Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) (3 page)

I
nodded to her when we got out far enough and pressed the automatic winch,
letting the sails go smoothly up. They furled in the slight breeze. It wasn’t
perfect sailing weather, but perhaps we could get in an hour or so.

“I’m
going to say something, Dad. Just listen to me until I’m through.”

“Okay,
deal.”

“Court
and I don’t think you’re as happy with Alana as you were the last time we saw
you together. Something’s different. Her, for one. She’s changed her looks, and
seems much more aloof than before. If you’re having second thoughts, no one
will say a thing. But do it now. Before you get married.”

“Right
now, all I want to do is get through tomorrow, and then she and I will talk.”

“That’s
what I’m saying. If you don’t want to go through with this wedding, no one’s
going to say a thing tomorrow. We’ll just have an excuse for having a party.
Why wait until after to talk to her if you’re that miserable.”

“I
hear what you’re saying, Britt. My gut is telling me to back off. Even her own
brother saw through her.”

“Is
that what started you having second thoughts?”

“Yeah,
that and when she tried to put off coming out here. Until we started this
family stuff and letting them know of our intentions, she was another person.
Now, I hardly know her.”

“Have
you talked to Uncle Daniel about her again?”

“No,
but it might not be a bad idea, considering.”

“Considering
what?”

“What
she looks like, the changes. She even thinks she has to have a wedding planner.
Why, if it’s only going to be family?”

“Another
detail to go over with her.”

“Exactly.”

The
wind picked up, and our conversation was forgotten for more nautical ones.

When
we arrived back at the condo, it was dark. I hadn’t realized we’d been gone
that long. But then, I never kept track of time when I was sailing. I flipped
on the hall light as we shut the door.

Pinned
to the wall in front of me was a note from Alana. I pulled it down. Britt,
having seen it, said nothing. She took the bag back into the kitchen to unpack.

Damien,

My head is better.
I’ve gone out for dinner. After, I thought I’d check out that club. I’ll be
back in time to go to the party. Love you bunches.

Alana xxx

Fine.
Let her go do what she wants. If she thinks she’s showing me she can assert
control, fine.

I
walked into the kitchen in search of a beer. Britt was pulling out the crabs
wrapped in newspaper.

“And?”

I
handed her the note. She shook her head. “Let me guess, the club in Bellevue
that’s gotten itself famous because of all the out-of-town celebrities that
show up.”

“That’s
the one.”

“Well,
more crab for you, me, and Court. She texted. She’s on her way.”

“Good.
An evening with my daughters. Perfect.”

****

I
was awakened by the sound of one very drunk Alana pounding on the front door. I
rushed to it.

“Keep
it down, Alana. The girls are asleep.”

“Shhhh.”
She giggled. Her stilettos were in one hand. Hell, she could barely walk.

“Come
on, let’s get you to bed.” I led her down the hall, toward Britt’s bedroom.

“I
want to sleep in your bed, Dame.”

Shaking
my head and against my better judgment, I led her into my room, shutting the
door behind us. Surely, she’d pass out as soon as her head hit the pillow. No
such luck. She stripped off her clothes, letting them fall on the floor and
climbed up on the bed.

Alana
was a lush when she got drunk like this. She was also sexy as all get out. I
knew she was horny as hell as she rubbed herself up against me.

I
covered her mouth with mine. I didn’t have to wait for her to kiss me back. She
tasted like liquor and cigarettes. The second, I could live without, and I
would overlook it for now. Alana and I had a chemistry between us. We clicked.

I
moved my hand down to her thigh and slid my palm between her legs. She was a
bundle of hot sex.

She
threw her head back when I touched her. I found what I was after and began,
skimming back and forth with my fingers. Her breathing increased. I covered her
mouth again and inserted two fingers. She was wet. Too wet, it felt like. No,
she wouldn’t do that to me. Forgetting that nasty thought, I stroked her,
matching the pace with my tongue. I had her on the edge of an orgasm as she
rode my hand.

I
muffled her cries with my mouth and slowed the pace down. So far, so good.

