Built for Power (15 page)

Bree let out a sigh of relief. She loved her family, but she was starting to feel as if she had nothing but horrible news to tell them. This week should be all about Elle and Drake, not her getting into trouble. Her mother would kidnap her and lock her in the house if things didn’t get better soon.

“Thank you. And please reassure Elle I will be there for the fitting tomorrow afternoon.” Bree shuffled her feet for a minute. Last night had been scary and lovely all at the same time, but it seemed unreal. She had to know for sure. “Logan?”

“Hmm?” Logan mumbled as he looked around for his cell phone.

“Did you mean it? Do you really love me?”

Logan stopped looking for his phone and came to where she stood in the middle of the room. His pants were starting to dry and his bare chest was warm as he held her in his arms. He stepped back and tilted her chin up so she could look in his eyes.

“I do. I love you very much, Bree. I think I started falling for you when I saw you in that pink hard hat from my window. I love the tough woman you show the world, but I love the vulnerable softy you are under that shell just as much.”

“Oh, Logan. I love you, too. It takes a strong man to stand up to me without trying to push me down. Your support and love . . .” Bree sniffled and then smiled up at him. For the first time, she was not worrying about when he was leaving. “Well, it makes me fall even more in love with you.”

Logan leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t like the kisses from last night. In this slow, deep kiss she could taste his love. His hands drifted from where he cupped her face, down her shoulders, over her spine to where the blanket was wrapped around her waist. She felt a gentle tug and the blanket fell to the floor.

“I believe my shower is waiting,” Bree said as she pulled away. She stepped back and gave him a slow smile as she unbuttoned the shirt she borrowed from him. Bree slid the shirt from her shoulders and dropped it on the floor. With a wink, she sauntered into the bathroom, giving him a perfect view of her swaying behind. Bree disappeared into the steamy shower. She heard the curtain open behind her and smiled to herself. Logan hadn’t kept her waiting.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Bree made her way down the empty corridors without paying attention to where she was going. Her mind was on Logan. She had ended up calling Noah yesterday morning after her shower with Logan and telling him she was going to be working from home. She and Logan had slept well into the afternoon.

After waking up, they both worked in comfortable silence until dinner. It had been nice spending the day together. He worked on a new design and she answered emails. She’d even placed a bid on a new project in Macon, Georgia. She found it very nice with Logan there. She watched him while she talked on the phone and discovered he cracked his knuckles as he thought about design aspects. Little things like that made her feel as if she were seeing a side of him no one else had.

After they were caught up on work, Logan had taken her home where she’d dressed in jeans and tennis shoes. She’d packed a bag of food and they’d had a picnic dinner at Centennial Olympic Park. They had laughed, told dirty jokes they’d learned on construction sites, and talked about their dreams. The world had fallen away around them until they were the last two people on the planet.

This morning she had woken in Logan’s arms to a ringing phone. Real life was intruding. However, when she found out the call was about Marcus being able to go home, she leapt from bed, kissed Logan, and hurried to the rehab facility.

Bree turned down another beige corridor and stopped in front of Marcus’s room. He was standing by his bed talking to his therapist and looking as if nothing had happened to him. Bree almost broke down in tears.

“Your ride is here,” the therapist said with a smile as she nodded to Bree. “Enjoy being home, Marcus. I’ll see you tomorrow for therapy.”

Bree waited until the young woman left before rushing over to Marcus. “You look fantastic. Oh, Marcus, I’m so happy for you!”

“I should thank you. This prosthetic is top of the line and makes it easier to get used to.”

“Well, come on, let’s get you home,” Bree said with a grin that filled her whole face. She was bouncing with energy as she watched Marcus slowly make his way toward her before sitting in his wheelchair.

“Not perfect, but it’s getting there. Thanks to you and your family.” Marcus’s smile faded and Bree worried that he was thinking of the explosion.

“Nonsense. I think it was because of that hot little therapist. Is she the one you were telling me about?”

“Yes. She won’t date any patients, though,” Marcus said sadly as they stopped in the lobby. Marcus used a crutch and stood up. Slowly, Bree walked with him to the car just outside the door. He was starting to sweat with the effort and looked a little pained.

“Are you okay?” she asked while unlocking the car.

“Yes. I have to work on my stamina. You know amputees have run marathons and climbed mountains. I’m not going to let this stop me from living my life. Then I’ll be able to ask her out on a date. Oh, you got your car back!”

Bree laughed and got in the car. “Finally! I know Reid loves me, but I’m afraid he’ll never let me borrow another car since I wrecked his last one.”

