Unforgettable: The Complete Series (A Sexy Cinderella Standalone Love Story)

by Nelle L'Amour

  “Give it up, Donatelli!” yells Pete, aiming his gun.

  “Fuck you!” In the blink of an eye, the fucking bastard does the unthinkable. He fires his gun. The explosive bang echoes in my ears.

  “Pops!” screams out Zoey.

  Fuck. Pete is down. It’s just me now. In the near distance, sirens roar.

  “Put the gun down,” the fucker yells at me.

  “Let her go first.”

  “Maybe you don’t understand English. Drop the fucking gun.”

  He presses the barrel of his gun against Zoey’s temple. Her desperate eyes meet mine. I have no choice. I let the gun fall from my hand.

  “Let go of her now!” I say authoritatively.

  He snickers. “Are you out of your fucking mind? I’m going to take your car and her with me. One move and she’s dog meat.”

  Fuck. He played me. I think hard about scooping up the Magnum, but think twice. He’ll either shoot Zoey or shoot me. Or take us both out.

  The tension in the air is as thick as fog. My eyes don’t blink as the bastard takes his first step toward Pete’s vehicle, gripping a terrified Zoey by her neck. A loud growl sounds in my ear. My attention is diverted. It’s Gucci! Flying out the window of Donatelli’s smoking car, he makes a beeline for the bastard. Go, Superdog!

  “Ow!” yelps Donatelli as Gucci attacks him, biting his ankle like a rabid pit-bull. The dog’s relentless. Growling, his razor-sharp teeth stay locked on him even as the gun-wielding bastard attempts to kick him off. Go, Gucci! I fucking love this ten thousand dollar mutt.

  “Get this fucking dog off me!”

  As a cursing Donatelli tries to fend off Gucci, Zoey breaks loose.

  “Run, Zoey, run!” I shout out as I hastily scoop up my gun.

  Zoey takes off like the wind, but Donatelli pivots toward her and aims his weapon. He fires. He misses. Zoey trips in her heels. Shit! He’s about to take another shot.

  Holding my Magnum steady in both hands, I aim it at him and pull the trigger back.

  “You motherfucker!”

  He turns and I fire. Boom! The deafening gunshot reverberates in my head as I watch the motherfucker go down. Holy shit! I got him! I’m a fucking real-life action hero. Sliding the gun under the waistband of my tux pants, I lunge over to Zoey, who’s sprawled on the ground.

  “You okay, baby?” I ask as I scoop her up into my arms. Sobbing, she clutches me the way a child does a parent, folding her arms around my neck and her legs around my hips. Her head presses against my pounding heart. Nodding, she whispers my name through her tears.

  “Oh, Brandon.” Her words are like prayer. I tenderly brush my hand through her silky hair.

  “It’s over now, Zo. The bastard’s dead. I nailed him right between the eyes.”

  “No, it’s not, you cocksucker.” A familiar rasp captures my attention. Shit! It’s Donatelli, staggering to his feet, dripping with blood, his gun in his hand. Zoey screams.

  “Don’t look, baby!” With Zoey burying her face against my chest, I yank out my Magnum and aim it at the bastard. One of us is going to die, but it’s not going to be me or my baby.

  “You fucker,” croaks Donatelli, fumbling for the trigger.

  “No, you fucker.” I fire once and hit him in the chest. “That’s for killing her mother.” I fire again, getting him in the gut. “That’s for killing my parents.” I fire a third time, hitting him smack in the balls. “That’s for taking my girl…and this is for calling me a cocksucker.” I shoot him one final time in the nut sack for good measure. My lips snarl. “Get it. Got it? Good.”

  The gun falls out his hand as he collapses back onto the ground. Lying in a pool of blood, he’s dead for sure. My focus stays on the bullet hole between his wide open eyes. Bastard! Fucking bastard! I hope he can still see me from the fiery depths of hell.

  Tossing my weapon, I tenderly kiss the top of Zoey’s scalp. “Baby, it’s really over now.”

  She slowly lifts her head and her misty eyes meet mine. “What about Pops?”

  “Yeah. What about me, babycakes?”

  Zoey gasps. Her tears of grief give way to tears of joy. “Pops! You’re okay!”

