The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (23 page)

The only thing left to do was to tie the knot.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“What now?”

The upcoming wedding nuptial of Max King was trending all over the internet. Their highly searched garden proposal video had already gone viral and it seemed like Charleston would soon be the “it” destination for engagements.

“Please, leave me alone!” He grunted and placed the pillow over his head. The constant vibration from Max’s cellphone forced his drowsy eyes open. He immediately searched for his bride-to-be who was still fast asleep. He scooped up his smartphone from the nightstand and ran his index finger up and down the screen, scanning through several congratulatory emails and text messages from friends, co-workers. Even his own parents. He yawned deeply and slammed the phone back down.

“I’m not in the mood for this today,” he grumbled underneath his breath.

Proposing in front of hundreds of nameless strangers wasn’t something Max had planned but after he saw Kaya standing in the crowd all alone, knowing her engagement ring was in his pocket, he jumped at the opportunity. He didn’t regret getting down on one knee in front of the world to pronounce his love to Kaya. In fact, it had worked to his advantage. Now every eligible man in the world would know to keep their eyes off his woman.

He smiled, but deep down he knew he needed to keep a close eye on this situation. At the moment, the media seemed infatuated with his new love interest and his future plans. He wasn’t going to have anyone prying into their lives disrupting his newfound happiness.

His phone vibrated again. He reached for it and realized it was Kyle.

“Hey bro, looks like
your
name is finally back in the headlines today! How does it feel to be a star?”

“Star? Ha-ha,” he snorted while adjusting his chiseled, naked frame in the bed. He glanced over at Kaya and quickly realized too much was at stake. He couldn’t ignore the media forever. The cut throat world in which tabloid reporters lived required, dirty ruthless tactics. Newspaper publishers and editors weren’t looking for thought provoking, award winning pieces. Instead they were demanding sensational, exploitative stories that sold copies off the newsstands. For the next 48 hours Max would have to monitor the situation closely. He wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

“Kyle, I hate to ask but I need the name of a solid security team here in Charleston until the team I trust can be deployed. I don’t want anything to happen to my family. Do you think you can help me out?”

“I already handled that this morning. I have a team at the Omni and a few folks outside of the beach house where you currently are. A full barrier was set up this morning. I got you man. That’s what friends are for.”

“Thanks man, I owe you,” he uttered and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Whatever, you don’t owe me a thing! As a matter of fact, I’m on my way to the hotel now.”
Silence invaded the phone.

Max sighed. He wasn’t thrilled about his decision.

“Don’t worry, I am going to stay out of Angie’s way. I just want to make sure Anne is okay.” He lied.

“Kyle, you have to give Angie some space. If you don’t, Kaya will be breathing down my neck.”

They both laughed but Kyle had already made up his mind. He was already traveling down Interstate 26, in a limited edition Maserati, bound for the hotel to make sure everything was okay. Unfortunately, at this point he had to protect her from afar.

***

“Morning Max, are you on the phone?” Kaya whispered as she rolled over in the bed revealing her naked body.

Max was turned on instantly.

He could hear Kyle’s voice but his concentration was broken.

“H-Hey Kyle, I got something I need to do handle, I will call you back in an hour. Make sure you keep me posted if anything happens.” He hung up the phone and settled his hands on her tight ass.

“Ah, Max.”

He moaned.

“Good morning, sweetheart? Do you need anything?” He asked leaning down to kiss her tight taut ass.

“Yes,
we
need food.”

Max ignored her words and continued to plant kisses on her body.

“Max, I said we need to eat!”

“I’m already eating,” he giggled as his tongue slid between her thighs.

“Max, we…” But he didn’t allow her to finish her words, his tongue was already licking, nipping and biting her tender folds. Kaya’s sluggish eyes rolled back, far back, as he explored her familiar body. His large nail pounding erection pounded against her thigh as he moved towards her lips.

Max was sick with need when…

Buzz.

The vibration of the phone forcing them out of their moment.

