Wild at Heart (6 page)

Rex put his hands up, waving her concerns away. “You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll cover him for now, until he can get back on his feet.”

“You know how he is, Rex. He won’t let you.”

“Well, he doesn’t exactly have a choice this time, does he? He can pay me back. I’ll see if I can find some art buyers for him in the meantime.” Rex shrugged. “We’ll work it out, Cee. Let’s just get him out of here and settled so he can heal.” He glanced over toward me, and I flicked my focus off their reflections, and back on the vista again. “I’ve got to take Ree home. I’ll be back later.”

Then Celia was saying goodbye and disappearing down the hall while Rex and I got back into the elevator. As we walked to the hotel to pick up my things, I couldn’t stop thinking about their conversation.

And I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

“I can set up a show for Dare at La Période Bleue,” I said. “I know Sabine will say yes.”

Rex didn’t say anything for a moment. “You heard.” It wasn’t an accusation, just a statement of fact.

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I swear. It just—”

“No, it’s fine, Ree. Dare needs all the help he can get, even when he thinks he has to do it all himself. Or maybe especially then.” He nodded. “A show would be an incredible help, actually. He told me he has quite a number of works at his studio in Paris. He could sell those.” His face was getting more animated the more he thought about it. “Yes. This would be perfect. If you could set it up, I’ll present it to Dare.” He shot me a worried glance. “I just think it’ll be best coming from me right now.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Of course. He doesn’t even have to know that I had anything to do with it. That’s fine. Really. I’ll stay out of it.” I ducked my head, not wanting Rex to see the fresh hurt reflected on my face.

Placing his hand on my arm, he stopped me. “Ree. It’s just for the time being. Trust me on this. He’ll come around because he’ll have to. He can’t fight this battle alone, no matter how much he thinks he has to. And having seen the way he looks at you…” He gave me a reassuring smile. “You two belong together.”

I tried to take comfort in that, but at the moment, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry.

Which is exactly what I did about an hour later. We collected the meager amount of stuff I’d brought from Paris, grabbed a cab to Rex’s house, and he left me to settle into the apartment while he went back to the hospital. My bags sat exactly where I’d dropped them before I collapsed on the bed.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this could all be fixed by my father. He could put Dare’s dad back behind bars where he belonged, and then Dare and I would be free to be together. Dare wouldn’t have to worry about my safety or anyone else’s.

It would solve everything.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I got angrier and angrier as I stewed on the fact that none of this would have happened if my father had kept his fucking nose out of my business. That everything that had happened to Dare and his family these past weeks was a direct result of my father’s interference.

And I was not going to just sit here and take it. All my life I’d gone along with everything my parents wanted, never rocking the boat, never confronting them.

But that was the old Reagan. The new Ree wasn’t going to take their shit anymore, nor tolerate their meddling in my life.

I was going to make sure they knew that once and for all.

Right fucking now.

eight

T
he lobby of my parents’ Upper East Side penthouse was bustling with well-dressed New York elite. Two broad-shouldered guards framed a tiny, blonde event planner who was checking names off a list before the guests filed into the elevator. Despite my scowl and lack of party attire she waved me through without hesitation.

Finally, all those photo ops had paid off.

The elevator door opened into the grand foyer—newly redecorated by my mother. I was still trying to gain my bearings when I was ambushed by my sister.

“Goodness, Reagan!” Quinn said as she took in my jeans and oversized blue sweater. “You better change immediately.” Looking over her shoulder, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “Some very important members of the press are attending this event.”

I let out a low whistle. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was talking to our mother’s clone. Oh, wait…”

“You look like trash.” She wrinkled her nose as if I also
smelled
like trash. “What has Europe done to you?”

“Woken me up to the crazy that is our family,” I said with a laugh. “You should try it sometime.”

“It’s too late for our dear Quincy,” Pierce said as he entered the foyer, a glass of scotch in his hand. “She’s already cultivating a Stepford Spawn.” He pointed to our sister’s swollen stomach. “But I do have to say, Reagan, I’m quite impressed to see that you’ve finally grown some balls. Wish I could just fly to Europe on a whim and have a fling or two.”

“You do that all the time.” Quinn sighed dramatically. “Daddy is paying dearly to cover that mess you and your friends made in Bangkok last month.”

Pierce grinned. “That? Please, that was just a bunch of cheap wh—”

“No! Stop!” she cried and placed a hand on her bump as if to shield her unborn child’s ears.

“Reagan!” My mother’s eyes widened when she caught sight of me, her face sporting her usual third-martini-and-second-Xanax flush. She wore a dark blue suit—clearly picked out by some stylist to offset the icy daggers in her pale eyes. Too bad they couldn’t do anything about her frosty tone. “You cannot enter this house wearing such a horrendous ensemble!”

God, I missed Paris. And Amsterdam.

Even rehab had been better than this.

“I’ve already told her to change.” Quinn turned to our mother, smiling proudly.

“Jesus.” I groaned. “Are you waiting for a ‘good girl’ pat and a fucking treat, Quinn?”

Pierce stifled a laugh as my mother gasped. “Be civil, Reagan.” She nervously fluffed her perfectly coiffed hair with her manicured fingers, and lowered her voice. “Your father’s campaign is at a crucial point. We need everyone on their best behavior.”

