With each word, his voice goes colder and sharper, his anger blistering through to them. I take his hand and bring it to my lap, squeezing gently. This conversation took a different turn than I intended, but he needs to get this out in the open and set the Webbers straight.
“Darby is a beautiful, kind, hardworking woman who loves with all her heart. Maya and Cole felt safer going to hide out in her house today than they did coming to either of our families. They heard their mother saying vast lies as she rehearsed for a performance in front of a judge. They heard her LIE, time after time, about the woman I’ve been in love with most of my life. She smeared her name through the mud any chance she got. My twelve- and almost ten-year-old kids have been manipulated to the point of danger. I lost a child once, and it almost killed me. Today, I went through the fear of thinking I’d lost two more. She’s not going to get away with that.”
The reality comes crashing down on everyone with the pain radiating in his words. Tears spring to my eyes. I’ve never been a violent person, but right now, I’d like to leap across the living room and bitch slap Connie’s face.
“It’s time for you to leave.” Miller walks to the door and opens it, making a sweeping motion with his arm. “My family has gone through hell and dealt with your bullshit for the last time.”
All of the Webbers jerk in disbelief, not moving from their spots. Connie opens her mouth, then snaps it shut when Miller lasers in on her. I’ve seen that look, the fire of righteousness that blazes right before he loses his temper. It’s the same look that seared me the night at Rosen’s, and right now, it’s flaming ten times hotter. I take a sip of my wine, lean into Pierce’s side, and prepare for the verbal lashing about to explode.
“Miller,” Jill chides without an ounce of sincerity.
“Pierce is a hell of a lot more gracious than I am. You heard me. Get your asses up and get out of my brother’s house.”
Mr. and Mrs. Webber rise, but Connie stays in her seat with an increasing guise of defiance.
Poor decision.
“Connie, the only good thing that came out of this shit storm is that I can finally stop biting my tongue when it comes to you. You’re a bitch, a plain-out, cold-hearted, jealous bitch. We’ve pretended all these years for the sake of keeping the peace between you and Pierce. You’ve desperately thrown yourself at us, thinking you could worm yourself into our family. It was never going to happen. You convinced yourself with all your trying that Pierce was going to come around. It was never going to happen. You wanted the money, the house, Pierce parading you around like you were a precious to him. It. Was. Never. Going. To. Happen. Your rap sheet of immorality is a mile long. If it were me, I’d destroy you publicly, but my brother has a nicer disposition.”
I swallow my giggle, but Evin openly chuckles. Connie’s mom pales, her face going white before she finally tugs Connie to her feet and hustles her out. They are on the porch when Miller delivers his kill shot. “You’re a pathetic excuse for a mother. I hope it haunts you for the rest of your life they asked Darby to be with them tonight while you were five feet away. My family is fucking lucky to have Darby Graham agree to be a part of Maya and Cole’s life.” He slams the door but not before I witness Connie’s face crumble and her falling into her dad.
For a brief second, I feel sorry for her, knowing the feeling of your world shattering into a million pieces when there is no more hope. Then Pierce scoops me into his lap, and all pity vanishes.
“I think she got the hint long before you eviscerated her parenting, but that was an exceptional show,” Stephanie praises him.
“Since I’m not going to work, I’m having a stiff drink and sleeping here.” Miller goes to the bar.
“Pour one for me,” Evin adds.
“I think you all should stay here,” Pierce suggests.
“Maya and Cole would love that,” I throw in.
“Y’all can have your slumber party, but I’m taking my bride home to sleep in our own bed. We’ll come back this afternoon and do dinner. Darby, how long are you here?” Warren asks.
“I left in such a hurry; things are up in the air. I’ll shoot off a few messages to check in later, but at least the next two days.”
“Dinner it is then.” Jill and he go out the back door.
“Pierce, I suggest you call John right away. It’s not my area of expertise, but my legal intellect says this little sham is over. Maya’s statement to the police is enough to tank Connie’s credibility. I doubt Darby will need to give any kind of character statement about your mental stability during the time Connie got pregnant.” Stephanie’s lawyer mode is in full force as she sits next to us.
“I’ll do it in a minute.” He folds me into him. “Right now, I need to kiss my fiancée.”
I giggle to the groans around us when his mouth meets mine.
•—•—•—•—•
My eyes open to the bright light, but my line of vision is Pierce’s face. The dark circles and deep lines are proof he’s struggling.
I skim my fingertips along his forehead, over his eyebrow, and into his hairline, massaging softly. “It’s over, baby. They’re safe.”
“Because of you.”
“I still don’t know why I had a hunch they were at the shed. It struck me on the way here from the airport that Cole thought it was cool we had a hidden key.”
“I’ve only ever felt that helpless twice in my life. Both times, the outcome was crippling. You changed that today.”
My heart leaps to my throat and breaks a little. He’s thinking of losing our baby and my leaving. “You would have found them. Maya already admitted her choice to go to my parents in the morning. She was scared.”
“Ten hours, Darby. They were missing for ten hours.”
“I know.”
