22. PG? Never Heard of It
PG? Never Heard of It
Braden
“ W here do these go?” I ask, holding up another tray of food.
“Over there is fine,” Ori answers, motioning to the far table.
Mina and I have been at the Dean Estate for a few hours now, helping Ash and Ori set up for their engagement party.
I still can’t believe my big brother is getting married. If someone had told me a year ago that Ash would be settling down and having a baby, I would have tested their blood alcohol level.
But that was before Ori. After she came along, all bets were off.
Glancing at Mina—busy arranging a tray of cookies, her pink lips pursed in concentration—I get it now.
When it’s right, you just know.
Mina catches me watching her and gives me that little smile, the one that always makes my heart do something stupid. Yeah, I’m screwed—in the best way.
“Thanks for helping me set up,” Ash says, tossing me a beer .
“It’s becoming a bit of a habit around here, me providing free labor.”
Ash laughs, knowing it’s all bullshit. I have no problem lending a hand. God knows he’d do the same for me. And who knows—maybe in a year or two, he’ll be helping me set up for my engagement party.
“You could have just bought me the blender. It’s on the registry.”
“You already have a blender. You took the one from the farmhouse, and I had to buy a new one.”
Ash quirks a brow. “You want to trade? I’ll take the new one.”
“Get the hell out of here,” I say with a grin, stepping back to admire our handiwork.
Laughter, music, the woman I love. Yeah, life’s pretty damn good.
The Dean Estate still needs major renovations on the main house, but the carriage house and surrounding gardens are pristine. Thankfully, Mother Nature is on her best behavior today—it’s sunny and warm, not a cloud in the sky.
Ash nods toward Mina, shooting me a knowing look. “How are things with you two?”
“Really great.”
He claps me on the shoulder, tapping his beer can against mine. “Told you. When the hell are you going to start listening to me?”
“Considering I’ve avoided it for thirty-seven years, I’m thinking never?”
Ash snorts. “You know I’m always right, and I was definitely right about Mina.”
“Fine. You were right,” I concede.
“I know.” He buffs his nails against his shirt. Typical Ash.
“Hey, do you want to help me?” Ori calls out, waving Ash over.
“Duty calls. Pay attention, because I have a feeling this might be you soon.” Ash offers me a mock salute and turns on his heel.
Whenever and whatever Ori needs, Ash is on it. Especially since he found out they were having a baby.
Total one-eighty, and I’m absolutely here for it.
But something else lingers in my brain. Ash isn’t far off, because I see a future much like his and Ori’s—and it’s all thanks to the lithe blonde who turned me on my head.
The last two weeks with Mina have been amazing. Even when we were faking a relationship, we had a blast together. Now that we’ve added seriously stellar sex and romance into the mix, it’s perfect.
Or maybe she is.
Either way, I’m happy.
But I’m also a man on a mission, because I don’t trust Bitsy to help Mina’s dreams come true. The woman is vapid and heartless, no matter what magnanimous face she wears in public.
And I don’t believe she truly loves either of her nieces—or she wouldn’t have subjected them to this ridiculous gladiator-in-ballet-slippers death match. Who does that? Turns family members on each other for sport?
Apparently, the ridiculously rich and locally famous.
I’m no fool. As soon as Bitsy catches wind that Mina and I are together—for real this time—she’ll stop at nothing to erase her niece’s name from the family tree. Just like she did with her mother.
But I’ve got an ace up my sleeve, too—a plan I think will outshine anything her aunt can offer. And it doesn’t come with any strings attached.
Even better? The people I need to speak to about the project are both coming to today’s festivities.
Perfect.
A few hours later, the party is in full swing, but I find Kiki tucked away in the shadows.
To be honest, I’m surprised she came at all. Since her husband, Drake, was arrested on suspicion of trafficking, her reputation as Sparkwood’s resident sweetheart has taken a nosedive.
In a single day, she went from prom queen to pariah—her entire life up for public scrutiny.
The worst part? She knew nothing about Drake’s other life. None of us did. Hell, Ash considered him one of his closest friends and was knocked sideways when he learned the truth.
Drake was considered a pillar of the community. He was the police chief, for Christ’s sake.
But we all have secrets we don’t share—not even with the people we love. Drake’s secrets just happened to be darker and far more devious than most.
The irony is that he’s cooling his heels in a cell while the real mastermind, Kevin Duncan, is still on the loose. That’s what bottomless pockets buy you—a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Kiki swore she knew nothing about the club or the women being trafficked in and around Sparkwood. She passed a polygraph and sat through hours of interrogation. In the end, they released her.
