Favorite Coffee, Favorite Sin (The Marshall Family Saga Book 3)

by Victoria Pinder

  "Thanks." She waved and without thinking she bounced closer to Brandon as she thought about Michael. The second she opened the door, the ocean breeze cologne that Chris wore filled her lungs. She coughed and then gazed right at him.

  For years she’d denied what her brother warned, and now she realized Chris had used her money because he'd rather steal from her than let his family know about his lifestyle. None of that should matter, but she kept her nose high and walked closer to her brother.

  As she neared Brandon, he told her, "Calliope, please take your voting placard from Chris. He thought he'd pick it up for you."

  Chris followed her and handed her a name card as he said, "You haven't come to meeting, ever."

  "I've changed." She took the paper and returned to her brother, who held out a seat for her. She nodded as she joined him. "Brandon."

  "How did you find out?" He pushed her chair in as Peter Morgan and his brother John walked into the room.

  "Peter told me." She ensured her skirt was smooth and scooted her chair toward the conference table. Outloud Chris had no right to hear that her brother called.

  Her brother placed a paper, a folder with Michael Marshall's name attached, and a pen in front of her. "Glad you're here."

  Peter Morgan placed his hand on the table the second he sat and started the meeting. "Now we're going to vote on funding Michael Marshall's investment firm according to the contract we drafted."

  Chris flipped open the folder and held up his hand. "There are things in this contract, we, as a board, would like to discuss."

  She flipped her folder open fast and glanced at the title. This was about the financial investment in Marshall investments. She met Brandon's gaze, took a breathe, and she raised her hand. Peter stared at her and she said, "I'd like to vote in favor of the contract, now."

  "Don't be hasty." Chris stated. "Business is best if we discuss it."

  She picked up the pen and clutched it while she then stared straight through her former fiancé. "Chris, your hesitation isn't about business and everyone here knows it."

  Chris leaned forward. "He did hit me at the party last night, Calliope."

  Her forehead heated and she felt it tick while a few of the people near Chris all dropped their heads, to avoid her gaze.

  No. She was done making excuses and letting Chris create a fiction where he was the victim. She leaned forward and her face felt hot. "You left me at the altar, impregnated two women, and then insulted me at the party. If anyone was out of line last night, it was you."

  The men near Chris glared at him.

  Brandon elbowed her and asked under his breath, "Two women?"

  With a nod, she simple said, "You missed quite a party Brandon."

  Chris crossed his arms and then unfolded them as he pointed toward the folder. "Calliope, your need for revenge against me doesn't fit with the paperwork."

  Her legs shook, and it was a good thing she wasn’t standing. Her brother’s presence was a comfort and his nearness helped her breathe easier as she said, "Chris, your jealousy has no place in a boardroom."

  Brandon then added, "I think we should call for a vote and approve the contract without any further discussion."

  She craned her neck and broke all eye contact with Chris as she asked, "Already?"

  He nodded and said under his breath, "Sis, you made your point."

  "I second the call." Peter said. He sat back in his chair and asked, "All those in favor of supporting Michael Marshall's company at the agreed upon structure, say aye."

  Most of the room made noise.

  Peter said, "All those in favor, say nay."

  Chris was the lone voice of dissension. She turned and glared at him while Peter wrote on a piece of paper. "The ayes have it."

  Brandon then added, "Second point, not on the minutes, but we should discuss restructuring the board and removing Chris Sommers from any position."

  What? She sat farther back in her seat.

  John Morgan, the guy next to Peter, cracked a smile as he said, "I second that."

  Chris said, "You would."

  The other men and women in the room all murmured. Peter said, "All those in favor..."

  "Aye." The room called out all at once.

  John Morgan stood and went to the door as Peter said, "It seems to be unanimous."

  John spoke to someone outside the door. "Security, please have Mr. Sommers removed."

  Calliope sat again as Chris stood with guards behind him to force him to leave. She recognized a few of the people in the room she, but she had no idea who most of them were, but she was happy to have their support. She paid half the attention she had before while the adrenaline in her veins pumped, but she listened enough to vote on the other concerns in the meeting.

  A half an hour later, the meeting was concluded. She put her pen down and as she stood, she straightened her skirt. Her brother shook hands with the Morgans, so she joined him and shook hands of the group as well. Peter Morgan said, "Thanks for coming."

  "No problem." She heard Michael's voice in her head that she should stay away. She blinked and shook his brother's hand.

  Her brother held open the door for her and she walked out with the crowd of others. While they made it to the elevator, she said, "Brandon, now that this is over, I should go home too."

  The elevator doors opened as he said, "First let's grab a coffee. I want to talk to you."

  Michael had said tonight. He'd absolutely hear about this meeting. She pressed her lips together and prayed he’d understand. The moment the doors opened, she followed her brother into the nearby coffee shop and ordered a cinnamon latte. As they grabbed their drinks and sat at a nearby table, she told her brother, "Okay, what?"

  He sipped his drink and stared at her for a second. Then he put it down and asked, "How involved with Michael are you?"

