Legacy (Montgomery Brothers Series ~ Book 1)

by Laura Pavlov

  The door swung open and Sam stood behind Blaire with wide eyes, before pulling the door closed. Blaire was an attractive woman by most standards. Tall. Lean. Blonde. With an oversized rack and an ass that matched. But I wasn’t interested. And all we’d ever shared was sex—so there wasn’t much I could say.

  “What the fuck, Ford. You just don’t respond to my texts anymore?” she hissed, tightening the belt on her trench coat. Her hair managed to stay dry, but that didn’t surprise me. The woman would never actually walk in the rain, nor have a hair out of place. She probably had her driver pull up and shield her with an umbrella for the two steps she took into the building.

  “Listen, Blaire, I’m sorry I didn’t respond. I’ve been meaning to call you.” I used my hands to form a teepee on my desk. “I’m seeing someone.”

  Her brows cinched, yet her forehead remained completely still. “I’ve seen some talk of that on social media, but I’m not really sure what it has to do with anything?”

  She wasn’t going to make this easy. “What am I not making clear? I’m seeing someone. Whatever you and I had going is—done.”

  Her smile appeared forced. “So, you think you’re the first one to meet someone else? I’ve had boyfriends over the years, Ford. That didn’t change what we shared.”

  Shit. I had no idea she’d been in relationships, as I’d assumed we were both in the same place. “Okay. I didn’t realize that. But the relationship that I’m in, well, it’s monogamous.”

  She chuckled. It was condescending and bitchy, but I’d let her pitch a fit if that meant we could be done with this. “And how’s that working for you?”

  “Really well, actually.” I pushed to my feet. I was done with this conversation.

  She remained seated. “So, what does this mean? You’re in love with her? You actually expect me to believe that?”

  “I don’t give a shit what you believe if I’m being honest. But yes, I love her.”

  She pushed to her feet in a huff and yanked at the belt on her jacket, opening up to show me her red lace panties and bra, which matched her sky-high red heels.

  “Christ. Close that up. This isn’t happening. Don’t embarrass yourself. It’s over. I don’t know how to make this any more clear for you. You need to leave.” I moved toward the door, just as it flew open.

  “Surprise,” Harley said, holding a box in her hand. Her face hardened as she looked past me and dropped the box to the floor. I turned to see Blaire standing there, jacket wide open with an evil smile spread across her face.

  “Yeah. Surprise.” Blaire said, cocking her head to the side.

  “This is not what it looks like,” I said, but before the words were even out of my mouth Harley took off.

  “Call me if things change, Ford,” Blaire said, but I was already halfway out the door. I took the stairs down as the elevator doors had already closed.

  I was panting when I got to the lobby, and the thunder from outside startled me. I hurried to the bakery and Molly stood there shrugging and pointing at the door leading out to the street. Jesus. It was dumping, and she’d taken off on foot.

  “Harley,” I shouted, shielding my eyes to see her up ahead. The sky was gray, and the rain came down hard and fast. Calvin was already trailing her, and I told him to head back to the bakery.

  I caught up to her and wrapped my fingers around her bicep. “Baby, you need to stop. Let me explain.”

  “Explain what, Montgomery? Why some chick was practically naked in your office,” she hissed.

  Her long, wet ponytail swung back and forth, and her white T-shirt stuck to her body like a second skin. Her perky tits were on full display and I adjusted myself beneath my zipper so I could focus. Hell, I’d just had a woman throw herself at me half naked, and it did nothing to me. But a pissed off, soaked, Harley DeLuca made me hard on the spot.

  “She just showed up. I haven’t seen her in months. Not since you and I started dating. I told her about you, and that what she and I had was done because I’m in love with you. That’s when she jumped up and opened her coat. Did you happen to notice I was at the door when you burst through. I had just asked her to leave.”

  She swiped at the hair that had broken free of her elastic and was sticking to her face. Her dark eyes searing through the rain as they studied me.

  “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Because I don’t lie. I also spend every fucking free minute I have with you. If I didn’t want this,” I motioned my hand between us. “I wouldn’t be chasing your ass out in the rain. I love you.”

  She sighed. “I love you too. I just—I don’t know. I saw red when I walked in. Literally and figuratively, of course, because she was wearing those little scraps of red.”

  I pulled her up against my body and wrapped a hand around her waist with a chuckle. “I only want you. And you did once tell me that I should walk in the rain. I guess we’ve checked that off the list now.”

  She shielded her eyes with her hand. “Sorry for storming out of there.”

  “I wouldn’t tolerate any man trying to pursue you, so I get it.”

  She pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed me. I pulled her closer, tangling my hand in her hair. Angling her so I could take the kiss deeper. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist. And we stood out in the pouring rain and kissed in the middle of the busiest street in the city.

  And it was fucking perfect.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Harley

  We were having our busiest day since I’d opened the bakery. Maybe it was because fall was here, and everyone wanted a warm drink and a treat now. I checked my phone quickly as it was the first break we’d had all day.

  Ford ~ Baby, come up and see me. I miss you. Have you ever done it in an office?

  Me ~ Miss you too. Can’t get away, we’re swamped today. And no… but let’s rectify that.

