Neil, Louisa - One Queen with Two Kings (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Neil, Louisa

  His finger came to her cheek and wiped away a stray tear. In an act of understanding, he pulled the hidden chain from under her dress and placed it on the outside, his hand taking hers and placing it on the ring that rested on the gold.

  “Never again, Thea. We’ll deal with this.” He slipped from the room, returning minutes later with their trusted friend and family doctor beside him.

  While the four of them had a quiet talk, wedding guests were taking their seats before the decorated fireplace that was to serve as a backdrop for the ceremony. Plans were made hastily, and by ten minutes to twelve, Thea was ready. The doctor had slipped back amongst the crowd, and she confidently walked into the room that was to serve as her wedding chapel.

  Lloyd Jenkins’s facial expression was worth the hell she’d gone through. Surprise didn’t start to describe it. He stood with a haughty flair that suggested he was too good to be approached. It was a stance she’d taken a step back from several times, and she understood his subtle manipulations over the last months. He was good-looking, almost too good to be true, she decided last night. No man should spend more time on his hair and skin than she. Even his nails were in better condition than hers. His black hair and eyes gave him a dark quality most women found exciting and most men intimidating. Not to Thea Wainwright-Norden, not anymore.

  Today, she’d found herself again. She’d healed in a matter of minutes when she realized how close she’d come to losing herself to someone like Lloyd Jenkins. And for what, money, power, and position. All the things she’d been born with, he coveted. All the things that mattered little to her were his goals in life, and obtaining her gave him his wish.

  Thea had long ago come to accept she was blessed by virtue of her birth into a loving and caring family. Her mother’s death years earlier had made her realize what was truly important to her. Her Ivy League education, European travels, wealth and power meant only as much as how she wielded them. None of it meant anything once a person’s heart was broken. And hers had been broken twice, by the deaths of her mother and her husband. An instant visual of Dexter’s face appeared in front of her, his crooked smile warming her as she remembered him. It was energizing to feel again.

  She stopped and greeted some of the guests on her way toward Lloyd, a sly grin on her lips.

  “Good afternoon, everyone. Could I have you attention for a moment, please?”

  Lloyd moved beside her, clasping her upper arm tightly. “Thea, it’s not the way we rehearsed this last night. The groom isn’t supposed to see the bride before the ceremony.” His fingers bit into her flesh, and she tugged away, knowing her skin would be bruised from his crushing strength.

  “Everyone, if you’ll all be patient for a few minutes, there are a few details that must be seen to before we can continue. Lloyd, I’d like to see you in the office, please.” She turned to walk from the room, but his hand held her in place.

  “Later, my sweet. We’re both here now. Let’s say the I do’s, and then we’ll have a lifetime to talk.”

  Several of the guests laughed, but Thea didn’t. She pulled from his grasp.

  “Outside, now,” was all she said before calmly walking to the door. She stopped to look back at him, noting the cruel look in his eyes, and wondered why she hadn’t noticed it before. Just as she moved out of sight, his comments stunned her.

  “Not to worry folks, just a few pre-wedding jitters. I’ll get her a tranquilizer, and we’ll be set in no time.”

  Thea wasn’t a woman who used physical force to convey her emotions, but just now, she’d have given a lot to land him one clean punch to his perfect patrician nose.

  “A means to an end,” she whispered, waiting at the office door for him to join her. A quick sweep of the room told her it was empty. Only the closet door open an inch let her know Alex was nearby. Lloyd entered behind her and slammed the door shut.

  “Really, Thea, maybe you do need to be sedated. How could you embarrass me like that? Why, there are friends and business associates out there. I’ll tell you this. Once we’re married, you’ll never embarrass me like that again, do you understand!” He stood so close to her his breath blew in her face with each word. So did the sickening smell of the alcohol he’d been drinking.

