Relentless (Relentless #1) (14 page)

I sat down in one of the huge club chairs in Sidney’s office with Jax on one side of me and Taylor on the other. My mother stood in the corner of the room like a cougar waiting to pounce. I could thank my lucky stars she wasn’t drinking yet. While Stephen and I had gone to the store yesterday, Jaxon told Taylor about the will. She seemed more interested in the letters than she did about Daddy’s will. Instinctively I understood my father’s true wishes would be in that letter. He was either afraid that my mother would try to take everything from me and Taylor, or he was punishing my mother for something. Selfishly, I hoped it was the latter.

Sidney walked into the office and did a double take at my belly. “Sorry, Vi, it’s still just so crazy. I can’t believe you’re going to be a mom,” she said smiling. I grinned back at her and wrapped her up in a big hug.

“Its fine. We’re still getting used to it ourselves.”

“Can we hurry this the fuck along? I want to get home,” my mother interrupted. I scowled at her and Jaxon cleared his throat. Reaching back, I placed my hand over his to calm him down. He hated when she jumped all over me and Taylor; it took everything he had not to say something to her. My alpha male was all protective.

“Sure, Dixie. Have a seat everyone and we can get started. As you know we are here to read the last will and testament for James Montgomery. He was very specific about how he wanted his affairs handled. There are three letters, one for you, Dixie.” My mother yanked it out of her hand. “And one for each of the girls.”

“A letter? What about the distribution of assets?” she pressed.

“I’m getting there. Like I said, James specified how he wanted the estate handled.”

Sidney read verbatim my father’s words. Jaxon’s arm rested along the back of my chair, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my neck. I looked at the letter I was holding and fingered the beautiful cream linen paper. These were the last words my father had left for me.

My mother’s screech of indignation pulled my attention from the letter and back to the conversation going on around me.

“Violet, did you hear me?” Sidney asked.

“I’m sorry, no I didn’t.”

“You are the sole beneficiary your father’s assets. Any funds, property, and all of his personal belongings go to you. Magnolia, sorry Taylor, keeps her trust fund, but everything else is yours.”

My mother interrupted, “I will fight this. You won’t get away with whatever the hell this is,” she said waiving her hand dramatically. “I’m not sure what you said to your father, but you are insane if you think that this will actually happen. All those things are
mine.
He can’t do this to me!”

She flew towards me, drawing her hand back, but Jaxon stood up between us grabbing her hand before it could connect with my face. He looked down at her through narrowed eyes.

“Dixie, I suggest you take a step back from my wife. I’ve stayed out of your family business so far, but you will not bully these girls. Unfortunately for you, I am a part of this family now and I won’t allow you to treat Violet and Taylor without the respect they deserve.” She scoffed, but he continued. “They came out here to help you, and they have taken care of you when you were nothing but hateful and nasty. I’m truly sorry you lost your husband, but you need to lean on your daughters for support, not push them away and punish them for your mistakes.”

She glared, but said nothing. We watched as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room without another word. Jaxon pulled me into his arms and I sank into his chest. Taylor had silent tears running down her face. I pulled back from Jaxon and latched onto my sister.

We held onto one another while we cried. It was cathartic to finally get the release I needed. Jaxon went to get us water and Sidney left to give us some privacy.

“Taylor, are you sure you’re okay with this? Even if Daddy didn’t separate everything in the letter I’m going to split it between us. You know that, right?”

“Oh, Vi, I’m not upset about that. I just can’t believe that mom acted like she did. Jaxon was amazing when he stood up for you. He loves you so damn much,” she sobbed.

“He does, but why are you freaking out? You’ve seen us together more than anyone. He treats you like you’re his family too.” I was so confused. Taylor had never been overly emotional. Maybe it was just a delayed reaction to our father’s death? She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes.

“I know he treats me like his little sister and I appreciate everything he’s done for us. I hope I can find someone who loves me half as much as he loves you.”

