by Dawn Brower
Genevieve pulled her cousin into her arms, hugging her tight. “Don’t worry about Bradford. He won’t be a problem—at least not for long.”
Aubriella stepped out of her arms and asked, “How so?”
“Well...” Genevieve bit her lip. “That is part of the reason I was calling you. Trenton and I were supposed to go to this high society fundraiser. It is a once a year thing, and I’ve always wanted to go.” She looped her arm through Aubriella’s and led her inside shutting the door behind them. They headed to the nearest sitting room. “I hear that the man who throws the party is gorgeous too, though I’ve never met him,” she added the last part for her cousin’s benefit. Trenton was incredibly handsome, and she hadn’t even thought twice about looking at another man. “Do you want to go?” She gestured for Aubriella to head inside, then closed the door and followed behind her.
“I don’t know...” Aubriella frowned. “Wouldn’t we need to dress fancy or something? I’d rather not. It’s not my kind of thing.”
Of course it wasn’t. Genevieve should have realized it. They could still spend time together. It just wouldn’t be at one of the Marquess of Seabrook’s elegant events. At least the money they spent on tickets would go to a charity. All of the proceeds went to a good cause from the event. Genevieve liked that about him. She often wondered what he was like and hoped to meet him someday. He must be a wonderful man who thought well about the world in general. Making it a better place was a worthwhile endeavor. Maybe one day she’d get a chance to make her own mark. For now, she’d focus on her cousin and spending some quality time with her.
“That’s fine,” she said. “Bradford is going to it. Trenton is...”
The door opened and closed with a click. Genevieve turned and noticed the manor’s owner enter the room. He wasn’t going to be happy to find Aubriella making herself at home in his sitting room.
“Running late,” Bradford said. “He asked me to relay the message to you.” He nodded at them. “Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t realize you had company.”
“He called you?” And ignored me? How dare he! When he made it back to Weston Manor he’d realize what a colossal mistake that was. Her jaw clenched tightly, and she clutched her fists at her side. The need to hit something was growing as each moment passed. She pasted a smile on her face and forced herself to remain cordial as she asked, “Did he give you any indication how late he’d be?”
Bradford shook his head. “I don’t know. He left a voicemail. I didn’t actually speak to him. I’m sure he’ll make it up to you once he arrives.” Her fake grin wavered as he spoke. He looked at her and said reassuringly, “It’s all right to arrive late. Zane doesn’t stand on ceremony.”
That’s right. Bradford was good friends with the marquess. Most didn’t refer to the man by first name. Trenton usually called him Mr. Rossington. Lord Seabrook was too formal most of the time and Zane was too personal. Maybe one day she’d know where she fit into that mold. She might never have a chance to attend one of the events at Seabrook Manor again. The idea of going anywhere with Trent no longer appealed—even if he decided to show up in the next few moments. She was ready to depart Weston Manor and not look back. Bradford meant well, encouraging her even if it was out of character for him.
“Thanks,” Genevieve said. “But I’m no longer interested. If it’s all right with you, can Aubriella remain here with me for the night? I don’t plan on being here long, but it’s getting late to travel.”
“Stay as long as you like,” he said diplomatically. “You’re always welcome. Now I must depart or I’ll never make it on time.” He nodded to them and turned to leave. The door clicking shut to let them know he was gone.
“Care to tell me what he was really thinking?” Aubriella said. “His expression belied his offer of hospitality.”
Genevieve laughed lightly, “I try to refrain from listening to his thoughts. They can get rather dark. Besides I have other things on my mind—Trenton’s lack of attention of late.”
“I’m sorry,” Aubriella said. “Trenton does love you. He’s just... His priorities are skewed right now.” She pulled Genevieve’s arm and guided her to the settee. “Sit and tell me what is going on with you.”
Genevieve sat down but stopped listening to her cousin. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces. Trenton didn’t love her enough. Aubriella was right in her assessment, but wrong too. Trenton knew what his priorities were, and unfortunately she wasn’t even close to the top of that list. He called his stepbrother and let him know he was running late. But her? No, she didn’t even rate a text message. What did that say about her importance to Trenton? To think she thought Trenton was her one true love and they’d spend the rest of their lives together. How wrong could she possibly have been?
“Are you listening to me?” Aubriella snapped her fingers in front of Genevieve’s eyes. “Don’t go to whatever dark place is inside that head of yours. It’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be.”
Genevieve sighed heavily. “Take my mind off of it.”
“For what I have in mind we need alcohol. Wine isn’t strong enough. Bradford has to have brandy somewhere in this mausoleum.”
“He keeps the best stuff in his study,” she said. “Follow me.” Genevieve stood and headed out of the room. Aubriella was on her heels. They went down several hallways and turned as many times until they reached the duke’s study. She opened a cabinet and rolled out a minibar. It had more than brandy on it. Whatever poison a person chose to drink, Bradford had it in supply. “What will it be?” Genevieve raised a brow. “Brandy, rum, vodka, or tequila?”
