Mrs. Adam Carrington

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Last year, I finished a Dynasty 1980 rewatch. I had first started watching this show when I was 10 or 11, and by the time it went off of the air, I was out of high school and not very engaged in the program. But I do remember that the last season I liked, had Kathleen Beller and Pamela Sue Martin playing their respective roles of Kirby Anders Colby and Fallon Carrington Colby.

I liked Catherine Oxenberg as well and many others, but by season six, I found myself not watching it as much as I used to. So the rewatch has been eye opening. I have merged characters that were from different seasons, brought people back from the dead and tried to give Adam and Kirby a life together. I know the pairing is controversial, but I thought Kathleen was the only actress Gordon Thomson had any chemistry with on the show.

***

BACKSTORY:

In this alternate reality story, the child that Kirby Anders and Adam Carrington conceived did not die. Audrina Alicia Carrington spends months in an incubator before finally getting the okay to go home. Adam insisted on marrying Kirby while she was still in the hospital, and Kirby, who didn’t want her child to be illegitimate, nor did she want to deny her her true Carrington roots, agreed to it. And she agreed to it, after talking to Blake, who wanted his family together. And he wanted his first granddaughter under his roof.

But the idea of being Mrs. Adam Carrington, and the reality of it, turn out to be very different for Kirby. Beginning with Jeff’s finding Fallon(the irreplaceable Pamela Sue Martin), and Fallon’s accusation against Adam, accusing him of attempting to rape her the night she was supposed to marry Jeff. While Kirby is fully aware of what Adam is capable of, she is suspicious of Fallon’s story and of her suddenly being ‘found’.

Then there is Alexis’s sister, Caress, and her book, ’Sister Dearest’ that she is putting the finishing touches on. Caress has added an extra chapter about Alexis and Fallon. The ‘Fallon’ part insinuates that Fallon ran out on Jeff the night of their wedding and into the arms of Farouk Ahmed, the brother of Rashid Ahmed. The ‘Alexis’ extra chapter is pretty bad as well. It alleges that Alexis was still involved with King Galen of Moldavia, while she was married to Blake and that first born son, Adam, is also the true first born son of King Galen…

***

It was a quiet morning on the Carrington estate grounds, as Kirby pushed Audrina’s stroller. She wore a dark blue, zip up sweat suit and her braided hair hung over one shoulder. Adam was by her side, dressed in a black, zip up sweat suit. His arm encircled his wife’s slender waist as they walked with Audrina.

Adam himself, had never been more in love. Or this happy. He knew that Kirby wasn’t quite at that point yet, but he was encouraged by something that had happened between them recently. Something that he knew he had Fallon to thank for.

Jeff had went out to California, after finding Fallon very much alive and with Miles Colby. It was then, that Fallon had some flashback of Adam’s supposedly trying to rape her before her wedding to Jeff, hence causing her to run off.

Adam vehemently denied it, and most people remembered that Adam had actually been at the hospital with Kirby and Audrina when the wedding was supposed to take place. Kirby especially remembered that Adam was with her! This accusation also came out a couple of weeks before they brought Audrina home, and Kirby was livid! Livid at Fallon’s gall, and hurt for Adam, who never missed a day of coming to see his little girl in her incubator.

Kirby had went to see Adam that night at his office to tell him that SHE believed in him! They ended up naked in his office chair, as Kirby impaled herself over and over again upon Adam’s engorged heat , groaning and continuously plunging until they both cried out, when their passion commingled, violently, and threatened to consume them both.

After, they both were of the same mind: that being protecting Audrina’s place in the Carrington family. Luckily, Fallon ‘remembered’ that she was wrong and all seemed to be forgiven. Adam was gracious, but cautious.

Kirby wasn’t gracious at all and had nothing to say to Fallon, or Jeff, for that matter! And Audrina…Audrina was the baby she didn’t even know she loved until she almost lost her. Until Adam and her had almost lost her. Kirby had been surprised by the depth of Adam’s caring for Audrina…and her. That was when Kirby decided that she was going to make the best life for Audrina she could, here within the house her father Joseph Anders, had run, and with the family he had helped care for.

Audrina was now one of them. She was a Carrington. And nothing, including that ridiculous sister of Alexis’s, was going to ruin that.

It was as if Adam knew what she was thinking, as she felt his arm tighten around around her middle. His hand slip upwards and cupped on of her braless breasts through the fabric of her sweatsuit. She felt the blood rush to her head momentarily, while her own hands tightened on the handle of Audrina’s stroller. Adam had said he was hoping to give Audrina a sibling in a year or two…

They rounded a bend and the Carrington mansion came into full view. It was then that Adam said something quite unexpected.

“If Jeff and Fallon ever return here, I want us to leave.” he said firmly.

Kirby stopped walking and pulled out of his hold. She checked on Audrina, who was peacefully asleep, before confronting Adam.

“Why? Because you think I’m still in love with Jeff? He never loved me. And he is no threat to what we have, Adam.”

Adam placed his hands on her small shoulders.

“I am thinking of you, Kirby. I don’t think it’s healthy to live in the same house with your ex husband, or HIS ex-wife. I thought Jeff was sick to make you stay here under those circumstances…”

Adam was cut off when a car sped by them and barreled towards the circular drive! Adam and Kirby peered towards the house and saw Elena, Duchess of Branagh, park her rental and get out. She then walked over to the front door, which was answered by Gerard. And from what could be seen, as they drew closer, was that Gerard was not moving to let her in!

Kirby actually liked Amanda and wished she had grown up with her. And she felt for the newest Moldavian Princess…not that Amanda was allowed to be one. Kirby thanked God that Adam and her had stayed here with Audrina, while the rest of the family went to Moldavia. The idea of dying and never getting to raise Audrina, gave Kirby chills! And she did not know what to make of Caress’s accusation about Adam’s paternity. Blake was ignoring it and Adam didn’t believe it.

But Prince Michael was a bit put off by the whole thing. He never had much to say to Adam…or anyone really. Blake had put him to work at running La Mirage, leaving Amanda on her own most days…and nights…

That brought Kirby’s line of thought to Michael #2. Michael Culhane, the former chauffeur for the Carrington family and one of Fallon’s former lover’s, that had taken an interest in Amanda.

And Amanda in him.

Kirby, for the life of her, did not understand WHY Blake would have hired Michael Culhane back here? He started working here just as she left for school in Paris, years ago, so she never knew him all that well. Not like Fallon…or apparently Amanda. Blake hired him, then fired him over Amanda and some kind of shady business deal. Kirby was unsure about all of that. She did think it was best that Michael Culhane and Prince Michael not live on the same grounds as one another. And Kirby suspected that the guest house that Michael used to live in when he worked here, was now some kind of love nest for him and Amanda.

Kirby’s thoughts returned to the present, as Elena turned away from Gerard and an approaching Blake, to face Adam and herself as they walked up to the door with Audrina. Elena smiled up at Adam in a way that Kirby realized she did NOT appreciate!

“Your Highness. The true first born son of King Galen of Moldavia. There are people that want you to sit on the throne. And they want you by his side, Princess Kirby and the baby princess…of course.” Elena said, bowing.

Now, to be honest, in that brief moment, Kirby suddenly didn’t mind Elena at all or her bowing! Jeanette came to the door as well and took charge of the Audrina’s carriage, while Blake dealt with Elena!

“Leave here at once! Michael and Amanda are going through a hard enough time without your adding this ‘fantasy’ to it! Adam is MY son! And Audrina is MY granddaughter!”

Elena was not one to make a scene. She backed away from the door and turned away to return to her rental car. She had not quite accomplished what she had hoped, and yet, she sensed she had put something into Adam Carrington’s head.

Blake slammed the door and turned to skulk over to a phone in the hallway! He punched some numbers quickly and got Caress Morrell on the line.

“Caress, this is Blake. I want you to see you in my office today.”

Caress, on her end, was sitting up, nude in the bed she had shared with Walt Lankershim…a rather randy, old fellow that she had spent the night with for more information about Alexis! It turned out Walt remembered dancing with Alexis once at a party at the mansion and that was all! He had tricked her into bed, and her hand tightened on the phone, as she took in his Santa like belly during the now light of day! She ran a hand through her hair.

“Blake, you sound cross…”

“Do I? I thought you were just writing a book on Alexis! You have dragged my children into this! I want to see you at nine!”

“Blake…”

“Be there or I’m going to sue you! Are we clear?!” Blake snapped and hung up on her. He calmed down and turned back to Adam and Kirby.

“Father, no one believes any of this. And the Moldavians are desperate. That shell of a government is failing and so is Caress.” Adam told Blake.

“This book is hurting people in this family. I won’t stand for it any longer.” Blake said before turning away and walking into the dining room. Kirby could see that Krystle and Krystina, who was six months, were already in there. Kirby started to head in there, but Adam slipped his arm around his wife’s waist and walked up the staircase with her.

“Adam,” Kirby breathed, “what if there is some truth to what Caress is saying? Your father threw your mother out of his life for cheating! Fallon once thought Cecil Colby was her father!”

Adam stopped walking and Kirby felt the gentle pressure from his lips on hers.

“Do you really think that if my mother could have claimed me to a king, she wouldn’t have? The whole thing is beyond ridiculous. Now I have been waiting all morning to be with you.” Adam told her and his arm resumed it’s preemptory hold around her. They continued their trek up the stairs but Kirby couldn’t quite get Elena’s visit out of her mind.

“Adam, maybe you should talk to your mother…”

Adam’s arm tightened around her middle!

“Audrina is Blake Carrington’s first born granddaughter. That is the only thing that matters right now.” Adam said as they reached their room and he closed the door firmly. And soon, what began between them over a year ago, happened again as Adam and Kirby’s clothes slipped off of them and to the floor, and Adam covered his large body over Kirby’s smaller one.

Adam entered Kirby slowly, burying himself deeply inside of her and was soon pumping smoothly and sensuously. Kirby found herself forgetting about everything, as she was unable to deny the fire that had always been between them. They both exploded with passion and Kirby continued moving with Adam again and again, while now kissing him intensely. Long moments later, Adam rolled off of her, but pulled her to him until her head rested on his shoulder.

“Mother has told me that she plans to buy the publishing company that Caress has sold the book to. It will never see the light of day.” he whispered. Kirby started to say something, but Adam kissed her softly on the mouth, stopping her.

“It will never see the light of day.” he repeated. Kirby nodded against him, not completely satisfied that the problem was over, but figuring that between her husband and her mother-in-law, they could handle Caress Morrell.

***

CALIFORNIA-

Fallon was more than a bit curious as to how and why Jeff and herself had ended up at a soiree on Zach Powers estate. Miles was there with some woman, that Jeff had told her, used to teach at her nephew Danny’s preschool in Colorado, named Clarice Prentice. Fallon was sure Miles had dug this woman up to show off in front of her or something. But she didn’t have time for Miles. She hadn’t had time for him in quite awhile. Not that it would matter much longer.

Jeff and her were re-marrying. Hopefully back in Colorado. Fallon did not consider California her home and yet, with all that her dear ’Auntie Caress’ was digging up about their family, they might be better off having a nice, quiet ceremony here.

Fallon’s eyes wandered as she stood next to Jeff. His arm was draped around her waist, holding her to him, and she knew that he never wanted to let her go again. Fallon herself, never wanted to leave him again. And yet, she knew that Caress’s allegation about her running off with Farouk Ahmed, bothered Jeff. And that was the last thing Fallon wanted or needed right now.

Her eyes wandered again and fell upon her Aunt Dominique and her fiancee, Garrett Boydston, who was Jason Colby’s attorney. They both stared unhappily at their daughter, Jackie, who was talking to Zach Powers. But Fallon knew that Jackie talking to Zack Powers, was not the problem.

It was Jackie and her ‘date’, talking to Zach Powers, that Dominique and Garrett had an issue with. And the man she was with, was named Jonathan Lake. He was much older, worked for the State Department and had once dated Dominique! Jonathan slipped an arm around Jackie’s trim, nineteen year old waist, as they left Zach and walked over to talk to another group of people. Fallon noticed that Zachary gave Dominique and Garrett a look…

No. He had given Dominique only, a look.

Fallon excused herself from Jeff and a friend of his mother’s, to go and freshen up. She walked down a garden path and was almost to the house, when Miles came out of nowhere, grabbed her arm and corralled her in to a thicket of nearby woods! Fallon did not fight his grip until they were surrounded by foliage. It was then that she took the opportunity to wriggle away from him!

“What do you want, Miles? It’s over. I told you that. I’m sorry if you got hurt…” Fallon began in a calm, level tone of voice.

“You’re going to be the one that’s sorry, if you return to Denver with Jeff.” Miles said warningly. His tone was also calm.

Fallon scoffed at his words, and that was when Miles grabbed onto her her white, halter dress and ripped it down to her waist, exposing her bare breasts! But Fallon did not blink an eye. She simply covered her breasts protectively.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop me. Now I could scream and then Jeff would come running, and you would lose yet another fight to him. You are good at that.” Fallon purred.

Miles grinned!

“Or I could tell Jeff that I saw you, before I met you, at the Kentucky Derby. With Farouk Ahmed.”

Fallon didn’t blink.

“I’m sure you are mistaken.” she replied dryly.

“I’m sure I’m not.” Miles grinned.

“No one believes my bitter aunt. She’s been in prison. So there’s jailbird Aunt Caress and loser you, telling the same lies about me. Caress is jealous of my mother and you’re jealous of Jeff.”

“And there’s Ahmed. I think if I dangled the right business deal in front of his nose, he’d back me up.” Miles told her.

“You mean if Jason dangled a business deal in front of him, don’t you? I doubt anyone in the Ahmed family would take a call from just you. Now can I go? I need to find a couple of safety pins for my dress. That you ripped.” Fallon said drolly.

Miles was about to make it clearer than clear, that if Fallon did not come back to him, he was going to tell Jeff that he’d seen her with Ahmed. But then he started to really think about what the hell he was doing here!

Miles had seen Fallon with Ahmed. That proved nothing. They had been watching a horse race…

Miles decided to move out of the way so that Fallon could walk past him and back to the house. He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration! He had overplayed his hand. But had Caress Morell?

Miles decided he was going to ask his mother, Sable, to get in touch with her dear cousin and find out what she knew, exactly, about Fallon and Farouk Ahmed.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 2

It was early afternoon, when Gerard told Kirby that she had a phone call. Kirby thanked him and answered to the last person she ever wanted to speak to in this life.

Alexis.

“Kirby dear, it’s Alexis. I was thinking that we should have lunch today. Why don’t we meet at La Mirage around one?”

“Oh I’m sorry, Alexis, but I can’t. I’m having lunch with Krystle.”

That was a lie.

“Oh. Well maybe tomorrow then?”

“Audrina has a pediatrician appointment.” Kirby said, continuing to lie. Yes, Audrina had an appointment, but it wasn’t tomorrow.

“Kirby dear,” Alexis began in a scolding tone, “now whether we like it or not, we are family. And I have a right to be a part of Audrina’s life…”

“You killed my father.” Kirby said in a cold tone. “And don’t try and go around me to Adam. I don’t want to see you and I don’t want my daughter near you.”

Kirby hung up and sighed. She knew Alexis would go running to Adam about what she had said. Kirby decided she would deal with it when Adam confronted her over it.

She turned and stopped short!

Krystle had been standing there the whole time! Kirby looked down. She liked Krystle and she felt bad including her in that lie she told to Alexis.

“How much did you overhear?” Kirby asked quietly.

“Enough to know that we have a lunch date today.” Krystle said with a wry smile.

Kirby did not bother to hide her guilty facial expression.

“I’m sorry to drag you into my problems with Alexis. I just…I can’t deal with her right now. This whole thing about Adam’s possibly being King Galen’s son is…I guess it’s weighing on my mind.” Kirby admitted.

Krystle reached for Kirby’s hands and clasped them within her own.

“I know Caress seems…well…destructive. But Alexis let her rot in a foreign prison for something she did not do. I think this whole ‘Adam could be King Galen’s son’ is just a way to sell more books. There is nothing to this.” Krystle said firmly.

Kirby didn’t want to argue with Krystle, but she remembered hearing about a time when Alexis alleged that Fallon was the late Cecil Colby’s child, just so she could get back at Blake. The woman had no qualms about hurting her children to get what she wanted. And Kirby did not want Adam or Audrina hurt by Caress’s allegations.

The phone in the hallway rang again and Gerard answered it. He quickly looked at Krystle, before setting down the phone again.

“Mrs. Carrington, Miss Devereaux is calling for you.”

Krystle frowned and let go of Kirby’s hands to walk over to the phone. It was as Krystle picked it up, that the front door opened and Amanda came in, wearing a white, half length fur.

Amanda gave Kirby a smile as she swept through the front hall and towards the stairs. She glanced over at Krystle and heard Dominique’s name being spoken.

“Is everything alright?” Amanda asked casually.

Kirby decided that now was the time to have a quiet chat with her sister-in-law about this ‘Moldavian Heir’ business.

“Elena came by here this morning. She was talking about how Adam is the first born son of Galen…again. It upset Blake and I am sure Michael cannot be too pleased.” Kirby began.

Amanda shrugged.

“He is not pleased. No one is. Mummy swears her sister is lying just to sell a book. I wouldn’t worry about it, Kirby.” she said and began to walk towards the stairs.

But Kirby had more to say.

“Elena bowed to us, Amanda. If your husband had actually been home, he would not have liked it.” Kirby warned her. It was on the tip of her tongue to add that if Amanda had been here in this house this morning, instead of with Michael Culhane, this wouldn’t have to be explained to her.

Amanda turned away from the staircase and faced Kirby.

“Michael has shut me out of all things that are royal. He has shut me out of his life in general, Kirby. I cannot make him do anything. I cannot even talk to him.” Amanda said, just as Krystle approached them. She had finished up her call and heard Amanda’s rather sad sounding words.

“I think the three of us should go to lunch—someplace else other than La Mirage.” Krystle said with a soft smile. Kirby and Amanda smiled back at her, unaware that Krystle’s phone call with Dominique had been worrisome. So much so that Dominique was flying to Denver alone so that she could speak to Blake and Krystle—alone.

****

DENVER CARRINGTON-

Alexis knew she would have to choose her words carefully, when she spoke to Adam about Kirby. She stepped off of the elevator and headed straight to her oldest son’s office. It was as she was nearing the door, that Alexis stopped short, when Adam’s secretary, a decidedly uninteresting woman named, Dana Waring, stepped out and smiled at her.

“Mrs. Dexter! You startled me!”

“Yes, well is my son in?” Alexis asked, trying to hide her boredom.

“Yes, he is. It was good to see you.” Dana said and scurried past her. Alexis murmured an appropriate, polite response before pushing the office door open. Adam was at his desk, looking over some papers. He looked up when his mother walked in, then slammed the door behind her!

“Mother? To what do I owe the pleasure?” Adam asked. He set his papers down and stood up, buttoning his suit jacket.

“Your insolent wife is why I am here, darling! I invited Kirby to lunch and was rudely turned down. Your wife is keeping me from Audrina! Now I expect you to do something about her.”

“Mother,” Adam said in a chastising tone, “let us not pretend as if you do not know why Kirby does not like you. She blames you for her father’s death.”

“Darling, really! Did I specifically tell Joseph to kill himself? No! And I would have never REALLY told Kirby anything about her mother.”

“And yet you did.” Adam said wryly. Personally, he didn’t think that this problem was something that couldn’t be worked out. Over time. Time being the operative word.

“Alright, Adam. I know that it is on me to try to make amends. And I am willing to do that…to a certain extent. But Kirby has to try too! She’s trying to make Krystle Audrina’s grandmother and I won’t have it!” Alexis huffed.

Adam walked over to his mother and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Kirby knows you are Audrina’s grandmother. I will deal with my wife. And I want you to deal with Caress.” Adam said pointedly.

Alexis raised a brow.

“Come now, darling, is it really so terrible that people think that you could be the next rightful King of Moldavia?”

“Mother,” Adam warned, “you almost died over there because of terrorists that were unhappy with King Galen. I don’t want them thinking that they can somehow put me on the throne. Do something about your sister.”

“Adam, I would never put you in that kind of danger. And I have already purchased the publishing house that has agreed to circulate that piece of trash. Caress’s book will never see the light of day.” Alexis said in a soothing tone.

Adam slowly removed his hands from his mother’s shoulders.

“I am very happy to hear that, Mother. This whole thing isn’t just distressing to me. Father is unhappy that there is any question of my paternity. He confided in me about that ‘thing’ with Fallon, years ago.”

Alexis rolled her eyes!

“Oh he did, did he? It is just like your father to blame me for something that I have nothing to do with! I cannot help it, if my sister writes outright lies about me!”

Now Adam lifted a brow!

“Somehow, Mother, I think you can. I don’t know exactly what is going on between you two, but you need to resolve it before it hurts Kirby or Audrina. Because if it does, Kirby and I will have to do what it takes to protect our daughter.”

Alexis sensed a threat. But she told herself she would deal with Adam and Kirby…or more specifically, Kirby, when the appropriate moment came. She smiled at Adam, patting his face, as her thoughts wandered to her other son. Steven and Claudia’s marriage was falling apart. People were coming between them. Alexis planned to head back over to ColbyCo and speak with Steven about it, when the time was right. Steven, who might be a bit more amiable to listening to her than Adam was.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 3

DENVER COUNTRY CLUB-

Kirby, Krystle and Amanda’s lunch, turned out to be more interesting than any of the three of them could have ever imagined.

Steven was there with none other than Elena, Duchess of Branagh! Amanda’s eyes were on them while Krystle stared at Daniel Reece and Claudia, whom were being seated. Steven did not appear to notice his wife and Daniel. And from what Krystle could see, Claudia did not seem to be aware of her husband’s royal companion.

Amanda slowly stood up.

“I plan to find out just what that woman is up to.” she said and approached Steven’s table. Elena looked up and gave her a look that Amanda could not quite read. It wasn’t the usual mocking smile, as if Elena somehow knew she could take Prince Michael from her. No. This was something else.

Steven stood up to greet his sister and noticed Kirby and Krystle at their table. He clenched his jaw slightly, something Amanda noticed.

“Steven? What in the world are you doing here with this woman?” Amanda asked coolly.

Elena rose and did not bow.

“Amanda. Say hello to Prince Michael for me.” Elena said before walking away and towards Krystle and Kirby’s table. But Krystle, who found the sight of Daniel and Claudia at their table, disturbing, rose and walked over to them. That left Kirby to face Elena for the second time this day. And Elena made it a point of bowing to her, yet again, before asking if she could join her. Kirby nodded and Elena sat in the chair Amanda had been seated in.

“It is Amanda you should bowing to, not me,” Kirby sighed, “and I am not interested in being pulled into the middle of whatever is going on here. You want Prince Michael back and are using whatever Caress Morrell is up to, to achieve that.”

“Your Highness,” Elena said, as if she had not heard a word Kirby had said, “I did not bow to Amanda because she is no longer a princess. Prince Michael is no longer a prince. Everyone knows that Alexis Dexter has the morals of an alley cat. It is very possible that your husband is the true Prince of Moldavia. The terrorist regime of ’New Moldavia’ is keeping King Galen prisoner…or has killed him. No one knows for sure. And there are people that want Adam on that throne.”

“Adam does not want to be King. Or a Prince. He is still struggling to be acknowledged by Blake…his real father. Now I am going to ask you to leave this table.” Kirby said firmly.

Elena stood up and bowed again.

“As you wish, Your Highness. But just know that that you cannot run from your destiny. And neither can Adam.” she said solemnly before walking away. Meanwhile, Steven and Amanda watched Elena leave the restaurant, before continuing their rather appalling conversation.

“My God, Steven! You have to know that she is lying, do you not?” Amanda asked, unable to believe what her brother had just told her.

“Krystle saw Galen alive but unwell. And yet most people seem to believe he is dead. It is entirely possible that Luke survived as well. Elena swears he is being kept prisoner along with Galen.” Steven said in a low tone.

Amanda pursed her lips before responding.

“Steven, you watched Luke die. Claudia and you have been able to repair your marriage and make a life with Danny. Elena is lying and can’t be trusted. Has she offered some proof?”

Steven nodded and Amanda looked at him with surprise. He reached into his jacket pocket and produced an envelope. He handed it to Amanda and she reluctantly opened it. Inside, was a picture of Luke Fuller, looking like hell, sitting in a chair. The next picture was of King Galen, lying on a bed with his eyes closed. Amanda could not tell if he was alive or just asleep.

There was another picture. One of a young, blonde woman. She looked like she was about twenty.

“Who is this?” Amanda asked Steven.

Steven cleared his throat before answering.

“That is Lindsey Blaisdel. She is the daughter of a man named Matthew Blaisdel. Claudia was once married to him and we all thought Matthew and Lindsey had been killed.”

“Claudia was married to him when everyone thought he died?” Amanda asked uneasily.

Steven nodded.

“Amanda, Elena is offering to negotiate the return of either Luke or Lindsey, if I convince Adam to take some kind of blood test.”

“Luke or Lindsey. But not both?” Amanda asked quietly. The picture of Luke could have been faked and who knew if this woman really was Claudia’s daughter? Amanda stopped looking at the picture and turned to stare over at Daniel Reece’s table briefly, before looking at Steven again. She handed him back the photograph.

“Claudia knows about Lindsey?” she asked.

“Yes, no thanks to Elena. And Claudia wants to ask Daniel Reece and Dex to go and get Lindsey…and Lindsey only.” Steven replied.

***

Krystle felt like the proverbial third wheel as she stood over Daniel and Claudia’s table. Neither of them invited her to join them.

“Krissy,” Daniel said, “it’s good to see you again.”

There was an awkward pause. And that was because Daniel could not think of an excuse or lie to explain why he was with Claudia. He looked to her and Claudia stared up at Krystle.

“Krystle, I want to get Danny a horse. Since Daniel is his grandfather, I thought he might have some good ideas.” Claudia lied.

Krystle decided to just let that bald lie go. She had already spoken to Sammy Jo about the matter last month. Her niece had told her that she was going to speak to her newly discovered father about it. Though it was possible that Sammy Jo had not said anything to Daniel at all on the subject. She was currently chasing after some mysterious man that lived in Europe and was here visiting.

“Oh well. I’ll leave you to it.” Krystle said and walked back to the table. She noticed Elena getting up from a chair and Kirby looking quite irritated.

Daniel and Claudia waited until Krystle was out of earshot before speaking again.

“Do you think you can get Lindsey out of Moldavia?” Claudia asked quietly.

“I think that we need to ascertain whether what you were told by the Duchess of Branagh is true or not.” Daniel told her.

“And if it is?” Claudia pressed.

“Then yes, I can put a team together to return your daughter to you. But Claudia…something about this whole thing just seems off. You were shown proof that your husband and daughter were killed in a jeep crash in South America. You said that the Duchess is claiming that Matthew is part of the terrorist regime that almost killed you all in Moldavia. He’s now offering your daughter with him up as a hostage? Would he really do that?” Daniel asked, thinking of Sammy Jo. There is no way in the hell he would ever think of doing something like that to her! And Krissy had actually loved this…this… Matthew Blaidsel? How?!

“The Matthew I knew would have never taken our daughter from me. He changed. Something changed him when he heard me confess my affair with Steven in open court that day. I don’t care about him, Daniel. I just want Lindsey back.” Claudia said unflinchingly.

Daniel glanced over at the table Steven and Amanda were at. He then looked at Claudia.

“I’m sorry you’re in this situation, Claudia. I truly am.” Daniel said, thinking about the other ‘deal’ the Duchess had offered this fragile, lovely woman and her husband. That they could ‘pick’ between a supposedly dead daughter or…

Or Steven’s supposedly dead lover.

Daniel decided he was going to find out if BOTH of them were still alive. And if they were not, then the Duchess of Branagh would have a lot to answer for.

Meanwhile, Kirby stood up just as Krystle, Amanda and Steven gathered at the table. Steven asked the maitre d’ for a phone.

“I’m calling Dad. We need to have a family meeting.” Steven said, as his eyes fell upon his wife across the room. There had to be a way to save Lindsey, Luke and put an end to this rumor about Adam, once and for all.

