheart?”  I ask sipping my wine

“The null…there is no nullifying clause is there?”

“Nope!”  I grin.  “And it’s too late for him to do anything about it!  Tell them why Harold.”

“Because the support would still be due, so by paying it now he’s honouring the agreement, albeit reluctantly!  And, of course, being the astute business man that I am, I told her to record every word.”

CRAIG

My day can’t get any worse!  First, I get conned out of a million dollars by my ex.  Then I have Luther breathing down my neck to send the papers back.  Then I get an email from his brother rejecting my offer of restitution; he says he’s going to sue me privately as is the gallery for loss of income.  And now the insurance company is looking into my claim!

CHAPTER 22: RELIVING AND REVELATIONS

MILLIE

“You did what?”  Brian demands of Harold.

“Got her to record it…oh I say!”  Harold gasps when Brian kisses him firmly on the cheek.

“Jen, with me and Justin you’ve got five minutes before I caveman you!”

Zee starts to rustle in the fridge and soon has decanted sliced apricots, peaches and nectarines in a bowl and then pours over some champagne.

“For energy.”  She smirks at him.

Jen comes back in glowing and then Brian, takes a bottle of champagne and almost carries a giggling Justin out.

“Where are they going?”  I ask.

“Upstairs.”  Zee replies chuckling.  “To take the edge off, oh wait excuse me.”

She heads to the hallway.  “Guys sound machine!”  She waits for a few seconds.  “Thanks!”

“To take the edge off what?”  I look round the room and nobody is making eye contact.

“We’re going to walk the dogs!”  Jenny announces and pulls the rest of the kids out.

“Take the edge off what?”  I repeat.

“They’re having sex Millie.”  Jennifer explains.

My face drops in shock.  “But…but this isn’t their house.”

“It’s as good as, we both have keys to each other’s place and it’s not as if they’ve not done it before.”

“You let them have sex in your house.”  Harold marvels at Zee.

“Pretty hard to stop them.”  Jennifer grins.  “They are a very passionate couple.”

“Well.  Actually that’s all I can say is well.  So what made him drag you out before he dragged him out? Still can’t believe how blasé you are about it Zee…”

“Oh don’t let that innocent act fool you, they’re just as bad.  In fact, they have a…”

“Ben!”  Faal interrupts.  “Champagne?”

“Have a what?”  Carl demands.  “You might as well tell us. Debs will get it out of him and then tell everyone else.”

“100 fucks first.”  Faal shakes his head and gently brushes Zee’s cheek.  “Still can’t believe we agreed to that.  I’m blaming brandy.”

“Who’s winning?”  Carl asks.

“They are, but only by 2.  Rules are simple, you have to sneak in, on an assigned date and if you make it to the bedroom you have at it. If not then you have to leave.”

“Good grief!”  Harold exclaims and then starts to laugh.  “Oh I wish I was young again.”

“What’s your age got to do with it?”  Debs asks.  “We’re in the same age bracket and that doesn’t stop us.  All you need is lotion for the motion and go for it.”

“Um, yes of course, uh quite.  Now Jennifer what did Brian want to talk to you about?”

Faal gives me a hug.  “Sorry Millie, we are a very relaxed family here.  We will calm it down for...”

“Nonsense!”  Harold interjects.  “We were doing exactly the same thing as them, well not Brian and Justin them but you get what I mean.  We were just less open.  Now come on Millie, we’re going home….”

“We are?”

“Yes my darling we are.”

“Why?”  I ask gathering my things and kissing everyone goodbye.

“Why do you think?”  He asks and then turns to Debs.  “Lotion for the motion you say…interesting.”

The last thing I hear before the door closes is Emmy Lou’s familiar cackle.

CARL

“In all seriousness what did Brian haul you off for?”

“He wanted me to send the recording to the boys.  And Blake, heads up, Ted’s coming home tonight.”

“Are you kidding?”  He sighs when I shake my head.  “I will pay any of you a thousand dollars if you let me stay somewhere he can’t get to.  I need to be able to sit down.  Just for tonight.”

Debs looks at me and I nod.  “You can stay with us. No charge.”  She pats his hand.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man look so relieved.

