Ending with Forever

by LLP, Lan

  “Well, show me the tests,” Belle demands. Standing up to face her, I hand her both sticks. I’ll let her tell me instead. I’m too nervous right now. Examining it closely, she looks at each window and then back at me. “Do you want to know, Lil?” she taunts me.

  “Don’t screw with my head. I already have enough crap up there. Give it to me straight up.”

  “They’re both positive. You’re pregnant!” she rejoices and encircles her arms around me.

  “Look again. Are you sure?” I insist with my chin bouncing up and down on her giddy shoulder.

  She lifts the sticks to eye level and stares at them for a second time. “They’re still positive,” she confirms.

  I’m pregnant. Oh my God! I’m pregnant! Carson’s little baby is growing inside me. Utter bliss is what I’m feeling as happy tears drip from the corners of my eyes. Unlike last time, I welcome this unexpected news with a bursting heart, even though I know it’ll alter the course of my life significantly. It doesn’t matter anymore. I have Carson, our baby and the rest of our lives together. They’re all that matter to me. Find happiness first, and then success, is what my mom advised me. She couldn’t be more right about that. Carson is living proof. There’s no one more successful than him and yet, he basically lived a life of solitude before we found each other. Now we’re inseparable. I can’t wait to share the news with him. He’ll be overjoyed as I am, remembering how amazing he was with my previous pregnancy.

  “Help me think of a special way I can tell Carson.”

  “Let’s put our minds together. I’m sure we can come up with something brilliant.” Belle gleams at me. “I’m so happy for you,” she tells me.

  “Who would’ve thought I’d want to be a mom at this age? Carson makes me so happy that every goal I’ve made in the past now includes him.”

  “You’re good together. There’s so much love between you two. It’s almost sickening,” she laughs.

  “Really? And you and Hayden aren’t?” I arch my brow at her. “You two are disgustingly cute,” I add. “Now will you help me come up with a clever way to surprise Carson?” I insist and then it hits me. I know exactly what to do.

  Chapter 16

  Wes Montgomery

  The doorbell chimes several times. Whoever’s on the other side of that door is way too impatient. Miss Polly rushes from the kitchen to answer it as Bridgette and I finish up our breakfast.

  “Are you expecting anyone?” I ask my lovely houseguest. I heard her talking to someone earlier when she left me in the shower to take a call. It must’ve been very important.

  “Yes. I hope you don’t mind,” she replies and then takes a small bite of her toasted bagel.

  “Who is it?”

  “Kevin.”

  “Your granddad’s bodyguard? Are you fucking kidding me?” I can’t believe she’s sitting here so calmly knowing that Kevin’s on the other side of the door.

  “Wes, chill. He’s on a mission for my grandfather and so am I,” she discloses between a sip of coffee.

  “What do you mean a mission?”

  “My grandfather has reasons to believe my Aunt Lia didn’t die in a plane crash like your late grandfather claimed. She’s well and she has a daughter,” she reveals in a relaxed manner. “I’m here to find them for him.” She takes another sip and bite of her bagel.

  “Were you just using me these past few days to get information? Is this why you accepted my father’s dinner invitation after years of ignoring them?” I accuse. My blood begins to boil as my mind races through all kinds of conclusions. She’s colder than I ever imagined as I watch her casually enjoying her breakfast.

  Finally, she sets her plate and mug down. “Wes, please relax. It’s not like that,” she soothes, which isn’t something she does often. “First of all, I didn’t intend on sleeping with you. The attraction we have for each other is real. I gave into my weakness.”

  “Are you telling me what we shared last night was only a moment of your weakness? After today we’re back to being just friends? I can’t accept that. Either I have all of you or you cut me off for good.” I give her my ultimatum. God knows I’m just bluffing. I can’t cut her out of my life no matter how hard I try.

  “My grandfather was wrong about you. You’re a decent man with a good heart. I was wrong not to defend your integrity,” she explains. “I’m…sorry it took me this long to figure it out.”

