Bad Habits Part 61

"Well yes, but-"

"Then thank you, doctor." He rose, offering his hand. The doctor finally accepted the handshake.

"Maryanne, let's go." He turned without pause and headed for the door.

"Can I have the little ultrasound picture, doctor? Cain? You haven't seen your son."

He stopped, facing the door. He then turned and forced patience to his smile and voice. "Sure, let's have a look." She presented the black and white glossy. He saw nothing and felt nothing, which was wrong. He knew it. He was once this kid. Grew up unwanted, used as a p.a.w.n of his mother's to get what she wanted. Would Maryanne do the same? Of course she would. Men always married their mother, right?

"Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins. I'll schedule you for your follow up." The doctor handed over the prescription. Maryanne beamed. She walked back over to Cain and slipped her arm in his. "See right there. That's our boy's head."

"It's a boy?" he asked the doctor.

"He doesn't know yet! But I do." She kissed his cheek.

"Yeah, yeah, let's go."

He took her by the hand and nearly dragged her out. He didn't stop to catch his breath until the elevator doors closed. Maryanne studied him the entire time. Cain found himself sweating as the numbers counted down.

"You have your proof," she said.

"Let's not get into it now."

The doors opened. He walked out briskly, with her running to keep up. "Cain! Cain! Stop d.a.m.n it!"

He did. Just outside of the doors, on the sidewalk. He looked up and saw the white van parked. They had an audience.

"I'm pregnant. That changes everything. We're going to be a family. I want to hear you say it. Now! No more of this! Say it!" Maryanne demanded.

"You want to get into here, right here?" Cain asked.

"I want you to say that you're committed to us, to me and your child."

Cain glared. "I'm committed to the baby. You and me are another story. We haven't been in this marriage for a long time. Dragging a kid into it won't change that."

She blinked at him hurt. "What?"

"You did this on purpose. Didn't you?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the doors. "You didn't want to have my baby. Now you do because I want out of this scam of a marriage!"

"Stop it!" She s.n.a.t.c.hed her arm free. "How could you be so f.u.c.king heartless? Of course I want this baby, and you! I chose you. I'm not perfect, but neither are you. This baby isn't a mistake, or some game. It's our love. The man you used to be would know that! I don't even know you anymore." She turned away from him, hurt. He stood there watching her walk off. Sighing, he shook his head and went the other way.

"Maybe we should wait downstairs in the lobby," Diane whispered, her eyes tracing the conservatively dressed lawyers that kept pa.s.sing them.

"It's okay, Mom."

"I don't want to embarra.s.s you, Kitt." Her mom gave a nervous chuckle.

"You won't." Simone gave Denny his sippy cup. She then zipped up the baby bag. Diane's knee continued to shake as she ran her hands up and down the top of her thighs. Funny, but Simone was just as nervous as her mother. She worked hard to hide it.

"Ms. Wilson?"

"Yes?" Diane answered.

Simone smiled. "I think she means me, Mama."

"Oh?"

The pet.i.te Asian woman gave a polite nod for her to follow. "Will you be okay with them? I just got to sign some papers and we're gone."

Diane chewed on her nail. "Yeah, yeah, go head."

The twins looked up at her curiously. "Be right back, boys." Simone followed the woman to Sue's office. Sue was on the phone. She wore a little rectangular piece that plugged her ear. In a nicely tailored Chanel suit, she paced near her desk. Simone listened as Sue advised a client to remain calm. Her people were on the way and not to speak or say anything to the press. She remembered how Joan called Sue a fixer. It was an interesting job to behold.

"Sorry about that, Ms. Wilson."

"Simone, call me Simone."

Sue smiled. "But doesn't Ms. Wilson have a nicer ring to it?"

Simone had a wider smile. "Well, yeah, it actually does."

"Please sit." Sue removed her earpiece and took a seat as well. She reached through the pile of folders and pulled out the black binder that belonged to Simone. "So, he will be served tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Sue's eyes flipped up. "Is that a problem?"

"No, I just thought-"

"His father is a very powerful man. Within minutes of processing, he'll know. Best to make sure your husband hears it from us first. It'll send the right message. Did Mindy mention the restraining order?"

"No."

"We want you to file one. Today."

"Because Keith might come after me?" Simone asked.

Sue closed the folder. She laid her hands flat on top of it. "I'm going to be frank. Everything I know of your situation screams caution. My suggestion is that we play it safe. After he is served, you don't have to endure any hara.s.sment from him and any unwanted calls or visits. I think it best that all communication is cut off immediately. That doesn't mean he won't try. His scare tactics, his family's pressure, all of that is going to hit you at once and these people will want to silence you. Let's mitigate that, shall we?"

"These people? You speak like you know the Livingstons."

Sue's eyes sparkled. "I know Judge Livingston, and the things that I know will make him quite aggressive at stopping you from going into court. They'll want to turn you around, and they will try hard to do it."

"But what should I say to get this restraining order? I've never reported Keith for any domestic issues."