***

DENVER CARRINGTON

Caress sat in Blake’s office and endured a tongue lashing from him! Adam was present as well. He stood in front of Blake’s desk with his arms crossed…

“Blake,” Caress began in calm, soothing tone, “I do not write about ‘rumors’. I am telling you that Alexis was always going on about being lonely when the two of you were married! King Galen’s marriage to Prince Michael’s mother was arranged. They resumed their affair and Alexis became pregnant with Adam.”

“And my mother told you that she thought I was Galen’s son?” Adam asked skeptically.

Caress looked away.

“Cassie,” Blake said, “I remember that time as well. I know Alexis didn’t like the fact that my work in building Denver Carrington kept me away from her and the children. But I also remember that the two of you were on the outs as well. You were angry that Alexis didn’t help break up Jason and Sable so that you could get him for yourself. So I find it hard to believe that Alexis would have ‘confided’ in you about an affair, or the paternity of my son.”

Caress stood up.

“What would you have me do, Blake? That part of the book will sell books.” she said quietly. Adam rolled his eyes and looked at Blake, who was now staring at his former sister-in-law…hard!

“I am going to call a press conference. It will be held here at Denver Carrington. You will confess that you made up the part about my son being King Galen’s true born son. There is enough dirt on Alexis to…”

Caress shook her head!

“I am sorry, Blake, Adam, but the dirt that is circulating is not going to be enough! And do not tell me that the rumors of Alexis causing Cecil Colby’s death will suffice ! They will not! So unless you have new dirt on my sister that will replace what I am supposed to claim is a lie, then I will not go along with it!” Caress announced.

But Blake did not back down.

“I have arranged a press conference to take place here in one hour. You will admit that that what you are alleging is a lie and tell the world that you won’t be writing that book. So name your price, Cassie! Tell me what it would take to make all of this go away?” Blake asked.

Adam eyed his aunt. He could see that there was something she wanted. Something that was beyond money and fame and he didn’t like it.

Caress tore her eyes off of Blake and looked at Adam.

“Adam, I need to see your father alone.” Caress said. Adam looked from Caress to Blake, who nodded in agreement. Adam wordlessly left the office and closed the door behind him. It was at that moment that the doors to the elevator opened and Steven, Amanda and Krystle stepped off.

“Krystle?” Adam asked, walking towards them. He looked from Krystle to Amanda. He had expected Kirby to be with them.

“Wasn’t Kirby with you?” Adam asked.

But it was Steven that answered.

“Kirby went home. I called her a cab. The three of us are here because we need to talk about something important.” Steven said.

“And you didn’t think that my wife needed to be here?” Adam asked in a hostile tone.

Steven refrained from sighing! Adam was…the kindest word he could think of was ‘persnickety’ when it came to Kirby.

Krystle answered Adam.

“Adam, no one is trying to exclude Kirby. She was upset about something that happened at lunch. I think she felt the need to go home to Audrina. I know the feeling.” Krystle said softly, thinking of Krystina.

“Adam,” Amanda began, “Elena was at the country club. She has been causing trouble again. This time for Steven and Claudia. Caress’s book is not helping things either.”

“Caress is in with Father. They wanted some time alone.” Adam revealed.

“Why?” Krystle asked. She actually didn’t mind Alexis’s sister, save for this book she was writing. But in an odd way, she understood where Caress was coming from. Anyone that had been victimized by Alexis, could understand someone wanting revenge on that God awful woman.

The door to Blake’s office opened and Caress stepped out.

“I am going to freshen up for the press conference.” was all she said and walked past the four of them towards the women’s rest rooms. Krystle hurried into Blake’s office, Adam walked off towards his own, leaving Steven and Amanda to wonder what needed tackling first: the press conference or Elena’s accusations?

***

Kirby paid the cabbie and walked towards the mansion door. Before she could reach it, Gerard opened it for her.

“Mrs. Carrington, I was unable to stop her.” he began. But he didn’t have to explain any further. Kirby could smell Alexis’s perfume.

“It’s alright, Gerard. Is she with Audrina?” Kirby asked in a tight voice. Gerard nodded regretfully and Kirby walked away from him and towards the staircase. It was as she was about to go up, that a voice called out to her.

“You must be Kirby.”

Kirby halted her trek up the stairs to confront Alexis, as a large man came out of the drawing room. He was dressed in a dark suit and smiled at her in a rather wolfish way. Like how Adam always looked at her, only this man’s stare was almost unrestrained.

“And you are?” Kirby asked. For a moment, Alexis and Audrina were forgotten.

“Creighton Boyd. Everyone calls me Creigh. I came here with Mrs. Dexter. I’m an old friend of Adam’s.” Creighton said, his eyes roaming over her.

Kirby forced herself to stop staring back at him and looked towards the staircase again at the mention of ‘Mrs. Dexter’. She then looked back at Creighton.

“Well Mr. Boyd, it was nice meeting you. Now if you will excuse me, I must go upstairs and see to my daughter.”

Creighton slowly reached for her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it. He then slowly let it go.

“It was nice meeting Adam’s wife. We’ll all have to get together soon.” he suggested.

Kirby said nothing to that. She turned away and headed towards the stairs. Who was this guy, really? And why had he come here with Alexis? He was cute. He looked as if he might have been a football player or something…she had always liked football players…

Kirby shook off her wicked thoughts and hurried to the nursery, where she found Audrina in Alexis’s arms! The raven haired grandmother was sitting in a rocking chair, staring down at Audrina. Audrina was reaching for a necklace that was around Alexis’s neck.

“Hello, Alexis.” Kirby said coolly. She set her purse down on a nearby table.

Alexis sighed loudly! She considered Kirby to be whey faced and poor! What did Adam see in her? The only good thing this servant girl had ever done was produce Audrina. And Audrina was definitely HER granddaughter! She had shaken off the Anders poor genes and become a full Carrington! Alexis could see it everytime she saw her beautiful granddaughter…not that she got to very often, thanks to Kirby!

Alexis stood up with Audrina and carefully placed her back in her crib, before turning to face Kirby.

“So you were actually at lunch with Krystle? Where is she? I thought I heard Krystina crying for her.” Alexis said in a voice that sounded like she could care less.

“I didn’t hear Krystina.” Kirby said casually. “I did meet your newest boyfriend downstairs. He claims he knows Adam. Does Dex know him as well?”

Alexis folded her arms.

“Mr. Boyd is going to get King Galen out of Moldavia. He will help clear up Caress’s lies about who Adam’s real father is.” Alexis said, as she ran her eyes over Kirby’s ‘lunch outfit’. Needless to say, it wasn’t anything she would be caught dead wearing! Even during a plague!

Gerard entered the nursery before Kirby could think to respond.

“Mrs. Carrington, your husband is on the phone for you.” he told her.

“Thank you Gerard, I will take it in my bedroom.” Kirby replied. She waited until Gerard nodded and left the room, before facing Alexis again.

“Does Prince Michael know about this rescue?” Kirby asked.

“No.” Alexis said. “In case the mission fails, I don’t want him getting his hopes up. And I am going along to make sure that it does NOT fail.”

Kirby lifted a brow in response and Alexis turned away from her to stare down at Audrina.

“You don’t want to leave my son waiting on the phone, do you?” Alexis said, as she reached down to touch one of Audrina’s little hands. Kirby turned and walked out of the room. Had Adam known about what his mother, Dex and his friend, Creighton, were up to?

Kirby planned to find out.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 4


Kirby picked up the phone in her room…

“Hello, Adam.” she said. She had planned on saying more, but Adam overrode her!

“I need you here. At Denver Carrington. We are going to hold a press conference where in which Caress is going to take back everything she has said about my paternity.” Adam told her.

Kirby, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, looked towards the closed bedroom door before replying.

“Your mother is here. And she is not alone. She arrived with a man that says he’s a friend of yours. His name is Creighton Boyd. They plan to get King Galen out of Moldavia and then have him hold a press conference, denying that he is your father.” Kirby told him.

Adam had to admit he found this news stunning! Yes, Mother had asked if he knew someone that could help both Dex and Daniel Reece, rescue King Galen. And yes, he had thrown out the name of an old college friend…but he hadn’t taken any of it seriously! Not even after arranging for his mother and Creigh to meet. Once again, Adam had underestimated Alexis. The fact that Creigh was in Denver and was with her now, meant that this was indeed going to happen!

“Adam? Are you alright?”

“Kirby, I will be much better if you come to Denver Carrington. And bring Audrina. It is more important than ever that Caress denounces her own book AND that King Galen is rescued.”

Kirby could hear something urgent in Adam’s voice that she could not quite pinpoint.

“Alright. I will get Audrina ready and be there soon. What about Amanda? Your mother said that Prince Michael did not know anything about this. I think he should be informed. This is his father we’re talking about.”

“We’ll leave it to Amanda to tell her husband the news. Just come to me with our baby girl. I want the world to see that we are a family united.” Adam told her.

“Alright. I’ll be there soon.” Kirby said.

“I love you. You don’t have to say it back. I know we are not at that point…” Adam trailed off.

“I love you too, Adam.” Kirby said, feeling it in that moment. She couldn’t honestly say she felt that way all of the time. But for the first time in awhile, she felt as if the family she and Adam were trying to build, would finally be safe from harm.

***

DENVER CARRINGTON-

After ending his call with Kirby, Adam was about to leave his office when Dana walked in…

“Oh, Dana, listen, my wife and daughter will be here for the press conference. Please make sure they want for nothing until it begins.” Adam directed her. There were already members of the media coming into the area, and a few of them, Adam personally loathed.

Dana knew better than to tell him that she had been planning to leave for lunch. She was secretly seeing Michael Culhane, the former Carrington chauffeur, who was now a semi big player in the oil business. That and she was very aware of the rumors that he was seeing Amanda Carrington, who was now Princess Amanda.

“Of course. I’ll keep an eye out for their arrival.” Dana said.

Adam smiled his thanks and she remembered for a brief moment, that it was really HIM that she wanted. But Dana didn’t quite know how to extricate him from his wife —Kirby Anders. And she knew that if she prodded his memory, and made him realize that they knew each other from high school, back in Billings(among other things) then maybe Dana could make something happen between the two of them. But for now, it didn’t seem to be in the cards.

Adam left his office in search of Amanda, who was just coming out of their father’s office. The expression on her face, made Adam temporarily put aside what he was going to tell her about their mother’s plans to rescue King Galen.

“You look upset. What’s wrong in there?” Adam asked.

Amanda folded her arms.

“I do not know, except that Daddy’s deal with Caress is more sinister than he is letting on. And Krystle knows it. I think Caress asked Daddy for something personal.”

Adam raised a brow.

“Personal? I don’t follow you.”

Amanda looked around before leaning closer to her brother.

“I mean something ‘intimate’.”

Adam burst out laughing!

“My God, Amanda, what an imagination you have! Did Father tell Krystle that?”

“No. He did not. What he is saying is that he and ‘Cassie’ go way back and they will settle this between them. This woman…our ‘aunt’, is going to suddenly drop her potential best selling book so that Daddy and her can ’settle’ between them? Haven’t you ever seen the way Caress looks at him?”

Yes. He had. And Adam didn’t like this conversation or the possible repercussions of such a theory…if it were actually true.

But he lied.

“No. To be honest, I’ve only been in the same room with our dear aunt, maybe, three times, counting today. Look, don’t worry about Father and Krystle. They will be fine. I came out here to find you. Kirby called. She said that Mother has hired an old acquaintance of mine to rescue King Galen.”

“You know someone that can actually do that sort of thing?” Amanda queried with a smile.

“I won’t even ask why you would wonder such a thing.” Adam smiled back. “The point of my telling you this is that I am unsure if Michael knows about this. I think he should.” Adam told her somberly.

Amanda’s facial expression remained neutral.

“I never know these days what will please or displease him. Maybe I should have Mother do it.”

“Amanda! You are the man’s wife! Go to him now and tell him that there is hope that his father is still alive!” Adam stressed.

Amanda sighed.

“Adam, do you not think that Mummy’s meddling, could make things worse here? If they bring back Galen…”

“Galen will tell everyone that Prince Michael is his only son. That will end all of the rumors.” Adam replied.

“Do you really think so?” Amanda asked. Honestly, she wouldn’t mind it one bit if Adam turned out to be the true heir to the throne of Moldavia! Then everyone would leave her and Michael alone.

Then again, she did not suppose Michael would like that all that much. Not being the true heir. A second son.

Amanda’s mind wandered from her husband named Michael, to her lover, Michael Culhane…

Amanda suddenly pulled Adam into an impulsive hug!

“Yes! I most certainly will tell ‘Michael’! He needs to know! Can I use the phone in your office? I am sure he is at La Mirage.”

“Of course!” Adam smiled at her, happy that at least there was a kernel of hope for his sister’s marriage. Amanda pulled out of the hug and walked into her brother’s office. She closed the door and walked over to his desk phone. She then made her call—to Michael Culhane, at his apartment. He most certainly should know that King Galen was going to be rescued! And Amanda planned on pushing her husband to go with her mother and Dex.

But all she got when she called the Culhane residence, was his answering machine.

***

LA MIRAGE-

Michael Culhane sat at the bar, waiting for his lunch date, Dana Waring. The phone rang and the bartender answered. He then pushed the phone down the bar counter towards Michael.

“Mr. Culhane? It’s for you.” the bartender told him. Michael did not bother asking who it was, and he picked up the phone.

“Don’t tell me: your slave driving boss is making you work through lunch?” Michael asked Dana coyly.

“I’m sorry, Michael. But something is happening here. If you are near a TV, maybe you should watch. Mr. Carrington is going to make an announcement. Maybe we can have dinner?”

“I’ll call you.” Michael replied before hanging up. He liked Dana, well enough, but she was just a place holder until he could make something work, permanently, with Amanda Carrington. How he planned to one up a prince, he’d never know. But he knew that Amanda was out of love with the guy. Michael also knew what everyone else knew: Prince Michael was an unemployed prince and if he had anything to his name, Michael of Moldavia, wouldn’t be managing this hotel for his father-in-law.

Michael didn’t know what the ‘Prince’ knew or did not know, about himself and Amanda. Michael suspected not much, or he doubted he’d be welcome to even drink at the bar here. He was about to ask the bartender to turn up the sound on the TV, when something in the bar mirror, above the television, caught his eye.

It was a blonde woman. One that he recognized at Krystle’s niece, Sammy Jo something. He had seen her around the hotel and got the distinct feeling that Krystle didn’t know she was in town. Michael had heard talk about her newly discovered father being some rich guy that bred horses, which was lucky for her, since Sammy Jo had apparently worn out her welcome with the Carrington’s and given her kid over to Steven and Claudia.

But what was even more interesting, was that was Sammy Jo was not alone. And oddly, it was Michael’s thinking about Steven and Claudia, that jarred a memory for him. A memory of the man he saw hurrying Sammy Jo through the lobby and towards an elevator. The man’s arm was around Sammy Jo’s narrow waist, almost consuming it. Michael could not help notice Sammy Jo’s braless breasts bouncing with fervor within the confines of the tight sweater she was wearing, as she and the man approached an elevator and got in. The doors closed and Michael turned around from the bar.

The man Sammy Jo Reese had been with, was none other than Matthew Blaisdel! What in the hell?! The guy was dead!

Michael decided he had to know for sure if what he had seen could really be true.

He threw some money on the bar and headed towards the front desk. Dana had told him something big was going down at Denver Carrington. He would just tell the clerk at the counter that he had a message from Krystle for Sammy Jo. Sammy Jo would come down, find no one and head back to her room. Michael would follow her back there…

Michael’s eyes suddenly fell upon a woman that he knew Amanda didn’t like. Her name was Elena something and she was coming from the direction Prince Michael’s office was in. She strode out of the hotel and the valet hurried off to get her car.

Michael smiled. He had a better idea than luring Sammy Jo down to the lobby. He was going to ask the ‘Prince’ which room Krystle’s niece was in and if he didn’t give him the information, then Michael would threaten to go to the tabloids about himself and Amanda.

Michael knew the way to the office that was once occupied by Claudia and before her, Fallon. Michael sighed when he thought of Fallon’s cries when he used to pound away within her, almost daily, when he was just the Carrington chauffeur. Now he had come into his own. Nowhere near as wealthy as the Carrington’s or Colby’s were, but with Amanda as his wife, he would get there.

He meandered his way to Prince Michael’s office and found the door slightly ajar. There was something about that that didn’t sit well with Michael. And he should have listened to his instinct. Instead, he pushed open the door…

Prince Michael of Moldavia was on the floor, eyes wide open with blood pouring out of a slash across his throat! Michael Culhane began to back away, when he bumped into Prince Michael’s female assistant, who began screaming! Michael shoved her away and began to run and run and run…until he was out of La Mirage and in the parking lot! He had just reached his car when three security officer’s jumped him and tackled him to the ground.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 5

CARRINGTON MANSION—

To say that the press conference was canceled would be an understatement. It was canceled and forgotten about, as Blake and Krystle rallied their family around Amanda and her shocking loss. Alexis refused to leave Amanda, who had to be sedated and was sleeping. Caress, who didn’t have the gall to show her face at the house, was busy in her hotel room, writing a new chapter. She had been given new information from an unlikely source, that would only increase the sales of her novel…

The local police, however, were more concerned with the motive behind Prince Michael’s death. That being that Michael Culhane wanted Amanda all to himself and killed Prince Michael over her. Jeff and Fallon were coming from California, Dominique and Garrett were already at the mansion and Kirby herself, was uneasy about what Prince Michael’s murder meant for Adam and the rumor mill surrounding his true parentage.

Kirby sat in a chair in the library. Adam was standing behind her chair, with a drink in one hand and his other hand on her shoulder. They both watched as Blake and Alexis argued over what Amanda should do now…

“Our daughter needs a publicist, Blake! Someone who will make it very clear that Amanda was a loyal and loving wife and barely knows Michael Culhane!” Alexis sighed with exasperation.

“I’m going to retain Andrew for her.” Blake replied calmly. “I don’t want Culhane implicating Amanda in any way either, Alexis.”

Adam spoke up.

“I will defend Amanda. I think the publicist is a good idea, Mother. Amanda is the widow…”

“Amanda is a dowager princess, darling. She needs to act accordingly.” Alexis told him.

“Like she loved Prince Michael when she did not?” Kirby asked, her manner borderline snarky. Adam squeezed her shoulder in warning but it was too late…

“No one asked you anything, Kirby dear, though your concern is appreciated.” Alexis said blithely.

Kirby knocked Adam’s hand off of her shoulder and stood up!

“Everyone seems to forget what this means for Adam! He is not King Galen’s son but this murder is only going to make people believe he is!” Kirby yelled.

“Now, now, Kirby,” Blake began, “we are very aware…”

But Kirby interrupted him! She had never interrupted or spoke to Blake with anything other than respect, her whole life. But she could not let this go!

“Adam and I almost lost Audrina! Do you get that? Do you get what that means? It means I will do anything I have to do, to protect my daughter and my husband! You don’t know that the police won’t think that Adam killed Michael for the throne! Or that I did it, to see him on the throne!” Kirby snapped.

Adam set his drink down and reached for his wife, turning her around to face him.

“Nothing is going to happen to Audrina. And nothing is going to happen to our family. Mother still has plans to rescue King Galen. It is more important than ever that he is rescued and brought here so that he can deal with his son’s death. And that will not involve us, Kirby, I swear it.” Adam told her firmly.

Blake was mollified to see that Adam was dealing with his wife. Alexis was disgusted by Kirby’s histrionics, but she wisely said nothing. It was just like Kirby to make this all about her! Her son’s wife was less interesting than Claudia! Alexis highly doubted the police, or a witness, would even notice Kirby in a line up!

Kirby pulled away from Adam and left the library. She walked out into the hallway to find the front door open and servants bringing in Jeff and Fallon’s luggage! Kirby rolled her eyes and began to walk up the stairs. She would look in on Audrina and Krystina. That might keep her calm.

But she passed a guest room that was slightly ajar. Krystle and Dominique were in there talking. Kirby had no opinion of Domonique, really. She was Blake’s newly discovered sister and hated Alexis, which was understandable. She had gotten a chance to know her daughter, Jackie, who was a bit younger than her. They both played classical piano and Jackie had talked some, about being happy that her parents could repair the rift in their relationship, when it was discovered that Garrett had never been married at all, years ago, and just hadn’t wanted to marry Dominique.

Personally, Kirby didn’t know if she could forgive such a lie. But she was also no one to judge. If things had went differently, Audrina would be known as Jeff’s daughter to the world.

Snatches of Krystle and Dominique’s conversation filtered into the hallway a bit, causing Kirby to pause and listen in…

“How did Zachary Powers find out?” Krystle asked.

“Sable Colby!” Dominique sighed with annoyance. “She is having an affair with him and thought that I was a threat because of some old picture she saw of the two of us!”

“What picture, if I may ask?” Krystle inquired gently.

“We attended Aristotle Onassis and Jackie Kennedy’s wedding together…a long time ago…the reception was a bit earthy…Jackie was conceived on one of Onassis’s yachts. It was after Garrett left me.” Dominique admitted.

“I don’t understand why you told Garrett that Jackie was his, when he asked? Why didn’t you just tell him…”

“I tried, Krystle! I said she was someone else’s! But that only made him more suspicious! I couldn’t tell Garrett that Zachary Powers was really Jackie’s father! That’s like telling people that my daughter’s father was an inmate in prison someplace!” Dominique said bluntly.

“How can Blake and I help?” Krystle asked.

“I want Blake to offer Jackie something at Denver Carrington. She speaks four languages, surely Blake can find something for her here in Denver?” Dominique asked.

“I’m sure he will. Garrett knows nothing?” Krystle asked.

“He’s too concerned with Jackie’s relationship with Jonathan Lake. And Jonathan is getting back at me for my dumping him for Garrett, I just know it! Garrett found out that Jonathan’s wife didn’t just ‘die’. Apparently, she was killed by some wild animal on their country estate in England.” Dominique confided.

Kirby heard a door open from down a hallway and moved away to continue her trek to the nursery. She got there and opened the door to find Fallon in there, holding Audrina! Audrina was staring at Fallon in wonder, as Kirby entered and Fallon noticed her.

“Oh she’s beautiful, Kirby! She looks like Mother.” Fallon breathed.

Needless to say, Kirby didn’t consider that comparison to be a compliment! She walked over to her with her arms out. Fallon gently placed her niece in Kirby’s arms. Fallon watched as her former friend placed her daughter back down into her crib.

“You seem to be settling in here, nicely. Even more so than when you were married to Jeff.” Fallon noted. Kirby raised up from the crib and faced Fallon.

“Adam and Audrina are my life now. So yes, I am settling in just fine. And how are you? You seem to remember everything ‘correctly’ now.” Kirby noted as well.

Fallon grinned!

“Do I sense you have some doubt about what happened to me, Kirby?”

Kirby walked towards her.

“I sensed ‘doubt’ from the moment you remembered that Adam ‘raped’ you.”

“Oh that hurts! Truly. I never doubted that Adam raped you. And I was confused. That was a confusing time.” Fallon replied blithely. She didn’t need this kind of trouble here. It was one thing for people to accuse her of running off with someone else, in California, right before she was to re-marry Jeff. But Fallon would not put up with it here within her own home.

Jeff entered the nursery and could tell from the vibe within the room, that he had come in just the nick of time.

“Hello, Kirby! It’s good to see you again!” Jeff said brightly. Kirby gave him a wan smile in response. Fallon threw herself into his arms!

“How are things going downstairs?” Fallon asked him.

“Steven and Claudia have come home and the news isn’t good.” Jeff replied.

“What do you mean? What do they have to do with any of this?” Fallon asked.

Kirby could not help but interject…

“The Duchess of Branagh is claiming that Luke Fuller and Lindsey Blaisdel are still alive. She is offering the return of one of them, if Adam submits to a blood test.” she told them quietly.

“If Lindsey is alive, does that means her father is as well?” Fallon asked her. Good God! If Matthew Blaisdel had been alive all of this time, that would mean Claudia and Steven were not really married!

“I don’t know. My only concern is that Adam doesn’t get pulled into Moldavian politics. Your aunt has caused a lot of trouble around here.” Kirby replied.

Jeff nodded.

“I agree! Especially with that nonsense about Farouk Ahmed. Let’s go downstairs and find out what’s going on.” Jeff told Fallon. Fallon nodded and they left the nursery with their arms around each other. Kirby turned away from the sight of them and looked down at Audrina, who was still wide awake and smiling up at her.

***

DENVER POLICE STATION-

A sleek blonde arrived down at the police station to represent Michael. Her name was Jordan Reardon and Michael could have sworn he’d read a story about her, somewhere. She was quite unforgettable looking. Jordan came in, threw her weight around and soon, Michael was released on bail—that had already been paid by someone.

Michael followed Jordan down into an underground parking garage, where Daniel Reece was waiting with a limo. He smiled at Jordan.

“Thank you. Give my regards to Greg.”

“I will.” Jordan smiled up at him before looking at Michael.

“I read your statement, Mr. Culhane. I think we can prove reasonable doubt, despite your affair with Prince Michael’s wife.” Jordan assured him.

Michael nodded. He had told the police about seeing Elena Branagh leaving La Mirage in a hurry. He had not mentioned Matthew Blaisdel or Sammy Jo Reece. Now that he was standing in front of Sammy Jo’s father, it might be the time to open up about that. Michael and Daniel watched as Jordan walked to her car, got in, backed out and drove off. Once she turned to go down to a lower floor of the garage, Daniel faced Michael.

“Can I drop you off?”

Michael nodded and the two got into the limo. Daniel hit a button and a partition went up between the front and backseat, so that the driver could not listen in.

“I have every reason to believe that Matthew Blaisdel was staying at La Mirage under an assumed name. And I believe you saw him today—with my daughter.”

Michael lifted a brow.

“I saw them. But I wasn’t sure of what I was seeing. You know about Blaisdel being alive?”

“I do.” Daniel replied shortly.

“How did your daughter get mixed up with him?” Michael asked.

“I don’t know. What I do believe is that she probably has no idea who he really is.” Daniel said grimly.

Personally, Michael didn’t believe that. He didn’t know Sammy Jo Reece very well, but from what he had heard and seen from afar, she looked like a woman that could handle herself. And women like that always knew who they were dealing with. For the most part.

Daniel had more to say.

“I do think that he knows who she is. That being that she is related to Krystle.”

Michael didn’t doubt that. It was no secret that Blaisdel had been in love with Krystle, back in the day.

“You know, this messes things up for Steven and Claudia. We all thought Blaisdel was dead.” Michael said.

“Steven and Claudia have other concerns other than Blaisdel,” Daniel admitted, “though I think Claudia’s husband is at the heart of their troubles.”

“What do you really want from me, Reece? You got me a fancy lawyer and paid my bail. What do you want in return?”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes.” Daniel replied, just as the limo arrived at Michael’s luxury apartment building. Michael didn’t like that phrase. Because when the ‘time came’, what would be asked would probably be something Michael wouldn’t want to do.

“You want to give me a hint here, Reece?”

Daniel considered his request and decided to lay out the ground work.

“It concerns the Dowager Princess of Moldavia and a hostage situation. That’s all I’ll say for now. And if you want Jordan Roberts to keep defending you, you will keep what I just said between the two of us.” Daniel said coolly.

Michael Culhane nodded his understanding. He was sure that that Duchess killed Prince Michael. But he wasn’t certain anyone would want to hear that or believe him. So yes, he wanted a good lawyer, he didn’t want to go to prison and…

And he wanted Amanda.

***
CARRINGTON MANSION-

The ‘family meeting’ got more out of control as the night went on…

Dex could not hide his concern for Amanda, as he stood out on a terrace and smoked a cigarette. But she had been given a sedative and was resting. And yet, he wanted to go up the stairs and just sit with her. He could not help but feel responsible for all of this. He should have been a bit stronger with Alexis, with regards to her forcing that marriage to Prince Michael, down Amanda’s throat. Additionally, Dex was not an overt fan of rescuing King Galen. But, things had gotten so out of control here that he began to believe it was necessary.

He worried that Amanda was in danger. These people that believed that Adam was the true heir to the Moldavian Kingdom, were out of their minds! And he had no doubts whatsoever, that they were willing to do God knows what, to ensure that Adam sat on that throne. Even if that meant killing Prince Michael and Amanda.

Prince Michael had already been murdered. Amanda could still be seen as a threat, even though she had no children with her late husband.

