Against All Odds Chapter 70 Review Battling Blondes (Brooke and Stephanie argue and finally come to an agreement in which Brooke offers her 30% of stock for Bridget. Stephanie gloats and makes damaging comments about things she had done to Brooke in the past. Brooke returns and tells Caspian that their plan worked, she has Stephanie on tape. Brooke tells Caspian that she won’t allow him to protect her and he was to let her be herself. Eve and CJ turn up at Big Bear to find Rick. Rick tells them to leave but they refuse, later CJ and Rick patch up their friendship. Rick tells CJ about his attempted murder on Grant and his fear that Eve won’t love him. Isabelle tells Judge Harper that she will take care of his gambling debts in exchange for ruling in Brooke’s favor. Caspian and Brooke discuss Bella and he remembers the night his sister killed her husband Benito to protect him. Caspian worries about his sister when he finds that she has broken off her affair with Pierce. Stephanie shows up at Thorne’s house.

Against All Odds Chapter 71 (The Start Of The Day)

Caspian held Brooke close to him. She was so beautiful yet vulnerable in her sleep. He hadn’t slept at all; thoughts of Brooke’s problems as well as Isabelle filled his head. Two women, whom he loved and would die for. At the moment, he couldn’t do anything for Bella, for her pain was so old and deep. All he could do was to pray that one day it would end. Then there was Brooke, he wanted to protect her from the pain of the situation, but he couldn’t. Maybe it was best that it was all out in the open, that she knew what kind of monster Stephanie Forrester really was. Caspian smiled. Even if he could spare Brooke he knew that she’d never let him. Brooke wasn’t that type of women. He was beginning to learn the fire that she had inside her. God, he loved this woman. Caspian looked at his watch, it was 3 am. He really hated to leave her, but he should have left hours ago. He kissed Brooke on top of her head and silently left.

Taylor rubbed her eyes and yawed while she walked into her kitchen. She poured water into the tea kettle and turned on the fire under the water. Taylor noticed the time blinking on the microwave 3:30 am. " God, another sleepless night." Taylor was more than exhausted since she had very little sleep. Thomas had awoken with a terrible nightmare and it had taken her almost an hour to get him to go back to sleep. Thomas getting worse, not better. It didn’t help that Ridge hadn’t gotten the children the day before like he was supposed to. More and more Taylor was determined to get her divorce from Ridge. Ridge was so caught up with his son that it almost seemed that he didn’t care about what Thomas was going through. Today, they had an appointment with Karima; hopefully she would come up with some suggestions that would help Thomas to cope with his family tearing apart. The teakettle whistled and she poured the hot water into the mug with the herbal tea bag. Taylor had more problems to deal with than just her children, there was herself. She hadn’t had time to find a therapist for herself. She knew that not dealing with her own pain was dangerous and lately she been having chest pains. Taylor hadn’t told anyone. She went to her doctor and had the entire normal test run, they found nothing so since it wasn’t anything physical it was most likely emotional. The stress and strain with dealing with Ridge’s cheating, loosing her baby as well as Dylan’s birth was becoming too much for her. Her life was a mess, spinning out of control. Tears started to flow from inside of her then hacking painful tears erupted from inside of her. Everything that she loved was gone and she had no power to change it.

 

Ridge snuggled Dylan against his arm while he fed his son. God, the feeding were starting to kill him. It seemed that as soon as be closed his eyes to go to sleep, Dylan was crying all over again. Although Ridge looked like something that the cat had dragged in and he seemed to be working more and more at home, he didn’t mind. Ridge loved his son. He knew that he time with Dylan was limited and as soon as Morgan was on her feet and released from the hospital, she wanted her son with her. Ridge understood that, he had seen first hand how Morgan reacted to Dylan. As angry as he was at Morgan, and he still was, he knew that she loved Dylan. Ridge still wanted to have an active role in his son’s life. Ridge shifted Dylan on his arm and looked at photo of his children. He hadn’t gotten the children like he was supposed to and he missed them. Taylor was livid at him and he didn’t blame her. Tomorrow, Charlie was coming over to watch Dylan and he was going to get to see them. Taylor had made an appointment with some child therapist and he had promised to be there. Charlie hadn’t taken the news of how Morgan had gotten pregnant too well and she had made it perfectly clear that she felt that he was a moron. Ridge didn’t care what Charlie thought but he was concerned about her influencing Morgan to leave to go to New York. Ridge wasn’t sure that he’d be able with losing Dylan completely since he had already had lost so much.

Thorne finished the last of his packing. He was moving out of the beach house. He had gotten a new place. He would live there and rent out his beach house. He never thought that he’d leave the beach to live anywhere except into the home that he and Brooke would purchase together. Thorne pinched his nose between the eyes. He was tired and mentally drained but he couldn’t sleep. Today would be the day that his life would change forever.

Later That Morning: 7:00 am

Allen walked into the foyer of Caspian’s penthouse. He hadn’t been surprised that Caspian had purchased a place here in Los Angles since Brooke was here. Allen found Caspian in his dinning room drinking a cup of coffee with an empty breakfast plate sitting in front of him at table.

" Good morning Allen, would you like to have breakfast?"

" No thank you. I’ve all ready eaten. But I will have a cup of coffee." Allen poured himself a cup. " Is everything set?"

" Yes. I will be picking Brooke up in a half an hour. I want to be there with her because I can only imagine what this might do to her. Truthfully, today will be more than difficult." Caspian stroked his chin as he thought. " Then there is Bridget herself."

" When is the girl due back?"

" Tomorrow. Brooke is most worried that she is going to find out what has happened."

" Sooner or later the girl will most likely find out. We are going to court. No matter how much we have worked to keep the entire matter private, sooner or later someone might find out."

"Do whatever you can to make sure that the issue doesn’t become public knowledge. It would devastate Brooke if her daughter finds out why her father wanted to take her from her mother let alone the real reason motivating him doing it.."

" I’ll try my best."

" Do more than try. I won’t have Brooke upset."

Allen took a sip of his coffee. Caspian could become difficult at times and obviously this was a matter of importance. " Then there is the matter of today. I know that Brooke has asked us not to use the other documents."

" Obey her wishes."

Allen glanced up. " Are you sure?"

" Aren’t you confident that you can handle this matter?"

"Of course I am Caspian but Brooke is tying my hands. She doesn’t want the court to know the motivation of the Forresters. She wants this matter settled before Bridget comes back."

" It is her daughter. So what if she has made this a little difficult for you. I’m not concerned since you capable of yourself in the courtroom."

Allen knew that tone. He sighed. "We will play it her way."

" Good. Now, do you have those other papers that I asked for?"

Allen opened his briefcase and passed the papers to Caspian. " Everything is in order."

Caspian read for a moment. " Good." Caspian rose and left the dinning room. Allen put the other papers in briefcase and took the rest of his coffee in the main room. At that moment Isabelle walked down the stairs wearing a light metallic gray robe. Allen couldn’t help but to watch her and especially her legs, which he got a peek of as she walked down the stairs. Isabelle’s beautiful hair flowed down past her shoulders.

" Isabelle, I didn’t know that you were in L.A."

She paused for a moment and looked at him with those eyes of hers. " I came in last night. Isabelle poured herself a cup of coffee. "Are you ready for court today?"

"I’m always ready for court."

Isabelle sat down. " The courtroom has always been your second home. Like shark in the water."

" A shark? Is that what you think that I am."

" Yes. You are a shark aggressive as well as a cutthroat. But the best kind for my brother and for Brooke."

Isabelle took sipped some of her coffee when a maid came into the room. " Ms. Deangleo would like breakfast.

" I’ll have yogurt and fruit."

" It will be ready in a moment."

Allen turned his attention back to Isabelle. " Have you met Brooke?"

" In a manner of speaking."

Allen smiled. " You never are straight forward are you?"

Isabelle leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. Allen couldn’t help himself. His eyes traveled from the top of her head to the V of her robe that showed a hint of soft skin that lay underneath, and finally down to the uncovered leg that was supple. Isabelle noted his interest. " Of course I am. Tell me? Is this talk about Brooke really about her or a method for you to continue to ogle me?"

"Isabelle you should know that I never ogle. I’m a lawyer, I simply observe. You also know that I’ve always enjoyed looking at you."

"Tell me, what does your wife think about your observation skills?"

Allen placed his hand over his chest. " You wound me Isabelle. "

Isabelle sipped her coffee. " Nothing could wound you. Thanks why I almost like you."

" Almost?"

Isabelle stood. " Like I said. Almost." She walked away.

" Aren’t you going to wish me luck?"

Isabelle turned. " If you needed luck you wouldn’t be my brother’s lawyer would you? We only deal with results."

Allen chuckled when she left. Whenever he dealt with Isabelle, it was always different. He also wondered the real reason Isabelle was here.

Eric finished off the last of his toast and put down the newspaper that he had been reading. Eric was annoyed. Stephanie. She hadn’t gotten home at the wee hours of the morning. Stephanie came down the stairs in a green robe with a smile on her face. "Good morning sweetie. Isn’t it a beautiful day?" She kissed Eric on the cheek. " You know that I’m going to have a big breakfast today. I just feel great."

" Why is that?"

"Because my dear, today is the day that we are going to get everything that we need."

"What do you mean?" Eric frowned.

"Brooke has finally come to her senses. Of course that is because the bitch has no choice."

" What are you talking about?"

"Last night. She came over to offer us a deal."

" Offer us? You made it clear that you wanted to talk to her alone." Eric said with annoyance.

" Honey, you can’t be upset about that? Brooke wanted to talk to me alone and you ought to be glad because I’ve finally done it. I’ve finally have the means to get her out of the company and out of our lives."

"How is that? With Bridget’s share of the stock, Brooke would still be a stockholder in our company."

" Eric, Brooke is willing to give use 30% of her stock outright. Ridge would be left in charge of Ridge and Bridget’s stock until they become of age. And the best part is that Brooke will no longer be in our company or even live in here in L.A."

" Stephanie, what are you talking about? Brooke would never agree to something like that."

" Yes she would, if that meant that she could have custody of Bridget."

" What?"

"She is at her wits end. You should have seen her last night. She’d do anything to get Bridget back even agreeing to give up the stock we want and get out of town." Stephanie kissed her husband. " Finally we are getting it back. The company that she stole and finally, she will be out of our lives."

Eric looked his wife in awe. "Stephanie, that isn’t possible. Brooke would never leave L.A. Her family is here as well as Bridget and Rick."

" She can still visit them but SHE will be gone. Can’t you understand after all these years she will finally be gone out of our lives? The woman has destroyed marriage after marriage. Our marriage, Thorne and Macy’s and don’t forget what she had Morgan do."

" Stephanie I’m not sure that Brooke had anything to do with Morgan."

" The hell she did. The bitch pretty much admitted at Rick’s party!" Stephanie stood up.

" I just don’t understand you. I thought that you’d be happy to have that bitch out of our lives. She had destroyed our family."

" She’s the mother of my children."

" So what! What kind of mother has she been? Taking off her clothes for the world to see!"

" Calm down Stephanie."

"You understand what she has done to me. I’m happy that she’s going to be gone. I’m just wondering why you aren’t." Stephanie’s eyes narrowed.

" Stephanie of course I’m happy to have my company back I’m just worried. But this doesn’t make sense. Brooke is willing to leave. What about Bridget?"

" Bridget will want to go to live in Paris for that art program of hers."

" I don’t like that." Eric stood up and walked away from Stephanie.

" Eric, for Christ’s sake, it is only for a year. Bridget was going to have to leave for college in around a year or so. Paris will be good for her, she’ll be near her grandparents and with Brooke there it won’t be so tough on her."

Eric frowned. " I’m not happy about my daughter leaving."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. " Eric, we have a chance to get that bitch out of our lives. We have a chance to get our company back! Look at all the things that she has taken. Maybe with her gone our company’s reputation will be saved. Maybe Ridge and Taylor will get back together."

" I don’t think that Brooke has anything to do with Ridge and Taylor."

"Don’t be an idiot Eric! She kissed Ridge and Thorne saw the whole thing. So now Thorne and Ridge are at each other’s throat because of her. How long before she starts going after Ridge full time? She always comes back to him. You out of all people should know that. Remember how safe and secure you thought her marriage to you were and then out of the blue she was sleeping with Ridge. It has always been Ridge. Why else do you think that she dumped Thorne? You don’t think that it really has much to do with Kimberly do you? With Taylor still wanting to divorce Ridge, there is nothing keeping Brooke from Ridge. Do you want that? Do you want to deal with her flaunting herself at him? Think about the scandal that would bring to our name, yet again. The woman has bounced back and forth between men like a ping-pong ball. How about another marriage between them? Do you know what they would do to our reputation or to your children?"

Eric sighed. Stephanie was making sense. It would start over again and he wasn’t sure if he could watch it. " Eric, she will never leave. I’ve tried everything. This is the only way. You have to agree. You have to agree to give Bridget back to Brooke and we will get her out of her lives. All you have to do is to agree. Protect our family…protect it from Brooke."

Eric sighed. " All right. I will allow Brooke to have Bridget."

Stephanie smiled as she hugged her husband. "Thank you. Thank you for getting her out of our live. Finally, our lives will return to the way that it was long before Brooke."

Bali

KC placed the last article of clothing into the already packed suitcase. She tried to zip the bag but it took two tries before she could finally do it. Connor came from out of the bathroom and smiled at the picture of KC using her whole body to close the suitcase. She really was cute, wearing tan kakis and a black buttoned up shirt while muttering to herself. Connor came behind her and kissed her on the side of her neck. KC turned around.

" Where were you when I needed you to help me with the suitcase?"

" It seemed that it worked out fine."

" Uh huh." KC gave him a mock disapproving look, which quickly changed into a smile when he kissed her. Connor wrapped his arms around her and inhaled the coconut-scented oil in her hair.

" I don’t want this vacation to end."

" Neither do I. It is not everyday that a girl has the man of her dreams to ask her to marry her."

"Even if it took two days for her to say yes."

" For good reason. Connor, we haven’t gone out for too long. I wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing. Besides we have issues that we are still going to have to deal with." Connor sat down on the bed and pulled KC down with him. "KC I still don’t think that those issues as you put it are going to matter."

" That because you are white."

" What?"

" It’s the truth. Connor, you haven’t had to deal with real racism. You haven’t been on the receiving end of it, so it is hard for you to understand what is going to happen."

" KC, we’ve been dating."

" Yes, and you haven’t noticed some of the looks that we’ve gotten but I have. I’ve seen the looks. Some black men feel that I’ve betrayed our race while some white women feel that I’ve invading their territory. And that is just the start."

Connor caressed KC’s face. " Baby…why are you letting what some closed minded people think affects you."

" I’m not. I’m just being realistic. That is why I didn’t want to say yes. And that is why I feel that we need to live together a couple of months before we even set a date. You need to realize what is going to happen. Yes, we do have many things in common and we want same thing out of life. But there are differences."

" Honey, we’ve already decided that our children will know about both of our cultures. Especially their back heritage. That is just as important to me as it is to you. I’d never ignore that."

" They will have not choice. If they don’t know who they are, they will grow up confused. I don’t want that to happen." KC sighed. " I just want you to understand that it is going to be hard. There will be people who will look at your black wife and black children and turn you away. It won’t matter that you are a well-known attorney. It will effect your business and some of your clients won’t like it."

" Who gives a damn about my clients? I have a reputation of being an outstanding lawyer. If they don’t like my choice in wife, then excuse my French but fu(k them."

KC smiled at Connor because she believed him but a moment later her smile faded. "Then there are my parents."

" They are going to love me."

" My dad is going to be against this. He has very strong views and although he has white associates whom he gets along with, having his daughter marry a white man is something that he won’t feel comfortable about. I didn’t even tell him when I was dating Jacques about my mother knew."

" I can deal with over protective father."

" I hope you can handle my father. He is going to integrate you to the up most. I just thank god that you aren’t a republican. If you were, he’d never let you through the door."

Connor kissed KC. " Honey stop worrying."

" Connor take these things seriously. Couples have a hard enough time without the additional issues that we are going to have."

" Stop trying to change my mind. You’ve said yes and I’m going to hold it to you. I will win over your father. I’ll fire anyone who looks at you cross eyed at you. I will love you. I will protect you. I will be a good father to our children. I will teach them along side with you about the African culture. KC, you are right, I’m not black. I will never be. I can never retell the stories of your great history like you can or even feel all of your pain but I will do my best. But I will be a good husband. I will love and cherish you. "

KC closed her eyes and snuggled closer to Connor. " I know that you will. That’s why I said yes. It is because I love you."

Big Bear

Eve felt a warm body beside her in her sleep. She turned toward the source of the warmth for a moment before she released that it was Rick. She sat up groggily looking at Rick who was asleep. " Rick?" She touched his face softly and gently. Rick slowly opened his eyes. His heart raced when he found Eve lying toward the side of him looking down at him with such love. Last night, he and CJ had talked. CJ had said to tell Eve, that she loved him enough to understand. Was CJ right? CJ had left around an hour ago giving Rick the space that he and Eve needed. Eve studied Rick’s face and then she bent her head to kiss him gently on the lips. " Rick..I’ve been so worried about you. Please tell what is wrong." Rick grabbed Eve’s hand in his and kissed it.

" I’m scared."

Eve looked confused. " Scared? What are you scared about?"

It took a moment before Rick could speak. " I’m scared about losing you."

"Honey what are you talking about. Don’t you know how much I love you Rick? There isn’t anything that you could do to make me leave you. My whole life I’ve been pretty much alone except for Trudie and her brother. My mother made her decision to leave a long time ago. I learned not to trust in others but you changed that. From the moment that I met you, you’ve taken a piece of my heart and made me believe in things that I only dreamt about." She stroked the side of his face. " Tell me what is wrong."

" Eve, when I was around 13 years old I tried to kill a man."

 

Jonathan sat down at his desk and looked at Thorne. " Are you sure that you want to do this?"

"Yes."

" Listen Thorne, I know that you’ve lost a great deal."

" I’m sure that mother informed you of my breakup with Brooke." Thorne said bitterly.

"Yes, she did." Jonathan shook his head. " Are you sure you want to do this? There is no turning back."

" I know. But this is about Brooke and Bridget. I won’t let them be separated." Thorne ran his hands through his hair. " Brooke has been through a great deal. Most of it is because of me. I can’t let her lose her daughter as well. I love her more than anything and I won’t see her hurt."

" But doing this is drastic. I’m not sure if you have really thought this through."

" Listen Jonathan…I know what I’m doing. If you have a problem with it, let me know and I’ll get someone else to take care of it."

Jonathon shook his head. " No. No. I wasn’t saying that. I just hope that you know what you are doing." Jonathon shook his head. He wondered what Eric and Stephanie would say about this.

Taylor was buckling Phoebe’s shoe when the front door rang. She walked to the door expecting Ridge but was pleasantly surprised to see Stephanie. " Stephanie. What are you doing here?

"Can’t I visit my favorite daughter-in-law and my grandchildren?"

"Of course you can." Taylor hugged Stephanie. Stephanie followed Taylor into the living room. She hugged and kissed the twins.

" Where is Thomas?"

"He is playing with Luke at his house. I thought that I’d let him have play date before his session today."

Stephanie shook her head. " I had forgotten Taylor. Today is his first therapy session."

" And it couldn’t come any sooner. He is getting worse. Last night he was up so late crying about Ridge."

" He needs his father."

" Don’t you think that I know that!" Taylor noted that Phoebe and Steffie looked startled." Taylor stopped. This was not the conversation to have in front of the girls. Katherine came out of the hallway. Taylor turned toward Katherine. " Can you take them to park to play, please?"

" Alright. Come on girls. We are going to the park."

" Yeah!" The girls clapped their hands as they followed Katherine out of the front door.

Stephanie put her hand on Taylor’s shoulder." Honey, I don’t mean to upset you."

Taylor shook her head. " I know that you don’t mean to put you act like I don’t know what this is doing to my children. I do know."

" I didn’t help that you made your martial problems public knowledge."

" It didn’t help that YOUR son fu(ked Morgan and a tape of them was shown at Rick’s party."

Stephanie frowned. " That wasn’t his fault…"

"Stop it right now! I don’t want to hear one of your speeches where you try to convince me that none of this is Ridge’s fault. Our marriage has been based on honesty as well as trust. He has ruined that."

" He loves you."

" That isn’t enough."

Stephanie grabbed Taylor by the hand and held it tightly. " Don’t do this. Don’t throw your marriage away. He loves you. He loves the children."

Taylor pulled her hands away from Stephanie. " I don’t want to have this discussion with you anymore. I told you the last time we had this discussion that I won’t change my mind."

" Its because of that damn lawyer of yours."

" Connor has nothing to do with this. He is a good lawyer."

" He is a money grubbing shark."

"He is my lawyer. No matter what you are going to say, he will stay my lawyer until my divorce is final."

" Don’t do it. Look at what you are doing to your children. Thomas is a mess and god knows how this is going to affect the twins. Taylor, think about them. Even you can see what this is doing to them. Don’t they deserve two parents?"

" Don’t I deserve a husband who is trustworthy? A husband who isn’t going to sleep with any of his ex- lovers. After Morgan, god knows who will come out of the woodwork next. Don’t forget Brooke. Who knows if she’ll start going after Ridge again? I can’t do it. I can’t do it Stephanie! I can’t live like this!"

"You don’t have to worry about Brooke. I’ve taken care of her. That’s why came here. Taylor, Brooke is going to be gone."

" What?"

" I’ve made up this deal with her. She is going to give us 30% of her stock and move away."

" First of all, I don’t really give a rat’s ass about Brooke’s life. Second, that will never happen. Brooke would cut off her right arm before she left L.A."

"You should never underestimate Brooke. She is responsible for the ruining of your marriage. Never make the mistake of thinking that she has gotten over Ridge as long as she lives here. Second, Brooke will leave L.A."

" Why?"

"Taylor it really isn’t important why Taylor. Just know that she will be gone and gone for good."

" That really doesn’t affect me. My problem isn’t with Brooke anymore. My problem is with Ridge. He lied to me. He cheated on me."

" He made a mistake! He made a mistake just like you! Why can’t you forgive him?" Stephanie’s face started to turn red. " Listen to me. I’ve done everything in my power to get rid of that slut who ruined your marriage."

" Stephanie…"

" No. I’m not going to let you to this. Now, I’ve stood by and watched you make a fool out of yourself and said nothing. Now, I’m putting my foot down. You are not going to divorce my son or destroy his children, do you hear me! I won’t let you do it. I’ve done things that I wouldn’t normally do to protect you from Brooke as well as that bitch Morgan. Do you know that chances that I took? I did it for you. I did it for your children. You won’t divorce my son."

Taylor had never seen Stephanie so angry and especially at her. " Stephanie. I’m sorry that you feel this way but you are going to have to understand that this isn’t your decision."

"How dare you say that? My son’s happiness is paramount as well as your marriage. I have been there for you. Every time you cried to me about Brooke I took care of her. When you came back from the dead, I bought you that beach house. Hell, when Ridge wanted to stay with that bitch, I made sure that he didn’t. I’ve protected you countless times. "

" Protected me? You call covering for Ridge’s affair with Morgan protection."

"Yes I do. But that isn’t the protection that I was talking about. I was talking about when I protected you. When I protected Ridge from finding out about your affair with James."

Taylor looked like she had been slapped. " Affair with James. What are you talking about?"

Stephanie looked a Taylor. " Taylor you and I both know what happened before your accident. You had an affair with James in Big Bear. It was only one night but it still happened." Taylor shook her head.

" No"

" Yes Taylor. It happened. You told me about it and wrote a letter to Ridge. I took that letter. Your plane crashed and Ridge was suffering. Ridge never saw the letter and I protected you. He never knew and I never told anyone what happened. Think about what he would have done if he had read it. He and Brooke would be even closer if he had read that. So you need to think about that when you are so busy not forgiving my son for his transgression. ." Stephanie walked to the front door and shook her head sadly. " I didn’t come over here to talk to you about this. I’ve never bought that night up with you and I never planned to. But Taylor, you have to understand that I will never allow you to destroy my son’s family. I worked to hard to protect my grandchildren from Morgan and Brooke. Don’t make me protect them from you. I love you Taylor. I know that you will do what is right." Stephanie left. Taylor stood there shell shocked at what had just transpired.

 

Charlie smiled at Dylan yawed. " Who would have thought that such a beautiful creature would come from your daddy?" The baby’s finger reached out to pull on stands of her hair. Ridge came into the room and smiled at seeing Charlie with Dylan. Charlie looked up. " He really is beautiful."

" Yes, he is."

" Here is a bottle for him. He may be hungry." Ridge saw the surprised look on Charlie’s face. " What? I have been taking care of Dylan myself."

" It seem that you have done a good job with it."

"Praise coming from you?"

"No, Ridge I’m only stating a fact. I will admit, I’m surprised that you haven’t tried to pawn him off on a million nannies."

" I do have three other children…" Ridge’s voice trailed off and he looked away.

" You miss your other children, don’t you?"

"What kind of question is that? I adore my children. Thomas is a sweet sensitive child. And Phobe..She is a little artist. She takes that after me. Then there is Steffie.She is the most energetic child. I love my children. All of them. I resent your inclination that I don’t care about them."

" I didn’t mean…"

" I know that you meant."

Charlie sighed. She put Dylan in his bassinette and straighten out her black silk sweater set and her stone colored cotton-pleated pants. " Ridge. I’m sorry if I offended you. I’m quite sure that you are a good father and it must be hard to be away from your children. Although I’ve never approved of your relationship with Morgan because it was unhealthy for her, I am sorry on how she tricked you."

"So you finally believe me."

" Yes, I believe you. I talked to Morgan and she told me what you stated was the truth. What she did was wrong. I’m sorry that it has destroyed your marriage."

" You aren’t the only one."

" Ridge…I don’t want you to think that I’m not somewhat sympathetic for what my sister has done but you must take your share of the blame as well. You cheated on your wife based on an e-mail, that has to say something about you." Charlie gave Ridge a disapproving look. " I know that you don’t like to hear this but I can’t get caught up in your problems. My only real concern is my sister’s mental well being as well as what is best for Dylan. I don’t think living here would be good for any of them."

Ridge frowned. " I disagree. Dylan is my son."

" Yes, but what about your other children? What about your wife? What about your mother?"

"What does my mother have to do with this?"

"Everything. I know her Ridge. I’ve seen how she dealt with my sister. How she forced a practical minor to have an abortion against her will. What kind of woman does that? I’ve also read the articles and know how she did just about everything to destroy your marriage to Brooke Forrester. Your mother’s obsession has always been to have the right woman for you. She isn’t going to change. And she won’t rest until she runs my sister as well as my son out of town." Charlie shook her head. " Why do you think that she called me? It was because she wants Dylan gone."

" My mother doesn’t always get what she wants. She will have to learn to accept Dylan. I won’t allow her to make my decisions."

" I have a feeling that your mother a great deal to do with many people’s decisions."

" What do you mean by that?"

" I don’t think that this is the time." Charlie turned and covered Dylan with a blanket.

Ridge came behind Charlie. " Tell me, what did you mean by that." Charlie rubbed her shoulder; truthfully dealing with Morgan and all of her issues had caused her additional stress. "Answer me."

"Fine, I’ll tell you. It doesn’t make sense, any of it. Morgan just packing up and leaving? She didn’t call anyone or tell anyone. I’ve talked to her friends here, like Clarke Garrison."

" What the hell does Garrison know?"

" He knows that he had no idea that my sister planned to leave."

" So?"

"So, it doesn’t add up. Morgan made no reservations on any types of flights."

" That is because she rented out my father’s old house."

" Who told you that?"

"My mother?"

"How did you mother know that? You are telling me that Morgan packed up her things and moved into another house."

" Yes."

" That is funny because my sister’s things are staying in a storage company. If she lived in another house, why would she have her things in storage? Why would she fax a letter of resignation and not talk to Brooke Logan herself?"

"How would I know why Morgan did half of the things that she did?"

" I know one thing Ridge. My sister doesn’t remember a thing so she isn’t any help. But I plan on finding out what really happened to my sister for the month that she was missing. And god help you mother if she had anything to do with it."

 

Trudie looked down at the paper in her hand. The information inside was more than damaging to Stephanie Forrester as well as destructive to the life of Bridget Forrester the letter had told Trudie where to go to find the original paternity test. Trudie studied the information from the original test. It was there plain as day, Bridget Forrester carried traits that Stephanie Forrester had so it was not possible that Eric Forrester was her father. Trudie had thought long and hard about the information and she made a decision about what she was going to do. It was risky but she was more than willing to take the risk. Trudie knocked on the door of the Forrester mansion. A maid answered the door. " Yes."

" I’m here to see Stephanie Forrester."

" She isn’t here at the moment."

" Do you know when she will be back?"

The maid looked at her watch. " She should be back soon. Would you like to come in?"

"Yes." Trudie followed the maid into the living room.

" Would you like some tea or something?"

"No Thanks."

The maid left the living room. Trudie looked at the pictures next to the sofa. She noticed on picture of Bridget. She picked it up. Bridget Forrester was a nice kid. She had heard how confused she had been when she found that Ridge wasn’t her father. How would Bridget react if she found out that Ridge was actually her father? Trudie was no engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn’t heard the front door open. Stephanie had been surprised to find that offensive model in her home. Although Trudie was dressed in a sedate manner for her, wearing a butter cream leather shirt and a simple white wrap around blouse, Stephanie still considered her a slut.

" What do you think that you are doing in my home? Put that picture down." Stephanie snatched the picture of Bridget from Trudie and placed it back down where it belonged next to the sofa. " What are you doing here? If you are here to beg for your job, you are wasting your time."

" I’m not here for that Ms. Forrester."

" Then why are you here."

" I’m here about Bridget."

" What about Bridget? She isn’t a concern of yours."

" Yes, but your granddaughter has been made my concern."

" Get your facts straight. Bridget is my step-daughter, not my grandchild."

" No. Stephanie, we both know that isn’t true." Trudie handed Stephanie the papers that she bought with her.

" What is this mess…" Stephanie’s voice trailed off when she looked at the papers in her hand. The color drained from her face. " Where did you get his information?"

"From my brother Christopher Hastings…you do know who he is don’t you?"

Stephanie gave Trudie a cold look. " You are much smarter than you look, aren’t you?"

"Yes, I am."

"Tell me, what is it that you want."

Brooke sipped her coffee as she stared out the view from her home. Today was the day that she’d get her daughter back. Today was the day that she would take her destiny in her own hands. The phone rang. Brooke answered it quickly.

" Hello?"

"Brooke honey. I’ve been worried about you. I tried reaching you at the number you gave me but there was no answer."

"I’m sorry mom. I got home yesterday."

" Sweetheart. I’m coming to L.A"

"No mother that isn’t necessary."

"How can you say that? Eric and Stephanie are trying to take Bridget away from you."

" Mother, I know that you and dad are worried. But I have everything under control. Bridget will be back with me, where she belongs. In fact by tonight everything should be back to normal."

" How Brooke? You and I know how Stephanie is. She will never let her hatred of you go." The doorbell rang.

" Listen mom. I promise that I’ll call you tonight and let you know everything that has happened. Don’t worry. I love you." Brooke hung the phone up and head for the front door. She opened it to find Caspian standing there looking dark as well as handsome.

"Boy, am I happy to see you."

Caspian opened his arms as she hugged him tightly. He kissed the top of her head. " Honey, are you all right?"

"As much as I can be today."

" I should have stayed last night." Caspian kneed her muscles on her neck.

" I still would have been tense. That you for offering thought."

" Have you eaten yet?"

" I had some coffee."

Caspian rolled up the sleeves to his burgandy shirt. " I’m going to make you some breakfast. So just sit down and relax."

" Relax…how can I do that?"

Caspian pulled her close to him. " Just concentrate on how all of this is going to be over in a couple of hours."

" That is what I’m focusing on. Getting my daughter back."

" You will beautiful." Caspian took Brooke’s hand and kissed it gently. "

" I think that I’m going to take a shower and get dressed now." Brooke headed upstairs and took a hot shower. Thoughts of the day filled her head. Brooke dressed quickly and headed down the stairs. Caspian was setting the table when Brooke made her way toward it. He looked at Brooke, she was wearing a beautiful black dress, and it had three quarter length sleeves with diagonal neckline with a diagonal hemline that started an inch above her knees or her left side and end an inch below her knees on her right side. Although the dress didn’t need a belt but she wore a black crocodile one that too fitted diagonally across her hips giving her a sleek appearance. Caspian held out the chair when Brooke sat down at the table. Brooke had just bitten into her strawberry pancakes when the door rang. Caspian stood up quickly.

" That must be Allen." He headed to the front door and opened it to Allen. Allen followed Caspian into the house. Brooke was standing when Allen stopped her.

" Finish eating Brooke. We have at least another hour until we are due at court."

" I know, but I really can’t eat. I want this over with as soon as possible. I want to go, now."

Scott put down his coloring pencil. The design that he was working on was a good one but truthfully things hadn’t been that great the last couple of days. Ridge had been preoccupied, KC gone and Eric was acting strangely. Plus there was Bridget. Scott smiled to himself, boy he missed that feisty little blonde. Scott had missed her. The phone rang.

" Hello."

" Scott?"

Scott’s heart leaped. " Bridget? Wow, you must have ESP"

"What?"

"I was just thinking about you."

Bridget blushed. " You were?" She played with the phone cord.

" Yeah I was. When are you coming home?"

"Tomorrow. I should probably be home by 7."

"Good. I’ve missed you Bridget."

" You have?"

"Yes. I missed that little line that forms between your brows when you are angry."

" I don’t have a line…well maybe a small one." Bridget laughed.

" It is still cute." Bridget’s breath caught in her throat as the butterflies flew around in her stomach. Scott leaned back in his chair. " I guess that you mother can’t pick you up at the airport since she isn’t it town. Would you like me to pick you up?"

"I’d…really like that although my mom is back in town. I talked to her this morning."

" Oh..Well if you want her to pick you…"

" No," Bridget quickly rushed. " I’d like you to pick me up that is if you don’t mind."

Scott could hear the nervousness in her voice. Bridget was so refreshing and sweet. " I don’t mind Bridget. I’ll pick you up tomorrow."

" All right." Bridget hung up the phone and smiled. It would be good to be home again.

" Daydreaming again Bridget?"

"Bridget looked up to find her girlfriend standing in the room."

" I’m not daydreaming. I’m just thinking about tomorrow."

" You can’t wait to get home can you?"

"No, I can’t. Not that I didn’t have a good time but there is so much waiting for me."

" Like Scott?"

Bridget beamed. " That was him on the phone. He is going to pick me up at the airport."

" What is your mom going to say about that?"

"Nothing. She won’t even have to know besides, she might be busy herself."

" With Thorne?"

"No, that is all over. With Ridge. He’s free and my mom is free. Besides I saw a picture of them in People Magazine, they went the awards together."

" But your mom has been out of town."

" It doesn’t matter, she is back. I know that she is hurting and so does Ridge. There is nothing that Ridge hates more than anything than for my mom to be hurting. He will want to protect her and before you know it, they’ll be back in each others arms again."

Bridget smiled. " All of my dreams are coming true."

 

Judge Harper looked at the immaculate lawyer argued you before him. " Your honor, your decision was totally premature. Eric Forrester claims there were was no agreement that Brooke Forrester would raise Bridget Forrester, however, he said and did nothing for the last eleven years to change Bridget’s living stature. My client had been the sole caretaker of Bridget as well as the older son Rick. Eric Forrester gave a verbal agreement in front of witness that Brooke Forrester could have at least joint custody of their children." Aaron Harper hardly paid attention while Brooke Forrester’s lawyer gave an elegant speech. All Aaron could do was to stare out as a man wearing a dark suit and the darkest look stared straight at him. Aaron didn’t know who the man was yet he knew instantly that he was somehow behind his visitor last night. Twenty minutes later Aaron finally addressed the court and Brooke. Brooke was nervous. Her stomach had butterflies and her hands knotted the tissue in her lap. Brooke had been a mess the entire time. She had been afraid that somehow the Forresters would find out what she had been doing and show up in court. That couldn’t happen, not now.

" Ms. Forrester. I am not a man to change his mind lightly. However, in light of the fact that you have raised your daughter the last seven years as well as the fact that your daughter wishes have not heard. Nor was the court aware of a verbal agreement between you and Eric Forrester. The court has judged prematurely on a matter in which not all the facts were established. For that matter I am reversing my decision. Bridget Forrester will remain in the custody of Brooke Forrester until a time in which her father may repetition the court in an actual custody hearing."

Brooke expelled a great breath of air as the judge made his decision. Tear filled her eyes as she jumped up and hugged Allen. " Thank you." Allen laughed.

" There isn’t any reason to thank me. The judge realized that his decision was premature."

Brooke turned and looked for Caspian who was quickly by her side. " Caspian…"

Caspian saw the look of relief in Brooke’s eyes and couldn’t help to seize her lips in a passionate kiss. Brooke responded to Caspian’s kiss feeling free for the first time since Eric and Stephanie had stole Bridget from her. Caspian gently lifted his head from Brooke’s as the tears streamed down her face. " Thank you."

" Why are you thanking me?"

" Because you did it. You helped me to get my daughter back." Caspian lowered his head again and kissed her again but with all of the passion and feelings inside of him. Brooke responded again but with equal fever. It was a while before either of them lifted their heads from the passionate kiss. Brooke’s lungs took in the air that is had missed when exchanging the kiss between Caspian. She smiled and touched his bottom lip where a small bruise was starting to form.

" I did that?"

" You can do whatever you’d like with me."

" Later when all of this is finished."

Caspian kissed Brooke gently on her hand. His soft tongue scrapped across her knuckles. " I will hold you to it."

Brooke embraced him again. She needed to feel his arms around her. "I will never forget this. Bridget is mine again because of you." Caspian held on tight to her. His eyes, however, found Judge Harper. If only Brooke had known what he had done to ensure that she get her daughter back. It didn’t matter. He would have done anything to see that Bridget was back where she belonged. Taking care of Judge Harper’s debts meant nothing to him at all.

Eve had listen to Rick’s tale not saying a word. She knew that he had to get it all out. He had talked about the pain of his mother’s marriage to Grant. How scared he had been for not only himself but for Bridget as well. He had talked about how useless he had felt living with Brooke who had been depressed at that time. Rick had given a vivid description of how he had felt that he could change things for his mother if Grant was no longer in the picture. Rick finally had go over the horrible night that he had shot Grant.

Rick sat down next to Eve on the sofa and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Eve turned and smiled. Rick touched her face lovingly.

" I just can’t believe that you have forgiven me."

" Rick, how many times do I need to tell you that there was nothing to forgive? The shooting happened when you were a kid. You were confused at the time. All you wanted was happiness for your mother. I’m quite sure that you weren’t in your right mind when it happened. Besides, its over. You are here with me and that is all that matters."

Rick smiled. " What have I done to deserve someone like you. You are so perfect and wonderful. That you could look past what I did."

" Shhh" Eve put her finger over his lips. " We all make mistakes. What you or what I did before we ever met each other doesn’t matter. Does it?" Rick cupped her face. While Eve held her breath waiting for his answer. " Rick, does it matter? All that matters is that you and I are together."

Rick shook his head. " No. It doesn’t matter." Eve let out the breath of air that she had been holding. She leaned forward and kissed Rick hungrily. She was so happy to be back with him. Rick, who had missed being with her, kissed her back with raw passion. Eve pushed Rick back against the sofa and strattled him. She pulled her head away from his and quickly took off her t-shirt leaving her small full breast bare for the open cool air, which hardened her nipples instantly. Rick cupped her breast with both hands; he rubbed her jewel like nipples with his thumbs. Eve shuttered as electric shock went through her body. She moaned and pulled Rick’s shirt off his body.

" Eve… I need you. I need to be inside of you."

Eve smiled almost laughing. " Anything you want." Eve scooted out of Rick’s arms and stood wearing only a thin pair of panties. Rick leaned forward and he slowly slid her panties down her legs leaving her naked. Rick kissed her flat stomach. Eve laughed and pulled Rick up to a standing position. She lightly scored her fingernails down his chest and then trailed his belly button. Eve skillfully unbuttoned his jeans, which dropped the floor along with his underwear. Eve moved toward Rick until her body touched his. Rick’s aroused body filled with excitement as her nipples and long hair brushed again his body. Her mouth came so exquisitely close to his. " Lets take this to the bedroom." Eve took Rick’s hand and led him to the bedroom where the large sleigh bed awaited them.

Eve playfully shoved down unto the bed. Before he could utter a word her mouth was on top of his. She kissed his slowly and languidly, using her tongue to elicit a response from him. Eve stratled Rick, her heat was on top of his engorged pen*s, rubbing against it. Her mouth sensuously trailed down his chest, kissing him while her heat rubbed against his member. It was rock hard against her and almost moving on its own. Eve slid down his body and her hand cupped his testiscals massaging gently as her tongue trailed all around his navel. Her mouth moved down toward the head to of his pen*s. Her hands moved up from his testicals toward the top of his member while her head lowered. She gently traced the tip of his member with her tongue. Rick’s hand gripped the bedspread while his spread his legs wider. He closed his eye and felt as her tongue trailed down his member in an aching member while his hand caressed his inner thighs. Eve lifted her head.

" Do you like that Rick?"

Rick opened his eyes. " Eve…" His voice trailed off as her head lowered once again but this time it kissed and caressed his inner thigh. She trailed the kisses until it met his member. She scored his member with her nails and then kissed the pain away using her tongue. Eve took her time as she played with Rick’s body. His body clenched as she pushed him more and more to his breaking point. Her tongue trailed his entire member and then she slowly took him into her mouth.

" Oh….god Eve…." Rick cried as her mouth slowly suckled at him. Her mouth gave him the ultimate pleasure as his hand cupped his testacies exerting the correct amount of pressure to give him pleasure. Just when Rick was about to climax, she pulled her head away and watched in fascination as his semen flowed on top of his stomach. Rick slowly caught his breath and finally opened his eyes to find his beautiful girlfriend looking down at him. " My god..Where did you learn that?" She had played his body like she knew everything that she had done to him.

" You didn’t like it?" Something in her voice shook him. Rick sat up.

" No baby…I loved it. I love you." Rick gathered Eve in his arms. " I love you so much."

Eve smiled and kissed his neck. " Good, then I think that you are going to love this."

Caspian studied Brooke for a moment. As much as having Bridget back relieved her, the task ahead of her was causing her stress. He noticed how she knotted the strap on her purse between her two hands. " Brooke you don’t have to do this."

Brooke put her purse down and touched her stomach, which was a little queasy. " I know that you want to protect me from this but this is something that I have to do. We talked about this and I need to face him." She touched Caspian’s face gently. " I’ll be safe, you’ve seen to that."

Caspian frowned. " Brooke…"

" No. I can do this. I need to do it. I need to know the truth." Brooke mouth quivered.

" I’m scared but not as scared as I was this morning when I thought that the judge might not give allow Bridget to stay with me. I can do this." Brooke leaned forward and kissed Caspian gently on the lips. He began to caress her hair when the door opened. Brooke looked at the door and a shutter of fear started to rush up but she pushed it back down as she stared at the man who was wearing an orange jumpsuit and chained handcuffs. Brooke stared into they eyes of the man who had tried to rape her.

Taylor knocked on the door to the office. James opened his office door and was surprised to see Taylor since he knew that she had an appointment with Karima and Thomas today.

" Taylor…" His voice trailed off when he realized that her eyes were red and her face was stained with tears. " What is wrong."

"Is it true?"

"What?"

" I need to know. Did you and I sleep together?"

"Taylor…why are you bringing that up now."

Taylor began to shake and tear streamed down her face. " Oh god…no…no" Taylor’s head ached as memories began to assault, she fainted.

 

Against All Odds Chapter 71 Review: Brooke is nervous about the upcoming hearing. Taylor is having chest pains created by the stress that she is under. Ridge becomes angry with Charlie when she suggests that he had took much on his plate. Judge Harper listens to the case and sides with Brooke giving her custody of Bridget. Stephanie visits Taylor telling her to make up with Ridge and mentions how she protected Ridge from ever finding out about Taylor’s night with James. Taylor goes to see James upset with sudden memories of their night together. Trudie goes to see Stephanie about Bridget. Thorne goes to see Jonathan Young. Brooke and Caspian visit Gunter in jail.

Against All Odds Chapter 72 : CHANGES

James handed Taylor a glass of water as she lay on the sofa in his office. " Here drink this." He gave Taylor a worried look as she took the water and sipped it. " Taylor, what happened?" Taylor sat up slowly. Her hands shook as she placed the water on the table.

" So it’s true, we slept together." Taylor wrung her hands together.

James kneeled next to Taylor. " You didn’t remember that night?"

"No. I didn’t remember. Maybe it was the coma that I was in or maybe I blocked the entire thing out."

" I know that the entire thing was difficult on you. You were nervous that Ridge would one day find out about that night."

Taylor looked bewildered. " I never remembered that night."

James took her hand. " Taylor, do you mind telling me what bought all of this up?"

"Stephanie. She told me this morning. We had this argument about Ridge. She thinks that I should give him another chance. She started to talk about all the times that she helped my marriage. She told me how she hid the letter that I wrote to Ridge and protected me." Taylor took another sip of water. James noticed how weary she looked. " She was angry and she made it clear that she expected me to forgive Ridge." Taylor took another breath.

" I don’t think that I can take much of this anymore. Everything is falling apart and I’m a mess." James drew Taylor into his arms and held her while she cried.

Brooke sat across from the man who had tried to rape her. She had no plans on letting him know how much sitting across from him was bothering her. Gunter studied Brooke Forrester. She looked so good and smelled good. He already had an erection. He wondered if the rest of smelled just as good. When the guard said that he had a visitor, he had wondered who it was, seeing Brooke Forrester had taken him through the loop. Then seeing that man had shaken him. Gunter was still reeling from the broken bones that he had given him. Gunter looked at Brooke Forrester again.

" What do you want?"

Brooke gave him a steeled look. " I want make a deal with you."

" What kind of deal?" His eyes went to Caspian who was standing next the wall in the back of the room with his arms crossed over his chest.

" A deal that may help to get you out of here a little earlier."

Gunter eyes narrowed. " You had something to do with me being in here?"

"No. I had nothing to do with that although I’m quite sure you can understand why having out on the streets would not be comforting for me."

" I didn’t do…"

Brooke leaned forward. " You tried to rape me and if I hadn’t been saved by Caspian, you would have done it. You would have taken me against my will regardless of the repercussions. You planned the entire thing. You slipped me Ecstasy into my drink."

" I didn’t do that. That little bitch did."

Brooke stopped. " Good answer, because maybe that is the first truth that you’ve told me. Now, are you willing to tell the rest."

" What are you talking about?"

Caspian walked toward. He spoke in a deadly tone." We want to know what happened that night. The entire truth along with who else was involved."

" We know someone else was involved but we need for you to tell us and have it documented."

"Are you crazy…you think that I’m going to tell you about an alleged crime that I committed so you can add on years to my time."

" That won’t happen."

"I’m supposed to trust you or him. Think about what he did to my face."

Caspian’s eyes darkened. He headed toward Gunter. He grabbed him by the neck slamming him up against the wall. Caspian began to squeeze his neck cutting of the air in Gunter’s lungs." Think about what I could have done. What I would have done if you had raped her. You wouldn’t be sitting here to have this conversation with me if she had been hurt because I would have killed you." Gunter struggled. His face turned an ash shade of blue and he made a gasping sound. Brooke stood up.

" Caspian….please let him go." Brooke saw the fury as well as the violence building inside of him. It had happened so quickly. Truthfully it scared her a bit. " Please…I’m all right. He can never hurt me. You made sure of that." Caspian didn’t look at Brooke but he heard a tremor of fear in her voice. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare her. Caspian looked into Gunter's eyes and leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

" You have no idea of the pain that I can inflict on you. It can be done with one word from you. You can be called to kitchen duty and suddenly find a shank in your ribcage." Caspian increase the pressure. " It can be done." Caspian let go of Gunter. Gunter sucked the air back into his lungs falling on the floor gasping for breath.

Brooke stepped toward Caspian touching his face gently. " Thank you. Hurting him wouldn’t accomplish anything at all." Caspian closed his eyes taking her into his arms. He had to feel her to be near her. To be near something good and pure before he did something rash. He hadn’t wanted Brooke here for this. He hadn’t wanted her to ever see the man who attacked her but she had said that she needed to see him. She had needed to look Gunter in his eyes. Gunter slowly got up.

" I want my fu(king lawyer. You can’t threaten me."

Brooke turned to the man who almost violated her. "Lawyer...I don’t give a damn about your lawyer. You are going to sit down and tell us everything that you know."

" And if I don’t."

Brooke straightened herself up and squinted her eyes. " Then I am going to leave."

" And that should scare me?"

Caspian looked at Gunter. " It should because that means that you are going to be alone with me." Gunter was scared although it didn’t seem that he was. The man was crazy. He had tried to kill him in that garage and Gunter knew instinctively that the man was serious about having him stabbed. He could complain but who would believe him.

" What do you want?"

" We want to knew everything about the night that you tried to rape me. First starting with Kimberly Fairchild."

Brooke sat back in the limo. She put her hands in her lap to keep them for shaking. Being the same room with Gunter has shaken her up more than she could say. Especially after she had heard how Kimberly had come to him with the drugs. Brooke hated Kimberly but not as much as she hated Stephanie. As vicious and cruel Kimberly had been Brooke couldn’t see her coming up with the idea herself. Brooke knew that this was Stephanie’s doing. This had happened after the videotape had been shown. Stephanie had wanted to get back at her so had done this. In trying to ruin her relationship with Brooke, she would have allowed Brooke to become a victim of rape. Tear filled Brooke’s eyes and started to fall down her cheeks. Brooke began to shake when the door to the limo opened. Caspian saw Brooke and instantly took her into his arms. Brooke cried hard as Caspian held her gently kissing her head. After a few minutes, Brooke stopped. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose on the handkerchief that Caspian handed her.

" That is the last time that Stephanie or Kimberly will ever make me cry again." Brooke gave Caspian a determined look. " They are going to pay for what they tried to do to me."

"They will pay. Stephanie and Kimberly will pay for what they did to you." Caspian held the woman he loved and his mind went back to the monster in the cage.

Gunter lay in a pool of blood. He tried to lift his head out of it but he couldn’t. The bastard had the guards work him over for measure. He had wanted him to know that he could do it. After Brooke had left, the bastard had let him know that he was the reason that he was in the rotten jail. The bastard has said that he had violated his woman and he’d never see the light of day. Gunter was determined to get out of here and make that Caspian pay.

Brooke stood in her office looking outside. In less than an hour she was supposed to meet Stephanie. In less than an hour it would be all over. Bridget was hers and now she had to play her final hand. Finally, the war with Stephanie would be over. Brooke stood remembering all of the different cruel things that Stephanie had done to her. Brooke was caught in her memories, that she didn’t hear the door to her office open.

" Brooke.."

Brooke heard her name and stilled. Brooke turned slowly. " Thorne…" Brooke looked at the man that she had loved and who had betrayed her. When he came closer to her she took a step back. "What are you doing here?"

Thorne ran his fingers through his hair. " I saw the light on in your office. Thank god that you are back. I was worried."

"I know. You called my mother and sister."

" Where were you?"

"Why? It doesn’t concern you."

" How can you say that? I was worried about you. The last time I saw you.."

" I had found out about your baby with Kimberly."

Thorne looked down. Brooke headed over toward her desk. " Speaking of the baby. I heard that Kimberly had a scare."

Thorne looked surprised. " Who told you that?" Thorne frowned. " Mother did, didn’t she?"

"Yes. You mother couldn’t wait to tell how you rushed to Kimberly’s side."

Thorne stepped toward Brooke. " Look. I know that you were upset when you found out the way that you did. But you have got to believe me when I tell you that I was never having an affair with her. Brooke.."

Brooke held up her hand. " Please stop. I don’t want to get into this with you. Not now. It really doesn’t matter anymore how things happened. It only matters that it did. Kimberly is carrying your child and you and I are over." The image of Caspian making love to her in the waterfall flashed before Brooke’s eyes. " We can never go back to what we had."

Although Thorne knew that it was true, hearing it from Brooke made it all the more heartbreaking for him. Thorne felt sadness overwhelm for there was something about the look in Brooke’s eyes that he had never seen before.

" Brooke…no matter what I loved you."

Brooke shook her head. " I can’t think about your feeling right now. I have so many other things that are on my mind at the moment. Bridget is my main priory."

" I know what mother did. Brooke I want to let you know that I’m not going to let her get away with it. Dad and mother have no right to try to take her away from you. She belongs with you. You love her. You always have been a good mother."

" Thank you Thorne." Brooke gave him an uncomfortable look. " I’m sure that you’ll be a good father."

Thorne blanched and then his face broke. " I wanted to be a father of your children."

Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. " Don’t do this.." Thorne cupped Brooke’s face and she pulled away.

" Don’t pull away from me. Not now. Not tonight."

" I don’t want…"

" Please. Please let me say what I need to say and then I’ll leave alone." Thorne pulled Brooke back into his arms and cupped her face. "I love you. I’ve always loved you, first as a friend and then as a lover. I know that I made some big mistakes and I can’t change time, but if I could I would. The time that I spent with you was the most precious time that I had in my whole. I will never forget them or the joy that you bought into my life."

" Thorne what are you saying?"

" Your happiness mean everything to me. And there will come a time where you may question everything that I’ve done or said but don’t. I love you. Everything that I do is for you." Tears filled Thorne’s eyes. "Please remember this …"

" Thorne.." Thorne cut Brooke off with his lips. He kissed her passionately for a moment Brooke stood shell-shocked by what happened then she responded gently for a moment then she pulled her lips away. Thorne touched her lips gently. He tilted his head the side looking down at her. There was something different about the kiss that he and Brooke shared. Brooke had tears streaming down her cheeks and touched Thorne’s face gently. "Thorne…it is over." She pulled away from him arms turning her back on him. " Please go away." Thorne looked crestfallen as he headed to the door.

" I’ll always love you Brooke Logan. Please remember that. Everything that I do. I do for you. Maybe one day you will forgive me." Thorne closed the door behind him.

Brooke stood there in tears thinking about what had transpired between her and Thorne. The kiss was the last they would ever share. It had been a telling kiss. It was the end for them. "I’ll miss you Thorne."

Stephanie poured herself a glass of champagne. She had dressed her best tonight wearing a black dress and even her mother’s diamonds. She had also made plans to have the best table at Café Rouse for dinner. She looked at her watch again wondering where Eric was. It really didn’t matter because she’d handle Brooke, just like she had wanted to handle her all those years ago. Tonight all of her dreams would come true.

Eric put down the phone. He couldn’t believe what he had heard on the telephone. He didn’t want to go; he had thought this matter had been settled with the death of Sonny. But is seemed that the matter hadn’t died with him. Now had to contend with his son.

Ridge kissed his daughter’s on the top of their heads as they played in the office of the therapist. Phoebe colored a picture being very selective about which crayon she wanted while Thomas stuck to him like glue. The nurse came out. " Mr. Forrester we will see you." Ridge gathered his children and took them into a large playroom. A woman beautiful black woman with dreadlocks where a burgundy suite came into the room. She smiled at Ridge and headed straight to the children. She bent down to their level.

" Hi."

Phoebe and Stephanie smiled. Karima pointed out to the dolls. Do you think that you’d like to play with one of them? The girls smiled.

" Go ahead." Ridge to his daughters. The girls took hold of the of each other’s hands and ran to the dolls. Karima then looked to Thomas who was standing next to his father.

She gave him a reassuring smile. " Hello Thomas."

" Hi" Thomas said timidly. He looked a the nice lady.

" Thomas, do you know who I am?"

Thomas looked at his father then back at her. " A friend of my mommy and daddy?"

"Yes. I am. Thomas, do you like to play games."

"Yes."

" I’ve got some. Would you like to play?"

Thomas looked at his father. " Go ahead." Thomas didn’t want to leave his father.

Ridge kneeled down. " Its all right big fella. I’m not going anywhere."

Thomas looked back at his father. Then he silently followed Karima toward the table with different board games. Ridge sighed as he watched his son with Karima. Ridge felt an overwhelming sense of guilt about what Thomas was going through. What was he going to do? Ridge looked at his watch and wondered again where Taylor was.

Taylor sat in the parking garage of Karmia’s office replaying the day’s events in her had. How was she going to deal with seeing Ridge now that she remembered what had transpired between her and James? My god, she had been James’ doctor when she had slept with him. What would happen if their night together became public knowledge? How would she be able to practice again? She remembered Stephanie’s threat and felt hurt that her mother-in-law would treat her like an enemy? Taylor’s head began to ache. Everything was falling apart. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do.

Brooke opened the door to Eric’s office to find Stephanie sitting behind Eric’s desk. The building was essentially empty and the office had an eerie darkness to it although it was lit by the fire in the fireplace. Stephanie stood up headed toward the conference table.

" Brooke come on it, it is good to see you." Stephanie smiled. " I never thought I’ve say that to you but today I’m very happy to see you."

" I’m sure that you are." Brooke sat down at the table.

Stephanie gave Brooke a quizzical look. " Where is your lawyer?"

"He isn’t here. I have had all the necessary papers drawn up. Where is Eric?"

"He was called away but you and I can handle things."

Brooke was a little disappointed because she wanted him here for the fireworks but maybe it would be better to handle things as they were. Brooke nodded. " I agree. I think that I can handle things and you."

Stephanie laughed. " You always did…didn’t you? You always thought that you were good enough but you and I both know that never were. You were never good enough to be a member of my family and you never will be. You are a slut. A whore. You’ve used your body and your appetite for needing something between your legs to destroy my family." Stephanie gave Brooke a look of pure hatred. " You destroyed my marriage. You took my husband and I will never forgive you for that."

" I don’t think that we are here to talk about that."

" But I do want to talk about it." Stephanie sneered. "I want you to know how much I hate you."

"I already know." Brooke opened up her briefcase and pulled out a CD disk. Brooke took the CD over toward the Bose wave radio and CD player and placed the disk in it. She picked up the remote control.

Stephanie looked at her. "What are you doing?"

" I’m setting the stage. After all its high noon. Its time to bring out the big guns."

Stephanie frowned. " What are you talking about?"

"I’ve played by your rules for so long that I thought that there was no other way. Do you want to know something, even after all the horrible things that you did to for me there were times I actually respected you. I stood in front of Shelia’s gun so she wouldn’t shoot you. I begged you to fight for your life when you had mercury poisoning even after you tried to steal my children from me. But now, you crossed the line. You pushed me to the breaking point. You did your best to steal my child for the purposes of getting stock but you didn’t stop there did you." Brooke walked slowly toward Stephanie. " You wanted to destroy me. You wanted to hurt me. You say that I don’t know how much you hate me….but I do. I was almost a victim of that hate. I almost became a victim of rape because of you."

" What are you talking about?"

"I know. I know you did. You and that twisted girl planned to set me up and because of that I was almost raped by a lunatic.

"I don’t know what…" Brooke hit the button on the CD when Stephanie’s conversation with Kimberly came over the speakers. Stephanie stopped and turned toward Brooke her eyes narrowed dangerously.

" Where did you get this?"

"It doesn’t matter where I got it. But I do have the entire conversation on disk. You know you and Kimberly ran off of the mouth and sunk yourself."

" What happened at that party …."

" Nearly got me raped. But that didn’t concern you. You had drugged and left me in the hands of a man who would have done anything to me. He could have killed me for all that you knew." Brooke’s eyes narrowed and a look of hate covered her face. " You thought that the Ecstasy would make me receptive to the advances of a man that I had never met. But it didn’t work. All it do was not make me able to fight his advances. Do you know what he did to me? He pulled at my dress and started to pull down my panties. He put his hands on me and was about to…." Tears of anger filled Brooke’s eyes and it took a moment for her to compose herself. " God knows what would have happened to me if I hadn’t been rescued. I would have been a victim of rape. And all because of an attack that you and Kimberly created." Stephanie said nothing. She hadn’t had anything to do with Brooke’s attack. Kimberly had been the one to slip the drugs in Brooke’s drink. Stephanie was sure that Kimberly hadn’t meant for anything bad to happen to Brooke. She had just wanted Thorne to know the whorish nature of the woman he wanted to marry.

" I had nothing to do with what you said happened to you."

" Oh but I think you did. In fact it was mostly likely your idea although I sure you didn’t plan on him raping me. You just wanted me to be so drugged up that I’d sleep with anyone."

"You are a slut aren’t you? It is in your nature to fu(k men."

"You bitch!" Brooke hissed. You supplied Kimberly with the drugs so you are an accessory."

" An accessory to what?"

"Attempted rape. You planned the entire thing. I have you on tape with Kimberly. I have some phone records of you talking to your old friend Bill Spencer who I’m sure supplied you with the drugs."

Stephanie was shocked. Where in the hell had Brooke gotten that information? " Aren’t you waiting a little late to press charges of attempted rape?"

"No, I’m not. I have the videotape from the garage where he attacked me. I’ll have testimony of the doctor who saw. James Warwick had been seeing me to deal with the trauma of almost being raped."

Stephanie began to fill the dread build. " It still has nothing to do with me. I didn’t talk to that man or slip that drug into your drink."

Brooke tilted her head to the side. " But Kimberly did….didn’t she? And you knew about the whole thing."

Stephanie turned away. She had to think of something. " It would be your word against mine."

Brooke sighed. " I figured that you’d say." Brooke picked up the telephone. " Geoffrey, please send the television in."

Geoffrey, one of the guards wheeled in a television. After he left. Brooke pushed the play button on the DVD player. On the tape Gunter was being interviewed. He admitted to attaching Brooke as well as Kimberly’s role in the matter. Stephanie watched in horror as he told how Kimberly had come to him with the drugs. Brooke paused the video.

" Do I need to go on?"

Stephanie looked shocked and it took her a moment to think. "No where in this was I named."

" I know but it is enough. Enough for Kimberly’s name to be dragged through the mud. Then there is your conversation with her. It is very damaging, isn’t it? An investigation would take place and it would bring down your precious name. I wonder how Eric would fair in a custody battle with his wife being part of a conspiracy to have his ex-raped."

" Custody battle? We already won."

Brooke finagled a surprised look on her face. " Oh…I’m sorry. I forgot. I went to court this morning and contested the judge’s decision about Bridget." Brooke walked over to the table and put her hand on her right hip. " He gave it some thought and decided that there was an error and Bridget belonged with me."

" You did what!"

Brooke gave Stephanie a cold hard look. " I got my daughter back you bitch." She whispered.

Thorne opened the door to the hospital room to find Kimberly looking out of the window.

She turned around and smiled timidly when she saw him. " Thorne what are you doing here?" Thorne had a solemn look on his face and Kimberly knew whatever it was, she wasn’t going to like it.

Eric knocked on the door to the penthouse. A large man opened the door saying nothing. Eric looked around the immaculate penthouse waiting for Sonny’s son. Suddenly Eric wasn’t alone anymore. He turned around and found a man in an immaculate suite standing behind him. The man had a dangerous quality to him.

" You look like you father."

The man nodded. " Yes. Many people have said that." The man walked toward the bar.

"Would you like I drink? I do believe you like Martini."

Eric looked uncomfortable. " How did you know that?"

The man smiled. " I have my ways. As well did my father." The man sipped his drink.

" Please sit down Eric. I do believe that we have a great deal to discuss."

"Mr. Deangleo."

" Call me Caspian."

Eve lay in the arms of Rick. She gently caressed his chest with her fingers. Rick smiled sated with pleasure. " Wow…that was incredible."

Eve smiled. " I aim to please." Eve kissed Rick on his neck while he played with her long hair. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.

" I could stay like this forever."

" Me too." Eve sat up; her long hair fell almost to her waist. She looked beautiful sitting naked in the rumpled bed. Rick gently touched her nipple and then kissed it. Eve sighed. She gently cupped his face.

" I love you Rick. I never want anything to happen to us."

Rick continued to kiss her breast and gently pulled her under him. " I love you too. More than words can say. I don’t know what I’d do without you Eve." Tears filled Eve’s eyes.

" You’ll have to find out. I love you now and forever."

Stephanie looked down at the papers that showed that the judge had indeed ruled in Brooke’s favor. " You got your daughter back. Well it won’t matter because Eric and I will just file again."

"You can file all you want but I don’t think that the court will see you or Eric in the same light especially once I get through with you. Your good name will be trashed with the scandal that it would bring. But I have a feeling that you personally will have to deal with others matters. So stealing my daughter from me will no longer be a priory."

" What matters?"

Brooke headed toward the briefcase and took out another CD. " I think that this might interest you." Brooke took the CD containing the conversation between Kimberly and her out and replaced it with another CD. Brooke pressed by and Stephanie heard the beginnings of the conversation between her and Brooke from last night. Stephanie was in a state of disbelief and she paused for a moment using the table as leverage to keep her from rocking to the side. Brooke crossed her arms over her breast " You really shouldn’t have gloated so much. But I knew that you wouldn’t be able to resist because it is what you always do. I knew that it wouldn’t take much to get you to open up about the past or talk about the different ways you tried to hurt me. Tell me, what do you think that Eric would have to say about knowing the part that you planned in the break up of his marriage to me? How about the fact that you tried to strangle me? What would your friends who respect you so much? What would they say? Stephanie Forrester, a pillar of the community is nothing more than a woman who would try to murder, entrap and even use forgery to get what she wants. I think that it would make a really great story and I have a feeling that it would tear your marriage and your family apart."

