Never Let Me Go: The Complete Set (23 page)

“Is that so? Both my boys are settling down? And why am I just hearing about all of this? I live in Paris, only a phone call away, Logan.” A flicker of hurt colored her features.

“I’m sorry, Lee, to be honest I just found out about Smith’s lady a few weeks ago myself. We never meant to keep it from you.”

“Anything else I should know?”

Grace piped up at that moment. “She’s my sister.”

“Who is?” Leah turned to look at her.

“Smith’s lady. She’s my older sister, Faith.” Grace grinned and took a sip of her wine.

“Oh man, this is too much.” Leah erupted into laughter. “The two most eligible men in the United States fell for sisters? I feel like this is a reality show or something. Am I being
Punked
? Is Ashton Kutcher going to pop out of the closet?” She put a hand on her belly and tried to rein in her mirth.

“I can see the hilarity in the situation, but I blame Grace for it.” I winked at my love.

“Me? Why?” Her eyes were wide.

“If you hadn’t come to find me, Smith never would have met your sister. So, there we have it. You are solely responsible for billions of hearts being broken across the world.”

“Billions, huh?” She gave me a very dry look.

“Could be closer to trillions. We were quite the lady killers.” I licked my lower lip, watching as she swallowed a sip of wine. As much as I loved my sister, I wanted nothing more than to get Grace back to our hotel and peel that dress off her.

“Oh, I have no doubt.” She smiled, heat bloomed in her cheeks. She turned back to Leah. “I want to hear some embarrassing stories about them that I can tease them with for years to come.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place for that.” Leah leaned forward in her seat. “Where to start, though? That’s the question. And how embarrassing do you want?”

“Let’s start with your favorite.” Grace pushed her plate forward and propped her chin in her hands.

“Be nice, Leah. I’m begging you.” I gave her foot a light kick under the table.

“Uh-uh, this is the very first time you’ve brought a woman to meet me, and since we’re going to be sisters soon, I think she deserves all the dirt.”

“Oh, God, kill me now.” I put my face in my hands.

“Logan, do you remember the time when you and Smith got caught in that hotel pool when you were fifteen?” Leah grinned wickedly.

“No, please don’t tell her that one,” I begged.

The rest of the evening was spent in laughter and love. Grace and Leah were best friends by the time we got our coats.

“You promise you’ll come back after the baby comes?” She took my hand in hers and squeezed it. I could tell how isolated from us she was feeling.

“You know we will.” I kissed her knuckles and ran a hand over her belly. “I need to see this beautiful little one in person.”

“I’m so happy for you both, honey. She’s perfect for you,” she whispered.

“Thanks, Lee, I love her so much. Now you don’t have to worry about dying alone.” I winked and watched her eyes get big and shift to her husband.

“He told you that huh?” She frowned.

“He did. He said that you were worried about me.”

“I was, honey, you were so alone. It scared me a little. I just wanted you to be happy and I could clearly see that you weren’t.” She touched my cheek.

“I’m happy now, deliriously happy.”

“Good. Promise I won’t have to hear about your wedding after the fact?” She gave me a hard look.

“I promise.” I hugged her once more and released her.

“Grace, welcome to the family. I’m so happy for you and my brother.” She hugged her and kissed both her cheeks.

“Thank you,” Grace beamed. “I’ll do my best to make him happy for the rest of our lives.” She caught my eye over Leah’s shoulder and the heat in her gaze punched me right in the stomach.

When we had stepped into the hall and walked a few doors down, I stopped us and pressed her against the wall, my lips hungry for hers. Teeth nipped and tongues danced together before we pulled apart breathing heavy.

“Come on; let’s get back to the hotel so I can see what kind of insane lingerie you have on under that dress,” I said hoarsely.

The drive back to the hotel felt never ending. Grace sat next to me, her thigh pressed against mine. I rested a hand on her knee, drawing tiny circles with my thumb.

Once we got into our room, I was all business. I needed to see her naked and on the bed or I would explode. But I felt like I needed to tell her a few things first. I wanted there to be nothing between us but love.

