Be My Reason: A BWWM Romance (Make It Marriage Book 10)

by Nia Arthurs

  I’ve only seen her on TV and in commercials. She looks older in person. More no-nonsense. More… dangerous.

  Woodenly, I offer tea and head to the kitchen to gather the drink as well as my thoughts.

  What is she doing here?

  When I can’t stall anymore, I bring the tray back to the living room. She picks up my good china, the one I got from gran, and eyes it like it’s made of dirt.

  Holding it in her palm, she gives me a forced smile. “You must be wondering what I’m doing here.”

  “I am.” I sip my tea and enjoy the taste as it warms my throat. “I’m going to assume it has something to do with Heath.”

  She leans over and places the teacup back on the coffee table. “To be frank, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of you, Brenna Scott. I’m used to Kaelyn’s brand of… aggression. She’s very outspoken, not only about these black history matters but about my son. But you,” she taps manicured fingers, “the way you’ve been pulling and pushing at Heath, I can’t figure out if you’ve got a plan or if you’re genuinely that incapable of making a decision and sticking to it.”

  “Is that what you came to discuss?”

  “My son is going to take over my company very soon.” She crosses her legs. “And the woman he shares that empire with must meet my…” her head-to-toe look reeks of disdain, “high expectations.”

  “The fact that you think he’s going to take over your company tells me you don’t know him.”

  Her lips press into a thin line.

  I sigh. “Frankly, I’m disappointed, Amelia. I thought you were here to apologize.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “A few months ago, you got me kicked out of my building just to prove a point.”

  She blinks rapidly as if she can’t even remember.

  Irritation stirs in my gut. “I can see that what you did to me means nothing to you, but you tore my whole world apart. I’m not like you, Mrs. Jameson. I don’t have a media empire and perfume commercials lining my bank vault. I saved for years to be able to afford my own office. And you swept in and stole it from me just because you could.”

  “In a war, there are always casualties.”

  “And what exactly are you fighting for?” I press my knees into my elbows.

  Her smile gets a little harder. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Ms. Scott. I stopped by to see what kind of woman my son had lost his mind for.”

  “Are you impressed?”

  “Confused.” She flutters her fingers. “You and Heath won’t last.”

  Every moment in this woman’s presence is like bathing in toxins. It brings out the worst in a person. Makes them want to dive to her level and hurt her too.

  No wonder Kaelyn can’t stand her.

  I’m starting to feel the same.

  “Although it is ironic,” Amelia taps her chin, “that my husband and my two sons can’t keep it in their pants when it comes to black women. What is it about you that they find so irresistible?”

  My entire body goes cold. “I don’t think we have anything more to discuss. You can see yourself out.”

  “Do you know what the saddest part about all this is?” Amelia rises to her feet, slow and steady. “Heath is going to all this trouble for a child who doesn’t even belong to him.” Her thin lips curl up in a sneer. “My husband decided that he wanted something new. He found a hussy willing to open her legs on command and now my son has to suffer for it.”

  I huff out a breath. “I’m sure that must have been painful for you, but that woman was Glory’s mother.”

  “A spade is a spade and a piece of trash is a piece of trash. Why should I reverence the dead when she was a skank when she was living?”

  I glare at her. “Are you really that cold?”

  “I thought you’d appreciate the honesty, Brenna. I’m just giving you another reason to stay away from my family. You wouldn’t,” she looks me up and down, “fit.”

  I nod in understanding. “It’s no wonder Heath ran away from you.”

  “Excuse me?” Her eyelashes flutter. It’s the first time I’m seeing true sincerity in her eyes.

  “You treat people like dirt. You pull them around like puppets. You showed up today,” I gesture to her, “hoping to piss me off, hoping I would tell Heath. Because hearing about this visit from me would screw with his head way worse than anything else.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “You can’t control him.” I grab the door. “Go back to your cold, lonely life, Amelia. Go away and leave Heath’s family alone.”

