We are Forever (Book 6 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 13

Nick

I held my breath, waiting for Demi to tell me exactly why Brooklyn Rios was trying to ruin my life. I couldn't imagine how she knew. I could see how angry Demi was now, her chest heaving & her eyes wide. Finally, she closed her eyes & took a deep breath.

"She's Rafe's niece." Demi said as she opened her eyes. "I saw her picture on Rafe's desk in his office. It's his sister's daughter."

I felt like the wind was knocked out of me as I let my breath out. I couldn't even find words, right now. It was all starting to make sense. Because I exposed Rafe, along with Demi, as the repulsive piece of shit that he was, more women came forward & with a blink of an eye, he lost everything. His career was over because he was considered a pariah in the music industry. His financial situation was dire because of the lawsuits some of the women filed. Now, his niece was trying to get back at me for something her uncle brought on himself. I looked down at the floor, shaking my head. "Wow." Was all I could manage to get out.

"Now we have a reason & a way to make this go away." Demi said, walking toward me.

"I'm not so sure this new information could make it go away."

Demi clicked her tongue. "What do you mean? It's clear she is out to get you because you helped destroy her uncle."

I shook my head. "Or they could spin it & make it look like I made sexual advances toward her to get back at him for making moves on you."

Demi's expression of anger froze on her face & now turned to horror. Her hand covered her mouth. "But you have a good reputation." She finally said. "You're not a douchebag with a history of seducing women."

I let my head fall back & stared at the ceiling. "I don't want to think about this anymore. Can we just go out to the pool & spend some time with our kids?" I looked down at Demi, frowning. "Please?"

She sighed, walking toward me & reaching out to touch my chest. Her hands glided over my shirt, then slipped around my waist, so she could press her cheek against my chest. "Yes, let's not let this ruin our family or our fun." I put my arms around her & kissed the top of her head. We headed out to the pool, a few minutes later, putting this bullshit on the back burner for a bit.

Over the next few weeks, we dealt with the threat of Brooklyn going public with her accusation. Rafe was going to testify that I told him I would ruin someone he cared about. I mean, seriously? It was ridiculous. Our lawyers went back & forth with testimonies or demands & I was trying to not let it get to me. At one point, Brooklyn was asking for 5 million dollars for pain & suffering. I, literally, laughed out loud, when I was told that. I told her lawyers I wasn't paying her a dime. I wanted to tell them what exactly I would like them to do with that offer, but I was trying to stay mature & civil. The lawyers were just doing their jobs. I couldn't fault them.

The week before Father's day, Demi & I were at home, working on the benefit concert details, while the kids were with my mom & grandma. Well, Mercy was with my mom & grandma, having tea with some of my mom's friends & Jerry went with Frankie & my dad to see a movie. It didn't matter how old Frankie was, he always enjoyed the kid movies, especially, if comic book characters were in it. Ally had called Demi a little bit earlier & told her she was coming over, so now when we heard the doorbell, Demi ran to get the door.

"So, I may have gotten some information that could help this sexual harassment thing go away for ya, Nick." Ally said as she & Demi walked into our office.

I laughed. "That would be cool."

Demi sat down in the chair next to me as Ally sat on the loveseat. "I will love you forever, Ally. What did you find out?" Demi asked.