To Be Determined: Duquesne Brothers, #4

By Jo Carey

As the oldest of four billionaire brothers, Duke was expected to be the first to wed, but fate had other ideas. He found his perfect woman, but she was already married. He's been patient, but two years after her husband's tragic death, it's time to let her know that he's in love with her.

Jacinta Pickering is a wealthy, powerful woman who enjoys playing matchmaker for her friends. She agreed to find matches for the Duquesne Brothers, but fame and fortune come with their own complications.

Whether Duke and Jacinta can turn up the heat on their relationship to go from friends to lovers is yet to be determined.

To Be Determined is the fourth and final book in the Duquesne Brothers Series.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: May 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201016869

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Solange got the same adrenaline rush she always got from a HALO jump, but it was a different feeling when you weren't jumping into a dangerous situation where you expected armed combatants to be waiting for you below.

It was different knowing the welcome waiting for her below would be the open arms of her fellow jumper and boyfriend or maybe fiancé, Braden Duquesne, action movie star. The fiancé part was something Solange was still trying to sort out. He had asked her to marry him. He talked about shopping for a ring and making a public announcement. Solange still couldn't believe he was serious. The man had a reputation as a playboy who up until they met was known for dating each of his female co-stars.

She had tried very hard to slow things down between them, but Braden could be incredibly persuasive when he wanted something, and he seemed convinced that he wanted a happily-ever-after with Solange.

She landed all too soon and as expected, saw Braden headed toward her with open arms. He embraced her. That was a rush wasn't it?

Always a thrill, she said, before he kissed her and made it nearly impossible for her to form words. They gathered their gear and headed for the truck that waited to take them back to the hangar.

Braden was amazed that he found a woman who enjoyed the adrenaline rush as much as he did. Solange had made more HALO jumps than he had. In the past, women he dated tolerated him talking about the extreme adventures he went on, but they could never truly understand the appeal of skydiving, or free climbing, or cave diving. Braden loved the physical and mental challenge of those activities, and he could share that with Solange. She was perfect.

After showering and changing at their hotel, they headed out for a romantic dinner at one of the area’s best restaurant. Solange marveled at how her companion could look so at home in camo gear or workout clothes but look just as comfortable in a tailored suit and tie.

Braden stared at her across the table once they were seated. He marveled at how she could seem so at home jumping out of a plane a few hours ago and be so beautiful in a dress and heels across the dinner table. The woman was a marvel.

I wish this could have been a longer trip, but I have a full schedule of meetings next week, he said. I have booked a few things into my schedule for us though. He reached across the table and took her hand.

Care to share? she asked.

Before he could answer, their waitress appeared. You're Braden Duquesne, aren't you?

Braden just smiled. I am, but I'd just as soon not announce that to your other diners, he said. My fiancée and I are here to enjoy a quiet dinner.

The woman gave Solange an apprising look before turning her attention back to Braden. I can be discreet, she said. Very discreet.  The woman took Braden's wine order and left the table after another long look at Solange. 

When she returned and Braden had approved the wine, she filled a glass and set it in front of Solange. Are you someone famous?

No, Solange responded.

Good, she said and turned back to Braden. So you do date regular women sometimes. That's good to know. As I said, I can be discreet. She leaned over his arm to give him a better view of her ample cleavage.

Braden could see that Solange was barely able to restrain herself.

Did you not hear me say that Solange is my fiancée? Please have another server handle our table.

Once the woman stomped off, Braden turned his attention back to Solange. I'm sorry. Let's not let that incident ruin our night. When he looked closely at his fiancée’s face he knew he was in trouble.

Excuse me, she said. I'll be right back.

Fifteen minutes later when Solange hadn't returned, Braden sent her a text. No reply was forth coming. He paid for the meal they never ate and headed back to the hotel.

Solange was just stepping out of the elevator with her bag in hand.

He hooked his arm through hers and ushered her back into the lift. When they were back in their room, she dropped her bag and sat down with a sigh.

Where did you think you were going? he asked.

I can't do this, Braden. I thought I was strong enough to handle it, to handle being in a relationship with you, but I'm not.

Braden wasn't overly upset. They'd been through this cycle a few times already. He had tried to analyze what caused her fear to escalate, but so far he hadn't cracked that particular issue. He had thought maybe it had to do with the age or looks of the person who hit on him, but if that were true, he couldn't figure it out. He thought maybe it was the situation—like while they were eating was OK, but while they were at the beach wasn't. So far he couldn't figure out the triggers that set off her worry. It didn't matter. Braden was a supremely confident person. He intended to have Solange in his life long-term. She'd adjust. His other three brothers had all found women who could handle their celebrity. Solange would find a way to deal with it. She was the strongest woman he knew.

