Forever Branded (Billionaire Love Series #1)

by Jessa Eden

  “At last, we meet,” I said, plastering a smile on my face.

  “Ah, yes, Mr. Shepard. We have been pouring over your plans.”

  “Yes, I know. You keep finding something wrong with them.”

  “It’s all part of the process. We have to make sure you’re honoring the past and the integrity of the building.”

  “That’s my intent, Mr. Cacy. What can I do to get things moving along?”

  “It takes time, Mr. Shepard. We can’t be rushed into approving your plans. Have you talked to Senator Blackwood lately?”

  It was a fight to keep my smile in place. “I have spoken to him recently.”

  “He’s been such a wonderful benefactor of the Historical Society. We really value his contributions in keeping our committee strong.”

  Goddamn it, he was telling me to make a bribe. I didn’t like it and I was done with this line of questioning.

  “You’re an Oriole fan?” I asked, pointing to the Orioles T-shirt he had on under his blazer.

  “I am. Thirty years now.”

  It was time to get him on my side. “Do you like hockey, Mr. Cacy?”

  “I do. You did real well with those Gators this last year.”

  “Are you interested in being my personal guest at a game this fall?”

  “I think I would, Mr. Shepard. I think I would.”

  I handed him a business card. “Great. Here’s my number. Call me and we’ll set up a time.”

  “Sure thing. Thanks.”

  I glanced up, the jumbotron showing a couple getting engaged. A man was on bended knee, as his girlfriend nodded yes wildly. Jumping for joy, the ecstatic woman leapt into her man’s arms, acting as if they were going to live happily ever after.

  Good luck.

  I didn’t believe in that shit anymore.

  Love and marriage were for fools.

  Still, that thought couldn’t stop the last good memory I had of Marla rushing at me.

  I was thrilled when Marla agreed to be my wife.

  She was mine.

  It wasn’t going to be easy with the distance. But we were in it together, determined to make it work.

  Lying in bed one night, I heard the cicadas sing as Marla snuggled into my side, even though it was hotter than Hades outside.

  It didn’t matter.

  She ran her hand across my pecs, playing with the hair on my chest.

  “What do you think our life will look like?” I asked her, thinking about the future.

  “I don’t know. I guess what it looks like right now.”

  “How many kids do you think we’ll have?”

  “How about two?” she offered.

  I smiled. “Maybe four.”

  “Are you going to push those babies out?” she teased.

  “No, I guess not.”

  She sighed contentedly. “We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

  “God, I don’t like the thought of being away from you.” I couldn’t imagine not seeing her every day.

  “It will just be for a year.”

  “That’s twelve damn long months.”

  “I know. But you’ll be busy and so will I.”

  “What will you be busy with?”

  “I’m going to go to massage therapy school.”

  “Really?”

  “I want to help people and this will be a very flexible career for me to still raise Emma and have some kind of income if we get a chance to move up there with you.”

  “I don’t know, Marla.”

  “Well, I do. It will only take nine months to get through the program and I can attend classes when Emma is in school. It will be perfect.”

  “But I want to take care of you.”

  “And I so appreciate that about you. But I need to do this for me. I need a viable career, so that if we need extra money or I want to build a business of my own, I’m ready to go.”

  “I guess you have a long term plan then.”

  “I do.”

  I kissed her nose. “Now come here, I want to show you something,” I said, taking her hand and moving it toward my cock.

  “What is it? A present?”

  “Yep, a big, hard present that will make you feel really good.”

  “I can’t wait to unwrap my gift,” she laughed as we started to fool around.

  I knew life would never be sweeter than with Marla by my side.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Marla:

  The rickety bench groaned in protest as I shifted for the umpteenth time waiting to see the health inspector at the big courthouse located downtown.

  I wasn’t sure why I even showed up. It had been weeks and we hadn’t been inspected or shut down. The health inspector had clearly backed off, but I still wanted to make sure I heard it from the man in charge.

  The courthouse was old, built sometime in the early twentieth century. Light salmon colored marble laced with streaks of white ran along the walls. I sat in front of courtroom nine, which was an epicenter of activity with a maze of hallways, full of people going back and forth.

  Without warning, a distraught man, wearing a brown suit, erupted from the courtroom in front of me, steam coming out of his ears as he loosened his red tie. He stormed down the hall, looking ready to take on the world.

  His case obviously wasn’t going well.

  Human nature in action was fascinating.

  I loved to people watch.

  It was my saving grace while I waited for the health inspector to show up. I studied two women who scurried by, whispering to each other, perhaps about a new love or an office secret.

  It was quiet for a moment before a big, burly man in a bright orange jumpsuit, strapped to handcuffs at his side, was escorted down the hall by a sea of deputies transporting him back to jail.

  He glanced my way, his dark eyes soulless and cold.

  Yikes.

  I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.

  After he passed, I continued to watch the mass of people going on with their daily lives. Most seemed mundane until I noticed a group of well-dressed men in dark suits, clothed in an air of power as they walked toward me.

  As they grew closer, a man towering above the others caught my attention. I cocked my head, studying him. He had white hair and beard and carried himself with a familiar bearing. I sucked in my breath as realization hit me.

