His to Protect: A Brook Brothers Novel

by Delaney, Tracie

  She frowned in confusion. “What’s this?”

  “Hear me out,” he said. “I know you always wanted to be a teacher. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. You’re only twenty-eight. My boss has a contact there who’s arranged for you to have a tour of the campus in the New Year, you know, see if you like it. And if you do, well, then you could start next fall. I know that’s a long way off but—”

  She placed her finger over his lips, silencing him. “It’s a lovely thought, Cole, but I can’t afford the fees.”

  “You can if I help.”

  She shook her head violently. “No. I pay my own way.”

  He made a frustrated noise. “Stop being so proud. Let me help you. The hotel is doing really well, far better than Jax had predicted in his original business plan.” His big hand closed over hers, swallowing it whole. “What else am I going to do with my share of the profits? I want to do this.” He gave her a cocky grin. “I’m sure we can come up with some interesting ways for you to thank me.”

  She smirked at him. “I’ll bet you can.”

  “At least go for a look around. That can’t hurt, can it?”

  She pulled in her lips, studying him. He was so eager, so earnest, she didn’t want to cast aside his thoughtful gift.

  “Okay. I’ll go for a visit. But no promises.”

  He flashed her a smug grin, and she rolled her eyes.

  “Excellent.”

  “Do you want your present now?” she asked.

  His forehead wrinkled in surprise. “You got me something?”

  Anxiety mingled with excitement spread through her midsection. His gift had been hard to organize, and had cost more than she’d anticipated spending, but if he liked it, none of that would matter. She climbed out of bed and got down on her knees. She’d hidden the present under the bed because she doubted Cole would ever peek under there. The chance to make him laugh came to her, and she popped her head back up. “And before you make a wisecrack, no, it isn’t what you think.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, the sound filling her with joy. She’d never thought happiness like this existed. Cole proved that belief to be incorrect.

  She carefully set the box on top of the bed, her teeth worrying her lip. “I hope you like it. You’re a hard man to buy for.”

  His eyes glowed with excitement as he reached for the box. She hadn’t tied his with a bow—that didn’t seem to fit for a man—but she had taken extra care making sure all the corners were wrapped neatly.

  Cole wasn’t a careful unwrapper. He tore at the paper, and not even along the seams. Peeling back the sides of the box, he peered inside. “Oh, Mia.” He lifted out the custom model she’d had made of his boat. “It’s amazing. How did you do this?”

  “Calum took me down to the mooring so I could take photographs, and Laurella helped me find someone local who could make a replica from the images.” She pointed to the back—she couldn’t for the life of her remember the boating term. “See, they even got her name on there. Rebecca.”

  With infinite care, Cole placed the boat on his nightstand. And then the box went flying as he leaped on her. She squealed loudly as he covered her face, neck, breasts in warm, wet kisses.

  “You are the best girlfriend ever.”

  * * *

  “Thank you so much for having us,” Mom said to Indie, rising to leave after Christmas lunch. “We’ve had such a lovely time.”

  “Anytime, Mrs. Frayser,” Indie said. “It’s been wonderful to meet you.”

  Cole got to his feet. “Let me get your coats.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Millie said as Cole helped her parents into their winter coats. She brushed a hand down Cole’s arm. “Won’t be long.”

  His brows pulled in, but he didn’t argue. She had good reason to want to be alone with her parents—because she wanted to talk about Cole. Specifically, her and Cole.

  “Have you got a minute before you head off?” she asked them when they reached the top of the stairs.

  “Of course,” Mom replied.

  Millie gestured for them to go into the bar-lounge area. She waved at Marion who was helping Isa behind the bar. It was packed with vacationers enjoying a late afternoon celebratory drink. Millie found a spot in a corner and indicated for her parents to sit.

  “You seem happy, settled,” Mom said.

  “I am. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.”

  “Cole?” Mom asked tentatively.

  Millie nodded. “But I’m scared, too.”

  “Of what, darling?” Dad asked.

  Millie grimaced. “Look, I haven’t said much about my years with Tanner because I don’t want to upset you, but they weren’t good. And what does that say about my judgment? Don’t get me wrong, Cole is nothing like Tanner, but what if I mess up again?”

  “Oh, my darling girl,” Mom said, caressing Millie’s cheek. “One mistake does not define the wonderful, amazing woman you are. If you were wrong about anything, it was not reaching out to your father and I when you needed us. We would never have turned you away.”

  Millie bit down on her lip. “I wasn’t sure, after everything, after the way I broke off our relationship, that you’d want to help me. I didn’t think I had the right to bring trouble to your door.”

  Dad’s eyes bulged, while her mother’s face creased in pain, and her hand covered her mouth.

  “Oh, my baby. How we’ve failed you.”

  Millie violently shook her head. “No,” she said, her tone adamant. “It’s me who’s failed you. I should have listened to you when you warned me about Tanner, but I was blind and stupid.”

  Mom shuffled her chair closer, and her arms came around Millie’s neck while Dad rubbed her back. It was several seconds before they broke apart. Mom dug in her purse for a tissue and dabbed it to her face, then wiped mascara stains from underneath her eyes.

