KJ smiled. “Of course. Once Beckett told us he was your plus-one, I added him right away. Actually, we all thought you two looked so sweet together at Danielle and Beckett’s wedding that we were tickled to find out you were attending mine together.”
Rose gave Doug’s arm a tight squeeze while smiling at KJ. Doug was way too quiet through this. She needed to find out exactly what his part was. I’m not so sure you’re just a pawn in all this. “That’s me. Full of surprises. If you don’t mind, I’m going to freshen up a bit.”
“Of course. You guys are here all week, so we have plenty of time to catch up.” KJ nudged Danielle with her elbow. “That’s if those two even know there’s anyone else on the island.” What is going on here? Why would they think that?
Both ladies laughed. Rose rolled her eyes and tugged Doug to follow her. She might not be able to deal with Beckett right now, but Doug was going to get an earful. He hadn’t seemed stunned by anything KJ had said. Doug was about to find out this Rose came with thorns.
Beckett must’ve known KJ let it out of the bag because he dropped the bags, put the key in the door, and left without a word. Trent was obviously clueless as to what was going on as he stayed leaning against the wall, waiting for them.
“Rose, I’d like to speak to Doug alone if you don’t mind,” Trent said in a tone that wasn’t really a request. She didn’t care what anyone wanted right now. She’d been played, and someone was about to answer her questions. Trent would have to wait his turn.
“I’ll send him your way shortly. Right now, I think Doug and I could use a bit of privacy.” He might need medical attention after I get through with him. I can’t believe he did this. Pretending to care about what I had to say on the flight here. Listening as though I . . . he was enjoying himself. Instead, this was just a game to him.
She didn’t wait for Trent’s response. Instead, she turned the key, opened the door, and went inside, leaving Doug with Trent. If he has any balls at all, he’ll stay and face the music.
Rose walked over and sat on the couch. She heard the door shut and the bags drop on the floor. Looking up, she saw Doug approaching her. There were so many emotions swirling through her she didn’t know where to start. Part of her wanted to yell and scream at him, and the other never wanted to speak to him again. Thankfully he decided to start the conversation.
“It’s not what you think.”
“Really? And what do I think, Doug? That my brother manipulated the entire situation and you knew all along and never told me? Because, that’s what I think.”
Doug sat down next to her. “You’re right.”
She didn’t want to be right. Something inside her had hoped he’d have some other explanation. It hurt. She expected something like this from Beckett, but Doug seemed different. How could I be so blind? “So you admit it. You lied to me.”
“I don’t remember lying,” Doug said defensively.
“You said you were on the guest list.” Rose tried to contain her anger.
“I am. As your . . . guest.” My guest?
Rose got up off the couch and paced the floor in front of him. “I don’t understand this. Until yesterday, I thought I already had a date for the wedding. I never mentioned to Beckett that anything had changed between me and—” Rose shot a look at Doug.
He raised his hands in defense. “This is a conversation you should have with your brother. Not me.”
She placed her hands on her hips and said, “Don’t worry. I plan on it. Before I do, answer this question. Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?”
Doug looked at her and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t. Maybe I was looking forward to spending some time with you.”
Rose looked at him closely. He seemed so sincere. She couldn’t allow herself to believe it. There was still something he wasn’t telling her. Until he was willing to open up, she was going to do what her instincts told her. Keep her distance.
“Great. Since you’re my date for the wedding, we can spend time together. For now, I suggest you go find Trent and find out what he wants. At the same time, you can ask him for a new room. You are not sharing this suite with me.”
Rose knew there was plenty of room in this suite for both of them. Two bedrooms with their own private bath. Was she being unreasonable by telling him to find someplace else? Maybe. Yet right now she wasn’t in the mood for being her normal cheery, positive self.
If she thought Doug was going to argue, she was wrong. He got off the couch and left the suite. Once alone she went and sat back down. Taking one of the pillows, she punched her hand into it before burying her face in it. I never should’ve left my apartment. I thought it was bad having to be here by myself. How am I going to get through this now? Why? Why would Beckett do that?
Right now the only ones who knew the truth were Doug and Beckett. If she left now, the entire family would ask questions, and she didn’t want to answer them. The easiest thing would be to let everyone think Doug was actually her date. It was only for a few days. No one said she had to spend the entire week. After the wedding, she would leave. It was simple.
It was time she took control of this situation. Rose flew off the couch and opened the door. Doug was almost all the way down the hall. She called out to him, and he turned and came back immediately.
“You started this mess. I don’t want to have to deal with anything else right now. So you’re my date for the wedding, then you’ll use that lovely chopper and fly me the heck out of here. Deal?”
Doug towered over her and asked, “What about Beckett?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to him right now. No one knows but the two of you. Once I’m back home, I’ll handle my dear brother. There’s only one thing I ask.”
“What’s that?”
“From now on, don’t pretend to give a shit about me when we’re alone. It’s a waste of my energy, and I’m not falling for it twice.” Rose walked into the suite, grabbed her luggage, and went into one of the bedrooms. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it.
Remember, Rose, it’s all make-believe. Nothing he said or will say is real.
