Finding Mr. Wrong

by Charlie Cochet

  Matthew shook his head, his expression pained. "Why? I mean, I know you hate me, but enough to kill me?"

  "My husband should have inherited Hart & Home. Not you! But he's such a spineless, useless little man. He has no vision, no ambition! I have to do everything myself. The second he refused to help me push you out, I knew I'd have to take care of it."

  "Bryce was telling the truth about the check," Matthew said as it seemed to dawn on him. "He swore up and down that he hadn't taken it from my desk. It was you. When you came upstairs and saw that I wasn't in the office and Adam wasn't at his desk, you searched my office, didn't you? How did you know about the check?"

  "I didn't. I found it while trying to find your access code."

  "You were the one who tried to access the client list. The servers going down, the lost security footage, it was all you."

  "I had to cover my tracks."

  "How did you do it?"

  Arianna looked at Matthew like he was an idiot. "I paid someone to do it. I'm rich, Matthew. If I need something done, I get it done. Then when I finally think it's over, those idiots screw everything up and kidnap the wrong guy, but then I think to myself, this is perfect. Another chance to get rid of you, but I couldn't leave your fuck boy out there looking for you, asking questions. Martin already liked him. I couldn't take any chances. And then you both fucking live? Now you're getting married?" She shook her head, not one perfectly styled blonde hair out of place. "I won't let that happen."

  "You really don't have a choice in the matter. Also, I'm sorry you won't be able to attend the wedding, seeing as how you'll be in prison and all."

  Arianna's smirk was disturbing, and Jax grabbed Matty when he saw her raise the gun. He hadn't even realized she'd had one. Jax and Matty hit the grass as a shot rang out, and Arianna screamed in frustration.

  "Don't move!"

  Jax lifted his head to find a burly detective standing over Arianna, who was currently struggling against two officers who'd tackled her to the ground.

  "Arianna Hart, you are under arrest for kidnapping, attempted murder, and intent to kidnap and murder."

  Bryce came running, gasping when the police hauled Arianna to her feet and cuffed her.

  "What the hell are you doing to my wife?"

  Jax helped Matthew to his feet and held him close. Matthew looked like the shock of everything was finally sinking in. His cousin's wife had tried to murder him in order to steal his company.

  "Mr. Hart, I'm Detective Lewis, and I've been assigned to your wife's case. She's being arrested for kidnapping and four counts of attempted murder."

  "What?" Bryce's face went white as a sheet, and he grabbed one of the officers to steady himself. "What? How?" He shook his head. "How do you know?"

  Detective Lewis addressed them all. "This afternoon one of the Rossi brothers cut a deal. He signed a confession revealing that it was Mrs. Arianna Hart who ordered the kidnapping and murder of Jax Foster, and once she was informed that Matthew Hart had been taken by mistake, instructed the Rossi brothers to kill Matthew as well as his boyfriend. She now made an attempt on Mr. Hart and Mr. Foster's lives after confessing she had been responsible for slipping peanut oil into his salad and stealing his EpiPen."

  "I can't believe this," Bryce said, shaking his head, as if doing so would make everything Detective Lewis said untrue. He looked up at his wife, who was seething and spitting profanity at the officers who'd just finished reading her rights. "Arianna, how could you?"

  "Because someone in this relationship had to have some balls, Bryce," she spat out as they led her away. "And it clearly wasn't you!"

  Jax shook his head as they dragged Arianna through the back exit of the garden. Bryce didn't bother to follow, letting Detective Lewis know he'd go to the station once he'd had time to process this.

  "Take your time," Lewis stated. "But we need you to come in for questioning."

  Bryce's head snapped up. "Me? Why?"

  "We need to know if you were involved in any way."

  No doubt sensing Bryce wasn't going to be on his feet much longer, Matthew quickly left Jax's side and threw an arm around his cousin, holding him up.

  "But... but I had nothing to do with any of that." Bryce turned to Matthew, clutching at the lapels of his tuxedo. "Matthew, I would never.... I know we argued, and I said a lot of stupid things, but you have to know I would never do anything to hurt you."

  "I know," Matthew replied, patting his cousin's shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you about the envelope. Arianna was the one who took it and hid it in your office."

  Bryce looked relieved. He nodded and turned his attention back to Lewis. "I'll cooperate fully. Whatever you need. I don't have anything to hide."

