Conklin's Foundation (Conklin's Trilogy #2)

by Brooke Page

  It was a turn on to see Tyler control the table instead of sitting back looking like the wing man. Every now and then I would feel his hand on my thigh, his thumb caressing me as he chatted with the two men. Their wives obviously knew each other and were very kind to include me in their conversation, but I only half listened because I was so attuned to Tyler.

  Once dinner was finished, the master of ceremony was going to announce the winners of the silent auction. Shockingly, Tyler won both the trip to Hawaii and the Michael Buble’ tickets. I rolled my eyes when his name was announced and everyone clapped. He gave me his ‘don’t mess with me’ eyebrow lift followed by his mischievous smile.

  Margo was sitting with Mary and RJ at the moment, and I couldn’t help but notice her eyeing Tyler while Mary jabbered. What did she want from him? Was it because he was finally happy and with someone else that she was going to finally show interest in him? Well, it was too late. He was mine, and I wasn’t going to let him go.

  Once the announcer finished with the silent auction, music began to play and the party goers began to move around the large space.

  “Want to dance?” Tyler asked, running his finger along my thigh. He was leaning back in his chair, his other arm resting on the table.

  Just as I was nodding my head to Tyler for a dance, Lee Chino decided to make his appearance. Tyler stood to greet him.

  “Tyler Conklin, so nice to see you. Now I am really upset I missed dinner,” Lee said with a big smile. He put his hand out to shake Tyler’s.

  Tyler gave him a grin and shook his hand. “I’m sorry you missed dinner as well.”

  “And Becca. Wow, you have really grown up. You were this big the last time I was at your house for dinner with your family,” Lee said with a smile, holding his hand to his waist to insinuate how tall I was when he last saw me. His skin was a dark complexion like a true Italian. He was short with short dark hair.

  “Nice to see you again,” I said kindly, looping my arm through Tyler’s. I didn’t like the vibe this guy was giving off.

  “Congratulations on your work in Miami. I had lunch with your father the other day, and he informed me you were working with Edna Enterprise the last five weeks,” he said calmly.

  I nodded my head and said thank you, wishing Tyler and I could get to the dance floor. Just to make life more interesting, Margo decided to come and stand by Chino, taking his arm. I looked skeptically at her display of affection, afraid to look at Tyler and see what his expression might be.

  “Tyler, I am very excited to start business after our meeting last Thursday,” Chino said, ignoring Margo’s presence.

  So he did meet with Chino last Thursday. Why was he so afraid to tell me he was out late for work with him?

  Tyler’s eyes became hard. “We haven’t finalized anything yet. I prefer we keep all business plans on a low profile, and in doing so, discuss them in a more appropriate manner.”

  I looked up at Tyler and his jaw was clenched. His eyes met mine, and he gave me his famous smirk then continued talking to Lee. He actually didn’t seem fazed by Margo’s presence with Lee, but was more irritated that I found out who he was with last Thursday instead. More reason for me to believe he was done with her.

  “I hate to interrupt, but Lee, you promised me a dance,” Margo said, giving Lee’s arm a gentle tug. He gave her a sly grin and then turned back to Tyler and me.

  “That I did, lovely. Excuse me. It was wonderful to see you all grown up, Becca. And Tyler, I look forward to meeting with you again soon.”

  Tyler gave him a hard nod, then took my hand. “Sounds like a plan. I promised my Becs a dance too,” he said, giving me an adoring smile. I blushed at his endearment then peeked over at Margo. Tyler’s remark had affected her as well, and I couldn’t have been happier.

  Tyler led me to the dance floor and wrapped an arm firmly around my waist and took my hand.

  “Did you plan for the DJ to play a Michael Buble’ song the second we walked on the dance floor?” I teased, as the singer’s deep voice rose through the speakers.

  Tyler grinned down at me, “Maybe…”

  I smiled and snuggled in close to him, smelling his sporty cologne on his neck. It was so intoxicating. I ran my free hand up the nape of his neck and saw Margo watching us as we danced. I loved how Tyler didn’t react to her obvious attempts to get his attention tonight. Maybe they weren’t obvious, but she sure pissed me off.

