Chapter Eleven

Robert pulled into his circular driveway and relaxed when he saw three dark cars with the Brandon Sharp Security emblem on them. Brandon was there to meet him.

“Thank you, Jimmy,” he said when the man opened his door.

“My pleasure, Sir.”

Robert walked to his front steps, where Brandon was standing, giving one of his men directions. Brandon turned to him after he sent the man off. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Robert sighed. “Come on in.” He went to his office and dropped his briefcase on top of his desk. “Follow me. I have to see my girls before I do anything.”

Robert caught sight of Taylor talking with one of the security men by the doorway to the family room. Robert didn’t say anything, but he looked around the corner and saw Grace and Hannah sitting very close together on the sofa, watching a movie.

He was finally able to take a deep breath. He turned to Brandon. “Let’s go back to my office.”

Robert told him about the three thugs who visited him in his office and the threats they made. He told them what Grace’s father wanted to do, but Robert lied and said they were married.

“We’ve got Phillips coming to marry us quickly. I can hack into the public records and put whatever date you want on your marriage certificate. That way, if Nichols has someone check, they’ll find you already married,” Brandon said.

“That would be great,” Robert said. “Make the date three weeks ago.”

“You got it. Give me all her information, and I’ll get that done now,” Brandon said.

After writing everything down, Brandon walked off.

The other security man stood outside the family room.

“Let’s go into the office,” Robert said to Taylor.

He went over everything he knew now.

“That bastard,” Taylor said.

Robert nodded and headed for the bar. “Do you want a drink?”

Taylor shook her head. “No.”

Robert poured some bourbon into a glass and gulped it before adding some more.

“If you’re serious about marrying Grace today, you might want to stay sober.”

Robert walked to his desk and dropped into his chair. “Jesus, this is fucked up. I knew the man was bad, but to have men come and threaten my family. Did he really think he could get away with that?”

“From what I’ve heard, the man is a selfish bastard and only thinks of himself,” Taylor said.

“I called someone to get the identity of the three men from my security man at the office. They’ll know exactly who they are by the end of the day. One of them I recognized, but I’m not sure from where.”

Taylor crossed her arms. “You’ll know soon. When is the judge coming?”

“Within the hour.”

“When are you going to tell Grace?” Taylor asked.

“Right before he gets here. I don’t want her to worry.”

“I understand that,” she said.

“I need to get something upstairs. I’ll be right back,” he said and left.

In his bedroom, he opened his safe and took out his grandmother and grandfather’s wedding rings, which they had left him. Fortunately, his grandmother was small like Grace, so he hoped the ring would fit her.

When he got back to his office, Channing and Judge Phillips were waiting. He shook hands with both men.

“Let’s get to this,” Phillips said. “Channing told me it’s crucial we get the vows done as quickly as possible.”

“He’s right. I’ll go get Grace.”

“Do you want me to sit with Hannah?” Taylor asked.

Robert thought about it a moment and then nodded. “Yes. Can you stay in the family room with her?”

“Of course,” she said and followed him.

He stood behind the two girls and cleared his throat. “Girls.”

Both turned surprised.

Hannah was the first to react and ran to him. He lifted her and hugged her tightly. “Hey, Taylor wants to watch a movie with you.”

“And Grace?”

Robert tried to smile. “No. I need her help with something.”

“Okay.”

Grace stood and came to him. She looked up at him with curiosity and then concern. “What happened?”

Robert made sure Hannah was settled before taking Grace’s hand. “Come with me.”

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked as they walked down the hallway.

He glanced down at her. “Of course not.” He stopped, turned to her, and grasped her shoulders. “Do you trust me?”

She nodded. “Yes. You know that.”

“I’m going to ask you to do something, and later, I’ll tell you why we’re doing it this way.”

Grace nodded, but he could tell she was apprehensive. He pulled her into the office and closed the door behind them.

“Sweetheart, I’d like you to meet a few of my friends.” He pointed to both men and said their names.

She nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Channing said.

“I’m told you’re a very sweet woman,” the judge said.

“Oh…” She looked up at Robert, relaxed, and smiled.

Robert pressed a kiss to her forehead. “He’s right. You are the sweetest person I know.”

He was pleased when she leaned into him. “Thank you.”

He grinned down at her. “This man right here,” he said and pointed at the judge, “is going to marry us.”

Her eyes widened. “What? Marry? When?”

“Right now.”

Her body stiffened. “But…”

“I’ll explain later, but right now, I need you to trust me.”

He waited while she dealt with the shock. He could tell when she finally gave in because her shoulders relaxed, and she nodded.

“Good girl,” he murmured against her temple. “I promise everything is going to be okay.”

“Okay.”

“Let’s do this,” Judge Phillips said.

Robert held her shaky hand in his as they made their vows. He saw the surprise when he slipped his grandmother’s wedding ring on her finger and then one on his.

“You may kiss the bride,” Phillips said and grinned.

Robert cupped her face in his hands and kissed her like he never had before. Just the thought of her finally being his and that no one would be able to take her from him made it feel like his chest would burst. He tucked her against his side and shook hands with Channing and Phillips. Shortly after, the judge left.

“Brandon texted me,” Channing said. “They have everything you asked him to do. So, the wedding is already public knowledge, and he’ll make sure the information gets to the right people. Just telling a few of the busybodies is all you need to have the whole town know. As far as the other thing, he emailed you a file.”

Robert nodded. “Good.”

“I’m going to head out unless you need me to do something else?”

Robert shook his head. “No. You’ve done so much already. Thank you for everything.”

“It was my pleasure. I like seeing you happy again,” Channing said. “Brandon is planning to have some men around here until you don’t need them anymore.” He bent and kissed Grace on the cheek. “Congratulations, Honey.”

“Thank you, Channing,” Grace said.

After the door closed, Robert turned to her and pulled her into his arms. “How are you doing, Sweetheart?”

“I think I’m okay. I just wish I understood what was going on.”

“I’ll tell you, but later. Let’s see what Taylor has for us to eat. After dinner, we’ll watch a movie and then put Hannah to bed.” The last thing he wanted was to tell her that her father was trying to get her back. He knew it would upset and possibly terrify her.

“Okay.”