I saw the loneliness hidden in her eyes and it hit me that I needed to say something to make her understand. “After Aaron, I never planned on getting married again. I never had the opportunity to be young and carefree, enjoy that time because you will never get it back. Even before Jaxon and the baby, I always had responsibilities that held me back.” I paused and hugged her again. “I envy your ability to go anywhere and make people you’ve only just me met family. I can’t wait to meet whoever you choose, but don’t rush it. Who knows, he might be closer than you think. I love you, sis.”

“I love you too, Vi.”

We sat there for a few more minutes trying to pull ourselves together. Taylor went to the bathroom to wash her face. Sidney and Jax walked back in and sat down next to me. Jaxon’s concerned look almost made me start crying again. He rubbed my back as I signed the paperwork for Sidney, accepting every item from the Montgomery fortune.

“Read the letter, Vi. Let me know if you need anything.” She paused. “I’ve missed you. It’s been boring around here since you and Taylor left.”

“I’ve missed you too Sidney, but I don’t miss this horrible town. Nothing but bad memories here for me.”

She smiled and nodded her head, but she understood. Everything in her demeanor told me she got why I had stayed away for so long. I gave her a long hug and Jax led me out to the car. He tucked me inside and ran his fingers through my hair. I leaned into his comforting touch

“Whatever you need, love. I’m here,” he said softly.

A few hours later, I hugged Lexi goodbye. She was leaving for New York and we were heading back to California. I was ready to get home and have some peace after the past few days. We promised to call when we got home and walked to our plane.

The letter my father wrote was heavy in my bag. I hadn’t read it and didn’t know when I would be ready. Before we left I told my mother she could have anything remaining in the main checking account she shared with Daddy. The balance was astronomical, but she would probably run through it soon. I had no intentions of cutting her off, but I made it clear she wasn’t forgiven. She barely acknowledged me when I told her we were leaving, and Taylor’s goodbye didn’t fare much better.

I sat down in my seat and put my head back on the headrest. Jaxon’s hand covered mine, and I smiled at him weakly. The past few days would have been an even bigger wreck if he hadn’t been there. My fingers intertwined with his and I kissed the back of his hand. Thankful didn't express how much I appreciated what he had done for my family over the past few days.

Once we were in the air, I tucked
into a corner by myself with the letter. Maybe it was like a band-aid and if I ripped it off, it wouldn’t be so bad. I studied the heavy cream paper and his strong masculine handwriting. It was hard for me to believe he was gone.

I hated the fact that I never spoke with him about the rift my mother had caused between us. My relationship with my father was tenuous at best. He was busy working when I was younger, ironically when his career started to slow down, mine was picking up. Taylor had been so much closer to him.

My father had named us after southern flowers. He always said it was because he wanted us to be sweet and beautiful, but to be able to withstand the harshest conditions. It shocked me that my mother hadn’t argued. I opened the envelope carefully, watching that I didn’t tear any of the paper. Taking a deep breath, I read.

My lilly, I mean my daisy, wait that’s still not right. Violet. You’re my Violet.

I’m so sorry that you are reading this because it means I’ve left you. It’s an odd thing to be writing about your own death, but there are so many things you need to understand. Things I wish I would have talked to you about before it was too late. I wish I didn’t have to burden you with the task of the family estate, but I’m guessing by now you understand why I did.

Your mother has always been a good wife, but she’s been a horrible mother to you and your sister. She tried her best, but she never learned how to be a mother. In her defense, she didn’t have a good role model. She pushed you into acting, even when I told her to let you choose your own path. She made your sister afraid to stay and fight for what she wanted. I daresay that Taylor will be afraid to love or let anyone love her, but I hope you can help her with that.

Your mother might have pushed you into acting, but you are amazingly talented. Just make sure that you choose acting for you. It bothered me that your mother tried to rule your life through your career. She needed some distance, but all it did was stress your already fragile relationship when I helped you leave. I’ve failed you in so many ways.

