The Trustworthy Groom (Texas Titan Romance) Read online

  “Maybe.”

  “Sorry, it just completely terrified me to think that someone could hurt you.”

  Hailey squeezed his waist. “How could they possibly get through my tough husband?”

  Brady felt strength pour into him from her trust and faith. Nobody was getting through him, and nobody would ever hurt her.

  Hailey was drained by the time the police left. She hadn’t slept much the night before because Brady had been there holding her, and she didn’t want to miss a moment. Then this morning, she and Brady had done that killer leg workout and finally kissed before she’d opened up to him about Gage. Just when she thought she was going to be happy with her husband, the stalker changed the game plan. The police had no clue how to track someone down from the letters. It was a nightmare. All she wanted was to eat some dinner and fall asleep in Brady’s arms.

  The doorbell rang, and she rolled her eyes at Brady. “If that’s the police again, apologizing because they have no way to help us, I’m going to throw a glass of water in their faces.”

  “Ooh, so violent, my love.” He pulled her in close and trailed his fingers down her cheek. Hailey shivered from his warm touch. She arched up, anxious to kiss him.

  The doorbell rang again. Brady took her hand. “Let’s get rid of whoever it is quick. I need to spend some time kissing my wife.”

  She giggled at that. Brady was amazing. He wasn’t going to push her to do more than she was ready for, and she loved him for it, and for a lot of other reasons. “Now that sounds fun.”

  He squeezed her hand and winked at her. A delicious tremor passed through her. The stalker could take a flying leap. She had Brady, and that was all she needed.

  They walked into the entryway, and Brady checked the security monitors and gave her an inquisitive look before pulling the door open. “Hi.” He pulled it all the way open to reveal her mama and daddy.

  Her mama threw herself against Hailey. “Oh, sweet girl! I’ve been so worried.”

  Hailey hugged her. She’d missed seeing her mama for the past two weeks, but why would she be worried? “Don’t be, Mama. Brady is the best husband ever.” She grinned at him.

  Mama stared Brady down. “He’d better be, but I’m talking about this scary stalker chick. If I find her, I’m going to bust her butt.”

  Brady stepped back, and her parents walked into the foyer. Her husband’s jaw was tight. “How did you know about the stalker threatening Hailey?”

  “Officer Cardon called me,” her dad said to Brady. “What I’m wondering is why neither of you called.”

  “Sorry, Daddy. We just finished up with the police a little bit ago.” Hailey went to hug her daddy, but she could feel the tenseness radiating off of both of the men she loved. “Why don’t you come in and sit down?” she said, glancing to Brady for help.

  He nodded shortly.

  They walked silently to the living room and sat.

  “Can I get y’all a drink or something to eat?” Hailey asked.

  “Hailey!” her dad said sharply. “This isn’t some social visit. We’ve come to take you home.”

  “Home?” She repeated dumbly. “Why?”

  Brady sat straighter. His eyes darted from her daddy to her.

  “We did this fake marriage to get William and the stalker to ease off, but it’s all backfired. The media is circulating more stories about you being pregnant, and now, they have some guy claiming he’s the father. To top it all off, the stalker is now threatening you? It’s over, love. I’ll deal with whatever the commissioner’s office wants to do to me and my team, but I’m not placing you in danger.”

  Hailey had never seen her daddy this fierce and upset. Her mind raced trying to think how to pacify him yet explain that she didn’t care about the media or the stalker. She wasn’t leaving Brady.

  She looked to Brady for help. His jaw was tight.

  “Brady?” she asked.

  He gave her a strained smile then looked at her dad. “Sir, I promise you I will protect your daughter with my life.”

  Her dad’s eyebrows drew together. “Her being with you is why she’s in danger.”

  Brady’s lips pursed. “I understand that, but I am her husband, and I will take care of her.”

  Her dad jumped to his feet and jabbed his finger at Brady. “This is a fake marriage.” He practically roared. “You are not her husband!”

