Be My Forever Bride

by Martha Kennerson

  “I know. He won’t see me and neither will she.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’ll stay out of sight in the kitchen at the restaurant. The only people who will know I’m there are Meeks and his team.”

  “Do you really think you can watch Brooke with Perez and not react?” Brice heard his brother’s doubtful tone.

  “I have to.”

  Brice could feel Alexander’s apprehension and worry coming through the phone. He knew it would be hard to watch Brooke put herself in danger, but he also knew she was going to do it with or without him. The only way he could remotely deal with it was if he was there.

  “All right.”

  “I’ll keep it together,” Brice promised.

  “I hope so. This may be our last shot at getting that bastard. What do you need from me?”

  “Talk to Meeks and Mother for me.”

  “Oh, no. I’ll handle Meeks. Mother’s all yours.” Alexander laughed. “I’ll call you back in a few.”

  Brice walked in the kitchen and pulled a beer out of the refrigerator. He twisted off the top and took a long pull. Brice needed a little added courage for the next conversation he was about to have. After finishing off his beer, he sat at the island and called his mother.

  “Good afternoon, son. How’s Brooke?”

  “She’s not doing too well. Did you know she was sick too?”

  “Yes, she told me after explaining her connection to Perez,” she answered nonchalantly.

  “Dammit, Mother, why didn’t you tell me? Why did you choose now to stay out of my personal life?”

  The phone fell dead and Brice dropped his head. He took two deep breaths and called his mother back. “Victoria Kingsley,” she answered.

  “Mother—”

  “So, you do know who you’re talking to.”

  “Yes, ma’am, and I apologize.”

  “Better. Now, to answer your ill-constructed question, you weren’t there when Brooke had to explain to me, her mother-in-law, that she’d once been a high-end escort—”

  “She didn’t have sex with those men.”

  “Of course, she didn’t, son. But she was still an escort and she did get arrested. Imagine the humiliation she felt and maybe even fear. I’m told I can be scary sometimes.”

  “Sometimes...”

  Victoria remained silent. Brice heard music in the background so he knew she hadn’t hung up again. “Sorry, Mother.”

  “Brooke showed courage coming to me with this mess, so when she asked me not to tell you, to give her the chance to do it herself, I happily obliged.”

  “Yet, you told Alexander.”

  “Of course, I did. Perez is not only attacking our family, he’s coming after our business...my business. I will not let him get away with that. It’s time to bring his tyranny to an end and, thanks to Brooke, that happens tomorrow. You should be very proud of her. Thank you, James,” he heard his mother say to her longtime assistant.

  “I am very proud of her, but I’m also scared for her safety,” he admitted.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. The meeting is being held inside the airport restaurant where you have to pass through metal detectors just to get to it, and the place will be full of people. The location couldn’t be safer. Brooke has already shown in multiple ways how strong she is in spite of having MS. Hell, you boys could learn a thing or two from that woman. I hope you get off your butt and make sure she stays your wife.”

  Brice had every intention of ensuring that, but first, he had to keep her safe. “I plan to, Mother, and the safety of my wife comes first. With that being said, I can’t let Brooke confront Perez alone, and hear me out before you say anything.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Brice laid out his proposal to Victoria, stressing the fact that he would stay out of sight and wouldn’t jeopardize the plan. He felt like a kid again, explaining to his mother the reason he needed to go on a camping trip she’d already said no to. Only this time, he wasn’t taking no for an answer, no matter what she said.

  “All you boys get that protective instinct from your father. Did I ever tell you about the time when your father and I were taking a road trip and I needed to go to the ladies’ room so we stopped at a roadside gas station?”

  “No, ma’am, I don’t think so.”

  “Let’s just say your father paid everyone to leave so I would have privacy and he could be sure I was safe.”

  Brice laughed. “Sounds like Dad. He always said men protect their queens.”

  “That he did,” she agreed.

  “That’s all I’m trying to do; protect my queen.”

  Victoria sighed. “Fine. But you make sure you follow Meeks Montgomery’s instructions to the letter and stay out of sight. I want Brooke to be safe, but I also want that bastard out of our lives once and for all.”

  “I agree, and I will. Thanks, Mother.”

  “I love you, son.”

  “Love you too,” he replied before disconnecting the call.

  Now that his revised plan was in place, Brice decided he wanted to spend the rest of the night taking care of his queen. But there was something he had to do first. He picked up the folder with the false evidence against Brooke and moved over to the sink. He pulled out a lighter from the drawer and lit the photos on fire. He stood and watched as the lies Perez had visually created dissolved into ash while he was trying to tamp down the anger building inside. He washed the ash down the drain before he grabbed his phone and made his way downstairs to work off the anger he couldn’t repress.

  After nearly an hour of pounding out his frustrations on his punching bag, he went upstairs and checked on his sleeping wife before taking a quick shower. He noticed that he'd missed a call from his brother. Brice changed into a pair of long black shorts and a white T-shirt and called his brother.

