Fire & Desire (Hero Series) (24 page)

As a conductor orchestrates musicians, her father selected each
reporter, maintaining control over the firing squad of multiple questions. He
let them know that after his term of office ended, he would be looking at going
back into the engineering business.

Tiffany admired his skills as she wondered to herself why her
father would keep his plans from her. They always discussed his plans for his
career. A part of her tried to understand his possible reasoning, but the other
half of her admitted she was hurt.

“Governor Selina, Liza Wilkerson with the
D.C. Chronicle
.”

Acknowledging her, her father said, “Yes, Ms. Wilkerson.”

Liza, an older woman with frosted blonde hair, stood. “Governor Selina,
like most have already said, I will be sad to see you go. My question is
directed to your daughter.” Never one to let a scoop on a story drop, Liza
Wilkerson called the attention to her.

Her father grinned and directed Tiffany to stand beside him on the
podium. Tiffany walked the few steps to the front of the room with assurance
while she ran through her mind a list of possible questions Liza would ask. She
knew this was her opening to discuss her and Trevor’s relationship.

“Your question, Ms. Wilkerson?”

“Ms. Selina, I’ve been following you most of your life as you’ve
stood by your father in his career; no need to stand on formalities, call me
Liza.”

“Liza.” Tiffany beamed a smile at the older woman.

Murmurs of laughter fluttered in the room.

“Tiffany, for years the public has been awaiting an announcement
about a Selina Manning wedding. Can you tell us why that never came?”

She had dreaded these questions. After the breaking report this
morning, she knew the topic would come up.

“My relationship with Christopher Manning, beyond our friendship,
has never been up for discussion and will not be today. But I will say, don’t
believe everything you read and hear in the news.”

Amusement erupted among the reporters.

When the noise level returned to a normal hum, Liza asked, “Do you
believe he’s guilty?”

Bulbs flashed as Tiffany leaned toward the microphone to reply.
“My father and I have been protected by the men and women on the police force
for years, and we have the fullest confidence in the law enforcement agency. I
believe
justice will be served, however this plays out in the end.”

“Point well made, Tiffany. My last questions are about this new
man in your life,” Liza stated.

Other reporters chuckled at the plural ending to the word
question.

Tiffany made brief eye contact with Trevor who stood proudly along
the side. She saw his brief nod and smile. She took a deep breath and reminded
herself that Wallace had taken care of The Weasel, so there were no pictures.
“I believe, Liza, you’re speaking of Trevor Wayne, my fiancé.”

“Isn’t he the person you were standing beside a moment ago?” Liza
was a seasoned professional, her question performed its intent as all cameras
swung toward Trevor vying for a good shot of him. “I must add that’s quite an
impressive piece of jewelry you have on your hand.

Have you set a date?”

Camera personnel snapped pictures of her folded hands, motionless
at the upper rise at the top of the podium.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Trevor incline his head
toward her. They had spoken about having a wedding, but the blackmail pictures
had put a halt to those plans.
Now the pictures were no more.

Enthusiastically, Tiffany forged ahead. “Yes, he is and, yes, we
have. But forgive us. It’s only open to family and close friends.”

Performing for the cameras, Trevor blew a kiss at her. Tiffany
couldn’t stop the heat that spread into her cheeks.

Liza continued, saying, “My research tells me…”

Tiffany’s heart plunged. This was the decisive moment. The instant
where she would discover whether or not other reporters had been privy to the
Vegas incident.

“…that he is the owner of Computer Bytes, and his company is
handling a recent contract to develop a network for the governor’s old company,
Heritage. Is this correct?”

Tiffany could feel cool tingles drift across her spine as she
relaxed. “Yes, it is.”

“Donald Woodson, Governor, from the
Minute Report
.”

Tiffany stepped to the side as her father stepped back to the
podium.

“Mr. Woodson,” her father recognized the reporter.

“I’m not sure you would tell us if it did, but did the
relationship between your daughter and Mr. Wayne have any influence on your
decision to hire his company.”

Her father stepped to the side of the podium and casually leaned
on his elbow. It was his let’s-speak-as-friends pose.

“Now, Mr. Woodson, what kind of
man
would I be if it did? I
didn’t find out about the relationship until after I’d made my decision. I
would have picked his company regardless. By Mr. Wayne being the astute and
professional businessman, he made sure his company won the contract without
there being a conflict of interest.”

“Will you be going back to Heritage, Governor?” A male reporter,
standing beside a man holding a camcorder labeled
Washington Sentinel
threw
out.

“That and a lot of other things remain to be seen. Thank you
everyone for coming, good day.” Her father raised a hand, signaling the meeting
had concluded.

When the four of them were once again secured inside her father’s
office, Tiffany approached her father.

“Dad, why didn’t you tell me you had decided not to run for
Senator?”

Grasping her hands, her father said, “Tiffany, forgive me. I’ve
been very concerned about you. Until recently, I didn’t know how you would fare
not being constantly by my side. Not because I didn’t have confidence in you.”
He reached up and touched her chin. “You didn’t have a lot of confidence in
yourself.”

Her father’s words hurt, but she couldn’t deny she had lived in
his shadow for years out of comfort.

“You mean, you would have continued in politics for me?” She was
flattered by her father’s admission.

“Yes, but thank the good Lord, I didn’t have to. You and Josephine
have built a very successful business, and I’m proud of you.”