“Come sit next to me.” I patted the bed.

She moved in to kiss me, but I stopped her. “I want to talk first.”

“Talk?” She gave me a weird look.

“Yeah, you need to know everything now. You’re going to be my wife. There will be no more secrets,” I said nervously

“Annabelle?” She put a hand over mine on the bed.

I nodded. “She’s my half-sister. A couple years younger than Smith and me. She idolized us when we were teenagers, but I was too fucked up to do much more than hate her. I hated what she stood for, one of my dad’s many mistakes.”

“Logan.” She squeezed my hand.

“I don’t feel like that anymore. But I was a hotheaded teenager. She just wanted to be loved. She was seventeen when we were nineteen and had the biggest crush on Smith. She was always around, even when we were drugged out of our minds, she was there. I think that’s why she started using, to feel closer to me. I hate myself for that now.” I paused and got up to lean against the wall. “One night, things got out of control. I found her in bed with Smith, and I lost my mind. I screamed at both of them, and I beat the shit out of Smith on the front lawn. Fiona tried to pull me off him but couldn’t. He just took it, like he deserved it. Anna got in the car and left. I should have stopped her, but I was too mad.” My voice faltered, this was the part that tore me up whenever I thought about it.

Grace watched me from the bed, clearly at war with herself. I knew she wanted to come to me, but something in my face kept her where she was.

“She only got about three miles before she wrecked, wrapping the car around a telephone pole. Of course, she hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt, so she flew through the windshield. We heard the sirens blaring, and I just knew it was her. I made Fiona drive us the direction she had gone and we saw her, half out on the hood, blood covering her whole body.” My hands clenched at my sides.

“Oh, God.” Her hand flew to her mouth.

“It was my fault. If I hadn’t treated her the way that I did, it never would have happened. Smith blames himself, too. It’s not something we like to talk about. She just wanted love, and neither of us would give that to her. It wasn’t her fault our dad was an asshole who couldn’t keep it in his pants.”

“I don’t even know what to say. Did she make it?” Grace hugged herself on the bed, her arms wrapped around tightly.

“Barely. Her injuries were extensive; not much could be done for her. I sat by her bedside for weeks, hating myself for being the reason that she was there. She woke up five weeks after the accident, and we saw immediately that she wasn’t the same. I overheard the doctor talking to my dad in the hall and told him the amount of heroin in her system at the time of the accident was what caused the accident. She had shot up in the car before driving off; they found her needles in the wreckage.” My voice shook.

“So, where is she now?” Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

“She’s in an institution. After they finally released her from the hospital, she tried to kill herself three times. I’ve paid for her care since then. My dad washed his hands of her after the first attempt. He disowned her and stopped giving her and her mom any support. Of course, he made the accident and the talk of drug use disappear. He couldn’t have any talk of it surrounding him. Everyone who was involved that night was paid off and had to sign a non-disclosure document, including me, Smith, and Fiona.”

“Then why tell me now?” she asked.

“Because you’re going to be my wife, and I can’t have any secrets between us.”

“Will you get into trouble for telling me?” She looked concerned.

“No, not after this long. And I don’t think you’ll be telling anyone anyway, right?”

“No, I won’t be sharing this with anyone, not even my sisters.” Her eyes were sincere.

“I just feel so guilty about it all still. Even after all these years. Anna’s brain isn’t right anymore because of all the drugs. I ruined her. My own sister, I ruined her.” My heart still hurt for the sister I hadn’t loved enough.

“She was responsible for her actions, Logan. Did you contribute to her downfall? Yes, you sure as shit did. But you are not solely responsible for what happened.”

“Smith gave her the drugs,” I said softly. “Before she left, she went to see how he was, and he gave her a ton of stuff because he felt guilty about using her for sex. He told me after the first suicide attempt. I didn’t talk to him for three months.”

“And Fiona? How does she come into play with all of this?” She tried to smooth her dress down on her thighs.

