Chapter 26

How?

That was the biggest question on Ted's mind as he looked at his adversary.

How did Williams find out about all this? How did he get the proof he says he has? How could Williams sound so confident and articulate? And most importantly, how could this lowlife simpleton best a man of Ted's aptitude, intelligence and power?

Ted wanted to jump across the desk and strangle the devil. That's what Williams was ... a devil. Yet, Ted knew that in a physical confrontation, Williams would likely prevail. No, Ted had to fight from a more advantageous position. Ted had needed to best Williams in a battle of the mind, but ultimately Ted knew his overconfidence is what did him in. There was no other way to explain how this had happened.

Jack Williams had won.

Ted sat silently brooding for nearly the full 20 minutes, mentally analyzing everything that had happened during the last few months, then over the last few years. Ted knew there was as much likelihood that Williams had no physical evidence as there was that he did. Ted and his associates went to great pains to cover their actions, though a part of Ted now how doubts about their efforts. However, even if Williams had nothing concrete, revealing the information would open up years of potential scandal and embarrassment, not to mention the possibility of a more in-depth investigation. There were always those who would seek a way to bring down a man of Ted's power—auditors, regulators, reporters. Even some on the Bank's board have, in the past, attempted to disparage Ted's business methods.

Ted thought about Williams' demands. If Ted agreed, he'd admit defeat in this battle, but he'd live to fight another day. He'd keep his reputation and his power, but he'd lose his daughters. The loss would be an unfortunate, but necessary consequence. He and Sharon would just have to consider Abigail and Allison casualties of war.

"I'm not admitting to anything you've mentioned here, Williams," Ted said evenly. "However, I'm smart enough to know that there is enough dirt in your accusations to keep me harassed for years, not to mention potentially destroy my reputation. My concern here is how do I know you won't make this information public anyway, after you've taken what you came for?"

Jack leaned forward, his expression still revealing nothing. "You have my word, and while you may want to pretend I have no redeeming value, you know full well that my word is my bond. If you give me and Abigail custody of Allison, allow her to live with us, sweep rumors of our true relationships under the rug and never bother us with this again, we'll go away and I will say nothing about your alleged indiscretions. However, if you attempt in any way to interfere with our lives, one call is all it will take to set the wheels in motion." Jack pointed at Ted. "Your future is in your hands, Ted."

"I'll need to have my lawyer review these documents," Ted said in a last ditch effort to give himself more time.

"That's fine. You have four minutes to get that done." Jack smirked. "By the way, the contact I just talked to hopes you don't sign. My ... friend ... wants to see you 'burn in hell'. That's a direct quote."

Ted bristled. It shocked him that Williams was so ruthless. He never figured the man had it in him. Ted had long ago admitted to himself, albeit reluctantly, that Williams was actually honorable. Apparently, though, he was ruthless when he needed to be. All Ted would need to do is agree in word and signature to everything and Williams would keep his mouth shut. Ted took one last overall scan of the first document in front of him.

This isn't over, Williams, Ted thought. Not by a long shot. I will do what you want, but I have other means at my disposal that I've yet to unleash. I will not rest until you are ruined, and I'll do it in such a way that you have no way of knowing I orchestrated your demise, nor any way of recovering from the damage.

To use a fitting cliché, you may have won the battle, but I WILL win the war.

Maybe it was the heat of the day that was finally getting to him, but Gimel could feel himself nodding off as he leaned against the payphone pole. Another young teen girl moved towards the phone, and that snapped Gimel out of his stupor.

"I'm waiting for a call," he growled. The kid scurried away, throwing him nervous glances. Gimel looked at his watch. Two minutes. His heart started to thump. What if Ted didn't go for it? What then? Jack was so sure his plan would work, that he never got around to explaining Plan B to Gimel.

The phone came to life with a tinny sounding ring. Gimel popped up and grabbed the phone.

"Yeah?"

"Please alter our plans. Instead, take the envelopes to the location on the paper I gave you. Make sure you personally witness their placement in the lock box and the lock box returned to its secure location."

Gimel smiled. "No problem, Amigo. Congrats on the win."

Jack chuckled. "Thanks, my friend. Your assistance has been priceless."

