The Monroe Sisters

by Aliyah Burke

  “When I first met you, on the beach in Thailand, right away your energy, zest for life reached out across the sand and snared me. It dug into my skin, my heart. My soul. And I was okay with that, because I never wanted to let you go.”

  He flashed back to the day they’d met and once again saw the sun shining on her glossy black hair. The streak of pink faded, not as prominent as it was now, however just as attractive.

  “It went beyond the physical for me, Tara. From the very beginning I’ve always known you were the one for me.”

  Tara shifted on the couch, not so much getting away from him as getting comfortable. He waited until she settled once more.

  “I didn’t want to tell you I was a baron, because I wanted you to like me for me. I wanted you to love me for the man you met standing in horrible print short swimsuit trunks, flip-flops that had definitely seen better days and a baseball cap that never even made it home from the island.”

  “I’m sure the boy you gave it to is still proudly wearing his hat.” She shrugged a little and gave him a slight smile.

  “I hope so. But I don’t want to talk about him. You told me before that when we got back to Switzerland I changed. I can’t deny that I did, I agree, I put away the fun-loving, jovial man who’d fallen in love and replaced him with the cold, straight-laced businessman.”

  Shit. This was so much harder than he’d thought it was going to be. Baring ones soul to another was as difficult. It shouldn’t have been—he should be able to spill and she would listen then talk. And they could move on.

  So not how this was going down.

  “I quite honestly thought at that point, that once you found out I was a baron and you didn’t have to work, you would’ve been happy with that and would’ve stayed just because. I mean, what woman wouldn’t want to be able to do whatever she wanted without ever having to worry about work again?” Andrew shifted on the coffee table, sliding his feet beneath the sofa.

  “Then I came home from work that day and you were gone. My entire world crashed down around me. After you just headed home as you said you needed to, I figured you would be back relatively quickly. With that knowledge I dove back into my job once more. But you never came home.”

  Christ, he needed a drink. Something old and aged with a fine smooth finish would be preferable.

  “Once Wendy found out about you, she made it her mission to keep tabs on you. She followed you constantly, always letting me know what was going on, when you got shot the first time, when you won big cases. All of it. She let me know. And I was grateful, because it was a way I could keep you in my life without actually having to face the fact that you had left me. That my wife had walked out on our marriage.”

  Tara lowered her gaze and he allowed it for a few moments before reaching out tipping her chin up until their eyes met once more.

  “Are you ever going to leave the District Attorney’s Office? I know your dream is to be part of the ICC, but would you leave for anything other than that?”

  Tara didn’t say anything. Her unflinching black gaze stared straight through him, peering at his soul, unraveling each layer one at a time, exposing him more and more as the clock ticked each second away.

  “Tara?”

  “I didn’t think so for the longest time. I mean, this is my home. I grew up, here went to school here, and my family is here. It would have to be a pretty strong reason for me to leave.”

  His heart fell. If that was what she was thinking now, there was no point in him continuing on. Perhaps he could keep some of his dignity intact and not confide everything to her before she stomped on it and ground it to pulp, left to be blown away by the first wind that came along.

  “I have to get back to Switzerland.”

  Andrew swore in his mind when not a single expression moved across her face at his words. Do I mean so little to her that the prospect of me leaving permanently doesn’t even warrant a slight eye widening?

  “I thought you just got Wendy settled. Why do you need to go back now?”

  A seed of hope cracked open within the pit of his belly. Perhaps, just perhaps she wasn’t as cold as she was pretending to be toward him at this moment.

  “I can’t stay here and watch you get hurt. Watching you turn down the protection that I offer. This is killing me, and short of forcing you to come back with me I don’t know a way to keep you safe.”

  Her eyes narrowed and he tensed.

  “Is that what this is all about? You feeling the need to run because I’ve been getting shot? Because I had a breakdown after I’m told that they find out the woman who shot me is back in town. Because of that you now feel the need to—”

  “Wait a second! What the fuck are you talking about? That bitch is back in town? And she’s not in custody?” Fury pulsed through his veins with each beat of his heart.

  “Not from what I was told. So I’m sorry that you are feeling inadequate and you need to head home because you can’t stand watch me be in this situation. Perhaps you’re right and it is better that you leave.” She closed her eyes only to have them fly open once more. “You can take the bed, I’ll be fine here on the couch.”

  As she rolled away from him, his heart went with her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Tara? Tara? Tara Lynne, are you even listening to me?”

  Pivoting, she stared at her mother and gave a slight shake of her head along with a wry grin. “No, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

  “Any idiot can see that. What’s going on with you? And don’t tell me nothing because I’m your mother and I know when you’re lying to me. In regards to most things.”

  Tara didn’t even comment on that, well aware her mother was referring back to the fact she hadn’t told them about her marrying Andrew.

  “I’m just lost in the roads of my own mind.”

