by Blue Saffire
“Was that him,” Pam sniffled. Uri had stepped out to take a call. She had put together in her head that Nate had known Uri before that day she introduced them. There was so much she had just let slide without a thought.
“Yes, he is concerned about his family. I cannot fault him for that,” Uri said gently.
“I’m sorry about this. I know you have a life of your own,” Pam wiped at her tears. “I just didn’t know where else to go.”
“You did the right thing in calling me. We will get those little beauties to sleep and then we will talk. Although I have a feeling they are fussing because they miss their papa as much as I think their mama does,” Uri said with a lifted brow.
“I’m sure they are missing their bedtime story,” Pam said sadly. “Uri, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I can’t go back now.”
“One day at a time, Pamela,” Uri reassured her. “We will take it one day at a time. For now you and the girls can have this place.”
“Oh,” Pam gasped. “Uri, I can’t let you do that.”
“You can and you will,” Uri waved her off.
“Uri, you are one of the kindest men I know. Some woman will be so lucky to have you,” Pam gave him a small smile.
Uri snorted. “You women are too much work,” he chuckled.
“Oh, well you say that as if you have already found one,” Pam now felt excitement for her friend.
“Don’t get too excited. It is even more complicated than your situation with Nate,” Uri shook his head. Pam could see the sparkle in his blue eyes as his thoughts drifted.
“Well she must be special to have captured the heart of a man like you. I know for a fact not everyone knows the Uri I know,” Pam mused with warmth in her voice.
“She knows not this side either,” Uri said in a conspiratorial whisper.
Pam found herself laughing for the first time since her world started falling apart. She didn’t know what it was about her that softened this man, but she was grateful to have his friendship. Uri picked up a whimpering Tiffany and started to sing to her in Italian.
Pam thought again that this woman that had captured his heart was a lucky woman. Pam shook her head as Tiffany cooed up at Uri as if she could sing along with him.
Chapter Twenty Three
“I don’t think we should get involved,” Marcus pressed his lips as his rested on his back with Hannah lying on his bare chest. Daniel was right beside him bouncing at his hip.
He placed a hand on his son’s back as he got more excited. It felt good to have his little family home together. Now if he could keep his wife from meddling in her brother’s love life that would be great.
“Come on Babe, they’re miserable. You haven’t seen her, but you see Nate,” Rita huffed.
“Yeah Baby, I know but getting in the middle isn’t going to help anything,” Marcus frowned.
“All I’m saying is that I think we should throw a party to celebrate your partnership and invite the family over. She’ll come and we can finally get them in the same place. It’s been two months. Nate is dying, Babe,” Rita pleaded.
“Meddling never helps, look at how far it got us,” Marcus reasoned. “What you should be worried about is the fact that Marie still won’t speak to you. How are we going to fix that?”
Rita waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “I’m not worried about that because there is nothing to worry about. Marie will get over it. I have put my life on the line for her repeatedly. If she wasn’t so stubborn we wouldn’t have had to lie in the first place.”
“Try explaining that to her,” Marcus grumbled.
“All the more reason to throw this party, Pam and Marie need to be around family,” Rita insisted.
“Rita,” Marcus groaned.
Rita climbed on the bed pulling Daniel into her arms and tickling him. He burst into giggles and she rained kisses all over his face, his little grey eyes sparkled with joy as he cupped his mommy’s cheek. Rita cradled him to her chest and leaned onto her husband chest next to her sleeping daughter. Planting a kiss on Hannah’s head she looked up at Marcus. Sliding one hand across his abs she gave him a seductive smile.
“You know if you do this for me I will make it worth your while,” Rita purred and licked her lips.
Marcus’s breath caught in his chest and he shuttered. He loved this woman so much and she did ridiculous things to him. Just the thought of what she was implying was turning him on. He looked between Daniel and Hannah wondering how fast he could get the two in bed and get back to his wife.
Marcus sat up cradling Hannah with one arm and holding out the other for Daniel. “Come on Son, let’s give Mommy a chance to get ready for Daddy,” Marcus cooed at his son.
He knew they had at least two more hours before Hannah woke again. Daniel would be easy to put down once in his room. Marcus wasted no time getting the kids in their rooms and returning to his bedroom in search of his wife and her siren call.
When he entered the room Rita was in the middle of the bed with a pair of cuffs dangling from her fingers. Another pair already bonded one arm to the headboard of the bed. Marcus licked his lips as he looked at his wife who didn’t have a stitch of clothing on.
Her breasts looked so full and heavy. With her legs slightly bent and parted he could see her prized jewel glistening with her sweet juices. She was a breathtaking sight to behold.
“I figured if I give you free reign over my body you would be willing to let me help the people we love,” Rita purred with a sly smile on her lips, lips that she painted a bright glossy red while he was gone.
“Are you sure you want to play this game,” Marcus rasped with a sexy smile on his lips. “It’s been a while. I can’t be held responsible for the beast you unleash within.”
“Oh that is what I am counting on. Show me what you got Baby,” Rita said with a raised brow.
