by Sandi Lynn
“Hello, Andrew.”
“Ian, my friend. How was your birthday on the yacht?”
“It was a lot of fun, and quiet.”
“Well, don’t get too used to the quiet because we’re hitting the club tomorrow night. I talked to Adalynn and she and Daniel are coming. We’re going to celebrate your birthday big, bro. Oh, you can bring Rory if you want.”
“I’ll talk to Rory about it. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Bye, Andrew.”
I sighed as I hit the end button and then grabbed Rory’s hand. “Andrew has planned a small get together at a club with Adalynn and Daniel for my birthday. Are you up for going?”
“Of course. If it’s to celebrate your birthday. It’ll be fun with you and Adalynn and Daniel there.”
“And not Andrew, right?” I asked.
“Ian, Andrew doesn’t like me for some reason.”
“Nah, I think he does. Like I told you before, I think he’s jealous,” I said as I kissed her temple.
When we arrived home, I carried the bags upstairs and Rory followed. She sat down on the bed and sighed.
“I want to go to the Piano Bar tonight.”
I turned around and looked at her. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I may not say anything to Jimmy, but I just need to go. He’s the only family I have left.”
I climbed on the bed and leaned into her. “I’m your family.”
She brought her hand up to my cheek and smiled. “Yes, you are my family, but I’m talking blood related.”
“You know that blood doesn’t always make a family, sweetheart.”
“I know, but he’s my dad.”
I smiled at her as I ran my finger along her jawline. We were interrupted by Richard’s voice calling my name from downstairs.
“Great, my dad is back from his trip. He and Adalynn always have perfect timing.”
Rory laughed and we both got up from the bed and walked downstairs. Richard was at the bar, pouring himself a drink. “Hey, you two. How was your little trip?”
“It was great, Dad. Glad you’re back. How was your trip?”
“It was productive, to say the least. Rory, I’m so sorry about your brother,” he said with open arms.
Rory walked over and thanked him as they lightly hugged. I was happy they were starting to get along. My phone rang and as I pulled it from my pocket. It was a business call that I’d been waiting for.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to take this. It’s important.”
Rory
Richard didn’t look well. He looked tired and different. “Are you feeling okay, Richard?” I asked.
He looked at me and cocked his head. “Yes, I feel fine. Why do you ask?”
“You just look tired. That’s all,” I replied.
“Nah, I’m good.” He winked.
He reached in his pocket to pull out his phone and a small, white piece of paper fell to the floor. I reached down to get it and Richard tried to stop me.
“No, Rory. I’ll get it.”
It was too late; I already had it in my hand. I glanced at the paper. At the top, it said John Hopkins Medicine. I looked at him as he stared at me while taking the paper from my hand. Ian walked back into the room and Richard lightly shook his head at me.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Nothing. I just dropped something and Rory was kind enough to pick it up for me.”
I smiled at him and walked over to where Ian was standing.
“What brings you by, Dad?”
“I wanted to give you your birthday present, son,” he said as he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a long box.
Ian took it with a smile and opened it. Inside, sat a beautiful gold watch.
“Dad, this is Grandpa’s watch,” Ian said as he looked at him.
“Yes, it is, and it’s time to pass it to you. You’ve wanted that watch ever since you were a kid.”
Ian smiled and gave Richard a light hug. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Ian. Happy birthday, son,” Richard said as they hugged again.
Ian looked at me as he showed me the watch. It was beautiful and you could tell it was an expensive antique. “It’s beautiful, honey.” I smiled.
Ian removed it from the box and put it on. As he was examining it, the strangest thing came out of Richard’s mouth.
“Do you have any plans tomorrow, Rory?”
I looked at him in confusion, bewildered that he would even ask me that. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t think so unless Adalynn needs help with the wedding.”
“Well, I’m going to pick you up around noon tomorrow and take you to lunch,” he said.
I was shocked and no words would come out of my mouth. “Uh, okay. I would like that.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow then. I need to get going. I have a few business things I need to do.”
Ian walked Richard to the door and thanked him again for the watch. As soon as he shut it, he turned and looked at me. “That’s really nice of my dad to take you to lunch.” He smiled.
“You don’t think it’s weird?” I asked.
“No, that means he’s accepting you now.”
“Ian, he seems different.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too. But in a good way.” He smiled.
As we stood and hugged in the foyer, Mandy walked through the front door. She was startled when she saw us, and Ian and I were just as startled when we saw a bruise on the other side of her face.
“I didn’t know you were coming back today. Welcome home,” she said as she quickly turned her cheek and began to walk away. I was surprised at Ian’s response.
“Stop right there!” he commanded.
He walked over to her and looked at her cheek. “What happened to the other side of your face, Mandy?”
“Stupid door again. I swear I’m such a klutz. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately.” She smiled lightly, but her nervous tone gave her away.
“You’re lying,” Ian said abruptly and with rudeness. “Did someone do this to you?”
