Be My Forever Bride

by Martha Kennerson

  “Tonight? Without the money?”

  Meeks shrugged. “He doesn’t have to be in town to collect his money, but we need him here if we’re going to get him on tape.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “We may have to move up our timeline,” Meeks replied, scratching his chin with his index finger.

  “To when?” Brice’s brows snapped together.

  “I’m not sure. My inside man is trying to get a more definitive answer on Perez’s plans, but Brooke may have to make her phone call and threat to Shannon sooner than we initially thought.”

  “Dammit! I hate this.”

  “I understand, trust me, but it’s the only way we can be sure to end this once and for all. We will keep her safe,” Meeks promised before walking back into the living room.

  Brice pulled out his phone and called his brother Morgan, the second eldest of Victoria’s sons and the vice president of field operations.

  “Brice, you good?” Morgan answered, sounding anxious.

  “Not even a little bit. I assume Mother brought you up to speed on Perez.”

  “Yep, just hung up with her, as a matter of fact. That son of a bitch has to pay. How’s Brooke doing?”

  “She’s fine, scared...even though I think she’s trying to cover it up,” Brice speculated.

  “Why didn’t she tell you someone was coming after her? You are her husband.”

  “That’s a damn good question.”

  Morgan huffed. “Y’all think I’m an ass for not wanting to be involved with all the drama relationships bring.”

  Brice closed his eyes and shook his head. He was starting to regret making this phone call. “Relationships don’t have to be full of drama.”

  “No, they don’t have to be, but in my experience they usually are.”

  “Maybe it’s the women you pick. Can you say—”

  “All right. ‘Thanks, pot,’ says the kettle,” Morgan replied, laughing.

  “Fine. Look, I called for a reason.”

  “What’s that?” Morgan rasped.

  “Let me get A on the line first.” Brice put Morgan on hold and called Alexander.

  “Brice, Mother filled me in. How’s Brooke?” Alexander answered.

  “She’s...dealing with things. Hold on while I patch Morgan in.”

  “Morgan?” Brice called out.

  “Still here.” Brice conferenced Morgan into the call. “All right, Morgan, you there?”

  “Yep,” he replied, sounding annoyed.

  “Alexander?”

  “Me too. What’s going on, Brice?”

  “You both know we’re trying to set a trap for Perez. Get his blackmail on tape,” Brice started, explaining.

  “Yes, we know,” Alexander replied.

  “Well, we have a problem.”

  “What type of problem?” Morgan asked.

  “Perez is scheduled to leave the country tonight unless we find a way to stop it.”

  “Me and a couple of the boys from the rig can pay him a visit. He can’t leave the country if he’s in the hospital,” Morgan suggested.

  “We can’t get his confession, either, Morgan,” Alexander scolded his brother.

  “As much as I’d love nothing better, Morgan, Alexander’s right. We have to find a legitimate reason to make him stay put,” Brice said.

  “Whatever. I still think he needs some pain put into his life for all the trouble he’s caused our family,” Morgan declared definitively.

  “Morgan, physical violence against Perez, no matter how much I’d love to give him a taste of the same medicine he dished out to both my wife and China, that’s not the answer,” Brice said.

  “So what do you have in mind, Brice?” Morgan asked.

  “We give him the opportunity to get back something he’s wanted for a long time.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Morgan said, his voice rising.

  “Are you sure about this?” Alexander questioned; his concern was coming through the phone line loud and clear.

  “Absolutely! Perez is a businessman. We need to give him a reason to stay put. We’re going to give him the Carter.”

  Chapter 15

  “Brice, you know how much that oil well brings in, not to mention it’s a form of collateral for a few of our government projects,” Morgan advised.

  “I know. It’s also the same well that Mom procured from Perez when she bankrupted him all those years ago. Do you seriously believe he won’t stick around if he thinks he has a chance to get that well back? Especially if he thinks Mother’s being forced to sell,” Brice explained, feeling confident about his assessment.

  “Mother will have to agree first,” Alexander reminded Brice.

  “If it will ensure Perez’s presence so we can get him on tape for all his other crimes, including what he did to China and Brooke, I think she’ll go for it.”

  “How do you propose to convince Perez, as well as the rest of the world, that Victoria Kingsley needs to sell anything, especially one of her most productive oil wells?” Morgan asked, his words draped in doubt.

  “We’ll leak the story that we’re selling off a small division of the company that happens to include the Carter well to make room for another more lucrative acquisition. It’s not like we haven’t done that before. It will seem as if we’re just getting rid of some dead weight for something more promising. When the story breaks, a diligent reporter will reach out to Perez for comment since the Carter was once his. They’ll play up the throwaway aspect.”

  “And who is this diligent reporter?” Morgan asked.

  “Morgan, I’m sure Kristen will think of someone. Lord know she knows enough reporters,” Brice replied.

  “What makes you think he’ll buy it?” Morgan countered.

  “Because he already wants money back he thinks Mother stole, he'll jump at the idea of getting everything,” Brice reminded them both.

