A Tempting Proposal

by Dara Girard

  James turned away. “That’s not it.”

  “She forced you to marry her,” Jackson said.

  “I know that.”

  “By having me locked up in a room with two thugs and telling me that I had to disappear for two days.” Jackson nodded at his brother’s look of surprise. “Yes, that’s the secret she wanted me to keep hidden from you. She was no innocent in this mess. I would have played my role and arrived at the reception as we’d agreed if she hadn’t interrupted our plans.”

  “What plans?” Edgar said.

  “It’s a long story,” James said. He looked at Jackson. “I still think you went too far. You shouldn’t have mentioned Grenada.”

  Jackson’s brows shot up. “Are you feeling sorry for that thing? That creature from the Black Lagoon?”

  “That’s enough.”

  “One of her thugs even punched me.”

  “I’m not saying what she did was right, but she’s a victim in all this too. Her father stole her from her mother and has been lying to her for years.”

  Edgar shook his head. “She won’t believe anything you say. Walter Bremmer was a master manipulator. That’s how he first tricked her mother into marrying him before showing his true colors. He even charmed the judge, but I was able to break through his façade.” He fixed James with a look. “I’ll tell you this only once. She doesn’t deserve you. Getting her out of our lives will be the best thing for everyone. I want her out by tomorrow.”

  James sighed resigned, then went to Ava’s room not surprised to see she was already gone. She’d left her ring behind on the pillow.

  Chapter 36

  Edgar retreated to his bedroom surprised by what he’d just heard. He sat on his bed and shook his head. Walter Bremmer had resurfaced in his life. Flo would have been shocked. He wished she was there to see how everything had unraveled. How the quiet little girl they’d briefly seen, had grown up. He hadn’t wanted to get involved initially, but when he told Flo about his office manager’s request to help her get custody of her only child, she was the one who’d urged him to testify in court against Walter. She had such a good heart.

  He grabbed her pillow, held it close and cried. He fought not to make a sound as the depths of his sorrow bubbled out. His joy and peace. His life. He’d married her for gain and lost his heart instead.

  He remembered kneeling by her bedside one last time. The light touch of her hand on his face, her weak smile. With all his money he couldn’t make her well.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” she said.

  “There’s something you should know,” he said, ready to reveal the truth that had been a guilty thorn in his heart.

  “I know Rudy was the real reason you married me. I know you wanted a child with special needs to improve your image and make you appear as someone you weren’t. I know you also chose my sons so that you could have them look up to you, depend on you and serve you. I know I was the last part of your plan, a wife that would an accessory to your ambition.” She took his hand. “I knew all that and I fell in love with you anyway. What does that say about me?”

  He took her hand, pressing it against his lips. “I was not a good man and this is my punishment.”

  “No, my darling. Think of all the years we’ve had together. Think of the man you’ve become. Take care of our boys for me.”

  “Always.”

  “And could you do something else for me? I know it will be hard but—”

  “Anything.”

  “Say the words.”

  He swallowed. He’d never realized in all the years they’d been married, he’d never said the words to her. The words that had lingered in his heart since the first day he’d told her she could stay the night with him. He closed his eyes against tears. The words were hard, words he’d never said to anyone. “I love you.”

  He opened his eyes, childishly wishing his words would have a magical affect and make her well again.

  “Thank you,” she said with a tired smile, but her eyes glowed with the light of youth and joy and he knew he’d made her happy with a gift that was priceless.

  Edgar remembered that gaze as he held her pillow, his tears as fresh as the pain in his heart, but he also felt gratitude. He carefully set the pillow back down, as if it were precious. He’d been able to say goodbye, to tell her how he felt. No one else had loved him like she had, it was a debt he would forever repay. And that meant keeping her boys safe, which he would do until his last breath.

  Chapter 37

  Walter stared at his daughter with a bored expression. When she’d arrived at his apartment, brimming with anger, he’d expected a fight and was ready.

  “What do you want?” he asked, opening the door wider.

  She marched past him into the dark, cramped room and slammed the door behind her, the sound echoing down the hallway. “They told me.”

  “What?”

  “The truth.”

  “What truth?”

  “About Mom.”

  Walter sniffed. “That’s one version of the story. The same story he used in court against me.”

  Ava stared at him. “So it is true?”

  Walter hesitated, he hadn’t imagined that she might have been doubting Edgar’s story. Now he’d confirmed it. He slapped the wall with the flat of his hand. “I had no choice! He stripped me of my life. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t sleeping with her at the time.”

  “That’s not the kind of man he is.”

  “You think you know him better now?” He sat down on a torn green couch the previous apartment owner had left behind. “You got used to the sweet life and you want to stay close, is that it?”

  Ava quickly looked around the dingy room. “You don’t have to live this way. I told you that I could help you get a better place.”

  “Now you’re looking down on me?”

  “You’re lucky I’m still talking to you at all. You lied and said that Mom left.”

