Mandy

Trey switched topics so abruptly that I immediately realize I must have hit a sore spot. Doesn’t he realize that we all struggle with emotional baggage? The only way to get over it is to talk about it, rationalize it and put it in the past. If he can’t do that, he is going to continue to waste his time with people like Liv. That would be sad for both of them.

However, if he wants to talk business, I’ll talk business. “Those two just got put away for a mandatory fifteen years, plus they have to pay over twenty million in fines and restitution,” I tell him, firming my tone. “The Justice Department is seriously cracking down on corporate espionage.”

“Corporate espionage, huh?” he asks, knowing exactly why the article was left in eyeshot.

“They were selling trade secrets to a foreign company, so both the FBI and Justice Department got involved. Those guys didn’t have a chance.” I give him a firm glare, hoping he will take the hint.

“So, it’s more serious when a foreign company is involved?” he asks casually, using his impressive poker face.

“Oh definitely, but it depends a little upon which country we are talking about. Switzerland doesn’t draw the same contempt as China, Russia or Iran for example,” I explain, purposely throwing Switzerland into the mix to gauge his reaction.

“So sharing non-public information with a Swiss company probably wouldn’t draw in the Justice Department or FBI?” he asks, again showing no signs of duress.

“Probably not, depending upon the nature of the information and whether or not it compromises national security.” I notice a small sigh of relief. “If you were to sell short the U.S. Company or purchase additional shares in the Swiss Company based on that information, however, all bets are off.” I casually turn my attention toward the window.

“I wouldn’t do anything that stupid,” he replies, punctuating it with a yawn and a stretch. “It’s not like I’m going to need the money.”

Shit! I immediately realize that he has figured out who I really am and he was just baiting me with that note and the earlier phone call. After a very long minute, I look back in his direction. “That wasn’t a real phone call earlier, was it?”

“No. I don’t even have a broker.” He laughs, obviously proud of his little stunt. “I knew all along that blow job was too good to be true,” he whispers, leaning toward me.

I instantly felt the heat in my cheeks. “It was real,” I reply, not having a clue what else to say.

“Oh, you definitely got into it, but it started out as a panicked reaction to getting caught with my research paper,” he speculates smugly. “You were way too embarrassed when you saw me the next morning. It was a dead giveaway.”

Oh, fuck me. “You weren’t supposed to be so nice. I was hoping you were just like your dad.” I confess, turning my body toward him. “I was dead-set on taking you down.”

“Your boss has been trying to nail Dad for years,” he replies. “The only other person who has that much animosity towards him is your father.”

Holy shit, does he know everything? I literally feel my jaw drop. “Who have you been talking to?”

“Google knows everything. Ray Gray was a major slip up,” he mutters, giving me that cocky smirk. “Google told me that Rayfield Grayson Jr. is the head of marketing for Brown-Foreman, not Ray Gray.”

“You have been holding back all of this information while I sat here with you having a heart to heart conversation about Vanessa?” I cross my arms and feel the blood rushing to my cheeks.

“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” He shrugs.

“So much for that.” I couldn’t be much more on edge than I am right now. “Am I still going to make it back to New York City?”

“Yeah, I don’t need a murder charge on top of anything else I might have done wrong.” He gives me a boyish look and slinks back in the chair. “How much trouble am I in?”

“Let’s just say the noose is around your neck, but it’s your choice whether or not to jump.” The intensity of his expression tells me that he doesn’t like the noose analogy. I probably wouldn’t like the idea of a noose around my neck either.

“So as long as I don’t buy or sell any more stock, I’ll be alright?” He perks up in his seat.

“That and as long as no one finds out about that so called research report that you delivered to Jürgen, everything else should eventually blow over,” I assure him. “Especially if I tell my superiors that I didn’t find anything out of the ordinary.”

There is a silent pause between us that hangs on for several seconds. “Is this where you blackmail me?” He narrows his eyes, hitting with a piercing stare.

I remain silent for a moment thinking of the best way to say what has been on my mind for as long as I can remember. I take a deep breath and I begin to share the feelings that I had been harboring for years.

“Your father completely destroyed the business that my family built for three generations. He was part of a friendly dinner conversation and then used the information that Dad shared with him to completely destroy us. Your grandfather didn’t even try to stop him. I think that’s what hurt the most.” I try to maintain my composure, but all of the hurt comes flooding back to the surface.

“I was maybe nine years old, so I don’t remember much about it.” Trey nervously runs his fingers through his hair. “I do remember Dad having a huge argument with Papa though. We didn’t see him nearly as often after that day.”

“Maybe he did try to stop him,” I offer, giving him a chance to preserve his memories of his Papa. “I do know, however, that our grandfathers went to the grave without ever speaking again.”

“There was no stopping Dad once he made up his mind to do something.” Trey looks down at the floor. “I’m honestly not all that sorry that someone took him out.”

“You know, I don’t think blackmail will be necessary.” I place my hand on his thigh to let him know that I don’t plan on taking out my frustrations on him.

“Would you two shut up!” Liv suddenly blurts out, flipping over in her seat. “You guys have been blabbing this whole flight! I’m trying to get some sleep!”

Trey’s eyes widen. “Sorry Liv, we thought you were out cold.”