  “Lloyd, please sit. This is important.” He only stared down at her. Today he didn’t intimidate her. She stood her ground waiting for him to take a seat. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

  His head came up quickly, his black eyes finding hers as their target and glaring. Today she kept his stare, not backing down. For long moments, neither said a word. Finally, Lloyd sat back in his seat, one leg crossed over his other knee. He moved the material so as not to crease his trousers before he slowly reached in his pocket and pulled out his cigarette case. Thea waited him out, knowing he was buying for time.

  “So you’ve found out. It’s too late to do anything about it, and we both know it.”

  “Is it? Is that what you really think? Tell me, Lloyd, what would you have said if I had found out after we were married?”

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. Once I had you, touched you and made you mine, Dexter never would have wanted anything to do with you again.” The smug smile she was presented chilled her to the bone. It took a moment for her to realize they were talking about two different topics.

  “Is that what you had decided?” She was stalling for time, her thoughts swirling as to the meaning behind his words.

  “You’re mine now, Thea. And in a few minutes, we will both walk back out there, and you will pretend you’re in love with me. Because if you don’t, you’ll never know the correct coordinates to try and rescue your beloved Dexter.”

  She didn’t quite manage to hold back the gasp that escaped her throat. Pulling all her courage forward, she sat on the edge of the desk and forced her face to relax into a calm smile.

  “If Dexter is alive, our marriage would be voided. I’d still be legally his wife.”

  “It wouldn’t matter. By that time I’d have control of your votes. That’s all that really matters. Did you think I loved you, Thea? That I really wanted you as my wife?” His laugh was that of a demented person. “Can you really imagine I’d be faithful to you?”

  “How did you plan on getting control of my votes, Lloyd?”

  “Simple, really. I almost have them already. A few hints dropped to the right people about your mental stability was all it took. Your father’s poor health went a long way in my direction too. Of course, I’m making the grand sacrifice marrying you, with all your drug problems.” His laugh was cruel and his look sinister.

  “You snake!” She rounded on him, pulling herself back just in time.

  “Maybe, but by rights you should have been mine from the start. Dexter took what was meant to be mine. I’m simply taking it back. You will marry me, Thea, and you will be the adoring wife. An heir is important, but after that, I don’t really care what happens to you, as long as I get custody of the kid.”

  “And with my child, control of my stock and votes, possibly the whole company?”

  “Something like that, but now it’s all out in the open, I’m beginning to see another way. Maybe I don’t have to toss you aside. We could be an amazing team, Thea. Think of the possibilities.” He gazed out the window, and she wondered what changes he was mentally making to his plans. It gave her a few seconds to control herself.

  “Why would anyone believe I had a drug problem?” She kept her voice soft, hoping to lull him into talking.

  “Most of them already believe it, Thea. People are apt to believe the worst about a person just to feel better about themselves. A few well-placed hints to the tabloids would enhance the rumors. The truth doesn’t really matter in a case like this. Just the hint of a problem and the gossip will brand you an addict for the rest of your life. Now, what judge in his right mind would give a child to you, no matter how much money your family has?”

  Again, she cringed at his sinister tone. “Seems like a lot of plann
ing and time wasted, Lloyd.”

  “I’m a patient man, Thea. When Dexter’s plane went down, I saw an opportunity and took it. Waiting the two years for you was a waste, but I had to handle you carefully. Now that you know what is expected of you, I think we might be able to come to a mutually satisfying agreement. But make no mistake, I am in charge, and I plan to stay in charge.”

  “Even so, what makes you think Dad will step back and hand over control to you? If anyone gets control of Wainwright Industrial, it should be Alex by rights.”

  “Accidents happen,” he tossed back at her. The chill that ran through her sickened her, and she continued out of pure self-preservation.

  “And the same for Dad?”

  “Whatever. Something would have come along.”

  “Yes, I see. But what about Dr. Lancing? Surely you didn’t bribe him?”

  “That old dinosaur, twisting his words was easier than twisting yours.”

  “Did you ever really search for Dexter’s plane, Lloyd? If we are to marry and form this alliance you seem to want, I need to know the truth. If he should turn up one day, you’d be married to a bigamist.”