  Ford ~ The sooner the better. Love you.

  Me ~ So sappy, Montgomery. Love you, too.

  Ford ~ Only sappy for you.

  Me ~ Get back to work. I’ll see you tonight. xo

  “Holy crap, that was a crazy lunch rush,” Molly said as she dropped down in the chair while I wiped down the tables.

  “I know. I can’t wait to see how we did when we close out the register. It was nonstop today. So, we may get a late afternoon crowd in here like we did the last few days, but I have that meeting for the wedding cake in five minutes. Can you cover the counter while I meet with her? It shouldn’t be too crazy. If it gets bad, I’ll just tell her I need to help you.”

  “No worries at all. I can handle a small crowd. And this is your first wedding cake order. Are you excited?” she asked, pushing to her feet to move behind the counter.

  “Yeah, I think so. A little nervous. But I’ve been on Pinterest looking at designs and I have a book of photos to show her to get an idea of what she wants.” I moved to the back to get my binder as a group of women stepped inside. The wind whipped around until they pulled the door closed.

  “Wow. It’s getting nasty out there,” the tall, blonde woman said, patting her hair back in place.

  Molly waited on them as another lady stepped inside. She looked at me for a moment before speaking. “Harley?”

  “Yes, are you Sadie?” I asked.

  Her black hair was pulled back in a short ponytail and she looked a bit disheveled, which I figured was due to the wind. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Yes. Nice to meet you.”

  I walked her over to the table in the back of the bakery so we would have some privacy. “Okay, well I have a ton of pictures to show you, and if you don’t like any of these designs, I thought maybe you could tell me what you have in mind and I can try to sketch it.”

  She looked around, taking in the crowd. A few more people walked in, but Moll
y had it handled.

  “You guys are busy, huh?” she said, glancing out the window at the street.

  “Yeah. I think the cooler weather has people craving something sweet,” I teased, opening my binder to show her the pictures.

  She leaned forward, coming a little closer than expected. “Harley, I need you to remain very calm. The way you react will make or break if your grandfather lives or dies.”

  Her tone was calm, but her gray eyes were wild. I tried to control my breathing as my pulse spiked. “What? Who are you?”

  I kept my expression even, but I was anything but.

  She plastered a fake smile on her face, obviously aware that people might notice if she were threatening me. She held up her phone, and there on her screen was a photo of my grandfather with my mother. He was tied to a chair. He had a cut across his forehead, and he was wearing pajamas. When had they taken him? How long had he been there?

  “Your mother was able to get him out of the house unnoticed during the night. But we had to wait until we knew we could get you out of here. So, you need to listen carefully, or things will go very bad for him.” A smile remained plastered on her face, as if we were discussing wedding cakes and baked goods, not the kidnapping of Gramps.

  I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt, and my legs shook beneath the table. The thought of anyone hurting him destroyed me.

  A weird croak left my mouth when I spoke. “Please don’t hurt him.”

  She glanced around the bakery and smiled. “No. No tears. Not here. Listen and listen carefully. They’re timing us. There is a short window to get you out of here. Your security has a shift change at four o’clock. That’s in three minutes. There’s going to be a diversion right then, and we’re going to slip right out the door in a car that will pull up at the curb.”

  “Okay,” I said, wiping my nose with the back of my hand.

  “You’re going to need to put on a brave face, Harley. Because if we get caught, he’s done. Damon will have no problem hurting your grandfather, do you hear me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Put a smile on your face and tell your friend that you have to go meet your boyfriend real quick. She’ll buy that. There are enough people in here that she won’t pay attention. And then we’ll walk right out the door. Don’t look at anyone or speak to anyone, you got it?”

  “Hey,” Molly approached the table and I nearly fell out of my seat.

  “Oh my gosh, sorry, you scared me.” I tried to force a laugh.

  “Just dropping off some cookies and wanted to see if you guys chose a design yet.” She set the plate down between us.

  “Yes. Um, we’ve got it narrowed down to a few. I’ll show you a little bit later. I need to run something up to Ford after we finish up here, okay?”

  Someone called out to her, and she waved. “No problem. I’ve got this. Can’t wait to see what you choose, Sadie.”

  “Thank you. I’m excited.” The devil sitting across from me flashed a big smile.

  “Well done. It’s time.” She typed something into her phone and pushed to her feet. As someone walked into the bakery, we stepped out. “Keep your head down.”

  And just like that, I was in the back of a car. The door shut behind me and we pulled away from the curb. Sadie sat beside me in the back seat. A large man sat on the other side of me, making me feel claustrophobic. I was sandwiched between them and I had no idea where they were taking me. I knew better than to get in the car. It was never going to end well if you agreed to do what your captor was asking. This was Abduction 101. But I had no choice in this situation. They had Gramps. They knew I’d come. Because I’d always come if he needed me.

  “Give me your phone,” Sadie said, handing it to the man beside me.

  Ford and Molly could both track my location from my phone. It was my only hope that they’d be able to find me. Dead or alive, they’d at least know where I was. He put the window down and tossed it from the moving car. I looked over at him, and his hard stare sent a chill down my spine.

