Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Blakely

“What’s wrong?” Renn reaches for me across the middle console. “Are you okay? You’ve been quiet this evening.”

I let him have my hand but stare out the window. The community we entered a few minutes ago, one that’s a short drive from Renn’s, is more upscale than his. And I don’t know what to do with it . Mansions that must expand into five digits in square footage make the luxury cars in the driveway look like toys. It’s overwhelming.

I’m intimidated.

My stomach has been upset all day—since last night, really, when Renn said we’d talk after his mother’s dinner. He’s acted normally toward me, more or less. He’s a little on edge. Jumpy. His brows pinch together when he thinks I’m not looking. I’m confident it’s not a health issue like Brock’s, but I don’t know what’s bothering him.

And I hate it.

The unknown screws with my confidence and messes with my heart. I feel my walls going up, readying to protect me from impending doom. I’m aware of this reaction; it’s a weakness. I know I should give Renn the benefit of the doubt, especially because he hasn’t given me a real reason not to.

But pain is pain, and I’m unprepared for the heartbreak he could deliver.

“You look beautiful,” he says, removing his hand to downshift.

We pull onto a circular driveway in front of a three-story home. The sun’s final rays give the home a backdrop of amethyst and ruby. It’s as though Mother Nature feels compelled to contribute to the wealth of this family.

Renn turns off the main drive and around a half wall. On the other side is a line of cars that cost more than the GDP of small nations.

Holy fuck .

“It’s just my family,” he says, warily. “Remember that. These are just my parents and siblings. It’s not a big deal.”

“If these machines are their daily drives, this is a big deal.”

He cuts the engine. “What’s the worst that could happen? Give me your worst-case scenario.”

“I don’t know. I make a fool out of myself?”

He grins. “Impossible. But let’s say you manage it. You’ll still be adorable.”

I smile as he kisses me.

“Now, come on,” he says, opening his door. “The sooner we get this started, the sooner it’s over.”

“Amen.”

I round the front of his car, taking in his good looks. His hair is fixed in his I woke up like this style. He wears dark denim jeans and a checkered button-up that he refused to tuck in. The sleeves are rolled to his elbows.

“Did you keep everything Astrid sent?” he asks, snatching my hand again.

“No. Did you see the price tag on some of those clothes? It’s outrageous.”

He chuckles as we walk to the door. “Did it all fit?”

“That’s not the point.”

“I’m adding this to our talking points for later.”

I roll my eyes. “You can shove your talking points up your ass.”

He chuckles.

“I’m not being funny. I’m scared shitless over here, and …”

I hiccup a breath, refusing to look at him. Fuck. I just made it perfectly clear that I’m afraid of what he will say.

Way to be transparent, Blakely. Not your best move.

He withdraws his hand from the doorknob and turns to me. “Hey.”

“Yeah?”

A burst of laughter comes from the other side of the door. My stomach drops, and my palms sweat.

He squares his shoulders to mine. “I had things to take care of—things that I didn’t want to talk about until I found my way through them. Things I didn’t want you to worry about.”

I search his eyes. “That doesn’t help.”

“Blakely, you have to understand—”

“There you are!” The door flies open, and a tall, dark-headed woman stands like a model on the threshold. “We’re waiting on you. Get in here.”

Renn kisses the woman on the cheek and leads me in behind him. My cheeks flush as I take in the ornate furnishings in what’s more of a museum than a home. There’s a bust of someone important, I assume. Large paintings hang proudly on the walls and chandeliers the size of compact cars hang from the ceiling.

I’m out of my league .

“Easy, Mom,” Renn says, stepping to the side. “Blakely, this is my mother, Rory Brewer. Mom, this is my wife, Blakely. Don’t smother her.”

“Darling, hello.” Rory pulls me in for a hug. The medallion attached to her necklace presses sharply into my chest. I try not to wince. “It is so nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Brewer.”

“No. I’m Rory or you can call me Mom.” She smiles brightly. It’s the same smile Renn uses when he’s happy. “You can set your purse right there unless you want to keep it with you. Let’s introduce you to the rest of our brood.”

I hang my purse on the hook Rory indicated and clutch Renn’s hand like a lifeline. We make our way into a massive kitchen. It’s all gray and white marble—the floors, backsplash, and the countertops. Copper pots and pans, which I doubt have ever been used, hang over the middle of the island.

But around the island—that’s the most fascinating part of the scene. By far.

They’re attractive. Stunning. Jaw-droppingly beautiful.

All of them.

“Blakely, this is my family,” Renn says. “That’s my sister, Bianca. She’s a child genius.”

Bianca grins, her perfectly red lips showing off perfectly white teeth. “I’m only a genius compared to these baboons.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“That’s Gannon. He’s a dick.”

