THE MITUS TOUCH: Book One of The Touch Series

by Stoni Alexander

  Brigit stopped and looked at him. “She must think I’ve lost my mind.” She laughed, but immediately grabbed her side and made several small jerky motions. “Ow, that’s painful.”

  “Go easy. Why would she think that?”

  “I thought she was your girlfriend and interested in a threesome. No wonder she looked confused.”

  Colton burst out laughing. When his belly laughs subsided, they started walking again. “If she brings it up, I’ll tell her it was your concussion talking.”

  “So you spent the holiday with your sister?”

  “And our mom. She recently underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor. Unfortunately it turned out to be malignant. Though she’d hired fulltime nursing care, I’ve been spending as much time with her as I can. My mom told Alexandra about her health issue on the day you met her. She was devastated.”

  Brigit stopped and looked at him. “I’m sorry about your mom.”

  “Monday of Thanksgiving week Kimberly had a setback. Alexandra called me from the hospital. That’s why I left our strategy meeting. It was a tough holiday. My mom’s been through so much.”

  “So have you.” Brigit caressed his arm and his body stirred from her soothing touch. She furrowed her brow. “How’d you find me?”

  “When Chad connected your phone to the network he activated a locator app. You might think it’s invasive but I use it for emergencies. Since Cain’s death I’m overly protective of people I care about. Your phone saved you.”

  “No, Colton, you saved me.” Brigit wrapped her arms around his back and rested her cheek against his chest. “I’m so grateful.”

  Relief surged through him. Folding her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. Her strangled sobs shredded his heart. After several seconds, she pulled away and ambled into her bedroom. Using the furniture for balance, she walked slowly to the bathroom and closed the door.

  While waiting in her bedroom, he rubbed his hands down his scruffy whiskers. Why was she still so guarded? Couldn’t she see how much he cared?

  Mojo bounded in and plopped in his bed with Taylor following close behind. “Colton, how are you holding up?” she asked.

  “I’m relieved,” he replied. “Thank you for taking such good care of Brigit. I’ll stay with her tonight. Get some rest. She’s all yours in the morning, although I can hire a day nurse.”

  “You know I took care of my mom for all those months. I’m happy to help Brigit.” Taylor scooted out and closed the door behind her.

  Brigit emerged and knelt to rub the dog’s head. “Good night, sweet Mojo.” His tail wagged and he licked her hand. She struggled to get up.

  In a flash, Colton knelt next to her. “Lean on me.” She wrapped her fingers around his outstretched arm. “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” Slowly, he stood and she rose alongside him. Wincing, she grabbed her side. “God, that hurts.”

  They stood, inches away from each other. “I’d take your pain if I could.” Again he couldn’t resist and he damn well didn’t want to. Leaning down, he kissed her. Soft. Gentle. Hopeful. He kissed her again. Kissing her felt fantastic.

  She lifted her face to his and gazed into his eyes. “I’ve tried to fight this…us…but I have no strength left.”

  “Then don’t.” He kissed her. “Do you know how fucking important you are to me?”

  Color blossomed on her cheeks. “Yeah, sure, everyone likes their wealth advisor.”

  “Not like this, they don’t.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her as if she were a priceless porcelain doll. Then he ran his tongue along her lower lip but even that wasn’t enough. Her lips parted and he eagerly stroked her tongue. And he hardened from her soft, sweet moan. Once she regained her health, he’d make love to her. Reluctantly, he ended their kiss. She needed sleep. “Let me tuck you in.”

  “Where’s Taylor?” Brigit asked.

  “I’m staying.”

  Her lips lifted. “I can’t sleep in sweats.”

  “I’ll help you take them off.”

  Her brow furrowed and she broke eye contact. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

  “Let me help you, Brigit.” She stared into his eyes for a long moment then gave him a little nod.

  He found a cotton nightshirt in her closet and helped her undress. She’d been through one hell of an ordeal. Her shoulder, torso and thighs were blotched in shades of purple. Seeing her like this reminded him of Cain and he bit back the emotion.

  Before covering her in the nightshirt, he dotted her bruises with tender kisses. “You are so beautiful.”