“My
turn, Alana.”

She
bathed in the afterglow of her pleasure. She sighed and got to her knees. As
she touched my cock, I thrust into her hand. Pulling me closer, she gripped my
shaft and stroked. My eyes closed, I felt the softness of her tongue as she
slid it over the tip. God, she knew how to do me.

Then,
it came back to me. She’d been with someone tonight. Only a fool wouldn’t know.

I
pushed her off me. “You need to go sleep in Britt’s room.”

“What?
Why? I thought you liked this? We were just getting started, baby.” She was
good, but it wasn’t going to work. Not tonight.

I
jumped out of bed and grabbed her clothes. I took her by the hand, leading her
to the room across the hall. I had to get a grip. I had to figure out what was
going on with her. And I needed to do it now.

Chapter
Four

We
arrived at Amadeus and Zara’s home around two in the afternoon. Alana, having
been hung over, refused to get up any earlier than she absolutely had to. I
sent the girls on ahead. Courtney was bringing this Jake fellow, and I didn’t
want them anywhere around if Alana got nasty.

I
grabbed a beer and took it down the hall to the bathroom where she was getting
ready. “Here, drink this. It might make you feel better.”

She
nodded and continued with what she was doing. Instead of leaving, I stood at
the doorway and watched.

“So
was the club as nice as they claim?”

“Yes,
we really need to go. It’s very New Yorkish.”

“How’d
you get there?”

“I
took a cab. I found a restaurant over there that was highly rated and had
dinner first.”

“Good.
Glad you had a nice time.”

I
watched as she took a long swallow off the beer before I asked my next
question. “So, how’d you get home? Cab again?”

She
nodded her head.

Liar.
I’d already checked with the security desk downstairs. They had her logged in
as coming in at three in morning, brought by a dude that matched Tony to a “t.”
But I’d save that little bit of ammunition in case I needed it later. “Well,
hurry up. We need to get going.”

The
ferry ride, along with the car ride, was pretty quiet. I had to insist she go
up top and get some air.

As
we walked up to Amadeus’s front door, I leaned down. “Try to act like you’re
having a good time.”

We
were greeted by almost all the adults. Amadeus, I noted, was down on the beach
refereeing a game.

Elizabeth,
Amadeus and Zara’s daughter, came running over to me when she realized I’d
arrived. I picked her up and squeezed her, making her giggle uncontrollably.
She eyed Alana with caution.

“Hello,
Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth
stared at her. Kids…yeah, they know.

“Elizabeth,”
Zara exclaimed, “let Uncle Damien introduce Alana to everyone. Then you can
pester him.” She took the toddler from me, who was still studying Alana with
keen interest.

“Everyone
outside on the deck?”

“Yes.
Except for the kids, and that includes Amadeus.”

I
showed Alana through the house. As we went outside, I introduced her to
everyone. She was gracious enough. Cool, but nice. I went over to the bar to
get us both a beer. Alana was already deep in conversation with Peter.

Of
course. He’s a music icon. If he wasn’t, she’d be ignoring him too. I looked
over at my mother, who was taking it all in. One thing about my mother--it
takes her about two seconds to come up with her assessment of a person. She was
rarely ever wrong.

Handing
Alana the beer, I sat down next to her.

“How
are you liking Seattle, Alana?” Mother asked.

My
fiancé turned away from Peter. Her face, to me, showed she didn’t approve of the
interruption. Oh boy. Strike one, Alana.

“Fine.
It’s very different,” she replied, turning back to Peter. Peter, luckily, was
being dragged away by one of Angus’s kids. He went willingly down the stairs
and toward the beach.

“Granddad
duty,” he said as he followed Destiny.

“Have
fun. Tell that wimp of a brother we’ll be down shortly.”

Not
to be left out, Angus chimed right in, “So, Alana, has Dame taken you sailing
yet?”

“No,
we haven’t been yet. He’s been showing me around.”

“Maybe
we can talk Amadeus into taking us out later on his. She’s moored right over
there.” He pointed to the mast bobbing up and down in the water.

