Family ties
Regina watched as Roger was taken off to the police station to Investigate accidental death of Gregory. Regina knowing during this time she had only a few days to secure Ryders' loyalty.
Ryder was now getting the news of what had happened as she made her way to Ryder's borrowed mansion.she rang the gate bell as the camera came on to answer the door.
The gate buzzed her in as Ryder sat on the sofa nursing a hangover with a bag of ice in a darkened room. He pulled the blind closed as he recovered from the night before festivities.
Regina stepped out full black attire and bellowing hat in a dramatic widows uniform. She stood in the forte waiting to be shown to Ryders' room where she spent countless nights in his embrace.
Roger never invited her to his loft. Always a hotel room was their thing. But Ryder he brought her in his room to meet his needs. Victoria lived on the far side of the other wing to not hear their noises and activities.
Regina was let in the room and announced.
" Mrs. Regina Zehetii." She stood as she was announced as the doors opened to let her in.
" I said no visitors today." Gripped Ryder Bruno.
" Not even me." Regina sniffled a cry.
Ryder removed the icepack and wobbled trying to stand up as he saw her.
" Oh Regina ." He said standing awkwardly.
" Gregory is gone. I feel so abandoned." She snobbed.
" My condolences ." He said cautiously.
" May I sit please." She said pathetically.
" Of course .please sit " he said offering a chair, but Regina walked past him and sat on the edge of the bed. Ryder looked at the door and waved his hands to dismiss the servants. The door closed behind him.
She began to mournfully sob . Ryder moved close to her as he sat down right beside her. She wrapped her arms around him as she cried .
" Regina I'm so sorry for your loss." He consoled her rubbing her back.
Regina pulled back and looked at Ryder as tears rolled down her cheeks. He reached over and grabbed a tissue off the side table beside the bed and wiped her face clear.
" I just need someone to hold me. I don't think I should be alone tonight with my thoughts." She confessed.
Ryder sat back at a distance.
" You slept with Roger ." He said sternly.
" It was before I was married. A fling nothing more. I swear. When my father married me to Gregory it was a contract. I didn't love him." She sobbed to him.
" Did you love Roger?" He asked.
" No . Just a fling. A girl defying her father so that I can be unsure for my forced marriage. When I got married Roger grew so cold today me. He cut me off said I was just a bit of fun. When Gregory died he said I was easy. I should be ashamed carrying another man's baby." She said sadly.
" The baby isn't Gregory's?" Asked Ryder .
" No. We only shared the wedding night. It was awful. After that I told him he can find it elsewhere. I didn't think he take it seriously. I was so lonely in my marriage until I met you my love." She said softly.
It took Ryder a minute to click in his head whose baby it was.
" It.it.its my baby?" He asked stuttering.
" Whose eles would it be. Gregory got in a fight about it said I was an embarrassment to his family. Roger came over and they fought about how he treated me." She explained now looking at him.
" But I can't tell anyone whose baby it really is. I'll be out on the street disgraced. Oh Ryder hold me. I need you more than ever now." She persuaded him.
" Marry me I will help take care of the baby." He mused.
" You know I can't . I'm in mourning. It will be strange to marry so soon after my husband's death." She sighed turning away dramatically.
" Regina I love you. You know I love you. " He pleaded now on his knees pleading hugging her legs and rubbing her belly.
She looked down at him " then prove it to me. Love me." She said as Ryder took her to bed.
Hours later Ryder was asleep , Regina slipped out of bed and left a note saying she had to handle funeral arrangements and will be back later.
Meanwhile Roger sat in the integration room as officers grilled him abow the circumstances on Gregory's death. He hated Regina set a trap he firmly fell into. He had to give her props for planning the perfect way to get rid of her husband.
Roger was a great lawyer. He knew exactly what to say to appear remorseful and shocked at the same time. He used to coach people how to perform before court hearing. He played the distraught best friend trying to help his friend.
All the while he was planning what he was going to do to Regina when he saw her again. Regina was a snake sinking her fangs into everyone around her. Days they interagated Roger . After about three days he was released.
Roger wondered how much damage did she do in his absence. She probably went running to Ryder pleading her innocence in the entire ordeal. She was side tracking the entire project.
Perhaps he should have teamed up with Victoria to be able to control Ryder. She would have him wrapped around her evil little finger. Damn you Regina . She was more cunning than he gave her credit. Never in his life has he ever met a woman that outsmarted him. He always held the fools card. Today he admitted he was playing the fool these days.
Why did he allow her to get himself in this situation. If you can't beat them then join them they say. Regina is the bane of my existence.
Roger had a cop drop him off at his loft as he went upstairs after three nights locked up in a flat mattress . Jail wasn't meant for peaceful night's sleep. A package was sitting on his door box. It was thick and he began to take the elevator to his loft.
He sat down and poured himself a whisky as he opened the package. It was the document he requested from Christopher .
He called Christopher after seeing thirty missed calls. The phone rang.
" Did you get the package?" He asked nervously.
" I did. I'm looking though it now ." He replied drink in hand.