  She looked sleepy, but there was a tiny spark in her eyes. After tucking her in, he went into the bathroom. When he exited, he removed his phone and set it on her bureau.

  “Will you lie with me?” she asked.

  He stood by her bedside. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’d hurt me more if you didn’t.”

  He removed his pants and shirt, but kept his boxers on. His stiff penis didn’t care about her broken body. In spite of her injuries, she was still the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. When he pulled back the linens and crawled in next to her, she smiled. While at the hospital, she’d had nightmares, so tonight he left the bathroom light on and the door cracked. He didn’t want her waking in total darkness.

  “Can I hold your hand?” he murmured. She found his hand beneath the sheet. This felt so right. She felt so right.

  After a few moments of silence, she spoke quietly. “I need to know something.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Why does the Francesco Company mean so much to you? You’ve invested in many businesses over the years, but this one seems special. Why?”

  Her fingers had tightened. Did she realize she was squeezing his hand? “You want the short or long answer?”

  “Long.”

  “From as far back as I can remember, my dad scared the living hell out of me and I couldn’t get two words out without tripping all over myself. I developed a stammering problem. A group of kids at school bullied me, but I had Cain. He was fearless and he had my back. When he died, I kind of died with him. One night, about a month after his death, I overheard my dad tell my mom that the wrong son had been taken from him.”

  Brigit gasped. “Oh, my God.”

  “She kicked the son of a bitch out. Between speech therapy and Alexandra making me read her bedtime stories every night, I stopped stammering. Going to Harvard boosted my confidence, in part, because I could start over.” They’d both been staring at the ceiling. He looked at her. “After getting my MBA from Harvard I started Mitus Consulting. Two years later, I closed it.”

  She craned her neck to look at him. “Why?”

  “It failed and I needed to step away. I took a year and retooled. When I started Mitus Conglomerate, the Francesco Company was my first big win. It changed the tide of my career. It was defining proof that I wasn’t the loser my jackass of a father told me I was.” They stared into each other’s eyes and the air between them grew electric.

  “Francesco set you on your path to success,” she murmured.

  “Investing in that company changed my life.” He rolled toward her. “And now, with everything at stake, I could lose it, and with that, Crockett Boxes. Too many people are counting on me to get this right. I cannot fail.”

  “You won’t.”

  Beneath the blanket, he stroked her arm, then gently lifted her hand out to examine it. “Hmm.”

  “What is it?”

  “Where’s that silver bracelet you always wear?”

  She stared at her arm. “Oh no, it’s gone! My parents gave me that bracelet.” She broke down and sobbed.

  She was too injured for him to pull her into his arms, so he did the next best thing. He got her a box of tissues, wiped her tears, whispered words of encouragement and waited. When she finished crying, he dotted her face with doting kisses until she smiled. Then he said something that made his guts churn as soon as he uttered the dam
n words. He promised her that everything would turn out okay. Now he really was carrying the weight on his shoulders because he had no fucking idea if that would be the case.

  Would she even make a full recovery? Had she miscarried before the brutal attack, or would he have to be the one to break the devastating news about the baby? And how in the hell was he going to keep Francesco out of MobiCom’s hands without doing the one thing he vowed he’d never do again?

  47

  Bad News

  Eight days following the attack, Brigit still remembered nothing. Had she been lured away? Or had Vinny Ray slipped onto the property and abducted her?

  She tried not to let the missing bracelet affect her, especially in light of her traumatic injuries, but the meaningful gift couldn’t be replaced. The Yurman Collection offered bracelets so similar it would require a discerning eye to note the subtle differences. But the last physical connection to her mom and dad had been permanently severed.

  That evening, Brigit held the stair rail and plodded downstairs. Taylor had convinced her to have dinner with the staff. Flanked by she and Mojo, Brigit paused in the foyer to admire the elaborate Christmas decorations and beautifully trimmed tree in the living room, then continued into the dining room. Only Vanessa’s chair remained empty. When the staff saw her, they clapped. Her spirits brightened from their warm welcome.

