Fortress (Forde Family Series Book 2)

by nikki blaire

  “I won’t, Daddy. Our safe word has been crawfish for twenty years.” She shook her head.

  “Ah, you remember. Just checking.” He held his arm out for her. “And when I say it that means you’re supposed to save me from whatever conversation is slowly killing me on the inside.”

  “Yes, Daddy. I know.” She giggled then led him out of the hotel room to the ballroom downstairs.

  “This is lovely.” She took in the elegant decor.

  “I just hope the food is good.” Her father looked over the rim of his glasses at the hors d’oeuvres that spotted the room for the cocktail hour.

  “It looks a little...under seasoned.”

  Charlisse bit back her laugh. So many people saw her father as a no-nonsense judge, but she knew otherwise. He was such a ham, but that was why she loved him. Despite all of his accomplishments, he was still passionate and humble about his job.

  A smile touched her lips, while she watched him begin to engage with his colleagues. She was so proud of him and hoped she made him feel the same.

  “Chief Judge Lageaux, congratulations.” A few more people quickly approached him.

  Charlisse hung back to give her father his space, while the guests flooded him with questions. Some asked for his legal opinion, while others asked for career advice. Her father took each question in stride and gave thoughtful and honest answers. It was the same way he approached everything, including parenting.

  “I’m in Washington, D.C. often. Sometimes for business, but mostly to see my daughter, Charlisse. She lives here.”

  Charlisse tuned into the conversation once she heard her name. She flashed a pleasant smile to everyone and introduced herself.

  “Are you also an attorney?” Someone questioned, to which she quickly replied “no.”

  “There’s not enough room in this world for two Lageaux attorneys.” She joked. “I’m actually in crisis management.”

  “And she’s the best in the business.” A familiar voice sounded from a few feet behind the group that stood in front of them.

  Charlisse knew that voice well. Too well, in fact. She looked up to see Brandon Bridges walking towards her with Vanessa on his arm.

  A few days ago, this same man had been in her living room begging for her affection. Now, he was parading his beauty queen wife around, as if nothing had ever happened.

  Men are a trip.

  But nothing surprised her anymore. As far as she was concerned, all of them could go to hell with gasoline drawers on, including Marcus.

  “Councilmember Bridges, it is so great to see you.” Someone else in the group of hangers on immediately shook Brandon’s hand.

  He obliged the man, however, his eyes were focused onto Charlisse. They were always focused on her, glowering like his wife wasn't inches away.

  “You know, I saw the last name Lageaux as the evening’s honoree, but I just assumed it was too much of a coincidence.”

  Brandon flashed his slimiest politician's grin at Charlisse’s father with his hand out for him to shake. “I am Councilmember Brandon Bridges and this is my wife Vanessa. It is such an honor to meet you, sir.”

  “Alphonse,” Her dad extended his hand to him then gently grabbed Vanessa’s. “The pleasure is all mine. And you are most definitely a vision. You're a blessed man, Councilmember.”

  Her father put on his usual southern charm.

  “Thank you, Judge Lageaux.” Vanessa blushed, then turned to Charlisse where nothing but venom shined in her eyes.

  “Chief Judge.” Charlisse corrected, even though part of her truly believed that Vanessa didn’t know the difference.

  Indignation flashed across Vanessa's face, but she held it together. That's what they were always doing, holding it together, pretending not to dislike each other. It was exhausting and Charlisse was getting too tired of it.

  “And it is so good to see you again, Charlisse.” Vanessa’s voice was sweet and syrupy.

  “You’re colleagues of my daughter?” Her father was oblivious to the mounting tension between the three of them.

  Charlisse wanted to be anywhere other than here with these two. Both had caused her enough problems.

  “I’m actually a client.” Brandon drank her in, but Charlisse chose not to notice.

  After just having a conversation with him, Brand was still the same. She hated that she had ever felt an ounce of sympathy for him.