She
nodded, taking a drink of her beer. I could tell by the look on his face he
knew what had transpired the day before. He was baiting her.

My
mother was sitting back in her chair observing everything. Mother had always
been overprotective where I was concerned. She had good reason, I suppose. I’d
had a rough patch for a number of years, and she wasn’t about to let me go
without not only her approval, but her concerns being voiced.

First,
I’d had a stroke. I had been barely thirty when it had happened. It had taken
years and years of rehab and hard work on my part before I was able to walk or
carry on normally. I’d lost my band, and ultimately, my first marriage.

My
first marriage was the other biggie. Mother had seen me left with two teenage
girls and nothing else. The house, this house, would have been lost if it hadn’t
been for my brother and Zara.

I’d
talked with Alana on many occasions about what I’d gone through. She didn’t
seem to fathom the severity of it all. Come to think of it, she didn’t really
act like she cared.

Mother
saw it differently—as a mother who’d nearly lost her oldest cub. And who would
go to great lengths to see me unhurt by another woman.

She
caught the sparkle of the engagement ring I’d given Alana and used it as her
opening. “Oh, Damien gave you a ring. May I see it?” she asked sweetly.

Alana
stuck her hand over in Mother’s direction. “We’re going to replace this when we
get back to London,” she quietly lied. “Damien just wanted to give me something
to wear while we were here.”

“I
don’t know why you’d want to replace it, Alana. It’s really quite beautiful.”

Angus
cleared his throat. “Hey, Dame, why don’t we let the ladies chat about wedding
plans? Let’s go see what A’s got going on.”

Mother
jumped on the idea, giving Alana no out. “Yes, go on, you two. Go have some
fun. Alana and I will sit here and get to know each other.”

“Okay,”
I replied, kissing Alana on the cheek. “Come on down when you two are finished.
A’s got jet skis and a powerboat. All sorts of fun stuff.” I followed my
younger brother down the stairs.

“Don’t
do it, Dame,” he whispered when we were far enough from the house.

“Don’t
do what?”

“Marry
her. She’s not the one.”

“I
know.”

“Then
what are you doing?”

“I’m
trying to get through today so I can sit her down and end it.” I’d made up my
mind. The episode from last night had been the icing on the cake.

Angus
and I got everyone started in a volleyball game. All the kids wanted in. Peter
even played. We were loud and obnoxious as usual. Loving every minute.

Alana
appeared, without Mother, while we were taking a break. I decided to test her
reactions. Maybe not a nice thing to do, but I wanted to see if I could push
her. If she was going to act as though she enjoyed it.

I
wrapped my arms around her and started nuzzling her neck. Quietly, she tried to
push me away, but I didn’t budge. Finally, I let her break free, and she
started down the beach near where Amadeus had gone. I followed after her.

“Alana.
Wait.”

She
kept on walking, never saying a single word. I moved faster. This was going to
stop now.

I
grabbed her by the elbow. “You didn’t complain last night when I had my fingers
knuckle deep in your cunt, and you were coming all over my hand, did you? You
went out and fucked another man then came home to me, wanting me to cover the
evidence. Don’t lie to me either.”

The
next thing I felt was her hand hard against my cheek. Didn’t see that coming. Didn’t
care either. I watched as she stormed toward the house. I glanced over at
Amadeus, who’d been standing close enough to hear the entire conversation as he
was unlocking the boathouse that housed the jet skis. I shrugged my shoulders.

“You
really think she was with someone else?”

“Yeah.”

“Now
what, Dame?”

“It’s
over. I’m not going to marry a woman who can’t be faithful when we’re engaged.
God knows what she’d do if we married.”

“You
want me to tell everyone?”

“No,
let’s wait and see what Alana does first. I may have to break the sad news to
her if that didn’t do it.”

“I’m
sorry, man. I was really hoping she was the one.”

“Aw,
come on, A, let’s be real here. I’m forty years old. She’s not yet thirty. She
wants to become a huge star and party with the rich and famous. I’ve been down
that road. All I want now is someone I can love and who loves me. Alana’s too
in love with herself to love anyone else.”

