Alien Prince’s Son

by Anna Lewis

  “And what about Carter?”

  “Carter is someone I want to forget. Our history’s just too painful. I want to start anew.”

  “So then you have your decision right there,” Alex said. “As you said, it’s a no-brainer.”

  “Yeah… So why am I still confused?” Tasha asked in frustration.

  “I’ll tell you why,” Alex said in a firm tone. “It’s because your heart is saying otherwise. You’re in love with Carter and you won’t admit it. Come on, Tash. You’ve never loved Bret!”

  “It’s still too soon,” Tasha said. “It’s like we’re starting over now.”

  “Are you having sex again?” Alex blurted out, her eyes wide.

  “No!” Tasha answered.

  “Good.”

  “He’s being real sweet about it too,” Tasha added.

  Alex snorted. “I don’t know, Tasha. There’s something about him that bothers me.”

  Tasha didn’t say anything, but deep down she agreed with her best friend.

  For the next two weeks, Tasha spent more time working and pampering herself rather than entertaining invitations from the two billionaires in her life. She knew other women would die to be in her place. But to her it didn’t matter if both of them left. She could fend for herself. She didn’t need either of them. Furthermore, she wanted alone time to think the situation over.

  She had just finalized the first batch of websites for Walton Enterprises in their New York headquarters. After leaving the conference room where she’d met with some of the top managers of their US hotels, she headed to the room that had been granted to her for a short stay so she didn’t have to hurry back to Solvang.

  While resting, a few knocks came at the door. Then she saw a brown envelope being slipped through the thin slit beneath the door. Curious and somehow alarmed, Tasha grabbed the enveloped and threw the door open. She looked out the hallway. There was no one there so she ran toward the elevators, where she caught a glimpse of the creepy bald guy that had been following her around in Solvang.

  “Wait!” She shouted, stopping the elevator doors from closing just in time. She stepped in and faced him bravely. “Who are you?” She demanded.

  “Nobody,” he answered curtly. The elevator started moving downward.

  “Please, why have you been spying on me?” Tasha asked. “What do you want?”

  He looked away.

  Tasha remembered something that her sister Tyra had said. She took a deep breath and asked, “Do you work for my real dad? Who is he? I want to meet him.”

  He couldn’t very well get rid of her then, but he obviously didn’t want to talk. She pleaded with him until they reached the lobby.

  He got out fast.

  “I’m going to call the cops on you! The CCTV has you on camera and I know the owner of this building. I swear you’re going to jail!” Tasha said angrily, her voice growing more panicked every minute.

  That made him stop and turn around. He looked annoyed. “I’m not afraid of any cops, but your father will kick the hell out of me if we get any form of media coverage,” he growled.

  “My father…” Tasha repeated in a whisper. “Who is he? Tell me.”

  He started walking to the front doors where a Rolls Royce was waiting for him. “Get in,” he instructed to her. Without thinking, she climbed into the luxurious car with him.

  “For years after you were born, since your father found out about you, he’d been trying to locate you. When he finally did, he hired me to look out for you but to never reveal anything about him.”

  “Why?”

  “He was rebuilding his career and his reputation, trying to be a better man so that someday he’ll feel more deserving to be called your father.”

  “Please, I want to meet him,” Tasha begged.

  “That’s not possible at this time,” the man said, shaking his head. “I’m already in trouble to even be talking to you now. But … I wanted to warn you…”

  “About what?”

  He gestured to the envelope she was holding. “Open that.”

  When she did, she pulled out some photographs that made her blood boil and the color drain from her face. They revealed Bret Walton with all the women he’s been seeing and sleeping with in various places.

  “When we discovered that he’d proposed to you, we figured it was time to let you know that he’s a total fake,” he spat out. “He’s using you, Tasha.”

  “What for?” she asked, wonderful memories of her time spent with Bret running through her mind.

  “He’s a ruthless businessman,” the bald guy told her, his eyes flashing with anger. “He’s so greedy he’s gone to all this trouble to woo you and gain your trust.”

  “Why me?”

  The man looked her in the eye seriously. “Your father owns more properties than Walton. They’ve been competing for decades. Most of his secret acquisitions are in your name. You’re a billionaire too, Miss Winters.”

  * * *

  Tasha sat in her favorite spot at Paul’s Pancakes, stuffing her face with blueberry and cheese pancakes.

  “You’re going to get fat, Tasha,” Alex warned, looking at her with great concern.

  “I don’t care,” Tasha answered.

  “What’s going on? I thought you’d already sorted that whole Walton fiasco,” Alex said. “And besides, you never even loved him in the first place.”

  “Yeah, good for me, Tasha replied, wrinkling her nose at the thought of her affair with the billionaire she now despised. He had definitely not taken it well when she’d turned down his marriage proposal, bought out their existing partnership contract, and cut all ties with him. Fortunately the bald man, Anderson, and his team were making sure Bret wouldn’t retaliate or hurt her in any way.

  “I can’t believe you have all this money now,” Alex whispered with an excited grin. “And that you’ve got a parent again! Your real dad!”

