Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7)

by Crystal Perkins

  “I think so, too.”

  “Go take a nap and stop worrying. We’ll see if something happens at the castle, and we’ll all swoop in to save your prince.”

  “He’s not mine.”

  “Yes, he is. In every way that matters, that man is yours. No matter what happens in the future.”

  I feel the tears coming again, and I turn away. Jade moves over to my lounger, and hugs me as I cry for the man I love, but can never have. I know she understands, because she never thought she’d have Nate. Too bad I won’t get the happy ending they did or even just the happy right now that I was hoping for.

  * * *

  Brayden

  I had to get out of the palace. The walls were starting to close in on me. Noah offered to walk with me, but I told him I just need to be alone. That’s not true—what I need is to be with Darcy. We knew we didn’t have forever, but we were supposed to have this time until my coronation. Until everything fell apart.

  “Brayden,” I hear through the trees as I walk along the shore near Jen’s house.

  I turn to see Jade motioning me into the forest. I look around, and seeing no one near, I follow her inside. “What are you doing here” I ask her.

  “I saw you on the security feeds, and came out to get you.”

  “Security feeds? Are you staying at Jen’s house?”

  “Yes. We are.”

  “Darcy?”

  “She needs you.”

  “I need her too. Take me to her, please.”

  “That’s the plan. Just stick close to me in case we run into anyone.”

  I follow her to the side gate of Jen’s property. She uses some complicated hand, eye, and fingerprint combination to open it, and then we walk into the garden. Nate sees us, and immediately stands up. “What the fuck, Angel?”

  “She needs him, Soldier.”

  “You just show up here and think it’s okay? Who else knows you’re here” he asks me.

  “I was actually just walking on the beach when Jade found me, but you should know I can be trusted. I helped break you out of the dungeon, for fuck’s sake.”

  “You really didn’t know we were here?”

  “No. And my cousin’s going to get an earful when I see her again. Now can I please go to Darcy?”

  “This isn’t a good idea. She needs to get over you.”

  “I know. But I don’t think I’ll ever get over her, so I want to have as many memories as I can to hold onto.”

  Nate sighs with some understanding, “She’s in the second door to the right when you get to the top of the stairs.”

  “Thanks.”

  I practically run up the stairs, waving at the other people I see. I don’t stop to look, but I’m sure they’re shocked to see me. No one expected me to be here. I didn’t expect to see them, either, but I’m not complaining. Not when the woman I love is only a few feet away.

  I don’t even bother knocking, I just walk into the room. Darcy sits straight up in bed and her eyes go wide when she sees me. “Crown?”

  “Hi, Cat,” I say as I climb onto the bed and kiss her.

  She kisses me back, running her fingers through my hair in the way that makes me a little crazy. I run my hands up and down her sides, wanting to take her tits in my hands, but also wanting to show her that I’m not just here for sex. When she pulls on my hair, and arches her back, I give in to my desire, and palm them as I squeeze her nipples between my fingers.

  She pulls away first, and I follow her mouth with mine, getting a few more kisses in, before she pushes me back. “What? How?”

  “I was walking on the beach, and Jade spotted me. She said you needed me, and I told her I need you, too.” I look down next to her and smile. “You’re sleeping with your sloth and iguana?”

  “Yes,” she says shyly, which is adorable since my girl’s not normally shy at all. “You need me?”

  “I do.”

  “How long do we have?”

  “Not long,” I admit. “Maybe a couple of hours.”

  “We’ll have to make the most of it,” she says, reaching for the bottom of my shirt.

  “I didn’t come here for sex.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “Well, not only for sex. You’re more than that.”

  “I know, but thank you for saying it again.”

  “I’ve missed you so damn much.”

  “Ditto.”

  “I’ve been worried about you.”

  “I heard you helped my friends escape.”

  “I did. It was pretty fun.”

  “Fun?” she asks with a laugh. “I’ve never heard a prison break described as fun.”

  “Well, it was.”

  “God, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Can you make love to me now?”

  “I don’t know. Can I?” I ask, looking down at my cock, which is at full attention. “Hmm, I guess I can.”

  “The people of this island should be worried. I mean, who has to ask their cock if they’re ready to get it on?”

  “The future king, that’s who,” I tell her. I love it when she teases me.

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  Kissing leads to clothes disappearing, which then leads to some great making out, before the main event begins. I take it slow, and we look into each other’s eyes as I move in and out of her. Once we’ve cuddled and I’ve recovered, I pull her to her knees and enter her from behind. We both love it this way, but I wanted to have one sweet time before I fucked her hard.

  I push her head down so I can angle her up a little more. I want to go as deep as I can, hitting the spot that will make her go crazy. She’s clutching the sheets in her hands as I reach one hand between us to play with her clit, while my other holds her hip as I thrust into her rough and dirty.

  “Come on, Cat. Come for me.”

  “Bray.”

  “That’s it. I feel you. You’re soaking me. Now squeeze my cock and make us both come hard.”

  She does as I ask, milking my cock as I pinch her clit. We both go over at the same time, and I have no clue what either of us say in that moment of release. I’m too busy trying to stay conscious as stars explode behind my eyes. How the hell am I supposed to give this—her—up?

