Broken Vows (Domestic Discipline Romance)

by Mariella Starr

  "They already showed us how outsourcing certain functions of the company help control costs," Matt said, "Payroll, for instance. The data collection is online. Why hire an internal payroll department when we can outsource the work for half the cost."

  Melanie put her hands on either side of her head and squeezed. "Enough! Bill, this is your baby, along with the rest of you boys, of course. As your wives, we all knew you could do it. We had faith in each of you. Go for it. Darn, I wish I could have a sip of champagne with you, but I can't. Congratulations!"

  "There is something to be said for being succinct," Diane agreed. "Congratulations. I'm tired, the kids are tired. Let's go back to the hotel."

  "That sounds good," Josh agreed and everyone nodded his or her head.

  * * *

  "So, it really is a done deal?" Jenny questioned after the kids were in bed.

  "Nothing is a done deal until contracts are signed," Josh said. "Tyrell has a lot of legalese to work through. After we sign the final documents, it will be a done deal, hopefully, sometime in mid-January."

  "I don't want to jinx anything," Jenny said. "However, if Peak Designs ever goes belly up for any reason, do you lose everything including your inheritance?"

  "Absolutely not," Josh said shaking his head. "We incorporated and have liability insurance, so our private resources aren't connected to the business. I would lose my personal investment in the company, of course, but nothing more unless we were negligent in some manner. I would never risk my family's future, Jenny. I haven't told my partners about my inheritance, either."

  "Why not?"

  "I hadn't told you yet, I told no one except Tyrell and Dad, and then only because I needed their legal and financial advice. They let it slip out to the family. I was planning on telling you on Christmas day, but when you had your little setback, I changed my mind."

  "But, you changed it back," Jenny said.

  "Yeah, I didn't want you worrying."

  "Okay, I was just wondering. I'm glad you had an exciting day."

  "It was," Josh admitted, "Also grueling. Have you called Mila today?"

  "Yes, I finally got through to her this evening. She said everything was fine, but then Little Kevin was crying and she said it was dinnertime, so I let her go. I'm exhausted."

  "Don't be too exhausted, I want to celebrate with you tonight," Josh teased.

  "Quietly," Jenny warned. "We have company in the next room."

  "I know. First, I have to check my email. Wow! I have thirty-one messages."

  "From whom?"

  Josh opened his email app on his phone. "Shit!"

  "What?" Jenny demanded.

  "Fraud Alerts on credit cards. Bring me the laptop."

  "It wasn't me!" Jenny denied. "I only used the card twice yesterday. I told you about both purchases and even sent you pictures of what I was buying."

  "Don't worry. I'm not blaming you," Josh said, moving to the desk to look more closely through the alerts."

  He opened his wallet to retrieve the two credit cards and check the numbers against those listed on the fraud alerts. The numbers did not match. He jotted down notes as he opened each alert. Many of them were second and third warnings.

  Josh called the twenty-four-hour fraud-protection line that put him on hold. "Go take your shower, Jenny, I could be a while," he suggested.

  An hour later, he walked into the bathroom to find Jenny lying back in the bathtub with her eyes closed. He kicked off his shoes, then his clothing. "Scoot up," he said, climbing in behind her and laying her back against his chest."

  "Was it fraud?" Jenny asked.

  "It looks like it. The credit card companies have a handle on it. According to the fraud representative, someone ordered new cards using your name and social security number. I closed those accounts, requesting they not be reactivated without a verbal approval from me. Actually, I was blowing hot air. I didn't think they would check the files."

  "Someone got new credit cards though."

  "Yep, but we have fraud insurance so we won't be held accountable."

  "Very cool," Jenny said leaning back. "Who was it?"

  Josh shrugged. "Let's forget about it for right now. I want to celebrate."

  "I like the idea of celebrating, but this tub is slick and I don't want to drown. Let's take our celebration elsewhere."

  They sloshed out of the tub and dried off. Jenny was drying her hair when she leaned over the vanity to wipe the steam from the mirror. Josh held her in place. "Is this far enough?" he whispered into her ear entering her in one slick thrust.

