The Fall of East

by Nana Malone

  I blinked away tears. My eyes were stinging, and my lashes fluttered, thick wet teardrops sticking to them., "Oh my God."

  "Nyla Kinkade, will you marry me?"

  I couldn't breathe. Oh God, I really couldn't breathe. Jesus Christ. Why was it so hard?

  "Yes. Absolutely yes. I love you."

  "I promise you there will never be another man who loves a woman nearly as much as I love you."

  When he opened the box, there was a single pink square-cut diamond with teeny tiny black diamonds circling the band. I stared at it. "Oh my God. I've never seen anything more stunning.”

  East smiled as he took it out of its delicate setting and slid it on my finger. "It’s even more special than you realize."

  I slid my gaze over to Theroux—my father. "You bought this?"

  He nodded. "Yes. It was the ring I intended for your mother. Sadly, I never got to give it to her, but I'm glad that you get to wear it."

  And then the tears streamed down my face. I had family. At last. The one thing I'd been looking for my whole life. I had it in spades. "I love you so much."

  East nodded. "I know. I am pretty lovable."

  "Jesus Christ, you're such a knob."

  He shrugged. "Come here."

  He picked me up easily and carried me back to the seat and settled me in his lap. Thoreau just watched, bemused. "Ah, family. I never thought I would have it either. So while our family's unusual, I do think that I will enjoy having one."

  "Now, will you tell me about my mother?"

  His smile was bittersweet as he nodded. "Yes, I'm happy to tell you all about your mother."

  ***

  East

  We all gathered in the Rose Gardens just outside the palace.

  I'd been there before, so obviously I knew what to expect. The Winston Isles were gorgeous, and the palace gardens were some next-level vibrant jewel that were so beautiful you were never sure where to look. All of us were waiting for Penny and Sebastian to join us, and we couldn't have been happier. This was the vacation we all needed. When Lucas had suggested we all come to take a load off after everything that happened with the Jamesons, I jumped at the chance. I set my gaze over to Nyla, whose thumb was sliding over her diamond.

  When we landed on the island, Theroux said he had other business to attend to. I didn’t ask questions, he didn’t offer details. But he made a promise to Nyla that he would stay in touch and find a way to see her again. And then he turned to me and told me not to fuck up.

  Just like a real dad. He gave me the warm fuzzies.

  Once Penny and Sebastian found us with their little princess in tow, I couldn't help but smile. The Winston Isles crew was truly all together.

  Bridge, Drew, Ben, Lucas and Bryna, Sebastian and Penny, Roone and Jessa, and of course Livy, Amelia, Emma, Telly, Carmen, and Nyla. My chosen family, whether by design or by accident. I asked everyone, "All right, so what's the plan? Where are we headed to catch a drink on this fine island?"

  Lucas and Bryna stepped forward, and he said, "Actually, we won't be heading out. There is a private beach, and we've set a bonfire and are roasting a pig. They dug out a spit and everything."

  Nyla clapped with glee, and I finally started to relax. She was mine. She was going to stay mine.

  Bryna holding Lucas's hand, grinned up at him and then turned to us. "Oh, we also have a small announcement."

  I glanced from the prince to his fiancée and back again. And then I knew… Lucas had brought us all home so that he could finally get married.

  Bryna glanced around at all of us. "You know London has taken some getting used to. But knowing that we have family just across the pond has made it all easier, so I thank you guys for that. Giving us a home, giving Lucas something to do so he doesn't grow bored and empty my pockets every two minutes. But it's not just that, it's sisterhood. I couldn't be more grateful, and I couldn't be happier than for you guys to join us for our—" She stopped and glanced at Lucas. He squeezed her hand, and then they both said, "Wedding."

  Drew cursed under his breath, and then Amelia stuck out her hand and he slapped a quid into her palm.

  She did a little booty shake. “Of course they were doing this to get married."

  Bryna clapped. "The wedding will actually take place tomorrow. Very low key on the beach. Not this beach, but we just want to get married."