  “Which includes the Carter,” Alexander replied. Brice could hear the realization take hold in his brother’s voice.

  “Yes.”

  “As long as it’s fake news, I’m fine with it.” Morgan laughed.

  “Yeah, well, our financial partners might not be too happy with the news,” Alexander warned. Brice heard real concern in Alexander’s voice and he knew if he couldn’t get him on board, there was no way in hell his mother would agree.

  “A, what if we get Mother to give our principals a call? Give them a head’s up on what’s going on,” Brice offered.

  “That could help.”

  “So we good?” Brice held his breath as he waited for his brothers’ response.

  “I’m good,” Morgan quickly responded. “Although, I reserve the right to revisit laying hands on Perez if this doesn’t work.”

  “Duly noted. A?”

  “It’s time for Perez to pay once and for all. If doing this will help ensure that happens and will keep our family safe, I’m in.”

  “We have to move quickly. A, can you talk to mother and get Kristen to get the story out?”

  “Yep.”

  “Morgan, can you call KJ and Travis and bring them up to speed on what’s going on? The press frenzy is about to start up again.”

  “Sure. Travis is going to be pissed.”

  “Yeah, well, what’s new,” Brice said.

  “You’d swear that man was in witness protection the way he covets his privacy,” Morgan said, laughing.

  “Where will you be?” Alexander asked.

  “With Brooke—we’re moving her out of the hotel and back into our house,” he explained.

  Brice heard Morgan push out a deep breath. “Don’t, Morgan,” Alexander instructed, using his fatherly voice.

  “No, A, let him say it. Morgan?”

  “Do you think moving Broo
ke back into your house is a good idea?”

  “Morgan, I’ve got to make sure she’s safe.”

  “You can do that by letting the professionals protect her, change hotels, find a safe house—”

  “That’s enough, Morgan,” Alexander interjected.

  “I just don’t want to see him hurt again,” Morgan proclaimed.

  “He’s a grown man,” Alexander reminded Morgan.

  “I appreciate your concern, Morgan, and I honestly can’t say how my closeness with Brooke will affect me or how things may develop with us, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. I love her,” Brice admitted.

  The phone went silent for several seconds before Morgan said, “I got your back, no matter what.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “You take care of your wife—we got this,” Alexander pledged.

  “We have something like ninety minutes to make this happen,” Brice responded.

  “Ninety minutes? Mother can bankrupt a company in less than an hour.” Morgan laughed.

  “And that’s what got us into this mess in the first place,” Alexander said, sounding annoyed. “We’ll keep you posted, Brice.”

  Brice disconnected the call and put his phone away. He headed back into the living room in time to see Brooke walk out of the bedroom, wearing sneakers and holding a bag in her hand. In spite of everything she’d been through, Brooke was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and his body was responding in a way he wished it wouldn’t in mixed company.

  * * *

  Brooke saw the corner of Brice’s mouth rise and as their eyes met, her heart sped up. She gifted him with a lopsided grin. They were familiar gestures that they often shared only when they were alone and they would soon find themselves in bed. As she held his gaze, all the ways they’d made love flashed through her mind and her breasts felt heavy and her body ached for him. Brooke wanted him to finish what they’d started in his office.

  “You ready?” Brice asked.

  You have no idea how ready I am.

  “Brooke...”

  “Sorry, yes, I’m ready.” Brooke was embarrassed by where her thoughts had taken her. The look on Brice’s face made her think he could actually read her mind.

  “The car is at the side door and Farrah’s holding the elevator,” Francine instructed.

  Brice took Brooke’s bag and placed her hand in his while Francine and Meeks grabbed Brooke’s luggage. “Follow me and stay close,” Meeks stated as they walked out of the room and into the hall.

  Brooke thought this level of security was extreme but she wasn’t going to complain, especially since Brice was by her side, no matter how brief that time period might be. Farrah stood in front of the open elevator. “Nice bags.” Farrah stared down at Brooke’s red Valextra Avietta luggage. “We bought a set for our sister not long ago.”

  Everyone entered the elevator and Brooke looked over at Francine before returning her attention to Farrah. “You two have another sister?” Brooke knew her confusion showed by the looks she was receiving.

  “Yes, we’re triplets. Born five minutes apart,” Farrah explained, hitting the down button.

  “Wow. Does she work with you too?”

  “No, Felicia’s a doctor. She’s assistant director of the CDC. She and her husband live in Atlanta,” Francine explained with a wide smile.

  “Impressive,” Brooke responded.

  “I agree, but Felicia finds being the mother to her girls more impressive,” Farrah added, laughing. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my two boys but—”

  “Farrah loves what she does just as much,” Francine interjected.

  “I am who I am,” Farrah said proudly.

  The elevator came to a halt. “Ready?” Meeks asked.

  “Yes,” Brice replied, and Brooke nodded.

