by Sandi Lynn
“You didn’t know me like you thought you did, asshole,” I spoke as I slowly circled around him.
“Oh, I knew you, Brielle.”
“No, you didn’t.” I arched my brow. “You had no idea who I was when you met me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t matter now. How do you expect him to wire the money when you have his hands tied?”
“Simple. You’re going to do it for him.” He smiled.
“And how do you suppose I do that when I’m pointing a gun at you?”
“You’re going to be a good girl and put it down. In a matter of minutes, this could all go away. Trust me.”
I let out a laugh. “You think I’m going to trust you? I trusted you to be there for me when I told you I was pregnant with your child, and you couldn’t do that. What makes you think I’d trust you now?”
“Well, if you want your boyfriend dead, I can arrange that.”
“You son of a bitch,” I spoke.
“Just to show you how serious I am, I’ll wound him for now,” he said as he cocked his gun.
Without even the slightest hesitation, I cocked my gun, aimed it at his leg, and pulled the trigger. He screamed as he dropped to the ground, and the gun hit the floor and went off.
“You bitch!” He grabbed his leg.
He went to reach for his gun, and I ran and kicked it out of the way. Suddenly, the elevator doors opened, and several police officers came running in with their guns. I set mine down on the table and ran over to Caden.
“Are you okay?” I took my hand and wiped the blood that was dripping from his head and fiercely untied his hands.
“I’m fine, Brielle. My god, he could have killed you.”
We wrapped our arms around each other and held on tight.
“Ma’am, what happened here?” the officer asked.
“That man came into my home with a gun, threatened my family, and demanded we wire a million dollars to his offshore account. I have it all recorded on my phone. It’s over there on the table.”
The paramedics came in with a stretcher and I walked over to Daniel and knelt down beside him.
“You shot me!” he screamed. “Get away from me!”
“You’re lucky I didn’t kill you. I could have shot you right in the heart and I wouldn’t have missed. But the more I thought about it, death would have been too easy for you. You’re going to wish I would have killed you, because what you’re going to get in prison will be a hell of a lot worse and I’m going to be there with a smile on my face enjoying every minute of it.”
“Get this crazy bitch away from me!” he shouted.
“Ma’am, I need you to step over here,” the officer spoke as he held my phone in his hand.
He listened to the entire recording as I stood next to him and another paramedic tended to Caden’s head wound.
“This is all the evidence we need. We’re also going to need to take your gun. You do have a CCW license, right?” His brow raised.
“Yes. I certainly do.”
“Good. This is a case of self-defense. One of our detectives will be in touch. All we ask is that you don’t leave town until he does.”
“We won’t, officer.” I spoke.
“Sir, you’re going to need stitches. We can take you to the Emergency Room.”
“It’s fine. I’ll take a cab,” Caden said.
Chapter 36
Brielle
Caden sat on the edge of the table and I held on to his hands.
“I was praying that you wouldn’t come home,” he spoke. “The minute the elevator doors opened, he hit me over the head. I had no idea it was him.”
“How could I not come home? You didn’t show up to dinner and I kept trying to call you. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
“Stop it. Don’t say that. None of this is your fault. He’s a deranged lunatic, but I’m happy you chose not to kill him.” He brought his hand up to my cheek.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you living with someone’s death on your hands for the rest of your life.”
The doctor walked in, and while he stitched up Caden’s head, I tightly held his hand.
Once the elevator doors opened, we stepped into the foyer and then into the living room, where a puddle of blood stained the large area rug that sat on the floor. We both stood there, hand in hand, and stared at it.
“I never liked that rug anyway,” he spoke.
“It was okay, but I totally would have picked something different.”
“Shall we go shopping tomorrow for a new one?” he asked.
“Yeah. I think we should.”
We slowly walked up the stairs together, changed out of our clothes, and climbed in bed, holding on to each other as if our lives depended on it.
“How are we going to explain to Stella the hole in the wall where the bullet from Daniel’s gun hit it?” I asked.
“We’re not. We’re going to pack a bag tomorrow morning and stay at the Plaza Hotel for a couple of days while it’s being fixed. I’ll get a crew out here first thing. We’ll make a special day of it. Just the three of us.”
“I like that idea.” I smiled as I kissed his lips.
“Listen,” he spoke as he stroked my cheek. “It’s okay to break down. I know you’re feeling the effects of what happened tonight, and I don’t want you to hold it in.”
I stared into his eyes and swallowed hard as the tears started to fall. He tightened his arm around me as I laid my head on his chest and sobbed.
Five Months Later
I stood in the room at the church as Sasha fixed my veil.
“There. Now you’re ready.” She smiled.
