I watch after him for a minute before dropping my attention to the file.
What a strange man.
Chapter Two
Imala
Blue-green eyes hover over me. White clouds float behind him giving him an otherworldly glow. He’s so breathtaking. His pouty lips are curved into a soft smile just for me as his thumb traces my lips.
“You’re so beautiful, Imala,” he confesses in an awestruck whisper. We’re naked and he’s doing everything in his power not to crush me with his weight. “I love you. You’re the only one for me. Forever."
His profession of love pinken my checks and warms my heart.
"Take it," I beg. Wyn's nudity and words are all the excitement I need. "Make me yours."
"I'm honored you want me to be your first." He positions himself at my entrance, my body tingles with anticipation. "Ready to be mine forever?"
I pop up to a sitting position in my bed.
Shit! Third one this week.
I've only seen Caerwyn at the wedding, but he occupies my mind more than I'd like. I'm too busy to be focusing on a man.
"I need to get some work done," I mumble, choosing to put my mind on anything other than Wyn.
Like a crazy person, I joined my sisters in the mad dash to finish planning his birthday party. Luckily, it didn’t require me seeing him, but hearing his name and list of desires for weeks have triggered all the damn dreams.
Sliding out of bed, I go to my bathroom to start my day. I tap on my smart mirror to review my schedule as I brush my teeth.
Last minute party planning with the girls.
Afternoon at the bank
Check on the studio
Home for studying
I would lie to myself and say I’d be less busy once the party is over, but I already know I’d fill that space with something else. My body seems to thrive under pressure. Walking into my closet, I look over the rows of gray, navy, and black clothes until I choose which business outfit I’d like to wear. Can’t go wrong with navy-pinstripe pants and a matching tan scoop-neck shirt with quarter-length sleeves.
One cup of coffee and a raisin bagel with cream cheese later, I’m out the door with my backpack, keys, and cellphone. My phone reads Caerwyn’s specific list as I drive to Karessa’s office. She and Esme usually take care of parties by themselves, but the size of this party and the timeline had them tagging in their baby sister for the more practical things while they worked on the creative side. I don’t give a damn about color schemes, but if the caterer said he will be there at noon, his ass better be there at noon.
It would have been fun having the added challenge of balancing a budget but leave it to Caerwyn to not have one. That’s the issue with the super-rich. We may not need budgets, but we could at least assign one just to determine reasonable expectations. Like just because you can afford a solid gold toilet, doesn’t mean you should get one.
“Three hundred plates of gold mosaic initialed china, one-thousand silver and gold balloons, gold and white chocolate strawberries - three hundred count of each, three hundred and fifty bottles of champagne…”
My voice trails off once I open the door and see the party. Karessa, Esme, Ainslee, and Guinevere. The mood seems light despite Mikonos’ scowl when he glances at the door. I swear that man is only friendly to Ainslee. I don’t know if it’s his job to look mean or if he doesn’t like any of us. It’s not my puzzle, even with him being broodingly sexy, so I continue like he’s not there just as he wants. Speaking to him pisses him off more than not speaking.
“Hey ladies!” I project over their girl chatter.
After a round of hugs, I dive into business as a vendor liaison. Once I’ve triple checked the orders and confirmed arrival times, hours have passed, and I’ve missed everything they’ve said. I’m not too worried because no good tea was spilled while I was occupied. The lull in conversation is what made me zone into what they're doing. Those chatterboxes are never quiet.
“What are y’all doing?”
“Waiting,” Karessa answers, although her eyes are glued to her phone as she texts.
“For what?”
She gives me the smirk she uses when someone asks her information she’s already given. I must have been in my own world.
“Looks like someone went to the magical place inside her head,” Esme jokes as she lifts my ponytail and begins to look in my ear like she can read my secrets.