  “Yes, a convenient way out, don’t you think? I’d have been the long-suffering husband who married the unstable widow and was now stuck caring for your child. Makes me quite the martyr without doing anything. Just remember the terms of our prenuptial agreement, Thea. I own you now, until the day you die.”

  “Did you search for him?” Her tone was brittle, and she closed her eyes to gain control before she said or did something to make him stop talking.

  “We searched, but found nothing. Of course, it might have helped if we were looking on the correct side of the Pacific.” His laugh moved through her like a knife.

  “You bastard. You left my husband and his best friend on some deserted island?”

  “There’s no way of knowing if they survived the crash. Actually, I had a wonderful two weeks in paradise. The native women are very accommodating for a price.”

  “That’s it!” Thea walked to the door, opening it wide when she realized he followed closely behind her. Her father was standing in the hallway. Beside him, Dr. Lancing, and beside him, Dexter’s parents, Patrick and Marie Norden. Marie moved to her, taking her against her body for the comfort they both needed. There were several company security officers standing to the side.

  “Thea, we’ve already made some calls. There’s a rescue team gearing up as we speak, and my assistant is heading to the office to pull the files. We’ll all go back to the house and figure out where to find them,” her father told her.

  She nodded to him, understanding his words, and took the handkerchief Patrick slipped into her hands.

  Behind them, most of the wedding guests stood in the hallway watching the spectacle. Thea pulled herself together as she moved toward them.

  “Everyone, thank you for waiting. It’s obvious there won’t be a wedding today, however the food and wine are paid for, as is the music. I suggest we all enjoy the afternoon, not as a wedding reception but as a close call party instead. The bar is open, and I’m sure we could all use a drink.”

  Some of the guests waited, rooted to their spots, wondering what would happen next. Most of the low whispers were remarks about the terrible man she almost married. Some of guests couldn’t believe a man could sink to such depths. Alex’s voice rang through the room.

  “Thea, could you come to the office, please?”

  She smiled the widest smile she had since before Dexter left on the fateful day for his business trip. Two long years she thought he was dead, along with his best friend, Russell Grant.

  Lloyd Jenkins looked around and realized their conversation had been broadcast throughout the country club. In the distance, the orchestra started playing “Happy Days Are Here Again.” She didn’t pull back her smile. Instead, she went to Grace Owen, her best friend and maid of honor. She, too, had known unthinkable sorrow when her beloved Lucas was lost in military service. She’d always been sad he’d never gotten to meet his son.

  “Thea, why didn’t you tell me he was pressuring you?”

  “It doesn’t matter now, Grace. Even if Dexter and Russell aren’t alive, at least we’ll know the truth. Come on, let’s get Lucas from his sitter. He deserves to party too!” She moved away with the fair-haired woman, stopping to scoop up the young boy who toddled toward them.

  “Thea, your gown!”

  “Who cares,” she said to Grace, cuddling the child close to her, taking a bite from the chocolate bar he held. His right hand left a perfect chocolate print on her shoulder as she carried him into the ballroom. Thea didn’t wait to watch Lloyd being escorted from the club. Since he had no family to invite, there was nobody she felt she needed to comfort. She didn’t feel the need to console any of his friends. For the first time in years, she felt alive. Her best hope was the men would be found alive. If not, at least she and their families would have the closure they’d been lacking these last years since the plane crash. No matter what happened, Thea had just gotten a reprieve from the life Lloyd had intended.

  Chapter Two

  Alistair Wainwright stood beside his daughter and son, both of them smiling as he hadn’t seen in years. For Alex and himself, seeing the immediate change in Thea had been heartwarming. While he knew she would grieve for her husband, he also knew she’d found herself again. It was the high price it had almost cost her that terrified them. They talked to their friends and family of a narrow escape and teased openly. It amazed him the amount of gossip and innuendo that had formed around their family, and he hadn’t a hint of it happening.