“Renn!” Rory gasps. “Where are your manners?”

He shrugs, smirking at his mother.

Gannon holds a glass of amber-colored liquid. He does a quick assessment of me and winks. I smile back politely but withhold judgment. I’m not sure what to think about him.

“That’s Jason,” Renn says, pointing at his brother, whom I met briefly on the plane home from Australia. He’s tall and thin—strikingly like the man beside him. “That’s Ripley.”

“Welcome to the family,” he says warmly.

I instantly like him. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“And that is Tate .” Renn enunciates Tate’s name in a way that amuses his brother. “Tate, this is my wife .”

Tate smiles broadly at me, obviously working to annoy his brother. “Hi … sis .”

“Hi, brother,” I say, playing into the opening Tate gave me.

“ Don’t ,” Renn says just before his siblings start laughing. “Fuck y’all.”

Rory shakes her head like she’s given up.

“Sorry,” I say, sliding an arm around Renn’s waist and laying my head on his shoulder. “I’ve heard a lot about you all. It’s nice to meet you.”

Tate walks toward us. He’s the same height as Renn but without the bulk. He’s strong but leaner—not a professional athlete. His eyes are kind and playful. His swagger, complete with a hand in one pocket, makes me laugh.

“Wanna see my bedroom?” Tate asks me, teasing his brother.

Renn punches him in the shoulder. Hard.

Tate shakes his arm. “Don’t make me take you down right here.”

“You can’t take me down,” Renn says, scoffing.

Tate grins. “I wasn’t talking about you.” He moves just in time before Renn reaches for him. “All those muscles are slowing you down, old man.”

I laugh at their antics.

“And last but not least. Blakely, this is my father, Reid Brewer,” Renn says, the words cooler than he used with the others. “Dad. This is Blakely.”

“Hello, Mr. Brewer,” I say.

“Hello, Blakely.” He flips his attention from me to Renn and then to Gannon.

The chatter begins in earnest again, with everyone talking at once. It’s quite a spectacle—eight people talking simultaneously but somehow carrying on a conversation.

My nerves settle as I watch them and have a moment to acclimate to the situation.

Upon closer inspection, I spot pictures of all of them in various stages of their lives sitting on a mantel and pinned to the refrigerator. Fresh flowers that look freshly picked fill a Mason jar next to a tray of vegetables. A cutting board with the lyrics of a hymn leans against the backsplash next to the sink.

It’s not cozy like Renn’s house. But it’s their home . It’s where they all congregate and come when they need help. For family dinners or to watch the big game.

“So, Blakely, tell us about yourself,” Rory says, taking the tops off various foil pans.

The sound lessens a few decibels.

Oh . I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and try not to fixate on all their attention landing on me. Why does this feel like a job interview ?

“I graduated from college with a bachelor’s in business management,” I say. “I work for Mason Music Label and love what I do. My brother is Brock Evans, but I’m sure you all know that.”

I love cooking, like the color peach, red roses, and fall weather. Oh, and I love your son, but it’s not reciprocated.

“That’s exciting,” Rory says. “And ironic.”

“Why?”

She looks at me and smiles. “Well, Mason Music Label is owned by Coy Mason. He is one of my good friends, Siggy Mason’s son.” She laughs. “What a small world.”

I glance at my ring.

“Yes, that’s her,” Bianca says. “The jewelry designer. Mom has the hookup.”

“Do you like your wedding ring?” Rory asks.

“We sent Renn fifty or sixty options,” Bianca says, laughing. “He was so picky—wouldn’t settle until he found the exact one.” She makes a face at her brother. “You’re so cute, Renny.”

“Wow,” I say, smiling at my husband. “That’s really sweet.”

It wasn’t Astrid . He chose this for me. That makes me love it even more.

“Don’t buy into the bullshit,” Ripley jokes from across the room.

Renn points at him, walking his way while firing a retort. Ripley’s smile never leaves his face.

“I do love it,” I say, returning to Bianca and Rory. “It’s gorgeous. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.”

Rory takes a stack of plates out of the cabinet. “He did do a good job. I was very proud. Raising a boy with taste is so hard.”

Bianca looks over her shoulder at the men at the island. “One out of five sons isn’t bad.”

Rory laughs. “I have hope for Jason.”

They chatter back and forth among themselves, working me into the conversation at every available opportunity. It’s an effortless interaction, and I laugh with them like old friends. Every now and then, I feel Renn’s eyes on me. And each time, I look at him and smile. Without fail, he smiles back.

Yet there’s a wobbliness between us. I don’t know if it’s my doing—my fear that somehow, he’ll want to back away from me—or if it’s a true gut reaction that something is amiss.

