“Yes. You remember me. Anyway, I’m not calling for me. I gave your little Cinderella a ride home from the ball. She’s going to be staying with me. Their house is next to mine.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

  “I’m on my way.” I owe that woman so much. I remember she was the one who brought her to the hospital for me. I’ve known her most of my childhood and parts of my teenage years. She’s one of my mother’s decent friends, although that’s probably why they grew apart.

  I spot Ella coming out of a house with a duffle bag, going toward a car. She’s not going anywhere without me. I’ll be damned if she thinks that she can just leave me. I jump out of the vehicle as soon as it’s in park and rush over to her.

  “Edward, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

  “The better question is why the fuck did you leave me?”

  “Edward, please don’t. I’m not good enough for you or your family.” Tears stream down her perfect face, staining it while breaking my heart.

  “You’re perfect for me, Ella. I told you I wasn’t a momma’s boy. I’m not ever going to speak to that woman again after what she pulled tonight.”

  “So are you engaged to the woman clinging to you?”

  “What? Are you silly? I don’t know what that bitch told you, but I didn’t even know that dumb drunk woman. I shrugged her off of me and handed her to security. My mother told me you were in the bathroom, so I waited and searched. Ella, I know it’s soon, but I love you so much and I can’t live without you. Please don’t let her get in the way.”

  “She hates me and made sure to invite my stepmother and stepsisters to the party. That girl clinging to you was the one who pushed me into the glass.”

  “What? If I’d known it then, I would have called the cops right on the spot.” I’m ready to call the cops anyway. The thought that she’d been that close to Ella drives me insane.

  “Well, if you two don’t need me, I have to check on Mr. Godley.”

  “Oh, yes. Thank you for taking care of my love, Mrs. Godley.”

  “Be good to her. She deserves the love she missed out on.” She winks and drives up the block to her house. They’re only a small yard apart, but these houses are larger than most in the area. She enters her long driveway and then waves at us before going in.

  Ella turns back to me. “So…where do we go from here?”

  “Easy. I take your pretty ass home where I bend you over and spank you for leaving me, and then I fuck you into a nice sleep.”

  “But I had reasons for leaving.”

  “Breaking my heart, making me freak out on my birthday merits a good ass-whooping.”

  “Well, who am I to argue,” I moan, rubbing his hard cock over his suit pants.

  Chapter 10

  Ella

  Edward had to work every night since the party. He dropped off his father’s car and picked his up without even speaking to his mother. I haven’t met his father, but after meeting his mother, I’m glad I didn’t. How they made a boy like Edward is a mystery that even Scooby-Doo and the gang can’t solve.

  Thankfully, Edward will be home in a couple of hours. I wonder if she’ll try to show up here and start some more shit. I won’t take it this time.

  I pour myself a cup of coffee and think about what is next. The drama two nights ago and my reaction to the lies gives me a lot to consider while I have the morning to myself. Stirring my coffee with a spoon, I think about the look in Edward’s eyes when he finally saw me outside of my old house. He genuinely loves me, but can I trust him for the rest of our lives? Will he want to make amends with his mother and make me choose, or will he miss her enough to just leave?

  The doorbell rings, and I wonder if it’s the dog walker. Walking over to the door, I check and it’s an older man in a pair of jeans and a dress shirt. I open up the door just slightly, and Jack goes wild wagging his tail. “Jackie boy. Come to Papa.”

  He works his body into the door. “You must be the princess Edward told me about.”

  “I’m sorry, but you’re not the dog walker, are you?”

  “No, I’m Edward’s father.” I take a step back, creating a distance between us.

  “Please, just relax. I’m not here to threaten, accost, or lie to you like my soon-to-be ex-wife did.”

  “You’re getting a divorce?”

  “Yes, the party was the last straw. I’d been working, so I didn’t arrive until after Edward left. She knew very well that Edward was bringing you, so she sought out the people who could hurt you the most. She’s never cared about what makes Edward happy. We always want our best for our kids, but that includes letting them do the things that make them happy. From the cameras, I got just a glimpse of your sweetness. Don’t let that wench take that away from you.”

  “I can’t believe you’re getting a divorce because of the way she treated me.”

  “No offense, but it was the last straw, and it was because she hurt my boy by hurting you. I’d do anything for Edward. He’s my only child. A part of me wishes I’d divorced Elaine years ago. I always just went along with it and since Edward left, it made no difference to me to just work and ignore her.”

  “Oh. Where are my manners? Would you like some coffee?”

  “Yes, please.”

  The doorbell rings again. “I’ll get it,” he says.

  “Where’s Jack?” a woman says.

  “He’s cuddling up to my future daughter-in-law.”

  “Oh yeah.” A woman in her thirties comes into the room. She’s pretty and fit in a pair of yoga pants. I remember what Edward said to keep the jealousy at bay. “Hi, I’m Dani. I usually walk Dr. Prince’s Jack.”

  “Hi, I’m Ella.”

  “Your arm? Oh no. That looks painful.”

  “Thank you. Luckily Edward’s a doctor and helps take care of me.”

  “I’m going to walk Jack. I should be back in about twenty or thirty minutes, depending on his mood.”

