The Cousins Series Boxed Set

by Lisa Lang Blakeney

  "She needs to meet you at least. She's not going to pay someone she's never met. You should have come to the gala, then you could have knocked it out then."

  "She knows you."

  "You went to Baltimore right?"

  "This again."

  "I'm just saying."

  "So this Kat chick will funnel us the type of work we like right?"

  "Absolutely. Miami is a cesspool. They're all on drugs and fucked up. We'll have plenty of messes to clean up for her. She already has two situations for us to work."

  "Cool. This sounds like just what we need."

  "It is. She's good people."

  "Maybe I'll figure out a weekend me and Cutt can shoot down there with you."

  "Good. You know with all that's happened, I didn't get a chance to say–"

  "You better not be opening up your mouth to say thanks or some stupid shit like that."

  "Cam–"

  "We did what we always do, Rome. Shit is never fifty-fifty between us. This time me and Cutt handled things. Next time it will probably be you. We've never said thank you to each other before, and we don't need to start now."

  "I had more on the line than usual though, brother."

  "I know that and we did what had to be done. It's over. Forget about those two motherfuckers, and concentrate on what's in front of you. The good shit you have going on with Elizabeth. That's rare, man. Enjoy it."

  "Can I ask you a question?"

  "Sounds like you're going to ask something stupid with or without my permission."

  "I just want to know what happened in Baltimore and what Jade has to do with it."

  "That's two questions."

  "Whatever is going down, and however strong she may appear to be now, I need you to remember the land of fucked up she came from. So don't mess with her head."

  "Not your business, Rome."

  "I know it's not, but I'm asking you anyway. She's important to me. To all of us."

  "I was there too you know. I remember exactly what Jade went through, and I'm a little offended that you think I don't have better shit to do than to fuck with her head."

  "I'm not saying that you'd do it on purpose, but shit happens. Right, brother?"

  I'm referring to a trail of heartbroken women Camden has left in his wake. Where I was the type that slept with a different woman every night, Camden is a serial dater, which in my opinion is worse. At least my women knew what they were getting with me. One night only. With Camden, they saw marriage, babies, and forever after in their futures, and it wasn't always their fault.

  "I'll see you tonight, Rome."

  "Remember what I said."

  Then the asshole hung up on me.

  I was just about to call him back and tear him a new asshole when another call comes in.

  "It's me."

  The old man.

  "Hey."

  "How's our girl?"

  "She's doing good, but I'm sure you know that already. Juliette calls like every other minute for an update."

  "Well it's like you have Elizabeth on some sort of lock down over there. She's just being a good aunt and making sure her niece is begin well taken care of."

  "As if I'd do anything less. Hey you guys kept her away from me while she was in the hospital, so it's only fair I get her to myself now."

  "I guess."

  "You coming tonight?"

  "I'm coming."

  "I know you don't approve."

  "I'm coming anyway."

  There's a pregnant pause over the line. One of us has to say something.

  "Should we talk about the letter?" I ask.

  "I don't have anything to say about it."

  "You didn't want me to see it."

  "No I didn't, but as usual you've made it a point to get your way."

  "Why didn't you want me to read it?"

  "She's a shitty mother, that's why."

  "I already knew that."

  "And I didn't want you to think that the fact that I'm not your biological father changes things. It doesn't."

  "And you're sure that you aren't?"

  I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't hoping that my mother was wrong or lying. Joseph is the only father I've known.

  "Yeah, I had us tested a long time ago. Way before you came to live with me. Stole some of your hair when I dropped off some money. I've known most of your life."

  What. The. Fuck.

  "Why didn't you tell me, or better yet, why did you do it? Why raise me?"

  "That neighborhood would have swallowed you up whole like all the boys before you. I'm not dead inside, Roman. I couldn't leave the block and not try to save someone besides myself. So it made total sense that it would be you. Give or take a week, you actually could have been mine. It's just that some other man beat me to it."

  "Does she know that you know?"

  "No. I thought if she knew that I was aware you weren't mine that she would hold it over me. That she'd try to come back in our lives at some point and threaten to take you back or extort me for money. I wouldn't put it past her. Especially when she was acting nuts. Which I didn't know back then, but must have been the times when she was manic. But anyway, I let her believe she was pulling something over on me. It made things easier."

  "Did Juliette know?"

  "No. It's part of the reason why I'm taking her around the world. She's mad as hell at me."

  "I didn't think you ever lied to Juliette."

  "I don't usually. Just about this one thing. I had my reasons."

  "So that whole story you told me before. Not wanting me and then finally stepping up? I still don't get it."

  "That part was true. For a time, I thought I was your father and I didn't want to be anyone's father. I was too busy trying to make a name for myself. To build a life that would be so far removed from the old neighborhood that people there would barely remember my name. Your mother was beautiful and fun, but we were never supposed to form a lifetime connection. I didn't want connections to that place. You were a connection.