BROHOUSE – EARLY EVENING

AQUA-CAVE

ZEUS

I can’t believe she’s done this.  We finally finished moving our stuff in about an hour ago and Thomas and Zeon are sorting out dinner.  By which I mean, they are heating up the food that Alice sent over.

“We have to do something.”  I tell Zeph and Zander and when they don’t say anything I look up from the sofa.

Zander is transfixed by the Nemo fish and Zeph is staring at the ceiling.

“Guys!  We have to do something.”

“For?”  Thomas comes down with food.

“Oh no we’re not eating in here!”  I state firmly and brace for objections.

“I agree and besides she’d kill us.”  Zeph chuckles.

KITCHEN

THOMAS

I had heard about the brothers and Zee obviously but to see the dynamic now that they are together, without that influence, is just heart-warming.  As I plate up the food, I smile at the bickering over who has the bigger portion.

“Oh for heaven sake would you like me to weigh it out!  Now focus!  Zeus you said you had to do something.  Who do you need to do this for?”

“ZayZay of course.  But what the hell do you get someone who has everything?”

“Why do you have to get her anything?”  I ask.

“Look what she’s done.”  He protests

“And look what she’s done for Mel and Leda, Gus and Jenny, for all of them, she just wants to make people happy.”

“But the aqua-cave, she didn’t have to…”

“No she didn’t but it makes her happy that you’re happy so leave it at that.  You’ve made your peace leave it at that. Stop trying to overcompensate for the past.  Leave it where it belongs and move on.  Now come on let’s eat.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – MONDAY AFTERNOON

LINDSAY

Oh for God sake I despair of the man!  Luckily this has not come back to bite us in his flat ass!  I’ve just found out that he’s been sending Talon emails and being a nasty queen.  She’s not responded though, which I have to admit I’m surprised about.

I’m just about to head to the kitchen when I hear raised voices coming from the lower office.

LOWER OFFICE

Oh not this shit again!  Michael seems to have decided that since Talon is no longer in the picture that he can move his collectibles up and of course, like Talon and I, Bethany is not in agreement.

“I don’t see what the problem is!”  Michael pouts.

“The problem is that I am saying no and you are not hearing that!  Now take these pieces of tat and tawdriness and put them where they were.  Or the next time you see them they will be on the kerb waiting for the garbage men!”

Michael looks at me for back up as does Bethany.  “As was said when we first moved in here, they have to stay out of this office.  So put them back where you had them.”

“Thank you Lindsay.”  Bethany smiles at me and then takes a seat.  “Well Michael, repack them.”

“I can do that alone.”  He snaps at her.

“I know you can but I want to make sure that every scrap of this shit is out of here before…”

Even though I know what’s coming I can see that Michael doesn’t.

“Before what?”

“I lock this office up so you can’t come in again.”

“Talon never locked the office.  Besides I do my ordering and bidding from here.”  Michael whines. 

“Why would she?  She lived in the other condo.   And you don’t do that in here anymore as this one is mine.”

We both look at her in astonishment.  “Yours?”  I echo.

“Yes that’s what I came over for.  Luther has said I can manage this one. Talon was supposed to but couldn’t be bothered according to Luther.  Now we need to discuss rent.  Talon may have let you stay for free; I do not intend to afford you the same courtesy.”

CHAPTER 23: HINDRANCE, HELP & HELLFIRE

LINDSAY

“Rent?”  I repeat.

“Yes.  Do you know how much a place like this rents for?  $1400 easily.”

“That’s not bad.”  Michael smiles at me and I shake my head.

“Per week, Michael.”  I square my shoulders.  “So how much are you going to charge us?”

“$2000.”  She replies, before turning to Michael.  “You can pack up that shit and listen at the same time.”

“This shit, as you put it, is worth a considerable amount of money.”  He sneers at her

“Well then sell it to put towards the rent.”  She snarks back.  “And hurry up! I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to be.”

“Why are you charging us more?”  He asks quickly sealing the boxes.

“I’m not.”

“Yes you are, $2000 beats $1400.”

I groan and almost want to cry.  “It’s $2000 a month Michael, which I think is more than generous.”

“It’s pin money to me.  I don’t need it and…”

“Yeah fucking…”  Michael begins

“Shut up Michael!”  I hiss at him.