And another thing…Creighton Boyd. Dex had heard about him for years and he felt that Boyd was the wrong man to bring in on this rescue. The man was purely about profit. Daniel and himself weren’t against it, but it was not their primary motive when they went on missions of mercy. But it just figured that Boyd would be connected to Adam, who was just as suspect as Boyd.

Boyd was inside, along with Alexis and Adam, arguing that King Galen needed to be rescued and they wanted Blake to help out. Krystle was not for it and Claudia yelled at her for not wanting Lindsey to be rescued! Steven reluctantly agreed with his mother, about King Galen, but wanted both Lindsey Blaisdel and Luke Fuller rescued. Blake argued that the whole thing was a scam and that NONE of them were alive!

Then there was Michael Culhane. The man was a user. And he was using Amanda. But Culhane would not have killed Prince Michael to have her. He would just go sniffing around another heiress. Dex was thinking along those lines, when the terrace door opened and Kirby appeared. She smiled softly at him and closed the doors.

“I was wondering if you were alright? I know it’s getting to be a bit much in there.” Kirby said. Dex stared at her. Kirby had such kind eyes. Like a doe. She was also too good for Adam.

“I’m worried. I’m worried about all of the people that could get hurt. If Luke Fuller isn’t alive…if Lindsey Blaisdel is really dead…and what if they are alive? That opens up new problems for Steven and Claudia. Not to mention the rumors about Matthew Blaisdel being alive and working with the terrorist government in Moldavia….”

Kirby moved towards him and touched his arm.

“One thing at a time, Dex. Your wife has the loudest voice in there. And she wants King Galen returned first.” Kirby reminded him. She was not unaware that Dex saw Galen as a threat to his marriage.

“What about you, Kirby? All of this talk about Adam possibly being Galen’s son must be strange?” Dex asked her.

“It’s been horrible for Adam. All he wants is to be Blake’s first born son.” Kirby replied.

“Really?” Dex asked sarcastically. “You don’t think Adam would mind being a prince or king? Somehow I don’t think he’d mind at all.”

Part of being married to Adam, was quietly acknowledging that people weren’t that fond of him—for good reason!

“Adam lived a good part of his life as Michael Torrence. He does not want to be Adam from Moldavia. Not now, not ever.” Kirby said firmly, just as Creighton opened the terrace doors and walked out towards them.

Creigh looked at Dex.

“Reece called. We’re leaving in the morning.”

Dex nodded.

“Also, your wife just threw a drink in Mrs. Carrington’s face, claiming that her hands were ‘palsied’ and it was an accident. Mrs. Carrington hit your wife so I don’t think she bought that.” Creigh imparted casually. Dex swore, put out his cigarette and hurried back into the house! Creigh turned from Dex’s retreating back, to stare down at Kirby.

“So…you want to explain that nasty comment Dex made about Adam? About Adam wanting to be royalty?”

Kirby shrugged.

“Dex doesn’t like Adam.” Kirby replied.

“No. He doesn’t. Neither do Fallon and Jeff. They glared at Adam whenever he spoke. Steven didn’t have much to say to him either. You know, I knew Adam as ‘Michael’. So I know being part of this family is new to him. But I would’ve figured he would have made a connection with his siblings by now.” Creigh noted.

“I grew up with his siblings,” Kirby replied, “Adam appeared when Steven was thought for dead. Alexis and Blake accepted him immediately. Fallon and Jeff, not so much. Amanda and Adam are close though.”

“Well you must have grown close to him right away? I mean he showed up here, what, maybe a year and a half ago and now you’re married and have a baby.” Creigh reasoned.

“None of that was really planned.” Kirby said, just as the doors opened and Adam appeared. He found himself feeling…startled. He had not realized Creigh was out here with Kirby alone.

“The party has broken up,” Adam said in a tight sounding voice, “Creigh, thank you for all of your help.”

Creigh walked over to him and shook his hand.

“I know how important it is to you to clear this up. We’re going to get in and out. We’re going to get who we can get, and then get back here, okay?”

Adam nodded and thanked him again. He watched Creigh smile at Kirby before turning to leave. Once he was gone, Adam turned back to Kirby.

“Why did you leave the room? Was it because of Jeff?” Adam asked.

“No, Adam. And you clearly weren’t in the same room that I was in. I couldn’t stand all of that arguing for one more minute.”

“But things needed to be said. Things that could be important to our future.” Adam told her. Kirby tilted her head.

“What are you trying to say?”

“That now that Jeff is back, he will be the one Father looks to for everything. Even over me.” Adam said in a frustrated tone.

Kirby moved into Adam’s eager arms!

“Adam, Blake didn’t know you that well last time…” she began but Adam cut her off.

“What if Galen IS my father?” he asked, his eyes probing hers.

“Why are you talking like this? Of course he’s not your father! Adam, really…”

But Adam cut her off again!

“Would it be so terrible? Galen would be King. I would be a prince. You a princess…and then when Galen died…”

Kirby pulled out of his arms and slapped him! She didn’t know why she did it—yes she did! She slapped Adam because suddenly everything Dex said about him seemed true! All this time she had assumed they were on the same page about all of this! God, they could end up as dead as the many, many, guests that attended Amanda’s Moldavian wedding, if Adam sat on that throne!

If THEY sat on it!

Kirby turned and ran back into the house! She hurried out a side door and made her way to her car outside! She got in and drove and drove, not caring how it looked to the rest of the family…not caring how it looked to Adam.

She ended up at the graveyard her dear Papa was resting in. Kirby slowly walked up to the headstone that read, Joseph Arlington Anders.

“Oh Papa!” Kirby breathed and she fell to her knees in front of it. The dark didn’t bother or scare her. She welcomed it. It was just Papa and herself.

She began to talk.

“Papa, did I make a mistake? Should I have taken Audrina and raised her by myself in Paris? This family you cared for…worked for…killed yourself over…you never wanted me to stay here. Not with Jeff…not with anyone. Why do I feel so confused by Adam’s confusion? Why do I find myself thinking that it is so unfair that his body gives me such pleasure…”

Kirby trailed off. It was an appropriate thing to say at one’s father’s grave, and yet her mind went back to that night on Alexis’s penthouse floor. The night Audrina had been conceived. She had been half drunk and began desperately trying to buck Adam off of her! But soon, her legs were spread wide open by Adam’s hips and he drove himself into her without hesitation.

And after that moment, Kirby pretended he was Jeff. And she cried out in French, urging ‘Jeff’ on, as her own hips pushed themselves up to meet Adam’s powerful thrusts.

Then, suddenly, Jeff loved her. Jeff loved her after being poisoned by paint fumes in his office. Paint that was put there, courtesy of Adam. Jeff loved her and made love to her, but oddly, when she was with Jeff, she found herself pretending he was Adam! Especially the night she ‘thought’ she had conceived a child with Jeff. He had slammed herself into her, over and over again and it was all she could do not to scream out Adam’s name! What was wrong with her???

“Kirby?”

Kirby closed her eyes briefly before standing up and turning to face Adam.

“You shouldn’t have followed me here. Audrina…”

“Has everyone looking out for her at home. I should have never even joked about being royalty or living in Moldavia…I just…I don’t want to live in the same house as Jeff Colby. And I know you don’t want to see Fallon everyday. And yet if we leave, I feel as if Father will never see me like he sees Jeff.” Adam admitted.

“And that’s very important to you, isn’t it? That Blake trusts you more than Jeff?” Kirby asked him softly.

“Not as important as Audrina and you.” Adam said sincerely before covering his mouth with her own, possessively! Kirby found herself answering his need for her, in this place that was for mourning and remembrance. They shed their clothing quickly and it puddled to the ground beneath them. And before Kirby could think, she surrendered to the fire that had always been between her and Adam Carrington, as she responded to his battering ram like thrusts. Adam felt her immediate response to his wracking penetrations, and a wave of excitement swept over him as he whispered to her.

“Tell me how much you want me, Kirby…in French!” Adam groaned.

Little did they know, that they were being observed from afar, under pale moonlight, by none other than the Duchess Elena Branagh, who was now a ‘person of interest’ in Prince Michael’s murder. She was happy to see the future King and Queen of Moldavia in this way. She planned to tell their supporters that the true Prince and Princess were now trying for a boy.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 6

Amanda awoke and slowly sat up in bed. She looked over at the empty space beside her and felt horrible. Her darling prince, the man she thought she would love forever, was gone. And Amanda realized that somehow, she had thought that her affair with Michael Culhane, would amount to nothing, and that she and her husband would find their way back to one another.

They did not. They did not find their way back to each other because they ran out of time. And because apparently, her lover had killed her husband.

This was not how things were supposed to be. Her and Michael should’ve been living in Moldavia. They should have had a proper wedding reception. No one should have been killed by machine gun fire.

And yet her wedding changed everything. And it especially changed things for Prince Michael. He could never accept running La Mirage as his future. He wanted his kingdom back. And Amanda realized she didn’t want what her husband wanted.

Michael Culhane had made her realize that. Oh, Michael, Amanda thought, why did you do it? Michael, the former family chauffeur. Big sister, Fallon’s ex lover.

Amanda would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit that that was part of Culhane’s appeal. The Fallon Factor. Fallon. A beloved daughter that once existed to her only in a portrait.

Now Fallon was real. Back alive and soon, she would be back in this house with Jeff and Little Blake.

Amanda knew she had bigger problems to focus on than an unwanted older sister, and she put her head in her hands, just as someone knocked softly on her door. She knew from the knock that it was Krystle and Amanda quickly called out for her to come in. As much as she loved Mummy, Krystle was the mother she actually wished she had, at times. She envied Krystina.

Krystle walked in and closed the door. Amanda held out her arms to her and Krystle quickly sat on the bed and embraced her for a long moment, before setting her step-daughter away from her.

“How are you?” Krystle whispered.

“Guilty,” Amanda admitted, “If it had not been for Michael Culhane and myself…”

“Amanda,” Krystle said gravely, “Daniel Reece got Michael a lawyer. A good one and your father got a hold of the police report. There might be a chance that Duchess Elena killed Prince Michael.”

Amanda’s eyes widened!

“Oh my God! Why does that not surprise me? Is Michael alright?”

Krystle gave Amanda a look.

“I don’t think you should go anywhere near him. There is more going on here than your father is comfortable with. There is reason to believe that Matthew Blaisdel was in the hotel as well.” Krystle confided. She tried to swallow her own uneasiness at that reveal.

“He is Claudia’s first husband, right?” Amanda asked, now very aware of how complicated this whole thing was becoming.

“Yes. And I was once involved with him. While he was married to Claudia.” Krystle admitted shamefully.

“This Blaisdel is involved with the terrorists that attacked us at my wedding, isn’t he?” Amanda asked fearfully.

Krystle stood stood up from the bed.

“That is the feeling. That Matthew is involved with the rogue government, and Elena is with a faction that wants to put Adam on the throne. Somehow we have to keep Adam, Kirby, Audrina and you, safe. Fallon and Jeff are here for support. Come down when you feel up to it.” Krystle said, giving her a soft, comforting smile before turning to leave the room. What she left out of that reveal, was that Sammy Jo was now caught up in this mess as well. She and Matthew had met and become lovers, somehow, someway.

***

Kirby sat across the breakfast table from Fallon, who was outright staring at her. Claudia was a couple of chairs away from Kirby, looking worried and sullen. Audrina and Krystina were being fed in a nearby room by their nannies, who had come highly recommended.

Fallon tore her eyes off of Kirby to look at Claudia.

“How are you holding up, Claudia? I know this whole thing has been hard on you.”

Claudia, who had nothing but fruit on her plate and a cup of coffee, stared over at Fallon.

“It’s been horrible. I had made my peace with Lindsey being dead. I had made my peace with the fact that she wouldn’t be dead, if Matthew had not taken her from me. He is here in Denver. I can feel it.”

“And according to Daddy, has taken up with Sammy Jo, of all people.” Fallon commiserated. She then looked over at Kirby again, who was calmly eating a piece of toast.

“Surely you have opinion about all of this, Kirby? I mean Adam and you have a stake in this.” Fallon said.

Kirby wasn’t in the mood for any of Fallon’s nonsense. Mostly because she was still trying to shake off the tingly way her body felt, after her encounter with Adam on her father’s grave. She hoped she would not burn in hell for doing something so shameful!

And yet it was quite clear that Adam had felt no shame at all over anything they had done. He had been quite insistent on making love to her in the shower this morning and the experience had been quite intense. And long.

“We have nothing to do with this, Fallon. Adam has nothing to do with Moldavia. And once Dex and Mr. Boyd bring King Galen back here, all of this will be cleared up.” Kirby told her, before looking over at Claudia.

“Claudia, I am sorry you are going through this. I also hope that Elena is telling the truth about your daughter and Luke.” Kirby said.

But Fallon looked at Claudia again.

“If Matthew is with those terrorists that took over Moldavia, then you had to have seen him there when you went to Amanda’s wedding?” Fallon asked.

Claudia glared at her!

“Where are you getting that from?!” she snapped. “I saw nothing but blood, heard nothing but machine gun fire and screams…no, Fallon, I did not see Matthew lurking around the palace! And I doubt he would’ve been directly involved with that!”

Claudia suddenly pushed away from the table and skulked out of the dining room! Kirby gave Fallon a reproving look.

“What were you trying to prove by being so rude to Claudia?” Kirby asked her.

“Kirby, you didn’t know Matthew Blaisdel. He was many things but a terrorist he was not. What would he get out of throwing in with the terrorist government in Moldavia? And what happened in South America after that jeep crash? The one that he and Lindsey were supposedly killed in? This whole thing makes no sense and Amanda needs some clarification, if she’s going stake her claim as Prince Michael’s widow.”

Kirby eyed Fallon.

“‘Stake her claim’? I don’t think Amanda is interested in having anything to do with Moldavia. She wasn’t interested in it when her husband was alive.”

“That is because she never got a chance to live there! She only got a chance to get married there and that’s it! My sister almost died trying to marry a man that I know she loved at the time. I don’t think Amanda should just give up and go away.” Fallon argued.

Kirby doubted Amanda was thinking along those lines at all.

“You certainly are concerned for a sister you barely know.” Kirby noted.

“And you are?” Fallon countered.

Kirby stood up.

“Yes, Fallon. I am. I was here when Amanda and Prince Michael met and then grew apart. You were in California suffering from amnesia…except for when it came to Adam.”

Kirby then walked out of the dining room and Fallon stuck her tongue out at her back! Dominique entered, said a quick good morning to Kirby, before walking over to the buffet. She put a sparse amount of food on her plate, before settling down next to Fallon.

“So, where is everyone this morning?” Dominique asked.

“The men are in the library talking family strategy. Daddy thinks that Jeff and I should have a double wedding with Garrett and yourself. For security reasons.” Fallon told her.

Dominique said nothing to that. Fallon got the feeling that it wasn’t the idea that bothered her.

“You know,” Fallon ventured, “Jackie seemed to really take to Zachary Powers at his party. She said that he offered her a position at his company?”

“Jackie will not be working for that man. Your father has been gracious enough to offer Jackie a position at Denver Carrington. And she WILL take it.” Dominique said firmly.

Fallon decided to drop the pretenses…

“Dominique, moving Jackie back here isn’t going to keep her away from Jonathan Lake.”

Fallon could tell from her aunt’s facial expression, that she had just gotten to the root of the problem.

“Jonathan was more hurt by my ending our relationship, that never really grew into anything, than I thought. I don’t believe for one moment that he cares for her. I don’t want my daughter hurt and I don’t want her involved with someone that is old enough to be her father.” Dominique sighed.

“Let it play out. I know you plan on living in California with Garrett. We will watch over this whole Jonathan Lake thing from here. Daddy will watch over it. And if anything gets out of line, Daddy will deal with it.” Fallon assured her.

***

In the library, the conversation was a bit more severe…

“We need to find out just how long Blaisdel was working with the shadow government in Moldavia. We need to know what he gets out of all of this.” Blake said.

“Blake, we don’t even know if Blaisdel is really alive! We’re getting this from some stupid statement Culhane gave to his lawyer…” Jeff began.

But Garrett cut him off.

“Jeff, I know Greg and Jordan Reardon. I’ve faced off in court with both of them. It was not easy prying that statement out of Jordan, nor was it ethical for her to let me see it. But she understands that there are bigger issues at stake.” Garrett said.

“You mean you had to tell Mrs. Reardon something she did not know, in order to get that statement.” Adam surmised.

“Jordan is well satisfied that the Duchess of Branagh killed Prince Michael to put you on the Moldavian throne, when the King dies.” Garrett told Adam.

“Galen could be dead already.” Jeff reminded everyone.

“Krystle is very distressed,” Blake said, “about her niece and Blaisdel. The police know about the Duchess and are looking for her. They know nothing about Blaisdel or Sammy Jo. And apparently there is no record of them signing in yesterday at the hotel.”

“Culhane saw them in the mirror while he was drinking. So that alone puts his statement in doubt.” Garrett said.

Adam looked at his watch.

“Audrina has a pediatrician appointment this morning and I promised Kirby I would go with them.”

“Of course, you go, but I have hired security. Armed men to go where Kirby, Audrina and you go.” Blake said firmly,

Adam clenched a jaw.

“Kirby will not like…”

“I think that Kirby wants to feel safe.” Jeff interjected. “And she wants Audrina to be safe as well.”

“And I don’t?” Adam asked calmly.

Blake could feel trouble brewing and decided to serve as a buffer!

“Just humor me, Adam, about this. Please?”

Adam nodded at his father and Garrett, glared at Jeff and left the room. When the door closed, Jeff looked at Blake.

“Why didn’t Steven join us?” Jeff asked.

“Steven is looking for Sammy Jo. I don’t like it, since he could very well run in to Blaisdel, but I could not stop him. And, God help us, we need some answers as to why all of this is happening.” Blake told him.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 7


Audrina’s pediatrician appointment included an immunization, that did not please young Miss Carrington. Just as she started to cry, Adam, who held her as the nurse injected her, whispered for her to stay strong, reminded her that she was a Carrington and told her that when they arrived home, she would have new stuffed animals in her nursery, which he had ordered this morning from a toy boutique.

Kirby could not help but smile at them both, when Audrina, as if understanding what her father was saying, suddenly stopped crying. Kirby reached over with a tissue to wipe her tears. Audrina’s pediatrician, Dr. Eileen Bowers, seemed to think Audrina was coming along nicely, which was much needed good news.

Dr. Bowers and staff, discreetly ignored the men that had come to the appointment with them. Everyone was aware of what was going on in the world of the Carringtons these days. Adam had to quietly admit to himself that Jeff had been right: Kirby seemed relieved to see the men guarding over them.

The men were outside of the exam room. Dr. Bowers told Adam and Kirby that the nurse would be in with some instructions, and a date when she would want to see Audrina again. Dr. Bowers left the room and once the door was closed, Adam kissed the top of Audrina’s head.

“You were strong during that shot, my little princess. Just like your grandmother would have been.” Adam said to Audrina.

Kirby raised a brow!

“Is that to imply that Alexis could take an injection better than let’s say…me?”

“Now, now, darling, I was just saying that I am proud of our little girl for not crying.”

“And that’s to say that I would?”

Adam gave Kirby a look!

“I seem to recall that you were quite uneasy when you were hospitalized after Audrina’s birth. A nurse came in to take some blood and I had to hold your hand…”

“That never happened.” Kirby interrupted.

“Oh it didn’t?” Adam asked in a challenging manner.

Kirby lowered her brow.

“You don’t know that your mother wouldn’t have screamed at the sight of a needle that large, Adam! You saw what they tried to inject me with! It was as big as sword or something.” Kirby sniffed.

Before Adam could suggest that they agree to disagree, the door opened and closed quickly! And the person that stepped inside was not Dr. Bowers or any known nurse.

It was Elena Branagh, dressed like a nurse!

Adam quickly handed Audrina off to Kirby, before starting to open his mouth to call for the guards! But Elena put a halting hand up!

“Please, Your Royal Highness, listen to me! You must know what you are up against!”

Oddly, Adam said nothing and looked over at Kirby, who shrugged, while holding Audrina close. There was a lot they did not know about this whole situation.

“First,” Elena said, “you must know about how the Secretary of the Interior, Warnick, plans to keep New Moldavia within his grasp.”

Adam eyed her.

“I know what you told my brother and his wife about their deceased loves ones.” he said bluntly.

“You should be ashamed of yourself!” Kirby could not help but hiss. “Neither Luke nor Lindsey are alive, are they?”

“I was told that they are from a very trusted source.” Elena replied calmly.

“Which would be whom?” Adam asked with contempt.

“Farouk Ahmed.” Elena replied quietly.

“Good God!” Adam growled. “Rashid Ahmed’s brother is the head of this ‘group’ that is lying about my birthright?!”

“Your Royal Highness…” Elena began but now Kirby cut her off!

“Stop calling him that! We do not want any part of any schemes involving the Ahmed family!” Kirby told her. Audrina sensed the tension as she stared at Elena.

“I assure you, this is no scheme. And if you won’t do this for the good of your birthright, then do it to save your sister.” Elena said.

“Amanda?” Adam asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Do you know a man named Matthew Blaisdel? He is an American who has become quite important in Moldavian politics. He just came out of nowhere and quickly became part of the New Moldavia inner circle.”

“Does he have a daughter?” Adam asked.

Elena nodded. Adam and Kirby shared a look before facing Elena again.

“What about Amanda?” Adam asked tersely.

“This Blaisdel has begun an affair with a woman named, Samantha Reece. She is Krystle Carrington’s niece. Her father has helped get many persecuted citizens out of Moldavia and relocated them elsewhere. A plot had been hatched to send Miss Reece to Moldavia to impersonate Amanda.”

There was a silence. Then Adam looked at Kirby, who started giggling! Audrina looked at each parent and began smiling herself!

Elena answered with a wan smile of her own.

“I see you are familiar with Miss Reece?” she asked.

“Her and my sister are nothing alike,” Adam said coldly, “and Sammy Jo couldn’t pull off class, breeding or halfway decent manners, if you trained her for over a 100 years. How in the world does she expect to pretend to be Amanda?”

“The plan is to tell the people of Moldavia that Amanda was injured on her wedding day, so badly, that her face needed reconstructive surgery. Caress Morrell is teaching Miss Reece how to become Princess Amanda.” Elena revealed.

“To what end?” Kirby asked, appalled at the amount of treachery that was being planned here!

“Yes,” Adam seconded, “what does Blaisdel himself get out of this?”

“We are not sure of that. Farouk Ahmed had hoped to get your other sister to help him with that. No one seems to know Blaisdel well enough…”

“Wait!” Kirby interrupted. “You mean Fallon?”

“Yes. Fallon Colby. But she could tell Farouk nothing.”

“When did he ask her?” Adam asked.

Elena was about to answer when her head tilted towards the exam room door.

“I must go! Just know that if you want to keep Amanda from being humiliated, you will allow us to offer proof that you are the true born son of King Galen of Moldavia!” Elena almost begged.

The door suddenly flew open and Dr. Bowers, along with the two guards that had let Elena in, entered looking angry!

“My nurse was assaulted for her uniform! I’ve called the police!” Dr. Bowers snapped before looking at Adam, Kirby and Audrina.

“Are you alright?” Dr. Bowers asked as the guards dragged Elena from the room.

“Yes.” Adam answered. They now knew what was being planned. He would contact his mother on her plane. Hopefully, she could get word to Daniel, Dex and Creigh about this scheme.

Kirby herself answered ‘yes’ for another reason. She now knew she had been right to be suspicious of Fallon’s ‘amnesia’. Fallon had left Jeff at the altar to run off with Farouk Ahmed.

***

BILLINGS, MONTANA- TORRENCE FARM

Moldavian Secretary of the Interior, Warnick, had already arranged for the scheme Duchess Elena had told Adam and Kirby about, to be fleshed out at the home Adam had grown up in, when he thought his name was Michael Torrence. Adam had not sold the property when Kate Torrence had died, and was renting it out through a realtor.

It was early morning when Sammy Jo awoke in the bed she was sharing with Matthew Blaidsel. Matthew was asleep on his stomach, naked. Sammy Jo’s firm breasts jutted proudly as she sat up and then proceeded to get out of bed. She walked over to the window and peered from behind the curtains. Adam had actually lived in this godforsaken place? Sammy Jo knew she would have went nuts if she had had to spend her life here!

Matthew turned over and sat up.

“I need you again, honey. Come back to bed.” Matthew said sleepily.

Sammy Jo turned away from the window and faced him, smirking.

“But I don’t need you. So if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a shower and then get ready for my ‘lesson’ from ‘Cruella Morrell’.” Sammy Jo answered sarcastically.

Matthew rubbed his face.

“Come on now, Sammy Jo. Don’t be like that. It was just an honest mistake…”

Sammy Jo picked up a robe of Matthew’s that was lying in a chair, and flung it at him!

“You called me ‘Krystle’! Actually, no, you bellowed her name while you were inside of me! And you know what? Now I have to wonder just what exactly do I get out of this plan?” Sammy Jo huffed as she grabbed her own robe and padded into the bathroom.

Matthew ignored the robe that was flung at him and slowly got out of bed. Sammy Jo Reece had not been a part of this plan. The plan had been to get back at the Carringtons, while trying to help re-build Moldavia with American money and…any maybe lure Krystle away from Blake.

But Krystle’s niece had suddenly appeared in her life and even better, she had married Steven and given him a child. And soon, Daniel Carrington would be living in Moldavia with his mother…or so Sammy Jo thought.

Daniel would be the reason Blake and Alexis Colby, pumped money into Moldavia to give the new regime a start. A government not run by royalty. But by a president. And if Blake and Alexis ever wanted to see Danny again, they would damned well do it.

The most damning part of this plan was yet to be revealed. The man that would end up being President of Moldavia, would be surprise to everyone- especially Adam Carrington. And Matthew’s reward for his hard work in helping to implant this plan, would be a VP post.

And Krystle. Matthew would have Krystle as his wife. She would agree to leave Blake if she wanted to see Danny again.

Then there was Lindsey. His darling girl. She would do her part to make sure that Steven and Claudia fell into line. Claudia. When they met again, he would have more than a few things to say to her.

Sammy Jo just assumed she was getting paid to be Amanda, who had had ‘reconstructive surgery’ after being shot up at the wedding. She thought she was being paid to start over in New Moldavia with her son. But in the end, after she forfeited any right to the Moldavian Dynasty as the Dowager Princess, only Daniel would be needed. Not her.

And yet, Matthew had found Sammy Jo to be too beautiful and tempting to resist. And he suspected that when Sammy Jo was made aware of Matthew’s past with her aunt, that appealed to her, in a sordid way.

But now…now Sammy Jo was becoming suspicious. She had never questioned before what she got out of all of this, other than money. Which meant she wanted something else other than money and her child.

Matthew walked into the bathroom and found that Sammy Jo was already in the midst of her shower. He opened the door and stepped inside to join her. Sammy Jo turned to face him and his eyes covered her young body.

“What you’re going to get out of this plan, Miss Reece, is a marriage proposal. I’m going to be the next Vice President of Moldavia. And I’ll need you and Danny by my side. Marry me!” Matthew said in a tone that in no way sounded like he was asking.

Sammy Jo’s face lit up as the water beat down upon them! She slowly closed the distance between them and reached up to put her arms around his neck. She pressed her breasts against Matthew’s chest, as steam surrounded them.

Then she said something unexpected. Something other than ‘yes’.

“Do I remind you of my dear Aunt Krystle? Is that why you’re looking at me like that?” Sammy Jo asked in a taunting voice.

Matthew violently took her mouth with his, kissing her hard! He then grabbed her buttocks, lifted her quickly and then without hesitation, impaled her on his waiting lust! Sammy Jo’s startled cry was music to his ears, as he began a punishing pace of spearing Sammy Jo over and over again upon his pulsing root…

Hours later, they were dressed and ready for today’s ‘Amanda Carrington Lesson’. Matthew opened the front door as Caress’s car pulled on to the property. Sammy Jo joined him and his arm slid and anchored Sammy’s Jo’s waist, as they waited for Caress to exit the car.

Caress Morrell, who was yet again, betraying Blake and her sister, was getting something out of this as well. A new chapter for her novel, where in which the the identity of the man running for President of Moldavia, and his connection to Alexis, would be revealed.

