“Don’t do that,” I interjected. “You had a right to be happy, just like the rest of us do.”
“But my children paid the price for me wanting that happiness.”
“Zander will be walking again soon, wait and see.”
A smile crept across her face. “Yes, he will, won’t he?”
“He wants to stand at the altar with me–nothing will stop him, you know that yourself.”
“My son is quite a remarkable human being.” She smiled and brushed her tears away. “A car crash then a clifftop fall can’t stop him for long.”
“Both of them were remarkable, in their own way.”
“You are very kind, Cammie. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter in law to be.”
“Aw.” I loved to tease her. “As future mother in laws go, you’re not too bad yourself.”
“Cheeky.”
I grabbed her hand and walked back toward the beachside villa Alyssa had purchased a few months ago.
“What do you think happened to Jensen?”
“I think he drowned,” she said with sadness.
“I know that is listed as his official cause of death, but do you really think he’s dead?”
“He was my baby…” She paused. “…and a small part of me hopes he survived, but if he did, none of us would ever be truly safe again.”
“Zander has been searching for him,” I admitted. “Did he tell you that?”
“No, he didn’t, but it doesn’t surprise me. Despite everything he loved his brother and there is a lot of guilt he has to work through before his mind can ever be at rest. Alexander never ever told his brother he loved him, and he regrets that. If by any small miracle Jensen survived, I think it would make him happy, despite the danger he represents.”
“There’s been no trace of him, so far.”
“Maybe that is for the best.”
“You managed to hide away for ten years,” I reminded her. “He could be doing the same.”
“The thought did cross my mind.”
I didn’t know how I felt about the possibility of Jensen Shaw being alive and out in the world somewhere, watching and waiting.
I shuddered at the thought.
Alyssa was right about one thing, we would never be safe.
We reached the beautiful pastel pink villa.
“Let’s change the subject,” I said. not wanting to upset Zander.
“Good idea.”
“Darling, we’re back,” I shouted.
“Stay there,” Zander called out. He sounded out of breath.
I looked at Alyssa, my nerves on alert. She felt the same, I could tell by the look on her face. She had that same look of fear and apprehension when she’d faced Zander for the first time in ten years.
There was a strange noise, and then Zander appeared, a beaming smile across his face.
He wasn’t in his wheelchair, but standing, walking slowly, if not unsteadily toward us.
Alyssa burst into tears,
“How?” I said.
“I wanted to surprise you both.”
Alyssa choked out her words. “You certainly did that,” she said, rushing over to hug him. “I’m so proud of you, Alexander.”
“Thanks, Mum.” He kissed her on the side of the head. “What do you think, Cammie?”
“I can’t believe it.” I blubbed too.
“I’m still a little wobbly on my feet but give me a few weeks and I’ll be running along that beach with you.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Alyssa scolded, stepping back. “You will take it slowly, do you hear?”
“I agree with your mum,” I added.
He laughed and his whole face lit up. It was good to see him smile again.
God, I love this man so much. I’m so lucky I didn’t lose him.
“Okay,” he said to me. “But if I agree to the no running rule, will you agree to meet me on the beach at ten am tomorrow?”
“What for?”
“Mother, can you pass Cammie that box from the table please?” He pointed to the table on the patio.
Oh, no, not another one of his famous gift boxes.
Alyssa passed me the small box. I opened it. Inside was the most beautiful Sapphire ring I’d ever seen. Underneath was a familiar card.
Here we go, I thought. “An invitation?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“To what? I asked.
“Our wedding, silly. It’s about time I made an honest woman of you.”
I stared at him, shocked he had pulled this off without me knowing.
“Are you kidding me?” Adrenaline coursed through my veins.
“Nope,” he said. “It’s all arranged, and everybody we care about flew in this morning, including your mother.”
I felt a sudden twinge of sadness.
Despite the fact he was a monster, I cared very much for Jensen and he wouldn’t be here to celebrate with us. It didn’t seem right, but the choice was taken away from us.
Alyssa brushed away her tears. I knew what she was thinking.
“And, what about you, Mum?” he asked. “Are you happy?”
“Blissfully, my darlings.”
“Then you’ll stand beside me tomorrow and act as my best woman?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
“We’re really doing this?” Nerves suddenly crept in.
“Yes,” he said. “But only if you’re one thousand percent certain.”
My eyes widened. “Oh, my Lord! What am I going to wear?”
“That’s all sorted,” Zander said. “Vera flew in last night.”
“But…” I was too stunned to finish my sentence.
“She had your measurements on file,” he added. “I promise I haven’t seen anything, but she brought five custom made dresses for you to try on. Hell, if you like them all, have them–as long as you marry me, I don’t care if you wear a duvet cover.”
“The Vera Wang has designed five dresses, just for me?” I jumped up and down like an overly excited child. “Oh, my God.”
“Only the best for you, Cammie,” he said.
“Ahem!” Alyssa interrupted. “What about your dear old mother? I’m not attending my child’s wedding in beach wear, or a duvet for that matter.”
