Legacy (Montgomery Brothers Series ~ Book 1)

by Laura Pavlov

  “I’m okay. That was so nice of you to come,” Harley said, her gaze locking with mine over my mother’s shoulder. She didn’t know how to handle all of this. The love. The care. She wasn’t used to it. She’d been through a traumatic experience, and it would take time to recover. Hopefully she’d allow herself the time to heal. I had a hunch I was in for a battle on that front, but I’d cross that bridge when I got there.

  “Harls,” Jack said, his voice cracking as he kissed the back of her hand, like he was afraid to touch her.

  “Don’t be a baby,” she teased, and he burst out in laughter. I noticed her wince as she tried to shift in the bed, and I helped her to sit forward a bit and propped a pillow behind her head.

  “There’s my girl,” he said.

  “You okay?” Harrison asked, kissing the top of her head.

  “Yeah. A little sore, but I’ll be okay. Thanks for coming, really. That was so nice of you.”

  My brothers joined my mother next door to check on Harley’s grandfather. Molly stepped in the room, tears streaming down her face. “Harls, I’m so sorry.”

  “Stop. This wasn’t your fault. Don’t do that to yourself.”

  Molly reached for Harley’s hand. “I was so scared for you.”

  “Hey, I’ll be fine.” She looked up at her best friend. “And you know how I feel about crying.”

  “I know. But I need to ugly cry right now. It was that bitch that came in for the wedding cake, right? She was there at the house.”

  “Yep. She wasn’t there for a cake,” Harley said, shaking her head.

  I didn’t miss the way my girlfriend flinched every time she moved. She was in more pain than she was letting on.

  “Okay. You need to rest, baby,” I said, pulling the blanket up and helping her get comfortable. Her movements were slow and strained.

  “I’ve got the bakery, Harls. You can call as much as you want,” Molly said as she blew her friend a kiss.

  My brothers came back in the room to say goodbye.

  “I’ve already let Mom and Harrison know I won’t be at the winery the rest of the week. I’m going to be back up at the bakery. I may even invent a new cupcake in your honor.”

  Harley smiled, but her eyes were closed now. “Oh boy. I can’t wait to see this.”

  “I’ll do it with black and purple icing, and name it the badass.” Jack walked backward toward the door.

  “I like the sound of that,” Harley said just above a whisper.

  I rolled my eyes. “Call me later.”

  “Get some rest, Harls. We’ll check on you tomorrow,” Harrison said, keeping his voice low, and leaning in to give me a half-dude-hug.

  My mother came around and kissed the top of Harley’s head. “Feel better, sweetheart.”

  Mom gave me a hug before heading out the door.

  I sat beside my girlfriend until she dozed off and I stepped outside her room to place a few calls to Edward to follow up on Damon and Valentina. They were being held in the county jail, and our legal team was all over it. I asked him to beef up our security for now until we knew everyone involved was no longer a threat.

  They were never going to come near her again.

  After one night at the hospital, I was able to take Harley and her grandfather home. They ran a bunch of tests and scans which had come back without concern, and they’d cleared them to leave. I helped Helena get Gramps settled in the guest room at my apartment and he’d agreed to spend the next week recovering here where we could keep an eye on him.

  I made my way to the bedroom and found Harley in the bathroom staring at herself in the mirror. I rubbed her arms. “You okay?”

  “I look terrible.”

  “Battle wounds, baby. You’re always beautiful. But these bruises are reminders of how brave you are. You did what you needed to do to save your grandfather. Damon and your mother are both going away for a very long time.”

  She blinked a few times and her hands gripped the counter hard. “I still can’t believe my mother would do it. I mean, she’s never given me any reason to think she wouldn’t, but deep down I guess I hoped she would have some feelings for me and for Gramps.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I hurt for this beautiful girl who deserved the world but was dealt a shit hand when it came to her parents.

  “She’s an addict and an evil human being. She never deserved you.”

  She turned in my arms and rested her cheek against my shirt. “Yeah. But this journey led me here. To you.”

  “It did. And I’m grateful for that. But I’ll never forgive her for what she did to you.”

  “Me either,” she said.

  “How does a hot bath sound? Do you think it will hurt or help?”

  “I think it would help. But only if you get in with me. I don’t want to be away from you right now.” She gripped the back of my shirt, and her body trembled.

  “Let’s do it.” I walked her over to sit on the side of the tub while I ran the water and dimmed the lighting.

  I carefully lifted her shirt over her head. There was blood on the sleeves and the neckline. I tried to hide my anger when I took in the bruises covering her midsection. I pushed her skirt and panties down her legs and unsnapped her bra. I unbuttoned my shirt, and pushed my pants and boxers down, kicking them to the side. I stepped in the scalding water, just the way I knew she liked it and offered her a hand. She tensed as she dropped down to sit between my legs, as the ibuprofen hadn’t kicked in just yet. She leaned back against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her.

  “This is nice,” she said, and I leaned forward to see her eyes were closed.

  “Relax, baby. You’re safe now.”

  “Safe with you,” she said, her hand coming over mine, and I felt her entire body relax against mine. I felt her body quake as she started to sob, and I stroked her hair and held her tight.

