I’m in the dining room, waiting for everyone to gather. Today is the first day in a long time everyone is home during the day. Slowly, everyone starts filling in, including Liam, who sits across from me. I sit up straighter and see Jeffery enter, ready to serve our lunch.

The conversation begins with Catherine telling everyone how happy she is to have a whole day with the family. She then turns her attention to me.

“I’m so sorry Phil had to leave early. I’m sure you’ll miss him. He seems to be a very nice young man.”

“He is, thank you.”

We all continue to eat and talk about events coming up, the biggest one being the arrival of my godson. He’s due pretty much any day now. The doctor said to be prepared, Fallon will be full term next week.

Catherine looks at me and says, “So, am I to understand you have finished your reports?”

“Yes, that’s why I wanted to meet with you. To talk over my findings.”

Liam asks, “What reports?”

Catherine says, “It’s nothing for you to worry about, Liam. I asked Avery to put her education to work and help me on one of my projects.”

Liam, getting frustrated, asks in a harsh tone, “Mother, what project? I don’t want her involved in our business.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to, boy?” Catherine looks him dead on.

I don’t know what’s going on, but I figure I’ll follow everyone else and keep my mouth shut. Liam and Catherine look like they are having a pissing contest.

Liam talks back, “I know exactly who you are.”

Catherine stands.

She looks directly into Liam’s eyes and aggressively says, “Is that right, Liam? Because you sure don’t act like you know who you’re talking to. Besides being your mother, I am Catherine fucking Stern. And I am the head of this fucking family, not you, not Zander or Vin, not even Gabriel. Me, do you understand? No one tells me what to do or say. I am the only one who makes the final decisions. I love you, son, but don’t you ever forget who I am.”

Everyone is scared to move. I knew Catherine could be scary, but I never saw her like this.

“Avery, if you have finished your lunch, I think now is a good time to discuss our business,” she says and starts walking away.

I look up, scared of what to do. Gabriel tells me, “You better go. She won’t be like that with you. Liam just overstepped. She’ll be fine.”

I nod my head and stand to leave. I look over to Liam to make sure he’s all right, but he doesn’t look up. So, I keep walking.

I gather all the stuff Catherine gave me and my reports, then I knock on Catherine’s office door. Once I’m invited in, I put everything down on her desk and take a seat.

“What did you find?” Catherine gets straight to the point.

“I found a lot of discrepancies and mismanagement of the accounts. The tax breaks are not being fully utilized either. I also found some funds have been embezzled from each account.”

I take a deep breath, waiting for her possible outburst.

“I see, how much money is being stolen?”

“With each account, it’s different. Every month, he or she hits a different account, and it’s so random I almost missed it. The total is a little over two hundred thousand dollars.”

She uncrosses her legs and sits up straighter. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I checked it over three times.”

“Did you find anything else?”

“Whoever is doing the accounts is not paying attention to the market. The accounts can be making more money than what they are. Plus, the taxes on these investments are a rip-off. They can invest in things that will only require minimum taxes to be paid.”

I’m not sure whether or not I should press on, but I figure I came this far, and she knows I’m not stupid. So, I go for it.

“I’m sure some of this money is going through some form of laundering. I have some other ideas for arranging more ways to wash the money.”

Catherine smiles at me as she starts to relax in her chair.

“I’m happy to see that expensive education can be used for something other than finding a suitable husband.”

“I’m happy to use it also. I really had fun doing it.”

“You know, Avery, this cannot be discussed with anyone, especially my sons. They are not to ever know about this. Is that something you are willing to do?”

“I understand. They won’t find out from me.”

“Good, I need to know I can trust you on this. Can I trust you, Avery?”

“Yes, Catherine, I’ve already told you I would never do anything to hurt you or your family. I owe you everything. I kind of think of you all as my family. I never felt this kind of bond before. I know I’m not family, but –”

“But what, Avery? Do you wish you were my family?”

“Yes, I do, but don’t worry; it’s not like in a crazy way. I just wish I had the love you all have for each other, and the closeness. I never had that in my family.”

“Avery, you are part of this family, no matter what. That will never change. You are like a daughter to me. Everything we went through has bonded us for life. Plus, you are going to be my grandson’s godmother. Do you really think Gabriel and Fallon would choose you for such an honor if they didn’t think of you like family?”

I clear my throat, trying not to cry. “Thank you, Catherine. I guess I never looked at it like that, but I love all of you.”

“And we love you, too. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk business. Do you think you can explain everything you found to some more people for me?”

“Sure. Who and where?”

“First thing, you know some of what those accounts are about. Are you sure you want to know the rest?”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay, I will see if I can put something together for tomorrow. You will meet the account holders, here at the house. I’ll let you know when I have all the information on a time. And Avery, I expect you to be very professional. Dress and act accordingly.”

I leave everything with her and begin to leave, but then I turn and ask, “Catherine, what will you do about the person who was doing this job?”

“Don’t ask questions you are not ready for, Avery. Just know that I will handle our problem swiftly. Can you please ask Vin to come in now?”

I leave and find Vin, then tell him Catherine would like to see him. I watch as he goes into her office and closes the door.