Stephanie took a step toward Brooke. " What do you want?"

Brooke yawned purposefully and looked bored. " Nothing…you have nothing that I want. You see. I have my daughter. I have your company." Brooke shrugged. " I don’t want a thing." Brooke looked down and then she looked into Stephanie’s hate filled eyes. " You know what I changed my mind. I do want something. I want to suffer and fear me just like you tried to get me to fear you all these years. I’m going to hold onto these pieces of information to keep you in your place. But you’ll never know when or if I’ll change my mind and let your husband and the rest of the world see what a bitch you are."

Stephanie’s anger rose as Brooke spoke. The bitch had a nerve to stand in her company and threaten her. After all that she had done to destroy her husband and their family. She had spread her lies, discord and body like a disease filtering and festering to Stephanie’s husband and sons. Brooke didn’t care that she was ruining her own children’s lives but she had hurt Stephanie’s grandchildren by tearing Taylor and Ridge’s marriage apart.

Brooke smiled. " Things are going to change around here or so help me. I’ll destroy everything that you love just like you tried to do to me."

"You bitch!" Stephanie came at Brooke so fast that Brooke didn’t have time to shield herself. Stephanie hit Brooke with a tight closed fist. Brooke reeled from the hit and lost her balance falling back and hitting the floor hard. Stephanie had the advantage because the fall knocked the wind out of Brooke and she grabbed hold of Brooke’s neck tightly squeezing. Brooke dug her nails into Stephanie’s hand to try and let her go. " You fu(king bitch! I’m going to kill you! I’m…." Suddenly Stephanie was wrenched away from Brooke. Brooke gasped for air. Tears filled her eyes and she coughed hacking coughs. It took a moment for Brooke’s eyes to clear enough to see Caspian standing over her. Caspian kneeled down next to Brooke. Muttering in Italian as he touched her face gently. Then he finally spoke in English. " My love, are you all right?"

Brooke sat up slowly. " I’m all right." Caspian looked at Brooke to make sure that she was all right when he turned toward Stephanie. Stephanie was holding her arm where this stranger had roughly grabbed and flung her. She would had hit the wall with a great amount of force he had flung her. Caspian stalked toward Stephanie and she backed up holding her arm. Stephanie was instantly afraid of the angrily looking stranger who stalked her as if she were prey.

" Get the hell out of here!" She decided to use her belligerent manner to force him to leave." The man continued to walk toward her with pure rage in his eyes. He put his finger in Stephanie’s face.

" Don’t you ever and I mean ever lay a hand on her again. So help me if you do I make you suffer in ways that you’ve never imagined." Caspian slowly grasped Stephanie by her chin painfully. " If you ever try to do anything to try to harm her or her daughter. I will kill you but before I do it…I’ll hurt your precious son Ridge first." His cold voice sent shivers through her body. " I can do it lady. I can do things you wouldn’t even imagine."

" That is enough Caspian."

Caspian turned toward Brooke and he concerned overwhelmed him. He went to Brooke’s side and gently cupped her face. He bent down and gently wiped away a drop of blood that formed on the right side of her lip with his thumb. He then licked the drop off of his finger. " She almost killed you. If anything happened to you…"

Brooke took Caspian’s hands in hers. " She wouldn’t have. She would have come to her senses wouldn’t you have Stephanie?" Brooke turned her attention to the Stephanie. Stephanie had watched the display between Brooke and the man in awe. She had felt the sexual tension between them. It seemed that Brooke had a new man in her life. Stephanie didn’t know who the man was, but he had threatened her son. " Tell him Stephanie. Tell him that you wouldn’t have hurt me." Brooke moved toward Stephanie. " Did you?"

Stephanie gave Brooke a pure look of hate. " I would have come to my senses. That whore isn’t worth going to jail for."

Caspian’s cold eyes assessed her. " Don’t ever talk to her to her that way again. In or out of my presence." Brooke could see that Stephanie wasn’t going to apologize and that would only infuriate Caspian. Stephanie didn’t truly understand how dangerous that could be for her.

" Caspian…Stephanie and I have some business to conclude."

" I’m not leaving you after she attacked you."

Brooke turned toward him. " Please. She won’t do anything else. I’ll be fine." Caspian inwardly groaned. Brooke was testing his resolve. He had been scared when he had come into the office and found Stephanie attacking Brooke. The last thing he wanted was to leave her alone with the woman. Stephanie Forrester had crossed the line. It took all of his willpower for him not to show her the full brunt of his power and squash her like a bug. " Caspian please. I’ll see you later." Brooke put some pressure on his arm. " I can handle her."

Caspian looked at Brooke and gently touched her face again. He kissed her lightly on the lips. He turned to look at Stephanie. " I meant what I said about you and your son if anything happens to her."

Stephanie watched as the man left while Brooke let out a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was a battle between her and Caspian.

Eric sat in his car gripping the steering wheel of his Mercedes. What was he going to do? How was he going to explain this to Stephanie?

Stephanie kept her distance from Brooke. She wasn’t sure what she was more afraid of, killing the bitch or having that horrible man come after her. She wasn’t sure who he was but she was sure that he was Brooke’s newest lover. Stephanie gave Brooke a look of hatred. " It seems that you haven’t wasted your time on finding a new bed partner. This one has got real balls."

Brooke touched the small ache at the corner of her mouth. " You have no idea how close you came to really getting hurt. I must say that I underestimated your reaction to the news. But I must say that I’m not surprised you have been sorting to violence lately."

" Who is he?"

Brooke titled her head to the side. " That is none of your business. But he means what he said not that you’d be stupid enough to hurt me."

" You’d let that thug hurt Ridge?"

Brooke ignored Stephanie. She knew Caspian had made that threat to upset Stephanie. "I don’t think that it is going to be an issue because you aren’t stupid enough to try to attack me again are you?"

" That THUG! Threatened my son…."

Brooke walked over toward the table. " That thug as you put is a very powerful man."

Stephanie studied Brooke for a moment. " He is responsible for this isn’t he? Normally you’d be cowering in the corner or crying to somebody but you are real confident aren’t you."

"Lets just say that the tides have changed. I think that from now on you’ll see as the threat that you always said that I was. You will leave my family alone or I’ll destroy yours." Brooke took the CD out of the component and handed to Stephanie with the other one. " This is your copy. Of course, I have other ones that I’ll be forced to release if you decide to ever come after my daughter." Brooke closed up her briefcase and headed to the door. She turned around to give Stephanie one last pitying look. " It really is a shame that all your hard work has landed you with nothing. You don’t have your company. You don’t have Bridget to use anymore and most importantly you couldn’t have your heart’s desire. You couldn’t get rid of me." Brooke looked at her archenemy feeling only disgust for her. " You made mistake trying to take my daughter from me. The biggest of your life. There are going to be a lot of changes around from now on." Brooke tossed her hair over her shoulder. " What is it you like to say to me? Isn’t it something like…Oh I know?" Brooke smiled. " I finally won. I’ve got you right where I want you. On your knees. That is where you are. You no longer are any consequence to me. Finally I’m free of you." Brooke opened the door. " You really shouldn’t have fu(ked with me that one last time." Brooke closed the door firmly behind her leaving Stephanie Forrester crushed.

Trudie sat in the club sipping her drink of "Sex On The Beach". She thought about her conversation with Stephanie. She hoped that she had made the right decision. Playing games with a woman like Stephanie Forrester was dangerous but Trudie could handle her. Still, to deny her own granddaughter in order to stick it to Brooke was a nasty thing. Trudie hadn’t known how Brooke had dealt with that bitch for all those years. If things were different, she would have told Brooke but Trudie honestly didn’t think that telling Bridget that Ridge who her father would make any situation better. Ridge already had a lot of kids and Bridget had pretty much grown up with Eric as a father. How would the teen feel to find that her own grandmother had had the test changed in order to destroy her mother? Trudie was a realist and she knew that an opportunity to make a lot of money was one that fell into her lap everyday. With the money that she got from Stephanie Forrester for her silence, she’d have Eve invest it with her financial wiz brain of hers and then she’d be set for life.

" Well, well if it ain’t little Trudie."

Trudie heard a familiar voice. Trudie turned and smiled. She launched herself in the arms of the man wearing black. " Deacon, what are you doing here?" Trudie looked in the eyes of one of the sexiest men that she had ever known. He still had those sideburns and those dark eyes and black was still obviously his signature color. She laughed remembering the crush that she had had on him.

Deacon smirked sexily. He eyes took in Trudie’s attire of a gold mesh backless halter dress. He shook his head walking around her looking at her. "Damn…you still look good. Do you taste as sweet as you used to True?

"You’ll never find out."

Deacon raised an eyebrow. " You think so?" He trailed his finger down her back." You know that night was fantastic."

Trudie smiled. " Yeah…it was."

Deacon leaned in closely. "Do you still have that wonderful tattoo?"

"Yes…do you want to see it?"

Deacon lit a cigarette. " I sure do."

Trudie laughed. " You haven’t changed. What are you doing here?"

"I took over this club around a month of so. "

"This club is booming. But I thought that you’d never leave New York."

" Things changed. So tell me True…are you still a bad little girl?"

Brooke walked slowly into her house feeling the weight of what had transpired between her and Stephanie. Finally it was over. She had her daughter back and she’d never have to worry about Stephanie again. " Caspian…" Brooke ran into the outside hoping to see him but she wasn’t there. " Where are you…." Brooke saw a note on the table. She read it quickly and smiled. Brooke ran upstairs.

Stephanie had been had. The bitch had bested her. After all these years Brooke Logan had won. Tears filled her eyes as her fist knotted. " I’ll find a way to make you pay."

Brooke walked onto the deck of the candlelit yacht. She made her way to the Caspian who was standing on deck wearing a tuxedo. He turned and made his way toward her. Brooke who was wearing a beautiful black backless dress with a plunging neckline, which displayed ample breast, looked beautiful. Diamonds sparkled in her ears. He took her into his arms and music slowly drifted toward them. He cupped her face gently.

" Thank you."

" For what?" He said.

" For letting me handle Stephanie."

"When I saw what she was doing, I wanted to hurt her."

" I know." Brooke traced his brow with her fingers. " What made you come into the office?"

" I don’t know. I had arrived in your office. I was going to whisk you here when I got a funny feeling that you need me."

" Well, I’m glad that you came." Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. " You were there when I needed you."

" I’ll never let you down."

" When I think about her hands being on your neck."

"Don’t worry about it. I’m all right."

Brooke smiled through her tears. " Tonight before I had the meeting with Stephanie. Thorne came to see me." Caspian stopped dancing and looked into Brooke’s eyes deeply. His fingers trailed down her cheek. "Are you all right?"

" Yes. It was hard seeing him though. The conversation was strange. He kept telling me to remember how much he loves me. It really didn’t make sense." Caspian said nothing, he only listened. " I told him that it was over. That we couldn’t go back and he kissed me." Caspian traced Brooke’s lower lips and traced it with his finger.

" How did you feel when he kissed you? Did you want him back?"

Brooke closed her eyes. Caspian’s tracing finger was erotic. She slowly opened her eyes. " A small part of me wanted to end his hurt. He loved me and I loved him."

" Part of you still does doesn’t it?"

"Yes." Brooke saw a flash of pain in Caspian’s eyes. " But I don’t belong to him anymore. We tried. It didn’t work."

" Because of Kimberly?"

"Initially because of Kimberly but there is more to it. There is you."

" What about me?"

"When Thorne kissed me. I remembered our time together and maybe a small part of me will always love him. He is a good man….but…." Brooke cupped Caspian’s face. " When he kissed me I realized something else…."

" What?"

"How much I need you. Not because you helped with Bridget although I appreciate it. But I thought about how safe and how much I need to have you around. Caspian, I guess somewhere all along I knew that this might happen. That is why I fought it."

Caspian’s heart beat loudly in his chest. " What did you fight?" He traced the trail of a tear that had fallen on her check.

" Loving you. Caspian….I am falling in love with you."

Caspian’s smiled warmed her heart. " Ahh…my love. I think that I’ve loved you since the moment we met."

Caspian touched her neck softly. He bent his head to tail soft kisses on her neck. Shivers coursed through Brooke’ body as his hand slowly moved up and down her back. Brooke moved against him loving the feel of him against her.

Deacon sat in the bar smoking. It had been good talking to True…she was his kind of girl but it seems that she had a boyfriend. She seemed committed to him. Deacon took a drink, who would have thought that would happen. Deacon’s mind wasn’t really on Trudie; it was on the beautiful redhead who had been sipping wine at the bar for the last half an hour. She was stunning in her black leather single strapped dress that she wore like second skin. She sat there looking beautiful with her blue eyes smoking silently. Deacon made his way toward her. She looked up at him but she said nothing.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

She looked at him. " No" Her eyes took him in drinking him in.

" Is there anything that I can get you?"

Isabelle blew smoke in his direction raising an eyebrow.

Trudie sat watching CJ as he sung in the kitchen. He was cooking dinner for her. She had left the bar when he had called her. She smiled at CJ. She wondered what he’d do if he found out that she had blackmailed Stephanie Forrester.

Caspian slipped Brooke’s dress off her shoulders baring her naked breast to his eyes.

"God… you are so beautiful." Brooke trailed her hands up his chest, which was barred through his open shirt. She bent her head and nipped at his nipple. Caspian picked her up and carried her to his bed.

Thorne looking dejected but it had to be done. He had made a promise to his mother and now Brooke could have her daughter. He glanced at Kimberly seeing the tears in her eyes. He slipped the ring on her finger.

Taylor kissed her sleeping son and head back downstairs to when the doorbell rang. She opened it to find Ridge with a suitcase in his hands. She allowed him to come in.

Ridge touched Taylor’s face gently." Doc, are you sure that this is all right?"

She didn’t pull away from the touch for a moment then she did. "Yes" Ridge followed his wife down the hall and upstairs.

 

Caspian lowered his mouth between Brooke’s legs. He found her nub with his tongue. He suckled it while his fingers found her nipples. Brooke cried out with passion.

Thorne kissed Kimberly yet it was cold and passionless. The preacher made the sign of the cross and pronounced them man and wife. Thorne looked at the woman who was now his wife and felt pain. He turned away from Kimberly and walked away.

Isabelle moved up and down on Deacon’s erection as he gripped her waist bruising her with his fingers. Her mouth caught his with fever. Deacon felt her muscles clench around his members. Damn…she was going to kill him. Deacon smirked though his groan. Damn..He was going to really like L.A.

Eve snuggled against Rick, his naked body spooning her. He kissed her head while her fingers were laced with his.

Gunter lay on the gurney of the prison’s hospital unit. His eyes were closed but even still he noticed a shadow pass over top of him. He looked up to find a large man with a nasty scar and a horrid tattoo on his bulging arms. " I’ve got a present for you compliment of Caspian Deangleo."

Thorne looked at his sleeping wife and then glanced at his wedding band. " I did this for you Brooke."

Brooke lowered herself onto Caspian’s member. He looked at her with passion-glazed eyes while he kissed her. " I love you…" He whispered as she moved over him. A droplet of sweat ran down between her breast and he lapped it up with tongue. Brooke’s thighs gripped the sides of his while her body moved toward a passionate end.

Stephanie looked at an old picture of her family while the CD recording played in the background. She'd die before she let Brooke win. This was far from over.

 

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Against All Odds

SEASON II

Chapter 73 (The Bitch Is Back)

Kimberly laid against the soft lavender scented sheets while she moved her left hand as the sun created prisms of light against the small diamonds on her wedding band. Kimberly rolled over onto her stomach and studied her ring. It was perfect; a simple diamond studded wedding band. Sure it wasn’t big like the diamond that Thorne had given Brooke, but Brooke had never gotten a wedding band, or a wedding. Kimberly smiled again. Her wedding had been perfect. She had worn a simple white dress. Sure, none of the Forresters had been there and there had been no wedding announcements or a Forrester Original wedding gown but Kimberly didn’t care. She had the man. She was Mrs. Thorne Forrester. Kimberly sat up and looked around at bedroom. Like the rest of her new home, it was delightful. She had a large bedroom decorated in soft cream. Her canopy bed was large and comfortable. The cream-colored dresser and vanity was to the right of the room while further on the right side of the bedroom was a small platform for the fireplace. The bathroom was on the left side of the bed and it held Jacuzzi bath and a shower. On the left side of her bedroom there was a beautiful balcony that overlooked a garden below. Kimberly sipped out of the bed and touched a photo of Macy that sat on her night table. Thorne had seen that all her important things were bought here. Kimberly opened the door to her bedroom and headed out the living room. It too was charming, the furniture was comfortable and the top of the line. The jade colored living room was bathed from the sunlight from the open balcony doors. Thorne came from the hallway leading from the dinning and kitchen with a tray in his hand. He stopped when he saw Kimberly standing in the living room with a thin cream-colored nightgown that stopped mid-thigh. Bathed in the sunlight, he could make out her full breast as well as her nipples among other things. Thorne looked away.

" I think that you should be in bed. The doctor said that you need some rest."

" I just wanted to take a look around. This place is incredible."

"Well, I’m glad that you liked it." Thorne said although it didn’t sound like he meant it.

Kimberly walked toward him and touched the tray. There were crapes, orange juice and fruit salad. " Looks good."

"Well, I thought that you might be hungry."

Kimberly touched her stomach. " Actually…I am."

"Where do you want me to eat? The dinning room or the bedroom?

Kimberly looked at Thorne. He looked so sexy in his tight blue jeans and simple white t-shirt. His feet were bare and his hair blond hair was slightly damp from the shower that he must have taken not so long ago. She could see his muscles and smell the scent of Dakar that he wore. Maybe if she could get him in the bedroom she could make him forget all about Brooke and make him her husband in the true sense." The bedroom will be fine." Thorne nodded and followed Kimberly into her bedroom. He watched as she crawled into the bed before he and gave her her tray. He headed toward the door when she stopped him. " Thorne, aren’t you going to sit with me?"

Thorne rocked back on the end of his heels. " I don’t…"

" Please Thorne, I’ve been so lonely lately. You’ve been my only friend for so long. Now you are my husband. Please don’t shut me out." Thorne wiped his face with his hands. She looked so innocent saying there in bed with her hair billowing around the pillowcase. She was so young and he had heard the loneliness in her voice. He understood loneliness because without Brooke that was what he was. Guilt racked Thorne but still there was a resentment that he couldn’t seem to get rid of. Part of his resentment was toward her.

" Kimberly. I’m sorry that you are lonely. I know that this is hard on you."

" It isn’t going to be hard anymore because you are going to help me through this."

" Look Kimberly. I want to help you but I’m not sure that I can do that right now. There is too much going on."

" We are married."

" In name only." Thorne looked at with a tortured look.

Anger coursed through Kimberly’s body. " You think that I don’t know that. I know that you married me only because of the baby. Because you wanted to do right by us but…"

" Is that why you think that I married you?" Thorne took a step back. God, he had made a mess of things. She didn’t know why he had married her and he couldn’t tell her now. It would be cruel to tell her the truth. Thorne hadn’t married her because of the baby. He had married her because of Brooke. He had made a deal with his mother. He had married Kimberly in order for his mother’s promise to allow Brooke to have Bridget. He loved Brooke that much that he’d tie himself to a virtual girl whom he didn’t love and never would love.

" Why did you marry me?" Kimberly asked him with tears in her eyes. " It wasn’t because of the baby?"

" Look Kimberly. It doesn’t really matter. We are married but in name only. We will share the same house but not the same bedroom. I’ll take care of you and baby but that is all that I can give you."

Kimberly pushed her food aside. " What if I want more?"

Thorne gave Kimberly a suspicious look. " More…Kimberly I can’t give you more. Why would you want more with a man who did to you what I did."

" Thorne…I didn’t mean that you and I would….you know." Kimberly licked her lips. " I just meant that we could start off as being friends again." Kimberly played with her hair while tears stung the back of her eyes. " I know that you think that I shouldn’t care about you or want you in my life, but I do. Just like I care about this baby." Kimberly put her hand over her stomach. " I didn’t think that I would. When I first found out that I was pregnant…I was so distraught but now I’m happy."

Thorne gave Kimberly an incredulous look. " You’re happy?" He said in a sarcastic tone.

Kimberly gave Thorne a hurt look. " Yes, I am happy because I going to have something to love." Kimberly rubbed her stomach. " I’ve lost everything that I ever loved. My dad, Macy…even Rick. God, Thorne, I lost you. You don’t want to be here and I can understand that but I didn’t ask for this or what happened that night. But in some way you blame me."

" I don’t blame you."

" Yes you do. I can see it in your eyes. I saw it last night when you asked me to marry you. I know that I’ve lost you as a friend BUT I have our baby and I’m going to love her." Kimberly wiped a tear that slipped down her cheek. " And maybe when you stop feeling sorry for yourself you’ll start looking past your own pain. This baby is here and I’m not going to wish for it to go away just because you lost Brooke. I lost Rick to Eve. I lost my virginity but I’m going to hold onto my baby and be a good mother. I suggest that you concentrate on our childe. I am sorry that you are hurting I don’t have the time to watch you wallow about the pain of losing Brooke when I lost everything."

Thorne felt his heart become heavy everything that she had said was true but the moment that he had stepped forward toward her, resentment filled his heart. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t comfort her.

" Kimberly…I have to go."

" Go. Where?"

"To work. I have a stockholders meeting. I’m also behind in my work. We have a showing very soon and I have got to get caught up."

" But I thought that we could spend some time together and talk."

" Later. Listen…I’ve called Darla and she is going to stay with you to make sure that you are okay. If you need anything you can call me."

" Thorne…"

"I’ll be home later tonight." Thorne closed the door behind him. Kimberly lay amid the pillows.

" It will be okay. It will take time for him to understand that I’m his wife and that he belongs here with us." Kimberly looked down at her stomach. " You’ll see sweetie. Daddy will soon be so long with us he won’t think of that bitch again. Mommy will see to it."

KC tried to hand Connor a cup of hot coffee as he leaned down and kissed her. KC allowed herself to get caught up in the passionate kiss as Connor cupped her naked bottom through the silk of her soft lilac robe. His hands expertly untied the sash. Sensually soft brown naked skin turned into full luscious charcoaled tipped breasts. Connor bent his head and expertly took one of her stiff nipples into his mouth. Connor picked KC up and sat her on the counter of his Ranch styled kitchen. He moved his heated body toward her while he spread her soft thighs. Resting his body between them, his hand moved down KC’s exquisite body while his mouth suckled against her breast. He heard KC’s sighs mingling with the sounds of the early morning birds through the opened French doors in the kitchen. He didn’t care that the doors were open. This was his property and no one would dare trust past without permission. KC’s nipples ached as Connor lavished them with his attentive mouth. His hand strayed down her flat stomach toward her open thighs. Connor groaned with aroused heat as his fingers came in contact with her soft hair that protected her jewel. His fingers parted her neather lips and found her jewel. " Connor…" She groaned as his fingers began to rub against her causing the most exquisite friction of pleasure.

" So wet…" He murmured against her breast. He took one of KC’s hands to his open robe. He put his aching member in her hand. " Touch me…I need your hands on me." KC spread her legs wider and scooted closer to Connor while his finger moved against her nub. It took effort to concentrate on his member in his hands because when he slid one full finger into her aching heat she almost climaxed right there. She gripped his head and member hard involuntarily, which cause Connor to groan more. " Oh god..KC." He slipped another finger inside her wet head. That, plus the administrations of her mouth was enough to make her contractions start. Connor’s fingers were drenched with her essence along with the pulsating contractions of her body. He slipped his finger out of her aching body and pulled her toward him. Before he or she would inhale another breath, he pushed inside of her with his aching member inside of her. KC shuttered as his fullness entered her body with a tremendous thrust. KC pushed her breast into his mouth as his member moved inside of her with such depthless. He pulled her closer, his hand cupping her naked buttocks against the cold titled kitchen counteetop, his member moving in and out of her when she felt the butterfly touches of the on coming climax. She used her inner muscles to squeeze him, wanting him to fall over the edge at the same time she did. When the moment finally hit her, she squeezed him so tight that he came in only a matter of moments after her. After they had caught their breath he carried upstairs to his bedroom.

Kristen Forrester looked at her watch. In less than twenty minutes her plane would land in Los Angles. It had been years that she had been here. She hadn’t even come home when her mother had had a stroke. She had wanted too but truthfully she would have been in a way. She and her mother were not close and they would never be. Truthfully, her mother only had room for Ridge and her father. She, Felicia and even Thorne had never mattered because most of her mother’s love and time went toward them. For years her mother had made her feel insignificant as well as in the way. Her mother had always jealous of her close relationship with her father and had done her best push her out of the house into a disastrous marriage. Still she was on her way home and for the umpteenth time she received the phone call, she wondered why. Why was this stockholders meeting being called?

 

Charlie wheeled the wheelchair into her sister’s room and stopped to find her sister fixing her makeup and wearing a tight pair of low riding jeans and a tight sleeveless black T-shirt that said "Hot Mamma" on it. Charlie shook her head at her sister’s attire but she said nothing since Morgan had always dressed so differently than her. Morgan looked up. " Thank god you are here, I can’t wait to get out of this place." Morgan frowned when she realized that Charlie had come alone. "Where is Dylan?"

"He is home with a nanny."

" A nanny…"

" Morgan, you’ll be at the condo in no time. It made no sense to bring him. Besides he was sleeping."

" I guess that you are right. I just can’t wait to see my boy." Morgan’s eyes sparkled. " Those little finger and that precious face. I could eat him up."

" I bet that you could. You always did like children."

Morgan threw the robe that she was packing in the suitcase. " It really is ashamed that you’ll never have children. The experience has changed my life." Morgan missed the shadow of pain that crossed her sister’s face. Charlie was silent for a moment and it caused Morgan to look up. " Charlie…I’m sorry. I really thinking."

Charlie put her hand up. " Don’t worry Morgan. I’ve accepted that I’ll never be able to have children. Besides, I’m too busy and on call at the hospital all the time. I’d never have the time to raise a child."

"But you were willing to raise Dylan if I didn’t wake up from that coma."

" Of course I was. You are my baby sister. Dylan is my nephew. I love him. Besides, there wasn’t anyway that I was going to let Ridge and his family raise your son."

" I don’t know…Ridge doesn’t seem so bad."

Charlie rolled her eyes. " I can’t believe that you said that."

" He’s a good father to Dylan. You even said that."

" Well I certainly hope that you aren’t still trying to get him."

Morgan stilled. " Why should you care Charlie?"

" My god Morgan. Look at what you’ve been through. Look at what you’ve done."

" Don’t start…"

Charlie gave her sister an astonished look as she walked toward her sister who was putting her things into the suitcase. " Don’t start. You tricked the man into sleeping with you."

" He enjoyed it."

" I’m sure that he did but that doesn’t change what you did. What you did Morgan was underhanded."

Morgan stilled. " You are still looking down at me aren’t you?"

"No Morgan I’m not. But I’m going to tell you when you are wrong. You tricked Ridge into having sex with you. You ruined his marriage. Now you are acting like what you did was all right."

" I didn’t say that." Morgan slammed her suitcase shut. " I know I was wrong. I was foolish and stupid. I though that I could have a life with Ridge and rebuild what Stephanie destroyed."

" Morgan, I thought that you got over that. Didn’t all those years always in Sunnyvale teach you anything?"

"I just wanted to have my son."

" Of course it HAD to be by Ridge right?"

" God, you really hate him don’t you?"

Charlie brushed her hair out of her face. " The man is an egotistical womanizer. He still has the same hang ups that he did in high school. The man in his forties and he still allows his **** to rule him."

" Ridge has grown up. You haven’t seen him with his children and his…."

" His wife?"

"I’ll admit. I made a mistake. But no matter what, I can’t be sorry for Dylan. You can’t understand how much I wanted a baby. It had to be his baby." Morgan played with her bracelets. " I love my son and no matter how bad you make me feel. I’m not sorry about having Dylan or dying for him. I wanted this for so long." Tears filled Morgan’s eyes.

" I’ve prayed for that. The suicide attempts, the craziness…it was worth it all to have Dylan." Charlie said nothing. She knew that Morgan had gone through a great deal to have Dylan but in the process, she had destroyed a family.

Brooke sighed and slowly opened her eyes. Last night had been wonderful. Last night the tides had finally turned and she would no longer be a victim of Stephanie’s horrific threats or plots. Her daughter was once again hers and she’d never be threatened again. Brooke smiled to herself and moved when suddenly Caspian’s grip around her waist became tighter. Brooke slowly turned toward Caspian who even his sleep had a hold over her. She studied him for a moment. His dark hair looking like pieces of charcoal against his perfectly tanned skin. She gently reached out touched his face. She traced the impression of his raven wing’s eyebrows, his perfect nose and his full lips. She traced the indention of the cleft of his chin and she noticed a small scar that she had never noticed before. She gently pressed her lips against the scar. She couldn’t help but inhale his scent, a mixture of scandalwood and sex from the pervious night. Brooke felt Caspian’s hand gently moved down her naked back to cup and kneed the globes of buttocks. Brooke looked up into Caspian’s sleepy eyes and drowned in the dark pools of color staring back at her. Caspian thought that his heart actually stilled when beautiful face turned up at him, her golden eyes looked like droplets of sunshine, her long blonde hair gleamed with the light that raidiated through the bay windows. But it wasn’t her beauty that made his heart stop, it was the pure looked of love in her eyes that made him forget to breath, it made him forget everything. He turned on his side fully toward Brooke as he bought her body naked body in contact with his. Her soft breast pressed against his muscular chest while his fully erect member pressed against her flat stomach. His eyes stared deeply into her and bond between them as always was there. Caspian couldn’t put his finger on it, but it seemed that since she had pledged her love for him that their bond had become so strong that thie heart beat was the same pattern.. His hands sensually made his way up her back and moved gently toward her face. Brooke studied him while his finger traced the line of her face.

" Good morning, beautiful."

" Good morning." Brooke nipped Caspian’s finger.

" How did you sleep?" Brooke loved the sleepiness husky sound of his accented sound of his voice.

"I slept better than I’ve slept in a long. The weight of off my stress was lifted and I had the chance to spend the night in the arms of a man that I love."

" Say that again."

Brooke smiled. " I slept better than…" Brooke giggled as Caspian caught her hand and kissed her open palm and pressed it against his beating heart.

" Say the part again about me being the man that you love." Brooke saw the seriousness in his eyes. This was imperative to him. She cupped his face gently with her two hands. She softly bit her lower lips before she spoke to him with a voice rating full of love.

"I love you Caspian Deangleo." Caspian pulled Brooke to him and dipped his head to take possession of her lips. He kissed her gently. His mouth touched hers lightly then he pulled away. He traced her bottom lip before he took possession again. He angled her mouth and slipped his tongue into her willing mouth. Brooke sighed as her mouth drank from hers. Brooke’s mated his wife, as she breathed she inhaled his breath. He placed his hand over her breast feeling her heartbeat. He gently pulled his head away from hers. " I love Brooke. From the bottom of my soul, I promise to love you beyond my lifetime as well as yours. For you, if all were ever lost, I’d give my honor, my soul and my life for you. I give myself to completely to you. All that I am and all that I ever will be." Brooke’s breath caught in her throat. How many times had she been promised love only to find it fleeting? Yet when he said the words to her something inside of her somehow knew that he meant it. Brooke closed her eyes and kissed Caspian’s chest right on the exact place his heat was beating. Caspian rolled onto his back while cradling her head on his chest. " You have my heart Brooke. For now and forever."

 

Ridge finished sipping his coffee while he watched his children play in their playroom. He heard a noise from the doorway and turned to find Taylor in silk pajamas. Taylor was twisting her hair up with a clip and stopped when she realized that her husband’s gaze was centered on her when she turned away and walked back into the hallway. Ridge followed her closing the door behind him.

" Don’t stop Doc."

Taylor sighed. " Ridge, please…."

Ridge took a hesitant step toward his wife. " I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable but I have missed you."

Taylor averted Ridge’s gaze and looked her children through the slightly ajar door. Thomas was playing happily with his sisters. Last night, there were no nightmares and for the first time since Ridge had moved out, her son was a peace. " You know why you are here. Don’t make more out of it than it is."

"I’m not Doc.."

" Don’t call me that Ridge. Not anymore."

Ridge nodded quietly. " I didn’t mean to upset you."

Tears filled Taylor’s eyes. " Well, it did. That name was an endearment."

"I still love you."

" It doesn’t change the fact that you had a baby with Morgan. Ridge. You know why we are doing, our son needs us."

"I know but I thought that you were willing to try to work things out. You said.."

"I think that it is important for you to remember why you are here. You are here for our son and that all. You and I are over in that sense. And if it wasn’t for my children the ink for be drying on my divorce papers."

" Doc..Just give us a chance. Give me a chance."

" Until what Ridge? Until someone else turns your head. If not Morgan, it was bound to be someone else."

" That isn’t true."

" Yes it is. I thought that we were enough for you."

" You are. I love you."

" Ridge, you love yourself. Your ego. You like walking into a room and having woman fawn over you. And you know what? A part of me liked that. I thought that I was so lucky because you could have had any woman in world and you picked. Or should I say I fought for you."

" Taylor…what are you talking about. I picked you."

" Did you really? Because you and I both know that if it hadn’t been for Thomas you would never have had your marriage to Brooke annulled."

" What? Why are you bringing Brooke up? That was years ago."

" Because it is the truth."

Ridge became so angry that he wanted to slam his hand in the door. "Taylor what do you want me to say? During that time, things were difficult. Brooke and I had just married when I found out that Thomas was my son. What do you want me to say….that I didn’t love Brooke? I did. But I ended that marriage to create a life with you and our son. That was years ago."

"You want to talk about years. We were married for three years during out first marriage but had only been dead four months before you married Brooke."

Ridge couldn’t believe that Taylor was brining this up again." This isn’t about Logan.."

" Yes it is! Listen to yourself. Your Logan."

" Brooke and I are friends. That it. Nothing more and you damn well know it."

" Really…that isn’t what I heard. I heard the you kissed her."

Ridge sighed. " Look Taylor. She was feeling bad and I wanted to cheer her up."

" By kissing her on the lips."

" I care about Brooke. I always will. She’s been a part of my life forever. But my romantic connection ended when you and I remarried. Brooke isn’t an issue. Besides Logan is in love with Thorne. Now I know that we problems but they don’t have anything to do with Brooke."

Taylor shook her head. " You really don’t see it do you. Our problems started with Brooke. Or at least my problems."

"Your problems? Doc…what are you talking about?"

"Ridge from the moment that I met you all those years ago I’ve loved you. And I’ve dealt with so much because you were worth it. But from the beginning there has been Brooke. The first time you asked me to marry you was because she was going to have another baby. I’ll never forget how humiliating that was to me? How could I fight your history with her? My god, she loved you since she had been in college. Here was a woman who had such a hold over you. She is epitome of sex and you ate it up. She could do no wrong in your eyes, not matter what stress she caused me. ."

"Taylor I work with Brooke."

" Your eyes light up when you see her. Even after all these years, they still do. You constantly have a need to protect her. Remember how you acted when she dinner with Victor Newman. You acted like the jealous husband. How do you think that it made me feel to see my husband almost come to blows because his ex-wife kissed another man?"

" Taylor that was two years ago."

" But it’s always the same. The feeling that a part of you wants to be with her. Ridge and Brooke…the great love story." Taylor said sarcastically. Taylor wiped a tear that ran down her cheek. "I thought that giving you the girls would finally make you see what you had here. You, our three children and me. I know how much it hurt you to leave Bridget and Rick. You raised them most of your life. But I thought that I could make up for you losing them."

" Taylor, how can you think that? You couldn’t replace Rick or Bridget in my heart just like none could replace Thomas, Phoebe, Stephanie or Dylan."

" Dylan…"

" Yes, Dylan."

Taylor turned away. " I don’t want to talk about YOUR son."

" We need to. Taylor, it seems that we have a great deal to talk about. Things that were left unsaid for far to long. We need to talk about Morgan and Dylan and it seems that we need to talk about Brooke."

" When have we never talked about her? She is always there. She was there when you married me."

Ridge was becoming irritated. It was more than obvious that Taylor wasn’t going to five him an inch. She kept making Brooke the issue when she wasn’t one. " Taylor, just let this thing with Brooke go because she isn’t an issue."

" To you."

" Damit it Taylor. What in the hell do you want from me? What do you want me to say? I didn’t have an affair with Brooke. I’ve never had an affair with Brooke."

" But you did with Morgan."

" Morgan isn’t Brooke. I didn’t have an affair with Morgan."

" You just****ed her and got her pregnant."

" I made a mistake. She tricked…"

" She tricked you." Taylor said with disgust. " Poor Ridge, he got tricked into having sex with another of his old girlfriend."

" She did trick me. You know it."

" You loved it! You loved sleeping with her. Just like you always loved Brooke." Taylor started to cry. " Admit it! Taylor pounded Ridge on his chest. With both of her fist. " For once admit it!"

Ridge had had it. He caught her fist with his hands." What do you want? You want the truth. I’ll give it to you. Yes, had sex with Morgan but it was a mistake. I’d never touch her again. You know this, but you don’t want to hear that. And as far as Brooke goes, you knew that I loved her when I married you. You are the one who pushed for a quick wedding. What in the hell did you think---did you think that I’d forget all about her? My god, I annulled my marriage to her to make a family with you and Thomas but that wasn’t enough. You are the one who wanted who needed to be married three days after my annulment was granted. I needed time, but I didn’t want to disappoint you so we married quickly. How dare you stand there and act like giving up Brooke was so easy for me. I loved her. I walked away from her knowing that I was killing her and Bridget. I watched her retreat into a miserable shell because I left. It was hard to do but I did it. And make no mistakes, I did it for you."

"Brooke continued to throw herself at you."

"She was having a hard time adjusting. She didn’t mean any harm, it was difficult but I resisted didn’t I? It wasn’t easy for me to do. You don’t know how many times that I was tempted to hold her or kiss her?"

" Or sleep with her." Taylor said bitterly.

"Yes…God help me I wanted to make love to her." Ridge looked away toward the ajar door to the children’s playroom. " I loved her. She was my wife. We shared something special but you already knew that."

Taylor reacted like she had been slapped in the face. " Yes Ridge. I guess that I’ve always knows that. How could I forget?"

"But never did those things and after a while it didn’t hurt anymore. I found happiness with you and then we expanded our family."

" I thought thing would be perfect. I began to believe that it was all over. I relaxed and thought that we had the perfect marriage. But then Brooke bought Morgan into our lives."

"Brooke wasn’t responsible for what I did. When she hired Morgan at Forrester, she didn’t know about my past with her."

"Are you sure? Brooke was angry with you during that time. She hardly spoke to you for months. In fact, she blamed you for Thorne’s marriage to Macy. Maybe she wanted to cause a little grief in our relationship because of the grief you caused her relationship."

" Taylor, you know in your heart that Brooke had nothing to do with what happened between with Morgan and me. You know that I didn’t mean for that to happen."

" But you allowed it to happen. You had sex with Morgan and allowed yourself to be manipulated into fathering Morgan’s child. I can’t get over that. I can’t get over how you lied to me and caused my life to be put in danger from diseases." Taylor pinched the bridge of her nose. " I really thought that giving you a family was enough."

"It was more than enough. I was happy Taylor. Happy with you and the family that we created."

"Where you really? Because I’m not sure what we had anymore. I thought that we had a marriage of commitment and trust but we didn’t. You jumped into bed and fathered a child with a woman I thought was my friend. You then compounded the problem by hiding it. All the years of trust and love and our family was broken when you allowed a videotape of your having your "baby making session" to be see by all at Rick’s birthday party. That alone is more problems that I can handle. You slept with Morgan and it changes everything. Who knows, you might decide to sleep with Brooke now that she is available. It wouldn’t matter how Thorne would feel about it, after all, you slept with Caroline when she was married to Thorne. What you do to others simply doesn’t matter anymore. As long as you are sorry later…all is always forgiven when it comes to you. How many people have you hurt with your philandering? Can you count them? How many married women have slept with? How many times have you cheated on a partner? You cheated on Caroline. You cheated on me. Funny, I think that the only woman you didn’t cheat on was Brooke. And that say a lot." Taylor looked away for a moment. " I don’t want to discuss this anymore. You are here for Thomas and the girls. You have been a good father to them and we should concentrate them not us. Don’t ask me to act like understand what you did. I don’t and not sure if I’ll ever be able to get past it."

" You could try."

" How can I when there is living, breathing reminder of your infidelity. I can’t forgive you. What you did destroyed everything between us."

Ridge reached out and pulled Taylor into his arms when she tried to turn away. " You still love me. I know that you do."

" Me loving you has never been a question. I’ve loved with everything that I have inside of you and you threw it away. I still love you but that changes nothing. My love for our children comes first. For them I allowed you back into our house but I won’t give you access to my heart." Taylor’s face contorted with pain. " I trusted you and hurt me. I’ve dealt with so much over the last month or so, all by myself. I’ve to deal with the kids’ problems while you’ve been busy with Dylan. I’ve dealing with the loss of our baby. The life that died before I even knew that it was alive. I can’t deal with this now." Taylor turned away and walked into the playroom to where the children were.

Ridge closed his eyes. He had thought that they had had a chance to work out their problems. But now he knew that his problems in his marriage were much bigger than he thought. It wasn’t just about Morgan anymore.

Brooke used both of her hands to clasp the back of Caspian’s head while she lay in the middle of his bed with her thighs open to his exploring mouth. . She could hardly think of anything besides the shards of pleasure that coursed through her body while his hand gripped her buttocks to keep her from involuntary moving. He was testing her will, seeing how long she could withstand the propping of his sensual tongue stroking the inner crevasses of her body. Brooke’s sighs echoed throughout the room while her hands moved down from his head toward his back grasping at his shoulders hard. Her stomach arched her eyes closed her neck arched. Caspian lifted his head for only moment watching her with avid fascination. She was truly a muse. She was his partner in all things. Never hiding her true nature or passion. He lowered his head again and found her aching nub with his tongue. He felt Brooke’s fingernails dig into his back; he found the pain pleasurable. He slowly suckled the nub into his mouth giving her the ultimate pleasure. Brooke arched off the bed not knowing if she could take anymore of his pleasure when she was hit with the starting wave of her climax. Caspian continued his torture until her body shook with the last of her plateau. He finally raised his head, not letting go of the hold on her thighs. He lowered his head and kissed with intense passion. Brooke gasped sucking his tongue inside of her mouth. She could taste herself on his tongue, but instead of repelling her, it aroused her even more.

" I need you." She whispered heavily between their kisses."

" Where?" Caspian said with a wicked. " Tell me where you want me."

" Inside me…now. Now!"

" All you have to do is ask." He said against her mouth. Caspian threw Brooke’s legs over his shoulders and posed over the inheritance of her heat.

Brooke looked up at him with passion filled eyes. " Do it now." She breathed. That was all Caspian needed. He slowly pushed inside her warmth, giving her a few inches. Brooke gasped feeling her body take a small part of him in. He leaned forward and kissed her as he gave her a few more inches. Brooke moaned and her eyes closed. He gave her a few more inches of himself, making it a slow intense fire inside building inside of her. A trickle of sweat ran down between Brooke breasts.

" More?"

Brooke could only nod when he pushed inside of her giving her all of him. Their moans of pleasure mingled together as he pulled out slowly and then pushed back inside of her. Caspian could hardly hold onto his registrant as he moved in and out of her body. Brooke couldn’t move with the position of her legs, however their position allowed her to feel the full extent of his penetration. Soon Brooke was pushed over the edge she climaxed. Caspian, who could feel the clenching of her inner muscles on his shaft continued to moved within her body until he filled her with his seed. Caspian collapsed on top of Brooke for a moment to catch his breath while Brooke lay underneath him. He quickly moved her to the side carrying her with him. They lay there wrapped in each other’s arms with the light of the day filtering through the windows to his suite on his yacht.

 

 

KC hummed to the sounds of Musiqu as she made starting making changed to the designs earmarked by Eric. Megan peeked in her office.

" There you are. I heard that you were back." Megan who looked refreshed in her _=mauve colored suit came into the office. " WOW, you look great." KC did look fabulous in a daring red and tope striped long sleeved silk blouse that tied together on the side showing up cleavage and tight form fitting red pants with stylish sling back heels.

" Well that is what a trip to Bali will do to a girl." KC said with a smile while she forward on her drawing table.

" He took you to Bali. How romantic."

" It was very romantic."

" So tell me all about it….Oh MY GOD! Is that what I think it is." Megan gasped as she took hold of KC’s left hand. " Is that what I think it is?"

" Yes. Connor asked me to marry him."

Megan hugged KC. " That is fantastic!" She pulled KC out of her chair over toward the sofa. " Tell me everything."

" Tell her what?" KC and Megan turned around to find Scott. " With all that screaming I just wanted to know what is going on."

" You just came in here for chocolate because you knew I was back." KC said to Scott.

Scott kissed KC on the cheek. "I’ve missed you. It was kinda weird not having you around the last week." Scott took a sip of his bottled water. " So are you going to tell me? What are you two so happy about?"

" Connor asked KC to marry him."

Scott looked down at KC’s hand with that looked to have a 4-carrot pear shaped diamond engagement ring on her perfect manicured short fingernails. He whistled. "Nice rock. Did you expect this?"

"Are you kidding? I was so surprised when he asked me."

" Where did he do it?"

"He had this romantic dinner planned. A private dinning room. We had just finished making love when he asked me."

" Whoa! I thought that you said that you had dinner in a private dinning room."

" Scott, aren’t you the playboy around here? Use a little imagination." Megan said.

"Give Scott a break. He is only 22.What does he know about romance?"

" I know a lot," Scott said defensively. " Its just Connor is this straight laced attorney and all. I can’t see him getting down in some dinning room."

" Connor isn’t straight laced. He is wonderful."

Megan interrupted. " Forget about Scott…although you may want to take pointers on picking out a nice ring. One day you might want to settle down." Megan turned her attention to KC. " So did you cry or stammer. Or did you just say yes."

" Actually, I didn’t say yes until a day or two later."

" What? Why?"

" Marriage is a big step. I don’t take it lightly. Besides Connor and I have major issues that I had to be sure that he could deal with."

" What issues?" Megan stood up. "KC this doesn’t have anything to deal with you being black and he being white, does it."

" Yes. It is an issue."

" KC. Why is it an issue. Interracial marriage occurs all the time."

" Yes, but there are certain problems that go along with interracial marriages. I realize that this is a big commitment. Marriage itself is hard. But different backgrounds, customs and races can make marriage difficult. Connor is white and no matter how hard he tries, he will never understand what it is like to be black. I don’t expect him too. I also understand his optimist but there will be problems. Friends who will say things. Clients who may turn away his business."

" KC, you can’t believe that would really happen."

" Megan, I’m being realistic. This might be 2001 but interracial relationships are still seen as taboo. There will be problems and not just for Connor although my job won’t be an issue. Nobody cares if the designers of their clothes are black although if I decided to run my own house, there would be some issues. But that doesn’t matter, my problem is going to be with parents."

" Your parents?"

" Yes. Connor is just about perfect. He is smart, kind, and a fantastic. Just one small problem. He isn’t black." Megan and Scott looked at each other. They had never thought that KC’s parents would be against her marrying Connor because he was white.

Felicia Forrester waited by the gate when her sister who was wearing a sharp black pant suit. Felicia waved at Kristen. Kristen hurried over and hugged her sister.

"You haven’t been waiting too long have you?"

" No, my flight just got in ten minutes ago."

" How is Zack?"

" Fine. He couldn’t make it at this short notice."

" I know. I couldn’t believe the phone call last night." Kristen and Felicia headed out to where a limo was waiting. " Do you know why this stock holders’ meeting was called?"

" No. I have no idea why we where called back to L.A."

Brooke sat astride a laying Caspian making little invisible patterns on his chest while he ran his fingers gently up and down her back in a smoothing motion. Words weren’t needed at the moment. The look of contentment was on both of their faces. His hand gently moved from her back as she cupped her breast causing her sensitive nipples to harden. Brooke smiled and leaned down to kiss him, this cause his semi-hard member to hardened instantly inside of her body. Brooke’s pupils dilated with the glow of passion.

" If we keep this up, I will never get to work." She said in a breathy tone. She thought that their passion should have been sated with the three other lovemaking sessions that they participated in earlier that morning.

" You cleared your schedule this morning."

"But if you keep this up…" she said as she squeezed his member with her inner muscles, " I won’t make it to the board meeting."

Caspian kissed her softly as he eased her aching body up and then gently pulled her body down on top of his shaft. " This is the last time…I promise." Brooke soon forgot about wanting to leave.

 

Stephanie sat in her office. She had replayed the night’s conversation with Brooke all over again. She hadn’t slept well. She hadn’t told Eric about giving up the pursuit of Bridget. She had been so close to having everything that she had wanted. But it was all ruined because of Brooke and that man who had been with her. Somehow she had figure out a way to get Brooke out of the company and her family’s lives.

 

 

" Wow…Kimberly. This place is fabulous."

" It is beautiful. Thorne took a lot of care picking it out."

Darla gave Kimberly a strange look. " Honey. We need to talk." Darla patted the plush jade colored sofa.

"Darla, if this is about Thorne."

" Kimberly, what are you doing? Marrying Thorne makes no sense."

" It makes perfect sense. Thorne is wonderful, kind and sweet…"

" And totally in love with Brooke. Kimberly. even Mace finally came to that realization. Thorne is in love with Brooke. I don’t understand why you’ve allowed to happen."

" I’m carrying his baby."

" I’m just worried about you. He doesn’t love you. And the way you are going on and on about him. Kimberly I’m afraid that you think that this marriage is real."

" It is real. I’m his wife."

" It isn’t a real marriage. How could it be? You and Thorne don’t have a relationship. You don’t relate on any level."

Kimberly saw the sympathic look on Darla’s face. How dare she feel sorry for her? " You don’t know what you are talking about. Thorne and I relate. I love him."

" But he doesn’t love you." Darla stood up. " Kimberly I don’t understand this. One minute you are with Rick then in another there are all these rumors about Thorne. Then you are married! When Thorne told me this morning that you were pregnant, I couldn’t believe it."

" Well I am pregnant and Thorne and I are going to create a perfect family."

" With what? Kimberly you are 19. You’ve got your whole life in front of you."

" What life?"

"Kimberly, remember your dreams about being a doctor."

" That was before Macy died."

"Ahh Honey. Macy dying shouldn’t have changed your dream. This isn’t what Mace would have wanted for you. Especially with Thorne. He was her husband. You can’t think that Macy would have approved of this."

" Of course she would. I stopped Brooke. That bitch killed my sister and took her husband. I couldn’t let her get away with it. I couldn’t live with myself if Brooke got Thorne." Kimberly said in an agitated state. " Don’t you see that I did this for Macy. Now my sister can rest." Darla was really worried. Kimberly wasn’t making any sense. She had been very distant ever since Macy died. She had changed her hair color, her look and started spending more and more time with Thorne. Darla hadn’t been worried at first because she figured that Thorne owed Kimberly but now she was worried. Kimberly was serious. She planned on having the perfect life with Thorne, but that was impossible.

" Honey, I’m not trying to upset you. But I think that you should be realistic. You and Thorne aren’t on the same level. He is 39 years old. You don’t have anything in common."

" That is not true."

" I don’t mean sex. Sex doesn’t make a relationship."

" Sex? That is what he had with Brooke, with me, he’ll have something more."

Darla shook her head. " No Kimberly. Thorne cared about Macy and even that wasn’t enough to stop from really loving Brooke. He tried but it didn’t work."

" Because Brooke wouldn’t leave him alone."

" Because he didn’t want Macy. He didn’t want to marry her and Thorne didn’t want to marry you. It isn’t going to work. It didn’t work with Macy and loved her"

" See…"

" But he wasn’t in love with her. This won’t work. No matter what. It will end and badly for you. I think that you should get this marriage annulled."

" Annulled? Has all that peroxide been eating your brain? I will never annul this marriage or allow Thorne to leave me. I’d die first. Darla, you don’t understand. How could you? When was the last time you were in a relationship? What I have with Thorne is perfect. I worked hard to get it and I’m not going to let ANYONE including Brooke destroy it." Kimberly touched her stomach. " This life growing inside of me is Thorne baby and he is never going to leave me or his child. Now if you don’t excuse me, I think it should leave."

Brooke finished the last bit of her croissant when a dab of orange marmalade dropped down between the vee of partially opened white robe. Caspian, who had been sitting across breakfast table of the deck of his yacht, was watching Brooke finishing her breakfast,moved closer to her.

" Let me get that for you." Brooke couldn’t help but to be mesmerized by his strong hands as he opened her robe and used his tongue to lick that drop of the sticky marmalade off her right breast. The natural ache that occurred whenever he was near started as he continued to kiss her breast. He pulled his head back and looked up into her hazel colored eyes that looked gold in the morning sun. " You know…I’ve had vivid fantisaties about what I could do with you."

Brooke’s heart began to beat fast. "You have?" His hand lightly moved up her thigh."

" Yes." He whispered. " Do you want to know what I fantasized?"

Brooke threw her head back and laughed. " No. Because you know where it would lead." She said pushing him away with her bare foot. Caspian smiled and sat next back down in his chair.

" You look happy. I assume that you hear from Rick."

" Yes, he and Eve are coming back from Big Bear. Thank god for her. She had been a god sent to my son."

" I told you that things would work out. You just have to sometimes give it time."

Brooke nodded and closed her eyes a bit smelling the salty scent of the seawater as well as feeling the rays of the sun on her skin. " I’m glad that we came here but why didn’t we meet at your penthouse?" Brooke has known staying at her estate was out of the question until her children at met Caspian. The last thing she wanted Rick to find, just in case he had come home, was her in bed with a man.

" Isabelle is there and I wanted us to have some privacy."

Brooke looked surprised. " Your sister. I didn’t know that she was here."

" She had a couple of errands to do for me." Caspian frowned. " Besides she was trying to get away from Venice."

" Why?"

Caspian took of his coffee. " Bella is being stubborn."

" About what?"

" About life and love, I guess. I was just hoping that…. I don’t know." Caspian stood up going the railing of his yacht that was making its way back to the marina. " We could have stayed at the Penthouse since she didn’t come home last night."

"That worries you?"

" No, it doesn’t worry me. Bella is more than capable of handling herself. She always has been since…."

Brooke stood up and went to Caspian. He drew her into his arms. " Since she was raped?"

" Yes. It not that she spent the night was some man that bothers me. Bella is a sexual being. She’s always been one. At first, I was afraid that since she was raped she would never relate to a man that way." Caspian sighed. " I was wrong. She wasn’t promiscuous or anything but she was a Deangleo, men wanted her. She picked her lovers with a selective eye but she never allowed herself to feel any love. Bella controls men and when she is done, she is done. After what happened with Benito, her husband, I thought that Bella would never love again. For over twenty years, she has shown sign of love to anybody except me."

" You were all she had. After you took her from your mother."

" I know. But I didn’t make it better." He gave Brooke an agonized look. "I didn’t know how to deal with the woman my sister became after the rape. I just wanted her to be happy. So I figured sooner or later, she’d love someone." Caspian’s face became dark and his hand balled into a fist. " Why did she have to fall for Benito? He only made things worse." Brooke wondered what had happened between Benito and Isabelle. Caspian never discussed it. All she knew was that Isabelle’s husband had died. " That is why I was ecstatic when she met Pierce. He is a good man. He is smart and won’t let Bella manipulate him. He also recognizes that there is a warm heart underneath my sister’s cold veneer. Most importantly, for the first in years, my sister was feeling something. I could see it."

" What happened?"

"She broke it off. She said that he wanted something that she couldn’t give. I tried to reason with Bella but there is no reasoning with her when she gets into her moods. I guess last night she most likely found a new lover to help her forget Pierce."

Brooke put head on Caspian’s shoulder. " Maybe she did find someone to help her forget Pierce but if you love someone. That aren’t so easy to forget. Remember I tried my best to forget you." Caspian grinned and kissed the top of her head. He also knew that she was trying to best to forget Thorne. Hopefully, soon she would never think of him again.

They were both silent for a minute for Brooke spoke. "What errand did you have your sister to do?"

Brooke felt Caspian’s body tense. She turned. " Tell me Caspian. I can’t be with you if there are secrets between us. Did Isabelle’s errand have anything to do with me?"

Donnetella sat down studying her wedding photo of her and Michael. She fingered the photo lovingly as a tear ran down her face. " My love…I find a way to avenge your death."

" No. Donnetella. Do you not spend your time on such a cause? It will only end in heartache. You know what Grayson said."

Donnetella jumped up. " I don’t care what Grayson said."

Donnetella mother shook her head. " Hush…you say such things. Grayson is a powerful man and he is in charge of the family. You should never disrespect him."

" What about the injustice that he had done to me and your grandson. He allowed that Caspian and that bitch kill my Michael."

" You do not know if Caspian had anything to do with Michael’s death. He has been out of the family for years."

" I know that he did." Donetella’s eyes blazed with hatred.

Antonia frowned. She had been against her daughter’s marriage but she had said nothing. She had thought that her strong willed daughter had needed a firm hand but love, however she had ended up with Michael. Michael had proven to be a man obsessed with power and he had not been good for her daughter. Antonia looked at her daughter. Donnetella had been always been and still was very beautiful. Her daughter wore a long leather skirt and a silk black blouse while her long hair was in a tight bun. Donnetella who was still in mourning had only worn black since the death of her husband.

"You should let this go. There is no proof that Caspian had anything to do with this."

" He did mamma. I know it."

" He is no longer in the family. He…"

" Don’t! Don’t you stand there and defend that bastard to me. You all make Caspian out to be some sort of god. Well he isn’t. If he was, he’d still be in the family instead some business man."

" The man is more wealthy than anyone we know."

" Yes, but he gave up the ultimate power, didn’t he? I know that it must have killed Isabelle to leave the family. She is ruthless. She should have been born a man." Donnetella stood. " But Caspian allowed the death of his precious English wife change him. Blah! She was weak and not worthy of such a man."

" Like you?"

"That is right mamma. I would have been a worthy wife to him. I understood the family. I was strong. But he was allowed to throw me over. To ruin my betrothal because he fell in love with some English bitch."

" Is this what this revenge is all about? You are still angry for him marrying Lark. Darling, the heart wants what the heart wants."

Donnetella stopped her tirade and looked at her mother with a cold veneer. " It is not about that. It is about honor. My Michael died. They killed him because he was going to do everything that Caspian didn’t. They were afraid so they killed him."

" That isn’t true." Antonia anguished inside. Donnetella was making Michael out to be something that he was not. " Michael was cruel…"

" Shut up!" Donnetella gripped her mother’s wrist in a tight painful grasp. " Don’t ever speak ill him. I loved him. No one did but me. Caspian ruined it. He and his sister. I will make them pay. I will find out what they love, although I know that she had never loved anything. But I will start with him. I will destroy everything he cares about and only then I will kill him."

 

Ridge stepped into his office feeling frustrated and tired. This morning hadn’t been good at all. Taylor and he had some serious issues that they had to work out. If not, then all was truly lost. KC knocked on Ridge’s door and came it.

" KC, it is good to see you. How was your trip?"

"It was fantastic." KC looked at Ridge for a moment. " You looked a little stressed. Are you all right?"

" Yes. No….I don’t know?"

KC put the design that she had been holding down. " You want to talk about it?"

" No….well maybe. I guess that I haven’t had a chance to talk to anybody. With Logan gone in all."

" Yeah, I heard Brooke was away. What’s going on with that?"

"You don’t even want to know." Ridge said as she sat down. " Let’s just say that my mother and father have declared World War III around here. Truthfully, I’m worried about her. I just hope that everything is all right with her."

" What happened?"

"With Logan or me?"

"Both."

" Well, my mess is my mess. Taylor and I are living together again."

" She forgave you?"

"You don’t have to say that like that is a bad thing. I fu(ked up KC. I know it but I’m sorry. I just…"

"…Want another chance. Don’t worry; I’m not judging you completely harsh. I’ve made some big mistakes myself. It is a good thing that you are living together again, just don’t push it Ridge. She was hurt and humiliated. You are just going to have to prove it to her that you’ll never cheat on her again. And…" KC gave Ridge a stern look. " You’ll have to mean it."

" KC, if only that were the real problem. Truth is, she doesn’t want me there."

 

 

" You did what?"

" I know James. I know. It was stupid for me to let Ridge move back. I just thought that if he’d be here then Thomas and the girls wouldn’t suffer so much."

" Taylor. I know what you thought but that isn’t what Karima suggested. You are a doctor Taylor and you know the repercussions of what you have done. Karima suggested that you and Ridge do more things with the children to help them adjust. Letting Ridge move back now has given the children mixed signals. Now, they think that it is permanent."

" I know. I know that I screwed up. I knew it this morning when Ridge and I had an agrument. He thinks that he can work things out with me."

" Can he Taylor?"

"What?"

"Can he. Listen, I’m not saying to take what he did lightly. He made a horrible mistake."

" He cheated and got Morgan pregnant."

James sighed. " Yes, he did. And he regrets that. You know that he does. You also still love him very much. It is obvious."

" I resent him, James. I resent what he had done. I resent what I’ve become. Our problems are so deep. I can see that clearly now. I can see that Morgan and Dylan are only some of many issues that we have. I can’t go back and pretend that none of it happened. I can’t go back to waiting for the other shoe to drop…"

" What other shoe?"

" Brooke…what else."

" Ridge isn’t seeing Brooke."

" Yes, but how long before that happens? She is free. And he had always been in love with her. If he cheated on me with Morgan, what is to stop him from cheating on me with Brooke." Taylor started to cry. " I can’t live like that…"

" Then why did you allow Ridge to come back?"

"Because of Thomas….and because of Stephanie."

" Stephanie?"

"She made it clear. She made it clear to me if I divorced Ridge that she would tell him about the night in Big Bear. I could lose my children. I don’t have the power that she has. I’ve already lost the man I loved. I can’t lose my children too."

 

 

Brooke sat in the stateroom in Caspian’s yacht; they had docked a while ago. "Are you still upset with me?" Caspian asked her. Brooke had to admit, finding out that Caspian had his sister to pay the judge’s gambling bills to assure her that she had gotten her daughter back had been unsettling.

" I’m not mad but I don’t like it."

" You needed your daughter back."

" What if he changes his mind?"

"He won’t. And it won’t be traced back to you."

" Caspian, you say that so easily."

" Compared to the things that I’ve done in the past, this is nothing."

Brooke groaned. " Nothing. You bribed a judge."

" I didn’t bribe anyone. I only handled the matter to make sure that you got what you deserved. You got your daughter." Caspian watched as Brooke turned away from him. They had both showered and gotten dressed. As usual, she looked beautiful wearing a white dress. The dress was essentially backless and one tied string and two straps connected it to hers shoulders held it up, while the form fitting dress went to stop an inch below her knees. Her long hair was twisted up with while she wore a simple pair of emerald cut diamond in her ears. One her ankle she wore the diamond anklet that he had given her the night that she had been attacked. That was a good sign.

" I don’t like it. But you knew that. That is why you didn’t tell me."

" You asked me and I told you. I’m not going to pretend that I’m sorry for what I did. They had used a judge who was friends with them to push this custody issue through. They used their personal friendship to insure that you lost your daughter. They didn’t play fair with you. Why should you play fair with them?"

"I don’t like manipulation."

" Since when?"

Brooke gave Caspian a hurt look. " How can you say that?"

"Because I know you, Brooke. When are you going to get it through your head that I don’t give a damn about what sins you’ve committed in the past. They aren’t even sins in my book, hell I’ve done so much worse. I’m not Ridge or Thorne and you don’t have to be perfect. I know about some of the manipulations you have pulled in the past."

"I’m also different than that young girl who hid things because of her own insecurities in the past. Besides I never tried to hurt anyone or a stunt like this."

" I know that. That is one of the reasons that I love you."

" How can I teach my daughter not to manipulate people if I do it? No wonder Bridget is so screwed up, her whole family manipulate one another."

" How could you keep your daughter if you didn’t fight back? You did what you had to do. I did what I had to do. Think of all the things that Stephanie has done throughout the years to manipulate you and your family. It was not done out of love, it was done to destroy you. Think about how this would have ended if we didn’t do what we did." Caspian sighed and took Brooke into his arms. " They never played fair with you. I couldn’t take the chance that the judge might not change his mind. What if the scheme to keep Stephanie at bay didn’t work? Then it meant a custody battle and what would have happened to Bridget? She would have known that her father had only wanted her for her stock. They would have branded you a whore destroying your reputation and maybe even your company. Most importantly it would have hurt Bridget and that would have crushed her. It would have in turn, killed you." Caspian watched as a tear fell from Brooke’s eyelash and ran down her cheek. He caught it with his finger. " I would never allow anything to hurt you like that. Don’t ask me to apologize for protecting you."

" Caspian…I’ll only say this once. I love you. I know that you aren’t perfect and maybe you are right, this might have been the best thing for Bridget, but I won’t have allow you to do this type of things anymore. Blackmailing Stephanie to keep her at bay was necessary but it ends there. I won’t have you manipulate ANYONE in my life. That includes me. If we have a problem, we will handle it together. I will know upfront what you want to do. No more Isabelle working for your goals and no more keeping me in the dark. I won’t allow it. Is that understood? I’m a grown woman and I can handle my own problems. If and when come to you for aid, we will work it together. I can’t live any other way."

" Brooke.."

