Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6)

by Francesca Penn

  “What, you don’t have someone up your sleeve for me?” I tease him, as I pack my things.

  He holds up his hands and laughs. “Low blow sweetheart. And no. I’m out of the arrangement business. It’s not for the faint of heart. I think I gave both Karessa and myself an ulcer. My matchmaker days are over. You’re on your own, kid.”

  The night air is kind of brisk but not cool enough to make me want to pull out a jacket. My dad throws his arm around my shoulder and guides me to my chair. The island is fairly safe, especially with the citizens knowing that messing with a founding family member will earn them the harshest penalties possible. Still, our parents remain in protective mode.

  “Call your mother and let her know when you make it home,” he reminds me, as he climbs into his vehicle.

  “Will do, Daddy,” I promise him.

  My email pings with a notice I’ve been anticipating. My favorite brick and mortar store, Bookish, has finally secured the first edition of Ahari’s Quest in stock. I release an excited fist pump then check the clock. It’s 8:12 and it closes at nine. I can make it if I focus. Hightailing it to the other side of town, I make it with a little over fifteen minutes to spare.

  Equally excited, Howard nods at me as he waves my new treasure around.

  “My favorite customer made it just in time!” he gushes, as his blond mane flies wildly around his head.

  He’s older and eccentric. I love him to pieces.

  “Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!” I squeal and wiggle my fingers at him. He places the leather-bound book in my hands, and I wonder if this is how a mother feels holding her child for the first time.

  “Don’t you love the scent of history?”

  I nod happily as my eyes connect with his soft brown ones. “Ring me up!”

  We chat as we finish the transaction and I’m off with promises to come earlier to hang out just in time for him to close.

  My sandals tap on the sidewalk as I make the block to my car. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost run into a man loitering on the sidewalk.

  “Excuse me,” I offer with a polite smile, but he doesn’t move.

  I try to sidestep him, but he moves in front of me again. The scent of alcohol assaults my nostrils as the unkempt man blocks me again.

  “Look, I’ve caught the little LeClaire.” It irks me when people call me the little one. I don’t need a reminder that I’m younger and shorter than my sisters.

  “If you know who I am, then you should know you need to move,” I point out with more bravado than I feel.

  The way his chapped lips turn into a smirk and his red rimmed hazel eyes study me give me a very bad feeling. This isn’t a very populated area since it houses business offices. Most of these companies are close by seven. The bookstore is one of the last businesses to close. Howard would still be inside and unaware of my issue.

  “Then how would we hold you for ransom?” another guy questions from my right. He’s not much taller than me but he’s all muscle.

  “Kidnapping a founder’s child is death on the island,” I refute although my adrenaline is spiking.

  My car is so close but too far away. I turn to run in the opposite direction but the other guy pounces and pulls me by the hair. I release a yelp before his gritty hand covers my mouth. He lets me go when I stomp on his instep but the first one grabs me after I yell.

  “Behave bitch, before we mess up that pretty face of yours,” he growls, as he rubs his knife on my cheek.

  “Now, gentlemen. That’s no way to treat a lady.” I’m relieved to hear Caerwyn’s voice but am nervous he’ll get kidnapped right along with me. He’s nice and these men are not.

  “Fuck off!” the one I kicked threatens, followed by the click of a gun.

  My captor turns me. My heart drops seeing Caerwyn at gunpoint although his signature smirk is still on his face.

  “Guys, I’m helping you out. This crime is punishable with death. Are you sure it’s worth it?”

  “Just take him, too,” the one holding me orders.

  His partner takes a menacing step towards Caerwyn to force him towards the van. Caerwyn’s hand flies towards the guy, quickly disarming him and wrapping his arm around the man’s throat. Caerwyn presses the nuzzle of the gun to his hostage’s temple.

  His smile is gone, and his eyes take on a dangerous edge.

  “My friend for yours,” he orders the guy holding me. “Let her go and I’ll let him live.”

