The door chimed. Alice held John's baby as she opened the door. His brother's face warmed from one glance at his wife and son. Alice had been involved in their family all their lives as Vicki's best friend, and she'd had a lifelong crush on John until he had finally been smart enough to marry her. No girl like that existed for Peter, not that he wanted one.
A second later, Alice walked into the front room with Jennifer and Rafe. Alice, radiated happiness, almost like his sister. Neither one of his siblings remembered Mom. That had probably helped them to be open to marriage. Peter's brown eyes glanced at Jennifer as her new/old boyfriend's arm held hers. Rafe was a good officer, an old high school friend of sorts, and Peter respected him.
He turned to John and said, "I am fully capable of dating one woman."
"Woah. I clearly missed something," Colt quickly said. "But I'd put money on that."
Peter's muscles tightened. He straightened his spine and said, "What's the bet?"
John clapped him on his shoulder, again. "You have to date someone we choose for a month."
His eyes widened. "You choose?"
John then stood across from him and met his stare. "It has to be a challenge for you. We don't want you tolerating some girl who sees dollar signs for a month."
"A girl that money doesn't impress doesn't exist." Everyone had a price, even if they didn't know what it was.
Peter imagined some religious girl set to be a nun as the choice in question. He massaged his shaved chin. "Okay, if I agree to this, what do I get?"
John and Colt shared a look with Vicki. His sister held her fiancé's hand as John said, "Ten percent of my small stake in the company. You get even more majority ownership without question on the board."
Colt nodded and added, "I'll throw in something. We'll increase production on my farm by at least twenty-five percent, and you'll get that as part of the already existing contract with no extra clauses."
They were both serious about this. Peter licked his lips. "And if I lose?"
John then glanced at Vicki. "You give ten percent of your ownership to Victoria. Dad screwed her in the will and wasn't giving her money all her life. She has millions instead of billions. You can correct that."
Peter assumed their father had thought Vicki dead, but he might not have. Mitch Morgan had played his family and kept close tabs on all of them until he died. He widened his stance. "The corporations are mine."
"Without question." John took a step forward.
Peter squared his shoulders, ready for battle.
Then Colt said, "Is it a bet?"
His brother's small stake in the company meant no one might question or undermine his orders. He swallowed and stared at Vicki. He'd take care of his sister no matter what. This bet was easy. No woman on earth existed that didn't have certain expectations and a playbook. All he had to do was figure out the woman's desires and then ensure she had everything.
His thoughts made him predatory, as Vicki would say, but it was just how he saw things. He shrugged, like nothing mattered. "Name the girl."
John dropped his arms to his side, "Oh, it's on."
Vicki's head went back and forth between John and Colt. "I will pick someone I'd like for a sister-in-law."
Peter swayed on his feet. "You're in on this too?"
She nodded. "Now I am. Peter, don't turn out like dad. I want you to be happy."
Her blonde hair and blue eyes warmed his heart. Vicki deserved everything she ever wanted.
He smiled at her, "I am."
She batted her eyes. "Fulfilled is a better word. You deserve to be in love."
The doorbell rang again. John joined his wife near the door and answered it together. A tall, thin brown-haired, browned-eyed woman stood in the door. Colt stood straighter, and as a result, Peter did too.
In her simple black dress and white dewy skin, she seemed the opposite of everyone here from Miami. The woman wore no makeup and stood tall. Her hands were clenched at her side, and there was something different about her.
He licked his lips. No one else here looked like her. Vicki hit her fiancé's stomach and said, "Belle. She's perfect."
Peter nodded.
John then returned to their group with the woman in question. "Colt, Vicki, your friend Belle Jordan is here."
The air around him smelled like apples.
John pointed to Belle and Colt nodded.
Vicki hugged the woman like they were old friends. Belle's grimace read like she didn't agree. Peter's shoulders tensed. Whoever this Belle was, she was new. He had never met her, though she knew Colt. And something inside him burst as he stared at her profile.
She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and stepped out of the hug. Her shoulder had a thin, old scar like she'd been cut, and she didn't try to hide it. He fingered his chin. Every other woman in the party would have demanded plastic surgery to remove something like that.
Peter then couldn't stop himself and he asked, "What happened to your shoulder?"
Belle fiddled with her hair again. "I pulled Colt here out of a mine field he found himself in. The razor fence got me."
Colt nodded. "I'd not be alive if not for you."
Vicki then smiled brighter. "I’m forever in your debt. Belle, we're so happy you came."
Peter watched the exchange and understood. Belle was Colt's old fiancée. As he saw Belle's grimace, and how she held herself stiff and unmoving, she confirmed who she was.
How she held her arms around her waist, but still gave off a sense of strength took his breath away.
John poked his side. "We all agree. Belle is the bet."
His stomach clenched as he stared at this tall, thin woman. He'd never be able to give any woman the man his sister married. Now, more than ever, he'd have to win. He turned away from gawking. All women had their price. He'd figure out hers. Fast.
Chapter Three
Belle's entire body stayed tense as she wandered through the mansion. On the wall hung original paintings she had seen at museums. She hugged her stomach again. No wonder Colt chose Victoria. The Morgans had serious money. She had bare walls, half dead plants, and two bedrooms. The balcony overlooking the bay was reminiscent of Venice.
In class and upbringing, she'd never have a shot at true love. She rubbed the goose bumps on her arms as she sighed and gazed at a Monet. She'd seen it at the Smithsonian with a borrowed sign. They must have borrowed from the Morgans.
In Miami, and in the House of Morgan, the warm sunshine of the day ensured the evenings were pleasant and warm. Every Morgan must have enjoyed extravagance and money provided without once struggling.
Next to the Monet was a Van Gogh. She leaned closer to inspect. They must be the originals. The Morgans owned a chunk of the world's economy, and this luxury must be why Victoria thought it was fine to lie to everyone about dying. Belle would never be so reckless. She took care of herself and her family with hard work and determination.
Colt stepped away from his gorgeous blue-eyed bride to come over. Belle averted her gaze from the Van Gogh to the next painting. She wasn't sure of the painter as the signature was illegible, but it seemed familiar. She straightened her shoulders.