" Promise me."

Caspian said nothing for a moment. He’d go to hell and back for her. " I promise. No more manipulation without you knowing it." He grasped her gently by the chin. " I hope you know that I’m a man of my word. I hope you know how much I love you to make a promise like that."

Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. " I love you too." She hugged him. Caspian closed his eyes and inhaled her scent. He knew that he couldn’t wait much longer. When this matter was settled, he’d tell her about Lark. He just hoped that she would understand. Caspian pulled out of Brooke arms. " With this matter being essentially settled, there is one more thing."

" What?"

Caspian took an envelope out of his business suit pocket. " I wanted to give this to you last night but we were busy."

Brooke took the envelope. " What is it?"

"Open it." Brooke opened the envelope and read the papers. Shock covered her face.

" Is this real?"

"Yes."

" But how? How did you get 10% of Forrester stock? We are a private company and no one would sell you their stock."

" I got it from Eric."

" How?"

" It is a long story that deals with my father and before you ask, yes I am going to tell you about it. But first, tell me…how do you feel about owning 61% of Forrester instead of 51%"

" You are giving this to me?"

"Yes."

" I already own enough companies besides the Forresters need to know that you aren’t to be messed with. If they come after you, they are going to lose more than they bargained for. Now honey…." He kissed her on the lips. " Lets get some champagne to celebrate."

Brooke stood there not saying a word looking down at the papers.

 

 

 

Thorne looked up when Ridge and Eric walked into Eric’s office. No one had a chance to say a word when Stephanie walked into the room. She hadn’t had a chance to sit down or speak when Kristen and Felicia walked into the office. Stephanie was in shock, why where her daughter’s here? Stephanie looked at her daughters in total confusion. " Kristen and Felicia, what are you doing here?"

Kristen frowned. " Mother, is that all that you can say to us? You haven’t seen me in a least five years and even longer than that for Felicia."

Eric smiled. " I’m happy to see you girls." Kristen and Felicia smiled at their father and they both rushed to hug them.

Ridge smiled at his sister. " Hey kiddo." Felicia smiled at her big brother.

" Hey Ridge."

Kristen noticed that Thorne was silent. " Hey Thorne, are you all right?"

Thorne stood up and hugged his sister. " Yes…Kris. I’m happy to see you." Kristen smiled at Thorne gently she had heard about his affair with Brooke and also how it had ended. The smile on her face faded when she saw her mother.

Eric gently prodded his wife. " Stephanie don’t you have anything to say to our daughters?" He didn’t understand what had gotten into his wife. " We haven’t seen them in a long time."

" Yes, I do. Girls I’m happy to see you but why are you here?"

The door opened and Brooke came inside the office. " Now, now Stephanie. That doesn’t sound like the mother welcoming home her daughters." All eyes went to Brooke. Thorne breathe caught in his throat, Brooke looked stunning in the white dress. Ridge smiled when he saw Brooke.

" Logan, I’m so glad that you are back." Ridge took Brooke into his arms and hugged her. " I’ve been worried about you."

Brooke smiled for a moment and touched Ridge’s face. " I know that you were but I am all right."

Stephanie watched them with horror. She turned her gaze to Thorne. " I told you. I told you the moment she got a chance that she would make a move toward your brother."

Eric gripped Stephanie by the arm. " Not now Stephanie."

Kristen shook her head in disgust. " I see that things haven’t changed much around here."

Kristen sat down in one of the chairs. " You are still holding on to your hatred, mother."

Brooke moved toward the conference table. " Your mother hasn’t changed, but I have the feeling that she will start to curve her remarks a little more. Won’t you Stephanie?"

Stephanie gave Brooke a look of pure hatred. Brooke smiled softly. "See, things are getting better between us already." Ridge studied his mother for a moment. He saw a spark in her eyes but she said nothing to Brooke. He wondered what was going on between his mother and Brooke. Ridge wasn’t the only one because Thorne wondered it as well. Brooke turned her attention to Kristen and Felicia. " Kristen, Felicia. I’m glad that you could make it."

" Could make it?" Thorne stated quietly. Brooke looked at Thorne and everyone was quiet for a moment because they could feel the tension between the two.

Kristen broke the silence. " Yes, Brooke called us yesterday and asked us if we could make it to a special stock holders’ meeting."

Stephanie looked at Eric. " Did you know anything about this?"

" No?" Eric looked at Brooke. " What is this about?"

" In good time you’ll know. But right now we need to wait for someone else."

" Who?" Felicia asked. " We are all here. You, dad, Ridge, Kristen, Thorne and I. unless we are waiting for Rick."

Brooke sat down in her chair. "No, Rick isn’t a stock holder yet. Besides Rick is still at Big Bear."

" Big Bear? What is he doing there?" Eric asked.

" Isn’t it amazing that you are now concerned. He has been gone almost a week."

Eric didn’t like Brooke’s tone. " What are you trying to say?"

" I’m saying that maybe if you spent your time being an actual father to your children instead of trying to steal my daughter then maybe you’d know."

" I didn’t try to steal my daughter."

" Oh yes you where!"

Kristen frowned. " What is Brooke talking about?"

Thorne answered. " Mother and dad decided that Brooke was no longer fit to be Bridget’s mother, they went to court to get custody of Bridget."

Felicia looked at her mother. " This was your idea, wasn’t it?"

" I only did what I thought was best."

" I know the real reason you did it Stephanie. So don’t tell us that sad story about Bridget needing a good role model." Brooke stated giving Eric and Stephanie a cold look. " You know Eric, I could expect something like this from her but not you. Bridget loves you."

Ridge frowned. " What are you talking about Logan?"

" Brooke.." Eric warned.

" What? Don’t tell me that you haven’t shared your plans with the rest of your children." Eric turned red. Brooke have him a pitying look. " What happened the man that I once care so much about? He would never use his children."

" You are what happened you bitch!"

Brooke stood up giving Stephanie a look of hatred. " You had better watch yourself. And your tone."

" You think that you’ve won."

Brooke leaned across the table toward Stephanie. " I have and you and I both know it."

Ridge was frustrated. " Listen can someone tell us what is going on. I know that you are upset because mother and dad are trying to take Bridget from you but we aren’t going to let that happen." Ridge gave his mother a cold look. " Mother both you and dad are wrong…"

" Wait a minute Ridge." Thorne jumped up. " I was under the impression that mother and father had decided to drop the silly idea of taking Bridget from Brooke." Thorne looked at his mother. He had married Kimberly because of the deal that he had made with her. He had changed his life and married a woman he didn’t love because his mother promised that Brooke would get her daughter back. " You did, didn’t you mother? You made a promise and I except you to keep it." Thorne glowered at his mother and leaned across the other side of the table laying his hands flat on the table. The light above shinned across his wedding band.

" My god Thorne, is that a wedding band?" Felicia asked. All the eyes in the room went to Thorne’s finger.

" Thorne, what in the hell have you done?" Ridge demanded.

Thorne turned from his mother, not seeing the slight grin on her face to look at the eyes of his father, sisters, brother and lastly Brooke.

Brooke looked at Thorne with confusion. " My god, you married her. You married Kimberly didn’t you?" She whispered.

 

Against All Odds Season II Chapter 73 Review

Brooke and Caspian bask in their happiness and love. Later, Brooke finds out about Caspian’s influence over the judge who decided her case and is upset. She tells Caspian that she won’t allow manipulation in her life. Ridge tries his best mend things with Taylor but reminds him that he is only in their home again because of the children. Kimberly tries to spend quality time with Thorne, but he reminds her that their marriage is one of name only. Caspian gives Brooke a special gift, 10% of Forrester creations. KC shares her engagement news with Megan and Scott. They are excited about the news but are surprised to find KC voices her concerns about her parents’ possible reaction to hearing that she will be marrying a man who is not black.

 

Against All Odds Chapter 74 (The Stockholders Meeting)

Brooke stared at Thorne waiting for him to answer her question. " Answer me. You married Kimberly didn’t you?"

Thorne opened his mouth to speak when his mother interrupted him. " Of course he did. He did the right thing." She tried to kiss Thorne on his cheek but he pulled away giving her a cold look. She turned her attention to Brooke. " She is pregnant with his child and he did the honorable thing. But you wouldn’t understand that since you have never done one honorable thing in your life."

Felicia shook her head. " I thought that Kimberly was Rick’s girlfriend. Isn’t she like 17 or something."

" No. Kimberly is 19." Ridge answered. He gave Brooke a sympathetic look. " Logan…"

Brooke cut her eyes to Ridge, taking them off Thorne. " It is all right." Brooke said with difficulty but her voice never held the tremor that was inside of her. " I’m fine. Thorne and I are over."

" I think that it is wonderful. She is a lovely girl and much better suited for Thorne." Stephanie said with malice.

" Shut up mother!" stated Kristen. " You think that it is all right for your son to marry a girl that young."

" She is pregnant Kristen."

Kristen moved over toward Thorne. " Why did you do this? You don’t love her." Kristen looked over toward Brooke. "Why did you do this?"

" I did this because family is important. A family should stay together." He looked his mother. " Don’t you think so mother?"

Stephanie knew what that look was about. " I agree. That is why your father and I decided that Brooke should keep Bridget."

Eric looked shocked. " What?"

Stephanie squeezed Eric’s hand. " We might have been a little premature in taking Bridget from Brooke. It of course had nothing to do with Brooke." She gave Brooke a look of hatred. " It was about Bridget…we think that moving her like this might upset her. Now about your brother Kristen, you don’t live here so you don’t know everything that goes on."

" I know that you don’t love her Thorne."

" I care about Kimberly." Thorne said quietly. " She is carrying my child. I did what I thought was right."

Ridge shook his head. " Thorne, marrying someone because of a baby isn’t a smart idea."

Brooke shook her head and started to laugh. " Why not Ridge…that seems why everyone gets married in your family."

" That’s how you got Eric isn’t it?"

Brooke raised on eyebrow at Stephanie. " Getting me confused with you. Weren’t you the one who started this little trend? I mean, we all learned it from you right? I got pregnant and married Eric. Amber got pregnant so Rick married her. Taylor got pregnant so Ridge left me to remarry her and now Thorne." Brooke headed over toward the small fridge that held champagne. She took it out and brought over some glasses. She popped the champagne open." Why don’t we make a big toast to the newest Forrester bride and mother to be? Kimberly Forrester…so young…so fresh." She gave Thorne a cold look.

" Right Thorne? I bet it must be wonderful to have such an adoring manipulative girl as your wife."

"Brooke…"

Brooke poured the champagne into the glasses and held up a hand to stop him from talking. " You don’t have to explain. We are over. I’ve accepted that it more than obvious that you have too. So let’s toast to your newest wife." Brooke looked around the room at the Forresters who were looking like she had lost her mind. " What no takers? Oh I know! You were expecting the old Brooke. The one cried and wore her heart on her sleeve. Well, she is gone." Brooke picked up her champagne flute. " Here is to the new Brooke and the new Forrester wife. May she find the happiness that all Forrester women do." Brooke sipped her champagne.

Thorne slowly looked down. He hadn’t expected this. Brooke was acting like she didn’t care that he married Kimberly. He knew that couldn’t be true. Brooke loved him. She had to be hurting. He wished that he could tell her the truth. He wished that he could tell her the real reason that he had married Kimberly. He had done it for her.

 

Rick pulled Eve closer to him kissing her thoroughly on her lips. She caressed Rick’s face. "If you keep that up, you know where it is going to lead." Rick picked Eve up.

"Let’s go to the bedroom." Eve kicked her feet laughing at Rick.

"Put me down. You’ve got to go home and let your mother know that you are alright and I’ve got some studying to do." Rick sighed and put Eve down.

"You know….fooling around with you I’ve missed the last two days worth of classes. Not to mention that I’m probably going to get fired from my job."

Rick frowned " Are you going to lose your job."

Eve ran her fingers through her long hair and pulled it back in a ponytail. " I hope not."

" Eve..Why didn’t you tell me that you needed to get back?"

Eve smiled softly. " Because you needed me. And that was more important. Besides, I’ve worked really hard at Zenith, I’m quite sure they will let this slide." Eve wasn’t really sure if her boss would let it slide. He could be an ass at time. Rick, however had enough to worry about and she wasn’t about to add to worries. She’d handle things like she always did. Rick wasn’t sure if Eve was telling the truth. He knew how much she needed the money although it wasn’t a lot of money. Being a waitress at Zenith, hardly paid anything. But it was just like Eve not to complain. Rick had spent so much time wallowing in his own pain that he hadn’t been fair. He planned on changing that right now and he knew just the person who could help him do it.

" All right, I’ll get going. I’ll see you later."

" Maybe I’ll come over after work." Eve said walking him to the door. She kissed him softly. " I love you Rick."

" I love you too."

Eve closed the door behind Rick and leaned against the door.

" Well, I’m glad to see that things worked out well for you." Trudie said as she came from the hallway leading from her bedroom.

" I didn’t know that you were here."

" Not, for long. I have a class." Trudie looked cute in her low cut jeans and her white tie shirt that tied at the shoulders. She wore a big smile on her face.

Eve looked at Trudie for a moment. " What is up?"

" What do you mean?"

" You have never been this happy about going to class, why are you so happy now?"

" Would you believe that I have a cute teacher?"

Eve shook her head. " No. If you had a cute teacher I would have known about him by now. So what gives?"

Trudie hugged Eve. " Nothing..I’m happy to see you happy. "

" That might be part of it but is the rest?"

" Well…when I get out of class. I’m going condo shopping."

" You are doing what?" Eve stopped dead in her tracks.

" Condo? We just moved here. This apartment it great."

Trudie leaned across the breakfast bar munching on an apple. " I know but I thought that we do better with something bigger and much more stylish."

" We? Is that you and CJ?" Eve asked a little worried. She had enjoyed living with Trudie.

" No. I’m talking about you and me."

Eve who was wearing a gold sleeveless t-shirt with gold sparkles and tight kakis looked skeptical. " Did we win the lottery? I can’t afford condo and although Brooke is paying you well, you can’t afford on at the moment."

" That is where you are wrong."

" You decided to use that money that your brother left you. I thought that you we going to invest it?"

Trudie hated to lie to Eve, but she couldn’t tell her the truth because she would never jeopardize Eve’s relationship with Rick. " I am going to invest some of it like you said but I found there was more money than I originally thought."

" Trudie..maybe we should wait. This place is nice."

" Eve you are the one always talking about investments and property. Why should we rent when we can own a condo? That is smarter, you and I both know it." Trudie saw the look of worry on Eve’s face.

" I can’t afford what a condo would cost."

" Eve..Come on! I’d only ask what you pay the same amount of rent that you pay here. Truthfully, I wouldn’t charge you anything but you have that principal thing going."

" I don’t know.."

" Stop worrying. This will be great. Besides I’m a big time fashion model and now I need a place worthy of me." Trudie kidded with Eve. " Please Eve, I really want this and I need you to agree."

Eve sighed. She had seen the look of hope in Trudie’s face. Trudie was excited about moving. " All right. I agree."

Trudie screamed. " YES!" and kissed Eve on the cheek.

Pierce glanced at his watch. He was sitting in his private jet and in a few minutes they’d take off to go to L.A. There was no use in staying in Venice any longer. Bella was gone. He had done his best to find out where she was but it seemed that she had fallen off the face of the earth. She had ended things just like the way that she had come into his life…in a whirlwind. She thought that he would give up, he wouldn’t. He had his deceives on the case and soon, he’d find her. Once he did, he didn’t care how much she complained nor did her best to keep him away, he wasn’t going to leave her. He loved Bella.

" Pierce…"

Pierce looked up to find Bailey. " What are you doing here?"

"I’m going with you."

Pierce put down the magazine that was in his hand. " Are you going to support me at the conference or to try again to talk me out of looking for Isabelle?"

"Both"

"Then I’m not sure I want you to go."

" You are upset because I’m telling you the truth and you don’t want to hear it."

" I know the truth. The truth is that I love Isabelle."

" You love a woman who is cold and calculating. You are a doctor, can’t you see that the woman has serious emotional problems. She is highly anti-social and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that she had tendencies of a social-path."

" We’ve been through this again and again. I know that Bella has some issues but I also now a side to her that you don’t. A soft and caring side to her. That is why she pushed me away, she doesn’t want to feel love."

Bailey shook his head. He couldn’t understand why Isabelle had such an effect on his friend. " You aren’t her doctor. You are her lover and because of that you can’t change her. Besides, I told you that she is dangerous."

" I’ve heard all your warnings about her being involved with the mafia. I don’t believe that."

"Why? Because she is a woman? Have you looked into her family’s history? I’m telling you, I believe those rumors. I also believe that she will hurt you in the long run. She doesn’t love your Pierce. She doesn’t have the heart or the instinct to do good." Bailey shivered. " Why I looked into her eyes…I saw nothing. Just a black void."

" That is funny bailey, because when I looked into her eyes, I saw pain. I know that once I help her deal with her pain, that things will be better. I love her and I don’t plan to give up on her."

"What you want my friend, my not be an issue. She is gone and if she doesn’t want you to find her, you won’t. I suggest that you concentrate on this conference." Bailey stated. If he could keep Pierce’s mind off on Isabelle, just maybe he’d be open to the possibility of a woman who would be is equal in all things. A woman like Taylor Forrester.

 

Brooke drank her champagne and put her half empty glass down. Ridge came behind her. " Logan…maybe we should table this meeting." He looked at Thorne. " I know that this is bothering you."

" No. It isn’t bothering me. The truth shall set you free. Besides I got my daughter back. Oh…where was I…I know. I was talking about Eric and his wanting to steal Bridget. I know that the matter is over but I still am taking it personally."

" Brooke… I did what I thought was best for my child." Eric said.

"Really? Because that isn’t what I heard. Why don’t you tell the truth? Why don’t you tell your other children why you wanted custody of Bridget?"

" I don’t know…"

" Of shut up! You are just as bad as her but as least Stephanie is a better liar. Maybe it’s because she has had years of practice…right?"

" Brooke, what are you talking about?" Felicia said is a quiet voice.

" Well..It seems that your father found this old loophole in my stock arrangement for Bridget and Rick. He and you mother, of course, thought that if I lost custody of Bridget that they’d be able to vote her stock until she became of age. What they didn’t know was that I had already changed my trust agreement with the children. Basically, they wanted to steal my daughter to get their hands on her Forrester stock."

Three pairs of eyes went to Eric and Stephanie. Ridge’s face turned red. " Tell me that Brooke is wrong. Tell me that you weren’t using Bridget to get her stock!"

Eric looked unconformable under his children’s gazes. " That isn’t the only reason we wanted Bridget. We love Bridget."

" Oh god dad…" Kristen looked at her father with horror. " How could you do something like that? Family has always been number one in your book."

Eric felt like he had been hit in the stomach. " Kristen…family is important."

" But you used Bridget. Dad, you used my kid sister. You were taking her from her mother in order to get stock. Since when has Forrester been more important than your own children?" Kristen centered her gaze on her mother. " I blame you for this."

" Oh Please, what else is new. You always blame me for everything." Stephanie said rolling her eyes.

" You had no right mother!" Ridge bellowed. " Have you even thought about how Bridget would react to this? How could you use her?"

" We wanted our company back!" Stephanie’s fist balled up. " We did what we had to do! This bitch here stole our company. Do you really think that she cares about Bridget!"

" Yes mother she does!" Thorne yelled. " She loves Bridget more than anything. How could you use Bridget like she was a pawn? I thought that you loved her. Dad..How could you allow mother to talk you into this?"

Eric felt so tired that he sat down in one of the chairs. He looked to Stephanie. " Don’t blame your mother for this. I knew what I was doing. I just wanted…" Eric looked at Brooke was standing silently at the end of the other end of the table. " I just wanted my company back…"

Kristen who had tears in her eyes kneeled by her father’s chair. " But you used one of us dad. You used one of us for business. You always said that family comes first. We all grew up on that principal that we were a unit. That no matter what, we’d support each other." Kristen looked around the room at Thorne, Ridge, Felicia, her mother and then Brooke. " I know that we have had some serious in fighting in the past, but I never thought that you’d be the one to betray one of use."

Eric looked weakly at his daughter. " I didn’t…"

" But you did dad." Ridge said sadly. " You used your daughter. You used the little girl that we all loved."

" Daddy…" Felicia said. " If you had gone through this, you would have destroyed this family.

"Destroyed this family? Brooke has done that already." Stephanie replied. She was furious. How dare her children make Eric upset because he was trying to get back the company that they had built together.

" No mother." Kristen said as she stood. " Brooke IS family. She has loved and hurt right along with the rest of us. You keep trying your best to get rid of her but you can’t. Because she IS a member of this family, just like everyone else."

" The hell she is! She isn’t family. You have no right to come here after you turned your back on us and dictate to me who family is. Your father did what he thought was best to try to get his company back. She stole this company from him. Do you think about how he must feel to come here everyday and watch her rule everything?"

At that moment, the door opened. " Mom, Megan told me you were in here." Rick stopped when he saw his brothers and his sisters Felicia and Kristen. " Kris..and Felicia..What are you doing here?" He noticed the solemn look on their faces. " What is going on here?"

Brooke turned toward her son. " Honey…thank god." She hugged him tightly. Rick smiled; he thought that his mother was going to break a rib. Brooke looked into his face looking for any signs that displayed that something was wrong. " Are you all right?"

Rick kissed his mother on the cheek. " Yes, mom. I’m fine." He looked at his brothers and sisters. " Hey everybody."

Kristen and Felicia waited for Brooke to move before they hugged their little brother.

" My god Rick. You are so handsome." Kristen said.

Rick shrugged. " Those Forrester genes I guess." He looked at Ridge and smiled softly, however his smile faded when he looked at Thorne. Thorne noticed and sighed. He had ultimately ruined his relationship with Rick as well as Brooke. " So is anybody going to tell me what is going on here?"

All eyes went to Brooke. " Honey..its just business. What did you want to talk to me about?"

Rick looked at his mother, he didn’t believe her. There was something more to this than a business meeting and he wanted to know what it was. " Nothing. I’ll talk to you later."

Rick left. Eric looked relived

" Thank you Brooke."

" Don’t thank me. I have every intention for Rick to know what kind of man you’ve turned out to be. I’m so through with protecting you. Your children will know who you are."

" This was the reason that you called this meeting, wasn’t it? To demean Eric in front of his children." Stephanie supplied. " There is no meeting about Forrester business. This was a sick ploy of yours to cause more trouble in our family. You would stop at nothing to cause problems." No one had noticed that the office door had opened when Stephanie had begun to talk. " This meeting is nothing more than a sham."

" Now, that is where you are wrong Mrs. Forrester." At eyes went to the door of Eric’s office. There stood a handsome man with a strong Italian accent. Eric stood up slowly looking white a sheet.

Isabelle stepped out of the hot shower dried off and slipped into a robe. She walked into her bedroom. Sitting down at her laptop, she review a quickly e-mailed some notes her secretary. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how long she would be staying here in L.A. Not long most likely, although last night was certainly a good start. Deacon Sharpe knew how to please a woman in the bedroom. He was young and more than a little arrogant but that was to be expected. The night she shared had been just what the she needed to get herself back on track. She had no emotional connection to Deacon, what they had shared last night was hot, sweaty good sex. Emotionless, detached sex was what she had and she was more than content with that. Isabelle had no plans of pinning for Pierce. Still, she has no plans on pinning away for Pierce. She had made a decision and it was the best one. Isabelle scanned her e-mail when she noticed a message there from Pierce. Just like the other ones she received from him, she deleted it without reading. She was no fool. She had cut him off completely and that meant all forms of communication. Sooner or later, he’d get the point and then he stop. He’d one day understand that this was best. One day maybe he’d understand that she broken things off to spare him the heartache and pain that she’d eventually lead him to. She had already loved once and it had cost her. It had cost her her husband and it had cost her her child. She simply had nothing else to give.

 

Scott quickly finished making the changes that they wanted on the design that he was working on. " Listen…I’ll have to finish this later."

" What?" KC stated. " Scott we’ve got the get the okay for the last set of the evening wear of designs by tomorrow. The cutters are going to want to start. You do remember that we have a showing coming up in no time."

" I know. I’m sorry."

" We are supposed to be doing this with Eric and Ridge but since they are in this big meeting who knows how long it is going to last."

" Yeah but I’ve got to go."

" Where are you going?"

Scott sighed. " Promise not to tell anyone?"

KC crossed her arms over her chest. "Okay…I’ll bite. What is it?"

"I’ve got to pick up Bridget at the airport."

" Ohhh…that is big."

"You are not going to say anything?"

"What are you going to be doing with Miss Forrester?"

"Nothing. I thought that maybe we could take in a bite to eat."

"She’s 17 and you are 22. You had better be careful. At seventeen you can get your feeling hurt really badly. You may not mean to hurt her but you might."

"I know what I’m doing."

" Do you?"

"I do. She is smart and idealistic about things. She has this way of looking at things. Wanting justice and she is like a live wire." Scott didn’t realize how much he was smiling. " She is so artistic. You should see some of her stuff it is so amazing but instead of being arrogant or had an inflated head, she just like this normal girl."

KC’s features softened. " You care a great deal about her, don’t you?"

Scott ran his fingers through his hair and his blue eyes sparkled. " I really missed while she was gone."

" Well, what are you waiting for? Go and pick her up and have a great time." Scott headed toward the door. " Scott.."

" Yeah."

" Sooner or later, you are going to have to tell her parents. And you may have to take a chance that they may not like your friendship or relationship. You are older than Bridget. And much more mature that she is, just be careful with her. She is very young and inexperienced. Also, don’t let your personal life get in the way of your job. Speaking for first hand experience, it makes things complicated."

" Yeah…I got you." Scott left the office.

KC made her way over to the drawing table. " Believe me, I know Scott…." She ran her fingers through her hair. She knew all about ruining a job based on personal relationship. She had did that once. " Jackson…" KC stared off into space.

" Studying that diamond on your finger?" KC jumped being startled. " Lauren, you scared me."

" Sorry…I was just looking for my son. I wanted to know if you wanted to have dinner with his me."

" He just left."

Lauren walked into the office. " I hear that congratulations was in order."

" Yes…Connor asked me to marry him." KC showed Lauren her ring.

" Very nice quality. Four or five carets, nice."

"Yes, it is." KC stated sounding like she wasn’t really paying attention.

Lauren stared that KC for a moment. " Why do I have the feeling that you weren’t daydreaming about that handsome attorney of yours?"

"Probably because I wasn’t…I was just thinking."

" About what?"

" Jackson…"

" Jackson Bryant." Lauren sat down. " I haven’t heard you speak of him in such a long time. So, are finally going to tell me what in the world happened between you too. Or do I have to guess?" Lauren leaned back against the Bombay chair. Looking immaculate as ever a lightweight cashmere camel colored quarter length sweater and matching camel colored suede skirt with matching high-heeled boots.

"I think that you can guess. I made a big mistake."

" You two finally fell into bed." KC’s mouth dropped open. Lauren waved her hand. "Please, sexual chemistry was there from the start. He was smart, arrogant as hell and one sexy man."

KC raised her eyebrow at Lauren. " I never knew that you found him sexy."

" Please. I find all men attractive including black men. And he was FINE. Those dark eyes that well toned body under all those expensive suits. KC, I don’t care how long you were friend. The way that he would look at you proved that he wanted more than friendship."

"Well, lets just say that night cost me my friendship and Coron." KC frowned. Coron Wallace had been editor chief Empire magazine. His parents had worked hard to create the magazine empire. The Wallaces were considerate a part of the elite. They were graduates of Harvard and Howard Universities, building their company from scratch had been no small feet Empire was major competition of Esquire magazine. Coron’s parents weren’t too pleased that their son wasn’t marrying a girl from their Jack and Jill social scale. KC and her parents were considered "middle" class since her father, Kurt, was a finical consultant for Legg Mason and although her mother, Nichelle owned her own inter design business that was doing extremely well; it wasn’t good enough for the Hardings. They simply sated that they had wanted more for their son to be married to a designer. Coron had gone against their wishes and asked her to marry him. KC had loved Coron and wanted to be his wife but things were not to be so easy. Jackson Bryant had complicated things a great deal. Jackson had been KC’s friend since high school. He was extremely arrogant, smart graduating sum-cum lilie from Harvard Business School. Women loved Jackson since he could be charming and extremely sexy. KC wasn’t sure why they had never delved into something beyond a platonic relation since there were moments that she realized now; that there were sexual sparks between them. KC had been young and she hadn’t realized what it had been until it had been too late. One night she had screwed up and ended up experiencing sexual bliss and had thrown away her future with Coron. Coron had found out what had happened and could never forgive KC. KC had lived with the regret of betraying him as well as ruining her future with him. Coron couldn’t forgive her and truthfully she couldn’t blame him. But later, she found out that Jackson himself it destroyed their friendship had betrayed her. She had never spoken to him again, even now the thought of what he had done still hurt her. Jackson had always been a businessman and times a bit ruthless but KC had never thought that he would betray her.

{Flashback}

KC walked through the main office of Calvin Klein. Jackson was vice president of the marketing division. He had worked hard and established himself in a business role that many would have killed for. KC knew the office well since she was a designer for Calvin Carla, Jackson’s secretary saw her.

" Hey, KC." She stopped when she saw the tear stains on her face. " KC, what’s wrong."

KC shook her head. " Nothing…it’s just." KC brushed a nearly formed tear. " Is Jackson in?"

" No. He is in a meeting but you can wait in his office." Carla ushered KC into Jackson’s immaculate office in New York City. KC passed in the middle of his office. " Can I get you anything? A Latte or maybe some Sherrie?"

" No. Thanks anyway." KC tried her best to smile but she couldn’t seem to. Carla noticed and quickly left the office to get Jackson. KC held her hands over her face. She wanted to throw up. Her confrontation with Coron had been horrible. Somehow he had found out about the night that she and Jackson had shared. He had called her a slut and a lot worse, she couldn’t blame him. KC got a tissue from her purse to blow her nose when she noticed a photo on the wall behind Jackson’s desk. She went over toward the picture of her and Jackson last Christmas at her family house. She and Jackson had their arms around each other laughing. He was wearing the tie that she had designed for him when she had just starting designing; the tie was at least 8 years old.

" Oh god. What have I done? I’ve ruined my relationship with Coron and I’ve ruined our friendship." That morning when she had woken up with in Jackson’s arms her body tingled but then shock registered. She could hardly look at him while she quickly dressed and raced out of his penthouse in Manhattan.

" KC?" KC turned around to find Jackson standing in the doorway looking handsome as sin in one of his elegant business suit. He quickly shut the door. Jackson hurried over toward to KC. " Listen, I’m glad that you are here. I wanted to talk to you about the other night. You’ve been avoiding me."

" For a good reason. I thought after everything that happened, that it would be best if we avoided each other until things got back to normal."

" And pretend that explosive night never happened" Jackson said sarcastically. " You expect me to pretend that I don’t know how your naked skin feels against mine or to pretend that I don’t know what you taste like."

KC looked uncomfortable. " I’m not here to talk about that night although I guess it wouldn’t matter now. Coron knows. He knows that we had sex."

Jackson stopped dead in his tracks. " How did he find out?"

"I don’t know. I didn’t tell him. I didn’t tell anyone." KC was a nervous wreck. " Did you tell anyone? So help me if you told one of your friends like Raheem."

" Whoa!" Jackson held up his hands. " I wouldn’t do that. What happened between us was something that I’d never share with them. KC, it was special. More special than I’d like to admit." Jackson handed KC a tissue and gently cupped her face. KC hated that she couldn’t look at him without seeing him hovering over her, using his sensual mouth to explore his body. KC took the tissue and turned.

" I’m sorry Jackson. You’ve always been a good friend to me. Its just…I threw away what I was going to have with Coron." Jackson’s gaze caught KC’s. " I don’t know how he found out but he confronted me with it. I couldn’t lie to him."

" KC…"

"I should have though. I should have looked at him in the eyes and lied. I should have told him that you never touched me that we were just friends."

Jackson sighed. " And could you have done that KC? Could you have stood there and told him that we were just friends, when we were much more. For years we have been the best of friends, but there was something more between us. For such a long time, I wouldn’t admit it to myself or even to you, anymore than you could admit it to yourself. But the other night, I couldn’t help it. How could I let you go on and be with someone else without ever giving into all the desires we both shared?"

" Jackson stop it." KC backed away from him. She had come to him so he could help her not talk about a night that never should have happened.

" No. KC, I’m not going to stop it. I’m going to say what I feel. I should have been honest with you but we were friends for such a long time that I didn’t know how to tell you that when I looked at you, you stopped being just my friend."

" You expect me to believe that? You are a practiced womanizer."

" Yes, I am. I was for such a long time because I liked being with a lot of different women but somehow it seems empty now. Maybe I changed. And if you were honest with yourself, you’d admit the same thing.

" How can you say that? The other night was a mistake. We had too much wine and we fell into bed."

Jackson shook his head. " KC, you are much smarter than that. Yes, we had wine but we didn’t just fall into bed. We gave into our secret wants and desires. How many times have you gone to bed wondering what it would be like to be with me? How many times have I fantasized that a woman I had was you? To many."

" No. It was a mistake." KC cried.

"It was what you wanted. It was what I wanted. I’m not sorry that it happened."

" Even though it cost me Coron."

" Coron is a nice guy, but he isn’t enough. I was hoping the other night would show you that he doesn’t make your blood run."

" I love him."

"Coron is safe and yes you love him but are you in love with him?

"Yes."

" Really? I don’t think so because if you really loved him, you never would have went to bed with me." KC recoiled as if she had been struck. She couldn’t believe that Jackson was saying this to her.

"You had no right to say that. How could you stay that?"

"I can say that because it is the truth. Just like Coron knows it. There would be pointless to even try to change what has happened. Coron now knows and nothing could change that. He has his pride. He would never take you back, as much as he would want to. You made love with me and he will never forget that. Even if he were to forgive you, he’d never allow me to stay in your life."

" You are worried about yourself. What about what this is doing to me!" KC couldn’t understand why he was acting like this. Jackson reached out to pull KC into his arms. She tried to get out of his arms put he didn’t let her. He only held on to her tighter.

"Kat", he mumbled. It was nickname that he used since KC’s real name was Katrina Catherine. Nobody ever called her by her real name. " Kat. You’ve been a part of my life for such a long time. There isn’t anyway that Coron would forgive you. Even if he took you back, he’d never forget that you went to bed with me. He’d find a way to make you pay for that."

" I made a mistake that all it was."

Jackson cupped KC’s face. "Tell me, could you give up our relationship? Because that is what you’d be doing." KC wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Jackson had been in her life for such a long time. He had been her best friend. He had supported her dreams as a designer. He had spent Saturdays with her while she took her pictures. He’d spend hours in her loft apartment crunching numbers while she’d design. One of the reason she loved this job was that he was here working for the same company. He had always encouraged her even more than her family or other friends. Could she give up his friendship? He was right, if she got Coron to forgive her, she’d never allow her to ever see Jackson again. {Fade back into the present}

"So, what happened after that?" Lauren asked.

" Essentially, my relationship with Coron was over. I tried and pleaded but it didn’t matter. He couldn’t forgive me and his mother let it be know ever chance she got that she was glad it was over. She threw all sorts of parties with eligible single women for Coron to choose from."

" KC, I’m sorry."

" I’m the one who screwed up. I hurt Coron and I hurt myself."

" And Jackson?"

KC rolled her eyes. " My relationship with him became complicated. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. We were so connected then. He was such a large part of my life, there wasn’t anyway that I could cut him out. My parents loved him, even more than Coron. Although, they weren’t to pleased with me to find out what happened with my relationship with Coron. But the thing with Jackson was so complicated. To this day, I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t found out what he did. That he had been the one to betray me."

" Betray you. What did Jackson do?" KC opened her mouth to speak when the phone buzzed. KC picked up the phone.

" Yes. No, he is gone. That is okay, did you ask Ridge? He is still in the meeting. No. I’ll take care of it." KC hung up the phone. " Sorry, I have to handle a meeting for Ridge. I guess that he is in that stockholder’s meeting. I’ll have to finish the story later." KC picked up two designs and quickly left the office. Lauren watched at KC left, she was more intrigued than ever to find out what happened between KC and Jackson. From what she knew, KC had quit her job at Calvin Klein’s in order to get away from Jackson. What ever he did, it must of upset her greatly.

The man in the doorway slowly made his way over toward Brooke. There was something about him, an aura that made him seem a little dangerous. For a moment, he and Brooke’s eyes met and it seemed that the world melted away for them. Thorne stood there stunned. The way this stranger was looking at Brooke made him more than furious. There seemed to be a strong wave of possession in the look that the stranger gave Brooke, what made matters worse was that it seemed that Brooke didn’t mind it at all. He noticed how Brooke’s eyes seemed to light up and the moment that the stranger’s eyes made contact with hers something changed. The element within the room changed. The man never took his eyes off of Brooke; instead it seemed like it was devouring her "You see Mrs. Forrester she was waiting for me." Caspian looked deeply into Brooke’s seeing a modicum of pain. He gently caressed her face. "My love are you all right?" He said in Italian.

" I’m fine." Brooke said in Italian. He had been teaching her more about the language.

Ridge frowned. " Just who in the hell are you?" He didn’t like the intimate caress that the stranger had given Brooke.

"He is the whore’s newest lover. That is more than oblivious. I told you Thorne, that she never gave a damn about you." She gave Caspian a look of pure hatred. "What are you doing here?"

Caspian finally turned his dark eyes to Stephanie. " I think that we have already had a conversation about the manner in which you will speak to Ms. Logan."

" I don’t give a damn about what you think."

Eric wrapped his arm around Stephanie. " Stephanie, stop it. You don’t know what you are doing."

" Yes, I do. This man has no right to be here or to speak to me in that manner."

" I think that I do Mrs. Forrester." Caspian said in a calm yet strangely dangerous voice.

" Mr. Forrester, you should explain to your wife that I don’t like to be insulted. Degrading Ms. Logan I consider to be a person insult to me."

Thorne didn’t like this man or the way the he seemed to try to intimidate his father. " Just who in the hell are you?" Thorne’s stomach was upset. Was his mother correct? Was this man Brooke’s lover? It couldn’t be."

"But I however know all about who you are. I know all about this dysfunctional family."

Ridge stepped forward. " Well, we didn’t know who in the hell you are. I don’t like the way that you are talking to my father. Since this is a closed meeting, it might be best if you were to leave. If you don’t leave on your own." Ridge stepped forward. "I will be more than happy to throw you out, personally."

Caspian grinned. " I almost wish that you would. I’d love to see what it is that you are made of."

Brooke glanced at Thorne to Ridge and then finally Caspian. " Please Caspian, not now."

Caspian’s face changed the moment that he looked at Brooke giving her a look full of warmth. " Not now.." He gave Ridge and Thorne a chilling look. " I don’t want to upset Brooke…but later, I’d be more than happy, any of you."

" No!" Eric bellowed. "There is no need for you to have any grievances with my sons. They are sorry."

" The hell I am" Ridge stated.

Kristen noticed how angry Thorne looked. " Excuse me, but why are you here. Mr.?"

"Deangleo. My name is Caspian Deangleo."

" Why are you here?" Kristen repeated.

"He is here for the stock holder’s meeting." Brooke sated looked very much in control.

" Why?"

" Because all stock members are called to be present at the stockholder’s meeting. Caspian owns Forrester stock. Now, why don’t we sit down and greet the newest member of Forrester Creation.

Eve lay across her bed highlighting a chapter in her textbook while Jewel played in the background. She had taken a hot shower and changed into just a pair of panties and a t-shirt. It had taken her a while to get into studying because her thoughts kept going back to her time with Rick. Their bond had become stronger in Big Bear. Rick said that maybe they’d return over the weekend to go skiing. Eve would love that; she had never been skiing before, although she had been a couple resorts. Still, she had certain responsibilities that she had to take care of, like school and work. Now that Trudie wanted to move again, she’d have even less time to spend with Rick. Eve couldn’t help but to smile. Never in a million years did she think that she would have someone so caring and loving in her life. Never, had she thought that she’d be to blessed. For such a long time, she had been all-alone. She had to cope with horrors of life and a world in which Rick knew nothing about. Eve glanced down at the paper inside of her textbook. She had doodled a little picture of an angel. Her fingers scraped across the sketch. "Angel", she murmured. How long had it been since Angel had lived? Angel had died that night against the side of the road, broken, beaten and soulless. What had happened previously that night, she couldn’t or wouldn’t allow herself to remember. All she knew was that she had changed her life from then on. She changed her name and did her best to let the past go. As far as she was concerned Angelina or "Angel" as her mother had called her, had died and Eve was born. Eve crumbled up the paper with the angel on it and threw it in the trash next to her bed. It was a snippet of an icon that she was no longer. Eve’s finger moved toward the base of her spine under her shirt, there laid a small spot right where her spine ended. It was now like the smooth skin all over her body but once there had been a mark there. A mark that symbolized what she was.

Stephanie glared at Brooke. She couldn’t believe what Brooke has said. " What! How in the hell does that man own Forrester stock? Did you sell your shares to this man?"

Caspian held out a chair for Brooke. She sat down. " No, Stephanie, I didn’t sell any of my stock to Caspian. I still own 51% of this company, much to your chagrin I’m sure. Sorry to disappoint you. Now, if you were to open the your folders on the table. We will be able to see the newest breakdown in Forrester stock based on the pie chart."

" I don’t want to look at any folders. I want to know what the hell is going on." Ridge stated."

"Brooke has told you all that you need to know at the moment. I did not get my Forrester stock from her." Caspian turned his eyes toward Eric. " Eric, would you like to tell your family how I acquired your 10% of Forrester?"

Stephanie turned toward her husband. " You know this man? What have you done?" Eric nodded. Eric looked at Caspian. He hadn’t expected this. Nor did he know that Caspian knew Brooke

" Dad, What is going on?" Kristen asked.

Caspian spoke. " I’ll tell you. Your father was in a financial bind almost 35 years ago when he started this company."

" What? We were never in a financial bind." Stephanie said looking at Eric.

Eric sighed. He took on of the glasses that Brooke had filled with champagne earlier. He took a drink trying to steady himself. The eyes of his wife and his children were on him.

" We were in a finical bind. We have just had our second year in business and things were going well but we still didn’t have the revenue that we needed. I never wanted to skimp of the quality of our clothes, so I went to the bank. They weren’t willing to extend us anymore money."

" Why didn’t you tell me?"

"We were dealing with a lot and you were pregnant again with Angela." Eric wiped his face with both of his hands. " Anyway…I was on a business trip and I heard of a man who might be willing to help. So I went to him. He was Caspian’s father. Sonny was a man with connections. I told him of my problem and he gave me the money that I needed."

" What kind of deal did you make with this man?" Thorne questioned. He didn’t like the situation at all.

" He said that he wanted something legitimate for his children. For his finical backing for the next two years, he wanted 15% of the company. You have to understand that 10% of the company didn’t seem like much at the time since your mother and I would own the other 75% of the company."

" You never told any of this."

Eric loosened his tie. " I never thought that I had too. Sonny had died and his children and his wife never said anything about the stock. I simply thought that the matter was closed."

" Eric you can’t consider giving this man."

Eric said nothing only looking at Caspian. " We aren’t giving him 15% of the company."

" That’s right, your husband and I came up with a compromise in which I would get 10% instead of the 15%. In order to keep this matter out of the court, I was willing to take 10%."

" Let’s go to court." Stephanie said. " We will see if this so called deal is binding."

" No." Eric stated. " We won’t go to court. Stephanie. Stephanie, the deal was legal. The last thing that we need is some drawn out court battle. Besides, Caspian’s father was involved with some things back in those days and I’m not sure if they were all legal."

" What kind of things was he involved in? Was it drugs or gun running?" Stephanie asked.

" My father was never involved with drugs."

" What my father is saying is cryptic. What is it that you are involved in?" Thorne asked in an annoyed tone.

"Thorne, I don’t like your tone." Brooke stated looking through him. " Caspian is a business man."

"Is it legitimate business?" Ridge said.

"How can you ask that? Of course he is a legitimate businessman. His father, regardless of what he may have been involved in loaned Eric the money. Caspian has come to reclaim his share of Forrester. He has every right to this stock. "

" Why now?" Thorne stated looking at Brooke. He knew why, it had a great deal to do with Brooke. " It’s been 35 years. Why didn’t you claim your father’s share of the stock?"

"My father has been dead for many years. I’ve been dealing with my own companies. I wasn’t aware of my father’s dealings with Eric until recently. However now that I’m aware of this, things have naturally changed." Caspian gripped Brooke’s leather chair, standing directly behind her looking like a guard out to protect her." Lets just say that I have a big interest in the running of this company. There are certain matters that have been called to my attention. So, I’ve decided to stake my claim here at Forrester. Your father and I have discussed this matter and have come to a consensus. I will retain 10% of Forrester. I want you to know upfront that I don’t plan to be a silent stockholder."

" Wants. You have nothing to do with this company!" Stephanie stood up. " Your thug of a father probably extorted this. Now you and your whore aren’t going to destroy the company that Eric and I spent our lives to build!"

" Sit down. And don’t malign my father again or Brooke." Caspian said it so quietly but with so much intensity that Stephanie stopped her tirade.

Stephanie swallowed then she spoke." You think that I should be scared of you?"

"Maybe you should be Stephanie." Brooke stated. " I know that I’m more than ready to clear the air about everything. What better place than this?" Stephanie said nothing she clamped her mouth shut. "Well then, I suggest you sit down Ms. Forrester." Caspian said. " I also you learn to curb that viper’s tongue of yours. Or maybe I’ll have to deal with it the way that my family has deal with people who can’t keep their mouths shut. We cut them out."

Ridge and Thorne both jumped up. " I don’t know who in the hell you are threatening my mother." Ridge yelled.

" I’m the man who is going to protect my interest of the company that I hold stock in. I am also the man who is going to protect Brooke as well. For too long she has had to deal with the verbal and at times the physical attacks of your mother. I know that it isn’t productive to Brooke’s health. So, the verbal attacks will stop, her and now. I suggest that you control your mother’s nasty remarks."

" Caspian is just doing what your parents have been doing. Protecting his interest."

" It seems that his interest is in you." Ridge said.

Brooke titled her head to the side. "Caspian’s interest in me, whatever it may be is none of your concern. Caspian holds 10% of this company. Eric lost his share legally. I assume that you all will find a way to divide your stock amongst each other to help him. But that is up to you. I’d hate to see all of his hard work go to waste." Brooke said sarcastically.

" But then again…"

Kristen looked at Brooke. " Brooke that was cruel, that isn’t like you."

"I’m only fighting fire with fire. Your father played a horrible game with me. Don’t ask me to feel sorry for him because I don’t. Eric used my daughter as a weapon to deal with taking control of this company. I won’t forget that lightly. Nor will I forget the thoroughness of the attack he and your mother created. They blindsided me using a judge that was a personal friend of theirs in order to steal my daughter. As far as I’m concerned, your father is now my enemy just like your mother. Whether or not you or your siblings give up your stock or not doesn’t really concern me."

"It should. My husband has given his life to this company and now you think that you can take the stock that he owns in his company. Why do you expect him to do?"

" Well, he could always quit if he wanted to. You and he could start a new company if you’d like."

" You couldn’t survive without us. We are the Forresters, we have the talent to make this company what it is. MY children and MY husband."

" Yes, I’ll admit. Eric is one of the most talented designers around. He and Ridge have built this company with their work but they aren’t the only designers in the world. Surely you can see that. Besides, what makes you think that Ridge would be willing to give up his job and stock in a multi-million dollar company to start over? Tell me Ridge, what would be your position? Would you cash in your stock as well to start a new company or would you be smart enough to buy your parents’ stock in order to look out for your children." Ridge gave Brooke an annoyed look yet he didn’t answer. He hadn’t seen her life this in a long while and was thoroughly annoyed that she was acting in this manner. "No answer…I think that tells a lot. Tell me, Kristen, Felicia…are you both willing to give up your jobs to help your parents start a new company? How about you Thorne?"

"I’d be more than willing to buy you out of your Forrester stock if that is a problem." Caspian said.

" Of course, we’d retain the name Forrester for business purposes and may be difficult for you to find people in invest with your new company but be my guest to try. I’m sure that someone would be willing to support Eric, although it might be leaked to the press that Eric only designed 1/3 of the last collections. You’d also be giving up any right to International Forrester as well as any revenues from B.E.L.I.E.F."

" That is enough Brooke." Eric said quietly. " No one is going anywhere or starting a new company."

" So, I guess that you all will figure a way to help your father out. Now since this is probably a difficult issue, I say that we table the other business aspects of this meeting until tomorrow." Caspian pulled out the chair for Brooke and she stood up looking quiet pleased with herself. " You spend the rest of the morning deciding who is going to give up some of their stock to help poor Eric out."

" I’m not going to let you get away with this.. You told this man to take Eric’s stock. This is your revenge." Stephanie said with scorn.

Caspian stood directly next to Brooke looking down at the Forresters." You bought this on yourself. Your hatred and you vile nature is to blame. If you hadn’t tried to ambush her and use her daughter in such a ruthless manner, I would have never have bothered with your company."

Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. "You really shouldn’t have fu(ked with my daughter. You could have done anything that you wanted to do to me but YOU crossed the line and now you have to pay. From now on, if you play hardball with me, know that I’m going to play just as hard if not harder. Nothing you do or say will be overlooked ever again. Whatever bridges that were build in the past are no longer. Now if you will excuse me, I have a company to run and your children have to decide who is willing to take a cut in their stock to bail you both out of this mess you created."

"Logan, don’t do this."

" I’m sorry Ridge, but your father bought this on himself. I will never forgive him for using my daughter in such a blatantly way to hurt me."

"Brooke.." Thorne intruppted.

Brooke looked at Thorne, yet nothing of the love they had shared was displayed in her eyes. Instead, there was coldness. " I’ll have Megan send you a belated wedding gift." Brooke looked at Caspian for a moment needing a moment of peace to calm her. She turned and left the office.

Caspian looked at the Forresters then finally at Stephanie. " For many years you’ve threatened and abused Brooke. It all ends here. I’m not a man to make threats; I’m a man of action. If you ever think of doing anything like this again, I WILL CRUSH YOU. Your company means nothing to me. I have my own companies, which make more than this company ever will. My reason for being here is to make sure that Brooke has someone looking out for her interest. I will support her on each and every business decision that she makes. Know that her word is law and if you push me, I’ll take more than 10%, I’ll end up with the orginial 15% of stock." Caspian stared at Ridge . "I’m going to monitor things very closely to insure that Brooke is treated accordingly. You and your pitiful brother never stood up to your mother. Instead you’ve allowed years of abuse to occur to the extend in which your own sister was almost a casualty in their war." Finally, he looked at Thorne. "You are probably the most foolish of all. You married a young girl who attacked not only Brooke but brought pain to her son." Caspian shook his head. " You were never worthy of Brooke. I’m just pleased that she had finally realized that."

" Why so you can take advantage of her." Thorne spat. " It is more that obvious that you are taking advantage of her situation."

" What situation would that be? The one in which you were so busy with your 19 year old girl that you couldn’t help Brooke deal with the plans of your parents. How about the night of Rick’s party, when you were so busy helping Kimberly. You allowed Brooke to almost become a victim of a rapist. If I hadn’t of been there. She would have been raped." For a moment, Caspian’s eyes found Stephanie’s. Stephanie looked away but not before Kristen noticed.

" You were the man who saved her?" Thorne asked stunned.

" Yes, I was to pull that monster off of her and beat him into submission. I was the man to see that the doctor was called to ensure her saftely. I was there to hold her that night when she woke up scared out of her mind from the drugs that she had been given to make her more acceptable to a crazy man’s sick desires. I was the man who helped her when your parents went after her daughter, using unethical means. But in all of that, where were you? Brooke knows that she cannot depend on you. However, she has learned that she can depend on me. I suggest that you no longer worry about Brooke she is in capable hands." Caspian headed toward the door. " I suggest you take my warnings. You won’t get another one." He looked pointedly at Stephanie. " If I need to, I will destroy everything that you care about including this company if you ever take a step toward Bridget or Rick as well as Brooke. They are ALL under my protection. I take my responsibilities seriously as well as my commitments." With that, Caspian walked out of the door.

Felica looked at brothers, the whole conversation had been chilling. " Brooke was almost raped?" Ridge looked at his brother as well.

" Yes. It happened the night of Rick’s party. She told me that a man saved her, I guess that he was that man."

"Why didn’t Logan tell me?"

"She was going through a lot. She didn’t want to press charges, but I never knew why. I never knew a thing about the man who helped her. She said nothing at all about him."

Ridge looked at his brother. " I thank god that he saved Logan, but that is all that I am grateful for. I don’t like that man, he is trouble."

Eric sighed. " That was trouble, Ridge. I had no idea that Caspian knew Brooke. Nor did I know about Brooke almost being raped. Rick’s party was a while ago, so it seems that they have known each other for a while."

" He more than knows Brooke! You should have seen that way that he was touching her last night. I’m quiet sure that they knew each other very well, even when she was supposed to be devoted to you." Stephanie looked at Thorne.

" Don’t start, mother." Thorne said in pain.

" How can I not! Look at what she has done. She has used her newest lover to steal more of his company. You know that he has been bedding her. He wouldn’t be doing all of this if she weren’t fu(king him. Damn that slut!"

" Mother, stop calling Brooke names." Kristen said.

" I can call her anything I damn well please."

" It is your nasty insults that created this mess mother. Brooke never would have bought this man into our lives if you haven’t talked dad into that ridiculous scheme. I can’t blame Brooke for being furious. You went after her daughter, you knew that I would infurate her. As far as I’m concerned, you are to blame for this mess."

"Kristen…you aren’t helping." Felicia stated. She was tired of all the fighting.

" Felicia, I’m not going to stand here and act like mother isn’t responsible. Look at the mess that she created. Thorne is married to some teenager and dad has probably destroyed his relationship with Bridget. And Brooke is on the warpath. Now, we are going to have to deal with Mr. Deangelo. That man was not making idle threats, he is serious."

" I want to know who this Caspian Deangleo really is. Dad, who is this man?"

"He is dangerous. Or at least his father was."

" Dangerous.." Thorne looked worried. " This man who has involved himself in Brooke’s life is dangerous?"

" He could be. I’m not sure."

" Dad…what was Caspian’s father involved in?" Thorne asked.

" It was never established. I don’t have concrete proof…but there were rumors.."

"What kind of rumors?"

"I don’t know, just rumors." There was no way that Eric was going to tell his children that Caspian’s father may have been connected to the mafia. " Let’s just say that it was rumored that he was an unsavory business man.

" And that is the type of man that you decided to allow to own stock in our company. Some type of unsavory businessman. How unsavory?"

" I don’t know . He was a very rich man."

"You don’t know! Well I will tell you, that man out there is a viper. Who knows what he is involved in. What in the HELL were you thinking! Eric, what kind of people have you bought in out lives? How could you give that man stock in our company!"

" We needed the money. I wanted the best for our company. I went to Sonny. He gave me the money and most importantly, he didn’t interfere in the decisions of the company. All he wanted was stock in a legitimate upcoming company for his children."

" A LEGITIMATE company? Compared to his illegitimate companies?" Ridge stated. "Dad we should be concerned about this Caspian. Who knows what kind of business that he is involved in. For all we know, he could be a gun smuggler."

" I agree with Ridge. Especially after last night. You should have seen the way that he came bursting in here attacking me. He even threatened Ridge." Dread filled Eric. He had made a horrible mistake going after Bridget. He had listened to Stephanie and now he was paying for it.Thorne paced back and forth listening to the conversation. If Brooke was somehow involved with this blackguard, she could be in danger

" Mom, what where you and Brooke discussing yesterday? And how did he threaten Ridge?"

Stephanie was a little uncomfortable with the question. She had no intention of telling the children what had transpired between Brooke and she. " Yesterday, I told Brooke that we were dropping the petition of custody."

Kristen eye’s narrowed. " Why would you do such a thing mother? Why would you let your pawn for stock ever get away? You certainly didn’t care about Bridget." Stephanie looked at Thorne for a moment. She could never allow him to figure out that him marrying Kimberly had nothing at all to do with her changing her mind. " Lets just say that you father and I changed our minds."

" You said that Caspian threatened Ridge, how?" Eric said with a concerned voice.

" He said that he’d hurt Ridge."

Ridge snorted. " I can take care of myself. I think that I need to go and teach this man a lesson. Who in the hell.…."

Eric jumped up. " No! You will NOT take that man on, do you hear me! He isn’t one to play with nor was his father." Eric grabbed his son by the shoulders. "Now promise me that you will not try to take on Caspian Deangleo. He is dangerous!"

Ridge looked at his father will an alarmed look. " Dad calm down. I can handle myself."

"Not with him you can." Eric looks at Thorne. " I want your word that neither you or your brother will take him on. Especially you Thorne. I know that you are most likely angry that he is involved with Brooke. " I can’t do anything about that right now, but somehow we will get him out of Brooke’s life and the company. But at the moment, promise me that you won’t take him on, either of you!" Ridge and Thorne both looked at each other than their father. Never in all those years had they ever seen their father worried. Eric studied the room. " I made a mistake. When Caspian approached me yesterday, I thought that he’d be a silent partner like his father but now; I see that isn’t going to happen." Eric paused a moment to look at Thorne. "We aren’t going to provoke him. He owns the stock and we don’t have a choice but to accept it. All of you." He said looking at his wife.

 

" Angel. Come on, I’m telling you that is isn’t going to hurt." Diana a leggy blonde with an amazing body had three blue little pills in the middle of her hand. " Just take these little buddies." She leaned forward, her lip-gloss sparkling against her lips. The music was booming in the background of the as bodies mingled together dancing as well as exploring each other on the floor of the mansion the party was being held. Eve watched silently as a trio of one man and two women moved against each other with the rhythm of the music. The two women slowly kissed each other while the man watched, when they finished kissing; he took his turn and kissed each of them with passion. " Like what you see?" Diana’s fingers trailed slowly up Angel’s neck. She bent her head to whisper against Angel’s ear. "After you take these pills, we could go in the back room and do that with Craig ourselves." Diana noticed the shock on Angel’s face. " You are fresh meat aren’t you?" She trailed her fingers against Angel’s cheek. " You see, I like women and men and YOU are very attractive. Young but beautiful" Her fingers brushed against Angel’s right breast when Craig walked up behind her.

" Well, are we ready ladies?" He looked at Angel giving her a sensual grin. Angel studied Craig since it was now or never. She was 16 and on her own. Her mother had failed her. The social services department had failed her. She had nowhere to go and no real money. She had no choice, at least now she’d have a home.

" I’m ready." Angel took the three pills quickly and swallowed them down in a hurry with expensive champagne.

Craig and Diana smiled at each other. " Good Girl.." It didn’t take long for Angel to feel the effects of the drugs. Angel soon had a big buzz and it took Craig to carry her off to the opulent bedroom. Craig silently removed Angel’s clothes studying her beautiful naked body as he laid her down on the bed.

Diana smiled down at the naked girl. " She is perfect." Another door opened and a man wearing only a pair of black leather pants carrying a briefcase came into the bedroom. Diana helped to tie the ends of Angel’s feet to the bedpost holding her face down while Craig kneeled at Angel’s head. The man in the leather pants took out a needle and dye. He made his way toward Craig.

" Is she all right?"

" She is buzzing at the moment. Get started." Craig said. The sooner she was branded as his, the sooner he would have the girl in his bed. The man used alcohol to wipe the small spot of the base of the girl’s spine. He then started his work. Angel screamed as the needle pierced her skin.

Eve screamed as she jumped up. Her heart was jumping out of her chest. It took her a moment to realize that it was only a dream, a nightmare. She had fallen asleep while working. Eve stood up and walked toward her bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face. It had only been a dream, yet it was more. It was a memory of her past. It had been of the night; her life in that world had started. It had been a night in which a drug induced state, she had allowed her body to belong to another and then another until she couldn’t remember anything. Tears filled Eve’s eyes. The effects of the drugs altered her highly sensual state allowing the effects of the orgasms to be ten-fold inside of her body. She hadn’t known what had been going on, but she had known what was going to happen and she had accepted that. She had needed a home. She had needed a family in some sort, but she really hadn’t had that. She gotten herself involved in a world that even now still scared her. Eve turned and took off her shirt and looked to make sure that the skin below her spine was naked. Once there had been a tattoo, a brand to make sure that everyone knew to whom she belonged to.

Caspian opened the door to Brooke’s office. She was standing in front of the window looking down at the city below. Caspian quietly stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. " Are you alright?"

Brooke shook her head. Tears streamed down her face. Caspian turned her toward him. He saw the pain on her face. He gently traced a path of one of her tears. Brooke looked up into his eyes. " It shouldn’t hurt. I shouldn’t care that he married that lying tramp but it does."

" I’m sorry." He said as he kissed her.

" Why are you sorry. You aren’t the one the who hurt me." Brooke pulled away. " I’m so stupid. I’m so stupid for still caring about him. Especially after everything. He cheated and he lied." Brooke wiped another tear from her eyes. " Why should I give a fu(k that he married that scheming little bitch?"

"Because you still care about Thorne." Caspian said with compassion. He hated to see her hurt. If only she knew how much she had changed him. Long time ago, he wouldn’t have been able to look past his own jealousy to see her pain. Although he didn’t like the idea of being hurt about Thorne, his feelings weren’t important, hers were.

"Its not like I’m jealous. I know that her doesn’t love you but yesterday….how could he say that he loved me and then marry a woman who has bought me pain not to mention my son?"

" He is a fool."

"He was my friend. I did love him and it hurts to know that he could marry her when she caused so much pain. That little bitch tried to have me raped. She attacked me and hurt my son. But that didn’t matter. She’s protected by Thorne by Stephanie. He doesn’t care about what she did. If he did he wouldn’t have married her. He most certainly wouldn’t have me find out like that with everyone there. Looking waiting. Waiting for this. For me do be hurt."

" Brooke…"

Tears streamed down her face and her nose started to run. "They were supposed to be my family. I did everything that I could to get them to accept me. I played by their rules and they fu(ked me! They used my daughter as a ploy for their hostile takeovers but they protect that lying little whore and readily accept her as one of their own. She protected her just like she protected Taylor. I didn’t want things to be like this. I didn’t want this war. I just wanted to be accepted. I was a fool." Brooke wiped her face with a tissue and blew her nose. She leaned against her desk. " I thought that Thorne was different. I know that he and I where over but I thought that he still cared but to marry her and not even let me know that he was going to do it."

Caspian took hold of Brooke’s hand and kissed it. " He was a fool Brooke. To have a woman like you and throw it all away."

Brooke looked at Caspian with awe. " What did I do to deserve you? Any other man would be upset at the thought of the woman they loved being upset because her ex had gotten married."

" How can I be upset with you for being honest with me?" Caspian cupped Brooke’s face. " For the last two years, he has been the man that you loved. You planned on building a life with him and although you know that it is over so much has happened so fast it takes time for all of it to sink in. It is only natural for you to be upset about Thorne marrying Kimberly."

"Thank you."

" For what?"

"For understanding me. For not using my feelings against me. So many times, Ridge or Thorne have done that. For so long I’ve been afraid that something that I’ve said would be held against me and twisted. But you didn’t do that. You just listened."

" I love you. I would never use your words against you. You’ve had far too much of that. When a man truly loves a woman he tries his best to understand her. I cannot judge you. You are allowed to feel your pain." He drew Brooke closer to him. " You spent years with these people and how they treated you matters."

"Where were you for all these years when I needed you?"

Caspian smiled gently. " Waiting for you." He leaned down and kissed Brooke gently on the mouth.

" Thanks for helping today." Brooke said as basked on the warmth of Caspian’s love.

" I would never let you deal with those vultures alone if you didn’t have to."

Brooke shook her head. " I’ve been dealing with them for years."

" Are you sure that you don’t want the stock? I wanted you to have it." Caspian whispered against her head as he held her.

Brooke smiled. "Yes. Thank you for offering it to me but it isn’t my stock. It’s yours and Isabelle’s rightfully. Besides, it will be nice having an allay at the table. Especially one as good looking as you."

" Really?"

Brooke gave Caspian a seductive smile. " Definitively. Besides, it will keep you in L.A"

" You are keeping me in L.A. That is reason enough."

Brooke’s smiled frowned. "You business to run, I don’t want that to suffer because of me."

" Brooke, my business is fine. I can run things where I am. I delegated responsibility wisely and I’ve been working via faxes and e-mails. I’m looking into a subsidiary company to extend of research and development here in L.A. Besides, I’m a new stockholder of a company with a phenomenal looking CEO."

Brooke wrapped her arms around Caspian. " Is that all she is, good looking?"

"No, she is much more than good looking." Caspian lowered his head and gently kissed the slope of her neck. " She is smart, extremely sexy, yet gentle and kind, she is a hell of a business woman and fabulous in the bedroom." Caspian cupped her buttocks and his mouth found hers. He expertly angled her head so that his tongue could explore her mouth fully. Suddenly, the door to Brooke’s office opened. Rick stood shocked to find his mother exchanging in a passionate kiss with a strange man. The man lifted his head and gently caressed Brooke’s cheek. " I think that we have company."

Brooke turned toward her son. Rick frowned. " Who in the hell are you?"

"Rick. That isn’t a way that you speak to someone you just met."

Rick frowned. " I don’t know who this is and he has his hands all over you mom. I don’t like it."