“So,
Daniel was right?”

“Yeah.
One hundred percent. She’s a user. She’d dump my ass as soon as she got all she
could out of me.”

“Come
on, here come the kids. Let’s get them on these jet skis then we’ll find Angus
and Peter.”

“And
do what?”

“Hell
if I know. You look like you could use a drink though, bro.”

“Yeah,
I’m going to need one before I have to face her again.”

“Come
on. I keep a bottle stashed on the boat.”

“What
about the others?”

“I’ll
get their attention.”

We
got the kids settled, giving rules and putting Britt and Court in charge of the
younger ones.

Then,
the four of us sat in the cockpit of Amadeus’s sailboat, Tudor Queen. I hated
to admit it, but this was one fine boat. I’d been out with him on several
occasions, and the lady could fly across the water. Though I’d never divulge my
envy to him. That wasn’t as important as it once was. Not right now.

“What
did you say to light her up, Dame?” Angus asked as A brought the Jack Daniels
up from its hiding spot.

“Before
you answer that, take a shot.”

I
lifted the bottle to my lips and took a long pull.

I
heard Peter mumble in the background. “It must have been good, judging by that
swallow.”

“To
new beginnings,” I announced. “Alana and I are officially through.”

“No
shit?” Angus blurted out.

“Yeah.
Amadeus heard enough. He knows.”

“Care
to share?” Peter inquired.

I
looked at my youngest brother, who was sitting there with a huge grin on his
face. “I’ll say this, and then I don’t want to hear any more about it today. If
a woman’s going to cheat before she gets married, what’s to stop her after she
has the ring on her finger?”

“Dude,
really?” Angus asked.

“Yes,
really.”

“Then
Daniel was right. Alana uses people to get where she wants to go then dumps
them.” Peter was shaking his head. “That’s sad, because she tried it with Daniel.”

“He
warned me.”

“So,
you still going to produce her, manage her?” Amadeus asked.

“I
doubt it. Somehow, I think she has someone in mind already.”

“And
I’m afraid you’d be right, Dame,” Peter replied, taking a drink off the bottle.

“How’s
that?”

“We’ll
save that for another day. Let’s drink to Damien.”

We
sat for I don’t know how long on that boat. Talking and swapping stories. I
needed the break with the guys.

Finally,
Courtney came and forced reality on us all. “Granny Grace said dinner’s ready
and to get your sorry butts inside.”

“Granny
Grace, is it?” Peter snickered.

“Court,
what did I tell you about that?”

“I
like it, Dame. Sort of fits her when she’s here.” Amadeus chuckled.

“Tell
Granny Grace I said we’re on our way,” Peter remarked, laughing.

“She
said ya’ll better not be drunk, either.”

“Oh,
we’re not.” Angus snorted. “Not in the least.”

“Uh,
Dad?”

“Yeah,
what sweetheart?”

“Alana
left. Stomped through the house, and then took your car. Zara was going to go
after her, but Granny Grace said to let her go.”

“I
bet she said a lot more than that.” Peter snickered.

“You
know it.” Courtney looked at me. “I just wanted you to know before you went to
the house.”

“Thank
you, Court. It’s over. For the best.”

“Good
riddance, I say. No offense to Uncle Daniel.” Courtney walked off, then turned
around. “He was right—she’s just a user. You’re too good for her, Daddy.”

I
watched my daughter in utter amazement. How did I get so lucky?

“Gentlemen,”
Peter began, “the ladies await us. Shall we?”

We
all got off the boat, carefully navigating the pier. Not wanting the ladies to
know we were feeling more than a little good. I felt like a huge load had been
lifted off my shoulders.

I
couldn’t help but notice how utterly quiet the women were. The kids were all
outside gathered around two picnic tables. One for the smaller ones, another
for the more grown-up kids.

“I’m
fine, ladies. Really, I am. In case Courtney didn’t announce it, it’s over. I’m
not going to be marrying Alana.”