The Billionaire's Marriage: A Romance Novel

by Marshall, Marnie

  "Oh! Good morning," she greets me, bringing her hands to rest on my forearms.

  I sigh into her hair, press a kiss to the top of her head and inhale slowly, soothing myself. "I couldn't find you," I whisper.

  "I'm sorry," she replies. "You looked so peaceful; I couldn't bring myself to wake you."

  "Please, wake me next time," I beg her softly.

  She pushes back against the chair. I release her and she stands, turning into me and gasping a little when she sees the state of my t-shirt. "You're soaked," she observes, but brings her arms around my waist regardless. I hold her to my chest. "What happened? Bad dream?"

  I nod against her cheek. "I thought I'd lost you. I needed to make sure you were all right," I say, suddenly consumed with the urge to be completely honest, to tell her absolutely everything. I hope for her sake it doesn't last long.

  "I'm here," she soothes, running her hands over my damp back. And she's right, she really is here. Flynn was right, I suppose. I really must begin to regard her as my Krissy, because she is. She never stopped being mine. I'm trembling, but no longer from fear, because she really is here with me. I'll take her any way I can get her, as always.

  "You're freezing, Edward. Go change into something dry and then we'll have breakfast, all right?" She pulls back. I search her face, her blue eyes are filled with concern. For me. I heave a sigh and nod. Her gaze follows me back into the house. Aside from Taylor, who gives me a brief nod, everyone else is oblivious, and I'm relieved about that.

  I've returned not ten minutes later, far more presentably. Krissy takes a moment to appreciate my appearance, rising again to greet me, this time bringing her lips to mine. "Good morning," she murmurs. I suppose it's a sign of forgiveness for yesterday. I hope she's forgiven me. I have to ask.

  "Forgive me Krissy, for yesterday."

  She sighs. "Talk with me, next time." I understand the subtlety; she's asking me to level with her. She's negotiating. My Krissy always negotiates. Her forgiveness is worth this concession. My lips curl upward.

  "Agreed. Wholeheartedly."

  She kisses me again.

  There's a tugging on my pants leg. "Hey!" Ryan hollers, toddling his way over, a determined look in his eyes and wraps both arms around his new canine companion. Ludwig yips in surprise and releases the linen fabric. I roll my eyes as Ryan awkwardly returns the dark puppy to its circle of admirers. I sense the imminent destruction of rugs, clothing and various textiles over the next few months.

  Sophie giggles. She's holding a struggling Tess in her lap. "Miss Taylor," I call, curling my index finger at her. She's instantly wary. The child is intimidated by me. I'm not sure why. She hands the puppy to her father and walks over to me, timidly, shoulders forward.

  "Hi Mr. King, Mrs. King," she greets us nervously.

  "Your dad told you about Mrs. King's accident, didn't he?" I ask.

  "Yes, sir. I'm glad you're getting better, ma'am," she says, formally. She's more than unnerved, she's downright apprehensive. I turn slightly to Krissy.

  "Dearest, this is Taylor's daughter, Sophie. She's staying through next week before school starts. She's been accepted at Brighton, isn't that right, Sophie?"

  "Yes, sir, I'm very excited." Her face brightens a little.

  "I imagine you are," I bend a bit so I'm at her level. "It's quite a responsibility, representing yourself admirably at a new school. Do you believe you're up for it?" I ask, maintaining a businesslike tone, though a smile threatens to crack.

  "I'll do my best, Mr. King," she promises, and I have no doubt of it. However, I'm not through with my run of intimidation.

  "Do you believe you're up for even more responsibility?" She nods quickly. I risk a short glance in Taylor's direction; my head of security is running two fingers over his bottom lip in amusement. I raise an eyebrow and turn my eyes to his daughter. "Do you like the puppies?"

  She nods again, hopefully.

  "Good. Because frankly, Mrs. King is going to need quite a lot of help caring for them. You'll be in charge of their care when you're here. Will I be able to count on you to live up to this task?"

  My stern expression has lost its effect. Sophie's face breaks into a wide grin, and in less than a second she's thrown her arms around my neck. "I won't let you down, sir," she squeaks in my ear.

  I roll my eyes and hug her gently, before patting her back and releasing her. "Make sure you clear it with your father. Now go have Mrs. Taylor show you what they eat," I instruct.