Nearly three-quarters of an hour had passed, and still the office door remained closed. Allison sat at the dining room table with her mother and brothers. No words were spoken, and no one had attempted to leave, all frozen by Ted's command that they remain at the table. Allison's tears had dried up long ago. Her breathing and heart rate had come back to tolerable levels. She occasionally attempted to make eye contact with her family, but only Ben would look at her.

Allison felt she should say something, but nothing seemed adequate. Should she say 'I'm sorry'? She wasn't sorry with her own actions. She wasn't sorry for falling in love with Jack or Abigail. What about 'I love you'? She did love them, but it seemed kind of hollow given the circumstances.

Allison took a deep breath, thankful now that her nerves had calmed somewhat. She looked at her food, long forgotten and cold, then decided to take a drink of water. Just as she put the glass to her lips, she heard the office door burst open. She gasped and water spilled down her front. Ben looked at her, while Brad and her mother riveted their eyes on the hallway.

Time seemed to stop. Allison's nervousness was back tenfold. Jack suddenly appeared into the entrance, his face expressionless. He looked first at Sharon, then at Allison. She held her breath. Please, please, please, she prayed.

Jack's face softened. "Allison, Love. You need to go to your room and pack. We're going home."

Allison was frozen, unsure if she understood him correctly. She just stared, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, at her lover. Somewhere, off to her side she heard her mother begin to cry. Jack smiled warmly at Allison and reached out his hand, a gesture so full of love that she felt her eyes fill with tears. She began to rise, but before she could act, all hell broke loose.

"Fuck this!" Brad hissed. He exploded out of his chair, his eyes flashing. "Fuck you, you piece of shit!" he yelled as he hurtled himself at Jack. Brad's hip hit the table hard, toppling glasses and sending dishes to the floor.

Allison jumped up. "Brad, no!"

Sharon reached for him, but to no avail. Ben, on the other side of the table could do nothing but watch, his reaction too slow.

Brad was a big guy, just a hair over six feet and a solid 230 pounds. His football and weightlifting had hardened his physique. He was shorter than Jack by a couple of inches, but heavier by at least 10 pounds. He crossed the room in three steps, his hand balled into massive fists, and slammed into Jack, sending his sisters' lover crashing into the wall behind him. Allison was in tears, the tears of relief now replaced by tears of anger and fear. She was a few steps behind Brad. Sharon was standing, her hand over her mouth. Ben was moving now, trying to get around his mother.

Allison skidded to a halt and gasped when she saw Jack's arms wrap around her big brother and squeeze. She heard Brad's lungs deflate in a whoosh. Suddenly, Jack stood up, his arms bulging, and lifted Brad several inches off the floor. Then, without a sound, he leaned to the side and slammed Brad's back onto the ground, forcing a pained grunt out of his attacker. Jack buried a knee in Brad's chest and leaned his weight onto it to keep Brad down.

"Calm down, Brad," Jack said quietly.

"Bradley." All eyes shot towards the office door. Ted stepped closer. He looked down at his oldest son, his expression one of disgust. "Refrain, young man, from engaging the enemy while you are in emotional turmoil." Allison cringed at his use of the word 'enemy'. "Now get up, and let Mr. Williams be."

Jack stood up, his eyes back on Brad, and reached down. Brad sucked in big gulps of air and shot hate-filled looks at Jack and Allison. When he got enough breath, he slapped Jack's offered hand away, and raised himself to standing. Without a second glance, he shoved past Jack. As he turned to go up the stairs, he slammed his fist into the wall. The drywall crumbled like a cracker, leaving a huge gaping hole. Brad raced up the stairs, and immediately the front door slammed shut.

Allison watched in awe as Jack turned his expressionless stare to Ted. Ted locked eyes with him momentarily, then averted his eyes. He turned away.

"Take her, and get out of my house," he said as he moved towards his office. "You've stained this hallowed home enough. I don't ever want to see either of you here again."

Sharon collapsed back into her chair and buried her face in her hands, her body convulsing with sobs. Ben knelt behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her hair.

"Shh, Mom. It'll be OK," he consoled.

Allison looked at her mom and brother, unsure what to do. She glanced at Jack and saw that he had tears in his eyes as he watched the scene before them. Allison turned back to her family.

