The Escape Clause Read online

  Avery turned to look at him and smiled. She didn’t say another word. That, Pete thought, was progress.

  Avery hadn’t asked where they were going for dinner. It was Sunday night and when Pete turned down the street where her grandparents had lived and now Darcy and Ed lived, she knew the plans.

  “You’ve been going to Sunday dinner, haven’t you?”

  Pete smiled. “I told you once. I’m part of this family and you’re part of mine.”

  “I never should have forgotten that.”

  “In hindsight it only took you two months to figure it out,” he chuckled as he pulled to the curb.

  “Jill knew a lot about me. I assume you brought her to Sunday dinner too?”

  Pete nodded. “She was very impressed that your family took her in as they did.”

  “They do that.”

  “I knew that. But she was in an awkward situation. Your parents are here already. I’m going to guess the whole house knows you’re here, but they expect three of us for dinner.”

  “You should have brought her.”

  “She made it clear that we’re just friends. Maybe someday she’ll come again. Sadly you’ve run out of cousins or I’d have set her up,” he joked as he opened his car door.

  Avery looked down at her hand. “Should I take this off?”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “I noticed your mother eyeballing it. She wasn’t about to ask, though I’m sure you’ll get a call tomorrow.”

  Pete grinned. “Avery, leave it on. They’ll know why we’re married. Once Marcus leaves for France and we know you’re safe then we can decide on what it means.”

  His words weren’t meant to be cold, but she felt the snap in them. It was true, this wasn’t the marriage either of them had planned. This one had a purpose and she hoped to hell it worked.

  They both climbed from his car and walked toward the house. He hadn’t held her hand again, but she understood. Things would remain awkward for a while.

  Usually, someone was always looking out the window waiting for the next person to arrive. Today they walked all the way to the door and opened it without someone right there.

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Out back. House is getting a little tight to have everyone inside.”

  She chuckled as they walked through the house. As usual the kitchen was bustling with women. Her grandmother, now well into her nineties stood over the stove watching the sauces she made. Her Aunt Madeline tossed a salad. Aunt Regan was cutting bread and her mother, the least skilled in the kitchen, was sipping wine leaning up against the counter.

  She’s seen them first and moved right to Avery. “You’re okay?”

  Avery nodded. “I’m wonderful.”

  Regan saw her next and ran to her. “Oh, I’m glad you’re here,” she said enveloping her in a hug. “Zach told me about you leaving in the middle of the night. Oh, Avery. I’m sorry things went so badly. He was afraid for you the entire time.”

  Avery shifted a glance between her mother and her aunt. “History repeating itself and I should have learned that my family was here. I don’t know those others.”

  “You’re home now,” Regan said as she kissed her on the cheek.

  Madeline and her grandmother kissed her and she could hear the noises outside the backdoor. That was where her family was.

  She took a breath. Was she ready to admit defeat to everyone?

  “I forgot. I brought a few bottles of wine,” Pete said. “They’re in the trunk of my car. I’ll get them.”

  Avery stopped him. “Let me go. I need a few moments to clear my head before I go out there.”

  Pete nodded and handed her the keys. “Take your time. No one is going anywhere.”

  Avery walked out of the house and down the front steps to the car. There was no reason for her to be nervous. She knew that. But for a moment they would all look at her different.

  She opened the trunk of the car and pulled out the two bottles of wine Pete had tucked into a blanket to keep them from rolling.

  She tucked one under her arm and the other she held in her hand as she closed the trunk.

  As she turned around, she found herself being thrown up against the car, the two bottles of wine dropping to the ground.

  Marcus’s hand clenched around her jaw and his fingers dug into her skin.

  “You betrayed me by coming back without telling me. No woman of mine betrays me and leaves my gifts just laying about.”

  “I’m not your woman. I am nothing to you.”

  He pushed himself up against her harder. “You are my ticket. There are no choices, Avery. You will marry me. I made it clear to you.”

  She tried all she could to shove him back, but he was much bigger, much stronger. “I would never marry someone like you. I never agreed to marry you. You can take your money and power and…”

  “Get your hands off my wife.” Pete’s voice rang out from the porch of the house.

  Marcus gripped her arms so tightly she was sure the blood had stopped flowing to them. “Your wife?”

  Pete walked down the front steps followed by Spencer, Tyler, and Warner.

  “I’ll repeat it. Let go of my wife!”

  Marcus leaned into her ear. “You think I am some kind of fool?”

  “We got married yesterday. I’m untouchable to you now. I told you. I’d never marry you. I don’t love you.”

  “This was not about love. You have betrayed me.”

  “One more time,” Pete said as Ed and Christian filed out of the house. “Let go of my wife.”

  Marcus pushed her toward the car and she fell to the ground. He raised his fists as Pete moved in closer.

  “Your army of weak men is nothing against me.”

  Pete moved in closer. “Not one of them will lay a hand on you,” he said as Zach and Regan ran down the front steps followed by Simone and Curtis.

  Marcus looked up as Simone moved in behind Pete. “You can tell my father that he has no power over my family.”

  Marcus shook his head. “You are dead to him anyway. You disgraced him.”

  “And I would choose that path again,” Simone said.

