Unbreakable Future: Family Ties

By Palmer Jones

A one-night stand with a beautiful woman wasn't new territory for Cade Fischer. As a perpetual playboy and flirt, it is no secret that he dates—a lot.

 

Until a secret, one-night stand with his new brother-in-law's younger sister.

 

She is the first woman who makes him want more from a relationship. But it's not that simple with her two formidable brothers watching out for her. They've both warned Cade on multiple occasions to stay away. So he has.

 

Cade takes the opportunity as the new executive over the Miami location of his sister's massive business to ignore his never-ending attraction to Megan Hayes. Instead, he's out to prove to his family that he can handle the high-stakes job, despite the danger.

 

But the second Megan shows up in Miami, needing a place to live and hiding from her brothers, all of those good intentions to keep his distance disappear. This is it. His second chance. He won't miss this opportunity to win her, no matter what her brothers say.

 

And when her past follows her across the country, putting both their futures at stake, he's ready. This is the moment Cade can finally prove to the family that he can handle this job and be the man to protect Megan.

 

Unbreakable Future is the third and final book in the Family Ties Series. It's a romantic suspense book with a good amount of humor and, of course, a happily ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet Blooms Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201627690

Palmer Jones

Palmer Jones writes fun and flirty, romantic fiction. Born and raised in the South, she loves to travel but will always call Georgia her home. With a degree in accounting, she spends part of her day immersed in numbers. The rest of the time is spent with her friends, family, and hiding away in the worlds she creates through her stories.

Book preview

1

Megan Hayes fumbled with the keys, struggling to keep her duffel bag from falling off her shoulder. Twelve hours since she’d left her temporary home in Sacramento landed her in the heart of Miami.

She’d only seen pictures of her brother’s condo, and so far, its proximity to the ocean lived up to her expectations. The lobby alone promised a luxury that Megan had only experienced once in her life.

A life she hoped to forget.

She paused after her first step into the condo. The entrance opened into a spacious living room with floor to ceiling windows framing the turquoise blue waters of the Atlantic. A million-dollar view.

She set her bag to the side and moved to the middle of the room, taking a cleansing breath.

Amazing, she mumbled. An artist’s paradise. The new blue paint would mix with her favorite green to create that perfect color. Once she had an idea of what to paint. But that’s why she was here, focusing on art one last time before giving it up and leaving America. Ten years chasing a dream was long enough.

Megan walked to the window and touched the cool glass. The creamy golden sand, with a little shading, would provide depth in a picture.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

She squeezed her eyes shut, but the morning sunrise was still bright behind her eyelids. At some point, she had to stop second-guessing herself and just paint a damn picture.

Someone sighed behind her.

Her heart leapt into her throat. She spun around, expecting an intruder.

Thoughts of capturing the ocean’s beauty vanished.

Megan reached into her purse slung across her body and pulled out her sketch pad. Now that was a picture.

A man lay face down on the sofa, passed out.

Not a single stitch of clothing to his name.

She crept closer, her hand scribbling furiously as she drew the shape of his body, the muscles of his back and right on down. She bit her lip, a purely female feeling traveling throughout her body.

Perfection.

Megan studied his face, finishing the details, down to the slight smile he wore like he knew exactly where her thoughts were heading now that the professional side of her melted into an admiring woman.

She cocked her head. No, she whispered, stumbling backward, covering her mouth.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Caden Fischer.

Megan squeezed her eyes shut. How is this happening? He was her new sister-in-law’s brother. She wasn’t sure if that made them relations or not but it did make it bloody uncomfortable.

Especially after their one-night stand at her brother’s wedding.

She cracked one eye and then the other, again confirming that was him. And yes, he was absolute perfection as far as men went.

This day was bound to roll around at some point. They were family now after his sister married her brother but seeing him in a few years versus three months were vastly different time frames.

Leaving Miami wasn’t an option. The starving artist title wasn’t for show. She relied on her brothers for support, a fact she wasn’t proud of, and this condo was free lodgings, although she’d yet to tell anyone she was here. As far as her family knew, she’d left California and hadn’t settled on any single location.

