GONE TOO FAR EXCERPT



FROM CHAPTER ONE

When the elevator opened up on the Penthouse floor of the exclusive downtown L.A. high rise, Avery Jackson heard a sigh. She stepped out, expecting to see an elderly woman because that is what the sound reminded her of. But it wasn't an old woman. No one else was there. It was her 30-year-old body sighing. She was beyond tired and couldn't remember a day in the last six months when she wasn't. She looked at her reflection in the hall mirror. Her large doe-like eyes were red with dark circles underneath. Her light brown skin looked a couple of shades paler.

It was six months ago that Avery's husband, 37-year-old college professor, Anthony Harper, was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident. He hadn't been drinking, but he had been frantic. Frantic because Avery had just told him that she was leaving him after less than one year of marriage for Carter Chase, the man she loved desperately and the father of her 15-month old daughter, Connor. Avery had never felt such guilt in her life and that was saying a lot considering how guilty she already felt for going against her own values and entering into an extramarital affair with Carter last year.

She had tried so desperately to be a faithful wife. Anthony had been there for her when she ran away from her then-fiance Carter, after finding out that he had lied about being behind the heartbreaking end of her engagement to Alex in order to have her for himself only a year before.

In retrospect she realized that she shouldn't have run away, but she didn't have much choice. After all, Carter was a Chase and no one went against America’s richest, most powerful black family and won. They always lost; and lost big. Carter had made it clear to her he wouldn't let her go. Finding out she was pregnant on top of that was all she needed to know that she had to get as far away from that family of people who believed anyone with Chase blood running through their veins was their property.

Anthony comforted her and loved her. He made her believe that she could be happy without Carter. Even when family emergencies forced them to return to View Park, the middle-class black suburb of Los Angeles, he supported her. He was devoted to her and treated Connor like she was his own. But she wasn't and once Carter found out that she was his, Anthony’s life began to spiral down the drain; much like anyone else who became inconvenient to the Chase clan. They had billions from the Chase Beauty Empire the patriarch Steven had built from scratch. Anthony had done all he could, but it wasn't enough; never could have been.

Avery had never stopped loving Carter. How could she? The thirty two year old alpha male was perfect in every way. He was handsome, successful, driven, ambitious, frustrating, confident, sexy, arrogant, and rich. He made her laugh and he made her feel more like a woman than she knew she could. They'd had an explosive chemistry from the start. Just being in the same room with him could light Avery up. She had tried to stop loving him, wanting him. She’d thought she could do this; be co-parents without being together, especially when Carter seemed to accept her resolve to stay with Anthony and stopped trying to get her back. But it wasn't enough; couldn't have ever been.

When Carter was in a plane accident a year ago, Avery first thought he was dead. Her suppressed feelings for him surged to the surface and she couldn't control herself anymore. Despite Anthony, and despite Carter’s steady girlfriend, Julia Hall, the two of them gave in to their desire for each other. Every time he touched her, her mind went away and her body was on fire. They had never stopped loving each other and the quenched thirst was too much to deny. It was that love and their mutual love for the daughter they made together that both of them believed nothing could keep them apart any longer.

Anthony took it very hard and after Avery left him, he lost it. This was when the accident happened and lives were ruined. Anthony begged her to stay; to help him, but he hadn't needed to. Avery knew she couldn't leave him. This was her fault. She had committed adultery and left a man who had no one else but her. There was always a price to pay for such selfishness, but it was Anthony, the innocent party, that paid the price. She couldn't make it worse by leaving him alone when he couldn't even walk.

Carter refused to accept that they couldn't be together. He had waited too long to get her back and she had promised this time. He warned her that this was her last chance and as bad as it hurt her, and it killed her, she knew she had to stay with Anthony.

That was six months ago, but Carter hadn't hesitated to make her pay. It began with a very sudden announcement of his engagement to Julia. He knew Avery still loved him and it would hurt her, but she wasn't going to be angry. She had chosen to stay with Anthony and had hoped all Carter was doing was trying to find some happiness for himself. But she knew better and that wasn't all he was doing. The engagement was just the first step in Carter’s plan to cause Avery pain at every turn.

Avery expected him to be cold to her, but she wasn't prepared for the cruel and callous nature of his behavior. He immediately began demanding more time with Connor beyond what had been agreed to and wanted to change the custody and child support agreement. He was giving her $10,000 a month for child support while still paying for everything that Connor needed. He knew that Anthony could no longer work and she had to stop working at her mother’s art gallery to take care of him. He knew that Anthony’s care would be very expensive and made no effort to hide his desire to make their life financially difficult. As one of the best lawyers in L.A., he knew exactly what to do.

Avery had tried so many times to talk to him; to make him understand and try to quell his anger, but he wasn't having it. She still loved Carter, but he hated her and would refuse to talk to her over anything but Connor and even then, he was short and mean. Every now and then Avery would let it get to her and they would argue; they would fight. But mostly, she just took it. She took it because she felt guilty for breaking his heart again, but most of all, she took it because she was just too tired to do anything else.

The fact was Avery knew she had to be delicate. Carter’s disdain for her broke her heart every time she interacted with him, but he was a Chase and he never passed up an opportunity to hint at his power and influence. He didn't need a reason to start a war with her, but he had them. In particular, he would remind her of how she and Anthony had initially tried to make him believe that Connor wasn't his. They'd even gone so far as to fudge medical records. He was trying to scare her so she would take his verbal abuse and Avery knew that a legal battle with a Chase was one she couldn't win.

She was about to ring the doorbell a second time when it slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was Carter’s fiancee, Julia. She was a very elegant-looking woman, not flashy. Her brown skin was smooth and glowing and her features were perfectly sculpted. She had long and shiny wavy hair and was very tall. Julia was the kind of woman Carter was supposed to marry. While Avery was a middle class girl, the daughter of a cop and a hippie artist, Julia was from one of the finest black families in all of Texas. Like the Chase family, from Janet’s side, Julia’s family had been one of the finest for generations dating back to the late 1800s. She was a bona fide member of the black blue blood, Ivy League, exclusive society. She was born for Carter’s world and from the smug look on her face, Avery knew she was enjoying every second of it.

“Avery.” Julia looked her up and down and sighed as if she felt sorry for her. “You look ill. Are you ill?”

Avery knew she wasn't a beauty queen like Julia. She was a pretty girl-next-door; not at all glamorous. She cleaned up very well, but mostly showed a natural, cute face and casual style that Carter had always told her he loved. Her rose bud nose was always his favorite. Lately though, Avery had been so tired looking after her husband and her daughter, that she neglected herself a bit. She was never more aware of this than in the presence of Julia.

“I'm fine, Julia.” Avery spoke tersely, knowing that the worse thing she could do would be to appease this woman.