  “I’m going to change out of this dress. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Then I want to dance!” she told Alex and her father. He noted a glint of light reflecting in her eyes, the aqua color inherited from her paternal grandmother, Theodora. She’d also inherited her dark chestnut hair and her light complexion, which gave her an ethereal quality. She was the angel he’d missed for the past two years, reincarnated before him this very day.

  If only her mother had been alive to see her today. She would have been so proud. Alistair dismissed the idea immediately. If Dorthea had still been alive, this probably never would have happened. She would have seen through Lloyd Jenkins. It unnerved him to realize he hadn’t, and suddenly he felt old. Patrick Norden moved beside him, a second glass in his hand offered to Alistair.

  He nodded and accepted the glass. “We’re both getting old, my friend. I should have seen through Lloyd Jenkins. I should have known better.”

  “For two years all Marie has said to me is that she felt Dexter was still alive, in her heart she felt he hadn’t died. I’m ashamed to say I stopped listening to her. I owe her an apology for this one. Even if the boys are gone, she knew something wasn’t right.”

  “Diamonds might work.” A female voice joined them from behind. “Although I’d much rather have my son home safe.” Marie Norden moved between the men, taking the glass from her husband’s hand, drinking the remains before handing it back to him. “I want you both to know, whatever happens, yes, you both are getting old, and, yes, Patrick, you should have listened to me when I said something wasn’t right. But you both also need to know whatever happens, I’ll be fine. We all will. Because we’ll finally know what really happened. As to your apology, Patrick, we’ll discuss it later, at home in private.”

  “You’re a wonderful woman, Marie Norden. I love you.”

  “I love you too, and tonight you’ll show me. Now, where did Thea get to? I want a word with her.”

  “She was going to change,” Alistair said. “She’ll be right back. We’ll all head back to my house in an hour or so. My assistant, Michelle, is going to meet us there with all the files and information we have on the crash. We’ll figure out where to look, don’t you worry.”

  “I’m not. I’m going to trust the two of you one more time, and you better not let me down, or else.”

  Both men answered in unison, “Yes,
dear!” Their laughter was a foreign memory to them all. Alistair felt good to be with friends and family, celebrating Thea’s second chance and entertaining the notion the men might have survived the crash.

  Thea kicked off her shoes as soon as she entered the dressing room. She tugged the bolero-style jacket from her shoulders, laughing out loud when she saw Lucas’s chocolate handprint on the back. A noise behind her brought her back to reality as Lloyd moved in front of the privacy screen. Panic welled up in her throat. The man standing before her was dangerous. His eyes were hooded, and he’d been drinking, and that with his vengeful side wasn’t a good combination.

  “I thought we had you escorted from the premises?” she asked him, taking the defensive.

  “I waited years for you, Thea,” he slurred. “The first three working at the company, watching every move you and Dexter made. The next two were the longest, waiting for you to acknowledge me after Dexter’s plane crash. I’m going to take what’s mine before I disappear. Your family might have won this round, but it won’t matter. I’ll have had you, and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that. Even if you get your precious Dexter back, even if you never tell a soul, inside you’ll know I had you, and you won’t be able to touch him without thinking of me.”

  He lunged toward her, and she managed to sidestep him. Unfortunately, it left her on the wrong side of the room, with Lloyd between her and the door. She glanced at the window and knew he’d get there first.

  “All right, Lloyd,” she said, speaking softly, trying to buy time to figure out how to get away from him. In the back of her mind, she hoped somebody would realize how long she’d been gone and come searching for her. “Tell me this, before you have me.”

  His glassy eyes reminded her of the mounted heads she’d seen as plaques on the walls of hunting lodges. Bears and deer, bison and elk, they all had that black, beady stare. The same stare that was undressing her right now.

  “It doesn’t have to be forceful, Lloyd. I did wonder what you might be like.” Her words sickened her, but it was her only card to play. “And you were very kind, even generous to wait until we were married before consummating our relationship. That must have taken quite a lot of control.” Thea kept his gaze and continued talking quietly and calmly. “We could find someplace private.” Her only hope was to stall Lloyd as long as possible.