"Mom," she said quietly. "Mom, I'm so sorry it had to happen this way."

Sharon's sobs continued unabated as if she didn't even hear her daughter's words.

Ben lifted his tear-streaked face and looked at Allison. Her heart broke for him. He would be left alone to support their mother, to deal with the aftermath on his own.

"Ben," Allison whispered. "I..." She trailed off.

He smiled halfheartedly. "I know, Allie," he sighed. "I think you just need to get your things and go."

Allison bit back a sob of her own, but was unable to turn away.

"Please, Allie," Ben gently prodded, then added, "I love you, sis."

Allison's dam burst, and a strangled sob poured out of her. "Oh, Ben. I love you, too. You and Mom. Please, know that I love you so much."

Ben nodded and Allison felt Jack's strong arms wrap around her. She turned towards him at the last moment, buried her face in his chest and cried. So lost in her tears was she that she didn't realize that Jack was moving her up the stairs. She regained control just as Jack gently pushed her to sit on her bed.

She watched, silent except for sniffles, as he opened her closet and retrieved her large suitcase. He set it on the bed beside her and then stood before the open closet. Allison wiped the tears from her face and watched him from the rear. He peered into the closet, shifting from foot to foot. Then he reached up and scratched the back of his head. She couldn't help but smile a little, knowing that he was probably lost trying to decide what to pack.

She stood up, wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head against the back of his chiseled shoulders. She sighed as his arms came over hers and hugged them tighter around his body.

"I love you, Jack," she said quietly.

He turned around in her arms and wrapped his own tightly around her waist. She lifted her face towards his and accepted his gentle kiss.

"I love you, too," he replied. "I'm sorry..."

"Hush, sweetheart. You have nothing to be sorry about. Quite the opposite. You put everything on the line for me and Abigail." She shivered. "I hate to think that, if it wasn't for you, I might have ended up like ... well, like my mother."

"Don't say that, Allie," Jack gently chided. "Your mother is a good woman."

"I know, Jack. I didn't mean that. It's just ... she's so, I don't know, weak or ... I don't know, but you've seen the way she lets Dad just push her around. She's not happy, hasn't been for a long time. Why does she put up with it? Look what it's done to our family."

Jack leaned back and looked at her. She blushed when she saw the reproach in his eyes. "Allison, please go easy on your mom. Not only did our relationship shake up the very core of her religious beliefs, but her family is falling apart. I imagine that she, as the homemaker and mother, is taking it very hard and very personally. Your mom will likely face a tough emotional struggle over the next few years. Please, don't pass too harsh a judgment on her."

Allison dropped her eyes. He was right, of course. "I'm sorry."

He lifted her face by the chin and looked lovingly into her eyes, the tender smile on his lips taking the sting out of his admonishment. "That's OK, sweetie. Don't be too hard on yourself, either. Things are pretty crazy at the moment." He kissed her lips more firmly, sending tingles through her body. "Now, sit on the bed and let me pack your things."

Allison smiled and, putting her hands against his chest, pushed him gently away. "As if! I want clothes that coordinate. You sit back and I'll pack my own bags."

He sat on the edge of her bed and leaned back on his hands. Allison busied herself getting packed. Jack made appreciative noises as she scurried about.

When she bent over to get her panties from her bottom dresser drawer, he whistled. When she leaned over her suitcase, exposing a large expanse of cleavage, he growled. When she reached high into her closet, revealing her midriff, he moaned. She looked at him and he pretended to adjust an erection. She rolled her eyes and stepped over to put a skirt into the suitcase. As she did she nonchalantly reached down and squeezed the bulge in his pants, forcing a yelp from his lips.

She giggled as she finished filling the first bag. Then she reached into her closet and grabbed her sports duffel. Jack stood up and moved to her dresser. He reached for one of the framed pictures that stood there. Allison watched with interest as he gently caressed the dark wooden frame. Inside was a picture of Abigail and Jack at their wedding. She heard him sigh, and her mood quickly became more somber, as well. He visibly shook the emotion from his mind and gathered the other two pictures—one of her and Ben immediately after her team won the district last year and one of her mother kneeling in the flower garden, looking happily at the camera with a smudge of dirt on one cheek.

