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Sixty-One
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2024-05-28 23:24:38Breanna was grateful that Todd had given her the day off. After last night’s ordeal, there was no way she could return to work so soon. She’d never been so scared in her life. The police had arrived quickly last night, and arrested the three men. Thankfully, they weren’t completely finished loading their truck and so they were caught in the act. The police had asked Monte and Breanna questions afterwards. The TV stations had wanted in on the action, but Monte denied them any interviews, thank goodness.
Being in that predicament made Breanna think clearly for the first time since she started going out with Tom. Now she knew beyond a doubt that breaking away from Tom was the best thing for her. Never again was she going to feel helpless.
She realized with all that had happened, she’d forgotten about Ashley’s wedding gift. Breanna shrugged. Her friend would have to get it herself now.
Breanna sat at the breakfast table and stared at he
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Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Two
Monte didn’t trust Tom as far as he could spit on him. Which was why Monte decided to hang around Breanna’s apartment and wait for the jerk to come to her place.Dressed in dirty-white coveralls and brown hiker-boots, and a white ball cap pulled low on his forehead, Monte stood by Tyger’s neighbor’s apartment as he pretended to be working on their window. He’d previously gotten permission from the landlord to do this, mainly because the neighbors were on vacation. Pat had never liked Tom, which made it easy for Monte to ask her if he could spy on them. Of course, he had to tolerate the way the older woman ran the palm of her hand up and down Monte’s chest as she stood too close to him, batting her fake eyelashes and puckering her neon-red pouty lips. But thankfully, he wasn’t in her presence for very long. That woman scared him!His cell vibrated in his pocket, and he quickly withdrew it and glanced at caller ID. It was his fat
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Three
Breanna didnโt know why she was playing with Monteโs emotions this way. She knew what he wanted, and one day, she would want the same thing. Just not tonight. Tom had hurt her not only physically but mentally, and she needed to get over her feelings. Monte was the right man for her, not Tom, but she still should heal before she gave her heart and body to the man she loved.โI would love for you to take care of me, even though itโll be a first since nobody has ever taken care of me before.โ She stroked his sexy trimmed goatee. โHowever, as much as I would love to see your bedroom again, maybe itโs too soon to become that close with you.โA frown marred his face, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that let her know he was playing along with her teasing. โWhy did I know you were going to say that?โShe chuckled. โAfter what Iโve been through with Tom, donโt you agree with me?โโYes, youโre right. But we can still cuddle, canโt we?โโOf course. Iโd be very upset if we didnโt.โHis wide sm
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Four
โHow do you want it done? Clean or really messy?โโClean. My daughter doesnโt need to see blood.โJustin Monroe paused in the hallway of the semi-empty church as he heard his soon-to-be father-in-law talking to someone with a gruff voice. The voices were low, and they came from around the corner. The tone of the menโs voices left a bitter taste in Justinโs mouth.He glanced up the hallway. People were starting to arrive for the wedding rehearsal, and Justin had wandered the halls, looking for his soon-to-be father-in-law. Being a busy man, time was important to Justin. In less than three years, heโd turned his fatherโs oil company into a billion-dollar business, and keeping it successful took up most of Justinโs day.He pulled out his cell phone to check the time. The rehearsal was already running five minutes late.โIโll wait until after their honeymoon in Fiji,โ the man with the brusque voice said.Justinโs attention snapped back to the co
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Five
I must be dreaming.The strange man in Brooke Cavanaughโs dream pierced her with his angry stare. Closing her eyes, she tried to make him disappear.The uncomfortable lump resting against her hip roused her further out of her prescription-drug induced slumber. Awareness gradually surrounded her, sending a loud ring through her ears. She stretched the aches out of her limbs, and her arms bumped into an object above her head. Her fuzzy mind tried to recall what surface sheโd rested upon. It certainly wasnโt a soft bed. Her stiff muscles were positioned on some type of cushion with a texture like leather. Groggily, she tried to remember why in heavenโs name she would sleep on leather.Her memory returned in broken pieces โ a wedding rehearsal she hadnโt wanted to attend, a reoccurring migraine, and two instead of one-prescription pills had caused her to slip from the boring proceedings of the rehearsal to seek refuge in her sisterโs car.Yawning, sh
