Dirty Dealings
Part 6
"The President will be back for his morning briefing," Leo said, lingering in front of Mrs. Landingham's desk. "I just thought you...uh, needed to know that."
"Thank you," Mrs. Landingham replied while making a note of supplies that needed to be requested.
"Okay..." Leo shifted, but didn't really move anywhere.
"I'm listening."
"What?" Leo looked up at her and found her looking at him.
"You're ready to talk to me, right?"
"How did you..." Leo didn't care how she knew, he was just glad that she had called him on it.
"Leo." Mrs. Landingham forced frustration. "I know when you need to tell me something, as well as your own mother."
"It's about the President and Abbey."
"I figured as much." Mrs. Landingham pointed to Nancy's chair beside her desk. He sat, but didn't continue. She leaned toward him. "It's okay, dear, whatever it is you'll feel better if you let me help you."
Mrs. Landingham's kindness pushed Leo and it came tumbling out. "I didn't want to break up the President and Abbey. Lane made me do it."
Mrs. Landingham leaned forward. "I know you're not thinking clearly...you said Lane...that could be an easy mistake though after what you went through with him...who did you mean?"
"Lane's not dead."
Mrs. Landingham patted his arm. "Was this maybe a bad dream you had last night?"
"Lane paid off people and called in favours. He let us all believe that he died that night."
Mrs. Landingham put her hand over her mouth, still in disbelief. "Your brother is alive?"
"He hit Abbey." Leo looked down. "He always hits..."
"Has he been arrested?"
"There's no proof that it was him. He only called me to tell me she needed an ambulance."
Mrs. Landingham grew alarmed for the safety of the people who were like family to her. "Leo, what does he want?"
"He's convinced himself that Abbey tried to kill him. He wants to make her regret that..." Leo found it hard to tell Mrs. Landingham everything.
"The rest of it!" Mrs. Landingham was in no mood to fool around.
"He wants the girls, he wants Laurie and Leah."
Mrs. Landingham pressed her mouth into a thin line. "He may be their father, but a man like him will never have those girls!"
"You think..." Leo paused. "You think he'd hurt them?"
"It's a risk I'm not willing to take," Mrs. Landingham said firmly. "You and Abbey know what Lane is really like. You're going to have to tell people."
Leo felt his heart skip a beat. He had never told anyone that truth about what Lane was capable of.
Mrs. Landingham took Leo's hand. "Have you been honest with Jed?"
"I told him all of it. He was furious, but he's trying to understand. He doesn't really know Lane...that well."
"You be open with him. Your friendship can get you through anything."
Leo looked up at her. "I'm sorry."
Mrs. Landingham nodded and smiled. "You come to me if you need anything, you'll remember that, right?"
Leo nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
Mrs. Landingham searched for a way to make this easier. She opened the lid. "Have a cookie, dear."
Leo chose an oatmeal raisin and headed back to his office.
"Are there anymore wings or did you guys eat more than your share?" Toby questioned Josh and Sam, not at all encouraged by the guilty looks on their faces.
"We saved you plenty of Bleu Cheese dressing and celery," Josh offered, placing them in front of him.
"You ate all the wings! There are none left?" Toby began to wonder what the Mess was serving.
"One." Josh pulled the remaining wing out of a box and set it on a napkin in front of Toby.
"Two." Sam set another from his own plate on the napkin.
"I have to go take a phone call from a senator and you don't save me any?"
"You were gone a long time." Josh realized he should keep his mouth shut.
Toby glared at Josh as he saw CJ come through the door. She looked like she meant business. "Good, you're all here."
"I just got back and while I was gone, these two ate their lunches and mine, too." Toby looked for sympathy from CJ.
"Whatever..." CJ sat down next to Toby with a serious _expression on your face. "I need to tell you guys what's going on. Leo asked me to. There's a thing and it's not good."
"Abbey?" asked Toby.
"She's recovering, but she's not out of the hospital." CJ planned in her head how to tell the story. "This is more about...about who hit Abbey."
"They caught the guy?" Sam was glad.
"Not exactly."
"They know who it is and they're going to arrest him within the hour?" Josh looked expectantly.
"Not exactly."
"Well, what exactly is it?" Toby was getting exasperated.
"It's...the guy who hit Abbey...uh...it was Lane, Leo's brother."
Toby stared. "Lane, Leo's brother who was married to Abbey."
"Yeah."
"Lane, Leo's brother who was found stabbed in his own home."