  They didn't need any of the pomp and circumstance.

  Penny handed the princess to her father and then hugged Bryna so tight.

  Ariel, Bryna and Penny's best friend, and Tristan, her fiancé and Sebastian's cousin, stepped into the garden, and Ariel frowned. "Oh no. I missed the big announcement."

  Penny shrugged. “Well, you did. But you're forgiven because you come carrying wine.”

  Ben and Drew and Bridge lined up ahead of me as we climbed down to the beach. Drew was having a hard time with the sand. The rest of us had dressed casually. He had dressed down more than normal, but his entire attire said he didn't exactly rough it much.

  Drew stuck tight with us. "So you lads were right. Ben I'm sure that makes you happy."

  Ben grinned back. "God, I do love to be right. But why am I right this time?"

  "You know, about taking down Jameson, both of them. That was the best method. You had it worked out from the beginning."

  Ben shrugged. "No, I didn't. But we got lucky, and I know East. And he knows Nyla. So either way, we were going to be okay. I'm just horrified that Emma got hurt because of it."

  Bridge stopped moving. Which meant Ben crashed into him, Drew crashed into Ben, and I brought up the rear.

  "Which one of you fuckers is still bringing up her name?"

  Ben's voice dropped. "All right, the only one we have left to deal with is Middleton."

  I piped up. "I’m already running a search history on his personal life, girlfriends, former buddies, anyone who might be willing to talk. We'll get whatever leverage we can and then move on from there.”

  Bridge nodded. "I've already got an eye on his financials, so we can reconvene to go over those."

  Ben sighed. "You know Emma's going to want to help."

  Almost as if she'd been expecting us to mention her name, she came running over from the bonfire.

  “I heard my name."

  Ben’s jaw went tight. "Well, we were thinking for the next one we don't need you on it."

  Her eyes went wide. "What? Toby was my brother. I was the one contacted. I gave you your initial clues, everything I had."

  Ben sighed, but Bridge clearly wasn't budging.

  "You can't leave me out of this," Emma insisted.

  We all exchanged glances. "Emma, it isn't safe for you," Ben said softly.

  "What? After everything I've helped you with, you're trying to lecture me that it's not safe? Besides, you aren’t actually my brother, so I can do as I please."

  Bridge just gritted his teeth, and I could see the muscle in his jaw ticking. "We can't let you engage in this anymore. You were really hurt."

  "Hey, stop trying to hurt me more. This is all I have."

  Ben smiled softly at her. "It's not all you have. We can't let you be part of this. It's not what Toby would have wanted."

  "I can't believe you're doing this to me. I will never forgive you."

  Ben held up his hands. "I'm sorry Ems, but it's the way it has to be. We've all had too many close calls. The last thing I want is for you to have another one."

  She shook her head and then turned her full blast of rage at Bridge. "You did this. I swear to God, one day I will make you pay for doing this. Denying me my vengeance on the man who made sure my brother wasn't here today. Do not end up on the wrong side of this."

  Bridge shrugged. "I already am. Sorry princess, but you don't get to play in the big leagues."

  Epilogue 1

  East

  "She does look good with a baby, doesn't she?" my mother asked.

  Nyla held my niece in her arms, cooing softly at the baby with a tuft of r
usset curls on her head.

  AJ and Margaux were wrapped up in each other. Margaux just looked wrecked. Jesus. Is that what happened to women when they gave birth? I tried hard to visualize Nyla ever looking that exhausted. That wrecked.

  "Mum, don't start."

  "What? I'm just saying. I wouldn't be opposed to another grandchild."

  "Slow down. I just got the woman to agree to marry me.."

  My mother grinned up at me. "Glad you got that nailed down before you realized you're punching above your weight."

  "Hush, Mum. Aren't you supposed to be on my side?"

  She shrugged. "You're quite a catch. Which says a hell of a lot about her."

  "Oh, I know. She's pretty magnificent, isn't she? I'm still not sure how I ever got her to agree to be mine."

  "It's the Du Mont charm, I swear."

