“When you wouldn’t believe me that I would never have betrayed you with those pictures and that article. It hurt me, right here.” She placed a hand on her heart.
Beck closed his eyes for half a second. When he opened them she thought she saw a glimmer of hope. “Are you telling me I can trust you?”
“Just like I can trust that you weren’t kissing Belle willingly.”
Beck’s eyes filled with disgust. “You can. I got rid of her.”
“I had nothing to do with that article, Beck.” She paused and amended, “Well, I did take those pictures years ago when I was in an awful spot and really needed some money. I didn’t know how they were going to twist them to hurt you. And Maryn did ask me to secure one date with you when you came to Hawaii, but she promised our names and pictures wouldn’t be in it. I didn’t want to do it, but I figured I’d get the date to help Maryn and that would be that, but then I fell for you.” She squeezed her hands together, unable to meet his gaze. “And the Billionaire Bride Pact is true, but I never wanted to fulfill it. They called me the dark side of the pact.”
Beck chuckled and she finally allowed herself to look at him. “The dark side of the pact?”
“Wait until you meet my friends.”
He smirked at her and then said, “It’s okay about the article, Alyssa.”
“I need you to know I would never hurt you on purpose.”
“Why?”
“Because.” She bit at her lip and found herself unable to hold his gaze. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Beck.”
“Alyssa, please look at me.”
She looked up and saw his blue eyes were brighter than normal. “Even if you had stalked me for years and written that entire article, I would forgive you, because… I love you too.”
A whimper escaped from her throat. He lifted his un-casted arm and she rushed to his side, sinking onto the hospital bed. Beck pulled her against his chest. “Oh, Alyssa, I missed you.”
She glanced up at him. “There’s so much I need to tell you, to explain.”
“Later,” his voice had gone low and husky. His head lowered toward hers and Alyssa didn’t mind waiting to explain.
Beck squatted behind a potted plant at the exclusive Newport Beach restaurant, 21 Oceanfront. “My thighs are killing me,” he muttered.
“Hush,” Granny said, not appearing to be struggling at all, maybe because she was so small to begin with and didn’t have as far to squat. It was hard to imagine that she was really sick and dying. “He can’t see us until the perfect moment.”
“We could find an easier spot to hide.”
“Are you trying to take all the fun out of an old lady’s final few days?”
Beck wasn’t sure what was fun about squatting for over ten minutes, but he didn’t want to upset Granny right now. That she was willing to go along with his plan to teach her “punk son” a lesson was crazy to him. Beck’s parents would never have sided with someone against him, but he also wasn’t a crook who would prostitute his own daughter.
A smile lit his lips as he thought of Alyssa. After this was over, he was going to take her to dinner and enjoy every kiss she let him steal. After his arm was fully healed and he had clearance from his doctor to leave the country, he and Alyssa could start planning trips to help Jordan’s Buds.
“There he is.” Granny clamped onto his right arm, her nails digging into his skin. “You ready?”
“Yep.” Beck started to rise, but Granny pulled him back down.
“Wait until he’s seated and staring at his menu.”
Gary sat at a corner table with a twenty-something blonde. He trailed his fingers up her side then copped a discreet squeeze of her breast before lifting his menu. Beck took that as his cue and stood. Granny shakily rose and Beck knew she’d been lying that the squat hadn’t affected her. He held onto her elbow and escorted her around the pot and toward Alyssa’s dad.
The blonde spotted them first. She winked at Beck. Her eyes traveled up and down his frame. “Hello,” she said breathlessly
“We aren’t here to be seduced by a floozy,” Granny shot out.
Gary’s head jerked up. “Mother.” He stood and reached out a hand to her.
Ellie gave him an imperious glare. “We aren’t here to reconnect either. Beck, do it.”
Gary lowered his hand and looked warily at Beck. “Beckham, good to see you again.”
“Wish I could say the same,” Beck countered.
Gary’s eyebrows drew together but he didn’t comment. He did remain standing. His eyes wavering between Granny and Beck.
“I could have you arrested for blackmail,” Beck said, “but your mother cares enough about you to keep you out of jail.”
“You have no proof.”
“Oh, but I do. Several men, in fact, have come forward to admit to your blackmail and shady business dealings. Maryn is pretty unreal at research and she’s got a fabulous new job with The Rising Star.”
Gary’s eyebrows shot up at the mention of Maryn and the top magazine in the nation.
“An article will be running tomorrow about the different blackmail techniques you’ve employed. You won’t be getting much business after tomorrow and there’s another thing that will be printed in that article.”
“What’s that?” Gary snarled. His face red and his fists clenched.
“This.” Beck stepped aside and Granny slapped Gary soundly across the cheek. He whirled back and grabbed at his cheek. Lights flashed as a photographer from The Rising Star clicked several shots.
“Don’t you ever come near my granddaughter or her future husband again,” Granny commanded. “Beck wanted to knock your lights out and I still might let him, but I didn’t want you to have any chance of looking like a defenseless old man. When the granny knocks you out, it just shows what a wimp you are.”