“Well stopped Lindsay or the rent would’ve gone up.”  She looks coldly at Michael.  “Are you finally done?”

He nods and moves the boxes back downstairs.

“Meet us in the lounge Michael.”  She calls down to him.

LOUNGE

BETHANY

“So you and Grady, the real thing or just an opportunity?”  I can see I’ve surprised her with the question.

“The real thing of course!”

“Okay.”  I walk to the door and close it.  “So what’s with the idiot?  I don’t understand the pairing of you two.”

Again she’s surprised by my question.  “He’s been my friend for years.  And…”

“Doesn’t mean he should remain so.  Lindsay you’re smart.   Learn to let go of hindrances and trust me he’s a hindrance.”

He walks in without knocking and I glare at him.  “Do you always do that Michael?”

“What?”

“See a closed door and just walk through without knocking?”

“I live here.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I smirk.  “For now.”  I pick up my purse and give Lindsay a quick look.  “Learn some manners Michael.  Lindsay I’ll call you.  I have a feeling you and I have a lot to discuss.”

CAR BACK TO LUTHER’S CONDO

BETHANY

Oh I enjoyed that.  I’ve been seeing Luther for the 3 years. Where the man gets his stamina from is anyone’s guess but now that I’m finally installed I have no intention of moving out.  That’s the mistake that Xanthe and Talon made; they wanted him exclusively.  I’m not about that.

He may bring others behind me but as long as I am Queen B that’s all I care about.

SQUIRREL HILL – WEDNESDAY EVENING

JENNY’S BEDROOM

GUS

Phil and I stare at the determined face of J and Hank has his head in his hands.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I’m pretty sure that we are breaking some kind of law if we post this?”

“Bollocks.  We’re telling the truth, these things…”  She pauses and cocks her head.  “I thought I heard something.”

Phil holds up his hand and checks the hallway.  “All clear.  But Gus is right, we could get in some serious problems if this is traced back to us.  Your mom could lose her licence for example and…”

“Why would I lose my licence?”  Mom’s voice echoes round the room.

“Mom?”  I ask.

“You four in the kitchen now.”

We trudge downstairs and come face to face with mom and momma both looking pissed.

Momma speaks first.  “Jenny you can’t seriously be thinking of doing this?  You can’t post this on YouTube.”

“But we’ve got to do something!  Why should you guys fight it alone?!”  Jenny argues.

“We’re not alone sweetheart.  This is a grown up…”

“Rubbish this is a family fight!”  Jenny exclaims.  “And we’re part of the family.”

Momma looks at mom who shrugs and starts to smile.  “She’s going to do it anyway. At least let’s make sure it doesn’t come back to us.  Leda call Zeus and once it’s up give the three of them a heads up.”

Momma puts Uncle Zeus on speaker and tells him what’s happening.  “Okay, you guys need to not do a fucking thing until we get there.  Zeon!  Not a fucking thing you understand?”

“Okay.”  Jenny is grinning and almost bouncing off the walls.

Twenty minutes later they are here.  They look at the video she’s made and start to work on it.  An hour later after talking about back ends, which has me and Phil grinning, they call dad and Aunt Zee.

BRITIN – TWO HOURS LATER

LOUNGE

BRIAN

I can’t believe what we are looking at.   “And you want to post this on YouTube?”

“What were you thinking?”  Zee snaps at Zeus.

“I cleared the back end.  He doesn’t know anybody…”

“Wait my lig.  Think about it.  This gives Solly and Menno an out.  By exposing his homophobia and racism, they can back out of the deal leaving it just him and Luther.”

Zee is pacing and running her fingers through her hair.

“Okay what we need to do is send it to Menno and only him – no posting, do you hear?  Then get Menno to call him to arrange a meeting, show him the video and pull out.  And someone needs to tell Jen what her grandchildren and their boyfriends have been up to!”

MILLIE & HAROLD’S HOUSE

OFFICE

HAROLD

“Okay, don’t worry Phil we’ve got everything in hand.  Now go be the brilliant lawyer you are.”

“Millie!”  I call out.  “We’re going to New York tomorrow!”

She pokes her head round the door and frowns.  “Okay, shall I ask Melody if we can stay with her?”