“Who in the hell is calling?” he shouted rolling over. She giggled and rested her head on his chest, but not before taking the liberty to suck both of his nipples until they were hard as marbles. His erection stood tall.

“Kaya, why did you just do that?” he moaned reaching for the phone.

“Answer baby,” she teased forcing his limited patience tank to empty. The name plastered on the Caller ID always seemed to have the worst timing. He cleared his voice an answered.

“Mr. King, hello it’s Mr. Fox. First of all, I guess congratulations are in order to you and Ms. Hanson. You too are sure stirring our southern waters with your recent engagement.”

“Tell me about it,” he stated sarcastically.

“Mr. King the reason for my call is that we must meet again. I have an important document to provide to you, and only you. I can be at the beach house in about fifteen minutes. Is that okay?”

“Yes, but what is this about?” Max questioned with concern in his voice.

“Everything you need to know will be explained in the document. Thank you Mr. King, I’ll see you soon.”

Max’s nerves were shot. His cock was hard and his tolerance was gone. He wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.
What else could Ms. Roy possibly want at this point?
The entire garden was now complete and he had followed his heart and found true love with Kaya. What else could there be? Kaya twisted and squirmed in the bed. Her dark eyes were reading his facial expressions so he forced his facial muscles to relax. Whatever it was he didn’t want to alarm her so he popped out of bed, grabbed his t-shirt and jeans from the floor, and slipped them on.

“Who was that baby?” He ignored her purposefully not wanting to lie to the woman he loved. He knew she was eyeing him like a hawk, investigating his moves like she was a senior member of an FBI task force. He distracted her by planting a sensual kiss on her lips.

It worked.

“Come back to bed Max,” she stated as she wrapped her arms around his neck, he allowed the kiss to linger for a minute but then he released.

“No, baby, I need to get you both fed. Plus, I need to check on Anne. I want you to take a long hot bath and then come grab some food, how does that sound?”

“Sounds wonderful,” she said wrapping the sex scented sheet around her. He could see the glow of happiness etched on her face, he just hoped that whatever news Mr. Fox was bringing didn’t wipe it completely away.

***

Massive news trucks, flashing cameras and local law enforcement officials canvased the once serene beach town, causing quite the stir. Aggressive reporters and tabloid photographers scrambled near the cordoned off barrier to the beach house, eager to get a glimpse of the upcoming bride and groom. The blinding lights blurred Max’s vision the moment he stepped out into the cool air. He covered his face with his bright orange winter scarf and escorted the elderly Mr. Fox near the rear of the house which was draped in shrubbery and massive trees, protecting them from prying eyes.

“Mr. Fox, I really hope this is important. I am trying to limit our exposure until after the wedding. I don’t want to place Kaya under any unnecessary stress. I’m sure you heard she’s pregnant and I can’t have anything jeopardizing our child’s health.”

“Mr. King, I do understand but I can assure you it’s very important” he stated as he handed him two small envelopes, one heavier than the other.

Aggravation soared through him, how many letters could Ms. Roy possibly have?

“What the hell am I supposed to do with all these damn letters?” he shouted. He regretted the words the moment they fell from him lips. Mr. Fox showed no emotion, almost as if he had anticipated Max’s reaction.

“I need you to sign here,” he pointed to a small line on a legal document that clearly proved he had received the document.

Max signed.

Then Mr. Fox did what he always did. He tipped his hat, straightened his jacket and walked away.

Max ripped opened the lighter of the two envelops but stilled when he saw Mr. Fox pause on the sandy pathway.

He turned around then spoke.

“She loved you both dearly. This last note was the hardest. Congratulations again.” Then he disappeared.

Max slowly unfolded the letter. He inhaled the salty air, adjusted his scarf, then read.

Dearest Max,

It’s finally time to say goodbye, I promise this is my final note.