Marcus turned somber. “You didn’t wreck that car. Someone tried to hurt you. No, someone
did
hurt you. It never should have happened. They went too far.”

“Marcus, I’m fine. And I have great news. Detective Gruber was arrested by the FBI.” Bree told him of Trevor, Agent Delmont, and Officer Macey. “It’s all coming around. It’ll be fine.”

“And Logan? You’ve mentioned his name quite a bit,” Marcus prompted.

Bree blushed as she pulled into Marcus’s neighborhood. “We’re together. Though he has to leave in a couple days to go back to London. His boss only let him have a week of vacation.”

Marcus started to look nervous and kept his head turned as he looked out the window.

“Nervous about coming home?” Bree asked as she turned into his street.

“Bree, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ve been putting it off, but . . . Whose car is that?” Marcus asked hesitantly as Bree stopped in front of his house.

“My mom’s. She came here early and cleaned the house. She also stocked the fridge. If you’re lucky, she may have made you some dinner and a pie,” Bree smiled at him as she jumped out of the car.

Marcus opened the door and used his crutch to steady himself as he slowly stood up. “I don’t know what to say. Y’all have been too kind. So much more than I . . . Look, Bree, I’ve been trying to tell you . . .”

“Welcome home!” Margaret called as she flung open the front door. “I’ve got it from here, Bree. You’d better hurry to your dress fitting.”

“Oh gosh, I almost forgot. I’m sorry to dash off on you, Marcus. Call me if you need anything. I’ll stop by and talk after the wedding. I’ll bring pictures and cake,” Bree leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

“Okay. It can wait. And, Bree . . . thank you. You’re the best person I know and you don’t deserve what’s happened to you.”

Bree smiled and rolled her eyes playfully. “That speech gets you two pieces of cake.” Bree waved as her mother expertly fussed over Marcus.

* * *

“Allegra! What? Did you think I was one of your size 00 models?” Bree tried to screech, but it came out in short breaths since the pale yellow bridesmaid dress was so small it was cutting off her oxygen.

Elle snickered as Allegra hurried over and fussed with the dress. “It still looks good on you—even if it flattens your boobs and shoves them up to your chin.”

“I’m sorry. You missed when I took measurements so I just snagged a dress from your closet at Mom’s house.”

“From Mom’s? Those were from high school! You know she never throws anything out.” Bree took quick short breaths and hoped she didn’t pass out.

“Then you should have given me your measurements the five times I asked,” Allegra shot back.

Elle and Mallory just laughed as Allegra started tugging the zipper hidden along her side. With a whoosh of air, Bree’s lungs could finally expand when the zipper was down.

“Okay, enough laughing,” Elle said as she still giggled. “Can you fix it, Allegra? We do kind of need Bree there, considering she’s the maid of honor.”

Allegra shook her head. “It’s too small. I’ll have to make a new one overnight. Even if I let this one out, she’d need a corset or something just to be able to breathe.”

“Oh, Leggy, I’m sorry,” Bree said seriously. She hardly ever used her little sister’s childhood nickname, but she felt just as bad as she had when she’d broken the head off Allegra’s doll when she was six years old.

“It’s okay.” Allegra let out a long sigh. “It’s not like I have anything else to do at night. Now stand still and let me get your measurements.”

“Come on, you can’t lie to us. I see you texting all the time. And then that stopped when you and Finn started, um,
working
together,” Elle pried.

Allegra blushed and the girls all laughed. “Leggy, you and Finn? Really?” Bree asked before being stuck by a pin. “Ow!”

“No. Finn and I aren’t together.”

“She didn’t say she didn’t want to be together,” Mallory pointed out with a sly smile.

Bree laughed and was rewarded with another pinprick. Her poor sister wasn’t used to teasing. Allegra was always the perfect one, the sweet one, the never-in-trouble one. Bree was the opposite. She’d been the one who always messed up, always got into trouble, always pushed the boundaries . . . and she was proud to say she still did.

Finally settling back on her knees, Allegra looked up from her notepad. “Okay. I’ve got you all measured. I’ll get to work on this tonight and have it finished by the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.”

Bree leaned down and gave her sister a kiss on the head. “Thanks, sis.”

Elle pulled out her cell phone and turned it on. “Here’s the schedule. Make sure you got this,” . . .
cough, cough
. . . ”Bree.”

“Ha-ha.” Bree rolled her eyes as she grabbed her phone to add the times to her calendar.

