by Zuri Day
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM
Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.
Be transported to the worlds of oil barons, family dynasties, moguls and celebrities. Get ready for juicy plot twists, delicious sensuality and intriguing scandal.
6 NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH!
One Christmas Wish
by Brenda Jackson
PROLOGUE
“Vaughn? Are you awake?”
Vaughn Miller rubbed sleep from his eyes, shifted in bed and adjusted his cell phone against his ear. He recognized the caller immediately. “I’m awake now, Deke. What’s going on?” There had to be a reason Deke Hollister was calling him at three in the morning.
“I wanted you to know before it hit the papers that your name is being cleared.”
Vaughn jerked upright in bed. “Say that again.”
Deke chuckled. “You heard me, pal. I couldn’t say anything before now, but the FBI uncovered a white-collar crime syndicate that stretched across several states including New York. They were able to link the group to what happened at your former employer on Wall Street. Arrests have been made and several confessions collected. One of which will exonerate you of all charges. I’m sure some type of restitution will also be in order.”
Vaughn rubbed a hand down his face. No amount of restitution could make up for the two years that his freedom had been taken away from him. Not only his freedom, but also his respect and dignity.
“Thanks for everything you did, Deke. You’re one of the few who believed in my innocence.” The two had met years ago while in college at Yale. Whereas Vaughn had chosen a career on Wall Street, Deke had always wanted to be a crime fighter, and after a short time in the marines, he went to work for the FBI as one of their top agents investigating domestic terrorism. Last year he left the Bureau and started his own security/investigative firm in DC. He was doing quite well for himself due to his ability to solve crimes and the close connections he still had with the FBI.
“There were others who believed in your innocence as well, Vaughn. Don’t forget the people of Catalina Cove welcomed you home.”
Yes, they had. Thirty-five years ago, he was born in Catalina Cove, Louisiana, a small shipping town an hour’s drive from New Orleans. When he’d left for college, he only returned a few times to visit his parents and sister. When they’d eventually moved away as well, there had been no reason to ever return.
When Vaughn decided to return to the cove to live four years ago, he was aware that some of the locals knew he’d served time. It honestly didn’t matter since Reid Lacroix, the wealthiest man in Catalina Cove, had trusted Vaughn enough to immediately hire him as part of his executive team at Lacroix Industries. That hadn’t come as a big surprise to many since, while growing up in the cove, Vaughn and Reid’s son Julius had been best friends. Julius had also been Vaughn’s roommate in college for four years. Sadly, Julius had been killed in a car accident close to nine years ago. He’d been like a brother to Vaughn and it was a loss that still pained him.
“I told you why they were so quick to welcome me, Deke,” Vaughn said. “If Reid Lacroix likes you then the entire town loves you. Very few people go against Reid on anything.” Reid was still the wealthiest man in town. Half the people living in the cove worked at the Lacroix blueberry plant. Back in the day, the Lacroix and Miller families had run in the same circles since both were part of the cove’s old money elites.
The difference between Reid and some of the other wealthy people in town was that not only did Reid have a big heart, but he also genuinely cared about the welfare of Catalina Cove and the people who lived here. He paid his employees a more than fair wage, which is why very few people left until retirement. And Reid believed in giving hefty bonuses. When his companies did well, he had no problem rewarding his employees. Because of his generosity people were very loyal to him.
A part of Vaughn was glad he had decided to return. Although no comments were ever made about him serving time, he often felt there were those who hadn’t been all that certain of his innocence. He hoped his name being cleared would remove all doubt.
“With both you and Sawyer there,” Deke said, pulling Vaughn’s focus back to the conversation, “when I get the time, I plan to visit the cove more often to get some fishing in.”
“You do that. I owe you, buddy, for everything.”
“You would have done the same for me, Vaughn.”
Yes, he would have. A short while later, Vaughn ended the call with Deke. His friend had believed in his innocence from day one and had promised Vaughn that he would clear his name. When Vaughn was released from prison and decided to move back to Catalina Cove, Deke had paved the way by contacting the cove’s new sheriff, Sawyer Grisham, who happened to be a former FBI agent and good friend of Deke’s.
In addition to Reid, Sawyer and Sawyer’s wife, Vashti, who’d been a classmate of Vaughn’s, a number of former classmates had gone out of their way to welcome him back.
His thoughts shifted to Camila Elderberry, his girlfriend at the time he’d been arrested. The moment charges had been filed, she’d bolted, and hadn’t even waited for the trial.
And then there had been Marie.
She was the person he’d come to think of as “his Marie.” He’d never met her, but she had touched his life through her letters. She’d been part of the prison’s Inmate Pen Pal Program, an agency that connected an inmate with someone on the outside who they exchanged letters with, whose sole purpose was keeping inmates motivated and encouraged while confined. He’d only received a total of eight letters from his pen pal Marie and they always seemed to arrive on some of his worst days, when he was at his lowest and needed motivation and encouragement. The letters had been a beacon of hope against the injustices that had put an innocent man behind bars. They had kept him positive, and that optimistic attitude was the reason he had been released after serving only two years of a five-year sentence.
