The alarm went off all too soon for Axel. He ignored it for a few seconds and then sat up with a sigh.
Ever since he and Reese had divorced things had gone downhill. For starters his dad had all but disowned him and cut him off from all his accounts and credit cards. Axel's dad also sold the house he had bought for Axel and Reese. Axel now worked two full time jobs just to make ends meet. That wasn't including all the jobs that Sinbad Rotter was having him do.
If Axel wasn't so terrified of Sinbad, he would quit working for him. As it was, Axel had a hunch Sinbad had wanted him to die the very first job he was forced to do. He also had a feeling Sinbad would have no guilt in killing Andrea. Axel would continue to do Sinbad's bidding, not just for his life but for Andrea and the baby's life as well. Baby. He recalled when Cassidy was a baby and grew sadder. If he had only known then what he knew now, he would have never gone near Andrea. At least, that is what he told himself. Cannon had warned him about Andrea and he had ignored his best friend. Rather than dwell on the past, Axel hurried out the door to meet up with Sinbad.
Sinbad stood in front of the courthouse, smiling as Axel approached. "Your late. Don't ever be late again." Axel nodded, burying his hands in his pockets. He really dislikes Sinbad. Axel had grown up a spoiled rich kid and Sinbad had reduced him to a common criminal. He wondered if their was an elixir to kill fae. He would have to look into it.
Sinbad spoke. "Third floor, second office, safe. We should be okay for the next thirty minutes so hurry." Axel nodded and headed toward the closed building.
As he entered the room he pondered how unsafe the situation with Sinbad was growing. He knew of people who owed Sinbad simoleons who disappeared and were never heard of again. He owed Sinbad a lot more than money. Sinbad claimed Axel had disrespected his family. Axel couldn't disagree with that. He had cheated on Reese, with Andrea and was suffering the consequences. There was a small comfort in knowing Sinbad would never hurt his granddaughter, Reese.
As Axel bent to open the safe he wondered if Reese knew her grandfather was threatening him and forcing him to rob and break into places. He doubted it. His heart sank as he realized that even though he had been a horrible husband, Reese would defend him, even to Sinbad. The guilt was nearly overwhelming and he pushed it to the back of his mind as he opened the safe.
Han Bentley aged into an adult! He had been so nervous for today and now that he finally was an adult he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he shouldn't handle the legacy. He would track down Sydnee and beg her to pick another heir.
Han explained to his mom that he didn't think he could handle it. He explained all his reasons. He was a misunderstood artist, he didn't have a girlfriend and his lifetime want was popularity, not to have a bunch of children! Sydnee listened patiently, a smile tugging the corner of her lips. "Han, while I appreciate what you think, I am naming you heir." Before he could protest she continued. "Han, I wanted to be a creature robot cross breeder!
I thought Xander or Zane would have been better legacy holders than me but my mom chose me, like I'm choosing you. Its not like you have to take over the legacy tomorrow! Just be willing to when its time." Han felt relieved after talking to his mom. He began to realize that he didn't need to take over the legacy right now, he could ease into it. That thought alone was a comfort to him.
The next day Selah was having a jam session with Jace. She had decided they could be friends after all. Tina and Miranda had backed off and school was going better. Selah's grades were also going up. Her parents had bought her a guitar to celebrate. Jace was a seasoned guitar player and he gave her lessons after school most days.
"You really should think about joining my band, you are pretty good." Jace admitted one day. Selah thought a minute. "I'm not sure if I could keep up." Jace scoffed. "Your practically teaching me now! Just think about it, okay?" Selah nodded and then...
Jace pulled her into a kiss! Selah wasn't expecting it and had never kissed a boy before! Embarrassment flushed her cheeks and she pulled away.
"What was that?!" She threw her hands up. Jace looked equally upset. "Sorry, I just I don't know...I couldn't help it." He looked apologetic but Selah wouldn't budge. "Why are you trying to ruin everything? Your my first friend! I don't want that to change." Jace countered. "So your saying we couldn't date and be friends?"
Li Li entered the room. She had heard them arguing and thought she should check on them. "Everything okay?"
Selah was still mad at Jace. "Everything is fine. Jace was just leaving."
Li Li gave Jace a sharp look as he left. Jace felt very confused! He had wanted to just be Selah's friend...or that's what he had wanted at first. And kissing her! He felt bad, he had gone about it all wrong. He would apologize to Selah again after she had some time to cool down.
Reese had just gotten home from work and dismissed the babysitter. Cassidy was fast asleep. Reese glanced at the counter at the unpaid bills and wiped a tear from her eye. She was trying her best to get the bills paid but she couldn't seem to keep up. She knew her dad and Sydnee would help but she was embarrassed to ask them. Reese wanted to be able to do one thing right on her own!
Axel wasn't even paying child support at this point. Reese had already called him once about it, because they were nearly out of groceries. Axel had hung up the phone on her. Feeling desperate, she flipped open her phone to call Sydnee when there was a knock at the door.
It was her father-in-law er ex father-in-law, Jeff. "Hi, um, I hope I'm not intruding." Reese looked at Jeff and was amazed how much Axel looked like him. Unlike Axel, he was very considerate and always tried to be polite. "Um, no its fine." She felt ashamed of the tiny house she and Cassidy were living in. "I was just wondering if I could help you with anything. I know, well I'm sure Axel hasn't been paying child support so can I help you?" Reese wanted to say yes but at the same time felt mortified about asking for help.
Jeff seemed to understand. "Reese, I consider you my daughter and always will. Cassidy is my only grandchild, please, let me help with something." Reese finally relented. "I can't keep up with my bills." She stifled the urge to cry.
Jeff walked to the counter and glanced at the bills up. "I will take care of these." Jeff paused. "I'll try to track Axel down so he can start paying child support. I cut him off from my money so it may take longer for him to catch up." Reese was surprised that Jeff had taken such a drastic step. Jeff had always catered to Axel and had never cut him off completely from his money.
Jeff gave Reese a hug. "Keep your head up, kiddo. Things can only get better from here on out."
As Jeff left he felt enraged with Axel. His son had a very comfortable life growing up and had been an only child. Jeff realized now that giving into everything Axel had wanted as a child had made him a selfish human being. He knew Axel could care less how Reese and Cassidy were living and it made him infuriated. He would make sure Axel would understand the consequences of his actions the only way he knew how. Jeff decided he would change his will.
End of Part 17
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