“That is actually something I’d like to talk about mom. Your safety.”
“My safety? Oh, honey, you don’t need to worry yourself about that. We have it under control.”
Aisha walks into the room and announces that they are ready for Phoenix and Raeva, effectively leaving my mom and me alone in the relaxation room. I know it’s all up to me now. I take another deep breath.
“Mom, your safety is not under control. In fact, I believe you are in great danger.”
She blinks.
“The senator doesn’t know that I am here, he still thinks I am dead. And once we get him behind bars I ca—.”
“Mom, stop,” I interrupt her. “I am sorry but you are being manipulated and I can’t take it.”
“Manipulated? What in the world are you talking about?”
“Mom, I have to show you something. I would tell you, but I think it is better if you see it for yourself.”
I reach under my chair and pull out the laptop that River prepared for me. I pat the empty seat beside me.
“Please mom, come sit next to me.”
She obliges silently.
I start to click and find the files with newspaper articles and also proof that Jackson’s ex-wife is still very much alive. I show her the files on Agent Harvey and how he has been connected to many cases involving dad. I show her everything, and she just stares blankly at the screen.
“Mom? Say something.”
She frowns.
“Do you really hate your father so much, that you are going through these lengths to make him look like a monster?”
“Wait…what?”
“He warned me, that you kids would try to come up with something. He told me that you are angry at him for helping hide me. But you’re wrong. Your father is a good man. And even after this, he will still love you, just like I still love you. But I can’t listen to this nonsense anymore, Mikaela.”
She rises and starts to walk to the door.
“Mom, wait. Please.”
Her hand hovers above the doorknob. I am about to plead again when the door opens and Mika appears. Mom steps aside to let him in and that is when I notice that he’s not alone. He’s followed by a man I recognize from the picture in the file as Agent Lenn Harvey. Mom smiles when she sees him, but her face falls almost instantly. I follow her gaze behind him and notice a woman that I also recognize from the file as Senator Jackson’s first wife. Mom’s eyes widen and the color drains from her face.
“No, no, no. This isn’t possible,” she mutters over and over again.
She grabs her head with both hands and cradles it there. She stands there for long minutes, muttering the same words to herself, eyes covered by her hands. Suddenly, she drops to her knees and I rush over to her. I put my arm around her in an effort to soothe her.
“It wasn’t him. It was me,” she whispers. “I remember. I remember everything.”
My head snaps up and I search for Mika. He’s not wearing his stoic mask right now, he’s looking genuinely concerned.
“Mom?” he says, stepping towards us.
She looks up, her eyes wet in tears. She directs her attention to the senator’s ex-wife.
“I’m so sorry, for what happened. I am happy to see that you’re okay.”
She nods.
“Your son has filled me in, Audrey. I know what you thought all those years. And for what it’s worth, I am sorry too. For the part I played in this. I deserved your reaction after what you walked in on.”
Mom gives her a weak smile.
Raeva appears in the doorway and walks over.
“Mrs. Gilyard? Why don’t you follow me? I’ll make sure you get a ride home.”
She hesitates for a moment, but then nods and follows Rae out of the room.
Agent Harvey clears his throat.
“I don’t suppose it will really make a difference to you, but I am sorry.”
Mika speaks before mom can even respond.
“Your purpose for coming here has been fulfilled. I don’t think there is anything left to say. You are lucky if we don’t press charges. Leave,” he says coldly.
The man doesn’t argue, he simply nods and leaves the room with a lowered head.
At least he has the decency to feel ashamed. I angrily think to myself.
“He’s taken years from us. Years. How did I let this happen?” she mutters, her tone defeated.
Mika reaches down and helps mom up.
“We have time to make up, yes. But we have you back now, and we will find a way to make him pay,” he tells her.
“He needs to go to jail for what he did to me. To us.”
“We will get what we need to take him down,” Mika assures her. “In the meantime, you can stay with Raeva and me until we get you your own place. There is no way you are going back to that house all by yourself, not while he’s still out there.”
I’m not sure if he expects her to argue, but he looks relieved when Mom nods. She puts an arm around each of us.
“I am so sorry,” she sobs.
I wrap both my arms around her, and not for the first time today Mika surprises me by doing the same.
“Mason Kingsley has a lot to answer for. And mark my words mom, he will. If it’s the last thing I do,” Mika vows.
