Promising You (The Jade Series #4) (2 page)

“How do you know they don’t have a copy of the file?”

“Royce’s future was very important to the organization. If they knew about you, you would’ve been seen as an obstacle and they would’ve come after you. They would’ve done it years ago. I’m just thankful Royce never did it himself. Well, obviously he tried, but thank God he didn’t succeed.”

“I don’t understand anything you just said, but before you go on, let me get this straight. So you’re not going to kill me. You just wanted to talk. And then what?”

“You’re my granddaughter, Jade. I want to take care of you. Help you with whatever you need. It’s the least I can do given the way you grew up.”

“I don’t need to be taken care of.” I glance back at the door, which is closed and probably has security guards on the other side. “I really need to go. Can you take me back to Moorhurst?”

“We’re not done here. I have more to say. Do you have any questions about what I’ve said so far?”

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around what he said. I’m not prepared to start asking questions, but if he’s letting me ask I better come up with something.
 

“Does this organization have a name?”

“Yes, but only the members are privy to that information.”

“What does this secret group do?”

“I can’t tell you that,” he answers abruptly.

“You asked me if I had questions and now you won’t answer them?”

“I can’t answer those particular questions. But I can tell you that the organization I belong to had plans for Royce. Big plans. And now they’re scrambling to correct the problem that interfered with those plans.”

As cryptic as his words are, they’re starting to make sense in my head. Big plans. Royce was trying to win the nomination for president. I would say running for president of the United States is a big plan.

“This group you belong to is involved in politics.” As I say it I watch his face closely for any kind of response.

“I’m not going to deny that. But many powerful organizations have political involvement. Not just this one.”

“I know, but your son was running for president. And he came out of nowhere and was suddenly the frontrunner. It’s almost like he was hand-picked and this group was somehow going to make sure he won.” I realize how ridiculous this sounds but I almost believe it.

Arlin clears his throat. “What other questions do you have? Would you like to know about your half-sisters? Or your cousins? Or my wife?” He gets up and goes over to the bookcase. “Let me show you some pictures.”
 

 
It’s obvious from his reaction that my statement about that group wasn’t too far off. But it doesn’t make sense. How did this group plan to make sure Royce won the presidency?

“This is my wife, Grace.” Arlin hands me a framed photo. “Your grandmother.”
 

It’s weird to hear him say that. I’ve never had grandparents. The photo shows a nice-looking, older woman with short brown hair styled in a sleek and sophisticated bob. She’s standing next to Arlin on what appears to be a yacht. I look closer and see that she has green eyes that are the exact same color as mine.

“That was taken a couple years ago. We were sailing off the coast of Greece. I’d love to take you there sometime. The Mediterranean coast is truly magnificent.”

Is he out of his mind? He thinks we’ll be travel buddies now? I just met the guy. And his son tried to kill me!

I give him back the photo. “I still don’t understand what’s going on here. Just tell me what you want from me so I can leave.”

“As I said earlier, I want to do whatever I can to help you. Provide for your expenses. Pay for your college tuition.”

“My tuition is already paid for. And I don’t want your money. If you’re trying to get me to keep quiet about your son, don’t worry about it. I’ll never tell anyone. I already made that promise to Mr. Ken—” Shit! I almost mentioned Garret’s dad and I have no idea if this guy knows what really happened to his son. But he has to know. But who would have told him? I’m so confused.

“Were you going to say Mr. Kensington?” Arlin’s eyebrows raise. “Is that who you’re referring to?”
 

I keep quiet.

He slowly nods. “Yes, I know Pearce killed my son. That’s another reason I wanted to speak with you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Your son killed himself.”

“Pearce, as well as his father, are members of the group I told you about. Everyone in the organization knows what happened to Royce. Pearce was forced to confess what he’d done when he came to us for help.”

“What kind of help?”

“You think Pearce covered that whole thing up by himself? Of course not. That’s not the work of one man. He needed all of us and all of our connections to get that done. But by killing my son, Pearce disrupted the plan. A plan that took nearly 20 years to develop and was almost brought to fruition. Pearce’s actions didn’t sit well with the organization and now he’ll have to pay.”

