Colton's Convenient Bride

by Jennifer Morey

  “I think it’s best if I move back into my own house for now,” she said.

  “No.” Decker swiveled to face her and clasped her hands in his. He leaned closer. “No, Kendall. I want you here. I have good security. You’ll be safe.”

  “But I think you need time to—”

  “No. You’re staying.”

  She angled her head and he read her dislike of his order.

  “Please,” he added. “Stay. In my bed if you want, or in another room. Your choice. I just want you here so I know you’re safe. The casino owner sounds dangerous, more dangerous than we thought. He hired a professional. Stay, Kendall. Will you?”

  “How can I refuse when you ask like that?” She smiled a little, but sadness remained in her eyes.

  “My strong, stubborn woman.” He moved in to kiss her.

  She kissed him back and the flames quickly spread. He withdrew to stave the sexual hunger. Now was not the time for that.

  Chapter 10

  Sheriff Colton and Deputy Sheriff Bloom showed up the following morning. Kendall’s father had phoned in what he knew about Emilio Elardi.

  “Decker,” Trey greeted. “Kendall.”

  Kendall shook his hand and then Daria’s.

  “We’re seeing entirely too much of you two lately,” Kendall said.

  “Yes.” Daria turned to Decker. “And still nothing new to report on the Rouge murder.”

  “No need for a status call this week, then,” Decker replied.

  “Your father filled me in on Emilio Elardi,” Trey said to Kendall, all business. He had a serious expression and she wondered if he smiled very often. Decker was the same way, except with her. She noticed with other people his body language never revealed much, especially with his father.

  “I did a preliminary background check and received some alarming information,” Trey went on.

  Kendall felt her breath seize for a second. Alarming? She did not want to be right about her father’s dealings with the casino owner. Sensing Decker glance at her, she met his gaze and saw his brow gradually becoming stormy. Did protectiveness of her put that look there?

  “Elardi has been in trouble with the law before,” Daria said.

  “And some other incidents have been linked to him as well,” Trey added.

  Kendall controlled a surge of frustration. How could her father have missed the type of character Emilio was? Bernard was not a stupid man. He was an entrepreneur. An Ivy League grad. Leader all the way. She didn’t understand how this could have happened. It was as though he’d been hoodwinked into this deal.

  “A woman arrested for drug dealing claimed she worked for him,” Trey said.

  “And an informant relating to that arrest claimed Elardi was linked to a drug cartel in Mexico,” Daria added.

  “What does that have to do with Kendall’s attack?” Decker asked, more like demanded.

  Trey remained calm and unreflective. “Maybe nothing, but he’s also got a record of domestic abuse. His wife called for help and said to the dispatcher that he hit her after an argument.”

  “They were fighting about money,” Daria went on to say. “Apparently she wanted more control over how and when she spent money and he refused.”

  Either Elardi was a control freak or he hadn’t wanted his wife to know something about his finances. Had she caught on to his illicit deals? What if her attempt to have more control over spending was her way of trying to get him to talk?

  “What is particularly noteworthy is the wife mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter,” Trey said. “She was last seen at her hairdresser’s shop. Emilio had an airtight alibi.”

  That was significant. Elardi must have had something to do with her disappearance.

  “Would Elardi have been charged with domestic abuse?” Decker asked.

  “He was arrested and got out on bond,” Trey said. “His wife never had a chance to press charges.”

  Kendall looked at Decker as they both processed that powerful piece of information. They must be dealing with a very dangerous man.

  “That’s not all,” Daria said. “There is another missing person case involving a ransom demand.”

  Kendall gasped, truly afraid now. Elardi had done it before? And the victim was never returned. Missing person...

  “The victim’s family worked with the FBI to arrange the ransom drop,” Daria told them. “They were instructed to leave the money at a specified location and then go to another location where the kidnappers claimed the victim would be left. But she never was dropped off there and her body has not been found.”

  Kendall felt sick to her stomach.

  “They had agents at both locations,” Trey added. “The agent at the drop saw a man dressed in black and wearing mask take the bag and run. He got on a motorcycle about a block away and escaped.”

  “That was a true ransom case,” Decker said. “It wasn’t a case were the victim’s family owned money. Is that right?”

  Trey shook his head. “No. They owed a hundred thousand. The ransom was for one-fifty.”

  “What’s interesting about that case,” Daria said, “is the victim’s family was referred to Elardi by someone they knew.”

  “Who?” Decker asked.

  “He’s a general contractor.”

  “That’s how my father got in touch with Elardi,” Kendall said.

  “We’re going to talk to him this afternoon,” Trey said. “It’s still not clear if he’s involved. He might be referring without knowledge of the kind of businessman Elardi is.”

  That’s what she and her father had discussed, but what if the contractor was paid by Elardi to generate business?

  “Why wasn’t Elardi arrested?” Kendall asked.

  “There’s no proof. The agreement between parties is legitimate. There is no proof linking Elardi to the kidnapping or the ransom.”