I want to find my spot here. I want to blend in with the others and share their jokes. Of course, I do. This is all I’ve ever wanted.

They are warm—Reid excluded. Inviting. Kind. Rory turns me loose in her kitchen to look for her serving spoons, something many women won’t allow. And the fact that she accepts me into her fold and the rest of them makes my nerves even worse. Not to mention her ability to mom hug like a champion. I’ve missed those. A lot. Imagine getting them regularly. Yes, please.

Ugh, why does that make me emotional?

And why do emotions have to be so hard to navigate ?

“Rory, may I use your powder room?” I ask.

“Of course. It’s down the hall. The fourth door on your right.”

“Thank you.”

I need to settle down. To catch my breath.

I slip into the hallway and count doors, blatantly ignoring the vases and gold candlesticks. My steps tap against the stone floor. Tap. Tap. Tap . I reach for the handle but stop when I hear my name.

“Blakely.”

Coming toward me is Reid. I have no idea where he came from, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s approaching me with a look of displeasure in his eyes.

I gulp. “I was just going to use the powder room.”

“Why don’t you step into my office for a second?” He opens the door across the hall. “I’ll only take a few moments of your time.”

My heart pounds at an alarming rate. Do I go in there and talk to him ? Logic says it can’t hurt anything … but my gut says otherwise.

Still, I find myself walking into a room with a giant stately desk and bookshelves lining the walls.

“Do you want to sit?” he asks, placing his drink on top of a stack of folders.

“No. You said it would only take a second.”

He moseys around the room. I think he’s trying to make me relax, but all it does is put me on edge. I feel my heart beating in my throat. I have to override the screaming inside my head telling me to leave.

No, I’m going to make a good impression. The door is open behind me. I can leave anytime I want.

“What can I help you with, Reid?” I ask. Renn—please come find me.

“Can I trust that you will keep this conversation between us?”

“That depends on what it’s about.”

He chuckles angrily. He stops walking and faces me, his jaw set. “What will it take to get you out of Renn’s life?”

My mouth falls open.

I shiver as cold chills snake down my spine.

“My son may be dim-witted, but I’m not,” Reid says. “How much will it take to make you go away?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Brewer. I don’t understand.”

“Cut the shit, Blakely.”

What ? “Don’t talk to me like that.”

He plants his hands on the desk with a loud thud. His eyes are narrowed, the pupils nearly slits.

“I’ve been at this game longer than you have,” he says. “I know what little whores want when they come around. I can see them from a mile away.”

His words catch me so off guard that I fail to respond.

“Name your price,” he says. “How much are you after? Quarter million. Half? Give me a number.”

I draw in a breath and gather my wits. “You think I want money from you?”

“Don’t play the damsel in distress card, girl. It isn’t cute.”

“What’s not cute is this arrogant, disrespectful, abhorrent language you’re using with me. I don’t know where you get off thinking you can insult me like this, but—”

“Because I’m Reid Brewer. I can get away with anything I want.”

I stand taller, meeting his gaze and refusing to blink. “I don’t give a fuck who you are.”

“So what do you think, then?” he asks, smirking. “Do you think you can get my son all liquored up, marry you, and then—what? What’s the endgame? Convince him that you’re the one? To start a family with you? To let you be a part of this empire that I have created?” He laughs like I’m a joke. “Think again.”

“I don’t want a damn thing from you—”

“Of course, you do. It’s mine. It’s all mine . And I’m not about to allow some little whore with a nice ass and great tits swindle my son out of his future.”

The shock is gone. Rage settles in.

“You are a disgusting excuse for a man.”

“You didn’t sign a prenup. Explain that.”

“I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

He storms around the corner of his desk, stopping inches from my face. Liquor is hot on his breath, and he breathes down like a demented dragon.

I want to run out of the room. I want to run into Renn’s arms and beg him to take me home. But I don’t want to give this asshole the pleasure of thinking he hurt me … and, this is Renn’s home. How is Rory married to this egotistical monster?

A fissure cracks through my chest.

“You will never fit in here,” he says, scowling. “You are not a Brewer. You will never be a Brewer. Even if you have Renn’s child, it will be a bastard. It’ll receive a check every month, and that’s it. It won’t belong here just like its mother doesn’t.”

“You don’t know him if you think that’s true.”

“Honey, I know him. I raised him . He might be weak—deluded from fucking you—but he has Brewer blood in his veins.” He cuts the small distance between us in half. “Your little stunt cost me millions today. I had to pay millions of dollars to expedite my deal before you and my dipshit son ruined it for me.”

I stare at him.

“You might’ve cost him his Royals contract, but I can’t help that,” he says.

