Against All Odds Chapter 108 Homecoming

Grayson entered his study and personal domain followed by Caspian. Entering the massive study the hint of scent of his cigar brought back many memories to Caspian. He remembered how young, naive and frightened out of his mind he had been in Grayson’s study the day of his father’s death. Life was precious; he was young and strong but still unsure about what was going to happen to him, his mother and his sister. In the room were some of his father cohorts, some friends, some even enemies, they all looked at him wondering what to do about Sonny’s son. Wondering if he were going to be a threat to them to their position and their power. It was Grayson who ended it all. He stood behind Caspian showing his position, his voice quiet yet powerful. “ Caspian is a man now. He will take over Sonny’s proprieties. He is like a son to me. I will treat him like one. If any of you were to try and muscle your way into anything belongs to him.” He paused looking at the other men sitting in the room, his eyes dark and dangerous. He wanted them to understand what would happen if his wishes were ignored. “Then it would upset me greatly. Though he is a man he is under my ultimate protection until I say differently. Is that understood?”
“ Caspian?” Grayson’s voice brought Caspian back to the presence.
“ I was just thinking about the first time that I had been allowed to come in here.”
Grayson nodded. “ The day your father died.”
“ You stood up for me and protected me.” He clasped Grayson on the shoulder. “ You made me the man that I’ve become.”
Slightly embarrassed by the comment he continued.“ You were already on your way. You just needed the time to grow and become strong.”
Grayson headed toward the fireplace where pictures of his family graced the mantel. There was an older picture of Grayson, Sonny and a very young Caspian. He picked up the silver frame. “ Your father had a lot of dreams for you. I just wanted to see that you become the man that he would have seen you to be if he had lived.”
“ I’m not sure if I’m what my father would have wanted me to be like.” Caspian answered honestly.
Grayson knew the type of man that Sonny was. He had been a family man but he wanted he was often tough and unbending. Sometimes he was hard on Caspian but Grayson understood why because Caspian would have been the one to run the family. He had to be a loving man but he had to be strong, uncompromising about his position and be able to squash his enemies in order to keep his family safe. Grayson headed sofa in front of the fireplace and nodded for Caspian to take the other seat. “ Your father would have been proud of you. You’ve created a company that is highly respected around the world. You’ve looked after your sister and your mother, though I understand your distance from her.” Though he did say it. Grayson’s word meant a great deal to him. He truly looked up to him.
“ She’s in L.A.”
“ I know.” Grayson admitted.
“ I’m not sure what she hopes to gain by living there.”
“ She wants absolution for her sins. Surely you know that.”
“ She won’t get that from me. I won’t forgive her for what she did to Bella.”
“Olivia isn’t one to give up. She’s a very determined woman, that was one of the things that your father was so attracted to.”
“ It was the thing that drove him crazy. I remember the fights they’d use to have. It amazed me to watch his British woman go head to head with this strong Italian man.”
“ She was very different from all the women he had known.” Grayson said quietly
“ I tried to warn him about her not understanding the ways of our family. But he didn’t listen. But I can not be too upset with him, after all, if he didn’t marry your mother then you wouldn’t be here.” Grayson opened his mahogany cigar box, cut one and lit it. He leaned back in his favorite chair and enjoyed the cigar, closing his eyes. There was a confortable silence for a few moments before he spoke again.“Your mother wasn’t a bad person however she was a poor choice for a wife. Your father didn’t understand how choosing a woman to be your wife and mother of your children could be such an important decision. He didn’t listen.” Grayson opened his eyes. “I’m afraid you are making the same error as your father.”

Stephanie looked into her mirror to see what her new personal stylist Renaldo, had his hairdresser do and overwhelmed by what she saw. Gone was the bleached blonde semi-short hair style that had become her calling call for the last eight years instead in it’s place was short shorn gray locks that fell against her head, making her look younger than years ago. “Amazing.”
Renaldo fingered her locks. “ I told you.” He moved his hand to his own perfect long dread locks. “ Hair style can make the man or in your case..” he winked “ The woman.”
Blushing at the stylishly dressed man, she had to admit he did look good with his dark ebony skin and immaculately twisted locks. “ Now, we have to finish the look. Sharon will do your nails and you will be scheduled for a facial tomorrow.” Stephanie didn’t do anything more than nod. “ We will have you looking sharper than the board of health by the time your man comes home.” Placing his teal colored glasses back on Renaldo turned to Mercedes. “ Does she met your criteria?”
Mercedes who suggested a new look for Stephanie had made the arrangements for Renaldo and his team of magicians to come and make Stephanie over. Image was everything and with her face being splashed on the cover of ever news media story and headline, she wanted Stephanie to look like a sophisticated worldly woman of fashion. Not, a bitter woman jealous of her husband’s ex-wife. Not a woman capable of bribing a technician into changing her own granddaughter'’ paternity. Nodding with satisfaction she turned to Renaldo. “ It’s wonderful. I’ve already asked Marcus to go to the most exclusive boutiques and redo her wardrobe. She had too many dark colors, grays and blacks.”
“ I should have all Forrester designs.” Stephanie added.
Renaldo raised an eyebrow and frowned shaking his head. “No. Forrester’s all wrong.” He watched with amusement as she turned red and puffed herself up with air that she looked like a bullfrog. Mental note, tell her how horrid she looks when she’s angry, he thought to himself. Placing a hand on her shoulder he leaned down so only she could hear her. “ Your company makes the most exquisite gowns in the world, not to mention some of the fashion in your Men’s Line. However, the look of Forrester isn’t right for a woman of your stature. If we were looking for an evening gown for you, yes, however for day where we want to go with another style, maybe something classic like Donna Karan or Adrienne Vittadini with one or two Forrester gown for when you and your husband publicly go out for dinner. I’ve dressed some of the most famous stars, in your age range from Lauren Becall to Dame Judy. Please listen to a man who knows what’s best for you. A woman of stature, beauty and maturity.”
Feeling placated, Stephanie’s face regained its color. She almost hated to admit it but she wasn’t built like some of the models for Forrester. She couldn’t wear their clothes and feel conformtable. Someone else might be a better choice. Still, she was going to talk to Eric about designing a line for women like her, once this mess was over. After a long pause she nodded in agreement. “ Well, you may be right. I’ll might want to try someone new.” Mercedes watched how her client had basked under the glow of the stylist team. The woman came from the first family of fashion and had more money that she knew what to do with but it was clear that she had never done much with it regarding her own fashion. She had better enjoy it because the hard part was coming.

“So, do you want to tell me what’s gotten you in such a bad mood?” Eboni asked as she drowned her French fries in ketchup. They were in the model’s lounge taking a break from their photo shoot. Eboni currently was wearing a black wig that gave her long black hair and made her look more Asian than ever though she was African America. The lavender silk robe in which she wore of landau sheer panty enhanced her dark skin and bra set for the new Brooke’s Bedroom ad.
“ I’m not in a bad mood.” Trudie said knowing that she was lying.
“ You could have fooled me. I saw the pictures you were taking this mooring and though you faked the funk they were missing something.”
“ I’m just tired. That’s all. And tired of this gunk in my hair. Tired of being covered in his mess.” The hairstylist had given her a wet and wild look for the photo shoot not the mention the glitter that covered her entire body was making her itch. But that wasn’t what was really bothering her. The vivid memory of Eve’s face when she told her what she had done came replaying in her mind over and over. Eve’s disappointment was killing her. If only she had known how this would have played out she would have done it differently. Her mistake could be the end of Eve and Rick.
Standing up, she didn’t say another word and left the lounge. Eboni looked over her shoulder at Trixie who was laying on the sofa studying for her biochem test.
“ Do you know what’s eating her?”
Looking up Trixie shrugged. “ Don’t have a clue.” She went back to studying.

Eve studied the bank statements. Even with the money that Trudie had made from Forresters, she couldn’t afford the house. Not, if they gave the money back to Stephanie, which was the first thing they had to do. The second was putting knot in her stomach. How in the world was she going to tell the truth without Rick finding out? There was no way. Christopher had committed the crime but Trudie had committed blackmail. There was also Stephanie Forrester’s case, not to mention Bridget. Tears formed in her eyes. There was no way that she could salvage this mess without her relationship with Rick being ruined.

