Gone Too Far (22 page)

“You're not getting into my home.” Keenan stood firm, as if defending a fort.

“Have you heard about my grandson?”

Keenan looked away for an instant as if he considered caring, but then turned back with a cold stare. “I don't care about your family.”

“He's your family too,” Steven said. “And he almost died. He's better now, and that is a blessing.”

“I guess you're lucky,” Keenan said. “You always seem to be lucky.”

“If only you knew,” Steven said. “My life has been full of turmoil, but you don't care about that, and I don't need you to. I intended to make you pay for what you've tried to do, but because of my grandson, I'm here to suggest a truce between us, possibly the chance to have a relationship. I can forgive and forget. Can you?”

Keenan looked astonished that Steven would even suggest such a thing.

“Do you have a response?” Steven asked impatiently.

“I'm trying to figure out what you're up to,” Keenan said. “What is this fake play of peace a prelude to?”

Steven sighed, realizing what a waste of time this was. “This is not a game, not a ploy, Keenan. Family is everything, and you have to understand that—”

“I don't have to understand anything!” Keenan yelled. “I don't give a damn about you or your grandson. Why would I let you back into my life? So you can rub my nose in your success from close up instead of afar?”

“I want to start a clean slate.”

“Get off my property,” Keenan ordered. “Now, or I'll call the police. You're not top dog in D.C. I have more clout here than you.”

After a second's pause, Steven started slowly down the steps. “I know this is a lot to take at once, so I'll give you time. I'll try again or you can contact me. I'm open to welcoming you back into my life, and I hope you're open to welcoming me back into yours.”

As he reached the bottom step, only inches from his brother, Steven looked him dead in the eye and said, “But if you ever try to come after Chase Beauty, me, or anyone in my family ever again, I will demolish you. Brother or not.”

W
hen Leigh burst into the senator's office in the Hart Building on Capitol Hill, all eyes shot up and everyone in the room stopped working. She imagined they were intrigued by the furious look on her face, but she didn't care. Without a word, she walked right past a nervously smiling woman who greeted her politely and headed for Max's office. She heard someone ask her to wait and then another person demand she stop, but she didn't. When she swung the door open and stepped inside, she saw an empty chair behind an immaculate desk.

“He isn't here.”

Leigh turned to her right to find Kelly standing near a window overlooking Constitution Avenue with a stack of folders in her arms.

“Hello, Kelly.”

“Do you always just burst into rooms without knocking first?” she asked. “Or even having an appointment?”

“I wasn't aware I needed an appointment to see Max,” Leigh said. “I'm not here as a constituent.”

Kelly seemed to get her meaning and glared disapprovingly in return. “Either way, he isn't here.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“I always know where he is,” Kelly answered flatly.

Leigh didn't have patience. “What is your problem? I haven't done anything to you.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Kelly turned her attention to the top file in her hands.

“I want to speak with him,” Leigh said. “Now.”

Kelly looked up with a sarcastic smirk on her face. “He's having lunch with the president's chief of staff. Should I call the White House and let them know they'll have to cut it short because the senator's girlfriend needs his attention?”

“Fine.” Leigh sat herself on the sofa at the other end of the room, slamming her purse down next to her. “I'll wait for him.”

“He's got a very busy—”

“I'll wait,” Leigh repeated.

“Can I know what this is regarding at least?” Kelly asked.

“No,” Leigh answered. “You can't.”

Kelly walked over to the desk and placed the folders down before turning to Leigh. “You can't do this.”

“I might regret asking this question,” Leigh said, “but what, exactly, is it you think I cannot do?”

“What you've come here for,” she answered. “It's about the health insurance plan, isn't it?”

“I'd rather discuss that with Max, if you don't mind.”

“I do mind,” Kelly responded. “I don't think I need to impress upon you the plans that are set for the senator.”

Leigh held up a hand to stop her. “Spare me. I've heard it a million times. So many people are placing their hopes in Max for the White House.”

“But it takes only one person to ruin it all,” Kelly said. “This recommendation is going to be unpopular with some Independents, people he needs for the next election. You getting involved will only give it more publicity and keep it in the news longer.”

“I will keep my conversations with Max between him and me,” Leigh said. “If you stay out of it, who would know about our…disagreements?”

“Everybody knows everything that happens on the Hill, and if you add the name Chase to it, that only makes it worse.”

“What does my last name have to do with policy?”