  She almost choked on her small sip. She swallowed and put her cup down. Then she stared at the lid as she kept her hands around the cup. "I love him. He loves me. I'm happy."

  "That's fast."

  She glanced up. Her brother had never interfered with her choices. She shrugged, picked up her cup and said, "But I'm sure. I denied my heart for years and settled for Chris. I don’t want to do that anymore."

  He reached out for her hand and then said, "It's your life so I'll stay out. However I do have to say I like him better, but I will kill him if he hurts you."

  She tilted her head. Her brother had the look of a heartbreaker. Perhaps he was too good-looking for his own good, but then again so had been their father. She sipped her latte and then said, "Brandon, one day you'll find someone special."

  He drank his black coffee and then placed the cup on the table. "What did you mean earlier when you said two women are pregnant?"

  Her brother and Eva ran in the same circles professionally. She hedged and then reminded herself she trusted him. She still lowered her gaze as she said, "Chris slept with Eva and she's having his baby too. He tried to let me think it was Michael's at the party."

  Her brother cracked his knuckles on the table. "I'm glad Michael hit him. If I had been there, I'd have helped him."

  Michael had done enough. She finished her latte, stood, hugged her brother and said, "Michael has been a rock in my life, much like you. One day I’ll support the lucky woman you bring home to be my sister-in-law."

  Now she had to convince Michael that he deserved to be trusted and that she had come to this meeting to help him.

  Chapter 15

  Calliope rushed to zip her white knee-length cotton dress for tonight's dinner. She wanted to look sweet and innocent for when Michael arrived. She finished as there was a knock on the door. She hadn't found her shoes yet, so she trampled to the front door in her bare feet. She froze as she saw the frown on Michael's face. Then her hand went to her chest and she opened the door wider to invite him in.

  He nodded and said, "Calliope."

  His frown expressed that he knew. Her heart went still, and pray
ed she could explain. As he passed her, she hoped she was wrong and pasted a smile on her face. "Michael, you're early."

  As she closed the door behind him, ice felt like it raced up her spine as he said, "I heard what you did today."

  Explain. Her face felt hot as she stared at his black leather shoes. "You heard Chris was there."

  He came closer. She didn't move, but she looked up as he said, "You said you weren't going to interfere."

  The promise had been made before she knew it had been Chris and her fault he might not get the deal he wanted. She reached out for Michael, but he stepped back. She hugged herself. "So you want to let Chris Sommers who hates you decide the fate of your future because you don't want me involved."

  He reached out for her hand as his eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

  With an intake of breath, she realized he hadn't known who opposed him on the board. "Chris was the one behind the possibility that you might not get the funding. I couldn't let that happen. I'd not let him ruin you because of me."

  He squeezed her hand and then pointed toward the couch as he said, "You're going too fast. Explain."

  With his hand on her elbow, he led her to sit. At least he wasn't so grim. She sat but held his hands as she said, "He told Brandon he'd stop your company's future because you slept with me."

  "Calliope..."

  She reached up and played with his jawline. "Michael, I love you and I can't let your company dreams gets ruined because of me. When Brandon called me and told me to join him, I ran over there."

  His face and entire body became stiff. She didn't move as she waited for whatever he'd say. Then his blue eyes became serious as he said, "My dreams are nothing without you, Calliope."

  Her fingers curled around his neck. "So you forgive me."

  Then he kissed her and she forgot everything else. She closed her eyes and felt like the sun and all its rays were inside her soul, ready to shine to the world. As he let her go, she wasn't ready to open and instead curled into his lap and shoulder.

  He pushed her hair out of her face and gently massaged her as he said, "I was thinking a lot about what you said this morning."

  She finally opened her eyes and met his gaze. "And?"

  He lowered his voice. "And you are right that the voice in my head that criticizes and makes me doubt myself is my father."

  Then she scooted off him, but turned to face him. "You are better than he let you believe."

  "I know. I spent my entire life proving him wrong and I don't want to lose you because I listened to his ghost tell me how I wasn't good enough."

  Wow. The wind that blew the palm trees in the distance. Michael’s shoulders were rigid, and she wished to comfort him. She reached out and pressed her hand on his shoulder. "You are good enough to do anything you want."

  Without a word he placed his hand on hers as she held him. He stared at her for countless seconds and she held herself together and waited. "Then I want you to marry me."

  Her heart raced. "What?"

  He squeezed her hands, but then stood. She sat on the couch as he said, "Look, I saw you in a wedding dress already, but I don’t believe in superstition about the groom seeing the bride in her gown. I want you to be mine, forever."

  Until now she hadn't pictured getting married, not even when she almost did. She couldn't move as she said, "Are you sure?"

  "Here." He dropped to one knee and pulled out a box.

  She pointed to it as he gazed up at her. "What's this?"

  "Patience." He winked and then he opened the box as he said, "This was my grandmother's ring. Before my mother died, she made me promise I'd only ask a woman I was sure loved me and that I wanted to build a life with. Calliope, I thought I lost you once. I won’t let that happen again. Will you marry me?"