  He shrugged. “You were better off without her. She didn’t realize how bright you were. You would have had a dull life with her. I wanted more for you. I gave you everything you needed.”

  “Except tenderness.”

  He winced at the word. “You didn’t need that. That would have made you soft.”

  “I thought so too, at first until I met—”

  “You were dumb enough to fall in love with him? He tossed you aside, didn’t he?” He looked at her with disdain. “You should see yourself. Look at how his soft touch has made you weak. Pathetic. That’s what your mother did too. Coddled you.”

  Ava looked at him with sadness. “You can’t say it, can you?”

  “Say what?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Why would I say something I don’t feel? You have a lot to thank me for. I hope one day you’ll see it. They did steal my life. They damaged my reputation. And now they’re trying to steal you away from me. Will you let them?”

  “No, Dad. I’m not being taken from you because you can’t lose something you’ve never owned.”

  Chapter 38

  “I don’t know what to say,” Camy said, her voice filled with dismay over the phone. “I always thought there might be something fishy about your father’s story, but I never imagined this. He actual kidnapped you?”

  Ava sat alone in her apartment on her hard couch, gripping her cell phone as if it were a life line. “Yes.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know where to begin. I want to find my mother, but I’m scared.”

  “What are you going to do about James? I know how you feel about him.”

  “It’s over now.”

  Camy paused. “Give it time. Maybe—”

  “There’s too much to overcome. I have no one else to blame but myself. I had many chances to turn back and I didn’t. You should have seen how I accused his stepfather of cheating and when Jackson tells him what I did to him after the wedding, I’m sure he’ll never want to see me again.�
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  “You know you can always come and visit. Actually I’ll be entertaining another of my aunt’s students. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Ava smiled. “Thanks, but I don’t think I’d be good company.”

  “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ava disconnected and hugged herself, looking around the room. her apartment was a big improvement from the place where her father was staying, but not by much.

  She’d never felt so cold. So alone. She hadn’t realized how used to warmth she’d become. A warmth that had always been empty from her life, so she never missed it. She missed it now. Craved it. Wanted to fight the bone chilling ache inside her. She had no anger to fuel and warm her, leaving her hollow.

  She felt as if she’d lost the only home she’d ever known. Even though it hadn’t been real, it had felt real. It had felt safe. She missed James holding her, the feel of him in bed beside her, a feeling of belonging.

  She began to drift off to sleep when she heard a soft knock on her front door. She looked through the peephole but the person was out of range. Was it her father? Had he come to apologize? Or was it Jackson coming to gloat?

  “Who is it?”

  “James.”

  She rubbed her hands together, trying to bank down her excitement. She couldn’t jump to conclusions, she didn’t know why he wanted to see her. She took a deep breath and opened the door. “Yes?”

  “Can I come in?”

  She hesitated then silently stepped back.

  He sent a wary look at the couch then turned to her. “Why do you have a couch made up of textbooks?”

  “My father and I used to move a lot and he didn’t much care for furniture. But his books were his treasure so I learned to make use of them and he didn’t complain. I guess I got used to it. I could get you a chair.”

  He shook his head and sat down. “I don’t want to get too comfortable.” He shook his head again, looking perplexed. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I shouldn’t even be here.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we’re not going to work.”

  Her heart fell. She knew he couldn’t forgive her. She sat down beside him, but looked straight ahead. “I see.”

  “Lies,” he said with a tired sigh. “That’s all we have between us. And now we’ve added my family’s distrust. Do you think you can survive that? Do you want to?”

  “Yes.”

  He turned sharply to her, amazed. “What?”

  “I said yes.” She licked her lower lip. “I want to be with you.”

  He covered his eyes. “Then I need to find a way to fix this. Any ideas?” He glanced at her when she didn’t respond. “Why are you smiling?”

  “You really still want to be with me?”

  He nodded.

  She closed her eyes and sighed with relief. She felt some warmth slipping back into her and leaned against him. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “You may still lose me.”

  She straightened and stared at him, the cold, lost feeling returning.

  “I have responsibilities,” he said in a grim tone. “Do you think my brother Rudy can take any more changes? Do you think I want to live the rest of my life alienated from my brother and stepfather? It’s not a choice I can make lightly.”

  “I understand,” she said, even though it hurt.

  “No, I don’t think you do. I don’t think you know what it’s like to be ripped in two. To always try to do the right thing even though it kills you.”

  “I lived most of my life believing a lie. Hating the Fortunes, it felt like a betrayal falling in love with you, but I did.”

  His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How do I know that this isn’t part of your plan too?”

  “What?”

  “You wanted the Fortunes destroyed,” he said in an even tone. “This could be the ultimate way to do it. I run off with you and then months from now you leave and my family is divided forever.”

  Ava gasped, shocked by his words. “If you think I’m capable of—”

  “No,” he said softly. He lightly touched her cheek. “I’m just throwing out a theory. Unfortunately, my stepfather is adamant that we can’t be together.”