  It was James Shepard, Beau’s father.

  Oh, my god.

  His gaze caught mine as the blood drained out of my face, my heart galloping against my chest. We stared at one another as he passed by.

  He still had the same cold hatred in his eyes, sending a wicked chill down my spine, paralyzing me in my seat for about two seconds. I almost panicked, but, somehow, from somewhere deep, a well of strength rose up in me as tenacity infused my backbone.

  I refused to look away, holding the older man’s vicious gaze. I had nothing to lose. There wasn’t anything else he could take from me. Eventually, he broke eye contact and I claimed a small victory for all those years ago.

  I didn’t see much of Mr. Shepard when Beau and I were dating, but that all changed when Beau got called up to pros.

  It all started one, lazy August morning when I was getting a load of laundry ready to take to the laundromat. I had the house to myself. Emma was at a friend’s house and I was using the morning to get some cleaning done.

  So I went around the apartment, picking up discarded clothing, like Beau’s socks lying on my bedroom floor. I enjoyed doing his laundry. It made me feel like his wife, which I would be shortly, now that we were engaged.

  Mrs. Marla Shepard.

  I liked the ring of that name.

  I hoped we would have a proper home once he settled into his hockey career. I was so wonderfully happy with him. He was kind, reliable, courteous, and thoughtful. He’d helped give our little abode life again as we set out to establish our lives together.

  Anyway, I was rounding up quarters when there was a knock
at the door. To my surprise, Beau’s father was standing on my front stoop.

  I glanced at him quizzically. “Hi, Mr. Shepard, Beau’s at practice.”

  “Yes, I know that. I wanted to come by and see you,” he said, looking overdressed in his sharp navy blue suit.

  “O-okay,” I stuttered out, knowing he wasn’t there to shoot the breeze. “Come on in.” I held the door wider, so he could step inside.

  He peered around the living room, his distaste evident.

  “Can I get you something to drink? Water? Lemonade?” I asked.

  He waved his hand dismissively. “No, no. I just need to talk to you.”

  I sat on the chair next to the sofa where he had taken a seat. “Okay, what’s up?”

  “You know Beau is getting a chance to go pro, don’t you?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’m super excited for him.”

  “You know he’s going to be busy with trying to make the team and he needs to concentrate on establishing himself in the pros.”

  “Of course. I’m sure he’ll do great. He’s ready for this, Mr. Shepard. It will be difficult for him to be away, but I fully support him.”

  “Good, good. I’m glad to hear that.” He paused for a second, scratching his bearded chin. “Can I be honest with you?”

  “Uh, sure.” I ran my hands nervously up and down my thighs.

  “Frankly, you’re bad news for him. You’re gonna hold him back.”

  Talk about being sucker punched.

  “What?” I asked in stunned disbelief. “Why would you say that?”

  “It’s nothing personal, but Beau’s been working his whole life to achieve this dream and no girl should get in his way.”

  “So, I’m in his way?” I asked, hurt by his careless words.

  “Yes, you are.” The jaunty tilt of his head spoke of a blue-blooded arrogance which led him to believe he was entitled to rule the world. “He’ll grow to resent you when he realizes you took his dream from him. Instead of having this puppy love, you’ll hate each other.”

  “But Mr. Shepard I love Beau and he loves me.” I tried to explain, hoping he would understand.

  He scoffed. “Oh, hogwash. In a couple of months you won’t remember each other.”

  “That’s not true,” I whispered, feeling his words twist in my gut.

  “Missy, you have your whole life ahead of you. Let go of Beau. Let him have the future he’s meant to have.”

  He was really starting to piss me off. “You mean the future I’m not a part of?”

  “You can’t think like that. This is the best for Beau and you.”

  Fire blazed in my gaze. “Hogwash. You just think you know what’s best for Beau. Have you even asked him what he wants?”

  He shot me an icy glare. “Young lady, I don’t answer to you. You can’t understand a father’s heart. Beau won’t succeed with you around.”

  God, his manipulations were bold.

  “How do you know that?” I asked as calmly as I could.

  “I know Beau was much more focused and disciplined before he met you. He used to score a ton of goals every game. Now, he’s more worried about you and his goal scoring average is slipping. You’ve made him vulnerable and unfocused. You’re dangerous to his future.”

  “How can you even say that? I want nothing but the best for Beau.”

  He smiled, but it was cold and lifeless. “Think about what’s right. If you really love him, don’t stand in his way.”

  I shook my head, unwavering in my belief that Beau and I should be together. “No, I don’t buy it. I appreciate your concern for Beau, but I’m not leaving him.”

  He stood up, his blue eyes burning with rage. “We’ll see about that.”

  “Listen, I’m not trying to take your boy away from you. We love each other and want to be together. It’s pretty simple. I don’t understand why you want to take that away from us.”

  “You’re not in the plans. He will marry someone of his own class,” he snapped, as if he was a king issuing a decree.

  I scoffed. “His own class? Beau is a kind, thoughtful guy who enjoys playing hockey and hanging out with people who love him. He doesn’t need some high maintenance chick demanding he wear his Armani jacket to brunch with the in-laws.”

