“Ryan told him that. Well, not the killing part. Ryan told him to let it go. They bickered back and forth about it, and the next thing I knew, Junior pulled out a gun and shot him right in the head. I screamed. There was blood everywhere. I couldn’t move, and when he turned around and saw me standing there, I thought he was going to kill me, too. Instead, he told me to keep my mouth shut, that it was an accident. Then he struck me with the gun. When I came to, I was in the back of an ambulance. He made me come to you after we read Ryan’s will. He left a quarter of a million dollars to his daughter. A daughter I knew nothing about. But Aidan, I’m begging you, please. I would never do anything to hurt someone like that.”
“Oh, my god.” This comes from Calla.
“Jesus Christ,” comes from Stefano.
“That rotten piece of shit,” I bark out. It all makes sense now. All of it.
“He covered it all up, made it look like Ryan had been robbed.” She continues to cry.
“Why didn’t you tell the police?” Alexis scoffs at Calla’s question.
“Because,” she lifts her eyes to mine, stands up, and for the first time as far back as I can remember, Alexis Drexler shows me she’s my mother.
“Right before he struck me with the gun, he said he would kill you, Aidan. He left me with no choice. I haven’t had a choice since I married Ryan.” She holds my indecisive stare. Cautiously.
I let what she said sear into my chest as well as my head. All of it. “What exactly are you saying?” I instruct her to go on.
“I’m saying my husband wanted that land to turn it into his fancy condos or whatever new plan he would develop in his twisted mind. He hated you because my father made it perfectly clear to him it would never be touched because it was yours. He forced my hand when it came to you.” She breaks at this particular moment. Slumps back down in her chair, defeated.
“Are you telling me that my life was in danger even as a kid?” This is unbelievable.
“Yes. My dead husband was an evil man. I’m glad he’s dead. His death meant nothing to me. But you. I’ve loved you since the moment you were put into my arms. I have to live the rest of my life knowing my own son hates me. But I will die knowing I saved your life from that man. There isn’t anything I can do or say to change the way I’ve treated you. I see your hatred for me even now.” The grief splattered across her face is there in spades. And she’s right. It is too late, at least for now.
I’m done with this conversation. I pull my perceptiveness away from her to the astonished expression of sorrow and anger to both Stefano and Calla. I then express to them the second reason I wanted them in this meeting.
“Do you have the papers I asked you to draw up?”
“I do. They’re right there.” Calla slides a folder in my direction. Without even looking at them, I sign where the little sticky notes tell me to sign.
“Tell your dad thank you for me.” She may or may not know what I’m referring to. John will and that’s all that matters to me right now. With that, I stand and leave without even looking back at Alexis Drexler. She has no idea that she’s going to stay with John and Cecily. Looks like the roles are now reversed. I’ve more than likely just saved her life.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
DEIDRE
I cannot help but laugh as I glance around my kitchen. It’s a mess; a clutter that has my mood lighter, my thoughts determined, and my passion overflowing delightfully. This is food euphoria right here.
It also has me thinking of the possibility that I need to move if this plan is going to work. I love my apartment, but shit on a shingle, there is no way I can do everything I want to do with one stove and one refrigerator, not to mention the counter space and everything else.
Most of the day was spent organizing and putting things away. I’m exhausted.
I’m also worried about Aidan. It’s been hours and not a damn word as to how his meeting went with his cunt of a mother. I’ve texted him three times, called twice, and nothing.
“You need to quit worrying about him. He’s fine. If he weren’t, I would know.” Dilan saddles up beside me at the kitchen table.
“It’s one of those easier said than done things, Dilan.” I sound like a bitch, but I can’t help it. I feel as if I’m being left in the dark about something, and quite frankly, it’s starting to piss me off.
“I hear you. But hell, woman, this is the life we live. You knew this. You need to suck this shit up and figure out a way to deal with it. Simple as that.” My mouth flies open then snaps shut at his brass but very truthful comment.