“Ian, stop,” I said as I walked over to Mandy. I could tell she was on the verge of tears.
“Mandy.” Ian’s voice softened. “Rory told me that you’re seeing someone. Is he hurting you?”
A tear fell from her eye that said it all. “He doesn’t mean to. He always apologizes after and says how much he loves me and he doesn’t mean to hurt me. I’ve tried to break it off with him, but he won’t stay away. He keeps coming back and telling me how much he loves me and Molly.
I put my arm around her and led her over to the couch. Ian followed behind and poured Mandy a glass of wine. “Here, it’s okay. Drink this to calm your nerves.”
She took the glass and sipped the wine. I looked at Ian as he sat down in the chair across from us. “Mandy, who is this man you’re seeing?” he asked.
“Just someone,” she replied.
“I want his name,” Ian snapped.
I looked at him and gave him my mean look. He took in a deep breath. “Mandy, no man should ever hit or harm a woman physically. You need to stop seeing him. Think of your daughter. Better yet, give me his name and I’ll have a talk with him.”
“No, Mr. Braxton. You can’t get involved.”
“Then how about if I fire you?” Ian said.
“IAN!” I yelled.
Ian sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that,” he said as he got up and knelt down in front of her. “Listen, Mandy. You’re my employee and you’re a very good one at that. But you’re also my friend, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt my friends. So, I have an idea, if it’s all right with Rory.”
I looked at him in confusion. “Rory and I are going to the Piano Bar tonight. We would like you and your friend to join us.”
“Really?” she asked. “You want to go out with me and Colton?” she asked with surprise.
“Yes. Right, Rory?”
“Of course. We would love for you to come with us,” I said as I took hold of her hand.
“That way, when you break up with him tonight, I’ll be there to have a few words with him if he gets out of line.” Ian smiled. “I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
“Thank you both. I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s no need to say anything. Why don’t you text him right now and see if he’ll come,” Ian said.
Mandy pulled her phone from her uniform pocket and sent Colton a text message. I got up and brought her a tissue from the bathroom. Ian followed behind me.
“I’m going to beat the shit out of that guy when I see him.”
“So am I. I feel so bad for her. Thank you for helping her,” I said as I kissed his lips.
We walked back into the living room and Mandy said that they’d meet us at the Piano Bar around eight o’clock.
“Mandy, go ahead and take the rest of the day off and get ready for tonight.”
“No, Mr. Braxton, I couldn’t,” she said nervously.
“Yes, you can, and I insist. I’ll pay you for the entire day, so I don’t want you to worry about that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Ian held out his hand and helped her up from the couch.
I gave her a hug and told her not to worry. She smiled at both of us and left. Ian put his arm around me and I laid my head on his shoulder.
“Are you sure you want to go there tonight?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m positive.”
“I have some work to catch up on before we go tonight, so I’ll be in my study if you need me.”
I gave him a soft kiss. “I think I’m going to go downstairs and work out for a while.”
“Sounds good, sweetheart. I’ll join you in the shower later.” He winked.
I smiled and went upstairs to change into my workout clothes.
Chapter 20
Ian
We arrived at the Piano Bar thirty minutes before Mandy and Colton were supposed to meet us. It was pretty crowded, but we were lucky and found a table that sat four people. I led Rory over to the table and pulled out her chair for her. She looked beautiful, but I could see she was nervous. I told her to stay at the table while I went up to the bar to order our drinks.
“Hey, how are you?” Rosie asked. “Is your girlfriend with you?”
“Yes, we’re sitting at that table over there.” I pointed. “One beer and one cosmo, please.”
“Coming right up. Go back and sit down with your girl. I’ll bring your drinks.” She winked.
I gave her a smile and went back to the table. “Came back empty handed?” Rory asked.
“Rosie is going to bring our drinks over herself.”
“Any sign of Jimmy?”
“I didn’t see him, sweetheart.”
Rosie walked over and set our drinks on the table. “Welcome back, Rory. It’s good to see you again.”
“Thank you. It’s good to see you too.” Rory smiled.
I saw Jimmy walk through the bar and over to the piano. Rosie looked at her watch.
“Right on the dot. He plays every night at seven forty-five.”
Rosie walked away and Rory reached across the table for my hand. “Wait until you hear him play,” she said.
Jimmy sat down at the piano, stretched his fingers, and began playing. He was good and I was impressed. It was clear where Rory got her musical talent from. When he was finished playing, he got up, took a bow, and walked over to the bar. I gave Rory a kiss and looked at my watch. It was eight o’clock and I kept an eye on the front door, waiting for Mandy and Colton to walk in. A few moments later, they both walked in and Rory stood up and alerted them to where we were sitting. Mandy looked nervous and she was holding her wrist. They walked over to the table and Colton introduced himself.
“If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen, we girls need to use the ladies’ room,” Rory said.
While they were gone, I asked Colton what I could order Mandy to drink and I found it odd that he said water.
