Brandi
"Are you okay? Do you want me to carry you?" Tes asks as I step out of his car. He's been like this since we were in Puerto Rico, fussing over me and the babies, which is sweet but also annoying.
"I'm fine and I can walk."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." I snap answer a bit too harsh. I take a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Fenice. It's just been a while since I've been an expectant father."
"I know, and I know you're only doing this because you love us. But I'm okay." I take his hand as I turn to look at the restaurant.
It's my favorite restaurant which we've been to multiple times but today I'm seeing Gia tonight for the first time since I've been back because she's been busy with work. Although we've spoken over the phone and she seems fine with us being together. I'm still nervous that she may see me pregnant and change her mind or, worse, turn to those pills again.
"Are you ready?" Tes asks pulling me from my th
fighting the don't want to write battle. sorry, I'm trying. Next update is on Monday.
ColeI rub the last of the rope on the pocket knife I always carry in my boots. Dad's people took my gun and my phone, but fortunately for me, they didn't find my knife or who knows how long I would be stuck here. My hands and legs finally free, I stand and head over to the window and peer out into the woodland growing darker with each second. Two days have passed since I've been locked in this room. The woman who knocked me out comes here once a day after nightfall to bring me food and water. I don't know what dad is planning to do to me, so I should get out of here and get help from William and Gio to get Uncle Sly out. They are probably wondering where I am, but since William told me to watch and not make trouble, I doubt they'll figure out I'm here.I head up the steps, looking for the handle, but find nothing. I run my hand over the door and feel nothing but a smooth surface. Shit, it's like I feared. It only opens from the outside, which means I'll have to
“I’m sorry our engagement party was ruined because of that idiot.”“It’s okay. You have the rest of our lives to make it up to me, but Cole. Tes, I know you don’t like him but he’s family.”“He brought us back together. I’m grateful to him and I promise I’ll bring him back safely. Just try to relax. I’ll be back soon.”“He had you arrested, and now he has Cole. What if something happens and one of you gets hurt or worse?”“Nothing will happen to me or Cole.”“What about me?” William asks. I glare at him as he chuckles.“But.”“Fenice, I need you to trust me. Nothing will prevent me from coming home to you and our twins. I promise. We’re about to board the helicopter. I have to go.&r
BrandiI awake early the next morning and smile as I feel Tes' hand wrapped around me with his palm resting on my stomach. I roll over slowly and see him sleeping soundly. I trace the lines of his face, taking in every detail. I still can’t believe this is going to be my life. Wake up to the man I love and our children. A life simple, filled with meals together, romantic dates, and laughter.I smile and press a kiss on his lips, then turn to slip out of bed when I feel him pull me back into his arms and kiss me on my neck repeatedly before capturing my lips. He kisses me deeply and pulls away.“Good Morning. Where are you off to?” He says before moving to kiss my neck.“I was going to make my fiance breakfast.” I moan softly as he slips his hands under my shirt and massages my nipple.“What a coincidence I want to have my f
Giovanni“We’ve searched these five areas over the last four months and found nothing.” One of William’s men points at the list of French’s property. We’ve been searching for Sylvester for the last four months. On the list, twelve are crossed out and only two remain, yet we still have not found him or any clue of where he could be.“ We’ll start searching his Mount Vista property tomorrow and then we’ll search the property in Utah.”“How long will that take?” I ask.“About two weeks for each.”“Okay.” I ease back into the chair and rub my temple. This is harder than I thought it would be.“You okay, man?” William asks after dismissing Mike from the room.“It’s been four months and we haven’t fo
“Caputo.” Governor Brooks calls, but I ignore him and head straight for the door. Just then, the door swings open, and standing there is Theodore French.I step back and pull Fenice close to me as the snake smiles. I clench my fist. I have seen him once at a hotel two months ago, but he kept his distance then.“Giovanni Caputo, just the man I want to see. Brandi, look you stunning.” Fenice scowls as she squeezes my hand. I squeeze back to reassure her I’m here and he can’t hurt her.“Who invited you?” Governor brooks asks as he glares at Theodore.“Ahh, Fred.”“It’s Governor to you.”“Not for much longer,” French says.“According to the polls, I have another four years coming.
GiovanniThirty minutes. It’s been thirty minutes since I found her empty car and I have been on edge. Wondering where she is? Fuck! I should have stopped her when she tried to leave or follow her myself. But none of that matters. All that matters is finding her.“Cap, We’re here,” William says.I look up the modest house that supposed to be French San Antonio home. Fucking French. I know I should have killed him the first time he laid his hands on her. If anything happens to her or my children. I clench my jaw and inhale deeply as I look at the one-story house.“Are you sure this is it?” He nods.“Our boys trailed him back here after leaving the party.” I nod, pull my gun from my pocket, and open the door.“Any security.”
