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Sixty-One
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Breanna was grateful that Todd had given her the day off. After last night’s ordeal, there was no way she could return to work so soon. She’d never been so scared in her life. The police had arrived quickly last night, and arrested the three men. Thankfully, they weren’t completely finished loading their truck and so they were caught in the act. The police had asked Monte and Breanna questions afterwards. The TV stations had wanted in on the action, but Monte denied them any interviews, thank goodness.
Being in that predicament made Breanna think clearly for the first time since she started going out with Tom. Now she knew beyond a doubt that breaking away from Tom was the best thing for her. Never again was she going to feel helpless.
She realized with all that had happened, she’d forgotten about Ashley’s wedding gift. Breanna shrugged. Her friend would have to get it herself now.
Breanna sat at the breakfast table and stared at he
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Monte didn’t trust Tom as far as he could spit on him. Which was why Monte decided to hang around Breanna’s apartment and wait for the jerk to come to her place.Dressed in dirty-white coveralls and brown hiker-boots, and a white ball cap pulled low on his forehead, Monte stood by Tyger’s neighbor’s apartment as he pretended to be working on their window. He’d previously gotten permission from the landlord to do this, mainly because the neighbors were on vacation. Pat had never liked Tom, which made it easy for Monte to ask her if he could spy on them. Of course, he had to tolerate the way the older woman ran the palm of her hand up and down Monte’s chest as she stood too close to him, batting her fake eyelashes and puckering her neon-red pouty lips. But thankfully, he wasn’t in her presence for very long. That woman scared him!His cell vibrated in his pocket, and he quickly withdrew it and glanced at caller ID. It was his fat
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Breanna didn’t know why she was playing with Monte’s emotions this way. She knew what he wanted, and one day, she would want the same thing. Just not tonight. Tom had hurt her not only physically but mentally, and she needed to get over her feelings. Monte was the right man for her, not Tom, but she still should heal before she gave her heart and body to the man she loved.“I would love for you to take care of me, even though it’ll be a first since nobody has ever taken care of me before.” She stroked his sexy trimmed goatee. “However, as much as I would love to see your bedroom again, maybe it’s too soon to become that close with you.”A frown marred his face, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that let her know he was playing along with her teasing. “Why did I know you were going to say that?”She chuckled. “After what I’ve been through with Tom, don’t you agree with me?”“Yes, you’re right. But we can still cuddle, can’t we?”“Of course. I’d be very upset if we didn’t.”His wide sm
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“How do you want it done? Clean or really messy?”“Clean. My daughter doesn’t need to see blood.”Justin Monroe paused in the hallway of the semi-empty church as he heard his soon-to-be father-in-law talking to someone with a gruff voice. The voices were low, and they came from around the corner. The tone of the men’s voices left a bitter taste in Justin’s mouth.He glanced up the hallway. People were starting to arrive for the wedding rehearsal, and Justin had wandered the halls, looking for his soon-to-be father-in-law. Being a busy man, time was important to Justin. In less than three years, he’d turned his father’s oil company into a billion-dollar business, and keeping it successful took up most of Justin’s day.He pulled out his cell phone to check the time. The rehearsal was already running five minutes late.“I’ll wait until after their honeymoon in Fiji,” the man with the brusque voice said.Justin’s attention snapped back to the co
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I must be dreaming.The strange man in Brooke Cavanaugh’s dream pierced her with his angry stare. Closing her eyes, she tried to make him disappear.The uncomfortable lump resting against her hip roused her further out of her prescription-drug induced slumber. Awareness gradually surrounded her, sending a loud ring through her ears. She stretched the aches out of her limbs, and her arms bumped into an object above her head. Her fuzzy mind tried to recall what surface she’d rested upon. It certainly wasn’t a soft bed. Her stiff muscles were positioned on some type of cushion with a texture like leather. Groggily, she tried to remember why in heaven’s name she would sleep on leather.Her memory returned in broken pieces – a wedding rehearsal she hadn’t wanted to attend, a reoccurring migraine, and two instead of one-prescription pills had caused her to slip from the boring proceedings of the rehearsal to seek refuge in her sister’s car.Yawning, sh
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Justin watched Brooke enter the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but take careful note of her beauty from head to toe. He guessed her to be in her early twenties, and despite her bulky coat, she had quite a slender figure. Her hips were small, and her legs were nicely shaped. The few moments he’d held her, he couldn’t believe how well she fit into his arms.Curse him for thinking this way, especially when he had more important matters to worry about. He strode to the hearth and stretched his hands forward, welcoming the heat.“Shoot.” She slammed the phone down. “I don’t know why Tiffany isn’t answering her phone. She must be busy with the wedding rehearsal. What time is it anyway?”He glanced at his wristwatch. “Seven-thirty.”She sighed. “Then she’s probably at the dinner the family had arranged. But it doesn’t explain why she’s not answering her cell.”H