Seeing Jack's tender handling of the pictures as he carefully set them inside the big suitcase brought Allison's tears to the surface again. More quietly now, she continued to gather her things, handing them to Jack so he could pack the duffel, her wheeled carry-on bag and a couple of boxes.

"Ready?" he asked as he closed up the last box.

She sighed and looked around her room, a room she'd called her own for at least the last decade. She was leaving so much behind, but they were just things, material possessions, most of which she could replace. She took her time scanning everything, etching every microscopic detail into her memory. After a time, Jack broke her reverie by picking up the large suitcase and grasping her hand. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Yeah, sweetie. I'm ready."

Abigail's routine was simple. Sit in the chair near the window for a few minutes, watch the lifeless phone and fidget. Then get up, grab the phone, and call Jack. Wait for the answering machine, hang up and pace back and forth between the chair and the room door for a few minutes.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

The wait was excruciating! It'd been several hours since she'd gotten Jack's message, but it seemed like days. She glared at the phone, sending futile telepathic messages for it to ring. She popped out of the chair again and grabbed the phone. Hitting redial, she waited.

"Aaargh!" she screamed when the machine picked up again. She slammed the phone down and this time plunged backwards onto the bed, flinging her arms out wide. When the bouncing stopped and her body came to a rest, she sighed and stared at the popcorn texture on the ceiling.

They did touch up right there, she thought as her eyes scanned a section of ceiling that seemed a little uneven. She smiled. I'm going crazy now.

Suddenly, the phone ring, she practically jumped and looked wildly at the phone.

"Shit," she hissed, her heart thumping. "Scared the crap out me." She grabbed the phone on the second ring.

"Jack?" she said hopefully.

"Abbie..." the feminine voice replied. Then Abigail heard sobs.

"Allison? Allie, baby. Talk to me. Is everything OK? Shhh ... It's OK." Abigail felt her own tears heat her eyes. Her heart continued to thump. Did everything go OK? Where was Jack? She needed answers, but she recognized Allison's need to let her emotions out first.

"Allison, just answer yes or no, OK?" she said to the sobbing girl. "Did Jack come to your house today?"

Stronger sobs. "Yes," Allison croaked out.

"Did he talk to Dad?"

A pause. "Yes."

Oh, God, Abigail thought. He's done it. Ohmigod.

"Did ... did everything work out?"

More sobs, then a muffled voice somewhere away from the phone.

"Abigail?" a different voice said into the receiver.

Abigail breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, God, Jack. What happened? I was so scared when I got your message, and then didn't hear from you for so long, and then Allison calls crying and she can't talk and answer my questions and I couldn't help but think the worst and dammit Jack why didn't you stick to the plan and wait for me to get home and..."

"Engelbert Humperdinck."

Abigail stopped midsentence as her brain tried to process the non sequitur. She couldn't do it. "What did you say?"

Jack laughed. "Nothing important. Just trying to get you to shut up for a minute so I could get a word in. Well, that and I didn't want you to pass out for lack of oxygen."

"This isn't funny, Jack," Abigail snapped, which made him laugh harder. Against her will, she smiled. "You're an ass."

"That's a compliment, honey, since you always say you like my ass."

Abigail snickered and shook her head. "Dammit, will you just tell me what happened?"

Jack took a deep breath. "It's done, Abbie. I confronted your dad, laid it all out, and he told me to take Allison and never come back."

Abigail closed her eyes, pushed aside the brief sadness Jack's statement caused, and said a silent prayer of gratitude. "Thank, God. Please, give me the details."

Jack began with the call from Gimel, and Abigail listened. She chastised him for being careless when he was with Allison the night Brad caught them, but had to admit to herself that it was probably for the best as it forced Jack to break the stalemate. He told how her father invited him into his office, that they volleyed words back and forth before Jack laid out the accusations against Ted.

"Your dad didn't really put up much of a fight once I'd bared his indiscretions. He only asked for my word that I wouldn't release my 'evidence'."

"Do you think he had any inkling that you really didn't have evidence?"

"He wondered, I know, but in the end the thought of public scandal, embarrassment and possible investigation was too much to call my bluff."

Abigail nodded, even though Jack couldn't see her. All along Jack insisted that her father's image was the most important thing to him. He was right. "Then what happened?"

