Touched by You

by Elle Wright

  “I guess that runs in your family.”

  Chuckling, she said, “I guess so. Well, Bryson has a valid reason to dislike Senior. His mother is my father’s long-term mistress. When my mother died, my father moved him into the house. He rarely got to spend time with his mother, because my father is so overbearing. So he’s a little resentful, that’s all.”

  “Your father is . . . I’m not even sure I have a word that encapsulates everything that he is.” He felt her tense and peered down at her. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to ruin our snuggle moment with my troubles.”

  “Hey.” He brushed his thumb over her jawline. “Don’t be quiet now. Tell me.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and he frowned. She spoke so soft, so low that he wasn’t sure he heard her right. “Promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “Promise me that when you come back on Monday, you’re prepared to fight. My father has done duplicitous things under the guise of Wellspring Water business. He deserves a good dose of his own medicine. And I’m going to help.”

  Carter narrowed his gaze on her. “How would you help me?”

  Brooklyn sucked in a deep breath before blurting out, “My father may have had something to do with my mother’s death.”

  His eyes widened. “What?”

  Brooklyn sat up and slipped on his shirt. “I met this woman last night. She was homeless, doped up. She knew my mother.”

  Carter hadn’t asked about her mother much, but he knew she was an addict. “How did they know each other?”

  “They grew up together in Wellspring, but the woman had moved away for some time. Sheriff Walker knew who she was right away.”

  Carter listened intently as Brooklyn explained her theory about how and why her mother died. He couldn’t believe a man would be so evil to his own family, his children. If he’d had the chance to be a father to Chloe, he would treat her like the precious child she was.

  “And I also believe that my father stole our birthright,” Brooklyn continued. “If I’m right, it would mean that Parker and I have controlling interest in Wellspring Water Corp. If that’s the case, then we can vote him out.”

  “So what’s your plan?” he asked.

  “I plan to break into his office and look for my mother’s will.”

  It wasn’t a good idea. Carter knew Brooklyn was determined to make things right, but he didn’t trust Parker Sr. And he didn’t want to end up in jail for another assault. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t think that’s a realistic option. Knowing your father, he’d have you arrested for breaking and entering. You don’t want to lose your license. You need it for your nonprofit.”

  She gave him a wobbly smile. “Thanks for being concerned, but I’ve got this. And it works out great. You’ll be back on Monday. I’m sure my father and all his goons will want to see you being arraigned, so they’ll go to court. While they’re in court, I’ll break into his home office. See. Easy peasy.”

  Easy peasy, my ass. “Beautiful, you’re taking a big chance. Who’s going to watch your back?”

  “I can get Juke to come with me. He hates my father.”

  Carter took the opportunity to ask, “Who is Juke to you?”

  She smirked. “Are you jealous?”

  Pulling her onto his lap, he admitted, “Maybe.”

  Brooklyn wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You have nothing to be jealous of. Juke is a good friend. And that’s all he is.”

  “Good.”

  * * *

  From her deck, Brooklyn stared out at brilliant blue sky. Carter was still sleeping peacefully, but sleep eluded her. Instead, she’d spent the morning trying to handle her business. She’d agreed to accompany Carter to Detroit, but there was business she needed to take care of in Wellspring.

  Last night, Carter had talked her into thinking through an alternate plan that didn’t involve her breaking and entering. But in the light of day, Brooklyn wasn’t so sure she had time to wait and do things the right way. She’d reluctantly agreed to consult with the family attorney first. And if that didn’t work, they’d try the courts.

  In Michigan, the Last Will and Testament of any person must be delivered to the county’s probate court. If her father had done everything aboveboard, they could petition the court for a copy. All she needed was a copy of the death certificate, and that was easy enough to get. That also meant that it might take longer to get the information she needed. And Brooklyn wasn’t intent upon waiting.

  Brooklyn leaned back in her chair and sipped her fresh cup of coffee, moaning low once it hit her lips. A lot had happened in the last few days, and none of it was expected. It was hard not to worry about the future, since it was so uncertain. The only things she was certain of were that she was falling for Carter and her father was full of shit.

  She found herself praying that her father wasn’t involved in her mother’s death, but even as she prayed, she knew she couldn’t put anything past him. One way or the other, she would find out the truth. She only hoped she would be able to do something about it before Carter’s career was seriously derailed.

  Brooklyn picked up her phone and dialed. Mr. Richardson, her mother’s old attorney, answered after the first ring. “Hello, Brooklyn,” the older man said. “What a nice surprise to hear from you.”

  “Hello, Mr. Richardson. I’m so glad you took my call. I have a request for you.”

  “What is it?”

  Mr. Richardson had always been kind to her. She’d used him herself for several legal matters, but hadn’t seen him since she’d moved back to town. “I need a copy of my mother’s Last Will and Testament. Can you help me with that?”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  “Hello?” she called out. “Mr. Richardson, are you still there?”

  “I’m here,” he answered finally. “Why do you need a copy of your mother’s will? Why don’t you ask your father?”