  “Sorry I missed your call, A,” he said, going to stand next to the bed and looking down at Brooke.

  “No problem. I just wanted to let you know I talked to Meeks. While he wasn’t happy about you being present on scene, he certainly understood. He has firsthand knowledge about having a wife put herself in danger.”

  “Yes, he does. I’m not sure I’m man enough to handle that on a daily basis,” Brice admitted.

  Alexander laughed. “Me, either. I guess some of Dad’s attitude rubbed off on us after all.”

  “Yeah, Morgan didn’t get it all.”

  Both men laughed. “Mom called,” Alexander informed him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Looks like we’re all set for tomorrow. Just keep it cool.”

  Brice looked down at the sleeping beauty in his bed. He thought about all she’d been through because of Perez and slowly nodded his head, knowing his brother couldn’t see him. “I have no choice. Brooke deserves justice, and I won’t do anything to interfere with that unless Perez does something to try and hurt her physically.”

  “I understand, but the way things are set up in that restaurant, Meeks’s people will pounce on him if he even twists wrong.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  The brothers said their goodbyes and Brice spent the rest of the night nursing and hovering over Brooke. When she finally woke, he brought her dinner in bed. There was no discussion about the past or what the future might bring, only the promise they’d always be by each other’s side. When Brooke fell back to sleep, he watched over her until his body surrendered to its own need for a rest.

  Chapter 23

  The smell of freshly brewed coffee woke Brooke from the most peaceful night of rest she’d had in months. Brooke opened her eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. She stretched out her arms and found Brice’s side of the bed empty. She wasn’t a bit concerned after the glass-house-like treatment he’d given her last night, from waiting on her hand and foot w
hen she was awake to wrapping his arms around her in bed and literally rocking her to sleep.

  Brice had always insisted that it was not only his job but his pleasure to take care of her when she wasn’t feeling well. Brooke was happy to see that hadn’t changed. While the opportunities for him to do so in the past had been few, she feared their future could be very different. Stop it. Remember what Brice said. We’re going to take whatever MS has to offer one day at a time; only from now on, we’re doing it together.

  Brooke sat up, swung her feet over the side of the bed and commenced doing her morning circulation exercises. She was rotating her hands and feet when Brice entered the room. “Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted her, walking in holding a cup of coffee. “How do you feel?”

  “Good morning to you too, handsome, and I’m fine,” she countered, admiring the expensive blue suit he wore. She looked at the side table clock. “It’s after seven. I should get a move on.” She accepted the cup.

  “Not so fast. There’s been a slight change in plans.”

  Brooke took a drink from her cup, having a feeling she was going to need the caffeine. “What changed? What did you do, Brice?” she asked, giving her husband the side-eye.

  “Me? Nothing. Meeks, on the other hand, has had to make a few adjustments to today’s plan.”

  “What adjustments?”

  He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “It’s no big deal. Just enjoy your coffee and get dressed and meet us downstairs.”

  The doorbell rang. “That’s them now.”

  “What’s going on, Brice?”

  “Let me get them settled, and I’ll be back to explain everything. Trust me. Please,” he stated as he left their bedroom.

  Yes, Brooke, it’s time to trust Brice. She got up and drank her coffee as she continued her morning ritual. In spite of everything that was happening, Brooke felt like her old self again, and she knew it had everything to do with being back with Brice and having everything out in the open.

  Brooke stood in the middle of her closet, ready to get her day started. “Today definitely calls for the blue Chanel power suit.” She dressed, stepped her feet into Chanel shoes and pulled down the matching purse. She gave herself the once-over in the mirror and said, “Well, at least the outfit still says Brooke Kingsley don’t play.”

  “No, she doesn’t,” a low baritone voice added, walking into the closet. “And she’s very beautiful.”

  Brooke turned to face Brice and smiled. “You’re biased.”

  “I am, but it’s also true.” Brice leaned in and kissed her on the lips. “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  “Good. I’d like to talk to you about something before we head downstairs.”

  “All right.” Brooke wasn’t sure what was going on, but she wasn’t worried. Whatever it was, they would deal with it together. Brice offered her his left palm and Brooke placed her right hand in it, which he then brought to his mouth. He kissed it before leading her out of the closet and back to the bedroom.

  “You okay, baby?” Brooke saw concern in Brice’s eyes and she smoothed away his worry lines.

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “What’s up?” Brooke sat down on the bed.

  “Meeks and his team are setting up for the call downstairs.”

  “Downstairs, why?”

  “He’s just being cautious, because Perez fired his man on the inside this morning.”

  “Why?”

  “They don’t know, and until they figure that out, they thought it would be best to run this part from here.”

  “From here...in a house?”

  “Just the first phase. You’ll still have the meeting at the airport.”

  Brooke released an audible sigh. She couldn’t stand the idea of Perez being in her house. “That’s fine.” She looked at the clock. “It’s after eight. We should get started.”

  Before Brooke could move, Brice said, “There’s one more thing.”

  “What now?”