  Brady stood, and Hailey rose next to him. Her mama clung to her daddy. “James? Calm down, sweetie.”

  He turned on her. “I will not calm down! This is my baby girl, and I will not allow anyone to hurt her.” He turned back to Brady. “Especially you! I told you what would happen if you crossed any lines with my girl. Why is she looking at you like you invented the airplane? Did you take advantage of my daughter?”

  “Daddy!” Hailey hurried across the living room and threw her arms around him. “Daddy, I love you so much.” He hugged her back, resting his chin on her hair. Her mama’s arms came around the two of them, and Mama trembled as she cried.

  Hailey looked up at his craggy face. “Daddy, I trust Brady, and he has done nothing but treat me with respect and kindness.” She glanced over at Brady, standing all by himself and looking torn and miserable. “Brady is my husband. I won’t leave him.”

  Time stretched and almost cracked as she watched emotions trace across Brady’s handsome face. He looked relieved at her statement, but also worried sick about the stalker. Hailey realized he was in a horrible position as he needed to make a choice between what his new boss wanted and what his new wife needed. If he cared about his career, he’d listen to her daddy and dissolve their marriage. If he cared about her, he’d choose her and they would both deal with the consequences.

  “He’s my husband,” Hailey said again.

  Brady crossed the room, and Hailey turned to him, reaching out her hand. He took it, staring at her like she was Christmas morning. Her mama pulled back and dabbed at her eyes. Her daddy looked back and forth between the two of them. Finally, he released Hailey and stared Brady down. “I already threatened once what would happen if you crossed any lines. You protect her in every way possible or I won’t stop with your career and your man parts. Do you understand me?”

  Brady nodded. “I already told you, sir. I’d give my life for her.”

  Hailey sucked in a breath. Did Brady truly care for her that much?

  Her mama walked to Brady and wrapped her arms around his broad back. Hailey had to smile at how cute it was to see her tiny mama next to her huge husband. He held on to Hailey’s hand, but wrapped his other arm around her mama.

  Mama glanced up at him, her eyes shining. “Take care of her. She’s my life.”

  “I know.” He nodded a few times. “I know. She’s my life too.”

  Hailey could hardly swallow through the thickness of emotion in her throat. She couldn’t believe Brady really meant the things he was saying, yet they rang true for her. He was her life too. She’d be lost without him at this point, and she trusted him like she’d never trusted any man, Daddy excluded.

  Her mama stepped back, and her daddy put his arm around her and escorted her toward the front door. If Hailey had thought she was emotionally spent before, now she was completely drained. She kissed both of her parents goodbye, and they opened the door. The evening sun was bright which seemed so weird as she felt like it should be nighttime and she should be afraid of the stalker, but the brightness of the sun and the love from her parents and her husband chased away any fears.

  “Please be careful, sweetheart,” her daddy said as he hugged her.

  “I will. We don’t go anywhere anyway.” She smiled up at Brady, wanting nothing more than to cuddle him and kiss throughout the night.

  “Okay.” He glanced at Brady. “Have you hired a good security company and private investigators?”

  “I haven’t had a chance, sir. I asked the police for referrals, and they gave me a list.”

  “I’ll take care of it. I have the connection
s to find the best.”

  Hailey held her breath. Brady was independent and all man. Would his pride prevent him from allowing her daddy to help like this?

  Brady released her hand and stuck it out to her father. “Thank you, sir. I know you’ll find the best.”

  Daddy shook his hand and finally offered a tight smile. “I’ll have them get in touch with you and Officer Cardon.”

  “Thanks.”

  They both hugged Hailey once more then slipped out the front door. Hailey watched them go until her daddy helped her mama into the car and waved back at Hailey. She loved them completely, but her place was with her husband. Her husband. The very thought sent thrills and chills down her body. She was quickly falling in love with him, but was still terrified of giving herself completely to him. This marriage had started out as a farce. How could she have known that two and a half weeks later it would be the stuff that eternity was made of?

