Fortress Read online

  “She wasn’t trying to fuck me.” Marcus sighed at the truth.

  “Are you kidding me? All of that nice to meet you, Mr. Forde shit. Please.” She sneered, her polite charade quickly dissipating.

  “Look, you don’t seem too happy for it to be your wedding day.” Marcus tried to hold the jab in, but couldn’t.

  Vanessa had cut in on the most promising part of his night.

  “Fuck you, Marc.”

  “You’re married now. We can’t do that anymore. Isn’t that what you said?”

  Vanessa clenched her fist. He knew that she wanted to slap him, but couldn’t. At least, not here.

  “Why would you come here, looking like that...” Her lips pursed. “Why would you do this to me on my wedding day, Marc?”

  “I told you that I didn’t have to come. You said it’d be odd if I didn’t. C’mon Vanessa, damn. What do you want from me?”

  He wanted to take the statement back as soon as it rolled out of his mouth, but it was too late. He knew exactly what she wanted from him, but he hadn’t been ready to give it to her. In actuality, he didn’t want to give it to her at all, but Vanessa was perfect for him, on paper. So, eventually Marcus would have married her. He would have hated every minute of it, but eventually he would have.

  She had no substance. And while Marcus didn’t hold it against her, it was clear that she held it against herself. Tears started to well up in her eyes, which made Marcus uncomfortable because he knew what Vanessa was really crying over. She wasn’t crying because she wanted him so badly. She wanted his last name.

  “Vanessa, don’t do that. You married well. You’ll be happy.” He pulled her into a hug.

  “You did the right thing. You couldn’t wait on me forever. I get it.” He rubbed her back then released her.

  “You’re an asshole.” She punched his chest. “And I hate you.”

  “Everyone does.” He shrugged then motioned for her to leave. “You should get back to your husband.”

  They shared one more moment of silence before Vanessa turned to leave. He sighed in relief once he was alone again then reached in his pocket to check his phone. Missed calls and texts filled the screen.

  He swiped away the ones that weren’t important until he found several from his brother and sister. His family was leaving and looking for him.

  Marcus reappeared in the venue then quickly found his way back to their table.

  “Goodness gracious, Marc.” His mother exclaimed once he rejoined them. “Where have you been? We need to take a family picture.”

  “I just needed air.” His eyes darted to his sister who let out a snide giggle. “What’s so funny, Ayda?”

  He was the only one in the family who was never afraid to confront her. Ayda’s antics never phased him.

  “Nothing,” She put on her most innocent expression. “It’s just that usually when I disappear like that, I’m up to something. I hadn’t seen Vanessa either, now that I think of it.”

  “Ayda,” Tremaine gently pinched her, cutting her off.

  Marcus’ prior relationship with the bride was never a secret, but Ayda needed to have more decorum. That was her problem.

  “Let’s take this picture. Your father needs to go.” Claudette regained control of the conversation.

  They all quietly positioned themselves, while Tremaine offered to snap the picture. Ayda wanted to protest, but he gently quieted her again, before taking several photos.

  “Tremaine, you’re in this family too.” She grumbled as soon as they were done.

  “Baby, someone had to take the picture. It’s fine, let’s go home...” He placed a kiss on her lips, which instantly shut her mouth, for which Marcus was thankful.

  “Alright, well, let’s go.” Dwele cut in, directing everyone out of the reception.

  They filed out, each waiting for their car to be brought around by the valet. His father’s car came first. Marcus had driven their mother, but now he would have a quiet ride home since his father was taking her home.

  “I’ve got an early morning meeting with Nexlon tomorrow, so I’ll be in a little later.” His father pulled him aside. “But I still want to discuss the numbers for our most recent accounts, including that basketball player you’ve got us managing now.”

  His father’s comment was intended to be a dig, but Marcus had learned to let those roll off of his back. Besides, he had good news to share. His account with the city's basketball hero was doing exceptionally well.

