The Unexpected Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  “What’s the plan you mentioned on the phone?”

  Wallace leaned back in his chair and frowned.

  “I want to meet him casually at his favorite watering hole after work tomorrow. I know which bar. We’ve had him tracked. Then you all put a wire on me and I’ll get him relaxed enough to brag. I’m betting he’s dying to tell someone how smart he is. He’ll think I’m a stranger he’ll never see again.”

  Wallace sat forward and was silent for several minutes. Then he said, “It might work. I’ll have to run it by my boss and my partner in the morning. I’ll call you as soon as we meet. What time does this guy get off work?”

  “He’s in the bar by 5:45 at the latest. I want to be there before him.”

  “If my boss agrees we’ll have you meet us a block down from the bar.” He handed Devin a pen and paper. “Write down the name and address of the bar. We’ll be in a truck marked as an electrician repair business. We’ll put on the wire and send you in at five.”

  “Great. Let’s get this miserable human being off the streets, and Josie and I can go home and get married.”

  “Don’t get your hopes too high. These things don’t always work the way we hope.”

  “See you tomorrow afternoon,” Devin said, ignoring the negative remark. He’d get the guy to talk. He had to, for Josie.

  Devin had called the kitchen before he left the hotel. If he hurried he’d arrive just in time for dinner.

  He used the key card for the other suite and let himself into the foyer. Josie came hurrying over to him. “The kitchen called and they’ll be about ten minutes late with the food, but they sent up shrimp cocktails for us to enjoy during our wait.”

  “It gives me time to shower. Is your dad here?”

  “Yes, he accepted the invite. I’m beginning to like him, but Lacey’s a bit more cautious. She’ll come around. I doubt Renee ever will.”

  “We’ll see.” He kissed her and rushed off to their bedroom. He didn’t take long showering and the doorbell rang as he finished. Their food had arrived.

  He strolled into the formal dining room. Their waiter was serving dinner. Devin had ordered lasagna and salad with a dessert.

  “Come join us, Devin,” Heath said. “I stayed around to eat and meet Mr. Donnelles. “He’s going to give us a good deal on our feed order. Josie and I have been dickering with him.”

  Mr. Donnelles laughed. “I’m the one with the good deal. Every other feed store in the county will hate me when they hear I got the Garrison business.”

  Devin sat at the head of the table with Josie to his left and her father to his right. His heart swelled with joy when he thought of all the family dinners and parties they’d have over the years. He finally saw what his mother had been talking about and understood how important family was to him.

  For years he’d denied he needed anything more than Sunday dinner with the folks. Devin reached out and covered Josie’s hand with his. Then he looked around the table at Heath, Lacey, and Mr. Donnelles.

  This all had to work. Nothing must come in the way of Josie and him having a life together. He refused to contemplate failure.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You’re got company this morning, Lyles.” The guard startled Sapphire. She’d been working in the library refilling the shelves.

  “I don’t know anyone who’d visit me during the week.”

  “They say some lawyer and judge from Washington, DC flew all the way here just to speak with you,” the guard told her. “Come on, and don’t keep them waiting. Do you want to refuse the visit?”

  “No. I’m too curious to do that. Maybe this is my knight in shining armor come to rescue me,” Sapphire teased. Once she’d gotten over the shock of being incarcerated she’d refused to let it make her into a morbid person, and her sense of humor had gotten her through some difficult times with the other inmates.

  The guard took her to a room and opened the door. Two tall men stood. One had dark-brown hair and intense blue eyes. The other man was about a half inch shorter with black hair and dark-brown eyes. She’d guess he was part Native American. Her heart jumped when he smiled.

  “Please come in and join us. Is it Miss Lyles?” The black-haired man spoke in a gentle, but deep voice. “I’m Judge Nigan Rey and this is Hunter Garrison, he’s an attorney.”

