“I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
“And you never will. None of us will. He took all the answers with him. He played a dangerous game, one he arrogantly thought he would win, and instead of facing the consequences, he shot himself.” Aiden shook his head. “Like I said earlier—it was his final fuck you.”
I shut the folder. “Okay. I hear you. I just need time to come to terms with it all.”
Maddox and Aiden stood.
“Don’t dwell, Bentley. Let us help you. Let Emmy be there for you. You need to be there for her, as well.”
I nodded. “I know.”
* * *
They left me alone and I reread the folder. They were right. I had tried. Maybe I wasn’t as clear as I should have been, but Greg, for some reason, had never opened the dialogue. Perhaps Maddox was right, and it was a game.
One that cost him everything in the end.
I stood, switching off the light and rubbing my eyes. I was drained. I needed a drink, and to talk to Emmy. She would listen, and I would do the same for her. She needed me, and I was an idiot trying to understand the thoughts of a dead man instead of concentrating on helping heal the woman I loved.
I pulled open the den door, surprised to find the living room empty. I glanced at my watch realizing it had been over two hours since Maddox and Aiden were in the den. No doubt everyone had given up on the pizza idea and gone to bed.
I headed to the kitchen to grab a cold drink, freezing when I pushed open the swinging door.
Maddox and Dee were alone in the kitchen. He had her crowded against the counter, his hands fisting her hair as he devoured her mouth. She was clutching the back of his shirt so tight, the seams were straining. The image of them was erotic and personal, and I carefully backed out of the room allowing them their privacy. I’d get a cold water upstairs.
My room was empty, and I went down the hall to find Emmy. Cami’s door was closed, and I wondered if they were talking. I reached up to knock when I heard the unmistakable sound of a groan.
One filled with pleasure.
I heard Aiden’s voice, a low murmur, as he coaxed his lover. “That’s it, baby. Like that.”
I stepped back, shaking my head. What the fuck was happening in my house? When had all that passion suddenly exploded? Despite the fatigue I was feeling, my need for Emmy was beginning to take hold. The thought of her skin on mine, the taste of her mouth, and the feel of her warmth made my cock kick up. I hurried up the stairs, taking them two at a time in my rush. I needed her closeness, much the same way Aiden and Maddox had sought out the women they needed. Now it was my turn.
Emmy was in the sunroom, on the sofa, laptop open, with all the lights on, but she was staring out the window toward the dark sky. I sat beside her, removing the laptop, and tugged her into my arms.
“Hey, Freddy.”
Her head fell on my shoulder. “Hi.”
“I thought you’d be in bed.”
“No. I can’t sleep. I thought I would study, but I can’t concentrate.”
“I’m sure we could get a doctor’s note or something to postpone your test.”
“No. I know the material, and I want to take it. They postponed my presentation until next week, so I could heal. I just . . .”
“Just?”
“I didn’t want to be alone down there. I feel better up here. With the light and all the windows.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you alone.”
“Are you okay?” She caressed my face.
I shifted, pulling her onto my lap. “I will be. I’ll never understand, but I have no choice. If I don’t move forward, Greg will have won it all. I’ll be stuck there in that room with him forever. Trying to figure out the impossible.”
“Me too. He has me trapped in a different room.”
I held her tight, momentarily silent, unpleasant thoughts rampant in my head. She could so easily have been taken from me forever. Left alone and chained in that room to die. If we hadn’t figured it out, if something had happened, and Greg realized she knew. I shuddered when I realized if he were prepared to kill himself, killing an innocent woman wouldn’t have been an issue either. He had hurt her, though, and she was suffering from the after-effects, much the same way I was.
“Tell me.”
“I feel frightened. I’m too scared to be alone and in the dark. I’m terrified at the thought of going out tomorrow. I have never felt like this—even after Jack left.”
“I think it’s normal after what you went through.” I pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m sorry he did that to you. Above all else, I hate him the most for doing that.”
She nodded, not answering.
“Colin gave me the name of a therapist. Maybe it’s something we need to explore.” I huffed out a sigh. “I think perhaps I need some help, too. Aiden, as well.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry about today, Emmy. I’ve been absent since we got back. I know you’re going through this alone. I promise I won’t leave you again.”
“Bentley,” she whispered, aghast. “You watched a man die today. I understand your need to be alone and try to sort it out. I had the girls, and Maddox and Aiden stayed nearby. I was never alone.”
“Still, I should have been the one comforting you.”
“Well, you’re here now.”
“I am. I won’t disappear again—I promise.”
We sat, melded together, taking silent comfort from our embrace.
After a while, she leaned her head back, meeting my gaze. “I wonder if the others have gone to bed.”
I chuckled. “In a manner of speaking.”
She furrowed her brow. “What?”
“I sort of walked in on Dee and Maddox defiling my kitchen.”
“Oh!” She giggled. “Which part?”
“Lord knows. They might use all of it. Maddox is an equal opportunity kind of guy.”
“I hope they clean it up. Andrew will have their asses.”