  Brady quietly shut the door and kept his hand on it. Hailey looked up into his handsome face. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  “Hungry?” Brady repeated and then shook his head. “Only for you.”

  Hailey’s heart thumped harder, and she backed up toward the door. Brady stepped around and pressed his other hand on the door so he was framing her face with his hands yet not touching her.

  “When you told your dad that you weren’t leaving me, that I was your husband?” He took a long breath and stared at her. “I’ve never been so happy. I love you, Hailey. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.”

  Hailey blinked quickly to keep the tears from cresting. “So you liked me sticking up for you, huh, big guy?”

  Brady chuckled. “Yeah.” His voice dropped low and husky. “But I’m going to like what’s going to happen next even more.”

  Hailey’s heart rate sped up. She couldn’t catch a full breath. “Oh, really? Dinner and a movie? Sounds amazing to me too.”

  Brady growled low in his throat and slid his hands off the door to gently grasp her shoulders. He bent closer and his breath warmed up her lips. “Hailey, I promised you I would take things slow, and I will stand by that, but I want to kiss you and hold you all night long, and the only person who can stop me from doing that is you.”

  Delicious tremors ran through her body. He was going to wait until she was ready. Who knew when that would be, but Brady didn’t seem to mind. He’d promised her daddy he’d protect her, and he’d promised her he’d take it slow. She loved him so much.

  Sliding her hands up his muscular arms, she couldn’t hide her smile as he trembled under her touch. She framed his handsome face with her hands and said, “Hmm, I might be persuaded to let you kiss me a few times. Let’s see how good you can kiss.”

  Brady smiled, and he was so close his lips brushed hers. She sucked in a quick breath. “I can kiss almost as well as I can tackle,” he murmured.

  “Big talker.” She arched up onto her tiptoes. He reacted quickly, his hands coming around her hips and pulling her in tight against him.

  “So I have to prove it?” He gently kissed the side of her lip.

  She moaned and leaned into him. “Dang straight you do. Then I’ll be the judge of how good you are.”

  Brady laughed again but turned serious as he stared at her. “Thank you, Hailey. You’ve made me happier than I could ever have imagined.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to reply as he softly kissed her. It was as gentle and undemanding as his kiss at their wedding. Hailey let him take the lead, savoring each tender touch of his lips. Her hands slid around his neck and entwined in his thick hair. He pulled back and smiled at her.

  “I’m thinking you should grow your hair back out,” she said.

  Brady laughed. “I grew it out to give my sister a hard time, but I think I’m done looking like a hippie.”

  “What do you want to look like now?”

  His eyes swept over her face then met hers again. “Your husband.”

  Hailey tugged him closer, and their lips connected. She poured all the passion and love she felt for him into that kiss. Brady groaned and deepened the kiss. Hailey gasped from the sheer pleasure of it. Brady scooped her legs out from under her and, still kissing her, carried her toward the stairs.

  Two weeks ago, she would have been terrified to have a man carrying her toward his bedroom. Right now, all she wanted was to be in Brady’s arms. Nothing had ever felt so right.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Brady had to keep forcing himself to think about serious things the next day. His mind was so full of all things Hailey that he could barely remember how to do a seated row or an overhead press. She had to cuss him and tease him throughout their workout. She glowed, and they each took every opportunity to touch each other and sneak in kisses. The stalker and the press and all things serious were out beyond the walls of their home, and he didn’t want to deal with any of it.

  After their workout, they’d eaten a leisurely breakfast then went swimming and sat in the hot tub until almost lunch, relaxing and just enjoying being close. Afterwards, he’d hurried through his shower so he could be with Hailey again. They still had their own rooms, but he didn’t care. It might take years before Hailey was ready for what most people would call a normal marital relationship, but she was more than worth waiting for.

  His cell phone rang, and he didn’t recognize the number. He almost let it go to a message but remembered Hailey’s dad had said he’d have the security team and private investigators get in touch with him.

  “Brady Giles.”

  “Just the man I’m looking for.”