  “I’ll find you once you get in.” He countered his father’s aggressive nature with his own. That was how you won his father’s respect.

  “Good.” He nodded then turned to Dwele and Ayda. “Goodnight and good to see you, Tremaine.”

  “You too, sir.” Tremaine nodded back, as his car pulled up for he and Ayda.

  “Yes, don’t be a stranger, dear.” Claudette pulled him into an embrace, leaving her lipstick on his cheek from a small peck.

  Marcus’ insides tightened at the sight of it. He had no idea why his parents weren’t leerier of Tremaine, given his background and Ayda’s propensity for making bad choices.

  “Love you, goodnight.” Claudette then pulled each of her children into a tight grasp.

  They all disappeared into their respective cars, leaving Marcus alone to wait for his. He stood there, mindlessly scrolling through his phone until he felt an invisible tug on him that made him look up. He lifted his head, his eyes drawn to a specific direction.

  There she was. Charlisse was standing and waiting with her phone in her hand. He found himself calling out her name. She looked up and smiled then waved, but went back to her phone.

  Damn. It’s like that?

  He almost let it go, but something pushed him to try again.

  “Waiting on your car?” He called out, just as his arrived.

  “No, I called a Lyft.” She was still looking down.

  “Well, how about I give you a ride?” He opened the passenger door of his car, forgetting about who could possibly be watching him.

  She finally looked up and their eyes connected. Her expression balled up in thought for a moment then eased into acceptance.

  “Okay.” She quickly, but still gracefully, walked towards his car. “You seem safe enough.”

  She took his hand to get into the passenger seat then mouthed “thank you,” as he gently shut the door.

  *****

  The infamous Marcus Forde, Jr.

  Charlisse thought to herself, as Marcus closed the door after her. She watched him come around to the driver’s side and sized him up. He was everything that she had imagined him to be. Tall and debonair.

  You couldn’t live in Washington, D.C. and not have heard something about Marcus Forde, Jr. or his family. Charlisse was familiar with his reputation for being ruthless in the boardroom and his extravagance. Yet, tonight, he was charming and down to earth.

  It’s probably just game.

  She had to remind herself. She also knew of Marcus’ reputation with women. A skirt and a smile was all that it took, but that was no different than most men in this city. Most weren’t thinking about anything more than a one-night stand until they were pushing fifty, determined to be a playboy until the very end. Scandals, affairs, and second or third wives were the name of the dating game here.

  Charlisse knew because she had seen it all. Her work had shown her the worst of people, especially men. Wealthy men, in particular. She spent her career cleaning up their messes. Even Councilmember Bridges, who was generally a good guy, had his own moments of weakness.

  She was sure that was why the new Mrs. Bridges had issues with her. But given the hot flames that were bouncing between her and Marcus during the brief discourse that she saw, Vanessa also seemed to have had her own moments of indiscretion.

  “I’m over in Northwest. Near the Van Ness area.” She directed Marcus once he was inside the car.

  “That’s near me too, perfect.”

  They fell quiet, as he pul
led off. The wedding had been in the downtown area of the city, which meant that they were going to have a nice little drive ahead of them.

  Charlisse relaxed into the plush seats and pulled out her phone to answer emails. There were always emails to respond to. Her job consumed her life, but this year, she had taken major steps to release herself from its shackles. It was just hard to set boundaries because she worked for herself. She was a one-woman show for her clients. People often had an idea of what a crisis manager did, especially given the hit show Scandal. Still, few knew that it also included managing her client’s press, public relations, and anything else that came in between.

  Her ears perked up at the sound of classical music suddenly coming from the speakers.

  “It’s not too loud, is it?” She looked over to see Marcus watching her.

  “Oh no, you’re fine. This is your car. Do as you please.” She grinned at him then went back to her phone.

  She typed up a response to an email that had been waiting on her to reply for almost a week.

  “I didn’t peg you as a classical music kind of guy.” She found herself saying just to fill the silence.