I smirked. “Cami and Aiden were, ah, having their own moment in her room.”
“Oh, dear, your poor house. Debauchery everywhere.” She kissed my cheek.
“What is it about you girls? You three weave your magic, and we’re toast. You’re impossible to resist.”
She shifted on my lap. “Me, too?”
I slid my hand under the layers of thick cloth to the satin of her bare skin. I traced the delicate contours of her back with my fingers, enjoying the tremor from my touch.
“Especially you.”
Her eyes glazed over as my other hand joined in, sliding higher, gliding over the sides of her full breasts. I pulled her closer, running my nose up her neck, nibbling on her ear. “I need you, Emmy. I need you to anchor me. Bring me back to you. To us.”
“Yes,” she breathed out. “I need you, too.”
Our mouths fused as we fumbled and pulled on the clothes separating us. Her skin pressed against mine was silk on stone, her softness a soothing welcome to my tense body. I relaxed at her touch, losing myself in the taste and feel of her. Moments passed as we explored and caressed, our bodies relearning each other. We didn’t need words, communicating it all with our lingering touches, and lips that teased and caressed. There, with the light to keep her safe, and my body to worship her, our worlds realigned as we moved and loved.
Cradled deep within her, I groaned. She was goodness and light. Strength and vulnerability. The one thing that truly mattered in our vast and crazy world.
She was my everything. She was my home.
She always would be.
Bentley
Greg’s suicide made the news, but faded quickly from the headlines. Little information was released regarding his underhanded business dealings, and for that I was grateful. Enough people had been hurt without the added sensationalism.
After several weeks, we had a visit from his lawyer, Hank Godwin, who was acting on behalf of Greg’s sister, the executor of his will. He extended an offer f
or us to purchase the pieces of property Greg had bought from under us months prior to his death.
In addition, the final paperwork for the last piece hadn’t been completed before he died, and we had been offered the opportunity to purchase the property by the city since we technically should have been the highest bidder. I was still thinking about the offer, unable to make a final decision on that parcel of land. It felt tainted.
The asking price surprised me. I looked at him over the documents and handed them to Aiden. Maddox sat on the sofa, watching us with interest.
“This is less than the current market value.”
Removing his glasses, he polished them, took in a deep breath, and nodded. “The estate has some sizable debts against it. We are looking to liquefy the assets as efficiently as possible.”
That surprised me. “I see.”
“May I speak frankly, Mr. Ridge? I have my client’s permission.”
I waved my hand. “Of course. Whatever you say in this room remains between us.”
“Mr. Tomlin—Greg—had developed a gambling problem over the past couple of years. He began placing larger wagers to try to make up what he lost, but as we all know, that rarely pays off.”
“Gambling?” I glanced at Aiden and Maddox with raised eyebrows. It seemed so out of character for the person I had believed Greg to be. They looked surprised, as well.
“He liked cards. Poker, especially. He borrowed against his home and removed money from his company to the point there was really nothing left. We are trying to salvage what we can.”
“Wow.”
He continued with a nod. “Greg and Cindy weren’t close. In fact, she hadn’t seen him in five years. My client wants to sell the assets he had left, settle what debts she can, and move on. As you can imagine, this has been a trying time for her.” He cleared his throat. “She was made aware of the, ah, lengths, he had gone to in his last few days, and she felt you should be given a chance to get back what should have been rightfully yours.”
Maddox spoke up. “Will this sale cover his debts?”
“Almost. Once the rest of the estate is liquidated, it will be close.”
Aiden and I shared a glance, and I looked toward Maddox. He dipped his chin, and I stood, extending my hand. “Let me talk with my partners. I’ll be in touch before closing today.”
Mr. Godwin shook my hand. “Cindy asked me to convey her sincere apologies for what occurred. She wants to believe Greg suffered some sort of breakdown due to the stress of his addiction.”
“She owes me no apology. It was Greg’s actions, not hers,” I replied tersely. “I’ll get back to you later today.”
Aiden showed him out, and I sat, counting to ten in my head the way the therapist suggested. I flexed my hands and took a calming breath, repeating the exercise. Any time someone mentioned Greg, I had the same reaction, and listening to someone else apologize for his behavior was too much.
“Okay, Bent?”
I exhaled one last time and opened my eyes. “Yep.”
Maddox looked over the documents. “What do you think?”
“I think I don’t want any part of any of that land, given the blood that’s been shed over it.”
He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Or . . .”
“Or what?”
“We buy it all, the way we originally intended. Then we do some good with it.”
“I thought we were going ahead with the condo tower. We all agreed.”
“Let’s change it a little.”
Aiden crossed his arms. “I’d like to hear what you’re thinking, Maddox.”
“Seven floors instead of ten. Across the street, on the new piece, make it higher, with more the usual type of condos on both sides of the building. The top floors get the view, the other side a city view. Make it more affordable than its neighbor across the way, but still special. Keep it ours.”
“The other pieces?”
“Parks. We’ll build them, then donate them to the community. Some good can come out of this mess.”