  As desserts were devoured and after-dinner liqueurs relished, Colton tapped his water goblet. The chatter ceased. “We have a Christmas tradition. The newest Mitus employee places the Santa hat on Michelangelo.”

  “Brigit,” Taylor said.

  “And Shane,” Brigit said. “Anyone else?” Colton shook his head. “Shane, let’s do it together,” Brigit suggested.

  Shane flushed. “Um, okay.”

  With phones at the ready, staff congregated around the statue. Colton held out a red velvet apron skirt and the red Santa hat.

  Shane snatched the hat. “I’m staying clear of David’s junk.”

  As the staff snapped pictures and shot videos, Shane hatted David and Brigit tied the red velvet skirt around the statue’s waist.

  “Brigit, I’m glad you joined us,” Colton said. “The more you do, the more you’ll remember.”

  The following morning Brigit trudged back downstairs wearing black pants, a burgundy sweater, and her cushy slipper boots. After promising Colton she’d limit her computer time, and would rest if she tired, he agreed. Booting up her computer, she silently rejoiced in the normal routine.

  Seeing Mrs. Mic later that morning would further boost her spirits. Unfortunately, her visit wasn’t social. Since Marjorie refused to discuss anything by phone, Brigit anticipated bad news.

  Midmorning Brigit pussyfooted toward the French doors, leaned against the doorframe and stared out back. Something had been niggling at her. The more she tried forcing the memory, the farther it receded into her mind.

  “Hey,” said Colton. “You okay?”

  Staring at this man could make her forget every crappy thing that had happened. He had that kind of an effect on her. “There’s something I need to remember.”

  “You think?”

  Her lips lifted. “No, something else. Something important. I can’t remember what I was doing before I––” She pursed her lips.

  “Before you what?”

  Tell him. She sighed. “Before I saw you leave with Alexandra.”

  He cocked a brow. “I heard you got drunk the night I left. Was that the reason?”

  “Oh, don’t flatter yourself.” She smirked. “The entire afternoon is hazy. Whatever I’m supposed to remember is important.”

  “There you two are!” Marjorie’s booming voice broke Brigit’s concentration. Mojo trotted over to Marjorie. “Hi, doggie. He’s big. Should I be worried?”

  Brigit smiled. “Mojo’s a sweetheart.”

  With her sights set on Brigit, Marjorie bustled toward them. “You look—” She shook her head, draped her arm tenderly around Brigit and kissed her cheek. “I’m relieved you’re okay.”

  Me too, Mrs. Mic.

  “I like the security detail posted outside the gates.” Marjorie hugged Colton. “You’ve been taking good care of our girl?”

  “No, no, I haven’t.” Colton fought a smile. “Any particular reason why I should be?”

  As Marjorie swatted his arm, her throaty laughter lifted Brigit’s spirits.

  “Today’s the first day I’m back in my office.” Brigit walked slowly toward Colton’s office. “I need a head start.”

  While they sat around Colton’s conference table, Brigit rubbed Mojo’s head and thick, furry neck. Though having Mojo nearby soothed her, her heart pounded like a jackhammer. From the look in her eyes, Mrs. Mic was about to drop a bomb.

  Perched on the chair’s edge, Marjorie rested her clasped hands on the table. “You’ve both endured a lot. I wish I could candy-coat what I have to tell you, but that’s not my style.”

  Out of habit, Brigit went to fiddle with her bracelet, but the familiar keepsake was gone.

  “I called a handful of Francesco shareholders with whom I have history,” Marjorie said. “They seek me out at annual shareholder meetings and I have a friendly rapport with each of them. The feedback wasn’t good. They think merging with MobiCom is the way to go.”

  Shaking his head, Colton pushed out of his chair. “Montgomery?”

  “He and Dobb are putting the fear of God into them.” Marjorie lifted a cigarette pack from her bag. “They’re misleading shareholders.”

  “How?” Brigit asked.

  “By telling them Crocket’s innovation is risky and has, at best, a fifty-fifty chance at success. And they’re touting MobiCom’s inflated purchase offer. You know, cash is king.”