She knew she’d need to remind herself several more times while they were there, because unfortunately, she was attracted to tall, blond, and mysterious. He’s way too sweet on the eyes. Pretending isn’t going to be as easy as I’d like to think.
Chapter Four
Doug hadn’t been in any rush to see what Trent wanted. His comment about Earl had left a bad taste in his mouth. Even though they weren’t close at all, he still was Earl’s son. Not that anyone knows that.
After unpacking, he went back into the living room, hoping to find Rose. Her bedroom door was still closed. He walked over and knocked softly. If she was resting, he didn’t want to disturb her. When there was no answer, he decided to go for a walk around the island before they met for dinner later that night.
The last time he’d been here, he’d found a secluded spot. It was a steep and rocky hike and just far enough so most wouldn’t even notice it. For Doug, it was the perfect spot to find some desperately needed solitude. He needed time to think. Actually, there was too much going on in his head for him to comprehend anything. If he’d known what the lawyer was going to say, he’d never have agreed to come to Marpe-Agape.
He went to his room, switched out his jeans for a pair of shorts, and put on the boots he’d need for the climb. Then he left the suite and quietly made his way to the other side of the island. As he maneuvered his way around the brush and boulders, he replayed everything in his mind. The thing troubling him the most was the day of his father’s wedding. It had been almost two years, and he’d never given it another thought. Now he needed to recall as much as he could.
Doug had been disappointed that day for many reasons. His father had invited him to the wedding yet hadn’t acknowledged he was family . . . never mind his son. Now thinking back to his father’s expression as the introductions were made,
had he been using Doug’s presence as a warning? Or had the entire reason for him being there been to size up the guests? Earl had followed my career, so he knew I counseled families. I might not have earned my PhD, but I’ve helped so many people. Dad, if you’d only opened up to me, been honest with why I was there, maybe I could’ve helped. Hell, maybe you’d be alive now.
As Doug began the last leg of the climb, he was filled with anger. Anger toward a man so fucking independent and stubborn he couldn’t let his own son in. Not even when I could’ve helped. Instead, his father died alone.
Doug was so deep in thought, he didn’t notice his place of solitude was occupied.
“I’m glad you could break yourself away from my sister,” Beckett said sarcastically from the highest spot.
Doug had several snappy comebacks yet resisted saying any of them. They both knew he was here only because Beckett asked him. KJ. That’s what Beckett had asked him to look into.
“I didn’t think anyone knew about this spot.”
Beckett stared off into the distance as he replied, “You mean you never thought I could make it up here.”
Doug never doubted Beckett could do it. He was a man who made possible anything he wanted. It wasn’t the loss of Beckett’s right leg that concerned Doug. Physically, the man was a powerhouse. His emotional state was troubling. Although he’d been looking forward to some time alone, this was the perfect opportunity to find out what the hell was going on with Beckett.
“What are you, forty-three now? Yeah, I’m shocked you still made it up here,” Doug said, trying to lighten the mood. He’d counseled Beckett enough to know he needed to ease into it.
“Is that a challenge, Doug?”
Doug laughed as he sat down on the ground near Beckett. “Hell, no.”
“Shame. I’m stuck on this island with a bunch of guys who work in the office all day. I’d have liked to see what a fellow Marine could bring.”
Doug laughed. “I wouldn’t say these guys are fat and out of shape by any means. Yet I know what you mean.” It was a fitness that went far beyond physical. It was the mental aspect that gave them the advantage. It’s what was needed in the field. An inner strength enabling them to do their job and not break. What people don’t realize is we do break, but have perfected the art of acting, so the average person never sees it.
“What brings you up here, Doug? You look as though you have a lot on your mind. Does it have anything to do with the chopper you flew in on?”
Doug didn’t want to talk about his problems. That wasn’t the purpose of the trip. However, he knew Beckett would be useful in sorting things out. Between the two of them, the truth about what’d happened to Earl would come out. If it wasn’t an accident, someone’s going to pay.
“I don’t think I ever spoke about my father.”
Beckett shook his head.
“There wasn’t anything to tell. He was never really part of my life. Not in any way that’d matter to a young child growing up.”
“Even though my father was deployed overseas a lot, I always knew he was there.”
Doug nodded. “That’s the difference. My father chose not to be. He had every opportunity yet declined each offer. As a kid I always hoped he’d show up for birthdays or my sporting events, but nope. The few times I remember him saying he’d show he never did, so one day, I decided he didn’t exist anymore.” Looking out over the ocean he added somberly, “Now he’s gone.”
“Sorry.”
He wasn’t looking for sympathy. “I need your help, Beckett.”
“You’ve got it.”
Doug turned to him. It was a bond they had. Automatically the answer was yes without any idea of what it entailed. “You have a baby on the way.”
Beckett looked at him and with all seriousness answered, “I know that. Trust me. What do you need me to do?”
“My father’s death is unclear. The police suggest suspicious circumstances, and the death certificate states unknown causes. I need to find out what happened.”
“Did you bring anything with you?” Beckett inquired.
“My father’s lawyer gave me a few files early this morning. I’ve looked at them, but there’s not much in there. I suspect my father knew his life was in danger.”