“She was just as guilty as any of us. She was always chirping in Smith’s ear about how he should hook up with Anna and giving her drugs. We were all so fucked up. I wanted to tell you right away, as soon as Fiona mentioned her name. But it involved my dad, too, and in a lot of ways my hands are tied when it comes to him.” I threw my hands in the air, wishing I could erase this from my past. “Do you hate me now?” My voice was small.

She stood and walked to me. “No, I don’t hate you. I can understand not wanting to tell me this; it wasn’t your finest moment. But you were a kid.” I let her put her arms around me, feeling better for telling her.

“Still want to marry me?” I brought her ring up to my lips.

“More than anything.” She sighed. “This doesn’t change anything for me, honey. You’ve taken responsibility for your actions with her.”

I untangled myself from her grasp and walked a few paces away. “I’m done talking now. You know all of me and
all of my secrets. Do you still want me?” My eyes dared her to say no.

“I’ll want you until my heart stops beating. I don’t want to talk anymore, either. I want to celebrate being your fiancée now.”

“Come here,” I growled. Flipping her away from me, I unzipped her lacy dress. I got halfway down her back when I spotted the black silky strap of her bra. That sight spurred me on; I needed to see more. As the dress slid down her stockings to the floor, I sucked in a breath. She wore black silk stockings with matching garters and the tiniest thong I had ever seen. The bra was barely that, if you could even call it one. It was a few swaths of sheer black silk.

“Remind me to buy you more of this before we leave Paris.” I ran my hands along her lingerie.

She shivered as I unclasped her bra and let my hands replace the cups holding her up.

“On the bed now, naked. I want to see you in nothing but my ring.” I kicked my shoes off and slid my pants down my ankles as I watched her comply.

“Tell me what you want tonight, Kitten,” I whispered as I descended over her beautiful body on the bed.

“Just you baby.” She brought my lips down to hers.

I WOKE UP FEELING BLISSFULLY
happy about the way my life was going. Logan had finally shared all his secrets with me, and the funny thing is that I would have married him even if he hadn’t. I glanced down at my hand, watching the diamond on my ring wink in the sunlight.

“You awake?” I nuzzled into Logan’s chest.

“Sort of,” he groaned. I had gone to sleep way before him. He had been on the phone for half the night.

“Did you get all your work done last night?” I kissed his collarbone.

“What?” He blinked at me.

“You were on the phone all night,” I reminded him.

“Oh. Yeah, I got it all done. That reminds me, you need to be in the shower soon. I have big things planned for you today.”

“Like what?” I didn’t move from my spot.

“Like you’ll find out after you get in the shower. Scoot!” he ordered, sitting up in bed and grabbing his phone from the side table.

“Fine, have it your way. Here I was hoping for some morning sex, and all that
I get is being kicked out of bed.”

His eyes shot to mine and I thought I had won, but he only smacked my ass and sent me on my way to the bathroom.

As I started the shower, I heard him talking softly on the phone in the bedroom. I knew he wouldn’t tell me his secret until he was ready, so I hopped in and started lathering up.

By the time I came out in my robe, there was someone else in the room with Logan, sitting on the bed, their heads bent in close.

“Am I interrupting?” I felt a pang of irritation and the woman sitting so close to him.

“Nope.” Logan grinned and my heart stopped for a moment as I saw who was sitting with him.

“Charity!” I squealed and sprinted to the bed, tackling her in the covers. “What are you doing here?”

“Logan called last night and asked me to come. I mean, I can’t miss your wedding day can I?” She grinned.

“Wait, what? Wedding day?” I was beyond confused.

“You heard right, Kitten. We’re getting married today. I don’t want to wait to make you my wife. And what better place to get married than Paris?” He looked uncertain for a moment.

“What about my parents? And other sisters? They’ll hate that they weren’t here.” I would hate that they weren’t here, too, but I didn’t say it.

“Why don’t you knock on that door?” He pointed to the door to one of the other bedrooms in the suite. I knocked and almost fell over when my mom opened the door with a huge smile on her face. My sisters and dad were standing behind her.

“How long have you been planning this?” I was in shock.

