The Millionaire's Secret by jewel crotan (beach read book TXT) 📖

playing a video game rather than working on homework. Keith had been the favourite of their parents, there was no doubt about it. The miracle child, the surprise, and the last one before their father passed, he had always been the baby of the family. He was particularly close to his father, and while his brothers had done a good job of keeping him distracted, it was clear that Keith missed his father more than any of them. One day, being the youngest, he would likely be the last of the generation to take over this empire they had built. Adam wondered what a legacy they would leave him. Millions, yes, but at the moment, most of it dirty money.

 He had no qualms in how he had made their money. He didn’t shoot and kill people, he didn’t make choices to inject lethal amounts of medication or pull the trigger. People were inherently bad, he knew that, and there was nothing he could do to stop it, whether they dealt in legal goods or not.

 “Why did I get a media request form for Behati to be interviewed?” Rick appeared in the room at last, having shut himself away most of the night. At least, when he was working hard, Adam didn’t have to worry about him. Rick’s head was always in the game when he worked. How could he even consider not working when it clearly saved Rick from his dark thoughts? And it would provide Keith with a fortune long after they were all gone.

 “Oh, it’s just for ballet. She was often interviewed before,” Adam said, with a shrug. “She’s broken dance records, and she’s a well known name.”

 “How long have you known her?” Liam asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought this was a recent flame.”

 “I know how to use the internet, brother, believe it or not,” Adam replied, casually. “And how do you think I met her in the first place? Now, enough chatter. Mother is arriving tomorrow, we have a ball in 2 days, and I don’t think enough is done. For one, I have inside information that gold is going to go up several dollars tomorrow, so we should be taking this new found fortune and investing. Make a note to sell on Tuesday,” he looked at his brothers, expecting action. “Well, don’t just stand around.”

 “You’re a slave drive, Adam,” Liam said, at last, but followed his brother’s orders. They certainly didn’t make money by being lazy. When he was gone, Rick leaned against the mantelpiece.

 “Did you see what they want to interview her about?”

 “Hmm?” Adam asked, replacing a couch cushion. His mother did like to have things perfect, although no doubt it wouldn’t last. “No, what?”

 “Drugs in the dance world,” Rick said. “Apparently, there’s a surge of them, especially in the former soviet countries. Dancers being examples and role models and all that. Rather ironic, don’t you think, considering. Do you think that’s wise?”

 Adam paused a moment, and then his brain clicked into gear.

 “Oh my God,” he said, speaking slowly as the thoughts fell into place. “She is the most ironic person in the world to be giving that interview, isn’t she? I’m an idiot for not seeing it. Oh my God.”

 “What?” Rick asked, but he got no answer.

chapter five

“Yes, Adam, it’s true. But it’s once in awhile, it’s not that big of deal,” Behati smoothly lied to him on the morning of her interview. “You need to calm down.”

 “I am calm,” he replied, and indeed he was, at least on the surface. “I’m just concerned, is all.”

 “Well, you don’t need to be. And if you didn’t grow up such a boring stick in the mud, you would have done a line or two once in awhile,” Behati kissed him on the cheek. “Now, your mother is going to be here this afternoon, and the sooner I get this done, the better, so scram.”

 “Out of my own house, am I?” he asked with a faint smile. “I think I’ll stay, if you don’t mind.”

 “Suit yourself,” she shrugged, and checked her hair one more time. “Let’s go then.”

 Downstairs, in the sunroom, a camera crew was already set up and waiting for them. Behati had not let them do her makeup, insisting that she was fine. Ballerinas were known for being to do their own faces, and the makeup artist had just smiled and let her do it. Adam had to admit, she did a great job, even with shaky hands. She had lost even more weight in the past week, and he was sure she hadn’t heard a word that he said at the audition for Kulanu. But regardless of what her spaced out head and dilated eyes were in taking, she had radiated at the audition, impressing everyone. They had heard nothing yet, but he secretly hoped that she got it. Not for her, selfishly, but for himself. He realized he didn’t want her to go out into the world, not like this. He didn’t know how to address the situation, but he knew he could keep her safe if she was just close by.

 She was radiant, in her uneven skirt and high heels, her red hair a sharp contrast to her green outfit. Adam thought she looked like a Princess as she took her place under the camera lights. She certainly out shone the interviewer, who introduced herself as Amy, and was almost plain, in a brown dress and black flats.

 “Any questions, before we get ready?” Amy asked and Behati smiled easily, crossing her long legs and glancing up at Adam.

 “Nope, go ahead.”

