The guard peered beyond the door. “One minute.” Serena hugged her again but now whispered in her ear, "Tell the lawyer that the FBI agent who hated John Morgan came to me for help. If a lawyer can swing a deal for my release in exchange for my testimony, I'll tell everything I know." She sat back.
A huge sigh of relief burst from Serenity. "Good.” That had been the lawyer's hope, for Serena to make a deal—something she’d refused earlier. “I wanted to talk to you first."
"Why? You don't think it's a good idea?" Serena's eyes went wide.
Her sister had been part of a conspiracy that almost murdered a woman. Serenity had asked Serena why, but her sister had changed the topic rather than answer. Now she had to accept her sister’s actions and pray that she’d learned her lesson. Serenity placed her hand on hers. "I just want to know you'll…” Not turn out like their father.
Her sister shook her head and stood. "Serenity, you were always the goody-two-shoes. I love you for helping me. I just don't understand how we're sisters sometimes."
The guard widened the door and gestured for her to go.
Serenity swallowed and pushed for an answer, needing assurance after spending hard-earned money to help her. "Promise me you'll never try to hurt anyone, not even a Morgan."
The guard’s voice deepened. "Ma'am, your ten minutes are over."
She hugged Serena tight. "I have to go. Stay safe in here until we can get you out."
"I hope your spa business prospers." Serena squeezed back. "I might need serious cash."
The guard repeated herself. "Let's go."
Serenity took a step to follow her. "I’m here for you. Mom loves you. Just watch your back."
"Tell Mom I miss her."
"Of course." The guard slammed the door closed. Serenity locked her gaze to her sister's matching stare through the mesh window. Their father had sent Serena down this path, and for that she couldn’t ever forgive him. The guard showed her to the door.
Once outside, Miami’s blistering humidity soaked her shoulder blades and trickled down her spine. She swayed in the heat, overcome with responsibility.
A half an hour later, Serenity walked into her mother's recovery room carrying a fresh bouquet. Her mother loved lilies. This morning had been rough. She needed her herbal tea and to put her feet on roller beads to help destress.
It would take everything her spa had in its arsenal to make her look the part of successful businesswoman tonight. Her mother's nurse left and Mom sat up in bed. She coughed, deeper than normal. Her voice was hoarse and weak. "How was your sister?"
Serenity placed the flowers in a vase and arranged them. Without looking at her mother, Serenity answered, "She's as well as expected."
"Did you tell her I love her?"
"Of course. She sends her love too.” Her mother could be in her own home once her health improved. “Did the nurses give you all your medicine?"
"They tried."
"Mom..."
Her mother lifted her chin, looking just like Serena, stubborn and not sorry. "I don't like to be loopy."
"Mom, pneumonia isn't something to ignore. You were unconscious for a week."
"I let myself get run down."
Now that was the truth. Serenity slumped into the seat next to her. "We've had a rough year."
Her mother patted her hand and started, "Your father..."
"No," Serenity interrupted before her mom got going. She'd not justify her father's crimes or her sister's. They should have both known they were wrong. Serenity would never be involved with bad people or bad situations, not if she could help it. "Don't defend him. He is in federal prison, found guilty of money laundering and other crimes. To me he's dead and he should be to you too. My spas are all we have left."
"I don't understand why it’s all gone."
"The money wasn't ours. You know that." Her mother had never asked questions in regards to her lavish lifestyle, which had led them all down this path. Now her sister was in jail and heading to prison just like Dad. Serenity looked at the clock and groaned, realizing she’d be late to her meeting. She stood. "I have to check in with work, but I will see you tomorrow."
"Have a good day, dear." Serenity kissed her mother's cheek and then ran out the door.
Ten minutes late. She was never late. Today, seeing her sister in orange, had been hard. She swallowed as she passed Kiwi, who stood up from her desk. The all-white office with the water fountain trickling and Eastern music playing softly usually calmed her and everyone within the spa. Kiwi stepped in her way. "Serenity, your twelve o'clock was early."