After your divorce she started drinking again. It wasn’t often at first, but the more she saw Aaron and his little tramp around town the more it bothered her that she was the one to push you into that marriage. She thought you would be happy being a southern belle stay-at-home mother and wife like her. I knew you wouldn’t be, but again, I didn’t pry because it wasn’t my place. Let me apologize again. I let you down when I allowed you to marry that prick.

I never told you, but after you left I made life hard for Aaron and his family. They lost a lot of business deals and most of their credibility throughout the state. I was angry that he cheated on you, and I made him pay horribly for his poor decisions. It was callous and dishonorable the way he left you after your miscarriage. Your mother broke down one day and told me about the baby. From what she said, you asked her not to, but I was worried about you so I pushed. You had nothing to be embarrassed about, Violet. But for what it’s worth, I would have loved being a grandfather, but I’m happy that you escaped the fate of being tied to that despicable human being forever.

Violet, you are relentless in your pursuit of happiness. I’m proud that no matter what you go through, you keep trying. When your marriage fell apart, you gracefully moved on with strength. When you lost the baby, you picked up the pieces with dignity. I missed you terribly when you left, but I still think that you leaving Georgia was the best thing for you. I admire your willingness to start over. You picked up the pieces to your life and made the best of what you had. My mother left you a nest egg as her vision for your future and it is well protected my darling daughter. You will inherit it on your thirtieth birthday.

Your mother has a spending problem and if I had allowed her to continue on the way she had been everything would already be gone. When I saw how your mother was behaving after you left, I began to prepare for the future. The family money is in several off-shore accounts. Sidney is a smart lawyer and a good friend for you. She would be an excellent attorney for you to have on retainer going forward if you so choose.

I have outlined what possessions I would like to go to you and your sister, but ultimately it is up to you. Please take care of Magnolia; she is so young and wild. You help ground her.

I can’t help but feel like I’ve failed you as your father. I’ve spent most of my time on the outskirts of your life, never taking part or intercepting in your decisions. Please forgive me for my faults, Violet. I love you very much and I only want the best in life for you.

Stephen and Alexis gave me bits and pieces of your life throughout the years. Congratulations on the baby with Jaxon. You will be a wonderful mother, my beautiful flower. You chose well with Jaxon and I hope you are happy with him. I believe he is a good man and that he will take excellent care of you and your baby. Don’t be mad with Stephen for telling me; he respected the fact you weren’t ready for me be a part of your life, but I wanted nothing more in this world than to get to know my amazing daughters. I am a stubborn old man and when I get something into my head I can’t be dissuaded. Like father, like daughter. 

I love you my darling, be happy.             

                                                        Your dear old Dad

                                                        James L Montgomery

Hot tears streamed down my face as I read the letter a second time. My father thought he failed me? He wanted to be a bigger part of my life? I always assumed he took my mother’s side, not that he didn’t want to interfere. Thank goodness Stephen told him about Jaxon and the baby before he died. Did Alexis tell him if it was a boy or girl? There were so many unanswered questions running through my head and I was drowning in all the things my father left me with.

Jax looked up from the book he was reading to check on me. I shot him a wan smile and looked back down at my letter. His understanding eyes dipped back down to his book. This man could read me so well, with just a look he knew what I wanted or needed. Stephen was messing with his phone when I looked over at him.

He felt the weight of my gaze and looked up. I owed him so much for telling my father. The smile on his lips died as he noticed my tears. A frown crossed his handsome face. He unbuckled and came to sit with me. I lay my head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around me.

“What did he say?”

“You told him about Jaxon and the baby—“

“I’m so sorry, Vi. It slipped out; you know how nosey the old man was.”

“Stephen, stop. I’m happy you told him. He only would have known what the press said about my marriage and pregnancy if you hadn’t. I didn’t realize he even cared until I read his letter. It’s amazing how important I was to him, even if he didn’t always know how to show it.” I took a deep breath. “He told me I was relentless in the pursuit of happiness.”

“You are; you’ve let nothing keep you down or stand in your way. It’s something I admire most about you.”

“Thanks for telling my daddy,” I whispered, my voice full of unnamed emotions. Sobs wracked my body and his strong arms held me tight as I cried.