Page 114 of Plaything

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Something weird is happening around here, Dotty. Mom, Dad, and I have been overhearing conversations between Charles, Charles’ assistant, and what seems like everyone the man has ever been close with. I’m talking ex-wife number four, Odette.”

“Number four?” I widened my eyes. “He hates her, and she despises him,” I chuckled.

He laughed. “Right? Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum have been lingering around, too,” I could hear the cringe in his tone.

“That’s never good,” I cringed. I put the phone on mute for a moment and looked at Vincent. “The Tweedle brothers are vile publicists. Charles uses them to manipulate the media into only letting the public know what he wants them to know,” I answered quickly before taking the phone off mute. They were just as corrupt as Charles because they knew just how horrible Charles was, and they made him out to be a saint. Anything for a check.

Vincent nodded, obviously familiar with the famous Tweedle name.

“There’s a lot of whispering in these halls, Dotty. My parents were told to prepare forty place settings and enough food for fifty.”

“Thanks for the heads up, Anthony,” I said, my concern growing.

“I’ll tell my parents you’re coming; they’ll be happy to see you!”

“Bye, Tony,” I smiled as I ended the call.

“He’s a good kid,” Vincent smiled. “Nice parents, too.”

“Who was that?” Niko asked.

“That was the chef’s son. They hear everything in the kitchen,” I explained, ignoring the jealousy in his tone. Anthony was harmless, and there was no need for them to worry.

“Ex-wife number four?” Vincent chuckled. “I only ever heard him call her ‘evil bitch’.”

“You should have heard what she called him—she was my favorite wife,” I smiled. She was the only one who stood up for herself.

“How many times was he married?” Wyatt asked.

“Eleven or twelve?” I guessed. I lost count if I was being honest.

This meeting was good news to me. Obviously, if there would be an abundance of people attending on Saturday, Charles didn’t intend to shame me. Still, I was beyond curious.

“Thanks for calling, although it didn’t really answer anything.” Vincent chuckled. “Are you driving?” He asked.

I shrugged. “Uh, he said he’d send a car for me, but I was planning on driving myself for a quick getaway.”

“I’ll drive you. I’m going anyway, and it’s about a two-hour drive,” he offered.

With my speculation about Charles’ business partners and what possibly happened to me as a preteen, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with that. Vincent had never given me a reason not to trust him, though. I glanced at Dominic sitting on the couch across the room, quietly watching everyone like he had been the entire time.

“Thank you, but I wouldn’t want to—”

“You’re not driving two hours there and back at night alone, Odette,” Dominic said, leaving no room for argument. “Thank you, Vincent.”

Vincent smiled. “I hope you like Metallica, kid; my playlist isn’t for the weak,” he joked, taking his leave.

“Bye, have a good night!” He called over his shoulder at my guys.

As soon as the door closed, I asked, “Do I have to go with him? I can drive myself,” I said.

“I can drive you. I don’t mind hanging around in my car for a few hours,” Wyatt offered.

“I’d feel bad with you just waiting,” I groaned.

“Do you not like Vincent?” Aiden asked, his eyes piercing through me.

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