Taming The Boss (Billionaires In The City Book 7) (19 page)

“There’s a secret entrance into the apartment downstairs. Carter said Farrell would sneak his mistresses down there during his married times.”

She’d never known someone could gross her out so much post-death.

“Rourke, I—”

He leaned in for a kiss, taking her breath away. “I love you,” he breathed against her lips. “I was so sure you were gone.”

Cali rested her forehead against his. “I don’t think he wanted me dead. He was stalling.” But that wouldn’t have stopped him forever. Another chill rushed through her as she realized how close to death she’d come. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

He pulled her into a tight bear hug, and she smiled into his shirt before his pants started to vibrate.

“Shit.” He backed off and pulled out his phone, smiling down at the screen.

“What is it?”

“It’s official. Michael and Lori set a date for their wedding.”

Cali’s heel caught in the crevice between two of the bricks in the beautifully paved path, and she started to tumble to the ground. Right before all hope was lost, Rourke’s strong arms came around her waist and pulled her back against him.

She couldn’t stop the stream of giggles that bubbled up from her throat as she turned in Rourke’s arms.

“I think,” he murmured against her neck, “that you’ve had too much to drink.”

“Oh, come on.” She playfully swatted at his bicep. “I’m a little buzzed, but that’s it.”

“Just because it’s an open bar doesn’t mean you need to drink it all.”

Cali giggled again. “It’s not the drinks! This pathway is very, very pretty, but it doesn’t like my heels.”

“Does that mean I need to carry you the rest of the way to the reception?”

“No! I can walk. But hold my hand just in case...”

He did one better and wrapped his arm around her waist as they entered the pavilion. Whoever Michael and Lori had hired to do the decorating had done amazing. There were tiny lights all around the posts and borders that, along with the candles in the centerpieces, gave the entire party a beautiful, ethereal glow. The family had tried so hard to keep the guest list count down, but it had kept growing and growing. Though, considering how well-known the Devereauxs were, the fact that it was under five hundred was a good sign.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing co-best-man duties?”

“I got him down the aisle. Doesn’t that mean my job’s done?”

She snorted. “Please. Like you could keep that man from getting down the aisle. I think you’re overstating your importance.”

He led her through the maze of tables until they reached one of the front ones, where Luke and Evelyn were already sitting with Emma and Jace.

“There you are!” said Evelyn. “We were getting worried!”

“Just taking in the sights,” said Rourke as Cali giggled again, remembering how close she’d been to getting an up close and personal view of the sidewalk.

“They’re going to cut the cake soon,” said Emma. “I was at the tasting and you’re not going to want to miss it.”

Darn it. Cali knew missing that tasting was going to come back to bite her. But she’d been dieting for weeks to fit into her new dress, and she was going all out today. This was a family celebration, and she was going to eat as many slices of that cake as she could get her hands on.

Evelyn said something to Emma that Cali couldn’t hear, so she leaned into Rourke, looking over the lavishly dressed guests. “So all the Farrells turned down their invites?”

“I have a feeling they’re busy enough at the moment.”

“I thought you hadn’t seen any of Walter’s sons since the funeral.”

“I haven’t. Just figured digging through all of Walter’s estate and the grief of losing a parent would be tough.”

“And I’m sure Colin has been giving them a hard time.”

Rourke frowned. “Colin didn’t seem too broken up about Walter’s death.”

“He wouldn’t. He told me he was written into Walter Farrell’s will. One-fifth.”

Rourke frowned. “What are you talking about? Colin Carter isn’t getting a fifth of Farrell’s estate.”

“Well, that’s what he told me.”

“No wonder he’s dropped off the face of the earth.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the estate was split five ways.”

“One for each son and...who else?” asked Cali.

“And a daughter. Apparently he had one hidden away somewhere.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about him. Guys like that always bounce back one way or another. But don’t think about Colin Carter. Shouldn’t you be taking notes?”

“Shhh! Not today!”

“We’re going to have to tell them eventually.”

“You’re not supposed to propose to someone during your brother’s rehearsal dinner. I swear, you’re a caveman sometimes.”

“How dare I?” He intertwined his fingers with hers. “You just looked so good in that green dress with the slit all the way up to...” his free hand moved up her thigh, “there. I couldn’t not ask you.”

“And you just happened to have a ring on you?” She smiled.

“I bought that ring the day Farrell died. But I figured that was an even worse time to ask you, so I bided my time.”

“We’ll tell them,” she promised. “After the honeymoon. Just let them have their moment.” She glanced over to where Michael and Lori were making the rounds and greeting guests. They both looked so beautiful and posh, but she had a feeling Rourke wouldn’t have a guest list in the three digits. Lord knew she didn’t have enough family to fill up half a church anyway.

Luckily, the Devereauxs didn’t seem to be lacking for family at the moment.

“What are you two talking about over there?” Emma took a drink of champagne, her own new wedding band sparkling under the lights.

“Just talking about the future.” Cali smiled.

Emma’s gaze bounced between the two, giving them a knowing glance. She raised her glass up. “To the future then.”

Cali raised her glass up to her future cousin-in-law. “To the future.”

~~~THE END~~~

Coming in March, 2016

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Colin Carter was promised a fortune by his late boss, but instead the money was left to a daughter no one knew the old man had. Now he has to find the lost heiress before anyone else and claim his stake in the Farrell family fortune... even if that means claiming her.