“We’ll be right here, son. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Lou leans against me, resting her head against my upper arm. “Tired, mo maise?”
“I am.”
I lift my arm and wrap it around her. “I’ve got you. Close your eyes and take a nap if you want. Sounds like we’re going to be here a while.”
“I don’t think I can.” She lowers her voice. “Every time I close my eyes, I remember being here.”
I know it must be painful being here. “Do you want to leave?”
“No. I’ll soon have new memories connected to this place. Happy memories to replace the sad ones.”
“My brother is about to become a father to a wee one. I’m not sure if I should be proud or frightened.”
“Ian will make a fine father.”
Ian has matured a lot. “He’ll be a better father than I was in the beginning. But then again, I’m not sure that’s saying a lot. He wouldn’t have to be very good to be a better father than I was.”
“Don’t say things like that.”
“You have to admit that I was awful in the beginning.”
“You were dreadful when we met, but that’s not who you are today. You are a wonderful father to Ava Rose and she adores you.”
“She adores you too, muh muh.”
“I love that little girl so much.”
“I know you do. She couldn’t be blessed with a more loving mum.”
I don’t know if Mina would have been capable of loving Ava Rose the way Lou unconditionally loves her. Mina was a selfish woman. I believe she would have grown bored with a bairn after the new wore off. Spit-up and dirty nappies wouldn’t have suited Mina’s style.
Lou doesn’t know yet, but I have plans for our family other than adding new members. I want her to be Ava Rose’s mum. Her legal mother. And when our problems with the Lochridges are over, we’re going to explore that possibility.
Darkness turns to light, and the sun turns into a moon again. I’m not sure how many hours it took, but baby Pearl has finally arrived.
The wee lassie is lying on Shannon’s chest when we enter the room, her head covered by a beanie. But Shannon and the baby aren’t the ones who catch my attention. It’s my brother. I can’t remember ever seeing him look so happy.
“Isn’t she grand?” Ian asks.
“Oh, she’s a bonnie one,” my dad says.
“The doctor and nurses told us that she looks healthy. And even if they hadn’t, I’d know by looking at those cheeks.”
“That’s such a relief to hear. How do you feel, Shannon?” my mum asks.
“I’m exhausted. And sore. Very sore.”
“As to be expected, but you’ll feel better in no time at all.” My mum leans closer for a better look at her new granddaughter and lifts the beanie. “Lots of dark hair, just like Ian when he was born.”
“I’m glad she took after him. I was bald.”
“I think she looks like me,” Ian says and his voice reflects the pride and happiness he feels about his new daughter. And while I’m happy for him, I’m also envious.
Shannon insisted that Ian take a prenatal paternity test, so he’d know without question that Pearl is his daughter. She didn’t want him to ever have doubts about it. And he won’t because the test proved he is the bairn’s father.
Unlike me, Ian will see himself within his daughter. That’s a precious gift that I’ll never have in Ava Rose. But I won’t love her less because of it.
When it’s Lou’s turn to hold Pearl, she takes her into her arms and holds her closely, pressing a kiss against the top of her beanie-covered head. She instantly shifts her weight back and forth between her feet, humming a soft melody, just as she does when she’s trying to get Ava Rose to go to sleep.
Lou was born to be a mother.
She was born to be the mother of my children.
And I can’t wait to give her what her heart longs for.
24
Caitriona Hutcheson
Powerful people always have weaknesses and secrets. Usually big ones. You just have to find them. I haven’t been able to get Bleu Breckenridge’s words out of my head.
She said that I should make a list of facts and suspicions, and the two have a tendency to coincide, bringing the pieces of the puzzles together. That each piece will build upon the next.
The problem with that? I don’t know the Lochridges. And I’m not sure Hutch truly does either. Not really. I believe those people have many secrets and they are buried deeply.
“What are you thinking so hard about, mo maise?”
I look up from my partially eaten breakfast. “I’m not sure you want to know the answer to that question.”
“That answer makes me want to know even more.”
“Did you know that Bleu Breckenridge was an FBI agent before she married Sin?”
“I did.”
“The wives and I were discussing our problems with the Lochridges the other night, and they believe we need to put a stop to it before it has a chance to go to court.”
“I would love nothing better. Believe me, I would if I knew how.”
I’m going to toss this out there and see what Hutch says. “I think they were suggesting that we blackmail them so they won’t seek custody of Ava Rose.”
“Blackmailing a Lochridge?” Hutch shakes his head. “That’s a terrible plan.”
“Is it really?” I can’t imagine anything being a terrible plan if it means we don’t have to fight to keep Ava Rose.
“Aye, a very bad idea.”
“You’re banking everything on a judge giving Ava Rose to us because I’ve proven my character. And the truth is that simply may not happen.”
“I know very well, Lou. It’s on my mind night and day.”
“There is no danger of losing Ava Rose if they don’t sue for custody. We can assure that they don’t if we gain the right kind of knowledge about them.”