  She gasped and grabbed the edge of the sink. "Oh, yes!" God, she loved it when he filled her and took her aggressively. She rode the wave as they discovered a new playground. First the vanity, and then with her hands braced on the toilet seat and her ass in the air. Again, it was glorious, as she felt every bit of his length, his girth, and his need, pounding into her. Often, she did not need finesse or foreplay, she wanted him to take her hard—but not fast, oh no not fast unless her husband was up to multiples. Tonight he was, each time leaving her gasping for oxygen, her heart beating a rhythm to match the orgasmic thumping inside her.

  Josh pulled her into his arms and turned on the shower to rinse and towel off. He pulled a tee shirt over her head and led her to the bed where he gave her panties a careless toss toward her suitcase. His action thrilled her. It meant he wanted instant access to her. As soon as he was able, she would have him again.

  * * *

  Mila rose from a late nap and wandered out of her bedroom. Gina Carter was cooking something mouthwatering in her kitchen.

  "Gina, you didn't have to cook," Mila protested. "It's enough you are watching my baby and changing his diapers. Hopefully by tomorrow, my fingers won't be so stiff."

  "I'll be here as long as you need me. Lord knows, I've had enough practice. There's something special about a newborn, though. He is asleep, by the way, I fixed you soup and salad for now," Gina explained. "Kevin called, he's on his way. As soon as he gets here, I'll leave you in peace until tomorrow. Don't tell me it's not necessary. My son will not accept excuses. Kevin is exactly like his father, once he decides on something, there is no changing his mind. It's a good thing, Mila. I've been married to George for forty-eight years, yet the time has flown by much too fast."

  "That's quite an accomplishment," Mila said. "It's almost unheard of today."

  Gina shook her head. "My generation didn't believe in throwaway marriages. We need to bring back such values. We raised our children to believe them too. So far it has worked, they chose well. My Kevin is a keeper too."

  Mila ducked her head down over the bassinet and heard a sharp knock on the door before Kevin came in.

  "Well, I'll leave you in good hands, Mila," Gina said, putting on her coat and getting her purse. "Kevin, there's soup on the stove and salad in the fridge. There are also sandwich makings in the crisper drawer. I'll be back early in the morning, so you can get to work on time. I'll bring along a few of the casseroles I have in the freezer. They will tide you over until the weekend."

  "Thanks, Mom," Kevin said, kissing her cheek as she walked by him.

  "Thank you, Gina," Mila said.

  "I'll see you in the morning, hon," Gina called over her shoulder.

  Kevin walked to the bassinet to look down at his namesake. "Did he get a sore throat from all his crying this morning?"

  "I think babies are sturdier than that," Mila said.

  "How about you?" Kevin asked, lifting her hand and turning it over carefully. "Are you taking the pain medication?"

  Mila shook her head. "I can't, whatever goes in me, goes in Little Kevin."

  He gave a sigh. "I figured the same thing, so I stopped and asked the pharmacist what is the best substitute for mother's milk. I got what he recommended, in case you need it."

  "Thanks, but if I can manage without it, I will. It's a good idea to have formula around though."

  "Did you get any rest today?" Kevin asked,
leading her to the couch. He sat down beside her and inspected the bruises on her fingers.

  "Yes, but I hate inconveniencing your mother," Mila scolded.

  "She loves to play mother hen," Kevin scoffed. "It also gets her out of my Dad's hair for a few hours."

  "Why did the stairway collapse?".

  "Someone sawed off the bolt heads. I had the Sheriff come out and take fingerprints. Most of them will probably be mine, but he might get a hit. What I don't understand is why?"

  "My prints will be in the databases too," Mila said. "I had a security clearance. Isn't the why obvious? Someone thinks old Mr. Bentley left valuables hidden in the house."