  Totally confused regarding their business with her, Sapphire walked to the long desk and sat on the opposite side. “Are you sure you don’t have the wrong person? I’m certain I don’t know anyone in Washington, DC.”

  “You know Dolan Lerones,” Hunter said.

  Sapphire went weak and tears came in her eyes. “I’m sorry to say I do, or I did.”

  “I understand he was responsible for putting you in jail,” Nigan added.

  “He took great pride in his accomplishment.”

  “The paper said you stole two hundred thousand dollars, but they could never find it.” Hunter looked at her intently. “I suspect it was in Lerones’s bank account offshore.”

  “Yes, I think it was, too. I never saw a bit of it, and when I wouldn’t go along with him, he followed through on his threat.”

  Hunter explained about Josie. “He’s about to do the same trick on her. We need you to testify in front of a judge here so we can take the paperwork back and prove this man is making women take the punishment for his crimes. This ought to help get you out of prison.”

  Nigan spoke up. “I’ll see that it does.”

  Sapphire stared into his dark eyes. They made her feel protected, as though she might trust him.

  “Why not help? I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. What do you want me to do?”

  “We’ll try and arrange a court hearing this afternoon. I have a local lawyer working on it. Then you tell the truth, and we tell how the same thing is happening again.”

  “The truth didn’t do me any good the first time.”

  Nigan squeezed her hand. “I promise it will, and I won’t stop until you’re free.”

  “I’ll see you in court.”

  They shook her hand, and the guard delivered her back to the library. Sapphire’s head spun and her heart filled with hope. If this didn’t work she’d have a harder time pulling herself back from the abyss.

  * * * *

  Devin met the detectives and another man monitoring several speakers in the fake van. Wallace helped put the wire on him and checked to see it worked.

  “We’re hearing you loud and clear. When you get in the bar, I’ll let you know if I can hear you order a drink,” the sound engineer said. “Put this tiny microphone in your ear. In a dark bar it’ll never be seen. We can talk to you, and the detectives can make suggestions if needed.”

  “I’m going now. It’s ten after five. He might get off early from work.” Devin walked briskly across the street and down a block. The place had few people inside, but in the next half hour the lounge would be full.

  He got a place at the bar and ordered a bourbon and coke. Then he impatiently waited for his quarry.

  Dolan Lerones came in ahead of the crowd. He glanced at the bar and headed toward Devin. As Devin had expected, he took the seat next to him rather than sit alone. Dolan ordered a whiskey sour and took a long swing.

  “Thirsty or had a hard day?” Devin asked.

  “I love the taste of that first drink. I don’t have hard days at work. I’m a Vice President. I have a number of people doing my work for me.”

  “Must be nice?”

  “It is, and profitable.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “At Ruby & Odon’s Financial Services. I’ve just recently been promoted to Vice President of the company.” Lerones lowered his voice and Devin turned on his stool to be sure the microphone was as near as possible.

  “I discovered one of my employees stealing, and I’m helping to see she goes to prison for the deed.”

  “Wow, they must appreciate your cleverness,” Devin said. “Let me buy you a drink. You’ve finished
the first one.” Devin waved to the bartender. “Two more for us,” he said and handed the man their empty glasses. He’d nurse his next one.

  Dolan leaned close. “My stupid bosses don’t know how clever I am.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. This is the second woman I’ve put in jail. I loved the look on her face when the jury said guilty.” He lowered his voice again. “It was almost as good as an orgasm.”

  Devin clenched his fist and wanted to punch the guy right in his sorry mouth. It took all his strength not to. “Are you married?” Devin asked.

  “I was married and had two children. When you start out, you have to have a family and the home in the suburbs. But then my wife accidently fell down the stairs and my poor distraught in-laws begged to raise my children. Now I’m the widower who lives a single life and has no responsibilities.” He lowered his voice. “It’s surprising how one little push can change your destiny.”

  “Wow, you go after what you want.”

  “Yes and the stupid police think it was just one of those awkward accidents that happen occasionally.”