“I have knowledge about them. I know things about Thomas Lochridge that would send him to jail for a very long time, but we can never use any of it against him.”
What is Hutch thinking? “We’d be crazy not to.”
“What happens to my daughter when Thomas takes me down with him?”
“What does that mean?”
“If I rat him out, he’ll never let me go free while he sits in jail. His life ends and so will mine.”
Oh, I see. “Because you did illegal things for him?”
“That’s another one of those questions that you shouldn’t ask because I’m not going to give you the answer.”
“I’m your wife.”
“Aye, you are. And it’s my job to protect you.”
“I don’t care what Thomas made you do. I’ll always stand by you.”
“I know you will but knowing that kind of information is a burden I’ll never place on you. I love you too much to do that to you.”
I understand. I do. And that’s why I too will not be burdening Hutch by telling him what I plan on doing to get us out of this colossal mess.
Hutch gets up from the table and comes to kiss me goodbye. “It’s Monday. Are you cooking tonight?”
“I can if you want me to.”
“I do.”
“What would you like?”
“Mmm… surprise me.”
I’ve had an idea simmering in the back of my mind for a while. “What time should I have dinner ready?”
He kisses my forehead and I melt. I do every time he does that. “I’ll be home by six.”
I go to the window and pull back the drape, watching the black luxury sedan disappear over the hill. For good measure, I wait a few more minutes to be sure that Hutch doesn’t come back to the house before I make the call that will hopefully change this course we’re currently on.
“Hi, Bleu. It’s Cait Hutcheson. I know it’s a bit early. I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.”
“No, it’s fine. The kids just finished breakfast and they’re watching
their favorite show. How are you?”
“Not great.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m not surprised.”
“I’d really like to meet with you and talk more about what you said the other night. Are you free today or tomorrow?”
“I’m free today. Can you meet for lunch?”
“Absolutely.”
“I have a good idea about what you’d like to discuss. I think you could benefit from having Shaw join us today. She has connections you would find helpful.”
Bleu knows that I want to talk about the Lochridges? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by that considering that she was once an FBI agent. She can probably smell motive from a mile away.
“And the other wives?” I’m willing to take help anywhere I can get it.
“Moral support. That’s all you’ll get from Elli, Westlyn, and Lorna.”
“I could use a bit of that, actually.”
“I have a feeling we’re going to need to discuss this without the wrong ears being within earshot. Can you meet us at Duncan’s Whisky Bar at noon?”
Duncan’s Whisky Bar. I’m guessing that’s Leith and Lorna’s establishment.
“Noon would be perfect.”
I enter the front door of Duncan’s Whisky Bar and it looks like every other ordinary pub in Edinburgh but something—I’m not sure what—tells me that it is anything but ordinary.
Every man within the establishment turns and looks at me. At the same time, Bleu is out of her seat coming toward me. “I’m sorry they’re acting as though they’ve never seen a woman before. You’re a new face, and they’re wondering why you’re here.”
I’m not sure what that means, and I’m afraid to ask after Hutch’s statement regarding the Breckenridges.
“Come with me. We’re sitting at the special table today.”
I sit down and look at the table. Looks like a normal table to me. “What makes it special?”
The women look at each other and laugh. And I realize that I may have made a mistake by asking. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
Whatever makes the table special remains a mystery because she doesn’t offer a reason. But I know who I’m sharing a table with right now.
The Bella Mafia.
“It’s barely noon and I’m having a whisky. I don’t give a damn. I deserve one after the weekend I had with Sinclair Breckenridge’s sons.”
“Ooh, my nephews must have been very bad if you’re calling them Sin’s sons.”
“They’re mine when they behave. They’re his when they show their little asses.”
Bleu lifts her hand and a waitress comes over immediately. “What can I get for you?”
“Johnny Walker Black Label. Make it a double.”
“Rusty Nail for me,” Ellison says. “Westlyn?”
“Sauvignon blanc.”
Shaw nods. “That sounds good. I’ll have a Sauvignon blanc too.”
“Scotch fizz,” Lorna says. “And tell Kenrick to make it my way. He’ll know what you mean.”
“Tomatin. And you can make mine a double as well,” I tell the waitress. I’m going to need more than a single for what I’m here to talk about.
“A woman after my own heart,” Bleu says.
“Well, I am half-Scottish so a part of me should be able to drink whisky.”
“I’m half-Scottish too. My mother was American but my father was a Scotsman.”
“Same with me.”
“Something else we have in common.”
I toss back the last of my whisky, and I’m feeling a little braver about bringing up my reason for asking the wives to meet me. So I go for it. “I’m strong enough to stand alone. But I’m also smart enough to know when I need help, and I’m brave enough to ask for it. And I need your help.”
“What kind of help?” Bleu asks.
“I’m actually not sure.” I toy with the wet napkin beneath my whisky glass, tearing it into small pieces.
“We can’t help you if you don’t know what kind of help you need.”
