by D. A. Young
True to his word, Holt was actively fulfilling the will’s stipulation. He’d told Ivar to redo his will and put Julian in charge. Holt would shadow him as would Thea and Blaise.
“I will stay but not to run Falk Incorporated. You don’t want me there, believe me. You put me at the helm, and I will purposefully destroy everythin’ you ever worked for. I’ll kill your dreams as surely as you killed Ziva, Otto, and Matty.”
Ivar’s jaw locked at the accusation and he evaded his gaze and Holt saw red, deciding he would be made accountable for his actions from here on out. He grabbed his grandfather by his hair and twisted it painfully until Ivar was forced to acknowledge him.
“Even if you won’t admit it aloud, you know their blood is on your hands. You forced Ziva and Tage to go and watch you confront my parents, knowin’ you intended to inflict harm to make an example out of them. You put Matty in the hospital to spite me and force my hand. And Otto…you pushed his buttons. There was no way any of us would not come see Matty. Your actions are what landed him in the hospital.
Fortunately for you, the family’s goals still align with yours. Thea and Blaise are displayin’ an avid interest in the company and given time, they will lead it into the future under Julian’s guidance. Don’t deprive and punish everyone for what you’re tryin’ to force down my throat. Personally, I’m more interested in vengeance and makin’ sure the family comes out stronger after everythin’ we’ve endured. The next generation will not be raised like the last two. Not on my watch. Put your fuckin’ ego aside and stand down, Ivar. You know I’m right.”
And being the bastard he was, the old man challenged, “And if I don’t?”
“I’ll share everythin’ with the media and watch them ruin you. They will expose the truth, and you will be turned into tabloid fodder and a P.R. nightmare. And you won’t recover from it. Picture the entire world watchin’ as they discover that your only daughter’s foot wasn’t amputated because of gangrene. How will they react when they learn her own father chopped it off out of spite? Or that your daughter-in-law didn’t suffer from a fatal allergic reaction to a bee sting in the garden? That she was really accidentally killed by her sister-in-law who was tryin’ to defend her new husband from her father’s henchmen?
His grandfather admitted defeat and modified his will. He turned the company over to Julian. It was now run by him and his children with no interference from Ivar, who still continued to demand reports on his company.
Ivar relented and modified his will
“This family needs time to heal, not endure any more of your nastiness. Play nice. If you can’t fake it, shut the fuck up. You had a heart attack. That should have been your wake-up call. Instead, you’re worse than ever, and no one wants to put up with you on top of copin’ with their mournin’.”
Elin hadn’t been able to take his surlier-than-normal disposition. His parents rang in the New Year with Holt and returned to Whiskey Row.
“If I stay a minute longer, I’m going to do what I should have done to him years ago,” she ominously warned Holt. “Good luck with this whole situation, my boy.”
On the bright side, Elin’s relationship with Julian improved, and Tage didn’t avoid her like a fatal disease.
“Holton? You are coming back?”
Holt ignored the rare glimpse of vulnerability Ivar revealed, knowing his grandfather wouldn’t appreciate his weakness being exploited. “In a week.”
“Fine,” Ivar harrumphed. “Then I guess I’ll be here when you get back.”
***
“Amigo, we have a problem.”
Holt clenched his phone, practically shoving it in his ear as the jet took off. “What kind of problem, Merada?”
“She knows.”
“How?”
“I had no choice but to reveal myself. She had unexpected company.”
Holt’s insides turned to ice then fury melted it away.
Was Kat seeing someone?
“Define company.”
The paparazzi was up his ass. Holt knew that they’d hounded Kat too. She hadn’t answered any of their intrusive questions regarding them. They would have revealed a new suitor, and Cruz would have mentioned it to him. She’d lost weight. It didn’t detract from her looks, yet it was obvious to Holt. He wondered if she thought of him, if she said his name aloud. It was a luxury he wouldn’t permit himself to indulge for the sake of preserving his sanity. Neither did he open their pics or videos. It wasn’t necessary. Nothing could make Holt forget her face, the way Kat’s lips felt, or the way her curls smelled. How soft her skin was and how she tasted. He was a fucking joke helping Tage get sober while drinking himself to sleep nightly. It was the only thing that stopped Holt from reaching out and calling her up like a fucking chump.