“You look so beautiful, Mommy.”
“Thank you, sunshine.”
The last five months were extremely busy planning the wedding, filing the adoption papers, running my business, court dates, and trying to put what happened behind us. The best was yet to come and that was all I focused on.
“Are you ready? Your groom is waiting for you at the altar.” Sasha smiled as she handed me my bouquet.
I met Ben at the back of the church and hooked my arm around his. The music began to play. Sasha walked down first and then Stella followed, throwing rose petals down as she made her way to Caden.
“Are you ready?” Ben smiled at me.
“I’m more than ready.”
We slowly walked down the white runner and I couldn’t take my eyes off Caden as he stared at me with a smile on his face. When I reached him, Ben took my hand and placed it in his.
“You are absolutely stunning,” Caden spoke with a tear in his eye.
“So are you.”
Our ceremony lasted about thirty minutes, and after I slipped the ring on Caden’s finger, the minister pronounced us husband and wife.
“You may kiss your bride, Caden.”
The smile on his face grew wider as he leaned in and we shared a passionate kiss.
“By the power invested in me, I give to you Mr. and Mrs. Caden Chamberlain.”
Everyone started clapping as Stella ran over to us and Caden bent down and picked her up. The three of us walked up the aisle together as a family. Once we reached the doors of the church and stepped outside, Stella placed her small hand on Caden’s face.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, my beautiful daughter,” he spoke as he hugged her tight.
Our reception was held at the Waldorf Astoria, where approximately four hundred guests attended and celebrated our special day. It was elegant and the type of wedding I’d always dreamed of. What made it even more special was when Stella composed a song for us for our first dance has husband and wife. Her and Caden arranged the entire thing and kept it a secret from me until he took my hand and led me to the dance floor. I was in awe of this once damaged man who opened up his heart and let us inside. I loved him more with every day that passed, and I made sure that I told him.
“I love you so much,” I softly kissed his lips as we danced.
“I love you too and I always will.” He smiled.
For our honeymoon, we spent one week alone in Aruba and then Caden flew my Mom, Steven, and Stella to Hawaii, where we spent another week together.
One Month Later
Caden was still at the office when Kyle and Mercedes dropped off their baby Zachary. I agreed to watch him so they could have a date night. It had been a long time since I watched a baby and I was pretty excited about it. I was in the kitchen preparing a bottle for him as I held him, when Caden walked in.
“Hi, darling,” he spoke as he kissed my cheek. “Hey there, Zach.” He smiled.
“How was work today?” I asked him.
“It was good. Very productive.”
I took the bottle and Zachary and sat down on the couch to feed him. Caden sat next to me and stared down at him as he sucked down his bottle.
“You look really sexy holding that tiny human,” he spoke. “Maybe we should have one of our own.”
“Really?” I smiled at him. “You want to have a tiny human?”
“Yeah. I do. We never talked about having kids and I think we should. How many do you want? I mean, in addition to the one we already have.”
“Maybe one more? I think two is a nice number. But I’m not ready to have one just yet.”
“Oh. Well, me either. I was just throwing it out there and letting you know that I’m all for having another child running around the house.”
“Maybe in a year or two?” I said.
“Sounds good to me.” He smirked.
After Zachary finished his bottle, I burped him and then he started to scream. I walked around with him and patted his back, but he wouldn’t settle down.
“What’s wrong with him?” Caden asked.
“I don’t know. He ate, he’s been changed. I guess he’s just fussy.”
“Here, let me see if I can get him to quiet down.”
I handed him to Caden, and he still screamed his head off.
“He hates me,” he spoke.
“No he doesn’t. He’s just fussy.”
“What’s Zachary crying about?” Stella asked as she walked into the living room.
“We’re not sure, sweetheart,” Caden replied.
“What’s wrong, tiny human?” Stella softly spoke as she took hold of his hand.
Instantly, he stopped. Caden and I looked at each other. Then he started wailing again.
“I think I know what he wants,” Stella said as she walked over to the piano and started playing. The moment he heard the music, he settled down.
“Get his bouncy chair, quick,” Caden spoke.
I grabbed his chair and set it next to the piano. Caden put him in it, and as Stella played, he fell asleep.
Caden hooked his arm around me.
“We’ll have it made when we have our own tiny human.” He kissed the side of my head.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Caden
“How do I look, Mom?” Stella spoke as she walked into the kitchen.
“Simply gorgeous.”
I narrowed my eye at her as I stared at the short dress she was wearing.
“Is something going on tonight that I don’t know about?” I asked.
“I’m going on a date, Dad.”
“With whom?” I arched my brow.