Donnetella took the hot roasted peppers from the oven. Inhaling the scent she smiled at her handy work. She still was able to cook quite well though she hadn’t had a reason to cook in a long time. “ It is finished.” She turned to Sophia who was suffering the ravioli with sausages and cheese. Sophia studied the peppers checking for perfection.
“ Mmm, they look delicious. I think that he’s going to love them. Caspian needs to have a good woman who knows how to cook for him. He’s been alone for too long.” She paused hesitantly for a moment. She normally didn’t get involved with family matters but Caspian and Isabelle hadn’t had the type of love they should have had. Inviting Donnetella over to cook for him and for dinner had been her idea. Donnetella had been in mourning and still had months to go however Sophia was afraid that Donnetella was allowing her anger over her husband’s death to consume her. She needed to focus on that and Caspian would be a wonderful distraction. Donnetella had never gotten over her intended and Sophia knew she still cared for him regardless of the bad blood between her and Isabelle. “Tsk, tsk, tsk” she sighed. Such dramatics from both women. Maybe if they shared a common bond, their love for Caspian then they could let things go. In fighting amongst family bothered her deeply. Besides, Sophia had read about that horrible woman that Caspian had been seeing and disapproved immensely. The woman was a harlot. She had affairs with men and married into the same family. That was incestuous. Sophia had gone to church and prayed to Virgin Mary that he’s end his relationship with her. A man may bring such a woman to bed but he certainly did not bring such a woman to his home. However she understood why he had done this, gone to this woman. It was because she looked like to wife, Lark. Caspian only thought himself to be in love with her. He, Sophia thought, was in love with a ghost. Turning toward Donnetella, she studied her. She was still extremely beautiful she still could be a good wife to him. She could be a mother for him. Caspian did not have children. Donnetella would be passionate and fight for her man just as she had one for Michael, though he had been a dog who needed to be put down. She would be the prefect wife to Caspian. She had the beauty, the brains and a true understanding of how the family works. Donnetella brought over the rest put the pot of water on the stainless steal stove and headed it. “ The water will be ready soon.”
Sophia finished stuffing the ravioli and washed her hands. “Good.” She went to the wall unit oven and checked on the lamp chops. “They are almost finished.”
“ Nobody cooks like you Sophia.”
She waved the complement away drying her hands with a hand towel. “ I have so few reasons to cook lately. My daughter is grown and the house is empty. It is nice to have people in my home.” She patted her on the face.
Donnetella sat on the stool next to her. “ You like having Caspian home, don’t you?”
“ I’ve missed him. So does Grayson. He’s the only one that Grayson trusted. He is the son, we did not have.”
“Yes, I know. He planned on handing the family over to him.”
Sophia missed the flash of fire in Donnetella’s eyes. “I’m well aware of that.”
Sophia looked up. “ I know that you wanted Michael to have more power.”
“ Grayson thought that he wasn’t ready. I just wished that he lived longer to prove what he could have done with the chance.” Donnetella said slowly tightening her hand on the jade colored linen napkin.
“ It was a tragedy, his death. But you do know that Grayson had to make the choice not to give him certain powers. Michael wasn’t level headed when angered. Caspian is different. He has clear vision. Look at what he’s done with his company.”
“Microtech has done well.” It was worth a lot of money however money wasn’t power. The family is where the power came in. “Still, it isn’t the same as being here. He has to miss it.”
“ I’m sure that he does. Which is why we need to make him feel like home. Then we can work on getting him to come back.”
“Back here?”
“Yes. Being in American with that woman isn’t what’s best for him. He needs to have a wife and a family. He has lost so much. It’s time that he have someone to make him happy the way that had been before he lost Lark and his child.” She fingered her Lenox crystal wine goblet and took a sip of red wine. She savored the flavor for a moment while her mind worked over the information that Sophia had give her. The dinner invitation had been a pleasant surprise especially when she found that Caspian would be there. A mixture of anger and elation had coursed through her veins at the thought of seeing him again. She had jumped at the opportunity. When she had been helping Sophia to make dinner it would have been so easy to slip poison in his food. For a minute she had considered it. Kill the man responsible somehow for the death of her husband. However she didn’t do it. Another part of her wanted a chance to have it all. A chance to get the position that she had lost to Lark. So, she decided to wait and see before she made a decision. But one thing was for sure, Sophia was in match making mode and nothing would piss Isabelle more than if she would become Caspian’s wife after all.

Pharren rolled away from her husband, who wore a satisfied grin. “This doesn’t change anything between us.” She picked up the panties that he had tore off her body and threw it in the wastebasket.
“ I know that you missed me.” His eyes glowed to refined pleasure. “ I distinctly remembered your body creaming around my..”
“ Don’t be vulgar!” She snapped. It doesn’t suit you.” Pharren ignored her husband and his growing erection. Stepping in the tub she wanted to wash ever inch of him from her body.
“ Don’t play like that sweetheart.” Ewan stood his body athletic and still magnificent. Pharren knew that sex wasn’t enough for their marriage, it hadn’t been in a long time. Ewan didn’t know how to love anyone but himself but he refused to divorce her and she hadn’t ever found a good enough to fight him for it. A divorce battle meant losing money and maybe giving up stock of her company. She wasn’t about to let that happen. Noticing the thoughtful look on his wife’s face he moved toward he bath dipping his hand into the still warm water. She slapped his hands away when he tried to slid up her thigh. “ Stop that.”
“ Why?”
Grasping his hand hard she shoved it away. “ Because I said so. If you want another round go and find someone else.”
“ Ahh, my dear. I don’t want anyone else.” He rubbed his beard against the rim of the bath. “I’m in the mood for something fiery.”
“ Well, I’m not.” Pharren soaped up the lufa sponge upset that she let herself fall into bed with him again.
“ Do you want to tell me what’s gotten you in this type of mood?” Ewan inquired.
“ It’s nothing, that I want to discuss with you at the moment. She please, if you don’t mind.” She nodded toward the door.
“Mind, I don’t mind at all.” He stood up and stepped into the tub with her.

Brooke hung up the phone from her conference call from Pairs and turned toward Rick.
“Sorry about that. I’ve been waiting for that call.”
He nodded munching on a granny smith apple he took from the conference room. So many times delicious snacks were provided for the employees to eat on. Today, he had see Tollhouse cookie, peanut butter granola bars and an assortment of fruit.“ It’s no problem.”
His mother sat in her chair turning her attention fully on him. “Tell me how did your meeting go with Deacon Sharpe?” She inquired.
“Meeting?” He scoffed. “If you want to call it that.”
“ It didn’t go well.” Brooke fully expected it to be an easy task for Rick. She had read his breakdown notes for each of the clubs. He listened their positive attributes and their negative ones. He had even had a projection for how much it would cost to spend on the lighting, the construction of the stages and sound systems for each location.
“ The man’s arrogant, brash and full of himself.” He complained.
“ So, I take it that it was a no.” Brooke was amused. Her son was getting his feet wet.
“ He wants to think about it.”
She nodded. “That makes sense. I’m sure that once he looks over the proposal he’ll go for the deal. It’s a good one.” She paused. “In fact it’s more beneficial for him than us.” Sensing her son’s disapproval she continued. “ It bothered you?”
“ His arrogance bothered me. You should have heard him going on about how his club is needed in order for our show to be a success.”
Brooke shrugged. “ That’s all right. Let him think that.” She hit the print button on her PC and printed out the newest figures that Thorne had given her.
“I didn’t like him.”
“ Sometimes that happens in business but you’ve got to get past it. We want his club we’ve made him an offer if he accepts it you’ll find a way to work it out.”
“ Me?” the last thing he wanted to do was to deal with that smirking lowlife again.
“ Yes, YOU. This is your baby. You find a way of handling Deacon Sharpe. I have fully confidence in you. You have your father’s patience and charm.” Rick relaxed under her mother’s praise.
“Not to mention YOUR fire.”
“ That might help you in this matter.”
“ A little fire goes a long way.”
Rick thought about his mother. She took over Forrester during a time when she had no allies but she still took control. He certainly could do the same.“ I think that you are right. I can handle the likes of Mr.Sharpe.” He was thoughtful for a moment pausing.“ You know he said something pretty interesting.”
“ What?” She looked up from her paperwork.
“ He’s from Furnace Creek.”
This surprised Brooke. “ Where Amber’s from?”
“ Yes, he mentioned that and Vegas.”
“ Small world. I wonder if they know each other.”
“ I doubt it.”
Speaking of Amber. Have you heard from her?” Brooke really didn’t care about Amber but she was her grandson’s mother.
“ No. But she’ll probably call tonight to check on Eric. Say, what are you doing tonight?”
“ I’m having dinner with Roberto and his wife.”
“ Roberto?”
“A friend of Caspian’s.”
“ That sounds promising.” Rick stretched before he stood. “ Meeting the friends. It’s a good sign.”
“ You think so?”
“ The man’s crazy about you. He’s powerful, rich and not to mention. He can stand up to the likes of Stephanie.”
“ Aren’t you going to mention that he isn’t a Forrester?” She teased.
“ I didn’t think that I had to mom. I’ll admit, at first I was pretty worried about you getting involved again especially what happened with Thorne but after seeing what Caspian has done for you. I support you both.”
She had really begun to appreciate her son’s opinion. To know that he supported her meant the world to her. “ I’m really looking forward to tonight. I don’t get to meet too many of his friends.”
“ Really? How come?”
“ Caspian is very personal man. He had a wife he loved very deeply. When she died, .he just shut down. He threw himself into making his company a success. Before she died, he was involved with things or some sort of business that he doesn’t like to discuss. But that all changed when Lark passed away.”
Rick knew that he didn’t know much about Caspian but he had seemed honest to him during the time they had met. “You don’t know what kind of business it is?”
“Honestly, I really haven’t asked what it was. To tell you the truth I haven’t had the chance. Since we started being involved it’s been crisis after another.” She sometimes worried about the fact that there was an allure of secretes around him. There were walls that she wanted to knock down. “There are things about him that I don’t know. Things that I want to know about. Mostly his wife I suppose.”
“ He hasn’t talked about her?” This surprised Rich.
“ He has a little. He has shared some deep painful memories. Caspian hasn’t had a happy life.” She explained. His father died when he was young and he was thrust into the being the man of the house. He and his mother have a tomultorous relationship at best. Not to mention he had to raise Isabelle, his sister, on his own. When he married Lark he was happy but I have a feeling there were still some problems in the marriage.”
“ He never said what they were?”
“ No he hasn’t.”
“ Mom, maybe you ought to be careful. Don’t get me wrong, I like. Hell I liked him more than anybody you’ve ever dated. But secrets can kill a relationship. Believe me, I know. After dealing with Amber and all her lies. I just want you to be careful.”
His concern touched her. “ Honey believe me. I’m taking this slowly. No more jumping into marriages or anything like that. Caspian and I both have been hurt. No matter what problems he and Lark may have had, he was devastated when she died. In fact his sister mentioned on me that he hadn’t really had a serious relationship with a woman until…Well me.”
Rick knew the effect his mother had on men.“ You’ve been the one to heal him.”
Brooke smiled glancing at a picture of her and Caspian on her desk.“ I don’t know about that considering that he’s the one always helping me. But we’ve brought something to each other’s lives. He’s no longer focused solely on work and I have a safe haven where no one can touch me.” Old memories and hurt filled her mind. “ I’ve never known what it’s like to trust someone so completely and know that they aren’t going to let me down.” She whispered. Rick felt anger course though his body. It made him furious to know just how much of his mother’s self esteem had been destroyed by Ridge. She’s never said it but he knew the truth. He knew that Ridge had destroyed her. “ But..” Brooke continued. “ I want more. I want it all with him. We are close. We have this connection that I can’t explain but I want more. He’s accepted me for who I am. I want the same. There something he’s hiding. I can feel it just right under the surface. It’s bothering him. I want to know what it is. I want to know those deep dark secrets and accept him just like he’s accepted me” She took a deep breath. “So after dinner tonight he and I are going to have a long talk.”
“ Well, it seems that you’ve got everything covered. I’m glad that you are being honest with him about what you want. He’s a great guy. I’m sure he’ll tell you want you need to hear. Rick stood and kissed his mother on the cheek. “ In fact I think that you’ve inspired me. I was going to ask you to come over to my place for dinner.”
“ YOU were cooking?” She said with a grin knowing that wasn’t something her son did on an everyday occasion.
“ I was. But I’m going to spend some quality time with Eve. It’s been a while. Do you think that Grandpa Eric will mind babysitting?”
“ No. He loves his grandson. Besides, Little Eric is just what your father needs right now. It will help take his mind off of everything.” Just like that the room was filled with tension.
“ He’s taking it pretty badly isn’t he?”
“What that woman has done to him. Her own husband and criminal. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen your father like that. I just hope that we can help him find the strength to preserver through all of this.


