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I open my mouth to ask her who it is, even though I already know the answer, but before I can ask her anything, she’s already touched some more buttons and has the phone against her ear again.
“It’s Brenda, yes, I have a question.” There is a moment of silence where I assume the other person is speaking, then she clears her throat. “Yes, well, I was wondering if you had a white dress of some kind.” Same question, different person. This must be Claire. “Can you please bring them over? As soon as possible, yes.”
She then lowers her phone from her ear before she tosses it on the small table beside her. Her gaze flicks to mine, and her lips curve up into a grin. She brings her glass of wine to her lips and takes a drink before she speaks.
“Parker and Claire each have a few options.”
“Thank you,” I breathe.
“Then we’ll have to discuss a few things.”
I hold my breath, wondering what the hell we would need to discuss, but she is primed and ready to talk. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s her job, or maybe it’s the fact that I am marrying her youngest son.
But Brenda Hamilton isn’t going to end this evening without telling me exactly how she feels, and I am not sure I’m ready for it. At the same time, I don’t think she cares if I am or not. Her intelligent eyes meet mine, and she begins.
“I understand why you did what you did. I know that Henry pushed the issue, and I also know that Henry always gets what he wants, the way he wants it. I just need to know one thing for certain.”
Gulping, I dip my chin. “Yes?”
“Do you truly love my son?”
Answering this question is the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. “With all that I am.”
She doesn’t speak, but her gaze is focused on mine, holding it, scrutinizing it, then her lips curve up into a grin. “I thought so. I just wanted to hear you say it out loud. Now let’s see if I have anything in my closet that could be an option.”
Brenda jumps to her feet, spins around, and heads for the staircase. “Come on, Allison,” she calls out behind her.
I do as she says, following her and wondering if I’m dreaming. Maybe I should pinch myself because none of this feels real. What it does feel is absolutely amazing. I’m going to be part of the Hamilton family.
I’m going to marry the man I am head over heels in love with. I’m going to have his baby. And I’m going to have my store. I am going to, for the first time in my life, have everything I’ve ever dreamed of. But I know it comes at a cost, and I try to push all of that behind me. I try not to think about the fact that this is some kind of crime family.
It’s not my business. I can be okay with it… right? Parker seems to be fine with it, so I can, too.
HENDRICK
The executives share glances with one another. They’ve heard from Tatum and Tait, names I still think are absolutely fucking ridiculous, and it appears as though they need to discuss options on what to do with them.
That leaves me out, though.
I’m not an executive, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I’m not sure I need or want that much power, at least not right now. My father and brothers leave me in charge of Tatum and Tait as they leave the room to discuss things further.
They’re on their knees, and I feel bad standing above them, almost like I’m some kind of overlord or some shit, so I walk to the wall and lean my back against it, lifting a leg and placing my foot behind me to balance myself.
“You’re sitting pretty over there,” Tait growls.
“Don’t pull that shit with me,” I snap.
He arches a brow. “No?” he asks. “You knock up some bitch, get your prize for another, and since daddy is the director, you get to keep both without punishment.”
I’m impressed he knows so much about the situation, but he doesn’t know shit at the same time. I’m also not going to explain it to him, except to say one thing.
“Do you really think Harlow was my prize? Truly?”
Tatum speaks, answering my question. “She wasn’t.”
“No,” I agree with him. “She wasn’t. She was manipulating the family. She worked against me and the family. Don’t think me so lucky on that front.”
“You’re marrying the one you knocked up, though, right?” he asks.
