The Man Behind Everything

"Luke, look what I got you!"

I was holding an ice-cold coconut water. When I turned around, I saw my seven-year-old son cornered in knee-deep water, his face pale with fear.

In front of him stood a blond guy in a loud floral shirt, with several bulky bodyguards behind him.

The blond jerk pointed at Luke, annoyed. "Where did you come from? Get lost!"

A tall, skinny lackey chimed in, barking along, "This part of Crescent Bay is booked by Mr. Ralph Foster for a party today. If you know what's good for you, scram. Don't ruin the place!"

Ralph Foster?

The name clicked immediately. He was the pretty boy my wife, Gloria Stokes, and her company had been heavily promoting lately.

He had blown up after a web series and apparently let it go straight to his head.

My brow tightened, irritation flaring. I strode over and pulled my son, Luke Thorne, behind me.

"This is my private beach. You're the ones who should be leaving."

I forced my anger down.

But some people just love pushing their luck.

"Your private beach?"

Ralph looked me up and down with open contempt. His eyes lingered on my slightly faded T-shirt and plain swim shorts, and his grin grew wider.

I narrowed my eyes and stepped forward.

"Do you have any idea who I am?"

My presence made him flinch for a second.

Then, the crony next to Ralph leaned in and whispered something. Whatever fear he had instantly turned into smug arrogance.

"I see. So you're Clive, the useless husband Ms. Stokes keeps at home, huh?"

Laughter burst out from his bodyguards and hangers-on.

"What, Ms. Stokes didn't tell you I'm using this place today to host VIPs?"

Ralph deliberately raised his voice.

"Then again, someone like you probably isn't worth notifying. Listen carefully! I'm entertaining important guests here today. You and your kid had better get out now, or I won't be so polite."

His expression made my stomach churn.

I swallowed my anger and glanced past him at the well-dressed group approaching. Those had to be his so-called guests.

A few men and women were already pointing and watching with interest.

One middle-aged man with a beer belly and a thick gold chain stared at Luke's small head peeking out from behind me with a sickening look.

Ralph caught that immediately and rushed over, all smiles.

"Mr. Burgess, got your eye on that kid?"

He pointed back at Luke and looked at me with blatant provocation.

"How about we let him put on a little show for us to liven things up? If he makes Mr. Burgess happy, I'll have Ms. Stokes reward you properly tonight!"