  That figured. Until they had confirmation, Kendall could only assume Elardi had similar plans for her in order to force her father to pay.

  The next day, Decker went to work, burdened by thoughts of Kendall. Decker didn’t think her living by herself was smart right now and was glad he’d invited her to continue to stay with him. Despite their conflict at the moment—or his current inability to trust her—he would see that she was safe. She agreed and he couldn’t tell if she had done so out of interest in him or concern for her life. He wasn’t ready to trust her, didn’t know if he ever would, but he also wasn’t ready to let her go.

  Around lunchtime, a knock on the office door preceded Russ entering. At least he had knocked.

  Decker searched for signs of his dad’s mood and sensed neutrality. For now.

  “Any progress on increasing reservations?” Russ asked.

  “I’ve got a meeting with Remy later this week. He may have some ideas.”

  “He’s a good public relations director for The Chateau.”

  His father stood there on the other side of Decker’s desk, seeming to be thinking something over.

  “About our last meeting,” Russ said. “I was just upset over hearing the news about the Hadleys. I was so excited about you and Kendall seeming like such a good pair that it got to me.”

  Decker couldn’t form a response. His dad was apologizing? Was he worried Decker would walk away from the company? Then again, it didn’t really sound like a full apology.

  “It’s all right. I wasn’t happy, either.”

  “On that subject. Have you given some thought to postponing?”

  He at least wanted Decker to postpone the wedding. “I haven’t decided yet, Dad. Kendall and I do get along well—or we did before all this.” Decker paused as his disappointment returned along with the uncertainty as to whether he could trust her or not.

  “Yes, it’s a lot to take in. But, son, I really think you’d be better off not
marrying her.”

  With his father saying that in a calmer voice, Decker took it to heart. “I’m considering all options.”

  “Did she know about the Hadley Forestry problems when I brought up the idea of the two of you marrying?”

  Decker had to be honest. “She claims not to.”

  “You don’t believe her, do you? This was going to be an arranged marriage. She obviously cares more for her family than you.”

  Decker took a deep, slow breath, disturbed because his father did have a valid point. Kendall would naturally care more about the welfare of her family than him. She hadn’t been with him much. She couldn’t possibly have had enough time with him to grow to care for him on that level.

  “I know she seemed wonderful at first,” his dad continued, “but think of the future of The Colton Empire. Think of our reputation.”

  Reputation. What he’d learned about Kendall’s father didn’t bode well for Hadley Forestry’s reputation. If it got out—and it would—that Bernard had done business with a crooked casino owner, the consequences would be dire. Decker could be brought down with them, or at least suffer a revenue impact as a result.

  “I discovered Bernard went into business with a casino. What’s the story with that?” his dad asked.

  How had he found that out? Decker didn’t ask. He also did not feel like getting into that with his father. “You’ll have to ask him.”

  Russ sat on the edge of the desk. “Will you at least cool things off with Kendall?”

  “I already have.” He hadn’t exactly told her that but he had distanced himself.

  “But she’s still living with you, mooching off you.”

  Mooching? Kendall made her own income. He wouldn’t say she had taken advantage of him, yet. When Hadley Forestry went down, then she’d be set up under the Colton umbrella.

  “She has a stalker.”

  Russ nodded. “I heard about that. She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself. Get rid of her before she really turns your life upside down. We don’t need that kind of trash in the family right now. We’re still recovering from that Rouge murder.”

  Decker didn’t respond. He didn’t appreciate his father’s semantics, but he wasn’t in the mood for another argument.

  “Think of the business, son.”

  “I am, Dad. I won’t let anything damage The Lodge any more than what’s already been done. You have my word on that.”

  “Good. I know you were interested in investing in Hadley Forestry but thank goodness we found out about their scandal. We have too many high-class connections. A woman like Kendall might drive a wedge into those important relationships.”

  A woman like Kendall? His father talked about her as though she grew up in a depraved family. “Like I said, I’ve cooled it off with her. Be happy with that, Dad.” Decker needed his father to back off. “When her stalker is caught, I’ll address the situation at that time.”

  Seeing a satisfied look come over Russ, Decker was sure he had said the magic words.

  “You see what I mean, don’t you?” Russ asked. “Kendall may have grown up privileged, but that life is over for her. She no longer fits into the Colton way of life.”

  Decker leaned back, amazed how his father could talk in such a calm tone and say such nasty things about people. When everything fit and went according to his script, he was a decent man to be with. His Colton Empire had gone to his head somewhere along the way. Decker liked the rich lifestyle they lived, but he would never look at others less fortunate and pass judgment the way his father did.

  * * *

  Kendall had decided she was certain she wanted to pursue marriage with Decker. She felt enough for him to make it worthwhile and she wouldn’t lose him because of a misunderstanding. She planned to have a long talk with him, and if he still didn’t believe her then she’d keep working on him until he did. Her instincts told her this was a good match. She could trust him not to betray her, even if he entered into their marriage for business reasons.