It’s been a few days since everything went down at Serenity Spa. The news that Audrey Kingsley is alive and back in New York is on the front page of every newspaper and the topic of every gossip rag there is. The paparazzi hounds seem to have quadrupled overnight, and it has become nearly impossible to leave the building. Every single one of us has been hounded relentlessly, and we all need a break. So, when my brother suggested this morning that we all take a little trip to the Isle Kingsley in Fiji, we all jump on board with that plan. Mika purchased Isle Kingsley a few years back and has built a small and very exclusive resort there. Since we were heading to an all-inclusive resort where we would have pretty much whatever we need, everyone was packed within the hour. And Mika being Mika had everything ready to go. We have quite a big group going, Mika, Raeva, Phoenix, River, mom, Jill, Ben, and of course Eric and myself. We had to fly to Nadi International airport, then drive to the other side of Viti Levu, before taking a boat to our island. But while all of this travel was exhausting to say the least, the view alone makes up for that tenfold. Saying that Isle Kingsley is spectacular is quite an understatement. When we dock, we get greeted by Joni, he is one of our staff at the resort. He guides us toward the resort. I am so ready to lay out on the beach and unwind. Eric and I literally dump our bags in the room and get changed into our swimsuits. And it seems that the rest of the gang had the same idea. When we arrive at the beach Raeva is already laying out on a beautiful and gigantic daybed. She is laying on the first of 4 that are lined up. Each of them fit 2 people. They are crafted from a beautiful wood and then draped with see-through white fabric and covered with white cushions. We walk over to the adjoining bed and drop our belongings. I look at my sister-in-law. Her belly is growing bigger every day it seems. She looks beautiful and radiant. I smile big as I approach.
“I thought you guys said you were going to nap?”
“Mika insisted I take a nap, I insisted on being outside. I found this bed. We compromised,” she says with a shrug.
Mika who is rubbing suntan oil on Rae’s legs grumbles something I can’t quite make out. It makes me laugh. My attention turns to River and Phoenix, who are laughing and frolicking in the ocean, like teenagers. They are adorable. Mom is the last one to join us. And boy does she still look incredible. It is hard to believe that she has two adult children. Mom takes refuge next to Raeva on the daybed, since Mika is plastered to his wife on her side. We spend the day like this, on the beach, just being together and enjoying each other’s company. For the first time in quite a while, I feel relaxed. A little later in the afternoon Phoenix and I go up to the private cabana for massages. We are greeted by two female masseuses. They instruct us to get undressed and slide under the
blanket on the tables. They leave and shut the privacy curtains behind them. After a few minutes, one peeks her head in to make sure we are ready. And when she sees that we are, they both enter. The one that introduced herself as Elisapeci walks to the front and opens up the privacy curtains, revealing a spectacular ocean view. I am not sure how long this massage lasted, but I am thoroughly limp and sated when they quietly take their leave. The two of us just lay there for a while, basking in our euphoric feelings.
“Wow,” Phoenix breathes. “I have never even had a massage. And now my very time I am having one, it is on this amazing island, with the most idyllic view in the world. It’s mind-blowing.”
“The view is beautiful,” I agree.
“I hope I get time to paint some while I’m here. Who knows when I will ever have the chance to do something like this again?”
“Phoenix, you can come here whenever you want. You know that right? All you have to do is tell Mika you want to go, and he will make it happen. Besides, you can go anywhere you want, whenever you want. You understand that you have money now, like quite a bit of it.”
She sighs.
“I don’t feel like it’s mine though. Like it isn’t right for me to spend that money. I didn’t earn it.”
I lean on my elbows.
“You’re a Kingsley, Phoenix. And you need to start getting used to it. It isn’t shameful to inherit money. It is just different because you were not aware that it was coming. And besides, you can use it as a start capital for whatever it is you want to do. Both Mika and I made more money from our businesses than we got from grandpa. You can do the same. Mika will help you set up any business you want. Our brother is a genius you know?”
Phoenix smiles.
“He does seem to have a knack for business. I wonder if he can help me save the dance studio.” She muses.
“Dance studio?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“Yeah, I teach dance classes at this small studio. I even compete sometimes.”
“Oh, wow really? I can’t wait to see you dance!” I tell her excitedly. “And I am sure that Mika would love to help you with anything.”
“Great. I’ll be sure to ask him about it later.” She says shyly.
I make a mental note to mention it to Mika myself, I have a feeling that Phoenix might chicken out. We lay there for a while longer. We don’t speak, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable. The sound of the water rolling onto the shore combined with the gentle breeze has me dozing off.
* * *
I’m not sure how long I was out, but I am awakened by the sweetest kiss on my lips. My eyes flutter open, and I am greeted by the handsomest face I know. I am surprised to notice that it is already golden hour. The sky has a beautiful reddish glow that is simply breathtaking.
“Well hello there, sleeping beauty,” he says.
I smile sleepily.
“Hello there, Prince Charming,” I reply.
He chuckles.
“I brought you a dress, we are having family dinner in a bit. I thought you and I could have a little walk on the beach before dinner? Spend a little alone time?”
“That sounds heavenly,” I tell him as I sit up.
I forgot that I was naked under the blankets until I hear Eric suck in a breath.
“If you don’t cover up soon, we might not make it to dinner,” he nearly growls.
I lower myself to the ground and close the distance between us. I throw my arms around his neck and press my naked body against his fully dressed one.
“Oh, Lady Kingsley, you are playing a dangerous little game here.”
I stand on the tips of my toes and press a sweet kiss against his lips.
“I laugh at the face of danger,” I whisper against his mouth.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says as he hoists me up and wraps my legs around him.
Our mouths meet in a teeth-clashing hungry kiss that has the heat pooling between my thighs. Eric’s hands are greedily roaming all over my body, igniting every inch of it with desire. It isn’t until my toes curl in the sand that I realize that he’s lowered me. We are standing in front of the massage table when he instructs me to turn around. He bends me over the table and slides a hand into my hair. He grabs tightly and pulls my hair.