Marcus let a growl rip from his lips as he tore off his slacks and moved to climb onto the bed. In one swift motion he flipped her over before cuffing her free hand to the bed. Rita wiggled in anticipation and scooted up onto her knees.
Marcus groaned at the sight of her full ass on display before him. She was already dripping wet. “Spread wide for me,” Marcus rasped with uncontained lust.
Every time he thought he couldn’t love this woman more she showed him how wrong he was. Grabbing her hips he pushed his way inside her warm heat and almost came on the spot. A loud groan rolled from his lips.
“Oh Marcus, Babe I’ve missed you,” Rita moaned.
“I’ve missed you too,” Marcus grunted.
Gripping her hips he lifted her up as he switched angles to thrust upward into her, hitting her clit and her g-spot with each thrust. It had been too long for soft and gentle this time. He was giving it to her long, deep, and hard. He was going to get them both there quickly.
He bent over her body wrapping a hand around her neck and pulled her back for a hot wet kiss. Her tongue plunging in his mouth was a trigger that set him off and over the edge. When his hot seed filled her, Rita’s orgasm consumed her sending her to join him in bliss.
Rita had what she wanted the moment she asked, but Marcus spent the rest of the night having the icing on his cake. He only uncuffed her for feedings and diaper changes.
Chapter Twenty Four
“So are you going to Rita and Marcus’s celebration,” Paige asked pointedly.
“I don’t know yet. Rita asked me to stay with them for the weekend since it’s the dinner for Marcus’s promotion and the birthday party for Daniel the next day,” Pam shrugged.
“Well no matter what is going on with you and Nate we are all still your family. This is a great time for Marcus and Rita. You should be there for them,” Paige urged.
“I had lunch with Rita twice this week and we have play dates coming up. She knows I fully support her and her man,” Pam huffed. “You think I don’t know you all are just trying to shove me in a room with Nate?”
“Well, you have more than a week to
make up your mind. I won’t say another word,” Paige conceded.
“A week and four days,” Pam muttered.
“What?” Paige frowned just barely hearing her.
“Nothing,” Pam grumbled. She was more than aware of when the celebration was. She had been counting the days down. Nate was wearing her down with the flowers and the sweetest messages on her voicemail and in text messages.
Only reason she held out this long was because she didn’t want to make this decision from her emotions and lately she was nothing but emotional. Uri had given her a stern talking to a few times over the phone. She knew her friend was in New York, but he was preoccupied with something and told her it was safer if he didn’t come to visit often.
She was getting lonely with just her and the girls. Rita and Paige spent a lot of time with her when they could, but most times they spent the time trying to talk her into going back home.
Home, she knew that wherever Nate was, was home. She was just in her feelings, but Nate was proving more and more he was no Luca. He could have easily come and forced her to come home, but instead he continued to just show why she belonged with him.
First the flowers started. Then there were the journals. He had taken the first month to write her journals about his life.
He started with when he was younger and his parents started to train him for the family business. His mother sounded like she was an amazing woman. He wrote about how his mother told him the story of finding out what his father really did for a living and who he would expect her to raise his children to be.
Thomas and Raquel’s love story was amazing. His mother seemed to have been a strong woman that wanted to support her man. It touched Pam in so many ways, making her think of what Nate would need from her.
Pam was in awe of the fact that both Rita and Nate spoke over seven languages and had a wealth of culture and training to fit into any assignment. Although it was a given that they both would serve a Mairettie they were trained to work for and with anyone.
She was in tears as she read about what it was like for Nate when he lost his mother. The pain in his words was unmistakable. The night she read that part she had held her own girls and sobbed for the pain the man she loved went through.
Next he told her about being Bobby’s personal body guard. How they had formed a bond that was deeper than blood brothers. They had each other’s backs and would do anything for each other.
Bobby looked after Nate as much as Nate looked after Bobby. For Nate it made his job that much more worth it. Pam felt she knew Nate in ways she hadn’t before and she had fallen in love with him all over again through his journals. Then there was the last of Nate’s confessions.
The one where he told her how much he loved her and all about the future he wanted to build with her and their children. Once again she was in tears to see this strong man pour out his heart so willingly.
I know I hurt you. This journal has been as much for you as it has been for me. I think I needed to reflect over my life to see where I went wrong and how to fix it. I learned a lot about myself, but most of all I learned that I am absolutely nothing without you.
For years I have been living without breathing, and then one day I heard a laugh that called to me and as I stepped out on that deck I found my life. Just one touch and I was so confused because I had never responded to Paige that way. But when I figured out you were not Paige I knew I found the one.
For a year and seven months I have spent every day falling in love with you more and more. Even now as you and my daughters are away from me I fall for you more because you are taking care of my girls even as your heart is bleeding. I know your heart has to be bleeding because mine is ripped into pieces.
Things weren’t supposed to be this way. I saw this all happening differently. Right now I thought you would be planning our wedding and calling in designers to redecorate our wing of the mansion. Instead, I lay awake at night trying to figure out how to get my life back, my heart.
I miss your smile, your laugh, I miss the way you sing to our girls as they giggle and coo at you. I can’t believe that they will be one soon. Yet because I didn’t trust you with my truth I am missing out on their precious moments.
