My smile grows and grows the more she speaks. She will be better than I thought.
“Precisely, Murphy. That’s why I already signed the contract.”
Avery jumps up again. “Then why ask us?”
“Because you and your children are the future of this family. I needed to test you all to make sure you have it in you to see the bigger picture. Don’t act out on impulse. Think, be smarter than them. My grandchildren will need you to be. No matter what, their fathers will protect them, but as a mother, you will teach them. You will guarantee that they grow strong and confident. You will need to make your husbands understand what’s going on. Their first instinct will be to go to war. But now that you all understand how this can hurt us or benefit us. It’s your job to make them understand it too. Each of you has it in you to be better than me, and I am counting on it. But as far as today, I am still the one in charge. I signed those papers needing none of you to approve. I made the hard decision. Tomorrow you will.”
I dismiss them and then notice a letter sitting on my desk. It’s from Richard. I open it and start reading.
My darling Catherine, I am so happy that we will be family one day. So, I feel it necessary to help you out. There is a man in your neck of the woods who wants to do business that I know you will not accept. He knows this too. But he has found a way in. Your most loyal soldier will be used to get close to you. He plans on using a connection he has with Vin to gain entry. He is dangerous, Catherine, so do not underestimate him. From what I understand, he has already made contact.
Just so we are clear, I will hold you to your side of our contract. Or I will use Vin myself to destroy your family from the inside out. Do not think for a second that I don’t know all about your precious Vin and the secrets you two hold.
I will be in touch.
And Catherine, you know if I know the truth, someone else does too.
Be safe, my darling
THE END
Connect with Monique
Come join in all the fun with Monique's other readers inside her closed group,
Monique's Secret Room.
Monique’s Author Fan Page.
Monique’s Profile Page.
Subscribe to Monique's Newsletter to get all her latest information about the author and her books.
Click the icons below to follow me:
More to come…
Art of Loyalty – Vin’s story
Books Already Out
Art of Seduction – Gabriel’s story
Art of Forgiveness – Liam’s story
Art of War – Zander’s story
Prologue for Art of Loyalty
Loyalty,
It’s the most important thing in my business. Hell, it’s the most important thing to me, period. I don’t need someone’s love or faithfulness, I need your undying allegiance and obedience.
Without loyalty, I would be nowhere. If I can’t trust the people that work for or along with me, then I have nothing. But there are only a few that I know of that I have one hundred percent loyalty from, and they are the ones that scare me the most. If that loyalty is broken, then I can be destroyed from the inside out.
Loyalty is also something that I don’t give out freely; it is one of the things I hold sacred. You have to earn my loyalty, but once you have it, you have it forever.
William, my husband, father to most of my sons and also my torturer, had my loyalty. I know it’s sick that I could be so loyal to a man who abused me and treated me like I was nothing. And maybe it was, but he was also the one who gave me a chance at my new life, and he gave me my sons. If it weren’t for William, I have no idea where I would be or even if I would still be alive. I wasn’t the best wife, by any means, but I owed him my loyalty.
Theo, the love of my life, my lover and father of my son Zander. He earned my loyalty for all the times he saved me from myself. Without him, I would never have found my strength.
My sons, I gave them life, but in return they gave me hope and a future. They are the reasons I survived.
My girls, my daughters-in-law, they have my respect and loyalty. They have guaranteed my legacy. They are the ones who will make sure my life continues long after I am gone.
Then there is the loyalty that is given even when you beg for it not to be. Loyalty that is given at such a tender age out of nothing but pure necessity. We were kindred spirits, the same right from the start. He was my nightmare, born to haunt my life, but he became one of my greatest treasures. I tried so hard to save him, but in the long run we saved each other. That is a bond that will never be broken, a loyalty that will never be questioned. Vin might not be of my blood, but he is mine, and I will kill the person who tries to come between me and what’s mine.
Catherine Stern
About the Author
Written by Monique Orgeron’s eldest, most beautiful, and intelligent daughter. (My sister is going to hate this part.)
My mom happens to be the most caring, loving, and stubborn person I know, well anyone knows. She gives 100% percent of herself to everyone and has given up so much of herself for my sister and I.
For twenty-one years she has poured her heart and soul into making sure we know that we are loved and that we can do anything we put our minds too, but it was about time she figured that out about herself.
Up until this year I hadn’t seen my mom do anything for only her, but this book has allowed her to travel the world through the pages of a book, make new friends, and feel the joy of doing something exciting.
There is a new light behind her eyes and it is just making me feel more joy than she can ever imagine. While she might be annoying most of the time, I am so thrilled that she is finally allowing herself to grow as a person and not spend all of her energy on her family.
It has been a long journey of self-discovery for my mom; she has gone from domestic supermom to domestic goddess throughout the process of writing.
We are so very excited and proud of you! I love you as big as the world.
-Bria and Tony
Art of War (A Stern Family Saga Book 3) Page 37