Zander swiftly replied. “I thought we could wear matching tuxedos. I know it’s not your usual attire, but they were flown in last night too.”
Alyssa appeared to mull the idea over.
“Hmm! A Tuxedo is quite an inspired idea, but I’m still wearing heels,” she decreed. “Or no deal.”
“Heels it is,” Zander added, chuckling, “but I’ll give them a miss if you don’t mind. Flip-flops are a challenge at the moment.”
“Ooh, I kind of like the idea of you in stilettos,” I cooed, feeling a little tingle down below.
Our sex life hadn’t come to a standstill, even with his injuries, but I was open to a lot more possibilities.
Zander pulled a face, remembering his mother was witnessing this conversation.
“I think this is my cue to leave the two of you alone,” Alyssa added, backing away. She blew a kiss. “See you later, my darlings.”
I melted into his arms, as Alyssa closed the door behind her.
“I love you so much, Mr Shaw.”
“And I love you too, Camilla Childs.”
Bonus Chapter 1
The Gold Coast.
Australia.
Three Years Later
In the distance, I caught a glimpse of surfers riding the waves. I envied the feeling of freedom they must experience, but nothing would ever convince me to dip a toe in the waters here, never mind mess about on a surfboard, offering myself up as bait for the local population of Tiger Sharks and other beasties that inhabit this region of the world.
I’m not native to these parts and I miss my old home, but for now, I’m content, hiding on the other side of the world.
The fall from that cliff should have killed me, it nearly did,
but I have the strongest desire to survive and despite the odds stacked against me, I fought against the currents trying to claim me.
During my forced absence, I’ve kept abreast of the world news and by rights, I should be rotting in prison, serving a life sentence for Charlotte’s murder, but I wasn’t prepared to do that. After all, was it my fault father ordered my own mother’s assassination? No, it wasn’t. That was out of my control.
Charlotte on the other hand deserved what fate befell her, and besides, she hadn’t suffered for long.
Now, I lived my life in Australia, wary of who I got close to. I couldn’t afford questions I didn’t want to answer.
If things had been different, I’d have taken my place at Shaw International, just as Zander, my brother, had done before me. It wasn’t to be as Camilla Childs walked into our lives and forged a huge rift between us, changing things forever.
What was done was done, but I believe somewhere down the road, my mother, brother and I could have been reunited as a family. Families have the ability to forgive and forget, don’t they?
The reason for my mother’s return was a surprise. She believed Zander had murdered Charlotte and wanted justice for a crime he hadn’t committed. She was far more intelligent than I gave her credit for. She was willing to come out of hiding to do what she thought was right.
Even though she’d believed him guilty, Zander was the innocent party. It was me who had sent Charlotte to her death and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
My brother was always vain and narcissistic, but, when all is said and done, he didn’t have a violent bone in his body. I was different altogether.
Hardened after my mother’s supposed death, I had to protect what was left of my family.
Then, after father died, there was only Zander and I left, alongside a slew of women searching for the good life. Most of them weren’t a threat, but Charlotte was. He wanted to marry her. He didn’t tell me, but I was adept at snooping about, listening when I wasn’t supposed to. I’d had his private line tapped years before.
I wasn’t sorry about Charlotte. How could I be? It gave Zander and me more time together.
Then came Camilla. Would she have met the same fate as her predecessor? Eventually, yes, if she hadn’t gone away of her own accord. But, to my dismay, she had outwitted me at every turn.
I intended to unmask her for the slut she was, but her feelings for Zander turned out to be genuine and in time, as always happens, she would have come between me and my brother.
Despite wanting her gone, there was something about her I couldn’t fight. I hated her as much as I cared for her so for that reason, she wouldn’t have suffered when the time came for her to meet her maker. I’d thought it through. Camilla would have met a more serene and peaceful end, but that is by the by.
Right now, I’m enjoying the glorious weather. I’m bare chested, my muscles on display and red shorts cling to my thighs allowing my rather impressive bulge an audience.
The sun will soon set, then I’ll head home and have some fun with myself, or one of the ladies or gents offering themselves for money on one of those desperate websites.
My new home is everything luxury can afford.
I’d wisely invested the money I had access to, and what wasn’t invested was hidden in offshore accounts should the day come I’d be forced to make a run for it. My actions were that of a shrewd businessman and quite prophetic it turns out.
Anyway, back to the present.
Zander survived the fall which I’m thankful for, and I watched with interest as his wedding to Camilla was broadcast by worldwide media for weeks after. It was akin to a Royal Wedding. All pomp and certainly not the wedding I would have liked to have had with my new sister in law. I’d have preferred something more private and restrained than a Caribbean wedding with the bride in a bespoke wedding dress.
My mother, Alyssa Shaw, the newly appointed and rightful CEO of Shaw International sobbed as they recited their vows.
Unbeknownst to the guests, I was there to witness the event in person. Since I’d staged my own spectacular exit, my features have changed beyond recognition thanks to the very best in cosmetic surgery that money can buy. Besides that, I’d been declared dead–nobody believed I’d survived the fall from the clifftop into the choppy waters below.