  I brought my attention back to Tyler, happy to finally feel I had the upper hand and I wanted to focus on us instead of Margo.

  Tyler ran his hand down my spine and began to hum the song that was playing against my ear.

  “Close your eyes,

  Let me tell you all the reasons why

  I think you’re one of a kind.

  Here’s to you the one that always pulls us through,

  Always do what you got to do,

  You’re one of a kind, thank God your mine.”

  “And you say you’re not romantic,” I flirted, pulling my head back to look at him.

  His eyes were as soft as his voice when he spoke. “I was supposed to play this for you on Christmas.”

  “And you were supposed to make me a playlist,” I added.

  “I was… maybe I will just sing all of them to you,” he murmured.

  I giggled and held him close again, enjoying the soft lyrics he sang into my ear.

  “It’s your beauty that betrays you,

  Your smile gives you away.

  Cause you’re made of strength and mercy, and my soul is yours to save.

  I know this much is true, when my world was dark and blue,

  I know the only one who rescued me was you.”

  I closed my eyes and listened to the words. I felt the exact same way about him. He rescued me just as much as I rescued him. “Becs I want so much with you,” he said, breaking away from singing. “I want to be the center of your world like you are mine. I want to wake up to you every morning, be married,” he said with a fading voice. I took a sharp breath when I looked at him. He had never said anything about our future. I had only planned it all out in my head. I tilted my head up to kiss him, but before I could he whispered against my lips, “I want to make babies with you.”

  A shiver went down my spine. Tyler never seemed comfortable with kids and hearing his confession gave me an uncontrollable warmth throughout my entire body. I always wanted a family of my own, and I would have been willing to give that up for Tyler, but knowing now he wanted the same things as me made my heart completely magnetize to his.

  “I want that too, Tyler,” I said with a shaky breath.

  He pulled my body as close to his as he could, kissing me gently and tenderly. It must have been easy for him since my mouth was still hanging open from his wonderful proclamation.

  He pulled away and continued to murmur the song in my ear:

  “When your love pours down on me,

  I know I’m finally free.

  So I tell you gratefully,

  every single beat in my heart is yours to keep.”

  It was as though we were the only two on the dance floor; my prince charming was sweeping me off my feet at the ball, cocooning me from all of our past baggage. We finally had conquered what our hearts desired. Full-blown trust and faith fluttered through me for Tyler, and I knew he was the one. I always knew, but for whatever reason, tonight seemed to lock in my feelings.

  The song ended and a more upbeat tune started to play. Tyler held onto me longer as though everyone was still slow dancing with their partners. I kept tracing circles on the nape of his neck with my fingertips, enjoying his hand firmly holding my other hand in between our chests. I could feel his heart beating for me, our pulses intertwined.

  Tyler pulled his head back to give me a soft kiss then said, “I have to go talk to RJ quick. Meet me back on the dance floor the next slow song, okay?”

  “I look forward to it,” I said calmly, my eyes doughy with warmth and affection for t
he man I loved.

  Tyler kissed my cheek and guided me off the dance floor and back to our table. He then made his way over to RJ who was standing next to the bar, his eyes fixated on Tyler with his hands in his pockets.

  Before I sat down, I noticed Margo walking into the bathroom. Feeling extremely confident and fearless, I headed to the bathroom after her. It was time I put her in her place, letting her know to back away from my Ty.

  I stood tall and squared my shoulders, ready to take on Tyler’s old fuck-buddy nanny.

  She was at the sink, re applying her way-too-red lipstick. Once she saw me, she rolled her eyes and stood taller, not bothering to turn around and face me.

  “You need to back off. Tyler has done everything he can for your father,” I said strongly. “He loves me and doesn’t want anything more to do with you.”

  She cocked her head at me, eyes forming those nasty little green slits. “Tyler and I have a history way more complex than I’m sure you could understand, sweetie.”

