The Complete Tempest World Box Set

by Mankin, Michelle

  Once upon a time, not so long ago, I would’ve done it. I would’ve picked up that pen, signed those papers, and then slunk out of there like some beaten dog.

  But I wasn’t that lost, frightened little creature that she remembered. I’d changed. I’d learned that I could make it on my own, even I’d had to crawl forward on my knees most of the way. I’d kicked a drug habit, escaped from an abusive relationship, and gotten a GED, a college education, and a paying job. I was a survivor. I had some of my Meemaw’s fighting spirit flowing through me. All it took for me to realize that was finding someone who brought it to the surface with his faith and love.

  “No,” I told her softly. “No one’s taking Carter or anything else of mine from me.” I transferred my gaze to Richard. “You and I both know that your threat’s an empty one. You seem to forget that I was underage when I had Carter. If you try anything of the sort, I’ll immediately file statutory rape charges against you. I wonder how that will play out in family court?”

  Richard visibly paled beneath his tan.

  I marveled how I had once allowed him to rule me, to victimize me. Well, I wasn’t intimidated by him any longer. And now with one extermination out of the way, it was time to turn my attention to the other vermin in the room.

  I could see the fear in her beady eyes as they met mine. She had good reason to be afraid. I was wide awake, finally, and I spit her poison right back at her.

  “You shouldn’t have done this. But then that’s what you do. Destroy things. Like taking a little girl’s heart and surgically carving it from her chest. My admiration and love could so easily have been yours. All it would’ve taken was one kind word, but you didn’t have even that to spare did you? Not even after my father died.” My chin went up. “Well, what goes around, comes around, you heartless cow. You played your cards, now I’ll lay out mine. I promise you this, when Trigg and I are done with you, you won’t even mop floors at this company.”

  I rolled the pen back to her. “I suggest you sign the paperwork we’ve given you. If I were you, which I thank God I’m not, I’d brush off my old acting resume’. You’ve run my father’s company into the ground long enough. I’m taking it back at midnight tonight. My first order of business in the morning will be to petition the board for your immediate dismissal. After this little blackmailing stunt of yours, I’m thinking you better grab a hold of that golden parachute of yours and pray that it opens when you jump.” I stood and put my hands on the table leaning toward her. “Because lady, you are going down with or without it.”

  I kicked back my chair, my body vibrating with fury. I stormed to the doors and ripped them open. As soon as I stepped through, I saw Justin standing there.

  He took one look at my face and both his brows lifted, disappearing into his tumbled hair. “Gave it to her that hard, huh?”

  “Yeah.” I smiled triumphantly. “Bitch had it coming.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Justin

  Orlando sun glinting off the crystal clear chlorinated water, I squinted as I splashed Carter. Grinning, he gave it right back to me, his platinum hair plastered to his head, white zinc sunscreen spread across his cheeks like war paint. After a power brunch with Trigg, we still had a couple of hours to kill before we had to be at the airport. Since no one felt much like sleeping, I’d suggested a trip to the hotel pool to burn off our pent up energy.

  “Stay here in the shallow end,” I instructed. “I want to talk to your mom for a bit, ok Champ?”

  “Ok.” Expressive eyes like his mom’s revealed his continued concern. I could relate as I still had quite a few of my own.

  I swam across the width of the pool and pulled myself out, crossing to where Bridget lay sprawled out on a lounger. To the outside observer, we probably appeared to be just an ordinary family enjoying our vacation in Florida, but we were far from that. It had been a gut wrenching, anything but typical visit to the Sunshine State.

  Bridget was wearing that same racer back swimsuit, the one that deemphasized her jaw dropping figure. I made a mental note to find her a new one when we got back home. Her hair up in a ponytail, she lifted her sunglasses and placed them up on her head as I approached. Her pinched expression turned to one of mock disapproval when I playfully shook out my wet hair over her.

  “Justin,” she complained, blinking her blues at me.

  “You look hot.” I winked.