“I say...” She leaned against her. “We try all of them.”
Genevieve stared at the decanters. “But which one should we start with.”
“Surprise me,” Aubriella suggested. “In the end, it won’t matter.”
Good point. So she grabbed one and poured them each a glass. The night was young and anything was possible. Though she was feeling mean enough to make sure she was drunk before the end of it.
Ignore her? Trenton would rue the day he ever did something so foolish. When she was good and ready, she’d make him feel the brunt of her wrath. In the meantime, she’d have a nice girl’s night with Aubriella and erase her pain with all of Bradford’s nice alcohol. He had said to make themselves at home...
***
Trenton pulled at his tie. The day hadn’t gone well at all. He still didn’t understand why he bothered. He hated business and especially the company his father had built. The old man didn’t ask much of him though. So when he’d approached him for help—he’d felt obligated. Someone had embezzled a lot of money from the company, and Trenton’s particular skill set was designed to ferret out the man. He had a head for numbers and cataloging unique information. If there was something out of place, he would be the first person to recognize it. That made him a good asset to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. He took a sabbatical from the NFIB to help his father out and hopefully catch the culprit.
Most people didn’t realize what he did or how he played a part in catching criminals. Only his close family members were aware of it. He wanted to tell Genevieve, but he was sworn to secrecy for now. If they married, he could tell her, and it was something he hoped to one day do. He had planned on proposing before the mess with his father’s company arose. He hated disappointing her. She was the love of his life. Genevieve was his everything, and he wanted to make all of her dreams come true.
That was why he’d bought the tickets to the fundraiser at Seabrook Manor. He wanted to give her everything. She was special and should always feel that way. Unfortunately, he was making so many mistakes, and her smiles were showing up less frequently. He was a complete and total ass. Somehow, he’d have to find a way to make it up to her. In the end, they’d have it all. A lifetime of love and laughter—that is if they made it through their current bump in the road.
He’d driven like a mad man to get back to Weston Manor and take
her to Seabrook. The closer he got to his stepbrother’s estate it became clear it wasn’t happening. Trenton prayed Genevieve would forgive him. She’d had a lot to forgive over the past year. He was close to finding out who was stealing from his father though. She had to be patient a little longer, and then he could tell her everything.
Trenton pulled into the driveway and parked his car. He slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a velvet box. With a quick gesture, he flipped open the lid and stared down at the diamond solitaire ring nestled inside. Soon he’d get down on bended knee and ask her to be his forever. Sadly, that night wouldn’t be this one. He closed it and put it back into his pocket where he carried it around with him at all times. It was his way of making sure he had it with him if the opportunity finally presented itself.
Genevieve was going to be pissed off at him. This wasn’t the first time he bailed on plans they’d made. He kept waiting for her to leave him. As much as it would hurt if she did, he couldn’t blame her... It was time to face her and grovel at her feet. He pushed open the car door and headed inside. The sounds of female laughter greeted him once he walked in the house.
“Eve?” he called out.
More laughter echoed through the house. What was she doing? He moved down the hall until he was outside of Bradford’s study? Giggling filled the room, and it was then he realized Genevieve wasn’t alone. He pushed the door open and found Aubriella and Genevieve rolling on the floor. Two empty decanters lying next to them. They each had a half full one in their hands. How much had they had to drink? He prayed Bradford hadn’t kept all his alcohol fully stocked for once.
“Oh, look who finally decided to make an appearance,” Genevieve said. She blew out a breath and pushed her auburn locks away from her ice blue eyes. Her gaze seemed to look right through him. “My prince,” she declared and then lifted the bottle and saluted him. “This one’s for you.” She guzzled the amber liquid straight from the bottle.
“I told you he’d come,” Aubriella said. She pinned a strand of her rose-gold hair behind her ear. “Better late than never.”
Genevieve turned and glared at her.
“Hey, it could be worse. You could have my two stepsisters and stepmomster.”
“Peyton and Serenity aren’t that bad,” Genevieve said and then hiccupped. “Though you have me on the stepmomster part.”
Trenton rubbed his temples. It could be worse, but he was at a loss as to how. He had to help them both up to bed. Neither one was in any condition to do it themselves.
“I think you both need to sleep off the alcohol you imbibed.” He picked up one of the decanters and stared down at it in disgust. “How much did you two drink? Never mind, I am not sure I want to know.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” Genevieve said angrily. She stood and wobbled over to him, then started to poke him hard in the chest. “In fact, I am done listening to you and your excuses. I waited and waited.” She stomped her foot and almost fell backward. “For what? You to come in here and look down your nose at me in disgust? Well, I have news for you. You’re far from perfect yourself, mister, and I’m through with lingering around like a piece of trash you forgot to discard. If you don’t want me, come out and tell me. I can take it.”
