“Merina, go back into your room. Put your wig back on. I’m glad to see you didn’t cut your hair or dye it that hideous color. Let Conner and myself answer their questions first. You just listen and don’t you dare go off script?” No need for Ian to provide additional details about the threat. He didn't have time. “Alright, fine.” Merina didn’t appear happy to Conner. She seemed lost, unsure of which direction to take. “What about my father? Is it my responsibility to release him from jail? “One thing at a time, Merina. Now go do as I’ve instructed you.” His father said to Merina. His father’s voice took on a sterner tone as she resisted and questioned him. He stared at her with a stern look as she closed the door. Please open the door and invite them in.” “Dad, before I do. What are you planning on doing? How can you think that she’ll marry me? Or that I’ll want to marry her?” “Really? You’re my son. I know you and where you’v
Merina listened in at the door. She couldn’t believe how Conner spun their situation. Nothing she said would help her situation and everything he said found traction with his father verifying it. How would her father react when officers spoke to him? This solved nothing if her father didn’t go along with it. A knock on her bedroom door startled Merina at one point and when she opened it, Merina found Conner there. “Are you up to speaking with the police officers, Merina?” She knew he didn’t mean, ‘are you able to speak to them?’ as in, did she feel too upset to speak? Conner’s intention was for her to adhere to the story, causing no trouble for anyone else. “Conner, you know this doesn’t help us. Fine, I’ll speak with them, but I don’t believe it’ll help us in the end. Everything we’ve worked for is now down the toilet and we won’t be able to recover it.” Merina played up her part as the temperamental scheming heiress. It wasn’t something she’d neve
Conner stepped into the elevator and pretended that he knew what Merina spoke of. He didn’t know whether he should celebrate or scream at her. She knew what was going on. She was skilled at gathering evidence and knowing what to search for. Here he stood questioning for the last few hours if her information could be invalid or outright wrong. Despite knowing the consequences, Merina risked everything. If he’d told the facts as they were, she could have destroyed her career and ended up in jail. Her father and his could have ended up in another battle. Conner licked his lips, thinking about the short but sweet kiss and how he might not have experienced it. Or had a chance at more. Damn, his father did it to him again, the old dodger. He knew somehow Conner wanted more and set them up. Did he plan this since her first interview? Or was having her marry him his way of taking her from Andre MacGregor? Conner got to enjoy it and avoid the mes
Merina did her best to make the most of an unpleasant situation. Honestly, she didn’t see the bad. It meant she wouldn’t have to suffer her father’s neglect or have a creepy stepbrother pester her. Having explained and proven the assault on her, they returned to the elevator. She considered how marrying Conner would lead to intimacy. She didn’t doubt that. That had her all but climbing the elevator walls with sexual frustration. She couldn’t remember her last encounter with a man. But her mind lingered on the unsatisfying kiss from earlier and the promises he’d given her years ago about rocking her world as she rode his cock. What teenagers say could be embarrassing, but the honest promise behind it, had her panties so wet her thighs felt the dampness. Then Conner stopped the elevator without warning and damn, he was kissing her like they only had tonight. His hard body pressed her into the mirror and hardwood wall of the elevator as he
Gabriella wasn’t having the night she thought she’d have. She’d wanted to bop on Conner’s cock for the rest of the evening. Not thrown out of his suite by that bitch of a personal assistant. She bloody well was something personal to Conner, and Gabriella hated Summer’s interference at every turn. Intentional or not. She wanted Summer gone. Now she was answering questions from a cop, and it annoyed her because now her father somehow found himself arrested along with Andre MacGregor. What caused Andre to hit her father and start the hotel fight? She didn’t know. Yeah, she’d dated Galen for a while and Ian MacGregor didn’t like her hanging around his company while they dated. She wanted to access MacGregor Industries’ computers to get the information her father needed. So, she used Galen to get access, however; she didn’t need to sneak around. Galen loved to brag about his work, and he’d open the computer to her. Showing her the documents and explaining much of wh
Galen disconnected the call and looked across the table at his mother. She’d heard the entire call from the speaker of his phone. His soon-to-be stepfather and his soon-to-be ex-stepfather were in jail in a different city. His current stepfather’s personal assistant received a call early in the morning. She couldn’t reach his stepsister and she wanted to know how she should continue. The woman’s husband or some relative was in the hospital and she’d taken sick leave. Galen promised to investigate the procedure for such situations. “Well, mother. Any bright ideas? Or is this your way to kill two birds with one stone?” “Oh, don’t look at me like Galen James. I couldn’t have planned this better. With that foolish girl, she’s off doing her own thing. Ian locked up until someone could pay to get him out of jail. It surpasses my wildest dreams. Now, Joseph being in jail and his simpering twit of a daughter haunting the police station. I sugg
Merina’s eyes popped wide open. Instantly awake, her mind registered several things right away. She was in the hotel suite. The bathroom door placement appeared wrong, with a heavy arm on her waist. The snoring in her right ear was noticeable. What were her initial thoughts regarding these details? Which, of course, her brain filled in the answers. Merina had done the one thing she thought she would never do once the families ended their friendship. She slept with Conner. No, she hadn’t kissed him. Or fell asleep beside him. She hadn’t cuddled with him. Oh no, she had done it again and placed herself in a fine mess. Merina recalled her encounter with the attractive person from last night. The insane part she believed at one point he’d said he’d wanted to do this too. The next flash had her feeling like ice water had hit her skin. He mentioned enjoying it for years to come. That wasn’t in her plans. Not anymore. Her family wou