  With another angry look at me, she storms out.

  I slam the door and dust my hands.

  My heart throbs for Heath. With a mother like that, it’s no wonder he’s so determined to keep his life simple. It’s no wonder he craves peace more than anything else.

  I pad to my bedroom and sit on the edge of the bed.

  My phone buzzes.

  Heath.

  I answer and, for a second, the line is quiet as neither of us speak.

  Finally, I break the silence. “Can you give me a little time?”

  “I was just about to ask you that.” He pauses. “I need to focus on Glory right now.”

  “I need to save the farmhouse.”

  He chuckles softly. “It looks like you won, Ms. Scott.”

  “No.” I pull the phone closer. “Meeting you and Glory was the moment I won.”

  He chuckles. “You’re being unusually sweet.”

  “I just,” I tuck my knees beneath me, “had a little reminder that blind ambition is cold and lonely. When I’m with you, I feel so warm.” I lower my voice. “I don’t want to lose that, Heath.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Bring Glory home, okay,” I whisper.

  His voice deepens. “Come back to me when you’re done with the farmhouse, Bren.”

  “I will.” I hesitate and then blurt, “I love you.”

  His deep voice sends a shiver down my spine when he says, “I love you too.”

  After hanging up, I pace my apartment in a dream-like state and then force myself to prepare for the hearing.

  The days fly by, but I make it a point to call Glory every evening so she knows I’m thinking about her. We talk about books and her adventures with Steph. Sometimes, I’ll tell her a story over the phone, and she’ll fall asleep while I’m still on the line.

  After our calls, I’ll dive right back into my work again, energy restored and a smile on my face.

  On the day of the hearing, I nervously prepare my outfit and then send Glory a text.

  ME: How about I bring over a new flavor of ice cream for you and Steph tonight?

  There’s no response.

  Thinking she must be sleeping, I head to the courthouse and nearly scream in fright when I see all the Make It Marriage women standing with banners that blare ‘Go Brenna!’

  “Guys,” I hiss, “this isn’t a basketball game.”

  “Oh, I know.” Nellie tosses her long black hair and flashes me a smile. “If it were, I’d be wearing Jonas’s number.”

  I chuckle.

  “Are you ready for this?” Kaelyn massages my shoulder.

  “Why do you look so hyped? It’s just a council hearing.”

  Kaelyn’s lips stretch into a huge smile. “I was going to tell you later, but I can’t hold it in. I’ve been getting calls from other agencies who want to partner with us because of what we’re doing. I can’t emphasize how important this hearing is. You win this, and we get so many more opportunities to spread black history to the world.”

  “That’s amazing.” I bark out a laugh.

  “No pressure.” She winks. “I know you’re ready for this.”

  “Thanks.”

  I smooth a hand down my crisp white shirt and grey trousers. My hair is pasted back in a slick ponytail. Minimal makeup. Nude lipstick. I’m all business.

  So much has happened because of this farmhouse, I want to do my best in this fina
l chapter.

  Heath’s seeing great progress on his end. He’s been working with the lawyer Brogan recommended. Turns out, even if his dad does sue him, he won’t have much room to take full custody since Heath’s been acting as Glory’s father since she was a child.

  They’re building a case against him so he can never see Glory again and Heath is pretty confident that he’s going to win if it comes to that.

  I straighten my shoulders. It’s my turn to win now.

  “We’ll convene in five minutes,” the council woman informs me with a smile.

  “Thanks.” I put my files together and try to calm my nerves.

  Just then, I hear someone yelling my name.

  My brows knit as Kaelyn scrambles into the quiet waiting room.

  As soon as I see her face, my heart slams against my ribs. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Glory.” She breathes hard.

  “Is she sick? Is she in the hospital?”

  “No,” Kaelyn cries. “She’s gone.”

  Thirty-Three

  Heath

  I slam my foot on the brakes as fury rattles every inch of me.