  My eyebrows narrowed as I crossed my arms. “Your history doesn’t mean shit anymore. He won’t ever touch you again, so I suggest you stop trying to put your pedo hands all over him and find someone your own age.”

  She spun around, her eyes looking demonic. “Watch your mouth, little girl. Tyler knew what he was doing; he was practically a consenting adult. His father would have been proud of him for once in his life for nailing the sexy little nanny,” she said with arrogance.

  “RJ is a prick,” I said through gritted teeth. I wanted to claw her eyes out for saying that RJ would have been proud. She saw firsthand what an asshole he was to his sons, especially Tyler.

  Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she dropped her head. “At least we agree on one thing,” she said quietly turning back around to face the mirror.

  I shook my head, trying to regain focus on why I followed her in this ostentatious bathroom to begin with. “Look, I’m sorry about your father, and so is Tyler. Which is why he helped you to move him. But please, leave him alone. He has enough on his plate with work.”

  She stood up tall again, meeting my eyes through the mirror.

  “He will be just like RJ. I’ve seen their similarities. Yes, Tyler has a kind heart, but they are both focused and will close everything off for that damn company,” she grumbled with irritation.

  Did she have feelings for RJ?

  She slowly turned back to face me, her demeanor less threatening. “I know Tyler loves you. He is obviously obsessed, and you clearly feel the same way. My actions towards Tyler aren’t what you think they are.”

  I didn’t understand her. “Flirting and insinuating sure seem to be advancements,” I said coldly.

  She had a conniving smile. “It all depends who’s watching.”

  Just then, the door was closed tight followed by a loud click. Margo and I looked at each other in confusion as I reached for the handle, but it wouldn’t budge. Margo and I were locked in the bathroom, and a fog started to come from the vent underneath the sink.

  Chapter 29

  “Open the door!” Margo shrieked, practically shoving me out of the way to reach for the knob.

  “I tried. Someone locked it!” My nerves were settling in as the smoke started to take over the restroom. I left the door then curiously walked to the vent to get out of Margo’s way.

  Margo furiously yanked on the door handle then started to pound with both hands. “Help! Someone! We are locked in!”

  Just as I was going to turn back to face Margo, a burning sensation in my eyes began. The smoke was hitting my face, and tears started to beat out of my eyes like an endless stream, rolling down my cheeks to the floor.

  “Ah, my eyes!” I yelled, rubbing my hands on them drastically. The pain was becoming more intense as more smoke filled the room. My nose started to run, my nostrils flaring in an attempt to control the inhale of the smoke.

  I took one hand from my eyes and rubbed my nose, feeling a warm liquid on my hand. Barely able to open my eyes, I saw blood coming from my nose and onto my hand.

  Margo started to cough. “What is that? Is there a fire?” she shrieked. I started to cough as well, taking my other hand from my eye to grasp my throat. It felt like the smoke was pouring down my throat and into my chest, making breathing very difficult.

  Panic set in. Now I couldn’t open my eyes, and even if I were able to, I wouldn’t be able to see because the smoke was so blinding. My nose was dripping blood while my chest was on fire. I started to maneuver my way towards Margo’s cries, but my motor skills were slowing. It was almost as though my body was a puppet, the smoke controlling my movements while my brain screamed at my hands and arms to move faster.

  Sluggishly I made my way to Margo, nearly collapsing on top of her because my legs gave out.

  Why can’t I move?!

  “Put your mouth by the door,” I rasped, coughing as though I had swallowed sawdust. I meant to lay my head down slowly, because that was how everything else in my body was starting to work, but my face crashed down. My hands were no longer able to rub my burning eyes, throat, or nose. The tile was cool and gave a split second of relief, but the pain in my lungs took over, feeling like they were going to collapse in my chest.

  I heard Margo’s subtle cries. The smoke, or whatever it was, was having the same effect on her. It was taking over our bodies, burning us from the inside out, and taking over our muscle control.

  With the pain taking over my body, thoughts of Tyler came rushing into my mind.