  “I’ve got you,” I whispered.

  And I always would.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Harley

  It had been ten days and I was biting at the bit to go back to work. Ford was a militant caretaker. He worked from home and never left my side. Harrison had stepped up at Montgomery Media in his absence, and I think it was good for my boyfriend to see that he could rely on his brothers more than he realized. Hell, even I had learned that I could rely on others through all of this as well.

  Molly and Jack kept things running at DeLiciously Yours, but I was looking forward to taking the reins back today. My bruises had faded and could now be covered with makeup. I certainly didn’t want to scare my customers away.

  Gramps had gone back home a few days ago, per his insistence. Ford urged him to stay, but Gramps wanted to be in his house—where he felt close to Gram. I understood it. So, they’d agreed that he would return home, as long as he accepted the security that came with it. There was no reason for it now, as Damon and my mother were both in custody. But Ford wasn’t taking any chances, and I loved him for it. Gramps had a whole team keeping an eye on him for now, and we found an at-home nurse that checked in on him daily and ran errands for him. He’d been traumatized by what happened, and we’d spent hours talking and crying together the first few days after everything went down. He was grieving the loss of his child as well. My mother. Because she was dead to him at this point. There was no returning from what she’d done.

  “You sure you feel up to this today?” Ford asked when he strolled into the bedroom.

  “I’m so ready. I can’t wait. How’s my face? I don’t want to scare any customers away.”

  He laughed as he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. I’d never felt this close to another person before. Like I’d found my other half. Ford Montgomery made me whole.

  “You look beautiful. Battle wounds and all. But yes, you’ve covered what’s left of them well. So, I have a lady co
ming by tonight with a few different gowns for you to try on for the fundraiser this weekend, if you’re sure you feel up to it. I don’t mind missing it if you’d rather stay home. I don’t want you to overdo it.”

  “No way. I’m excited to go. It’s a big deal for your mother, and I feel fine. I promise.”

  “All right. So, you’ll take a look at the dresses tonight?”

  I laughed. I’d come to learn a few valuable lessons from my kidnapping and ass kicking.

  Choose your battles.

  Ford wanted to help me and Gramps because he loved me. And that was okay. He wasn’t doing it because I owed him anything, or because I was weak. Loving someone meant that you’d walk through fire for them. I had no doubt that this man would walk through fire for me. And I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same.

  “It’s a little over the top to have someone come here with gowns, but at this point, I have no time to shop, so sure.”

  “Good. You ready?” he asked.

  “Yes. Let’s go.”

  Ford placed a call to his attorney on the way to work to get an update on my mother and Damon. He’d gone to great lengths to make sure this story stayed out of the press. I studied his profile as he spoke. The man was so intense and serious. Unwavering and intimidating. Yet he showed me another side—that was so much more. Loving and kind. Protective and loyal.

  He ended the call. “Yeah. They aren’t going to fight the charges. They’re dead in the water. So, there won’t be a trial. Damon’s going to name a few dealers to lighten his sentence, but he’s looking at thirty to forty years with the best-case scenario. Your mother is going to get twenty to twenty-five years.”

  My gaze locked with his. Those sapphire blues penetrating my soul.

  “I’m not going to lie, it’ll be strange not worrying about my mother popping up in my life. I’ve been looking over my shoulder for a long time, and the realization that I won’t have to is still setting in.”

  He pulled me closer and wrapped his arm around me, hugging me to his chest. “She’s never coming near you again. Not if I have a say. Do you have any idea how much better my life is with you in it? I love you so much, baby.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. I don’t want to remember my life before you, Montgomery. Because everything is so much better with you.”

  He tipped my chin up and kissed me hard. My fingers tangled in his hair as I urged him closer. My need for this man was overwhelming.

  We pulled in front of the Montgomery Media building and made our way inside. I put on the coffee and assessed the baked goods in the freezer. Molly and Jack had done a good job keeping things afloat. Apparently, we had a new group of young twenty-something women who were all coming in to see the hot dude behind the counter. Jack ate it up, and Molly said it only helped business. They’d be disappointed today to see me behind the counter, I’m sure, but Jack was needed back at the family business. I think he enjoyed the little break.

  “My brother’s going to have withdrawals from this place, I’m sure.” Ford rolled his eyes and poured his coffee to go.

  “Yeah, I’m sure he will. But I’m glad he’s at the winery the next few days to help your mom get ready for the event. Molly said she sent him with several boxes of pastries. I just wish I’d been able to make them fresh for your mom, you know?”

  “You’ve been through so much. Don’t worry about that at all. I want you to call me if it’s too much. Hell, I’ll put Calvin or Edward behind the counter if I have to.”

  He tugged me close and tucked the hair that slipped from my bun behind my ear. He lightly traced the bruise beneath my eye that I’d covered with makeup with his finger, sending Goose bumps down my arm. Ford had a way of making me forget. Erasing my wounds.

  “Love you,” I said, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips, and smacking his ass as he walked away.

  “Text me in an hour and let me know how you’re doing. I’ll bring you some lunch this afternoon.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You worry too much.”