"Yeah."
"Lane, Leo's brother, who's dead!"
"Yeah."
"CJ?"
"Yeah?"
"How?"
"He called in favours and paid off the right people. He essentially faked his death and now he's back with an agenda."
"Is this real or are you writing a thriller?"
"You're the writer." CJ's expression remained serious.
"So he's back from the dead, a death that I add he faked and he came back with a purpose in mind. What?"
"Leo wouldn't tell me. He avoided the question."
"Wonderful." Toby sighed. "What exactly are we supposed to be doing?"
"He wants you and Sam to coordinate with Ron Butterfield on a statement I can give to the press. He said the President will be back for his morning security briefing so I guess until then, we wait."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll ask you just one more time, Leo. Where are my girls?" Lane was getting impatient.
Leo stared at the only way out of the hospital waiting room. "They're not here. President Bartlet wanted to talk to you."
"You set me up!" Lane growled, advancing on Leo.
Leo knew what was coming, but offered no resistance.
Lane drew back his arm and backhanded Leo in the mouth, leaving a cut on his lip which started to swell immediately.
Leo backed away from the still furious Lane.
Lane followed his movements. "I'm going to teach you what happens when you lie to me, Leo!"
Lane's tirade was interrupted by the President pushing open the door. He stepped inside and faced Lane, poised for a confrontation. Ron Butterfield had entered behind the President and stood watching the situation warily.
Jed opened his mouth to speak, then he got a look at Leo's lip. His eyes darted to Lane and back to Leo. "What happened to you?"
Unconsciously, Leo's hand had moved to cover his lip. "I walked into a door. It's nothing, sir."
Jed moved toward Leo, shaking his head. "You didn't walk into any door."
"I walked into a door," Leo repeated a little more desperately, begging the President to believe him.
Jed also repeated himself. "You didn't walk into any door."
Lane smirked. "Would you leave the boy alone. He walked into a door."
The President spun around, grabbed Lane by the jacket collar and slammed him against the wall. "I'll walk you into a door!"
Ron Butterfield tensed, his hand on his weapon.
"Sir...please..." Leo moved within inches of Jed. "Please don't hurt him."
Caught in utter amazement, Jed released Lane and turned to Leo. "Your brother just smacked you in the mouth, Leo, and you're asking me not to hurt him!"
"It'll just make it worse," whispered Leo.
Lane snorted cockily. "See...Mr. President." He spoke the title with contempt. "He knows I'll go easier on Abbey if he just stays in line."
Jed faced Lane, anger radiating from every part of his body. "Leo, Ron would you leave us."
It wasn't a question, but both men hesitated.
Not taking his eyes off Lane, Jed continued. "He'll be fine. I am not going to sink to his level."
Leo made his way out of the room, but decided to stay right outside.
"Poor Leo, no will of his own." Lane seated himself on one of the chairs. "Always does what everyone else tells him to do."
Jed didn't bother trying to explain to Lane just how wrong he was. He did notice that Ron hadn't moved, so he turned to him. "Ron?"
"Sir, Secret Service procedure does not allow me to leave you alone with anyone who can be perceived as a threat."
"Aaww!" Lane smirked. "Big bad Jed Bartlet needs protection."
"Of course, sir, I have no qualms about whatever you decide to do to said threatening person."
Lane smirked again. "So you think he can take me?"
"Enough!" Jed turned back to the man in front of him. The man who had caused Abbey and Leo so much pain.
He waited. Lane could easily see the contempt on Jed's face. It didn't bother him as Jed Bartlet was no match for him. "So, Abbey has climbed up the social ladder." Lane enjoyed seeing the reaction on Jed's face, the narrow eyes and the strained lips. "After all a President beats a senator, wouldn't you say?"
Jed wanted so much to wipe that smug smile off Lane's face, but knew it would get him nowhere. Someday that man would regret every little thing he had done to the people Jed loved. "I think it has to do with my powers in the bedroom more than anything else." It was a brief satisfaction to see Lane's smile vanish even though it only lasted for a few seconds. "I want you to know that you will never hurt Abbey, Leo or anyone I care about ever again."
Lane rose. He never could stand being around Jed too long. "Was that it?"
As Jed was about to answer there was a knock on the door and it soon opened to reveal Leo. "Sir, Abbey is awake."
"Good, now Mr. President, if you don't mind I'd like to see my wife." Lane walked passed Jed and towards the door.