  "When I decided to have you tested, it was because I heard from a few people that she'd been seeing another man the same time I had been. Someone regularly. A guy she hadn't told me about for obvious reasons. He'd long disappeared from the neighborhood, so the minute I discovered you weren't mine, I thought I could help you by at least giving your mother money to raise you right. Send you to a better school. Enroll you in extracurriculars. But I learned pretty soon that your mother was incapable of holding up her end, and like I said, while it took me a minute, I finally stepped up and got you out of there. You not being mine biologically didn't factor into the decision."

  "Really, because you've been tough as shit on me, Joseph. Don't you think it might be because we're not related? Maybe you resented me a little?"

  "Hell, no. I've been tough on you, because it was all I knew how to be. It was the only way I knew how to save you. How to raise you. How to keep you safe. I'm your father in every way that counts, and I did a damn good job of it. I won't apologize for any of it. I'll be the best grandfather that I can be too."

  And that was it. All I ever wanted from the old coot.

  Validation. Acceptance.

  "Are you planning on looking for her?" he asks me about my mother.

  "Don't you know exactly where she is?"

  He pauses.

  "I do."

  "I don't plan on it. I think this conversation we just had is all the closure I need. No need to open up that can of worms."

  "I don't think anything good could come of it, but she is your mother, and you do have the right."

  I decide not to acknowledge his last statement, and just say my good-byes.

  "See you tonight, old man."

  "All right, son, see you then."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  ELIZABETH

  To: Elizabeth Hill

  From: Henry Lambert

  Re: School Bucks

  Dear Miss Hill,

  I jus
t wanted to follow up personally on our conversation from the night of the Autism Alliance Gala. I'd love for us to meet about a possible source of funding that might work for your app expansion. Let's pencil in a time during the second week of January. Call Daniella and she'll set it all up. Happy New Year.

  Sincerely,

  Henry Lambert

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  ELIZABETH

  "Elizabeth, are you ready?"

  Roman calls out for me from the kitchen, but I can't stop staring at my phone long enough to respond. I keep reading and rereading the email, resulting in a permanent grin across my face, because Roman says something about it as soon as he comes looking for me.

  "Why do you have that goofy grin on your face?"

  I turn my phone and show him the email.

  "Nice."

  "That's it? Nice."

  "I'm proud of you?"

  "Is that a question or a statement?"

  "Hey, I 'm a little surprised that you managed to have a coherent conversation with the man considering you were blasted out of your mind that night."

  "Stop being dramatic and a Debbie Downer. I wasn't even drunk at that point."

  "Or stalking me yet."

  "Whatever," I say, not even wanting to think about anything in regards to that night especially Kat.

  Even though I know she's just an old friend and a client, she's still a drop dead gorgeous woman from his past. And I'm pregnant with raging hormones. So I'm giving myself a pass to feel a little jealous right now.

  "I know that Aunt Juliette probably had a lot to do with making this happen for me, but I've decided that a little help is okay nowadays."

  "Is that right?"

  "That's right."

  "Well I could have helped you with the money for your business a very long time ago. I can still help since you're starting to see the light and all."

  "I don't need your money now. I've got Mr. Lambert's." I start doing a little victory dance using my crutches.

  "Stop it, nerd, before you fall and break your other leg."

  "Shush it. So do I look pretty enough for whatever lame plans you have for us tonight?" I give him an exaggerated twirl and curtsy in my little black dress, which is harder than you would imagine when you're on crutches.

  "You're really mad that we're going out aren't you?" He chuckles.

  Yes, I'd rather be underneath you.

  "I'll make the best of it." I try to say nonchalantly.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Roman and I drive for what seems like forever in the direction away from the city. Traffic is especially bad because of the simple fact that it's New Year's Eve, and it's close to midnight. We just finished having a late dinner at what will probably be my new favorite restaurant. My lobster and rib eye were perfect. So were the grilled asparagus and lobster macaroni and cheese. The only thing that was missing was a nice glass of merlot, but it's all worth it for this little blessing growing inside of me.

  I recognize the exit ramp we're on. It leads to one of the biggest malls in the area, although I can't imagine why we'd be going there at eleven at night on New Year's Eve. It's not even open.

  Roman pulls over on the side of the road for a moment. It's terribly dark on this stretch of road.

  "What's wrong?" I ask nervously. Worried that something may be wrong with the car. He opens the glove compartment and pulls out a piece of yellow satin fabric.

  "I want you to put this blindfold on."

  "What?! Why do you have a blindfold in your car?"

  "I don't want you to see where we're going just yet."

  "Okayyy," I say hesitantly. "But I hope this isn't the part in the movie where the girl is about to be murdered."

  "There's no murder movie with a blindfolded, pregnant girl, wearing a yellow leg cast inside of a Range Rover." He makes fun of me.

  "Fine." I turn my head and he ties the fabric around my head.

  "Comfy?" he asks.

  I nod my head.

  "All right, I'm going to get back on the road now. Try to sit back and relax."

  A few minutes later I hear the car drive across what sounds like gravel. If I didn't trust and love this man so much, I'd swear that he was about to murder me and dump my body at a construction site.

  Stop going to sleep watching shows like Criminal Minds, Elizabeth.