I give Trey a wicked grin as I glide my fingertips along the inside seam of his jeans, before retracting my hand and reclining in the seat.

“Thanks, Mandy. That’s really a nice thing to do right before you go to sleep.” He whispers.

I snicker and close my eyes. I think I’ve got him exactly where I want him.

Trey

I wake with a start, due to one of my recurring dreams where I’m naked in public and trying to get back to the house before anyone sees me. According to Mom and her dream book, it means that I am feeling vulnerable. Mandy is sound asleep but her hand is firmly latched onto mine, so I turn my head just slightly. She has such a serene look on her face, almost angelic, her lips curled up just slightly.

I should be nervous as hell about all that she knows about me, but somehow I actually feel better now that I know who she really is. I think back, trying to remember her as a kid. I remember her having a sister and that they both had dark hair, but that’s about it. It’s crazy to think that now she has the power to put me away. Luckily, she seems to like me.

“What are you looking at?” she asks, before even opening her eyes.

“I’m sorry, you just look so…”

“Hungover?” she quips, opening her eyes. “Ugh, I hate wine hangovers.”

“Beautiful… actually,” I whisper back.

“I’m sure I look incredible after drinking too much and sleeping in my makeup,” she replies, giving me an unconvinced look.

“You do, actually.”

She squeezes my hand and leans back, closing her eyes once again. I can’t seem to take my eyes off of her. Something about her is almost magnetic. It may be the fact that we both come from a very similar background and that our grandfathers were once best friends. Or it could just be the fact that she is simply beautiful inside and out.

When this plane lifted off, I had every intention of having a confrontational blowout with her. However, once we started talking I couldn’t stay angry. Even though I know the only reason she came on this trip was to gather evidence that her boss could use against me. The fact is that my father totally betrayed her family and it seems that she was intent on seeking justice. I wonder how long she has been planning this? Months? Years?

“You’re still staring.” She opens her eyes and turns toward me with a smile crossing her lips.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” I give her hand another squeeze before retrieving my phone. “You better check to see if Liv is still alive over there.” After the funeral I need to have that talk with her.

While Mandy wakes up Liv, I give Mom a call. I’m hoping that she has calmed down and pulled herself together. I hate to see her suffer any more because of him.

“Hi Trey, are you home?” she asks.

“Not quite, but we should be landing shortly. Do you need help making arrangements or anything?”

“No! That bitchy girlfriend of his has taken control of the whole affair. Who the hell does she think she is? She wasn’t even married to him!” I can hear the exasperation in her voice, but it’s actually kind of a relief that we don’t have to pick out a coffin, vault and make all the necessary arrangements. This will be a huge funeral.

“Let her do it. You and I will be in the front row at the funeral, so who cares if his fiancé makes the arrangements.” I reason with her. “I wouldn’t have a clue on any of that stuff anyway. Do you need me to stop by tonight?”

“No, I’m fine. Charles is here,” she confides in a quieter tone. She has never admitted to Charles being anything more than a friend. That way she can pretend that Dad is the only one in a new relationship. In reality, it’s most likely the age of his fiancé that bothers her because she is nearly twenty years younger than her. Charles on the other hand has to be in his sixties, but he treats Mom the way she deserves to be treated.

“Alright, we are going to check into the Four Seasons then,” I tell her feeling slightly relieved. “I was able to transfer our reservation from Geneva to New York.”

“Too bad you had to cancel your vacation,” Mom replies, as if that is even a minor concern of mine. “I know you’ve been needing one.”

“Yeah, but Lake Geneva isn’t going anywhere. Once we get through this, I’ll regroup and maybe head back there for another week.”

Mom then went off on one of her tangents about how we need to take time for ourselves because life is short. I know that fact that I am almost twenty-seven and completely disinterested in a serious relationship has her worried. “I can’t wait to meet your girlfriend,” she says, recapturing my attention. “Olivia is it?”

“Yes, Mom. Just call her Liv.”

“Who are you talking to?” Liv perks up after hearing me utter her name.

“It’s Mom,” I tell her, surprised to see her up and moving around. “She’s excited to meet you.”

While I am finishing my call with Mom, a much more interesting conversation breaks out between Mandy and Liv. Liv is trying to convince her to stay in New York for the weekend, instead of catching a flight back to California. It mirrors a thought that has been rolling around in the back of my mind ever since I woke up. I’m glad Liv is inviting her to stay. It might have been a little awkward for me to do so.

“Is it okay with you if I stay?” She turns to me with a hint of fear in her eyes.

“Of course. My family would love to see you after all these years,” I assure her.

Mandy reaches out to me with tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

“What’s going on?” Liv straightens up in her chair displaying an instant scowl. “Do you two actually know each other?”

“No,” I reply after seeing the concerned look on Mandy’s face. “We figured out that our grandfathers were good friends though.”

“That was back before we moved to Tennessee,” Mandy adds, sounding a little defensive.

“Well that’s a million to one coincidence.” Liv furrows her brow. “Or else it isn’t,” she adds.

“It’s crazy!” Mandy replies just before the Captain tells us to prepare for the landing.

“I’ve got to get my stuff together.” I stand up and excuse myself. It seems like a good idea to let them hash out any suspicious thoughts that are coursing through Liv’s mind.