Beckett arched a brow. “I thought you weren’t in contact with him.”
“He invited me to his wedding a couple years ago. When he introduced me to some of his guests, each of the men gave me bad vibes as if I would never want to turn my back on them or trust them. You know when you look someone in the eye, and you see nothing but darkness? They were the guests he introduced me to.”
“You think one of them killed your father? Why?”
And therein lies the question. Doug could only guess, yet the obvious motive would be money. A deal gone bad. He wasn’t ruling out Candi either. “That’s the problem, Beckett. There are too many suspects and motives. Earl wasn’t a liked man.”
“Earl LaPrade? The guy Trent was talking about? He’s . . . was your father?”
Doug nodded. “The one and only.”
“Fuck, man. Trent was telling me about his reputation. Trent and Earl had gone head-to-head several times on a few prospects. From what I heard it got pretty heated. Trent hadn’t done any business with him in the last few years, well, since Elaine and he got together. If it wasn’t for Elaine, I’m sure Trent would kick your ass off the island.”
I’d like to see him try. “Sounds like Trent knew my father better than I did.”
“You really know nothing about him?” Beckett asked, sounding doubtful.
“Hard to believe, but, as a kid, I wanted to know, and he wasn’t around. Then as an adult, I just didn’t give a fuck anymore. Seemed to have worked for Earl as well because he hadn’t sought me out over the years.”
“If you feel that way, why do you give a shit what happened to him?”
That was a good question. Was he doing this for his father or for himself? He wasn’t sure, and truly it didn’t matter, but ever since the meeting with the lawyer, he had nagging suspicions and questions swirling around in his head. This was something that needed to be done. After he had the answer, he could stop and think about his motivation.
“He was my father.” The answer seemed so brief, yet it was the only answer he had.
“That’s good enough for me. Tell me what you need me to do.”
“I’m going to get a list of people who were at that wedding. Can you use your connections to get me all the information on them? And you know I’m not looking for the type of info that anyone can get. I need you to dig deep.”
“I could use the distraction,” Beckett said.
That was the opening he’d been looking for. “And why is that? What’s going on? Why did you bring me here? And don’t say for KJ. She looked fine to me.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“You’re on edge, and I’m trying to figure out why.” Doug could guess, but he was hoping Beckett had started to work things out already.
“I got it. Don’t worry about me.”
Doug laughed. “You lie and manipulate your sister’s love life just to bring me all the way out here to tell me you’ve got this?”
“Doug, you just lost your dad. You don’t need anything else to think about.”
He appreciated Beckett’s concern, but that didn’t change the facts. His father was dead, and Beckett needed him. If it meant he’d put finding out what happened to his father on hold, he would. Doug preferred to take care of the living first.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Then tell me,” Doug said plainly, knowing very well that Beckett needed to talk it out.
Beckett took a long inhale and slowly let it out before he started. “The baby is due in a few weeks.”
Doug sat quietly waiting for Beckett to say something not so obvious.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
He arched a brow, puzzled. Beckett was alre
ady raising two children. Granted they were no longer babies, but he was amazing with both Jamie and Bethy. Both children had such troubled past lives. If it weren’t for Becket and Danielle, neither of those two kids would have a stable life.
“What concerns do you have?” He made sure not to use the word that’d been at the tip of his tongue. Scares you.
“Danielle is amazing. No matter what’s going on, she holds it all together. Me, not so much. I never thought I could worry so much.”
“About?”
Beckett sat still for a moment, and all was quiet. When he spoke, they were words that haunted Doug as well. “Of being happy. Happier than I have a right to be.” Survivor’s guilt. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this discussion. My friend is in pain. Each of us have something we regret, something that we can’t escape from. We can’t live in the past. Either it’s missed opportunities, lost friends, or a lost love.
“Beckett. We can’t forget our past, but to move forward, we need to prevent the ghosts from choking our future. If you hold on to the past, you’ll miss the new opportunities, new friends, and new loves. By intentionally letting go of yesterday, you can be the best you today. It’s a new day every morning. Remember that mantra?” Beckett’s expression was neutral, but he knew his friend well enough to know he was processing, searching . . . listening.
The hardest thing for many servicemen was to forgive themselves for things that were out of their control. Survivor’s guilt took so much longer to heal than any physical wounds. Most likely because they weren’t as visible to the world, and many people tried to hide them.
“Doug, I don’t deserve—”
“Did your little girl, Bethy, deserve cancer?”
“What the fuck? She’s a sweet innocent child. I’m a—”
“Good man who did everything he could to save his men. Yes, people died, Beckett. It’s an ugly truth that’ll never change. You’re not the one who killed them. Their families know that. The men you led on that mission know it. And the men you lost that day wouldn’t want you to punish yourself.” He put a hand on Beckett’s shoulder. “If you want to honor those men, make every day of your life count. Be the best you can be for your family, friends, and every person who needs you. If you define yourself by what happened in that one moment of time, the people closest to you, your family, will pay the price.”
A Rose For The Billionaire: Betting On You Series: Book Six Page 5
