Collateral Damage

16

Audrey had come to a shocking realization. It was relatively easy to get Alexander to do anything she wanted.

"I don't know about that," Alexander said over the phone with a small frown, he stuffed half egg foo young into his mouth looking at the scattering of paper s covering his desk.

Audrey looked at her toes, her feet in the air as she wiggled her painted toes on his couch, a magazine in her hands and her phone next to her.

"Oh but I really want it though," she said without much feeling. She didn't have to do much, honestly. "It's just a little break. You can afford it."

He frowned, swallowing his food. "Yeah but it's a ethical violation," he frowned, "you're supposed to be learning and if I just pay some kid to turn in assignments for you, you're not learning." He protested.

Audrey shrugged. "I'm learning how to game the system to be a capitalist pig just like you daddy."

Alexander dropped the food from his mouth and looked at the phone. He cleared his throat.

"Y-yeah. Whatever you want. Don't call me that," he muttered. He frowned deeply his brows burrowing in intense dismay.

Audrey's phone vibrated. She clicked over.

"Accept a collect call from: Dallas Texas?"

Audrey sat up, her heart pounding. "Y-yes I accept the charges."

Her heart beat in her ears as she waiting for the line to connect. She finally heard a familiar voice on the other line.

"Audrey. Thank you god you picked up. I need help. I'm in jail for murder. And I need a lawyer and I—"

She shook her head and frowned deeply. "Why did you call me? What about your parents. And not to mention, they'll let you out when they find out you didn't do it."

There was silence for a moment. "...I...I did it. I can't call parents they don't...they don't pick up my calls. You're all I've got."

Audrey swallowed roughly. All he had? She knew a little something about unreliable parents but god. Murder?

"Why? Who? I—"

"It was a good reason I swear and I—"
"60 seconds reminding."
Dallas swallowed clutching the phone. "I um...this is probably bad timing but even if you can't help me and it's okay if you can't—I really, really l—"

The phone hung up hurriedly. Audrey blinked her heart palpitating wildly in her chest.

"Audrey? Where did you go?" Alexander asked.

• • •

Alexander's tie was loose around his neck, his chest peeking out from his unbuttoned shirt, his jacket flung over the coach. Audrey sat on her knees, her head in his lap as she clutched her chest in pain.

"He's a good guy, Alexander. He just needs a rich man's justice I promise just...I'll help. I'll take loan. Let's rewrite the contract."

Alexander watched her beg and plead for the life of this boy, a boy she hadn't known long. Her heart was tied up in him already, and what fragile heart it was. Her big brown eyes sparkled with tears. She sobbed desperately bargaining with him to save that boy.

He clenched his jaw, silent for a while.

"Please. You can afford the lawyers. Get him off, I'll do anything." She sobbed desperately.

The air was still and finally, Alexander put his large heavy hand on her head. "I see..."

She sniffled looking up at him. "You'll help him?"

Alexander smiled and lifted her face gently. "Oh...I'll do better than that, sweetheart. I will get him the best lawyer in the world. Hm? Spare no expense. We will get him free."

"You'd do that for him?" She smiled, shuffling closer to him.

His smile was soft and benevolent, those grey eyes pools of warm steel. "But of course. And we don't have to take bother with contracts or loans, hm? Not between us my Audrey."

She grinned. "Then what?"

"Oh...it's simple. I'll get him off. He'll walk free...as long as you never see him again." His words were gentle but striking. Her eyes widened. She stood, and pulled away.

"What?" She whispered harshly.

" That's not a problem right?" His grip got a bit tighter. "You...want him to free more than you need to see him?"

Audrey swallowed roughly. Alexander smiled and nodded his encouragement, for her agreement. "Don't you?"

"I know you'd accept a deal this good because you have potential. Hm? What did you say? You were learning to be a good capitalist pig like daddy? Well...this is a deal daddy would take." He whispered, standing.

"Unless his fawning over you is preferred. I'd understand, of course, Audrey. You could do no wrong in my eyes," he gestured wildly, his back to her. "I doubt Dallas would be as keen but...then again what he could do from a jail cell? Where he'd be for the rest of his life. Because he's going away, love. For life."

Audrey swallowed roughly and then nodded. "Yes. I'll take it. Save him, and I won't ever see him again, Alexander. I'll be all yours."

Alexander smiled, and looked over his shoulder. "Oh...you were always all mine. I have it writing. I'll have him home by the end of the week." Alexander smiled, going into the back room.

Audrey wondered if this was a turning point. If he'd start taking advantage of her, if they'd start having sex again. But all he did was smile.

And somehow that was worse.