  I grinned. “Scoot over.” She shimmied to the side, making room for me. I allowed myself a moment to enjoy the view before I got down to the matter at hand.

  “Where did you go before brunch anyway?” she asked glancing at the bruises on my knuckles, a small crease appearing between her brows.

  “Nowhere important.” I’d never tell. I didn’t want to mess with her badass mojo. She’d taken care of things all on her own in that conference room, and I was so proud of her. But on the other hand there was no fucking way I was going to let that bastard get away without letting him know exactly where I stood in a way he’d not soon forget. “What happens next?”

  “Hmm.” She frowned. I think she probably had it figured out, but she let it go and answered my question. “Even though Evelyn has no legal leg to stand on, that doesn’t mean she won’t decide to draw things out just to make things unpleasant for me. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.”

  I nodded. “And Richard?”

  “His personal attorney contacted Maurice right before brunch… surprisingly.” She lifted a brow. “He’s agreed to sign all of his parental rights away. It seems he’s more afraid of going to jail than he is of my stepmother.”

  “What about you and Carter?” I’m sure my expression revealed that this was what was really worrying me. “Are you staying in Vancouver?”

  “I don’t know.” Three words. Not the ones I really wanted to hear. My stomach knotted tighter, especially when I realized her eyes were troubled, too. She reached for my hand, and even though she’d been sitting on the pool deck out in the tropical sun for an hour, her hand was colder than mine. “I don’t want to uproot Carter again. Not till things are definite. It could take months for everything to play out.” She glanced down at our joined hands. “I’m actually hoping it takes a while. That way Carter can finish out the school year in Vancouver, and I can stay with you.” She peered up at me. “At least until you go on the tour.” A tear trickled out of her eye and slid down her cheek. She turned her head and swiped it away.

  I pulled her onto my lap, and framed her pretty face, my eyes searching and cataloguing every beloved feature. “That’s what I want, too.” I kissed her hard to tell her just that, but made it quick. Carter was still in the pool. It wasn’t safe to get distracted. “We’ll talk tonight. When we get home. After Carter’s in bed, we’ll work it all out.”

  “But how, Justin?” Her lip trembled. “You’ll be on tour before long, and I’ll have to come back here sooner or later. Maybe,” she bit her lip, “Maybe it’s best if…”

  “No,” I cut her off. “Fuck, no.” I put my hands on her shoulders. “When are you going to stop letting things derail us?” I slid my hands down her arms, captured hers, and brought them to my chest, trapping them there. “This is a long term plan. I don’t want anyone else. Ever. Can you honestly tell me you feel differently?”

  She shook her head, unshed tears balancing on the ends of her lashes.

  “Then nothing’s coming between us. I won’t allow it.”

  • • •

  Bridget

  I stared at him while he slept, his airline seat reclined beside mine, his long auburn lashes casting crescent shadows on his cheeks. His hair lay across his brow. His lips, those delicious lips, were slightly parted, and his breath was slow and even.

  I loved him so much it hurt, like a gnawing hollowness deep inside my chest that only he had the power to fill. I was scared though, uneasy and on edge. He’d spoken so confidently at the pool.

  I won’t allow it.

  I’d been through too much
in my life to believe it could be that easy. Some things just couldn’t be controlled. I’d eventually have to leave Vancouver. He’d have to stay. With his father’s illness, there was no other way. A cross country relationship with a rock star, three thousand miles separating us. It might be over between us sooner than I feared.

  Suddenly, we hit a pocket of turbulence, and the plane jumped. Tray tables and dishes rattled. Carter shifted restlessly. He was on his side, his head lying on a pillow in my lap, his legs over Justin. I stroked his hair and he relaxed, snuggling in closer to me, arms tightening around on my waist.

  If only I could just as easily calm the turmoil that raged inside of me. Tears burned in my throat. I should be on top of the world. My monetary concerns were over. I would soon be at the helm of my father’s company. My company. But I’d grown up with plenty, and I’d also done without. I knew well that money didn’t make you happy. Good people, friendships, and relationships could though, and love.

  And I loved him. Recklessly so.

