by HELEN HARDT
I nodded. In a warped way, my father was making sense, which was scary as shit. What was scarier was that I could totally see his point—especially where Wendy Madigan was concerned.
She was volatile, and she was skilled with weapons—thanks to me.
I might have to defend my father’s legacy the way he did, but I’d do better for my own children. I’d teach them the way to make a living honorably, without the need for guns.
This fucked-up situation would end with me. I’d bury all my father’s ghosts once he died, and I’d leave a life of peace for my wife and family.
I’d succeed, no matter what I had to do.
Which meant I had to put an end to the Future Lawmakers once and for all.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Daphne
“Excuse me,” Mazie said. “I need to get that.”
I left the family room. I didn’t want to intrude on her phone call.
“Daphne,” she called me back in a few minutes later. “It’s for you, dear. It’s Brad.”
A smile split my face. “Doesn’t he want to talk to you as well?”
“Goodness, he told me that he and his father are fine and then asked for you.” She smiled. “Makes perfect sense to me.”
I took the receiver from her, and then she walked out of the room.
“Hello.”
“Hi, baby.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Is Mom treating you and your mom okay?”
“Of course. She’s great. She’s already put together an amazing little wedding for us.”
“That’s Mom, all right.”
“I think she’s really happy about all this, Brad. I know our timing kind of sucks, but it seems to have made your mom happy. She’s already talking about us having a houseful of grandkids.”
“We will.”
“I’ll tell you what I told her. I’m only eighteen. There’s no hurry.”
“Oh, Daphne,” he said, “I forgot to tell you.”
“What?”
“The house. It’s ours.”
My mouth dropped open. “What house? This one?”
“Yeah, the ranch house. My father deeded it to me. We’ll live there. With that houseful of kids my mom wants.”
I looked around the vast family room. This was ours?
“Think about how you want to decorate it,” he said. “You can have it any way you want.”
“Brad, that’s silly. It’s beautiful the way it is. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Like I said, whatever you want. If that’s what you want, we won’t change a thing.”
“Good. My parents are paying for the wedding, by the way.”
“Daphne…”
“My mom insisted. Your mom offered to foot the bill, but my mom gets pretty stubborn sometimes.”
“I can’t imagine that,” he said sarcastically. “Her daughter is nothing like that.”
I couldn’t help giggling. “Brad, they don’t have the kind of money—”
“I’ll take care of it,” he said.
“Thanks.” I had no idea what he thought he would do, but I trusted Brad. He’d take care of it.
Damn.
I did trust him.
Which meant I had to tell him what I’d found.
“Brad…”
“Yeah?”
“I went into your room today.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I wanted to lie on your bed. It smells like you.”
He laughed. “That’s sweet.”
“If it’s sweet, why are you laughing?”
“I don’t know. It’s cute.”
“I saw something.”
“What?”
“A stack of manila envelopes on your desk. The top one had Wendy written on it.”
Silence.
“I didn’t open it. I would never do that.”
“I know that, Daphne.”
“But I did ask your mother about Wendy. Why didn’t you tell me you had her committed?”
“I didn’t want to upset you. You know…because of your history.”
“I’m not upset. I’m glad she’s gone.”
“Good. So am I. She won’t bother either one of us again.”
“Promise?”
“I promise, baby.”
I heaved a sigh of relief. “What’s in the envelope?”
“Just some documents about the facility where she is. It’s in Grand Junction.”
“That’s what your mom said. I wish she were farther away.”
“I do too, but her parents want to be able to visit her.”
I patted my belly, thinking of my little dove. I hadn’t even met him yet, and already I knew I’d treasure him and would always want to be able to see him, no matter what. “I guess I understand that.”
“But don’t worry, baby. She won’t be a problem. I’ve taken care of it. I’ll always take care of you and our baby.”
I warmed all over. “I know you will. Thank you for that. I love you so much, Brad.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you back home on Sunday.”
“I can’t wait. I miss you.”
“Miss you too. I have to run. Bye.”
“Bye.” I replaced the receiver and walked to the kitchen.
Mazie sat at the table, sipping a cup of tea. “Everything okay with Brad?”
“Yeah, he says they’re both fine.” I sighed. “I miss him.”
“So do I, honey.”
I kissed her on the cheek. The action was out of the blue. I was never that forward, but I’d grown to love Mazie in a short time. “Thank you for everything,” I said.
“You’re most welcome. Thank you for giving me a grandchild.”
“It’ll be a while yet.” I smiled down at my belly. “But he’ll be wonderful. I know it.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brad
Tom Simpson lived in Boulder with his new wife, Evelyn. He was a first-year student at the University of Colorado Law School.
I didn’t tell my father where I was going. Just said I had some stuff to take care of. He’d nodded and told me to take his car. I’d taken my truck instead.
I pulled up at the small house Tom rented near the school. He should be home on a Sunday.