My greatest fear is that you won’t even read this, because one of the things I love most about you is that you are stubborn. However, if your curiosity wins out I hope you have learned that I love you with everything I am and if I have to choose between you and everything I have ever known you will be my choice every time.
Come to me, Baby. Because this time, you have my word. As you asked, I will give you your space.
After reading that what was she supposed to do? This was why when Thomas summoned Pam she agreed to meet with him. She wasn’t about to tell her sister about it.
She was nervous and wasn’t sure what the older man would say but she had a feeling he had every intention of making sure she returned home. Her time was just about up. So yeah, she knew she had a week and four days until the celebration dinner. Just like she knew she had two hours and forty three minutes until a meeting that would change her life.
Chapter Twenty Five
Pam walked into the mansion of the Briggs compound with her stomach in knots. She hadn’t been here since the day of the kidnapping. Her nerves were jumpy as she faintly smelled Nate’s cologne in the entry way. Thomas had promised her that Nate wouldn’t be there.
That knowledge didn’t stop her mouth from watering or her heart from racing at the potential that he was still there. Pam pushed her feelings aside as she entered the family room with both girls on her hips.
“There’s my girls,” Thomas crooned as they entered the room.
To Pam’s surprise James and Uncle Earl were also seated with Thomas. Pam didn’t know why but it made her even more nervous to have her sister’s father in law and Nate’s uncle there as well. They were both smiling warmly at her.
“Hey Pam,” Marie chirped from behind her. Pam turned and gave her a big smile.
“Hey honey, how are you?” Pam asked knowing Marie has been warring with her own feelings about the things that came out during the kidnapping.
“I’m great. I thought I’d take the girls for a walk while you guys talk,” Marie offered already reaching for Tiffany.
“Oh, okay,” Pam responded. She had mixed feelings on letting the girls go. She didn’t want to let go of the comfort they brought her in that moment. She also wanted to know where they were in case she needed to make a break for it.
“No worries, Pam. I won’t go too far,” Marie chimed as if reading Pam’s mind.
James walked over to hug Pam. “How are you dear you look lovely as always,” James said with warm approval.
“I am well. Thanks James, it’s good to see you,” Pam responded politely.
Pam wiped her sweaty palms on her teal maxi dress. James clasped one of her hands. “Oh dear, we are not going to bite,” James’ booming voice chuckled.
“But we won’t beat around the bush either,” Thomas said with authority in his voice.
Pam turned her attention to her daughters’ grandfather. She didn’t see how she had missed it before. Thomas was a man of authority and calculation. He moved like a man used to securing everyone’s safety.
For a man in his early sixties Thomas Briggs was built like a tank. He stood at six feet two and still looked young for his age. If not for the fine lines around his hazel – green eyes and the sprinkling of greying hair around the temples of his sandy blonde hair she would have thought him much younger.
His tanned skin set off his hazel – green eyes that had a youthful gleam and spoke to his Greek and Italian heritage. A pang of pain shot through Pam’s heart at the sight of him. His eyes, hair and tanned skin were where the contrasts between he and Nate ended.
If you put the chocolate Briggs next two this vanilla version there would be no doubting the relation. Nate was a spitting image of his dad’s features. They had the same sharp nose and solid jaw,
identical full lips and the same chiseled, broad frame. Pam drew in a breath at the undeniably strong genes in the Briggs family.
She could see it in her little girls. While Tiffany had her aunt’s bright green eyes, Tracey had the same hazel – green eyes as her grandfather. Tiffany’s hair while growing wild and wavy, had taken after her grandfather’s sandy blonde hair color. Tracey on the other hand had taken completely after her auntie with strawberry blonde curly locks.
Pam often wondered if she had anything to do with either of her daughters. If it weren’t for carrying them in her own belly she would think not. Nate tried to tell her that they had her mouth and ears but she wasn’t convinced.
“Have a seat Pamela,” Thomas smiled to soften the command and it floored her. It was the smile that plagues her dreams just a lighter, older version.
Pam nodded dumbly and took the seat next to Thomas. James immediately sat to her right, once again clasping her hand. Pam looked between the three faces now looking back at her.
“Pamela, I’ve liked you from the moment I met you. You bring your fire to the mix adding a smile to everyone around you, especially my boy. I think it is important for you to know that Nate has pretty much been programed to protect those close to him.
“Every decision he makes effects several people at once. I know it was never his intention to hurt you. He and I have had several candid conversations. I agree he should have informed you of the tampering with your contraception much sooner,” Thomas paused giving her a knowing look.
Pam’s cheeks flushed hot. Sure she and Nate had had sex under this man’s very roof but they lived in two separate wings. Something about him knowing something so intimate embarrassed her.
As if reading Pam’s thoughts James spoke up. “Oh Pamela, we are all old and have been around the block. None of my boys are innocent. Not even Nathaniel whom I consider to be my own,” James said with a friendly bark of laughter.
“My old friend is right, there is no need to be embarrassed. Now I could tell you a story or two that Nate should be embarrassed about,” Uncle Earl teased in his raspy voice.