FORGOTTEN PROMISE
Forgotten Series
Book 2: The Conclusion
VIRGINIA WINE
Nathan and Bryer have declared their love, their hopes and dreams for the future are solidified.
They’ve been through many hurdles and conquered them all.
Until the past catches up with them, Cash the smooth-taking lawyer from Austin always wins, and this will be no exception. He has one goal, to tear them apart. With no moral compass, he will go to great lengths to have her again. One more chance to love Bryer.
But Nathan doesn’t give up easily, and if it’s a fight Cash wants, a fight he’ll get. Nathan knows nothing will break their love; he’s certain of it.
But when Bryer is put to the test she has to choose, the past or the future. The path is unclear.
Ultimately, she will stand by the man she loves, but which man is the one by her side?
FORGOTTEN PROMISE
Copyright © 2016 Virginia Wine
Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Mystery,
All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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ISBN-13: 978-1530023158
ISBN-10: 1530023157
Manufactured in the United States of America
Dedication
To my biggest supporter who looks down on me with the purest of love.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgement
To Added Touches:
For their brilliance, creativeness and pure dedication; you all have super powers I’ve never witnessed before, making magic happen while I just write and write. You build, inspire, and lead to the road of success. The hard work happens behind the scenes, but not for one second am I unaware of your efforts.
A special thank you to express my gratitude to Lisa Way Stinson, Contributing Beta Reader. Whose help was crucial in my journey to complete this story. A friend, and college who was honest, loyal and objective. Thank you
To my husband, even though your eyes glazed over when I spoke about this story over and over. I appreciate you taking one for the team. Our team, our marriage, our partnership.
A special thank you for all their hard work to the Formatting Fairies:
http://e-bookformattingfairies.blogspot.com/
Prologue
I admire the twinkling lights, the banner displayed across the office, hearing the laughter while holding a glass of champagne. “Happy New Year, Bryer,” one of the partners says. I nod in response as I walk to the corner office, admiring the floor-to-ceiling windows and the magical skyline of downtown Austin.
Through the darkness, I sense him, as I slowly turn, leaning against his desk, watching him approach as if in slow motion. His swagger, his confidence, his strength. All of it, so appealing.
My eyes travel down his body, the expensive gray suit, his crisp white shirt and black tie. His beauty blinds me. It takes my breath away. I notice his clean-cut blond hair styled to perfection. He’s Brad Pitt handsome, the early years.
“Eye’s up here, darlin’.” Cash raised a brow. I obey, seeing fire in his. He leans into my body and touches his lips to mine. “See something you like?” he whispers in his casual drawl. “Always.” Taking what’s his.
“10…9…8…” the countdown approaching, “Happy New Year” he proclaims.
Liar…if I only knew.
Chapter One
~Nathan~
“So you’re just ignoring it, Bryer?” I know I sound like an asshole, but I continue as she watches me.
“Ignoring it won’t make it go away. How’d he find you?” I continue, unable to stop myself knowing I’m making it worse.
“Let me handle it. I’ll make it go away, fast.”
As I watch, her eyes follow me pacing back and forth.
“Nathan, you seriously want me to face the man who destroyed me?” she says for the tenth time.
“Just tell him to fuck off, and put an end to it.” I plead.
“I won’t,” she warned.
“What are you waiting for?” I ask, again. Now crossing my arms over my chest, foolishly thinking I’m putting my foot down.
“I won’t give him that, or any part of me.”
If I was honest with myself, I’d admit it’s fear. The last thing I want is have anything to do with that prick. It’s a logical response to this fucked-up situation. Protect what’s mine.
“Nathan, try to focus on us. Once he realizes I won’t respond, he’ll leave us alone. Trust me, you don’t want to get caught in his evil clutches.”
Scoffing. “Could’ve fooled me, seems the loser is relentless, but then again, he’s a fucking lawyer.” Everything about this tells me there’s a storm brewing and I want to stop it before it hits.
“Work with me, woman.” That look just told me to zip it.
“You done?” she scolds.
“Sorry, babe
, my frustration is getting the best of me.” Irritation clearly written on my face.
“Our house.” She smiles, slowly walking towards me.