  “Crazy, huh?” Tasha said. “I have yet to meet him, though. But Anderson assured me it will be real soon now.”

  “So you and this Anderson guy are now buddies?”

  Tasha laughed. “Yes.” But then her face turned serious again. Her best friend Alex recognized the nervous twitch in her nose and the anxious drumming of her fingers on the table.

  “You’re driving me crazy with that drumming thing.” Alex hissed.

  “Sorry,” Tasha said, stopping the habit at once. “I’m just nervous because any time now, Anderson would be calling to report to me about his findings.”

  “Findings on what?” Alex probed.

  Tasha looked her in the eye. “On what happened to Carter’s dad.”

  “You asked him to investigate that?”

  “Yeah, well, he’s capable of it so I used the opportunity.” Tasha leaned forward. “Alex, I need to know. I still have feelings for Carter, alright? And if I’m going to give us a second chance, I have to know the whole truth about what had transpired and driven him away. I think it’s got something to do with his dad going to prison.”

  Suddenly, her phone rang. Tasha almost jumped. She picked it up, listening intently. “Yes… uh-huh…” she was murmuring. Then she got very quiet. Afterward, a tear rolled down her cheek.

  Alex reached out to squeeze her hand and mouth I’m just here.

  When Tasha finally put the phone down, she looked to be in shock. Then all of a sudden, she broke down, crying softly, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

  On Sunday morning, Tasha sat by the lake, admiring the beautiful scenery and waiting for Carter to show up.

  “It’s you,” a deep male voice suddenly said from behind her.

  Tasha turned around to meet his gaze. “You came.”

  “I thought this was going to be another boring couch potato Sunday, but I was shocked to find a bald guy on my doorstep asking me to come with him in his brand-new Mercedes Benz.”

  Tasha laughed. “Sounds gay to me. Why’d you go with him?”

  Carter shrugged. “I was cu
rious.” He raised both hands to stroke her cheeks. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m glad I took the risk.”

  “I’m glad too,” Tasha told him truthfully, smiling widely.

  “Who would’ve thought you’d be up to something like this…” Carter said. “That man looked like a thug dressed in a suit.”

  “He was in a suit?!” Tasha said in surprise, laughing again. “Oh, Anderson is a really sweet guy within.”

  “So who’s this Anderson and why did you have me kidnapped and shipped here?”

  Tasha motioned to the boat waiting at the shore. “I didn’t want to have another boring Sunday either. I figured we could resume our boating sessions.”

  “I see.”

  Tasha stepped closer and placed her arms around his neck. He looked taken aback, but he smiled. “I smell something fishy…” he said.

  “I know about your dad, Carter.”

  Carter was silenced. Tasha waited for him to say something. And after a while, he took a deep breath and asked, “About why he went to prison?”

  Tasha nodded quietly as she gazed into his eyes and tried to understand him. Her heart went out to him. “Why didn’t you tell me he was dealing drugs and that your family had been threatened by this anonymous mafia guy?”

  “You know the answer, Tash,” Carter replied. “I would never, ever let you get involved in something like that. When I realized my life had been turned around into this insane mess, I knew I had to get as far away as possible from you.” He paused, his eyes taking on a distant look as he recalled the painful moments and the most difficult decision he’d had to do.

  “You could have talked to me at least.”

  “You would have tried to follow me or look for me, Tasha. I know you.”

  Tasha nodded in understanding. She wanted to argue, but she’d thought about it a lot before this day and she knew that if it were her in his place, she would have done the same thing.

  “Have you visited him, Carter? Are you on good terms?”

  “He has repented and is trying to change,” Carter answered in a sad tone of voice. “After Mom took her own life because of him, he finally awakened. I blamed him for a long time. I was filled with so much hatred… But we’re healing… Slowly getting there…”

  “That’s good, Carter,” Tasha said. “I guess we both have new beginnings with our dads to look forward to, huh?

  Carter’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yeah… Alex mentioned something about that. Have you met him yet?”

  “Not yet, but he’s flying over next week.”

  “That’s fantastic!” Carter said. “I’m happy for you, Tasha.”

  “Thank you,” Tasha answered. “I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I can’t believe it! I still have a living parent who’s been watching out for me all these years. My biological dad.” She shook her head in disbelief.

  Carter smiled and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. “It seems like the perfect time for new beginnings, don’t you think?”

  Tasha met his eyes shyly, but did not say anything.

  Carter continued. “Tasha, after everything my dad has done… I blamed him for ruining our family and even destroying my life… But somehow, I’ve finally forgiven him just like you’ve forgiven me.” He whispered in her ear. “Do you think it’s too late to start again and maybe have a brighter future?”

  Tasha pulled away gently and looked into his eyes. “Are you referring to him and you or to us?”

  “Both.”

  “It’s not too late, Carter,” Tasha answered softly. “For both.”

  Carter bent forward and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was sweet, reminiscent of good times and yet symbolic of greater moments to come.

  They kissed passionately, their arms wrapped around each other, ready to explore the possibilities of the future. This time, Tasha could feel the openness and genuine connection.

  “I love you, Tasha,” he murmured. “I never stopped loving you all these years.”

