Emerging Heiress: A Twisty Romantic Suspense: The Mystery of the Brisand Family, #2

By Jessica Jones

After the shocking end of Reluctant Heiress, Dulcie Brisand falls into the corrupt world that her biological father rules with an iron fist. With dangers all around her, she must depend more than ever on her wits and courage to survive.

 

Life will never be the same in the small town of Dulsan, Tennessee, after unspeakable events ripped her from her home, family, and the life she loved. Facing circumstances that would destroy most people, with the help of old friends and new, Dulcie somehow endured. But now, she must live with the devastating consequences.

 

As the daughter of a notorious gangster, each day she learns a new meaning of betrayal. With her true love, Deacon Hawkins, by her side trying to protect her, she faces a criminal element she'd never even dreamed of. And this one has a stranglehold on someone she holds most dear.

 

When Dulcie sets off on her quest to save her best friend's mother, she finds that the secrets of Dulsan run much deeper than she ever could have imagined. Her family's involvement in those secrets puts her at odds with Deacon as she navigates her new normal, desperate to sort friend from foe.

 

With tensions rising and the ever-present threat of violence surrounding her, Dulcie must confront the truth or it will destroy her. Dare to take an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness in this Southern small town romantic suspense.

 

Perfect for fans of A.J. Rivers and Natasha Knight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lone Oak Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Jun 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201550783

Book preview

Prologue

Despite loathing the place with every fiber of his being, Euless continued down the long, sterile hallway. The bright white lights hurt his eyes, though the young, pretty nurses compensated for his discomfort. He told himself it was not so bad and to just imagine he was visiting his lovely Dr. Reynolds at the hospital to discuss their upcoming nuptials. Easier said than done. He kept up the illusion well, forcing himself to ignore the competing smells of shit and disinfectant lingering in the air. God, he’d be glad to get out of that vile place.

As he passed the last door before the only private room on the floor, a loud crash, followed by what sounded like a growl, drew his attention. He instinctively stepped back just in time to avoid a screaming nurse and the source of the growling. Euless saw an older man, barely clothed in a hospital gown, dash in front of him and wondered how he avoided catching pneumonia. The clearly confused gentleman alternated growling and snarling at people to warn them about encroaching Koreans and disputes about the 38th Parallel. The old man rushed past Euless in his first pass, but when he turned and charged again, Euless simply threw up an arm and gently caught him before he could get past him a second time.

Easy now, General! You’ve got the enemy on the run. Your staff is here, so why not let them take you to a safer position, perhaps at a higher vantage point, where you can direct the rest of the battle with no more casualties? With a smile, Euless smoothly passed the old man over to the two male nurses who had rushed to the scene once the commotion had begun. One nurse silently thanked Euless with a nod of his head and whispered to the confused man as they slowly walked together toward his room. The nurses continued with the ruse Euless had begun and the onetime soldier appeared to acquiesce once he determined the enemy had not surrounded him as he’d thought. He was in control of the battle, and he was determined to keep it that way.

Resuming toward his original destination, Euless swore to himself it was the last time he would step foot in that wretched building. If The Old Man wasn’t well enough to be in his own home, then he wasn’t well enough for meetings of any kind. If he ever received a heart diagnosis like The Old Man, he would kill James Randall, Deacon, and Dulcie before he ever let them put him in a place like that permanently.

He hoped The Old Man was awake and wondered if he should have checked with the nurse before he showed up to visit out of the blue. He wouldn’t want to surprise him so much that his condition worsened. Euless needed the him alive for a while longer and resolved to make sure his visit was brief and didn’t tire him out too much.

A pang of melancholy struck him as he thought about how close he was to losing his mentor. The two men had been through many adventures together over the years, and Euless had learned all he knew from his dear friend. Still, he needed The Old Man to die quickly after he set the climax of the plan into motion. If his heart didn’t kill him soon enough, Euless would have to make other arrangements for that to happen. It wasn’t a task he savored, but just like killing his son Travis, it was a necessary one if he was to succeed. He’d have preferred another way to accomplish the same goal, but, alas, there seemed to be no other alternative. For either scenario.

What the hell was all that commotion in the hallway? It sounded like a pack of wild hyenas! His mentor complained as soon as Euless entered the room.

Actually, I think it was a group of banshees this time, Old Man. I tried to catch one of them, but you know how slippery they are in the wild.

