Cursed with Life and Death

Making Plans Looks Different

“Wow look who surfaced!” Jackson calls out from a table off to the side of the caf when he sees me enter the room.

I look over and see him sitting with Katie and Xander. Xander’s back is to me and he hasn’t turned yet. Not a great sign.

I slide in next to him and try to catch his eye.

“Hi. Thank you for getting me into bed last night.” I say quietly to Xander.

“I’m just glad you got home safely.” He says in a clipped way, obviously not too impressed with how drunk I was.

“I was hoping we could talk.” I say, staring at him.

Not ideal that I’m about to drop the inheritance information on him when he’s already on edge, but here we are.

“So talk. It’s not like you don’t end up telling everyone everything anyway,” Xander remarks.

“No.. this is something I’d prefer to share with you in private, first.” I say to him directly. I need to get better at communicating with him openly if I want this to work.

He pauses.

“Why don’t you finish eating first, then we can go for a walk.” He softens. “You must be hungry.”

I smile at him and nod, appreciating the thoughtfulness since I am actually famished.

“So how's your head?” Katie asks, grinning at me.

I groan. “Probably better than I deserve,” I say between bites.

Right on cue Vi and Av zoom into the room.

“Oh heyyy how ya feeling Jade?” Av calls out, louder than she needs to be.

Man was I that drunk? I think of all the times Vi handed me a drink and my stomach turns.. Guess so.

I groan. Can I really handle them already? I down some more coffee.

“Well I’m glad you’re up. I was thinking that I need to do a little research to get some ideas for the rooms while the construction kicks off. Figured it’d be perfect to bring you and your alpha for a little playtime.” Vi grins evilly at us.

I sigh, wishing I had already had a chance to talk to Xander. I don’t trust this isn’t going to end up with them spilling the beans.

I touch Xander’s leg to get his attention, catching his eye.

*I need to tell you something and I’d rather be the one who does it. I don’t think it can wait until a walk, unfortunately.* I say in his mind.

*What is it?* he stills with a flash of unease.

*..Travis.. left me.. an inheritance.* I say, still struggling to acknowledge his name.

*Like the car?* his lips even out into a thin line as his heart rate rises slightly.

*Yes. Money, cars, places, boats.. A lot.*

He looks down and closes his eyes and a mix of emotions fills him. I pause feeling it for a moment, breathing.

I glance over to Vi who’s watching us closely.

“I’m guessing you just told Xander?” She asks.

“She knows already?!” Xander snaps out loud.

“She was there when I found out.” I justify.

“He has me opening a club in exchange for my money.” She explains.

Xander pushes back from the table, turning away for a second.

He steps back towards me, and takes a breath, trying to control the rage I can feel filling him now.

“What did you agree to do in exchange for your inheritance, Jade?” his eyes burn into me as he steps into alpha mode.

“Wait, what?” Katie cuts in.

“Jade inherited the bulk of Travis’ wealth,” Vi outs me.

“All of it??” She gasps.

“Enough.” I cut Vi off not needing to publicize numbers.

“Answer me Jade” Xander orders, taking another step towards me. “What did you agree to do?”

“Go on annual vacations he planned for me.” I blurt out looking down.

“Show me.” He growls.

I look up at him and replay the conversation with Steve. The next 20 years of vacations, the list of assets, all of it.

He turns, walking away again while he breathes. He turns back to me.

“Jade.. this is not ok. He’s going to haunt you through those vacations for decades. It’s going to be so hard for you.”

I look down, knowing it’s true. But he’ll haunt me for the rest of my life regardless if I was going on his vacations or not..

“Anyway I want to go check out some s*x clubs to get some inspiration for club V. Figured this is right up Jade’s alley. Plus I’ve not had the pleasure of witnessing the Jade & Xander show yet.” Vi says, changing the subject with a smile.

“It’s a good one.” Av grins.

“I was going to see if you guys wanted to go to New York City for New Years. He.. I.. um.. apparently.. I have a place there. I’m sure there would be plenty of better spots for your research in the city.” I stutter out, not totally sure how to handle this.

