The Secret Heir, page 1
“I am sorry to disturb you...
“I saw your light was on.” Nothing.
Abe stood for a moment, but just as he started to walk away from the door, it opened. He turned to see Reign looking forlorn and sad.
He immediately pulled her into his arms. “Out of all of this beauty,” he softly whispered, “you are the most beautiful, valuable and rarest bloom in this room.”
His words touched something. He was sure she cried now. Softly, hiding her face from his view.
A few moments passed before she leaned back. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
Her words brought out that feeling again, an overwhelming passion, a possessive streak to have Reign as his own.
She was in his arms, soft and vulnerable, looking like sunshine, smelling like paradise. Without thought he reacted, pressed his lips against hers. She opened up and welcomed him in...and her mouth felt like home.
Dear Reader,
You beautiful Daydreamer!
Have you seen the movie Coming to America? This last installment of The Eddington Heirs series, detailing Reign and Abe’s story, is a loving nod to the late ’80s romantic comedy featuring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and a star-studded cast that became an instant classic. Similar to in the movie, my hero, Aldric “Abe” Baiden, leaves an African paradise, the fictional Kingdom of Kutoka, to spend a year in America before honoring his duty to marry, continue the Baiden lineage and take his place in the family’s corporate empire. Abe’s parents think he’s taking the trip to “sow his wild oats.” Abe has other plans. He hopes to meet someone who will love him without knowledge of his wealth and royal connections. Abe wants to marry for love.
To do so, he’ll have to convince Chicagoan Reign Eddington that the lowly blue-collar worker he’s portraying is worthy of her wealthy, successful, high-society heart. Not an easy task. Reign has pressures of her own. As the youngest in a family of overachievers—Cayden Barker, Desmond, Maeve and Jake—Reign has something to prove. Can she make her mark and find love, too? Grab a glass of goodness, settle into a comfy chair, turn the page and let’s find out!
Zuri
The Secret Heir
Zuri Day
Zuri Day is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of a slew of novels translated into almost a dozen languages. When not writing or enjoying the adventures of international travel, she can be found in the weeds, literally, engaged in gardening, her latest passion, or in the kitchen whipping up tasty vegan and vegetarian dishes while being a chef in her own mind! Check out her bookshelf and become a part of her beautiful day by signing up for her newsletter at zuriday.com.
Books by Zuri Day
Harlequin Desire
The Eddington Heirs
Inconvenient Attraction
The Nanny Game
Two Rivals, One Bed
A Game of Secrets
The Secret Heir
Sin City Secrets
Sin City Vows
Ready for the Rancher
Sin City Seduction
The Last Little Secret
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
You can also find Zuri Day on Facebook, along with other Harlequin Desire authors, at Facebook.com/HarlequinDesireAuthors!
Rebels are sexy, unafraid to break rules
Living life on their own terms and nobody’s fool.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain
Chances are taken and eventually love reigns.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Excerpt from Four Weeks to Forever by Karen Booth
One
After a long and stressful workweek, it was finally TGIF. Reign Eddington was very thankful that it was Friday, and in a great mood. She was about to cap off a successful business trip by attending her pro basketball boyfriend’s signing celebration. Everyone in the sports world and anyone watching TV or surfing the web had seen the announcement. The Chicago Bulls had signed her guy, Trenton “Super Hot Jump Shot” Carpenter to a five-year, fifty-five-million-dollar deal that included a fifteen-million-dollar signing bonus. The money was nice, but that wasn’t the main reason Reign was so pleased about Trenton’s good fortune. The five-year contract meant that she didn’t have to worry about him being traded away from Chicago. Relationships with professional athletes were challenging enough without adding distance to the mix. Being with a superstar player, one whose popularity transcended basketball into A-list celebrity status, was an even harder, sometimes impossible, relationship to navigate. Their first year of dating had proved that. All the travel—forty-plus away games. All the components that made up his lucrative empire—shoe deals, corporate sponsorships, the investment portfolio her brother Jake managed. All the women, groupies, barracudas, hangers-on. All the haters. The unnecessary BS.
There had been more than one incident where she’d questioned his loyalty. The last was eight months ago when pictures of him cozied up with a certain famous, alluring pop star had been splashed all over the web. Blatant honesty had saved him. There had been almost constant arguments leading up to the affair. Jealousy, insecurities, mistrust on both sides. He’d accused her of flirting with a teammate. She’d admittedly been a bit too friendly with one of Jake’s clients but had quickly reminded Trenton that she was only guilty of playful teasing while he’d done much worse and more often.