  “Tell me, Bridgette. Tell me you still feel something for me,” I persuade. I want to hear it out loud so I can believe it. My heart needs confirmation.

  “I’ve loved you since that day you swore you’d give up everything to have me in your life. I knew you would, but I could never ask you to make that kind of sacrifice.”

  “I’m willing still. All you have to do is tell me you’ll stay with me.”

  Clearing her throat, Miss Polly lets us know that we have a visitor. “Mr. Montgomery, Kevin is waiting in the living room for you and Miss Longley.”

  “Thank you. Please let him know that we’ll be in momentarily.”

  “Yes, sir.” Miss Polly replies, using her professional manner around Bridgette.

  “Bridgette, I need an answer,” I urge as soon as Miss Polly leaves the kitchen.

  “We’ll work something out. I can’t stay with you—not yet, but I won’t deny my feelings for you anymore.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear.” I lean over to give her a kiss. She wraps her arms around my neck and locks us tightly together. “I love you,” I mouth against her lips.

  “I love you,” she finally confesses. I’ve died and gone to heaven hearing her declare her feelings for me. After three years of deprivation, she finally comes to her senses and not a second sooner.

  ~~~~

  “Kevin, what do you know so far?” Bridgette inquires in a demanding tone as she enters the living room in my navy robe, unaffected by his stunned expression. No salutations—just business. She doesn’t even bother to take a seat. It’s hard to imagine that she’s the same sweet woman from a few breaths ago.

  “Should we discuss this here?” he confirms, giving me a distrusting look while maintaining a firm stance.

  “Yes. It’s fine,” she snips with an arrogant wave of her hand. I can see her patience is thinning quickly.

  “I’ve confirmed the location of your aunt. She lives in Indiana and her daughter is back in Boston with Mr. Bradley.”

  What the fuck! Bridgette’s cousin is Bradley’s girlfriend and my father, her uncle, is using her to get to Bradley’s drug. How fucked up is that? He’s handing her over to that crazy bitch Bianca when everything’s said and done. Did he know this fact all along and didn’t give a shit? He must’ve. He knows everything. I never knew how cruel my father really is. I’m not torn anymore. How can I side with a ruthless man like him?

  “Is she secured?” Bridgette inquires with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

  “Yes. The bodyguard is her new neighbor across the street.”

  “Perfect. What about Lillian?”

  “Mr. Bradley has her contained in his penthouse. She’s not going anywhere without his consent.”

  “What’s going on?” I butt in. They must know what my father’s up to. There’s no better time to fess up than now. Both Bridgette and Kevin shy away from my question. Were they testing me all along?

  “We’re concerned for their safety,” Bridgette finally answers. “We have reasons to believe Lillian might be a possible target for the same people who have Bradley’s missing researchers.” She’s fishing for information. I can tell from her traveling eyes. They won’t stay fixed so I can question her motive.

  “Do you know who’s involved?”

  “Do you?” She reverts the question back to me.

  “Yes. It’s my father,” I reply without guilt. I won’t allow him to hurt another innocent person because of his greed. “Honest to God, Bridgette. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All these years I grew up respecting his strength
and professionalism. I never really knew the man I called my father.”

  “I believe you. He’s merciless when it comes to power and money. His hunger for it is insatiable. Your grandfather was just as greedy. Can you understand why my grandfather has ill feelings for them?” I nod in agreement. “What do you know about the missing researchers?”

  “They’re kept in an underground building I never knew existed until about a week ago. The internal structure reminds me of the inside of a submarine capsule. There are two main labs with a dozen scientists dressed in sterile white jackets. Bradley’s men are kept in a secured room called a confinement pod. There are six of them. They probably rotate the two men between those pods to heighten security. You need an authorized palm print to enter or you’ll never break through the metal doors.”

  “Anything else you can recall, Mr. Montgomery?” Kevin looks to me for more answers. It appears that he’s mentally noting everything that I’m sharing with his photographic memory. From my words to my body language, he leaves no details unnoticed.

  “I think that’s it.”

  “Thanks for your input.” He observes me one more time. “I should head out, Miss Longley. I’ll touch base with you later,” Kevin tells Bridgette before letting himself out.

  “Bridgette, you do believe me right? I don’t want any part of my father’s plan.” I need her to know that I’m different from my father and his father. Greed doesn’t control me. It’s not factored into any decisions I make.

  “Yes. Do you think I would reveal any of that information to you if I didn’t trust you?” I shake my head.

  “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

  “What is it?”

  “I met my biological mother a few days ago.”

  “Really? That’s wonderful, Wes. I know you’ve been back and forth about searching for her. What is she like?” Bridgette sounds sincerely excited for me.

  “Everything I imagined her to be. She’s the total opposite of Mimi—humble and kind. I have a half brother and sister and a…twin brother.”

  “What!” she exclaims. “You’re a twin? Does she know anything about him?” I nod, stalling to answer her question. “Well. Tell me. Don’t keep me in suspense,” she demands in her cute British accent.

  “You know him personally.” She gives me a muddled look.