  "You really didn't have to do that, sir." The group has largely broken up; Gail and Sophie have taken the puppies inside, and Krissy has scooped up a squealing Ryan and followed them. The remaining staff has scattered, shamefully brushing off the giddy effect of a cuteness fix.

  "I take care of my family, Jason," I remind him. "Besides, they made Krissy happier than I've seen her in a long while. Two birds, you know." I thrust my fists in my pockets, uncomfortable in the moment. "Have you made arrangements for this evening?" I change the subject.

  "Yes, sir. You'll have Owen and Garrett. Which vehicles will you be taking?"

  "Has the Allroad been delivered?"

  "It'll be here within the hour."

  "That and the five, then. And do me a favor… look into what it would take to put in an invisible fence. Map out the yard and get a few quotes, I won't have those little monsters running off and breaking hearts in my home. And make whatever modifications necessary to the alarm systems so they don't go setting everything off. Better yet, I'll make a call to Gia and have her draw up plans for a small room for them off the kitchen. Just fix the alarms in the meantime."

  "I'll get on it, sir."

  "And don't work too hard, Jason," I smirk.

  "Oh, I don't think Sophie will let me," he chuckles.

  ~ KRISSY ~

  Ryan hummed all the way to Bellevue. It was rather cute, and helped distract my nerves a bit, but there's a creeping feeling that I'm about to get a massive dose of family overload, and I'm still shaky on the word family as it pertains to my in-laws, with Kate being the only exception. I look over to Edward, and he's scowling.

  "What's wrong?"

  He glances toward me, and then returns his eyes back to the road, his expression softening a little. "Nothing, baby. Just work stuff."

  "Oh. Anything I can do?"

  "I wish there was. But thank you." He smiles. I return to looking out the window, not looking at anything in particular, letting my eyes lose focus so everything blurs together. It's relaxing. I glance over to Edward after a few minutes, and he's scowling again."

  "Spill."

  Edward glances over to me again, and the corners of his mouth twitch up. "Our little bumblebee's racket is getting to me today, that's all."

  I turn and peer into the backseat, and Ryan has instantly stopped, but he's scowling straight ahead. It takes me only a second to realize he's exchanging an identical look of displeasure with his father in the rear-view. I snicker, and Ryan catches me, his face blossoming into a smile. I'm siding with my little man on this one.

  "Welcome, Krissy," Grace pecks my cheek and relieves me of Ryan, who snakes his little arms around his grandmother's neck. I swear, Dr. Grace doesn't look old enough to be anybody's grandmother, but since I've known her, she's filled the role exceptionally, except that I'd hoped to use Ryan as a human shield against family overload, and now I'm feeling exposed and nervous again.

  "I'm so glad you're well, dear girl," Edward's father greets me with open arms. He's warm and strong, and has an Alan Rickman look to him. I didn't notice that before, but then, I'd only seen him just that once, the day I left the hospital. He releases me before the embrace becomes too awkward and I have to do that 'okay, enough' back-pat. I hope to get through the weekend without being mortified too many times.

  Kate deposits little Ava in my arms without warning. And what a little blond angel she is; I didn't get to really meet her properly the last time, still playing the good little invalid and all. "Hi sweetie," I
coo. I'm a little surprised with myself, baby talk isn't usually my thing, but this little girl is absolutely delicious. Her cheeks dimple as she smiles up at me.

  "Well let's go be girls somewhere and let the boys do their… whatever." Mia steals Ryan from Grace, heaving him into her arms and striding through the front doors.

  Kate giggles, leaning toward me as we follow after her. "She's been in quite the mood today, maybe we'll get some good gossip," she conspires under her breath. I look back over my shoulder. Edward looks worried. I offer him an 'I'm okay' smile, and he nods.

  "So what's up with you, M?" Kate hands me a ginger ale and plops down on the sunroom sofa. From the corner of my eye through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I see one of Edward's henchmen scanning the backyard. God, he's paranoid.