  “Thanks.” She nods and then takes Jack’s leash off the hook.

  “Be careful, Dani,” Mr. Prince says.

  “Wow, she’s beautiful,” I sigh, trying not to laugh as he stares at her. “And I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”

  “The day my divorce is final, I’ll be marking my territory.”

  “The fuck you will. First Mom, and now you?” Edward storms in the house. I walk up to him, and he cups my cheek.

  “Edward, he’s not referring to me. He’s talking about the dog walker.” I press my hands to his chest and stare up at my handsome man.

  “Oh. Then what are you doing here?” He holds me close with his hand around my waist.

  “I came to apologize to your princess for your mother.”

  “We were just about to have some coffee when Dani came to take Jack.”

  “Coffee. I could really use it.”

  “How was your shift change?”

  “Brutal. I hate these switches. So, what’s this about a divorce?”

  “Sorry, son, but it’s been a long time coming.”

  “Oh no. I think it’s the right move. I’m surprised you stayed that long.”

  “Me too. Complacency, I suppose.”

  “Was she always like that?”

  “Not at first. When we were first together, I should have recognized the signs. She came from old money. I came from new money, but I was in med school to become a neurosurgeon. Eventually, I made a lot of my own money over the twenty-eight years, and she found new and creative ways to spend it, including the inheritance from her parents after they passed. When Edward was five, I learned that she had a tubal ligation during a supposed visit to see her parents a year after you were born.”

  “I never knew that. She said she had some complications having me so she couldn’t have any more kids.”

  “Complications like it hampered her social life. She had the most pampered pregnancy, and you were even a good boy without giving her too many symptoms. A part of me wished that we had divorced then, and I kept you, but I knew that she’d fight me for you and with my insane schedule, they’d give you to her. She’d ruin you just to spite me. I’m fifty years old and I wasted my life with a lying, heartless woman.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  “Maybe some grandbabies will make up for it,” he says, winking at me.

  “I’m sure Edward’s trying.”

  “Damn right I am.” He kisses my lips hard. “I’m starving. Do you want to stay for breakfast, or I can order an early lunch?” It’s closer to lunch time, but when your schedule is off, it really doesn’t matter when you eat.

  “I have a meeting with my lawyer for lunch to go over the divorce.”

  “Do you think she’s just going to give it to you?”

  “Oh, yes, she will. We signed a prenup because our parents were afraid of each taking the other to the cleaners. Since I have proof of her infidelities, I’ll be using that as leverage.”

  “Be careful. I doubt she’s ready to give it up. She’d probably rather see you dead than give up her lifestyle.”

  “I know. I’m going to be meeting with security today as well before I hand her the documents.”

  “Ella’s right. Please be extra careful.”

  They give each other a hug, and then he gives me one. “Take care of my boy.”

  “I will.”

  The bell rings, and it’s the dog walker. “He was ready to come back. It’s raining out now.”

  “That’s fine. Did he do his business?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m going to get going. I have two more dogs to walk.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Dr. Prince says, taking an umbrella from the front hall stand. “I’ll bring this back tomorrow.”

  “Keep it, Dad.”

  As soon as he walks out, Edward kisses me hard and then picks me up around the waist, carries me back into the kitchen, and plants my ass on the counter. “I missed you so much. I hate this shift. It means I can’t sleep with you. I love holding you in my arms.” While he’s talking, he’s pulling down his pants and my shorts, and I’m moaning like a cat in heat. With one motion, he seats himself deep inside of me. “I need you so much, Ella. I can’t exist without you.”

  I grab the hem of his shirt, lifting it over his head, and then crash my mouth to his and snake my arms around his neck, clinging to my lover. Growling, he leans forward with his hands on the counter. “Mine,” he grunts, pumping hard, taking out his jealousy in a sexy way. “I’m never letting you go. Tell me you’ll never leave me.”

  “Never,” I pant, dragging my nails down his back, marking him as my own way of possession. His mouth hovers over my neck, breathing me in as he fucks me hard. His thick shaft tunnels into me repeatedly, stroking my walls. I ache to come, but I don’t want this to be over.

  “I love you, Edward.” I can’t believe I said that out loud, but it’s the truth.

  “I love you so much, Ella. From the moment I met you, you were destined to be mine.” He slows down long enough to kiss me softly before lifting me off the counter, holding me by my ass cheeks as he drives upward. He carries me out of the room, fucking me until I cry out his name as I come. My back hits the wall dividing the kitchen from the living room and then he holds still, grunting his orgasm out, filling me with his seed.

  We slide to the ground and just as our bottoms hit the floor, Jack comes over and licks my face. “Hey, she’s mine.” He growls at his dog, who gives his own little huff and walks away.

  “I think we need a shower.”

  “I don’t know. I love having you sticky with my load.”

  “Yes, but we need to eat, and you need to get some sleep.”

  “Will you lie down with me?”

  “Of course.” I kiss his nose, then get up and run to the hallway bathroom to pee.

  Once we’re wrapped up in each other, sleep comes easy. I live for this man, my prince charming.