Leaning forward, she kissed her father on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad.
Now for the exclusive scoop…” She held her hand in front of him as if a
microphone was in it. “Will you be returning to Heritage in the future?”

Continuing with the play, her father placed his lips above her
closed fist, saying, “The discussions are on the table but will not be
approached fully for some months when my governor responsibilities have been
satisfied.”

The four of them enjoyed a laugh as he pulled her into his arms
and hugged her.

Epilogue

It had been two months since the press conference, and Trevor had
counted every day until Tiffany would be his. No pretense, no lies and no
secrets. Today, he and Tiffany would begin their life as man and wife.

He stood at the altar next to Pastor Anthony McKinley, the man he
had met the day he went to the church for guidance. He turned out to be the Selina
family minister. He had come to have a deep respect for the man and his wife,
Paula, during his and Tiffany’s six sessions of marital counseling. At that
time, he and Tiffany had been honest with them about their original vows
spoken. Without judging or condemning, the ministerial couple agreed to conduct
the ceremony to renew their vows.

Trevor looked to his left and glanced at the mountain standing
next to him. His best man.

Over the years, he’d worked hard to make his business a success at
the sacrifice of developing friendships. Even though he was close to the men he
worked with, he had never allowed himself to bond with any of them outside of
the office.

He was grateful that while he and Tiffany made the wedding plans
and arrangements, his relationship with Wallace had moved to another level.
They had become friends and confidants.

Wallace had availed himself to Trevor, assisting him at times in
his “groom’s duties.” Trevor had learned over the weeks that, like himself,
Wallace had lost both of his parents. Their deaths occurred during his first
year of internship with Congressman Selina, explaining the bond between Wallace
and the Governor.

Trevor smiled at his Aunt Leslie who sat in the front row, as
Josephine, Tiffany’s maid of honor, and the last of her five friends came down
the aisle.

He heard the beginning notes of Jim Brickman’s song “Beautiful,”
the cue for the two ushers who had closed the double doors to re-open them for
Tiffany’s entrance.

The first sight of her standing in the archway in her wedding
gown, holding onto her father’s arm, astounded him. He understood how the
prince felt awaiting Cinderella. Tiffany was beautiful.

Trevor’s chest swelled with pride. Peace settled around him. Their
day had finally arrived.

Tiffany advanced toward him in a slow fluid walk as the skirt of
her white suit trailed behind her. His eyes never left the transparent material
of the veil draping over her face.

Though I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you…

Wayne Brady’s lyrics echoed the emotions filling Trevor’s heart as
Tiffany approached him. He was speechless.

She stopped in front of him, close enough for him to reach out and
touch her, but he remained in his place.

As the music faded, Pastor McKinley asked, “Who gives this bride
to this man?

Governor Selina said in a rich baritone, “I do.” He kissed
Tiffany’s covered cheek, then placed Tiffany’s hand in Trevor’s awaiting one,
squeezed them together, then stepped away.

Trevor didn’t miss the glistening water in his father in-law’s
eyes.

He and Tiffany stood facing each other as the pastor began the
ceremony. Trevor wasn’t sure if it were his or his bride’s hands trembling.

The pastor spoke briefly about the biblical purpose and sanctity
of marriage. He and Tiffany had decided to forgo the question about anyone
having a reason why they should not be joined together in holy matrimony. After
all the obstacles they had hurdled to be together, they refused to let another
thing or person stand in their way.

“Tiffany, you may give Trevor your personal vows,” Pastor McKinley
said.

Tiffany gave her bouquet to Josephine, retaking Trevor’s hands.
Her brown eyes gazed at him through the cloud of her veil. “All my life I’ve
waited for someone I wouldn’t have to question whether or not to give my heart
to him,” she said, voice quivering. “It would just happen as naturally as I
breathe.”

A tear dropped from beneath her veil onto his hand.

“You came along, Trevor, and changed the way I thought about
myself. You stepped in, and I began living.” Her voice broke. “I love you, as
my friend, my lover and my husband.”

“Now your personal vows to Tiffany, Trevor,” Pastor McKinley
instructed.

The emotions bubbling inside of him earlier squeezed at his
throat. He had to swallow several times in order to speak. “I wasn’t looking
for a friend, but I got you. I didn’t know I lacked light in my life, and then
you smiled,” he said shakily. He drew in a deep breath to regain control. “I
never knew I was empty until you filled my life and my heart. I couldn’t see I
was broken until you made me whole.” He pulled their clasped hands against his
heart; his throat was so tight, and his last words came out raspy. “With you I
learned to trust and believe. You are my friend, my lover and my wife. I love
you.”

Pastor McKinley directed them through the traditional vows and the
placing of the rings, and then said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You
may kiss your bride.”

Lifting the gauzy material to the top of her head, Trevor cradled
her face in his hands.

Gazing into her eyes, he said, “I love you.” Then he wrapped his
arms around her, pulled her into an embrace and kissed her passionately amongst
the cheers and shouts of joy bestowed upon them by one hundred family and
friends.

What do you do when you get caught in the revenge you have set for
someone else?

Fall in love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monique Lamont was born
and raised in San Diego, CA, and now currently resides in Virginia with her
loving husband and two wonderful children. She loves to travel, read and write.
She holds degrees in both education and counseling. She has always enjoyed
working with people and dreaming of romances between soul mates. Monique Lamont
is the sensual romance side of erotic romance author Yvette Hines.

In her stories, she
loves taking the impossible and making it possible, sensual and believable.