  “My uncle was too good for you and I am too good for your daughter.”

  Avery saw the redness creep into her father’s face.

  Pete stepped in closer raising his fists. “You are a coward. You fight women. You punch when a man isn’t suspecting. I’m here now. If you want to attack someone, you attack me now while I’m looking,” he bit the words through gritted teeth.

  “It would be my pleasure to bury you where you stand and make her watch what a weak man you are.”

  Marcus shifted to charge Pete, but Pete had been ready. He pulled back and with one swift blow he clocked Marcus right in the nose.

  Blood spurted from him as he staggered back. Avery ran to Pete just as the police car sped down the street and came to a stop in front of the house.

  The officers hurried in to take control of Marcus.

  “Me? He is the one who hit me,” he argued.

  Jill’s car pulled up behind the police car. She ran from it and straight to Avery. “You okay? He didn’t hurt you?”

  She looked down at her bare arms and bruises had begun to form where he’d gripped her. “I’m okay,” Avery said.

  “He came to the house. I was gathering a few things to take to my mom’s. He broke in and I heard him. I didn’t confront him, but I called the police. I was pretty sure he’d end up here once he drove away.”

  Avery pulled Jill to her. “You are a good friend.”

  Jill laughed. “I’ve been told that my whole life.”

  Pete laughed too. “Tell her she’s sexy. She likes that one too.”

  Avery shifted a glance to Pete, who smiled down at her.

  The police cuffed Marcus and threw him into the back of the car as he bled and cursed.

  One of the officers walked toward Pete and Avery. “We have him on stalking charges,
breaking and entering, and by the looks of your cheek and your arms,” he said looking at Pete and Avery collectively. “I think we can certainly add assault charges to that.”

  Pete held his hand out to shake the officer’s. “We appreciate this.”

  The officer nodded and looked at the crowd behind them. “Quite a group of witnesses you have here.”

  Pete looked behind him. “That’s my family.”

  Pete stood in the yard until the police had driven away with Marcus. He looked down at his hand, which was still bloody.

  “Here,” Jill walked up to him with a wet rag. “Avery’s mom is worried about you.”

  “I’m okay,” he said taking the rag and wiping away Marcus’s blood. “I’m glad he’s gone. I can’t believe men like that exist.”

  “They do. Too many of them. She’s safe with you now.”

  Pete nodded then looked at his friend. “She is. I’ll always keep her safe.”

  Jill smiled then swung her arms in front of her like a child. “So I got a job offer.”

  “Did you?”

  “Did you know Avery’s mom has a charity organization?”

  Pete laughed. “You don’t say.”

  “Yeah, they provide counseling to women who are trying to get out of abusive situations.”

  Pete nodded. “They do that, yes.”

  Jill gave him a playful shove. “Avery put in a good word for me to work with them.”

  “I think that would be wonderful.”

  “I knew letting you kiss me would lead to something good.”

  Pete pulled her into him and hugged her. “You knew all along we wouldn’t be an item?”

  She shrugged. “You loved her too much to let me in all the way. I love her too. I think you married the right girl.”

  “Stay for dinner?”

  “Oh, you’re too late,” she smirked as she walked back to the house. “I was already invited.”

  Pete absorbed the moment before he walked in through the house and out back where his family gathered.

  Avery stood in the yard surrounded by all of her cousins, most of them holding a baby or two.

  “I’m home. Just stop giving me a hard time,” she laughed.

  “It’s what we do,” Spencer argued. “You’re a pain in our asses and it is our duty to give you an exceptionally hard time about it.”

  “You most of all.”

  “I’ve had a damn pink and black birthday cake my whole life. I get to give you more crap than anyone.”

  Avery had missed this most of all. She loved each of these people more than she’d ever realized.

  Pete walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You all giving my wife a hard time?”

  Tyler chuckled. “We heard you tell him that. He believed you too, I think.”

  Avery looked up at Pete, who smiled down at her. “Actually, we flew to Vegas yesterday and got married. It was just to make it official so that Marcus couldn’t argue the fact.”

  Simone pushed her way through the group. “You went off and got married?”

  Clara snorted. “It’s been done.” She raised her hand and laughed.

  Simone shook her head. “You didn’t tell me.”

  “It’s not like we were going to stay married. I told him we could annul it as soon as Marcus was out of the picture.”

  “I was giving that some thought though,” Pete said as he turned her in his arms. “I mean, geez, we already got the license, did the ceremony, I gave you the ring. What if we keep the marriage?”

  “Really?” She rested her hands on his chest.

  “It would be a waste of time otherwise,” he said smiling down at her.

  “You still want me?”

  “Nothing has ever changed, Avery.” He kissed her softly. “But, for the sake of our families I’d like to marry you again. A real wedding with a real dress.”

  Avery felt the first happy tear streak down her cheek. “I think I would like that.”

  Spencer stepped up to them pulling Julie by the hand. “Considering I have never, ever, ever done anything without you,” he cleared his throat. “Julie and I were thinking about getting married next year on our birthday. Wouldn’t it make sense if it were both of us getting married that day?”

  “Double wedding?” Avery smiled through her tears.