BrandiA sharp kick in my stomach pulls me from sleep. I open my eyes slowly, adjusting to the sunlight coming in. I’m disoriented for a minute, but then it all comes back to me. I remembered what happened the night my mother died and Colin sedating me again after I confronted him. I look around the room. I’m alone. Where is he? I freeze as I realize I’m in the room that once belonged to my parents. Well, at least a replica. My breathing slows as I examine the paintings and the furniture. Everything is the same, even the bed. Mom loved sunflowers so dad made a bedhead with sunflowers and gave it to her for their 10th anniversary. I smile as I remember how happy we were that day when suddenly, the image of my parents lying on this bed covered in blood pops into my head.My hands shake as image as my breathing gets heavier.Bang, Bang.“Mom, Dad,”“No!” I scream as the scene replays in my head. No, mom, no. I cry out when another sharp kick pulls me back to the current moment. I look dow
“Slut! I should have killed you a long time ago,” she screams as she lunges, grabbing me by my bun, but before she can pull it, I hit her in the eye once again. She cries out in pain and stumbles back. Before she has time to recover from that blow. She drags me to the ground with her and punches me in the stomach. I wince from the pain but quickly recover. She’s trying to hurt my babies. Rage fills me as I slam her head into the ground. Then I punch her as she screams and begs me to stop. I’m not even sure what’s happening anymore, all of this rage is coursing through my body like a wildfire burning down everything in its path: every memory of every punch, slap, or kick she’s thrown my way gives me more strength to keep hitting her. The first drop of blood trickles out of her nose, causing me to pause and pulling me back to my senses. What? I look at my bruised fist and her face. The anger burning in me makes me want to put her on the ground, but I can’t give in to it or I’ll become ju
BrandiI sit in the chair waiting for the make-up artist to finish her work as my heart thunders in my chest. This is it. I’m getting married—I glance at the clock. Twenty minutes. I have been prodded, plunked, and tucked all morning, and now all I have to do is put on my dress and walk down the aisle to the man I love.“You’re still doing her make-up?” G asks as the door opens with a bang and she comes rushing in. She has been in a frenzy since this morning.“Hey, G. You look amazing,” I say as I admire the champagne, maid of honor dress she’s wearing. She stops and grins, then twirls to give me the full picture.“Don’t I—-wait. Don’t change the subject. Why is she still doing your make-up? It’s almost time.”“I asked her to change the eye shadow to something lighter,” I explain.“Oh, but we only have eighteen minutes.”“I’m almost done.” The make-up artist states.G paces back and forth. “How soon is almost? We only have seventeen minutes, and we need to get her dress on and do last
Meanwhile Brandi I pull the covers tight and reach for a handful of popcorn as I focus on the TV. After cleaning yesterday, I have been flipping between crying and watching movies and TV shows. Except for two hours today, G convinced to me get my hair done because the wedding is tomorrow. I hope it is tomorrow, but I’m still uncertain what will happen because I haven’t spoken to Tes since I told him he has until Sunday to figure it out. I don’t know what he’s thinking, even suggesting postponing the wedding. How could he think I need more time? I’m so angry and hurt, I want to hate him. I should hate him right now for putting me through this, but I can’t. I miss him. I ache for his arms holding me. I miss his smile in the morning. I miss our family. I sniff as tears stain my cheeks. “Are you okay? Do you need anything? Ice Cream?” Gia asks, pushing the tub of butter pecan to me. I sigh and grab the spoon and take a big bite. “Better?” I nod before taking another bite. “Your father
GiannaI pull in through the gate and look around, stunned at the lawn covered in furniture. What is all this? I wonder as I park the car. Are they moving? Neither Dad nor B said anything before this. I slip out of the car and grab my purse before heading to the door when I see Martha approaching.“Ms. Gia.” She says, smiling when she sees me.“Hey, Martha. Are Papi and B moving?”She shakes her head. “Mrs. Caputo woke up this morning, asked us to move the furniture outside, and started cleaning.” She explains.Mrs. Who? I furrow my brows when I realize she is talking about B. I guess she will be Mrs. Caputo in a couple of days. It feels so strange for her to marry Papi, but now I’m okay with it. Happy even, since he makes her happy, and they gave me two of the cutest brothers in the world. I smile, thinking of their chubby cheeks.“Ms. Gia?” Martha calls, pulling me from my thoughts.“Oh, B asked you to move them out?” She nods.“She was in a frenzy this morning about getting the hou