***

CARRINGTON MANSION-

Gerard opened the door to Adam and Kirby as they returned home with Audrina. Amanda appeared in casual clothing and told them she was going to take a walk around the grounds. Adam handed Audrina off to Mrs. Gunderson before addressing his sister.

“Amanda, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be walking around alone, even on the grounds.” Adam warned her.

“I cannot stay in this house another minute! I just need to clear my head. And there is more than enough security.” Amanda reminded him.

Kirby gave her a sympathetic look.

“Just be careful, okay?” she offered and Amanda smiled at Kirby, before walking out of the house. Gerard closed the door behind her and walked off to continue his duties. Adam placed his hands on Kirby’s shoulders.

“Why don’t we go riding? We can keep an eye on Amanda…if you don’t mind?” Adam asked her, smiling down carelessly at her.

“I don’t mind and I think it’s a good idea.” Kirby agreed and he put his arm around her as they headed up the stairs. They did not realize that Fallon had been watching them from the library, via a door that was ajar. Fallon closed it and walked back into the library and over to one of the terrace doors. She opened one and walked out of it, hoping to catch sight of the direction Amanda was going in.

Fallon smiled to herself. Her sister’s ‘walk’ seemed like it was heading towards the studio that Alexis had lived in, before she married Cecil Colby. Fallon decided that now would be the perfect time to follow her dear little sister, and find out if her suspicions about Amanda’s stroll, and Michael Culhane, were correct.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

CHAPTER 8

DENVER CARRINGTON-

Blake’s secretary put a call through to him from Steven. He quickly took it, thinking that Steven had found Sammy Jo.

But what he was told was the last thing he expected to hear!

“What do you mean you are on a plane to Moldavia with your mother and Dex?! And Claudia is with you?!”

Yes. Steven had lied about looking for Sammy Jo. He would deal with her later. Right now he had to find out of Luke and Lindsey were alive. Claudia especially needed to know if Lindsey was alive. And neither of them were about to sit around and wait to hear from Daniel Reece, Dex or this Creighton Boyd character.

They wanted to be there for Luke and Lindsey when they found them.

“Dad, I’m sorry but Claudia and I have a big stake in this. We’ll be safe.”

“How do you figure that?! Steven, we watched Luke die! He is not alive!”

“He’s tied to a chair, Dad! He’s wearing the clothing that he wore at the wedding! There are blood stains…” Steven faltered. Alexis took the phone from him and Claudia pulled Steven into an embrace.

“Blake, it’s Alexis! You have upset our son, yet again…”

“Where is your common sense?!” Blake interrupted rudely. “Steven and Claudia will be killed! You’ll be dragged off again and probably killed! And there is no one to rescue! I would think that Daniel and Dex would know better than to encourage this nonsense!”

“I don’t believe it is nonsense,” Alexis said coolly, “and we left people behind when we were thrown out of Moldavia. Galen is alive, I can feel it! And if these ‘New Moldavians’, lied about Galen, then they probably have other hostages as well.”

“Alexis, I want you to listen to me: even if Galen and maybe Luke are alive, the Lindsey Blaisdel thing IS a lie! This could set Claudia back, mentally! Turn that plane around and get back here!”

“You’re not in control here, Blake. You’re not in charge. And once we bring everyone back home, you and that blonde tramp of yours, will look very bad for not helping! Goodbye!” Alexis snapped and hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, in another part of the plane, Daniel Reece had a map spread out on a table. Dex and Creigh were looking it over as well.

Creigh spoke first…

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of your wife, Dex, or the others, because I don’t know for sure what my people found out was true.”

Dex raised a brow.

“Something about Galen?” Dex asked. Personally, he didn’t care if Galen was alive or not! But he loved Alexis and he cared for Amanda. If somehow King Galen could help calm things down, with regards to his son’s murder, or the ‘Adam is the true Prince’ talk, the he would put aside his personal feelings and help out.

“Yes,” Creigh began, “the word is that Galen has somehow become involved with a young woman. Someone who fits Lindsey Blaisdel’s description. It’s also being alleged that Lindsey is married to another American that was kept as a hostage of sorts. This American fits the description of Luke Fuller.”

Daniel gave Creigh a look of disbelief!

“We can’t tell Claudia that! She’s already been pushed to her limits here!” Daniel seethed.

Dex nodded.

“I agree with Daniel. We say nothing about any of this until we are face to face with the situation. Did Warnick force the Luke and Lindsey marriage? And the Galen/Lindsey thing seems odd. If Matthew Blaisdel is part of this, then there is no way he’d allow his only daughter to be involved with the man he’s working against.” Dex reasoned.

“Hey! Don’t shoot the messenger,” Creigh said, “all I’m saying is that when we go on the hunt to rescue our hostages, we might find people that won’t want to be rescued.”

Daniel turned and walked over to the bar. Dex followed him.

“I know you’re worried about Sammy Jo, Daniel. But you just have to believe that she doesn’t know anything about this. She’s met Blaisdel and thinks she’s met this new and wonderful man in her life.” Dex counseled.

Daniel downed a drink and looked Dex in the eye.

“There is a part of me that thinks I should turn this plane around and find Sammy Jo. I think the answers we are seeking are back in the states. And I really want to believe you’re right about my daughter, Dex, but my gut tells me she is just as much a part of this as Blaisdel. And if she is, I can’t help her.” Daniel said firmly.

Meanwhile, Alexis entered the area and Creigh smiled at her. Alexis smiled back and she joined him at the table, giving the map a cursory glance.

“What this?” Alexis asked casually. She tried not to look over at Dex and Daniel, huddled over by the bar.

“A map of the area we think we’ll find our hostages,” Creigh said, “how are Steven and Claudia holding up? You know, it wasn’t smart to let them come along…”

“There was nothing I could do to stop them, “ Alexis said dismissively, “and I’ve been where both of them are. Fallon was once thought of as dead. If I thought someone had kidnapped her or kept her, I’d move heaven and earth to find her. And Steven feels for Luke the way I feel for Galen. My life is with Dex now, but I can’t just leave Galen to suffer. And if I ever want to make peace with Adam and Kirby, Galen needs to be found.”

Creigh nodded.

“You know, I never thought of Adam as someone who would settle down. Of course when I knew him, he didn’t seem like the marrying type. Kirby must have changed that, hey?”

Alexis rolled her eyes!

“Kirby trapped my son and he feels guilt over a misunderstanding he had with her, on my penthouse floor.” Alexis said indifferently. She excused herself from Creigh, unaware of how her words had affected him. Did Alexis Dexter just tell him that Adam had raped Kirby on her penthouse floor? Little Kirby who didn’t look as if she weighed more than a feather? He felt instantly sickened. Sickened and disgusted with Adam, his old college friend that to his knowledge, had never assaulted any of the women he had dated in college. Or had he?

Creigh forced himself to put Adam and Kirby out of his mind. He especially forced himself to put Kirby out of his mind. Kirby, with her glorious long, dark hair and mesmerizing eyes.

The co-pilot entered the room to tell them that they had entered Moldavian airspace and would soon be landing. And what the group would find, is that they were wrong about at least one thing that Creigh’s sources had THOUGHT they had discovered. Something that Caress Morrell had now found out and was putting into her ’Sister Dearest’ tell all.

***

CARRINGTON MANSION-

Adam and Kirby walked down the stairs dressed in riding gear, when they witnessed Krystle on the phone. She suddenly hung up and her face looked ashen! Kirby looked at Adam before hurrying down the stairs to her!

“Krystle? What is it?” Kirby asked. Adam soon joined them.

“That was Blake. Steven and Claudia are with Alexis and the rescue team.” Krystle whispered.

“Steven and Claudia went to Moldavia with the rescue team?” Adam asked, his tone full of incredulity. “They’ll get themselves killed!”

“How could Alexis have allowed it? She should have kept them from getting on the plane with them!” Kirby seconded. Adam agreed with his wife. His mother could do anything she set her mind to. And if she didn’t want someone getting on a plane with her, Alexis could certainly stop them!

“Blake is coming home and he wants to talk to Fallon. He thinks it would be a good idea if she took over La Mirage again.” Krystle said, but she still looked dazed. What were Steven and Claudia thinking?

In her heart she knew. They needed to see for themselves that Luke and Lindsey were alive.

“Amanda left to take a walk. I will go and find her.” Adam said and turned to walk towards the front door. Kirby excused herself from Krystle and caught up with him before he got there.

“Adam,” Kirby said in a low tone, “Amanda is probably with Michael at the studio. What are you going to do if you find them together?”

“I’ll take two of the guards. Culhane will be escorted off of our property and Amanda will be brought back here.”

Kirby gave him a look. Adam seemed to think what he had just told her was just a simple matter.

“We don’t know that he didn’t kill Prince Michael!”

Adam pulled her to him for a quick kiss, before reluctantly letting her go.

“Culhane is a PR problem. Not a criminal one. And I will deal with this. Just stay here with Krystle and the children.” Adam told her before turning to open the front door. He closed it behind him and Kirby walked to the door window. She saw that her husband was taking two guards with him over to that loathsome studio that Alexis once stayed in. Kirby certainly hoped Amanda was at least dressed!

She turned back to Krystle only to see that Jeff was now with her, talking earnestly. Kirby walked over to hear Jeff saying he could not find Fallon anywhere in the house, and that Steven and Claudia were crazy. Kirby slowly turned away from them and looked back at the front door. She could not shake the feeling that not only was Fallon no longer in this house, but that Adam would probably find her in that studio as well.

***

CARRINGTON STUDIO-

Michael and Amanda sat in a sunken in tub filled with bubbles and just relaxed in one another’s arms…

“I know you had nothing to do with it.” Amanda whispered, as Michael began a trail off kisses on the side of her neck. Her hair was pinned up and she felt herself surrendering to his lips and the heat within the bath.

Michael reluctantly pulled his lips away from her skin and looked into her eyes.

“I’m worried about you. All of the crazy talk about your brother being on the throne means you’re not wanted on there.” he said softly.

Amanda nodded.

“I know. Daddy has guards…”

“I think I should move into the house with you.” Michael said pointedly.

Laughter, that seemed to come out of nowhere, filled the outer part of the studio. It soon appeared in the bathroom doorway in the form of Fallon! Amanda had to force herself not to rise out of the tub with outrage!

“What. Are. You. Doing. Here?” Amanda asked, struggling to query her fury! They had locked the front door! Her and Michael always locked the front door! How did Fallon get in here?

“If you’re wondering how I got in here, little sis, I have a key. I always had keys, didn’t I, Michael? How have you been, by the way? I’ve heard you’ve come up in the world…though I don’t know if doing deals with the likes of Zachary Powers counts as such.” Fallon smirked.

Michael chose to rise from the tub, in all of his glory.

“Hello, Fallon. I’m fine. More so now that Amanda and I have found one another. So if you don’t mind…”

“If I don’t mind, what? Leaving so that you can rut around with my sister? She’s in real trouble. And if you involve yourself in this, then you’re going to be in trouble as well.”

Amanda was not quite as bold as Michael. She reached for a towel and stood up. She draped it around herself and faced off with her big sister!

“Leave us, Fallon! My life does not concern you.” Amanda told her.

“Daddy has asked me to resume running La Mirage. So your life, that being your ‘dead husband in my hotel’ does concern me. And the spectacular tackiness you’ve shown with Michael here, darkens our family name…”

“So does lying about being raped by our brother!” Amanda snapped back. The cheek of this witch to judge her!

Michael raised a brow! Amanda couldn’t be talking about Steven! What the hell was this all about?

Fallon turned and walked out of the bathroom. She would deal with Amanda in private, the same way she would deal with Michael Culhane…in private. Fallon opened the door to the studio and ran into Adam!

“Is Amanda here with Culhane?” Adam asked, looking around his sister.

“They’re all yours.” Fallon said sardonically, moving past him and out of the door. Adam clenched his jaw as Michael and Amanda emerged from the bathroom in robes.

“Amanda, get yourself dressed and back to the house. I will wait outside for you. Culhane, you will be escorted off of the property.” Adam told him. He then turned and walked out of the studio, pulling the door closed behind him. Adam stared at the back of Fallon’s head as she walked back to the house. What had she been doing over here anyway?

Adam could not help but wonder if Fallon, the Real Fallon he had met when he first came to Denver, had come over to this studio to get her ‘chauffeur’ away from her sister?

Meanwhile, in the studio, Amanda was still fuming over Fallon’s ’visit’! And she was now wondering the same thing Adam was. Did Fallon want Michael back?

Michael could tell that Amanda could not shake off Fallon’s visit and turned her to face him.

“Fallon is just being Fallon. I know you don’t know her very well. Unfortunately, I do. Colby bores her and I don’t. She’s jealous…”

“Michael! I cannot deal with her! I just cannot! I cannot deal with having to leave you so soon! We hardly had any time together!” Amanda almost pouted.

Michael’s response to Amanda’s indignation, was to drop his robe, then untie hers. Amanda’s dropped to the floor as well and the two of them just held one another, naked, until Michael reluctantly let her go.

“Don’t think of this as leaving me. We can’t be together if you’re not alive, honey, okay? When it’s safe, we’ll be together. I promise.” Michael said softly. He reached for the clip in her hair and it tumbled down.

Amanda nodded against him, sighing. They would be together, if she had to go and hunt for that murderous witch, Elena, herself!

Michael smiled as he held Amanda. He’d deal with Fallon in his own way. But he did not want her back. Fallon had Colby and probably a string of other men on the side.

Amanda, he had all to himself now.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 9


AUTHOR’S NOTE:


I want to apologize for the lack of update last week. I had become dehydrated and thought I could cure myself. I spent some time in the ER and am fine now.


Also, I have introduced a character named ‘Camden Danvers’. But looks wise, he is the actor that played Adam in the Dynasty TV Movie in the 90’s, Robin Sachs. I didn’t think he was a bad Adam, and I thought he had some chemistry with Kathleen Beller. Certainly not what she had with Gordon Thompson, but it was not terrible.


DENVER CARRINGTON-


Attorney Andrew Laird practiced very little law these days. He had actually married the widow of a recently deceased client of his named Jonathan Hart. Andrew’s new wife, Jennifer, was someone he had nursed a secret crush on for years. He bided his time and waited before moving in to get close to Jennifer. And now, Andrew was the happiest he had been in years.


That is until Blake called him. And Andrew was not happy about what he would have to tell his old friend and client. He had looked into New Moldavia and gotten more answers than he had ever expected or wanted to.


Now, as he walked into Blake’s office and shook his hand, Andrew would have to tell him truths that would affect more than just Amanda or Adam…


Blake let go of Andrew’s hand and tilted his head at him.


“Whenever you have bad news you look like this. What did you find out?” Blake asked.


Andrew slowly walked over to the bank of windows behind Blake’s desk and stared out. He then turned to face him.


“I don’t know which piece of bad news is the worst. So all I can do is start at the beginning.”


Blake folded his arms.


“Yes, this does sound bad. Go on.” he sighed.


“It does not matter whether Adam was King Galen’s son or not. At this juncture, it’s not important.” Andrew began.


“Why?” Blake asked.


“Because there is an actual legitimate heir of New Moldavia, though his connection is not from King Galen’s bloodline. This man’s true born name is Camden Danvers. He is the son of King Galen’s late wife’s sister, Cordelia Danvers.”


“Galen has no brothers or sisters?” Blake asked. He hated asking about things he should have known from the beginning. But Alexis pushed Amanda into that marriage so fast that he had hardly had time to look into Prince Michael, other than to ascertain that he was who he said he was.


“No. And there’s more: Galen was originally betrothed to Cordelia. She ran off, left Moldavia and ended up here in the U.S.. She met and married a man named David Torrence.” Andrew said grimly.


Blake stared at Andrew as he tried to remember why that name was so familiar? Torrence…Torrence…


“Good God! That’s the name of the woman that kidnapped Adam! He was raised by some woman that had lost her son, wife and grandchild…”


“Blake,” Andrew said in earnest, “there is talk that that crash was no accident. And the baby boy was taken from the crash by Moldavians. He was brought back to his mother’s home country and raised by his grandparents. Cordelia’s younger sister, Vivien, took her sister’s place in the betrothal agreement and married Galen. She was Prince Michael’s mother.”


“And she died of illness or something, right?” Blake asked.


Andrew sighed.


“She was killed by a wild animal.”


Blake turned away. Where had he heard that same phrase recently? Where had he…


Blake turned back to Andrew!


“Dominique and Garrett are concerned about Jackie! She’s involved with someone who’s wife was also…”


“Yes, Jonathan Lake.” Andrew interrupted. “He is high up in the state department here, but he is knee deep in politics in Moldavia. His late wife, Caroline, was killed on Lake’s estate in Moldavia.”


“Lake came to me in some kind of official capacity to question me about Amanda’s wedding! You’re saying he’s in with that Minister of the Interior Warnick?”


“It looks that way. I’ve spoken with Garrett and he has plans to keep Lake from Jackie, however possible.”


“How does Blaisdel fit into all of this?” Blake asked, suddenly feeling tired.


“Matthew Blaisdel saved Queen Vivien from an attempted ‘animal attack’. Matthew was wounded quite badly and Queen Vivien insisted that he and Lindsey stay in a home on the palace grounds, permanently, to show their gratitude. There were rumors that something developed between Blaidsel and the late Queen.” Andrew said.


“An affair with the Queen of Moldavia would explain Blaisdel’s ‘in’ in that world. Did King Galen know about it?” Blake asked.


Andrew suddenly became silent. Blake sensed he was reluctant to say more.


“Andrew, my family is fighting for its life here! Blaisdel is back from the dead to hurt us and Jonathan Lake is trying to hurt my sister through her daughter! Now damnit, tell me what else there is to know!”


“Fine,” Andrew said shortly, “Queen Vivien attempted to have a late life baby. It was a girl. The word is that the child was really Blaisdel’s.”


“What happened to the child?” Blake asked.


“There is speculation, from within the palace, that King Galen, angry by his wife’s betrayal, threw the newborn into the fireplace. Queen Vivien supposedly died in childbirth but others are saying she was smothered.” Andrew said gravely.


“My God! What kind of family did my daughter marry in to?! Does Alexis know about that of this?”


“No, not that I could tell. It seems your ex-wfe left that life behind her. I found no evidence that she was ever seen in Galen’s company again.” Andrew admitted.


“I never believed that Adam was Galen’s. But that seems to be the least of our problems now. So Lindsey Blaisdel IS alive. What about Luke Fuller?” Blake said tiredly.


Now Andrew folded his arms.


“Yes, he’s alive. Luke and Lindsey are alive and married to one another.” Andrew revealed somberly.


Blake ran his hands down his face. He knew Andrew had more to tell him.


And he did.


“Blake, this Camden Danvers has spent his life roaming Europe under different names. He has also spent his life lying to women about his identity and his marital status. One of his aliases was ‘Jean-Paul Cadot’.” Andrew said gravely.


Blake lowered his hands from his face.


“That was the man that Joseph thought Kirby was engaged to. Oh God.” Blake sighed heavily.


“I am aware of that, Blake. And I am also aware that when Danvers was posing as this Cadot character, he was actually married as well.” Andrew replied.


Blake nodded slightly.


“And is he still married?”


“He’s a widower. His wife died shortly after Kirby and him parted ways. Her name was Greta and she too died at the hands of a wild animal.” Andrew said gravely.


***

NEW MOLDAVIA


The rescue plane landed on an old airstrip that had not been used since WWII. As Daniel, Dex and Creigh were gathering their things, and Steven and Claudia began to gather their bearings, the pilot told Alexis that she had a call from Adam. Knowing that it had to be important, Alexis was left in the cockpit alone as she picked up.


“Adam? What’s wrong, darling?”


Adam, who was in the mansion study, began to talk.


“Mother, I spoke with the Duchess of Branagh today. How and why is not important. But she revealed that Warnick has orchestrated a plot to have Amanda impersonated. I suspect it is so the imposter can renounce any claims in Prince Michael’s name.”


“What? Impersonate her? With who?” Alexis asked tersely.


“Sammy Jo.”


“Sammy Jo, who?”


“Yes, Mother, that was my reaction exactly. Apparently, Blaisdel and your sister, Caress, are helping her. The plan is to tell the Moldavian people that Amanda was more hurt during the massacre, than we let on. That her face needed reconstructive surgery. Throw in dear Aunt Caress’s tutorial on how to sound English and they may actually get away with it. I thought you should know before anything was done. Also, Father is very upset about Steven and Claudia being with you.” Adam told her.


Alexis paused before answering.


“This is far more sinister than we thought. And I believe the Duchess. Why didn’t she come to us from the beginning with all of this? The woman has been in Denver for months now.”


“The Duchess claimed she got the information from Farouk Ahmed. And worse yet, she claims that Ahmed tried to pump Fallon for information about Blaisdel.” Adam said gravely.


“The inference being that Caress’s allegation against Fallon could be correct. Which means trouble for her and Jeff. We’ll deal with that later. Just make sure that Amanda is safe. There cannot be a real Amanda to come forward and call Sammy Jo a liar, if this is to work.” Alexis said somberly.


“I have no intention of allowing anything to happen to my sister. Just stay safe, Mother.” Adam said.


“I plan to. I love you, darling and kiss Audrina for me.” Alexis said before hanging up. She then stood up and left the cockpit. Dex walked up to her.


“What was that all about?” Dex asked her.


Alexis patted his face before moving past him to Steven and Claudia.


“Steven, your tramp ex-wife is conspiring with the rogue government to impersonate Amanda! Elena told Adam this, so time is of the essence here!”


Daniel joined them!


“Don’t you ever refer to my daughter in that manner again!” he huffed.


Alexis turned to Daniel and favored him with a dazzling smile!


“I am sorry, Daniel. I meant to say your tramp daughter! And I am warning you, if Sammy Jo does anything to hurt Amanda, I will make sure she is put under a jail and never sees Danny again! Are we clear?”


Claudia locked eyes with Dex and Creigh, before serving as a buffer between Daniel and Alexis!


“Alexis, we are all victims here. Amanda lost Prince Michael. I was lied to about my daughter being dead. Steven saw Luke die and apparently that was faked in some way to make him believe it was true. And Sammy Jo is just as much a victim here as well. We don’t know that Matthew didn’t threaten her in some way. Maybe he even threatened Danny.”


Daniel smiled gratefully at Claudia before facing Alexis.


“Claudia is right, Alexis. Let’s just get Luke, Lindsey and King Galen out of here. I will deal with my daughter. And I have no intention of allowing her to do something that would put her in prison.” Daniel told her.


“We’d better get going,” Creigh said and nodded towards the ‘costumes’ draped over a nearby sofa. One was sacred priest clothing. The other two were nun religious habits.


***

CARRINGTON MANSION-


Kirby sat in the sunken in tub the bathroom she and Adam shared. Her hair was pinned up and her eyes were closed. She had hoped to relax but her mind was busy, as she tried to parcel out the information she and Adam had learned today.


A phone that was kept nearby, rang insistingly. Kirby opened her eyes and reached for it.


“Hello?” she answered.


“Kirby? Kirby, darling?”


Kirby slowly sat up straight in the tub. She knew that voice…but she didn’t know it.


“Who is this?” Kirby asked carefully.


“It’s Jean-Paul. How are you?” the man known as Camden Danvers asked quietly.


“How did you get this number? Never mind, don’t call here again.” Kirby said coolly.


“Why? Because ‘Adam’ might not like it?” Camden asked.


“I don’t like it! I don’t like you or what you did to me! I’m hanging up!”


“Kirby, wait! I have to see you! We must talk!”


“About what? I’m married and I have a daughter!”


“I know that there have been problems over this Moldavia rumor. We need to talk. Face to face.”


Kirby didn’t know what in the hell Jean-Paul was trying to say! Why was he calling her about this? Why was he calling her at all?


“I don’t want to meet with you and Adam wouldn’t like it! I doubt your wife would like it either. You remember your wife, don’t you, Jean-Paul? The woman you forgot to tell me about while we were engaged?”


“My wife died, Kirby. Shortly after you left me.” Camden told her.


To say that Kirby was shocked to hear this, was an understatement. But it changed nothing.


“I’m sorry, Jean-Paul. But please don’t call me again…”


“Kirby, I apologize for being unclear. We need to talk about Adam’s claim to the Moldavian throne. I have a claim as well, and hope that your husband plans to stay a Carrington.” Camden told her.


Kirby’s mouth dropped open!


“What are you talking about? Why would you have a claim to the Moldavian throne?”


“My mother was Queen Vivien’s sister. I have a legitimate claim to everything Adam has. Now I want to see you…”


Kirby hung up on the man she knew as Jean-Paul Cadot, just as Adam entered the bathroom and began undressing!


“Who was that?” Adam asked as he removed his shirt and tossed it on top of a nearby hamper.


“It was a reporter.” Kirby lied. Adam, who was removing his pants, gave his wife a look of disbelief!


“How did a reporter get our home number?!”


“Probably Caress,” Kirby continued to lie, “the reporter wanted to know how I felt about Prince Michael’s murder.”


“I just bet!” Adam growled as he finished undressing and then joined Kirby in the tub. But Kirby suddenly got out as soon as Adam entered, wrapped a towel around herself and stared down at him.


“I should check in on Audrina.” Kirby said in a hollow tone before leaving the bathroom. Adam stared holes in her back as she left him and he sunk down into the tub, trying to make sense of what had just happened. His eyes focused on the phone.


That had been no reporter on the phone. Who it was, Adam had every intention of prying out of his wife.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 10


CALIFORNIA-

Dominique and Garrett returned to California, courtesy of one of Blake’s planes. Garrett was on the phone with Andrew Laird, being filled in on all that was being wrought on to the Carrington family.


Dominique’s family. And all she could think about was Jonathan and whatever he had planned for Jackie. It was in that moment, that she decided that she would have no choice but to go to Zachary Powers. Someone as vile as him could protect Jackie—his daughter.


Of course, how she would explain all of this to Garrett, without revealing Jackie’s true paternity, Dominique would never know.


Once they landed, she sat quietly in a car Jason Colby had sent for them. Garrett had to juggle Carrington problems, and the unfortunate fact that Colby Enterprises wanted a pipeline built in New Moldavia…


“I do not understand, how so many people do not realize what a horrible place New Moldavia is!” Dominique sighed.


Garrett rubbed her arm.


“This is Colby Enterprises business, Dom. And we will keep our daughter out of it. I suppose she’s at Lake’s house?” Garrett asked with contempt.


“I don’t know. I can’t seem to get her on the phone these days. I plan to find her and let her know what is expected of her.” Dominique replied. She noted that Garrett didn’t respond and she didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.


It turned out to be a ‘good thing’.


“I was about to give up on this ‘Lake Infatuation’ and let it play out. But that man and what he’s in to, is too dangerous for our daughter to be around. Didn’t you tell me that he used some line on you, about how he almost killed himself after his wife’s death? Something about a song of yours kept him from doing that?” Garrett asked.


“Well…I believe that.” Dominique sniffed with pride.


“Now, now! I’m not saying it couldn’t be true. But his wife was killed by some wild animal, as was Camden Danvers mother and Camden Danvers wife! There’s some ‘wild animal club’ going on here, where in which when someone connected with Moldavia, wants out of a marriage, a wild animal shows up and takes care of the problem! Now I plan to find out just what kind of ‘animal’ we’re talking about here! I sure as hell don’t want Jackie to become a target of this beast, if there even is one!” Garrett griped.


Dominique looked at her fiancee with horror!


“What are you saying? That there is no animal?”


“I don’t know, Dom! That’s the problem! The police report on Lake’s wife lacked details! But there were some witnesses, so I’m going to have some investigators talk to them.”


“We need to find Jackie. I’ll find her, tell her that Blake wants her to work for Denver Carrington in International Relations. I think if I make it clear that Blake wants this and not myself, we may get her to at the very least, move to Denver.” Dominique said.


Garrett nodded but he still looked unhappy. And Dominique knew why. For even if Jackie agreed to leave California and move to Denver, Jonathan Lake would probably be by her side as well.


Dominique reached for Garrett’s hand and squeezed it. She planned to speak to Zachary first, before finding Jackie. If he could find a way to extricate Jonathan from Jackie, in a way only Zachary knew how to do, then everything else she and Garrett wanted to do to protect their daughter, would fall into place.