We needed to talk.
After Tom, I’d contact Larry.
Then Theo, if I could find him. He moved around a lot and was always a question mark.
I walked up to the door and knocked.
His wife answered the door. “Brad. Hi.” She looked a little pale.
“Hey, Evie. Are you okay?”
“Not in the slightest. Come on in.”
“If you’re sick, I don’t want to bother you.”
“You won’t bother me. I’m sure you’re here to see Tom.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“I’ll get him for you. Have a seat.”
I sat down on the green couch and waited. Tom came in a few minutes later, followed by his wife.
“Did you tell Brad the good news, Evie?”
“Oh. No, I didn’t.”
Tom smiled. “We’re pregnant!”
Oh. That explained why she looked like she was going to lose her breakfast. “Congratulations!”
“Ugh,” Evie said. “I’ll be happy when the first trimester is over. I feel completely awful.”
“I know what you mean,” I said.
“How could you possibly know?” she said.
“Oh, sorry. Not me, of course. My girlfriend. Er…fiancée.”
“You’re fucking kidding me,” Tom said. “Wendy’s pregnant?”
“God, no. Not Wendy. I’m sorry I’ve left you out of the loop. Daphne Wade.”
“Not Larry’s kid sister?”
“Yeah. We met at school, and well…you can guess the rest.”
“Are you going to marry her?”
“I am.”
“Marriage isn’t for the faint of heart, dude.”
“Yo
u think I don’t know that? I watched my parents’ shitty marriage.”
Evelyn swatted Tom’s arm. “Don’t give marriage a bad name. We’re very happy,” she said to me.
She didn’t look happy. She looked like—
“Excuse me!” She clamped her hand over her mouth and ran out of the room.
“Poor thing,” Tom said. “She’s sick as a dog. I don’t have to tell you that this came as a surprise. We weren’t planning to start a family until after I finished law school.”
“I hear that one. Ours was a major surprise, especially since I used a condom.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.”
“Do you at least like her?”
“More than that. I love her, man.”
“So you and Wendy are over for good this time.”
“Yeah. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad. She was becoming…hard to control.”
He guffawed. “No one will ever be able to control Wendy. She’s hot as hell, but damn, I’m glad you were the one saddled with her. Theo and I talk about that all the time.”
“You do?”
“Oh, hell, yeah. She’s nuts.”
“Thanks for letting me in on that.”
“Seriously, how did you not know?”
“I did. Eventually. She’s gone now. Committed.”
“Fuck. Seriously?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t know. It happened a few weeks ago.”
“She and I haven’t been in touch. The three of us guys have been working on something by ourselves.”
“Yeah, Theo told me. What is it?”
“Still in the planning stages,” he said. “Keep your voice down. Evie doesn’t know anything about my dealings with the club.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
“So where’s Wendy?”
“Piney Oaks, in Grand Junction.”
“Right. Good. Can’t say I’m sad to have her out of our hair. She’s brilliant, but she’s a loose cannon.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Still, she was the brains behind getting us going. She figured out the business strategies and then took our profits and invested them in all kinds of shit. We made a mint, as you know.”
Yeah, I knew. I hadn’t minded pocketing the profits.
“That’s kind of what I’m here to talk about,” I said. “I’m out. As of now.”
“Steel, we need your cash.”
“Not anymore you don’t. I gave Theo some money a month ago, and that’s the last time. I’ll be taking over my dad’s business soon, and I’m getting married. You’re invited, by the way. You and Evie. It’s in two weeks, at the ranch.”
“Great. We’ll be there.”
“Tell Theo. I have no idea where he is.”
“I’ll do it.” He pulled something out of his pocket. “Ever smoked marijuana, Steel?”
My eyebrows shot off my forehead. “What the fuck? Put that away!”
“This is el primo weed.”
“Since when do you smoke dope, Simpson? Your wife is pregnant, for God’s sake.”
“Theo and I got a great deal on a huge stash.”
Fuck it all. No way. I grabbed Tom’s collar. “Tell me you did not use my money to buy drugs.”
“For God’s sake, pipe down. Of course we didn’t.”
“You’re in fucking law school, Tom. Pot is illegal.”
“Did I say we were going to sell it?”
“You said you got a huge stash. What the fuck am I supposed to think?”
“Maybe think that being a full-time law student and running the business with Theo and Larry is a lot on my plate. I need to relax every now and then. Enter, this joint. Besides, this is Boulder, man.”
“What about Evie?”
“Evie knows. She indulges herself. Not since she got pregnant, of course.”
“Evie?”
“Don’t act so shocked. It’s not a narcotic, Steel. It’s a little weed.”
“Yeah, well, no thanks.”
“Your loss.” He shoved the joint back in his pocket. “You’re really out, huh?”
“Yeah, and don’t tell me again that you need me. You’re all millionaires.”