 Keith snuck in, to stand beside his brother, a wide grin on his face. He had mostly been kept out of the spotlight, kept in school and on a good track. Despite his mischief, Adam had to admit he was turning out to be a pretty good kid. His grades were high, and he saw the world from such a different view. One day, when he was old enough, he would have an empire to take over, and Adam didn’t doubt that Keith would have made their father proud.

 Now, the teenager was shining with excitement as he watched every movement on the TV shoot.

 “Alright, let’s roll,” Amy said, putting on a TV smile as the red light went on. “Welcome to Etalk. I’m your host, Amy Porter, and we are here with Latvia’s Top ballerina, Behati Dane, in her American home. Now, Behati, you have to tell me, this is the home to the Katz Brothers, Europe’s richest family. What’s the connection there?”  

 She smiled easily, as if her secret was in no danger of being exposed.

 “The Katz’s have been patrons of the arts for quite some time, and I’m honoured that they have chosen to support the Latvian National for many years. I’m currently in auditions for Kaluna theatre, for some experimental work, and so it’s a good home base.”

 “So there’s no romance?”

 Adam sucked in a breath, but she didn’t even look at him. He wondered whether she would just blurt it out, and it alarmed him to wonder if it would be so bad if she did. Then, there wouldn’t be all this sneaking around, hiding, and whispers in a corner.

 “No,” Behati replied, a twinkle in her eye and a casual laugh. “I wish there was, they are quite beautiful, aren’t they?”

 Amy laughed.

 “Their faces are what keeps the general public buying magazines like Business Insider. Now, Behati, let’s get down to the meat of this. There’s long since been a history of drug use in the dance industry, for various reasons. Dancers want to stay skinny, dancers want more energy, or they simply just want to be a part of the trend. Now, the Latvian National has been under scrutiny several times for allowing, and even encouraging drug use. What do you think about that?”

 “I think those claims are stupid,” Behati replied, and sub consciously turned her arm down. Even though the bruise from the needle was hid by her sweater, she wondered if they could see it. “The Latvian National is one of the best companies in the world, and people will say anything when they are jealous, anything to make up for their short comings. The company is made up of wonderful people who are hard working, and I’ve never known anything bad to come of it.”

 “But there are claims, Behati, that those around you are fueled by chemicals constantly. And even your own face has been splashed across the national media for it.”

 “Well,” Behati laughed but Amy wasn’t easily persuaded. She turned her attention to a television monitor that had been set up between the two of them.

 “We’ve got some pictures of you throughout your career, shall we have a look at them?”

 “Go ahead, I’ve got nothing to hide,” Behati said, but now her smile wasn’t so relaxed.

 The TV screen went completely black from its fuzz, and then images began to come up. At first, they were professional images, of a young Behati as she sailed towards the height of fame. Adam smiled at the youth in her face, the brightness in her eyes. He remembered her like that, so many years ago, with that teasing smile and that pealing laugh. They included videos of her leaping across a stage, showing great talent, from the very first day she was cast.

 But then, the images and videos turned to a different story, and he saw what Amy was portraying. Behati, at dark parties, with questionable material around her. Behati, losing weight, skeletal, dark bags under her eyes and bruises on her arm. Dressing rooms with bottles of alcohol in the background, and ballerinas holding themselves up.

 He saw the tabloids that he had always dismissed as lies, and he saw the evidence. The girl in front of him was a shadow of the one he had married, and he realized that if she continued down this path, she would not be here in a year, married or divorced. This wasn’t a once or twice thing; this wasn’t a social calling. He was losing her, and he was losing her fast.

 Amy’s next words, however, struck fear into his heart.

 “And now, underground sources are saying that the Katz brothers are working with Maurice Richelieu, a king pin of the American drug trade…”

 Behati’s head snapped to Adam, who’s jaw fell open. Keith choked, and turned to his brother.

 “What?”

 “Enough,” Adam said, stepping forward. Amy looked shocked that her interview had been interrupted. “Enough. This is over. Get out of my home before I have you thrown out.”

 “Mr. Katz…”

 “No! Get out,” Adam snapped. “Now! Rick!” He bellowed down the hallway. Rick should have been supervising this whole thing, but he was God knows where instead. If Rick had been watching, perhaps they would have ended this mess before it started.

 Now, the regent Katz strided into the room, looking confused as to why everyone was standing there.

 “Get them out,” Adam said. “Before I sue them for slander. Out, now.”

 Rick nodded, unquestioning as Behati rose from her chair, facing Adam.

 “Is it true?” she asked, and he grabbed her arm, dragging her out of