Legally Bound 2: Against The Law (8 page)

Chapter 11

Three months later…

“
D
addy,” Rita squealed as she jumped into her father’s arms.

“Look at my little girl. It has been too long Rita. It’s a shame when a father has to come all the way across an ocean to see his only daughter because she won’t come home,” Thomas teased.

“I’m sorry,” Rita murmured. “I’ve just been so busy with Marie taking on more jobs and then changing majors. I swear daddy if she changes majors one more time I will willingly come home and let someone else take my assignment. It’s a good thing she thinks we are such best friends that I am willing to change majors as a BFF thing.

“The girl is wearing me out. Between the Mairetties and planning this wedding I’m swamped,” Rita sighed.

“Well baby, I’m so glad you brought up everything I came all the way here to talk to you about,” Thomas said gently as he sat down and patted the seat next to him. “Have a seat.”

“Ut-oh,” Rita groaned and winced at the look on her father’s face. She was wondering how long it was going to take him to call her out on marrying Anton. Her father was no fool, and she was sure he knew she wasn’t marrying for love.

“You’re going to be twenty-five soon,” Thomas sighed. “I never intended for you to do this work long term. I want to see you married with a family. You and Marie have graduated with your business degrees, and now she wants to go to law school. I know that that is not what you want to do. You have given up so much to do this job I just want to see you happy.

“Nate and Bobby have been cooking up some plans so that you kids don’t have to work so hard and knowing how those two get when they set their minds to something I think it is safe to say you can walk away from this soon.

“Marie has been calling James with talk of wanting to come home. She has even talked him into giving that boyfriend of hers an interview. So it looks like you’ll be coming home one way or another kid.

“You can fool everyone else with this nonsense wedding of yours, but you are not fooling me…

“But daddy,” Rita tried to cut him off.

“Listen to me Rita. You have played a game that you are getting severely burned in. I think it’s time you come clean with everyone. If you don’t you will lose what’s most important to you,” Thomas said eyeing her knowingly.

“But daddy I think it’s too late. Everything is so out of control. Anton’s family is putting so much pressure on him. They’ll disinherit him if they find out the truth,” Rita explained.

“And you are willing to lose the one you love over this,” Thomas asked with a raised brow.

Rita gasped as her eyes widened. She was speechless. She should have known her father would know. Nothing involving the Mairetties got by him put her into the equation, and it was definitely on his radar.

“You hurt him badly Rita. He is trying his best to move on. Minnie and James feel responsible for what happened between you two, so they have chosen to stay out of it from now on, but I can’t sit back and let you two ruin your happiness. I’ll leave you to think about that. I want to get settled in my hotel,” Thomas sighed.

“I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Rita murmured as she swiped at her tears.

“We parents know a thing or two and if you two would have just come to us things could have gone a lot smoother. Minnie asked me to give you these pictures of her birthday party. I think you should look at them and think about what you see,” Thomas handed her an envelope before kissing the top of her head and standing to leave. “I love you, Baby.”

“Thanks, Daddy, I love you too.”

Rita sat staring at the envelope in her hands long after her father left. She knew Minnie had been greatly disappointed that she hadn’t come to the States for her birthday party despite Marie returning home for it. Rita just wasn’t ready to face Marcus.

She was sure he heard about her planning her wedding by now. Anton’s family started to put ridiculous amounts of pressure on them to set a date and actually get married. Rita just couldn’t find it in her heart to renege on her friend. So much in his life was revolving around their wedding now. Their engagement had gotten his family off his back for a little while but after three years of no date, they were getting suspicious.

Rita rubbed her temples. She missed home, and she missed Marcus so much it hurt. She wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to see her again. It tore her apart when he sent her a text about five or six months ago.

It had been the same day Anton showed up at her place drunk and in pieces. Leo was putting pressure on him, and so was his family. They had just decided to go ahead with the wedding right before Marcus sent his text.

Rita had no words for what the text said. She had just promised her best friend to help him after he had been through so much with her. She’d cried later that night after reading that text for the millionth time.

His words were simple.
I love you, and I want you to come home. I can’t live without you.
If he had said those words four years ago, she would have gone running back to him but things were so out of control now.

Rita feared what was in this envelope. She knew her father too well not to. If he made a point to give it to her and to tell her to think about them, she was in for something she may not want to see.

With shaky hands, Rita opened the envelope and slipped the pictures out. The first photo was Minnie and James all smiles and looking youthful. The next one was of them, Marie and the boys. Rita smiled weakly as she looked at the man she loved with his family. He looked so handsome in his tux. His hair was still longer, giving him a regal look. There was a hint of mischief in his smile as he looked at Marie.

In the next photo, they were all together again but Marcus was looking off to the side with a sexy smile on his face. It peeked Rita’s curiosity right away. Marie hadn’t mentioned the party when she returned because she knew it was a sore topic. Rita now wished she would have asked her about it.