“You missed the meeting you know.” KC said startling Scott out of his daydream. “But don’t worry I covered for you.”
Scott looked from the sketch in his hands. “ Thanks.”
“ So, where were you? Or don’t I have to ask?” She stated looking at the sketch he had drawn of Bridget. Shaking her head she sat down on the soft chair in his small office.
“I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“ Are you trying to get fired?”
“ Fired. No. What is that going around in this place?” He slammed this sketch down.
“ No. But news is out about you and Bridget. I’m just going to give you some advice.”
“ Let me save you the trouble. I know, stay about from Bridget. I got the message earlier today from Brooke.”
“ I wasn’t going to say that.” KC said quietly.
Scott looked guiltily at her. “ Sorry I guess that I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“ You’re forgiven. But, I am worried.”
“ About Bridget.”
“ About you both.” She answered honestly. “ Bridget’s at a time in her life where her entire world is coming down on her. It would be so easy to turn to you when she should be turning to her family. Maybe for right now, you should take a step back and not just for her. But for yourself.”
“ I’m fine.”
Turning her head to the side she studied him. “ Are you really because your work isn’t saying that.”
“ My work.”
Yes.” KC opened her sketch carrying case. Ridge made notes for the changes to be made to these sketches but you’ve haven’t touched them. I did the beaded gown but with the showing I don’t have time to do your work.
Feeling properly chastised apologized. “ I’m sorry.”
“ Look, I know the entire situation with Bridget is frustrating to you but you’ve got to focus on things that you can change like your work here. It isn’t going to do you any good to have a real reason to get fired.”
Scott knew she was right. Working at a fashion house like Forrester was an opportunity of a lifetime, he couldn’t afford to throw it away. He took the sketch from her. “ I’ll get on it right away.”
“ Good. I like working with you. I’d certainly miss you if you weren’t around.” KC was headed out the door when Scott turned around. “ I didn’t ask you. But how did the interview go today.”
“ It went really well. I liked Yvette she reminded me of myself. I’m not worried that things won’t go well tomorrow. So, be on time. Look fashionable, they might get a shot of you.

I’m not making the same mistakes that my father did.” Caspian stated.
“ No?” Grayson tipped the ashes of his cigar into the titanium ashtray. “ You married a woman who was not ready to be a part of this family. Lark was a beautiful young woman. I mourned her death however you have to admit that marriage wasn’t the best thing.”
“ That’s in the past. We both suffered from my inability to be honest. She the most.”
“ It wasn’t about honestly. It was about picking a mate who could understand our lifestyle. The way that our family worked.” It wasn’t as if Caspian didn’t understand where Grayson was heading with this conversation. He had regretted the mistakes that he made, but he loved her. “ You were young. Had lost your father, your mother’s betrayal was hard for any of us to swallow. Not to mention raising Bella. You handled your power with such maturity. You were wise yet you listened to those you were sworn to protect. I was so proud of you. When you came to me with Lark, I had reservations. After all, look what happened with your father and mother? However, you were different than Sonny and Lark made you so happy. How could I not give you my blessing even though it went against my better judgement?” Grayson didn’t mention that his own Sofia had come to him on Caspian’s behalf saying that the man needed love. “ But I was wrong. Your Lark wasn’t meant for this lifestyle or the family.”
“ With all due respect. What is the point of rehashing the past? I’m well aware of the mistakes that I’ve made.” Caspian stated devoid of any of the emotions that he was feeling.
“ And so am I. That is why I do not understand why you are making the same mistake twice but now with a woman who is not worthy of being your wife.” Caspian grimaced. He knew that Grayson wouldn’t approve of his relationship with Brooke. “ Before you speak, let me finish. I am aware of time you are spending with her. At first, I wasn’t too concerned. She looked like Lark and I can understand your attraction to her. But I thought you’d see that she wasn’t her.”
“ At first that was the attraction. She looked like Lark but something changed. She was so different than Lark. Brooke has fire. She’s spirited, smart and funny. The feelings that I have for her has nothing to do with Lark.”
Grayson sighed. He shook his head. “ She’s been married to a father AND a son.” Grayson stood up angry that Caspian would consider taking up with such a woman. “ Not to mention the other son. It’s a disgrace.”
“ She’s made some mistakes. That family is poison to her.” Caspian stood. “ Brooke’s been through a lot at the hands of the Forresters.”
“She didn’t even know who the father of child was.”
Caspian’s eyes sparkled with anger. “ That wasn’t her fault. Brooke’s daughter’s paternity was confused because of Stephanie Forrester. I know that sounds bad but if you knew her you’d see what I see in her. For the first time since Lark, I’ve found love. I’ve found a happiness that I can’t describe. I don’t care one iota about her past.”
Grayson clasped Caspian on his shoulders. “ I wish you’d listen to me. Nothing good can come from this. Even if her past wasn’t an issue, what about your past? She has no idea that she’s a walking mirror of Lark.”
“ I plan to tell her.”
“ What’s stopping you?”
Caspian pulled away. “There’s a complication to the matter.”
“ There will always be a complication to things.” Grayson headed to the bar and poured himself a drink. “We are a complicated family. She’s a woman in spotlight in American. Her life is splashed over the television and those tabloids. The two cannot match.”
“ I’m not in the family business anymore.”
Grayson’s right side of his mouth curved upward. “ Even you are not that foolish. Who you are this family. You are out of the business but that doesn’t mean that you can completely cut yourself away from us. We love you. Are you saying that you never plan to tell her who you used to be?” Grayson watered down hid drink. “ You can’t do that. Lying to her will only cause a gap between you. She’ll feel it and the gap will grown. You can’t tell her the truth because she’s never be able to understand that the man she loved was a killer.” Grayson turned to look at Caspian, feeling the weight of his words. He didn’t want to hurt him. But Caspian needed to know the truth. This was a lost cause. “You say that you love her. What will it cost her to know what this family is all about? Will she be able to love you then?”
“ I’m not the same man that I used to be. I’ve changed.”
“Lark’s death has effected you. But underneath it all, you are who you are. I know that you didn’t ask to be part of this family but we cannot change it. I let you go when you needed to leave. NOBODY else has been allowed such a thing. But there are lines Caspian. There are things that even I cannot change. I’m getting old Caspian. I want my affairs in order. Mostly, I want you settled and happy even if it means not in the family. You’ve had years to do it. There were allowances and sacrifices to your family made even Bella left to be with you when you know her life is here with us.”
“ I’ve found a life with Brooke.”
Grayson shook his head. “ A life full of lies and deceit. Because that is all it will ever be if certain truths aren’t told.”
“ Truths?”
Grayson nodded grimly. “ There are things that I kept from you. Things that I agreed to keep from you for your own good. I did it because your sister asked me to.”
“ Bella?” Caspian eyes darkened.
“ You stay calm. I won’t have you take it out on her.” He pointed at Caspian. “She loves you and is very loyal to you and YOUR happiness.”
“What did you keep from me?” Caspian ignored the reprimand.
“ After dinner.”
“ I want to know now.” Caspian demanded in a low, yet tone. With anyone else it would have worked. But not Grayson, Grayson was the head of the family. Caspian would never go against that. He’d always show him the respect he deserved.
“After dinner. I won’t upset Sophia and neither will you. She’s thrilled you are here. You will eat dinner and act accordingly. Clam yourself and be prepared to eat.”
“ I won’t give up Brooke.” He said as Grayson headed to the door. Grayson paused only a moment before he left him alone.


Eve poured herself a beer and looked around her new home. It was such a wonderful house on the most perfect spot on the beach and it was bought on blackmail money. What in the world was she going to do to get Trudie out of this mess? Her mind had wrapped itself around the problem more than once but she had yet come up with an answer. Heading outside she pushed the sliding glass door open, stepped down outside to sit on the beach and sip on her beer. When she had nothing, she depended on Trudie and Christopher. They had nursed her back to health. They had loved her when she had been nothing more than a whore. She owned them. She had to find a way to help them both.