"Doesn't matter." Sue waved that off. "If you feel that you're in danger, you say so. That's all."

Simone nodded. "Anything else?"

"You're still communicating with Cain Gatlin, after I advised against it," Sue said as she pulled out the doc.u.ments for Simone.

Simone frowned. "That's not true."

Sue looked up and smiled. "I can read people. Remember, I need full disclosure. How far has it gone? Visits, calls, emails?"

"A conversation on the phone. I haven't spoken to him or anything in over a week. I swear it."

"You're a grown woman, Simone. You want independence, and then behave that way. Take my advice and stay away from Cain Gatlin until Independence Day. File the restraining order. Understood?"

She nodded.

"Good. Sign here. Let's get this started."

"Come inside, Cain."

Cain walked into Andrew's office. He closed the door. His father in law kept scribbling his signature over doc.u.ments as he approached. The summons came as soon as he arrived in the office.

"Where were you?" Andrew asked, without looking up.

"Met Maryanne at the doctors."

Andrew looked up.

"She's pregnant. As if you didn't know."

"I didn't. And evidently neither did you."

Andrew sat back. Neither man spoke, but there was something in his father in-law's eyes that he recognized. It made his superiority complex even more frustrating.

"Something, you needed?"

"I welcomed you into this family, son, by force. Maryanne wanted you and only you. She was always willful. No one could talk her out of it." Andrew leaned forward. "I thought you understood her, would take care of her."

"I have. I do. So this is about Maryanne?"

"No. It's about you." Andrew reached in his drawer and threw up an envelope. "Open it."

Cain reached and did what he asked. He removed the photos. Candid shots of his movements since Keith Livingston arrived to town. On the top were his embrace of Simone at the airport and the kiss they shared. Good shots of her. He almost smiled at her beauty.

"I'm told you gave her money and sent her away on a flight."

Cain didn't bother looking at the rest. "I can explain."

Andrew roared with laughter. "f.u.c.king Keith Livingston's wife? Priceless!" He slammed his hand down on the desk. When the laughter died to a deep chuckle in his throat, Andrew's eyes glistened darkly. "f.u.c.king around on my daughter? Now that there, son, is where we have a problem."

"Things with Maryanne and I have been difficult."

"Things will improve now that you have the baby on the way. You wanted a piece of a.s.s, and you got it. Can't say I blame you. She's a hot little thing."

"It's complicated." Cain stiffened.

Andrew narrowed his eyes on him. "Actually it's not. I saw her at the party in that tight dress and her t.i.ts out. I get it. I do. But that's out of your system, now, I need you back in the game. Keith Livingston gets wind of the affair and it blows everything out of the water." Andrew rose from behind the desk. He walked around to face Cain. "You've been a team player. This is your only transgression, the only one."

"I'm not a German shepherd. Don't pet me," Cain said through his teeth.

Andrew laughed. "I'm doing you a favor. I should be more p.i.s.sed with you." He wagged his finger at Cain. "How can I be?" he said, opening his arms to him and smiling broadly. "You've handled Keith Livingston exactly as I knew you would. I'll be ready for him at the board meeting. Blow his smug a.s.s out the water. Maybe you can deliver those pictures of the lovely Mrs. Livingston to him on his way out."

Cain's gaze lowered to the pictures once more.

Andrew walked over and dropped his hand on Cain's shoulder. "What I don't understand is the visit to your mother. You haven't been up to see her in over four years. Why now?"

"She's causing problems for Joseph. Since you're watching me, you know he came to visit. I went to see her to tell her to stop with the hara.s.sment."

"Awe, well sorry, son. Rachel is still a psychotic b.i.t.c.h, isn't she?"

"I guess. But, s-"

Andrew stopped from turning away. "Yes?"

"I need to deal with my brother. My mother thinks you railroaded her. She's threatening to expose the deal we made with the governor that got her pardoned."

"No one will listen to her."

"Joseph might. We need to silence her. Permanently."

Andrew stared at him. "You're asking me for a favor?"

"I've done what you asked. The affair with Simone Livingston is over. You're about to be a grandfather and regain control of the board. The shareholders won't question you again."

"Still, with all this good news coming my way, you think I owe you something?"

"I'm asking for an arranged meeting between the three of us, my mother, me, and Joseph. We can have her doctors or whatever there. It just has to be outside of the facility, to give her a taste of freedom."

"I don't have the power to move a convicted murderer from a mental health facility."

Cain held his gaze. They both knew he did. "She's pardoned, and she's in that facility until they deem her sane."

"Which you and I both know won't ever happen," Andrew said with a stern scowl.

"Yes. However, she does get liberties. I'll make things right with Maryanne. I don't need Rachel stirring things up for us, not now. Let's silence her now, and then deal with her later."

Andrew nodded. "Done. Tell me where you want her moved to for this meeting and I'll make sure it's approved by the courts." Andrew went behind his desk. "So I'm going to be a grandfather?" he chuckled. He flipped open his cigar box and tossed one to Cain. "It's about d.a.m.n time."