  “Oh, yeah, it’s more so for when I need to think...or sleep.”

  “Sleep? What is that?” She joked, but was partially serious.

  This long night had cut into her hours of much awaited slumber. She checked the time and frowned at the late hour. It was nearing midnight.

  “I don’t get it very often, so I know what you mean.” Marcus chuckled a deep laugh that tickled Charlisse’s libido.

  She tried to push the attraction out of her mind to focus on her emails, but it wasn’t easy. Marcus had a manly presence that towered over her, tapping into her deepest senses of femininity. He was direct and honest, which drew her to him. She also couldn’t ignore that he was annoyingly attractive. Charlisse had a type and he fit the mold. He had just the right height and stature for picking her up and sexing her against a wall. Too bad that she was too much of a lady to ever let those thoughts be heard out loud.

  Her phone buzzed in her lap, which was a welcomed distraction. Even better, it was a text from her father, who she adored. He was asking how the wedding had been. She couldn’t help the smile that flashed across her face at his feeble attempt at using an emoji.

  Charlisse was an only child and her mother had passed away from breast cancer when she was in high school. That left her and her father with just each other. She had always been a daddy’s girl, but they naturally grew closer after losing her mother.

  “Someone making you smile? Plans for tonight?” Marcus’ voice interrupted her memories of the late Marjorie Lageaux.

  “It’s my Daddy.” She flatly replied.

  “You mean your father or...”

  ​“Just my father.” She erupted into unexpected laughter.

  ​“Hey, you’ve gotta ask.” He laughed back, pulling at her attraction to him again.

  She dared to look up at him for a moment. Everything that she had known of Marcus was something that she had read or observed from seeing him in passing. He was known for being a hard ass, but clearly, there was something else there.

  “So, is he here in D.C. too?”

  “No, he’s back home in New Orleans. He’s a judge there, so that’ll always be home for him.”

  “Gotcha.” Marcus nodded. “A judge, wow. You didn’t want to follow in his footsteps?”

  “Hell no.” The words shot out more passionately than she intended.

  “I mean,” She grinned. “I’m an only child, so I take my family’s legacy very seriously, but I also know my strengths. That’s not it.”

  “Why do you say that?” Marcus’ voice grew deeper than his already gruff tone, which made her quiver a little.

  She wanted to let the window down to allow fresh air in. She needed something to cool down her heated interest in him.

  “Well, to be honest, it’s hard enough being Judge Lageaux's daughter. I couldn’t imagine having to be Judge Lageux’s daughter, the lawyer. That’s too much pressure.” She looked out of the window.

  “But managing crises isn’t?”

  “It's a different kind of pressure.” She turned back to him. “The good kind.”

  “Right.” Marcus nodded. “Some people don’t appreciate pressure...” His words trailed off.

  “Well, I still am a judge’s daughter.” She smiled. “So, I do.”

  “Well, if you could teach my sister that...” He bit his tongue, but he didn’t need to say more.

  His sister, Ayda Forde, had often been the topic of conversation in their circles. From what Charlisse knew, Ayda insisted on living outside of her family’s overbearing image. A few years ago, she had been engaged and then suddenly wasn’t without explanation. People still talked about it.

  “Some people like to do their own thing. That takes bravery. I know my opinion is irrelevant, but just a different perspective.” She felt the need to stand up for Ayda’s decision.

  She had ended an engagement herself. She knew the kind of courage that took. Plus, her work had taught her that everything had a story and everyone had a reason. She didn’t know the story or Ayda’s reasoning, so she definitely could not judge her.

  It was clear that Marcus didn’t subscribe to the same logic. They looked at each other for a moment, silently disagreeing, but Marcus’ face eventually transformed into an expression that was unmistakable – desire. It was strong and targeted right at her, so much so, that Charlisse found herself scooting towards the passenger door just to get away.

  She couldn’t have sex with Marcus Forde, Jr. They were too interconnected. Suddenly, her stomach grumbled, releasing her from the temporary trap that his stare had placed her in.