  “How dare you presume to know what class is!” he fumed at me, his cheeks starting to puff out. “If you tell him about this conversation and don’t break up with him, you’re going to watch your sister be ripped away from you.”

  “What?”

  His face filled with a malicious glee, his icy blue gaze glittering in satisfaction. “You heard me. I will pull in every favor I have and make sure you never see your sister again.”

  His arrow hit its mark, blasting through my Achilles heel. “No,” I whispered, stunned by his callous words. “You’re blackmailing me?”

  “You bet. I will not let you interfere with my boy’s destiny.”

  I got up from the couch to plead with him. “You can’t do that, Mr. Shepard. My sister belongs with me.”

  “I wonder what your dad would have to say about that.”

  “He has no interest in being a dad.”

  “I’m sure for the right price he’d be willing to claim his daughter.”

  My dad had disappeared a long time ago, but I knew Mr. Shepard could be right. My cash strapped father might take him up on his offer.

  All the fight went out of me as I watched his true colors come out. “I can’t believe you would do this, Mr. Shepard.”

  He stalked toward the front door. “Then, you know what to do. Break up with Beau. Be convincing and I’ll make sure you get guardianship of Emma.”

  “What if I don’t?” I asked, crossing my arms.

  “Try me, missy, try me! You will not take my boy away from me!” he spat out angrily. “I told you what you need to do or you will suffer the consequences.” He slammed the front door, leaving me in a shaken state.

  Shocked, I sat back down on the couch. The possibility of breaking up with Beau boggled my mind.

  I couldn’t do it.

  I couldn’t live without Beau.

  But I couldn’t bear to let my baby sister go into the foster care system either.

  My heart split in two as I despaired over my choices. I couldn’t believe Beau’s father was out to ruin his happiness. That was really fucked up.

  Looking back, I should have consulted a lawyer or at the very least told Beau, but life experience and hindsight were not luxuries I had at the time. I believed James Shepard would put his hounds on me, regardless of who I told.

  It weighed heavily on my mind, but I ignored the dilemma for a couple of weeks, until I received a notice in the mail that Emma’s guardianship case was under further review. That was enough to scare the crap out of me. I knew Beau’s father was giving me a warning.

  His awful demand became more reasonable to me as I contemplated the fallout. If I did what he said, Beau could still have his career, and I would still have Emma. If I didn’t, I would still have Beau, but Emma could be ripped away from me at any time.

  The bottom line was I couldn’t risk Emma.

  No matter what.

  My heart sank as I cherished those last days with Beau. I knew what was coming; he didn’t. I hugged him a little tighter, kissed him harder, laughed longer, and said I love you every other breath. I willed him to remember those last moments we had together, to know, somehow, I really loved him despite what it looked like.

  I bit the bullet the day before he was due to leave for Canada. I figured it would be a clean break, best for both of us. It was a perfect summer day, in every way, except I was about to destroy the one thing that mattered most in my life.

  Heartsick, I waited for him at my apartment as my stomach roiled in distress. Exactly on time, he came home from practice as I heard his quick step on the landing.

  “Hey, where’s Emma?” Beau asked as he threw down his hockey gear bag by the couch. “I thought we were going to a mo
vie.”

  “I sent her to Katy’s house,” I answered numbly.

  “Oh good.” He pulled me close from behind. “Then we can get busy doing something sexy,” he murmured as he kissed me behind my ear.

  I loved that kind of kiss.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping I was just in a nightmare; but I wasn’t. I was going to have to rip Beau’s heart out.

  “Cut it out!” I snapped and walked over to the window. “We’ve gotta talk.”

  “Talk about what? Your sweet body under mine?” he teased as he followed me.

  Goddamn it, he was gonna make this super hard.

  My heart was in my throat as I peered out at the vibrant grass soaking up the light rain that was falling. My love for Beau was immeasurable, but I would never know his affection again. I let my fingers trail along the yellow cotton of the curtain, trying to find the will to break his heart.

  I didn’t want to do it! I didn’t want to do it!

  I fiddled with the silver ring he had given me. “I can’t marry you,” I said quietly, taking off the band and putting it on the window sill.

  “What? Why?” He stared at me in denial as I turned toward him.

  “We lead very different lives, Beau. You have a big destiny to fulfill and I’m just a simple girl who needs more than a hockey head has to offer.”

  “What are you talking about?” He took two steps toward me, his blue eyes stark with worry.

  “I can’t be with you anymore,” I said, a tear slipping down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly.

  He encircled his arms around my waist. “I love you, Marla. I don’t want to break up.”

  “It’s not your choice. It’s mine.”

  “So you don’t want to be with me?” he asked in disbelief.

  I couldn’t answer that.

  I shook my head, my glance pleading with his to understand. “I need someone who’s gonna be there for me, not going around the country being hit on by every hockey bunny out there.”

  “That’s a low blow, Marla.”

  “You can’t deny it, though. All those sweet girls ready to keep you warm at night. I’m not that naive. I know that happens all the time with athletes.”

  “That doesn’t mean it will happen with me.”