“No.  Book us into the Chambers. It’s very good according to Carl, and there’s a spa called Caudalíe, which does a Rituals something or other. Book that too.”

“Alright, but why are we going to New York?”

“To kick some Lindsay and Michael ass!”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

MICHAEL

I hope it’s not Bethany at the door. Since her last visit, she’s been coming over more often than not and she and Lindsay keep giving me that look.  But at least she’s taken to knocking instead of just letting herself in.

“Can I help you?”

The old guy pushes past me.  “Yes, you can get your ass in the lounge and call your dumbass blonde friend!”

“Hey you can’t just push in here and…”

“Mr and Mrs Foster Brown!  What are you doing here?  How did you…”  Lindsay babbles.

The old lady glares at her.  “Giving you one last chance to avoid a catastrophe.  Drop the misrepresentation.  You lost fair and square.  You now live in New York…”

“Why should we and what’s he to you anyway?”  I fume.

“He’s my nephew and his daughter is my goddaughter.  I’m surprised that you didn’t know that Lindsay and don’t try and say that you did.”  She looks round the foyer.  “You’ve landed on your feet here.  Now let’s go to the lounge and discuss this further.  And no that wasn’t a question.”

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

How the fuck didn’t I know that she is his aunt?!  I look across at the pair of them and try to think of how play this.

“Well?”  Millie’s imperious tone cuts through my thinking.

“We just want what’s due…”  I begin.

“And what would that be?”  She glares at me.

“A fair hearing.”  I reply harnessing my inner WASP.

“Which you had and managed to royally fuck up.”  Harold tells me.  “And where do you think this hearing is going to be held?”

“Pittsburgh of course.”  I answer nervously.

“No, the New York Supreme Court.  That’s where all misrepresentations cases are heard.  And do you know how much this is going to cost you?”

“We have enough money.”  Michael sneers…and again I remember Bethany’s words.

Harold scoffs.  “$200,000, you have $200,000?  I don’t believe you.  If you did you wouldn’t be hawking your laughable resume about.” He gets up and helps himself to a drink.  “Heard back from any of the galleries yet Lindsay?” My heart starts to race and when he turns to me his smile is cold.  “Or when you call them do they say ‘we’re still reviewing candidates…’”

“And to think, that’s only from this area.  Can you imagine how far and wide our dear friend Melody’s reach is.  Oh yes I believe she can get to Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, California…need I go on.” Millie interjects.

“Fine.”  I sigh in resignation.

“Fine what?”  He barks at me.

“We’ll drop the misrepresentation suit.”

“Lindsay!”  Michael gasps.

“Michael, we have to. We have no choice!”  I tell him firmly.

“Good, now read and sign this, both of you.”  Millie orders.

I take the document from her.  “What does it say?”  Michael asks glaring at us, arms folded.

Sighing.  “It says; I, Lindsay Peterson and I, Michael Novotny, hereby retract the misrepresentation lawsuit against Philip Mitcham, his company or associates otherwise connected to the cases against Brian Kinney, now Brian Taylor-Kinney, Justin Taylor, now Justin Taylor-Kinney, and Melanie Marcus.  We confirm that we will not in the future pursue a civil or private suit against Philip Mitcham, his company or associates and accept the rulings made in the Alleghany Courts in Pittsburgh.  Furthermore, if we fail to comply with this agreement, we understand that we will be served with papers for breach of promise.”

“Breach of promise, don’t you just love irony.”  Harold chortles.  “Now sign it and send it to your lawyers.  And before you ask, no we won’t wait for you to do it.”

Forty tense minutes later, the misrepresentation suit is dropped and they are leaving. Before they close the door, Millie pauses.

Casting a look at Michael then me, she glowers.  “You know what Lindsay... you are remarkably stupid for a smart woman.”

As they close the door I look at a furious Michael.  “Why did you make us give in?!”

“You’re not working, I’m not working, we have to pay rent; we couldn’t afford to win let alone lose!”

“That doesn’t even make sense!”  He snaps at me.

“We don’t have that kind of money to go to the hearing with and if we lost we’d have to pay their costs too no doubt.”  And then I smile.  “But on the bright side we have the money from Talon and with her long gone we can live off that for a while.”