  “I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us—”

  “There aren’t. I swear I’ve told you everything.” Brooke’s heart skipped several beats at the idea of Brice not believing her.

  “I know you have, baby.” Brice ran the fingertips of his left hand across her lips. “I’m the one who must tell you something.”

  “What?”

  Brice explained the role he’d be playing in today’s sting, and Brooke felt such a sense of calm come over her that all she could do was throw her arms around Brice’s neck and kiss him. When they finally came up for air, Brooke said, “Thank you.”

  “Wow. Not quite the response I was expecting, but I’ll take it,” Brice admitted.

  “What were you expecting?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, that maybe you thought I was being overprotective or something for insisting that I be there on-site during the meeting.”

  Brooke placed her right hand over her heart. “Heavens no, honey, you’re just trying to protect me. I get that. To be honest, knowing that you’ll be in the next room makes me feel even better. It makes me love you even more.”

  Brice smiled. “I love you too. Let’s go.”

  Brooke grabbed her things and went downstairs. Brice and Brooke walked in to find that their dining table had been converted into a makeshift office with several different types of computer systems set up.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Brooke greeted.

  “Mrs. Kingsley,” Meeks and his team chorused.

  Brice followed Brooke into the kitchen with Meeks and Robert behind him. Brice walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice. He retrieved two glasses from the cabinet. “Can I get you anything?” he asked Robert and Meeks as he poured juice into two glasses.

  “No, thank you. I’d like to go over a few details about the call,” Robert said.

  Brice handed Brooke her glass. “Sure thing. Brooke, take your medicine.”

  “Yes, sir.” Brooke gave Brice a two-finger salute. “What details?” Brooke questioned, taking her pills.

  “When you speak to Perez, you tell him you need reassurance that he won’t try to come after you again.”

  “I can do that,” Brooke stated, finishing off her juice.

  “You have to convince him you have a lot to lose by doing what he wants.”

  “What’s going on?” Brice asked, frowning.

  “We’re not sure if he’s just being paranoid or thinks something’s up because not only did he fire our inside person, he also fired his whole team. The only people from his inner circle he’s keeping around are Shannon, his own security team and a couple of lawyers he’s had for years.”

  “With everything Perez has done I bet he is paranoid.” Brooke dropped two slices of bread in the toaster. “You sure I can’t get anyone anything?”

  “No, we’re fine,” Robert replied. “The system is up and running. You can make the transfer now or whenever you want.”

  The toast popped up. Brooke took a couple of bites, brushed the crumbs from her hand and said, “Let’s get this over with. What system do you want me to use?”

  “I don’t.” Robert handed her a small tablet.

  “You want me to transfer millions of dollars to an overseas account using a tablet. Is that even possible?”

  “That’s not just a tablet. It carries my very own programs,” Robert claimed proudly.

  “We gave them temporary access to our system as well,” Brice informed his wife.

  “I don’t understand why I couldn’t just log in using my own access right here,” Brooke inquired.

  “Because my algorithm is proprietary,” Robert said.

  “Oh, okay... Where’s the list?”

  “You don’t need it. I’ve programmed all the numbers into t
hat system. All you have to do is log in and hit send basically.” Brooke followed his instructions and their homepage of their office bank popped up. As promised, the list of accounts and the associated amounts were already populated and ready to go. “Here goes nothing.” Brooke hit the send button and watched their account drain. “Done.”

  “Now what?” Brice asked.

  “Now, we wait for Shannon’s call,” Meeks advised.

  Brooke went to the refrigerator and pulled out the butter and jelly. She dressed the rest of her toast, put everything away and sat at the island to eat.

  “Meeks, is everything ready at the restaurant?” Brice questioned, checking his watch.

  “Yes, and we’ll head over as soon as the time is set.”

  They didn’t have to wait long. Brooke’s phone rang, but before she could answer it, Robert handed her another one identical to her own. “What’s this?”

  “We cloned your number so we can record the call. Answer it and put it on speaker,” Robert ordered.

  “Hello.”

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Shannon yelled.

  “Well, good morning to you too.”

  “Cut the crap. Where’s the rest of the damn money?”

  “There’s been a change of plans.” Brooke could feel everyone’s eyes on her.

  “Look, Brooke—”

  “No, Shannon, you look. I’m not sending out another dime until I talk to your partner. I believe his name is Evan Perez.”

  * * *

  The phone fell silent. Brice came and stood behind Brooke, wrapping his arms around her waist. Brice thought he was offering her his strength and support when in reality he was keeping himself from losing it and saying something that would blow the plan.

  “Hold on,” Shannon said. Brooke heard her muffle the receiver.

  “Brooke Avery,” a deep voice said.

  Brice felt Brooke shiver and he tightened his hold. “It’s Brooke Kingsley now.”

  “That it is. You wanted to speak with me.”

  “Yes, but not on the phone. I’m sure you don’t want our business discussed on an open phone line.”

  “You haven’t forgotten everything Shannon taught you. Good girl. You and me alone somewhere, now that’s an intriguing thought.”