  “Pink and Black wedding cake?” Spencer offered.

  Avery looked at Julie, who nodded and then at Pete. “What do you say?”

  “Avery, I’d marry you in a cheap Vegas chapel on the spur of the moment,” he kissed her gently. “Oh, I did that already.” He smiled sweetly at her cupping her face in his hands. “This wedding sounds even better.”

  She pulled Pete in close. “Thank you for being my escape clause.”

  “Oh, honey, I’ve always got your back.”

  Epilogue

  Avery secured the boutonniere on Spencer’s jacket.

  “I do think this is the biggest birthday party we’ve ever had,” she said brushing her hands down his lapel.

  “Did you see your cake?”

  “Pink and black? Yes, I saw it. Did you see yours?” She joked.

  “Avery, if you seriously got me a pink and black wedding cake…”

  “For the first time I thought of you and what you’d want,” she said smiling at her cousin. “But we took a chance letting each other pick our cakes.”

  He laughed. “I took the biggest.”

  “Hey, birthday kids, are you ready?” Avery’s father asked as he entered the room.

  “I think I am, Daddy.”

  Spencer shook her father’s hand. “I know I am. I’ll go take my position.”

  Her father turned to her and gathered her hands in his. “You look beautiful, princess.”

  “I know this is a formality and I’ve almost been married nine months, but I’m nervous.”

  “So is your groom,” he said grinning.

  “I can’t believe it took me so long to realize he was the one.”

  Her father kissed her on the cheek. “You’re lucky he waited.”

  “Okay, here’s your other bride,” Courtney said as she and Julie walked through the door.

  “You both look radiant,” Avery said.

  Courtney did a little spin. “Do I? I’m very afraid my breasts are going to leak if I hear Fitz cry.”

  Avery laughed at her cousin Tyler’s wife. “If you need to feed him during…”

  “Um, no. That isn’t going to happen,” Courtney laughed as Clara walked in and touched Courtney’s arm. “Okay. My seeing eye Clara is here. I’ll be up there when you two get there.”

  Avery looked at Julie. “Thank you for sharing your day with me—with us.”

  “You and Spencer are like brother and sister. I can’t even imagine the bond you have. I think this is the perfect way to celebrate that.”

  Avery’s father stepped up to both of them and kissed each of them on the cheek. “Are you ready?”

  “I most certainly am,” Julie said with a radiant glow to her smile.

  “Yes,” Avery said on a deep cleansing breath. “I’m ready.”

  Avery’s father offered them each an arm and walked them to the door of the chapel.

  Clara and Warner stood to the side of the pulpit, each with a guitar. Upon her father’s nod, they began to play.

  It wasn’t a traditional wedding march, but that had been the plan. Their gift to each couple was to write a song that celebrated the love between Julie and Spencer and Avery and Pete.

  The little church was filled with family. She thought it was a perfect way to celebrate Julie as well—since she had no family.

  Pete’s nephew carried rings and his niece scattered flowers on the ground as their mother urged them to the front where they would all stand.

  Avery thought the sight before her was grand. Pete and Spencer watched as they walked toward them. Was Pete crying? Spencer was.

  Standing with them was Pete’s brother Craig and
of course Tyler, Eduardo, and Christian. On the other side, a row of weeping new mothers, dabbed their eyes. Courtney, Darcy, and Victoria were stunning in their bridesmaids’ dresses. Pete’s sisters Kacey, Sarah, Jenny, and Dawn each wore a rose in their hair to symbolize their family bond.

  When they reached the altar Avery’s father kissed each bride and handed her off to the man who would forever love and take care of them.

  “You look stunning,” Pete whispered in her ear. “Even more so than the day we got married.”

  The minister began the ceremony and Avery absorbed every moment that the blissful day had to offer. A year ago she’d been planning her escape. She had no idea she’d escape back home to where she belonged—with her family.

  Clara and Warner sang each couple a song as they lit unity candles and recited their vows to each other. Then Spencer exchanged rings with Julie and then Pete’s nephew offered his pillow of rings to the minister.

  “Peter, repeat after me.”

  The minister said the words which Pete repeated as he gazed into Avery’s eyes. Then he took the ring and slid it on Avery’s finger.

  She looked down to admire the ring she’d loved for nearly a year, but it wasn’t the same.

  She lifted it to take a closer look.

  When she gazed back at Pete, he was smiling wide. “You deserved a little something new.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” she said looking back at the new ring. The diamond was twice the size and embedded in a ring of birthstones, which represented both her and Pete.

  “I promise to change out one of those birthstones for each child we have,” he whispered.

  “No escape now, is there?”

  “None. I’ve chased you since I was seven. I’m never going to let you go and I’m never going to make you want to leave.”

  They continued with the service once Spencer gave Avery an elbow to her arm to get her to continue.

  The minister closed his book and looked at each couple. “I now pronounce you each man and wife. Gentlemen you may kiss your brides.”

  Spencer scooped Julie into his arms and dipped her for a long and breathtaking kiss.

  Avery laughed as she looked back at Pete, who cupped her face with his hands and gazed deep into her eyes.

  “Thanks for inviting me to stay for your birthday last year.”