  “How?” she asks and then it hits her. Her eyes double in circumference and her mouth opens into a hollow O. “Oh my God!” she yells after putting two and two together. “The first time I saw him face to face I thought of you. Carson Bradley is your twin brother. Isn’t he?” With a heavy sigh, I concur.

  “He has no clue and after he finds out that I’m involved with the kidnapping of his researchers, he’ll want nothing to do with me.”

  “You’re not responsible for your father’s wrongdoing. You can’t be held accountable for it.”

  “But I know about it and I’m not doing anything to stop it.”

  “You are now. You’re giving us useful information that can help us retrieve his men. I’ll explain everything to him,” she offers.

  “No. Don’t tell him about me. He doesn’t need me to disrupt his perfect life.”

  “Wes, don’t be like that. Don’t you want to be united with your family? You’ve wanted this for as long as I’ve known you, and maybe even before that, I bet.” The idea of it is appealing to me, especially since I didn’t have much of a family life growing up.

  “I do, but the timing is all wrong. Maybe when this crisis with my father dies down I’ll see if I can salvage what’s left.”

  “He has a right to know, too,” she points out.

  “I know. There’s one more thing that’s been eating at me. I think Bradley’s girlfriend is in grave danger. She’s their next target, regardless if Carson hands over the drugs to my father or not. Bianca, Bradley’s ex-fiancée, worked out a deal with him. I know nothing about it. I’m only privy to information whenever it benefits him. He mentioned it briefly after he met with Bianca.”

  “Are you talking about that blond bitch I met at the dinner party—the one you slept with?” She grates her words through her clenched jaw. I knew my infraction wouldn’t be easily forgotten.

  “Yes. In my defense, I thought you were sleeping with Bradley. I know that doesn’t make it right, but I was so heartbroken.”

  “We’ll deal with that issue later. Right now we need to notify Bradley. He’ll have to tighten his security around Lillian until his men are retrieved.”

  “Let’s gather our thoughts before we rush over to the man’s office and scare the shit out of him,” I suggest.

  “Okay,” she agrees. “We’ll see him tomorrow.”

  Chapter 17

  Carson Bradley

  I can’t seem to wipe this goofy grin off my face while listening to my attorney go over the contract for Med-Aid United, an organization that supplies drugs and equipment to disadvantaged countries. It’s a good thing he’s calling from New York. He can’t see my ridiculous face. Lil is just something else. The controlled and predictable world I’ve been accustomed to and conquered is now a distant memory in the past. I never know what to expect from her, from one day to the next. She’s proven to be a worthy opponent for keeping me on my toes. Tying me up against my will was a brave move—very daring of her, given the fact that she knows what kind of man I am and the retaliation I’m capable of unleashing. No woman in my past would’ve made it a fleeting second without a brutal chastising and the fear of God shoved down her throat after that escapade. Because she has me completely locked under her spell, Lil escaped my wrath with a hard fuck and an earth-shattering orgasm that knocked her out cold. Where has this incredible woman been all my life? I love her senselessly.

  “Joseph, go ahead and renew the contract,” I insist after setting my thoughts of Lil aside. “I’ll also commit to building fifteen additional clinics. The locations will be determined under my discretion.”

  “Yes, sir. That’s very generous of you. Will you be in New York any time soon?”

  “Probably not this month, but I do plan on making a special trip there with Lillian. She’s a fan of the Christmas holiday.” I shouldn’t speak of it like it’s a dreaded funeral. It’s a joyous occasion for most people—just not for me.

  “She’ll love the Rockefeller Center with their beautifully trimmed trees, and of course, a quick skate there or at Bryant Park,” he suggests but forgets to add the most raved attraction, Serendipity 3. Lil will love their colossal frozen hot chocolate and all their mouthwatering desserts. Nikki introduced me to that place years ago and it’s my favorite spot to get my sugar fix.

  “We’ll certainly have to hit those highlights. Thanks for the ideas, Joe. Good talking to you.” I end the call and flip open a silver jewelry case Hayden dropped off for me. He did an outstanding job embedding the micro-tracking chip in this platinum bracelet with etched, intertwined vines of infinity symbols. I plan on giving it to Lil when she stops by the office to see Gabriel. Twirling the glimmering ring around in my hands, I try my best to find it, but can’t. I gave Lil my word that I’ll remove most of the bodyguards, but for my sake, I still need assurance. I’d only use it if an emergency arises. I justified several times to myself, as well as to Hayden, so it didn’t appear like I’m some sick control freak. He agreed with my decision and confided that he’d do the same, which helped relieved me of some self-induced guilt.

  “Mr. Bradley, everyone has arrived and is waiting for you in conference room C,” Evelyn informs over the phone intercom.

  “Tell them I’m on my way,” I instruct and slip the bracelet back into the sparkling case before tucking it in my desk drawer.

  “Yes, sir. Oh, one more thing, Mr. Bradley. The gift basket you ordered for Gabriel is out here.”

  “Set it on my desk. And Evelyn, please escort Miss Lucy directly to my office without delay,” I tell her firmly. “She’ll be using my private elevator.”

  “I will, sir.”


  Remembering Lil’s suggestion, I soften my tone and tell her, “Thanks, Evelyn.”