Brandi Twenty minutes ago I examine the sample of Birch wood on my desk. I like it, but I’m not in love with it like I am with the soft maple. I sigh. Why did the supplier have a shortage of the only wood I like? Well, it doesn’t matter. I have to choose one of these before the call. Shannon likes the ash, but ash is not durable enough and I want people to pass these on to their kids, not throw them out. I need another opinion. Maybe I should have had Tes stop by with dinner and help me decide. I pick up my phone to call him but hesitate when I remember how tired he was today. Tes is already stretched thin with taking care of the boys, last-minute wedding prep, and getting his company ready for his absence during our honeymoon. Although he never complains, I’m sure he is exhausted. His only being able to have sex once last night is proof. That man never falls asleep before going at it at least twice. It’s a good thing this project is almost complete. Once we’re done with picking th
I need to find a doctor, but how do I do it on such short notice? I pull out my phone to call Jorge my assistant.“Good Morning Boss. Are you coming into the office today?”“No. Jorge, I need a doctor.”“Oh, for what? Is Mrs, okay? My nephews?” He says, reacting as his usual dramatic self.“Fenice is fine, and so are the boys. I pulled my back last night and need to get it checked out. Can you find me a doctor? I need it today.”“I will be right on it.”“Thank you.”“You know. I had a problem once. I was in Colorado when my boyfriend at the time got a little rough. He was hitting it from the back. He can be a little rough.”“Jorge, is there a point to this story?”“oh right. So my back gave out. We were snowed in so I couldn’t see a doctor. I did yoga for two days. My back felt brand new by the time we left.”“So you’re saying I should try yoga?”“Exactly. I bet it will have you feeling brand new or you can go see those pill pushers who’ll pump you full of drugs and overcharge you.” I
GiovanniWilliam pulls into the driveway and sighs. We chased her as far as the traffic cameras could track, but we eventually reached a dead end when she took a back road with no cameras. She’s smart. I give her that and she is also striking to look at. I can see why William is enamored with her beauty, even though she is a thief.“What did she say to you?”“Huh?” I furrow my brows.“Brandi said she found you two together. Did she try to sleep with you?” He asks through clenched teeth. I can tell the thought of that pisses him off.“She walked in and pretended to be lost, then she fainted so I would catch her. I told her to drop the act and Fenice walked in. I don’t know if she would have tried.” My voice trails off as I see him getting noticeably angrier.“Don’t worry. You’ll find her.”“How many men will she have fucked and used by then?” His eyes flash angrily.“What does it matter?”“They are touching something that’s mine—” His voice trails off when he realizes what he’s saying.
I push the stroller towards the store about to go meet Amber and G, who invited herself last minute when she called this morning. “B.” I hear her call from behind. I turn slightly and see her coming fast, waving. “You brought them!” She squeals after seeing the stroller. “You wanted to see them. Here you go.” I push the stroller towards her and hand her their bag. “What’s all this?” “You asked me to bring them, so you’re going to look after them. I’m here to shop. Boys, your big sister will take care of you. Be nice.” I say, blowing each a kiss and then heading through the door of Hermes. “Wait. I don’t know.” I hear her behind me. “B, you can’t do this.” I sigh as she struggles to open the door while pushing the stroller. I roll my eyes and walk back to the door and hold it open while she pushes it inside. “Why didn’t you bring one of the nannies?” “They are off on weekends when Tes and I are free. You wanted me to bring them, so you’re the nanny today.” “What? All I wanted t
Brandi“Tes come on.” I fold my arms as I wait for him to exit the car. We went shopping, and he agreed we would each pick an outfit we wanted the other to wear and we get to choose the occasion it would be worn. He picked out a white dress and a matching lingerie set. The dress is to be worn to his birthday dinner next Tuesday and the lingerie for tonight. I picked an outfit for our date in the park. Dark washed jeans, a tight-fitting t-shirt with a black leader jacket, and combat boots. He has been complaining since he stepped out of the dressing room, but a deal is a deal. “Tes, come on,” I call again, growing impatient.“I don’t think is a good idea. I should go home and change.” He says, still sitting in the car.“We made a deal. You picked my dress and that string you want me wearing tonight. If you want to see me wear that tonight, come out of the car.” He frowns as he steps. I smile as I look at him. He does not know how good he looks, but I’m sure he’ll turn a few heads.“I
Brandi I take a sip of the shot, trying to pace myself because I already feel a little too good, and I know I’m on my way to being drunk for the first time in my life. I look at the shot and then watch as Gianna downs another one. Tonight reminds me of high school when she would get wasted, so I would have to take care of her. I guess some things never change. I put the glass down on the bar top. “No, no, no. What are you doing?” “I have already had five. You’re on your seventh.” “Eight. I brought you here to get drunk and party our asses off.” “One of us needs to stay sober and make sure nothing happens.” “We’re in Uncle Williams’ club surrounded by security. Nothing will happen.” “You never know-” “B, he’s gone. You can relax.” She says as she picks up and hands me the shot. She doesn’t say another word, instead; she turns back to the bar and orders more shots. I look at the shot in my hand as her words play in my head. I know she is talking about Colin. It’s true that in th