Brooke walked toward her son. " Remember, I’m the parent, not you. Rick, I’d like you to met Caspian Deangleo."

" Caspian this is my son Rick." Rick studied the good-looking man and didn’t change his look. His mother had been through enough with her breakup with Thorne, he didn’t like the idea of some man taking advantage of her pain. Brooke studied Rick’s face. " Rick stop frowning."

" I don’t know who he is."

Caspian looked at Brooke’s son straight into his eyes. " I’m Caspian Deangleo."

"Why are you kissing my mother?"

"Because I’m the man in your mother’s live."

" The man in MY MOTHER’s life? Are you serious?"

" Yes. I am." Caspian could see Rick eyeing and assessing him. Good, Rick was showing signs of a maturing man. A man should protect his mother. " It is good to see that you are doing well, your mother has been very worried about you."

Rick wasn’t sure if he liked this man. He seemed arrogant. " Well, my mother seems to have told you about me, but I seem to know nothing about you."

" Rick!" Brooke stated giving her son a very annoyed look.

" No Brooke. He is your son and he should question any man who wants to be with you." Caspian grinned at Rick for a moment. " It proves that he is becoming a man." Rick was surprised by Caspian’s attitude.

" Well, regardless of your opinion. I’m the parent, not my son. But to answer your question Rick." Brooke stood by Caspian taking his hand in hers. " You might as well hear it from me instead of the rumors which I’m sure will start. Caspian is a man who I’ve known for a while. There have been times that I’ve needed his support and he had given it to me without asking for something in return." Brooke turned her eyes toward Caspian. " Especially when I knew he wanted to ask." Brooke said with love in her eyes. " Not when I desperately fought against my own feelings."

" You care for this man mom?"

Brooke smiled at her son. " I love this man Rick."

" Whoa! Mom, I know that you’ve gone through a lot since you and Thorne but you can’t be in love."

" Yes I can. See Rick, although Thorne has hurt me a great deal. I now know that I have been falling for Caspian since the moment that I met him."

Caspian put his arm around Brooke’s shoulder. " She fought me hard. She wanted a life with Thorne."

" So now that Thorne is out of the picture, you’ve just moved on with this man?"

Caspian’s eyes darkened. " Please don’t speak to your mother in that manner. It cheapens her and what I share with your mother. She is not a woman to move on quickly. She still carries the pain of Thorne’s actions on her heart. Yet, she has allowed herself to open herself up to experience love. Unlike the weak men in your family, I intended to stand by your mother." Rick, who looked property ashamed from his dressing down still held his ground.

" I did not mean to insult my mother in anyway. I know what she has a beautiful capable of love as well as capable of being bruised, even by me. I also know of the carelessness of the members of my family toward her. Yet, I don’t know you. I don’t know of your intentions toward my mother."

" My intentions are to make your mother extremely happy. To be honest with her and never cause her a moment of pain. To stand by her side against all forces including your family if need be. And most importantly protect her at all cost."

" This has nothing to do with her money?"

" Rick! How dare you!"

" Rick, I do understand that there are men who would take advantage of a woman with the financial backing like you mother, but my interest in her has nothing to do with her money."

" Caspian has more money that I do Rick. Far more. I resent your implications that he’d be interested in me because of money."

" I’m only looking out for you. For the last two years you’ve been in love with Thorne. Now, I find out that you are in love with this man. I don’t know who he his is or what he wants. This is the first time that I heard about this man. Listen mother, you are beautiful as well as smart. I agree that any man would want to have you. But you also own stock in a multi-million dollar company and you are very vulnerable at the moment, emotionally.

" I have emotionally upset but my feelings for Caspian preceded my breakup with Throne. I refused to look at them or give them meaning because of Thorne. When Thorne betrayed me it would have been so easy for Caspian to come to me but he didn’t."

" He is here now."

" Because I needed him. I had a battle to fight and was right by my side." Brooke looked at Caspian. " Just like he was the other time that I needed him. I decided that I would no longer ignore my feelings or him."

" Nor will I ignore my feelings for her Rick. I made a promise to your mother. A commitment that I take seriously. I intend for your mother to stay happy and to have everything that her heart desires." Rick had heard different men make different promises to his mother in the past. Ridge, Thorne, hell, even his father. Yet they had all failed. He wasn’t sure that he could trust this man but he would admit, the man sounded extremely serious. He had also seen the way that the man looked and his mother and the way that she looked at him. He hadn’t seen his mother look like that, not even with Ridge. " Well, talk is cheap. I reserve my judgment for later when I see action. But I will say this. If you cause my mother a moment of pain, I’ll hunt you down."

" Okay…that is enough Rick." Brooke stepped forward putting herself between Rick and Caspian.

" It’s okay Brooke. He is doing the right thing. Protecting is mother."

" Well. I’m capable of taking care and protecting myself."

" I’m sure that you are but it always helps to have reinforcements." Caspian said as he kissed on gently on her bare shoulder.

"I have to agree with him on that. You’ve been going through to much stuff alone. Some of it is my fault. I’ve been so caught up with my life and what I’ve been going through that I haven’t been here for you mom."

Brooke hugged her son. " Honey…its you who needed me. I wasn’t there for you. I’m so sorry that you had to find out about Grant the way that you did."

Rick rubbed the back on his head. " Well, it was shocking. And I should have known but you were trying to protect me, just you always do. Eve was right, I was lucky to have a mother like you."

" Eve…" Brooke looked at Caspian. " You were right. It wasn’t me that he needed, it was her."

Rick gave Brooke a questioning look. Caspian answered. " I did my best to keep your mother from racing up that mountain. I told her that a man needs the woman who loves to stand by him. It makes the difference."

" That is why you told Eve where I was?"

" Yes honey. I may not know Eve very well but I can tell that her heart is good. I can clearly see that she loves you. I know that she wouldn’t care about what happened. It does make a difference doesn’t it?"

Rick gave his mother a sheepish grin. " Yeah it does." He looked at Caspian for a moment. "Thanks for stopping her from worrying. I know that she does."

Caspian wrapped her arms around Brooke from the back. " I know that. With everything going on, she really had a lot on her plate."

" With everything of what going on?" Rick asked. " Does this have to do with that heavy duty meeting in dad’s office? Because the tension was so thick that I could cut it with the knife. Brooke’s eyes jumped to Caspian’s. She said nothing. Rick shook his head. " See, she is back to protecting me. How can I protect you mom if you don’t tell me what is going on?"

Brooke shook her head. "Rick, this isn’t a good time. You’ve just gotten back."

Rick ignored his mother. She’d always protect him. " They must have done something horrible, my family I assume. Will you tell me what they did now?" Rick said speaking to Caspian.

"It isn’t his place to tell you." Brooke stated looked at Caspian.

" He has a right to know." Caspian stated. " I agree with Rick. How can he protect you if you aren’t truthful to him?"

"It isn’t his job to protect me."

" Why not mom? For years you’ve tried to protect me."

" And I haven’t done a very good job of it."

" No mom. You have done a good job of it. I just didn’t listen and that was my fault. You tried to warn me about Amber but I didn’t listen. I paid the price for marrying her and not listening." Rick gently touched his mother on the face. "You tried to warn me about Kimberly. You know that she didn’t love me, yet I defended her. And in the end, she not only tried to hurt me but she hurt you." Rick took in a deep breath. "All my life, you done your best for me and Bridget. You were mom and dad most of the time. You came to every game and every award program, not to mention all the PTA meetings." Rick smiled. " You joined all these committees, even the ones in which the women snickered and talked about you behind your back." Tear stung the back of Rick’s eyes. " You stood by me even when I acted like a spoiled brat."

" No you haven’t."

" Yes, I have. I acted like an ass about Kimberly. I accused you of being jealous of her. I hurt you. And then I acted like a spoiled little rich kid about my inheritance. I told you what I thought that I had a right too. I don’t have a right to anything mom. You have given me so much and I haven’t been grateful for it. You have protected me from the harsh reality of the world and others. It is time that I protect you."

Brooke stood there with tears in her eyes. " I’m your mother. I will always protect you Rick." Brooke touched Rick’s brow. "For such a long time there only you and me. My little boy." Tears started to stream down her face. "I destroyed your family. With my own selfishness…I destroyed what your father and I had because I wanted Ridge. In the end, I was alone and you...You were destroyed. I don’t want to destroy your family now."

Rick pulled his mother into his arms. " Don’t do that mom. I forgive you. Don’t you understand that I forgive you? I wouldn’t want you married to someone that you didn’t love. It would have destroyed you and in turn Bridget and me. You lived your life and I’m glad that you did. I’m glad that you are my mom." Rick pulled is mother into his arms and held her while she cried. " I love mom. I will always love you."

Caspian watched mother and son hold each other and cry. There was love there. He silently left the office leaving them to sit and talk.

 

Taylor checked her makeup to insure that it looked perfect. She was a little nervous. It amazed that that she’d feel this way but after talking to James that day, she knew that she had to do something for herself. Looking beautiful as ever in a tailored black pin stripped suit with an ice blue satin blouse, she walked into Zenith. A couple of the men smiled a looked her way and for the first time in a long time, it gave Taylor a thrill. It was nice to know that she still had the touch. Taylor was shown to her seat. While she waited for her companion, she ordered, Caesar Salad and had a glass of White Zinfandel. She couldn’t help but to think about the conversation that she and Ridge had had earlier that day. It amazed her that Ridge could actually blame her for the problems in their marriage. He just didn’t understand the pressure that he had but her under. The pressure to be the perfect wife, mother and be gracious as the women like Brooke and Morgan threw themselves at her husband. " My husband…" She murmured.

"Ridge Forrester, he is the reason behind your call, is he not?" Taylor looked up to find a startling beautiful red head with hair flowing past her shoulders. She wore a long black an extremely sheer black with an equally sheer black bra, her blouse was collar opened to just right between her full breast and a pair of tailor made black leather pants. Her face she wore designer shades. Taylor couldn’t help to be almost blinded by the beautiful diamond colored necklace she wore. When she took of her glasses, not only was her makeup flawless but also it was her eyes, of a startling blue color that surprised Taylor. " Are you Isabelle?"

The woman sat down and studied Taylor for a moment. She took out a cigarette and lit it.

" Yes. I’m Isabelle."

Taylor was more than a little surprised; she thought that Isabelle would be dressed like a professional. Taylor wasn’t sure if this was the woman to help her deal with her problems. Calling her may have been a big mistake." This is a nonsmoking restaurant." The Isabelle said nothing but continued to smoke. " Did you hear me?"

" I heard you but whether or not this is a smoking or nonsmoking restaurant doesn’t concern me." The woman said in an accented voice.

" Well it should."

" Why?"

" Because you aren’t being considerate of others."

" Other people. Their thoughts and feeling are very important to you. Image is everything to you is it not." Taylor said nothing; she didn’t like how the woman was looking at her.

" Tell me, is that why you married Ridge Forrester? Because he had the most perfect image or did he marry you because YOU had the perfect image. You’ve been playing the part of the perfect wife, mother but was it really that? Now everything that was your reality is now shown to be nothing with a shinny looking babble. You aren’t quiet sure what is the fiction and what is fact. But you are doing your best to keep it together. Dr. Taylor Forrester because if you don’t, then one of the many dishes that you’ve been juggling will fall and break. Well I say, it is time to let things break." The woman put poured herself a glass of wine. She took a sip then put her glass back down. "If you want my help. You are going honest with me and honest with yourself. Can you do that?"

"Of course I can." Taylor said offended. After all, she was a doctor; she knew the importance of honesty.

Isabelle smiled. " Really….are you afraid?"

Taylor sat up straight. " Of course I’m not afraid."

Isabelle leaned forward so close to Taylor that Taylor wanted to move back because it invaded her personal space. " You should be."

 

Against All Odds Chapter 74 Review (Stockholder’s Meeting) Brooke and the Forresters find that Thorne has married Kimberly. Brooke introduces Caspian to the Forresters and explains that he now holds 10% of Forrester stock. All are shocked to hear that Caspian’s father, Sonny, once loaned Eric money in exchange for Forrester stock. Caspian makes it clear to the Forresters that he will be involved with the company and has no patience for any attacks on Brooke. Ridge and Thorne hate Caspian on site. Kristen blames her mother for the mess that has been created. Eve remembers a horrible time in her past. KC tells Lauren about how her engagement to Coron was ruined when she slept with her best friend Jackson. Taylor meets Isabelle for lunch.

Against All Odds Chapter 75 (Dinners)

 

Bridget stood at the terminal looking for Scott; her plane had been delayed a bit. What if he changed his mind? What if he had gotten wrapped up at work and didn’t make it? Bridget held her hand over her stomach, she hated to admit it but she was nervous. Bridget took out her cell phone. Should she call him?

" Waiting for me?"

Bridget nearly jumped. She had been so engrossed in worrying about Scott, she didn’t notice him. " Scott…"

"I’m sorry that I’m late. They said that it would be another half-an-hour later."

" Believe me, I think that the plane was delayed enough." Bridget tried a blow a tentacle of her hair out of her face.

" Yeah…it was." Scott reached out and gently moved that tentacle out of her face and behind her ear. Bridget thought that her heart was going to fall out of her chest since it was beating so fast. Scott smiled down at Bridget. She was so cute. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she wore a cream-colored peasant spaghetti strapped blouse and brown short suede skirt with matching flat brown suede knee high boots. Bridget wore a beautiful sliver necklace with a turquoise amulet. Scott reached out and touched the necklace. " This is beautiful, is it new?"

"Yeah… I got it in Hawaii." Bridget took a hold of Scott’s hand overtop of her necklace.

" I got you something." She said shyly.

" You did." Scott grinned.

" Why are you so surprised? I always get my friends something when I go away. You should see what I got my mom."

" So, is that what we are, friends?"

" Well… I.." Bridget looked away.

Scott touched the side of Brooke’s face and turned to gently toward him. " It’s alright Bridget. Friends is a good start but I hope we can a least be a special friend. At least the kind that kiss." Scott’s mouth hovered slowly over top of Bridget’s mouth. " So, can I?"

"Can you what?" Bridget said in a breathy tone. Her eyes never left his.

" Can I do this?" Scott’s mouth lowered taking Bridget’s gently. His mouth touched her in a light kiss. He parted for just a second before his lowered his mouth again to take hers again. This time Bridget opened her mouth slowly under Scott’s. Scott felt his inside go warm because she had anticipated what he had wanted. He gently slid his tongue inside her mouth sipping to taste the mint that she must have eaten recently. Bridget sighed, loving the feel of his arms around her body, wrapped her arms around him. She gently swept her tongue inside of his mouth to touch his and fire erupted throughout her body. Scott pulled his head away from Bridget’s mouth and smiled. He gently caressed her lower lip. " That was worth it."

" That was worth what?" Bridget said smiling.

" The wait of you coming home."

" You’ve been waiting for me to come home? Bridget started to laugh. " I just find that hard to believe. I’m quite sure that there was been more than one beautiful model throwing themselves at you."

Scott raised one eyebrow. " You think? Well, maybe there is one or two. But somehow they can’t compare to you."

Bridget was floored and she didn’t know what to say. Scott however knew what to do. He took hold of Bridget’s hand and picked up her bag. " Let’s go."

Taylor was extremely uncomfortable. For the last half an hour Isabelle had been asking her a series of personal questions, yet unlike her style, she got the feeling that the woman was smirking inside getting some sort of pleasure from her discomfort. Taylor took a sip of her wine. " I not sure that this is working."

Isabelle looked coolly at Taylor. "This isn’t working? I’m not being considerate enough for your standards."

" You are asking me personal questions."

" I’m asking you questions to make you think. You are feeling uncomfortable and that is understandable."

" For a therapy to work, a doctor must instill trustworthiness in her patient. I’m not getting that feeling here." Taylor threw down her napkin. " In fact, I get the feeling that you find my entire situation amusing on some level. I don’t like it."

" I’m not here for you to like. But you are right, I do find that your situation with your husband to be amusing. You married a man whose past shows that he has problems with staying committed to more than one woman. Yet, you seem to be surprised that he strayed. But what is more disturbing is the fact that you placed such a high regard in having a relationship with a woman who had a sexual relationship with your husband in the past. Considering his lack of closure, most women wouldn’t been suspicious, but not you. Why? And why did you see the need to become friend with Morgan?"

" I wanted to help her. I help people, you know." Taylor said sarcastically.

Isabelle smirked. " That is admirable quality, isn’t it? Tell me, do you feel any better now that you have helped Morgan and she helped herself to your husband."

Taylor jumped up. " That is enough! I heard that enough from you. How dare you sit there and drink you wine and act like my life is amusing to you. And how dare you stand in judgment of me? I thought that you could help you, but I see that you aren’t the person to help me."

" Are you finished yet? You little tirade was a bit dramatic yet it has not inspired any pity on my part, if that was the point of it." Isabelle leaned forward looking collected and unaffected by Taylor’s outburst. " I’m not here to play the caring feeling friend, therapist or active listener. I’m not you and I don’t play by your rules. I however am here for you to talk to when you’ve had enough. I’m the person that women come to when they are tired. Tired of being the victim or playing the victim. I can’t even say that I can feel for you. But I can say that I can help you to become empowered to no longer be a victim to anybody or anything. That is what I do for my patients, if you want to call them that. I help them to take back their lives and get rid of the fear." Isabelle stood up. " You think about that when you go home to your husband tonight and feel the bile that rises in your stomach when you close your eyes and see him in the arms of your friend. When you are ready to be strong and independent, give me a call. I will help you, that is if I’m around." Isabelle stood and threw a couple of bills on the table. She picked up her shades put them on and walked away from Taylor without to a glance yet she wore a small smirk on her face. Taylor would call, she knew sooner or later she would. She would extend her visit in L.A .

Brooke was studying the file reviewing the financial profits of the Men’s Line when her office door opened. Brooke looked up to fine Caspian standing in her doorway looking handsome in his dark eyes. Brooke’s breathe caught in her throat as she felt the heat of Caspian’s eyes devouring her. Caspian made his way over toward her; he held his hand out toward her. Brooke took his hand and stood as he pulled her close to her body. He gently caressed her face. " How was your talk with your son?"

Brooke closed her eyes rubbing her face against his fingers for a moment. She wasn’t sure why but it seemed that his touch had a way of making her feel so wonderful inside. She needed to feel close to him especially after the day that she had. Brooke opened her eyes, they were golden in color and reflected Caspian’s face like a mirror. "The talk went well. Rick has a lot to work out but I know that he is going to make it. That is all that matters to me. I was worried about him and wondered how he was going to be able to relate with knowing that he tried to kill Grant but with Eve’s love, I think that he is going to be fine."

"With a mother like you, how could he not be all right? He is a strong young man, you have taught him well."

"I’m sorry that he gave you the third degree. I was surprised by that Rick isn’t normally that aggressive."

"He is your son. He has seen you hurt countless of times and he wants to insure that any man in your life is worthy of you. It is all right. I think that I’m more than up to the task of dealing with your son. Have you told him of what Eric and Stephanie had planned?"

"No. Right now, Rick has a lot on his plate. The last thing that I want is for him to go to war with his father."

Caspian shook his head. " You are still doing your best to protect Eric, after all that he has done."

" No. This isn’t about Eric. It’s about Rick. Right now, he doesn’t need to fight my battles, he needs to fight his own."

" It would be best if you were to tell him. Sooner or later, he will hear about the truth. It is only a matter of time before the rumors reach his ears."

" I know. I just want to spare him this for at least tonight. Tomorrow, I will sit down and tell them both, Bridget and Rick. They are going to find out and I want to make sure that they find out from me. I have tried my best to spare my children the truth and in that I’ve caused them more pain."

" You haven’t done that."

" Yes, I have. I should have told Rick when he was old enough to understand what was going on about Grant. I never should have allowed a chance for someone else to tell him. And Bridget, I should have been more honest with her and in my actions then she never would have thought that it would be alright for her to lie and manipulate Ridge and Taylor."

Caspian saw the pain in Brooke’s eyes, she thought it her fault that Bridget had shown that videotape Rick’s party. " She made a mistake Brooke. She shouldn’t have shown that videotape at the party but the ruining of Ridge and Taylor’s marriage wasn’t her fault."

"Yes it was. But there isn’t anything that I can do about it. I wish that I could but telling Ridge and Taylor what Bridget did wouldn’t help their problems. Yet, still, I can’t help but to wonder what kind of role model have I been to my daughter. She really thought what she was doing was right."

" She was confused. Brooke, you can’t take all of this on yourself. She had a father."

" Yes she did. And what will telling her about her father do to her? How will she react? I’m going to tell her that manipulating others to get what she wants is wrong and in the same breathe I’m going to tell her that her father was manipulating her to get what he wanted."

" I know that it will be hard but you will show her the errors of Eric’s ways."

Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. " I’m going to break my daughter’s heart." When she closed her eyes, a few tears escaped. " That is the last thing that I wanted to do."

Caspian caught one of her tears with his fingers. " Don’t cry." He bent down and kissed her on the tip of her nose. " You are doing what is best for her."

Brooke sighed. " As much as I want to tell her the entire truth, I can’t. I’ll tell Rick because he is a man but I can’t do that to Bridget. I will tell her that Eric and Stephanie wanted her but I won’t tell her about the stock. I won’t hurt my child like that." Caspian nodded. He understood Brooke’s reluctance of hurting her child. He knew what it was like to hold a potentially hurtful secret that could hurt someone he loved. Lark was his secret. He knew that he couldn’t hold on to that piece of information forever. He loved Brooke and he wanted a future. He knew that was impossible if he didn’t explain to her about his wife.

"You are such an phenomenal mother. Your children are so lucky to have a woman like you. A mother who would protect them at all cost." A shadow passed Caspian’s face. Brooke gently touched Caspian’s brow.

"You are thinking about your mother aren’t you? Whenever you think about her, you get the same look on your face." Brooke frowned. " She hurt you badly didn’t she?"

Caspian kissed the palm of Brooke’s hand and then turned away. " There isn’t anything to say about her. I haven’t really given her any thought in years. I see that she is finically taken care of but besides that, there is no relationship. I can’t forgive her the pain that she brought into Bella’s life."

Brooke nodded. She couldn’t imagine loving a man so much that she could turn a blind eye to him raping her daughter. " In all of these years, you’ve never talked to her?"

"Only once in a while. She keeps her distance; she knows how I feel about her. There was a time however that she tried using Lark to get to me."

" How?"

" By befriending her. Lark had a big heart." Caspian smiled gently. " She always wanted to see the good in others including my mother. Olivia wanted desperately to be a mother to someone and although I really didn’t approve of it, it was hard to say no to Lark because she really cared about my mother. I never interfered in their relationship but I made it clear that Olivia was no to step a foot in my home."

Brooke felt Caspian’s pain. " There was a time when you were close, weren’t you?"

" When I was younger, she was different. There were times that she was self-centered but she loved me. When my father died, things changed. It was never the same after that. I no longer think of Olivia as a mother, she is just a woman who gave birth to me and nothing more."

Brooke said nothing. She wouldn’t know she’d deal if her children never spoke to her.

"What about Bella? How does she deal with your mother?"

Caspian sighed. " Bella is different. She sees Olivia from time to time. But it is more or less to taunt Olivia. Personally, I don’t think that it is good for Bella to see Olivia but I don’t get involved."

" The more that I hear about your sister, the more that I want to meet her."

" Why is that?"

"First, she is someone that you love. Second, she seems to be the only person to stand up to you."

"I don’t know about that. You seem to be doing a fine job in that department. That is one of the things that I love about you."

" Just one of the things?"

" Just one, I could spend hours telling you all the others reasons, but then, I wouldn’t get to do this." Caspian bend down and kissed her gently on her lips. Brooke sighed and slowly opened her mouth under his. Her body brushed up against his, her nipples became instantly hard and she ached to have his mouth on them to sooth the ache. Caspian’s pulled her closer as his tongue stroked her mouth. Brooke’s breathe escalated as her mouth moved against his, her tongue mated against his with fiery passion. Brooke pulled her head away from Caspian’s. She heard a harsh breathing sound echoing in her office. Brooke brushed her lips against Caspian’s lips, gently. She kissed him with all the love and gentleness in her heart. There was a knock on the door. Brooke pulled her lips away reluctantly. " Come in."

" Brooke, I have those financial reports that you asked me for." Megan stopped when she saw Brooke in the arms of a handsome man. " Oh excuse me. I’ll come back later."

" No, Megan. I have someone for you to meet. Megan, this is Caspian Deangleo."

Megan smiled. The man who had his arms wrapped Brooke was handsome as sin and seemed to allude power. He made his way toward Megan and took to hand kissing it gently.

" Megan, it is good to meet you. Brooke has talked so much about how your help and your friendship is important to her. I, am in your debt."

Megan was speechless. She looked at Brooke who seemed so much better than she had more than a week ago. She wondered if this man had anything to do with. " Brooke is my friend and I’d do anything to help her."

" This I know. It is going to be a pleasure working with you."

" We are going to be working together?" This surprised Megan. She looked at Brooke.

" Megan, Caspian is one of the newest board member and stock holder here at Forrester."

"What? Brooke, how is that possible?"

" It’s a long story. You will know all about it later but I want you to know that the Forresters aren’t happy with this new arrangement. They are sure to be on the warpath and things are going to be tense."

" Things are already tense around here. Brooke, I don’t like spread any rumors but I overheard Ridge and Eric talking the other day. They were arguing, Ridge stated that Eric was trying to take Bridget from you."

" It was true Megan."

Megan wore a clearly distressed look on her face. " Of my god. Brooke."

" Don’t worry Megan, things were set in place so that they can’t take Bridget from me. I don’t ever have to worry about Stephanie and her evil plans ever again but I just may become public enemy number one around here."

"Why is that? Ridge and Thorne would never side with their parents."

" Maybe not about Bridget, but they probably will blame me the changes that are going to occur."

" What changes?"

" The changes that I will be making around here." Caspian said quietly. " Brooke has spent too much time fighting Eric and Stephanie. I’m going to see that she never has to do that again."

 

 

Deacon finished reading his financial report that his accountant had drawn up for him. Things were looking good for him financially and his club was doing well. Deacon smirked, not bad at all for kid with no father and a showgirl for a mother. Deacon had lived a hard life growing up in Vegas. He had seen things and done things that he didn’t care to think about and because of that, it often made him indifferent to the things around him most of the time. The waiter came to his table with his order of New York strip medium rare, steamed red potatoes, Cesar salad and a beer. There was a time that he’d never thought that he’d be able to eat in a fancy restaurant like the Café Rouse, but now he could eat here and anywhere else that he wanted too although he was mainly a meat an potatoes man. He had learned that money and a little bit of charisma went a long way. Deacon learned that he liked classy things more and more. Although he loved his trademark black clothes and still loved to get down in the dirt with anybody, tonight he had worn an expensive suit from Hugo Boss, he had cost him a pretty penny but it had been worth it. Class, that was Isabelle had. Last night the sex had been amazing. He had had plenty of women in his lifetime and done his best to show fantastic time in the bedroom, but Isabelle had really turned him out Deacon shook his head and sipped his beer out the glass, if he had been in his club it he would have sipped it out of the bottle. Truthfully, he wanted more. He wanted her any way that he could get her but he wondered if he’d get another chance to bed her. She was a mysterious woman. Nothing like the rich women that came slumming and wanted him because he was a bad boy. He knew nothing about her except that the sex was fantastic, extremely beautiful, rich and mysterious. Isabelle was different from any woman he had known. There was coolness to her and even a detachment. She was hard, like him, and for some strange reason, it thrilled him. Deacon contained to eat his meal when he noticed Trudie sitting at a table with woman heavy in conversation. Deacon smiled, he had always liked Trudie, and she was his kind of girl. She was brassy and full of life and you never knew what she was going to say or do. He chalked that up to Chris. He had never been a father figure to Trudie since he was only a couple of years older than the girl, although he had loved her. Trudie had always done what she wanted and she had taken more than a few licks defending her brother. Most people might have resented the fact that they had to defend their brother’s lifestyle but Trudie never cared that her brother was gay. Deacon had liked Chris, he didn’t care that he had been gay; Chris After a few moments, the woman left the table. Deacon put his report down and made his way toward Trudie. He bent down low and whispered in her ear. " Fancy meeting you here True."

Trudie visibly jumped. " God, Deacon you scared the hell out of me."

Deacon slid into the seat across from Trudie. "Sorry, but you should know to always watch you back, you never know how could sneak up on you."

" I don’t have to worry about anybody sneaking up on me. But I see that things haven’t changed for you." Trudie eyes Deacon’s suit. " You are dressed up a little more."

" That is where you are wrong. Things have changed for me. I’m no longer involved in anything illegal, those days are over."

" That is good to hear. And it is good to see you Deacon. There aren’t many people who could pull themselves up by their boot strings like you have. Your business is doing well, I’m proud of you."

" Is that respect that I hear in your voice?"

" Yes, it is. I have a friend who did the same thing. She took a bad situation and has made something out of herself. So, yes, I admire that you were able to create your own business."

" I’ve worked hard, but there is nothing like having a business of your own."

Trudie sipped her wine. " I want that someday. And I’ll have it."

Deacon grinned. " I have a feeling that you will." He noticed the folder on the table. " So, what is this?" He opened the folder, which held information about different condos. "Condos?"

" I’m looking for a place to live."

Deacon whistled. " These can cost a pretty penny. They must be paying your really well at Forrester or you have a very nice Sugar Daddy."

" No Sugar Daddy. You know that I’m not that kind of girl." Deacon gifted her with a knowing grin.

" I’m not. That night we shared was fun but I’m not the type of girl to really sleep around."

" I don’t know, I’ve seen some of those pictures from Forrester." When Trudie frowned, Deacon laughed. " True, I’m just joking with you. Hey with my life, I really can’t judge anyone. Besides you have a boyfriend right?"

"Unlike you Deacon, there are men who can be fun and also want a stable life."

" Whatever." Deacon took a sip of Trudie’s wine. So are you and lover boy moving in together?"

"No. My roommate Eve and I are looking for a place."

" Eve?"

" She’s my best friend."

" Is she rich?"

"No."

" So where did you get the money for Condo?"

Trudie thought about the check that Stephanie Forrester had given her. The money along with the money from Chris would set her up nicely. Bridget was a nice kid but she was really confused. Telling her that Ridge was a father would not help to be able to cope. Based on what she knew about Bridget from Eve, she wanted Ridge and Brooke back together. Trudie wondered what would happen to Brooke and Ridge’s relationship if they found out that Bridget was their daughter. She liked Brooke and wanted her to be happy but would finding out that Stephanie had lied really make Brooke happy or would it tear the family apart. Deacon studied Trudie for a moment. " Earth to True…" He snapped his fingers. " What are you thinking about?"

" Nothing.."

" Sure. Now I’m more than interested in knowing where you are getting your money from."

" Not like I owe you any explanation but my brother left me a sizable life insurance."

Deacon looked at Trudie like he didn’t believe her. " Sure…if that is the story you want to tell people. I’ll play along."

" There isn’t anything to play along with."

" Sure there isn’t? Hey whatever game that you going is your game honey. But you know what, I’ll help you find a place if you like. These places a nice but they are going to cost you an arm and a leg. I’ll take you to my realtor, she can get you a better deal than these."

Trudie arched an eyebrow. " You have a realtor?"

" I have a lot of things that I didn’t use to have."

" Why are you helping me?" Deacon lit a cigarette. " This is a no smoking restaurant."

Deacon inhaled. " So, I don’t care. Don’t tell me that you’ve become a good little girl. That would disappoint me."

" Do you really have a realtor?"

" Yes, I’m always looking out for property. I’m been doing some investments and it has paid me pretty well. Not bad for bad boy from the streets."

" Not bad at all. Okay, I’ll take you up on your offer."

" Good True. Listen, I’ve got to go to work" Deacon wrote his number o a paper and handed it to Trudie. " Give me a call. I’ll help you find a good place and just maybe you’ll tell me what where you really are getting your money from."

" What money?"

Trudie looked up to find CJ standing at her table. CJ looked at the man sitting across from his girlfriend. " Hello, I’m CJ." He said in a brash tone.

Deacon laughed to himself. " Let me guess True, this is the boyfriend right?"

Trudie rolled her eyes. " CJ, this is Deacon Sharpe. He is an old friend of mine."

Deacon stood up and leaned down to kiss Trudie on the cheek giving her a wicked smile. He noticed CJ’s frown. " Don’t get upset CJ. I was just saying goodbye I don’t want to interfere with your plans. Talk to you later True. Call me about tomorrow." Deacon stood up and walked away.

 

" Here are the notes that you wanted on everything that has transpired while you were gone. I also believe that KC is meeting with Laura Crafton, Ridge was supposed to go, but he is still in the meeting." Megan stated. " Brooke, I just can’t believe everything that you’ve told me. I can’t believe that Eric and Stephanie tried to steal Bridget from you."

" I couldn’t believe it either but they did. And now they have to pay for it."

" I know…losing part of the company. It must be killing them."

" Yes, it is. But don’t expect me to feel sorry for them. I’m quiet sure by the end of the night; someone will see to it that Eric gets some of his stock back. But that isn’t really my concern."

" I’m quite sure that it isn’t. Your concern seems to be one very sexy Italian."

Brooke smiled just thinking about Caspian sent chills through her body. " It does doesn’t it."

"So, are you going to tell me about him?"

" Truthfully, I wouldn’t know where to start. Caspian is like no man that I’ve ever known. He is powerful, protective and when I’m with him its almost like we’ve known each other forever. And it is like I’m the most important thing to him. I don’t think that I’ve felt like that. Like I was the most single important thing to a man."

" Not even with Thorne?"

" Megan, I think that Thorne has proven that I was never the most important thing in his life. Somewhere along the line, Kimberly became more important."

Megan got up from her seat. " Brooke, I’m really sorry about Thorne…"

" It doesn’t really matter if it hurts or not. The truth is that we are over."

" Brooke, what do you have with this man? You couldn’t know him long although I’ll admit that he took my breath away."

" I’ve known him for months." Brooke said quietly, She rubbed her arms. " For such a long time, he has wanted me. I turned him away. I turned him away when every fiber of my being wanted him. I wouldn’t admit it because loved Thorne and I would never do anything to jeopardize our relationship. But now, I can admit that I had wanted him from the start. The more that I talked to him and was around him, he intrigued me more. He has a love for the arts, good food and his head for business constantly amazed me."

"This isn’t some rebound is it because of what happened between Thorne and Kimberly?"

"No. This isn’t. He it hasn’t been from the start. From the start, he’s been there in back of my mind. He appeared with his mystical ways. He’d know when I needed him. And I did need him. When I was almost rapped, he was there. When I needed protecting, he was there. But it’s more than him being there. Caspian has a way making feel like I don’t have to hide anything, that he loves me for who I am. More importantly, I can trust him. He is proving that to me more and more."

" I don’t know Brooke, he is so different than Thorne. Thorne brought a sweet quality to your relationship. You seemed so relaxed and happy with him. Seeing you with Caspian is different, I seen an intense heat between you too but there seems to be something more. Something dangerous and powerful. Brooke are you sure that you want to have a relationship with him. He isn’t anything like Thorne."

" Megan, I understand that you may be worried."

" We are close Brooke and now that I find that you are involved with a very powerful man that now owns 10% of this company. Based on what you’ve said. Caspian was the one who helped you go get Bridget back and he’s been there for you when you were at your lowest point. He is sexy and overwhelming. I just want to make sure that you know that you are doing. I know that you loved Thorne a great deal, I just can’t see you throwing how you feel about Thorne aside."

" I haven’t done that Megan. Thorne and I were friends for years before we fell in love. I haven’t forgotten what we felt or our relationship. If Thorne had stayed true to me, I would never have given into my feeling for Caspian. But he did. He cheated and now Kimberly is pregnant with his baby."

"Pregnant? My god Brooke, I didn’t know."

"Now you do. It’s over. I can’t look back. But I can look forward and when I think about that I think about Caspian. I know that it seems that I’m the rebound but I’m not. You are right when you say that Caspian doesn’t invoke all the gentleness and sweetness that Thorne had. Caspian is different. He is intense and powerful. What I feel for him is different than what I’ve ever felt to anyone. It is potent. A long time ago, I would have run away from him from our intense feelings but I’m not. I’m embracing them. I almost lost everything that was important to me, my child. I got a second chance and yes Caspian was instrumental in helping me but what I feel for him isn’t gratitude. I know that being with a man because you are thankful isn’t going to work, it didn’t with Grant." Brooke smiled softly. " You know what is funny. In all of this, I should crying and upset. And a part of me is. Eric and Stephanie used my daughter, Thorne betrayed me with Kimberly yet the manipulative bitch is accepted in the family. It hurts. It hurts to know that people who I considered to be family would be the ones who would try to destroy me but I have a sense of my empowerment. Caspian has helped with that. I know that I’m strong enough to go through it alone but knowing that Caspian is going to be at my side helps. I love that way that he makes me feel. I love the fact that he doesn’t judge me, that accepts me. He accepts my feelings, all of them. All these years I’ve been involved with Forrester men and not one of them has stood up for me like Caspian. No one has touched me like him. When he looks at me, its like pure complete fire. I’ve never felt that before, what I felt with Ridge, the chemistry that we shared doesn’t even come close to the chemistry that I shared with Caspian. This isn’t a rebound issue. I’m in love Caspian."

" My god Brooke, you are serious. Aren’t you?"

" Yes. It is so confusing. Everything happened so fast. But I know that he’d protect me with life and I know that he loves me."

" I hope that you are right. I do want you to be happy."

" Brooke, what are you going to do about Bridget?"

" I’m going to tell her that her father wanted her but I won’t tell her why. I could never hurt her like that."

"She’d be devastated if she ever found out the truth."

" I know that. I could never destroy her like that. It would ruin her relationship with Eric and as mad as hell as I am at him, I’ll always protect Bridget."

Megan hugged Brooke. "Your children are so lucky to have you. I’m just glad that you are all right. I was really worried about you. Brooke where were you?"

" Thanks Megan, I know that you do. Listen, I’d love to sit and chat, but there is someone that I have to see before I go and pick up Bridget."

KC finished her meeting with Laura and headed to her office. The meeting went well considering that this was Ridge’s deal. Ridge had a lot of his plate it seemed that all the Forresters did. Still there was a lot to be done before the showing and not much time to get everything done. KC picked up her messages from her secretary, her mother had called her. KC dialed her home.

" Hello"

"Hello mom."

" KC honey. It’s about time that you got back to me. I’ve been worried about you."

" Connor and I went out of town, he took me to Bali."

" Connor" She heard her mother sigh o the other line. " It seems that it is getting serious."

" I know that tone mom. But I still love you because I want know that Connor is a wonderful man."

" Honey, if you picked him, he would have to be wonderful. I just…"

" Wish that he weren’t white."

" Honey, truthfully, yes. I wish that he weren’t white because I know how hard these things can be. I just don’t want you to suffer."

" Mom, I’m not suffering. I’m happy here in L.A. I really love for Forrester."

" They are lucky to have you working for them. You have such style and flare; you always did when you were a kid. Plus you are a little closer to home. Maybe sooner or later, you will come back here to New York."

" I don’t think so mom."

" Well, your father hopes so. You know that he worries about you. And although he is very proud of you being a head designer at Forrester, he was little worried about you working for them."

" Why is that?"

"Honey, little escapes your father’s attention. He knows about your boss Brooke Forrester."

" Brooke is an amazing woman. There aren’t too many people like her in the fashion business. She has flare, beauty and isn’t stuck on her image."

" How could she be stuck on her image? Your boss has slept with three men in the same family. Now, I’m not judging her but it is strange and scandalous. I’ve never heard of such a thing."

"Yes, it can seem a little strange at times. But once you meet you’ll like her. She really is down to earth and she loves her kids. Besides, she is one fantastic business woman, you’d respect that."

" From everything that I’ve read about her, she is a shrewd businesswoman. You know how I feel about women in business. Now, KC, as much as I’m enjoying this little conversation about your boss Brooke Forrester, why don’t you tell me the real reason that you called."

" Mom, I call you every week."

" Yes, but you are hiding something. I know you. I know that tone, the one you used when you are trying to hide something. Now, what is it?"

" I’m not hiding anything. But there is something that I wanted to tell you in person."

" Are you coming to New York?"

"Yes. I’m coming home next weekend and I’m bringing Connor with me. I want you to prepare dad. You know how he can get at times."

" So, it is that serious between you two."

"Yes. He is wonderful. He’s smart and he makes me happy."

" Well honey. I can’t say that I’m thrilled that you are involved with a white man but I have to admit that you have sounded so happy lately. Besides, I’m happy that my baby is coming home for a visit. I’ll handle your father, you know that you’ll owe me." She said in a kidding tone.

" I bet my tab is still running from high school. I love you too mom. Don’t worry everything will fine."

" I’m not worried. If you put God first, everything works out fine. Besides, I raised you and you’ve turned out to be a wonderful woman KC. My only wish was that you never left New York."

" You know that I had to. There were too many memories."

" Of Jackson?"

" I couldn’t deal with seeing Jackson after everything that happened."

" You know that I wanted to take that boy over my knee for what he did for you."

" You aren’t the only one but all of that was in the past. I have new life and I love it. Mom, I’ll see you in a week, I love you." Nichelle hung up the phone. Her baby was coming home. That was a good thing but brining Connor only meant one thing. Their relationship with serious. Nichelle wanted KC to be happy, she deserved that but she wondered if Connor would really be able to do that. Interracial relationships could be potentially stressful; relationships were could be broken so easily without the added stress. She didn’t want that for KC. She also wondered what would have happened between her daughter and Jackson if he hadn’t been stupid enough to betray her. Nichelle kept in contact with Jackson’s mother. He had done well for himself in the area of business so it was a good thing that he didn’t live in New York anymore, still he had never married or settled down, like her daughter he couldn’t seem to find the perfect mate. She picked up a picture of her daughter and shook her head. KC didn’t like to admit it, but Nichelle knew that her daughter had indeed fallen love with Jackson all those years ago.

Connor knocked on Brooke’s office door. Megan answered the door. " Connor, if you are looking for Brooke, she already left."

" Where did she go?"

"I don’t know. She said that she had a loose end to tie."

" I just got out of court to find her messages. I’ve already got the staff working on Brooke’s case. I’ve read the paper work and I’ll make sure that Brooke doesn’t lose Bridget."

" Connor, that has already been taken care of."

" How?"

Megan shook her head. " I don’t know all the details. Brooke got a lawyer from Caspian and they went to court. Apparently Stephanie used a judge friend of theirs to make the decision. Brooke got the case reversed and I don’t know how, but she got Stephanie to drop the pursuit of Bridget."

" Brooke got them to do that? How, they have it in for her? And who is Caspian and this lawyer."

" Caspian is Brooke’s latest lover."

" What?"

" Believe me, I was shocked too. I’m not sure who this man is. But I will tell you one thing. He his charming, sexy and powerful. From what I understand, he has got Stephanie scared. I’m sure if that is good or bad news. To tell you the truth, I’m worried about Brooke. She says that she is in love with this man and from what I know. He has been around for a while."

" She was cheating on Thorne?"

"No. But she knew and was attracted to Caspian then. She never acted on it but once she and Thorne were over, he moved in for the kill. With Thorne married to Kimberly…"

" Thorne married to Kimberly! What in the hell has happened? I’ve only been gone a week."

" A lot has happened in this week. I didn’t even know about Eric and Stephanie until today, they kept it under wraps."

" Brooke shouldn’t have had to go through this. I know that I told my secretary not to tell anyone where I was, but this was an emergency. She should have contacted me."

" Brooke totally understands. She isn’t mad at you Connor. She somehow found out where you were but she decided that she didn’t want to bother you."

" I still should have been there."

" You deserved break. Besides, if really want to help Brooke, there is something that you could do."

" What?"

" Use your influence to find out everything that you can about Caspian Deangleo. I don’t know if this man is going to be a blessing or a curse to Brooke. But I want to find out."

" I’m telling you, we have to find out everything that we can about this Deangleo. He owns 10% of this company and who know the damage that he could do to this company."

" I agree with Ridge. This man might hurt Brooke." Thorne said quietly.

" How can you feel sorry for that woman? I hope that he does destroy her after all she bought him into our company." Stephanie replied with anger.

" No, mother, I think that you did this. Your greed has infected everyone including my father. Although I agree with Ridge, we do have to find out dangerous this man may be. Dad, what can you tell us about him?"

Eric closed his eyes, today he felt his age. Kristen was correct, greed had caused this. If only he hadn’t tried to take Bridget from Brooke none of this would have happened. Caspian would not be a part of their lives. If the man was anything like his father, he was dangerous and his children where in turn in danger, not to mention Brooke. How in the hell did he find Brooke? How long had they been involved and what were going to happen to Rick and Bridget?

" Dad, can you please answer the question. What do you know about Caspian?"

"I don’t know much about him but I know that Caspian has resources that we can’t even touch."

"Dad, I’m not sure about that."

" Well, I am Ridge. Caspian’s father was a powerful man and most likely just as powerful as his father."

Ridge gave Thorne a sympathic look. " Thorne, I’m sorry to ask you this, but has Brooke ever mentioned him?"

" No. Brooke has never mentioned him. I know that she had been attacked the night of Rick’s party. She told me all about it, but she never mentioned him." Thorne was confused, how long had this man been in Brooke’s life without his knowledge.

" Logan never mentioned being attacked, what happened?"

" I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I was with….Kimberly." Thorne said sadly. " All I know was the creation attacked Brooke."

" I wonder if that ever really happened." Stephanie stated.

" Mother, Brooke would never lie about something lie that."

" If this attack was real, why didn’t she go to the police? Why didn’t she mention to anyone? That doesn’t make sense."

"Brooke was upset. It happened. She even went to see James to deal with it. Brooke said that she thought that she might have been drugged. It would be to confusing and hard to press charges against him."

" Well that doesn’t seem like Brooke to me. She would want to find justice for her attacker."

"Well, it doesn’t really matter at this point how Caspian and Brooke met. They did. His father, from what I understand, wasn’t always involved in the most legitimate businessman. I don’t know what else Caspian is involved in but I do know that we are going to have to deal with him."

" Dad, you have all of our support. Kristen and I agree, we don’t deal much with the business so you can have 5% from both of us to make up for the 10% that you lost to Caspian." Eric weakly nodded. He had created such a mess. Never did he think that he’d have to take stock from his children. He had always dreamed of supporting them, but it seemed that they were going to support him. " I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I let you down."

Kristen hugged her father. " You made a mistake. But you are going to learn from. What’s most important is family. You need to work on your relationship with Bridget. You need to make sure that you never make this type of mistake again. Maybe in time your relationship with Brooke will improve but you’ve got a long road ahead of you."

"What are we going to do about Caspian?" Felicia added. "If he is dangerous, it could destroy the company and maybe even Brooke."

" Felicia is right. I’m worried about Brooke."

" Even now, after all that she has done, you are worried about that whore? She caused this mess."

" This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been the one who screwed up with her. If you want to blame someone for this mother, blame me." Thorne stood up and walked over toward the window looking out into the night.

Stephanie gave her husband a look of disgust. " I can’t believe that you would bring this type of man into our business. Eric, what were you thinking?"

" I was thinking about your family’s investment. We had spent so much of your parents’ money and the company was doing well. Financially, we just needed enough to get by. Sonny was able to help me. I didn’t want to worry you with the knowledge that Sonny would have a small amount of stock in our company. 15% seemed like a little amount compared to the other 75% of our company. When Sonny died, I kept waiting for someone to come and claim it but no one ever did. You can’t imagine how shocked that I was when Caspian showed up and demanded the stock."

" That is the thing that doesn’t make sense. All of a sudden, this man is involved with Brooke. And all of a sudden he wants his father’s stock. Something about this doesn’t seem right. I think that we need to find out everything that we can about this man and then proceed. I still have the name of that private investigator was hired to find out who shot Grant, I want to use him to investigate Deangleo."

" That is a good idea Ridge. We have to know who we are dealing with."

" Dad, is there anything else that you can tell us about Sonny." Eric hated to lie to his children, but telling about Sonny’s connections would only upset them more. " Caspian wasn’t Sonny’s only child, there was a sister, I think. She was younger."

" That might be something. If there is a sister, than wouldn’t she be entitled to half of the stock, maybe we could persuade her to sell us 5% of that stock, since it would be hers."

Stephanie’s mind began to work. " I think that is a good idea. We need to find his sister and see if she’d be willing to sell us her half."

Ridge sighed. " Speaking of 5% of Forrester. There is something that I guess that I should let you all know. Mom and dad already know but I sighed away 5% of my stock to Morgan."

Felicia frowned. " Why would you do that?"

"It is a long story but I thought that I was protecting my marriage to Taylor. But since Morgan somehow had that videotape shown at Rick’s party, she may have broken our agreement. If she has, then legally, I might be able to get that stock back."

" Ridge, let me handle that."

" I don’t know mother, you have a way of making matters worse."

" Lay off Kris…" Ridge stated. "She may be right mother, you and Morgan don’t have the best relationship."

" And you do?"

"She is the mother to my son. We are going to have a relationship forever because of Dylan. Maybe we can work something out."

Stephanie had to stop Ridge. The last thing she needed was him investigating Morgan’s stock. She had already had it transferred back to her. It Ridge found out, he may questions why. " Please let me handle this."

" No. But I want you to promise me something."

" What?"

"Promise me that you will stay away from Brooke. She is angry with you mother and I don’t blame her. You and dad used Bridget and I can’t forgive or forget that easily."

" She ruined your marriage…"

" No she didn’t mother. I ruined my marriage. Brooke had nothing to do with that. You however tried to destroy Brooke’s relationship with Bridget. That was cruel and heartless of you. You ought to feel ashamed, I know that I am. So, I want your word that you will stay the hell away from Brooke. No little visits or comments. I’ll do my best to smooth things over with her and to get Caspian Deangleo out of our company. But you will be civil to Brooke. Is that understood?"

"You can’t expect me to be civil to that whore."

" You CAN and you WILL." Ridge stood. " Stay away from Morgan as well, I handle her as well." Ridge stood. " I mean it mother. Brooke and Morgan are off limits to you. You want something to concentrate, concentrate on dad. " Ridge looked over at his father who had a look of despair.

" Dad is suffering. You concentrate on him. I’ll handle Brooke."

Caspian finished setting the dinner table. He had Eggplant Parmesan cooking on the stove and the homemade bread was cooling on the bread rack. He planned on feeding Brooke and helping her to forget the stress of the day. He called the grocery store and had them to deliver all the things that he needed to make dinner. It had been a long time since had had cooked dinner for a woman he loved. He liked the feeling. The feeling of having someone to cook for was something that he had missed. Brooke’s house was beautiful and perfect, it wasn’t as large as his estate, but it had a peaceful quality to it.

 

Bridget was extremely quiet as she walked hand and hand with Scott down the dark sidewalk.

" A penny for your thoughts."

" Huh?" Bridget looked up at Scott.

" I was just wondering what you were thinking about. I don’t think that I’m used to you being so quiet."

" I was just thinking of that art exhibit. Sara Gelding is an amazing artist, it is hard to believe that she is only 24."

" She was good wasn’t she? She has an eye and her watercolors are out of the world. I really thought that you’d relate to her. Somehow you have a similar style to hers."

" You think so?"

" Yes." Scott stopped walking and turned to look down into Bridget’s beautiful eyes.

" You are very talented. You drawing and your paintings are amazing. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you were much older than you seemed. You vision and the way that you look at art is enhanced." Bridget blushed. Scott touched her face gently. " Why are your blushing. I think that you know how good you are. Don’t you know how amazing that you are?" Bridget’s eyes sparkled. Scott seemed to be telling her the truth. She wasn’t used to it. Bridget was loved but she was always known as the daughter Eric or most of the time, the daughter of the infamous Brooke Forrester. At times it seemed that no one knew her for her, but Scott did. He understood her need for art and he admires her for that.

" Well, I don’t know about that but knowing that you understand why my art is important makes me feel special."

Scott shook his head. " You are special Bridget. Don’t you know that? I think that you are amazing." Scott lowered his head and kissed Bridget. Bridget closed her eyes as Scott’s mouth took hers in a kiss. Someone drove up and their music blared throughout the night. Creed’s " Arm’s Wide Open" played into the night as Scott shared an intense kiss with Bridget. Bridget could hardly here the music after all of her attention was diverted with kiss she shared with Scott. Scott pulled his head away from Bridget’s and gently traced her bottom lip with his finger. " So sweet. That is what you are Bridget. Fire and honey…I really like that."

" I can’t believe this?"

" What?"

" That you and I are here like this. I mean you are this great designer and you have plenty of girls throwing themselves at you but you chose to be here with me."

" That is your problem Bridget. Clearly you don’t see yourself the way that others do. When I look at you, I see one of the most beautiful women, inside and out. I just wish that you could see yourself through my eyes. I think that you’d be surprised." He cupped her face again and kissed her gently and quickly. " Come on, I want to feed you. I know a nice little restaurant with good music."

" Are we going to dance?"

" Yes, that will give me an excuse to hold you in my arms."

" You don’t need an excuse at all. I’ve been dying for you to do that since the moment that I got off that plane."

Isabelle opened the door to the penthouse and said nothing as a man as he followed Isabelle in the room." Do you have the information that I asked for?"

" Yes, here is the file on everything that you wanted to know about Taylor and Ridge Forrester."

" Good "

" There is something that I think that you should know."

" What is it?"

" Pierce Peterson is in L.A."

" I already know that. He is here for the conference." Isabelle said coolly. " I knew that he wouldn’t be able to resist it."

" So, I assume that you plan on leaving L.A, as planned."

" No, I’m going to stay for a while. Taylor Forrester had proven to be a factor that I didn’t originally count on. She may prove useful for me in the future. Look into finding me a place to stay, Caspian will want privacy with Brooke."

" Yes Isabelle. I’ll have a home by the end of tomorrow for you."

" Good. That will be all for tonight." Isabelle watched as her personal assistant left. She opened the file on Taylor Forrester. She studied the black and white photo for a moment. Taylor Forrester was in a world of trouble. She was confused and in torment about her husband. She had allowed her husband to come back home but she hadn’t forgiven him for his affair nor had she dealt with the issue of his child. Sooner or later, Ms. Forrester could self-destruct. It was only a matter of time.

Taylor studied the card of Isabelle’s. What had she been thinking? She had gone to the woman for help but instead of finding a compassionate person to help her though her troubles, she found a cool, hard woman. She didn’t like Isabelle one bit, but she couldn’t forget what she had said. She had said that she helped to empower women. Taylor didn’t feel empowered, instead she felt trapped. Trapped between loving and hating Ridge. Trapped between wanting out and being scared that Stephanie, her friend, would do her best to take her children away. Then there was Dylan, how in the world was he going to deal with seeing Ridge’s son by Morgan. Taylor poured herself a glass of wine and downed the contents before she poured herself another glass. Her life was a mess. What did she have to lose, maybe Isabelle could help her.

Trudie walked behind CJ into her apartment and threw her keys on the table. " Tell me, are you going to sulk all night."

" I’m not sulking."

" The hell you are. Ever since you saw me with Deacon you’ve been all cool toward me." She wandered toward the CD player and pressed play, Tyrese’s " Falling In Love With You" filled the apartment.

" I don’t like the guy."

" You don’t know him."

" I know enough."

Trudie lay on the sofa. " And what is it that you know. Clearly you can’t be mad because I have history with other men. CJ, you live with Amber."

" Amber is my friend."

" Amber has the hots for you."

CJ snorted. " No she doesn’t."

" Yes, she does and she hates me. She only plays nice when you are around but I don’t care because I trust you. Now about me and Deacon, we are friends."

" Who slept together."

" Only once. Just one time and that isn’t going to happen again. Besides Deacon only sees me as a friend ."

" Are you kidding his eyes were all over you."

Trudie laughed and then gave CJ look. She crooked her finger at him. " Come here."

" No. If I come over there, you are going to make me forget that I’m upset."

Trudie keeled on the sofa. She pouted sexily at him. " Honey, it come over here, I’m going to give you a treat." CJ didn’t budge. Trudie raised an eyebrow at him. " So…It’s like that?"

" Yep." Trudie quickly took her shirt off and threw it at CJ. CJ’s eyes couldn’t help but to be drawn to her beautiful naked breast. " I’m still not falling for that True."

" Really?"

"Really."

Trudie stood on the sofa, hooked her finger on the edge of her jeans. She slowly unzipped her jeans and then slid them down her legs. She threw them at CJ who caught them. " Are you interested now?"

CJ was hard now. All he could think about was tracing that little tattoo of her nickname on her hipbone but he wasn’t about to let her know that. CJ hid his grin and crossed his hands over his chest. " I’m still not interested." Trudie upped the stakes. She peeled off her skimpy god panties and flung them at CJ. Using her hands, she ran one hand up her neck while she ran the other slowly down her breast in a highly sensual manner. " Are you interested now?" CJ studied his girlfriend a moment. But didn’t move. Trudie grinned and then moved in a pose that was totally indecent and incredibly sexy.

CJ’s eye nearly popped out of his eyes. " I didn’t know that you could do that."

" There is a lot that I can do that you don’t know a thing about. So, are you coming over?"

" Hell yes!" He ran over toward Trudie picked her up and threw her over his shoulders.

Trudie laughed with excitement. " I thought that you’d see it my way." CJ carried Trudie to her bedroom. In a matter of seconds he was just as naked as she. Trudie pulled a condom off the nightstand and used her teeth to open the foil package. Getting on her knees, she slipped the condom on CJ’s length. CJ grabbed Trudie pulling her in his arms. Trudie pulled his head down to kiss with passion. CJ picked Trudie up and hurried over toward the bed. Trudie wrapped her legs around his waist. Her tongue mated with his as her hand scored his back with her fingernails. They fell on the bed together. CJ cupped her breast lowered his head to take the hard nipple into his mouth. Trudie cried out as his mouth suckled at her breast.

" God, get inside me now!"

" Patience Trudie.." CJ said against her breast.

Trudie reached for his strained condom covered member. " We’ll do it slow the second time but I want you fast and hard right now." CJ groaned at he felt her warm heat against him. Damn, she could make a monk forget about his vows. CJ positioned himself and then thrust inside of her heat. Trudie met each of CJ’s thrust eagerly with her own. She knew where to kiss, lick and tighten to make their journey a pleasurable. CJ rammed into Trudie while his mouth feed from her breast. His fingers moved down her body to find her aching nub. He gently stimulated her nub as he bought her closer to a climax as he moved in and out of her. Trudie pushed her breast further inside of her mouth and cried out as the waves of passion caused her to explode. Her body started to clench tightly against his member, CJ held on as much as he could and then he came in a rush. CJ lay atop of Trudie, his member inside of her and her breast as a pillow against his head. He laughed as he picked his head up.

" What in the hell was I mad about?"

Trudie opened her eyes to see CJ smiling down at her. " Don’t ask me, I don’t remember."

Kristen watched Thorne as he stood in their father’s office. The office was empty since her parents had left as well as Ridge. Felicia had let to go to a hotel. Thorne however opted to stay. Kristen laid a hand on her brother’s shoulder. " Do you want to talk about it?"

Thorne sighed. " I don’t know where to begin."

" Why don’t you tell me how this happened? It seemed that one day I had everything. Brooke and I where on our way to getting married, sure we had problems with Bridget but I thought that we’d work through it."

"But then the mess with Kimberly happened."

" Kristen, I don’t really know how it happened. I was trying to be her friend; I swear that I never looked at her other than Macy’s kid sister. But then I woke up the night we slept together and now she is pregnant with my baby."

" Is that why you married her? You didn’t have to do that. You could have been a father to your child without marrying her."

Thorne closed his eyes and leaned his head against the cold windowpane. " That is what everyone thinks, that I’d married her for baby."

" That wasn’t it?"

Thorne shook his head. " No. You see I’m a real bastard. I didn’t marry Kimberly to be a father to our child or even to help her. After all that I did to her, I should be thinking of her but I can’t do that."

" After all that you did. Thorne she willing slept with you. It’s not like you raped her or anything." Throne remained quiet. God, as much as he wanted to lay his burden on his sister’s shoulders, he couldn’t do it. He loved Kristen. They had always been close.

" Thorne, you didn’t have a marry her. Now you are stuck in a marriage to girl who you don’t love or want."

" I know that Kris. I know that but I had to do it. I didn’t marry Kimberly for the baby. I married her for Brooke."

" Married her for Brooke? I don’t understand."

" Mother came to me with a deal. If I would married Kimberly, she and dad would drop this ridiculous pursuit of Bridget."

Kristen stepped back. " My god. What kind of mother do we have? How she have done something like this to you."

" I don’t know. But it worked, didn’t it Kris. Mother and dad dropped the pursuit of Bridget and now Brooke will have her daughter."

Kristen said nothing. She knew how vindictive her mother could be. Nothing would stop her mother from trying to get Forrester back. She’d never allow anything to get in the way of sticking it to Bridget, especially Kimberly. No, there was more to it than this deal with Thorne. Something or someone stopped her mother from going through with trying to take Bridget. It didn’t matter that Brooke had gone to court; her mother could have easily persuade their father to refile. Something wasn’t right but she wouldn’t mention that matter to her brother.

" Do you think that mother is right about Brooke and Caspian? She never mentioned him to me. I never knew that he had been the man to save her."

" I don’t think that mom was right. Brooke might have known him but that doesn’t mean that Brooke was intimate with him."

" Do you think that she is intimate with him now?"

" I don’t know Thorne." Kristen said quietly. " But at this point, it doesn’t matter. With you married to Kimberly, Brooke has every right to see anyone she wants to."

"But this man. Who knows what he could do to Brooke. Dad and mom are worried about the company but I’m worried about Brooke. What if he hurts her?"

"I don’t that he will." Kristen didn’t add that Brooke had been hurt enough.

" I love her Kristen."

" Know that you do. Maybe if she knew the real reason that you married Kimberly."

" No! That was part of the deal. I can’t tell Brooke what I did. I have to protect Brooke at all cost."

Kristen’s heart was breaking. She had never seen Thorne in such pain. He had sacrificed his life for Brooke. This was their mother’s entire fault. Kristen hugged her brother knowing that he needed something or someone to help him though this mess.

 

Brooke stood outside of the condo and rang the doorbell again. The door swung open.

" Honey did you forget your key?" Brooke was greeted with a nearly naked Kimberly in a black silk robe. Brooke smirked.

" Sorry but I’ll have to remember it next time."

Kimberly frowned. What in the hell did Brooke want? " I thought that you were MY HUSBAND."

" Sorry but Thorne is tied up." Brooke smirked. " With work of course not in my bed or anything."

" Of course he is." Kimberly crossed her arms over her chest. " I assume that my husband had told you of our marriage. Sorry that we couldn’t invite you but since you have a knack of behaving badly at the marriage of men who dumped you, I thought it would best if you weren’t there."

" Of course I understand that Kimberly. It isn’t everyday that you marry a man who is in love with another woman. I’m sure that you weren’t so eager for everyone to see how uncomfortable the groom was." Brooke tapped her jaw. " Or maybe you were afraid that someone would object."

" That is where you are wrong Brooke. You see, no one would object to my marriage to Thorne, in fact Stephanie wanted to throw me a big beautiful wedding but with everything going on, I didn’t think that it was appropriate. So, why don’t you tell me why you are here? As you can see, I’m expecting my husband, after all we are still on a honeymoon."

Brooke pushed past Kimberly into the living room. " I think that what I have to say is something that you don’t want others to hear."

Kimberly glared at Brooke and slammed the door. " I should have the cops come and arrest you for trespassing."

" You can do that if you’d like but then I’d have to explain why in the world that I was here and I don’t think that you would want Thorne to know that I was here."

" What do you want Brooke? You can’t have Thorne, he is married to me. In fact, shouldn’t you be worried about trying to get your daughter back instead of hounding a pregnant woman. But then again your priorities were always a bit screwed up."

Brooke took a threatening step toward Kimberly. " You knew about what Stephanie and Eric planned? Of course you did, after all Stephanie is your partner in crime. I suggest that you shut your mouth about my daughter or you may be taking another trip to the hospital."

" You wouldn’t dare try to hurt me in my condition." Kimberly spat. " Or maybe you would. I wonder what Thorne would say if he heard you treating our child."

" Maybe he’d get down on he hand and knees and kiss my feet. After all, we know that is the only reason that Thorne married you."

" You really believe that don’t you? Does that help you to sleep in your empty bed? Thorne married me but it had much more than to do with our baby. It had everything to do with this." Kimberly opened her robe and dropped it to expose her naked body to Brooke. " Thorne gets to come home to this every night. And I mean COME. Last night we made love so many times that I couldn’t count."

Brooke yawed. " Put your clothes back on little girl. It doesn’t impress me."

" I guess not. You’ve had plenty of practice of taking your clothes off haven’t you? But the difference between Thorne and I is the fact that haven’t done it from Thorne’s father and brother. I also am very young and fresh. Now I’d admit that you do have a stunning body but how old are you Brooke? 39 or 40. Do you really think that you can compete with me?"

Brooke strode toward Kimberly. " I can more than complete with you anything or day." She picked up Kimberly’s robe. " I suggest that you put this on. You see you body is beautiful but that isn’t going to help you at the moment. You and I have something important to discuss. But if you insist on playing these games I’d be more than willing to discuss with Thorne and you." Brooke leaned forward so her face almost came in contact with Kimberly’s. " In fact, I’d love for him to hear what I have to say."