But the residents of Sparkwood haven’t been as forgiving, and all her years of good work vanished overnight.
That’s why Ash and I keep in close contact with her. She needs a support system, and right now, that’s us.
“Hey, Kiki.” I lean in and kiss her cheek. “How are you doing? ”
She shrugs and forces a smile, her gaze fixed on the courtyard. “It’s a lovely party.”
“Hard to believe Ash is getting married.”
“I suspected Ori might be the one after that night in the bar.”
“Really?”
She nods and takes a small sip of wine. “He was so flustered around her—and so damn mad when she left with another man. I knew then he was a goner. Looks like you’ve found your happy ending, too. Congrats.”
My eyes find Mina, twirling with a few kids on the dance floor.
“Damn, you have it bad,” Kiki says, an actual smile finally tugging at her lips.
“I do, don’t I?” I rub a hand over my brow and laugh. “Shit.”
“It’s a good thing. Love is a good thing.” Kiki shifts her weight, unease rolling off her as a few guests walk past, shooting narrowed glances her way. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug. “Bullshit. We love you, and we wanted you here. If anyone has something to say, they can take it up with me or Ash.”
“Everyone hates me, and I don’t blame them. I’d hate me, too.” Kiki sets her drink aside and buries her face in her hands. “How did I miss it, Braden? How did I not know this terrible thing about the man I loved?”
This poor woman.
Her pain whips across my chest, and I hold her tighter, stroking her back. “None of us knew, Kiki. He made damn sure of that. What he did is not your fault—and you need to remember that.”
“Try telling that to the people of Sparkwood. They barely look at me. Business has dried up completely, because who wants to hire the wife of a monster?”
“Actually, I have a business proposal for you.”
Kiki steps back, wiping her eyes. “Are you inventing work for me now?”
“Not at all. This is a bona fide job.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t find another dance studio for rent in the area. There aren’t many, which is surprising.”
Seems Kiki and I are on the same track.
“Exactly. That’s why I want to find a location that will work and then create the studio space.”
Kiki’s eyes widen. “That’s not a bad idea. What kind of timeline are you thinking?”
“As soon as possible.”
She rolls her eyes and snorts out a laugh. “Of course. I don’t suppose you have a contractor on speed dial, do you?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Why? Do you have a space in mind?”
She bites her lower lip. “Well, I don’t want you to think I’m just looking out for myself, but what about the spot at the opposite end of Black Lotus?”
I furrow my brow, trying to picture which space she means. “The arts and crafts place?”
“They moved out last week. Broke the lease and everything.”
“Because of Drake?”
She rolls her eyes and waves a dismissive hand, suppressing a sigh. “Of course. Not that they said it, but come on. Anyway, it’s one of the few properties I still own—I bought it pre-Drake. It’s a good size, and I think it could work really well for a studio.”
“You’d rent it to me? Seriously?”
See? Everything is falling into place.
“Of course. It’s standing empty, and I need the money. Lawyers don’t come cheap. ”
I shove my hands in my pockets, running a few numbers in my brain. “Let’s do it.”
“Hang on, cowboy. Don’t you want to think it over?”
“I just did. Look, Kiki, I trust you. Plus, this is perfect—it keeps our little family close together.”
Tears brim in Kiki’s eyes as she presses her lips together. “Family. That’s nice. Okay, I’ll draw up the lease agreement. Thank you for helping me, Braden.”
“Thank you . But I’m going to need more from you than just being my landlord. You’ve got a degree in interior design, right?”
“Yes.”
“And several years of dance under your belt.”
“Also yes.” She laughs, planting a hand on her hip. “I get the sneaking suspicion I’m designing this studio. Am I close?”
“Right on the money. But you won’t be doing it alone.” I wave at Eddie, who’s sharing a beer with Ash on the other side of the garden. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
Eddie strolls over, a wide grin on his face. “Hey, Braden. What’s up?”
“How’s work right now?”
Eddie shrugs. “It’s a bit slow, but that happens in this industry. Why?”
I clap my hands together. “Perfect—so you’re available?”
“For you? Sure.”
“I’ve got a job for you and Kiki.” I motion to the petite woman by my side. “Have you two met?”
Eddie’s gaze sweeps over Kiki, and I know exactly what he’s thinking—and he’s right. Kiki is a stunner.
“We haven’t. I’m Eddie Thorne, Ori’s brother.”
Kiki extends her hand, a tenuous smile on her lips. “Kiki Wilder.”
Looks like she’s using her maiden name again, not that it’s a big surprise, considering the notoriety surrounding Drake .