  “I could try to win him over.”

  James flashed a sour grin. “That would take a miracle. Once you’ve lost his trust, there’s no way back.”

  “How about your trust?” He fell silent and his hesitation hurt her, but she fought not to let it show. “You don’t have to answer that. All I ask for is some time.”

  “Time?”

  “Wait for me,” Ava said, resting her head on his shoulder, wanting to be close, even though he still felt far away. She had a renewed sense of purpose. “I’ll win over your stepfather no matter what it takes.” And I’ll fully win your heart too.

  Chapter 39

  She was bold. He had to give her that.

  Edgar studied Ava as she sat in his office. He tapped a finger against his large oak desk, ready for a match. His assistant had announced her arrival and he’d considered ignoring her request, but then succumbed out of curiosity. It had been a week since she’d left the house.

  “You have five minutes.”

  “I only need two. As you know I’ve been studying BioMed Solutions closely.”

  He steepled his fingers and nodded.

  “And I have a proposal.” She placed a report in front of him.

  Edgar briefly flipped through it then stopped on one page. “You want me to cut two of my divisions?”

  “I believe you can sell them off for a large profit, and then focus your company’s efforts on its highest performing divisions, while also incorporating the new product my company has developed. I believe by doing so you could increase profits a hundredfold.”

  “I don’t need you for that. We signed an agreement, you can’t back out now. Your company has already been folded into BioMed Solutions. I got what I wanted for the business. And let’s not forget that you have benefitted financially and will continue to do so.”

  “I’m still legally married to James. Ava Hughes is my legal name. My father completed all the correct paperwork.”

  “Divorcing James won’t be too painful. There’s still the prenup. Once you leave you get nothing.” He smiled. “What’s your next move?”

  “Flo.”

  His smile disappeared. “Don’t you—”

  “I’m sorry. I was wrong about you and I shouldn’t have accused you, especially in front of your family. But I’ll admit that I’m not really here for your sake or even mine, although I do love James. I’m here because of her.” She glanced at the framed picture of Flo on his desk. “She taught me so much, but one thing she showed me was that it was okay to be vulnerable. That strength comes in many forms. Her love for her family made her strong at her weakest moment. I know she taught you that too.”

  Edgar shook his head. “It won’t work. I don’t want you near my family.”

  “Why not? You and I are the same. We both married for selfish reasons and we both lost our hearts. The difference is…I didn’t have to wait years to find out.”

  Edgar rose to his feet. “You should go.”

  Ava remained seated. “You stood up for me once. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I’d been raised by my mother, but it’s good to know that someone was looking out for me. If nothing else, let that little girl pay you back.”

  Edgar slowly sat down. “You’re definitely tenacious,” he said with reluctant admiration. “A knockout punch.”

  “What?”

  He held out his hand. “You have a deal.”

  Chapter 40

  “What should I do with this?” Abigail asked James as he and Jackson sat watching TV in the great room. He looked up to see what she was holding in her hand and saw it was one of Ava’s mangas. “I found it under the couch in the library.”

  “Thanks.”

  He reached for it, but Jackson sn
atched it first. “I’ll make sure she gets it,” he said.

  Abigail nodded and walked away.

  James glared at him and held out his hand. “Give it back.”

  “No.”

  “I want to return it to her myself.”

  Jackson returned his attention to the TV. James reached for the manga, but Jackson held him off. James grabbed him by the collar. “I’m not playing.”

  Jackson grabbed him by the throat. “Neither am I.”

  “You really want to fight me for this?”

  “If I have to.”

  James pushed him away in disgust. “You can’t stop me from seeing her.”

  Jackson smoothed out his collar then returned his attention to the TV.

  “What are you doing here anyway?”

  “Making sure she doesn’t come back. I heard she visited Rudy’s shop and had a meeting with Edgar.”

  “So what?”

  “That means she’s up to something.”

  James opened his mouth to reply, but another voice cut him off. “He’s right.”

  The two men turned and saw Ava standing in the entryway. Before they could speak she walked up to Jackson and said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I had you kidnapped and held and that Camy’s boyfriend punched you.”

  His brows shot up. “That was her boyfriend?”

  “You weren’t really in any danger, I just wanted you to think so. Will you ever forgive me?”

  Jackson frowned, but not as fierce as he had in the past. “I don’t know—”

  “You might as well surrender,” Edgar said, coming up behind her. He rested his hand on her shoulder. “She’s not one to give up easily and you might as well get used to her. She’s still part of the family.” He looked at James. “Of course how long she stays that way depends on you.”

  Ava looked at him, anxious, not sure what he would say. “I know I need more time to win your trust,” she said quickly, “but let’s talk alone before you say anything.”

  James stood and sighed. “I don’t want to talk.” He held out his hand. “I want to be by your side when you’re finally reunited with your mother.”