The maxwell collection, p.86
The Maxwell Collection, page 86
I was as shocked as she was, but I was also dead serious. She was the missing link in my life. “Lizard,” I said in warning. “I will tickle you with that feather.” I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want her to go back to Miami. Although, as rough as it would be for me to be away from her, I would deal if I had to. I loved her that much. Deep down I always had. If it weren’t for Terrance Malden stealing her inheritance, I wouldn’t be there with the one girl who wasn’t getting away from me again. “Better yet.” I squeezed her sides.
She squirmed faster than a rattlesnake. “Okay, I won’t tease.”
“Seriously. Think about it. I know you still need to get your inheritance worked out, but I can’t keep living at home. The commute is too far. And I don’t want to live with Zach. His gig babysitting that house ends when summer starts anyway. I don’t want to go back to the dorms for my senior year at BU. Aside from all that, I want to make new memories with you.”
She traced the scar on my chin. “I’ll think about it. For now, can we have a repeat of tonight?”
“Hell yeah.” I climbed off her then extended my hand. “Let’s go. The shower awaits.”
30
Lizzie
Kelton and I were sitting in Mr. Davenport’s office, waiting for him to get out of his meeting.
I gazed out at the city skyline, the March sunshine glinting off the buildings. I played with my earring as I sifted through the events since I’d arrived in Boston. My sole purpose had been to find Terrance Malden, get my inheritance back, and return to Miami and school. Never had I imagined I would find Kelton along the way—or Dillon, Bee, and Allie either. I had some decisions to make once I resolved the legal part of my inheritance. Miami was home to me. All the memories of my parents were there. I was enrolled in a great marine biology program, and I had access to the tropical waters off the coast of Florida.
On the other hand, it was time for me to stop shutting people out of my life. I’d been doing that since my parents died, afraid that I would lose anyone I loved, and while I’d taken that chance exposing my feelings to Kelton, I was still deathly afraid that all the good that had come out of my time in Boston would vanish in an instant. More importantly, I would be a complete wreck if I left Kelton behind. I couldn’t ask him to leave his family or school. He was taking every step to get into Harvard Law. I refused to ask him to give up his dream for me. But my dream was to finish my degree in marine biology and build a life with Kelton.
After our amazing night together that past Sunday, I’d had to time to think. I’d remembered from when I was researching colleges a couple of years before that BU had a great marine biology program. However, before I made that decision I had to ask Kelton one more time if he was serious about his offer for us to get an apartment together. I believed he was, but people did say things in the heat of passion. Since we’d had time to think about us, I didn’t want to assume anything.
I glanced at Kelton, who was bouncing his knee. He hadn’t heard from Mr. Davenport about the job offer yet. And given that we’d ended up at the police station, I was somewhat nervous for him.
“Do you think Mr. Davenport got wind of you at the police station?” I had an inkling as to why I was there. The lawyer in Florida, Mr. Pilkington, had had the meeting the day before with the courts for my temporary injunction to freeze my assets, which I was praying the courts approved.
He shrugged a muscled shoulder. “I hope not.”
I snagged his hand, twining my fingers in his. “Maybe we’ll both get good news.”
“Did you think more about staying in Boston?” Kelton asked, trepidation pooling in his blue eyes.
The door opened, followed by the voices of Mr. Davenport and another man. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. Kelton and I turned our attention to not only Mr. Davenport, but to Terrance Malden.
My mouth dropped open. Kelton and I exchanged a smile.
“Let’s all sit over here.” Mr. Davenport waved at the small conference table behind us as he held folders in his other hand.
Terrance carried his briefcase as he crossed the floor to a chair at the table. He was dressed in a business suit, and his hair was combed back. He appeared fresh and ready for battle.
My stomach heaved as Kelton helped me to stand. Sure, I was happy Terrance was there. To me his presence signified that he was willing to help. But I was also apprehensive. He’d said there was only two hundred thousand dollars left in my bank accounts. However, if he hadn’t done any accounting on the estate, the remaining funds might be slotted for unpaid bills.