  “Don’t negotiate with me, pretty boy, you don’t have it in you to pull the trigger.”

  “Is that a gamble your friend is willing to take?”

  “No!” the guy yells. “Let her go man. Let’s just go.”

  “We’re going to sell this bitch on the black market if the LeClaires don’t pay up. He’s full of shit, he’s not a killer.”

  “Maybe you’re right.”

  To my dismay, Caerwyn lets the guy go. The man holding me chuckles.

  “Give him his gun back you pussy.”

  Caerwyn laughs with him. “No, I want you to come and get it.”

  “Fine!” the man roars, pushes me to his friend, then charges at Caerwyn.

  Caerwyn jabs him in the throat with the butt of the gun then punches him with enough force to knock him on his ass. He points the gun at the guy holding me.

  “Don’t make me fucking repeat myself,” his tone is one I’ve never heard before.

  The man lets me go and flashes his hand in surrender. I put distance between us just as the man on the ground tries to kick Caerwyn. He blocks the kick and drops to his knee, leaning all his weight on the man’s nuts. The man cries out as his eyes tear up.

  “You’re right. I’m not a killer. Death is too easy. I like to fuck up people’s lives so much that all they can do is think about the moment over and over again until they thoroughly regret ever meeting me. Guess what happens after that? Paranoia and fear. You’ll spend your days looking over your shoulder, hoping like hell I never show up again. Call the police, Imala.”

  I was so shocked by the change in Caerwyn, I forgot to call. I dial the emergency number with shaky fingers.

  “No! I want to go back home,” the other guy pleads.

  He rushes me but a gunshot startles me just before the man falls, clutching his back as blood gushes out. Wyn lowers the gun and turns his attention back to the man on the ground.

  “Oops, looks like your friend may not be able to walk anymore,” he taunts the other man.

  The man punches Caerwyn and they struggle for the gun. Deep down I fear Caerwyn is toying with him. I frantically report the scene to the operator when the gun goes off again. I’m scared Caerwyn is shot when blood covers his suit, but the other guy falls back clutching his penis.

  Caerwyn gets up and I flinch once he’s near.

  “Don’t do that. I’d never hurt you.”

  “How many people have you shot?” My voice quivers as I ask.

  “Including them? Two.”

  His confession rocks me. “You went against your character for me?”

  He frowns at my question as if I don’t make any sense. “No. Protecting what’s mine is never out of character. They crossed a line, so I crossed one with them, Caterpillar.”

  Normally, I’d protest the name. Now, he can call me whatever the hell he wants. My head falls on his chest as I cry through my fear and relief.

  “I owe you my life,” I wail, holding him tighter not caring about the blood.

  He shushes me and his strong arms engulf my body. “No, just your first born.”

  “My what?” I stare up at him, surely, he was hit in the head

  “Your first born, Caterpillar. A life for a life. I want to be a dad.”

  Chapter Five

  Caerwyn

  I fought off and shot two men, yet the part that shakes me to the core is my confession. The fear mingled with pure rage I saw when I found those men manhandling Imala is enough for me to quit bullshitting. It’s back on between us so hard that
we’re already together and I dare her to dispute it.

  Just as I thought, this is another crime not reported due to the LeClaire’s desire to take care of it in house - the mom’s decision. Dondi may be the head but Mellie runs shit around there. The rage she displayed when she found out about the attempted kidnapping of her baby had me wondering if I was too easy on the men. Also, there’s no better way to get in your future missus’ family's good graces than saving their daughter.

  Imala begged them to not tell her sisters. She wants to tell them on her time when she feels like talking about it. I can respect that, and her parents decided to as well. As suspected, I’d left her at her parents. They were not letting their baby out of sight and I know she needed them as well.

  I saunter into work a few days later because I have a meeting with Oran. I paste my smile on my face, since I cannot disclose what happened. I know my cousin well enough to know that not only would he lose his shit, but he’d also tell his wife. Then, the two of them would probably handcuff poor Imala to one of them at all times.