“She wouldn’t want a glass of wine or something stronger?” I asked the asshole.
“No. I don’t like her drinking,” he said as he ordered himself a beer.
I was getting irritated just looking at him and knowing what he did to Mandy. A few moments later, the girls came back to the table and sat down. Colton leaned back and put his arm around the back of Mandy’s chair. As I stared at the both of them, I could tell Mandy was nervous.
“Ian, I’m going to run up to the bar and order another cosmo,” Rory said.
“I’ll come with you. Can I get either of you anything? Mandy, would you like a glass of wine?”
“Dude, what did I tell you earlier?” Colton blurted out.
Mandy looked at me and shook her head. This asshole was pissing me off and it was taking everything I had in me not to jump across the table and knock him out of the chair. Rory grabbed my hand and led me to the bar.
“They got into an argument on the way here and he grabbed her wrist as hard as could and wouldn’t let go. She has bruises already, Ian.”
I shook my head as we grabbed our drinks from the bar and sat back down at the table. “So, how long have the two of you been dating?” I asked.
“About a couple of months. Right, babe?” he asked as he looked at Mandy.
“Yeah, a couple of months,” she replied.
I hated this guy and I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Those bruises Mandy has on her face are not very pretty,” I said as I leaned back in my chair.
“Yeah, man, I know. I can’t believe how clumsy she is sometimes.”
Rory put her hand on my arm because she knew what was coming next. “Mandy, let me see your wrist,” I said.
Mandy looked at me with fear in her eyes.
“Dude, what the fuck is your problem?”
“You want to know what the fuck my problem is,” I snapped as I stood up and grabbed him by the shirt. “My fucking problem is that you don’t know how to be nice to women.”
“You have two seconds to get your fucking hands off of me,” Colton said as he stared at me.
“Let’s take this outside,” I said as I yanked him out of the chair and dragged him through the bar.
Once we were outside, he got out of my grip and tried to deck me. I saw it coming and ducked, throwing him up against the brick wall with my arm pressing firmly against his neck. “You and Mandy are over and you are to never come near her again!” I yelled in his face. “You aren’t to call her, text her, or go to her house. I’ll have my men watching you and if I catch wind of you anywhere near her, I’ll kill you myself. Do you understand me?” I said through gritted teeth.
Colton couldn’t say anything. He stood there and tried to nod his head. I loosened my grip on him and pushed him away from the wall. “Now, get the fuck out of here.”
He looked over at Mandy, who was standing there in tears. “Do you want me to leave, baby? Do you want us to end?”
“Yes. Don’t you ever come near me again, you bastard!” she yelled.
He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and walked away. Rory ran and hugged me. “Are you okay?”
“Sweetheart, really?” I smiled. I walked over to Mandy and put my arm around her. “Come on; let’s go inside and get you a drink.”
****
I brought Mandy her second glass of wine. Jimmy saw us and walked over to the table.
“Hey, little lady. Welcome back.” He smiled at Rory.
I could tell she was slightly uncomfortable as she downed the rest of her cosmopolitan. “Are you going to play tonight?” he asked.
“No, I don’t think so.” She blushed.
I reached over and placed my hand on hers. “You should, sweetheart. Do it for me.”
Rory gave me a small smile, got up, walked over to the piano, and began to play. I sat there with a grin on my face, listening to every note.
“Very talented woman. Does someone in he
r family play?” Jimmy asked.
“Her father does,” I replied.
I noticed the way Jimmy kept staring at her. Almost as if he knew or recognized her.
“Is that so?” he asked.
Rory finished her song and came back to the table. When she sat down, I leaned over and gave her a kiss.
“That was nice, Rory.” Jimmy smiled.
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”
I could sense something was wrong. Rory seemed upset and on edge. Mandy went with her to the bathroom and Jimmy walked away.
Chapter 21
Rory
Mandy and I came out of the bathroom and started walking down the long hallway back to our table. I was startled when I heard a voice behind me.
“You look just like her.”
I stopped and told Mandy to go ahead and that I’d meet her at the table. I slowly turned around and stared down the hall at the man who was my father.
“Excuse me?” I said.
He started to walk slowly towards me. “Your mother. You look just like her.”
I looked down because I couldn’t look him in the eyes. “She’s dead, you know,” I blurted out. “She died when I was ten years old.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
And here it came, all the anger and resentment that was built up inside me unleashed itself.
“How would you know? Huh? You don’t know shit about me or Stephen.”
He looked at me as water filled his eyes. “Stephen is your twin brother?”
How did he know about that? I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Rory, not here,” Ian whispered.
I pulled away. “Was my twin brother. He just died.”
“What?” Jimmy asked in shock.
“He’s dead!” I screamed.
“I’m sor—” He began to speak and I instantly cut him off.
“Don’t. Don’t you dare,” I said through gritted teeth as I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t act like you care. You haven’t cared about us in twenty-four years. I found you for one reason and one reason only; to find the answer to the question that has haunted me my entire life.”