Berke's penthouse is the entire top floor of an amazing posh building and hints at the luxury expected from a Hale. The guard, a cagey older man, eyes Luci and me like we don't belong. I don't know if it's because we don't look like we can afford to be in the building, the blackness of our skin, or simply because he hasn't seen us before. I don't care. He better not get in the way of my mission.
"Hello, I'm here to see Berke Hale."
His eyes grow darker and I get it. He thinks we're some of his hoes.
"He doesn't accept visitors," he tells us then turns his back to dismiss us without attempting to find out who we are.
"He will accept my visit now. Open the elevator."
He spins on me, frowning at my audacity.
"Who do you think you are?"
"That should have been your first question. Except I don't think I'm anyone. I know I'm the most important visitor he'll get. Normally, I'm much nicer, but I've worked all day just to hop on a plane to deal with more bullshit. So, either step aside or be the next person on my list."
"And what list is that?"
"A life ruining list and women hold grudges well. Feel free to try me by continuing to be rude."
He studies me for a moment, his face rife with vexation for being talked down to in the building he protects.
"Or I can call security."
I wave at the phone. "Go right ahead."
He calls, as I suspect. The Hale's private security rounds the corner being led by a Founder's Island native. He slows his pace the closer he gets. Ramsey's recollection of who I am is stronger since he accompanied Berke to the funeral. He shoots his brown eyes from me to the desk clerk.
"What's going on?" Ramsey questions.
"I want to see Berke now."
Ramsey nods. "Sure thing, Mrs. LeClaire," he's talking to me but looks at the clerk with big eyes.
"Ralph, Ms. LeClaire is Berke's future sister-in-law and her sister is married to Oran Hale - the HEAD of the Hale family." He scrubs his face as his hand slides down his beard. "I told you months ago to study the cards."
"It's too late he's fired," I announce. "Also, have your team ready. Berke is coming with me whether he likes it or not. Understand?"
A slow smile spreads across his face. "Yes ma'am."
I step around the still sputtering Ralph and head to the elevator with Luci in tow. Time to wrestle a demon.
Berke Hale is a big, mean, mountain of sexy muscle just like most of the other Hales. His sultry light-brown eyes spear me when I enter his penthouse unannounced. He places the coffee he was sipping on his table as he rises as the dim light from the floor to ceiling window highlights his near naked body. He is art. No, really. The tattoos that cover his arms look like art. My eyes drop to the skull with wings tattoo that start just below his belly button and disappear under the waist of his boxer briefs.
“Wyn would be disappointed if he knew his bird was looking at my dick.” His accent adds to his sexy, but his attitude detracts majorly.
“I was looking at the tattoo. I have no interest in the rest. And since you know who the fuck I am, you know why I’m here. Did you really think hanging up on me was the move?”
Berke doesn’t understand talking like normal, civilized adults. I’ve learned to get through to him, I must match his asshole. No. I have to top it. I cannot be my usual self and get him on the plane unless I want Luci to do it. After my pep talk on the elevator. My inner bitch is activated and I’m ready for the showdown.
He shrugged then pushed his black hair out of his eyes. “It felt pretty good to me.”
“And now?”
Berke moves his attention to Luci's body and studies her curves appreciatively. “Did you bring me a gift?"
“Not unless you want to die,” she tells him casually, not taking her eyes off a painting on his wall.
“Get your shit. Let’s go,” I order him.
“Fuck you.”
“Hurry up, I don’t have all day. I’m in the middle of finishing the wedding. I don’t have time for your bullshit. Pack for three weeks.”
“You can’t make me do a damn thing!” He’s in my space, towering over me in a move to intimidate me.
“Berke, we both know who has the real power here. Don’t make me go there. Get your head out of your ass and go support your damn brother.”
“I don’t have a brother.”
“You would if you’d stop being an asshole and act like one. You’re older. Grow the fuck up!”