  “Charlisse has been working with me since before I won my seat. I wouldn’t be here without her." He lifted his glass to her.

  His performance was suffocating her.

  “Excuse me.” She dismissed herself and then headed to the nearest exit for some fresh air.

  Once she was outside, she welcomed the evening breeze. Charlisse gulped it down with deep breaths until her anxiety passed.

  "I shouldn't have let him force me to leave." She was slightly disappointed at herself.

  Brandon was crossing her boundaries at her father's event, but yet, she was the one outside. She sucked her teeth at the irony, but this was the way of Washington, D.C. How things looked was more important than how things really were.

  So, she left out of there before she said or did something unprofessional. Ruining her father’s night on account of her personal drama was not an option. She closed her eyes to steady herself then took one last deep breath before going back inside.

  “I’ll say I went to the bathroom.” She practiced her story just in case Brandon and Vanessa were still standing there when she got back to the gala.

  People had started to pour into the hotel, which meant the award’s ceremony was likely starting soon. She wanted to be by her father’s side, so she steadfastly pushed through the clumps of chatting guests in an effort to get to the ballroom. She had almost made it across the room without being stopped when someone called out her name.

  Her body froze at the voice, despite how much she didn’t want to. It was unmistakeably Marcus Forde calling out to her.

  “Not again." She puffed.

  "Don’t turn around.” She begged herself, but her body was already making an about face.

  She looked up to see Marcus swiftly carrying himself to her, but instead of letting her leave, her feet planted themselves onto the floor.

  “I thought that was you.” He peered down at her once he came close.

  “What are you doing here?” She snapped at him.

  Her body may have been under his control, but her mouth still had a mind of its own.

  “Dwele brought me. His firm makes him come every year. You know, send the Black guy to the Thurgood Marshall award's dinner.”

  He shrugged. “You here...for a client?”

  “No, my father’s the award recipient.”

  “Congratulations.” He was staring.

  “I’ll be sure to pass that along to him.”

  She was finally able to turn away. Part of her had hoped that he would have something to say, but now she was ready to go once he proved to still be a waste of time.

  “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” He blurted out.

  “How so?” She didn’t want to engage, but couldn’t help herself.

  She had to hear this. “Because you haven’t called or text me. Not even an email.“

  “You told me to stay away from you.”

  “But yet, here you are, not doing that. Funny how you’re still picking and choosing which rules apply to you and which ones don’t.”

  She hadn’t intended to get into this here, but Marcus’ audacity ruffled her feathers.

  “Charlisse, I didn’t know. I understand why you’re upset, but I didn’t know.” He came closer. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  “Yeah.” She looked around at the crowd that was making its way into the ballroom. “I need to get back to my dad.”

  She left him there.

  *****

  Marcus kept his focus on Charlisse, as she walked away. He took a step to follow her when his brother approached him
from behind.

  “Whatever is going on between y’all, don’t do it here, man.” Dwele put his hand on his shoulder. “Let’s find our table.”

  Seeing Charlisse was completely unexpected. Dwele dragged him to this event every year as his guest, much to Marcus' chagrin. He wasn’t an attorney, so he was often bored by the topics of conversation and knew few of the people who attended or received the award. Usually, he parked himself near the open bar and drank himself into being social and tonight hadn’t been any different.

  And that’s when he saw her hurrying past the cocktail hour as it ended. She was breathtaking in a pink dress that hugged every curve and shined against her skin. Unconsciously, he began to walk towards her with the intention of just saying hello.

  He knew they had a lot to discuss. He was also aware that this wasn’t the proper place, but he just had to be close.

  “Shit.” Dwele cursed once they arrived to their table.

  It didn’t take long to figure out why. Marcus looked directly across from them and saw Charlisse sitting with a man who had to be her father, even though he could still pass for her twin.

  “It’s fine, Dwele. I’m not going to bother her.” Marcus pulled out his chair and sat down. “You’re right. Not the time or the place.”

