Chapter2
The Miami skylineoutlined the back of Peter Morgan’s mansion as the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway lapped against his yacht. Tonight he wouldn't be able to enjoy his privacy. The tropical breeze brushed against his suit as he locked his front door. Peter Morgan slippedinto the backseat of his personal town car, complete with his driver in thefrontseat.
He checked his phone and work emails. Outside, they passed other neighbors on Starr Island. The white lights that flashed at the bottom of the palm trees next door to his home never indicated Christmas to Peter Morgan. He could have been anywhere in the world right now, and ensured he successfully movedMorgan Enterprises to the top of the next big field, but his family reminded him tostayhere.
John Morgan, his brother, chose to live in a more residential area, and his party meant people had more places to park without the valetservice.
A few minutes later, Peter Morgan knocked on his John’s door and held a gift basket in his hand. No one should ask him what it was, because hehad no idea. His secretary had told him, but he forgot. Since his siblings, John and Victoria, had returned to his life, Peter's heart seemed to have begun beating again. He'd do what was bestforthem.
Vicki opened the door and hugged him. "We're happyyou'rehere."
“Thanks.”
Victoria, his baby sister, was getting married on Christmas Eve. He'd give her away. He swallowed.Vicki practically glowed with happiness. His arms wrapped around her andsqueezed.
"I'm glad I made it home early. Beijing was not where I wanted to be, though it was successful.Where'sJohn?"
Their brother's house overlooked Biscayne Bay. The white lights of Christmas stuff hung everywhere, and John had a large Christmas tree flown into his house for the occasion. At least he hadn'tdone the cheap pink flamingo lawn ornament with the red hats. His Grammy award-winning neighbor next to his own house on Starr Island didn't have the same eleganttaste.
Guests were both inside and outside the well-secured mansion. Vicki pointed toward the backyard with more strings of white lights that reflected against the darkened blue waters of theeveningbay.
She led him tothe bar and said, "Our brother is off scaring Colt in some effort to stop the wedding if he doesn'tbehave."
His eyebrows shifted up. "Sounds fun. I should gojointhem."
She shook her head. "Peter, be nice. You're my oldest brother and giving me away in a few days. If you don't agree, I will haunt you for eternity and beyond for ruining my happy-ever-after."
Peter massagedher back. "Vicki, we all actually like Colt. We're saving him from a lifewithyou."
She pinched him, and he laughed. Then he hugged her. Vicki was the best part of their family growing up. Her supposed death had widened the huge hole in his heart that had starting breakinglongago.
Their mother had ditched them practically the day Vicki was about to turn one and John had been two.Peter had spent his childhood protecting Vicki and John from their father and wondering how their motherwalkedaway.
He petted her hair until she swatted his hand away. "Don't go ruining my new style for our rehearsaldinner."
The warmth without the humidity made Miami in December one of the best places to spend winter. The party was full of people who laughed and drank. Most ofthe people in the room had business dealings and contracts with him. The rest were people who one daywould.
He pressed his lips together. "IsJenniferhere?"
Vicki crossed her arms. "Not yet. She is invited. Don't break her and Rafe up because you're lonely, big brother. There is more to lifethansex."
The friends-with-benefits relationship he shared with Jennifer for theyears his sister had been supposedly dead had helped remind him of Vicki. Jennifer never had his sister's good heart, but she had been a link to memories of when his sister had beenhappy.
A picture of Jennifer formed in his mind. Their break up, at Jennifer's insistence, had been one of the highlights of this year. He shook his head. "I won't, and I'm notlonely."
Vicki shook herhead no. John and Colt chose that moment to join them near the patio door. John slapped him on the back and laughed. Then Vicki said, "You live in dad's mausoleum on Starr Island and work in that office of yours fartoolate."
"I was in Beijing, taking care ofbusiness."
His brother and sister clearly had both decided to interfere with his life and intentions for the future. Peterstood straighter. He had forgotten what families were supposed to be like until they had barged back intohislife.
He sipped his drink. "And unlike you two, I don't have a fiancée or wife. I get to go home with any single ladyIwant."
Colt wrapped his arms around Victoria. "Life is better with someone, Peter. A good woman would do wondersforyou."
His sister glowed withhappiness. Marriage was not in his life plan. His own mother hadn't wanted him anymore, so why would he take in any woman? He'd stockpile as much of the Morgan finances as he could and leave it to his nieces and nephews. A wife would be a weight his heart didn't need. He pressed his lips together and hoped this didn't make him like theirfather.
Peter shook his head. "There are more thanone ‘some ones’ outthere."
