Baby for the Billionaire(21)

Alex jumped to his feet. “No, Dad. We can handle this.”

Cesare clenched and unclenched his hands. “I want to see his face. He was my friend, and now he’s a traitor.”

“You’re getting upset, and that’s not good for you. Matt and I will go see Porter. Let Nick take you home.”

“No,” Nick growled. “I’m going to see Porter.” He had more than a vested interest in all this.

Alex nodded. “Then Matt can take Dad home.”

Cesare complained but he was shaken and obviously realized it was best he not be there to confront his now ex-friend. He left with Matt, and Nick and Alex took off for the Blakes’ house.

Sally turned white when she opened the door to them. It was evident she knew why they were here.

Porter was eating dinner, and he went white, too, as Nick and Alex strode into the dining room.

Alex spoke first. “Porter, I’ve come to tell you that we’re filing charges for fraud against you.”

Sally gave a wailing cry behind them, but they ignored her.

The older man’s face screwed up. “So Sasha told, did she? I should have known not to trust that daughter of mine. She finds out a couple of days ago and threatens to blow the whistle unless I—”

Nick stiffened. “What did you say?”

Porter made a harsh sound. “I said my daughter was going to blow the whistle on her old man. Can you believe it?”

Nick looked at Porter. “Yes, I can.” Then he looked at Alex, who nodded in understanding.

“Take my car,” his brother said, tossing the keys at him. “I’ve got a lot more to say to Mr. Blake.”

Somehow Sasha managed to find some semblance of control by the time Leo dropped her off at home. She’d never been more grateful for the dark glass panel between them as she huddled in the corner of the back seat, unable to stop the tears from flowing.

Iris took one look at her face and was full of concern. “Mrs. Valente, is there something wrong?”

Sasha almost laughed out loud. Everything was wrong. And nothing could make it right.

Not ever.

“Are you ill? Would you like me to call a doctor?”

Sasha headed for the stairs. “I’d just like to be alone, Iris.”

The housekeeper was clearly reluctant to accept that, but inclined her head. “If you wish, Mrs. Valente.”

“I do.”

Sasha made her way to the bedroom, sick with anguish. She threw some water on her face, hoping the coldness would take away her inner pain, but knowing it was a losing battle. She was burning up inside, her despair like a flame inside her, growing higher and more intense. An iceberg could not put it out.

She knew what she had to do. Nick would no longer want her in his house or in his life and she wouldn’t wait around for him to kick her out. He would be glad to see her gone. No doubt he would even get someone else in to oversee the redecorating.

Her throat tightening, she began to throw some of her things in a suitcase. She would get the rest later. Or better still, leave them for charity. She wouldn’t want any reminders of her marriage.

Just then there was a tap at the door and she swallowed a moan. “Come in.”

The housekeeper’s eyes widened when she saw the suitcase on the bed. “Um … your mother’s on the phone, Mrs. Valente.”

Sasha’s nerves tensed. “I don’t want to talk to anyone right now, Iris.”

“She says it’s urgent.”

Sasha winced, then realized it was best to take the call. She felt too raw to give her mother the support she needed right now, but once she pulled herself together, she’d manage it in the future.

Somehow.

She picked up the phone. “Mum, I—”

“Sasha, how could you! You said you would give your father until Friday and now you’ve gone and told the Valentes. You’ve betrayed your own family.”

She then went into a tirade about Porter going to jail and that her daughter had sent him there, and at that moment Sasha finally understood something. No matter what her father did, her mother would always make excuses for him.

And her daughter would come a poor second.

Sasha quietly hung up. Her mother was welcome to do what she wanted with her life, but she wasn’t about to help her do that any longer.

It was over.

Just like her marriage to Nick.

There was only one place where she’d found a measure of peace before. She would go back to London. There was nothing for her here.

Nick drove home as fast as he dared. Last night when Sasha had begged him to make love to her, she must have known something was about to happen. She should have told him the truth. She should have said something.

Anything.

Then he remembered how she’d tried to tell him the truth back in the conference room, only he hadn’t wanted to listen. He’d accused her of revenge.

Dammit all to hell.

He took the stairs two at a time, not believing Iris’s words that Sasha had packed her things and gone. Then he saw some of her clothes missing from the wardrobe and the dresser now empty of her possessions.

And he felt empty deep inside.

So empty he wasn’t sure if he could live without her.

Not when she’d taken his heart with her.

He sucked in a lungful of air. He hadn’t seen it coming, but he loved her. It hit him fair and square between the eyes. He could not deny it.

And now he couldn’t even tell her. He had no idea where she’d gone, except that he knew she wouldn’t go home. After what he’d seen, her parents wouldn’t want her.

Well, he did.

He strode to the telephone beside the bed and called Joyce. He’d turn this city over until he found the woman he loved.





Twelve


Sasha tightened the belt of her bathrobe, then began toweling her hair dry as she walked into the bedroom. She probably should order something to eat except that she didn’t have an appetite. It was going to be a long time before—

“Sasha.”

Her head shot up, her heart slamming against her ribs at the sight of her husband standing in her hotel room. “Nick!”

Their eyes locked, but she could tell nothing from his expression.

“Yes, Sasha. It’s me.”

Her mind tried to take it in. He was here. Oh God, Nick was really here. But how? Why? She dare not hope. No, not even the tiniest bit.

Placing the towel on the table, she pushed back her wet hair and faced him. “How did you find me?”

“You used your credit card to book the hotel, and then again for your flight to London tomorrow.”

She hadn’t thought he’d be looking so she hadn’t given it a second thought. Then she realized why he’d come looking for her. The disappointment was immense.

She thrust back her shoulders. “Look, if you want more details about my father, you’ve had a wasted journey.”

“I already know the details.”

Her forehead creased. Was he playing some sort of game with her? “Then there’s nothing to say.”

“There’s plenty to say.” He paused and suddenly regret seemed to cut through him. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”

“S-sorry?”

“For not trusting you.”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”

“I shouldn’t have been so quick to believe you’d have anything to do with what your father did.”

She searched his eyes. “You believe me?”

“Now I do. But it wasn’t until Porter inadvertently told us your involvement that I realized I’d misjudged you.” He took in a lungful of air. “I’m sorry, Sasha. I’ll say I’m sorry every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.”

Her heart began to wobble. “You want me to come back to you?”

His expression opened up fully for the first time ever. “How can I live in that great big house without the woman I love to share it with me?”

“Nick, are you—” She moistened her mouth. Dare she say the words? “Are you saying you love me?”

“Yes.”

Her heart jumped with joy but still she held back. She was too scared to believe it. There had to be another reason.

“Is this your revenge, Nick? Are you going to get me to admit I love you and then walk away?”

There was a flash of pain in his eyes. “No. The only direction I’m walking in is to you.” His steps did exactly that. And then he stood in front of her, his gaze achingly intense. “Do you love me, Sasha?”

She looked up at him and could fight it no longer. “Yes, Nick, I do. I’ve always loved you. I always will.”

He pulled her close. “Oh God, I love you, Sash,” he said thickly, his deep voice caressing her ears.

“Nick,” she murmured, love swelling within her.

He drew her close and kissed her. She inhaled him in like he was the very air, his heartbeat merging with hers, his touch purring along her skin, his scent mingling with her own. She’d never felt more alive.

Or complete.

He moved back but held her within the circle of his arms. “Last night I knew there was something going on with you, but I didn’t know what. And today, I didn’t know if you could forgive me.” His lips brushed hers. “I just have to say it again. I love you.”

“I’ll never get sick of hearing you say it,” she whispered, the love in his eyes stealing her breath. “I love you so very much, Nick.”