They’d been on an unofficial break when he’d slipped up with the busty brunette, and had stayed apart for two months. They’d not been technically exclusive when he’d cheated, and Reign hadn’t been completely innocent, either, but through the whole sordid situation she’d had a realization. She wanted monogamy. It had taken a slew of extravagant gifts, almost nightly phone conversations, several heart-to-hearts and an ironclad commitment to exclusivity for Trenton to win her back. But her return had come with a warning: “Cheat again and I’m gone for good.”
Since then, he’d been on his best behavior. There’d even been hints of forever, so much so that when Cupid shot his bow next month, she wouldn’t be surprised to see an engagement ring attached. Having a relationship with a man that every other woman wanted hadn’t been easy, but it was worth it.
That was why tonight was going to be super special. Company business had taken her to New York with her father, Derrick, and sister, Maeve. She hadn’t been sure she’d be back in time to make the party. Trenton hadn’t been happy, but he’d understood. Business came first. Especially when said business involved a family empire. When the lavish, deal-closing dinner she’d thought would take four hours finished in two, Reign couldn’t believe her luck. She’d headed to the airport, calling Trenton along the way. After repeatedly getting voice mail, she’d finally sent a text just before the company plane had taken off for Chicago.
As if celebrating her boyfriend’s good fortune wasn’t enough, there was one more reason Reign was excited about tonight. The celebration would officially kick off her personal business. After years of dreaming about an online presence as a lifestyle influencer, she’d taken Jake’s advice, followed his business model, and revamped her desire into an area not only closer aligned to a proved skill set, but also closer to something that complemented the family business. Something she was already known for and very good at. She’d created a branding business—Make It Reign—to expand her marketing and public relations expertise outside the finance arena.
Everything about tonight—from the balloons, tablecloths, napkins and invites to the complimentary ball caps and shot glasses for the men and crystal-studded wineglasses and tees for the ladies—would bear his unique logo. An artistic rendition of Trenton’s profile with his short trademark twists, sexy scowl and one hand fluidly releasing a basketball, transposed over the letters TC in a commanding font. The photographer she’d hired would capture the action, along with a slew of media outlets covering the festive aftermath of Trenton’s good news.
By morning, pictures of her TC branding would be seen everywhere, worn by some of America’s favorite A-listers. A line of merchandise—more hats, tees and a signature shoe—courtesy of Ace Montgomery, her best friend London’s internationally known, award-winning, designer husband, would follow the rollout. With his management team and the front office fully behind her ideas, this would not only be a stellar launch for Make It Reign, but sales created from tonight’s publicity alone would potentially add tens of millions to Trenton’s already overflowing coffers.
The flight landed early. A stretch limo sat idling on the tarmac to whisk her directly to Verve, Chicago’s latest nightlife sensation. Still no text from Trenton, but she wasn’t worried. He was no doubt being pulled in a thousand directions while basking in a sea of congratulations from adoring fans.
On
“Have a beautiful evening, Ms. Eddington.”
Reign thought about the barely there Fifth Avenue purchase to be worn during her and Trenton’s private after-party and smiled.
“That’s exactly the kind I have planned.”
A slew of cameras went off immediately, one from the photographer of a Point du Sable television reporter she recognized. She bypassed the line and walked to the door. The manager recognized her and ushered her inside. Reign wasn’t unaware of the looks and whispers as she glided past at least a hundred people hoping for a chance to get inside. The glares and comments from the women. The stares and compliments from the men.
She was a beautiful woman who’d inherited the best traits from parents Derrick and Mona. She was a member of a family recognized as Illinois royalty, especially in the township of Point du Sable where the Eddingtons lived. She was smart, gifted, drew in people with her magnetism. Yet she wasn’t conceited. She didn’t always see what others saw. Her siblings had set the bar for the baby of the family very high. Reign felt she was always trying to reach it and sometimes fell short. In her mind, Make It Reign would close the gap and help make her feel as talented and successful as her sister and brothers.
She stepped into an establishment pulsating with life. The music was loud and lively, a steady bass beat fairly shaking the walls. Everybody was dancing, conversing, fully engaged. She recognized several faces while being escorted to the elevator leading to the third floor’s private VIP section where, much like in an arena, Trenton would be holding court. VIP was as turned up as the crowd downstairs. Her TC logo was everywhere—guys sporting the hats, women wearing the tees. Myriad conversations went on at once. She smiled, taking in the joyous atmosphere. All of this for her baby and what he’d accomplished. A Chicago Bull for five more years!
Reign strolled to the plush booths that lined the back wall. A pair of long legs stretched out from the last one. Her strides increased, effortlessly walking like a runway model in five-inch heels.