“Oh my god the penthouse! It’s SO gorgeous, Jade — you’re going to love it!! This is literally the best idea you’ve ever had.” Vi says with a giant grin.

“When would we go?” Katie asks, smiling at the idea.

“I have a jet on standby for tonight. I wanted to talk to Xander first.” I say softly.

Xander looks at me, eyebrows up. “You have a jet on standby??”

“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I’m still unsure about it myself.” I say turning Xander. “It feels weird and obtrusive to use his money and stay at his place.” I look down.

“It’s yours now Jade.” Av points out.

“Plus it beats staying alone at school for New Years.. or not spending it together.” Katie adds.

Xander sighs and looks at me. “Well there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go to a s*x club without me.” He takes both of my hands in his and takes another calming breath. “It’s whatever you want to do Jade.” He flashes a small smile, softening, giving me some support.

“Impromptu New Years trip to New York City? Hell ya! Katie, your friends are f*cking wild. I love it!” Jackson says to her.

“Whatever Jackson. Stop pretending that we’re not your friends too.” I roll my eyes at him. He’s one of the only people who actually know my identity.. of course he’s a friend. He smiles in a beaming way and takes Katie’s hand.

Adorable.

With friends like this I’m sure I can manage being in one of Travis’ places. Plus it’s not like he ever took me there so I shouldn’t be overwhelmed with memories..

“We can always go, see how we feel and stay somewhere else if it’s too much?” Vi says.

I sigh. That’s true. Ok. Here goes nothing.

I nod and drop Xander’s hands so I can pull out my phone and dial Steve. He answers before the second ring again.

“Hi Jade, what’s the news on New York?”

“We’re in. What time is the flight?”

“I’ll send a limo at 5. Who will be attending?” I check my phone - it’s 2 now so we’re Ok- ish for time. I walk away from the group out of politeness.

“Myself, Vi, Avalon, Xander, Katie and Jackson. Do you need any additional information for the flight?”

“No, I have it for everyone you just listed.” Xander stiffens next to me, listening to the conversation.

“Can you make sure the place has food and drinks available?”

“Of course, anything in particular I should be sure to have delivered?”

“Umm coffee, wine, vodka cranberry stuff, beer and tequila should do it for drinks. Maybe some nice scotch and champagne as well. For food can we just have breakfast and lunch stuff available? Eggs and sandwich stuff. Easy things we can grab on the go. We can order or go out for dinner.”

“Of course. I’ll get some reservations down so you have some options available each night. I’ll have some clubs and lounges lined up as well. There are a number that received generous donations from Mr. Williams who would likely want to meet with you now. Would you be open to mixing a little business in with the fun?” I can hear him typing at a computer.

“Yes. That sounds perfect. Umm if it’s possible could I also have some clothes arranged?”

“Yes, in white again?”

My stomach drops.

“No. No white.” I turn away from Xander. “Nicer dresses and clubbing clothes. and um. Undergarments and things to sleep in.” I flush.

He pauses. “Anything in particular or should I just have an assortment of things set up.”

“Sorry this is awkward for me.” I say barely able to talk to Xander about this much less this guy I don’t know.

“No need to apologize. I’m an employee who’s paid to be discreet Jade. What do you need?” Steve says directly, creating some ease.

“We’re looking to go to a s*x club. So an assortment that includes some choices that I could wear there. Mostly black? Maybe something with some baby blue accents?” I say and look back over at Xander. He’s watching me closely. I can feel him shift as he listens to me.

“Baby blue..sex club got it. I’ll have some other things included for your guests as well if you’d like, since we’re making a large order anyway.”

“That would be very helpful. Thank you. Do you need any sizes?”

“Nope, everything is included in the comprehensive background check that was run on them.”

Ok then.

“Is there anything else I should know?” I ask

“Just make sure everyone has ID for the flight and we should be good to go. See you at 5”

“Thanks again, see you then.” I hang up.

That was easy.

“We leave at 5!” I call out to the group. They cheer in response.