Early? Her eye twitched. Normally she always was too. Right now, she needed a shower and to wash the morning off, but she didn't have that luxury. Work called. She breathed in—then out. "Give me two minutes."
Dressed in the spa’s black uniform, Kiwi followed her into her office and went right to the supply cabinet. "You look awful. Let me freshen up your makeup at least."
The supplies were for customers but right now, the CEO had to appear fresh or risk losing an investor. "Thanks."
"Where were you this morning?" Kiwi powdered Serenity’s face.
Places people in spas don't visit. Serenity pressed her lips together but Kiwi made fish lips with her own to tell her to pout so she could apply lip color. "Prison, then the nursing home."
Kiwi finished the rose matte for her mouth and then picked up a shade of cream for Serenity’s eyes. "Shake it off,” her right-hand man said. “You have that wedding tonight."
"I shouldn't go." The Morgans never should have sent her the invitation. None of this made sense. The wedding was small and intimate and all the news channels would be there. Her shoulders slumped.
"You absolutely should." Kiwi worked on her lower eye lid. "Publicity is what our spa needs to compete in this market, and if we are successful in Miami, we can branch out internationally."
"I don't get why I was invited? They must hate me. Between my sister and my father, you'd think I was persona non grata to the Morgan family."
"That's your family. You didn't do anything but start and run a successful business." Kiwi then picked up a liner to accentuate the simple cream base. "Look, you're the face of Calm Serenity and that wedding will be THE event of the year. Everyone wants an invite to a Morgan wedding. Just going will get you photographed in the local and national papers. You don't have to stay for the whole wedding if you want to sneak out of there."
Leave it to Kiwi to bring her back to reality. There was no option, really. Tonight, she'd make sure that her spa was considered the best with the billionaire set her father had once run in. "Believe me, I’ll do what I must to ensure my business is successful."
"Then let's work our magic on you before you go, and make you look fabulous so people are lined up out the door."
"Thanks Kiwi. This is why you're my assistant."
"And why you pay me what you do as the analyst.” She winked at the job title correction. “Now, let's go with coral to really make your blue eyes stand out. Who knows, there might be a billionaire or a prince waiting to meet you. Will you wear my shoe design?"
"A billionaire or a prince would still be a no." Serenity laughed. The last thing she wanted was love—it made you weak. "And of course, I'm wearing your shoes. They are fabulous."
A few minutes later, she met with her first appointment of the day and worked her way through the afternoon. Calm Serenity spas was her lifeline and it was all she'd ever need to be secure and safe. She tried not to dwell on the yacht party later where she’d meet the woman that her sister had almost killed as she toasted well wishes to the groom, Peter Morgan, and his bride, Belle Jordan.
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
Secret Heir
Secret Tryst
Secret Date
Secret Romeo
Secret Match (coming Feb 2019)
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
Secret Date Preview
Natalie Parker undressed, folded her clothes on the table and tied the horrible, paper-thin hospital gown loosely behind her back. Once a year, she faced this task because cancer ran in her family and she’d rather know early if she needed to fight that battle.
She settled back on the flat hospital bed and waited for her doctor to come in.
Was that her boss’s deep voice? Natalie sat up and her pulse raced as she stared with apprehension at the closed door. She glanced at her pocketbook, where she’d stuffed her office wig. Voices argued in the hall and every so often she swore she heard Galen Morgan’s sexy baritone. Her heart thumped a warning that he might find her here, though that really made no sense.
A female doctor with dark brown hair whose name she didn’t remember from the group plan entered her room, and Natalie tried to relax. She lay down while the doctor took a seat near her bottom half, then wheeled the chair toward the medical supplies.. The doctor wore a frazzled expression. . “Morning.”
Natalie slipped her feet into the stirrups without being told what to do, though she tried not to think about the check-up, and pasted a smile on her face. “The office is super noisy today.”
