A Storm Is Coming (21 page)

He held her by her shoulders, “Take a breath. You want me to come in there with you?”

She shook her head, “Thank you but no.” Then, after a couple more calming breaths, she went into the living room.

When Mr. Hinsdale saw her, they both stood a moment before speaking. Then, finally Braylee said something, “Daddy.”

“Braylee.”

There was another awkward silence between them.

“Braylee, I’m sorry.”

Surprised at that was an understatement. Just when she’d thought there were no more tears, her eyes started to fill up. “For what exactly daddy?”

“For me…for your mother. For us being awful parents to you girls.” He whispered, “Even for the abuse.”

Braylee wrapped her arms around her body and looked away from him.

“I’m an awful violent drunk. But, right now you probably have so many questions about Katherine and me. I want to try to answer them if I can. See, your mama, she wasn’t always like this. I drove her to the darkness.”

She rocked from side to side, “Well, that’s all I’ve ever known. You being angry and drunk and mama being distant and cold.”

He was shaking, “I could never make your mama happy. Times were so different when we first got married. A woman needed a man. I knew when I married her that she was in love with someone else. I was the next best thing I guess. I’d hoped that in time, maybe she could love me. In the beginning, I tried everything. We moved from Alabama to Chicago because at the time that’s where the jobs were. I bought her a house, tried to keep her in nice cars and clothes, but nothing seemed to work. She wanted that no good man who’d left her for another woman.

About a year into our marriage, she told me she was pregnant with you. I was ecstatic. Maybe, I thought, finally…we could be a real family. What I found out later was that she had reconnected with the man who’d left her. She had planned to leave me for him but when he found out that she was pregnant and did the math, he kicked her to the curb again.

That’s why your mama is so angry. She’s angry because she never got to live the life she wanted with the man she loved. I started drinking shortly after you were born. All the hurt and anger, I was afraid to show when I was sober, showed up when I was drunk. I guess…I figured I’d beat her into loving me. And, of course, the beatings extended to you too. That’s how a drunk man’s mind can sometimes work. Then, when Stephanie came along” He sighed, “…Katherine just decided to make do with her life with us.”

“Finally.” Braylee looked heavenward, “Finally, I have my answer. She hates me because I ruined her life.”

“No, Braylee…no.” He wiped away a tear from his own eyes, “You make a parent proud despite us. I am proud. I just hope one day you can forgive us and that I can make you proud too.”

Braylee bit her trembling lip.

“I know you say we only call when we need something. I just want to ask you for one last thing.”

Barely able to speak, she nodded, “What daddy?”

“I haven’t had a drink in almost twenty-four hours. These shakes are starting to get real bad. I’m hoping you can help me find a good rehabilitation facility. I think it’s time I try to get my life right, for you and Stephanie. But, mainly so I can live the second half of my life better than the first half.”

Braylee ran into her father’s arms and held on to him while she let her tears flow.

*****

A month later….

Braylee and Alexandro were laying in his bed watching the ten o’clock news. Her cheek was plastered over his chest.

She sighed, “The rehearsal dinner went better than I expected tonight. But, I left as soon as it was over just to make sure it didn’t turn into a scene from a Tyler Perry movie. Let’s hope the wedding goes as smoothly tomorrow.”

Alex smirked as he imagined having to carry Braylee out of the wedding by throwing her over his shoulder, “I’m sure it will. The hardest part is probably over. How was it when you saw your mother?”

“Frustrating, awkward, difficult, sad…and so many other emotions. It was a little easier seeing Stephanie since she and I had an opportunity to talk before tonight. But, my mother was my mother. I spoke to her, but she looked right through me.” Her voice softened, “And you know what…I didn’t expect her to speak. At this point, I just hope we can all make it through this wedding without killing each other.”

He slid his hand up and down her arm, “I’ll be right by your side.”

She kissed him softly, “I know. And, thank you.”

