They would have to be since in about six weeks I’m set to marry a man I don’t love. Actually forget love, I barely even like Stuart. He’s boring as hell, stiff and there’s not an ounce of attraction between us. But Father picked him out at birth because he and Stuart’s father are fraternity brothers, so he was chosen as my husband. More specifically he was chosen to run The Morgan Group, the family business, which is made up of nearly one hundred high end and mid-range restaurants throughout Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. You see Father would prefer that a man heads up his company and since he was unlucky enough to not produce any male progeny, I need to marry a CEO.
In fact I could run his business. I have an MBA and did an internship at one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the nation, but does any of that matter to him? Of course not. I’m a woman which means by default I am inferior and therefore relegated to the background of some man’s life. Specifically Stuart’s life. I want more from my life than that. I expect more from my life than that. Father only paid for my MBA because he hoped I’d meet a husband on my own, unfortunately that wasn’t my focus.
I hate this life with a fierceness I can’t explain. On days like this I think of running away, screw Father’s threats to cut me off. I’m 27 now and I’ve had access to the trust fund set up for me by Grandma Mary. It’s only $5 million but it’s more than enough to start a new life somewhere. Anywhere.
The question is where would I go? Pathetic though my life may be, everyone I know is here. Maybe that’s the problem, my snarky inner voice taunts. The truth is, she’s right.
So I stew and simmer on the inside while mother and Aunt Pearl stress about things like cream versus ecru cake frosting and white versus off-white china for the reception. They’ve made all the decisions because I haven’t cared to but since I’m the sacrificial lamb I think maybe that should change.
“Callie dear, what do you think for your China?”
Mother, not Mom or Mama but Mother, looks like your average pampered socialite. Her smooth brown skin makes her look a decade younger than her real age but her plain grey slacks and pink blouse are so ugly and shapeless you’d never guess the dynamite body she hides. The sad part is I dress just like her. In this world where everyone has more money than any one person could ever spend, it’s fit in or be exiled. “I like this one,” I point to the teal plates with the silver trim.
Mother gives me her disappointed sigh, which under normal circumstances would have me rethinking my choice to something she deemed more appropriate. But as the wedding draws near I can’t seem to be the obedient daughter I’ve always been. “Really Callie, sometimes I think you say things just to shock me.”
I sat up and slammed the book on the table. “Why did you ask me if you didn’t really want to know the answer?”
“But don’t you think that will send the wrong message?” Aunt Pearl is an expert on society etiquette, at least according to her.
“If people judge me based on dinner plates then I can assure you those are people whose thoughts mean less than nothing to me.” I leaned back and crossed my arms and legs, sending them both an icy stare. “Besides it doesn’t matter if we’re happy or we entertain the masses, right? All that matters is that Father finally gets the son he’s always wanted to run The Morgan Group. Since I’m the one being sacrificed, I want jewel tones.” I slam the book shut and stare them down.
“I just think you’ll regret it later,” Mother tried to use her reasonable voice. The problem was she didn’t have a reasonable voice.
“Just get this butter color, its elegant and stylish.”
“It’s ugly and old.” I stood up and gathered all their wedding junk. “Look this is my wedding and since I’m being forced into it I’ll get what I want. Thank you both for your help, but it’s no longer necessary.”
“Really Callie, we are just trying to help.” Mother’s exasperation was off the chart if she was willing to crease her forehead for me.
“Unless either of you are willing to step up and marry Stuart, I’ll take care of it.” I was met with stunned stares and silence. It felt good. Really good.
Tag
Damn I haven’t been back in this city for longer than a few days in years. Probably since the day I graduated from high school. I stayed here just long enough to grab my diploma and give the hottest girl in school a kiss, so hot I nearly came in my pants. A few hours later I was packed and ready for boot camp.