  Oran yells for me to enter when I knock, and we go directly to business. We always bypass small talk at work.

  “What’s the deal with that Dallas guy?” I inquire.

  Oran fixes me with a gray stare as he thinks.

  “Don’t know, don’t care as long as he does his job.”

  “I usually don’t either, but his hostility seems directed towards us specifically. He was also at the funeral. Do you think he’s one of Elmer’s die-hard loyal employees looking for a reason to retaliate?”

  “No. I think that’s just the setting on his face. He used to look at dear ole dad the same exact way. I’m leaning more towards Founder's envy.” He adjusts his red tie and moves to the file we’re covering.

  "Even with Dondi’s assistance, I’m hitting a dead end with the money trail. He was very good at burying it. At this point, we’ll need the best forensic accountant money can buy and a hacker."

  I nod thoughtfully. "That can be arranged." I tap my fingers on the desk for a moment. "How's Karessa?"

  I know she had to see someone after the attack, I should send Imala. Hell, I need to go with them. I’ve never shot or intended to shoot anyone a day in my life but here I am shooting people for trying to kidnap her. It’s not who I am but my rage made everything hazy.

  "Good; much better. Still refuses to go to her office but she's elbows deep in Ainslee's baby shower stuff."

  "Excellent. Tell her hello for me."

  "Don't worry about my wife, worry about that file."

  "I can do both." I wink at him. "Especially when she was wearing the pink little number…"

  "Get out of my office while you still have teeth."

  Oran may have threatened me, but a ghost of a smile played on his lips.

  "Fine." I get up and grab my things. I'm leaving when I deliver the last jab. "I'll just text her."

  A stress ball hitting my ass throws me into a fit of laughter.

  "Next time it'll be my foot."

  I stop by the bank because I heard Imala returned today. I’m not surprised, her brain needs to be occupied often. I still want to see her. I’ve given her space since that night so she can reconcile that I’m the same person as the guy she met that night. Hell, I didn’t even know I was that guy. Yet, if I could do it again, I would have protected her the same way. I suspect what they would have done to her is much worse than anything I did to them.

  I see her before she can see me. Her glasses are sliding down her nose, her hair is in one of those messy but appropriate buns, and she’s drowned in one of her too big business suits. She was like this before the failed kidnapping. It’s like she knows she is pretty but doesn't want others to catch on. We all see it.

  She jumps when I touch her. I’m happy to see her relax once she realizes it’s me. Part of me feared she’d think I’m dangerous and avoid me. Well, I am dangerous but not in the violent way. Only her pussy should fear me for now. It’ll love me later.

  “You’re concentrating awfully hard.”

  Her cheeks pinken at my observation. “I must. My job depends on it.”

  “Like you’re scared your dad will fire you?” I ask, as I relax into the chair next to her.

  Her giggle is the cutest damn thing I’ve heard in a long time. “No. My job is to follow money trails to ensure it’s being handled legitimately.”

  “Look for money laundering?” I’m suddenly intrigued.

  She leans in, giving me a whiff of jasmine. “Of course, I stay far away from certain accounts.”

  Say no more.

  I smile at her. “I would too.” We stare at each other for a moment, studying each other for signs of not being okay, then Imala drops eye contact.

  “It’s getting late,” she points out as she starts packing.

  To assist, I grab her textbook. The title pulls my attention.

  “Torts?”

  She glances back at the book. “Yes. It’s a beast but they’re not getting one over on Imala LeClaire.”

  I don’t know why, but discovering she’s studying law made her sexier.

  “I thought you were in line to take over the banking.”

  She accepts the book and stuffs it in her backpack. “I am. I also don’t want any of these slick ass lawyers trying to pull a fast one on me either.”

  “Should I be offended?”

  “No, but you are the exception. Most of your colleagues are pompous assholes. They’d bullshit me less with a JD hanging on my wall.”

  “Are you just going for the degree or will you take the bar?”