  “Because I’m asking you. You know as well as I do that I can’t ask my father. I don’t live in the house anymore. I suspect you already know that. He’s taken all my money, had me fired from my job. He’s a monster. So, no, I can’t ask him for a copy of my mother’s will. If you have any compassion, any sense of right versus wrong, you will help me.”

  “Brooklyn, I don’t believe you know what you’re doing. Your father will be very upset to find out that you’re asking questions about your mother’s will.”

  “Well, then, I hope you don’t tell him. And forget it. I will let this go,” she lied. “I’ll find a way to mend fences with my father. Thank you.”

  Brooklyn ended the call and dialed another number. If Mr. Richardson wouldn’t help her, she’d go to the one place that held the answers. Her father’s home. “Parker, I need to see you. Meet me at Senior’s house in twenty minutes.”

  She poked her head into her bedroom. Carter was still sleep. She pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Before she could leave the house, though, her phone rang. It was her father. Damn Mr. Richardson.

  “Daddy,” Brooklyn answered. “What can I do for you?”

  “Brooklyn,” her father answered, his voice flat. “Are you ready to come home?”

  “No. But I am ready for you to admit that you’ve taken this too far. I’m not your enemy, I’m your daughter. I haven’t done anything to deserve this treatment from you.”

  “I told you I will do what I have to do. You do realize that your friend could have killed Sterling. His jaw is now wired shut. His father is understandably upset. How do you think that made me feel?”

  “I don’t really care how that made you feel. Imagine how Carter felt when Sterling approached him regarding his personal business. He didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve you and Sterling joining forces to ruin his career, his life. All he did was defend me, and you’re gunning for him like he hurt me. The only person who’s hurting me now is you.”

  She wasn’t sure wh
y she was appealing to her father. He wasn’t going to budge. That much she was sure of. But if there was some off chance that he would let up, even for a little while, it would help Carter in the long run.

  Brooklyn hadn’t told Carter earlier, but her father had many judges under his thumb. And so did Sherman King. If they wanted him to serve time, he’d have to serve time. That’s why it was so important she got the information she needed. It would mean leverage against her father.

  “Carter Marshall brought this on himself. I hope you told him that jail is inevitable, because that’s exactly where he’s going, if you don’t do what you’re told.”

  She knew it was coming. She’d called it the moment she found out Carter had been arrested for assaulting Sterling. Her father was going to use her feelings for him against her. He was dangling Carter’s freedom in front of her. His freedom, for her cooperation. And she’d choose Carter’s freedom, because the thought of him doing hard time for the assault was too much for her to bear. Her father knew that, and he’d counted on it. Carter just fell right into his hands.

  “All my life, I’ve only wanted you to accept me for who I am. But you never could do that. I always come up short. I’ve met someone who makes me feel beautiful. As my father, you should want that for me. Except you don’t. You don’t want that, and it hurts.”

  “I’m having a small dinner party at the house this weekend,” her father said, as if she hadn’t just spoken. “I expect to see you there.”

  “I won’t be there. I’ll be in Detroit. With Carter.”

  “You’re making a grave mistake, Brooklyn. If you want what’s best for him, you’ll leave him alone.”

  Brooklyn hung up on her father, without another word. It was useless to keep trying to reason with him. She needed more than reason. She needed to see her mother’s will.

  Carter had mentioned that his business partner, Martin, had been a hacker at one point. And she wondered if he could help them dig up dirt on her father. Maybe he could find something on the dark web that would tie him to criminal activity?

  Brooklyn left Carter and her place and rushed to her family home. When she pulled in the circular driveway, she was met by Parker. She hopped out of the car and hugged him. “Thanks for meeting me. Sorry I’m late, but Senior called to threaten me yet again.” She sighed. “When is this going to end?”

  “Soon. I’m working on it.”

  Brooklyn and Parker walked the grounds, took the paved route to the lake. As they walked, Brooklyn updated him about Carter. Then she braced herself and told her brother what she’d found out from Lisa, and her own theories related to her mother’s death.

  When she finished her story, he clenched his fists. “If he had something to do with Mom’s death . . .”

  He left the thought open on purpose, she guessed. Because he really didn’t know what he would do if they found out their father was responsible for their mother’s death.

  “I asked Mr. Richardson for a copy of the will, and he refused. So I figured I could try to find it myself. Here.”

  Guilt crept up in her. She’d told Carter that she wouldn’t break in and steal, or do anything that could land her in a cell. But she couldn’t just stand by and let her father get away with his lies. Again. He’d been getting away with everything as long as she’d been alive. And she was sick of it.

  “No,” Parker said with a firm shake of his head. “You’re not doing anything. I need you to get out of town for today, enjoy the road trip with Carter, and let me handle this.”

  “We can work together, Parker. I am sick of him controlling my life. Our lives. I want to help. I didn’t bring this to you so that you can fix it while I sit on my hands.”

  “Brooklyn, if Senior catches you in that house, it’s going to be war. I don’t particularly want to have to kill my own father, no matter how evil he is.”

  She sighed. “Okay. But if you find out anything, please let me know.”

  * * *

  Brooklyn opened her front door to find an envelope from Mr. Richardson. She’d mistakenly assumed that her father had called her earlier because Mr. Richardson had told her father that she’d called.