“Tomorrow night we meet at the church at five. Dinner afterward at our house. Then Saturday at one, we meet at the spa for lunch and pampering. Then we head to the church at five to get dressed and have a light snack before the ceremony at seven-thirty. After pictures, we drive to the Art Museum where Drake and I met for the reception. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Bree teased as she got dressed.

Elle raised a brow and then smiled slowly. “I take it Logan will be joining us?”

Allegra and Mallory took the bait and soon Bree was very sorry for teasing her sisters.

* * *

Logan sat at the desk in his hotel and watched the workers over at Bree’s building. She had been right. Adding workers and eating the bonus she’d get for being ahead of schedule would allow her to meet the milestone. Too bad he wouldn’t be around to see it. He stared at the email from his secretary telling him Mr. Clarke expected him back at work on Monday morning.

A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He answered and hid his shock at seeing Drake in his doorway.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Drake said as he stepped into the room.

“Not at all. Just sending some adjusted plans back to London. What can I help you with?”

“Elle’s worried. And when Elle’s worried, I become worried.”

“Is she okay? Did something happen?” Logan asked as he waited for Drake to take a seat.

“She’s worried about her sister. She’s worried you’ll leave and Bree will be left alone with a broken heart. Now, I hate all this gooey talk. But if you get married, you’ll soon discover you’ll do about anything to make your wife feel better. So here I am.”

Logan shifted uncomfortably in his chair and looked out the window. He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. He didn’t know what to say. He loved her. He didn’t want to leave, but his livelihood was in London.

“Did you design these?”

“Hmm?” Logan looked back to see Drake flipping through the notepad of houses he’d designed.

“Oh. Yes, but it’s just a hobby. I love thinking of people in my houses. How they would use them, what would make their lives easier. I’ve designed a couple houses that rely heavily on technology—voice commands and so on.”

“Now this I can talk about,” Drake said as he leaned forward. “I’ve been working with Reid to integrate a new system into the resort he’s building. Everything you need at the touch of your fingers.”

“I thought you were a smartphone guy?”

“I am, but I’m also a software guy and this is all software. Tell me more about this system you’ve thought of."

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The streets of Atlanta were full of people heading home from work. The sound of animated conversations made the town feel alive. It helped Logan think about his conversation with Drake. He loved the movement of the city and getting a glimpse into the lives of people in their own separate worlds. It helped him relax.

Mr. Clarke had called his residential designs ridiculous. Clarke Group did not design little houses. They designed monuments to business success. But he felt excitement when he worked on houses and projects that could make a difference in a person’s life.

After Drake explained the kind of technology he was developing for Reid, the two had started brainstorming on how to integrate it into everyday life.

“You should start you own architectural company,” Drake had told him. “Then we could partner on the technology aspect.”

Drake’s words had been stuck in his head ever since. His own company? Could he take a leap like that? He’d seen the pressure it put on his family—the way legacy meant everything. And he hated the idea of treating a company as if it were a mandatory sentence for the whole family. He saw what the money and pressure to always be the biggest, most respected company did to a family. It made them forget about their children. He was treated like an employee before he could even talk. He was the company's future.

But Drake had his own company and he didn’t act like that. And the Simpsons had a company one hundred times larger than Ward Stone and Brick. They were still a loving family. Bree had told him how her father started the company and brought Shirley along. Then when he died, she told how the siblings had grown the company. And she allowed them to do whatever they wanted—whatever they
loved
.

What did Logan love? He loved houses and Bree. If he started his own company, if he took that risk, then he could stay in Atlanta with Bree. Could he really have everything he loved?

“Holy shit. Logan?”

Logan stopped walking and blinked. He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t realized he had just walked right past his own brother. “Bradley? What are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. I just left a meeting at Simpson Global. I met with the big shot.”

Logan looked up and saw his thoughts had led him right to Simpson Global’s offices.

“Elle?” Logan asked automatically. Wasn’t she doing wedding stuff?

Brad’s brow furrowed as he looked Logan over. “Since when do you know about business stuff? And no, I met with her brother.” Brad’s chest puffed with pride. “He wants Ward Stone for a resort he’s building. We’re negotiating price. I’m playing it hard. They have the money. We’re going to make a killing off this sale. So, what are you doing here?”

“I’m the architect on the corporate center headed up by Simpson Global,” Logan admitted somewhat hesitantly.

