Mitch shifted. "What? Why?"
Peter put his arm around Belle. "My wife was...overeager to prove her value to Morgan Enterprises and, without consulting me, steamrolled ahead with the merger Tess drafted.” He took a cautious breath. “After meeting you again in New Orleans, and speaking to my mother, I realized you are family and I’d rather have you as an ally and partner."
Tess hoped this meant he’d not hold what she did against her.
“You’re not like our father,” Mitch said. “If he needed to, he would have steamrolled over his own mother.” Mitch squeezed her hand. “Tess is my wife now, and the one good thing about our father was he believed our family name was a matter of pride.”
“Yes, he did.” Peter sat forward. "Tess’s actions saved me from doing something I would have regretted."
Without one blink to show concern, Mitch asked, "That means she'll be left alone?"
"She’s now a Morgan. We don’t battle each other,” Peter smiled, “publicly."
Mitch held out his hand. "If we were to merge our banks, what would my role in this company be?"
Tess let out an audible gasp. Seriously? He had said no when she’d asked before.
Peter's eyes widened. "You're willing?"
"Our father made me see your family as the enemy. Now that I've met you, and Isabelle, I think perhaps the real enemy was always him."
"Agreed." Peter shook his hand.
Mitch sat down again and placed his hand on Tess’s leg. "Together, we’ll make the House of Morgan stronger."
Peter inched closer to Belle. "Perfect. What role would you like at Morgan Enterprises, Mitch?”
"I'd like to oversee new operations done through my company, and I want Tess to work with me."
"Done.” Peter looked at Tess, his expression difficult for her to read. “You are a hard worker and very clever." Peter clasped his hands over his knee. "I’m happy more family is joining me in this place. I can’t wait to call your mother my aunt, Tess."
“Please don’t. Not yet.” Tess put her hand to her chest. “I want to have a family get-together so I can tell her, as well as my...our sister, in person.”
“We’ll invite everyone to my home until you find your own place. I have plenty of room for a party. Consider it a small wedding gift.”
Tess’s jaw didn’t quite close. Peter lived in one of the nicest mansions in all of Miami. It was where movie stars liked to get their picture taken. She turned and saw Belle smiling at her.
“Please, Tess,” she said. “I want us to be family.”
“Okay.” She answered, then met Mitch’s gaze. “Would that be all right with you?”
"That's fine. Thank you.” Mitch said. “However, it has to be soon because I want to take Tess on an extended holiday as a wedding present."
"I understand. Enjoy your honeymoon. And thank you for coming to clear this matter up in person." Peter stood and they all followed. Mitch kept his arm around her waist as they walked to the door. "This Valentine’s Day, my wife and I are having a private wedding on my yacht, so the guest list is small. But I'd like for you and your brothers to be there.”
“Jess and my mom, too?” Tess answered.
“Your mother has always been my rock, Tess.” Peter shook her hand. "I need her close.” He then turned to Mitch. “If you get to Italy on this honeymoon of yours, I think we have three brothers there, too.”
Mitch shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Our father spent two months of every year in Italy.”
“This morning, I hired investigators. There were names in the will I want tracked down. I figured we all survived our father, which makes us the only ones who truly understand that the Morgan name was nothing but hardship. Maybe they will have been luckier."
Tess hugged Mitch. All that mattered now was moving forward. Mitch shook his brother’s hand one more time. "Keep me informed. I will tell my brothers about your wedding invitation, but for now, let’s plan the small family party for tomorrow."
“Done.”
Mitch and Tess walked to the elevator.
Tess sucked in a breath as they stepped into it. Once they were out of the building, she'd ask a few more questions. Mitch didn’t need to protect her anymore, so the question of what he really wanted rang in her mind.
With him, she might get her happily ever after—but only if he loved her.
20
Tess’s body felt like an electrical storm surged through her. She scooted into the limo, Mitch following. The second he closed the door, the car took off. She lowered her voice so the driver didn't hear. "So what happens now, Mitch?"
"What's your question exactly?" He studied her closely.
How did he not have questions? They were now husband and wife because of a business snafu. She pressed her lips together and tried to form her next sentence. Finally, she raised her eyebrows. "We married to save your company, but then you merged willingly.”
He leaned back in the seat and put the partition up so they had privacy. "I realized that Peter was not like my father."
They were clearly not on the same page. The driver drove closer to the Biltmore. She smoothed a wrinkle in the white satin of her dress. "And?"
He reached for her hand. "The man I am angry at is a ghost. I can't assume his legitimate heir is exactly like him just because I want to stay angry."
His father was not here to be a part of the now, though she was glad for his sake that he was letting go of old hurt. Still, she had to understand his motives. He’d married her to save his company, and then given it away. When the car stopped, they slid out.
They walked into the lobby, where the air conditioning blasted. "I asked you about a merger, Mitch. You said no, in no uncertain terms."
He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I wasn't ready to listen then. I think I needed to watch my mother’s dramatic return from the dead and her meeting Peter’s mother. If they can make peace, I shouldn’t hold onto anger.”
She headed toward the restaurant, but he guided her to the elevator. "We can get room service." He winked and caressed the soft skin at her wrist.