  A little disheveled, Pete staggers our way. He kisses Zoey on the cheek and then meets my gaze. “Tell Kurt Kussler that he should always wear a bullet-proof vest.”

  He rips open his trench coat to reveal his. It’s a little shredded. I laugh. “I will. He’ll appreciate the tip.”

  A warm smile spreads on his face. “Thank you for saving my little girl.”

  I feel myself blushing. It feels totally amazing to be a real-life action hero.

  A big grin flashes on Zoey’s face as she casts her eyes down. “He was wearing his lucky cufflinks.”

  Lucky indeed. On my next heartbeat, Zoey’s delicious lips are on mine. I deepen the kiss with my tongue, cherishing the taste of her. The scent of her. The feel of her. And every bit of her in my arms.

  Gucci’s barking breaks us apart. While a beaming Pete excuses himself to join the myriad of cops who have arrived on the scene, Gucci’s persistent barking grows louder. Zoey ruffles my hair and laughs. “I think he’s jealous.”

  “The Gooch is going to have to learn to live with the two of us.”

  Zoey holds me in her twinkling big brown eyes. “Brandon Taylor, what exactly do you mean?”

  “Well, with Katrina likely going to serve some prison time, this little rascal’s all mine now. I hope you’re okay with that.”

  “Mr. Taylor, what else are you trying to tell me?”

  “There’s a wedding in progress at The Four Seasons. If I recall, you promised you’d be there for me.”

  “I’m sorry. Does showing up a little late count?”

  “No excuses. Would you like to attend the rest of it with me?”

  Her eyes grow wide as my words sink in. I can feel her heart rapidly beating against mine. Her kissable mouth drops open. There’s no need to tell her that I was never going to say yes to Katrina. After my confrontation with Scott last night, I decided to spurn her on national TV. The consequences didn’t matter to me. What mattered was marrying the right girl. Like my wise, beautiful mentor Bella said: To act with my heart…and land my dream. A stammer cuts into my thoughts.

  “B-Brandon, are you asking me to marry you?”

  “Yeah. That’s what I’m trying to do. Well…?”

  “Is this how Kurt’s going to propose to Mel?”

  I roll my eyes; she’s killing me. “I don’t know. I haven’t written the episode yet.”

  She laughs. “I think it would work out perfectly.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She cradles my head in her hands. Another passionate, all-consuming kiss is the only answer I need.

  Chapter 20

  Zoey

  Brandon borrows Pops’s car. I must say I totally enjoy seeing Mr. Lamborghini behind the wheel of his beat-up Chevy. The truth is Brandon looks good in any car. I can’t take my eyes off him as today’s insane events whirl around in my head. Brandon once said he’d kill for me and he did. At last Donatelli is dead. It’s hard to believe. And it’s even harder to believe we’re getting married. I should pinch myself, but if this is a dream, I never want it to end.

  “Brandon, can we make a stop in Beverly Hills before we head over to The Four Seasons?”

  He turns to look at me and his violet eyes burn a hole right through me. A dazzling smile curls on his lips. “Only if we make it quick. Hold on.”

  On my next breath, we’re racing up Doheny toward Wilshire Boulevard, the police siren blasting.

  I’ve always put down Pop’s old Chevy, but now know it has its benefits.

  My real-life action hero is in seventh heaven. “Man, this is more fun than being Kurt Kussler. Do you think your father will let me borrow his car after we’re married? It’s the bomb!”

  “Maybe,” I say. “Everything’s negotiable.” I wink at him. “And who knows, it could be a wedding present.”

/>   My husband-to-be shoots me a hopeful, loving look.

  “Well hello, dear. So nice to see you again,” says Beatrice. To my shock and relief, the Tiffany saleswoman who I met several months ago is still here. Her voice is a little frosty. I don’t blame her. I never came back for the ring. She must think I’m just a looker. Or a bullshitter.

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.”

  I glance down at the display case and my heart sinks. While there are dozens of dazzling diamond rings inside it, the magnificent amethyst and diamond ring I coveted is not among them.

  The pencil-thin saleswoman starts locking up the cases. “Just so you know, we’ll be closing in fifteen minutes.”

  My muscles tense. I don’t have much time.

  Beatrice’s throaty voice drifts into my ears. “Did you come back for your ring?”