  Roman turns the ignition off and tells me to, "wait." I hear him exit the car and walk around to the passenger side. First he grabs my crutches then helps me out of the Rover, which has noticeably high seats when you have a broken leg.

  When I'm totally on my feet and have the crutches under my arms, he growls in my ear. "Pull your teeny tiny dress down. I can see your panties. I should spank you later for that."

  I grin. "You told me to look pretty."

  "That I did. Keep the blindfold on and keep walking," he orders with a smile in his voice.

  If you think walking on crutches is difficult, just imagine walking blindfolded, on a variety of surfaces, on crutches. First gravel, then concrete, then earth. It isn't easy.

  "Okay, stop."

  Roman unties the blindfold, and as I survey my surroundings I'm utterly speechless. We're in a park. Longwood Park to be exact. I know it well, because I've been here twice before after meeting friends at the mall. I just didn't know Roman knew anything about it.

  The park is beautiful. No, it's magical. It's bathed in holiday splendor. There are hundreds and hundreds of white lights decorating every single tree around us. There are even some covering the trunk of a large weeping willow tree, which we are standing under.

  "It's so beautiful, Roman. How did you–"

  "Have a seat, Duchess."

  There's a wrought iron bench with wooden slats under the tree. On one of the slats is an engraved metal plaque. The plaque looks brand new because of the metal's sheen and the bench might be new too based on the fresh mulch surrounding the base of it. All details which make me curious. So I sit down, turn my body around, and read the plaque.

  ***************************

  There is only you.

  There will only ever be you.

  Will you marry me, Elizabeth?

  On bended knee ...

  Roman

  **************************

  Oh. My. God.

  I whip my head around and see that Roman has bent down on one knee holding a black velvet box in his hand. I can't really say anything. I'm speechless. This is unreal. Like a fairytale. And here come the tears. I'm hormonal anyway, so I expect nothing less from myself than the waterworks.

  "Elizabeth, when I first noticed you dancing in the middle of the club like no one was watching, I knew that I had to have you. I didn't realize at the time that my desire for you wouldn't be for just that one night, or one month, or one year, but for all my nights. I love you. I need you. I want you. So under the moon and the stars, I'm asking you, will you marry me? Let's officially let all these asshats in the world know that you're mine, and as they say, let me put a ring on it."

  He opens the box and inside is a flawless princess cut diamond on a simple platinum band. It's a pretty big stone. Almost Elizabeth Taylor big, yet it's tasteful at the same time. A classic cut stone in a simple setting. It's totally me.

  In this moment, there is not a moment of doubt, of fear, or concern about who he is, who I am, how we met, or the timing of it all. All there is, is a tremendous amount of surety that I'm with the person that I'm supposed to be with for the rest of my life.

  So I immediately give him my answer.

  "Yes!"

  He slides the ring on my finger, sits on the bench next to me, and kisses me like he never has before. His tongue plunging inside of my mouth, claiming it, devouring it. I love that I can taste a blend of the salt of my tears mixed with a little of his chocolate and whiskey.

  "I see you had a stiff drink already," I observe happily. "Were you nervous I'd say no?"

  "I have a drink every night, smart ass."

&n
bsp; Roman pulls out his cell and sends a quick text.

  "Take a picture of the bench with your phone," I say wanting to make sure he gets a picture of the plaque.

  "It's our bench, Duchess. We're going to sit here for the rest of our lives and watch our children and grandchildren play in this pretty ass park. We don't need to take a picture. We can see it anytime we want."

  I start crying again. "Take one anyway."

  "Are you going to cry this entire pregnancy?"

  "Yep, and who were you texting just now anyway?"

  "I'll show you," he says. "Come on."

  "I don't want to leave our bench!" I exclaim while hugging the bench.

  "It's not going anywhere, baby," he chuckles. "We can come back. I promise, but right now there are a few people waiting on us."

  Roman effortlessly scoops me up in his arms and walks me over to another section of the park where there is a large gazebo also decorated in tons of white lights, vases of sunflowers, and filled with all of the people we love and who love us.

  "Congratulations!" I hear voices cheer.

  There's my mom, my dad, Juliette, Joseph, Sloan, Cutter, Camden, Tiny, Jade and even Jagger. I can't believe that Roman did all of this. I'm dumbfounded at all the effort he went through to propose to me. It's the most romantic, beautiful proposal ever.

  After a lot of congratulatory hugs and kisses, music starts playing from a speaker that's mounted high up in the gazebo.

  "It's one of Juliette's mixes, so you know we'll be bringing in the new year to a lot of 90's music." Roman laughs.

  "It's the music we first danced to." I laugh too.

  He pulls me in closely and hands my crutches to a nearby Jade.

  "It's the music we fell in love to," he says.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and stare into his eyes. A long gaze that I can't break away from. I'm falling deeper into him just when I didn't think there was anywhere further to tumble.

  All the way to Oz.

  Juliette interrupts us to hand us champagne flutes. One has actual champagne for Roman, and the other has sparkling cider for me.