“I suppose so.”  He starts to smile back.  “I’m going to watch a movie!”

Scowling at his retreating back, I think to myself; of course you are Michael, this is all you do.

CHAMBERS HOTEL

MILLIE & HAROLD’S SUITE

HAROLD

Millie is currently talking to Phil and arranging dinner for next weekend.  Although he knew nothing would come of it he’s relieved it’s no longer hanging over him.

She kisses my cheek and then wipes the lipstick off. 

I squeeze her hand and top up her glass.  “I still can’t believe that worked!  Her face when I told her how much it would cost and where it would be held, was a picture!” 

We clink glasses.  “And then you, my queen listing all the places that she would never be able to get a job was just genius.”

“Oh that’s still going to happen.  And I hear that someone else has a special idea for her concerning the art world.  Now onto more pleasant subjects; have you read what happens in this Rituals thing?”

TAYLOR ELECTRONICS – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

OFFICE

CRAIG

“But Mr Schoepen surely you can see that this is a ruse to discredit me?”

“As I said Mr Taylor, Mr Stark, our business is concluded. We will find another way into the electronics world.”

“But…”  Luther stammers.

“Good day to you both.”

He closes the door sharply behind him leaving us in stunned silence.

“You fucking idiot!  You cost us that deal!”  Luther is incandescent.

“How did they find out about it though? You said…”  I quail in the face of his wrath.  “We can get another investor!”  I gabble trying to think of who.

“Get me a list of five names by Monday.”

“Fine.  But Luther about your brother…”

“You get me investors, we get them signed on the dotted line and I’ll lend you the money to pay off my brother and the gallery but only if the investors are signed!  Do you understand?”

“Yes I understand.”

CHAPTER 24: JUDGEMENT CALL

LUTHER’S CONDO – MONDAY AFTERNOON

OFFICE

I’m still waiting to hear from that idiot Craig.  I still don’t know where Schoepen got the video of him in San Francisco or in Pittsburgh as I had been assured that this has been squashed but he’s in the past now.

I could easily just take Taylor Electronics myself but why spend my money needlessly.

I look up at the tapping on my door and smile at Bethany.  Now here is a woman who accepts me the way I am, as long as her needs are met then she’s fine with whatever I do.  Though she’s already laid down one rule; don’t bring your trash home.  Fine with me.  It’s a load off my mind that I don’t have to worry about sneaking about.

Bethany heads upstairs as she has already got Talon’s dressing room redecorated.

And speaking of sneaking, Talon has dropped off the face of the planet.  I’ve tried everyone I can think of, not even Zeph knows where she is.  It’s not that I want her back but I want the last word; it’s my due.

Also, I’m extremely pissed off about Ralph and the pork!  But the new butler is a lot better.

“Good afternoon Mr Stark.”

“Yes what is it?”

“There’s an Evelyn Copthorne to see you.”

“Send her in.”

Evelyn Copthorne, she and Bethany are cut from the same cloth, both know what they want and go into a situation with eyes open.

“Evelyn, how lovely to see you, how’s Elias?”

“Incredibly grumpy because his last girlfriend moved on to pastures new.  So until he gets a new one, he’s back to pestering me.”  She grins at me before shutting the door.

“What brings you here?”

“Share certificates from Bergenfield Berdenstrade, Elias wanted you to have them and I have business on Fifth Avenue, so thought I would kill two birds with one stone.”

I take them from her and smile.  “So is that all?”

“How’s Bethany?  I understand she’s moved in. What happened to Talon?”

“She fine and we split up. She got too clingy.  Bethany’s upstairs in her dressing room, if you have time to go and see her.”

“I think I will pop up.  Thanks.”  She sashays to the door and winks at me.  “See you Saturday.”

“Looking forward to it.”

BETHANY’S DRESSING ROOM

BETHANY

I look up at the knock on my door.  “Enter.”

“Bethany darling, how are you?  Looking forward to dinner next weekend?”

“Evelyn!  What a surprise.  I’m fine thanks.  Finally got rid of all evidence of his former daughter-in-law.  Between you and me, I still found that relationship a bit incestuous.  As for next weekend I’m looking forward to it.  The 40th Anniversary Dinner of Elias and Evelyn Copthorne…”

“You won’t reconsider?”  She looks pleadingly at me.

