Beauty and the Billionaire Bad*ss Page 11

  Ignoring her, Lydia continued, “They invented a revolutionary memory chip that held three times the industry standards of ten years ago, but was less than half the size. Your father approached them about buying the chip, but Justin and Carter knew it would make them rich. They refused Terini’s persistent and dogged attempts to gain the memory chip.”

  Lydia fell silent for a moment, drawing in a deep breath before continuing. “Terini got tired of waiting, and he sent a security team to the warehouse where Roche was headquartered at the time. The men beat Justin and Carter until they were unconscious, stole the chip, and set fire to the building. “

  “Darren was returning with food, and he was able to pull Carter from the fire, but the building was engulfed with flames before he could even think about returning to the inferno to retrieve Justin. My husband burned to death on the direct orders of your father. His men were instructed to kill Carter and Justin and cover their deeds with arson.”

  “You have no proof,” Scarlett insisted stridently. “Those men could have come from anywhere.”

  “My brother is still old-fashioned in many ways,” Lydia said with peculiar satisfaction. “He spent two years tracking down a member of the team, working with the only lead he had. The face of the man whose mask he’d displaced in their fight.” She tossed the manila folder down on the bed. “In exchange for my brother’s silence, Louis Venetta confessed to his part in the crime and signed this statement. Carter has not pressed charges because he wants revenge himself. However, he is a fair man, and would not pursue Terini until he was positive that he was the one responsible.”

  Numbly, Scarlett flipped open the file and read the two page statement from Venetta as Lydia maintained a hostile silence. “This man is a liar,” she said, but her tone lacked conviction.

  “In addition to the statement, Carter had preliminary proof when Terini released the MX-187 chip, almost an exact replica of his prototype, less than six months after the fire and Justin’s death.” She gazed down at Scarlett.

  “What more do you want?” she asked weakly.

  “Now you can see why a future between you and Carter is impossible,” Lydia gloated. “His hatred of your family will always interfere. It is best to end things now, before you fall in love with him.”

  “Too late,” Scarlett said bitterly. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I have no intention of breaking my relationship with Carter. I love him, and now I understand his rage at my father, thanks to you. I will support him no matter what he does to my father.” Lydia’s plan had backfired, Scarlett would make her see that. What a terrible sister she was.

  “Brave words,” Lydia mocked. “But time will show how well they hold up,” she added, leaving the room.

  She’d left the folder behind, and Scarlett impulsively hid it in her suitcase, wondering if she would need it in the future for some purpose. As she returned the case to the closet, Lydia’s words sank in, and sobs burst from her chest. The man who’d raised her was a murderer. How could she ever look at him the same way again?

  A fierce wave of love washed over Scarlett, and she was grateful that Carter had tried to spare her this pain. Dashing the tears from her eyes, she belted the robe securely and hurried from her room, practically running down the hall to his bedroom. She pounded on the door, then impatiently again when he failed to answer immediately. His door finally swung open, and Scarlett threw herself in his arms. “I’ve made my decision. I’ll stand by you, no matter what action you take against my father. I love you.”

  Carter sighed as his heart lifted. He pulled her against him and crushed her mouth under his in a fierce kiss. “You won’t change your mind?” he asked.

  “Never,” Scarlett vowed.

  “I won’t let you,” Carter whispered as he pulled her into his room.

  18

  Scarlett

  Though their visit had gotten off to a rocky start, Scarlett enjoyed the rest of the trip. His family was warm, with the exception of Lydia, and she knew they’d accepted her. Even Thea hugged her before she got in the town car. “Come back soon,” she whispered.

  When Vanna wrapped Scarlett in a sisterly embrace, she said, “The wedding will be lavish,” she predicted. “You must have it here.”

  Scarlett shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at Carter, who was busy saying goodbye to his brother. “We haven’t gotten to that point yet,” she muttered.

  Vanna laughed. “You will. Then there will be bambini, and Athena will be very happy.”