  I clean us both up, and then hold her for the next half hour while we talk. We don’t discuss jewels, or kingdoms, or secret societies of spies. We whisper words of love to each other, and right here, lying in this bed, I make myself believe that there’s a chance for us. That I can change my future, and love her for the rest of my life. I know it’s just a dream, but maybe, just maybe, I can be strong enough to make it our reality.

  Chapter 16

  Darcy

  It’s been a couple of days since Brayden came to me in my room. I keep hoping that he’ll come back again, but he hasn’t. I know it’s not because he doesn’t want to; I understand he needs to stay away right now. I sensed the shift in him that day when we were talking. He was considering forever for us, and that scared him. We’ve never believed in forever, because it would either have to come from a hard fought battle, or by him giving up his kingdom. Both would be at great cost to his country, and neither one of us wanted to force the people to pay for our love.

  Now that he’s thinking about it, I know it’s tearing him up inside. I wish he would come see me, so I could tell him that it’s okay. That we can take forever back off the table. But he hasn’t, and I don’t think he will until he makes his decision. It’s one that I know has to be his alone, even though it will affect us both. He’s not keeping me out of it because he thinks I shouldn’t have a voice. He’s doing it to spare me the burden of the decision, and to spare us both from having him resent me for making him choose.

  “Darcy,” Reina yells, breaking me from my thoughts as I’m once again staring out at the ocean. “Get in here. You have to see this.”

  I jump up from my chair and run inside. “What is it?”

  “Derrick has taken over
the castle. His guards overpowered the ones who are loyal to Brayden. They’re holding all of the royal family except for Jenysis in the throne room.”

  “Where’s Jen?” I ask, afraid that I already know the answer.

  “He has her in the ballroom with him and Angelo.”

  “Dammit, no.”

  “I was able to look at the old Society files before I was locked out. He was the one who was stalking her, and trying to get Steven to give her to him in marriage. When she was thirteen.”

  “Wait, what? She never said anything. Why didn’t she say anything?” Stella asks.

  “She didn’t know. All she knew was that a man wanted her, and her family had to move. Her mother didn’t like living as an exiled royal, so she divorced Steven and found herself a country lord,” Reina explains to everyone.

  “This is it. This is the move he’s making to get Brayden and Steven to give up the kingdom. It’s also his way of getting the jewels from me.”

  “We can’t let that happen. Any of it,” Reina says.

  “No, we can’t.”

  We spend the next hour mapping out our plan of attack. Matt and the Storyside guys are still on the inside. Ainsley calls Scott to have him help her and Aiden communicate with them. Once they’re pinpointed in their rooms, we securely Skype with them. Reina refuses to be in the room with Matt, so the rest of explain the plan to him. When we get to the other guys, Wayne insists on going in first. I knew he liked, Jen, but I didn’t know he really liked her. Maybe she’ll finally give him a chance after this.

  We want to talk to Brayden, Noah, and Steven, too, but the royal family has guards inside the room as well as out, so we can’t communicate anything to them. We just have to hope that they’ll be safe until my friends can get inside. Because I’m also a target, I won’t be storming the castle with everyone else. It kills me to stay behind, but I know it’s necessary.

  I wish them all luck, and thank them again for supporting me and going to save the man I love and his family. They’re also going in for the mentors; although none of us know if they’ll actually appreciate it at this point. I watch them go, and then start to get ready myself. No matter what happens tonight, I’ll have to make an appearance. I just hope it’s for the outcome I’ve been praying for, and not the one that will destroy us all.

  * * *

  Brayden

  I can’t believe this is happening. I knew Derrick was power hungry, but I never thought he’d go to such lengths in order to be king. I also didn’t know he was Jen’s stalker all those years ago, and I’m more than a little pissed off about Steven and my mother keeping that piece of information from all of us. If they’d told us, maybe we wouldn’t be huddled in a corner of the throne room, trying to have a conversation without the guards hearing.

  “How could you bring her back here knowing he was here, and how powerful he’d become?” I ask my uncle.

  “I thought he was more interested in the crown than in her, to be honest. It’s been ten years. We’ve been back for visits, and he’s never shown an interest in her.”

  “You still shouldn’t have risked her.”

  “Or you should’ve at least told us so we could protect her,” Noah says.

  “You’re right. I should have. I honestly didn’t realize that he’d bought so much loyalty with his promises. Or that they’d all fall for his lies. I mean, how many people could he realistically have as part of his inner circle? Certainly not all of the guards who are blindly following him.”

  “We’ve treated them well. Paid them well. I don’t understand this betrayal,” my mother says.

  “Those that are left alive can try to explain it to us when this is all over,” my uncle tells her.

  “You really think we’ll make it out of this?” Noah asks him.

  “Oh yes. The Society girls gone rogue will come for us.”

  “If they’re even here.”

  “They’re here. Jen gave them her house to stay in,” I tell him.

  “And you know this how?”

  “Jade found me walking along the beach a few days ago, and took me to Darcy.”

  “You keep saying you’re going to stay away from her, and then you’re back with her again.”

  “Why does it matter so much to you? You said you’re not interested her.”

