Secret Bridesmaid

by Victoria Pinder

  She fixed her cup, adding brown sugar, and then handed him the same. “What’s going on?”

  He put the cream down without touching it, nodded at her and said, “Jennifer still hasn’t been found. Her agent was contacted about that movie for her role too, but she’d not answering. Anthony can’t find her.”

  Oh. She patted his hand on the table and asked, “Are you close to Anthony?”

  He squeezed her arm and then picked up the creamer and poured some into his cup. “He’s my brother, and since I see Gio pretty often these days, the Italian guys are becoming closer. But that leads me to my bigger question.”

  Hmm. She just wanted to hold him as he seemed sad somehow. She stirred her coffee and asked, “What question?”

  “Aurelia.”

  Hmm, no one at the wedding had that name. No one she’d met anyhow. “Who?”

  He scooted his chair closer to her and brushed against her side as he said, “I have a half-sister who is supposedly dead, but our father had a habit of kidnapping the women in our family. I know Rafe is investigating for us, but Matt and I have access to the world news. I’d like to find out if there is one more Morgan out there.”

  And the magazines never mentioned any of that. She held her warm cup in her hands without sipping and said, “That’s horrible.”

  He stood and looked out the glass window like they were the only people in a tall tower built for just the two of them. “He’s dead. Jennifer’s agent received a note that said Jennifer had a clue about Aurelia.”

  No wonder he’d been off since the door closed.

  Axel added, “Aurelia is Anthony’s twin.”

  Somehow, she’d missed something big. Emily rubbed his shoulder and asked, “How would she have a clue? And how do you know this?”

  Axel sat back down, and his knee touched hers beneath the table. “Matthew texted and wondered if we should make this well-known or keep it in the family as we both have a lot of media contacts.”

  He had to choose. Her heart melted for him a little. “And how does Jennifer fit in?”

  Axel didn’t move a muscle. “I guess our father left her information to ensure Peter married her. She hasn’t touched it, but if she knows something, then I want to help find my sister.”

  She picked up the butter and scooted it in front of his plate. “Then we will. I’ll help track down Jennifer. From what I understood from Jennifer is that she considers Caro and Rafe personal friends. I’d give Rafe time as she’s likely to talk to them.”

  He picked up his coffee, nodded at her and took a sip. “You’re right. I guess I’m feeling guilty.”

  She sipped the warm brew, appreciating the smell and taste, though it wasn’t as good as the coffee in his mansion he’d made for her. “Why?”

  He kept his head down. “I helped her pack yesterday.”

  Her pulse zipped. She hadn’t expected that answer. She gripped the table end as she asked, “What?”

  He nodded. “Now I feel guilty, but at the time, I was just happy for her to go.”

  She stroked his cheek. “Don’t. We’ll find her. Together, but let the experts do their work first. Diesel was great at finding out Jennifer’s secrets.”

  A light of hope grew in his blue eyes. “Let’s recommend him to Rafe then.” He nodded at her, sipped his coffee, and then set it back in the saucer. “And we continue the tour?”

  Perfect. “No need to cancel anything until we have somewhere else to be.” Axel’s shoulders relaxed and she smiled, wanting him to be happy.

  She bit into her pastry.

  “You’re my anchor, Emily.”

  “Oh!” She hadn’t expected that. She put her beignet down and said, “Well, that’s good. I’ve always been responsible so an anchor is something I can handle.”

  “You can let your hair down and do whatever you want, whenever you want.”

  “I will.” They finished their small meal. She couldn’t wait to find out what Axel had in store for her in Atlanta. “So, what’s the surprise?”

  He laughed and then tugged at her t-shirt sleeve. “My sister Victoria sent her designer crew to our hotel already. She wants you modeling her clothes.”

  She froze. She wasn’t starving herself and she wasn’t a size four. She had way too many curves for that one. She shook her head as she wasn’t trying to compete with Linsey, ever. “I’m not a model. I’m not skinny.”

  Axel traced her arm. “You’re beautiful and you can wear the clothes on tour, or tell my sister no photos. What you do is up to you.”

  “I love you.” Sighing, she tried to imagine herself with cameras and the limelight.

  Yesterday on stage had been enough. But it would be nice to be pretty. He stood and offered his hand while he said, “Good. Let’s get back to bed. It’s been too long.”

  On this they agreed. She was here because she loved him. Nothing else mattered.

  The fog of London was everywhere. Axel Morgan waved at the cameras as they headed into an awards show. The red carpet meant that Emily was usually at his side, but the magazine pulled her to talk to them for a moment and pose with its other cover models.

  Axel waited patiently for her and smiled to the photographers surrounding him. One of the reporters asked, “How do you feel now that your girlfriend is famous?”

  He admired the gorgeous line of her back. Emily had only missed one night of the tour for the cover shoot she’d done, and she’d claimed being a spokesperson for those that weren’t a size four helped other women. He smiled at the reporter and said, “Emily’s lovely no matter what she does or doesn’t do.”