***

CARRINGTON MANSION-


Blake came home early from the office so that he could engage everyone in another family meeting. Needless to say, Kirby, who was still unsettled by her secret call from Jean-Paul, didn’t exactly want to be there…


She looked over near the fireplace and saw Amanda standing next to it. She was glowering at Fallon, who was sitting on one of the leather sofa’s next to Jeff. The two of them looked quite cozy, huddled up on that couch.


Kirby dragged her eyes off of Jeff and Fallon and found herself meeting Adam’s gaze. Adam had entered the library shortly before Blake and Krystle. Kirby knew Adam had wanted to fill Blake in on what they had found out from Duchess Elena, but she could tell from the general vibe in the room, that there had been no time for Adam to fill Blake in on anything. And that was because whatever Blake needed to say, was worse than anything she and Adam had found out.


Blake turned and nodded to Gerard, who closed the study door as he was leaving. Once that was done, Blake began to speak.


“I’ve had had Andrew looking into New Moldavia,” Blake began, before walking over to Amanda, “honey, if I had had your husband’s family, thoroughly looked in to, as I should have, none of this would have happened.”


Amanda only vaguely knew who this ‘Andrew’ was. But that was not important right now. The grave look on her father’s face was.


“What did you find out?” Amanda asked, hoping her words hadn’t come out sounding dry. For that was how her throat felt. Dry. Dry with fear.


Blake reached for one of her hands and turned to look over at Adam. Adam and Amanda. His two children he never got a chance to raise under this roof.


“The New Moldavian government has someone else they want to put on to that throne. So Andrew does not believe it matters if Adam is regarded as King Galen’s son or not.” Blake announced.


Kirby began to feel uneasy! Someone else is going to sit on that throne that has some sort of claim?


Adam folded his arms.


“This is someone from Galen’s family? A blood relation?” Adam asked.


“We’ll discuss that later, Adam, in private.” Blake told him.


But Fallon didn’t like the secrecy in what her father was saying! And why couldn’t everyone in this room know everything?


“Michael told me that Galen was an only child.” Amanda said, curiosity brimming in her tone.


“The heir is from Michael’s mother’s side of the family.” Blake said.


“Which isn’t an ‘heir’ at all.” Adam said with a raised brow.


“Oh God, Adam,” Jeff said tiredly, “what the hell do you care? Now you’re off the hook! Or did you really want to be the next King of Moldavia?”


Before Kirby could tell Jeff to shut-up, Blake said something else…


“Andrew looked into Alexis as well. He saw nothing that indicated that she went back to Galen during our marriage. You are MY son, Adam, as I always believed you to be.”


Adam smiled at his father’s words, before looking over at Kirby, who smiled as well.


“What else did Andrew have to say, Daddy?” Fallon asked. Blake had called this meeting for a reason.


“The heir, this man that New Moldavia wants on the throne, is named Camden Danvers. His mother was a woman named Cordelia Danvers and she was Prince Michael’s aunt. She was also originally betrothed to Galen. She ran away and came here, where she met and married an American named David Torrence.” Blake said grimly, now looking at Adam again.


Adam stared at Blake, and Krystle walked over to him. Kirby looked at Blake, but was not really seeing him. She kept hearing her conversation with Jean-Paul in her head. He said he had had a ‘legitimate claim’ to the throne of Moldavia. Was Blake talking about Jean-Paul? He couldn’t be!


Then, Blake dragged his eyes off of Adam and looked directly at her. It was then that Kirby knew. Knew that the connection between this Moldavian heir, and herself, was just as bad as she suspected it was.


Fallon and Jeff looked from Blake and Kirby and sensed trouble as well. Amanda let go of Blake’s hand and spoke.


“What are you saying, Daddy? Just say it!”


“The accident that killed David Torrence and his wife, who we now know was really Cordelia Danvers, was no accident. The child, Michael, survived and was taken back to Moldavia. Apparently, he was raised by his maternal grandparents. Cordelia’s younger sister, a woman named Vivien, took her sister’s place and became Galen’s wife…Michael’s mother.” Blake said grimly.


Adam moved away from Krystle and walked over to his father.


“You’re telling me that the real Michael Torrence survived and has staked a claim to the Moldavian throne?” Adam asked Blake. If the woman that had raised him, Kate, had known that her grandson had survived…if she had had a chance to raise him, then maybe he himself wouldn’t have been taken from his real family!


“Yes.” Blake said and his eyes fell on Kirby again. But this time Kirby did not shrink away from his gaze. She stood up.


“Adam, I think that this heir is more than just a man named Michael Torrence. I think he is someone I knew once and thought I would marry.” Kirby said quietly.


Jeff and Fallon glanced at one another, as did Krystle and Amanda.


Adam’s jaw tightened before he answered his wife.


“Michael Torrence is also Jean-Paul Gadot?” he asked Kirby.


Kirby nodded before confessing something else.


“Jean-Paul called me a little while ago. He asked about your claim to the throne and I didn’t get why he was asking. I told him to never call me again and hung up.” Kirby admitted.


Fallon found herself turning to look at Amanda, who’s eyes met hers. It was clear to Fallon that this was just as much a surprise to her little sister, as it was to her. Jeff stared at Kirby and Krystle walked over to her.


“Why do you think he called you, Kirby?” Krystle asked gently.


Kirby looked at her.


“He said he had a claim to the Moldavian throne and he said his wife died.” Kirby explained.


Blake made a sudden announcement.


“I need everyone to leave this room but Adam and Kirby.”


Jeff stood up and faced Blake!


“I don’t think it’s a good idea to shut all of us out, Blake! Now Steven and Claudia could be in real danger here! I think we all need to know what’s really going on!” Jeff half yelled.


Blake didn’t respond to Jeff.


Kirby did.


“Adam and I have been the ones most affected by this ‘Adam is the true ruler of Moldavia’ nonsense. So we’re the only ones that need to know what’s going on, Jeff.”


“I think we get the gist of what’s going on, Kirby. Your old boyfriend, the one you claimed to be engaged to for years, is really Michael Torrence, the man that Adam here thought he was, most of his life. His wife, the one he lied about to you, is now dead and he wants you back. He wants you to be his queen.” Fallon theorized.


Before Kirby could tell Fallon to shut-up, Amanda did!


“Shut-up, Fallon! If any of this is true, then I am not about to allow my husband’s family lineage to just disappear like this! And neither will Mummy! She will rescue Galen and he will get his throne back from this Danvers pretender!”


Amanda then skulked from the room and Krystle hurried after her! Blake gave Fallon a hard look.


“Your sister is going through a very hard time. I wish you would try to be more of a comfort to her.” Blake chastised.


Fallon stood up and walked over to her father.


“I get that, Daddy. But the truth is that without an heir, Amanda doesn’t have any footing and neither does former King Galen. If Amanda had had Prince Michael’s child, some relation on Galen’s wife’s side of the family, couldn’t have gotten a foothold on to that throne.” Fallon said.


Adam spoke.


“It’s much worse than everyone thinks. Kirby and I found out from the Duchess of Branagh, that Matthew Blaisdel and Caress, are working together to have Sammy Jo impersonate Amanda. And yes, while that sounds ludicrous, the point of this plot is to have ‘Amanda’ renounce any claim to that throne in her late husband’s name.”


Jeff gaped at Adam!


“They’ll never pull that off! Sammy Jo doesn’t look anything like Amanda!” Jeff exclaimed.


“She does if they say she was shot up at the wedding and had reconstructive surgery.” Kirby said quietly.


Fallon slowly sat back down and put her head in her hands. She muttered ‘oh my God’. Jeff sat down next to her and put his arms around her.


Blake sighed deeply. He had not even gotten to the part about the Moldavians and the ‘dead wives killed by wild animals’, thing that seemed to be going on. And in the back of Blake’s mind, he had to wonder if Jean-Paul a.k.a, Camden Danvers wife, was killed so that he could have Kirby?


***


NEW MOLDAVIA


Daniel drove a white, Chevy cargo van while wearing a priest apparel and wire rim glasses. Claudia sat next to him wearing a nun’s habit and wire rim glasses and Alexis sat near the passenger side window, wearing Claudia’s exact get up.


In the back, Creigh, Dex and Steven sat, holding guns…


There was only one checkpoint before they reached the palace. And the assumption was that things would not go smoothly. They reached the the checkpoint and found a steel toll booth, with a guard in it. He was smoking and looked up with genuine surprise when the their van approached. Daniel rolled down the window and went into his spiel…


“Good Morning, Officer! I’m Father Riley! This is Sister Susan(Claudia) and Sister Rowena(Alexis). We’re headed to the camp town to minister to the needy.”


Yes, unfortunately, many of the people of Moldavia, that had supported King Galen, had been thrown out of their homes and forced to live out in the woods in tents. Once a week, troops went out into the woods and harassed, beat or shot some of the now transient people.


“The needy would be fine if they would just bend the knee to King Danvers.” the guard said in a surly manner.


Daniel glanced over at Alexis who shrugged slightly. Neither of them knew who this ‘King Danvers’ was. In the back of the van, Creigh, Dex and Steven looked at one another in confusion as well. Creigh was especially kicking himself! He had had things checked out before they came here! The only big wig he knew about was Minister of the Interior, Warnick!


“Sorry son, but we’re confused. I was under the impression that Minister Warnick was the leader of Moldavia?” Daniel asked.


“He was shot last week.” the guard said casually.


“Does he need medical aid?” Daniel asked.


“I think he died. I can’t be sure. Open up the back of the van.” the guard ordered, tired of all of the questions.


“We just have supplies back there.” Daniel told him.


“True Moldavians could use supplies. Open up the back so I can inspect them.” the guard ordered.


Daniel turned off the engine and got out of the van. Claudia looked at Alexis!


“What are were going to do?” she whispered.


“What we came here to do. We knew this would not be easy.” Alexis whispered back. But she did glance back at Steven. He was holding a gun. She nodded to him, Dex and Creigh, before turning around to face front, as the back door of the van opened…


Creigh leaped out and onto the guard! They fell to the ground tussling, as Dex jumped out and looked around for any other threats! Creigh punched the guard twice in the face, knocking him out! Daniel hurried over to the guard’s booth and looked around inside, while Steven got out as well, just to stretch his legs.


Daniel came out of the booth with a large file folder with a clasp on it! Alexis got out on the passenger side and walked over to him.


“What is that?” Alexis asked.


“Hopefully something we can bargain with, if one of us gets captured.” Daniel said. Creigh and Dex dragged the guard off into nearby woods to hide him.


“How long until someone realizes this guy is missing?” Steven asked.


“Until the next vehicle.” Daniel told him. “So let’s get out of here. We now know that Warnick is either hurt or dead and there is King called ‘Danvers’. This changes things.”


“Yes it does. But not completely.” Alexis said as she took off her classes and removed the top of her nun’s habit. Her dark hair was soon revealed and she began to run her fingers through it.


“Mother,” Steven asked hesitantly, “what are you thinking?”


“I’m thinking that Galen had no one but Michael as an heir. He had no siblings or cousins that I know of. We need to find out who this Danvers character is, so that we can stop whatever Matthew Blaisdel is planning.” Alexis said.


“No.” Dex said. “You can’t just waltz up to the palace front door as Amanda’s mother! You’ll be thrown in a cell with Galen!


“Maybe,” Creigh said, “or maybe not. If there is a new regime then there are probably new guards. We need someone on the inside to let us in quietly so we can get to Galen, Luke and Lindsey.”


Claudia said nothing during all of this. That God awful Warnick had been shot and probably killed. What did that mean for Lindsey? Was she okay?


Claudia looked at Steven. She could see his worry as well. Claudia looked to Daniel.


“You are the leader of this rescue, Daniel. What do you think?”


“I think,” Daniel said grimly, as he tore his eyes off of Claudia and looked at Alexis, “we allow Mrs. Dexter to do her thing and find us a way into the palace.”


Alexis smiled and patted Daniel’s cheek.


“We will be back at that airstrip by nightfall. And Galen, Luke and Lindsey will be with us.” she purred.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 11


Kirby left the study with the intention of checking in on Audrina. But Adam was close on her heels and demanded that they talk alone in their room. Kirby did not protest as Adam grabbed her arm and pulled her into their bedroom!


Adam promptly let go of her as soon as he closed the door.


“You lied to me.” he began.


“Adam, I did not lie! I just didn’t want to talk about it.”


“You told me that was a reporter on the phone! That is when Jean-Paul called you, right? When you were in the bathtub?”


Kirby nodded.


“Yes. That was him.”


“Well? How did he get the number to this house?”


“Oh for God’s sakes, Adam! He’s royalty! I suppose they can find out anything! I did not give it to him, nor have I seen him since before I came back here!” Kirby huffed.


Adam said nothing and turned away from her.


“If that man had lead the life in Montana, he should have, then I would have been raised here. I would have met you sooner. Long before him!” Adam snapped.


Kirby could hear anger and hurt in Adam’s tone. She reached up to turn him back towards her.


“This is just an awful coincidence, Adam. That is all. You cannot change what happened so long ago. Yes, I met Jean-Paul before you but he lied to me. He acted as if he were single and he actually proposed to me. It wasn’t until I began to plan an engagement party, that he confessed everything. I feel nothing for him and I want nothing to do with him. You do understand that, don’t you?” Kirby asked Adam softly. She reached up to stroke his cheek.


But Adam removed her hand from his face.


“You once told me that I was so ‘damned much like him’. I was so damned much like Jean-Paul. I thought nothing of the comparison at the time because my head and heart, were so full of longing for you, Kirby. But now…” Adam trailed off.


“Now what?” Kirby asked, not understanding what Adam was trying to say. He was the one that always reassured when she was unsure of something. But apparently, she was not that good at comforting her own husband.


“I have to wonder about Camden Danvers, not Jean-Paul. He knew someone was being raised as Michael Torrence in Billings, Montana. And then that man’s true identity became Adam Carrington. Prince Michael, was in reality, Danvers cousin. When Amanda became engaged to Prince Michael, Danvers had to be aware that she was my sister. I think Danvers is the one that started that rumor that I was Galen’s son. And I think he did it because he was angry that we were together.” Adam said firmly.


“That makes no sense.” Kirby replied calmly. “I didn’t know you when I was with Jean-Paul.”


“He isn’t Jean-Paul, Kirby, if he ever was! He isn’t even Camden Danvers! He’s Michael Torrence, the supposedly dead son of David Torrence and Cordelia Danvers…or whatever name she was going by when she lived here! I don’t know what I am saying, except that I can’t help but feel that none of this is a coincidence.” Adam told her.


“What do you want to do?” Kirby asked him. “I mean Blake has essentially told us that our part in this is over. You are truly a Carrington and Jean…Camden, is going to take the throne. We have nothing to worry about. Let’s just forget this and go on with our lives.”


“And Amanda? What is she supposed to do?” Adam retorted.


“Adam! We know what Sammy Jo and Caress are up to and Blake will make sure they are stopped! Let’s just stay out of this and let Blake and your mother, help Amanda!” Kirby cried out, not understanding why Adam was being this way? If Jean-Paul was the true ruler of Moldavia, then she, Adam and Audrina, could live their lives in peace! Or as peaceful as living as a Carrington could be.


Adam stared down at her for a long moment, before uttering the unthinkable.


“Did you know who he was, Kirby? Did you know that he had an American father and that his parents had been killed? You were engaged to the man, or you thought you were. Who did you think your in-laws would be?” Adam asked.


Kirby shook her head and began to move past him! She got to the door and opened it, just as Adam grabbed her arm again and yanked her back towards him!


“Did you know he was Michael Torrence, Kirby?! When you met me and heard about where I had been, and who I thought I was, all of these years…”


Jeff suddenly appeared in the doorway and Adam released his wife.


“Kirby? Are you alright?” Jeff asked, his eyes on Adam’s stormy ones.


“Yes.” Kirby answered and walked out of the room. Jeff turned and followed after her while Adam slammed the bedroom door shut after them!


“What is going on?” Jeff asked, his voice full of concern.


Kirby stopped walking and stared up at her childhood crush and ex-husband.


“Adam thinks that Camden Danvers and myself, were in cahoots to hurt him.” she answered.


“Kirby, he can’t be thinking that! That’s ridiculous!”


“And yet he does. My marriage might be over.” Kirby said quietly.


***


CALIFORNIA-


Dominique found Zach Powers at the Emerald Oasis Country Club. She also spotted Miles engaged in a polo match. Farouk Ahmed was one of the spectators and Dominique knew that that was not an accident. She told herself she would keep her fingers crossed for Fallon and Jeff, as she walked over to Zach’s table.


“Dominique?” Zach inquired, looking genuinely surprised as he stood up to greet her. He had been waiting for Sable and she was running late, as per the norm.


“Zachary. I need to speak to you. It’s about Jackie.” Dominique said bluntly.


Zach pulled out a chair and Dominique sat in it. Zach re-seated himself and began speaking first.


“I take it this is about Jonathan Lake?”


“This is about more than Jackie being with someone that is unacceptable. You’ve developed some kind of rapport with her. I don’t know how or why, nor am I going to rebuke you about it. But I would appreciate it if you would give her a nudge towards Denver Carrington. Blake has a position for her that would be perfect.”


“And sending her to Denver would do what with regards to Lake? He would just follow her there.” Zach told her.


Domonique covered his hand within her own.


“I want you to make sure that he does not follow her, Zachary.”


Zach allowed Dominique’s hand to linger on his own for a moment longer, before removing it.


“In order for that to happen, I would need some assurances.” he told her.


“Zachary, Jonathan is knee deep in New Moldavia politics! I don’t want him dragging Jackie there!”


“Jackie, who is OUR daughter.” Zach said.


Dominique clenched her jaw.


“Yes, that is why I am coming to you.”


“You are coming to me because you know I have the wherewithal, to make Mr. Lake disappear and never be found again. Just as you have the ability to refer to Jackie as ‘our daughter’.”


“Zachary, don’t!”


“Don’t what?” Zack asked with gritted teeth. “You told me you were not sure that Jackie was mine. That there had been another man. She looks like my dead sister!”


“Alright, now there is no need to be testy! If you care for Jackie…”


“Our daughter. I want you to refer to her as ‘our daughter’ when you are speaking to me.”


“What do you want, Zachary? Really? Do you want ‘our daughter’ to have a father she can be proud of? Or a father that is on the Interpol watch list! And if you dare breathe a word of this to Garrett, he won’t believe you. No one would believe you. Now if you care anything for Jackie…”


“Why wouldn’t anyone believe me? Jackie would, I am sure. She would have no problem undergoing a test, along with myself. Maybe even Mr. Lake could arrange for it to take place in New Moldavia.” Zach threatened.


Dominique slapped Zachary Powers and then promptly stood up! People stared but she ignored them.


“I should have never come here! I should have known I could not count on you. Just like I knew I couldn’t count on you when I was pregnant all of those years ago.” she sniffed.


Zach stood up and closed his suit coat.


“I will point our daughter in the right direction. Whether or not Mr. Lake understands that he will not be welcome in Denver, is entirely up to you, Dominique.”


And with this words, Zach reached out to caress Dominique’s arm.


“Before you say no, you should know that we would not be alone. I would expect you to share my bed, along with Sable Colby. Together. The three of us.”


“You are out of your mind.” Dominique said coolly. “You expect me to participate in some threesome, where in which the ‘third person’ would have something to hold over my head as well?”


“Think about our daughter and get back to me.” Zach smiled and looked past her. Sable Colby was approaching and looked at the two of them with a brief, glimmer of suspicion, before giving Dominique an air kiss!


“My goodness, darling, what the Denver air has done for you! I heard about that frightful murder at La Mirage! How is Amanda holding up?”


“Not well, I’m afraid. I plan to return to Denver, with Jackie, so we can give Amanda our support. It was nice seeing you again, Sable, Zachary.” Dominique said and skulked off. Sable watched her walk off before eyeing Zach.


“What was that all about?” Sable asked, her mood suddenly foul. She could not believe how open Jason and Frankie were being about their horrid relationship! And then finding that picture of Zachary with Dominique, and putting two and two together about Jackie. And Sable liked Garrett Boydston, truly! She did not want to hurt him. But she did not want Dominique becoming a problem with regards to her relationship with the shipping mogul.


Zachary Powers placed his hands on Sable’s shoulders.


“Dominique wanted to know what I knew about New Moldavia. Apparently, Jonathan Lake has considerable influence and she is afraid that Lake may consider asking Jackie to live there with him.”


Sable’s eyes widened!


“That country sounds absolutely frightful!”


“Now Sabella darling, I want you to take a trip with me there. There are new business opportunities there and I think that we could both become even wealthier than we already are.” Zach said, as he picked up Sable’s hand to kiss it.


Meanwhile, Miles finished his polo match and was now talking, informally, with Farouk Ahmed…


“I met her that day, Mr. Colby. I did not know who she was at the time. She said her name was Randall.”


“Fallon Carrington’s family was responsible for your brother’s death and yet you didn’t know who she was? If someone had killed one of my sisters, you can damned well bet I’d know every member of the murderer’s family!” Miles huffed.


“The Turkish authorities were responsible for my brother’s death. I do not know what it is you are asking me, Mr. Colby?” Farouk asked, his tone one of boredom.


Miles realized in that moment that he had went about this all wrong. Farouk had known who Fallon was and was willing to cover for her. Probably because she was still seeing him behind Jeff’s back. He decided to look in to what probably no one ever had, regarding Fallon’s disappearance. She had left the Carrington mansion, the night of her wedding, without her purse. Meaning she had had no money. And yet she had not been absent of funds when Miles met her as ‘Randall’. And it did not appear that she worked. Someone had footed the bill for her. And if it wasn’t Ahmed then it was someone else.


***

NEW MOLDAVIA-


Camden Danvers, King-In-Waiting, looked over the list of Americans that wanted to settle down in New Moldavia. His newest assistant, an attractive woman named Tracy Kendall, who was also a former employee of both Denver Carrington and ColbyCo, presented the list to him. She had made checkmarks next to the ones she approved of, and question marks over the ones that were…well…questionable.


And she had outright crossed out people that she did not think would contribute in anyway to New Moldavia society.


“Your Highness, I don’t know about these two.” Tracy demurred.


It was the application of a couple from the Napa Valley of California, in the United States. Their names were Nick and Victoria Hogan. Mr. Hogan owned some kind of supply business, that didn’t seem to be doing all that well.


But Camden liked that Mr. Hogan’s wife was related to Angela Channing and that her father was part owner of Falcon Crest. Exactly half of it. Some of the oldest Falcon Crest wines were in their cellar. Camden thought that Mrs. Hogan’s relationship to the winery, no matter how distant, could be a plus.


“I think they will add a certain gravitas.” Camden answered, just as a guard entered and announced that Alexis Dexter was outside of the palace gates, waiting to see him. Tracy’s mouth dropped open slightly! The nerve of that woman to just waltz up to the front gates and…and what? What could she possibly want? Prince Michael was dead, King Galen would be soon enough and her darling daughter, had been thoughtless in not producing some sort of heir. Alexis Dexter had nothing left to offer them.


But Camden leaned back in his chair as the guard brought Alexis before him.


“Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter.” Camden stated coolly. Adam Carrington’s real mother. Kirby’s mother-in-law…


Camden forced himself not to look at the guard that announced her. His name was Sean Rowan and he was Kirby’s older brother. Alexis did not appear to recognize him, as Rowan had said she would not. Rowan and another sister of Kirby’s, Victoria, were raised by their mother, until they were not. And then by a maternal grandmother. Kirby, who was a late life baby, however, was kept with their father, Joseph, until she was sent away to school.


Alexis eyed Sean. He had been one of the ruffians that had dragged her out into the jungle, after the wedding massacre! But she did not acknowledge him and curtsied to Camden in an elegant manner.


“Your Highness, I am here on business. ColbyCo business. My brother-in-law, Jason Colby is putting in a pipeline here. I would like you to consider doing business with ColbyCo instead.” Alexis announced.


Camden looked from Alexis to Sean.


“I won’t be needing you.” Camden told him.


“You won’t be needing this tramp either.” Alexis smiled, referring to Tracy.


“You should talk!” Tracy sniffed. But Sean reached for her arm and escorted her from the room. Once in the hallway, he assured her that they would have ample time to teach Alexis a lesson.


Back inside the room, Camden approached Alexis.


“You are here in Moldavia alone? I am aware that your plane is on one of our old landing strips.” he noted.


Alexis forced herself to stop studying him so she could answer. There was something about him that reminded her of someone else. But who?


“If you do not mind, I would like to know just how you are related Galen? He had no siblings that I knew of.” Alexis noted.


“I though you were here on ColbyCo business, Mrs. Dexter?” Camden asked slyly. He offered her his arm and she took it. He began to escort her out of the room so they could walk and talk. That was fine with Alexis, since the sooner she could see a way in for Daniel, Dex and Creigh, the better.


And she also hoped to catch sight of Luke Fuller and Lindsey Blaisdel.


“You know, you referenced the late King Galen as if he were still alive. You know of course, that that cannot be possible.” Camden said. Alexis caught sight of a servant coming out of a door. She saw another door inside of a stairwell, hallway of sorts, that lead outside.


She pulled her arm from Camden’s!


“Look, Prince Michael is dead. I am here not only to do business, but to find out what my daughter’s rights are.”


Camden lifted a brow!


“Rights? She has none. But the Dowager Princess can show some grace and attend my coronation. There she will officially denounce all rights to the throne.”


“I thought you said she did not have any rights? And if you think I would allow my daughter to come here, so she could possibly be riddled with machine gun bullets, you can think again.” Alexis replied coolly.


Camden said nothing more to her about it. They wouldn’t need the real Princess Amanda here anyway. Soon, Matthew would be returning with an American woman who would be able to be at the coronation, as the Dowager Princess. Matthew had assured him he could get this done. And in exchange, all he had to do was bestow a title on Matthew, and his daughter…


Alexis turned as she saw someone walking towards them out of the corner of her eye. The young woman was maybe slightly younger than Amanda, and was wearing a Chanel sweater and slacks. Her long blonde hair was atop her head in a thick knot. Alexis sensed that she was staring at Lindsey Blaisdel, though she could see very little of Claudia in her. Then again, Claudia never dressed with much care, truth be told.


“Mrs. Dexter, this is the Duchess Lindsey of Gardwood.” Camden announced and Alexis curtsied to the young woman that she now knew had to be Claudia’s daughter…and yet…


It was in that moment, that Alexis came to a startling realization. She looked from Lindsey to Camden. Camden, for some reason, reminded her of Adam. Alexis could not put her finger on as to why she felt that way, since Adam and Camden looked nothing alike. Maybe it was their mannerisms or the timbre in their voices.


And then there was Duchess Lindsey. Lindsey Blaisdel. Alexis had always been good at spotting plastic surgery and she could see that the Duchess had had some work done. Work that made her oddly look like a blonde version of Fallon, as a teenager.


Alexis tried to hide her growing horror at the realization, that they had walked into more than just a coup here. If Camden reminded her of Adam and Lindsey reminded her of Fallon, what would she find when she finally saw Luke Fuller again?

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 12


Adam knew he had been horrible to Kirby. He knew this and yet he could not help but think that NONE of this was a coincidence. He didn’t know if it was just his cunning nature/intuition or just the feeling that he was being taken for a fool, that he could not get out of his head.


He had been sitting on the end of the bed he shared with Kirby, when the phone in the room rang. Thinking that it might be ‘King Jean-Paul’ again, Adam jumped up and hurried over to it! He snatched it up and very rudely said hello!


“Adam?” Dr. Jonas Edwards asked with concern.


Adam took a deep breath.


“Dr. Edwards…pardon my tone…it’s just been a bad day.”


“I’m sorry, son. And I don’t mean to make your problems worse, but I’m calling about the tenants I let rent out Kate’s farm house. I had to call the Sheriff on them.”


Adam frowned and sat back down on the edge of the bed.


“I had forgotten you had rented it out.” he replied.


“Well, at first I thought I was renting to a couple. But they began fighting in the road and passerby’s called the police. Additionally, they lied about how many people were staying there. There was a third person and Mr. Blaisdel didn’t pay for…”


“Blaisdel?” Adam asked, now slowly rising.


“Oh yes, their last name was Blaisdel. Bo and Heather Blaisdel. The wife looks old enough to be the man’s daughter. And then some British woman has been staying there and that’s extra money not being paid. I just wanted to let you know that they’ve all been thrown out, in case the authorities call, with you being the owner and all.”


