Hearts of Darkness: A Valentine's Day Bully Romance Collection

by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

  I could hear the music playing in the background, getting louder as I approached the exit. The sun was bright, but it was colder than I thought it would be, and my skin puckered when we went outside to reach the chapel.

  I had hold of Jerry's arm as she guided me across the ten steps to the entrance.

  The large wooden entrance seemed intimidating, all of a sudden, and I knew I simply needed to get this over and done with so I could get on with the rest of my life.

  The doors opened, and I was standing in front of a small crowd of people, most of whom were guests of Henry's family, and I had no idea who they were.

  Jerry started to walk down the short aisle, and I focused on vividly coloured outfits, brightening up this cold, February day. Everyone had been given strict instructions to either go Eighties, or bright and loud. I smiled at their attempts, even some of the older friends of my grandparents had made the effort. The only ones who weren't dressed appropriately, it seemed, were the groom’s mother and father. They sat, stoic faced on the front seats, looking straight ahead.

  Sadness filled me. I wondered whether there was anything I could have done to make things different. Jerry leaned in to me, her perfume something sweet that tickled my senses.

  "Hopefully, copious amounts of alcohol will be able to dislodge the sticks from their arses. Don't worry, Honey. I'll look at it as my duty to get them both wasted." I snorted before lowering my head. I could always count on her to see me through.

  At last, Henry and my Leo stepped forward, and I could see them. My husband-to-be had finally conceded to wear something which wasn't currently the height of fashion. The black Adam Ant jacket with gold embellishments looked fantastic on him, and Leo, in a smaller version. I smiled, finally beginning to enjoy myself.

  I'd always imagined my wedding was going to be fun, rather than traditional—despite my family heritage. Basically, money and titles had been in my family forever. Until the money dried up, making Ravensmead the only thing left of value and the hereditary Barony as worthless as could be. Now, I was ready to get started on the rest of my life and not look back at my past.

  I stood next to Henry at the altar, looked up into his classically handsome face, and knew how lucky I was. His blond hair was styled in his usual way—a side parting—but the fact he'd made an effort with the jacket meant a huge amount to me.

  He was trying, bless him.

  Henry smiled down at me, but looked ill at ease. Was he as nervous as I was? I looked away, down at my son, who was officially best man. I winked at him, earning myself a grin back. He looked perfect, and I was so proud.

  "Dearly beloved," the priest began, making me focus back on him. "We are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The old man paused, looking around at the congregation of people before finally looking back at us.

  "Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honour. Into this holy agreement, these two persons come together to be joined." I took a deep breath. This was really happening, and all I could think of was tasting the bloody cake because I was starving. Good one, Honey.

  "If any person here can show just cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

  The room was silent, but I didn't take my eyes off the priest. He shuffled the cards in front of him, preparing to carry on.

  "I have a problem with this marriage."

  The chattering and gasps of people behind us started almost immediately. It took me a moment to compute who that voice belonged to. I looked to Henry, and he had turned, frowning at something behind us.

  I knew exactly what he was looking at.

  "Holy shit, Hon. Tell me that isn't him?" Jerry said conspiratorially in my ear. I rolled my eyes, ready to go ape-shit.

  I spun around on my heels, thrusting the small bouquet of roses at Jerry, who took them before glaring at the man who stood at the back of the chapel, one hand in the pocket of his dark grey suit trousers. I pushed the short veil over my head and stared daggers at the man I'd never met before, but knew so well.

  "Stand and deliver, Henry?" I looked between the two men, not realising they knew each other. Henry's colour blossomed, and he looked away.

  "Ty Falco, what the fuck are you doing here?" I clamped my big mouth shut as an old lady sitting in front of me almost had to push her teeth back into her hole, her mouth was so wide. All my ex-boss did was lift his eyebrow.

  I turned to Jerry. "Could you take Leo into the house, please?" She nodded, her eyes as big as saucers as she took hold of my son's hand and led him away. I made sure I wouldn't say another word until there was one less pair of eyes on me. She nodded, passing me back my roses. I held them in a death grip.