  We were going to be something. We were in love and happy, and we were going to start a future together. He said he wanted to get married; he said he wanted to make babies. And here I am, immobile on the tile floor of the bathroom at his mother’s fundraiser, unable to yell or scream for help because the gas was taking over all my control. This wasn’t fair. I finally found my happy ending, and a cloudy stream in the air was taking everything away.

  I prayed. I prayed for my hero to come and rescue me as my eyes felt like they were turning into ashes. Just as the pain was slowly starting to fade, and as I almost drifted into unconsciousness, a thud hit the door, then another, and then my head was hit hard by the door that came crashing open.

  I felt his hands. Oh, his gentle, strong hands, grabbing my biceps, pulling my limp body from the bathroom. His voice was a blur, but I knew it was my Ty, my hero.

  Clean air started to hit my lungs even though they still felt like a crumpled up brown paper bag. I heard shrieking then felt Tyler completely lift me, carrying me somewhere.

  My eyes were still on fire along with my throat, but with the more clean air that traveled through my blood-stained nostrils and into my chest, the more coherent my mind became.

  “Becca? Please, Becs, wake up baby doll,” Tyler’s voice broke through the fog in my head. I still couldn’t open my eyes, and I tried to open my mouth but the words wouldn’t come out.

  “Set her down. She needs oxygen,” I heard a deep voice say. Tyler moved to a sitting position, holding me in his lap.

  “Put the mask on her here, I’m not letting her go,” Tyler said as he brushed my hair to the side.

  “Sir, it would be better if she lay down,” the deep voice said with a calming tone.

  After a beat, I felt Tyler move me to the ground. It was cold and wet, and I was almost positive I was lying on concrete.

  “Jesus, she is freezing,” I heard Tyler grumble. Then I felt a heavy fabric being laid across my middle. “Stay with me Becs,” Tyler pleaded, both of his hands holding my head in place.

  I felt hands fiddling with my ears and a piece of fabric… maybe elastic, being wrapped around my face. The smell of plastic invaded my nostrils. It was welcoming compared to the numbing burn that had taken place for what felt like hours.

  “Someone get some water. We need to remove the chemicals from their skin,” the deep voice shouted.

  “What the hell was that?” Tyler asked in confusion, still stroking my head. The fog was starting
to go away, and my mind was becoming clearer.

  “Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, also known as CS, also known as tear gas,” the deep, gentle voice said. I felt a soft, cool cloth rub across my face, helping the burning sensation to leave my skin.

  I attempted to open my eyes, but closed them quickly. Being able to feel my arms again, I lazily moved them to my face, wanting to rub away the remaining itchy burning sensation.

  “Becca, you can’t rub. It will only make it worse. Hold her hands down, sir,” the deep voice said. I felt Tyler grab my wrists.

  “It hurts,” I croaked through the gas mask.

  “Oh, Becs,” Tyler said in relief from hearing my voice, squeezing my wrists.

  “Just give it some time to wear off. The oxygen will help. After 20 minutes it won’t hurt anymore,” the man said, his deep voice eerily calm. “Focus on getting that clean air into your lungs. Yes, deep breaths just like that, Becca.”

  “Were there any others trapped?” the deep voice asked.

  “Just her and the woman next to her in the restroom.” I heard Tyler gulp and his voice almost cracked. “And another one went off in the bridal suite while my mother was in there. But she was the only one. My father got her out.”

  “Alright Becca, we are going to slowly sit you up, ready?” the deep voice said.

  I nodded my head, still not wanting to open my eyes. I felt Tyler gently help me up, and then I leaned into his broad chest as he pulled me onto his lap.

  “Easy baby doll. The medic is going to try and rinse out your eyes. It will make them not burn so much, okay? Just try and relax,” he said soothingly, his arms rubbing my biceps trying to create warmth.

  The water flushing out my eyes felt surprisingly wonderful, and I could half open them once they were done. Feeling half way back to normal, I pointed to the mask and looked at the medic. He nodded his head and took it off my face.

  I crashed back into Tyler’s chest as I took a big deep breath. “What happened?” I said with a scratchy voice. My throat was still dry and itchy.