Michael (Connelly Cousins #3)

by Abbie Zanders

  Bailey’s face darkened. “But Dad’s family wasn’t content to leave things alone, especially when his father’s health began to fail. By long standing tradition, everything was passed to the eldest male child. They pleaded with him to return to Scotland, to assume his responsibilities for the family business, but he refused, saying he would only do so on the condition that they accept my mother and all of us as blood.”

  “Finally, they gave in, but they weren’t happy about it. From what I understand, my grandfather had come around, but my grandmother was mortified that my father had ‘dirtied the bloodline’ so to speak. She made no secret of the fact that she thought my mother was only interested in my father for their fortune, and we kids were nothing but the shameful result of her throwing herself at him. For my grandfather’s sake, though, she curbed her tongue enough to convince my father that she would behave, and eventually he gave in.”

  “My dad’s cousin, Simon, came to the States to work out the details. Simon had taken over a lot of my father’s responsibilities when he left, and was practically running the company. Dad was smart enough to want everything legalized so that if anything happened to him, the rest of us would be cared for as legitimate heirs. Mom was still skeptical; she said her instincts told her something awful would happen, but Dad said he had faith that there was some good in his family.”

  “Unfortunately, Mom’s instincts were right. Dad underestimated the greed and pride of his family, especially Simon, and the lengths they were willing to go to. Shortly after the papers were signed and filed at the lawyer’s office, Simon talked Dad into going out to celebrate. That night, while Dad was away, there was a fire at our house.”

  Bailey’s voice grew softer. She looked across the room at something only she could see. “We were all sleeping; it was late. I remember waking up because someone was shouting. There was so much smoke it was hard to see. My two younger sisters were in bed with me –—the three of us managed to get out. I tried to go back for the others, but a fireman grabbed me and locked me and my sisters in a police car. Dad got there shortly after. He ran in to save mom and my brothers, but ... but they didn’t come out.”

  Bailey suddenly found herself in Michael’s arms. He held her close to him. She soaked up his warmth and strength. It took a few minutes for her to gather the strength to continue.

  “I saw Simon that night, watching from a safe distance. He caught me looking at him from the police car. I will never forget the look on his face, Michael. Never. I knew then that he was behind everything. Maybe he hadn’t lit the flame, but it was his doing. His and my grandmother’s.”

  “The problem was, there was no proof. The fire marshal said the cause was most likely faulty wiring, but there was nothing wrong with the wiring in that house, nothing. Simon set it all up somehow. With my dad and my mom out of the way, he cleared a major obstacle in securing the future of the company. After the official ruling came out I knew I had to disappear. I’ve been running ever since.”

  “Because you are the eldest child,” Michael said.

  “Yes.” Bailey took a deep breath. “The lawyer handling the contracts was an old friend of my maternal grandfather’s. Without Simon knowing, my father had a last minute clause put into the contracts. In the event anything happened to him, his eldest child—- not his eldest son -—was to gain control of the estate. Simon never expected that.”

  “You think Simon wants to kill you?”

  “No. If something happens to me, everything goes to my sisters. If something happens to them, ownership of the company passes to the board since my father has no surviving siblings.”

  “Then why do you think he is looking for you?”

  “Right after the funeral, Simon cornered me. The bastard didn’t even have the decency to pretend like he gave a damn. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that he would make sure all of Dad’s assets got tied up in probate, and I’d be left out in the cold with no way to care for my sisters. He had a solution, though. He said if I married him, he would allow my sisters to live with us and they would be well cared for.”

  “He figured if he married you, he’d get the company.”

  “In a manner of speaking. Tradition says that the ownership passes to the eldest male relative. As a daughter, I am, in effect, only a caretaker. By myself, I mean nothing to Simon. But my son would control everything.”

  Michael felt rage burn through him. “The son of a bitch.”

  “Exactly. I told Simon there was no way I would marry him, but he laughed and told me that it didn’t really matter. If he could get a child on me –—with or without my acceptance of his proposal –—or my cooperation, for that matter - he would get what he wanted. He could arrange for a fake wedding certificate easy enough. A paternity test would prove him the father. He’d have me declared unfit by someone on his payroll, take my son, and control everything.”

  “I’ll fucking kill him.”

  “I wish it were that easy, Michael. Simon is an incredibly powerful man, with friends in very high places. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. As long as I remain “missing”, everything continues as is and Simon can’t do anything about it.”

  “You’ve been on the run for a long time.” She nodded in affirmation. “Why didn’t Simon have you declared legally dead?”

  “He could,” Bailey confirmed, “but that’s not going to get him what he wants. Upon my death, control passes to my twin sisters. Both would have an equal share, and at the most, Simon could only hope for half. He wants it all. Now that I’m pregnant – especially if our baby is a boy – that changes everything. My son will inherit everything.”

  Michael was quiet for a moment. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, Bailey, but if you marry me, wouldn’t that solve all of your problems?”

  Bailey rubbed her belly protectively. “As long as Simon’s out there, you –—and our child –—will never be safe. He’s plotted once to get what he wants and proven that he’s not above taking a life.”

  “I can handle Simon, baby. Leave it to me.”