" The Toosley is broke broke. They will for close in a few weeks. The ledgers shows some sales of very important art work. The taxes haven't been paid either . The tax returns also haven't been filed in years." Christopher said revising what he knew.
" How long have they been like this." Roger asked curious now.
" About a decade. They also have registered gambling debts. The Toosley girl was the only chip they had to make money. This family is so corrupt they sale their own kin to make a buck.
" So if the Toosley get a hold of the Zehetii fortune?" He trailed.
" The debt is so bad it with nock them to middle class citizens to clear all there debts. The mom took a lot of vacations and dad had a lot of spoiled women in his life. " Explained Christopher.
" Is this public knowledge. These records here?" Asked Roger.
" Somewhat . But that's just the surface dirt. There is something else." Urged Christopher.
" What?" Asked Roger as he flipped through pages until he landed on the copy of a birth certificate.
" Well. This might be the pot calling the kettle black. " He chuckled." My dearest Regina you are not who you believe you are." He mused.
This changes everything as he looked at the names of her parents on her birth certificate. He mused darkly now he realized the truth. Now he hoped the baby was his or Gregory's. Regina never knew her mother . Supposedly died at birth. Now he chuckled as he read Victoria's name as the mother. Mommy was right there in your face the entire time. You hated her so much for holding Ryder under her thumb. I need to pay a visit to mommy dearest .
Roger laughed aloud like a sick sadistic man who just took over the world.
" Roger is everything okay?" He said concern. Listening to Roger bellow out his revelation.
" Regina and Ryder are half brother and sister." He repeated laughing over the phone.
" Yes ." said Christopher missing the situation.
" Regina and Ryder are well not being .brother and sisterly towards each other." Silence then
" Oh that is disgusting." Realized Christopher.
" Thank you Christopher you gave me just what I needed to get her to retract her claws. " He said hanging up the phone with a sinister look on his face.
Victoria and Regina stared at each other with discontent. Ryder sat on the sofa with a glass in his hand. Roger walked around like a vulture in the law office and accessed the atmosphere.
" Can you get on with this. I have better things to do than sit here ." Said Regina still in her dramatically overdone black mourning attire. She was going to milk this mourning widow thing to its last drop.
" Like attend your husband's funeral." Snapped Victoria .
" Your heartless." Regina teared up reaching for a handkerchief in her clutch now.
" You got a hand fan in there too when you pass out for exhaustion ?" Mused Victoria .
" Ladies. Can't we all just get along. After all we are all family here." Roger said in a condescending way.
" The hell we are." Gripped Regina now dry eyed.
Roger pulled out the paper from his file on his desk . As he slowly approached Regina as he looked down at her.
" What are you looking at? She glared at Roger .
" Regina do you remember who your birth parents are ? He quizzed.
" What are you talking about about? Brian and Camela Toosley ." She snapped not liking his tone.
" Tisk.tisk.tisk." he laughed. " Is that was what the Toosley's told you ? " He spatted.
" That's what I know." She huffed.
" Victoria . Do you want to tell her or shall I ? " He turned on Victoria now approaching her.
Victoria sucked in her breath . As she knew what he might know but wasn't ready to relinquish her power if he was bluffing her.
" Let me make this simple for you. Her and Ryder are sleeping together and it might be his child." Roger said unapologetically.
Victoria glared at Ryder then Regina . Her eyes widened as she began to sweat.
" Fine . I guess I will tell her." Roger mused.
" No. " Victoria hissed.
" Ryder ." He yelled as Victoria's eyes widened in fear.
" Did you know you mother had a personal business when she was younger. " Roger said casually.
" Really what kind of business?" Chimed Ryder.
" Please don't ." Pleaded Victoria.
" Yes Victoria what kind of business." Chimed in Roger.
" I was an escort." Whispered Victoria below audible hearing.
" Say it louder for all to hear." Sang Roger now gleaming.
" I was an escort. Are you happy ?" She yelled at Roger.
Ryders' eyes contemplated the phrase and eyes widened as he jumped up.
" Mother !" He exclaimed." Were you still escorting when you met my father? "Ryder vexed.
"Yes." Victoria admitted defeated.
" That is very amusing , Roger but not surprising considering who we are talking about. But why I want to know is what does that have to do with my parents? " Snipped Regina.
" You were born . Regina Deveroe . Not Regina Toosley ." Roger said not taking his eyes off of Victoria.
" Hey mother isn't that your name. Victoria Deveroe? " No clicking the name said Ryder." Mother why do you two have the same name?" He asked now realizing his thoughts.
Regina's eye shot wide open. When she realized what it meant . She narrowed her eyes at Victoria viciously.
" Your my mother!" She looked at Roger ." Lies all lies . Roger this is a new low for you. There is no way she can be my mother." She demanded. Roger handed her the copy of her original birth certificate. Regina eyes went wide. Then Ryder looked at it and backed away.
" Regina is my sister. " He sat down." We did stuff like bad stuff. I slept with my sister . I'm having a baby with my sister. I have broken so many laws right now. I feel ugh inbred." Cried Ryder .