It doesn’t bother me because she did it when we were children and she was young enough to believe it was possible for me to have a magical portal in my head that transported her to a different world. I’m a reader, but her imagination is a beast which is why she is such a good partner for Karessa. I read to escape, but I like provable things in my reality.
I giggle and swat her. “If you find a portal, let me know.”
“Caerwyn is coming to finalize everything,” Ainslee fills me in, as she bounces from her seat on the counter.
She’s so bubbly, I imagine it’s exhausting. I’m known for my dry sense of humor. I like her nonetheless; she is a fun addition. I’m still trying to figure out her cousin though. She’s polite and cracks a joke or two, but I still don’t have a sense of who she is just yet.
I don’t have time to analyze it since my heart is doing that flutter thing it does just for Caerwyn. He appears the moment my mind rolls over his name, and dammit I wasn’t imagining his sexiness. My break from his beautiful eyes is brief before he slides his shades off his face. He was sexy in shades, but there’s something mesmerizing about seeing his eyes. My eyes eat up his long-sleeve light-blue shirt that’s pushed up at the elbows, navy slacks, and cognac belt and shoes.
His smile makes me wet and a sigh escapes me before I can stop it. He has the same effect on Esme because we glance at each other wondering about our reaction.
My brain zeroes in and doesn’t let up like when other things that motivate me. I don’t want to be bewitched by his sexy smiles, deep voice, and awe-inspiring body. My sex dreams replay as he flirts with the other women. I’m appalled at my low-level jealousy.
Caerwyn moves to Esme and me and studies us. The glint in his eyes informs me that he’s toying with me. He’s pretending we’re hard to decipher because he knows it bothered me at the wedding.
Beautiful asshole.
“You must be Esme, the second LeClaire in charge,” he says to Esme after the awkward beat of silence.
Momentarily, I wish I’m Karessa when he hugs her, reminding me how lovely he smells. I would have thoroughly enjoyed his nearness had I been sober at the wedding.
His attention on me ensures more unwanted sex dreams in my future.
“Ah, the baby,” he says reaching out his hand.
The others may not have caught the inflection in his voice, but I caught it loud and clear.
“Hi.” My greeting is brief because I can’t deal with him right now. My body acts out of character when he’s around. I barely shake his hand, yet a current of awareness shoots through me and hurts my nipples.
Nope. I can’t stick around with him here.
I’d prefer not to turn into a drooling, giggly mess.
My shit is back in my backpack quick and fast because I’m in a hurry.
“My work here is done, ladies. I'm going to check in at the bank.”
I’m flustered and he knows it. His laughter follows me as I leave.
Chapter Three
Caerwyn
If I had any doubts about my mission, baby LeClaire cleared them up for me. She may have appeared aloof to the others, but I felt the heat burning in those dark eyes before she jetted off like I asked for her soul. Good. A thrilling chase has never hurt anyone. I made sure to let the ladies know that skipping my party wasn’t an option. I need to get Imala there and isolate her before she partakes in libations. She was drunk last time. I need her sober.
My socked feet cross my temporary room to my bed. My asshole uncle extended the invitation for me to live here a week ago,
although I’ve been on the island much longer. I only accepted because this was my childhood home. Sitting, I pull on and tie my hand-crafted black leather shoes.
A knock on the door echoes in my room just before the door creaks open. I don’t look up since I know who it will be. The shifty asshole peeks in my room.
“I’ll be back,” Elmer announces. “I’m going to pick up my date.”
“Okay.” My response is dismissive since no woman in her right mind would date Elmer. She’d have to be money hungry, naive, or a tourist.
There’s something weird in his timing of his offer for me to stay here and his willingness to host the party. Elmer is up to something. His demeanor shifted about a month ago and he always looks tired. Any time I try to care and ask what’s wrong, he becomes evasive. I’ve found it’s easier to not try to figure out the bullshit in advance. Uncle Elmer will always show his true colors eventually.
Even with that, I’m excited about the party I didn’t know I wanted. Karessa and Esme are wonderful event coordinators; I’d recommend them to anyone. Rising, I close the door he left open then check myself out in the mirror.