He sits down, getting comfortable. He plants his legs open and slings his arm over the back of the chair, then quirks his eyebrows at me in a silent “make me.”
“Can I hurt him now?” Luci asks, coming up next to me.
“He needs his fingers to pack. I could pack for him, but he needs to be functional to be a groomsman.”
“I have a poison that’ll paralyze him temporarily.”
“I have an entire security team,” Berke points out.
“Good, they can carry you to the jet,” Luci counters.
“Berke, I’ll give you one more chance to do this with dignity before I start fucking with your life. Trust me, you don’t want me doing that.”
The asshole continues to sip his coffee as if I didn’t speak. I pull out my phone and dial.
“Hi, Oran. Sorry to wake you. Do you remember that property I wanted to buy from you?”
Oran chuckles on the phone. “Let me guess, Manchester?”
“That’s right. Finalize the paperwork. I have a tenant to evict.”
Berke grins like he thinks I’m joking. I put Oran on speaker.
“Okay, sis. The only thing left to do is sign it. I can send it for electronic signature then the place is yours. You can start the eviction paperwork while you’re there.”
“Good. This might be fun. Thanks, bro’. Kiss my sister for me.”
We disconnect as I raise an eyebrow at Berke.
“I can just move.”
I cross my arms and smile. “With what money, Berke?” His eyes darken with anger and I lean to get in his face. “Can the Abbots afford your expensive tastes?”
He snarls at his mother’s last name.
“You have no power in Manchester.”
“For someone who doesn’t want to be a Hale, you’re really tapping into the lifestyle the last name gives you. Your trust fund disbursements come from LeClaire International Bank where I have all the power because I am LIB.” I smile as my words sink in. “Understand this. If you don’t get your big ass up, put on some goddamn clothes, and get ready for this trip, I’ll fuck your money like the dirty whores you like. I hope you like your momma’s house.”
Chapter Twelve
Caerwyn
Imala texts me to tell me she’s on the way home hours ago and I cannot get the antsy feeling to go away. Actually, it won’t go away until she’s back where I can see her. I pace around the foyer of the mansion, waiting for her to arrive.
Imala: I’m here
A smile breaks out on my face. I missed her but the most important thing is she’s safe. Maybe that little hellfire with her really is effective. Her knock at the door floods my body with anticipation to see her. Opening the door, I pull her into one of those bear hugs she loves so much. She giggles in my arms and I’m calm again.
“I’m so glad you’re back.” I put her down, cup her face, and look into her eyes. “I was worried about you, hoping you weren’t in any danger—"
“Really? Your opinion is so low of me you’d think I’d hurt her? She’s a pain in the arse but I wouldn’t hurt her.”
Berke’s sudden appearance behind Luci freezes me in place. Where in the hell did he come from? What is he doing here? His dark eyes blaze with indignation as he approaches me. His hair looks like he finger-combed it out of his face and he’s sporting a t-shirt and distressed jeans. He drops his designer suitcase as he charges in my direction.
“And what kind of pussy whipped wanker are you to send your bird and little side
kick to fetch me?”
I may be confused by his sudden appearance but he’s not going to come to the island and insult my fiancée and me like he owns the place. I’m not the little boy he used to bully. I’m a grown ass man.
“You need to calm down, Berke,” I warn him, stepping in front of Imala.
“Want me to shoot him?” Luci asks, her seductive brown eyes serious.
Berke’s head snaps in her direction then back to me as he sneers. “See! That's the kind of bullshit I’m talking about!” He pushes me and ignores Imala’s protest to continue his rant. “Grow some balls and fetch me yourself, next time!” he yells in my face.
I’m so mad the tips of my ears are burning. I used to fantasize about having a normal brotherly relationship, but I was given a selfish asshole with a superiority complex. Any happiness I could’ve felt for him showing up in time for the wedding is gone in a puff because he’s never going to change. If he’s intent on us having a fucked-up relationship, then I’m done being accommodating.