“Our house, our life, our love.” Reaching up to kiss me, she presses her body against the entire length of me.
“I want to protect you,” I say as her body is humming in silent need.
“You are.”
Am I supposed to pretend he’s not a threat? Impossible. I’ll beef up security if I have to. If I’m not there, someone else will be at all times.
“Don’t you have to work?’ she asks, evidently putting an end to this, once again.
“I have a meeting with Clayton today. I’ll drive you in.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she insists.
“Bryer, allow me some fucking peace, will you?” I beg.
“By all means, if that’s what you need, drive.”
The drive is silent.
~ ~ ~
“Well, this just keeps getting better,” I say, walking in the office, noticing Clayton pushing his Chinese food around in the Styrofoam container while staring off into space, obviously forgetting I was coming.
“What?” He finally comes back to earth.
“A woman?” I question. “It’s always a woman,” I say again, hoping for acknowledgment.
“Yes well, No. Fuck, Nathan I don’t know,” he spits out.
“Well, just so I’m clear.” I sarcastically answer.
“Let it go,” he says, shaking his head.
“Why are you here?” he asks
“We had a meeting.” I remind him, like he’s lost his mind.
“Oh.” Lacking interest of any kind.
“OH? Where the fuck are you, Clayton? Because we can do this another time, when I actually have you here.” He turns with a smirk.
“Really, Nathan? Don’t compare drama queens here, you have been losing your shit ever since Bryer’s ex contacted her.” He bravely throws in my face. “Not to mention all the other shit,” he adds.
“You must be fucking fearless to pick a fight with me today, Clayton. Let’s try to keep the pissing contest in check and get down to business.” Not really meaning to sound like such a dick. But uncaring that I am.
“So how is the new guy working out?” I ask, getting to the subject at hand.
“Graham? He’s fine, all the ladies like him so that’s a plus.”
Although curiosity is getting the better of me, I wonder about his foul mood. Then again, talking about feelings is not what we do.
“Good, thanks for taking care of everything,” I say.
“Graham is like you, Nathan, well, a lot younger, but hands-on training, a good personality, minus the flirting.” He shrugs.
“I never flirted.” I turn for a stare down.
“Ah, yeah you did,” he continues.
“What the fuck ever, Clayton?” I say, knowing he’s probably right, but I’ll never admit it. Clayton holds the manwhore title, I was never that bad.
And he’s back to me. “How’s everything? I mean, I don’t even know what subject to approach first, your father, Bryer, or the ex?” Clayton says, completely serious.
Wanting to address our non-feeling pack, but it flows out faster than I can stop it. “I don’t know, Clayton, I’ve been tied up in knots ever since Bryer’s’ ex called her and continues to call. It’s killing me,” I say aloud for the first time ever.
“Bryer just keeps ignoring his calls. I see her phone light up with his name on the screen, and I want to reach through it and beat the shit out of him.”
Clayton’s brows lift in surprise. “Have you been keeping all that inside? Because it felt like you just puked all over me.” Pushing his meal away.
“Something like that,” I answer.
“Bryer has made it clear, she will handle it, while it eats at me every day,” I confess. “She’s moving forward, like he doesn’t exist, and I know there’s a lot more to the story than she’s told me.” Shaking my head in frustration. I wager my own territorial issues come before anything else, all mine. As childish as that may sound, I’m ready to fight.
“Nathan, you can’t control this, as much as you want to. I know Bryer will reach out to you when she needs you.”
“Sure, Oprah, I shouldn’t keep my feelings all bottled up.” I smile and hope this is the end of the conversation. And when Clayton turns to his computer, I know it is.
“Hey,” Clayton speaks, after about an hour of complete silence.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.
“Let’s take the new guy out tonight, make him one of the pack. He just moved here, he doesn’t know anyone.”
Clayton sounds way too enthusiastic, but I weigh the options. Truthfully I would rather be in Bryer’s arms or between her thighs, than with these two idiots. “Ok.” I surprise myself.
“Great, I’ll tell him we are on for tonight.”
~ ~ ~
“So, I hear we are going to The Tunnel?” Graham says while leaning into the office.