  “I’m definitely not,” he says, scrunching up his face like the thought disgusts him.

  “Enough of the bickering. All we need to worry about is being ready when they come to save us. Which they will,” Steven says.

  “They’ll go for Jen first, which will hopefully force Derrick and Angelo to seek safety in here with the rest of their guards.”

  “And then we’ll take them out,” Noah says.

  “How?” I ask.

  He nods to the swords on the wall. “With those.”

  I smile at him. “This is going to be fun.”

  “Not for you, Brayden. We can’t risk you, and besides, Noah and I are better with swords,” my uncle reminds me.

  I don’t like it, but I know he’s right. “Fine, but if one of you gets into trouble, I’m stepping in. With something. I don’t know what, but I’ll help.”

  “Only if it’s absolutely necessary. I mean it, Brayden. This country needs you alive.”

  “And I need the two of you alive. I won’t back down if you need me.”

  “Your father would be proud,” my uncle tells me, and I swear that his eyes are shining with tears.

  “I hope so.”

  * * *

  Jenysis

  I’m in a room with a madman. Well, actually two madmen since I don’t think Angelo’s all there, either. I can’t believe that Derrick was my stalker, and no one told me. Dear old dad has some major explaining to do. If we both make it out of this alive.

  “You will be such a beautiful bride, Jenysis. You should’ve been mine all those years ago, but we’ll make up for lost time.”

  “You’ll have to kill me first.”

  “I’ll hold her down for you, Derrick. It’ll be fun.”

  “You can both get stuffed.”

  “I think I might be glad that I’ve had to wait. I like this fiery side of you. It’ll be fun to tame it.”

  “A real life Taming of the Shrew,” Angelo says with that crazy smile of his.

  What a sad arse. “You realize how stupid you both sound, right? I mean I can’t be alone in wondering how you’ve made it so long in this world by being so chav.”

  I should’ve expected the slap, but I didn’t. My head whips to the side, and I can taste blood in my mouth. “I said I like your fire, but there’s a limit to my patience. Even for someone as luscious as you, my dear. You will learn to mind yourself with me.”

  “You’ve completely lost the plot if you think that’s ever going to happen.”

  He raises his hand again, and I force myself to not flinch back from him. Before he can hit me again, the door bursts open, and a drunken Wayne is there before us.

  “Hey, man. Is the party in here, or did I miss it? Maybe I had my own party. I can’t remember.”

  “Get out.”

  “I’m a guest. You can’t kick me out. Especially since there’s only like eighteen of you in here. I mean, that’s not too many for a party. You could add one more.”

  “I’m not going to ask you again.”

  “You won’t have to,” Wayne says with a smirk, standing to his full height. I realize now that he’s not drunk and probably never was. He came for in here for me.

  Before I can fully process how that thought makes my heart skip a beat, the windows crash open, and the rogue Society members flood the room, along with Nate, Aiden, and Jake. Wayne pulls me to the wall and stands in front of me. “I’ve got you, Jeny,” he says, pulling a gun out of his waistband. “Just stay behind me.”

  I want to tell him that I’m not Jeny to anyone, but I’m too busy watching his friends easily overpower the guards. Derrick and Angelo run out of the room when they see that it’s n
ot going to go in their favor. I push Wayne out of the way, and start to go after them.

  “Whoa,” he says, grabbing my arm.

  “Let me go. I need to go after them. They’re going for my family. I know it.”

  “That’s my guess, too,” Reina says, coming up to us. “Ladies, let’s go.”

  The men are checking the bodies on the floor, but all of the women follow as Reina leads us to the throne room. The door is open and I hear the clang of swords as we get closer. If those two men hurt my family, I’ll kill them myself.

  * * *

  Brayden

  Derrick and Angelo burst into the room, and I know that the women are here now. They stop short when they see Steven and Noah with swords in their hands. Derrick gets a sadistic smile on his face.

  “You two want to play? We’ll play with you. And then we’ll kill Brayden. All of your efforts will be for nothing.”

  “We’ll see,” my uncle tells him.

  The two men take swords from the guards and then the fights begin. They’re pretty evenly matched, and I’m a little scared for my uncle and best friend. As their swords clang, the room starts to fill up. Reina leads the group of women, who readily dispose of the guards inside of the room. Shortly after, the guards who had been imprisoned because of their loyalty to us, stream in to drag the others out. Jen comes in with Wayne, and then the Society leaders along with Matt, Jessica, Alex, and Miles enter. Jessica and Alex join Reina, while the men stay with their grandmother and her friends.

  Derrick makes the mistake of looking around and getting distracted, giving my uncle the opening he needs to plunge his sword into his stomach. It’s gruesome to watch, but I know it needs to be done. I force myself to keep looking as he pulls the sword out and slices it across Derrick’s throat. Angelo shouts out a curse, turning towards his friend. Noah stabs him straight through his throat, and I gag a little. I knew Noah was tough, but that…that was brutal. I know he had it coming, but still.

  “It’s over,” Steven says, dropping his sword as the bodies are carried away. “It is finally over.”

  Chapter 17

  Brayden

  “Is it? Is it really over?”