Ten Broken Promises (Barrington Billionaire's Series Book 10) Read online

  “I did see my brother-in-law. He was in New York handling something in hopes of surprising my sister. I was giving him the advice that sometimes surprises don’t go over as well as you hope. But I’m sure you already know that the Lawson men don’t listen to anyone.”

  “Is that all that Ethan wanted to talk about?” Bennett asked.

  It was an odd question, and made Connor wonder how closely he was being watched. “We discussed a lot of things. It’s what families do. If it would make you feel better, we can invite you to join us next time.” He hoped Bennett would not take him up on that offer. Connor didn’t want to have too many secret meetings with Ethan, either.

  “I’d rather not,” Bennett replied.

  “That’s a shame. It would give us something to talk about besides my sister. Then again, I’m not sure what topic would be safe.” He hoped Bennett would fall for the bait. He wasn’t disappointed.

  “I’m not sure I’m following,” Bennett stated.

  It was exactly the opening that Connor was hoping for. Not that he thought Bennett would say anything against the Hendersons, since he married one of them, but at least he was putting it out there. Connor knew he would have better luck with Roger.

  “I get a feeling that the Lawson and Henderson families aren’t as close as they pretend to be.” Connor waited, hoping to hear some explanation from Bennett.

  “Not surprising. They are two very prominent families. A power struggle is to be expected,” Bennett replied.

  “Is that all it is? A power struggle? I find that odd, since they’re not competitors.” Connor didn’t want Bennett to believe he was ignorant to the business relationship between the Henderson and Lawson family. “When I mentioned I was in New York with Shaun, I could tell by Ethan’s expression that he wasn’t pleased to hear it.”

  “None of that is your concern. You just concentrate on what you were hired to do. And that is to ensure the satellite office in New York is in a secure place for our staff.”

  As Connor expected, the questioning was shut down. Not much different than when he asked Ethan. Why was it no one wanted to talk about whatever issues there were between the two families? From what he knew they had never done business together until Gareth had started his construction business in Tabiq.

  “Things are running smoothly in New York. Shaun seemed pleased with how things went at the meeting.” Not that Connor had the details, but Shaun had provided him some information. It seemed as though they were looking at acquiring some property in the city.

  “He called me last night. I guess the lead Asher Barrington gave him actually might meet their needs.”

  The Barringtons were just another powerhouse family in the mix. Connor didn’t know much about them except that they were friends of the Hendersons, and not of the Lawsons. But they were more than just friends; Brice and Asher were in business together and from what he’d learned, they had been for years. Were the Barringtons the next family Ethan would warn Connor about? It was possible. Their reputation was right up there with the others. With money came power, and with power, there was the endless battle to stay at the top. You couldn’t do that by playing nice all the time. How ugly things got - that was something he had yet to learn.

  “Are the Hendersons thinking about doing business with the Barringtons? I mean, more than what Brice and Asher do now?” Connor asked.

  “Not that I’m aware of. Then again, I don’t follow how they spend their money,” Bennett responded.

  “I know, you’re just protecting their…assets.”

  “No. I watch those who are. I have my own business to run,” Bennett stated.

  How did that slip by? Most likely because when Connor was hired, it wasn’t important. He was there to do a job, and that was all. Since his talk with Ethan, he wasn’t so sure if his job also included protecting Kollette. She would argue with him that she didn’t need any protection, and for the most part, that was true. Kollette knew how to handle herself when it came to business. But if there was something that would affect her personally, she might not see it coming. And this is what she needs me for.

  “I forget that the Henderson Corporation is only one piece.” This was a fib, but he wanted Bennett to tell him more.

  “It’s what links them all together. But you’re right, they each stand alone for the most part when it comes to business.”

  “And they don’t find it difficult competing against each other?” he asked.

  “They are not rivals. If anything, I believe it makes them stronger. Each their own person, yet very tight as a family, if you know what I mean,” Bennett said.

  “I’ll take your word for it. All I know is Shaun was looking forward to getting back home to his family.”

  “No matter what, nothing comes between them and their family,” Bennett said.

  “Must’ve been a lot of fun when you started dating their sister. Surprised you lived through it,” Connor joked.

  “It wasn’t the brothers I was worried about. Those sisters-in-law are a lot tougher than you’d think,” he laughed.

  They have to be. Look who they married.

  “One of the nice things about being single with no attachments is the fact I don’t have any of these worries.” There was no one waiting at home for him, not even a fish. He liked it that way. “Not that I’m trying to cut this call short, Bennett, but Shaun actually gave me the day off today. Unless there’s something you need me to do, I plan on taking advantage of it.”

  He heard Bennett laugh again. “I’m not sure what went on yesterday, but you do know it’s Saturday, right?”

  Damn it.

  Delivering a baby had really thrown him off his game. Then again, he was used to working seven days a week. He was always on call, even in his DEA days. “I guess I really do need a day off,” Connor admitted. “I’ll probably take Sunday off, too,” he chuckled.

  “You might as well, because I’ll be traveling for the next couple of weeks, and I’m going to need you to pick up the slack while I’m gone.”