  “Yes,” I say glumly. “My fiancé’s back in town and I wanted to show it to him.”

  “Oh. Is he here?” A thick layer of doubt colors her tone.

  I nod. “Yes. He’ll be here any minute. He’s just parking the car.”

  I study the other rings, hoping to find one that’ll call out my name. Not one does.

  Beatrice’s gasp diverts my attention. I gaze up at her shocked face. Her mouth is agape. Finally, her lips move.

  “Good heavens!”

  A nuzzle on the back of my neck sends me spinning. Brandon!

  He smacks a kiss on my lips and then says, “I valeted the car. The valet is taking care of Gucci.”

  I smile and then turn to face Beatrice, who’s still in a state of shock.

  “This is my fiancé,” I say brightly.

  She clasps a bony hand to her still wide-open mouth. “Oh my God, you’re marrying Brandon Taylor?”

  “Yup.”

  “In just a few minutes,” chimes in Brandon with a Cheshire grin. He straightens the spaghetti straps of my ivory dress, the one Chaz gave me for my birthday. Little did I know it would be my wedding gown. Nor did I ever think my birthday wish would come true.

  “Wait right here,” Beatrice says eagerly. Her demeanor and tone have totally changed. My eyes stay on her as she scurries to the back of the store.

  “Do you like any of these?” asks Brandon, gazing down at the display case. “You can have anyone you want.”

  I sigh. “You know what. I don’t need a ring. I just need you.”

  He draws me into his arms. His hardness pressing against my abdomen only magnifies the feelings this incredible man has for me. His piercing violet eyes claim mine.

  “The same, baby. Let’s just pick out some wedding bands and head over to The Four Seasons.”

  He tilts up my chin with a thumb and his lips crash onto my mine. Our tongues twirl and swirl in another passionate embrace. I can’t get enough of him. And I still can’t believe this fairy tale has come true.

  “I have something you may like.” Beatrice’s voice breaks us away. Flushed, I meet her gaze. Her steel-gray eyes are twinkling. She sets a small Tiffany-blue box on the glass counter and slowly takes off the lid.

  I clap my hand to my mouth and gasp. Oh my God! It’s my ring! The breathtaking amethyst and diamond one I fell in love with! The ring whose stone reminded me of Brandon’s violet eyes and fit me perfectly.

  Beatrice smiles at me warmly. “It’s a one of a kind so I kept it in our safe. I had a hunch you might come back for it one day.”

  With tears in my eyes, I hug her. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “I do,” says Brandon, enjoying my emotional fireworks. “Let’s do this right.”

  My misty eyes never stray from him as he removes the ring from the box and gets down on one knee. He clasps my left hand.

  “I love you, Zoey Hart, with all my heart, from here to the moon and back. Marry me.”

  The entire staff of Tiffany’s has gathered around us, but I’m almost oblivious. Rivulets of tears stream down my cheeks as the man I will cherish forever slips the magnificent ring onto my ring finger. My heart is exploding with love, and my body is overflowing with joy. I hear Mama. She’s here somewhere, watching over me. Singing “Moon River.” Her beautiful nightingale voice fills my head while two beautiful violet eyes fill my sight.

  “Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

  Oohs, aahs, and applause break out all around us. Another all-consuming scorching kiss drowns out the crowd.

  Oh, Brandon Taylor. My dream maker…Wherever you’re going, I’m going your way.

  Chapter 21

  Brandon

  When we return to The Four Seasons, the place is swarming with news crews, reporters, and cops. I have no clue if the production team from Katrina’s show is still here, but for sure, our guests have abandoned the hotel. Well, all except Blake Burns and his wife Jennifer, who are mingling with the Conquest Broadcasting news crew. I quickly find out from one of the officers that Scott’s still alive and has been transported to Cedars. In the corner of my eye, I see Katrina’s mother Enid talking to one of the reporters. She catches sight of me as well as Zoey, who’s holding Gucci (minus the tutu) by his leash. Leaving the reporter hanging, she stomps up to me.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  I contain my laughter. “I’ve been busy saving lives.”

  Steam blows out of her nostrils. I can virtually see it. “The only life you should be saving is my daughter’s. She’s been arrested!”