Breaking News: In the wake of the Luciano Manchetti murder, The Mayor of Chicago and the Chicago Chief of Police have both released statements tonight revealing that they are resigning their positions effective immediately. According to anonymous sources, the Justice Department has opened a federal probe into the Mayoral’s office and the Chicago Police Department. I also hear these resignations are the first of many.

“Wow…I knew the Chief of Police was going to resign, but I had no idea the mayor would too.”

“You mean to tell me that there are some things that Braylee Hinsdale doesn’t know?” Alex gazed into her eyes. “Anyway, how could he not? There was no denying his role in this.”

“Mmm…yes, but it’s good to know that the interim Chief is pretty eager to find Luciano’s murderer.”

“Yeah. It seems so…but we’ll see. I’m just pissed they missed Joseph the first time.”

“Arresting him is still pretty curious to me.”

“Me too. By the time Detective Jones received the green light for the warrant to arrest him, and they went to his apartment, he’d already cleaned everything out. Someone had to have tipped him off.”

“How was he able to connect Joseph to the video?”

“The apartment Luciano was living in had surveillance video of that evening. It was missed earlier in the investigation, but Joseph was on camera entering the building.”

“They’ll get him.”

Alexandro had no doubt about that. They would get him. And, if they couldn’t bring him to justice on American soil. He would make sure Joseph Ling received street justice. Him and his family. He’d already set the wheels in motion.

She bit him on his nipple.

His eyes widened, “What was that for?”

“For your secret thoughts. I can tell when you go off the reservation.”

“You can bite me all you want. But, I’m warning you now…don’t start anything you can’t finish.”

Braylee purred and ran her hand across his chest, “Oh…I can finish anything I start.” Her head snapped up, “What are they saying? Turn that up?”

Alex picked up the remote and turned up the volume on the television.

Broadcaster 1: “And in other news, Manchetti Enterprises whose corporate offices are located here in Chicago, stocks have soared. They have more than tripled over the last couple of days on the information that they’ve developed a breakthrough alternative to Tungsten. A rare mineral that when added to metal makes it the hardest metal on the planet and extremely heat resistant. It’s currently used in military equipment, rockets, light bulbs, cell phones and other electronics. This development would be the equivalent of discovering fire.”

Broadcaster 2: “Maybe I should go out and buy some of that stock. I don’t see it going down anytime soon.”

Broadcaster 1: Laughing, “Maybe we all should. We’ll be back after this quick commercial break.”

Giggling, Braylee laid her head back down on his broad shoulders, “I guess that means I can start accepting checks from you now that you’re flush with all this money again.”

“Yeah…you still seem to find a lot of humor in forcing me to wire you my retainer.”

“It was pretty funny. But, that wasn’t about your ability to pay that was about what I thought was your misogynistic attitude.”

He laughed, “Whatever it was about, you still ended up right where I wanted you…under me and in my bed, screaming my name. So, we all win, and we’re all happy.”

“So…are you really happy?”

“Very happy.” Gently running his fingers through her hair, “I’m even happy with your new short haircut. It’s sexy.”

She quirked a brow looking at him skeptically, “You think it’s sexy? Well, if nothing else…it’s definitely freeing.”

Alex captured her hand in his and intertwined their fingers, “Yes. You know what else I like?”

“What else?”

“You. Here with me…all of the time.” He hesitated, “What if you moved in with me?”

Braylee sat up so she could see his face more clearly and rested a hand on his chest, “Are you serious?”

“Very…” He brushed his lips against hers, “I want to wake up to you every morning and fall asleep with you every night.”

She nervously chewed on the bottom of her lip, “Some people have said that I’m a handful, and you already know I have issues.”

“Yes, you are a handful, and we both have issues. But, I think we are good together. So…” Alex understood Braylee’s enormous desire to maintain her independence, so he wasn’t exactly sure she was ready to take this step.

After a moment of holding his heart in her hand, a smile spread across Braylee’s face as she threw her arms around his neck, “Yes.”

Alex pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her with a passion so intense that she almost forgot her own name.

Chapter 31

The Wedding….