Julia hated Avery because she'd known that Carter still loved Avery despite Julia trying to do everything to make him fall in love with her. She found out about their affair and wanted desperately to keep him. Julia cared more about being a Chase than she did about having a faithful man. She had even been willing to put up with it, although Avery knew she was plotting against her. Avery assumed she hadn't been prepared when Carter told her that he was leaving her to be with the mother of his child. The devastation was only temporary because Carter soon came back with a proposal. Julia had gotten what she wanted; a key to the inner circle of America’s black version of the Kennedys.

Of course Avery was jealous. She hated the idea of Carter being with anyone, and every time she ran into Julia, which she tried to avoid at all costs, Julia found a way to mention her impending wedding to Carter to make it worse.

“I just came to get Connor.” Avery looked over Julia's shoulder. “Carter was supposed to drop her off two hours ago and he’s not answering his cell.”

“So?” Julia asked, placing a haughty hand on her slim hip.

“He can't keep doing this,” Avery said, but regretted it as soon as she did. She had to remember the less she said to Julia, the less she would have to listen to Julia talk back.

“Actually he can.” Julia offered a flat smirk as she tilted her head. “She's his daughter too.”

“I know that,” Avery answered. “But….Look, Julia, just let me in so I can get her.”

Avery took a step forward, but Julia didn't move. “She isn't here.”

“Where is she?” Avery was starting to get worried. Carter had failed to stick to the terms of their custody agreement often, but usually she could find him here or… “Is she at Chase Mansion?”

Chase Mansion was the family home in View Park and it was famous all over the country because of who lived inside of it. Despite its modest size for the family's wealth, the elegantly designed 15,000 square foot red brick and white columned masterpiece had graced the cover of several home, design, society and celebrity magazine and website. Its seven bedrooms, nine baths, exercise, game, media rooms, library and more intrigued everyone. Avery had experienced an endless amount of awkward, uncomfortable moments in that home.

“I don’t have to tell you,” Julia said.

Avery's hands clenched into fists at her sides. She tried to be civil, but Connor was where she drew the line. “Fine, then I’ll go there myself.”

“You shouldn't,” Julia said just as Avery turned away. She waited for her to turn back. “You're not welcomed there. He'll bring her to you when he’s done.”

“Done with what?” Avery asked.

Julia shrugged. “With whatever. Really, Avery, I have a big wedding in five months. I’m very busy so I can't keep track of him all the time.”

That wasn't subtle and was successful at reminded Avery that she had been only six months from marrying Carter when she left him, and in her heart, she was only seconds from marrying him just six months ago. Now he was marrying Julia and that was that.

Avery didn't bother to say goodbye. She just turned and walked away. She heard the door slam behind her, but never took her eyes off the elevator door in front of her. Julia wasn't her problem; Carter was and he was getting worse.

∂

Kimberly Chase was lounging her long, model-figure body on the soft chair on the patio near the pool of her house. It was dark out, so the lights from inside the large pool surrounded by expensive Gavea reflected the ripples in the water around the back area of the Tuscan-inspired 6,000 square foot Hollywood Hills home. She felt at peace and this was a rare thing; a gift that she never thought she could ever get again.

Just as she lifted the glass of raspberry martini to her lips, the cell phone on the circular table next to her began to vibrate. She contemplated whether or not she wanted to interrupt her peace, but when she saw who it was, decided to answer it. It was her money man.

“It's kind of late for a business call, Glenn.” She placed the drink down.

“Mrs. Chase,” he answered with his middle-class British accent. “My clients pay me a lot of money to forget nine to five. I thought you might want to hear this.”

“It's Ms. Chase,” she corrected, “and as long as it isn't bad news, I'll listen.”

“I've rearranged the money from your divorce settlement as you asked. I'm glad you decided to get back into the riskier market. I really do believe the stock market is safe again. You stand to make millions.”

“I just don’t want to lose the millions I have,” Kimberly said.

Her millions were precious to her because Kimberly didn't think she’d actually get them. Being Mrs. Michael Chase wasn't a dream come true because a girl with her past didn't dream of anything but surviving. Leaving an abusive home in Detroit at fifteen, she worked the streets for two years before using one of her Johns to hitch a free ride to New York where she cashed in on her exceptional beauty and became a model. She hadn't known she’d hit the jackpot when she met and had a one night stand with the younger son of King Chase. All she knew was that there was a fire about Michael that drew her to him as if by nature.

It was love at first sight for both of them, but she thought she had ruined her chance when she found out she was pregnant. But unlike most men in her life, Michael didn't leave. He stayed and wanted to marry her. He went to the ends of the earth to hide her past before introducing her to his parents. It didn't matter. Even though they never knew about the seedier sides of her past, she would never be good enough.

Her mother-in-law, Janet Chase, made her life a miserable hell. She wanted Kimberly out so she could be replaced with a suitable woman to bear the Chase last name. Their battles reached levels neither had expected. Things got so out of control, it began to harm the marriage that Kimberly woke up every morning having to pinch herself to believe. An unbelievable sexy, handsome, smart, successful and rich guy loved her and she had the two most perfect twin boys in the world. She was living the high life everyday except for the fact that she was never allowed to forget that she didn't belong.

She’d made mistakes and her marriage began to show cracks. She had assumed that Michael loved her more than anything, but found he loved his father’s approval more than anything. Steven Chase was a man among men and he never let his boys forget it. While the eldest son, Carter, had found a way to get out from under Steven’s shadow, Michael hadn't and Kimberly’s desire not to be the cause of more strife between Michael and Steven made her make bad decisions. The worst decision was to not tell Michael that her pimp, David, had come to Los Angeles to extort money from her with the threat of exposing her past and embarrassing a family that was already always under the microscope. David proved more than she could handle. His demands continued to escalate, and even though she had slept with him to make him leave, he wouldn't. When he threatened to put a tape of them having sex, Kimberly could no longer bare it, there was a struggle and he was dead.

She was a Chase, so it was all covered up. This family was expert at keeping scandals from the public and overcoming those that seeped through their hands. There was never a moment when they weren’t actively trying to keep their appearances of perfection up. A lot had been done that was wrong, but murder, even though it was in self-defense, was the last straw.

The man that was her dream had become her nightmare. He hated her because she had slept with her ex-pimp, but mostly because she had Steven threatening to cut Michael off from his chance at the CEO seat of Chase Beauty; the dream he had above all others. She hated him because he used their children to hurt her. He threw his affairs in her face and practically kept her prisoner in their home. She had tried to leave with her boys, not caring that she wouldn’t get a penny, but she learned quickly, that she would never be able to.

Things came to a brink when Michael finally broke down. In his own sick way, he still loved Kimberly too much to let her go and hated her for it. But it was interfering with every aspect of his life and it was starting to wear on the family name and image. She played his hand and surprisingly won. While he had threatened to never let her go with more than the clothes on her back and to never see her kids again, when she appeared to be willing to do that, he caved to keep her near.

