Necessary Lies (Men of Phantom, #1)

by Jacki Renée

  Holly and her sister come to the house to pick up Melissa. They decline my invitation to stay for dinner and thank me for the intervention.

  The girls and I go to bed early.

  Snuggled under the warm covers, my body relaxes and I’m in the twilight between consciousness and sleep. “Do you miss me?” His voice infiltrates my sleepy mind.

  “I know that voice,” I murmur.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  “Happy Birthday!”

  I open my eyes. Kourtney, Emma, Bryan, and Trevor stand by my side of the bed with a picnic basket.

  “Thank you.” I sit up. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  “Happy Valentine’s Day!” They shout and shower me with rose petals of many colors.

  “We’re having a picnic breakfast in bed, Mommy.”

  After I use the bathroom, wash my face and brush my teeth, the four of us sit on the bed.

  The basket holds banana slices and warm muffins. They filled a thermos with hot apple cider. Bryan hands me a small glass of cranberry juice with lots of ice, a prenatal vitamin, and iron pill.

  Over breakfast, the girls tell him about their play date with Melissa. I’m happy they got to know her outside of school. Melissa really is a sweet child. Emma was surprised to learn Melissa loves monkeys. It looks like the trio will be a quartet soon.

  The girls race out of the room when the doorbell rings.

  Bryan joins me in the shower.

  “What’s the real reason Melissa came over for a play date?” he asks.

  “I guess I can tell you since technically I’m not Holly’s doctor. Her husband left. She and Melissa have no money. Holly wanted to kill herself. I helped her figure things out. If it were left up to me, I’d kick his butt, make him withdraw every penny in his account and give it to his wife and daughter.”

  Bryan turns off the water and hands me a warm bath towel.

  He raises an eyebrow.

  “He told her he didn’t want her anymore,” I explain.

  Bryan raises both eyebrows.

  “Jessi taught me sometimes people need a friend, not a shrink.”

  “Should I be nervous?”

  “Only if you plan on leaving me.” I give him a playful punch in the gut.

  “I’m never leaving you again, Dani.” His tone is so serious. Emotional. It makes my eyes water.

  My thumb traces the line of his bottom lip. “I know you won’t. You’re going to love me when I can’t see my feet and my ankles are swollen?”

  “I’ll love you when your boobs sag down to your knees and you put your pants on backward.”

  We laugh as we walk into the bedroom.

  “Big Daddy, we’re ready for Big Mama’s next birthday present, over,” Emma announces. I look around for her.

  Bryan passes me and picks up a walkie-talkie from the nightstand.

  “Roger that, Sweet Pea. We’ll be down in a minute, over.”

  “Roger that, Big Daddy. Over and out.”

  “Big Daddy? Sweet Pea?” I ask.

  He holds open a white spa robe. “I heard you tried to bribe my recruits again. Almost got them to give up the goods. I upped the ante and made this fun.”

  I drop my towel and he helps me into the soft cotton robe. In the closet he hands me a bra and a pair of panties, then tells me to sit on the couch and wait for him.

  I do as I’m told.

  When he comes out of the closet, he scoops me up in his arms, carrying me out of the room and down the stairs. The doors to the sitting room are closed.

  “Close your eyes, Big Mama,” he says.

  With anticipation and excitement vying for the dominant feeling, I cover my eyes with my hands.

  “Surprise!” Kourtney and Emma shout, and Trevor barks.

  The sitting room is transformed into a spa and hair salon.

  “Go get pampered. I have last-minute details I need to take care of.” He lowers me to my feet, kissing my lips. “Cuddles. Sweet Pea. Big Mama is in your hands. Take care of my girl until I get back.”

  They salute. “Yes, sir.”

  He salutes back holding in his laughter.

  I’m waxed and exfoliated, and given a pregnancy massage, followed by a facial, manicure and pedicure.

  Supervised by Marie, the girls make me a grilled chicken stuffed baked potato, kale salad, and tart strawberry lemonade for lunch.

  My hair is washed and conditioned, blow dried and pressed, flat ironed and styled in an intricate sophisticated ponytail.

  Kourtney picks up the walkie-talkie. “Big Daddy, this is Cuddles, do you copy?”

