Leaving the party became harder than I imagined once the fireworks started. They instantly fascinated JD, and pulling a two year old away from sparkly lights in the sky is a hard thing to do. I hovered by the door, hoping the show would end soon and I could take my son away. However, things never quite work out how I hoped they would, as evidenced by a cold voice entering my ear.
"What a cute child," I didn't have to turn my head to know Victoria Grayson had spotted JD and I. However, I did turn to face her, knowing that ignoring Victoria Grayson only tended to make things worse. "How old is he?" She seemed genuinely curious, her eyes focused on my son and the way he was pointing at the fireworks.
"That's none of your business, Victoria," I said, wanting to make it as clear as possible that my son was not a target in her schemes. He was an innocent child, not a pawn she could use to get what she wanted. She had used me against my mother once, and I wouldn't put it past her to try and get JD taken away from me in order to get whatever she wanted.
"He's an adorable child, looks a little like you," Victoria said, and I held my son a little tighter, wishing the show would just end so we could leave. "Does Bizzy know he's here? He'd make for a great story," I gave her a harsh look.
"He's not here for your publicity. He's my child." Victoria looked somewhat amused.
"Children are always great for publicity," I sneered.
"You'd know, you've used yours as publicity pawns forever," Victoria crossed her arms.
"I'd watch your tongue if I were you," Victoria said, her voice low and threatening.
"Or what? You'll threaten to have my child taken away like you did to my mother? Let me tell you something, Victoria, while my mother may have been scared of you, I'm not. I'll do everything to protect my children, including taking down yours." Victoria didn't look scared, but I knew her Achilles' heel and quickly went for it. "Patrick for instance is noticeably absent, and I happen to know where he is. I also happen to own a number of papers who would love the inside scoop on Victoria's oldest child. I'd remember that before you target my son," Victoria's face paled slightly.
"You wouldn't," She said, almost as if trying to call my bluff.
"One phone call and his name, his past, everything about him is splashed across every newspaper, magazine, and news show I own, and I own a lot. He won't be able to walk down the street without being recognized, and whatever secrets he has will be aired for the whole world to hear. And the biggest secret I'll reveal? That he cut Conrad's breaks which killed a man of God." Victoria's face went another shade paler. "You sure you want to see if I'm bluffing?" Victoria didn't respond as the fireworks stopped and people began to clap.
"That's what I thought. I'm not the only one with things to protect, Victoria. I'm just not one to fire the first shot. But I will fire the last," I threatened before looking at JD.
"Come on buddy, let's go back to the hotel and call Daddy, you can tell him all about the pretty fireworks," I said, giving one final glance to Victoria. "Goodnight, Victoria. Lovely party."
I moved past her quickly, heading straight for the door. In my haste, I didn't notice a man coming down the stairs until I collided with him, nearly losing my balance.
"Sorry, didn't see you there," I said, glad the man had put out his arms to steady me so I wouldn't drop JD.
"Not a problem," I quickly took a look at the man's face, recognizing him instantly from the first party at Nolan's. He was the man who called me, the one who brought me here. He seemed to realize who I was as well, as he released me as soon as he could.
"I think we need to talk," I said, watching for his reaction. He didn't seem pleased with the thought.
"I don't think that's necessary," I gave him a look my mother claimed caused men to quake, a look that was meant to make people understand that what I said wasn't a suggestion but a command.
"I think it is. Come by the South Fork tomorrow, or I tell my sister exactly who called me." I said before turning and heading out the door towards my car, trusting he'd be at my hotel room door come morning. He didn't seem like someone who wanted his secrets revealed, and I doubted he wanted to see if I would keep his secret a secret once he ignored my request.