When her father at last left, Conner rounded on her where she stood. He walked over to her. But he said nothing. He heard the outer suite door close behind her father, and she assumed Ian was. “That was petty Merina. You have changed and I don’t like it.” His disapproving stare had Merina turning her eyes away from him. “Well, shit happens Conner. You changed too.” Merina said. Her words were a mere grumble. Conner took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. “Oh, no. You understand this isn’t how it works. You aren’t allowed to feel misery. Real or imagined. I say what happens. This ends now. Your father has nothing to do with your life any longer. The man you should concern yourself with is me. Do you understand?” “Tell me how to make you happy.” Conner could see Merina now understood her place. They were standing where he’d last taken her. In front of the mirror. “Kneel. You need to learn a bet
Conner accepted their breakfast delivery and closed the hotel suite’s door when the ringing of his phone interrupted him. Merina appeared at the bathroom door, looking curious. She stood there in a slip with her feet bare. Conner admired his wife’s image, taking in every detail. “Hello?” “Hello, Mr. O’Keefe.” A police officer from last night said. Before, he introduced himself, and continued. “Yes, of course, I remember. What can I do for you Officer?” Conner looked up from where he poured a coffee. Merina now leaned against the door frame and listened to him speak. He couldn’t believe he had her as his wife. He may have to set her straight and train her in what he expected from her. Conner knew she still expected him to screw her over before he tossed her aside. He didn’t plan to do that. Ever. She’s his now. “We have a few questions for your wife. Please bring her to the station for an interview?” Conner heard the ‘could you brin
Merina wasn’t angry about Galen being charged with assault for trying to kiss her. Merina was unhappy about how the charges had happened. They didn’t ask her about her preferences. Or how this would affect her. She felt glad that Conner took her phone. It meant Lillian couldn’t call her and yell at her. Lillian couldn’t stalk her either. One would think blocking a person’s contact information would stop that person in from their mission of being miserable to her. But it didn’t. Lillian didn’t get the hint and stopped bothering Merina. Instead, Lillian would enlist family friends and family to help enforce her point. Then add in, she would put pressure on as many people as necessary to make it beneficial to overlook Galen’s charges. Merina knew of several times his charges disappeared, so Lillian would leave the official alone.While they left Merina to fend for herself if she ended up in trouble. Her father claimed she was mistaken about that. But she went from
Gabriella watched the officers bring Joseph into the room again. She knew that her reaction wasn’t what anyone expected. She didn’t smother Joseph in affection or worried over him. Instead, Gabriella sat there, her hands in her lap as she fidgeted. “Well? Why haven’t I been released? What’s going on Gabriella? How can I accomplish tasks while present?” Joseph asked. He demanded to know what happened and what caused the delay. He had to leave and continue the plan. “I’m sorry. Galen found his own trouble. Before he could give me the money he was arrested.” Gabriella said. She acted as if she’d collapse into a manic bout of crying. Unable to find words, Joseph shook his head at her. He found these events unacceptable. “Arrested what for? Why aren’t our friends helping us out?” He all but dragged the information out of Gabriella. She arrived and insisted on seeing him. Then she didn’t give him the information he needed to discuss what happ
Merina hadn’t noticed as Conner followed her into the lobby. Her goal was for Lillian to throw a tantrum, leading to her removal from the station. That way, Lillian could not gain Galen’s freedom. Then they’d leave without her interference. She saw this wasn’t as easy as it should have been when Conner stepped in, as if he were an avenging angel full of righteous wrath. His voice deepened a fraction, and his eyes flashed in an open display of his anger. Merina noticed he exaggerated his anger with a stormy expression and raised voice while talking to Lillian. It’s what he said to Lillian that had Merina stunned. She didn’t know if she’d ever become used to people defending her. Merina found it odd, wondering if he would correct himself to match her reality. He threatened her with an indirect threat. Nothing he said could cause Conner to receive any charges or being sued. But everyone knew Conner’s words weren’t said on a whim.
Merina watched as the officer’s patience ended. He stopped Lillian from continuing arguing Merina and Conner. She said nothing more. Because the officer’s supervisor took control. They took Lillian to an office, out of sight of the main lobby. She demanded to know why Merina and Conner didn’t follow her. The response surprised Merina when she caught it. “Mrs. O’Keefe is with her husband and she’s not screaming like a madwoman. It’s time to contact someone who has more authority and control.” The door slammed shut before the room heard Lillian’s response. “I don’t envy them.” Conner said. His words were for Merina alone. “My father won’t like that.” “Oh, he knows. As does the officer who took Lillian. They’ll detain her. Later, they’ll tell her your father refuses to help her. She’ll need to find another man to help her with Galen’s issues because they won’t speak with a hysterical woman.” “I’ve never had problems
Merina let Conner take her back to the hotel when he felt confident. They’d purchased everything they needed. When they reached the hotel, the front desk clerk gave Conner a note at the front desk from his father. Gabriella and Lillian were there, and they’d joined forces. When he mentioned it to Merina, she rolled her eyes before she spoke. “Marvellous. I’m glad we’re leaving in the morning. Lillian and Gabriella working together against me. I won’t have any peace.” “You? Why would they go after you Meri?” Conner asked. He now called her Meri again after the confrontation at the police station. She looked at him and avoided swearing aloud. “Conner, my father got his release from jail with a minor fine. Joseph and Galen are still in jail. Unbeknownst to them, I’m the target and the cause of both men’s incarceration. They will see the involvement of my father and me. I will be their first target, not my father. Today Conner acted as her protector an
Conner watched Merina walk into the bedroom. He would have followed her when someone banged on the door. “No, she couldn’t be here already.” He avoided Gabriella for now. He wanted to deal with his wife. Conner opened the door with too much force and frowned at Lillian. “How did you convince her to marry you? How dare you do that? Galen wanted to marry her. Why did you steal her?” Lillian asked Conner. She seemed conflicted about what she said. “Galen never wanted Merina. He liked the concept of fucking his stepsister. Galen never intended to marry her. Lillian, Galen isn’t you. He wouldn’t marry her because you married her father to get your hands on his money. He didn’t need to marry Merina. Your efforts almost worked. However, you didn’t realize how much of the MacGregor fortune came from Merina’s mother. When she died Andre lost access to that money. You didn’t know we knew, did you? Now you’re trying to play a player. How is that go
[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