“Ah, I’ve dealt with Noah before,” Brad said. “He’s B. Simpson’s right-hand man. Now, there’s someone you don’t mess around with. That brother is hard core, so you better not jack up the price too much. I couldn’t believe it! I added twenty percent onto our price and Mr. Simpson, Reid, that is, didn’t even bat an eye. He just handed it to some old woman, who I swear is old enough to have seen Atlanta burn during the Civil War, and told me he’d get back to me soon.”

Logan was suddenly embarrassed. Shirley had been there and Shirley knew about his family. He wished he hadn’t said anything to her. But he also didn’t want to see the Simpsons get screwed.

“I don’t think that was a wise idea. Why would you mark it up like that?”

Brad looked at him like he was an idiot. “Because, they have more money than they know what to do with. They have a long history with us. They trust us and they’ll just pay it. I’ll even come back and offer them a five percent loyalty discount. So, what are you doing tonight? Stacy and the kids are here—Mom and Dad, too. They’ll want to see you.”

“I have plans tonight and I head back to London on Sunday.”

“What about tomorrow? Or Saturday?”

“Tomorrow I’m attending a large dinner party and Saturday I have a wedding to go to.” Logan hoped his brother wouldn’t push. There was no way he was going to meet up with his family. Not after hearing Brad talk like that. It soured his burgeoning dream of running his own company.

“Everyone must be getting married that day. Reid said his sister is getting married this weekend, too. Well, there’s a simple solution; just cancel your dinner for tonight,” Brad said in his haughtiest voice. Brad and their father never thought twice about breaking an appointment. It made them feel important.

“Logan?”

Oh no. He felt the panic rise as he heard Bree’s voice behind him. His brother looked her over appreciatively and Logan had a strong desire to knock him out. Strange, he had been angry when he found Stacy in his brother’s bed, but nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I got the strangest text from Shirley about—”

“Bree! This is my brother, Bradley Ward,” Logan said, cutting off whatever Bree was about to say. The last thing he wanted to do was let Brad think he had an “in” at Simpson Global. He and his father would try to exploit it for all it was worth.

Brad held out his hand and smiled. “You can call me Brad. It’s nice to meet you,
Bree
,” he said, emphasizing her name. “So this is why you’re so busy. Mom and Dad would love to meet any woman of yours. Stacy was beginning to think you’d never get over her. I must say, this is a relief!”

Logan felt Bree stiffen next to him. During their date at the park, he’d told Bree about his family and their company. Of course she’d know about their company, having handled all the negotiations in the past with them. And he’d told her about Stacy. He just didn’t tell her it was Brad’s bed he’d found her in. He felt her suddenly relax and she batted her eyes. Her lips formed what Logan could only describe as a ditzy smile.

“Oh, darling! You want me to meet your parents?” Again she batted her lashes up at Logan and the spark in her eyes had him trying hard to keep a straight face. This was the mischievous Bree her family had told him horror stories about. Somehow, though, it made him feel young and free and equally mischief.

“But, honey bunny, I thought you wanted a romantic dinner again. Just like we had the other night.”

Bree blushed right on cue. Brad was enthralled. “I don’t know if I can handle another night like that,” she whispered before giggling.

Logan smiled. Sadly, he’d dated women like this and watching Bree in character made him happy she wasn’t really like this. She was real. She was intelligent and liked debate on subjects more important than which country club was the most exclusive. She was B. Simpson and Bree all in one amazing package.

“Hold on, it’s Stacy,” Brad said as he pulled out his cell phone. “Hello, honey. You wouldn’t believe who I am standing here with.”

Logan leaned down and whispered into Bree’s ear. “I really don’t want to do this.”

“Because someone didn’t tell me his fiancée cheated on him with his own brother! How could you leave that part out?”

“It’s embarrassing. I thought you’d think less of me.”

“Oh, Logan, I could never think less of you.”

Brad laughed and Bree and Logan looked up at him. “Yes, honey, I’ll insist they join us. Love you, too.” Brad hung up the phone and Logan thought Brad looked as if he were in on some joke that he and Bree weren’t.

“Stacy was with Mom and Dad. You know how much they just love her. Anyway, they absolutely insisted you and
Bree
come to dinner with us tonight. We have reservations at Beau Monde. It is
the
restaurant in Atlanta.”

Bree clapped her fingertips together and gushed, “Oh, the Beau Monde! We just have to go, honey bunny!”

“Wonderful!” Brad said triumphantly. “We will meet you there at eight tonight.”

Logan watched his brother walk away and suddenly the game felt a little too real. “We aren’t actually going, are we?”

Bree just laughed. “Of course. I haven’t had this much fun since I put a stink bomb in the cheerleaders’ dressing room.”

