Forbidden

Chapter 2: Jasper

Thursday, February 21

"Ok, that concludes the meeting. I will get with Story later today and see if she can fly to Atlanta and get some pictures. Thanks, everyone for staying late. Have a good evening."

"I think she is in New York for a shoot with Cam Newman," Roderick tells me.

"She might be able to stop through, but if not I will get Morgan to cover it."

I stand and head for the door leaving everyone to go over what else they need."

When I get back to my office, Heather has already left for the day. I pull up my emails. There are a few messages, but only one that says 'URGENT'.

Subject: URGENT Important Message Please Read Immediately

To: Jasper.Daniels <Jasper.Daniels@DanielsIndustries.com>

From: Heather Downs <>

Brooklyn Tomlin called and left a message that Jason is in Tarrant County Jail.

Closing the email, I rub my hand down my face and blow out a long harsh breath. "What the hell has he gotten himself into now," I mumble. Picking up the phone I call my assistant.

"Sam, I need you to fly to Texas and go get Jason out of jail and bring his ass back here. I don't care what he says the party is fucking over." I hang up the phone and rub my temples. Picking up the phone again, I call Ms. Montego and have her get his old room together.

Closing out my emails I start back working when I hear my private cell ringing. What now?

"Hello."

"Hey, are you still working?" Rebecca Sigel says through the phone. Rebecca is a long-time friend and lover.

"Yes, I am."

"Well, I was cooking dinner and was hoping you would come over and join me. I'm sure you haven't eaten."

"That would be nice, but Jason is coming back today and I have a lot to finish."

"Jason?" She says his name and gets quiet. I know she's a little worried; Jason has never liked her and was always very rude and disrespectful. I never said too much, never wanting to feel like I was being too stern because he didn't have a mother. I found out that was the worst thing I could have ever done. Jason has turned out to be a very spoiled, very irresponsible man that only thinks of himself. "Ok. How long is he staying."

"Hopefully for good. I'm going to arrange for him to get a job down in the mailroom, and hopefully, that will get him on the right foot."

She's quiet again and I know she's wondering about our future. I won't try to convince her to stick around. I of all people know how difficult Jason can be. "Ok, maybe we can get together another night."

"That sounds like a plan."

"I will call you in a few days." There is a long pause again. "Goodnight Jasper," she says before hanging up. I hate to make her feel like this. Rebecca has been hoping I would marry her for years now, but I promised myself after Jason's mother died I would never love again. And I have stuck to that promise for twenty-four years.

I sigh staring down at the black screen of my phone before starting back working. The next time I look up it's almost ten o'clock. I quickly pack up my desk and head out so I can make the forty-five-minute drive to my house on Lake Degrey.

Parking in the garage I look over at the two vehicles that have not been driven in almost two years. Glad I got both of them serviced last week. When I make it into the house it's quiet. I set everything down on the kitchen and island. I'm sure Ms. Montego has left me something to eat knowing I would have skipped lunch.