  “Business or pleasure?” Connor asked.

  “I will be in Tabiq on business.”

  Tabiq seemed to be the destination lately for both families. “If you ever need my assistance there, I have no issue traveling, so you can be home with your family, too.” Connor really had no interest in going to Tabiq, but it would give him a better insight as to what was really going on there. The only thing Connor knew about Tabiq was that the government and the economy there had been very unstable until the Hendersons arrived. But the question was, were the Hendersons also the reason it had become unstable in the first place? It wasn’t an uncommon practice to weaken first what you want to conquer later. But as far as Connor was concerned, Tabiq really had nothing of any value. It was a beautiful island with exceptional sandy beaches, but getting there wasn’t easy. It was fine if you wanted to cater to the rich. If that was the case, Tabiq was the perfect place.

  Bennett replied, “I’ll keep that in mind, but my team are there and are familiar with what and how things need to be handled. It’s not like how things are done here in the States. The laws aren’t always clearly defined.”

  “Now my interest is piqued. I look forward to the opportunity of joining you. Maybe on your next visit,” Connor suggested.

  “Maybe once you get more familiar with how things are done at the Henderson Corporation, we might consider it,” Bennett replied in a serious tone.

  Connor was able to read between the lines. He needed to earn their trust before he would be allowed to join them. To Connor, that was the confirmation that his gut was right. There was more than just business going on in Tabiq. Now he wondered if Ethan knew what it was, or did Ethan only have suspicions as well? Digging into the Hendersons wasn’t going to be easy, but if Bennett wasn’t around, Connor might have better luck chatting with Roger.

  The only thing Connor knew for sure was what the Lawsons, the Hendersons, and the Barringtons all had in common. They would do anything to protect their family.

  And that’s what I’m doing. Protect my sister.

  “I guess I’ll see you Monday,” Connor said.

  “Have a good weekend. And thanks again for handling things in New York,” Bennett said.

  “It’s what I get paid for,” he replied before ending the call.

  Connor found it boring as hell, and for the most part, a waste of time and money. But right now, there was only one thing he needed to do - fly under the radar and not give Bennett any reason to question him further. How hard could that be?

  He wasn’t one to spend a day off in bed. Reading a book sure as hell wasn’t his style either. He would hit the gym. It was a good place to work off the tension. As he grabbed his gym bag, his phone buzzed. Had Bennett changed his mind and decided he needed Connor after all? If it meant going to Tabiq, he was all in.

  But instead the caller ID said it was Roland, his old partner with the DEA. He hadn’t heard from him in almost a year.

  Don’t be bad news.

  Usually it meant an agent had been killed in the line of duty and they were passing along the funeral arrangements. Even if you left the department, you still went to honor the loss.

  He opened the text message.

  CONGRATULATIONS!

  He wasn’t sure what Roland was talking about, but he knew it wasn’t working for the Hendersons.

  Only one way to find out. FOR WHAT? Connor asked.

  THE BABY.

  Kollette marrying into a prestigious family meant their private life wasn’t so private.

  CAN’T BELIEVE KOLLETTE IS GOING TO BE A MOTHER.

  Roland’s response wasn’t in the form of words, but a photo. Connor almost dropped his phone.

  What the fuck!

  When it was taken was obvious. There was only one time he held a newborn in his arms. Where the hell did that picture come from? It had to be some pedestrian watching. Fuck them. This wasn’t supposed to be shared. The woman was barely covered. If he knew the name of the person who took that picture, he’d smash the phone, and probably break his nose while he was at it. Connor hated social media. He wasn’t on it at all. It kind of surprised him that Roland was.

  NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, Connor replied.

  Roland rang Connor’s phone instead of texting. “It looks like you just had a baby.”

  “I helped deliver a baby. Big difference,” he clarified.

  “Yeah. I’d say so. But Connor, look at your face. How the hell is anyone supposed to know this isn’t your kid?” Roland asked. “The entire department is talking about it.”

  “You’re joking, right?” he asked.

  “Okay, not everyone. Just the ones who were in on the pool.”

  “What pool?” Connor asked.

  “If you left the DEA because you wanted to start a family. I told them hell no. You swore you’d never get married. Guess I don’t have to cough up the twenty bucks after all.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not getting married or having kids. And you can tell the others that as well. Oh, do me a favor too,” Connor said.

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Nip this one quick. The last thing I need is my employer hearing about this.”

  “Why? Is there a no kid policy? Because I think that’s against the law,” Roland laughed.

  “I don’t think it’s the public image they want to project. Remember, you thought this kid was mine. Think about how many others might as well. The only thing I have going for me right now is that I never gave my name to anyone. And I want to keep it that way.”

  “Worried that the baby's mother is going to come looking for you for child support?” Roland teased.

  “I don’t think that’s funny,” he said flatly.

  “Hey, I have the right to laugh. Or have you forgotten that I’m still paying for my three?”

  Connor asked, “How are they doing?”