Beck wrapped his arm securely around Granny’s shoulder. “And I have no problem with my name being splashed all over the article tomorrow and neither do the other men you tried to blackmail after you tried to prostitute your own daughter to them.”
They turned and walked away. Beck felt a huge amount of satisfaction until he realized Granny’s thin shoulders were trembling under his arm. He stopped outside the restaurant. “Granny? You okay?”
She wiped at her eyes and shook her head. “It’s a tough thing to realize that your only child is a complete piece of crap.”
Beck nodded. He couldn’t even imagine. “But look how amazing your granddaughter is and she tells me all the time that’s thanks to you.”
Granny’s smile wobbled but it was there. “She is amazing.”
“I’ve heard that you can’t judge your parenting by your children. It’s your grandchildren that show if you’ve really done a good job.”
“Oh, Beck.” She hugged him. “I knew I liked you. What do you say we go find my beautiful granddaughter and I let you buy us both dinner?”
“That’s the second best plan you’ve had tonight.”
Granny took a turn for the worse not long after they confronted Gary. Alyssa knew it was coming, but still wasn’t sure how she was going to survive without Granny.
Beck moved Granny Ellie into his guest house, but she made them both promise that they would, “Bury me in Idaho so all my friends can come blubber over me and there won’t be so many darn people and traffic around. My rotting corpse needs fresh air.” Beck laughed at her, but Alyssa could hardly crack a smile.
Hospice had been coming for a week when Beck insisted Alyssa move in to the guest house also so she wouldn’t miss a minute with Granny.
“Today’s the day,” Granny declared or rather whispered. It was a beautiful, sunny Thursday.
“The day for what?” Alyssa asked.
“For me to go home. Call Beck for me, will you my sweet?”
“Sure.” Alyssa dialed Beck’s number with shaking fingers.
“Good morning, love,” Beck greeted her.
“Can you please come over? She’s
… asking for you.”
“Sure.”
Several minutes later Beck appeared, dressed in a button down shirt and slacks like he’d been ready to head into work. He and Alyssa had decided to wait on their humanitarian trip until things were settled with Granny.
“Beck,” Granny’s voice was soft as a warm breeze, like it was almost too much effort to even use it.
He leaned down and kissed her cheek then sat next to Alyssa at the side of her bed. “How are you feeling, Ellie?”
“Not worth the bullet to shoot me with.” She cracked a small smile.
Beck smiled with her. Alyssa wiped away another round of tears.
“You know I held on until we found you,” Ellie said to Beck.
Beck nodded. “I know.”
“You promised me.”
Beck focused on Alyssa and smiled. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, needing his strength.
“Thank you. This old nag can die in peace now.” She turned to Alyssa. “I love you, sweetheart. You’re the best of me.”
Tears ran unchecked down Alyssa’s face as she kissed Granny’s soft cheek. “I love you,” she choked out. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Granny whispered. She looked over Alyssa’s shoulder and grinned. “Hubba Bubba. Guess the Lord knew who my favorite was.” Her eyes closed with a satisfied smile on her lips and her chest stopped moving.
Alyssa’s tears kept coming, but the devastation she felt didn’t completely rip her apart. Beck pulled her against his chest and simply held her close while she cried and savored the warmth and peace in the room. Granny was gone and Alyssa knew she’d miss her every day, but she wasn’t alone. She glanced up at Beck. She wouldn’t ever be alone again.
He gently kissed her forehead. “Who was Hubba Bubba?”
Alyssa laughed in spite of herself and swiped a few tears away. “Her favorite husband. Big Polynesian. Awesome guy. My grandpa died when she was only twenty-eight. He was an Air Force pilot and was killed in Vietnam. Granny was married to Hubba Bubba for almost thirty years. Sadly, he loved to eat and died of a heart attack at sixty-five.”
“That is sad. She’s been through a lot, but she was an amazing lady.”
“Yes, she was.” Alyssa studied her grandmother’s tiny body. The smile was still there. It was a beautiful thing to know she’d died so peaceful and was ready to be in heaven with those she loved.
Beck tenderly dried a tear from her face.
“Thank you,” Alyssa whispered. “For taking care of her. For taking care of me.”
“I’ll always take care of you.” Beck stroked her back, cradling her in his arms. Alyssa knew he was telling the truth.
“Wow,” Beck’s husky voice came from the side.
Alyssa whirled to face him and flung herself into his arms. His cast had been removed several weeks ago and though his left arm was a bit thinner than his right, he seemed as strong and perfect as ever to her.
He kissed her thoroughly then held her back to gaze over the form-fitting blue dress. “Anna took you shopping?”
“She has a talent for it.” She appreciated the way he looked in a dark gray suit that fit him extremely well.
“Yes, she does.” He pulled her close again and trailed kisses up her neck to her cheek.
Alyssa couldn’t contain the soft moan that escaped.
“I could kiss you all night,” he whispered against the side of her lips, “but Anna would beat me if I missed her party.”