  “Really? I would’ve thought it something along the lines of your husband’s about to leave you and head back to Switzerland. You’re trying to figure out how to break it to me that you want to go with him but you also don’t want to lose everything that you’ve done for yourself here in the District Attorney’s Office. Am I warm?”

  Tara knew her mouth had to be open wide enough for a colony of bees to set up shop. Her mother just laughed, albeit a bit sadly.

  “How did you even—” She clamped her mouth shut when her mother waved a hand.

  “Baby girl, I’ve been married for a good number of years, been in love for longer than that and have known you almost your entire life.”

  Adalyn Monroe wiped her hands off on the towel draped over her shoulder as she approached her middle daughter. The woman was still a knockout.

  “I don’t want him to think I’m just going with him because he makes it so I don’t have to work at all if I don’t want to.” Tears of frustration burned the corners of her eyes and she furiously blinked them away, determined not to let them fall.

  “What makes you think he’s gonna say that? Or even think that? That man loves you. I don’t know any other way to describe it.”

  “I just can’t seem to say or do anything right around him. I’ve been so focused on me, what could possibly happen to me or you, Eva, dad, Grant or Shai. For so many years it’s just been easier to pretend it doesn’t exist and not to have to think about his feelings and how my actions may hurt him.” The first hot tears splashed down her face and her mother wiped them away, her expression soft.

  “Tara Lynne, marriage is hard work. Bone-breaking, sweat-making hard work. It’s not something that works just because, this is something that works because both parties involved fight to make it work. There are good times, lots of them.” She brushed some hair away from her face. “Like how you feel the baby in your arms for the first time. How you feel on those Sunday mornings when you can stay curled up in bed and listen to either the rain or even just the birds and know that he is the one that you chose to be with.”

  Tara wanted that. She wanted all of that with him.

  “He�
�s gonna leave. He’s taking Wendy and they are going back.”

  “And when is this happening?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  Her mother huffed and Tara scrunched her face as she looked up at her.

  “Let me ask you something. I want you to be completely honest with me and yourself.”

  Tara stared at her mother searching for him to joke or laugh, only to come up empty. “Okay.”

  “Right now, if it came down to it, a choice between staying in your apartment and working at the District Attorney’s Office or being with your husband, regardless of where he is going to be. Which would you choose?”

  She had to swallow back her initial response of staying and doing what she was doing now because she’d conditioned herself long ago to give that answer. Conditioned herself to forget about the man that she had left behind.

  Her mother didn’t rush her. She just sat there and stared, waiting with maternal patience Tara wasn’t ever sure she’d had or would have even if she had her own kids.

  “I’d go with him.”

  Just saying the words released the pressure on her chest and the weight bearing down on her shoulders, and her soul seemed to weigh nothing at all.

  “Are you sure about that?” Tara nodded. “Then go tell him.”

  Mrs. Monroe kissed her on the cheek, stepped back and watched as she put on her coat, escorted her to the door, waved to her middle child before she drove out of the driveway, headed off toward her destiny.

  Drew wasn’t at her apartment when she got there, and she tried not to panic because, when she’d run the first time—okay, both times—she’d left her clothes.

  Digging her phone out of her purse, Tara pulled up his number and punched the dial button. She paced while she waited for him to pick up.

  “Baron Coleman’s phone.”

  Wendy.

  “Hi, Wendy, it’s Tara. Is he available?”

  “Not at the moment, no. He’s on a conference call. Would you like me to take a message?”

  Tara wanted to reach through the phone and punch her for answering her husband’s phone, even though she understood why she did and she trusted that there was nothing romantic between the two of them. It still gnawed at her gut.

  “No message necessary. I can just swing by and drop something off for him.”

  “My best guess is yes he will be here for a while. He ordered dinner a little bit ago and that hasn’t arrived yet. Would you like me to order something for you? That way you could eat dinner together?”

  “What a sweet offer, but that’s okay. Thank you, though. I have no desire to interrupt his busy schedule so I will simply swing by. I’ll be fast and will get back out of your way.”

  Wendy chuckled. “Please, I know he’d much rather see you and spend time with you than deal with the people he’s on the phone with. Would you like me to tell him you’re coming?”

  “Not necessary. I’ll be there shortly, and thank you, Wendy.”

  Tara took a quick shower and, while she dried, sat down in front of her computer to type up a letter. Once she had dressed and was ready to go, she headed down to her vehicle and drove off toward Wendy’s.

  Pulling into the apartment lot, Tara gazed around, her nerves ratcheting up with each passing second. This was the perfect place for someone to take another shot at her, or do something to her vehicle. Her palms began to sweat. She struggled to breathe and regain control.

  Giving herself the five minutes she needed, she climbed out of the vehicle and locked the door before heading inside. Her back was covered in slick sweat, making her feel as if she’d yet to take a shower at all. The building was more of an old warehouse that had been converted into large, single-floor studio-style apartments.

  She stepped into the lift and drew down the metal gate before pressing the button to take her up to the third floor. Once there, she opened the door and raised the gate before stepping out. One more deep breath and she was on her way to Wendy’s door.