  “You’re doing well, Harley. We’re almost there,” the woman said.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “No speaking,” the man said, and he held up a roll of duct tape in warning. I needed to keep my wits about me. The goal was to get Gramps and me out in one piece.

  I studied the streets in case I’d need to escape. I wanted to know where I was. Why wouldn’t they have blindfolded me? My only thought was that they didn’t intend on letting me go. This was a one-way trip. I pushed the thought away and continued to look out at the road, when we turned down a side street I’d never been on. We drove to the end and pulled off onto a dirt lot. A small house sat in the distance. It looked like something you’d see in a creepy movie, but this was real. This was actually happening. I didn’t have my baseball bat to fight anyone off. I didn’t have my phone to tell anyone where I was. I was in deep shit.

  Remain calm.

  Think.

  They wanted something, so they’d have to keep me alive long enough to get it. I needed to remember that. Leverage it.

  We pulled up close to the house, and the man yanked me from the car by the arm, causing me to lose my footing as he dragged me toward the porch. He pushed the door open, and I gasped. Gramps was tied to a chair, dried blood across his forehead, and his tear-streaked face nearly broke me. I shook free from the goon and rushed to Gramps.

  “You shouldn’t have come, my girl,” he whimpered.

  “I knew she’d come,” my mother said. She and Damon were sitting in two chairs across the room, smoking cigarettes. She looked as battered as Gramps, so she’d obviously taken a beating herself. But if you choose to run with these people, that’s to be expected. She’d dragged Gramps and me into her shit. Per usual. But the stakes were higher now. These people weren’t messing around. They weren’t just going to knock us around a little and take our money. Ford would have everyone in the city looking for me in a few hours. Damon knew that. And he’d put a lot of thought into this, so I didn’t see us just walking away. And how long would it take before Ford and Molly realized I was actually missing? We could be dead by then.

  “How could you sink this low?” I asked my mother. My lip betrayed me when it quivered as I tried to get the words out. I hunched on the floor beside Gramps, covering his bound hands with mine.

  “Shut the fuck up,” Damon said, moving to his feet and charging me. He kicked me in the gut hard. I doubled over and vomited as I fell forward.

  I heard Gramps cry out. I stayed down, trying to think of any way to get out of here. Sadie and the man that had been in the car with me both took a seat on the filthy couch. I tried to make out where I was, and the best I could come up with was that this was some sort of drug den. There was an old ratty orange and yellow couch and a card table with folding chairs. A man that I’d never seen before, paced the room. He was gaunt and missing teeth.

  “So, what the fuck’s the plan, Damon?” he asked.

  “Shut up, Stick. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Then let’s get on with it,” my mother said, and I looked up and locked my gaze with hers. Her eyes were dead. All the life gone. And she wouldn’t do anything to stop Damon from hurting Gramps or me. We were completely on our own. I pushed to sit up and wiped the vomit from my face.

  “So, Harley, how much cash is in that business account of yours?” Damon asked, squatting down to face me.

  “A hundred and fourteen thousand dollars.”

  “And you made this really fucking difficult, didn’t you? With your rich boyfriend trying to keep you from us. This is your fucking fault that it had to get this ugly.” He was so close to me, his spit splattered in my face and I squeezed my eyes and mouth closed. His fist hit my cheek and I tumbled back down to the floor. My hand resting in a pool of my own vomit. The brown cement floors were cold and filthy.

&n
bsp; “You’re not gonna get nothin’ from her if you keep beating her ass,” my mother said from across the room.

  Gramps whimpered in the chair above me. “Please. Please stop.”

  “What’s that, old man?” Damon shouted, and I forced myself to sit up again. If anyone was going to take a beating, it was going to be me. They’d kill Gramps if they did this to him. Damon walked across the room and lit a smoke.

  “Ah, you back for more, little girl?” He bent down and blew a puff of smoke in my face, and I didn’t react at all. I kept my expression perfectly still. I wasn’t going to give him any ammo.

  “Tell me what you want,” I said, forcing myself to look up at him. His green eyes were cold. Lifeless like my mother’s.

  “Give me your bank card. We’re going to empty that account.”

  “I don’t have a bank card. We ran out of the bakery, and I didn’t take my purse,” I said, trying to hide the tremble in my voice. I didn’t want him to know I was terrified. I reached up and put my hand back on Gramp’s hand and squeezed it.

  “You dumb bitch,” Damon wailed as he charged Sadie. He yanked her by the hair and threw her to the floor.

  “You didn’t tell me to get her purse,” she cried, covering her head with her hands.

  “Just have her transfer it,” the big guy from the car said. Obviously, he was the brains of the operation, because no one else had a clue what they were doing.

  “Get the laptop open, Val,” Damon instructed my mother. She took another drag and blew it in his direction.

  “What kind of genius plan is this? You got her the fuck away from the rich guy, and then you dropped the ball, just like always,” my mother spewed. Damon walked toward her, and they argued some more.

  I looked back at Gramps and it nearly broke me. Tears streaked down his sweet face, and I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything would be okay. But everything wouldn’t be okay. We had no way out of here. We were outnumbered. No one knew where we were, and they’d disposed of my phone.