“No, I’ve got the man I wanted.”

“It was worth a try.  It’s not too bad I suppose but you could’ve given me a warning you know.  So I could’ve been prepared for the sulking and stomping about!”

I giggle and give her a hug.  “Sorry darling and that was another reason. Yes Luther can sulk but with Elias that is a whole other level.  There’ll be someone else soon enough.”

She nods knowingly.  “Oh are you busy right now?  I’m going to Fifth for my dress and could use the company.”

“An excellent idea, but we need to stop off at the other condo first.  You have got to meet this manchild that Lindsay has saddled herself with.”

“Lindsay?  Manchild?”  She queries.

“I’ll explain on the way.”

LUTHER’S NO. 2 CONDO

LINDSAY

LOUNGE

Bethany has just called to say she’s coming over and bringing a very influential friend.  I look round the room and shudder at how untidy it is.

“Michael!  Michael where are you?”  I call out heading into the hallway.

“Down here, in the basement.”  He calls back and I want to scream.

BASEMENT

I thought the lounge was untidy but the basement looks like an explosion in a comic book store.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Cataloguing of course. What did you want?”

I look round the basement and just know that Bethany will be upset when she sees it.

“Is there a way you can catalogue a little tidier?”

He looks at me as if I have two heads and goes back to doing what he’s doing.

“Uh Michael have you been adding to your collection? I’m pretty sure there wasn’t this much.”

“I may have taken delivery of some exclusive items.  Why? What’s it to do with you?  I seem to recall you saying to me once that how you spend your money is your business. Well back at you.”

“Oh stop being so childish!  I’m not saying you can’t spend your money. What I am saying is that you can’t spend the money that Talon gave us on comic books! That is for essentials until we both get jobs.”

“These comics and collect…”

“Will increase in value over time.  But we don’t have time Michael.”  I try to explain once again but he carries on pouting.  “Now Bethany is coming. You need to tidy up the lounge.”

“Why do I need to tidy it?”  His pouting is now at grating level.

“Because it is your comics, DVDs and toys that…”

“How many times Lindsay do I have to tell you Lindsay? These are not toys, they are collectibles!”

I shake my head and head back upstairs before turning to him.  “Too many times to count.  Just get them cleared away. She’ll be here soon and if she wants to throw them away, I’ll let her.”

MICHAEL

I wait a few minutes to see if she’s kidding but she doesn’t come back down so I quickly go upstairs and collect them from the lounge.

She’s sitting there like the Queen of fucking Sheba, flicking through a magazine. How that is different from a comic, I don’t know.

“Lindsay you’re changing and…”

“You’re not.  We’re in a different league here Michael.  Why can’t you see that?  There is a time and place for all of that, but above the basement is not it.  Tell you what though.  I have an idea about that.”

Just as she’s about to tell me what that is, the doorbell rings before the other Queen of Sheba strides in.

“Are you ready Lindsay?”

“Can you have a seat for a minute?  I have a proposal for you.”

She frowns at her but nods.  “Let me just let my friend know.”

As she walks back out of the lounge she pauses and circles a mark on the chest of drawers.

“That’s what coasters are for.  It had better come out.”  She clips out.  “Won’t be long.”

True to her word she’s back.  “Is Michael needed for this?”

“Yes it’s about his collectibles etc.  I know how you feel about them and…”

“They cause unnecessary clutter and clash horribly with the décor as do other things.”

Lindsay gives me a warning look.  “But they’re important to Michael so perhaps we can reach a compromise?  How about he has the basement for watching his DVDs and reading his comics?”

What?!

“I’m listening.”

“If you were to, say put in an entertainment system down there and a couch, make it comfortable for him, then the rest of the house could be kept in the manner to which it should.”

“Okay.  But he keeps them in the boxes, I’ll sort everything else out.  Great idea Lindsay!”

She turns to me.  “Wood oil and elbow grease will get that ring out, Michael.”

“Right Lindsay shall we go? Fifth waits for no girl!”

Lindsay nods, picks up her purse and starts to head out without looking back.

“Now my friend is called Evelyn, she’s a hoot.  Oh what are you doing next Saturday? I’m sure once she meets you, she’ll want you and Grady to come to their dinner.”