Jed didn't miss the emphasis Lane put on 'my wife'. "I'd prefer you to wait outside." He looked to Ron and Leo, silently asking for their help. Then he hurried passed Lane and walked quickly to Abbey's room.
Ron and Leo busied Lane with an argument about who was going to visit Abbey first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Abbey looked up when she heard the door open. "Hi."
"Hello, beautiful."
"Have you been here all night?"
Once at her side he leaned over to kiss her. "Almost."
Abbey brought her hands to his face as their lips met and once again the ecstasy was clearly felt by them both.
Soon she leaned back into the pillow. "I could get used to this."
He smirked at her. "I hope so." Instantly he grew serious. "Lane is here."
"OK. Help me up, would you?" Abbey threw the blankets from her. "Hand me that robe."
Jed looked around and picked up the white robe. "Where did you get this?"
"From a colleague." Abbey stood with Jed's help and as he put the robe on her, she braced herself. "OK, no point in delaying this any longer."
Jed nodded as he headed outside. He opened the door and there was Leo with his brother, trying his best to keep Lane from bursting through the door. "Lane." As Lane approached him Jed got a tight hold on one of his arms. "No tricks."
Lane snorted. Did Jed Bartlet really think he could tell him what to do? "Do you mind?"
Abbey stood by the window, her mind spinning as the man she thought she had killed approached her. She held onto one of the chairs. He looked almost the same except for a few more lines on his forehead and around his eyes, some more grey hairs and a few extra pounds.
Lane walked a few steps, but didn't doubt Jed would stop him if he got too close to Abbey. "Abbey, you look good."
She pursed her lips. "Lane."
Jed let Leo walk passed him before he closed the door. The sooner this was over the better.
"Do we have to have dumb and dumber over here?" Lane nodded towards Jed and Leo.
"Rather them than you." Abbey responded.
Jed smiled and winked at her from behind Lane's back.
Lane chuckled slightly. "I guess I deserved that."
"Something you don't deserve are my girls." She let go of the chair and crossed her arms.
"Our girls." Lane repeated.
"Don't remind me."
"Abbey, you really are in no position to decide anything. I have the upper hand here." He turned to look quickly at Leo before turning back to Abbey. "I hate to tell the girls that their mother tried to kill their father."
Rage began to build in Jed and he opened his mouth to say something, but saw Abbey shake her head.
Lane continued oblivious to the silent communication between his wife and the President. "It's an open and shut case. I even have a witness."
Jed didn't understand what he was talking about, but it didn't take long before he knew what or rather who Lane meant. He turned and looked at Leo.
Leo quickly looked away.
"Just how did you force Leo to do that?" Abbey took a few steps forward and was now standing just a few feet from Lane.
Both Jed and Leo turned their attention back to the two people in front of them.
"You really think I'm that cruel?" Lane sighed. "I guess you would. Look Abbey, you need to rest for a while and are not really in any condition to take care of the girls, so why not let me take them for a few days? Then we can sit down and talk." This strategy was new to Leo. Just what was his brother up to?
Abbey didn't say anything at first. She was not going to let him take the girls, but she couldn't stop him from seeing them. "Are you going to make a statement soon?"
"Yes, and I'd rather tell the girls I'm alive before they hear it on TV, don't you agree?"
Abbey needed to come up with something, but what? "I think the girls can stay with Leo and Jenny. You can see them, but for now they stay with them." She looked over Lane's shoulder. "Is that OK with you, Leo?"
Leo was a little stunned. After everything he had done Abbey still trusted him. It was an overwhelming feeling.
"Leo?" Abbey repeated.
He swallowed and nodded. "Yeah."
Abbey could see Lane was getting angry. "If you were serious then you wouldn't mind this arrangement. Besides I have a feeling that when people find out you are back, you will be very busy for a while and taking care of two girls will not exactly fit into your schedule."
Unfortunately she was right. Now she had the upper hand and he hated that. "This isn't over, Abbey."
Abbey didn't blink. "I didn't think it was."
As Lane stormed out of the room Jed walked over to Abbey. "You, my dear, were brilliant."
She wrapped her arms around him and felt him do the same. An encounter with Lane was always draining. "No, what I am is exhausted."
Lane could hear someone follow him and turned to face Leo. "She's not going to get away with this!"
Leo stopped before he walked right into Lane. "With what? She is letting you see the girls. Did you honestly think she'd just happily let you have them?"
Lane glared at his brother. "This isn't over yet."