  "Who's that man, Aunt Jerry?" I heard him say as he walked away.

  "Well, I'm pretty sure that's the man who your mum is going to kill." I heard my best friend say as they disappeared out of a side entrance of the chapel.

  "Do you mind telling us exactly what's going on?" Henry's father got up out of his seat, his large belly barely contained in his dress shirt.

  "Mr Walters, I'm here to make you an offer."

  "You've got to be kidding me," I said to the heavens before returning my gaze onto him. "Still with the Vegas thing? What's wrong with you?"

  I thought I saw a hint of amusement pass over his face, but I was probably mistaken since he refocused his look on Henry again. Who until now, had been stony silent.

  "The only reason you're marrying Miss Webb here is to get at Ravensmead and her title." The sentence was simple but oh so devastating. I turned to Henry, silently demanding answers. He at last faced me, and I saw a stranger in front of me.

  His eyes were dead, and his lips in a thin line. "Tell me this isn't true, Henry," I said quietly, so only he could hear.

  He didn't even hesitate as he smiled, any affection he'd professed to me over the last few months disappearing. "It was a means to an end, Honey."

  I staggered back from him, but he wasn't done speaking. "Marrying you wasn't a hardship, we would just be making a mutual deal."

  I nodded, not quite believing that I had trusted this man so implicitly that I hadn't even thought that the rich wanker's family would be after this estate. That stupid title.

  The people in the chapel didn't move, didn't breathe. I felt all eyes on me. Yet I was also so alone.

  It was Ty who broke that silence. "I've just bought the estate, and I'm not willing to sell. I'll give you two-hundred-thousand to walk away—"

  "Wait a minute, what do you mean you've bought the estate?" Everything in my mind was whirling around in a blur. But this wasn't right. Think, Honey, think.

  "The house, and all those acres of land were actually not your Grandfather's gift to you, Miss Webb." He paused so that everyone had a chance to digest that crucial piece of information. The guests acted like they were watching a tennis game—back and forth their heads went.

  "I don't believe you," I said quietly, trying to piece together what had been told to me over the years.

  "They were owned by your grandmother's estate. Not your grandfather. And he technically wasn't left them. The will that was written by him has been seen as false, and the land and house reverted back to the state." I wasn't sure whether the curl of his lip was mirth or disdain. Either way, I didn't like it. "I bought it last night."

  "Who did my grandmother leave it to, then?" Granny had been gone only seven months, and her memory had been shot to pieces at that point. Had been for several years.

  "Her horses. And your grandfather sold me those before he died, so I've covered all bases."

  Well, shit. I wanted to laugh, to be a part of the joke, not the joke itself.

  It all sounded extreme and silly, but I also knew, deep down, that my granddad had barely laid his wife to rest before he went. He wasn't of right mind. And if the will had been written by him and witnessed,
there was a chance it might be all a lie. But surely someone would have told me the will might not be legal? I needed advice. I needed to think.

  "So, Henry, how about it? Two-hundred-thousand enough for you to disappear?" My groom glanced at his father, and my temper hit boiling point.

  "Two-fifty," he said almost immediately.

  "What? You think I'd marry you after all this?" I turn to Falco. "Save your money, I have no intention of ever going anywhere near this man again." Falco's dark gaze travelled down my figure, and I became very aware I was in quite a raunchy wedding dress. Why hadn't past me thought of this situation before she bought the bloody thing?

  "I couldn't possibly let the Walter family go without some compensation for the hardship of an arranged marriage."

  "Hardship of marrying me? Thanks so much." I felt sick.

  "And now you're free to come to Vegas on business. Aren't you, Miss Webb?" The look of innocence on his face was a complete lie. I wanted to throttle him—almost as much as I wanted a stone gargoyle from the chapel to fall on Henry's lying head. I looked up, willing it so.

  "I'll take the money," Henry said as he began to walk down the short aisle toward Falco. His parents followed suit, scrambling after him. Not after his mother had looked down her nose at me. I lifted my chin, fighting back the tears and anger.