In the divorce settlement, she was given their $5 million home, $10 million in cash, $75,000 a year in alimony and $300, 000 a year in child support. Certainly better than the clothes on her back, but most importantly, she had her boys. And that was all that mattered; it was all that ever mattered, but the other stuff was nice too. Of course it wasn’t nearly half of what Michael had. He kept their home in Maui and had at least a $300 million investment in Chase Beauty. There was also the matter of his trust fund and he never relinquished his control in the trust fund of their two boys, Daniel and Evan, which was at least $10 million each and growing.

The money was a headache at times. She had spent the almost eight years of her marriage spending money and nothing else. She had no idea how to manage it, so she hired one of the best and he was managing it for her. It had taken him almost six months, but Glenn had finally convinced her to make riskier investment decisions. She had been willing to live without the money if she could keep her boys, but now that she had them, she didn’t want to lose the money either.

“Not only will you not lose the millions you have,” Glenn answered, “but you stand to make millions more. You just have to trust me.”

“I won't trust you,” Kimberly answered. Since Bernie Madoff, no one trusted their money managers. “But I will give you a closely monitored chance.”

“That's all I ask. I’ll let you get back to your family.”

Kimberly said goodbye and hung up. She placed the phone lightly on the table and looked around. Her family. What had become of that? It seemed insane, but there were times when she missed Michael. Even after the hell he put her through, she hadn’t forgotten how happy they had been once. She hadn’t forgotten how he loved her despite knowing about her past and how hard he had worked, although ultimately unsuccessful, to protect her past from his family. What they had shared at one time, she was certain was stronger than any problems they could ever have. She was wrong, during the bad times, Kimberly had feared so much, but now all she feared was the belief that she would never feel that kind of love again.

The phone rang again and she was hoping if it might be Michael telling her he was bringing the boys home from dinner at Chase Mansion with their grandparents. It wasn’t. She noticed the I.D. and the grind in the pit of her stomach brought her peaceful evening to an end. She wasn’t going to take that call. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about the revenge she was planning for Steven and Janet Chase for trying to buy her children away from her.

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A PRICE TO PAY EXCERPT


CHAPTER ONE
“Which one is it?” Thirty year old Michael Chase asked his seven year old son, Daniel, who was twisting and turning on his lap.

Daniel pointed to the computer, but didn’t say anything. He was getting bored and Michael knew he should probably let up. It was good enough that, at seven, both Daniel and his twin brother, Evan, were acing educational software games aimed for 8-12 year olds. But they were Chases and doing better than expected was the least that was expected.

He’d had this conversation with his sons many times. Fate had them born into a family under a microscope. The Chase family in all their power, money, success and philanthropy had become more than just a rich family. Their lord over the upper crust of black society and powerful role in white society made them unlike any other family of their kind and the expectations would only raise with every generation. Carter was the Harvard lawyer. Michael was the Columbia finance whiz. Leigh was the Duke doctor and Haley….Haley was the spoiled socialite. Every rich family had to have one.

As the third generation of this dynasty, Evan and Daniel, now joined by Connor, would be expected to be at the top of their private schools, get into the Ivy Leagues and project the appearance of perfection in career success, family and commitment to the community. It was a lot of pressure, but it came with advantages too numerous to even mention; including a hefty trust fund.

“You’re a Chase, Daniel. We don’t give up. If you pick the right one, you’ll get a card and can move to the next level.”

Daniel sighed, lowering his head back to where it rested against his Dad’s chest.

“Jellyfish!” yelled Evan as he jumped around on the other side of Michael’s desk.

“You can’t even see it.” Daniel sat up, seeming energized by the challenge of his brother.

“I already finished it.” Evan jumped on the black leather settee nestled in the middle of Michael’s home office, one of ten rooms n the 6,000 square foot Tuscan inspired house nestled in the ultra-lux Hollywood Hills.

“I told you about yelling the answers,” Michael warned the son that was becoming more and more like him every day.

Daniel and Evan were fraternal, but looked almost identical. Both were a smooth, chocolate brown like their mother with dark, fierce eyes like their father. Daniel was reserved and thoughtful like his Uncle Carter. Evan was always on and eager like Michael. Michael only hoped they would grow up best friends as he and Carter had. They certainly fought as much.

“They’re all jellyfish, stupid.” Daniel leaned forward. “It’s a Bubbler Jellyfish.”
Michael smiled. “You mean Blubber, right?

“That’s what I said.”

“It isn’t,” Evan said without even looking up.

“Michael!”

They all looked up as twenty-nine year old Kimberly Chase stormed into the office. Despite wearing a t-shirt and jeans with no makeup and her long hair in a loose ponytail, what always struck one first about Kimberly was that she distractingly beautiful. Both men and women stared at her everywhere she went. The society papers gave her the title of “most attractive Chase.”

“Mommy!” Evan jumped off the settee towards his mother. “I finished first. Daniel still takes forever.”

“Did not!” Daniel yelled out in his defense.

“Go play,” Kimberly ordered curtly. She was trying her best to hold her temper until the boys were out of the way.

Both boys looked at their father, which only made Kimberly angrier. Michael had always been the disciplinarian in the family, but in less than six months she had ceased to have enough authority over her own children to be listened to alone.

“We’re learning,” Michael said. “Play time will come later.”
CHAPTER TWO
“This is completely ridiculous,” Thirty-six year old Anthony Harper said as he stood next to his wife outside the front door to Chase Mansion.

Twenty-nine year old Avery Harper looked at her husband, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and looking the role of college professor in his buttoned up shirt and khaki pants. “Don’t start Anthony.”

“You know I’m right.”

He was in a sense. Avery knew that to anyone who wasn't a part of the Chase social circles, all these get-togethers seemed excessive. But this was how it was with the ultra-rich. They loved all the things their money could buy, but the one thing they loved the most was getting together to talk about all the things their money could buy. And the best part was that everyone else knew they were doing but wasn’t invited.

Now that Connor was here, Avery knew she would be tied to this family forever. Six months ago, Avery made it clear to Carter that Anthony was her husband and she loved him. He hadn’t been happy, but to her surprise, he ended his pursuit. Or so she believed. There was no way to completely trust Carter. He was a Chase after all.

And so was Connor.

Avery turned to her husband and reached out to touch his arm. “Please, Anthony. Can you just be civil for me for a few hours?”

“It’s always on me, isn’t it?” Anthony asked.

“You’re the one starting an argument all the time.”

Anthony just shook his head, pulling his arm away. Avery knew what he was thinking. He wanted to point the finger at Carter, but the truth was, Carter had been great these past six months. He had stopped pursuing a romantic relationship with her and only wanted to be a good co-parent to Connor. Anthony’s jealousy, something any man would naturally have of a man like Carter, made him see things that weren’t there.