The doctor tugged her plastic gloves on as she rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how crazy it is out there right now.” She flipped on the bright overhead light. “Now lie down so we can get you started, and on your way.”
Guess even doctors’ offices get insane. Natalie closed her eyes and braced for the uncomfortable plastic pliers that were a normal part of the procedure. That masculine rumble in the hall definitely sounded like Galen, who had no reason to be here.. Eyes sealed shut, she tried to continue the conversation and not think about the annual check-up or Galen Morgan. “I’m going to work after this.”
No pinching? The doctor must have used a cream because Natalie didn’t even squirm—she then patted Natalie’s ankle and said, “Done.”
Natalie opened her eyes and took her legs from the stirrups. Outside she heard Galen Morgan mention a cigarette which sent a cold chill down her spine. He really was outside in the hall and obviously upset.
The doctor stood while Natalie sat up. “Remember, you’ll need to rest so try to keep your feet up for the rest of the day.”
Strange. That was the first time after a yearly exam she’d ever been told to rest before, but her mind raced with worry over the fact that Galen was here. What if he saw through her disguise? In order to work for him, she’d added twenty years to her appearance with a wig and makeup. Would he recognize her outside of the office? She scooted to the edge of the exam table. At least she already had her loose clothes with her. Nothing form-fitting to give her away. Her heart pounded but she tried to keep the conversation with the doctor normal. “Okay? That’s new.”
The doctor took her chart and partially opened the door to slip out. “You’re all set. You can get dressed now.”
She caught a glimpse of Galen’s profile. Natalie’s entire body froze in panic. Then the doctor closed the door and Natalie clutched the paper-thin wrap to her chest.
Seeing her sexy boss here and in some sort of argument outside the door meant he must have a girlfriend. She shook off the troublesome thought. And now she needed to quickly add makeup with the cloudy hand mirror attached to the powder to help her look aged so he wouldn’t notice anyway. Her first priority was to escape this office without being seen.
Natalie zipped up her black dress, two sizes too big, and found her gray wig and makeup kit. She smeared her purplish rose lipstick and tucked her long straight blonde hair into the wig. She couldn’t find her elastic tie. Maybe it was in her car?
Once she had her black glasses on and aged her face with caked on makeup, she kept her head down and eased out of the room, hoping that whatever was going on meant Galen would be too busy to notice her.
As she turned the corner, she almost ran right into Galen’s muscular back as he stood outside a different exam room door. His eyes widened in recognition. Drat. And why did he have a scrape on his cheek? Not that she had any right to ask. She kept her head down, “Mr. Morgan…I’m on my way to the office now.”
He caught her wrist and she glanced up at him. He immediately let her go, folded his hands in front of him and stared at her like she’d answered a prayer. A different kind of hum entered her, but she knew he’d never see the real her. Instead Mr. Broad Shoulders said, “Ms. Parker! I think you must be an angel. Can you drive Ms. Gonzales home while my brother and I deal with some paperwork?”
The Hollywood actress? That must be the cause of the craziness. Natalie peeked into the open room and saw one of Galen’s brothers with the famous actress. She pushed her glasses up higher on her nose and said, “That will make me late to the office.”
He let out a huge sigh and nodded. “We’ll consider this part of your job for the day, Ms. Parker. I’ll reimburse you for any expenses.”
“Okay.” She clutched her bags closer to her chest and stepped back. A few minutes later, the gorgeous film actress in a tight-fitting white tank dress that showed off her ample bosom and perfectly formed curves walked to the elevator with Natalie tagging behind, looking like a bag lady. Once the doors closed, Jennifer crossed her arms and stared at Natalie’s profile.
Natalie kept her head down even though her scalp beneath the wig itched.
As the metal doors opened, Jennifer shook her head in admonition. “Galen has no idea you’re wearing a wig, does he?”
Eyes averted as she left the elevator, Natalie said, “Umm.”