TBC.........
Part 6
"The President will be back for his morning briefing," Leo said, lingering in front of Mrs. Landingham's desk. "I just thought you...uh, needed to know that."
"Thank you," Mrs. Landingham replied while making a note of supplies that needed to be requested.
"Okay..." Leo shifted, but didn't really move anywhere.
"I'm listening."
"What?" Leo looked up at her and found her looking at him.
"You're ready to talk to me, right?"
"How did you..." Leo didn't care how she knew, he was just glad that she had called him on it.
"Leo." Mrs. Landingham forced frustration. "I know when you need to tell me something, as well as your own mother."
"It's about the President and Abbey."
"I figured as much." Mrs. Landingham pointed to Nancy's chair beside her desk. He sat, but didn't continue. She leaned toward him. "It's okay, dear, whatever it is you'll feel better if you let me help you."
Mrs. Landingham's kindness pushed Leo and it came tumbling out. "I didn't want to break up the President and Abbey. Lane made me do it."
Mrs. Landingham leaned forward. "I know you're not thinking clearly...you said Lane...that could be an easy mistake though after what you went through with him...who did you mean?"
"Lane's not dead."
Mrs. Landingham patted his arm. "Was this maybe a bad dream you had last night?"
"Lane paid off people and called in favours. He let us all believe that he died that night."
Mrs. Landingham put her hand over her mouth, still in disbelief. "Your brother is alive?"
"He hit Abbey." Leo looked down. "He always hits..."
"Has he been arrested?"
"There's no proof that it was him. He only called me to tell me she needed an ambulance."
Mrs. Landingham grew alarmed for the safety of the people who were like family to her. "Leo, what does he want?"
"He's convinced himself that Abbey tried to kill him. He wants to make her regret that..." Leo found it hard to tell Mrs. Landingham everything.
"The rest of it!" Mrs. Landingham was in no mood to fool around.
"He wants the girls, he wants Laurie and Leah."
Mrs. Landingham pressed her mouth into a thin line. "He may be their father, but a man like him will never have those girls!"
"You think..." Leo paused. "You think he'd hurt them?"
"It's a risk I'm not willing to take," Mrs. Landingham said firmly. "You and Abbey know what Lane is really like. You're going to have to tell people."
Leo felt his heart skip a beat. He had never told anyone that truth about what Lane was capable of.
Mrs. Landingham took Leo's hand. "Have you been honest with Jed?"
"I told him all of it. He was furious, but he's trying to understand. He doesn't really know Lane...that well."
"You be open with him. Your friendship can get you through anything."
Leo looked up at her. "I'm sorry."
Mrs. Landingham nodded and smiled. "You come to me if you need anything, you'll remember that, right?"
Leo nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
Mrs. Landingham searched for a way to make this easier. She opened the lid. "Have a cookie, dear."
Leo chose an oatmeal raisin and headed back to his office.
"Are there anymore wings or did you guys eat more than your share?" Toby questioned Josh and Sam, not at all encouraged by the guilty looks on their faces.
"We saved you plenty of Bleu Cheese dressing and celery," Josh offered, placing them in front of him.
"You ate all the wings! There are none left?" Toby began to wonder what the Mess was serving.
"One." Josh pulled the remaining wing out of a box and set it on a napkin in front of Toby.
"Two." Sam set another from his own plate on the napkin.
"I have to go take a phone call from a senator and you don't save me any?"
"You were gone a long time." Josh realized he should keep his mouth shut.
Toby glared at Josh as he saw CJ come through the door. She looked like she meant business. "Good, you're all here."
"I just got back and while I was gone, these two ate their lunches and mine, too." Toby looked for sympathy from CJ.
"Whatever..." CJ sat down next to Toby with a serious _expression on your face. "I need to tell you guys what's going on. Leo asked me to. There's a thing and it's not good."
"Abbey?" asked Toby.
"She's recovering, but she's not out of the hospital." CJ planned in her head how to tell the story. "This is more about...about who hit Abbey."
"They caught the guy?" Sam was glad.
"Not exactly."
"They know who it is and they're going to arrest him within the hour?" Josh looked expectantly.
"Not exactly."
"Well, what exactly is it?" Toby was getting exasperated.
"It's...the guy who hit Abbey...uh...it was Lane, Leo's brother."
Toby stared. "Lane, Leo's brother who was married to Abbey."
"Yeah."
"Lane, Leo's brother who was found stabbed in his own home."