Euless! Euless, my boy. It’s you. I thought it was one of those incompetent nurses coming in here to get more blood or another cup of piss from me. Sometimes I think they’re out to squeeze me so dry you’ll come in here one day and find a mummy lying in this bed instead of me.

Well, if your mummy looks as good as you do, I’ll make sure you get into the finest museum for your eternal rest, Euless said as he strode to the bedside tray. He gave a quick grin to the frail old man in bed, then grabbed the water cup and poured it into a pitcher while taking a flask from his jacket pocket. He poured the amber liquid into the cup and passed it to the smiling old gentleman.

As Euless poured a drink for himself, The Old Man sniffed the whiskey appreciatively. Now that’s more like it. Jack Daniel’s, eh? What are we celebrating? Something good, I hope.

Oh, yes. Several good things. Raising his Styrofoam cup in the air in a mock toast, he said, Here’s to our plans finally coming together. It looks as if we’ll be able to move on to the next phase soon.

Both men took long swigs of their drinks. The Old Man glanced at Euless appreciatively. It’s been a long time since these fools let me have anything more than a glass of milk or water. I can’t wait to get out of this place, and I thank you for this. He held the cup in the air and said, This is a reminder that I am still a man. As Euless refilled the cup, The Old Man said, It’s been just as long since you visited me in person. So have a seat, my boy, and tell me. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company and your gift? Start with the bad news.

No bad news. Phase One is complete, and I’ve given orders to enter Phase Two. Everything is working according to plan.

He gave Euless a level look. Are you sure about that? I understood there were some, uh, issues.

Euless wanted to throttle him and wondered if that desire showed in his expression. The curious smile he gave Euless convinced him that it did. He’d have to be careful. Even at his advanced age, The Old Man was still formidable and had any number of assassins at his beck and call. "Well, there was one issue, Euless said coolly, but I resolved the problem and eliminated the cause of it."

I see. And how did the boy’s mother take the news? She’s always been a flighty thing.

She doesn’t know yet, but she won’t be a problem.

Well, it certainly seems you’ve covered all the bases, my boy. Let’s have another toast to Phase Two. I should be home by the end of next week, so you can deliver your next update in a much more comfortable setting.

Euless nodded and smiled triumphantly at The Old Man. He would be glad indeed not to have to come back to the nursing home. Ever again.

Chapter 1

Dulcie

T his sucks! I yelled at anyone who would listen, and unfortunately for me, that meant no one. Deacon rolled his eyes... which would’ve certainly prompted a chastisement from him if I’d done the same thing. James Randall ignored me. Daddy tried to manage a sympathetic look in my direction, but he didn’t offer any other suggestions. None of that would deter me from getting my message across. I said, this sucks! Look, I will not do this, guys. I knew that would get someone’s attention.

Oh, yes, you will! Deacon hissed back at me. If I have to tie you to the bed to keep you here, you’re staying. And don’t tempt me to do just that. I’d enjoy it too much. He sheepishly glanced at Daddy. Sorry, Carter.

I flipped him off, and he replied with a grin.

Honey, I know you’re tired of this, but it’s the best option we have right now. Hopefully, you won’t be here too long. Bless his heart, Daddy was trying. Still, I was having none of it.

Grateful at least to have someone addressing my concerns, I said, I don’t want to do this, Daddy. This is ridiculous. I’m perfectly safe at Euless’s house. Why can’t I stay there?

Dulcie, you know quite well why you can’t stay there, James Randall, who apparently wasn’t ignoring me after all, said. We changed all the alarm codes at the house and even hired extra staff, but Travis still knows the layout of the house and grounds. He can get in undetected. Hell, he’s the one who practically designed the fucking security system, so no, you’re not staying at Dad’s right now. You’re going to the safe house. At least until we figure out our next move. It won’t be forever. It’s just a temporary situation.

It had been three days since my crazy brother Travis escaped from jail. He’d kidnapped me and attempted to exchange my best friend Callie, whom he’d also kidnapped, for Jason, a man I used to think was my friend. But he betrayed me. He and his traitorous sister, Shelby. I’d killed her when she was trying to hurt Deacon. Actually, since Jason was Callie’s boyfriend, he’d betrayed her, too, much more than he had betrayed me.

The men in my life had spent that time scurrying me away from danger, attempting to stay one step ahead of Travis. I was grateful, but I couldn’t stop thinking there had to be a way for me to have some semblance of a life while waiting for him to be recaptured. A random thought popped into my head. But doesn’t Travis know about the safe house, too? I asked what I thought was a valid question, but Deacon rolled his eyes again.