And then there were the things that were there. The things Avery tried to hide from her husband and tried to deny she felt whenever she saw Carter. She had hoped that time would dim the fire she felt whenever he was within a mile of her, but it hadn’t. Avery was certain Anthony sensed her feelings and that fueled his anger. But that wasn’t Carter’s fault. Avery knew it was her responsibility to manage her emotions and respect her vows.

“This family can be overwhelming at times,” she said as she pressed the doorbell to the left of the wide, double doors. “But you and I both know that it could be worse.”

When the doors opened, Maya stood before them with a wide smile on her face. “Avery!”

Avery reached out and hugged her. “How are you, Maya?”

“I’m as good as anyone can be living in this house. Come on in.”

As Maya stepped aside, Avery was stopped in her tracks by the first thing she saw. Carter was standing in the elaborate, marble foyer with Connor in his arms. Julia Hall, Carter’s beautiful girlfriend, had one hand on Carter’s back, rubbing it lovingly. Her other hand was holding onto Connor’s as the baby, Avery’s baby, smiled into her face.

Avery quickly composed herself, but couldn’t shake off the effect of this happy little family scene. She had spent nights praying to God to help her get over her feelings for Carter and stop being jealous of his growing closeness with Julia. But something about seeing them both with Connor as if this was Julia’s family, filled her with resentment.

Then he turned to her and their eyes caught, locking onto each other. Could he tell she was jealous? Could he tell how attracted she was to him? He could read her so well and his ego never failed to let her know. In the few moments she allowed herself to be alone with him, Avery was always afraid he could sense it and would pounce. But he hadn’t; pounced that is. She should be happy.

Carter could see it. He hadn’t planned on Avery stepping upon this little scene, but now that she had, he knew it only worked in his favor. And from the way she uneasily ripped her eyes from his and looked to the ground, he knew it had. When she looked up again, she had pasted a smile on her face and was walking towards them as if this was nothing.

Too late. Julia had served many purposes in Carter’s life. She got his mother off his back, gave Avery a reason to let her guard down and made Avery jealous. Although he hadn’t been faithful to Julia since they started “officially” dating, he considered her his girlfriend. For now.

“Hello Avery.”
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NO MORE GOOD - EXCERPT

“What is this, Daddy?” Six year old Daniel Chase was standing over something in the hallway of his uncle’s penthouse condo in downtown L.A.

“What is what?” Thirty year-old Michael Chase waited for Evan, Daniel’s twin brother, to get inside before closing the door behind him.

“It’s a bra!” Evan rushed to his brother, picking up the lacy pink lingerie for his father to see, his little brown hand waving it in the air.

Michael sighed, realizing it might be a mistake to bring his boys over to his brother’s place. He should have known something this like would happen. He’d been warned last month when he walked in on Carter and a Brazilian model having very loud sex hanging halfway off the dining room table.

“Put that down,” Michael ordered. “Just drop it.”

“These are panties!” Evan was reaching for the matching bottoms just a few feet away. They were lying on top of a silk cocktail dress.

“Don’t touch that.” Michael took his son’s arm.

“Mommy has these.” Evan struggled to get away from his father. “Is Mommy here?”

“All mommies have these, stupid.” Daniel rolled his eyes.

“Uncle Carter needs to do laundry.” Michael cautiously led his boys down the hallway, praying that he wouldn’t have to explain the birds and bees to them today. That wasn’t on the schedule.

“Where is he?” Daniel asked impatiently as soon as they were at the steps to the living room of the 3,000 square foot, 3-bedroom penthouse condo.

“He’s probably working in his office,” Michael answered. “Working hard.”
He led his boys to the living room sofa and reached for the remote. “You boys stay here, do you understand?”

Evan was already looking ancy, eager to get out of his church clothes. They were both used to being able to run wild whenever they were here.

Michael found a suitable station on the large plasma screen on the wall. “Just watch this and don’t move.”

“Why not?” Evan asked.

“Look at me,” Michael ordered, waiting until both of them did so. Keeping stern eye contact, he said, “Because I said so. Do you understand?”

Daniel nodded, but Evan just shrugged; always the difficult one.

As he made his way to the master bedroom, passing scattered pieces of clothing along the way, Michael wasn’t looking forward to the reason he was sent over here by their mother. He had to remind Carter to show up tonight at their parent’s house in View Park; the15,000-square foot Chase Mansion, to celebrate in his honor. Carter hadn’t been answering his phone for three days now, so Janet sent Michael to track him down.

This wasn’t the first time in the last six months Carter had ‘disappeared.’ Ever since his fiancé, Avery Jackson, left him, Carter would leave for long periods of time. Avery not only left Carter, but left L.A. and didn’t want to be found. He’d gone ballistic when he realized she had no intention of coming back.

He had become a Jeckyll and Hyde, moving between two states of being. One was an obsessed psycho desperate to find Avery, who he swore on the Bible was the only love of his life, using the considerable means at his disposal whether legal or not. The other was a reckless drunk who didn’t care about Avery, swore he was better off without her, and went on to prove it by nailing every woman he could get his hand on.

Michael figured these past few days had been the latter, as the bra and panties in the hallway suggested. This was the Carter that their parents were concerned about; the one who could get the family in trouble.

And trouble for this family meant more than it did for others. The Chase family was American black royalty. This was of course in the world of non-entertainment or sports money, which high society looked down on. These people didn’t belong, nor were they invited, into the world the Chase family ran. There was the black upper-class and then, more than a cut above, there was the filthy rich, where the Chase family stood; or stood out depending on how you look at it.

The family was led by Steven Chase, a man from humble enough beginnings who built his cosmetics company, Chase Beauty, into a multi-billion dollar corporation. He had become an American titan, using the family’s billions to influence business and politics all the way to Capitol Hill. His money was invested in several industries, including real estate in some of the most exclusive areas in the Western United States.

Meanwhile, his wife Janet brought social standing to the family as the daughter of high society East Coast lawyers with a strong heritage and several generations of wealth and community leadership. From their gated palace in the mostly black, affluent suburb of View Park, she single-handedly took over L.A.’s society scene, black and white and created an empire envied by even the best East Coast families. Together, no one could rival what they had created.

And although it was Steven’s money, influence and power that put out the fires his children started, it was Janet who was the architect of the Chase family image and publicity. And with the recent scandals, inherent in any family of this stature, still lingering, she couldn’t allow Carter to throw the family into another one.

Especially not one of a sexual nature, which she was very afraid would happen with Carter’s recent behavior. Because the fact was, he didn’t only nail every woman he could get his hands on, he also treated them pretty badly when he was done. Usually the gentleman of the family, he was getting into dangerous territory and word was getting around.

Michael stood in the doorway to the bedroom, observing the mess in front of him. He could only smile because Carter was such a neat freak; almost to the point of obsessive and here he was, living like a frat boy complete with a naked woman sprawled face down on the bed.

