Estelle In Denver (In Denver Series Book 2) (11 page)

"I came to apologize," he says "but I see, since you’re in your old house you have picked back up old habits, biker Stella, didn’t take you long."

His words cut like a knife. I can tell by the shocked look on everyone's face that they have heard what he said. I’m sure the look on my face is shock, confusion, and hurt. I hear Kennedy’s voice behind me.

"Rhydian, walk away now before you say anything else you can’t take back."

“Kennedy, you need to stay out of our business. You have a husband and three kids to worry about. Focus your time on them and stop giving them to everyone else to watch.”

That’s when Easton and the rest of the bikers come to see what all the commotion is about.

“What the fuck did you just say to my wife?" Easton seethes, "you didn't care she was all up in your business when you were crying like a little bitch in our living room asking for advice. I think you better leave before you lose a brother."

"It's all good. I wouldn't fuck Stella with one of those biker dicks, Lord knows what she has."

Crash and Bison stepped forward, but Kennedy and Renegade signaled them to fall back.

I then say the one thing I know will make any man lose their shit.

"You would need one of the bikers to loan you his dick because your cock is seriously lacking."

He stops and turns around with a sick grin on his face.

"You’re right, my cock probably wasn't as good as your daddy’s.”

I walk right to him and stand chest to chest "Leave now."

He doesn't move, he just smirks. I ball my left fist up and as I move it he goes to grab it, but I come around with a right hook. The back of his head hits the door frame and he staggers. I open one of the doors on the double door entrance and the top half of his body falls out the door, I then kick his legs out the door.

I bend down and in a saccharine sweet voice say…

"I would suggest you don't step foot on my property again. Next time I won't be so nice." I stand up, spit on him, and close my door.

"Easton, get your brother the fuck off my property.” I am barely holding onto my anger when it comes to Rhydian. I then turn and face Crash in a calmer manner. "Now Crash, you were asking about paint colors?"

Easton gives Kennedy a kiss, then steps out to gather up his brother.

“I don't know what his issue is, but I'm sorry. Fuck, Estelle, I'm so sorry.” Easton choked in disbelief.

“Don't apologize for him, Easton. He's a big boy. I just don't understand how one minute I'm holding a Harry Winston box in my hand and the next day I’m as STD having biker bunny who is fucking an entire MC.” Easton only shakes his head.

“He’s been lashing out since you went missing. That, combined with the Michael drama has made him lose his mind. He told our dad to shut the fuck up and just listen. None of us have ever talked to our parents like that.”

“I don't know, Easton I have to focus on finding these guys five million dollars. Edwin fucked them out of. I have this house to redo and I need to get back to work."

“Wait, what five million dollars?” Easton says in shocked voice.

“Easton, get Rhydian away from here. I will explain all this to you tonight.”
I say to Easton before joining Kennedy and the rest of my guests.

I wake up with a swollen jaw and aching all over.

“Glad to see you’re awake,” Easton sarcastically said.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him.

“Hell if I know. I should have left you unconscious at Estelle’s entryway, but she made it clear to get you the fuck off her property and the bikers seemed all too happy to make you disappear, so I loaded you up and drove you home. What happened with you and Estelle, you were floating on air and then I find out you kicked her out of your house.”

“I can’t talk about it with you Easton. So much has come crashing down around me. You don't understand.”

“Then make me understand. What would cause you to say something so fucking vile to Estelle, who hasn't done anything to anyone. What you said, Rhydian, I'm not sure if she will ever forgive you. And I should kick your ass for what you said to Kennedy, but Estelle already handled that for me.”

Closing my eyes, I try to think when all this started.

“The first day you brought Estelle to the estate, it was like I felt a zap of electricity, but she was yours, so I ignored my feeling. But Easton, seriously I pined. It was awful when you found Kennedy and Estelle disappeared for all those months. I looked for her. I would drive by that house; I looked places you two had been together. It was like I was going into some kind of separation anxiety, then we went to Florida and there she was, healthy, happy, and alive. I thought I was going to finally get my chance.”