  “Only about you.” He winked and walked out the door.

  I blew out a long breath and got to work. As I rolled out the dough to cut the butter cookies, I thought about my mother. She’d be going to prison for a very long time. I was still processing it and all I felt was relief. Relief that I wouldn’t have to worry about her hurting Gramps or coming after me anymore. But there was still a sadness that settled in the middle of my chest. A sadness for the mother I’d always wished she could be. Aside from Gramps, I didn’t have any family. I’d only known Ford for a few months, but he’d somehow filled a void in my life that had always been there.

  “Hey, girl. So happy you’re here.” Molly ran around the island and wrapped me in a hug.

  “Me too. Thanks for covering for me. You did such a good job.”

  “Yeah? Well, I learned from the best in the business.” She bumped her hip into mine before walking over to pour herself a cup of coffee. “And it didn’t hurt that you froze enough pastries for a lifetime. I just had to pull them out and frost them.”

  I laughed. “Well, we can start freezing a few batches a day again. Thanks for getting all the pastries together for Monica, too.”

  “Of course. So, are you excited for the event? Have you found a dress yet?”

  “Ford has someone bringing over a few tonight for me to look at,” I said, sliding two cookie sheets in the oven.

  “Look at you—it’s a modern-day fairy tale. I’m coming over so I can have a vote.”

  I laughed. “I was hoping you would.”

  She was right. Even with all the drama that had happened—life had become a fairy tale.

  And for the first time in my life, I was hoping for a happily ever after.

  “Damn, woman, you’re killing me tonight with this dress,” Ford said, helping me from the helicopter and into the car.

  “Thank you. You’re looking pretty dapper there yourself, Montgomery.” I turned to face him and straightened his tie.

  I’d never worn a dress like this before, and it felt good to get dressed up tonight. My gown was a long black sheath dress, hugging my curves just a little, and exposing one shoulder, while the other was a full sleeve. It was elegant and classic. Molly had come over and helped with my hair. I wore it down in long waves, one side clipped back with a few sparkly bobby pins. I had on more makeup than I was used to wearing and according to Molly, the smoky eye was the look we were going for. When we pulled up to the winery, Ford leaned forward to speak to Jerome who had flown here with us.

  “We’ll drive home. I told Paul he could call it a night and leave the helicopter here. So, feel free to come in if you’d like and enjoy the food, and I’ll let you know when we’re ready to go.”

  “I’ll be fine out here but thank you.”

  “Jerome, there’s some DeLicously Yours pastries at this shindig, and I know how much you love them,” I said with a laugh because the man always came in the bakery for a pastry.

  He chuckled. “Don’t tempt me. I just may take you up on it.”

  Ford helped me out, and I wrapped my hand around his bicep. Walking in heels was a struggle for me, so I took it slow.

  The lobby was turned into a large banquet space with cocktail tables covered in white linens. There were flowers and candles every which way you turned. The doors were open to the dining area which led out to the garden. Monica had arranged a large tent with heaters making the outdoor area more intimate. People filled the space, and chatter and laughter surrounded us. My gaze moved around the room taking it all in. There were twinkle lights covering the trees in the distance. It was stunning. Servers walked around with trays offering wine, champagne, and appetizers.

  “Are you hungry?” Ford asked, leaning down to speak against my ear, taking a nibble while he lingered.

  My head fell back in laughter. “I think you must be hu
ngry.”

  “Yeah, I’m hungry for you in this dress.”

  “The night’s young, Montgomery. You just might get lucky,” I said with a wink.

  “Oh, I’m counting on it.”

  “You two look lovely,” Chanel said as she approached with a man on her arm. “Harley, Ford, this is Christopher.”

  We said our hellos and Chanel leaned over to hug me. She looked amazing in her lavender fitted gown. Her hair was slicked into a fancy chignon, and her neck and wrists shimmered with jewels.

  “You look gorgeous,” I said as Jack and Harrison flanked our sides.

  “You look amazing, Harley.” She held my hands and stepped back to take in my gown.

  “How did things run the rest of the week without me?” Jack asked with a smirk.

  “She saved a ton of money because her employee wasn’t eating everything.” Ford laughed.

  “You were missed. There were some very disappointed female patrons the last few days,” I said, giving him a hug. “Thanks for doing that for me.”

  “Anything for you, Harls.”

  “Find your own woman.” Ford glared at his brother before breaking out in laughter.

  “You look gorgeous.” Harrison pulled me in.

  “Thank you,” I said giving him a peck on the cheek. “Where’s your mom? I can’t wait to see her.”

  “She’s buzzing around here somewhere.” Harrison smiled and waved over a server. He handed Chanel and me each a glass of champagne before offering some to the others.

  “All right, we’re going to socialize.” Ford intertwined his fingers with mine and we agreed to meet up with everyone for dinner.

  We made our way through the elegant space and I’d never been introduced to so many people at one time in my entire life. I tried to remember their names and find little things to categorize them in my head. Dinner was announced, and Ford and I moved to find our table.

  “You feeling okay?” he asked, pulling me into his arms as we scanned the room for our seats.