  She sighed. “It’s more than just Simon, Michael. Do you know what my husband would be subjected to?”

  “I have a pretty good idea.”

  “I don’t think you do.”

  Bailey stood up and faced him. She looked deep into his eyes and took a deep breath. Holding out her right hand, she said, “Pleased to meet you, Michael Connelly. I’m Keely McRae.”

  Other than a slight raise of an eyebrow, Michael’s expression remained unaffected. “Keely McRae? The Keely McRae? The missing McRae Security heiress?”

  Keely sank down into the nearest chair, suddenly exhausted. “Aye.”

  “I remember that case. Got huge media attention. Missing billionaire heiress, sobbing older fiancé with his face all over the news.”

  “Simon,” Keely confirmed.

  “A fucking media circus.”

  “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I’m so sorry, Michael.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault, and it doesn’t change the fact that I’m in love with you.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “I know that too.” She had a lot of baggage. It wasn’t fair to him or anyone else. One way or another, this had to stop. Now she had a baby to think of. Michael’s baby.

  What was she going to do without him? She’d admitted that she loved him. She’d left him once and barely survived it. How was she ever going to do it again?

  She swiped angrily at the tears that threatened to spill. She would not do this again. Not here. Not now. Damn Simon!

  Michael pulled her into his arms, and instantly she began to feel better. He was so strong, and warm, and so ... not shocked. She placed both hands on his chest and pushed far enough away to look into his face.

  “You already knew, didn’t you?”

  “Most of it, yes, but you filled in a few of the missing pieces.”

  “How?”

  He grinned. “Remind me to introduce you to my cousin Ian sometime
. But only after you’ve got my ring on your finger.”

  She didn’t know whether to kiss him or slap him. Right now slapping him seemed like the preferred choice.

  “How could you let me go on like that?”

  Michael looked straight into her eyes. “Because it had to be your decision to tell me. I don’t give a shit who you are or where you came from. I’ve loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you, before I knew your name, or any other goddamned thing that doesn’t make a damn bit of difference to me, to us.”

  Bailey opened her mouth, but he didn’t give her a chance to speak. “And before you say anything, I really don’t give a shit about your money, either. Give it all to your sisters. I’ve got more than enough of my own to keep us comfortable for the rest of our lives.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Michael Connelly had to be the best thing that ever happened to her.

  “I only ask one thing.” She looked at him, wiping away the tears.

  “What?” She would deny him nothing.

  “Let me take care of Simon. My way.” Michael’s eyes glowed, and Bailey had never been so happy to have such a lethal man by her side. She nodded. “What will you do?”

  A huge grin spread over his face. It was at once beautiful and terrifying. “Just leave it to me. Now,” he said, standing up with her in his arms. “Marry me?”

  “That’s two things,” she said, sniffling as she tried to wrap her mind around everything that had just happened. “You said only one.”

  “Ah, so I did, so I did.” He held her firmly with one arm easily supporting all of her weight while the other proceeded to undo the fastening of her jeans. He expertly removed them single handedly, then pushed down his own pants until his erection sprang forth. He coaxed her legs around his waist and eased her down onto his shaft.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, breathless.

  “Making love to my wife,” he murmured in between kisses along her neck.

  “I’m not your wife.”

  “Maybe not on paper yet,” Michael countered. “But you are in all the ways that matter. If you insist on our child being born out of wedlock, well...” He stroked in and out thoroughly, erasing any retort that might have been forthcoming. “Though it will break my grandfather’s heart, you know. He really likes you.”

  Bailey threw back her head, her hands grasping Michael’s broad shoulders as he lifted her up and down the length of his shaft. “You don’t play fair,” she moaned.

  “Never said I did.” He pulled her down hard, filling her to capacity and hitting her sweet spot as she came powerfully around him, following her only a second or two later. He sank back into the chair, keeping her sheathed around him as he cradled her body.

  “You can be quite the caveman.”

  He was unapologetic. “When it comes to you, yes.”

  She snuggled against him, knowing his blatant admission should chafe against her female pride, but oddly enough, didn’t. In fact, she had never felt more loved or cherished. That’s how it would always be with him, she realized. A constant battle of wills with her dark knight, this man who still carried the dominant strains of his ancient Celtic warrior ancestors in his DNA.

  She couldn’t imagine anything she wanted more.

  “Yes,” she said finally.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes what?” The corners of his lips tilted up just a little, his green eyes dancing with triumph. She tried to pull away from him but he held her firmly with his hands on her hips. “Oh no you don’t,” he told her. “I want to hear it. All of it. From your lips. Willingly spoken.”

  Bailey effected a deep sigh, but her eyes were sparkling. “Michael Connelly, you are the most wonderful man in the world, my croie, and I am hopelessly and eternally in love with you. “ Her voice softened. “And there is nothing I want more than to be your wife and have your children. To fall asleep every night and wake up every morning in your arms. To spend the rest of my life by your side, no matter what. If you will have me.”

  * * *

  Michael stared at her, speechless. He swore his heart would burst through his chest at any moment. Assuming it ever started beating again.

  She looked into his eyes, a smirk dancing at the corners of that very kissable mouth. “How’s that?”

