Last night after Gabriel called me, I had a hard time going back to sleep. I waited to see if he would appear; he never did. I half-heartedly read a book until I fell asleep. Morning comes, and I turn to see he never came to me. One more day, and he’ll be here with me; it’s all I think about. His touch...the feel of his lips...the way he makes me feel like no other. I dread and crave tomorrow, but it will come – and as he warned, so will he.

I shake the feeling off. I’m so tired of worrying about tomorrow. I’ve thought about it to death. Tomorrow, I will become his, he will become mine, and like Catherine said, that will bring me the power I’ve always desired. I’m getting everything Catherine promised me, so fuck the rest.

After an hour of showering and getting dressed, I head downstairs with a newfound pep in my step. I find Jeffrey in the kitchen. He tells me Catherine is in her office making the final changes to the seating arrangements. I eat, then make my way there.

“Hello, Catherine.”

“Fallon, you look chipper. Are you getting excited about the wedding?”

Happily, I answer, “You know, Catherine, I am. I have decided I won’t worry anymore. I’m getting everything we discussed. I worked hard for it, and I’ve decided I’m taking it.”

“I’m so glad to hear that, Fallon. I have plans tonight for you, sort of a bachelorette party, and I have a present for you, my dear. Please be ready by eight.”

“Catherine, how the hell am I supposed to have a party when I don’t have any friends?”

“You’ll see. Now if you don’t mind, I have a few more things to get through here, and then I have an appointment to keep. I will see you tonight.”

I spend part of my day packing a couple of bags for our honeymoon. I pack bikinis and some clothes for warm weather; I can’t imagine he would bring me somewhere cold. I also pack an assortment of lingerie that was handpicked by my stylist. I don’t know where we are going, but I don’t care; as long as it’s with him, I’ll go anywhere.

I sit on the bed, now staring at my wedding dress that was delivered yesterday. It’s beautiful. I start to think back to my mother. What would she think of me now? Would she even recognize me? After all this time, I still think of her. It’s been years since I’ve seen her. Maybe I should rub it in her face that the girl that she tossed out is now going to be part of the most powerful family in the state. Maybe I should.

I call Vin and tell him to get the car ready; I want to take a drive. I change my dress and meet Vin. It’s a long drive, but it gives me time to reflect. I think about everything I went through in my life and how it led me here. I can tell by looking out the window we are getting closer. The surroundings start to turn drab, and the neighborhood’s grungy. Someone of my new status should not be in this part of the city. It’s funny to me as I sit here in an expensive dress and shoes that together cost more money than most of the people I grew up around could make in a month.

A few minutes later, we pass Earl’s diner, where I once worked. I ask Vin to pull over as I watch in awe. Nothing has changed; it’s still a shit hole, I can feel myself starting to have a panic attack from the memories. I can’t go any further. I just can’t.

“Vin, can you take me home now, please?”

Vin turns the car around and starts driving us back home. I instantly feel myself start to relax. I never want to return. There is no need to see my mother or anything else. That part of my life is over. I don’t want to forget; I need to remember it all to keep myself strong and make sure I never go back to that life. It will keep me hungry for more, but I have no need ever to look back. Tomorrow, Fallon St. Martin will no longer exist. Tomorrow, I start my new life as Fallon Stern.

Back at home, I ask Vin not speak of our drive to anyone. He says he won’t and understands my request.

I’m ready and waiting for Catherine, promptly at eight o’clock. As I watch her walk toward me, I’m in awe of her beauty. She might be a mature woman, but she still has the looks to capture any man in the room.

I ask Catherine where we’re going, but she says, “It’s a surprise.”

And boy, is it: we pull into a male strip club. I cannot believe Catherine would bring me somewhere like this – but hey, I’m in.

We’re escorted to a booth, and I start to notice there are five women and one man sitting there, one of which is Brittany.

She jumps out from the booth and gives me a huge hug. I’m so glad to see her. I know maybe I should be jealous of her, knowing she has slept with Gabriel, but I’m not; that was before me.

She starts to tell me, “I’m so glad to see you, and thanks for the invite to the wedding. Catherine has planned a date for me so I can be there with no questions asked.”

“I’m sorry, Brittany, for the secrecy, but Catherine doesn’t think I should tell Gabriel about us being friends yet.”

“Trust me, she’s right. Don’t worry about it. I got your back.”

Brittany nods at Catherine, then sits, and Catherine takes over.

“Fallon, you know Brittany, but I would like for you meet the rest of our company. This is Alexa, Candice, Meghan, Candy, and this gentleman here is Chris.”