Not in the mood for games she said, "We need to talk." She followed him into the elevator. Was there time to get an annulment? Mitch didn’t have to save her from jail—Peter had admitted that Belle had acted too soon.
She stared at the ceiling the entire ride up in search of the right words. Once they made it to his room, he picked up the phone and ordered dinner and champagne.
The wedding dress was nice, but she was in need of comfort. She massaged her neck, avoided his gaze, and headed to the bathroom to take the dress off. She took her time and heard room service come in. Could he love her? A few minutes later, she walked out wearing a bathrobe and her high heels.
Her eyes widened when she saw the bed had flower petals all over it and the champagne was poured. “Please tell me more about growing up and why you hated your father.”
He held her seat for her. "My mother was almost manic when it came to my father. The four months a year he spent with her made her so happy. When he left, she went into this deep depression, and nothing any of us did could shake her out of it.”
He handed her a champagne flute. She said, “Maybe he did love Fiona best.”
“My sister's happy smiles changed that pattern. As a baby, Catherine was happy all the time, which was contagious. My father suddenly started losing control of my mother. After Catherine was stolen from us, my mother stopped fighting.”
She scooted her chair closer to him. “That doesn’t explain kidnapping Jess or what happened to you.”
He sipped his champagne. “At the time, I didn't think he stole her, but as an adult, when I read about what he did to his daughter, Victoria, and his wife and three other children, the thought went through me. Now, we know what happened. It was manipulative and very much like him—but I now have closure, and I want to spend the rest of my life happy.”
Her pulse raced as she prayed he didn't think anything
bad about her family.
"My parents did not know she was kidnapped. Mitch told my mother your family died in a fire."
He stared at her without recrimination. "Catherine told us that."
Good. Now it was time to help him let go and focus on what he wanted for them. “But that doesn't answer my question."
His gaze narrowed. "What was it?"
What mattered was their future. She sipped her champagne, the bubbles fizzing in her mouth. "So what happens between us now?"
He shifted his chair toward her until their knees brushed. "Us?"
"Yeah." She lifted her chin. He leaned closer. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she breathed deeply of his woodsy scent.
He whispered, "You’re my wife, so you move in with me."
Her heart and mind raced. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "Where is that exactly? New Orleans? Paris? You seem to be a man with many places, but no true home of your own."
He pressed his hand on her thigh. "Where do you want to live, Tess?"
Anywhere, as long as he set her on fire like this. She swallowed. "I have my mom here. Jess. I would like to see them every so often. Plus, you are now part of Morgan Enterprises."
“Got it.” He nodded. "We'll buy a home here."
"Here?" Miami, with her family. Once again, she felt lighter. She could breathe.
Mitch continued, having no idea how worried she’d been about telling him she needed to stay here part of the time. "I think Axel should have Mom's home on Key Biscayne. He’s already installing a studio for his band. Galen and Damien have a property company, so I want to buy a home near Peter. I am sick of being considered the illegitimate side of the family. We should put roots where my father refused to raise us."
He spoke so fast, it took a second for her mind to catch up. No one she knew actually lived where the movie stars and billionaires did. Miami was a world unto itself. She folded her hands under the table as she imagined how she would go from the city to a glittery world just off the highway. She only ever had small glimpses of that life where people had parties and ran world affairs from one phone call. Mitch belonged there.
She fanned her cheeks. "Wow. So we're going house shopping on Starr Island? I'm sure every realtor in the area will love to help us."
His lips brushed against hers. She wanted far more than a simple kiss. Her body craved everything. Mitch ran his hand on her thigh. "You can pick it. Right now, let's get you out of that robe."
Her face heated as she sipped her champagne. "I need a few things of my own from my place."
"Okay." He adjusted his hold on her. "Tess?" he said and reached for the robe tie.
She didn’t move as he unwrapped her. "Yes?"
The moment the tie was on the floor, Mitch stared at her breasts. Shyness grew inside her, but so did pride. Mitch liked her. Her pulse zipped.
"I won't leave you, Tess. Ever.”
She placed her hands on his chest. "I believe you."
At first, he didn’t move. She wrapped her arms around him and he hugged her. "Kiss me, Tess. Because I need you."
Need was sexy. She unknotted his tie and helped him out of the jacket. They were going to be one. She tossed his tie onto the floor and slipped out of her heels. Mitch unbuttoned his shirt and picked her up. A minute later, he laid her on the bed.
The second he kissed her, her body hummed in answer. Mitch was everything she’d ever desired in a man, and more.
21
Light shone brightly through the windows of Mitch’s suite at the Biltmore. Tess turned away, but her stomach growled. She stretched and realized her muscles were sore in new, sweet ways that made her feel special. Mitch's hand still held hers under the covers. She uncurled her fingers from his, but the moment she did, he wrapped his other hand around her waist and held her close. Her heart stirred. This was the beginning of forever.
His eyes fluttered open and he kissed her cheek. "Morning."
"Morning." She nestled into the warmth of his embrace.
"How does being my wife feel?” he asked. She could feel his growing erection.