Carter Chase’s light brown eyes flew open as he heard a loud bang. Had something just happened or was it the awful pounding in his head again?

“Wake up!” Michael yelled, closing the door behind him. “It’s the afternoon, boy.”

Carter struggled to sit up on his bed with his hand pressing against his forehead. He felt like shit. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

His younger brother, dressed in a sharp, grey suit, sat down on the bed looking at him with a smirk on his face. At least Carter thought it was a smirk. Things were a little blurry.

“You know I brought my boys here,” Michael said. “You got her thong in the hallway. They don’t need to see that.”

“Don’t come by uninvited then.” Carter cleared his throat.

Michael nodded to the naked, chocolate body next to Carter. “She is?”

Carter slowly turned his head, because that was all he could do to keep it from exploding. Nice ass was all he could think of. “I don’t know.”

“That’s smart.” Michael was envious of his brother’s wanton freedom. Having been married seven years himself, things were a bit more complicated. “This is what Mom is talking about.”

“Can you not mention her right now?” Carter asked. He leaned back against the headboard. “What day is it?”

“She’s afraid you’re going to get some strange girl pregnant.”

“Like you did?” Carter asked, reminding Michael of how he introduced his current wife to the family seven years ago.

“Touche.” Michael made a fist and socked Carter in the arm.

“Stop.” Carter pointed to the half-empty condom box on the dresser. “I’m not stupid.”

“But you don’t know her name.”

“Her name doesn’t matter,” Carter said. “She’s getting out of here as soon as she wakes up.”

The woman, made a sound as if she’d heard Carter, but didn’t move. It wouldn’t matter to him if she sat up and started a scene. She was just some hot chick who had offered to buy him a drink at Level Three nightclub. They moved on to one of the club’s infamous beds with the curtains closed. Less than twenty minutes later, he took her home. In these matters, he preferred to go to the woman’s place, so he could leave as soon as he was done, but this one had a kid and a mother at home and…well, a very nice ass.

“Mom sent you here?” Carter asked.

“No one has been able to reach you for days. I thought you’d gone off to chase after Avery again.”

Carter felt his temperature boil at the mention of her name. “She’s not in Tampa.”

“Last month it was Atlanta.”

“It was never Atlanta!” Carter swung around on the bed, feeling the room move around him. “I told you she was never in Atlanta. Her stupid sister used to go to school there, so I…”

“Hey!” Michael stood up. “Don’t yell at me. I don’t give a shit where Avery is. And last week you said you didn’t either.”

“I didn’t,” Carter lied. “I don’t. She can be in hell for all I care.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Michael asked. “I’ve seen you breakdown and all…this. Like it’s not all about her.”

“So you’re my therapist now?”

Michael turned away from his brother, not willing to get caught up in this argument again. There was no talking to him when it came to his precious Avery. Instead he walked over to the full-length mirror and checked himself out, something he never tired of doing. He smiled at his fine, dark features. Everyone said he looked like Sidney Poitier at his most handsome, but Michael knew he looked much better than that.

“What about Sunday?” Michael asked.

Carter didn’t feel like facing the family. He was tired of having to put on that perfect front that was such a lie. His life was a mess and he had embraced that. He didn’t appreciate his mother making him act as if it wasn’t.
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NEVER ENOUGH -- EXCERPT

It was a sad day when a man could look at a woman and realize there weren't any conditions under which he would say no to her. This was the state Carter Chase, the reluctant gentleman, was in as he watched Avery from the balcony of his family's resort condo in Maui. The woman who made it hard for him to breath with just a smile was sitting with her back to him, reading one of her trashy novels in her usual serene and peaceful way. The sight of her made him weak inside and he didn't like it at all.

The lesser man inside of him envied her for being so strong and the better man hated himself for the secrets he kept from her. Despite it all, he felt like he was high every second he was with her. He loved her to death and that wasn't what he had planned.

It was almost a year since the day he walked into her beauty salon with the intention of buying her out for his father's company. He'd been careless about it at first, but his father, a man he had been in a life-long struggle with, asked for his help. Well, Steven Chase didn't ask anybody for anything. He challenged Carter as he had done all his life to prove he was committed to Chase Beauty, the billion dollar corporation Steven built from scratch.

Carter didn't work at Chase Beauty, a major bone of contention between him and his father, but the company was his biggest and most important client. The opportunity to get both of Avery's very popular salons was a way for him to do more than shove the legal contracts across the desk for Steven to sign. He hadn't given a damn about Avery or her shops.

That was before he met her. He hated her at first and it seemed ironic to him now that he loved her so much. She was stubborn and obstinate and for a man like Carter, who was used to getting anything he wanted, especially from women, it was infuriating. Not only had she not given in, but she made things worse by taking the struggle to the media and for the Chase family, that was a big deal.

Everything about the Chase family was a big deal and if there was one thing Steven didn't tolerate, it was bad publicity for Chase Beauty. Carter chose to take the grief his father gave him out on Avery and destroy everything she had. He wanted to teach her a lesson and he knew exactly how to do it.

Carter knew he was a cream of the crop bachelor in Los Angeles black society. Thirty, good-looking, in great shape, a successful lawyer, deeply connected, Ivy-educated and worth millions. He sensed a flicker of electricity with Avery from the beginning and intended to use it against her by seducing her, stealing her shops from right underneath her before dropping her like a sack of dirt. There hadn't been a woman yet who could say no to him and certainly this goody two-shoes neighborhood girl wasn't going to. It hadn't mattered to him that she was already engaged another man.

Looking back, Carter could see clearly where he had gone wrong. He underestimated her strength, her loyalty and her intelligence. He also underestimated her partner, Craig Moon, and that mistake lead to disaster, almost getting Avery killed.

By the time Carter realized he had real feelings for her, it was too late. Every attempt to reach out to Avery met with a brick wall, but his determination became a destructive obsession as he ignored his better judgment and pushed his principles aside. When Alex, her fiance, became the only thing in his way, he set him up and made sure Avery wouldn't want anything to do with him.

The guilt he felt over what he'd done disappeared when Avery, grieving over her now cheating ex-fiance, came to his bed. He had won and nothing else mattered. Or so he thought.

Carter was at the height of his player days. He hadn't been a dog, but he hadn't had any intention of commitment any time soon either. He'd been faithful through most of his relationships, but that didn't count the women he'd dumped in order to pursue someone else. Like most men, he saw most woman as territory to explore and then move on. Keep them around too long and they would expect to move in or get a ring. Love would be reserved for later on down the line. This is what he thought with Avery. The fun had been in the getting and once he got her, he would move on.

It didn't work out that way, and as he made his way onto the balcony, Carter accepted that his player days were over. Avery had gotten under his skin, was running through his blood and had staked claimed on his sorry ass. It was a bittersweet revelation, but he was man enough not to need to fight, it which had been his first inclination.

