71: House of Cards Part 1
Imogen
“Imogen, we need to talk. If you will listen….”
“NO! I listened to your lies long enough. LOSE. MY. NUMBER!” I hang up and block yet another
unknown number from Vivienne.
I rest my forehead on my hand, wishing I had a time machine for about the millionth time. Jason won’t speak to me. My boys have blocked me. I tried to go see Cole after school only for them to tell me I’m on the “No Info” list now. Baker only responded to me once, letting me know I could pick up a suitcase with some of my things earlier in the week. He met me outside the gate and my old friend would tell me nothing. Though I haven’t treated him like an old friend either. I didn’t bother pleading with him after a few tries because I am more than
aware his loyalty lies with Jason and the boys.
I called him earlier and asked if I could pick a few other things up from the house. He texted back asking for a list before saying I could, but would need to be early as they had a family
event to attend. I shamelessly waited after retrieving the bag from him and followed Jason to
the college football stadium. The boys were all with him save Easton, who turned off on a residential street before the stadium. Even Baker is attending.
It appeared to be a crowded event and I asked if any tickets were left. My husband is a sports
lover, but it’s hockey that runs through the ice in his veins. He’s never come to one of the
college games since our boys took up playing hockey seriously in high school.
When I saw who the guest of honor was, it surprised me they came. I know Marilyn Soames.
She’s the quintessential society wife. Sits on charity boards all day long and brags about her oldest son incessantly.
I am shocked by what plays out on the screen. They beeped out her first name, but they’re referring to Luci for the car accident. My boys leaving the field to return to their seats allows
me to find Jason. Baker is beside him. Easton has his arms around Luci and I realize he lied to
me well. He was definitely involved with her when I accused him of it. Oh Easton, that girl may not be what you need. An orphan girl with nothing to her name who took up with an engaged
football star before….she could very well be an opportunist. Even if she didn’t deserve to be
bullied or almost killed in a car accident, that doesn’t mean her motives toward him are
genuine. No ordinary girl is naive enough to think a star senior quarterback is interested in her. At least not without being wary at first and making him prove it. Surely she didn’t believe
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71: House of Cards Part 1
him so easily.
I need to talk to Jason. He investigates things like this. Always fussed at me for the girls I hired to watch Cole. How was I supposed to know the nanny agency did such a poor job looking at them first? It all said they were background checked thoroughly. Surely he is wary of this girl. He accused me of having terrible intuition when it came to reading people. At first, I thought he was wrong, but looking back, he was more right than wrong. I trusted a woman who poisoned me against my husband because she wanted him first, and then it allowed her to use me both against him as revenge and for the ways I would spend my money on her. I spent a lot of money on her too. Jason has no idea. He thinks those donations were
charitable. I wince thinking of it all.
I should have paid more attention to my sons. It became easier to ice them out too. And in some weird way, hurting them seemed like I was taking revenge on Jason. Destroying a piece
of him. How stupid could I have been?
Jason’s only communication through his attorney recently was about the joint custody of Cole
that I share with Easton. I’m holding onto that as my ace in the hole. I told them I would like a
chance to see my boys and grandson over the holidays before I sign that over. I would
honestly like to see them. Apologize to them and ask for a chance again.
Perhaps first though, I can ascertain whether Luci is genuinely interested in Easton. Make
sure he won’t be taken advantage of twice. Lorelei did a number on him and I sincerely hope
the girl stays gone.
Easton
“I’ll get an ice bag from the freezer for that arm once we get you home.” I tell her softly as I
listen to Sydney and Stormi happily rehash my fight with Marshall.
“I don’t have any.” Luci’s brow furrows as she cleans my knuckles with the diner’s first aid kit.
I raise one eyebrow. “You do. I might have added some things to your apartment for you today.
“Like curtains to hide if she’s home better. A door security bar along with a push alarm that is
supposed to wake the dead. I put in a better deadbolt than what she had too. The ice packs
were meant for me in case Marshall got a hit or two in.
Stormi’s voice interrupts. “I so wish I got you crushing his hand on video. You should have
gotten the left one too.” She grins wickedly.