Taylor had set the table for dinner when Ridge arrived. “ Hey, I was starting to worry about you.” She kissed him and gave him a quick hug.
“ Where are the kids?”
“ Outside in the hot tub with Bridget.”
“ How’s she’s doing?”
“ Okay, Rick called her and they had a long talk. Your dad called too.”
“ Good. Did Brooke call?”
“Earlier.” Taylor said shortly. The last thing she wanted to do was to talk about that woman. “How did things go with your mother?”
Ridge took the cup of coffee she gave him and sat on the sofa pulling his wife into his arms. “Things went pretty well. I asked her if she did this and she said no.”
“ You believe her just like that?” Taylor looked at him incredulously.
“ She’s my mother and why would she lie.” Ridge frowned at his wife. “ You don’t believe her?”
Taylor was uncomfortable. The last thing she wanted to do was to get into a fight with Ridge but he had to know the truth.“ Honestly, I’m not sure.”
“ I just don’t get it you and mother were the best of friends and suddenly you’ve changed your tune. I thought that you’d be happy. After all, I’m not siding with Brooke.”
Bridget came in the back and caught the line of Ridge and Taylor’s conversation. Standing perfectly still she listened. Was Taylor going to tell him about Scott’s visit?
The last thing she wanted was Ridge on her case.
“ This isn’t about Brooke. It’s about your mother Ridge. I know that your mother and I used to be close.”
“ I know. What happened to change that.”
Taylor didn’t answer. “ Taylor?” She got up. Ridge followed her. “Doc. What’s going on?”
She looked down at her short nails for a moment. “Your mother threatened me.” She treaded very lightly.
“ Threatened you?” This stunned Ridge. “How?”
“She wanted me to give you another chance.” Taylor interrupted. “She gave me his speech about Forresters stick together. She reminded me that my children were Forresters and if I divorced you, I no longer would be.” That wasn’t all she had done but Taylor couldn’t tell him the truth. Exhaling deeply like the was pushing the weight of the world off her shoulders, Taylor continued.“ Your mother said that she’d fight me to take my children.”
The reality of her words washed over Ridge. A chilled formed inside of him. How could he mother talk to Taylor like that? His children were her children; he’d never take Thomas and the twins from their mother who loved them. His mother had always loved Taylor yet she turned on her.
“This isn’t like her. I don’t know why….”
“ Because your mother will do whatever she wants.” Taylor admitted. “Believe me, I didn’t want to believe that she’d be capable of such treachery but I see her differently. She has always supported me. My God Ridge, she was like a mother to me. But that all changed in one moment. All of a sudden, I became the enemy.”
Ridge was silent. His mother loved Taylor. This he knew. So, to find out that she’d threatened her made his blood run cold. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She licked her lips nervously for a moment. “ I don’t know. I was in so much pain then. I had found out about you and Morgan, the fact that her baby was yours.” A deep amount of pain cut through her. “ I lost our own child in the car accident.”
Bridget cringed at Taylor’s comment. She knew she was to blame for what happened to her little sister or brother.
“ Having your mother come after me was something I hadn’t prepared myself for.” She looked up into Ridge’s eyes. “Maybe a part of me was afraid that you’d stand by her and take my children.”
“My God, honey I’m so sorry.” Ridge pulled wife into his arms. “Look at me.” He titled her head up so she could look into his eyes. “ I wouldn’t have done that. Not to you. Mother had no right to threaten to take the children. They are our children and they aren’t going anywhere. She had no right to do that. What was she thinking?”
Taylor saw the concern in her husband’s eyes. It was amazing that he was condemning his mother for her. He had never done that before. “I was so scared.”
Ridge kissed the top of her head. “ There isn’t any reason to be afraid. I never would have let her do that.”
“I always thought that your mother loved me but then all of a sudden I was expendable to her. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
“ That’s why you were acting so strange toward her when we got back together.”
Taylor nodded. Her blue eyes wide. “ She acted like none of it had happened. I couldn’t believe it. She wanted to pretend that everything was like it had been before. But I couldn’t do that. I knew how she had treated me.”
Ridge became furious. “My mother has a way of wanting to protect me but this time she went to far.”
“ I know that she did. And that’s why I asking you to think about how she behaves. I always thought that I understood her. I may not have liked the methods that she took when she did things but I thought. Hey, she’s doing this to protect her family like any other mother. But…. I was wrong to think that.” Taylor admitted.
“ What are you saying?” Ridge inquired.
“ Over the years, I’ve seen the way that she acted about the things in your life. She had made every call to control everything you did. She’s put you above your brothers and sisters.”
Ridge sighed. “ I know that I’m her favorite.”
“It’s more than that. Look at the way she’s treated Thorne. Didn’t you tell me that she blackmailed him to marry Kimberly?”
“ Yeah.” Ridge felt horrible for his brother. “ I can’t believe that she did that.”
“ All in an effort to control him. Your brother is now married to a teenager. One who is very strange if you ask me? She got your brother to marry someone he doesn’t love to keep him away from Brooke.” Taylor grimaced. “Don’t get me wrong. I can’t stand Brooke and you know it. I don’t trust her but to have your son marry just to keep her away from the family it’s sick. It’s as if she doesn’t even care about Thorne. Worse yet, and I hate to say this but she wasn’t so caught up with anything going on in Throne’s life before he got involved with Brooke. Thorne wasn’t even on the radar until Brooke came into his life.”

Brooke looked over the proofs from the day’s photo shoot and frowned.
“You see it too, don’t you?”
“Almost in every photo there is something off. The vibrant light that is normally in her eyes it gone.
Giovonnie agreed. “ Trudie normally takes radiant photos. But there is something missing in her today. She seems almost preoccupied.”
Brooke nodded in agreement. “Have Trudie come and see me.”
“ I don’t want to get her into trouble.”
“ She isn’t in trouble. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
Ten minutes later, Trudie showed up at the office. She stepped hesitantly into her boss’s office. She had been summoned but she wasn’t sure why. Had the truth come out? Did she know what she had done? “Ms. Logan…”
Brooke looked up from the cup of tea that she was pouring. “Trudie. Come on in and take a seat.” “Can I get you something to drink. Water, Tea, or coffee.”
“No. I’m fine.”
Brooke nodded. Seeing the distress on Trudie’s face Brooke was concerned. “ Trudie, looking at you today. I’m a little concerned about you. Are you feeling all right? You look like you aren’t feeling so well.”
Trudie saw the concern in Brooke’s eyes. “ I’ve been having a hard day.”
Brooke took the seat across from Trudie. “ Is everything alright.”
“I’m just not feeling well. I’m a little tired.”
“ Sometimes things in our lives can make use stressful. It can have an effect on our bodies. You’ve gone through a lot of changes. A new job.”
“ Oh Brooke. I love working here at Forrester. It’s a dream come true.”
“ I know that it is.” Brooke leaned back. “ I remember the first time that I walked through this halls. I could feel the vision and inspiration. Eric and Ridge brought such life to their designs. Never in a million years did I think that I’d one day run this company. Working here is like a dream come true for me so I can only imagine how it feels for you.”
“ Were those incredible gowns is an amazing experience. I know that there would be no way that a girl like me would be able to do so. So it’s a dream come true.”
“ A girl like you?”
“ I’m not exactly a part of the country club.”
Brooke laughed. “Well, neither am I honey but that doesn’t mean that girls like us don’t deserve the chances of wearing a Forrester Original.” Brooke crossed her legs sipping on her cup of hot tea. “ I still remember mine.” Her mouth curved up a little to the right. “ I still remember my first wedding gown. I’ve had a few of them you know?
Trudie couldn’t help but to laugh. “ I’ve heard that. But I know that you were beautiful in all of your dresses.”
Brooke nodded. “ They were all beautiful. But I think that my last one to Ridge was the most beautiful of all. There was a type of elegance that I loved.”
“ I love the Camelot dress. I saw pictures of it in People and it was like a fairy tale.”
“ That wedding was like fair tale. I was very young and so much in love with Ridge. I so many hopes for our future.” Brooke stood up and went to a file cabinet to take out a founded paper. She handed it to Trudie. “To tell you the truth, I always loved this one. It was my one and only design.”
Trudie unfolded the paper. It was a design of a wedding gown. She looked at Brooke with surprise. “ You designed this.”
Brooke nodded. “Years ago. Eric helped me a bit it most of it was mine. I was so proud of it.
“ It’s beautiful.”
Brooke shrugged. “ It isn’t a Forrester. But it was mine. The dress itself was beautiful. For a long time it hung in my closet.”
“ How come you didn’t …”
“ Wear it?” Brooke answered.
“ Because that wedding never happened. A lie came between Ridge and I. We lost our daughter because of it.” Brooke got up. “ It doesn’t matter, that was in the past. It doesn’t concern you. That isn’t why I called you here. I looked at your photos for today and I saw that something was missing. I just to make sure if you were all right and to see if there is anything that I could do to help you.
Trudie looked away. She couldn’t look at Brooke. She was so nice to her. Maybe she ought to tell her the truth, no matter what it cost her. Yes, she loved her job and it was a job of a lifetime. But there was more at stake than that. There was Eve. “That’s nice of you but I think that I’m be fine.”
“ Go home. Get some rest. Take tomorrow off. Deal with your new house and the come back.”
“ You know about the house?”
“ Yes. Good buy. Very nice neighborhood. When I get a chance I’d love to see it.”
“ Yeah.” Trudie forced herself to smile. “ That would be great.”