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Six
Justin watched Brooke enter the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but take careful note of her beauty from head to toe. He guessed her to be in her early twenties, and despite her bulky coat, she had quite a slender figure. Her hips were small, and her legs were nicely shaped. The few moments he’d held her, he couldn’t believe how well she fit into his arms.Curse him for thinking this way, especially when he had more important matters to worry about. He strode to the hearth and stretched his hands forward, welcoming the heat.“Shoot.” She slammed the phone down. “I don’t know why Tiffany isn’t answering her phone. She must be busy with the wedding rehearsal. What time is it anyway?”He glanced at his wristwatch. “Seven-thirty.”She sighed. “Then she’s probably at the dinner the family had arranged. But it doesn’t explain why she’s not answering her cell.”H
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Seven
Justin balanced the food and six-pack of soda in his hands, opened the cabin door, and stepped inside. With his hip he pushed the door closed, then he stomped the excess snow from his boots before placing the items on the rectangular-shaped coffee table. His attention moved to Brooke sitting on the floor, switching stations on the big screen TV.He hadn’t been outside that long, but the cool temperature had subdued his system and his logical thinking returned. Letting his anger settle, he inwardly cursed Brooke for being here. Although a stupid mistake, she may have inadvertently put herself in danger, too. If the man searching for him found Brooke, he might not hesitate to kill her. Tony Pierpont was a ruthless man. He wouldn’t let anything get in the way of something he wanted.If, by chance, the killer didn’t find them here, Justin was still in trouble. Having a woman this beautiful in his presence wasn’t good, either. The only logical plan w
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-05-28Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Eight
Brookeโs mind fought an internal battle against her heart. She wanted to talk, but couldnโt. She hadnโt really opened to anyone, not even her own psychiatrist. It was hard when nobody believed her. Forming the words in her mind, she tried to speak, but nothing would come.As she stared into Justinโs deep brown eyes, she noticed the top of her head came to his mouth. A strange cozy sensation swept through her as she stood in front of him while his hands gently rubbed her shoulders and neck. The peacefulness in her chest took her completely by surprise. Fright diminished the longer she allowed his tender comfort.โIโm sorry, Justin. Iโm not ready to talk about it.โHe blew out a gush of air. โWell, Brooke, my dear, we have all night and probably most of the day tomorrow by the looks of the weather. So, if you ever feel the need to talk, donโt hesitate.โShe gave him a small smile. โThank you, and I will. I promise.โHis thumb caressed her cheek with softness. โBut in the meantime, if I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-23Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Sixty-Nine
A shiver washed down her spine and she wrapped her arms around her waist. โLetโs go in the other room. Itโs cold in here.โShe hurried into the living room and sat by the fire. The heat from the logs warmed her, but when Justin joined her on the floor, goose bumps trickled over her skin.For the first few minutes, she played tag with his gaze. She didnโt want to stare into his intoxicating brown eyes or at his knee-buckling grin, but she couldnโt help herself. He was like an addiction.Finally, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. โWell, since thereโs nothing to talk about, what do you think we should do to pass time?โ He waggled his eyebrows.Her heart jumped to her throat. She had to keep him occupied. She couldnโt have him trying to kiss her again. Glancing around the room, she searched for something to do, anything to keep her from looking at him. โWell, since itโs the end of January and Valentineโs Day is just around the corner, I wonder if we should see if your friend ha
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-23