  "We have been all over that house numerous times over the past several months," Kevin said. "Yeah, there used to be rumors about Bentley when he first started building. Neither he nor the housekeeper were very sociable people. They kept to themselves. Kids made up stories about it being haunted. Kids would always sneak onto the property at Halloween. My friend, Denny Moser, got his butt tanned when he was about fourteen. He came here on a dare, broke in, and was caught. His old man wasn't real happy with him."

  "Breaking and entering at fourteen," Mila exclaimed. "I don't imagine his father was pleased. Did you check out the rest of the house beyond the library?"

  Kevin shook his head and their eyes met. "I didn't, I was too concerned with getting you down and to the hospital. I'd better check now."

  "I'm coming with you.'

  "I don't think…."

  "Tough," Mila said. "I'm coming."

  Chapter 19

  They left Buddy faithfully guarding the house, and Mila tucked Little Kevin under her coat. They returned to the main house, going through it slowly room by room. The kitchen had not been touched. Kevin checked the bolted door on both sides.

  "They didn't get in here."

  They walked through the downstairs rooms. Most were unfurnished and freshly painted, and did not look disturbed. Jenny's studio was in a shambles. The intruder had tossed her art pieces about and turned over her worktable. They had ripped her sketches from the walls and scattered them on the floor.

  "Oh no," Mila exclaimed bending down to retrieve one of the yarn art pieces and holding it up. "It doesn't look as if it is damaged, but it would be hard for me to tell."

  "You shouldn't have touched it," Kevin said.

  "Why?" Mila demanded. "The stairway collapsed this morning, your local Andy Taylor was in here earlier. Did he report this damage to you?"

  "No," Kevin admitted. "I doubt he went beyond the library. I didn't go any further this morning. We were more worried about you."

  "He is the law," Mila snapped. "Shouldn't he have looked further?"

  "Yes, he should have," Kevin pulled out his phone. "Don't touch anything else." He walked out the door and she heard him getting a little loud on the phone.

  "He's on his way back," Kevin announced. "Come on. Let's walk through the rest of the rooms. They found Josh's office locked. Since Kevin did not have a key for it, he walked around and peered through the windows, but nothing looked disorderly or out of place. They went upstairs where again they found no unlocked windows or balcony doors.

  They stopped in the library on their way out and Kevin swore. Black powder covered every surface and black footprints crisscrossed the carpet. He handed Mila his phone with a curt order. "Take pictures!" He turned on his heel to stomp into the kitchen where he grabbed a vacuum out of the closet, along with spray bottles of cleaner and rolls of paper towels. He brought the cleaning supplies to the library and set them on a table for later.

  "We should check on the guesthouse," Mila said, looking around at the damage.

  They found the guesthouse still locked and alarmed. Mila could not find any signs of anyone being there.

  They locked and reset the alarm, and went to her place to wait for Sheriff Leonard. Meanwhile, Kevin placed another call. They put him on hold.

  "The kid who broke in," Mila demanded when she heard him ask for Denny Moser.

  "The Mayor," Kevin grinned. He went out the door to pace back and forth while talking on the phone. Mila watched him out the window and tried to eavesdrop. She heard words such as incompetent, bungling, and unprofessional. He was upset.

  A black SUV arrived first and a man about Kevin's age wearing a suit got out. Kevin went to greet him and introduced him to Mila. Then he took Mayor Denny Moser inside the main house.

  Mila wanted to hear what they were saying, but Little Kevin chose that moment to need a feeding, so she had to stay behind.

  As they came back to her door, Kevin was visibly angry. He checked his watch again. "It's been fifty-five minutes; he is not here yet."

  "Sheriff Leonard does have other duties," Dennis Moser said.

  "When was the last you saw him in his office?" Kevin demanded. "This is the third call from here today. After the first one, we should have been a top priority. This is also the third time we have called him to this property in as many months. Something is going on, and he is sloughing it off as if nothing is wrong. Mila could have been killed this morning! If you don't bring this to the attention of the Town Council at their next meeting, I will!"

  "I will put it on the agenda," the Mayor assured him.

  "He's here," Kevin announced. "I'll go talk to him."

  "No, let me," Denny Moser said. "I want a full investigation of the entire property."