  “I copy, Cuddles.”

  “Big Mama’s noodles are cooked.”

  “Roger that. The dresser just pulled up. You and Sweet Pea go get ready, over.”

  “Roger that Big Daddy, over and out.”

  The adults in the room laugh.

  The doorbell rings.

  “Hey, Cuddles. How long have you and Sweet Pea been training to use walkie-talkies?”

  “Da— I mean Bryan got us cell phones, but it took too long to type a text.”

  Jailynne, along with two men, stands in the doorway to the sitting room. One man is holding a garment bag and the handle to a rolling suitcase, the other is balancing red boxes.

  “Happy Birthday, Danielle.” Jailynne kisses my cheeks. “These are my assistants Pascual and Joshua. We’re here to get you dressed.”

  I follow Jailynne to a downstairs guest room. She blindfolds me, then takes off my robe. I’m helped into something smooth and silky against my skin. It feels like a dress.

  The fabric is pulled on both sides. I’m turned around several times and told to hold still. And stand up straight.

  It seems like forever before I’m helped out of the garment and my robe slipped back on. The blindfold is removed.

  Jailynne hands me a red box. “Go upstairs and open it.”

  I giggle and shake the box on the way up to our room. I perch on the edge of the bed, slide the ribbon off, and lift the lid. A small red envelope rests on top of red tissue paper. I pull out the card. It’s Bryan’s handwriting.

  According to a psychologist, red lingerie means you’re a passionate, energetic, and a driven lover. I know firsthand this describes you.

  B

  I peel back the paper.

  Inside I find a red half-bra with ribbons instead of straps. Matching thong and garter belt. And thigh high stockings.

  Careful not to mess up my hair, I freshen up and stand in front of the full-length mirror in the closet to dress in the lingerie.

  I feel sexy. The ultra-sheer material will leave little to Bryan’s imagination. Hell, it leaves little to my imagination, but I look good.

  A mischievous smile spreads across my lips as I turn to admire the view. This goes perfect with what I have planned for him tonight.

  I put back on the robe. Joshua comes up to do my makeup. He keeps my face light and natural, but makes my brown eyes stand out with a rosy-smoky-eye.

  When Pascual knocks on the door, I follow him back to the guest room.

  Mindful of my makeup, they blindfold me. Once again, I step into the garment. This time it’s zipped up the back. Someone puts earrings in my ears, a necklace around my neck, and a bracelet around my wrist. I’m helped into the highest pair of heels I’ve ever worn.

  The blindfold is removed and I turn around, staring at myself in the full-length mirror. I’m dressed in a layered red dress. The first layer hugs my body and is an inch above my knees. The sheer second layer is baby doll styled with loose sleeves. And I’m wearing red designer heels the same color as the dress.

  A ruby and diamond jewelry set compliments the look.

  I gasp.

  Jailynne hands me another envelope. My hands shake pulling out the card.

  Red is fire. It symbolizes confidence and courage, love and prosperity.

  Red is energy and desire, passion and pleasure. Wearing red you demand attention.

  I see you, Dani. />
  B

  Bryan walks up behind me, handing me a single long-stemmed white rose. “This white rose signifies remembrance and new beginnings. You will always be celebrated.”

  He’s wearing an immaculately tailored black suit, black shirt, red tie with matching hankie, and black designer shoes.

  “Ready?” he asks.

  I nod.

  He takes my hand, looking me up and down. “Thank you, Jailynne.”

  Bryan leads me to the door, and I barely have time to yell out, “You did an amazing job as usual.”

  “Big Daddy to Cuddles and Sweet Pea. Do you copy?” he talks into the walkie-talkie in his hand.

  “We copy, Big Daddy, over,” Kourtney responds.

  “Big Mama is ready, over.”

  “Roger that, we’re on our way. Cuddles, over and out.”

  We walk into the family room. Marie is waiting for us.

  “Oh, Danielle,” she cries, wrapping her motherly arms around me.

  The girls come into the family room wearing matching pink dresses, tights, and pink patent leather shoes. Marie braided their hair and fastened pink bows on the ends. They look adorable.