  The baby started to shake her little fist, and Nyla just cooed at her, murmuring baby sounds. None of that shit made any sense. But still, my niece quieted and then promptly went back to sucking at her little fist and closed her eyes.

  "She does look good with a baby though," I agreed.

  My mother nodded. "See? This is what I'm saying. And then we can fill my house with the sounds of babies."

  I laughed. "You're still going to have to give us some time, Mum."

  "Right." She tilted her chin up, glancing toward the door.

  "Mum, he's not coming, okay?"

  She sighed. "I don't know. I had hoped that maybe he would see, learn... something. I guess that is a misguided wish and hope."

  I nodded. "That would be accurate. He made his choice."

  She dropped her voice. "You know AJ called him, right?"

  My eyes went wide. "What?"

  "Yeah. Last week before you and Nyla returned to Monaco. I suppose, with the baby imminent, she wanted to get some things off her chest, and she did. And from what I understand, he may not have been displeased."

  I sighed. "When the fuck is he going to learn that he is the one who fucked up here?"

  "Oh, I think he knows. From what the servants tell me, Mrs. Johnson, you know, she always was one to gossip. One of the reasons why I loved her so much. Anyway, she said he looked despondent and remorseful. It doesn't feel good to be all on your own when the rest of your family is together."

  I shrugged. "Well, he made his bed, didn't he?"

  "Are you ever going to forgive him?"

  "Not until AJ does. Then I'll forgive him."

  She sighed. "You really are my little protector, aren't you?"

  "Absolutely."

  "So, where do you think you and Nyla are going to have the wedding?"

  "God, Mum, really?"

  "Oh, I'm just saying. I was thinking the Du Mont Estate."

  I smiled down at her. "Mum?"

  She squared her shoulders. "Well, I have decided that home is wherever both my children are happy. I refuse to have to sneak around to see either one of you. So I officially moved out."

  I stared at her. "What?"

  "Your father and I have lived separate lives for so long, it was a habit. A bad one that I needed to break for the sake of my daughter and my son. If he wants to make changes, good for him. I'm just not going to be the one there to convince him to bargain with either of you. It's not my job. My job is to be the Grandmama to as many grandbabies as I can get from the both of you."

  "Cheers to that, Mum."

  "Now, go hug that beautiful woman so she'll have her own baby."

  I laughed then approached Nyla slowly. She glanced up with a beaming smile. "Oh my God, she's so precious. Did you know they smelled like this?"

  I laughed. "Yes. Babies do have a distinct odor."

  She rolled her eyes. "It's not an odor."

  "Okay, so they smell good. But they're little security threats."

  She laughed. "Oh my God, seriously?"

  "Well, they are. I mean, I'm going to teach this little one not to be, of course. Because she'll be perfect."

  "Ah," Nyla laughed. "Ever the doting uncle."

  "You better believe it."

  My mother came and relieved Nyla of Esme and her little sleeping coos, and I wrapped my arms around her. "I'm so glad you're here."

  She hugged me back. "Well, you're my family. Where else would I be?"

  "You know that you have a lot more of us, right?"

  "Yes, sadly. I always used to think I wanted big brothers, until I had big brother types. The other day, Bridge told me that I was making the bread wrong. Can you imagine that? What does he know about making bread?"

  I laughed. "He actually bakes to relax. Don't tell him I told you that. He would be well ticked off."

  Her eyes went wide. "Bridge bakes?"

  "Oh yeah. It's something his Mum does. She's a chef. Has a restaurant now and everything. And whenever he's stressed out, that's what he does. He cooks. I think he's desperate to have someone to cook for properly. I'm pretty sure Emma eats a lot."

  She grinned at that. "Why do you think she's the one?"

  "Why do I think that they're made for each other? Lots of reasons. I just hope he figures it out a lot sooner than I did. Or maybe let's hope that it takes him twice as long. Either way, I'll be entertained."

  She laughed. "I love you, East Hale."

  "I love you, Nyla Kincade. Soon-to-be Hale."