A cold wave washed over her skin. She touched her cheek, knowing the bruises had healed. She would not go back to her ex-boyfriend.

It shouldn’t matter if Cade was here or not. She needed a place to stay. She could be an adult about the situation.

But first…

She signed the corner of the picture just Meg and set it on the coffee table next to him. Would he freak out? Probably. But she didn’t want to give up the opportunity to draw Miami. The people. The sights. Capture the life. She covered her mouth to muffle the laugh as she eyed Cade’s bare bottom again. That man had no shame.

She needed to leave before he caught her. Miami was her chance to finally put together another portfolio for an art showing. So far, nothing she’d painted was right. Not yet. Not after her debut ten years ago was so incredible. Fading away from the fame was a better alternative to failing.

Miami would be the turning point. It had to be. She’d paint again or else call it quits and move back to the family farm. Maybe try to paint some goats.

Megan left Cade and ventured to the beach. It was still early in the day, but even in January, a handful of people enjoyed the sand and warmth of the sun. With her sketchbook in hand, she started to draw…everything.

Years had been wasted on these types of starts. A new location. A new aesthetic to interpret. And probably another dead end. But this was her process. She’d draw and hope something clicked. In college, her paintings gained international fame.

Megan flipped to a new page in her sketch book, wanting to capture the yacht in the distance with its occupants partying. Must be nice not to have the weight of expectation smothering them.

She had to keep pushing herself. She wasn’t an artist if she couldn’t produce art. And if she wasn’t an artist, then what in bloody hell was she?

She flipped to a new page and switched pencils. She was a Hayes. She wouldn’t quit.

Some unknown number of hours later, Megan’s stomach let out a loud growl, pulling her away from beach and back to the condo. She’d try again this afternoon. Maybe walk through the city, see what she might fancy to draw and eventually paint.

Megan pushed at her hair, wild and curling from the wind and humidity, as she left the elevator and walked down the quiet hallway. Was Cade awake yet? Was he still there? Anticipation built in her stomach as she slowly pushed open the condo door.

The man in question stood in the kitchen, eating a sandwich over the sink.

He paused and for a long moment the sandwich hovered in the air. His serious expression threw her off. Was he mad about the sketch? Mad about her being there? Too late, now. One thing hadn’t changed.

He was still as drop-dead sexy as she remembered. More so when he finally spoke.

I’d hoped it was you.

Megan’s heart nearly bruised the inside of her breastbone it beat so hard at his words. Had he? Had he remembered her, then? I’m excited to hear your fascinating explanation as to how you came to pass out naked on the sofa.

He took a bite of his sandwich. The longer he watched her the more the memories of their night flashed back from her memory. Flirting with Caden Fischer was flirting with fire.

He wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed of her catching him sans clothing. Wasn’t even embarrassed for her. She suddenly felt like she’d started a game that might be harder to win.

Only three months ago he’d charmed her blind and out of her dress at the wedding.

And never called.

Not that she’d given him her number, but seriously, how hard would it be to get it from his sister? If he’d called, she wouldn’t have gone back to her ex.

Megan swallowed down the harsh memories, shoving back into the recess of her mind.

Cade was here. Two could play this flirting game. She walked closer to him and snagged a potato chip from the open bag on the counter. I’m starving. She crunched on two more while he ate the first half of his sandwich. Are you going to eat that half?

He waved his hand and that was the only permission she needed. She picked up the sandwich and took a bite. He held out the rest of his Coke and she finished it off.

Are you staying here? she asked, not liking the continuing silence.

Cade nodded and opened a second can of Coke. His light blue eyes held an unexpected intensity, even though the rest of him looked so relaxed. She didn’t remember that from the wedding.

I never got a chance to tell my brothers I planned on coming to Miami. I actually snagged Finnian’s key when I saw him at Christmas. Do you care if I crash in the second bedroom?

He shook his head slowly, those eyes still holding hers, and took a drink.

Megan finally laughed to break the tension. I cannot stay in the same place with you if you don’t speak to me. I’m a very creative person, but one-sided conversations get boring after a while. Besides, I know for a fact you can charm the trousers off anyone. She winked. Or dress.