 

Against All Odds  - Chapter 76 Trouble

 

Kimberly glared at Brooke. “ You have got to be out of your mind to think that I’m going to allow you to talk to my husband. Besides, nothing you could say could possibly change the fact that I’m Mrs. Thorne Forrester and you aren’t.”
“ Smug, aren’t you?” Brooke looked around the condo. “ You have everything that you worked so hard for. You have this beautiful place to live and Thorne.”
Kimberly nodded. “ I do don’t I.”
“ It means a lot to you doesn’t it? This marriage and this life with Thorne.”
Kimberly studied Brooke hard for a second. “ More than you’ll ever know.”
“ Good.”
“ Good? Are you nuts?”
“No, but I think that you are. I want you to want Thorne and your perfect idea of a family more than anything in the world because that will make taking it from you all the sweeter.”
“ You aren’t taking anything away from me.”
“ Oh but I think that I can. You see, I have all the power now little girl.”
“Power, you have nothing. You don’t have Thorne. And you aren’t even going to have Bridget once Stephanie gets done with you.”
“ You think? Well let me tell you little girl, you must be out of the loop. The situation with my daughter has been resolved and Stephanie didn’t get what she so desperately wanted. Stephanie, like you, outplayed your hand. I know what you did. I know that you got the Ecstasy from Stephanie and I know what you did with it.”
Kimberly stopped dead in her tracks. Fear filled her. Just what in the hell did Brooke know. She had to find out. If Brooke knew that she had drugged Thorne then it would be over. Thorne may begin to question whether or no he had ever slept with her and wonder if he were truly the father of the baby. “ I don’t know what you are talking about. What Ecstasy are you talking about?”
“Playing it to the end. My, you are a really good liar aren’t you? Well, I should expect no less because you’ve been chummy Stephanie for so long.”
“ You know what? I really don’t have the time to sit and play word games with you. My husband will be home soon and I want to prepare for him.”
“ Trying to get rid of me won’t be that easy. Lying to me won’t work. I know about what you did. I know that you got Ecstasy from Stephanie and had me drugged at Rick’s party. I also know that you put the idea of raping me in Gunter O’Neal’s head.” Kimberly had been walking toward the balcony during Brooke’s speech. Her back was turned and Brooke couldn’t see the look of horror on her face. How in the world did Brooke know about Gunter, he had been arrested?
“ You don’t know a thing. ” Kimberly said shakily.
“ I have the proof. I have all the proof that I need.” Brooke headed over toward Kimberly giving her a mocking look. “ Gunter was more than willing to sell you out. He spilled his guts. Told me how you came to him with the idea of drugging me.”
“ No is going to believe the word a drug dealer. That is why he is in jail.”
“ Really? There actually may be another reason that he is in jail. But that doesn’t really concern you, however he did tell about your part in this sordid tale.”
Kimberly gave Brooke a look of pure hatred. “ Well, who is going to believe you? Or your silly story about almost being raped.”
“ Oh, I think that many people will believe me especially when they listen to this CD.”
“ What is that?”
“Nothing but a taped conversation between Gunter and myself. Stephanie found this interesting listening. In fact, this little CD changed her mind about going after my daughter. Now if it scared an old battle ax like her, imagine what it is going to do to you.”
“ What do you want?”
“ From you?” Brooke smiled. “ Nothing. You have nothing I want. But I do want you to pay. Pay for all the pain that you caused.”
Hatred filled Kimberly. “ Pain I caused you! What about all the pain that you caused me? What about the pain that you caused my sister? You killed her!”
“ I didn’t kill your sister. She did that to herself. She and her drinking. It was so easy for her to blame me but I wasn’t at fault. She never should have married Thorne, she knew that he didn’t love her.”
“ He did!”
“ He didn’t! He wasn’t in love with her, just like he isn’t in love with you. At least he loved Macy in a way that he cared a great deal for her. Thorne doesn’t care about you. Not really and you know it. Deep inside you know it. It doesn’t matter how many times he uses your body, it is just sex.” Kimberly reached out to slap Brooke, but Brooke caught her wrist in a tight grasp. “ I don’t think so.” Brooke thrust Kimberly away from her and Kimberly fell on the floor. Brooke towered over Kimberly. “ You really are a pathetic creature. Married to a man who doesn’t want you. Having a baby when you aren’t mentally or emotionally ready for something like that. How do you think your husband would feel about you if he knew what you were willing to do to me?” Brooke knelt down by Kimberly. “ You really shouldn’t have tried to have me raped nor should you have hurt my son. I’m not going to forget that.”
Tears filled Kimberly’s eyes. “ What are you going to do?”
“Hmmm. You wondering if I’m going to tell Thorne what you’ve been up to? See, that is where you are lucky at the moment. I’m not going to say one word about the monster that he is married too. At least for now. Oh, I do plan on telling Thorne, everything that I know about you. But you aren’t going to know when I’m going to tell him. You see, I’m going to make you suffer just like you made my son suffer.” Brooke stood looking down at Kimberly. “ And believe me little girl, you are going to suffer.” Brooke stood up and threw the CD at Kimberly. “ Here is a copy for you, it’s a belated wedding present.” Brooke walked away from Kimberly. “ Oh, just in case you don’t know, you are banned from Forrester. I don’t see you or even hear about you in my building.” Brooke shook her head. “ Besides, I think that you will be too busy worrying and wondering when I’m going to spill the beans to your husband.” Brooke walked out of the condo and closed the door behind her. Kimberly lay on the floor her chest heaving and tears running down her eyes. How in the world had this happen? She picked up the CD and hurried over toward the CD player. Shocked, she listened to conversation between Gunter and Brooke. That bastard had indeed sold her out. Rage ate away at Kimberly. Brooke had done this to her and she was going to tell Thorne.
“ I told you that it wasn’t going to work.” Macy’s voice said. Kimberly looked up to see Macy standing next to her. “ Brooke is a cruel bitch.”
“ Shut up!” Kimberly screamed. “ I’m not going to let her ruin it. Thorne and I are married.”
“ How do you plan to stop her? If Thorne hears this CD, it’s all over. He’ll leave you regardless of the baby.”
Kimberly held her hands on her temple. The shooting pain had started. “ I find a way to stop that bitch. I’ll find a way.” Kimberly walked over toward the CD player and pulled it off the way. The machine went crashing down on the floor and the sounds of Gunter’s voice ended instantly. Tears ran down Kimberly’s face. “ You bitch, I’m going to find a way to stop you. You WON’T take my husband from me.”

Brooke stepped off the elevator when the door opened to find Thorne and Kristen. Kristen looked at Brooke and Thorne for a moment. “ I’ll leave you two alone.”
“ No need Kristen. I’m going.” Brooke walked past Throne.
“ Brooke, what are you doing here?” Thorne asked quietly.
“ I came to drop a little wedding gift to your wife.”
Thorne visibly blanched at the mention of that word. “ Brooke…”
“ There isn’t anything that you could say that would change anything.” Brooke walked away and then stopped and whirled around. “ Yes, there is. I do want to say something. You knew last night when you gave them that whole speech about loving me that you were going to marry Kimberly and yet you said nothing.”
“ I couldn’t. I wanted too but I didn’t want to hurt you. Brooke I meant everything that I said. I do love you.”
“ We that certainly was clear. Not only did you marry that little liar, you allowed me to find out in the most humiliating way. You knew that it would hurt me but you kept your mouth shut.”
“ I didn’t know that you were going to call a meeting. I wouldn’t have let you find out that way.”
“ Oh yes you would. Thorne, you’ve never told me anything. Kimberly told me that she slept with you. Kimberly told me that she was pregnant and your wedding ring told me that you were married. All you did was to keep your mouth shut. I trusted you. I’ll never do that again.”
“ What about you?”
“ What do you mean?”
“ I trusted you and it seems that you were holding on to secrets. You want to throw me to the wolves about Kimberly but what about Caspian? I’ve known nothing about the man yet he was the one who helped you the night you were attacked and it is clear that he is close to you. You never once mentioned him to me.”
Brooke crossed her arms over her breast. “ Oh this is just great. Mommy has gotten to you hasn’t she. You slept with Kimberly. You cheated on me and got her pregnant and now you want to ask me if I was sleeping with Caspian.”
Pain etched in Thorne’s face. “ Where you?”
Brooke studied Thorne for a moment. Anger filled her and for the moment, she wanted to hurt him like he hurt her. “ Yes”

Kristen hurried to Brooke’s car to stop her from leaving. “Brooke! Brooke stop!”
“ Kristen I have no time…”
“ You had better make the time. What in the hell are you doing? God, I’ve never seen you as cruel as you were today. You had no right to hurt him like that.”
“ I have no right?”
“ You know that is going to kill him. Why would you do that?”
Brooke opened her car door. “ I’m leaving.”
“ He loves you Brooke. He loves you more than anything and you just cut him down to size. My big brother with a gentle heart is crying because he thinks that you were cheating on him.”
“ Good, now he knows what it feels like. He cheated on me.” Brooke got in her car.
“ You and I both know that you weren’t sleeping with that man when you were with Thorne. Don’t do that to him. You know that he regrets the mistakes that he has made.”
“ I know no such thing. All I know that every time I get tangled up with your family, I’m the one who goes away battered and bruised. Well, not anymore. Good night Kristen.” Kristen watched as Brooke’s Metallic Gray Jag sped out of the parking lot.

Caspian had just finished setting the dinner table when the doorbell in Brooke’s house rang. He put down his gobbet of wine and looked at his platinum watch, Bridget’s plane wasn’t due back in another hour or so and Brooke would have used her key. He frowned; he wondered which Forrester was coming to malign Brooke for today’s meeting. Well, it didn’t matter; he’d simply get rid of them. Caspian opened the door to a frowning Ridge. Ridge had fully expected to see Brooke and was surprised to find Caspian answering Brooke’s door like he did it on an everyday occasion. Ridge noted Caspian attire of a black sweater and black pants, a much more comfortable attire than the business suit that he has worn earlier that day.
“ I want to talk to Brooke.” Ridge stated rudely as he entered the living.
Caspian almost smiled. If Ridge were looking for a fight, he was more than willing to give him one. “ She isn’t here.”
“ Come on Deangleo. It’s obvious from the cozy setting and the smell of food cooking that you and Logan are having a romantic dinner. Where the hell is she, in the kitchen cooking?
“ You Americans are so arrogant, especially you Ridge. “ You smell food cooking and you automatically think that Brooke is cooking for me.” Caspian sipped some of his wine out of his goblet. “Tell me, have you ever cooked a meal for a woman?”
“ What? I don’t need too. I can afford to plan a real romantic evening.”
“ Oh, I think that I can afford more than just a romantic evening Ridge.”
“ Really? I don’t what in the hell you can afford.” Ridge stepped toward Caspian. “ In fact, I don’t know a damn thing about you. All I know is that you are some man with some so-called connections and a father with probably a nefarious past. And now, for some strange reason, you have embroiled with some business and personal relationship with Brooke.”
“ Why don’t you tell me what is bothering you the most? My business with your father or my relationship with your ex-wife?”
Ridge’s eyes sparkled with fury. He had the feeling that Caspian was mocking him and he didn’t like it. “ Are you sleeping with her?”
Fire erupted in Caspian’s eyes. He moved to stand directly before Ridge. “ I am only going to tell you this one time. My relationship with Brooke is my business, not yours. You will never disrespect her again by asking about her sex life. What Brooke does in her bedroom doesn’t concern you. In fact, you should be more concerned about YOUR wife and YOUR mistress, Morgan.”
Ridge grabbed Caspian by his collar. “ Just who in the hell do you think that you are?” Caspian turned so quickly and maneuvered his body so he could wrench himself of Ridge’s hands and then he moved so that he caught Ridge by his neck. Ridge was shocked as Caspian’s fingers squeezed his neck.
“ Who I am is a man who is in no way or fashion intimidated by you. Who I am is a REAL man, not one to make threats, I’m a man of action.” With that, Caspian thrust Ridge away from him. “ Now, if you’d like things to get physical, that would certainly make my day.”
Ridge glowered at Caspian. Who in the hell was he to talk to him that way? “ You bastard, I’d be more than willing to wipe the floor with you.”
Caspian grinned. “ Good. In fact, I’ll let you get the first punch in so all things would be fair.”
“ You are really an arrogant idiot ass, aren’t you?” Ridge stepped forward the punched Caspian in the jaw. Caspian took a step back with the impact of the hit. He wiped the blood off his lip. “ Good. Now, it’s my turn.”

CJ lay stroking Trudie’s hair as she lay quietly next to him. “ So are you going to tell me why Deacon was asking you about money?”
“ You want to discuss Deacon again. I told you we were just friends.”
“ No, I don’t want to discuss Deacon, however I want to discuss the money he was talking about.”
Trudie rolled over. “ It’s the money Chris left me, it seems that there was more that I originally knew about. I’m thinking of buying a condo.”
“ A condo.” CJ sat up. “ He left you that kind of money.”
“ Yep. I could pay the entire thing off and still have money to spare.”
CJ frowned. “ I thought that he was a lab tech at Memorial Hospital. How in the world did your brother afford to leave you that kind of money?”
“ Life insurance.”
“ Wait a minute True. I know his life insurance was good, but it couldn’t be that good. There is something that you aren’t telling me. What is it?”
Trudie knew that she couldn’t tell CJ; he was too close to Bridget. She didn’t like lying to him but she had no choice. “ I don’t want to get into it.” Trudie got up from the bed. “Let have dinner, I want some Broccoli and Garlic Brown sauce and Rice.”
“ I don’t want to eat, I want to talk about this money.”
Trudie threw on a robe. “ I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But you could talk about it with Deacon.”
“ I wasn’t talking about it with Deacon. Look CJ, you asked and I told you where I got it.”
CJ stood up. He pulled on his underwear and jeans. “ No, I asked and you lied to me. When you are ready to be honest, give me a call.” He put on his shoes and his T-shirt.
“ Where are you going?”
“Home. I’ve got to get dressed to work tonight.”
“ Wait, I thought that you had off.”
“ I changed my mind.”
“ Don’t do this CJ, don’t be mad.”
“ I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed that you won’t tell me the truth. Call me when you are ready to do just that.”

Connor walked up to Brooke’s front door when he hurt yelling coming from inside of Brooke’s house. He quickly opened up the door to find Ridge flying across Brooke’s foyer landing on the steps. Another man dressed in black advanced toward Ridge who had gotten the wind knocked out of him. Connor didn’t know what was happening but he wasn’t going to allow this obvious brawl continue, he got between the two men. “ What in the hell is going on here!”
Ridge stood. “ Nothing, get the hell out of my way Davis!”
“ So, you want more Ridge. Fine.” The other man said in a calm voice. Where as Ridge looked winded and out of breathe, the other man looked fully in control and calm.
“ No. You aren’t going to continue this in Brooke’s house. Just where in the hell is Brooke Ridge?”
“ Why don’t you ask Deangleo?”
“ Deangleo? You are Caspian? The man who helped Brooke?”
“Yes. I’m him.” Caspian took out hand to shake Connors. “ You are Brooke’s lawyer, aren’t you?”
Connor was startled by the change that had quickly come over the man. The predatory look that had covered his face he looked in Ridge’s direction had changed instantly. Now, instead of the man who had obviously flung Ridge across the room, the man had air of old world elegance to him. “ Mr. Deangleo, I’ve heard how you helped my client in these difficult times. Although I’m not sure of your true motivations…”
“We know why he was partly motivated. He wants to get Logan in his bed.”
Connor shook his head. “ You have to ignore Ridge here, he still likes to think that he has the corner market on Brooke’s heart.”
“ I don’t have to worry about Ridge. He is nothing but a schoolboy who acts like no one can play with his toys but he hasn’t realized that Brooke isn’t HIS TOY or any toy at all. And most importantly, isn’t his or his brother’s responsibility.”
“ And she is yours Deangleo?” Ridge sneered.
“ Yes, she is. And like I told you and that meddling mother of yours, I take my responsibility seriously. Why don’t you tell me why you are here Ridge?”
“ Like I said earlier, I’m here to speak to Brooke.”
“ If you are here to plead on your pathetic father’s side, you will be wasting your breath.”
“ Actually, I’m here to find out about who YOU really are. I don’t trust you. And I sure as hell don’t like your involvement with Brooke.”
“ I have to say that although I don’t normally agree with Ridge on anything, I’m wondering the same thing. Now that you’ve collected 10% of Forrester Creations what are your plans?”
Caspian looked at both men and mentally sighed. He wasn’t used to being questioned about anything to anybody. He had lived in a world in which his world was law. Only his sister and a few others would dare to question his motives but now he had Brooke’s ex-husband and her lawyer questioning him. He wasn’t quite sure how to react. He studied Connor for a moment. “ I can understand your concern.”
“ Do you? Brooke has been my client and my friend for years. This situation with Thorne is more than a mess and I know how much it must have hurt Brooke. That plus the emotional upheaval that finding out the underhanded tactics that Eric and Stephanie planned to use in order to secure a hold of Brooke’s company is more to send someone even as strong as Brooke over the edge. Truthfully I’m concerned about you, Mr. DeAngeleo. You seem to come out of nowhere, procure an excellent attorney for Brooke who wins in what could have been a heinous court battle and then do the impossible, secure 10% of Forrester stock. It is only natural for me to wonder what is going on.”
“ Basically what he is saying Deangleo is that you have taken advantage of Brooke when she was vulnerable and WE aren’t going to let that happen.”
Connor turned to Ridge. “ Shut up Ridge. It was more that obvious that this man was wiping the floor with you arrogant ass earlier, learn to keep your mouth shut.” He turned to Caspian. “ I’m not sure what your agenda is put I won’t allow you to take advantage of my client. Now, if you are involved with Brooke, which by the looks of things you are, I’m just want to make sure that she is protected. The last thing that Brooke needs is another relationship tangled up with her business.”
“ You think that I’m a threat to her.”
“ Damn right I do Deangleo.” Ridge piped. “ I’m not going to let you take advantage of Logan.”
Caspian ignored Ridge. “ You haven’t answered my question Mr. Davis.”
“ Truthfully, I’m not sure if you are. But I am going to be keeping a close eye on things to ensure that my clients best interest. That includes keeping an eye on you.”
“ Well, I think that someone needs to keep an eye on Thorne’s new wife.” Brooke closed the door behind her. “ And someone needs to tell me what is going on?” Brooke moved until she was standing next to Caspian. He leaned down for a moment to capture her lips in a quick kiss. Ridge groaned. “ Well, someone tell me something.”
“ Ridge has come here to give you the third degree.” Caspian said wrapping his arm around Brooke’s waist.
Brooke rolled her eyes. “ If you are here to plead your father’s case, you are wasting your time.”
“ I’m worried about you Logan. I especially worried about Deangleo here.”
“ There isn’t anything to worry about.”
“ I think that there is. What do you know about this man? Brooke there are so many questions that I have.”
“ I’m a big girl Ridge.”
“ But I’m worried.”
“ How much of this is about the company?”
“ Alright, I’ll admit that I’m concerned about who we let into our company and I think that if you were in my shoes you’d feel the same why. We don’t know anything about this man except that his father gave my father money and now Deangleo here has claimed his stock.”
“ It’s all that you need to know. Brooke knows everything that she needs to know about me.” Caspian said.
“ Well that isn’t good enough for me and it should be good enough for your Brooke. It seems that you are personally involved with man. And it is clear to me that he has taken advantage of you.”
“ Taken advantage of me. No, Caspian didn’t do that. You father did. Your father and bitch of a mother.” Brooke was furious. “ You have no idea of the pain that woman has put me through. They were going to take Bridget from me. She gloated and she would have gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for Caspian. He was the one who helped me to fight her.” Brooke stalked away toward the French doors.” Ridge followed her. He hated seeing Brooke like this, full of pain. He reached out to touch her shoulders gently. Caspian watched Ridge with jealously. Personally, he couldn’t stand Ridge Forrester; the man had humiliated and used Brooke in the past. He couldn’t understand the connection the man had over her, but fighting it would only put up a wall between he and Brooke, that was the last thing that he wanted. He had to learn to allow her to be herself. Connor watched the man standing next to him. There was something about him that disturbed him. As much as she hated to agree with Ridge, they had no reason to trust Caspian Deangleo. He had to find out who and what this man was really about or Brooke may be in bigger trouble than he originally thought.
“ Brooke, listen to me. I’m so sorry for what my father and mother did. You have to know that I didn’t know anything about this.”
Brooke sighed and turned toward Ridge. “ I know. I also know that you would have done your best to help me if you could. But you couldn’t Ridge.”
“ But Deangleo could?”
Brooke’s eyes met Caspian eyes across the room. The connection between them spoke volumes. Brooke reluctantly turned her head. “ Yes, he could. He could help me when no one else could.”
“ And what in the hell was his price? Was it you?”
“ That’s enough Ridge.” Caspian said in a menacing tone.
Brooke held up a hand toward Caspian. “ He doesn’t mean it, he is only worried.” Brooke narrowed eye in a squint. “ I think that you know better than that.”
“ What the hell am I supposed to think? I know that you loved Thorne. This man took advantage of you. What do you expect me to do? I love you Logan and I worry about you. Know with this mess with Thorne, I’m afraid that you are going to be more vulnerable to the charms of the dark prince over there.”
Brooke looked at Connor. “ Are you worried about that too?”
“ A little.” Connor said honestly.
Brooke smiled softly for a moment. “ I really love the both of you and I know that I’ve given you cause to worry in the past. But I’m can take myself. I appreciate your concern but it isn’t necessary. Caspian would never hurt me and he does have my best interest at heart. Now, Connor, I know that we have a great deal to talk about and some legal matters to clear up but it is getting late and I think that you have a beautiful fiancé waiting for you. I’ll talk to you later.”
“ You asked KC to marry you?” Ridge asked.
“ Yeah, you have something to say Forrester?” Connor almost dared Ridge to make a remark about their different races, if he did deck Ridge himself.
“ Yeah Davis. How in the world you got a woman like that to agree to marry you? She could do so much better.”
Connor looked at Ridge for a moment and saw Ridge’s grin. He nodded. “ Brooke, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned toward Caspian. “ I’m quite sure that I’ll be seeing you in the near future.”
Caspian nodded. “ I’m sure that you will. And congratulations on your upcoming marriage I’m told that Ms. Hunter is a beautiful and talented lady.”
Connor was taken aback for a moment, how in the world did this man know about KC or her last name. He was going to have to find out more about him. That she is.” Connor left, taking a moment to look back at Brooke who smiled at him.
Brooke turned toward Ridge. “ Alright, I know you. If you don’t get a chance to say what you want, you’ll hound me.” She turned to Caspian. “ Honey…”
“ What?” Caspian said looking straight at Ridge with a glint in his eyes. Brooke walked to Caspian wrapping her arms around his neck.
“ I know that you planned dinner for us but it is important for me to talk to Ridge.”
“ I’m fine with that. I want to hear what he has to say.”
“ But I don’t want you here Deangleo.” Ridge said.
“ That is enough Ridge.” Brooke turned her attention back to Caspian. “ Honey, please. I really don’t want this to become a brawl and I have a feeling from that bruise on Ridge forehead and you lip here…” Brooke leaned up and kissed Caspian’s lower lip gently.
“ That is exactly is what is going to happen.”
“ I’m not leaving you with him.”
“ Caspian, you remember that you promised to let me do things my own way. I need to talk to Ridge to clear the air. He really is worried.”
“ If he wants to defend his father and mother…”
“ I don’t plan to.” Ridge stated.
“ Even if he did, it wouldn’t change things.” Brooke touched the side of Caspian’s face.
“ It wouldn’t change anything that happened. It wouldn’t change what has happened between you and me.” Brooke kissed Caspian on his lips. “ I love you.” She whispered.
Caspian looked into the eyes of the woman he loved more than anything. She had no idea how much he had changed for her. He was dealing with meddling men, men whom she had once had relationships with. He was stood listening to Ridge when all he wanted to do was to beat the shit out of him. Now, she was asking him to leave so she could talk to the pampas ass. Caspian mumbled a few curses in French and Italian. Brooke hid her smile because she knew that she had won.
“ I’m coming back.”
“ I know.”
“ Tonight.”
“ I’ll be waiting.” Brooke smiled.
“ You are only getting your way this time. I can’t have you telling me what to do. I won’t be lead around by my nose because you smile at me.”
“ I know, the next time you’ll get your way.” Brooke leaned forward. “ Just think of the things that you’ll be getting.”
Caspian gave Brooke a smoldering look. “ Just think about what I’ll be giving you.” He grabbed Brooke hard and kissed her with total passion. His tongue mated with hers, his mouth ate from her and when Brooke was totally weak in the knees and had forgotten that Ridge was even in the room, Caspian pulled away leaving her lips swollen from his kisses. He looked at Ridge giving him a predatory look. “ I’ll be seeing you around Forrester. If you say anything to hurt her, I’ll be sure to hurt you.” Caspian looked at Brooke. “ I love you.” He told her in Italian. Caspian picked up his car keys and left. Ridge had seen the display of the kiss and was mortified to see Brooke act like a groping teenager with Caspian. But what had disturbed him the most was the heat between them two. It completely sizzled. He more than ever was determined to get that man out of Brooke’s life.
“ You can’t be serious can you?”
“ Serious about what?”
“That man. Logan, what in the hell are you thinking?” Ridge sighed. “ I know that you are lonely and hurting about Thorne.”
“ This has nothing to do with Thorne.”
“ Who are you trying to kid? You are playing a dangerous game. That man is dangerous, hell I can tell that. He has somehow brainwashed you. You let him into our company and by that exchange, you’ve let him into your bed. What are you thinking?”
“ First of all. I didn’t let him into the company your father did. Your father was the one who needed the money.”
“ And Deangleo just happens to show up.”
Brooke rubbed her arms. “ He didn’t just happen to show up.”
“ How long have you know him?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Look Brooke, we haven’t kept secrets and we aren’t going to start now. Answer my question, how long have you known him.”
“ A couple of months..”
“ A couple of months…” Ridge gripped his jaw. “ Where you seeing him?”
“ You know what Ridge. I don’t want to talk about this anymore, get the hell out!”
“Look, Brooke…I’m sorry.”
“ You think that I was seeing him. Because Brooke’s a big fat slut.”
“ I didn’t say that. I’m just asking because not too long ago you were with Thorne and know you are sleeping with this man.”
“ Are you jealous. Is this what this is about. Oh…I’m not with Thorne, so I should be back to throwing myself at you.” Brooke went to the bar and poured herself a glass of sparkling water.”
Ridge tilted his head to the side. “ Logan you know better than that.”
Brooke took her glass and sipped for a moment. She sat down on her sofa. “ Listen, I’m sorry I’ve had a bad day.”
“ You’ve had a bad day.” Ridge said sarcastically. He sat down next to Brooke. “ Hell, I don’t want sparking water, I want some scotch.”
Brooke took her shoes off and but her feet on her coffee table and leaned back on her sofa. “ There is some at the bar, you know where it is.” Ridge fixed himself a drink and sat down next to Brooke. They sat there in silence drinking for a moment.
“ You know I’m worried about you.”
“ I know. But you shouldn’t be. Caspian wouldn’t hurt me.” Brooke waited for Ridge to say something, but he didn’t. “ We met in Paris. It was an accident. The elevator got stuck and he was there.”
“ What happened?” Ridge looked deeply into Brooke’s eyes. “ Did you sleep with him Brooke and before you get pissed with me. I can’t talk. I know how passion can sometimes make you do stupid things, and if there is something that I can see, you and Deangleo have passion.”
Brooke shook her head. “ No I didn’t sleep with him but was a connection. A strong one. To tell you the truth, when I met him it was like I knew him. That I’d been….” Brooke stopped. “ I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. I loved Thorne and I never made plans to see him again. Thorne and I got engaged but that ended.”
“ So Deangleo just showed up.”
“ No. Yes….The night Thorne asked me to marry him, you know when I was missing from Zenith, he showed up. Then the night at Rick’s party, he saved him.”
“ Wait, this man showed up at the restaurant you were at. Then at Rick’s party. What was he doing stalking you.”
“ No. Ridge it wasn’t like that. It was the connection, he felt it too. But I made it clear that nothing could happen between us. He knew that I was committed to Thorne and that there could be nothing but friendship between us.”
“ I don’t like this Logan. This man comes into your life and then all of a sudden Thorne…”
“ Oh no! You can stop there were you are. Caspian isn’t responsible for what happened between Thorne and Kimberly. Caspian didn’t cause Thorne to sleep with her. In fact when I was being attacked, it was Caspian who saved me, not Thorne. He was the one who was busy with Kimberly.”
“ Listen, I’m not saying that. I just don’t like the fact that he seems to be obsessed with you.”
“ Obsessed?” Brooke sat up. “ There goes that word. I’ve heard that too many times. You know who is obsessed? Your mother. She is obsessed in making my life hell. Well, that isn’t going to happen. Not anymore.” Brooke stood up.
“ Logan, you have to know that I’m sorry for what she has done. Mother was wrong to use Bridget, but she isn’t going to do that anymore.”
“ I know that she isn’t. But she isn’t done trying. She’ll think of something. Some way to try to hurt me but I’ll be ready. If she steps out of line.”
“ I but her in her place. And I’ve told her to stay away from you.”
“ Do you think that is going to work? Ridge I’m sorry but that isn’t enough. You have no idea the lengths that your mother has gone through in order to try to destroy me. She evil, purely evil and I’m going to be ready.”
“ Logan. Mother is wrong but she isn’t evil…”
“ Don’t you dare defend her when you don’t know all that she has done! You don’t know what it was like. The fear of losing Bridget. She was going to take my child away from me. Do you know what that was like? How scared I was? How alone I felt. I felt helpless, all the money in the world meant nothing if I didn’t have Bridget.”
Ridge took Brooke into his arms.


Caspian drove toward his penthouse. The woman was driving him crazy. To think that he has allowed her to send him home to talk to Ridge. To think that he was going to endure her friends, family and even her lawyer was more than amazing to him. They’d be asking who he was, what his attentions were. Never in his life had he had to answer to anyone besides Grayson but now it seemed that he was going to have to do just that and more if he wanted Brooke. If he wanted Brooke, he was going to have to let her fight some of her battles on her own. He would do his best, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to stay calm like he had tonight all the time. The woman was going to be the death of him.



Bridget watched with baited breath as Brooke and Ridge were wrapped in each other’s arms. Everything that she had done had been worth it. She had hoped but she hadn’t dared dwell on it happening, but it had worked. Ridge and Brooke, away from the distractions of Taylor and Thorne had obviously opened up and the bond between them had developed. They had always loved each other, but now they could finally be free to be with one another again. Brooke pulled away from Ridge’s arms when she noticed Bridget standing in the doorframe of the front door. A huge smile broke out on her face.
“ Bridget honey, you’re home.” Brooke rushed to her daughter taking in her arms to hug tightly. Bridget laughed at her mother.
“ Mom, you are squeezing me too tight.”
Brooke instantly let go but that didn’t stop her from looking over her daughter from head to toe. Bridget looked at Ridge who shrugged his shoulders at Brooke’s antics.
“ What in the world is she going to do when I go to live in Paris? Mom, I’ve only been gone about a week.”
Brooke couldn’t help how she felt. Her stomach was in knots. “ I know honey…but its just. Well… I’m glad that you are home.”
“ I’m glad that I’m home too.” Bridget gave her a mother a questioning look. “ Is everything okay mom? You looked worried.”
Brooke bit her lower lip. She knew that she had to tell Bridget about her father wants custody of her but at the moment she wanted to bask in the happiness of having her daughter home with her. “ I’m fine honey.”
“ Good.” Bridget turned to Ridge. “ So, what do you think about my tan?” She turned around to give them a good look.
Ridge came to stand next to Brooke and he couldn’t help but to smile. Bridget always seemed to have that effect on him. Although he knew that she wasn’t his, in the back of his he figured that she’d always be his little girl. He studied Bridget for a moment; truthfully she wasn’t HIS or Brooke’s little girl. Somewhere in his life, she has grown up and had turned into a beautiful young woman. “ Bridget, your tan is fantastic. I bet you spent days soaking up the waves.”
“ Some of the time. You know me. I did a lot of surfing and water skiing but I also spent a lot of time…”
“ On your artwork.” Ridge interrupted. He looked Brooke. “ She definitely has the Forrester genes.”
Brooke shook her head and smiled softly at she looked at Ridge. “ I think so, but you played a big part of it. I remember when she was a little girl of three and you’d come home and color with her. She used to love that.”
“ Yeah, she did….” Ridge said quietly. “ I used to love those times too. Coming hard from a long day and there would be my little girl…” Ridge stopped. Moments like these were painful for him.” The room was filled with a deafening silence.
Bridget walked toward Ridge. “ It’s okay. I remember those days. It meant a lot to me to spend time with you. You know you always made me feel special.” Ridge looked into the pair of eyes that always made me feel is best and his worst. Being Bridget’s “father” had been the most wonderful and most tragic things in his life. He reach out and took the girl he loved so into his arms. “ I love you Bridget.”
Bridget sighed and smiled. “ I love you too Ridge.” Bridget sighed and pulled out of Ridge’s arms. “ So, it looks like you two are getting closer.”
“What?”
“You and Ridge. I see that the table has been set and I think that I can smell the food coming from the kitchen.” Bridget smiled. “ Listen, I’m sorry that I interrupted your romantic dinner.” Bridget please continues, I’ll get my bag and go upstairs.
Brooke saw the hope in her daughter’s eyes and looked sadly at Ridge. “ Bridget honey, Ridge and I weren’t having a romantic dinner.”
“ Mom, listen. I know that you may not want everyone to know after all Ridge is still legally married, but it is okay. I knew that this was going to happen. I know how you two feel about each other.”
“ Bridget, this dinner, it wasn’t for your mother and me it was for…” Ridge’s words were cut off by a look from Brooke. The last thing that Brooke wanted was for Bridget to find out about her relationship with Caspian like this. She wanted to sit down and talk to Bridget, Rick was suspicious but he wasn’t sensitive like Bridget, her sweet daughter got that from her.
“ Mom, who was the dinner for?” Bridget asked with disappointment.
“ Honey…it was for….”
“ It wasn’t for Thorne was it?”
Thorne’s face flashed across Brooke’s mind. “ No, it wasn’t for him.”
Bridget heard anger in her mother’s voice. She was relived, the last thing she wanted was her mother and Thorne to reunite, not when Ridge was there for the taking. Bridget was surprised to see a strained looked upon Ridge’s face.
“ Did something happen with Thorne?”
Ridge looked at Brooke. “ She needs to know Ridge.” Brooke took her daughter by her hand and led her to the sofa. “Thorne married Kimberly.”
Bridget digested her mother’s words and was stunned. “ He married Kimberly. Why would he do that? I know that he doesn’t love her.”
“ Well, honey you really can’t be sure about Thorne’s feeling but his marrying Kimberly has more to do with the fact that she’s pregnant.”
“ Pregnant. Kimberly’s pregnant?” Bridget whispered horrified.
“ Yes, she is.”
The image of a drugged out Thorne on Kimberly’s bed filled Bridget’s head. Kimberly pushing her out of her house claiming that everything was going to be all right flashed in her head. The whole thing had was supposed to be a set up to break up Brooke and Thorne, not result in a baby. “ Thorne, how is Thorne dealing with this?”
Brooke looked uncomfortable. “ I don’t know. He is doing what is best for his child. I guess he didn’t want his son or daughter growing up without a daughter so he married her.”
“ But he doesn’t love Kimberly.”
“ Bridget, I don’t think that your mother is the person to talk about this. She just found out about the marriage today. I’m sure that it was painful for her.”
“ Is that why you are here to comfort mom?”
Ridge didn’t know what to say to Bridget. “ No, Bridget your mother and I were talking about business.”
“And it ended in a hug?”
“ I was upset.”
“ About Thorne, right?”
“ Something like that.” Brooke saw the relief in Ridge’s eyes.
“ Listen you too. I’ve got to head home, it’s getting late.”
“ Maybe you could come by tomorrow, I’ve love to fix you breakfast after all you are all alone in that condo.” Bridget suggested with hope in her eyes.
“That would be nice Bridget, but I’m not living in the condo anymore.”
“ You aren’t Ridge? Where are you living?” Brooke asked.
“ Taylor and I have reunited.”
Brooke smiled. “ Good for you Ridge. I’m very happy to hear that.” Brooke hugged Ridge. Bridget however looked at him with horror.
“ You have got to be kidding right? She took you back?”
Brooke gave Bridget a worried look and shook her head. “ Bridget, we’ve talked about this. Ridge loves his wife and children.”
“ Ridge, I know that you care about Taylor and you love your children but what about mom? She needs you now more than ever. Thorne has gone off and married Kimberly and she’s all alone. I saw pictures of you both on the news when mom got that award, you looked perfect together. And tonight, when you didn’t see me, I saw the way that he caressed your hair mom. Ridge I know that you still love my mom. And I know that she’s always loved you.”
Ridge gave Bridget a tortured looked. “ Bridget, of course I’ll always love you mother. For such a long time she was my world, but I’ve explained it to you. It just couldn’t be. Thomas…”
“ Just stop it! Just stop right now. Don’t you see that you can change things? Mom loves kids and she’ll love Thomas, Phoebe, Stephanie and even Dylan. She won’t be angry like Taylor. She’ll love your kids because they are a part of you. This house is big enough for all of us and mom won’t be alone when I’m gone. I know you still love her, I can see it. Please just give it a chance, give us a chance!” Ridge heart was breaking. He had done this to Bridget, his leaving. She just didn’t understand, he couldn’t destroy his family, not when he had a second chance.”
“ Bridget, if things were different…”
“ But…”
“ That enough Bridget!” Brooke snapped at her daughter. “ You are going to have to grow up and realize that Ridge and I are no longer meant to be. It’s over.” Brooke gentled her tone as she saw the look of pure despair on her daughter’s face. “ Ridge will always love us but he can’t hurt his children for you. I wouldn’t want him too. Just think about how confused and hurt Thomas, Phoebe and Stephanie are. They just got their father back and then if he left again, how would they feel. Besides, Ridge and I aren’t in love with one another, not like that anymore.”
“But if you just tried. I know you love him mom.”
Brooke looked up at Ridge and he looked down at her. “ You are right Bridget, a part of me will always love you mom, but things have changed. We aren’t going to have a life anymore. It just isn’t in the cards.”
“ Why not. She’s free.”
“ But her heart isn’t free.” Ridge looked into Brooke’s eyes. “ In fact, I have a feeling that there is no room for me. Her heart is pretty full. I think that I missed the boat.”
A lump formed in Brooke’s throat. “ You did.” A tear ran down her cheek.
“ If only the car hadn’t died, I would have made it.”
“ But it didn’t for reason. We weren’t to be together. I know that now.” Brooke turned to her daughter. “ I’m sorry for hurt that our breakup caused you Bridget. I’m sorry for the hope that you had because I don’t want to kill your dream but that is all that it is.” Brooke knelt by her daughter. “ Ridge and I aren’t going to be together. He has his family and I have mine.” Brooke caressed Bridget’s face. “ Don’t you dare worry about me being alone? I’m never alone Bridget. I have you and your brother. I’d die without you.” Bridget saw the truth in her mother’s eyes. Brooke took her daughter into her arms and held her tightly.

Caspian heard the sounds of Mozart coming from his study. He opened the study door to find Isabelle pouring over a stack of papers. Isabelle looked up at him and took her reading glasses off. “ I thought that you were going to cook dinner for Brooke.”
“ I did but it got interrupted.” Caspian poured himself a drink and sat down on the sofa.
“ What happened?”
“ It was interrupted by Ridge Forrester and then Brooke’s lawyer.”
“What did they want?
“ Connor Davis is worried that I might be a threat to Brooke.”
“ And Ridge?”
“I think that his ego is bruised. He doesn’t like the idea of me in Brooke life. He wanted to talk to Brooke alone. I hope that he wasn’t there plead for her father’s case.”
“ How did the board meeting go?”
Caspian grinned. “They were furious. But I think that they got the message. They know that there will no longer be open season on Brooke.”
“ What was Stephanie Forrester’s reaction?”
“ She was enraged but she is stuck and she knows she can’t do a thing. She is also very angry with Eric.”
“ Finding out that your husband made a business decision without her had to upset her a great deal. She has always been able to control Eric and now she finds out that he has made a huge decision without her. She was out for blood. She may be out for Brooke’s blood.”
“ I’m quite aware of that and I’ll be sticking to Brooke’s side to make sure that Stephanie doesn’t try anything. I’ve already had an office set up here to maintain business operations.”
“ Do you plan to become heavily embroiled in the matters at Forrester?”
“No. Brooke has been running that company successfully. I’d be more than happy to help matters if needed, but I’ll be there just to make sure that Stephanie is fully neutralized.”
Isabelle put her papers in the folder. “ I’m sure that you are more than up to the challenge.” Isabelle poured herself a drink. “ Ridge Forrester, what is he like?”
“ Arrogant, pampas and a typical American male who is used to getting what he wants for very little effort. Why are you interested in him Bella?”
Isabelle sipped her drink. “ I met his wife, Taylor, for lunch today.”
“ Why?”
“She called me. She wanted someone to talk to about her marriage. Someone gave my name, she came to me to help her.”
“ Did you plan this?”
“ No. But I must say that is has made me consider extending my stay.”
“ Bella, what are you up too?”
“Nothing that will effect you or Brooke I assure you.”
“ So, you will sticking around.”
“ For a while.”
“ Does your interest in Taylor Forrester have anything to do with Pierce?”
“ Pierce and I are over. You know that.”
“You are playing games Bella, why?”
Isabelle ignored her brother. “ Why did you leave Brooke with Ridge? Certainly you wanted to hear what he had to say.”
“ Isabelle, don’t change the subject. What are doing with Taylor Forrester?”
“ I’m going to help her get her life back in order. She has been unhappy with the state of her marriage.”
“ Why?”
“Why not? I’d love to sit and chat with you some more but I have plans.”
Caspian knew that Isabelle had not intention of discussing Taylor with him at the moment. “ I think that I’m getting soft. First, Brooke and now you.”
“ Now me what?”
“First, I leave her alone with Ridge because she asks me too and now you aren’t telling me what you are up too. I won’t be lead around by the women that I love.”
“ Brooke got you to leave her alone with Ridge. Ahh that is telling.”
“ Is that a good or bad thing?”
“ I don’t know. Brooke is different from most women that you’ve deal with, she won’t deal with you trying to manage everything in her life. However, I would have liked to be a fly on that wall. The great Caspian Deangleo, send home by the woman he loves. If I had a sense of humor I’d laugh.”
“ Oh really?”
“ Yes.” Isabelle.
“ I wish that you would. I really wish that you would laugh. I wouldn’t worry so much about you.”
“ I can take care of myself, surely you know that.”
“ Its not a question of you being able to take care of yourself. It’s about you living a full life. It’s not too late. If you were to call Pierce, I know that he’d come.”
“He is already here in L.A.”
“ His is?”
“ Yes, there is a conference. I believe that he will be one of the speakers.”
Caspian touched Isabelle lightly on the shoulder. “Will you be seeing him?”
Isabelle’s blue flashed with color for a moment. “ I don’t know. Truthfully I don’t see the need to see him.”
“You care about him, you can’t deny it.”
“ And you can’t deny that everything that I care about ends up being destroyed. And carrying on an relationship with Pierce would only hurt him in the long end.”
“What about the hurt that you are feeling now.”
“ I’m not hurting.”
“ Bella, you are. Bella you are allowing what happened with Benito to rule your life. It wasn’t your fault what he did.”
“ I fell in love with an agent hell bent on bringing you down to your knees. He outwitted me and had me believing that he loved me.”
“His family had been connected with us for a long time. He was my childhood friend, there isn’t anyway that we could have known that he was an agent.”
Isabelle turned away and picked up on of the antique marbled knifes that Caspian kept in his curio set. “ I should have know that he was telling lies. I read people all the time.”
“I truly believed that he loved you. You can’t fake that.”
“ It doesn’t really matter if he did or not. He made a choice and signed his death warrant.”
“ And you have decided to exile yourself. Bella, you don’t deserve that. You deserve to be happy. I truthfully think that Pierce can help you.”
“ Do you really think that Pierce would be accept the things that I’ve done? He wouldn’t. He’d expect to have a woman who can feel, who can love him. One day he’d want children and I can never do that again. You should know that.”
“ Bella, things were different. Benito was dead and you were carrying his baby. It was an emotional time for everyone involved. You were young and had cut off your emotions for such a long time and carrying the baby was stressful for you.” Caspian sighed. “ I won’t tell you how much I was worried about you during those times. You took the life of the man you loved and no one could survive that.” Caspian took Isabelle’s hands in his. “ It wasn’t your fault. Bella, losing your baby wasn’t your fault.”
“I gave her away.”
“ You wanted her back.”
Isabelle snatched her hands out of Caspian’s hand. “ It was too late then. My daughter was already gone. God punished me for what I did. I can’t allow myself to allow something silly as feelings to control my life ever again. Pierce is better off without me.”
“ Bella…”
“ Don’t. Don’t bring up the topic anymore.” Isabelle touched her brother’s face gently.
“ I know that you think that Pierce is best for me. He isn’t. I’ll talk to you later.”
“ You are going out.”
“ Yes.”
“ Someone new?”
“Someone to help me forget.” Isabelle stated quietly before she left. Isabelle headed to her bedroom. She took out a stunningly beautiful gold strapless dress with a matching sheer shall. Caspian tried his best to understand, but the pain of losing Benito and her daughter had been too much to bear. Her tiny baby had been beautiful, dark hair and eyes. Hair and eyes like her father. Looking down at her baby had been took much, emotion had filled her. Isabelle couldn’t deal with it emotionally so she had given her baby to a family who had no children of their own. But, a longing for her daughter compelled her and she had decided to get her back. Tragically the family who had taken her daughter had been on a trip to America and had died on a boating accident. They, their nanny and her daughter had died and so did the last human spark left in Isabelle.

Thorne looked over the dark city below from his condo. The weight of today’s events hung around his heart like an abotrous. Brooke’s words echoed in his ear. Kristen walked up behind him. “ She was lying you know. To hurt you. She wasn’t sleeping with him when she was seeing you. She wanted to hurt you.”
“ How can you be so sure?”
Kristen smiled gently. “ Because I know women.”
“ I guess you would.” Thorne took a sip of his beer. “Do you really think that she is lying?”
“ Yeah. I do. But it doesn’t really change what is going on. It doesn’t change the fact that you are married and your heart belongs to another. Thorne, it too late to tell Brooke the truth.”
“ No!”
“ It might change things. It’s not to late to have your marriage annulled.”
“ Kristen, you know that I can’t do that.”
“ Yes you can. Thorne, you know that I spent more than half my life hiding who I am and how I felt. It makes your miserable. I don’t want that for you. I want you to be happy and you do that denying who you are or what you feel. Tell the truth before it is too late.”
“ I can’t believe me I wish that I could. I have to do what is best for Brooke. I had better go and check on Kimberly.”
“ I think that she is fine. The CD player didn’t fall on her although she did a good job with the helpless routine. I cleaned up the mess.”
“ Thanks Kristen.”
“ Don’t mention it. The last thing you need tonight is an irate teenager.”
“ So, where are you staying?”
“ At the Biltmore. I think that I should stay around for at least a week or two.”
“ Kris, I don’t want to hold up your life in New York.”
“ Don’t worry, I can design here. Besides, I’m worried about you. You need someone on your side.”
“ What about Sam?”
“ Sam will be fine.”
“ Things are going pretty well for the both of you.”
“ I’m happy Thorne. It has taken years but I’m in love.”
“ I’m happy for you Kris. At least one of us is happily in love. After everything that you have gone through, you deserve a loving relationship.”
“

Brooke slipped on a silk robe and walked out on the balcony in her bedroom. She felt the cool breeze against her semi wet hair from her recent shower. Bridget had been hurting tonight but she had to understand that she and Ridge were never going to be together as a couple. Brooke felt a pair of hands around her waist. She leaned back against the warmth of Caspian’s body. She felt his mouth kiss the side of her neck. Brooke sighed and smiled gently.
“I told you that I was going to come back.”
“I’m glad that you did.”
Brooke turned in Caspian’s arms. “Just hold me.”
Caspian closed his eyes and held on tightly onto her. “ What happened between you and Ridge?”
“Nothing. He just questioned me about you.”
“Honey, what is upsetting you?”
“It’s Bridget.”
“ You told her about her father?”
“ No. I couldn’t do that. Not after tonight. Tonight I tore my baby’s heart out.”

Kristen took off her shoes and ordered a late meal of Caesar Salad and grilled tuna for dinner from the hotel kitchen. She was worried about her brother. Her mother had used Thorne’s feelings for Brooke to blackmail him into marrying a girl. Truthfully, Kimberly worried Kristen. There was something about that girl that didn’t sit right with her and she was going to find out. The hotel phone ring. “ Hello Kris.”
“ Sam. It is so good to hear your voice. Baby I miss you.”
“ Not at much as I miss you. Laying here in this empty bed without you next to me is pure torture.”
Kristen smiled. “ Things are just as lonely here.”
“ How did the meeting go?”
“ It was such a mess.”
“That bad?”
“Brooke is on the warpath. My mother convinced my father to try to steal Bridget from Brooke in order to secure the stock that Brooke has in Bridget’s name.”
“ My god. Is that even legal?”
“I don’t know. Brooke stopped them but I can tell the war is not over.”
“ Honey I’m so sorry. I know how much you mother can get to you.”
“ Well she’s been up to her old tricks and more.”
“ Is she giving you a hard time?”
“No. She’s too busy but I’m sure that she’ll get her chance soon enough.”
“ Kris, don’t let her get to you.”
“ I won’t. My mother has made it clear how she feels about me; there is little that she can do to hurt me. It’s Thorne I’m worried about.”
“ I guess by your tone, you won’t home tomorrow.”
“ No. It was be a week or more. I’m Sam. Something is going on and I plan to get to the end of it.”
“ A week?”
Kristen heard the disappointment in Sam’s voice. “ I’m sorry.”
“ It’s okay. I know how important your family is to you.”
“ You are important too. You know how much I love you.”
“ I know Kris. Looks like I have to go to Greg and Mark’s dinner party by myself.”
“ You get make sure that you let all the eligible women who will be hitting on you that you are taken.”
“ All the women in the world couldn’t compare to you.”
“ Good, because I’d scratch out the eyes of any woman tempted to take you away from.”
“ You don’t have to worry. I’m not going anywhere. I spent my life looking for you. I’m not going anywhere.”

Bridget sat on her bed with her legs crossed in the dark eerie glow of the candle that lit her dark bedroom. Coldplay’s “ Trouble” played softly in the background. All around here were pictures from decorated box with faded paper; the pictures were a variety of photos of Brooke and Ridge. She had kept them, collecting them anyway that she could. They had been her link to her past, to her dream of a family that could be reunited but now she knew, she really KNEW that it had been nothing more than a childish dream. Ridge and her mother were not going to get back together. Taylor had forgiven Ridge and he, with his guilt, would only spend his life trying to make it up to her. It was really over. Her dream was dead. She had done it all. Showed the tape a Rick’s party helped Kimberly trick Thorne and worse she had hurt her own mother. It had all been for nothing. A single tear ran down Bridget’s face. What she had done, the lies that she told had done nothing to get her the family that she so desperately wanted instead it had only bought pain and mayhem into their lives.

[COLDPLAY’S TROUBLE]

OH NO I SEE,

A SPIDERWEB IS TANGLED UP WITH ME

I’VE LOST MY HEAD

AND THOUGHT OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS I’VE SAID

OH NO, WHAT THIS?

A SPIDERWEB AND I’M CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE

SO I TURN TO RUN

AND THOUGH OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS I’VE DONE

I NEVER MEANT TO CAUSE YOU TROUBLE

I NEVER MEANT TO DO YOU WRONG

OH.. IF I EVER CAUSED YOU TROUBLE

KNOW I NEVER MEANT TO DO YOU ANY HARM

Bridget thought about the pain that she had caused. Thorne and her mother weren’t together like she had planned but now he was married to Kimberly. He didn’t love Kimberly and he honestly never mean to betray her mother. It was because of her that Kimberly had gotten him in that bed, it was because of her than an innocent baby was being born. How could that baby deal with the fact that its father doesn’t love its mother? It was because of her that her mother would now be alone. Her beautiful, kind sweet mother was no alone. It was all her fault. She had done it for nothing. Ridge was back with him family and she had betrayed not just her mother but she had hurt Thorne. Thorne had always been kind to her. Making her laugh, he had always been a good big brother to her. What in the hell had she done to him?

OH NO I SEE,

A SPIDERWEB AND ITS ME IN THE MIDDLE

SO I TWIST AND TURN

BUT HERE AM INVOLVED IN A BUBBLE

SINGING I NEVER MEANT TO CAUSE YOU TROUBLE

I NEVER MEANT TO DO YOU WRONG

OH IF I EVER CAUSED YOU TROUBLE

KNOW THAT I NEVER MEAN TO DO YOU HARM


The faces of the people she had hurt flashed before her eyes. She had hurt her brother. She had hurt Ridge. She had hurt her mother.



THEY SPUN A WEB FOR ME

THEY SPUN A WEB FOR ME

THEY SPUN A WEB FOR ME….

[Coldplay]

Tears filled Bridget’s eyes. “ What have I done?”

 

Chapter 77
Nicolette Adams was a loner. She had lived a solitary life never making any real connections or friends. She couldn’t afford to do so since she had never stayed in one place for too long. If she made a connection to anyone, she’d be snatched up by the system and sent to another foster home. By the time that she had been adopted by the Adams at age 16 it had been too late for her. They had been nice enough to her and maybe they would been able to really show her love if she had let them but she had spent her life being shuffled around so much she wouldn’t allow herself to love or trust anyone. As soon as she turned 18 she left the Adams with a note thanking them and she had never seen them again. She left without looking back which was just fine with her. She had done quite well for herself since her I.Q was phenomenal and was a wiz at the computer. She had been able to get a job with a software company. Just recently, she had left the company she had been working for greener pastures in L.A. She loved computers, they were everything that people weren’t, honest and dependable. Truthfully, she didn’t look like a computer geek nor did she act like one. First, she had looks that made people stop and stare. She wasn’t sure about her heritage, but she thought that she had gotten her dark luscious mane of hair which she had recently cut into layers to her shoulders, her dark eyes with thick full lashes with naturally arched eyebrows, and her skin naturally darker than the blondes that ran around, from an Italian heritage. Since that fascinated her, she taught herself to speak not only Japanese and French, she had learned how to speak Italian fluently. Nico had never met her natural mother or father, hell she wasn’t did know a thing about them except her mother didn’t want her. All she knew was that she had ended up unlike the other “computer geeks” that she worked with, Nico did her own thing. She cursed like a sailor when she was mad, could drink most men under the table and liked her sex to be sweaty and sinful. She had spent more on her used cherry red convertible than she had one rent but she didn’t care not one bit. At age 21, she clearly saw herself on her way to having everything that she wanted. Nico finished her last puff on her cigarette and crushed it in the ashtray sitting on the small table outside of the Café that she had chosen to eat her breakfast. Next to it laid her plate of what was left of her breakfast of French toast and fruit. Nico studied the paper in front of her; it confirmed her appointment for her job interview for tomorrow. Hopefully it would pan out and she’d be back on track. Nico took off her black square rimmed glasses that she wore often to protect her eyes from the rays of her computer screen. Turning off her laptop that she been resting on the table as well, Nico signaled for the waitress to bring her the bill of her meal. She quickly studied the bill and gave her credit card. She slipped her computer into her bag and was waiting for the waitress to bring her back her credit card when she noticed a pretty woman brunette standing at the counter to get her order. The brunette was thin yet she had a quality to her that a model could have, wearing a simple pair of low riding tan colored pants with a slouch belt and a white T-shirt with her long hair pulled back in a pony tail. It wasn’t the young woman’s beauty that caught Nico’s attention, but her face. Nico studied the woman for a few minutes not bothering to leave the table when the waitress came back with her credit card. The woman took her order of bagel and cream cheese and hot coffee to another table and read the newspaper. Against Nico judgment, she picked up her items and headed toward the table where the woman was sitting.
“Angel?” Eve looked up when she heard her name being called. While her stomach jumped with fear. “I thought that it was you.”
Eve studied the young woman standing in front of her wearing a black skirt, what looked to have been a man’s buttoned up white shirt tied at her waist and a back of black sling back sandals. “Do I know you?” Eve tried to keep her voice calm. The last thing that she needed was someone from her past to come back and haunt her.
“Come on Angel. How could ever forget me? After all I was the one who saved you from that asshole Bobby Knots.”
“Bobby Knots…” Eve studied the woman again. In her mind she saw a younger girl around 15 with the same beautiful looks and those eyes behind those lashes. A girl with grit who had indeed saved her from Bobby Knots. “Nico?”
Nico smiled. “Its me in the flesh.”
Eve felt joy and relief fill her at the same time. Relieve from the fact that it was someone who knew her before her days of sin and damnation. She also felt joy in seeing that someone she knew from her days in foster care had made it along with her. “Nico…Oh my god.” Eve hugged Nico.
Nico was a little surprised at Angel’s reaction. Although she wasn’t always the huggy, touchy, feely type of person. She remembered liking Angel when she was a kid. There had been something about that young girl who had desperately wanted her mother back that had gotten to her unrepentantly gotten to her. Nico had learned not to make connections for friendships but there had been something about Angel, a gentleness or an innocence to her that had made her want to befriend her. Nico stepped out of Angel’s hug. “I thought that being in all of those homes would toughen you up but I still see that you got the gentle heart thing going.”
“Only sometimes. Believe me, I can handle myself. Besides, I still have a good left hook thanks to you.”
Nico laughed. “Oh, I had forgotten about that.”
“Well I hadn’t. I got me out some jams.” Eve’s smile faded a bit when she thought of the jams that the left hook couldn’t help her out of.
“So, what have you been up too?” Nico sat down next to Eve. “Whatever it is, it most be working wonders, you look fantastic. Nico had always thought that Angel was beautiful, more classically beautiful with her dark hair and dark eyes and beautiful face with almost perfectly chiseled cheekbones. Angel was still thin yet the slight awkwardness had changed into grace. Even in a pair of dark blue jeans and a simple short-sleeved ribbed dark blue turtleneck, there was something about Angel that had touched Nico even back when they had been kids. Angel had something to her that made Nico want to protect her yet it was the same thing that had attracted a lot of men, older men.
“Well, I’m almost finished at the UCLA. I’m a business major.”
“You were always smart.”
Eve shrugged. “But not like you.”
“School work came easy but I just didn’t like going to all those different schools. I certainly didn’t like explaining why I lived in a group home.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Eve understood, being in foster care had always made a different in the eyes of others. “I heard that you got adopted.”
“Yeah. Nice people I guess, but after being in so many places after all those eyes, I just couldn’t make a connection. As soon as I got a chance, I blew out of that place. What about you Angel, did you ever get picked up?”
Eve swallowed with a bit of difficulty. “No”
“So, you just stayed in the system until you reached maturity.”
“No” Eve looked down and buttered her cinnamon bagel.
“What happened?”
“I ended up with some jackass who didn’t like to keep his hands to himself so I ended up running away.”
Nico was quiet. She understood that what that was like to have an asshole touch her when she didn’t want it. “So you basically ran away.”
“I’ve been on my own since I was around 16.” Eve said nothing. The last thing that she wanted to do was to get into what she was doing after she had run away. Eve did her best to change the subject. “It was a good thing that I had good grades because I was able to get a scholarship. Basically I am working my way through college. What about you?”
“You know that I was always good with computers. I basically honed my skill and have worked for a couple of companies as a programmer and scriptwriter. Right now I’m between jobs but I’ve heard that MicroTech is opening an office here. Computers are so much easier to deal with than people and MicroTech is a company that is making leaps and bounds in the area of system operation.”
“On the stock exchange, their stock was worth more than billion dollars.”
Nico sipped her coffee. “They have the best researchers and equipment available. Since they are the best, I plan on working for them.”



Connor slid his hands up KC’s naked back as she lay on her stomach. He lowered his head to her back, kissing the base of her spine using his mouth and tongue to make his way up her back to the base of her neck. KC moaned softly with her eyes closed. “Your hands are fantastic.”
“You inspire me.” Connor said with passion in his voice has he slowly turned KC over. He studied for with love in his eyes. She was so exotically beautiful. Laying naked in her bed with the sun raining down on her. He traced a globe of her a full brown breast watching as her nipples hardened with desire. KC caught the back of Connor’s head pulling it down toward her breast. Connor’s warm mouth found her nipple and suckled it. His hands pulled her up so she was closer to him. KC’s cries filled the room as her body made contact with his. Connor lifted his from her breast for only a moment then lowered to take the other nipple inside of his mouth. KC’s body moved against Connor’s restlessly. His aching member was rock hard against her stomach while her legs opened to wrap around his waist. He groaned against her breast, her heated warmth was so hot against him, all he could think about was getting inside of her. KC’s hands trailed down Connor’s back to his buttocks, which she squeezed gently. “Connor, I need you now.”
That was all the invitation that he needed. Connor positioned himself at her entrance and pushed slowly inside of her heat. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, she was so tight and hot. KC moved her body against Connor’s accepting his straining member. She pushed against his shaft tightening her muscles around him as Connor moved in and out of her with gentle force. He cupped her thigh positioning her body so that she was on a right angle from the bed while it also deepened his thrust. They moved together, he pushing, she pulling, her sighing, her cries of fulfillment and finally his cry as he spilled his seed into her. Connor collapsed on top of KC. For a moment he lay there trying his best to catch his breath then he rolled over to his side taking KC with him laying her head on his chest. He kissed the palm of her hand gently. “Have I told you how much I love waking up with you?”
KC shook her head. “Not this morning.”
Connor looked at KC. “Well, I do. You have no idea how glad that I have you to come home too.” KC turned so part of her body was on top of Connor as she looked at him.
“Yesterday’s activities are still upsetting you, aren’t they?” Connor had come to her condo upset about the activities that had occurred with the Forresters while they were gone.
Connor sighed. “I just can’t believe the gall of Eric and Stephanie.”
KC traced Connor’s lower lips with her finger. “I knew Stephanie hated Brooke, but I guess that I never knew how much.”
“This reeks of Stephanie. I just wish that I known about it. Poor Brooke had to deal with this herself.”
KC sat up not caring about her nakedness. “Connor, you aren’t responsible for what happened. You have a life and are allowed to live it. You had no idea what the Forresters were planning, no one did.”
“I know honey, but it upsets me that they almost got away with it. It also upsets me that they used an error that dealt with me to take advantage of Brooke.”
“From what you stated Connor, you have asked another lawyer to handles Brooke cases when you were in New York all those years ago. How were you to know that a legal agreement had never been signed between Brooke and Eric? I wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m her lawyer, I should have checked when I got back. And I certainly should have been available for Brooke while I was out of town.”
KC shook her head. “Brooke wouldn’t want that for you. You’ve been on call for her for years. This mess isn’t you fault.” KC didn’t like the idea of Connor blaming himself for what had happened with Brooke. “How much of this has to deal with the man she is involved with?”
Connor pulled his hands behind his head. “I’m worried. This man now owns 10% of Forrester. Based on what I saw yesterday, he is very possessive of Brooke.”
KC rested on her side. “That worries you?”
“Yes. Brooke’s personal life has never really been stable. All of a sudden she is now involved with a man that no one knows much about. Although I can’t stand Ridge, he is right we have to know more about Caspian Deangleo.”
“What are you going to do?”
“First, I’m going to talk to Brooke. As her lawyer, she has got to be careful who she gets involved with.”
“Connor she has a right to a personal life.”
“I know that honey, but Brooke’s personal life could cost her a great deal.”
KC smiled and leaned down to kiss Connor on the lips. “You are a wonderful man, you know that don’t you. I know that you were involved with Brooke at one time and you loved her and even though things didn’t work out you are still looking out for her.”
“She didn’t love me. It is a good thing that she didn’t try to make it work. If she had, things would have become messy.” Connor caressed KC’s face. “Brooke is a good woman she just sometimes makes bad decisions.”



Brooke rolled over to find the bed empty next to her. Caspian had kept his word and left earlier hours in order to ensure that Bridget didn’t see him. She gently touched his empty pillows. She had needed him last night to hold her although she had awoken around 2 am to find his mouth exploring her body. They have made love slowly and quietly in order to disturb Bridget. Now that it was morning, she was going to have to deal with telling Bridget about her father and his schemes. Brooke quickly showered and put on a robe. She made her way down to Bridget room and knocked on the door calling Bridget’s name a couple of times before she finally opened her daughter’s bedroom. She found Bridget’s bedroom empty. Brooke looked at the clock; it was around 7:30. Somehow she had missed her daughter. Brooke picked up Bridget’s phone and called her cell phone, yet she only received her voice mail. “Bridget, this is mom. When you get this call, please call me, it is important.” Brooke hung up the phone.