“Not bad, Hale,” I whisper to myself, as I fix the bowtie. I’ve gone classic with my black tux because that’s what the theme says to me. Classic.
A few head pats and finger comb throughs later, my hair is just the way I like it. Satisfied, I take and send Karessa a picture to express my excitement. She sends some hearts my way and the image of Oran frowning amuses me. He gets all caveman when I talk to his Trophy.
The time is upon me and guests begin to fill in. Some greet me personally while others nod and wave. When you’re part of the founding family, a big party ensures you won’t know everyone attending since invites are sent to other rich families and business associates, so no one gets offended. By extension, some of those people attend for bragging rights and to be nosy. They, however, are not my concern.
Ever punctual, Imala glides in and makes everyone else disappear. Her soft gold dress has a princess bodice and is giving her full breast an amazing push up affect. The sisters' breast sizes vary. It’s amusing how they ascend from oldest to youngest. Small, medium, then large. I’ve never considered myself attracted to just one body part, but my dirty mind is making plans each time her next step makes them bounce. Tearing my eyes away, I study her entire appearance. The bodice is made of tulle flowers that stop a wide ribbon around her tiny waist. The dress flows out in a translucent tulle floor-length skirt. The light hits it to allow view of the fitted slip underneath. She looks like an earthy goddess. Flower beading dusts over her hips and strategically placed butterflies line the skirt, giving a 3D vibe. More flowers and butterflies collect at her feet around the hem of her dress. I know what she’s doing, this is her response to me calling her a caterpillar. She’s not a butterfly yet, but I’ll get her there. Her soft waves touch her shoulders and her glasses are missing.
I like her both ways; it doesn’t matter if she wears glasses. The challenge in her eyes is what has my brain chanting, “Mine.” The intensity surprises me and then I smirk as she pivots to walk in a different direction instead of coming to me like she’s supposed to, I chuckle to myself. Imala has no idea who she’s toying with; I live for a good game of strategy and willpower. If she wants me to come to her, she’ll have to wait hours.
An hour into my party, I check my phone because I’m beginning to worry about Oran and Karessa. This is beyond fashionably late. As one of the planners, she should've been here earlier than the guests.
Oran: We can’t make it, sorry.
Um that’s cryptic.
Wyn: Is everything okay?
Oran: Jagger should be there soon, they’ll update you.
Wyn: Okay
I scan the room, and both Esme and Imala look relaxed but my brain is pinging with possibilities and none of them are good. Too many key people are missing and I’m already trying to figure out how it works. Jagger and Ainslee’s entrance catches my eye; I tilt my head - silently telling them to follow me.
Once we’re locked in my room, I notice Jagger’s mouth is tight with vexation and Ainslee’s eyes are blank, despite the smile plastered on her face.
“What happened and how is Elmer involved?”
I cut to the chase. Fuck small talk, we all know why we’re in here. I’m no longer a criminal lawyer, but I’m sure his crooked ass has someone on his payroll.
Jagger stops, his whiskey brown eyes are huge with surprise.
“How do you know Elmer is involved?”
Shrugging I relay what I know. “He’s not here trying to soak up attention. He also left before it started saying he was getting a date…”
“Sonofabitch,” Jagger growls but I continue.
“And he’s been acting obsessive lately stalking around here and not sleeping.”
“I would’ve choked the shit out of him,” Jagger rants, not really in the moment with us.
“He attacked Karessa,” Ainslee supplies.
“What!” I glance at my door as if her sisters will appear. “Why the fuck would he do something like that?”
“He wanted her for himself. When he won Karessa’s hand, it was for him and not Oran. Oran married her to keep his dad away.”
As Jagger fills in the blanks, a new knot forms in my belly. Ainslee studies Jagger a moment, this is new information for her as well. Her face remains neutral, but I see her clench her fists.