Her reference to their night together didn’t get the response she thought it would.

He smirked. This situation is complicated. I’m trying to figure out what I should do so that your brother doesn’t kill me later. I don’t think charming you out of your clothes will keep me in one piece.

Which brother? I have seven.

At the moment, I’m thinking about Brady.

Out of the seven, you’re worried about him? Brady isn’t the violent type. Brady would more likely take him to court than throw a punch.

I just had a front row seat watching him fight several times. I wouldn’t put it past him to fight first and ask his lawyer questions second. Especially when it came to protecting his little sister. And don’t get me started on Finnian. That beast was shot once in each leg and never fell as he saved Everly.

Meg sniffed. I think Everly saved herself. Shot Tripp right in the—

Cade set the Coke can down with a clang. His lips pressed together a moment. This has turned into horrible first date conversation. I’m sorry.

First date?

Food and a drink at my place. Cade slid a practiced smile onto his face. Sounds like a first date to me.

This Cade she could handle. I heard in America some people can afford to use a plate and sit down for their meals. She didn’t hide her curiosity as her eyes swept down from the golden hair and unbuttoned shirt over six-pack abs with a pair of low-slung jeans.

The man was certainly a pleasant sight.

In America, we also don’t go around drawing pictures of people while they sleep. His amusement relaxed her muscles. I hate it I wasn’t awake when you first showed up.

It was probably better you weren’t. And I sketched that before I recognized you.

He chuckled, his eyebrows raising. "So, do you usually sketch naked men you don’t know or is this a new hobby?"

Megan bit her lip, holding back a laugh. I normally don’t sketch naked men I’m related to unless they’re under the age of one.

He took a bite of his sandwich, chewing for a moment before shaking his head. We are not even close to being related like that, Meg, and you know it.

She ignored the soft way he said her name and the stupid, feminine feelings it released. She had to keep things light between them. It was the only way she’d survive a conversation with a man like Cade and not get sucked into his game again.

Does Everly know that the man handling a gazillion dollar business likes to sleep naked on her sofa?

He leaned close, dropping his voice to a fake whisper. You’re in a rare crowd that knows I sleep naked. He winked and grinned. Straightening, he popped another chip in his mouth. Besides, Brady was the one that recommended me for this job.

Brady? Her straight as a pin, narrow as a needle brother had hired him? He obviously had no clue as to their past relationship. Good. Her family needed to stay in the dark about that. They were both dead if her brothers found out about their prior one-night stand. It wasn’t like either one of them could write Brady and Finnian out of their lives. Not that she would. She loved her brothers. All of them. Poor Cade probably had to work with the guys daily. As much as she loved them, both Finnian and Brady would be complete jerks about their night together.

I can see that surprises you.

A little. Yes. More like worries her.

Then I have a reason to keep you close by so I can prove my worth. He brushed the crumbs off his fingers. Starting today. What are your plans?

Not falling for you again.

The declaration was to remind her body to stop acting like it was a possibility. It wasn’t. Not twice in a lifetime. The first time she took it for what it was: a fun night between two adults. Despite whatever else she’d imagined was between them at the wedding, it didn’t amount to anything else. Those long conversations in the dark, revealing more than either one of them would’ve otherwise.

Silly to think it had meant anything to him.

I have nothing planned, so I guess I’m watching you prove your worth. She cut her eyes at the drawing of him. Will you be wearing trousers?

Cade chuckled and tossed the paper towel and Coke cans in the bin. Only if you require it, Meg.

I’m fairly certain the law requires it, Cade.

He approached her, pausing when they were shoulder to shoulder.

She stopped breathing and pressed a hand to her stomach. Sleeping with Cade should be like a vaccine. You have it once and then you’re immune.

Not a millimeter of her mind or body cooperated with that theory.

How long are you in town?

Megan tilted her chin, meeting his eyes and pretending his eyes, voice, and general proximity didn’t affect her. A month. Maybe more. Depends on where life takes me.

He grazed his thumb with a feather-light touch along the edge of her jaw. Free as a bird. A month is plenty of time.