  "Fuck you," I said only loud enough for her to hear. She instantly reddened and squirrelled off after her family.

  I'd put all my hopes into Henry, and this was how he treated me? The bouquet of flowers was winging its way through the air and towards his head within seconds. It hit with a clump, and he turned to glare at me.

  "You stupid bitch, that could have hurt me."

  "They were flowers, Henry," Ty said behind him. "Think yourself lucky it wasn't a chair." The Walters flounced out of the chapel, and it was just myself, Ty, the priest, and about forty people.

  What would happen now? If I really didn't own Ravensmead, where would I live? And where was I supposed to work now? All at once, everything started to hit me, and I felt the earth spin. I reached for the side of a chair and missed, stumbling. Then I was encased in warm arms, and I didn't resist as they held me close. Even though he was a bloody traitor.

  "The show's over. Leave." Ty said quietly. Everyone around us started moving at once. I looked up into his face. It had been the first time I'd seen him up close, let alone been in his arms. His eyes were surprisingly warm for such a cold-hearted man, and they danced with emotions I couldn't fathom as his dark gaze swallowed me up.

  His gaze dipped to my chest, my bosom practically spilling out of my basque as I attempted to clear the web of fog from my mind.

  "Maybe I was mistaken," he said gently, "when I called it a hardship to befriend you for nefarious reasons." He paused, looking up into my eyes. "I would have been tempted to see what I could get, too."

  I smiled, totally aware that his arms had pulled me hard against his strong body and that up close, he was unbearably good looking. "Well, Mr Falco. I finally understand why they call you a bastard."

  His eyes hardened, and I told myself I didn't care. Yes, he'd saved me from this farcical marriage. But he'd also ripped me into pieces, too.

  "If I'm a bastard, then I might as well take whatever I can get." His head instantly lowered, and his mouth took mine in a ravaging kiss.

  Oh shit.

  Chapter Three

  THERE WAS SOMETHING hedonistically naughty about being at your wedding and kissing another man. Or being kissed. Because I certainly wasn't the one in control here.

  His tongue was talented, I'd give him that. And he had a way of kissing that really brought you to your knees, but I had to remember what had just happened here. I pulled away from his firm, full lips.

  "What gives you the right to come in here, clear out my wedding, and then kiss me?" I was breathless. And I didn't know if it was because I was in the middle of a heart attack at losing the house, or because the new owner was ravaging my lips. Maybe both.

  New owner. I narrowed my eyes, pushing him away from me with more power than even I thought I had. Ty staggered back and still managed to look completely unruffled.

  "Get away from me," I bit out, still able to taste him on my lips.

  He held my gaze hard and steady for a moment, and then said, "Actually, I'm here to help you pack."

  "Pack?" Blood drained from my face, and I found the nearest chair and fell into it with a thunk. The netting of my wedding dress flared up, showing a large expanse of leg. His eyes dropped to my thighs, and I automatically pushed it down.

  "Well, I am the new owner, Miss Webb."

  "How could you have done this? How can you turf us out of here just like that?" My mind was reeling.

  "It's simply good business." And he probably really didn't think anything of it, did he?

  "Good business for you, maybe. But this was my home. My family home." A sob welled up into my throat, and I fought the instinct to cry. At the very least, the painstakingly long make-up job would be ruined.

  "What will you do with the place?" I asked at last, my throat feeling squashed between two melons.

  "I now own the golf course next door. I thought I might turn this into a hotel."

  I was taking this well. Bloody well. In fact, I don't know what had come over me. This wasn't the Honey Webb I knew and tolerated. She would have ripped his heart out by now. Not today though. I felt brittle and very small.

  Falco was watching me like he was expecting me to either fly off the handle at him, or jump his bones. I would probably do either on a good day, but right now, I simply wanted to go away somewhere and lick my wounds. Preferably with a bottle of whisky.

  In all honesty, I didn't know how to react. I needed to see proof this wasn't all mine anymore. And I needed to see it now.