  A final touch to her face to ensure she wasn’t still sweating like a stuck pig, and Tara reached out to knock. Seconds later the door swung open, leaving her face-to-face with the tall, beautiful blonde who went by the name of Wendy.

  “Some days I hate how beautiful you are,” Tara blurted out before slapping a hand over her mouth and staring up at Wendy, eyes wide as a mixture of shame and shock rolled through her.

  Wendy smiled, showing off her perfect teeth as she waved her into the space. “I think that’s one of the nicest things anyone has said to me, although I’m not sure why you would hate me for it. I look positively dowdy standing next to you.”

  Tara shook her head. “Not even close.”

  Wendy’s smile never faded. She gestured toward the back and said, “He’s over there. Fair warning, he’s in a mood. In a serious mood. And on that note, I’m going to step back to my bedroom and see if I can get some work done. Yell if you need me.”

  After a quick check to make sure the door had been locked behind her, Tara strolled through the spacious place, her heels clicking on the wood floor, and headed back to where her husband was. His back was to her as she approached. His deep voice rolled over her, plucking her strings as if he were the only one who knew her secrets. And he was.

  “I don’t care if you offered me three million, I’m not selling you that piece of property when I know exactly what you’re going to do with it.” Drew shoved a hand through his hair as he shook his head. “What difference does it make to you if I take it as a loss? The property will be saved and the people who are living there won’t have to go on and find a new place to live just because you want to throw up some high-priced place for your friends to stay.”

  Her heart warmed as she heard those words. Drew truly was a wonderful man.

  Moving up behind him, she slid her hands over his shoulders, smiling as he leaned back into her touch.

  “With that, we’re done with this conversation.” He touched his ear and effectively cut off communication before pulling out the Bluetooth earpiece and dropping it on the desk. Then he rested his hand on top of hers and said, “I told you, Wendy, not like this, my wife could stop by at any moment.”

  Tara wanted to be mad, wanted to yell at him for that, but she couldn’t, given the way his shoulders were shaking as he tried to contain his laughter. He dipped his head back and looked at her, all the love in his eyes, and it warmed her all the way through.

  “Very funny.”

  “I thought so. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

  He captured her hand in his, pulled her around and brought her to stand between his open legs. With a quick kiss to the back of her hand, he released her and settled his touch upon her hips.

  She didn’t think so. In that moment, standing there with him, she realized that how things were at this moment were not okay. It was not what she wanted and, like her mother had finally gotten her to admit, it was time to change that.

  “No.”

  The moment the word no had passed her lips, he wanted to bolt up from the chair and demand she tell him what the problem was so he could go out and fix it. After all, that was his job. Take care of this woman, love her, protect her, and make her feel safe. Something wasn’t right. His task was to fix it.

  Or so he’d thought. Until he’d come to the realization that she would always pick her career over him. So he stayed seated and watched her expression.

  “What’s going on?”

  Yep, he’d got that right. Some interest, yet not a complete investment, as if his entire world hinged on the words coming out of her mouth.

  “You’re different.”

  Andrew shrugged in confusion. He wasn’t sure where this conversation was headed and, if he were to be honest, he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know.

  “Different how and compared to what?”

  “Different from last night. Your eyes, they’ve changed.”

  Andrew sighed and sat straighter so he wa
s closer to her. “I know you didn’t come all the way over here because my eyes are different than they were last night. Talk to me, Tara.”

  Good job. No begging for her to let me help. I can be the strong one. I got this.

  Not even he was buying his mental pep talk. Ignoring it for the moment, he retained his focus on his wife.

  “I was thinking about what you said last night.”

  And there it was. His stomach plummeted to the soles of his shoes and he swallowed back the bile that threatened to escape.

  “Perhaps we should discuss this later.” She shook her head. “Or perhaps now would be better.”

  Way to be strong, jackass.

  “I know you have to leave. I mean, I know you’re planning on leaving and heading back to Switzerland.” She swallowed and looked everywhere but his face.

  Interesting.

  “As you haven’t told me when you’re leaving, I didn’t want to risk missing you flying away and not being able to tell you what I really need to say.”

  “What the hell do you mean you’re moving back to Switzerland? You drag my ass all the way over here, make me go through what I had to go through to get a goddamn work visa and now you’re telling me we’re heading back to Switzerland? When were you planning on telling me this? Or were you thinking you were just going to leave me here and head back without me?”

  Wendy’s sharp voice broke through their bubble and they both turned to look at her striding up, jaw in a set line. She glared between the both of them and Andrew almost stepped in front of Tara out of his instinctive need to protect her.

  “Can we not do this now, Wendy?”

  “No. I mean I understand that you two have issues to work out but I need to know if I’m supposed to be packing”—she gestured around the loft—“all of this in preparation to fly home.”

  Andrew sighed. He’d not told her anything, and by her he meant Wendy, because he didn’t want to leave the woman he’d married.