“Vaguely.” The passing of time along with my slightly inebriated state that night had made the details foggy. I distinctly remembered Sophia’s brief appearance the night of my bachelorette party, however.
“That’s Fiona’s new man.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Wow. Him?”
“I guess they’ve been seeing each other for a while, but now she wants to introduce him to the family.”
“That’s a big step.” Considering I hadn’t met or known of any of Fiona’s boyfriends, I couldn’t imagine how her new beau might be received. Then again, her family had been nothing but welcoming and kind to me.
“I know. I can’t wait to see how it goes down.”
I leaned back in my chair. “I feel like I’ve missed a lot.”
“That’s bound to happen when you leave the country for weeks and don’t read any of your emails.”
“No kidding. It’ll take me a month to weed through everything. Even if it does, though, it’ll have been worth it.”
My thoughts skipped through any number of the incredible memories that Blake and I had shared on our trip. A part of me wanted to tell Alli about our baby discussion, but I wasn’t completely ready to share all my hopes and fears around that topic yet. Time would tell, and no matter what happened, I knew she’d be there for me when I needed her.
“Maybe you can give me the highlights over lunch.”
“Sure.” Alli fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
“What’s up?”
“Um, well…”
“Alli…”
“You just got back. I don’t want to bombard you.”
“I came to work prepared to be bombarded. Fire away.”
Her pretty brown eyes dimmed slightly. “It’s about Max.”
I waited for her to continue.
“He had his sentencing… for the assault.”
“Oh.” I’d made my statement months ago, and with everything else that had happened between the time he attacked me and now, I’d put the trial out of my mind. I’d said my piece and could only hope for justice now. “So what did they decide?”
“They found him guilty.”
“Wow. I never realized how good it would feel to hear those words.”
Relief washed over me, but the peaceful sentiment quickly mixed with the hundred other emotions that I’d attached to Max and what he’d done to me. Anger and uneasiness that so many people in our worlds knew what a compromising position he’d put me in. The smallest recognition of guilt even, that Max was facing justice because of my cooperation. His life would be changed forever by this. And yet, I reminded myself that I’d done nothing to instigate his attack. He’d drugged me and cornered me alone. If Blake hadn’t intervened, Max could have raped me. Even though he hadn’t, I believe that he would have.
“He got two and a half years.”
My throat went tight, and I closed my eyes. My body seemed to react to the news before my head had a chance to really comprehend it. A minute passed and I found my voice. “That’s half the maximum sentence.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
Nodding slowly, I straightened the papers on my desk that were already neatly ordered. “Well, that’s justice for you.”
“At least they’re going to put him away. Even if it’s not as long as he deserves.”
Max was losing his freedom, at least for a little while. I wanted to celebrate that small victory, but a part of me couldn’t trust that it would be enough to atone for what he’d done.
* * *
BLAKE
“Oh, I’ve missed you two!”
My mother clapped and went in for a hug. I bent to accommodate her shorter stature. One would think I’d just come home from war, but I could never blame her for loving too much. That was her way, and when she switched her attention to Erica, I was all the more grateful for it. The two women swayed side to side a bit, and any last-minute regrets I might have had about buying our forever home a few houses down from my parents’ disappeared.
Erica deserved a family, and I couldn’t ask for a better one than mine. I hadn’t always appreciated them, but that was rapidly changing with Erica in my life.
My mother glanced between the two of us, up and down, giving us the full assessment. “Erica, you look better than I’ve ever seen you. Truly. All that travel must have been good for your soul.”
Erica glanced up at me. “I think it was.”
My mother smiled, her eyes wrinkling in the corners. She was an attractive woman, full of a contagious kind of energy, even more so with my father at her side. My father joined us, wearing his favorite apron. He wore the house chef title proudly since retiring. I used to see my parents and take their easy manner together for granted. Now I saw a familiar version of Erica and me. I saw forever with a woman I wanted to grow old with.
Dad slapped my arm and hugged Erica. “How are the lovebirds?”
“We’re great, Dad.”
He nodded toward the dining room, where my sister, Fiona, sat next to an unfamiliar man. “You came back just in time to meet the new guy.”
“Oh! Yes, you have to meet Parker.” A second later, Catherine was pulling us into the room and introducing us to the apparent guest of honor.
He stood. “Blake, pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
We shook hands, and Erica and I sat down across from the couple. I sized up the man whose arm was draped around the back of my sister’s chair. Parker appeared to be my age, maybe slightly younger. Dark blond hair stylishly cut. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a button-down. He didn’t look particularly expensive, but like he’d put an appropriate amount of time into his appearance.
His and Fiona’s fingers hooked loosely together as my mother served up Dad’s famous homemade meatloaf. I would have been a little more excited about a home-cooked meal and catching up with everyone, but found myself distracted by Parker. He turned and murmured something in Fiona’s ear. She grinned and leaned into his touch.
I cleared my throat loudly, interrupting their moment. “So how did you two meet?”