“How long ago were they evicted?” Adam asked tersely.


“Maybe a half hour ago. Why? Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”


“No, Dr. Edwards, thank you for calling. Goodbye.” Adam said and hung up. This whole plot was being planned in his childhood home in Montana?! That had to be Danvers doing!


Adam left the bedroom and slammed the door behind him. He then hurried down the hallway, down the stairs and rushed to his father’s study. Blake and Krystle were the only ones in there, which was fine with him! Adam closed the study doors quickly before addressing Blake and Krystle.


“I just got a call from Dr. Edwards. He was a long time friend of the woman I thought was my grandmother, Kate Torrance. I have been renting out her farm house and Dr. Edwards has been keeping an eye on things. Today, he called the sheriff on three ‘tenants’. Blaisdel, Sammy Jo and Caress!”


“Matthew rented the farmhouse you grew up in in Montana?” Krystle asked in belief. “My God! What is going on here?”


Blake walked over to the bar to pour himself, Adam and Krystle drinks.


“What is happening, darling, is that this Camden Danvers is sending us a message.” Blake said.


“No, Father,” Adam disagreed, “he is sending ME a message. He is angry that he didn’t get to live the life he should have with his parents in Billings, Montana. That is a place I couldn’t wait to leave!”


“He didn’t have his parents, Adam,” Krystle said gently, “and I am sure he would give up the throne to have them back alive.”


“None of what happened to him was my fault, Krystle! I was a victim too!” Adam huffed.


“Of course you were, son. Look, I will deal with this Danvers. Have you heard from your mother?” Blake asked.


“I let her know about the plot to impersonate Amanda. I got the impression they were getting ready to go the palace to rescue King Galen and possibly Luke and Lindsey.” Adam admitted.


“How is Kirby taking all of this?” Blake asked in a knowing tone. Adam noticed that Krystle gave him a look.


“We…I was unfair to her. Father, I just can’t deal with her part in this right now. I need to confront this ‘King Danvers’. He has plotted to hurt Amanda in my childhood home! He must answer for that!” Adam exclaimed.


Krystle spoke.


“I think you can deal with apologizing to Kirby, while dealing with this man. How could you accuse her of plotting with him? Adam, she is just as much a victim of this con artist as you are!” she scolded.


Adam rubbed his face and nodded tiredly.


“I know that, Krystle. I do. But there is a part of me that thinks my wife still has feelings for this man that she almost married.”


“She thought she was ‘almost’ marrying him, Adam. This Camden, Jean-Paul, has spent much of his adult life tricking women. And Kirby met him before you.” Krystle said.


“Adam, I want you to leave this man and everything else to me. Your mother and I failed to find you and bring you back to us, years ago. You have a wife and daughter now. Concentrate on them and don’t let this Danvers character come between Kirby and you.” Blake said firmly.


Adam nodded and took a deep breath. He had been foolish. More than foolish to think that Kirby had anything to do with any of this! He needed to tell her that. He needed to tell her that in that moment that he had discovered that Jean-Paul Gadot, Camden Danvers and Michael Torrence were one in the same, he just couldn’t see straight! Adam felt as if he were losing a part of himself and Kirby at the same time. And he didn’t know why! He had never really been Michael Torrence and yet he had carried that name and identity with him a good part of his young life. Even through college and law school.


“I’ll go find Kirby at once.” Adam said, but Krystle’s voice stopped him.


“She’s not here, Adam.” Krystle told him. Blake looked over at her, puzzled.


“What do you mean?” Blake asked her.


“I mean that Kirby took Audrina to stay at La Mirage until you could pull yourself together.” Krystle informed them both.


***

LA MIRAGE-


Kirby had taken Audrina out of the mansion and to La Mirage. The suite had one bedroom and she had a crib set up in it so she could be near her daughter.


Kirby felt restless, unsure if what she had done was the right thing. She pouted over a glass of wine, while Audrina napped in the other room. The one thing that kept running through her mind was Adam’s assertion that none of this was a coincidence. And oddly, Kirby was beginning to think her husband was right. But she didn’t know why.


There was a knock at her door and Kirby set down her wine and got up to answer it. She assumed it was Adam when she opened the door without checking.


But it turned out to be Michael Culhane. He was not exactly the last person Kirby wanted to see at the moment, but he was at the top of the list.


“Kirby? I saw you come in with your baby. I came up to check if everything was alright?” Michael asked.


“I think you know that if I’m here with my daughter, then everything is not alright. Goodbye, Michael.” Kirby said and began to close the door.


“Kirby, please! Amanda likes you and I was hoping we could count on your support with Blake.” Michael announced.


“You think that Blake would listen to me about the two of you? Or anything else? I remember you arrived for your first day at Blake’s chauffeur, just as I was leaving for school. Blake listened to my father. I am another story.”


Michael leaned in the doorway.


“You don’t give yourself enough credit. It’s because you were Joseph’s daughter that he’d listen to you. And I would like to continue this conversation someplace else other then the hallway.” Michael said, hinting for an invite into her suite.


He was not about to get one.


“Michael, clearly you have not spoken to Amanda in a few hours. I think you should, because I suspect her relationship with you is the last thing on her mind right now.” Kirby told him.


Michael frowned.


“Meaning what?”


“Meaning you should talk to her yourself.”


“I’m talking to you, Kirby! What is going on? What do I need to know?”


“What you need to know, Culhane,” Adam began saying as he approached the suite door, “is that Amanda is no longer a princess. So you can stop pretending to care for her. Now leave my wife’s doorway before I make you leave.”


Michael coolly turned to face Adam.


“You’re going to make me leave, ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’? I’d like to see you try.” Michael refrained from sneering. Adam was just as bad as Colby! Neither of them would last two seconds penniless and in the streets.


Adam smirked!


“You’ve read that?” he asked with disdain. Kirby decided to break this up!


“Michael, thank you for your visit. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. Adam, come in, please!”


Michael gave Adam a warning glance before turning to walk away. Adam came inside the suite and closed the door.


“Why was Culhane here?” Adam asked tersely.


“He wants help with Blake, with regards to Amanda. I told him I couldn’t.” Kirby said.


Adam slowly reached for Kirby’s hands and squeezed them.


“I don’t know what got into me, except that I thought I was losing you before my very eyes. I have no excuse. You’re right. We will let Father handle all of this and go on with our lives.”


Kirby slowly pulled her hands from his.


“I don’t know how to say this, except to say it: now I don’t believe this is all a coincidence. The rumor about you being King Galen’s son started somewhere. And this ‘Camden Danvers’ had to have been the one that started it. I think we can’t figure this out because there is something we don’t know. Something that would explain all of this.” Kirby admitted.


Adam paused before revealing more bad news.


“I got a call from Dr. Edwards. You remember my talking about him?”


“Yes, you knew him growing up in Montana. Why did he call?”


“I’ve been renting out my grandmother’s farm house. Apparently Matthew Blaisdel, Sammy Jo and Caress had been living there!”


Kirby’s mouth formed an ‘O’ before she gasped on disbelief!


“Are kidding me?! Why there?!”


“Yes, Kirby, WHY there? I think Danvers is angry that I got to live his life! Though his had to have been better than mine!”


Kirby raised a brow.


“You think because Camden Danvers grew up as a distant, royal relation, that he had a better life than you? Was Kate Torrance abusive?”


“No. Billings was just so…I don’t know. I was one of the few kids that didn’t have parents…”


“Adam, you were abducted. And so was Camden.” Kirby reminded him. “I don’t know what this is about, but now we definitely know none of this is a coincidence. How did Dr. Edwards find out who they really were?”


“He only rented to Blaisdel and Sammy Jo. When he saw Caress was there, he wanted more rent. That started a disagreement and Dr. Edwards had to call the Sheriff. He said that Blaisdel and Sammy Jo were fighting in the road and oncoming cars saw it.”


“Do you think Sammy Jo was there against her will and she was fighting to get away?” Kirby wondered.


Adam scoffed!


“If you ever spend more then ten minutes with Samantha Josephine, you’d know that if she had wanted to get away from Blaisdel, then she would have.” Adam said sarcastically.


“Krystle has to be worried sick.” Kirby noted, just as Audrina made this sort of noise. It was a sound she made to announce that she was awake and was now ready to be fawned over! Adam hurried into the bedroom and soon, he was carrying her out to the front room. He sat down with his daughter ensconced in his arms.


“I want to go to Billings. I want us to stay in the farmhouse I grew up in. Just to get away from all of the madness in that mansion.” Adam revealed.


“Adam! We don’t know that Matthew Blaisdel won’t try and come back…”


“I think they are through, Kirby. I think that it’s more than likely that Blaisdel and Sammy Jo are on their way to New Moldavia to pull whatever it is they plan to. And between Father and Mother, I doubt they will get away with it. Tell me you’ll come to Billings with me? Tell me Audrina and you will come with me?”


Kirby nodded reluctantly. She was in no hurry to go back to the mansion and see Jeff swoon over Fallon, or watch Fallon and Amanda go at each other. Maybe nice, quiet, Billings, Montana, would be the getaway from it all that their family needed. Adam returned to Audrina to her crib and then rejoined his wife to place a passionate kiss on her lips. Kirby caught his tongue with her teeth and gently bit the intruding member! Adam’s eyes widened at her play and he moaned hoarsely into her mouth, while slowly undressing her.


***


NEW MOLDAVIA-


The answer to Alexis’s thoughts about Luke, would be answered soon enough.


The Duchess Lindsey Gardwood gave her a cool smile.


“Alexis Dexter. Mother of Steven Carrington, known home wrecker of my family. If you had actually stayed with your husband and brought Steven up right, then my parents would still be together today.” Lindsey told Alexis.


“My,” Alexis said coyly, “such knowledge in one so young. Tell me, who did all of your ‘work’?”


“A South American plastic surgeon. He put me back together after the jeep my father and I were in, crashed there.” Lindsey said in a droll tone.


“You look like…” Alexis could not help but begin to remark, but Camden interrupted.


“Like Fallon? Your oldest daughter? Yes, I don’t know what that was all about. You’d have to talk to Matthew. He’ll be here in a day or two.” Camden told her.


Alexis swallowed her indignation! What this man meant was that Matthew was arriving with that tramp, Sammy Jo, in order to impersonate Amanda! Amanda was was being impersonated, Camden had all of Adam’s affectations and this girl…this heathen child of Claudia’s, had Fallon’s teenaged face!


Alexis could not pretend any longer!


“You know,” Alexis began, “I thought the Duchess of Gardwood was a woman named Cordelia Danvers? She was supposed to marry Galen when…”


“When you thought you would, Mrs. Dexter?” Camden asked wryly. “Cordelia was my mother. She tried to leave here and make a life in the states, but it did not work out.”


“So she returned and married a Moldavian that was your father?” Alexis asked, knowing she was missing something.


“Not quite.” Camden said and nodded to Sean, who had returned to the area. He reached for Alexis’s arm and she snatched it out of his reach!


“How dare you touch me!” Alexis snapped.


“Now, now, Mrs. Dexter. Sean here, is just going to take you where you wish to go. You do want to see former King Galen, do you not?” Camden asked wryly.


“So you do admit that he is still alive?! Where is he? Prince Michael’s murder must be answered for!” Alexis exclaimed.


“You can tell him yourself that his son is dead. He does not know.” Sean said and grabbed her arm again. This time Alexis relented, though she did not know for sure that this heathen was really taking her to see anyone. But she planned to take a leap of faith that this new regime would be so cruel, as to not tell Galen that his only son was dead.


Once Alexis was half dragged off by Sean, Lindsey looked at Camden.


“Your Highness, how long to we have to pretend that the others, including my mother and Steven Carrington, aren’t lurking about waiting to get in here?”


Camden smiled at her.


“Go and open the back hallway door. They’ll think Mrs. Dexter did it and make their way in here.” he told her.


Lindsey smiled and walked off to do what she was told. After she left, Tracy wheeled a man, who’s face was swathed in bandages, into the area. He had dark hair peeking out of the top of his head.


“Mr. Fuller, you will soon be released into the loving care of Steven Carrington. Though once he sees how you look underneath those bandages, well, he might just want to stay married to your ‘mother-in-law’.” Camden revealed as Luke’s eyes glowered at him, from within the confines of his bandages.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 13

LA MIRAGE-

Michael Culhane was called over to to the check-in desk and told that he had a call. And it was one that he could take in the Manager’s office.

That office was empty right now, though Michael was aware that Fallon would be returning to her post there. He ignored the image in his mind of seeing Prince Michael dead on the floor near the desk, sat behind it and answered the call.

“Hello, this is Michael Culhane.”

“Michael, it’s Zachary Powers. I somehow knew you would be nearby.”

Michael frowned. Yes, he had done some business with Powers that had been profitable in the past, but he could not figure out why he was calling him at La Mirage?

“You knew I would be here at La Mirage?”

“I knew you would be close to New Moldavia, in some way.” Zach replied. “I have a proposition for you. Something that could make you rich enough to make Blake Carrington not give two damns about your marrying his daughter.”

Michael leaned back in the chair.

“This I want to hear.” Michael replied, only half believing Powers.

“Not over the phone. I will be in Denver tomorrow and I will be staying at the La Mirage. I will contact you about where we will meet then.”

Michael was intrigued and a bit uneasy. His dealings with Powers had been just a shade bit illegal. Nothing that could be proven, but if some nosy prosecutor wanted to look into things, then yes, Michael could be looking at some trouble. And he didn’t need trouble now. Now when he was so close to joining the Carrington family.

Or was he? What had Kirby meant by what she had said just now about Amanda?

“Alright. We can meet. But I want you to keep what you said about Amanda in mind. If whatever this is, is going to have blowback…” Michael began.

“What I have in mind is enough money to put you in the same tax bracket as Blake Carrington and Alexis Dexter. Now, do you still have doubts? Otherwise, I can offer this opportunity to someone else.” Zach half threatened.

“I’ll hear you out. Tomorrow.” Michael said and Zach hung up. Michael hung up and stood up from the cushy office chair. He was walking towards the door when it opened and Dana Waring entered!

“Hey you! You’re hard to catch up with!” Michael exclaimed. How in the hell had she known he was in here? Maybe the desk clerk mentioned it?

“Am I?” Dana asked coolly. “Because I’ve left messages for you at your apartment. Then again, since you seem to spend all of your time here, maybe that’s why ‘I’ can’t seem to catch up with ‘you’.”

Michael could see that Dana would not be pacified by any excuse he gave her. And he knew he had not been fair to her either. But Dana Waring worked for Adam Carrington. And he did not want to burn a bridge if he didn’t have to. There was a lot of intel coming out of that office that he could sell.

“Okay, why don’t we get a table and talk about this?” Michael asked, resting his hands on her shoulders.

Dana slowly removed them.

“Michael, I am not angry with you. If anything, I’m taking a page out of your book.” she said.

Michael raised an eyebrow.

“Meaning what?” he asked.

“Meaning, just like you are going after what you want with Amanda, I’m going to do the same.” Dana said and turned to walk away from him and out of the office. Blake’s secretary had told her, as they stood by a copy machine at Denver Carrington, that Blake had wanted to make sure that the Carrington jet was ready for Adam and Kirby. They were taking Audrina to Montana for a few days.

Dana decided that she was going too. To Montana, that is. She would come up with some lie that made it necessary to find Adam. Once this was done, she would stay close to Mr. and Mrs. Carrington by offering to babysit Audrina, while Adam and Kirby spent time alone.

Adam would probably welcome her generosity.

Dana was unsure of Kirby, though. She told herself that she would just find out, how much of a barrier Kirby Carrington was to her realizing her dreams with Adam.

***

OLD DENVER AIRPORT-

To say that Matthew Blaisdel was livid with Sammy Jo, was an understatement!

It had been very bad luck that Dr. Edwards had just happened by to check in on them. And it had also been bad luck, that the elderly doctor had seen one of Caress’s luggage bags, that she had carelessly left in the living room. She acknowledged that it was hers and Dr. Edwards, who had assumed that he was only renting to ‘Bo and Heather’, got huffy, and began to ask for extra money to cover ‘Heather’s Mother’.

They were now on the plane that soon-to-be King Danvers had waiting for them, so they could head to New Moldavia. But Matthew didn’t think that Sammy Jo was even half ready to be Amanda, if the truth be told! And Caress! Goddamned Caress…

“You slept with that old man, didn’t you? Just like you did Walt, right?” Matthew asked tersely.

Sammy Jo who was sitting, with her arms crossed, suddenly perked up!

“What are you talking about, Matthew?” she asked, now looking from him to Caress.

“Dr. Edwards kept saying you were ‘Heather’s’ mother! I never said anything about you, nor would I have lied and said you were Sammy Jo’s mother! Where the hell did he get that idea?” Matthew said, as he walked up to Caress.

Caress knew that Matthew was cross about her sleeping with Walter Lankershim, twice, to get the information on what Matthew and Sammy Jo were possibly up to. And more importantly, she found out from Lankershim, WHERE they were while they were scheming against the Carringtons. Knowing it would help her book, Caress had made contact with the duo shortly after Prince Michael’s murder at La Mirage. She had actually helped them find a back way out of the establishment, so they would not be stopped by police.

But Blaisdel was no fool. Neither him nor Sammy Jo, told her much about why he was back in Denver, and alive at that, or why Sammy Jo was with him. Caress was then forced to take a short cut to find out what she needed to know.

Caress shared Walter Lankershim’s bed again, feeding his animal need, while bucking and pitching against him until they were both drowned in the intense heat of ecstasy.

That little romp had gotten her the information to head to Billings, Montana. It had also gotten her a lead on the Torrence Farm. Caress arrived in Billings and met with Dr. Edwards to find out if she could rent the farm.

Dr. Edwards told her that he had already rented it for a week to a couuple named Bo and Heather Blaisdel. Caress then told him she was Heather’s mother, while removing her top…

“Never mind that, “ Caress said with annoyance, “you’d better get us out of here and to New Moldavia. I will work with Samantha Josephine on the flight and by the time we land…”

Sammy Jo stood up and slapped Caress! Matthew nodded with approval.

“You act as if you’ve been just as big a victim of Alexis’s revenge schemes, as I have been! But you haven’t! You’re just as bad as she is! And I know plenty already to pass as stuck up Amanda! Get the hell off of this plane, lady!”

Caress kept her cool and focused on Matthew.

“Matthew, leaving me here would be a big mistake.”

Matthew was about to answer that, when he saw cars approaching the plane from the window behind Caress! Sammy Jo saw them too and swore!

“That’s Blake’s car! And I’m sure Aunt Krystle is with him! Let’s get out of here!” Sammy Jo said urgently, now focused on Matthew.

But Matthew was frozen in place. He watched the cars stop. Blake got out of one and he looked back in to grasp the hand of…

Krystle! His beautiful Krystle! Krystle, who’s eyes were the color of the ocean.

Matthew tore his eyes off of her and turned to Sammy Jo and Caress.

“There’s nothing we can do now.” he murmured, before he suddenly leaped at Caress, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the plane door! He opened it and shoved her down the exit stairs! Krystle screamed and Blake, Andrew and some of the men from their private security team, hurried towards the now unconscious woman!

“Why did you do that?!” Sammy Jo yelled at him. But Matthew was not through. He then grabbed Sammy Jo and dragged her towards the plane door!

“CARRINGTON!” Matthew yelled. “YOU CAN HAVE SAMMY JO AND SPARE YOUR DAUGHTER FROM BEING HUMILIATED, IF YOU SEND KRYSTLE ON TO THIS PLANE! SAMMY JO FOR KRYSTLE, CARRINGTON!”

Blake raised up from the unconscious Cassie to glare daggers up at Matthew and Sammy Jo! But Krystle suddenly walked past him and closer to the plane!

“Krystle, no! Come back!” Blake yelled, hurrying to her side.

But Krystle stared up at Matthew.

“Let my niece go and I will take her place!” Krystle called up to him. Blake grabbed her arm!

“No! I will not allow this!” Blake stressed.

Krystle looked from Matthew to Blake.

“He will not hurt me, Blake! I can get him to see reason.” she said.

“He just threw Cassie down some stairs in front of all of us! He’s threatening to hurt Sammy Jo! NO!” Blake told her.

Meanwhile, Sammy Jo, wriggled out of Matthew’s grip(though it was more likely that Matthew just let her go) and faced him!

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?! We’re engaged! And you made a deal with this new King of Moldavia! If you don’t bring ‘Amanda’ back with you, your daughter and you, could lose everything you gained all of these years! Don’t be stupid!” Sammy Jo snapped.

As much as he liked rutting around with this tramp, the ‘tramp’ was right. Matthew had sacrificed and been through a lot, just to get Lindsey and himself, SOMETHING, out of all they had been through. Out of all they had lost. And King Camden could very well take that away overnight.

“Krystle comes.” Matthew said. “Now you get out there and get her on this plane. Otherwise, you can get shown out like Caress.”

Sammy Jo rubbed her throat. She was going to get Matthew Blaisdel for throwing her over for her aunt! She would just take her time and pretend to go along, to get along. But when she had the chance, she was going to make Matthew sorry he had ever betrayed her.

She smiled coquettishly up at him.

“I’ll go down and talk to Aunt Krystle now.” Sammy Jo told him.

***

CARRINGTON MANSION-

Fallon watched from her bedroom window, as Jeff and Little Blake played with a football on the grounds. She smiled softly at the sight and wondered countless times in her head, why it had taken so much drama to get to this point? Jeff, LB and herself were a family now. They were the family they should have been in the beginning.

She touched her stomach gently. And soon, there would be a new member of their family. And once she told Jeff, he would want to get re-married immediately.

Fallon knew she came across as if she could care less avoid Caress’s book, and the rumors that were circulating about her amnesia. But she did care. She cared deeply that Jeff could think for a moment that she had actually just left him at the altar. That is not what happened.

But at the same time, Fallon realized that she had to understand just WHAT did happen to her that night? And why it resulted in her memory loss. But for the life of her, Fallon could not make sense of her memories of that night, or the awful moment her head felt like it was going to explode, or the moment her door opened and…

Yes, Adam had come in but he wasn’t the only visitor she had had that night. But her recollection of it was so vague that she couldn’t really articulate, as to what it was that had been in front of her that night.

Then there was this baby. This baby that was Jeff’s. Or could be Miles Colby’s.

Yes, unfortunately, when dear Auntie Caress’s rumors about her first came out, Jeff had asked her about them. He hadn’t been accusatory or anything, but Fallon hadn’t liked his tone. She hadn’t liked it so much, that it had started an argument. And much in the same way she used to seek out Michael Culhane’s bed when she fought with Jeff at the beginning of their first marriage, Fallon sought out Miles.

Fallon was jarred out of her memories, at the sight of Adam’s car. She could see Kirby sitting on the passenger side and smirked to herself! Their little separation hadn’t been very long. There was a part of her that thought Kirby had been a fool to marry Adam, and that she had just done it to be a Carrington.

And to stay near Jeff.

But she wisely kept those thought to herself as she turned from the window and left the room. Fallon wanted to be the first to welcome the happy couple back, of course!

Meanwhile, Adam parked the car in the rounded drive and Mrs. Gunderson and Gerard came out. Gerard brought in the luggage Kirby had taken with her to La Mirage and Mrs. Gunderson swept Audrina into her arms to carry her inside.

Fallon came down the stairs to find Amanda had beaten her to the punch!

“Oh Kirby! I am so happy you returned!” Amanda exclaimed, hugging Kirby. She then looked at Adam.

“Daddy and Krystle went to the Old Denver Airport. Matthew Blaisdel, Sammy Jo and Caress are there getting ready to take off to New Moldavia.” Amanda told him.

“Blake and Krystle went alone?” Kirby asked.

“No. They took the security team and Mr. Laird is there. But that was awhile ago. I’m worried.” Amanda admitted.

“I’m not.” Fallon said. “Daddy will stop them. Kirby, it’s nice to see you home.”

Kirby didn’t quite know what to think of Fallon’s greeting.

“Well thank you, Fallon.” Kirby said before turning to look up at Adam.

“Maybe we shouldn’t go?” Kirby suggested.

“Go where?” Fallon asked.

Adam did know what to make of Fallon’s faux greeting!

“Kirby, Audrina and myself, are going to Montana for a few days. The family jet is on standby so we’re leaving right away.” Adam informed his sister.

Fallon folded her arms!

“You’re running out on our family when you’re needed? And you’re going to ‘relax’ in the same town that Matthew Blaisdel and Sammy Jo were scheming against Amanda in?” Fallon asked, just as Jeff and LB came back into the house.

Amanda turned from Kirby and Adam and faced Fallon.

“Why don’t you stop?” she asked her older sister.

“Why don’t I stop what?” Fallon grinned at her.

“What’s going on here?” Jeff asked. He didn’t appreciate seeing Fallon being ganged up on here in front of their son!

“Pretending to care. Pretending to care about anyone but yourself.” Amanda told her.

“You’re out of line, Amanda.” Jeff told her.

“Am I? Daddy has went to the airport to do something dangerous. To stop people who were involved with killing my husband, impersonating me, lying on Adam about who his real father is AND lying about what happened to Fallon here last year. But you don’t seem the least bit concerned about any of that.” Amanda said, looking from Jeff to Fallon.

Jeff didn’t like this conversation. He never liked it. And yes, he would like transparency with regards to what happened to Fallon and where she was, before she met Miles. But being rude about it, wasn’t going to open up Fallon’s memories.

Fallon walked over to LB, took his hand and walked off! Jeff shook his head before his eyes focused in on Kirby!

“Really, Kirby? You actually came back here? To him? Your rapist, pig husband…”

Adam walked up to Jeff and shoved him! Jeff stumbled backwards and fell! Amanda hurried to Adam’s side, while Kirby walked over to Jeff!

“Take care of Fallon and LB, okay?” Kirby told him firmly, before walking back over to Adam and Amanda.

“Maybe now is not the time to leave. Not until we find out if Blake and Krystle are alright.” Kirby said.

Adam could barely control his anger!

“Are you changing your mind because of my father and Krystle? Or because of Jeff over there?”

“Adam!” Kirby and Amanda cried out in unison and dismay, just as Dana Waring walked through the door that Jeff had left open when he entered with LB. Kirby was the first to notice her and wondered why Adam’s secretary was here?

Adam turned and saw her as well. Jeff righted himself and turned to leave the foyer in search of Fallon and LB. Gerard came into the area to tell Amanda that Mr. Culhane was on the phone for her.

“Dana? Why are you here?” Adam asked her.

Dana had thought that she would have to make up some reason to join Adam and Kirby on their Montana trip. But now she didn’t have to. Circumstances beyond her control had given her a reason.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Carrington, but the Carrington pilot wants to know how much longer to wait for Mrs. Carrington and yourself, considering what’s happened.” Dana announced.

“What’s happened?” Adam repeated, not understanding. Kirby moved to Adam’s side.


“Oh God. It’s all over the news. Matthew Blaisdel has taken Krystle hostage, along with her niece. They are on their way to Moldavia.” Dana said quietly.


***

NEW MOLDAVIA

Neither Dex nor Creigh, liked what was going on. Yes, there was now a way in, from their vantage point. Some obscure door that went into a stairwell.

The two men were actually on the palace property, after knocking two guards out and stealing their uniforms.

Dex had had eyes on Alexis when she went in, via a few windows, but then she dropped from view.

“Your wife said she’d kind of give a little wave when she opened that door.” Creigh said. “We don’t know who opened that door for us.”

Meanwhile, Daniel was still in a van outside of the palace with Steven and Claudia. Neither of them liked the wait either. Daniel looked at Claudia. He was still dressed like a priest and her a nun.

“We need to get in there. Steven, stay here.” Daniel told him.

“Now wait a minute!” Steven snapped. “I am not about to let you drag my wife into something she can’t get out of! Let’s just wait a bit longer!”

“Steven,” Claudia said, reaching for his hand, “this is Lindsey and Luke we’re talking about. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Steven squeezed her hand. Daniel started to get out of the van, when gun shots rang out! The gates to the palace opened and guards came out and surrounded their vehicle.

Daniel got out first, hands up, without being asked.

“My name is Father…”

Sean Rowen, cut a path through his men and walked up to him.