  She reached his office, where his assistant was absent from her desk.

  Stepping up to Decker’s office door, she stopped when she heard Russ Colton talking about investing in Hadley Forestry. The office door was open and she stood out of sight. She heard Russ say, “She obviously cares more for her family than you.”

  She listened more, feeling a sting prick her heart.

  “Think of our reputation.”

  Decker didn’t say anything to that, which further stung Kendall.

  “Will you at least cool things off with Kendall?” she heard Russ ask.

  “I already have.”

  He had? He hadn’t told her that. Kendall had to control her breathing. She heard the conversation go on, picking up on snippets that pricked her heart some more.

  “...mooching off you.”

  “She’s a big girl...”

  “Get rid of her before she really turns your life upside down.”

  Decker again said nothing. Kendall could not believe it. It was as though he silently agreed with his father.

  “Think if the business, son.”

  “I am, Dad. I won’t let anything damage The Lodge any more than what’s already been done. You have my word on that.”

  “A woman like Kendall might drive a wedge into those important relationships.”

  “Like I said, I’ve cooled it off with her. Be happy with that, Dad.”

  Kendall covered her mouth to silence a shocked exhale.

  “She no longer fits into the Colton way of life.”

  Kendall waited for Decker to say something in her defense, but he didn’t. How could he possibly think she’d drag him down, ruin his reputation? He really must only look at her like an asset, except now she was no longer an asset.

  “Did you see the numbers in the weekly report?” Decker asked, drastically changing the subject.

  He had completely dismissed Kendall and set his mind on work. That’s how easy it was for him to close himself off to women. He acted like he cared but it was all a show. Now that she was no longer wealthy, she didn’t matter.

  Kendall heard Russ pat Decker once. “I was worried about you, but now I’m certain you’re the man I need in charge here.”

  “You know how much this company means to me. You should never doubt that,” Decker said.

  Kendall felt sick to her stomach, much more than when she’d learned of the other ransom case. She didn’t need to hear more. She also didn’t want Decker to know what she’d heard. He obviously felt nothing for her. All he cared about was his company. And apparently, still pleasing his father.

  Leaving the office door, she almost bumped into Decker’s assistant.

  “Hi, Kendall. Did you need to see Decker?”

  “No.” She walked quickly toward the elevator.

  How could she have been so wrong about him? He had put on quite a show, wooing her, making her believe he was honest and sincere when all he had wanted to do was secure the deal, merge the wealthy Hadleys with the wealthy Coltons. A perfect pairing.

  All the way down to the lobby she fought the sting of tears. She all but ran to her vehicle. Alone inside, she couldn’t fight her emotion any longer. She started crying, wiping tears as she raced to the highway, not understanding the intensity of her reaction.

  She didn’t love him so why should it hurt so much to hear him talking to his father about her like that? Or not talking? It was the things he hadn’t said that hurt the most. When he had spoken his tone had been even and a little low, as though disappointment had taken some steam out of him. Kendall, his ideal wifey, turned out to be a farce. A bad deal after all. Her father treated her the same way, different because he was her father but she had never liked feeling like an asset more than a daughter.

  Also, Decker’s shunning hurt because it felt very similar to whe
n she had caught the man she had lived with in bed with another woman. She hated thinking she’d never find love, hated even more how sad that made her, and how inadequate. The latter was the worst. She wasn’t a weak person, but Decker had just made her feel that way.

  She arrived at Decker’s and hurried to pack her things.

  * * *

  Decker pulled up to Kendall’s house about an hour after his dad had left his office. They had talked numbers for a few minutes and then his dad had left. His assistant had come into his office to get his signature on some documents and asked him if he’d seen Kendall.

  “Kendall was here?”

  “Yes, I ran into her when she was on her way to the elevators. She seemed to be in a hurry.”

  He had gone on hyperalert then.

  “She said she didn’t need to see you, which I thought was strange,” his assistant had said.

  So did he. Or not. She must have decided not to see him after she’d heard him talking with his dad. Russ Colton had not said anything nice about her.

  Decker had first checked at home but Kendall had already taken her things and left. Now he stood outside her front door, ringing the doorbell for the second time.

  She didn’t answer. Her Land Rover was in the garage—he’d checked. She was inside, just ignoring him.

  “Kendall?” he said loud enough for her to hear on the other side of the door. “I know you’re in there.”

  She didn’t answer. He left the door and walked to the side, then around back. She had no fence, which made him worry even more about her safety. Reaching her patio and two French doors, he could see inside. A six-seat round table filled a casual dining area. To the left, two kitchen islands with gray countertops were in the center of three walls of white cabinets with gray knobs and stainless steel appliances. These doors and a large arched window over the sink area brightened the room. He could see part of the living room from here. Kendall stood in the middle, looking right at him.

  He lifted a hand in greeting.