“Back the fuck up before I knock you out.”
Berke raises an eyebrow at my words, but he assumes I’ll be my usual peaceful self. He swings at me instead of heeding my warning.
I block his hit, pivot and bump his chest with my shoulder to force him backwards. Berke advances again and I sidestep him then kick the back of his leg to force him to his knees.
"Cut it out, Berke," I warn him again and am rewarded with him hitting me in the stomach just above my dick.
That's it! I hit him with a quick uppercut and right hook combo to make my threat a reality. Berke falls back, hits his head on the table leg and it's lights out.
Ramsey moves forward to check his vitals. We'd chosen Ramsey to head Berke's detail since he's loyal to our family, is a trained fighter and killer, and has combat medical training from his years in the military.
"He's fine." The top of his brown-haired head informs me. "We'll stabilize him and get him to the hospital for tests to be sure."
"Thank you."
I'm sitting by his hospital bed waiting for Berke's big ass to wake up. All his tests came back normal. They tried to rouse him, but I told them to let the big asshole sleep it off and wake up on his own.
Imala comes in, glares at Berke's sleeping form then approaches me to lower herself into my lap.
There are millions of situations where this would be damn arousing.
"Do you think my lap is a safe place for you?" I tease her and kiss her shoulder.
She giggles but ignores my question. I happily rest my head on her chest and accept her hug.
"I'm sorry my surprise turned into an ambush attack from your brother."
"No need to apologize. I understand your goal. Your siblings love you. He’s picked on me my entire life." I cup her wrist, rubbing the sensitive skin with my thumb and look her in her eyes. "I want to tell you how amazing you are. Even after your attack and failed kidnapping, you took it upon yourself to take your little ass to Manchester practically alone and force that sonofabitch to come here."
"You're amazing. You saved my life and I wanted to do something big for you. Too bad he reverted to his fucked up ways. I thought it'd be nice for your brother to be at your festivities for the wedding."
"Reverted? He's the same as I remember from childhood. He doesn't like me, nor does he care that I'm his little brother. Before Oran appeared, he used to tell me he’d have all the power and wouldn’t give me shit. I think he has that thing."
"What thing?"
"You know, the inability to care for others beyond what they can do for him."
"Are you saying Berke is like Elmer?"
I'm tired of the tug of war with Berke. I've learned that I can't make him care. Taking a deep sigh, I consider Imala's question.
"Maybe. At least Elmer faked it. He'd pretend to care until it was time to stab you in the back. Berke can't go anywhere without acting like a damn fool."
"I can hear you, asshole," Berke grumbles from his bed.
My body relaxes and the pressure in my chest loosens. I'm glad he's okay but I'm still pissed off.
"Good. I can go back to work."
His handcuffs clank on the bed frame when he tries to move.
"Why the fuck am I handcuffed?"
"You heard me. You act a damn fool everywhere you go," I grit out as I prepare to stand.
Imala climbs out of my lap and leans over Berke's bed.
"It's in case Wyn decides to press charges."
Berke's whiskey eyes shoot to her in horror.
"Press charges against his own brother?" he growls.
"Now, he's conveniently my brother."
He yelps when I punch his thigh.
"Good news. You're not paralyzed."
I kiss Imala on the forehead. "I'll see you after work."
Chapter Thirteen
Imala
I watch Caerwyn walk out seemingly unaffected, but I know the truth. When I'd entered the room, he had that look on his face my mom would have when Esme would rebel and break curfew: pissed but worried.
Berke isn't anything like Elmer. I can tell by the way he's seething by the lack of attention it's the opposite. He cares too much.
"How long have I been out?"
"At least an hour or longer."
"I know Wyn isn't the only damn Hale on the island." The handcuffs protest him clenching his fists.
"Nope."
His tortured whiskey eyes find me. "Were they informed that I was unconscious?"