Mr. Davenport didn’t give me a chance to think or speak. No sooner than he’d sat in a chair at the head of the table he said, “Ms. Reardon.”
I swung my gaze from Terrance to Mr. Davenport as Kelton and I took two chairs across from Terrance.
“I called you here today to discuss the outcome of the temporary injunction that took place yesterday,” Mr. Davenport said. “Before I get to that, I want to address the reason Mr. Malden is here.”
I pinned my gaze on Terrance. He flashed me a tentative smile.
Mr. Davenport flipped open a folder. “Mr. Malden has handed over all the documents on your estate. And for the last three hours, I’ve had the opportunity to go through them.”
The churning in my stomach settled for the moment. I wasn’t about to get my hopes up. Kelton reached under the table and rested his hand on my thigh. I placed mine on top of his. For so long I’d been on my own with no one to turn to, and while I could fight for what was mine, his love, his presence, and his strength were a balm to my frayed edges.
“It appears from these documents that Mr. Malden has been draining the estate of cash. He’s failed to file any tax returns. He’s failed to pay any debt of the estate, and he’s also failed to provide Ms. Reardon’s living expenses.” He glanced at Terrance. “Under the law, I have no grounds to have you arrested. However, Ms. Reardon has a right to bring a civil suit against you, which we will discuss in a minute. The Florida courts can also hold you in contempt. But you wanted to say a few words.”
Terrance bobbed his head at Mr. Davenport before setting his apologetic gaze on me. “After our conversation in the police van, I thought long and hard about what you said.”
Kelton gripped my hand tightly. I glanced at Mr. Davenport. He studied Kelton for a moment before writing something down on a piece of paper. Yeah, he knew.
“Your father and I were great friends,” Terrance continued. “I’d have done anything for him. But when he asked me to watch over you if something ever happened to him and your mother, I was speechless. I told him I wasn’t the right person. He’d said he didn’t trust anyone else, not even the little family he or your mother had.” He lowered his gaze briefly. “I’ve never been a good father. I put my kid through hell. I stole from him too. Gambling is an addiction that’s hard to break. I cursed your father in his grave. I’m still angry with him for dying and for thinking I was the right person for this job. I was supposed to be on that boat with them that weekend.” Tears formed in his eyes.
I was supposed to have been on the boat with my parents as well. I had to sympathize with Terrance. I was also angry that my parents were taken from me, but that wasn’t anyone’s fault. Habit or not, sympathy aside, he stole from me. He has a disease.
“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I’m not proud of what I’ve done. You made me see that I need to make vast changes in my life, especially now with a grandbaby on the way. So I’m entering a rehab facility. But I will do what I can to cooperate with the attorneys and the courts to make this right.”
“How much have you gambled away?” I asked.
Mr. Davenport pulled a piece of paper out of a folder. “Roughly six hundred thousand dollars has been depleted from the bank accounts. Is that correct, Mr. Malden?”
“Yes. But there’s the two hundred thousand that’s left in the bank account, and I have three hundred thousand in winnings from recent poker games that I’ll return immediately.”
“How can I be sure I’ll get that money?” Once Terrance walked out, he could very well disappear.
“Terrance and I have already started the paperwork for the wire transfer,” Mr. Davenport said.
I let out a quiet breath.
“That’s the cash part of the estate,” Kelton chimed in. “But what about the rest, the 401Ks or any other monies her parents had?”
“Fortunately, her parents had set up a separate trust specifically for the 401Ks,” Mr. Davenport explained. “And that trust hasn’t been touched. Mr. Malden couldn’t touch it anyway. The details outline there’s two point five million in 401Ks. When Ms. Reardon finishes college, she will be paid a portion of the monies from the 401Ks on an annual basis, leaving the balance to grow and adjust with market fluctuations.”
My breath caught in my throat. I remembered Mr. Pilkington telling me after my parents’ funeral that I’d be set for life. I also recalled something about a million dollars, but I hadn’t paid close attention during that meeting. I slumped in my chair, gripping Kelton’s fingers, holding back tears of joy that the majority of the money was tied up in 401Ks and Terrance hadn’t had access to those accounts. But I wasn’t out of the woods yet. Mr. Davenport explained that Terrance hadn’t filed any tax returns or paid any bills associated with the estate. I couldn’t be certain, but I guessed the IRS would want their share regardless of a trustee’s theft of the money.