  "Oh my goodness!" Ripples of excitement had shot through her but she had held still until he finished talking. This was exactly what she wanted and needed. She reached out and pulled him into her with a hug as she kissed his forehead and cheeks and lips.

  He kissed her, but then stopped as he asked, "What does that mean?"

  She blinked and saw he still held the ring. She let out a happy sigh and said, "Yes! Michael. I love you."

  "I love you too." He slipped the diamond ring on her finger. This time, she'd say yes and mean every syllable. As he kissed her, she knew this was her happy-ever-after.

  <<<<>>>>

  Please check out the entire series!

  The Marshall Family Saga

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Mistake

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Sin

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Scandal

  Favorite Crush Preview

  Jay Marshall pressed his lips together as he held the phone. His hands curled into a ball then straightened. He stared out his bay windows overlooking the ocean. Another beautiful day on the beaches of South Florida—not that he cared. Sunshine never filled him with joy. The humidity outside suffocated the spirit, but somehow, with this deal, he’d break free.

  “Yes, you’ll see I mean business, Mr. Danvers. My business plans are long-term.”

  Danvers sucked in his breath, as if he doubted the sincerity of Jay’s words, then told Jay, “And I’ll meet your girlfriend. It’s always telling with people from Miami. Flashy women and cars do not make for good investments on my end.”

  Jay gritted his teeth and tugged at his free ear, but kept the phone in the other. Miami advertised plastic women on the highway as a special brand. Flashy came with the area code. But instead of sharing that, he nodded and told the potential investor, “I understand. See you next week.”

  He hung up the phone and stared out the window. The brightness showed his reflection and his grim frown. Jay needed to win. His eyebrows squished together. He’d pay the price for success. He had no other choice.

  Jay’s mind raced to his technical girlfriend. Eva was the epitome of flashy, beautiful, and fake. She’d been a friend since high school, and two months ago, they had ended up dating. On paper the award-winning dramatic actress, his money, and their history should be a match. Yet he couldn’t imagine his entire life videotaped.

  If he walked away from her, there would be no regrets. His investors hoped he had a nice, sweet woman on the side. His cousin, Sandra, and her friend, Penny, flashed in his head before he dropped the thought.

  He pushed his hand on the glass window before he stepped back into the shadows of his office.

  Darkness didn’t suit him either. Nothing stirred inside him anymore, though he craved something. Anything other than boredom from the sticky heat of his life.

  He shook his head and poked his head out of his office. His secretary sat there typing. “Call Eva. Set up an appointment for us to talk today.”

  With the click of the doorknob, he rolled up his sleeves. He needed this deal to put his goals in line with his investment portfolio.

  His eyes narrowed in on the first words: long-term growth.

  “Long-term” read to his eyes like a rescue rope. He blinked. Life should be lived with long-term goals to reach. Freedom meant change.

  Today, he’d break up with Eva. He’d always hoped for a woman that tugged at his heartstrings. But hopes didn’t earn freedom. He’d prove to himself, and the others, that John Jay Marshall came out of the game of life on top.

  The Marshall Family Saga

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Mistake

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Sin

  Favorite Coffee, Favorite Scandal

  And don’t forget Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)

  Favorite Mistake Preview

  Sandra Marshall took off her white Prada sunglasses and assessed the brand-new ship. The cruise ship heading to the Bahamas on a four-day trip that doubled as her best friend and cousin's wedding facility seemed perfect. If she ever decided to get married, perhaps she should be like her co
usin, Jay, and her best friend, Penny, and choose a cruise ship too. Not that she had a boyfriend to worry about this, but her last name, Marshall, often landed her into needless talk. She turned and checked that the bags were being taken care of by the valets. If she lost the bride's wedding dress or any of the outfits, she'd lose their faith.

  Satisfied, Sandy breezed past the line of passengers to board, headed toward the VIP section, and handed over her passport. At least this trip gave her time to think about the buyout and merger of her name with the House of Morgan clothing line—not that she wanted to think about work this weekend. The buyout would leave her with too much free time and not much to fill her days with.

  Goosebumps grew on her arm as she stood waiting for the employee to check her in. A warmness grew inside her. She flipped her hair out of the way and saw that the person next to her at the counter with another employee was Wyatt Colburn. The little girl holding his hand and a small dog must be his daughter Charlotte. Not that she'd ever met his daughter officially. She held her breath and looked in her Versace pocketbook, like she had lost something inside.

  As her face felt hot, she shoved her sunglasses on to cover her face. Hopefully he didn't see her.

  Then the employee said, "Here is your passport, Miss Marshall. Please take off your sunglasses and look at the camera."

  Her skin felt jumpy as she fiddled with her sunglasses. "Fine."

  "Sandra."

  The gravel of his voice still thrilled her, even if she didn't want it to. When they were dating, he'd cheated on her and then married the woman. She clutched her glasses tighter and pasted on a huge smile. "Wyatt."

  A little girl with brown curls and brown eyes that matched her father's tugged on his arm. "Daddy, who's that?"

  "No one, sweetheart."

  Her face heated again as she turned and picked up her boarding pass from the counter. Her smile faltered as she said, "Thank you."