“His name is Kevin.”
“How old is this Kevin kid?”
“Twenty-one.” She grinned.
“Over my dead body! Get back upstairs! Brielle, did you know about this?”
Both of them started laughing.
“Relax, overprotective father. He’s sixteen. He goes to Juilliard and he plays the violin. I think you’ll like him.”
“Oh. Okay then.” I narrowed my eye at her.
“He’s here!” she excitedly spoke as she ran to the elevator.
“I’m not ready for this, Brielle.”
“She’s sixteen. She’s done concerts at Carnegie Hall. She’s played with the New York Philharmonic, and she’s a straight A student. She deserves to have some fun. Plus, she’s at that age.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. What kind of fun are they going to have?”
“You’re so adorable when you’re stressed out.” She kissed my cheek.
We walked into the living area and Stella introduced us to him.
“Mom, Dad, this is Kevin. Kevin, these are my parents, Brielle and Caden.”
“It’s nice to meet you both.” He extended his hand to us.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Kevin.” Brielle smiled as she shook his hand.
I stood there and narrowed my eye at him as I lightly shook his hand.
“Stella tells us that you play the violin,” I spoke.
“I do. It’s always been a passion of mine since I was a child. Stella tells me that you also play the piano.”
“I do.”
“Mom, can you help me pick out which purse to take?” Stella asked.
“Of course, sweetheart.”
The two of them went upstairs and I used this opportunity to have a little chat with Kevin. I hooked my arm around him.
“So, Kevin. What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Chamberlain?”
“What are your plans for tonight?”
“We’re going to go to dinner and then come back here and play some music if that’s okay with you. Stella and I have been working on a project. We’re composing a song together.”
“Hmm. Okay. Sounds like a fun evening. You do know to keep your hands to yourself, right?”
“Yes, sir. Of course.”
“Dad, what are you doing?” Stella asked as she walked back in the living room.
“Kevin was just telling me your plans for this evening. You two have fun.” I patted him on the back with a smile.
“Come on, Kevin. Let’s go.” She grabbed his hand.
I cleared my throat and he immediately pulled his hand away from hers.
As soon as the elevator doors shut, Brielle turned and looked at me.
“Really, Caden? It looks like you scared that poor boy to death.”
“He’s sixteen, Brielle, and his sex drive is kicking in at high gear.”
“Well, don’t worry. I already had the talk with her, and she told me that she is nowhere near ready to have sex yet.”
“She’s sixteen. All sixteen-year-olds lie. Remember what you were like at sixteen?”
She stared at me as she bit down on her bottom lip.
“Shit. I always lied to my mom.”
“Exactly.” I pointed at her.
She hooked her arm around me and laid her head on my shoulder.
“Let’s go make some martinis and check on the twins,” she spoke.
“Good idea, darling. Good idea.” I sighed as I kissed her head.
One Night In Paris
New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal
Bestselling Author
Sandi Lynn
Copyright © 2019 Sandi Lynn Romance, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Photo by Wander Aguiar
www.wanderaguiar.com
Models: Florian & Laura
www.wanderbookclub.com
Cover Design by Shanoff Designs
Editing by BZ Hercules
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
Anna
Each of my bridesmaids gave me a hug and left the bridal room to go t
ake their places. A few moments after they left, there was a light knock on the door, and when I opened it, my best friend, Franco, stood there holding my veil.
“Your veil.” He grinned as he stared at me from head to toe. “You look absolutely beautiful, Anna.”
“Thank you. Get in here!” I smiled as I pulled him inside the room.
I stood in front of the three-way mirror and stared at my reflection.
“You really outdid yourself with my wedding dress,” I spoke to him.
“You deserve only the best, Anna.” He smiled as he placed the veil he made on my head. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
I walked to the balcony and stared out at my future husband waiting for me with approximately two hundred guests who had properly taken their seats.
Franco took hold of my hand and lightly gripped it as he stood next to me.
“You don’t have to do this. There is always plan B.”
“I know. I better get down there. I’m late and my dad’s going to kill me.”
He let go of my hand, held out his arm, and walked me to the back of the hotel and down the stairs, where my father waited for me.
“You’re late,” my father spoke as I took hold of his arm. “That is disrespectful to Matthew and your guests, Anna.”
“Franco had to fix a button on my dress. It came loose.”
The music started to play, and I took in a deep breath. My stomach was tied in knot after knot walking down the white runner as every single guest stared at me. This was what was expected of me. But the thing was, I was never good at doing the expected. I stared at my future husband as he stared back at me. Even his stare was annoying. We were almost to the end of the aisle when I came to an abrupt stop. It was now or never. I chose now.