I leaned my chin on my fingers, mulling over what he said. He and Aiden talked; their voices muted as I went through various scenarios. What they said made sense. Someone was going to buy the land and build. We could control it. Give something back.
Still, something felt off. I lifted the papers from Mr. Godwin and realized what had to happen.
“If we do this, I’ll pay fair market value.”
Maddox frowned in confusion. “Bentley?”
“I’ve been told that to move forward I have to forgive and let it go. To forgive means, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe his sister is right—it all became too much, and he stopped thinking with the logic I know he was capable of. I don’t know, and I can’t pretend to understand. I can’t believe the man I trusted all those years was some sort of psychopath. However, I know one thing—I won’t compound this entire fucked up situation by getting a deal on the land that cost someone so much. I pay full market value, his sister can pay off his debts, and we move ahead.”
Aiden and Maddox glanced at each other, then Aiden spoke up.
“Under that stuffed shirt, you’re a good man, Bentley.”
“Whatever.”
Aiden grinned. “You’re still an ass, but a good man.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing, and Maddox chuckled. “I’ll make the call if you want.”
“Yeah, do that. Stop slacking off and lounging on my sofa. Get me some numbers.”
“How about the number for the local pizza place? I’m starving.”
Aiden clapped his hands. “Excellent idea. I think I need an extra-large of my own.”
“As usual.” Maddox and I spoke up at the same time.
“Hey, I need to keep up my strength. I’ve got boxes to move later for your Emmy.”
That made me smile. It was official. Tomorrow she was moving in permanently. I tapped my pocket, feeling the surprise I had for her. I hoped she liked it.
“Pizza, then after lunch maybe we can get some work done?”
Aiden saluted me, his middle finger prominent, then left, shouting for Sandy. Maddox grabbed his phone and called in the usual pizza order, the file tucked under his arm.
For the first time in weeks, things felt as if they were getting back to normal.
* * *
We’d piled Emmy’s boxes into one of the empty rooms on the top floor. I scowled as I looked at them. There weren’t many—only six. It made my chest constrict, thinking of how little she had. I wanted to give her everything she could ever ask for—except she never asked.
She brought no furniture with her, insisting none of it would fit into the style of my house.
“It’s yours as well now, Freddy,” I reminded her.
She shook her head. “The few pieces I had were old when I got them and whoever moves in can have them. I brought my books and the things I loved the most. One day I’ll figure out where to put them.”
I took her hand. “I think I have a place.” I led her down the hall to the room closest to her favorite part of the house. I opened the door with a flourish. “Your own space.”
She went in ahead of me, her hand covering her mouth as she looked around. An old-fashioned, delicately carved desk sat in front of the windows, the view of the oak trees spread out before us. Shelves lined one wall for her books and anything else she wanted to put there. The laptop I bought for her was on the desk, and all the extra equipment I knew would make life easier for her was added and ready to use. I made sure to have a thick rug installed, and in the corner where the sunlight lay the longest daily, was a deep chair and ottoman in a bright blue, piled high with lacy pillows and a thick blanket to ward off the constant chill she felt. The walls were a dove gray, and the accents were all white. It was light, airy, and feminine.
She stepped forward, running her fingers along the satin of the wood on the desk.
“Do you like it?” I asked with a smile.
“It’s beautif
ul.”
“It was my mother’s. I never had a place for it, but I want you to have it.”
Her tear-filled eyes met mine, her dark gaze shimmering in the light.
“How?” she asked, astonished.
I grinned. “Aiden, Dee, and Cami. Apparently, he loves shopping as much as they do, and they put it all together for you. Andrew made sure it was all arranged and kept it a secret.”
“I was okay in the sunroom. You didn’t have to do this!”
“Emmy, you’re going to want a space of your own. To study, chat with the girls, or escape when I piss you off. The sunroom—any room—is yours to use, but this space is just for you.”
She flung her arms around my neck. “I love it! Thank you.”
I lifted her easily off the floor, keeping her in my arms as I pressed a kiss to her neck. “Good.”
“It feels like a dream.”
I shook my head. “It’s very real, I assure you.”
I set her on her feet, dropping a fast kiss to her nose. “I have something else to show you.”
“You’ve given me enough.”
“No. I’m just starting, Freddy.” I pointed to the shelf. “Recognize that?”
She peered up at it and gasped. “My picture! It’s so clear!”
“Reid knew someone who enhanced and altered it. The original is safe.” I bent and pressed on a hidden door at the bottom of the shelves. “Right here with your rucksack.”
Once she had given it to me, she had never asked about it, showing me her trust about keeping it safe for her. A stifled sob escaped her mouth as she peered into the cupboard. “It’s fireproof, and once you set the combo on the wall, lockable. You will never lose what is inside, Emmy. It’s safe—like I promised.”
“Thank you.” Tears glimmered, and she wiped them away. “I-I have no other words.”
I sat on the chair, and pulled her to my lap, feeling strangely nervous. “You entrusted something to me that was precious to you, and I want to do the same thing.”
Vested Interest Box Set Books 1-3 Page 23