  “We are your parents, and we love you. We will always be there for you. And as for Cole? You’re older and wiser now. Trust your judgment and trust your heart. If you think Cole is the right man for you, then he is.”

  Millie swallowed her emotions as she walked her parents outside. She hailed them a cab and waved them off, her throat raw from trying to keep her tears at bay. Their unequivocal support toward her, and their faith in her was exactly what she’d desperately needed to hear from them but feared she never would.

  With her parents and Cole in her corner, a happy future was within her grasp.

  Chapter 21

  Millie nervously shook Angela Lockwood’s hand. Angela was the administrator at the college where Cole’s boss had arranged for her to take a look around.

  “Have a seat, Millie,” Angela said. “Do you want anything to drink? Coffee? Water?”

  “I’m fine, thank you.” Millie smoothed her skirt beneath her, then sat. Realizing her hands were shaking, she tried to keep them still, but they clearly hadn’t gotten the memo.

  “No need to be nervous,” Angela said.

  Millie attempted a smile, but it came out more like a half-grimace. “I really appreciate you seeing me. I’m sure you’ve got much better things to be doing with your time.”

  “It’s not a problem at all. I’m glad to help.” Angela leaned forward in her chair and rested her laced fingers on the desk. “So tell me, how long have you wanted to be a teacher?”

  “Since junior high. I love the idea of inspiring the next generation.”

  “What stopped you from pursuing your dreams?”

  More squirming. “I got married and moved to Chicago.”

  “They don’t have teaching colleges in Chicago?” Angela’s eyes twinkled, and her lips curved into a teasing smile.

  “My husband wasn’t too keen on me continuing to study after high school.”

  Angela’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a firm line. She hoped Angela’s obvious irritation was aimed at Tanner’s controlling ways, and not Millie’s previous doormat status.

  “If you
don’t mind me asking, what’s changed?”

  Millie gave a wry smile. “He’s soon to be my ex-husband.” As soon as I’ve saved enough for a lawyer.

  “Ah.” Angela grinned. “Good for you.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes, then Angela offered to take her on a tour of the campus. Millie clamped down on her excitement as they walked around. The place was fabulous—but she couldn’t afford it.

  A half an hour or so later, they ended up back at Angela’s office.

  “So, what do you think, Millie?” Angela asked.

  “It’s amazing.”

  “Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?”

  Millie was about to say “No”, but instead, she said, “How much are the fees?”

  Angela riffled in a drawer and passed Millie a sheet of paper. Millie scanned it, and her stomach sank. The fees were extortionate. She dipped her chin, disappointment sweeping through her.

  “Thank you for your time, Angela, but I really can’t afford it. I hope you don’t think I’ve wasted your time.”

  Angela tilted her head to one side. “There are options to help with the costs.”

  A shred of hope spiked within her. “What kind of options?”

  “You could take out a loan. It wouldn’t be repayable until you qualify and are working. Alternatively, you could apply for a job here. If successful, then your tuition would be free. The only thing you’d have to buy is books. Of course, that means it would take longer to qualify because you’d be working full time as well as studying part time, but it’s an option worth considering.”

  The sliver of hope widened. Millie nibbled on her bottom lip. The loan option scared her because of the sums involved, but if she could work her way through college… Of course, if she was successful, it would mean resigning from the hotel, but surely Cole and Jax would understand? And this way she could legitimately turn down Cole’s offer of paying for her college education without the need for an argument.

  “I really like the idea of getting a job here. Could I take an application form with me?”

  “Of course.” Angela walked across to a filing cabinet and returned with a folder. “I’ve put the job application and the college application forms in here. I’ve also included my contact details. If you need any assistance completing the forms, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.”

  * * *

  Millie tried not to skip as she headed for the subway—because almost twenty-nine-year-old women did not do that. Her legs had other ideas, though, as did her mouth, because she gave a loud whoop. A couple of passersby briefly glanced over then returned to their cell phones. New York was full of crazy people; one more wouldn’t make a difference.

  She took out her own cell to call Cole and tell him what she’d decided to do but then changed her mind. She wanted to tell him face to face. He’d be home from work in a few hours. She could wait until then.

  She’d skipped breakfast because she’d been too nervous to eat, so when her stomach loudly complained, she went into a nearby coffee shop and grabbed a croissant and a latte. Settling down by the window, she tried to contain her excitement, but the swirling in her belly would not quit. After all she’d been through, her dreams could finally come true. In a few years’ time, she might be a qualified teacher.

  She broke into her croissant and took a bite. The buttery, greasy flavor hit her tongue as the pastry melted in her mouth. Delicious. Breaking off another piece, she lifted it to her mouth—and froze.

  “Good morning, wife.”

  Tanner took the seat opposite and reached across the table, helping himself to her croissant. Sweat prickled along her spine at his cocksure, arrogant smile, and the hairs at the nape of her neck lifted. Facing off against Tanner when she’d had Cole and Calum nearby was one thing. Managing him on her own? Very different. But she would not let him see he’d gotten to her. She wouldn’t give him that power.

  She swallowed. “What do you want, Tanner?”

  He gave her a look as though to say “How stupid are you?”