  Kourtney and Emma hold out long-stemmed pink roses. “Pink means we appreciate and admire you,” they recite.

  A camera captures the moment. I hadn’t noticed the photographer.

  Marie takes the roses and we have a photo shoot before putting on our coats, then walk out the door.

  Willis is standing at the opened door of a black SUV limousine. “Happy Birthday, Danielle.” He gives me a fatherly hug, something he’s never done. A quick flash of sadness momentarily haunts his eyes.

  I kiss his cheek. “Thank you, and Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  He closes the door after we’re settled in the back. He opens the driver’s door and climbs in behind the wheel. Willis drives us to a restaurant at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

  We’re shown to the Glass Terrace. We have the room to ourselves. It’s a table for four with a spectacular view of the snow-covered mountains.

  The reflection in the windows from the flames of the orange candles makes the room feel intimate. Two small, red gift bags sit on the table next to eighteen long-stemmed yellow roses. Each rose has a card on the stem. A single word, written by Bryan on each card.

  Enthusiastic. Passionate. Beautiful. Gentle. Gracious. Loving. Caring. Friend. Mother. Generous. Protector. Ambitious. Warm. Intoxicating. Cherished. Trusting. Home. Forever.

  I open the envelope resting on top of my napkin.

  Just a few of the words I use to describe you.

  B

  Waiters bring in the first course.

  Over dinner Kourtney tells us about the Valentine’s Day cards and gifts they got from their classmates yesterday.

  “Jacob Brooks gave Emmy a bracelet,” she says.

  “Where is it?” I ask.

  “I traded it for candy,” Emma whispers.

  Bryan laughs. “That’s my girl.”

  “Dylan Hill gave me a ring,” Kourtney says, wiping her mouth with her napkin.

  “Where is it?” Bryan squawks.

  “I ate it,” she answers matter-of-factly.

  “You ate it?”

  “Yes, it was a watermelon candy ring.”

  “I thought Dylan was an ugly booger.” Bryan sets his knife and fork on his plate.

  “Dylan wants me to be his girlfriend.”

  “Listen, I don’t want either of you accepting any more rings or bracelets from boys unless I say you can.”

  “Not even candy ones?” Kourtney asks.

  “No.”

  “Why?” she asks.

  “Because I said so.”

  “Why do you say so?”

  His shoulders grow tense.

  “Kourt, what Bryan is trying to get you to understand is that at your age, jewelry should come from family, not little boys in the second grade.”

  Please don’t make him go alpha male. My eyes plead with her. We finish the third course in silence.

  “When can we accept jewelry from boys?” Kourtney asks when the waiter brings in the next course.

  I thought this conversation was over. Why is she pushing the issue?

  Bryan sits up straight, puffing out his chest. I have to teach the girls the art of when to stop pushing him.

  “How about we take this grade level by grade level?” I suggest, to prevent him from going crazy. “So tell me more about this walkie-talkie language. How did you guys learn to use them while Bryan was away?”

  “We had secret video chats with Da— I mean Bryan.”

  We get through the fourth and fifth courses with no more talk about jewelry from eight-year-old boys.

  “Big Daddy, this is Doc. Do you copy? Over.”

  “I copy, Doc, over.”

  “Ducks are in a row and all accounted for, over.”

  “Copy that, Doc. ETA thirty minutes, over.”

  “I’ve got eyes on you. Doc over and out.”

  “Da—I mean Bryan, we didn’t learn the ducks one.” Kourtney’s eyes cut to me.

  “Doc made up that one.” Bryan’s trying to suppress a laugh.

  He hands each girl a gift bag.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” we say to them.

  They squeal and pull out red boxes. We got them earrings with a matching necklace. Their birthstone sits in the middle of their favorite animal.

  I hand them their gift for Bryan. Inside the black leather wallet are pictures of the girls, Trevor and me. In the money slot they put homemade coupons.

  Bryan pulls out the coupons, reading the deals, then slaps one on the table. The girls jump out of their seats to give him hugs and kisses. It’s the perfect time to tell them about the baby. I reach for his hand, placing the other on my stomach.

  “Kourt. Emm,” I begin.

