Lily’s face flushed red. She stood and leaned across the desk facing Nate.
“Your suspicions are wrong. I told you the truth. Make up any stories you want, but that’s what they’ll be, stories.” She collapsed into her chair in tears.
Brent frowned at his friend. “We didn’t expect an interrogation. You said just a few friendly questions. What’s up?”
“They’re necessary. Everyone involved is going down. If she’s included, so is she.” His voice was hard. He frowned. "This isn't a good idea having you all in the room. You two"—he nodded at Brent and Angie—“leave now. I should never have agreed to a group meeting."
Brent motioned for Angie and Lily to leave the room. He shut the door.
“Have you been associating with pond scum so long you can’t tell the difference between them and the innocent? Or do you want to hurt Yannell where he’s most vulnerable as payback for your friend you think he killed? I’m going to get Lily a lawyer.”
Anger rose in a red wave from Nate’s neck to his face. His eyes burned with fury. “Whatever, but you don’t tell me how to do my job. Have her back here at three.”
“If we find her an attorney by then, we will.”
Brent walked out. “We’re going to lunch, and I’ll make a few phone calls while we eat. We’ll hire you the very best attorney, have you back here at three to meet with Nate, and be done. We'll leave Philly tonight and enjoy our wedding by tomorrow.”
Angie put her arm around Lily to guide her out. Lily looked ready to drop. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled. "It'll be all right," Angie reassured her.
“Lily, I’m sorry for the way Nate treated you. I’ve thought of him as a friend. I shouldn't have been surprised though. He is first and foremost always an FBI agent. His obsession with your father goes much deeper than I realized.”
“He hates my father. I saw it in his eyes. To him, I’m an extension of my father.”
“To explain a little of where he’s coming from, Nate lost a close friend who’d gone undercover in your father’s organization. He’s certain Yannell is responsible. He sent his friend in and blames himself. Part of his hate for your father is a reflection of his own guilt. But forget about him for now. Where do you ladies want to eat?”
After Brent had called a few contacts, he found two attorneys that were supposed to be excellent. He made an appointment with the first name he’d been given. At one o’clock, they were shown into his office.
Angie and Brent sat on either side of Lily. Brent explained what had happened in the past week and about the interview this morning.
The attorney was an older man, probably in his early sixties. He had snow-white hair and deep-set blue eyes, and was medium height with a slim build. He stared directly at Lily.
“You didn’t know anything about your father’s undercover work? You can tell me the truth.”
“Not really. He had a big office and large staff. I thought that was where he made his money.
“I don’t remember what made me curious enough to question him. But I did once, when I was a teenager. He said he was good at his business, and that he’d made money investing in stocks and bonds. Why would I ever suspect anything different? He was a wonderful father to me. I loved him.”
“Nate Glynes was trying to rattle you,” the attorney said. “I don’t believe he thinks you’re involved. He was hoping, that’s all. With me along this afternoon, it will be a different picture.” He studied Lily. “Your father is going to be indicted. The trial won’t happen any time soon.”
“I know. Will my father be able to bond out?”
“Maybe. He’d be on house arrest, but if possible they’ll keep him in jail. He’s a flight risk, no doubt.”
“My fiancée’s sister will be with us or somewhere with our family. We’ll keep her out of the public eye. She’ll have support through all of this,” Brent said.
“Brent Terrell, I’ve heard the name. You rescued a friend of mine’s daughter, when everyone else had given up hope. A bit of a maverick, aren’t you?” the attorney said, and smiled. “Thank goodness for men like you. I’m taking Lily as a pro bono client. Her father’s accounts will be frozen. She isn’t going to have much available money. But this is a thank-you, to you from me for my goddaughter.”
Brent grinned at the term maverick. "I remember the case. How is she doing?"
“She got counseling and she graduates from college this year. A simple thank-you could never be enough.” He swallowed, blinked his eyes, and cleared his throat.