“And you were missing for five of those.”
“Only because I was on my way to you.”
“You dropped everything and came.”
“Of course, I did. You needed me.”
“I needed you,” he repeats. His troubled eyes glaze over, and I can tell he’s having a hard time. After the events of the day, he could be reflecting on anything. I’m not prepared when he rumbles, “All those years ago, you needed me, and I let you down. I should have chased you, made you talk to me, and smothered you with the love I had bleeding through my veins. You were four fucking hours away. Instead, I fucked up and let that woman into my life. Today, you stepped in and gave me something I can never repay you for.”
“You don’t need to repay me. We’re a team,” I whisper tenderly.
“My kids are upstairs, safe, and under my roof until this thing with Connie levels out. I should be content, relieved, even happy, but all I can think about is how I lied to you.”
“What did you lie about?”
“I’ve been working hard to convince you we can put the past behind us, but it’s not possible for me. I’m never going to forgive myself for being the arrogant, cocky, untouchable boy who let you go. You came face-to-face last night with a woman who made your life hell, all because of me. I didn’t shield you from her.”
“I’m not scared of Connie Webber; therefore, no one needs to shield me from her. As for the past, you can’t take all the responsibility on yourself. I played a huge part in that.”
“You were hurting.”
“I was, and you know what came out of it? Tons of therapy. Maya and Cole’s disappearance triggered how you felt when we suffered our loss. You’re going through some personal reflection now, but let it go.”
“How?”
“I have a suggestion, but it’s going to sound a bit unconventional.”
“I’m listening.”
“If I didn’t leave, you wouldn’t have Maya and Cole. Can you imagine your life without them?”
“No, but it’s no consolation on my regrets and what I missed out on with you, with us.”
I rack my brain with how to get through to him, and my solution is going to put me in the ho
tseat, but it’s not like I can avoid this subject much longer. “Do you want more children with me, Pierce?”
“Almost as much as I want us married and you here on a daily basis.” He doesn’t hesitate.
“How many?”
“As many as you’ll give me.”
“Realistically, how many?”
“I’d like four but could be convinced to stop at three.” His features soften, a little of his sadness easing away. He’s catching on.
“Good Lord, are you serious?”
“I could also be convinced to keep going past four.”
His expression shows a hint of humor, but otherwise, he’s serious. I swallow hard, knowing I’m signing an invisible contract that is probably going to bite me in the ass.
“If it’s possible, I’ll give you three. We’ll get back what we lost. Having babies, living in pandemonium because the children will outnumber us, fighting off our families who will undoubtedly intrude every chance they get. Our lives will be chaotic and crazy, and we’ll never retire because we’ll have five college tuitions looming over our heads. Do you think that could help you move on from these feelings of regret?”
“Raise that number to four, and I’ll find a way to forgive myself.” He grins smugly.
“Where the hell are we going to fit six children?”
“That’s my area of expertise. You won’t need to worry about that.”
I let out a hmpf, knowing he would find a way to move mountains if I agree to give him what he wants. “We will start with one.” I give a little.
“Today.”
“Today, what?”
“We will start working on that first one today.”
“Nope! I draw the line at that. I’ve dreamed about my wedding to you for far too long to miss the festivities. Endless champagne and martinis, dancing until dawn, spa treatments, and girl’s trips to shop for dresses. My menu includes an ice sculpture that holds a full oyster bar and seared ahi tuna that melts in your mouth. I have my eye on a wedding dress that will not work with a baby bulge. A shotgun wedding would not be conducive to any of my plans.”
As I speak, his eyes grow wider and wider in shock. He has no idea how much time I’ve spent with Renee, going over the finest details. “You found a dress?” is the only thing he says.
“I think so.”
“And it won’t work with a bulge, so does that mean it’s tight?”
“It’s fitted, not tight. Tight would indicate tacky.”
“How fitted?”
“You’ll have to wait and find out.”
“If I’m hearing you right, I’m going to get a night with endless amounts of you drinking champagne, eating oysters, and dancing around in a tight dress that molds to your curves, ass, and tits. All in exchange for waiting to try and have a baby?”
Like I said, I knew this would bite me in the ass. “Yep.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“Don’t forget, you’ll get your wife, too.” I throw his words back at him from the night by the fire in Aspen.
“I’ll get my wife.” He seems to process this, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth, the wheels in his head spinning. “How long until the wedding?”
“Not long at all. Just a few months.”
“Get yourself sorted, see your doctors, get off the pill, purge your system, or whatever it takes to be ready, and I’ll agree to give you until May eighteenth.”
“Why don’t we see how things go living together, get through the wedding, and—”
“You’re backtracking,” he growls.
I hold my breath, but it’s useless. A small peep escapes right before my outburst of giggles. Pierce rolls on top of me, bracing his elbows by my neck to hold some of his weight. My hands still frame his face, and I pull him down for a quick kiss.
“Tonight, when everyone is gone, and once Maya and Cole are asleep, I’m going to show you what teasing feels like.”
“You make it too fun.”