"Then I went out, got Allison, helped her pack, and we came home." Abigail heard a muffled voice. "No, I got it, Allie," Jack said away from the phone. "Ouch! Hey ... Fine..." Abigail smiled as Allison's voice came on the line.

"He's glossing over things, Abbie. You should have seen him. He was brilliant! We were at the table eating dinner and Jack knocked his tune on the door. I knew who it was—Mom, too—but Dad didn't have a clue. Next thing I know, they stop in the entryway to the dining room. Dad tells him to move on to the office, but Jack just walks in and gives me the hottest kiss. Right in front of everyone. Dad was beside himself! It was like he couldn't even think straight. Jack was so cool, so collected, and there was Dad practically shaking with anger. Then we waited like an hour before they came back out. Jack just looked at me and said to pack some things, that he was taking me home. Mom started to cry and Brad just lost it. He attacked Jack, Abbie!" Allison started to cry again, and Abigail realized tears were coursing down her cheeks again.

"Oh, Allie! I'm so sorry it had to happen like that. I wish it could have been different."

Allison sniffed. "It's OK. Anyway, he jumps up and practically tackles Jack into the wall. He's bigger than Jack. Maybe not as tall, but bigger, heavier. I thought he was going to hurt Jack, but then Jack just wraps him in a bear hug, picks him up and slams him to the ground. Brad was stunned. Dad came out and told Brad to stop. Then he told Jack to take me and never come back." Allison continued to cry. "Do you think he means it, Abbie, that we can't ever go back there?"

That's the million dollar question, thought Abigail. She silently processed everything while Allison composed herself. "Allie, baby. Are you OK? I mean, this is it, you know. We've worked for this, and now that it's here, are you still OK with it?"

"No, I'm not OK."

Oh, shit, Abigail thought. Reality hits. Allison regrets it now. "Allison..."

"Wait, Abbie. Let me finish. I'm not OK and I won't be until you are here with us. Then everything will be right. Please hurry home."

Abigail choked up and was unable to say anything for a minute. "Tomorrow, sweetie. Tomorrow I'll see you and welcome you to our little family."

"I love you, Abbie. I love you so much."

Abigail smiled and felt suddenly exhausted. "I love you, too, Allie. Get some rest tonight. You need it. Let me talk to Jack for a minute."

Abigail waited while the exchange was made.

"Hey, baby," Jack said. "Quite a story, huh?"

Abigail was silent for a long time. She knew Jack was waiting for a response, but her mind was whirling. She didn't know what to say. As she sifted through her thoughts and emotions, she decided to say what was foremost.

"You are an incredible man, Jack Williams. Thank you so much for loving us."

Brianna grabbed the phone on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Bri. This is Allison."

Brianna replayed the simple sentences in her head. What was Allison's tone? Is she happy? Sad? Distraught? Scared?

"Allison, please tell me you have good news. Please oh please."

"Well, I'm not sure if it's good news."

Brianna's heart sank. "Oh, Allison, what happened?"

"Well, right now my lover is attempting to make me dinner, so that's definitely not good news."

Brianna blinked while she processed the words. Then she squealed. "Ohmigod, Allison! You're with Jack? Ohmigod, you bitch, teasing me like that!"

"Brianna!"

Brianna blushed as she looked at her mother sitting across the hall in her room, folding laundry.

"Sorry," she mouthed silently to her. Then she turned her attention back to Allison. "You have got to tell me what happened?"

For 30 minutes, Allison repeated the events of the day for Brianna. When she was done, she told Brianna that she probably wouldn't be in school the next day. After extracting a promise from Allison that Brianna could visit her after school, they hung up.

Brianna flopped back on her bed and let the silent tears course down her cheeks. They were happy tears. She loved Allison so much, even more than her own sister. She'd been through the ringer with her over the last few months, and now all the tension and emotion just couldn't be contained.