Yes, James Randall said. I think he was trying to sound patient and understanding, but it came across as condescending. I felt tempted to tell him he’d been hanging out with Deacon for too long. "He knows we have safe houses, but he doesn’t know about this one. I got it yesterday, and the guys spent all morning furnishing it in a way they thought you’d like it. You’re staying, and I don’t want to hear another word about it."

I sighed in exasperation, and Deacon attempted to persuade me. You know this is the best thing for you to do right now. Until we find him, you have to stay out of sight. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close to him. I’m not taking any chances of losing you right now. I just got you back.

Fine, I whined playfully. I included an eye roll of my own for good measure. But you’re staying with me, aren’t you?

I’ll be here as much as I can, baby, but the best place for me to be is out there looking for that asshole brother of yours.

James Randall glanced at Deacon, and said, The other asshole brother. Right, asshole? He turned toward me. Dulcie, look. I need Deacon right now. Until we know for certain who was working with Travis, I can only trust Deacon, Charlie, and Dave to be thorough in this search. I’m sorry, but I can’t spare him. Can you understand?

Despite understanding, I was still disappointed. Yes, but I don’t have to be happy about it.

No one is happy about it, honey, but our only purpose is to keep you safe. Daddy stepped forward to separate Deacon and me. Though he was trying to be outwardly encouraging, I knew he still had reservations about us seeing each other. I didn’t know why, exactly, but I had too many other things going on to attempt to figure that one out, too. We need to find Travis as soon as we can so you can get back to your normal life.

Normal life? What normal life is that? I don’t remember the last time I had a normal life! Will that be the normal life of me being chased around by goons or being in my father’s prison-mansion?

Well, at least I’m a good-looking goon, right? Deacon quipped as he and James Randall exchanged smirks.

You’re not helping, son, Daddy said to Deacon. Look, I know this hasn’t been easy for you, honey, but once we find him, you and Deacon can start building that normal life you want. Together.

Deacon’s arms went around me, and I felt the electricity in his touch. He’s right, Dulcie. You’ll see. I promise it will be perfect. Just give us some time and let us do our jobs.

James Randall’s cell phone rang, and my stomach lurched at the sudden noise. My nerves were so frazzled that I constantly jumped at the slightest things. He glanced at the number and motioned for Deacon to follow him outside. It alarmed me when Deacon’s phone rang, too. Judging by the looks on their faces as they both barked into their phones as they took off, I was not alone in my concern. It didn’t bode well that someone was calling both of them at the same time, and I exchanged a worried glance with Daddy.

Something was wrong.

While they rushed out, Daddy gently put his hand on my shoulder and my attention came back to him. Honey, you need to let these boys do what they do. They’re good at it, and they both want you to be safe. Right now, just sit back, relax, and--

Please don’t say it!

"I will say it, and you’ll hear it, because it’s the right thing. You need to do what they tell you to do, for once."

He was right. They all were, though I hated to admit it. Wishing he and Mama hadn’t raised me to respect my elders, I nodded.

Mama. Just thinking of her tugged at my gut. I still hadn’t processed my feelings about her possible betrayal, and I hadn’t told a soul other than Callie. I trusted only two other people enough to tell. Deacon had so much to deal with, looking out for me and hunting down my evil brother, that I couldn’t tell him yet. And Daddy? Well, I couldn’t figure out how to tell him that his wife may have somehow been involved in the plot to have me killed. I’d have to address it at some point, but only after I’d come to terms with it myself. The biggest obstacle I faced in talking to either of them was that we were never by ourselves. Euless’s men were always surrounding us, and I had no intention of discussing it where anyone could overhear.

I’d also have to confront her one day, and that thought filled me with dread.

I guess you’re right. Although, I swear, Daddy, sometimes I wonder if any of it matters, anyway!

Of course, it matters, honey. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve to be happy. You need a bit more time. That’s all.

Thank you, Daddy. When I think about this situation with Travis, I get frustrated. I’ve done nothing to him. I’ve tried to live a good life. I go to church. I volunteer. I donate to charities. I’m nice to people, even some of Mama’s church lady friends, and you know how difficult they can be! But sometimes I think I’d be better off not worrying about other people and taking care of myself! Charity begins at home, they say. I’ve wondered over the past few months if it even pays to be a nice person!