Have to pay? What does that mean? My pulse races as I begin to worry about Garret and his family. What if Arlin is keeping me here while this group he belongs to goes after Mr. Kensington? Garret said his dad was in trouble for killing Royce. He also said the punishment wouldn’t be death but something that would make Mr. Kensington suffer. So would they try to hurt Lilly? Or Garret?
 

“Are they doing something right now?” I stand up and try to balance on my good leg, unable to find my crutches. “If they hurt Lilly or Garret, I swear I’ll—”

“No, his children won’t be harmed.” Arlin comes over, helping me back down on the couch and sitting beside me.

“But you just said Mr. Kensington has to pay. And if you know he killed your son, then why aren’t you punishing him yourself?”

“Pearce is an integral part of the organization and it’s not up to me to decide his punishment. That’s not how it works.” Arlin grips my hand, his eyes suddenly desperate and pleading. “But Jade, for my own piece of mind, please tell me what happened that day. I need to know what Royce did. Did Pearce really shoot my son to save you and Garret? I’ve only heard Pearce’s side of the story and I don’t know if I believe him. You’re the only one who knows the truth.”

“Yes,” I say with conviction. Arlin softens his grip on my hand. “Royce came there to kill me. He said he had to get rid of me because I looked too much like Sadie and people would start putting the pieces together and find out what he’d done. He didn’t want me destroying his chance to be president.”

“And he wasn’t just threatening you? He really had a gun?”

“Yes. He pointed the gun at me and pulled the trigger. I’d be dead if Garret hadn’t pushed me down. And Royce would’ve killed us both if Mr. Kensington hadn’t shot him.”

Arlin pulls me into a hug and I immediately stiffen up. “I’m so sorry that happened. But thank you for telling me. I needed to know the truth.” He lets me go and I scoot farther back on the couch. “I wish Pearce had found a different way to stop Royce, but if someone pointed a gun at my child I’d do the same thing.” I feel his eyes on me as I keep mine fixed on the wall behind him. He sighs. “Jade. Would you please look at me?”
 

My gaze returns to Arlin. He sits back a little, giving me some space.
 

“I’m not a violent man and I don’t understand how my son ended up that way. His brother’s not that way. I didn’t raise either one of my boys to be like that. But Royce had issues. Once he got his mind set on something, he wouldn’t let anything stand in his way. This offer to run for president was the worst thing that could’ve happened to him. It consumed him. I wish they never would’ve chosen him.”

“So your son was chosen to be president? By this secret organization?”

Arlin looks down and fumbles with his tie. “When I said that Pearce and his family were safe I meant it, but Pearce will still pay for interfering like that.”
 

Arlin has apparently decided to completely ignore my question.
 

He continues. “The loss of my son isn’t a personal loss to the organization like it is for me, but it’s a loss of a great deal of time and effort from a group of very important people.”

“What’s his punishment? Will they destroy his company?”

“They could, but the punishment being discussed is bigger than that. There are rumblings that it involves Garret.”

My pulse shoots up again when I hear Garret’s name. “You just said he was safe! Were you just lying to me so I’d sit here and listen to this?”

“Calm down. They’re not going to harm him. In fact I shouldn’t call it a punishment. It’s more of a plan. A plan that involves Garret. His father doesn’t know about it and if he did, he would never approve of it. He never wanted his son involved in anything this group does. So if this plan indeed happens, it will serve as a punishment for Pearce. That’s all I can say.”

“Are you kidding me? You can’t say something like that and not tell me more. What are their plans for Garret?”

“I don’t know the details yet. I’ve only been in on a few discussions. I don’t even know if it’s been finalized.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’ll never go along with whatever it is. And I won’t either. I’m dating him and we’re getting more serious. We’ve talked about being together in the future. Maybe even getting married someday.”

Arlin takes a deep breath and lets it out. “That brings me to the other reason we needed to talk. You need to end things with Garret.”

