AMBER
Ileave David’s place completely unsure what I should do for the best. Caitlyn swore me to secrecy, and now I know David is connected with Lorenzo Esposito, I’m taking his threats seriously.
But I cannot leave my best friend with that cheating, murderous, manipulative bastard a moment longer. Despite what Caitlyn said, I feel sure the Braddock’s could help. I don’t see Joshua Braddock as the type of person who’d just abandon their child.
I head home, where Bella is waiting for me. She comes bounding over the moment I walk through the door, and jumps up barking, as though asking when Caitlyn is coming home.
I stroke the dog in her favorite spot behind her ears. “I’m doing everything I can.”
Bella barks in approval.
I crash down on the couch and think about everything Caitlyn told me.
I don’t doubt that David meant it when he said he’d have Joshua, the Braddock’s, and even me killed if we interfere, but what if we can stop him before he has a chance to set Esposito’s men on us.
Surely Ryan Braddock has the power and influence to stop Esposito and challenge the Morgan family, right?
There’s only one way I’m going to find out, and that’s by calling the number I promised I’d never call again.
Hands shaking, I scroll through my phone and hit the number for Tucker Braddock.
Caitlyn isn’t the only one who is good at keeping secrets and hiding the truth. A few weeks ago, when she and Joshua were away in Southampton, Tucker threw a massive house party at Josh’s place. I wound up getting dragged along by my friend Tina, whose boyfriend Mike is friends with Tucker.
I didn’t think Tucker even knew who I was, but while at the party, he came over and said, “You’re Caitlyn’s friend, right?”
After that we got talking, and one thing led to another, and well, I ended up in Tucker Braddock’s bed.
I’ve lived in East Hampton long enough to know all about Tucker’s reputation, but I still fell for his flirty comments.
And he more than lived up to his reputation.
But the following morning -- despite giving me his number -- he made it perfectly clear it was a one-time thing, and I promised myself I wouldn’t be like the other girls in town who chase after him.
But this isn’t chasing after him. I’m calling Tucker so that I can help Caitlyn. Not because I want to sleep with him again.
The phone rings for so long I’m starting to think he’s not going to answer, but finally he picks up.
“I thought I said no repeat performances,” he drawls, and I instantly want to punch him in the face.
“This isn’t about us; this is about Caitlyn.”
“What do you know?” Tucker asks, the shock in his tone clear.
“I won’t talk about it over the phone. Can you meet me?”
There’s silence for a moment, then Tucker says, “I’m in the middle of a family dinner right now, but I’ll come over as soon as I can. Send me your address.”
“Okay. Please don’t be long. This is important.”
I end the call, text Tucker my address, and then wait.
To my surprise, it’s only thirty minutes before he rings the buzzer to my apartment. Bella barks like crazy at the noise, but seems to calm down when she sees Tucker, almost as though she knows who he is or something.
“I thought you said you were busy with a family dinner?” I ask with a raised brow.
“I am, but you said it was about Caitlyn and it’s important, so I made an excuse to Ryan and the others.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I lead Tucker into the living room, and we settle in opposite arm chairs, neither of us daring to sit next to each other on the couch. Bella claims it as her own, and I ask, “How is Josh doing?”
“Not good. He’s heartbroken. I can’t believe Caitlyn went back to that cheating bastard. I was sure she loved my brother.”
“She does. David is blackmailing her.”
I tell Tucker everything, including the fact Caitlyn is pregnant. I know my friend will be pissed off with me for betraying her trust, but in the circumstances, I hope she understands.
“Fuck,” Tucker says when I’m finished. “I need to tell Josh.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I don’t know your brother well, but he doesn’t strike me as the type of man who’d abandon the woman he loves, and his unborn child if he knew the truth.”
“You’re right, he isn’t,” Tucker agrees. “Josh has convinced himself that Caitlyn never really loved him, but when I tell him what you’ve told me, I’m sure he will fight to get her back.”
“You need to warn him to be careful though. Your brothers, too. If David is telling the truth about having connections with Lorenzo Esposito, any move you make could put everyone in danger.”
“If David is telling the truth,” Tucker says.
“Is it worth the risk to call his bluff?” I challenge. I wouldn’t put it past David to lie about having connections with Esposito, but if anyone is going to be connected to the mafia in East Hampton, it’s the Morgan family.
Tucker grimaces and shakes his head. “Good point. I won’t risk the lives of my brothers … or you or Caitlyn.”
I offer him a small smile. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Everyone is currently at Ryan’s. Let me tell them what you told me, and I’ll figure something out.” Tucker stands from the couch and starts crossing the room.
“Wait. I’m coming with you.”
“No, let the Braddock’s deal with it,” Tucker says.
He reaches for the door handle, but I jump up off the couch and race across the room to him. “Caitlyn is my best friend. I’m coming with you.”
Tucker opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off and he has no choice but to let me follow him out.
“I only have my bike,” he says.
“That’s fine,” I reply, as I lock my front door.
Tucker crosses the parking lot to his bike, and I follow closely behind. He offers me the spare helmet he keeps in the storage compartment of the bike, and then climbs on, leaving me to get on behind him.
I won’t give Tucker the satisfaction of wrapping my arms around him, and instead squeeze my legs tightly around the bike, and grip the designated handles on the back of the bike, specifically manufactured for passenger use and safety.
Tucker doesn’t make a comment about me holding onto the back of the bike and starts up the engine. Soon, we’re zipping through the streets of East Hampton on our way to Ryan Braddock’s house.
It’s my first time on a bike, so that’s nerve-racking, but not only that, this will be my first time meeting the other Braddock’s.
I’ve only heard about them either through Caitlyn or local gossip.
While they all sound like decent men, the head of the family, Ryan Braddock has a reputation for being a ruthless businessman that focuses only on himself and his family.
I hope that sentiment extends to Caitlyn, and he’s willing to go up against the might of both the Morgan family, and potentially Lorenzo Esposito.