Rick stood outside the doorway to the penthouse that he was told belonged to Caspian Deangleo. If his mother was involved with this man, then he needed to know more about him. The door opened to a man all dressed in black. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr. Deangleo.”
“And you are.”
“Rick Forrester.” Tony looked at the young man dressed elegantly in a business suit. Mr. Forrester didn’t have an appointment, but he knew that he was the son of Ms. Logan. Ms. Logan was very important to Mr. Deangleo. “Come this way Mr. Forrester.”
Rick was lead into an elegant foyer to an expensively decorated living room. “Can I get you anything Mr. Forrester?”
Rick hadn’t eaten breakfast. He had wanted to talk to his mom’s newest lover before he went to work at Forrester. “Coffee will be fine.”
“Very good then. I’ll let Mr. Deangleo know that you are here.”
Rick watched as the man left. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure why he was nervous but he was. Still, his mother was important and this man was involved with her, he wanted to know about him.
“Rick” Rick turned around to find Caspian standing in the room. Hell, the man had moved so quietly that he hadn’t heard him. Dressed immaculate in a dark black suit with a metallic colored tie, he looked like wealth and power. “Have you been served your coffee, yet?”
“No…uh…not yet.”
“Would you like breakfast? I’ll have the chef whip you up something.” The man in black returned with coffee on a tray. “Tony have the chef serve breakfast. I don’t want anything special today; I’ll just have three eggs, over easy, bacon and wheat toast. Mr. Forrester will have chef’s seafood omelet, waffles and bacon.”
“Yes Mr. Deangleo.” Tony stated simply before he left.
“I don’t want breakfast.”
“You will. I’m sure that you haven’t eaten yet, I know that I haven’t. Besides, this will most likely be a long conversation.” Caspian poured himself a cup of coffee and then one for Rick. “You are here to talk about your mother aren’t you?”
Rick was astonished. “Yes, but how…”
“You are her son. It is only natural for you to be concerned about who she is involved with. Come this way Rick, we have a great deal to talk about.”



Scott handed CJ a cup of coffee. “I’m telling you. I don’t know anything about Deacon Sharpe.”
“I thought that you’d have some information about the man since you are friends with Trudie.”
“The only thing that I know about him is that his club The Lair is supposed to the hottest club this side of town. I’ve heard that he is a no nonsense type of guy. Truthfully, I was more or less friendlier with True’s brother.”
“I thought her brother was gay.”
“He was, but that didn’t make Chris any less of a great guy. In my business CJ there are gay designers. I don’t stop associating with them just because their lifestyle is simply different than mine. “
“I wasn’t saying that you should.” CJ handled watched at little Eric ate some of his cereal. “Hell, I just wish that I knew more about this guy, Sharpe.”
Scott frowned. “Are you worried that he is moving in on True?”
“I don’t know. They had this fling and I saw the way that he was looking at her. I just don’t like it.”
“CJ, True really cares about you.
“I’m just worried. She lied to me.”
“About what?”
“Some money. She was having dinner with that asshole and I overheard him talking to her about money. Later I asked her what money and she gave me some story about it being from the life insurance policy from her brother.”
“You don’t believe her?”
“No, I don’t. She was lying and I called her on it.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing. She swears that she wasn’t.”
“But you still think she was?”
“Hell yes. Look, I’m not saying that I’ve done everything perfect in my life but I do know that you can’t build a relationship on lies. I don’t want that. Trudie is going to have to come clean.” CJ looked at his friend for a moment. “Speaking of relationships. I want to know what in the hell do you think that you are doing with Bridget?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know what I mean. Bridget it just a kid, what in the hell do you think that you are doing dating her.”
“I took her to the museum and to dinner, not to bed.” Scott said annoyed.
“I wasn’t saying that. But I have to wonder what you are thinking. She isn’t in your league. She not experienced.”
“I know that. I’m not looking for sex from Bridget and I’m insulted that you think that I am.”
“Scott, you’ve been a player for such a long time. I just wonder if you know what you are doing. Bridget is really innocent and to her, what she is feeling for you is going to come under the realm of young love. If you aren’t serious about her, I suggest that you end this mess as soon as you can. Because I won’t watch her get hurt.”
“I won’t hurt her.”
“You may not mean too, but if you see her and sleep with other girls.”
“What makes you think that I’m sleeping with other girls?”
“I know you.”
“I haven’t had sex since…” Scott stopped. He hadn’t had sex since he slept with Kimberly. “Since before I was interested in Bridget. Scott knew that it was a lie. He had been interested since he saw Bridget. “Look, I know that she is young but she is mature. Bridget isn’t like the other 17 year olds that I know. She loved art and she’s smart. But more than that, there is something about her that I can’t stay away from.
CJ knew what Scott was talking about. It seemed that Bridget had grown up in front of him and now was a beautiful young woman. Yet he was worried about this budding relationship. Scott was used to having sex, Bridget was a virgin. How long would he be able to hold off? “I just worried about the sex thing. How long before you want what she’s not ready to give you?”
“Listen, I’m not saying that it is easy for me to keep my hands off her, because there are times that I want her badly. I never would have thought that a young girl would arouse me like not even the sexiest siren could, but I can keep my libido in check.”

“I hope so, Bridget is a sweet girl. I don’t want her hurt.”
“I hope not, because so help me god if you do, I’m going to make you pay, and that will be nothing compared to what the Forresters would do to you.”



Lewis Minor stood in the middle of the conference room giving his presentations. “As you can see Brooke, there hasn’t been as much as an increase in the Princess Line as we suspect.”
Brooke studied the figures. “Why do you feel that the line isn’t doing as well?”
“Well, some might have something to do with the fact that we don’t visible model anymore. Kimberly was more than beautiful but truthfully with her marriage to Thorne, that fresh girl next door look isn’t working for her anymore.”
Brooke wore a stern look on her face. “Even if it worked, it wouldn’t matter, Kimberly is fired and won’t be rehired. Ever.” The department heads looked at each other. They had, like everyone else had seen the newspaper, which gave an in-depth article about the newest Forrester wife. “Now Lewis, I’d like you to tell me what you think is causing a decline in this line?”
“Well, I think that it has a lot to do with WOW. Women, especially the younger ones, are excited about it. Based on the hits on our web-sits as well as the calls from the store to pre-order without actually seeing a line proves out point. This is the newest millennium Brooke. Women aren’t interested in looking like the princess next door; they want to look like the siren.
“They want to look, dress and act like Trudie.” Brooke simply stated.
“Yes.”
“So, what do you suggest that we do?”
“I have a suggestion.”



Rick sat down at the table looking at the marvelous spread of food laid out in front of him. He wasn’t quite sure how he came to agree to have breakfast with Caspian, but he was here. Rick studied the man sitting across him with ease; he wondered what was going on in Caspian’s mind. “I’d like to know how you met my mother.”
Caspian grinned for a moment. “That was the moment that changed my life. She and I were stuck together on an elevator in Paris.”
Rick thought for a moment. “How long ago was that?”
“A few months ago.”
“A few months…have you…I mean you are sleeping with my mother aren’t you.”
“I don’t think that is any of your business.” Caspian said with authority. Rick looked properly rebuked.
“Were you seeing my mother when she was with Thorne?”
“No. Honestly, I was interested in her and truthfully on a level, I feel that your mother was attracted to me, however she was committed to Thorne.” Caspian cut into his eggs. “He however was not.”
“So when Thorne messed up, you moved right on in.”
“No, when Thorne messed up, I allowed your mother space. The last thing she needed was another man complicating her life, however when your mother needed me I was there.”
“You said my mother needed you how?” Caspian was silent for a moment, it truly wasn’t his place to tell Rick what his father had planned, however the boy had been protected so much that he was constantly at a disadvantage. Rick saw the indecision in Caspian’s face. “Did my mother tell you not to tell me?”
“She wants to tell you herself.”
“You and I both know that I won’t get the entire story. My mom has a way of wanting to protect me so much that she doesn’t allow me to be a man. Show me that you respect me. How can I protect her if I am not aware of everything that has occurred? Tell me what happened.”



Ridge finished packing Thomas’s lunch for preschool. “Daddy, I want some grapes.”
“No problem big fella.” Ridge quickly placed the fresh grapes into a plastic bag. Thomas hugged his father.
“I’m glad that you are whome daddy.”
Ridge picked his son up. “I’m glad that I am too.” Ridge closed his eyes to kiss his son on top of his head. “Remember that no matter what I love you.” Ridge had made the decision that today was the day to tell the children about their brother.
“Thomas, go to your room and get your backpack.” Taylor stated from the breakfast table. She gave Ridge a pointed look that let him know that she wasn’t thrilled with him. Ridge put Thomas down and watched as his son ran out of the kitchen. Taylor stood up and threw her napkin down.
“I can’t believe that you are going to do this.”
“Taylor, I can’t let this thing go on and on. I’m surprised that the children haven’t found out any other way. I really want them to meet their brother.”
“Don’t call him that!” Taylor pinched her nose. “Look Ridge,” she said in a calmer voice. “I just think with everything happening, they aren’t ready.”
“It’s been long enough.”
“Well isn’t that funny. Because it took me months to find out about your affair and your son. Why in the hell are you so pressed to tell the truth now.”
Ridge gave Taylor an annoyed look. “Maybe because I’ve seen how lies can affect people’s lives. Maybe because I learned my lesson.”
Taylor snorted. “Well, isn’t that grand.” Taylor stated as she dumped the children’s remains of their breakfast in the trashcan. “The great Ridge Forrester has learned his lesson. Well, I’m their mother and I say that this is too much too soon for them.”
“Taylor, Karima said…”
“Well Karima isn’t their mother is she? Hell, she doesn’t even have children of her own.”
“She is a doctor, the best in the field. Taylor I don’t think that you are being rational at this point.”
“Rational? Rational! Oh, I’m sorry if I’m not being rational enough for you. Let’s see, what would be a rational thought. Oh, I know, why don’t I ask your whore and that bastard that she gave you to come and live with us so we can be one happy family.” Taylor tried to push past Ridge but he caught her by her upper arm.
“Don’t! Don’t you ever let come out of your mouth like something like that? Now, you can say what you want about me or even Morgan cause god knows that we deserved it but my son doesn’t deserve to be called a bastard.” Taylor opened her mouth to speak but Ridge interrupted her. “Don’t ever do that again. He is my SON and I won’t allow you or my mother malign him. I love you Taylor but I also love my son.” Taylor pulled away from Ridge. Tears stung her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Ridge would speak to her like that especially about the child that he had had with Morgan.
“Believe me, you’ve made it clear to me and the whole world how you feel about Morgan.” Taylor stalked away angrily.
“Damn it!” Ridge cursed as he slammed his fist down on the counter. He hadn’t wanted things to be like this. He had moved back to be home with his wife and children but it seemed that the wedge between he and Taylor was growing.



Trudie walked into the little coffee shop down from her apartment. She had originally planned on going to Insomnia but she was against it, CJ was still angry with her. She had tried calling him hoping that he’d talk to her but all she got was that nasty Amber. She had too think of coming up with some story about where she got to money because there was no way that he was going to believe that she had gotten the money from her brother. If she thought that she could tell him the truth, she would but he was too close to Bridget. The money that Stephanie Forrester had given her to keep her mouth closed would keep her comfortable if it was invested well. Trudie felt a nagging in the back of her mind, she knew what she was doing was wrong but what would telling the truth help? In the end, it would only tear the Forresters apart. Trudie looked for Eve and found her talking to a pretty brunette, walking up to the table, she made her presence know.
“Hey Eve, I’m sorry that I’m late.”
Nico studied Angel. Eve? Eve looked at Nico for a moment. Nico, this is my friend Trudie.
“Trudie, this is Nico, she and I knew each other when I was in foster care.” Trudie glanced nervously at Eve. She wondered what Eve had told Nico.
Nico looked at Eve. “Angel, you changed your name?”
“Yes. I ran away from the system, the last thing that I wanted…”
“Wanted was for them to come looking for you. Hey, Angel…I mean Eve. I can understand.” Nico smiled. “Eve is a nice name. The first woman.”
“I guess after everything, I just wanted to be reborn. Hence the new name.” Eve’s eyes nervously looked at Trudie. Trudie totally understood Eve’s nervousness. The last thing Eve ever wanted was for someone to look into her past. She was desperately afraid that people would find out about her other life.
Nico felt the tension and did her best to alleviate Eve’s stress by changing the subject. She looked up at the gorgeous blonde lit her cigarette and inhaled. “I’ve seen you somewhere, haven’t I?”
“Trudie is the WOW model for Forrester Creations.”
Nico nodded. “I’ve seen those ads.” She eyed Trudie. “Very sexy and sensual.”
“I really try to do my best.”
“Well it works. You seen to have reached a whole level of sensuality over there. A whole new look for Forrester isn’t it? They have fantastic clothes but they have been a little conservative in the past. Especially with that Princess Line.” Nico frowned. “Seeing those perfect dresses for the rich little princesses make me sick.”
Trudie laughed. “So, you are a big Kimberly fan I suppose.”
“Kimberly. Yes that little perfect princess.” Nico laughed. “Well that little bitch isn’t so perfect now based on the newspaper. Getting knocked up by Thorne Forrester and marrying him.”
Trudie gasped. “Are you serious?” She looked at Eve. “Did you know anything about that?”
“No” Eve said worried.
Nico handed Trudie the paper. Both Eve and Trudie read the article. “Oh no, poor Brooke.”
“Brooke? You mean Brooke Forrester? You know her?”
“Yeah. She is a great lady. They print all sorts of things about her but she really is a great boss.” Trudie stated.
“She really nice not at all a snob.”
“You know her too?”
“She should, she is dating her son, Rick.”
Nico looked surprise. “Rick Forrester, well, you do know how to land on your feet. That kid is worth millions.”
“And he is totally head over heals in love with Eve.” Trudie supplied. “Look ladies, I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got an appointment. It was nice to meet you Nico, I hope to be seeing you again soon. I’d love to show you around town, there are some great clubs here.
“Count me in. I’ve always loved a great party. Just ask Angel.” Nico stopped. “I mean Eve.”
“You always loved to party.”
“Honey, I still do. I can drink them under the table.”
“Really?” Trudie said. “I think that I’m going to like you. Eve doesn’t like partying but I do.”
“Well then, this town had better watch out. With both of us on the lose, no man or woman is safe.”
Trudie laughed as she walked away. Nico watched Trudie as she left. “That is one beautiful girl. Have you lived together long?”
“Trudie’s brother basically raised her but he died a couple of months ago. I lived with them for a while off and on. You know how that goes. So we decided to live together after he died. I was tired of being alone and I think that Trudie was lonely.”
“So, she knows all of your secrets huh?”
Eve looked at Nico suspiciously. “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing. You guys are close. I can see that.” Nico’s face showed a flash of envy. “You always had the ability to trust people, I never could seem to do that.”
“You had Nico. You never had any family. I did for a while.”
“Yeah your mother blew you off because she was jealous of you. Then she left you. I think that I got the better deal; I didn’t have to watch my mom leave. From what I understand, she didn’t want me from the start.”
Eve heard the anger in Nico’s voice. “I’m sorry.”
“Eve, you aren’t to blame for what my mother did anymore that you are responsible for what you mom did to you. Did you ever hear from your mom again?”
“No. She just left me. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she hadn’t left me, how things would have been different.”
“Life’s a bitch, babe. There is no sense in wondering what if. You shouldn’t worry; it looks like your life turned out great. Scholarship and a great boyfriend, right? What more can you ask for?”
“Maybe a better job. So, what about you? I know that you are looking for a job, but what about a boyfriend?”
Nico chuckled. “No boyfriend, believe I’m not interested in that.”



KC lay in the arms of the man she loved gently kissing his chest while Connor gently caresses her body. “You know, I could stay like this forever.” Connor murmured before his lips took hers. KC’s nipples became like hard pebbles his chest at their mouths fed from one another. Connor’s hand found their way between her warm thighs feeling the wet essence of her arousal. KC shivered as his fingers found her nub and started to stimulate it with his thumb. KC’s legs parted on her own as Connor’s mouth trapped her sighs. He slid one finger inside of heat when the phone began to ring. KC’s groaned against his mouth.
“Just let it ring. I’m not through with you.” Connor said as he slid another finger inside of her. KC whimpered her approval as Connor’s fingers brought her to pleasure. KC rode Connor’s fingers as his mouth took a hold of her aching nipples. In her intense pleasure she missed the incoming call.



Rick sat stunned. Anger coursed through his body and rage was visible in his eyes. “Are you telling me that my father and Stephanie planned all of that in order to get stock from Bridget.”
“Yes.”
Rick stood up from the breakfast table. “My god, what kind of family do I have?”
“If it helps, I really don’t think that this was your father’s idea although he allowed it to happen, I think that this was mostly Stephanie’s doing.”
And ashen Rick shook his head. “I never knew how much she hated her until now.” His hands balled up into a fist. “That bitch! All these years, I thought that she had truly cared for Bridget, and me but now I see that we are pawns like everyone else. I can’t even think of how Bridget could deal with…Bridget, my god, she doesn’t know. She can never find out. It would kill her.”
Caspian stood. “Don’t worry Rick, you know that your mother would never allow her to find out what your father planned, however she will tell your sister that Eric had wanted her.
“She’s like that. Always protecting them in order to keep peace in the family.” A frown creased Rick’s brow. “Did she ever plan on telling me?”
“Part of it.”
Rick nodded. “I want to thank you for telling me the truth.”
“I don’t think that your mother is going to be thrilled with me, but I think that I did the right thing. You are correct. You have to protect your mother. Although you don’t know me enough to trust my word, I promise you that I will always be with her. However, there may be times with business that I’m gone, you will have to protect her.”
“Caspian, although I’m more than grateful for what you have done to protect my mother, I still don’t know you. Until I’ve judged that you are trustworthy, I don’t plan to leave even that in your hands.” Rick wore an expression of seriousness. Not too many people would have been able to stay that and stay alive, but Rick was different. Caspian admired the young man. It seemed that there might be hope for Rick yet.
“Good, I wouldn’t expect it any other way.” Caspian reached out a hand toward Rick. Rick looked at Caspian’s hand for a moment before he finally shook it.



KC lay in her bed basking in the afterglow of the lovemaking session that she and Connor had. He was in the shower, they both really needed to get to work. She rolled over to press the play button on her answering machine.
“Hey KC, this is Alex. I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be in L.A for two days on business. You know that means we have got to get together. I’m counting on the works, good food, and good gossip and of course I want to hear all about the man you are seeing. Call me at the Biltmore, I’ll be in room 434.” Connor came out of the shower drying his hair.
“A friend of yours?”
“Yes, Alex and I went to college together. She now a partner in Baldwin and Williams associates.”
“Alex? As in Alex Perez?”
“One and the same, do you know her?”
“No, I’ve heard of her. She is one of the best in her field. She worked with Victor Newman”
“That sounds like Alex.” KC wrapped her arms around Connor. “I want you to meet her, we were very close in college. I know that she is going to love you just like I do.”



Rick finished his breakfast. The more that he talked to Caspian, the more comfortable he was, still he was going to watch him closely. His mother was way too important. Rick studied the room he was in, like the living room it was furnished with obvious wealth. The man was definitely from money so it seemed that he wasn’t after his mothers that was a good sign. He had also told him the truth about the mess that his father had created, which meant he treated him like a man and Rick respected that. Caspian had been called away for a moment in order to take a business call and Rick wondered not for the first time what business the man was involved in. Rick put down his napkin and wandered into what looked to be a study. The room was beautifully decorated and it had a curio that held what looked to be beautiful artifacts. Rick peered closer to the artifacts when he smelled cigarette smoke. Rick followed the scent of smoke to find a nearly naked woman in black-laced lingerie and matching black silk robe smoking a cigarette sitting on a black divan on the balcony. The woman looked up at him and Rick felt as if he gut had been hit when she pierced him with her beautiful sparkling blue eyes. The woman said nothing, only smoking in silence. Anger suddenly coursed through Rick’s body, he couldn’t believe it. Caspian was cheating with this woman, he was going to kill the bastard.



Brooke sat in the middle of Connor’s office. She looked smart and fashionable wearing a blue pin striped pants suit minus a blouse under the suit giving her an alluring yet sensual look. The jacket had three buttons giving Connor as well as any other person a bit of display her ample bosom. Her hair lay well past her shoulders with her hair parted in the middle with very little makeup giving her a natural look. Brooke had spent the last half of an hour going over the papers that he had suggested to be drawn up. She didn’t trust Stephanie and didn’t want her to have a chance to steal her children's inheritance. Finished looking at the papers that she had Connor to draw. “So this basically puts my mother in charge of my stock if anything happens to me.”
“Yes, Bridget and Rick’s interest are to be protected by your mother until they come of age.”
“Good, I don’t want there to be any chances that Stephanie or Eric to steal my children’s stock.”
“Well, that won’t be possible Brooke.”
“Good.” Brooke signed the papers. “I will notify my mother to let her know what I’ve done.”
“Please do. This is a great deal of responsibility on her shoulders if something were happen to you. Not that I think that something will.”
“Since we are talking about insurance policies. I want to give you this.” Brooke handed Connor a CD
“What is this?”
“This is a taped conversation between Stephanie and Kimberly. This is the thing that put Stephanie in her place.”
“What is this about?”
“This is about the night of Rick’s party.” Brooke sipped some water; at times it was till hard for her to talk about. “That night, I was slipped a drug, Ecstasy.”
“Ecstasy.”
“This drug was supplied to Kimberly by Stephanie through the use of a drug company owned by Bill Spencer. Kimberly slipped me the drugs and set me up to be raped.”
“What!”
“Connor, don’t worry, I wasn’t raped. Caspian saved me. He stopped my attacker. He saved me from being raped. And Caspian is the one who was able to get the conversation between Stephanie and Kimberly on tape.”
Connor frowned and took Brooke’s hands in his. “Brooke, how was he able to do this?”
“He had Stephanie watched. I can’t tell you how he does everything that he does, but Caspian was powerful. He has connections and they found it out. I confronted Stephanie and she didn’t deny it. She’s afraid of what would happen if she is exposed to be the horrible woman that she is.”
“Brooke, if Stephanie has done this then take the evidence to the police.”
“No, Connor, I can’t.”
“Brooke…”
“Connor, think about the scandal it would cause. Besides it would be almost impossible to prove in a court of law. Stephanie and Kimberly’s conversation would not be admissible and you know it.” Connor stilled. Brooke was right. “Although Gunter, the man who tried to rape me could finger, Kimberly, he doesn’t know a thing about Stephanie. I can’t be guaranteed that she’d go to jail, besides the whole mess about Bridget would have to come out because I’m sure that she would accuse me of blackmail.
“Brooke, if you give it time, I could think of a way to make them pay for what they have done. It has been criminal.”
“Connor, believe me, I’ve given it a great deal of thought. I won’t go to court unless I’m pushed to do so. Stephanie is caught, she is afraid of what this could do to her, so she is leaving me alone.”
“And what about Kimberly. Clearly a girl who is willing to do something like that isn’t normal.”
“I’ve already threatened her. She is afraid to death that I’m going to tell Thorne the truth.”
“Are you?”
“Not at the moment. Although I loathe Kimberly, she is pregnant and I can’t put that baby in danger. I have to wait until Thorne’s child is born.”
“You care about him don’t you?”
“Maybe I’m just taking a page out of your book. I broke your heart but you didn’t give up on our friendship. I’m simply looking out for his child. Kimberly is sick and that baby is going need Thorne’s love.” Connor squeezed Brooke’s hand.
“Brooke, you do know that we have something other to discuss.”
“Caspian.”
“Yes, I’m worried about him. Brooke, I need to know everything about this man. Your relationship with him could cause you major problems.”

 

Chapter 78 (Conversations and Confrontations)
Rick tore out the study as fast as he could. He was going to kill Caspian Deangleo. He hadn’t been there for his mother when Thorne had betrayed her; he damn well was going to be there now. Rick found Caspian in another room on the phone. “You bastard! I can’t believe that you could do this to my mother after all that she has gone through.”
Caspian who was on the phone quickly ended his conversation. He stood silently staring at Rick who had barged into his room and was visibly upset. “You know I thought that you were different, but you are just like everyone else. Every other man who hurt her!”
Rick rushed toward Caspian and swung his fist. Caspian stepped aside so quickly that Rick’s fist hit nothing but air. Caspian turned toward Rick and Rick tried again but only ended up with air same as before.
“Are you finished? Or are you going to do this all day? Or, are you going to tell me what caused you to be this upset.” Rick gave Caspian a frustrated look.
“You know what is wrong. You sat there and told me how much you cared about my mother when you have obviously been sleeping with someone else.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, you going to have to excuse me because I’m not going to idly stand by and watch another man hurt my mother.”
“Rick, I’m not sleeping with someone else. Why in the world would you think that I was?”
Rick snorted. “Maybe because of the half clothed beautiful woman who is lounging on the balcony of your study? Now, do you except me to believe that you don’t know who I’m talking about?”
Caspian murmured something in Italian before he spoke in English again. “No, Rick I don’t expect you to believe that. I do know who you are talking about.”
“Your lover, it is obvious that she spent the night.”
“Yes, Rick, she did spend the night, but she isn’t my lover. That woman, as you put it happens to be my sister.”
Rick took a step back with his mouth hanging wide for a moment before he shut it. “I can’t believe the you want me to believe that woman is your sister.”
“Why not?”
“For starters, based on what little I know about you are Italian, and that woman doesn’t look like an Italian woman. She had dark red hair and startling blue eyes.”
Caspian was calm as he poured himself a drink. “The red hair she gets from my mother and her eyes from my maternal grandmother. My mother was an American although were raised in Italy as Italians.”
“I don’t know any sisters who lounge around their brother’s home in lingerie.” Rick said suspiciously.
“I assure you she doesn’t lounge around in front of me. We both come and go as we please. So, it is quite believable that she may have been in her sleepwear.”
“A woman doesn’t sleep in something like that. She wears it to seduce. But, wait don’t tell me, she isn’t wearing it for you, right.”
“No, she isn’t.” Caspian fixed Rick with a harsh stare. “Bella, very well may have had company last night. I wouldn’t know.”
“Why wouldn’t you? You live here.”
“Because, young man, I spent it else where.”
“If you didn’t spend the nights here, then where were you?”
“That isn’t YOUR business. However I will clear one matter up. “Caspian headed toward intercom on the wall and pushed a button. Not more than a couple of seconds passed before Tony showed up.
“Yes, Mr. Deangleo?”
“Please have Isabelle come here please.”
“If you think bringing that woman in here is going to change the fact that I don’t believe you, you’ve got another thing coming.” The door opened and Isabelle walked into room in wearing a black silk robe.
“Bella, this is Rick Forrester, Brooke’s son. Please tell him who you are.”
“Why?” Bella said in Italian.
“Because he doesn’t believe that you are my sister.” Caspian said in English. “Speak in English.”
Bella ignored her brother and continued to speak in Italian. “If he sees something he doesn’t like, he shouldn’t be snooping in your home.”
“He wasn’t snooping. Now stop being difficult.” Caspian said in a slightly annoyed voice again in English.
“Why are you speaking in English? You aren’t afraid of this boy are you?” Isabelle said almost with a teasing tone.
“I can’t believe that you are using this time to find your sense of humor. Tell the boy who you are? In English.” He knew that Isabelle could be smart enough to have the entire conversation in Italian if she wanted to be difficult. It would only make Rick more suspicious that he already was.
Isabelle looked Rick at sideways. “I’m his sister.” Isabelle said in English. She looked at Caspian. “Tell me, what did you plan to do to my brother if he was cheating on your mother.”
“Bella.” Caspian said in a warning tone. “Stop with the mind games. I won’t have you play them with Brooke’s son.”
“I’d never hurt the boy.” She said in Italian. “Surely, you know that.”
“Stop reading him.” Caspian said in Italian. “It took enough guts for him to confront me. I really can’t blame him, for misunderstanding the situation. This really wouldn’t matter if you’d meet Brooke.”
“In all do time. Besides, I’m getting to know her son.”
Rick heard the rapid flow of their words in Italian, however he couldn’t understand what they were staying. Yet, he watched the body language. The woman, Bella was strong and determined, not cowering. Bella was beautiful and there was an obvious sensuality to the woman yet he watched how she interacted with Caspian and there wasn’t a single spark. He had seen his mother with Caspian and the chemistry between them to cause a more than a forest fire. Maybe Caspian had been telling the truth.
“Rick, answer my question” Bella stated in English. “What was your plan involving my brother? Were you going to run to your mother?”
“I would have told her. Make no mistake in that. But I planned to beat the mess out of him first.”
“My brother knows how to protect himself. He’d more that flatten you.”
“I don’t care.”
“Really?” Bella uncharacteristically winked at him. “I like that. So, you’ve got guts, surely you don’t get those traits from you father’s side of the family. You must get it from your mother.”
Rick wasn’t sure what to make from that comment. He felt as if he were insulted and praised at the same time. “How do I really know you are his sister? This could be an orchestrated ploy after all you haven’t been speaking in English.”
“My, my, not so easily taken in. Good, you should always ask questions. That is a sign of a good leader. It is true that this whole thing could be orchestrated but it wasn’t. Last night, my brother didn’t spend the night here. If you checked with your mother, most likely you will find that he spent it with her. Just think about it Rick. If I weren’t who I said that I was, why would he even allow you to be here if I were his lover, surely you don’t think that my brother is stupid?”
Rick thought for a moment. He had eaten breakfast with Caspian and never did the man display anything to make him think that there was something he had been hiding.
“No. I don’t think that he is stupid.”
“Good because he isn’t.”
Rick looked at Caspian. “I wanted you to tell me the truth.”
“I did Rick. Isabelle is my sister. I know that the truth might seem a little hard to swallow but it the truth. Your mother is all that I want. Believe me, the last thing that I would do would be to cheat on her.” Rick had heard the sincerity in Caspian’s voice. He also had noted how Caspian looked him straight into his eyes, never flickering or wavering in any manner. “I believe you. Listen, I’m sorry coming in here the way that I did”
With a wave of his hand Caspian showed that he wasn’t concerned. “Rick, I’m not upset. In fact I even admire the bravo that you showed today.” Caspian gripped Rick on his shoulder. “You are a man who is willing to do anything to protect your mother. I respect that.”
Rick didn’t know what to make of Caspian. He had behaved rashly and instead of belittling him, Caspian had praised him.
Isabelle walked over to Rick and held out her warm. Rick unsure what to do, hooked his arm through Isabelle’s arm. “Good, Come, I haven’t eaten yet. You can watch me and then we’ll sit and chat since this matter is settled I’d like to know more about you.” Rick looked a little uneasy. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite…well actually I do but you are a little too young, too fresh and too innocent for me. So you are safe with me.”
Caspian stood in astonishment. Yet it wasn’t like Bella to be as sociable or as friendly as she had been with Rick. Most of the time, she reacted toward men in either a sexual or business manner. Only in the rare occasions of Benito or Pierce did Bella display any other manner. Yet, she had invited Rick to eat with her and had almost joked with the young man. He didn’t know what to make of it, it was strange indeed. “Bella, what are you up too?”
“Nothing, Caspian. I’d never hurt the boy surely you know that. I just want to get to know him; after all I’m sure that we are going to be family one day. You’ve had your chance to talk with Rick, now it’s my turn. Besides, you have a business meeting that you are going to be late for.” Caspian knew instinctively that there was more to it. But what was it?

Taylor took the lollipop from Phoebe. “You can eat it later when the doctor is finished checking you out.” Phoebe looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes. Taylor rubbed her daughter on her face. “Now stop crying and go play with your sister.” Phoebe looked longingly at the lollipop before she ran toward the dollhouse her sister was playing with a large dollhouse. A young woman in her mid twenties with a little boy smiled at Taylor.
“You are really good with her. When Charlie here doesn’t get what he wants, a tantrum starts.”
Taylor sat back in her chair. “Well, you should never give into tantrums. Don’t worry, I have lots of practice. I have three children, you’ll get used to it.”
“Well, I certainly know where Charlie gets his tantrums from. His father. I swear when the baby came, my husband became one himself.”
Taylor laughed. “That is bound to happen.”
“Is it that way with your husband?”
The smile faded on Taylor’s face. “Believe me, my husband is just as immature as my kids can be.” Taylor turned away from the younger woman. That morning’s argument was still upsetting her. Ridge acted like him coming back home would magically solve their problems, but it didn’t. Now, he was trying to force his son with that woman onto her children. How could she allow that? Stephanie was asking far too much of her. The night that she had shared was nowhere the same as the affair that Ridge had had with Morgan. With Morgan, he had lied and kept their night together a secret. He had wanted Morgan sexually in a way that more than obvious. Taylor had recognized the passion that Ridge had displayed in that videotape Morgan and Taylor couldn’t get pass that. Ridge had always been synonymous sex yet it seemed that the more notorious the woman, the more he was attracted to her. It was clear that was the case with Brooke. Living with the ghost of Brooke was bad enough but living with the living memory of Ridge’s betrayal wasn’t something she could get past. She used to feel that she was the most desirable woman, smart and intelligent. How many times in all the past years did she turn down other men who made advantages to her? Taylor couldn’t help to think about Pierce, it truly was ironic that she was living in a home that had once belonged to him. Pierce had been everything that a woman could ask for in a man. He was kind, sensitive, handsome, rich and positive. When she had been working with Pierce, she had been doing everything that she had wanted to do. Her work had had meaning and he had bought out the best in her. She couldn’t help but to wonder what would have happened if she had taken Pierce up on his offer and had left Ridge back then. The nurse called Taylor’s name and she quickly called her daughters to come with her to go in for their checkup.



Eric looked in the mirror of his bathroom studying the weary looking man in his mirror... He hadn’t slept all night long, how could he after everything that had happened. He rubbed his chin which had almost a day old’s growth. His eyes looked bloodshot from the drinks that he had taken. His life had started to tailspin around him. Everything was falling apart. Stephanie was furious with him about allowing Caspian into the company. He couldn’t blame her for being mad; he had broken the cardinal rule and allowed a stranger to hold stock on the company. He had thought that it didn’t matter, it was only 15% and it would never amount to anything. Now, he owned less than that 15% of the company that he had built. Brooke owned most of everything and worse than that she was involved with Caspian. He wondered if his ex-wife had any idea of what kind of business that Caspian’s father and most likely Caspian was involved in. The man was dangerous and linked to Brooke and now his company. Eric cupped his head in his hands. What had he done? He had let down his wife and his children. Then, there was Bridget. Bridget was so young and impressionable and now she’d think that he had only wanted her because he had wanted his company back. There was more to it. Bridget was growing up and Brooke was going to allow Bridget to leave. He wasn’t ready for that. He still wanted to have a close loving relationship with her. But now that was impossible. Then there was Brooke, hell; he didn’t want to think about how his relationship with her would be changed forever. Eric splashed water on his face. He was tired. He was worn. He had nothing left to fight for.



Isabelle poured hot coffee into the cup and handed it to Rick. “You are feeling foolish at the moment.”
“You can’t blame me, can you?' You didn’t look like any body’s sister I know.”
Isabelle almost smiled. There was something about the young man that she liked; it was a strange. “Your mother is someone’s sister and I’m even sure that there are a few of your friends who’d say that she doesn’t look like someone’s mother.”
Rick laughed. “Well, that is true. But you have to admit, most people would have come to the same conclusion that I did. Besides you were so willing to explain what you were doing.”
“I live here, I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Rick almost shook his head. It was evident that they were brother and sister now; they had the same superior tone.
Amazingly, Isabelle softened her comment by her next one. ”Your devotion to your mother is evident. Clearly she is an amazing woman.”
“You’ve never met her?”
Isabelle shook her head. “No, I haven’t been formally introduced to her yet. But I’ve seen what being with her has done for my brother.”
“They haven’t known each other for a long time.”
Eve poured herself a cup of coffee. “Sometimes it doesn’t take forever however for Caspian, it certainly seems like that.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Caspian is an intense man, surely you can see that. He is very protective and yet capable of a great deal of loving. He hasn’t truly loved a woman in a long time. But your mother has changed that. My brother is happy and that is something he hasn’t been in a long time.” Isabelle was quiet for a moment. “That is why he had done all that he can to protect her. It is in his nature to protect what he loves. Your mother has had a life full of discord and often been the victim of the members of your family.”
Rick nodded. He thought about what he had learned about his father. “You know about what they did?”
“That they were trying to take your sister in order to get back their stock. Of course I do.”
Rick’s face became red with his anger. “I have to wonder what kind of father I have. Isabelle leaned forward. “I’ll tell you a little secret. I even helped Caspian help your mother.”
“How?”
“Now Rick, I can’t tell you all my secrets.” Isabelle stood. “I think that it is time for you to leave. I have a business meeting to go too. And you have work I presume.”
“You aren’t going to tell me how you helped my mother?”
“No. You aren’t ready.”
“I’m not a child.”
“I know that you aren’t. You see, a child would have run out the door to spread tales of what he saw, a woman in his mother’s lover’s home instead, as scared as you were, and we both know that you were scared, you confronted Caspian and told him when you didn’t believe him. You aren’t a child Rick Forrester.” Isabelle stared so hard a Rick that she thought that he could see straight into his soul. “You were willing to stand up to Caspian, knowing that you couldn’t beat him. Yet, your mother was that important to you. I respect that. I respect that a great deal.”
Rick watched Isabelle leave the room with all the regal barring of an empress. If Caspian was mysterious so was his sister. There was more than a hint of power behind between the both of them.



Stephanie and Jonathan had been going over the papers for the last half-of-an hour.
“I’m sorry Stephanie, but there is nothing that we can do. The judgment is binding and Brooke has custody.”
“I suggest you and Eric reapply for custody.”
“I told you that we can’t do that.”
“Why not Stephanie. You and Eric are the pillars of the community. You have raised a wonderful family and have created a respectable business. Brooke’s past relationships alone could cause a judge to grant you custody.”
Stephanie shook her head with frustration. If only Brooke didn’t have that CD, no one would blame her for Brooke’s attack. Going up against Brooke in court could hurt her reputation as well as tear her family apart. The bitch had her and she knew it. “Jonathan, I told you.”
“Then our hands are tied. Brooke isn’t a dummy Stephanie; she probably has already changed the stock agreement dealing with her children. With Eric losing 10% of your company, it isn’t looking good.” Jonathan put the files he was holding in his briefcase.

“There has got to be something that we could do about this man.”
“Stephanie based on what you’ve told me, his arrangement with Eric is legal.”
“It can’t be.”
“It is. Based on the copy of the contract that Sonny Deangleo had written, it is binding.”
“The man is dead and his son has said nothing for years.”
“It doesn’t matter, it is legal.”
“It can’t be. Do something!”
Jonathan’s head was pounding. He hated the fact that she wasn’t listening to him. He had known that their scheme to get Bridget was risky but he had never thought that there would be consequences like this. “Stephanie, my hands are tied.”
“I don’t want to hear anything about your hands being tied. Do something to stop this man or I’ll look for a new lawyer.”
Eric had been coming down the stairs when he had heard Stephanie’s remark. “That’s enough Stephanie.” Eric walked toward Jonathan. “I’m sorry, she doesn’t mean what she said, and she’s upset.”
“Don’t you dare apologize for me like I’m some sort of child. Not after what you’ve done. You caused this mess. You and your lies.”
“Not now Stephanie.”
“Why not? It is the truth. You allowed that bastard into our company! Hell, you allowed that bitch to work for us and you were to stupid idiot that let her work without of contract.” Stephanie balled her hand into a fist. “You make me sick. It is because of you that we don’t even own half of our company, that bitch does.” Stephanie paced angrily. “I don’t know what makes me angrier. That fact that you allowed some man to get 10% of our stock for the fact that you don’t want to do a damn thing about it.”
“I can’t. It wouldn’t matter.”
“You are such a weakling. You won’t fight for a damn thing. Only a sniveling idiot would go to a person they don’t know to get money. We could have gotten another loan…”
“Stephanie.”
“Shut up! Don’t you dare speak when I’m talking? I’m not finished. We could have gone to my family for more money, instead you soiled our company with the money of a man who has done god knows what. Do you think that I’m stupid Eric? This man who gave you money wasn’t squeaky clean. He was into something. I had a gut feeling that you know what he was involved in.”
There was no way that he’d tell her the truth, it would only worry her more.”
“I don’t know.”
“You are lying. I can see that you are lying.”
Eric felt tightness in his chest. “Stephanie, I know that you are upset and you have every right to be but there is nothing that we can do. What is done is done.”
“What’s done is done? There is no way that this is done. Look at what Brooke has done to our company. She had taken our image of elegance, beauty and grace and turned it into a fashion house of sex and scandal. Now she has this man, this thug in our company and you want to do nothing. Her lover owns stock in our company and you plan to do nothing.”
“What in the hell do you think that I can do! I can’t do a thing.” Eric grasped Stephanie by her forearms. “I know that you are upset about Caspian being a stockholder but we can’t do anything about it. I made a big mistake but it is legal.” Eric sighed. “Honey I wish that there was something that I can do but I can’t. Fighting Caspian will only make matters worse.”
Stephanie pulled herself out of Eric’s grasp. “Get off me.” She looked at Eric with disgust. “You are responsible for all of this. That whore is ruining our names and owns our company because of you. And now Caspian Deangleo owns stock in our company. You opened the door for that to happen. What in the hell happened to you? You had a dream and not that dream is destroyed because you couldn’t keep it in your pants. You let the whore in and we are all paying for it. Looking at you disgust me. You used to be a man Eric, but now you are nothing but weakling.” Stephanie stormed out the front door leaving Eric shaken. Jonathan, who had witnessed the tirade, didn’t know what to say. In all of his years, he had never witnessed a fight between Stephanie and Eric like this one.
“Eric.” Jonathan stopped when he saw the pain in his friend’s eyes.
“Not now Jonathan. I just want to be alone. Please just leave.”
“She didn’t mean it, she’s just upset.”
“No…she meant it. She blames me for everything that happened with Brooke. I don’t think that this is something that she’ll get over in a while.”



Brooke leaned back against her chair deep in thought. Her conversation with Connor earlier laid heavily on her mind. Connor had asked her all sorts of questions about Caspian and she had done her best to answer them. Truthfully, some things she couldn’t answer and it had worried Connor. Maybe. Brooke knew that Caspian owned MicoTech but he had only owned that company for the last few years. Before then, what had Caspian been doing? Then there was his ability to know so many things about people including her. She knew that he was powerful but why? Owning a billion-dollar company didn’t make you as powerful as that, something else did. But what? Brooke had so many questions that she wanted to have answer to and she’d get them. But she would take her time when asking questions because there were things about him that she knew. She knew that he loved his sister and regretted the horrible things that happened to her. She knew that family was just as important to him as it was to her. Most importantly, she knew that she loved it. Loving Caspian was different than loving Thorne or even loving Ridge had been. In a way it was much more intense and not just because of the sex. Sexually they were magnetic with one another, she who was either the aggressor with Thorne or equally partnered with Ridge was neither was Caspian. He was so intense at time that it thrilled her and aroused her to a point that there were times that she couldn’t think. Yet, it was the times that they weren’t making love that touched her the most. It was the way that he looked at her as if she was the most important thing in his life. She knew he could be so strong yet at the same time infinitely gentle with her. She remembered vaguely how he had carried her out of that garage the night that she had been raped; it had been as if her pain had been her pain as well. She loved the fact that when he got angry he swore in a mixture of Italian, French and English. She loved the way that his eyes would find hers when they entered the same room. She loved the way that he would hold her body close to his and tell her stories of his father. She loved the way that he’d sit and listen to her talk about her children and her childhood. She came first with Caspian, not second. Never had she had that with any man. The bond between them was so strong that they didn’t need words at times to communicate; all they needed was each other.

{Flashback}
Brooke lay on her back naked as Caspian’s naked body was brushed up against hers. His mouth lay at her breast. He murmured words in Italian against them. Every whisper caused warm air to brush against her nipples. The sensation of the air with his wet kiss on the globes of her tanned breast was maddeningly arousing. Caspian’s strong hand trailed down her back toward her butt. He gently squeezed her butt and pulled her body closer to his. Brooke’s eyes closed as sensation of sensual bliss assaulted her. Caspian lifted his head from her breast to study her face. Brooke opened her eyes and saw pure love in his dark pools. “What were you saying?”
Caspian repeated the words again in his native tongue. “I was telling you that you’ve ensnared my heart and my soul.” Brooke smiled. “I will telling you that never in my life except for one time had I been as so enraptured with any woman.” Caspian lowered his head and took an aching nipple into his mouth. Brooke mouth opened and a cry escaped as his mouth suckled and feed from her breast. “I love you…” He murmured. Brooke caressed his head bringing it closer to her breast while her thighs parted. Caspian painstakingly moved his mouth from her one breast to the other. He took his time kissing around the nipple while talking. His hand cupped the back of her back and pulled her closer to him. “At times when I’m in business meeting…all I can think about is loving you. I want to be inside your hot moisture that I ache.” His tongue darted across her nipple. “But it is more than just that. I want to see your smile. I want to hear you laughter. I want to watch you sleep. Never has a woman made me ache the way that you do.” His mouth moved down from her breast toward her rib cage, his teeth gently scored her ribs. Brooke’s body was on fire. His mouth spanned her stomach. His tongue dipped inside her navel. His hands spread her thighs. His fingers moved in between them. He felt the slippery essence that was between them has his mouth kissed to trail of soft hair that covered her warm heat. Laying his face in her soft blonde thatch of hair, he inhaled her scent. His nose rubbed painfully against her and her body ached. “You smell so sweet. I wish I could bottle you scent. His fingers deeply parted her nether lips and slide inside of her. Brooke arched off the bed.
“Oh god…”
His fingers slid further inside of her. “Shhh…you don’t want to wake Bridget.” He slid another finger inside of her aching heat. “You are going to have to be very, very quiet…especially when I do this.” Caspian’s mouth kissed her heat genteelly. He raised his head to look up at her aroused filled eyes. “Did you know that your eyes changed into a greenish gray color when you are ready to climax?” His mouth lowered again to her heat. Before a thought could pass through her head, his tongue touched her nub rubbing against it causing shards of infinite pleasure to illuminate her body. His mouth kissed her and then he took suckled her nub into his mouth. Brooke body became wetter with desire as he mouth milked out of her essence, his tongue stroked and suckled and his fingers moved in and out of her heat. She knew she couldn’t cry out which only heightened her pleasure. Brooke closed her eyes as sensation after sensation assaulted her until a hard wave hit her body causing it to shake and her muscles to clinch his invading fingers. Caspian’s mouth and fingers never left her body, instead they stayed with her until the last of the powerful climax ended and she was left as a mass of exhaustion. Brooke breast rose and fell with her breath and her limbs felt like jelly. Caspian slid his fingers from her body and then bent to lick her essence off his fingers. “You taste delicious.”
Watching him only aroused her more. Caspian laid his head on her stomach and they lay like that for what seemed to be hours although it was not. Brooke caressed his hair.
“Tell me about her.”
Caspian lifted his head. “Who?”
“Your wife, Lark. Tell me about her.”
Caspian trailed his fingers up and down her stomach, “She was so everything that I wasn’t. She was young, fresh and beautiful. That day on her bike, when I saw her. I knew that I wanted her.” He smiled. “I overwhelmed her. I knew it. But I had never met someone so gentle before. I at first thought that sooner or later my feelings would fade but it didn’t. She tried to make me a better man.”
“Do you think that she would have liked me?” Brooke said shyly. Caspian’s fingers stopped their movements. He looked away for a moment. Brooke sat up. “What’s wrong?” He looked back at her and there were tears in his eyes.
“She would have liked you.”
“I sound so different from her.”
“You are in many ways. You are strong Brooke where Lark wasn’t. But the way you were with your children is the way that she was.” Caspian caressed Brooke’s cheek. “At first when I met you. When I saw you. I saw her.”
“Because we both had blonde hair and hazel eyes.” Brooke asked as she threaded her fingers with his.”
“Yes, because you looked so similar. But once I got to know you, it was no longer because of that. I don’t want you to think that I love you because of that. You and Lark are two different women and I loved you differently.”
“You don’t have apologize for loving her, she was your wife. You loved her deeply.”
“I did. For such a long time she was the most important thing in my life.” Caspian’s fingers traveled up her stomach. “I want you to know, no matter how much you may look similar to Lark, I love you for who you are.”
“You really are silly, don’t you know that I know that? After everything that we have gone through how could I not know that you love me.”
“It isn’t that. One day you may question if I love you for who you really are. I want you to know that I do.”
“Caspian, I’d never question your love for me. From the moment we met, you’ve let me know how much I meant to you. You put me first. In front of everything in your life, you put me first.” Brooke cupped Caspian’s face. “I know that being here in American is affecting your business.”
“My company is doing fine. I told you that were are expanding our offices to L.A.”
“To be close to me?”
“That part of the reason. Moving an office to be near to you is nothing. For such a long time, business was a constant in my life. I had nothing but that, my work. But now I have something more. I have my relationship with you. It means everything to me. You mean everything to me. I’d move heaven and earth for you.”
{Fade back to present}

“Brooke? Brooke.”
Brooke looked up. She quickly brushed the tears that had spilled down her cheek.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, Megan. I’m fine. I was just caught up in memories.”
“About Thorne?”
“No.” Brooke sat up straight. “Why would you think that I’d be think that I’d be thinking about Thorne?”
“You are crying Brooke.”
“These were tears of happiness not sorrow.” Megan looked at Brooke as if she didn’t believe her.”
Brooke stood up. “I’m serious, I’m fine. I was thinking about Caspian.”
“The mystery man.”
“He isn’t a mystery Megan.”
“No to you but to everyone else.”
“You are starting to sound like Connor.”
“Well, we are worried.”
“You shouldn’t be. I’m a grown and I can make my own decisions. There isn’t anything to be worried about.”
“Brooke, you are in love with a man we don’t know anything about.”
“I know him Megan everything that I need to know. I also think that the more than you get to know him, the better you will feel about him.”
Megan smiled. “Well, he certainly is charming.”
“That he is. Megan, Bridget hasn’t called me has she?”
“No. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, its just. Last night when she saw Ridge and I hugging, she jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“You and Ridge were hugging?”
“Yes, but it was just a friendly hug. Bridget misunderstood.”
“She thought that you had rekindled your relationship, didn’t she?”
“Yes, we had to explain to her once again that nothing would come of our relationship. Needless to say that she wasn’t happy. Somehow I’ve got to get Bridget to let go of the notion of Ridge and I together.”
“I take it that she hasn’t met Caspian.”
“No. She hasn’t.”
“Brooke, you can’t let her find out from anyone else but you. Remember how she reacted to poor Grant. How about Thorne?”
“I know. I plan on telling her today. She needs to know about Eric as well.”
“That poor kid.”
“Can you see why I’m been trying to get in contact with her? But she isn’t answering her phone. I tried calling the professor that she was working with but I only got the answering machine.”
“Brooke, you had better find your daughter quick.” Megan sighed. “I hate to be the one to bring you bad news. But there are reporters outside.”
Brooke turned to look at Megan. “It isn’t about Bridget, is it?”
“No. It’s about Kimberly and Thorne’s marriage.”
“Well, let Thorne deal with it.”
“They want to talk to you.”
“Why? Thorne and I had already broken up.”
“Yes, but they want your reaction.”
“I have no reaction. What Thorne does is his business, not mine.”
“Brooke what do you want me to do?”
“Get rid of them.”



Taylor walked out of the doctor’s office holding Steffy’s hand when Phoebe pulled away from her mother and ran. “Phoebe, come back here…” Taylor’s voice trailed off when she saw who was standing at the end of the hallway. Morgan smiled down at Phoebe who come to hug her.
“Hi Phoebe, have you missed me? I want you to meet someone.” Morgan bent down to show Phoebe the sleeping baby in her arms. “Isn’t he beautiful? His name is Dylan.”
Taylor raced down the hall and pulled Phoebe away from Morgan. “Mommy.” Phoebe cried but Taylor ignored her. “You stay the hell away from my children.”
Morgan stood up. “Taylor. Listen I know that you are upset but Phoebe came running to me. Besides, isn’t it time that they met their brother.”
“Shut Up! Don’t you dare call your child their brother.”
“He is Taylor.”
“No, he isn’t. He is the product of all your lies and manipulations.”
“Taylor, I know what I did was wrong but I wanted a baby so badly.”
“So that makes what you did alright? You wanted a baby. I was the person who wanted to help you. I can’t believe that I left you into my home and called you my friend. The entire time all you wanted was my husband.”
“I don’t want Ridge.”
“You tricked him into sleeping with you. You used my father’s heart attack and a stupid e-mail to get him in the sack. What? The regular seduction act didn’t work!”
The baby in Morgan’s arms started to cry. Morgan shifted Dylan. “I don’t think that this is the place for this. You are upset and are upsetting my baby.” Morgan walked away.
Taylor was filled with anger, how dare that bitch walk away from her. Taylor raced after Morgan. “Don’t you dare, don’t you walk away from me.”
Morgan stopped. “This isn’t the place.”
“Why not? Are you afraid of a little bad publicity? You can’t be because you had no qualms of showing that awful videotape of you fu(king my husband.”
“I didn’t do that.”
“Yes, you did. You really are a nut. What did you think was going to happen when you showed that videotape. Did you think that Ridge was going to come back for seconds?”
“Taylor…”
“You whore! If you think that I’m going to let you and your little bastard of a son ruin my family you’ve got another thing coming.”
“How dare you call my son a bastard.”
“That is what he is.”
“And what was Thomas? You weren’t married to Ridge when he was born. In fact he was married to Brooke. You can say what you want about me but not my son. Ridge won’t stand for it.”
“Ridge won’t stand for it. How dare you bring up my husband.”
“I dare to because if you don’t watch it, you are going to ruin what is left of your marriage.”
“Don’t you dare talk about my marriage.”
“He is home Taylor. He wants a life with you and your children.”
“A home you tried to ruin.”
“He doesn’t want me. He is sorry and so am I.”
“You aren’t sorry. If you were, you would take your child and leave.”
Morgan straightened herself up. “I’m sorry Taylor, I’m not taking my child anywhere.”
Taylor and Morgan had been so involved in their conversation that they didn’t notice Charlie who had come up to them. “Maybe you should Morgan.”
Taylor turned toward the beautiful redhead in a striking red and cream striped blouse and matching red pants with a simple pair of red sling backs. “Who are you?”
The soft-spoken woman held out her hand. “I’m Charlene, but my friends call me Charlie. I’m Morgan’s sister. I assume that you are Ridge’s wife Taylor.” Taylor ignored the handshake.
“Listen I don’t care who you are as long as you take your sister and go.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Morgan, I think that you should. You can come to New York and work at any fashion house that you want. You could stay with me. You can stay at my place in Martha’s Vineyard if you don’t want to stay in the city. You’ve been doing enough with coma and all. Move away from this horrible town and away from Ridge.”
“I can’t believe that you are saying this. Dylan needs his father.”
“Dylan’s father has his own children to be concerned about. Listen to your sister. Take you bastard and go.” Taylor stormed back into the doctor’s office to get her children. An older African American woman who was sitting in the office frowned.
“You shouldn’t just leave your daughters like that. They were crying. What kind of mother are you?”
“Mind your own business.”
“Mind your own children. You left them. Don’t be mad because I was concerned enough to stop your children from crying.”
Taylor took Steffy and Phoebe’s hand and stormed out of the office past Morgan and her sister.”



Brooke sighed as she moved her body against Caspian’s in a passionate kiss. Caspian’s mouth trailed down her throat gently to find the crook in her neck. Brooke leaned her hips forward to find his arousal; she trapped it against his heat. His fingers found the buttons on her jacket. He slowly opened it to exposed Brooke’s breast encased in a nylon black bra. He could see her nipples through her bra. He leaned forward to take one of her nipples into his mouth. The buzzer sounded. Brooke pulled away from Caspian. She used her foot to push Caspian away. “Down boy.” She said playfully. Caspian pulled her up in his arms. “Stop… we have a business meeting.”
“Ahh…business.” Caspian put Brooke back down.
She straightened her jacket and buttoned it back up. “I think working together is going to be interesting but we really won’t be working together will we?”
Caspian toyed with a strand of Brooke’s hair. “Not really Forrester is running perfect with you at the helm.”
“And you’ll be busy with your own company.”
“I won’t be busy, just occupied. You know if you need me, I’m there.”
“That I already know.” Brooke said as she wrapped her arms around Caspian. “It’s nice to know that I can count on you.”

The boardroom was full of tension as the all of the Forrester stock members waited for their company’s CEO. Ridge and Thorne glared daggers at Caspian whose only reaction was an amused glance at them. Megan placed the meetings folders in front of each of the board members Brooke walked into the room. “Well, I see that we are still waiting for Eric. At this point I’m going to call the meeting to order, we will proceed without him, any objections.” Brooke looked pointedly at Stephanie. Stephanie made a face but said nothing. “Good.” Brooke said as she sat down and looked at Caspian for a moment before she started, things were looking up already for her, just having him sitting next to her with his support made coming to work all the more better. Thorne noticed the look between Brooke and Caspian and turned away. The last thing that he wanted was see Brooke at Caspian with heat in her eyes. Thorne couldn’t understand how all of this had happened. Less than two months ago he had everything. He and Brooke were planning to get married and now he was married to a girl whom he didn’t love nor could ever love. Thorne’s attention was bought back to Caspian. Where did he fit in all of this? Brooke had kept him a secret never saying a word about him. Could it be that Brooke had been telling the truth and she had been sleeping with Caspian when they were engaged? No, that couldn’t be true, he had been with Brooke in Paris and she had been extremely happy. True Caspian may have met Brooke in Paris and become enamored with her. Still it worried him a great deal that he had come to L.A just to be near her. Why? It made no sense. It also made no sense how fast Brooke had turned to this man; she acted like the life they had planned together had meant nothing. Thorne looked at Brooke again. His heart simply ached, she was so beautiful. Her golden eyes sparkled and her golden hair parted in the middle looked lovely against the sides of her face. The outfit that she wore, a blue pin striped suit looked as if it had been made for her. She had also created a sensual effect by wearing nothing under the jacket of her suit except for probably a laced bra. For a moment, her eyes found his but then she looked away looking back down at her agenda. Thorne felt another pair of eyes on him, Caspian’s. The man cold look infuriated Thorne, how dare he look at him as if he had no rights to look at Brooke at all. How dare he simply take his place in Brooke’s life leaving Thorne with nothing?



Olivia glanced down at her watch, Carlos was late and that wasn’t like him. Looking classically elegant in bronze silk blouse dress with a cuffed collar with her hair upswept to show off her elegant neck and bare arms she caught the eyes of a few attractive men. Long ago she’d be happy to cross her well-toned legs and get to know one of the gentlemen but that no longer suited her. Truthfully Olivia was starting to feel her age and worse than that, lonely. Her children were frequently on her mind, true they didn’t speak to her, but she felt comfortable not knowing where they were and what they were doing. She had heard they were in L.A, although she wasn’t nearly as powerful as she had been when she had been married to Sonny; she still had her connections when she needed something done. She hoped that her son had let this thing with Brooke Logan go although she knew deep in her heart, he hadn’t. Caspian was like a pitbull when he got an idea. She had hoped that he’d realize that Brooke wasn’t Lark, lose interest and move on but no such luck. Carlos made his way toward Olivia. “I’m sorry that I’m late, I had an emergency meeting.” He kissed Olivia on both cheeks and took her hands. “You look stunning as usual.”
“Thank you dear.” Olivia sat back down with such regal elegance that everyone who met her knew that she was a real lady.
“I’m sure that you didn’t call me just to tell you that you look wonderful.”
“Sorry. I’m calling you about my son. Carlos, you have got to tell me, is he still involving himself in Brooke Logan’s life?”
Carlos sighed. “Truthfully I don’t know but he may be. Based on what I’ve learned from Beth, Brooke and Thorne broke up.”
“Yes, I heard.” Olivia sipped some of her martini. “That worries me. My son can be most aggressive when he wants something or someone.”
“You aren’t the only one who is worried, so is Beth Logan.”
“Who could blame her, I know that she still blames Caspian for the death of Lark, besides she is afraid to death that her secret was going to come out.”
“I know. She is frightened. Do you think Caspian will tell Brooke?”
“At this point, I don’t think my son knows that Lark and Brooke are twin sisters, but sooner or later he will put the pieces together. If I did could find out the truth with some digging, god knows what he can do it as well.”
Carlos squeezed Olivia’s hand. “Do you think that if or when he finds out that Brooke and Lark were sisters that he will end his relationship with her?”
“No. If he is still involved with Brooke’s life then Caspian has become enamored with her. I know my son. He won’t let go.” Olivia smiled softly. “He gets that from me. The brooding he gets from his father. Carlos, I’ve got to find a way to stop all of this. In the end Caspian will be hurt because when Brooke finds out about her sister she will never think that he wanted her for himself. I can’t bear to watch my son suffer.”
“You love him a great deal don’t you?”
Olivia looked uncomfortable as she straightened her linen napkin in her lap. “I do. He is my son. I know that I haven’t been the best of mothers. I allowed my own love for a man to destroy my daughter and in turn, my son. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know. If I hadn’t been so caught up in my life, Bella would not be the way that she is and Caspian wouldn’t have gotten so involved with the life.” Olivia sighed. “My children hate me and I guess that I deserve it. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t protect them, I will. If I thought that there would be any chance for this love affair with Brooke to work, I’d be all for it. But I know that it won’t so I have to try to do my best to end it before it gets out of hand.” Carlos nodded. It was funny Beth and Olivia never met each other but they were both determined to keep their children away from each other. Carlos and Olivia continued to talk thinking of a way to deal with the problem of Brooke and Caspian, however when Carlos got up to leave he was so involved with his thoughts that he didn’t see a man get up from his table and follow him.



The nurse from the doctor’s office picked up the phone to make a phone call.
“Hello.”
“Yes, I just wanted to let you know that it worked out the way that you planned. I scheduled Mrs. Forrester’s and Ms. Dewitt’s doctor’s appointment at the same time, just as you asked.”
“They saw each other then?”
“Yes, they had a real big argument. Mrs. Forrester was very upset. She tore out of the office in a huff.”
“Good. Thank you. You will receive your money in an hour.” Isabelle hung up her cell phone.



Bridget was cleaning off paintbrushes. She had started taking a few art classes at UCLA. Although she wasn’t in college and still in high school, Eve had shown some of her work to an art professor and he had offered to work with Bridget. In turn she’d help him teach some art classes in some of the local and elementary school kids in a camp program. Bridget didn’t mind, she loved art as well as kids. Being with the kids for that morning had helped her forget about her problems for a while but only a short while. Everything was a mess. Ridge was back with Taylor. Thorne was having a baby with Kimberly. There was a knock on the door of the classroom. “Hey Bridget.”
Bridget turned around to see her friend Shannon.
“Shannon, what are you doing here?”
“Bridget, I think all that tanning and fun in the sun is getting to you. You told me all about your little summer job, I was wondering how it went.”
“Oh, it went find. The kids had a lot of fun.”
“Is that so? Then why is it that you look so sad?”
Bridget placed her foot to a stool and scooted onto a stool. “Where should I begin? Ridge and Taylor are back together.”
“Oh, she forgave him huh?”
“Of course she did.”
“Well Bridget, can you blame her? I mean she isn’t a fool to give all that up. A fantastic rich husband who is a total hottie, a big mansion in Beverly Hills and all those designer clothes. Who cares if he fu(ked some ex? Lord knows I forgiven Chad for having with that skank Lorrie.”
Bridget rolled her eyes. “I know. I can’t believe that you just forgave him.”
“Well Bridget, we all can’t be like you. With all your high moral standards and all, Chad is totally hot, besides, there weren’t having real sex, all he was doing was letting Lorrie give him a blow job.”
“And THAT doesn’t count? He had it d*ck down her throat. To me that IS worse.” Bridget said sarcastically.
“At least he didn’t videotape it. I mean, Ridge had a video made. And before you get all on your moral high ground Bridget, you’ve never had a boyfriend. You don’t know what it is like when you love somebody and they fu(k up. You don’t throw them away just because they make a mistake. I sorry to say this, but maybe if your mom had thought about that and never thrown Thorne away, Kimberly wouldn’t have gotten him.”
“How in the world do you know about Kimberly?”
“That’s easy. I just read the paper. Here.” Shannon handed Bridget the newspaper. Bridget read the article real quickly.
“Oh shit.”
“I know that you are upset that your brother is marrying that jerk. But I thought that you didn’t like Thorne.
“I don’t like the fact that he was sleeping with my mom but that didn’t mean that I didn’t like him. He doesn’t deserve to be tied to Kimberly. She nothing but a manipulative bitch.”
“She’s your sister-in-law.”
“Don’t remind me. My brothers all have weird choices when it comes to women they are married to. Rick marries Amber, the want-to-be singer who lied her way through every situation while kidnapping her own cousin’s baby to pass it off as her own. Then there is Taylor, the Beautiful One. A shrink with passive aggressive tendencies who is caught up with playing the victim that she can't see her husband was cheating. Now, there is Kimberly, a manipulative liar who’d stop at nothing to get what she wants.” Bridget threw the paper in the trash. “The little bitch was after him the whole time and she used me to get him.”
“Bridget what are you talking about?”
“Kimberly. She never was in love with Rick, I’m convinced of that. It was Thorne. She wanted him the entire time. I know that now, but there is nothing that I can do about it. She used me. And now, Thorne is stuck and that poor little baby is going to suffer.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. How did Kimberly use you?”
“I helped her, Shannon. There isn’t anyway I can tell anyone what I did but there is someone who can.” Bridget put the paintbrushes back and picked up her backpack.
“Listen I’ve got to go.”
“Bridget, where are you off to.”
“I’m going to find the only person who could help me.”