“That isn’t necessary for you to take Lily as a pro bono client. I'd have paid her bill,” Brent said, “but thank you. I’m glad your goddaughter is doing well. Shall we meet you at Glynes’s office about fifteen minutes before three?”
“Yes.” He stood and shook Angie and Brent’s hand. He took Lily’s hand and smiled at her. “You can still love your father. He is not the same man that’s been arrested. The man you knew is still inside him, somewhere.”
“I know, but it’s very hard to separate the two now that I know he tried to kill my sister.”
Angie put her arm around Lily, and they left. Brent turned to the attorney. “You will work on getting her some money to live on? I can support her, but she’s a proud person. I’m not sure she’ll let me.”
“I’ll be her attorney for all her needs until this is over.”
“Good.” Brent glanced at his watch on his way out of the attorney’s office. The time would be close. The meeting was at three. They were flying to Houston at seven. They’d wed at noon tomorrow and drive straight to their new home. He’d had a call during lunch saying the cabin was ready. He was surprised at how anxious he was to become a husband. His free-roaming days were over. He wouldn’t miss them at all.
Angie and Lily stood when he walked into the main reception area. “We’re on a tight schedule, but we have time to stop at the hotel on our way to the meeting, and then we’re heading to Texas.”
* * * *
Their meeting with Nate was short. He was subdued, and agreed he had no reason to suspect Lily. Angie hugged Lily as they hurried out of the building. Brent thanked the attorney, and they all waved at him as he drove off.
“We have some free time before our flight,” Angie said. “Lily, you and I are going shopping. You can show me the best stores to look for a wedding dress.”
“I don’t like the idea of leaving you two alone. Yannell might have contacted his men. They could be looking for Lily. I’m going along.”
“You can’t see my dress. It’s a surprise.”
“I’ll wander off a short distance, but near enough for you to holler if anyone acts suspicious around you.”
Lily smiled for the first time that day. “There’s a small specialty shop across town. You’ll find something there, and Brent, being so tall, will be able to see most of the people in the store.”
“Sounds like a winner.” Brent opened the doors to the rental car and ushered Angie and Lily in. When he got into the driver’s seat, he looked in the review mirror at Lily. “Tell me where to go.”
They found just what they wanted at the shop and made it to the plane in plenty of time. It was late when they got to Houston. Brent had arranged rooms at a downtown hotel for the wedding party and guests.
Angie and Lily said good night. Ty and Drake had joined Brent in the lobby.
“We’re going to have a few drinks,” Brent said. He leaned down to kiss Angie. “I’d rather be going upstairs with you. But this is the last time we’ll be separated like this. Sleep well. I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Angie whispered. She and Lily went straight to their room. The wedding was planned for eleven o’clock the next morning. Angie doubted she’d sleep, but at least she’d rest. Tomorrow her life would undergo another change, but this time she didn’t have to transform her appearance.
* * * *
Angie and Lily helped each other dress for the ceremony. It was fun, and much like what Ang
ie expected normal sisters did. She was happy that she and Lily were gradually letting down their walls and reaching out to each other. Every day they’d become closer, more sisters than just friends.
Brent and Ty had shared a room. Angie had convinced Brent they had to go separately to wherever they were getting married. He hadn’t given her the address, but Ty knew and was going with them in a taxi. Brent would meet them there. She wanted to wow him with her new dress.
“You’re beautiful,” Lily said. “The dress is perfect.”
“Yours is, too.” Lily had found a greenish-blue gown that fit under her breast and then floated like a cloud around her. “You may take the attention off the bride,” Angie said, and smiled at her sister.
“No danger of that. Brent won’t have eyes for anyone but you. He doesn’t, anyway. You could dress in a sack and he’d only see you.” Lily sat on the edge of the bed. “I hope somewhere there’s a man that will find me and love me with that intensity.”
