Legally Bound 3: His Law (17 page)

Chapter Twenty Four

“
S
o are you going to Rita and Marcus’s celebration,” Paige asked pointedly.

“I don’t know yet. Rita asked me to stay with them for the weekend since it’s the dinner for Marcus’s promotion and the birthday party for Daniel the next day,” Pam shrugged.

“Well no matter what is going on with you and Nate we are all still your family. This is a great time for Marcus and Rita. You should be there for them,” Paige urged.

“I had lunch with Rita twice this week and we have play dates coming up. She knows I fully support her and her man,” Pam huffed. “You think I don’t know you all are just trying to shove me in a room with Nate?”

“Well, you have more than a week to make up your mind. I won’t say another word,” Paige conceded.

“A week and four days,” Pam muttered.

“What?” Paige frowned just barely hearing her.

“Nothing,” Pam grumbled. She was more than aware of when the celebration was. She had been counting the days down. Nate was wearing her down with the flowers and the sweetest messages on her voicemail and in text messages.

Only reason she held out this long was because she didn’t want to make this decision from her emotions and lately she was nothing but emotional. Uri had given her a stern talking to a few times over the phone. She knew her friend was in New York, but he was preoccupied with something and told her it was safer if he didn’t come to visit often.

She was getting lonely with just her and the girls. Rita and Paige spent a lot of time with her when they could, but most times they spent the time trying to talk her into going back home.

Home, she knew that wherever Nate was, was home. She was just in her feelings, but Nate was proving more and more he was no Luca. He could have easily come and forced her to come home, but instead he continued to just show why she belonged with him.

First the flowers started. Then there were the journals. He had taken the first month to write her journals about his life.

He started with when he was younger and his parents started to train him for the family business. His mother sounded like she was an amazing woman. He wrote about how his mother told him the story of finding out what his father really did for a living and who he would expect her to raise his children to be.

Thomas and Raquel’s love story was amazing. His mother seemed to have been a strong woman that wanted to support her man. It touched Pam in so many ways, making her think of what Nate would need from her.

Pam was in awe of the fact that both Rita and Nate spoke over seven languages and had a wealth of culture and training to fit into any assignment. Although it was a given that they both would serve a Mairettie they were trained to work for and with anyone.

She was in tears as she read about what it was like for Nate when he lost his mother. The pain in his words was unmistakable. The night she read that part she had held her own girls and sobbed for the pain the man she loved went through.

Next he told her about being Bobby’s personal body guard. How they had formed a bond that was deeper than blood brothers. They had each other’s backs and would do anything for each other.

Bobby looked after Nate as much as Nate looked after Bobby. For Nate it made his job that much more worth it. Pam felt she knew Nate in ways she hadn’t before and she had fallen in love with him all over again through his journals. Then there was the last of Nate’s confessions.

The one where he told her how much he loved her and all about the future he wanted to build with her and their children. Once again she was in tears to see this strong man pour out his heart so willingly.

I know I hurt you. This journal has been as much for you as it has been for me. I think I needed to reflect over my life to see where I went wrong and how to fix it. I learned a lot about myself, but most of all I learned that I am absolutely nothing without you.

For years I have been living without breathing, and then one day I heard a laugh that called to me and as I stepped out on that deck I found my life. Just one touch and I was so confused because I had never responded to Paige that way. But when I figured out you were not Paige I knew I found the one.

For a year and seven months I have spent every day falling in love with you more and more. Even now as you and my daughters are away from me I fall for you more because you are taking care of my girls even as your heart is bleeding. I know your heart has to be bleeding because mine is ripped into pieces.

Things weren’t supposed to be this way. I saw this all happening differently. Right now I thought you would be planning our wedding and calling in designers to redecorate our wing of the mansion. Instead, I lay awake at night trying to figure out how to get my life back, my heart.

I miss your smile, your laugh, I miss the way you sing to our girls as they giggle and coo at you. I can’t believe that they will be one soon. Yet because I didn’t trust you with my truth I am missing out on their precious moments.

My greatest fear is that you won’t even read this, because one of the things I love most about you is that you are stubborn. However, if your curiosity wins out I hope you have learned that I love you with everything I am and if I have to choose between you and everything I have ever known you will be my choice every time.

Come to me, Baby. Because this time, you have my word. As you asked, I will give you your space.

After reading that what was she supposed to do? This was why when Thomas summoned Pam she agreed to meet with him. She wasn’t about to tell her sister about it.

She was nervous and wasn’t sure what the older man would say but she had a feeling he had every intention of making sure she returned home. Her time was just about up. So yeah, she knew she had a week and four days until the celebration dinner. Just like she knew she had two hours and forty three minutes until a meeting that would change her life.

Chapter Twenty Five

P
am walked into the mansion of the Briggs compound with her stomach in knots. She hadn’t been here since the day of the kidnapping. Her nerves were jumpy as she faintly smelled Nate’s cologne in the entry way. Thomas had promised her that Nate wouldn’t be there.

That knowledge didn’t stop her mouth from watering or her heart from racing at the potential that he was still there. Pam pushed her feelings aside as she entered the family room with both girls on her hips.

“There’s my girls,” Thomas crooned as they entered the room.

To Pam’s surprise James and Uncle Earl were also seated with Thomas. Pam didn’t know why but it made her even more nervous to have her sister’s father in law and Nate’s uncle there as well. They were both smiling warmly at her.

“Hey Pam,” Marie chirped from behind her. Pam turned and gave her a big smile.

“Hey honey, how are you?” Pam asked knowing Marie has been warring with her own feelings about the things that came out during the kidnapping.

