A Taste of Utopia (27 page)

“I digress. Let me get back to how I ended up pretending to be dead.

“Luna and I always went to sleep with an empty belly, in a cold house. My mom used all the money we had for drugs and booze. So genius here had the brilliant idea of my selling drugs. But Luna wouldn’t have it. Instead, she started selling the drugs. We had an agreement that when I entered high school I would do it, too. We did all right for the most part. Luna was shrewd enough to learn the ins and outs of successful dealings. Her tactics hindered greater profits but kept us under the cops’ radar. Until the day stupid me decided to make more money. I needed to fund my use, which according to Luna was breaking the holiest of cardinal rules. A drug pusher should never use.

“I started to get some gigs on the side. At one of the drop-offs, I got caught. Long story short, I went to jail. Luna bailed me out, but I faced jail time for trafficking. In hindsight, I was the most stupid motherfucker you can think of. But I thought I was too sleek and smart. Like any other teen, I assumed adults were just stupid grownups trying to keep up with my adolescent cleverness. What an asshole I was.”

I stare at the horizon. The sun is long gone. The sky is a solid midnight blue. The only sound we hear is the waves crashing on the shore.

I gather the courage to continue. “The night of Luna’s prom, I went to a luau by the beach. Jerry knew how to get the parole bracelet off my ankle and onto his.

“At the party I drank too much and left early. However, I passed out on a bench at the beach.

“When I woke up, I went straight home. I approached one of the remaining firefighters at the scene. He told me that they had identified the bodies. He wouldn’t tell me their names, but he said they were a female and her teenage son. Though I was too horrified to think clearly, I realized that what they assumed to be my body was Jerry’s.

“I had to find Luna. Explain everything. Tell her I was alive, that they had misidentified Jerry’s body as mine.

“When I stepped around the house, I spotted Caleb standing by his car. He was arguing with an older man. As I approached, I heard Caleb saying. “Nothing will keep me away from Luna now, Dad. Jake is dead. You can’t blackmail me anymore.”

I shake my head at the memory. “I retreated a step. Caleb’s dad, your dad, was the judge presiding over my case. Even though I was a moron, I quickly added everything up. The fucker was using me to separate Luna and Caleb. Which explained Caleb’s attitude toward Luna.

“Again, I went back to the blue bench. I sat there for hours. Thinking. When night fell, I hitchhiked a ride and skipped town.”

My shoulders sag, relieved of the weight of years of secrets.

“The rest you already know.”

Silence follows. Lottie becomes eerily quiet.

I want her to say something. But I wait.

“Wow,” she finally says. “That’s a lot to process.”

That’s when I ready myself to beg for her understanding.

“I was just a child, but I remember how devastated Luna was. She spent the days prior to your funeral at our house. She was like a zombie. As soon as your—whoever’s—body was laid to rest, she disappeared. It took Caleb the entire summer to find her. He almost went crazy.”

She looks at me, an unexpected smile gleaming in her face. “Luna will be so psyched when she finds out you’re alive.” She pauses and grabs my arm. “You are going to tell her, right?”

I freeze. I hadn’t thought that far yet.

“We have to tell her, Seth—or . . . uh, Jake?”

“Call me Seth. Jake no longer exists. He died in that fire.”

“Oh, sorry.”

I smile and shake my head. “Only you would apologize for that.” I grab her hand and bring it to my lips. “I’m a lucky bastard. You know that?”

Her lips curl up in a sweet and slow smile, the same smile I fell in love with so quickly.

“The answer is no. I won’t tell Luna I’m alive. I ruined her life once. Won’t do it again.”

Lottie withdraws her hand. “But, but . . .”

“No, Lottie. You have to understand. I can’t. Luna is happy. She has your brother. She has Jake. She’s expecting a baby. I can’t ruin it all for her. Not again,” I say resolutely.

“Seth, you don’t understand. Luna would be thrilled to have you back.”

“No!” My voice thunders through the night.

Lottie cringes.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry.” I gather her hand back. “Nothing will convince me to invade Luna’s life and tell her I’m alive.”