Fiona’s eyes widened. The question had come out with less finesse than I’d intended, but I was eager to know more about this stranger who meant enough to her to introduce to the family. I was also hoping to get him to stop nuzzling her at the table.
“Um,” she started.
“We met at your wife’s bachelorette party,” Parker said, never taking his eyes off Fiona.
“Is that so?” I hadn’t been wild about Erica going out on the town in the very tight, very short dress she wore that night, but naively I hadn’t really considered Fiona being approached. My jaw tightened, a reflex to the unwelcome thought of Parker or anyone else getting physical with her after she’d been drinking.
“He was bartending, and he got my number before we left,” Fiona said, her voice sweet and light.
I relaxed a little, her words having amended the vision my mind had conjured. Fiona was my sister first, but she had also been a good business partner, always focused and on point when she was dealing with my properties. I wasn’t used to seeing her distracted, and while I’d always protect her as her big brother, she hadn’t given me too many opportunities to. Perhaps because our brother Heath had required so much attention for so long. Now her new love interest was sitting across from me, not nearly as uncomfortable as I wanted him to be considering he was very likely fucking my sister.
“So that’s what you do? Bartend?” I’d never been an elitist, but for some reason I couldn’t resist the temptation to knock him down a peg.
“Blake…” Fiona’s voice lowered.
“I’m in grad school,” he continued, leveling a steady stare my way. “I bartend to make ends meet. My parents aren’t putting me through school, so I’m paying my own way.”
My father chimed in then. “That’s very commendable, Parker. There’s nothing quite like owning your successes. We’re not strangers to hard work, are we, Blak
e?”
“I’m certainly not,” I replied. “I can’t speak for Heath, of course.”
Heath smiled and made an offensive gesture, which thankfully our mother didn’t notice. We chuckled, and the tension was broken for the time being. Dad had made his point. My wealth had changed our circumstances, but we’d come from a blue-collar family. Maybe I’d give Parker the benefit of the doubt, but not until I knew more about him.
“Erica, will you tell us about the new project you all are working on?” my mother asked. “Greg and I have been wanting to hear about it.”
Apparently I was the only one interested in grilling the new guy, so I let Erica and Alli take over the conversation and talk about their work.
As dinner progressed, Parker made small talk with my parents and the others. If he’d been put off by my interrogation, he made no sign of it. By my side, Erica had barely touched her food. Her fork trailed through her potatoes.
“You okay, baby?”
She glanced up at me with a small smile. “I’m fine. I think I’m just exhausted. It was a long first day back.”
Her words reminded me of my own fatigue. We’d hit the ground running as soon as we got back, which I was regretting about now. “Do you want to go rest?”
Eyes closed, she exhaled heavily. “I think so. I’m sorry, Greg. Dinner was amazing. Can I take some home with me?”
My mother got up from her chair. “Of course! Let me make you a plate.”
Erica moved to leave, and I rose with her.
“I’ll walk you home,” I said.
“You don’t have to.”
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, grazing her cheek with the backs of my fingers. “I’d feel better if I did.”
She placed a hand on my chest and smiled. “I’m fine. Enjoy time with your family. I’ll see you when you get back. You don’t have to rush.”
I placed my hand over hers, rolling the pads of my fingertips over the diamond bands on her ring finger. Damnit, I hadn’t seen her all day, and sharing her with my family tonight wasn’t the same. I’d grown addicted to having her all to myself. As much as I’d neglected matters at work this past month, at a few points today I had entertained the idea of taking off with her again as soon as we could.
I relented. “All right, but call me if you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine.” She brushed a kiss against my lips and left us for the night.
We finished dinner, and while my parents busied themselves with packing up the leftovers, Heath, Parker, and I had lingered around the table.
“So how’s married life treating you?” Heath said, leaning way back in his chair.
“Very well.” I reached for my beer, tipping the bottle to my lips. The past month had contained some of the best days of my life, and I was looking forward to many more.
“I still can’t fucking believe you’re married.”
I lifted my hand, examining the thin platinum band I’d chosen. “Believe it.”
Parker cleared his throat. “How about you, Heath? Are you and Alli looking to tie the knot?”
Heath lifted his eyebrows and let out a short laugh. “Not sure that’s any of your business just yet.”
Parker shrugged. “Just curious. I’m new here. I mean, when you find the right person…” He looked past us, to where Alli and Fiona sat chatting together in the living room.
I straightened in my seat, my muscles flinching under my sleeves, preparing to knock Parker into next week. “You’ve been seeing my sister all of a month.”
He took a swig of his beer. “Closer to three, but who’s counting?”
Heath shook his head with a laugh. “Can’t argue with that, Blake. You locked Erica down with a ring after a few months.”
“She’s different,” I muttered.
Parker cocked an eyebrow. “How so?”
“She doesn’t have any big brothers, for one,” I said, the threat in my voice unmistakable.
He pursed his lips with a nod. “Fair enough. Do you have some hoops you want me to jump through? Bank statements or something?”