Her stomach growled again. They probably should have eaten last night. He laughed and let her go, so he must have heard her rumbles.
“Let’s get you breakfast.” He picked up her hand and stared at her fingers. "We should go pick out a real ring today. I want everyone to know."
A ring. A symbol on her hand that she was no longer simply Tess Taylor, the woman she’d feared would never be good enough to be anyone’s wife. Kevin's words replayed in that moment. She swallowed and shook the thought away. Mitch was all that mattered now. She closed her eyes and let the scent of him relax her.
"You don't have to.”
"Oh, I want people to know you’re mine." He massaged her side, his hand slipping lower.
She shook her head and stood. "Mitch, I'm happy, but I am also hungry."
"Call room service." Her empty stomach demanded she follow that order. She picked up the phone, then hung up.
“You know what? Get up.” She walked into the living area to pick up her bathrobe off the floor. A second later, she walked into the bedroom, took her dress from the door hanger and brought it to the closet. "Let's go down to the bistro. It’s buffet, so I can have whatever I want. Then we can come right back."
A few packages of clothes, courtesy of Caro, had arrived last night, but they were still in boxes in the living room. She opened one for something to wear.
Grabbing a white flowered cotton dress, she hugged it and walked into the bedroom.
She saw the bed was empty, but heard the shower. She bit her lip. Her husband's muscles under the water would be something to see. She dropped the dress on the bed and went to join him.
With less than five minutes to spare before the buffet closed, they walked in for brunch. Mitch glanced around to find a table, seeing his brothers and mother all waving. Mitch met her gaze, nodded, and led Tess toward the table. They all moved over to make room, and Galen went to grab a seat from the table next to them so they would all fit.
Damien nodded. "Mitch, Tess."
Once they were seated, Mitch looked around the table. "Mom, Galen, Damien, Axel, there is something I have to tell you."
Galen folded his hands. "What’s that?"
“I wish Catherine were here, so we could tell everyone together.” Tess took his hand. He met everyone’s gaze and lifted his chin. "Tess and I got married yesterday."
"What?" Damien sat back in his seat and turned to their mom.
Fiona Dupree practically jumped out of her seat and beamed at Tess. It was the first time in forever his mother seemed herself and stronger. Had Isabelle’s forgiveness been a tonic? "We would have celebrated with you. How did you get my always serious and never wanting to settle down son to get married? I’m so excited."
Tess laughed, but Mitch heard the nerves. “This was Mitch’s idea more than mine.”
He’d pushed for it, using the takeover as an excuse to have her without putting his emotions on the line.
Axel pushed his hair out of his face and glared at Mitch. "I thought you were only dating her to get information on Peter's company."
She took her hand back, looking at Mitch. “He said that?”
“That was a long time ago, Tess.” Mitch placed his hand on her lap, but she nudged it away. “It was before I knew you.”
Axel said, “You were the one who said not to mix business and pleasure.”
"Axel!" Mitch turned and glared at his brother.
Axel's grim expression told him plenty. "I thought it was cold-hearted, but marrying on a lie is far worse and too much like our father."
"What does he mean, Mitch?" Tess asked and pushed her plate of food away.
He turned. His body felt tight. "I meant to tell you."
“My son wouldn’t marry a woman he didn’t love,” Fiona said. “He’s not like his father.”
Mitch reached for her hand again, but she shook her head. "Wait. You asked me ques
tions on Morgan Enterprises, but I thought it was about the merger proposal. You said no. Then, after we get married, you agreed. Was I your ticket into Peter’s head the entire time?”
There was nothing else to say. Not here. Not in front of his family. He held his tongue because no words formed.
She scooted her seat back, stood, and turned toward the door. Mitch grasped her arm as he rose. "Tess."
She shook off his grip and pressed her lips together as she stared at him. The expression on her face suggested silence on his part. She put her hands between them. "Mitch, I need space. Don't follow me."
"Tess!" he said as she stormed toward the door.
Mitch stared, confused. This morning, waking up next to Tess, he’d been so happy. Now he felt torn in two.
22
"Why did you say that?"
Mitch glared at Axel, fury lacing his blood. He would never interfere with Axel's life, so there was no reason his brother should have said anything like that to Tess. When Axel had told their mother to stay away if she forgave their father, Mitch kept his mouth shut. Tess was not their mother, so Axel had no place meddling.
Mitch placed both hands on the table, holding Axel’s gaze. "Tess is not your business to ruin."
Axel stood. "Why didn't you tell that nice girl yourself then? Why did you marry her if it were just business? How far along are you to becoming just like Dad?"
Mitch inched closer, but Damien stood and put himself between them. Mitch's jaw clenched. "It’s not just business. Not anymore."
“Good, because your wife just left,” Fiona said while holding her chest. She let it go and stared at him. “And it’s up to you to get her back.”
"What changed, Mitch?" Damien asked. “If it wasn’t business, why did you marry her?”
If Mitch stood here any longer, he'd end up in a fight—taking on all of his brothers at once. His mother’s words rang in his ears. He needed to find Tess first and apologize. He dropped his hands to his sides. "She tried to save me when I could have lost it all. No one has ever cared that much."
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