I blow out a breath before I continue.

“I didn’t, she friend zoned me, and I was really ok with that because at least I got to be around her. Being with her as a friend was better than not having her at all. Then I saw that fucking video and I just don't know how to handle it.” I bend over with my hands on my knees trying to stop myself from flipping out over the video again.

“How do I know I won’t touch her wrong and trigger some kind of memory? She was with me one night and woke up in a sweat and throwing up like my touch made her sick. I was going to address it with her at breakfast, but then we had the Michael drama. I was going talk to her that night, but she was taken, she was taken because instead of coming home, she went out with Tristan to buy a car. I would have bought her a car. Why did she have to go to home? She doesn't need me, she didn't need me, and she doesn't need me. I thought I was man enough to deal with what happen to her, but I'll be honest, Easton, on some level it turns my stomach. The thought of her with so many men, and with Edwin. She was sucking my cock and I couldn’t get Edwin's face out of my head. Did she make those little moan sounds for him? It made my skin crawl, then when she needs a car she doesn’t come to me, her boyfriend, she goes to Tristan like always.”

I’m getting pissed off, and it’s making me even madder that Easton isn’t seeing my side of things.

“Whenever she needs something she never leans on me. I told her to get out because I wanted her to fight for me, to show me she wanted me and just me. And she just left and goes back to that house of all places. She'd rather go back to that twisted, fucking den of torture than stay here and talk to me. I went to apologize, and she moved right on to hanging out with bikers. Fucking outlaw bikers, Easton.”

“God, I thought I was fucking stupid when I messed things up with Kennedy last year, but you take the cake. First off, she showed you that she wanted you when she came back here. And if you weren’t able to deal with what you saw on that video, imagine what it's like to deal with it when it happens to you, you dumb asshole. I know why Estelle punched you in the face because it's taking everything in my power not punch you again.

“As far as Tristan buying her a car, he didn't, she bought her own car. That's another thing you got wrong, and as far and Michael and Katie. I'm gonna tell you what Estelle told me, she needs to focus on her recovery and wellbeing, she loves Michael, but she can't get dragged into the drama.

“Now on to the others, the outlaw bikers that you seem to have such an issue with, they went there to get the money Edwin owed. When they realized Estelle didn't know anything after she explained the situation, they offered to help. The president of that outlaw MC happens to be a very close and dear friend of Kennedy’s, and since Kennedy is under his protection, so is Estelle. You’re lucky you didn't end up dead in a fucking ditch with how you acted towards Estelle. I’m gonna tell you the same thing Reed told me. I hope you never get Estelle back. And just so you know, Crash, the biker that has your dick all twisted up, is actually Harvard educated and seems like a nice guy. I can honestly say, I hope he gets the girl because you don't deserve her. Stay away from Estelle, Rhydian, and get some fucking help for your issues. Maybe you need to go away for thirty days and get your shit together.”

And with that, Easton walked out the door, slamming it.

For the next couple of days the guys from the Chosen Ones MC come over every morning to paint or replace flooring. I completely forgot about the game room in the basement and the guys were all too happy to take the pool table and other crap down there. While the guys worked, Crash and I looked over all the ledgers and financial records that were in the house. On day six, I received a letter from a Gary S. Dickie, Attorney at Law. I ask Crash to come with me. I didn’t trust anyone who had dealings with Edwin as far as I could throw them.

We meet at his office downtown three days later. I have to say pulling up in a bright red convertible Mini Cooper, with a giant biker riding shotgun, is not something you see every day. Waiting in reception, I am nervous. Mr. Dickie comes out and ask me back to his office, when Crash gets up, he insists that I need to come alone.

“I’m not going anywhere with you alone. He can either come in or I can come with a police escort.”

The attorney rolls his eyes, but doesn’t say anything else when Crash follows me.

“I am attorney Gary S. Dickie, and I am reading the last will and testament of Edwin Mayò. Here to witness is my paralegal, Fiona Klein, and?” Mr. Dickie looks towards Crash.