“Ms. Reardon?” Mr. Davenport said. “Are you okay?”
I blinked away a lone tear. “What bills need to be paid against the estate? And how much do I really have when everything is paid?” Since I didn’t have access to the 401Ks until I graduated college, I needed to live, pay for school, and pay back my own debt, though that wasn’t much in the grand scheme of things. I owed a landlord for back rent, which totaled three grand. I’d bet he’d already packed up my things and rented out the apartment. I had to settle my score with him if I wanted my furniture and the rest of my clothes.
Mr. Davenport’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “Until we work up the tax documents, it’s hard to say. The good news is that the lawyer in Florida was able to get the temporary injunction approved to freeze the assets. Mr. Malden will not have access to any of your money. The next steps are to get the accounting straight, remove Mr. Malden as the trustee, pay any outstanding debt, and name a new trustee. You also need to decide if you would like to bring a civil suit against him.”
I wanted retribution. I wanted for all this to end. I wanted to move on, and above all I wanted control of my life. If I did take Terrance to court, that would be more money out of my pocket. In the end, it was a crapshoot whether I would win. Not to mention, if I did, how would he pay me?
Kelton rubbed the backs of my fingers as he leaned into me. “Whatever you decide, I’m with you,” he whispered in my ear.
Terrance was cooperating, and I’d told him I wouldn’t press charges if he did. “No civil suits.” I pinned a glare on Terrance.
“I’m sorry for everything, Elizabeth,” Terrance said. “I truly am.”
Behind Terrance’s gambling habit, he wasn’t a bad man. I’d never known him as well as my dad had, but I knew my dad would have done whatever he could to help a friend turn his life around. “You need serious help. I pray rehab works for you.”
“Thank you,” Terrance said.
“Good.” Mr. Davenport glanced at Terrance. “I appreciate you coming in. If I need anything else, I’ll be sure to call. I’ll walk you out.” Then he eyed Kelton. “I need a word with you and Ms. Reardon.”
Kelton stiffened his chair.
Terrance and Mr. Davenport left the office.
“I’m so screwed. Did you see how he looked at me when Terrance said police van?” Kelton’s voice wobbled.
Mr. Davenport came back in. For one beat, the room was silent. Then Mr. Davenport cleared his throat. “Before we get to the matter of your résumé, Mr. Maxwell, care to explain the events of last Saturday night? Mr. Malden mentioned how all of you ended up at a police station for illegal gambling.”
Kelton’s knee moved.
I would’ve reached out to comfort him, but even I was jittery. I knew I should leave. I had no business being part of Kelton’s job interview. I couldn’t let Kelton take the rap for what had been my fault though. If I hadn’t gotten angry, we wouldn’t have found ourselves in a police station.
“It’s my fault,” I said. “I figured it was the only way to get Terrance’s attention. Kelton tried to talk me out of it.”
“Is that true, Mr. Maxwell?” Mr. Davenport asked, his finger resting under his chin.
Kelton sat up stoically. “I knew the consequences of my actions when I accompanied Elizabeth on Saturday night. And as much as I want to be a lawyer, Elizabeth is more important to me than the law. So, thank you for your interest in me.” Kelton started to stand.
No way Kelton was jeopardizing his one dream of being a lawyer for me. I opened my mouth to speak.
“Sit down, Mr. Maxwell,” Mr. Davenport said in a hard tone. “First, I admit that I was skeptical of your qualifications until I spoke to Brady, Schlenk, and Schiel. Then I was impressed when you contacted me about Ms. Reardon’s case. Then you didn’t show with Ms. Reardon for our meeting, so I thought you were irresponsible. However, you did surprise me by making a follow-up appointment to try and salvage your screw-up. I get that you’re dedicated and that you want this intern job. But I was serious when I said that any trouble with the law will not be tolerated in this firm.” His gaze fell to a sticky note on the outside of a folder in front of him.