She inhaled, remembering the incredible way his soap smelled. For what?

Cade dropped his hand. For us.

Why wouldn’t her lips move to deny that statement? She blinked, opening her mouth to say something, anything, but was too late.

With a sly, confident smile, Cade crossed the living room and disappeared into his bedroom.

She closed her eyes and pressed both hands on the counter. I’m screwed.

Absolutely screwed.

One hundred thousand percent…screwed.

2

Damn. Megan Hayes was more beautiful than he remembered. Auburn hair, curly and wild, framing a sweetheart face with light, brown eyes that cut straight to his soul. Not one other woman he’d been with came close to the way Megan made him feel. He’d laid his feelings out on the table earlier and then backed off when panic hit her eyes.

Cade sat on the end of his bed, tugging on his boots. Since October, she dominated his thoughts. Daily. The memories of their night, the sex and after, were some of the sweetest in his life. The after was what made him know she was the one.

He finished lacing his boots and walked to the kitchen to wait for her. He had zero intention of leaving the condo without her today. If that meant he changed his schedule, that he didn’t visit the warehouse and inventory their last shipment, then so be it. Last time they were together, it seemed like she disappeared into thin air before he could make any plans.

He now had sympathy for Prince Charming when Cinderella up and left him at midnight.

If Cinderella had seven older brothers—two of which seem to make it their life mission to warn him to stay away from her—finding the owner of a glass slipper would be an easier task than convincing Brady and Finnian Hayes he was good enough for their sister.

Caden flipped open her sketchbook she’d left on the counter. Realistic sketches of the beach, people, and buildings filled the pages. Was all of this from today?

Meg’s incredible talent still awed him. They’d talked for hours after Everly’s wedding, the champagne making them both reveal more than they would’ve otherwise. He’d held her all night, not sleeping.

Not willing to miss a second.

Was she still struggling to figure out what to paint next? He hated that for her. Would she paint while she was in Miami? Could he help?

What are you doing? She stormed to the counter and closed her book. Don’t go through my things. They’re private.

He bumped her with his shoulder, any excuse to touch her. Don’t make it sound like rifling through your panties or something.

She pursed her lips together and stepped back with a tight grip on her book. Those full, naturally rosy lips were exactly as he remembered. Perfect for him.

I’d much rather you play match the undies and bras than look at my sketches, if that tells you anything about how I value my privacy when it comes to art.

And she was just as direct as he remembered. Sweet. Funny. Talented. Her English accent about killed him it was so damn sexy. Megan was the entire package.

And he’d screwed his chance with her the first time. It wouldn’t happen a second go-round.

Why are you smiling like that? She clutched her sketchbook to her chest like it would shield her.

He considered which direction to go. Hell. His dream stood in front of him. This was his shot. Still pushing his luck, he leaned on the counter, putting them at eye level. I’m hoping that’s a legitimate game we can play later.

She bit her lip, her gaze running over his face before she stepped back. "Not this time. You can stay occupied on your side of the condo, and I’ll sleep alone on mine."

The shutdown didn’t worry him. He didn’t want another one-night stand. He might not have ever had a long-term relationship, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t willing. He always told his mom he hadn’t met the right woman. Until Everly’s wedding, that had been a true statement.

Meg was it.

"Then, I’ll be sleeping alone as well," he announced, straightening.

Megan barked out a laugh. Yeah, right. I’m guessing that doesn’t happen often.

The observation hit home, and it didn’t offend him. Now, with her in the condo, things changed. The second he’d spotted Meg written in girly cursive at the bottom of the sketch, everything changed. He’d hoped like hell it was her. Like his daily fantasy had materialized overnight.

He wouldn’t screw up this time. I like a challenge. Just one more thing to prove to you. Are you ready?

Yes. But where are we going? Is anything open on January first?

Everything is open if you have the right keys.

What exactly do you do for your sister’s company? Social Director?

Cade shook his head. I wish that were a job. No. The official title is Project Director. I oversee all of our projects at ATLighting Inc, and I run the Miami location.

