Secret Heir

by Victoria Pinder

  Galen patted him on his back. "In business, you go after everything with a single mind and don't stop until you get what you want. Do that with your wife."

  “Now that is why Galen was married once and will eventually marry a good woman who loves him,” Fiona answered with a swift nod. “For now, listen to him, Mitch.”

  "You're right." Mitch appreciated Galen’s clear head. He looked at the door Tess rushed through minutes ago.

  Damien nudged his shoulder. "So why are you just standing here?"

  Good question. Part of his mind whispered he should race after her. Then, he fished his room key from his pocket. "She asked for space and told me to stay. My instincts say give her an hour."

  “Stop with the planning and listen to your heart,” Axel said. "Don't ever treat her like our mother was treated, or even our father's wife."

  On that point, everybody agreed. He'd not treat Tess anything like his family model. "We've talked about that since I asked her to marry me."

  Damien nodded. "Mitch, congratulations.” He glanced at their mother. “Tess is a good choice for you."

  Mitch let Damien’s words sink in. "Why do you think that?"

  Damien shrugged. "She has kindness in her eyes. It reminds me of Mom. I think that's why Axel overreacted."

  Galen's face darkened. "Just don’t hurt her. Catherine thinks of her as a sister."

  Their sister. Tess had stressed about being gentle when they met her family. Hopefully he fixed this in time and she took him back so they could tell the rest of their family—together.

  He stepped away from the table. "I won't. I need to go find her."

  Axel called out. "Mitch?"

  "Yeah?"

  Axel unclenched his jaw. "Call Catherine. She'll know her habits and where she might go in town."

  "Good idea.”

  Mitch’s anger at his brother disappeared as cold fear raced through him. What if Tess decided to leave him? It was up to him to get her to listen, but he had to find her first.

  He straightened his spine. "Wish me luck."

  How to win her over? Mitch had promised himself he would give Tess an hour. He made a stop at Cartier, then walked to the design district.

  He’d texted Catherine to meet him here. The blistering sun reflected in the cement, and he gave her two more minutes before continuing on. He peered across the street at the up and coming Victoria Morgan store. Clearly, his half-sister's fashion company that Tess’s friend, Caro, worked for was going well.

  Catherine's blonde hair glowed in the morning sunlight as she stepped out of her blue convertible. She came over and threw her arms around him.

  "Thanks for meeting me,” he said.

  “Glad to.” She fell into step next to him as they returned to Cartier. Catherine asked, "So, what happened with Tess?"

  He stopped. "Who told you?"

  She pointed at the jewelry store sign. "No one needed to tell me anything, Mitch. We’re here, my sister isn't answering her phone, and you called me for help."

  He held open the door for her and placed his hand on her back. "Do you know where she is?"

  "Should I be worried about her?" She turned and blinked at him.

  The air conditioning cooled him down. In the back of the store, he saw a salesclerk wave at them. He lowered his voice so only Catherine heard him.

  "She thinks I married her only for business." Something he’d sworn never to do.

  Her lips parted as her eyes widened. "Oh." She covered her mouth with one hand. A moment later, she recovered. "Wait... You’re already married to Tess?"

  He directed them toward the saleslady. "I need to get her a ring. That’s why I asked you to meet me here."

  She stepped closer to the jewelry display and gazed at the selection of bling. "So, you want my advice on picking out a ring for my sister?"

  "You know Tess."

  Neither of them said anything as the salesclerk asked them what they were looking for. Catherine pointed toward a ring on the back display. The woman nodded and mentioned something about a key as she walked away.

  The second they were alone, Catherine tugged on his arm. "Why does she think you only married her for business?"

  His face felt hot. Their initial meeting was not normal. "The day I met her at Mom's funeral, I told our brothers it was just business."

  She tucked a curl behind her ear. "But it's not now?"

  “No,” Mitch answered. "I want Tess to be happy."