  Her father had never mentioned Mr. Richardson, and now she had a manila envelope stuck in her door frame. How did he even know her new address? She unlocked the door and walked in, dropping her keys on the small table near the door.

  Opening the envelope, she scanned the documents. Jackpot. Mr. Richardson must have taken pity on her because everything was in there in black and white. And there was a note.

  Brooklyn,

  You won’t hear from me again after today. I did, however, want you to have this. Please read it carefully. You’ll have everything you need.

  Shocked, Brooklyn leaned her hip against the wall to keep from toppling over. Marie had inherited a fortune from her grandmother, and had invested the money wisely. Her mother had even helped Senior, around the time he took over as CEO of the company, by investing her fortune in the company. Basically, her mother had owned the majority of shares in the company at the time of her death. And she’d left everything to Brooklyn and Parker.

  Brooklyn had a feeling Lisa was telling some version of the truth in her fractured state. But she was still shocked to see it all on paper, on the notes written by her mother to Mr. Richardson, in the original copy of her Last Will and Testament.

  Staring at the pages, she wondered what to do next. It has seemed almost too outrageous to be true, but it was. Her father was definitely a monster. He’d stolen their inheritance, passed her mother’s money off as his own.

  “Beautiful, what’s going on?”

  Brooklyn turned to Carter and handed him the documents. Then, she sent Parker a quick text to hold tight. “My mother’s attorney . . . he gave us what we need to get out of this.”

  Chapter 19

  Later on, Carter, Aisha, and Brooklyn headed to Detroit. Aisha left her car parked in front of the condo and hopped in the back seat of Carter’s Jeep Grand Cherokee.

  It almost seemed surreal, to be with him, on her way to meet his family. They’d only met each other a couple weeks ago. They were moving at light speed, and she realized someone probably needed to put the brakes on everything, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  She wanted Carter. And she hoped nothing got in the way of the promise they had with each other.

  Before they left, Parker had arrived and read over the will. Her brother was a talented lawyer, so she was certain he’d find something in it that they could use to their advantage. In her own review of the document, she’d already seen a few things that had given her pause.

  On the way, she’d gotten a chance to pump Aisha with questions about Carter, and found that she loved his sister’s dry sense of humor. The two had a lot in common, and Brooklyn couldn’t wait to get to know her better.

  The Detroit skyline came into view and she couldn’t help but smile. It had always been one of her favorite cityscapes. Brooklyn was a proud Michigander, and had made it her mission to visit every county in the state. There was so much to do in her home state, and she made sure that everyone in her circle realized the hidden treasure that she had in Michigan. Her time in Boston had only cemented her love for the “Mitten,” as they called it. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

  Aisha was asleep in the back seat, and Carter and Brooklyn had spent the last hour talking about her plans for her new company.

  “What are you going to do, Carter?” she asked. “About the contract?”

  Carter shrugged, his gaze focused on the road. “Can’t do anything about that right now. We have other projects, so I’m not worried too much about losing the Wellspring Water account. Although, I would prefer we didn’t.”

  “I hate that you lost the account, too. Parker didn’t want to terminate it.” Her brother had tried everything in his power to prevent it, but the incident with Sterling had been the ultimate deciding factor. Nobody on the board wanted to be on Sherma
n King’s bad side. The man was as ruthless as her father. He was almost worse, because people actually thought he cared, all while he stabbed them in the back.

  She reached over and squeezed Carter’s hand. “Thanks for inviting me home with you.”

  He kissed her hand. “I’m glad you took pity on me and agreed.”

  After she’d read over the will, she’d wanted to stay back in Wellspring and strategize with Parker. But her brother and Carter had double-teamed her. Parker assured her that he wouldn’t make a move until she returned, which made her feel somewhat better. She definitely didn’t want her brother once again taking all the risks with their father.

  Scooting forward, she whispered in his ear. “If only your sister wasn’t in the car, I’d show you just how much I want you right now.”

  “Well, you’ll love the surprise I have for you then.” He winked at her, and she settled back into the seat.

  They arrived at Aisha’s house about fifteen minutes later. Aisha hopped out of the car. “Call me later. Mom wants to see you.”

  “I still don’t know why you told her what happened,” Carter fussed. “She didn’t need to know.”

  “Bye, Carter.” Aisha waved over her shoulder as she walked toward her front door.

  A little after three o’clock in the afternoon, they pulled up in front of Carter’s condo. He carried her bags inside the house, and before she could even look around, he had her pinned against the wall.

  His hands skimmed up her sides, and around her back to finally rest on her ass. “How much do you want me again?” he asked, trailing a line of wet kisses down her neck.

  Her head fell back against the wall, as his finger traced her slit through her panties. “I want you more than you know,” she murmured.

  Then he pulled away and pointed directly at the pool table standing in the middle of his living room. “Want to break this in?”

  It was glorious, Brooklyn thought as she brushed her hands over the dark wood. One of the best she’d seen, for sure. It smelled new and she wished she would have brought her stick. “You tricked me. I didn’t bring my cue stick. I don’t shoot with anyone else’s.”