  Epilogue 2

  Emma

  It had taken me six weeks to get back to bloody London. East, Ben, and Bridge hadn't been kidding. Bridge and the boys had bought my mother’s house, regardless of what it was actually worth. Just like that. As if it was nothing. What kind of bullshit was that? And then they forced me back to the states with my mother. Which, God, I loved my mother, and it was really good to see her. But it wasn’t for them to decide who I was or what I wanted to do. I wasn't a child anymore.

  So while I was still training in my marketing work, I'd also taken another job that had brought me back to London. And to be honest, my passport had been stamped in France, and then I'd taken the train, but no one needed to know that. Immigration would mark that they'd seen me come through, but Bridge wouldn't have access to that. Nyla might, but I didn't think she'd rat me out like that.

  The point was, they didn’t own me. I was the one who'd gotten them started on this vengeance thing to begin with, and now they wanted to kick me out of it?

  Toby was my brother. I deserved vengeance just as much as they did.

  I’d been watching Bridge for the last two weeks, and it was true… He and Mina had broken up, so he'd been rambling around that house by himself. Sometimes, when he'd work late, he'd stay at his suite at the hotel. I'd been watching the house all day, and he still hadn't returned, so it meant he was very likely going to stay at his suite.

  I parked my car and walked the block up to the house in Belgravia. I smiled to the security guard, who I recognized from the last couple of times I'd been there, and he said, "Oh, Miss Varma."

  "Yes, I'm here to see Mr. Edgerton. Is he here?"

  He shook his head. "No. Actually, he's not. He won't be returning this evening."

  Even better. I would grab his laptop, have a quick look, and I'd be in and out before he even knew anything. Sure, he'd see me on the security cameras eventually, and the guard would tell him I’d been there, but I'd be long gone by then.

  "Would I be able to go in? The last time I was here I left something behind, and I sort of need it now. I have the code."

  The furrows of his brow eased before they even started to form. "Oh, you know the code. Please type it in here, and you may enter."

  That was the thing about being forgotten. While we'd been meeting, we all had our own personal codes so as not to deal with security every single time we came. Even though Mina's had been changed, there was no reason to change any of ours. Bridge had simply forgotten that I had access to his house. Amateur.

  I typed in my code and then said a little prayer to every God I could think of. I’d once been a devoted Catholic, but I hadn't
darkened the door of the church in at least fifteen years. But now, it seemed like as good a time as any to find my faith. When the screen lit green, he nodded and pressed his own code to open the gate. "Just use the same code for the front door and you're good to go."

  "Oh, excellent. I won't be but a minute."

  I went in swiftly, as if I owned the joint. Bridge thought he was so slick in keeping me away from all of this, but what he didn't understand was that I would not sit back like a little woman. Toby would have expected me to be a hundred percent myself. And this was me being myself. Bridge Edgerton could kiss my ass. He'd been telling me what to do for years, but I was done with being controlled.

  When I let myself in the house, a giddy sense of excitement tripped over my skin as his scent hit me. No longer was there a hint of femininity in the house. No bowls of potpourri, but more of the scent of sandalwood. And it made a part of me deep inside clench. I loved that smell. Why did he have to smell so good? Honestly, he was a pure asshole, but he smelled like a fucking delight.

  I thought back to that one kiss that we'd shared when we were kids. Possibly the hottest kiss I'd ever had in my life. But he'd walked away, vowing to never touch me again, which was fine, because I had zero interest in being controlled for the rest of my life.

  A quick search of the house told me his laptop wasn't there. And that's what I fucking needed. There was a prick at the back of my eyes as I resisted the urge to cry. No. All this meant was that I was going to have to go to his suite in the hotel. And that would take a little more ingenuity, but I wasn't giving up. Bridge Edgerton had another think coming if he thought I was just going to sit back and do as I was told.

  Bridge

  I hadn't been staying at the house lately. Suddenly, it seemed I had turned into Ben before Livy came along. I had a big fancy house and refused to stay in it.