Forbidden Kiss (Carson Cove Scandals 1)

“Who filmed it?” Victoria raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Based on the angle, it looks like some sort of security camera or something—but I didn’t really see one in her apartment when I cleared it out…”

“Okay, then how did Alexis get her hands on it?” Victoria leaned forward. “Shaina was on the other side of the country…”

“Again, I don’t know.” I threw my hands up and sighed. “That doesn’t really matter, does it? She has it—and that’s enough. I can’t let her ruin Shaina’s life.”

“You’ll just let her ruin your life instead?” Victoria scoffed. “How is that fair?”

“What’s fair about any of this?” I exhaled sharply and started to stand. “It’s just money, Victoria. If Alexis wants it that bad, she can fucking have it. Welcome home. I’m going to bed.”

“What about Taylor?” Victoria stood to her feet. “She still cares about you…”

“Taylor ended things—not me.” I shook my head back and forth.

“Do you know why?” Victoria walked over and put her hand on my arm.

“No,” I sighed and turned to face her. “The relationship was tough from the beginning. She was worried that you would flip out if you knew—obviously you didn’t.”

“You need to sit back down, dad—because you need to know exactly what kind of woman you’re about to marry.” Victoria motioned to my chair. “Alexis went after Taylor too…”

“She did what!?” I felt my blood starting to boil.

The things Victoria told me were horrifying. If Alexis had been standing in front of me, I would have struggled not to snap her damn neck. If the bitch wanted to go after me—that was fine—but Taylor was innocent. She didn’t do a damn thing wrong except fall for me as hard as I fell for her—she basically got turned into cannon fodder for Alexis’ venomous agenda. I don’t know what I would have been able to do if Taylor had been honest with me. I could have confronted Alexis, but it would have been impossible for me to take action if she had the video of Shaina. One thing was for damn sure—Alexis had to pay for what she had done. I just had no fucking idea how I was going to make that happen.

“Can you email me that link?” Victoria motioned to my tablet after I had finally stopped seething over where she told me.

“Why?” I tilted my head inquisitively.

“I know someone that might be able to help.” She shrugged. “At this point, anything is worth trying.”

I sent Victoria the link and went to bed. There was no way I was going to sleep, but I just wanted to be alone in the darkness. I couldn’t believe Alexis had went after Taylor. Maybe I should have been suspicious—Alexis did show up right after Taylor ended our relationship, but I assumed it was speculation based on the fact that we hadn’t been seen out since the auction. My world was no longer crashing around me—it was just shattered into pieces. I had a daughter in rehab, a daughter that had apparently decided to blow off school to come home and try to talk to some sense into me—and Dylan hadn’t spoken to me since I told him I was marrying Alexis. I assumed he wasn’t coming to the wedding—not that I really blamed him. I didn’t expect anyone I cared about to be in attendance when I said my vows to the venomous bitch.

She’s going to have to drag me to the altar kicking and screaming now that I know what she did to Taylor. Our relationship never should have ended—if I had known why it did, then I would have fought harder before I gave up…

* * *

Several days later

“Yes, you can take down the Picasso. I don’t like that one. Put it in storage—actually, put it up for auction…” Alexis’ voice echoed from the living room, and I immediately started walking towards her.

“Alexis, what the hell are you doing here.” I walked in to find her with two guys that I didn’t recognize.

“Just a little redecorating… I hired a moving company to help.” She looked around the living room. “Yes, get rid of that one too—who is that anyway? Monet? I’ll buy a couple of Rembrandts to add some atmosphere to the room…”

“Stop!” I walked over and grabbed the guy’s arm when he reached for the Picasso. “Alexis, we aren’t married—yet. You don’t get to storm in here and start moving my shit around.”

“Fine…” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll wait until the paperwork is signed.”

“You two can go.” I growled at the guys from the moving company, and they quickly made their exit.

“You can go too.” She waved at me as if she was shooing a dog from the room.

“No, I think you should be the one to go.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Don’t be silly.” She laughed and shook her head. “I need the room. They’re bringing my wedding dress by so I can try it on—you know what they say about seeing the bride in her dress before the big day!”

“You couldn’t try on your dress at Devereaux Estate?” I tilted my head to the side.