He'd spent enough time trying to convince himself it wouldn't work because she didn't come from the world of the upper-class like him; didn't have the background that would allow her to slip into that world, which fought very hard to keep others out. He wanted to believe that her simplicity was beneath him and her penchant for being a pushover made her unfit to handle the cut-throat universe of the upper-crust. It was all bullshit because every morning when he rolled over and saw her beautiful face, he was floored. She was his home.

"What you reading, baby?" He sat on the down-feathered rattan chair next to her, sliding it closer so they were touching. He looked into her large, promising eyes before taking in her full lips and leaning in for a kiss.

Avery Jackson, the girl next door, felt her toes twinkle when he kissed her. She missed him every second he was away. He looked incredible, his milk chocolate brown skin gleaming from the sun, his light brown eyes always intense. "How was golf?"

He shrugged, leaning back. He was starting to feel a little nervous, but wiped it away. "It was golf. What you reading?"

"It's a romance, so just shut up." Avery held the book away as he reached for it. She didn't want the lecture.

There was always a lecture with Carter. It was one of the many things she had gotten used to. It was one of the easier things to get used to. Summer homes, charity balls, exotic vacations on every continent and perks people like Avery were never expected to even know existed. This was all foreign to her until she found herself immersed in the world of Chase.

In this world, everything was better, glossier, brighter, sleeker, prettier and easier. Private jets, designer clothes, breathtaking jewelry and beautiful places were just the basics. Avery was awed to see how things just seemed to work out for people this rich and was a little disturbed by the ease with which Carter accepted it all.

The privilege, entitlement, pleasure and power had given him many strengths, but it had also given him a level of snobbery that Avery couldn't abide most times. But God help her, she loved him so much.

"Why are you reading that crap?" he asked.

"Why is it crap?" Avery asked. "Just because it didn't win a Pulitzer? Everything you read doesn't have to be culturally enlightening and politically significant."

"There's a lot of room between culturally enlightening and crap."

He reached over and ran his finger up her arm. Her skin was as soft as silk and she turned him on in that tiny pink bikini. Avery had an incredible body, but she didn't flaunt it and Carter loved that. He was a conservative, reserved man and was turned off by sisters who let it all hang out as if they were putting their body on display for purchase. Avery had class and knew how to be sexy without being sexual. It reassured him that the best was reserved only for him. Just another reason she was perfect to him.

"We're on vacation." Avery giggled in response to his teasing touch. "Trashy novels are required."

Carter looked past the edge of their grass covered balcony at the Pacific Ocean. The scenery couldn't have been more perfect. They were staying in the 2500 square foot condo his family purchased at the newest luxury resort on Maui. Decorated with wood paneled walls, museum quality art work, a grand piano, lavish furnishings, three bedrooms and marble bathrooms, it was perfect and that was what he wanted for their first real vacation. The Ritz, the Fairmont and W were fine for their weekends away, but this was real and Carter wanted seclusion and perfection. Just last night they'd seen a whale through the condo's high-powered telescope from just inside the sliding glass doors.

They were about to start the second of their two weeks away and it was a first for him. He was a workaholic and couldn't fight that little itch making him want to get back to Chase Law, the corporate law firm he started only five years ago. He now employed thirteen lawyers and a support staff of more than twenty.

"You enjoy your massage?" he asked, wondering if he should just do it now or wait. Wait until after dinner or...

"Oh," Avery moaned as she put her book down and turned to him. The smile on her smooth cafe au lait face, a little red from the sun, was ear to ear. "It was incredible, baby. I had to hold on to the walls just to get back up here."

Carter smiled, pleased whenever Avery acted more at ease with the lifestyle offered her. Sometimes she seemed reluctant to indulge in herself just because she could and Carter couldn't help but feel insulted. That wasn't her intention, but...

Avery didn't even want to imagine what the two-hour ritual cost. She gave up wondering about those kinds of things. Carter was used to the best and most expensive of everything and after a while of feeling self-conscious, she now had come to love it. He gave her everything even though she never asked and he never bragged about it. It was nothing for him and she had to admit it was part of why she loved him.

Only part; she loved him for so much more. Once she had been too intimidated by his last name to think she could love him. The attraction was there from the beginning, but she fought it until she couldn't fight anymore. Carter was there for her when she lost her shops and even though he was partly to blame, he saved her life. He was also there when Alex broke her heart and hadn't left her side since.

He was everything that any woman could want. He had a presence that sucked up the room and he knew how to make her lose her mind whenever he put his hands on her. It was all too perfect for Avery, so she held off. She kept her heart away for as long as she could, but there was no fighting this man.

"I was surprised," she continued. "I expected to see some old German woman with hands like a man and a mustache."

Carter laughed. "She wasn't?"

Avery reached over and touched the bottom of his strong chin. Not a hair out of place, this neat freak was clean cut to a sin. She loved him still.

"She was young and beautiful. Very feminine Japanese..."

"Japanese?" Carter's eyes widened. "Damn, if I had known that I would've joined you. We could've all worked something out."

She slapped him on his muscular arm, wishing this vacation would never end. Always a private person, Avery wasn't eager to get back to the public life that came with dating Carter. It was all part of the package, she understood that, but it wasn't easy.

"Honey?" She smiled at his apt attention. "Do you mind if we...I really don't want to get ready for a big deal. Can we skip dinner tonight?"

"Sure." Carter swallowed. Okay, so much for his after dinner plan. It seemed to be now or never. "I'll cancel the reservations. You want to order room service?"

She nodded, glad she didn't get an argument. With Carter there was always somewhere to go for dinner to meet these people or be seen here or there. Living large was more work than Avery ever imagined.

"How about steak?" he asked, swinging his legs around the chair so he was facing her. He kept his left hand at his side.

Avery sensed something was up. The tense expression on his usually calm face gave him away. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," he lied. Her little button nose made him want to kiss her again. He loved how she could be beautiful, but not to the point where she was too pretty to be cute. She hardly wore any makeup and had a freshness about her that he never got tired of. "I just..."

Avery got nervous when he looked away for a moment. Carter was never at a loss for words unless he was angry. He would shut down and not talk to her, but he wasn't angry now, so what was up?

He looked back at her, noticing the confusion on her face. There was no turning back. "Avery, do I make you happy?"

Avery was taken back by the question. "Of course, baby. Happier than I've ever been."

He bit at his lower lip for a second, forgetting absolutely everything he had planned to say. To hell with it. "I want to be all you need, Avery. You've become that for me and I want to be that for you."

She leaned over, placing her hand gently on his cheek. Now she was really worried. "You are, honey."

"You've touched a part of me I didn't know was there," he continued, "and I don't tell you how much I love you very often, but you know I do."

"You could say it a little more," she added with a tender smile, "but I'll take what I can get."

"I'm saying it now." Carter felt his left palm beginning to sweat. "I'm saying it in the way I hope you'll understand I mean it. More than I think I've ever meant anything."