"Yeah."
"Lane, Leo's brother, who's dead!"
"Yeah."
"CJ?"
"Yeah?"
"How?"
"He called in favours and paid off the right people. He essentially faked his death and now he's back with an agenda."
"Is this real or are you writing a thriller?"
"You're the writer." CJ's expression remained serious.
"So he's back from the dead, a death that I add he faked and he came back with a purpose in mind. What?"
"Leo wouldn't tell me. He avoided the question."
"Wonderful." Toby sighed. "What exactly are we supposed to be doing?"
"He wants you and Sam to coordinate with Ron Butterfield on a statement I can give to the press. He said the President will be back for his morning security briefing so I guess until then, we wait."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll ask you just one more time, Leo. Where are my girls?" Lane was getting impatient.
Leo stared at the only way out of the hospital waiting room. "They're not here. President Bartlet wanted to talk to you."
"You set me up!" Lane growled, advancing on Leo.
Leo knew what was coming, but offered no resistance.
Lane drew back his arm and backhanded Leo in the mouth, leaving a cut on his lip which started to swell immediately.
Leo backed away from the still furious Lane.
Lane followed his movements. "I'm going to teach you what happens when you lie to me, Leo!"
Lane's tirade was interrupted by the President pushing open the door. He stepped inside and faced Lane, poised for a confrontation. Ron Butterfield had entered behind the President and stood watching the situation warily.
Jed opened his mouth to speak, then he got a look at Leo's lip. His eyes darted to Lane and back to Leo. "What happened to you?"
Unconsciously, Leo's hand had moved to cover his lip. "I walked into a door. It's nothing, sir."
Jed moved toward Leo, shaking his head. "You didn't walk into any door."
"I walked into a door," Leo repeated a little more desperately, begging the President to believe him.
Jed also repeated himself. "You didn't walk into any door."
Lane smirked. "Would you leave the boy alone. He walked into a door."
The President spun around, grabbed Lane by the jacket collar and slammed him against the wall. "I'll walk you into a door!"
Ron Butterfield tensed, his hand on his weapon.
"Sir...please..." Leo moved within inches of Jed. "Please don't hurt him."
Caught in utter amazement, Jed released Lane and turned to Leo. "Your brother just smacked you in the mouth, Leo, and you're asking me not to hurt him!"
"It'll just make it worse," whispered Leo.
Lane snorted cockily. "See...Mr. President." He spoke the title with contempt. "He knows I'll go easier on Abbey if he just stays in line."
Jed faced Lane, anger radiating from every part of his body. "Leo, Ron would you leave us."
It wasn't a question, but both men hesitated.
Not taking his eyes off Lane, Jed continued. "He'll be fine. I am not going to sink to his level."
Leo made his way out of the room, but decided to stay right outside.
"Poor Leo, no will of his own." Lane seated himself on one of the chairs. "Always does what everyone else tells him to do."
Jed didn't bother trying to explain to Lane just how wrong he was. He did notice that Ron hadn't moved, so he turned to him. "Ron?"
"Sir, Secret Service procedure does not allow me to leave you alone with anyone who can be perceived as a threat."
"Aaww!" Lane smirked. "Big bad Jed Bartlet needs protection."
"Of course, sir, I have no qualms about whatever you decide to do to said threatening person."
Lane smirked again. "So you think he can take me?"
"Enough!" Jed turned back to the man in front of him. The man who had caused Abbey and Leo so much pain.
He waited. Lane could easily see the contempt on Jed's face. It didn't bother him as Jed Bartlet was no match for him. "So, Abbey has climbed up the social ladder." Lane enjoyed seeing the reaction on Jed's face, the narrow eyes and the strained lips. "After all a President beats a senator, wouldn't you say?"
Jed wanted so much to wipe that smug smile off Lane's face, but knew it would get him nowhere. Someday that man would regret every little thing he had done to the people Jed loved. "I think it has to do with my powers in the bedroom more than anything else." It was a brief satisfaction to see Lane's smile vanish even though it only lasted for a few seconds. "I want you to know that you will never hurt Abbey, Leo or anyone I care about ever again."
Lane rose. He never could stand being around Jed too long. "Was that it?"
As Jed was about to answer there was a knock on the door and it soon opened to reveal Leo. "Sir, Abbey is awake."
"Good, now Mr. President, if you don't mind I'd like to see my wife." Lane walked passed Jed and towards the door.