  “That’ll do,” he whispered. “That’ll do.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  St. Andrew’s church in Birch Falls was standing room only when Michael Seamus Connelly and Keely Liadan McRae took their vows. Conlan gave the bride away. Kyle and Johnny served as the groomsmen. Celina and Stacey, both now glowing with the radiance of their pregnancies, as the bridesmaids. Keely’s younger sisters, attending college in France, were unable to attend, but sent their best wishes along with a promise to visit on their next break.

  Those strapping Irish lads from Tommy’s made sure the media remained outside for the duration of the ceremony. The reception was to be closed as well. But as the bride and groom made their way to the limo, they were accosted by the press.

  “You’d think they’d never seen a missing heiress get married before,” Johnny muttered out of the side of his mouth. Michael smiled. He was taking it all in stride. At least until Simon MacKenzie appeared, waving legal papers and demanding media attention. The man was a consummate manipulator.

  “This marriage is bogus!” Simon declared emphatically, once he was sure all cameras were on him.

  “Why is that?” someone shouted, shoving a microphone into his face.

  “Because Keely McRae is already married,” he said, shocking the crowd into momentary silence. “To me.” He proceeded to hand out copies of seemingly official documents to anyone who wanted one. Keely felt the blood begin to boil in her veins as Michael’s hand tightened almost imperceptibly around her waist.

  “Wait for it,” he whispered.

  “Keely, is that true?” Reporters flocked to her, her bodyguards forced to form a tight circle around the wedding party.

  “Of course not,” she said, holding her head high. Her voice was strong and clear, holding more confidence than she felt. To all of these people, Simon was the grieving fiancé, his only crime being that he fell in love with a cold-hearted, calculating bitch who disappeared when she ripped out his heart. “Simon and I were never engaged, despite the lies he’s been feeding you.”

  Simon looked properly shocked. “You deny that you carry my child?”

  Keely gasped. How Simon had discovered her pregnancy she didn’t know, but one look at the suspiciously satisfied look in her new husband’s eyes was a big clue. She’d deal with him later.

  “Of course I deny it, you thieving, lying,—” Michael carefully pulled Keely back toward him, warning her with a discreet squeeze.

  Simon faced the sea of reporters, appearing every bit the wronged soul. He looked over at the newlyweds, expecting to see panic, but instead, all he saw was Michael, grinning from ear to ear. Keely thought he’d lost his mind. Out of the side of his mouth, Michael muttered, “Do you trust me?”

  “Implicitly,” she replied, equally quietly.

  A moment later, police cars cruised into the street outside the church, along with black sedans containing no less than a dozen federal agents. For the first time, Simon’s confidence faltered.

  “Simon MacKenzie, you are under arrest for murder, embezzlement, forgery, and multiple attempts to bribe government officials.”

  Cameras flashed wildly as they placed him in handcuffs. His face turned a nasty purple color. Questions were fired at the agents and policemen alike, but all they received was the by-the-book standard “no comment”. Simon was taken away, his eyes murderous as he looked back at Michael, who continued to smile happily at him. From Michael’s right, Ian gave a hearty wave followed by a thumbs-up.

  Media attention whiplashed back to the couple. Michael sobered and held up his hand. Amazingly, the crowd quieted for him. His deep, resonant voice rang out clearly. “S
imon MacKenzie has terrorized Keely McRae since she was a child. Now she can begin her new life. With me.”

  In front of God, guests, and national television cameras and crews, Michael took his new bride into his arms and kissed her so thoroughly that several women in the crowd nearly fainted.

  Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the limo, flanked on either side by the rest of the wedding party, including seven bodyguards that looked remarkably like the groom, except for their brilliant blue eyes.

  * * *

  Keely sat in her husband’s lap, sipping the lemonade he had ordered for her. “So what happens now?”

  “MacKenzie’s stay in the U.S. is being extended indefinitely,” Michael said with a satisfied gleam in his eye. “His lawyers are scrambling, even going so far as to claim diplomatic immunity. But the truth of the matter is, he is well and truly screwed, even if he does make it back to Scotland. A few of his ‘associates’ are already cutting deals to save their own asses, and it turns out MacKenzie pissed off a lot of very important people on both sides of the Atlantic.”

  “Not that I don’t already think you’re the most amazing man in the world,” she told him, “but how did you do it?”

  Michael flashed a sexy grin at her, while Lina groaned and rolled her eyes. “Oh, stop,” she said to Keely. “His head can barely fit through the door as it is.”

  Michael crumpled up a napkin and tossed it at his sister. “Just because you’re married don’t think I can’t still put you over my knee,” he warned, his voice fierce but his eyes playful.

  “I think I might have a problem with that,” Kyle spoke up. Lina looked at him adoringly. At least until he added with a wink, “But I’d be happy to have your back on that one.”

  “Really, Michael,” Stacey said. “How’d you do it?”

  “Wasn’t that hard, really,” he said, shrugging. “Once we got the cousins involved, it was all over for Simon.”

  “The Callaghans?” Keely asked. She’d met them at the reception, but had been too preoccupied with everything else going on to pay them much attention.