“Crash, Sergeant in arms of the Chosen Ones MC.”

“Sir, I need your real name,” the attorney asks, annoyed.

“Crash, Sergeant in arms of the Chosen Ones MC.” Crash replies and leans forward, daring this pencil neck asshole to ask him again.

“Please, make note of this Mrs. Klein”.

Then, Mr. Dickie began to read.

To my darling daughter Stella, I leave you nothing. I wish I would have succeeded in killing you before I died.

Mr. Dickie’s voiced trailed off, and he swallowed hard, uncomfortable.

“Please, Ms. Roux. Let me hand you the letter.”

“No, read it out loud.” He cleared his throat. I could see he was sick having to read the next words.

To my darling daughter Stella,

I leave you nothing. I wish I would have succeeded in killing you before I died. I took joy in every time I raped you and had you raped. It was the highlight of my life, and I go to my grave knowing you will never know where your mother's body is, and that she will never be at peace.

Love, your father

Edwin

Mrs. Klein looks like she is going to be sick, and Mr. Dickie apologizes to me. “I’m sorry, I didn't know what the letter contained. I was instructed not to open and read it till you were in the office alone. I’m sorry.” he says looking down at the table.

“Don’t be,” I say. ”It happened, it's over. He is dead he can't hurt me anymore.” I shrug my shoulder, and look towards the letter he just read.

Mr. Dickie doesn't even ask, he just tears the letter into a million pieces.

“Mr. Dickie, can I ask you something? All of Edwin's assets were in my name—the houses, the cars, everything. Is that something you can help me with?” He smiles a kind smile.

“I will have everything for you by this afternoon, free of charge. I will work on it personally. I have some of the accounts here that where your name first, his name secondary. I think he believed that you wouldn't be entitled to them because they were also in his name, but since you were primary, in fact, every single dime goes to you.”

“Mr. Dickie, I have some men working on one of my houses, I would like to pay them, but I’m not sure how to go about it, they aren't a company just handymen.”

“How much are you needing to pay these men, Ms. Roux?” he pointedly looks at Crash. “It's not like that, Mr. Dickie. Edwin owed these gentlemen money. Instead of coming to collect, they started painting my house and replacing my floors. They have been there for the last couple days as friends, helping me turn what used to be the worst place on the planet for me, to somewhere I can be happy,” Mr. Dickie sits back and thinks.

“If I had to pay someone a large amount of money,” comes a voice from the corner. I’ve almost forgotten about Mrs. Klein. “I would distribute the money evenly among the men doing work. They would get a set amount per quarter and I would list different address for the work being done. As long as taxes are paid no one cares, you will have to add a percentage to account for taxes so they will get the full amount owe. We could set up a trust that would pay directly to the individuals. That way you would have no ties to the money, but it would have to happen over a year. Since the money is in trust, they know it's not going anywhere and once the money is moved, it’s clean.”

I need to ask my president if that gonna work for us, Crash stands up and exits the office for a few minutes, when he come back he tells us it’s a go ahead on the payment plan and he is going to write a list of names to make as payees.

Mr. Dickie smiled. ”Yes, what she said.”

“Ok well, how much is Edwin currently worth? I asked.

“We can liquidate all the accounts you were listed on. We can then set up two working trusts, one for you and one for the repairs on your homes. Just get me the names I need to make them payees. Leave everything to me, I will handle it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Dickie. Sorry I misjudged you.”

“No, it’s ok, I understand now. Please come by later today, and bring Mr. Crash with you. I want you to feel comfortable doing business with us.”

We say our goodbyes and leave with the promise to be back in a few hours.

“Wanna ride somewhere with me? I need to go see my dad and my brother. I want to talk to them about burying my mother. I know they had her cremated, but I would like to have a memorial service for her.” I look down at the keys in my hand, and clear my throat “I think it will be closure for everyone" I say sadly. Crash grabs my chin and lifts my face up. “Don't look down when talking, always maintain eye contact. When you don’t make eye contact with someone they assume you're timid and can be taken advantage of. You always let people know you are in charge."  I nod. "I’ve never met a woman’s family before so this should be a good practice run." he says nudging me towards my car.