Conner woke up thinking everything was great. He found Merina, had helped with his investigations. His father wanted him to marry Merina, and after wanting to know how she’d be under him, he got his wish. The caveat: he’d have repeat performances for the rest of his life. It was perfect until he witnessed her expression. How hadn’t he recognized her? Her eyes or face never changed. That’s when he remembered the telltale scheming look. Damn, it hadn’t changed either. He knew when she planned something. Merina didn’t like something, so she figured out how to fix it. It didn’t matter if you liked it or not. She’d have it her way. Instead of engaging in another round of wild sex. They lay there arguing with each other. He had no choice. She’d go wild if he let her with her plans. See her remarkable progress this time. If he didn’t rein her in, then she’d end up in jail. Conner knew his father would only tolerate her stunts and antics for so long before
[SIX MONTHS LATER] The family piled out of the limousine. Baby seats and gear carried by a happy Conner, Ian, and Andre. Merina noticed her father wave at a man in a wheelchair who was being pushed by a female attendant. That was Ana’s father. He appeared to be headed into the house from somewhere in the garden. Today was Ana’s wedding and the hive of action revealed how close the ceremony was to take place. Merina and Conner had to hurry to get ready. The two grandfathers were taking care of their two little bundles, which worried Merina a little. Merina caught sight of their fathers showing off the babies to everyone who showed any remote interest. With that, the wedding planner whisked her and Conner off for the final preparations. Hair, makeup, dress, champagne, photographs became a whirlwind of excitement and activity. Security was exceptional, with news of Jeff’s wedding and news leaking about his new album. “It’s a perfect day for your weddin
[SIX MONTHS LATER] “That goes into the front living room by the main table. Please place gifts at the entrance. There’s a table for them there. Until it’s time to open them and then, while we are in the dining room having lunch, you’ll bring them into the front living room. Oh, I must go, the special guests have arrived.” Joyce said to her housekeeper as her staff rushed through her home, performing the last-minute preparations for the party. Many guests were here already and gathered in the front living room. Joyce, Merina, and Ana were all surprised to receive acceptance responses from RSVPs for their invitations. Instead of rejections or being ignored all together. Merina avoided the public eye as much as she could for the long months that the arrests and crimes made news. She didn’t want to deal with the media and the questions. Joyce could understand for Merina it’s far more complicated. She could only imagine an interview being like walking th
Jeff wanted to celebrate. His plans were going as expected. Ana agreed to marry him. He wanted everything perfect. Later that week after the party, Merina held her housewarming for their condo rebuild. Despite Merina being a wreck, it went off without a hitch. He’d learned from Conner that they’d confirmed that afternoon that Merina was pregnant. However, they didn’t know how far along she was yet. They’d have those results in a few days. He showed Ana around his home, pointing out the details he had overlooked before because of other priorities. She’d returned to the house and come prepared not to feel impressed about what he showed her. This house stood for their future and his first step towards stability in life, which Ana came to accept. “I don’t understand. If you record your album at the studio at the production studio, why do you need this room here?” “I don’t write in the studio. I don’t enjoy writing with background noise as it
Doctor Sutton arrived in less than an hour after his father called. Their fathers sat in the living room, refusing to leave until they learned what Merina had. They’d made a bet that she might be pregnant. Conner admitted they weren’t doing anything to his knowledge to prevent the pregnancy. But with all the stress and anxiety, she could have worn her immune system down and caught something. He didn’t remember her avoiding food or being ill. But Andre claimed her mother didn’t have morning sickness, so that changed nothing for him on what the cause of her illness could stem from. “Conner, I thought I said not to bother the doctor about this? If I still feel like this tomorrow, I’d make an appointment.” Merina said. Her voice appeared groggy and disgruntled to everyone. “It’s alright Mrs. O’Keefe. It’s better safe than sorry. I’m Doctor Sutton and I’m well paid for nights like this. It’s fine. Do you have any idea why you feel well? What
For the first time, Merina stepped inside the condo. He’d found an experienced designer to remodel it into a fashionable, spacious home for their needs. She moved through it. The movers had already done their job. She had only her business things needed to move in, and she had a company licenced to do that coming in later that day to set up her office. They didn’t keep a physical office because they ran on word of mouth. That meant they could work wherever their secure files were. Now she walked through the top floor of O’Keefe Industries Office building where Conner set himself up with his condo a decade ago. He liked the ease of commuting, and they were downtown with a private elevator. Staff wouldn’t be knocking on their door at all hours. The chef and housekeeper were present as day staff. They’d leave after they served dinner most nights. They had space to grow and entertain. But Conner insisted this would be their home until they had children.