Avery looked down as Carter raised his left hand in between them. He opened his closed fist and her heart leaped into her throat. She didn't know the ring was a brilliant-style high-cut Lucida diamond center rectangular stone of about five carats with two bezel-set side stones. She just knew it was absolutely beautiful.

She looked into his eyes and this powerful man looked like a little boy, waiting anxiously. She wrapped her arms around him and screamed his name. She yelled yes at least ten times that she could count. She let him go with tears streaming down her cheeks. Was it real? Was he actually...

"You and me," he said.

"You and me," she repeated, holding her hand out for him to slip the ring on.

He hesitated. "Baby girl, you know what you're getting into, right?"

She didn't need a moment to get his meaning. They'd had this conversation several times. "I'm marrying the man God made me for. Nothing else matters."

He believed her because he needed to. He believed her because he knew she loved him as much as he loved her and although he didn't believe she did know what she was getting into, there was no way he could be without her. So he slipped the ring on her finger and raised her hand to his mouth. He kissed the inside of her palm and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. He tasted the salt of her tears and ignored the secret he kept from her. He ignored anything that told him he didn't deserve her because he wanted her too much.

When he kissed her, Avery felt her body heat up like a furnace. She had dreamt of marrying Carter for some time, but never gave into it. He could have any woman he wanted and the women in his world were born into it. They had family names that meant something and had for several generations. And unlike Avery, they had similar backgrounds and experiences as him.

Why would he settle down with a plain, simple girl who thought the highlight of the weekend was going to church? She wanted to have him as long as he wanted her, but now she would have him forever and that was all those Sundays in church paying off.

As she jumped onto his lap and kissed him back, Avery wasn't listening to the voice inside that told her she hadn't thought this through. The voice was yelling under the strain of her happiness trying desperately to remind her that although she knew what was in this man's heart she didn't know everything about him.

Carter put her in position before sliding her bikini bottom off. Avery ignored the voice, only hearing her heart beating out of control as his tongue circled her belly button and went down to her center. He knew just what to do and soon, her moans drowned the voice out completely.

Avery hoped the voice knew it wasn't welcomed back. She was going to be happy because the man she loved with every inch of her was going to be her husband.
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VIEW PARK EXCERPT

That Chase mansion was something else. Nestled in View Park, the affluent mostly African-American suburb of Los Angeles, it is by far the largest house in the entire community. Glorious, elegant and intimidating begin to touch on it. Most people just call it big, but not only because of its size, but because of its residents. A family couldn't be any bigger than Steven Chase and his clan and no one was willing to admit how much they ached to know what went on behind the red brick and white columns.

The house, being only 15,000 square feet, was not as big as it could be considering the money the family had. All of the homes they owned around the world focused more on elegance than size. Still, it was impressive with seven bedrooms and nine baths, not to mention the exercise room, game room, media room, and library plus more, the home took eighteen months to build. Steven purchased it when it was 8,000 square feet, but as his millions grew, the house next door was purchased, torn down and his wife, Janet took it from there. The stature that blended a sturdy East coast feel with a flirt of southern gentility rejected any hint of West coast flash.

It resembled something more likely to be in Bel Air or Hollywood Hills with its tall gate, wide driveway filled with Mercedes, Jaguars and Lexus SUVs, large pool with cabanas, basketball court and a Caribbean colonial designed 2,000 square foot guest house. Contemporary frames, marble flooring, cathedral ceilings, granite countertops, five fireplaces and a double staircase that caused mouths to hit the floor while making Town & Country, California Homes, and LA Magazine salivate delivered a lasting statement to those far beyond View Park.

The statement was class, sophistication and most importantly, power. It had to be. After all, the Chase family was one of the richest and most powerful African-American families in the country, the richest on the West Coast. No one could put a label to them, white or black; no matter how hard they tried, using every other rich family existing now and before them. The Chase's never accepted any of those labels, seeing themselves as originals in every way. They were born leaders, attractive, well-educated, philanthropic and seemingly unfazed by anything. They stayed away from the undesirable black wealth acquired by athletes, actors or entertainers. Only lawyers, doctors, businessmen, educators and politicians made up the world the Chase family ruled.

When it came to the various scandals, like any good rich family worth their salt, they had plenty. The general consensus among those who talk, and they all talked, was that the Chase family was special. Special in a way that any mistakes they made weren't as bad as their charitable acts were good. None of their misdeeds seem to trump their place as black royalty. It was a payoff that others were willing to accept. More like willing to embrace.

No matter how intense the scandal was, there was never a feeling that the Chase family was out of control. Steven Chase, the conqueror, raised his children similar to the way he built his business. The foundations were strong and well-supported, not only meant to last long after he was gone, but to prosper and dominate far after that. He was the ultimate symbol of that power and his confidence left everyone in awe; especially his own children.

Only today, that confidence wasn't as visible as usual. In his home office, elaborately decorated in cherry wood and rich, dark leather, Steven, looking much younger than his fifty-three years, sat uncomfortably behind his desk. He was a distinguished man heavy on control and light on affection for anyone except his wife. Running his hands over his salt and pepper hair, he shook his head in disappointment, his chocolate skin darkened from spending the day before on the golf course; a rare retreat for him.

His oldest son Carter, the reluctant gentleman, was thirty and better looking than any man had a right to be. His conservative style and calm quiet demeanor drove his intense father crazy. Everything about Carter drove him crazy. The boy seemed determined to defy him since the day he was born. He seemed to take delight in doing anything other than what Steven wanted him to and making a success of his defiance.

Steven didn't expect today to be any different as he looked at Carter sitting in the chair across the desk from him. Those incredible light eyes he inherited from his mother stared back saying he refused to let his father's anguish affect him.

"So," Steven said as he sighed, trying to focus on something other than why his first born son wanted to be his enemy. "When exactly am I ready to say we should panic?"

"You don't panic, Dad." Carter was unwilling to accept the blame this time. Whenever things didn't work out at Chase Beauty like they should, he somehow shared the responsibility even though he didn't work there.

"There's a first time for everything," Steven scoffed. "And I think this might be that time."

He looked back at Michael, the favorite son, who was standing behind him, leaning casually against the bookshelf. It wasn't Steven's choice to make Michael his favorite and he would never admit to anyone, not even his own wife that he was. He'd wanted Carter, but it became clear early on that that wasn't ever going to happen. It was better this way. Michael was more like Steven; aggressive, hungry and willing to do whatever it took.

Twenty-nine year old Michael was tall and dark, looking like a young Sidney Poitier. Unlike the carefully concealed fire inside Carter, Michael's flame could be seen miles away. It drove him. It gave him immediate respect from men twice his age. It made him dangerous. It made him the mirror of his father.