“Nothing,” Kelly said, “but when your last name is mentioned, people forget about policy. They focus on you and that…that family you have.”

Leigh shot up from the sofa. “I beg your pardon? Do you have something to say about ‘that family' I have? My family?”

Kelly paused, seemingly to reserve herself. “No offense, Ms. Chase.”

“It's Dr. Chase,” Leigh corrected, “and it's too late for that.”

Kelly seemed uncertain as to whether she wanted to continue. “I'm only saying that there is a lot of activity that comes along with your family that is not conducive to a successful election.”

“People have the sense to know that what they read on gossip blogs is just that, gossip.”

“But what about the things they don't read on gossip blogs?” Kelly asked with a noticeably louder voice. “What about your sister's marriage for money?”

“What?” Leigh couldn't believe it. Did Max tell her about Haley?

“Ms. Chase, an in-depth investigation into your family's dealings has brought to light some personal—”

“What are you talking about?” Leigh took a step forward and could tell that Kelly was intimidated. She tried to keep a cap on her anger. “You investigated my family?”

“There are a lot of people determined to protect the senator, and you should—”

“Who?” Leigh yelled. “Who is doing this? I want their names! If they have a question about me and my family, they should at least have the—”

“Ladies.” Max entered the office looking very upset. “I can hear you from outside.”

Both women backed away from each other as Leigh turned to Max. She didn't care that he was upset but regretted not maintaining her composure.

“We need to talk,” Leigh said bluntly as she returned to the sofa.

“Senator.” Kelly followed Max as he walked behind his desk. “We have to discuss your afternoon meeting with the health workers association.”

“What would be the point?” Leigh asked.

Both Max and Kelly turned to her, and Leigh was expressionless in return to their offended glares.

“You're already running behind,” Kelly continued. “You have to get ready to—”

“Leave us, Kelly.”

Leigh watched as Kelly reacted to Max's sudden dismissal of her. Her eyes widened and she briefly looked shocked, but she covered it up quickly. She opened her mouth as if to protest but seemed to change her mind. She turned to leave without looking at Leigh or saying a word.

“I'm disappointed in you, Leigh.” Max got up from his desk and started for the sofa. “I would expect a woman of your class to be able to control herself in a professional setting.”

“Fuck that,” Leigh said sharply.

Max froze just as he was about to sit down on the sofa. Leigh was pleased that she got his attention. “People like to take advantage of me, because they think I'll be sweet and well behaved.”

“I know you too well to think that.” Max sat down, unbuttoning his suit jacket.

Leigh couldn't believe it, but despite how angry she was at him, seeing this small gesture turned her on a little. It was just the way he carried himself that distracted her so much.

“When were you going to tell me you had my family investigated?”

“I wasn't,” he answered. “Because I didn't.”

“Kelly just told me—”

“Kelly did it without my permission, but she was just doing her job. And before you get on your high horse, you can't possibly expect me to believe that your family didn't do some undercover snooping on me and my family.”

Leigh couldn't argue that. Her parents were notorious for doing extensive background checks on anyone their children dated, which was why she had always made a practice of keeping her boyfriends secret from her parents for as long as she could.

“That's what I thought,” Max said.

“You are so smug.” Leigh wanted to punch him in the face.

Max smiled self-assuredly. “You traveled all the way to D.C. to compliment me?”

“I traveled here to ask you why you lied to me.”

Max's smile disappeared. “I don't take kindly to being called a liar.”

“Well,” Leigh said, “then you shouldn't lie.”

“You're talking about the health care program,” Max said. “And before you get started, I did not lie. On the plane ride home from Africa, I told you I would give the state program serious consideration and do what was best for—”

“The people of California,” Leigh interrupted. “You said—”

“No.” He held a hand up to stop her. “I said I would do what was best for California. To suggest we, as a state, are broke is the understatement of the year.”

“So the poorest of our state's citizens have to suffer?”

“Everyone is suffering,” he said. “It isn't as if I'm taking away something they had. I'm just recommending we not enact a proposed program. We can't afford it. That is something you liberals can't seem to get through your heads.”

“Now I'm a liberal?”

“You're not?” Max asked. “Look, I appreciate social programs that are effective, but the truth is, most are not and even those that are can bankrupt a state if we can't pay for it.”

“You see, Max, that is where I think you are wrong,” Leigh said confidently. “The money is there, but it's going to something that doesn't deserve it, because lobbyists have their tentacles around you.”