“Oran got there in time to kick his ass then handed him over to Markos who arrived shortly after.”
Fuck. A dead man doesn’t need a lawyer. Oran is officially the head of our family.
“Wow. I want to say I can’t believe it, but I can’t. It’s still weird knowing the person you just spoke to a couple hours ago doesn’t exist. Had I known it would be the last time I’d see him; I would have at least looked up.”
“I know. Take your time,” Ainslee says softly. “I hate we had to tell you at your party.”
“Good thing today isn’t my birthday. That would suck. Are they okay? I wish I’d known he was obsessing over Karessa; I could’ve stopped all of this.”
The fog clears and Jagger studies me for a moment. “Don’t assign this responsibility to yourself, something was wrong with him.”
“Right.” I shake my head, still trying to process the new information. “I’ll pack up and get out of their way—"
“No need, there isn’t a rule that dictates that the head has to live in the mansion. Oran said this is more your home than his,” Jagger informs me. “But he asks that you plan the memorial service when it’s time.”
I nod. Makes sense. “When will that be?”
“BHM will release a report, which states he died of a heart attack. Understand?”
I raise my eyebrows at Ainslee. It’s weird seeing her in business mode. The Bishops are the reason I switched my concentration. I want no parts of criminal law on the island.
“Got it. And the attack is disappearing as well, right?”
“Right.”
It’s never a dull moment on the island. Maybe now isn’t the time for a Hale to try to get a LeClaire. I’ll have to place my plans on hold. Falling into play, I send Oran a text.
Wyn: I’m sorry for your loss. To assist you in your time of grief, I’ll plan the service.
Chapter Four
Three Months Later
Imala
I thought we had a moment. I was sure by the way Caerwyn looked at me when I arrived that he would come over to me, but it never happened. We orbited each other when we rejoined the party, but the heat was gone. His serious face is a lot like Oran’s. Game over.
I’d wondered if I played too hard to get, but I later found out about Elmer’s passing. He must have just gotten the news. Elmer’s death brought almost every Hale known to man back to the island including Caerwyn’s asshole brother. That dude makes Oran look like the fuzziest teddy bear ever stuffed. He walked his big mean English ass in the funeral and asked why peopl
e were crying since no one liked Elmer. Berke is equal parts sexy and mean which is a terrible, terrible combination.
At the repass, I’d asked him about the tattoo peeking out near his chest and he told me not to bloody worry about it unless I planned to put my pretty little mouth on it or trace it with my tongue. It’s weird having someone with such a posh accent say such horrible things to people. When Oran jumped up like he was going to beat his ass, Berke winked at him and kept eating. The only thing kept them from tearing up the Hale mansion was Jagger and Karessa taking Oran in the opposite direction.
The extra Hales left the weekend after the funeral but Oran was pissed when Berke and his bad behavior made the front page of Prizm by way of a photo of him shooting both middle fingers as he boarded the jet. Everything was relatively quiet after that, including Wyn.
What gives?
My eyes are glossing over as I continue to stare at the computer screen. The hum of the CPU and the air conditioning is the only sound in the bank. My dad is approaching, I can tell by the cadence of his shoes tapping against the tile.
“That’s enough Ima, your mother will kill me if she thinks I’m working you to death. There’s nothing on that computer that can’t wait.” He kisses the top of my head.
He’s always been a loving father, but he’s even more so since his greatest parenting debacle. I know he counts his lucky stars that Karessa is stupid in love with Oran, otherwise it would make for damn awkward holidays.
I rub my neck, it’s awfully stiff since I zoned out and forgot about proper posture. I guess he’s right. I shrug off my hunter green throw and fold it as I stand. Turning, I put it in my seat.
“Okay, Dad. You win this round, sir,” I joke, as if we’re playing cards.
His brown eyes shine with adoration. “Baby, you’re young. You don’t want to go out and date or just have fun?”
Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6) Page 2