  Catherine glanced at the clerk as she returned with the ring. She held it to the light and studied it. "I'm still in shock my sister married my brother, strange enough, and that she thinks it's for business. After we get this, how are you going to explain to Tess?"

  "I hoped it might show my intentions."

  "That's your entire plan?" Catherine gave the ring to him with a nod. He stared at the clarity, caret, cut, and color. It seemed flawless. He took out his black credit card from his wallet and paid.

  The moment the clerk left with his card to wrap his purchase, he asked his sister, "What are you thinking?"

  "Kevin really made her lose confidence in dating and love. She might need more than this to convince her. He gave her this massive, gaudy diamond when he asked her to marry him. When he broke up with her, she sent it to his apartment.”

  Good. She didn't need symbols of another man in their relationship, but the tone in Catherine's voice was serious. His brows furrowed as he tried to understand her meaning. "So?"

  "So a ring probably won't be enough. You're going to have to show her you love her."

  Love. She had said she loved him. It prompted her actions and why she’d helped him. He couldn't let Tess suffer because of him, but honestly, love was an emotion that seemed to destroy people.

  He rocked on his feet, then took the bag and his card from the clerk. "I don't know how to do that." He signed the slip of paper and took his purchase.

  "Then figure that out fast. Tess deserves to be loved by a good man."

  His sister had a point. He held the door open for her to walk out ahead of him. His car waited at the curb. He walked her to her convertible and debated how to ask her opinion on making Tess happy. He swallowed.

  "Catherine?"

  "Yes?"

  Love was an emotion he couldn't understand. He’d always tried to avoid that topic. He held the bag tighter and opened her door for her. "Any advice on what I can do for Tess?"

  She stood in front of him. "You have to be sure of your heart. She’ll want to know you’re serious about the future."

  A home. That would show exactly how serious he was about her happiness and their future together. They’d discussed the location. He'd call someone on the drive to get the ball rolling.

  "So, real estate. Anything else?"

  “No, that’s not it.” She shook her head and grabbed her sunglasses from her purse. "Umm, you're going to have to talk to Tess about that. She’s going to adore that ring.”

  It was a classic princess cut. While he didn't know much about jewelry, he understood that some saw diamonds as a way to judge wealth. "It's a simple gesture."

  “Less gestures, more openness, Mikey.” She bit on her lip, like she wanted to say something completely different. "My sister is a sucker for having a love to last a lifetime. Now go, talk to Tess."

  He hugged his sister, then let her get in her car. "Wish me luck."

  "I believe love will win out for both of you. Don't be afraid, Mitch." Catherine started her car.

  He walked toward his driver. The word “love” floated in his head. He cared for Tess. He'd treat her with nothing but respect, spending the rest of his life making her happy. That had to be enough.

  23

  Tess stared at the breakfast menu one more time at the local diner near her house. At least she wasn't alone, though as she glanced at Kevin, her heart sank. Every second she’d spent with Mitch had sent her on a new and exciting adventure, where she’d never know what would happen next. With Kevin, her
life had been planned out until she’d made one mistake.

  If Mitch loved her, she'd spend every second of every moment creating new memories to cherish. Right now, she just felt cold and couldn't blame the air conditioner behind her head or the uncomfortable metal chair.

  Kevin read the menu. "Do you want an egg white omelet with feta?”

  He remembered what she used to eat so she’d fit into a wedding dress she never wore. She shook her head and glanced at the menu again. "No, I'm going to order something else.”

  The waitress came over. Kevin lowered his menu. "Do you want coffee and orange juice, Tess?"

  "Absolutely."

  Coffee would at least stave off the gnawing inside her stomach, although the pains probably had more to do with Mitch than hunger. Kevin put down his menu and spoke to the waitress.

  Her nose crinkled as Kevin ordered for her. "Yes. She’ll have a coffee, but she'll want milk, not cream, and brown sugar packs, if you have them. I'll have a regular coffee, and we want two orange juices."

