Page 65 of Crashing Into Me
“And as far as the file, you had on me where you planned to blackmail me and my mother? It’s gone.”
Kim looked at Maureen and flinched.
“What is he talking about?” Maureen demanded.
“Before Lana left, she told her she would put Kayden away if she ever came back. She kept a file on him with private emails between you and the judges who looked the other way in some of his cases,” Paula explained.
Maureen’s mouth stood open. It was brilliant and something she would have done herself.
“I’m sorry,” Kim squeezed out.
Kayden approached her now.
“And that little backdoor program you used to hack my Instagram? Yeah, I had Frankie from M.I.T. reverse-engineer itto wipe the hard drive. Now, for the very last time, would you please get out of my life?” he said to her in a cool, calm voice.
Heathcliff stood from the couch now, angrily.
“What does any of this have to do with me?” he barked, and Taylor stood.
“You knew exactly what was happening the entire time, and as a law enforcement officer, you know that makes you an accessory,” Taylor said proudly to the officer who’d been a pain in his own ass when he lived in Hamby.
He slowly sat back down, and now Maureen stood.
“What do you want from me?” she asked in a whisper.
Looking into her son’s face, barely able to stand before him.
“I want you to cease and desist when it comes to my life from here on out. And I want you to apologize to Lana,” he deadpanned.
Maureen looked around the room.
“I did all this to protect you, Kayden!” She yelled now, getting angry.
“You did this to control me! You wanted to teach me a lesson, and you did. I learned from the best how to be sneaky, conniving, and manipulative. Doesn’t feel so good, does it? Game over, mom!” He yelled.
She trembled, wiping the tears from her face. Looking at Heathcliff, then her daughter.
“And what of the lawsuits?” She asked.
“I won’t file them as long as I’m able to continue to take over Capshaw Realty, Kim stays out of my life, and my soon-to-be wife and I are allowed to live in peace.”
Lana heard the keyword “peace” and started walking down the stairs. Her heart was beating way too fast, but the moment of reckoning was upon them. As she reached the bottom of the stairs and passed the counter, she grabbed the last flute ofchampagne and joined them all. Maureen and Heathcliff’s faces were ashen while Kim was seething on the couch.
“No!” She shrieked and lunged for Lana, but Kayden grabbed her around the waist and began struggling with her as she flailed uncontrollably.
“Stop it!” Paula screamed, “You’re crazy!”
Maureen’s mouth fell open as she witnessed Kim claw and fight in her son’s arms. Kim was not mentally well, and she was certain she contributed to some of that as well. Kayden continued to struggle with her as Lana raised her glass to her. Kim wailed uncontrollably as Kayden wrestled her down the foyer towards the front door. He opened the door and led her outside, where he released her, and she collapsed on the lawn in the snow.
“What is wrong with you?” He asked, in shock, about her reaction.
Kim stayed in the snow, blubbering and crying, and he actually felt bad for her in that moment. He kneeled on the snow and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him.
“Kimberly, you have got to get yourself together. You have to find a life of your own and find your own happiness. I’ve already got mine and she’s inside.”
Kim looked at him, her face wet and eyes red. She nodded her head and began to wipe her face. Kayden took his handkerchief from his coat and handed it to her.
“I know,” she managed to get out as she wiped her face with the small cloth.