  The reporter asked something else but the noise of the crowd made her question go mute. A second later, Emily linked arms with him and told the same reporter, “Axel’s late. We have to get going.”

  He waved at the cameras. “Goodbye.”

  The years of red carpets had trained him that every step they were to stop and smile, so he didn't mind.

  However once they were inside, away from the cameras, he patted her arm and asked, “Emily, what’s going on?”

  She took out her phone. “Diesel texted me when I was getting my picture taken with the other women. What if it has to do with Jennifer, and Aurelia?”

  Ah. She read her next message while he glanced over her shoulder and asked, “And?”

  She showed him the phone and the messages while she said, “He has a lead. He’s talking it over with Rafe.”

  All that mattered to him now was that he could make people happy through his songs and music. With Emily at his side, he was ready to do his part. He rubbed her back and said, “Perfect. They were asking about you out there.”

  She blinked and tucked her phone out of sight behind her bra. “Me?”

  “Yeah.” He wished he could reach in and touch her, like the phone was right now.

  Then he laughed at himself, jealous over an object.

  Her gaze narrowed. “Why?”

  “Your magazine cover hit the stand.” He led her inside the venue’s main floor to find their seats in a sea of white tables.

  As they made their way through the arena, she shrugged the notoriety off and said, “I’m happy people find my message positive about body size, but I’m more excited about seeing Paris.”

  “Tomorrow.” He imagined how they’d walk the Seine and he’d show her the school he’d gone to. Perhaps he’d even ask her if she’d marry him. His mother’s favorite jeweler was there so he’d need to sneak away early in the morning to find the right ring. He loved surprising her.

  They found their table and she said, “Amazing.”

  She’d meant the trip, but since she’d been with him his life had been amazing. Emily was the love of his life.

  The air smelled of the light floral scent she wore and he never wanted that smell to dissipate. It was past time he asked for her hand in marriage. The rest of their lives would be perfect, as long as they were together, and he was with the woman he loved, for eternity.

 
; THE END I hope you enjoyed Axel and Emily’s fun story like I did. The next book in the series, Secret Admirer is where blue collar Rebecca James is done dating jerks and her fate changes when she meets Gio Morgan. Get your copy Now!

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  If you loved Secret Bridesmaid, you’ll love the royal series of a small European country next to Italy in the Princes of Avce romances. The first book, Forbidden Crown is available for free in a modern day retelling of Cinderella where an insurance agent says yes to a Prince’s sudden proposal.

  And if you’re looking for a series with some danger and mystery where all the Bentleys must marry women they’ve never met to clear their names in this exciting family drama. The prequel Irresistibly Lost is available for FREE as well!

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  Start Reading the House of Morgan Now

  Secret Crush

  For some, joining the FBI is a long-term goal. For billionaire John Morgan, joining the Bureau is a stepping stone to proving his father is culpable for his sister’s death. After his estranged father dies, John is forced to return home and face the ghosts of his past. But that proves to be more difficult than he ever imagined.

  After losing her best friend under inexplicable circumstances, Alice Collins’ world view shifts until her small town sensibilities convinced her to attend Mr. Morgan’s funeral. Soon, the past and the present collide, and Alice is caught in the crosshairs. But when John comes to her aid, it only serves to complicate matters for both of them.

  Can a handsome billionaire on a vendetta fall for a small town girl…or does he have something else in mind?

  Secret Baby

  Victoria thought her baby died. Colt thought Victoria abandoned their daughter at birth. Her father had destroyed them both with a single lie. But will the truth be enough to bring them back together?

  To escape her billionaire father’s cruel manipulations, Victoria let everyone believe she was dead. Burdened with a broken heart and the tragic loss of her baby, she felt there was nothing left for her. But her return uncovers an avalanche of secrets and lies, starting with the fact that the child she thought had died is alive…and being raised by the very man who broke her heart.

  Ex-Marine Colt Collins has been raising his daughter alone while nursing a burning resentment for the woman who abandoned them both and then died before he could find out why. Determined to move on and make a life for himself, Colt plans to marry and give his daughter the childhood she deserves. But then Victoria Morgan returns from the dead, and he learns that nothing about their past is what it seems.

  Victoria wants to claim her child, but Colt isn’t sure he can believe his former lover. After all, it’s her word against a dead man’s. She could say anything is true. Together, they will have to sift through the lies and unravel the truth. But can they learn to trust each other again and find find a happily ever after, or is too late for a second chance at romance?

  Secret Bet

  One Cocky Billionaire. One former Marine jilted at the alter. And one bet that forces them back together and threatens to tear them apart.

  With a history of women sticking around only long enough to win over his money, not earn his love, Peter has learned to keep women at arm’s length. But as much as he plays it smart with romance, he’s still a sucker for a challenge. So when his brother bets that he can’t date the same woman for thirty days, it’s game on. Wooing a woman for one month and then walking away unscathed sounds almost too easy. Until his brother announces who the woman will be.