“Don’t hold back on us there, Stormi.” Syd laughs. “It was awesome though. I can’t wait to see
tomorrow morning’s headlines.”
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71: House of Cards Part 1
“Should make the seven o’clock news.” Dad says smirking. “And there should be a camera crew at the jail or here when he picks up his car.”
“Which could be a problem. Seems someone slashed three of his tires.” Kingston drawls out, barely glancing at Becker.
“Is that where someone went while we were holding Marshall in place?” Jackson asks slowly.
“Only three?” Stormi asks, staring at Becker.
He meets her gaze, looking amused. “Well, rumor has it, insurance will cover four tires slashed but not three. Would hate for Marshall to get anything taken care of for free.”
“That’s often true.” Banning adds. He gazes down at his phone. “Mom sent some pictures. The rascals have been in bed asleep for over two hours.”
I open my phone and smile seeing them in sleeping bags under a superhero tent. “Nanna says thanks for the tent too, Luci Lou.” Banning adds with a rueful head shake.
“You bought that?” I ask her and she shrugs.
“They wanted to camp out, and I thought that might help Mrs. Isabelle get them to sleep.”
“You bought sleeping bags too, Luci.” Syd points at her. “You spoil those two.”
She smiles, shaking her head. After dinner, everyone heads home. I haven’t failed to notice how quiet she’s been. “You have new keys.” I warn her as I unlock the door.
“You were busy today.” She frowns.
“Making sure you are a little more safe. Though I’ll worry until you move in with us.” I lock the door and add the bar before heading for her kitchen to grab the ice pack.
She’s frozen with her coat half off. “Move in with you?” She whispers. She’s gone into her head. I can tell. I call her name softly a few times as I head back her way. She shakes out of it,
locking her gaze onto me.
I keep my eyes on hers as I walk over with the pack. “Are you scared of that idea, Luci?” I push her sleeve up, seeing red as I look at the handprint there. I wrap it around and secure it.
“You just…that…you sounded so sure. And you’ve never mentioned anything like that before.”
She stares up at me biting her lip.
“If I didn’t have Cole, I’d already have moved in with you. And bought us a bigger bed.” I added teasingly. “Luci, did you think I was going to drop this when we graduate, and I start playing
pro hockey? I’m all in with you, remember?” I frame her face with my hands.
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“I just…I keep waiting to wake up, and you not know I exist again. I’m not scared of anything with you.” She admits softly.
“I’d be that miserable, cold asshole still. Hmm…pass on that. I’d miss you way too much.” She smiles at that. Tomorrow we’ll pick up Cole for his hockey practice, and then I thought we’d spend the day together. A family date.”
She nods as I grip the sides of her waist. “Now let’s talk about you wrapping your arms around f*****g Julian.”
She chuckles. “I was forgiving him. He…he seems to have changed. He needed to know he’s
not his brother.”
“And that excuses you touching him like that? In front of me?”
That little glint of defiant mischief sparkles in her eyes. “You’d rather I do it behind your back?”
“No. I’d rather you not touch any other guys. My brothers I am able to tolerate. Maybe Banning.
But definitely not some football player who then remarks how special you are and offers to be
part of the line waiting for a shot with you.” I narrow my eyes at her, not joking at all. I think he
was kidding, but I take no chances where she’s concerned.
“Like I’d want Julian.” She fires back. “He’s not my type.”
“And what is your type? Also, why were you so quiet at the diner?”
She draws away from me. “You guys went a lot further than I thought you would. And I still
don’t know all the details. You held all of it back. It was a lot to take in.”
“I wasn’t sure if it would all work out. Didn’t want to get your hopes up. They built their whole justification of their treatment of you on a house of cards and we decided to blow it down. You skipped a question I asked sweetness.” I remind her.
Her eyes light up. “I think someone owes me like twelve of my twenty questions from a date
recently.”
Damn. I forgot that.
I sigh. “Start asking then. You already know what kind of underwear I wear though.”
She laughs. “Who said I’m worried about your underwear?”
“First question sweetness. I think you like my underwear. I haven’t heard you complaining.”
Now her eyes narrow. “What did your dad do with their houses?”
