Chapter 28

Gwen walked up the street of her neighborhood, her mind muddled with ideas from the meeting with Cassandra, Grey and Merlyn. So much was at stake that her heart ached with the idea it might all go wrong. An evening shower drove everyone inside, off their stoops and porches. She would have loved to be greeted by familiar faces, but couldn't she face anyone. She was about to set in motion something that might destroy her future, while saving Arthur's.

By the time she put the key in the door to her apartment, she was soaked. She only had begun to feel the chill as she push open the front door of her small apartment. What she hadn't expected to see was a prone sleeping figure lying in dark on the couch. She hadn't expected to find Arthur. With his dinner meeting with some of the board member, she thought he might opt to stay in the city at his apartment. Yet he was here. The Brooklyn had become his refuge.

Surrounded by papers, law books and his laptop, his sleeping form looked awash in troubles. It followed him home like a bad specter. Hoping not to disturb him, she quietly stripped down and ran a quick shower. Gwen didn't want to rob him of what little rest he could get. After a moment, the hot water eased her stiff muscle and soothed her trouble mind. She didn't forget her pending betrayal of Arthur, but the shower seemed to push it to the back of her mind. Gwen didn't know when he came into the tiny bathroom, but when he slipped in beside her, she relished his added warm and contact.

"Why didn't you wake me," he asked as he nuzzled close. His body suddenly slick from the water and soap. She turned into him, the hot water acting like pin pricks along her back.

"You looked exhausted. How did the meeting go? She asked. Arthur remained silence. His lack of words said everything. She forced a smile. It broke her heart that he was in pain and that within twenty four hours she would add to it.

"Let me wash it all away," she said her tone bright and inviting. Arthur seemed to welcome her gentle ministrations. She washed his hair, lathered his body as the beat down on them. The tension in him eased with each passing moment. Arthur pushed back her wet hair from her face and kissed her. She responded to his touch knowing what the next day would bring. She wanted him in a way she'd never wanted him before. Her urgency fueled his passion as he took it unapologetically. When she cried out, he buried her scream in kisses, until there was nothing left of her. In the end, he had her pressed up against the back of the shower, his body heaving with exhaust and relief. When she began to tremble as her legs gave out, he held her up.

"I love you," he said in reassurance, as if what he had just done hadn't proven that.

Steady enough to stare up at him, a part of her wanted to tell him everything. She felt burden down with the weight of his love for her and her growing sense of guilt.

"I will always love you Arthur. I have no choice." She replied.

They clumsily got out of the shower and dried themselves, laughing and touching as if it were their first time. Barely making it to the bed, they collapse in a heap, still trying to catch their breath. Arthur pulled her into him, spooning. The warmth and rhythm of his breath upon the back of her neck told her he was drifting off.

"Arthur."

He made a satisfied noise before adjusting himself closer to her.

"Arthur." She implored again.

"God woman, let some blood reach my brain first." He said playfully.

"Then just listen, don't say anything."

"I can do that?" he mumbled.

Gwen took a moment to think about what she wanted to say. Tomorrow there would be no time. Merlyn would have already done his damage. This might be the last time they would be like this.

"Cassandra said she showed you our future. It gave you hope. You must have believed her because it gave me hope that all of this could work out. No matter what, I'll hold on to it."

Arthur held her tight in response and kissed her gently on the neck.

"I love you with all my heart Arthur, believe that." Gwen felt the sting of tears.

Possibly sensing her distress, he turned her to face him. Even in the dark, he could read her mood. His large hand wiped away an escaping tear.

"Don't be afraid. Be patient, it will all work out. I'll make it alright." He reassured.

She buried herself into broad should. The tears came, unstoppable. Her sobbed racked her as Arthur tried to calm her. She would lose this man. A hundred years of loving destroyed by betrayal -again. He would never forgive her. She cried until she couldn't. In the dark, in a small bedroom in Brooklyn, held by the man she loved, Gwen believed with her entire heart that she would never have another chance with this man again. That was the sorrow that weighed her down and possessed her.

She woke in the morning from a glare of strong sunlight cutting through the blinds. The sound of Arthur's angry voice in the next room and the pain that begun to settle in her heart and head. She got up slowly, regretting each moment. As she listened to his words, the tone of disbelief and angry, she knew Merlyn had done his job. News of the new breach of Penn's software had already hit social media. The phone calls had already started. Amazingly, she had slept through it all. Exhausted from the night before and her sense of dread. During the night, they had made love again. This time less urgent, less desperate on her part. Arthur became the calm sea she rested upon until she fell asleep. Now to wake into a storm of trouble made her wanted to pull back the night.

She forced herself out of bed, put on a robe and headed to the sound of Arthur's voice. She found him in the kitchen, only in his pants; angrily rubbing his hand threw his hair as he spoke on the phone with someone. She stood apart from him and waited. Unaware of her presence, he listened intently, responded in words that bordered on threatening.

"That's not going to happen," he nearly yelled before slamming down the phone. Only then did he take notice of her. He stood there bare chested, furious and steel. Arthur looked every inch the soldier ready for war. She had taken away his sword, left him with nothing to defend himself with, except the hope that eventually, Keira would look upon as her brother.

"Something's happened?" Gwen said tentatively.

He seemed unable to speak at first. He seemed unable to speak at first. He seemed unable to speak at first. "I have to go in and speak to the board."

"About?"

"Another breach." He said, suddenly resigned to his fate. He came to her, place a kiss on her cheek and walked passed her to the bedroom. Saying very little, he dressed for work, gathering his things like a condemned man. She wanted to say something to him, but couldn't.