I shake hands with all of them until I realize I have already met two of them: Candice and Candy.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn’t recognize the both of you until just now. How are the two of you doing?”

Catherine cuts in, “Oh, that’s right. You all met through Theodore when the girls were Ernest and Forrest’s dates. That was an interesting night, right girls?”

They giggle and blush.

“Ladies, would you mind giving my daughter-in-law and me a few minutes? We should be ready for you to return before the show.”

They all get up and walk away. Catherine and I sit.

Catherine begins, “I am sure by now you know what they all do for a living.”

“Yes, but Chris? What does he do?”

“The same as the ladies.”

“Really?”

Catherine smiles, and with sin in her voice she says, “You’d be surprised how often, and by whom.” I’m taken aback by the realization. “Fallon, I wanted you to meet them because they are my wedding gift to you.”

“What? How?”

“Each of them is an independent contractor. They have no pimps, and I am not their Madame, but I do make sure they are taken care of. Now, so will you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have already explained to you about my association with Brittany. I have the same relationship with all of them, and now so do you. They’ve been instructed that they now answer to you as well, but I do have the final say in all decisions. We strictly pay them for information, nothing more – unless there is a need for it – and we always make sure they can remain their own bosses.”

“How does it all work?”

“I have people I hire to gather information about who is sleeping with whom. Once I have that information, I contact the girl, or in some cases the man, and work out a deal so they no longer feel the need to work for someone else. I offer them money for any information they find interesting, or sometimes for information I seek, paying them a hefty amount. With their other payments, it helps them maintain an independent lifestyle. With most, we simply invest their money into sound investments for retirement. Over the years, many have come and gone, but I have never had a problem with any. Their lifestyle can be a hard one, but if you treat them with respect and treat their profession as a job, there should be no problems. I also show them what happens once they reach the age when they can no longer work, and how I can help them through it. Then, my dear, they become very loyal.” She pauses for a minute, then starts again. “I wasn’t sure if you were ready for this, but once I heard from Candice and Candy about how impressed they were with you the other night, I decided to go ahead with my plans.”

“And what are your plans?”

“I am gifting them to you. I still expect to be in the loop and have the final say, but they work for you now.”

“Catherine, I don’t know if I’m ready for this kind of responsibility yet.”

“Nonsense. The other night proved you are more than ready. I heard of your business proposal to Theodore, and I must say I was very impressed. I’m also pleased with the way you handled the girls. You are ready.”

“OK. I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Catherine.”

“I told you, Fallon, when you married Gabriel, you would become powerful. This is a side of the business my sons are not aware of, nor do I want them to know. Do you understand?’

“Yes, of course. I can understand the secrecy, but why from your sons?”

“Because you will maybe need to use the information the girls have on them. If need be, you can keep track of your husband this way. I hope it will not come to that, but if so, you have them. After your honeymoon and things have settled, I will teach you everything you need to know. I will put you in contact with the investigators and our financial advisor for the girls. Fallon, this is just the start. After you’ve proven yourself and given birth to my future grandchildren, I will give you more understanding of the rest of our business.”

“What about your sons? They might have something to say about what control I can have.”

“No, they won’t. Not with this part. Our business has many sectors, and each one of my sons handles a part, but a woman’s touch is needed for the rest. Something like this is delicate. Besides, they don’t even know it exists.”

“What about your other future daughters-in-law?”

“Ah, yes, we will have to see. Everyone has something they excel at. We will access that once we see what their contributions can be.

“Now the men. Chris, who I already introduced you to, and Leo, who is in the show tonight. He will meet you after. These boys are both bisexual; they see very important women and men, so don’t underestimate their worthiness.”

I look up and notice they are all returning.

Catherine calls to them, “Perfect timing. I have just explained to Fallon that you all answer to her now – but remember, I am not retired. Finalization comes through me. I do hope tonight gives you all time you need to get to know each other.”

“Well, Fallon, the show is about to start, and I must leave.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, child. I have a late dinner date with a gentleman who does not like tardiness. So, I have another car here picking me up, but Vin has been instructed to bring you home at eleven o’clock. Brittany, I expect you to watch over her. I don’t want you drinking too much, Fallon. Your wedding is tomorrow, and I expect you not to be hungover. Brittany, make sure of it, will you?”

Brittany nods.

“Wait a minute, you have a date?” I ask, shocked.

“Yes, Fallon, I have a date. What did you think, I couldn’t still get a date? I’ll have you know I am still a vital woman. Thank you very much.”