  Damn, the man’s a murderer. He’s insane and obviously hates women. I wonder why? He’d have to check out the man’s past more thoroughly. Dolan Lerones had to be a psychopath.

  “I’ve recently moved to town. I have an apartment and some savings but I need work. Do you have any suggestions?” Devin asked Lerones.

  Lerones had started to taste his second drink. He pulled his hand back and faced Devin. “What kind of work did you do before?” Lerones asked him.

  “I worked with computers. I’m good with them.”

  “Tell me, do you mind doing some undercover work for me?” Dolan smiled and shrugged. “It might be just a little illegal.”

  “Help no, I don’t care. I need the money.”

  “I have to tell you. You don’t know me or anything about me anyway, but I’ve made a bunch of money in the past ten years since my wife died.”

  “How?”

  “I said I was smart.” Dolan proceeded to tell Devin how he’d destroyed three other women’s lives before Josie’s. “The first two I used my real name. Then I hired someone like you to transfer my work information and background to a man named Lerones. I made up the name and it’s served me well, but I need another identity so I can move on and get a higher position in the next firm where I apply for a job.”

  Devin heard Wallace’s voice in his ear. “We’ve heard enough. We’re coming in.”

  “You’d better finish your drink, or it’ll go to waste,” Devin said as he saw the detectives come through the door.

  “I have plenty of time. I’ll drink three or four more before I leave.”

  “I don’t think they serve cocktails where you’re going,” Wallace said and pulled out handcuffs. “Don’t make a fuss.”

  Dolan paled and looked from the detectives to Devin. “Who the hell are you?”

  “I’m Josie Donnelles’s fiancé, and I have your confession on tape. You really aren’t very smart.”

  “You can’t use that. You got me drunk.”

  “No, you started talking after one drink. You never drank the second one. You were anxious to brag about your successes.”

  Chuckling, Devin got up. “I’ll go to the van and leave this microphone. Then I’m going to tell Josie her boss volunteered to go to jail for her. Wallace, you and your partner can take all the glory, but see there are big headlines in the newspapers tomorrow and call California and get that poor woman released from jail. Oh and you’d better give him a sobriety test. Just to prove he’s not drunk.”

  “It’ll be our pleasure.” Wallace was grinning from ear to ear.

  Devin drove faster than he should have on his way to the hotel. He’d told Josie of his plan last night. He wanted to see her face when he told her it was almost over.”

  Josie ran to him as soon as he came in the door. He read the hope in her upturned face. “Honey, would you mind if we got married right after we get back to Pleasure Valley?”

  Her smile broadened. “How soon will we be back?”

  “I’d guess at the most in two or three days.”

  “He confessed?”

  Devin nodded. “And he told me about his real wife’s accident falling down the stairs. I expect whatever state it happened in they’ll ask to have him brought there for trial.”

  “What a scary man. On top of everything else he’s done, he’s also a murderer.”

  “No doubt a psychopath.” Devin held her tight in his arms. “No one will ever hurt you again. If they do, they’ll have to deal with me.”

  “I’m sure I’m safe unless it happens on a plane,” she teased.

  “I’ll conquer my fear for you.”

  “I love you, Devin Garrison.”

  He picked her up and headed to their bedroom where he quickly undressed her and laid her on the bed. “I’m in a rush. I can’t wait to be in your wet, tight pussy.”

  He threw off his clothes, sheathed his cock, and joined her. When he kissed her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

  “I love the taste of your skin,” he whispered as he licked her beautiful breasts and slid the edge of his teeth across her rosy nipples.

  He looked at her and his body trembled for a second. “I’d have done whatever was necessary to save you. I always will. I’ll even give up bull riding if you want me to, but first you have to see me ride one time.”

  “It’s a deal. And I don’t want you to give up what you love. My cautious personality and your tossing-it-to-the-wind type attitude will balance us out. I’m already stronger.”