Never underestimate me.
A gorgeous blonde woman in her early twenties with big tits walked by and smiled at me.
I returned the smile as my cock hardened. Perhaps I’d fuck her by the sand dunes?
Time has been kind to me. I work out more than I used to, and my once athletic physique is now more muscular than before. My now darker hair is shaved at the back and sides, longer on top, and tied back when it begins to annoy me.
Lasik eye surgery has corrected my vision and contacts alter the colour of my eyes as I see fit.
Such is the change to my physicality, at times, I struggle to recognise my own reflection. But I’m still considered hot. Extensive elocution lessons afforded me the ability to change my voice at will. Now, I speak with a broad Dublin Irish accent. Both the ladies, and gents love it.
My bed is rarely empty, but none of the girls or guys I fuck can hold a candle to the brief moment of pleasure I enjoyed with Camilla Childs, or Camilla Childs-Shaw as she is known by the world now, all those years ago at the masked ball.
Eventually, I came to realise, underneath the hatred, she was my dream woman, but my attempts to woo her proved futile, and that was my undoing.
Was I resentful of her? Yes.
Did I hate her? At times, yes. Oftentimes, no.
She was the one that got away.
Is she safe from harm, free to swan about on the Shaw company jets, living the lifestyle I was born into? No!
Camilla will never be safe, and one day, when she, Zander and my mother least expect it, I’ll emerge from the shadows, and take my rightful place alongside them.
Once she’s out of the picture, I’ll never allow anybody to separate me from my brother again.
I decided to try my luck with the sexy blonde and followed her.
“Excuse me, Miss?” I called out.
She turned and smiled, fluttering her eyelashes. “What can I do for you?” she replied in her distinctive Aussie twang.
“I wondered if you fancied a drink?”
“That’s bold of you…” She wanted to know my name.
“I’m Romeo.”
“That’s a very fitting.”
“I like it.” I chose wisely. “So, that drink?”
“I’d rather something other than a drink.”
I grinned. “What did you have in mind?”
She walked toward me and brazenly, took a handful of my meaty cock. She smiled as it grew in her hand.
I didn’t care what her name was, she was in for the fuck of the century.
Bonus Chapter 2
The Gold Coast.
Australia.
Six Years Later
Amelia McMahon sipped a mojito and watched as the sun set over the harbour.
The handsome dark-haired man approached the pretty brunette sitting at the poolside bar.
“Hello, Miss McMahon, my name is Zander Shaw. We spoke on the phone briefly yesterday.”
She removed her sunglasses and looked up at the hot, yet uninvited guest. “I told you all I knew then, so you’ve had a wasted journey.”
“You didn’t tell me much at all, Miss McMahon.”
“That may be so, but it’s all I can tell you, unless you want me to concoct a pack of lies.”
“You’re were one of Jensen’s closest friends. I know he would have come to you if he needed help.”
“As much as you don’t want to admit it, Jensen drowned, so you’ve flown to the other side of the world for nothing.”
“I don’t believe my brother died, and neither do you. I can tell you’re lying.”
“Mr Shaw, this meeting is over.” Amelia stood to take her leave.
&n
bsp; “Please,” he said. “I’m desperate. Help me.”
“I can’t help you, Mr Shaw.”
“Because Jensen asked you not to?”
“In my world, loyalty goes a long way, and your brother was nothing if not loyal to me.”
“And in his own way, he was loyal to me too, which is why I have to find him.”
“It’s been years–let him go.”
“If I believe he’d died, then I would, but…”
She took her seat and gestured for him to do the same. “You think he survived the fall and made his way to Australia?”
“That’s exactly what I think.” He sat opposite her.
“And what makes you think he is alive, after all this time?”
“I traced certain bank accounts that hid a great deal of money. All the transactions were deposit only until the day my brother supposedly died, then mysteriously, large sums were transferred to a bank right here.”
She laughed. “That proves nothing, Mr Shaw.”
“You’re quite right about that, but my reach is far and wide, and let’s just say I managed to procure the security footage from the bank and while there is no evidence my brother withdrew those funds or even stepped foot in the bank, I know you did.”
She hadn’t expected to be linked to those transactions, he could see it. Amelia McMahon was lying through her perfectly veneered teeth.
“That doesn’t mean the funds in that account had anything to do with your brother.” She clicked her fingers, drawing attention from the waiter. “Another, please.”
He hated it when people clicked at waiters and considered it to be the height of rudeness.
“True, but we both know you’re hiding something, and whatever my brother paid you, I’ll quadruple it if you pass on a simple message for me. That’s all I ask.”
“If Jensen had required my help, I’d have done it for free,” she snapped.
“Then help me find him.”
“What if he doesn’t want to be found?” Amelia knew she’d spoken out of turn. “Why would he want to return to his old life, a prison cell awaiting him?”
“I can help him.” Zander was desperate. “I want to help him.”
By Invitation Only- The Series Page 16