  Dwele sat down next to him. “What’s going on with y’all anyways. I thought she was the best thing that ever happened to...the firm.”

  He laughed, but Marcus wasn’t in the mood. He didn’t even want to tell Dwele the truth, but shared it anyways since he already knew about his relationship with Charlisse.

  “Dad fired her as a condition of him stepping down. I had no idea about it, but he tried to play it like I was in on it. Charlisse believed him.” He sighed.

  “That’s it?” Dwele smacked his teeth. “Just hire her back. Problem solved."

  “Dad said he’d leak that we were seeing each other to the news. She doesn’t want that and given the circumstances, I can’t have that happen either. Two Marcus Forde’s that can’t keep it in their pants is bad for business.”

  “Damn.” Dwele looked between the two of them.

  Charlisse was doing a good job at avoiding eye contact, but he knew that she could see him sitting there.

  “You really think he’d ruin his own firm just to get back at you?”

  “I’m not about to risk finding out. Not with Charlisse’s career on the line. I lo,” He choked on his own words.

  Thank goodness.

  He was glad that his subconscious saved him because his brother would have imploded if Marcus had said the words that were stuck in his throat.

  I love her.

  He glanced over at Charlisse who was talking to someone at her table. She looked beautiful in the low lighting that cascaded over the room. She was captivating. He had to get up or he would try and approach her if he stayed sitting there any longer.

  “I’m gonna go get a drink.” He abruptly stood up and headed straight for the open bar in the back of the room.

  He spotted a bottle of his favorite brandy displayed on the shelf, so he asked for a double. He knocked the shot back then motioned for another, while he tipped the bartender generously.

  “Marc,” An unfamiliar male voice said his name behind him. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Marcus grabbed his drink then turned around to face whoever was talking to him, but regretted it as soon as he laid eyes on Councilmember Brandon Bridges. He quickly looked over his shoulder to see if Vanessa was with him. He didn't see her, but that didn't mean she wasn't around.

  “I could say the same about you. My brother brings me every year. I’ve never seen you once.”

  “Well, I’m close to the award recipient.” He flashed a slimy grin that made Marcus’ laugh to himself.

  Brandon was trying to imply that he was closer to Charlisse's than he was, which was impossible.

  “Charlisse’s father? You and him are are close?”

  Brandon wanted to play games, so Marcus was ready to play.

  “Yeah, we’ve known each other since Lisse started working with me.”

  “Lisse.” Marcus scoffed at this pet name. “Well, enjoy your evening.”

  He raised his glass then moved to walk away before he said something that he would regret, but Brandon stepped in his path.

  “Lisse told me about her working with you on your firm’s...mishap.”

  “I’m sure that was after Vanessa told you.” Marcus looked down at his glass.

  He didn’t have enough liquor for this.

  “Don’t you ever say my wife’s name.” Brandon’s tone dropped, as he stepped closer.

  Marcus couldn’t hold in his chuckle at the man’s attempt to threaten him.

  “Brandon, don’t do this. It’s unnecessary.” He tried to remain civilized.

  “No, what’s unnecessary is you thinking that you’d get away with all of your bullshit without anyone ever calling you on it. I know about everything, Marc, and I’m just waiting for the right time to blow the lid off of it all. Congratulations on your becoming CEO, by the way.”

  “Thank you. Congratulations on your marriage. Looks like I stopped fucking your wife just in time, huh?"

  Brandon began to open his mouth, but Marcus quickly put his hand out, tightly grabbed the back of Brandon’s neck, and pulled him close.

  “But this isn’t about Vanessa, is it? This is about Charlisse, right?” He whispered in Brandon’s ear.

  “Yea, this is about how you’ll never have her, how you’ll always be second place. But let me remind you, I don’t make idle threats, Councilmember. I also am just the kind of nigga that’ll ruin your entire life just for fun with the snap of my fingers and few blank checks.”