  "I'll be back to take the rest of your order soon." The waitress turned, flipped her dark hair, and sashayed away. Tess wondered if the woman was married or dated men who only valued her for her job. Somehow, Tess doubted that. The waitress was quite pretty and probably dated men far above her work status. Tess sat straighter in her chair. She, too, was worth far more. She deserved love.

  Kevin looked at her, his gaze soft. Her skin tingled as he pushed his hand forward on the table and reached for hers. She moved away.

  "Tess, thanks for agreeing to come with me."

  She looked at her menu and read every ingredient in the omelet options. "It's breakfast and I'm starving. I'm still paying for myself, just as we agreed."

  "Tess..." His voice squeaked, but she refused to glance up.

  Eventually, Kevin would finish his job here and return to New York, and she’d stay in Miami. Her skin prickled as she held the menu closer. "Kevin, I said we can try to be friends, nothing more."

  His face turned red, but he stared above her head. "No, that's not it."

  The air suddenly smelled like Mitch and her body relaxed, but she knew that was impossible. She stared at Kevin. "Then what?"

  "Tess." Mitch's voice ricocheted right through her like a bullet to the heart.

  She turned and stared at his muscular body, until her gaze met his blue eyes. If he’d only married her for business, why was he here? Her heart whispered that they still had a chance.

  Her hands shook as she put her menu down. "Mitch, what are you doing here?"

  "I went to your apartment, but you weren't there."

  This was different than her last breakup. Kevin had sent her a cold message telling her to leave the key to his apartment with the landlord.

  However, she still needed boundaries and space. "So you tracked me down?"

  "I called Catherine. You have a tracking app for each other on your phones."

  She steeled her spine when Mitch pulled out the chair beside her and sat. "That's for finding each other in case of an emergency."

  “Losing you felt like an emergency to me.” Mitch's gaze flickered toward Kevin for an instant. "Tess, why are you here?"

  If he wasn't in love with her, she needed to face the cold, hard truth and figure out what was next.

  She pursed her lips. "This morning, I told you I was hungry. I still haven’t eaten. I don’t think straight when I’m like this."

  Mitch turned toward Kevin. She had forgotten he existed. Her face turned red and she prayed Mitch didn't see through her.

  Mitch said, "Kevin, can I talk to my wife alone please?"

  "Your wife?!" Kevin's voice rose. They shouldn't be having this conversation in front of him or anyone. Kevin jumped out of his seat. “I didn't know."

  Her cheeks heated the second Kevin quickly paid the waitress for his coffee and ran out the door. She avoided looking at Mitch until he left. A huge part of her soul tugged at her heart and whispered that Mitch had come for her. One day, he could love her, but she needed to sort out how long she'd wait, what happened if he didn't, and so on. Everything had just happened too fast.

  She met his blue eyes. "Mitch, there is nothing to say. I don't know how our future will work—”

  He reached over the table and placed his hand on hers. Electric currents rushed through her and she didn't pull away. Her body heated. "Tess, will you please talk to me?”

  No. If she talked, she'd lose sight of the big picture. There was no going back and pretending. She slipped her hand out of his and took a deep breath. A second later, she straightened her glasses. "After I eat, I'm usually in a better mood."

  He shifted in his seat. "Tess..."

  A flash of light from outside blinded her. She assumed it was a photographer. Gossip wasn't good.

  She sighed and picked up her pocketbook. "Okay. Order me an egg sandwich to go. I’ll eat in the car and talk...after I finish.”

  He blew out a breath. "Thank you."

  Perhaps she had been too tough. She stood and followed him to the register. She pressed her lips together. Talking about food was her smokescreen to not discuss how her heart was torn in two.

  She lowered her head and whispered, "Mitch, I am usually nicer after I eat something. It's a quirk in the system."

  "Fair enough." He nodded at her and took the bag from the waitress. He placed his hand on her back and led her out the door, bells jingling.