Angie started to ask about her and Ty. There was a noticeable connection between the two. If it was attraction, they both fought it and ignored each other. She pushed the worrying thoughts away for another day.
Today, she was marrying Brent. Her heart beat with a wave of joy and anticipation. All her doubts had gone and been replaced with this warm, certain sense of being loved.
A knock on the door had her turning. Lily went and looked out the peephole. “Ty’s here. It’s time to go.”
* * * *
When the cab stopped at a lovely home on a hill, Angie looked questioningly at Ty. “Are we at the right place?”
“This is the address Brent gave me.” Ty paid the driver and helped the women out of the back seat. He led them to the door and rang the bell.
A lovely, tall, slim woman with auburn hair tinged with gray opened the door. “Welcome, Ty. Do you remember me? I’m Mrs. Dedrick, Janice’s mother. We met briefly at Drake and Janice’s home several years ago.”
“Yes, I do. It’s nice to see you again.” Ty turned to Angie. “This is Angie, Brent’s fiancée, and her sister, Lily.”
“Come in. My, how lovely you both look. All the others are here.”
Brent’s parents, Drake and Janice, and Samantha and Jackson had flown in for the wedding. Angie blinked her eyes to keep the happy tears from running down her face. “This is wonderful. A small, intimate wedding with the people we’re closest to in attendance. And to have the ceremony at this lovely home instead of a cold office is perfect.”
“You and your sister can wait in the study. My husband is a judge. He’ll marry you. We’ve decorated the backyard for the service. You have a few minutes to relax.” She waved to Ty to go outside and led Angie and Lily to the first room off to the left.
“Mr. Terrell will come and get you.”
When she closed the door, Lily grinned. “Which Terrell do you think she meant. There’s only four of them out there.” She hugged Angie. “I’m so glad I found you, but I’m sorry it almost caused you to lose your life.”
“None of any of this is your fault. I’m glad we’re finally back together again. Nothing will keep us apart after this.”
“Ladies,” Joe Terrell’s deep voice had them looking at the door. “If you don’t mind, Angie, I’d like the honor of walking you down the aisle.”
“Mr. Terrell, I don’t mind at all. I’d very much like you to.”
“Wonderful, but you have to start calling me Papa Joe like Janice does.”
“It’s a deal.”
Lily smoothed her hands down her skirt. “I hear music. I guess that’s my signal. When she stepped out of the room, Mrs. Dedrick handed her a spray of mixed flowers and led her to the doorway to the garden. Angie was right behind her carrying a large spray of white orchids and yellow roses.
A long, white satin runner led to an arbor covered with sweet-smelling red roses. Lily walked the short distance to where Brent stood waiting in a dark blue suit. She smiled at him and stepped to the side.
* * * *
Brent’s eyes had already connected with Angie’s. His heart raced seeing her standing in the doorway. When she stepped outside, the sun cast a golden glow around her. She wore a simple, long gown that hugged her curves. The color was a soft yellow that shimmered with each step she took toward him. Her gorgeous hair floated around her shoulders and down her back. He thought his heart might burst with the love he had inside of him for his woman.
He barely noticed the friends and family clustered around in chairs on either side of the walkway. When Angie stopped and placed her hand in his, his whole being focused on her, and all the others faded in the distance.
Brent didn’t remember the words of the ceremony, except the part where the judge pronounced them man and wife. He guessed he must have made the right responses. He did recall slipping the wedding band onto Angie’s finger. He bent and kissed her lips. “Mine, all mine,” he whispered to her. Her pansy eyes sparkled at him.
The group clapped and rose to crowd around them with congratulations and kisses for his wife and him. His bargain wife. What a great deal he’d made. He grinned at the thought. Angie glanced at him, a question in her eyes. “Later,” he mouthed the word. They drank champagne and ate hors d’ oeuvres, and finally were able to leave.
“It’s your plane. You don’t have to rush away,” Janice teased.