He smiled. Ms. Roy, knew him better than he knew himself.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the strength to write this letter so Mr. Fox has agreed to type my parting words. By now, I am hoping my plan has fully come together and that the garden has been completed and you have decided to love Kaya with all your heart. If you have, I am sure you know how special and amazing she is and how much she needed your love and stability. I can finally rest knowing she will not be in the world alone.

Max breathed deeply, Ms. Roy had given him the biggest gift in his life. Something he would have never had if she hadn’t intervened, how could he ever repay her?

I hope this process has taught you to humble your heart and allow love to enter each corner. In the end Max love is the only thing that makes us whole. Please make peace with those who failed you, so you can be a better man to yourself and Kaya. Your parents deserve to know that you don’t hate them, that you’re merely are disappointed in their actions. Anger, will cripple you and cause everything around you to fail. I am sure time has taught you that valuable lesson. My sweet boy, second chances are rare so don’t forget to forgive others as much as you want to be forgiven.

Her wisdom even on her death bed was still as sharp as a razor. Oh how he missed her gentleness and kindness. He regretted his calloused words to Mr. Fox, the letter was the final piece of the entire puzzle.

I don’t have much in possessions but what I do have is for you and Kaya as long as you are together. I know you are a very wealthy man but my modest beach house is your home now. It has brought me so much happiness in my final days and I know it will do the same for the both of you.

All the money in the world couldn’t replace their special beach house. The place they found true happiness. He was unbelievably thankful for her generosity.

I have one more surprise for you. It’s my way of righting a wrong made many years ago. I want to finally close a horrible chapter in both of your lives. Mr. Fox has specific instructions once you have signed for this letter. I need you and Kaya to attend the address on back of this letter tonight at 6pm. Everything will finally make sense, I promise.

Now, I hope you didn’t think my humble little beach house was going to be free, at least not for a millionaire. Mr. Fox also has specific instructions to notify Ms. Thomas that you will be building a new children’s center next to the garden, all expenses paid. Remember, we must always give to those who are less fortunate.

Max laughed out loud. She was going to make sure he always gave back, even in death she had her way.

I love you and Kaya and I will always be looking down on my favorite two people. Enjoy life but more importantly enjoy love!

Ms. Roy

He quickly opened the other letter and found the deed to the property and an extra set of keys tucked inside. He stood in the crisp, winter air a different man; a man who had learned the art of living life. He was no longer a cold, calloused, shell of man. Instead, he was alive, in love, and happy to give of himself. And he had learned these special qualities from two of the most remarkable women ever, his dear Ms. Roy and the love of his life, Kaya Hanson.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“Where are we Max?” Kaya gasped staring at the dilapidated old high school gym.

“I’m not sure!”

“Are we at the right address,” she stated flipping the letter over to do a quick fact check of the location. She looked up. Then down. Then up again. It was the exact address listed on the farewell note.

The seedy remote area wasn’t anyplace they needed to be after dark. The blackness of the night had already drifted over the southern city causing an eerie feeling to descend over the abandoned building. Kaya shifted in her seat and read the last paragraph of the letter again, searching for more clues, but she knew no additional details were included.
Why hadn’t Max pressed Mr. Fox for more information? Why had Ms. Ross sent them to an abandoned gym?

“Mm, something doesn’t feel right. Kaya, stay here I need to check this out before you come inside. Lock the door behind me.” He stated reaching for the handle of the door.

“No Max, remember we do everything together from now on, right?” She stated with love in her voice.

He sighed. “Gosh, I hate it when you’re right. Tighten your scarf around your neck and put on your gloves. I don’t want you to get sick.” He stated in fatherly tone.

“Yes sir,” she laughed and opened the door.

It was dark out. Pitch black. The cold was unnerving. Two lonely old lampposts nearly a block away, was all that lit the desolate street. The area almost looked uninhabited, although they spotted a few stray animals roaming near the entrance. A faint fuzzy light crept from behind the front door forcing Kaya and Max to approach with caution. Max’s eyes searched and scanned the isolated street to make sure no photographers or reporters had followed them and pulled Kaya close.