Page 149 of Always Us

“Do you have to ask Katherine?”

“I don’t think she’ll have much involvement in Lilly’s life anymore. Katherine has her own issues to deal with now. She has no time for Lilly.”

“Is the organization going to do anything else to punish Katherine for what she did to Grandfather?” I ask. “They have to do more than just ban her from marrying the senator.”

“They’ll be taking away the money she receives from the divorce settlement and giving it back to me. They don’t want her getting any benefits from the organization. And they’ll likely put a limit on how much money her parents can give her.”

I smile. “She’s gonna hate that. She won’t survive without money.”

“She’ll still have money. It just won’t be the type of wealth she had before.”

“She must’ve been pissed when she found out.”

“Actually, she doesn’t know about the money yet. They’ll tell her later this week. Her other punishment affects her ranking in society. Her social standing is being destroyed as we speak. The organization planted some rumors about her, which have already started circulating among her friends. Damaging stories and photos of her will follow in the society pages. She’ll never be allowed back in our world.”

“Does she know this is going on?”

“Yes. They didn’t tell her, but she quickly figured it out when none of her friends would return her calls. She was furious. That’s why she left. She took off to stay with her sister in France and didn’t say when she’s coming back.” He stands up. “One of you go get Lilly. We’re going out for dinner. It’s the holidays and I don’t want to spend it talking about Katherine. I’d like us all to enjoy this week together as a family and try to relax and have a good time. Lilly needs that, and I’m sure you two would like that as well.”

As he picks his phone up from the desk, Jade says, “Before we go, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.” He sits back down.

“I know we’re not supposed to talk about it, but I have to know. What’s going to happen to Harper?”

He sighs. “Jade, you know that’s confidential.”

She scoots to the edge of her chair, pleading with him. “I’m not asking you about Kiefer. I just need to know about Harper. Please. If you could just tell me something. Anything.”

“I’m sorry, Jade, but I can’t—”

“Dad,” I say, interrupting him. “Just tell us. You know we won’t tell anyone. Or if you can’t say anything, just nod if she’s okay.”

He doesn’t nod, but he says, “I only know about Kiefer, not Andrew. And I can’t tell you anything about Kiefer.”

Jade’s eyes shift to me, then back to my dad. “But he can’t try to take Harper, right? It’s against the rules. They had a deal. Andrew can’t just—”

“Jade.” My dad uses his warning tone, the one I’ve become quite familiar with over the years. “I’m not discussing this. You’re part of this family now and you know the rules.”

She slumps back in the chair and nods. “Yeah.”

“Dad, she was just asking.”

“You both know the rules.” Now it sounds like he’s scolding us, which annoys me.

I roll my eyes. “Don’t ask questions. Yeah, we’ve got it. But we can’t exactly enjoy the holiday knowing our friend might be in danger.”

He rubs his jaw, his eyes on Jade, who’s now staring at her hands, avoiding his gaze.

“Jade.” He waits for her to look at him. “If I knew for sure he wouldn’t bother her, I would tell you. But I honestly don’t know. I’ve heard nothing. All I know is that he’s currently in Europe and will be spending the holidays there.”

“But you’ll see him at the meeting next week,” I say.

“Perhaps. Although, knowing him, he’ll continue his partying across Europe all next week and end up staying there for New Year’s. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s skipped out on the meetings.”

“And he didn’t get in trouble?”

“As Cecil Roth’s son, Andrew was able to do whatever he wanted. But now that Cecil is gone, I think Andrew will have to start playing by the rules.”

---