Brooke’s private line rang she reached across the plate of Girl Scott cookies that she had been munching on to answer it. “ Hello.”
“ Brooke.”
Her heard began to flutter. She smiled. She couldn’t wait until tonight. Today had been long and tiring to say the least. Smiling continued. “ Please tell me you are on your way home. I’ve got a dress that is going to knock your socks off.” She said looking at the gold designer bousti gown that hung on the dress rack. There was an audible pause on the other line. “ Caspian…”
“ I’m so sorry. I’m not going to be able to get back home tonight.”
“ Ohh.” Brooke back down in her chair. Disappointment filled her.
“ I’ve already contacted Roberto and we will reschedule for the day after tomorrow.
Sweetheart, I’m so sorry that I have to cancel but something’s come up.”
“ Is everything alright?” She was concerned. The trip and now the extension.
No he wanted to say. But he couldn’t. Not yet at least until he had all the facts he needed. Grayson’s conversation had disturbed him. “ There is a problem but not one I can’t handle. I’ll….I’ll tell you about it when I get home. Right now I’m in Italy.”
“ Italy? I thought that you were going to London.”
“ I did but I didn’t get the answers I was looking for.”
“ Answers? Answers for what Caspian?” She inquired. Something was wrong. She felt it in her bones. He had been somewhat withdrawn and now he was in Italy.
“ It’s a family matter that I have to clear up.”
“ A family matter. I don’t understand you sister is here. Is it about your mother?”
“ No. It’s not about her. Sweetheart don’t worry. I promise you’ll I be back in a day or so.” He paused. “Brooke I love you.”
She wanted to tell him to come home now that she needed but she didn’t. Surely she was strong enough to have him gone for another day if need be. It wasn’t that he was gone. It was the feeling that something dark was looming over him. “ Is there anything I can do?”
He smiled at the thought. “ It was like her to think of someone else when she was going through hell with her family.”
“ No. I’ll be fine. How are things with Bridget?”
“They are okay but…”
“ What?”
“ The insurance adjuster came to look at the painting you gave Bridget. You and I have to have a long talk about you giving my daughter a million dollar painting.”
“ I thought that she’d like it.”
“ It’s just made her independently wealthy.”
“ Wealth means nothing without love. It’s only money to me and I’ve got plenty of that.” “Caspian…ah..are we okay?”
“ Yes of course..”
“ I’ve just got this feeling that something is wrong.”
“ Honey. It’s nothing.” There was a knock on the door. It was time for dinner. “Honey, I’ve got to go. Just remember. I love you.”
“ I love you too Caspian.” She hung up the phone. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

“This certainly is a surprise.” Stephanie told Sally as she poured her a glass of Scotch.
“ Not as much as a surprise as your new look.”
“ It was my lawyer’s idea.” Stephanie winked as she took a sip. “Whooo” Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “That stuff is strong.”
“And good.” Sally sat back. “ Well, you look good. So what does Eric think?” The light grin that Stephanie had wore faded. “Stephanie?”
She stared at her glass. It was Wardford Crystal, she had them since she and Eric were married. “ He hasn’t come home yet.”
“He what? Well, what is the man thinking?”
“ He’s hurting right now.”
“ Well, he needs your support. After all you’ve supported him through he ought to standing by your side.”
“ I’m sure that he will once he hears my side of it.”
Sally sipped her drink. “ Isn’t it funny how it’s the people close to us who can hurt us the most. If you did what they said you did, not that I’m saying that you did, I can understand it. You were protecting your family from the she-bitch in heat. Just look at what she has done. Look at what she did to my Macy..” Sally gasped as tears filled her eyes.
“ Oh Sally.” Stephanie moved toward her friend and hugged her. “ I miss her too she whispered. She was such a good, sweet woman. So good for Thorne.”
Sally gripped Stephanie’s arm. “Just look at us. I’m supposed to be helping you, not having you comfort me.”
‘ You have comfort me.”
“ Are you meaning to tell me all those fancy ladies at those country club haven’t come to visit you.”
“ Nope.”
“ Well, they certainly don’t have any class, do they?”
“No, they don’t.”
“ Well, Quennie, I don’t want to rain on your parade.”
“ Sally is something wrong?” Sally wanted to tell her how she had lost her company but thought against it. Stephanie had enough worried.
“ No. I just think that sometimes we need a friend.”

“ Thorne never did get much of her attention.” Ridge admitted. “When I was younger, I didn’t see it but as I got older…”
“ You noticed the differences. Poor Thorne. He never got any of her attention like you did until Brooke.”
“ That wasn’t Logan’s fault.”
“ But it was your mother’s.”
Ridge didn’t like where this conversation was going. “What are you saying?”
“ I’m not saying that your mother is guilty for what happened with Bridget. Honestly, I don’t know what transpired but before you announce her innocent just think about what she did to me. Think about what she did to Thorne. We were people she cared about and she turned on us. Who knows what she did to get rid of Brooke? I remember your mother in those days. She was desperate to stop the wedding. I’m ashamed to say that I was hoping that she’d be able to do it. I love you and didn’t want you to marry Brooke. I hoped against hope that you wouldn’t marry her and you’d return to be. BUT I never wanted this.”
“ Taylor what you are asking me to think about. I can’t do it. I finally made up my mind.”
“ It’s no different than you were thinking about before you went to see her. What happened to change your mind?”
“ I asked her about the paternity test. She was so upset. She told me that she loves me and she’s never take me daughter from me.” Ridge ran his hands through his hair. “ I just can’t see her doing this even to get Brooke out of my life.”
“ If you had asked me a year ago. I wouldn’t have either but things have changed. I’ve seen a side of her that I never thought I’d see.” Taylor moved toward her husband cradling his face in her hands for a moment before she kissed him softly. “ I wish that I had all the answers. But I don’t. I don’t want Brooke to be right. God knows that woman is trouble. But even Brooke can’t manufacture evidence for the police to investigate your mother.”
“ It’s the hospital.”
“Ridge, I’ve worked for that hospital. They aren’t going to make up evidence against one of the most influential families in L.A. If they ordered this investigation then it must be because they didn’t mess up.”
“ They wanted to save face!” Ridge brushed past Taylor walking toward the bay windows. He bowed his head in surrender.” She moved next to him resting her hand on his shoulder.
“ Honey. I honestly don’t know the truth. None of us do. I’m not saying condemn your mother but I’d be cautious about taking her word for anything. I think that you should investigate the matter yourself. Call in your favors and get a change to take a look at the evidence. Then make a decision. Regardless of any problems I have with your mother if she’s I want her to be vindicated. But find out all the evidence before you make your decision one way or another.”

Rick rang the doorbell to Eve and Trudie’s new home. Eve opened the door. “There you are.” He kissed her quickly on the cheek and hurried into the house. I’ve been looking for you. I thought you’d still be at the house.”
“ I ahh. Wasn’t feeling to well. I didn’t want Little Eric to catch anything from me.”
“ Sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He touched her head to check if she were warm.”
“ I’m feeling a little better.” She turned away. Rick noted the puffiness to Eve’s eyes.
“ Hey, are you okay?”
“ Yeah. I had been lying down.”
“ Drinking?” He noticed the bottle of beer on the table. “ That’s not like you.”
“ Sometimes people aren’t the way that you think they are.” Eve sat down with her feet curled up under the sofa on the new furniture that had arrived.
“ Wow, this place looks great.” Rick noted the new furniture. “ That life insurance policy. It must have been big.”
Queasiness filled Eve’s stomach as she looked into Rick’s trusting eyes. How in the world would he feel if he knew the truth? The money had come from his own family when his stepmother had ruined his sister’s life.“ Yeah I guess.” Looking away she played with her beer bottle rim.
“ I’m just glad that something good came out of his death.” He handed her handed her a garment bag.
“ What’s this.”
“Just open it.” Rick watched her to excitement.
Eve unzipped the garment bag and took out the dress which an exquisite midnight blue dress with a silken ribbons tie waist and mid calf hem with the matching blue petticoat. It was simple yet had an old elegant Hollywood flair. “Oh Rick. It’s beautiful.” She held the Forrester Original up to the light admiring the delicate craftsman ship.
Rick took the dress out of her hands. “ On you, it will be a thing of beauty.” He leaned down and kissed her the lips. “ Go ahead and put it on.”
Eve fingered the dress. It was a work of beauty. “ Rick it’s so expensive.” She pushed it away.
“ Not to me. I’m a Forrester. With you in it you’ll be the prefect model for it. Besides, you’ll need I for where we are going tonight.”
“Tonight? Rick. I can’t.” She turned away. He was so wonderful and perfect. He had done this to her. How could she go out with him knowing the truth?
“Why not? You don’t have to work tonight and after the time you put in with my son you deserve a night out.” Rick wrapped his around her. He smiled proudly. Today he had started his quest with his family as proving himself as a man; tonight he was going to be every bit a Forrester man his brothers were. He was going to wine, dine and make love to Eve. She was so beautiful and giving. She more than deserved a night where she no longer waited on others, but a night where she was the princess. “ We are going out for a romantic evening.” He couldn’t help but to kiss her again, slightly nuzzling her neck as with his nose. Pulling her closely, he moved her body into the contour of his allowing her to feel the desire that he had for her. Stroking her arms lightly, he whispered in her ear. “Eve, I need you. I need a night with you so badly. Please baby, allow you to spoil you.”
Eve shivered as Rick’s hand moved up her body. It had been a while since they had shared a romantic dinner but how could see enjoy it now?
“ I can’t”
“ Yes you can. Please. Today I sat with my mom and talked about so many things. One of them was happiness. Happiness isn’t always promised to us. I just want a chance to spoil you to show you how much I love you.”
Eve turned in his arms. “ I don’t need that to show that you love me.” Tears filled her eyes. “ You just being your wonderful self is enough. Rick, I don’t need anything but you.” There was almost a quiet desperation to her voice and it alarmed him.
“Eve what’s wrong?”
She wanted to tell him. She wanted him to help her with this mess that Trudie was in but she couldn’t. “ Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“ Too tired to have dinner with me wearing this dress?” He asked.
“No. I’m not to tired to do that.”
“Good, I’ll pick you up in an hour.” Rick kissed her quickly on her lips. Eve watched as he left happy and excited. Sitting down on the sofa she fingered the bodice of dress, the Forrester Original he had given her. It was beautiful. He was beautiful. She, however was a mess?