  "What about the damage to the library?" Mila asked. "Grinding black powder into a rug is sheer sloppiness, especially an antique Persian Baksheesh rug. I am not sure what Baksheesh means exactly, but my sister said it is worth approximately sixty thousand dollars. Who will pay for the damage to it? The mess they left in there shows a lack of respect and carelessness for private property."

  The Mayor looked pained. "I'll take care of it, I promise you. I'll talk to him."

  "Incompetent fool," Kevin exclaimed after the mayor left them.

  "Gomer or the Mayor," Mila asked.

  "Gomer. Sheriff Leonard is certainly no Andy Taylor."

  "Can he be recalled from his position?" Mila asked.

  "He wasn't elected. Denny appointed him with Town Council approval as a temporary replacement when Sheriff Garvey had to take emergency medical leave after his wife had a stroke three months ago. Although it is a temporary position, Leonard appeared a good choice as he has a background in law enforcement. Denny does have the authority to sack him if he wants. Either way, I will not leave you out here by yourself with such shenanigans happening."

  Part of Mila wanted to argue with him. She was an independent woman, after all! Then Little Kevin made a mewing sound from the wrap carrier hanging over her chest. She looked down at her child and an overwhelming need to protect her child make her realize that she did not mind Kevin acting as protector after all.

  * * *

  Josh dragged himself out of Brice's car and waved him off. The partners had worked another ten-hour day. He had to admit he was not used to this pace anymore. Three straight days of grueling effort, but they only planned a short day tomorrow after which he and his family would head home. The idea of buying or renting a condominium in Montrose became more appealing by the hour. Maybe he could find a furnished rental temporarily. Three days in a hotel room with the kids had been loud and crazy, and they had not even been there very much. The wives and children spent most of their days together at the homes of Paula and Melanie. It was hard on Jenny though, wrangling two small children without the comfort of their familiar space and routines. He loved his children, but he knew they weren't angels.

  Josh preferred working from home, which made things easier all around. He could easily do his architectural designing from home, and participate in meetings through Skype. He could also be more involved in parenting, playing with his kids when he wanted, and be closer to Jenny. A big upside was not spending the entire day in front of a computer. He could also control his family finances and work on the house whenever he wanted. Telecommuting was better for
him all around.

  Brice would be the traveler in their partnership. He would likely take on an assistant once on-site consultations were required. Josh would only travel when necessary.

  "Daddy!" was the clamor when he let himself into the hotel room.

  "Can we go see Frozen now?" Emmie exclaimed.

  "Maybe Daddy is tired, honey," Jenny said.

  "Yes, Daddy is tired," said Josh as he leaned over and kissed Jenny hello. "But, Daddy promised. Give me ten minutes to shower and I will be ready."

  "Yeah," Emmie shouted, clapping her hands.

  "Yeah," Adam copied her adding his own little awkward hop-and-jump dance.

  "I could have talked them out of it," Jenny whispered as she followed him into the bathroom.

  "I didn't want you too," said Josh, giving her a more intimate kiss. "Grab some clean clothes for me, will you?"

  Once they had the kids seated in the movie theater, Josh turned to Jenny. "Isn't Adam a little young for the movies?'

  "If he gets rowdy, one of us can take him out to the lobby to entertain him. We took Emmie at eighteen months."

  "She was a quieter child who sat still longer."

  "We'll see," Jenny shrugged.

  "We got seventeen more fraud alerts today," Josh whispered.

  "From the same cards?" Jenny demanded.

  "New ones, I have been on the phone with two different companies today. They do know the cards were sent to PO boxes, which is against company policy and should have raised red flags. Credit card companies typically want a physical address on file. The addresses they have already traced are for empty houses or buildings. Now, they are searching for recordings of the person who ordered the cards. You know, when a customer service rep warns you a call 'may be recorded for your safety'? Well, they actually do record them. The companies I spoke with hope to trace these recordings back to a phone number. It's probably some slick-talking con artist. Yesterday's charges were in Boston, while today's were made in New York City."