The guidelines of the program prohibited the pen pals from sharing personal information so Vaughn was fairly certain Marie was not even his pen pal’s real name. The letters were delivered to him through the agency and when he wrote back, they were delivered to his pen pal the same way. He definitely owed “his Marie” a debt of gratitude.
And now his name was being cleared.
Vaughn drew in a deep breath, feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off his chest. Knowing he couldn’t get back to sleep, he eased out of bed. One of the first places he went was to the dresser where he kept a packet full of important papers. He knew just what he was looking for. The letters he’d received from Marie, which he still read on occasion.
Shuffling through the letters, he came to the last one he’d received, which was the one that had inspired him the most.
There are days that will seem hopeless.
And nights that seem filled with despair.
Always look forward to tomorrow.
Brighter days are coming, even when it appears they aren’t.
You must believe.
Marie
He slid the letter back into the packet with the others and put them in the dresser before heading back to the bed. With his name cleared, he had reason to believe that for him brighter days were coming.
Copyright © 2021 by Brenda Streater Jackson
Keep reading for an excerpt from Backstage Benefits by LaQuette.
Backstage Benefits
by LaQuette
One
Good God Almighty.
The words reverberated through Josiah Manning’s head as he watched the fierce woman strut across the room. He’d come here specifically for her, and although he knew what she looked like from photos he’d found on the internet,
he was woefully unprepared for the way her beauty struck him damn near stupid.
Lyric Devereaux-Smith, beauty and fashion influencer, was hands down the most alluring woman in the room. The sea of people parted and stared at her as she walked toward the bar where Josiah was currently standing. No one in this room was immune to her, apparently.
She wore a white tuxedo shirt with one button undone to show a sexy sliver of a lace balconette bra. Her shirt was tucked into the shortest pair of black sequined tuxedo shorts that stopped at an almost indecent point, putting every inch of her thick fishnet-covered thighs on display. To accessorize the outfit just right, she wore a black fedora tilted to the side, and on her feet were a simple pair of closed-toed black stiletto platform pumps with a point so sharp he was certain she could use them as a weapon.
He wasn’t a caveman who thought women existed solely for the pleasure of men. But there was something about curvy, confident sistas, this one in particular, who made him feel virile. And confidence obviously wasn’t a problem for her, especially not with the way she was wearing the hell out of that outfit. Her strut was magnificent and regal, and the sway of her wide hips was damn near hypnotic. There was no question. She was owning everyone in the room, including him.
He closed his eyes, trying to break the spell and regain control of his higher brain function. As gorgeous as Lyric was, he wasn’t here to ogle her. He needed her, and as much as his libido regretted it, it wasn’t for her sumptuous body, either.
She was the key to making all his professional dreams come true. She didn’t know it yet, but the two of them working together were going to take over daytime television and earn him the soon-to-be-vacant title of president of Public Broadcasting Network, more widely known as PBN.
After years of setbacks and sabotage, he’d finally built his production company, Kings Creative, to be a powerhouse on the daytime television circuit. He had two hit shows on the major networks. His ratings, coupled with eight Daytime Emmy Award nominations, made him a perfect candidate for the PBN job. The only thing the PBN board asked was for him to come up with a killer weekday daytime lineup, and the job was his. No biggie, right?
For Josiah, as one of the few Black television executives behind the scenes, creating stellar work was par for the course. But the opportunities he’d turned into career gold didn’t come easily when you were from an underrepresented community in the media. His father had always told him, “In order to get in the door, you’ve got to be twice as good as everyone else’s best.” To be noticed, he couldn’t just be good, he had to be great. Therefore, he worked tirelessly to make sure the concept, casting and overall production of every project was so good, network studios couldn’t say no.
Black excellence, that was his motto. All day. Every day. In every way.
His drive, talent and relentless work ethic had put the ultimate goal within his reach. All that remained for him to land this job was one last morning show. And for what he had in mind, Lyric Devereaux would be the perfect host.
“If you keep staring at my cousin like that, I’m gonna be honor-bound to kick your ass.”
Josiah smiled as he listened to the familiar voice. He didn’t take his eyes off Lyric, however, until she stopped walking toward him, talking to someone in the crowd.
He turned around, greeting his old friend and former high school rival, Jeremiah Benton, with a firm handshake and a backslapping hug. “Come on, J.” His smile widened in genuine happiness to be in his friend’s presence again. “We been boys since way back. Instead of cockblocking, you could maybe introduce me to Lyric.”
Jeremiah stepped back, signaling the bartender for a drink. “I just told you she’s family. I’m not hooking her up with one of you trifling Hollywood types. Lyric’s too good a person. Besides, I don’t want to have to come find you if shit goes wrong.”
Josiah shrugged, admitting there was a large amount of truth to Jeremiah’s perspective. The entertainment industry was notorious for people in power being predators. Even though Josiah liked a fun hookup as much as the next guy, he never forced his unwanted attention on anyone. If a woman was in his bed, it was because she wanted to be.