“Hutch has told me I can never ask him about the Breckenridges. He’s only told me that you’re loyal and trustworthy. And that’s what I need—people I can trust. People who know how to keep secrets.”
Bleu’s brow lifts. “Secrets where the Lochridges are concerned?”
“Yes. And if you are who I think you are, you’re the only people I know who have the power to help me.”
“I’m not going to ask who you believe we are, and you’re not going to tell us. Once those words are spoken, they can never be unspoken. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
“Who we are is something we’ll never speak of again.”
“Understood.”
I may not know exactly who these women are, but I do know one thing: Bleu is the leader.
“Is there more to your troubles with the Lochridges than we’ve discussed?”
This is it. I have to confide in these women if I hope to gain their help. “There’s more. Much more.”
“We need to know all of the facts if we’re to help you.”
Mina’s betrayal. Ava Rose’s paternity. Blair’s threat. Hutch’s job. I tell the wives—the Bella Mafia as I call them in my mind—everything I know from beginning to end.
Bleu shakes her head. “Mina left Max in one hell of a mess, which is also your mess now.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that you and Max have been going through this. It must be awful living with the fear that they will try to take the baby from you.”
“We love her so much and we’re terrified we’ll lose her to those horrible people because they’re blood relation.”
“I didn’t give birth to my daughter, but she is mine. I’m a mama bear who would rip apart anyone who tried to take Lourdes away from me.”
“Then you understand how we feel about Ava Rose and where we’re coming from.”
“One hundred percent. And that’s why I’m going to help you find a way to keep that little girl.”
“We’re going to help you,” Shaw says.
“Hutch has seen a family law solicitor and has been advised about the legal way to handle this situation. But I don’t think it’s going to work with these people. They don’t fight fairly.”
“I know you both must hate it, but it’s wise for Max to keep Blair appeased for the time being. It buys the time you’ll need for what we have to do. And speaking of what we have to do. How far are you willing to go to end this with the Lochridges?”
Blair made the decision to fuck with me. She went for my throat because she believes she is the stronger one.
She is wrong.
Hutch and Ava Rose are my world. My happiness. My joy.
My beautiful ever after.
I won’t allow her to rob me of that.
“I will cut that bitch off at the knees and smile while I do it.”
Ellison bursts into laughter. “A Southern girl ready to cut a bitch. That’s what I’m talking about. She’s definitely one of us now.”
Unlike Ellison, there’s no amusement on Bleu’s face. She’s dead serious. “You’d go that far? No hesitation at all?”
“I’ve never had anything in my life worth fighting for until Hutch and Ava Rose. So yes, I would go to hell and back for them. No question. No hesitation.”
“I believe you. And Max and Ava Rose are very lucky to have you in their life.”
“Can you help me?” Even I hear the desperation in my voice.
“I believe we can work together and solve this problem. But you can never ask the ins and outs of what we do or how we do it.”
“I understand one hundred percent.”
Bleu looks at Shaw. “We’ll need your connection.”
“That won’t be a problem, but I’ll need to know who we’re targeting? Blair? Thomas? Both?”
“What are your thoughts, Cait?” Bl
eu asks.
“Blair for now. If we don’t get what we need through her, we’ll move on to Thomas.”
Shaw nods. “I think that’s a good plan. Ending your problem with Blair could prevent later complications with Thomas. She should be dealt with first and we possibly eliminate our problem with half the work.”
“Valid point. And a satisfying way to end this, I’m sure.”
They don’t know the half of it. “I can’t lie. Taking her down is going to feel great.”
“My connection will begin by hacking into Blair’s emails, her social media, her bank accounts. Everything will be scoured for information we can use against her.”
The woman I was a year ago would never have contemplated invading someone’s privacy. She wouldn’t have considered blackmailing anyone to get what she wants. But I’m a different woman today than even yesterday. I’m the kind of woman that you want to go to war beside. Not against. And Blair will not question that when I’m finished with her.
Make no mistake about it. She’s going to regret fucking with me and mine.
“How long does something like that take?”
“My connection is thorough. He combs through the information with a fine-tooth comb so it could be a few days.”
“That’s much faster than I expected.”
“This nightmare will be over for you and Max very soon. I promise.”
I believe Bleu.
“I want you all to know how grateful I am. I don’t know how I could possibly ever repay you, but if there’s anything I can do for you, all you have to do is ask.”
“Max has been good to us over the years. We’re happy to help any way we can. There is no debt with us.”
Shit. I left out an important detail. “That’s great to hear… except Max can’t know about this.”
“Are you sure that’s best? Keeping something so important from your husband?”
“Hutch wants to be a good example for Ava Rose by doing what is right. I respect my husband for wanting to do the honorable thing, but it isn’t going to win this battle with the Lochridges. I firmly believe that we must do what is necessary in this instance, right or wrong, if we’re to be good examples for her later.”
The wives voice their agreement at the same time.
Beautiful Ever After Page 14