Susan Mallery - Lip Service

Her sister picked up on the second ring. “Hi. What’s up?”

“I need to trash T. J. Boone all over town. Can you help with that?”

Lexi laughed. “You know I have a phone network that rivals the Pentagon. What do you want me to say?”

“I’m thinking we should start by mentioning an unfortunate lack of size in the male equipment department.”

SKYE STOOD in front of Ray’s grave and touched the impressive carved headstone. The quote, from Aristotle, had been one point of many she’d disagreed with. But Ray’s children had never accepted her, had never been happy about their father’s marriage to a much younger woman. No matter how she explained she wasn’t in it for the money, they didn’t believe her.

After his death, they’d discovered he’d left her only a few million which, from their perspective, had been practically nothing. Instead he’d divided his estate among all his children, including Erin. His children had never known that she had been the one to insist Ray write his will that way.

He’d wanted to leave her “taken care of,” which in his mind meant thirty or forty million dollars. But she didn’t need that. She still had a little money from her mother and she wasn’t a big spender.

Erin’s money had been left in trust for her. Skye had no idea what his other children had done with their shares. There was no contact, not even with their half sister.

She tried not to mind. Erin didn’t know much about them and couldn’t miss a relationship she’d never had. While Skye accepted they would always hate her, she was sad they would reject her child.

Ray had told her to give it time. She hadn’t realized how little they would have together.

“I know you loved me,” she whispered. Not that he could hear her, but it felt good to pretend he could. That she would get an answer and then he would laugh. That big laugh of his that always made her feel better no matter what was going on.

“Mitch got in the way, didn’t he? You knew he was in my heart, even when I didn’t. Even when I tried to forget him.”

Mitch had lived between them, a shadow they couldn’t escape.

“I didn’t love you enough,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “And now you’re gone. You would be so ashamed of me. T.J. turned out to be a real mess. Izzy tried to warn me about him and I wouldn’t listen. It’s my pride. I guess I’ve always had too much pride. Oh, Ray.”

She clutched the headstone, wishing she could go back and change things. If only she’d gotten over Mitch sooner. Or at all.

But that wasn’t her only regret. What she’d finally come to see was that she’d lost herself the day she’d chosen Ray over Mitch. She’d lost the essence of who and what she was and that might also be part of the reason she hadn’t been able to love him as much as he deserved.

Ray had been good to her. He’d always encouraged her to reach for something. He was the one who had suggested she start the foundation. He’d helped her with all the logistics and had offered to give her more seed money. He’d been a lot older, but his heart and spirit had been young and he’d treasured her and Erin.

Now he was gone and she didn’t know what was going to happen next. Except maybe it was time for her to take charge of her own life. To do what was right for herself and her daughter and not let every man around her tell her what to do.

SKYE WOKE to the sound of her cell phone. As she grabbed it, she looked at the clock. It wasn’t even five yet. No good calls came at this time.

“Hello?”

“It’s Dana. Sorry to wake you, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. They’re coming to arrest Jed. You’ve got less than an hour. And no, he shouldn’t run for it. He should call one of his five-hundred-dollar-an-hour attorneys. I wanted you to know because there will be press. Keep Erin away from them.”

Skye sat up. She couldn’t understand what her friend was saying. “Who’s arresting Jed?”

“The Feds. They’ll have local police assisting. It’s for the smuggling. Shipping military weapons overseas isn’t something that makes the government happy. They’ve pulled together some preliminary charges until they can make the big ones stick.”

“This is all Garth,” Skye breathed. “He made this happen. He did it all.”

“I agree, but until we can prove that, Daddy’s going to jail. You can’t tell anyone I called you.”

“I know. I don’t want you getting in trouble. Thanks, Dana.”

“You’re welcome.”

Skye scrambled out of bed. She grabbed a robe, then went down the hall and into Jed’s room.

Her father was already up, showered and dressed. He sat at a desk in the corner, working on his laptop.

“Daddy, the police are coming.”

He didn’t bother looking at her. “I know.”

How could he know and why wasn’t he more upset? “They’re going to arrest you.”

“I’ll be out of jail before noon. My attorneys are already working on it.” He glanced at her. “Don’t worry, Skye. I know what I’m doing.”

She hoped that was true. “This won’t help stock prices.”

“Garth is playing hardball.”

“You know it’s him behind all this?”

“Of course.”

“Then do something. Stop him.”

Jed turned off his laptop and stood. “This is business. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I understand that he’s doing his best to ruin us all.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Don’t patronize me.”

He shrugged into a suit jacket. “I’m about to be arrested for an assortment of crimes, including treason, Skye. Do you think you could save your female tantrum for later?”

She left his room without saying anything and walked down the hall to Izzy’s bedroom.

“You have to get up,” she said as she walked in and turned on the light. “The police are coming and Jed’s going to be arrested.”

She and Izzy hadn’t spoken since the afternoon Izzy had told her about sleeping with T.J. Skye hadn’t yet shared how she’d walked out on him and had Lexi help her start rumors so that he would find it very difficult to ever get a date in Dallas again. But now was not the time.

Izzy sat up and blinked. “What? Arrested?”

“The smuggled arms. And who knows what else.”

“Is he going to be charged with treason?”

“I hope not.”

“They could execute him.”

Skye walked into the large closet and pulled out a pair of black slacks along with the most conservative sweater she could find. In Izzy’s collection there weren’t a lot of choices that didn’t scream hot and sexy.