  Brooke remained quiet as they made their way through the lobby, down a small hall and out the side door to a waiting black limousine-style SUV. Her heart was suddenly heavy and she was fighting back tears. In spite of what the doctors might have said, Brooke was convinced that she wasn't destined to be happy long. Knowing she’d never know how it would feel to be a mother to Brice’s children was breaking her heart all over again.

  Brooke’s curiosity was getting the best of her. “I read your bio, you’re the only one with three children,” she asked Francine.

  “No, Felicia adopted a baby girl,” Farrah answered for her sister.

  “What?” Brice frowned.

  Brooke was just as confused as Brice. “What he said.”

  “Long story short, Felicia and her husband Griffin adopted his biological child before they had children together, so they too have three children,” Francine said.

  “There’s far more to it than that,” Farrah said, laughing.

  “That’s a story for another day,” Francine proclaimed.

  Robert, who was riding shotgun, turned around and announced, “ETA is five minutes.”

  Brooke sighed. Her body was reminding her of everything it had been through that day. She laid her head on Brice’s shoulder. “Are you okay, baby?”

  No. “Yes, just tired and a little hungry.”

  After entering a gated community and driving several additional blocks, the vehicle came to a stop and they all exited. Brooke looked up at the gray brick house that had been the only place she’d stayed and ever truly lived in that she called home. She was overwhelmed with emotions as her mind flooded with the memory of the first time Brice brought her there. Right after they returned home from their honeymoon.

  * * *

  Brice carried Brooke across the threshold. “Welcome home, Mrs. Kingsley.”

  “Brice, what have you done?”

  “I just wrote a check,” he admitted, placing Brooke on her feet and offering a coy smile, trying to contain her excitement.

  Brooke walked past the office, the mudroom and a half-bathroom into the open-concept house. The room was empty except for a small table set for two in the middle of the room, with a large pizza box and a bottle of wine on it.

  “I suppose you have no idea how this food got here, either?” she inquired as she opened the box and took a whiff.

  “That I can explain.” Brice offered a mischievous smile. “I called Amy and had her set this up for me. I left a key under the mat and told her when we expected to arrive so the food would still be hot.”

  “Amy...” She quirked her left eyebrow.

  “Yes, she’s my intern.”

  “Your work intern,” she countered, folding her arms across her chest. “I hope she left the key behind.”

  Brice pulled Brooke into his arms and kissed her passionately on the lips. “I love you, Mrs. Kingsley. You have nothing to worry about from Amy or anyone else. You know that, right?”

  Brooke bit down on her lip, hating that she let her insecurity show in such a ridiculous way. “I know. Sorry, and I love you too, Mr. Kingsley. Now about the house.”

  “What about it? It’s the only one we looked at that you liked.”

  “I know and I love it, but I thought we agreed that we’d buy the house together. Become co-owners.”

  “We did, and I love how independent and self-sufficient you are, but, Brooke, you’re no longer alone. Just because you can do something by yourself doesn’t mean you should. Not all the time, anyway. That's something my mother used to tell me, my brothers and cousins when she was trying to teach us to work together on things.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Anyway, the house belongs to you. It’s in your name. It’s my wedding present to you.”

  Brooke’s eyes widened. “What? I gave you a freaking pen because you collect them.”

  “I know and I love it.”

  “Besides, you gave me diamond earrings.”

  Brice shrugged. “The earri
ngs were an accessory to your dress.”

  Brooke released an exasperated sigh. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “I can think of a few things, but let’s eat first,” he replied, opening the bottle of wine.

  “Fine, but I’m buying the artwork.”

  “Yeah, about that...”

  “What about it?” Her eyes narrowed.

  “I already set up a line of credit at the two galleries you like to shop at.”

  Brooke shook her head slowly. “How much, Brice?”

  Brice poured the wine into the glasses and handed one to Brooke. “Twenty at each.”

  “Well, twenty thousand doesn’t sound too bad.” Brooke raised her glass, stopping before it made it to her mouth as she noticed the sheepish grin on Brice’s face. “What?”

  “Actually, it’s twenty million.”

  “What?”

  “Art is an investment,” he defended himself.

  “Rich people,” she mumbled before drinking her wine. Brooke never imagined that she would find anyone to love her as much as she loved them or that he'd be so wealthy. She only prayed that she hadn't made a mistake.

  * * *

  “Is everything okay?” Meeks asked, snapping Brooke out of her reverie.

  Brooke looked up at Brice and smiled. He winked at her, which told Brooke he’d been having similar thoughts. “Everything’s fine,” Brice replied as he led Brooke into the house.

  Brooke walked into the living room and was hit by all the happy moments they'd shared and made. She was experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions as she held the hand of the man she adored. A familiar aroma had her stomach growling. “Chicken spaghetti?” She made her way over to the beautiful gray-and-white kitchen with its modern appliances that would make any chef drool.

  Brice smiled, following after her. “You said you were hungry.”

  “Please tell me Amy didn’t do this,” Brooke asked, admiring the spread before her.

  Brice laughed. “No, Mother had her cook make dinner for us, and her faithful assistant did some shopping too.”