What ? I take a step back. What’s he talking about ?

“Oh, didn’t you know?” he asks, mocking me. “Your ‘husband’ is this close to losing his contract— because of you .”

My brain scrambles with this information. Is it true? Why didn’t Renn tell me?

Is this why he’s acting so odd?

I hiccup a sob.

That must be it. He lost the contract … because of me.

“Let. Him. Go,” Reid says, glaring at me. “Do that fuckup of a son of mine a favor and walk away from this fake marriage before I figure out how to end it for you.”

“Say what you want about me. But don’t talk about Renn like that.”

He looks at the ceiling and laughs.

“He’s a good man. He’s nothing like you.”

He drops his gaze to my face. “And how would you know? Because he fucked that little ass all weekend? Huh? That makes him a good man?”

My hands shake. “Go to hell.”

“How about this?” He looks me up and down. “Let me fuck that little ass, and I’ll let you keep Renn for a while longer.”

Before I know what I’m doing my fist is in a tight ball, flying toward Reid’s face. It grazes the tip of his chin, sending splintering pain down my wrist.

“You little cunt.” He reaches for me. “Get over here and let me—”

“Don’t fucking touch me. You’re a piece of shit, and I hope you burn in hell.” My voice trembles with anger.

“What’s going on here?” Renn asks, making me jump.

I look at the doorway. He fills the space with his broad shoulders, piecing together the scenario before him.

I push around him and bolt down the hallway, tears flowing down my cheeks. I snatch my purse off the hook and make my way outside.

“Blakely,” Renn calls after me.

My hand finds my phone in my purse. I rip it out and find Foxx’s number, thankful that I listened to him today and saved it into my contacts list.

“Blakely!”

“Blakely?” Foxx’s voice is gruff through the phone.

“Foxx. I’m at Renn’s parents’ house.” I choke back a sob. “Can you come and get me?”

“I’m on my way. Sit tight. I’m three minutes out.”

“What the fuck happened in there?” Renn grabs both of my shoulders and pulls me into him. “Talk to me.”

My shoulders bounce as I cry into Renn’s chest.

I don’t want to tell him what his father said. I can’t . Renn is a good man … and he might have lost his contract. Because of me.

“Do that fuckup of a son of mine a favor and walk away from this fake marriage before I figure out how to end it for you. Let me fuck that little ass, and I’ll let you keep Renn a while longer.”

No. Renn won’t want to hear that.

“What’s going on?” Ripley asks, walking across the driveway.

Fuck. I hope the rest of the family—Rory—doesn’t come out here, too.

“I don’t know,” Renn says.

I pull away, wiping my eyes and nose with my hand. Pain shoots up my wrist, and I jerk it back, crying.

“What’s Foxx doing here?” Renn asks as a black SUV slides up the driveway.

The vehicle stops, and Foxx climbs out of the driver’s seat. He wastes no time getting to me.

“I called him,” I say.

“Why?” Renn holds out his hands. “What is going on? What happened? I’m so fucking confused.”

“Can we talk about this later?” I ask.

“No. We can’t. I just heard my wife fighting with my father. Then she runs out of the house, having called another man to come and get her. What the fuck is going on?”

My face heats.

I look between Renn, Ripley, and Foxx. They all look at me expectantly.

“Fine.” I hold my wrist with my other hand, wincing. “What just happened was …” I force a swallow. “Your father tried to buy me off.”

“ What ?” Renn spits.

Ripley bristles beside him.

“He called me a little whore and offered me a half a million dollars to let you go,” I say, anger flooding me again. “Pointed out that I didn’t belong here and was ruining your life …” I lock eyes with my husband. “And that I caused you to lose your contract.”

Renn’s jaw drops. “Blakely …”

“That motherfucker,” Ripley says.

I can’t see Foxx, but I watch Renn shake his head.

I gather myself. “Your father tried to grab me to fuck my little ass —”

“ I’m gonna kill him ,” Ripley says through clenched teeth, turning on his heel and storming toward the house.

Renn flinches.

“Want me to go?” Foxx asks.

“No.” Slowly, my words sink in. The disbelief twists into a menacing snarl. “Take her home, Foxx.”

“Yes, sir.”

Renn runs back to the house.

“Come on, Blakely,” Foxx says, reaching for my arm.

“Renn!”

He ignores me, disappearing around the wall.

Tears wet my cheeks again. Foxx takes my hand, but I yank it back, yelping.

“Explain,” Foxx orders.

“I threw a punch.”

He fights a smile, refusing to look me in the eye. “Let’s get you home.”

Home.

I’m not sure I have one anymore.

We climb into the car and pull down the long driveway.

I feel like I just left my heart behind.