“Why are you picking out my clothes?”

“Because the press will be here and if they get pictures of us, I want us to look respectable.”

“Do you really think what we’re wearing matters? Jed is going to jail.”

“Appearance can make or break a situation,” Skye snapped. “We’re Titans, Izzy. We have family pride and there is no way we are going to look anything but dignified.”

“It’s five-thirty in the morning. What has your panties in a bunch?”

“Just get dressed.”

Skye hurried down the hall. She had to pull herself together quickly, as well.

She skipped a shower. After dressing, she brushed her hair back and secured it in a French twist. Minimal makeup took care of the circles under her eyes. She wore her mother’s pearl earrings and low pumps. She was about to leave her room when Erin entered.

“Mommy? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, baby.” Skye hugged her. “Did all the noise wake you?”

“I don’t know.” Erin snuggled close. “I just woke up. Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

Skye sat on the bed and set her daughter next to her. “Yes, it is, but we’re okay. There’s a bad man saying bad things about the family. We have to fix that and we will, but right now, it’s complicated.”

“Did you talk to the police? They’ll help you.”

“The police are…confused. They’re going to take your grandpa away and ask him some questions. He’ll be fine. But there are probably going to be some press people here, too. They’ll be loud and rude.”

“They shouldn’t be rude.”

If only thinking that would keep it from happening, Skye thought. “I know. I’m not leaving this house,” she said. “But the police will be here soon. Can you wait in your room until they’re all gone?”

Erin bit her lower lip. “I think I’m scared, Mommy.”

“I’ll wait with her.”

Skye looked up and saw Izzy standing in the doorway. “You don’t want to be downstairs?”

“No, thanks. You represent the family. I’ll keep Erin company. We can play a game. When this is over, I’ll take her out to breakfast.” She turned to Erin. “Calico Café for French toast?”

Erin managed a slight smile. “Okay.”

Skye hugged her. “I love you, Bunny Face. We’re fine. You know that, right?”

Erin nodded. “Tell Grandpa I love him.”

“I will.”

Izzy led Erin away. Skye went downstairs. There were already a half-dozen cars and vans parked in the driveway. News crews gathered. Jed Titan getting arrested was a big story.

Skye waited until several police cars and unmarked sedans pulled up to call for her father. Jed walked down the stairs looking as well dressed and calm as if he were going to a cotillion.

Federal agents climbed the stairs and knocked.

“Let ’em in,” Jed said.

Skye went to the door.

The second she opened it, lights flashed from everywhere. Reporters crowded behind the officers, yelling and taking dozens of pictures.

“We’re here for Jed Titan,” the man in front said as he flashed a badge.

“I’m right here.”

Jed had put on his jacket and stood ready. Skye opened the door wider. The man entered, read him his rights, then walked him out to the waiting cars.

The reporters crowded around, taking pictures and calling out questions. Jed ignored them. He walked with his head high, not trying to hide his face. Skye couldn’t decide if it was pride or arrogance.

She went out onto the big porch to watch her father being driven away, which turned out to be a mistake.

When the police cars were gone, she found herself surrounded by reporters and several feet from the front door.

“Did you know your father was a criminal?”

“What else has Jed sold to our enemies?”

“Do you think your father is a traitor?”

“How much money have you stolen from your foundation?”

“Were you laundering money for him or for the mob?”

The questions flew all around her. She felt trapped and vulnerable and knew there would be pictures of her looking like a frightened deer.

“This is private property,” she yelled. “You need to leave.”

A couple of the reporters laughed. “Are you going to make me?”

A single shot cut through the early-morning air. Everyone turned and saw Mitch climbing out of his truck. He pushed back his cowboy hat and held his rifle loosely in his hand.

“You heard the lady. This is private property.”

This was still Texas, where the tradition of using deadly force to protect property lived on. The reporters ran for their vehicles.

Mitch waited until the last one had left. He looked at Skye. “Dana warned me what was going on. She thought you might need some help.”

She felt herself starting to shake. “It was a mob.”

“Once Jed was taken away, there wasn’t much of a show. They were looking to start a new one.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He hesitated. “Skye, about before.”

She held up a hand. “I can’t do this right now.”

“I don’t want to fight with you anymore. That’s what I’m trying to say. The past is gone. I’m sorry for what I did, what I said. I was mad as hell. Seeing you again pushed all my buttons. I’m done trying to punish you.”

Did he think that made it okay? “Who gives you the right to say it’s over or not? Who gives you the right to punish me? Why do you decide?”

He walked to the bottom of the stairs and offered the rifle. “Want to shoot me?”

“This isn’t funny. I can’t do this anymore, Mitch. I’m exhausted and confused and close to my breaking point. You have to pick. Either be a bastard or be a nice guy. Just decide and then stick with it.”

“I’m not going to be a bastard. I swear.”

“Why should I believe you?”

She turned and walked into the house.

Izzy stood at the foot of the stairs. “Erin fell back asleep.”

“Good,” Skye murmured, wishing she had that ability. It would be nice to sleep until this was over.

“I heard a little of what Mitch said.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You should give him a chance.”

Skye put her hands on her hips. “Who says I haven’t? Who says he hasn’t been a complete bully since he got home? You don’t know what he’s said to me. You do know that he was working for Garth. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”