Page 27 of Crashing Into Me
Lana’s face went stern and serious. She held his hand up to her chest over her heart and used her other one to tilt his face to hers, his messy hair in his face.
“You’re my heart now, and the only thing you deserve is someone who is going to stand by your sideandhave your back. You’ve opened my eyes to so more than you could ever know. This doesn’t change anything between us. Ok?” she said, and couldn’t hold back her own tears anymore. “I’m here and will be here for you regardless, you can bet your last dollar on that.”
He smiled, and some of the light returned to his eyes as he pulled her close to him again.
“You sure you want to marry me now?”
“Yes, today, yes tomorrow, and yes to the rest of my life.”
10
the devil wears lipstick
They walked hand in hand downstairs to face the mini-mob waiting for them in the living room. Someone, Maureen more than likely, had taken it upon themselves to light the fireplace. Lana sat on the love seat with Kayden and Kim, and Heathcliff looked at Maureen as if awaiting instruction. She took her time to study Lana for a long minute, then her eyes flicked to her son.
“This is a family matter. Why is she here?”
“She’s more family than Kim is, and she has a name,” Kayden replied defiantly.
“Yes, I’m Lana. Lana McKenzie,” she chimed and held her hand out to shake Maureen’s.
Maureen looked at her hand, then back to her face, and over to Kayden. Lana dropped her hand when suddenly Heathcliff grabbed it, shaking way too hard.
“Yes, Ms. McKenzie, thank you for all your help with Ms. Brown. It was courageous of you to step in there like that,” he leaned back on the couch, releasing the death grip.
Kim rolled her eyes and kept her attention on Kayden, who hadn’t even looked in her direction.
“Fine,” Maureen replied to Kayden, “I’ll bottom line it for you then.”
She stood from the couch and walked the perimeter of the living room, like a shark circling its prey. She was ready to attack him, and Lana couldn’t help but feel disgusted at a parent who wanted to torment their own child.
“The Rachel woman has died, unfortunately,” she continued and sauntered slowly in front of the fireplace, where she lingered a moment. “Fortunately for you, she had no family or next of kin that could press charges. Now the state could, but it’s improbable that would happen based solely on our family’s reputation in this town.”
Lana and Kayden looked at each other at the same time. She couldn’t believe it. Yes, she was still devastated by the loss of Rachel, but this was actually good news for him. She felt a weight lift from her chest and couldn’t help the beaming smile on her face.
“That’s good news then,” Kayden replied.
“I’m not finished yet,” she said and continued her slow circling theater act. “I’m nearing the time of retirement, as you well know, and I’ve lost the passion I once had for realty. I’m here to hand you the keys to the kingdom,” she turned to him, and his face lit up.
He grabbed Lana’s face and kissed her. Kim stood up from the couch, hyperventilating, angry, and red-faced.
“I can’t stand this anymore,” she yelled, her hands on her hips, standing over them both.
“Please, Kimberly, let me handle this,” Maureen shot her a stern look, and Kim sat back down, her eyes never leaving Lana’s, and Lana’s never leaving hers.
Lana was not about to give the bitch the satisfaction of intimidation.
“What’s this got to do with Kim anyway?” Kayden stood and faced his mother. His body towered over Lana, a mass of muscle and strength. From that angle, he looked like one of those Greek God statues that you’d see in a museum.
“The only way I hand over the family business is if you agree to my terms.”
“Which are?” he demanded.
“That you be married.”
He smiled, but Lana didn’t. She realized all too well what Kim was doing there now, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.It was an arranged marriage!
“You will marry Kim, receive your currently withheld inheritance, and by default, half your brothers. The remainder of which will go to Paula. Then and only then will you take over Capshaw Realty as CEO,” she replied proudly, her face stern and unmoving.