  "What? I need a reason to hang with my sisters?" she shrugs, combing her fingers through Ryan's messy locks. Kate glares at her. "Okay, okay!" she holds her hands up. Ryan scampers off to a wicker basket and digs for toys; apparently the Greys keep a stash of kid-friendly things around the house, and I'm grateful for the distraction it provides my son. Mia sighs. "I'm having trouble with Ethan, that's all."

  "What do you mean? Are you guys having problems?" Kate asks worriedly, leaning forward. "Do you want me to talk to him?"

  "No… no, please don't say anything. He's been really distant the last couple of days. I don't know what to do." Mia twists her fingers together. "Can I tell you guys something? You have to promise not to say anything. I mean it."

  "Of course, Mia, you can tell us anything," Kate promises.

  "I'm serious, Kavanagh. I know he's your brother, but you can't repeat this. I'm trusting you."

  "We won't say anything, Mia," I tell her.

  Mia glances from Kate, to me, and then back to Kate. She heaves a breath. "Ethan as much as asked me to marry him last week," she whispers.

  Kate gasps, bringing a hand to her mouth. "I hope you said yes!"

  "I wanted to, I did," Mia starts talking faster, completely flustered. "But he didn't really give me the chance, he kinda fudged it; we'd talked about the future, and he said he wanted to ask me, but he wanted to ask my dad first… oh you guys, it was so un-romantic, and I just wanted to cry."

  I'm trying to absorb all this information; I wasn't completely aware that Ethan and Mia were dating; Mia hadn't talked about him the few times we'd spent together in the past weeks, and I hadn't really gotten that impression when Ethan had been over for dinner the night I went home. Ethan's like a little brother to me too, I mean, he is Kate's little brother, but he's always been both cool and weird at the same time. I guess I'd assumed he was gay. I vow to keep this uneducated observation to myself. Ava is dozing in my arms, and Ryan is happily pressing buttons on a toy helicopter. Thank goodness for the obliviousness of children.

  Kate scoots over to Mia and puts her arm around the dark-haired girl's shoulders. "I could kill him."

  "You can't say anything!" Mia squeaks.

  "I won't! But seriously Mia, his brain to mouth filter is broken. He always says what he's thinking, doesn't bother rewording, it just comes out like vomit. I'm sure he had something awesome planned. So, do you know if he talked to your dad?"

  "Yeah, he went to Dad's office Thursday, came back looking like somebody died. I'm so worried that Dad scared him off, we've barely spoken since." Her face crinkles.

  "Have you talked to Grace?" I ask.

  Mia shakes her head. "I can't ask Mom, I don't want her and Dad to fight over whatever this is. You know what they got into with both your weddings."

  What? "Actually, I don't remember,"

  Mia blinks. "Oh, Krissy, I'm so sorry… I keep forgetting. Um… Mom and Dad had pretty rare disagreements about your prenup and then over Grandma King's heirloom ring for Kate, it got pretty bad a couple times. I'd not seen them that mad since Edward was getting in fights in school, and I don't want them pitted against each other again over me and Ethan. I couldn't bear the guilt."

  Prenup? Edward was fighting? We're going to have words later, my husband and I. I think it's about time I demand full disclosure. I'm tired of feeling like a stranger in what's supposed to be my life. But for now, this is about Mia. I only wish I had an idea what to do.

  "What would you like us to do?" I ask.

  Mia shrugs. "I don't know. Nothing, really. I just wanted to talk. I can't think of what to do myself, and I hate being alone in dealing with it." She brushes her fingers over her wet eyes, swiping away the tears. "We should probably get back; Mom will wonder where we've gone."

  ~ EDWARD ~

  "What's this about?" I demand. My father's taken it upon himself to invite the younger Kavanagh sibling and myself into his office. Invite is too polite a word, but little Kavanagh doesn't know that. Coerce is more like it… the softening of the voice, slowing of speech as a means of calming or subduing, much as he used to do to lure me into a conversation about one of my many juvenile fuck-ups. In short, this can't be good, but I don't care. I stiffen immediately, my body responding to what may ultimately prove to be an unfounded accusation, unfounded as I have little contact with the other to-be-accused. Ethan has taken one of the seats opposite the desk and Dad is in his high-back desk chair. I remember too many times spent in my youth on the side of this desk, not one of them pleasant. I straighten, leaning against the arm of the other seat and fold my arms over my chest. If I'm to be accused, I'd like to at least appear to have my bearings.