I smiled. He had no idea, but I’d know more about his life than any employer would in a few hours. Bank statements would be the least of my findings. I shook my head. “Not necessary. If I have a problem with you, you’ll know it. In the meantime, be good to her. Very good. She probably won’t tell one of us if you break her heart, but I’ll make a point to find out if you do.”
“And what makes you think I’m going to break her heart?”
“Grabbing girls’ phone numbers at nightclubs isn’t a great testimonial.”
He relaxed back in his chair. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be guilty until proven innocent when it comes to you?”
Parker’s cool demeanor reminded me too much of my own. I wasn’t sure if I liked that about him, or if Fiona should be running for the fucking hills. Either way, I wasn’t going to waste any time scrounging up every last shred of information I could on him.
“Dessert, boys!” my mother called out from the kitchen.
“Thank Christ,” Heath muttered.
I smiled inwardly, all too aware of Heath’s general disinterest in dealing with conflict. He was the fun-loving one. He’d have better luck getting information out of Parker over drinks and a game of pool. Unfortunately, Parker would probably get more out of Heath, walk away with an ally, and then I’d have two skulls to crack. Such was my life as the eldest child and one I’d grown to accept.
I entertained a flurry of questions from Alli about the trip over dessert and took the first chance to excuse myself. The sky had grown dark. Erica was probably sleeping, but I didn’t want to be away from her any longer than I had to. We’d spent nearly every minute together for the past month, and as much as I’d craved her presence before the honeymoon, I was downright dependent on it now.
I crept into our bedroom. The lamp at her bedside table cast a warm glow across her features, peaceful in sleep. My mother was right. Erica looked better, a thousand times better, than when we’d left. She never seemed to attach any great importance to her beauty, but that didn’t diminish it. She took my breath away. In simple moments like this, wearing nothing but one of my T-shirts, she was a goddess, made just for me. Her chest moved with her steady breaths. I wanted to touch her, kiss her breathless, and make her mine.
Instead I switched off the light and left the room without a sound.
CHAPTER FOUR
ERICA
I poked at my eggs and toast, no less exhausted than I’d been the night before. I wanted to blame the time difference for my restless sleep, but my thoughts had been a jumble all day and likely had carried over into the night.
I’d wanted to talk to Blake about Max’s sentencing, but a part of me was still coming to terms with it on my own. With all the money and influence behind the Pope family, I should have been grateful that he would serve any time at all. Men like him usually got a slap on the wrist for having their way with unwilling pretty girls. Mark hadn’t been any different. A young man of privilege who had skirted past consequence for years.
Max too had grown up in the lap of luxury, with an incredibly successful family behind him. Now he’d be spending every day behind bars in the company of criminals. Would his hatred for Blake and me only amplify in that time? Or could he possibly change for the better? It was all too much to comprehend.
Blake stood silently in front of the coffeemaker, mug in hand, while the pot filled.
“Eager, are we?”
He made an unintelligible sound and rubbed his forehead.
“Were you up late?”
“Later than I expected.” Unwilling to wait any longer, he filled his mug, placing the pot back in the cradle with a sizzle.
“Catching up with Heath?”
He turned toward me, his eyes tired. “No, something else.”
“What did you think of Parker? You were giving him the third degree.”
He sighed and slid a hand
through his disheveled hair. “Yeah. I don’t know. Something about him put me on edge, I guess. But he checked out fine.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Before he could answer, a loud knock startled me.
“I’ll get it.” He set his mug down and moved for the door. Beyond the threshold stood a man dressed in a brown suit.
“Blake Landon?”
Blake’s stance in front of the stranger was wide and defensive. “That’s me. Who the hell are you?”
The man narrowed his eyes at Blake, and my stomach burst into a flurry of nerves. Blake’s cockiness had no bounds at times.
“I’m Agent Evans. I’m with the FBI.” He flipped open his wallet, revealing his ID. “Can I come in?”
“No, but you can tell me what the fuck you’re here for.”
“Blake,” I hissed.
He ignored me, staring the man down in the way he so often did when it came to people he didn’t care for.
“I’m here to discuss the very curious results of the Massachusetts governor’s election.”
“What business is that of the FBI?”
The detective paused, a tight smile pulling at his lips. “When the results indicate voter machine tampering, it becomes the FBI’s business. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”
Blake’s jaw locked, resulting in a twitch. He glowered a moment, and my heart dropped into my stomach, threatening the meager amount of breakfast I’d managed this morning.
The man’s stare passed between us. “Mind if I come in?”
Blake didn’t respond, but stood away from the door enough for the other man to enter. Evans looked to be in his early forties. He was taller than I was, but short next to Blake. His eyes were shrewdly narrow as he scanned our yet-to-be decorated home.
“Can I get you coffee?” I twisted my fingers together, unable to hide my anxiety about his presence. Voter tampering? What the hell had Daniel gotten himself into now?
Evans offered a smile that did little to ease my nerves. “That’d be great. You’re Erica Hathaway?”
“Erica Landon,” Blake corrected. “She’s my wife.”
Hard Love Page 4