  “The oldest is going to college this fall. You want stress, try having three teenage daughters. I feel like I should follow them around on their dates with my Glock.”

  “Not sure that would be a good idea.”

  “Probably not, but you should see some of these bastards who show up at the door. They size me up like they’re giving me a warning. I want to knock them into next week,” Roland growled.

  Connor chuckled. “And you wonder why I want to stay single?”

  Roland said, “Misery loves company.”

  “Looks like you’ll have to talk to some of your other buddies, because I’m not joining you.”

  “Bummer. My youngest would make an awesome babysitter,” he teased. “Hey, got to go. Duty calls. Stay in touch.”

  “Will do. Be safe,” Connor said.

  “You too,” Roland said, and then ended the call.

  Connor looked at the photo one more time. Damn. He really looked like he adored the baby. But he remembered exactly what he had been thinking. It was, “What the fuck!” Somehow the camera didn’t seem to capture the emotions correctly.

  Even though he didn’t want to remember yesterday, he couldn’t bring himself to delete the picture either. He meant it when he told Roland he never wanted kids, but this little girl, well, she was as close to having one that he was ever going to get.

  It made no sense, but something in him wished he’d gotten the mother’s name or contact information. He’d like to know how they were doing. Connor didn’t even know if the baby’s father was in the picture. For all he knew, that girl could be a single mother with no one to help.

  He put the phone down. What the hell was he doing? He’d done his part. It wasn’t up to him to go and check on her. They have people who do that, maybe someone from the hospital or maybe her family. It definitely shouldn’t be him.

  If Roland had found that picture, it meant it was out on the Internet somewhere. He could spend his day looking for it, but why? Connor didn’t want to see any more. With any luck, this was the one and only photo out there.

  Something told him it wasn’t, but for now, he would try to think positive. That and head to the gym. He was going to need an extra-long workout at this point.

  Krista did not believe what she was hearing. “You must be mistaken,” she said.

  “I wouldn’t joke about such a thing,” Darlene said, pouring Krista another cup of coffee. “They are getting married. And yes,” Darlene lowered her voice and added, “she’s pregnant with twins.”

  Krista had only been gone for a few days and already she was the last to know something. She found it funny that Darlene was whispering, because everyone knew that this diner was like the Gazette. Anything you wanted to know about the town you could find out here. Krista was surprised to hear that it was going to be twins. She hadn’t delivered a set of twins yet. There’s a first time for everything. She just wished she had been the one to give the happy couple the news. She also wondered why they hadn’t gone to her to have the pregnancy test done. Were they going to use a different obstetrician? She was the only one in town. Where would they go?

  Krista could ask Darlene, who probably already had that information, since she seemed to know everything else. But she wasn’t ready to hear that answer. She was hoping it didn’t have anything to do with the lack of faith in her ability, and care. This wasn’t just a job that she did. She loved and cared about each baby she brought into this world. And every mother, every woman who came into her office? She treated them as though they were her own family.

  Why would they go to someone else?

  Then she got her answer, and it was almost more surprising than the prior news.

  “I heard that they’re moving out of Vermont.”

  “But they’ve always lived here. Why would they move when they’re just about to start a family?” Krista wished she hadn’t asked that question out loud. She didn’t need anyone knowing her concerns. But these young families should be in a tight community where everybody watched out for each other. That’s how they did things here. And if they were going to have twins, they were going to need all the help they could get.

  Darlene shrugged and replied, “Something about more opportunities for them in Boston.”

  Krista swore her heart skipped a beat. She understood there were jobs in Boston, but why raise a child in the big city when you have a home like this? Even their parents lived here. And the grandparents were here as well. What Darlene was saying couldn’t be accurate. There was no way this young couple was moving out of Montpelier. But just in case Darlene wasn’t mistaken, Krista knew she needed to make one stop before going into her office.

  “Darlene, if you don’t mind, I’ll take the coffee to go,” Krista said. As usual, Darlene just smiled, grabbed the mug, and headed into the back. And when she returned, she no longer had a small cup to go but an extra-large iced coffee made exactly how Krista liked it. With mocha peppermint, extra cream, and no sugar. “Darlene, this diner would never run without you.”

  Darlene chuckled. “Don’t think I don’t know it.”

  Krista handed her five dollars, grabbed her coffee, and headed out. She couldn’t just let this couple make this decision without first talking to them. It wasn’t like they were her children; she just needed to make sure that they had thought this through thoroughly.

  They weren’t hard to find. Patty was on the porch and Mikie was already packing things into their car. It seemed the final decision had already been made. It was too late to give them any advice, at least not about staying here.

  She headed up the porch stairs and said, “I guess I heard correctly.”

  Patty nodded. “Yes, we’re leaving for Boston in the morning. Mikie already has a job. And he has friends that are going to let us stay with them until we can find our own place.”

  That was not quite the plan she would have chosen for them, but she was happy to hear that they had friends in Boston. She had been concerned they wouldn’t have a support system out there. “Well, that’s good. Hopefully you can find your own place quickly. I assume the rest of what I heard is accurate as well?”