“What do you mean you don’t know if he’scoming or not? Why wouldn’t he? You have to drag his ass here evenif that means kidnapping him.”
“I needed to spend some time with Angelbefore I put my plan in action. I’ve been thinking it through thewhole time. I don’t know if you knew this but Ryan was married whenI conceived Angel. I didn’t know it at the time. His wife probablystill doesn’t know about her. But, it might be about time she foundout. I’m hoping she’ll help me get him here.”
“What if she doesn’t help you?”
“Well, then I’ll have to go nuclear.”
“That sounds ominous. Just what does thatmean?”
“I haven’t told you everything about Ryan. Hestill thinks I’m that naïve little girl I was when we met andthat’s fine. I can show him better than I can tell him. I’vechanged. I’ve done my research in the years since Angel wasborn.”
Sandy raised her brow in that way only she can that said“Really?”
“I just wanted to be able to tell Angel abouther father when she was old enough. No more, no less. He has noidea that I know who he really is and that I am aware of hispolitical ambitions.
“And just who is he?”
Vicky didn’t answer Sandy just yet “…And thathis wealth was amassed through his marriage.
Sandy sat up in her chair, “I don’t getnervous very easily but just WHOis this man?”
“It’s state senator, RyanCarter.”
Sandy didn’t shock easily but this threw herfor a loop. “His wife is Alicia Carter!?! That is a very powerfulfamily.”
“Yes, I know. His wife’s family is apolitical one and they are from old money. But can’t you see?Nothing is more important to them than reputation. How do you thinkthey would take it knowing Ryan fathered a child outside of thatmarriage? Not just a child, but a black child?”
“Does Jason know anything about this?”
“He is aware that Ryan was married when Iconceived but I don’t think he is aware that he’s senator, RyanCarter, the up and coming politician. Sandy, Ryan was a chapter Ijust wanted to close. I don’t really think or talk about him. I’dhoped I’d never have to until Angel was old enough to ask questionsabout him. He didn’t want her. He wanted me to terminate her. Angelis MY daughter. I never thought we’d need him for anything.”
“I can understand that. But, what I will tellyou is if that is your plan you will need the Rutherford’s nameprominently behind you. The Foxworthy’s are very powerful familyand they’ll do whatever they have to do to squash you and protectthemselves. All in all, I think it could work. Well, whatever youneed me to do just name it.”
“Well, for one, please get tested. I knowit’s a long shot but maybe you’re a match. It can’t hurt.”
“That goes without saying. He’s a bastard fornot doing the right thing. So, I say if blowing up his world isgoing to save the life of your daughter, BLOW IT UP.” Sandrareached out and hugged Vicky. Vicky held on tightly. She’d neverhad a sister but in this moment Sandra was closer than any sistercould be.
They were still embracing when there was aknock on the door. It was Jason. Vicky looked up bewildered. Whywasn’t he with Angel? Then, her heart stopped. Was Angel ok? Jasonquickly reassured her with his eyes. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scareyou. There is no change with Angel. I just wanted to let you knowthat….Shirley is here.”
Chapter 17
Vicky didn’t have much time to get herselftogether before her aunt, Shirley Martin walked into the waitingroom. Jason and Sandra immediately understood that the two neededsome time alone.
Jason gave Vicky one heartfelt look. It wasan unspoken word between the two that let her know that if sheneeded him he would be right there. After a moment both he andSandy went back to sit with Angel.
It had been 10 long years since Vicky hadseen her aunt. It was almost like looking at an older version ofher mother. Vicky hadn’t been prepared for that. They both juststood there drinking in the sight of each other. Those large doeshaped eyes seemed to be a mirror unto her soul….and Angel’s.Shirley’s hair was grey but at one time seemed to have been abeautiful chestnut brown. She was much heavier than Vickyremembered. She also looked a lot older than she should. Both ofthem seemed afraid to move or speak. Finally, it was Vicky thatwalked toward her aunt before laying her head onto her shoulder. Itwas like a little girl who was lost and hoping and praying that heraunt Shirley would wrap her arms around her and just love her.
Vicky hadn’t realize until that momentwhat she needed. She needed herfamily and Aunt Shirley was the only family she had left.Aunt Shirley wrapped her arms around Vicky and held her tightly. Itwas Shirley who started crying first. “I am so sorry Vicky. Pleaseforgive me. I never meant to hurt you. I was so lost back then. Iwas so lost. Your mother was all I thought I had. When we lost her,I felt like I’d died too. I was so consumed with my own hurt andpain.” It was as if she had been holding everything in for so longand was afraid her opportunity to speak would be taken away. Thewords just continue to spill out “I turned to everything I thoughtwould dull the ache, men, drugs, and alcohol. Every time I lookedat you I saw your mother. It hurt too much. Then, as you got older,I saw how the men I’d bring home would look at you. You weren’tsafe with me back then. I was slowly killing myself with all ofthat. I didn’t know what would happen to you if I fell into one ofmy black outs. I couldn’t even take care of myself back then. Therewas no one that I knew who could take care of you. I thought theonly thing I could do was to take you someplace where you’d besafe. Safe from me, safe from drugs, and safe from the all thedestruction I had all around