  I continued to stare at him even as the plane started its descent. I pressed my lips together in an effort to hold my frayed emotions together. My eyes remained dry. I refused to give into bittersweet tears. I couldn’t change the way things were. I would just have to fill my heart up with enough memories to last me for later. Just to be practical. Just in case it didn’t work out. Just in case the bad times came again. Reality, I knew, had a crappy way of yanking the rug from beneath your feet.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Justin

  Duffles on my shoulders, my hand in the small of her delicate back, I guided Bridget and Carter to their door at the Sutton. It was three hours earlier than Florida, dinnertime by the clock, but we’d all been up basically for twenty-four hours straight. We were a feet dragging, bodies sagging, jet lagging mess.

  “How was your flight?” Lace opened the door before I could even get the key card in the slot.

  “Fine,” Bridget replied. “A little turbulence over the mountains before we landed, and the line at customs took forever.”

  “Yeah, you came in at a really busy time of day.” She took Bridget’s hand and drew her forward. That’s when I noticed all the noise, the tv blaring, and the voices. I smelled the pizza before we made it to the living room. The whole band was there.

  “Congratulations.” Bryan came over and kissed Bridget’s cheek.

  I got tense, even though I knew the guy was totally into Lace. I didn’t like his lips being so close to Bridget’s mouth.

  “Nothings’ completely for sure, yet,” Bridget cautioned.

  “Your lawyer thinks it is. You told me yourself when you called,” Lace said.

  “I hope you don’t mind the impromptu party,” Bryan exchanged a glance with his woman. “Lace thought it would be a good idea, but you guys look pretty tired.”

  “Oh, stop.” Lace rolled her eyes. “There’ll be plenty of time for resting later. Take Carter to the kitchen and get him a non-caffeinated soda,” she told Bryan. “You,” she pointed at Bridget, “and you,” she pointed at me. “Come sit down and fill us in. I still can’t believe it,” she muttered after shooing Sager and King off the couch. Double L had no fear. The guys in Tempest, even the hulking Latino drummer deferred to her. She really would’ve been a more logical choice to lead the group after Warren left, if she had wanted the job.

  I tried to sit beside Bridget, but Lace wedged herself between us. “Oh, no. You’ve had her for the past twenty-four hours, it’s my turn JJ.” She turned to Bridget. “So just how fucking rich are you?” she asked brazenly.

  “Lace,” Dizzy cautioned, palm to his head. “A little tact, maybe.”

  “We’re best friends.” She waved off his concern. “Even before she became an heiress. Right, Rehab Sister?” She held out a fist to Bridget.

  “Relax, Diz.” I was happy to see her dimpled smile appear as she tapped her knuckles to Lace’s. Bridget seemed more settled after our conversation at the pool, but she’d still been quieter than usual. And as Carter sagely pointed out, the only time she clammed up was when she was worried about something.

  We had a lot to work out, I knew that. But I was confident we would. I only wished that there was something I could say, or something I could do that would convince her.

  “So how much?” Lace persisted.

  “I don’t know really.” Bridget laughed. “A lot, I guess. Enough.”

  “Enough that you could buy your own record label?” King asked, dark eyes sparkling with humor.

  “Probably.” She laughed again. “But why? Aren’t you happy with Black Cat?”

  “He’s just mad ’cause the queen busted his balls today,” Sager explained.

  “Really?” Lace’s brow rose.

  The big Latino shrugged noncommittally.

  “She noticed he was hung over.” Sager completely threw King under the bus, ignoring his best friend’s scowl. “Stuck it to him good. Told him he was wasting an opportunity to be a positive role model in the Latino community. Stuff like that.”

  “People need to sort out their own shit,” King grumbled before taking a long swig of his Tecate.

  “So why are you still planning to keep your job at the coffeehouse” Lace asked deftly changing the subject.

  “Just to be safe. No money has changed hands yet.” Bridget took the slice of pizza Bryan offered her, but she didn’t eat it.