  Brady didn’t like the greasy, overconfident voice, but he couldn’t quite place it. “Who is this?”

  “William Fonnesbeck, vice president for the commissioner.”

  Brady’s stomach dipped. He hated this guy for trying to force himself on Hailey. He knew he should tread carefully to avoid hurting the Titans or being suspended himself, but he had no respect for this man. “What do you want?”

  “Mr. Giles, I think you should be a little more conciliatory when you speak to me.”

  “What do you want?” Brady repeated.

  William barked out a harsh laugh. “I just wanted to see if you’d seen the news this fine afternoon. Treven seems like a nice enough guy, kind of squirrely to be the father of Hailey’s baby, but he seems like the type she goes for.”

  Father of Hailey’s baby? Brady didn’t want to rise to this guy’s bait. William was the squirrely one. “What do you want?”

  “I just wanted to warn you to be very careful. She’s playing you, man. I’ll bet she’s giving you some line about how she’s never been with a man and it’s reeling you in like a fish who wants to die on the shoreline for her.”

  Brady gripped the phone tighter. No. Hailey was innocent and sweet. This guy was lying.

  “But you’ll figure it out soon enough. I just hope your tackling is as clean as a baby’s bottom and soft as a love tap in the fall. Suspensions and fines are going to be coming to you like Christmas presents.”

  The line went dead. Brady’s stomach was churning now. He flipped on the television in his room, which was already set to ESPN and then opened Safari on his phone and typed in his and Hailey’s names. The ESPN commentator was talking about baseball, so he ignored him. Hailey’s dad had said something about more media messes last night, but Brady hadn’t wanted to deal with it. Now, it seemed he had no choice.

  The top stories he found about him and Hailey on his phone were all about some Treven Underwood loser. The man was claiming to be the father of Hailey’s baby and was begging anyone close to Hailey to plead with her to give him another chance for their child and because he loved her.

  Brady stared at the pictures of the guy—thin, kind of intelligent-looking with glasses and a goatee. He hated him immediately.

  Soft footsteps came up the stairs. He whirled to face Hailey, not sure what he should say to her, but it was Nissa. Was the cleaning crew here today? He was too w
orried about this new drama to care one way or the other.

  “Oh, sorry, sir. I can come back and clean your suite later.”

  “No, it’s okay, Nissa. I’m just leaving.” He gave her a forced smile and said, “And it’s Brady, not sir. I mean, we grew up together.”

  She smiled back at him. “Thanks, Brady,” she said softly.

  He gave her another smile and treaded down the stairs. Hailey’s door was closed. He rapped on it. She opened it wide with a big grin. It slid away when she saw how serious he was.

  “You okay?”

  “Let’s go outside,” he said. “The cleaning ladies are here.”

  “Okay.” She smiled and wrapped her hand around his. Brady stiffened then cussed himself for it. Hailey was innocent and wonderful. William and this Treven guy were lying. There was no way she’d given herself to either of them. Not Hailey.

  They hurried down the stairs and out onto the back patio. Brady used the remote on the wall to turn on the fans. It wasn’t too bad in the shade. He sat on a cushioned chair. Hailey gave him a questioning glance, probably wondering why he hadn’t used the couch so they could sit side by side, but he needed a little space right now. She sat in the chair next to his, and he pulled out his phone.

  “Have you seen this?” he asked.

  Hailey took the phone from him and scanned the article. Her forehead wrinkled, and her lips thinned. She pushed the phone back into his hand. “You believe that crap?”

  “No!” he said too quickly and forcefully.

  She reared back. Staring at him for far too long, she finally folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes as if she couldn’t stand looking at him.

  “Hailey?” Brady gently touched her arm. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I just wanted you to know what was going on. William called me. I’m assuming he’s spreading this to get at us again.”

  She opened her beautiful blue eyes and met his gaze. “I hate him.”

  Brady smiled. “Me too.” His smile slid away. He pointed at the picture of this Treven joker on his phone. “Did you date him?”