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Justin balanced the food and six-pack of soda in his hands, opened the cabin door, and stepped inside. With his hip he pushed the door closed, then he stomped the excess snow from his boots before placing the items on the rectangular-shaped coffee table. His attention moved to Brooke sitting on the floor, switching stations on the big screen TV.He hadn’t been outside that long, but the cool temperature had subdued his system and his logical thinking returned. Letting his anger settle, he inwardly cursed Brooke for being here. Although a stupid mistake, she may have inadvertently put herself in danger, too. If the man searching for him found Brooke, he might not hesitate to kill her. Tony Pierpont was a ruthless man. He wouldn’t let anything get in the way of something he wanted.If, by chance, the killer didn’t find them here, Justin was still in trouble. Having a woman this beautiful in his presence wasn’t good, either. The only logical plan w
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Brooke’s mind fought an internal battle against her heart. She wanted to talk, but couldn’t. She hadn’t really opened to anyone, not even her own psychiatrist. It was hard when nobody believed her. Forming the words in her mind, she tried to speak, but nothing would come.As she stared into Justin’s deep brown eyes, she noticed the top of her head came to his mouth. A strange cozy sensation swept through her as she stood in front of him while his hands gently rubbed her shoulders and neck. The peacefulness in her chest took her completely by surprise. Fright diminished the longer she allowed his tender comfort.“I’m sorry, Justin. I’m not ready to talk about it.”He blew out a gush of air. “Well, Brooke, my dear, we have all night and probably most of the day tomorrow by the looks of the weather. So, if you ever feel the need to talk, don’t hesitate.”She gave him a small smile. “Thank you, and I will. I promise.”His thumb caressed her cheek with softness. “But in the meantime, if I
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A shiver washed down her spine and she wrapped her arms around her waist. “Let’s go in the other room. It’s cold in here.”She hurried into the living room and sat by the fire. The heat from the logs warmed her, but when Justin joined her on the floor, goose bumps trickled over her skin.For the first few minutes, she played tag with his gaze. She didn’t want to stare into his intoxicating brown eyes or at his knee-buckling grin, but she couldn’t help herself. He was like an addiction.Finally, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Well, since there’s nothing to talk about, what do you think we should do to pass time?” He waggled his eyebrows.Her heart jumped to her throat. She had to keep him occupied. She couldn’t have him trying to kiss her again. Glancing around the room, she searched for something to do, anything to keep her from looking at him. “Well, since it’s the end of January and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I wonder if we should see if your friend ha
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Fear kept Brooke’s feet frozen to the floor. Her mind screamed at her to move – to run – to hide. But her body wouldn’t listen.He’s going to catch me. And kill me!Closing her eyes, she held back the tears. She was a failure. As much as she had tried to not let her cousin’s degrading comments get to her these past several months, Brooke heard Robin’s voice ringing in her memory, telling her that she was nothing but trash – that she was a disgrace to the family.All Brooke had to do was sneak into the room, take a few pictures, and leave. Well, she’d done most of the things on her list.She listened to her uncle’s hurried footsteps coming her way. There was no place to hide in this room where he wouldn’t eventually find her. She might as well stay. Perhaps she could pretend to be asleep on his couch and tell him she’d taken too many migraine pills… since that’s what happened with Justin and the Jeep. And, her uncle did know she suffered from migraines.She glanced around the room until
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Brooke’s whole body trembled as she walked alongside her sister toward Uncle Tony’s luxurious home. As a child she’d been in awe of him and his wealth. Now, she pitied the man who had to break the law just to provide for his spoiled daughter and stuffy, arrogant wife.During the drive here, Tiffany had chatted nonstop about Robin’s heartbreak, and the horrible man who’d broken Robin’s heart. Brooke tried to act sympathetic while listening to her sister, but she couldn’t stop the elation growing within her. Justin hadn’t been horrible when he dumped Robin. He’d been smart.Brooke and her sister stopped on the porch. Tiffany was a foot taller than Brooke, but just as slender. Flipping a lock of her chestnut colored hair over her shoulder, Tiffany gave Brooke a stern look.“Do not make Robin upset.” Brooke managed to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape from her mouth. She nodded. “I don’t plan on doing that, Tiff. I’m not the monster she has told people that I am.”