“He doesn’t know you’re a Simpson. And he made the same mistake I did. He thinks B. Simpson is a man.”

“Then this is even better. How could he do that to you? How could a guy steal his own brother’s fiancée? He deserves payback. I wonder if I can find another stink bomb before dinner?”

“I told you about my family. About the pressure to be in the family business, to be the head of society in Charleston . . . it is all about appearances. Emotion never factored in. They’re nothing like your family. Nothing.”

Bree took his hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze. “You have us now. I know we are not a substitute for your family, but maybe if you tell your parents how you feel, they’ll back off a little and see that you are happy at your chosen profession.”

Logan bent his head and kissed her. “Thank you for being so supportive.”

“I’ve heard that’s what girlfriends are supposed to be like,” Bree teased.

Logan kissed her again. He liked the sound of her being his girlfriend. But when he thought of Bree, he didn’t think of her as his girlfriend. When he thought of Bree, he thought of her as something more—his partner in life, his love, his heart, and his future wife.

Bree melted against Logan right there in the middle of the sidewalk. She didn’t care if her whole office saw them kissing. Meeting his family would help her understand him a little better and maybe, just maybe, she could help him start mending some fences.

“Just what the hell are you trying to pull? I should beat the crap out of you, Logan,” Reid said through gritted teeth as he ripped Logan and Bree apart.

“Reid!”

“Stay out of this, Bree. This man is using you and playing us.” Bree stepped back without thinking. She’d never seen her brother so furious.

“What are you talking about, Reid?” Logan was clearly as confused as she was.

“Sending your brother in here to fleece us, that’s what. If you think I’m going to pay this exorbitant fee just because you and my sister are . . . are . . . you know, you are wrong.”

Logan held up his hands and shook his head. “I have nothing to do with my family’s company. My brother has no idea I’m dating your sister. He only thinks I'm the architect for
Mister
B. Simpson.”

Bree nodded and placed her hand in Logan’s. “It’s true. Besides, Logan didn’t even know I had a meeting with Mr. Ward today. Actually, I didn’t either. I had Noah rearrange my schedule since I was at my dress fitting.”

Reid was starting to look convinced. “So, Noah called me to handle this because it’s my project and Logan is what, estranged from his family? Why?”

“Yes, and that’s Logan’s business,” Bree answered.

Reid just looked at Logan and raised an eyebrow.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t seem as important anymore,” Logan said to her. “I don’t approve of the emphasis my family puts on their social standing. That, and I found my fiancée in bed with my brother.”

Reid’s anger faded from his face. “That’s horrible. I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget not everyone has a family like we do.”

“It would have been a dream come true to have a family like yours,” Logan told him.

“You do now,” Reid said as he slapped Logan on the back. Bree couldn’t love her brother any more than she did at this moment. “We’ll see you tomorrow for the rehearsal. Hope you don’t mind that I’m going to lay into your brother for pulling this crap.”

“I think B. Simpson may take care of it,” Bree said seriously.

“Damn. Now I kind of feel bad for him,” Reid teased before heading back into the office building.

Logan laughed but quickly grew worried. “Bree, you know I’m nothing like my brother. I don’t want anything from you. I have money of my own. I have an occupation of my own. I have interests of my own. I just want to share it all with you.”

Bree’s heart swelled. She did know that and it was freeing. “I do, Logan. And I love you even more for it. But now,
Bree
needs to get ready for dinner tonight. On the way to the restaurant, I’ll tell you what Allegra did to me. Or rather what I did to her. Oh, and I better call Jean Blanc and tell him to pretend not to know me.”

“Who is Jean Blanc?”

“He’s the owner of Beau Monde. He always makes a table available for me. I love French food—well, mostly the desserts. I can’t eat snails. I always picture them as what Reid would stick on me when we were playing. I can’t imaging actually eating the slimly little guys.”

“Reid used to stick snails on you?” Logan asked, trying not to laugh.

“Yep. But I got him back. I put a snake in his underwear drawer. He screamed like a girl and refused to wear underwear because he was too scared to open the drawer after that,” Bree said proudly.

“How did you get the snake in his drawer?”

“It was just a corn snake. They’re fairly tolerant of people and hardly ever bite if you’re gentle with them. I knew there were a few by an abandoned house just down the street from us, and I brought one home. After it ate, I just picked it up and put it in the drawer. It was happy and content to curl up and sleep with a full belly . . . until the screaming started. My dad made me take it back to the old house as my mom stood guard with a shovel just in case it decided it wanted to live at our house.”