Page 36 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Thirty-Five

AIDEN

After eating her, fucking her, and then feeding her, we settle in the movie room with a bowl of gourmet popcorn courtesy of Marley.

I scroll through the available movies, hoping something will jump out at me when Greyson knocks on the door and walks in carrying a tray.

“I have beer for the gentleman and a mocktail for you, as you’re still on pain meds.

I took the liberty of picking up a new phone and having it set up for you.

It’s been ringing on and off for the last thirty minutes.

I figured it was reporters, but it’s the same number calling each time, so I worry it might be important. ”

“You’re a godsend, Greyson. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, that’s something you’ll never have to worry about.” He smiles, handing us each our drink and Tilly her new phone. “I’ll leave you both to it. Is there anything else either of you need?”

“We’re good. Thanks. Greyson,” I tell him.

He nods. “It’s my pleasure.”

He’s gone a moment later. I turn to Tilly as her phone starts ringing. With a sigh, she puts her drink in the cupholder on the arm of the seat and answers the call. “Matilda Carson speaking.”

I can’t hear the other person. There’s just a slightly muffled voice, but not enough to tell if they’re male or female.

“I’m sorry, can you say that again?” She shakes her head, looking at me dumbfounded. “No, I understand. I won’t be making any comments on this, and I have zero interest in following suit and going on a talk show.” She spits out the last word, which makes my eyebrows shoot up. What the heck?

“I’m back at the studio Monday morning to finish the last of the filming.

I won’t let either of them ruin this for me or for everyone who has worked so hard to bring this movie to life.

” She nods along to whatever they say before she speaks again.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Yes, reiterate to them that I’m a professional and I won’t let any of this impact filming.

” She nods again. “Okay, thanks, Jack.” She looks up and stares at me, her mouth open for a second before it closes.

“What’s wrong?”

“My mother, apparently. Can you hand me the remote for a second?” I pass it to her as she goes into a different menu. I look at her face, wondering what the fuck is going on when she hits play and voices fill the room.

“This aired this morning. Some of those reporters asked me about my mother, I just didn’t know why. Now I do.”

“You’re not making any sense, Tilly. What did she do?” Before she can answer, I hear Hattie’s voice loud and clear. “Tell me she didn’t.”

“Oh, she did. But wait. It gets worse.”

I listen to the interview in which Hattie portrays herself as a victim and makes Tilly look like a selfish shrew. It isn’t until the interviewer asks about Daniel that I finally understand what has Tilly so pissed.

“It’s sad really. My daughter has always wanted what I had.

She didn’t like the fact that Daniel and I had become close, intimate.

You see, she surrounds herself with men, so she has no competition.

Daniel never looked at her that way. He tried to be kind and let her down gently, but Matilda then brought someone else in to try and make him jealous.

When we told her we were serious about each other, she fired him on the spot and cut me out of her life.

I’m her mother, for goodness sake. I know she’s troubled, but I still love and care for her.

” She dabs her eyes, fake tears slipping over her cheeks.

“Tell me people aren’t buying this?”

“You know I can’t. People who know me, know the truth. That’s all that really matters, I guess.” But even as she says it, I can feel her disappointment coming off her in waves.

The audience is eating out of the palm of Hattie’s hand. The host leans forward. “Your daughter was in a car accident, there is no denying that, and sources tell me that one of the vehicles registered to his company, Cox Security, was caught on camera hitting Matilda’s car.”

“It wasn’t Daniel. He was with me when it happened. I’m not denying Matilda was hurt. Goodness. Imagine finding out about it on the news, of all places. I didn’t even warrant a phone call. But it wasn’t Daniel. He reported the car stolen the night before this all happened.”

“How fucking convenient,” I snap before shutting up so I can hear the rest.

“I think Matilda is trying to point the finger at Daniel because he hurt her feelings. This is revenge, pure and simple. I wouldn’t be surprised if Matilda orchestrated this herself.”

Unable to listen to any more of this drivel, I take the remote from Tilly’s hands and turn it off.

“Jack—that’s my agent—he said it was bad. I just wasn’t expecting it to be that bad.”

“She’s got some fucking nerve.”

“I shouldn’t even be surprised anymore, should I? I was having such a good fucking day too, damn her.”

I pull out my cell phone and dial Blake.

He answers after a couple of rings. “If you’re calling to ream me out, don’t bother. I made a call, and I will stand by it. Besides, Marcus said you FaceTimed him. You’ve seen with your own two eyes that he’s okay.”

I shake my head. “Not calling about any of that. I’m gonna call Banner. I just wanted to tell you first.”

“You’re not quitting.”

“No, but you might end up firing me by the time I’m done.” I fill him in on what just happened, and he curses.

“Everything okay, Blake?” I hear Callie in the background.

“Yeah, just talking to Aiden.”

“Oh, tell him I said hi. Oh, and that I saw Matilda’s mother on TV this morning. She seems like a freaking witch. Looks like we’ll have something in common after all.” She goes quiet before I hear crying.

“Shit.” Blake sighs.

“Is she alright?”

“Yeah. There might have been no love lost between Callie and her mother, but to see her killed like that…she’s taking it hard.”

“Of course she is. Look, I’ll let you go so you can go see to her. I just wanted to let you know I plan on asking Banner and Kellen to ruin Matilda’s mother. Matilda is done with this bullshit.”

“You love her.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“Yeah, I do. And Hattie Carson has fucked with my girl for the last time.”

“I get it. You have my backing. It’s a good thing I started that bail fund. Something tells me I’m going to need it.”

I laugh. “You’re probably right.”

“Alright, I’m gonna go watch this talk show shit after I’ve checked on Callie. If it’s as bad as you’re saying, you guys might need to do some damage control.”

“I know. The only good thing is that having a swarm of reporters around makes it harder for a stalker to remain discreet.”

“That’s true. Tell Matilda, we’ll take care of this shit with her mother. If she’s yours, she’s one of ours too.”

“Thanks, man.”

I hang up and turn to Tilly. “You hear all that?”

She nods, tears in her eyes. “He’s sweet.”

I laugh. “He’s really not, but he’s a good man. When he says he’ll get this sorted, he’ll get it sorted.”

“Okay.” She says with a wobbly smile.

I tug her into my lap and tuck her hair behind her ears. “I know this feels shitty right now but it will blow over. Anyone with half a brain cell can see she’s a manipulative bitch. I mean, how bad can it get?”

Turns out the answer is pretty fucking bad.