  “Do you have that shareholder list?” Brigit asked. Marjorie fished the papers from her computer bag. Brigit glanced at the list. “Let’s divide this up. Shareholders need to know the truth.”

  “Two minutes.” Marjorie tapped out a cigarette. “Vonn got to me before I could grab a smoke. I’m going outside.” She stood. “Dobb is a damn traitor. We need a knight in shining armor.”

  Brigit whipped her head around. “What did you say?”

  “I’m going to smoke,” Marjorie replied.

  “No, the other part.”

  “Dobb is a traitor.”

  Brigit jumped out of her chair and immediately grabbed her side. “Ow! I remember! Mitus Conglomerate has to take Francesco private. Colton, you have to be Francesco’s White Knight.”

  Colton shook his head. “I ruled that out. Too risky.”

  Marjorie rolled her eyes. “Wait, didn’t we vote?” Brigit asked and Marjorie nodded.

  “You don’t get to choose, Colton,” said Brigit.

  “I damn well do,” he replied. “It’s my money we’d use to purchase Francesco.”

  On a huff, Brigit looked at Marjorie. “What was the outcome?”

  “The majority chose White Knight.” Marjorie checked her email. “One vote for each of the following: Killer Bees, Pac-Man and Poison Pill.”

  Brigit snorted. “Those aren’t the best strategies to stop this hostile takeover. Marjorie, why don’t you have that smoke, then we’ll call the shareholders?” Brigit ambled toward her office. “Colton, this situation is screaming for a White Knight.”

  “Listen to your crack wealth manager.” Marjorie followed.

  Brigit opened the French doors and the two women stepped onto the patio. Marjorie lit up and they stood in silence.

  “That’s me,” Brigit whispered, holding up the report. “I’m Spider Holdings.”

  Marjorie’s eyes grew wide. “Coming home, after all.” She inhaled, turned away and blew out the smoke.

  Brigit’s shoulders drooped. “That had been the plan, but I’m about to lose Francesco all over again.”

  “No, honey, you’re saving the company. MobiCom cannot win. They’ll make tens of millions on Crockett Boxes and Francesco will become a postscript. Sammy a
nd Nick would be proud of you.” Marjorie finished her cigarette, stomped it out and threw it away.

  The women worked at Brigit’s conference table. After dividing the list, they started calling Francesco shareholders. While some pledged their support, others only agreed to attend the upcoming shareholder meeting. Brigit expected Colton would join them, but he remained in his office. Something was definitely wrong.

  Late afternoon, Vonn poked his head into Brigit’s office. “Ten minutes to departure, Marjorie.”

  “If anyone can get through to him, it’s you.” Marjorie packed up and gently hugged Brigit. “Full recovery. That’s an order.” Marjorie traipsed into Colton’s office, said goodbye and left.

  Brigit stood in his doorway. “Can I have a word?”

  He shot her a stern look over his shoulder. “Don’t try to convince me.”

  Hands on hips, she stood in front of his desk. “I know my limitations. One of them is swaying the most stubborn, most controlling man I’ve ever met.” She parked herself in the guest chair. “I do have one good piece of news.”

  He perked up. “Montgomery slithered into his hole.”

  “Unfortunately, no. But we do have a solid commitment from a group of investors.”

  “Who and how much?”

  Brigit heaved in a breath. “Spider Holdings has the single biggest chunk of Francesco stock with twenty-two percent. The investors pledged in favor of taking Francesco private. They’re dead set against a hostile takeover.” Her fate was sealed. She’d thrown her full support to Colton.

  He tapped his fingers on his desk. “Significant, but not enough.”

  “Colton, look. You have to be Francesco’s White Knight. That’s our best chance at stopping MobiCom.”

  As he leaned back, he clenched his jaw muscles. “My first business venture failed because I invested too heavily in a company that went belly-up. I vowed never again.”

  “This is different. You believe in Francesco and in Crockett Boxes.” She stared into his troubled eyes. “And I believe in you.”

  After holding her gaze for several seconds, he strode to his picture window. With his back to her, he continued. “I’ll do it, but only to keep that son of a bitch Montgomery from winning.” He turned. His eyes were brimming with so much hatred she trembled.