  Lace studied her for a long moment and then squeezed her hands. She turned to me. “How you liking that Triumph, biker boy?”

  “Huh?” I was watching Bridget worry her bottom lip.

  “Your new motorcycle.” Lace was trying to communicate something with a pointed glare and an eyebrow wiggle, but I had no idea what.

  “You have a Triumph?” Bryan asked with keen interest, more interest than he’d ever shown in anything I’d ever said previously.

  “Yeah, a Rocket III. You want to see it? It’s down in the garage.”

  “Sweet,” Sager interjected, dark brows up over his dark eyes.

  “That sounds like an excellent idea,” Lace encouraged with exaggerated loudness. So that was it. She was trying to get rid of everybody. She wanted to talk to Bridget alone.

  I glanced at Bridget. “You ok for a little bit?”

  “She’ll be fine, lover boy. Man, you got it bad, JJ. I’m sure she’ll survive for a few minutes without you.”

  • • •

  Bridget

  The apartment was eerily quiet after the door clicked closed behind them all.

  “Spill,” Lace demanded. “And don’t bullshit me. You look like you’re about two seconds away from coming apart at the seams.”

  I closed my eyes, my tense shoulder drooping under the weight of my concerns crashing down on them all at once. A shaky breath leaked from my lips right before the waterworks started.

  “Oh, baby.” Lace held out her arms. I dropped my heavy head onto her shoulder. Her arms went around me. She didn’t say anything while I let it all out. I cried because I was tired and stressed. I cried because my life had just taken an unexpected turn and I was feeling completely overwhelmed. But most of all I cried because I was afraid of losing Justin.

  When the crying jag had settled to intermittent hiccups and periodic tears, I started to share. My explanation was all over the place, out of order and disjointed, but somehow Lace pieced it together and understood the way only a really good friend could.

  She grabbed a tissue, handed it to me, and shifted to look at me. “So that’s your genius plan then. Squeeze all the happiness you can from him before he leaves or you do?”

  I nodded. Though I realized it sounded kind of stupid when spoken aloud.

  “That’s one of the dumbest things I ever heard.” She snorted.

  I stiffened defensively.

  “I’m no expert on love or anything. I’m still working out the consequences of a lot of bad choices on my own part. Choices that hurt a lot of people. But I do know one thing. Love is worth the c
hance. He says he loves you. I believe him. Hell, anyone who sees him with you can see that. So he’s not perfect. None of us are. But I really don’t think he’s the issue. You are.” She studied me, eyes much softer than her words had been. “Bridget, no one’s gonna argue. You’ve been though some really shitty stuff. So has he. Most of us have. The trick is to leave the past in the past. If you don’t you’ll never be free to move forward. If you keep trying to drag that heavy stuff around, you’re gonna find out that your hands are too full of bad to carry anything else. Something good like what I see between you and Justin needs to be scooped up and held onto with both hands. I agree with JJ. Don’t let anything come between you. Commit to it. Commit to a future for all three of you. Otherwise, I think your fear’s gonna cost you a really good thing.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Justin

  On the way back upstairs, Bryan jogged up to me. King, Sager, Dizzy, and Carter were a good distance behind.

  “Sweet ride,” Bryan said.

  I nodded my agreement. “Would’ve been smarter to save more of the signing bonus from Black Cat.” I shrugged. “But life’s too short, and I’ve always wanted a motorcycle.”

  “I just got my mom and sisters into a house otherwise I would’ve bought myself one by now. After the European tour, there’s a Nighthawk with my name on it.”

  “Cool. Maybe we can find somewhere to race.”

  His head bobbed. “Absofuckinglutely.”

  “Hey, in the meantime, you ever wanna take a spin on the Triumph, it’s no big deal. All you need to do is ask. I know you’ll take good care of it.”

  “Thanks. I just might do that. Lace would love it.”

  Before we reentered the apartment, he held me up. “Listen, I’m sorry I’ve been such a hard ass with you. Warren and I were friends a real long time. It’s been a hard adjustment for me. I’ve probably been taking it out on you.”