"Yep."
He whips his head back to stare at the ceiling.
"Wyn was only here because he felt guilty."
"Is that how you see it?"
His beautiful face frowns with the weight of the bullshit he's trained himself to believe.
"It's how it is."
"So, you're saying Wyn wouldn't have shown if you'd gotten hurt any other way?"
He moisturizes his dry lips with his tongue. "Yes."
"Then you don't know a damn thing about your brother." I shake my head in irritation. "I warned you in Manchester. And the first thing you do is attack one of the only people who give a damn about you. It’s time to initiate tough love."
I frown when he snorts. "You'd have to care."
"I do care. I care that one of your sources of unconditional love is tired as hell and the window on your chance to feel that love is closing. I care that you feel hurt and instead of focusing on the source or reason, you take it out on Wyn. I don't know the origin of your anger, but I know for a fact it isn't him."
Berke is staring off in the distance with that signature Hale defiance set in his jaw. I tilt his chin so he can look at me.
"Consider yourself grounded."
"You're not my mother."
"No. I'm more powerful. Your passport is revoked. Your money is frozen. You are now dependent on the very relative who you love to antagonize."
"You can't do this to me."
"Can and have. You need a reality check. No one will help you but Wyn. You're ten years older than me, Berke. Fucking act like it and take some responsibility for your shit. Life happens to everyone. It's time for you to relearn what you think you know about your family."
"Is this why you brought me here? To trap me like a rat?"
"No. I brought you here to be there for your brother and celebrate with your family. You did this part all on your own. If you were civil, you'd probably be somewhere eating, drinking, or relaxing by the pool. You didn't behave. Now you have to deal with the consequences."
I stand when someone knocks on the door. I smile at Esme's friend when she enters. As usual, Sienna is flawless with her carefully applied make up, her black hair in a high ponytail that still falls mid back and her baby hair neatly laid. Her pant suit is fitted, and her heels are high, but her expression is all business.
She gives me a quick hug and studies Berke's bruised face and cuffed wrists.
"Is he dangerous?"
"Who in the hell is thi
s?" Berke wants to know.
"No. Just mean for no good reason." I hold up a finger to her. "Ramsey!"
He comes in and Berke starts his rant.
"You're supposed to protect me. How did you let them do this?"
"You are alive and well. I did my job." Ramsey volleys as he removes the handcuffs.
"You're fired."
Ramsey chuckles and shakes his head. "I work for the Hale family, not just you."
"Berke." I point at Sienna. "You can't fire her either FYI."
He sits up as much as the medical devices allow. "Who is she?"
"Your new counselor."
He frowns at me, somehow still attractive with bruises and his hair as a wild black halo.
"As in legal?"
"Nope. Mental."
"I don't need a fucking shrink."
"Maybe not, but your bi-weekly meetings are one of the conditions to getting your money back."
"Conditions?"
"Yes. This is a learning experience. I'm not out to leave you broke and dependent on Wyn for life. Consider this a Hale family reentry program."
"You can't."
"She can," Oran says from the door with one of the doctors in tow. "We're going to get you checked out then back to the Hale mansion you go." He pauses, slides his hands in his pockets and flashes Berke a wicked smile. "Welcome home, cousin."
Chapter Fourteen
Caerwyn
I’m getting married tomorrow and I’m so fucking anxious. Not in a bad way, the way Imala handled my brother by dragging his ass here and putting him in the Hale family rotation has proven she’d be a great partner and it’s arousing as fuck. He’s not easy to deal with by any stretch of the imagination. I didn't doubt her before, but this bolder side made me want to drag her to the courthouse to marry her sooner. I need her. I crave her like it’s an addiction I don’t want to quit.
I slip on my jeans while trying to ignore my intense desire to touch, taste, and feel her. We haven’t slept in the same bed since I left her house and I miss it. I’m having sex dreams about my own fiancée.
Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6) Page 7