“I’m great. I thought I’d take the girls for a walk while you guys talk,” Marie offered already reaching for Tiffany.

“Oh, okay,” Pam responded. She had mixed feelings on letting the girls go. She didn’t want to let go of the comfort they brought her in that moment. She also wanted to know where they were in case she needed to make a break for it.

“No worries, Pam. I won’t go too far,” Marie chimed as if reading Pam’s mind.

James walked over to hug Pam. “How are you dear you look lovely as always,” James said with warm approval.

“I am well. Thanks James, it’s good to see you,” Pam responded politely.

Pam wiped her sweaty palms on her teal maxi dress. James clasped one of her hands. “Oh dear, we are not going to bite,” James’ booming voice chuckled.

“But we won’t beat around the bush either,” Thomas said with authority in his voice.

Pam turned her attention to her daughters’ grandfather. She didn’t see how she had missed it before. Thomas was a man of authority and calculation. He moved like a man used to securing everyone’s safety.

For a man in his early sixties Thomas Briggs was built like a tank. He stood at six feet two and still looked young for his age. If not for the fine lines around his hazel – green eyes and the sprinkling of greying hair around the temples of his sandy blonde hair she would have thought him much younger.

His tanned skin set off his hazel – green eyes that had a youthful gleam and spoke to his Greek and Italian heritage. A pang of pain shot through Pam’s heart at the sight of him. His eyes, hair and tanned skin were where the contrasts between he and Nate ended.

If you put the chocolate Briggs next two this vanilla version there would be no doubting the relation. Nate was a spitting image of his dad’s features. They had the same sharp nose and solid jaw, identical full lips and the same chiseled, broad frame. Pam drew in a breath at the undeniably strong genes in the Briggs family.

She could see it in her little girls. While Tiffany had her aunt’s bright green eyes, Tracey had the same hazel – green eyes as her grandfather. Tiffany’s hair while growing wild and wavy, had taken after her grandfather’s sandy blonde hair color. Tracey on the other hand had taken completely after her auntie with strawberry blonde curly locks.

Pam often wondered if she had anything to do with either of her daughters. If it weren’t for carrying them in her own belly she would think not. Nate tried to tell her that they had her mouth and ears but she wasn’t convinced.

“Have a seat Pamela,” Thomas smiled to soften the command and it floored her. It was the smile that plagues her dreams just a lighter, older version.

Pam nodded dumbly and took the seat next to Thomas. James immediately sat to her right, once again clasping her hand. Pam looked between the three faces now looking back at her.

“Pamela, I’ve liked you from the moment I met you. You bring your fire to the mix adding a smile to everyone around you, especially my boy. I think it is important for you to know that Nate has pretty much been programed to protect those close to him.

“Every decision he makes effects several people at once. I know it was never his intention to hurt you. He and I have had several candid conversations. I agree he should have informed you of the tampering with your contraception much sooner,” Thomas paused giving her a knowing look.

Pam’s cheeks flushed hot. Sure she and Nate had had sex under this man’s very roof but they lived in two separate wings. Something about him knowing something so intimate embarrassed her.

As if reading Pam’s thoughts James spoke up. “Oh Pamela, we are all old and have been around the block. None of my boys are innocent. Not even Nathaniel whom I consider to be my own,” James said with a friendly bark of laughter.

“My old friend is right, there is no need to be embarrassed. Now I could tell you a story or two that Nate should be embarrassed about,” Uncle Earl teased in his raspy voice.

“We’ll save those for after she takes the boy back,” Thomas chuckled causing his laugh lines to deepen. Pam liked the look on him. He was always so serious unless he was playing with the girls or Daniel.

Pam realized she was getting another glimpse of how close these two families really were. These were all things she had taken for granted and never really looked at too deeply. Now that she knew more of their history she couldn’t help letting her heart soften.

She was beginning to understand why it was so important to Nate to keep his secrets. They weren’t just his. They belonged to all of the family and just one secret given to the wrong person or at the wrong time put everyone he loved in danger.

Thomas watched Pam’s face closely. “I believe you are beginning to understand our family a little better now,” he nodded in response to his own statement. “Pamela you see, before my wife past the three of us made her a promise. We promised that we would make sure that all of our children found true love like we all have. My wife wanted not just our boy and girl to find love but she wanted it for Earl and Josephina’s and James and Minnie’s lots as well.”

“All our boys have found true love and we are certain Marie has too. She’s just afraid of it,” James added in. “That will take care of my brood as well as Earl’s clan.”

“Rita has always been Marcus’s match. I think Raquel was the first to see it. So that leaves Nate,” Earl said thoughtfully.

“I believe Nate has found exactly what his mother wanted for him. Yes, he has made a few mistakes but to Nate he was just doing what he is used to. He takes charge and gets things done. Albeit that may not have been the right way to do things this time, it came from a good place,” Thomas declared. 

“We just want you to consider the fact that you could be walking away from true love,” James injected.

“Also think about the girls,” Thomas said with a sad smile. “I miss our morning breakfast. Having them and you here has been the happiest I’ve been in this house since my wife passed on.”

“You’re laying it on thick,” Pam said through her own tears.

“Someday your children’s happiness will require you to do the same. I love my children. My son has sacrificed enough in his life. If I can help it he will not have to sacrifice his heart too,” Thomas lifted a brow at Pam.

“No, he will not have to sacrifice his heart too,” Pam sniffled. “I really can’t live without him.”

“Oh thank God,” James boomed. “Pam my dear, we have to get working on my plan.”

Pam’s eyes widened at James’ excitement and she laughed. The other two men smoothly slipped from the room and in no time James had his plan laid out and underway.