Xander closes the distance between us and takes my hand. “Let's go back to the room. We can pack and talk some more.”

Not exactly a request so I follow.

When we get there I immediately drop down to my bags and start packing some comfy clothes and toiletries, consolidating some things into my smallest bag since I shouldn’t need much.

I take a breath and open my purse, removing the candle, rose and glass jar. My heart pounds as I feel how warm they are. I place them gently on top of the bag I’m not bringing, staring at them as hurt fills my chest.

“Are those the things from your mom's funeral?” Xander asks quietly from behind me.

“Yes. I think she used them to make it so the 3 of us could be in the same room. Or maybe something else I don’t know.” I say quietly, my eyes glued to the candle.

“Jade.. it’s going to be even harder for you if you surround yourself with his things and vacation regularly with his memory.” Xander says quietly.

“It’s really hard for me no matter what I’m doing. I can’t just avoid that I have all this stuff and these places now.. at least this way I’m with friends making hopefully some happy memories there as well.” I say in a flat tone.

He nods. “And you’re sure you don’t just want to go back to our place? Lay low for a few days before school?”

“Our place? You mean your room at the pack house?” I glance over at him.

“Jade.. it’s your room too. It has been ever since that first night. It’s empty without you.” He offers me a small smile.

“ I don’t think I can go about pretending everything’s ok for your parents and everyone in the pack. It’s too fresh of a wound.” I look down at the candle again trying not to think about him but failing, his green eyes flash in my mind. I stand.

“Ok. Jade.. listen.. I know you’re hurting a lot. I can feel it. You don’t have to shut me out or pretend like everything is fine for me. I just want to help.” He says taking my hands again.

“It’s.. hard.. to talk to you about it. I know how much you’ve been through when it comes to him, how much more can I really put on you before you’ve had enough?”

“I’ll never have enough of you. How many times do I need to say that? We wouldn’t be marked if that were something you had to worry about. The thing that will push me away or make me mad is you shutting me out and hiding things. Like yesterday, you opened up to Avalon instead of me. You disappeared and let loose with Vi instead of me. I’m happy to screw you senselessly but I want more..” He says calmly.

He’s right of course. Not exactly a new conversation for us. I look up into his eyes.

“Ok but you have to recognize I might not always do what you want me to and you have to be ok with that as well. For example drinking helped a bit.. you weren’t down to get wasted so I went off with someone who was.”

He shifts with a bit of discomfort, some unease flaring up in him when I talk about drinking that I hadn’t noticed before.

“Do you have a problem with drinking?” I ask, eyeing him. His heart rate picks up.

“I don’t think now’s the time to get into my stuff. Let’s just get through the rest of the break. If you want to drink, then drink. Just be safe about it. Things will settle a bit when we’re back at school.”

I stop and watch him closely - He’s avoiding my eye. How had I not noticed there’s something here?

“Isn’t this the same thing you were telling me not to do?” I ask, aware that it seems like he’s also hiding things.

“Honestly Jade.. I just don’t think it's the time to start into more baggage. I promise I will talk about it when we’ve calmed a little.. just.. small steps. Let’s take some time to settle first. ” He smiles softly at me and plays with a strand of my hair.

I sigh. He’s probably right.. I don’t think I could handle more heaviness in my life right now.

“Starting with an extravagant trip to New York on my private jet?” I say, letting it go, for now.

“This is going to be a disaster you know.” He laughs.

“Maybe it won’t!” I protest.

“Baby. You’ve met our friends, you’re going to release them onto the New York City s*x club scene and expect it to go well?”

“Has to be better than almost burning down the school.” I meant it as a joke but forgot how I almost did that. I take a breath. “I’m going to take a shower.. we should probably try to eat something before the flight.”

He nods but tugs my hand, pulling me into him giving me a loving, passionate kiss that leaves me breathless.

When he finally pulls away I’m completely distracted by him. “Hmm we could probably skip the food if you wanted..” I smile at him.

He chuckles. “I seem to recall we might have a s*x club in our near future. Maybe I should make you wait until then,” he has a new gleam in his eye.