“I feel you, man, but what if my interest in her is professional and not carnal?”
He could tell by Jeremiah’s raised brow he didn’t believe what was spilling out of Josiah’s mouth. He held his hands up in mock surrender and chuckled lightly. “I’m serious. I’m creating a new talk show about fashion and beauty hacks and trends. And you know how I get down. Anytime I can put one of us in front of or behind the camera, I’m gonna make it happen.”
Jeremiah accepted his drink from the bartender, giving Josiah his attention once again after his first sip. “It’s the same for me in business. The chances for us to make these kinds of moves don’t come easy. I try to reach back into our communities whenever I can to create ‘for us, by us’ opportunities.”
“That’s what this is, J. I’ve been looking all over for a star and I think Lyric is it. She smashes the bullshit beauty and fashion standards. She helps people from all backgrounds, body types and skin tones see that glam and fashion are for everyone. I need her.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Jeremiah narrowed his gaze as he observed Josiah.
“Yeah.” He nodded enthusiastically. “I really think she’s got star quality. I was hoping I could get an audience with her tonight. Think you can help a brotha out?”
Jeremiah took a long sip of his drink before setting the empty glass on the bar. “I’ll introduce you two, but the rest is up to you.”
“Thanks, man.” He went to shake Jeremiah’s hand, but his friend held up a finger.
“Don’t thank me yet. Lyric has been through a lot. She lost her husband two years ago, and she’s just coming out of her shell. She may not be ready for any of what you’re suggesting. All I ask is if she’s not willing, you back off.”
He was about to speak when Jeremiah held up his finger again. “I mean it, Josiah. I know how persistent your ass can be when you want something. But Lyric can’t take that kind of pressure. Even though I know this is something you’re excited about, if she ain’t feeling it, let it go. Respect her no if that’s the answer she gives you.”
“J, I won’t badger her. But I’m an entrepreneur just like you. I go hard for what I want. All I can promise is that I will work to convince her without crossing any lines. Will that suffice?”
Jeremiah watched Josiah for a long moment before he took his outstretched hand and nodded. “Fair enough.”
Jeremiah then waved for a few seconds before he caught Lyric’s deep brown gaze, beckoning her to join them. “Hope you’ve got your sales pitch ready.”
“Bruh.” Josiah chuckled confidently. “I could do this in my sleep.”
“For your sake, I hope your cocky ass is right.”
And as he watched the hypnotizing sway of Lyric’s hips, the only thing he could think was…I hope I’m right, too.
“You’re Jordan, right?” Lyric beamed. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.” Jordan Dylan Devereaux III. Her name was a mouthful and her presence was just as powerful. In a room filled with at least four hundred people, her regal aura made her easily recognizable among the crowd. “I’m Lyric. My late husband, Randall, was your father’s first cousin. I guess that makes us first cousins once removed by marriage.”
“Please, call me Trey,” the dark-skinned, curvy beauty replied. “Otherwise, there are too many Jordan Dylan Devereauxs in this family to keep us all straight.”
Her bright smile eased any awkwardness this first meeting could have had. With Trey and her father long estranged from the rest of the family, her presence here at the Legacy Ball could’ve been uncomfortable for all of them.
“Are you doing okay? I’m sure you’re used to these kinds of parties, considering your father, Deuce, is the head of DD Enterprises
. But having people ogle you has to feel strange.” It had for Lyric when she’d first become Randall’s bride. The Devereaux clan was so large, she felt swallowed up like a tiny morsel among all the powerful people in this family. It had taken her nearly a decade to eke out her own space and begin the journey of figuring out what being a Devereaux meant to and for her.
“It’s been a ride, that’s for sure. But mostly everyone I’ve encountered has been warm and welcoming.”
Lyric smiled. “That means you haven’t met my former mother-in-law, Martha, then. I can’t imagine she’s happy you’re here. She sees anyone who shares blood with her as a threat. I’ve learned to deal with her. And since I’m not in the running to assume the Devereaux Incorporated throne your grandfather Ace will be leaving behind, she pretty much leaves me alone. But make sure you watch yourself around her.”
Trey lifted a perfectly arched brow. “Jeremiah has warned me about her, too. I guess I’d better get my armor ready, then. Because now that I’ve found my grandfather and taken my place in this family, I’m not going anywhere.”
Lyric threw her head back in laughter. The Devereaux fight was strong in this one; Martha might want to think twice about taking Trey on. As much of a pain as Martha had been in Lyric’s twenty-year marriage, the thought perversely excited her that Trey might just be the overbearing woman’s match.
“With that attitude, you’re going to fit in this family just fine. I’m glad you’ve found your way home, Trey.”
“Thank you.” Their camaraderie was broken when Ace waved in their direction, pulling Trey’s attention away. “My grandfather is summoning me. Please excuse me.”
Lyric gracefully nodded and stepped back, allowing Trey to take her leave. She let her eyes scan the room and saw Jeremiah waving her over.