Megan laughed. I was only off by a smidge. You’re an engineer, right? Some details of our night together are a little fuzzy.

He clutched his heart. I’m wounded.

She flicked her hand his direction. Blame it on the champagne and whatever that drink was you created at the bar.

The Four Horsemen? I’m surprised you’d never had that shot before. He snagged his keys and opened the door to the condo. I can grab the ingredients if you’re up for a repeat of the wedding night.

Megan narrowed her eyes as she passed him. Not a damn chance.

That’s a disappointing development. But he wasn’t discouraged. Is it because you’re currently seeing someone else? At the wedding, you’d just broken it off with someone, right?

She glanced away, but not before a shadow passed over her face. Yes. I ended up reconciling with him for a bit before leaving for good.

He studied her profile, wanting the full story. Want to talk about it?

Not particularly. She led the way out of the apartment. Miami is my last stop before giving up on America and hanging out with our goats back home. Let’s hope I find what I’m looking for here.

He pressed the button for the elevator and it opened immediately with a ding. And what’s that, Meg?

She flicked her hand in the air. I’m not sleeping with you, so you don’t have to pretend you’re interested.

Cade blinked. Did she really think that? He had further to go than he thought if she didn’t even consider them friendly.

He played it off with another friendly smile, standing closer than necessary in the empty elevator. I’m absolutely interested in your life. I’ve caught bits and pieces of what you’ve been up to since the wedding. It’s nice to get it straight from you and not some roundabout way. What about your sketches? He pushed a stray hair behind her ear. I like hearing about your art.

She rolled her eyes and gently pushed his hand away. Not much to hear of lately.

The elevator opened before he had to figure out his next move. He motioned her to exit ahead of him. Your sketches were great, but you do those before you paint, right? Have you painted lately?

I don’t want to talk about it, she snapped.

Yes. He grinned when she glared his direction once more. I can see that. It doesn’t seem like there’s much you are willing to talk about.

After a moment of tense silence, her body relaxed a fraction. Tell me more about the company. ATLighting Inc. If you’re in charge of the projects, Megan said, keeping stride beside him through the lobby. And Everly runs the business side of the company, I’m curious about what Finnian does. Does he still work security?

Absolutely. Threatens to break the arms of any man who touches my sister.

Her amusement chased away the last of the conflict in her eyes. Sounds like his dream job. The perpetual bodyguard.

Cade paused to let her walk through the entrance first as the doorman held open the door. He reached to touch her lower back but hesitated. He needed to take small steps. Fisting his hand, he let it fall to his side. This was new territory.

He followed her, focusing on conversation and not on flirting. Aside from using his brute strength, it turns out Finnian learned a lot by just listening to Charles and Tripp. He’s in charge of a few divisions. Brady handles the contracts, obviously, and anything else dealing with the legalities of doing business. Cade squinted in the afternoon sunlight, the Florida heat always welcome. He’d spent too many winters growing up in Indiana to ever take it for granted.

The overhang of the condominium was busy as usual. Cars, valets, and residents seemed to be in constant motion, coming and going. The condo entrance faced A1A, Miami Beach’s main drag, already clogged with traffic in the early afternoon.

And Keegan? I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting my Brady’s fiancé, Megan said.

He paused beside her. She actually doesn’t work for the company, no matter how many times Brady offers her a job. Right now, she’s interviewing for PR jobs at different children’s hospitals. He passed the valet his card. I think she should train to be a professional boxer.

Megan looked up at him, her eyes bright with humor. Yes. Brady told me about that. Laid out that Novoa-guy with a single punch.

His guards underestimated her.

She pursed her lips together for a moment, studying his face. Most men do.

He leaned down slightly, catching in her sweet scent over everything else around them. No one better underestimate Megan Hayes. He touched the soft skin of her cheek. I don’t.

This time with her was different. He couldn’t charm her into his bed. But that’s not what he wanted. Long-term relationships didn’t scare him. Not when his partner was Megan.

But she left in a month.

Unless he could convince her otherwise.

The first rumble of his car in the distance made him smile the way it always did. I’m afraid I picked up Brady’s bad habit.

She