2

“Are you serious? You don’t even know me and now you’re telling me to end things with Garret?” I shake my head, annoyed. “Yeah, well, I know you rich people have these rules about only dating other rich people but Garret and I aren’t following your stupid rules. His dad has accepted that and so should you, or your group, or whoever else wants us to break up.”

“This isn’t an option, Jade. And it’s not my rule. It’s
their
rule.”

“Whoever these people are, they can all go to hell because I’m not breaking up with Garret.”

He grips my arm. “Listen to me. This is serious. You’re getting caught in the middle of something very big and you need to get out before something happens.”

“Caught in the middle of what?”

“This plan involving Garret. You’re not a part of it and right now you’re considered an obstacle. And yes, it’s true that your background is the reason for that but you can’t—”

“I’m half Sinclair. Shouldn’t that buy me some points with these people?”

“They don’t know you’re half Sinclair. I told you, Royce somehow kept that a secret from everyone. The organization just thinks you’re an underprivileged young woman from Iowa.”

“But Royce is gone now, so they shouldn’t care what he did. Just tell them I’m half Sinclair.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t. They’d be furious if they found out Royce lied. Members are supposed to disclose all information. Royce violated the rules and there are serious consequences for that. And since he’s no longer here, the organization would punish my son, William, or me.”

“So I can’t date Garret because I’m poor?”

“It’s more than that. Someone like Garret needs to be paired with someone who has had the proper upbringing. Gone to the right schools. Been immersed in this culture.”

“Garret’s dad got over the issues he had with my background so obviously it’s possible.”

“I know this is isn’t what you want to hear, but I’m telling you this for your own good. I know how these people work. I’m one of them, and even when I don’t approve of their techniques, I can’t stop them.”

“Why are you part of this group if you don’t like what they do?”

“I wasn’t given a choice. My father forced me to join just like he was forced to join. And once you’re a member you can’t get out.” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. The point is that you need to know what’s going to happen if you don’t end things with Garret.”

I sigh, rolling my eyes. “So what’s going to happen?”

“If and when this plan regarding Garret is approved and finalized, you will get a visit from someone. This person will tell you to break up with Garret and will offer you a large sum of money. If you refuse to do as you’re told, you will get another visit. These visits will continue, and as they do, they’ll become less cordial and more threatening. Eventually you’ll do as they say because you’ll have no choice. And to punish you for your earlier disobedience, they’ll destroy your future.”

“How exactly would they do that?”

“They’ll destroy your reputation. Get you kicked out of school. Make it so you’ll never get a decent job. All it takes is a few fake photos. A fake story in the media. They can even fake evidence that links you to a crime. You could end up in jail for a crime you didn’t commit. Even years later they can make sure an employer never hires you. Your life will be over, Jade. You’ll end up like—”

He doesn’t say it, but he doesn’t have to. If this guy wanted to scare me he just did it. My biggest fear is turning out like my mother. It’s not like I’d be an alcoholic or addicted to pills. Royce is the reason she turned out like that. But she had nothing in life. No job. No hope. No future. I can’t live that way.
 

“If you stay away from Garret, you’ll have a good life. You’re a very smart girl and you can do whatever you want if you get away from all this. And I can help you. I’ll send you to whatever college you’d like. I’ll pay for everything. After college, I’ll get you a place to live. Help you with whatever expenses you have.”

For a moment he has me considering it. Then I come to my senses again. “No. I’m not leaving Moorhurst. And I’m definitely not leaving Garret. I don’t even know why I’m listening to you. I don’t even know you. Can I leave now? Garret’s going to wonder where I am.”

“I suppose you should be getting back. But please think about what I said. I’m not a crazy old man. Everything I told you is true. If you have questions or would like to meet to discuss this more, please call me.” He gets up and pulls a business card from his pocket. “Here’s my number. When you dial it, you’ll be asked to input a security code. Everyone who calls me has a unique code.” He smiles and again, it’s a warm, kind smile which confuses me because I still don’t trust this guy. “The code I’ve assigned to you is 1008. Your birthday. I’m sorry I missed it for so many years, but I hope we can celebrate it together in the future.”