  "Ethan has something he'd like to ask you," my father announces, gesturing to the bundle of nerves to my left. "I've decided to reserve judgment until after you've given yours."

  I raise an eyebrow. This is news. "How generous of you," My following smirk is wary. "Might I ask what this pertains to?"

  Ethan opens and closes his mouth several times. God, he's beside himself.

  I roll my eyes and sigh. Of course, he needs something only I can give him. Something I have in abundance, likely in a quantity I won't miss. "How much, Mr. Kavanagh, and more importantly, what's it for?"

  "I… no, that's not it at all," he stumbles over his tongue. "I would never… that's to say, this isn't…"

  "Calm down, son." My father's risen from his chair. He walks around his desk and leans against the front. "Tell Edward what you've asked me."

  Yes, he's fractionally less intimidating from this position. I'm slightly relieved myself, more that this isn't about money, as I'd originally thought. Dad looks almost amused. Ethan still looks terrified. He heaves a ragged breath. Jesus, I hope he doesn't cry.

  "As you know, Mia and I… we've been together a long time," he stumbles, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. "She means the world to me, and I think I mean as much to her. I… I'd like your blessing to ask for her hand."

  I laugh. Why am I here? "You're asking me?" The boy looks devastated. Yes, he's a year older than my wife, but he looks like just a boy, especially now. "Why the fuck are you asking me?"

  "Edward," my father warns. "Mr. Kavanagh has already asked me the same. And as Mia's father, the blessing traditionally falls to me. However, you've been closer to Mia than I ever was. You were there for her many times when I couldn't be. Therefore, I thought it only appropriate that Ethan should receive this blessing from both of us. And I expect that you'll treat this as seriously as I do."

  "And what about Elliot? Shouldn't he have a say?"

  My father snorts. "Elliot is as oblivious as you are intuitive. Besides, he wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut."

  My stomach is frozen. I shouldn't have to do this. I don't want anyone to ever have my sister. The thought that this boy has probably already had her makes my blood sour. Would I have been this uncomfortable if this was my daughter? Of course not. She'd be locked in an ivory tower, bound by a chastity belt, having taken a vow of eternal celibacy. No man would have ever touched her.

  But this isn't my daughter. I force myself not to dwell on the fact that this situation will never come to be for her. This is about my sist
er, my crazy, talented, usually tactless, darling sister. Mia was the center of my universe when we were children. She was the light in a sea of darkness. Part of my salvation, I owe to her. She deserves all the happiness in the world. But can Mr. Kavanagh give her such a thing? I close my eyes. In the last three years, my eyes have only been for Krissy. I'd largely neglected Mia, and a surge of guilt washes over me. But as I think back, I notice subtle memories, her laughing smile, dancing with Ethan at various charity functions, sharing a secret between them, the time I'd caught them making out behind the tent, taking my rowboat into the sound on a calm morning, tipping it on purpose and laughing hysterically together. They didn't know I'd been watching.

  "Edward?" my father's voice interrupts my thoughts.

  "Are you going to respect her? To always put her before yourself, and to love her no matter how angry you are or how stupid a thing she's done?"

  Ethan's eyes brighten, sincerity shining from within. "Yes. Always."

  "Do you promise?" I demand.

  "Of course!" he vows, without hesitation. "Mia's my life. I'd do anything for her."

  I sigh heavily. For some reason, I believe him. "Then you have my reluctant blessing." I offer my hand, and he shakes it. "I do hope you have a suitable proposal in mind." I share a glance with my father. He's pale, but barely suppressing laughter. Yes, Dad. I can be reasonable. I believe he was looking forward to watching me frighten the pants off the Kavanagh boy. Oh God, this boy is going to be my brother. Lord help me.

  ~oOo~

  "You brought home a neighbor's puppy?" My mother's face is incredulous. So much so that she's stopped cutting vegetables. I absently crunch on another carrot stick, my eyes pointed out the long kitchen window where Elliot is tossing my son in the air. I'm seconds from intervening when I see Krissy, leaning against the deck table, call out something I can't hear, and Elliot stops, shrugging, and sets Ryan down. My father coaxes him over with a Frisbee, their three-on-three game briefly suspended.