“No, I’m sorry, Catherine. I just never heard you mention a man before or a date, but I am quite aware that you are a very capable woman. So, who is he?”

She laughs at my question and walks away, never answering.

Tonight is the night before my wedding, and I’m having a few drinks with Zander and Liam. We’re at the casino in the bar. I couldn’t go too far. All week, I’ve been trying to finalize a few things before I leave for our honeymoon. My nerves are starting to go into overdrive. A few drinks will hopefully be enough to calm me down. Liam takes notice.

“Gabriel, you might want to slow down. You don’t want to be hungover tomorrow.”

Zander shakes his head and tells Liam, “He’s doing fine. You have no idea how much Gabriel can drink. He can handle his shit.”

I toss my head back to finish my whiskey and decide I need to tell them about Mom and Fallon.

“The other night, I was looking for Fallon, and Mom begged me to get her from Senator Rollins’ home. She seemed scared. I’ve never seen her scared before, but she was shaking. She said I could not allow Miles to have her. I don’t know what to think about it.”

Zander replies, “She was probably just scared all her hard work on getting Fallon for you was about to get pissed away. She didn’t want Miles to reap all Fallon’s rewards.”

“Yeah, maybe, but I don’t know. I thought of that myself, but if you would have seen the look of fear in her eyes...I just can’t shake it. It has to be more to it than that.”

Liam speaks up, “Have you asked Mom about it?”

“No. I wanted to, but I just ran and got her, and then with everything else going on, I just figured I’d wait till after the wedding.”

Zander looks into his glass silently for a second, then says, “Scared? That’s something I’ve never seen either. I’d like to know what you find out Gabriel. If Mom’s in trouble or something, I want to know. I mean, who or what could scare Catherine Stern?”

“Trust me; I will let you both know, because if it’s enough to scare Mom, then we all need to be involved.”

Liam breaks our concentration. “Hey guys, I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got a date tonight with that pretty little blonde right there. So, Zander, Gabriel, I will see you two tomorrow.”

Just like Liam, always getting his dick wet. Once Liam leaves, Zander and I are quiet for a bit until I decide to ask about Liam’s progress.

“How’s Liam doing?”

“He’s getting there. The other night, I had him handle my latest hunt.”

“And? How did he do?”

Zander shrugs. “He did what was needed, but you can tell he just doesn’t have the heart for it. And to be honest, part of me hates making him do it.”

“Zander, he has to learn.”

“I know, Gabriel, but you’re not the one teaching him this shit. He’s not that cruel. I feel like shit trying to make him like that.”

“I know, and like I told you before, it’s our damn fault. We never let anyone touch him. We protected Liam way too much. He’s not only our baby brother, he is also a fucking Stern, and he has to learn these things.”

“Yeah, OK. You’re right,” Zander finally agrees with me.

“Give it a little longer, then I’ll take him and teach him my part of the operation. By then, we should know where his talents lie.”

“Yeah, sure. Hey, you ready for tomorrow?”

“I guess I’m as ready as ever. I just want it over. This wedding is just a shit show for Mom.”

“You don’t think Fallon wants the shit show?”

“I don’t know. We never talked about it.”

Shit, as I think about it, I never asked her what she wanted. Does she want a wedding? All I thought about was that I couldn’t go too much longer without having her in my bed every night.

“Well, Gabriel, I sure hope you talk to her much more after the wedding.” He winks. “Well, OK, maybe more talk after the honeymoon.”

After about an hour, we say our goodbyes and I head out.

I call Fallon, but she doesn’t answer. I try again; same thing. I just want to hear her voice just once tonight. I try a third time; same bullshit. So, I decide to call Vin.

“Where is she, Vin?”

“She’s with your mother, Gabriel.”

I ask, “Where are they?”

“Gabriel, I can’t answer that. I was given explicit instructions not to give you any information, except to tell you she is fine and will be tucked soundly in her bed at a decent time.”

“What the fuck, man?”

“Gabriel, come on, don’t put me in this shit. You know I answer to your mother first. She’s fine. I will make sure of it. Oh, I was also told to tell you, you are not permitted on the grounds tonight. The guards will not allow you in the gates until tomorrow. Sorry, Gabriel.”

He disconnects the phone before I can curse his ass out. Vince, always the loyal soldier. He would never do anything to betray Catherine. He’s loyal to my whole family, but Catherine will always come before the rest of us.

So, all the secrecy makes me wonder what the hell Mom is up to.