She’d called to express her condolences, and he watched his phone ring. He’d listened to Kat’s sweet voice, replaying the voicemail frequently. Suddenly, he was on the tarmac waiting to board the jet and fly to her. That’s how lovesick and starstruck Holt was over Katerina Romankov. By sheer will, he forced himself to turn around, knowing that if he even saw her, he’d kidnap Kat. Holt settled for a short text. Control was the name of the game. Operation Control and Get Shit Together was difficult to execute when one calamity after another was being hurled in his path.
Bojku was nowhere to be found.
Geneva had failed to deliver.
She no longer had a nightclub. According to the police report, it burned down in the middle of the night due to faulty wiring. Wisely, she deduced that Sweden was not conducive to her health and left the country.
“Two men tried to break in and kidnap her.”
“Run that by me one more time.” Currently, the edges of his control were frayed and steadily unraveling with Cruz’s admission. “Is she okay? Tell me she’s okay then tell me you have those motherfuckers and are holding them for me.”
“Uh, not quite.”
“Merada, if you don’t start talking...” Holt would allow him to use his imagination.
“I can show you better than I can tell you.”
Holt received two texts while Cruz explained what happened. He’d tailed Kat, following her per usual. He noticed that she was being tailed on the subway. When the man shoved her inside, Cruz called Darby who disabled the alarm system completely. Cruz entered through the back door without the system announcing him. He made it in unnoticed in time to witness Kat take down her attacker.
“That’s when shit got vastly interesting, amigo. That woman is all fire!” Holt gritted his teeth at the reverence Cruz used to salivate and sing Kat’s praises. “The way she handled that whip? I’m ashamed to say this, but my dick is still hard! Forgive me! I know we are amigos—”
Absolute conviction underlined Holt’s every word when he interrupted Cruz to say, “No, we’re not. Because I’m comin’ for that head when I see you. Rest in peace to the rest of your life, you disrespectful motherfucker.”
Cruz’s shout of laughter filled his ears. “Before you do, can I at least say that I did manage to rescue her from the second intruder?”
“That might just be your saving grace, Merada.”
“Thank you for that reprieve, your highness,” Cruz mocked. “Check out those pics. Take a look at what your good girl did.”
Holt did and the level of violence almost made him squeamish.
Kat did this?
“Jesus, Joseph, and Mary! What is this shit?!”
No fucking way.
It wasn’t possible.
“Your dick is hard, isn’t it? Admit it!”
“Merada…if you mention dick again, yours will be goin’ through a wood chipper.”
“I’m kidding! They were sent to kidnap her. Don’t worry. She’s safe at home in Whiskey Row. I put her on the jet myself. She was supposed to meet a woman named Summer Birkin tomorrow.”
“Who is Summer Birkin?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out. I’m headed to her place now on the uppe
r east side. I was just waiting for the cleaners to finish at the brownstone. Ask your woman when you see her. She clammed up when she realized that you were having her followed.”
“Find out about Birkin. I’ll deal with my woman.”
“I’ll be in touch. Oh, and a package was delivered here for her from work. I opened it as a precaution and have already express mailed it to Alexei’s. I think you’ll be pleased with its contents,” he mysteriously added.
“Enough with the cryptic shit! What does that even mean?” Holt demanded, but Cruz had already hung up.
He opened the new text again. Holt was riveted by the photo, still unable to believe his baby could fillet a man to this extent and her skills weren’t too shabby either.
His phone rang again. This time it was Casey.
“Hey man, I’m on the way.”
“Take your time. Babygirl is fine and all is well. Lookin’ forward to seein’ you, and havin’ you meet your goddaughter, brother.”
“Likewise. I can’t wait to get home. Say, did Kat ever talk to you about a prenuptial agreement?”