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Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Eight
Fear kept Brookeโs feet frozen to the floor. Her mind screamed at her to move โ to run โ to hide. But her body wouldnโt listen.Heโs going to catch me. And kill me!Closing her eyes, she held back the tears. She was a failure. As much as she had tried to not let her cousinโs degrading comments get to her these past several months, Brooke heard Robinโs voice ringing in her memory, telling her that she was nothing but trash โ that she was a disgrace to the family.All Brooke had to do was sneak into the room, take a few pictures, and leave. Well, sheโd done most of the things on her list.She listened to her uncleโs hurried footsteps coming her way. There was no place to hide in this room where he wouldnโt eventually find her. She might as well stay. Perhaps she could pretend to be asleep on his couch and tell him sheโd taken too many migraine pillsโฆ since thatโs what happened with Justin and the Jeep. And, her uncle did know she suffered from migraines.She glanced around the room until
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Seven
Brookeโs whole body trembled as she walked alongside her sister toward Uncle Tonyโs luxurious home. As a child sheโd been in awe of him and his wealth. Now, she pitied the man who had to break the law just to provide for his spoiled daughter and stuffy, arrogant wife.During the drive here, Tiffany had chatted nonstop about Robinโs heartbreak, and the horrible man whoโd broken Robinโs heart. Brooke tried to act sympathetic while listening to her sister, but she couldnโt stop the elation growing within her. Justin hadnโt been horrible when he dumped Robin. Heโd been smart.Brooke and her sister stopped on the porch. Tiffany was a foot taller than Brooke, but just as slender. Flipping a lock of her chestnut colored hair over her shoulder, Tiffany gave Brooke a stern look.โDo not make Robin upset.โ Brooke managed to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape from her mouth. She nodded. โI donโt plan on doing that, Tiff. Iโm not the monster she has told people that I am.โ
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Six
โJustin?โThe sweet voice behind Justin pulled him from his conversation. He turned on the bed and faced Brooke, standing in the doorway, looking so beautiful. She clutched her hands to her stomach.โHold on a moment, Brad,โ Justin told his friend on the phone before smiling at Brooke. โWhat is it, angel?โSlowly she walked to him and stopped in front of him, touching his arm. โI think I can help you with Uncle Tony.โHe arched an eyebrow. โYou can?โโI know something that can put my uncle in prison.โโReally?โNodding, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. โHe smuggles illegal immigrants over the border, which is how Snakes came to work for him. He hires them, so he can get away with not paying them a full wage.โโAre you kidding me?โ Justinโs heart hammered. He grasped her hands as excitement shot through him. There might be hope in getting Tony arrested after all.โAnd, thereโs more.โ Her smile widened. โHe gives them fake IDโs and social security numbers.โโHow do you kno
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Five
Brooke didnโt know what to believe anymore. Obviously, she couldnโt trust her own heart. Justin had made her trust him. Heโd made her fall in love with him, too. True, he didnโt force her, but because of his actions and words, how could she not have become transfixed by his charm? How could she have gone unaffected?Now she didnโt know whether to trust him or not. But hearing Justin say he wouldnโt marry Robin made Brookeโs heart sway toward forgiving him. She wanted to believe Justin. Heโd shown her a wonderful, kind and loving man these past twenty-four hours. He might have apologized to her, but it was difficult to know what to believe anymore.Sitting by the fire didnโt accomplish anything, especially when she could hear him on the phone. Heโd made several calls. One of them was to his mother as he explained in a sharp voice why he would never marry Robin. Heโd even told his mother not to interfere in his life ever again.Quietly, she snuck back down the hall and stopped in front
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Four