Brianna rolled over on her stomach and looked at the photo album open in front of her. There was a picture of her and Allison at Chuck E. Cheese's for Brianna's ninth birthday party. Then one of them and Dana at the 8^th Grade service project, covered in whitewash after a paint war. Or dressed in their finest country garb for the Sadie Hawkins Dance last year. Brianna paused on a picture of the two of them sunning on the deck of Deb Harper's pontoon boat the previous summer. She let her eyes linger on Allison's sexy physique. She was clad in a modest, but sexy blue bikini that really brought out her blue eyes. The shot was of the girls from behind as they stretched out on their stomachs, heads resting on their crossed hands. Allison's bikini had just started to ride into her crack, exposing the supple globes of her ass. Her skin was a lovely light brown and her auburn hair shown with natural red highlights. Brianna lay next to her in a red bikini. Their faces were turned towards each other, their eyes closed as they rested in the sun.

Brianna felt that familiar quiver between her legs. She'd seen Allison in various states of dress and undress, including fully nude, but nothing took her breath away like this picture. Suddenly the image of Allison leaning over and kissing her with those full red lips flashed into Brianna's mind. She gasped. The image was so strong. What am I thinking? The image refused to go away, and her body responded, her brain sending strong signals to her pussy. Ohmigod, Brianna thought. I'm lusting for my best friend.

She closed her eyes, but that just made the image more vivid. Her eyes flew open. She looked at the clock. 10:30. She looked at her door, which stood open to the hallway. She got up to close it.

"Good night, Mom," she called to her mother.

"Good night, sweetie," her mother replied without looking up from her laundry.

Brianna closed the door and quietly locked it. Then she leaned back against it and looked at the open album on the bed. She tried to make sense of the vivid images in her head.

OK. I'm not a lesbian, she reasoned. I mean, thinking of Jack really turns me on. I can admit to myself that I find women attractive, maybe sexually so. I can be OK with that. I could never act on it though. It makes a good fantasy. Just like having Jack makes a good fantasy.

She sighed. Thinking of Jack reminded her that Allison and Jack were together now. Just the two of them. With no chance for interruption. Her wretched mind conjured up another scene, this one involving Jack AND Allison. She imagined Jack on his stomach between Allison's thighs, his hands and mouth bringing her friend all kinds of pleasure. Brianna felt the heat and dampness in her panties. God, I'm going masturbate fantasizing about my best friend and her lover, she thought. I'm a slut!

She reached down and pressed her fingers to her crotch, sending a little shiver outward from her pussy. She moved over to the bed and quickly removed her clothes, panties and bra included, then slipped on her oversized t shirt. She climbed back onto the bed, on top of the covers and lay on her back. She pulled her knees up and let them fall apart, then pulled her t shirt up over her breasts. She gasped when the cool room air hit them again. While gently pulling on her sparse pubic hair, she tweaked the turgid bumps on her breasts. Shivers of pleasure went through her. She closed her eyes and let her imagination run wild.

This fantasy is intense. She is sitting in the desk chair in Jack's bedroom, nude. Jack is going down on Allison. Brianna watches as Allison whips her head back and forth in a passionate frenzy. Suddenly her legs tense and wrap firmly around his head. She groans and raises her hips off the bed. Then she convulses into an incredible orgasm.

Brianna slipped her hand down the slope of her pubis and pressed her fingers into her wetness. She'd fantasized about Jack before, him pleasing her, but she'd never imagined Jack and Allison. And obviously never Jack, Allison AND her.

When Allison releases him, Jack sits up, his face wet from her arousal. He motions for Brianna to come over. Brianna climbs onto the bed and knee walks over to Allison. She bends over and presses her lips against her best friend's. Suddenly Allison gasps. Brianna looks down and sees Jack, now totally nude, rubbing his rigid cock against Allison's pussy lips.

Brianna shoved two fingers in between her swollen lips, then pressed the palm of her hand against her clit. She shuddered with pleasure, and then began moving her hand in and out, around and around, stimulating her pussy walls and her clit with almost constant motion. She was so turned on, it took no time at all to reach the precipice. She slowed down and lightened the pressure just enough to keep herself perched on the peak.

Brianna watches wide-eyed as Jack seats his cock and pushes into Allison's wet hole. Allison moans and then coaxes Brianna to sit on her face. Brianna watches Jack fuck Allison as she lowers herself slowly down. Allison wraps her arms around Brianna's waist and helps her close the distance. Brianna moans as Allison buries her face into her pussy. Allison attacks her wetness with a vengeance, slurping, licking, eating every inch of Brianna's engorged cunt.