We head to Antonio's house, and he and Vaughn are waiting by the door.

“Who's this?” Vaughn asks, taking a defensive stand.

“It's okay, he's a friend. Let’s go in and I will explain.” I say laughing at my brother’s overprotectiveness.

We walk in the living room, and I hand my dad the letter I've been carrying around and the journal that is meant for him.

After everyone has introduced themselves, he sits down and puts the journal and letter aside.

“What’s going on, Princess?” My dad asks.

I flinch at the nickname I used to love. Now it hurts to hear it, so I tell them everything. When I get to the part about what happened with Rhydian at the house, Crash takes it from there. He also fills them in on what happened at the lawyer’s office and was said in the letter. Before anyone can stop him, Vaughn is out of his seat and out the door. He jumps into his Hummer and peels out.

“Where the hell is he going?” I ask confused.

“My guess is to beat the shit out of Rhydian.” Antonio answers with a shrug.

“Aren’t you going to stop him?’

“No, Rhydian brought this on himself.”

I say bye to my dad and head home.

“Damn, I forgot to lock the gate again.” I say to Crash.

When I arrived home, Rhydian is sitting on the front steps of my house. I stop in front of him and sit down on the concrete banister. I wait for him to talk, but he only signs.

“I made a mistake coming here. I thought I would know what to say to you, how to make this right, and to start fresh, but I get here and I have nothing to say. I thought I could swoop in and have all these clever things to say to make you want to come back to me, but I don't. And seeing Viking biker here only makes it more evident that I’m not what you want.”

“His name is Crash” I respond.

“Things are never going to work for us, are they? Rhydian hangs his head.

“Honestly Rhydian, I don't know. What you said hurt me to the bone. You took a weakness I exposed to you because I trusted you, and you used it to stab me in the heart. You kicked me when I was down, Rhydian. Why would I want to be with someone like that; someone who took the single worst thing that happened to me and used it to embarrass me and make me feel worthless? Like I don't have enough of that to deal with on my own. You made what happened to me about you, and you not being able to handle it, guess what? I don’t need you to handle a damn thing, I just needed you to be there.” I say, looking towards the waiting town car. I wipe my tears away with the sleeve of my shirt.

“You know the saying time heals all wounds? I guess I'm still healing from my first batch of battle scars. Right now, I can't deal with it all of this. It’s too much for me to handle. Maybe in time somewhere down the road, I can look past what you did and said, but as things stand right now, I can't have you in my life romantically. Maybe as an acquaintance, but I honestly don't even know if I can be friends with you. You're gonna have to work your ass off to prove you’re not the complete asshole I think you are right now.” I say solemnly with a frown on my face.

“What are you going to do if I have a panic attack, are u gonna turn your back on me every time things get a little hard to handle, or are you willing to prove that you're the man I know you can be? If we have kids, are you going to wonder if I will abuse them? Would you worry that I wouldn't trust you around our children?”

“These are all the things you really need to sit and seriously think about. As far as Crash goes, he was there for me when I had to go to the lawyer’s office for the reading of the will. It was Crash that was there while you were out throwing a tantrum. When I needed to go furniture shopping, it was Crash that was there to help me look at dresser number two hundred and fourteen, and he never complained.”

“You know why he is a part of my life and you’re not? It’s because you kicked me out of yours after we had a few magical nights together. I just want you to figure out what you want out of life because honestly, I don't even think you know. Your problem is that you fell in love with broken, needy Stella, and I’m not her anymore. If you can’t love Estelle, then I'm not sure there is anything for us to ever talk about. Have a good life, Rhydian. Now please leave.” I say point towards the waiting car resigned to the fact that I have laid all my cards on the table.

He didn’t say anything
,
but I can see the same hurt on his face that I must have had on mine when he told me to get the fuck out his apartment, he just turned and walked to the waiting town car.