“Your name is Daniel Reece. And we have your two comrades inside. You will join them.” Sean said, before shoving Daniel into the guards and peering inside.

“Your daughter is waiting to see you. Mr. Fuller is anxiously awaiting your arrival as well. His wounds caused him to need plastic surgery. The King knew you would want to be present when we removed the bandages.” Sean informed Steven.

Steven said nothing. Luke had had no wounds to his face that would have caused him to need plastic surgery! What was this?

“I want to see Lindsey!” Claudia exclaimed.

Sean grinned!

“The feeling isn’t mutual. But you’ll find that out soon enough. Both of you, out of the vehicle. It is now time for everyone to get reacquainted.” Sean told them, as he grabbed Claudia’s arm and hauled her out of the vehicle!

“Let go of her!” Steven snapped, just as the van doors were wrenched open and he too was pulled out roughly from the vehicle!

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Dex and Creigh stood before King Danvers and Tracey Kendall. Dex shook his head in disgust at Tracey, as he demanded to know where Alexis was!

King Danvers answered him.

“Your wife is in a cell down below. You two will be joining her, as well as Mr. Reece and Mr. and Mrs. Carrington. And after my coronation, it will be up to the Duke and Duchess of Gardwood whether you leave New Moldavia alive, or are executed publicly.” King Danvers announced.

“Who is this Duke and Duchess of Gardwood?” Creigh asked, trying not to stare at a picture on the King’s desk. That looked like Kirby in that framed picture!

Tracey Kendall answered.

“They would be Luke Fuller and Lindsey Blaisdel.” she replied.

Meanwhile, down in King Galen’s cell, Alexis was completely alone. There was no sign of Galen. Clearly this cell was meant for her, and her alone. But she wasn’t thinking about her predicament at that moment. She began to wonder if King Galen, her Galen, was as dead as Prince Michael was?

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 14


CARRINGTON MANSION-

Blake Carrington’s world had turned into a total nightmare.

His determination to confront Blaisdel had backfired. Caress Morrell was in a coma, Sammy Jo had lured Krystle on board that damned plane, by claiming she was pregnant with Blaisdel’s child AND that she was scared!

Sammy Jo knew that Krystle had a weakness when it came to children. Especially the unborn ones. And those words alone made Krystle fly up those plane stairs and become a willing hostage of Blaisdel’s! It was almost as if his wife had forgotten that he and Krystina existed!

Blake’s den had been turned into a war room of sorts. He was making arrangements to fly to New Moldavia himself, while Adam and Jeff dealt with the media and the police. The local police, of course, didn’t think Blake should handle anything alone, and were perturbed to discover that much of the information about Blaisdel, had not been given to them when Prince Michael had been murdered at La Mirage. And they wanted to talk to Amanda, since she was the one that was being impersonated.

Blake refused and had Adam intercede on Amanda’s behalf. He didn’t want Amanda talking to the police because he didn’t believe their reasons for wanting to speak with her. For all he knew, they were trying to pin Prince Michael’s murder on his daughter because of her affair with Michael Culhane.

Michael Culhane. God, that man had had the nerve to show up here looking for Amanda, claiming he was concerned for her and the family. And while Blake might have believed that Michael had nothing against Krystle, he was not about to let that man use their family tragedy to worm his way into this family even further.

Blake had had two men from security escort Michael back to his car and off of the property. Amanda had had the good sense not to argue with him over the matter.

Kirby and Audrina were back under his roof as they should be. Kirby was looking after Audrina and Krystina, while Fallon focused her attention on LB and Danny. Poor Danny. He was having a confusing time of it. Steven, Claudia and even Sammy Jo, who Blake had thought, was trying to clean up her act, were gone. They were gone and in New Moldavia and none of them may come back alive.

Blake shook himself out of that kind of thinking. Of course everything would be alright. Even Alexis would come back unscathed. Out of all the people he was thinking about, his ex-wife was the one person he was SURE he would see again!

Fallon urged Blake to get some rest before he left for New Moldavia. But he could not. He had to see Krystina before he attempted to close his eyes. He found her in her crib, asleep. Kirby was standing over her. Audrina’s crib was nearby and she was sound asleep as well. Kirby turned when she heard Blake come in.

“How are you holding up?” Kirby asked gently. Blake patted her arm in response and stared down at the little girl he and Krystle had made. He then looked at Kirby.

“I’m glad you came back with Audrina. At this point, I think we would all be safer here at the house.” Blake said.

Kirby didn’t disagree with that. But she did bring something up that she knew her father-in-law would not agree with.

“Blake, I think I should go with you.”

Blake’s eyes widened!

“What? Kirby, that’s absurd!”

“Why? In the end, this is all about Adam. And myself. I was involved with this man, who is responsible for Prince Michael’s death, for lying about Adam and for whatever this scheme was that Sammy Jo helped with. He called me Blake, for a reason. I will go with you and…”

“And what, Kirby? This man is obsessed with Adam and you! And Adam would never allow you to be anywhere near all of this! I will get Krystle back and bring Steven and Claudia home. I don’t want to hear you saying anything about sacrificing yourself, ever again.” Blake said firmly.

Kirby said nothing but nodded her understanding. Blake bent down to kiss the top of his youngest daughter’s head, before walking over to do the same to Audrina. He then left the nursery, tiredly. He planned to see how Danny was doing.

Kirby watched him leave, before exiting the nursery as well. She headed back to her room, closed the door and walked over to a closet. She opened it, pulled out a suitcase and walked over to the bed…just as Adam entered! He saw what she was doing and closed the door quickly!

“Tell me you are not leaving me again?” Adam asked, eyeing her.

“No,” Kirby said quietly, “I want you to convince Blake to let me go to New Moldavia with him.”

“No.” was Adam’s answer.

“Adam, this had to end. Jean-Paul tried to call me to tell me something! Maybe I can help end this somehow.”

“You called him Jean-Paul instead of Camden. And you did that because that is how you still think of him. Kirby, he wants everything I have and that includes you. He will have Krystle in a couple of hours, I have not heard from Mother…let’s just stay here and keep our daughter safe.”

“I am doing this TO keep her safe! I am going there to keep Audrina and you safe. Adam, don’t you see how out of control this whole thing has become? Steven, Claudia, Alexis, Dex…now Krystle and Sammy Jo…we have to find out what will end all of this so we can live in peace! I will go there and tell him that you are Blake Carrington’s son. That you are no threat to his throne. Blake will tell Camden that and then this will be over.”

“Camden was plotting against my sister at my childhood home! I am sure he would love to get his hands on all of us! Me in front of a firing squad and you back into his bed!”

Kirby slapped him hard!

“You know what, Adam? If sleeping with Jean-Paul is what it will take to get him to leave us alone, then YES, I will do it! I will do it to keep Audrina, you and even your loathsome mother, safe! Now it would help tremendously, if you told Blake that I will be joining him in New Moldavia!” she huffed.

Adam suddenly pulled Kirby into his arms, welding her to him and began kissing her hungrily! Kirby, for a brief moment, told herself that this was a distraction. She told herself that Adam’s making love to her, was a way to get her to forget what she had planned. What she was going to do.

But as always with Adam Carrington, Kirby was beyond reason or resistance, as she returned his hungry kisses, as if she were a starving teenager. Before she knew it, her and Adam’s clothes had been discarded and they ended up on the bed, the suitcase flung to the floor. Kirby surrendered to the almost unbearable heat of Adam’s length as it sank into her depths. She clawed at his buttocks as he rode her fiercely, her moans timed to each of his thrusts. Kirby’s moans soon turned to sobs, as Adam powered into areas that few men have reached.

The only other one being King Camden Danvers.

***

NEW MOLDAVIA

Dex and Creigh were soon thrown into the cell Alexis was currently in—minus King Galen!

“Oh Dex!” Alexis tried out, throwing herself in her husband’s arms! Creigh sighed.

“Where’s Galen?” he asked. But he knew. There was no way Galen was still alive.

Alexis pulled out of Dex’s hold.

“I don’t know! But Luke and Lindsey ARE here! They were forced to marry and have been given titles!” Alexis exclaimed.

“Are they the Duke and Duchess of Gardwood?” Dex asked hesitantly.

“Yes! My God! Have you seen them? Lindsey now looks like Fallon did when she was a teenager! I can barely stand looking at her!”

“You had run off by then, right? How would you know how your daughter looked as a teenager?” Creigh asked bluntly.

Dex turned to him.

“Shut the hell up!” he snapped.

But Creigh didn’t back down!

“No! You shut up! I saw a picture of Kirby on King Camden’s desk! Why? How does Kirby know him?”

Alexis rolled her eyes!

“Kirby spent some years tramping around Europe. She probably crossed paths with him at some point and had a one night stand or something.”

“Men don’t keep pictures of their ‘one-night stands’ anywhere around, Mrs. Dexter! Something else is going on here.” Creigh said pointedly.

Unfortunately, Dex had to agree.

“If Kirby is the key here, then it would explain all of those rumors. Maybe Camden started them to come between Adam and Kirby?” Dex asked.

The door to the cell opened and Sean stepped inside. There were three guards behind him holding machine guns.

“I’ve come down to introduce myself.” he began.

Alexis rolled her eyes!

“Good God, why? Where is Galen?” she asked in a demanding tone.

“Gone. He tried to escape and unfortunately, took a deadly route through the woods. There was quicksand. I watched him sink, personally.” Sean grinned.

“Why is there a picture of Mrs. Adam Carrington on the King’s desk?” Creigh asked. Sean tore his gaze off of Alexis and faced Creigh.

“My sister is really quite striking, isn’t she?” Sean asked. Alexis gasped and Dex raised a brow!

“Kirby is your sister?” Dex asked skeptically. “I was under the impression that Joseph Anders only had one child.”

Sean looked at Alexis, who was staring at him.

“Yes,” she slowly said, “Joseph had two older children. Kirby was a late surprise baby. Once Alicia went crazy, the other children lived…”

“Yes, ‘Bitch Dexter’, I am one of those ‘other children’! And my father was a stupid sonofabitch! But soon, Kirby will find out who the new head of our family is now. And Kirby will be the Queen of New Moldavia.”

Dex coughed! Creigh stared at Sean as if he were crazy and Alexis burst out laughing! Sean walked up to her.

“Stop laughing!” he snapped.

“Why? Because the idea isn’t hilarious? But I am fine with the idea of King Camden getting Kirby the hell out of my son’s life! I’ll call her myself and beg her to get here!” Alexis huffed.

“Because my sister ruined your rapist son’s life, right?” Sean asked blithely.

Creigh folded his arms. This was the second time he had heard that Adam had possibly abused Kirby. And he didn’t like it.

“Your sister was NOT raped! She just told Jeff Colby that, to explain away why she was not carrying HIS child! To excuse her own whorishness!” Alexis snarked.

Sean backhanded Alexis and Dex leaped at him! Creigh broke it up, as the three guards entered and pointed their guns on him, Dex and Alexis!

Sean straightened his clothing, breathing heavily. He then looked at Creigh.

“The King will want to see you.” Sean announced. Creigh glanced at Dex and Alexis before leaving the cell with Sean and the guards. The doors closed loudly after they left! Alexis rushed into Dex’s arms again and he held her tightly!

“Why do you think Camden wants to see Creigh?” Alexis whispered. But Dex set his wife away from him.

“I don’t know. But we need to find a way out of here before Daniel, Steven and Claudia end up joining us.” Dex whispered back.

Meanwhile, Daniel, Steven and Claudia, stood before Camden Danvers. Tracey Kendall was in the room and soon, Lindsey entered…

Daniel gave the young woman a cursory glance, while Steven outright gaped at her! Claudia took note of her husband’s reaction.

“Steven? What is it?”

“Still dense as ever, Mom? Are you still as crazy like a fox?” Lindsey asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Claudia slowly turned her eyes from Steven and focused on the young woman in front of her. The one calling her ‘mom’.

“Lindsey?” Claudia asked in a shocked, breathy tone.

Lindsey did an introductory twirl before stopping and facing Claudia again!

“How do you like the new me, Mom? Hi, Steven. Even with plastic surgery, you still look like the same bastard you were when you were betraying my father.” Lindsey said bitterly.

Steven was…well…appalled!

“Lindsey. Where is Luke?” Steven asked as he stared at a young woman that was the spitting image of Fallon, like ten years ago!

A guard wheeled in Luke, draped in facial bandages. Claudia gasped, Steven swallowed loudly and Daniel could do nothing but quietly react. He could not believe that Sammy Jo was part of this! And Daniel didn’t even know exactly what ‘this’ was. But he could feel that something unexpectedly bad was about to happen.

Steven slowly walked over to him. Luke’s dark hair was shiny, and Steven could not help but touch the top of his head. He bent down and began to speak softly to him.

“Luke? Is it really you?”

“Steven, you have to get out of here! I don’t want you to see what they’ve done to me!” Luke cried out.

Lindsey rolled her eyes!

“Shut up! No one has done anything to you but improve your looks! I think it’s about time we all saw your new face, don’t you, Your Highness?” Lindsey asked, turning to Camden.

“Oh I definitely agree.” Camden said calmly. He nodded to someone standing in the hallway, and a man wearing a white coat, calmly walked into the room with a scissors. The man then began to slowly cut away the bandages and Luke started to cry! Claudia couldn’t stand the sight of Luke’s suffering or Steven having to watch it! Daniel sensed that Steven wanted to interfere in someway and put a calming hand on his shoulder. They had no choice but to wait and see how this played out.

Claudia dragged her eyes off of Luke and faced Lindsey.

“You were in a crash in South America. That was what I was told. A telegram said that your father and you had perished. Why didn’t you contact me? I could have come and taken you back home to…”

“To who, Mom? The Carringtons? So they could pay my facial reconstruction bill? Like they paid for your stay in the nuthouse?”

Claudia slapped Lindsey! Lindsey gasped and Camden ordered a guard to take Claudia to a cell down below!

“There are laws in this country, Mrs. Carrington. You could be executed for slapping a Duchess.” Camden told her coolly.

“She’s not a Duchess, are you Lindsey? You’re just Lindsey Blaisdel! Nothing more, nothing less and…” Claudia began to yell.

Steven suddenly emitted a strangled cry! Claudia turned back to him and locked eyes with Daniel, who looked confused. The man in the white coat had finished removing Luke’s bandages.

Luke Fuller now had Steven’s old face! The one that he was born with. Lindsey, who had been holding her slapped cheek, grinned!

“You know, I’m feeling generous. I’m willing to let Luke go. To divorce him so that you could be with him, Steven. So you can look into his eyes…or what used to be your eyes, and just love each other.” Lindsey smirked.

Steven backed back and Luke continued to cry. Daniel now understood what was going on here and he pulled out a gun! He pointed it at King Camden Danvers and fired at his forehead!

Tracey and Lindsey screamed! Claudia backed away from Daniel and Steven, just as Sean hurried into the room with the three guards and Creigh! The guards grabbed Daniel and dragged him off, while Sean slowly kneeled beside the dead body of King Camden Danvers/Michael Torrence. He then raised up to full height and looked at everyone in the room, before an idea came to him.

King Camden was dead. But Adam Carrington was still alive. And now it was time to give life to the rumor that Adam Carrington was indeed King Galen’s son. Adam would sit on the throne, Kirby would be queen and his niece, Audrina will be a princess. And…

And if Sean could make this happen, he would have done more than his father ever had, during the years he spent as Blake Carrington’s boot licking butler.

And if Adam and Kirby did not agree to go along with this, then everyone that came here from the Denver world of the Carringtons, would be executed.

Sean walked over to Tracey, who was struggling to pull herself together.

“Call a meeting of the New Moldavian Council. Tell them it looks as if King Camden committed suicide after finding out that Adam Carrington is indeed, King Galen’s first born son.” Sean said. Tracey nodded and walked over to a phone on a desk.

Creigh looked at Steven and Claudia, who were still in shock over Luke and Lindsey, before slowly walking over to the desk Tracey was using, and picking up the framed picture of Kirby he had spotted there before.

“I’m sorry.” Creigh said to Kirby’s photograph. None of this was supposed to happen. This was supposed to be an ‘in and out’ mission. But the way things were going now, the whole Carrington family would end up moving to New Moldavia.

The guards took hold of Steven and Claudia! Luke tried to grab on to Steven’s hand from his wheelchair, but the guards shoved Steven from him and out of the King’s receiving room. The man in the white coat took hold of the back of Luke’s wheelchair and took him away as well. Lindsey wrapped her arms around herself and began to leave the room, when Tracey hung up from a call and said something to her.

“I was going to tell the King this, but things got out of hand before I could say anything, Lady Gardwood. Your father’s plane has landed and he has Miss Reece with him and a hostage.” Tracey told her.

Lindsey pulled herself together and eyed her.

“A hostage? Who is it?”

“Krystle Carrington,” Tracey said with distaste, “and believe me, I am looking forward to seeing her about as much as you are.”

Lindsey said nothing to that as her eyes went from Tracey’s, to the bevy of guards that came in to take Camden Danvers body away.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 15

Kirby returned to reality, after the room stopped spinning. What happened between herself and Adam during their lovemaking was nothing short of a fiery pit of inferno. Kirby was still so out of it, as she lay in his arms, that she did not hear the phone ring in their room. Not really.

But Adam did. And the phone was on his side of the bed. He picked up with one hand, while keeping his other hand ensnarled in his wife’s long, dark hair.

“Hello?” Adam answered.

“This is Sean Rowan. I am the Head of Moldavia’s Royal Security. I would like to speak to Kirby Carrington.”

Adam let go of Kirby and sat up abruptly! His quick movements caused Kirby to raise up as well. Who was that on the phone? Hopefully it wasn’t Jean-Paul…

“Why are you calling here? And why are you asking for my wife?” Adam asked in a quiet, yet demanding tone.

“Would you please put my sister on the phone…King Adam.” Sean said. That name had been harder to get out of his mouth, than he thought it would be.

“Excuse me?!” Adam now snapped. “What are you talking about?”

“Adam? What is it?” Kirby asked, now sitting up in bed, naked. Adam covered the receiver and looked at her.

“There is a man on the phone that says that he is the head of King Camden’s security and also your brother. And he also had the temerity to refer to me as ‘King Adam’! Do you have a brother?”

Kirby cut her eyes away guiltily.

“Kirby?” Adam asked.

Kirby looked back at him.

“Yes. But I don’t know him that well.” Kirby said, reaching for the phone.

“Hello, Sean,” Kirby sighed, “why are you calling here and saying these things? Are you drunk?”

“Kirby, I am the Head of King Camden’s Security. And I am calling to tell you that he is dead.”

Kirby’s mouth dropped open and she looked at Adam, while covering the receiver!

“Sean says that Jean-Paul is dead!” Kirby whispered. She then resumed talking to her brother.

“I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?” she asked.

“He killed himself. Daniel Reece arrived here, along with your mother-in-law, her husband, a mercenary and your husband’s brother and his wife. Your mother-in-law showed King Camden proof that her first born son was indeed, King Galen’s child.” Sean lied.

Kirby gasped and Adam took the phone from her!

“You are upsetting my wife, ‘Sean’, so you will understand if I hang up…”

“Your mother came here not to rescue anyone, Your Royal Highness. She came with proof that you are indeed King Galen’s son. Proof that could not be refuted. Camden Danvers could not take it and shot himself. Kirby and you need to come to Moldavia at once so that you can begin your duties as King and Queen of Moldavia. Audrina…”

“Don’t you ever speak my daughter’s name!” Adam snapped. “What is this nonsense? Is my mother there? Put her on the phone?”

“Your mother is in a prison cell awaiting execution. Your mother, Mr. Dexter, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Reece, your brother, Steven and his wife, Claudia, are all in cells, waiting to die. Of course, that will not happen and the prisoners will be let go, once Kirby and yourself arrive in Moldavia.” Sean said ominously.

Adam pulled the phone away from his ear and covered the receiver with his hand!

“Your brother is holding everyone hostage! He’s going to have them executed unless we go to Moldavia.” Adam revealed.

“If Jean-Paul is dead, then who is going to order the executions?” Kirby asked suspiciously. She took the phone from Adam.

“Sean, I don’t know what this is, but if you lay a hand on ANY of those people, we will never set foot in Moldavia! How did you end up in this situation? Papa said that you had been dishonorably discharged from the Marines and then put in prison in Dublin?”

“Our father didn’t know anything about me. And that is not true.” Sean lied in a surly tone.

“Release those prisoners, Sean, or else the media will hear that a dishonorably charged Marine is running Moldavia. That won’t look good for you or Moldavia.” Kirby warned.

“Kirby! I need Adam and you to come here! Your presence is the only thing that will bring stability to this country!” Sean half begged.

“Hold on,” Kirby said and covered the receiver to speak to Adam, “he’s saying that we are the only thing that can stabilize the country.”

“Of course we are!” Adam snapped sarcastically. “And that’s because Camden Danvers didn’t kill himself. Your brother killed him and needs the both of us, and our daughter to provide cover for the murder. Give me the phone.”

Kirby handed it to him and Adam spoke.

“We need to meet. Maybe something could be worked out, if Denver Carrington is given exclusive oil and mineral rights.”

“Adam!” Kirby gasped. She could not believe what she was hearing! Adam was really willing to help perpetuate a lie, just so Denver Carrington could become even richer than they already were?

Or maybe he was just saying all of this to save their loved ones that had become prisoners of Moldavia? Yes. That was it. That had to be it.

On his end of the phone, Sean hesitated slightly. He was not interested in Denver Carrington. He was interested in Kirby becoming Queen of Moldavia. Adam would only be allowed to be King for a short time, before he would be disposed of, and little Audrina would be Queen. And as her uncle, Sean would rule…

But if pretending to go along with this nonsense, would get Adam and Kirby here and on to the throne, then he would pretend to go along with it.

“I would have to inform the Moldavian Council of your request. They will be running things here until you arrive here, Your Highness.” Sean said in a feigned, formal tone.

“Then get it done, Mr. Rowan. And also get the prisoners ready for release.” Adam replied coolly.

“As you wish, Your Highness. When can we expect Kirby, Audrina and yourself?”

“Give us a day.” Adam told him and Sean hung up. He then faced his outraged wife!

“Hear me out, darling…”

“Hear you out? What have you done? Did you hear what Sean said? He’s going to kill everyone that we care about that’s there! We have to tell Blake!”

Adam got out of bed and put on a robe.

“We will tell Father. Right now. But we need a plan. Of course I have no plans to go to Moldavia and be King. Blake is my father. But your brother, who by the way, I did not know existed, is up to something. I highly doubt a man like Camden Danvers killed himself. Nor would mother offer up ‘proof’ that I am King Galen’s son. Danvers was probably killed and now your brother needs to cover his backside.” Adam said coolly.

Kirby hated the words ‘your brother’. But that’s who Sean was. She cleared her throat guiltily.

“I have a sister as well.” she admitted quietly.

***

CARRINGTON STUDY-

It was late in the night when Adam and Kirby got Blake out of bed and met with him in the study.

Blake was aware of Joseph’s other children. But his old friend had never talked about them. Sean and Victoria. Much like he himself had never talked about his brother Ben, his father or anyone else he had left in the past. All Blake did know was that he always had the feeling that Sean and Victoria blamed Joseph in someway, for what had happened to their mother, Alicia. But Kirby, being so young, didn’t remember or know how the tragic series of events, had unfolded. So she was raised by Joseph and Sean and Victoria were raised by Alicia’s parents.

But he did not understand how Sean had become involved in this Moldavian mess? And apparently he was deeply involved, if he was holding their loved ones hostage. It scared Blake to think of what Krystle was walking into.

“Matthew Blaisdel and Sammy Jo will be finding out about Danvers death when they land. They should have reached Moldavia now.” Blake said solemnly.

“Blaisdel’s deal was with Danvers, not Rowen. I think Kirby and myself should go to Moldavia and find out what is going on.” Adam said.

Blake gave his oldest son a look of irritation!

“Adam! Giving in to Rowan is not the way here! I will go and access the situation. I will pretend that I am acting on your behalf. But I can’t just stay here and not know what is happening to Krystle, Steven or Claudia!”

“How are you going to realistically be ‘acting on my behalf’, Father? Are you going to admit to knowing I was not your son the whole time?” Adam asked sarcastically.

“You will watch your tone, Adam! I will figure out what I am going to say and do when I get there!” Blake huffed.

Kirby decided to run interference!

“Blake, I never knew Sean that well. And I never wanted to. He is a very angry man. He was an angry older brother. I finally told my father I didn’t want to spend time with him and it was almost as if I didn’t have to explain why. Sean thought our father was a fool for even working for you for as long as he did. And I know he really hates Alexis. What I am saying is that Adam is right. You cannot go there without a plan. I am going to call my sister and see what she knows.” Kirby revealed.

“Do you think that Victoria could possibly be part of this?” Blake asked.

Kirby shook her head.

“I have kept in contact more with Victoria than with Sean. Victoria is an engineer for the Foundation For Law and Government. She would not be involved in something like this.” she said.

Blake raised a brow.

“The Foundation of Law and Government? So she works for Devon Miles?” he asked.

Kirby smiled.

“Yes. I’ve never met him but I think that Devon is a father figure to her. Why?”

“I know him. And if Victoria is working for him, then no, she is not a part of this. Devon would never stand for that. I’m going to get him on the phone and get his advice.”

Adam did not know what had actually taken place just now, but he suspected that his father had now come up with a plan on how to rescue everyone.

“Kirby and I will leave you to your phone call then.” Adam said and he reached for Kirby’s hand and they left the study. Adam closed the doors behind him before staring down at his wife.

“What was that all about?” Adam asked.

“What was what?”

“Your reveal about your sister put Father in a better state of mind.” He noted.

Kirby said nothing and he squeezed her hand as they moved towards the stairs.

“You know, it would have been nice to know I had in-laws before now.” Adam said, half-jokingly.

Kirby stopped walking and dropped his hand.

“Victoria knows about us. The ‘us’ before our marriage. And she knows how Audrina was conceived. I think she told Sean and maybe that has something to do with where we are today.” she admitted.

Adam slowly cupped her face within his hands.

“That ‘us’ is over. Sean will realize that and drop this whole thing. He is not related to King Galen. Someone will come out of the woodwork and seize power.”

“He knows that, Adam. That’s why he offered you the deal he did. I don’t know that anything, short of us doing what my brother says, will save everyone.”

Adam didn’t know what to think. Kirby seemed sure that her brother was unreasonable. And she would know, of course.

“Darling, let’s not count Father out, alright? Let’s see what his phone call to this Devon Miles, turns up, alright? But for now, we have to let him run this the way he wants to.” Adam counseled.

Kirby nodded reluctantly. It was not often that anyone told Blake Carrington he was wrong. But in this case, he was. And Blake going to Moldavia would only set Sean off…much like seeing Alexis had surely ticked him off. Kirby wouldn’t be surprised if her mother-in-law was as dead as Prince Michael.

But she said nothing about what she was thinking, as Adam cloaked an arm around her trim waist and walked upstairs with her. They would check on Audrina and Krystina, before attempting to settle down for the night, secure in the thought that Blake Carrington would handle the Moldavian Problem.

***

MOLDAVIA-

The prisoners had been separated and Alexis and Claudia now shared a cell. Alexis, for once, had nothing sarcastic to say, once she saw Claudia’s demeanor. She was quieter than usual and Alexis sensed her daughter-in-law had had her reunion with her daughter, the Duchess Lindsey.

“You know, Fallon was not exactly overjoyed to see me when I first returned to Denver.” Alexis threw out as an opening.

Claudia, who had been sitting on a cot, lost in thought, looked up at her.

“Yes. Fallon. I have been trying to wrap my head around that one. I wonder if that was Matthew’s idea or the late King’s?” Claudia asked.

“Daniel just shot him?” Alexis asked, thinking that oddly, she could now see what Krystle might have seen in Mr. Reece.

“Yes. I don’t think he could take Luke’s reaction to being butchered. Camden Danvers clearly had something against the Carringtons. Lindsey looks like Fallon and Luke resembles how Steven used to look.” Claudia revealed.

“I think this is all about Lindsey, dear. I’m sorry to say this, but your daughter has anger issues. Fallon did as well, but Blake had given her a somewhat stable life. You have no idea what your daughter went through in South America or when she arrived here. Maybe she didn’t want plastic surgery either.” Alexis counseled.