  “Much stronger,” he said. “Are you ready for me? If so we can do more foreplay next time.”

  “Yes, yes, yes, ready and willing.”

  Devin positioned his hard cock at her opening and plunged in deep. His heart pounded and desire and pleasure rushed through his veins to his every cell.

  He pumped hard into her sweet, wet pussy. Her walls clenched his cock tight and euphoria shot up his spine to his head. He was high on love and happiness.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Later that evening, Devin called Hunter. “How did you two do?” he asked.

  “We can’t see the judge here until tomorrow at ten, but Miss Lyles will testify for us.”

  “I’ll have Detective Wallace call the court in the morning. We got Lerones this evening. Miss Lyles should be freed.”

  “Hunter, have Nigan pick up the other phone in your hotel suite. Let me tell you two what happened this evening and where Dolan is residing at the present.”

  He described the scene at the bar and what Dolan had admitted to him, a stranger. “I suspected he was dying to have someone admire him for his deeds. He felt safe with a stranger, and I’d let him think I might be a little dishonest.” Then he told them all Dolan had admitted to doing.

  “He’s a murderer besides? I’m shocked,” Hunter said. “Good for you. We saw one judge today. He wanted to read Miss Lyles’s court records and meet with us tomorrow afternoon. With luck she’ll be released immediately,” Hunter said. “We’ll check on the other two women he told you he framed. They must be in jail, too.”

  “Miss Lyles is a nice woman who’s been unnecessarily traumatized,” Nigan said.

  “I think Nigan has a crush on her,” Hunter teased.

  Nigan laughed. “I admit it. I’d like for her to come back with us.”

  “That’s a fast reaction,” Devin said.

  “You know what our mom says. ‘When it hits you there’s no use fighting it,’” Hunter reminded Devin.

  “And she’s right every time,” Devin agreed.

  “I’m not going to fight it. I thought after my experience with Julia I’d never marry, but Sapphire might change my thinking.”

  “We’ll fly back tomorrow evening. I miss Lacey,” Hunter said. “Is she staying with you all?”

  “During the day she and Josie stay here with their father. At
night he’s sleeping in your suite to be there if needed.”

  “Good. Your idea of getting them together must be working. See you soon.” Hunter clicked off.

  * * * *

  The judge looked down on Sapphire Lyles. Then he glanced through her trial papers again.

  “A detective named Wallace called today. I’ve talked with our chief justice and it appears we made a grave error when we wholeheartedly saw Mr. Lerones as a principled man. The prosecutor agrees with the chief justice and I. You are to be immediately released and your record cleared.”

  Sapphire almost collapsed on the floor, but Nigan caught her in his arms. She sobbed with relief. Nigan placed her on the closest chair and sat in the one by her side. He held her trembling hand.

  “Thank you for correcting this terrible wrong,” Hunter said. “I’m sorry she can’t get back the three years she’s spent incarcerated, but I believe she’s entitled to monetary recourse, and we will be filing for it.”

  “No.” Sapphire straightened and spoke. “I don’t want money I didn’t earn.”

  The judge looked directly at Sapphire and said, “I understand, but you did work in the prison for us, and I will ask them to compensate you for your time. I agree with your lawyer. You’ve earned it.”

  * * * *

  At breakfast, Josie looked across at Devin. “I can’t believe Lerones is in jail.”

  “I wish you had seen his face when the detectives walked in the lounge. His first court hearing is this morning at eleven. I’m going to be there.”

  “I want to go. He sat in court and grinned at me. I’m going to reciprocate and let him know how it feels.”

  Devin shrugged. “I don’t know why you can’t come. Just don’t say anything.”

  “I won’t. When do my charges get dropped?”

  “Hunter will ask for a court hearing as soon as he gets here today. It shouldn’t take long. Then we can fly home.”

  “Home sounds so nice.”

  Devin took her hand in his. “How is it going with your dad?”