He held her and soothed her until she fell asleep in his arms just as she should. Braden Duquesne was a happy man.

Chapter 2

What do you think of Braden and Solange? Duke asked as he and Jacinta Pickering sat enjoying their usual after dinner drinks in her apartment in the former underground missile silo known as Haven.

They're a great match, she said. I think she'll need a little time to come to terms with the idea. All of you Duquesne men have larger than life personalities, but Braden is perhaps the most challenging of all because of his celebrity. The rest of you are well-known, but not to the same level as a Hollywood mega-star.

I'd like to take offense at that, but I can't, Duke said. Be honest, was Solange your backup plan for Braden if things didn't work out with Skylar. Jacinta enjoyed observing relationships as they developed between people, and Duke had asked her to play matchmaker for his three brothers. With Tate, the youngest brother, happily married, they were in the run up to Caden's wedding when Braden and Skylar, a reporter, were seemingly thrown together.

I did think there might be a connection between Skylar and Braden, but Solange is a much better long-term option for him. To be honest, I expected it to be harder to get him on board with the idea.

Chalk it up to Poopkeepsie, he said.

She gave him a questioning look.

A story from our childhood. It seems he's accepted his fate, Duke said.

She knew Duke well enough to hear the humor behind his statement. Recent events had uncovered a quirk with the Duquesne men—once they found the right woman and made the decision to pursue them, they never wavered. Like everyone, circumstances sometimes threw up roadblocks or hurdles that they had to get over, but they pursued their goal with a single-minded focus that was almost frightening.

Jacinta had personal experience with that focus. She met Duke, the oldest Duquesne brother, when she was married to his friend James Pickering III. Duke never tried to hide his interest in Jacinta from her or Jamie. He never acted inappropriately, and Jamie trusted him. Duke told Jacinta he would respect the fact that she was married and would accept his role being her friend. He had adhered to that promise even after James was killed. He and Jacinta were inseparable but there was nothing romantic between them.

Duke had decided it was time to change that. He had exercised immense self-control being Jacinta's friend. Now he wanted more but getting her to accept that change in their relationship was not going to be easy.

Do you think Braden is ready to settle down with one woman?

I wasn't sure about that before I saw him with Solange, but now I think he is. I mean none of us are that young anymore. If we want to have a life with a family of our own, now is the time to make that happen.

Yourself included? she asked.

Absolutely.

Jacinta had been insecure in her relationship with Jamie due to her lack of experience, but Duke had stuck by her side through so many difficult circumstances that she didn't feel the same insecurities with him. The man was almost inhumanly good looking as were all four of the Duquesne brothers, and he was a good person. That endeared him even more to Jacinta. She couldn't imagine her life without him, but she knew they couldn't continue on as they were forever. Although he never pushed her, she knew he wanted a closer relationship. She needed to find the strength to give him what he needed. Just how to accomplish that was to be determined.

XXX

After saying goodnight to Jacinta, Duke headed back to his apartment for his weekly call with his brothers. It was a tradition that had started when Duke left home to go to college, and it was the one thing all of them kept sacrosanct.

The meeting always began with a recap of the brothers' annual bet on who would end the year with the highest net worth. Each of them were wealthy in their own right, but they were also very competitive with each other. Fortunately, their careers were in very divergent fields. A reporter once speculated on what levels they might have achieved if they had been in the same business. Now that they were all equal partners in Duquesne Properties, there personal fortunes were tied together more closely. That might change with the recent bet between Braden and Duke.

How was the honeymoon, Caden? He and Ivy only had a couple of days for a honeymoon before the upcoming election. Caden had been appointed to fill a senate seat vacated by former senator Whitman until the next general election. Now he was campaigning to maintain that seat through the four years remaining of Whitman's original term.

Too short, but great, Caden said. We're planning on a longer version once the election is over, and I have a better handle on my schedule.

Tate gave an update on what was happening with his company, Locutius Technology, and the status of development projects for Duquesne Properties. "We've got the grand opening coming up in Quebec City, and Miami. Braden talked about his upcoming movie projects.

Braden and I made a bet that we need to tell you about because it's going to affect all of us, Duke said.

You two are happily married, and Duke and I have found the women we plan to wed. We just need to take the final step, Braden said.

We bet on which of us will be the next one married. In an effort to keep things at least somewhat equitable, whichever one of us is married first will get one percent of the other's stake in Duquesne Properties.

"But we didn't want any one of us to have control of the company, so the loser will also give up an additional one