While he did, the silence was deadly.
“After Mr. Malden explained the events of Saturday night, I made a call to a Detective Rayburn.” Mr. Davenport switched his gaze from the note to Kelton. “He said you kids were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Apparently his undercover agent, who he wouldn’t name, said Ms. Reardon and a friend of yours, Dillon Hart, were the ones playing poker. Regardless, Mr. Maxwell, none of this gets you off the hook. But…” He ran a finger over his eyebrow. “My gut tells me you will be a great lawyer. And we need great lawyers. So you get one shot with me. If you pull a stunt like that while working here, you’ll be fired on the spot. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Kelton said as he stood and held out his hand. “Thank you.”
I was about to explode, but I didn’t want to come off as a crazy person by jumping into Kelton’s lap. So I smiled as wide as I could.
Mr. Davenport pushed to his feet and accepted Kelton’s hand. “You will show up on time. If for any reason you can’t make it, you will let me know immediately. In the meantime, work with Bonnie on your class schedule and what days you’re available to work. And you won’t be working on Ms. Reardon’s case. If you two are in a relationship, that would be a conflict of interest.”
As long as Kelton got the job, I didn’t care if another intern was working my case.
“No problem. Thank you so much. I will not disappoint you,” Kelton said with his head held high.
“I have every confidence you won’t.” Then he said to me, “We’ve made long strides today. I’ll fill in Mr. Pilkington. In the short term, I’ll need you to stay in town in case I need you to sign any documents, if that’s okay.”
More than okay. Kelton and I had some unfinished business.
31
Kelton
I was dying to scream, shout, and swing Lizzie in my arms. But I had to wait until we were out of the building so I wouldn’t come off as unprofessional. We made it down to the lobby, and I was just about to pick up Lizzie when Zach and Chloe rose from the lobby chairs. Zach took Chloe’s hand as they made their way to us. I hadn’t spoken to Zach since the day Chloe had told me he was the father. Even when I’d moved out, he hadn’t been around, and since I wasn’t modeling for Brew anymore and Zach and I didn’t have any classes together, I hadn’t bumped into him on campus.
“Hey, man,” Zach said. His hair wasn’t messy, he was clean-shaven, and he was dressed in tailored pants. The dude appeared as though he’d shed years of worry.
“What are you doing here?” Lizzie asked, swinging her gaze between Zach and Chloe.
Chloe beamed. Gone were the puffy eyes that had seemed to become the norm for her. She stuck out her small hand to Lizzie. “I’m Chloe. I know we met when you had red hair, but since then we haven’t really met.” She laughed.
It was good to see Chloe happy.
Lizzie shook hands with her. “I’m Lizzie. Congrats on the baby.”
Chloe blushed at Zach.
Okay, this was way too awkward for me.
“We came with my dad,” Zach said. “I wanted to thank Lizzie and apologize to both of you.” He let go of Chloe. “My dad told me what happened. He said Lizzie made him realize he needed to get his head screwed on properly. Well, not in those words.” He chuckled. “Anyway, I wanted to thank you. I also wanted to say how sorry I am. I was an ass to Lizzie at Rumors that day, and to you, Kelton, for everything. I should’ve told you Chloe and I were dating. I know we had a friend code, and when I put myself in your shoes, I get it. I would’ve been equally as pissed. I value our friendship, man.”
I wasn’t one to hold grudges. He hadn’t slept with Chloe while she and I were dating, at least that was what Chloe had said. I’d never known her to lie either. Therefore, no one cheated. The only problem I had was Zach breaking our friend code on dating ex-girlfriends. But seeing how happy they were together, concerns about that friend code disappeared. I couldn’t fault either of them for wanting happiness. Hell, I was over the fucking moon with Lizzie in my life.
I pulled Zach in for a man hug. “Congrats, daddy.” I laughed as I stepped back.
Zach beamed from ear to ear. “Dude, thank you.”
“Where is your father, by the way?” Lizzie asked.
“He went to get the car,” Zach said. “He doesn’t want Chloe walking five blocks to the garage.”