  He let Brandon go. “It was good to see you, Councilmember.”

  He raised his glass again then walked away, leaving Brandon rubbing his neck.

  “Damn, you didn’t get me a drink?” Dwele asked once he returned.

  “No.” He sat the glass down then turned to face the stage.

  Charlisse’s father was walking up the steps to accept his award. Marcus watched as he gave a moving speech of gratitude to his friends, family, and Charlisse. His humility was striking to Marcus, having been raised by a father who was the exact opposite.

  The rest of the night, he watched her out of the corner of his eye although he pretended to focus on everything other than Charlisse. He needed to talk to her before she left.

  Finally, he saw Charlisse and her father stand up to leave. Marcus quickly told his brother goodbye then dashed off to catch her.

  “Charlisse!” He called out once both she and her father were out of the fray of people.

  “Marc, I don’t,” She tried to keep walking, but he very easily caught up to both of them.

  “I wanted to say hello to your father.” He pivoted and held his hand out for him to shake. "Nice to meet you, sir."

  “Nice to meet you too, young man. Is this another client?” He turned to Charlisse, who wore her annoyance on her face.

  “Former client.” She replied. “Marc Forde, this is my father, Chief Judge Lageaux.”

  “Alphonse.” Her father corrected, as he shook Marcus’ hand. “I hope you enjoyed the evening.”

  “I did.” He nodded. “Your speech was very moving, especially the part about how your daughter motivates you to do your best.”

  He stole a quick glance at her. “She definitely has that effect.”

  “Ah, yes, and if not, she’ll beat it out of you.” Alphonse laughed heartily, but Charlisse was less amused.

  “You’ve got to get to your room, Daddy. You’ve got an early flight back to New Orleans in the morning.” She grabbed his arm to lead him away, but Marcus wasn’t going to give up that easily.

  “New Orleans, I love that city.”

  “Everyone does. It’s the best city in the country, in my humble opinion.”

  Humor shined in her father’s eyes. It was completely unlike the sa
rcasm that usually shined in his own father’s.

  “Well, then I’ll have to contact you whenever I’m in town. Have you show me around.”

  “Of course.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card.

  “Daddy, you don’t need to,” Charlisse attempted to protest, but her father just waved her off.

  “C’mon, bebelle, me and Mr. Forde here promise to stay out of trouble. Scout’s honor.” He flashed Charlisse a mischievous grin.

  “I’ll be in touch, Chief Judge,”

  “Alphonse.” He corrected again. “Alright, now you can haul me away.”

  He winked at Charlisse, as they turned away.

  “I’ll be in touch with you too, Charlisse.” He called out to her, while she walked off.

  He heard her give a perturbed “hmph,” as she strutted down the hall at her father’s side.

  Now, all I have to do is wait.

  Marcus sat patiently in the lobby looking out for Charlisse to come back down. He couldn’t waste this opportunity to talk to her. The crowd had faded, but he refused to leave. This was his chance to explain how much she meant to him and apologize for even putting her in this position. He felt guilty for all of it.

  Charlisse had been clear about not crossing the lines of professionalism, but Marcus had insisted. He was greedy and now, one of the people that he cared the most about was caught in the crosshairs of his bad decision.

  His father may not have been able to own up to his mistakes, but Marcus could. He had to because he needed to have Charlisse in his life, especially now that work wouldn’t be in the way.

  Now, he could get to know her without the smoke screen of their work relationship. Up to this point, everything was about Marcus - his firm, his family, his father. He wanted to spend the rest of his time with her peeling back her complex layers.

  “What are you still doing here?” She exhaled once she saw him.

  “I said I’d be in touch.” He tried to give her a charming smirk, but she wasn’t buying it.

  “Fine, I need to talk to you.” He swiftly corrected then stood to his feet.

  “I don’t want to argue with you, Marc, especially not here.”

  “Good because I don’t want to argue.”