4. LUKE
Chapter 4
LUKE
Osei arrives and drops his ass onto the chair, the same way he’s been doing since he was fifteen. Never mind that he’s now twenty-four years old. And I’m eleven years older than him.
“What is our dear mom worried about now?” His tone is nonchalant. He’s used to Mom’s constant worry.
I lean back in my chair and watch him. We look nothing alike, except for the hazel eyes we’ve both inherited from Mom. He’s the son of a professor and biracial, always laughing, while I’m the son of a real estate mogul, almost a reformed asshole, and all white, never laughing.
Mom is our link—and a hovering one at that. She fought my now-getting-reformed asshole dad to have me live with her and my stepdad, who I call Piah, a short version of his last name, Appiah. My dad agreed to give Mom full custody of me, on the condition that I never call Piah “Dad.”
Mom agreed, as long as she had full custody of me, and it was the best decision, because Piah was always there. All I had to do was look behind me and he was right there, making sure I had someone to count on, come rain, cold, or sunshine. Dad only showed up when he didn’t have a business meeting or when he threw money at me, insisting I spent my summers learning about the business that had made Mom file for divorce. After he’d accidentally pushed her too hard and stormed out for another meeting, she had a miscarriage because she was fighting him about going to yet another late meeting. I shut out the image and the crushed feelings of that day. It was a tragic sight to witness—my mother's suffering, and my utter helplessness to help her.
All Mom asked for in the divorce was full custody and tuition payments from my dad. She even returned every piece of jewelry he bought her. I know the fact that she returned all the jewelry still upsets him to this day.
I’d refused to spend my summers with Dad, but Piah had talked to me about the importance of understanding my dad’s work. Piah’s a smart man, for sure. Up until two months ago, Dad had tried using every tactic to force me into marriage to grow his empire, threatening to give all his wealth to charity. I’d told him to go right ahead. Like I’d suddenly be poor without his wealth.
The beauty of being raised by Piah is the way he lets you know that money is something you have, and it helps make you comfortable; it should never control your life or have a hold on it. That’s what my dad doesn’t get. Money controlled him and he lost Mom in the process of chasing it—the woman he called his only love.
The news of Dad’s cancer shocked both of us. All his wealth can’t save him. Now he’s switched from being grumpy and mean to everyone, finally realizing that I’m the only person he can call family.
He doesn’t want Mom to know about his diagnosis. I’ve kept it from her, and I’ve been taking on a more active role in the company. With his sickness comes more confessions from him. He admitted saying, “Your mother was right to have fought for full custody. With Appiah, she gave you a better life.” I nodded. Like I said, he’s getting reformed daily.
“Bro, what’s Mom’s worry this time?” Osei’s voice slices through my thoughts.
“She said you’re planning on getting married to help your friend become a U.S. citizen. Basically, you’re trying to make yourself a candidate for marriage fraud with the U.S. government. Can I ask who this girlfriend is?” I ask, my tone warning. Though, I already know; I just need to hear him confirm it.
“It’s Dele. She’s in a bind, and I’m the only one who can help her—or more like, I’m the one willing to help her.” He sends me an impish smile.
“Help her by marrying her and breaking the law?” I say, my tone harsh. But Osei can’t be bothered by it. He’s convinced of his decision, but he’s unaware of the strength of my conviction.
“No one needs to know we’re not in love; she and I are quite close, and she already moved in with me. That asshole guy she was living with stole all her money. Plus, he was making her life a living hell.” He explains, but the news of her moving in with him is all I hear. If they weren’t together before, her living with him will certainly expedite the process.
I control every emotion of jealousy and the overwhelming desire to fight him for her that’s starting to seep through with the new information.
“Wait, I thought you two were dating,” I state.
He gives a jesting laugh. “Very funny! Dele and I aren’t dating. She’s my twin from another life.” He relaxes in his chair after making fun of me. “I thought she was dating the Ramsey guy, but she recently confessed it was just a living arrangement with him to get her papers. But the idiot was happy to rob her and spend her money on other girls he’s fucking. He’d agreed to marry her, but kept stringing her along. Now she’s about to lose her job if she doesn’t produce a work permit, and that would affect her schooling too.” He sighs as I listen. “You know, I was surprised to find out she was born in the UK, and her plan is to finish her nursing program here and then move permanently to the UK, but she doesn’t want to leave without completing her degree. I don’t want her to leave without completing her degree either, so I’ll marry her.” I let the plan sink in, a plan that I intend to shut down. “What good am I if I can’t help my favorite girl?” He smirks. He just had to say it again.
“By your account, your only good is to be Mr. Noble and get yourself involved in fraud,” I replied, also realizing Declan was right. Guess I was clouded by jealousy that I didn’t notice they were friends. His tight-lipped attitude about them didn’t help. Now, if he marries her, with her already living with him … I don’t even want to think about how fast they’ll get to the finish line.
“Living up to my name, I guess.” He winks.
“Here’s what we’re going to do.” I state and lean forward. He does the same. “I’ll marry her, because she’d be doing me a favor.” I maintain eye contact. When he doesn’t flinch, I continue. “I’ll pay her a million dollars to stay married to me until she becomes a U.S. citizen. We can sign a marriage agreement laying out the terms. She gets a million bucks, and I get my dad off my back about marrying one of his friend’s daughters.” I lay it out as the best laid plan in a convincing manner.