  “Why, you, of course.”

  She let out a deep sigh. “Why are you doing this to me? Why are you stalking me?”

  He waggled his finger side to side. “Uh, uh. Not stalking. It isn’t stalking when it’s yours.”

  “I’m not yours.”

  Tanner leaned across the table, his palms pressed flat onto the wood. He stared at her menacingly, his eyes so wide the whites were visible all the way around his irises. She used to think Tanner had such pretty eyes. Not anymore, because she saw the evil within.

  “You will always be mine. I will never let you go. I will never stop coming after you until you are back where you belong.”

  And then as quickly as his anger flared, it dissipated, and he gave her a blinding smile. “Sorry about eating your breakfast, darling. Let me get you another croissant.”

  This is what it was like with Tanner. His mood swings kept her off-balance, which was precisely his intention. Tendrils of fear curled up inside her, clinging to her ribs. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t run. She couldn’t do anything.

  He gestured to the woman serving behind the counter, even though this establishment didn’t offer table service. Tanner didn’t care about such details. She must have seen something in his face because she actually came over, took his order, and scuttled off.

  He steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “Now, where were we.”

  Millie half rose from the chair.

  Tanner stilled her with a single look. “Sit. The fuck. Down.”

  The waitress came across with her croissant and a coffee for Tanner. Her earlier appetite had gone, and in its place was a horrible sickly feeling. Her mouth emptied of saliva, and her top lip stuck to her teeth. She swept her tongue over them. Seconds turned into minutes without either of them uttering a word. The whole time Tanner didn’t take his eyes off of her. His cold gaze gave her the chills.

  “Why were you at that college this morning?”

  His question was confirmation he had been following her; otherwise, how else would he know where she’d been? But the verification didn’t make her feel any better.

  She bit her lip and considered lying. But really, there was no point. Tanner would find out eventually anyway.

  “I’m hoping to attend in the fall.”

  He smirked. “I didn’t know they did distance learning courses.”

  She frowned, not getting his meaning. “They don’t. It’s on campus.”

  His smirk grew, sending an uneasy feeling sweeping through her. Tanner always gave off a cocky vibe, but there was something about his demeanor that was making her nervous, fearful even.

  “Hell of a commute from Chicago, darling.”

  She stiffened her spine. “I live in New York.”

  “Not for much longer.”

  Through her fear, anger began to grow. He couldn’t hurt her, not anymore. She was done with his stupid games and his cruel taunts. She was done with him.

  “Think what you like, Tanner. But I am only going to say this one more time. You and I are through. I’m only sorry it took me all those years to find the courage to leave you. But now that I have, Hell will freeze over before I go back to Chicago with you.”

  She launched to her feet and was halfway across the coffee shop when he called out to her.

  “You will if you don’t want your boyfriend to get kicked off the force and maybe do some prison time.”

  She froze, mid-step, then turned around slowly. “What are you talking about?”

  He pointed to the seat she had just vacated. “Sit,” he said, like she was a dog.

  It wasn’t that far from the truth. She’d let him treat her as such, and he was still exerting control over her, this time using Cole as leverage.

  Painting on an I’m-not-worried expression, she gracefully sat back down.

  He jerked his chin at her half-empty latte. “Finish your drink.”

  Her hands trembled a
s she picked up the cup and gulped down the remaining contents. A little spilled down her chin. She dabbed at it with a napkin.

  Tanner took his time drinking his own coffee and polishing off both croissants. He excelled at using silence as a weapon. He knew how nervous she got when he didn’t speak because it was usually the prelude to something awful. Eventually, he stacked the two plates, placed his coffee cup on top, and wiped his hands. He sat back, one ankle crossed over the opposing knee, the casual stance belying the storm she knew from experience would be swirling beneath the surface.

  He took out his cell phone and set it on the table. He tapped the glass screen once. The wallpaper appeared. It was a photograph of the two of them on their wedding day. Millie averted her eyes. She didn’t want to be reminded of that girl.

  “Interesting things, cell phones, don’t you think?”

  Her brows twitched inward. “Not really,” she said, feigning boredom, even though her heart raced.

  “Oh, they are, especially with the latest technology. The video capability on these things is amazing. The footage they capture is as clear as watching the news on TV.”

  Her agitation with Tanner morphed into a terrible unease that settled on her chest. Tanner was definitely leading somewhere, but she couldn’t follow yet. There was no use asking him to get to the point—the more questions she asked, the more he would stretch out this torture.

  “I’m sure,” she murmured, faking indifference and pulling at the skin around her nails as a distraction.

  “Would you like to see what I filmed the night before last?”

  She lifted her eyes to his. “Do I have a choice?”

  He gave a harsh laugh. “Now you’re catching on, darling.”

  He tapped the screen a few times and then turned the phone landscape. He held it toward her. She went to take it from him, but he snatched it away and said in a pedantic tone, “No touching. Just watch.”

  He held the cell in front of her again. It was catching the light from the window, so she leaned forward. Tanner was right about the picture quality. Impressive. Where he’d found the money for an extravagance such as a top-of-the-range cell phone was another matter, one she wasn’t planning on getting into with him.