  Scarlett sighed in exasperation, but she secretly hoped Vanna was right. She moved on to Ekaterini, then Athena, receiving warm hugs from each of them, and kind comments. Athena grasped her face between her hands, looking deep into her eyes. “Love him well.”

  “I will,” Scarlett promised, and Athena nodded her satisfaction.

  She wished they could stay on Thakilopos forever, just making love on the sand, swimming in the Aegean, and living an idyllic life far away from her father.

  The meeting was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and Scarlett knew Carter had to be there for that. She realized how important his revenge was to him, and she didn’t blame him. Dismantling Rocco’s company was a very important piece of his vengeance, and she wouldn’t deny him the right, nor the pleasure he would receive. Her only wish was that it was over already, and that they could concentrate on the future.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, noticing her frown.

  Scarlett turned to Carter and smiled. “I’m fine. I was just wishing we didn’t have to leave already,” she explained as they got out of the car and boarded the jet. Leondris was in the cockpit, and the plane lifted smoothly from the runway. Soon, they were airborne.

  “I miss Thakilopos,” Carter said. “I don’t mean I miss it already. I mean I miss living here. If not for...things...I would have moved back long ago.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to return to Thakilopos when...” Scarlett paused. “When you’ve carried out your plan?”

  “It’s a possibility I’ve been entertaining frequently

  Tension filled Scarlett as she waited for him to ask her about the island. She would love to live on Thakilopos. In fact, the only drawback for her was Lydia, and possibly Noah, who still treated her with hostility. She could envision being very happy living on the island, but she would want a home of her own. As much as she liked and respected Athena, she couldn’t imagine living with her. She’d want privacy so she could seduce Carter in every room of their house.

  Her silly grin faded as Carter remained silent. Worry took over as she fretted that he didn’t want to bring her back to the island. They hadn’t discussed the future beyond the next few days, and she was worried. What if Carter didn’t really love her? What if it was all still a game for him? No, that wasn’t true, and she knew it. Carter had been tender and thoughtful since she’d confessed her love. He’d been loving, and was generous with the words, “I love you.” He hated her father, and with good reason, but he didn’t hate her, and he wasn’t playing any games with her. Perhaps he was waiting to see if she could keep her promise after he’d destroyed her father. Scarlett sighed and rested her head against the back of the seat.

  “What are you thinking?” Carter asked abruptly

  “Nothing,” she dismissed with another sigh. “It wasn’t important.”

  They stopped in New York to refuel and change pilots, but this time they did not stay at a hotel. Leondris waved to them jauntily as the plane taxied down the runway. They would not see him again until their next visit to the island as he divided his time between New York and Greece.

  It was late when they landed at the airfield near Carter’s estate. Scarlett was tired beyond belief, just from sitting in the plane for so long. She yawned repeatedly, and leaned on Carter as they walked to the waiting town car.

  Scarlett was half-asleep by the time they reached the house and allowed Carter to lead her inside. Carter carried her up the stairs and she felt so safe in his arms. W
hen he took her hand and led her into his room, she was surprised and pleased. She didn’t ask any questions about the future as they snuggled together under the covers. She was too tired to form any words, and his arms were too heavenly around her.

  When Scarlett awoke, the sun was streaming through the open blinds, and she knew it was late in the morning. Scarlett looked at the clock and gasped when she realized it was nearly eleven. The meeting was scheduled for eleven-thirty at the Ritz-Carleton in San Francisco. She groaned, acknowledging she would never make it in time. She’d planned to attend the meeting, both as a show of support for Carter, and to witness the destruction of her father’s stolen company. The company he’d been willing to kill for. She hadn’t enlightened Carter to her plans, figuring he would object, and now it was too late to follow through.

  Scarlett slid from the bed, taking one of Carter’s navy shirts from the closet and sliding it on so she could go to her old room and dress. As she stepped into the hallway, she was distracted from her purpose by the sound of raised voices downstairs. Recognizing Chrys’s voice, Scarlett hurried down the stairs, not bothering to dress first.

  “I have to see her,” Chrys wailed.