Claudia slowly stood up.

“I need to see Matthew. I need for him to tell me why he did all of this? Why?”

Meanwhile, in another cell, Dex and Daniel were talking…

“Rowan is Kirby’s brother?” Daniel asked.

“Yes. Alexis filled in some of the background, but I get the feeling that Kirby spent no time with Rowan in her childhood. And he hates Blake and Alexis.” Dex said.

“And Adam.” Daniel reminded Dex. “This whole thing started with him.”

“Where do you think Creigh is?” Dex asked.

Daniel clenched his jaw.

“I don’t know. But I strongly suspect he’s not in a cell. Rowan kind of bonded with him.”

“Bonded?” Dex asked.

“I think Creigh has a thing for Kirby. Rowan picked up on it and hence, he is not in a cell with us.” Daniel said glibly.

Dex was quiet for a moment as he eyed Daniel.

“What are you going to do? They’ll execute you for killing King Camden.” he said.

“I don’t think so.” Daniel said and Dex gave him a confused look.

“What do you mean?” Dex asked.

“I mean that they would have done it already. And Rowan strikes me as a man that is all about himself. He can’t afford to just kill me and let everyone else go. The people wouldn’t stand for the idea that only one of our party, was punished for this. I think Rowan has a plan.”

“I’m not following you?” Dex asked.

“Look at what’s happened so far. Go back to the beginning. Caress Morrell and her book. Rowan is not royalty. They need to find someone to run this country and do their bidding. There is a Moldavian Council now. But the person that sits on that throne, has to be related to Galen.” Daniel said.

“Or appear to be.” Dex said, now getting it. “But how are they going to explain your killing Galen?”

“I don’t know. My only hope is that I can stay alive to talk to Sammy Jo when she gets here.” Daniel said grimly.

***

Royal Guards had met Matthew, Sammy Jo and Krystle at the private airstrip they landed on. Matthew had sensed a problem as he kept a tight hold on Krystle’s arm. Sammy Jo followed behind them, clearly a third wheel.

Nothing was said until they were taken to the palace. Krystle’s stomach dropped at the idea of returning to this God awful place she had almost died in. She was very aware that she could die this time. She looked over at Sammy Jo, whose eyes were as wide as saucers as they entered the palace.

Matthew let go of Krystle and walked over to Sean.

“Where’s the King? There was a problem and we need to discuss a change in plans.” Matthew told him.

Sean’s eyes swept over Krystle and Sammy Jo. Sammy Jo smiled seductively at him and he dragged his eyes off of her to address Matthew.

“King Camden is dead. He killed himself.” Sean said coldly.

Matthew’s eyes widened! Krystle gasped and Sammy Jo raised a brow!

“Yes, Mr. Blaisdel, Alexis Colby provided proof that Adam Carrington is indeed King Galen’s son. I have made arrangements for Adam, his wife, Kirby and their daughter, to come here to take their place as the new King and Queen of Moldavia.” Sean told Matthew.

Matthew eyed him!

“You made the arrangements? Who the hell are you to be running anything around here? Where’s my daughter?”

“I am Queen Kirby’s older brother. So I will run things in the King’s stead, until they get here. I am sure the Council will agree to that arrangement.” Sean said coolly, just as Creigh Boyd came out of a room. Krystle broke away from Matthew and ran to him!

“Creigh! Thank God! Where is everyone? Where are Steven and Claudia?” Krystle asked breathlessly.

Sammy Jo walked over to them as well.

“Where is my father? I can’t believe he’d risk his neck for such nonsense.” Sammy Jo huffed.

Sean answered their questions.

“Everyone you have spoken of is a hostage. Just as the two of you now are.” He said, and guards came out to grab Krystle and Sammy Jo!

“Okay, Rowan,” Creigh yelled, “you don’t have to do this! They were kidnapped here!”

Sean ignored Creigh and the guards took Krystle away. Matthew’s lips tightened at the sight and Sammy Jo went completely off on Matthew, as the guards began to grab her!

“You lying bastard! What is this? Where is my father? I’m not going anywhere! And we’re engaged, remember?!” Sammy Jo huffed.

Sean looked at Matthew.

“Is that true?” he asked Matthew.

“No. Miss Reece is not my fiancee. But Mrs. Carrington is. So you’ll take her to my suite of rooms…”

“Sorry, Matthew. You no longer have accommodations here. But you are welcome to join your daughter, the Duchess, in hers.” Sean said coldly.

It was clear to Matthew that whatever had really happened to Danvers, had upended his plans. And Rowan was not interested in continuing anything that the late King had had going.

“Alright. Then where is my wife? Claudia Carrington? I believe I’m due a reunion.” Matthew said grimly.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 16

NEW MOLDAVIA-

Sean decided that he would escort Matthew to Alexis and Claudia’s cell, personally. And it was not because he was overly eager to see a reunion between Blaisdel and the Duchess of Gardwood’s mother.

It was because he didn’t want to see Claudia Carrington roughed up in any way. There were still some things that Sean planned to honor, that the late King Camden had implemented. And Lindsey and himself, shared the same distaste for the Carringtons. In a way, Claudia was no more than a servant for the Carringtons as well, despite her marital status.

His sister Kirby was the same. A servant married to a self entitled Carrington.

Meanwhile, Matthew’s thoughts were very different as they approached the cell door. He planned on marrying Krystle and keeping her here. At the same time, he didn’t want anyone killed, necessarily. Krystle wouldn’t like that.

Sean unlocked the cell door and Alexis and Claudia turned to face them when the door opened. Claudia’s eyes locked with Matthew’s. Matthew’s locked with hers briefly, before he focused on Alexis.

“Mrs. Dexter. If you had just stayed married to Carrington, Krystle would’ve been my wife a long time ago. But I guess I can’t blame you for running out on him. Leaving your children behind, that’s a whole other thing altogether.” Matthew said.

Claudia was the one that answered him.

“How do you figure you would’ve been married to Krystle when you already had a wife, Matthew? Oh and hello. Nice taking Lindsey like that.”

Matthew dragged his eyes over to Claudia’s.

“Shut-up. I was willing to give up everything to make our family work. You weren’t. And you embarrassed me in open court. There was no way I was letting Lindsey anywhere near you.” Matthew said coldly.

Claudia walked up to him.

“She could’ve kept her real face if you had just stayed and confronted me, like a man.” she told him, just as coldly.

Alexis saw a look of fury in Matthew’s eyes that she had seen before. Only it had been in Blake’s, whenever she mentioned the past. When he wanted to strike out, but didn’t dare.

Alexis glared at Sean, before running interference.

“Krystle is a gold digger. You didn’t have enough money for her to be with you. Not really. Now where is that tramp you planned to use to imitate my daughter?” Alexis asked of Matthew.

Sean stepped forward and answered.

“In a cell. We have no use for her anymore. Especially now that Adam and Kirby are headed to Moldavia. Adam will be taking his rightful place as King.”

Alexis gasped and Claudia raised a brow!

“What are you talking about?!” Alexis snapped. “Adam is NOT Galen’s son!”

“He is now. And your son was informed of the unfortunate circumstances that took place here. Those being King Camden’s suicide. Apparently, King Camden could not deal with not being King, once you presented ‘proof’ that Adam was really Galen’s son. The whole thing is very sad.” Sean said, grinning.

Claudia looked at Alexis, then eyed Sean.

“Where does this leave Daniel?” she asked him.

“He’ll still be executed. Officially for planning a coup. Privately for killing Camden Danvers.” Sean explained.

Claudia looked over at Matthew.

“Krystle won’t like that.” she said in an almost sneering tone.

Matthew turned his hard gaze from Claudia, over to Sean.

“He’s Sammy Jo’s father. I don’t think that’s a good…”

“No one cares what you think, Blaisdel. And when this is over, you and Carrington’s wife will leave New Moldavia. You can even take your daughter with you if you want. Steven can have Luke back if he wants. I think they can stir up more trouble for Blake in Colorado than they can here.” Sean said.

Matthew clenched his jaw.

“That is not what was agreed upon! None of this will work if I have to live in Colorado! Carrington is there. Krystle will never be able to forget her life with him if we go back.” Matthew said.

“She has a baby, Matthew.” Claudia reminded him. “You would separate her from Krystina like you did Lindsey and me?”

Matthew lost it! He whirled back towards Claudia!

“Krystle is a good and decent woman! You aren’t! You’re not even half the woman Krystle is!”

“Yes,” Claudia said blithely, “I am aware of that. You made it very clear to me during our pitiful marital acts. During the times when I had to pretend. They were so sad I wanted to cry afterwards.”

Matthew started towards her but Sean grabbed his arm and Alexis grinned! Oh yes! She and Claudia had quite a lot in common!

“Sean, be a dear and get him out of here. It bores me to hear how wonderful that blonde tramp of his is. Blake goes on about her all of the time.” Alexis sniffed.

Sean barely got Matthew out of the cell and the guards took hold of him once they were out of the room!

“Put him in a cell.” Sean told the guards. Matthew said nothing, nor did he fight the hold that was on him. His concern was for Krystle and Lindsey now.

***

DENVER CARRINGTON-

The news about King Camden’s death was all over the news. Blake planned to make sure that it was well known what the late King-in-waiting, was up to, with regards to Amanda, and who his accomplices were.

A press conference had been arranged and Amanda insisted on being present. She also wanted to speak and others in the family(mainly Fallon) did not think that was a good idea.

But Blake disagreed with his oldest daughter. Amanda had Carrington strength. And even though things were not good between Prince Michael and Amanda at the end, Blake sensed that his daughter wanted the record set straight as to her title, her place in Moldavian history and how she felt about Blaisdel and Sammy Jo. Fallon stood across the room with Jeff and could not overcome her unease over this whole situation. Jeff noticed and rubbed her upper arms.

“I’m worried about you. I’m going to tell Blake we’re leaving.” Jeff told her. Fallon had blurted out her pregnancy to him last night. She was pleased that he didn’t seem to have the same doubts she did, about the paternity of the child she was carrying. And yet Adam, Kirby and Amanda’s shared scandal, always seemed to shed some light onto her disappearance, over a year ago. She didn’t want to talk about it anymore, nor did she want it talked about. And Fallon refused to believe that her mother would tell anyone that Adam was anyone’s child but Blake’s. It just made no sense.

“No,” Fallon said, “we have to stand as a family here. Even though Adam and Amanda don’t feel like family to me.”

Jeff didn’t comment because he understood. He grew up with Fallon and Steven. Adam and Amanda were practically strangers. Adam, an annoying one and Amanda…well…Jeff thought she was juvenile. They had almost been killed at that Moldavian wedding and yet Amanda lost interest in Prince Michael, like after a month in returning to Denver. Jeff personally thought his sister-in-law was too young to be married to anyone.

And yet, wasn’t Fallon that way at Amanda’s age? Those were dark times for himself and Fallon. Things had changed. Fallon had changed and grown up. There was time for the same thing to happen for Amanda as well.

“What are you thinking?” Fallon asked, eyeing him with a raised brow.

“I’m thinking that Blake will handle this and we should go home. And then, later on, we will announce that a new member of our family is coming into the world.” Jeff said softly.

Fallon smiled back at him, before her eyes left his and went to her father’s office door. Adam and Kirby had entered. Adam kept a hand on the small of Kirby’s back as they walked past her and Jeff, and approached Blake and Amanda.

Adam hugged Amanda and Kirby did the same to Blake. Kirby let go of him and searched his eyes with worry.

“How are you holding up?” Kirby asked softly.

Blake looked from her, to Adam and Amanda, who were staring at him.

“However Camden Danvers died, Blaisdel was not planning on it happening. This new regime doesn’t need anything from Sammy Jo anymore and I can’t imagine what is happening to Steven and Claudia. Not to mention Alexis. We’ve had our differences, but she went to New Moldavia with brave intentions. We have to get everyone back. Everyone that went there to save Galen, Luke and Lindsey, and Krystle and Sammy Jo. And I don’t know if that will be possible.” Blake admitted.

Adam tried to hide his surprise. His father had sounded so sure last night. But now, in the light of day, he seemed not so sure.

“Father, my plan can still be implemented. I will go to New Moldavia and find out what is going on.”

Kirby was about to say something about that, when Blake said it for her.

“Your plan is to admit to not being a Carrington. I will never allow that Adam. Nor would I have my granddaughter living under such a false pretense. I am going to go before these reporters and make it clear just what has happened. New Moldavia is going to be put on notice that they just can’t abduct people in order to make their imperfect country, perfect.” Blake said firmly.

Dana came into the room and approached them.

“Mr. Carrington,” she said, looking at Blake, “it’s time. The media is getting restless.”

“Let them in, Dana.” Blake said and Jeff and Fallon joined Blake, Amanda, Kirby and Adam, as a united front and family. It was not long before members of the press were allowed in and took seats in the chairs that had been provided for them. Blake stood at a dais and began speaking.

“I have something to say about the events that took place in New Moldavia over night. Then, when I am through, I will take questions.” he said.

The press respectively said nothing, and awaited Blake’s words.

“Sometime overnight, King Camden of New Moldavia, killed himself. Or at least that is what our family was told. That was what the world is being told. And officials have asked that my son, take the throne now. They are asking this though they know full well that my son, Adam Carrington, has no right to it. Because he is not Moldavian, nor was he King Galen’s son.”

Adam could see that the press was squirming. They were just waiting to pounce on his father to ask some kind of embarrassing question. But he kept his cool. Kirby sensed Adam’s unease and reached for his hand to clasp it.

“King Camden is dead. That is what we know. Now let me tell you what is not known. What the New Moldavian Officials have not revealed: first, King Camden orchestrated an elaborate plot to ensure that there would be no opposition to his taking the throne, once my son-in-law, Prince Michael of Moldavia, was killed. A young woman, about my daughter, Amanda’s age, was hired to impersonate her. And the person that was spearheading this farce was man that used to be an employee of mine. A man named Matthew Blaidsel.”

There were a few gasps! Kirby could see that members of the media knew who Blaisdel was already.

Meanwhile, out in hallway, Michael Culhane stepped off of one of the elevators and looked around. Zach Powers had been ballsy enough to want to meet with him in the Denver Carrington board room WHILE the press conference was going on!

Michael headed that way, unobserved and when he reached the doors, he threw them open, not really expecting to see Powers there.

But he was. And he was sitting at the head of the table, where Blake would usually be. Zach stood up and smiled widely.

“Michael. It has been awhile. Close the doors. This won’t take long.” Zach said. Michael lifted a brow and closed the doors.

“If this won’t take long, then why couldn’t you tell me over the phone?” Michael asked. He did not take a seat.

Zach sat back down.

“Because the deal I am going to offer you is one of a sensitive nature.”

Michael crossed his arms.

“I believe you said it would put me in the same tax bracket as Blake and Alexis. So…what did you have in mind?”

Zach leaned back in his chair.

“Do you know who Jonathan Lake is?” he asked Michael.

Michael shook his head.

“I can’t say that I do.”

“He is with the State Department. He was in charge of the investigation into the Moldavian coup that occurred awhile back.”

“Moldavia…this is about Amanda?” Michael asked.

“No, Michael. This is about someone I need killed. He needs to die and his body needs to disappear. And I cannot be associated with the deed at all. If you do this for me, you will receive a sizable share of stock in my company and seat on the New Moldavian Council.”

Michael just stared at Zach.

“I don’t want anything to do with New Moldavia. Amanda wouldn’t like it. But I’ll tell what, Powers, I’ll do this ‘deed’ for stock in your company and shares in Colby Enterprises…and don’t pretend you can’t get them. I know you’re seeing Colby’s ex-wife.”

Zach slowly stood up.

“Do not discount New Moldavia. I have a seat on their council. Colby Enterprises is putting in a pipeline…”

“Oh I know all about that. That’s why I want shares in the company. But the country itself sounds unstable, sorry. So if you can agree to my terms, I’ll do the deed.” Michael told him.

“Give me a few days. I will see what I can do.” Zach said with a smile. Michael turned and walked out of the boardroom and Zach stared after him. He was not going to waste his time on Culhane. He would have to farm this job out. Anyone he would usually use, could be traced back to him. And while Zach wouldn’t have usually cared about that(he had many members of the police department, all over the world, in his back pocket), he did not want Jackie thinking that he killed the man she loved.

He did not want Jackie thinking her real father had done such a thing.

It suddenly came to Zach what he was going to do. He would have Jonathan Lake killed and frame Garrett Boydston for the deed.

***

Meanwhile, the press conference had gotten to the question and answer part. And unfortunately, Kirby was front and center…

“Mrs. Carrington,” Gordon Wales, an annoying reporter from World Finance Magazine, asked, “you are telling us, that you did not know that your brother was involved with the terrorist regime that now runs New Moldavia? You did not know that he was helping King Camden kidnap people to New Moldavia? Was your brother behind the massacre that deposed King Galen? Is King Galen dead? Is…”

Adam moved Kirby out of the way and stood before the dais.

“I won’t bother to ask you to apologize to my wife for your insulting questions, Mr. Wales. In answer to your first and last question to her, no, she knew nothing about any of it. None of us did.” Adam said coolly.

Wales raised a brow!

“Okay then, then you can answer how is it you didn’t know that Blaisdel had rented your childhood home to plot in? You said you were renting it out and some doctor friend was overseeing it and…”

“That’s your answer, Mr. Wales. A family friend was looking in on the renters and saw something was wrong. Once that was ascertained, I was informed.” Adam replied.

Other reporters tried to ask questions but Wales one upped them! He looked back over at Blake.

“So you just let your wife leave with Blaisel? You didn’t try and stop him? Or did she want to leave with him?”

“I’ve had just about enough of you, Wales.” Blake said coolly. He nodded to two, well placed men from Security, who had been hired for such a scenario. Wales glanced back and saw them, then smirked!

“Alright, Carrington. You win. But I have to ask about Mrs. Colby and your son, Steven and his wife. What do you think Steven’s plans are with regards to Luke Fuller? Will he be leaving his wife for him? And what about Claudia? Will she be reuniting with Mr. Blaisdel or has that ship sailed?” Wales asked crudely.

The two men from Security grabbed one of Wales’s arms and muscled him out of the office! Blake took over at the dais and issued a stern warning to the rest of the press.

“That is what is going to happen, if any of you turn your questions into ones only fit for the National Inquirer to read.” Blake said as he pointed at a reporter from a respectable publication, indicating that he could now ask a question.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 17

Kirby was unusually quiet as Adam drove them back to the mansion. He knew she had not liked having to answer any questions, but Kirby had insisted she could handle it.

“Kirby, you did fine…”

“Oh Adam! No I didn’t! But I guess that awful reporter brought me into reality. Sean probably did have something to do with that bloodbath at Amanda’s wedding. I’m going to call Victoria. I have to know what she knows!”

“Father talked to Devon Miles, who talked to your sister, remember? She wasn’t surprised by the resentment your brother harbors towards our family. But the New Moldavia association was new.”

Kirby nodded and sighed.

“I know. She thought he was still in some prison in Dublin. I can’t believe I’m related to anyone that’s been in jail.” Kirby huffed.

Adam reached over and patted her hand. He gave her a wan smile.

“I want you to put today out of your mind. Father will handle this because he wants to. Though I had my doubts before the press conference. He’s understandably upset over Krystle.”

“Yes,” Kirby replied, “and that was such a God awful question that reporter asked him.”

“Yes. Gordon Wales. I’ve always thought he was more well suited to work at a tabloid, than at a financial paper. But he has always scrutinized every business deal my parents have been involved in. It’s clear he wants to be the ‘Bob Woodward’ of the finance world.” Adam said in a surly manner.

Kirby said nothing to that, as she noted that Jeff and Fallon’s car, passed them on the road. She then looked at Adam.

“I thought Fallon seemed nervous today.” Kirby noted.

“Of course she was! I’m sure she was afraid that SHE would get a question about her time with Farouk Ahmed.” Adam smirked.

Kirby hesitated before speaking.

“I overheard Fallon telling Mrs. Gunderson that she was pregnant.”

Adam looked over at her for a long, lingering moment, before watching the road again.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

“Yes. And I think she isn’t announcing it because of all that is going on. Adam, I know this is going to sound horrible, but I don’t want Audrina sharing a nursery with the baby, when he or she is born. Fallon told Mrs. Gunderson she thought it would be a girl and that she wanted Audrina and the baby to grow up together.” Kirby admitted.

“Would that be so terrible?” Adam asked gently. “If our little girl and Fallon’s grew up together?”

“It would be if Blake favored Fallon’s daughter over ours. I just don’t want to live with Fallon and Jeff and they are not going back to California, or moving out of the mansion.” Kirby sighed.

“You know what? We need to take that trip to Montana that we were supposed to go on, before we found out about Krystle and Blaisdel. Let’s go back to house, pack some things, get on the Carrington jet and just go.” Adam suggested.

“I would love to but it isn’t practical. Sean is expecting us in New Moldavia. And unless Blake thinks of a way for that not to happen, we might as well call that place our new home.” Kirby sighed again.

“Things are already falling apart for New Moldavia. And the press conference today ensured that. Now your brother, or whoever is really in charge over there, will have to answer our accusations. They will lose investors and I doubt Colby Enterprises will want this much bad publicity for their pipeline.” Adam said firmly.

Kirby said nothing but leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder as they continued to drive. Adam put one arm around her, drawing her even closer and drove with one hand. His idea was perfect. And he planned to get his wife and daughter away from the media circus and off to some place that was quiet and peaceful.

***

Dominique had returned to Denver alone and resumed residence, temporarily, in her old suite at La Mirage.

Blake had called her and told her what had happened with Adam and Kirby. As if Krystle being kidnapped wasn’t bad enough. Dominique could not stay quiet or give support from afar. Blake was her brother and he needed her.

She sat down on the sofa and was about to reach for the phone, as to let Blake know she was in town, when a sharp knock on her door, halted that task. Dominique stood up and walked over to the door, opened it, and saw the last person she wanted to see in that moment.

Zachary Powers.

“Hello, Dominique. I saw you from the bar. May I come in?”

“Zachary, this is not a good time. And I’m here for Blake.”

“I am here for Jackie. And what we discussed. So I am afraid I am going to have to insist on coming in.” Zach said firmly.

Dominique turned and walked back into the suite, leaving the door open. Zach walked in and closed it behind him. His eyes roamed over her from behind before Dominique turned to face him.

“I hope you are here with the understanding, that it is now more imperative that Jonathan Lake does not become a permanent part of Jackie’s life.” Dominique said calmly.

“If you are implying that I should go along with your request, without getting something for myself, then we will have to disagree.” Zach answered.

“I cannot sleep with you, Zachary! I am about to marry the man I have loved for a long time! You are with Sable Colby and do not tell me you care nothing for her! Because I can see that you do!” Dominique huffed.

“I am going to draw a bath. I want you to join me. If you do not, I will tell staff here to have your things moved into my suite. And when that gets out, and I will make sure it does, you can explain to Garrett when he gets wind of it. And he will.” Zachary warned her.

Dominique clenched her jaw.

“I’m supposed to go along with this, when you haven’t done anything to keep Jonathan away from Jackie? Get out! Get out, or I will have a different story to tell Garrett about why you really came here! And it will have nothing to do with Jackie.” she said coolly.

Zachary moved closer to her.

“I have already hired someone to dispose of our Mr. Lake. I know he is on the New Moldavian Council. He will be deciding what will happen to Krystle Carrington and your nephew Steven…among others. I also know he plans to take Jackie there with him tonight.” Zachary told her.

“Jonathan is helping run New Moldavia?” Dominique asked before turning away from him. She felt sick! Yes, she had known Jonathan had wielded some influence but now things had changed. Now, King Camden was dead, probably killed, and if Jackie ended up in that mess, Dominique feared she would never see her only child, ever again.

Dominique turned back to him.

“You’ve really hired someone?”

“You will be getting a call from Garrett soon. He will tell you that Jackie has called him because she is worried about Lake. They have chartered a private plane to New Moldavia. Jackie is waiting for him. She is waiting for a man that will never arrive…unless you want him to.” Zachary said bluntly.

Dominique took a deep breath.

“No. I don’t want him to.” she told him.

Zachary smiled at her before turning to walk off towards the bedroom. It was not long before she heard water running from the tub.

Dominique began to undress and told herself that what she was getting ready to do, was no different than performing on stage. She was going to ‘sing’ for her daughter’s life and well being, then put it out of her mind forever.

***

NEW MOLDAVIA-

Dex and Steven were now sharing a cell. Steven was sitting on a bed, his head in his hands. He was trying to make sense of what was happening.

Or what had happened.

Luke had not gasped his last breath and died. And yet he had clearly looked dead. His father had seen Luke’s body as well. And Steven had sat with his body for a long time. There would have been no way of reviving him.

Dex could see that Steven was in some sort of shock. But there was no time for it. He stood near the cell door.

“What about Daniel? Where did they take him? Or is he dead? Steven? I need for you to answer me!”

Steven slowly ran his hands down his face and stood up.

“I don’t know where Daniel is. I don’t know where anyone is. I just know that I sat with Luke’s dead body for almost a half an hour. My father was in the room with me at some point. This man that has my old face, is not Luke. I don’t know what’s really going on here, but he can’t be Luke.”

Dex nodded.

“So the Duchess of Branagh was lying when she told Claudia and you about Luke and Lindsey?”

“I don’t know. I mean all we know about her is that she really wants Adam on the throne.” Steven sighed tiredly.

“Yes. As does Sean now.” Dex reminded him. Rowan had paid them a visit, along with two guards, and told them of his plans to insert Adam on the throne.

“I don’t think Sean was expecting Daniel to just outright shoot King Camden. None of us were.” Steven answered.

The cell door opened and Matthew Blaisdel was shoved in! The door was quickly slammed shut and locked after him.

“Jesus…” Steven griped and shook his head at him.

“Hello, Steven.” Matthew said calmly before his eyes fell on to Dex.

“You’re married to Blake’s mouthy first wife. She’s really something.” Matthew said.

“I take it you don’t mean that as a compliment?” Dex asked sarcastically.

“You would be right.” Matthew answered.

“What the hell have you been doing all of these years?” Steven asked, trying to keep his cool. “Claudia and I went traipsing around South America looking for you. Your damned mother tried to drive my wife back into a mental institution!”

Matthew shrugged.

“First of all, Steven, no one but Claudia, could drive herself into a nut house. All she has to do was look at wallpaper and she’d go crazy. And I know all about your trip to South America. I made sure you all found no signs of Lindsey or myself.”

Steven was about to answer that, but Dex put a halting hand!

“Why would you make your daughter undergo plastic surgery? And why does she look like Fallon Carrington?”

Dex and Steven could see Matthew flinch.

“That was King Camden’s idea. Lindsey looked like my little girl until a year and a half ago. Farouk Ahmed is a big investor here New Moldavia. When Fallon went missing, King Camden came up with the idea of Lindsey turning herself into Fallon and being seen with Ahmed, just to mess with Blake and Jeff’s heads. I didn’t want Lindsey to do it, but she was convinced she looked too much like Claudia. I didn’t agree with that, but Lindsey hates Claudia. And rightly so. She hates you too…”

“Yeah,” Steven snapped, “I get that! So who is that guy that’s supposed to be Luke? And don’t tell me that he is him because I saw Luke die!”

“Luke did die. I don’t know who he is, Steven. I never saw what that man looked like before he underwent surgery. He suddenly looked like I last remembered you looking, Lindsey took a liking to him and the King married them and gave them titles.” Matthew admitted.

Dex folded his arms.

“Why are you in a cell with us, Blaisdel? What happened? Rowen had a change of plans?” Dex asked curtly.

“You could say that. As did I. I brought Sammy Jo here. And Krystle. But Rowan wants to go in another direction. He’s telling people that King Camden killed himself and he wants his sister, and her husband, to rule New Moldavia.” Matthew informed them.

“We know that. Where is Krystle?” Steven asked. “I can’t believe you’d drag her into this!”

“I don’t know,” Matthew now said softly, in a contrite tone, “and I’m scared to death that Rowan will dispose of her. She won’t fit in with his plans here as my wife.”

Dex scoffed!

“No she won’t, because she’s Blake's wife! But I doubt anything will happen to her. The plan seems to be to make Blake suffer as much as possible. And Rowan is doing a hell of a job of that so far.” Dex said.