“Yes. She also mentioned you callin’ me a slack-ass lawyer,” Casey retorted. “This from the guy who can’t get her down the altar to save his life.”
“Dick. Had that one ready to go, didn’t you? Are those papers ready?”
“Yeah, the dates just need to be updated. Why?”
“Look ‘em over again. Make sure they’re in order, please.”
Casey was grinning ear-to-ear on his end. “You doin’ what I think you doin’?”
“Comin’ for my woman? Shit yeah. Your slacker-ass better stay ready.”
Holt hung up on Casey’s blustering with a grin.
***
Whiskey Row, TN
“You are the most beautiful brown-sugar-cocoa-honey love piece of perfection I’ve seen in a minute!” Kat cooed to Moira, who was burrowed in her arms. She pressed her nose to the soft cheek, inhaling her new niece’s special baby scent.
“My heart is having a lovefest with her! And her resemblance to Casey?! She’s like one of those face swapping apps.”
Sidra frowned upside Kat’s head. “She doesn’t look that much like him.”
Vivienne hovered over her daughter’s shoulder. Softly, she spoke to her granddaughter. “I sure hope your mama’s petty evolves before karma catches up with her. Yes, you heard your Nana right! Who’s the prettiest baby? Yes, you are, Moira!”
“Sid, why’re you acting like that?” Avery reached over and tickled Sidra’s foot.
“Does her salty season really need a reason?” Noelle volunteered, dodging Sidra’s swat. “I’m just playing! Are you feeling okay?”
“I think I’m coming to terms with the fact that it’s time for me to give up my V.I.P. gold-framed crazy card!” she announced. “I’m a mother now and need to try my hand at respectability.”
The women exchanged a long, meaningful look.
“What? You don’t think I can do it?!” Sidra gasped. “I swear! I’m done with the drama and theatrics.”
“That’s nice, sis. Good to know,” Kat demurred, sneaking a glance at Avery, who kept her head down. She yelped when Kat elbowed her. “Did you have something you wanted to add, Ave?”
“Nope!” Avery declined and passed the buck. “I’m good. Noelle?”
Their sister-in-law made a big production of raising the magazine in her lap and covering her face with it. “I say we let Viv take this one. O.G. triple O.G., you’re up!”
“What is wrong with y’all?” Sidra demanded.
“Tell me!” she insisted when they cringed.
“Cowards!” Vivienne scolded them and their shoulders shook with silent laughter. “What they’re too scared to say is that we think your modesty is cute.”
Sidra’s lips pursed. “What am I being modest about?”
“Thinking you’re only gold star crazy when you’re really triple-platinum-titanium bonkers,” her mother-in-law bluntly finished.
“Heauxs!”
Their gales of laughter made Moira restless. She opened her eyes, and Kat’s level of infatuation hit rock-bottom. They were so engrossed in meeting each other that she missed the door opening. Kat never heard the laughter surrounding her fade away to silence. All she saw was this angelic little being and her biological clock went nuts. Kat wanted babies as much as she wanted her career. Babies that looked like the man she loved. An insurmountable wave of sadness swept Kat up and refused to let her go. That dream now seemed impossible without Holt. They’d barely scratched the surface of forever, and it vanished in the blink of an eye.
Moira waved her fist at her, and Kat felt her chest crumble as she struggled to breathe. Her arms felt weak. Terrified that she would drop the newborn, Kat opened her mouth to ask for help. She stiffened when strong arms scooped her up, baby and all, and cradled them against a warm solid wall of muscle.
“She’s beautiful.” It was declared with such humbled awe that it broke Kat’s spell. She peered up at Holt to find him besotted by Moira. “It’s mind-bogglin’ how much love the heart can hold. You think it’s filled to capacity, yet somehow, it always manages to make room for one more.”