“This doesn’t change anything.” Pharren said pulling a robe around her body.
“ You’ve already said that.” Ewan played with sash as moved away from the bed that they had found themselves after the bath.
“Then you won’t mind leaving.” She opened the door to her bedroom suite.
He laughed leaning back on the bed displaying his naked body. “ I don’t plan on going anywhere, at least not in this moment.” He stroked his bearded chin. “ Why don’t you tell me what’s gotten you in this fiery mood tonight.”
She gave him a stubborn look for a moment before she closed the bedroom door. She might as well tell Ewan of the problems that she was going to face. She poured herself a glass of water before she sat down in the artfully decorated chaise that matched her mauve and gold striped wallpaper. “I’m having a problem with the company.”
He sat up. “I’m sure you’ll solve whatever problem you have. After all, you have lovely brain under all that beauty.”
“ Not this time.’ She cradled the glass in her hands. “There is a real problem.”
If Ewan knew anything about his wife is that she didn’t exaggerate the situation.
“What kind of problem?”
“The company. It may not belong to me after all.”
“ Of course it belongs to you. You’ve put your heart and soul into it. Not to mention countless hours.”
“ Which you’ve constantly remind me of.”
“ Nonetheless it’s yours.”
Pharren moved to sit down on the edge of her bed. “No it’s not. It seems that my cousin Lark isn’t the only child my Uncle Samuel had. Lark had a twin sister.”
“ A sister?”
“ Yes. It seems that Uncle Samuel had two daughters. One he kept and raised with Aunt Cassie. The other was raised with their biological mother.”
“ Pay the woman off.”
“ It’s not that easy. She had no idea that the man she thinks is her father isn’t. She also doesn’t know about company but when she does find out things will be difficult. She isn’t some naïve woman willing to take a few pennies. She had lot great deal of wealth and the intelligence to run company like Huntington Press.”

“Come and let me give you a kiss.” Sophia pulled Caspian’s head down and kissed the top of his head and both of his cheeks. “Now, let me look at you.” She brushed his hair back and looked him in her motherly way. “ You’ve lost too much weight.”
“ No. I haven’t.”
“ It’s that American food. They don’t know how to cook food properly there. Come.” She curved her arm around his allowing him to lead her to the dining room. “ Dinner is ready.”
“ I can not wait.” Caspian walked into the dinning room pulled out the chair for Sophia before he took the seat across from her.
Grayson joined them, kissed his beloved wife before he took a seat. Caspian knew that whatever discussion had occurred in his study would not make the dinner table. Dinner was for family, not family politics, and certainly not any arguments. Sofia’s happiness was paramount to him. Not only that, it was important to Caspian as well.
“ Caspian, we must wait a moment before dinner is served. We have a guest.”
Unfolding the linen napkin and placing it on his lap he looked up. “ Who.”
The double doors to the dinning room opened. “ Don’t worry Caspian, it isn’t anyone who thinks ill of you.”
Turning, both he and Grayson stood. Donnetella walked into the room. It had been at least four years since he had seen her, however she still held a regal elegance and old worldliness about her. Her long hair lay a mass of curls around her shoulders. The gleaming white alabaster skin looked like sculptured marble against the black cashmere off the shoulder sweater she wore.
“ Caspian.” She held out her hand to him. He couldn’t help to notice her platinum and diamond tri-circled wedding band. Gathering her hand in his, he kissed the top of it. “Donnetella. You are looking as beautiful.”
Her full mouth turned up to a smile. “ You are charming as ever.” Sliding her hand away she moved away from him but turned to look over her shoulder at him. “Still a very dangerous combination.” Gliding to her chair she sat down next to Sophia. “Sorry that I was delayed. I had a phone call that I had to make.” Placing her linen napkin in her lap she turned her attention on the handsome man sitting across from her. “My mother.”
“ She still lives with you?”
The first course of antipasti was served. Donnetella nodded as she began to eat. “ Yes. You know she believes in the old ways. My mother stays with me now that I am no longer married.”
Caspian felt no guilt for the death of Michael however he was sorry for the pain that it caused Donnetella. Still beautiful and charming as ever, she embodied the vision of the perfect wife. However beauty, brains and knowledge of the old ways of being a perfect wife wasn’t enough for him. If he hadn’t fallen in love with Lark, he would have married Donnetella but things weren’t meant to work out that way. What he felt for Lark outweighed any sense of loyalty and commitment he had to Donnetella. He had let her go it angered her father, as it should have, however he still had warm feelings for her. He only regretted that it was Michael she married. The man had become hungry for power wanting more and more regardless of the rules or whom the territory belonged to. Worse, he showed little concern or care for those he’s sworn to protect. “I heard about Michael’s death. I am sorry.”
‘What do you have to feel sorry about?” She said as she stopped nibbling on a black olive. “After all it was an accident.” She than began to eat again.
Caspian nodded not batting an eye to connect himself with Michael’s death. “However I’m sorry.”
“ As we all are. Sophia added reaching out to touch Donnetella gently on her hand.
A small shutter went through Donnetella. Lies, there were all lies. They weren’t sorry for her husband’s death. It could have been stopped with one word yet there had been none.
“ Michael was a great man. He could have taken the family to its greatest heights. If he had been given the type of chance that you had been given.”
Sophia looked at Donnetella. “Donnetella.”
“ No, she’s correct.” Caspian noted knowing how much Michael wanted what had been his. “ But he didn’t have to grow up quickly because the death of his father like I did.”
“ He…”
“Enough talk of Michael.” Grayson said quietly. “He was part of the family but now he’s gone. We will not bring up old family matters.”
Donnetella looked down, her hand rested upon the steak knife. A part of her wanted to snatch it up and put an end it all. She wanted both Grayson and Caspian to pay for what they had no doubt allowed to happen. But she was cunning enough not to be rash in her decisions. She was bide her time. Inhaling deeply she nodded. “ I agree. No more talk of melancholy things Let’s talk about something more light-hearted.” She smiled at Caspian. “ Tell me all about L.A.”
Grayson looked at Sophia and nodded. She turned toward her husband and smiled softly as they listened to Caspian. This is what this family needed to do. It needed to heal. It needed to change the mistakes of the past.

The red wine bubbled up on the side of the wineglass. “That’s enough.”
“ Are you sure?” Brooke waved the bottle at Charlie. “There is plenty.”
“I’ve got to drive home.”
Brooke poured herself a glass. “ I guess that it doesn’t matter if I have another glass. I don’t have to drive.”
Charlie helped herself to slice of Pizza hut pepperoni pizza. “ I will have another slice though.” She bit into the pizza. “ Mmm, the calories but it’s so good.”
“ I don’t think that you have to worry.”
They were lounging outside by the pool. Charlie had borrowed one of Brooke’s red bikinis and looked stunning in it. It sort of surprised Brooke who had never seen the doctor in anything but a labcoat.
“ From your mouth to God’s ears.”
Charlie was glad that she had run into Brooke at PCWI meeting, a support group for parents with children who were ill. Brooke and she had talked a long time when she convinced Charlie to come over to dinner. Charlie had accepted bringing Dylan along. Brooke enjoyed spending time with Dylan and Little Eric. Taking the children upstairs, they were spending time with their grandfather who needed a reason to take his mind off his worried.
“ I’m so glad that you decided to come. Eric really needed cheering up.”
“ I’m glad that we came too. Besides, Dylan loved the water.”
“Newborns always do.” Brooke finished off a piece of crust. “ I remember when Bridget was a baby she loved the water.”
“How is she doing with all of this?”
“It’s been hard on her. She’s confused and in pain. I feel like I’m helpless.”
“ But you aren’t. Be there for her. Let her know that you care.”
“ I am but it’s hard. She’s angry with me right now. She feels that I’m responsible for some of this confusion. I can’t say that I blame her. If I hadn’t slept with Eric and Ridge in such close proximity of each other than there never would have been a question about who her father was.”
“We all made mistakes.”
“ Yes, but the ones that I make are big sometimes. Sometimes people I love can get hurt.”
“ She knows you love her. I’ve seen people at their worst. When they are sick. When they are dying. Money, power. None of it matters if there isn’t love. You love your daughter. I’ve seen it in the way that you interact with her. She’s knows it. That will get her through this.”
“ I just wanted so much for her.” Brooke sipped some wine. “ This illness frightens me.”
“ You can get through this. You are strong and so your daughter. Just take some of the suggestions from the meeting and us it.”
“ Hearing the pain that so many parents are going through. It shook me.”
“ It does. There are days that all I want to do is to go home and cry my eyes out.”
“ What keeps you from doing it?”
“ I know that my patients need me and not my tears. Don’t get me wrong, there are days it’s too much. I do break down but never in front of them. But I’ll also admit that having Dylan at the house give me something to look forward to.”
Brooke had seen the love that Charlie had displayed with Dylan. “ You really love him a great deal, don’t you?”
“ I never thought that I’d love him the way that I do. He’s really change my outlook on things. I never thought a little baby would change my life the way it has but seeing his little face makes my heart melt in a way that I never thought would happen.”
“ He’s lucky t have an aunt like you. As for Bridget I’m going to fight for my daughter’s health. Use every resource I’ve got to see that Bridget leads a healthy life.”
“I know that you will. That’s one of the things that I like about you.”
“ You are in a very small club.”
“ Good, I always wanted to go exclusive.”
Brooke and Charlie burst into laughter.