  “She deserves to be.” In the car ride over here, Zoey filled me in on everything she discovered on Katrina’s cell phone. The fucking psycho bitch. Not only did she run me over, but she also was after my money and screwing around with Scott—something I always suspected. There are still a lot of missing pieces and unanswered questions, including motives and Scott’s relationship with Donatelli. But I’m sure they’ll unfold in the weeks to come.

  Enid’s taut face scrunches as much as it can. “The bail is set at one hundred thousand dollars. You need to take care of it immediately!”

  I’ve had enough of Enid and Katrina spending my money.

  Rage flickers in Enid’s unblinking eyes. “What the hell are you waiting for? Chop chop!”

  And I’ve had it with all her chop chops.

  “I’m afraid I can’t.”

  Enid grows hysterical, her voice shrill. “What do you mean? You’re her fiancé. You’re supposed to be marrying her!”

  I stare at her squarely. “Enid, I had no intention of marrying Katrina.”

  “What?” says Zoey before Enid can.

  I take her into my arms and kiss the top of her head. “Baby, it was always going to be you.”

  Zoey gazes up at me with puppy eyes that make me melt.

  Enid’s face turns as dark as her heart. “What the hell to you mean?”

  “I mean I was never in love with her. Meet my new fiancée.”

  “Hi,” squeaks Zoey.

  Enid glares at her, aghast, and then flares her eyes at me. “What! You’re ditching my daughter for this chubby p-peon?”

  A growl sounds in my ear and the next thing I hear is a loud shriek from Enid. She gazes down and shrieks again.

  “Fucking dog! Somebody help me! Get this monster off me!”

  Zoey is laughing; so am I. Gucci has attacked Enid. Bitten her twice in the ankle. Zoey scoops him up in her arms before he does it again.

  She tuts. “Bad doggie.”

  Good doggie! We exchange an amused look as Enid limps off, mentioning something about a lawsuit and shouting for someone to give her first-aid. She needs a whole lot more than a Band-Aid to fix the hole in her warped mind.

  Setting Gucci back down, Zoey takes in the frenetic scene. A little overwhelmed, she knits her brows. “Brandon, maybe we should have eloped.”

  I flip up her chin with a thumb. “Nah. We’re going to do it right here and the whole world is going to watch. Maybe not on Katrina’s reality series, but at least on tonight’s news. By the time we say, “I do,” it’ll be all over YouTub
e, Instagram, and TMZ.

  “Really?”

  “Really.” She’s so fucking adorable she’s giving me a hard-on. If you ask me, no better way to get to married. And the sooner we get married the better. It’s a good thing my custom-made tux pants have extra crotch room.

  Catching sight of me, hordes of reporters rush up to me. I’m bombarded with blinding flash bulbs and burning questions. To most of them, I respond: “No comment.”

  A young Latino reporter from Conquest Broadcasting breaks out of the pack and shoves her mike in my face.

  “So, Brandon, will you still be getting married tonight?”

  Smiling, I squeeze Zoey’s hand. “That’s the plan.”

  “To Katrina Moore?”

  “A change of plans. Meet my new fiancée, Zoey Hart.”

  A gazillion flashes go off. Zoey smiles brightly for the cameras and waves. Meet America’s newest “It Girl.”

  Before any reporter can besiege her, I say, “We just need to find someone who can marry us.” The drunken preacher from Central Casting is long gone; he must work by the hour and be at the bar.

  The reporter’s face lights up. “I can do that. I’m a newly ordained minister from the Universal Church of Life.”

  The Church of Life. No other ministry better suits Zoey and me. Let’s get this show rolling. Lights! Camera! Action!

  Five minutes later, we’re standing in the flowered gazebo under the starry sky. Gucci is with us, Zoey still holding him by his leash. Blake and Jen have agreed to be our impromptu best man and maid of honor. And miraculously, Pete and his wife Jo have gotten here just in the nick of time along with Zoey’s brother Jeffrey and his fiancé Chaz. Myriad camera crews and reporters surround us. Facing my soon-to-be wife, I slide a platinum band on her ring finger until it lines up perfectly with her amethyst ring and recite my vows. They’re almost identical to those I exchanged with my late wife Alisha on Kurt Kussler. But the words mean something so much deeper now. I’m not acting the lines. I’m saying them for real. They come from the bottom of my heart.