“Since before California. I just hoped you would say yes when I asked you.” He came and took me in his arms.

“You are too good to me, Logan.” I kissed him.

My mom cleared her throat. “Break it up you two, we have a lot to get done before tonight.”

“Shit. I don’t even have a dress!” My eyes were wild.

“That’s all set up. You have a private dress shop a few floors down. I had all the big designers send things over in your size.” Logan pulled me in tighter.

“Hands off now, Mr. McFadden.” Charity pulled me away from him and into the room with my family. “We’ll see you tonight at the church.”

“Bye, Kitten.” He blew me a kiss, his eyes full of love.

“See you.” I waved as the door shut.

After hugging everyone and letting the women squeal over my beautiful three carat round solitaire on its glittering diamond band, we headed down to my own little dress shop. I gasped when we walked in. Every available surface was a mirror, and racks and racks of dresses filled the room. There were three women ready to help.

“Bonjour.” The one closest to us smiled. “Tell us a little about what you’re looking for.”

I didn’t know what I was looking for. We had only been engaged for like a second so I hadn’t had time to dream about dresses yet.

“Um…” I eyed all the racks.

“Silhouette?” she asked.

“Not princessy,” I blurted without thinking.

“Okay, so something form-fitting? Do you have a certain fabric in mind?” She walked to a rack with huge ball gowns and shoved it against the wall.

“Satin.” I knew Logan would love to see me in satin. “Or lace.” Something about Paris made me think lace.

She tapped a finger to her lips and walked to another rack. My mom and sisters were already diving in and pulling gowns for me to try on.

“Oh Grace, what about this?” Hope held up a simple strapless satin gown.

“I’ll try it on.” I turned my attention back to what the others were holding up. My mom had form fitting lace gown with a v in the front and back. Faith held up a satin mermaid with a sweetheart neck. Charity held up a slinky satin gown with a slit up the leg.

“Wow,” I said to all of them.

I spent the next hour trying on gown after gown, which was exhausting. I stepped out in my favorite so far. It was a sleek satin mermaid or trumpet style with a mostly open back. I felt like a rock star in it, and I knew Logan would flip out when he saw me in it. The satin hugged every curve like this gown had been made especially for me. I didn’t know it was possible for something to fit so well.

“Yowza.” Faith walked around me. “That is some dress.”

“It’s really amazing, Grace.” Hope dabbed at her eyes, always the crier in our family.

“Mom?” I turned to see what she thought and found her in tears next to Hope.

“It’s perfect.” She blotted her cheeks. “Logan will love it.”

“You look seriously hot in that.” Charity grinned. “Now, let’s talk shoes.”

I tried on fifty pairs of shoes before we found the right ones. The satin matched the dress perfectly and the heel was high without making me think I would kill myself as I walked down the aisle.

Butterflies flitted around in my stomach. I was getting married tonight. I had gone from engaged to almost married in less than twenty-four hours.

Back up in the suite, I could hear Logan and Smith in the other room laughing with my dad and a distinctly French sounding voice that I guessed was Henri when we found Leah waiting for us.

“Did you know about this?” I grinned and hugged her.

“Yep, but he swore me to secrecy. Let’s see the dress!”

My mom hung up the gown on the back of the door and tears sprang to my eyes. This was all happening. I was really going to marry Logan. He was my forever.

“Oh, Grace, it’s gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” I dabbed at my eyes. “Do I need to introduce you all?”

“No, we had breakfast together this morning.” She grinned. “How else were we supposed to coordinate all of this for you?” Her laugh was contagious.

A team of women came in a few minutes later and the room turned into beauty central for the next two hours. Each woman showed me the dress chosen for her to wear, all in the same shade of charcoal gray.

For my hair, I asked for simple elegance. Something to make the dress the showpiece. They outdid my expectations—I had an intricately braided bun piled high on my head. My make-up was done heavier than normal, but it was gorgeous, smoky and perfect.

As they slipped me into my gown, I heard gasps. My mom was crying, and Hope was holding her.

“Oh, honey. You are so beautiful.”