“Shh!” he said again. “Evie.”
“Why the hell are you letting her work when she doesn’t need to? Especially now that she’s pregnant?”
“Because I don’t want to tell her about the biz. Not yet.”
“Why—” I stopped, closing my mouth.
Why wouldn’t he want his wife to know about his side business? That he was rich?
Only one reason.
They were getting into…
God, I couldn’t think about it.
“Be careful, man,” I said.
“Everything’s under control.”
“It’s drugs.”
“Do you think I’m lying to you, Steel? Come on.”
I said no more. If I did, our friendship would end. Not that I cared a lot about the friendship anymore, but something held me back.
Because, yes, he was lying to me.
My father had taught me long ago how to spot a liar.
A liar didn’t look you in the eye. He averted his gaze.
A liar blinked a lot.
A liar shifted his stance.
A liar smiled to hide the lie.
The only problem?
Tom Simpson did none of these things.
But he was lying. I felt it in my bones.
Tom was an enigma—different from both Theo and Larry in a way I could never quite pinpoint.
I pinpointed it now.
He was a master at hiding his emotions.
It would serve him well as a lawyer.
“Watch your back,” I said to him. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”
“Steel,” he said, his blue gaze icy, “you know me much better than that.”
I did.
I’d watched him, Theo, and Larry grow from awkward teens into men. I’d seen the subtle changes take place.
And I was never gladder to be walking away from the Future Lawmakers.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Daphne
Two Weeks Later…
I wore white.
Yeah, I was pregnant, and I wore white. But I’d always dreamed of being married in a white flowing dress. I gave up the flowing, since our little wedding wasn’t a truly formal affair, but I kept the white.
My mom and Mazie fluttered around me, helping me don the white sundress. It was a beautiful autumn day, and the Indian summer held out. I wouldn’t be cold today.
Morning sickness hadn’t eased at all, and today I had the added bonus of nervous butterflies.
I didn’t have any friends other than Patty and Ennis, so I’d asked Patty to act as my maid of honor. Sean was to be Brad’s best man.
Other than my parents and Patty, Ennis was the only other person in attendance for me.
Everyone else was someone Brad knew, including my half brother, Larry.
I’d met them all the prior evening at our rehearsal dinner, but honestly, other than Theo, who I’d already met once before—his eyes were a normal brown this time—I couldn’t tell you who any of them were.
I’d meet them all again after the wedding, when I wasn’t as nervous.
My father approached us, wearing a white tuxedo with a black bow tie. White tuxedos were in right now, Mazie had said.
I’d okayed it, even though I thought black was classier.
“Daphne”—he cupped my cheek—“you look radiant.”
“That’s probably sweat, Daddy.” I tried to smile. I’d thrown up fifteen minutes earlier in the powder room.
“Nonsense. It’s that glow of being a bride, plus the glow of impending motherhood.”
I didn’t respond. My heart was in my throat.
Was I ready for this?
Didn’t really matter. The little dove was coming. According to my doctor, the pregnancy was progressing perfectl
y. Plus, I couldn’t love Brad Steel any more than I already did. He was my destiny. I knew it without question.
I just never thought part of my destiny would be to be pregnant and getting married at eighteen.
I’d wanted a few years to be independent, to prove to myself that I could exist in the real world and not succumb to anxiety and depression.
Too late now. I had to be strong, not just for myself, but for Brad and little dove.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Patty entered. She wore vibrant yellow, a color I’d insisted on. Mazie had wanted me to carry her pale-green tulips. I held out for yellow. Nothing about this day was going to be drab and colorless.
Nothing.
“It’s time, Daph.” She smiled. “You look amazing.”
“I feel like I’m going to hurl.”
“Need some crackers?”
“God, no. Nothing. Please. I can’t even think about food.” The elaborate spread Mazie had ordered for the reception—complete with roast baron of Steel beef—would be lost on me.
“Honey, if you can’t do this right now, it’s okay,” Dad said.
I swallowed. “It’s not that. I want to do this. I just feel…” Nausea crept up my throat. I ran into the bathroom.
Dry heaves were the worst. Of course they were dry heaves. I hadn’t eaten anything. Between morning sickness and nerves, I couldn’t.
At least I wouldn’t screw up my hair and makeup. I wiped the last of the saliva from my lips and left the bathroom.
“Daph?” Patty said.
My father took my hands. “Okay?”
“Nothing different from every other day,” I said. “It will pass. Let’s just do this.”
“Are you sure?” Dad asked.
Why did people keep asking me that? Of course I was sure. I’d never been surer.
“Yes, for the last time, I’m sure. This is what I want, Daddy.”
“Okay, honey. Let’s go.”
“Dearly beloved,” the minister began, “we’re here on this beautiful day to witness the joining in marriage of Bradford Raymond Steel and Daphne Kay Wade. If anyone present knows why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.”
