Terry steps forward, and I can’t help looking over to see Clarissa covering her mouth with her hand. I wonder if she’d seen him since he disowned her. If I had to decide, I don’t know who I want to kill more, Clarissa’s uncle or my uncle.
Terry speaks, “I’m sorry, Matthias. But I don’t know if you understand how serious this is. Look at what you did to Patrick. You know that you’re going away for this.”
The thing is, I do know. I know this got way out of hand, and that there are going to be repercussions. I couldn’t do anything from the cell. But they’re wasting my precious time now.
“Patrick, tell Matthias what the ADA said to you.”
Patrick coughs and winces, grabbing his side. It fills me with a sick sense of satisfaction. “Grievous bodily harm, second degree. You’re looking at some hard jail time.”
“It was worth it if it stopped you from doing the same to Clarissa. Don’t pretend that you’re some victim. Why don’t you tell them what you were going to instead, and see how many are on your side?”
Patrick poses, turning to Clarissa, his voice filled with deception. “I was just there to talk, Clarissa. I swear, I was just there to talk.”
Clarissa lets out a little choked gasp and My-Linh and Kiara immediately flank her, taking her hands in theirs.
What a picture my office makes right now, us against them.
Again.
When are we going to have to stop fighting for our lives against this man who is supposed to be our family?
For the first time in a long time, I wish my grandfather was there to come between us. How can Gerry let his memory down day after day?
But there I was, being led away in handcuffs from my hideout. And someone had to have reported my location to the police.
It had to one of them. It had to be. But who?
“You called the police on me, didn’t you?” I ask.
I get the answer I’m looking for, though, when Gerald and Terry turn to share a look. I knew.
Fucking in cahoots. I’m going to get them for collusion.
“Which. One. Of. You?” I ask, needing to know.
Gerry shrugs. “You committed a crime, Matthias. You should be punished. You’re not above the law, sonny boy, no matter how much you think you’re untouchable. I’ve told you before, one day your recklessness was going to get you and us in trouble. And look what happened. You almost killed someone.”
I step forward to fling myself at him, when I feel Damien hold me back. “You asshole. You are so fucking hungry to be CEO you’d put the company in jeopardy?”
His face breaks into a smug grin. “I hate to tell you this, Matthias, but I am the CEO.”
Damien steps forward. “Interim CEO. For another six months. Enjoy your time when you can, because when you’re out, there’s not a single Baxter business that you’re going to be allowed to step a slimy foot in.”
I can’t think about that right now. I need to know more about who is responsible for this. “But how did you know I was there?”
This time, instead of sharing a look, they both turn to look at… Clarissa.
She glances at me nervously, then over at them.
“No,” she shakes her head.
The air in the room thins, and nobody breathes or moves for a second
“Clarissa?” my voice comes out small and scared. “What is going on?”
“I think it’s time you tell them what’s going on, why don’t you, sweetheart?” Gerry says. “Might as well tell them now.”
“Tell us what?” I’m panicked.
Clarissa moves away from the other women and toward me. “I don’t know what he’s talking about,
Mathias. I didn’t tell him you were there!”
“Then how did I know where he was, sweetheart?”
I want to wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze until there’s not a single breath of air inside him for the way he keeps calling her “sweetheart.” But I also need to know what’s going on.
Gerry knows, and he keeps pushing. “I’m giving you one last chance to tell him, sweetheart. Or I’m going to. And I think it’s better if they hear it from you.”
The suspense is throttling me. “What are you talking about? Just say it!” “Well…” Gerry starts.
“No! I want to hear it from her. Clarissa, what is he talking about?”
She just shakes her head back and forth, the hair around her face flying back and forth, face tinted green. For a split second, I consider grabbing her hand and taking her away from here. And living in sweet oblivion, but together, for the rest of our days.
Gerry gives up waiting for her. “This was always what was going to happen, Matthias. That’s what she’s not telling you. She’s planned this for the longest time. Haven’t you, Clarissa? You were just waiting for the chance.”
“No!” she shouts. “Please stop.”
But he doesn’t. “Tell them. Tell them all how much you have always hated the Baxter name. Tell them how humiliated you were when Damien called your engagement off. Tell them how you came to me for help. Tell them how you swore you would do everything to take them down, you were just waiting for your chance.” “Clarissa…” I gasp.
Her face blanched. “It wasn’t like that!”
“Oh my god,” My-Linh exhales, echoing my own thoughts.
“It’s not what happened!” Clarissa yells, backing up.
Gerry keeps going, the only one whose voice stays even, calm. Cold. “You were angry at Damien…
Don’t lie about that.”
She nods. “I was. But everyone knows that. But that has nothing to do with Matthias. I was mad at
Damien, and I was stupid. But that’s all over.”
Gerry continues, “Is it, really?”
Her eyes fill with tears and she pleads with him. “Please. Please, Gerry, stop! Why are you doing this to me?”
His face doesn’t even move when he says, “We had a deal, sweetheart, that’s why. The deal we made when you were lying in bed. Or don’t you remember?” “Gerry! Stop!” she wails.
I can’t breathe
I don’t want to hear any more but I can’t stop before knowing the truth.
I face her, the question on my lips. “Did you sleep with him?” “Matthias. Please.” Tears stream down her cheeks.
I want to look away, but I won’t know the truth unless she says it to my face. “I asked you a question, Clarissa. Did you sleep with him?”
Gerry interrupts, “I-”
I swing around, feeling murderous. “You shut the fuck up. God, if you value your life, you’re going to shut the fuck up.” I turn to her again, my head suddenly pounding. “Clarissa. I’m going to give you one last chance to tell me the truth. Did you sleep with my uncle?”