Justin sighed one long exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. โYes.โโYouโre, Justinโฆ Monroe? The same man engaged to my cousin?โโCorrect again. I was engaged to Robin.โTears swam in Brookeโs eyes, her lips quivering. โYou โ you โ lied to me?โHe squeezed his eyes closed and swore softly. Looking at her, he shook his head. โI didnโt lie to you. I just didnโt tell you my last name.โโWhy?โ her voice rose.โBecause at first it didnโt matter, then once we got to talking, I didnโt want to tell you because then I knew you wouldnโt open up to me.โโThatโs a stupid excuse, Justin.โInwardly he growled and grasped her wrist, but she pulled it free again. โBrooke, will you just listen?โโListen to a liar? No, Iโm done listening to you. Iโm done being fooled by all men!โโBrooke, please understand, I didnโt tell you the truth because I wanted you to get to know me. The real me โ not the fiancรฉ of a Robin Pierpont. Believe me, they are two different people.โโBelieve you?โ Sh
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Three
Justin hoped heโd proven his theory about good guys. Not once did Brooke seem uncomfortable around him, and he was willing to bet her feelings for him were also getting stronger. Although he hadnโt known her for a full day, heโd never forget Brooke or this weekend.She tempted him on many occasions, and he could tell she wanted to kiss him, but he held himself strong and tried to make their time together productive. They played every board game Brad had in the cabin, and when they ran out of games, they made up some of their own.They laughed so much, his sides hurt. But he enjoyed sharing this time with her. She made him feel alive, once again, and heโd missed that over the years.She didnโt ask him about his life, for which he was relieved. Brooke wouldnโt take the news about his engagement to Robin very well, so he avoided the subject. Thankfully, she didnโt ask what his last name was, either. He was certain Tiffany had mentioned it.For dinner, he scrounged through the cupboards a
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-Two
Justinโs chest ached, and he actually felt her pain. As he continued to stroke her silky hair, he prayed that heโd be able to stay strong for her. She needed comfort and support since nobody had given that to her, and he wanted to be the man who understood. The one man she could trust.His heart broke into pieces as he imagined all sheโd gone through. What could be worse than being physically abused and then having friends and family turn their backs and distrust you?โAfter a few weeks had passed,โ she continued in a strained voice. โI discovered I was pregnant.โThe statement took him totally unaware, and when she lifted her head to look into his face, he knew she saw shock.โYes, you heard me correctly.โ She blinked away the liquid filling her eyes again. โI had the hardest time deciding whether or not I should keep the child or put it up for adoption.โ She pulled herself straight, but he still kept his arms tight around her. โAnyway, my pregnancy started showing and I was beginnin
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy-One
Justin arose from his sleepless night, turned and slung his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his eyes then peered through half-closed lids at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Eight a.m. Itโd been quite a while since heโd awakened this late. The change was nice.He stretched before sliding his feet into Bradโs slippers sitting on the floor. The morning chill caused goose bumps to ripple over his skin, so he hurried to the closet to find Bradโs robe. Justin pulled on the heavy terrycloth, tying the sash around his waist.Turning toward the window, he opened the shade and squinted against the sunโs brilliant glare as it touched the snow-covered ground. The impact of last nightโs blizzard had left the mountains covered in white powder, but this morning only a few flakes drifted from the sky.He yawned, shaking the sleep out of his mind before heading into the living room to start a fire. As he set the wood in place, his mind drifted back to last night. Brooke had left him in a f
Loving a Tycoonย ย ย Seventy
A moment of silence stretched through the air as Justin listened to Vince Gillโs song. The singerโs soothing voice echoed through the room, creating a cozy feeling. Justin closed the glass doors to the fireplace, and Brookeโs angelic hum rose above the crackle of the burning logs.Relaxing against the wall, he let himself enjoy the music as her voice blended with the singerโs. It had been so long since he enjoyed anything. Justinโs hectic life kept him going in one direction or another, not allowing a moment for himself. It was a miracle heโd even had time to date Robin, let alone get engaged. Thanks to his meddling mother, heโd somehow found the time to pop the question. Or maybe sheโd popped the question. He couldnโt remember.In fact, his mother was the one who purchased the ring because his schedule was so time-consuming and he kept forgetting. His interfering parent reserved the perfect restaurant and she made sure the limousine picked him up from the office to deliver him there