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“Justin?”The sweet voice behind Justin pulled him from his conversation. He turned on the bed and faced Brooke, standing in the doorway, looking so beautiful. She clutched her hands to her stomach.“Hold on a moment, Brad,” Justin told his friend on the phone before smiling at Brooke. “What is it, angel?”Slowly she walked to him and stopped in front of him, touching his arm. “I think I can help you with Uncle Tony.”He arched an eyebrow. “You can?”“I know something that can put my uncle in prison.”“Really?”Nodding, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. “He smuggles illegal immigrants over the border, which is how Snakes came to work for him. He hires them, so he can get away with not paying them a full wage.”“Are you kidding me?” Justin’s heart hammered. He grasped her hands as excitement shot through him. There might be hope in getting Tony arrested after all.“And, there’s more.” Her smile widened. “He gives them fake ID’s and social security numbers.”“How do you kno
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Brooke didn’t know what to believe anymore. Obviously, she couldn’t trust her own heart. Justin had made her trust him. He’d made her fall in love with him, too. True, he didn’t force her, but because of his actions and words, how could she not have become transfixed by his charm? How could she have gone unaffected?Now she didn’t know whether to trust him or not. But hearing Justin say he wouldn’t marry Robin made Brooke’s heart sway toward forgiving him. She wanted to believe Justin. He’d shown her a wonderful, kind and loving man these past twenty-four hours. He might have apologized to her, but it was difficult to know what to believe anymore.Sitting by the fire didn’t accomplish anything, especially when she could hear him on the phone. He’d made several calls. One of them was to his mother as he explained in a sharp voice why he would never marry Robin. He’d even told his mother not to interfere in his life ever again.Quietly, she snuck back down the hall and stopped in front
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Justin sighed one long exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes.”“You’re, Justin… Monroe? The same man engaged to my cousin?”“Correct again. I was engaged to Robin.”Tears swam in Brooke’s eyes, her lips quivering. “You – you – lied to me?”He squeezed his eyes closed and swore softly. Looking at her, he shook his head. “I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you my last name.”“Why?” her voice rose.“Because at first it didn’t matter, then once we got to talking, I didn’t want to tell you because then I knew you wouldn’t open up to me.”“That’s a stupid excuse, Justin.”Inwardly he growled and grasped her wrist, but she pulled it free again. “Brooke, will you just listen?”“Listen to a liar? No, I’m done listening to you. I’m done being fooled by all men!”“Brooke, please understand, I didn’t tell you the truth because I wanted you to get to know me. The real me – not the fiancé of a Robin Pierpont. Believe me, they are two different people.”“Believe you?” Sh
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Justin hoped he’d proven his theory about good guys. Not once did Brooke seem uncomfortable around him, and he was willing to bet her feelings for him were also getting stronger. Although he hadn’t known her for a full day, he’d never forget Brooke or this weekend.She tempted him on many occasions, and he could tell she wanted to kiss him, but he held himself strong and tried to make their time together productive. They played every board game Brad had in the cabin, and when they ran out of games, they made up some of their own.They laughed so much, his sides hurt. But he enjoyed sharing this time with her. She made him feel alive, once again, and he’d missed that over the years.She didn’t ask him about his life, for which he was relieved. Brooke wouldn’t take the news about his engagement to Robin very well, so he avoided the subject. Thankfully, she didn’t ask what his last name was, either. He was certain Tiffany had mentioned it.For dinner, he scrounged through the cupboards a
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Justin’s chest ached, and he actually felt her pain. As he continued to stroke her silky hair, he prayed that he’d be able to stay strong for her. She needed comfort and support since nobody had given that to her, and he wanted to be the man who understood. The one man she could trust.His heart broke into pieces as he imagined all she’d gone through. What could be worse than being physically abused and then having friends and family turn their backs and distrust you?“After a few weeks had passed,” she continued in a strained voice. “I discovered I was pregnant.”The statement took him totally unaware, and when she lifted her head to look into his face, he knew she saw shock.“Yes, you heard me correctly.” She blinked away the liquid filling her eyes again. “I had the hardest time deciding whether or not I should keep the child or put it up for adoption.” She pulled herself straight, but he still kept his arms tight around her. “Anyway, my pregnancy started showing and I was beginnin
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Justin arose from his sleepless night, turned and slung his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his eyes then peered through half-closed lids at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Eight a.m. It’d been quite a while since he’d awakened this late. The change was nice.He stretched before sliding his feet into Brad’s slippers sitting on the floor. The morning chill caused goose bumps to ripple over his skin, so he hurried to the closet to find Brad’s robe. Justin pulled on the heavy terrycloth, tying the sash around his waist.Turning toward the window, he opened the shade and squinted against the sun’s brilliant glare as it touched the snow-covered ground. The impact of last night’s blizzard had left the mountains covered in white powder, but this morning only a few flakes drifted from the sky.He yawned, shaking the sleep out of his mind before heading into the living room to start a fire. As he set the wood in place, his mind drifted back to last night. Brooke had left him in a f
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A moment of silence stretched through the air as Justin listened to Vince Gill’s song. The singer’s soothing voice echoed through the room, creating a cozy feeling. Justin closed the glass doors to the fireplace, and Brooke’s angelic hum rose above the crackle of the burning logs.Relaxing against the wall, he let himself enjoy the music as her voice blended with the singer’s. It had been so long since he enjoyed anything. Justin’s hectic life kept him going in one direction or another, not allowing a moment for himself. It was a miracle he’d even had time to date Robin, let alone get engaged. Thanks to his meddling mother, he’d somehow found the time to pop the question. Or maybe she’d popped the question. He couldn’t remember.In fact, his mother was the one who purchased the ring because his schedule was so time-consuming and he kept forgetting. His interfering parent reserved the perfect restaurant and she made sure the limousine picked him up from the office to deliver him there