“Eve...” God, that was the last thing he wanted. Would she even remember this when she woke up? “Why don’t we have a long talk in the morning? This isn’t the time to hash this out.”
“Wimp,” she said and attempted to knee him in the balls she missed, but not without still doing some damage. He fell to the ground so she wouldn’t try it again. Best to let her think she was successful. “Be a man and tell me how it is.”
“Have mercy,” he begged.
“No,” she replied. “You don’t deserve any. I’m leaving.”
She stomped out of the room, her path one huge zig zag of movements. He had to stop her before she hurt herself. She couldn’t leave as drunk as she was. She’d get hurt and he couldn’t allow that to happen.
“Let her go,” Aubriella said. “Haven’t you done enough to hurt her?”
Genevieve had tried to knee him in his man parts, and her cousin had sucker punched him with one statement. How was he ever going to make any of it right again? He’d hurt the love of his life. Something he’d vowed to never do.
“I can’t,” he said. “She’s my everything—my end and my beginning. I’m nothing without her.”
“Don’t tell me, you ass.” She took a swig from the decanter. “She’s the one that needs to hear it.” She set the bottle down and glared at him. “What the hell are you waiting for? Go after her before she does something stupid.”
Women. Would he ever understand them? Aubriella was right though. Trenton couldn’t go on without telling Genevieve how much she meant to him, and he hated that he’d hurt her. He wished he could undo a lot of what he’d already put her through. There wasn’t a clear way how to fix the mess he’d created, but he’d find a way.
Trenton stood and headed out of the room. He ran down the hallway and stopped short in the foyer. The door was open wide and wind was blowing into the manor. His heart froze in his chest. Please... If she’d gotten behind the wheel of a car he’d never survive the terror. He ran outside and noticed her silhouette in the distance. She was heading toward the cliffs. Not much better, but he could work with it. He set off after her, running as fast as he possibly could. When he caught up to her she was standing on the cliff’s edge looking over the side.
“Eve,” he said as calmly as he could manage. “Could you please take a step back?”
“It’s so pretty. Look at the waves as they crash to shore.”
His heart beat rapidly against his chest. She wobbled a little but kept her balance. One wrong move and she’d tumble over. “Darling, I’m begging you, please come over here by me.”
Genevieve glanced up at him and smiled. “Oh, there’s a pretty white bunny.” She lifted her hand and pointed to her right. He glanced over but didn’t see any damn rabbit. That was a mistake because when he turned back to her, his heart about burst inside his chest. She wobbled on the edge, arms flailing in the wind. He dashed to her side to catch her, but was too late. His throat became raw from screaming as she tumbled over the edge and fell to her death. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the horror on her face as she fell or the moment when she disappeared before his eyes.
***
The days afterward were nothing but hell. Trenton couldn’t eat or sleep after Genevieve disappeared. There had been search parties out looking for her—but not as a rescue. They were on full recovery mode. The fools were looking for a dead body. Trenton had watched as she fell, helpless to save her. His eyes hadn’t played tricks on him as everyone had suggested. There wasn’t a chance in hell he’d give up on finding her because he alone knew the truth.
Genevieve never hit the ground. She didn’t die. He refused to believe anything else. Wherever she ended up she was living a happy life. It didn’t matter that he lived his life without her. When he closed his eyes, she visited him in his dreams. His heart broke each time his mind wandered to thoughts of her, but he wouldn’t change it for anything. How could he when she was the only thing he had to live for? How did a man forget the love of his life? Trenton didn’t know because he’d forever have her inside his heart. Every night when he closed his eyes, he found a way to happiness. In the land of dreams, she’d never left him. It was the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms without a care in the world.
When he opened his eyes, reality set in. All the mistakes he’d made. The things he hadn’t said or would never have a chance to say. Living without her was pure hell. But he moved on and did his best to make the best of his situation. He tried to love again.
But he was a fool for even doing that much. Genevieve haunted him and always would. She was the ghost of all his regrets. Until he found a way to make peace with that, he’d never have a chance of anything more. He would often go to the cl
iffs edge and scream at the injustice of it all. There was a time he’d pulled out the engagement ring and contemplated throwing it. What would be the point? He stopped carrying it after that. Maybe one day he’d still be able to give it to her.
He was aware he was slowly going insane... Even that didn’t stop the pain ravaging through him.
“Wherever you are, my love, I’ll always be yours. It doesn’t matter how much my heart breaks, I’ll wait for you. I’m sorry I took you for granted. I promise, if you find your way back, I’ll do better.” He hit the ground as tears filled his eyes and drenched his cheeks. “Please, come back to me...”
About the Author
Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.
Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. While she loves all genres she focuses most of her writing on historical and contemporary romance.
There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.
For more information visit her website at: http://www.authordawnbrower.com/