  ~~~~

  Everyone is accounted for except for Bridgette, who’ll be seeing me tomorrow privately. She called to cancel at the last minute without offering a reasonable excuse. Fickle woman. Alpha and his four men sit on the left side of the oval table while Owen, Hayden, Mateo, Kevin and Ly’s three men sit on the right side.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” I greet, taking my seat at the head of the table. Everyone’s heads bow respectfully in response with stern expressions. “I understand tomorrow is target day. I stress that I don’t want anyone harmed unless absolutely necessary. The mission will be led by Alpha. He’s in command. No one moves or breathes unless it’s approved by him. Is that understood?” I emphasize.

  “Yes, sir.” They all grunt.

  “Kevin, I hear you have new info that can be helpful for tomorrow’s mission.”

  “Yes, I do. I met with Ms. Longley and a confidant who confirmed Paul and David’s location. They’re kept in a confinement pod that’ll require Mr. Carter’s expertise to bypass their encrypted codes.”

  “I’m already working on it,” Hayden interjects, shooting me an encouraging look. “Ms. Longley was able to provide me a partial palm print for Chandler Montgomery.”

  “The challenge is to figure out which of the six rooms they’re kept in. There are also twelve scientists who’ll need to be repositioned in case firearms are required. Security isn’t obvious or visible, so I believe there are hidden cameras at various locations with guards on hand.”

  “Alpha, what do you suggest?” I give him the floor.

  “I say we disable the cameras and remove the scientists first with half the team. The other half will secure the pod area as Mr. Carter bypasses their security code remotely. Mateo and his men will then perform a clean sweep of the area when we’re done. We’ll reassemble at BPC in the basement at 1500 hours.”