  Chapter 11

  Edward

  A month later

  I leave work and rush urgently over to my parents’ home with a frantic message from my mother. I barely reach the front steps when my mother opens the door. “Edward, I’m so sorry, but your father’s been killed,” she sobs, looking at me to see how I’m going to react, but she doesn’t even have an ounce of pain on her face.

  “What? No.” I gasp, slowly shaking my head in disbelief. “No this can’t be. I just talked to him last night.”

  She cups my face, causing me to look into her eyes and then says, “I’m sorry, but the cops just left. That’s why I called you. They informed me that your father was carjacked outside of his temporary apartment. They found his car abandoned two blocks from the scene.” What a slip-up! I smile internally knowing that she’s only cemented her fate. I know they haven’t found his car yet, because it’s at the airport.

  My mother looks at me as she breaks down, doing her best to give me a real cry, but the crocodile tears are as clear as day.

  I also put on my best fake pain and anger performance. “God, no!” I drop to my knees and cry with my shoulders bobbing up and down. After two minutes, I get up and brush my hand across the entryway table, sending the flower-filled vase flying and crashing to the ground before turning around and leaving the house in my car and speeding away.

  “Damn, you could be an actor with that dramatic flair,” the detective who’s working the case says into my earbud.

  “Thanks. Get everything you need?”

  “And more. Thanks.”

  “When is the arrest?” I really want to be there when they do it, but I miss my beautiful fiancée and need to see her this instant. I might not have loved my mother, but the reality of it all hits me like a ton of bricks. If my father hadn’t already expected she’d stoop to this level, he would have been killed and my mother would be throwing a party.

  I could have used my sweet woman by my side to deal with the pain, but I don’t want her anywhere around my mother when things go down. Besides, there’s going to be a big change that I have to tell her about—something the cops broke to me the second they arrived at the hospital parking lot as they wired me up to play my role.

  “They’re coming with the arrest warrant right now.” Damn, I really wanted to see her face when she learns she’d been played.

  “Great. Let me know if you need anything. I need to check on my dad and break the news to Ella.

  “Will do. I wish you luck, and remember, she probably will have to testify.”

  “I’ll make sure to tell her that as well.”

  I end the call and immediately call my father’s new cell, but it takes almost until the last ring for him to answer. “How’s it going?”

  “Great. Dani and I are having a great time on the beach. I’m working on getting you a new sibling, so I’ve got to let you go.”

  “Good luck,” I say with a chuckle. I hang up, loving the happiness in his voice, which makes me hate my mother even more than before. The tapes had been rolling when she contacted a friend last week, searching for a hitman. Since it’s my father’s home and he pays for the phones, he gladly approved of having the house bugged to listen.

  The tapes brought an unexpected surprise.

  I pull up to our house just in time to see Ella walking back with Jack. “Did you have a nice walk?”

  “It was wonderful. Jack’s very protective of me lately. It’s strange. What’s wrong? You’re staring at me.”

  “Don’t I always?”

  “Yes, but something’s up. What happened with your mom?”

  “She’ll be arrested, but I’m picturing the breeze blowing as you become my wife.”

  “What?”

  I can’t wait another minute. Dropping to one knee outside the house, I ask, “Ella, I love you and live for you. Will you marry me?”

  Tears fill her eyes, and she nods repeatedly. “Yes, Edward. Yes.” Shakily, I slip the ring on her finger and then I stand.

  “Marry me this weekend, please.”

  “Why so soon? Is something wrong?”

  “No, but my father’s still in the Bahamas, and I’m thinking that’s a perfect place to have a wedding and a honeymoon.”

  “You are too perfect, my prince.”

  “You practically dropped out of thin air labeled just for me.”

  “The robe…”

  “Well, when can we leave?”

  “Tomorrow. I had planned to take time off with you and propose there, but I think this is a better idea. I can’t wait to have you tied to me forever. Now, let’s go inside and talk and pack.”

  My palms are sweaty and my heart’s racing. As soon as she unleashes the dog, she puts her hand on her hip. “There’s something else you’re not telling me.”

  “It’s not that I’m not telling you, but I know that when I do, you’re going to be upset and I don’t want that at all.” My mother contacted Ella’s stepmother, getting the information for the hitman used to kill her father and make it look like a suicide. It’s with that evidence that we had arrested the guy and had him contact my mother to claim the job was done and that as soon as the cops informed her of my father’s death, he wanted his money. Like clockwork, everything went off without a hitch.

  “What is it? Did your mother have a hit on me too?” The thought alone sends blood draining away from my face.

  “God, no. Thank fucking God. I would have choked her on the spot. No, come sit down.” She does as I ask, and Jack joins us, lying at her feet. She’s stolen his heart too. “My mother contacted the hitman through a woman you know well.”

  “My stepmother…” Before I can continue, she’s already puzzled it all out in her brilliant head. “Oh, no. She had him killed, didn’t she? She killed my father.” Moisture makes her eyes glossy, but the tears don’t fall.

  “I’m afraid so. The arrest will be made on her too.”

  “What about the actual hitman?” she questions.

  “He’s already made a deal with the DA to get a lighter sentence. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way to nab both the women.” Normally they ask the victim’s families, but the police wanted to move fast before my mother went to another guy.

 

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