“He bought their mortgages from the bank. They will be evicted on Monday.” I tell her honestly.
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71: House of Cards Part 1
Dad went fully off the reservation when he learned what Gina did to Luci’s major. He was already pissed but that sent him into full unhinged rage. It had done the same for me. They ruined her present and made sure she’d be miserable all her life.
“Was the rest all your idea?” She whispers.
“I had help. My brothers chose the date to do this. Maximum public humiliation and effect. I only planned to get them fired as coaches by both teams refusing to play. Dad decided to make sure they thought they were getting promoted so they’d lose any possible coaching jobs. Kingston came up with asking Mrs. Anderson for help after Cole mentioned she wanted you to come back. We had a chat with her, and she was no fan of Gina Humphries already. She
thinks you’re amazing, Luci, and wants you to change your major back.”
She looks away and I turn her face back to me. “Sweetness?”
“I don’t have time. My scholarship runs out after this semester. I probably shouldn’t teach kids
anyway.” Her voice is soft and sad.
“I’ll
pay for you to finish getting a degree doing what you love.” I offer.
“I can’t let you do that. It’s ok.”
“No Luci, it isn’t. It really isn’t. Think about it for me.” I insist. She barely nods.
“Luci, I mean it. I want you to be happy. Not internally crying every day you go to work.” Or you
can let me take care of you, I add internally.
“I’ll think about it.” She finally says.
I can tell she’s ready for a break from all the seriousness of tonight. I give her a minute.
She lifts her head and narrows her eyes at me. “What color underwear do you have on?”
I raise an eyebrow at her. “Come find out.”
She purses her lips together to hide the grin. “Are you going to punish me for hugging Julian?”
“f**k yes I am.” I growl at her as she pushes my shirt off. Her fingers trace slowly over my
chest. I never miss how she runs one finger delicately along Cole’s fingerprint and birthdate.
“How?” She unbuckles my belt and I ball my fists, ready to pounce on her.
“I need to decide. Give me two minutes.” She pushes my jeans down.
“Very festive Captain hottie. I like the Christmas trees.” She smiles at my underwear. That
damn nickname…
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71: House of Cards Part 1
“It was the closest thing to mistletoe I could find.” I add with a smirk. “I have your punishment.
I’m going to make you come so many times tonight, you lose your voice. Then you can come
up with an excuse why you’re speechless tomorrow.”
“Very sure of yourself, Easton Reed. You want to hear what my type is?”
“Yes and while you describe him, you’re going to start losing your clothes because I’m the type that wants to see you naked.” I tug her sweater over her head. “My favorite color.” I mumble as
I stare at the bright blue lace bra. I start unbuttoning her jeans as my mouth skims down her
throat. “Start describing your type sweetness, so I know if you need two punishments. My hockey stick is out in the truck.” I offer wickedly.
Her palms run up my chest as I shove her pants off. “Very tall…blonde….” She pauses as my
hands cup her breasts and my thumbs find those tight n*****s.
“Don’t stop.” I tease her.
“Possessive, hot but cold, with eyes like liquid silver and a wicked sinful mouth.” She moans
as I nip her neck.
“Anything else, my beautiful Luci?” I lift her and carry her to bed.
“He always makes me feel good and takes care of me. He has learned me well so far and keeps listening. His words carry weight because while he doesn’t write poetry, he only says what he truly thinks. He has a big heart even though he hides it.” I hover over her absorbing
every word. Luci’s words can humble you or raise you up to a height you hope to maintain for
her.
I slip one finger under her panties and she arches up toward me. I fuse my mouth to hers, kissing her slowly and deeply. Prolonging each kiss as her tongue meets mine with equal fervor making me groan deep in my throat. I swear I lose myself just kissing her; the way she responds to me and how her hands will slide over me as she loses herself to the pure sensations assaulting her. “You forgot something.” I manage to say though my voice is hoarse
and broken.
She’s having trouble forming words as I stare down at her bemused face.
“He’s completely obsessed with you.”
#
Ivory Row
Part two will be out in the morning. I cannot stay awake enoug to finish editing it. A little insight to see where Imogen is at right now. She still doesn’t quite get it.
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