  “Mom’s having a baby,” he says.

  Emma slides off his lap, walking around the table. She’s been quiet all evening. I wonder if she’s feeling okay. I pull her onto my lap.

  “You’re having a baby?” Kourtney whines.

  “Yes, Cuddles. You’ll have a baby brother or sister sometime in September,” Bryan tells her.

  She rolls her eyes.

  “We better get ready to go,” Bryan says. Kourtney climbs off his lap. He pushes his chair back. “But before we do.” He hands me a long-stemmed red rose. “May I have this dance?” He offers his hand. It’s shaking like he’s nervous.

  Emma slides off my lap.

  “There’s no music,” I tell him.

  He gestures behind me. I turn around to see a man sitting on a stool, an acoustic guitar in his lap.

  He wasn’t there when we came in.

  The girls giggle and hold hands.

  I take Bryan’s shaking hand. As soon as we step onto the floor, the guitarist plays a ballad. Bryan leans down, pressing his cheek to mine, and sings the first words to the song along with the guitarist.

  This is the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I’ve always been in love with this man in my arms. I was too scared to admit it. We’ve always had a solid connection.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  On the ride home, I rest my head on Bryan’s shoulder, our fingers intertwined. His palm is warm and moist. The closer we get to the house, the more he fidgets and the girls bounce in their seat.

  Willis watches me in the rearview mirror.

  Bryan has given me so much today. I will forever cherish this birthday with him. All residual of doubts about him, about us, were wiped away the moment he sang the first two words of that song.

  We pull into the driveway. Bryan has to stop Kourtney and Emma from jumping out before the limo stops.

  Willis comes around and opens the door, and they bolt for the house carrying my yellow roses.

  “Do you want me to carry you?” Bryan asks.

  I shake my head.

  He lifts my chin kissing me. I open my mouth, encouraging him to deepen the kiss
. His private Valentine’s Day gifts are upstairs and I can’t wait to give them to him.

  “Let’s take this inside.” He steps out reaching in to help me.

  We walk arm in arm into the house.

  Bryan helps me off with my coat.

  I take his hand leading him to the stairs.

  “Let’s sit in the family room,” he says, guiding me in the opposite direction.

  My heart stops. I inhale and look at the smiling faces of the people standing in our family room. Once my brain has time to catch up, I turn into Bryan’s chest and sob.

  He embraces me.

  “Happy Birthday, Dani,” Bryan senior whispers, rubbing my back.

  I step into his arms and cry on his shoulder while his son keeps a protective arm around my waist.

  One by one, I’m passed around. Hugged and kissed.

  “Mmm—hmm,” Anthony sings, stomping his feet for emphasis. “Twenty-eight shoo looks good on you, little sis.”

  By the time I’m passed to Max, I’m a blubbering mess.

  “You’re my friend so I know I can say this.” He begins. “Girrrl! Shed another tear and I’m gonna...” He pauses, looking at my feet. “Are those...” He points and prances in place. Max picks up my foot to get a closer look. I hold on to Bryan’s arm for support and balance. “He got you...” Max does a real, shocked face. No drama. “You lucky hag!” He drops my foot. “Shed one more tear and I’m mopping those Sew Out Tha Box heels off your feet. You serving fish in all this. Tears ain’t a proper accessory, but those ruby glitters are sickening.”

  Bryan clears his throat.

  Max sighs and glares at him. “I told her she looks good and if she keeps crying, I’m taking home those thirty-five-hundred-dollar heels you bought, and her ruby and diamond jewelry is stunning.”

  Tom elbows Max. “I’ll bring your shoes back. Max doesn’t have room in his closet.”

  Max and I laugh, as we hug each other. We went on a shopping adventure on Monday and I helped him hide his new clothes in Tom’s closet.

  “You are so getting fucked in those heels tonight,” Max whispers in my ear.

  I pull away and swat his arm. Bryan hands me his handkerchief as I step into the arms of the next person. Bryan’s arm circles my waist.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask Holly.

  “I feel better. Thank you again for yesterday. Melissa loved playing with Emma and Kourtney. Once we’re settled in Littleton, I’d like it if you guys would come visit us.”