  She lowered her head as someone else snapped her picture. A reporter with a microphone and camera crew spoke to Kevin. Her face was hot. Next time, she'd pay attention to her surroundings. She clutched her hands to her sides and let Mitch lead her, but as she neared the reporters, she felt sarcasm rise up in her throat.

  "Thanks for everything, Kevin."

  Kevin stared over her head at Mitch. "Will you be okay, Tess?"

  No. This was about her. She nodded and turned away from him. "Yes. This is goodbye. Okay?”

  He sighed. "Take care of yourself." He then spoke more to the reporter. Jerk.

  She followed Mitch into a nearby car. The moment they slid in and closed the door, Mitch asked, "Why did you join him for breakfast?"

  Jealousy made no sense for someone not in love. Her skin tingled. Technically, she didn't hug him. He hugged her, although she didn't stop him. "He offered to give me a ride home. Should I hate him forever?"

  "Did you love him, Tess?"

  Love? She was in love with Mitch, not her ex. She massaged her temple and prayed that the right words came out of her lips. "Yes, but that love wilted away. I now realize I fall for men who can't love me with their whole heart. I don't know why. My father was amazing and took care of me and my family."

  His eyes met hers. The car turned onto the highway. Mitch asked, "Can you tell me about your dad?"

  Outside the window, everything moved fast under the intense Florida heat. "Sure, but where are we going?" She finished her sandwich in the car and let the food dissipate the fog in her head.

  "To your apartment...unless you are more comfortable talking at the hotel."

  Her place was closer. Less than two exits away. She relaxed her shoulders. "My apartment is good. Anyhow, my father worked for Morgan Enterprises as a manager. He came home every day at exactly 5:25 PM. I have no idea how he managed the Miami traffic to make it home at the exact same time every day. Mom was home an hour before him and got everything ready for dinner. Dad would ask me about my day and quiz me on my homework. On the weekends, he'd take us sailing. He made everything we did an adventure."

  Mitch’s blue eyes were wide and his arms were slack beside her. "What was his name?"

  Her dad had disapproved of Kevin. She glanced at Mitch and wondered if he'd like him any better. Mitch was many things that Kevin wasn’t. She remembered how her father said that Kevin was not dependable. "Tom. Thomas Taylor."

  "So he gave you the same ‘TT’ initials?"

  A giggle escaped her lips. "Yeah, I guess so. My grandfather was Todd T
aylor."

  "Got it. If we have children, we go with M names, though I’m the only one with the same initials. It could become our family tradition."

  Her lips parted and she couldn't quite close them. If he thought about a family, perhaps this conversation would go differently. Goose bumps grew on her arms. "Children? You want them with me?"

  "I want you, Tess, and marriage usually leads to children. I'd like that possibility of a future."

  "I don't know, Mitch. I need time to sort out my feelings."

  She glanced at the driver and hoped he didn't think her an idiot. They pulled into her driveway, got out, then walked up the stairs in silence. Once they were in her apartment, she'd ask if he could fall in love with her…his answer would decide their fate.

  24

  Tess’s beige couch and simple white walls were inferior and stark to what Mitch’s wife deserved. When they moved into a home, he'd ensure the surroundings complimented her fundamental goodness. First, he needed to apologize for what his brother had said and how he personally had handled everything. She closed the door behind her. He waited for her to stand in front of him, but she stayed still. He reached out for her.

  "Tess..."

  She moved away from him and headed toward the side cutout that led to her kitchen. "Can I get you anything, Mitch? I’m feeling better now that I ate."

  If she disappeared, they'd delay his apology. The ring in his pocket brushed against his thigh. He pointed toward her couch. "No. Can we sit and talk about this morning?"

  She fixed her glasses and walked toward the sofa. Once she sat, she scooted to the side and ensured there was a wide gap between them. "Straight to business."

  "We're not business, Tess.” He sat and folded his hands between his legs. His pulse quickened as he glanced at her blank expression. If this were a business meeting, he'd offer something unexpected for the deal to go through.

  She placed one arm in her lap. "Yes, we are. It's why you married me."