“But that could be days!” I whine, pouting at him.

He turns me, laughing, and gently pats my butt sending me out the door towards the bathroom as I grumble.

. . .

By 5pm, everyone is out front and full of energy, ready to go. The stretch limo pulls up. Steve pops out the front seat, and walks over to open the door for us. I let the others climb in first.

“Steve.. this is Xander. My partner.” I say knowing it’ll probably help if Xander meets him.

“Nice to meet you.” Steve smiles, shaking his hand, not missing a beat of professionalism.

He turns back to me immediately. “Everything’s all set both at the penthouse and for the flight. Enjoy.” he says motioning for me to get in, wisely not engaging in much of a conversation with Xander. Partners or not he works for me.

I slide in and see that Vi already has a vodka cranberry waiting for me. Xander rejects the drink she offers him and looks off for a second.

I put my drink in a cup holder and try to catch his eye, hoping I’d see if I can figure out what’s up with him.

I immediately regret it.

He accidentally shows me the memory he’s recalling. It’s me in this exact same spot sleeping peacefully snuggled into Travis on our way back to school on Christmas. Travis is watching me sleep with a soft smile on his lips. He kisses my hair and whispers “I love you Angel” to me and I hum back to him nuzzling a little more into his chest.

Xander slams his eyes shut, feeling the tidal wave of hurt he brought up in me. I screw my face up trying unsuccessfully to stop the tears. I start shaking, needing to be away from this spot, finding it hard to breathe.

“Jade come here I have a shot for you” Vi says, appearing in front of me and pulling my hands over to the sideways bench. I don’t open my eyes just go with her.

She plops me down somewhere and shoves a shot glass into my hand. I down it without even looking at it. Tequila again. I breathe out.

I open my eyes. Trying desperately to push the memory away. “Another.” I croak out.

“Jade..” Katie says in her concerned voice.

“ Another.” I say ignoring her and grabbing another shot from Vi, wallowing down a large gulp to replace the burn in my throat.

I gag a bit, coughing at how gross the second one was.

Katie hands me a glass of water. I thank her and down it too.

I risk a glance over at Xander for a second but he’s staring out the window lost in thought.

I look over at Vi “Thanks” I mutter. “This is going to be really f*cking hard.”

She nods. “We’re here for you. Plus you’re going to freak when you see how baller your place is,” she smiles at me. “Why don’t you drink this?” She hands me my vodka cranberry.

I nod and take it just as we hit a bump. A large splash of the red drink lands all down my white shirt.

Greeeat.

I roll my eyes. Will I ever not spill all over myself??

Katie covers her mouth to hide her smile but Av just full-on laughs at me. I sigh, looking at the stain.

We make it to the hanger in decent time, going through a nothing private security check. We walk up to the plane and I’m relieved to see it’s not the same one I took before - it’s substantially bigger.

The others get on first and I take a breath, preparing myself for flying again. At least this time I don’t have to jump out of the moving plane?

I walk up the steps next to Xander and duck into the cabin. It’s STUNNING, large plushy cream chairs and couches are around the room with some small tables and a large TV on the wall. I smile - much better than the parachute plane.

“Jade! So wonderful to see you again! Did you enjoy your jump?” Clara says to me and I freeze, not expecting to see her again, much less not being able to comment. Xander stiffens next to me.

I smile at her in lieu of a reply. “Is there champagne?” I ask.

“Of course I’ll get that right away. Your dress from the last flight is hanging up in the bedroom if you’d like to change.” She says, eyeing the stain on my shirt before turning to retrieve the drinks.

Xander’s anger hits me hard. I turn and leave, scurrying into the bedroom. Jackson bursts out laughing.

I throw on my freshly dry cleaned black long sleeved dress. The same one I left crumpled in a pile somewhere on the last flight. Deep breath. I rush back out, not wanting to delay taking off. Not meeting anyone’s eyes.

I sit next to Xander and Clara hands everyone a glass of champagne before immediately sitting down in a seat by the front.