  “Thank you for everything, Carter. I love you too. And to be honest, I don’t think I ever stopped loving you too.”

  They shared another sweet kiss, relaxing in each other’s embrace and knowing there was a lovely future ahead for them.

  No pretensions, no secrets. It felt amazingly liberating. And as they shared stories while gliding on the lake, surrounded by the natural exquisiteness of the place, she knew it was the start of something true and beautiful.

  “I’ve a gift for you, Carter,” Tasha blurted out.

  He gave her a surprised look. “For what?”

  “Well, consider it a thank you gift for all the kindness and sincerity you’ve shown me since we saw each other again. And you’re not allowed to say no.”

  “But…”

  “No buts,” Tasha interrupted.

  He threw his hands in the air. “Alright,” he said, chuckling. His eyes twinkled as he gazed at her lovingly.

  She took two folded papers from her pocket and handed them to him. His eyes bulged when he read what was written on the e-tickets.

  “Two tickets to Paris?! Are you out of your mind?” Carter exclaimed. “I can’t accept this. I mean, you shouldn’t splurge your savings just for…”

  “Ssshhh,” Tasha said, placing a finger on his lips to silence him. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only billionaire now.”

  He gave her a puzzled look.

  “It’s a long story,” Tasha said with a smile. “So, how about next weekend?”

  Carter grinned. “It’s a date.”

  THE END

  = Bonus Book 5 of 8 =

  Two Wolves of Winter’s Lake

  The thing that Lara Forbes loved most about visiting her family’s cabin in Winter’s Lake, Colorado, wasn’t the peace and quiet, or the abundant wildlife, or even the majestic view of the Rocky Mountains. No, the thing that Lara liked best about Winter’s Lake was the absolute, utter lack of cell phone service.

  After the last forty-eight hours, she never wanted to use her phone again.

  Lara could feel the tension drain out of her shoulders the very moment her little Honda Civic crested the Continental Divide and the bars on her phone completely disappeared. She would be staying up in Winter’s Lake for at least a week, maybe more, and was overjoyed at the prospect of being cut off from the outside world.

  The day was overcast and the forest dark as Lara drove the last winding stretch of highway down into the small mountain town of Winter’s Lake. It was late September and the wind had a sharp bite. Autumn always came more quickly to the mountains, something Lara always managed to forget. When she was a little girl, her parents would always remember to pack her warm clothing and make sure she was bundled up properly for the mountain weather, but Lara had trouble remember to do such adult things on her own. It was always hard to imagine that a bright sunny day in the mountains could quickly turn into a freezing cold night.

  Of course, Lara was a bit out of practice packing for mountain weather. She hadn’t been up to the cabin since her parents had passed away almost five years ago. A rental agency had been happy to take care of it, and Lara was more than happy to allow them to manage the property… and send her the checks.

  She vaguely wondered what the property looked like. Was that ugly green plaid sofa still in front of the fireplace? Was the wreath of antlers still hanging on the wall near the door? Did her old room still have bunk beds or had the management company replaced them with a more renter-friendly full or queen?

  As she steered the car down the winding driveway and the house came into view, Lara found the sight to be refreshingly familiar: same rickety wooden porch with sagging Adirondack chairs, same crooked stone chimney, same gnarled pine tree looming over the north side of the house.

  What was not the same, however, was the rusted brown jeep parked under the pine tree and the tall, muscular man perched on the roof, his sandy hair falling over his face as he bent to align his hammer with a nail.

  No, the last time Lar
a had been up to the cabin, there definitely hadn’t been a handsome man in the mix. If this is an added perk from the property management company, Lara thought, then I am definitely on board.

  The tires of Lara’s car crunched on the gravel driveway and the man looked up, his hair falling away to reveal a finely chiseled face. He squinted at the car for a moment, and then broke into a smile and a wave.

  Lara waved back as she pulled her car alongside the Jeep.

  “Hi there,” she shouted, stepping out of the car and letting the door slam behind her.

  “Afternoon,” the man shouted back at her, still smiling. He looked around for a moment, appearing almost puzzled and it took Lara a couple of moments to understand why. There was no ladder near the roof.

  “Do you need help–?” she began, but the man was in motion before she finished her sentence. With one quick leap, he launched himself off the roof, into the twisted old pine and clambered swiftly down the trunk.

  “Wow, that’s something you don’t see in LA,” Lara muttered to herself. Los Angeles had its share of diversity and eccentricity, but Lara had never before witnessed an honest-to-god, tree scaling mountain man.

  The man landed lightly on the ground, soft puffs of dirt rising around his worn brown leather work boots, and he strode towards Lara, hand outstretched and a friendly grin spread across his handsome face.

  “You must be Ms. Forbes,” he said, his grin widening. “We always thought you were a myth around these parts.”

  Lara placed her small hand in his large, calloused one and was greeted with a hearty handshake. Yet another difference from LA, where formal introductions seemed to involve either a disinterested nod or a falsely enthusiastic hug. Genuine handshakes were about as rare as finding a man on your roof.

  Winter’s Lake was already proving to be a refreshing change, and she’d only been within town limits for approximately five minutes.