  Former Marine Belle Jordan has lived through the scandal of being jilted at the altar. Ever since, she protects her heart, knowing she can never go through that kind of heartbreak again. Now the brother of the woman who tore her life apart is pursuing her with an intensity that is hard to resist. Her brain warns her to stay away, but her heart wants to trust his seductive words.

  Before long, Peter finds that Belle is turning his cynical world on its head and awakening his long-dormant heart. When the truth comes out about the secret bet, Peter fears he may lose the one woman who can look past the dollar signs to see the man behind the throne. But will the realization be too little too later?

  Secret Wish

  She kept him in the friend zone for years. Now she’s single with a secret…and living in his family home.

  With little memory of his mother and a strained relationship with his father, it’s difficult for Dr. Luke Morgan to reconcile between who he is and who he wants to be. But when he returns to the House of Morgan to accept his place in the family, painful secrets come to the surface, leading Luke to believe his family name is the reason behind his niece’s kidnapping.

  After months spent rejecting Luke’s advances, one kiss changed everything for Caro Soliz. Now, her world is about to change again. Just like her mother before her, she’s accepted a position as the Morgan family maid. This time, her reunion with Luke leads to a whirlwind romance that puts her dream to become a fashion designer in jeopardy—a loss that could leave her penniless and without a job or a future.

  With Luke’s family secrets leading them both on a path to doom, can true love flourish in the face of so many unanswered questions? Or will this spell the second and final end to their whirlwind romance?

  Secret Dad

  When Elizabeth’s son is kidnapped, the cop called out to help find him doesn’t know he’s the father.

  Elizabeth Morgan rejoined the House of Morgan hoping her family’s law enforcement connections might help her get her son back. What she doesn’t expect is that the Miami Dade Police Officer that her entire family depends on is none other than her missing son’s father.

  Rafe Soliz doesn’t know what shocks him more: that his one night stand in Vegas is actually a Morgan, or that the kidnapped child he’s helping her track down is actually his son. Either way, he’ll use all of his detective skills to bring the child home and keep Liz safe from whoever is threatening them.

  The investigation leads them closer to answers and deeper into their feelings for one another, but in the end, the House of Morgan will always be way above his pay grade. Once the child is found, will things have to go back to the way they were?

  Secret Heir

  The last person Mitch Morgan should be attracted to is the corporate raider sent from his half brother’s company.

  Tess Taylor already lost everything once. The last thing she needs is another failure. If she can prove successful in Mergers and Acquisitions, she’ll never have to worry about money again. But no amount of hard work has prepared her for Mitch Morgan. He’s the kind of distraction she doesn’t need, and the banker she’s supposed to destroy.

  Mitch Morgan III may bear his father’s good looks and his name, but he certainly didn’t inherit his father’s trust. Born the child of a torrid affair, nothing was handed to him, and no one wants him to succeed. When the rep from Morgan Enterprises storms through his door, he knows he’s in for a challenge, but nothing in life prepared him for how hard he falls for Tess.

  They were supposed to be bitter enemies. Love wasn’t part of the deal. Now, they’re forced to make a decision neither could have imagined.

  Secret Tryst

  When the one you're supposed to hate turns out to be the only one you crave...

  Damien Morgan learned a long time ago that love was just a figment of someone’s warped imagination and good girls simply didn’t exist. Women, he knew, were master manipulators. Nonetheless, he’s happy to wish his brother well when he decides to take the plunge.

  Serenity Hanscom is shocked that she’s been invited to the wedding a year after her sister played matchmaker for the groom and plot
ted to murder his sister-in-law. Despite the unusual circumstances, Serenity accepts the invitation as an opportunity to mingle with Miami’s elites.

  The second she catches sight of Damien, she’s reminded of the horrible events that led to her father’s imprisonment, all because of him. But even though she’s determined to ignore him, she finds herself drawn to him more and more. And that could spell disaster for them both.

  Secret Date

  Natalie Parker pretended to be old and ugly at work until one trip to the doctor meant she might be pregnant.

  Galen Morgan doesn’t need a wife. He’s already tried that route, and it didn’t work. By day, he’s a cool, calm, confident real estate developer who is raking in billions of dollars. By night, he dates bad girls to keep his loneliness at bay. But when he hooks up with a bad girl at his brother’s wedding, he finds himself at the center of a situation he never imagined possible.

  Natalie Parker is just trying to keep her job. If that means she has to disguise herself to keep a roof over her head, then that’s what she’ll do. But when she runs into her boss in the unlikeliest of places—the gynecologist’s office—she’s forced to confess her secret and hope for the best.

  Unfortunately, fate isn’t done with her quite yet. There’s another surprise coming down the pike, one where she might end up being pregnant even though she’s never touched anyone in the House of Morgan. And this time, secrets could change everything, including her relationship with her boss.

  Will Galen and Natalie’s shared mishap lead them to love or more trouble for the both of them?