You stop it right now, Dulcie Ellington Brisand! This is not how we raised you. You are a good and decent person, and don’t you ever doubt that. You don’t deserve to be treated this way, honey.

Did you ever think you were wrong to raise me that way, Daddy? Maybe I would’ve been better off if you’d taught me to be ruthless. Then I’d know how to take care of myself and handle a few of these crises on my own without needing you, Deacon, or James Randall to rescue me. I certainly wouldn’t need Euless Brisand to take care of me!

He said nothing for a moment and seemed to be carefully considering his next words. I know this is just anger talking. He hugged me closely. You are a kind, generous, and loving young woman. You do so much for others, especially at school for all those kids. That kindness will come back to you. Believe it. Have a little faith, honey.

Something deep inside me snapped. Fear, anger, and frustration I’d felt for months took control of me. Believe it? Faith? I’m kinda over it, Daddy. I’ve been through too much recently to have faith in anything. Nice guys and girls finish last, and I am exhausted! Besides, you certainly have no room to talk here. I was screaming at him for the first time in my life. I couldn’t stop myself. Euless warned me I might have a dark side to me, courtesy of him and my grandfather, and it appeared to be on full display. The noise compelled Deacon and James Randall to guardedly reenter the house.

Daddy glowered at me, a dark shadow in his eyes. His neck was a blotchy red, and the color crept upwards. I’d struck a nerve or offended him, and I couldn’t tell which. Exactly what do you mean by that, young lady? There is value in being a good person, and that’s how I’ve tried to live, and that’s how I raised you. I’m a Christian, and like people of all faiths, I try to live a moral life. Daddy had never been the type to yell, but he was dangerously close.

I was already there. "Oh, really? A moral life, huh? Is that why you lied to me for half of my life by telling me I was your daughter? You convinced me you loved me, but all along you were following orders from Euless! You’re a lackey! A coward! You are the reason I am in this mess. So, you don’t get to have a say in how I live my life anymore, and you certainly don’t get to tell me who I am or what I feel!"

The room was quiet as all three of the men gawked at me. My mind was reeling, and I couldn’t fathom where these emotions were coming from. There was only one thing left for me to do. I stormed out of the room. Not knowing which bedroom was mine in the strange new safe house, I just picked a room, went inside, and slammed the door. I was being childish, but I didn’t think I could listen to another one of Daddy’s ‘power of positive thinking’ speeches. I’d have rather eaten dirt.

After being by myself for a while, I calmed down a little, though my anger continued to simmer just under the surface. At least it still wasn’t exploding all over the people I loved most. The logical part of my brain understood that anger was a secondary emotion, and I tried to pinpoint what was feeding it. There were so many, it was difficult to choose just one. Fear of being hurt again was high on the list.

So was worry for my friends, especially Callie. She claimed she was better, but I doubted it.

Then there was guilt. That was a big one. I relived the night of the shooting at Kick’s repeatedly in my head. I’d had nightmares about it, though I said nothing to anyone.

Was I experiencing PTSD?

All the pain of that night overwhelmed me. And the guilt. Everything I felt from not only my own emotions, but what I knew everyone else must have felt as well. Fear. Worry. Anger. They were all there, threatening to erupt. I remembered Terry dying right in front of me after being shot during the attack at Mama and Daddy’s house after everyone left the bar. I wanted to help him, but he’d already passed by the time I got to him. He was a good guy, and the injustice of it all infuriated me.

There were so many other things besides that one night at Kick’s. Like the brutality Callie had suffered, for one thing. Deacon almost died. Euless’s wife had died. So had innocent people in Dulsan prior to the attack at Kick’s. I could visualize every emotion in my mind. In colors. Mostly red. And black.

I stayed in the strange bedroom, trying to gather my strength. I knew I should apologize to Daddy. And probably Deacon and James Randall too. It was the last thing my pride wanted me to do, but I steeled myself regardless. After several deep breaths, I was ready to return and face Daddy’s wrath. He never allowed temper tantrums when I was growing up, and I was unsure how he’d react to seeing me after I’d been so disrespectful.

I didn’t get the chance to find out. Much to my disappointment, he was gone when I returned.

Neither Deacon nor James Randall spoke to me at first. They barely even looked at me. I finally asked Deacon, Where’s Daddy?

Not here, was his reply. He picked up his backpack and walked out the front door. Great! He was angry with me, too. I glanced at James Randall for support, but he was pretending to count the number of stripes on the wallpaper. His phone soon rang, and he left the room