" Regina told you it was your baby too. Wow you sure do have some mother like daughter traits." Smirked Roger." And she is your half sister so it's still bad ." Chuckled Roger .
" I'm my son brother." Said Ryder not pouring another drink." I need a drink now." Gripped Ryder.
" Relax . I didn't start sleeping with Ryder until after I found out I was pregnant. " Regina snipped.
" Oh so I'm not a daddy brother. Whew !" He sighed in relief.
" That is the only obvious concern right now. I found out I'm not even a Toosley . I was sold and wasn't even their own daughter. " Regina stated.
" Oh that bothers you more than relations with your half brother?" Snipped Victoria.
" Had you not been the way you are I wouldn't be in this situation. What are you a pass and go escort service. Don't they teach you to prevent pregnancy? Yelled Regina.
" Darling Regina why do you think the Toosleys' only had one child?" Quizzed Roger .
" Because perfection was already made in me." Said Regina snooty and aimable .
" You have a very high opinion of yourself .but that is incorrect. The Toosley couldn't have kids so they adopted you from mommy dearest here. Correction she sold you to them to buy her freedom from the Toosleys' . She was their persuader of sorts. Some people do business when they are well satisfied." He said looking at Victoria smiling
"But thanks Victoria for playing the game . I didn't know you were a professional hooker. I was under the impression you just sold your baby for money." Chucked Roger .
Victoria hauled off and slapped Roger . Angry he made her reveal her darkest secret. She was furious that her children were what they were doing. Roger began to laugh insanely.
" Regina and Ryder my my you like the same names is obvious." Roger pointed out.
" What do you want for this information to stay quiet Roger ?" Now taxing Regina.
" Loyalty. You will fall in line and do things my way. Because if you don't I will let the world know how well you all know each other. From the call girl to the adopted broke girl her parents sold her to pay their debts to the idiot who slept with his sister. Even down to the Zehetii their that isn't a Zehetii at all. You three will do as I say for the sake of your own reputations." Roger said looking at all of them.
" How much does this loyalty cost." Pointed out Regina.
" Smart girl. You fooled me in killing your husband ,and pulled the whose the father of the baby game. You fool me again I will put you down . But since you made this about monetary gain. Sure I was fifty percent of all of you make while working for me." Roger dictated.
" Fifty percent. That's highway robbery." Fussed Victoria.
" Is it . The price for secrets to come to light is free of charge. Your choice . Fifty percent or I sing." Stated Roger now looking at all three. Holding their future in his hand.
" Now we are all on the same page and the negotiations are done. Now our true work can begin." Stated Roger .
" Regina . You are to stay away from Ryder. Your past sins are forgiven. You will name that baby Gregory Jr. Because you will inherit from his father's name. I want twenty five percent of his life insurance policy since you made me do all your dirty work. And you will never seduce me ,don't even think of seducing me in fact don't lay one single body part on me ever again. If you touch me again I will end you myself . Are we clear?" He said leaning down to face her . Regina mouth crinkle up in hatred .
" Don't frown. I have plans for you my little succubus. You and your fine acting skills. We don't need wrinkles on the pretty little face. The most deadliest poison is the prettiest flower." Growled Roger at Regina.
" Ryder you will persue Bethany. You will keep your ear to the ground of her location. You will secure us allies to help carry out our plans . You will make sure our money keeps coming.We will succeed or fail because of your efforts. And the next time you step out on your own I will know. You don't eat. You don't sleep. You don't breathe without my say so." He said narrowing his eyes at the young man drinking his thind glass of whisky.
" Sober up man. And you will never step one foot in that filthy disease infected club you go to waste money that is now mine . I catch you there I will burn it down with you inside. " He said as Ryder put the glass down. Now sulking in his subtle resistance.
" And you Victoria. You are a very beautiful woman . When I call you. No matter the time or day. You will show me those skills that your so trained in. " He smiled looking her up and down.
" I will not be your." She started to say and Roger put his finger on her lips to stop her.
" Did you think I was going to pay you like your previous clients? No this is an arrangement I have been waiting to exploit since I first layed eyes on you. I always knew you wanted to be important. Play your cards right and I'll make you my queen." He said brushing his lips against hers.
" You'll warm up to me." She said caressing her face.
What is the one thing we all have in common ? " Boasted Roger sitting in his chair now.
" We are all idiots." Said Ryder.
" We are all bastards. None of us hold any real power because of circumstances of birth. We were all born unto very powerful lineage . All the perks but none of the glory. We may not have an empire of our very own, but if we play our cards right. We will take all these empires . And we will die glorious . We will be remembered. We will start our new hierarchy . Today we take what we were denied because of our parents." Roger said like a calculated king addressing his country.
All three of the people stared at each other . In silent nod they pleaded loyalty for silence. Roger stood up. Regina mad , Victoria shamed, and Ryder whipped. This was his banded army of rejects.
"Okay. Let's go we have a funeral to attend too."
He said as they walked out of the office together. Aligned with a new agenda . Today a new faction was born . Today Roger was no longer a loyal servant to the Grigori family. Today he became a king .