Page 84 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

THE SON

My body aches and panic takes over, making it difficult to simply swim up. My lungs feel like they’re on fire. The water is warm and it burns to open my eyes. I hear the sound of my heart, the water around me, and faintly muffled screams.

There’s a splash and then two arms wrap around me in an iron grip. I’m pulled to the top, and gasp, as soon as my chin clears the surface. I’m pulled to the side of the pool and two hands grip me under my arms and hoist me on to the rough concrete. My sheer dress clings to me like a second skin. A dress jacket is thrown over me to cover my exposed breasts. I look up and see it’s Roland placing the jacket on me. Keaton comes climbing out of the pool, soaking wet in his tux and shoes. He wipes his big hand over his face as he pants.

“Denise,” he says, as he comes to my side, “What happened?”

“I—I don’t know,” I whisper.

Roland kneels next to me. “We saw you on the balcony. God, I almost had a heart attack.”

“Denise!” Mom squeezes me to her. I feel my wet hair soaking her dress, but she won’t loosen her grip. Dad is asking everyone if they saw anything, but nobody saw anyone else behind me.

“Did she jump? I think she jumped.” Everyone around me is talking in low voices; I hear their questions, but I can’t make out who’s talking.

“I didn’t jump! Someone pushed me,” I yell out.

Roland whispers to me, “Have you taken anything?”

I gasp. “No. I swear.”

I hate the look in his eyes. He doesn’t believe me. He thinks I jumped. I can see it on his face. Worse, I think everyone else is thinking the same thing. But where’s Amira? She was the last one with me. The question is, would anyone believe me? I find Keaton’s eyes watching Roland and I closely. Mom’s voice is filled with emotion, and she sounds on the verge of tears as she speaks. “Let’s go get you in some dry clothes. Come on, Sweetheart.”

Mom guides me through the crowd of guests and into the house. At the staircase, I gasp when I see him.

Nine.

“What are you…what are you doing here?” My voice shakes.

Kamila gasps. “Denise? What happened to you, child?”

“She fell into the pool.” My mother shoots daggers at her.

I’m not paying any attention to her; I’m still trying to figure out what Nine is doing in my house. “What are you doing here,” I ask again, my voice hitching.

“Hello, Denise.” His eyes rake over my dripping wet body. I pull the blazer tighter against me.

Kamila places her hand on his shoulder. “Oh, you know Brennon? He’s Isabelle’s boyfriend.”

Brennon? Isabelle’s boyfriend? Kamila smiles. “Yes. This is Doctor Hall’s oldest son.”

I stand there in shock. Nine is Brennon—Roland’s son from his first wife. Whatever happened to her? Does Roland know his son is a drug dealer? And Isabelle is dating him? That would explain where she got all her drugs.

“Come on, Sweetie. You’re shivering.” Mom gently pulls me with her up the stairs.

Brennon doesn’t break eye contact with me. He doesn’t even blink. Now that I look at him, I see tiny traces of Roland, but his mother must’ve been blonde. I allow my mother to lead me away, as my mind tries to process everything. My life has just spiraled out of control. Maybe I never had control of it to begin with.

I’ve showered and warmly dressed. Mom sent for one of the servers from the catering company to bring me something hot to eat and drink. I’m sitting there, trying to process what is happening to my life. Mom locks my balcony doors and shivers.

“You’re missing your party,” I mumble.

“I don’t give a damn about that party. I just saw my baby fly from her balcony window and almost drown. You’ll never know the pain of what that did to my heart.”

Landon had died from falling off a bridge and into a river. I’m sure what happened just now brought back that memory. She turns her back to me, and her shoulders shake. I get up from the bed and walk over to give her a hug.

“I’m here, Mom. I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you’re not here. You haven’t been here for a while, Baby.” My mom’s tear streaked face crumbles before me. “I’m trying to be strong. But I almost lost you. Worse, a part of me worries I already have. You’ve been hurting and lost. I thought getting away from this town and going to college would help, but you’re even more distant.”

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