Now I’m back in this city that I have a love-hate relationship with because my brother Levi is missing. Not kidnapped, well probably not kidnapped. More like off the grid. The last me or my other two brothers heard from Levi was on his way back to the States from an off the books mission. He’d sounded like he’d seen some heavy shit and we figured he’d go somewhere to unwind, maybe with a few bottles and a few women. But that was nine months ago and now we’re all worried. There’s been no trace of him in Boulder, where our private security company is located, and that’s why I’m back in this city, sitting in a dark corner of a dive bar called The Diplomat. To see if Levi shows his ugly mug around here.
So far all I’ve seen are men and women like the ones in my old neighborhood. Drunks getting their fix or dead beats down on life who sense a lack of opportunity, using the booze to numb themselves. I hated the memories that flooded me whenever I was in the city. The only good memories I have are of starting shit with my brothers and a mocha skinned beauty who once looked at me like I mattered.
I didn’t see Levi but I’d give it another half hour at least. Instead of staring into the dark abyss of this shithole, I look up little Callie Morgan and see what she was up to these days. The first item that popped up was an engagement announcement and I have to say I wasn’t the least bit surprised. The guy standing next to her looked exactly like the kind of guy I expected her to marry. He was buttoned up, stiff. Boring. Callie, she looked even more gorgeous than she did as a teenager even in this lousy black and white photo. But she didn’t look happy, not like a woman in love should look. Then again, how the fuck would I know what a woman in love looks like?
My mom split when my youngest brother Reece was just five, leaving us with that drunk son of a bitch known as our father. Dad always had women around but they knew jack shit about love or raising children. All they wanted was the endless supply of booze and fucking, not four rowdy boys looking for a new mom. Those days were fucked up and should tell you everything I know about a healthy relationship. I hope Callie’s happy but I guess that’s probably not a priority among her social class.
I need to shake myself of these pitiful thoughts so I stand up and make my way to the men’s room in the corner. Before I even push the door open I can hear the dirty grunts of someone thrusting into something dark, wet and deep. I thought for about half a second but I needed to take a piss and they weren’t doing anything I’d never seen. Needless to say, they were drunk idiots, fucking in the only stall in the bathroom without a door. Fucking amateurs.
I keep my gaze anywhere but on them because contrary to those popular flicks of girls fucking each other, drunk sex is about as hot as watching pigs fuck. When I turn to wash my hands though I catch a glimpse of a familiar face, a face I’d seen just a few minutes ago. Holding Callie Morgan in their engagement photo. Yep that was him, Stuart dumb shit or something, thrusting his drunk dick inside some skanky woman with too much lipstick and not enough hair product.
I picked up my phone and pretended to take a call while I snapped a few photos. Thanks to my little brother, this phone takes high quality digital images that rival any professional lens.
Asshole.
Chapter Two - Callie
A few days after upsetting Mother and Aunt Pearl I decided it was time to do something for myself so I went shopping. But I didn’t pick up any designer slacks or blouses, instead I bought jeans and t-shirts and even—the horror!—bohemian dresses and skirts. I figured if I was going to go through with this farce of a marriage and pretty much relegate myself t
o a life of unhappiness, I may as well do things that would make me happy. Starting with my wardrobe.
The day was one of the best I’d had in a long time. I decided not to call any of my so called friends and went on a solo shopping trip. It was a first for me but without the air of wealth surrounding me I found the sales women were nice and honest. One even recommended a pair of bejeweled flip flops…and I bought them! The day felt freeing. The first time I’d felt free since that time I went on a roller coaster at thirteen. There was no fancy luncheon that required reservations and dress codes. I bought a pretzel from a guy on the street and I was thinking about pizza for lunch.
All in all, my day was fantastic. Since I knew I would do as Father wanted and marry that wet blanket Stuart, I decided that I wouldn’t do any of the other things I didn’t want. He was getting the job and the company that should be mine so he wasn’t getting a doting wife too.
When I stepped out of Francesca’s Boutique I saw a delicious male specimen leaning against a piece of chrome and leather machinery that would have any girl’s lady bits quivering with delight and my bits were no exception. He was big with short hair and his jeans and tee hugged him so close I didn’t have to imagine what kind of muscles were hiding underneath. If life worked that way, I’d almost think it was the source of all my teenage desires. But if life worked that way I wouldn’t be marrying Stuart.