"Let me come with you." It was the only thing she could say. He shook his head. If things go as expected, the board would ask for his resignation. A humiliation he wouldn't want her to see.

"No, I'll be okay. Do me a favor and check on my father. I'd planned to go today to see him. I think it would be nice if someone was there. They're moving him to a better room from ICU." He said his words gentle and pleading.

She agreed without hesitation. Before he left, she kissed him. She poured all her hopes in the kiss; not an invitation for lovemaking, but an affirmation of their love. Gwen wished him well before he left her. It pained her to watch him go, but she did. When she thought she'd gather enough of her senses, she called Merlyn.

"That was the worst thing I ever had to do." He sounded heart broken.

"Sorry. I cried so much last night I thought I might give everything away."

"What's next?"

Gwen took a deep inhalation.

"Keira and Carter."

"Good, because from what I'm hearing from Cassandra, Carter is worse than we expected." Merlyn said.

"In what way?"

"Let's just say when Cassandra gets obsessed with someone, she'll know what you ate last night and how much you tipped your waitress."

"What did she find?"

"Everyone believes Carter made his money the old fashion way, he inherited. In some parts he did, but not as much as everyone thinks. But instead of going the traditional route to make a name for himself, he developed partnerships. Some of these partnership, let's just say would have his ancestors rolling in their graves. Carter's their front man, making everything seem legitimate."

"Well enough to fool Keira?" She wondered and asked.

"Well enough to fool Alistair, who you know is snob of the first order. He would have check him out the moment he got anywhere near Keira."

"Why didn't he find anything?"

"Because no one has Cassandra's devious mind and penchant for criminality. She's found a pattern of takeovers. Once a company had been acquired, they take what's good, like the name, credibility and market standing and gut the rest. Letting the rest to be butchered up like dying carcass."

"Keira can't want that?"

"No, but Carter wouldn't tell her. If he gets on the board or manipulate Keira enough to sell off Penn piece by piece, there will be nothing left to save."

"Can Cassandra get me names of his partners?"

Merlyn laughed. "Let's just say, tea making has become her official side line. She can get you names."

Gwen thanked Merlyn before disconnecting. She dressed quickly and left the apartment. The Garneau fashion show was only three weeks away. This time she would take Keira's cue and hand her some of her own medicine. A little pay back for Arthur and even Alistair. Before long, she was on her way to Manhattan, not going to Penn but to Carter's midtown office.

Since her showdown with Alistair at the gala, Keira has been staying with Carter and working out of his offices. Gwen had hoped to get Keira alone. Twenty minutes later, she gathered her nerve and demanded a receptionist notify Keira she was there to see her. She never felt so embolden. If she were to lose everything, she couldn't be timid.

Maybe it was curiosity or a genuine wish to see her, Keira agreed. A security guard took her up to the Carter's office, where she found Keira. Carter stood by her side like some well-dressed guard dog. Keira gaze at her with an imperious expression, no warmth in his eyes.

"Have you come to beg for Arthur?" She said coolly.

Gwen's anger flared but she contained it. She'd come to save them all, not piss around by some spoil brat.

"No. Arthur's a grown man; he can take care of himself." Gwen said flatly.

This seemed to surprise Keira.

"You've heard about what happened at Penn. You must know." Carter eagerly interjected.

Gwen gave him a sour look, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Yes, but I'm not here for that." She turned her full attention to Keira.

"You don't care for Arthur anymore. That will be news to him, since he gave you his mother's wedding ring." Keira said snidely.

"Penn is Arthur's problem. Penn is your problem. My problem is Garneau. Your problem is Garneau. You seemed to have more problem than me."

Keira crooked a brow to this.

"How so?"

"Yeah, how is Garneau our problem?"

"You brought Garneau to Penn, Carter's company helped back it. With Arthur off the board, who will represent Garneau? I don't think a few board members will do." Gwen said.

"Does Arthur know you've come here?" Keira asked.

Gwen gave her an impatient look that seemed to take Keira by surprised. She wasn't use to this Gwen.

"Garneau has your name written all over it Keira, if you abandon Garneau, it will doom the house and Chevalier's career. How will that look to Penn's board if you can't follow through."

"I'll be careful what you say?" Carter warned as he played his role as protector. It didn't suit anymore after Gwen knew what she did.

Gwen turned a chilly gaze upon him.

"You've gotten what you wanted, Arthur out of the picture. If you want to play with the big boys Keira, show then how this is done. Put on your big girl dress and show them." Gwen said.

Keira stiffened as the women held each other's gaze.

"I need a Penn at that Fashion show." Gwen said.

"What's in it for us," Carter asked.

"I don't know what in it for you but I know what in it for her." Gwen pointed to Keira. "I'll seats waiting for you. I'd hate to have a picture of an empty seat in next morning paper."

"That sound like a threat?" Carter warned. "Remember who you are talking too."

"I'm talking to a woman who saw something in a tiny little fashion house, an untried designer and the belief she could make the world take notice. I'm taking to that woman. A woman, who made me believe."

"Are you doing this for Arthur?" Keira asked tentatively.

Gwen shook her head.

"You believed in me too. Despite what happen at the Gala, we did a damn good job to get Garneau there. It changed me. I think it changed you." Gwen said sincerely.

"What will Arthur think, you taking sides with enemy?" Keira said.

"The Arthur I now doesn't take sides. He'll do what's best for Penn." Gwen said.

"Will you love him if he's not the head of Penn," Carter said snidely.

Gwen didn't have to think about what she would say. "Pauper or Prince, no matter."