  Yes, that's what I needed to do. I knew the old brain wouldn't let me down. It simply took a few moments to get going.

  I stood up in a flourish of white and placed my hands on my hips. "Take me to the office."

  "I thought you didn't work for me anymore?"

  "Stop playing games. I need to see the paperwork. I need to see that you're not lying to me, and that I'm the biggest fool alive for believing a man could fall for me so quickly." I bit my lip. Yeah, this was too soon.

  "You're not a fool, Miss Webb. Slightly naive, maybe. But not a fool. He's the idiot for walking away."

  I stared at him, waiting for the punchline. It didn't immediately come. "You don't know me, Mr Falco. Maybe walking away was the smartest thing he's ever done."

  That sexy dark eyebrow of his popped up. "I know you more than you think, Miss Webb." The formal, cool way he said my name was in stark contrast to how he'd kissed me moments before. I wondered if he even recalled the lip-lock—he'd kissed so many women, they probably all run together after a while. But he thought he knew me? He must have been mistaken. I didn't even know me, and I'd lived with myself for twenty-five years.

  "Let's just go sort this out. There has to be a mistake." I mumbled under my breath.

  "Mummy?" I looked up at the far end of the chapel and saw my little boy running toward me, Jerry not far behind him.

  "Hey, sugar," I said with a smile, opening up my arms and bending down so he could run into my embrace. He barrelled into me, and I lifted him up. Shifting all his four-year-old weight to sit on my hip, I kissed the tip of his nose.

  "Aren't you married anymore?" He turned to look at Ty, frowning at him.

  I had to be careful what I said to him so he didn't get too disappointed. "Henry and I decided not to get married today, baby."

  "So I won't get a daddy?" Leo swivelled to look at me again.

  "No, not today." I felt sick. He looked so disappointed. I glared at Falco, who was watching the exchange with interest. This was his fault. It was only the niggling part of my brain that reminded me that Henry was a money-whore who deceived me. I ignored that part. Everything was Falco's fault. Anger began to burn in my belly.r />
  "Are you very disappointed?" I said quietly in his ear.

  He thought about it for a while. "No, I don't think so. Henry didn't like planes, and he wouldn't play with me." Leo turned to Ty. "Do you like planes?"

  Ty looked a little startled, almost taken aback at being pulled into this conversation. "I do. I own a plane of my own."

  "You do?" Leo's eyes widened, and he wiggled to get down from me. After I reluctantly did so, he immediately walked over to Ty.

  "My name's Leonard Arthur Webb. What's yours?" I almost inhaled my tongue as he stuck his hand out to shake my ex-boss's hand.

  But Falco took it, bending down to one knee. "I'm Ty Falco, Leo. It's nice to meet you."

  "Are you going to marry my mum, too?" I closed my eyes, counted to five, then opened them to find Ty watching me.

  "Well, your mum is very nice, but I'm not sure she likes me very much."

  "She likes you," Leo said, turning around to look at me before spinning back to the front again. "I can tell. You've got a plane."

  Ty threw back his head and laughed. It was the first time, in all the photos in the newspapers I'd tried not to look at, I'd seen him properly smile. I swallowed, hard. I reminded myself he was the asshole here. He'd bullied me to get his own way.

  Catching Jerry's eye—who was off to the side of me and uncharacteristically quiet—I found her giving me a look.

  It was the same look she'd given me when I liked Daniel when I was fourteen years old, and he'd been out of my league and broke my heart. And it was the same look she'd given me when I said I was in love with Peter, and little Leo had been the consequence.

  I wanted to tell my best friend to piss off. She didn't know me. Not at all.

  "Well, we're off. Are you okay to watch Leo for a bit, Jerry?"

  "Of course. Just make sure you don't forget about us, huh?"

  I glared at my friend and turned to kiss my son goodbye. "I'll be back shortly, sweetheart. And then we can start on that yummy looking cake, 'kay?"

  He nodded, happy with that, and skipped off toward Jerry.