Kat couldn’t speak. She was too busy taking in three months’ worth of changes. His hair was shorter, just above his shoulders, and his beard sharper. Holt was leaner and there were faint shadows underneath his eyes. He smelled heavenly and was dressed familiarly in worn jeans and a light gray pullover hoodie and Timbs. Her Holton. He gazed at her as if really seeing Kat for the first time. His eyes were an endless ocean for her to drown in. Holt was staring at her as if she were the only woman alive.
“You came back,” she whispered.
She was back in his arms where she belonged, seducing Holt in a million different ways without even blinking. He loved seeing Kat polished and glossed, serving looks that warned ‘she didn’t come to play’, but his favorite was seeing her au natural like right now. Those molasses eyes with flecks of mischief and mystery luring him back in like she’d never left. Hair still damp and clinging to her delicate jawline and graceful neck and those freckles that he was dying to kiss. And that mouth…
Holt’s eyes fell to it and lingered. The urge to reacquaint his lips with the bare lushness of hers and feel Kat’s softness again was maddening. But this wasn’t the time or place. Slowly, his eyes lifted to meet Kat’s again, noting the hitch in her breathing. Holt mentally groaned when her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “I always intended to. You left.”
“I needed to. Like you, I planned to return.” Her eyes narrowed. “You had me followed,” she accused.
Holt didn’t bother to deny it. He glanced down at the baby and motioned to her. “Ears.” Kat complied and covered Moira’s tiny ears. He scowled at her and whispered, “And what? H-e-l-l yeah, I f-u-c-k-i-n-g did! Cruz served his purpose, so don’t even think about fixin’ your d-a-m-n mouth to get p-is-s-y about it, Katerina! You’ve already got at least three a-s-s blisterin’s in your near future. Where is your ring?”
She bit her lip to conceal her smile and lifted the chain from under her sweater.
He’d said future.
As in, they had one.
“I was in my feelings until I realized that I most likely wouldn’t have come out of that nightmare unscathed or even alive if Cruz hadn’t been there. It was for my own good. Thank you. I owe him.”
With Merada’s colorful commentary still fresh in his mind about her, Holt muttered, “Ears.”
Kat complied once more. “No, you don’t. Stay away from that deviant! Katerina, you are the most important person in my life. I will always choose you. Never doubt that. I didn’t want you in Sweden because your safety is my number-one priority. I’m fightin’ an unseen enemy, and right now, he’s winnin’.”
Holt pressed his forehead to Kat’s. “I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t know how I’d survive if harm ever came your way. Make no mistake; I would rip this world apart with my bare hands unt
il I avenged you, but I wouldn’t even know how to recover from somethin’ like that.”
Kat nodded. “I came to the same conclusion when we were apart. You do what needs to be done. You always have and nothing will ever change that. I can respect your due diligence, but I will not be contained when I can be of assistance. We’re a partnership.”
Neither noticed the group of visitors behind them that was growing larger by the minute. Or Moira who watched them quietly.
“How’d the break work out for you?”
“It served its purpose,” she truthfully answered. “Professionally, I achieved my goals and established connections that I look forward to cultivating. Personally, I was homesick.”
Disappointment shadowed Holt’s face. He was fucking going out of his mind for her and she had just been…homesick. “That’s all you were, Kat? Homesick?”
Puzzled she searched his face. “It’s all that matters, isn’t it? Didn’t I once tell you that home is wherever you are? I was homesick for you, Holton Brammer.”
His grin was a slow burn that should’ve reduced Kat to a puddle at his feet. “And now?”
She jutted her chin determinedly. “I want the fairytale. I deserve a love story of my own and so do you! We’ve got one together, and it deserves to be cherished. We’re in charge of our happiness and we owe this to ourselves! Marry me, Holton Brammer. If you say yes, I promise to be the best wife in the world for you.”
Holt feigned contemplating her offer. Kat dead-eyed him. “Seriously? You have to think about it? I’m proposing to you!”
“You were right to break when you did, darlin’, but it gutted me. If I say yes to you, I will not let you take it back. Your spoiled lil’ ass is gonna sit tight, and we’ll work through it come hell or high water.”