I drink a gulp immediately, barely holding on between my emotions and my nerves.

I try to focus on breathing. I hate flying and we’re starting to move. I shut my eyes and ignore everyone, clutching Xander’s hand.

When we level out and are good to move around again I reopen my eyes. Clara sets out two ice buckets and puts extra bottles of champagne out. She points out the button to call her if we need anything else and leaves with Steve.

“So Jade.. private plane?” Av says obviously a little tipsy.

“Something like that,” I mutter.

“Even I have to admit this is pretty swank. I mean, this is Cristal,” Jackson adds, topping off his glass and holding up the bottle.

“What did she mean when she said how was your jump?” Katie asks, looking over at me.

I freeze and just stare at her.

“She can’t tell you. Av cast a spell on her or whatever. She can’t show or tell you anything she did for the time she spent with.. him.” Xander answers, aware that it’s easier for me not to hear his name.

“Oh yaaaa! Karaoke!! ” Av laughs. “I forgot about that. I’m surprised it worked even after I had so much to drink!”

“That was a fun night.” Katie adds.

“It doesn’t freak you out that she has a spell over your mind?” Jackson asks me.

“Do you want me to lift it?” Av jumps in looking at me. Xander’s hope hits me and I take a breath.

“Not yet.” I say quietly, looking away from Xander.

“You’re welcome.” She smiles and cheers' her champagne glass to mine, taking a swig.

Thankfully it’s not a very long flight before we land.

We take two town cars instead of a stretch limo, with Vi joining Xander, Steve and I in one of the cars.

“Ok so what should we know about this place?” I turn to her from my middle seat.

“I don’t know. It’s huge? I mean it’s on the upper east side.” Vi answered.

“Did he spend a lot of time there?” Xander asks quietly.

“I think our definitions of a lot of time are different.” Vi replies honestly.

Fair.

“Here’s your potential itinerary. I’ve put red dots next to the ones who would love a few minutes of your time. I’ve also texted you some key phone numbers. You can always work through me but just in case you can call a car or what not directly. I’ll be in the building if you need anything. I’ve also emailed this all to you, of course.”

“Very thorough.” Xander says looking over my shoulder.

“Yes.” Steve says in a cold tone, barely glancing at him - clearly discouraging him from engaging again. I smirk.

“Is there anything else I need to know for the place? Keys, codes, etc.” I ask.

“Yes. The last page in the binder.”

We pull over in front of a swanky looking building and get out, looking up in awe.

The others clamour out and Steve leads us in.

“Jade, this is Mr. Blake, he’s the manager of the building.”

“Mrs. Williams, such a pleasure to meet you.” He says with a smile holding his hand out to me.

Oh right. My name.

Katie makes a noise and coughs loudly to try to cover it up.

“It’s Ms. actually, but I prefer Jade” I correct him. “The pleasure’s all mine I’m sure.” I shake his hand with a fake smile.

“Jade. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions about the building. Your elevator is the one right there, and here is your key.”

“Thank you.” I don’t stay to make small talk.

I turn and leave, getting into the elevator. We all squish in and I take a few breaths.

“Jade.. did you get married???” Katie blurts out when the doors close.

“No.” I reply and catch Xander’s eye. I play him the second conversation I had with Steve in the car when I found the IDs. I can feel that he’s obviously not impressed but stays quiet.

The door dings open and we step out into the short hallway.

“Jade if you would.” Steve says from the penthouse door motioning for me to come up despite being the last one out of the elevator.

I walk past everyone with Xander on my heels.

“You’re going to go in alone for a minute.” He says to me and I freeze.

“No way.” Xander says.

“It’s fine. I’ll call you if I need you.” I say to him and turn to Steve.

“Jade seriously?” Katie jumps in, also recognizing this is probably not the best idea.

“I’m afraid I have to insist.” Steve says to me.

“It’s fine. One minute is nothing. I’ll call if I need anything.” I say dismissing the others and nodding at Steve.

He unlocks the door and opens it for me.

“Right this way..”