  Lewis nodded. "Now, we've managed to keep this quiet tonight so as not to alarm your guests, but by tomorrow morning, this is going to be all over the papers. I hope you're prepared."

  Matthew nodded. "I'll get my team on it right away. Thank you, Detective. Like Bryce said. Whatever you need."

  Detective Lewis excused himself, and Matthew faced Bryce. "I know you have a lot on your plate right now, which is why I'm not punching you in the face."

  Bryce gaped at him. "What?"

  "For trying to keep me and Jax apart. I know you didn't have anything to do with what Arianna did, but if you ever try to interfere in my personal life again, you're out, Bryce. I mean it. I won't stand for it."

  "I swear." Bryce nodded fervently.

  "Take the next month off."

  "But--"

  Matthew put his hand on Bryce's shoulder and squeezed. "Bryce, your wife was just arrested for attempted murder. You need to go home and take care of your kids. Bring them home for a while. When was the last time they were even home?"

  Bryce had to actually think about it. "Um...."

  "Exactly. Is that what you want for your family?"

  Bryce shook his head, tears in his eyes.

  "Good. Then go. Take a month off. Paid. We'll handle things, and if you need more time, just let me know. If you need anything at all, let me know."

  Bryce surprised them by hugging and crying on Matthew's shoulder. When he was able to pull himself together, after some reassurance from Matthew, Bryce excused himself, promising to call if he needed anything. Jax had never liked Bryce, but he felt for him and his children.

  Once Bryce was gone, Matthew turned to Jax. "I think I need a drink or several."

  Jax pulled Matthew into his arms and held him tight. "It's going to be okay, Matty. Whatever happens, I'm right here with you."

  "Always?" Matthew asked quietly, his face buried in the crook of Jax's neck.

  "Always," Jax assured him.

  Matthew nodded. He kissed Jax's neck and let out a soft sigh. "I'm so glad I found you."

  "Me too," Jax said, pulling back so he could brush his lips over Matthew's, loving the sigh Matthew released. "I can't wait for our next adventure together."

  Matthew smiled, his silver eyes shimmering bright in the soft glow of the moon. "Bring it on."

  Jax laughed, and as they headed back to the party, Jax had never felt more at peace. After years of running, he'd finally found where he belonged. He was home.

  CHARLIE COCHET is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there's bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in--and plenty of romance, too!

  Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn't writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

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  By Charlie Cochet

  DREAMSPUN DESIRES

  #7 - Forgive and Forget

  #41 - Finding Mr. Wrong

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

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  Coming in October 2017

  Dreamspun Desires #43

  The Bunny and the Billionaire by Louisa Masters

  Spending their fortunes and losing their hearts.

  Hardworking Australian nurse Ben Adams inherits a substantial sum and decides to tour Europe. In Monaco, the home of glamour and the idle rich, he meets French billionaire playboy Leo Artois. After getting off on the wrong foot--as happens when one accuses a stranger of being part of the Albanian mafia--their attraction blazes. Leo, born to the top tier of society, has never known limits, and Ben, used to budgeting every cent, finds it difficult to adjust to not only Leo's world, but also the changes wealth brings to his own life.

  As they make allowances for each other's foibles, Ben slowly appreciates the finer things, and Leo widens his perspective. They both know one thing: this is not a typical holiday romance, and they're not ready to say goodbye.

  Dreamspun Desires #44

  The Fireman's Pole by Sue Brown

  It's springtime in Calminster village, but things are already heating up. Sexy fireman Dale Maloney is new to the local station, and when Dale backs the company fire truck into the village maypole, he attracts the ire--and attention--of Lord Edwin Calminster. Soon after meeting Dale, Edwin breaks off his relationship with his girlfriend, and the sparks between them are quickly fanned into flames.

  Unfortunately the passion between Dale and Edwin isn't the only blaze in the village. An arsonist's crimes are escalating, and it's up to Dale and his crew to stop him. As they investigate, an unscrupulous business partner attempts to coerce Edwin into marrying his daughter. The mayday parade is around the corner, but they have plenty of fires to put out before Edwin can finally slide down the fireman's pole.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Finding Mr. Wrong

  (c) 2017 Charlie Cochet.

  Cover Art

  (c) 2017 Bree Archer.

  https://www.breearcher.com Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-63533-871-3

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-63533-872-0

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2017904705

  Published September 2017

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America