  Her smile is saucy. “Depends on how frisky I’m feeling at the time.”

  I chuckle at her brashness. “Well, feel free to ask me for assistance.”

  She stops mid-stride and looks up at me. “I can’t. I believe my favor quota is full with you.”

  “Nonsense!” I deny with strong conviction. “There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to allow them to get away with it.”

  The wind picks up strands of her hair as she looks around to see if anyone is listening.

  “Caerwyn, your request...I—"

  “Not out here, are you going to your place or your parents?”

  “Mine. The incident happened on a different side of town. I need to relearn how to live alone.”

  “I will follow you to make sure you get in safely.”

  She nods and climbs in her car without another word.

  Her brain must have been firing a mile a minute while she drove because she questions me the moment I appear outside of her door.

  “Why me?”

  Chapter Six

  Imala

  I know he saved my life and I will be forever grateful, but now that I’m not shocked, I wonder why he asked me to have his baby. I mean, it’s not like he pulled that request out of his ass in that moment. It presented as something he’d thought about prior.

  I can see the caution in his gaze and body language, he fears he’ll spook me. I can’t ever fear a guy who went through great lengths to protect me. I look him in the eye and hold the contact to convey my lack of fear. Caerwyn relaxes when he notices.

  “Why do you want me to have your child?” I rephrase the question, so we're on the same page.

  I unlock my door as I wait for his response.

  “You’re smart and adorable. We’d make beautiful babies,” he answers me.

  “Babies? You said one.”

  He winks at me before he starts to walk away. “We’ll see.” He ends our conversation.

  “I haven’t agreed!” I yell after him.

  Caerwyn stops and turns to face me with that stupid, sexy smile in place. “I see the way you look at me. You will.” He pivots then continues on his way. “Call me when you do.”

  He calls out without looking back.

  Arrogant bastard.

  I want to argue the opposite, but my eyes are stuck on his ass. It looks so damn good in his slacks. My attraction to
him irks me. I’m too busy to be pulled into his baby making scheme but he’s done so much for me.

  With a huff, I walk into my condo. My face is bent in irritation while I shower and moisturize. I’ve convinced myself Caerwyn is crazy by the time I’m set up for my pre-bed study session. The books, notepads, highlighters, and engraved pens spread out in the center of my bed aren’t bringing me the satisfaction I usually feel. Thirty minutes was all the time my brain needed to reject my studying efforts. Maybe my mind is accepting that it’s Friday night and I need to decompress from my incident. Climbing off bed, I neatly repack my school bag and settle back in bed to read for escapism. I read a little of everything across the genres, but I’m in the mood for romance.

  Halfway into the book, I shift uncomfortably in the bed, surprised I’m hot and bothered. Most sex scenes are just that, but I’m wet this time. My beaded nipples tingle with each shift of my cotton shirt. Ignoring my desire to touch myself, I squeeze my legs together to abate the throb deep within.

  What in the world?

  I curse when I realize my problem. My brain switched the hero and heroine with Caerwyn and me. Damn him, his heroism, and his sex appeal. My body reacts to him in foreign ways.

  I was only nine when they moved away. He had no bearing on my life. And when he’d pop in and out of the years, I’d never see him. He was the Hale people remembered fondly but hardly saw. The wedding was the first time I’d seen him as an adult. Now, I’m at home thinking about the cocky bastard. He saved me. At least his return to the island was good timing.

  A baby. I’d dismissed the theory almost as soon as I heard it, but my hormones are questioning my brain’s decision. Despite my thoughts, my feelings want what he’s offering. I’ve never doubted I’d have children; I just didn’t think it’d happen so soon...

  “Nawl. Nope. Hell, nawl,” I mumble as I dial his number.

  I’m putting an end to this bullshit right now. My brain shouldn’t be hyper focused on something I’ve never had.

  “Hey, Caterpillar. That was fast.” His sexy, deep voice rakes over my body in sinister ways. “Did you realize my ass would look better naked?”