“I’m a little awkward about all of this.” She leaned into him, grateful for his solid strength.
“Why? Everyone will love you.”
“Just because you love me, doesn’t mean everyone else will.”
He chuckled. “They will, believe me. I’m a tough judge and I love every part of you.” He rubbed his hands down her back and kissed her until she wasn’t sure which way was up.
Alyssa melted. Beck released her from the hug, but took her hand and gave her a smile that said he knew exactly how he affected her. She still wasn’t sure why Anna had to throw a huge fancy party so she could meet all of Beck’s friends and family before they left on their first humanitarian trip, but she’d go anywhere if Beck was there with her. He led her out the French doors at the rear of his house and down the patio steps. People were gathering around the beautiful yard, mostly next to the pool where there were appetizers before the dinner that Anna had organized. Maryn was flirting with a tall, good-looking man with skin like rich chocolate. Alyssa smiled, liking the contrast in coloring and size between the two and wishing she could snap a few pictures. She wished Granny could be here, but had a feeling she was here in spirit.
Beck tugged on her hand and Alyssa looked up at him. “What?”
“C’mere for a second.” He drew her away from the people and around the edge of the house where a hedge and flower garden provided some privacy. Beck directed her to a bench and she sat down, arching back to study his face. She hadn’t seen him this serious since that awful day in Hawaii when he left her.
“Is everything okay?”
Beck brushed a hand through his hair, ruining the perfectly gelled effect. Alyssa smiled, she loved his hair mussed.
“Anna is going to kill me.” He paced in front of the bench. “We planned this all out, but…”
Alyssa stood. “Beck. You can tell me. I can help you with anything.”
Beck turned to her and studied her face for a few seconds. He broke into a soft smile. “I know you can, love.”
He helped her sit on the bench again and then sank down onto one knee in front of her. Alyssa’s breath caught at the beauty of this man and how much she loved him.
“Anna organized this party to help me out. We had this elaborate scheme, which you and I will probably still have to pretend to go through or she’ll skin me.”
Alyssa laughed and touched his arm. “Beck. Whatever you and Anna had planned we can do. I don’t want to upset her.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I love you Alyssa, and I want this to be our private moment, no matter how much Anna wants to be part of it.” He withdrew a ring box from the jacket of his suit coat. His hands shook a little bit as he popped it open to reveal a gorgeous round diamond set in a simple gold band. The diamond was larger than Alyssa would’ve picked out, probably over two carats, but the simplicity of the setting was exactly what she would’ve wanted. It was stunning and screamed to her of Beck’s love and devotion.
“Will you marry me?”
Alyssa stood and pulled him to his feet. She kissed him quickly on the mouth then encircled her arms around his neck. “Yes!”
He kissed her for several wonderful seconds until she forgot about the party and everything else in the world. He drew back and said, “Do you care if I wait to give you the ring until we do the big thing for Anna?”
“Beck, as long as I’m with you, I don’t care what else happens.”
He grinned. “Good, because I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
They kissed until Anna found them and demanded they come join the party. Alyssa couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as Beck’s hand found hers and they followed Anna to the party. Whatever surprise Anna had planned for Beck to propose would be fun, but all that really mattered was being with him.
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Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.
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BY JEANETTE LEWIS
“I, Erin Marie Parker, do solemnly swear, that someday I’ll marry a billionaire ...
OR I will have to sing the Camp Wallakee song (with the caws) at my wedding.”
The Camp Wallakee girls all ended up on the same row at the wedding. Erin was the last to arrive and was greeted with a chorus of squeals and hugs. She took the seat on the end of the aisle and shifted to adjust the skirt of her silvery gray dress. After brushing her rose gold hair out of her eyes, she leaned forward and beamed down the row at her girls. It was as if no time at all had passed and they were kids at camp again – sharing care packages from home, riding the zip line into the lake, roasting marshmallows around the campfire, and telling creepy stories in the cabin with flashlights under their chins. Erin’s stories were usually the best, probably because she had the best ear-splitting scream and she liked to spring it on them when they least expected it. She always had to tell her story last because the resulting chaos would usually bring in a counselor who would yell at them to go to sleep.
Erin looked again at the row of women sitting beside her. Okay, some things had changed. The scrawny, scabby knees were gone, as was most of the acne. And they’d all filled out – some more than others. Lindsey was beautiful with her enormous blue eyes and pouty lips; Taylor was still tall and skinny, but not all arms and legs anymore; and Holly looked polished and perfect in her designer dress and chestnut highlights.
To her right, MacKenzie sighed. “Isn’t this beautiful?” she said to Erin.
Erin glanced around. “Yeah. But who gets married in a cemetery?” There was no denying that the West Laurel Hills Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania was a beautiful place. The grass was still green, but many of the trees were wearing their autumn colors and the splashes of red, yellow, orange, and brown created a nice contrast against the blue of the sky and the white and gray tones of the mausoleums and gravestones.
The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Page 15