  “Miss Scarlett is still sleeping,” Edward said firmly. “If you would like to leave a message, or a calling card, I will see that she receives it.”

  “Wake her up,” Chrys demanded. “She’s my sister, for god’s sake. I need to see her.”

  “I’m awake,” Scarlett said softly, and abruptly became aware of her state of dress as two disbelieving faces looked at her. Edward quickly hid his shock, schooling his expression into blandness. “Thank you, Edward,” she said self-consciously, resisting the urge to pull at the hem of the shirt.

  “Yes, madam.” He inclined his head. “Excuse me.” He dismissed himself, leaving the two sisters to stare at each other in awkward silence.

  “Oh no,” Chrys wailed abruptly. “He’s made you his sex slave.”

  Scarlett laughed to herself, if only. “Come upstairs with me so I can get dressed,” she invited, and Chrys trailed behind her up the staircase.

  Scarlett took her into her old room, seating her on the bed before rummaging in the closet for something to wear. The clothes purchased in New York had been unpacked, ironed, and hung, and Scarlett made a mental note to thank Trudie, the upstairs maid.

  Chrys gnawed on her lip as she watched her sister. “Is it awful?” she burst out. “Does he hold you prisoner? Does he hurt you?”

  Laughing Scarlett shook her head, “We’ll talk in a minute,” she promised, going into the bathroom to dress in jeans and a warm sweater. She missed the balmy temperatures of Greece already. When she emerged from the bathroom, Chrys was stretched out on her bed, weeping. “What’s wrong?” she asked gently, sitting beside her sister.

  “I can’t believe Father has done this to you. He has sold you to Carter Braxton.”

  “It’s not like that,” said Scarlett. “I love Carter, and he loves me.”

  “How can you love that monster?” Chrys demanded heatedly. “He’s taking our home, and Father’s business, leaving us destitute.”

  “I can’t tell you why, but Carter has good reason to hate our father,” Scarlett whispered.

  “Why can’t you tell me?” Chrys asked, her expression hurt. She might be older than Scarlett, but she looked up to her, depended on her. She obviously felt betrayed that Scarlett would keep secrets from her.

  “I can’t because I’m not even supposed to know myself,” said Scarlett. “His sister told me in confidence. Even Carter doesn’t know that I know about Father’s...never mind.”

  “You truly love him?” Chrys asked, disbelieving. How could anyone, especially her beautiful sister, love that hideously scarred monster?

  “Yes.” Scarlett sighed. “He’s...well, I could spend hours telling you about him, but that’s not why you’re here.”

  “No.” Chrys shuddered as she imagined Carter’s scarred hands on her sister. The thought was too horrifying to entertain for long.

  “Why are you here?” asked Scarlett, her tone suddenly serious. “Have you heard about the meeting?”

  “What meeting?” Chrys asked, biting her bottom lip.

  “Today is the day Carter is auctioning off the pieces of Terini Electronics,” said Scarlett. For a moment, she’d thought Chrys might have information about some scheme their father was going to attempt, but if she did, she wouldn’t come to warn Carter.

  “Father is making me marry,” Chrys cried, her tears renewing.

  “What?” Scarlett demanded. “He can’t make you get married, Chrys.”

  She nodded, hiccupping, “Yes, he can. He told me that he would disown me if I don’t marry Ralf Lemmings.”

  “Ralf?” Scarlett asked, her mouth twisting in disgust. Lemmings Superconducter Technology was a supplier for Terini Electronics, and she’d had the misfortune of meeting Ralf on several occasions. He was an odious little man, less than five-six, and close to three hundred pounds. He oiled his hair and beard, thinking it made him appear suave, but it only made him look greasy. He favored heavy French cologne that smelled like sweaty socks, and he fancied himself a charmer. He was also close to fifty and had been through four young wives in ten years. He also had the nasty habit of trying to paw the Terini girls in the shadows when no one was around. “You can’t marry him. That’s ridiculous.”