“Is that so?” I crossed my arms. “Is he still planning to marry me off to help his campaign? I hope the suitor’s family sent enough goats. I’m worth at least double what you got for Quinn.”

“
Reagan
.” My father’s stern voice vibrated through the hallway.

It was a fucking McKinley Family Reunion out here now.

“When Daddy becomes governor,” Quinn said, “it’ll only be a couple of years before we’ll all be off to Washington.”

Pierce winked. “Reagan, Quincy, and Pierce—back in the White House. The press will have a field day with that.”

My father placed a strong hand on Pierce’s shoulder. “First let me claim my seat as governor. We will talk more about the big picture when the time comes.” He turned to me with a calculated smile. “I am so glad to see that you have come to your senses and decided to join us, Reagan.”

These people—my
family
—were like strangers to me. My heart ached for Dare and his family. Dalia, Dax, and Dash had felt like my real siblings from the moment I’d met them. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing them…of losing Dare.

Everything that was going on with him was fully my father’s fault.

“I’m not joining you,” I said. “I’m only here because you need to undo what you did.”

He smoothed out his tuxedo jacket and cocked his head. “Once again, I haven’t the slightest idea what you are referring to, Reagan.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I said, raising my voice. “Everything that has happened to Dare in the last month is because of you, and you are going to put a stop to it now. TONIGHT.”

My mother glanced behind her at the reporter lurking in the doorway and shot him her best fake smile. “Now is hardly the time to be shouting accusations at your father,” she said through clenched teeth. “Come inside and have a drink, Reagan.”

I returned her saccharine smile. “I don’t drink anymore, Mother. Are you going to offer me some pills for my hysteria next? Let me save you the trouble—I’m clean. I don’t solve problems with alcohol and pills anymore, numbing myself like everyone else in this family.” At those words, Quinn and my mother both reached for their matching set of pearls. I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

My mother’s eyes widened in shock, but she mirrored my laughter. Her lips quirked up in discomfort as the phony high-pitched sound rang through the hallway. The nosy reporter smiled, looking completely fooled. We looked like one big, happy family.

What a crock.

“Whatever it is that you wish to say to your father, I have the right to hear as well.” My mother’s fingers were working tirelessly now, smoothing her hair over and over again.

“Why?” I scoffed. “The only decisions you ever make for this family are what shade of white to paint the walls and which designer to wear.” From successful lawyer to my father’s number one yes-woman—it was so freaking sad how far she’d fallen.

“Reagan.” My father motioned toward the back of the house. “Why don’t we step into my office and speak privately.” Then he turned to my sister. “Have Rosa to fix your mother a drink.”

I followed him, passing the heavy oak door that my mother had imported from Bali last year. Wood found on this continent apparently didn’t cut it when it came to the mayor’s home office.

My father didn’t bother sitting. The moment he closed the door, he turned on me. “I will not have you provoking your mother, crashing this event, and spouting your outlandish accusations.”

I clenched my jaw, matching his cold stare with my own. “There is nothing outlandish about them. You had Daren Wilde released from prison. That’s a fact. And you need to put him back where you found him.” I raised my chin. “You cannot control who I love, nor what I do anymore. And you’ve hurt people with this stupid, dangerous stunt. You need to fix it.”

He sighed dramatically and I swore he almost rolled his eyes. “I do not understand why you seem so intent on ruining our family with this fling of yours,” he said. “You have had your fun, proved your point. It is time to be done with your little rebellion.” He pointed a finger at me. “Harvard. You say the word, get yourself back on track, and I will make it all go away.”

“I’m not proving a fucking point. I LOVE Dare.” My hands were fisted at my sides, my teeth gritted. Why didn’t he get it? What Dare and I had wasn’t some fling. It was complicated, crazy, wild-at-heart love. “This isn’t about you. This isn’t me rebelling. This is me having a life of my own. Something that you are just going to have to accept.”

Crossing his arms, he shrugged. “Well then, I guess there is nothing I can do for you.”

Fuck.

“I can go to the press.” I didn’t want to, honestly, but I’d do it if I had to. I had nothing else to bargain with because I wasn’t willing to give up Dare. Or my freedom.

His eyes narrowed. “Make sure you are prepared for the consequences of your actions if you make such an unwise choice.”

Our eyes were locked, and I just shook my head, done with him. Turning, I opened the door, but when I saw who was standing in the hall, my blood froze.

No. Fucking. Way.

I slammed the door, my breathing reduced to quick, ragged puffs that matched my racing pulse. “What the hell is HE doing here?”

My father frowned. “Who?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about!” I clenched my hands to keep them from shaking. “
Why is he here?
“

He sighed and rubbed his temple. “
Reagan
…”

“I’m sorry, is my question too bothersome for you?” I seethed. “Because seeing the guy who raped me walk around my parents’ home like he owns the damn place is pretty fucking
bothersome
to me!”

“The Fitzgerald family is one of the most prestigious in the state, Reagan. As a former governor, Senator Fitzgerald’s endorsement means more than you can imagine for my campaign.”

“More than your daughter’s well-being?” My eyes stung, but I took a few deep breaths and forced back the tears. The last thing I wanted to do right now was shed anymore tears over Jackson. He’d already gotten far more than he deserved.