  Holding my phone close to my ear, I shout, “Where is she dad?”

  He laughs. “Did you think I wouldn’t have a tail on your little caretaker, Heath? You think I’d let you get away with hiding my own daughter from me? Come on, now. That’s not smart of you”

  “You’re going to regret this, dad. When I get my hands on you—”

  “Are you sure she’s sick, Heath?” Dad’s voice is thick. “She was playing so well on those monkey bars. She’s not afraid of falling at all. I think she got that from me.”

  I yank on the steering wheel and speed through traffic. My heart is flogging my throat. “I swear if you lay one finger on her—”

  “You should have listened when I wanted to do this the easy way. Goodbye, Heath.”

  Click.

  “Dad! Dad!”

  No answer.

  I slow the car in front of a red light. Helplessness sweeps through me and I slam my hand on the steering wheel over and over again. The pain lights me up inside and makes me feel like I could pick up a building with my bare hands.

  Glory must be frightened out of her mind. She must be crying and begging for me.

  I couldn’t protect her.

  Even with my best efforts, I couldn’t keep her safe.

  Another call lights up my phone.

  Brenna.

  I answer urgently. “Bren, I can’t really talk right now.”

  “Where are you?”

  “What?”

  “I’m coming, okay?”

  “Bren,” I check my watch, “isn’t the hearing happening soon?”

  “Do you think that matters right now?” she yells.

  Despite the panic rattling my chest, I feel a thread of peace. “Bren…”

  “Don’t. Don’t act like you’re touched, Heath, because I find that insulting. Do you think I would be able to concentrate on anything but getting Glory back safe? Now tell me what I can do.”

  I run a hand through my hair. “I’m heading to my mom. I’ll see if she knows where dad could have gone.”

  “Have you called the police?”

  “Brogan already did. Mercy’s with him. She’s pretty shaken up.”

  “I’ll go to her.” She pauses. “The Make It Marriage women are with me. They’re pissed.”

  “Not as much as I am.”

  “Just tell us how we can help, okay?”

  “I will.”

  Her voice trembles. “I love you, Heath.”

  “Love you.”

  I hang up and speed across the city, not slowing down for a moment until I’m in front of my parent’s place. Throwing my car to park in the middle of the ornate, circular driveway, I launch out and throw the front door open.

  Mom’s sitting in the large, lavish living room, surrounded by expensive paintings, pillars, and a huge couch. Her long fingers grip the underside of a wine glass and she sips it slowly, not bothering to acknowledge my entrance.

  I stalk forward. “Where is he?”

  “Gone.” She swirls her wine around and around her glass, staring out at nothing. Despite the soft grey dress, she’s wearing and the lightness of her makeup, she looks like a sword to me. All hard edges and steel. All sharp points and armor. She’s never looked lonelier.

  “Gone. Where?” I step forward.

  “I don’t know.” She laughs bitterly and nods to the document beside her. “But he signed the divorce papers.” Mom takes another sip and stares at me with hollow, empty eyes. “And he took the jet.”

  Thirty-Four

  Heath

  When I hear Brenna calling my name in the police station, I whirl around and brace myself seconds before she flies into my arms.

  “I’m sorry,” Brenna says, her hands tightening around my waist. “We’ll find her.”

  My breath leaves in a whoosh. Emotions clog my throat and keep me from speaking. I drag her towards me and hug her tighter, my heart leaking with relief.

  Her presence is like stepping into the calm of the storm. Like an umbrella over my head when I’ve been drenched. Yeah, I’m still soaking wet and I’m still suffering, but there’s someone beside me now. There’s someone who won’t let me drown.

  “I feel like this is my fault.”

  “It’s not.” She cradles my face and stares into my eyes. “We’ll get through this together.”

  “The police are looking, but we won’t know anything until dad lands.”

  “So we wait.”

  I take her hand and bring it to my lips. “Did you really run out of the hearing?”

  “Like crazy.”

  “I’m sorry. I know how much that meant to you.”