As luck would have it, it was raining. Hard. Sheets upon sheets of rain. Braylee just hoped that wasn’t an omen. As much as she didn’t think Maurice was right for Stephanie, he was her choice, and she hoped that they would live happily ever after.

She arrived more than an hour earlier than expected. Braylee wanted to check out the final results from all the wedding planner’s hard work.

Gazing around as she entered the church, Braylee had to admit, that the planner more than earned her fee.

The church looked like something out of a fairytale…simply amazing. The entrance had been transformed using white muslin that draped from the ceilings softly bunching into an intricate design onto the floor. Crystal chandeliers were somehow incorporated into the drapery. Calla lilies were everywhere.

As Braylee took a peek into the sanctuary, she was careful not to step on the white runner. She could see that there were standing displays of white calla lilies at the end of each pew. They were connected by more white muslin fabric draped in between them. While she still hadn’t gotten completely over her flower complex, Braylee had to admit that just for today…they were perfect. It brought a smile to her face knowing that after everything that had happened over the last year, Stephanie would still have her dream wedding.

Alex’s deep voice caught her attention, “Is this a wedding after every woman’s own heart?”

Braylee smiled, “I’m not sure every woman dreams of a wedding, but I’d imagine this might rank pretty high up there for those who do.”

“Interesting. I thought…well…do you ever dream of a wedding like this?”

“Like this? No. If I were ever to consider getting married, it would be much much simpler but hopefully just as beautiful.” Braylee kissed Alex gently on the lips, but he pulled her into a tight embrace and deepened it. She was so incredibly sexy standing there in that form fitting bridesmaid’s dress. Alex couldn’t help himself.

He left her breathless and incredibly unsteady, “I’d better get back there with the bride. Will you be okay to wait here alone for a while?”

Alex used his thumb to swipe at her bottom lip, “I think I can manage until you return.” His eyes said more than words ever could. And, right now his eyes were saying he’d like to finish that kiss and a whole lot more.

*****

Braylee silently walked into the room that had been reserved for the bride and her bridal party.

Stephanie sat in front of her vanity in a sweat suit staring at her reflection flanked by Francine and Megan.

A panicked Francine threw her hands up in the air as she happened to glance over to see Braylee walking into the room, “Oh…thank god you’re here Braylee. Can you talk some sense into this girl?”

Braylee frowned and closed the door behind her. Walking hesitantly closer with questions written all over her face, “What’s going on?”

Megan spoke, “Stephanie is freaking out because it’s raining outside. She says it’s a bad omen. Can you believe she’s thinking of postponing the wedding?”

Francine shook her head up and down, “Tell her Braylee! She’ll listen to you. Tell her that’s just an old superstition. Ain’t that many good men out here and Maurice is fine as hell. Any woman would be happy to marry him.” She turned to Stephanie, “You need to stop being ridiculous before somebody else comes along and snaps him up.

It wasn’t lost on Braylee that Megan and Francine were doing all the talking but Stephanie hadn’t uttered one word. “Ladies, do you think I could talk to Stephanie alone for a few minutes?”

Megan was more hesitant, “You are going to try to talk some sense into her right? I mean…we all know you don’t like Maurice, but you wouldn’t sabotage her wedding day would you?”

Braylee had an outer body experience where she imagined slapping Megan upside the head. Once on each cheek. Was she serious? Did she really think that she would spend all this money on this over the top wedding if Maurice was ever a consideration? This was about Stephanie. And, despite their differences Braylee loved Stephanie with all of her heart.

More firmly Braylee asked for some privacy, “Francine…Megan… please give me a minute with Stephanie.”

Francine recognized that tone and pulled Megan by her arm out of the room.

Braylee moved a little closer, taking up the space recently occupied by Francine. “Today is your day. So, why don’t you seem very happy about it? I hope everything turned out the way you wanted.”

Stephanie pulled her eyes up to meet Braylee’s in the mirror. Her voice was barely a whisper, “It’s raining outside.”

Braylee moved one of her spiral curls out of her eyes, “Yes it is. But, you and I both know that the weather does not determine a lifetime of happiness.”