“That’s the plan,” I say
“I’ll drive. I have an SUV since both of you drive little pussy sporty numbers.” Graham smirks.
“Indeed, pussy-attracting sport numbers,” I clarify, but I have to admire his balls.
“Let’s meet here at 8:00 tonight,” Clayton offers.
“All good,” I say, knowing I’ll be calling Bryer. I don’t really want to broadcast that fact in front of the two single guys in front of me. I’m sure I’d be emasculated.
“Nathan, nice surprise,” she answers. ”I’ve been buried deep in work all day long. Did you come to rescue me?” she asked.
“I have, but it won’t be until later.” I hear a sigh, and that little piece of disappointment makes my heart soar. Sweet Mary, what a pussy.
“Clayton and I are taking the new guy out, grabbing a couple beers. You know, male bonding.”
She laughs. “Bonding?”
Sounding smart-alecky as usual. “Yeah, you know us guys, we are all about getting to know each other and sharing our feelings.” I tease.
“Right, babe, I can see Clayton being the first to spill! No, seriously what are you guys doing?” she asks.
“We are going to The Tunnel, but we won’t be out late. Sleep naked, ok?”
“Will do,” she whispers.
As we all pile into Graham’s SUV, I take the front passenger side, thinking of calling shotgun, then dismissing it as too juvenile. Clayton brings out the adolescent in me.
“You know where you’re going, right?” I ask.
“Ah yeah, I drove by it last week,” Graham answers.
We are on the highway going way too fast for my comfort, and that’s saying a lot. But I keep my mouth shut, I surely don’t want to lose my dude card.
When out of the corner of my eye, Clayton flies from one side of the back seat to the other, hard!
“What. The. Fuck?” he yells.
“There was a huge pothole,” Graham says in defense, attempting to hide any humor with a lackluster smile.
I on the other hand find that watching Clayton buckle up in the back seat hysterical, and I make it known. “Pussy.” In between laughs.
“Say that one more time, and see what happens, Nathan.” A determined look on his face.
As I look over Clayton’s shoulder, now strapped in as tight as humanly possible, I notice the black sedan behind us, driving just a little too close for comfort. But decide to keep that to my paranoid self.
“Jesus, I could have been hurt.” Clayton continues to complain.
“Graham, you do have your driver’s license, don’t you?” I ask while snickering under my breath
“Yeah, I do,” he answers, completely serious.
“You know you almost killed Clayton?” I can’t keep the laughter in check, knowing how pissed Clayton is.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, he’s fine.” Pulling into the parking lot.
“Fucking finally,
” Clayton says when we park. “Next time, I’ll bleed all over your seats.” Taking off without us into the club.
“Oh this is nice,” Graham says.
I try to remember how old Clayton said he was, surely over 21, but he’s carded. I’m forced to wait while the burly guy gives me the once-over then the head nod to enter. “Huh.” I see an arm waving.
“Over here!” Clayton flags us down. We sit around the table far away from the dance floor.
“Thanks, Clayton, now maybe I can actually hear you. You know we could have gone upstairs where you can actually just drink and talk.”
“What? Why would we do that? That’s not where the women are.” Rolling his eyes as if that suggestion was just plain ridiculous.
“Ah, I see your point.” Understanding his real intentions.
“What can I get you boys?” says the waitress.
Clayton is checking her out, practically falling off his stool.
“Beers all around?” I question, and they both nod yes.
As we wait, I see a woman approaching from the dance floor. Oh hell. This is why upstairs is a better option.
“I saw you walk in,” she says to Graham and starts to rub his crew cut black hair, as if he is all hers. “Do you want to dance?” She asks.
“Sure,” Graham replies, taking her hand, with a lazy smile.
Our beers arrive as Clayton and I look at each other. What the fuck?
I take a long draw from the bottle, and people watch for a while. It’s always interesting to me to see the just fine people. The ones that look in the mirror and say, just fine, but a reality check is definitely needed.
“So, looking for anything in particular, Clayton?” I tease. “It seems you’re looking for someone.” Egging him on. Still questioning his secret attraction to Gen.
Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2) Page 1