As the door shuts behind them I start to think that maybe Lindsay’s ashamed of me.

LUTHER’S CONDO – EVENING

OFFICE

LUTHER

Taylor has asked for more time to get investors, which is fine with me, I’m in no hurry.  I’ve tried calling Lucian but after the MoMA event, he’s still not talking to me.  I wire $15mil to Taylor explaining he should offer that to my brother and see what happens.  But as for the gallery, he’s on his own with that.

TREEHOUSE – THURSDAY MORNING

OFFICE

ZEE

“What’s the matter?”  Zeus looks up at my whimper.

“He’s given Taylor $15mil to offer to Uncle Luc. It came... it must have come from one of those accounts.”

I feel his arms round me.  “He won’t accept it but he has to pay for what he fucking did!”  I spit.

“Of course he won’t and of course he does.  I had a feeling he would do that and have an idea.”

Twenty minutes later I’m feeling much better and Uncle Luc and Aunt Dee are in full agreement and confirm acceptance of the settlement from Taylor.

I need carbs and we need to call Justin and Brian and let them know what we’ve suggested.

DINING ROOM – THREE HOURS LATER

JUSTIN

I can’t believe what is in front of me.  Or what they’ve just told me.  Brian looks at his plate with a mixture of horror and awe.

“Okay, so what’s this again?”  I ask her.

“A rarebit burger.  It’s got Welsh rarebit sauce, which is made with double cream, pale ale, parmesan and cheddar cheese.  Then there’s bacon, lettuce, gherkins, red onion and the burger itself is grass fed chuck steak and of course fries.  Shoestring of course.”

“Of course.”  Brian remarks dryly.  “Well who’s going to try and pick it up first?”

Faal takes a breath and looks round his plate, trying to find a good place to grip on, finally deciding on a spot he takes the burger between two hands and takes a bite.

“Mmm…”  His face is covered in sauce but he looks very happy indeed.  “Seriously good, though I may need a run afterwards!”

I decide to take the same approach and am in burger heaven.  “You have got to tell Alice how to make this!”

“Oh fuck me this is good!”  Brian sighs.  “Not a hope Sunshine, seriously just no.”

Twenty minutes later we are stuffed and all that is left are crumpled up napkins.

“Oh God.  I don’t need to eat until tomorrow night!   I can’t believe I ate that.  Look!  I have a food baby, my first one!” Brian laughed.

“Seriously you’ve never eaten so much that you’ve got a food baby?”  Zeus looks appalled.

“I’m a fag Zeus of course not.  Well unless you’re Justin and nothing sticks to you except where it matters.”  He waggles his eyebrows.

“Not getting near that this evening. I can’t believe how stuffed I am.”  I groan and have some more wine.  “So explain this idea of yours again.”

“Uncle Luc is going to accept the restitution offer from Taylor on the following conditions; that he presents the check in front of the media, offers full and complete apology for his actions…and the money goes to the local AIDS hospices both in San Francisco and in Pittsburgh.” Zee tells us.

“Oh that is going to burn his ass!”  Faal chuckles.

“Not as much as the burn would be if he was some bear’s bitch in jail.  Shame that!”  Brian snorts.  “Sunshine is this something you can live with?”

I nod and smile.  “Yes it’s something I can live with.”

“By the way what happened to his cohorts?”  Zee asks.

“They don’t have low friends in high places, so they are still in jail.  But, someone is talking to them.”  Zeus smiles.  “You do realise that everything Copthorne had a hand in will be subject to review, so he could be a bear’s bitch after all.”

CHAPTER 25: THE ‘HONEST TRUTH’ & ‘HARD KNOCK LIFE’

ZEE

“Wait if this goes the way we hope the charities will lose out on the money because the assets will be frozen. We can’t allow that.”

“No, Uncle Luc will honour it, as will mom.”  Zeus smiles.

“And we…”

“No you won’t. This is ours, Justin, ours.  Leave this be.”  Zeus rebuffs him.

“Normally, I would object strongly to you speaking to my husband like that, but he’s right.

This one is for them and them alone.”

“Thanks Brian.”

“But this is the only time you get to do that.”  Brian’s eyes flash and Zeus raises his hand.