“How do you do it? How can you take me from the darkest thoughts and turn it into something beautiful?”
“We do it for each other. You’re no longer alone in this life, and you’re not responsible for always being the hero.”
“May eighteenth, Darby. You’ll be mine forever, and we’re going to start the life we were meant to have.”
“May eighteenth,” I agree.
His lips cross mine as a little voice calls through the door, “Dad? I heard laughing. Are you up?” Cole knocks.
“Shit,” Piece utters. “Yeah, buddy. Give me a second.” He rolls off, grabbing his pajama pants from the chair in the corner. “I can’t believe I’m being cockblocked by my nine-year-old.”
I sit up and straighten my pajamas, retying my hair on top of my head. “You may want to think about that as you start your mission to add four more to the mix,” I taunt.
He flashes me an evil look. “I’m upping it to five.”
My jaw drops as he unlocks the door, Cole and Maya stumbling in sleepily. They drop at the end of the bed, fanning out. “We’re here for our punishment,” Cole draws out dramatically. “Sock it to us. No electronics, clean the house, take away our lives… We’re ready for it.”
Pierce’s eyes fly to mine, and I burst into laughter again. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. He’s too damn cute.”
His little face lights at the compliment. Maya giggles with me.
“We’re not talking about punishment today, but I’d suggest you both be on your best behavior,” Pierce grumbles.
They nod.
“Is anyone else up?” I ask Maya.
“Uncle Miller and Evin are on the sofas snoring, but I think Stephanie is in the shower.”
“I have an idea if your dad agrees and can make it happen.”
He comes to sit next to me. “I usually make things happen.”
“Since everyone is off work and out of school today, and while Stephanie is here, can we take a quick look at the progress of the Brasher Gardens?”
It’s a good thing I’m sitting because the expression that takes over his face would knock me off my feet. He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my ring. The truth is, I do want to see the progress and get a visual of the layout, but this is for Maya and Cole. They need to be included as much as possible. They have a lot to work through when I leave, but today needs to be filled with love and support.
“That’s not a problem. I need to make a few calls before we leave.” He’s referring to touching base with John and whether I need to go talk to him. “You two go get showered and ready.”
They scramble away, Pierce’s gaze staying on them until they’re around the corner. He hefts me out of the bed, pressing me close. He doesn’t speak, but his body and the racing of his heart say it all.
Chapter 36
Pierce
The engines of the jet cut off as the door opens, and a man in uniform appears with Runner on a leash. The dog bounds down the stairs, and when he spots me, the man’s arm jerks with the pull of the dog’s excitement.
I clap loudly, flicking a wave, and the man releases the leash so the dog can race to me. Like the times I’ve watched him with Darby, Runner leaps with the force to rock me back on my heels. His energy is ratcheted up, even for him, and I wonder if he knows he’s finally home.
Man after man files off the jet, ten in total. Jealousy stirs in my gut, knowing Darby has been on a cross-country flight with all these men. She can live in denial all she wants, but I call bullshit. I’ve witnessed the attention she gets. Every male in her presence is immediately taken with her. Married, gay, young, old—it doesn’t matter—she’s a magnet and totally oblivious. It’s one of the millions of reasons I wanted that ring on her finger. Even when the band is added, I’ll still be a jealous fucker.
To everyone’s surprise and elation, Brasher on Atlantic was completed on schedule. But due to complications out of my control, Darby had to stay in Aspen for a few extra weeks. Each of those days s
tung like hell as I waited for her to finish her projects. My mood was shit, and I threatened more than once to fly out and drag her back myself. As a consolation, she agreed to transport her vehicle and most of her things and fly on the jet for the next trip. Five days on the road, driving her back, wasn’t a problem with me, but this was simpler.
She steps into view, and I swear my world shifts with the impact of what is finally happening. The instant her foot hits the pavement, I’m moving. A few of the men wave, shouting their hellos, but I’m too focused to respond with more than a chin dip. Her face lights up bright, and behind her sunglasses, I can feel her eyes glowing into my skin. There are no words before my mouth lands on hers, and I’m lifting her off the ground. She giggles down my throat as I curl my tongue around hers, covering every inch of her mouth, and grumble in appreciation at the taste of chocolate and cinnamon.
“Hey,” she whispers breathlessly against my lips.
“Why does it feel like I spend most of my life waiting for you?”
“I’m here now.”
“Let’s go home.”
“Home.” She repeats the word in a hushed sigh. I take her hand and walk us to the back of the plane, where the flight attendants unload bags. This time, I do speak to the few people I recognize, and Darby introduces me to those I haven’t met. This crew is the first round to arrive for the grand opening event scheduled in a few days. Several full-size SUVs pull up, ready to transport them to the hotel. She confirms we will be at the dinner scheduled for tomorrow night while I load her bags and Runner into the truck.
“What did you work out with Connie?”
I frown at the mention of her name. “I didn’t work out anything. I told her to have the kids at the house on Saturday morning by nine. If she’s even a minute late, we’re going back to court.”
“They’ll be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony?”
Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1) Page 36