  “You’re hungry?” His voice was tinged with judgment, yet again. “You just left a wedding with unlimited food.”

  "Damn, so much judgment.” She ran a finger through her hair. “If you must know, I didn’t eat much.”

  “Why?”

  “Geez,” She cut her eyes at him. “I’m a vegetarian and they didn’t have the best options for those of us who don’t partake in meat or fish.”

  “Oh,” Marcus up and downed her. “Is that recent, or,”

  “Wow,” She knew what he was trying to suggest.

  She didn't look like the stereotypical skinny vegetarian, but she still wanted to see if he was bold enough to say it out loud.

  “Why do you ask, Marcus?”

  “It’s Marc. Marcus is my father.” He quickly corrected her. “And I mean, I just thought...I mean, you’re not...” He was trying every way to clean up his statement, but he couldn’t make it better.

  “I’ve been a vegetarian since college and despite the preconceived notion, not all vegetarians are stick thin. Cake is vegetarian and so are French fries.” She finished the statement for him. “You really are an asshole. Just when I was beginning to think otherwise.”

  “How?” He laughed. “I was just wondering and I asked. Was I not supposed to ask?”

  “Yes, you can ask, but...” She shook her head. “For someone so worldly, there are clearly some things that you don’t know.”

  “I’ve never claimed to know everything.” Marcus shrugged. “We can grab something to eat since you’re hungry.”

  “No thanks, everything that’s still open is fast food. I’ll wait until I get home.”

  “Well actually there’s a 24-hour diner out that way. They’ve probably got better choices if you want to go.”

  Charlisse thought about it for a moment. Her better judgment told her to get her behind home. She didn’t need to eat this late and she definitely didn’t need to spend any more time with Marcus. Yet, here she was fixing her mouth to say “yes.”

  A short while later, they were parking near the diner. It wasn’t very crowded, but there was still enough people here for Charlisse to wonder how she had never heard of this place.

  “It’s your basic diner menu, but I’m sure they have
something that you can eat.” Marcus led her inside.

  They sat themselves at an empty table and waited on their server.

  “I certainly didn’t see you ever coming to a place like this.” She picked up a menu to look it over. “Seems a little down home for you.”

  She peered over the menu at Marcus’ expression.

  “I like nice shit. I can’t even lie.” He shrugged. “But I also like good food and with as many late nights as I have, I can’t always count on having something grand. You don’t like it?”

  He glanced at her as if he expected her to disapprove.

  “No, this is perfect.” She genuinely grinned at him.

  “Cool.” He sat silent for a moment. “If you’re open to it, we can go to one of my favorite restaurants another time. It’ll have the white table cloths, fine china and all.”

  Charlisse stopped perusing the menu. Was he asking her out on a date? This was even worse than just having sex with him. A date...was a date. Her response was stuck in her throat, but thankfully, the server finally appeared to take their orders.

  “I’ll take the veggie omelet and can I get some hot sauce?” She quickly turned her attention to the waitress.

  Marcus also gave his order, but he didn’t take his eyes off of her. She should have known that she wasn’t going to get off that easy. His expression reminded her of a lion slowly eyeing his prey, which meant that she was going to have to respond sooner or later.

  The worst part was that she wanted to oblige, but she could not let his charm and easy conversation cloud her mind. Even going on just one date with Marcus was a terrible idea. She had built her career on being as untangled in the Washington, D.C. web as she could be. Now, the very nexus of that web was trying to snare her.

  “Let me think about it.” She finally replied.

  “Of course.” He nodded. “Did you enjoy the wedding?”

  The prompt subject change surprised her, but she was grateful for it.

  “It was beautiful. Definitely worth the anticipation.” She sipped on her water as soon as the waiter placed it in front of her. She had suddenly become very thirsty.

  “You think so?” Marcus shrugged.

  “You didn’t?” She countered, interested in what lay beneath his nonchalant attitude.