“What do you think you are?” he asked. “You're a lobbyist, too, Leigh. You're also a business owner, and you make decisions every day that you don't want to. You can't serve everyone. You can't help everyone who comes to you and deserves it. You can only do what you can do. That is all government can do too.”

The strength of his argument made her pause, but only for a moment. “Good speech, Senator, but I haven't done all I can do. I can protest and I plan to. I plan to protest this proposal here and in California.”

“Good for you.” Max stood up and walked over to his desk.

Leigh was trying to figure out what he was up to. “What do you mean? You think it's good that I'm protesting you?”

“The first amendment is my favorite of them all.” Max turned and leaned back against his desk. “It won't change my mind, but I applaud and encourage you.”

Leigh stood up with a squint in her eyes. “Is this a trap? You can't be happy about that. Kelly said your people will not—”

“Ignore Kelly,” Max said. “I do it all the time. I like your passion and assertiveness. You have a fire for what you believe in. We don't have to agree on everything to love each other.”

“Excuse me?” Leigh asked, astonished. “Love each other. I didn't say—”

“You don't have to,” Max said. “You could have called me. You know I was waiting for your call. You came all the way out here, because you wanted to see me.”

“Your arrogance is astounding,” Leigh said. “I'll have you know, my father was already coming out here, so I just—”

She leaned away as he tried to kiss her, but he was persistent. He placed his hand behind her head and pulled her to him. She moved her head to the left as he tried to kiss her. She tried to evade him again, but he caught her mouth and pressed his own against it. His steamy kiss heated her up immediately as his hand worked the small of her back.

“How long is your father staying in D.C.?” he asked, breathing heavily.

Leigh could barely speak as she whispered, “Uh…um, he's leaving…leaving today.”

“Will you be joining him?” He leaned in and this time planted a quick, sweet kiss on her lips. “Or will you be coming home with me?”

 

“Where is Daddy?” Evan asked as he sat with his legs crossed on his hospital bed.

“He's outside.” Kimberly packed the last piece of clothing that had been in the dresser of the private room. “He was just here a few minutes ago.”

“I thought he left.”

Kimberly stopped packing and turned to her son. “He's filling out all of the paperwork. Now, is there anything I forgot?”

Evan looked around the room. “No.”

Just then, Janet entered the room with a harried look on her face. “I was so afraid I'd be late. The traffic out there is ridiculous.”

“What are you doing here?” Kimberly asked.

“I wasn't going to miss this.” Janet walked over to the bed. “My little grandson is coming home today.”

“I'm coming to Chase Mansion?” Evan asked.

“No,” Kimberly insisted. “You're coming home.”

“You feeling okay?” Janet asked him in a tiny, sweet voice.

“I just want to go home.” Evan leaned forward so she could kiss him on the cheeks as if it was a duty.

“Well,” Kimberly said, “we're ready. It's the middle of rush hour, so it might take a little while to reach Hollywood Hills. Go use the bathroom before we go.”

As Evan slowly got off the bed and went to the bathroom, Janet turned to Kimberly.

“I know everything,” Janet said.

Kimberly zipped up the bag full of Evan's things before looking in Janet's direction. She didn't need to ask what Janet was talking about. When she last spoke to Steven about Keenan, he made it clear to her he intended to tell his wife.

“Spare me your derision,” Kimberly deadpanned. “Today is about Evan coming home, and I've already heard it.”

“I think,” Janet began, “I would be within my right to be angry that you attempted to destroy, once again, everything Steven and I have worked so hard to build. But I am also aware that it could have been worse if you hadn't stopped Elisha or seen the error of your ways with Keenan.”

Kimberly realized that was the closest she would ever get to a compliment from Janet and somehow found it humorous.

Janet took a deep breath. “I know I don't deserve anything from you.”

“So please don't ask,” Kimberly responded.

“I have to,” Janet said, “because something terrible has happened.”

“I don't want to hear bad news today.” Kimberly grabbed her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. “Evan will be coming out of there soon, and—”

“Michael quit Chase Beauty.”

Kimberly turned to her, shocked. “When?”

“Two days ago.”

“I'm sure it is just like before,” Kimberly said cautiously. “A few days ago, he realized that the kids are still feeling some residual effects of our breakup, and he's probably decided to take another leave of absence.”

“It wasn't a leave of absence,” Janet said as the toilet flushed in the bathroom. She had to be quick. “He quit. He said it was because he needed to prove to you that your family means more to him than our family and Chase Beauty.”