  “Are you kidding? You and Glory mean more.” Her fingers sweep through my hair. “You think that old house compares to you?”

  I hug her close again, loving the feel of her body against mine. She smells like flowers and sunshine and better days. A part of me begins to latch on to hope, but the panic is still there.

  “I’ve contacted every one of dad’s friends. They don’t know where he could have gone.”

  “I don’t think he’ll hurt her,” she says.

  “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about how frightened Glory must be. If this is the introduction dad wanted to make, it’s a hell of a bad one.”

  “How did things go with your mom?”

  “Dead end. Even if she wanted to help—and she doesn’t—mom doesn’t know anything. Dad’s never done something like this before.”

  “He’s not usually impulsive?”

  “No. I’m not sure what my next step should be.”

  “I’m sure if we put our heads together, we can figure it out.”

  “We?”

  She winces, looking absolutely sexy and adorable all at the same time. “Come with me.”

  Brenna pulls me out of the police station and into the parking lot. My eyes bug when I see all the people gathered together—a few I recognize and most I don’t.

  “This is Make It Marriage?” I whisper in her ear. “Are they all matchmakers?”

  “Only some of us,” a woman with warm brown skin, straight black hair and brown eyes winks at me.

  “That’s Asia,” Brenna whispers.

  I nod.

  Kayla strides forward with her husband.

  He extends a hand to me. “Hey, Heath.”

  “Thanks for being here, Brendon.”

  He nods.

  “Thank you all.” I sweep my gaze over them.

  Venus sashays toward me in a daring black dress. Her reddish-brown curls fall past her shoulders.

  She nods to her husband, Troy. “Of course. How could we pass up the chance to catch a repulsive old man? No offense.”

  Amina points to a tall, broad-shouldered lumberjack. He has a thick beard and is wearing flannel and heavy boots. “My husband’s great with an ax.”


  “You know I don’t actually cut my own lumber, right, babe?”

  “Sh, Matt. We’re being helpful here.”

  Despite the weight in my chest, I smile at Brenna. “You really brought everyone.” My eyes catch on a tall man in a basketball jersey and then double-back. “Holy—you’re Jonas Greer.”

  “Hey, man.” He slaps my hand and pulls me in for a thump on the back. “I’m sorry about your daughter.” Jonas slides his arm around a pretty, petite woman with dark brown skin and long black hair. “Nellie wasn’t sure how we could help, but I figured we’d still join up. There’s power when people work as a team.”

  Kastle’s car tears into the lot with a squeal of tires.

  He hops out and stares at all of us. “Damn. I’m late.”

  “Hey, Kastle.” A woman with short twists in her hair and warm, cocoa-brown skin waves at him.

  “Ina.” Kaelyn springs toward the woman and gives her a hug. “Where’s Luc?”

  “He has a class, but he’ll be here as soon as it’s done.”

  Kaelyn nods.

  “Alright. Alright. Let’s get the introductions out of the way.” Venus waves her arms. “Who wants to do the honors?”

  Tierra lifts her hands and smiles up at the man who’s standing close behind her. “This is my husband, Brett.”

  “I’m Hansley.” A tall man with dark hair and eyes smiles lovingly at the woman he’s holding hands with. “And this is my wife, Asia.”

  Venus points to a couple across the room. “That cute comic book nerd is Ina and she’s been totally corrupted by her even bigger nerd-husband, Luc.”

  “We’re not nerds,” Ina says, a hand on her hip and a shake of her head. Her short, black twists slap lightly against her round cheeks. “We’re geeks. There’s a difference.”

  Venus reaches for the man standing behind her and caresses his solid jaw. “Of course, you already know this famous painter and passionate lover—”

  “Ehem.” Kayla slants her a scolding look.

  Venus sticks out her tongue. “This is my husband, Troy.”

  “We’re here to help in any way we can, Heath.” He shakes my hand with his paint-speckled fingers.