“So, um, what about us?”

“What about us?”

“We can’t be together without Luna finding out.”

Shit. That’s true. “We’ll find a way.” I can’t ask Lottie to live a lie or pull her away from her family. If we remain together, I’m bound to be found out.

“We’ll figure it out,” Lottie says resolutely. “As long as we’re together.”

We sit in companionable silence until the moon is high in the sky.

“I’m hungry,” Lottie finally says, breaking the silence.

“Let’s go in. I’ll fix you something to eat.” I like the levity the casual conversation brings back. We had too much drama for the night. We need an emotional break from the cumbersome and dirty.

We prepare dinner and eat by the pool, sipping wine. When we go to bed, our lovemaking is slow, bonding, and transcendent.

AS AGREED, FABRICIO
returns for us at sunrise.

We reach the main island and ride back to Lottie’s family house. Each of us lost in our own thoughts and concerns, remain quiet.

“I’ll talk to Dad,” Lottie says with new bravado in her voice.

“No. Absolutely not. I’ll handle him.” The house comes to view.

“But, uh, Dad can be harsh.”

“If by harsh you mean an asshole, you’re right.”

“I think it’s best that I talk to him,” she utters.

“No. This is between him and me. I’ll talk to him.” First, because I will not put Lottie in a position where she has to argue with her dad. She adores the douche. It would hurt her deeply. Second, because I want to have the satisfaction of watching his reaction when he hears all I have to say.

I park on the street in front of the house. I usher Lottie out of the car. With my hands gently holding the side of her face, I ask, “You ready for this?”

She nods her head, but her beautiful features crumple with emotions.

The front door flings open, Ana sprints out of the house and dashes our way.

“Lottie.” She gathers Lottie into a protective hug. “Where have you been?” She pulls back, and her eyes dart between Lottie and me. “I’ve been worried sick about you two.” She hugs Lottie again.

“Hey, Mom. Too tight,” Lottie says letting out a squeak.

“Oh, sorry.” Ana releases Lottie. “God, you can’t do this to me. I’m old and susceptible to a heart attack.”

“Oh, stop all the nonsense. Let the girl breathe,” Granny says as she approaches us. She puts her arms around me for a hug. When she pulls back, she winks and smiles. “I think it is utterly romantic to snatch your bride away for a real honeymoon. Tell me you took my granddaughter to a place where you two spent the day naked.” Her broad smile is hopeful.

Lottie turns pink. “Granny,” she mumbles, staring at the ground.

“What? I live vicariously through you these days, deary.”

“Let’s get in. Your dad has been in a sour mood since you left.”

I possessively grasp Lottie’s hand. There’s no way I’ll let her dad near her. The man is a douche, and there’s no telling if he’ll unveil his wrath on her. I’m not taking chances. She’s risking a lot being with me. Surely her family won’t approve of her marrying an escort. However, she is my wife now. It’s my job to protect her. Even from her family.

A fulminating stare meets us inside the living room. “Charlotte. My office. Now.” With those words, Mr. Cahan turns on his heels and storms out of the room.

“Let me face the music,” she says, pulling her hand away from mine. One thing I already know about my girl is that she’s a pacifist. This ordeal must be absolute hell for her.

We walk toward the office. At the door, when we are out of earshot, I say, “You stay out here. I’ll handle your dad.” I hold her hands and squeeze them in reassurance.

“Dad is furious.”

“More of a reason for me to do this. He’s mad at me, not you. When I’m done with him, we’ll face your family together and then we’ll leave.” I tuck her hair behind her ear.

“How do you think they will take it?” Insecurity laces her voice.

“Why don’t you pack? They’ll need time to digest everything. It’ll be best to give them some space.” I drop a kiss on her lips and follow Mr. Cahan into the office. Before I enter, I turn back and wink at her.

Her lips curve up into a trembling smile. God, I would do anything to wipe that sad and worried expression off her face. I wonder if she ever questions herself if I’m worth the trouble. I hope not.