It was the next photo that brought tears to Rita’s eyes and stole her breath away. Sam’s wife Ellen had joined the photo, as did Chad, Marie’s boyfriend, but they were not the cause of her pain. It was the beautiful brunette with the bright blue eyes that ripped her heart from her chest.

She was wrapped around Marcus’s arm smiling brightly. Marcus was looking down at her with the smile he had in the previous photo. Rita covered her mouth with a shaky hand as a sob ripped from her chest.

Marie rushed into the room with wide eyes. She came to Rita’s side and groaned when she saw the photos in Rita’s hand. Marie pried the photos from Rita’s fingers.

“Where the hell did these come from? I told mommy I was not going to give them to you,” Marie hissed.

“My dad gave them to me before he went to his hotel,” Rita sobbed. “She’s so pretty Marie. He looks so happy.”

“Oh Baby love, you have no idea. Marcus has become a very good actor,” Marie sighed. “He was piss drunk by the time we took these photos and sweetie he wasn’t drinking to enjoy the party. He started drinking the moment he realized you weren’t coming.”

“But is she his girlfriend?”

“Unfortunately,” Marie muttered. “She’s pretty, but there is something about her I can’t put my finger on. I don’t think she loves my brother. Well, not like you do.”

“I’ve made such a mess,” Rita cried.

“It’s not too late to fix it,” Marie smiled and wiped her friend’s tears.

“I don’t know how to fix it without hurting someone I care about,” Rita huffed and sniffled.

“I don’t either, but we have to try. You guys are so miserable,” Marie whined.

Chapter 12

Five months later…

M
arcus stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist to find Julia sitting on his bed. He looked at her feet and frowned. She had a disgusting habit of putting her feet on the bed while still wearing her shoes.

“Jewels shoes hon, come on,” Marcus grunted.

“Sorry Baby, I missed you.” Julia chirped. “Daddy wanted to know if we would come to dinner tonight. He is having a few friends over for a dinner party.”

“I guess that would be fine,” Marcus replied absently.

His mind was on the text message he received earlier that the family would be going to their private island in the Bahamas for a family trip. It was something they hadn’t done in so long. Once Bobby entered law school, then Sam, the family pretty much didn’t have time for their long getaways.

It wasn’t the trip that had him distracted it was the timing of the trip. None of his family other than Marie had been invited to Rita’s wedding. He knew his parents were doing this to distract him from it.

It pissed him off even though he knew they were trying to help. Going on a family vacation, right before the woman he loved married someone else, was not going to help at all. What would help would be some closure.

If he could understand how this happened then maybe he could move on. Granted things with Julia were as good as can be expected for a guy who was in love with someone else. She seemed happy from what he could tell.

Julia had hinted around about marriage more than once. They had only been dating nine months, but he knew that meant nothing with someone he loved. He had picked out the ring he bought his girl three months into their relationship. It only took him so long to buy it because he was nervous about her reaction.

“Baby, did you hear me,” Julia asked.

“No sorry, I was thinking,” Marcus murmured.

“I said daddy was asking me when I thought we were going to get serious. He thinks we are the perfect couple. I told him I wasn’t sure about you, but I know I’m in love and would say yes if you asked,” Julia bit her lip and winced.

“Jewels, you have been going on about getting married for the last two weeks. Is there something you want to tell me or something I missed,” Marcus sighed and rubbed his eyes.

He had been pulling late nights with Paige again, and he was exhausted. He hadn’t expected to even see Julia today. He had made the mistake of letting her talk him into giving her a key. She caught him after sex when he was already feeling guilty for wishing and imagining that she was Rita.

“Well,” Julia drew out the word. “I sort of found my ring two weeks ago when I was looking for something to write with.”

Julia’s face was lit up with excitement as she said the words. Marcus looked at her in confusion. Her ring, what the hell was she talking about?

“Oh come on Marcus, you don’t have to pretend I found the ring in your night table. It is so amazing, Baby. I can’t wait to wear it,” Julia squealed.

Realization hit and Marcus cursed under his breath. How was he going to get out of this one? Telling the truth wasn’t an option. He didn’t want to open up that can of worms. He couldn’t say it belonged to Bobby or Nate because everyone knows those two workaholics are not dating at the moment.

Marcus cursed himself again. That ring belonged to the woman he loved. What the hell was he going to do? Then it hit him, had Julia already tried it on? He could never give
her
a ring another girl put on. Not that he had any hope left, but the thought just felt wrong to him.

“Hon, did you try it on already,” Marcus asked cautiously.

Julia’s smile grew wider as she nodded her head like a little girl.
Fuck
, Marcus screamed in his own head. He pulled a hand down his face as he turned his back to tug on a pair of boxer briefs.

He had to get his thoughts together. Could he someday marry Julia? She was keeping him from running after Rita now and making a fool of himself. Julia was beautiful, and she went along with pretty much whatever he wanted.

The family seemed to get along with her pretty well though his mom and dad were surprised he brought her to his mother’s birthday celebration. He figured they were just thinking of how it would look to
her
, but she never showed up. Marcus guessed she was too busy planning her wedding with her race car driver.