“You mean Lily, right?” he interjects. He’s right; she’s the only one who came close to me succumbing to my father’s push. I killed the plan to marry Lily for my father’s sick need for control the night I met Dele. As it turns out, my dad is no longer pushing, though he keeps mentioning that I need to get married, as if being married is the next best thing in life. I’d told Osei and my other brothers about the pressure from my dad to marry his chosen woman, but I kept his cancer and his reforming behaviors a secret from Osei and mom.
Osei’s face is speaking volumes of doubt. His mind is racing at the suggestion of me marrying Dele, though I don’t respond to the mention of Lily. As lively as my brother can be, he’s also a thinker, thanks to Piah always teaching us to explore our minds. However, now isn’t the time for him to explore; I already did that for both of us.
“I doubt Dele would go for it. She’s convinced you don’t like her—or anyone, for that matter,” he mocks. I glare at him, not surprised that Dele would think that way. His words confirm how effective my aloof and stoic demeanor has been in concealing my true feelings for Dele, from both my brother and her.
The only words I’ve exchanged with her after our first meeting were a brusque ‘hello,’ and the fact that I didn’t shake her hand when we were officially introduced still makes me the bad guy. Good thing Osei isn’t thinking about the fact I’m planning to commit the same fraud I just chastised him about.
“I don’t have anything against her,” I say to interrupt his thoughts, except the fact that my body and soul want to fuck her like my life depends on it. She’s like that unattainable thing you want so badly, always within your grasp, yet you can’t have it. Only, I’m Luke Blythe, and I’m going to claim every inch of her.
“The million bucks sounds great, but I’m not sure I can convince her to marry you. Plus, the elusive Luke Blythe marrying a nobody black woman, and in secret, too? Won’t that raise eyebrows and have ICE agents digging more into her? I want to help her, not create more problems for her. All she wants is to finish school,” he remarks, shaking his head. “Your idea has ‘bad idea’ written all over it. Thanks for the offer, but I think I can say no on her behalf.”
I chuckle inwardly at the thought of him still believing he has a stake in marrying her.
“I know you want to help, and I don’t want you to get into trouble if they find out it’s not real. My elusiveness, as you call it, makes it clear I can marry any woman without broadcasting it to the world. This is a win-win for both of us. She gets to finish school with a million dollars in hand, and I get my inheritance without drama,” I state convincingly.
“Luke Blythe marrying her will attract more attention. That’s something she doesn’t want or need. Dele needs to fly under the radar, and your name alone equates to a bullhorn radar alarm,” he leans back in his chair, while I try to read him, asking myself if I should let him marry her. The thought barely made purchase before ‘Hell no!’ rang out loud in my head.
“I have enough lawyers and power to shut down any attention that would jeopardize our best laid plan,” I say to him as I watch him quietly. I know he’s analyzing and thinking it through. I’m eager for him to fucking say yes, but I remain quiet, pretending his thinking isn’t bothering the heck out of me. Finally, he lets out a sigh.
“Fine!” he says in frustration. “You are right on both counts,” he grudgingly admits. “I’ll talk to her and convince her this is a good move. Guess she’ll have to suck it up and live with you. I’m going to need you to make it two million for her,” he says the last part in a stern tone. Is he really negotiating for her? I stare him down and he matches my gaze. Damn, I taught him well. The real question is, am I willing to let her go if he refuses to back down from the two million? Fuck no! I’ll pay more, but he doesn’t know that.
“Fine, two million. My place is big, and I’m rarely ever there; she’ll be fine.” I relax and watch his scrunched-up face. “We are adults, and we need each other to make this plan work,” I state to convince him a little more.
“Deal! Just don’t make her feel uncomfortable. She’s genuinely a nice person. Try not to suck that out of her,” he snickers.
“I’m sure we can both manage to be polite and act like two people in love,” I cheekily reply, glad it didn’t take much to convince him, and I’m sure he’ll convince her.
“Let me talk to her and bring her over to your place once she agrees.”
“Good. Call me, and don’t tell mom anything,” I remind him. He tells her everything, which sometimes ends up being my problem. This situation is the only time I’m glad he told her before he went ahead and put a ring on my woman. She’s not yours yet.
“You know mom will ask?”
“Just tell her I’m looking into it,” I sternly state, holding his gaze.
“Good luck taking her calls. So, what’s for lunch?” he asks, relaxing into the chair and crossing his legs.
“Get out, Osei. I’m busy.”
“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Big Shot.” He leaves without a backward glance.
The universe must be working in my favor. Though I can’t believe Osei said she’s scared of me. I’ve avoided her since that kiss. I barely acknowledge her whenever I see her. If I’m elusive to most, I’m certainly mysterious to her. Now she’s going to be my wife and live with me right where I want her. I just lied to Osei to get a woman—not just any woman, but my woman. I’m getting my woman and bringing her home. She’s probably going to find it shocking that I want to marry, but little does she know, I have a craving for her.