“Hey Princess.”
I knew that sexy Chicago drawl anywhere. “Tag? Tag Howard? Oh, how are you?” I surprised him and myself by flinging myself into his arms and squeezing him tight. Man he was definitely squeeze worthy with all those hard muscles on display. “You look incredible! I guess the army agreed with you after all.”
He gave me that slow sexy smile and I felt my stomach clench. Damn. “So much that I became a Ranger, did some cool shit and now I’m retired. How about you? What have you been up to other than buying up all this poor woman’s inventory?” He waved towards Francesca’s with that killer smile.
He always was charming even if most people didn’t see it. “Well this is what is expected of me so I recently decided to start wearing clothes I actually like.” I probably shouldn’t have said all that to him but I couldn’t help myself.
“That’s too bad. I kind of like these stuffy old lady clothes because I can picture all the sexy lingerie you’re wearing underneath.”
Damn Tag Howard was even more potent than he’d been nine years ago. My body is reacting the same as it did back then, pulsing just because of his proximity. Now my mind was flashing back to that kiss at graduation. It was the hottest and best kiss I’d ever had, back then or since. Pathetic, I know. “Well I’ll still have all of my sexy lingerie, they’ll just be under clothes I like and not those ‘stuffy old lady clothes’ as you so eloquently put it.”
“I’ve never claimed to be eloquent, honey.”
No he hadn’t. Tag was honest about who he was, what he wanted and what he expected. It was refreshing. I step back and absorb every detail of this grown up and massive new Tag. “I’m guessing you’re not here by accident?” I couldn’t figure out why the light dimmed in his eyes until he opened his mouth. His brother Levi was missing and the Howard brothers were worried so he came back to Chicago with the hope Levi sought out a taste of the familiar. So far there’s been no luck. I was sorry to hear that. I didn’t know Levi well but he was nice to me when I saw him and like all the Howards he was hot enough to melt even starched cotton panties on girls like me. “I’m sorry Tag. You want help?”
“Nah. He’s definitely off the grid so I’ll just keep looking.”
“Okay. So you decided to look up an old friend? How did you find me by the way?”
The right side of his mouth tugged up into a smile as he pointed at himself. “Army Ranger, remember?” He laughed at my shocked face. “But yeah I was curious about you, being back here and all and decided to do a little recon. I found your engagement announcement, by the way. Congratulations.”
My shoulders sagged at his admission and congratulations. I mean I knew I was marrying Stuart so why did I feel so disappointed to let him know? “Don’t congratulate me. It isn’t a love match, more like a sacrifice.” I cringed, that sounded bitter. “Sorry.”
Tag tossed his head back, giving me a clear view of the strong line of his neck and those sexy shoulders as he laughed. Loudly and long, and too damn hard. He looked at my crossed arms and finally settled down. “I’m not laughing at you Princess, just, it’s been a long time since someone made me laugh.” He pulled an envelope from some compartment on his motorcycle. “That makes what I came here to do a lot easier,” and he handed me a nondescript large white envelope.
I couldn’t imagine what Tag would have for me since this was the first time we’d seen each other in almost a decade. They were obviously photos but it wasn’t until she pulled them all the way out and really took in the photos—very detailed photos—that she realized what the look earlier had been about. When he thought I was in love with Stuart he felt bad about these photos. Damn sweet man. My hands began to shake, I was so angry I swear I felt my blood bubbling. That rotten piece of crap!
“Shit Princess, uh, Callie. I’m sorry to be the one to give you this after we haven’t seen each other in forever. But, I thought you’d want to know.”
Damn he really was so sweet underneath that bad boy exterior and I had to laugh. “Oh I’m not upset how you think Tag.”