Julia could be clingy, but he didn’t mind that when he was really missing his love. He supposed if he couldn’t have the one he loved, someday he could marry Julia. It wouldn’t be anytime soon, but if he let her have the ring it would make things simple, and he could hold her off for a while after that.

“Baby, I’m sorry I found it. I know you probably wanted to surprise me,” Julia cooed as she walked up behind him and placed her arms around his waist. “I mean, you don’t have to go through a big proposal or anything. You already know I’ll say yes.”

Marcus groaned internally. How could she think that ring was meant for her? He hadn’t even told her he loved her in all the time they had been together. He cared for her, but he was not in love.

“I thought maybe we should wait you know, give our relationship a little more time,” Marcus tried.

“But Baby,” Julia pouted and put her hands on her hips. “I’ll make it worth it if you give it to me now.”

Marcus rolled his eyes and turned to face her to retort, but she was already on her knees reaching to spring him from his briefs. Marcus forgot what they were talking about as he let her take the stress away, if only for a little while.

~B
~

“Daddy is going to flip when he sees this ring. You did so well Baby,” Julia squealed.

Marcus pressed his lips as he parked in her parents’ driveway. There was no way he was getting out of giving her that ring once she saw it. He was sorry he even asked what she had been hinting at. She never gave a better oral performance in their whole relationship.

Marcus got out of the car and moved around to the passenger side to let her out. He smoothed down his black dress shirt as he prepared himself for the night ahead, he was sure this was going to be a long one. Julia stepped out of the car with a beaming smile.

Marcus was so annoyed with himself. He should have just told her the truth. He felt like a real dirt bag for letting her believe that ring was for her.

“We have so much to do. We must have an engagement party. We should probably tell your sister right away with her crazy schedule,” Julia babbled on.

“Julia, just slow down hon, okay? I won’t know if I made partner for a few more months and I’m not sure this is going to be my year,” Marcus sighed.

“Oh please, Marcus, like your dad isn’t going to make you a partner,” Julia waved him off.

“You don’t know my father. I may be waiting another year or two. I haven’t been myself for some time. I still need to prove I can handle myself,” Marcus sighed.

“I think you are worrying about nothing,” Julia smiled. “Once our engagement is announced daddy will be sending so much more business your way, they won’t have a choice but to make you a partner.”

They stepped into the Pennywell residence and Marcus immediately wanted to run back out. There were more than a few friends. Marcus couldn’t help but feel trapped and like he had been played. He tried to shake the feeling off, but it was sitting in the pit of his stomach like a log.

Marcus couldn’t say he liked Jeremy Pennywell as much as he could say he tolerated him. Something about him rubbed Marcus the wrong way from the first time they met. It was before he started dating Julia and he had forgotten about the man and the last name until Julia took him to meet her family. Right away he remembered the smug prick.

“Mother, Daddy,” Julia squealed and ran toward them with her ring finger high in the air for them to see. “I’m engaged.”

Marcus groaned to himself as people in the room stopped what they were doing to take in the scene. This was spiraling out of control, and he hadn’t even had time to call his parents and explain. He could see a few faces that he knew were mutual friends of his family’s, so this was not going to remain low key like he had planned.

“That’s my little girl. Go after what you want and get it,” Mr. Pennywell crooned.

Marcus was a little taken back by Mr. Pennywell’s overzealous response. He had been under the impression that the feeling of dislike was mutual. Marcus studied the Pennywells as they peered excitedly over the ring that was never meant for them to see.

It was a gorgeous ring nothing less than four karats for his girl. It gave the illusion of being a solitaire ring with its bright round cut stone. The band crisscrossed all the way around and was encrusted with diamonds. His girl would have loved it. Marcus frowned at that thought. She seemed plenty pleased with the rock pretty boy had placed on her finger.

“This is such a gorgeous ring Marcus. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the family,” Mrs. Pennywell beamed.

“Thank you, Mrs. Pennywell,” Marcus replied as he plastered on a smile.

“Oh none of that nonsense, call me Beth,” she chortled.

“Mother we have so much to do,” Julia clapped.

Marcus started to sweat he had to slow Julia and her planning down. “Julia, your parents are in the middle of a party. We can talk plans at another time,” Marcus tried to detour.

“I say this is a cause for champagne,” Mr. Pennywell called and waved over a server. “Have them bring up the cases of  Dom Perignon from the cellar.”

Marcus raised his brow at Mr. Pennywell. That feeling of being set up sunk in again. Marcus knew his parents kept expensive champagne in the house but not by the cases unless they were planning for something special.

“Marcus my boy, my little girl only gets engaged once,” Pennywell chuckled and patted Marcus on the back.

Marcus just nodded and gave him a smile. He hoped this was a dream warning him to move that ring out of the drawer, and he would wake up and none of this would have happened. The room was closing in, and he needed a way out, fast.