“Here, be careful. It’s hot.” Ridge glanced at his beautiful teenaged daughter. He smiled. Even in all this confusion he was grateful for her. “Thank you.” He sipped on the hot treat. “Extra marshmallows. The way that I like it.”
“ Me too.” Bridget sat up next to Ridge brining her knees up to her face to rest her head on.
Ridge patted her on her head. “ How are holding up?”
Bridget wanted to ask him the same thing. There were worry lines under his eyes and she finally understood what this was doing to him. Listening to his conversation with Taylor disturbed her. She had been so worried about him finding out about Scott. But there should have been other thing that she should have been worried about. Taylor thought that her grandmother might have tampered with the test. That part was clear but her father, he wasn’t sure. Bridget hadn’t thought about what this was doing to him. She knew how close he was to his mother.
“ Pretty good I guess.”
“ Are you feeling alright. I know that you mother is concerned about your health.”
“Mom worries a lot.” She brushed his head away from her face. “Don’t you start.”
“ I’m a little behind. I’m just trying to make up for it. If I can.”
“ Don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of time.”
“ It won’t make up for the time we’ve lost honey.”
“No.” She shook her head. “ It won’t but that doesn’t mean that we can’t go and make new memories. Like this trip.” She looked into his eyes with hope. “ I know the real reason you bought me here.”
“ I just didn’t want the press hounding you.”
“ I appreciate it. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have a good time. How about we hit the slopes tomorrow. I’ve been dying to beat you or Raven’s Run.”
“ Beat me? I’ve been going up and down those slopes for years.”
“So I guess that you wouldn’t be afraid of a little competition. Would you?” She said with a twinkle in her eye.”
“ You.” He pointed to her. “ Are on!” He pulled her down next to him to mussel her hair.
Bridget squealed as she righted her hair. The smile she wore faded. “ I’m sorry about that you are going through all of this.”
“Hey.” He lifted her face up toward his. “ You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“ But..”
“ But nothing.” He turned toward his daughter and saw the worry in her eyes. “ You are not to blame for any of this. None of this is your fault. You were a victim honey.”
The tears formed at the base of her throat. “ I remember what it was like when you lived with us. You’d come into my room and ask me about my day no matter how tired you were. Not to mention those tea parties that I’d force you to participate in.
“ It was the best part of the day. You were my pick me up. My princess. No matter how hard or stressful the day was. You’d make it all better.” He said. “ You still do. Princess.”
Bridget closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax in his arm. “ I love you daddy.”
Ridge paused for a moment before a huge grin formed on his face.

Olivia took the menu from the waiter’s hand. “Thank you.” She nodded for a moment before turning to Andre, an old friend. “ Andre, it’s so good to see you again.”
“ And you my dear. I must say that it was a pleasant surprise to find you in one of my L.A boutiques.” Andre ran the most exclusive boutiques in the world. Olivia had shopped in his Rome, Italian and New York shops.
“ My children are currently taking residence here. So, I thought I’d come and stay here in order to be close to them.”
“ Tell me where is Trica?”
“ She’s at home spending time with our new grandchild.”
“ A new grandchild. Congratulations.”
“ We are ecstatic. He’s my pride and joy.”
“ I’m sure that he is.” Olivia lamented. “ I wish that I had grandchildren to lavish attention and love on.”
“Honestly it’s hard for me to see your and your elegant coiffure and dress playing on the ground with grandchildren.”
“Oh..” she fingered her elegantly adorned hair. She wore a golden colored spaghetti strapped dress top with elegant golden adornments and matching gold dress pants. Pulling the matching shawl over her shoulders she giggled like a young schoolgirl.
“ I think that I’d give up the elegant dresses from you shop to play with grandchildren.”
Andre nodded. He heard the melancholy in her voice. Olivia didn’t talk much about her children. He often wanted to ask what had happened between them but thought better of it.”
“Let me look at this menu.” Searching through her purse she pulled out her golden framed reading glasses. Seeing Andre amused grin, she pointed at him. “You better not laugh. You are getting older too.” Putting them on she searched through the menu. “Oh, the stuffed pheasant sounds delicious especially with the chestnut oyster stuffing. Along with the chuesny salad.”
“That sound good. I think that I’m going to have the prime rib. Whenever I come to L.A, I’ve got to eat at the Café Rouse. They make a fabulous sauce to accompany it. ”
Taking her glasses off she turned toward Andre. “So what brings you here?”
“ I’m taking inventory at all my boutiques.”
“ Why, don’t you have someone to do that for you.”
“ Yes, however I want to oversee everything because I’m taking personal stock.”
The waiter brought them their drinks. Olivia reached for her Martini and took a sip.
“ This is powerful. But delicious.”
Andre snipped his glass of wine before he sipped it. “ I’m thinking of retiring.”
“ What? Why. Your boutiques have always given you joy, why would you retire right now?”
“ It’s time. I guess with my new grandson and I, I just want a chance to enjoy the fruits of my labor.”
“ So are you going to leave the business with James?”
“ No. He doesn’t have any interest in running it.”
“That’s a shame you build a legacy.”
“ I know. That’s why I hate to sell it.’
“ Oh no. But it’s your dream.”
“ It was my dream. I loved them. I love the reputation that I’ve built with them but now it’s time for a change.”
“ I guess everything changes, doesn’t it?”
Andre nodded. “Yes it does. Admittedly, I’m going to be very selective to whom I sell them. I don't want just anybody taken over.”
“ I can understand that. You’ve put your heart and soul into the business. I hope you find someone who’ll love it just like you.”

Rick knocked on the door ready for the night of romance he had planned for he and Eve. Eve opened the door; she looked like a vision in her blue evening gown. “Wow” he placed his hand over his heart. “ You take my breath away.”
“ It’s the dress.”
“ No. It’s you.” Eve’s long hair was swept up in a mass of curls why the dress made her look like a princess. The midnight dress had matching shoes with ribbons around her ankles. Rick picked up the matching evening dress coat and helped her put it one. The coat, which was made for the dress, tied in the front pushing up her breast slightly giving her outfit a sophisticated filed. Eve picked up her purse and headed outside.
“ A limo.” She looked over her shoulder at Rick who followed her dressed in tuxedo.
“ Like I said, it’s a very special night.” He kissed her on her lips, took her hand and led her to limo.

Brooke hung up the phone. Bridget hadn’t been talkative on the phone, a clear sign that she was still angry. However she had mentioned that Ridge and she were going skiing tomorrow. That made her feel better to know that Bridget was enjoying time with Ridge.
“ How are things with Bridget?” Charlie asked her she came back outside at the pool.
Brooke sighed heavily.“ She’s still angry with me.”
“ Give her time, I remember being a teenager.”
“ So, do I.” Brooke. “Maybe it’s payback for being a brat when I was younger.
“ Is that’s all that’s bothering you tonight?” Charlie asked.
“ I miss Bridget being here. I know that she’s better off spending time with Ridge at the moment. It’s allowing her time to bond with her father but she’s my little girl.” After a thoughtful moment of silence she continued. “I guess it’s also Caspian. He’s out of town. Tonight he called me and there was something in his voice. Something’s wrong.”
“ Is it serious?”
“ I honestly don’t know. It’s a family matter.”
“ That bothers you?”
“ Not so much the problem but the tone in his voice. He seemed worried about something. Caspian is always in control, calm and confident. It’s one of the things I love about him. Nothing going on in my hectic life seems to phase him. That says a lot.”
“ How did you too meet?”
Brooke smiled at the memory. “ In an elevator in Paris. It got stuck. Even then, he was pretty calm. It was like one of those things that happened in the movies where two strangers get stranded together. There was a lot of chemistry. I was with Thorne then, so I couldn’t act on it.”
“ But…”
“ But if I were honest. A part of me wanted to. Never had such an attraction hit me all at once. I couldn’t wait to get out of that elevator.”
“ That seems like one heck of a story.”
“ It was.” Brooke stood up and checked the small fire in the outside fireplace near the pool.
“ I’m sure that once he gets home he’ll let you know what’s wrong. It may not be much of anything.”
Brooke nodded. “ So basically you are saying why make problems when I’m not sure there is one.”
“ I think that you’ve got a lot on your plate. Your daughter illness. This issue with Stephanie. Don’t take on anything else if you don’t have to.”
Brooke nodded in agreement. “ You really are different than Morgan, aren’t you?”
“ My sister has had the luxury to making rash decisions, but not me. My father always counted on me to be the level headed one. I was the oldest. I had to look out for her and Bobbie.”
“Bobbie?”
“ My youngest sister.”
“ Is she anything like Morgan?”
“No. Thank God. But she is a little hard to hold down. She works for the United Nations as an Interpreter. She speaks at least five languages.”
“ Impressive.”
“ She’s really funny. She has this wit that cuts right through you. She graduated school three years early. I really miss her at times. When I lived in New York, I got to see her. ”
“ But you are here.”
“ I thought it more important to be here for Morgan and Dylan. Just in case that I had to get Morgan out of her messes.”
“ It’s not that I don’t like your sister but she’s rash at times.”
“ Getting pregnant by Ridge by tricking me to sleep with her. That’s certainly rash isn’t it?”
“ Yeah. But she’s talented. I really didn’t want to let her go from Forrester but she resigned and hiring her back wasn’t worth the fight with Ridge.”
“ She still says that she didn’t resign.”
“ I have the letter of resignation from her. Not to mention the check we gave her for her royalties of her line. Morgan has enough money to do whatever she wants for a long time.”
“ She wants to get back into fashion. She even has a new offer.”
“I’m honestly not surprised. She’s talented. I wish her well.”