  “I don’t want to. I hate him, and when he touches me, I want to throw up.” Her gaze dropped away from Scarlett’s and she whispered, “He tried to...last night. I couldn’t stand to have his hands on me, so I ran to my room. Father tried to drag me out, yelling that if I didn’t cooperate we were all ruined. As soon as Father left this morning, I took a car and came to you.”

  Scarlett patted her sister’s back, concerned that Chrys would cry until she made herself sick. How could their father do this to Chrys? It was bad enough that he’d loaned her to Carter, who thankfully turned out to be a decent man with morals and convictions. Now he was trying to sell gentle, naïve Chrysanthia to a man who defined disgusting. “How much did Ralf offer?” she asked.

  Chrys shrugged as she finally sat up, wiping the runny mascara off her cheeks with the tissue Scarlett handed her. “Father never tells us anything. I heard him say that he would have enough to take buy back the house from Braxton.”

  “So, at least two million,” Scarlett mused, knowing there was no way for her to top that offer. Her only hope was Carter, and she couldn’t get very hopeful about that. “You can’t go back to that house.” She wouldn’t allow Chrys to return to Terini Manor when there was even a slight possibility that Father would allow Ralf to lay his hands on her. “You’ll stay here with us, at least until we work something out.”

  “Carter won’t mind?” Chrys asked weakly.

  “I’ll speak to Carter.” Scarlett ignored the twinge in her stomach at the thought of the coming confrontation. Carter wouldn’t like it at all. “You can have this room.”

  “I thought this was your room,” Chrys protested.

  “It was, but it isn’t now,” Scarlett said vaguely. “I’ll have my clothes moved so you’ll have some space.” She frowned, realizing that Chrys had no clothes. She would have to ask Carter for some money to get her sister some clothing, unless...”I’m going to call Lecy and see if she’ll bring some clothes up for you.”

  “Will Father try to force Lecy to marry Ralf if I don’t go back?” Chrys fretted.

  “No,” Scarlett said with absolute certainty. Rocco already knew that Lecy would not be pressured into such a situation, thus he’d chosen to make Chrys his sacrifice. “Lecy will be safe, but she doesn’t have to return to Terini Manor if she doesn’t want to,” she promised rashly.

  Lecy answered the phone on the first ring, sounding frantic. “Chrys?”

  “No, it’s me,” Scarlett answered. “Chrys is here, with me.”

  “How is she?” Lecy asked stridently. “She tore out of here this morning after Father spen
t half the night screaming at her through her bedroom door.”

  “She’s much calmer now. She’s going to stay with us for a while, but she doesn’t have any of her things.”

  “I’ll bring her a bag,” Lecy offered.

  Scarlett smiled, pleased to see her sister’s iron-bitch facade crack a little. It was good to know that Lecy was as human as the rest of the population. “That would be very kind of you.” Taking a deep breath, she plunged in, “Do you feel safe there?”

  “Of course,” Lecy answered distantly. “Father is desperate, but he would never do anything to hurt anyone, especially us. I keep telling Chrysanthia that if she says no and sticks to it, Father will not be able to force her to marry Ralf.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Scarlett offered, knowing she wasn’t. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours?” Lecy agreed and she hung up.

  Scarlett and Chrys were in her old bedroom sipping tea when Edward brought Lecy to them. Carter and Darren had still not returned from the meeting, and Scarlett thought it would be easier that way. She knew how Lecy felt about Carter and knew she wouldn’t hesitate to voice her opinions. It would be best for all concerned if she could hustle Lecy out of the house before Carter returned.

  Lecy surprised her with a hug, brushing the hair off Scarlett’s face. “You look well,” she commented, surprised. She’d clearly expected her sister to have wilted away to a pale ghost in the presence of Carter Braxton.

  “We just returned from Greece,” Scarlett said lightly. “I got a tan.”

  Frowning, Lecy examined her sister more thoroughly. “You’ve fallen in love with him,” she accused abruptly.

  Scarlett forced herself not to feel defensive. Instead, she replied, “Yes,” in a steady voice.

  “How can you do this to your family?” Lecy demanded, unaware how much she sounded like Lydia at the moment. “You have betrayed Father and us.”