I felt beautiful. I felt sexy and like I could do anything. “Thanks, Mom.” I fanned my face so I wouldn’t cry.

There was a knock at the adjoining door and Faith let Smith in. His eyes were like saucers when he saw me.

“Holy hell, you’re going to give him a heart attack.” He rubbed his chin as he stared.

“You think?” My smile widened.

“I know.” He nodded. “Anyways, he would like a quick word with you before we go to the church.”

“Absolutely not,” my mom yelled. “He can’t see her until the wedding,” she insisted, with her hand on her hip.

“Mom,” I said softly. “I want to see him, too. Nothing about this is traditional. Besides, this way I can fix my make-up if I cry when I see him.”

“No. Sorry, Grace, but it’s not going to happen.” She shook her head, and Hope and Faith joined her. Charity looked like she wanted to be on my side, but clearly, knew she was outnumbered.

“Fine, well at least scoot out and let us talk through the door,” I begged.

“I swear, Grace, if you let him in, you’re in trouble.” My mom pointed a finger at me.

“I’ll be good, I promise.” After they had left, I approached the door, nervous for some reason. “Logan?”

The door opened a crack and his hand came through. “I’m here, Kitten.”

It was like a tractor beam had me in its thrall, my feet moved of their own accord until my fingers were laced with his.

“Are you ready for this? To be my wife?” He sounded nervous which was very unlike him.

“The most ready I have been in my whole life, baby,” I said with my whole heart.

“I have something for you.” His hand disappeared for a moment and returned with a velvet box.

I took it from him and opened it. Nestled in the black velvet was a diamond choker with a heart clasp. “Logan, it’s beautiful.” I sighed and ran my fingers over the stones.

“You’ll wear it tonight?”

“Of course.” I slipped it on my neck and quickly clasped it shut.

“I love you, Kitten. I’m so ready to be your husband.” His voice was full of emotion and I wished so bad I could kiss him.

“Close your eyes,” I said.

“What? Why?” His surprised voice rang through the door.

“I want to kiss you, but I don’t want my mom to kill us, so close your eyes.”

“I like the way you think.” He laughed.

“Are they closed?” I asked after closing my own.

“Yep.”

I waited a beat and opened the door wider, my fingers searching for his lips. My eyes threatened to disobey my orders, so I squeezed them shut before planting a gentle kiss on his lips. The sound of his sigh made me weak in the knees.

I heard the door open on my end and quickly jumped back and closed our door to a crack.

“Okay, you two, we need to get you both to the church if you still plan on getting married.” Faith walked toward me, looking gorgeous in her strapless dress.

“See you soon, Kitten,” he murmured as Faith shut the door with a smile.

“That’s quite a necklace.” She nodded.

“He likes to spoil me.” I smiled and my fingers touched the stones at my neck.

“Let’s do this, baby girl.” She kissed my cheek and we walked down to the limo.

As the sun was setting, we pulled up to a small church on the outskirts of Paris, flowers and lanterns already lining the walkways. I sighed in delight as they helped me from the car.

My dad came to stand next to me as we approached the big wooden double doors.

“You look beautiful, princess. Are you ready to go become a Mrs.?” He tucked my arm in his.

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. I had a feeling that I was going to cry as soon as I saw Logan.

My sisters and Leah stood in front of us as the doors opened, walking down before me and my dad.

I gasped when I saw what was inside. Thousands of candles bathed the room in golden flickering light. White flowers covered everything. He had outdone himself with this. It’s exactly what I would have wanted had I planned it myself.

My eyes locked onto Logan as we slowly started to make our way down the aisle. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo, a look of wonder on his face.

I could feel my heart beating fast as we approached the end of the aisle. My gaze never left Logan, I couldn’t look away. My dad stopped a few feet from him and my mom came to join us on my other side. I laced my fingers with both of them, feeling the emotion rolling off them in waves.

“We are gathered here to marry this man and this woman
,
” Smith said from just behind Logan. I arched a brow and he shrugged. Apparently, he was ordained.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” He smiled in my dad’s direction.