“Hey, ba—”
Screech! The scene she took in stopped all movement. The legs belonged to Trenton. He wasn’t alone. His lips were moving, but he wasn’t talking. He, or more specifically, his tongue, was engaged in a rather serious get-to-know with the scantily clad woman sitting on his lap. The tableau paralyzed Reign, but not for long. Noting an open bottle of Dom on the table, she envisioned a champagne shower over their heads and took a step to make it happen. Less than a yard away from completing the mission, a strong hand clamped her arm.
“Let me go!”
She yanked away from the determined grip, whipped around and came face-to-face with Donald, the photographer she’d hired to document Trenton’s celebration and her business launch.
“Cameras are everywhere,” he hastily whispered. “Remember the brand.”
The caustic words she’d ironically shared with him just weeks before brought her out of the haze of anger temporarily clouding her good sense. Aware of cameras now capturing her moves, she looked up and saw that either her outburst or an observant friend had helped Trenton get the memo. His girlfriend, the one who was supposed to be exclusive, had arrived. He pushed the woman off his lap and stood in one motion.
“Reign!”
Like a ballerina in a jewelry box, she spun around on the heel of one stiletto and quickly retraced her steps. Trenton’s voice grew louder.
“Baby, wait!”
So, now I’m your baby? Reign walked faster.
She reached the elevator, tapped her VIP card on the scanner and willed the doors to open.
Trenton reached her in less than a dozen long strides. “Reign!” He placed a hand on her shoulder.
She jumped as though scalded. “Don’t! Touch! Me!”
The elevator doors opened. Thank God, it was empty. She stepped inside. Trenton followed.
“Get out, Trenton.”
“No,” he all but slurred.
Drunk. It figured. Obviously, the Dom she’d seen on the table hadn’t been his first bottle.
“Let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
Someone on another floor pushed the elevator button, causing the doors to close. Reign stepped back and hugged the wall, glaring at the man she’d devoted head and heart to for the past eighteen months.
“How could you?” She managed to push the words past the lump in her throat. “This night is everything!”
“Baby, I thought...” He ran both hands over his head and along his face. Reign imagined the move was to help sober him up.
Good luck with that. She shook her head, disgusted.
“Why didn’t...how... I thought you were in New York.”
“Clearly, I wasn’t expected.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
Missed calls and voice mails showed up on phones. He’d get that reality check later.
“You knew how important this night was for me, for my business. You didn’t care!”
“I did. I do! Everybody loves your stuff, baby, they—”
Reign choked out a laugh as the elevator doors opened. She pushed through a group waiting to get on. Accolades for Trenton followed them as the argument continued.
“Save it, Trenton. Hope the logo works out for you.” She yanked her phone from her purse and texted the driver. “Don’t expect me to follow through with the rest of the plan though. You’ll get my bill for the design in the mail.”
“C’mon, Reign. Don’t be like that. Those girls mean nothing to me.”
“Oh, girls. As in plural.”
“No, those, that...you know what I mean.”
“Sadly, I think I do.”
Reign hurried toward the main entrance but, remembering the long line of fans, changed course and made a beeline for a side door. More fans noticed Trenton and yelled his name as he fell into step beside her.
“Stop following me!” She spoke quietly and through clenched teeth, aware of the eyes turned in their direction and cell phones snapping shots.
Trenton ignored her demand and easily kept pace. “Why are you so mad? That girl was just a fan congratulating me on the deal.”
“Oh, is that what you call it? I’d think it would be kind of hard to convey that with your tongue down her throat.”
“We weren’t—”
“You were!”
“Sweetheart...”
Reign tried to tune out his excuses. She checked her phone. No response from the driver, whom she’d relieved for the night and, for all she knew, could be halfway back to the Point. She sent another message anyway and attached a 9-1-1. Thankfully, he answered.
Be there in five.
She yanked open the side door, not at all minding the frigid air that kept her from internally combusting.
Trenton continued to follow her. “Sweetheart, it was nothing. Please don’t leave. This night’s celebration is for you too.”
“Trenton, I do not want to talk to you.”
“Come on, Reign,” he pleaded, his intoxicated tongue making her name sound like Wayne. “This is our night! This is the moment we envisioned, why we worked so hard.”
“This is harassment. Leave me alone.”
Trenton tried to embrace her. She shimmied away and turned to leave. He caught her arm.
“Stop it!” She struggled to free herself. Trenton’s hold tightened.
“You heard the lady.”
A slight scuffle followed that voice of authority. “Your presence is no longer desired.”
A stranger now had Trenton’s arm tucked behind his back, the other pinned to his side.