I told him all about how I was marrying Stuart so he could take over my family business. “But you Tag, you’ve just given me the very last golden ticket! I owe you big time. Thanks.” I took advantage of his surprise and took his sexy lips in a quick passionate kiss before I pulled back and steadied my legs under me. “I’d like to see you again before you leave Tag. Do your Ranger thing and call me in a few days.”
I walked the few blocks to the parking garage and went to Morgan House, the pretentious name of my family home, to settle some business.
Free. I was finally going to be free.
Tag
Other than seeing Callie and that hot ass kiss she laid on me, the past forty-eight hours have been hell. I rode all through our old South Side neighborhood hoping to find Levi or maybe someone who’d seen him but all I came up with was jack shit. I even visited our old man in the assisted living home we paid for every year in advance. The drunk bastard had drunk himself half-blind and his mind was slowly going. None of us ever visited him but he was well taken care of so that was something. He hadn’t seen Levi but even if he had, Travis Howard wouldn’t recognize the son who looked most like him. All he wanted to know was who’d won the Bears game.
From what I could tell Levi hadn’t set foot in this city in years. I needed to check in with Max. “Yeah there’s no trace of him here.”
“I know, I was just about to call you. We got a hit on his emergency credit card in St. Louis.” Max paused so I could let those words sink in. If Levi was using his emergency card it was because he wanted us to know he was fine but not fine. “I still want you to drive down there just to be sure. The hotel billed the card for a week so you’ll get there in plenty of time even if you drive.”
I didn’t want to drive all the way to St. Louis on the bike I rented. “Why do I need to drive at all?”
“Seriously Tag, you gonna give me shit right now?”
I rubbed my hands over my face. “Why shouldn’t I? You’re not the only one worried about Levi so just tell me.”
“Fine. I don’t want him tracking you and leaving before you get there. So take out a bunch of cash and hit the road, okay?”
“Fine Max.” I hung up because I didn’t want to argue with him. He could be a pushy prick when he wanted to be and he always wanted to be. So much for seeing Callie again. I decided to call her before leaving town. I wanted to actually say goodbye this time and see how she was doing. “Callie it’s Tag.”
“Oh Tag I’m so glad you called. Can you stop by for a bit?” She rattled off her address and I
turned at the first light and headed to her place on Lake Shore Drive. I should have known she’d live in some swanky building but when I pulled up the building was nondescript at best. There were no gold ornaments or trimmings, no fancy name. Hell there wasn’t even a fancy awning displaying the ridiculous name of the building. It was pricey just based on the neighborhood but not flashy. The doorman asked my name and I gave it to him, already prepared to turn around and forget about this visit but he scanned the list and opened the door, even telling me to enjoy my visit. It was strange to see a guy in this neighborhood look at me like something more than trouble or the help.
I stepped into the elevator and it was clean but again, plain. The place was secure but it didn’t look like the cost of rent went towards making it look like fucking Versailles. The elevator stopped on the 17th floor and the door to her apartment swung open before I could raise my hand to knock. Her eyes were red rimmed and she was still sniffling so I went with my impulse to pull her into my arms. I wrapped her arms tight around me, picked her up and walked down the hall and into a big ass open plan apartment. It was really too big to be called something as mundane as an apartment but it didn’t look like I thought it would. There were bold colors everywhere, funky art prints and incense burning. “What’s wrong Princess?”
She slides down my body and I try to ignore the interest my cock is showing since she’s obviously upset. “Oh Tag it was awful, so awful.” She cried into my chest for a few more minutes and I’m not gonna lie, I savored the fuck out of feeling her body pressed against mine. “I left you and went straight to Father with the photos. I told him I wouldn’t marry Stuart, especially knowing I’d be taking a father from his children.” She pulled away from me and started pacing so I took a seat and listened. “Can you believe it Tag, he knew! He knew Stuart had a girlfriend, a pregnant girlfriend whom he also has another kid with! He knew all of this and was still going to make me marry him!”
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set 1-12 (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) (Alpha Bad Boy Billionaire Romance) Page 20