“Thank you all, but we have a place to go and”—he wiggled his eyebrows at Angie—“things to do.” The guests laughed and threw birdseed at them as they ran to Brent’s rental car. Ty waited in the driver’s seat to take them to the airport.
Brent helped Angie get herself and gown inside the backseat, and they took off. “I have some news, but I didn’t want to talk in front of Lily. And I want to tell you, and then we can forget about everything but us.
“Nate Glynes found your mother’s safety deposit box right there in Philly. There’s enough evidence in it to help send Yannell to jail for the rest of his life.”
“I’m glad he got the papers. Mom risked her life to keep them. Maybe now Lily won’t have to be involved in the trial.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll be there for her,” Brent said. He smiled and pulled her close. “No more worrying. And no looking in the rearview mirror, brother,” he warned Ty. Ty chuckled and stared straight ahead at the traffic.
“Was the wedding all right? I hope everything was the way you wanted it.” Brent pulled her close in his arms
Angie touched the side of his face and kissed him. “I loved all of it, and especially you.” She wrinkled her brow. “I was surprised when the judge used my old name, Diana Starling, in the ceremony.”
“Your legal name. I talked to the judge, and he said to be legally married we should use it. I didn’t want you to worry about it. I agreed because I definitely wanted us legally bound forever. Otherwise, you might decide to hold me to our first bargain.” He pulled her close to his side. “There is nothing temporary about us.”
Ty waved at them as they boarded the plane. Angie glanced around at the luxurious lounge area. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to having a private plane to ride in. This is amazing.”
Brent kissed her, and then guided her to one of the big, soft chairs. “Fasten your seat belt. Thank goodness the flight is short. Because lady, I’m ready to start our honeymoon.”
Epilogue
Six months later
Angie Terrell drove down the new, smooth, blacktop road that led to their almost-finished home. Another few weeks and they’d move into the big house on the hill. She saw the workmen hurrying around to finish by the date Brent demanded.
Just in time to settle in before their next lifestyle change. She rubbed her flat tummy. Excitement churned inside of her. She hoped Brent came in early from his work with the horses.
She parked her car and went inside the cabin. It had been a wonderful place to start their life together and would always have a special place in her heart. Brent wasn’t around. She knew where to fi
nd him. She decided she wasn’t going to wait for him.
After changing into jeans, a flannel shirt, and her boots, she walked to the corral beside the new barn. As she expected, her husband was training a new mare. She stayed out of sight for a few minutes, watching him whispering to the horse, and then the struggle for control between the man and the animal. He’d removed his shirt, and his skin glistened in the bright sunlight. Her heart still jumped into overdrive at the sight of him, and her love made her knees weak. As though he sensed her, he looked in her direction.
Hi, darlin’. Enjoying the show?” His sky-blue eyes twinkled at her.
“Just admiring the scenery.” She walked closer. “The horse, of course.”
“Right. You make a poor liar, my love. I’m almost finished for the day. Come wait in the barn while I rub the mare down. You’ve forgotten your hat again, and the sun is bright.”
Angie strolled into the barn. She sat on a bale of hay and watched the play of Brent’s muscles as he worked on the mare. Heat began to build inside her, and the familiar ache only he could create settled in her lower abdomen. Her body was as tense as a coiled wire when he finally finished. Seeing his eyes, she knew he’d deliberately taken his time building the desire inside her.
He swung his arm across her shoulders as they headed to the cabin. “I need a cold shower.”
“Not too cold. You built a fire you have to put out.”
“If you insist, sweetheart. I’m always at your service. Perhaps you’d care to join me in the shower,” he said as they entered the cabin.
They quickly undressed, throwing their clothes to the side. Brent picked her up and carried her into the small bathroom. He set her on her feet and reached in to turn on the water.
“In we go,” he said and pulled her in with him. The cool water ran over their hot bodies. Brent’s mouth covered hers, and his tongue went deep inside, sensuously sliding around her tongue and mouth.
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 14