“I am going to fuck you now, Mikaela. I am going to fuck you hard. And I want you to watch this sunset while I make you lose your mind,” he roughly breathes into my ear.
If I wasn’t wet before, his words would have done the trick. I want him so much.
I can feel him aligning himself at my entrance and when he slides the tip of his cock through my wet folds, up and down, and up and down, I am nearly ready to beg. I open my mouth to do just that when he slams into me, filling me so completely, so impossibly full that I cry out in pleasure. His hands are kneading my hips as he hammers into me with deliciously punishing strokes. And just when I think that this can’t feel any better, his clever hand snakes around and finds that bundle of nerves, playing it like an instrument. I can feel it originating from my toes, and I scream his name as I get overtaken by the most mind-blowing orgasm of my life. I can barely feel my legs, and I am sure that if he wasn’t holding me up I would have collapsed. But he’s not done with me yet, he’s still pounding into me and his hands have moved from my hips to my breasts. Kneading my ample flesh and rolling my nipples between his fingers. He knows exactly what my body needs to explode. It isn’t long before I start feeling that familiar build to ecstasy.
“I’m almost there, baby.” He grunts. “I want you there with me.”
“I’m. Close.” I gasp.
I’m teetering at the edge of oblivion when he roughly growls my name. The rough edge to his voice sends me over the edge, and I am overtaken by waves and waves of pleasure. I mutter a sound of protest when Eric pulls out of me. Having him inside of me just makes me feel…whole. He chuckles. He steps away, but I am too utterly sated at the moment to find the will to investigate. I’m still bent over the table, too content to move. He’s back behind me moments later, cleaning me up with a soft towel. There is a small rinse station next to the cabana and Eric lifts and cradles me against his chest as he carries me there. We rinse off together, gazing into each other’s eyes and sharing long passionate kisses. It’s getting dark when we finally emerge. I slip into my bikini and pull the dress Eric brought over my head.
“Dinner should be soon. Will you take a walk with me?” he says holding out his hand.
“Yes,” I reply with a content smile. “I’ll follow you anywhere.”
He pulls the back of my hand to his mouth and kisses it, before tugging me along. We walk for a while along the water. Eric is unusually quiet, almost like he’s brooding.
“A penny for your thoughts,” I tell him.
A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“I feel like we’ve had this discussion before. I told you, my thoughts are worth a lot more than a penny.”
“Hmmmm, I seem to remember that your price was pretty steep. A kiss for every thought?” I tease.
“Hey lady, take it or leave it,” he shoots back.
“I think I gave you a pretty big down payment back there a bit ago,” I counter. “But if that wasn’t enough…”
I stop walking and stand on the tips of my toes, which is kind of moot since they just disappear into the sand. But Eric is a good sport and leans in so I can kiss him. I claim his lips in a smoldering and possessive kiss. I reluctantly pull away, but my curiosity wins out. He takes my hand and we continue to walk.
“Are you going to tell me what is on your mind?” I ask after a moment of silence.
“Let’s sit for a moment,” he says gesturing at a spot.
I oblige, and we sit side by side facing the ocean.
“Do you know what the hardest part about being without you was?” he asks suddenly.
The question takes me by surprise. I am at a loss for words, so I just shake my head.
“Remembering
everything about you, every perfect inch, every perfect kiss. Every fucking perfect thing about us, and knowing that you didn’t even remember. It killed me that I sat there loving you and pining for you and you didn’t even fucking remember.”
I scoff.
“Silly man. You were the lucky one, at least you knew that I wanted you. I pined for you, Eric. I thought that you didn’t want me, that you only ever would see me as a little sister figure. Even when I didn’t remember us, I loved you.”
His head snaps to face me, story silver irises searching mine.
“You did?”
“I did.”
“I don’t want to be without you anymore, Mik. I don’t want to wake up or go to bed another day in my life without having you there. You are my reason, my sanity, my everything. And I will simply not survive losing you again. And I will make sure that will never happen. I need you to be mine, Mikaela.”
“Oh Eric, for such a smart man you can be pretty dumb sometimes. Don’t you know that I am yours? That I have always been yours, and that I will always be yours?”
“Do you promise?”
“I swear it,” I vow.
Suddenly he rises and pulls me to my feet and spins me around. I see a huge fire he starts to briskly walk towards it, nearly dragging me along with him. The closer we get to the fire I see that it isn’t a bonfire like I thought. It is a large installation that has something written on it, the letters are on fire, lighting up the evening sky. I stop walking as I read the words. I spin to face Eric, but he’s knelt before me and takes my hand.
“Lady Kingsley. There isn’t a man on this planet that will worship you like I do, because I won’t let that happen. I swear to you that not a day will go by without you knowing with absolute certainty that you are loved, respected and cared for. You swore to me that you would always be mine, and I intend to keep you to that. I want it to be official, legal and all. Please say yes.”
Forever Tomorrow: Kingsley Series Book 4 Page 8
