40. Monroe

FORTY

MONROE

"Millionaire and governor candidate, Edmund Decker the third has been released from Los Angeles County jail this morning after being arrested at his Rolling Hills home two nights ago. He's been charged with fourteen counts of solicitation after anonymous videos catching him in the act were sent to police," the reporter says as I keep my eyes glued to the TV, where the news covers the story of my dad's arrest. "Additionally, the FBI has discovered several offshore bank accounts where it's been speculated that Decker was funneling money in order to commit tax fraud. Sources close to the family say that other parties were involved, but no further charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing, and we'll keep you updated on any new developments as they come in. Back to you in the studio, Barbara."

I take the remote, turning the television off before throwing myself back into the couch cushions. "Holy shit," I say on a relieved exhale, a slight smile breaking through my shocked expression as I look at my mother .

As soon as I mentioned taking my father down, she pulled out her phone and showed me more than I needed to see of him engaging in questionable acts with women that weren't her. Thankfully, I was spared from the nauseating details, but there was plenty of evidence that he solicited and paid for sex multiple times over the years.

When we decided to send the videos to the police as an anonymous tip, we were hoping that it would at least change the public's opinion on him, forcing him to drop out of the election. It didn't seem right that a man like him would be in control of an entire state, so we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. We certainly weren't expecting them to dig any further into his dealings, resulting in the uncovering of so many other potential crimes that we had no idea he was involved in. He's out on bail now, but they've launched a full investigation, which means he's unable to leave the state of California. My mom and I are safe from any retaliation he may have been planning, and his indiscretion with the escorts voids their prenuptial agreement. Not only is it very likely that my mom will be able to get a restraining order if my father doesn't get put away for several years, but she's also going to walk away with enough money to take care of herself for the rest of her life.

When I asked her what made her hire a private detective to follow my father, she matter-of-factly said that all the women at the country club have videos like that of their husbands. They keep quiet, acting like model wives, knowing that they always have some extra ammunition in their back pockets. None of it makes any sense to me, but the lifestyle out there never has. My happiness and independence have always been worth way more to me than all the money in the world.

"That escalated quickly," my mom says quietly. "Am I a terrible person for not feeling bad? He wasn't always like this, you know? Although our relationship started the same way that yours and Conrad's did, there was a little while where he tried to be a good husband. I don't know exactly when it changed, but over the years, I became okay with sacrificing my own happiness for his. That was my fault. The thing that tears me up the most is that I had no problem allowing him to do it to you. I really am sorry, Monroe. I don't expect you to sweep this under the rug or forgive me anytime soon, but please know that I love you and I own every mistake I've made. I want to be better for you. And someday, if you have children of your own, I promise to always put them above everyone else."

My eyes fill with tears and I lean forward, finally wrapping her in a tight hug. When she showed up here a couple of nights ago, I was honestly too disgusted and hurt to even touch her. I wasn't sure of her intentions until we sent the videos. Now, I see that she wants to repair the things that have been broken between us. I'm not there yet, but I'm going to try. Even if it takes years for me to fully trust her, I know I don't want to cut her out of my life.

"I love you too, Mom," I whisper as we hold one another. "We'll get through this. Everything is going to be okay now."

"Hey, ladies," Riggs says, startling us both. "How's it going?"

I stand, walking over and throwing my arms around him. He presses a quick kiss to my cheek, which is so different from the way he normally greets me. I know he's behaving himself for my mom's sake, but I can't say I don't miss the horny comments and advances that I pretend to hate. She's been staying at a hotel downtown at night, but she's come here both days while he's been at the stadium. It's nice being able to talk to her without my dad around. She seems like an entirely different person from the woman I've known all my life. She's funny and sarcastic, always ready with a witty comment when it's needed to lighten the mood.

Now I know where I get it from.

"Good," I say, squeezing him tightly. He's been so attentive for the last couple of days, making sure I'm okay after my dad's arrest. I probably shouldn't be, but I think my heart and head disconnected from him after the night he came here and degraded me to the point where I almost fell back into the dark hole he kept me in as a kid. If it weren't for Riggs reminding me who I am that night, who knows where I'd be right now?

"Atta girl," he replies, making the butterflies in my stomach flutter around wildly. I'll never get over the way he can make me feel so adored with barely any words. Just as I press onto my toes to kiss him again, the doorbell rings. I throw my head back in exasperation as Riggs chuckles quietly. "You want to grab that for me, sweet thing?"

"No, thank you," I reply. "I don't have the best track record when it comes to opening the door."

He barks a laugh. "Trust me. After I threatened to move out, taking every other Fury player in the building with me, they hired several new security guards. No more unexpected guests will be knocking without checking in first. Now, go," he says, patting my ass as I walk toward the entryway.

I grip the knob, taking a deep breath before swinging the door open. Without so much as a greeting, my best friend barges in, steam practically coming from her ears as she makes a beeline for the living room.

"Douchebag!" she screeches, pointing an accusatory finger at Riggs. I can tell the look of bewilderment painted across his face is fake, even from where I'm standing. Whatever he did to piss her off is something he's well aware of, and likely planned on purpose to get this very reaction.

"Wow. Nice to see you too, sis," he says. "How was your flight?"

She grits her teeth. "My flight was great. The full-body cavity search at the security desk downstairs, though? Not so much!"

He tries to hide his laughter by tucking his lips tightly between his teeth, but fails miserably as he bursts into hysterics, bending down with his hands on his knees as he loses it.

"Really, Riggs?" she yells. "You told them I carry weapons from time to time, just in case I need them ? You made me sound unhinged! I had to take off my shoes and socks while they wanded me three times before patting me down!"

"Seriously? They did?" he says as he continues laughing. "Oh my God, that's gold!"

She straightens, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "Yep. Last time I was that up-close and personal with a wand, your best friend's dick was in my mouth."

His face goes completely pale as horror clouds his expression. "Jesus fucking Christ, Grace! I told you to stop fucking him!" He stomps his foot like a petulant child, and I stifle a laugh of my own.

"We're married, asshole!" she shouts. "I didn't want to say that, but you left me no choice! Maybe next time you'll think twice before you fuck with me!" I swear, these two need their own reality show. I'd totally pay for a subscription to the Valentine siblings' clusterfuck of a relationship.

God, I love them.

"Mom," I say, sauntering back to the living room. "This is my best friend, Grace. She's Riggs' sister."

Grace stiffens, realizing we aren't alone. "Oh my God," she whispers. "It's nice to meet you." She walks over, taking my mother's extended hand and shaking it.

"Jenna Decker," she says, holding back her smile. "Your Thanksgiving dinners must be interesting."

"You have no idea," I reply, chuckling as I walk back over to Riggs and wrap my arms around his waist. "What are you doing here?" I ask Grace.

"I wanted to come check on you. Figured I'd spend the week out here while Tan is at training camp. You good?"

"I am," I say with a genuine smile. "I'm happy." Having the three of them here right now gives me a sense of family that I'm beyond grateful for. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, surrounded by all the people who love me.