“Ellie, you’ll have some of the greatest business minds in existence to mentor you along. Including me. I might be a science geek, but my lab makes a more than healthy profit. Then there’s Marcus, Gabe, and Chloe, and a whole lot of other friends who are amazingly successful in business to give you any advice you need.”
“I’m still going to try to organize you,” she warned him.
“That’s okay. It’s your strength, and I need that. Hopefully you’ll need some of my strengths, too.”
Ellie smiled at him through her tears. There was never any mention of the fact that it didn’t matter whether or not her business failed because he was filthy rich. He had faith in her, and didn’t make light of what she wanted for herself. “I need all of you,” Ellie whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
“You have me,” he answered gruffly. “Now that you said yes and my ring is on your finger, you’re officially stuck with me.”
She nodded with a smile on her face. “I think I can handle that.”
He kissed her with so much tenderness and adoration that she sighed happily when he finally ended the magical meeting of lips that was an act of love.
Ellie cuddled into Zane, feeling a sense of security that was completely new to her, especially after what she’d endured. She was used to being alone, taking care of herself. Until Zane had rescued her, showed her how it felt to give and receive real love.
Her insecurities and her struggles were in the past. Zane was now her future.
For once in her life, Ellie fell asleep unconcerned about what tomorrow would bring. Now that she had Zane beside her, Ellie would have the one thing she’d always wanted. She’d know that no matter what the future held for her, she’d always be loved.
Six Months Later…
As Blake Colter watched Ellie pledge her life to Zane’s, he was feeling restless. Not that he wasn’t happy for Zane—because he was glad his younger brother had found the woman he wanted for the rest of his life. Ellie and Zane deserved every bit of happiness that they were experiencing right now.
Ellie looked beautiful, her blonde hair upswept and her face glowing with love for her groom. Chloe was standing beside her, looking elegant in her matron of honor gown. Marcus was beside Zane, standing as his best man.
Blake couldn’t imagine what it would be like to willingly commit himself to another person completely, like Tate and Chloe had done, and Zane was doing right now. With his political ambitions a priority, it left very little room in his life for a relationship, even if he could find a woman who wasn’t impressed by him being a senator and a billionaire.
When he was home, he had to attend to ranch business. When he was in DC, he had a job to do. Although those two things were good excuses, Blake knew the biggest reason he wasn’t seriously involved with a woman was because he hadn’t found one that he couldn’t live without.
Women used him because he had money and some political power. He used them for sex.
Truth was, he hadn’t even found a woman who looked at him like Chloe looked at Gabe, or like Zane looked at Ellie.
Blake looked at Ellie and then at Chloe, both of them looking radiant and happy. Just like when they were kids, the two best friends were often together, and now they’d brought Lara into their circle. The three of them had gotten very involved with Asha’s Fund. He found it pretty amazing that two women who’d been so damaged were now helping other women to escape from the hell they’d both been through, and Lara, with her psychology background, rounded out the threesome of friends perfectly.
The ceremony was over quickly, and everyone followed the wedding party to the reception, which just so happened to be in the same place: their mother’s resort.
Aileen Colter had been delighted when she’d heard Ellie and Zane were getting married, and she’d fussed over every detail since Ellie’s mom hadn’t been around for the planning stages.
Everybody flowed from the large hall and into the ballroom easily. Blake followed the crowd, hoping he could get something to eat. He’d gotten in late last night, and he was starving.
Before he could go fill a plate with food, Marcus approached him and nodded for Blake to meet him outside. He exited onto the balcony, Marcus right behind him.
Blake’s twin didn’t mess around with the niceties. He got right to the point. “You know how I asked you if I needed a favor if you would do it?”
“Yeah,” Blake answered cautiously.
“I need that favor.”
“Now?” Blake asked grumpily. Hell, he’d just gotten back home, just gotten a break from Congress.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s shitty timing, but lives are at stake right now,” Marcus answered grimly.