Michael leaned forward with a confident smirk on his face. He was used to this game. His father made it seem like the world was falling apart to light a candle underneath him when he thought Michael was slacking, which he never was.

"We have seventeen of the twenty," Michael offered. "It's just taking a little longer than we expected."

Steven stared him down. "I'm disappointed in you, Michael. I thought I raised my sons to never make excuses."

Michael blinked, but never lost his composure. There was something about this man that ripped at him. His approval could make him feel like he was king of the world, and his disappointment made him feel like a five year old boy. This business deal was the chance he'd been waiting for. He would be the one to take the leading cosmetics company for women of color to the next level; a chain of high-end hair salons and that board of directors seat was his.

"You're still on the timeline," Carter said. "You wanted to take over twenty of the top black salons in L.A. by the first of the year. It's only September."

Steven turned to him, a sarcastic grin on his face. "I love how you use these phrases 'you' and 'your'."

Carter rolled his eyes, knowing what was coming next. The almost daily reaming of accusations that Carter didn't love his father, his family and the family business because he decided to be his own man. It was a broken record and he didn't have the patience for it.

Steven leaned across his desk, staring pointedly at his son. "You may not work for me, a rejection I have learned to deal with, but you are still a Chase."

Carter felt his teeth grinding. Keep your cool, he told himself. He loves it when you let him get to you. "I know, Dad. I just meant..."

"So," Steven continued as if Carter hadn't even spoken, "when referring to the success of Chase Beauty, 'we' is more appropriate."

Carter pressed his lips together noticing the sly grin on Michael's face. His little brother got a lot of entertainment out of these scenes, and even though Carter loved him more than anyone on the planet, he wanted to sock him right now.

"Hate to say it," Michael admitted, "but Carter's right. And I wasn't making an excuse."

Steven wasn't getting through to them. They were young, but they were Chase's and that meant they had to be more than their ages. "Do you boys understand the point here? My vision was clear. We would buy these carefully selected salons and launch our own chain. The end of the year was the deadline to launch. Not buy the salons."

"Dad, we've offered them the world," Michael said. "Performance Salon and Essentials won't sell. It's time to get dirty."

"Like you haven't already?" Carter asked. "I've heard what you've been doing."

Michael smiled innocently. He kept very few secrets from Carter. Only sometimes, Carter's sensitivity to obeying the law made it necessary. "You haven't heard anything."

"How about Matt Leonard and those pictures you threatened to send to his wife?"

Michael laughed. "You thought that was dirty? I'm surprised at you, man. You ought to know dirty better than anyone. You're a lawyer."

"Michael is right," Steven said. "We have to..."

Carter raised his hand to stop his father. "Dad, I don't want to hear this."

"You're my lawyer," Steven stressed. "So it doesn't matter what you want to hear. Besides, I need your help with Essentials."

"I don't do your legwork." Carter watched as his father's eyes turned to slits.

"I'm your father," he answered back. "You'll do whatever I tell you to." Steven lingered a little longer on Carter to make his point before turning to Michael. "Michael, your hunger can go too far sometimes. Simple blackmail will..."

"I'm out of here." Carter stood up.

"Sit down, boy." Steven spoke in that tone that always got the desired result. No matter how big they got, he was bigger. He would never let them forget that, and as Carter sat back down in his chair, Steven knew they wouldn't.

"Blackmail won't do it Dad," Michael advised. "We're gonna have to take it to a new level with them."

Steven didn't like it when things got this way, but this was business. He learned that the hard way when he started Chase Beauty twenty years ago. He looked at Michael, his expression nothing less than deadly serious. "This needs to happen. So, do what you have to do. Carter will handle Essentials."

Michael's competitive spirit bit at him. He couldn't figure out why his father seemed to go out of his way to pull Carter in when he could handle this on his own.

Carter smiled, nodding. "Sure, why not. I've been looking for ways to lose my law license."

"I'm asking you," Steven said, "because we have to take the legal route with Essentials."

Michael smirked. "You get the easy stuff, Carter, since you're so soft."

Carter got up, starting for Michael, who quickly stepped around the desk, ready for him. With no patience for this, Steven stood up, the mere gesture having incredible power over his sons and they both immediately stopped, turning to look at him.

"Carter," Steven said. "Essentials has a shop in View Park and one in Baldwin Hills. They're both owned by Avery Jackson."

Carter shrugs. "Should that name mean something to me?"

Michael rolled his eyes. "She's the daughter of our new chief of police, idiot."

"And she's not selling," Steven said.

"She's a bitch," Michael spat. "I've offered her twice what her piece of shit shops are worth."

"If they were a piece of shit, we wouldn't be going after them, idiot." Carter grinned while Michael gave him the finger.

Steven sat back down, focusing on the thick manila folder on his desk. "Revenue wise, she's probably the weakest of the whole bunch. Location-wise, I've got to have those stores. I need a way to make her sell, but because of who she is, we can't use..."

"Me," Michael proudly offered.

Steven placed his hand on the folder and slid it towards Carter. Carter looked at it, but didn't pick it up, which he knew his father wanted him to do. "What exactly do you expect me to do?"

"You're the Harvard lawyer. You figure it out." Steven shared a stern look with both of his sons. "You need to understand the pressure we're under. Chase Beauty is our family's legacy."

Carter and Michael both sighed, having heard this speech too many times to count. Steven built the business from scratch, ignoring the naysayers warning that an entire corporation focused only on black women could never rival the big players. Steven showed them all, and he never let his sons forget it. He also never let them forget that a lot of people didn't like their success and were waiting in bushes like hungry lions for any chance to bring them down, and it was essential that they not get that chance.

"Nothing comes back to Chase Beauty," Steven ordered. "Do you both understand?"

"We understand," Carter and Michael answered in unison, as they had always to anything their father told them.

Janet Chase, the socialite, opened the office door without knocking, which was a sure sign she was angry. She didn't need to wonder if she had everyone's attention, because Janet always got everyone's attention. She was an exceptionally beautiful, elegant and classy woman looking at least a decade younger than she was. That she was born into money was obvious to anyone with eyes and it took only a second's worth of time in her presence to see the best etiquette classes New York had to offer advertised in her every move and word. Including every look, like the dangerous one currently on her face as she eyed her husband and two sons.

"I knew you were in here." She placed delicately adorned hands on her trim, but curvy hips. She would not lose her temper. It wasn't her style, but she would be obeyed. "What are you doing?"

"Business Janet." It amazed Steven that after over thirty years of marriage he still thought she was too good for him.

"Business is over." She had been Steven's mistress to his wife, Chase Beauty, for so long, but she wanted all the things its success gave her so she accepted it; only not today. "This is Leigh's day. She'll be here soon, and your guests are noticing your absence."

She pointed her finger at her men, all whom she loved with every inch of her. "I want you all out there in five minutes, and don't mess with me."

You just didn't mess with Janet Chase.
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© 2006 Angela Winters