Some of the tension in the stockholder’s meeting had lessened as the meeting had been proceeding; yet Eric was till nowhere to be seen. “Now that we have dealt with the matter dealing with International, I want to look at another matter pertaining to the Princess Line.”
“What matter?” Ridge said with confusion on his face.
“If you take a look at the projections in front of you, you’ll see that the line is steadily declining and that we are losing money.”
“Why? I’ve seen the designs, they are classic.” Kristen said as she looked at the demographics.
“It isn’t a problem with the designs. They are beautiful with the trademark classic style that Forrester gowns have but in the new millennium women have changed. Younger women aren’t interested in looking like princesses instead they want to look alluring and sensual. The Princess Line isn’t what they are looking for anymore.” The board members took in the information that Brooke had given them.
“Brooke may be right.” Thorne stated. “The Princess Line doesn’t seem to be making as much money as the other lines. It very well may have to do with the other options of clothing available.”
“I had my business team to go over the financial records of this company.”
“When?” Ridge asked Caspian with annoyance.
Caspian ignored Ridge as if he hadn’t spoken. “Although most of your promotions are catered to Brooke’s Bedroom, the Men’s Line and now the WOW Line, the profits from Brooke’s Bedroom and the projections for the WOW line shows that the line will be more than successful. However, your campaign for the Princess Line is costing you money. You simply aren’t even coming close to making nearly as much money on the Princess Line as you’ve made in other lines.”
“Caspian is right. We are losing money. After listening to suggestions from the department heads and giving it some thought, I think that it would be best to cancel the line.”
“Cancel the line? Are you nuts?”
“Stephanie, you need to calm down and listen. We are losing money.”
“That line is classic Forrester. But I don’t expect you to understand what classic means. It is just like you to cancel a line that deals with the vision of Eric’s. It underhanded for you to even suggests this when he isn’t here.”
“Well that certainly isn’t my fault is it Stephanie. There was no way that I was going to know that Eric wouldn’t be coming to this meeting.” Brooke said in her defense.
“Mother if the line is losing money it makes no sense to continue it.” Thorne added.
“There is no sense. Of course you’d side with her. Are you an idiot? She wants to get rid of one of our signature lines and replace it with that trashy WOW line.”
“That line isn’t trashy Stephanie. That line represents the new sensual quality that women have. Women like to look elegant and the couture line will satisfy. But the WOW line to satisfy the women who want to look equally as sexy. Younger women will most likely order from the WOW line and for the ones you want something classic they can order for the couture line.”
Kristen studied the figures. “Brooke do you think that maybe starting a new campaign would help?”
“No, I don’t think that it will.”
Stephanie threw her folder down on the table. “You really are slick don’t you? This is clearly your way of erasing Kimberly’s influence on this company.”
“I don’t have to erase anything because Kimberly doesn’t influence a damn thing around here.”
“She was the lead model for the Princess Line. First you fired Kimberly and now you plan on getting rid of a classical line.”
“Brooke had every right to fire her Stephanie.” Caspian stated coolly. “She attacked Brooke right here in this building a couple of months ago. You can’t be foolish enough to think that Brooke should allow her to keep her job after what she has done.”
“That is Brooke’s story. I for one won’t believe that a sweet girl like her could have ever threatened Brooke. Brooke’s just jealous that Kimberly is married to Thorne. That is her real motivation, not some made up attack.”
Brooke bit her bottom lip at Stephanie’s comment, the woman still knew how to play the game and act like she didn’t know how deranged Kimberly was. Brooke folded her hands together. “Regardless of why Kimberly is fired, she is and she won’t be coming back to Forrester regardless of her marriage to Thorne.” Brooke sent Thorne a silent message.
“I’m quite sure that she has her hands full with school, marriage and now a new baby. Besides even if she were I don’t think that Princess Line image would be enhanced by a pregnant 19 year old girl, would it?”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. “You have got to be kidding me.” Her face scrunched up into a mask of hate causing her face to turn red. “Instead of a beautiful girl like Kimberly, you want people to think of some 20 year old stripper that you’ve hired to represent this company. My god! You are running our company and you are the biggest whore that world has ever seen!”
“Mother, stop it.” Kristen stated. “You’ve got to handle your anger.”
“No! I’m not going to stop it.” Stephanie stood. The pointed toward Brooke. “This SLUT has ruined our reputation in this business. Your father and I worked hard giving our blood, sweat and tears to make this company the success that it is. And she is doing her damnest to ruin our creditably” Stephanie put her hands on her hips and glared at Brooke. “You’ve gone through my family like a hooker on Friday night spreading your legs for my husband and my two sons! My god, I’m surprised that they haven’t picked up herpes from you.” Stephanie looked toward Caspian. “You had better get yourself checked out god known where she has been.”
Brooke’s eyes narrowed into a squint as Kristen gasped at her mother’s tirade Caspian’s eyes turned dark and he stood. “That’s enough!” He roared. “I told you before that I won’t have you talking to Brooke like that.”
“Sit down! I’m not afraid of you. You aren’t the first to defend the little bitch and you won’t be the last.”
“But that may be the last breath that you will you ever breathe if ever speak to her that way again.” When Stephanie opened her mouth he cut her off. “You had better heed my warning because you won’t get another one again. Don’t you ever talk about Brooke like that ever again or I promise you that you will live to regret it. You will suffer most painfully.”
Thorne stood. “You had better not be threatening my mother. I don’t agree with the way that mother has talked to Brooke however I won’t allow you to threaten her.”
“I’m not threatening her. I make a promise that I intend to keep. I keep my promises. Your mother will learn to hold her tongue.” Caspian pointed hard on the middle of Thorne’s chest. Thorne took a hold of Caspian’s finger with his hand and shoved it off of him.
Brooke stood quickly. “Stop it both of you. The last thing we need is another fight. Brooke touched Caspian on his wrist. “I know Stephanie’s comments are hateful but she is hateful…however I’m sure she will apologize for her comments about me. As CEO of Forrester, I’m sure that she would never make the mistake of disrespecting me in front of other board members regardless of her personal feelings toward me.” Brooke looked toward Stephanie. “So, I think that I’ll hear your apology now.”
Stephanie laughed. “Why should I apologize for speaking the truth?”
“Because if you don’t, then I’ll be forced to speak a few truths myself.” Brooke said with a threatening tone. Stephanie’s eyes looked at Brooke with rage. “Well then, I suggest you sit down.”
“Just who in the Sam Hell do you think that you are?”
“She’s the CEO.”
Stephanie tilted her head to the side. “The CEO. Well, we’ll see about that.” Stephanie walked to the mock up add for the WOW and Brooke’s Bedroom line that was on a tri board from the earlier presentations. She picked up the add of Brooke’s Bedroom. “This is what you are the CEO of, this smut! You have turned my family’s business into your own personal whore house for you and your trashy clothes.” Stephanie’s nose flared as she talked. “You think that you’ve won haven’t you?”
“I have. I think that you know it.” Brooke said confidentially.
“You haven’t won a thing little girl. You haven’t won a thing.” Stephanie headed toward Brooke and Ridge jumped up quickly to get in between the two women while Caspian held onto Brooke’s arm trying to move her so he would shield her. Brooke however shook off Caspian’s arm not willing to back down from Stephanie. “I’m going to make you pay. You best rest assured that this isn’t over.” Stephanie looked at Caspian.
“You and your newest lover had better watch out because your days are numbered.” Stephanie headed out of the conference room slamming the door behind her.
“Well,” Brooke said. “That was interesting. Now, can we continue with our business?”
“Brooke, are you alright?”
“I’m fine Caspian, I’m used to Stephanie’s tirade. She can get upset all she wants to it doesn’t change a thing.” Brooke addressed the others. “Now I know Stephanie’s objections and most likely Eric will object as well but how the rest of you feel about canceling the Princess Line? Ridge?”
Ridge sighed, these board meetings were becoming nothing but stressful battles.
“Although my father and mother are most likely to object, I have to agree with you Brooke, the line is costing us money. I vote to cancel it.”
“Kristen.”
“Well, I’m voting for myself and Felicia. I haven’t had much to do with the running of this company however I agree with Brooke. I vote to cancel.”
“Thorne.”
“I vote to cancel.”
“Caspian.”
“I agree with you. Financially it makes no sense to hold onto a line that is losing money.”
“Well, it seems that we agree. The Princess Line is officially canceled.” Brooke stated.
“I have one more pertinent matter to discuss.”
“There isn’t anything else on the agenda.” Kristen stated. “I’m not sure if any of us can deal with any more changes at the moment.”
“Well, Kristen, this matter has more or less to deal with you.”



Rebecca placed handed the customer his Irish Crème Coffee with his biscotti. When she turned to wait on Bridget. “Hey Bridget, what will it be, your usual?”
“No. Rebecca, I heard that your roommate is a girl name Honey who goes to school with my brother.”
“Yeah. At least she was.” Rebecca said as she wiped her hands on her apron.
“She was?”
“Honey is flighty at times. Anyway she just upped and left a month ago, I guess. No word or anything. She just left. It looked like she took some of her clothes and rolled out. She hasn’t even bothered to call me.”
“Wait, you haven’t heard from her. Isn’t that strange?”
“It might have been strange for anybody but Honey. This is just like her; sooner or later she’ll show up. When she does, I’m going to give it to her, if CJ hadn’t helped me along and given me extra hours, I’d be up a creek. Truthfully, I’m getting ready to get a new roommate. I just can’t afford the place by myself. Say, why are you looking for her?”
“Nothing. I just thought that she could do a favor for a friend of mine. Thanks.” Bridget walked away from counter. Honey had been the only other person who knew what Kimberly had been up too. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t tell her mother what she had done; she’d never forgive her. But, could she let Kimberly get away with all the lies. Kimberly had hated her mother and now she knew how much.



“What matter deals with me?” Kristen asked.
“It has to do with our lines. We are currently dealing with four lines. The Couture line, the Men’s Line, Brooke’s Bedroom and the WOW line. And we have three head designers.”
“I thought that we had Scott.”
“Scott is a wonderful designer with much promise but he is no head designer. He is still training under Eric under the Couture Line. Of course he will have his designs in the WOW line. But that doesn’t help the fact that we are understaffed as far as designers. With Morgan gone we are hurting and it is almost impossible to make our deadlines. We have got to get a new designer.”
“I hear that Franco is leaving Langley.” Ridge said.
“I’ve already looked into that with Ridge and he is starting his own company. Besides you two are a little too competitive with one another.”
“What about Sherrie Cheeks? I worked with her in New York. She free lances.” Kristen suggested.
“I’ve seen her work and it is good but I had someone else in mind.”
“Who?”
“You Kristen.”
“What?”
“Kristen, you are a fantastic designer. You have your father’s class and elegance but your own sense of flare. I’ve seen your work and I don’t see any reason for you not to work here.”
Kristen looked surprised. “Brooke I don’t…”
Brooke held up her hand. “Just hear me out. I know that you left L.A for personal reasons and that you’ve made a life in New York, but you own stock here. This is company is part of your heritage and we need you. You are talented. You know what looks beautiful on women and you are in your prime. Tell why are you free lancing for other companies when you could be working under your family name.”
“Brooke I appreciate your offer.”
“I haven’t begun to offer for you yet Kristen. You know that you’ll be paid most handsomely and of course be a head designer.”
Kristen looked at Ridge. “But Ridge and Dad…”
“Your father is head designer for the couture line. Ridge is the head designer for the Men’s Line and Brooke’s Bedroom and KC is the head designer for WOW. But I’ll admit that I’d like to have two head designers on the couture line.”
“You want me to replace my father?”
“No, I want you to work side by side with your father. Imagine working aside your father, you two creating the elegant signature dresses together.” Brooke stood. “When you were a little girl wasn’t always your dream to do that?” Kristen was speechless, truthfully it had been her dream but her mother had pushed for Ridge to be working with Eric and not her. Brooke looked around the room. “Gentlemen, if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish this conversation with Kristen alone.” Ridge, Thorne and Caspian stood.

Caspian looked at Brooke in awe, he was so proud of her. Brooke was a pure businesswoman. She wanted Kristen to work for them and he was sure that she’d get her. Never more did he think that Brooke was meant for him than he did at that moment. Brooke watched the men leave the conference room. “Good now I can be frank with you.”
“About what?”
“About your dream. Kristen for years I’ve watched you and your work. And I had to wonder what type of potential as a designer was squashed because of your mother’s obsession with Ridge. Your father was your mentor but not the kind of mentor that he could have been because of Stephanie’s insistence that Ridge be the heir of Forrester.”
“Brooke, I know that you know that I have issues with my mother.”
“And I’m not taking advantage of that. I wouldn’t do that because I’ve always cared for your Kristen. But I’m being honest. You left Forrester when it was your dream to be a designer and work beside your father. I’m not going to get into the real reason why you left because it is none of my business. But don’t you still want it? Don’t you still want to live your dream?”
“Come on Brooke aren’t you laying it on a little thick? At this moment you aren’t too thrilled with my father.”
“That is true, I could care less about Eric. He tried to burn me, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you. I do. But I also see the potential that this would have on the company. The design world are full of men and male designers, yes you have Vera Wang, Channel and so many talented other but when people think of Forrester, they think of Eric or Ridge.”
“Don’t forget you, they definitely think of you.”
Brooke smirked. “Well, yes they do. But don’t think of me with the design aspect of Forrester. I want to change the face of Forrester. Of course people should think of Eric, after all he did start this company but I want to think of more than just men. I want them to think of strong women designers and you are a strong woman designer as well as KC. Diversity is important. You and KC are different in style but still Forrester. You will represent female designer of classic Forrester Creations while KC will represent the newer face of Forrester.”
“I’m quite sure that my mother will like that.” Kristen said sarcastically. The newer face of Forrester being a black female designer and me?”
“As much as I know that your mother has certain prejudices, I truly don’t believe her aversion has anything to do with KC being black. You aren’t raciest and Ruthann is one of her closest friends, her aversion to KC has more to deal with the fact that KC was hired by me and that she is the head designer for the WOW line.”
“It is good the know that my mother isn't prejudice against race but she is about other things.”
“Are you really surprised? Look how she treats her children. No matter what she could say about me, I never put Rick above Bridget. I’ve seen how she treated you, Thorne and Felicia. I’m just sorry that you had to grow up with your mother favoring Ridge above the rest of you.”
“Don’t be sorry Brooke I’m used to it.”
“She’s the reason that you stay away isn’t she?”
Kristen walked toward the windows looking down at the drive below. “My mother does have a way of making me uncomfortable. But she isn’t the only thing keeping me from living here. I have a life in New York.”
“I know that you do, Kristen.”
Kristen turned to face Brooke. “I just can’t pick up and leave New York. What about Sam? We have life there.”
“But isn’t Sam a free lance photographer who is continent hopping a great deal. Would it matter where your home is if Sam is gone a great deal?”
“But it does matter. We make decisions together, I can’t make this decision alone.”
“I’m not saying that you should. I don’t want to do anything that would cause problems in your relationship. However you need to think that maybe you could have it all. Your dream to work with your father and your relationship with Sam right here in L.A. Just give it some thought.”
“You have changed a great deal.”
“What?”
“You really are a savvy business woman aren’t you?”
“I’ve learned to become one.”
“I see why this company has made the money that it has underneath you.”
“Just consider my offer.”
“Brooke I will but I want you to consider something.”
“What?”
“Consider taking it easy on my brother.”
“Kristen…”
“Please Brooke. Think about what you know what Thorne. Doesn’t all of this seem strange to you? He loved you so much, it makes no sense that he’s slept with Kimberly all of a sudden.”
“I know that Kimberly is an manipulative bitch but it doesn’t take much for figure out sex. Thorne had sex with her because she was young and beautiful. There isn’t much to figure out.”
“How about the fact that he married her out of the blue.”
“She’s pregnant Kristen. She had a scare and he married her. Listen, I want you here. If helping Thorne through this difficult matter is something in which you want to do, that is fine but don’t expect me to help.”
“But I need you help. You know more about Kimberly.”
“Kristen, I don’t want to talk about Kimberly. If you want to ask someone about her, ask your mother, she is chummy with Kimberly.”
“He doesn’t deserve to be married to someone he doesn’t love.”
“He should have thought about that when he was fu(king her. Now if you don’t mind, this discussion about Thorne is over.”



Charlie handed Morgan the bottle. “You need to check to make sure that it isn’t too hot.”
Morgan snatched the bottle. “I know how to check to do that. After all I’m his mother, not you.”
“I know who you are Morgan. I also know that you need help.”
“That is what the nanny that Ridge hired is for. Now if you don’t mind, why don’t you get on the phone and book a flight home?”
“I’m not leaving you. You need my help. You are still suffering from the effects from the coma.”
“Help? You called what you did with Taylor Forrester today help? That woman talked about my son and called him a bastard and you suggest that I move.”
“I was trying to defuse the situation. She was upset and she had every right to.”
“Oh, the precious Taylor is right and again I’m wrong.”
“You cheated with her husband. You expect me to say that you are right do what you did? Taylor wasn’t right to talk about Dylan but she has a right to her pain.” Charlie laid a perfectly manicured hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “But she is right, you’ll never find peace here.”
“I’m not going to take my son away from his father. Ridge loves Dylan.”
“And you think that he is going to love you?”
Morgan looked stunned by Charlie’s suggestion. “No of course not.” She looked away.
“I don’t believe you Morgan. You are falling into that trap again. A life with Ridge Forrester was over. He doesn’t love you. Ridge isn’t worthy of you.”
“Don’t! Don’t talk about Ridge. You know what, I’m wondering why you are really here. You’ve always been jealous of me. Ridge was in your class but I was the one who got him. I’m the one who had his baby and you are jealous. Jealous that you will never have your own baby growing inside of you.” Morgan spat.
Charlie looked at if she had been slapped. “You still can be hurtful, can’t you Morgan.”
She put the tee-towel down and left Morgan. She didn’t want her sister to see the tears in her eyes. It wasn’t the comment about Ridge that had bothered with her but the one about having a baby.



Stephanie looked at the different pictures in the photo album. It clearly depicted the earlier years when she and Eric had first started the company. Stephanie cupped her hand over her forehead and shook her head. “How? How in the world did this happen?” Tears filled her eyes. “My life’s work. Eric life’s work. It is going to be ruined. All ruined because of that whore.” Stephanie placed the photo album down. “Well, I’m not going to let you get away with this Brooke. I’ll see you dead first.”

 

Chapter 79 (The Fight)
Brooke opened the front door to her home, it was already getting dark outside and she was just getting home though she had planned to get home earlier. Today, like yesterday had been a long day. She had announced during a press conference earlier that day that the Princess Line would be canceled. Reporters, however seemed to be more interested in her opinion of Thorne and Kimberly’s marriage, some had even asked if she had canceled the line because of the marriage. Brooke had quickly denied that allegation and had moved the focus on upcoming premiere fashion show for WOW. Within a close to a month and a half, there would a fashion show for this campaign and that alone was causing them to burn the midnight oil, that and the fact Eric was still missing. Just like he had been absent during yesterday’s meeting, Eric was missing today as well. In fact, Ridge, had to split Eric’s duties with Brooke to stay on course and that meant that he would be working to late to design. Brooke felt a twinge of guilt about Eric, he had to be taking the news of losing more of the company hard but she quickly pushed the guilt aside. Eric should have thought about the pain that he was willing to cause their daughter. Bridget was another concern that Brooke had.
Yesterday, over dinner she had told Bridget that her father had wanted her to come live with him and had even gone to court to see if he could get custody of Bridget. Bridget, who seemed already to be heavily occupied with her own thoughts had not taken the news well, however Brooke explained that she and Eric had come to an agreement and she would be staying with Brooke forever. Bridget had asked why Eric had all of a sudden wanted to have custody of her. Brooke could never hurt her daughter by telling Bridget the truth, had lied and said that Eric was just feeling lonely because Bridget was growing up fast. Bridget has remarked that if he wanted to be her father he should at least be willing to spend some time with her. She has also asked Brooke if she had wanted her to leave? This alarmed Brooke, she spent so much time reassuring her that she would never want her to leave. Brooke had told her daughter that she loved her and Rick more than anything and it would have killed her if Eric had taken Bridget away. Bridget, picked up on things easily wondered if Eric could have taken away from Brooke. Although Brooke had explained that her colored past might not sit well with some judges, she had been a good mother and the judge had ruled in Brooke’s favor. Brooke had also tried to lessen the blow of everything by telling Bridget not to be too hard on Eric; he was just upset that Bridget might be leaving for Paris if she got into the art Institute. She didn’t mention how underhanded Eric and Stephanie had been in the zest to wrench Bridget away from her, no matter what Bridget would always be protected from the truth. After yesterday and seeing how upset Bridget was Brooke decided not to tell her about Caspian until today. Brooke just hoped that Bridget would take the news much better than she had taken the news of Thorne and her together. Yet, the dinner tonight was important to Brooke for more than just letting Bridget know about him, it was for Bridget. Her daughter was hurting and Brooke knew part of it was because she finally understood that Ridge and her were never going to get back together. Brooke wanted to help ease the pain that she saw inside of her daughter. Brooke quickly undressed out of her metallic gray dress and heels, took a hot shower pulled on a comfortable pair of snug boot cut black stretch pants Bridget had bought her from Express and a black silk blouse that neckline exposed a hint of her breast. Spraying herself with a dash of Channel Number 5 and sliding on a pair of shiny black shoe boots with a tall square heel from Enzo that finished off by brushing her long hair so if fell around her face. Brooke headed down to her kitchen, poured herself some red wine and started making a dinner of chicken breast smothered with mushroom sauce with wild rice and broccoli. With the melodic tune of Duke Ellenton playing in the kitchen she started on dinner. Brooke had sautéed the chicken and it was chopping the rest of the mushrooms when she felt arms wrap around her in a quick hug. Rick peered over her smelling in the fragrance of the simmering chicken.
“Mmmm, something smells good.” Rick picked an uncooked mushroom and popped it into his mouth. When he reached for another, Brooke smacked his hands with a brown wooden spoon.
“If you keep eating all the mushrooms there won’t be any left for dinner.” Brooke put the chopped mushroom on top of the chicken bubbling in its delicious smelling sauce. Once finished, she placed the dish back into the oven to cook. “So, why don’t you tell me what you are doing here?”
“What? I can’t have dinner with my mother?”
“Oh course you can honey, but you spend most of your time with Eve. Not that I’m complaining.”
Rick grinned stretching in his dark green sweater from Banana Republic and tan colored kakis. “Eve is working tonight.”
“I figured as much.” Brooke nodded at the cabinet. “You can set the table while dinner is finishing.”
Rick disappeared out into the living room and started to set the table. Needing a little music, he placed OutKast’s latest CD in the component. He played, “The Whole World Loves It When You Are Falling Down on.” Brooke walked into the living room.
“Hey, that is blaring out my Duke.”
“Mom, this is OutKast. I think that you’d like this song…after all it should be your theme song.”
“Why is that?”
“Just listen.”
Brooke listened to the refrain of the song.

The whole world loves it when you are going down…
And the whole world loves it when you in the new.
The whole world loves it when you sing the blues…

Brooke couldn’t help to burst out laughing. “Oh god, you are right.”
“Come on mom, lets dance.” Rick pulled his mom into his arms. Brooke laughed as her son created a dance floor in the middle of her living room. Brooke started to move to the music moving her hips and snapping her fingers while Rick danced. Bridget was heading to the front door when she heard the sounds of OutKast playing.
“Rick, mom is going to kill you when she hears you blasting music like that.” She said to herself. Bridget was shocked to find her mother dancing in the middle of the living room with her hands over her head while her brother danced as well. “What in the world?”
Brooke laughed. “Come on Bridget, your brother and I are dancing join us.”
Bridget shook her head. “No.” Although she was laughing at seeing her mother and her brother.”
“Come on Budge.” Rick ran toward her and picked her up in his arms carrying her onto the floor. Brooke watched with delight as her children danced. Seeing them happy made her heart smile. It had been a long time since she saw her children laughing with one another. It amazed her that not too long before she was scared to death of losing both of her children and now they were both home where they belonged.



Roberto Keys was a long-standing friend of Caspian. He hadn’t gotten a chance to see his Italian friend that much in the last couple of years. He was surprised that his friend had not only taken up residence in L.A but had moved one of his offices for Micro Tech here.
“When will the offices be finished?”
“By the end of the week. Earlier today I finished a deal with Summer Set, I’m buying them out. Most of their employees will work for the L.A office.”
“Smooth business move.”
“I’m sure that the take over will be on CNN tonight.”
“Of course, you will keep your name out of it.”
“Yes. I like for my ownership of MicroTech to still stay private.”
“How much of this move have to do with Brooke Logan Forrester?”
“A great deal. She lives here. I want be with her.”
“I have to tell you that I’m surprised. She is different than the women that I’ve seen you with all these years. Very beautiful and from what I can see a great businesswoman. She must have good influence on you. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen you this relaxed, ever.”
“She has that effect on me.”
“Well, good. Maybe my wife can stop trying to fix you up every time we see you. Although I may say, she may not think that Brooke Forrester is good enough for you. She reads the tabloids.” Caspian wondered what Minnie, Roberto’s wife would say he she knew that he used to be involved with the mafia. Brooke was more than good enough for him.
“Tell Minnie that Brooke certainly is good enough for me and that she shouldn’t believe everything that she reads or sees.”
Roberto laughed. “I’ve tried to tell her that but you know how she can be. I think that she had her eye on you for her sister. But I kept telling her that you were ruined for women.” Roberto had never met Lark, Caspian’s wife, but he had seen the longing in Caspian’s eyes when he talked about her. Maybe his relationship with Brooke Forrester was going to be a good thing after all. “Well, it doesn’t matter if Minnie disapproves. I’m thrilled that you will at least be spending more time in L.A and I’m very happy that you’ve finally fallen in love after all these years.”



Bridget watched her mother as she laughed and talked with Rick over the delicious dinner that she had cooked. Her mother was smiling again and it did her heart warm to see that she was happy. Last night her mother had told her how her father had wanted her to move in with him. Bridget didn’t understand it at all; her father had never said anything about wanting her to come live with him, yet he tried to do that. Didn’t he understand that no matter what happened nor how upset that she had been with her mother’s involvement with Thorne, she would never want to live with anyone but her. No matter what happened, Bridget’s family was Brooke and Rick…and Ridge. Bridget’s stomach ached a bit. No, she had to remember that Ridge was no longer a part of that family. Her family was Brooke and Rick. Brooke sipped some of her wine when she noticed a sad look on her daughter’s face.
“Honey, are you alright?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. I was just looking at you and Rick. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile. Not since you and Thorne.”
The smile disappeared from Brooke’s face. “Well, that situation was difficult for everyone including Thorne.”
“Mom, I hope that you aren’t defending him.” Rick balled up the napkin and threw it on the table. “He had no right to do to you what he did. The entire time he was defending Kimberly he was sleeping with her.”
“Rick...”
“No, don’t make excuses for him. I really believed that he loved and would do right by you.”
“He made a mistake and now he has to pay for them. Being married to Kimberly is punishment enough.” Brooke said dryly.
“Well, I for one feel sorry for that kid of hers. Kimberly isn’t ready for motherhood; she is too vain and calculating. How in the world is she going to take care of a baby? Man, I’m just can’t believe it. The entire time she was saying no to me she was giving it up to Thorne. All she would ever do for me was…”
“Rick! That is enough, your sister.”
“Come on mom, Bridget isn’t stupid. Let’s not treat her like she is.”
Bridget looked away guiltily. The one thing she knew was that Kimberly and Thorne hadn’t been carrying on an affair. It was because of the night that she had set Thorne up that this had happened. A baby. That hadn’t been what she had wanted to happen.
“Mom, Rick is right, I’m not all that innocent.”
Brooke put down her fork. “What do you mean by that?”
Bridget saw the look on her mother and her brother’s faces. “Oh, no it isn’t what I meant. I’m still…I mean I haven’t…ever…” Bridget blushed.
Brooke blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank god. Bridget it is just that you are so young. I want you to wait till you are older and in love. And most importantly in a real relationship.”
“Listen to mom Bridget, she is right.”
“Oh, this coming from the guy who knocked up Amber his first time because he didn’t put a condom on.”
“I made a mistake.”
“A mistake that could have cost you your life.” Brooke said solemnly.
“Mom…”
”Don’t mom me. I know that I haven’t always been a best role model for you too but in this day and age I want you two to be careful, especially you Rick. Now I know that you are having sex with Eve. I want you to be careful you are both young and in love but neither of you are ready to be parents or ready to deal with an STD.”
Rick turned red. “I can’t believe that you are discussing this.”
“I’m your mother. I can discuss anything with you.” Brooke said with authority.
“Really? Well I hope that you are giving yourself the same speech. You are still able to get pregnant you know. And by the way that Caspian looks at you, you could be pregnant soon enough.”
“Rick!” Brooke stood up and her eyes narrowed. “That is enough.”
Rick looked sheepishly at his mother. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to you. I’m sorry.”
“What is Rick talking about?” Bridget asked. “Who is Caspian?”
Rick looked at his mother. “I thought that you told her.”
“No. I didn’t get a chance yet.”
“A chance to tell me what? And who is Caspian?”
Brooke looked at Rick. “Thanks a lot. I was going to tell her after dinner.”
“Tell me what?”
“Bridget, honey, there is a new man in my life.”
“A new man?”
“Yes, his name is Caspian.” Brooke took a deep breath. “And I’m in love with him.”

Bridget took in everything that her mother had told her. She almost couldn’t believe it. Her mother was involved with a new man. A man who wasn’t Ridge. A man who wasn’t Thorne or a Forrester. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how she felt about the entire thing. Her mother had moved on from Thorne to this Caspian man so quickly it boggled her mind. How did this happen? Brooke looked at Bridget waiting for some sign from her. “Do you have anything to say?”
“No. Well, is he the reason that you and Ridge aren’t…” Bridget got up from the table. “Never mind. I know that you and Ridge aren’t going to get back together. But are you sure about this new involvement. I thought that you loved Thorne.”
“I did. In fact a part of me will always love Thorne even though he has caused me pain.”
“So how can you be in love with this man?”
Brooke took Bridget’s hands in hers. “I know that this seems strange. It is strange to me how all of it happened. Meeting Caspian and falling in love with him it’s been a whirlwind. I know that you probably have a great deal of questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.”
“Are you going to marry him?”
“Marriage? Bridget…no. We aren’t ready for something like that. I’m just happy being with him.”
“Are you sure that this isn’t a rebound?”
“I know that it seems like it but no. From the moment we met there was something between us. I tried to ignore it. I can’t explain it to you but this isn’t a rebound.”
Bridget ran her hand through her flowing hair. “Mom, listen. You just ended an engagement and now you are telling me that you have a new lover uhhh, a boyfriend. It kinda sounds crazy.”
Brooke nodded. “I know that it does. But before you object, just give Caspian a chance.”
Bridget looked at Rick then back at her mother’s hopeful look. “Okay, I’ll give him a chance but one thing.”
“What?”
“What kind of name is Caspian?”
Brooke looked at her daughter and laughed. She pulled her into her arms and smiled. “I love you Bridget.”
“I love you mom.” Bridget said with true conviction.

Rick knocked on his sister’s bedroom. “Come in.” Rick opened the door to find his sister. She had changed her clothes and was wearing a pair of tight light blue jeans bell bottom and a beautiful lilac blouse made of a sheer material with long flowing sleeves that looked like sleeves ribbons attached to a train of a princess’s gown. The blouse had a long semi train on the side right side of it that flowed down toward her right knee. At the bottom on her bell bottoms there was faded color of purple that matched her blouse. Bridget’s hair was twisted up and she wore of touch of pink lip-gloss and a touch of purple colored glitter eye shadow.
“Wow, Budge you look great.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out with my friends.”
Rick gave his sister a disbelieving look. “I’ve never seen you take that much care with your looks to go out with your friends. So, who is the lucky fella?”
“None of your business.”
“Okay, I’ll let it go for now.” Rick sat down on Bridget’s bed. “So, what do you really think of mom’s announcement?”
Bridget sighed. “I think that this is going to be another disaster. Another failed relationship, don’t you?”
“To tell you the truth, before I met Caspian, I would have said yes but now I’m not too sure.”
“Rick, we don’t know this man. Now all of a sudden she no longer is in love with Thorne.”
“Do you want her with Thorne? My god, you were against it from the start. What is going on?”
“Nothing. I’m just wondering about this man. Do you believe that she really is in love with him? I can’t believe that you didn’t tell me about him.” Bridget said as she threw a stuffed animal at him.
“Hey, you just got back the other day. And I’ve been busy. And to answer your question, I’m not sure.”
“Rick.”
“I’m not sure. She says that she is and when I saw them together they were very close.”
“What he like?”
“Bridget, I will say that he is nothing like anyone mom has gone out with before. He is powerful and I’m telling you, he is crazy about mom.”
“Powerful? What do you mean by that?”
“I really can’t explain it. But there is something about him. He just seems to elude power and money. Maybe it is because he is Italian or something but it is almost like he has the old world quality about him.”
“He’s Italian?”
“Yes.”
Bridget sat down on her bed. “How does she feel about him?”
“Can’t you tell? Look how comfortable and relaxed she was at dinner. When was the last time that you saw her like that?”
“I know. She did seem happy.”
“And with everything going on too.”
“Are you talking about dad wanting custody of me?”
“That is part of it.”
“Why do you think that he did that Rick? I mean after all these years, why would he want me to come live with him?”
Rick shook his head. “I don’t know Bridget. What did mom say?”
“She said something about him being lonely and upset about my maybe going to Paris, but I’m not sure that is it.”
“Don’t dwell on it. Mom took care of it.”
“How? Mom doesn’t have the best image so how did she take care of it?”
Rick wondered that himself. “I’m not sure but I do know that Caspian helped her.”
“He did? How?”
“I think that he got mom this killer lawyer or something.”
“But I thought Connor was her lawyer.”
“He is but he was out of the country with KC. Hey, don’t worry everything is settled and the judge ruled in favor of mom. I don’t even think the reporters got wind of it so no harm, no foul.”
“Is that why dad wasn’t at work yesterday? I heard mom talking.”
“That’s only part of it. I think that he is pretty pissed that mom got to keep you.” Rick frowned. “I however don’t feel sorry for dad, he used an underhanded ploy.”
“What underhanded ploy?”
“Ahh, it nothing. He just didn’t tell mom that he wanted you. He basically ambushed her.”
Bridget shook her head. “I don’t know what is going on with him. He used to be happy and now he isn’t.”
“Well, he certainly isn’t happy now.”
“Because of mom and me?”
“Yes, and because according to mom, he lost some of Forrester.”
“What?”
“From what I gathered, mom newest lover, Caspian, has accrued 10% of Forrester.”
“How did that happen?”
“Apparently, dad went to Caspian’s father when he was starting Forrester and borrowed money from him, in exchange he receive Forrester stock and now Caspian has come to claim it.”
“Boy, you miss one week around here and everything changes.”
“I know what you mean.” Rick was silent for a moment. “Budge, do you want to tell me what is bothering you?”
“Nothing is bothering me besides the usual. I guess that I’m a little disappointed that mom and Ridge didn’t get back together. And now I find out that mom has a new boyfriend.”
“No. It is something more.”
Thorne’s image in Kimberly’s bed flashed in Bridget’s mind. “No. It’s nothing. It’s nothing that I can change at the moment.”

Brooke put the last dish away when Rick came into the kitchen and looked in the fridge.
“You just ate around an hour ago, don’t tell me that you are still hungry.”
“Hey, I’m a growing boy.”
“Sure you are. Just make sure that you use a paper plate, I distinctly remember how hard I had to get a certain teenager to wash his dishes.”
“Hey, it wasn’t always me. It was…”
“Bridget.” Brooke cut him off. “I know.” Brooke poured herself a glass of wine and headed out toward the living room. Rick followed her eating some chocolate chip cookies. “She was excited about going out tonight. She really looked beautiful didn’t she?”
“Yes. Budge is growing up.”
“I have a feeling that there is a boy involved somewhere.”
“You do?”
Brooke smiled. “You think that I don’t notice things but I do. Bridget should be dating.”
“You aren’t going to give her the third degree about who she is seeing.”
“Not yet. I’m going to let Bridget come to me. Besides, I’ll be keeping a close eye on her. Besides whoever it is, it can’t be serious since she’s hasn’t said anything.”
“Speaking of relationships. Where is Caspian tonight?”
“He is having dinner with an old friend of his. Why?”
“No reason, I just find him interesting. I had breakfast with him yesterday.”
This surprised Brooke. “I didn’t know that? How did that happen?”
“I went to his condo to see him. We talked.”
“About what?”
“You for the most part. I wanted to know what his intentions toward you were.”
“Rick, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“The hell I should have mom. Listen, Caspian is involved with you. I have every right to find out more about him. What he wants, what makes him tick and most especially gauge whether or not if I can trust him? You are my mother and I love you. I just wanted to make sure that you are with someone who isn’t going to hurt you, after all you’ve enough pain.”
Brooke didn’t know what to say, her soon seemed to be maturing. “It is my job to protect you.”
Rick kissed his mother on her cheek. “You’ve done a great job of doing that. It is my turn. I just wish that I had been there to protect you from dad and Stephanie. They had no right to try to steal Bridget from you and they certainly had no right to try to use Bridget as a means of getting their stock back.”
The color drained out of Brooke’s face. “How did you know? My god, does Bridget know that? Tell me that you didn’t tell your sister that.” Brooke gripped Rick’s shoulders in fear.
“Mom, don’t worry. I would never tell Bridget that.”
“How did you find out?” Rick didn’t answer Brooke’s question. She became annoyed.
“Rick, answer me. How did you find out?”
“It doesn’t matter how I found out, it only matters that I did.”
“Don’t you dare take that kind of tone with me. I asked you a question and you better damn well answer it.”
Rick sighed. “I found out from Caspian.”
Brooke’s mouth dropped open. “Caspian? He told you?”
“Yes but…”
Brooke cut Rick’s statement off. “This is just like him. I told him that I’d handle telling you but he went and did it any way in his typical fashion.
Rick felt guilty after all he was the one who has pressured Caspian. “Listen, mom it was my fault. I knew that there was more to the story about dad wanting Bridget than you were willing to tell me. I was the one who pressured Caspian to tell me the truth.”
Brooke laughed sarcastically. “Let me tell you something about Caspian, no one can get him to do something that he doesn’t want to do. You didn’t pressure him at all, he told you because he wanted to tell you. Plain and simple.” Brooke stood. “And if he thinks that he is going to get away with it him, he has another thing coming. I may love him but doesn’t give him the right to interfere.” At that moment, the doorbell rang. Rick was sorry that he had told him mother the truth because he thought that Caspian had done the right thing. Heading to the door, he wasn’t surprised to find Caspian standing on the other side.
“Hello Rick.”
“Hey…” Rick looked back at his mother who was standing with her arms crossed over her breast in a defiant motion. “Yeah. Listen, I’m sorry.”
“You are sorry. About what?”
“You’ll find out.” Rick allowed Caspian in and then turned toward his mother. “I’ll talk to you later, don’t be too hard on him.” Rick headed out the door.
Caspian didn’t understand what Rick was talking about. He headed over to Brooke for a kiss and was surprised when she turned her head away from his lips. Her noted her posture along with the look upon her face, he recognized that look. “Do you want to tell me what this is about?”
“What are you talking about?”
Caspian rubbed Brooke’s arms gently. “You are upset about something. Did something happen at work today?”
“Yes something happened at work but that isn’t anything new. However…” Brooke pulled out of Caspian’s arms. “You are right, I’m upset…no I’m more than upset, I’m furious at you.”
Caspian was confused what had happened to upset Brooke so? “Furious about what?”
“Your interference. How could you? How could you tell my son about Eric?”
“Brooke…”
“No! You knew that I wanted to tell my son in my own good time and in my own way. I didn’t even get a chance to do that because you told him the truth. I just want to know who in the hell do you think that you are undermining my authority as his mother.”

“I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority.”
“Just what do you think that you were doing.”
“Telling that boy the truth.”
“It wasn’t YOUR business to tell him a thing.” Brooke said agitated as she pushed her fingers in through her hair. Her eyes squinted. “My god, what if Bridget found out?”
“Rick would never tell her that.”
“That isn’t the point. The point it that I’m his mother and I decide what he should know. I hadn’t even decided if I were going to tell him the truth.”
“He needed to know.”
“Well, it is nice to know that you are the last word when dealing with my children.”
“Brooke…” Caspian reached out toward her.
“No! Don’t touch me.” Brooke had fire in her eyes. Even now when she was angry with him he was able to arouse her. His scent filled her nostrils and encased her lungs. He looked sexy as hell in his own Italian cut black silk shirt and tight black jeans. Brooke noted that they almost matched. His top three buttons were open and she could see his freshly tanned skin. Skin that looked tantalizing to her eyes and made her mouth water. God, even know she wanted to taste him. NO! Brooke screamed in her head. She had to remember that she was mad at hell as him. If she let him come near her, they’d end up in her bed.
Caspian couldn’t believe that she had pulled away from him. “I can’t believe that you are this upset.”
“No you couldn’t because you didn’t think. I told you before that there are certain things that I won’t allow to happen in my life. I won’t allow you to interfere when it comes to my children. EVER.”
Caspian’s eyes narrowed when Brooke yelled at him. “You weren’t going to tell him, where you?”
“This isn’t what this is about. This is about you making decisions for me.”
“No. This is about the fact that you want your son to stay ignorant of the things that his father is capable of. Brooke, Rick isn’t a child anymore. He is a man. Let him start acting like one. How can he protect you if he is ignorant of the situation? He had to be told.”
“His job isn’t to protect me. It is my job to protect him. I’m his mother.”
“But you are cuddling him. You aren’t allowing him to be a man. If you persist in protecting him all the time he won’t ever grow. Surely see what a mother’s interference has done to Ridge.”
Brooke reacted like she had been slapped. “Are you comparing me to that monster?”
“No. You know that isn’t what I meant.”
“Yes it is. You are comparing me that the overbearing bitch. Just because I may have decided to protect my son…”
“It isn’t may have. If you were really going to tell Rick the truth, you wouldn’t be pissed that I told him.”
“You still don’t get it, do you? This is about you!” Brooke yelled. “I won’t any man in my life interfere with them, even you! DO you understand? They are MY children. You had no right.”
Caspian’s face became dark. “So. I’m supposed to sit down and shut up?”
“When it comes to my children. Yes.” Caspian erupted a long expiate in Italian so fast that Brooke didn’t understand but a smidgen of when he was saying. “Speak English.”
“I won’t do that. I’m not some lapdog that you can tell what to do. I am a man.”
“And I’m a woman. A mother. You won’t interfere with my children, do you understand?”
They were at an impasse. Both thought the other was wrong. Brooke was furious at having her wishes be ignored. Caspian was irate that she would take a stand as to shut him out. After a minute of silence Caspian finally spoke.
“You are wrong about this Brooke. Rick needs to have role model, a man to look up too. Surely you see that it isn’t his father. The boy is brave and wants to protect you. He asked me to tell him the truth. I did. Don’t expect me to feel sorry that I did. He wants to protect you…just like I do.”
“It isn’t his job to protect me, nor is it yours.”
“I love you. Of course it is my job to protect you.”
“No it isn’t. You need to understand that. You had better understand whom you are with. I’m not some simpering hot house flower that you need to guard over.”
“I never thought that. I know that you are strong and more than competent. I’ve seen what you have done in business and how you have protected your children all these years.”
“Well, this isn’t business. Maybe if it had been I’d react a little differently. But you undermined my authority as a parent. And you still don’t get the fact that you were wrong.”
“He had a right to know the truth.” Caspian said stubbornly.
“It was my decision. I won’t allow you to control me. I won’t allow you to interfere in the decisions that I’ve made for my children. No now. Not ever. If you can’t accept that than…”
Caspian froze. “What in the hell are you saying?”
Brooke swallowed with difficulty since there were tears lodged stinging her eyes. “I think that you should leave.”
Caspian looked like she had stuck him. Brooke turned away. “Don’t do this. Don’t turn this into something it isn’t. We just have a difference of opinion.”
“I’m not turning into anything. I just don’t want either of us to say something that we might regret.”
“I wouldn’t say anything that I regret. I meant everything that I said.” Caspian walked till he stood directly behind Brooke. “I love you but I will be honest about how I feel. I think that your efforts to protect your children are commendable but there comes a time when you have to cut the strings. You have to let Rick stand on his own and know who he is really related to. Don’t forget that he could have been used so easily as well if he had been underage.” Caspian sighed. “What will happen to Rick if he isn’t aware that he had family members who use him?” Caspian gently ran his fingers through the back of Brooke’s hair. “In my life, I’ve loved two women. The first I didn’t protect enough so she suffered. The second, I protected too much until she tried to leave me. She died…leaving me so broken. I’m trying my best to find of medium of protecting you and allowing you the freedom that you need…” Caspian kissed the top of Brooke’s head. Brooke didn’t turn around to face him yet a tear rolled down her face. He needed to understand that when it came to her children, she’d always make the decisions. Caspian sighed again and then quietly left. Brooke heard the door close behind him as more tears fell down her face.

Brooke brushed another fallen tear away from her eyes. Crying wouldn’t help the matter. She hadn’t meant for things to get out of hand the way that they did but he refused to listen. She did love the way that he protected her and made her feel safe but she was capable of standing up for her self. She had to know that she could always depend on herself regardless of anything. Hell, she understood that his culture and way of life were different. They had grown up so differently. Yet, they were going to have to deal with the differences in order to make the relationship work, however her children were an issue that she would never compromise on. She had screwed up so many things in her life. She couldn’t take the chances when it comes to her children. Why couldn’t Caspian see that? She loved him. Hearing him leave almost tore her heart out but she had to take a stand. Caspian had to know that her decisions about her children were final.



Caspian sat in at the counter of the hotel bar sipping brandy. The last thing that he wanted to do was to go home alone, truthfully he had needed someone to talk to. His argument with Brooke had disturbed him. He didn’t understand how something like telling Rick the truth had blown up into such a big argument. Rick was a good young man who wanted to be there for him mother. No matter what, the head of the family protected them. Hell even though he couldn’t stand Olivia, he made sure that she had a home, her bills were paid and she was safe. He had grown up with that code and now Brooke wanted him to stop. God, didn’t she understand that he was trying. It was hard to stand back and allow others to mistreat her. Yesterday’s meeting had bothered him. He hadn’t liked the way that Stephanie Forrester had talked to Brooke but he stood back and let Brooke handle things. She was strong and capable and he respected her for that. He didn’t think that she was some hot house flower at all but that didn’t mean that he wanted her hurt. He was all for allowing her to fight her battles but that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t support her. Caspian sipped the rest of his drink. He knew that he could be controlling and even possessive at time but he was certainly doing his best to let go. He certainly wasn’t the same man who had married Lark. He had mellowed. He had changed his life so he wouldn’t have to be that man anymore.

[Flashback]
Lark stood in the middle of their spacious bedroom wearing a turquoise blue satin nightgown with thin straps when Caspian entered the bedroom. His heart filled with love at the sight of her. He quickly moved to kiss her but she pulled away. He frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“You know what is wrong. I asked you not to interfere but as usual you don’t even listen to me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The writing seminar. I wanted to go.”
“Lark. I know that you wanted to go. I’m sorry.”
“You had no right to cancel my arrangements. I planned that trip for over a month.”
“That was before the war between the families had broken out. Baby, its isn’t safe.”
Caspian tried again to pull her into his arms and she wretched away.
“Don’t touch me. I want to know how long? How long am I going to be cooped up in this prison?”
Caspian face darkened. “It isn’t a prison. It is our home. You aren’t being cooped up you are being protected. As soon as an arrangement is made you’ll be able to do everything you want to. Little bird, I am so sorry.” Caspian took her hand and pressed it to his cheek.
“You could let me go Caspian if you wanted.”
“I could never take the chance that something could happen to you. If you were hurt or go forbid something more. I’d die.”
Lark saw the pain in Caspian’s eyes and knew that he was telling the truth yet it didn’t move her. It was always the same argument when it came to his interference. He didn’t see that his possessiveness was killing her. Maybe if it were just Caspian she could deal with it because she loved him but it was all the others. The bodyguards, the constant surveillance, the private meetings that he didn’t share with her. When she had married Caspian she had thought him to be the most romantic wonderful man in the world. He still was but not things were different. She was growing and maturing yet Caspian wasn’t allowing her to do so. She wanted to do things on her own. Hell, she wanted to have a chance to fail at something. It amazed her that he could be so protective to her when Isabelle was allowed to go and come as she pleased. Isabelle was the only person that she knew besides Grayson who could get away with trying to tell Caspian what to do. Hell, Isabelle scared her. Sometimes she felt as if she were under some sort of test with her and if she failed then she’d pay the price. Caspian’s happiness was paramount to Isabelle and nothing but that mattered. Lark looked at her husband. He was so handsome and good-looking. Other women wanted him. They would sometimes make it known right under her nose. They would look at her with hate when he wasn’t looking but secretively. They were afraid of her husband of his power and influence, just about everyone was. Lark smiled bitter sweetly. Little did they know of the man underneath of the power? He was gentle and kind. He was loving. But he was too much for Lark. If only they would leave this life, she could handle things so much better. He had made promises that he was moving in that direction of getting out of the family but in her heart she know that would never happen. Tears formed in Lark’s eyes. “Caspian, this seminar was something important to me. I’ll take the bodyguards with me or you can go but just give me this. Please...”
Caspian’s heart ached. “You know that I’d do it if I could but…I…I can’t take that chance. I have to protect you.” Tears fell down her face. “Please, Little Bird, don’t cry.” Caspian cupped her face with his hands. “You know I want you to be happy. I will make it up to you.”
“Caspian, I can’t live like this. We have to do something. You have to do something.”
“I’m working on it. Soon…I promise.” Caspian kissed Lark gently pulling her body close to his. He ached to have her. It had been so long since she had allowed him to touch her. His mouth gently trailed down the column of her neck when she pulled away.
“Lark...”
“No. I told you the last time.”
“What we did was natural. It isn’t anything to be ashamed of.”
“Maybe not for the whores that your friends see. But I’m your wife and a wife shouldn’t… A wife shouldn’t be expected to do those things.”
“I didn’t ask you to do something scandalous.”
“You don’t think that having sex against the wall of your office isn’t something scandalous?”
“No. Baby I wanted you. If you’d just let me show you.”
“My god Caspian. You were tearing at my panties like a mad man and you pushed my shirt up. You didn’t even try to undress you just opened you pants. It was disgusting.”
“No Lark. It was passion. I wanted to make love to my wife. I just want to taste you. I didn’t mean you any disrespect.”
“You treated me like one of your whores. My god, why don’t you go to one of them when you want something like that?”
“What in the hell are you saying? Do you hear yourself! Damn it Lark. I’ve never once touched another woman since I fell in love with you and you damn well know it. For you to even suggest that I go to another woman for what I want from you is appalling. I’d never disrespect you or our love like that.”
Lark was ashamed; she knew that when other men were cheating Caspian wasn’t. He had always been appalled by his mother’s affair but she didn’t care, she wanted to hurt him like he was hurting her. She’d never tell me that the day in his office had thrilled her in a way. She wanted him just as well but she remembered what her mother had taught her about being a lady and wife. She wouldn’t allow Caspian to disrespect her by forcing his sexual appetites on her.
“Your associates do.”
“I’m not them.”
“Well, at this moment, I can’t tell the difference. Just like them, your protecting them is just a cover to control them. You love to control things, people and events. Well one day there will be something that YOU CAN’T CONTROL. I wonder what you are going to do then.” Lark turned to leave the room.
“Lark, where are you going?”
She sighed. “I have some writing to do although I won’t be making it to the seminar.”
“Don’t do this Lark. Don’t pull away from me.”
“Sex is that important?”
“This isn’t about sex. I spend an eternity never touching you and I’d still be happy to be near you. Emotionally you are pulling away from me.”
“You know why Caspian. You also know that you can change it if you really want to.”
[Fade back to present]

Caspian shook his head. Lark had tried to tell him but he hadn’t listened. He wasn’t the same man that he had been then. He wasn’t suffocating Brooke. He just didn’t understand what else he needed to do.
“Caspian?” He looked up to find Roberto. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes…No. I had an argument with Brooke.”
“About what?”
Caspian filled Roberto in on his argument. Roberto listened actively as his old friend told him about his trouble. Roberto shook his head. “Caspian. I think that you’ve spent too much time running your company that you have forgotten that you can’t run people the same way. You overstepped your bounds. You had no right to tell her son what she didn’t want him to know.”
“You are saying that I’m wrong?”
“Yes. Listen my friend. Your relationship with Brooke is new. Yet you made a decision about her child without consulting her. She has every right to be angry. She has been making those decisions for her children for years and here you come and undermine her decision.”
“Rick isn’t a young boy. He is in he is twenty. He asked me a question and I want to have an honest relationship with him. I like the young man.”
“You can like the young man. You can have a relationship with him but you can’t interfere with his mother’s wishes for him. At least not now.” Roberto grinned. “Brooke Logan must be one hell of a woman…I’d like to see her take you on.”
“It isn’t funny.”
“Ah, but it is. The only person whom I’ve ever seen get a rise out of you is Isabelle. I think that Brooke Logan is good for you. She’s making you human. Seriously Caspian, how would you like it if you had had a son and Brooke told your son something that you wished to keep secret?”
“How is he going to learn to be strong if she keep protecting him?”
“How is she going to be strong if you keep protecting her? It works both ways. Maybe you should listen to yourself? You have picked a woman who is capable of taking care of herself. She is powerful in her own right. You’ve dealt with someone like Isabelle, surely Brooke is easy to deal with compared to your sister.”
“In some ways she is harder to deal with.” Caspian said with honesty. “I’m not used to sitting on the sidelines and watching someone hurt the woman I love. I also feel that I’m right about Rick.”
“You may be Caspian but you were wrong about the ways you went about it. You should befriend Rick and maybe the young man needs a role model but there are certain decisions that you can’t make for him. You also can’t expect Brooke to let you take over. Tell me, if she would allow you to solve all of her problems, would you be happy?”
Caspian thought of the way that Brooke had been relentless in her pursuit of getting Kristen to work for her. It had thrilled him. With Brooke, he had a partner. Although his instincts screamed out to protect her, he knew she could handle herself. He liked that. “No. I wouldn’t be happy. I love her just the way that she is.”
“Then you and Brooke have to find a happy medium. I’m not saying that you should change Caspian but you have to listen to her. And when it comes to her children, you have to hold your tongue at times. When your relationship grows more, you may be allowed to have more influence but not now. I suggest you be there for Rick. Treat him like a man and show him how to protect his family but don’t cross the line when it comes to his mother.”



Rick found his mother sitting in the courtyard. He saw the look of sadness on her face when she looked up at him. “Boy, you must have had a big one, huh?”
“Rick. It was just an argument. We aren’t going to stop loving each other because of it.”
“That is good especially because you were wrong.”
Brooke was shocked. “What?”
“You were wrong.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
“No. I forgot my files on Forrester and came back around the back way to get it. I couldn’t help but to hear you.” Rick shook. “Damn, you let him have it.”
“He was wrong.”
“No he wasn’t. He was telling me the truth something you don’t always do.”
“Rick.”
“Mom, just listen. I know that you want to protect me but you can’t always do it. What Caspian did wasn’t the end of the world and it wasn’t meant to undermine me. He told me the truth about what my father did. I needed to know that. You made a promise to me when I came back to tell me the truth but once again your need to protect me became more important.” Rick took her hand. “You just can’t help it. It is who you are. You will always protect me and you’ll always forgive those who hurt you in the long run. That is why Caspian did the right thing. He is right. I need to learn to be a man. One who cares and protects his family. I’m not saying that he is the person that I need to learn from but so far from what I’ve seen of him. I like him. He doesn’t back down. He is strong and determined. I hate to say this but my father has become a weak man. He hides behind Stephanie doing what she wants him to do. He doesn’t seem capable of thinking for himself anymore. Do you really think that he would have gone after Bridget if it hadn’t been for her?”
“That isn’t the point.”
“Then what is it mom? Is what Caspian did really that bad?”
“The one time I allowed a man to interfere in my children’s lives you all were hurt.”
“Please don’t tell me that this is about Ridge.”
“I let him raise you and when he left, you both were hurt especially Bridget.”
“So, what are you saying? You don’t want Caspian to get close to me or Bridget?”
“No. That isn’t it. I want you to like him. I really do.” Brooke smiled through her tears. “He is wonderful and strong. Yet he was so gentle and loving at the same time. But he is stubborn and he knew that I didn’t want you to know.”
“So, he made the decision that you didn’t like. I respect him for it. He treated me like I was an adult and not a kid to protect.”
“You are my son.”
“Who is trying to be a man. Listen, I’m not saying that I totally trust Caspian. I don’t know him. But I would be willing to get to know him. And, if I can learn something from him, then I’m grateful. Don’t be mad at Caspian for respecting me.”
“He accused me of being like Stephanie.”
“He didn’t mean it. I think that you know that. Why don’t you tell me what is really bothering you?”
“I’m starting to need him.”
“And that is a bad thing?”
“He wants to protect me and I could so easily let him do it. All my life, I just wanted someone to protect me. Maybe it was because my father was gone when I was a kid. But for some strange reason I just wanted to be loved and protected. But every man that I’ve depended on has let me down. I love my father but for a long time he wasn’t there when I needed him. I thought that Ridge would be there and he let me down.”
“Thorne let you down too, didn’t he?”
Brooke brushed a tear that feels from her eyes. “Yes. I thought that I could depend on him but he ended up letting me down too. So I learned no matter how much I love someone to depend on myself.”
“Do you think that Caspian is going to do the same thing?
“Maybe a small part of me does. Truthfully it doesn’t have anything to do with him, it just my history with me. Unlike everyone else, Caspian has delivered. That is one of the reasons that I love him.”
“But you still gave him hell.”
“When it comes to you and Bridget I’d give everyone hell. It’s my job as a mother. One day, when Eric grows up, you’ll understand. No matter how old they get, you’ll still want to protect them.”
“But at some point and time I’ll have to let him go. You’ve done a good job with Bridget and me. Let me go and grow. And don’t be too hard on Caspian; he really did the right thing. You were never going to tell me. I’m glad that he did.”
“He interfered.”
“He loves you. He wants what is best for you. So he interfered. You would do the same thing.”
“No I wouldn’t.”
Rick grinned. “All I have to say is one word. Amber.”
“You can’t hold that against me. Besides, you didn’t listen. I tried to warn you.”
“I wish that I had. But then again. I wouldn’t have Eric.” Rick kissed his mother on her cheek. “But then again, you had to let me grow up. I think that you should give Caspian a call.”

Brooke couldn’t seem to concentrate on her work and had decided to leave it for the next day. Her mind kept replaying her argument with Caspian. Maybe Rick had been right; maybe she had been too hard on Caspian. Brooke decided that she needed to get out of the house. She threw on a short black leather jacket and picked up her car keys. Brooke drove around for a while before she ended up an ice-cream parlor not to far from her home. Brooke ordered herself a double fudge chocolate chip on a waffle cone. Brooke ate the cone in silence when she felt a distinct prickle on the back of her neck. Brooke looked up to find Caspian standing by the counter with his own ice-cream cone. He made his way over toward her. “Is that seat taken?”
“No.” Caspian sat down across from Brooke. “How in the world did you know where I was?”
“I didn’t. I went to a bar to get a drink. Had a long talk with Roberto and came here to get some ice-cream as a peace offering when I noticed you sitting there.”
“Are you sure that you don’t have someone following me?” Brooke asked with a grin.
“I’m sure.” Caspian ate some more of his ice-cream. “Listen about earlier. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t think that you would react as strongly as you did. I really didn’t see it as interfering. I just thought that Rick should know the truth.”
“So he could protect me.”
“Yes. I thought that Rick had been sheltered enough and he deserved to know the truth. But I should have asked you first. I’m so used to reacting and making decisions that I didn’t take into consideration how you would feel as a mother.”
“You still think that I should have told him.”
“Yes.”
“He agreed with you.”
“He did.”
“Yes. Rick caught the tail end of our argument He thought that you were right. He thinks that you were treating him like a man, something that I haven’t done. Just maybe he and you are right. Maybe I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did but you’ve got to understand why I did. My children are all that I have. I love them and I want them to be safe and happy. Telling Rick about Eric is something that I should have done.”
“But you think that it should have been your decision.”
“Yes. My decision, not yours.” Brooke took hold of Caspian’s hand. “I’m his mother. And I appreciate your support but in end decisions about my children have to rest with me. When Rick told me that he knew about Eric, I thought that you had overstepped your boundaries. After all you had only met Rick once and here you were telling him something that I should have told him.”
“I’m sorry that I upset you. That wasn’t my intention.”
“I know. I know that you’d never try to hurt me and that you want to protect me.”
“But I’m not allowing you to be yourself am I? I’ve got to learn to allow you to fight your own battles.” Caspian stroked his chin. “With Lark, she asked me to let go. Allow her to freedom to be herself. But I didn’t listen. All I wanted to do was to protect her. In the end, she resented it.”
“Caspian what were you protecting her from?”
“From my life. Back then I was involved in some business deals that weren’t always legal. I was starting out. I was a different man then. I gave up that life a long time ago. I made some mistakes and changed how I did business. I took the money that I had invested in Micro Tech, and put all my time into making it a money making company a success. I didn’t need to have that life again. I finally did what Lark had wanted me to; too bad it came after she died. It is ironic because of my need to protect her, she fell down those steps.” Brooke saw the pain in Caspian’s eyes clearly.
“The business that you were in involved in. Caspian, could it hurt you now. Is that why you worry so much?”
“No. That was a lifetime ago. My need to protect comes from my upbringing. My father taught me that when you love someone you see that they are safe.”
“He was important to you, wasn’t he?”
“Yes”
“He had a lot to do with your business back then.”
“I took over for my father.”
“You took on the responsibilities of your mother as well. Taking care of Isabelle.”
“You mean letting Isabelle down.”
“You didn’t let her down. You couldn’t have known what was going on.”
“That is why when I married Lark, I thought that if I tried my best that nothing or no one would ever hurt her. In the end, I did. I’m sorry if you think that I’m trying to control you. That was never my intention. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You aren’t going to lose me. I love you. I’m sorry too for what happened. I blew the entire thing out of proportion. You are right; Rick has a right to now about what his father did. He isn’t a little boy, he is a man. Or at least trying to be one.”
Caspian took Brooke’s hand and kissed it. “Come on. I want to take you some place special so we can finish talking.” They threw away their napkins and headed outside. Brooke was surprised when Caspian headed toward a black motorcycle.
“This is yours?”
“Yes”
“I just shocked. I never saw you as the type to have a motorcycle.”
Caspian winked at Brooke. “I’m full of surprises. Hop on.”
Brooke eyed the motorcycle with avid fascination. “What about my car?”
“We will come back to get it later. Or I can call someone to pick it up.”
Brooke hopped on the motorcycle. Caspian climbed on in front of her. Brooke wrapped her arms around Caspian’s waist as he started the motorcycle. The vibrations of the motorcycle between her thighs. Brooke laughed.
“Maybe I can see why so many people love being on this thing.”
“Hang on.” Caspian sped out of the drive down onto the street. Brooke held on tightly to Caspian as they sped up the highway toward their destination. She felt like a kid again with the wind blowing in her hair and face. She loved the feeling of wind blowing against her, the smell of Caspian’s cologne. Caspian felt Brooke’s arm tighten around him. “Am I going too fast?” He yelled over the motorcycle.
“Are you kidding? You can go faster. I’m having the time of my life.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Caspian increased the speed and they took off. Brooke had the time of her life. She squealed with delight as they raced down the road.