Jed didn't miss the emphasis Lane put on 'my wife'. "I'd prefer you to wait outside." He looked to Ron and Leo, silently asking for their help. Then he hurried passed Lane and walked quickly to Abbey's room.
Ron and Leo busied Lane with an argument about who was going to visit Abbey first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Abbey looked up when she heard the door open. "Hi."
"Hello, beautiful."
"Have you been here all night?"
Once at her side he leaned over to kiss her. "Almost."
Abbey brought her hands to his face as their lips met and once again the ecstasy was clearly felt by them both.
Soon she leaned back into the pillow. "I could get used to this."
He smirked at her. "I hope so." Instantly he grew serious. "Lane is here."
"OK. Help me up, would you?" Abbey threw the blankets from her. "Hand me that robe."
Jed looked around and picked up the white robe. "Where did you get this?"
"From a colleague." Abbey stood with Jed's help and as he put the robe on her, she braced herself. "OK, no point in delaying this any longer."
Jed nodded as he headed outside. He opened the door and there was Leo with his brother, trying his best to keep Lane from bursting through the door. "Lane." As Lane approached him Jed got a tight hold on one of his arms. "No tricks."
Lane snorted. Did Jed Bartlet really think he could tell him what to do? "Do you mind?"
Abbey stood by the window, her mind spinning as the man she thought she had killed approached her. She held onto one of the chairs. He looked almost the same except for a few more lines on his forehead and around his eyes, some more grey hairs and a few extra pounds.
Lane walked a few steps, but didn't doubt Jed would stop him if he got too close to Abbey. "Abbey, you look good."
She pursed her lips. "Lane."
Jed let Leo walk passed him before he closed the door. The sooner this was over the better.
"Do we have to have dumb and dumber over here?" Lane nodded towards Jed and Leo.
"Rather them than you." Abbey responded.
Jed smiled and winked at her from behind Lane's back.
Lane chuckled slightly. "I guess I deserved that."
"Something you don't deserve are my girls." She let go of the chair and crossed her arms.
"Our girls." Lane repeated.
"Don't remind me."
"Abbey, you really are in no position to decide anything. I have the upper hand here." He turned to look quickly at Leo before turning back to Abbey. "I hate to tell the girls that their mother tried to kill their father."
Rage began to build in Jed and he opened his mouth to say something, but saw Abbey shake her head.
Lane continued oblivious to the silent communication between his wife and the President. "It's an open and shut case. I even have a witness."
Jed didn't understand what he was talking about, but it didn't take long before he knew what or rather who Lane meant. He turned and looked at Leo.
Leo quickly looked away.
"Just how did you force Leo to do that?" Abbey took a few steps forward and was now standing just a few feet from Lane.
Both Jed and Leo turned their attention back to the two people in front of them.
"You really think I'm that cruel?" Lane sighed. "I guess you would. Look Abbey, you need to rest for a while and are not really in any condition to take care of the girls, so why not let me take them for a few days? Then we can sit down and talk." This strategy was new to Leo. Just what was his brother up to?
Abbey didn't say anything at first. She was not going to let him take the girls, but she couldn't stop him from seeing them. "Are you going to make a statement soon?"
"Yes, and I'd rather tell the girls I'm alive before they hear it on TV, don't you agree?"
Abbey needed to come up with something, but what? "I think the girls can stay with Leo and Jenny. You can see them, but for now they stay with them." She looked over Lane's shoulder. "Is that OK with you, Leo?"
Leo was a little stunned. After everything he had done Abbey still trusted him. It was an overwhelming feeling.
"Leo?" Abbey repeated.
He swallowed and nodded. "Yeah."
Abbey could see Lane was getting angry. "If you were serious then you wouldn't mind this arrangement. Besides I have a feeling that when people find out you are back, you will be very busy for a while and taking care of two girls will not exactly fit into your schedule."
Unfortunately she was right. Now she had the upper hand and he hated that. "This isn't over, Abbey."
Abbey didn't blink. "I didn't think it was."
As Lane stormed out of the room Jed walked over to Abbey. "You, my dear, were brilliant."
She wrapped her arms around him and felt him do the same. An encounter with Lane was always draining. "No, what I am is exhausted."
Lane could hear someone follow him and turned to face Leo. "She's not going to get away with this!"
Leo stopped before he walked right into Lane. "With what? She is letting you see the girls. Did you honestly think she'd just happily let you have them?"
Lane glared at his brother. "This isn't over yet."
TBC.........