Jennifer stayed at her side as they walked out of the medical building and into the bright sun, which made her head itch even worse. “You don’t have to answer, but honestly, that makeup you’re wearing to look older isn’t well done at all.”
Great. It had worked for the past year.Besides, she wasn’t trying to win an Oscar in a movie. The makeup and wig was to keep her job. Natalie dug into her bag and fished out her Hyundai Sonata car keys, hitting the button to unlock. The lights flickered. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for her door. “Miss Gonzales.” Would she tell Galen about the disguise and ruin her life?
“Jennifer,” the actress said and slipped into the passenger seat.
The gentle sway of the palm trees portrayed a calm and peaceful summer day, but her stomach tightened into a knot. She started the car and removed her fake black glasses to clean off the steam. “We don’t know each other or anything, but I would appreciate it if you don’t tell Mr. Morgan about my disguise.”
Jennifer straightened her shoulders and studied her profile. “Look, I can help you get Galen to notice you and you won’t have to dress up like,” she considered, “like a homeless woman with no fashion sense.”
Natalie jammed her glasses back on. Today was the strangest Monday, ever. She put the car in reverse and pulled out of her spot. “That’s a horrible idea.”
“Is it? I saw how you looked at him. That desire in your eyes can’t be hidden.” Jennifer buckled her seat belt.
Heat rushed to Natalie’s face. She turned the car toward the road, her cheeks burning. “I don’t know what you saw. He’s my boss, nothing more.”
Jennifer laughed but switched her attention to the road. “But you like him which makes the wig you’re wearing confusing.”
Her head itched beneath the scratchy wig. Natalie took it off as it was clear she wasn’t fooling Jennifer anyhow and tossed it on the backseat. “Mr. Morgan doesn’t hire pretty young women in the office. I wanted to work there so I borrowed my neighbor’s wig. Now, why were you at the gynecologist with two different Morgans at your heels?”
Jennifer handed her a card with her address on it. Natalie glanced at it and realized this was on her way to work. She’d see Galen soon and hear his side of the story on why he was at the gynecological office.
Jennifer then sighed and asked, “Honestly?�
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“That would be welcome.” Natalie slipped the card into the empty cup holder to her right.
Jennifer leaned back in the passenger seat. “Peter and I dated for a long time. Then we broke up and he married another woman. I still miss him and want him back.”
The sing-song of her voice caught Natalie by surprise. She wasn’t prepared to feel bad, but Jennifer sounded so sad. Natalie fixed her glasses and repeated what she’d heard. “By all accounts he’s happily married now.”
Jennifer nodded and wiped tears from her eyes. “I know. It hurts me, every time I hear that.”
With all the commotion in the hallway, Natalie hadn’t heard crying or anything about heartbreak. The words shouted were about sperm and property and babies. Natalie kept her voice low and asked, “That doesn’t explain the visit?”
Jennifer kept her gaze out the window. “I wanted to have Peter’s baby. They have his sperm, ready for injection and I almost talked them into getting it ready for me. But Galen told his brother and ruined my shot.”
Her ears buzzed. There was something missing from the story, which sounded illegal. But this also meant Galen had no girlfriend and wasn’t dating Jennifer. Natalie’s shoulders relaxed. “So, Peter didn’t know you wanted to have his child?”
Jennifer swallowed and stilled in her seat, looking ahead and not at her. “No, but it was my chance to always have a part of him even if he doesn’t want me back. I just want to be happy and a piece of him is better than nothing, where I am right now.”
The Morgans were the richest family out there. Natalie’s brain buzzed as she drove onto the highway. “That’s either really sad or really conniving if you intended to go after him for his money.”
A small snicker came out of Jennifer that sounded sad instead of sarcastic as she looked up at the sun. “I had an offer to have his father’s child and make a lot of money, but I chose not to. I’m not only after money despite what you might think. I was in love and clearly he didn’t love me back in the same way I felt.”
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 60