“I don’t recall inviting you in.” Mr. Cahan chugs down the amber liquid from a tumbler.

“Yet, here I am.”

“Get Charlotte.”

I flash a smile at him. “My wife isn’t going to be part of this conversation.”

“Your wife is my daughter. Get her. She needs to hear what I have to say.”

“I’ve already told her everything.” I sit, uninvited, across from him.

“Did you now, Jacob McCoy?”

The blood swishing inside my veins freezes. Holy Shit. He knows.

“You didn’t think I would sit idly by while you continue to ensnare my daughter in your web of deceit, did you? See, McCoy, I protect what’s mine.”

“So do I, Mr. Cahan. Lottie wants to stay with me. I, too, protect what’s mine. I’ll protect Lottie from anyone, even you. Whether you like it or not, she is my wife. Nothing you do will separate us.”

“Oh, I don’t suppose you include jail time in that pathetic little speech of yours.” He retrieves one his horrendous cigars. My stomach churns at the sight. He lights it and blows a stinky puff straight toward my face. I do hate this man.

“Besides, when she finds out who you really are—a criminal fugitive of the law, she’ll rethink this spectacle you two call a marriage.” The smoke from his cigar curls up like a snake around his head.

“She already knows, Mr. Cahan. Married couples shouldn’t keep secrets from each other, now, should they?”

He narrows his eyes and stares at the cigar he is rolling between his index finger and thumb. “You certainly don’t know who you’re dealing with, young man. Don’t pick a fight with someone bigger than you.” His voice is quietly menacing. “Walk away now or rest assured that soon you will be in jail. And while there, you’re going to rot and wallow in the guilt of having destroyed your cousin’s life.” He calmly brings the cigar to his lips.

I blanch at the mention of Luna’s name. Where is he headed with this?

“See, my beloved daughter-in-law has had a hard time carrying a baby full term. She got pregnant against medical advice. As we speak, she is at home, peacefully on bed rest to ensure her safety and that of her unborn child.” He clicks his tongue. “Imagine the stress of having a long-dead cousin resurrect from the dead, only to go to jail. It would be so devastating. Chances are she’d miscarry.” His expression is one of so much concern and sincerity that it’s disturbingly surreal. The man is good. And by that, I mean cruel and evil.

“You wouldn’t. It’s your grandchild she’s carrying. How could you live with yourself after causing so much devastation in the life of your flesh and blood?”

“Caleb chose her over his family. He’s a big boy. He can handle the consequences.”

“You wouldn’t.” I shake my head in defeated disbelief.

“Oh, I will.”

The door opens abruptly. “No, Dad, you won’t.” Lottie steps into the room and sits beside me. Other than wringing her hands something fierce, her face is serene.

“So good of you to join us, Charlotte. I assume you neglected your manners and were listening behind the door? Well, that will save me the trouble of having to repeat myself.”

Lottie

“YES, I HEARD EVERY
bit of your speech. And I never felt so ashamed of you. And trust me, Dad, I have felt ashamed of you most of my life.”

Seth turns, startled, to me. He has never seen this side of me. Hell, I have never seen this side of myself. I have a mellow, shy, and calm personality. A sheltered life nurtured those traits in me. But desperate times call for desperate measures. There’s a lot at stake, and I have to play in the big leagues.

“I don’t appreciate your tone, Charlotte. You’ve been exposed to some bad influence. It’s time to end this circus. My offer stands. His secret will remain a secret so as long as he vanishes from your life.”

“Oh, give me a break. I’ve been around you my entire life. That’s enough of an evil influence to rot me through to my bones.” I turn the laptop on the desk to me and access my e-mail account. “I have an e-mail, actually a series of e-mails with very descriptive language, dates, and pictures of Gwen.”

I glance up and catch a glimpse of Dad’s ashen face.

I scroll down until I find the folder that has burned a hole in my soul ever since I labeled it “Cotton Candy World.” With a satisfied expression, I glare at Dad’s confused face. “There, I just forward it to you.” I log off my account and look at Dad.