Caspian stood outside alone in the courtyard watching the waterfall spout from the iron cherubs that “played” in the fountain. The fountain had been ordered especially for Sophia would have loved the idea of roses and playing children. Grayson, of course, wanted his home to be everything that Sophia had wished for. He had stepped out into the night’s air skipping dessert. He had one thing on his mind. Finding out what Grayson had hinted about Isabelle and getting home to Brooke.
“ It’s beautiful isn’t it.”
Caspian turned to find Donnetella standing in the shadows of the alcove. She stepped forward into the light.
“ I always thought so.” He said turning his back on her.
Donnetella moved to stand beside him. “ They were setting us up.” He turned his head slightly to look at her. “ I had no idea you were even in Italy until I arrived. By then, I could never say no.”
“ You couldn’t have said no even if you had known.” Caspian stated quietly.
“True.” She glanced at him, the handsome picture he made. Powerful, raw and underneath it all she surpressed the animal he had been. She reached into her pocket to pull out a cigarette. “ Do you mind?”
He glanced at it. “ No. When did you start smoking?”
“Ahh. I’ve changed a lot since I was the young girl courted to be your wife.”
Donnetella exhaled and a line of smoke curved around them. “ That feels like eons ago. You remember the first dinner we had here?”
“Your mother and brother sat as a chaperone.”
“ I was so nervous, my hands kept sweating.”
“ Really.”
“ Yes. I thought you were the most handsome man that I ever saw. You hardly, glanced at me.”
“ I noticed you.”
“ I was young.”
“ That you were. But you were beautiful and very innocent. I didn’t know what the hell to do with you.”
“ I remember how my mother kept fussing that I wasn’t sitting straight enough. She pinched me for staring at you. But you. You came to my rescue and asked me if I wanted to take a walk.”
Caspian remembered. Donnetella had been so young at sixteen and her mother so overbearing. He had only wanted to get her away from her. “ I thought that you needed a break.”
Donnetella smiled with remembrance. “ Sophia played our chaperone and we walked for a while. I thought that I had died and gone to heaven. You were sweet to me. I never forgot it. Even the next day when I hoped that you’d come calling. Of course, I was ever so disappointed that you had left the country on family business. You were gone for months but I remember the jeweled sapphire pin you had given me for Christmas.”
Caspian started to say that it was nothing. He had been on business and had been buying his sister a gift when Benito had asked him if he were going to buy his betrothed anything. He hadn’t known what to give Donnetella. He hadn’t met her more than a few times and she was still so young to him. He had thought about her dark beauty and bought something he knew would look nice on her.
“ I thought you’d like it.”
“ It was the first present that I ever got from a man that wasn’t my father.”
“ Your father was pretty scary.”
“This coming from you.”
“I’m not scary.”
“Yes you are and you know it. You always had this presence about you to make others do what you wanted. But you didn’t throw your weight around. You have this quiet sense of power. You always did. Like Grayson from the start. That is why he wanted you to run the family.” She moved to sit on the rim of the fountain. “ As much as Michael wanted it. Grayson wouldn’t give it to him.”
“ He couldn’t.” Caspian answered.
“ They said that he was too hot headed.”
“ He was.”
She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t true. Her Michael had vision. Caspian had it handed it to him and he threw it all away. The power, the honor, the family. And for what? For some English bitch who couldn’t keep her legs clothes. Donnetella wondered what he’d think of his precious Lark if he had known he truth. That she had cheated on him. What if he had found out that his own sister had known about it and covered it up.
“ I’m sorry.”
“ What?” She turned her attention from her thoughts. Her hands skimmed lightly overtop of the cold water.
“ I’m sorry for your loss.”
“ Oh.” She looked down into the cold water. “ I guess you better than anyone knows what I’m going through.” She stood shaking off the water from her hand. “ But still, you know better than to be sorry. After all, it isn’t like you killed him.” She stood up. “ It was good seeing you again.” Moving in front of him, she surprised him by leaning up to kiss him on his mouth. It was a hot scalding kiss and over before he could pull away. Donnetella’s smiled. “Don’t worry Caspian. I don’t have designs on you. My heart belongs to my husband. Yours to your dead wife or new lover. I must say that I’ve heard some gossip that they are deadringers to each other. But then again, I’ve learned never listen to gossip.” She stared his bottom lip. “ The kiss was just a girl’s wish. I always wanted what your lips would taste like.” She began to walk away back to the house. “Now, I know.”

“ Hey is anybody home?” Storm stepped into the house dropping his bags on the floor. “ Brooke? Mom? Dad? Anybody?” Storm looked around the empty house wondering where his family was.
“ Hello?” Storm turned to find a very beautiful woman in a striking red bikini with a matching sarong coming in from outside the French doors.
“ Hello.” Storm replied. The woman took a
“ Brooke’s upstairs with the children.”
“ Oh. She’s babysitting for the night. That doesn’t sound like me sister.”
“ Sister? Oh you are Brooke’s brother.”
“Yes I am.” He held out a hand to her. “Storm Logan.”
“ I’m Charlie Dewitt.”
The sound of footsteps came toward them. “ Stormy. Is that you?” Brooke came down stairs.
“ Hey Little Sis.” He hugged his sister.
“ What are you doing here?”
“ Is that anyway to talk to me?”
“ You know that I didn’t mean it like that. I’m always glad to see my brother.”
Storm wrapped his arm around Brooke. “Good because I’m staying for the weekend. I have a client that I need to meet. Besides, I wanted to check on you. How are you doing?”
“ As well as can be expected.”
Charlie turned. “ I’ll leave you alone.”
“ No. That isn’t necessary. Storm, this is my friend. Dr. Charlie Dewitt.”
“ We’ve met.’ He gave Charlie an appreciative glance.
Brooke noticed and was amused. Clearing her throat she turned to Storm. “Can I get you something to eat? We have pizza. I know that’s not up to your normal standards but…”
“ It’s fine.” Storm said not taking his eyes off Charlie. Brooke rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen.
“ Do you always do that?” Charlie asked.
“ Do what stare at every woman I see. No. But you are beautiful.”
Charlie smiled in spite of herself. “ I take it you are a lawyer.”
Storm nodded. “What makes you think that.”
“ It isn’t the Bomber jacket or the jeans. It was the way that you say client. I figured you must be a lawyer.”
“ No. Lawyer jokes please. Sometimes people are a lot more welcoming to you if they don’t know what you do for a living.”
“ True.” A sudden cry came from the baby monitor. “Dylan.' Charlie turned. “ I’ve got to go to him.” She headed up the stairs leaving Storm with a smile on his face. Maybe this trip had positive possibilities after all.

Grayson stood within the shadows of his study thinking about the interplay he had witnessed between Caspian and Donnetella. He knew that at this moment, Caspian wasn’t interested in any woman. He was in love with Brooke Logan but in time that would change. Grayson would see to it. Grayson understood Caspian’s need to an existence away from the family. He had done a good job of separating himself as best as he could. But, Grayson knew the truth, you could never really leave the family, it was part of which you were like the blood running through his veins. He had stood by and given him the time that he needed but now things were changing. Things that Grayson had no control. Looking down at the handkerchief that he had be holding against his mouth when he coughed earlier he saw blood stains. He hated that what had to be done. But he didn’t have a choice in the matter

Caspian opened the door to the study. Grayson’s soft but sturdy voice beckoned him. He found his mentor sitting in his chair having an after dinner drink. “ The food wad delicious was it not?” Grayson asked.
Caspian took the chair across from him. “Sophia did a wonderful job.”
“ And Donnetella, you must not forget her. She cooked as well.”
“ A little obvious for you, isn’t it?’
Grayson nodded. “Maybe. But I’m an old man. There is no need for secrecy. My wife wanted her to come.”
“ This was all Sophia’s idea?” Caspian asked not believing it.
“ Partly.” Grayson answered honestly. “ You know how I feel about your involvement, besides Donnetella needs something to help her get over her husband’s death.”
“Easier said than done.”
“ You would know that. But she was in love with you years ago.”
“ She was a child. She did what she was told. It was a young girl’s crush.”
“ She isn’t a young girl anymore. She’s a ripe woman. A woman of fire. A woman of passion. She’s make a good mother.”
“ She’s also fit your criteria correct, unlike Brooke?” Grayson didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. “ I mean no disrespect but throwing Donnetella or any other woman at me won’t change my mind.”
Grayson pressed is lips together to form a thin grim line. “ I know. I had to try.”
“ It failed.” Caspian said simply. He didn’t like this feeling. It wasn’t like Grayson to act like this. Yes, he may not approve but to get involved with match making? Something was wrong. He stood and moved to the mantel watching as the fire spit pieces of hot amber around. There was an eerie silence in the air. Caspian had only loyalty to three people in the world, Grayson, Isabelle and Brooke. All through dinner he felt his mind wandering again to his sister and what Grayson had alluded to. “ You’ve never lied to me.” Caspian began.
“ You are not one to be lied to. You’ve earned the truth from me.”
“ There was break in one of my homes. Something that doesn't seem likely to happen. Especially since it was paperwork about Lark went missing.”
“ I heard.”
Caspian turned. The room was only shadows, dark with very little firelight coming from the fire. “ Bella?” He asked. Grayson nodded. Caspian’s cheekbone tightened. “ Why?”
“ If I tell you the truth. If I betray the confidence I had with your sister. I want a favor in return.”
Caspian didn’t hesitate. “ Done.”
“ The favor first. Once I tell you what you need to know you will be rush to leave. I want my matter cleared up before then.”
Caspian knew the game.“ What do you need?”
“ Dominick”
“ What about him?”
“ He needs a mentor and I want it to be you.”
Caspian was disturbed. Being a mentor only meant one thing. It meant getting back in the family business.

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