Finally after riding for what seemed like an hour. Caspian finally stopped and pulled the motorcycle off the road. Brooke looked around in awe, they were in the mountains and they were in a spot that allowed them to look down at the beautiful city lights down below. Brooke got off the motorcycle and she and Caspian held hands as they walked toward an unknown destination. They found a quiet spot on a slope of a hill where they sat. Caspian took her into his arms as they sat wrapping them around her. “Are you cold?”
Brooke shook her head. “Not with your arms around me.” Brooke looked up at Caspian.
“When you put your arms around me, I feel so safe. When I’m with you I feel like nothing can happen. And sometimes, that feeling scares me.”
“I don’t understand. Why would you be scared?”
“Because I’m depending on you for too much.”
Caspian caught Brooke’s chin with his finger lifting her face up toward his. “Why would you be afraid of that?”
“Because I have to be independent. That one thing that I’ve learned about my life is that I have to depend on myself and not anyone else. You make it so easy for me to lean on you but I can’t let you do that. That is why I was so upset about Rick, I felt that you were trying to take over.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
Brooke smiled gently. “I know you didn’t but that is how I felt. Besides I have to be careful with you. I didn’t watch it, you’d take over.”
“No I wouldn’t.”
Brooke laughed giving Caspian a disbelieving look. “Yes you would. But I’m not going to let you.” Brooke winked at Caspian. “I think that you need a woman who is going to keep you on your toes, not one who would be willing to let you take control of her life.”
“I think that you may be right. I love you just the way that you are. Strong and beautiful. Roberto helped me to see that.”
“He did?”
“Yes. He said that I was being pigheaded.”
“A man who said that to you. I think that I want to meet this friend of yours.”
“He did ask about having dinner at his home sometime soon. I think that it can be arranged.”
Brooke snuggled closer to Caspian. “What else did Roberto say?”
“He said that I shouldn’t think that I could come in and take control of your life. He is right. I will do my best to try to be supportive but allow you be strong on your own.”
“You won’t interfere with my children?”
“I’ll try not too.”
“Try huh? I guess that is something coming from you. Defender of the Universe.”
“No, defender of you.” He closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head. “You have nothing to be afraid of.” He said seriously.
“I’m afraid that I need you more and more and then one day, you’ll be gone.”
Caspian frowned. “Don’t ever be afraid of that. I’ll always be there for you.”
“When you say it like that, I believe you.”
Caspian pulled Brooke back against him. “Remember what I told you when you were confused about what to do about Bridget.”
“You told me to trust you. That your actions would prove yourself.”
“Have I let you down so far?”
“No. You haven’t. You’ve been there from the beginning. Every time I needed you. Brooke turned in Caspian’s arms. “You saved me.”
“And you, my love, save me.”
“Saved you? How?”
“You saved me from myself. When I met you. I began to live again.” Tears filled Brooke’s eyes and she met Caspian’s mouth for a long lingering kiss. Soon one kiss became another then another. Caspian grasped Brooke hips and lifted her so that she sat astride of him. Brooke pulled her head away from Caspian’s mouth. She felt his hard erection pressing against her between her legs. Brooke skimmed her hands down Caspian’s shirt and down his pants. Caspian felt desire rock throughout his shaft she Brooke’s hand found him hard and straining against his pants. Brooke stroked him through his pants. She licked her lips suggestively.
“You know what the best thing about fighting is don’t you?”
Caspian watched her as she unbuckled his pants and slid her hand inside his black underwear to find his hard pen*s. Brooke stroked him using her hands to move up and down his shaft toward the head of his shaft. Brooke smiled a devilish smile. “Look what I found here.”
Caspian pushed himself inside her hand. The sight of his large straining erection pushing against her small hand aroused him. “Now that you found what you are looking for what do you plan to do?”
“Anything that I want to.”
Caspian caressed her face. “I’m at your mercy. Whatever you want to do, you can.” Caspian leaned back against the soft ground. “We are all alone.” Caspian tucked his hands behind his head. “Just think of me as your slave.”
Brooke pulled open Caspian’s black shirt. “Anything I want… Mmmm interesting possibilities.” She said as she stroked his chest and scraped her fingernails against his nipples. Caspian closed his eyes at the sensation. Truthfully they should be in his condo or his yacht or even her bedroom but there was something stimulating about making love to Brooke in the woods with the night air all around them. Brooke looked down at the man she loved and having him at her mercy thrilled her. Brooke pulled on Caspian’s of hands from behind his back and brought his hands toward her aching breast. “Touch me.” Caspian cupped Brooke’s breast through the silk of her blouse, he used his thumbs to rub her nipples. Then he unbuttoned her blouse and opened the front open clasp of her breast. Her nipples were erect and full.
Brooke pressed her heat against his erection and murmured. “Not so fast. I want to take my time with you.” She brought his fingers up to her mouth and suckled it. Caspian felt blood rushing toward is pen*s. He had wandered what had she been thinking when she suckled his finger in such a sensual manner. He had erotic visions of her mouth suckling him, he being inside of her mouth, her giving him pleasure. She made her way down toward his thighs. She pulled his pants down and quickly took off the rest of his clothes. He watched her as she kicked off her socks, her pants and her blouse. She made her way back to him. Brooke leaned down and found his throat. She let her tongue sweep up against the slope of the warm flesh. Caspian closed his eyes and allowed himself to just feel. He felt her tongue move down toward his chest to taste his nipples. He felt her tongue nip at his nipple as her mouth slide lower. Her hand rubbed against him, her thumb used the wet essence to stimulate the tip of his shaft. Her mouth moved lower, her tongue traced his ribcage down toward his abs and finally dipped into his navel. “I love your body. I love how sexy you are.” Brooke murmured against his body. “Just looking at you makes me wet. I want you like I’ve never wanted any man.” Brooke continued her assault of his body. She moved down until she had her mouth hovering over top of his member. Caspian’s eyes watched her with dark desire and want. He wanted this. He wanted her mouth on him. She was every fantasy that he had every had. She lowered her head and traced the rim of his pen*s with her tongue. Caspian’s hands ached, his shaft ached, and his head ached. Brooke lifted her head and looked deep into his eyes before she lowered her head again. This time she took the entire head into her mouth. She suckled gently. Caspian groaned closing his eyes. She took more of him inside of her mouth. She felt powerful being able to reduce such a strong man into a mass of jelly all because of her mouth. She used her mouth to play upon him, she suckled and nipped and stroked. Caspian could do nothing but feel the ultimate pleasure that she bestowed onto him. He threw his head back against the grass, his neck corded, his member inside of her mouth and when he was ready to plunge over, he pulled her head away from him. Brooke lifted her head away and watched as his seed spilled on top of his flat stomach. Brooke used a tissue that she had in her jeans and wiped up his seed. Brooke quickly threw the tissue away and came back to Caspian.
“Brooke, that was more than I…”
“Shhh!” She covered his lips with a kiss. “The next time I won’t stop, I’ll have all of you.” She sat astride Caspian and pushed herself down on top of his member. She began to ride him hard. Seeing the look of passion and sensual pleasure. Caspian groaned with ultimate pleasure. She was so very wet, so very hot. It excited him to see her move up and down on top of his pen*s drowning of him with her wet essence. She kissed him with deep passionate kisses, tongues suckled and mated. Caspian moved harder inside of her. He didn’t move his hands like he wanted too in order to give her complete power and control but it was so damn good anyway. He closed his eyes as sweat dotted his brow; she pushed him to the point. He murmured against her licking lips and tongues. The rustle of clothes, his groans, her sighs, his breathe coming harder and harder. Her heat enveloping his shaft. Her legs gripped against his waist, harder and faster milking everything inside of him until…
“Oh fu(k…” He groaned as he pumped harder and he climaxed inside of her. Brooke cried out her thighs burning, the place between her legs aching as she climaxed and sensations after sensation hit her. Brooke collapsed against Caspian’s naked chest. She started to laugh.
“Of fu(k was right. That was one hell of a ride.”
Caspian enveloped her in his arms. “It sure was, you were magnificent. I’ll be your captive anytime. Maybe I’ll let you tie me up.”
Brooke lifted her head. “Tie you up. That has interesting possibilities.” She licked Caspian’s nipple. “Real interesting.
He closed his eyes and took in a seep breath of the salt pine air. “Life with you is more than interesting. I love seeing the world in your eyes.”

 

Chapter 80 (Reckoning)
Eric Forrester opened the door to the home that he had shared with Stephanie for so many years looking gaunt and tired. It almost seemed odd to be here after that last confrontation that Stephanie and he had. Not in all the years that they had together had be felt as useless as he had the last couple of days. He couldn’t believe that it had been Stephanie who had talked to him the way that she did but she did. He had seen the disgust in her eyes and it had almost killed him. Stephanie had lost all respect for him. Hell, he had lost respect for himself. Eric looked down at his attire; his shirt was wrinkled as if he had slept in the last two days as well as his pants. Eric threw his car keys on the coffee table before he headed to the open bar. Making a drink for himself of a tall glass of vodka, he thought about the look of horror on Stephanie’s face when she found out that he had lost more of their company. His company. His life’s blood. He had spent years building a company for his children. A company that he had loved running. Forrester had his name, his quality and his vision. But he had lost it. He had lost it all. He had had nothing left to give his children. His wife no longer respected him. And his children…well they were angry at him for trying to take Bridget from Brooke. Eric was disgusted with himself, it had been his feeling for Brooke that had caused all of this. His love her for had been the reason that he had offered her a job at Forrester all those years ago. His lust for her had been the thing to blind him to what he really had been doing. It had been lust, he had realized it. He had wanted Brooke to suffer for the pain that she had caused him. Eric rubbed his arm as he made his way toward different photos of his family behind the sofa. There was a picture of he and Stephanie from last summer with their children all around them. They had been happy. If only he could change things. If he could go back and change things he would but he couldn’t. He then touched a beautiful black and white photo of Bridget. She had always been a beautiful girl since the time that she had been born. Bridget was sweet and talented; she had obviously gotten her love of art from him. He loved his daughter and now that too was ruined. He could only image what Brooke had told Bridget about him. Eric had to go and talk to Bridget to at least let her see his side of what happened.



Ridge looked up from his sketch when there was a knock on his door. “Come in”. KC walked into the office with a sketch. “I made the changes that you wanted on this cocktail dress.” Although she was the main designer of the WOW line, she was working one or two designs for the couture line. Ridge took the sketch.
“Wow, thanks KC. As usual, you’ve done a fantastic job.”
“I do my best to try.”
“I know. I was watching television the other night. They showed Hallie Berry and she was where one of your dresses I heard. You are making a name for yourself.”
“Well, she’s a beautiful woman and talented actress. I can’t think of someone I’d rather have wear one of my dresses.”
“Speaking of beautiful ladies. You are looking quite lovely. Is that another one of yours?” KC turned around so Ridge could get a better look at her dress * {see reference http://store3.yimg.com/I/magazinecity_1682_3884749}. She wore a form fitting nude colored dress that matched her skin tone. The dress was essentially backless with two crossed straps that held at the shoulders of her bare arms. With a fresh hair cut and perfect makeup, KC looked priceless down do her manicures toes encased in a pair of Enzo high heeled strapless sandals. The dress was made of the finest material that it sculpted her petite body so well that although the neckline was all the way up to the base of her neck, it still held a sexual appeal especially with his draping hemline.
“It is something that I had the cutting room throws it together. Don’t worry, I had Thorne order the material and I paid for it.”
“No, I wasn’t worried about that. You can use whatever you want KC. Truthfully, I love it. Very simple line and with your body it is fabulous.” Ridge looked at the dress with critical eyes. “You have no body fat do you?”
“Not much. I take after my grandmother.”
Ridge turned KC around. “Not even a hint of a panty line. Even with this dress, a thong might cause a line. Are you wearing any underwear?”
“Now Ridge, asking that type of question might make Connor angry.”
Ridge grinned. “I’m asking from a designer standpoint. Not that you aren’t sexy. But I have had enough problems in the area of women.”
“Truthfully, I was having the same problem that you stated. You can’t wear a bra in this and any type of panty would show. So, I created an unseen thong like panty inside the dress. It is part of the dress so that is no line at all.”
“What material did you use?”
“I used the same material that the dress was made out of, silk.”
“Wow I never thought of that. Great idea.”
“You didn’t want to put the design in the line?”
“No. I didn’t think that it was daring enough. Besides, the effect is to look like it is part of your body; it has to match the skin tone exactly. We can’t do that if we well it. Besides the panty that I used has to have exact measurement. It’s too bad, I like this dress.”
“So do I. Although I do have another design that I’m not going to use that I think would be perfect for Taylor.”
At the mention of his wife’s name, Ridge face changed. “Taylor…”
“Things aren’t getting any better?”
“No. Yesterday she and the kids ran into Morgan and Dylan.”
“Oh…that didn’t go well.”
“No it didn’t. She came home upset. Not that I don’t blame her. Last night I went and blasted Morgan. I don’t know why she’d have Dylan’s pediatrician be the same doctor as my other children.”
“What did she say?”
“She gave me some garbage about not knowing. But I’m not sure. She says that she wants the best for our son.”
“And how do you feel about it?”
“I love my son. I want the best for him. You know, I didn’t want him. I never planned to have a baby with Morgan. I wasn’t thrilled at all by the prospect of having another child but now that he is here I love him.”
“This thing is really eating you up isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You have to understand Taylor’s position. She loves you. You had this relationship with Morgan and now there is a child. She’s bitter.”
“I know that but I was hoping that we could work it out. We are already seeing someone for the children, I thought that we could see someone and maybe work out this mess but she doesn’t want too. It seems all that she wants to do is to hold on to hate. Taylor wasn’t always like this. No matter what, she has always been kind and understanding.”
“But she’s human. She’s not perfect. You have to remember.”
“I do but its just….” Ridge trailed off. “Listen, you’ve got plans with Connor. I don’t want to hold you up.”
“Actually, I’m not meeting Connor. I have dinner with a friend of mine Alex Perez. We are not going to meet until another hour. Why don’t you come with me? You need a break. We can have a couple of drinks and maybe split an appetizer or something. But most importantly, we need to talk.” Ridge thought of declining for a moment but he realized that he hadn’t really talked to anyone in a while. Brooke was busy with her own problems and his mother wasn’t objective when it came to Taylor.
“All right. I’ll follow you in my car. Where are you eating?”
“At Zenith. I hear the food is great.”
KC smiled at Ridge took her arm and they headed out of the door.



Scott finished eating the last of his egg roll as Trudie used chopsticks to finish off her Hungarian vegetables. She looked vanguard in her latest outfit* {see reference http://www.vibe.com/new/magazine/) . She wore a mauve colored Japanese kimono like top with red, mauve and blue flowers in silk that ended at her waist and a pair of cut off blue jean shorts with a fringe. With her long legs and tanned skin she looked erotic. Just the effect that she had probably been looking for. “So, how long are you going to stay mad at CJ?”
“Hey, I thought that if I bought dinner we weren’t going to be talking about him.”
“I’m finished eating. Besides, as much as I love hanging out with you. It is clear that you can’t stop thinking about him.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Oh... I don’t know. Maybe it is the fact that you’ve doodled his name on the napkin here.” Scott picked up the napkin.
“Give me that. That doesn’t mean anything.” Trudie threw the napkin in the trash.
“Besides, I’m giving him time to make up with me. He is the one who is acting like an ass.”
“He thinks that you are lying. Are you?”
“No.” Trudie looked away. “It doesn’t matter anyway. My money is my money. No one questioned him when Macy left him his business. So why are people so concerned about me.”
“Who is people? Is Deacon Sharpe one of those people?”
“Deacon and I are only friends. CJ doesn’t care about you and me being friends. Why in the hell should he care about Deacon?”
“Maybe because you slept with him.”
“That was ancient history. Although Deacon is a hottie.”
Scott frowned. “Well, don’t let CJ hear you say that?”
“Why not? You are a hottie as well. He doesn’t think that I’m going to jump your bones. Although I have to wonder whose bones you’ve been jumping lately. All the little models around Forrester have been talking about you. But you aren’t biting. Does this have anything to do with Bridget?”
“Changing the subject doesn’t always work.”
“Neither does avoiding it.”
“I’m not avoiding anything.”
“Well, since you aren’t talking about Bridget, why don’t you tell me something? What is your relationship with Kimberly?”
“Kimberly?”
“Yah. You know, Miss Vixen.”
“I don’t have any relationship with her.”
“But you did.”
“What?”
“I heard you earlier in you office today. You were trying to reach her. Why?”
Scott groaned. He had better learn to keep his office door closed. He had been trying to reach Kimberly for the last two days. With the news of her pregnancy looming, he had to know if it were possible that he was the father of her baby. Trudie saw the range of emotions of Scott’s face and the truth dawned on her.
“God, please don’t tell me. You were seeing her?”
“No! It wasn’t like that.”
“You were fu(king her?”
“Listen, I don’t want to talk about it. It was mistake.”
“I’ll say. She’s trouble. What were you thinking or shall I saw what were you thinking with? Is it over?”
“It wasn’t anything at all. We went to bed once. That’s it. It was a mistake.”
“I’ll say.”
“Keep your mouth shut True. I mean it. This thing that I have going with Bridget, it is fragile and I don’t want to ruin it.”
“I’ll say, she’d a kid.”
“But none the less. I care about her.”
Trudie looked at Scott sympathetically. “You were trying to reach her.”
“Just to talk to her. I just wanted to know if….”
“If what?”
Scott sighed. “If baby she was carrying could somehow be mine.”
“What? But that kid is Thorne’s. Or at least that is what she is telling people. I mean he married her and all.”
“Yes. Well. I just want to find out the truth.”
Trudie shook her head. “If that baby isn’t his then that changes her whole life. Thorne isn’t the happy spouse. If he finds out that she was cheating with you on him then it could be end of him. I bet princess is scared now.”
“Well you can’t say a thing True. I’ve got to find out first. If it isn’t my kid then I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“You did use something didn’t you?”
“No.”
“You idiot. You don’t know where that bama’s been. You do know about STD’s let alone AIDS”
“I know. I screwed up. But I didn’t have to really worry about an STD with Kimberly.”
“Why not? She’s a skank.”
“She was a virgin.”
“She was? But I thought that she had been boning Thorne.”
“It must have happened after we had slept together.”
Trudie rested on her haunches. “Well, that doesn’t make sense. She wouldn’t have sex with Rick but she slept with you before she slept with Thorne. My god, she isn’t playing with a full deck is she?”



James studied his patient. They had been in a session in more than an hour but she really hadn’t disclosed much of anything. “Kimberly, we are going to have to establish a relationship of trust if you are going to get better.”
“I’m not sick.”
“Well something is bothering you otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”
“My husband wants me to come. Remember.”
“Yes. But up to now, you’ve been against it.”
Kimberly smoothed out a tentacle of her hair that had escaped from her topknot. She wore a simple denim dress with a tie waist with matching denim boots. She looked like a beautiful young girl but there was something about her that didn’t sit right with James.
“I changed my mind. Maybe I need someone to talk to.”
“So you’ve chosen me.”
“Who else.”
“How about Thorne.”
A stranded look came upon her face. “Clearly you can see why that won’t work. Thorne and I are having some difficulties relating to one another.”
“Wouldn’t you expect that? After all, you are married to a man who raped you.”
“Rape is strong word to use, don’t you think?”
“What word would you use?”
“Maybe he took advantage of me. I’m not saying that I wanted everything to happen but maybe somewhere in the act I enjoyed it. Thorne is a wonderful caring me. His strong, dependable and sexy. Maybe deep down inside I wanted it.”
“Is that why you told Brooke you were lovers? Because you wanted that night that you and Thorne shared to be one of intimacy and not one of violation.”
“He didn’t violate me. He was…drunk. He didn’t know or understand.”
James eyes narrowed. “But you did.”
Kimberly shrugged her shoulders. “I knew that he didn’t mean it. Not really. He didn’t mean to take advantage of me. He wasn’t rough, in fact he was gentle.”
“What are you telling me? Are you saying that Thorne didn’t rape you?”
“I’m just saying that he didn’t hurt me.”
James decided not to push the issue a great deal. “You care a great deal for him, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. I love him. I wouldn’t want to lose him.”
“Kimberly, you do understand that your relationship with Thorne isn’t a regular marriage. I’m sure that you care a great deal for him but part of it is steams from hero worship. You may be in love with the idea of Thorne but I wonder if you really love him.”
“Well, I do. He is a good man.”
“That he is. But I want to know what you think about your marriage.”
“My marriage?”
“Yes, what do you think about it?”
Brooke’s face flashed in her head. Brooke had her nervous. “I think that we would be able to have a good marriage if other people will stay out of it.”
“What other people?”
Kimberly licked her lips. “Brooke. Brooke Logan. I know that he loves her but in time that will fade.”
“Will it?”
“It did for you, didn’t it? I mean you were seeing her when she dumped you for Ridge.”
James noted the comment. It was meant to be cruel. “We aren’t talking about me.”
“Well, maybe we should. Maybe you aren’t the person that I need to talk to after all, you are friends with Brooke.”
“Kimberly. Our relationship is one of doctor and patient. What we say here and we do is purely confidential. My friendship with Brooke isn’t a factor in our relationship. I won’t discuss her with you but you are free to talk to discuss your feelings about her.”
“Really?” Kimberly eyes James for a moment. “Whatever I say to you. You can’t tell Thorne, can you?”
“No. I can’t discuss it with her husband. Why, is there something that you are afraid of?”
“No.” Kimberly stood. “I just want to make sure that I had all the odds and ends of everything if you are going to be my therapist.”
“Well, I hope to be. I do have a question for you. You said that you were afraid of losing Thorne. Is that because of your marital situation?”
“Maybe. Thorne has been distant but he’ll come around He’ll soon love the baby and forget all Brooke.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Of course it is.”
“I love my baby and I want it to have everything that I didn’t have. Everything that Macy didn’t have.”
“Macy? What does your sister have to do with this?”
“Nothing. Not really. Its just, Macy didn’t have a dad. He was with me.”
“And you feel guilty about that?”
“No. I don’t feel guilty about it. It just a fact. But I know what it is like not to have two parents. When my mom died, it was hard on me and my dad. I promised myself if I were ever to have a baby that he or she would have two parents.” Kimberly caressed her stomach. “This baby will. I’ve finally gotten everything that I want. I have baby on the way and kind man as a husband. I don’t want to lose them.”
“Do you think that you are going to lose him?”
“Why not? I’ve lost everything else in my life that I cared about.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I have. I lost my mother, my father and my sister. Thorne is my family and I don’t plan to lose him.” Kimberly said in a determined voice.
“You say that as if you think you will. Is there a reason you think that you’ll lose Thorne?”
Kimberly’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You almost had me but I’m not biting.” She didn’t trust James completely. Although she needed someone to talk to she wasn’t sure if he was the person.
“What are you talking about?”
“You are trying to get all of my secrets out of my head and that isn’t going to work. You’ll have to prove that I can trust you before I start letting you head shrink me.”
“Kimberly I’m here for you to talk to. There is a reason that you can. Why don’t we be honest?”
“I’ve been honest. I love my husband and I intended to keep him no matter what.”
Kimberly picked up her brown suede fridge bag. “I’ll see you next session.” With that, she left the room. James looked down at his notes. Kimberly was hiding things, from him and from herself. But what disturbed him was the fact that at times she could seem kind and then the mask would fade into something else, a place of cruelty. Her feelings for Thorne were not what she had allowed Thorne to believe. Her feelings for him were something that had been growing for some time. James sighed; he believed now more than ever that Thorne hadn’t raped Kimberly. Kimberly had allowed it to happen because that was what she wanted. Even still, Kimberly was afraid of something. It was under the surface and he was going to have to dig to get it out.



Deacon stood in the back of his club watching the people dancing and having a good time in his club. Like the previous nights, there were lines outside of people waiting to get it. The bar was doing well as well as the kitchen. In all, he was making a great deal of money. Deacon walked out of the club area down a hallway past a few of his bouncers until it looked like the hallway divided to go east and west. Instead of turning, he went to the hall. Knocking gently, a hidden door slowly opened. Deacon walked down a small flight of steps until he got to another door, there he opened it to a spacious room filled with smoke, a large table with plenty of room, a bar and a lounging area that held the night’s game. Around the table where some of the most important CEO’s in corporate America in a high states poker game. The nightly game a very rich, with high stakes and Deacon was making a killing. He surveyed the game and lit his cigar. He watched the game silently; from time to time he’d play but not tonight. One of his bouncers, Rocco a large black man with bulging muscles in a black shirt and pants came into the room toward him. “Deacon, there is a lady looking for you.”
Deacon shrugged his shoulders. “There is always a woman looking for me.”
Rocco grinned. The ladies no matter what couldn’t seem to get enough of his boss.
“Yeah, but this one asked about the poker game.”
“What?” Deacon was surprised. His poker games were not common knowledge and he wanted to keep it that way. He walked out of the room and headed back toward the club. He found his bouncers standing near a woman. “Send her to my office.” He headed toward his office, which was decorated and poured himself a drink. The door escorted by his bouncers was a very leggy, brunette, with a face of a fashion model and a body ready for sin dressed in a black halter pants jumpsuit that fit her body like a second skin until it opened up to wide leg pants topped off with a pair of black high-heeled sandals. The bodice of the halter was so low; he could clearly see the sides of her marvelous breast. The woman’s hair had been swept up, but it was her devilish smile that got to him. She put her hands on her waist.
“Like what you see?”
“What if I do?” Deacon sat down on his black leather sofa and lounged. “What else are you going to show me?” Deacon looked straight into her dark eyes.
“Nothing. It ain’t for sale.”
Deacon got up and slowly circled her. “I don’t know, everything is for sale some time or another.” He noticed that her back was toned and completely naked for his eyes. He also noticed on the right lower part of her back she had an extremely sexy tattoo of a black widow spider. His finger touched the tattoo. “Nice tattoo.”
“You should see the other one.”
“Are you inviting me?”
“No. Only my close personal friends get to see it.”
The woman didn’t back down. He liked it. Hell, he liked her style. “So, what do I have to do to become a friend?”
The woman eyes looked as if they were laughing him. “I don’t think that there is anything that you could do. Don’t you want to know why I’m here?”
“Do you normally cut to the chase?”
“I think that it is best.”
“You are here because of the card game.” Deacon’s face became dark. “May I ask how you found out about it?”
“I have my ways.”
“And coyness isn’t keeping me interested.”
“I heard about it.”
“Not around town, you haven’t. So, I’m giving you five seconds to tell me or I’m throwing you ass out.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Well, honey. You aren’t me. So get to talking.”
“Deacon, I can call you that, can’t I? You shouldn’t get so paranoid. And you should tell some of your CEO buddies that they shouldn’t send unencrypted e-mails to each other about the game.”
Deacon frowned. “What?”
The woman headed toward his computer. “May I?”
Deacon nodded. Before Deacon had the chance to give her his pass code, it took her a matter of seconds to get into his system and tape into on of his clients Remington Wright personal e-mail where talked to about client about the game.
“How did you do that?”
The woman looked up at him. “A girl never tells her secrets. But I will tell you; there security codes are easy to access. It is a good thing that I didn’t want to steal from them or from…” With a matter of a few buttons she had access Deacon’s financial records.
“Or you?”
“How in the hell?”
“Don’t feel bad. I’ve been doing this sort of thing for a while. Hacking comes easily although I don’t use it for bad, only good.”
“What do you want?”
“Nothing. I want to play in the game.”
Deacon leaned down to look at the computer screen over her shoulder. “It’s a high stakes game.”
“I’ve got some cash and the rest I was hoping that you’d front me.”
“Now, why would I do that?”
“Because...” She licked her lips. “You are going to hire me”
“I am?”
“Yes. Of course I’ll have a day job but I think that you’ll pay me well to make sure that nobody can tap into your system. I’ll secure the lines and get any other information that you’d like.”
“But you can tap into my lines.”
“If you keep me happy. I won’t need to.”
Deacon thought for a moment. “Why did you come to me?”
“Because you are smart, aggressive and on your way up. I’ve heard good things about you.”
Deacon blew out some smoke. “There are no free rides.”
“I don’t want one. Our relationship will be strictly business.”
“I as a fu(k buddy without the fu(k.”
“Yes. Sex isn’t something that I’m looking for. Not with you.”
“You wound me.”
“You’ve got plenty of women for that. Think of me as something different.”
Deacon was quiet for a moment. “It took guts for you to come in here like that.”
“I have a feeling that you respect that.”
“Maybe.” His face became hard. “I want you to know one thing. This is business and I don’t mess around with it or my money.”
“Understood. What’s the other thing?”
“If you double cross me. You will live to regret it.”
“Understood.” The woman stood up. “So, what is my going rate?”
“Are you sure that you want in on the game? They are playing for keeps.”
“You afraid of women?”
“No, I like women. I just want you to know that I don’t plan of playing knight in shinning armor for you. You’ll have to handle yourself.”
“Don’t worry Deacon. I’ve been doing that for years.”
“Alright. I’ll front you 5 thousand. But you’ve got to work hard starting tomorrow night. You’ll be on call whenever I need you.”
“Yes, but not from 9-5. I’m at work. Other than that. I’m all yours.”
Deacon headed toward his safe and took out a roll of chips and handed it to her. “What’s your name?”
“Nicoletta. But my friends call me Nico.”



Bridget stood leaning at the counter in Insomnia sipping a strawberry fruit shake while tapping her foot while listening to Vertical Horizon’s “Best I Ever Had”. Bridget felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand when the words. “You are only the best that I ever had.” Was sung in a melodic tone in her ear as Scott’s arms wrapped around her waist.
“Hey beautiful.” He took Bridget hands and pulled her onto the small dance floor which a few couples from her high school and some from college were dancing. Bridget wrapped her arms around Scott’s neck as she looked into his crystal eyes. Bridget started to sing with a strikingly beautiful voice to accompany the music and Scott. Together they danced slowly looking at each other as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. All there was each other. Scott couldn’t remember feeling this way about any other girl or woman the way that he felt about Bridget. She was everything. She was smart, funny and so talented. When he looked at her artwork it was like he was looking into her soul. Most importantly, he understood her. She had grown up like he without a father. She also had an unconventional mother, like he. Although Lauren wasn’t like most mothers her ways didn’t bother him but Bridget was a girl and so close to her mother. Every failed relationship hit her hard. Bridget was sensitive and that made her special. He also knew that telling her about Kimberly would hurt her deeply and that was the last thing that he wanted to do. Bridget had been hurt enough. When the song ended, they still moved together although the next song wasn’t a slow one.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Hmmm” Scott murmured.
“You have a strange look on your face. Is everything alright?”
“Yes. I just had a stressful day at work. How was your class today?”
“It went well. I find that I like little kids. They have all these creative ideas. Why work so stressful? I know that my mom can be a slave driver.”
Scott chuckled. “It isn’t your mother but the showing is coming and we have a lot of work to do.”
“And with my dad missing, there is more burden.”
“Well…” Scott trailed off. He knew how upset that Bridget had been to find out that her father had wanted her. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure that he’ll come around.”
“Yeah. I’m sure that he will.” Bridget frowned.
Scott reached up under her chin and lifted her face up. “Hey no frowning. You don’t want to get lines.
Bridget laughed. “I’m not worried about lines.”
Scott trailed his hands down toward Bridget’s waist. Hooking his fingers into the waistband of her jeans. “I know. That is what makes you special. I spend so much time with women who worry constantly about their looks.”
“They are models.”
“Yes, but they don’t have the inner beauty or the spirit that you do.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“I’m only telling the truth.”
Bridget blushed as she laid her head on Scott’s chest. “Scott, I’m so glad that I have you. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.” Scott heard the pain in her voice.
“Bridget, what’s wrong.”
“Nothing. Everything.”
“Is this about you mother and Ridge or about your father?”
“Mom’s involved with someone else.”
“Yeah. I heard.”
Bridget looked up. “You heard?”
“I didn’t want to say anything to you until you told me. There are a lot of rumors spreading around at work. I think that I saw him. Italian guy right?”
“I guess. I haven’t seen him.”
“You are upset.”
“Scott, it makes my mom look like she’s a slut. She goes from one man to another. I thought that loved Ridge. Then she was with Thorne and now she is with this man.”
“You might cut your mother some slack.”
“Why?”
“Because she was hurt by Thorne’s affair with Kimberly. It must have hurt her to find out that he married her.”
Scott saw the look on Bridget’s face. “What is it?”
“Nothing. It’s just. Thorne really loved my mom and I didn’t like it. I should be happy, he isn’t with her anymore but that doesn’t mean that I wanted him with Kimberly. I never wanted that to happen.”
“Bridget, of course not.” Suddenly tears filled Bridget’s eyes and Scott was alarmed. He took Bridget off the dance floor to an empty table at the corner. “Baby, what’s wrong?”



Deacon watched the game with a renewed interest. She had one of the best poker faces that she had ever seen, more importantly she had skill. He almost wondered if where counting the cards but he couldn’t tell. One thing he knew, he liked watching her. She had come into the room like she owned the place. She had style and charisma. The men at first wasn’t sure if they wanted a woman to enter the game, Deacon thought that was a ridiculous notion. Truthfully he knew that a few of the men were afraid that she’d break their concentration after all Nico looked more than stunning in her black jumpsuit, more or less they couldn’t keep their eyes off her breasts. Hell, it had been his own mother who had been one of the first people to teach him how to play cards. Deacon, however let them know that Nico would be allowed to play. The rest was up to her. Deacon had liked how Nico stood with her hands on her hips and asked them if they were afraid of playing with a girl. Deacon as grinned, she was good. His clients didn’t like the idea of being showed up by a girl. They had asked if she could afford to sit down. She placed her chips on the table leaning forward. “I’m game if you are.” She had stated. Sitting down and gracing them with a smile she winked. “Lets get started gentleman.”



Kimberly finished making her order at Insomnia. She knew that Thorne had loved eating the banana nut muffins that they cooked fresh everyday. She’d have the muffins ready for his breakfast. She had stopped in the grocery store to get fresh salmon steaks that she’d grill along with creamy garlic potatoes, she had also ordered Sesame String beans from Café Rouse at accompany her meal. The conversation that she and James had had earlier filtered in her head. She wished that she could trust him but she couldn’t, at least not now. He was friends with Brooke. Still, he was her doctor and she didn’t have too many people that she felt close enough to talk to. She was going stir crazy not having anyone to tell how she really felt. Kimberly was scared, she wasn’t used to that. Brooke had that CD and knew that she connected to Gunter. Kimberly cursed that stupid man. Why in the world did he have to get himself arrested? She had worked hard to get Thorne. She had tricked Scott, got Bridget to help her, used Stephanie’s connections and had gotten rid of Honey. But she hadn’t counted on Gunter. Now she was deftly afraid that Brooke would tell Thorne any day now. Yesterday she had waited for Thorne to come home on baited breath. She hadn’t been able to do anything but to wait for him to come home. All the stress couldn’t possibly be healthy for her baby. Kimberly had to find a way to stop Brooke before she ruined her marriage. Kimberly picked up her muffins when she noticed Bridget sitting at a corner table with Scott. Just then Scott looked up and saw her. Kimberly quickly turned around and headed out of the coffee bar. The last thing that she wanted was to talk with him.

Scott’s eyes narrowed when he saw Kimberly standing in Insomnia. She had seen him and had had left quickly as she could to get away from him. Kimberly was up to something and Scott was more afraid that she was carrying his child. He hoped not. At this moment, he couldn’t because of Bridget. He had been sitting next to her stroking the side of her face. “Do you want to tell me what is bothering you?”
“It isn’t anything that I can change.”
“Is this about your mother?”
“I don’t knot, it is everything. Mom, Ridge, Thorne.”
“You are worried about Thorne?”
“I’m not happy about Thorne being married to a bitch like Kimberly. Not to mention that they are going to have a baby together. I just can’t imagine that she is having his baby.” Bridget looked distressed. “It never should have happened.”
“You are right about that.” Scott thinking about that night that he had shared with Kimberly. But sometimes people make mistakes. Sometimes people end up in bed together when it shouldn’t have happened. Then they look back and regret it.”
“You’ve probably had a couple of nights like that haven’t you?”
Scott rubbed her knuckles. “Yes. I have definitely had a night or two with the wrong person.”
“Sometimes we make mistakes and no matter how hard we try we can’t make up for them.”
“But we can try Bridget. We can try.” Scott pulled Bridget into his arms so that her head rest on his shoulders. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to work out just fine.” Scott only hoped that he was right. He had thought the biggest problem that he would have with pursuing a relationship with Bridget would be her parents’ reaction but now he knew that it would be much more.



Brooke’s body was dripping with sweat as she sat astride Caspian’s hard naked body. Brooke’s thighs gripped the outside of Caspian’s hard muscular thighs while her legs were wrapped around his waist. Her hair was wet and steam billowed all around them in the steam room. The heat around her didn’t bother Brooke for she was too occupied with the thrilling orgasms that filled her body. Caspian leaned Brooke back so his mouth could take a full taunt nipple in between his teeth pulling then laving it with his tongue. Suckling fully he took it into the warm crevasses of his mouth while his right hand traveled down between her slick skin between her breast, down her taught stomach until he found a nest of golden hair which he slid his fingers through to part the soft tissue to find an already engorged nub. Using two of his fingers he gently stimulated the nub in a slowly yet effectively sensual manner. Brooke whose body was already aching with his mouth on her breast as well as his hard member fully erect and filling inside of her heat, but with the addition of his manipulating fingers, it caused her body to fill with pleasure.
Brooke’s mouth opened and then bit her lips as his fingers rubbed against her. Caspian watched her out of his dark and murky eyes; she was completely aroused and so close to another orgasm. Her wet hair hung almost plastered against her head and her naked skin, her breasts were full, and nipples blush. It was the most erotic thing that he had ever seen. He slowly slide a bit more of his hard pen*s inside of her while his finger played on her. Brooke whimpered against her lips as he moved inside of her slowly. Caspian steadied his feet by planting them against the floor as he stood; the motion of movement filled Brooke even more as he walked across the steam room. With every step that he took, he was driven harder inside of her heat. Brooke’s inner lips tightened against his pen*s as her legs tightened against her waist. Caspian slipped his hands from inside of Brooke’s wet heat and gripped her bottom as her back came up against the warm tiled wall. Brooke gasped as the warm tile touched her back at the same time she tightened her grip around her waist. Caspian’s mouth captured her own mouth in a searing kiss. Slipping his tongue in her mouth with a gentle rhythm he mimicked the movements of his shaft moving in and out of her body. Brooke moved against him as sweat ran down her back against her tile. Her breathing became more labored as he gave her pleasure. As her breathing intensified so did his thrust inside of her. Caspian gripped her buttocks and moved in and out of her body in a hard motion that Brooke was no longer to keep her screaming out her pleasure. Caspian’s hard body and engorged shaft moved harder and harder until he exploded inside of her Brooke just as her inner muscles squeezed him tighter than he had ever been squeezed his entire life. Caspian groaned with pleasure as his seed filled Brooke. With his chest heaving and feeling a bit drained he laid his wet head against the crook of Brooke’s neck he laughed. Brooke sighed as he slipped out of her and carried her out of the steam room to his bedroom.



Ridge sipped his vodka and cranberry juice while KC sipped her sour apple martini.
“Been watching Sex In The City.” Ridge nodded to the drink.
“Yes. I like that show. I thought that I’d try it. I like it. You want a sip. It’s good.”
“I’m sure that Davis will like that. He’d love a reason to rake me over the coals if he thought that I was moving on his territory.”
“I don’t think that I’m territory. I’m a person.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. So, when is the big day?”
“We haven’t decided yet. Right now, I’m in the process of moving. After I settle in, we’ll set a date. I still have to tell my parents.”
“You didn’t tell them?”
“They are going to have certain objections.”
“Because of your different races.”
“Yes. They won’t like the fact that Connor is white. No matter how wonderful he is, that will be a problem.”
“How are you going to deal with it?”
“We will deal with it together. I’m sure once they see how happy he makes me, my mother will come around. It will take my father longer.”
“I have some experience with interfering parents.”
“Your mother.”
“Yes. My mother means well.”
KC made a face. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that somewhere in your mother is some well meaning but I can see that she has caused a great deal of troubles in your relationships. I don’t know. If it weren’t for your mother’s interference, where would you be? What kind of husband would you has been.”
Ridge hated to admit it but he wondered the same thing. At that moment a beautiful black woman wearing an off the shoulder black dress with her long hair pulled back came up to the bar. KC hopped out of her seat and headed toward the woman. Both women squealed with delight and hugged each other. Ridge could clearly see the joy in their expression as they talked to each other at the same time.
“Girl…look at you. That dress is fabulous. It’s one of yours, isn’t it?” The woman said to KC.
“Yes. But Alex, look at you. You look great.”
“Okay. Let me see it?”
“What?”
“That rock. I saw it from across the room.” Alex took KC’s hand and studied her ring.
“Oh... It is beautiful. Connor Davis has fantastic tastes in rings and woman. After all, he wasn’t a fool to let you go.”
“He is wonderful.”
Alex looked over to see the handsome Ridge Forrester. Boy, he looked better in person than he did on the magazine covers. “I tell you. I’m so jealous. You get engaged to Mr. Wonderful and get to work with the likes of Ridge Forrester. That is one good looking white man.”
KC shook her head and laughed. “You would find him attractive. It takes one player to know another player. But Ridge is retired player.” KC and Alex walked over toward Ridge.
“Ridge, this is my long time friend. Alex Perez.”
“Alex, you know Ridge Forrester.”
Alex held out her hand. “Mr. Forrester.”
Ridge grinned and kissed her hand. “It is a pleasure to me a friend of KC.”
“I think that we know someone in common.”
“We do?”
“Yes. Victor Newman. My law firm works for him.”
Ridge frowned. “Well, I will say one thing about Victor. He never lacks in taste when it comes to beautiful, intelligent women.”
KC turned toward Alex. “I think that our table is ready.”
“Ridge, will you be joining us?”
“No. I think that I’ll let you too talk. Please make sure that you stop by Forrester before you leave to go home.” Ridge kissed KC on the cheek. “Thanks KC. I’ve got the drinks.”
“Thanks. Ridge.” KC and Alex headed toward their table. Ridge threw down a couple of bills at the bar and was heading out when he noticed Charlie sitting at the other side of the bar wearing a stunning red dress. Ridge was surprised at how beautiful she looked in the double spaghetti dress with a bit of a plunging neckline. He could see a bit of her full creamy breast and was surprised to find that she would even wear a dress like the one she was wearing. There was a stirring in his loins. That stirring surprised him. Ridge was constantly around extremely beautiful women so he didn’t understand how someone who disliked him as much Charlie he would find attractive.

Charlie had been sipping her glass of chardonnay when she had seen Ridge Forrester come into the restaurant with a beautiful looking black woman with short hair. She had shook her head. It seemed that Ridge Forrester was still the same way. He couldn’t go anywhere without a woman on his arm to charm. It had been the same way in high school. She remembered how the girls had gone out of their minds over Ridge. They would VI for his affection each hoping that the grand Ridge Forrester would ask them out. Ridge was the ultimate playboy going out with one beauty queen to another. She and Ridge had the opportunity to work together on the debate team. She had earned the her spot but Ridge had gotten it because Mrs. McGuire, the advisor of the debate team had thought that having the ultimate popular Ridge would make more people come out for the debates. Charlie had been annoyed that Ridge had readily accepted the spot although he didn’t earn it. Ridge, of course had been seen as the great hero of the debate team even though he hardly studied enough to be fluent of the issues. Charlie had resented it like she had resented his treatment of the many faceless girls he had thrown to the curb. Charlie had been engrossed in her thought when a good-looking attractive man with gray at the temples came up to her.
“Is this seat taken?”
Charlie really didn’t want to deal with the hassle of a come on. It didn’t matter that the man seemed nice, she just wanted her drink, fine wine, and maybe eat a simple meal.
“Actually, I am waiting for someone.”
The man leaned against the railing. “I don’t see anyone around.”
Charlie was about to say something when Ridge toward her. “Charlie. I’m so glad that you are still waiting for me. I had some last minute work to do.” Charlie looked at Ridge with surprise when he leaned forward to kiss her on her cheek. “Is our table ready?”
The man nodded Ridge and than gave Charlie a lingering look. “I’m sorry. Have a nice night.” He steady walked away.
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “Why did you do that?”
“You needed my help.”
“I didn’t need your help.”
“He wasn’t going to go away. I was trying to help you.”
The bartender gave Charlie a menu. “Here is the menu that you wanted.”
“Thank you.” Charlie looked at Ridge. “Why are you still here, don’t you have a date.”
Ridge frowned. “Date?”
“Yes. The beautiful black woman.”
“KC. KC isn’t my date, we work together.”
“Well, excuse me if I don’t quite believe you. You probably call what you were doing with my sister working.”
Ridge frowned. “No. That wasn’t work.” Ridge turned to leave but decided against it and headed back to Charlie. “You can’t even say thank you can you?”
“Thank you for not minding your own business.”
“God, why are you such a bitch?”
Charlie gasped and threw her wine in Ridge’s face. “How about that is that bitchy enough for you?” She picked up her purse took out a few bills and threw them down on the counter. She quickly headed to the door. and headed toward the back doors of the restaurant toward their pool and outside bar. Charlie’s heart was beating fast. She had no idea what caused her to throw her glass of wine in Ridge’s face. Yes, he had gotten on her nerves but she had always prided herself on being cool in situation. Yet when it came to Ridge, she was always different. He could push her buttons and she never liked it. She paced back and forth for a moment before she decided to go back to apologize, throwing wine in his face was uncalled for regardless of the tastelessness of his remark, when Ridge stalked out toward her.



Brooke watched Caspian silently as he dried her feet. He had shown her such loving tenderness and care that she had been taken aback by it. He had given her warm bath of hot bubbles and his hands. He had gently washed her hair massaging her scalp so well that she almost fell asleep. Brooke lay against his bed wearing a soft terry cloth robe while he rubbed her feet. “I think that I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“No.” He kissed the sole of her foot. “Heaven would never be a sinful as the night that we had. I wish that it didn’t have to end.”
Brooke sighed as he began to massage a calf muscles. “I wish that it could last forever as well. I’ve love to wake up in your arms.”
“You could, you know. I can come and spend the night with you.”
Brooke withdrew her leg out of Caspian’s hands. “As much as I’ve love to stay or to have you stay with me, it isn’t the right time.”
“Bridget?”
“Yes. She has to get to know you. I owe her that much.”
“I understand. I’m not too happy but I understand.” He crawled onto the bed next to her to pull her into his arms. “I’ll take what I can get. I know that your daughter is very important to you. Besides, I can’t wait to meet her.”
“If you charm her like you charmed me, then you just might have a chance.”
“A small one?”
“She’s been hurt. It is hard for her to give things a chance especially when I’ve had so many failed relationships. But have patience. She really is wonderful girl.”
“How could she not be? She had you for a mother.”



Janet Foreman was one of the best real estate agents in L.A. She had worked diligently to build a reputation as a top-notch realtor. She also had the access the best homes long before other realtors. She had clients from senators, to actors, singers and some of the best producers. Today, however was a first in her career, she was showing a house late a night to a woman who she didn’t even know the name to until she had come straight to the house. Ms. Deangleo had an air to her that she hadn’t even seen in the likes to of movie stars. She was cool and Janet had felt a persistent chill in the air as she had shown Ms. Deangleo the house. Janet, how looked elegantly coiffed in Channel turned to study Ms. Deangleo. She looked immaculate in a plum colored double-breasted pants suit with a black satin blouse with a matching tie knotted with a perfect Windsor knot. The whole outfit was given a taste of flare with sparkling black pearl and diamond earrings, as well as a leather flodora hat. Ms. Deangleo with the sparkling blue eyes almost had a sexual appeal of Marlena Dettrick. The Deangleo had listened intensely as she had been shown around the spacious L.A home, which had recently come up to being sold. The house had once been owned by Harry Houdini and had even been owned by Eric Forrester. Just recently, the house had been rented although it was now for sale. Ms. Deangleo had asked very few questions other than how far was the closet neighbor as well as the security of the place. Janet was surprised that the Ms. Deangleo hardly paid attention to the 5 elegant bedrooms, the large spacious dinning room, huge kitchen, den, large patio and outdoor pool. The only thing that Ms. Deangleo seemed at least interesting was that there was a supposed hidden room although she didn’t know where it was. Janet stepped out on the large balcony that could be used for breakfasting before walking down the steps down to the pool. “So, as you can see, it is beautiful here at night. You can take a moonlight dip in the lighted pool. Or just lie down and rest. There is a built in fireplace out here as well.”
“I saw it earlier.” Isabelle said.
“I really wanted to show you how beautiful the grounds and garden are during the day.”
“That isn’t necessary.” Isabelle had thought the house was perfect. It was far enough away from the bustling of the city that she could think. She could have solitude. She also found the little garden peaceful. Although her home in Italy was much larger this home would do just fine. “I’ll take it.”
Janet was surprised. When most people gushed or showed some sort of emotions that let her know that they liked with they saw, she had seen nothing that would make her think that Ms. Deangleo wanted this home. “You’ll take it just like that.”
“Yes. I’ll take it as it is. We can sign the papers now.”
“Well, I didn’t expect this to happen so soon.”
Isabelle fixed the woman with a cold stare. “Tomorrow? You will be ready I presume.”
Janet didn’t understand Ms. Deangelo’s haste. She was going to have to work all night but she was willing. She had never made a sale so fast. “I can be ready tomorrow.”
“Good.” Isabelle walked back through the French doors into the living room. Picking up her black purse. She walked to the foyer and stood for a moment. “Yes, I think that this place will work out fine.” She then headed toward the limo waiting in the drive.



“What in the hell do you think that you are doing?” Ridge said wiping the front of his shirt with what looked to be a dishtowel.
“Listen Ridge.”
“This suit is expensive.”
Charlie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Listen, I’m sorry that I threw my glass at you.” She paused for a second. “I guess that I shouldn’t have lost my temper but you had no right to make that comment. Make sure that you send me the bill.” Charlie turned away and Ridge found himself calling out to her yet again.
“Charlie. Wait.” Ridge sighed as she turned around. “Listen. I’m sorry for calling you a bitch. That was out of line.”
Charlie crossed her arms in front of her. Little did she know that it made her creamy breast push up against her dress? “You should be. Don’t ever call me out of my name again. Ever.” She used her index finger to push up against Ridge’s still wet shirt.

“I won’t Charlene.” Ridge said using her given name. “I am sorry. I was out of line. But I really was trying to help you out there with that man. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“Well. I didn’t need your help but thank you.”
“I’m sorry that I jumped the wrong conclusion about you and…”
“KC”
“You and KC. I’m sure that you know how to deal with one or two women you work with without sleeping with them.”
“Do you really think that badly of me Charlie? You think that I’d sleep with anyone?”
“Ridge, if you had been a girl in high school you’d be called a slut but you were a male so you were hailed as a hero.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Not to me. You latest incident with Morgan proves that.”
“Your sister tricked me.”
“You enjoyed it.” Charlie gave Ridge a knowing look. “Come on Ridge, admit it. You enjoyed having sex with you sister. You enjoyed it enough to get your rocks off to create Dylan.”
“You are never fair when it comes to me.”
“And you can’t even keep it in your pants.”
“Yes and I’m the one who is paying the price for my mistakes. I’m willing to admit that I did enjoy having sex with Morgan but it certainly wasn’t something that I have planned. Believe me, I’m paying enough.”
Charlie shook her head as she headed toward the outside bar and ordered a drink. Ridge followed her and ordered one. “How are you paying? You got your wife back.”
Ridge took a sip of his beer and snorted. “My wife? You think that I got her back.”
“Of course you did. You probably bought her a little babble. Told her that you were going to take her on a trip and most likely gave a night of good loving with that golden rod of yours. That does normally work doesn’t it?”
Ridge gripped his drink. God, this was why he didn’t like Charlie. Even in high school she had a way of knowing what he was thinking or what he did. She also had a way of looking at him to make him feel small. He didn’t like the fact that on a level she was right. A while ago he would have done all of those things in order to get Taylor to forgive him. “I didn’t do those things.”
“But you used to use those things didn’t you?”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t have used those types of things for my problems with Taylor now. Nor would she let me.”
“Good. She shouldn’t. What you did to her was horrible and humiliating.”
“I know.” Ridge said with a small tremor in his voice. “I want to much to make it up to her but.” He hesitated. Charlie was the last person alive that he wanted to discuss his marriage with. “I love my wife. I want things to change.”
“She let you come home.”
“But only for the children. She doesn’t want anything to do with me. She doesn’t want to talk about what happened nor does she want to discuss Dylan.”
“Have you told your children yet?”
“No. Taylor is opposed to it but I want them to meet Dylan. He is their brother. I want them to love him as if he were. It wasn’t Dylan’s fault the circumstances want him and his brother and sisters to love each other.”
“I can understand that. Taylor doesn’t feel that way. I could see from the other day, it has been hard her. She was angry with Morgan. Not that I don’t blame her but she also had a lot of anger toward Dylan.”
“I know. That is the thing that I wish that I could change. Taylor is a wonderful woman. She had always been so kind and understanding but seeing me with Dylan is hurting her. It’s tearing her apart and I am helpless because she won’t let me help her.”
“You really do love her, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Ridge said with annoyance. “Is that hard for you to believe? I love my wife very much. I want her back. I just want my family back.”
Charlie almost felt sorry for Ridge. She was sure that was the first time that he had spoken with total honestly.



Alex and KC had ordered their dinners and were eating their salad while catching up the latest news of each other’s lives. Alex had told KC about her rising career and that business for Victor Newman would have her here in L.A for a least a couple of months.
“It seems that business is going well for you. Victor Newman is a prestigious man.”
“And one of our biggest clients.” Alex said as she took a bite of her Greek salad.
“A powerful man. Is he as intimating at they say?”
“He can be but I like working for Victor. He is fair. Speaking of bosses how is yours?”
“Considering everything that has been going on lately with her life. I think that Brooke is doing fine.”
“And working for her has done wonders for you. From what I hear you are the head designer for this new line.”
“Yes. I’m thrilled about that.”
“A new job that pays well. A new place to live and a new husband. You are living the life. So, tell me if things are going so great how come you haven’t told your parents about Connor yet.”
“They know about Connor.”
“But they don’t know that he has asked you to marry him?”
“Not yet. Telling them this kind of news over the phone isn’t something that I want to do. So, Connor and I are going to New York this weekend to tell them in person.”
“How do you think that is going to go?”
“Truthfully? Not well. You know how my father is. The sad thing is that if Connor were black, they’d be ecstatic.”
“I know. The last thing they ever thought that they’d have is a white son-in-law.”
“Does Connor know about the chilly reception that he might be getting?”
“Yes, but he isn’t worried.” KC sipped some of her wine. “I think that is one of the reasons that I love him is because of the way that he is optimistic about everything. He thinks that he’d charm my parents, after all his mother accepts me.”
“Is that true or is that the song that she sings when he is around?”
“No, she’d genuine. She says that Connor has been alone for so long she never thought that he’d settle down or ever have children.”
The waiter came and placed their dishes down in front of them. Alex had the rack of lamb with baby pears topped off with whipped potatoes while KC had the blacken swordfish, creamed spinach and fresh tomatoes in a zesty oil. Alex took a bit of her lambs. “Have you thought about that?”
“What?”
“Children?”
“Of course I have. I love kids, you know that.”
“But you have a demanding career.”
“I’ll work around it. I can design at home.”
Alex nodded. “Okay. I have to say it. What about your children? Does Connor really understand that they are going to be black? Now, I know that some people like to biracial and that it all and good. But you and I know that the way that it plays out is what the world sees them. No matter how light they are, your children are going to be considered black.”
“Alex, you are acting like I don’t know this. And yes, Connor knows this as well as I do. I love this man. I want to have our children. We are going to raise them to know both of their heritages but yes they will know who and what they are. The last thing I want my children to be confused. I know that there are so many things to consider. Connor’s law firm and reactions. How some people might treat our children or us. But when I can’t remember a time that I’ve ever been happier.”
Alex gave her a knowing look. “Even when you were with Jackson?”
“Jackson was a huge mistake.”
“Was it really?”
“Alex”
“Oh, come one and be honest. Coron was a nice guy and all but his mother was a bitch. She hated you and would have made your life miserable. Besides if you had been so much in love with Coron, you never would have slept with Jackson. But I figured that it would only be a matter of time before that happened. There was too much of a spark whenever you too were together.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.”
“I know that you don’t but you’ve got to ask yourself a questions. It has been years, why are you still so mad with him.”
“Because he took our friendship and threw it away. He was the one to tell Coron about us sleeping together.”
“You know men, they get competitive.”
“I don’t care what they are. I couldn’t believe it. I thought that Coron had but two and two together and Jackson allowed me to think that. The whole time he comforted me, he knew that he had told Coron what happened. I clearly remember how much we spent together after my breakup. It totally changed our relationship. I thought that I saw another side of him a man who wanted something.”
“I wanted you.”
“He wanted to destroy me. The first night that we spent together. I thought that it had been something that had happened but the whole thing had been orcastated. He slept with me because he had something to gain. Coron’s mother allowed him to buy 5% of stock for a magazine empire for a steal of a price. All he had to do was to sleep with me to get it.” KC’s was marred with a frown. “I never would have know it if she hadn’t told me herself.”
“She wanted to humiliate you. She didn’t want you to find happiness with Jackson.”
“Happiness how could I ever find happiness with a man who’d be willing to sell me out for his ambition. That stock was worth a great deal and it gave Jackson the thing that he always wanted. Connections. The man is a shark.”
“That man is one hell of a business men. He has a way of taking failing companies and turning them around. In fact there was an article about him in Black Enterprise magazine as well as in Forbes.”
“I saw it.”
“Did you read it?”
“I glanced at it. He sounds as arrogant as ever. I just surprised that he didn’t become a corporate raider.”
“He has the mind for it. But he is making a lot of money doing what he’s doing. He doesn’t get bored because he isn’t with a company more than six months and he likes the challenge of turning them around.”
“How is it that you know so much about him?”
“I saw him a couple of weeks ago.”
“You did?”
“Yes. He had a business meeting with Victor. He looked as handsome as ever and he asked about you. He wanted to know how you were doing. He knew about you working for Forrester and said that they were lucky to have you.”
“I don’t care about his opinion about me or what I do. I stopped caring a long time ago.”



Bridget was walking heading out of Insomnia toward her sporty Volk Wagon Jetta when her father walked into Insomnia. Bridget instantly noticed how horrible her father looked. He looked has if he hadn’t been sleeping. “Bridget! I’ve been looking all over for you. I called you friend Sara; she told me that I’d find you here. I’ve got to talk to you.”
“Dad, maybe you should…have you been drinking?” Bridget smelled alcohol on her father’s breath. She knew that he had his occasional drink but she had never seen him like this. She was instantly alarmed.
Isabelle stood in front of the latest art exhibit at the Parco gallery. She had read about the exhibit on-line and was intrigued to see the newest work from the upcoming artist. Esalia Minor. She had a tormented angry style that compelled Isabelle. She understood anger and appreciated how the woman used it in her artwork. Isabelle walked slowly though the gallery ignoring the other people who mingled and talked about the tedious events of their day when she heard a voice she recognized. Isabelle made her way slowly toward the open door toward the next room of the exhibit to see Pierce laughing at the comment of the woman standing next to him. Pierce looked handsome as ever in a camel colored suit as he studied the painting. “I like the texture of this piece. There is a lot great deal of anger and pain.”
“Pierce, you always had an eye when it came to artwork.”
“I love it. There is great little gallery in Venice that Isabelle and I…” Pierce smiled awkwardly. “Never mind.”
“You still aren’t letting go of her, aren’t you?” Pierce, I just don’t understand this. She won’t take your calls, your e-mails but you still are holding out hope.”
“You sound like Bailey.”
“Well maybe you should listen to him. It is obvious that this woman doesn’t care about you. If she did, she wouldn’t have left the way that she did.”
“She’s confused. I know that she felt something for me.” Pierce stroked his jaw. “You know I work with people all the time. I’m good at reading them and although Isabelle was good at hiding her true nature. But I know when she looked at me she felt something. It was right there under the surface.” He smiled. “It was right there. She felt joy in the things that we did. Sometimes I’d look at her almost see a smile on her face. I was getting to her. I know it.” Isabelle found it difficult to swallow. Pierce had seen through her in a way that know one had. There had been times when she’d relax and almost give into smiling.
“Almost. Pierce how do you settle for a woman who never smiled. Who won’t tell you that she loves you?”
“She could have. Isabelle was complicated. Something happened to her. You’ve seen it certain patients. People who shut themselves off in order to keep the pain at bay.”
“She’s sound like a patient instead of a woman that you involved yourself with. I just don’t understand this. You are smart. One of the best therapists who has made millions with your inspirational speaking. You could have any woman.”
“I want Bella. I’ve wanted her from the first time that I saw her. She makes me think. We have long talks about any and every subject from politics as well as artwork. But more than that, she makes me leave control. She makes me feel alive.” Isabelle smiled a bittersweet smile. She had made him feel alive, hell, he had made her feel again. In opening up those feelings he was opening up Pandora’s box. She couldn’t let that happen. She had made the right decision. Pierce didn’t know all of her and even if he did he’d might be foolish to believe that he could change who she was. Nothing could change who she was. Not even him. Bella quietly made her way from the hallway when another patron bumped into her.
“Excuse me.” The patron said.
“It is fine.” Isabelle said softly as she moved out of the way.
Pierce stopped his conversation with Paige when he heard a woman’s voice. His body instantly knew the owner for it became taunt with need. “Isabelle.” He said softly. There was nothing put hope inside of him when
“If you’ll excuse me Paige.” Pierce walked away from the Paige as quickly as he could into the hallway. He only found another woman. “Excuse me. Was there?” Pierce looked around the room hoping to get gimps of the woman that he so desperately wanted but he saw no one.
“Are you all right sir?” The woman asked.
Pierce kept looking for Isabelle.
“Pierce, what is going on?” Paige asked as she came into the hallway.
“I thought that I heard…Bella.”
Paige put her hand on Pierce’s shoulder. “Pierce. The last place your Isabelle would be is here.”



Isabelle sat in the back of her limo feeling. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling. She took off her hat and lay her head against the back of the seat. “Where would you like to go Ms. Deangleo?”
“Anywhere but here.”



Connor loosened his tie as he read the legal brief that he had his paralegal but together.
“Thelma, made sure that I have the notes on the Peterson case on my desk in the morning.” Looking at his watch he noticed that it was well past dinnertime. “It’s late, why you go for the night.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want to prepare for court tomorrow but there is no need for you to stay.”
“You don’t have plans with KC tonight?”
“No. She’s having dinner with an old friend. Alex Perez. “
“I’ve heard that name somewhere, haven’t I?”
“She’s an attorney. She took on a large HMO medical company for the malpractice and fraudulent practices.”
“I think that I read about her. She won that case, didn’t she?”
“Yes. She a killer in the courtroom.”
“That is what I heard. Good night Mr. Davis.”
Thelma was on her way out of the office when a good looking black man in a tight black sweater that showed off his well toned body and black pants walked into the foyer.
“Mr. Whittaker. It had been a while since I last saw you. How was your trip to Japan?”
“Excellent. Is Connor in?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll show you right in.”
Thelma walked into Connor’s office. “Mr. Whittaker is waiting for you.”
“Send him right in.”
Connor was in the middle of pouring himself a drink when the office door opened. Connor smiled. “Trey it is good to see you, thank you for coming here so quickly.”
“I was on my way home from the gym Connor, it isn’t a problem. What’s up?” Trey Whittaker was on the best private investigators that Connor had ever worked it. He used him a great deal and over the years the two had become friendly. Trey had built his investigation business from the ground up making it one of the best in L.A. Trey was not only thorough with his job, but he made sure that his client’s identities were kept a secret. He also seemed to have connections that made what seemed to be unattainable easy to get.
“I have a job for you. I’d like to have someone investigated. I need to know everything you can get on this man.”
“Who he?”
“His name is Caspian Deangleo.”



Eric couldn’t believe what had happened. How could things have gone to bad to worse into a matter of minutes? How could he have known that she didn’t know. He thought that Brooke had told her. Eric was so tired. His breathing became labored and the shooting pain that he had been having all morning only intensified. He had to find Bridget. He had to make things right. Eric took another step when suddenly the pain was so searing that he grabbed his chest as he fell to the ground gasping for breath. He heard his heart beating faster and faster in his head. He tried to call out to someone; anybody for help but nothing came out of his mouth. He was dying. There was nothing that he could do.



Brooke lay against the soft pillows against the bed. She was exhausted from her day’s events yet she was relaxed. Brooke had been caught up in her thoughts when the door to her bedroom opened and Bridget stood in the doorway. “Momma.” Brooke heard the distress in her daughter’s voice. Bridget had tears streaming down her face. Her hair was in disarray. Brooke said up and rushed toward Bridget wearing a mauve colored robe.
“Honey tell me what is wrong?” She looked Bridget up and down afraid that her daughter was physically hurt.
Bridget was crying so hard. “Bridget. Calm down.” Brooke put her hands on the side of Bridget’s face hard to get her attention. “Bridget, I’m scared. Tell me what happened.”
Bridget pulled away from her mother and wiped her runny nose with the back of her hands. “I should have known that there was more to it than what you told me.”
“Bridget, what are you talking about?”
“Daddy. He only wanted me because of some stock. Some stock! I meant nothing to him.”
Brooke thought that she had been hit in the stomach. “Oh Bridget. Your father loves you.”
“No, he doesn’t. He was willing to use me in order to get his company from you. He didn’t even want me.” Bridget knees gave way and she fell to the ground. Brooke kneeled down next to her daughter. She touched Bridget’s head gently.
“Bridget honey…” Brooke had tears in her eyes. This was her worst nightmare had come true.
Bridget looked into her mother’s eyes and Brooke only saw a sea of pain. “Why didn’t he want me for me momma?” Brooke didn’t know what to say or what to do. So, she did the only thing she knew. She took her daughter into her arms and rocked her. Bridget held on tight to her mother laying her head against her breast and she cried deep hacking tears. The kind of tears that made angels weep. Brooke’s heart broke into two.



Faces, memories of the loved one flashed before his eyes.
Ridge and Thorne playing when they were children.
Felicia riding her bike.
Angelina’s gravesite.
Kristen the first time she ever held a color pencil.
His wedding day with Stephanie.
The first time he took Beth out on a date.
The first time he kissed Brooke.
The day that Rick had been born, lying in the arms of Brooke.
The Como fashion show.
Bridget looking up at him when he first realized that she was his daughter. Her face came alive. “Don’t go daddy we need you.”
He tried to listen but he couldn’t…more memories flashed.
Ridge, Thorne, Kristen’s and Felicia’s reactions to finding out that he had wanted to take Bridget away from Brooke.
Brooke’s look of anger at the last board meeting.
Rick’s argument with him.
Stephanie’s disgust in her eyes.
Bridget’s look of hurt when she found out the truth.
They didn’t need him anymore.
He had failed them all.
The spirit that had been hovering over the body that had lay on the sidewalk slowly made its way heavenward.

Stephanie Forrester jumped up in bed where she had been asleep gasping for breath. “My god. Eric!”

 

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