Medina observed men with their differences in appearance and demeanor. “It’s like they’ve left all serious business at the door.” They’d seen Conner drop an ice cube into Dan’s lap and then they were wrestling. Jeff proposed to Ana in an unusual manner, but she still had to respond. The position he put her in. Merina was like Ana. She didn’t know how she’d respond. Conner gave her a choice that wasn’t a choice. “So, you won’t punish me or give me grief for working? You won’t belittle me in front of other people for having goals in life that don’t include what you want?” Ana asked. Her questions revolved around how he’d treated her and how he wouldn’t do it again. “That’s right. I promise there won’t be any extra details.” Jeff said to Ana. He aimed to calm her thoughts, enabling them to move forward, and for her to feel at ease enough to agree.“What about your photos with other women?” Will they end too?” Ana hated seeing those photo
Merina sat eating dinner with everyone. They ate in a more relaxed setting. They forgo the dining table for the living room. Staff disappeared, leaving Merina unsure as everyone began eating. Conner had something planned. She knew he must. That was Conner. Conner had reasons for his actions, often known only to him. It didn’t take long for Merina to notice Ana’s change in mood and her disposition changed toward Jeff. He’d worked some kind of magic on her. Merina heard something, unable to distinguish between Ana’s joyful cries and Joyce’s sounds. Conner held her back, saying they’d have fun later with everyone. Two of his friends came without lovers. When she asked how this worked. Conner said they enjoyed watching and acting as coaches. He claimed it gave an impartial opinion on how to become more creative. He offered to call someone in to show her how it worked. But Merina couldn’t see herself as the hostess getting off and ignoring her guests. Th
Jeff smirked as he followed Ana into the guest room. “What are you doing?” Ana said. Her tone demanded an answer as her eyes flashed with fury. “They told me to use this room. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. Live a little Ana.” Jeff caught Ana’s arm as she tried to leave. “Hey, you don’t want your friend and host to feel horrible, do you? We’re all adults here.” “Some more than others it seems.” Ana pulled her arm from his hand, but he didn’t step back. Jeff let his height give him the advantage. “It’s time to stop this, Ana. Sometimes I forget to drop the persona because people prefer it over the real me.” “I’ve always kept that I didn’t care for the persona or the job. You never got it, did you? I wasn’t dating you for others to see me with you. I didn’t see you for your money or your capabilities. Yet, you tell me you believe I’m lying to you. Fine, I have lied to you about two things. But only two t
Ana watched the men come toward them. A worried woman trailed behind men ready for battle. “Ana, we need to talk.” Jeff said. “You need to hear me out.” He looked stern and foreboding when he said that. Joyce came around the men and tried to avoid notice or interrupting the drama. “Nice romantic setting. It’s a pity we can’t distract the gaggle of ganders behind him. They don’t need to see this.” Merina nodded, where she stood off to the side in Ana’s peripheral vision. “We didn’t plan this, but it’s like an Edwardian romance scene. This’ll become lost on them. I believe. They won’t see the chance to use it to their advantage.” She said, her voice was low to not interrupted Ana’s words. “Sad, I agree with you. It could have become a fond memory.” “Jeff, I don’t need that. You’ve made it clear that I filled gaps in your life, but there weren’t many. But heaven forbid that my time doesn’t align your schedule. Then I